The Barn; Decadent Dining

Exquisitely remodeled from the old Hoggy's, The Barn has transcended expectations and transformed into an intimate, classy bar and restaurant for upscale diners. BBQ connoisseurs will enjoy their various and numerous cuts of meat that are made precisely to your liking. Before we delve into the main course, let's discuss appetizers, which you can't go wrong with any of them here. We devoured the baked oysters bingo- I have never eaten anything of the like, other than raw oysters, which are on a whole other level and cannot even be compared. I could have ordered another round of these delicious bite-size apps. We shared a basket of ribs, which then turned into two baskets, as the meat slipped right off the bone and melted in your mouth; you couldn't stop after just one. The spicy sauerkraut balls were wonderful, even coming from someone who was never a fan of sauerkraut, the combination of flavors was pleasantly appealing to the palate. In case you particularly enjoy having some vegetables and dip before your meal, or cheese and a few pickles, there is a small plate bar with all of these options that you can grab at your own discretion.

 I highly recommend sipping on a Bourbon Hemingway, especially if you prefer your bourbon to have a lighter feel to it with citrus bursts, specifically grapefruit that provides just enough tart to make the drink wonderfully balanced.  I haven't ordered a filet mignon in years, as most of the time I more readily order scallops or fresh, wild-caught fish, but let me tell you I was delighted with my choice (a 6.oz filet)! It was cooked to perfection, with all of it's juicy tenderness intact, and I never even bothered to use the sauce as the seasoning was exceptional on it's own. The asparagus was tender and well seasoned, which preparing these until they are just right can prove to be difficult and many restaurants get them plain wrong by serving them tough and dried out. There were no complaints from the other seven people in my party that night, I swear a hush came over the table as we all took in our plates and immersed ourselves in the magnificent dish in front of us. The service was great, and if another server noticed that we were out of drinks, they didn't hesitate to come and replenish our waters or bring us another beverage. The timing of the dishes arriving to our table was not delayed, nor did we ever wonder where our appetizers/dinner/desserts were since they came out at a pleasant pace, so as to not rush us or keep us waiting. Their after dinner drinks were phenomenal and hit the spot.

Do not pass on the dessert! Every item on the menu was remarkable and came highly recommended by the server, no surprise there as they all made my mouth-water just reading the descriptions. I have a soft spot for coconut cake and this was by far the best I have ever eaten; it was extremely moist and was very much complimented by the chocolate sauce. Each bite was savory and just sweet enough without being over powering. You can tell they were baked fresh and were days from becoming stale, whereas some restaurants leave you pondering over the actual date the desserts were baked. The creme brûlée was the special for the night, it's presentation was definitely aesthetically pleasing and inviting to your taste buds. Many creme brûlées can be too sweet, if not paired with a tart fruit or topping, but they mastered the art of flavor combinations by adding blueberries and lemon zest atop mint leaves. It had a very rich taste that had me going back for more after each bite and I was rather disappointed when the dish was empty, regardless of the fact that I was entirely too full! The Barn lived up to every expectation as a Cameron Mitchell concept and then went beyond with its unparalleled flavor profile from the starters to the decadent desserts. I'd be crazy not to recommend this place to every one of my clients in the area, as it outshines most, if not all, of the restaurants nearby.

Feel free to share your experience at this restaurant; the more the merrier!

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Mellow Mushroom; a Hit or Miss Experience

A hot new spot recently opened up on Market Street in New Albany, the Mellow Mushroom has locals buzzing about having another sit down restaurant within the square, giving them another option other than Rusty Bucket- but is the craze mirrored by a great dining experience? I'd have to say that with my two previous visits, it is hard to tell due to inconsistent service, and what I've heard about other's experiences hasn't been too promising.

