CMH Gourmand – Eating in Columbus & Ohio

Dining, Donuts, Dives and Diatribes

  • Recent Comments

    Marines Michalowski's avatarMarines Michalowski on Spain Restaurant
    Steve's avatarSteve on Columbus Pizza History: A Slic…
    Sharyn Smith Skelton's avatarSharyn Smith Skelton on Columbus Pizza History: A Slic…
    Linda shaw's avatarLinda shaw on Ding Ho, Wor Sue Gai: Columbus…
    BoomerGenX's avatarBoomerGenX on SKY Gourmand: The Cooker is Ba…
    Betty's avatarBetty on R&M Bakery – Newark…
    scottalberts's avatarscottalberts on Columbus Pizza History: A Slic…

  • Categories

  • Top Posts

  • Archives: August 2006 to Now

Archive for the ‘ice cream’ Category

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »

Wittich’s – America’s Oldest Confectioner? – Circleville Roadtrip Part 2

Posted by CMH Gourmand on April 1, 2008

Wittich’s

117 West High Street

Circleville, OH

740 474 3313

After my run to the Original Hamburger Inn, I drove a block or so to the northwest for a visit to what may be the nations oldest confectionary – Wittich’s. This chocolate and candy shop has been operated by the same family since 1840. It is currently run by Fred Wittich the great grandson of the founder. I did some quick research on confectionaries in the country. I am not sure it is the oldest – but it probably is the oldest run by the same family (I am still researching this).

My party sampled the candy selections with a venegence and found all to be very good. I really enjoyed the dark chocolate covered peanut brittle. Wittich’s is overflowing with character, charm and history – I felt good walking through the door and those feelings just continued to get better.

What really caught my eye was the 1930’s era soda fountain/counter. Some people know that I am an ice cream lover. One or two people know my first job was at Knight’s Ice Cream in Columbus and because of that I am a big fan of ice cream lore. There are just a handful operating of soda fountains in the country and I had accidently stumbled upon one.

 

As I sat there on one of the twirling counter seats, I was thinking of memories of a soda fountain in the the part of Columbus I grew up in. At about that moment, a small sign caught my eye. It explained the soda fountain I was sitting at was purchased from the former Beechwold Pharmacy in 1997. Guess where I used to go as a child….. yep!

Posted in chocolate, culinary knowledge, ice cream, Ohio | Tagged: | 7 Comments »

North Market – good to me and great for Columbus

Posted by CMH Gourmand on February 19, 2008

59 Spruce Street
Short North
614.463.9664

This is what 12 samples of chili look like….
*

I survived the Fiery Foods Festival at the North Market on February 16th. I had the opportunity to be a judge for the Chili Competition. I sampled 12 chilis in the professional category (with offerings from Alana’s, L’Antibes, Basi Italia and others.) One of the offerings had Mako shark in it…..yep, shark. There was a brief moment of terror on my part. As I was taking my first spoonful, the ingredients were being listed off. Shark was not the the first item mentioned. I am allergic to fish – but maybe not shark as it turns out. After a short pause, it was back to work for the amateur competition and another 12 chilis. Other judges included G.A. Benton from Columbus Alive, Miriam Bowers Abbott from the Other Paper, Lisa – the Restaurant Widow and other local notables. I was in great company. Special thanks to Mary Martineau (marketing director) and David Wible (executive director) for having me there and listening to me ramble on about food. Their continued hard work keeps the market vibrant and appealing to Columbus natives and visitors. Sopressata – did a superb summary of the festival and she (Heather) was able to cover the wing eating contest which I missed out on.

The next day I was at the North American Pizza and Ice Cream Show across the street at the Columbus Convention Center. Many of the people in line to pick up passes were asking me about what to do in our fair city. I had a lot to tell them with North Market on top of my list. Several attendees waiting in line overhead my comments and mentioned their own visits to the market the day before and how impressed they were with what we have here in Columbus.

