Butler County: Where to Dine and Drink

You may have heard of the Donut Trail, via last week’s post or other sources, but did you know that Butler County boasts some great spots to eat and imbibe? My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the culinary scene in the area, located just north of Cincy. You’ll want savory items (and maybe an adult beverage or two) after filling up on all those donuts, and the locals have you covered in this regard. Let’s discuss some of the delicious places that we dined and drank:

To Eat:

 

Flub’s Dari-ette

http://www.flubsicecream.com/

This soft-serve paradise is swirling up frozen confections to the masses in every variety. I was crazy for my orange creamsicle twist cone, but don’t miss the signature Cyclones. These aren’t your average blended ice cream treats. Give Brian’s PB Cup a whirl (Chocolate dip-top, peanut butter topping, and crushed peanut butter cups cycloned into vanilla creamy whip and topped with homemade whipped topping and Reese cups) or try Ellinghaus’s Blondie (Chocolate and vanilla twist ice cream mixed with cookie dough and brownie then finished off with chocolate dip top and home made whipped topping).

Hyde’s Restaurant

http://www.hydesrestaurant.com

It’s easy to see why this mom and pop joint has been around since 1946. The prices are reasonable, they serve breakfast all day, and oh my, the pie! The meringue on the banana cream pie was mile-high, and I’m still thinking about the flaky crust on the cherry pie. You’d think I wouldn’t be able to finish this pie after all those donuts, but you’d be wrong.

Jungle Jim’s

http://junglejims.com/

I could spend hours happily getting lost in Jungle Jim’s Fairfield. To call it a grocery store is almost an insult; it’s more of a mecca for food: delicious, unusual, or international. The cheese aisles alone are worth the trip, and the varieties I came home with were ones I’d never seen elsewhere, like truffle goat cheese or banana coconut gouda. There a whole section just for butters, one for pretzel breads, and even sections for foreign fruits and exotic game like rattlesnake. Wait, why did I leave here again?

Henry’s Candy Co

https://www.facebook.com/henryscandyco/

The sweet tooth strikes again at Henry’s in Hamilton. Chocolates, Jelly Belly beans, and every other colorful candy you can imagine line the shelves here. I snagged some nutty trail mix (one of multiple offerings) to tide us over on the drive home.

Cozy’s Cafe

http://cozyscafeandpub.com/

The name says it all – we received the best service, amazing food, and the desire to linger forever at Cozy’s. The interior is a Chip and Joanna Gaines farmhouse chic dream, and the outdoor patio area is immense, filled with Adirondacks and fire pits perfect for lounging. We were wowed by the short rib fries, the massive crab cakes, the Manhattan, and especially the zucchini carrot cake. Not to play favorites, but I need to go back to Butler County for Cozy’s alone – the backyard vibes are beckoning me this summer and I want to check out their brunch.

To Drink:

We were especially surprised by the number of breweries in Butler County during our visit. As hop heads, we discovered that there were plenty of superior suds to savor, and we met some of the dynamic folks behind these operations as well.

Quarter Barrel Brewery Hamilton

https://qbbrewery.pub/

This bar and restaurant just opened as an outpost of the original Oxford location. On tap, you will find some unique beer styles that you don’t often see, such as a Grissette and a Biere de Garde. On the menu, there is tasty pub grub too, like flatbreads and a pork belly BLT, pictured at the top of this post.

Municipal Brew Works

http://www.municipal.beer/

We loved chatting with Jim at Municipal who told us a ton of fun facts about Butler County, in addition to a few ghost stories. The building, we learned, used to be the municipal building for the City of Hamilton, hence the brewery name. The garage doors previously opened for fire truck bays, there are jail cells upstairs (spooky!) and a former shooting range for police detectives in the basement. There is also a beer available for every palette, from and aptly christened Approachable Blonde to a coffee porter. The riverfront patio here is large and lively, with daily food trucks and friendly pooches with their owners. A must-visit in my opinion!

Fig Leaf Brewing

http://www.figleafbrewing.com/

Fig Leaf is a newer operation, but that doesn’t mean they are short on beers. I really enjoyed Fig Leaf’s numerous hazy New England IPA selections, and they are doing some fun infusion flavors as well. It’s a very family-friendly place, with large tables and plenty of board games. The owners and their families have created some gorgeous woodwork pieces inside as well.

