Hi-Hat Social in downtown Springfield
New restaurant Hi-Hat Social had its soft opening in December, and plans to hold a grand opening this spring, co-owner Rod Hatfield said.
The restaurant is open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Much of the food is Asian-inspired, such as the Korean mac, Szechuan potatoes, rainbow trout banh mi and Hamachi Kama.
It’s located at 28 S. Limestone St., between High and Main, in the former Seasons Bistro spot.
The drinks are mostly classics like old-fashioneds and sidecars, but there are some Japanese-influenced offerings like sake and Japanese whiskey, Hatfield said.
“It’s a pretty bold and innovative — and delicious — bar program,” Hatfield said.
So far, co-owners Hatfield and Andrew Lazear have heard overwhelmingly positive feedback, Hatfield said.
“People anecdotally tell us that it’s a big-city vibe, it’s really hip, really cool” Hatfield said. “The drinks are phenomenal, the food’s phenomenal, and it’s all reasonably priced.”
The name and concept are inspired by Hatfield’s passion for music. A hi-hat is a type of cymbal instrument, and Hatfield said local drummer John Dessinger, who he saw perform multiple times, was a particular inspiration.
Hi-Hat features numerous hand-painted murals on its walls, recognizing locally tied musicians such as Earle Warren, Ada Lee, Johnny Lytle, Griffin House, Bradley Kincaid and John Legend.
“There’s a lot of stories on the wall; it’s rich, steeped in culture, steeped in music,” Hatfield said.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Hatfield said the concept is not called a bistro or restaurant, but rather a “social,” because it’s more about “building community,” allowing people to hang out and get to know each other, fostering creativity and growth for the community.
“It’s just a real fertile ground for creativity and growth,” Hatfield said.
Hi-Hat is not currently equipped for reservations, but with 100 seats, there has not yet been a long wait even when the restaurant is full, Hatfield said.
Mundy’s Bar and Grill in east Springfield
Mundy’s started several soft openings last month as a bar and grill on the east side. The restaurant is a response to customer needs at Mundy’s Diner, three miles away on Selma Road, and the business outgrowing that concept, owner Tammy Mundy previously told the News-Sun.
The restaurant at 3520 E. National Road is working out some kinks revealed during soft openings, and starting on Tuesday will have some further soft openings for a two-week period from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with breakfast ending at 2 p.m.
Once permanently open, the restaurant will have hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday. Mundy’s, a more contemporary design than the diner, also has space for pool and dart leagues.
The menu is similar to that of the diner with some additional appetizers, as well as wings, pizzas and more sandwiches. Eventually there will be daily dinner specials, and all food will be available at all hours. The bar will serve some mixed and specialty drinks, as well.
Credit: Jessica Orozco
Credit: Jessica Orozco
Mundy partnered with Teresa Demana, who started as an investor, to open the restaurant. The two women met through a mutual friend, found they got along well and decided to join forces.
Demana dealt with a lot of the design for the new concept, which moves away from the diner’s 1950′s-inspired décor, being more contemporary and including spaces for pool and darts.
The building, which was previously a pool hall, was “completely gutted,” with concrete being broken for plumbing, drop ceilings and insulation being removed and more, Mundy said.
Credit: Jessica Orozco
Credit: Jessica Orozco
IHOP
An IHOP location at 2206 N. Bechtle Avenue that had been closed for several years reopened in late December at the same location.
Also known as the International House of Pancakes, the chain has more than a thousand breakfast restaurants nationally, with the other closest locations in Huber Heights and the west edge of Columbus.
Interested diners can stop in Sunday-Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. or Friday-Saturday 6 a.m. to midnight.
Representatives for IHOP did not return requests for comment.
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