Caroline, Author at Columbus Culinary Connection

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015 by Caroline

Culinary Event: Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival

One of the Columbus festivals I look forward to the most every year is the Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival. This three day extravaganza held in the heart of Gahanna is everything you are looking for in a summer event, filled with incredible music, food, and drinks.

Threats of impending storms didn’t stop me from heading to Creekside on both Friday and Saturday nights, and the weather turned out to be clear and perfect. Friday my group and I set up camp in Acoustic Alley for much of the evening, listening to some great guitar and harmonica duos until trekking to the Community Stage to hear Soul Kitch’n cover some funk and soul favorites. On Saturday we came back to jam to Angela Perley & The Howlin’ Moons, voted best local band in the Columbus Alive awards. Angela and her crew play original tunes that are both dreamy and energetic; she even plays a saw as an instrument to accompany her fabulous vocals. Track down these talented local artists at Columbus music venues too!

The food at the CBJF is wonderful too. In addition to the “typical” fair food selections like corn dogs, lemon shake-ups, and donut bacon cheeseburgers, there are some interesting twists in the form of local food trucks. During my time there, I stopped by Tortilla Street Food for nachos, and Mikey’s Late Night Slice for pepperoni pizza and “signature” sauce. I also couldn’t resist a cream puff from the Schmidt’s Sausage Haus truck. Other possibilities include J. Gumbo’s for Cajun specialties, Pizza Cottage pies, or Koko’s Tea Salon treats. Area restaurants such as Local Cantina, Old Bag of Nails, and Wine Guy Wine Shop are also open for business during the festivities.

When it comes to drinks, options are endless as well. This year, Watershed Distillery created some signature drinks for the festival. My favorites were the Ohio Mule, made with Old City Soda ginger beer, and the Bluesberry Lemonade, accented with Watershed vodka and fresh basil. I also snagged a spot in a whiskey tasting that was offered, which was as tasty as it was informative. For craft beer lovers, Columbus Brewing Company Summer Teeth, Four String Brass Knuckle, Sweetwater 420, and more were available too.

If you missed out on this year’s Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival, make sure you put it on your calendar for next year – it’s a blast!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Free weekend passes and a t-shirt were provided to this event for Columbus Culinary Connection and a reader. All opinions in this post are my own.

in Local Love 0 comments

June 21, 2015August 24, 2016 by Caroline

Caroline’s Picks: Top 5 Columbus Beers for Summer

There are few things that more quintessentially define summer than drinking a beer outdoors on a perfect warm day. Fortunately for us, Columbus has some great options for smooth and flavorful patio-ready beers. Below, you will find my 5 favorite local brews that are exactly what you’ve been craving as summer begins.

Columbus Brewing Company: Summer Teeth

This offering from CBC is easily one of my top picks for summer. It’s name says it all – drinkability with a kick. Kellerbier is an unsung hero of the craft beer world, lending a much-needed combo of lemon grassiness and bitterness. Don’t miss Summer Teeth at many of the Columbus festivals this season!

Land-Grant Brewing: Greenskeeper

Land-Grant’s session IPA is ideal for the golf course or at a cookout. I normally shy away from such low ABV beers for obvious reasons, but this one, even at 4.6%, makes me rethink my views. The citrusy notes and just a touch of hops found here are all you need for any occasion. Learn more about Land-Grant beers here: http://columbusculinaryconnection.com/land-grant-brewing/

Rockmill Brewery: Petite Saison

Don’t let the saison label fool you – this beer packs a punch of flavor with the style Rockmill does best. One hazy pour of this yeasty delight is all you’ll need and you will be hooked on this creamy, spicy take on a saison. Learn more about Rockmill here: http://columbusculinaryconnection.com/rockmill-brewery-review/

Zauber Brewing: Vertigo

Vertigo is Zauber’s hefeweizen selection, and it doesn’t disappoint. Sweet banana and vanilla notes will appeal even to skeptics of German beers. This a crisp and refreshing choice for summertime sipping.

