Columbus Dining Guide Feed

Review: Nazareth Restaurant & Deli

By G.A. Benton — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:33:49 GMT

The owner of Nazareth Deli and Restaurant -who obviously has a larger-than-life personality - has placed a near life-size cutout of himself cracking up and waving a baseball bat near Nazareth's entryway. This stands just past the "no tunic, no sandals, no service" sign and nearby another bat that's been enshrined.

Brunch: Worthington Inn

By Shelley Mann — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:33:49 GMT

Brunch at the Worthington Inn is a Columbus institution, the place to go on occasions like Easter or Mother's Day.

Review: Pita Hut

By G.A. Benton — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:42:28 GMT

You know how some restaurants make something you like so much that you wind up ordering that same old thing every time? Pita Hut was such a place for me.

Review: Captain Cream Cheese & Late Night Slice

By G.A. Benton — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:42:26 GMT

These two good-humored food slingers operate, tag-team style, out of a ramshackle shed in the Short North.

Bar: The Pub Polaris

By John Ross — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:42:24 GMT

A stately black front trimmed with iron railings and gold lettering greets patrons of The Pub, which sticks out from the open-air Polaris Lifestyle Center in a most peculiar way.

Restaurant review: Vittoria Ristorante

G.A. Benton — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:36:11 GMT

Huge and impressive-looking, and with good to very good Italian food, Vittoria Ristorante in Powell certainly deserves its rampant popularity. In fact, don't do what I did one time - lamely show up on a Saturday night without a reservation - because you'll likely be staring up the barrel of an hour's wait.

Lunch review: Casa Sazon

Shelley Mann — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:26:42 GMT

It's pretty remarkable, when you think about it, what a Latin-food hotbed Downtown Columbus is. If you're not quite ready for a full-fledged taco truck tour, you should try my fancy-website-pending Parade of Plantains instead.

Taco Truck Tour

By G.A. Benton — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:34:41 GMT

We recently took a two-day taco-truck tour of Columbus - motoring through pit stop after pit stop of fun, colorful and full-throttled Mexican cooking - guided by the road-savvy folks behind the Taco Trucks Columbus website.

Restaurant review: Cafe Corner

By G.A. Benton — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:34:39 GMT

What the hell kind of miscreant would gobble up tacos for breakfast? My kind, of course, especially if they're the simple yet glorious egg and chorizo tacos made by Cafe Corner. Wait, let me amend that to say the award-winning breakfast tacos made by Cafe Corner.

Bar profile: Bier Stube North

By John Ross — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:34:38 GMT

Thirty years ago, Doug Millsap opened a small South Campus tavern in a gravel parking lot. It's since become a legend - a place celebrating the camaraderie of the pitcher, a last vestige of the neighborhood's gritty, carefree past.

Table Talk: Neighbor’s Deli

By Gary Seman Jr. — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:48:30 GMT

The way Jon Snyder figures it, what he likes, most people will enjoy.

Restaurant review: Restaurant Tora

By G.A. Benton — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:43:23 GMT

If you were to order something different every day from the insanely huge menu at Restaurant Tora, it would take nearly half a year to sample everything. Given this place's attractively plated dishes and generally engaging food, that might be something worth trying.

Restaurant review: Aab India Restaurant

By G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:50:00 GMT

It's hard to believe that the restaurant-rich, old Arlington/Grandview area has gone so long without an Indian restaurant in its midst. So when Aab (it means water) India Restaurant announced it was moving into the former Thom's on Grandview spot, it knew it had a leg up by being the only curry game in town. And for that, this slow-to-open, brand-newbie with a strong pedigree (Cincinnati's beloved Ambar) fills an obvious void.

Bar profile: Black Horse Bar & Grill

By John Ross — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:49:59 GMT

About five years ago, my buddy rented a flat in Grandview. Before we'd go out and sometimes when we'd come home, he and I would notice a bar very near his Heritage Apartments place.

Restaurant review: Da Levee

By G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:49:58 GMT

A purple Jesus wearing Mardi Gras beads rested in a nook above an empty birdcage and "Sentimental Journey" was playing in the background. So I was getting a pretty good vibe from the new Cajun/Creole place that recently opened in the Short North.

Restaurant review: Alex's Bistro

G.A. Benton — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:18:28 GMT

In the restaurant biz, some establishments embrace the au courant while others stick with what they know and leave well enough alone. Alex's Bistro on Reed would be in the latter category - and that's a good thing.

Table Talk: Aab India

Gary Seman Jr. — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:08:02 GMT

Grandview Avenue has plenty of restaurants and certainly a diversity of cuisines. But no Indian - until last Saturday.

What's in your fridge?

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:25:05 GMT

What's in your fridge?

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:24:57 GMT

What's in your fridge?

Brittany Kress — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:24:42 GMT

We recruited several chefs to share their best home cooking advice, shopping secrets and splurge-worthy favorite ingredients. Plus, we convinced them to let us share the contents of their fridge with the entire city.

Lucky $13: Jeni's

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:00:55 GMT

Lucky $13: BonoToGo

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:00:44 GMT

Lucky $13: Olive Tree Mediterranean Cafe

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:00:33 GMT

Lucky $13: Kitchen Little

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:00:25 GMT

Lucky $13: Plantain Cafe

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:00:17 GMT

Lucky $13: Lac Viet

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:00:08 GMT

Lucky $13: Shish Kebab Express

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:59:59 GMT

Lucky $13: Third and Hollywood

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:59:52 GMT

Lucky $13: Clever Crow

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:59:40 GMT

Lucky $13: Ray Ray's Hog Pit

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:59:32 GMT

Lucky $13: Worthington Inn

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:59:25 GMT

Lucky $13: Skillet Rustic Urban Food

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:59:19 GMT

Lucky $13: Thai Grille

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:59:11 GMT

Lucky $13: The city's best cheap eats

G.A. Benton — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:58:28 GMT

We scoured the city for 13 top-shelf, but off-the-eatin'-path, noshes that cost 13 bucks or less.

Bar profile: Lounge 62

John Ross — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:20:18 GMT

Located between downtown Gahanna and New Albany, Lounge 62 takes its name from a location off State Rte. 62 - but you'll remember its number for a different reason.

