Restaurant Widow

Things to do in Columbus::July 29th Edition

If you already checked this post out, you know I accidentally erased all of it. And it was such a good list!  At any rate, I have tried to remember everything.  As always, if you have anything to add, please do so in the comments.

• First up this week is Bacon Camp at Wild Goose Creative! Bacon camp will celebrate all things bacon, from food to arts and crafts! Some local bloggers and bakers will be competing to win top prize for their bacon creations.
• Tonight at Basi Italia, Richard Bruno from Vinum Cellars will be pouring his wines and strolling around to talk about them for Thursday night Vino on the Veranda.  Vinum is a favorite here in the Widow household, particularly for their Chenin and rose.
• Of course, the Ohio State Fair begain yesterday.  Every year I say I'm going to go to the fair and write about the yummy fair food, and I never do.  Maybe this will be the year.  One great thing happening at this year's fair will take place next Saturday, when the Columbus Crafty Cotillion takes over for the Handmade Expo!
• There are always great things happening at the Wexner Center, but this weekend you can see a compilation of animal cams! I love those! Like Falcon Cam! (well, the nest is empty now, but they'll be back next year.)
• This weekend at the CAPA Summer Movie Series, you can see Dirty Harry, King Kong, and Saturday Morning Cartoons.
• Tuesday is the Worthington Wine Walk.  Stroll through House Wine, the Candle Lab, and Caffe Daniella (among others), enjoying great wines along the way.  Tickets are $20 in advance, so it's a pretty good deal for a cheap date night.
• Summer Crab Boils return to the Hills Market - Maryland crab meets Ohio sweet corn and Ohio potatoes! There are three crab boils a day on Saturdays beginning with this Saturday! A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon after going to the farmer's markets!

Market Report for July 25th

 I just love this time of year. Everywhere you look there are amazing things at the farmer's market - apricots, white peaches and nectarines, blackberries and blueberries, sweet corn, the first of the heirloom tomatoes, sweet onions, zucchini galore, cucumbers, green peppers, cauliflower - it's hard to think when confronted with all of these delights!

I've missed the last few weeks of farmers markets, so I was going to set out early this morning.  When my alarm sounded at 7:30, I lay there, pondering hitting snooze, when a giant clap of thunder sounded; that being a bit of an answer, I snuggled into the covers with a few cats and promptly went right back to sleep.

I love this sort of weather, especially in the middle of the summer.  While the days drag on and on when like this in the wintertime, I love it when it's warm and rainy.  Except for the fact that I don't own an umbrella currently.

Before I get into the market report, here's a funny story.  Frequently on Saturday mornings I go to the drive-through at the bank and then directly across the street to Crimson Cup for my latte (another thing I love about this weather in the summertime - hot coffe).  This morning I went through the drive through, had my money out, and arrived to the pickup window.  Without having stopped at the order window.  I pulled up and handed my money over; the barista had a surprised look on his face and I suddenly realized my error!  I missed the whole ordering part! I said! Clearly I need some coffee!  We both had a good laugh and, after ordering, I was on my way, latte in hand.

Sadly, that's kind of par for the course for me sometimes.

At any rate, I finally rolled into the Worthington around 10am, crossing my fingers for some white necarines, my favorite fruit ever (well, in July and August, anyway). For this reason I headed directly to Gillogly Orchards, where I scooped up not just 2 quarts of white nectarines (top of post) but some apricots as well! It's rare to find good apricots - anywhere, let alone locally - but these seem to be pretty good this year.  The flesh was firm and they are just lovely with their subtle blush:

I stopped by 2 Crows farm, seeing what I thought were black currants; they ended up being garden huckleberries, but I bought them anyway.  I can't say they are necessarily the most delicious berry I've ever eated raw, but after some research it seems they are good when cooked with a good bit of sugar, which I am trying even as I write.

