Archive for the ‘Vegetarian Friendly’ Category

Small Byte and Short Hike; Cafe Shish Kebab and Hayden Falls

Posted by CMH Gourmand on February 8, 2008

Cafe Shish Kebab

1450 Bethel Road

(Bethel Centre)

614.273.4444

www.cafeshishkebab.com

M-F 11 AM to 10 PM

Sat 12 AM to 10 PM

Sun 12 AM to 9 PM

If you take a peek inside the Bethel Centre you will find an unexpected diversity of good food finds – Flying Pizza, an Indian restaurant, Morone’s, Nanak Bakery, several other spots and a terrific Turkish Restaurant – Cafe Shish Kebab.

The exterior looks drab and generic. Inside, it is obvious the ownership spent a lot of time, energy and thought to create an authentic and comfortable dining environment. The interior is delightfully Turkish – paneled wooden walls, artwork and plenty of small touches to transport you to Istanbul or Constantinople….

The best way to sample the cuisine is to share the appetizer sampler with a friend or two while splitting the mixed grill kebab (shish kebab, chicken kebab, adana/ground beef kebab, and doner/lamb kebab).

Finish things off with the Keskul (almond pudding) topped with chopped almonds and pistachios. A great lunch or dinner.

If you feel bit bloated, less than three miles down the road is Hayden Falls (SR 33 and Bethel Road) A short and scenic hike leads to a waterfall hidden away in the burbs. The park has finally added a sign, stairs and a walkway to make this mini natural nook more accessible to non-rappelers.

Posted in restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly | Leave a Comment »

Basi Italia – Revisited

Posted by CMH Gourmand on January 25, 2008

Basi Italia
811 Highland Street
(Victorian Village / Short North)
614.294.7383
http://basi-italia.com

Basi Italia offers much more than basic Italian cuisine. Nestled in the heart Victorian Village, Basi is a secret spot that you don’t want to share with a mere casual acquaintance. The building Basi is based in began as a carriage house long ago. Over the years it fed the neighborhood as a carry out and a pizza shop. As a restaurant, Basi reflects the spirit, tastes and vision of husband and wife duo John Dornback and Trish Gentile.

The atmosphere at Basi mirrors the experience of dining in a friend’s home.
Instead of feeling cramped or crowded, all of Basi’s elements of ambiance come together to create a comfy and comfortable eating environment. Creative chair placement creates a cozy setting that seats thirty-eight souls; some patrons enter as strangers and leave as friends due to close proximity and an occasional impromptu shared bottle (or two) of vino. More than a few tables are intimately spaced and tightly tucked together. Seating is at a premium, on the weekends if you need to wait – it may be outside. The music is muted, the lights are low and the conversation is often subdued. Most tables offer a play-by-play view of the action in the kitchen as well as the banter back and forth between the servers and the chefs. The staff often sport Basi T-shirts and know many customers by name. A sharp eyed diner can often read the labels on the spices packed on the spice shelf while spying an entrée’s trip from stove top to plate.

The style and presentation of a meal is simple and innovative; relaxed and refined; and casual and elegant, all at the same time. The primo and secundo offerings infuse the standard Italian fare of pastas, pizzas and salads with a few culinary twists and turns plus a no holds barred use of the finest authentic ingredients. Goat cheese, Gorgonzola, fresh herbs and spices combine with imported meats and more to create memorable menus and enjoyable evenings.

Recent examples of meals to remember include: roasted beet carpaccio
(spiced walnuts, goat cheese and shallot vinaigrette), grilled ostrich fillet (butternut squash purée in fig-balsamic reduction), and frutti del mare (black tagliatelle, mixed seafood with saffron).

Have a fine dine at Basi.

A version of this review appeared in C-Bus Magazine – January/February 2008

Insider Tip – Basi is busy during the work week but not so busy that you would have to wait very long for a table – drop in on a Tuesday or Wednesday and you can probably get a spot as you stroll through the door.

A bit of history – Trish Gentile sent me a couple photos of the building that houses Basi – here is a blast from the buildings past, (circa 1947) as a grocery store.

Posted in restaurant reviews, Vegetarian Friendly | Tagged: Basi, Basi Italia | Leave a Comment »

Vegging Out at Whole World

Posted by CMH Gourmand on January 13, 2008

Whole World Bakery and Pizzeria
3269 North High Street
Clintonville – Corner of Longview and High

268.5751

Whole World will observe its’ thirtieth anniversary in February 2008. For many years, it was the only vegetarian restaurant in Columbus. In 1998 they updated their menu and deleted the few meat items that had been offered up to that point (offered for the sake of tolerance and diversity). Whole World has continued to prove that Cowlumbus can handle an all vegetarian restaurant (Neo V does the same).

