Columbus Restaurants

Circular booths and dim lighting give this little gem an amazing atmosphere. When paired with the great wine list (hundreds to choose from) the small plates (or tapas) can make a wonderful meal. The Prince Edward Island mussels in Thai coconut milk, the hearts of romaine salad, the tuna tartar with ginger wasabi dressing, and truffeled mac and cheese are all good choices.

Favorite Dish: The Prince Edward Island mussels in Thai coconut milk are delicious and always cooked right. The portion size is nice for the price, and if its not enough, you simply order some more.

Haiku is a great restaurant. You can eat wonderful sushi and read and write Haiku poetry. The restaurant provides scraps of paper and pencils so you can drink sake from their amazing sake menu and create your own poetry. The food was fresh and tasty and its a place I've returned to on my various trips to Columbus.

Favorite Dish: I really enjoyed the unagi; it was very fresh and the glaze was very flavorful.

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We came to Columbus to see the Statehouse, the art, the Bookloft, German Village, and The Old Deaf School Topiary Park; however, after I found out that we would be meeting Stephen and Karen Conn, everything else "paled" when compared to that event!

Stephen suggested that we meet at Schmidt's Sausage Haus and Restaurant in the German Village section of Columbus, Ohio.

The German enclave of Columbus flourished between 1840 and 1918 with its beer breweries. However, World Wars I and II created a negative sentiment toward anything German; thus, this neighborhood fell into much decline. But, in 1960 The German Village Society was formed, and revitalization became a reality.

Schmidt's is located in a brick livery stable on Kossuth Street and Purdy Alley. The original here was a Packing Haus that processed meat products.. The restaurant today still has a large wooden lard paddle from that old packing haus; it is used as a door handle. Inside this restaurant, it is quite rustic. There's wooden floors, paneling, old brick walls, and some stall-like booths.

The restaurant specializes in original German and American dinners along with sandwiches and desserts. They also serve several German Beers, micro brews (bottle and on tab).

Schmidt's has been around since 1886, and after visiting it, I assume it will survive for years to come.

I think the reason I enjoyed it so much was because of the wonderful banter and conversation that Jill and I shared with Stephen and Karen.We also discussed the Growing Up Pentecostal book that Stephen wrote and that was recently published AND the book that Jill Marin edited called Gurnee and Warren Township( both signed my copies). Karen and I were lunching with celebrities!

Favorite Dish: I tried a "Starter" called Sauerkraut-Bratwurst Balls which were Sauerkraut and Schmidt's own bratwurst combined and coated with a crispy batter. Both Karen and I had this; it was too large of a portion to finish, but it was quite good. I also had a delicious Schmidt's Haus Salad with Mixed lettuce, tomato wedges, and croutons with low-cal Italian dressing.

They have Soups, Salads, Signature Sausage Platters, German Traditional Dinners, Sandwiches, Side Dishes, Desserts, and Beverages.

While in Columbus, try this Columbus Landmark called Schmidt's Sausage Haus and Restaurant.

Due Amici is a relatively new restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, suggested to us at our hotel, The Hyatt on Capitol Square.

This Italian delight has "Old World cuisine in a landmark building designed in contemporary style. There's an eclectic bar lounge with a happy hour from 3-7. Valet parking is available, but since we walked here, it was not needed.

The dining area has high ceilings, exposed brick walls, yet modern lighting. The ambience is wonderful with a combination of the old and the new.

Open:
Monday-Thursday: 11;00 a.m.-Midnight
Friday: 11:00 a.m. -2:00 a.m.
Saturday: 5:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sunday: Closed

The menu offers Appetizers, Soups, Pizzas, Salads, Entrees, 6 different Pastas & 14 different Sauces, Sides of vegetables, rice, and potatoes, and, of course, Desserts.

Favorite Dish: Jill had the Tomato Basil Bisque for $4.50, and she loved it.
We shared a Baby Greens Salad consisting of Baby Greens, red onion, Gorgonzola Cheese, blue berrie, raspberries, golden raisins, and Balsamic Vinaigrette which was out of this world delicious.

I ordered a small Margherita Pizza for $10.00, which I shared with Jill. We agreed that it was amazingly good. We finished it off.

They had pure Virgin Olive Oil with Cheese for dipping the warm, Italian bread. Yum!

We shared a special Margherita Drink that was quite strong.

All-in-all, we enjoyed the ambience and loved the food. Our waiter was quite efficient and helpful.

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The hotel has a wonderful restaurant called The Plaza Restaurant and Lounge where we ate two breakfasts and one dinner. It is considered "one of the best restaurants in Columbus". I can see why. There is a stunning view of an outdoor fountain courtyard or a view of the State Capitol Building.

They offer afternoon tea Monday-Saturday, and The Lounge has a vast array of wines-by-the-glass.

Breakfast Hours:
Monday-Saturday 6:30am-11:30am

Brunch:
Sunday 10:30 am-2:00 pm

Lunch:
Monday-Saturday 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Dinner:
Sunday-Saturday 6 pm-10 pm%s

Favorite Dish: For breakfast, the orange juice was freshly squeezed. Our complimentary breakfast was a combination of sweet rolls, muffins, and bread rolls with butter and jam, coffee or tea, and Orange juice.

We were not very hungry we ate dinner at The Plaza Restaurant and Lounge so we shared a meal. The salad was outstanding with lettuce, tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, candied nuts, and madrin oranges. The portion that you see in the photograph is my half of the salad I shared with JIll. We also shared a pasta that was absolutely delicious...subtle, delicate, yet spicey. We ended the evening with lovely Cappuccino.

Best restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. Chef Handke is a Certified Master Chef that has studied all over the world. His expertise comes out through his cuisine. The restaurant is in an old beer cellar. Very romantic and beautiful.

Favorite Dish: Caesar salad served in parmesan cheese basket, veal entree, and of course the chocolate terrine. There is also a desert trio that has three or four different desserts. yum

This place is a low key diner-type augmented by some great kitch. Murals on the wall, velvet elvises, clocks all over the place, etc. The food is kind of a mix of diner, mexican, and cuban. Everything I've had has rocked!

Besides, where else can you munch on some fried plantains sitting under the watchful eye of Elvis.

Favorite Dish: Jalapeno-Cheddar soup........mmmm

fried plantain appatizer

Jeni's Ice cream is home made and uses ingredients, honey and fruits from Ohio's dairy and Ashland County. She makes some interesting flavors like sangria, red zinfandel wine, salty caramel, and goat cheese with raspberries. The last one was my surprise favorite. Easily for me it was the best ice cream in Ohio that I tried. The service here was excellent as well.