North Market is a treat for those of us that live here – offering a home to Jeni’s Ice Cream, Curds and Whey, and so many other great independent vendors. The market also supports incredible food events – the Ohio Wine Festival, the Saturday Farmers Market, and the Fall Harvest Festival. All of these North Market endevours put Columbus on the culinary map and keeps it there.

At the Fiery Foods Festival, I spoke with some of the volunteers that do so much to support the market by helping with events….I may have to get my ass in gear and pitch in as well.

Anyway, if you have never been to the North Market, now is the time to support this community asset. I usually go early in the morning on a Saturday to scoop up some farmers market specials, then I pop inside to stock up on cheese, free samples and usually a Jeni’s Ice Cream sandwich for later. On Sundays, I like parking for free near Goodale Park, then walking over for lunch which I take upstairs so I can watch the market in action below.

Posted in cheese, chocolate, Columbus, culinary knowledge, ice cream, markets | 3 Comments »

Jeni’s Ice Cream – three small scoops

Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 20, 2007

The media love affair with Jeni’s continues…..

Jeni’s Ice Cream was featured by the Food Network on Unwrapped on September 10th 2007. I know the feature peaked a lot of attention because I received 321 hits on my blog the next morning and most of those were views of my posts about Jeni’s. Unwrapped recycles episodes frequently, so check the Food Network site for future repeats.

The third Jeni’s location opened recently in the Short North. The address is 714 North High Street. Jeni’s has now come full circle. Old fans will note that Jeni’s first foray into the world of ice creaming was Scream Ice Cream in the mid 1990’s, in a location not too far (North Market) from the new High Street scoop shoppe. The original Jeni’s at North Market is still scooping it out!

Posted in Columbus, ice cream | 1 Comment »

Sundae Drives – Three Ice Cream Road Trips

Posted by CMH Gourmand on May 28, 2007

Spring and summer inspire road trips on hot days. Here are three great ice cream shops within a one-hour drive of the capital city in case you need some fresh scenery and cold ice cream.

Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl
532 McIntire Avenue, Zanesville
740.452.5267
www.tomsicecreambowl.com
(Closed every Monday)

(70 E to the State Street Exit in Zanesville)

Tom’s is tucked away in a residential neighborhood. The staff is decked out in white hats, white aprons and black bow ties. The interior looks untouched since it opened at the current location in 1950. Tom’s feels like a Soda fountain from the past. Bill Sullivan bought the business from original owner Tom Mirgon in 1984. A portrait of Tom still watches over the business from a spot just above the soda counter. You can also get a good sandwich, Ben Heggy’s chocolates and Tom’s famous roasted redskin peanuts to go with your ice cream (which is often served in a big soup bowl). In 1998,Tom’s was listed as one of the nation’s 10 best ice cream spots in USA Today.

 

Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill
11324 Mount Vernon Road, Utica
1.800.589.5000
www.velveticecream.com
(SR 62 N to SR 13)

Since 1817, several different mills have stood in the stone foundation of Ye Olde Mill. (One downside to the location, the Mill has a tendency to burn to the ground most recently in 1986 and 2004). The Mill has always served as a meeting place for friends and families in the area. The Dager family understands the importance of tradition; they have been making ice cream since 1914. Velvet chose the Mill to be the symbol of their company. You can see the mill on each container of Velvet makes. The Ye Olde Mill is open from May to October. Tours of the ice cream factory are from 11 AM to 3 PM. The Mill also serves as the hub for the annual Utica Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival which is Memorial Day Weekend.

Young’s Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield-Xenia Road, Yellow Springs
937.325.0629
www.youngsdairy.com

(I 70 W to SR 68 S)



Young’s is a family entertainment destination, which would have made P.T. Barnum a bit jealous. The cornucopia of attractions includes: a farm-themed eighteen hole miniature golf course, a driving range, batting cages, farm animal petting barn, a full service restaurant, bakery, gift shop, and a corn maze. However the biggest attraction is ice cream, sometimes more than 3000 gallons per week is served. Much of the ice cream ends up in the Moovelous Milkshakes that consist of two to five dips of rich French Vanilla. All of the standard flavors are available as well as some farm themed creations such as Cow Patty – chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and other goodies mixed in. Considering Young’s started as a 10 x 10 room for selling milk to the public in 1958 – no need to cry over spilt milk at Youngs…but a dropped scoop of ice cream – would be a very sad event.