Sideswipe Brewing: Pixelated Sun

Sunshine in a bottle is the best description I have for this brew. An American Pale Wheat Ale, Pixelated Sun deserves more love. With a 6% ABV, Citra Hops, and a wheaty backbone, Sideswipe’s seasonal should be on your list of must-haves too.

What other beers are your summertime favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

June 17, 2015June 18, 2015 by Caroline

The Angry Wiener Review

http://www.theangrywiener.com/
Email:bigfrank@theangrywiener.com
Phone: (614) 600-6694

Top Tastes:
1. BLT Dog
2. The Angry Wiener
3. Peppy Pup
4. Hounddog
5. Beer-battered Fries

Hot dogs are one of the most iconic food truck items, and in some cases can be pretty boring. But at the Angry Wiener food truck, they offer more than just a wiener with a squiggle of ketchup and mustard. Track down the Angry Wiener, and sample some of their interesting takes on this classic American cookout food.

This food truck has a great mix of both commonplace and inventive hot dog toppings, which will please purists and foodies alike. The buns are really tasty too (an important component in the making of a good hot dog) and are soft and golden, almost reminiscent of Texas toast. The Angry Wiener’s signature hot dog is also its namesake. Ordering a dog “Angry Wiener style” consists of an all meat wiener topped with chili, bacon, jalapenos, onions, sriracha ketchup, and spicy brown mustard. It is satsifyingly spicy. Or try a West Virginia spin, piling on chili, coleslaw, diced onions and yellow mustard by getting the Coal Miner. Add some crunchy beer-battered fries and you have a complete meal.

For those who are more adventurous, there are some daring dogs as well. The Hounddog sounds totally crazy enough to work (peanut butter and bacon jam!) and I loved the BLT version with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and dripping with sriracha mayo. Another fun take, the Peppy Pup, (deep fried pepperoni, banana peppers, marinara, and mozzarella) is messy but so delicious. Vegetarians are covered too, with the ability to substitute a veggie dog in the place of a regular wiener on any sandwich.

Culinary Clue: Create a custom dog with your choice of toppings! But if you want a specific topping or signature hot dog, make sure to get there early. The truck is so popular that is often sells out of the most-beloved items, so get there soon and order up the dog of your dreams!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Want to learn more about Columbus food trucks? Columbus Culinary Connection has partnered with the Central Ohio Food Truck Association to bring you reviews, updates, and exclusive content about Columbus food trucks. Compensation has been provided, but all opinions are my own. Find out more about COFTA here: http://www.ohiofoodtruck.com/ or download the Street Food Finder app to see where all of your favorite trucks can be located.

in Food Trucks 0 comments

June 14, 2015June 15, 2015 by Caroline

Hudson 29 Review

Hudson 29 Kitchen + Drink
260 Market St, New Albany, OH
www.hudson29.com
(614) 859-2900

Top Tastes:
1. Pan Seared Scallops
2. Pineapple Upside Down Cake Donuts
3. Hudson Roll
4. Wine Country Board
5. Bourbon & Honey

It’s no secret that I have a love affair with all things Cameron Mitchell, so I’ve been eager to try one of the restaurant group’s newest offerings, Hudson 29. This brand-new, beautiful brick structure is located in the heart of downtown New Albany, and my inaugural visit was exactly as memorable as I hoped.

When it comes to appetizers, Hudson 29 has no shortage of options. The Wine Country Board is great to share, a platter filled with salty Marcona almonds, cheeses, meats, crostini, and mango chutney. The sushi selections are also an excellent choice for the table. The Hudson Roll with, apple, mango, shrimp, tuna, and avocado, was a group favorite, but the King Kong (warm spicy scallops, crab, avocado, cucumber) and Surf and Turf (filet mignon, tempura shrimp, cream cheese, scallion) rolls are good bets too.

The Pan Seared Scallops entree was mouthwatering. This dish features roasted beets, avocado, hearts of palm, Campari- marinated tomatoes, golden balsamic vinaigrette, fresh greens, and the star: flawlessly seared scallops.Don’t let the long list of ingredients deter you, they all pair together perfectly. Next time, I’ll be in after the Rigatoni Bolognese or the Slow Roasted Prime Rib.

