Philco Diner

Adress: 747 N. High St
Phone: 614-299-9933

Diner food is a treat we can all enjoy. Whether you are in the mood for a dinner of eggs, or a brunch of meatloaf you can assuredly get most anything you want at most any time of the day. Philco Diner, takes the idea of your mom and pop diner and brings it to a more upscale, locally inspired level. 

Inside you find a long bar, and a few booths, and a couple high tables. Wood tones and pea green booths with a strong grey coating every remaining inch. On my last visit, the place was so hot, I just felt uncomfortable for the majority of the time (perhaps this is do to the inconsistent weather we've been having).

On this visit, we started with cheese curds. Lightly fried chunks from blue jacket dairy- sweet, buttery and salty. Everything I love in a cheese curd was to be found in the order, my only problem come to the portion size. It wouldn't be a bad size, but they served them on a plate that made me feel cheated. Sure it came with a spicy pickle mayonnaise- but a smaller plate would have made them feel extra special.

After that I had Phillip's Burger. A 6 oz patty of beef, with arugula, a roasted tomato, grilled onions, Ohio cheddar, a little of the pickle mayonnaise all stacked in two soft challah buns.My burger was well cooked, but stacked a bit high, making it hard to eat. With it I ordered a side of fries and some of their bloody marry aioli. The fries were large, cooked well and hot. They weren't super crispy, but they were well seasoned. They aioli on the other hand, had a slight spice to it, but other than that wasn't very inspired- I saw no resemblance to the cocktail.

*For those of you who have seen aioli on the menus of countless restaurants and are still baffled by receiving dull mayonnaise with a drop of flavoring- join the club. By definition an aioli is a heavily garlic flavored mayonnaise (fine it's a fancy way of saying mayonnaise) that can be further flavored with the addition of other seasonings. Emphasis on the garlic, most restaurants in Columbus start with a gallon jug of mayonnaise and just spin some sirracha or herbs in it. Restaurants please start making real aioli if you are going to call it that- pack in the flavor!

That is where the meal ended, tasty and worth going back to. I've been before and can highly recommend the duck wings- they are really worth it, although the portion is a bit weak. If you haven't been to Philco since they reopend last year, I'd suggest you check it out on your next Short North visit. 

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Skillet

Address: 410 E Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43206
Phone:(614) 443-2266

Family owned, responsible ingredients, phenomenal. 

I was once asked, when I started this project, what I would say when I finally got around to reviewing Skillet.  Those words are all I can offer when it comes down to it.

I had been there a few times before I decided to actually give them a write up. The small restaurant sits down in German Village, and holds close to (maybe)20 people. Their logo is Rustic Urban Food- and on that- they deliver. There are restaurants that give you a lot of panache and most often fall short, Skillet isn't one of those restaurants. They give you real food, cooked correctly, with no strings attached. 

I found myself in an odd position, actually being able to get lunch from Skillet. Typically with the work schedule I can't make it down. So with it having been decided that it would be a Skillet day, Brandon and I made our trip down. 

We were immediately sat, something that can be difficult with the small interior. Our waiter was charming and joked with us as he took the order. Brandon had iced tea and mine was hot. The hot tea contained bits of  toasted rice, adding a delightful nutty flavor. The iced tea was brewed fine, but the raspberry flavor seemed artificial, whether or not it was-I think I'll never know. For our first course we indulged in soup. He the chickpea puree, and I a tomato bisque. The puree was pleasantly textured and had a pungent cumin nose to it- very warming on the rainy afternoon. The bisque was beautiful, heavy bodied and fresh- there were small bits of peppered bacon throughout.

After a few minutes we got our main course. I, after choosing it last time, had to get the macaroni and cheese. Perfectly tender noodles wrapped up in a just-thick-enough Laurel Valley Creamery cheese sauce, topped with large chucks of seared Bluescreek ham and arugula. I was in heaven. Each bite was full of flavor, but the occasional encounter of salty pork became fireworks inside of my mouth. 

Luckily Brandon wasn't able to finish his lamb burger. I can honestly say I've never had a lamb burger (perhaps even a beef burger) that even comes close to the symphony that was nestled in between those toasted brioche buns. The perfectly toasted buns with just a nip of char, contained a perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked, juicy lamb patty with herb whipped Cloverton Cheese (again Laurel Valley) and pea shoots from Swainway Farms.  Sweet, salty, fresh, and just the perfect amount of lamb flavor.I am speechless to further praise this sandwich- it was that good.

Unfortunately that is where the meal had to end, we were too full to continue. Although I haven't had their dinner offerings, lunch and breakfast are some of the best to be found in the city. Skillet is within the top 3 restaurants I've eaten at in the Columbus., If you haven't gone (ever or recently) GO! 

Keep Eating,
JTFussy

Cambridge Tea House

Do you ever have the urge to just get fancy or down right proper? Of course you do! And what says "I'm a well bred individual, who is concerned with diplomats, and is down-right polite" than sipping on a cup of tea.

Address: 1885 W 5th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43212
Phone:(614) 486-6464

Cambridge Tea House is a quaint little restaurant located at the edge of Grandview. Parking is tight, and the place, itself, is rather small. Inside you will find a light color palette of tame wood, a large helping of white, and a splatter here and there of rosy reds offset by regal golds.