Restaurant review: Burgundy Room

G.A. Benton — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:20:17 GMT

With nearly 50 winning wines available by the glass and an inexpensive list of sexy, flavor-packed multi-sized dishes, the Burgundy Room is a terrific place for a little hangout or a full-fledged dinner. Throw in super- friendly servers well-versed in the cuisine and drink pairings, and you have a can't-miss recipe for dining revelry.

Table Talk: Mouton

Gary Seman Jr. — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:11:23 GMT

Yousef Riazi likes casual. And his new boutique eatery Mouton, which will open later this month in the Short North, will reflect that informal vibe. "I'm a T-shirt, jeans and tennis-shoes kind of guy," he said.

Restaurant review: Lac Viet

G.A. Benton — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:05:09 GMT

The original Lac Viet is a popular spot in the North Market beloved by diners seeking reliable short-order Vietnamese food. It has limited counter space and a few stools, so most people who flock to it are willing to wait for Lac Viet's versions of pho (aromatic noodle soup) and banh mi (Vietnamese-style submarine sandwiches) only to - with hot food in tow - scramble for a table somewhere in the bustling market to eat them.

Pick-up Artist: Bucci's Pizzeria

G.A. Benton — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:00:51 GMT

"Whenever we wanted to celebrate, it was always Mama Bucci's," said a good friend of mine with a longing, far-off look in his eyes.

Restaurant review: Latitude 41

G.A. Benton — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:33:01 GMT

Too often, hotel restaurants are uninspired eateries travelers settle for out of convenience. Latitude 41 manages to shatter that image.

Lunch review: Eggfast

Shelley Mann — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:32:26 GMT

As they devoured plates of waffles on last week's "Parks and Recreation," Amy Poehler's Leslie Knope asked her breakfast-food-loving boss Ron Swanson, "Why would anyone ever order anything other than breakfast foods?"

Brunch season: Worthington Inn

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:32:07 GMT

This venerable neo-Colonial Worthington landmark has been in the hospitality game since 1831, so it clearly knows what it's doing. Plus it's such an incredibly well-preserved gem of an old country inn that parts of the pretty old brick building - which include vintage genre paintings and elaborately carved wooden furnishings - almost recall a living museum.

Brunch season: Sage

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:31:56 GMT

Retro rock and contemporary local art fill Sage's tasteful, brick-wall-delineated space on brunchy Sundays. This is the meeting place for hipsters and fine food fans who know that Sage in "Lower Clintonville" is in league with even the top restaurants of the Short North.

Brunch season: Luce

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:31:45 GMT

Luce Enoteca is a unique and terrific upscale-casual wine bar/Italianate restaurant out in Powell. Inside, its spacious two rooms are decked out with Chihuly-esque lighting fixtures, local art and a welcoming hearth.

Brunch season: Lindey's

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:31:30 GMT

Lindey's is the grand old dame of Columbus fine dining. Pretty and sophisticated, its French-bistro-esque main room features an airy high ceiling, an opulent copper bar, huge windows onto German Village and lots of arty appointments.

Brunch season: Giorgio

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:31:20 GMT

Inside, this comfy Clintonville Italian restaurant features ochre-painted walls, fragrant potted herbs (which get used), a grapevine mural and a set of illusionistic space-stretching trompe l'oeil mirrors hanging above a burgundy and gold banquette.

Brunch season: Dragonfly

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:31:09 GMT

The words "vegan restaurant" can strike fear into the thumping hearts and awaiting palates of prospective fine diners. Dragonfly proves that needn't be the case.

Brunch season: Barrio

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:30:57 GMT

Barrio's distinct and stylish space is layered over an upper and lower deck. It's starkly white painted brick walls are complemented by lots of smooth dark wood, a disconnected wooden-plank ceiling and a huge communal Amish-made table located in the swanky bar area.

Brunch season: Anna's

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:30:37 GMT

Anna's modest Dublin strip-mall digs are enlivened by a smile-inducing, large-scale model of a thatched-roof Greek windmill. Encompassing that conversation piece is the requisite Grecian whitewash accented with bright splashes of Aegean Sea blue paint.

Brunch review: Skillet Rustic Urban Food

G.A. Benton — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:07:15 GMT

When Skillet swung open its doors, I was so thrilled with its muscular and brilliant cooking that I overlooked its minor inconveniences.

Brunch Season: 8 spots to check out

G.A. Benton — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:05:16 GMT

Easter and Mother's Day, two of the biggest brunch days of the year, are fast approaching. Here are eight Columbus spots to check out.

Bar profile: Caribbean Jerks

John Ross — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:05:16 GMT

Exactly four days after a glorious week on the Caribbean Sea, I found myself driving through an awful freezing rain to a bar in the Polaris area called Caribbean Jerks.

Restaurant review: Third & Hollywood

Shelley Mann — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:44:04 GMT

I had never before experienced the joys of double-cut pork chops before a recent visit to Third & Hollywood.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Mama's Pasta & Brew

G.A. Benton — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:51:18 GMT

In my college days, now more years ago than I like to admit, I would leave the High Street hustle, retreat exhaustedly to a small alley just south of E. 15th Avenue and plop into a well-worn booth at one of the smallest, least visible bars in the city.

Restaurant review: Si Senor!

G.A. Benton — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:50:19 GMT

Just as an oyster produces a pearl, Pearl Alley has produced a gem of a sandwich shop called Si Senor!

Restaurant review: Arirang

G.A. Benton — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:47:15 GMT

One of the best Korean restaurants in town is barely a restaurant. In fact, based on its large sign outside - which reads "Asian Food Market" - you might inadvertently pass it by when trawling for an intriguing eatery. And that would be a shame, because the spartan but sparkling-clean Arirang is pretty great.

Restaurant review: Spagio

Shelley Mann — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:14:39 GMT

The longtime Grandview hot spot Spagio is all over the place in all the right ways. It's most definitely a fine-dining destination, but the ambiance is quirky enough to set anyone at ease, and the menu diverse enough to accommodate any taste.

Lunch review: Ringside Cafe

Shelley Mann — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:26:08 GMT

The basement at Ringside, aka the Rathskeller, has a fascinating history. During Prohibition, back when the teensy Downtown watering hole was more of a speakeasy, the "candle-lit cellar became a Bohemian den for college undergrads and other members of the flapper generation," according to Dispatch archives. Fun!