Rivertown Brewery

http://rivertownbrewery.com/

Our last stop of the trip certainly wasn’t my least favorite, and I’ll definitely return here too. I’ve loved Rivertown’s sour beer offerings for some time, and the tasting and tour of the brewery did not disappoint. Furthermore, our lunch was craveable: think giant pretzels, cornbread, bacon wontons with jam dipping sauce, and BBQ deviled eggs for apps. But don’t miss the photograph-worthy Rt. 63 burger, topped with an oozy fried cheese square, brisket, and a sparkler in the middle! Another tidbit we learned: they just started bottling and brewing Iron Line, a new line of beer exclusively for Kroger. Lastly, don’t miss the Groupon for a beer, growler, and tour if you visit Rivertown – it’s a steal of a deal.

If beer isn’t your preference, then the libations at The Roosevelt Room cocktail parlor are sure to please. This locale is serving up draft wine, happy hour specials, and a swanky atmosphere designed around Theodore Roosevelt. My inner history nerd is swooning right now. The drinks all have Roosevelt-themed names, such as the gin-based “Monocle” and the bold, bourbon-forward “Big Stick.”

Ready to head to Butler County yourself? Find out more information about the Butler County Donut Trail and its breweries and restaurants here: https://www.gettothebc.com/. The Visitor’s Bureau site can also give you ideas about other activities to do while you’re in town, since you’ll (probably) want to do other things besides eat during your journey. There are all kinds of outdoor activities that are ideal for warm weather, like golf, art exhibits, and even wakeboarding lessons! There are also other culinary destinations that I’d like to pay a visit one day: Swine City Brewing, Jolly’s Drive In, True West Coffee, Liberty Spirits, and Bagel & Deli, to name a few.

Finally, I have to mention our home base during the trip, The Courtyard Marriott Hamilton. This hotel had a modern, clean interior, and the staff was stellar. It is situated on the Miami River with water views, and within quick walking distance to both Quarter Barrel Hamilton and Municipal Brew Works, so no driving is required! Hamilton is a reemerging area, and if you love the musical Hamilton, you will adore its historic downtown, filled with Alexander Hamilton quotes and statues. There are also dozens of murals, sculptures, and art studded throughout the urban landscape.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out part one of the series, focusing on the Butler County Donut Trail and my favorite sweet at each stop. Have you had the pleasure of going to any of the locations listed in this post? Let me know your favorite.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Disclosure: The Butler County Visitor’s Bureau hosted me on this trip, in exchange for an honest blog post. All opinions are my own.

The Butler County Donut Trail

The Butler County Donut Trail: Warning: this post may cause a serious sweet tooth!

Passport-style trails are currently popping up everywhere. In Central Ohio, we have a coffee trail, Dublin’s Celtic Cocktail Trail, Hilliard just launched an ice cream trail, there’s the Licking County wine trail, and of course, the Columbus Ale Trail. Just a short drive from the capital city though, is one of the most magical, sprinkle-covered passport programs around: the Butler County Donut Trail.

Located just north of Cincinnati, Butler County has your donut dreams made. The donut trail is a collection of twelve donut stops that you visit, purchasing a donut at each location. Begin the trail by downloading a passport here, or snag a passport at any stop on the trail. As you visit each stop, ask the cashier to stamp your passport. Once you’ve conquered every stop, turn your passport into the Butler County Visitor’s Bureau (or mail it in) and they will reward your donut-eating prowess with a t-shirt. Because it’s also a quick road trip from Columbus, it’s easy to make a day jaunt to Butler County, knocking out a few shops at a time throughout the year until you’ve collected all the stamps. Just make sure to get an early start – some shops sell out by noon or even before.

The most fun thing about the trail (besides the donut-devouring) is seeing that every shop had something special that set it apart, whether it be the owner, the theme of the shop, or the unusual varieties of flavors offered. Some were old-fashioned mom and pop spots, while others were modern and Instagram-ready. During my journey, I had the most scrumptious and unadorned yeast donuts and basic French crullers. However, I also gobbled up some crazy versions topped with candy ingredients or Fruity Pebbles cereal; there’s appeal for both pastry purists and the most adventurous sugar lover. Some locales were in the ‘burbs, others were near commercial areas, but all were delicious.