Small tables make for more intimate dining, but can easily become crowded with large tiered platters of pastry, plates, and your tea pot-all snug in its warmer. I accompanied a few friends to brunch on this particular day. A smallish menu of light sandwiches, pastry, and a variety of egg dishes sat on the table next to a vary thorough tea list.

After a few moments of glancing at the offerings we each sent in for a small pot of our tea choices. The pots were large enough to serve one for the entire meal, and came out piping-hot and fully brewed. I chose the Queen Catherine- a blend of three Chinese teas. The full body tea was perfectly brewed, and was everything one expects from a good quality black tea. Each pot came with its own tea cozy, keeping the pot warm while you discuss your latest game of crokay/ art/ or politics.  

The food came at its own leisure, this was no problem for a lazy Saturday brunch. I had the quiche and simple cream scone. The quiche was the ever popular broccoli and cheddar variety. You can't really go wrong with a slice of quiche (unless it's ill seasoned or over cooked) but the egg pie was tasty. The scone was excellent, one of the best I've had in quite some time. It was crisp and sugared on the outside, yet soft and biscuit-y on the inside. It was served with strawberry preserves and clotted cream; the combination of the two was quite delightful. The fruit cup that came with it, however, was plain and uninspired (although fresh).

I succumbed to the offer of a rhubarb pavlova. A simple baked meringue island with rhubarb compote and a few sliced strawberries. The dessert was light and refreshing, even if it left something to be desired (maybe a nice flight of dessert wine). The meringue was baked at too high of a temperature, browning it slightly and the whipped cream was from a air foamer (It's ok, everyone does it). Rhubarb did shine in the compote, typically that earthy quality is masked by mounds of sugar. The topping of fresh strawberries was obvious, and the berries were not ripe, perhaps a different choice or a splash of something not red would have been a more exciting choice. 

Overall, I enjoyed myself at the Tea House. It was a pleasurable change of pace; don't get me wrong it could have been more adventurous- but it was a wholesome experience. I would suggest going for brunch, a bachelorette party, or tea time with young princesses. They do offer occasional ,reservation only, candle light dinners (I feel like I'm in "Keeping Up Appearances") but their hours are a scosche tricky, so make sure you check before you head over to this one.

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Olde Towne Tavern

It's Tuesday, and if you are like half of the restaurants in Columbus you know what that means- Tacos! 

Who doesn't love a good taco? Hot, juicy, easy to customize, and portable- they may be one of my top ten most perfect foods. While talking about tacos, I have to note how greatly special a fish taco can be. Tender, sweet fish with bright toppings; can easily elevate you beyond the basic seasoned ground beef.

With that being said, fish tacos are greatly under rated here in Columbus. If you manage to find them on the menu, chances are they read just like the place next door- Grilled or fried white fish, topped with cabbage and fresh tomato salsa. Perhaps we don't have ground breaking options because we live so far away from the ocean. But with advances in shipping as well as fresh water fish such as trout- I don't see this as a reasonable excuse. Even if we had to deal with the same fish over and over, toppings are endless. Why we all have to eat the same fish taco on repeat is beyond me.

Address: 889 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205
Phone:(614) 252-2955

The Olde Towne Tavern, is a located on the increasingly bustling oak street. Right across from Yellow Brick, and nestled in the shadow of The Angry Baker. The Tavern is a dark, decently noisy and in general- just a come as you are kinda place. A well laid out menu, with something to please most everyone; nothing really jumps out, but everything sounds delicious. 

Upon sitting, Brandon and I were greeted and put in our orders for ciders and lambic. The bar is very well stocked, and if you are a beer person, I bet you will find something worth trying out. 

On special during our happy hour visit, were the soft pretzels. The came out hot, salty and so satisfying. With them came a honey whole grain mustard sauce, as well as a spicy cheese option. I assumed I would show preference to the cheese sauce. I LOVE cheese; it was thick and flavorful; however, the honey mustard was surprisingly my favorite option- sweet tangy and so robustly refreshing. 

After that we proceeded. Brandon ordered a cup of the chili and the Tavern salad. The soup was a hearty bowl of flavor- rich and loaded with cheese and sour cream.  The salad was nothing like what we imagined. It was huge! A platter of lettuce, not topped but, layered with mounds of bacon crumbles, avocado, tomatoes, egg, and blue cheese. He couldn't eat the entire mountain. 

I, as you guessed from the above rant, had the fish tacos. Grilled white fish, flour tortilla, and cabbage. Tasty after a squeeze of lime. There was nothing wrong, but they were lacking excitement. Served with them was a small dish of black beans, a small amount of mango/tomato salsa, and tortilla chips. The salsa and beans definitely helped the tacos, but there wasn't enough for the chips!

Alas, the Old Towne Tavern was a good time, they just left me searching for an exciting fish taco. I'd go back for happy hour, but I think I'd try one of their sandwiches or a salad instead. The grilled red masher, sounds pretty tasty (Grilled cheese with mashed potatoes on top).

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Uber Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

The other day I had a peanut butter cookie crusted in large crystals of sugar. I was instantly taken back to my childhood, and had been craving more. With every craving needing some sort of fulfillment, I set out to make a beyond chewy cookie with a deep rich flavor. The results ended up using molasses to make for a super rich dough, as well as sweetened condensed milk for that gooey  quality and notes of caramel.