Posted in ice cream, Ohio | Leave a Comment »

Jeni’s Ice Cream Sandwiches – so good.

Posted by CMH Gourmand on May 12, 2007

 

Ice Cream sandwich



This is my favorite way to spend $4.50 – an ice cream sandwich from Jeni’s Fresh Ice Cream in Grandview.


 


Four ice cream flavors are featured in the sandwiches. My favorite is Pistachio. The cookie ingredients mirror and complement the ice cream flavors. It is the perfect ice cream experience inside a slightly chewy and rich cookie. This has been one of my favorite cravings of 2007 with no sign of abating. The macaroons are made fresh in Jeni’s kitchen from her own receipe (it had to be tweaked so the cookies could withstand the cold of the freezer).


Sidenote: (Jeni was featured in the recent issue of Columbus CEO).  


Jeni’s Fresh Ice Cream


1281 Grandview Avenue


 Grandview Heights


614.488.2680


 


Jeni’s website


* * *


Ice Cream sandwich to go


Serving Suggestion:


An ice cream term I use often is sweat: my definition – letting the ice cream thaw a bit to the point where it is just starting to drip and begins to have the consistency of a milkshake. The science of ice cream supports that this is the best way to eat ice cream – if you have the patience to wait about 3-5 minutes after you get your scoop or dish.


Since Jeni’s ice cream sandwiches are frozen – you can truly have the “sweating” experience without suffering. When I pick my ice cream sandwiches up – it is typically a 15 minute drive back to Clintonville (THE Clintonverse – to some) so by the time I get to my house, the sandwich is the perfect temperature and consistency.


Enjoy!  And let me know which sandwich you like the best.


The macaroons in the ice cream sandwiches are so good I thought they were from Pistachio Bakery but Charly Bauer was nice enough to let me know of the error of my ways. It is a still a good time to plug Pistachio Bakery (my favorite) (( Pistachio via Sopressata – some thoughts on Pistachio from a great new blog)).


Pistachio Bakery




680 North Pearl Street (behind Betty’s)


(moving to German Village in September)


Short North


614.220-9070


 




Other Ice Cream News


Scoop 1:


Why did Graeter’s Rocky Road Ice Cream disappear?


All of Graeter’s ice cream is Kosher.  Kosher marshmallows are too expensive and hard to find to make the volume of Rocky Road Graeters needs.


Scoop 2:


Hartzler Dairy Ice Cream in the Columbus Metro Area.


Hartzler Dairy in Wooster, Ohio makes many organic diary products including ice cream.   You can sample these at Urban Coffee.


 Urban Coffee

7838 Olentangy River Road (SR 315 North, past I 270)

Columbus, OH

614.436.2326



				

				
			
Posted in bakery, culinary knowledge, ice cream, sandwiches |    3 Comments »

		


			

			
Stan Zafran – Denise’s Ice Cream Man


			
Posted by CMH Gourmand on May 6, 2007


				

					


Denise’s Homemade Ice Cream

2899 North High Street

Clintonville

614.267.8800


Flavor board


I was working on an article about the best Ice Cream in Columbus for C-Bus Magazine at the end of March. When I e-mailed Denise’s owner, he insisted I give him a call. When I called him, he told me to drop by. If you talk to Stan Zafran, you are going to talk about ice cream. If ice cream happens to be your topic he is going to have you make ice cream. He will ensure you make a mess of yourself in the process – if fact if you don’t, then he is a bit bummed out.


