Although Columbus, Ohio has been known as a testing ground for McDonald’s and the birthplace of a number of fast food and fast casual restaurants in recent years, it has grown to become one of the most exciting dining cities in the Midwest. The influx of population from the east coast and from abroad has lead to a dining revolution with new styles and more skilled chefs making their way into the capital’s restaurants.
The Classic French landmark restaurants such as L’Antibes and the Refectory remain, but a new crop of restaurants has gathered around them. From the Wine and Tapas bars that have infiltrated Grandview Heights; the fine Japanese and Korean places all over the North Side; to the swankier locations all over the Arena District and the Short North; to the Organic and gourmet food markets in Clintonville, the University District, and German Village. Columbus has inherited a new sense of culinary style. One that is creating a stir in the empty gastronomic air that sits between New York and Chicago.
The Refectory 1092 Bethel Road Columbus, Ohio 43220 Northwest 614-451-9774
Longtime Chef Richard Blondin and The Refectory has been on the Columbus Dispatch’s Top Ten List every year since 1982. Its exquisite décor and food are matched by a manner that isn’t at all stuffy and they even encourage walk-ins. Their collection, which features more than 20,000 bottles of wine, have lead to a Wine Spectator Grand Award and a Best Award, as well as Four Diamonds from AAA. Blondin is a native of Lyon, France, and studied under chefs Pierre Orsi and Paul Bocuse. The classical French restaurant is set in an 1800’s church, with the main dining room being set amidst the beams and arched ceiling where congregations once were held. Dining here is almost a spiritual experience.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Z Cucina di spirito 1368 Grandview Avenue Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212 614-486-9200
Bright, clean setting that is almost lost amid a cluster of charming cafes and wine bars on Grandview Ave. It’s a neighborhood bar with edge. Executive Chef Brian Pawlak does an excellent job of straying away from classic and boring Italian American favorites, while still managing to center in on regional Italian dishes such as the Veal Saltimbocca Alla Romana and duck Breast Piedmontese. The wine list focuses on a few regions of Northern Italy such as Tuscany, Piedmont, Apulia, and Veneto. You can also round off dinner with a Crème Brulee Martini.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $30-40
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Alana’s Food & Wine 2333 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43202 614-294-6783
Executive Chef and owner Alana Shock is a former protégé of Emeril Lagasse and has one of the most exciting menus in the city. She self proclaims her style as bastardized French, does amazing things with morels, and is big on local and organic ingredients from places like Toad Hill farms. Shock features a menu that changes almost daily based on what’s available and in season. It is always adventurous too, with dishes such as Pastrami Cured Luscious Duck Breast with Gin and Juniper Wilted Frisée and Lavender White Beans or Hazelnut Crusted Baked Rustichella Spaghetti with Kabocha Pumpkin Ricotta. There is a daily risotto as well with legions of followers. The extensive wine list, which is paired with proper stemware, has won an award of excellence from Wine Spectator magazine as well. The restaurant is set in an old, intimate, rambling house with a large brick patio just north of the Ohio State University campus.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35-45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Rigsby’s Kitchen 698 North High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 Short North 614-461-7888
French, Italian, and Mediterranean styles come together in this landmark Short North restaurant. The restaurant went through a dramatic remodeling in 2005 and is now perhaps the most stylish in the area. Executive chef/Owner Kent Rigsby offers Sweetbreads, Braised Rabbit, and a number of other skillfully prepared dishes. Chicchetti, which are Venetian style small plates, cover a large portion of the menu too. Try the Devilled eggs with Shallots and White Truffle Oil or the Greek Meatballs with Tzadziki. Local and Organic ingredients are used when available. The restaurant also runs its own bread bakery assures fresh and delicious bread all day.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
by:Christine Irvin
Spain Restaurant 888 E. Dublin-Granville Road Dublin Northwest 614-840-9100
Owner Jorge Michalowski, and chef Andres Casal, both Spain natives, brought their passion for authentic Spanish cuisine and Old World Service to Columbus in 1994 when they opened Spain Restaurant. Both love the Spanish way of cooking and are devoted to offering the best of both, setting them apart from the mainstream when it comes to dining choices in Columbus. Using garlic, saffron, paprika and olive oil, seafood, fish, beef, chicken, veal and pork are transformed into culinary delights of texture and taste, transporting your taste buds to the world of Spanish culinary delights. The white linen tablecloths, Spanish décor and soft music create the perfect setting for their Paella Valenciana, Ternera en Salsa Blanca or Mar Y Tierra. All meals are made-to-order, not prepared ahead of time. A full bar and an extensive wine list are also available to enhance your dining experience.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25-$35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day - Open, Valentines Day – Open, Easter – Open, Thanksgiving - Closed, Christmas Eve - Closed, Christmas Day - Closed, and New Year’s Eve - Open.