5 O'Clock Somewhere: The Shrunken Head

John Ross — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:51:15 GMT

For years, Victorian's Midnight Cafe was a trusted neighborhood joint - the kind of comfy place where you could grab a few beers, support a buddy during his open-mic debut or enjoy a healthful bite before hitting the town.

Restaurant review: Nancy's

G.A. Benton — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:50:19 GMT

"I have missed these meals for too long," mumbled a wide-eyed man in a buttoned-down Izod. The brightly smiling waitress facing him was wearing a black T-shirt with "Eat it and Beat it" written on the back - a teasing reference to the place's give-your-waiting-neighbor-a-chance policy.

Table Talk: Urban Chefs

Gary Seman Jr. — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:44:08 GMT

Review: Marcella's Polaris

G.A. Benton — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:40:41 GMT

Whenever I mention Marcella's, I get an instant and strong reaction unrelated to the food (which I and most people quite like). In general, the place is considered to be trendy, loud and crowded.

Taste Test: Yagoot Yogurt

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:36:18 GMT

Frozen yogurts are enjoying a jolt of fresh popularity. But these suddenly hot chilled treats are a brand new breed that ain't like the generation that came before them.

Restaurant review: Antone's

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:35:18 GMT

You might not know it, but Columbus owes Youngstown. Like for Jim Tressel, who came from Youngstown State to help deliver the Buckeyes their first national championship in decades; even Tress' "caveman offense" detractors can't deny his program is gloriously successful.

Dine Originals Week

Brittany Kress — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:46:09 GMT

If you need an excuse to get out and enjoy a meal at a local establishment - though really, you shouldn't need an excuse - it doesn't get much better than Dine Originals Week.

Table Talk: CaJohn's Fiery Foods

Gary Seman Jr. — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:22:05 GMT

John Hard has brought the heat to Westerville. After five decades in the Northland area, Hard has moved CaJohn's Fiery Foods to a new facility at 816 Greencrest Dr. near I-270.

Menu: Olive Tree Mediterranean Cafe

G.A. Benton — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:18:46 GMT

The Olive Tree in Hilliard is your basic Greek, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean joint that serves Israeli wine and makes one of the most unusual and best moussakas in town.

Mactacular: Tasi Cafe

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:21:52 GMT

The reason people are willing to struggle with weekend Short North parking only to wait in line at Tasi is because it's worth it. This Euro-stylish counter-order/claim-a-squatting-spot operation (some tables are communal) sells top-notch, scratch-made goodies for damn cheap.

Mactacular: Latitude 41

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:05:28 GMT

Latitude 41 can shatter your expectations of a hotel restaurant. Located in the opulent Renaissance Downtown, its swooping, airy and dramatic space is locally unique.

Mactacular: Salvi's Bistro

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:06:18 GMT

Located in Hilliard, Salvi's is a family-friendly Italian American stalwart with a long tradition of pleasing customers. Sprawled across three rooms, the large semi-upscale space contains lots of basic black accents, the obligatory pictures giving props to Italy and assorted visuals that casually say "Good Food Here."

Menu: Old Mohawk

G.A. Benton — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:06:18 GMT

The extraneous "e" used to spell "Olde Mohawk" on that restaurant's awning is honestly earned (even if it's phased out inside). Open since the 1930s, this perennial German Village favorite is rich in history and a veritable local treasure.

Mactacular: Starliner Diner

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:04:20 GMT

No wall space is wasted in the Starliner Diner. This fun and funky place is crammed with a nutty amalgam of garage sale, thrift store and vintage-shop clutter that riffs on '50s and '60s motifs. And I love Starliner's fanciful murals -like the one where the smiling sun and the man in the moon share outer space with short-order favorites. But all of that wacky ambience would be for naught if the Starliner didn't consistently deliver on massive plates of diner fare spiked with zesty Latin verve.

Mactacular: Leaders of the Mac

G.A. Benton — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:04:20 GMT

Mac and cheese - it's a familiar and beloved treat that we learn to eat in high chairs and continue to reach for throughout life to receive a healing dose of comfort. In its barest form, the dish is a tummy-pleasing pasta enriched with mouth-massaging dairy - what's not to love? These restaurants seek to playfully remake the simple stuff into works of art.

Mactacular: Dragonfly

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:03:16 GMT

"Thank you James Beard," is written on a mirror in Dragonfly Neo-V. Why? Because Magdiale Wolmark, Dragonfly's highly talented vegetarian kitchen specialist, has been honored as a semi-finalist for the Best Chef: Great Lakes category of the James Beard awards, i.e. "the Oscars of cooking."

Mactacular: Betty's Fine Food & Spirits

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:02:19 GMT

My mouth always arcs upward when I look at all the tchotchkes, bric-a-brac and knickknacks that adorn Betty's in the Short North. That daffy pack of pooches canoodling above the bar looks like it might've escaped from the kitschy ceramic kennel of schlock-loving mega-artist Jeff Koons.

Mactacular: More Mac & Cheese

Jesse Tigges — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:00:18 GMT

Do these picks have you hungry for more? Here's a taste of some other interesting offerings around town.

Kitchen Ink: A Celebration of Wine, Food and Dining with the Stars

G.A. Benton — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:10:48 GMT

After five gorgeous platefuls of brazenly rich and ridiculously delicious food, I began to break a sweat, suck wind and go weak at the knees. Then I began thinking about Apolo Ohno, Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White and Evan Lysacek and the stamina, focus and sacrifice necessary to achieve greatness. By the time I polished off plate number 15 with a triumphant slurp of Champagne, I was humming "The Star Spangled Banner" and looking for a podium where I could claim my gold.

Menu: Thai Grille

G.A. Benton — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:02:54 GMT

A silhouette of Ohio graces one side of the menu at Thai Grille, a two-month-old Westerville eatery; on the other side is a shadow of Thailand.

Kitchen Ink: Tee Jaye's Country Place

G.A. Benton — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:32:20 GMT

Like most people, during my college days, I engaged in some rather questionable behavior. Falling under that category would certainly be staying up way too late at night, indulging in way too many intoxicants and then seeking out cheap chow in a lame attempt to soak up some of that raging excess.

