Restaurant Widow

Things to do in Columbus::April 30th Edition

I think I'm getting really old.  Who can believe it's almost May?!  WE are getting to that time of year when there are more and more events.  Not to mention, the farmer's markets are gradually starting to open over the next few weeks (click here for my "when do they open" column).  I can almost feel summer!

There are so many events coming up, I am certain to miss something.  However, I have learned how to effectively use the "label" feature in Gmail, so hopefully that means I won't forget as many events as I have in the past.  And maybe, just maybe, I'll actually answer an email or two.

If you have any events to add, please email me or leave them in the comments.

• First up, this Saturday is Cinco d'Ohio at the North Market!  This event will showcase lots of great Ohio Proud products, features cooking demonstrations, and will include salsa and taco contests created by local chefs and amateurs alike!  Events take place throughout the day, from 8a - 4p.  In addition to Cinco d'Ohio on Saturday, Sunday is the first Artisan Sunday at the Market! The spaces occupied by farmers on Saturdays will be overtaken with crafters on Sundays.
• Tonight is another Columbus Underground Movie Happy Hour at Studio 35 (Clintonville).  The double feature is $5 and there will be draft PBR specials.  The Animation Show is one of the featured movies.  I am a huge animation dork and am really hoping I get tomorrow night off work so that I can see the last showing here in Cbus.
• Tomorrow is Taste of the Independents at the Smith Brother's Building in Italian Village.  It's a chance to taste lots of food from Central Ohio's independent chefs (non chain or small chain restaurants).  I worked one of these events a few years ago and it was very fun.  I can't afford to go, but the other food bloggers are covering it for me, fortunately!
• This Saturday is the Gallery Hop in the Short North.  Gallery Hop is a great chance to get to see the artistic side of Columus and is a must-do if you are new to the city.  Find a place to park, stroll through the galleries, grab a bite to eat and enjoy a nice glass of wine. 
• Beginning this Saturday at Rivet Gallery in the Short North (northern end, Garden district) is the "Down the Bunny Hole" custom toy exhibit.  These works look pretty interesting from the pictures, and I can't wait to go down to their gallery to check them out in person, although it will probably make me bitter because I'm not doing anything artistic . . .
• Waterfire on the Mile begins this Saturday; this weekend's festivities will benefit Susan G. Komen foundation; there will be a celebration of breast cancer survivors and music included.
• This Friday, Michael Feinstein will join the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
• This weekend is the Central Ohio Folk Festival.  I am guessing there will be lots of tin flutes and fiddles playing.
• The Ohio Historical Society will host an heirloom plant sale this Saturday and Sunday at their location in Columbus.
• Sunday is the Powell Street Market.  Go early, have brunch at the Sedeo Cafe (then email to let me know how it was, because it's a long drive) and stay for all of the street vendors and the like.
• This week at Sur la Table, you can learn: make dinner in Tuscany (well, make a Tuscan dinner), celebrate Cinco de Mayo, make brunch for Mom, learn quick dinners, and Mediterranean grilling.  Click to their calendar for more information.
• Don't forget the Wednesday "Buckeye Bounty" events at Whole Foods Dublin.  This event will celebrate Ohio made goods (and I believe some produce and the like as well) and takes place every Wednesday afternoon 3p - 7p.  I work on Wednesday nights, so I'll have to leave a market report on that to someone else.
• To put on your calendar for next weekend is the Ohioana Liabrary 2nd Annual Book Festival May 10th.  The event features lots of writers - Harvey Pekar will be there for the love of crumb cake!! - there will be book signings, readins, panel discussions - all sorts of good things for the writer or the reader in you!  Who knows, maybe one day I'll be an Ohioana author.  The State Liabrary of Ohio is located in Italian Village (274 E 1st ave).  I might have to cut my market day short to make it to that one.

Arugula, with Pasta & Beans

I suppose it has something to do with winter, but I realized the other night that I've hardly been posting any recipes this year.  (Yikes!  I had no idea!)  My apologies.  It isn't that I haven't been cooking, it's just that I am not really inspiried during the late winter, and do you really want to know how many times we eat spaghetti with meat sauce?