I was happy to see lots of peppers at the market; they are still green this time of year (and with this weather) but I picked up quite a few at Wenger Produce for snacking and maybe pickle-making.  I'm really hoping to make some hot pickle relish this year, so that I can make it exactly to my specifications (lots of cauliflower and carrots, with some hot peppers thrown in for good measure).   From Wenger I also snagged some zucchini and cucumbers.

I bought my first heirloom tomatoes of the year, some Sungold cherry tomatoes from I think Yoder farms. Boy those things are amazingly delicious.

I stopped off at Saum's for some bi-color sweet corn and then grabbed a bouquet of sunflowers from Sundog to take to work with me.

Well, after all that writing about yummy fruits and vegetables, I think I'm ready for some lunch!

So, what did you get this week?

Questions

Do you have any questions about eating locally or what to do with you farm market haul? Please leave them in the comments and I'll answer them for everyone.

Lisa's Top Fives - Mostly Food Related

I haven't done a "best of" in about 2 years, so I thought I'd take some time - while I am on a cooking hiatus and working a lot - and do another one.

Please feel free to leave your own thoughts and favorites in the comments!

*sidenote* I know a lot of you and your website designers don't like to listen to me (on such issues as flash intros and horrible music), but I'll say this: If you have a physical location, it is very nice to have your phone number and address on the front page of your website, and it's even better if it's above the fold. Don't say I never offered you any free advice.

Best Restaurants

Alana's - The premier user of local and seasonal ingredients in Columbus. Probably the best wine list in the city.  The menu changes frequently - sometimes daily.  I'm not sure how Alana's got a reputation for being super expensive, because it's pretty easy to eat there for under $100 for 2 people.  Newly expanded bar makes it easy to pop in for a glass of wine and an appetizer, which is nice if you're dining solo. info: 2333 N. High St (North Campus) 614.294.6783

Basi Italia - Anyone who can make eggplant taste as good Basi is a winner in my book.  I also love the rigatoni and trout.  A lovely patio and very reasonably priced wine list. info: 811 Highland St (Vicotrian Village) 614.294.7383

Kihachi - someone commented last year that I was ruining Kihachi.  Well, it's still the best restaurant in the city. An unwavering commitment to quality ingredients makes this worth every penny, even if you're just there for a bowl of their great noodles. DO NOT expect a sushi restaurant.  Kihachi is a very traditional Japanese restaurant, catering to the Japanese palate. Do not expect concessions to be made for Western tastes. 

The Refectory - Flawlessly executed French food. The duck by which I measure all other ducks and am constantly disappointed. Great wine list and special events. info: 1092 Bethel Road (NW side) 614.451.9774

G. Michael's - quite possibly the most underrated restaurant in Columbus.  Every time I read some chef  bragging about all the local or sustainable ingredients they use, I shoot an email to Chef Tetzloff and tell him he needs a publicist.  The specials are not to be missed.  Very seasonal cooking with a Southern flair. Don't miss the shrimp & grits. Anything with pork or seafood will be a winner. info: 585 S 3rd St (German Village) 614.464.0575

Best Casual Restaurants

Cafe Corner - really great sandwiches. Favorites are the 3rd & Penn and the one with bacon, avocado, and fig jam. info: 1185 Pennsylvania Ave (Harrison west) 614.294.CAFE
Pita Hut - the best schwarma in Columbus.  I have heard 2 people tell me they don't like it, causing me to question their judgment in all else.  My Father in Law was in Iraq last year and said it is very similar to the street food there.  The traditional falafel, a mix of lamb, beef, and turkey, is quite simply amazing.  The falafel is the best I've ever had.  The kufteh is delicious (fried, football-shaped meatballs), and the hummus is great as well. info: 4965  N. High St (Graceland area) 614.433.0996
Tensuke - There is a small restaurant inside this Japanese grocery store, and it is always a winner for great carryout sushi.  I love the crunchy spicy salmon rolls and pretty much any of the lunches there.  Great for a quick meal when you are feeling uninspired and want something healthy at a great price. info: 1167 Old Henderson (NW side) 614.451.6002
Dirty Franks - okay, it's only just opened, but you really can't beat a $3 hot dog in a place where you can also get a draft Frost Top root beer with a shot of bourbon on the side. For lunch or at 1 in the morning. info: 248 S 4th St (downtown) 614.824.4673

