Friday Meals Bites: Wizard of Za closes; three James Beard nominations for Columbus

There’s at all times lots taking place within the Columbus restaurant world! Right here’s the newest:

• The 2025 James Beard semifinalists have been introduced this week, and Columbus earned three nods amongst the bunch: Dan the Baker for Excellent Bakery, Regulation Hen for Excellent Bar, and Avishar Barua for Finest Chef: Nice Lakes! The winners will likely be introduced on the annual awards reception in June. You may view the full nominee record right here.
• The Wizard of Za pizza store introduced final week that it has ended its run as of this previous Monday, Jan. 20. The pizza-maker popped up throughout the pandemic when creator Spencer Saylor constructed up an Instagram following with a protracted wait record for his Sicilian-style pies. The store moved into Fusian’s Clintonville location in 2021 and was finally offered to the house owners of Fusian. Wizard of Za teased that the store might proceed as a pizza enterprise, as they help the following era of “pizzapreneuers.”
• Rose Dough Donuts teased extra particulars about its new storefront this week, sharing that it’s situated in Clintonville (though no precise deal with was shared) and that they hope to open by June. Rose Dough is at the moment working out of 1400 Meals Lab.
• The house owners of Tulip Cafe shared on social media that they’re increasing into the area subsequent door to their present storefront at 2926 Hayden Run Plaza.
• ZenCha Tea Salon within the Quick North shared on social media that it’s underneath new possession as of this week. They’re making updates to the area and menu, and can rename the enterprise to ZenCha Tea Home. Hours for the tea home are at the moment set at Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with extra hours probably being added sooner or later.
• Hal Block, a Coney Island native and the founding father of Block’s Bagels on the east facet, handed away final week on the age of 91. The Block household first opened their bagel store in 1957, and have been a few of the first to carry genuine New York-style bagels to central Ohio. (You may examine certainly one of their former long-time shops right here.)

Some cool culinary occasions:

• Columbus Underground’s Sweet Treats Dessert Competition is that this Sunday, Jan. 26 at The Kee downtown!
• Beginning subsequent week Wednesday, Jan. 29, Weiland’s Market is launching new collection of Wholesome Eats workshops at the side of Develop Effectively Teaching. Every class is $35 and can characteristic a distinct subject, and can embody tastings, excursions of the market, curated procuring lists, coupons, and extra.
• 614 Journal‘s Restaurant Week runs by way of Saturday, Jan. 25.
• There are nonetheless a number of seats left for a five-course dinner led by chef Justin Wotring at COLO Market & Oyster Bar at North Market Downtown tonight – Friday, Jan. 24
• And there are nonetheless seats for an Isla preview dinner at The Lox Bagel Store subsequent week Wednesday, Jan. 29.
• Columbus Meals Adventures introduced its subsequent Style Of occasion, which can deal with Center Japanese breakfast and brunch at Olive & Lime, on Feb. 8!

This week I’m additionally writing:

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