Small Plates: M closes, Watershed opens, Cluck Norris expands & more

The permanent closing of M at Miranova leads Columbus Business First’s weekly wrap up of food and restaurant news.

• The marquee restaurant in the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant portfolio has been closed since March 2020, but the company this week confirmed it will not be reopening.
• The story is different for Watershed Kitchen & Bar, another popular dining destination that thus far has been closed since the start of the pandemic. It will reopen to the public June 3. It has been closed for the entire Covid-19 pandemic to date. Details here on those reopening plans, plus a notable hire at Watershed Distillery.
• Speaking of Watershed, the other business from co-founder Greg Lehman will be opening its first shop. Pork provider Saddleberk will become North Market Bridge Park’s butcher and produce shop. Saddleberk CEO Dave Rigo also talked about his move from the spirits business to the world of pork.
• Bridge Park also is getting a new breakfast, lunch and dinner destination as locally owned Kona Craft Kitchen expects to open in the fall.
• And in more pork news, Columbus-based salami and sausage producers, North Country Charcuterie shared how Covid-19 challenged, but ultimately improved their business in the past year.
• Meanwhile, one of the most notable names in sausage, New Albany-based Bob Evans Restaurants also talked about how it is in better shape today than pre-pandemic.
• The Columbus chapter of Ben’s Friends, a national organization for members of the restaurant industry seeking sobriety, has resumed in-person meetings after a year of virtual gatherings. Local chapter leader Andy Smith talked with Columbus Business First about why the time is right for culture change and why it’s beneficial for business.
• A national chicken shortage is leading to menu changes at Hot Chicken Takeover restaurants.
• From our sister publication the Cleveland Business Journal, the Cleveland brewpub plans for Canal Winchester-based BrewDog USA were approved.  
• And from the Cincinnati Business Courier, Columbus-based Cluck Norris, the Columbus-based virtual kitchen concept coming from the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern, is expanding in that city.