Here’s my breakdown of every stop on the trail, with my favorite donut to devour at each:

Holtman’s Donut Shop

https://www.holtmansdonutshop.com/

Home to some of the most creative and colorful goodies on the trail, Holtman’s features a plethora of flavors, from maple bacon to Lucky Charms,  or from heavily sprinkled and Fruity Pebble-laden. This stop is also located around the corner from IKEA, so pop inside afterwards to walk off all those donuts!

Donut to Devour: Maple Bacon

Kelly’s Donuts

https://www.facebook.com/kellysdonutsandmore/

The retro vibe in this Hamilton joint puts you in a good mood at once, and if the shop’s atmosphere doesn’t, Kelly’s donuts will. The creamy, rich peanut butter filling in the Reese’s-esque donut will make you melt, and there’s nothing to not love about the s’more concoction sprinkled with graham cracker crumbs, mini marshmallows, and a chocolatey drizzle.

Donut to Devour: S’mores Donut

Martin’s Donuts

https://www.facebook.com/martinsdonutshop/

This cheery pink Trenton bakery is small, but it’s making some mighty tasty donuts. The turnovers, yeast donuts, and especially the cheesecake donuts were all a hit. The Cherry Cheesecake = tangy filling + graham crumbs + fruit pie filling.

Donut to Devour: Cherry Cheesecake

Jupiter Coffee and Donuts

http://www.jupitercoffeeanddonuts.com/

Situated up the street from Jungle Jim’s, Jupiter is nice place to have a coffee and unwind…with more donuts! They do a monthly seasonal donut, which during my visit was a heavenly carrot cake creation. The cream cheese inside out donuts and sprinkled versions were sampled winners too.

Donut to Devour: Carrot Cake

Milton’s Donuts

https://www.facebook.com/miltonsdonuts/

Milton’s Middletown shop had a wonderful mix of interesting donuts – another Fruity Pebbles offering, barely cooled glazed rings, devil’s food donuts, and super-friendly folks behind the counter. My favorites though, were the giant glazed croissants.

Donut to Devour: Glazed Croissant

Ross Bakery

https://www.facebook.com/Ross-Bakery-120335357979540/

Ross Bakery churned out one of my favorite traditional donuts of the trip – a massive yeast donut the size of my face, perfectly tender and shaped like a soft pretzel! Also on the menu: a buckeye-inspired chocolate peanut butter treat topped with a mini Hershey bar.

Donut to Devour: Pretzel Donut

Stan the Donut Man

https://www.facebook.com/Stan-The-Donut-Man-147690215281038/

Stan the Donut Man, the name says it all. Stan is doing donuts old school, in the best possible way. I’m currently drooling as I think back upon the pineapple fritter (who knew such a thing existed?) and the Davey Crocketts, maple iced mini cinnamon buns.

Donut to Devour: Davey Crockett

The Donut Spot

https://www.facebook.com/The-Donut-Spot-116081498413772/

I knew the line out the door at The Donut Spot was a sign of good things to come. Cookies and cream, Bavarian cream, and cream cheese filled donuts all await at this Fairfield bakery, but go for the “clunker,” a dense, lightly glazed mass of cake donut hunks. Simple and divine.

Donut to Devour: The Clunker Donut

The Donut House

http://the-donut-house-westchester.business.site/

Tucked in a small corner of West Chester, The Donut House is dishing up heart-shaped donuts, donuts iced to look like baseballs, and even some with crushed Oreos. Best of all: there was a chocolate-dipped one with Butterfinger pieces on a puffy dough that I got to take home.

Donut to Devour: Butterfinger Donut

Mimi’s Donuts

https://www.facebook.com/Mimisdonutsandbakery/

This Hamilton locale boasts a fun mix of traditional and crazy flavors. I loved the cinnamon twists and the lemon blueberry, but the German Chocolate’s ooey gooey coconut topping captured my heart.

Donut to Devour: German Chocolate

Central Pastry Shop

http://centralpastry.com/

Located in downtown Middletown, this is the only required passport spot I couldn’t visit, since they were closed on Sundays. However, locals gushed over Central Pastry to me, especially their cakes and the tiger tail donut, a thin and twisty delight.

Donut to Devour: Tiger Tail Twist Donut

Oxford Doughnut Shoppe

http://www.oxforddoughnutshoppe.com/

This spot comes pre-stamped on your Donut Trail passport, because it’s a little out of the way. I didn’t make it to the Oxford favorite on this trip, but Miami University students rave about these kettle-fried classics.  Bonus: score a dozen donut holes for just $2!

