tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19596609483662121642024-03-13T12:07:57.236-07:00Eat My WordsGary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-70971545063833090602013-03-24T13:57:00.000-07:002013-03-24T18:09:57.864-07:00McCasky's Grille (March 23, 2013)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">McCasky's Grille</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">520 S. Front Street</span></st1:address></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Columbus, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43215</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/715-8224</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mccaskysgrille.com/">www.mccaskysgrille.com</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After the cast/crew of American Idiot came down with the flu resulting in the cancellation of the Saturday night performance, Lori and I decided to salvage the evening by getting some dinner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I suggested McCasky's Grille which opened a few weeks ago in the space once and most notably occupied by Handke's Cuisine.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwF1QrmfVJUIOld9xlb4-5wGW7j9ZQRqGzqT61isalAUKU0nL32MuV5oYQ7mJaW3LEx8Ma9RDmAvlGvlJON302CVDF0cvXPPAIAZVGY19QT5nL_XlRp9VfS2PVOe65x10AUOQssCuNNk/s1600/McCaskey+-+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwF1QrmfVJUIOld9xlb4-5wGW7j9ZQRqGzqT61isalAUKU0nL32MuV5oYQ7mJaW3LEx8Ma9RDmAvlGvlJON302CVDF0cvXPPAIAZVGY19QT5nL_XlRp9VfS2PVOe65x10AUOQssCuNNk/s320/McCaskey+-+outside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Prior to the retirement of Chef/Proprietor Hartmut Handke, Handke's was one of central Ohio's premier fine dining establishments. McCasky's is considerably less formal. Reserving the downstairs space, formerly part of a 19th century brewery, for private parties, the public dining area shares space with a large bar and several flat screen televisions just below street level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The menu at McCasky's is heavy on appetizers and sandwiches with a few standard entrees such as fish and chips, roast pork, and scallops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I ordered the Pasta NOLA ($12.00) which was a nice portion of penne pasta with chicken, peppers, onion, and mushrooms in an andouille cream sauce, but the NOLA element was a bit lacking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There was very little spice to the dish. Served with two pieces of garlic bread (which were light on the garlic), it simply did not rise above an average pasta dish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lori selected the steak which was listed as black angus beef on the menu at "market price." This allows the chef to change the single steak option on a weekly basis. This evening it was a six ounce Filet of Beef ($16.00).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lori reported that the steak would have benefited from better seasoning and flavor and that the vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, and carrots) were fresh and proved to be the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, the yukon gold mash was overpowered by butter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Having just finished two average meals, we were hoping our luck might change with dessert. Fortunately, it did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Even though the menu advised that "Our desserts are large enough to be shared," our server (identified as "Sweetness" on our bill!) was successful, but not overly aggressive, in convincing us to order one for each of us. Admittedly, it wasn't a difficult sell!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We shared the Aztec Brownie ($7.00) and Strawberry Shortcake ($7.00). The chocolate brownie was spiced with cayenne pepper and matched with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and drizzled with hot fudge sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Whereas the cayenne dried out the brownie a bit, the flavor was very good and the ice cream and hot fudge sauce accounted for the necessary moisture content.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The strawberry shortcake was another highlight of the evening. The moist pound cake is homemade by the mother of one of the owners, Rich McClusky, and was so good that I could overlook the lack of fresh strawberries. The cake and vanilla bean ice cream were </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">smothered with a strawberry sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Having been a fan of the world-class fare prepared and offered by Chef Handke at this location, I was a bit apprehensive about trying out the building's successor occupant. Granted, there is nothing other than the building that is common between the two establishments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For Brewery District revelers, McCasky's Grille fits the bill as a casual eatery with few variations on typical pub fare.</span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-21181462417699621602013-03-22T19:06:00.000-07:002013-03-22T19:06:58.033-07:00Northstar Cafe (March 21, 2013)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Northstar Cafe</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4015 Townsfair Way</span></st1:address></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Columbus, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43219</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/532-5444</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thenorthstarcafe.com/">http://www.thenorthstarcafe.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I drove out to the Easton Town Center to meet with a former State Representative recently. With many dining options available, I quickly accepted her recommendation of the Northstar Cafe. I had not eaten there, but had always heard good things about the food.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Menus are available inside the doorway for review by incoming guests. (By the way, t<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">he menu is very welcoming as many of the items can be prepared meat- and dairy-free.) Once you have made your selection, you place your order at the counter and your meal is delivered to your table.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I chose the Thai Burrito ($11.00) with roasted chicken rather than the seared organic tofu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The burrito was also filled with crunchy slaw and organic brown rice. It is served with tortilla chips and a Thai peanut dipping sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The burrito was very good and filling. The peanut sauce nicely completed the dish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">If you're planning to go for lunch, arrive before noon. Whereas there is comfortable seating, the space fills up quickly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There are also two other Northstar Cafe locations - in the Short North and Beechwold areas of Columbus.</span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-35696951756410771422013-03-22T18:33:00.000-07:002013-03-22T19:06:48.981-07:00Surly Girl Saloon (March 14, 2013)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Surly Girl Saloon</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Columbus, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43201</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/294-4900</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.surlygirlsaloon.com/">http://www.surlygirlsaloon.com</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The second of the six-member <a href="http://columbus%20food%20league.com/">Columbus Food League</a>, the Surly Girl Saloon was my meeting place for a recent lunch with a former work colleague. It provided the venue for good food, good company, and good conversation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After catching up on what's been going on with each of us, I began to study the menu. The Columbus Food League restaurants are known for their comfort food and the Surly Girl has a nice selection from which to choose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I ended up ordering the Chorizo & Portobello Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup ($9.00).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The sandwich was constructed with chorizo sausage, chili-marinated portobello mushrooms, and a six-cheese blend on wheat bread. Sprinkled over the homemade tomato soup were some tasty scallions and a handful of Frito's completed the plate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Surly Girl is located in the hip Short North section of Columbus, just north of downtown. The Short North is a destination neighborhood and the Surly Girl is a destination comfort food stop and watering hole.</span><br />
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Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-45880276945686591942013-03-22T16:27:00.003-07:002013-03-22T16:30:53.843-07:00Sage American Bistro (March 9, 2013)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sage American Bistro</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2653 N. High Street</span></st1:address></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Columbus, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43202</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/267-7243</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="http://sageamericanbistro.com/">http://sageamericanbistro.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lori decided I needed some cheering up, so she offered to take me out to dinner - a certain remedy to the doldrums. She even let me pick the restaurant! After spending some time poring over some area restaurants I had not yet visited, I settled upon Sage American Bistro.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Located on North High Street just south of Dodridge Street, Sage is in a narrow brick building that one could easily miss traversing the busy High Street. Valet parking ($4) is available in the rear of the restaurant and is probably the best parking option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We were quickly seated (after having made reservations as recommended) at a two-top just inside the front door of the restaurant. Fortunately, most patrons entered and exited from the rear of the building so the evening chill was minimal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Exposed brick walls framed the narrow room with white tableclothed tables arranged to take best advantage of the limited space while affording diners appropriate privacy. There was a small bar at the back of the room. Behind that was a kitchen from which, if you were to judge it on size alone, one might wonder how the staff could possibly prepare the fine food we were about to consume.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">One of the reasons I chose Sage is its rather eclectic menu. Among the offerings are Bone Marrow, Sweetbread, Pacu Fish Ribs, and Ohio Pork Cheeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I began my meal with the Grilled Caesar Salad ($8.00) which was delicious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The smoky flavor was outstanding and was complemented by the dressing and the salty white anchovies and topped with parmesan cheese.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lori selected the Winter Salad ($8.00) which was a fine Mesclun mix topped with a parsnip puree, fennel, pickled figs, and quinoa. The salad was dressed with a green apple vinaigrette.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Growing up, I had a dislike for figs because my only exposure to the fruit was in the form of Fig Newtons which I found abhorrent. I tasted one of the figs from Lori's salad and found that I had been missing out for decades.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For my entree, I decided upon the Scallops and Rabbit Loin ($27.00). Whereas my favorite scallops are those I had at Dempsey's Restaurant (<a href="http://eat-my-words-blog.blogspot.com/2012/11/dempseys-november-9-2012.html">http://eat-my-words-blog.blogspot.com/2012/11/dempseys-november-9-2012.html</a>), these were seared very nicely and had a lot of flavor.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEQfNJwDUc2Dmul_rjt1VcNaJRPfkzihU_hyphenhyphen7PgdLsSSnZ0VZ6h88ngcZtMINWMJtSegQOsF2G9NcsxiJozgER-NtxQ-c_6xVxNQqc6E7qHgyISpqYRvyjxA9pYg6irYHwR0QtdE9HRQ/s1600/Sage+-+Scallops-Rabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEQfNJwDUc2Dmul_rjt1VcNaJRPfkzihU_hyphenhyphen7PgdLsSSnZ0VZ6h88ngcZtMINWMJtSegQOsF2G9NcsxiJozgER-NtxQ-c_6xVxNQqc6E7qHgyISpqYRvyjxA9pYg6irYHwR0QtdE9HRQ/s320/Sage+-+Scallops-Rabbit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I had never had rabbit before. As one might expect, it was a mild meat, without a distinctive flavor but seasoned well and quite tasty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The scallops and rabbit were accompanied by a wilted arugula salad with apples, walnut gremolata, more pickled figs (!), and a balsamic reduction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lori chose the Ohio Strip Steak ($33.00), a 12 ounce grilled serving cooked to perfection. Positioned atop crispy steak fries and a parsnip puree, the steak was topped with cider-braised greens and andouille jus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Thank goodness, the serving was more than Lori could finish, so I was able to taste several bites of the steak. Delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Never ones to dismiss dessert without at least looking at the menu, we found a generous selection of sweet offerings. Lori chose the Creme Brulee ($8.00). Whereas I love creme brulee, I rarely order it, only because I seldom find any that matches what Chef Hartmut Handke created at his now closed Handke's Cuisine in the Brewery District. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I was too preoccupied with my own dessert to taste Lori's, but she enjoyed it very much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As I was reviewing the dessert menu, I found an item named Foie Gras ($12.00), but rather than the fattened goose liver delicacy (which I would never imagine being on a dessert menu, it was described as a carrot-ginger cake, with apple butter, and salty cashew caramel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I couldn't imagine there was a typo on the menu so I asked our server to explain the dessert. He indicated that it was probably his least favorite dessert (hey, I appreciate the honesty!) and that it included pureed foie gras in the cake batter as well as a small slice placed on top of the cake. Carrot cake is one of my favorite desserts, so I just had to give this a try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When it arrived, I was first drawn to the silver dollar sized slice of foie gras sitting on top. I carefully removed it, took a tiny bite and was rewarded with the glorious taste of the delicacy. I offered a piece to Lori and, whereas she tried it, she did not like it at all. It may be an acquired taste for some, but her wrinkled up nose suggested that it was all mine!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The cake itself was good, but I was unable to distinguish any foie gras flavor at all. That was disappointing because the price of the dessert clearly took into account the presence of the decadent ingredient. I finished the cake and then set about eating more tiny portions of the foie gras, savoring the taste, until it was sadly gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was a marvelous evening with a delicious meal, outstanding company, and a romantic atmosphere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Named after the young daughter of Chef/Owner Bill Glover, Sage American Bistro has found a spot on my list of favorite restaurants in central Ohio.</span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-43016955054678905312013-03-22T15:14:00.001-07:002013-03-22T16:30:37.778-07:00Blue Agave (March 3, 2013)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blue Agave</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">496 Polaris Parkway</span></st1:address></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Westerville, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43082</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/891-6011</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blueagaveohio.com/">http://www.blueagaveohio.