Menu: Vincenzo's

G.A. Benton — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:22:19 GMT

It's a bakery with beautiful loaves of oven-fresh breads sitting out on a counter, some stained with fresh pesto, some packed with cheese and pepperoni. It's a nice little wine shop with lots of fine deals on food-friendly vinos. It's a cheesemonger outlet where I recently bought balls of mozzarella made on premises 15 minutes prior to my arrival.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Bernard's Tavern

John Ross — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:21:15 GMT

Variety is the spice of life and the calling card of the Short North's bustling nightlife. Between Goodale Street and Fifth Avenue, you can get a beer at any price and a martini in any color, a range of happy-hour specials and high-end bourbon.

Table Talk: Winery Bistro & Wine Shop

Gary Seman Jr. — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:45:46 GMT

Wine, and plenty more, soon will return to a recessed storefront along High Street in Lewis Center.

Menu: DK Diner

G.A. Benton — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:36:43 GMT

There's lots of expensive and snazzy restaurants in Grandview. DK Diner isn't one of them. Infact, everything about DK - but especially its homespun food and low prices - hearkens back to an era before raw tuna was a staple on menus

Perfect storm: Tyfoon

Shelley Mann — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:29:03 GMT

Swanky sushi spot in the Arena District offers just the right mix of beautiful atmosphere, food and people

Lunch Money: Lucky Ladle

Shelley Mann — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:37:05 GMT

You know those times when it's frigid or pouring out and the only dinner option that sounds remotely feasible is ordering a pizza? So you do it and then you immediately feel horrible for making the poor delivery person venture out into the freezing, rainy night?

Pick-up artist: China Dynasty

G.A. Benton — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:40:20 GMT

Last Sunday was a special time - a memory-making day of celebration, luck, happiness, the color red and fireworks. OK, if you think I'm pathetically stuck on Valentine's Day, let me stick it to you by saying, "Gotcha!" Because from the celebrating to the red and fireworks, the occasion I was actually - and accurately - describing was the beginning of the two-week-long, bang-a-gong, whoop-dee-do called Chinese New Year.

Table Talk: Cake decorating

Gary Seman Jr. — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:51:34 GMT

Gretchen Leddy is understandably happy about the popularity of cake decorating. The co-owner of Cakes of Distinction in Powell and president of the recently formed Central Ohio Sugar Artists is one of several local bakers whose customers want their cakes to have elaborate designs.

Menu: Giuseppe and Lola's Trattoria

G.A. Benton — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:45:32 GMT

Valentine hearts dance around a sign announcing "Lola's" outside of a tiny restaurant in Gahanna. That image is not only timely, but fitting, considering the abundant love that clearly goes into the food served inside of Giuseppe and Lola's Trattoria.

In the Mood: Z Cucina di Spirito

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:56:09 GMT

She likes ooey and gooey chocolate richness. He prefers something fruiter, with more restraint. Well, Valentine's Day is not the time to choose sides, it's the time to join forces. So head to a place where you can indulge in both, where two shared yin-and-yang desserts will convert his and hers into ours.

In the Mood: Vino Vino

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:55:56 GMT

"Laurie and I began our love affair while sipping a glass of wine," are the frank and adult words that greet you on Vino Vino's website. Issuing from the place's good-life-living owners, this romantic brand of epicurean-oriented, conversational prose constantly peppers Vino Vino's menu.

In the Mood: Lola's Baci

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:55:44 GMT

With a handful of fanciful, red cupidy hearts dancing all around it, the sign outside of Lola's trattoria in Gahanna looks like an oversized Valentine's card. The metaphor seems perfect.

In the Mood: Hyde Park

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:54:35 GMT

The bar/lounge area in the Hyde Park Steakhouse on the Cap is the very embodiment of Valentine's Day. I mean, it could have been designed by a team of scholars with PhDs in matchmaking.

In the Mood: Bayleaf

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:54:07 GMT

If you think the Kama Sutra is hot stuff, you should try out the Chicken 65. No, it's not a tricky nighttime position, but rather a fiery appetizer dish from the incomparable Bayleaf India Bistro.

Taste Test: Columbus chocolatiers

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:42:20 GMT

Nothing trumps really great chocolate on V-Day, and nothing's easier to procure - especially in Columbus. That's because our fair city is fortunate to have two hometown world-class chocolatiers - Pure Imagination and Yosick's.

Menu: Kitchen Little

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:41:15 GMT

Wanna play a game? OK then, quickly cover up the photo and headline on this page with your free hand, a piece of paper, a strategic fold, whatever. If you accidentally caught a spoiler glimpse, trick yourself into forgetting what you saw.

It's Just Brunch: Lindey's

G.A. Benton — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:47:51 GMT

Wanna smooth out and class up a "what in the heck did I do to myself last night?" Saturday morning? Could your cruddy-weather Sunday use some white-tablecloth-style brightening? Do you deserve a pampering treat to complete your weekend?

5 O'Clock Somewhere: The Jury Room

John Ross — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:43:17 GMT

Located in the shadow of the courthouses at the south end of Downtown, The Jury Room Pub and Whiskey Bar sees plenty of lawyers, clerks and judges sauntering in after trial. But you don't need to pass the bar to belly-up to this one.

First Bite: Shish Kebab Express

G.A. Benton — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:43:16 GMT

Look out, Lavash. All hands on deck, Ali Baba. Prepare for battle, Pita Hut. Because a new knife-wielding, flame-wrangling, hummus-smashing competitor has just moved into your North Columbus corridor neighborhood, and it's bringing its A game. Make that A+.

Japanese steakhouses

Gary Seman Jr. — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:38:02 GMT

Fiery theatrics and seared shrimp are attracting more and more diners to Japanese steakhouses, which are spreading like oil across a hot stainless steel grill.

Burger kings: The Top Steakhouse

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:31:44 GMT

The Top Steakhouse has been keeping it real for over 50 years - real Rat-Packy, that is. Dark inside and equipped with a literal piano bar, this no-foolin', old-schoolin', don't-need-no-retoolin' piece of vintage Americana is, in fact, my favorite steakhouse in Columbus.