1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
 2 Tablespoons molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
Raw Sugar for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 325
2. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray
3. Combine together the flour, baking soda, and salt
4. Stir to combine
5. In the bowl of an electric mixer- combine together the sugar, molasses, egg, vanilla, condensed milk, and the peanut butter
6. On a medium speed, beat the liquid ingredients together for 3 minutes
7. Add in the dry ingredients and stir just until combined
8. Portion out the dough into 12 equal portions, roll each portion into a smooth ball
9. Dip the balls into a small bowl of the raw sugar
10. Place the crusted balls onto the greased baking tray, and press down with a fork two times creating a "#" sign.
11. Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies begin to turn a deep brown.
12. Allow to cool on the pan for about 10 minutes

Makes about a dozen

Careful of how many of these you eat, they are guaranteed to hurt your stomach if you have too many. Find that balance with one or two, and poor yourself a glass of milk.

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Turkey Chili

On cool, rainy days like this you just need a bowl of soup. In particular, a bowl of chili can warm your entire being up.

1 Tablespoon olive oil
8-12 oz ground turkey thighs
1 medium onion- diced
1 Tablespoon salt
1 cloves garlic- minced
1 (12oz) bottle hard cider
4 teaspoons chili powder
1 (12 oz) can black beans
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoon black bean paste
2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon pickled or fresh jalapeno
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 Tablespoon sugar

1. Place the oil into a medium stockpot
2. Cook the turkey over medium heat until browned all the way through, break it up into small bits
3. Add in the onions and salt, cook until translucent
4. Toss in the minced garlic and cook just until you smell it
5. Then add in the cider and chili powder
6. Cook down until the liquid is almost all gone
7. Add in all of the remaining ingredients, stir to combine
8. Simmer together for at least 30 minutes (the longer, the more cohesive the flavor will be)

A slightly spicy bowl of chili that can easily be altered to your desired heat level. The lack of  fatty meat, means you don't have to worry about all that straining nonsense. Allow the soup to sit overnight for maximum flavor.

I like to top mine with loads of cheese, pickled jalapenos and a dollop of sour cream!

Keep Eating,
JTFussy

Tommy's Diner

914 West Broad St.

(614) 224-2422

Recently mark and I found it convenient to go to breakfast. We had several options open to us, but what really sounded good, was plain simple diner breakfast. He posed several options. Several REALLY good options too, but for the simplicity we felt the situation needed we chose to travel down to the west side.

Down in Franklinton you will find more and more places popping up. This may be in part due to the emergence of the 400 West Rich Street complex. Regardless, Tommy's Diner has been a staple to landscape of the area for quite some time (At least as long as I've been alive). If you don't believe me, just take a look at all of the newspaper clippings posted on the walls. And if you don't think that's enough, turn around and see the splattering of autographed pictures from countless celebrities hung on the other wall.

Tommy's truly is the all american diner of the past, still running with basic breakfast options and a full menu of classics. Both Mark and I sat down and promptly ordered the standard two eggs, home-fries, pork product and toast. He had the bacon and I the sausage links. The order was out in no time, and the eggs were as expected- cooked perfectly. Everything was hot, and fresh, but it all lacked seasoning of any kind. Everything was bland as could be, but somehow the nostalgia combined with ample salt and pepper shakers made it ok. The sausage was tasty, nice and juicy with just enough char to add flavor.

From what I expected, Tommy's Diner was simple but good. Sometimes the classics are what you need to start the day off on the right foot, and Tommy's Diner may be that place. Yes, there are (without a doubt) better places to eat in Columbus- but Tommy's is certainly a classic.


Keep Eating,
JTFussy

Impero

849 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 294-2489

Impero coffee is a staple of the Short North scene. I can recall ever since I moved to Columbus initially that people are always meeting up for a cup of life juice. Strangely enough, I had never been (le gasp).

I have been meaning to change this for the longest time, but coffee shops really haven't been my thing. So when a few of my friends invited me out for a cup, I had initial hesitation, but I ended up deciding to go.

I knew right where it was on high street, so I headed off and found the place to be surprisingly calm and next to empty. In general it must be said that the place felt old, with a sort of crummy vibe to it. I had walked past many times and just expected more from the interior- perhaps more chic styling, a stronger smell of roasted beans, some hipster music in the background.

The standard drink for comparison in my books is the cappuccino. Simple and present across the board of most every coffee shop. My was hot, and the java was tasty, notes of citrus and nuts rang with each sip. A very enjoyable cup, but it could have used a heavier dollop of foam for me (but I am a foam fanatic). My service-ware was in good shape, however my friends scone plate had a rather large chip missing.

Besides some freshening up, and replacing a few chipped dishes- impero was a very comfortable place with good coffee. Not a single vibe of pretentiousness, instead more signs of acceptance. So if you find yourself in the area take a stab at it, probably won't replace your regular spot, but you never know.


Keep Eating,
JTFussy

Rishi Sushi

LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS!
There, now that all of that is out of the way...we may proceed.

114 North 3rd Street

(614) 914-5125

Rishi Sushi is a recently opened noodle/ sushi bar that offers a healthy selection of "Asian" inspired dishes, as well as a full bar. With that being said, I must point out how longingly I've searched for a noodle bar that is local and worth spending money at, and I may very well have found it. My main hesitation is their relative newness. Restaurants have a habit of being terrible and phenomenal during their first few months, and if they make it past that...well they still have a lot of challenges to face.

