Best of Columbus as decided by my husband

So after reading This Week Community Newspapers annual top picks for Columbus here, J was very upset. He felt that these choice did not really reflect the best that Columbus had to offer so he decided that he wanted his voice to be heard. Here is what he thought were the best of Columbus' resturants by category (if no runner up is listed, its because J couldn't think of one):

BEST SUSHI: Akai Hana
Runner up: Haiku


BEST BARBECUE: City Barbeque
Runner up:

BEST FINE DINING: it was Roasendales/now G. Michael's
Runner up: Alana's/Deepwood

BEST CASUAL DINING: Press Grill
Runner up: The Rossi

BEST BREAKFAST: Cafe Corner
Runner up: DK Diner

BEST LUNCH: North Market
Runner up: King Ave. Five

BEST STEAK HOUSE: Hyde Park
Runner up: Mitchell's

BEST SEAFOOD: Ocean Club
Runner up: The Fish Guys

BEST NEW RESTAURANT: Dirty Franks
Runner up: Sage Bistro

BEST VEGETARIAN OFFERINGS: Northstar Cafe
Runner up:


BEST TAVERN: Bar Louie in Arena District
Runner up: Grandview Cafe

BEST PIZZA: Adriaticos
Runner up: Marcella's

BEST ITALIAN: Basi Italia
Runner up: Martini

BEST CHINESE: Happy Dragon
Runner up: Hunan Lion

BEST INDIAN: "The Indian Place in the North Market" AKA the only Indian J has had in Columbus
Runner up:


BEST MEXICAN: Cuco's
Runner up: La Michocana

BEST GREEK: Happy Greek
Runner up: Easy Street Cafe

BEST DINER: Starliner Diner
Runner up: Cap City/Tommy's

BEST BAGELS: Block's
Runner up: Tasi when they order from H & H bagel in NY

BEST SALADS: Betty's
Runner up: Northstar

BEST SUBS (SANDWICHES): Barry's in the North Market
Runner up: Katzingers

BEST DESSERTS: Cuco's

runner up: Cafe Corner's breakfast burrito

BEST SOUPS: Old Mohawk
Runner up: Claddah

BEST BURGERS: Thurman Cafe
Runner up: Gahanna Grill

BEST ICE CREAM PARLOR: Jeni's
Runner up: Handels

BEST COFFEE HOUSE: Stauf's
Runner up: Cup o Joe

BEST PATIO: Park Street Patio
Runner up: Basi Italia

BEST HOT DOGS: Dirty Franks
Runner up: Wholly Joe's

BEST WINGS: Rooster's

Runner up: Mac's

Sad News in the Short North

So a friend just emailed me this article. It means an end of one of my favorite smells while walking the dog in the afternoon...the smell of the Wonder Bread factory baking. This is a smell I have loved since the first day I moved to C-Bus and I especially love it at this time of year as the weather gets nicer and we spend more time outside. I am glad that it will be around through April so that my mom & sister might be able to enjoy it as well.



So long bread factory. You will be missed :(

Where is my button?

So every day I walk across the street at N. High St and Russel St. and for some reason the button to request a crossing of the street is missing on all four corners. I have no idea why...I hope it returns soon because if I don't request the cross, the light takes FOREVER!!!!

The best day in CBUS yet

So Memorial Day weekend always sneaks up on me. Its not that I don't know its coming, as a teacher, it is always the reminder that report cards are due soon and the kids are officially checked out after this last vacation day. Its that I always have a good time and I never have any wild and crazy plans.

This Memorial Day weekend started off that same way. After walking the dog and returning an only OK movie ("...Before the Devil Knows You're Dead") I came home to a great surprise. My BFF Marci had driven down from Cleveland to surprise me. She only stayed for a few hours so we didn't do much, but it was so nice to have a face from home in our home.

We went to Target - her idea, not mine. Then had lunch at the North Market, so Marci could get some Vietnamese and her BF could get something not Vietnamese. Then we walked to Jeni's for some ice cream and ate it on the back patio.

Then Marci and her BF were back to Cleveland and it was only 2PM. So what do you do at 2PM on an absolutely beautiful day? You pack up the lawn chairs, throw on a tank top, and get Bear ready for some park time.

J, Bear and I enjoyed some much needed sun and fun. I got to read some People magazines, J played with the dog and then we played some catch. It was a fabulous way to spend 3 hours on a Saturday. J loves catch, more than he loves beer (see he is growing up) and now that we have a "chuck-it" I can satisfy his catch desires as only Figa used to be able to. I also got to satisfy some of my barefoot desires.

Bear happily enjoyed being the "monkey-pants" in the middle during our game of catch.

J said it was his favorite way to spend a Saturday. A combination of finishing a book he loved, playing catch, and even reliving some childhood mischief with the Pop-Its. He never did get to the NY Times, but that was his choice, not the lack of time.

You'd think that was all, but no! We then went to a great gourmet market we had both heard good things about - Weiland's, bought some beer, cheese, wine and pre-made burgers.

We had a great night cooking them up on the grill. See it was a fabulous day filled with no real fireworks, but total satisfaction!Tomorrow we will venture off for a hike in Hocking Hills. I have to remember to charge my camera for that adventure! Can't wait! We were also invited to a BBQ at a our next door to our next door neighbors. We really do live here.