Dragonfly Neo-V Cuisine 247 King Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43201 Victorian Village 614-298-9986
Rarely is a completely Organic and Vegan restaurant on the top of every critics top ten list. However, that is the case with Dragonfly. Listed as one of America’s best Vegetarian restaurants (the best in North America by the Vegetarian News), Executive Chef/Owner Magdiale Wolmark’s menu will satisfy even die hard meat lovers. The menu changes seasonally, and specials arise daily based on what’s available and what can be grown in their incredible kitchen garden behind the restaurant. Most ingredients are found locally. Sashimi Styled Matsutake and Portobello Leak Tarts are among the highly creative entrees, along with the highly popular pizzas of the day. There is a nice list of juices that combine many exotic ingredients and are made fresh. The dining room features glass work and other art by local artists.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
L’Antibes 772 North High Street, Suite 106 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Short North 614-291-1666
It is just a small restaurant and a small menu, but the standards are unparallel. L’Antibes is quiet and the fuscia colored dining room has just a few tables. It’s tucked away in a little visited side street, away from the lights of the Short North arches. Owner/chef Dale Gussett is one of the most skilled chefs in the city. When he sold the last restaurant he owned, L'Armagnac, the buyer made him sign a contract saying he wouldn’t cook in the city for the next five years. He left to locations in New England and Florida and then came back better than ever. Veal sweet breads are Gussett’s signature. He also bakes his own breads and does his own desserts. Oh, and when the chef goes on vacation, the restaurant closes, in the French style.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
Barcelona 263 East Whittier Street German Village, Ohio 43206 614-443-3699
Chef Paul Yow combines Asian, European, and American influences with Spanish presentation and techniques that has made this “the restaurant” in German Village. The paella is a menu staple and has a loyal following around the city. The Sautéed Scallops are served with tortilla strips, soy wasabi ginger, pea salad, and mango vinaigrette. Small plates and Tapas are big with Yow. Try the Barcelona Tapas platter for a group or pick some of the many dishes like Grilled Octopus or Salt Cod fritters with honey aioli. All the breads are baked on site.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
The Hunan Lion is the shining star in the three deep Hunan restaurant empire. The restaurant takes a dip into many regions of China, and an excellent place for Thai dishes as well. The Lion has a long, long menu with classic Chinese carryout dishes mixed in with many more regional specialties such as Shark Fin soup, Pataya Chicken, and the Bangkok Fish. There are extensive Thai and Curry options such as the Red Curry Duck and Green Curry Prawns and Scallops. The curries are prepared on site by scratch, giving them much more depth than any other Thai restaurant in the city.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15-25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open, and New Years Eve-Open
M 2 Miranova Place, Suite 100 Miranova Corporate Tower Columbus, Ohio 43215 Downtown 614-629-0000
When it opened M set out to be the most notable dining destination between New York and Chicago. The flagship of the Cameron Mitchell restaurant empire has definitely succeeded in attracting attention to the Columbus dining scene. Executive chef Brian Parker blends heartland ingredients with a style from the Pacific Rim. There’s a fine selection of Prime Beef, a small sushi menu, and even a fun dessert menu with Root Beer Floats and Coffee and Donuts. The eclectic restaurant is set on the ground floor of the city’s most exclusive residential high-rise. There are a number of beautiful dining areas set with soft blue and red hues.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, and New Years Eve-Open
The Top List of Great Restaurants - Columbus, OH