Burger kings: The Rossi

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:31:30 GMT

The Rossi blends copper, brown and brick with a double-jigger of terrific music and a healthy dash of Short North hip to whip up a cocktail of hang-loose saloon and excellent food unmatched in the city. No wonder the smooth and cool Rossi is lapped up and loved by such a large and eclectic crowd.

Burger kings: Rigsby's

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:31:16 GMT

Rigsby's epitomizes what makes the Short North special. It's sophisticated but not stodgy, it's smart but not pretentious, it's "Continentally" shrewd but Ohio-proud. Long a leader in locally sourced, scratch-made food, the versatile Rigsby's is a great place to dine on authentic and seasonal Italian cuisine or even an all-American burger.

Burger kings: O'Reilly's

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:31:02 GMT

O'Reilly's is a gloriously unshowy neighborhoody haunt, only it's in Clintonville, meaning salt-of-the-city, shot-and-beer types rub bending elbows with scruffy artsy kids and OSU affiliates. Its appeals include possibly the friendliest bartenders in town and pleasure-center-reaching pub grub that O'Reilly's ever-growing stream of eager eaters tells me is no longer the area's best-kept secret.

Burger kings: Northstar Cafe

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:30:29 GMT

There's a reason the twinkling cluster of Northstar Cafe restaurants, which started out as a single organic-leaning Short North star, is steadily evolving into a bright, citywide constellation. Their stellar success can be summed up in one word: brilliance.

Burger kings: Gahanna Grill

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:29:32 GMT

The Gahanna Grill is a true local institution. It's a brightly lit, family-friendly, inexpensive restaurant/saloon where the entire community seems to gather to leisurely chow down on all-American comfort food served with a side of country music.

A La Carte: Cantina Laredo

G.A. Benton — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:18:19 GMT

There is a type of "galleta-cutter" Mexican restaurant very prevalent in Columbus that's a peso a dozen. Cantina Laredo isn't one of those, but you could spend many dozens of pesos eating your way through this pricey-side establishment.

Menu: Rule 3

G.A. Benton — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:17:16 GMT

A huge windowless box sitting off by itself, Rule 3 looks like a cinema megaplex from the road. Inside this strenuously thought-through, Pickerington-located mall of entertainment, it's another story.

Burgers & Fries: Fancy fries

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:16:19 GMT

At some places, fries come with ketchup. Elsewhere, they're almost an art form. Here's a look at some of the most impressive and delicious varieties found around town.

Kitchen Ink: Mozart's Cafe

G.A. Benton — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:15:16 GMT

Classical European music (sometimes played live on a baby grand piano) and glass cases packed with classical European-style pastries are what greet you when you enter Mozart's Cafe in Clintonville.

Burgers & Fries: Burger kings

G.A. Benton — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:14:16 GMT

Here are six terrific local versions of burgers and fries sure to refire your romance with your first true love and our culinary American birthright.

Lunch Money: Bodega

Shelley Mann — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:07:03 GMT

Have you ever eaten at Bodega? For a long time, I hadn't, even though I've always heard good things about their food (their $1 grilled cheese Mondays, in particular, I've been meaning to try for some time now).

Bargain Binge: DeepWood

G.A. Benton — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:06:31 GMT

Do I have to worry about DeepWood? That distressing notion crossed my mind because neither the seats in its deeply stocked bar nor its creative, scratch-cooking and handsomely "woodsy" restaurant seem to enjoy the kind of business and crowds they clearly deserve. And we all know the toll this wicked economy is taking on local eateries.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Porter's Pub

John Ross — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:50:18 GMT

An appetizer of mini tacos and a faintly Spanish-style portico are the only relics from Azteca's, the Mexican restaurant that once occupied the small building at 5225 N. High St.

First Bite: Beechwold Diner

G.A. Benton — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:50:17 GMT

Maybe you can't go home again, but you can go back to Rube's and eat that exact same old Rube's Diner food again. Sure, it's now called Beechwold Diner, but from the same address to the eagerly returning regulars, from its breakfast-and-lunch-only hours to its beloved menu items and cheap prices to even rehiring the same cook, everything Beechwold is Rube's again.

A La Carte: Taj Mahal

G.A. Benton — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:38:19 GMT

It's hard to believe now, but once upon a time, there was not a single Indian restaurant in Columbus. Then, 25 years ago, the Taj Mahal changed all that by getting the local curry and tandoori balls rolling with its grand opening just north of the OSU campus. As a result, many people who do time at Buckeye U wind up learning the ropes of Indian food at this hallmark institution of a family-owned business.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: On the Rocks

John Ross — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:34:17 GMT

On the Rocks doesn't change much from the familiar formula of the small-town sports bar, and it doesn't really need to.

Lunch Money: Zuppa Downtown

Shelley Mann — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:35:27 GMT

Zuppa is the Italian word for soup, and this popular lunch place serves up some great, made-in-house soups. But that's not the reason I go there.

First Bite: Yellow Brick Pizza

G.A. Benton — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:30:20 GMT

In The Wizard of Oz, following a yellow brick road led to some dodgy adventures and, ultimately, a fake wizard. In Olde Towne East, driving past stately old homes led to a dodgy end of the street and, ultimately, the real deal at Yellow Brick Pizza. Who'da thunk it?

Menu: Mazah Mediterranean Eatery

G.A. Benton — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:29:16 GMT

Nowadays in Columbus, you can hardly toss a falafel without it bouncing off a shawarma shop, a house of hummus or a temple of tabouli.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Cotters Restaurant

John Ross — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:28:21 GMT

Those looking for a more upscale option en route to a Blue Jackets game should look no further than Cotters Restaurant.

Menu: Chef-O-Nette

G.A. Benton — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:40:20 GMT

Decade, schmecade - the Chef-O-Nette does not acknowledge the passage of time.

Menu: The year in dining

G.A. Benton — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:22:19 GMT

As 2009 prepares to hang the "closed" sign on its 365-day notched door and 2010 gets ready to open up shop, I thought it was an appropriate time to take a mini-inventory of some of last year's more prominent restaurant openings and closings. What follows is not an exhaustive list, but it did make me feel exhausted just looking over all the terrific new food I tried and all the old friends I'll surely miss.