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I never knew Blue Agave existed until Lori took me there for lunch. Situated in a strip center on Polaris Parkway at Cleveland Avenue, the restaurant suffers a bit from lack of exposure.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Upon entering the restaurant, I felt as if I was about to eat in a high school cafeteria. Booths surrounded the large dining room with several tables set up in the large open space. The lack of creative architecture or decorating made the space fairly unappealing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As with many Mexican restaurants, the menu was extensive - consisting of many standards and just a couple items that caught my attention. When I saw Iguana, I was immediately intrigued. Although I admit I was hoping to see how the lizard was to be prepared, it actually was just steak and chicken breast wrapped in a spinach tortilla topped with a cheese dip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When it came time to order, I opted for the rather tame combination of a chile relleno and chalupa ($9.99). With a choice of accompaniments, I selected the refried beans and rice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The portion was a generous one for lunch. The chili relleno was a large poblano pepper stuffed with mozzarella cheese, battered, deep fried and covered with a fairly non-descript red tomato sauce. Whereas the relleno was satisfactory, I prefer that it be stuffed with monterey jack or Queso Chihuahua.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The chalupa, also known as a tostada, consisted of a tortilla topped with beef, lettuce, guacamole, and a tomato slice. Again, not a very imaginative dish, but how do you spice up a chalupa? It is what it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lori selected the Blue Agave Salad ($9.99) which looked delicious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Another healthy portion, the salad includes flap meat, chicken, tomatoes, sliced pineapple, and fresh avocado on a bed of mixed greens. Flap meat is a thin steak that comes from the bottom sirloin butt cut of beef.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Named for the plant that is the base ingredient of tequila, Blue Agave is indistinguishable from the scores of Mexican restaurants that populate central Ohio. The food is satisfactory, the service was satisfactory, and the atmosphere was less than satisfactory.</span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-25967430815464270182013-03-02T17:59:00.000-08:002013-03-02T18:00:08.090-08:00Windy City BBQ Ribs (February 27, 2013)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Windy City BBQ Ribs</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">32 Grace Drive</span></st1:address></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Powell</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43065</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/844-3939</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="http://windycitybbqribs.com/">http://windycitybbqribs.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tucked away in a strip center just down the road from the Powell post office, Windy City BBQ Ribs is not a conspicuous dining establishment by any definition.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The food, however, is worth a visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The first time I went to Windy City, several months ago, they had run out of ribs and were giving out $25 gift certificates to those who came in requesting them. Whereas this is definitely a strong customer service gesture, it is unexpected and entirely too much to give away. I was concerned that such generosity may doom the restaurant to a short life in an obscure location, at least for non-Powell residents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That day, instead of accepting the gift certificate, I ordered the Cajun Hot Link meal ($14.95) and my daughter selected the Carolina Pulled Pork ($14.95). Both entrees were very good and we vowed to return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When I call Windy City BBQ Ribs a restaurant, that is being very generous. The small storefront has room for only three tables. Clearly, they do their best business with carry-out and catering orders. Also catching the attention of an patron is the writing on the walls! Customers use sharpie pens to write their own "reviews" of the food and other comments and artwork that are germane to the food...or not. Seems as if nearly anything goes on the graffiti walls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Several weeks ago, I purchased a Groupon for $29. Upon redemption, it was good for four meals, eight sides, and a dessert. This represented a savings of at least 50%.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Using the Groupon, my two daughters and I ordered the Carolina Pulled Pork meals and had two sides each of macaroni and cheese, potato salad, macaroni salad, and baked beans. One of the pulled pork meals was prepared with a hot, jalapeno sauce while the other three were prepared with a mild sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The meals included nearly a pound of meat, roughly cut, with a slice of white bread. With the leftovers and the fourth meal, I had enough food for lunch the next two days!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The dessert was four sugar cookies and the order included a small takeout box of peanuts!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The menu boasts that all meats, fruits, and vegetables are organic and everything is cooked fresh daily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">With a City Barbeque just a mile or so away, each of these establishments appears to be able to peacefully co-exist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I recommend that you give Windy City BBQ Ribs a try. Call ahead to ensure that your desired meat is available, particularly if you are ordering for dinner or a particularly large quantity.</span><br />
</div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-4857579974440421212013-03-02T17:18:00.001-08:002013-03-02T18:00:08.093-08:00The Lazy Chameleon (December 29, 2012)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Lazy Chameleon</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4028 Presidential Parkway</span><br /><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Powell</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43065</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/792-8393</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lazychameleon.com/">http://www.lazychameleon.com/</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Situated in a strip center just of of Sawmill Parkway in Powell, the Lazy Chameleon touts itself as the "best seafood and margaritas in Columbus!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Whereas I did not try the seafood nor the margaritas, I suspect that the claim of having the best in town might be a bit of hyperbole. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Lazy Chameleon is a bar that includes some seafood offerings, the majority of which are on the appetizer menu.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Frankly, I was a little leery about the quality of the seafood and ordered the Cajun Pasta Alfredo ($12.99) and Lori selected the Chopped Salad with Steak ($9.99).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For starters, we ordered the Mucho Nachos ($6.99) which consisted of ground beef, cheddar cheese sauce, salsa, jalapenos, and a scoop of sour cream deposited on a bed of room temperature nacho chips. Not very imaginative, but what one might expect as a pub appetizer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib0KnYyH5PeEMlVTNyr50r9fW9KtHMGsYrExOaNwwmBbaDay-sEsm49JAE0XjEPfbaLgKOV0s1Rh1yx09hzX03chyG8GT77QKmH-yn_119weTaSMtOe1l0Jwpb0ImunSiHS26F6Ry-1M/s1600/LazyChameleon+-+Nachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib0KnYyH5PeEMlVTNyr50r9fW9KtHMGsYrExOaNwwmBbaDay-sEsm49JAE0XjEPfbaLgKOV0s1Rh1yx09hzX03chyG8GT77QKmH-yn_119weTaSMtOe1l0Jwpb0ImunSiHS26F6Ry-1M/s320/LazyChameleon+-+Nachos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After collecting our menus, the server returned to our table to ask if it was OK that my entree was served with rice. I thought that a rather off question since I ordered a pasta dish, but she caught me a bit off guard and I didn't question her as I should have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well, once the entree was served, it became clear that a mistake had been made. Instead of the Cajun Pasta Alfredo, I was presented with the Southwest Chicken ($10.49). Rather than extending our visit by returning the chicken for what I had actually ordered, I accepted it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLsXoAGA9s3ZaXBfyMLOQs_79uGj7Tvq4nhNwA8-UTb6JNWjGv41t59QfMdVLOBk1m7MSmpJSEzkDbxVilhd38IL4sVS5YN8hPLSwjbyiMnNNPZ8ZA0jnki5trZFCnmed-v-gm2A_7FI/s1600/LazyChameleon+-+SouthwestChicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLsXoAGA9s3ZaXBfyMLOQs_79uGj7Tvq4nhNwA8-UTb6JNWjGv41t59QfMdVLOBk1m7MSmpJSEzkDbxVilhd38IL4sVS5YN8hPLSwjbyiMnNNPZ8ZA0jnki5trZFCnmed-v-gm2A_7FI/s320/LazyChameleon+-+SouthwestChicken.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The plate consisted of two grilled chicken breasts topped with shredded cheese, bacon, and salsa on a bed of rice (as promised!). At my request, about 10 onion rings accompanied the chicken. Unfortunately, the quality of the food was on par with a strip center bar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lori assured me that her salad was good.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhedKKcno90m-snLyi5UB_P3ekSqILUgkq35hlR49IYWtsjdb15zV69cdtJOPf9fJ8mO0QFfjkQSCYZgVHu8xRB-1EagFNZEZCCQqBfcSvq6Jk0GU1ao61t7Ad7OYByCgOIwvgoYysDlQ/s1600/LazyChameleon+-+SteakSalad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhedKKcno90m-snLyi5UB_P3ekSqILUgkq35hlR49IYWtsjdb15zV69cdtJOPf9fJ8mO0QFfjkQSCYZgVHu8xRB-1EagFNZEZCCQqBfcSvq6Jk0GU1ao61t7Ad7OYByCgOIwvgoYysDlQ/s320/LazyChameleon+-+SteakSalad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It is unlikely that I will return to the Lazy Chameleon unless it is for the live music. However, I will be sure to keep my culinary expectations low.</span></div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-265587943455537332013-03-02T16:41:00.002-08:002013-03-02T18:00:08.092-08:00Wedgewood Pub & Grill (December 12, 2012)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wedgewood Pub & Grill<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9890 Brewster Lane</span></st1:street><br />
<st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Powell</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43065</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/718-0355<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.wedgewoodpub.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">http://www.wedgewoodpub.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wedgewood
Pub & Grill has been open for five years or so at the end of a strip center
just off of <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Sawmill Parkway, south</st1:address></st1:street>
of <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Powell Road</st1:address></st1:street>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither fancy nor pretentious, it has a pleasant
neighborhood sports bar feel to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
been there several times, usually taking my teenage girls there for dinner on a
weeknight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During such times, it is
family friendly and I have never felt uncomfortable bringing the girls here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
a bar, the Wedgewood’s menu isn’t very aggressive or imaginative, but it does
offer decent pub food.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">On
this visit, my oldest daughter, Molly, and I ordered the Deep Fried Green Beans
($7.00) for an appetizer as we have many times before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3psXf5kl2gYpmgAYrtyVBDM4JB4sdFLTWg2y6oYN4ea8tIfpvRRsvcyX6b9YhYj73WvULdepupNf9t-vF5QFRN4kkzHv9P8K7XtCUVk_tYptQ-HEAFW9CoRhdKzUtSUW34YGNC22NbOU/s1600/Wedgewood+-+FriedGreenBeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3psXf5kl2gYpmgAYrtyVBDM4JB4sdFLTWg2y6oYN4ea8tIfpvRRsvcyX6b9YhYj73WvULdepupNf9t-vF5QFRN4kkzHv9P8K7XtCUVk_tYptQ-HEAFW9CoRhdKzUtSUW34YGNC22NbOU/s320/Wedgewood+-+FriedGreenBeans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The coating on the beans is nice and crunchy while still retaining the taste of green beans. Each time we have
ordered this appetizer, it has always been served with a ranch
wasabi sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, this time
the beans came with a small cup of sour cream – not the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Molly
ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrap ($7.00), but when it arrived, it didn’t even
have a hint of buffalo sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
bringing this to the server’s attention, she made a comment like “I don’t know
what they’re doing back there” and returned with a small cup of buffalo sauce
in which to dip the sandwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, not
the same as chicken prepared in buffalo sauce.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My
entrée was better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered the Pub
Club ($9.00) which, as one might imagine, consisted of turkey, ham, and bacon
with lettuce and tomato on toasted sourdough bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqPR5L5G4rJYvnj2MSvcKlU_mITyJ1ZC28xGNHd7ktaBt0RZPIhVcmgzckh4k622kvUtnn2iKjg0SFxfjXP54Zx9VLXJ7PD562fwvf_cCuM3jYAAxze3PEa7at2kSiNN_8w1mp3Y7oOY/s1600/Wedgewood+-+Pub+Club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqPR5L5G4rJYvnj2MSvcKlU_mITyJ1ZC28xGNHd7ktaBt0RZPIhVcmgzckh4k622kvUtnn2iKjg0SFxfjXP54Zx9VLXJ7PD562fwvf_cCuM3jYAAxze3PEa7at2kSiNN_8w1mp3Y7oOY/s320/Wedgewood+-+Pub+Club.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I asked for the beer battered onion rings and
received at least eight large rings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
a sucker for onion rings and the Wedgewood rings are among the best I’ve had in
a while.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
sour cream and buffalo sauce missteps made for a somewhat frustrating visit
this time, but, generally, the Wedgewood Pub & Grill offers good pub
fare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The service is sometimes
inconsistent, but the staff is always very nice.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">UPDATE:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A recent trip back to the Wedgewood Pub & Grill resulted in an experience that was more typical..and pleasant. The deep fried green beans were accompanied by the wasabi ranch sauce also!</span></div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-20626867529128897042013-01-01T17:02:00.000-08:002013-01-01T17:02:43.885-08:00Claddagh Irish Pub (December 11, 2012)
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Claddagh Irish Pub<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8745 Sancus Boulevard</span></st1:street><br />
<st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Columbus</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43240</st1:postalcode></span></st1:address><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/885-0100<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.claddaghirishpubs.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">http://www.claddaghirishpubs.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Claddagh
Irish Pub also has a location in the Brewery District (<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">585 S. Front Street</st1:street>, <st1:city w:st="on">Columbus</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43215</st1:postalcode></st1:address>)
as well as 13 throughout the <st1:place w:st="on">Midwest</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas I typically do not review chain
restaurants, I am exercising my editorial license to do so in this case.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lori
and I visited this Polaris location back in mid-October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After standing at the host stand for too long
