Foodie Adventures

For my Mom's birthday we decided to venture out of our normal restaurants we enjoy and try something new. After hearing several friends say great things about Sage and reading about them in Crave magazine we decided to give it a shot and were very pleased with our experience. The restaurant is located slightly north of campus next to the Ravari Room/Hound Dogs Pizza. Sage is a small restaurant but is very nicely decorated with local artwork that is available for purchase. We started off with a round of cocktails. I tried the Blood Orange Cosmopolitan which was delicious. We ordered a couple of appetizers. I definitely wanted to try to Pork Belly since it had been highly recommended and was not disappointed. It was absolutely delicious! We also got the cheese plate which was good, might have been nice to be a bit larger for our party of 5 but all of the local Ohio cheeses were yummy. I also ordered their soup of the day which was a Chilled Carrot and Ginger soup. I thought it was very refreshing but one of my other dining partners was not as excited about it. Our waiter did not specify initially that it was a chilled soup and while I am fine with eating chilled soups, it would have been nice to know what to expect. I do think that the ginger might have overpowered the soup a bit but I enjoyed it none the less. Others in my party enjoyed the Grilled Caesar Salad and my mom got the Frisee salad which she said was one of the best salads she's ever had. For the entree course we ordered a bottle of wine the Les Jamelles (I probably butchered the spelling of that) Pinot Noir which was very good in my opinion. The wine list is not very extensive as mentioned below but I agree that it did the job. I ordered the Veal Meatballs as my entree which was served with some Crispy Risotto cakes and it was very delicious. Others ordered the Scallops (which were cooked perfectly) as well as the Tuna entree and the Blackened Crab Cakes. The crab cakes were very spicy, almost too much for some in my party but was served with a watermelon relish on top which helped to cool down the palate a bit. Overall we were all very happy with our orders. Since we were celebrating my Mom's birthday we decided to try three different desserts: the crepes, the creme brulee, and at the suggestion of our server the chocolate torte. All three were delicious but I especially enjoyed the creme brulee which had some strawberries and micro-basil on top which made it just perfect and very refreshing. Their coffee is also very good which always makes me happy.

My only complains about our experience is that the service was pretty slow (which is why I am giving 4 instead of 5 stars) and it was very loud in the restaurant (probably due to the small venue and the brick walls). They were completely packed so I can understand but our dining experience took about 2 1/2-3 hours which is a bit long in my opinion. However we took everything in and despite the longer than usual service we would definitely come back again!! If you are a foodie and you have not tried this place I would highly recommend stopping by!

Decided to be spontaneous and try somewhere new and spotted Cafe Shish Kebab tucked away in a strip mall off Bethel. They have a nice little outdoor patio (even if the view is of the strip mall parking lot) as welll as a nice interior. We sat outside since the weather was nice. We went for lunch and were pleased to see they had great lunch specials. Appetizer and Entree plus the house dessert for only $9.95. For the started I tried the Red Lentil Soup which was delicious! My dining partner got the hummus which was some of the best I've ever had. I also appreciated the bread and the roasted red pepper and olive oil dipping sauce which was very tasty. For the entree my dining partner got the Turkish gyro kebab which was good and I opted for the felafel. I enjoyed mine and ended up having to take some home since I filled up on bread and soup. The dessert was a nice treat. Overall I was very please with my find of Cafe Shish Kebab and will probably be back again to try it for dinner.

Been to this place a couple of times, most recently wanted a bite to eat and started off in the Short North but due to me forgetting it was Gallery Hop night I kept on driving and ended up at Japanese Oriental which is located just north of campus. The actual restaurant is pretty small with only a few tables but it has never been overly crowded the times I have been here. I also was just recently informed that there is a small (like two spots small) parking lot in the rear of the restaurant if you cannot find street parking.