Donut to Devour: Red Velvet Cake Donut

Ready to hit the trail? Find out more information about the Butler County Donut Trail here: https://www.gettothebc.com/. The Visitor’s Bureau site can also give you ideas about other activities to do while you’re in town, since you’ll (probably) want to do other things besides eat during your journey.

Stay tuned for part two of my Butler County trip next week, featuring some of the best spots to dine and drink in Butler County. Have you completed the Donut Trail yet? If so, let me know your favorite donut spot in the comments below!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Disclosure: The Butler County Visitor’s Bureau hosted me on the Donut Trail, in exchange for an honest blog post. All opinions are my own. 

Veritas Columbus

Veritas Columbus
11 W Gay Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-745-3864
https://veritasrestaurant.com/

Marble. Columns. Ancient-looking relics. This isn’t a description from a trip to Rome, but just a few features of the upstairs bar at Veritas. I first wrote about my lovely experience with Veritas here, when the innovative restaurant was still located in downtown Delaware. But Veritas has settled into the capital city, in a much larger space with the same creative cuisine and not one, but two bars.

Begin your Veritas Columbus experience by partaking in a beverage at the marble-laden upstairs bar. Ask the staff to guide you there; it’s tricky to find if you aren’t sure where you’re headed. Because this area was the former Citizens Bank, there are plenty of historic touches, such as the old safe and mechanical features, as well as enormous windows and opulent niches for lounging. The cocktail offerings strike the impossible balance of elegant and delectable, with classic drinks and unique libations up for grabs. I can’t get over the beauty of The Sun Also Rises, sporting a blood orange ice sphere and ginger bourbon that I’m dreaming of as I type this. Make sure you finish imbibing before heading down for dinner; your cocktails can’t leave the upstairs area.

The downstairs dining space is more modern and simply decorated, but also has a small bar and a cozy atmosphere. Small plates for sampling are still the focus at Veritas, but the setting is now grand enough to match the menu. Many of my Delaware favorites remain on the menu (I’m looking at you, bacon risotto). I won’t rehash the food too much from the previous post, but I have to mention a few things before closing. The shishito peppers are a great snack to start, coated in a rich miso cream cheese and a sprinkle of ever-trendy everything bagel spice. One of every ten peppers are spicy, so it’s fun to play pepper roulette, wondering if your mouth will be on fire with every new bite. The flavor-packed Brussels are as divine as ever, and the craveable chicken wings with blue cheese foam manage to be both ridiculously crispy and fall-off-the-bone at the same time. Lastly, be sure to save room for the aforementioned risotto, boasting bold bacon notes and an unctuous oozing egg that is both rich and comforting.

Have you visited the new Veritas locale yet? If you were as impressed as I was, let me know!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Getting to Know: Sam from The Cheesecake Girl

Samantha Strange has based her career around one sweet specialty: cheesecake! After graduating college with a culinary focus and anointing herself The Cheesecake Girl, she’s developed a local brand that you should definitely get to know. You can pick up Sam’s cheesecakes in regular or mini sizes at Smidge and Pinch or The Hills Market, plus you can order treats directly from her online in varieties like jelly donut, Girl Scout cookie, or puppy chow. She also participates in pairing events all over town, where she pairs cheesecake flavors with everything from beer to coffee flights. Read on to learn more about the “girl” in The Cheesecake Girl:

Web: https://www.thecheesecakegirl.com/
Instagram: @thecheesecake.girl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecheesecakegirl

Photo Credit: The Cheesecake Girl

What motivated you to start a cheesecake business? Why cheesecake instead of another dessert?

I really just love cheesecake! So when I decided to minor in culinary in college, I started experimenting and letting friends try out the cheesecake creations. When I moved back to Ohio after college I kept baking for fun, family parties, my parents’ friends’ events and stuff like that. Then it just spiraled out of control into where I’m at today! I couldn’t be more happy with it. We are actually working on adding more desserts to the menu so it won’t be just cheesecake for long!

How did you transition into baking full-time?

It was hard to take the leap. I finally realized it was time when I had to turn orders down. I hated the feeling of telling people I didn’t have time for their orders. So I started looking at The Cheesecake Girl as a full time possibility. I re-launched the website, re-branded everything & went for it!