I showed up around noon – I knew Stan is talkative and passionate about his ice cream so I figured we would spend about three hours together – it was more like six. First Stan had me sample every flavor – kind of an ice cream flight – a la Sideways. Stan taught me about the elements of ice cream – specifically – what makes good ice cream. Then we got to work. I made Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Pistachio. It was messy but I loved it. It reminded me of my first job at Knight’s Ice Cream.


Here is the scene of the Crime, an ice cream maker..




ice Cream maker


 


..and the results of my efforts


 


Pistachio Ice Cream I made


Stan and I discussed a lot of things while we were working together – Boston (his old stomping grounds and where Denise’s originated) vs. Columbus, doing business in Clintonville, Midwestern demographics, etc., but mostly we discussed ice cream. Creating a flavor is an art – but making the taste cross the line from good to great ice cream is a science. Stan approaches ice cream making like a craftsman with some mad scientist thrown in for good measure. He has the creativity to create inventive combinations (like Chocolate Sorbet and Burnt Sugar) mixed with the precision to make sure that all of the best ingredients blend together at the right time in the right way. If you have not tried Stan’s labors of love, make sure you drop by Denise’s – you will find flavors you never thought of – and you will find something you will like to lick.


New Flavor


Try two of the newest flavors Canteloupe and/or Blueberry (when Stan e-mailed me about Blueberry he described it as Kickass Blueberry, – it is). If you can – see if you can combine a half scoop of both for a perfect spring treat.


I have been doing some follow up sampling at Denise’s – my favorite flavors are currently Carrot Cake and Thin Mint Mint Oreo. Yum.

				

				
			
Posted in ice cream |    Leave a Comment »

		


			

			
DaVinci…Cold – Devine DaVinci Gelato


			
Posted by CMH Gourmand on February 3, 2007


				

					
Caffe DaVinci


3080 Tremont Road


Upper Arlington, OH


614 459 9945


Hours:


10:30 – 9:00 Monday – Thursday; 10:30 – 10:00 Friday and Saturday


I found true gelato in an unexpected place. When my mom mentioned that there was a new restaurant serving gelato, I was skeptical. This is real deal. Caffe DaVinci has a seperate section of the restaurant that is set up as an little gelato shop. They use a real Italian gelato machine and make it fresh in house. And, this is key, they also use a the correct type of refrigerated cooling case for the gelato. The trick to real gelato is to minimize the air that gets into the gelato and to regulate the temperature. Caffe DaVinci has balanced the art and the science needed to offer uncompromising gelato. They serve up eight to 10 authentic Italian flavors such as limone and stracciatella.


I have eaten gelato in Italy as well as two of the best places in the US – (Cafe Gelato in Newark, Delaware and  Divino Gelato Cafe in Waukesha, Wisconsin – confirmed by my collegues Shannon Jackson Arnold and Michael McGarry). DaVinci gelato is worth ranking up at the top.


So what the heck is the difference between gelato and ice cream? Gelato has no air added in while it is being made (some cheap commercial ice creams are up to 50% air). Gelato is usually made with more egg yolks and milk but less cream. It usually has less fat (less than 10%) than ice cream (more than 10%) and is very dense. Gelato is also served at a higher temperature than most ice cream. Since temperature effects taste (at least in my opinion) a scoop of gelato often provides a better taste and initial mouth feel. When having an ice cream cone this is a state that I refer as “letting the ice cream sweat”. When I have ice cream, I usally wait to until it just starts to melt a little bit (dripping is like sweat) before I take that first lick which allows the tongue to taste the flavor more and the cold less.


A quick note about Caffe DaVinci itself. The DaVinci name is well known in Columbus and has been associated with several restaurants. They always deliver good food and use authentic recipes. At the caffe – you place your order at the counter and it is brought to you later. However, the caffe has really bad Feng Shui: the layout does not allow for a good flow of customers, the seating is cramped and the dining area is very loud – so not the best dining experience but a good carry out option. Also, I am intrigued by the personal (six inch) chicago style deep dish meatball pizza on the menu – I do plan to head back to try that out – after I have some gelato.