For breakfast/brunch (Sunday only from 10 AM to 3 PM), go with an omelet (you have ten ingredients to choose from); add a whole grain English muffin to this and you may find peace. In addition to the standard Sunday brunch menu, two or three breakfast specials are offered. The Big Breakfast – two eggs, vegetarian sausage patties, vegetarian hash or over roasted potatoes (very good redskin potatoes) with choice of bread is another good option. They also whip up a nice vegetarian (mock) sausage gravy. A trademark of Whole World is a small side of fruit served with each main course (all meals), I think this is a nice touch.

The specials can be a good choice for lunch or dinner but they can be either hit or miss. The pizzas are good with some very daring combinations of ingredients such as the Oregon Apple (apple sauce, sliced apples, raisins, provolone, and sunflower seeds, and seasonings) try any of the pizzas and to live on the edge for a moment, however be prepared to wait over thirty minutes or more for your pie.

The soups are exceptional and served with your choice of (toasted) homemade bread. If you plan on eating anything else, order a cup of soup because a bowl is a meal in itself. There are typically 4-6 soup choices per day. The Broccoli Burger is a long standing favorite at most Columbus festivals.

The desserts are displayed in the service counter. There are many vegan friendly cookie choices as well as some brownies, cookie bars and whatnot. My favorite – which is not often available, is the Chocolate Peppermint Brownie. This rich, dense, blend of rich chocolate and peppermint filling takes my breath away each time and I gladly pay $2.50 without reservation.

If you are getting take out, add at least five minutes to the time stated for your order to be ready. You are dealing with a largely modern, urban hippy workforce so time is kind of relative. Those who are in the know go to pay their bill at the counter when finished to save time. The bathrooms are downstairs in the basement.

Whole World is a hang out for people who were hip before 1985. I find it to be a mecca of multicultural/alternative lifestyle types (kind of a mini Yellow Springs) which leads to good people watching with your meal. The recycled bowling lane tables are worth looking at. Local artists display their works on the walls for sale. There is no dress code for patrons but employees must be pierced or tattooed. Please seat yourself when you enter.

Occasionally, I feel Whole World is overpriced. Sometimes, I find the specials a bit disappointing. Recently I noticed that they are charging for tap water… quite a bit, without advance notification. However, the whole has always been greater than the sum of the parts at Whole World and they serve some of the most unique soups in town.

Posted in bakery, breakfast, pizza, restaurant reviews, Vegetarian Friendly | Tagged: Whole World | 3 Comments »

Banana Bean Brunch Buzz

Posted by CMH Gourmand on October 25, 2007

This review is long overdue.

Banana Bean Cafe
410 East Whittier (Schumacher Place /Merion Village / German Village)

Second Location as of September 22nd, 2008
340 Greenlawn
Columbus
614.443.2262

Banana Bean Cafe

Closed Monday
Tuesday – Friday
Lunch 11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Dinner 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday
Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch 9 am – 3 pm

(Reservations strongly suggested)

This cozy, low-key café has quickly became a favorite destination for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner in spite of a slightly off the beaten path location and scaled down hours of service. Banana Bean’s menu is a funky fusion of Floribbean flavors combining the cuisines of Cuba, Jamaica, the Caribbean and Key West. Peachy terra cotta style walls, a Conch Republic flag and a live TV feed from the Hogs Breath Tavern, an infamous Key West fixture, fuse with other fun elements to establish an atmosphere that transports diners far south of Interstate 70.

Different tastes blend together to create many memorable menu items. The Arnold Palmer is a mix of iced tea and lemonade, the perfect beverage for the undecided. The #1 Little Havana Cubano is among the number one best sellers for lunch. This sandwich stacks citrus kissed pork tenderloin and sweet bolo ham with Emmenthaler Swiss cheese, dill pickle slices and Dijon in between two crunchy slices of Cuban bread.

Since the majority of the menu is available all day, it is agonizing to decide among the eclectic choices but one “Bruncher” item is a must any time, even as a default desert. Bananas Foster French Toast features thick slices of Cuban style bread perfectly transformed into French Toast with fresh berries; Captain Morgan spiced rum sauce, bananas, and a dollop of whipped cream.

The crepes can be a meal or a dessert, or whatever – again the is the perfect place for the undecided – since many elements of the menu are interchangable.

The hours and the size of the cafe can sometimes be a challenge – but it is worth the wait if there is one. The service is top notch and friendly. The Bean is a must visit and probably one of the best Columbus has to offer for casual cuisine.