Despite knowing that they have only been open a week, my desire for a hot bowl of  real ramen got the best of me. By real ramen I mean: an over-sized bowl filled with a rich broth, delicate slices of meat, soft-boiled eggs, and none of those damn dehydrated styrofoam noodles!

Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted and obtained a seat. To traverse the field, you have to walk right pass the back of house window (The magic portal that spits out your food from the kitchen), as well as both the drink and sushi bars. Their are huge glass windows, the wall colors are comforting, and with electronic jazz playing in the background- you just feel right.

The menu doesn't take long to review, but it does have quite a few offerings. I found myself doing a double take during the appetizer sections, as the offerings towards the bottom started sounding like they could have been entrees. Their selection of ramen is pretty standard, and they have several burger options, including fish, and chicken. 

                                           

To start, Brandon and I had a yellow tail fish taco, as well as an order of the loaded fries. The taco was served wrapped in a delicate leaf of bib lettuce. A delightful take on the over replicated fried fish in a taco shell. My only complaints come from it leaking out, a bit tough to eat with much dignity. Loaded fries, not too difficult to make deliciously- however Rishi has upped the bar with theirs. a mound of still crispy, golden fries loaded throughout with their sloppy joe mix, bacon, melted cheese, loads of scallions, and topped with delightfully spicy kimchi. Delicious at every level, however, I believe the menu stated there was to be truffle in the mix- none were to be hinted at. 

Continuing at an odd pace, my bowl of ramen and Brandon's sushi came to the table. The fish in the rolls were fresh, and well executed. As for the ramen, I found what I came for in the bowl of "Live for the Moment". A hearty beef broth with sliced pork belly, pickled egg, bok-choy, and delightfully springy noodles. The entire large black bowl was hot and delicious! Although mine didn't come out as full of toppings as some other pictures that I've seen.

I was too stuffed by this point to truly consider dessert. However Brandon was interested in having some, as his meal was much lighter. Before hand, I had noticed they offered simple berries and cream, a simple refreshing offering that caught me by surprise. They had sold out of the green tea tiramisu, but the passionfruit creme brulee still spoke to us. It arrived in a much larger portion than anticipated (easy to share though). With a nice and even gold shell of rich burnt sugar, I was excited; sadly I must say it was probably the worst part of the meal. The custard was set, and fundamentally it was fine, but flavor wise...not so much. I didn't taste any of the eagerly anticipated tartness that is passionfruit. In fact it tasted of a (perhaps I'm crazy) "cakey" liqueur. My advice- add some actual puree to that custard, or drizzle some on top. 

While it may be a bit too soon to tell if Rishi will be my forever home for ramen, I can say it is most definitely worth a stop in. You will find a great atmosphere that begs for patio space to open, great food, and a very pleasing staff. They have a few menu items to work through, but these are likely just minor issues that will work themselves out.

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Dalek soy sauce dispenser, here to exterminate tasteless food! 

Thurman's Cafe

183 Thurman Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 443-1570

From one end of the burger spectrum to the next...

I covered one of the emerging veggie burger companies recently, and have decided it was time to give you some thoughts on a Columbus staple for meaty indulgences. Thurman's Cafe in German Village, is a burger Meca for those craving a 3/4 pound sandwich.

From what I have heard, the place for a big, juicy, and delicious burger is Thurman's, or at least that is what all the reviews boast. So while in the neighborhood, Brandon and I decided to pop my Thurman's cherry and wait for a table.

The atmosphere is very family friendly. They have loads of bright neon lights and an eclectic decor that shoots out of the wooden walls. The place is much smaller than I imagined; seating is tight, and the place is relatively dark. The menus are wrapped in generic plastic sheathing, but fit in to the atmosphere of signed dollars and engraved seats.

The menu itself, is pretty extensive and covers what the general burger joint offers, while offering choices for those who would prefer a different type of sandwich or (heaven forbid) a salad. From what I saw at other tables all the offerings would come out LARGE! But seeing as this was my first time, we both had to stick with the burger. 

Frankly, I don't understand the point of food being that large. Perhaps I'm a wimp though. I do understand the novelty wrapped up in "Big Food" and can appreciate an eating competition- I just have to question it's necessity. With that being said, the burger tasted great.

I decided to play it simple, and just order a medium-rare bacon ranch burger. The patty came out medium-well, to well done, but was still juicy enough that I didn't have to choke it down. The toppings were expected, but delicious and well executed. The sandwich was served with onion straws that could have been fresher. From what I sampled of Brandon's burger, the fries too could have been fresher, and the sandwich itself wasn't cooked to the specify temperature- though tasty.

If you need a meat fix, and don't mind a bit of a wait, By all means try out Thurman's. I am quite certain that you will find something to suit you. A fun, friendly environment Thuman's Cafe will be sure to send you off with an achingly full stomach and a smile on your face.

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Luna Burgers

There are many debates covering the existence of veggie burgers. It may not initially seem like such a huge deal, but just watch the season three episode ten version of Parks and Recreation entitled "Soulmates". It becomes quite clear that the carnivores despise the idea of a round patty attempting to be meat; and vegetarians take offence in the attack on their lifestyle choice.

Can't we all just get along?
Yes meat is delicious, but why do we need to make a fake meat substitute?

In my opinion a good veggie "burger" doesn't attempt to resemble meat. Instead, it should be a cohesive disk of tasty vegetable matter that makes a great sandwich. (Sounds tasty right?) Vegetables are delicious enough, and although it is seemingly easy enough to create a vegetable patty- it can be difficult to find a ratio that holds together and tastes great, without being dry.