Husband and I have been trying to eat a little more healthfully as of late, and those recipes seem kind of boring, too.  But then I thought, my boring might be useful to someone else.  So here we are.  A vegetarian dish with pasta and beans (complete protein) and the first of the year's arugula - I love arugula - which comes together in less than 15 minutes, makes a nice lunch, and can be eaten hot, cold, or at room temperature.  It makes a nice thing to take along in one's lunchbox.  In fact, I packed it for Husband today, so I hope he's enjoying it.

This is another recipe to show how a few staple pantry items (pasta, beans, roasted red peppers) can come together with even the earliest crop of local greens.

Arugual with Farfalle & Beans - serves 4

1/2 pound farfalle or other small pasta shape
2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
1 (12 ounce) jar roasted red peppers, roughly chopped
1 large bag (8 cups or so, 4 hands full) arugula or other nice peppery green, rinsed in several changes of water
1 tbsp good, tasty extra virgin olive oil
freshly cracked pepper
salt
2 tsp lemon juice

Cook the farfalle according to package directions, drain and set aside.  Place a large pot over medium heat and add the beans and roasted red peppers, and arugula.  Drizzle with the olive oil, salt and pepper, and lemon juice.  Turn the heat off and dump the still-hot drained pasta on top and allow to sit for a few minutes, until the arugula has wilted.  Toss everything with tongs and taste to correct seasoning.  This dish can be eaten hot, cold, or at room temperature.  It's very good for you. 

Tempeh with Chinese Broccoli & Mushrooms

At the North Market yesterday, I was talked into buying some homemade tempeh at Toad Hill Farms.  As I mentioned in my Market Report, I had been wanting to buy this tempeh since a few readers mentioned they had tried it last year, and asked if I had any thoughts about what to do with it.

Tempeh is a soybean-based meat replacement which, unlike tofu, is a complete protein due to the fermentation process.  The soybeans are partially cooked and then innoculated with a friendly mold.  After 24 hours or so, voila!  The soybeans have formed themselves, along with the bloomy mold, into a cake which can be sliced, crumbled or grated and cooked in whatever manner strikes your fancy.  Tempeh has a mild, nutty flavor with a slight fermented taste on the finish. 

Tempeh is available in many larger supermarkets, certainly at health food stores, and at Asian groceries.  And of course, you can buy homemade Tempeh on Saturday mornings at Toad Hill Farms at the North Market.

If you are afraid of tempeh, but still want to try it, you might want to replace the black bean paste in this recipe with something more mild and sweet, such as hoisin.  Since black bean paste is also fermented, it enhances the fermented flavor of the tempeh.

This recipe is really good for you, provides complete proteins, is vegetarian - actually, vegan even, now I think of it, although that is by pure accident, I can assure you.  But eating it did inspire me for another vegan recipe, which maybe I'll share if I can work it out.

Tempeh with Chinese Broccoli & Mushrooms - serves 2-4, takes about 20 minutes

1 block (12 ounces) tempeh, cut into 3/4" cubes
salt
2 tbsp black bean paste (or hoisin)
1 tbsp chili paste (sambal)
1 tbsp rice vinegar (unsweetened)
1 tbsp, plus more, light soy sauce
1 tbsp neutrally flavored oil, such as soybean or corn oil
1 red onion, halved and cut into half moons
1 large bunch (about 6-8 ounces) Chinese broccoli (kai lan), washed in several changes of water
8 ounces flavorful mushrooms, such as shitake or crimini, cut into 1/2" cubes
freshly cracked black pepper
1 tsp toasted sesame oil

Place the tempeh in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, cover with water and set aside (this is an optional step, but  helps to neutralize any acidic flavors in the tempeh) for about 5 minutes, then drain and place it back in a bowl.  Cover with 1 tbsp of soy sauce and leave to mingle. 

Stir together the black bean paste, chili paste, rice vinegar, and soy sauce and set aside.

Cut any thick stems from the Chinese broccoli into 1" pieces.

Heat a wok over high heat until it begins to smoke and remove from heat.  Add about 1 tbsp oil to the wok and swirl.  Wipe the entire wok with paper towels, wiping out any additional oil, and return the wok to medium high heat.  Add the onions and the Chinese broccoli stems.  Stir fry until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.  Add the mushrooms and tempeh; add the black bean sauce and toss to cover everything.  Cover until the mushrooms are almost completely cooked and then add the leafy parts of the Chinese broccoli.  Sprinkle with black pepper, and stir with tongs until the greens have wilted and everything is coated with sauce.  Turn the heat off and add the sesame oil, then toss to combine. 