Save room for dessert too! The piping hot Pineapple Upside Down Cake donuts were so good, I wish I’d had an order to myself. The peach parfait, layers of frosting, peaches, and cake was absolutely craveable, and I was envious watching Texas Sheet cake come out of the kitchen too.

Like its Cameron Mitchell brethren, this eatery has a superb cocktail list. My pick was the Bourbon & Honey, Woodford Reserve expertly blended with honey and fresh grapefruit juice; however, I was torn between ordering the draught wine and the blood orange margarita as well. Hudson 29 is exactly what New Albany cuisine has needed – give it a try!

Culinary Clue: As you may be able to tell from the scallops photograph, the salad portions are enormous (not that there’s anything wrong with that)! When ordering the delicious roasted chicken or house salads, split it with a friend or you may need to take some home for tomorrow’s lunch.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

This review focuses on the New Albany location of Hudson 29. Visit the Upper Arlington location as well – it is equally wonderful! Find them at 1600 W Lane Ave, Upper Arlington.

in Food 2 comments

June 10, 2015June 15, 2015 by Caroline

Veritas Tavern Review

15 E Winter Street
Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 417 – 4074

http://www.veritastavern.com/

Top Tastes:
1. Bacon Risotto
2. Confit Chicken Wings
3. Brussels Sprouts
4. Gnocchi
5. Blues and the Bees

I love to try new and adventurous types of food, or sample an old dish presented in a new way. Veritas Tavern, located in historic downtown Delaware, has mastered this art and so much more. The tiny eatery is regularly ranked on critics’ lists as one of the top ten restaurants in Columbus, and its praise is well-deserved. Molecular gastronomy can be an intimidating concept, but don’t be afraid, because the flavors are familiar ones.

My last visit to Veritas Tavern was one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever tried in my life; every dish was a complete sensory experience of tastes, color, and aroma. Every plate is like a work of art – you almost hate messing it up by devouring it! The menu is constantly evolving, based on the chef’s whim and seasonally available ingredients, but one item is consistently on the list of offerings: Bacon Risotto. Anything with either risotto or with bacon is bound to be delectable, but this version is utterly tantalizing. The rich rice is topped with a 62 ½° egg, cooked so the yolk is perfectly runny, as well as cheddar cheese and a tiny biscuit.

Other plates are just as unique and savory. The Confit Chicken Wings are so tender they fall off the bone into the strangely wonderful blue cheese foam accompanying them. The Brussels Sprouts were unlike any I’d ever tried, sous vide (cooked in a vaccum-sealed bag to seal in the flavor) with exotic spices and butter. Next came the Gnocchi, with deep sea crab, truffles, and spinach. I was far too full for dessert, but the current offering of rhubarb panna cotta and granola was so tempting.

Bring some friends so that you can order all the main menu dishes and share bites of all of them, or for a special occasion, spring for the tasting menu, consisting of 8 glorious courses. The cocktail options are noteable too, with a large array of bourbons, classic gin-based delights, and even the Blues and the Bees, featuring Brothers Drake sour paw paw mead. Take a trip to Delaware, and don’t forget to stop in Veritas!

Culinary Clue: The restaurant is located in a historic building, and as a result, the seating is pretty limited. Because Veritas does not take reservations on Friday or Saturday after 6 pm, it is wise to go early or on a weeknight. You won’t want to have to witness other diners plow into the delicious food while you watch!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Food 3 comments

June 7, 2015April 11, 2017 by Caroline

Lineage Brewing Review

2971 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43202
614-461-3622
http://www.lineagebrew.com/

Top Tastes:
1. Spaceship # 6 IPA
2. Banh Mi Hand Pie
3. Bacon Spread
4. Allumé Saison
5. Ryemora Rye

Normally, Columbus Culinary Connection posts are either focused on primarily food or just on beverages. However, once I went to Lineage Brewing, I knew that I would never be able to choose which to highlight here – the brews and the food offerings are equally delicious! So here are my favorites aspects of both eating and drinking at Lineage. The interior of Lineage is ultra-modern and clean, with a garage door that they open when the weather is nice. Lots of the decor is reclaimed, or was specially created by local woodworkers for the brewery. This makes it the perfect spot to linger with friends.

