Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Fest Canceled; Chef-O-Nette Gets New Owners; El Segundo Closing
Plus, Le Macaron debuts in Short North, and Royal Flamingo takes home silver at the Golden Bean.
Shut the front door! Guy Fieri’s inaugural Flavortown Fest has been canceled. The event, set to take place June 1-2 on the Lawn at CAS, has been widely publicized since it was announced in November. Festival organizers did not specify a reason for the move in a prepared statement: “Guy Fieri, IMG, CAS and our partners worked tirelessly to create an incredible event that would bring Flavortown to life. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Fest, initially planned for June 1-2 in Columbus, Ohio, has been canceled. Thank you to all our Flavortown Fest fans for understanding and your support along this journey.” Refunds will be issued, but anyone with questions can email info@flavortownfest.com.
The Columbus Dispatch broke the news yesterday that the Chef-O-Nette in Upper Arlington would close today for a months-long revamp. Owner Harlan Howard, who purchased the business from his father in 1993, is retiring. He sold the diner to the owners of Old Bag of Nails. The restaurant group plans to update the back of house while retaining the diner’s counters and signature look. Chef-O-Nette first opened in the Tremont Center in 1955.
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants announced on social media this week that El Segundo Mexican Kitchen in the Short North will close on Sunday, March 3. A reason wasn’t cited for the closing. El Segundo opened in the summer of 2021.
Le Macaron French Pastries is now open at 997 N. High St. in the Short North. Le Macaron was founded in Sarasota, Florida, in 2009 by mother-and-daughter team Rosalie and Audrey Guillem. Since then, it’s expanded to more than 60 locations nationwide.
Bubbly Hall in New Albany is celebrating the opening of two new stalls this week. Earlier this week, El Burrito Bowl made its debut, and this Sunday, March 3, Hibachi Run will open.
Crimson, the flagship store from Crimson Cup Coffee, is adding a new location on Lane Avenue near Ohio State’s campus. An exact address and opening date have not been announced yet.
Speaking of coffee, this week Columbus roaster Royal Flamingo Coffee took home a silver medal in the filter coffee category at the Golden Bean World Series in Melbourne, Australia.
A couple national chains are expanding in Central Ohio as well. Panda Express opened a new store this week, debuting an updated design, at 1400 Sunbury Rd. in Delaware. And DiBella’s Subs will debut its new Worthington location at 7105 N. High St. on March 6.