Insert Luna Burger- A local company aimed at making a tasty vegetable alternative to your standard ground beef patty.

Does it taste like meat?
NO!

Should it taste like meat?
NO!

Luna burgers are simply, a compressed loaf of vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes and basically anything that isn't meat. They hold together and aren't bone dry when heated. They aren't the prettiest thing when taken out of the box, but they are a good tasting alternative to you typical sandwich filling.

You can heat them up in several different ways, although I suggest using a lower heat if you are cooking them from a frozen state, otherwise they will remain ice cold inside. Place them between some nice toasted buns and top with an assortment of healthy greens, guacamole, or pickled vegetables; add some chutney or any other sauce, and you'll have yourself a delightful sandwich. They also make an acceptable meat substitute for soups and other things where you can used cooked ground meat.

I personally prefer the kick-starter patty and the barbecue patty over the others. The kick-starter patty is delightfully spiced with high amounts of herbs and other seasonings. As for the barbecue- simply put it is sweet with just a touch of smokey tang, a great affect if you are making them indoors.

Granted, I've not tried a Luna Burger than stands close to matching the Northstar Burger, it is a good available option. While we steadily push towards summer grilling season, it is important to keep our health and vegetarian friends in mind. So put a couple boxes of Luna Burgers in your freezer.

Keep eating,
JTFussy

Explorers Club

1586 S High St, Columbus, OH 43207
(614) 725-0155

It has been awhile since I reviewed the Explorers Club's Food Truck. I've been waiting since then to finally make it down to their physical location. I'm not going to play coy at all here... it was beyond worth the wait. 

There! I said it! Explorers Club was a breath of fresh air in the worn down dining experiences I've encountered since the beginning of this project. A rotating monthly menu, that not only changes items, but changes general themes. Delicious house made sausages, among so many other items. Cheap drinks, and food well worth the prices. This month I had read to be caribbean, but upon arrival we discovered (to our pleasure) the menu was actually cajun.

I know you've probably stopped reading by now. Seriously, what reason have you- you know it's good, but there was fault to be found. Brandon and I were celebrating some good news on the night that we went down to the south side. In good spirits we found the building with ease- it's hard to miss a giant picture of a pipe smoking gorilla!

We easily found a seat in some nice wooden captain's chairs, and ordered some of the daily drink specials. He had the bloody mary, and I- the bellini. Four dollars for a large tumbler of well concocted alco-beverages, a great way to start the meal.

We perused the menu for several moments, and ordered a charcuterie board. Well composed with a selection of three house made sausages, pickles and a lamb tartar of sorts. Our favorite was the lamb, but we found ourselves fighting over who'd get the last piece of each item.

Moving on, we had our entrees. Brandon chose the catfish with a crawfish etouffee. Blackened catfish, cooked perfectly over rice and a rich crawfish sauce. Purely delightful. I chose the frog legs. Two hind quarters of slightly chewy fried legs, with that tasty fishy chicken quality. A spectacular option topped with a rich, spicy tomato sauce laden with chunks of presumably house-made andouille.

We both felt satisfied at this point, but we had to continue on. After all, we both love cajun food and who knows if the cajun menu would be around any time soon. So in the spirit of the moment, we ordered beignets and a whiskey bread pudding. The beignets were delicious, though dense and not risen to the doughnut like squares of my dreams. The bread pudding was soft, rich and delicious. I feel as though we should have been carded to eat it!

If you haven't been down to the Explorers Club yet, you should really give it a try. They have two menus, one has simple standard items that are bound to please. The other is fun and changes monthly. You may have to park a bit away from the building, but I'm sure you'll be pleased with what you'll find on the inside. Live a little and take an adventure down at this casual gem.

Keep Eating,
JTFussy

Royal Ginger Asian Fusion Bistro

1625 West Lane Avenue
(614) 488-7888 ‎

Quite some time ago, Dessie (Brandon's Roommate) requested we all go to dinner again. Apparently she had a decent enough time with us from our excursion to Barley's. We allowed her to decide the restaurant of the evening, and with that we made our trip up to Lane Avenue, next to the Whole Foods in Upper Arlington.

Generally I am hesitant of sushi places that offer discounts and "too good to be true" specials. From the website- that's what Royal Ginger was. However we still tossed caution to the wind, and ignored all guidance of Mr. Bourdain on this subject. To my own relief, after we were sat, it became clear that the menu online was completely unrelated to current business operations. This was not what we hoped for, but it would work.

The interior of the place is quite fun, ethnic in every corner. We sat next to a very large "sculpture" that appeared to be made out of lacquered sand. Continuing on the extravagance of the decor- the tables, metal in material, had autumnal leaves stunningly screened onto them,

I started off with a pomegranate martini, because every other drink I requested from their specials list, had ingredients that no longer were found in stock. In fact, this was a common trend, as a few of my options in sushi weren't available that night either. It seemed quite odd, seeing as there were no more than 10 other people in the establishment. The martini felt small, and was metallic tasting from beginning to end.

We all started with an order of Vietnamese summer rolls. Classic and tasty. Rice paper encased shrimp, vermicelli, mango and a piece or two of shrimp- served with a sweet and spicing dipping sauce. These had to be the largest summer rolls I've ever had. This was both good and bad. They tasted fine enough, but were difficult to eat. Not only that, but there was enough lettuce in it to actually fight the classic spicy fish sauce.