As for the food, I usually order sushi rolls and everything I've ever ordered has been fresh and delicious (love the Spicy Salmon and Philly Rolls). I also enjoy their Miso soup and edamame. Their other entrees look appetizing as well, my dining partner tried the Fried Dumplings and they were very tasty. The next time I go I want to try the Kal Beef as another of of my dining companions considers it a favorite and it looked delicious.

Cap City is a great staple restaurant to have in your dining out repertoire. I have been to both locations but usually choose this one as it is closer to where I live. The atmosphere is that of an upscale diner which is a nice change of pace and since its Cameron Mitchell you know the food will be great. Over the course of my visits I've tried and tasted many different things. Some of my favorites include the PEI Mussels as an appetizer, and for entrees Six Cheese Ravioli (with meatballs!) and the Smoked Turkey Reuben. I am not a meatloaf person (I know--what a sin!) but from my friends who die for meatloaf Cap City's is hard to beat. Their desserts are huge and great for sharing if you so desire! The bar at Cap City is also nice--try their Pineapple Infused Vodka! I also love eating out on the patio in the summer if the weather permits. Overall Cap City is a great place to have your fill of some fine dining in a relaxed, casual atmosphere!

Mitchell's Ocean Club is great. I've been here a couple times and it never disappoints. While the price is definitely not cheap you get excellent food and wonderful service. The wait staff is very friendly and knowledgable and will make sure you have a great dining experience. The food of course is the main attraction here and whether you are seeking seafood or steak you are guaranteed to find something delightful. Each time I have been here we have ordered the raw oysters and they are so fresh and delicious each time. Presentation is a big deal at the Ocean Club as our oysters were brought out on an ice tray with the house made cocktail sauce in a "smoking" dish effect from dry ice in the center. Definitely makes is much more of an experience. I forgot to mention the drinks! The Ocean Club has some neat signature cocktails such as the Black Orchid and Elderflower la poire (it was called something like that). I won't spoil the excitement but if you want a delicious and memorable cocktail order one of those. As far as the rest of the meal goes my favorites include the ravioli appetizer which was also very tasty, the lobster bisque, and for the entree I thoroughly enjoyed the filet ala Oscar one time and the sea scallops another. The sides are served family style and my absolute favorite is the Black Truffle Mac & Cheese. It is to die for. The desserts are tasty as well and the coffee is served in a French press which adds a nice touch. Overall if you are looking for an upscale place with options for all don't miss out on Mitchell's Ocean Club.

On a recent weekend trip to Cleveland, I chose Lago as my dining destination to celebrate my anniversary with my dining partner. Overall, I was pleased with my experience. It started off a bit slow, I don't know what was going on with the wait staff that evening but it seemed everyone was having very slow service and the restaurant wasn't even full. Maybe they were understaffed? Any issues with the speed of service were made up for with the food. Everything was absolutely delicious. My dining partner had the gnocchi and just as everyone else on here has said it was phenomenal! I decided to get one of the specials that evening, lobster ravioli with a filet on top. Mine was delicious as well. We had the mussels and clams as an appetizer which was good but nothing out of the ordinary. And for dessert we enjoyed the goat cheese creme brûlée which was very tasty. Overall I give this place 4 stars based on the food. Hopefully others will have slightly speedier service!

Went to Moretti's of Arlington with a group during Restaurant Week and had a great experience. We went during the week around 8:30 to accommodate everyone's schedules and were able to sit at one of the large round tables outside on their patio. The atmosphere on the patio was nice with the flowers and lights. For restaurant week I started off with the Caprese salad which was good as expected, I did try a bite of the Risotto Cheese Balls too though which were outstanding. For my entree I got the Chili Lime Crab Pasta which was pretty good but I should have gotten the Chicken Siciliano some of the others got with the cheese and prosciutto which was awesome. For dessert most of the others got the cannoli which was only fair but I got the red velvet cheesecake which was absolutely delicious. I couldn't eat it all since I was so full and it was very rich but I took the rest of it home and I made for a great treat. Overall I was please and would probably go back.

