Eddie George's Grille 27, Columbus Ohio

An OSU alumni who remembers when Singing Dog Records inhabited the run-down building where Grille 27 now sits, I must admit, I'm a 28 year old 'old man.' I like fine dining, I like quiet restaurants, I like quality over quantity. With that said, I have to admit I find Eddie George's to be a damned cool place on "game days," whether it be Buckeyes, Blue Jackets, or Cavs.

While the menu isn't healthy (at all,) a few small tweaks can make many items fit even the most picky eater's dietary needs. As I went with 3 guys who swear by the meatloaf , there was not much diversity on our table, but I admit the presentation and price ($12.95) for the dish was very nice and if I liked beef I'd have given it a try. I myself opted for a large salad sans dressing but with seared Ahi Tuna. The total cost for the dish was $13 and while not as well priced as the huge caloric load of the meatloaf, the Ahi was excellent quality, fresh (likely frozen, but good enough that I can't guarantee this,) and seared very nicely with a bit of spice. The salad was large and the greens were nicely presented with housemade croutons, carrots, diced cucumbers, and suprisingly fresh tomatos. For "bar food" this was a very pleasant dish.

As it was game day, the noise level was pretty intense, but that isn't such a bad thing when surrounded by fans cheering King James over the Celtics. Game commentary came across clearly on the speakers and we were saved from the banal advertising at breaks with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, the Who, and even some Led Zeppelin. I can't argue with that soundrack, at all. The place was jammed packed and people were drinking too much, but hey, it is a college bar.

Ample televisions, comfortable bar stools, outdoor-only smoking, and the doors opened to the outside in mid-May were a great setting despite the crowd and everyone was having a great time as the Cavs pulled off a big win. The 20+ flat screen televisions provided ample visualization of the game, even from the bathroom with its clever one way mirror design (thats right fellas, watch the game while standing at the urinal.)

All said, I really enjoyed Eddie's and the vibe of the place, despite that fact that I don't drink and don't indulge in bar food. Clearly the 4 star rating is 4 stars as relates to it as a bar/place to watch the game. The food would be closer to 2.5/3.0 stars, although I admit I'd like to go back for dessert at some point. I imagine it could be a great place to go with a family, or group of Buckeye lovers during midday for a low cost/high volume meal, as well, without the college-bar vibe.Get there early, grab a seat, and enjoy the game. Consider taking blinders for your little-ones, however, because I gotta say, dresses are getting a whole heck of a lot shorter these days. Either that, or at 28 years old the average college girl is just looking a whole lot younger.

Tucci's, Dublin Ohio

Recently named one of Columbus' Top 20 restaurants and bumping Trattoria La Tavola off the list, I went into Tucci's expecting good things. Perhaps my expectations were too high, or perhaps the restaurant isn't that great....regardless, Trattoria was better in terms of taste, quality, value, service, and especially noise level. The last part, honestly, is shocking considering my biggest complaint about Trattoria was the excessively loud bar.

Arriving with an old college friend and her husband at 6:30, the space was relatively unoccupied and quiet. Bread was served promptly and was rich, heartly, crusty, and delicious. The mixture of balsamic and EVOO served along with the bread was equally delectable and quite complex.

For appetizers they selected the calamari which I was told was quite good while I opted for the standout plate of the evening, the incredibly diverse and perfectly delivered octopus salad. The octopus was tender on the inside and crispy but perfect on the outside. For a mere $7 there was more octopus than you'd receive for double the price at a sushi joint and the flavor, texture, and accompaniments were better. The pinenuts fresh, the greens beautiful, and the chili oil spicey yet refined. One of the best salads I've had in some time.

For our mains, two of us selected the Paella Style Risotto with lobster, rock shrimp, chorizo, mussels, mint pesto while the other chose the Spanish pizza. The pizza was spicy, but generally quite tasteless compared to the options ot Trattoria and Spagio....and not even within a breath of the options at Spago. The Risotto, while attractive and well flavored, seemed somewhat overpowered by the chorizo. I'm really not sure why the chef would select to place a spicy pork sausage in with such delicate seafood options, but IMO this is akin to the Simpsons episode where the chef offers to stuff the finest food with the second finest food.....lobster stuffed with tacos. The sauce was heavenly and the seafood well prepared, but in general I was underwhelmed.