				

				
			
Posted in gelato, ice cream, restaurants |    1 Comment »

		


			

			
Jeni’s Fresh Ice Cream – Lick it Up!


			
Posted by CMH Gourmand on October 19, 2006


				

					


Jeni’s Link


North Market

59 Spruce Street

Columbus

614 228 9960


1281 Grandview Ave.

Grandview Hts

614 488 3224


Jeni’s Fresh Ice Cream is gourmet ice cream for gourmands. And it is plain old great ice cream for the rest. Jeni Britton scoops out creative flavors made with the finest ingredients that can be found – and about 50% of the time these are obtained locally in central Ohio. Jeni is an ice cream artisan and craftsperson. The mix of ingredients that combine in her Carpigiani Gelato machine are her medium for artistic expression. Fortunately, this “art” is greatly appreciated and led her on the path of a successful businesswoman. Her dedication stirred her to take the respected Penn State Ice Cream short course as well as to study with an Italian gelato maker. Jeni knows ice cream. It is nice to see a sweet person and product achieve sweet success as well.


Flavors vary by season and inspiration. The quality of Jeni’s ice creams earned accolades from the national press including Gourmet, Food and Wine, various web sites, some TV programs, every local media outlet, and at least two books. Jeni’s has melted the hearts of culinary critics on both coasts and put Columbus on the culinary map for ice cream. There is strong buzz that Columbus is the ice cream capital of the country – (an argument that this writer can support with scoops of objective facts and subjective tastes). Putting Columbus on the gourmet radar is due in part to the raves that Jeni’s ice cream continues to receive, which in turn is supported by a growing online ordering business to supply the demand for this treat.


OK, so maybe I sold you on the possibility that this ice cream is fantastic and worth taking a lick at. Lucky for us – we just need to drive to get our fix. For people afraid of things like candied beets, Kentucky bourbon, lavender and other exotic extracts infused in their dairy products, Jeni’s also dishes out more mundane tastes for the Midwestern palette.


One customer favorite flavor is Salty Caramel – other flavors come and go based on the season and Ms. Britton’s creativity. These are a few of the signature flavors you can expect to see each time you peek in the ice cream cooler.


Dark Cocoa Gelato

Pistachio & Ashland County Honey

Black Coffee

Thai Chili

Queen City Cayenne


Depending on the season or sometimes, the day – you can expect up to 30 flavors to choose from – hard choices. However, another advantage we have here in ‘Cowlumbus” is that we can get free tastes of these ice creams before deciding on a scoop. Jeni’s also does combined half scoops to cater to those wanting to sample with abandon.


An added bonus, at least at the Grandview parlor, is the ability to order an ice cream sundae – consider this little treat as a preview of sundae attractions.


 One Night in Bangkok

Thai chili ice cream

caramel sauce

sliced bananas

pineapple

a bit of white chocolate

(billed as the ultimate phad thai )




Sundae


Jeni’s is served at several fine restaurants in Columbus but is best experienced in an ice cream cone while strolling around the North Market or in a sundae dish in Grandview.


Ice Cream for Icy days and coughing nights – 


Some think only hardcore ice cream hounds eat ice cream in the winter – if that is how you feel – it is time to review that life choice – Jeni’s serves up – Influenza Sorbet (fresh lemon juice, whiskey, and honey) as a preemptive strike for the common cold. (Note – I have not seen this flavor around for a while and not yet this season – so keep call ahead if you are hoping for this flavor – it may have just been a flavor fling of the past.)




Jeni's Fresh Ice Creams on Urbanspoon

				

				
			
Posted in Columbus, ice cream | Tagged:  |    1 Comment »

		


			

			
Another scoop on Cowlumbus Ice Cream – Reposting an old article


			
Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 10, 2006


				

					
I am being lazy and reposting an old article.


http://www.columbusunderground.com/articles/icecream.html


Ice Cream Capital of the World 

by Jim Ellison


This is my observation: we live in the best all around place to get ice cream anywhere on this planet. I am talking quality, variety, proximity, and any criteria that makes a difference. I have had fine ice cream in 24 states, DC, Puerto Rico and 14 countries. Bo Knows sports; I know ice cream, so read on.