Let’s start with the beer. For a new brewery, there is no shortage of beer options at Lineage. I am not typically a fan of rye beers, but really enjoyed the Ryemora rye style available during my first visit. For fans of lighter beers, the Shoot-the-Chutes cream ale is super smooth, or try the fruity blackberry wheat, Scàrale. The new saison, Allumé, is a yeasty delight, and Spaceship #6 is a solid IPA option. Get a flight in one of these cool, locally made sampler boards to sip tastes of all their beer styles. The bar also carries liquor, Mad Moon Cider, and Rambling House sodas for other options.

When it comes to snacking, Lineage has you covered here too. You can find pretzels and chicken wings at any bar, but at this brewery, they have decided to limit the menu to a few unique items, and execute them well. Hand pies are the signature dish, in fun varieties such as samosa, duck, and Tuscan spinach. My favorite is the Banh Mi, stuffed with pork meatballs in an Asian-inspired braising sauce; it’s served with pickled veggies on the side and cilantro mayo for dipping. The bourbon-bacon spread is perfectly plated with crusty bread and a poached egg. They also just released a new baked Camembert, wrapped in Dan the Baker‘s pie crust and topped with strawberry compote, which I am dying to try. So for some interesting bar bites and great brews, head to Lineage Brewing!

Culinary Clue: Ride your bike here! Lineage is located right off of the Olentangy Bike Path, and has bike racks with tons of space out front. You will often catch local Clintonville residents at Lineage in biking gear, so save on gas and do the same.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Drink / Food 1 comments

June 3, 2015May 31, 2015 by Caroline

Rhubarb Soda Recipe

You need an expensive, as-seen-on-tv soda maker to make your own soda, correct? Wrong! Making different flavors of fruit soda is actually really easy to do at home, without any sort of fancy gadget. I chose rhubarb for this recipe, because it is a beautiful pink color and happens to be in season, but try substituting other fruits such as strawberries or black cherries instead!

Ingredients:

1 pound rhubarb (approximately 8-10 stalks)
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 quart Seltzer Water
Ice

Start by scrubbing the rhubarb stalks. Chop the cleaned stalks into small pieces, roughly 1″ in size. Place the rhubarb pieces, water, and sugar into a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let cook for 30 minutes. Set the pan aside for mixture to cool and thicken. When it has cooled completely, pour the syrup into a fine-mesh sieve with a bowl underneath it. Let the mixture drain for approximately one hour, or until the liquid has separated from the rhubarb pulp. Store strained syrup in a mason jar in the refrigerator.

To make the soda itself, put 3 tablespoons of the cooled syrup into the bottom of a glass. Top with 1 cup of seltzer water and mix well to combine. Add ice to the glass. Enjoy!

Now that you’ve made all this sweet syrup, what do you with it other than making pop? Here are some more ideas:

Drizzle some over vanilla ice cream for a delicious sundae
Mix some vodka into the seltzer for a refreshing cocktail
Pour a little into a fluted glass and top with champagne for a fun bellini
Top pancakes with it for a new breakfast twist
Mix with a little balsamic vinegar and brush onto grilled chicken for a savory glaze

What other fruit and soda combos would you like to try? Let me know in the comments below!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Save Print

Rhubarb Soda Recipe

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 45 mins

Total time: 1 hour 5 mins

Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 pound rhubarb (approximately 8-10 stalks)
1 cup sugar
1½ cups water
1 quart Seltzer Water
Ice

Instructions

Start by scrubbing the rhubarb stalks.
Chop the stalks into small pieces, roughly 1" in size.
Place the rhubarb pieces, water, and sugar into a medium saucepan.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let cook for 30 minutes.
Set the pan aside for mixture to cool and thicken.
When it has cooled completely, pour the syrup into a fine-mesh sieve with a bowl underneath it.
Let the mixture drain for approximately one hour, or until the liquid has separated from the rhubarb pulp.
Store strained syrup in a mason jar in the refrigerator.
To make the soda itself, put 3 tablespoons of the cooled syrup into the bottom of a glass.
Top with 1 cup of seltzer water and mix well to combine.
Add ice to the glass.

in Recipes 0 comments

May 31, 2015August 28, 2018 by Caroline

A Visit to: Pittsburgh, Part 2

Pittsburgh Road Trip

I’ve already chronicled my food journey through Pittsburgh here, but there is much more to discuss about the Steel City. Pittsburgh is known for their breweries, but you can imbibe in other great spirits during your stay as well.