My first visit was a Sunday (Fun-day) at noon, and the place was relatively busy with most tables filled or filling up quickly as people filed in and the bar was packed with sports fans. We luckily had no wait and were seated immediately, our server arrived within 5 minutes to get our drink order, I had what they call a Moscow Mule- however, it was unlike any I had before, and that wasn't a good thing- while Jake had a beer (so no complaints there). It did take about 10 minutes to get our drinks, and as a busy restaurant they probably should have had another bartender to help serve more people so the order to wait (time) ratio was lower. Other than that, our service was pretty good besides the fact that our waitress seemed to forget quite a bit and had to return to our table to ask again, but being a busy Sunday, it was understandable since she was covering too many tables than a server should have, in my opinion. We shared the dough bite appetizer, which were balls of dough with three different dipping sauces, and they were rather scrumptious and well seasoned. Now to the main course: I had an artichoke pizza with white sauce, that was quite delicious but it could have used more artichokes and not have been so skimpy (because who wants to pay for a one topping with two pieces of the topping on each slice? Not me.)  The price is quite high for mixed drinks and I definitely would not recommend the mule, as it was very watered down and was not made like most mules (or put into a copper mug, which is how I expect one to be served!) It lacked mint and lime, two of the main ingredients and tastes needed to successfully pull of this drink! For the price, which I believe was close to $10 it came in a small glass, half filled with ice, and was not worth it.

Arriving on a weekday around 4pm, my mom and I were quickly seated, as we were the only customers in the building at this time. We were waited on almost immediately, and she continued to check-up on us until we were ready to order, and was very patient with us as we got carried away in our conversation. I debated on ordering a drink, due to my last experience, and decided that I would give it another try since I assumed it was Happy Hour (even though it is not posted anywhere on the menu or on the table signs). I ordered their margarita, which normally is $8. The server comes back to our table and says the bartender wants to know whether I want a strawberry garnish or a lime garnish, I say strawberry (thinking that it simply meant the GARNISH); she then returns again, asks if I want a salt or sugar rim, I reply, "sugar". She then brings me back a Strawberry margarita (which I didn't even see as an option under the margarita), but I don' complain since it already took 10 minutes to get it. Maybe it was wrong of me to assume, but when you order a margarita and you don't ask for it to be flavored, even if I ask for a different garnish since you gave me the choice, it does not mean that I want my drink order changed! Silly, silly error if you ask me.. It comes out in a small glass that is tiny at the bottom and expands outward as it goes up- therefore, I am already feeling ripped off thinking that this glass that just fits in my hand cost me $8- luckily, I later found out it was happy hour and it was $5, but still...If you enjoy a drink with your meal, this isn't the place to go, unless you drink beer and from now on that will be my choice of drink if we return. When you compare them to Rusty Bucket's cocktails, they don't even stand a chance, and Mellow Mushroom's are much more expensive! However, we were delighted by the bruschetta appetizer, as the bread was perfectly done and had an excellent buttery tone which complimented the bitterness of the balsamic. Our mega-veggie pizza wasn't my favorite, as it was missing some very basic seasoning that could have magnified the flavor profile of the pizza.

Overall, it was alright, but I was not wow'ed by this experience either; there is really nothing pulling me back to this restaurant. My brother and his friends had such poor service that he said it would be the first and last time they attempt to eat here, as it took 20 minutes to be seated (when it wasn't extremely packed, rather they were ignored), then after being seated it took another 15 minutes to get drink orders (just soda) and quite some time before they were brought out. Their pizza order wasn't taken until 40 minutes in, and in all they spent about two hours here, just due to the time they had to wait to order and receive their food. The ambiance and character is the one thing I think it really has going for it, as it is one of a kind. The painting's on the wall and the decor really stand out among the other eateries. If you're looking for a place for a good pizza and a beer, this may be a good place to stop in, and from my experiences I have learned to go for more of the normal and less unusual of the pizza combinations. For families with children it could make for a fun environment to have an enjoyable pizza night, as the kids can be amused by the tree and lighting in the dining room, along with the colorful characters painted on the walls.

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Hofbrauhaus: Cheers and Beers!

 Hofbrauhaus: a purely german experience for all to embrace and enjoy, regardless of an individual's heritage. The rich history behind the origination of the first brew house, shared on the back of the menu, will have you intrigued and (if you live in Columbus) will give you a sense of pride associated with being a part of this magical piece of the past, as it has only two locations in Ohio, and limited locations in the U.S!