It was approximately 1/2 way through the main course that my friend noted "wow, this place got really loud all of a sudden." I'd thought the same earlier and opted not to mention it, but at this point it wasn't just noticable, it was obnoxious. While no specific person or table was loud, the entire place literally had a Buckeye Stadium-like "noise" similar to the moment before kickoff. While I'm certainly not a 'loud talker,' I felt like I was yelling at my dining buddies, something I don't like at all.

While the meal was decently portioned for the prices, I felt the need to endulge and chose to get dessert. An Italian place without Tiramisu? Lame. While the Peanut Butter Cheesecake sounded interesting, I instead opted for the more complex Molten Chocolate Pudding Cake with Warm Cherry Compote and Hazelnut Gelato. While a solid choice and quite delicious, the cherry compote was vastly superior to the cake and the $8 pricetag seemed quite excessive for the small portion. The gelato was okay but certainly not on par with Jeni's, Worthington Inn, or Rosendales. I generally don't feel ripped off by dessert, but for the second time in a row a loud Italian restaurant in Dublin failed to deliver in the sweets category.

The bill was modest, totalling $35 for appetizer, main, and dessert and service was okay (not good, not bad) but I just cannot get past the noise. While the food was good, it lacked the creativity of higher end places and the quality of local produce noted at Trattoria. While I would certainly return for bread and the Octopus salad, I cannot say I'll be rushing back or sending any of my friends to Tucci's anytime soon. If I were to return, it'd certainly be for the beautiful looking patio during the summer......but then again, I'd sooner sit and overlook the river with a better quality pasta at Trattoria. The wine list, from what I'm told, was quite adequate and well priced....which I guess could be responsible for the noise.

BoMA - The Bar of Modern Art, Columbus Ohio

The building is amazing, the food is possibly the best in the city, parking is affordable and ample, the desserts are stunning, and the art is actually quite appealing in the setting of stained glass and dark drapes. I want to give BoMa 5 stars, I really do....but I can't.

To begin, BoMa is exactly what the name indicates; a Bar of Modern Art. Set in an old renovated church, each room contains multiple pieces of contemporary arthung tastefully and subtley, yet certainly not hidden. The pieces range from deco to traditional and sculpture to installation. While none may blow you away, the effect is nice as a whole. The scene is completed with a solid LuisArmstrong/Miles Davis soundtrack that is loud enough to notice, but also easilyignored. At the center of the ambiance is the restaurant in the loft and a 'main floor' below complete with video screens, draped beds, and private booths. I'm certainly not a club-goer by any means, but the whole setting is very sensual and I'm sure the place gets hopping at night. Tables are wood and seating is comfortable, athough the creeky floors can be a bit disconcerting at times.

With the scene painted, the main event is certainly the food. A small menu of unique presentations, BoMa shines in its delivery. Bread service was prompt and two types of bread (note to all restaurants, more variety is welcomed) were served with an incredible whipped butter infused with blood orange and peach. Three baskets later, no wonder we were so full afterwards! For appetizers we opted for the Ahi Tuna with Avocado, Sesame Oil, Achiote Vinaigrette in a coconut with banana chip and Peanut Butter and Jelly Foie Gras with Roasted Cashew Butter, Grand Marnier Marmalade, and Black Pepper Honey.

Having tried Tuna Tartare at a myriad of restaurants, I can legitimately say this was the best both in presentation and in taste. The long fried/dried bananas served as scoops for the incredibly fresh and tasteful tuna which was perfectly chilled in a coconut on a bed of ice and infused with a sweet oil/avocado blend. In a dish that has become increasingly common, the uncommon nature was delectable.

Like the tuna, the foie gras was wonderful. Served on a honey toast with crunchy cashew butter and an incredibly sweet marmalade, the foie was perfectly seared and tender. When eaten as individual components, the flavors were all very potent, and when eaten together the overall effect was bliss....the fatty smoothness of the liver, the crunchy cashews, and the sweetness of the marmalade, and the crisp bite of the toast. In all honesty, after the appetizers, I didn't think things could taste better.

The meals we opted for included Sustainable Salmon with Maryland Crab Wontons, Wild Mushroom and Scallion Saute, Blood Orange Soy Butter and Tanglewood Farms Chicken with EVOO whipped Potato, Saute Swiss Chard and Chorizo and Corn, Sage, Chevre pan Sauce. Both dishes were plated simply yet beautifully and both tasted fresh and delectable. The chicken was moist, tender, and flawless. Pounded flat and quickly pan fried, the crispy outside contrasted sharply with the silky potatoes and pan sauce. A hint of salt and a whole lot of spice blended wonderfully and made this a very pleasant dish, if not overly exciting compared to the flashy appetizers.

