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 ‘restaurants’ Category

Next Entries »

Basi Italia … it really is all that and more.

Posted by CMH Gourmand on October 25, 2006

Basi Italia
811 Highland St (Cross Street: Buttles Avenue)
(Victorian Village / Short North)
(614) 294-7383

Basi Italia web site
Lunch
11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Tue. – Fri.

Dinner
5:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Tue. – Thurs.

5:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Fri. – Sat.

closed Sunday

Basi has been a favorite of the culinary underground as well as mainstream foodies for several years. You get a feel for the philosophy of the restaurant while scouting out the menu on the web site. The layout and format of the site mirrors the feel of the restaurant – simple – yet subtlety elegant, – efficient but not frenetically paced, lots of depth in a compressed small space with many personalized touches that reflect the personalities and values of the owners.

Basi is tucked away, in an alley like street just off Buttles – but is easy to find due to the large valet parking signs which ask that you respect the parking privileges of the people that actually live in the neighborhood. No worries if you do not want to pay the $3 for valet parking – just park at the shopping center at Neil and Buttles which is a very short 2-3 minute walk away.

The place has the feel of a friend’s house. Some tables are tightly spaced and seating is at a premium – if you need to wait – it will be outside. If you have a coat or any type of extras – you will need to put them on the coat rack – there is no extra room for anything that is not a permanent part of you.

Some outdoor seating in available in warm weather – on a nice looking patio which would be the best way to experience Basi since the restaurant itself seats 26.

The style of the food and the place is simple and unpretentious with some touches of upscale without the annoyances of doing things for appearances. For instance the wine is served in stemless glasses – which may be for the practical reason of saving space as well as minimizing the danger of spilling glasses in tight quarters.

In discussing service – I have to specifically mention Katelin (sorry if I misspelled the name). She is exceptional. Let me count the ways: professional, knowledgeable, intuitive, non invasive, an air of friendliness and detachment with a dash of culinary cool. She showed up at the right times with the right things – in the right way. She let CMH Gourmand and companion sample a single pumpkin ravioli because we did not have room for three entrees. Katelin executed everything perfectly without any forced formality. She is best server I have encountered in years.

Sampled on the initial visit –

primo

 

grilled endive & roasted pear
gorgonzola dolce & toasted pistachio

 

roasted beets
arugula, goat cheese, spiced walnuts & pomegranate

secondo

 

rigatoni salumerie
tomato, sausage, raisins, pine nuts & fennel

centercut porkloin chop
apple sage stuffing & maple-cherry jus

Pork Chop

Dessert

Chocolate Trufffles served with a drizzle of chocolate, a sliced strawberry and a sliced fig.

All were good. Just offering beets is a point in my book. Some of the bites of pork were a bit too salty – but it aged well as leftovers and tasted exquisite the next day.

The web site states the restaurant focuses on being “an approachable
relaxed dining experience”. Basi delivered that. It offers a nice mix of traditional and innovative cuisine. There is a special menu before 6:00, daily entree specials, and exceptional desserts, which vary by the day. Basi is worth the effort – make sure you make reservations – these are essential.

Posted in Columbus, restaurants | Leave a Comment »

El Arepazo – Latin Grill

Posted by CMH Gourmand on October 7, 2006


El Arepazo

Arepazo sign
47 North Pearl Street
Columbus (Pearl Alley – between Broad and Gay Streets)
614 228 4830
Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Arepa is white corn meal. This is cooked into a cake which is used for a bun to make a sandwich called an AREPA The sandwich fillings can vary depending on the locale and availability of ingredients. In Venezula – these little sandwiches are usually cooked on a grille. Carlos Gutierrez and Eliezer Molina had great success selling these sandwiches at the Columbus Latino Festival so they took the leap and opened a very popular spot in Pearl Alley. The signature dish – is an Arepera – hence – El Arepazo.

sandwich

The menu features Venezuelan and Colombian dishes with a some other specialties thrown in. The Latino fare features a variety of items including Mexican Sopes, Tilapia (grilled fish), Chuzo (marinated steak), Plantains, Burritos, Empanadas, Carne Asada and Flan as well as daily specials.

Service is friendly and quick. The dining area is small but there is outdoor dining available. The inside is cozy and seats about twenty. The decor is simple and bright with some interesting latin themed artwork to look at. Many downtown diners get their food to go. The price range is $3.50 to $8.00. I have only sampled the place a few times but everything sampled (Chicken, Pork, and Beef items were tried out) was good. The best bet so far – seems to be the Venezuelan Platter (Pabellon Crillo) – rice, black beans, shredded beef, a fried plantain and a arepita (small / little arepa cake). I’ll be trying this out again.