If you're looking for some weekend excitement, this is the place you will want to stop in for a beer, or two. Check out their beer selection here: http://hofbrauhauscolumbus.com/the-bier/. If you like something with less of a hop taste, and have a sweet palette, try the Hefe Weizen Radler- my ultimate favorite beer- which I crave on the regular. It is filled with fruit flavors and has a light hop to it, but the mix of lemonade is really what makes this beer "Oh, so Fabulous".  This isn't your average bar scene, with family style seating (benches and long tables) and accordion players livening up the atmosphere, it is truly a one of a kind experience that will have you coming back as often as you possibly can! It can get pretty rowdy on those weekend nights, so leave the kids at home. Any other day, it can make for a great adventure; you're almost guaranteed to have loads of fun. The rowdy crowd makes the night as people begin to get up and dance on the benches and tables (all the while watching their step to avoid any food). On my next trip there, as long as there are 3-4 of us, we are certainly taking shots- they are served on a ski's (yes, snow ski's as in winter sports) and with some team work involved, everyone tips back and takes one back! Exhilarating, from what I can tell.

After eating this rich, heavy meal you will be looking to dance off some calories anyhow; or if you're like me, you'll be ready for a nap! If you aren't there to get bogged down with food, their appetizers are the perfect size for groups and will leave you more than satisfied. Be experimental: try out the "Yard" sampler, but do not leave without having some sauerkraut balls and potato pancakes with applesauce! I have only had one bad experience here and it certainly was not related to the food. Every time I go, I HAVE to have the Heidelberger Rahm Spatzle, even typing it makes my mouth water... if you intend on making several trips, at least try this out once. You may even feel the need to come back the next day and order some more, if your stomach can handle that. Jake is always raving about their sausages and I would definitely say it's within reason, they come in a variety of different styles and plate combos. The purple apple sauerkraut on the other hand was not too appetizing to us, that is. Our one bad service experience occurred on a Sunday, which we got there around the time the open and were seated immediately. Then another group was seated in the same area, and the server came to get their drink orders, before ours, and returned with their drinks before even acknowledging us. Rude. So after watching the waiter return, and hearing a group of servers and staff behind us just chatting it up outside of the kitchen, we decided to simply move to the bar, which was in our best interest. We immediately were taken care of, drinks came right up and we were able to place our orders on our time. Keep in mind, they were not busy at this time. This bartender has become our favorite and we usually try to sit at the bar on most occasions.

Another small complaint I have was from our last visit, on a relatively busy night with a seemingly packed house. As we ordered a round of beer, the server checks ID, taking a thorough look over Jake's (which I completely understand) then he takes mine, looks at it, looks back at me, then back at my ID... this happens a few times.. and I hope you can just picture the absolute awkwardness of the situation. I am turning 24 this month, I doubt to most people that I look younger than 21, but to him I must have. He then asks me if I dyed my hair, which in my ID pic from when I was 19 (since I had lost it previously and had to replace it) showed me with dark brown hair, a hideous-orange glow of a tan, and I had lost about 45lbs since that time, making a significant difference in my face, especially. I told him that I dyed my hair quite often (come on, what woman doesn't unless she has ridiculously beautiful locks already)... then he questioned my birth date, saying " March 26th..." and trailing off waiting for me to say the year. So I did, with some irritation showing in my voice. After that, he hands back my ID and says "OK"... five minutes later a security guard is standing next to our table with his back to us, but looks back over his shoulder as the server whispers into his ear. Jake and I had quite a laugh about the entire thing, but clearly people change, looks and all, I have never been confronted or asked about my ID until this night, and I took it as quite an insult. I would understand if I had been with a larger group of people or if I was being rambunctious but sitting there with my boyfriend on a Saturday night, I was just blind-sided.


Overall, it is an intensely welcoming place to soak in some German culture, take back a cold one (usually a liter at a time, if you dare) and make memories with good friends, family, and loved ones. If you have someone visiting from out of town who partakes in drinking a few beers and prefers to have a great time, then this is the place to take them! The less shy you are here, the better, and the more you'll really get out of the entire experience. Hofbrauhaus definitely has a community of it's own, go join in!