Lunch Money: Flavors Eatery

Shelley Mann — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:09:24 GMT

Despite being home to Capital University, Bexley doesn't have too many places that could be described as college hangouts. Flavors is a notable exception.

Pick-Up Artist: Gatto's Pizza

G.A. Benton — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:28:59 GMT

I've gotta admit, I take Gatto's for granted. I mean, I've been nonchalantly sucking back deeply satisfying pizzas from that dinky Clintonville shop for a long time now, but only recently did I realize I've never actually written about it. How could that be?

Edible Art: Rigsby's

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:28:24 GMT

Edible Art: The Refectory

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:28:09 GMT

Edible Art: Pistacia Vera

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:27:46 GMT

Edible Art: M at Miranova

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:27:31 GMT

Edible Art: DeepWood

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:26:55 GMT

First Bite: Basil

G.A. Benton — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:01:15 GMT

With last week's opening of Basil, a very friendly staffed Thai restaurant in the Short North, comes one of the more impressive lunch specials in Columbus.

Edible Art: McCormick and Schmick's

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:00:19 GMT

5 O'Clock Somewhere: The Lost Shepherd

John Ross — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:59:15 GMT

A staff-wielding shepherd travels the world, samples its food and drink and returns home to share the best of it with friends. That's the concept behind The Lost Shepherd, a charming English-style pub about a mile west of downtown Powell.

Edible Art: A sweet art meal

G.A. Benton — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:58:19 GMT

What does it say about the English language that only a little "s" separates the absence of a desert from the excess of dessert?

Menu: Lavash

G.A. Benton — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:57:15 GMT

It's no secret that Lavash is at the top of the casual Middle Eastern restaurant heap, because that lively and popular Clintonville spot is often teeming with regulars (like me) during mealtimes. But what many people don't realize is that Lavash is actually two coexisting businesses.

First Bite: Plantain Cafe

G.A. Benton — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:25:28 GMT

With grim winter cruelly settling into Central Ohio, doesn't a quick beach-directed trip to someplace sunny, warm and semi-exotic sound like just the ticket to lift your spirits? Relatively nearby Cuba would fit that bill nicely, but it's akin to forbidden tropical fruit due to our government's unfortunately enduring travel restrictions to it.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Barley's Smokehouse & Brewpub

John Ross — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:23:16 GMT

Barley's Smokehouse & Brewpub might lack its sister's swanky High Street address and airy interior, but its awesomeness is right there in the name: barbecue and microbrew.

A La Carte: Phat Wraps

G.A. Benton — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:22:17 GMT

What do you get when you smartly combine the following: a very green-leaning, veggie-friendly, locally owned business that also grills up a couple of brazenly flavored lean animal proteins; a super fresh salad-y bar with an enticing array of approximately 15 items flaunting lots of banh-mi-appropriate Asian accents; and a battalion of potent, mostly hot-saucey and barbecuey condiments?

Lunch Money: Tasi Cafe

Shelley Mann — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:27:06 GMT

Anyone who goes to lunch at Tasi is putting in some effort.

Menu: Cardone's

G.A. Benton — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:18:18 GMT

As I sat at the quaint little bar in Cardone's waiting for my table, a fresh-faced fellow shuffled in from the back area and assumed the role of bartender. He was friendly, chatting with me about sports, his bocce ball league team and such.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Mozaik Lounge

John Ross — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:15:16 GMT

Metallic accents, multicolored ambient lighting and a waterfall that doubles as a video screen greet drinkers at Mozaik Lounge, a swanky chill spot that opened in late September across from the North Market.

Cookie Crazy

Shelley Mann — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:35:43 GMT

Looking for a stellar cookie recipe? Look no further! We enlisted the help of local pastry chefs, who shared recipes for their favorite holiday sweet treats.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Sushi Rock

John Ross — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:06:18 GMT

When Sushi Rock opened its first Cleveland location in 2000, it was an integral part of what then was the city's most thriving nightlife district, a strip akin to Park Street here in Columbus.

First Bite: Bono Pizza

G.A. Benton — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:05:20 GMT

Bill Yerkes - oh hell, let's just call him Wild Bill - is standing outside a convenience store on a chilly November night, wearing a T-shirt, a pesto-stained apron and a captain's hat.

Lunch Money: Cafe Lola

Shelley Mann — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:29:19 GMT

Kevin and Lori Ames now own three Downtown lunch spots - Cafe Lola, burrito-centric Cinco and the self-explanatory Burgers, Dogs and Fries. I've eaten at all of them, and while each has its charms (like, for one delicious example, Burgers' Bacon Cheese Fries), I think it's safe to proclaim Lola as my favorite. Oh, my Lola.

First Bite: The Pit Boss

G.A. Benton — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:18:19 GMT

Hanging over James Anderson's chin is a slender gray and white strip of a goatee. On his chest proudly rests this hard-won honor: Pit Boss.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Claddagh Irish Pub

John Ross — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:16:18 GMT

Cruel, howling winds are just around the corner. The sleet's there, too, waiting like an assassin. In a month, even walking around will become a chore.

In Season: Black Creek Bistro

G.A. Benton — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:31:23 GMT

Unlike the practices of self-promoting citizens and fly-by-night businesses, I believe restaurants mostly use their superpowers of tweeting for good. And with so many eateries tweeting about their seasonal dishes, nightly specials and other various semi-newsworthy goings on these days, I decided to coin a term to describe them: Twitter-rants.

Taste Test: The Gobblerito at Mad Mex

G.A. Benton — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:42:18 GMT

It's November (have you noticed?) and that can only mean one thing - the dreaded Thanksgiving family reunion dinner is fast approaching. For many, that mandatory familial gathering is hanging dangerously over downturned heads like the axe hovering above all those millions of artificially fattened turkeys.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Wing's

John Ross — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:40:21 GMT

Here's generally how things work at Wing's, one of the East Main Street restaurants that have helped Bexley maintain its classy, classic status.

Lovely Luce

Shelley Mann — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:30:31 GMT

You can order the salmon, pork or chicken entrees any time of the year at Luce, but that doesn't mean you know what you're going to get.

Bargain Binge: Worthington Inn

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:58:48 GMT

What adjectives pop into your head when you think about the Worthington Inn? Probably ones like venerable, grand and expensive? Yeah, it's definitely all that. But it can also be low-key, relaxed and ... cheap!