El Arepazo Latin Grill on Urbanspoon

Posted in Columbus, restaurant reviews, restaurants | 7 Comments »

Northstar in the Short North

Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 28, 2006


Rising Star in the Columbus Culinary Galaxy – Northstar Café (featured in Columbus Underground)

Northstar Café
951 N. High Street
Short North

If I did not know better, I would think Northstar was trying to court me because it has done everything a new restaurant (or love interest) should. Obviously the owners Katy and Kevin Malhame have done things right. They survived the critical first year in the restaurant biz and have had plenty of accolades in the local media.

First, food, it is the way to a man’s heart. The menu is limited but has enough variety to appeal to meat eaters or vegetarians, young or old, conservative or hippy. The breakfast menu includes: Granola (served with organic yogurt and fresh berries); Sweet Potato Hash (served with smoked turkey, red peppers, sweet onions, and an egg) – did I mention I love sweet potatoes; a vegetarian breakfast burrito; Mushroom Frittata (Shitake, Portobello, and Button mushrooms, onions, and Gruyere cheese) served with roasted potatoes, and a big biscuit; and Cloud 9 Pancakes (the batter has ricotta cheese mixed in).

The lunch and dinner menu features items such as a Veggie Burger and Organic Meatloaf. I am a big fan of the Budda Bowl – rice, chicken and/or tofu, a spicy Thai peanut sauce and lots of fresh veggies. There are good salads that are a meal to their own. The Special Salad:

is Chicken, goat cheese, dates, almonds, mixed greens with some odds and ends. As an insider secret – if your meal has chips as a side – you can get a small green salad or rice salad as a side instead.

The Sweet Basil Burrito:

– available with Chicken or Tofu – Northstar does tofu right – it is easy to do wrong – so give this one a shot. I usually ask for a mix of both.

Focused effort went into creating cuisine that is reasonably priced, healthy, and environmentally responsible. The sausage comes from an organic farm just outside of Columbus, the maple syrup is made in Ohio, the eggs are fresh from the hen, and the hot sauce and salsa are made in house. Organic foods are used whenever possible. The café also serves fresh juices, smoothies, baked goods, wines, and beer.

The décor is modern and comfortable with giant windows up front, high ceilings, plenty of open space, cool background music as well as some comfy chairs and a couch bordering the magazine rack – which offers a large selection of magazines you can purchase.

The cooking crew is decked out in professional white chefs outfits, they look busy and proficient in the open kitchen. The efficient and perky servers are more casual, sporting Northstar T-shirts – they are very knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients. Service is always good and tipping is a no-no. And I have my favorite employee who updates me on good shoes to buy. She is a sweetheart.

All of this hip/hippy cuisine and atmosphere is backed up with some principled substance. Northstar donates 1% of the café’s profits to non profit organizations. This restaurant has become the preferred breakfast hang out for this writer based on the scones alone. It is also a nice break from some of the other cramped, crowded, and noisy restaurants that are nearby. Northstar is my star of the Short North.

Word is we can expect a Clintonville Northstar in late winter or early spring of 2007. That restaurant will be within easy walking distance of my house – that is customer service!

(POST POST – Northstar 2 or Northstar North or Northstar Clintonville – opened in February 2007)

Northstar Cafe on Urbanspoon

Posted in Columbus, restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly | Tagged: | 5 Comments »

Avalanche Pizza

Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 24, 2006

While trolling around in Athens, OH I drove by Avalanche Pizza and noticed the place was voted best Pizza in Athens 4 years in a row. When I got home I did a little research and found their site –

Avalanche Pizza

(Update 10/12/07 – The Lancaster location is closed). (I did have take out from the Athens location in June 07 – it was mighty good)

Lucky for me, they have a location in Lancaster, OH and I was going there to help some friends move into a new apartment. My friends were kind enough to reward the moving team with a variety of Avalanche Pizzas.

The topping combinations Avalanche offers are impressive. Listed below are the descriptions of three of the pizzas I sampled.

Crouching Kimchi, Hidden Chicken
This oriental creation starts with our Secret Marinara sauce and a half pound of mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Then we add Roasted Chicken, Korean Kimchi, juicy Mandarin Oranges, crunchy Cashew Halves, and finish it off with a swirl of General Tso’s Sauce.

Ted Nugent “The Nuge”
This gives Meat Lover’s a whole new meaning! We pile Genoa Salami, Peppered Pastrami, Roasted Chicken, Italian Meatballs, Premium Bacon, Pepperoni, and juicy Ham on top of our signature marinara sauce, melting mozzarella and tangy provolone cheeses.