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Crafty Pints: The Brunch Hour

Craft Pints is a deceitfully charming place, with the outside looking like a run-down tap room, you would never guess that the inside would be tastefully decorated with rustic pieces centered around the almighty bourbon. I'd like to point out that if you go on Sunday, make sure you are looking at the Brunch menu (which may not be up to mobile standards, as we thought we were going to be eating the regular lunch/dinner menu), but it wasn't such a disaster. With less options, it was slightly disappointing, only until I tried one of the items on the menu that washed down all of the regret I had felt earlier.

I think for most people around central Ohio, it is worth the drive if you enjoy venturing out of the norm and trying new things (food in particular). We went a little crazy on ordering appetizers, as we came mainly for the small plates that they unfortunately don't have for brunch on Sunday's, so we tried their Honey Bourbon Wings (two thumbs-up by the way), Pork Pot Skins (which we will pass on next time), and the hand rolled pretzel braids. The wings were simply delicious, the sauce was the perfect amount of sweetness although they could have been cooked for less time to leave some of the natural juices in them, but really there were no complaints from either my boyfriend or myself. The pork pot skins were rather bland, came cold, and were just not that great all around- it could be that it was too much potato for me and it overwhelmed the dish. Now, the hand rolled pretzel braids were fabulous, especially with the beer cheese. Rarely do we ever take home bread to eat later, but this was truly an exception to our unwritten rule.

As you know by now, we like to enjoy our meals out with a beer or mixed drink as it takes our level of exploration to the next level since we get a well-rounded experience of all of their services they have to offer. The draft menu had countless options and seemed like it would have an option for each and every different type of beer drinker, from IPA's to Amber's to Stout's, and more. Jake enjoyed his beer, but couldn't help himself and just HAD to have some of their bourbon (thanks to the subliminal messages hanging from every wall ;)) Crazy enough, they didn't have a list of their bourbons and the waitress had to write them down for him (which was awfully kind). He was thrilled with his alcohol choices, but mine on the other hand were a shade away from me asking for another drink, at least the Bloody Mary was- the Mimosa was not top notch but it went well with my meal, but it could do without the ice... The bloody mary had little taste and I found myself needing to add a good deal of pepper to it (I wouldn't have cared if the bar tender had gotten carried away with the tobasco either since mine seemed to be lacking any sense of spiciness). No pickle either, which is a complete fail to me!

Our meals were phenomenal, I even caught myself saying that it was the best breakfast I have ever been served! The Mimosa French Toast was absolutely to die for and had me savoring every single bite. Sweet orange bread topped with champagne whipped cream, my oh my my tastebuds were in Heaven! (For anyone who has ever had the joy of tasting Orange Crunch cake from The Bubble Room- or elsewhere- this is exactly what it tasted like!) I MUST find this recipe, or else we will be making a trip every Sunday for these little delights. I seriously could rave about these all day, you simply have to try these if you even have the slightest sweet tooth. Waffle time. Jake got the waffle that had red velvet doughnut glaze drizzled on it and it was nothing short of fantastic, granted the waffle could have used some butter to soften it up but once he added some syrup, it was end of story. He wasn't as starry eyed as I was, but his belly was surely satisfied. We will definitely be bringing our out of town guests here for an excellent brunch in the future!

Readers: my goal in writing restaurant reviews is to help you avoid the mistakes in ordering that we made, since the cost can be quite expensive especially when you find out you would have rather spent it on another item, and to give you 100% real feedback about the quality of the food and service so that you can (hopefully) have the same experience that I had, or neglect going to the places that may not deserve your stomach-space!

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Sushi, Sushi, Sushi

Asian Gourmet

Sushi En versus Asian Gourmet in a sushi and experience breakdown. Atmosphere wise, Asian Gourmet takes the cake (or the fortune cookie, if you will). The serene and welcoming foyer invites you in, while dividers that are styled with frosted glass and designs allow for a more intimate dining experience as it separates the bar area and entrance from the rest of the tables. It has an authentic feel which provides a unique dining experience. Their service alone will allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy your time without a single complaint. They are quick to get the items that you ask for and they always seem to have a smile on their face, which is a rare thing to come by in restaurant service these days ergo it is worth mentioning.