Lunch Money: Lac Viet

Shelley Mann — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:45:19 GMT

At lunchtime, the North Market is kind of like the best mall food court you could dream up.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Jack's Corner Pub

John Ross — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:44:18 GMT

Welcome to the friendly, no-frills world of Jack's Corner Pub. It's the last of the Summit Street neighborhood's old-guard watering holes, and it's survived to welcome in a new batch of small businesses.

Pick-up Artist: Hellas Grill Express

G.A. Benton — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:43:16 GMT

There was precious little about the exterior trappings of Hellas Grill Express to suggest it'd ever be a restaurant worth recommending. Aside from a Greek-themed awning, I'd say "humble-looking" almost seemed too kind to describe the outside of this tinier-than-tiny shop attached to a Grandview carryout and occupying the former Cowtown Pizza space.

It's Just Brunch: Taste of Bali

G.A. Benton — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:43:16 GMT

In an era and a city in which the mainstays of many ethnic cuisines have become passe, Indonesian food maintains a cache of exoticism.

First Bite: Clever Crow pizza at Circus

G.A. Benton — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:40:19 GMT

This is not a review, it's a public service announcement. You see, as I was following up on a recent rave of a hot pizza tip, I discovered that the artisanal piemaker in question had connections at the very top of the food chain. That's right, the pie guy was pals with our nationally famous ice cream queen.

Lunch Money: Broad Street Bagels & Deli

Shelley Mann — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Broad Street Bagels & Deli sits in a building that's adjacent to the Alive office. It's so close, we just refer to it as "downstairs." Like, "Where'd you get that delicious looking sandwich?" "Downstairs."

Bargain Binge: Worthington Inn

G.A. Benton — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:29:27 GMT

First Bite: Burgers, Dogs and Fries

G.A. Benton — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:10:20 GMT

Lori and Kevin Ames started more than two decades of Columbus restauranting by selling hot dogs from a cart Downtown. Well, you know what they say about "the more things change ..." right?

In Season: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:52:06 GMT

(Cue the low-lying fog, pipe organ music and howls of distant wolves.) Late last night, while quaking beneath quilted blankets and listening to the heater breathing disjunctively in deep gulps and groans, I began to believe my old dark house was speaking to me in an angry language of creaks and moans.

First Bite: Skillet

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:34:18 GMT

"Who are these guys?" asked one of my dining partners. Her eyeballs were popping out and I could see she was moving in to give me a high five. In the dozen or so years I've known her, I'd never before seen her give a high five to anyone.

No-beef burgers: Whole World Natural Bakery & Restaurant

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:33:17 GMT

There's a happy hippie mural in Whole World - the painting's been there, like, forever - that depicts anthropomorphized comic-bookish animals frolicking around during the changing of the seasons.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Dave & Buster's

John Ross — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:33:17 GMT

For years, Dave & Buster's locations have been fashioned as stand-alone destinations - giant warehouses of food, drink and high-end video games. A franchise in Cleveland, for example, testifies to the drawing power of 69,000 square feet of all-ages fun.

No-beef burgers: Ted's Montana Grill

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:32:19 GMT

You'll feel at home on the range at the Arena District's Ted's Montana Grill.

No-beef burgers: High Street Grill

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:32:19 GMT

I strongly suggest you walk into the modern and modest High Street Grill from the High Street entrance so you can brush up against the glamorous ghosts of the grand and resplendent hotel in which it's housed.

No-beef burgers: Third and Hollywood

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:30:21 GMT

Embracing and attractive, Third and Hollywood is the most moneyed member of the extra-smart Northstar Cafe family of restaurants.

No-beef burgers: Don't have a cow, man

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:29:16 GMT

To beef or not to beef, that is the question. These Columbus sandwiches let you take a beef vacation and eat your burger too.

No-beef burgers: Barley's Ale House No. 1

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:28:17 GMT

Barley's Ale House No. 1 is a comfy, brewpubby, beer-hall-like spot positioned right in the crosshairs of the Short North, Downtown and the Arena District.

It's Just Brunch: Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails

G.A. Benton — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:29:15 GMT

I love it that the already much-beloved Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails keeps striving to get better.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: The Social

John Ross — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:28:17 GMT

Nestled between the frenzied energy of Park Street Patio and the chic electricity of Sugar Bar is a small, inviting club. It's lit dimly and quieter than those around it. In an effort to escape the masses, you decide to check it out. Be prepared for a catch: The district's newest addition is a members-only club.

Lunch Money: Milo's Deli

Shelley Mann — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:27:15 GMT

Franklinton is the oldest neighborhood in Columbus, and it's had a long and difficult life. For decades, its flood-prone status and high crime rates kept it from being anywhere close to a desirable area.

A la Carte: Rancho Alegre

G.A. Benton — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:22:17 GMT

You might've assumed our moods were tethered to the weather on a grim, chilly and gloomy Friday night. As rain splintered the windshield, the darkly lit car interior was filled with bitter talk of flus, hunger, and how nothing fancy and no place familiar sounded particularly good for dinner.

Game On!: Need for Speed: Shift

Shawn Sines — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:07:41 GMT

Need for Speed, the oldest continuing sports franchise from Electronic Arts, takes a turn for the better with the new Need for Speed: Shift. The latest game in the 25-year-old series moves away from an arcade-like approach to track racing - fans used to open-world street races won't find any drifting here.

First Bite: Mia Cucina

G.A. Benton — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:02:16 GMT

Mia Cucina, which is "my kitchen" in Italian, is the name of a safe and sound, newish restaurant in New Albany. But I'm thinking Tua Cucina would've been a better moniker - if tua (which means "your") referred to Brio.

First Bite: Graffiti Burger

G.A. Benton — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:01:16 GMT

It's nearing high noon in a cholesterol-fueled cowtown shootout. Because shortly after Five Guys not from around these parts started laying claim to local burger turf - flaunting the notches in their fry baskets and slaying our citizens with their greasebombs - some hometown hamburger hombres have decided to face down the out-of-towners by giving them a taste of their own condiment-dripping medicine.