Best Bars

MoJoe - one of our regular hangouts. I haven't put it on the list before because it's kind of our bar where no one knows our name.  Home to my favorite bartender Pants.  The fries are so good we call them "crack fries," and the fish tacos are pretty tasty, too.  info: 600 N. High St (Short North/Convention Center) 614.225.1563
Bob's Bar - Well, it is the Cultural Hub of the Midwest, you know.  If you can get there on a night when the jukebox isn't being overtaken by someone with the worst taste in music ever, it's a great space.  A great neighborhood joint with what might be the best beer selection in Columbus.  Friendly, competent bartenders are a big plus, and you can bring in your Pita Hut from next door. info: 4961 N. High St (Graceland area) 614.888.9073
Hyde Park - Kind of outside of my usual hangout, Hyde Park is pretty legendary for their Happy Hour, which includes $4 martinis.  Even if lots of the martinis are mixed with juice, they are giant enough to make them a steal.  The bartenders at Hyde Park are great all the time, and I never feel out of place, even when Husband and I are the only people there who clearly don't care to dress up for Happy Hour.  A great cross-section of people thanks to the friendly staff.  Kind of makes up for the abomination of their sister bar, eleven. info: 569 N. High St (Short North/Convention Center) 614.224.2204
The Rossi - Might be Columbus' only true gastropub, even though they don't really bill themselves that way.  Some of the best pizza in the city (sausage and hot peppers, please), and the closest to NY style we have - thin crust, big foldable slices, it's great.  Also the burger is the best we've found in Columbus so far, and I also love the ham & gruyere sandwich with a fried egg.  Bartenders are nice and the music is always  great. info: 895 N. High St (Short North) 614.299.2810 Best Ethnic Restaurants

La Michoacana - This Morse road Mexican grocery and restaurant has really great tacos, tamales, and best of all, Al Pastor (a highly seasoned pork dish with pineapple).  I was there waiting for carryout the other day and noticed how interesting the bar was - not a bottle of vodka inside, in complete contradiction to American bars.  Also a great place to buy items for Latin cooking, also good for buying sodas sweetened with real sugar info: 2175 Morse Road (Northland) 614.471.4500
El Arepzo - A longtime favorite of Restaurant Widow. The base of the cuisine is an arepa, a grilled cornmeal cake which serves as a vehicle for delivering amazing meat.  Empanadas are tasty as well, and there are lots of great dishes topped with fried eggs.  Husband loves the Big Mexican burrito.  And then, of course, there's the cilantro sauce.  Even a cilantro-hater like me could drink it on the side. info: 47 N. Pearl St (downtown) 614.228.4830
Bay Leaf Indian - I have only been there for the lunch buffet, but every time it has been great.  Very large selection which rotates on a daily basis.  Good goat curry, great Naan and pickles.  Although they serve meat, there are lots of amazing vegetarian options as well. info: 1025 Polaris Parkway (Polaris) 614.825.1023
La Plaza Tapatia - It's worth the drive through the Mad Max wasteland of the West side to get to this large Mexican grocery store and restaurant.  Sunday afternoons feature live music.  Tacos are very good, as is the Al Pastor and fish stew. info: 4233 Shoppers Lane (far West side) 614.276.0333
CoCo's Grille - Great Western and Eastern style Asian items. Ask for "Chinese Style" to get things extra spicy and tasty.  Reexaminations: green beans in black bean sauce (Husband's favorite), Singapore rice noodles, and crispy Thai Spiced Shrimp info: 845 W 5th Ave (Grandview-ish) 614.429.0790