You bake so many tasty flavors! Where is your favorite place to find inspiration?

Honestly, Pinterest. I love to sit and scroll and see what everyone else is inspired by. I usually find flavor ideas through other recipes. For example, I love Boston Cream Pie, but I’m not The Pie Girl. So I decided to take all my favorite desserts and turn them into cheesecake flavors!

What is (in your opinion) the best variety you’ve ever made?

That’s a tough one because there are so many! One of my go-to flavors is German Chocolate Cheesecake, or Monster Cookie Cheesecake!

How many total cheesecakes do you make a day? I’ve seen your Instagram – those dishes must pile up!

Each day is different! On average I would say we bake around 6 full cheesecakes a day + 8-12 dozen mini cheesecakes a day!

Photo Credit: The Cheesecake Girl

Can you tell us about your worst kitchen disaster?

Our worst kitchen disaster actually wasn’t my fault (surprisingly) – I had just pulled out 4 dozen mini snickerdoodle cheesecakes from the oven. It was the last order of the day. I put them down on our cooling rack and went to start cleaning up when I heard the crash! An employee in the kitchen I bake out of was rushing by the racks and bumped all 4 dozen upside down on the ground. I literally couldn’t say anything I just stood there trying not to cry. We cleaned everything up and got back to work, that employee brought me a gift card and an apology letter the next day so all is forgiven!

Which local restaurant do you frequent more than any other?

I basically live at the Sunny Street Cafe in Upper Arlington. That’s the kitchen I bake out of and the owners are good friends! You’d think I would get sick of eating there…but I still eat breakfast & lunch there almost every day!

Photo Credit: The Cheesecake Girl

What is your favorite Columbus-based product?

There are so many fantastic local products! I love Ridiculously Good Salsa though, you can tell how fresh the ingredients are and it’s a great snack!

What is your adult beverage of choice?

Summer Sangria from Powell Village Winery has my heart. But I also would never turn down a Moscow Mule.

Can you share your go-to recipe to cook at home?

With the hours I work I rarely have time to cook at home! I do have a recipe I make every now and then when my friends & family get sick of cheesecake! I went to a Zac Brown Band concert (one of the 10 I’ve been to!) and they do an Eat & Greet instead of a Meet & Greet. The band serves you their favorite foods made by their tour chef and you get to chat with them. It’s really neat. Well they served a bread pudding that actually made me like bread pudding!

Do you have any fun hobbies or talents, other than making wonderful desserts?

Any free time I get is spent on friends, family & being outside with my dog Bo! I collect records as well & love going to concerts!

Photo Credit: The Cheesecake Girl

Do you have a charity that fans should know about and support?

I’m actually working with Easterseals this year for their Romancing The Grape event! Other than that I usually give leftover cheesecake to fire stations & police departments!

You recently started selling your creations at the Smidge and Pinch storefront in Powell. Can you tell us more about that and what else is coming up for The Cheesecake Girl?

Yes! The store owner, Angie, is fantastic and I have loved being business partners with her! There is always cheesecake available inside her store along with every baking supply & cookie cutter needed. Up next for The Cheesecake Girl is hopefully another storefront! We’ve been working on it but it’s about good timing!

Take a peek at Sam’s website to see a small taste of the flavors she creates: https://www.thecheesecakegirl.com/. You can custom order your own culinary creation with creative crusts, toppings, and fillings. If you’ve tried The Cheesecake Girl, let me know your favorite find in the comments below!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

*All photos courtesy of The Cheesecake Girl

Want more dessert content? Sam’s cheesecakes are also featured in this post about some of my favorite local chocolate treats, or take a peek at some of the other Baker Babes interview features here.

Cravings Cafe

Cravings Cafe
114 N Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-670-4439
http://www.cravingscafe614.com

It took a long time for Cravings Cafe to relocate from their original home in Italian Village to their current downtown digs. But having finally made it to the new site of the breakfast and lunch hot spot, it was entirely worth my not-so-patient waiting. Cravings is still on the smaller side, but don’t be shy about ordering your meal ahead or getting it to go. And although the shop isn’t huge, there are fun prints on the lovely exposed brick walls and it’s a cozy place to sip your morning joe.

