Friday Food Bites: Waves Bar & Kitchen opens in King-Lincoln, Whitney House updates, Bonifacio to Cincy

There’s always a lot happening in the Columbus restaurant world! Here’s the latest:

• Waves Bar & Kitchen opened at the end of December at 828 E. Long St. in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood. The eatery serves pub snacks, pizzas, burgers, wings, and more.
• The recently shuttered Marshall’s Restaurant in Grandview announced that the bar portion and patio would re-open soon as a new establishment called Grand Tavern. An opening date hasn’t been set yet.
• If you’re a fan of Smith & Wollensky, this is your last chance to visit it at Easton! After 20 years, the steakhouse’s lease is up and they’re closing up to move elsewhere (a new location hasn’t been announced yet). Smith & Wollensky’s last day at Easton is Saturday, Jan. 14.
• The Filipino-eatery Bonifacio, which has a restaurant in Grandview and a stall at Budd Dairy Food Hall, is previewing a new concept called Gabriela: Filipino Kantina in Cincinnati next week. The preview takes place on Jan. 19 at Mojave East in Cincy. Gabriela will fully open sometime this spring.
• Highline Coffee Co. in Worthington re-opened this week under the ownership of Kittie’s Cakes. The coffee shop is now offering Kittie’s pastries.
• Two more locations of Kroger’s new in-house prepared foods markets, Mix Food Hall, held their grand openings this week at the Clintonville and Dublin stores. Each Mix Food Hall features multiple food vendors under one ordering system.
• In case you missed it, First Watch opened a new location – this one with a full bar and updated design – at 6505 Dublin Center Dr. in Dublin.
• Last week the dive bar JimmyIuka’s on Parsons Avenue closed up shop.
• The Whitney House is temporarily closed for a refresh of the space and menu. It will re-open on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
• Business First announced that Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos, which opened a location near Polaris and has one coming to Dublin, will open a third location at 6042 N. Hamilton Rd.
• Fat Girl Bakery in Lewis Center announced on social media this week that they’ll closing Feb. 15 to move to 6457 Hamilton Rd. (currently home to Carsonie’s Pizza).
• After a two-year hiatus, a romantic, sit-down Valentine’s Day dinner will return to White Castle! Selection locations will offer holiday decor and table-side service on Feb. 14. Advanced reservations are recommended.

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