G. Michael's is probably my favorite restaurant in Columbus. I just love it. I've been here a handful of times and have never been disappointed. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere about it and the service is fantastic. It is definitely a fine-dining establishment but there is nothing pretentious about this place, just great food. Their menu changes seasonally so you always have something new to look forward to. I also love that they try to incorporate as much local food as possible. They have a full bar as well as a great wine list to accompany your meal. I most recently went here for Valentine's Day with my boyfriend as I find it a great place for a nice romantic meal. As to be expected on Valentine's we had a short wait even though we had reservations but we each ordered drinks at the bar (which were great!) and soon enough our name was called. We were lucky enough to get one of the booths in the back of the restaurant and had an excellent meal. We ordered the Steamed PEI Mussels that is currently on their menu with the Chardonnay Cream sauce and I have to say that these were the best mussels I have ever had. The sauce was SO GOOD that after the mussels were gone my boyfriend and I ate the rest of the sauce with our bread because it was so tastey. I had the Pan-Roasted Mahi for my entree which was delicious and he had the Rabbit Roulade. He wasn't as crazy about his dish, he didn't care for the Kraut on the dish, but I tasted his and thought it was enjoyable. I have enjoyed this place several times for different occasions but I have never been disappointed and have always had a great experience. I highly recommend this place!

This place is great. It is definitely one of my favorites in the Columbus area. My parents love this place as well and it is pretty much one of our staples when we are looking for a nice meal. The menu is great, much more than your typical Steak and Seafood place. They have several other dishes that look great that aren't steak or seafood, but I love steak so I have always ended up getting a dish that had at least some steak. One of my absolute favorites here is the Filet trio, which used to be a special, but I'm assuming due to its popularity is now a regular on the menu. Three filet medallions with three different toppings- Bearnaise sauce, Maytag Blue cheese, and wild mushrooms. All are fantastic! On my latest visit I was craving some Salmon but wasn't willing to give up my steak so I got the Petite Filet Combo with the Grilled Atlantic Salmon and it hit the spot! The sides are great too, I usually get the White Cheddar Chipotle mashed potatoes which are delicious but I also tried the Lobster Mac and Cheese that my brother ordered and it was TO DIE FOR! I also very much enjoy the asparagus they serve with the entree. Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables but they serve it with this little tomato salsa on top and it adds a fantastic touch. I haven't ventured out too much myself in ordering different things of the menu as I am a lover of steak but some of my dinner partners have ordered other entrees and no one has ever been disappointed. They also have a great selection of appetizers, a great wine list, and very tempting desserts! Oh I forgot to mention that the Maryland Crab Bisque is DELICIOUS!! If you are looking for a soup/salad, entree, and dessert try their Prix Fixe menu they are currently featuring for $34/pp. There are only two desserts listed as options but the servers are fantastic and have always let us choose anything we want. GREAT SERVICE! I highly recommend this place and will definitely keep coming back. (Oh, also I recommend signing up for their e-mail program, the send out great coupons all the time!)

Cody and I ventured out to the Elevator a few weeks ago during Dine Originals Week here in Columbus. After looking at some of the menu selections for Dine Originals Week we decided to venture out to the Elevator. We were very pleased with our choice. The atmosphere is nice if you are looking for a place with good food and a casual feel. The Dine Originals menu included an appetizer, entree, and dessert as well as one of their craft beers. We tried two of their beers, both of us enjoyed the Xtra Lager the best. Then each of us got the IPA Steamed Mussels which were good (not the best I've ever had, but enjoyable). For the entrees we selected the Beef Medallions (which came with mashed potatoes and asparagus) as well as the Crab Manicotti. Both were very good! The Beef Medallions was very tender and juicy and the Crab Manicotti had a great flavor. I would definitely order either entree again. For dessert we had the Root Beer Float which was alright, and the Buckeye Cheesecake which was AWESOME. I looked over other items on their everyday menu and there were definitely things I would want to come back again and try. The only negative things I have to say about this restaurant are that it was a little noisy (but that was to be expected considering the "draught haus" theme) and the prices on the regular menu were a little pricey. But the food is definitely good and comparable to other restaurants with the same quality so I would definitely come back again and have already recommended this restaurant to family and friends.

