Milestone 229 (October 12, 2012)

Milestone 229

229 S. Civic Center Drive

Columbus, OH 43215
614/427-0276
http://milestone229.com/

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 Columbus.  Fittingly, the dining occasion was to celebrate Lori’s milestone birthday earlier in the week.  We’ll just leave it at that…milestone…not a number!

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.  We were escorted through the bar area into the dining room and seated at a table that looked out onto the fountains of Bicentennial Park.  Alas, blinds had been pulled on the windows to keep the blinding late afternoon sun out of diners’ eyes.

Studying the menu, I was struck by the Soup of Yesterday with the claim that “it’s always better the next day.”  That day’s selection was a Reuben soup containing…well, Reuben ingredients such as sauerkraut and rye croutons. 

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.  The toasted almonds and sourdough croutons provided a nice crunchy texture and the salad was dressed with an understated mimosa vinaigrette.

 

 

For an entrée, Lori selected the Great Lakes Walleye ($21.95) which was accompanied with what looked liked a very tasty roasted corn polenta.  She assured me that it was, in fact, very good!

 

I chose the Grilled Barrel Cut Sirloin ($22.95) which was 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.  Whereas I ordered the steak to be prepared medium, it was just ever so slightly overcooked, but retained its flavor nicely.

 

 

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.  I’m sure the banana pudding, lemon tart, and panna cotta were good, but they just didn’t tempt my taste buds.  We also learned that the slice of chocolate cake was big enough to serve four people and came with a “small jug of milk!”

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.  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!

 

 

Michael was a very attentive server who earned his 20% gratuity.  The $5 valet parking was very convenient and operated by polite and gracious attendants.

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.