The salmon was perfectly prepared and without a hint of fishiness and the mushrooms were rivaled only by those served at Dragonfly in terms of taste/texture. The blood orange butter was particularly wonderful and added a beautiful tartness to everything. The wantons however, lacked filling and flavor...a small disappointment. With two courses of such quality, dessert was a no brainer....and the best decision of the night.

I selected the Chocolate Passion 'with layers of passion fruit, chocolate mouse, and cream over decadent fudge cake.' In a word.....amazing...There is really no other way to describe the myriad of flavors in the dish. The chocolate shell was bitter sweet and surely 72% or better dark chocolate, the passion fruit cream light and refreshing, the mouse flawlessly smooth, and the cake dense, warm, and oozing. While the dessert options at Rosendales, M, and Worthington Inn are all good, this may be my new favorite choice in Columbus. For those interested, a similar dessert is served on weekends at McCormick's at Easton, albeit more pricey and less delicious.
My sister opted for the Goat Cheese Cake atop Short Bread Crust finised with Fig marinated in Port Cherry. Expecting a tiny tart, we were both amazed by not only the size, but the flavor of this well crafted dessert. The cake was smooth and crumbly, the port cherry was sweet and poignant, and perfect figs in Ohio in May? The only thing that could have made this better is a scoop of Jeni's goat cheese and cognac icecream on the side.

Overall, everything above was perfect and well worthy of a 5 star review, but two missteps along the way were too much to overlook. First of all, the coffee was terrible....and $3 a cup. For those who know me, I order coffee at nearly every meal out, and while Spagio has one of the best I've ever tasted, BoMa certainly has one of the worst. Thick, bitter, and acidic....I realize this is a bar, but I doubt even a shot of Baileys or Kahlua could have made this 'good.'

Secondly, our server Daniele was either new, bad, or having a bad day. While my chicken was indeed delicious, we later overheard a neighboring table told the special of the day was an olive oil basted Ostrich that sounded incredible. When asked why I was not informed of this dish, the excuse of "we didn't know it would be ready" was offered.....ironic since the table on the other side of us had arrived 30 minutes earlier and had eaten and raved about the ostrich. I understand forgetting, but certainly not lying. Additionally, although she only had 2 tables for the first hour, water was refilled very slowly and we had to ask a different waiter for a refill of the bread basket. As a plus, the manager did stop by to chat and comped our desserts for her failure to mention the ostrich, plus the waitress did offer an apology as we left.

All in all, I'd HIGHLY recommend BoMa as a wonderful and unique option for dining in Columbus. I have no idea how it gets as things get more crowded, but provided the servers are on their game there is little doubt that the ambiance, scene, and food will impress.

Dragonfly Neo-V, Columbus Ohio

Scones are made with butter. Bacon is made with pork fat. Pancakes have milk and eggs in the batter. 'Vegan' is a scary word embraced by tree-huggers and anorexic models. All of the above hold true...if you like to buy into false stereotypes. Welcome to Dragonfly Neo-V where not only are the stereotypes false, but the food and atmosphere are amazing. The building is anything but assuming, nestled just off campus on a street where affordable apartments owned by slummy landlords predominate. On entrance, one sees only a metallic bar, 20 or so seats, and green walls. The soundtrack plays a calm world beat that is occasionally too loud, but never inappropriately so. The servers are present and pleasant, but not overzealous, pushy or pretentious at all. Considering the world wide recognition this restaurant receives, all of the above indicate that success hasn't gone to anyone's head. Even the owner/chef himself was accessible and visible as he worked in the kitchen.

Having never been to Dragonfly but hearing recurrent amazing reviews, my mother, sister, and I decided that their Saturday Brunch would be a best bet to experience the restaurant at a reasonable cost. Brunch consists of two acts, the first a buffet of small plates and the second one of 5 main courses with a "brunch" theme. With the absolute lack of quality breakfast options in Cbus, Dragonfly really didn't have to 'wow' in order to be considered a best bet for breakfast....but wow it did.

