Serial restaurant entrepreneurs Kevin and Lori Ames are going back to their roots. Having closed or sold recent ventures including Cafe Lola, Cinco, and Burgers Dogs & Fries, the duo is now working toward opening Frezno Bar and Grille in the Brewery District this Spring as a throwback to their original Frezno restaurant in the Short North (located where Union Cafe currently resides).
“Frezno was a gourmet pizza pasta concept with a very diverse menu and crowd,” explains Kevin. “We opened it in 1994 and sold it in 2003, along with Dagwoodz and The Press Grille.”
The new restaurant will feature elements of all three of those original Short North eateries including many menu items from Frezno, the loungy characteristics of Press Grille, and the Sunday brunch of Dagwoodz, which will include gingerbread pancakes, homemade sausage and gravy, and patio space to consume your fill of mimosas and bloody mary’s.
“We will also serve appetizers like voodoo shrimp and mussels, Ohio City pieroghies sauteed in brown butter and prociutto, braised short ribs over creamy polenta,” adds Kevin. “There will be a large emphasis on Ohio food, beer, and wine.”
Frezno Bar and Grille will be located in the former Hagen’s Ale & Tee at 460 South Front Street. The restaurant will be able to seat approximately 70 guests in the main dining area, another 45 to 50 in the bar and lounge, and another 70 guests across two patio spaces.
“The footprint of the place is perfect for us,” says Kevin. “The proximity to German Village is great and the opening of Shadowbox, World of Beer, Double Happiness, McCaskey’s, and the soon to open White Rabbit all cater mostly to the 25 and older crowd.”
Kevin and Lori Ames are planning on opening Frezno Bar and Grille on May 14th. Their days and hours of operation will be Tuesday-Saturday 4pm to close, Sunday 9:30am to 4pm, and closed on Mondays.