and not being seated, I stepped further into the restaurant looking for someone
to seat us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was considering whether I
should walk back in to the kitchen to get someone’s attention when a rather
harried staffer came to seat us as well as the other patrons who had arrived
after us and began forming a short line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, as we were eating, it was difficult to ignore the fact that one of
the TVs positioned in our direction was showing an infomercial!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing more compelling to show?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was tempted to write a critical
review, but I exercised some restraint and used my “I don’t review chain
restaurants” rule as a justification.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flash
forward a couple of months…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to
identify a place to have dinner that was between my home in Powell and my
friend Ed’s home in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Westerville</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to give Claddagh another try.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
visit was much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was seated promptly
and Ed arrived shortly thereafter and was shown to our table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out, we were seated next to what seemed
to be a semi-private dining space that was occupied by a number of painters who
had easels set up at their tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
learned that this was a Wine and Canvas (</span><a href="http://www.wineandcanvas.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">http://www.wineandcanvas.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">)
event that is held frequently at Claddagh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Looks like it might be a fun evening for $35.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since
this visit was on a Tuesday evening, the special was $3 drafts all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could I visit an Irish pub and not have a
Harp (or three)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
chose the Egg BLT ($7.99) for my entrée.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the name suggests, the sandwich consists of bacon, lettuce, tomato
and a fried egg on toasted sourdough bread with a mustard mayo and served with pub
chips, also known as steak fries or potato wedges.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vosCVjj8a689bmg0mIn7y0WghthPGbUAzZ_XMTJ_BAdu9_PzyVO_EmZH1an8_m0XFUhVlRYP6B0GMHhWiHaMwxEM5ibahrMY3Y-RId_4OR1cGUsbE5vviq2GcUGA8Y-xLFgYHbvwCR8/s1600/Claddagh+-+EggBLT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vosCVjj8a689bmg0mIn7y0WghthPGbUAzZ_XMTJ_BAdu9_PzyVO_EmZH1an8_m0XFUhVlRYP6B0GMHhWiHaMwxEM5ibahrMY3Y-RId_4OR1cGUsbE5vviq2GcUGA8Y-xLFgYHbvwCR8/s320/Claddagh+-+EggBLT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whereas
the sandwich was not very imaginative, it was tasty and this dining experience
was much better than my previous one at this location.</span></span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-25504453240631576682012-11-24T18:39:00.003-08:002012-11-24T18:39:56.068-08:00Dempsey’s (November 9, 2012)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dempsey’s<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-size: large;"><st1:street w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">346 S. High Street</span></st1:street><br />
<st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Columbus</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43215</st1:postalcode></span></span></st1:address><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">614/586-0511<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://dempseysdowntown.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">http://dempseysdowntown.com/</span></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Full
disclosure – I have known Mark Dempsey, the proprietor of Dempsey’s, for many
years since we were both involved in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Franklin</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">County</st1:placename></st1:place> politics in the
mid- to late 1980’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This review,
however, is based on the quality of the food, service, and ambiance, not any
association I may have with Mark.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately,
my experience at Dempsey’s makes it easy to share that disclosure because my
first visit to Dempsey’s was a very enjoyable one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had wanted to stop in the restaurant since
it opened in March of this year, but it was a </span><a href="http://www.livingsocial.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Living Social</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> voucher ($20 coupon for
$10) that finally got me and Lori in the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
restaurant is located on the corner of High and Mound Streets in downtown <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:city>, across the
street from the new county courthouse and within walking distance of many
government and other offices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
definitely a political vibe to the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Photographs of local, state, and national political figures adorn the
walls, but the highlight is the political button collection that is displayed
on the walls of the back room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The collection,
on loan from a friend of both Mark’s and mine, contains memorabilia from the 19<sup>th</sup>
century to the present!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
this is a food blog, isn’t it…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">My
meal started with the Cream of Mushroom soup ($4.75) that contained button,
crimini, and portabella mushrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
mushrooms were flavorful and provided a nice texture to the creamy soup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxSm5sLxD09VJsriwushoBf84vhuZP976GQ2cIY06Z3A5dOmFY5XRc03IFG9P9EIt5moWFr0mYKHxeluvFJyuSJeVy8AJfbgP_oFa7Qpl6UKMirId3g_4s9BTOMVtunrOWbRzolVyymQ/s1600/Dempsey's+-+MushroomSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxSm5sLxD09VJsriwushoBf84vhuZP976GQ2cIY06Z3A5dOmFY5XRc03IFG9P9EIt5moWFr0mYKHxeluvFJyuSJeVy8AJfbgP_oFa7Qpl6UKMirId3g_4s9BTOMVtunrOWbRzolVyymQ/s320/Dempsey's+-+MushroomSoup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lori
selected the Maryland Crab Cake ($8.75).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, my photo doesn’t do the dish justice, but I was assured
that it was very delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> permitted to have a bite, so I, too,
can attest to the tastiness of the crab cake!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87S8oZJZjWJA6SwBMA7i1lrtZ9OdR7e9Z_O3wQym4BBXH20S3REUyhlJng1AjM8nSGErdLPHnSuYrQ84gp6VNwj_izMmx9z0Hsx0CTB8xvfL4YeSQaegmazWj9mSeKDUzaEgepv9LanM/s1600/Dempsey's+-+CrabCake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87S8oZJZjWJA6SwBMA7i1lrtZ9OdR7e9Z_O3wQym4BBXH20S3REUyhlJng1AjM8nSGErdLPHnSuYrQ84gp6VNwj_izMmx9z0Hsx0CTB8xvfL4YeSQaegmazWj9mSeKDUzaEgepv9LanM/s320/Dempsey's+-+CrabCake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For
my entrée, I selected two small plate offerings, the Seared Jumbo Scallops
($8.25) and the Lamb Lollypops ($10.95).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I generally don’t order scallops because, more often than not, I receive
a plate of bland and rubbery sea denizens that are overpriced and leave me
disappointed and unsatisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
certainly not the case with Dempsey’s scallops!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without a doubt, these were the most delicious scallops I have ever had!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Served with a black bean and corn salsa, the
scallops were seasoned so well that, even after eating my other small plate as
well as a dessert, I still had the taste of the scallops on my lips on my drive
home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scrumptious!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDQY6K73OSu4gNXBERRM8HIKQgJ47BqQSXOsoI0pbMUJGOqKCGxEEl2FfC1PcDUytyFdUaiS1GNNgNM4U2FWYhfpSYFsW7HUI86TMLQMugLK_kAawoT4QjbbZbLlsvHustLwmDynQUxA/s1600/Dempsey's+-+Scallops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDQY6K73OSu4gNXBERRM8HIKQgJ47BqQSXOsoI0pbMUJGOqKCGxEEl2FfC1PcDUytyFdUaiS1GNNgNM4U2FWYhfpSYFsW7HUI86TMLQMugLK_kAawoT4QjbbZbLlsvHustLwmDynQUxA/s320/Dempsey's+-+Scallops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Not
to be outdone, the Lamb Lollypops were very tender and very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three small chops were served atop a nice
portion of mashed redskin potatoes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were so good that, after using my knife and fork to separate the meat from the
bones, I had to pick them up and, not so decorously, make sure I nibbled all of
the tender meat that I could reach!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv2Bao0F0Qyoy2acdne1gtMTPS5a2l7oWMHqUImc4v0BVTb4EL4i546b_XwKqOttrTL_0FcgNLJCsSniXfpfoSjc0Q0zGezAajwreWM5mhq_NUZT5Lu9z4xzLs4zoHtHkm91yS86VMcM/s1600/Dempsey's+-+LambLollypops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv2Bao0F0Qyoy2acdne1gtMTPS5a2l7oWMHqUImc4v0BVTb4EL4i546b_XwKqOttrTL_0FcgNLJCsSniXfpfoSjc0Q0zGezAajwreWM5mhq_NUZT5Lu9z4xzLs4zoHtHkm91yS86VMcM/s320/Dempsey's+-+LambLollypops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lori
once again declared her entrée, the Dempsey Steak Salad ($12.95), to be very
good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0m-zchyphenhyphenOL53lMTvgXUkKM0g2-uBtFtE9XM-YqdQZGPljMqJZwgAaybW5Ix4ICn8WzRLlIg2nVkCic1YimZpvJ4exdpew2S2_DzhSBM8zEKQJN1EMVRFxBhgfg1I0S8TYGTepyCZKYPs/s1600/Dempsey's+-+SteakSalad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0m-zchyphenhyphenOL53lMTvgXUkKM0g2-uBtFtE9XM-YqdQZGPljMqJZwgAaybW5Ix4ICn8WzRLlIg2nVkCic1YimZpvJ4exdpew2S2_DzhSBM8zEKQJN1EMVRFxBhgfg1I0S8TYGTepyCZKYPs/s320/Dempsey's+-+SteakSalad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lori
and I will often share a dessert and this evening was no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to sample the Jameson Bread
Pudding ($4.95).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It proved to be a nice
ending to a delicious dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Jameson Irish Whiskey was distinctive, but not at all overpowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPUQxB7cigFsOHbMBULK5R1dDx8DACF1A-iVNV-yZ8GC7Z9hWq0j5RozcXvbOE7i6N0GW1gi-GSeBlBROR71hjrIYHCoyvCm-GV60qEDR5ZpJU-AhAl4sbpJkafmD-eh1U38uX2pIm48/s1600/Dempsey's+-+BreadPudding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPUQxB7cigFsOHbMBULK5R1dDx8DACF1A-iVNV-yZ8GC7Z9hWq0j5RozcXvbOE7i6N0GW1gi-GSeBlBROR71hjrIYHCoyvCm-GV60qEDR5ZpJU-AhAl4sbpJkafmD-eh1U38uX2pIm48/s320/Dempsey's+-+BreadPudding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span id="goog_1442115235"></span><span id="goog_1442115236"></span></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our
server, Nick, was very attentive, visiting our table often to ensure our
satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I
highly recommend Dempsey’s and will definitely be back!</span></div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-13345612192635256992012-11-03T18:37:00.000-07:002012-11-03T18:37:09.509-07:00Starliner Diner (November 3, 2012)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Starliner Diner<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
<st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-size: large;"><st1:street w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5240 Cemetery Road</span></st1:street><br />
<st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hilliard</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">Ohio</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43026</st1:postalcode></span></span></st1:address><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">614/529-1198<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://starlinerdiner.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">http://starlinerdiner.com/</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After
dropping my daughter off to babysit her cousins in Hilliard, Lori and I drove
through town and, as we passed the Starliner Diner, we decided we were
hungry…now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m almost ashamed to say
that, having lived in <st1:place w:st="on">Central Ohio</st1:place> for 27
years, I have never been to the Starliner Diner!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, I know…even if it’s true, I probably
shouldn’t admit that out loud (or in print).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every
time I have tried to go, there has been a long, somewhat intimidating, line
outside the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This night, there
was no line and only about six or seven cars in the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hunger pangs beckoned a bit more
forcefully!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There
were two things that caught my attention as I entered the cozy and comfortable
diner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, the artwork on the entry
wall…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk9yUq6-hvEqW9uSKpt53PSNuQ_JjP2DA70dCB6mew0T5bOzHFyXoi667PihugS2yoj9WB1rP8pxeAe0pwVs7Jz3yAhDrUg1R7YpunLhLJ_ThJ_uxjMFXE2k_y6mUGwN4jo44dB_caTY/s1600/StarlinerDiner+-+Entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk9yUq6-hvEqW9uSKpt53PSNuQ_JjP2DA70dCB6mew0T5bOzHFyXoi667PihugS2yoj9WB1rP8pxeAe0pwVs7Jz3yAhDrUg1R7YpunLhLJ_ThJ_uxjMFXE2k_y6mUGwN4jo44dB_caTY/s320/StarlinerDiner+-+Entry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Second,
the bacon!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting in a large pan in a
work area that waiting patrons can peek in on, was a tremendous pile of bacon
with an intoxicating aroma!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE8eFo-CqFDIWQca7_nbuMqJnQZa1Ce8rNdqkmpg6Z_FSLFCbMxP-_BJ1Xt-2RXQpXiDl1L95ZUuXQ4MxAIvVc5rsSsNnFYgc9g_aPW6_USskYjArj-0ihs44x1_lOUJAa_oe4BS2Ma0/s1600/StarlinerDiner+-+Bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE8eFo-CqFDIWQca7_nbuMqJnQZa1Ce8rNdqkmpg6Z_FSLFCbMxP-_BJ1Xt-2RXQpXiDl1L95ZUuXQ4MxAIvVc5rsSsNnFYgc9g_aPW6_USskYjArj-0ihs44x1_lOUJAa_oe4BS2Ma0/s320/StarlinerDiner+-+Bacon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We
were escorted into the small dining room and, again, were met with quirky
artwork and a welcoming atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Clearly, we were in a relaxed and happy place!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RBVZn00kPppkcfvupY8b7MzSuSQHU8AOnzxQ7iL-w0TKSDSiej8wCDua4MnoPyPfNt3T4N9C8zIw9oNs5Y3bMeb5pEFElLgOtugdHGKPzWNAhNCq2NvdCD8B6YOUDParl9TQwa-my4w/s1600/StarlinerDiner+-+DiningRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5RBVZn00kPppkcfvupY8b7MzSuSQHU8AOnzxQ7iL-w0TKSDSiej8wCDua4MnoPyPfNt3T4N9C8zIw9oNs5Y3bMeb5pEFElLgOtugdHGKPzWNAhNCq2NvdCD8B6YOUDParl9TQwa-my4w/s320/StarlinerDiner+-+DiningRoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">But,
alas, unless the food and service is good, a happy place is not a fulfilling
place.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
eclectic menu had a number of tempting offerings plus several specials
including the Azteca Chicken (chicken breast stuffed with chorizo and queso)
which I came very close to ordering. Maybe next time…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">First
of all, I chose a cup (actually a bowl) of Jalapeño Soup ($3.50).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love spicy foods and was looking forward to
a bit of a kick start to my meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me
say that, whereas the creamy soup was delicious, it did lack the kick I had
anticipated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBFyj4RRjycGg2s8ogu4o73SZorlVI6xRHkKXqzPPu7pXkLzJ7HTqI91uUUIQx7gkhyphenhyphenb4-sFs9NufNBQfa3So9vS5OJdZKMt6NZaFVu1sm7pM-TR_6Sssf3jLkUHrbe3rHJytDUehpaM/s1600/StarlinerDiner+-+JalapenoSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBFyj4RRjycGg2s8ogu4o73SZorlVI6xRHkKXqzPPu7pXkLzJ7HTqI91uUUIQx7gkhyphenhyphenb4-sFs9NufNBQfa3So9vS5OJdZKMt6NZaFVu1sm7pM-TR_6Sssf3jLkUHrbe3rHJytDUehpaM/s320/StarlinerDiner+-+JalapenoSoup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