Sushi En had a completely different vibe... and it wasn't a positive one. Walking in, I felt claustrophobic as we practically walked into the hostess stand and directly to the left of us were small table settings (and on a cold day I had my fingers crossed to not be sat there, near the door). The tables were extremely close to each other and with no music going in the background it made for a slightly awkward experience since I knew the four tables around us could hear our entire conversation. Definitely lacking intimacy. Unfortunately, there were two doors to the restaurant and the table we ended up at was actually blocking the second entrance, meaning a chilling draft was consistently hitting me. Warm sake couldn't heat me up enough. The service was subpar, the server got straight to the point and did not seem to want to smile that day as he asked in a monotone voice what we would like to order, etc. Overall, a chilling experience from the draft to the staff.

Sushi En, Lobster Roll

To the important subject: SUSHI! Asian Gourmet has a great deal of variety in their rolls (and other food) while Sushi En was slightly limited and I couldn't quite find the right roll for me. At Asian Gourmet, I ordered Tuna Nigiri and the Firecrunch roll (that has tuna in it)- so if you couldn't already tell, I have a thing for tuna- I devoured both of my choices and wasn't going to leave any on the plate (how wasteful would that be?) Great sushi should never be left to be discarded. BUT, the sushi that is not so tasteful, well that can be left behind. At Sushi En, we were left with no choice but to leave some of our lobster roll on the plate, which was extremely disappointing since they were awarded four stars by Columbus Dispatch and had raving reviews. The roll was enormous, so getting the taste of everything that makes the roll was impossible, unless you didn't mind looking like a cow chewing their food. It left an unbalanced taste in my mouth and had an overwhelming seafood-y taste which is normally equalled out by the cucumber or avocado- but they simply had too much lobster stuffed into it- in my opinion, they should have split it into more rolls instead of just six and it would have been the perfect amount in each. Sadly enough, it just didn't sit right on the palate. In the case of the tuna nigiri we ordered, those were demolished and almost fought over. I even ordered another one once we finished the four we ordered. The blue fin tuna was not bad, but not to my liking either, so that was just based on preference. (But you can't really mess up any nigiri, raw sushi atop rice and its ready to go). We tried the red snapper nigiri and I was unaware that the fish would be so tough and so different from the tuna (how naive) but if that is a texture that works for you then you may find yourself rather enjoying it. If you are someone who prefers sushi rolls, I would avoid Sushi En.

Sushi En

As far as price was concerned, they were both pretty equal, with Sushi En being only slightly more expensive. I know for a fact, we won't be heading back to Polaris for Sushi En anytime soon, my preference will always lie with Asian Gourmet until I am able to find a place that has the same reasonable pricing but can provide a thriller of a dining experience to top their's.

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Melt: The Sandwich of Your Childhood, All Grown-up

After the opening of Melt at Easton, the buzz about these scrumptious sandwiches has taken over the area. The Downtown location is a smashing success, so it doesn't surprise me that when word got out about it coming into town for the folks who would rather not take a trip into the downtown atmosphere, it was a hit as well. For the first couple of weekends, it was practically impossible to get in, unless perhaps you would like to wait for 30-45 minutes for a table to open up. The most catchy thing about the place has to be the decor, bright pumpkins and snowmen sit atop the back of the bar wall, smiling and shining bright as you enjoy your meal; it is decor like no other.

Take heed when ordering though, the sandwiches will most likely be more than you can handle in one sitting so it makes the perfect meal for two, especially if you enjoy partaking in the appetizers ( which I HIGHLY recommend the buffalo tofu "wings"). Or it makes a great meal for later, just heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake it open faced; it'll come out as if it was just served! Back to the tofu wings, men- don't fret or fear, these oddly taste like the real thing, but  have a different texture in comparison. My boyfriend, a fan of buffalo wings, would order these every time we go, and I will never say no! As for the sandwich I recommend, my top pick is the peanut butter, honey, & banana melt (as long as you have a palate for the sweet and salty combo). One bit into it and you will be savoring every little last morsels on your tastebuds, because no joke- this is like a dessert in lunch/dinner form. I always asked for these as a kid (partially because "Face" from Nickelodeon said they were his favorite- if you're a 90's baby, I hope you know who I am referring to) and now it is all grown-up and better than I ever remembered!