Funky Fact: The Patina of Key West??

Patina, that’s what the sign says, I looked up patina and googled it but could not get a precise answer, so I e-mailed the owners.

what the owners say –
“patina” in the literal sense is brought on by exposure to certain atmospheric elements; we feel that our patrons, therefore, are exposed to the elements and atmosphere of establishments that one would find in South Florida/Key West, i.e., our menu, etc…

What you need to know….

You won’t get wasted away in Margaritaville here – there is no alcohol available on the menu.

Vegetarian Monte Cristo

A version of this appears in C-Bus Magazine.

Posted in CLOSED, restaurant reviews, restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly | Tagged: Banana Bean Cafe | 4 Comments »

A few more bytes on Northstar (Clintonville) – The S factor, breakfast and a sandwich for skeptics

Posted by CMH Gourmand on April 28, 2007

Surprise – much more ado about Northstar

Northstar Kitchen

I have been paying attention to how Northstar operates in my weekly visits. I was eating there just before closing tonight.The owners do everything right. I noticed they were eating together, talking about the day and very clearly enjoying what they have created. It is inspiring when two people can find a passion, follow through on it and see it be wildly successful. Awesome!

So this is what I have noticed about Northstar – the S Factor.

Subtle: No big sign – just a name painted on the door. The prices are all off kilter with the rest of the restaurant world – $1.88, 7.96, 6.79 – these guys think out of the box.

Simple: The menu is small. The ingredients are basic. The decor is cool but not over the top – it reminds me of IKEA or the kind of functional efficiency I expect to find in Switzerland.

Service: Everyone is NICE! You order at the counter, take a number and your food is brought to you. I have yet to encounter a Northstar employee that was not fully focused on making the dining experience anything other than great.

Saving the Planet: Local suppliers when possible. Recycled paper napkins. Northstar is a member of 1% for The Planet – so 1% of their profits goes to good things.

BREAKFAST IS SERVED

The Clintonville Northstar is now serving breakfast – Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM and Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM to 3 PM.

Here is the menu:

Granola with Vanilla Yogurt

Sweet Potato Hash

Turkey
Red Peppers
Sweet Onions
Sunny side up egg
Sweet potatoes

Big Burrito
Eggs
Black beans
Red peppers
Onions
Sweet potatoes
White cheddar

add bacon or sausage – 1.88

Cloud 9 Pancakes
Riccota cheee pancakes with maple syrup

Egg Sandwich
Egg with white cheddar cheese on a biscuit

Add bacon or sausage – 1.88

Other Items:

Praline Scone (the best I have ever had)

Ham and Cheese Scone

Morning Glory Muffin

Peanut Butter cookie

Chocolate Truffle cookie

A simple sandwich for Northstar skeptics

Turkey Dandwich

I sometimes have to lure people into Northstar because of concerns that the restaurant might be some kind of “vegetarian, hippy, tree hugger, granola munching place”. My best weapon for that kind of mindset is pictured above.

House Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich

marinated peppers

greens

rosemary aloli

turkey

add bacon

served on hefty house made bread bound with a thick toothpick

served with roasted peanut slaw

Ok – the peanut slaw might throw someone off – but it can be replaced with a side of torilla chips if the slaw is too freaky.

Final note – my Northstar wish list is growing. I still want to see soup – soup really is good food. Also – if two items from my departed and beloved Galaxy Cafe could be added (Ricky Barnes are you reading?) – I would be in heaven. I crave black bean hummus with garlic sauce and Adobo eggs with jalepeno cornbread. A Gourmand can dream – (an when he does – it is about food.)

Posted in breakfast, kid friendly dining, restaurant reviews, restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly | 4 Comments »

The Case of the Purloined Painting…The Loch Ness Carrot

Posted by CMH Gourmand on April 22, 2007

Have you seen me?

Loch Ness Carrot

(An Alana’s side note).

For background see the February Review of Alana’s

Alana’s offers a traveling art show. Periodically some of Alana’s art disappears and then comes back after a short journey – kind of like an errant garden gnome. The Loch Ness Carrot has disappeared three times. After each abduction it was returned via US mail, wrapped in cheesecloth with a note included about the travels and travails of the painting. A different work of art was appropriated by an inebriated patron. It was returned the next day and hidden behind a shrub. The culprit left a very long, repentant phone message explaining the circumstances and details of the crime to Alana.

These purloined paintings are the work of local artist Paul Volker.

Paul Volker

Pie in the Sky

If you have ever pilfered from a restaurant – post a comment.