The buffet consisted of 7 different items including Portabella bacon with green peppers, rosemary and chive potatoes, black bean soup with sourdough bread, a squash ceviche, macaroni salad, apple/pear/raisin scones, spinach salad with creamy dressing, and a plate of olives, almonds, and vinegar infused warm fruits. While each item on the spread was delicious, specific highlights included the portabella bacon which was perfectly marinated, smoky, and meaty, the vinegar fruits which were sweet and acidic in perfect balance, and the scones which were without a shadow of a doubt the best scones I've ever encountered. Honestly, I have no idea how they accomplished the scones without the use of butter, but the perfect balance of moisture and crispness was spot on and the sweetness of the fruits contrasted flawlessly with the wheaty cinnamon dough.

For our mains, my mother and I selected the Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Ohio Maple Syrup while my sister opted for the Roasted Cauliflower Crepes with mole, dulse, apples, and winter greens. While unexpected in presentation, my sister very much enjoyed her crepes and the spicy/Spanish mole sauce, but she admittedly expected the cauliflower to be pureed and warm. While she enjoyed the dish, after experiencing the mushrooms on the buffet she admitted on future visits she'd opt for the neo-shrooms as her main. The pancakes, unlike the crepes, left nothing more to be desired. The batter (once again, I've no idea how this is accomplished without eggs) was perfectly firm and crisp with a meaty/nutty wholegrain texture while the dark chocolate provided a perfect bittersweet accompaniment to the wonderfully sweet maple syrup. The best pancakes on the planet? Nah....but considering the ingredients used and healthfulness of the meal, stellar.

At $19.50 per person, the price certainly isn't cheap, but neither are the ingredients or the experience. Coffee and 3 varieties of tea were available and as a bit of a coffee snob I must admit their house blend is one of the most full bodied and delicious I've had at breakfast in some time while my sister's green tea was perfectly sweet without the addition of any sweetener. For those who need a morning pick me up, they also offered a number of unique alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails at the bar.

To be honest, I write this review with a bit of embarrassment as I lived so close to Dragonfly for so long and never ventured through the doors during undergrad. Having experienced this brunch, I really cannot praise the simple artful presentation and incredible flavors of any of the dishes enough...chef Wolmark is clearly a master of his craft and well deserving of the praise. While veganism certainly isn't for most, the world could learn a thing or two from such a delicious approach to healthful cooking and those lessons could not only help reverse some stereotypes but perhaps help reverse America's downward trend towards unnatural foods, fast foods, and subsequent obesity. Highly recommended.

Trattoria La Tavola, Columbus Ohio

The best Italian food in Columbus? Possibly so. The best food in Columbus? Certainly not. The best view? No doubt. The best atmosphere? Only if you compare it to a show at the Newport or dinner at Bucca di Bepo. My mother and I had reservations here for 6:15 on a Friday, towards the end of their self designated happy hour.....we really did......despite the fact that the restaurant was so loud that the waitress didn't hear us collect on our reservations and sat us in the non-reservation bar area.....at least until I told her this was unacceptable and she realized we did indeed have reservations. We got an apology, which was appropriate. I hope anyone else sat in the bar got the same. Even in the dining area the noise from the bar made Marcella's seem quiet.

With this initial misstep out of the way, the scenery is beautiful and the restaurant is well spaced, well lit, and attractive. Service was prompt, the waiter was attentive, and prices were excellent. Food was freshly prepared and served hot, aesthetically pleasing, and quickly. While the menu is small and specific, the focus on organic and local products is much appreciated and there was enough creativity to offset the 'boring' aspects that some Italian dishes tend to suffer. Additionally, the bread service was good and the olive oil with cheese better.

For an appetizer we selected the Winter Margarita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella, fire roasted tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil. Undoubtedly the best Margarita in pizza I've had in Columbus. The tomatos had incredible pop and a wonderful marinade and the mozzerella was creamy and soft. My mother particularly loved the cracker crust.

For mains we selected the Gnocchi al Forno baked with House Cured Pancetta Parmigiano Reggiano, Oakvale Gouda, Shiitake Mushrooms; a half order of the Eggplant Parmigiano; and Chicken Pappardelle Sauted all natural Ohio chicken breast with butter, herbs, garlic, and homemade wide pasta. The Gnocchi was stellar and amongst the best I've tried with a generous flavor and perfect firmness. The Pancetta's saltiness perfectly offset the smoothness of the Gouda and the Shiitakes were meaty and plentiful. The Eggplant was straight forward and as good as any I've tried. No Gimmicks, just solid old fashioned Italian, dense and crispy with a wonderfully tart sauce. The Pappardelle was a bit of a disappointment to me as the chicken was superb and the noodles were wonderfully al dente, but something in the sause....Sage or Anise I believe......not only didn't work, but overpowered the other complex flavors. We finished it, but it is the one dish I wouldn't order again.

