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

• The Lion, a new cocktail bar at 2511 E. Main St. in Bexley, is celebrating its grand opening today – Friday, Sept. 6. The bar is the first foray of a new group called Bexley Hospitality.
• After a soft opening last week, Mikey’s Late Night Slice is officially opening its new location at Pins Mechanical Co. in Dublin Bridge Park. This is the first of two Mikey pins; they are replacing the Weenie Wonder locations that abruptly closed earlier this year. A new Late Night Slice at Easton Pins is also coming soon.
• Meanwhile, Mikey’s also announced this week that they have stopped the truck that was parked at Land-Grant Brewing. It will only appear for occasional events, the owners said.
• The last Dragon Donuts location in Easton quietly closed recently. The donut shop first debuted in Grove City in 2018 before expanding to Grandview and Easton. The original two locations have also closed in recent years.
• A new sandwich shop called Pine Coast Cafe has opened at 3229 Hilliard Rome Rd. in Hilliard. Run by the owners of Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Shop in the same square, it offers a variety of sandwiches, salads and sides. Pine Coast’s first location is in Dearborn, Michigan.
• The owners of Echo Spirits Distilling Co. shared that they have acquired Soine Vineyards in Powell and are hiring for them.
• Budd Dairy Food Hall has announced that Burger Royale will be joining its Hatch incubator space starting Tuesday, September. 10. Their truck is now popping up in central Ohio, serving up burgers inspired by the famous opening scene in Criminal.
• A few weeks ago, Jamie’s Cheesesteaks started popping up at East Market. The owners previously operated the business out of a storefront at Indian Mound Mall in Heath.
• Fast-casual Mediterranean spot Agape is opening a new location today at 6589 Artesian Run in Delaware.
• The only central Ohio location of Cincinnati-based LaRosa’s Pizza has closed after 10 years in business. It was located at 7048 Hospital Dr. in Dublin.
• The Gateway University District shared a recent update on businesses coming soon to the neighborhood, which include Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon, a Mikey’s Late Night Slice and Schwarma Joe’s.
• Business first shared this week that a sports bar called Draft Day will take over the former Smokehouse Brewing site this fall.

And there are several events coming up!

• Columbus Oktoberfest is this weekend at the Ohio Expo Center!
• Chef Alana Schock is hosting her next pop-up dinner at GoreMade Pizza in Italian Village on Monday, September. 9.
• MySOMM is hosting a Chef’s Table wine dinner next week Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Local Roots in Powell.
• Taste of Clintonville is next week, Thursday, September. 12 at the Mozart Cafe.
• Although it’s only been open for a while, Casa Cacao in SoHud is celebrating a grand opening next Thursday, September. 12, offering 50% off drinks that guests have yet to try.

This week I also write:

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