Best Places to Shop for Food

The North Market - Of course, it's foodie paradise for the gourmands of the capital city.  Great for lunch or shopping for the week's dinners.  Great Saturday farmer's market. Also good for cooking classes (and the occasional RW dinner!) info: 59 Spruce St (Convention Center/Arena District)
The Hills Market - The Hills could be a case study in effective use of social media. I didn't frequent the HIlls, mainly because of the distance, but after they asked me to do a cooking class and offered their space for a dinner, I became a convert. Their use of blogging and Twitter to keep up with their customers should be a case study for would-be new media savvy businesses. The Hills was the first grocery store to carry Snowville Creamery milk, carried Ohio beef before Whole Foods did, and was the first local outlet for Jeni's Ice cream outside of their shops. Also great events like beer and wine tastings and cooking classes. Don't miss their $5 premade subs. Great wine selection and full liquor store. 7860 Olentangy River Road/315 614.846.3220
Weiland's - My neighborhood grocery store. I love the traditional butcher shop; the guys there are great. The deli is also good, full of Boar's head and Thuman's meats.  A great wine department and a fully-functional liquor store.  Good seafood department and amazing house-smoked items.  The brisket, usually available Saturdays and Sundays, could make a grown man cry it's so good. info: 3600 Indianola Ave (Clintonville) 614.267.9878
Carfagna's - This packed NE side Italian grocery store is one of my favorite places to buy quick dinner solutions.  Their frozen fresh pastas a good, and their jarred housebrand sauces are a savior for picky eaters with time constraints.  The last time I was there, the bag boy reminded me to get my free pound of pasta (one with every jar of sauce), and he carried my groceries to the car.  That's service like we rarely see anymore.  And yes, I tipped him. No one has ever carried my groceries to my car before. info: 1405 E Dublin-Granville road (NE side) 614.846.6340
Mediterrainean Imports - The best place to buy beans, olive oil, and amazingly delicious varieties of olives and dates.  I never knew dates as tasty as King Solomon dates existed before!  The staff is friendly and will help you find things if you need help.  Don't miss their premade frozen savory pastries, which are made in house. 2647 N. High St (Olde North, aka North Campus, aka Washington Beach, aka Baja Clintonville) 614.263.9400

Other Favorite Places to Shop

Tigertree - they sell cool fashions at Tigertree, but I am currently on leave from fashion until I lose a little weight. I love Tigertree for their trinkets and tote bags.  They sell the occasional bento box, and are the only store I know of in Central Ohio where one an buy new Lomo cameras.  info: 775 N. High St (Short North) 614.299.2660

Rivet - I can't explain the fascination I have with the toys and creepy artwork at Rivet. There something about buying a blind box; it's like being a child again. I love it. I wish I could afford more of the artwork they have on display.  The lower-priced works sell out almost immediately when they debut the first Saturday of each month. info: 1200 N. High St (Short North) 614.294.TOYS

On Paper - I love paper. and I spend a lot of money on it. I have a bit of a paper problem. Which is why I love On Paper. Husband always buys me cool things when he goes there (which I've taught him to do for all of his greeting card needs) and it's great for boys because your girlie will love anything you buy her from there. info: 737 N. High St (Short North) 614.424.6617

Husband cooks while the Widow Works.

Husband here. My employer participated in 614 Magazine's "other" Restaurant Week.  After that week-long maelstrom, i decided to take an extra dayoff.  In an attempt to clean the freezer and fridge, i made an impromptu Frittata. 

The recipe:

10 Eggs 

1/2 lb freezer meat (Pork, Sausage, Ground Beef, Chicken or, in my case, Lamb)

1 Onion, Chopped

1 Jumbo Amish Zucchini or 2 regular Zucchinis Chopped

S&P to taste.

