McCasky's Grille (March 23, 2013)

McCasky's Grille

520 S. Front Street

Columbus, OH 43215
614/715-8224
www.mccaskysgrille.com

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.

I suggested McCasky's Grille which opened a few weeks ago in the space once and most notably occupied by Handke's Cuisine.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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).

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.

Having just finished two average meals, we were hoping our luck might change with dessert.  Fortunately, it did.

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!

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.

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.

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 smothered with a strawberry sauce.

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. 

For Brewery District revelers, McCasky's Grille fits the bill as a casual eatery with few variations on typical pub fare.

Northstar Cafe (March 21, 2013)

Northstar Cafe

4015 Townsfair Way

Columbus, OH 43219
614/532-5444

http://www.thenorthstarcafe.com

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.

Menus are available inside the doorway for review by incoming guests.  (By the way, the 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.

I chose the Thai Burrito ($11.00) with roasted chicken rather than the seared organic tofu.

The burrito was also filled with crunchy slaw and organic brown rice. It is served with tortilla chips and a Thai peanut dipping sauce.

The burrito was very good and filling.  The peanut sauce nicely completed the dish.

If you're planning to go for lunch, arrive before noon.  Whereas there is comfortable seating, the space fills up quickly.

There are also two other Northstar Cafe locations - in the Short North and Beechwold areas of Columbus.

Surly Girl Saloon (March 14, 2013)

Surly Girl Saloon

1125 N. High Street

Columbus, OH 43201
614/294-4900

http://www.surlygirlsaloon.com

The second of the six-member Columbus Food League, 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.

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.

I ended up ordering the Chorizo & Portobello Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup ($9.00).

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.

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.

Sage American Bistro (March 9, 2013)

Sage American Bistro

2653 N. High Street

Columbus, OH 43202
614/267-7243

http://sageamericanbistro.com

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

I began my meal with the Grilled Caesar Salad ($8.00) which was delicious.

The smoky flavor was outstanding and was complemented by the dressing and the salty white anchovies and topped with parmesan cheese.

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.

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.

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 (http://eat-my-words-blog.blogspot.com/2012/11/dempseys-november-9-2012.html), these were seared very nicely and had a lot of flavor.

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.

The scallops and rabbit were accompanied by a wilted arugula salad with apples, walnut gremolata, more pickled figs (!), and a balsamic reduction.

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.

Thank goodness, the serving was more than Lori could finish, so I was able to taste several bites of the steak.  Delicious!

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. 

I was too preoccupied with my own dessert to taste Lori's, but she enjoyed it very much.

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.

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.

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!

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.

It was a marvelous evening with a delicious meal, outstanding company, and a romantic atmosphere. 

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.

Blue Agave (March 3, 2013)

Blue Agave

496 Polaris Parkway

Westerville, OH 43082
614/891-6011

http://www.blueagaveohio.com
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lori selected the Blue Agave Salad ($9.99) which looked delicious.

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.

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.

Windy City BBQ Ribs (February 27, 2013)

Windy City BBQ Ribs

32 Grace Drive

Powell, OH 43065
614/844-3939

http://windycitybbqribs.com

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.

The food, however, is worth a visit.

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.

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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!

The dessert was four sugar cookies and the order included a small takeout box of peanuts!

The menu boasts that all meats, fruits, and vegetables are organic and everything is cooked fresh daily.

With a City Barbeque just a mile or so away, each of these establishments appears to be able to peacefully co-exist.

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.
 

The Lazy Chameleon (December 29, 2012)

The Lazy Chameleon

4028 Presidential Parkway
Powell, OH 43065
614/792-8393

http://www.lazychameleon.com/

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!"

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.  The Lazy Chameleon is a bar that includes some seafood offerings, the majority of which are on the appetizer menu.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lori assured me that her salad was good.

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.

Wedgewood Pub & Grill (December 12, 2012)

Wedgewood Pub & Grill

9890 Brewster Lane
Powell, OH 43065
614/718-0355

http://www.wedgewoodpub.com/

Wedgewood Pub & Grill has been open for five years or so at the end of a strip center just off of Sawmill Parkway, south of Powell Road.  Neither fancy nor pretentious, it has a pleasant neighborhood sports bar feel to it.  I’ve been there several times, usually taking my teenage girls there for dinner on a weeknight.  During such times, it is family friendly and I have never felt uncomfortable bringing the girls here. 

As a bar, the Wedgewood’s menu isn’t very aggressive or imaginative, but it does offer decent pub food.

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. 

 

 

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.  Unfortunately, this time the beans came with a small cup of sour cream – not the same.

Molly ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrap ($7.00), but when it arrived, it didn’t even have a hint of buffalo sauce.  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.  Again, not the same as chicken prepared in buffalo sauce.

My entrée was better.  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. 