Posted in restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly | 1 Comment »

Northstar Cafe (CLINTONVILLE)…Is Open!!!!!!!!

Posted by CMH Gourmand on February 27, 2007

Northstar Cafe (The Clintonville Edition)

4241 North High Street (just south of Henderson Road)

614.784.2233

The Northstar Cafe did a stealth opening on March 1st or 2nd. The Grand Opening will be April 22nd (Earth Day). Breakfast should start by then as well.

I was not really stalking the new location – but I did drive by several times per day. These were my impressions of the place peeking in a few nights before it opened.

The inside has the same coolness yet spartan elegance of the the Short North Northstar with a few refinements.

The flow of space looks better. There are four large open ended booth-like tables that look like they would sit 8-10 people and two small nook booths that look like they will sit 4-6. Expect to see the Gourmand there with his various food support groups dining away in bliss.

It has sometimes been a struggle to seat larger groups at the other location so looks like that was fixed for Northstar II. There is ample, easy parking in the back (much easier than the Short North location). The kitchen looks bigger – so maybe a slightly expanded menu (please serve me soup!). I can’t wait – so stay tuned for a review or several of them since I can ride my bike there in about 3 minutes. Yipee!!

Outside Northstar

Expect a full review after the grand opening – I will be there about once per week until then. Post your comments and share your own thoughts about the new Northstar until then. Thanks.

And some more info from a new Blog on the scene.

Offbeat Columbus

(Post Posting)

I dropped in for dinner on March 6th – it was wonderful – the love affair continues! See my earlier review of the Short North Northstar (September 2006) for more about the food.

(Post Post Posting)

I dropped in again for dinner on March 21st. One of our items was delayed because they ran out of chicken – so we opted to pinch hit with tofu. For our trouble – we were given two coupons for free entrees. And every employee we spoke to raved about the restaurant and the owners – Northstar has some serious good karma building.

Posted in restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly | Tagged: Northstar Cafe | 10 Comments »

I Like Alana’s A Lot

Posted by CMH Gourmand on February 19, 2007

Alanas

Alana’s (Food and Wine)
2333 North High Street
614 294 6783

Alana’s website

When the local media list the best restaurants in Columbus we always see Handke’s, The Refectory, M and the most recent flavor of the week. A name often falling off the radar is a restaurant that has equal pedigree – Alana’s. Since opening in 1999 it has built a great reputation with local gourmets, gourmands, gastronauts, foodies, and others that have a passion for food.

Alana Shock seems to be an artist at heart and this is reflected in the creativity of the cuisine and in the décor of her restaurant. While her background does include art – it also includes experience as a chef for Emeril Lagasse in New Orleans.

Alana’s is housed in an old house just north of the University District. The outdoor patio is busy in the summertime although the view of COTA buses passing by may be less than ideal. The inside is brightly colored and features art from local artists on display for sale. A small, comfortable wine bar is located in the back. The servers are professionals who care about the food and the service they provide. The atmosphere is informal but you can expect the extras you would find in a fine dining establishment. Diners can usually expect to see Alana popping out of the kitchen to check on guests and she will sometimes offer a small taste of what she is working on.

I wish I could list some suggested dishes however the menu changes constantly since the focus is on fresh seasonal ingredients that are locally obtained when possible. These are the things you can expect everytime: a choice of exceptional soups; new and innovative cocktails; an impressive wine list; an array of tempting selections on the cheese plate (from Curds and Whey) and several entrees that will make it hard to choose just one. Desserts are always exceptional and when paired with ice cream – expect it from Jeni’s. There are always plenty of vegetarian and vegan offerings as well as mouth watering meats for carnivores.

For the sake of example here are a couple selections from a recent menu:

Roasted Ruby Beets and Watercress with a Baklava of Feta, Pistachios and Cashew Drizzled with Fig Balsamic

Duck Breast with Kabocha Pumpkin Polenta, Collard Greens and a Bing Cherry Demi Glase

For fun and education – Alana’s offers Degustation Dining . Before you freak out – this is just a fancy term for a sampling menu. Typically, this is presented as several small presentations of favorite dishes paired with specific wines. If this sounds interesting call ahead and see what Alana has in mind.

Alana’s is not cheap, two people can expect to pay about $80 to $100 or more if you pick an expensive wine but it is worth it.

Alana's parking

Posted in restaurant reviews, restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly, wine | Tagged: Alana's | 4 Comments »

Hot Soups for the Cold Days

Posted by CMH Gourmand on February 11, 2007

It is so #@*^%*ing COLD! I am sick of this hemisphere. The Gourmand has been roaming around Columbus eating… I mean researching. Here are some soup suggestions that will keep you warm until the thaw.