I also particularly enjoyed the "After School Special" with fried Bologna, although I could barely get the sandwich to fit in my mouth due to the mere size of the toppings (which is no complaint, by any means)- the more the merrier. It beats B-Spot's bologna, hands-down. However, the Monte Cristo is another story altogether. If you're in the mood for a heavy, put yourself to sleep, kind of meal then this might be for you- it is almost every type of meat with some melted cheese on two slices of Texas toast (I believe) which is then DEEP FRIED. Try and wrap your head (and mouth) around that. Quite a different approach, but I was not a fan of this one, too much breading for my liking. But if fried food is your kryptonite, this may be calling your name.

To wash down your crazy-delicious sandwich, add a cold beer from their numerous brands on draft or bottles and if you aren't big on alcoholic beverages, they have some unique soda choices that I haven't seen at many other restaurants. All in all, it is an amusing atmosphere to dine in and the decadent, grown-up grilled cheeses will have you coming back time and time again. Feel free to share your experience and recommendations!

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Cork with a side of Orchids; The Scent of Romance

Valentine's Day... A holiday to celebrate love and romance, or as my boyfriend would say, a day to celebrate me and do whatever it is I please since, to him, it is a day all about the ladies. (read with a sarcastic tone). Of course I ignored his sarcasm and completely embraced my lady power I was granted for this day, ergo- we winded up at Cork and the Franklin Park Conservatory. My main draw to visit the conservatory was the annual Orchid exhibits, being that they are one of my favorite flowers, but I can't say I was all that impressed. If it wasn't for the chocolate and alcohol pairings, I may have left in a state near depression and close to disappointment. But, let's go over one of the most decadent, intimate restaurant's in town, that Jake and I have become extremely fond of, either because of the charming service or the delightfully tasty small plates that we can devour in no time; without a glimpse of hunger left. Plus, you'll get to enjoy a nice full-bodied wine, if thats what you prefer, that simply balances the meal of your choice.

Cork, with its romantic setting, dim lights and only a few tables in the small location, it gives you a feeling similar to that of eating a nice dinner in the comfort of your home. The relaxing atmosphere allows you to sit back, lift your glass of wine, cheers to your loved one, and take in every moment... without the rush of waiters bustling by or being asked what you'd like for your meal 10x before you're absolutely ready. There are two waitresses that have worked there since it has opened and they have been nothing but kind and helpful each time we have gone, giving us valuable recommendations for meals and wines to try. For us wine lovers, there is an entire wall filled with different kinds of vino that may have you staring in wonder, and they don't break the bank (which is a high-point for us, as we try to stick to our strict budget and indulge ourselves at times, too). Our all-time most delectable plates there, that are highly recommended, are: the veal meatballs, fondue, and prosciutto wrapped shrimp. The truffle bacon popcorn was rather a disappointment, but it could have been that ours was overcooked and dry, instead of being fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth the way popcorn should be. They also had a special appetizer, mussels in a marinara sauce, that had a very savory taste but the sauce could have been thicker since it seemed to be the bread that gave it the well-rounded taste instead of the actual dish. (which there bread is to DIE for).

Now, the main course is served... Jake had the shrimp and risotto, which unfortunately was cooler than room temperature when it got to him since there is only one cook and it had to have sat there while my salmon was being cooked. It didn't lack taste though, all it took was heating it up at home and it was a great meal. However, I cannot say the same for my salmon. It was undercooked throughout the middle and I did not care to make a scene about getting it cooked longer, so I ate the outsides and I liked the idea behind the dish. It is salmon with a sweet, but slightly bitter, lemon vinaigrette with asparagus and sliced potatoes. The combination hit every single one of the flavors I crave in a solid dinner plate, leaving my tastebuds fully satisfied. We may be sticking to the never disappointing appetizers with a bottle of wine from now on, but this place is still four stars to me for the overall experience and environment.