 

 

I asked for the beer battered onion rings and received at least eight large rings.  I’m a sucker for onion rings and the Wedgewood rings are among the best I’ve had in a while.

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.  The service is sometimes inconsistent, but the staff is always very nice.

UPDATE:

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!

Claddagh Irish Pub (December 11, 2012)

Claddagh Irish Pub

8745 Sancus Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43240
614/885-0100

http://www.claddaghirishpubs.com

Claddagh Irish Pub also has a location in the Brewery District (585 S. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215) as well as 13 throughout the Midwest.  Whereas I typically do not review chain restaurants, I am exercising my editorial license to do so in this case.

Lori and I visited this Polaris location back in mid-October.  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.  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.  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!  Nothing more compelling to show?  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.

Flash forward a couple of months…  I needed to identify a place to have dinner that was between my home in Powell and my friend Ed’s home in Westerville.  I decided to give Claddagh another try.

This visit was much better.  I was seated promptly and Ed arrived shortly thereafter and was shown to our table.  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.  We learned that this was a Wine and Canvas (http://www.wineandcanvas.com) event that is held frequently at Claddagh.  Looks like it might be a fun evening for $35.

Since this visit was on a Tuesday evening, the special was $3 drafts all day.  How could I visit an Irish pub and not have a Harp (or three)? 

I chose the Egg BLT ($7.99) for my entrée.  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.

 

 

Whereas the sandwich was not very imaginative, it was tasty and this dining experience was much better than my previous one at this location.

Dempsey’s (November 9, 2012)

Dempsey’s

346 S. High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614/586-0511

http://dempseysdowntown.com/  

Full disclosure – I have known Mark Dempsey, the proprietor of Dempsey’s, for many years since we were both involved in Franklin County politics in the mid- to late 1980’s.  This review, however, is based on the quality of the food, service, and ambiance, not any association I may have with Mark.

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.  I had wanted to stop in the restaurant since it opened in March of this year, but it was a Living Social voucher ($20 coupon for $10) that finally got me and Lori in the door. 

The restaurant is located on the corner of High and Mound Streets in downtown Columbus, across the street from the new county courthouse and within walking distance of many government and other offices.  There is definitely a political vibe to the restaurant.  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.  The collection, on loan from a friend of both Mark’s and mine, contains memorabilia from the 19^th century to the present!

But this is a food blog, isn’t it…

My meal started with the Cream of Mushroom soup ($4.75) that contained button, crimini, and portabella mushrooms.  The mushrooms were flavorful and provided a nice texture to the creamy soup.

 

 

Lori selected the Maryland Crab Cake ($8.75).  Unfortunately, my photo doesn’t do the dish justice, but I was assured that it was very delicious.  Actually, I was permitted to have a bite, so I, too, can attest to the tastiness of the crab cake!

For my entrée, I selected two small plate offerings, the Seared Jumbo Scallops ($8.25) and the Lamb Lollypops ($10.95).  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.  This was certainly not the case with Dempsey’s scallops!  Without a doubt, these were the most delicious scallops I have ever had!  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!  Scrumptious!

Not to be outdone, the Lamb Lollypops were very tender and very good.  The three small chops were served atop a nice portion of mashed redskin potatoes.  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!

Lori once again declared her entrée, the Dempsey Steak Salad ($12.95), to be very good.

Lori and I will often share a dessert and this evening was no different.  We decided to sample the Jameson Bread Pudding ($4.95).  It proved to be a nice ending to a delicious dinner.  The Jameson Irish Whiskey was distinctive, but not at all overpowering. 

Our server, Nick, was very attentive, visiting our table often to ensure our satisfaction.

I highly recommend Dempsey’s and will definitely be back!

Starliner Diner (November 3, 2012)

Starliner Diner
5240 Cemetery Road
Hilliard, Ohio 43026
614/529-1198
http://starlinerdiner.com/

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!  I’m almost ashamed to say that, having lived in Central Ohio for 27 years, I have never been to the Starliner Diner!  I know, I know…even if it’s true, I probably shouldn’t admit that out loud (or in print).

Every time I have tried to go, there has been a long, somewhat intimidating, line outside the building.  This night, there was no line and only about six or seven cars in the parking lot.  The hunger pangs beckoned a bit more forcefully!

There were two things that caught my attention as I entered the cozy and comfortable diner.  First, the artwork on the entry wall…

 

 

Second, the bacon!!  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!

We were escorted into the small dining room and, again, were met with quirky artwork and a welcoming atmosphere.  Clearly, we were in a relaxed and happy place!

But, alas, unless the food and service is good, a happy place is not a fulfilling place.

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…

First of all, I chose a cup (actually a bowl) of Jalapeño Soup ($3.50).  I love spicy foods and was looking forward to a bit of a kick start to my meal.  Let me say that, whereas the creamy soup was delicious, it did lack the kick I had anticipated.

 

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.  It was actually spicier than my Jalapeño Soup and very good.