Directions:

Set Broiler to high. Place 12 in. non-stick pan over medium heat. Place frozen meat in pan. Lament the fact that News and Notes is no longer on WCBE.  Pour yourself a Beefeater/Cynar* Martini. 6 to1.

As the outside of the meat browns, scrape off the browned bits and flip.  Repeat until all meat is cooked.  Remove and drain fat from meat.  Turn heat up to medium-high and add onion.  Cook until softened and set aside.  Move load of laundry from washer to drier.  Grab frozen tasty treat from basement freezer. Nom!

Add zucchini to pan.  It will seem dry at first but soon it will give up its water. Cook until all liquid has evaporated.  After cooking, volume will shrink by half.  In a medium bowl whisk eggs, salt and pepper.  Turn heat to medium-low. Shake your head at Sean Hanity's inability to remember that the 1st stimulus was passed by W!

Return meat and onions to pan with zucchini and mix together. Add egg mixture and and stir to incorporate all ingredients.  Gently scrape sides and bottom to move cooked egg aside and allow uncooked egg exposure to pan surface.  Keep shaking the pan.

Praise the fact the gun-nuts can't carry their concealed weapons into non-gun-nut states.  Feeling better, shake and pour second Beefeater/Cynar* Martini. When only the middle of the egg mixture jiggles, move to the oven.

At this point you can not leave! The Frittata must be watched and moved to brown properly. So, pull up blue stool recovered from the alley, make sure the Martini is nearby and watch as Frittata broils. 

When the top is brown, remove from the oven.  For the best results, invert Frittata onto a cooling rack and rest for 5-10 minutes.  If you're used to eating cold food like me, wait three hours.

If you're feeling fancy, serve with a lightly dressed Mesculin Salad and a Vouvray Sec, Barrel-fermented Sauvingon Blanc of mildly oak-aged White Burgundy. Or, eat in you easy chair with a Coors Light in the cold-activated can. Bon Appetit!

Husband

*Cynar (pronounced: Chee-nar) is a bitter Italian aperitif/liqueur that is made from Artichokes.  It's finally available in Ohio.  Imagine a non-fruity Campari with a pinch of Fernet Branca. Nice on ice, quirky as a mixer but best on its own.   It should retail for $15-20.  If your local liquor store doesn't have it, tell them that Glazer's is the local distributor and they can order it one bottle at a time.  

Field to Table Dinner at Whole Foods

I am posting this from my iPhone so please pardon any errors.

I just received this reminder email from OEFFA regarding this saturday's dinner at Whole Foods. This one is pretty reasonably priced at $75.
Farmers’ Ball: A Field to Plate Celebration
Sat., July 25, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
$75 for the general public, only $60 for OEFFA members
Mention code “Growing Columbus” when reserving your seat!
100% of the proceeds to benefit OEFFA

Enjoy a beautiful and rustic family-style feast prepared by our talented chefs all from locally-sourced products! From Ohio wine and farmstead cheeses to locally- raised meats and produce picked right from the field; this 5-course meal will excite and delight your senses like never before! Live bluegrass entertainment by Death by Banjo will add to the fun. Remember, 100% of the proceeds benefit the Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association, helping to grow Ohio’s fine agriculture industry!

Cheese Course:
Blue Jacket Dairy Arrowhead Herb Chevre
Watercress
Fresh Berries
Harpersfield Pinot Gris, Grand River Valley, Geneva, Ohio

Salad:
Root Vegetable Fennel Carpaccio
Lemon Lavender Oil
Kinkead Ridge Viognier Roussanne, Ohio River Valley, Ripley, Ohio

3rd Course:
Pan Roasted Great Lakes Walleye
Citrus and Fennel Pollen
Hungarian Heirloom Cucumber Salad
Leek Braised Tiny Red Potatoes
Harpersfield Chardonnay, Grand River Valley, Geneva, Ohio

4th Course:
Ohio Beef Rib Roast
Trio of Smoked Onions
Roasted Mushrooms
Kinkead Ridge Revelation Red, Ohio River Valley, Ripley, Ohio

Dessert:
Country Pastry Tart Featuring Snowville Creamery
Firelands Ice Wine, Sandusky, Ohio

Whole Foods Market Dublin
On the Corner of 161 and Sawmill Road
614-760-5556 www.wholefoodsmarket.com/columbus

Things to do in Columbus::July 23rd Edition

Can you believe how amazing the weather has been?! Seriously, I can't think of a nicer July in years and years.  I hope it's at least warm enough for the tomatoes and everything to be really great...