also tasted a bit of Lori’s Starliner Chunky Chili ($5.00) which was a thick
beef chili topped with jalapeño cornbread and cheddar cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was actually spicier than my Jalapeño Soup
and very good.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">For
my entrée, I selected one of the other off-menu specials – the Creole Mac
($14.00).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a bowl filled with
elbow macaroni, Cajun sausage, chicken, shrimp, onion, peppers, tomatoes, and
corn tossed in a Cajun creamy sauce and accompanied with a large slice of
bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The serving was healthy – and by
healthy, I mean substantial – and, whereas there were a number of elements to
the dish, the flavors blended well and were quite distinctive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After hearing the dessert options – crème
brulee cheesecake, peanut butter pie, and flan – I decided to box half of my
dinner so I could sample the happy endings!</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl2239IZXW3UXcdcVZBcHoL_B86Qyxwsa5xNDLsU6aMAb_wJf5BBE9hc9wakuVu6j9aFshmaSBV0EykoRkf25qHHvzUG7Ssm-YYkEK5AbkKNdKkeis1HHFht6wlNTo5maujAzamCHHDA/s1600/StarlinerDiner+-+CreoleMac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl2239IZXW3UXcdcVZBcHoL_B86Qyxwsa5xNDLsU6aMAb_wJf5BBE9hc9wakuVu6j9aFshmaSBV0EykoRkf25qHHvzUG7Ssm-YYkEK5AbkKNdKkeis1HHFht6wlNTo5maujAzamCHHDA/s320/StarlinerDiner+-+CreoleMac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We
decided to share the Crème Brulee Cheesecake ($3.50 I think) and was that a
good choice!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cheesecake was thick,
topped with whipped cream, and served with a delicious caramel-like sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, there was none of that left to
take home!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC63H6gjVVVwSsKEdYjZ1pTbt28a-ypV_qQdvAlxNfVEO0ju3NHSh8s4I5O8NP6oq6BO4z0Va9VxEl2uzUWsG3rhZX2isRYKIoy5lpllt5Brq5C9BfR7gTMdfus2UYXh6auhY7jXiCN8/s1600/StarlinerDiner+-+CremeBruleeCheesecake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC63H6gjVVVwSsKEdYjZ1pTbt28a-ypV_qQdvAlxNfVEO0ju3NHSh8s4I5O8NP6oq6BO4z0Va9VxEl2uzUWsG3rhZX2isRYKIoy5lpllt5Brq5C9BfR7gTMdfus2UYXh6auhY7jXiCN8/s320/StarlinerDiner+-+CremeBruleeCheesecake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Our
server (didn’t catch her name – although she reminded me of Felicia, my
colleague in Mississippi…well, except for the lack of a Southern accent and
bangs, but otherwise they could have been sisters!) checked in on us frequently
making sure we were happy (we were!) and satisfied (again, yes!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Finally, as we were leaving the restaurant, I noticed the large opening into the kitchen. I'm fascinated by kitchens of busy restaurants and this one was definitely busy. Unfortunately, the quality of the picture isn't the greatest, but the quality of cooking that was going on was very high!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLA9OM00s2LwBnB5ZMZMH-ePX-vEa8v9ny2U46w_FjxR4c1Y5ZeDdsWdMQTTguApwLKXZ671fS_vLpgFbGvz7EZZpQdcTRbOlJwjHZwDA0G80maxalRvjeNpob0e54-qfQ_S1BsESe7k/s1600/StarlinerDiner+-+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLA9OM00s2LwBnB5ZMZMH-ePX-vEa8v9ny2U46w_FjxR4c1Y5ZeDdsWdMQTTguApwLKXZ671fS_vLpgFbGvz7EZZpQdcTRbOlJwjHZwDA0G80maxalRvjeNpob0e54-qfQ_S1BsESe7k/s320/StarlinerDiner+-+Kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Don’t
make the same mistake I have made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you drive by the Starliner Diner and see a line…don’t keep driving!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop, find a place to park, and wait for a
fun and delectable dining experience!</span></div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-36327935392891284242012-10-29T19:04:00.000-07:002012-10-29T19:04:08.811-07:00Liberty Tavern (October 28, 2012)<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Liberty</span></b></st1:city></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> Tavern<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">50
S. Liberty Street</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Powell</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43065</st1:postalcode></span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(614) <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">825-0500</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.libertytavernpowell.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.libertytavernpowell.com/</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wanting
to “get out of the house,” my parents drove from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Tiffin</st1:city></st1:place> to Powell to visit Sunday afternoon,
ostensibly to discuss the cruise that my sister and I are taking them on next
summer – for a late 80<sup>th</sup> birthday present for Dad and an early 80<sup>th</sup>
for Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After
discussing the cruise that we had selected and watching the Browns dispatch the
Chargers, it was time for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
opted for a nearby neighborhood option, Liberty Tavern, at the crossroads of
downtown Powell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been there a number
of times and wrote an earlier review (December 2010).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food is always good, the staff is
pleasant, and the mood is welcoming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
was kind of a lazy Sunday evening with diners and bar mavens watching football
on the several screens located throughout the space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas you could clearly hear the announcers
of one of the games, it was not at all distracting or annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff, too, was laid back as they served
their patrons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although
I was tempted by the Cajun Mac and Cheese (<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Cajun spiced rock shrimp and bay scallops with tomatoes and scallions in
parmesan cream tossed with pasta shells), I settled upon the Stuffed Black and
Bleu Burger ($11.00).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqPbGJVR6s8UzuA9gNXpOxa0Vl-LJQNz9j5nzTmwkI2oO-1HR9k6iWIkXpc7n75agda4Z0xS0SPG1rgpLpgID5nib4m0VQ4pAtA18NvAiMkqNHPqy3Nj2w6-iOl9qrDMJ5TDylX6n7xA/s1600/LibertyTavern+-+StuffedBlack&BleuBurger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqPbGJVR6s8UzuA9gNXpOxa0Vl-LJQNz9j5nzTmwkI2oO-1HR9k6iWIkXpc7n75agda4Z0xS0SPG1rgpLpgID5nib4m0VQ4pAtA18NvAiMkqNHPqy3Nj2w6-iOl9qrDMJ5TDylX6n7xA/s320/LibertyTavern+-+StuffedBlack&BleuBurger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The nice sized burger was, in fact, stuffed with
bacon, caramelized onion, and bleu cheese, then blackened and served on a
brioche bun with <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tabasco</st1:place></st1:state>
aioli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than the normal
accompaniment of fries, I chose to pay $2.00 more for the onion rings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were about six or seven of the
deep-fried beauties, so it was worth the couple bucks more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Served with lettuce and tomatoes, the sandwich was definitely
a big bite…and a bit messy with cheese and onions oozing out from the middle of
the burger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My only disappointment with
the sandwich was the rather large chunks of onion that had been stuffed into
the hamburger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was, however, prepared
to my specifications and blackened very nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tabasco</st1:place></st1:state>
aioli was understated, frankly to the point that I wouldn’t know it was there
if I hadn’t read it on the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking
the <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tabasco</st1:place></st1:state>
up a notch would have added even more character to the burger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">One other non-dining criticism was being seated in
front of the front door when other tables were available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As patrons entered or exited the building,
they let in the cold, moist air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
could have moved, but chose to stay there…so we don’t have much room to
complain, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Michelle was our server and she kept our drinks full
and quickly resolved the issue of my mother not receiving the sweet potato
fries she had ordered.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Powell
has a number of casual dining options and Liberty Tavern has never
disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re up in my neck of
the woods, I recommend you stop by and give it a try!</span></div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-46414017678639292172012-10-27T17:13:00.000-07:002012-10-27T17:13:58.560-07:00Amul India (October 27, 2012)
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Amul <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7676 Sawmill Road<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dublin</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43016</st1:postalcode></span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(614) 734-1600<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.amulindia.net/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amulindia.net/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
all likelihood, this afternoon was my final visit to Amul <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">India</st1:country>, located in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Olde</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Sawmill</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Plaza</st1:placetype></st1:place> on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Sawmill Road north</st1:address></st1:street>
of <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Hard Road</st1:address></st1:street>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was recently announced that the entire
plaza would be razed and re-developed for a new retail tenant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, it appears that that tenant
may be WalMart!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
plaza is mostly vacant with such tenants as Skyline Chili, Dairy Queen,
Westshore Pizza, and others having already closed their businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amul <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country> is closing on November 3 and
has yet to identify a new location.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This
is a dining blog, so I will spare you my thoughts of a WalMart disrupting the
Olde Sawmill residential community as well as the already congested <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Sawmill Road</st1:address></st1:street>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As
always, I opted for the lunch buffet ($8.99 on weekdays and $9.99 on Saturday
and Sunday) this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
difficult to settle on just one dish and Amul <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country> offers many fine selections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s
buffet included such items as Saag Paneer, Dal Makhani Chicken Makhani,
Tandoori Chicken, and Aloo Pepper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
chose two dishes that I had never tried before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdLK7ixrubta2AI-u6L0i1xhOrVbxElQ1Za-oBygNgcq1oXlKiFOiRX9yodDMRZCzmkJqPCV3G0eQyxgdmL9V7aVppHaXivisZ1TSGOekyf4bK9EQkcMJ2i03727ZSiQcHiOcZwH6paE/s1600/AmulIndia+-+Buffet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdLK7ixrubta2AI-u6L0i1xhOrVbxElQ1Za-oBygNgcq1oXlKiFOiRX9yodDMRZCzmkJqPCV3G0eQyxgdmL9V7aVppHaXivisZ1TSGOekyf4bK9EQkcMJ2i03727ZSiQcHiOcZwH6paE/s320/AmulIndia+-+Buffet2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
the photo, Chicken 65 is the red dish on the left and Ginger Paneer is on the
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are served on a bed of
Basmati Rice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also added a piece of
Bhatura.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chicken
65 is a spicy chicken offering with a rather curious name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_65"><span style="color: blue;">Wikipedia</span></a> offers a variety
of theories regarding the origin of the name, but it may be as simple as
representing the year that the dish was introduced at the Buhari Hotel in the
Indian city of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chennai</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, the hotel apparently offers
Chicken 78, Chicken 82, and Chicken 90!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amul
<st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country>
eschews the typical deep frying of the main ingredient in their Chicken
65.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is, however, marinated in several
spices (most likely turmeric, red chili, garlic, and others) giving it a
distinctly spicy flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combined with
peppers and onions, it was a delicious dish that I will try elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Among
my favorite Indian dishes are Saag Paneer and Palak Paneer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are related dishes consisting of
spinach and cubed paneer cheese combined with spices and yogurt in a thick and
creamy presentation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today,
however, I tried the Ginger Paneer…and I’m glad I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prepared with ginger, onions, and peppers,
along with the cubed paneer cheese, it was the highlight of my lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whereas
I usually have Naan to accompany my meal, this afternoon I also chose a piece
of Bhatura which is a thick, yet soft and fluffy, fried bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very delicious!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today
was the busiest I have seen Amul <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were doing a fairly brisk noontime
business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The always attentive staff
keeps drinks refilled and clears dishes promptly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, they will re-locate somewhere in
the northwest quadrant, so it will be convenient for me to visit again.</span></div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-13399056431751655252012-10-27T15:51:00.000-07:002012-10-27T15:51:00.934-07:00Lan Viet Market (October 26, 2012)<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Lan Viet Market</span></b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">North Market</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">59 Spruce Street</span></st1:address></st1:street></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Columbus</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43215</st1:postalcode></span></st1:place></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/227-4203</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.northmarket.com/meet-the-market/merchants/lan-viet-market"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.northmarket.com/meet-the-market/merchants/lan-viet-market</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
you’ve never been to the North Market, you’re probably not from <st1:place w:st="on">Central Ohio</st1:place>, but you should definitely make plans to
visit and patronize the 35 (more or less) local vendors who offer everything
from fresh fish and poultry to popcorn, gourmet ice cream, BBQ, flowers, baked
goods, and a variety of international foods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lori
and I had just finished up long and stressful weeks at our respective jobs and
even the thought of having to make a decision about where to eat was daunting.