For my entrée, I selected one of the other off-menu specials – the Creole Mac ($14.00).  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.  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.  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!

We decided to share the Crème Brulee Cheesecake ($3.50 I think) and was that a good choice!  The cheesecake was thick, topped with whipped cream, and served with a delicious caramel-like sauce.  Believe me, there was none of that left to take home!
 

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!).

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!
 

Don’t make the same mistake I have made.  If you drive by the Starliner Diner and see a line…don’t keep driving!  Stop, find a place to park, and wait for a fun and delectable dining experience!

Liberty Tavern (October 28, 2012)

Liberty Tavern
50 S. Liberty Street
Powell, OH 43065
(614) 825-0500
http://www.libertytavernpowell.com/

Wanting to “get out of the house,” my parents drove from Tiffin 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^th birthday present for Dad and an early 80^th for Mom.

After discussing the cruise that we had selected and watching the Browns dispatch the Chargers, it was time for dinner.  We opted for a nearby neighborhood option, Liberty Tavern, at the crossroads of downtown Powell.  I’ve been there a number of times and wrote an earlier review (December 2010).  The food is always good, the staff is pleasant, and the mood is welcoming.

It was kind of a lazy Sunday evening with diners and bar mavens watching football on the several screens located throughout the space.  Whereas you could clearly hear the announcers of one of the games, it was not at all distracting or annoying.  The staff, too, was laid back as they served their patrons.

Although I was tempted by the Cajun Mac and Cheese (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).

 

 

The nice sized burger was, in fact, stuffed with bacon, caramelized onion, and bleu cheese, then blackened and served on a brioche bun with Tabasco aioli.  Rather than the normal accompaniment of fries, I chose to pay $2.00 more for the onion rings.  There were about six or seven of the deep-fried beauties, so it was worth the couple bucks more.

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.  My only disappointment with the sandwich was the rather large chunks of onion that had been stuffed into the hamburger.  It was, however, prepared to my specifications and blackened very nicely.  The Tabasco aioli was understated, frankly to the point that I wouldn’t know it was there if I hadn’t read it on the menu.  Taking the Tabasco up a notch would have added even more character to the burger.

One other non-dining criticism was being seated in front of the front door when other tables were available.  As patrons entered or exited the building, they let in the cold, moist air.  We could have moved, but chose to stay there…so we don’t have much room to complain, right?

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.

Powell has a number of casual dining options and Liberty Tavern has never disappointed.  If you’re up in my neck of the woods, I recommend you stop by and give it a try!

Amul India (October 27, 2012)

Amul India
7676 Sawmill Road
Dublin, OH 43016
(614) 734-1600
http://www.amulindia.net/

In all likelihood, this afternoon was my final visit to Amul India, located in the Olde Sawmill Plaza on Sawmill Road north of Hard Road.  It was recently announced that the entire plaza would be razed and re-developed for a new retail tenant.  Unfortunately, it appears that that tenant may be WalMart!

 

 

The plaza is mostly vacant with such tenants as Skyline Chili, Dairy Queen, Westshore Pizza, and others having already closed their businesses.  Amul India is closing on November 3 and has yet to identify a new location.

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 Sawmill Road.

As always, I opted for the lunch buffet ($8.99 on weekdays and $9.99 on Saturday and Sunday) this afternoon.  It is difficult to settle on just one dish and Amul India offers many fine selections.

Today’s buffet included such items as Saag Paneer, Dal Makhani Chicken Makhani, Tandoori Chicken, and Aloo Pepper.  I chose two dishes that I had never tried before.

 

 

In the photo, Chicken 65 is the red dish on the left and Ginger Paneer is on the right.  Both are served on a bed of Basmati Rice.  I also added a piece of Bhatura.

Chicken 65 is a spicy chicken offering with a rather curious name.  Wikipedia 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 Chennai.  Interestingly, the hotel apparently offers Chicken 78, Chicken 82, and Chicken 90!

Amul India eschews the typical deep frying of the main ingredient in their Chicken 65.  It is, however, marinated in several spices (most likely turmeric, red chili, garlic, and others) giving it a distinctly spicy flavor.  Combined with peppers and onions, it was a delicious dish that I will try elsewhere. 

Among my favorite Indian dishes are Saag Paneer and Palak Paneer.  These are related dishes consisting of spinach and cubed paneer cheese combined with spices and yogurt in a thick and creamy presentation.

Today, however, I tried the Ginger Paneer…and I’m glad I did.  Prepared with ginger, onions, and peppers, along with the cubed paneer cheese, it was the highlight of my lunch.

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.  Very delicious!

Today was the busiest I have seen Amul India.  They were doing a fairly brisk noontime business.  The always attentive staff keeps drinks refilled and clears dishes promptly.  Hopefully, they will re-locate somewhere in the northwest quadrant, so it will be convenient for me to visit again.