With all that food, dessert was certainly a gluttonous option, but when the waiter told us "Best Tiramisu in Columbus" I had to try. Along with Bread Pudding and Lobster Bisque, Tiramisu is a 'must order' when available....and a standard by which I judge an Italian joint. The tiramisu alone lowered La Tavola from four stars to three. While certainly a coffee and cocoa based dessert with a hint of rum, the minimal number of lady fingers and incredibly thick layer of cream made this more of a cream pie or a float than a true tiramisu. The flavor was good, but calling this the best in Columbus is not only false (Mozart's is better) but also a statement to the lack of good tiramisu in Cbus. For what it is worth, the best Tiramisu I've yet encountered is Il Mulino in NYC followed by the Tiramisu Gelatto across from Presti's in Cleveland's Little Italy. Jean Philipe's option in Vega's is pretty stellar too, as is the one at Ciao in Sylvania Ohio, and the one at C&O Trattoria in Venice....anyhow, I digress.

My mother opted for the Lemon Crumb tart which absolutely dominated the tiramisu in flavor and quality. Once again, not the best lemon dessert in Cbus (the version at Rosendale's is heavenly,) but certainly worth the $6 price tag. Creamy, zesty......yum!

All told, La Tavola is a nice place with an amazing view that serves up good quality Italian food at great prices and good service. The noise level could definitely use improvement (perhaps a divider or doors between the bar and the dining room) and a good Italian pastry chef couldn't hurt either.Go for the gnocchi, pizza, and the view, or if you want to have a big party with some affordable wines, solid menu, and lots of loud friends at the bar.

The Worthington Inn, Worthington Ohio

Looking at a list of Columbus' best Restaurants, one often sees "The Worthington Inn," yet it is rare to meet anyone who has actually been there. Similarly, walking down the streets of Worthington, one sees any number of beautiful old houses and unique shoppes, but if you aren't paying attention you won't even realize that one of the city's true gems is sitting in an old home right on High Street. While many gush about Cameron Mitchell's offerings or whatever new Steakhouse has most recently chosen to open its door on 'The Cap' or near a mall, The Worthington Inn stands as a relic of the past in a city that has grown up too fast. The food, however, is anything but 'old.'

Walking in the door, note the sign. "This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the US Department of the Interior," and be prepared for creaky floors, low lights, heavy interior design, black tie servers, and a simple air of class and elegance without a hint of pretense like you receive at M or Rosendales. Also be prepared to be one of the youngest people in the building as the average age of patrons is likely somewhere around 65. Wooden chairs, white tablecloths, tiny candles, and solid silver service pieces only add to the class.

In such an old building with clients that have clearly been dining there for years, one might expect a menu of the expected.....alas they would be wrong. With a focus on local greens and ingredients plus light sauces instead of heavy flavors, the menu runs from tried and true steaks and tenderloins to Poke style Ahi, Blue Crabcakes, and Lobster Ravioli in citrus broth.

To begin, the breadbasket contained a crusty white bread that was served with the most delectable butter I've tasted outside of Rosendales Citrus and Saffron. Garlicy with a hint of tart, the spread was soft enough to put a thin layer on the crusty bread and absolutely wonderful. I ate way too much bread, but honestly, I don't regret the choice. Best bread basket in Cbus? Quite possibly.

For appetizers, my family and I opted for the Blue Crab Cake with Spicy remoulade sauce, arugula, blood orange and Cajun shoestring potatoes and the Poke Ahi Hawaiian-style with soy-ginger marinated tuna tartare, avocado salad, local micro greens, sweet peppers and wasabi.

The Crabcake was a hit with my mother and Aunt, but seemed a tad too bread-laden for myself. What truly made the dish shine was the incredible blood orange remoulade sauce. Spicy yet sublime and just strong enough to picque the taste of the crab; it was only the first of many suprises from the incredibly talented sous-chef. The Tuna tatare was presented very uniquely, but unfortunately just couldn't stand on its own when compared to similar offerings at M at Miranova or Bobby Flay's Mesa Grille (the two best of the multitude I've tasted.) While tasty and fresh, the avocado salad and microgreens simply overpowered the tuna.