Off to the Conservatory, and what a shame that was. I am a die hard fan of orchids, with their illuminating, vibrant colors and exotic appearance, they are truly aesthetically pleasing to behold. Complaint #1: I hardly noticed that it was the Orchid Exhibit. We walked through the main area and over to start our Chocolate/Alcohol Pairing tour, it wasn't until we entered this hallway that I even noticed Orchids on display. Complaint #2: the orchids were mainly the same color throughout the conservatory (even grocery stores have more of a variety of coloration in their floral shops). I might have gone with too high of expectations, since last winter they had the Bruce Munro light exhibit which simply blew my mind with it's eccentricity and beauty. Complaint #3: (which I saw coming) there were so many people wandering through that instead of taking in the surroundings, I found myself more focused on dodging the groups of people or weaving through them on the walk way. I would not recommend going for events! However, a turn for the positive came when we tried the Crusher red wine, paired with a cherries and cream chocolate, but it was the wine that was unforgettable! It smelled of bacon and savory goodness. My, oh, my is it the best of both worlds?! I never thought my two favorite food/drinks in this world could combine to make such a burst of fulfillment and satisfaction.. so vino & bacon enthusiasts, Crusher is the wine for you. Here is it's flavorful breakdown: "This velvety blend opens with a fruity bouquet of cherry cola, ripe berries, and bacon coupled with toasty notes of cedar and sassafras. On the palate, a flavorful array of boysenberries, raspberries and blueberry pie take center stage complimented by hints of vanilla and root beer on the finish." What more could you ask for? Our obsession with this wine meant that there was no doubt we would buy the bottle at the end of the tour, which we were ever so delighted to find out that we could! The chocolate of the night had to be the Ghost Chili Caramel. Most people are probably thinking, whoa, stop right there and grab the firehose- but let me stop you- it had just the right amount of ghost chili to liven up your tastebuds, but not enough to leave you searching for the nearest glass of water. In my opinion, it was less hot than your regular hot wings. The ghost chili has a different flavor that was the perfect kick of heat and not overwhelming whatsoever. (We will be looking at their website to consider buying some of these delectable, delightful, caramels ASAP).

The overall experience was wonderful, partly because of who I was sharing that time with, and we did get to enjoy the music (live band) and the extremely talented couple who was dancing to the tunes! Sadly enough, I probably won't return for the Orchid Display again, unless we decide to do something at whim on a Saturday or Sunday.

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Beer Enthusiast's Everywhere are Rejoicing!

Fellow beer connoisseurs are roaring with excitement over the yearly release of Hopslam, a double dosed IPA with powerful notes of hops and honey. The 10% ABV will leave some needing just one beer, but who am I kidding? It's too good to turn down that second. With a limited amount of stock being sold, it is a hot commodity and soon to be a rare find as places continue to sell out daily due to the high demand. It probably is one of the only beers that has a limit to how many cases you can purchase at your local stores. If you haven't enjoyed this fresh brewed beer before, your time is limited! Check out http://bellsbeer.com/brands/brand-finder/ to search for the location nearest you to find this one of a kind brew. Many restaurants are carrying it, including: Rusty Bucket, Melt, Mellow Mushroom, Yabos Tacos, and more. Certain Giant Eagle and Meijer locations are selling 6-packs that go for about $17.99. Mike Stuart states, "I also recommend experimenting with aging a bottle for a year or more. It develops a really interesting honey-barley wine flavor," in his article regarding the release of Hopslam (http://brewprof.com/bells-hopslam-2015-release-information/). You can bet your bottom dollar that I will be setting aside a couple to savor in about a year from now!