So... I have failed miserably over the past year in posting at all. But plan to start getting back into it. So here are some reviews from my most recent trip to Cocoa Beach, FL

Up first... Florida's Seafood Bar & Grill

On our recent stay in the Cocoa Beach area we decided to eat at Florida's Seafood Bar and Grill. The decor of the place was very festive, especially the many saltwater fish tanks they had all over the restaurant. However, the food was nothing to get excited about. Nothing was bad, but overall the meal was not memorable, and I have certainly had better seafood elsewhere (even in Ohio!). They have a full bar but do not have a great wine selection (I think there were only 2 brands to choose from!). For an appetizer we decided to get some kind of oysters and our waiter recommended the Casino Oysters. Out of the whole meal, this was probably the highlight. I ordered the Mahi Mahi Oscar style and was pretty disappointed with what I got. The fish was definitely over-cooked, the "lump crab" on top was more like a crab stuffing, and my "asparagus on the side" was one piece of asparagus (also over-cooked) on top of my fish. The Bearnaise sauce was in a cup on the side of my fish and was also so-so. The other dish ordered was one of the combos and it was liked probably better than mine but still not that great. Overall I got overpriced, mediocre seafood. I didn't feel like I was getting freshly caught seafood at all and think I probably got caught in a tourist trap (I think I would have rather gone to Red Lobster). While my meal was not horrible, it certainly wasn't memorable and I would not venture back here again.

Next Up... Atlantic Ocean Grille
On our last night in Cocoa Beach we decided to go to one of the restaurants on the Pier. This restaurant looked a little nicer (we wanted a good seafood place) than the others on the pier so this is where we chose to eat. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. We went after the main dinner crowd around 8:30PM so there was no wait. Overall the service was a little bit slow, we got our waters immediately and ordered drinks (which were so-so) but the drinks took quite a while to be delivered to us, as was the appetizer, so on and so fourth. But we were in no rush, so it was no big deal. We got the crab stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer which were pretty good, but for a $7 appetizer I'd expect just a little more than 5 small mushrooms. We went on a Wednesday and it just so happened to be Crab Leg night. It was $12.95 for I believe 1 1/2 pounds of Alaskan Snow Crab legs. While many come for fresh Florida seafood, we were both really craving some crab, so this special hit the spot. The entrees came with a house salad as well as your choice of potato and some vegetables. The crab legs are definitely the star of this dish and were very good. I had a baked potato which was also good as they come around with optional toppings of sour cream, bacon, and chives (butter is served with the potato on the side). The vegetables were basically a steamed medley which I actually did not try (they didn't look that great honestly). Overall I'd give this place 3 out of 5 stars. I am sure it is a great place to eat at during the sunset over the Pier and the food wasn't terrible (Great price on the Crab Leg special!) I think they also have a Lobster Tail special on Thursdays for $14.95 for two Bahamian Lobster Tails. I probably wouldn't go back here again but the service was good and the food was decent, overall a good experience.

And the last place to review during our trip to Cocoa Beach... Rusty's Seafood and Oyster Bar!

Went to Rusty's after getting back from a Deep Sea fishing trip (it was located right next to the dock) for a little snack. We went during Happy Hour which featured $1.70 Miller or Bud Lights and $0.70 raw oysters and wings. (Looks like they've raised their prices slightly in the past year--still a good deal!). We ordered a couple beers and three different appetizers- some ray oysters, the bacon wrapped scallops, and the smoked fish dip. All three were very good. They oysters were delicious, very fresh and tastey, the other two were very enjoyable as well. We say on the outdoor patio and enjoyed the afternoon on the water. I'd definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a place on the water with great raw oysters and lots of beer!

That's all from our trip! Stay tuned as I will try and catch up on some other reviews from my long list I made a year ago soon!