For our mains, my Aunt and I selected the Lobster Ravioli with grilled half Maine lobster tail and petit vegetables in a citrus-basil broth, my mother ordered the Local Pork Tenderloin with Dried cherry and Marsala sauce, braised red cabbage and spiced sweet potato salad, and my sister chose Herb crusted rainbow trout with crab, pancetta and fingerling potato hash with arugula and sweet pepper-champagne coulis.In a word, the Lobster Ravioli was mesmerizing. "Better than the version at Il Mulino in NYC" is not something I say often about any dish, but I say it with no reservations in this case. The lobster was cooked perfectly and fell from its shell while the raviolis (stuffed with a light cheese and more lobster) bathed in a citrus broth that tasted so good I asked for a 3rd basket of bread to soak up the rest. The peas were fresh and the tomatoes yesty. I would go back for this dish alone.

While not a big pork fan, I also sampled my mother's dish and was awed by the complex taste of the root vegetables and the sweetness of the tenderloin. Once again, the sauce made each component of the dish stand out boldly and enhanced the composition without hiding anything about the myriad of flavors. The one flaw of the evening, however, was my sister's bland and relatively uninspired trout. While a plain fish by nature, the dish simply lacked much taste, and even extra salt didn't help too much. Well presented and once again with a marvelous accompanying sauce, I think the dish could use a tad more zest and a little less potato. With the incredible sauces and unique presentations, dessert was a must and once again the Worthington Inn showed a flair for fusing the old with the new and creating a masterpiece.

Spiced Carrot Cake with Brown butter cream and grilled pineapple sorbet was my aunt's option and given that it was her birthday the cake was served with a simple candle and well wishes from the staff. While i personally do not like carrot cake, my aunt loved the dish and the brown butter cream was great. The Pineapple sorbet, IMO, was bland and certainly not on par with anything Jeni has done with fruit recently.

My sister, still sad with her trout having tasted my Ravioli, opted for the Flourless Chocolate Torte with carmel and chocolate sauces, fresh raspberries an house-made caramel-coffee ice cream and hit the jackpot. The cake was dense and moist while the sauces brought out the undertones of bittersweet dark chocolate in perfect balance. Strangely, as good as the cake was, it was only the second best item on the dish. While the pineapple sorbet may not have met Jeni's quality standards, the Coffee icecream has now replaced both Jeni's and Wolfgang Puck's Spago option as the best coffee icecream I've yet to encounter. Sweet yet bold, creamy yet not heavy.....amazing.

My mother and I, both indecisive, opted to order and split the Warm apple crepes with roasted cinnamon apples, butterscotch-caramel sauce and bourbon-pecan ice cream and the Foster's Cheesecake of House-made vanilla cheesecake with macadamia nut crust, caramelized bananas and a banana-rum sauce.Simple in presentation, yet unique in flavor, the cheesecake was far lighter than any I've tasted recently and sweet without being overdone. The bananas were perfectly fresh and coated with a brulee topping while the rum sauce's bitterness brought everything to a sharp point. While delicious, my only complaint about the dish would be that there was too little banana and that the banana's definitely stole the show.

Similarly to the cheesecake and the torte, the apple crepes were presented simply yet flavored boldly. Strong cinnamon and butter permeated the plate and the whipped cream evened everything out nicely. Again, like the torte and cheesecake, the main item was not the star of the show.....the icecream was incredible. Salty pecans and a buttery burbon undertone, especially when eaten in a bite with the crepes were perfect. All things considering, perhaps the Wothington Inn should consider a small icecream shoppe next door? Its certainly better than Graeters across the street.

Service was perfect, reservations were simple, and the whole evening was wonderful. Noise was not an issue, nor was attitude or pretense like at many of Columbus' well thought of options in the Short North. Service was prompt and attentive and the atmosphere was great. While I wouldn't consider it a great choice for a loud or very large group, this is the kind of restaurant that deserves more than 5000 words; its the kind of restaurant where you feel welcomed and special and a place where you could be comfortable dining with your mother, your best friend, your grandparents, or even proposing to your girlfriend. These sorts of places are rare and definitely overlooked far too often.