Cleveland natives will be familiar with Fat Head’s Saloon, the Pittsburgh cousin of the well-known CLE brewery. This location often has some beers that are hard to track down in Ohio, such as Hop JuJu and Zeus Juice. They serve perfect, beer-worthy pub food here too, which makes this an easy place to spend a couple hours during your trip.

If whiskey is more your style, then Wigle Whiskey has to be one of your stops. This distillery is almost like a lab inside with stainless steel tables, and beakers and pipettes to mix the delicious cocktails. I did a whiskey, rum, and gin tasting, and it was so much fun. The staff explains each spirit and how ice or water can change the flavor of each. They have their liquors for sale on site, as well as housemade bitters and other swag.

Don’t miss Church Brew Works either. This brewery is in a former Catholic church, and the building’s interior is gorgeous. The stained glass was kept intact, and the pews were re-purposed into seating for the tables. Most impressive of all is the altar and pulpit section, where all of the brewing takes places while you watch. This is something you can’t see anywhere else.

Back at the Pittsburgh Public Market, there are more than just food options. Here you will find booths for both East End Brewing and Red Star Kombucha. East End’s bar at the market had my favorite beers of the trip. The Chocolate Covered Cherry Stout and Monkey Boy Hefeweizen in particular made me wish I hadn’t left my growlers on the counter at home. Don’t skip over the tiny taproom area dedicated to Red Star Kombucha either. If you’re looking for a light and fruity adult beverage, here is your place. This refreshing fermented tea comes in flavors like ginger and blueberry. Check out Columbus’ own Luna Kombucha too!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my two part series on eating and drinking in Pittsburgh. What weekend trip do you think Columbus Culinary Connection should feature next?

Keep Connected,

Caroline

This is the second part of a two part series chronicling my journey through Pittsburgh. To learn more about fun things to do in Pittsburgh, check out part one here.

Find the locations I visited here:

http://fatheadspittsburgh.com/

https://www.wiglewhiskey.com/

http://pittsburghpublicmarket.org/

http://www.eastendbrewing.com/#freshlocalbeer

http://www.inglobwetrust.com/

http://www.churchbrew.com/

in Drink / Travel 1 comments

May 27, 2015August 28, 2018 by Caroline

A Visit to: Pittsburgh, Part 1

Pittsburgh Road Trip

Columbus will forever have my heart, but it is always fun to get out and explore another foodie city. Pittsburgh is a great option because it is only 3 hours away from Cbus – great for a long weekend trip. Pittsburgh also has a thriving food and drink scene, with options for every palette and budget. So for a quick getaway, I scoured the internet for tips, checked out Drink Up Columbus to get some ideas for local watering holes, and hit the road. This post will recount the culinary side of my travels through Pittsburgh, the next post to come will discuss can’t-miss drink spots in the Steel City.

Every source I consulted told me to go to Meat and Potatoes for dinner while I was in town. How can you ignore this kind of praise? Be sure to make reservations before you arrive, seats can be hard to come by. For starters, we noshed on fried Brussels Sprouts with tangy and smooth lemon aioli, and devils on horseback, yummy bacon-wrapped dates. I was tempted by the lamb burger, but settled on the Pappardelle, topped with a chunky and warming bolognese. I was not disappointed!

At the famous Pittsburgh Public Market, I found plenty of treats to try, and some of them even made it home. Ohio City Pasta served me up a plate of maybe my favorite pierogies ever, sprinkled with blue cheese and spinach, plus a drizzle of herbed butter. Second Breakfast had some sinful-looking chocolate waffle bites, and the Wheel and the Wedge was passing out tasty cubes of cheese. Perhaps my favorite stop was The Olive Tap. Here I scored some unusual and drool-worthy oils and vinegars. Some of the flavors? How about hot pepper, lime, or garlic-infused olive oil? Or try vinegars such as cranberry, apple balsamic, or chocolate marshmallow. The best part – you can taste little samples of all of the different types, and they will bottle the amount you want on the spot.