On another note, a less hop-y one, for those of you that could do without the intense hop taste and have a palette for something on the sweeter side, I have the PERFECT beer for you. As long as your a fan of root beer, that is. Not Your Father's Root Beer has become my sweet treat to enjoy, usually by a roaring and cozy fire, instead of your normal beer. Personally, I am more of a wine enthusiast than a beer lover, but with this new find (from our excursions at Beerfest 2015) I am teetering on the edge of acquiring a greater preference for ales, that fall in the flavored category. How could I forget to mention, this outstanding beer is 5.9% ABV (some from NYFRB are 10%) and has a smooth finish. Be forwarned- you'll forget you're even drinking an alcoholic beverage with how they have perfected the taste to resemble that of your regular root beer soda. Even my boyfriend, who is very particular about his beers, especially flavored, sweet brews, was raving about this root beer. Not to mention it was quick to "sell out"/ run out at Beerfest this year and is definitely all it is hyped up to be.

After falling in love with this unforgettable taste, I have craved it each time we have gone out to eat/ drink. Unfortunately, I have had unpleasant results of trying the different root beers that are sold at various venues. Melt has one from Sprecher that I definitely would not recommend. The artificial flavoring and coloring is overwhelming, and not in the best way- or a pleasant way- at all. Overall, the taste was more like an ale, and it was heavier, almost like a malt beverage compared to that of NYFRB which was carbonated more similarly to a soda, making it superbly satisfying. The after taste left over after the Sprecher was pragmatic for me; I could practically taste the yeast taking over my tastebuds and I found myself just trying to drink it down quickly instead of enjoying it (since clearly I would never waste it!) Next on my list to try would have to be Rusty Bucket's root beer, maybe I'll get more adventurous and try it in the Root Beer Float (YUM!). Along with that, my list includes attempting to create my own Float with NYFRB- because you just can't beat sweet, delicious root beer poured over creamy, savory ice cream, especially a good vanilla bean. On that note, I will leave you with that mouth-watering sensation as you imagine yourself lounging around with an ice cold Root Beer (or Float) in your hand... You may find yourself thanking the muses for inspiring the Kovac family to make such a finely-crafted, sensational brew!

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Famously good or a total fluke? Thurman's Cafe

Let me first start out by saying that we made the mistake of getting it to-go, which meant our food would be waiting for us to arrive and pick it up then we would have to wait 25 minutes to delve into this deliciousness. However, it is conclusive: these burgers are to die for! I had "The Big TC", and let me tell you the special sauce leaves you craving more.  I was always mocked for not having tried our famous Thurman's Burgers which have been featured on Man VS. Food, etc. and now I understand why, I was really missing out on a piece of Columbus that gave Cbus-ers a sense of pride and unity; it connected our community. (Us "foodies" really come together in the name of excellent, mouth-watering food). Even with soggy texas toast, I enjoyed every single bite and saved my morsels for later. I definitely recommend eating in the cafe, or if you are in the mood to for take-out just make sure you ask for all of the sauces on the side.
Now, let's get to the fried appetizers... We ordered fried pickle chips and jalepeno chips. My boyfriend and I were both pleased with the overall taste, but it seemed like they rushed through cooking them as they could have been much crunchier; the soft breading was the downfall to these appetizers receiving an 'A' in my Foodie Book. BUT, that didn't stop us from re-cooking them in order to make them savory and tasty- we threw them in the oven on Broil (HI) for about 7 minutes and they were better than ever! That extra crunch really made the dishes. (This is proof that go-getter's achieve much higher satisfaction in life simply because they make it happen!)  The last and final dish to top off the meal was their fried cookie dough bites.... yes, FRIED cookie dough bites...and of course they were as amazing as they sound! I was gushing with excitement as I bit into my first ball of cookie dough, the ooey-gooey center was bursting with sweet flavors but the salty fried batter on the outside balanced the sweetness to give me the best of both worlds. No complaints there. I must say, this is surely and positively the way to eat cookies. On our next trip we may have to splurge and get both the fried cookie dough bites AND fried brownie bites.
With their menu, the choices are endless. I could go there time and time again and order something different, which I am sure would be wonderful, and leave fully satisfied. Even my wallet can't complain about our experience; the prices are average for the size of burger that you get. This is a two-meal burger for around $10-12. The appetizers were priced reasonably and the portion size was quite enormous. Overall, I give our experience a 'B', but I also take fault for deciding not to sit-in to enjoy our meal. I may become a frequent foodie visitor there, if it weren't for my diet telling me to relax on my "cheat" days!

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