Columbus Foodie

I found another Columbus food blogger at The Holy Crepe! Cool..I wonder how many of us are out here? Maybe one day there will be enough of us to have a Columbus (or Ohio?) Food Blogger Picnic or Potluck or something.
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I really want to try this recipe for Schmarren (German Omelet). It sounds interesting, like a really eggy pancake. I wonder if this would be good with apples in it?
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The Dispatch wants to know Who has the best spaghetti in town?. Too bad Carfagna’s isn’t a choice. If I write it in, will it count?? (Since they aren’t technically a restaurant). Cast your vote, and you might win a $25 gift card. BTW, last week readers chose Cap City Fine Diner as the best meatloaf in town. Do you agree or disagree? I’ll admit, they came to mind as the best, until I remembered the EXCELLENT chicken meatloaf at North Market Poultry and Game. Yum.
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Speaking of the Dispatch, their restaurant reviewer gave Tropical Bistro (or as I like to call it, Kahiki Lite), a scathing review. Way too brutal. I can’t say I’ve ever been to Kahiki, so I don’t know how it compares, but the times I’ve been there at dinner time, the food was excellent, the drinks were inventive, and the presentation was superb. I do review restaurants on my blog from time to time, and before I write a bad review, I’ll visit a restaurant at least twice, during two different times of the day. While I’ll admit that lunch at Tropical Bistro probably was off when he visited, it’s a shame that Jon Christensen wasn’t patient enough to give it one more try before writing a review that can make or break a new restaurant, that at least for me, fills the void that the closing of Kahiki left in the Central Ohio restaurant market. But then, of course, I disagree with Jon Christensen on many of his reviews. To each his own, I suppose. But take it from one foodie to another, don’t let the Dispatch review put you off, give it a try at least once (preferably at dinnertime, when it’s sit down rather than buffet), and you’ll see what I’m talking about. It’s as much about the experience as it is the food.
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Lots of good instructive food blog posts this week. Alanna from A Veggie Venture teaches us how to make salad dressing, and Kate from Accidental Hedonist tells us about the different types of butter.
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I guess I won’t be buying any bagged spinach for a while. While Ohio isn’t one of the states listed, I’m not taking any chances.
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I’ve found a way to use those heirloom cherry tomatoes that we got at last weekends farmers market, thanks to Kalyn of Kalyn’s Kitchen.
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I’m going to New York in December for a vacation I won, and frankly, I’m a little intimidated by the size of the city. It’s way outside my comfort zone – I’m used to getting where I need to go in a car, finding sufficient parking (even valet parking in LA freaked me out a bit), planning out where I’m going to go before I get to the vacation destination, etc. But for some strange reason, New York seems like a foreign country to me – a foreign country where I’ll stand out like a sore thumb, because while I’m no country bumpkin, I’m no urban type either. I’m unsure about the subways, the safety factor, etc. And I’m probably just being paranoid. But Adam, The Amateur Gourmet wrote a entry about his experience at Le Cirque that has me really worried. Why? Because there’s no doubt, I’m the person that they’d seat at the bad table. Hell, it happens here in Columbus from time to time – fat folk like my husband and I get stuck in the corner all the time. But in New York? We’ll both stick out like sore thumbs.

So, I put the call out to any New Yorkers that read this blog. We’ll be staying at the Westin New York at Times Square at the corner of 43rd and 8th. Can anyone recommend a place within 1-2 blocks of there that has great food and no attitude toward non-beautiful/rich/elegant people? Just good food and good service? I have to say, I looked at the menu for Le Cirque, and I wasn’t impressed. $24 for a pea appetizer at lunch time? Are they high? While I can certainly afford it, I’d rather spend my money on good take-away if need be. Ethnic food is a plus, and a good deli (with good food at a decent value) is a must. I’m open to any/all suggestions, just as long as they don’t involve a subway ride.
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Now that there’s a slight chill in the air, why not whip up some September Soup? Christine from Christine Cooks tells us all about her yearly ritual. It sounds like a great way to use all those CSA and farmer’s market veggies to me! And if you’re in the mood for something a little more spicy, L of Cookbook 411 offers up a recipe for Kitchen Sink Green Chile Stew that would really hit the spot.
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I think a road trip to Cleveland is in order soon. Between this excellent review of Balaton on Blogging Ohio, and the reminder of why I love the West Side Market by Skillet Doux, the two hour trip must be made soon. There’s two places in the West Side Market that have food that I’m craving – the Pierogie Palace (because I love the ‘rogies, and they have tons of different flavors), and some shop that has UK delicacies like pasties and scotch eggs and bridies that I can’t remember the name of right now. Besides, it will give me a chance to see friends while I’m up there.
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Until next week….