At any rate, I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and doing all the nice shopping and eating seasonally and event-hopping that I haven't been doing.  This is yet another great weekend of events in Central Ohio.  

As always, if you have anything to add, please leave it in the comments.  Always remember, too, that you have my permission to add me to your email list of special events or press releases.

•  This weekend is the Jazz & Rib fest in the Arena District!  I love the idea of moving the festival from the south edge of downtown to the North; you can walk to the festival, to bars, to the Short North - it's great.  The Jazz & Rib Fest always features tons of great music and of course, great food.  Best of all, it's free!
• There are lots of opportunities to see free or cheap music this weekend!  The Jazz Arts Group presents JazZoo this Friday, across town in Gahanna, you can see the Gas Pump Jockeys at Creekside in Gahanna.
• Tonight at the Wexner Center, you can see American Graffiti or Dazed and Confused! And of course, there are always lots of great things happening at the Wex.
• This week is the Violet Festival in Pickerington.
• This week's movie in the CAPA Summer Movie Series is The Awful Truth.  If you've never been to the Ohio Theatre, this is a great chance to see it at a great price. It is hands down one of my favorite places in the city.

Pre-screening tickets to Julie & Julia

After some juvenile whining on Twitter, the good folks at Slow Food Columbus have provided 2 passes for tonight's screening of Julie & Julia at the Arena Grand Theatre.

I will give these away to the first person to correctly answer the following question: what is the literal definition of "arancini" and what is the food definition?

Please leave your answer in the comments section. You MUST be able to attend tonight's 7pm performance and be able to pick up your tickets in the Short North area before 5pm.

No exceptions, please, as I an working all day and won't be able to facilitate any changes!

I will notify the winner via email but will not be able to notify the losers.

If you are only one person, please let me know and I will add the 2nd place winner to your party.

Good Luck!

A Few Events

I am about to head out to the country for a few days of peace, quiet, and family. And maybe the occasional political debate.  Oh! and of course, emus.I will be completely disconnected from the Intertubes (yes, if I think about that too closely I do start to feel panicky).  But I wanted to let you know about a few great things going on this weekend.

Fist up, tonight OEFFA will be hosting the Columbus premier of Food, Inc. (click on the link to see a preview of the film); there will be a reception featuring local foods (and Jeni's Ice cream!).  The 7:30 showing filled up so fast they've added a 9:30 seating.  The event will take place at the Drexel East.  You should go, because I can't. I'll be making beef and fish tacos for my whole family tonight.

Saturday at noon, I will briefly emerge from the cornfields to partake in a panel discussion on eating local foods.  This WCBE Coffee Klatch session will take place in the Dispatch kitchen at the North Market (2nd floor).  I will be joining other locavores to discuss the state of food in Central Ohio.  The others include:
Maureen Metcalf of the EarthTouch Giving Garden
*Michael Jones, Local Matters
*Nick Dekker, Wild Goose Creative
*Jaime Moore, Wayward Seed Farm
*Gabe Sturgess, Clintonville Community Market
*Lisa Dillman, RestaurantWidow food blogger
*Jen Bhaerman, Snowville Creamery

Get Ready for Bacon Camp

On August 1st, Wild Goose Creative will be hosting Bacon Camp, a national event which celebrates all things bacon.

Test your own bacon prowess by submitting a bacon-based dish or crafting a bacon-related item!  You can find more information on their website.