I, of course, will be working, but that shouldn't stop you from having fun. First of all, Columbusites, thank your lucky stars you aren't in Loraine! We're cold, but at least we're dry!
First of all, here's what you should do tomorrow on your date - I have a lot of Google queries for "nice dates in Columbus" - so I'm here to help. You should go to Gallery Hop tomorrow (that's Saturday, November 4), even those of you who live in the Short North and try to escape it whenever possible. Sometimes it's fun to look at your neighborhood like a tourist, and it's always fun people-watching. When I still lived in the Short North, I used to like to walk from my apartment on High St by Hubbard all the way down to the cap, strolling into galleries and laughing at peoples' attempts to sound intelligent about art. (I'm no better, just quieter.) Don't forget next month's Holiday Hop will (hopefully) feature the grand Re-lighting of the Short North's famed arches! Let's all cross our fingers they will stay lit for longer than 24 hours this time.
Okay, so go to Gallery Hop. Be sure to tell your date to dress appropriately, which means adding layers and a fun scarf. Then you should stop by Rigsby's and have a glass of wine and some fried olives. If things are going well, you can even have dinner - the nice thing about their bar is the little bar snacks they offer. You aren't committed to the entire dinner and if things start to go south you can exit quickly.
As you're walking, you should definitely buy your date some hot chocolate on the street, along with a bag of peanuts or chestnuts - you can discuss why everyone is so fond of roasted chestnuts when they're kind of weird, quite frankly. You should go to 8 bar and have a drink and some of Chef Ben's pot roast, and then you should e-mail me and let me know how it is, since I haven't been there yet.
We have Saturday covered - now, on Sunday, you should go to the International Festival, especially if, like me, you missed out on all of the festivals you meant to attend over the summer. The International Festival takes place at Vet's Memorial this Saturday (10am - 10pm) and Sunday (11am - 6pm) and costs $7. There should be plenty to eat there, so you have dinner and entertainment covered! Bonus! While there, you should show your adventurous side and try something you've never had before.
Of course, you can always go see "Shiny" at the Wexner Center.
You can walk over to Eddie George's Grille afterward and watch football; marvel at hundreds of flat screen TVs and the see-through urinal wall (ladies' room has nothing remarkable, alas). Eat some popcorn shrimp.
If you'd like to do something a little more low key, might I suggest a drive out to Polaris to see A Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D? Bonus points for wearing Nightmare gear. This could be followed up with a trip to Sushi En, which is somewhere out on Gemini place - another place I keep meaning to try, or try Ha Long Bay, one of my favorites, if you haven't been there yet. If it's especially cold, be sure to try out the hot & sour soup.
Stay warm, folks!