Serve with rice!

Market Report for April 26th

The morning dawned drizzly and warm; actually, my favorite kind of weather, except that my hair will turn into a crazy halo.  It's quite charming.

Lazily, I didn't get to the North Market until around 10, and because I was meeting friends, I got some coffee and sat on the porch of the market until it was apparant that if I didn't buy something soon, there would be nothing left.  A brief shopping trip - I stopped by Comb's farms to buy a few more catnip toys for the kitties, and was pleased to hear they had begun the morning with a ton of product, and were nearly sold out.  It's always good to see people come out to support local farmers, even when it's raining.

I then stopped by Toad Hill Farms, to pick up some arugula and the last bag of watercress (above).  I also bought a dozen eggs, and Mr. Toad Hill suggested I try his homemade tempeh (tempeh is a fermented cake of partially cooked soybeans).  I remembered a few readers buying it last year and asking my opinion on what to do with it, so I thought it would be a good thing to give a try.  I have lots of greens in the fridge and have been itching to stir fry.  Tempeh is made by innoculating soy beans with a friendly mold, so it has a bloomy exterior, similar to an aged soft cheese.  It is incredibly good for you:

and what did you get?

Brown Bag Deli

People have been telling me to go to the Brown Bag Deli every since it changed ownership a few years ago, and I finally made it.

I really have been missing out.

I selected the Brown Bag Sub for Husband, and because he usually eats for the day in one setting, selected the whole size.  Half was sufficient; the whole sub is enormous.  It has pastrami, cappacola, salami, hot pepper cheese, and Italian dressing on a large, good sub roll.  Since I was in transit and it wasn't going to get to Husband for awhile, I chose to have it cold, which was fine, but I think it would be even better toasted.

For myself, I chose the Mohawk Stroller - turkey and roasted red peppers on a cheddar herb roll with sprouts and basil pesto.  This might be one of the best sandwiches I have had in a very long time.  Not only were the ingredients inside the sandwich tasty, balanced, and of high quality, the roll was superb.  I don't know from whence these rolls come, but whatever bakery it is, does a mighty fine job.  Half was good for me, and I saved half for eating at the end of a busy Thursday night - it was still tasty after sitting in the cooler at work for 7 hours!  (I apologize for the poor picture quality)

I chose two kinds of potato salad for sides - a traditional mustard potato salad, and an amazing smoky potato salad, with bacon and smoked cheese.  Things almost came to blows over the smoked potato salad (just kidding); it is that good.  The traditional potato salad was also tasty, but the smoky one was so different it kind of overshadowed.  This might rival Banana Bean's Shrimp Boil potato salad as my favorite in town.  Have I mentioned how much I love potato salad?

At any rate, I suggest you find yourself struggling for a parking space in German Village, at the corner of Mohawk & Whittier.  Brown Bag also offers carryout dinners (today's is marinated flank steak over spinach), which you can pick up on your way home and server when you get there, as well as catering.  And, if you need a cupcake fix after lunch, Bakery Gingham is right next door!

info: Brown Bag Delicatessen 898 Mohawk St in German Village 614.443.4214 

Things to do in Columbus::April 23rd Edition

First of all, I would like to mentiong that on this day in 2005, when Restaurant Widow was just a baby, we had 2 inches of snow, and I made really yummy brownies.  Seriously, you should try them.  They are the best I've ever had.  But this year, the Lisa the Waitress almanac predicted we would not have snow late in the year, and I think I was right.

At any rate, if you can drag yourself out of the sunshine, here are a few things to spend your time this week.  As always, if you have an event to add, please leave it in the comments!  I will be updating the events later on today.

