Grab a snack (or a drink). It’s the biggest Bites & Sips ever! Despite the pandemic, there is plenty to eat and drink around Central Ohio. From celebrating Oktoberfest to getting your very own White Castle boombox case, read on for the rundown.
Schmidt’s Oktoberfest in a Box – Plus a Very Special Cream Puff Flavor
As with most big events and holidays this year, Oktoberfest 2020 will be an at-home experience. However, Schmidt’s is helping to add some authenticity. For $60 revelers can order Schmidt’s DIY Oktoberfest In A Box featuring 2 lbs. of bratwurst, Schmidt’s sauerkraut and mustard, jumbo pretzel, two acrylic beer steins, Oktoberfest pin, Hofbräuhaus beads and a beer opener. The box is available from Schmidt’s online store and at its German Village restaurant, 240 E. Kossuth St. The restaurant is open daily for dine-in, carryout and delivery.
The month of September also brings a very special cream puff flavor. Schmidt’s is partnering with Graeter’s Ice Cream for the Black Raspberry Chip Cream Puff, featuring Graeter’s handmade black raspberry puree and dark chocolate chips. The special flavor will be available through September 30 at the restaurant and at all three Schmidt’s Sausage Trucks.
For more information, visit schmidthaus.com.
Piada Celebrates 10 Years
Over the past decade fast-casual Italian eatery Piada has expanded from its first location on Lane Avenue to 38 restaurants in six states. Piada’s menu has grown along with the concept, from a build-your-own pasta and piada experience, to include DIY salads, other prepared creations and sides.
Throughout the month Piada will be offering various promotions to celebrate its anniversary, including a limited-time stuffed pasta with mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta and mascarpone, and a $5 reward sent to all Piada One rewards members to use on their next order.
For more information, visit mypiada.com.
BrewDog Teams up with Crowns & Hops for 8 Trill Pils
LA-based, Black-owned craft beer brand Crowns & Hops has teamed up with BrewDog to release 8 Trill Pils, a beer aimed at driving awareness around racial equity.
The beer has been released in three countries, the U.S., UK and Germany, with 100% of the proceeds donated to organizations focused on driving sustainable change and creating immediate actionable steps towards accomplishing racial equity around the globe. U.S. sales will support Race Forward. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, Race Forward builds strategies to advance racial justice in policies, institutions, and culture.
8 Trill Pils available in BrewDog’s online shop and at all Central Ohio BrewDog locations.
For more information, visit 8trillpils.org.
Bottoms Up Coffee Co-Op Welcomes New Owner
Franklinton coffee shop Bottoms Up Coffee Co-Op, 1069 W. Broad St., has changed hands. Businesswoman and entrepreneur Chakeyla Anderson will take the helm from Meghan and Josh Boone, who owned the shop for three years, using it to launch their Cova Cowork concept.
“Bottoms Up is a nostalgic visit to my childhood which progressed to world travel and led to my affinity for Brazilian coffee beans,” says Anderson. “Bottoms Up is a great company, with great people, and an exceptional product. I am excited to join the company and build on the much-needed initiatives set forth by its original founders.”
The Boones are still in the neighborhood, with Cova Cowork taking up residence at the Gravity development, 470 W. Broad St.
Bottoms Up is open daily from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
For more information, visit bottomsupcoffee.com.
White Castle Debuts Crave Clutch
For the first time since it launched its Crave Crate in 2004, White Castle is introducing a new carryout box. The Crave Clutch will hold 20 Sliders of any variety and is designed to resemble an old-fashioned boombox – complete with faux-leather stitched handle!
“The Crave Clutch has been something we’ve been working on behind the ‘Castle walls’ for a while. Faced with the pandemic, we decided that now is an ideal time to introduce this new size of Slider packaging,” said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. “We’ll be here for Cravers when they need to feed a crowd, but today this is about taking care of their own family and close friends.”
For more information, visit whitecastle.com.
Alberta’s Pops Up at Hey Hey Bar & Grill
Alberta’s Pizza Kitchen is popping up inside Hey Hey Bar & Grill, 361 E. Whittier St. Pizza is the main attraction, but the menu also features starters like garlic knots, fries and wings, as well as salads and subs.
Follow Alberta’s on Instagram and Hey Hey on Facebook for details on daily slice specials. The bar opens at 2 p.m. and pizzas start slinging at 5 p.m.
Ring in Fall with Yammy Yammy
Platform Beer Co. is providing three options to get your Yammy Yammy on this fall. There’s the classic spiced sweet potato ale as well as Candied Pecan and S’mores variants.
S’mores, with additions of marshmallow, graham cracker, chocolate, and
lactose, is back after a successful test-run last year, while Candied Pecan, with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla and pecan, is a newcomer.
All three flavors are available in 6-pack 12oz cans or as part of a mixed “Yammy Pack” of 12-12oz cans that include four cans of each flavor.
For more information, visit platformbeer.co.
Harvest Reopens for Dine-In
Harvest Pizzeria is welcoming back dine-in guests. As of September 15, the Harvest locations in Clintonville, 2885 N. High St., Bexley, 2376 E. Main St., and the Brewery District, 940 S. Front St., have reopened. Dublin, 45 N. High St., will follow on Tuesday, September 22.
Seating is first come, first serve. Harvest will be open from 4 – 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 – 11 p.m Friday and Saturday, and 4 – 9 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit harvestpizzeria.com.
Tip Top Reopens for Dine-In
Tip Top is back! The Downtown eatery officially re-opened for dine-in on September 9. The space got a minor facelift with the installation of a new floor during its shut down.
Tip Top, 73 E. Gay St., is open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, visit facebook.com/TipTopKitchen.
36Bistro Sets up Shop at Old Skool
Clintonville’s Old Skool, 2941 N. High St., has some new eats. 36Sweets Desserts & Catering is debuting a new pop-up in the space dubbed 36Bistro.
Serving food Thursday through Sunday, each day features a different menu. It’s Irie Thursday, Stir Fired Friday, Down South Saturday and Brunch So Hard Sunday.
36Bistro inside Old Skool is open 4-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit 36bistro614.com.