Third and Hollywood, described as a classic American bar and grill, has opened in the restaurant rich Grandview Heights area.

Kevin Malhame, who founded the wildly popular Northstar Cafes with his wife Katy, said the menu offers simple cuisine done well: pork chops, grilled fish, mussels and slow-roasted chicken, to name a few.

The signature burger is composed of freshly ground, antibiotic- and hormone-free chuck and skirt steak. The wine and beer lists draw mostly from small producers.

Entrees range from $13 to $24.

"Our emphasis, from a food and beverage standpoint, is on using the very best most responsibly grown and produced ingredients we can find," Malhame said.

Third and Hollywood takes over the former E.J's Canyon Caf site, 1433 W. Third Ave. The interior uses brick and customized wood fixtures for an approachable, old-school vibe, he said.

"It's warm and cozy but exceptionally authentic and real," he said.

The two chefs are Northstar veterans Matt LaGrow and Justin Kellogg.

The restaurant is open for dinner hours daily. For more information, call 614-488-0303.


Ying's Tea House & Yum Yum is expanding. The Chinese restaurant in Clintonville will take over an adjacent storefront, where the current menu will be served. The space, to seat 80, will be ready in a few weeks, owner Ying Liu said.

Meanwhile, the current location will be dedicated to an American menu of subs, wraps and salads. It will be mostly carryout, with some seating. The name will not change.

"I just wanted to do something different," Liu said. Her long-range goal is to start offering breakfast at the spot, 4312 N. High St.


New kitchen equipment is being added to the Gahanna-area location of Venky's Spice House, meaning all the curry-to-go selections will be cooked on premises. Now, the food is being prepared at the Hilliard-area store, 5398 Roberts Road, and being driven over daily.

Owner Ram Nugooru said that implementing the system will ensure freshness of the 20 or so items, ranging from chicken tikka masala to biryani dishes. Nothing tops $6.99, he said.

Meanwhile, the first location has expanded into an adjacent storefront. It originally had served as a grocery store with some sit-down food service. The grocery store now has its own space, while a full-service dining room occupies the other half of the storefront. It seats 50.

Romeo's Pizza rapidly laid down four central Ohio stores. On May 26, the Cleveland-based pizzeria chain took over storefronts at 1381 Bethel Road, 1992 Hard Road, 3189 Hilliard-Rome Road and 8929 S. Old State Road. All were former Minuteman Pizza locations.

Jason Cobb, partner in a franchisee group, said the plan is to add four or more locations in the Columbus area. Romeo's has a selection of traditional and artisan pies, calzones, Stromboli, Italian dinners and such.

Here's the deal: Real meals cooked on stainless steel. Iron Chef Japanese Steakhouse is moving into the former Stonecreek Diner location, 12995 Stonecreek Drive, Pickerington. Iron Chef will feature 10 hibachi grills in the main dining room and a separate area for a sushi bar and related dining. The menu and pricing are still in development. The diner has been vacant for about a year.

Update: It hasn't even opened and Orin Hemminger's pizzeria already has a new name. What was once to be called Fozzie's will soon be known as Yellow Brick Pizza in Olde Town East.

The reason: The building's brick facade is a distinct yellow. And, well, Fozzie's wasn't well liked by the future management team, Hemminger said.

Permitting issues have delayed the opening, now scheduled for August. The plan is to offer wood-fired pizzas at the restaurant, 892 Oak St.