• First up, this Sunday is another Slow Food Dinner - this time it is at Alana's and features the fabulous wines of importers Patrick & Connie Allen.  Pat & Connie import some of the best wines out there, and they are super cool to boot.  The event is $75 for Slow Food members; nonmembers are asked to make an additional $10 contribution to Slow Food.  It looks as though there are ramps on the menu!  More info.
• There is an Earth Day Fair this Saturday at Goodale Park beginning at noon.  There will be food & education aplenty.
• Beginning this weekend at the Ohio Historical Society, you can see an exhibit of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs.  The OHS is open now Thursdays - Sundays.
• Franklin Park will also be celebrating Earth Day this year with a variety of events, including a ceremonial tree planting.  Don't forget Blooms & Butterflies is ongoing throught the summer as well.
• The Columbus Jazz Arts Group presents New Orleans on Parade this weekend at the Southern Theatre.
• This is the last weekend for Tabloid at Shadowbox Caberet - don't miss their other great shows as well.
• This Friday is the Celebrity Chef Showdown at Lifestyles Pavillion.  The event is an Iron Chef-like event which will pit Columbus chefs against each other to compete for the best dishes surrouding a secret ingredient (at the first Showdown, the secret ingredients were sliders from White Castle).  The event benefits the Columbus Museum of Art.

spring.

For the first time in years, we are having an actual Spring.  Which is lasting for more than 2 days.  It is a real spring, with long, warmish days and nights which are cool but not frosty.  My favorite of all of the flowering trees is the weeping cherry - I love weeping trees of all manner - whose pink flowers look like fantastical butterflies. 

Last week at Alana's, I had asparagus with a fried duck egg on top.  Always the first sign of spring.

This week at Rigsby's, I had a sauteed ramp.  Heaven on a plate. 

I can almost feel my happiness and inspiration being rebuilt, brick by brick.  Or maybe leaf by leaf, as the case may be.

Crafty Columbus - the Cbus Sampler Pack!

cbus sampler, originally uploaded by Lisa the Waitress.

A week or so ago, I ordered my Columbus City Sampler for a mere $20. The city sampler is a box of handcrafted items from Columbus stores, galleries, and artisans, and also includes cards and info for lots of other galleries and the like, including some matches from Surly Girl (which would have come in handy last night when Husband & I were grilling out). The packages were expertly curated by Amy from Sweet Stella. I believe there are still a few of these limited samplers left, and I would encourage you to support local artisans by ordering one.

I thought I'd list the things I received and highlight some of the artists featured within the box! If you click on the picture above, you will be redirected to the Flickr picture, which has notes on each item.

Please visit the following people to get your own crafty fix:
Little Red Men
What the Rock?!
YumiYumi
Jennifer Sadler Designs
Couchfire Collective
Jen Adrion
Anne Holman
Kiko Kreations
moogancreations
Crafty Beavers
Crafty Cotillion
Dirty Booty
Chop Chop Gallery
Rivet Gallery
Agora08
Lucky Kat
Cultural Arts Center
The North Market
Sweet Stella Designs
Wholly Craft!
Luster Bunny
Amy D
SpaceDog Sudios
Sharon H Bell

Sunday Supper Updates

I have drawn the names for the first Restaurant Widow Sunday Supper.  So, if you haven't receive an email from me, it means your name wasn't drawn; however, don't fret!  There will be more dinners to come, and hopefully after I have this one under my belt, I'll be able to increase the number of guests at each dinner.  I am tentatively planning the next dinner for Sunday, July 13th.  I'd like to have it earlier in July, but I'm not sure if anyone would come on July 4th weekend, and June 30th might be too soon after the first one.  If you would July 4th weekend, let me know!  The July supper should include lots of cherries and sweet corn.  In fact, there will be such a plethora of delicious veggies available I might make it a vegetarian dinner.  Well, we'll have to see about that.

tiny blog

Okay.  I wasn't going to write about this, mainly because I'm afraid of all of my readers judging me for being the worst cat parent ever, and not getting Mimi fixed, because I am too lazy, and thought I'd be able to keep her inside and not let her get herself into trouble.

BUT.  I was wrong.  Humans are no match for the biological drive of other mammals.

And then, when she did get out, I just couldn't bare the thought of getting her "problem" "solved."

Husband reminded me that all of the tinies have found good homes and are well taken care of, and he chided me for keeping the tiny blog all to myself and my friends.  And besides that, they are pretty amazingly cute.

So.  I won't be writing about the new crop of tinies after this, but I thought I'd link to their blog, tiny blog.

This batch is cute.  Really, really cute.  They are all gray stripedy.  Some have polka-dotted tummies.  So far they seem hungry and healthy, with fat little round bellies.

