p44-45_Road Trip_fall05.qxp
10/18/05
travel road trip
Page 44
BY RON JOHNSON
s u b m u l Co
wise man—or maybe it was a wise guy—once said that the buckeye is a useless n ut. The capital of the Buckeye State, however is far from useless or nutty when it comes to quality dining options. Kentuckians looking for a weekend getaway often overlook Columbus. But it’s only 100 miles bey ond Cincinnati, and the scant 31/2-hour drive should put it on an y list that includes Nashville and St. Louis as weekend destinations. Much like Louisville, Columbus has invested heavily in urban renewal in recent years. The results are immediatel y evident. The downtown corridor is built on a gr id with large office buildings, swank hotels, and retail stores. While there is fine dining to be had in this area, it is lar gely geared toward the expense account cro wds who frequent places like Morton’s Steakhouse. Exceptions include the Flat Iron Bar and Grill and the restaur ants located in the Arena District, a gentrified section of downtown that sur rounds the newly built downtown home of the Columb us Blue Jackets hockey team. The Flat Iron gets its name from the b uilding in which it occupies the ground floor , built as a replica of the famous triangular tower in 44 Fall 2005 www.foodanddiningmagazine.com
downtown Manhattan. The Flat Iron’ s Bourbon and Scotch list is extraordinary, and the sandwiches are legend among downtown lunch-goers. In the Arena District, hockey fans and concert-goers can enjoy a pre-game meal or post-game libations at a n umber of restaurants and bar s. Barley’s Alehouse No. 1 is the spot for serious beer connoisseurs. A selection of ev er changing seasonal brews is off ered from the comfortable oak bar. Pub grub dominates the menu, highlighted by fried sauerkraut balls. O’Shaughnessy’s Public House will be familiar ter ritory for Irish Rover regulars. This Irish pub and restaur ant is all woodwork and stained glass. Young professionals dominate the after -work scene, and it f ills with Blue Jack ets fans before and after games. Irish staples such as fish and chips, corned beef hash, and a twist on Welsh rabbit are consistently well-made. For those more interested in dining amid German cultural heritage or architecturally significant homes, Columbus boasts two eclectic and div erse neighborhoods. The German Village and the Shor t North neighborhood bookend the do wntown
corridor on the south and north sides, respectively. Both neighborhoods off er quality dining options in price ranges suited for all pocketbooks. The Short North is just that; a short walk north of do wntown Columbus. A large wrought-iron arch o ver the street marks the entr ance to the neighborhood. Art galleries, boutique clothing stores, and warmly lighted restaurants fill every block, and folks of all ages stroll the sidewalks around them. Rigsby’s Kitchen is a welcoming restaurant and bar populated by locals and tourists alike.The main dining room is sleek and moder n with exposed brick walls and tall ceilings that giv e an industrial feel. The front room houses a long marble bar, the open kitchen and a massive picture windo w showcasing the action on High Street. The Ciccheti Menu features Venetian-style small snacks lik e fried sardines and shr imp bruschetta that are natural compliments to the wellcrafted cocktails. Those looking for a less cosmopolitan but equally fine dining experience will appreciate the down-home goodness of the Press Grill. It’s no wonder that journalists seek oasis in this clean, well-lighted place,
PHOTOS BY KAREN LYNCH
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