As luck would have it, just few weeks ago, I had put my North Market gift
certificates that I received for Christmas last year in the car so I wouldn’t
forget to use them before they expired at the end of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taking
a couple laps around the market, we finally decided to have some Vietnamese
fare at Lan Viet Market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was my
second visit to Lan Viet Market and only my third Vietnamese experience (having
lost my virginity at <st1:placename w:st="on">Saigon</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Palace</st1:placetype> in downtown <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Columbus</st1:city></st1:place> about eight years ago…well, you know
what I mean).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The
menu at Lan Viet Market is only a bit intimidating as each item is written in Vietnamese,
but an English description is also provided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
selected the Com/Bun Thit Nuong ($7.00) which was the daily special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Served in a large bowl, it was a feast of
grilled pork (marinated in Vietnamese seasoning sauce), with broken rice,
vermicelli noodles, lettuce, tomatoes, bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro, and
sauce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhyyfPnea548J2Q8lOz6wwpYMFW_cvnUPyu8ZfwooK69_MSGXy2PMXhUFcrApI7l__hQMyyMwb68XS07xFQOOUaW5KITdufAOuBdT21pUEMMVHeu6XQZ_x54izNxRK_4G-CaWo1SOKK0/s1600/LanVietMrkt+-+BunThitNuongBowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhyyfPnea548J2Q8lOz6wwpYMFW_cvnUPyu8ZfwooK69_MSGXy2PMXhUFcrApI7l__hQMyyMwb68XS07xFQOOUaW5KITdufAOuBdT21pUEMMVHeu6XQZ_x54izNxRK_4G-CaWo1SOKK0/s320/LanVietMrkt+-+BunThitNuongBowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rather
than sit on the wooden stools provided at Lan Viet Market, we took our dinners
to the second floor overlooking the market below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meal was fabulous and, although the bowl
was rather large, the portion was just right…and it appeared to be a generally
healthy meal as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marinated pork
was seasoned just right and was very tender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The other elements of the dish were perfect complements to each other.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With
our drinks ($1.00 each for a bottle of water and a can of Diet Pepsi), our
entire meal was a consumer-friendly $16…and with my gift certificates, it only
cost a single dollar!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
was a bit disappointed that some of the tables upstairs hadn’t been cleaned
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mostly attribute this to lazy
diners who chose to leave their disposable “to go” containers and used napkins
on their tables rather than availing themselves of the trash containers that were
no more than ten feet away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our
relaxing dinner complete, we went back downstairs (after discarding our
disposables) and re-entered the now quiet market as most vendors were closing
or already closed for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fortunately, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (<a href="http://www.jenis.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.jenis.com</span></a>)
had not yet closed up shop!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opted for
a single scoop of the Brown Butter Almond Brittle in a sugar cone ($4.50).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sweet treat was the perfect ending to my
meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
you visit the North Market, don’t forget to get your parking ticket validated
to take advantage of the $1/hour rate (up to two hours).</span></div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-41164005026627376972012-10-13T14:44:00.000-07:002012-10-13T14:44:33.813-07:00Milestone 229 (October 12, 2012)<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Milestone 229</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">229 S. Civic <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Center Drive</st1:address></st1:street><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Columbus</span></st1:city><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, <st1:state w:st="on">OH</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">43215</st1:postalcode></span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">614/427-0276<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://milestone229.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://milestone229.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Open
for just over a year, last evening marked my first visit to Milestone 229 which
is so nicely situated along the Scioto Mile in downtown <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Columbus</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fittingly, the dining occasion was to celebrate Lori’s milestone
birthday earlier in the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll just
leave it at that…milestone…not a number!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With
reservations for 5:30 on a Friday evening, we entered a restaurant with a bar
that was already bustling with end-of-the-week revelers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were escorted through the bar area into
the dining room and seated at a table that looked out onto the fountains of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bicentennial</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alas, blinds had been pulled on the windows to keep the blinding late
afternoon sun out of diners’ eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Studying
the menu, I was struck by the Soup of Yesterday with the claim that “it’s
always better the next day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That day’s
selection was a Reuben soup containing…well, Reuben ingredients such as
sauerkraut and rye croutons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead,
we both opted for the 229 House Salad ($5.95) which was a nice portion of mixed
greens topped with orange segments, golden raisins, and goat cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The toasted almonds and sourdough croutons
provided a nice crunchy texture and the salad was dressed with an understated
mimosa vinaigrette.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For
an entrée, Lori selected the </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Great Lakes
Walleye</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;">
($21.95) which was accompanied with what looked liked a very tasty roasted corn
polenta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She assured me that it was, in
fact, very good!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;">I chose</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> the </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Bold; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Grilled Barrel Cut Sirloin
($22.95) which was </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;">a thick center cut steak topped with Gorgonzola butter and
accompanied by a three potato hash, al dente skillet green beans, and a whiskey
steak sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas I ordered the steak
to be prepared medium, it was just ever so slightly overcooked, but retained
its flavor nicely.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;">Never one to deny at least a peek at
the dessert menu, I was glad to learn that there was an addition to that
evening’s offerings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure the banana
pudding, lemon tart, and panna cotta were good, but they just didn’t tempt my
taste buds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also learned that the
slice of chocolate cake was big enough to serve four people and came with a
“small jug of milk!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;">Fortunately, a pumpkin cheesecake ($6.50)
was available and, whereas we typically might share a dessert, we each opted
for our own slice of this sweet course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A healthy (size-wise!) portion, the cheesecake was very good and served with
a caramel sauce and caramelized pecans, proving to be a nice autumnal ending to
the meal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;">Michael was a very attentive server
who earned his 20% gratuity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The $5
valet parking was very convenient and operated by polite and gracious
attendants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: HelveticaNeue-Light;">Milestone 229 is a good reason to
stay or venture downtown for a delicious meal in a relaxing setting with a nice
view (in the absence of blinding sunlight) where casual or business attire
co-mingles comfortably.</span></div>
Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-52856284031154577362011-04-02T18:07:00.000-07:002011-04-02T18:07:24.703-07:00Basi Italia<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March 29, 2011</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Basi Italia</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">811 Highland Street</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Columbus, OH 43215</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">614/294-7383</span><br />
<a href="http://www.basi-italia.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.basi-italia.com/</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, I have the thank the owners of Basi Italia. I had purchased a fudha (<a href="http://www.fudha.com/">http://www.fudha.com/</a>), a $20 voucher for which I paid $10, several weeks before, but foolishly let it expire. I contacted the restaurant and received a very prompt response from Trish who told me they would honor the voucher through the end of the month...so, thanks!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As a result of a family emergency, I dined alone this evening. I need to keep a book in my car for just such circumstances, but did have my newspaper with me. More and more, it seems like I don't get to my morning newspaper until at least noon, but oftentimes not 'til later in the day.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I had never been to Basi Italia before, but knew that it was a small place a few blocks off of High Street in the Short North area. As I came down Highland Street, it narrowed to about the width of an alley. Sure enough, there was the restaurant on the left in a converted house. You could easily miss it if you didn't know where you were going. Frankly, the outside of the restaurant did not look terribly inviting...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3alEunlk-iFb9pg9yE0XbnFNIPYXNnQdApM41X6cneLOuK_tyxkHdfrmxDbrAahugDnwSTJ_ouJSBopOVuhnWRIHPe7Ky8guXOEwTB2taJ6sYhPYn60dPA6TPC2Kd9iYzE1Vpo__w1U/s1600/100_1871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3alEunlk-iFb9pg9yE0XbnFNIPYXNnQdApM41X6cneLOuK_tyxkHdfrmxDbrAahugDnwSTJ_ouJSBopOVuhnWRIHPe7Ky8guXOEwTB2taJ6sYhPYn60dPA6TPC2Kd9iYzE1Vpo__w1U/s320/100_1871.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whereas valet parking is recommended due to the residential neighborhood, I found convenient on-street parking one street over. As I walked in the restaurant, I was met by a server who seated me in the very small dining area. The first floor of this converted house contained both the kitchen and dining area for about 40 people. The tables were close together and not terribly conducive to a private conversation. My table required a wooden shim under one of the legs to keep it steady.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The menu was nice, offering a good selection of Italian appetizers and entrees. Although I did not have any, the wine list looked to have a generous selection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">For an appetizer, I was intrigued by the Zucchini Pronto. It turned out to be a very large serving of chopped zucchini with toasted almonds topped with thin slices of pecorino cheese. It was quite tasty!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwY9en0C8vWUmbMnpH4-QMdpS_UAXtF6T3WvezYFWL68AHn9fYPy0LjfWqI2q3m2pDXdpPNCJcotxb5rfph0J_s6hJfpo1ayFqTEcOTW2HjDUNDu7z-5jNPIkA1lv-TMW03H58cbq85As/s1600/100_1866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwY9en0C8vWUmbMnpH4-QMdpS_UAXtF6T3WvezYFWL68AHn9fYPy0LjfWqI2q3m2pDXdpPNCJcotxb5rfph0J_s6hJfpo1ayFqTEcOTW2HjDUNDu7z-5jNPIkA1lv-TMW03H58cbq85As/s320/100_1866.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was enjoying my zucchini, I noticed the restaurant's unisex restroom. Why did I notice it? Because I was sitting opposite the room and the last user has left the door partially open after returning to her seat. More than once, the server had to discretely close the door so a small handful of diners, including me, did not have to see the toilet while enjoying their dinner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For my entree, I chose the Rigatoni Salumi. Combined with the rigatoni was a combination of sweet sausage, tomato, golen raisins, fennel, and pine nuts. I do like crunchy food and both of my courses this evening included nuts!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZrXaqPpMI2HVFT1MA669dKfX9IT0LCiHlisYJ1D6wlhUuBj9Brj5wj4lXX4zlzQW8-NoHeY3FYj2L2vlsUYp1Se2t9b8O5VC4faVFqhgYnS_cfGq9MjNxaLoksBlNa6ExJ2J-XKejo4/s1600/100_1869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZrXaqPpMI2HVFT1MA669dKfX9IT0LCiHlisYJ1D6wlhUuBj9Brj5wj4lXX4zlzQW8-NoHeY3FYj2L2vlsUYp1Se2t9b8O5VC4faVFqhgYnS_cfGq9MjNxaLoksBlNa6ExJ2J-XKejo4/s320/100_1869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rigatoni was very good, if not just a bit unimaginative, and the serving size was just right. As I was in the middle of my entree, the restaurant's power suddenly went out. It was out for no more than a few minutes before it came back on and the evening continued uninterrupted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although I shouldn't have (for any number of reasons!), I decided to order dessert. What I should have done was resist the urge, but realistically, I should have gotten it to go so I could enjoy it later at home. But no, I had to have it then and there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I ordered the Basi S'More Cheesecake. The chocolate cheesecake was atop the housemade graham crust with a housemade bruleed marshmallow on top of that.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89RCZcIPWVNceXO2r5NtZwa-9q2Sbumltk7otVO8sIayprNdD9d-0V3_B8LmTDy3SrE-tt-7c7ucetc3TKqrDM-PiCiS8MmPehyphenhyphennOvoRxKNgfDoJWeCQKgIVpJX5p9Ei33-iJU1TAW9s/s1600/100_1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89RCZcIPWVNceXO2r5NtZwa-9q2Sbumltk7otVO8sIayprNdD9d-0V3_B8LmTDy3SrE-tt-7c7ucetc3TKqrDM-PiCiS8MmPehyphenhyphennOvoRxKNgfDoJWeCQKgIVpJX5p9Ei33-iJU1TAW9s/s320/100_1870.