When are the Markets Starting & What's Available When?

It's hard to believe that it's time again to talk about going to the markets, but here we are.  The sun is shining, it's over 70 degrees out, and we have charcoal waiting to be used up.

I've received a few emails about when the markets open, and what to expect at various markets, and I thought I'd answer market related questions all at once, for everyone.

North Market: There are already a few vendors at the North Market, so I suppose it's safe to say they have already begun.  Again, it's mostly herbs, greens, and plants at this time.  The first major market event will be Cinco d'Ohio, which takes place May 3rd.  Cinco d'Ohio is an event which highlights all sort of great Ohio products.  And the next day, Sunday May 4th, is the first of a new event at the market: Artisan Sundays.  The market will be teaming up with local Ohio craftspeople on the first Sunday of each month.  It's a great chance to get out and buy some super cool locally-made items.  And, of course, May 17th is the Apron Gala, the Market's annual fundraiser which includes lots of local food, beer and wine. 

Worthington Farmer's Market: there is one more Worthington Winter market.  The last scheduled market is April 26th.  The regular market begins Saturday, May 10th with the Plant Fest.  This is early in the season, so usually you might expect to find a lot of greens and herbs, and tons of plants for planting.

Clintonville Farmer's Market: there is a preview of the market on Saturday, May 3rd, where farmers will be bringing plants to start your own garden.  There will also be some early Spring veggies.  The regular market begins Saturday, May 24th.

Pearl Alley Farmer's Market: there have been some shake ups at the Pearl Alley Market over the past year.  I'm not quite sure what is going on, because their website hasn't been updated since 2007, but last year they started June 1st, so let's just say it's they'll maybe begin the first Friday in June.  If you know that to be otherwise, please let me know.  The Pearl Alley Market is a weekday market - it takes place from 10:30a - 2p on Tuesdays and Fridays.  This market includes artisans as well as farmers and food producers. 

Westerville Farmer's Market: takes place in downtown Westerville on Wednesday afternoons from 3p - 6p.  The first market will take place on Wednesday, May 7th.

The Bexley Farmer's Market: takes place across from Capital University on Saturday mornings beginning at 10am.  Again, the website is not updated, but last year in began on July 14, so, let's say a reasonable guess is July 12th?  Again, if you know, please let me know.

Again, if you have any additional information, please let me know.

This is a reprint from last year - What's Growing When:
This is, of course, just a guideline, so don't get bitter when it's July 10th and there are no tomatoes  yet.  For a listing of specific (average) dates, please visit the Pick Your Own Ohio website.

May:  Asparagus, Broccoli, Greens, Peas, Radishes, Rhubarb and maybe Strawberries (late)

June:  Asparagus, Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Green Onions, Greens, Lettuce, Peas, Radishes, Rhubarb and Strawberries

July:  Beans, Beets, Bell Peppers (late), Blueberries (late), Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery (late), Cherries, Cucumbers (late), Eggplant, Grapes, Green Onions, Greens, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Peaches, Radishes, Raspberries, Squash, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Watermelon

August:  Apples (late), Beans, Beets, Bell Peppers, Blueberries, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Green Onions, Greens, Onions, Lettuce, Peas, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Radishes, Squash, Strawberries (second, smaller season), Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Watermelons

September:  Apples, Beans, Beets, Bell Peppers, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Grapes, Green Onions, Greens, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Raspberries (second season), Squash, Strawberries (second season), Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelons

October (with most things decreasing rapidly in their availability except greens, which are just getting better):  Beets, Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Green Onions, Greens, Lettuce, Peas, Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Squash, Turnips

Things to do in Columbus::April 16th Edition

I hope it's safe to say Spring is here, but I'll say it really quietly, just in case mother nature is listening and is in a bad mood.  But, according to the weather report, there's no more frost in the foreseeable future.  The trees are blooming, some flowers are out, and I'm walking to work today.

So, if your taxes are done and you need to relieve the headache, get outside and get some fresh air!  Sunshine makes everything better!

As always, if there is an event I am missing, please email me or leave it in the comments.