Nightly Special: Spagio

G.A. Benton — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:00:20 GMT

These days, a lonely sawbuck won't purchase much around suppertime at many of our city's finer-looking, top-tier, chef-driven restaurants. Oh, maybe a nice little appetizer, a couple of cups of potage, or, say, a single, professionally shaken fancy cocktail.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Bogey Inn

John Ross — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:59:16 GMT

During the past several months, it was hard to tell whether the Bogey Inn was open, as the sign outside saying so could rarely be trusted. A call this week to the Dublin standby finally set things straight:

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Gordon Biersch

John Ross — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:16:18 GMT

When investors sunk about $1 billion into the Arena District, they envisioned a multiuse entertainment hub where people could watch sports, share meals and toss back a few beers.

A la Carte: Third and Hollywood

G.A. Benton — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:14:19 GMT

While quizzically inspecting one of my well-worn belts the other day, I decided I could probably stand to eat a few more salads. And I'm not just talking about a salad serving as the prelude to a fat-, carb- and calorie-laden meal, but rather as an end in itself, i.e. the entree salad.

Menu: Moshi Sushi

G.A. Benton — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:13:15 GMT

In Moshi Sushi, a painting hangs beside a thin bamboo plant and it depicts ... a thin bamboo plant. I'd call that an instance of overtly legible semiotics.

Pick-Up Artist: Yau's Chinese Bistro

G.A. Benton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:22:18 GMT

These days, "bistro" is such an overused tool in the restaurant naming shed that it's lost any sharpness of meaning.

A la Carte: Sarefino's Pizzeria

G.A. Benton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:22:18 GMT

If you like pizza - and of course you do, you're human - then the top-shelf Sarefino's stall in the North Market will give it to you any way you like it.

It's Just Brunch: Barrio

G.A. Benton — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:05:18 GMT

With a food document like a heavily stamped passport, Barrio - one of our best new restaurants - seems to have traveled around a map of the Spanish-speaking world in order to cobble together its fusion-tinged menu.

Lunch Money: Cafe del Mondo

Shelley Mann — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:04:18 GMT

You won't find much that's actually Italian in Italian Village. Yes, the neighborhood that got its name from St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church boasts some Italianate architecture. And it's a perfectly charming part of town, only you might be disappointed if you're expecting the copious spaghetti-and-cannoli spots found in neighborhoods like NYC's Little Italy (or the sausage hauses and backeries of our own German Village).

Nightly Special: The Top Steak House

G.A. Benton — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:03:15 GMT

Before I start spilling the beans, I'm going to ask a big favor of a certain segment of the audience.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Level Dining Lounge

John Ross — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:02:17 GMT

A while back, the building that housed venerable seafood restaurant R.J. Snapper's became a giant hole. Then it became a secret. What emerged is one of coolest and most interesting places in town.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Rule 3

John Ross — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:04:15 GMT

In the writing world, the rule of three dictates that things in trios are inherently more hilarious, clever or satisfying. This is why we have the Three Stooges, Three Musketeers and Three Little Pigs.

In Season: On the Fly

G.A. Benton — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:03:16 GMT

You'd expect that the little-brother eatery attached at the hip to one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the Midwest would specialize in food that was seasonal - especially when considering its back porch is basically an edible garden.

Columbus Restaurant Week

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:58:00 GMT

"Our mission is to make people aware of the importance of where they spend their dining-out dollars," Katharine Moore wrote to me via e-mail. "If we don't rally support for the independent restaurant, our signature locations could go the way of the neighborhood hardware store and the independent bookstore. It's really not easy to compete with the power of chain restaurants."

Nightly Special: Press Grill

G.A. Benton — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:34:11 GMT

It seems like one of the few things Americans can agree on is that we all love Thanksgiving. OK, maybe not the mandatory family aspect of the event, but certainly that spilling-over dinner. And yet Tom Turkey Thursday happens only once a year. Are we supposed to be cool with that? I mean, I'm not.

In Season: Rigsby's Kitchen

G.A. Benton — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:22:58 GMT

Given its enduring and critical role in the maturation and refinement of the Columbus restaurant scene, Rigsby's Kitchen often seems to me to be misunderstood.

Lunch Money: Serenity Cafe

Shelley Mann — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:33:15 GMT

There aren't many scenarios in which you can eat a burger called Kelley's Belly Buster and feel good about yourself afterward.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: T.T. Murph's

John Ross — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:32:19 GMT

A few weeks back, during our annual Coldest Beer in Columbus competition, staff members started raving about a tiny Irish pub located on the fringes of Bexley.

Pick-Up Artist: Ali Baba

G.A. Benton — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:04:18 GMT

Lots of Pita Hut fans - and I'm among them - like to get their shawarma to go. That's because, ambience-wise, the Hut is a cheerless little dive best described as bare-bones. So though the food is certainly fun, the place is not.

Al Fresco: Cabo Cantina

G.A. Benton — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:02:18 GMT

Though a river runs through it, Columbus is surprisingly dry in the scenic aquatic dining department. So you'd think a nice restaurant constructed on an alluringly foresty riverbank would be a no-brainer, can't-miss success.

Kitchen Ink: C-Town Market & Deli

G.A. Benton — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:20:15 GMT

Lunch Money: Flatiron Bar & Diner

Shelley Mann — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:31:06 GMT

The quirky Flatiron Bar & Diner building has a storied past revolving around a tiny saloon that would stay open around the clock when the circus was in town, to serve the "show folk."

Kitchen Ink: Simple Sweets

G.A. Benton — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:31:06 GMT

"Life's short ... eat cookies" crisply advises a sign inside of the tidy little bakery called Simple Sweets. Well, I don't need to be told twice, do I?

Al Fresco: Cafe Bella

G.A. Benton — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:29:29 GMT

Amidst the mournful moans and howls of a Nick Cave song (a favorite performer of mine) I heard Vince Withers unrelatedly say in his little cafe, "I used to make bombs for the man, now I'm giving back."

Menu: Bamboo Cafe

G.A. Benton — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:27:29 GMT

When my dentist offers a recommendation, I listen. I mean, the man was dead-on about the flossing, right? So when he tossed me a heads-up about Bamboo Cafe on Bethel Road (near his office), I filed it under "Future Reconnaissance Mission."