Cameron Mitchell’s Culinary Empire

Each theme works, while the service shines

High Street in the Short North

     Columbus is a chain of suburbs in search of a downtown.  Its restaurant scene follows this same model.  Though there has been a proliferation of independent foodie styled establishments in the Short North and the Arena District in the past twenty years, chains are the way to eat in Ohio’s capital.  Wendy’s started there, Piada – Italian food in a cafeteria setting that mirrors Chipotle – is the most recent addition, and

Village Crêpe

The little crêperie that could—and will

Dex Was Wanting to Check It Out Too

      Eric and I are always on the lookout for crêperies wherever we go.  So when some of our family members started talking about Village Crêpe in Pickerington, OH, we couldn't wait to

Katalina's Cafe Corner

A little Victorian Village corner in Columbus with lively, local color and great edible fare

Dexter Checks Out the Chalk Board

      The perfect formula for a coffee house, in my opinion, starts with a personality to emphasize its individuality and service that supports that quality.  Of course, the coffee must be great (something that's overlooked often times in the effort to

The Light in the Piada

Piada Sets the Mood for Dining

      I had been to Piada a couple of times and wanted Eric to experience it on our last visit to Columbus.  It’s a take on Chipotle…Italian style.  The interior is more restaurant like, a reinterpretation of an Abercrombie store with moody lighting and large

Head To The Morgan House For Lunch Classics Done Well

      I was visiting family in Columbus and this was the day for Martha and me to have lunch and “shop around”.  She wanted to go to The Morgan House and since I had not been there for lunch I was happy to go along with her idea.  The two of us are well known for being late so our arrival was at the end of the lunch rush.

The Morgan House Dining Room

      The dining room was pleasant, colonial in décor, and welcoming.  The large mural set the mood.  There was a fire going and we

Spagio – 30 Years and Counting in Grandview Heights, Columbus

The Eclectic Atrium Dining Area and Bar

Original Artwork in the Main Dining Room

      Neil and I wanted to take his sister, Martha, out for her birthday to brunch.  Neil suggested Spagio, which opened in the Grandview area of Columbus in 1981.  The dinner menu is eclectic, though it leans towards Italian and Mediterranean cuisines.  The Weekend Brunch menu consists of many new takes on old favorites.  This reflects the look of the restaurant.  You can tell from the artwork that

Columbus' Franklin Park Conservatory is an Overdose for the Senses

A Chihuly Sculpture in the Victorian Palm House

      Franklin Park was the centerpiece for Ameriflora, an international horticultural exhibition in 1992 to commemorate the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.  The Victorian conservatory, originally built in 1895 and modeled after the Glass Palace of the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, was renovated and expanded to host the garden extravaganza.  When Ameriflora became a financial disaster, the future of the Franklin Park Conservatory was in jeopardy.  WIth a handful of dedicated staff and volunteers, the institution began a rebirth.  In 2003, Dale Chihuly at the Conservatory became a blockbuster exhibition increasing attendance substantially.   Many of the pieces were purchased afterwards making it the largest collection owned by a conservatory or botanical garden.  The works are throughout the display houses adding organic color.  Since then, the Franklin Park Conservatory has become a showplace and major attraction for the city.

A Chihuly Ceiling in the Himalayan Collection

The Monstrous Chihuly in the Pacific Island Water Garden

Rusty's Wharf Conjures Up Recipes From the Sea (And Land Too)

There's the stereotype that all cats like fish but I really don't care for it.  I much prefer chicken...and lattes!

      My niece's family had recommended Rusty's Wharf so when I recently visited them in Columbus we decided to all go there for lunch.  It opened in November of 2010 in a small strip center in Pataskala.  Owned by Lisa, she also created the recipes and makes all of the food with the help of her Mom and family.  Arthur Treacher's and Long John Silver's were the influence here since Lisa worked previously at both.  But her recipes are lighter and more flavorful than theirs and she also adds her talent to the desserts that are offered.  

Rusty's New England Interior

      The interior is definitely rustic New England with lots of accessories to enjoy while dining.  The menu is simple (although still expanding) as was the case of the new offering of Baked Fish the day we were there.  Orders are placed at the counter and then delivered to the table of your choice.  There were seven of us dining

What Do Tee Jayes, Cakeballs Ga-Lori, and Mojoflo Have in Common?

Neil and Eric went on an overnight trip to a party.  I was invited too, but I decided to stay at home as they said there would be a lot of people there.  It's not a very pretty sight to see all of those feet and legs in one place!

      We were in Columbus recently for my nephew Bryce's high school graduation party.  We stayed overnight and continued our tradition of meeting at Tee Jayes Country Place Restaurant for breakfast before returning home.  Tee Jayes is one of those standbys that serve up traditional breakfast fare in a variety of ways at a reasonable price.  

Breakfast at Tee Jayes

      There were six of us dining on Sunday morning at the Hamilton Road location (one of nine in Central Ohio).  We were greeted at the door by the manager and graciously seated at a round table by the hostess.  The décor is country, 80's style.  Nothing wrong with that as it works with the down home style.  Coffee and drinks were immediately offered by our waitperson and our orders were cookin'.  We had a sampling of five different plates among us.  Everyone was pleased and it got rather quiet when our selections were delivered.  

Corned Beef Hash

I had my usual, the Corned Beef Hash, which is always smooth and served with

The Nutcracker...Sa-weet!

Neil told me this morning that he's going to Columbus for a couple of days to visit his family.  The guys don't like to leave me, but I actually don't mind the break.  After all, Eric will be home at night to let me in the house.  We've had a reprieve from the winter weather so I'm looking forward to spending the rest of the day and tomorrow outside with my friends.  Oh,—to get to scratch on something other than the sofa.  I know Eric and Neil will appreciate that too!  I knew Neil would be upset if I didn't come around to say goodbye so I waited until I knew he was ready to leave and tapped on the back door.

      Visiting family usually involves a meal or two out.  In the case of our family, it's imperative.  After kicking around a few ideas we settled on the Nutcracker in Pataskala on the far east side of Columbus.

It's a mix of diner, kitsch, memorabilia, candy store, and nutcrackers of course.  If you're over 45, this will be a real treat and bring back a lot of memories.  We arrived at 5:30 and the place was bustling.  There is a large party room in the rear that was also full.

The Grilled Bologna Sandwich

The menu is straightforward American classics -- nothing too healthy, with a concentration of batter and deep frying.  It's a place for those who are used to this type of diet or just want to be bad for a day.  We ordered a variety of selections and, since it was family, I was offered samples of several.  My sister started with the potato soup.  It was exactly the taste and consistency of our mother's, which I've never found anywhere.  It was a great experience!  I almost ordered some for myself.  My niece had the grilled bologna sandwich, which she asked to be served with a slice of onion.  You don't find that on every menu!  My other niece and nephew had the dinner special of all-you-can-eat fried chicken served with country ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, the vegetable of the day, and slaw.  I had the pork tenderloin on a hoagie roll.  The tenderloin was four times the size of the bread, which was buttered and grilled to perfection.  The batter on the chicken and tenderloin was light and crispy.  It was some of the finest I've tasted.  Sandwiches are served with homemade potato chips that I found to be a bit too overdone.  I had my eye on the vast array of desserts before the meal began, but I refrained from becoming a glutton.  The Nutcracker is billed as a family restaurant and the prices are very family friendly.  Mother Ginger would be delighted to find this haven. 

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When visiting Columbus...
The Nutcracker Family Restaurant is located at 63 East Broad Street in Pataskala, OH.

http://www.nutcrackerpataskala.com