• First up, this Saturday is the CCAD Spring Student Art Sale.  This is one of my favorite events.  I keep saying we are going to have more art in our house, and this is a great opportunity to buy some fabulous art for studen prices.  It's also cool to meet the students, and see the prolific amount of art they produce to take place in this event.  I can't find the event listed anywhere on their website, but it costs $5 and takes place at the Loann Crane Design Center (Cleveland & Long).  $50 gets you early entry (8:30am).  Call 614.224.9101.
• Tomorrow night (Thursday) is Third Thursdays in the Short North!  All of the shops will be open until at least 9pm, giving visitors a chance to shop a few stores which might typically only be open during regular business hours.
• Celebrate Earth Day at the Statehouse this weekend by exploring fossils in the rocks used in the building of the Statehouse.  The tour, guided by a geologist, takes place on Friday at noon.  The Statehouse is also hosting a Student art show from Columbus students in K - 12.
• You can also celebrate Earth Day in the Short North by cleaning out your basement and getting rid of all of that junk you don't know what to do with.  It will be a good opportunity to get rid of some things in a green way - electronics and the like.
• Have a weekend of piano film at the Wexner Center: As part of their Milos Forman retrospective, the Wex will be showing Amadeus on Friday, and on Saturday & Sunday, see Note by Note:The Making of Steinway L1037.  Some of us are piano nerds, and would find that fascinating!
• This weekend is the Glass Axis Spring Art Sale.  You can also make your own pulled glass flower for $35.
• This weekend is another opportunity to mix your Puccini with your popcorn at the Polaris Rave Theatres.  The San Francisco Opera brings us Madama Butterfly this time around.
• This Sunday is the Columbus Toy & Comic Show at Vet's Memorial.  Admission is $3.  Comic Book nerds unite!!
• This Saturday is Agora at Junctionville Studies.  This is one of those fun art events I can never attend because I'm always working on the weekends, but I thing the Junctionville space is really cool, and they've had some great events so far.  Agora starts at 3pm.
• This week in drinking news, Spagio Cellars' tasting this Thursday will feature Spring Wines.
• and in more drinking news, if you have always wanted to create your very own beer list, consider this your chance to become part of the process.  The Columbus Beer Wench has teamed up with Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails for a community-created beer list.  The event is this Sunday at 5pm and costs $15, which includes beer and sweet potato fries.

Now get out there and have some fun!

                                                                                       

In Which Lisa the Waitress Finally Tries Soup from Northstar

Anyone who has been reading my site for awhile, or who knows me, knows how much I have taken Northstar to task for not having soup available.  So it was funny when they finally started making it a few months ago - I receive a flurry of emails and text messages, pictures from iPhones and everything "Lisa!!  Did you know Northstar has soup now?!!!"

Thanks, faithful readers.  It took me awhile to get to Northstar to try out their new soup, and in the meantime, there was a lot of hubbub over the fact that the new soup sold for around $8 a bowl.  Could it possibly be worth it?

This past Saturday, for no particular reason I can think of, I was getting ready for work and then realized it was 3pm, I was ready for work, standing at the bus stop, when I realized I was over an hour ahead of time.  I decided to stop off at Northstar for a little pre-work lunch and email answering.

By the way, a cup of soup is available for around $5.  I ordered a veggie burger with a cup of soup instead of salad and a coffee.  I think there might be a slight discount when ordered this way, because my total was $15.  It is a little high for lunch, but if you consider I can only eat half of the veggie burger at once, and have the other for a mid-shift snack, then I suppose it isn't so bad.

The veggie burger was good as always; I really love the Northstar burger.  How about the soup?  The soup was good.  Made from canned tomatoes and dosed with a good bit of olive oil, the soup tasted nice and tomato-ey.  It was topped off with lots of crumbled toast bits, a little scoop of lightly spiced olive relish with basil and Parmesan.  It was a tasty soup.  Was it worth the price tag?  I'm not sure.  $5 does seem a little high, but it is a good soup.  Even the best Sicilian tomatoes are only about $3 per 28 can, and that's retail, at a specialty shop.  A 28 ounce can would made around four 4 ounce servings, with reduction factored in, so with toast and peripheral ingredients figuring $1 per serving (which is high), even at $3 a can, we're looking at around a 500% markup (400% profit), or a food cost of 20%.  I will admit, that does seem a bit greedy.  I haven't seen the bowl of soup size, so I can't say if it's worth $8 or not.  But, keep in mind that I calculated these prices based upon retail, and Northstar is paying wholesale for their ingredients.  Of course, I didn't factor in the labor, either, and considering there are always around 6 cooks in the kitchen, I'm guess that is mostly what you are paying for.

