Columbus Dining Guide Feed

Restaurant review: Bahn Thai Bistro

By G.A. Benton — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:21 GMT

Ever finish eating at a pretty good little mom-n-popper and, after collecting the check, flash one last look around its lackluster and liquor-license-lacking environs, and think, "If I come back, I'll probably just get takeout"? Yeah, me too. Well, Bahn Thai on Henderson Road isn't one of those restaurants.

Mixologist: Vivian Loh of Nida's Thai on High

By Jesse Tigges — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:49:57 GMT

"I love brown ales, Scottish ales, Irish ales. I think it's absurd that we have this big-d--- contest over who can put the most hops in their ales."

Lucky $13: Lac Viet

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:00:08 GMT

Lucky $13: Thai Grille

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:59:11 GMT

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Sandwich Guide: Ba Mon Banh Mi

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:12:16 GMT

Banh mi are like Southeast Asian submarine sandwiches on French-bread-inspired rolls. Here they're especially good - made on a toasty loaf that's still soft enough to chew through without disintegrating into crumbs.

A la Carte: P.S. Thai Tai

G.A. Benton — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:24:16 GMT

Obviously, Asian takeout specialists occupy a crucial place in the American dining psyche. We've come to rely heavily on them for quick, cheap and easy meals that reassuringly provide comfort but also deliver enough exoticism so as to seem difficult or at the least cumbersome to actually make. On the downside, there's a pervasive soy-saucy sameness to much of those widely available and desired dishes.

A La Carte: Chi Thai

G.A. Benton — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:28:18 GMT

Chi Thai combines lots of things I like into one tidy package. It does first-rate versions of the old reliable Sino-American classics, cooks up more authentic Chinese fare, has a big menu of racy Thai food, is very casual yet serves wine over its white tablecloths (including Asian-food-compatible gewurztraminers and Rieslings), and even features several vegetable and fish (not just shrimp!) preparations. And it allows individual diners to decide how daring they want to be.

First Bite: Nida's Thai on High

G.A. Benton — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:14:16 GMT

Need a boutique-y Thai restaurant brimming with appealing and mod style? Need a Thai restaurant in a tavern-teeming hip 'hood? Need a Thai restaurant with intriguing cocktails? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you need to visit Nida's Thai on High.

Menu: Chi Thai Restaurant

G.A. Benton — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:09:25 GMT

The other day, while relaxing in my new favorite Asian place, I began to fudge the numbers.