Moving forward, we all had two sushi rolls. Although sharing didn't seem to be in the air, the general reports on everyone's rolls were decent, some better than others. Nothing mind blowing. My first roll was called the Great Harvest. In general it wasn't a bad choice. I usually enjoy sweet potato rolls but it was topped with a sickeningly sweet artificial raspberry sauce.  

My other roll was the kamikaze. Uber meaty, fried shrimp with spicy tuna and barbequed eel. A roll that even in its worst form is bound to please. Yet it this case, the amount of siracha placed  over the top was slightly off-putting. The garnish, as you can see in the picture was a nice touch, but sloppy and not very well thought out. 

Overall I wasn't that amazed with Royal Ginger. It's clearly all show and not well stocked. They need to keep up with their menu, and create a better balance over some of their classics. Although food always tastes better with good company, it is still important to start with great food. Royal ginger isn't a total disappointment, but there are clearly better options.

Keep Eating,

JTFussy.

The Sycamore

Address: 262 E Sycamore St, Columbus, OH 43206
Phone:(614) 754-1460

I often dine "in" with my dear friend Mark, he is wise and knows quite a bit about food. He is an older gentleman who has lived in Columbus for longer than I have existed, so he is familiar with most all restaurants in the area. So when he offered to take me out to dinner, I knew I was going to be in for a treat.

Mark and I debated for a week where we should go. Several restaurants were on the table, but the ending result tossed us into the heart of German Village. I remember reading on the Underground, how The Sycamore had recently redone it's layout and was holding itself as a sort of gastropub (without the pretentious atmosphere). 

A small, long, building with very minimal seating. The Sycamore sadly doesn't take reservations, and their hour call ahead hardly seems to be worth it. If you go to the Sycamore, go early and plan to wait at the bar for a little bit, although the bar can offer a bit of a relief. That is unless you look upon the prices, the lower average of a bottle of wine holding a tag of $60. Extending the wine list, there are several by the glass offerings, a separate list with an even higher mark up. The cocktails share the same burden but are decent, and arrive at a timely manner.

When we finally obtained a table, we had to fight a crowd to get there. With tables sat so close together, I must apologize again to the poor dear that I had to crowd just to sit down. Even with adjustments to the table, I felt "in the way". A lovely leather bound menu sat atop dark wooden tables, stunning -if tight. 

The favored item on the menu appeared to be the prawns. Being found on most dishes, they promised to be tasty in every way they read. We chose one of the two special appetizers to start- grilled prawns over a farro risotto with grilled prawns and blistered tomatoes.  This has to be, to date, one of the best items I've eaten out, while in Columbus. The farro was well seasoned and the char from the soft prawns contrasted the tomatoes in a way that brought true cohesion to the dish. Unfortunately when the dish came, I found it very difficult to believe that we were being served true prawns, they just seemed  too small , and without their heads- one will never know.

Next we moved to our entrees, we opted for large plates instead of the seemingly more popular burgers. The Burgers were large and easily could have made a meal, however they lacked the elegance of the larger entrees. I had the trout, two fillets of tender, perfectly cooked trout with roasted potatoes and green beans. The trout was under seasoned but, what it lacked from salt, a preserved lemon and caper sauce was more than enough to compensate for three times the amount on the plate. Mark had the lamb shank, well cooked with an overly tangy molasses sauce. A typical parsnip puree and exceptionally garlicky kale. I believe that I had the better of the two dishes, though nothing was unpleasant.  

I would highly recommend checking out The Sycamore, the next time you end up down in German Village with an extra wad of cash. Respect the wait, as you will probably find it to be worth your while. So far, this may be one of the better restaurants that I've eaten at this year.

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

El Camino

238 S 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 220-8877

Sometimes you just need a good taco, burrito and a splash of tequila. Downtown, right next to Dirty Franks, exists an essential Columbus restaurant- Little Palace. As an extension of Little Palace, is El Camino, a quite little watering whole with a decent vibe and small affordable menu. 

The room is dark, and dressed in dark colors highlighted by light wood tones. A heavy bar takes up most of the restaurant, with a few small tables occupying the far wall. Unfortunately due to darkness of the restaurant (and my hatred of using my flash in dark places) I have no pictures for this post. 

There was no wait to get into the next to empty room, a few fellows sat at the bar- obviously having had a drink or two. Brandon ordered a bloody mary that had quite a bit of beer in it, thin and spicy. I ordered a paloma; a lovely sweet mixture of jarritos and tequila- delicious in all accounts. 

We pigged out when it came for food, ordering chips with guac, burritos, gorditos, tacos, and a tostada. With the chips came guacamole and a small bowl of salsa, the salsa was far too watery and bland, clearly the guacamole was favored. Of all of the other options, the clear winner from the menu was the burrito: large and filling- the rice was great! All of the other options were fine, but strongly relied on the meat chosen to fill each. A rather generic selection of  bland shredded beef and equally drab pork, we favored the chorizo for its smokey heat. 

I'd love to go back to El Camino on a Tuesday night just to see if their fish selection is a better offering than their standard selection. I doubt that I'd find myself going downtown, specifically, for El Camino. However, if I was in the area, I wouldn't hesitate for a quick bite. I know for sure that next time I'm grabbing a pitcher of Paloma. 

