What's next? These Columbus restaurants are expected to open in 2023

Look for several long-awaited arrivals and a few surprises in Columbus' restaurant scene in the new year.

Fans have been waiting for Bojangles to arrive in the Columbus area since longtime franchisee Jeff Rigsby announced in March 2021 that he would bring 15 new locations to the Columbus area over the next several years. The first location is set to open on the Far West Side in April.

Other awaited dining options, including two Italian concepts from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, a Boston winery chain, a beloved Columbus café and another Central Ohio food hall are on the list of restaurants to look forward to in 2023.

Columbus food and drink: Here's what opened and closed in December

Check out this list of anticipated new restaurants expected to open in 2023:

Bubbly Hall

Originally expected to open this month, Bubbly Hall in New Albany is now expected to open early in 2023.

As of last month, the food hall, at 6031 Central College Road, will feature 11 permanent vendors, including Fay's Crepes, Hoyo's Kitchen, Mr. Hummus Mediterranean, Just Chicken, The Pit BBQ Grille, Seoul Food on the Go, Kiku Sushi and The Cheesecake Girl. The food hall also will have three of its own spaces, featuring a bar, a wine bar and Bubbly Boutique, a floral shop and an art gallery in partnership with Sunbear Studios.

Slammie's on High

Slammers spinoff Slammie's on High is set to open at 1607 N. High St. on campus in January, bringing forth a similar but pared-down menu featuring the bar's much-raved-about pizza and the same inclusive, safe space as its predecessor. Slammie's will have seasonal menus, with a range of spirits for the drink menu.

Smith & Wollensky

Smith & Wollensky will close at 4145 The Strand West at Easton Town Center on Jan. 14 after 20 years, but the Boston-based high-end steakhouse chain shouldn't be away for long. The company said in an email in December that it is committed to its presence in the Columbus market, and it is now in the advanced stages of negotiations for a new location Downtown.

City Winery

New York-based winery and concert venue City Winery is set to open its first Ohio location on Columbus' South Side later this winter. The restaurant, winery and concert venue will set up shop in the 130-year-old former fire truck factory, The Fort, 2108 S. High St.

The restaurant will include indoor and outdoor dining space, multiple bars and fire pits, and an outdoor concert stage is being built for the site. The menu will be "wine-inspired" and locally sourced, with global influences from Europe and the Mediterranean, including flatbreads, risotto balls and branzino fish.

Esco Restaurant and Tapas

Esco Restaurant and Tapas is set to open at 31 E. Gay St., in the former location of the Irish-themed Pub Mahone, on Jan. 13. The restaurant and lounge cofounded by Rapper 2 Chainz and Mychel "Snoop" Dillard and owned by Akron native Jessica Kay will offer tapas, seafood dishes and Southern staples, including shrimp and grits, lambchops, Cajun salmon and blackened catfish, along with mac and cheese, collard greens and fried okra. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner daily and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays and will offer hookah and bottle service.

Weenie Wonder

Weenie Wonder will open its second location at 4117 Worth Ave. at Easton Town Center in February, following a location in Dublin's Bridge Park that was opened earlier in 2022. The concept is by Rise Brands, which also owns nearby Pins Mechanical Co. and 16 Bit Bar + Arcade.

The restaurant, specializing in unique hot dogs with over 35 toppings and sauces, also serves milkshakes, veggie dogs and sides like mac and cheese and seasoned potato wedges.

Columbus Brewing Co.

Columbus Brewing Co. is getting closer to opening across from East Market, at 200 Kelton Ave. The brewery is set to open its restaurant and event space early in the year. Located in an old trolley mechanic's shop in Franklin Park, the beer hall will feature multiple bars, 24 taps and a globally inspired menu, a patio and more.

Bojangles

Bojangles was set to enter the Ohio market for the first time, according to a March 2021 announcement, and the company has been mum on when the first of 15 stores in Columbus is expected to open. The fast-food chain is known for its fried chicken and southern comfort food.

The company will break ground on its first location in Ohio at 831 Hilliard Rome Rd. on Columbus' Far West Side, which is expected to open in April.

The Junto

The Junto, set to open in April, is an independent lifestyle hotel coming to Franklinton, at 77 Belle St., across from COSI. With the hotel will come a slew of new concepts, including rooftop bar Brass Eye, restaurant and bar Little West Tavern, coffee shop Maudine's and walk-up restaurant Little West Poutine.

North High Brewing

North High Brewing is set to open its newest location in Westerville, likely around spring or summer. The new location, in partnership with coworking company COhatch, will open in the renovated historic armory building at 240 S. State St.

The new brewery, which closed its original Short North taproom in December, will include a restaurant and brewpub with indoor and outdoor dining space. The brewery's menu consists of high-end bar food, including burgers, tacos, wings and brunch, as well as a drink menu of wine, cocktails, seltzer, cider and, of course, beer.

Fox in the Snow Café

Fox in the Snow is set to open a new location in Dublin at 38 W. Bridge St., a renovated one-story building originally used as a post office. The café, known for its coffee, breakfast sandwiches and pastries, first opened in 2014 in an old garage on North Fourth Street in Italian Village. The success of the café was followed by second and third locations in German Village and New Albany and sister sandwich shop Icarus, which was opened in Italian Village late last year.

Valentina's and Cento

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants' Italian dining concept in Dublin's Bridge Park is much anticipated. Valentina's originally was slated to open this past spring but is now set to open sometime in 2023.

The "polished-casual" restaurant will serve Northern Italian-inspired food, along with an extensive wine selection and specialty cocktails, and the space will include a patio providing a view of the Dublin Link pedestrian bridge in Bridge Park.

Another Italian concept from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Cento, is set to open at 595 S. Third St. in German Village. The Italian restaurant will take over the former home of G. Michael's and will offer a more intimate experience featuring classic Italian dishes with a modern flair.

The Butcher & Grocer

The Butcher & Grocer is opening a new location in New Albany, at 160 W. Main St. in the Market Square district. Originally expected to open in the fall of 2022, the opening has been pushed to 2023 due to supply chain issues, among other things.

The restaurant and butcher shop will offer all-Ohio beef, chicken, lamb and pork, as well as fish, charcuterie products, beer and wine to go, plus indoor and outdoor dining space, and a full bar.

tmoorman@dispatch.com

@TaijuanNichole

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus restaurants: The new places to eat and drink in 2023