Pesto Chicken Pizza
Roasted Chicken, lean Bacon, fresh Roma Tomatoes, crunchy Cashew Halves, sweet Asiago Cheese, and swirls of Basil Pesto. All atop our secret Marinara Sauce and special blend of Mozzarella and Provolone cheeses.
All the pizzas were good. The toppings are top notch. The crust and sauce were a bit above average. The Crouching Kimchi, Hidden Chicken was a love or hate experience. I loved it – others hated it. But all tasters were able find something they could rave about.

Avalanche has been featured on the Food Network and won “Best Pizza in the USA” at the 2004 World Pizza Championship in Salsomaggiore, Italy. If you are in Lancaster or Athens it would be worth the effort to pick up a pie.

Posted in food, Ohio, pizza, restaurants | Leave a Comment »

Triangles and Squares – Columbus Pizza

Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 9, 2006

Slice of Columbus will be on September 13th at the LC Pavilion, in the Arena District. This event was known as the Pizza Challenge during the first sixteen years of existence and was at Victory’s for many years. This competition allows people to try pizza from about 20 or more different local pizza slingers. The proceeds go to benefit Children’s Hospital. I went to 5 or 6 of these in the past. It is worth going but now I have a better alternative. My friends and I do our own pizza “buffet” every year. Each person brings a type of pizza from a different place and with 30+ plus people – we have a lot of variety. Below is a list of the pizzas I would suggest you consider if your decide to do the same. This list is based on my favorite pizzas from my own eating adventures – but supported by empty pizza boxes at the yearly Hoffman Pizza Buffet Party and People’s Choice awards at the event formerly known as the Pizza Challenge.

Adriaticos

Bexley / Gahanna Pizza Plus

Catalfinos

Flying Pizza – New York Style

Hounddog’s Three Degree Pizza – Go with Smokin Joe’s Style (Spicy sauce – garlic crust)

Iacanos

Mama Mimi’s Take and Bake – Primo Vegetarian (roasted garlic sauce, zucchini, spinach, artichoke hearts, roma tomatoes, chopped onions, and mushrooms) (( I usually replace the romas and onions with sun dried tomatoes and scallions.))

Northstar Cafe – Flat bread Pizza

Pizza House – Meatball

Portofino’s – Giant 30 inch pizza (49 slices) $23 for one topping. The 24 inch is only $18.

The Rossi – a simple cheese pizza – to go is not an option – but on a slow night, when the hipsters are not around – heaven.

Rotolos – (feels like a pound of cheese in each slice)

Whole World – Herb and Guacamole or Oregon Apple (apple sauce, apples, raisins, provolone and sunflower seeds)

And a quick note about pizza style – there are several recognized styles of pizza – Neopolitan, New York, Chicago, New Haven, and California. There is a good argument that there is a Columbus style. Columbus style pizza is thin crust that is cut into squares. People from both coasts get angry when they encounter this style. The best local examples of this style are found at Massey’s and Donatos.

If you want to learn more about pizza styles – click below

Pizza Today – June 2006 – Regional Pizza Styles 

Posted in Columbus, Columbus style pizza, food, pizza, restaurants | 4 Comments »

Big Fun with Dim Sum at Little Dragons

Posted by CMH Gourmand on September 3, 2006

Little Dragons
1508 Morse Road (Morse and Karl)
846 – 9114
Sunday to Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM, Friday / Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM

There are plenty of average Chinese places in town. Little Dragons flies above the peasants and offers decent Chinese food at an affordable price. The restaurant remodeled in 2005. Most people order carry out. It took me many visits to discover the secret Chinese menu – which is generally not made available to western looking types like myself except on request. One day I noticed the other diners had food very different than what I had seen before. Also, I noticed that 95% of the customers dining in are Asian. I then discovered the secret Chinese menu (with English translations – written on the side) and started to unlock the mysteries of it. Some of the offerings scare me – most leave me very excited. After crossing this line, I found out about the Dim Sum on Sundays. Basically, Dim Sum could quickly be described as Chinese tapas or appetizers. Dim Sum is quite the experience in “real chinese” restaurants expecially those on the West Coast. The offering and presentation are scaled down here in the heart of the Midwest but the items available on both the English and Chinese menus were good and not to be found elsewhere in Columbus. I have never had a bad meal at Little Dragons and I consistently enjoy the pot stickers and Crab Rangooon.

Posted in Columbus, food, restaurants | Leave a Comment »

Ice Cream Capital of the World – Preview of coming attractions

Posted by CMH Gourmand on August 28, 2006

I will be writing more about ice cream in Columbus and Ohio. My mission – help Columbus insiders and outsiders learn that Columbus is an ice cream wonderland. In my mind, among the top five ice cream towns in the USA – if not the best.

Click below to see this article from the Denver Post.

– Columbus, Ohio, is ice cream heaven –

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

Next Entries »