Columbus is located dead center in one of the top five ice cream producing states. Whenever top ten lists of the best ice cream places in the USA are compiled either Handels or Graeters make the list and most often both appear. Columbus is the only city that has both of these two ice cream superstars.


Graeters is the oldest continuous maker of ice cream in the country, making small batches using a labor-intensive French Pot process since 1870. Their ice cream was super premium before the term existed – low in air, high in flavor, large chunks of chocolate, and so on. Graeters was born in Cincinnati but the cry for it in Columbus was too great so stores opened here in 1989. Since then locations have popped up all over and continue to do so. Favorite flavors include Black Raspberry Chip, Cookie Dough Chip, and Buckeye Blitz (peanut butter and chocolate mixed together).


There are a dozen of Graeters in town, check their site for locations: http://www.graeters.com.


Handels started out in a former garage in Youngstown Ohio. People have driven long distances for scoops of Chocolate Pecan and Cherry Vanilla. No need to hit I-71 anymore, Handels has been here for a couple years with more locations coming.


More information at: http://www.handelsicecream.com.


For most people, these two spots would be ample but there are so many more to choose from. The best way to appreciate ice cream is with a lot of taste testing.


Denise’s Ice Cream is a recent immigrant from Boston. When the owner’s wife moved to Columbus so did the scoop shop. Denise’s was a local favorite in Beantown, with several awards and rave reviews in a highly competitive market. Cool flavors include Guinness, Bailey’s, Green Tea, Red Bean, and Mango. There are plenty of “normal” flavors as well.


2899 N. High Street

Columbus

614 267 8800

http://www.denisesicecream.com


Jeni’s Fresh Ice Cream is gourmet for ice cream gourmands. Jeni Britton scoops out creative flavors made with the finest ingredients at her North Market stand. A customer favorite is the Salted Carmel – other flavors come and go based on the season and Ms. Britton’s creativity. If you want to learn more about Jeni’s and ice cream in general take a look at the book Everybody Loves Ice Cream by former Columbus resident Shannon Jackson Arnold.


59 Spruce Street

Columbus

614 228 9960

http://www.jenisicecreams.com


These are my favorites but there are many more that are worth mentioning including Johnson’s in Bexley and Reynoldsburg, Tin Roof Frozen Custard in Grandview, Brusters (several locations), Mardi Gras in Dublin, Rita’s Italian Ice, more than twenty Dairy Queens and more. July is national ice cream month and (July 2004) marks the 100th anniversary of the ice cream cone – so get licking, the average American consumes 23 quarts per year, but who wants to be average.If this has whetted your appetite, get more ice cream information at:


ICE CREAM OHIO


http://home.netcom.com/~ellisonj/icomain.html


If you gain too much weight verifying the accuracy of this article consider taking a long bike ride to Utica and the Velvet Ice Cream Ye Olde Mill. See details below.


http://home.att.net/~pkovacs/icecream.html

				

				
			
Posted in Columbus, food, ice cream |    Leave a Comment »

		


			

			
Exhibit B – Cowlumbus is World Ice Cream Capital


			
Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 6, 2006


				

					
Exhibit B – more people noticing and respecting the powerhouse that is the Columbus Ice Cream Scene. Columbus is to ice cream what Seattle was to music. Jeni’s Fresh is one of my favorites and has been recognized by Gourmet Magazine, two books, Roker on the Road (TV) and many other media outlets. Of course it is in Ice Cream Ohio. Here is yet another endorsement. Click below to see this article from Apartment Therapy – all the kids rave about Apartment Therapy – maybe they are right.


 – Jeni’s Fresh Ice Cream –  

				

				
			
Posted in Columbus, food, ice cream |    Leave a Comment »

		


	
	

		
« Previous Entries

		
Next Entries »