SO IT’S NOT MANHATTAN. BUT, THERE ARE PLENTY OF CHIC EVENTS, TRENDY NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOT SPOTS THAT MAKE COLUMBUS A PRETTY HIP PLACE TO LIVE. FOR THOSE OH-SO-STYLISH 20-SOMETHINGS, MOD MAMAS, SUBURBAN SOCIALITES AND ANYONE WHO APPRECIATES GETTING OUT AND EXPERIENCING ALL THAT THIS CITY HAS TO OFFER.
For a complete list of restaurants and their specialized menus click here.
My birthday plans include resos Hyde Park tonight, followed by drinks at Eleven of course! You better believe we’ll be visiting some of our faves all week. And with prices like this, you should too!
I recently came across an old article that ran in the Dispatch a couple years back. The paper put together a list of the Top 20 Restaurants in Columbus and, intrigued, I wanted to see if there were any I hadn’t tried. That’s when I was introduced to DeepWood.
I learned when I called for resos that the restaurant provides the opportunity for two styles of dining experiences: The Tavern and Dining Room. My husband and I went early to grab a drink and check out the two different menus. We ended up sitting in the Tavern and ordering off the Dining Room menu, which I highly recommend. The restaurant feels like an old lodge, coupled with a trendy bar and great location (next to Martini, just south of the Cap).
I very rarely say this, but no lie, everything we ordered was awesome. Our table started off with the Scallop Wellington, a unique blend of scallops wrapped in spinach and puff pastry served with wild mushrooms. One word, mouthwatering.
The restaurant has a beverage program that pairs drinks with the cuisine of both menus. Wanting to share a bottle (okay, two) we ordered a yummy little pinot called Joelle (Russian River Valley, California, 2007). It complimented every entrée on the table, including the filet, duck and, yes, rabbit. Now I hate when I don’t order the best thing on the menu, and while the duck literally melted in my mouth, I think the rabbit was even better. Props to my father for an excellent order.
We ended the meal with two desserts. First, a caramelized banana, wrapped in phyllo dough and served with bourbon ice cream. One wasn't enough, so we paired it with a perfectly executed soufflé, dished up with biscotti and hot chocolate so thick you could eat it with a spoon. If that doesn’t bring you in to DeepWood, I don’t know what will.
In the end, I must admit, my personal Top 20 would differ from that of the Dispatch. However, one restaurant both lists would have in common is DeepWood. And trust me, yours will too.
As a proud resident of Grandview, I was especially excited to check out Third and Hollywood, the new restaurant that opened next to Grandview Café. While I think they should have consulted someone prior to its naming, I had quite a pleasant experience my first time around…
A girlfriend of mine is working for the restaurant, which in my opinion, is the most ideal way to try all the best things on the menu. She started us off with the biscuits (warm, buttery and fantastic) and a HUGE serving of delicious, salty mussels. I gave both of these a big thumbs up and was excited to move on to the veggie burger. While I must admit, it wasn’t as good as Northstar (both restaurants have the same owner) I would still recommend… if you don’t mind getting a little messy.
Third and Hollywood is definitely worth a try. I say it is the perfect spot for a cold winter night. Cozy up next to their central fireplace with a cute date or a group of girlfriends, like I did. Get a couple things and share, or grab a drink and some apps at the bar. Stick to my recos and, I promise, it won't disappoint.
Bad name, good food, great atmosphere - Third and Hollywood.
Working downtown, I frequent Due Amici for lunch. So when I heard Jeff Mathes was opening a “hot new tapas bar” around the corner, I was excited to check it out.
On my first visit to Barrio, the intent was to swing by for a quick drink with a girlfriend. One drink turned into appetizers, which turned into dinner, which ended 3 hours later with a tawny port and a flour-less chocolate cake. YUM. I think it was a combination of rainy weather, good conversation and a great selection of small plates that kept us going.
My second visit was equally good, when a couple of coworkers and I took advantage of a beautiful Friday afternoon and walked down for lunch. The floor to ceiling windows all pull open, giving the entire restaurant the feeling of dining al fresco. I definitely recommend lunching at the bar; you’ll feel like you’re on vacation.
Long story short, Barrio is a great new place… rain or shine.
Their specialty is the Ceviche, a unique combination of either tuna, scallops or shrimp, served with plantain chips, popcorn and chayote squash. If you’re into spicy foods, it’s definitely worth a shot. The Bacon Wrapped Dates are amazing, and I wouldn’t skip on that chocolate cake either, served with a raspberry mole sauce!
How appropriate to feature some outstanding Latin American cuisine – on Cinco de Mayo of course!
La Chatelaine Bistro in Dublin (an á la mode favorite) is hosting a wine tasting event next week. Wine and French food… heck of a combo! Hors d’oeuvres will be served to complement the wine and Gary Vera from Solara Imports, along with Chris Dillman of Rosendale’s will teach on the foundation of wine tasting.
Sounds to me like a fun little GNO. Be sure to call ahead, reservations necessary!
“The Element of Wine” Thursday, April 16 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. $25 per person
- Getting pampered. - Being complimented. - Feeling beautiful.
Duh… who doesn’t?!! Which is why everyone needs to pay a visit to Mukha custom cosmetics and medi spa. Tucked away in the Short North Arts District, Mukha is definitely an experience. While they offer a variety of services, they’ve quickly become known for their make-up application and custom blended cosmetic products – giving Mukha its name, which means, “face” in Tagalog, a Philippine language.
Within ten minutes of meeting Tim Maurer, co-owner and make-up artist to the stars, you will want to be his new best friend. Not only did he personally develop the color and skin-care lines, he actually teaches you what looks best and coaches you through the application process. Not to mention, he REALLY knows how to make a girl look (and feel) great.
My advice: next Friday afternoon hit up Mukha for a make-up application. The foundation is airbrushed on and gives you a fresh looking sheen that lasts all night. Treat yourself to a custom blended lip-gloss, it’s made right in front of you and comes in yummy flavors like mimosa and crème brule. Don’t skip on the fake lashes; Mukha’s make-up artists know how to balance fabulous and authentic (not the easiest task)!
Finally, ask for a glass of bubbly...sit back, relax and feel beautiful. I promise, you’ll look it too.
A new Columbus magazine is hitting the stands and from what I see, it’s distinctly different than the other C-bus pubs we know and love. A monthly, lifestyle magazine, CMH will feature stories from local contributors and Columbus trendsetters that change monthly to keep the content new and fresh.
CMH just launched their Web site, which is worth a look. I just love how it describes the mag, “Unique perspectives and insights on the people, places and things that interest urban insiders, sophisticated suburbanites and savvy hipsters in Columbus.” Sound familiar? Check it out!