Chile Verde Icy window

GREEN CHILE STEW

Chile Verde Cafe
4852 Sawmill Rd

Carriage Place Shopping Center / Sawmill and Bethel
614.442.6630

The Green Chili Stew is one of the best items I have had in the last month. It is a mix of sirloin, round cut carrots, potatoes, green chiles, and jalapenos topped with cheese. The stew has a real kick, I loved it.

WEDDING SOUP

Cafe del Mondo
1885 W. 5 th Ave.
Marble Cliff (about 3/4 mile west of Grandview Ave)
614.488.1885

My Italian heritaged friends complain about the lack of real wedding soup in Columbus. Cafe del Mondo is very serious about supplying authentic Italian ingredients and this focus shines through in their wedding soup. This is the type of soup you would expect someone’s grandma from Youngstown to throw together. It has homemade mini meatballs swimming in a perfect chicken broth. The cafe was picked as one of the best restaurants in the recent issue of Columbus Monthly.

SOUPS OF THE DAY

Whole World Natural Restaurant
3269 N. High St
Clintonville

614.268.5751

Service and specials can be hit or miss here. The dreadlocked, ultra alternative, tortured artist staff can have a very hippy approach to everything here but they always offer 4-6 soups that vary from good to excellent. Soups change daily.

And if you are or have a vegan or vegetarian in your life, you need to know about the Happy Cow website – here is the review of Whole World.

Happy Cow reviews

Posted in restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly | 1 Comment »

Starliner Diner – nothing finer…..

Posted by CMH Gourmand on November 2, 2006

Starliner Diner
5240 Cemetery Road
Hilliard, Ohio 43206

614.529.1198

Starliner Diner Link
Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Friday • Saturday
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
5:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Sunday
9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Monday
Closed

I hate driving to Hilliard, I only do so from one reason – Starliner Diner. I never get tired of the menu. For most of us there is no quick or easy way to make a journey there, unless you live in Hilliard or just love to drive. From central Columbus, one must travel over the river and through the strip malls, and still drive a bit more, before arriving. The journey is a taste of suburbia and urban sprawl but the destination is worth the effort.

The genesis of the Starliner Diner began when Jerry Burgos – rocketed away from The Galaxy Cafe (my favorite restaurant of all time – gone for many years now). For years, people debated whether Starliner Diner or The Galaxy was better. The answer is they were both equals – the influences, attitude, and atmosphere were so similar but had enough subtle differences to give each an identity of their own. The food is a fusion of Cuban/Tex-Mex/diner cooking styles. The Starliner features eclectic furnishing, mismatched tableware, a space themed mural on the wall, and assorted flea marketesque everything else. Since this is South of the Border fare, the sounds of Spanish coming from the kitchen gives me a good feeling. The serving staff is a mix of young and middle-aged folks, as are the patrons.

I have enjoyed anything ever served for breakfast here. The Huevos Rancheros and Breakfast Burritos are among the best in the Columbus metropolitan area. Several breakfast specials are offered which vary by the day. These specials are so good; I have been prevented from fully exploring other items on the regular breakfast menu. The Crabcakes are my favorite breakfast special – two crabcakes swimming in black beans, covered by two poached eggs, with red salsa on one cake and green on the other. The sweet potato omelet is a close second.

(above – sweet potato omelet, with homefries and cuban toast)

An array of appetizers helps pass the time while you struggle and ponder on which main course to get. The Quesadillas are a personal favorite and the Sweet Potato Tamales are worth a taste, if just to support this unappreciated tuber.

The dinner selections include pizzas, pastas, and large plates of food in various combinations. The Media Noche – a traditional Cuban sandwich, with pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard on a grilled bun is a safe introduction to Cuban cuisine. For something more traditional the Cuban Style Roast Chicken, seems to please the meek of palate. The pizza and pasta category choices include – Cheeseless Veggie Pizza , Chicken BBQ pizza and one of my favorites pasta dishes, Vegetable Caliente – Mixed vegetables, smoked chipotle cream sauce tossed with spinach fettuccini. There is something for everyone (from conservative redneck to liberal culinary snob) on the menu. You will also find exceptional plantains as an appetizer or as a side with some dishes.

The Starliner is the type of place, which people could drive by, or even take a quick peek at then decide to head down the road for a more familiar meal. However, once someone makes it through the door, they are hooked.

Posted in breakfast, Diners, restaurant reviews, restaurants, Vegetarian Friendly | Tagged: Starliner Diner | 4 Comments »

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