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cheesecake was very good, but probably would have tasted better had I taken it home as a late night treat. The zucchini and rigatoni were deceptively filling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Interestingly, Basi Italia is only open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Notwithstanding the outdoor appearance of the restaurant, the crowded dining room, open restroom door, and the brief power outage, my experience was a positive one. Good food trumps all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Check out the menu on their website and visit their Facebook page. If you're planning an intimate conversation, you might want to look elsewhere, but if you are looking to enjoy a well-prepared Italian meal in a quaint atmosphere, give Basi Italia a try by all means.</span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-16847622336056883122011-03-26T15:59:00.000-07:002011-03-26T18:39:21.333-07:00Barcelona<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March 25, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Barcelona</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">263 East Whitter Street</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Columbus, OH 43206</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">614/443-3699</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.barcelonacolumbus.com/">http://www.barcelonacolumbus.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I had a $15 "fudha" (<a href="http://www.fudha.com/">http://www.fudha.com/</a>) that was about to expire, so Lori and I went to Barcelona for lunch. Always a pleasant place to visit, we were greeted by friendly staff and quickly seated (next to former Ohio Attorney General Rich Cordray!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I actually remembered to bring my camera, but forgot to take a photo of our appetizer which was the Barcelona "Fritas" consisting of french fries, fried pickles, and onion rings. Perhaps not healthy, but very tasty indeed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lori opted for the Espinacas which is a baby spinach salad with fuji apple, gorgonzola, candied pecans, and sherry vinaigrette.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwe7qgOwmDkEedTW7iTpyJaC4TWFZOpCrCKZ7fH-uMbFhb4f-gnMIZoCFMPIHWVBIr7HsIX5MgaxSflgS5G5t_MAfGlgF_EjXImJ4NUQVAnGN1RyJHs5ZFv2Cvs5VfFIO_Rn5rm2jb54/s1600/Barcelona+Espinacas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwe7qgOwmDkEedTW7iTpyJaC4TWFZOpCrCKZ7fH-uMbFhb4f-gnMIZoCFMPIHWVBIr7HsIX5MgaxSflgS5G5t_MAfGlgF_EjXImJ4NUQVAnGN1RyJHs5ZFv2Cvs5VfFIO_Rn5rm2jb54/s320/Barcelona+Espinacas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It looked delicious and I was assured that it was!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I chose the Bikini de Langosta which was a glorious take on a grilled cheese sandwich. The large pieces of grilled sourdough bread were filled with lobster meat, brie, and basil and was accompanied by a charred tomato sour cream. Since we had the fritas for an appetizer, I chose the soup du jour rather than fries. The chilled soup included ajillo (garlic), walnut, and a few sliced grapes. I should have asked more about the soup because it was very smooth, rich, and delicious.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_MMjS70MgS_RtvgGtysZghOYtWhldkT1ifpYJuETzYQLFwZLJv42_bshtL38lc5zVHSt80tjrE0oDJh1ZRnE5zvTEDYo4bawR1efez6s4uuZQaoODqHlHxUz8EsGVM-CxDkLQxqPwI4/s1600/Barcelona+Bikini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_MMjS70MgS_RtvgGtysZghOYtWhldkT1ifpYJuETzYQLFwZLJv42_bshtL38lc5zVHSt80tjrE0oDJh1ZRnE5zvTEDYo4bawR1efez6s4uuZQaoODqHlHxUz8EsGVM-CxDkLQxqPwI4/s320/Barcelona+Bikini.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: AntigoniLight;"></span><span style="font-family: AntigoniLight;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The onion ring you see on the plate was a leftover from the fritas and does not normally accompany the sandwich!</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: AntigoniLight;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, it's rare for me to have dessert at lunch, particularly when I have to return to the office for a 2:00 conference call...which I barely made, by the way! However, we decided to split the creme brulee.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: AntigoniLight;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have to tell you...it is even more rare for me to order creme brulee. Why? I am forever disappointed when the creme brulee never matches the best I have ever had - that prepared by Chef Hartmut Handke, formerly of Handke's Cuisine and now retired. His creme brulee still is the best I have ever tasted, but I have to admit that Barcelona's version is very good.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocZYYrW4YpjhPhKnAeCa0TQBrKa1EDH6I3PPdCAWIGwr23uJxrE_WCuojxCJcuOUdOV1fRAUAHOYcuXcqbFyOIL5tq_jUJ6q8BGTV3il_LcYjzBxiZiquWV-JIVW3MCembzrlvSJvs5A/s1600/Barcelona+CremeBrulee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocZYYrW4YpjhPhKnAeCa0TQBrKa1EDH6I3PPdCAWIGwr23uJxrE_WCuojxCJcuOUdOV1fRAUAHOYcuXcqbFyOIL5tq_jUJ6q8BGTV3il_LcYjzBxiZiquWV-JIVW3MCembzrlvSJvs5A/s320/Barcelona+CremeBrulee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a fine crust that had been blow-torched into carmelized topping on the rich vanilla custard base. In the picture above, you can see Lori, with spoon at the ready, patiently (?) waiting for me to take the photo. Served with a chocolate biscotti, it was a marvelous ending to a Friday lunch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Located in German Village, Barcelona is one of the finest restaurants in Columbus. The service is friendly, the food is fantastic, and the ambiance is very pleasant. Just don't park in the grocery store parking lot across the street!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Stop by Barcelona's website and Facebook page to learn more and then try it for yourself!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-5089936531588220112011-03-26T14:50:00.000-07:002011-03-26T16:22:29.705-07:00Market 65<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March 23, 2011</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Market 65</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">65 East State</span> Street</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Columbus, OH 43215</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">614/564-6565</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.marketsixtyfive.com/">http://www.marketsixtyfive.com/</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I made my second trip to Market 65 after spending my morning at the Statehouse testifying against a bad piece of legislation and waiting for one of my expert witnesses to be given the opportunity to testify. Alas, the committee recessed (never to re-convene...arrgghh!), so my witness, an Ohio State law professor, and I opted to have lunch at one of Capital Square's newest eateries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Market 65 occupies the space adjacent to the Hyatt on Capital Square that was formerly held by the San Francisco Oven and long before that, the Hokey Pokey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On my first visit, a few weeks prior to this one, I was met with a locked entrance, a particularly long wait, and only a few ice cubes left in the fountain drink ice maker. The Blackened Cobb salad, however, was outstanding and I knew I would return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Whereas the line was even longer this day, the experience was much improved. The menu consists of freshly made, salads, soups, and wraps. You place your order with a friendly staffer who starts the process by measuring out the appropriate lettuce into a large mixing bowl and placing it in queue for the "assembly line" creation of your salad. You follow your salad as the toppings are cut and placed in the mixing bowl. When it gets to the final stop, the bowl is dumped unto a cutting board where it is all chopped before your eyes with a double-handled mezzaluna knife like the one below.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR6ZDciY53hkKXuJsyuQ2LpTQSis9O8WedJdk8-Ly0yp0V_vE8oyEqn2YLm4gcy5K2Uo0mEI9TxNe7Sx2Wstb-V3Ggh7n-_kboJK-lNt5-v5Ol0W9jGw3YgXdHxQtM8yYIClFFh95Uqs/s1600/Mezzaluna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR6ZDciY53hkKXuJsyuQ2LpTQSis9O8WedJdk8-Ly0yp0V_vE8oyEqn2YLm4gcy5K2Uo0mEI9TxNe7Sx2Wstb-V3Ggh7n-_kboJK-lNt5-v5Ol0W9jGw3YgXdHxQtM8yYIClFFh95Uqs/s1600/Mezzaluna.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The salad dressing is added as well as a piece of bread and it is sent to the cash register to await your payment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I broke one of my "new restaurant rules" by not ordering something different on my return visit and, instead, ordered the Blackened Cobb salad again. But it was so good the first time! The salad consists of romaine lettuce to which blackened chicken is added as well as a hard boiled egg, chopped red onion and tomato, avocado, and feta cheese. On this visit, I added bacon and had it topped off with chipotle ranch dressing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The salad is definitely meal size and quite tasty. I wasn't planning to have lunch out this day, so I didn't bring my camera. Alas, no photos of the salad during its creation or consumption!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I filled my soft drink glass, I was once again met with an icemaker that was very low on ice. I wonder if the heavy lunch crowd might warrant a larger ice machine to accompany the soft drinks...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Market 65 has a nice patio from which I enjoyed my lunch. It was definitely a nice, cool alternative to the stuffy, uncomfortable Statehouse hearing room that occupied the previous four hours of my morning! The restaurant is staffed with very friendly people who make the creation of your lunch a completely transparent and fun process. Visit their website and Facebook page for more information about their breakfast and lunch offerings.</span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-57093679871598086662011-03-20T17:27:00.000-07:002011-03-26T16:18:15.027-07:00Rude Dog Bar & Grill<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March 20, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2011</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rude Dog Bar & Grill</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8711 Sancus Blvd<br />
Columbus, Oh 43240<br />
614/847-RDOG (7364)</span><br />
<a href="http://rudedogpolaris.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://rudedogpolaris.com/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been two months since my last blog post (hmm, sounds like I'm about to make a confession!) and it has been the busiest two months I can recall. As I have told a number of people who have asked about my absence, I'm not too busy to eat, but I am too busy to write!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In the last several weeks, I have been to many restaurants (including Dragon One, Genji, Da Levee, Zanzibar, La Choza, Basil, Cafe Brioso, Cap City Fine Diner & Bar, Kogen's, Lee Garden, and Mexica to name but a few). Perhaps one day I will catch up, but for now, I am starting anew with a restaurant I just visited today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My friend, Ed, and I have bought Columbus Clippers season ticket packages since the Cleveland Indians moved their AAA farm team to Columbus in 2009. Each year, we get together to divide up the tickets, typically over adult beverages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This afternoon, we met at Rude Dog Bar & Grill. Ed had been there the previous night and offered many fine recommendations.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I7aKD4j_8lCD382NnaX9DTwRfOgcwizw6GKLaOMIzAZms-pPitNn15XgFtpKLIcwFy6OjQ2oGxVKCOwoc5EtGckJgGbrttSknsMBfERPGi060c_SBSz-WcVYUdqxupFE2g9Y9hUyCGA/s1600/RudeDog+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I7aKD4j_8lCD382NnaX9DTwRfOgcwizw6GKLaOMIzAZms-pPitNn15XgFtpKLIcwFy6OjQ2oGxVKCOwoc5EtGckJgGbrttSknsMBfERPGi060c_SBSz-WcVYUdqxupFE2g9Y9hUyCGA/s1600/RudeDog+Logo.png" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I selected the Black & Bleu </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">burger consisting of a spicy beef patty topped with a generous helping of crumbled bleu cheese, thick cut bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. I opted for the onion rings and a Diet Coke, an adolescent beverage!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK8enNLX9EE4TGDJl7ZG9rRKtY0f6rR5o6hPLYhQLJJKGh6YB4yBXqONAggGKHdUYmzA7zYlX-OTkOWpVF1-Bficf6qGOl_e_jmG6juNeClUrtb17fbSJxLdWjLABn2dYSDSZfM8yOsQ/s1600/RudeDog+Black%2526Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisK8enNLX9EE4TGDJl7ZG9rRKtY0f6rR5o6hPLYhQLJJKGh6YB4yBXqONAggGKHdUYmzA7zYlX-OTkOWpVF1-Bficf6qGOl_e_jmG6juNeClUrtb17fbSJxLdWjLABn2dYSDSZfM8yOsQ/s320/RudeDog+Black%2526Blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The burger was a "man-size" sandwich that was only a bit spicy, but the bleu cheese and bacon made it much better than your ordinary burger. The onion rings, however, were a disappointment. I am not an onion ring snob, but do prefer a thicker coating and a larger onion slice. These were quite possibly frozen onion rings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I already know what I am going to order on my return visit - The Rude Dog! Ed ordered this signature sandwich which is a quarter pound hot dog smothered with chili, cheese, and crispy jalapenos. He topped his with mustard. The jalapenos were covered in a very light batter, similar to a tempura, and fried. Appropriately, the Rude Dog is served in a dog dish and accompanied by a serving of chili cheese fries.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndbCB41NHs2_-ovEggKLkXX7KPseUcRSXdfokB5tMvjxeTP7kn92NFt_CNa9BUY8Ut53SfFTRJCSEbBdUInLr8B2pr61QQiJfQNmVC74ePCpRfNKPQoDmHgyNALV_TejzK3MUUzt2BHk/s1600/RudeDog+RudeDog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndbCB41NHs2_-ovEggKLkXX7KPseUcRSXdfokB5tMvjxeTP7kn92NFt_CNa9BUY8Ut53SfFTRJCSEbBdUInLr8B2pr61QQiJfQNmVC74ePCpRfNKPQoDmHgyNALV_TejzK3MUUzt2BHk/s320/RudeDog+RudeDog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Rude Dog is definitely a "knife-and-fork" kind of sandwich! I really wanted to have a taste, but I know not to get between a dog and his food!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Rude Dog Bar & Grill is just south of the Polaris mall on Sancus Boulevard. Next time, you're in the Polaris area, make it a point to stop in and try some of the creative menu items.</span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-63956780493759910692011-01-23T14:56:00.000-08:002011-01-23T14:56:01.844-08:00Kogen's Far East Fare<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January 22, 2011</span><br />