So, that being said, value is in the tongue of the eater.  I can't say I necessarily felt ripped off by my $15 lunch, except that I forgot to eat the other half of my veggie burger at work, and my busser ate it instead, I did feel a little let down with the soup, because I felt as though I could make an equally delicious soup at home.

I like Northstar.  I think their success has made them a little lazy in the idea department; I can't eat there as often as I'd like, because you can only eat the same things so many times before they grow old.  If there were anything I would change, it would be expanding their menu by having around 5 specials per day, and not the same specials every day.  But I suppose they might say why mess with a good thing. 

info: Northstar has 2 locations: 951 N High (Short North) & 4241 N High (Beechwold)

First Market Report for 2008!!!

Saturday morning was the Columbus Half Marathon.  Nothing like waddling through a bunch of whisper thin runners early on a Saturday morning . . . just kidding, of course; congratulations to all of those who ran (to be true, when I was arriving at the market, the winners were finishing or were at least very close; I don't know the exact route).

There were a few farmers out at the North Market this morning - Toad Hill Organics, where I bought some eggs and arugula (which will make a great salad with some nice bacon I bought this week at Weiland's); I also bought a few catnip toys from someone else, who I can't remember right now (I'm rusty, folks!!)  The kitties were very fond of the toys, and began rubbing them on their faces from the moment I stepped through the door.

I went into the Market, just for a few minutes - the house is clean, and we are having a wine tasting Sunday night, so cooking is restricted at Chez Widow until everyone is gone!

I stopped into the Greener Grocer to see if they had morels (not yet, but soon!) and discovered they are carrying Snowville Creamery Milk!  Which is delicious, and local.  It's also less expensive than the Ohio Organic Milk, which is about $5 a half gallon.  Snowville was $3 for a half gallon:

I also bought some hot sauce from the Sauce Cartel.  I love hot sauce, and I had heard of them but hadn't tasted it yet.  I made the mistake of tasting the first variety which sounded good to me, it of course turned out to be the hottest, and I loaded it on; it was a slow burn, but tasty - nothing a little sample of ice cream from Jeni's couldn't calm.  The guy from the Cartel was telling me how they like to use a lot of fruit for the sugar content and flavor, creating a hot sauce which has a strong, full flavor first and then goes into a slow burn.  it was pretty good, and I have a few good ideas for it . . . (right now I've just been pouring the mild sundried tomato & chipotle on anything that will sit still long enough)

And then it was off to Worthington for a brief stop, where I saw my favorite mushroom man! (Jim Rockwell from Toby Run Mushrooms; he'll have shitakes first week of May, FYI) and bought the oyster mushrooms, pictured at the top of the post which Husband is currently turning into bruschetta to go with our vino tonight (18 wines! Yikes!)

Restaurant Widow's Sunday Suppers Updates

Okay, someone else sort of came up with that name (thanks, DW!), but I like the way it invokes a thought of a family cooking and eating together - like in Soul Food.

First of all, someone has offered us a GREAT location.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  It will be absolutely perfect and I know you will love it, too.  I am working hard on a menu and I think I've secured some great recruits to help out.

Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in attending.  So many, in fact, that I am going to create a lottery system.  I will email everyone who has emailed me by this Thursday.  That will give everyone a chance to let me know if you can come on June 8th or not, and then I will draw names.  Those who are wait-listed will be given first crack at the July dinner.

I will be setting up a password-protected PayPal site where you can pay your fee.  I would ask that you pay by June 2nd, which will give me time to pay for my goods and will give me plenty of notice to invite a waitlisted guest if someone has to cancel. 

I will be sending more detailed information to lotto winners in by email.

I am trying very hard to keep dinner afordable ($50/person). 

Announcing Restaurant Widow Educational Dinners

In an effort to help you navigate the farmer's markets and learn simple dishes to create with your finds, I am planning a series of summer dinners.  Here are my thoughts so far - I look forward to hearing your imput if you have any ideas, including a space for these events. 