Grit & Grace was another memorable stop, one of the most interesting meals I’ve ever had. The concept of this joint is a Southern-Asian fusion, and the pairing was fabulous. There are roving dim sum carts, that have ready-made bites for you to snatch up and devour. I loved this concept (because I’m in a general state of starving) and grabbed kimchi. They have other tempting dishes like steam buns and short ribs with biscuits and bearnaise as well, but dessert was my favorite – salty graham crumble with yellow beet gelée.

Another local hot spot is Butcher and the Rye. The combo of the rustic interior and upscale menu makes this restaurant a must-try. Pig Candy, a miso-caramel and pork belly confection is a great starter, and the charcuterie plate looked divine too. The Shepard’s Pie was an elevated version of the old classic, topped with potato foam, and the sea bass entree with espresso and hazelnuts was equally beguiling. I somehow managed to save room for the Meyer lemon cream cake, and was not disappointed I did.

By the time I left Pittsburgh, I was absolutely stuffed! There are many more eateries I’d like to check out the next time I visit, however. What are your favorites places to dine while visiting the Steel City?

Keep Connected,

Caroline

This is the first part of a two part series chronicling my journey through Pittsburgh. To learn more about fun things to do in Pittsburgh, click here to read part two of the series.

Find the locations I visited here:

http://meatandpotatoespgh.com/

http://pittsburghpublicmarket.org/

http://gritandgracepgh.com/

http://butcherandtherye.com/

in Food / Travel 2 comments

May 24, 2015 by Caroline

Kittie’s Cakes Review

495 S 3rd St,
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 754-8828
http://kittiescakes.com

Top Tastes:

1. Bacon and Cheddar Scone
2. Coconut Whoopie Pie
3. Facecookie
4. Biscuit and Jam
5. PB & J Cupcake

Let them eat cake! Kittie’s Cakes that is. While food experts might say that the popularity of the cupcake trend is falling, they have clearly never set foot in Kittie’s. This teeny but charming German Village shop has so many bakery delights that you will walk outside with half a dozen bags wondering, “What did I just do?” Because you will want to purchase one of everything.

Obviously, Kittie’s is known for their cupcakes. They are miniature in size, so you can try a multitude of flavors without guilt. Candy Bar, chocolate cake with vanilla malt buttercream and pretzels is a tasty treat, and the PB & J is exactly what you’d hope – luscious peanut butter frosting atop a raspberry jam-filled cake. You’ll gobble up the Dutch variety as well: banana-bacon-crushed red pepper cake, topped with maple buttercream icing, bourbon brown sugar and bacon. Pair any of these flavors with a growler full of the cold brew Stumptown coffee they have for sale, and you have a perfect match.

One of Kittie’s signature items are their chocolate chip Facecookies, named because they are so immense that when held up to your face, the cookie will obscure your whole head. Bring someone to share one of these delights with you. Or not, I won’t judge. Equally scrumptious are the biscuits and jam, light biscuits with a generous dollop of jam in the middle. The scones are otherworldly too, coming in flavors like banana-nutella and cinnamon. But oh, the bacon cheddar scones! They are packed with savory, salty goodness and are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or snacking. The whoopie pie offerings at the bakery are superior too, ranging from oatmeal cream to s’mores, and my favorite, coconut.

When you do go to Kittie’s, get there early, because they often sell out of many items before closing time. The bakery is also closed on Monday and Tuesday, so be sure to stock up on goodies to last you the rest of the week. But trust me, this trip will be worth it.

Culinary Clue: The mascot for Kittie’s Cakes is Linus the Golden Retriever. This playful pooch can be spotted outside the bakery or balancing cupcakes on his nose. He even has his own faithful Instagram following – dog lovers will love his posts.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

in Food 3 comments