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<a href="http://kogens/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Kogen's</strong></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9711 Sawmill Parkway</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Powell, OH 43065</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(614) 798-8882</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Central Ohioans, in particular, will recall the Mark Pi chain of restaurants that, at their peak, numbered about 90 in cities all across the country. About 18 months ago, the culinary torch was officially passed to his son, Mark Pi, Jr. A resident of Powell, the younger Pi opened Kogen's Far East Fare in a strip center on the southeast corner of Sawmill Parkway and Powell Road.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oaJolHI5JbRxLqJOJVoVb5KIFbzi5h58GdSroWTdTTqGxx8NtZscwO_VKfIb3bnvukSfSiMJj1tEzW0tLXLBcy7OYrxDWAZ6GnMTyK6OUtY1Q_4EK2HDqFuF1kv2nbII2YnChLHewOQ/s1600/KogensOutside.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oaJolHI5JbRxLqJOJVoVb5KIFbzi5h58GdSroWTdTTqGxx8NtZscwO_VKfIb3bnvukSfSiMJj1tEzW0tLXLBcy7OYrxDWAZ6GnMTyK6OUtY1Q_4EK2HDqFuF1kv2nbII2YnChLHewOQ/s320/KogensOutside.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Photo from Kogen's Facebook page)</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Living less than a mile away, I have made several visits to Kogen's in the past year and a half. The food has been consistently good and the service is always attentive and respectful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The resemblance between the former Mark Pi restaurants and Kogen's ends with the Pi lineage. Whereas the Mark Pi format was more of a fast-service style, Kogen's is a full-service restaurant with a menu of items from throughout the Far East with an emphasis on sushi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The interior of the restaurant is contemporary and very welcoming with booths, tables, and a sushi bar as well as (weather permitting) a nice outdoor patio area.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYw4OyKb9xQ7nlUzfh447D02F8VOpHV771ePGn4SCdzJN9Y3fWQn7y9F2T4RcrXFoeO2PHJQbZLxrH4YHGRpq-PxWZ8V8Z-ATB_bvVb1gAEyEs5RjwLj9V8OKsM6O1jXam7TB866AALQ/s1600/KogensInside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYw4OyKb9xQ7nlUzfh447D02F8VOpHV771ePGn4SCdzJN9Y3fWQn7y9F2T4RcrXFoeO2PHJQbZLxrH4YHGRpq-PxWZ8V8Z-ATB_bvVb1gAEyEs5RjwLj9V8OKsM6O1jXam7TB866AALQ/s320/KogensInside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Photo from Kogen's Facebook page)</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Prior to seeing The King's Speech (an outstanding movie, by the way), Lori and I stopped by Kogen's for dinner. On this evening, we selected the Veggie Tempura, a selection of asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, onion, sweet potato, and zucchini coated in a tempura batter and fried. Very good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For my entree, I chose the Thai Spicy Coconut Shrimp. Served with your choice of white, brown, or fried rice, the dish included about ten nice sized shrimp prepared with coconut, Thai spices and served with a curry sauce. Whereas the flavors were distinctive, the spices were just right. Included in the dish were carrot slices, mushrooms, and zucchini.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lori had the Classic Mongolian which consisted of chicken and vegetables stir-fried with white and green onions on a bed of crispy noodles. It was also very good...or at least the leftovers were that she let me keep for the following day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Still having time before we had to leave for the movie, we opted for dessert. On a previous visit, our server spoke highly of one of the restaurant's newest items - Tempura Funnel Cake! It quickly assumed the top spot on my list of guilty pleasures! Therefore, we ordered it again!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-GRieo6tuDu8zE4w40hnfVGMa3UqLvb5-XWEY_AJxl8BcXlhfe5QBwwLUl9WIC-b54xMK9UfOZ1t60dfytHMcMKi3ordm2RH1nMkZSjoiqTrE5ZpzLB5xG3Sttbtxc-_qdjsv9SQ7KI/s1600/KogensFunnelCake.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-GRieo6tuDu8zE4w40hnfVGMa3UqLvb5-XWEY_AJxl8BcXlhfe5QBwwLUl9WIC-b54xMK9UfOZ1t60dfytHMcMKi3ordm2RH1nMkZSjoiqTrE5ZpzLB5xG3Sttbtxc-_qdjsv9SQ7KI/s320/KogensFunnelCake.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Photo from Kogen's Facebook page)</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The tempur<span style="font-size: small;">a style funnel cake is served with two scoops of vanilla ice cream on the side and covered with a whipped topping and chocolate drizzle. Whereas the funnel cake was very good on this visit, it wasn't quite as crispy as it was the first time we had it. The menu states that the funnel cake is also served with seasonal fruit. There was no fruit this time, but, perhaps with temperatures in the single digits, there are no seasonal fruits! Anyway, why mess with fruit when you can have funnel cake, ice cream, and chocolate sauce? I'm not sure how Asian a funnel cake is, but it is one nice dessert! Reasonably priced at $5.95, it easily serves two people.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I also found the naming of the restaurant a nice story. Apparently, the wish of Mark Pi, Sr.'s mother's that her grandson be named after his father was granted and he became Mark Pi, Jr. However, his nickname, and the name that his father reportedly wanted to give him, is Kogen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Kogen's has quickly become one of my favorite Asian restaurants and I highly recommend it. Visit their website or Facebook page, but, more importantly, visit the restaurant. I am confident you will become a fan!<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-54402427222875805242011-01-21T18:05:00.000-08:002011-01-21T18:05:04.438-08:00Lee Garden<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January 19, 2010</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lee Garden</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2691 Federated Boulevard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dublin, OH 43235</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(614) 764-1525</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I don't know how long Lee Garden has been in operation, but it has been here at least for the last 17+ years I have lived in the northwest quadrant of Central Ohio. A fairly large space, it is nestled in a strip mall just east of Sawmill Road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lee Garden is one of those places where my sense of adventure deserts me...not because there aren't adventurous menu items, but because I really enjoy their Kung Pao Chicken and General Tso's Chicken. I will generally alternate between the two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On this visit, my daughters and I went out on a Wednesday evening. As we were seated, I noticed that there was only one couple in the restaurant at the time. Shortly after we were seated, a single patron joined the "crowd." Unfortunately, it was just the six of us for the entire time we were there. It pains me to say that this is not unusual. I don't understand why more people don't patronize Lee Garden. The food is good, the service is fine, and the price is right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Before I share any more about this dinner, I have to tell you about a visit a couple years ago. Lori and I went to Lee Garden for dinner. At one point during our meal, our server came to the table and asked me if my name was Larry. Quite puzzled, I said "No, it's Gary." He said "Oh, we have your picture on the wall!" OK, now I'm really puzzled. Then it occurred to me...actually I believe it was Lori who figured it out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">A few months before, I had done an interview with the Columbus <em>Dispatch</em> for its "Where I Eat" feature that appears every Thursday in the Weekender section. (As a matter of fact, you can read my interview by clicking <a href="http://here/"><strong>here</strong></a>!) I had said that Lee Garden was one of my favorite restaurants. As a result, this interview had been carefully cut out and posted on the bulletin board as you walk into the restaurant! It appeared in the newspaper on August 14, 2008 and it is still on the bulletin board! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well, on this most recent visit, the girls decided to share a chicken and broccoli dish and before I got a chance to order, our server (the same one who asked if I was Larry a couple years before!) said "General Tso's?" My lack of adventure at Lee Garden had betrayed me. He knew what I was going to order! So, I had the General Tso's Chicken!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lee Garden does have one of the best General Tso's Chicken that I have had and I was not disappointed this evening. With an egg roll dipped in a mixture of sweet and sour sauce and hot mustard, it was, once again, an enjoyable dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, about that sense of adventure! I hereby pledge to expand my horizons on my next visit to Lee Garden. No longer will the server know what I will order. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lee Garden is known for its Dim Sum, so I plan to try that. Also, I hear they have very good Chicken Feet! I've never had Chicken Feet, but I'm going to surprise them, as well as my dining partner, and order Chicken Feet on a future visit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lee Garden does not have a website nor do they have a Facebook presence. You're just going to have to go on my recommendation...and please do visit. I get a little more discouraged each time I stop by and there are only a few people there. Be sure to check out my interview posted on the bulletin board and tell them that I sent you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oh...almost forgot. My fortune from this most recent visit? "Welcome change." OK! Bring on the Chicken Feet!!</span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-6440134228324518462011-01-17T17:37:00.000-08:002011-01-17T17:37:53.925-08:00Amul India<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January 17, 2011</span><br />
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<a href="http://amul%20india/"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amul India</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7676 Sawmill Road</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dublin, OH 43016</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(614) 734-1600</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today, I took advantage of a day off work and the girls spending time with their mother to enjoy a lunch of Indian food. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have been to Amul India several times in the last few years and, with the exception of unsuccessful efforts to introduce the cuisine on separate occasions to a friend and my girls, I have enjoyed it alone! That's OK; I don't mind some alone time now and again!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Amul India is tucked away in the Old Sawmill Plaza that is also home to other fine dining establishments like Skyline Chili and Dairy Queen...as well as Thai Orchid!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghfjhmVJU5JyxWLJIDB_-cA02VzJFfRa9Kx0H1xlc-TvoFTr2oUX1LTH1OuzTOHR4YjrOW8fav1sCcg4ag_vXqQ0jUQpVINgv5MnAPLCKXBl2oqrRJeTZtp6o0J1sInr1Fq5HHFQ-IWA/s1600/Amul+India+Outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghfjhmVJU5JyxWLJIDB_-cA02VzJFfRa9Kx0H1xlc-TvoFTr2oUX1LTH1OuzTOHR4YjrOW8fav1sCcg4ag_vXqQ0jUQpVINgv5MnAPLCKXBl2oqrRJeTZtp6o0J1sInr1Fq5HHFQ-IWA/s1600/Amul+India+Outside.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(photo from Amul India website)</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">On each visit to Amul India, I have taken advantage of the lunch buffet. It's difficult to choose just one item, so I have yet to order off the menu.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This day, the buffet offered a few more items than usual and, of course, I had to sample as many as I could. Before I left the restaurant, I had small portions of each of the following:</span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Vegetable Pakoras - a type of fried vegetable fritter</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Naan - traditional Indian bread</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Vegetable Biryani - a special rice blend with garden vegetables</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Palak Paneer - homemade cheese cubes cooked in spinach and cream</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dal Makhani - creamed lentils prepared with butter and spice</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Chicken Makhani - marinated chicken pieces smothered with onions, tomatoes, butter, and cream</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lamb Mushroom - lamb and mushrooms cooked in a curry sauce</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It goes without saying that Naan is one of my favorite Indian foods. In addition, I particularly like the Palak Paneer and Lamb Mushroom. Today, the lamb was incredibly tender and the curry sauce was delicious.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As much as I enjoy Indian food, I have not really tried the beverages. In keeping with the "adventure" theme of this blog, I hereby pledge to order a Mango Lassi with my next meal!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">With a soft drink (and before tip), the lunch buffet is a few pennies north of $10. The staff keeps the drink glasses filled and completes the dining experience in a positive manner.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Although I do not mind visiting Indian restaurants alone, I am always up for a dining companion. Just let me know if you would like to join me on an upcoming Indian culinary adventure!</span></div>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-68839064720414750292011-01-09T16:38:00.000-08:002011-01-09T16:38:03.389-08:00Knead<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January 9, 2011</span><br />
