Basi Italia

March 29, 2011

Basi Italia
811 Highland Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614/294-7383
www.basi-italia.com/

First of all, I have the thank the owners of Basi Italia.  I had purchased a fudha (http://www.fudha.com/), 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!

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.

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...

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Barcelona

March 25, 2011

Barcelona
263 East Whitter Street
Columbus, OH 43206
614/443-3699
http://www.barcelonacolumbus.com/

I had a $15 "fudha" (http://www.fudha.com/)  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!).

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!

Lori opted for the Espinacas which is a baby spinach salad with fuji apple, gorgonzola, candied pecans, and sherry vinaigrette.

It looked delicious and I was assured that it was!

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.

The onion ring you see on the plate was a leftover from the fritas and does not normally accompany the sandwich!

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.

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.

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. 

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!

Stop by Barcelona's website and Facebook page to learn more and then try it for yourself!

Market 65

March 23, 2011

Market 65
65 East State Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614/564-6565
http://www.marketsixtyfive.com/

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.

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.

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.

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.

The salad dressing is added as well as a piece of bread and it is sent to the cash register to await your payment.

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.

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!

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...

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.

Rude Dog Bar & Grill

March 20, 2011

Rude Dog Bar & Grill
8711 Sancus Blvd
Columbus, Oh 43240
614/847-RDOG (7364)
http://rudedogpolaris.com/

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!

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.

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.

This afternoon, we met at Rude Dog Bar & Grill.  Ed had been there the previous night and offered many fine recommendations.

I selected the Black & Bleu 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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Kogen's Far East Fare

January 22, 2011

Kogen's
9711 Sawmill Parkway
Powell, OH 43065
(614) 798-8882

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.

(Photo from Kogen's Facebook page)

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.

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.

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.

(Photo from Kogen's Facebook page)

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!

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.

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!

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!

(Photo from Kogen's Facebook page)

The tempura 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.

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. 

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!

Lee Garden

January 19, 2010

Lee Garden
2691 Federated Boulevard
Dublin, OH 43235
(614) 764-1525

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.

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.

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. 

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.

A few months before, I had done an interview with the Columbus Dispatch 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 here!)  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!  

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!

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.  

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.  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!

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!

Oh...almost forgot.  My fortune from this most recent visit?  "Welcome change."  OK!  Bring on the Chicken Feet!!

Amul India

January 17, 2011

Amul India 
7676 Sawmill Road
Dublin, OH 43016
(614) 734-1600

Today, I took advantage of a day off work and the girls spending time with their mother to enjoy a lunch of Indian food. 

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!

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!

(photo from Amul India website)

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.

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:

• Vegetable Pakoras - a type of fried vegetable fritter
• Naan - traditional Indian bread
• Vegetable Biryani - a special rice blend with garden vegetables
• Palak Paneer - homemade cheese cubes cooked in spinach and cream
• Dal Makhani - creamed lentils prepared with butter and spice
• Chicken Makhani - marinated chicken pieces smothered with onions, tomatoes, butter, and cream
• Lamb Mushroom - lamb and mushrooms cooked in a curry sauce

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.

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!

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.

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!