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Akai Hana

1173 Old Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH 43220
(614) 451-5411

When I need a sushi fix, I can't help but think about Akai Hana. Located a bit out of the way, up on Old Henderson Road, it's unlikely that you'll find fresher raw fish in the city. I've been to Akai Hana on several special occasions, from dates to watching friends leave town and have had a wonderful time with most all of my visits. Unfortunately my last visit was, less than spectacular on certain levels.

The particular day that we dined at this sushi house, was a very special day from Brandon and myself, I had made reservations two weeks in advance so that we could have a particularly pleasant experience. When we arrived, our reservations had been lost, and we were placed in line with quite a few groups waiting behind us. Greatly confused by the situation, we began looking up other potential dinner spots.Within 15 minutes or so, we were given the first available table, making up for us losing our initial spot.

We were quickly greeted by our waitress, yet were told that an order of sushi would take a bit longer due to the capacity of the restaurant. We ordered a bottle of wine, and decided to go for the sushi regardless of the wait. We had ordered a boat (a bit of a tradition for the two of us) as well as uni and their famed sweet potato roll. 

First to the table was our uni. We ordered two pieces, as it was the first time he had ever tried the baby poo looking blob, and I wasn't about to let him go alone (I like sea urchin). We both took a sampling of the sweet glob and I must report Brandon to not be in favor. Soon after came the sweet potato roll and our boat of assorted rolls.

The sweet potato roll has been a usual favorite of mine. It's slightly warm and well composed with slightly spicy beet spouts poking out for great contrast to the creamy spud. This time, the potato was slightly under-cooked, causing an off-putting mouth feel. Our boat was large and easily split by two people without getting any extra rolls.

Each fish offering was fresh, and every roll was bound tight. The only great complaints came from the squid piece and the salmon roe. The squid was rather tough and unpleasant, strongly flavored and far too chewy. The roe tasted as it should, but could have used more rice to offset the texture of the pea-sized pearls. I will note that almost every piece of sushi had an abundance of wasabi, this was not problem for me, but Brandon found it a bit off-putting. I've heard that this has been a recurring problem as of late across the board of Akai Hana, and Tensuki market.

Although I still hold Akai Hana as having some of the best sushi in town, my last experience has restarted my quest to find better sushi in town. I'd recommend going to Akai Hana for your next night out, but consider calling ahead and double checking the wasabi on your plate.

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Old Bag of Nails

Oh Columbus, you are near and dear to me. I've grown so much over the time that I've spent here. Not all of my growth has been positive, as it often is, yet I feel that growth of any sort always brings you a skill or thought that will aid you.

As we go through our daily tasks, we are often overcome with stress. These outwardly pressures leak into our personal lives and can disrupt simple things (like timely calls home, or posting on your blog). While we grow and pass through these obstacles, it's important to stay yourself, and be as humble as you can. Columbus, though I've neglected to report back to you as often as I'd like; I still haven't stopped my pursuit of finding that next tasty morsel.

 It's been awhile since my last trip to Old Bag of Nails, but I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by my visit. After a long day at work, for both Brandon and myself, we decided go for a late dinner at a Columbus classic. Old Bag, is just that- and unpretentious bar that requires no real fuss. It was a perfect fit for the evening, even though I wouldn't say it's an "all occasion" place.

The hostess and our waitress were both pleasant and very candid. They joked around and when we showed true interest in how the day was going, we were told not only of the good, but confessed the usual server laments. Even with a very limited wine menu, we split a bottle and the waitress attempted and succeeded with the proper wine service.

Our first choice of appetizers were all sold out, but we opted four a soup and salad. The Clam chowder was tasty, heavy on the pepper but the clams weren't over cooked and chewy. The wedge salad was typical, but large and fresh.

We moved into the entrees, baskets of fried fishy goodness. Brandon got the fisherman's basket, a sampling of fried scallops, shrimp, and fish. All cooked perfectly enough, and delivered hot and crispy with a load of largely sliced actual steak fries (a bit large for classic adornment of malt vinegar, but tasty nonetheless).  I had the standard fish and chips, not adventurous at all, although nothing on the menu really is, close to the fisherman's basket, but with one point making it worth the selection- it's bottomless!

We finish out the meal with a few milkshakes, icy but with a homey feel that took me back to malt shops of my childhood. A simple stop, that warrants a trip if you've never been. If you have a craving for a few fillets and a pint- by all means stop by Old bag, but don't expect to be wowed by this cheeky bar.

http://www.oldbagofnails.com/

Keep Eating,
JTFussy

Wolf's Ridge

Address: 215 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone:(614) 429-3936

I'm sorry that I've been gone for the last couple weeks Columbus. I've just been needing to find a restaurant that may actually impress me. Sadly to say, my search has still turned up little more than a few overpriced plates. 

One of the recently opened contenders to my list of "to try" restaurants was Wolf's Ridge Brewing Company.Another addition to the microbreweries of Columbus, I had heard positive remarks about their food. With the encouragement of a dear friend, I made my way to the fourth street location. 

Sleek, and clean: the restaurant's interior had me expecting great things. A semi-ope kitchen is always a bit of a heart-warmer for me. Wooden table tops with candles in jars brought the atmosphere to a more level playing field with the other "hip" places of the city.  Like many other restaurants of this setup the restaurant was loud; not in the busy form of the word, but rather in the not able to hear yourself think.