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<a href="http://knead%20urban%20diner/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Knead Urban Diner</strong></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">505 N. High Street</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Columbus, OH 43215</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(614) 228-6323</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Less than a year old, Knead has found its way to the top of many diners' favorites list. <a href="http://columbusunderground.com/best-new-restaurant-of-2010-knead">ColumbusUnderground.com</a> lists Knead as the Best New Restaurant of 2010 and <a href="http://urbanspoon.com/c/33/Columbus-restaurants.html">Urbanspoon.com</a> lists it #1 on its Talk of the Town ("Restaurants that Columbus critics and bloggers are talking about right now") list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Knead is the beneficiary of a fine culinary pedigree. Rick and Krista Lopez were the proprietors of Crescendo Pastaria (just north of the current Digger & Finch location in Dublin) and one of my favorite restaurants - Trattoria La Tavola which began in Powell before moving to Riverside Drive. Prior to these husband and wife endeavors, Rick also worked at Tapatio, another of my favorite restaurants on Park Street across from the North Market. Each of these restaurants was critically acclaimed and Knead is already living up to this reputation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This was my sophomore sojourn to Knead, having first visited for dinner in early August. Unfortunately, that visit was before I conceived the idea of creating this blog and I can't remember what I ordered. What I can remember is that I enjoyed it very much, had excellent service, and vowed to return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today, Lori and I came downtown for lunch. With a train show across the street at the Columbus Convention Center and few available parking spaces on this early Sunday afternoon, I thought we might be in for a crowded lunch. On the contrary, several tables were still open and we chose one with a view of the passing traffic. Short North traffic, particularly of the pedestrian variety, is always fun to watch!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Knead prides itself on offering food made from scratch and using ingredients produced by local farmers. In fact, we were seated by a map of the state that had the locations of many of the restaurants vendors listed.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29pbkZCCPvzkT5herh7n6_Jjn5vmzC7AloLkbFfnir3j06-qsrhvUu98GTFqJkPxlJb200Rwe_fH1oWJtASFSNhbArtyDcZfgtnhzaF4PZWM29PLaBQtPrSmD229wmFudzZlMT3aTDiE/s1600/KneadMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29pbkZCCPvzkT5herh7n6_Jjn5vmzC7AloLkbFfnir3j06-qsrhvUu98GTFqJkPxlJb200Rwe_fH1oWJtASFSNhbArtyDcZfgtnhzaF4PZWM29PLaBQtPrSmD229wmFudzZlMT3aTDiE/s320/KneadMap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo from Knead's Facebook page)</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After reviewing the menu and considering a number of options, particularly The Fun Guy pizza (with shiitake and oyster mushrooms...get it..."Fungi!") and the StuDaBurger (Knead's take on the classic bacon cheeseburger), I opted for the Motherclucker! Based on the menu description, this incarnation of the sandwich is apparently "new and improved" </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">over the original. After reading that it was a "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">buttermilk fried <a href="http://gerbers.com/">Gerber</a> chicken breast with house cured bacon, roasted poblano chiles, romaine lettuce and Amish jack cheese drizzled with honey," I was hooked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Keeping with the theme of fan favorites, the Motherclucker was also named 2010 Sandwich of the Year by <a href="http://columbus%20alive.com/live/content/features/stories/2010/12/30/2010-in-review-sandwiches-of-the-year.html?sid=108">Columbus Alive</a>! In my humble opinion, this was a well-deserved honor. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDWHjSer6H1k5s1iIQvzKYbTe7OHvR7vYo67zxiNtkJiM_MTxygVcXmkpTMOw9jjFnE6pJpuJjIfWCn5ds3ygC2sPk6JkEvRAgwBmE9jEwlIyWfw5FY7T660rwtF_YIfaAniTaYcy1QA/s1600/KneadMotherClucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDWHjSer6H1k5s1iIQvzKYbTe7OHvR7vYo67zxiNtkJiM_MTxygVcXmkpTMOw9jjFnE6pJpuJjIfWCn5ds3ygC2sPk6JkEvRAgwBmE9jEwlIyWfw5FY7T660rwtF_YIfaAniTaYcy1QA/s320/KneadMotherClucker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">(Photo from Columbus Alive)</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The sandwich contained a nice portion of deliciously fried chicken breast topped with "can't miss" favorites - bacon and poblano peppers! It is accompanied by the diner's choice of lentil salad or hand-cut fries. I opted for the latter and received a large portion of thinly sliced, perfectly fried potato strips. The only downside to the meal was the house-made fennel ketchup. Two things came to mind immediately after tasting the ketchup...(a) if it ain't broke, don't fix it and (b) you don't need to put your signature on <em>everything</em>. However, the fries did not need to be dressed at all. They were very good on their own.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For dessert, we shared a Swoozy Q, which is Knead's take on the Suzy Q's, the Hostess snack that has been around for more nearly 50 years!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Il12M9VWlrm-Hj2ZjOOeofGos5e39VJZT_VNfpVCp2502iYR59y4_574liURlwW542kH6HfLVwYXggK2-xS6r9oQYEXHJYvEi5A9o0lkei0RQLuGB0woj-OpUYsARnuf2wuOAf-Oe1M/s1600/SuzyQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Il12M9VWlrm-Hj2ZjOOeofGos5e39VJZT_VNfpVCp2502iYR59y4_574liURlwW542kH6HfLVwYXggK2-xS6r9oQYEXHJYvEi5A9o0lkei0RQLuGB0woj-OpUYsARnuf2wuOAf-Oe1M/s1600/SuzyQ.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The two pieces of chocolate cakes with a white creme filling was a nostalgic take on an old lunch box favorite!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The staff at Knead is very friendly and attentive. This also seems to be a hallmark of Lopez restaurants. They make their patrons feel that they really enjoy working there...and I'm sure they do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Knead has a website and Facebook page that offers additional insight into their food and philosophy. Also, undoubtedly due to its reputation in the culinary community, a Google search will yield many reviews and stories about the restaurant and their owners.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I highly recommend Knead!</span><br />
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</div>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-10038227314102891232011-01-06T19:13:00.000-08:002011-01-06T19:13:46.495-08:00Mexica<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January 6, 2011</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u><strong>Mexica</strong></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">199 East Broad Street</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Columbus, OH 43215</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(614) 228-1256</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just two blocks from the Statehouse is a modest storefront offering Mexican food to the downtown crowd. Mexica has probably been at this location for a couple years and I have visited often, although not a lot recently.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTMecMXRFu0yw4QM5EQDRVhPFn8n2OhWvOlRRYGd-V1JrW8vfczSQUOrkHwkrzgjSZhg5woc1vZcYabNXqmwy57rPtTNbe9aXaRsveqjnckL3YhmfSkFimZ9yrDyZ9fVCG3yQgv2bNAE/s1600/Mexica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTMecMXRFu0yw4QM5EQDRVhPFn8n2OhWvOlRRYGd-V1JrW8vfczSQUOrkHwkrzgjSZhg5woc1vZcYabNXqmwy57rPtTNbe9aXaRsveqjnckL3YhmfSkFimZ9yrDyZ9fVCG3yQgv2bNAE/s320/Mexica.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I arrived at Mexica about 12:45, a little later than usual, and caught the tail end of the lunch crowd. A number of people were waiting for their take-out orders and about 2/3 of the seats were occupied. Although it had been a while since I had been to the restaurant, I recalled a fairly brisk lunch business. Today looked to be no different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mexica offers a nice menu featuring standard Mexican fare plus a few not often found at casual dining locales. This afternoon, I stopped by with the intention of ordering something different. In all of my previous visits, I have ordered the Steak Burrito. Almost "Chipotle-sized," the Mexica burrito is a meal in itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Walking up to the counter to place my order, I scanned the menu on the wall above searching for that "something different." I settled on a Steak Torta, a kind of Mexican sandwich. The menu described it as containing refried beans, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and avocado. In reality, it contained whole beans, shredded lettuce, <u><em>no</em></u> tomato, <u><em>no</em></u> sour cream, and <u><em>no</em></u> avocado, but with some small pieces of a white queso. The steak was cut into very small bits also, perhaps appropriate for a burrito, but lost in the thick bolillo bread of the torta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The sandwich was about 8-10" in length, cut into two pieces, but the bolillo, although a tasty white sandwich roll, overwhelmed the inadequate filling. To make matters worse, the beans and pieces of steak fell out of the sandwich because there was no sour cream to bind it all together. Fortunately, Mexica has a small salsa bar with about five or six kinds of salsa. I used a mango salsa on one half of the sandwich and a red salsa, which proved to not be spicy at all, on the other half.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Steak Torta was definitely <em>decepcionante</em> (disappointing), but I will undoubtedly return to Mexica for their burritos. They are quite good, far more substantial than the torta, and a half buck cheaper at $6.50!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Each day, Mexica has a $1 off special with 99 cent tacos every day. That may be my next selection.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbTRF4xoanjwMBqA5v_Uzmkk3dFT2HaxbfiFY6UNXzdhOINIXY0Ld6KumNs1jlyXfSkDcVBDnUqf8T8T05NAG6Ehn8iHlbT__C7QZ2A0zTDEpwZOaiUJHHka8a3icouy2lTYw7u8U3mc/s1600/MexicaSpecials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbTRF4xoanjwMBqA5v_Uzmkk3dFT2HaxbfiFY6UNXzdhOINIXY0Ld6KumNs1jlyXfSkDcVBDnUqf8T8T05NAG6Ehn8iHlbT__C7QZ2A0zTDEpwZOaiUJHHka8a3icouy2lTYw7u8U3mc/s320/MexicaSpecials.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you try Mexica, you may want to plan on an early or a late lunch. There is seating for about 22-25 people and it is often quite busy around the noon hour. Interestingly, the left side of the room has four tables, each seating two people, underneath a thatched roof kind of contraption. A similar "Gilligan's Island" style roof covers the small salsa stand in the middle of the room. Together with adobe-style walls and wooden tables and chairs, there is some (not much, but some) charm to an otherwise standard downtown storefront.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mexica does not seem to have a website as <a href="http://www.mexicarestaurant.com/">http://www.mexicarestaurant.com/</a>, listed as the website on <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/">http://www.urbanspoon.com/</a>, is a dead link.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(Photos from <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/">http://www.urbanspoon.com/</a>) </span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959660948366212164.post-55417776936352465812011-01-06T17:08:00.000-08:002011-01-06T17:08:29.620-08:00Sumeno's<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January 5, 2011</span><br />
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<a href="http://sumenos/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Sumenos</strong></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7400 Sawmill Road</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Columbus, OH 43235</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(614) 791-0939</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Having lived on the northwest side of town for 17 years, I have been to Sumeno's many times. It's a very low-key Italian restaurant in a strip center at the corner of Sawmill and Hard Road that is also occupied by the resale stores Once Upon a Child, Play it Again Sports, and General Uses.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLcnLqsmYBK3D9t8N6iSe47rli6rAcR63yPqBU0AbuTu133AC1tXn3A4MrH4pzxAlpqyfv0OeMKMfIQqO5SRyafDM-vSIfqLtDTFV8h34m2LzR_b4mC4iGmy9LunC146cJC74LrxtAj0/s1600/SumenosOutside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLcnLqsmYBK3D9t8N6iSe47rli6rAcR63yPqBU0AbuTu133AC1tXn3A4MrH4pzxAlpqyfv0OeMKMfIQqO5SRyafDM-vSIfqLtDTFV8h34m2LzR_b4mC4iGmy9LunC146cJC74LrxtAj0/s320/SumenosOutside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sumeno's offers and extensive menu as well as a lunch and dinner buffet. In addition to the standard pizza, pasta, and salad bar, the Sunday buffet also features lasagna, Italian baked chicken, and sausage with green peppers and onions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The restaurant has always been a favorite of ours. Kids are given pizza dough when they arrive so they can play with it at their tables. Molly and Sarah would always make their own little imaginary pizzas or cookies with their dough as we awaited our food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On this evening, we opted for the buffet. At $6.99 per person, it really is hard to beat. Soft drinks are a bit overpriced at $2.59, but how many places can you have dinner for less than $10.00?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For pasta fans, there is a selection of rigatoni, rotoli, and spaghetti that is cooked for you right at the counter. As you wait the few short minutes for your pasta to cook, you can look right into the kitchen and watch the cooks at work. Once the pasta is ready, you are faced with another decision...which sauce to choose. Typically, the choices are cheddar cheese, meat, mushroom, sausage, tomato, and white sauce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are generally at least four or five pizzas as well as a dessert pizza and other sweet items.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Although I did not order it on this visit, my favorite Sumeno's dish is the Spaghetti Parmesan. It is described on the menu as spaghetti tossed with tomato sauce and covered with mozzarella and parmesan cheese and baked. It is a large portion, usually necessitating a take home box, and well worth the $10.99.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sumeno's is a family-oriented restaurant (although I remember one visit about 13 years ago when Molly was just a baby and the staff wasn't too thrilled to provide her with saltine crackers for fear they would end up on the floor...some of which undoubtedly did!), that is comfortable and not the least bit pretentious.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mv-8rKZ4AwsVGeyufwsJW_qax4h2mQE6QMOl8Z4MykCY7FRlCNLI23Qf8_HdYl0YnUGjeWogZ4F2ZlYiZ3N4BTtyb0_IIqg_DlrrVgh3BgEDHzbHTuVANIBKKZpUQRV4R5bxTh-rans/s1600/SumenosInside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mv-8rKZ4AwsVGeyufwsJW_qax4h2mQE6QMOl8Z4MykCY7FRlCNLI23Qf8_HdYl0YnUGjeWogZ4F2ZlYiZ3N4BTtyb0_IIqg_DlrrVgh3BgEDHzbHTuVANIBKKZpUQRV4R5bxTh-rans/s320/SumenosInside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The staff is friendly, the food is good, and the price is right. I recommend Sumeno's if you find yourself in the Sawmill Road area with an appetite for Italian food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(Photos from <a href="http://www.idine.com/">http://www.idine.com/</a>) </span>Gary Doughertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11158317282868574544noreply@blogger.com0