Successful cafe paves way for full restaurant
Passport Cafe & Catering is getting a sibling.
Passport Public House will take over Kikyo Sushi + Seafood Bistro, which is still in operation at 3706 Riverside Dr. in Upper Arlington.
Owner Troy Bellot said the new spot, about 4 miles north of the original Passport, will open around Valentine’s Day, if construction goes as planned.
“I think it’s always been in the plans in some sense,” he said of a second location. “With the menu doing so well for so long, we wanted to expand the concept but find the right place.”
He said he and at least two silent partners will open the restaurant, patterned after a classic American bistro with some international flourishes.
It will have a private dining area with seating for 20, and 24 beers on tap with an emphasis on local brews.
Bellot said the proximity of the two restaurants doesn’t concern him.
“I think we’re going to cater to totally different audiences,” he said.
The 3,000-square-foot space will be completely remodeled. It will seat 100, with an additional 20 at the bar.
Unlike the budget-priced cafe at 1335 Dublin Rd., the new Passport will venture into more-upscale territory but also maintain many affordable choices.
“It will definitely have some overlapping (menu items), but we’ll have some new items,” Bellot said.
He plans to install a smoker at the new location so he can do an upscale twist on chicken wings and offer smoked duck with fries. Other items include curry goat shepherd’s pie with butternut squash mashed potatoes on top, and burgers made from beef ground inhouse.
The plan is to be open for dinner only at first.
“And we’re bringing back brunch the right way in Columbus,” Bellot said.
The 20-seat Passport Cafe & Catering was founded more than four years ago in a small storefront that has housed a number of restaurants over the years.
Bellot, who had a history in the restaurant business, brought something a little different: Jamaican, Caribbean and Indian flavors — all priced to match most budgets, as no individual item costs more than $7.75.
Among the house favorites are the blackened salmon sandwich, jerk chicken burrito and Jamaican taco salad.
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, the place was jammed. Bellot was taking orders, delivering meals to tables and helping sous chef Deon Murray, who deftly assembled a dozen plates.
Just another busy lunch rush at Passport, said Murray, who will run the cafe when the new location opens.
“I’m working hard all the time, keeping the energy going,” Murray said. “It’s all good.”
Biryani on Bethel
Biryani Corner is open on the Northwest Side.
The carryout-only restaurant, 1381 Bethel Rd., has many familiar starters, breads and entrees, both vegetarian and otherwise. As the name suggests, the Indian restaurant specializes in biryani rice dishes — vegetarian, chicken or goat.
Another of the signature dishes is chicken chettinad — spiced breast meat cooked in the tandoor oven.
All entrees are priced $10 or less.
Biryani Carryout, located next to the Bethel Road Pub just east of Godown Road, is open for lunch and dinner six days a week and is closed on Monday.
Canned response
Beard Crumbs Oatmeal Raisin Stout, Land-Grant Brewing Co.’s latest seasonal brew, is available in cans at local retail stores.
It is the second seasonal brew Land-Grant has made available in cans. It follows Glory, a Columbus Crew SCsupporter beer released last year,
It sells for $11.99 a six-pack at Whole Foods, several Kroger stores and Giant Eagle Market Districts, and a number of local independent stores. It also is available on draft at some local taverns.
Walt Keys, co-founder and creative director of LandGrant, said the flavor complements many holiday dishes.
“It’s got some toffee to it, a little chocolate,” Keys said. “It’s really a nice, smooth stout. It gets a little sweetness from the raisins.”
Beard Crumbs also is available on draft and in six packs to go at the brewery, 424 W. Town St. in the Franklinton neighborhood.
New brews
Fresh-brewed suds are now being served at Brew Brothers at the Scioto Downs Racino.
The four choices are Carano Extra, a Kolsch; Redhead Amber Ale; Double Down Stout; and Gold Dollar, an Americanstyle pale ale.
Local breweries represented on the four other taps include
‘Souper’ bowl
Fire up those slow cookers: The Brotherhood of Congregation Beth Tikvah is looking for competitors for the 10th annual Chicken Souper Bowl slated for Feb. 6.
All types of soup are welcome, but there are a couple of stipulations: no pork or seafood.
The entry fees for professionals is $100, and $25 for amateurs. Entries must be sent by Dec. 31 to Congregation Beth Tikvah Brotherhood, 6121 Olentangy River Rd., Worthington, OH 43085.
Entrants also are being sought for the best-challah competition. The entry cost is $50 for professionals, and $25 for amateurs. There is no additional charge for those already entering the soup category.
To date, the synagogue has raised more than $57,000 to help send 109 kids to summer camp and donated more than 153 gallons of soup and other food to the Holy Family Soup Kitchen in Franklinton.
Dispatch restaurant columnist Gary Seman Jr. can be reached at onrestaurants@ dispatch.com.