• The dinners will (probably) take place on Sunday evenings.
• Unfortunately, because I do not have unlimited resources, I can't offer these dinners for free; however, I will make every attempt to keep them as low-cost as possible by begging some of my favorite restaurant workers to lend their services for free, or at least for food & wine.
• These will not be cooking classes per se, however the recipes for the dinners will be provided at the event.
• I will provide resources for finding the ingredients used.
• It is my plan at this point, to focus on a particular market for each dinner, although because you know me, you can expect them to include items from the North Market, and the Worthington & Clintonville Farmer's Markets.
• These dinners will focus very heavily on seasonal, local ingredients.  At this point, I have translated some traditional recipes to use local ingredients.
• Husband will provide a brief education on each beer or wine selected for each course.
• Dinners are limited to around 16 people.  20 if demand is high and you are willing to wait a few minutes between courses!
• Ideally I would like to limit the dinners to people who I don't hang out with on a regular basis; because you have to listen to me ramble on ad nauseum.
• I would also like to limit these dinners to non-food bloggers, for the same reason as above, and because most of you are already pretty well educated on local foods.
• The basic layout of the evening will be:
  arrive, meet & greet with a cocktail and light canapes
  brief introduction on the season we are in & ingredients used
  each course will have a brief introduction on ingredients, farms, inspiration for dish, and discussion of wine pairing from Husband
• There will be around 4-5 courses.
• I promise you will get your money's worth.
• The first dinner is planned for Sunday, June 8th.  I really wanted to start in May, but with Memorial Day being the last weekend, and being unsure what will be availale earlier than that (with the late start our farmers are getting), June 8th it is.  Expect lots of strawberries and asparagus.
• There will be no free passes for press members, not surprisingly.  I can't afford to bring anyone for free.
• If you have an idea for a location, say an empty loft apartment with a fabulous kitchen and view, for example, please let me know.  Galleries would also work, although room for a kitchen would be good.  Obviously, the cheaper (or free-er!) the rental the better.
• Please let me know any and all of your suggestions/critiques/criticisms/ideas/cost limitations/etc.
• If you have any interest in being the high end of a sliding-scale payment, so that those with more financial restrictions can attend, please let me know; this will be on the honor system, so I'd ask people to not take advantage of the kindness of others.
• If you are a farmer who would like to be featured, please let me know!
• If you would like to attend a dinner, please send me an email.

There will also be a limited number of spots to join me for shopping on Saturday morning; this will include a tour of the farmer's market chosen, which will be very helpful if you are new to farmer's marketing.  Must be willing to get up very early and walk fast!  You will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the process I go through when shopping - how to get inspired by the market, the finished dishes I see when looking at raw product, etc.

Okay!  let's see how it goes!

Where to Find Things

I am sorry I didn't specify where to buy the ingredients for my Monkfish Cheeks & Morels!

Both were purchased from Weiland's.  They had halibut cheeks ($18/pound) and monkfish cheeks ($14/pound); cheeks can be few and far between.  I have also purchased halibut cheeks in the past from Whole Foods.  You can interchange the two, but halibut cheeks are much more delicate and don't take as long to cook as monkfish.  I would probably only cook them 1 minute per side.

Morels were also from Weiland's.  Don't let the $60/per pound scare you.  I bought $11 worth and it was plenty.  There were about 12 morels.  They are hollow, and mushrooms don't weigh very much anyway.  You can probably also find morels at Whole Foods and the Greener Grocery.  These are white or "blonde" morels, black morels are more common.

When shopping for morels, look for soft morels which are feel slightly spongy and aren't dried out.  It can be hard to find nice-looking morels, so if you find some and they are all dried out, kindly ask the produce manager when they expect a fresh shipment.

Updates to Things to Do

Every week I keep a running list of things in my head to add to the "Things to do" list, and every week I forget all of them.  Here are a few I remembered or of which I was reminded:

• This Saturday is the "Open Market" at the UU Church in Clintonville.  The Open Market features crafty moms selling their crafty wares.  The Church is located at 93 W. Weisheimer, market from 1p - 3:30p.
• This Saturday is also another Winter farmer's market in Worthington at the Griswold Center.
• OEFFA members & nonmembers alike are invited to learn to make mozzarella this Sunday.  Click for details - you even get to take your mozz home with you!  Fire up the pizza oven!