On the table was a drink and food menu (full of typos) for each person, and an awfully redundant vegetarian menu. There was only on new offering on the special vegetarian menu, that wasn't located on the standard food menu. The drink menu clearly highlighted the beers brewed in house, and although solid, very little concern was given to the other options. I had a French 75, a tasty sparkling, gin, lemonade, and the wine that followed was tasty enough. 

For starting the meal, we ordered some curried pickled vegetables. Tasty, and highly acidic they were quite delightful. Although each option in the vegetable mix (cauliflower, carrots, peppers, and green beans) was satisfying, I would have preferred each option to have been pickled in it's own solution containing a different  spices for a more flavorful medley. 

Next we ventured to the realm of soup and salads. My kabocha squash came out with grace and beauty, but fell flat with flavor. minimally garnished, I felt as though the soup needed some spice or acid to fully bring the dish to the next level. The rest of the table ordered salads. Brandon's salad was beautiful, and tasted well for being under seasoned. Our friend Mark, had the herb and arugula salad. A healthy combination of greens, the dish was sporadically seasoned. Some bites were exceedingly salty, and other bits were-expected. 

As far as entrees went, Mark and I fought back and forth upon who would order what. Both the duck breast and stout braised venison sounded great to each of us. I ended up with the venison, and clearly I was the winner of the skirmish. The duck was fine, if small, but was served with cold mashed potatoes and a mushrooms that had no apparent vision. The venison on the other hand was warm all the way around, and seemed cohesive in thought. The beer reduction on the plate added bitter hop notes to heighten the gamy meat. For Brandon, scallops, three perfectly cooked pieces on a small bed of risotto, pooled by an intensely spicy curry sauce.

Although each item we ordered came out in a beautifully elegant stance, there were flaws to be found with every step forward. Everything was tasty enough and it was clear that the chefs do know what they are doing, but they need to work on balance. Between the noise and the prices I am not sure if I will be going back. Overall it was a wonderful time, and the waitress was quite nice, An interesting stop that may need some consideration.

Keep Eating,

JTFussy

Canal Junction Black Swamp Gouda

As the city is cloaked with such heavy snow, I found myself craving some gooey cheese nestled between some toasted bread. With all of these blasted grilled cheese restaurants opening up around town, I figured it may be helpful to remind everyone that preparing a grilled cheese takes about five minutes.

The key to a great grilled cheese, besides butter, is the quality of ingredients. When you set out to make a tasty sandwich, you need top quality bread (I'm using Dan the Baker's) and fantastic cheese. When I need a great local cheese, I either choose Laurel Valley Creamery or Canal Junction.

Due to it's greater availability, I often have some form of Canal Junction on hand. Their Headwater's Tome is a great hard cheese with a beautiful layer of ash settled right through the center. The Tome isn't anywhere near perfect for melting, but their Black Swamp Gouda poses a better option. Rich, nutty, and with a touch of funk, Black Swamp Gouda is a great choice for melting over a slice of bread to dunk into soup or just as a sandwich.

2 Tablespoons butter
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon brandy
2 Tablespoons chicken stock
8 Slices Artisan Bread (choose Dan the Baker)
1/2 pound Canal Junction Black Swamp Gouda, sliced thinly

Preheat oven to 250
In a large saute pan melt the butter, over medium-low heat
Add the onions and caramelize over low heat until they are deep brown (about 35 minutes)
Add in the brandy and the stock
Continue to cook until the mixture looks mostly dry, and remove from heat
Arrange the slices of bread on a sheet tray
Layer the cheese evenly over top the bread and bake until the cheese has fully melted
Layer the onions across the bread and form the slices into sandwiches

Makes: 4 Sandwiches

Balance between the sweet onion and the mildly salty cheese creates a great grilled cheese that will remind you of a bowl of french onion soup.


Keep Eating,
JTFussy

Deviled Egg Salad

I bet it's happened to a great deal of us: You forget your grocery list at home and you pick up a carton of eggs you didn't really need. If you only eat one egg in the morning, or just on weekends, you probably wouldn't make it through that second pack before they went bad. 

When I find myself with an abundance of eggs, I often end up pickling them, or tossing one on a sandwich at every meal.  One quick way of using quite a few of the little stinkers, is egg salad. Probably not your thing if you aren't a fan of the shelled treasures, but egg salad is one of the southern staples I picked up along my travels. 

8 eggs (uncooked in the shell)

4 teaspoons squeezed prepared horseradish

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

1 teaspoon whole grain mustard

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

1 teaspoon sliced chives

1/2 teaspoon dill weed

1/4 teaspoon salt

Fill a medium bowl with ice and water

Place the eggs in a medium sauce pot

Fill the pan with room temperature water, covering the eggs by an inch

Bring the pan to a boil over high heat

Cook for eight minutes

Poor off the hot water and crack the eggs slightly

Place the cracked eggs into the ice water

After about three minutes the eggs will be cool and ready to peal

Remove all the shells and  four of the egg yolks, save the four extra whites

Dice the whole eggs and egg whites into about quarter inch pieces

Place the diced eggs and the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl

Stir together, breaking up the yolks, until the mixture is homogeneous

Serves 2-4  

Slightly spicy but ultra creamy egg salad, may not sound or initially look appealing, but it is a treat when smeared over a soft piece of bread with some crisp lettuce. I'd break out this treat when you have all those extra Easter eggs laying about in a few months, but really- why wait!

Keep Eating,

JTFussy