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    Restaurant Roundup: News From Crimson Cup, Pam’s Market Popcorn, Poke Bros. and more

    Columbus always has many new restaurants, expansions, menu updates and other changes, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with everything. That’s why our Restaurant Roundup series was designed to keep you informed with the latest and greatest updates. Here’s what’s new in the local dining scene:

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    Poke Bros.

    The poké shop’s Polaris location is adding a new dessert to their menu. Thai ice cream rolls are coming to Poke Bros. this summer.

    Co-owner T.J. Wellman bought the ice cream rolling equipment from the previous owner of the Columbia, SC Poke Bros. location. He’s been adding desserts to the menu at Polaris, and thought the Southeast Asian sweet would be the perfect addition. In a process customers can watch from start to finish, Thai rolled ice cream starts with a blend of fresh ingredients spread out on a plate kept at subzero temperatures. Once it’s frozen to the plate, it’s rolled off and finished with toppings, an experience that has drawn roll-loving herds to the Simply Rolled pop-up in Oats and Barley Market, another Thai rolled ice cream option.

    Wellman said the rolled ice cream menu is still in its development stage, but he knows there will be several signature flavors as well as a create-your-own option. They’ll all be available the first week of May.

    Crimson Cup 

    In celebration of their 26th anniversary, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is offering Nitro cold brews for $1 at its Clintonville and Upper Arlington locations on May 1.

    “Since we introduced Nitro cold brew to Columbus in 2012, it’s become one of our most popular products,” said Greg Ubert, Crimson Cup founder, in a press release. “We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to share this innovative beverage with the community that’s done so much for us.”

    “Coffee and Community” being their motto, said Ubert, Crimson Cup is also releasing a video highlighting their work with coffee businesses in 29 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The video, developed by local agency Serif Creative, explores the impact of the consumer on the coffee farmers with whom Crimson Cup has partnered.

    “Our vision is to establish meaningful relationships that inspire healthy communities locally and globally,” Ubert said. “What usually is called a supply chain, we call a relationship chain. We believe that we succeed only when our partners succeed.”

    Tin Box Café

    Tin Box Café, a new restaurant providing boxed lunches and snacks, opened this month in Grove City. Operating from within startup and business incubator Cultivate, Tin Box offers a menu of sandwiches, sides and snack plates, and each purchase comes with a hand-written note.

    Customers can choose from sandwiches like chicken salad with grapes or the Italian sub, and add a side of potato salad, black bean and corn salad, or fresh fruit. For a smaller appetite they have snack plates, combining fruits and cheeses as well as hummus and veggies, among others.

    Tin Box Café is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for express items, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch. They’re located at 3989 Broadway.

    For more information, visit tinboxcafe.com

    Dine Originals

    Reso, a cloud-based reservation management system, is taking over Columbus, one Dine Originals restaurant at a time. First appearing in Canada, Reso debuted in Cleveland last year, where it’s now utilized by 75 restaurant owners. Columbus is their second U.S. market. Along with accepting reservations online, the system allows restaurants to “manage and automate their reservation book, floor plan, or launch marketing campaigns in just a couple clicks,” all for a “straightforward monthly fee.”

    Thirteen Dine Originals Columbus restaurants have already implemented the system, including Barcelona, Black Creek Bistro, CBC Restaurant, Chile Verde Cafe, Due Amici, Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus, Figlio Wood-Fired Pizza, Milestone 229, Nicola, The Top Steakhouse and Vino Vino.

    Make reservations at usereso.com or through the RESO app in the App Store and on Google Play.

    Pam’s Market Popcorn and Windy City Eats

    The popcorn business that got its start at the North Market is opening its first stand alone location in Gahanna in May. Pam’s Market Popcorn is opening within the Rocky Pointe Plaza at 955 E. Johnstown Rd., offering owner Pam Tylka’s “popular popcorn creations” and eventually a Windy City Eats lunch menu.

    The lunch menu will consist of “quick comfort foods for those on the ‘go,’ including Chicago-style all beef hot dogs, Italian sausage and sinfully good fried eats and sweets.”

    “I have an incredible opportunity to operate my own brick and mortar location,” Tylka said in a press release. “This is a departure from the multi-merchant/collective atmosphere of my former location at North Market. It’s scary, liberating and exciting all at the same time.”

    For more information, follow Pam’s Market Popcorn on Facebook.

    For upcoming local food and dining events, CLICK HERE to visit our Events Calendar.

    Have any restaurant developments to share with us? Share in the comments below, or shoot us an email at [email protected].

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    Lauren Sega
    Lauren Segahttps://columbusunderground.com
    Lauren Sega is the former Associate Editor for Columbus Underground and a current freelance writer for CU. She covers political issues on the local and state levels, as well as local food and restaurant news. She grew up near Cleveland, graduated from Ohio University's Scripps School of Journalism, and loves running, traveling and hiking.
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