There are so many menu items to discuss, but I’ll begin with brioche. The buttery dough is the base of cinnamon rolls, burger buns, and French toast at Cravings, and the stuff is sheer heaven. It’s even used in some unexpected ways. For example, the bronuts from the previous locale are still on the menu. Don’t be afraid, this isn’t a fraternity term; a “bronut” is a mashup of “brioche” and “donut.” Truly the best of both worlds, the bronuts are thick, chewy, and not too sweet. The flavors of this treat change often, ranging from blueberry to funfetti sprinkled to cinnamon sugar. They’re not available every day and sell out quickly, so call ahead to ensure you snag one of these beauties for yourself.

For main dishes, I’m not even the biggest fan of chorizo, but when I tried my husband’s breakfast burrito, I begged him to go halfsies with me and split entrees. This monster wrap is bursting with green chile chorizo, scrambled eggs, crispy taters, cheese, and salsa with just a hint of heat. The falafel burger is also tempting, or go traditional and try the Breakfast Roll, a morning sammie that hits all the right notes: thick bacon, a fried egg, cheddar, and rosemary aioli on the signature brioche bun. Add the Greek potato hash on the side for the ideal savory side.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how wonderful the daily specials are as well. These limited offerings are an ever-changing swirl of brunch entrees, such as loaded potato soup or a pork torta filled with braised pork, Swiss, pickled red cabbage, jalapenos, and tomatillo avocado salsa on sourdough bread. My last visit featured a brunch burger: locally butchered beef, cambozola cheese, a drippy egg, caramelized onions, and rosemary aioli, all on a house brioche bun with shoestring fries on the side. Just go ahead and order two if you see this on the menu.

Cap off your visit with a just-baked cookie or muffin, they’re just as craveable as everything else. Or pair your meal with a Thunderkiss coffee; I must recommend the coconut cream cold brew variety.

Have you tried Cravings Cafe yet? Tell me your favorite thing to order by sending me a tweet!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Check out a few of my other favorite brunch joints:

1. Skillet
2. Forno Kitchen + Bar
3. The Market Italian Village

Third Birthday Extravaganza: Highlights, News, + More Truth Talk

How have I been blogging for 3 years already? This fact alone makes me feel pretty elderly. This post will be the 169th here on Columbus Culinary Connection. To be honest, some weeks I’ve been chomping at the bit to get my thoughts down on paper; others, it has been hard to make myself sit down and write. But I’ve loved every minute of connecting with each of you.

To shake things up a little bit, I’m in the process of working on a website redesign, and I can’t wait to share the end result. Hang in there if a link is down during the process or if the site’s formatting isn’t quite right. My husband is uber-talented at teaching himself WordPress, and he created this current website plus the one to come. There will be more pictures, more searchable posts, and more opportunities to connect. One thing I’m most excited about is the Caroline Currently page, which will be a live, ever-changing page of what’s happening now: what I’m craving, what’s trending in town, recipes I can’t stop making, and answers to questions submitted by you.

In honor of this anniversary, I also need to take some time to laugh at myself and how far I’ve come. Specifically, in the area of photography. I don’t have a “real” camera, and so it’s been fun to see how much my skills at capturing food with my cell phone have improved. Practice makes perfect, as has reading books and articles on this subject. I have to credit The Wonder Jam too, for their fun and informative class on honing that prowess. When I first started blogging, I didn’t have an Instagram account (now my biggest social media following by far) and I naively didn’t fathom how essential taking good photographs is to putting out quality posts. Just take a peek at some “then” and “now” comparisons below. I still have a lot of work to do, but some of these early shots are downright laughable. Too many filters, bad lighting and props, and so much blurriness.

Cookie Skillets: before and after

Click here to see the full Cookie Skillets recipe.

101 Beer Kitchen: why did I think would anyone care about the sign?

Read more about 101 Beer Kitchen.

Rockmill Brewery: wasn’t doing this beautiful spot justice

Learn more about Rockmill Brewery here.

Sugar Cookie Peach Cobbler: do I even need to explain this one?

Click here to see the Sugar Cookie Peach Cobbler recipe.

Lava Cakes: note the shadow and salt shakers in the corner…

Lastly, I wanted to share with you the all-time top five posts on the blog. Of course, you all love Fox in the Snow (how could you not) but some were surprising. Who knew so many of you shared my obsession with white BBQ sauce? Here are the 5 most visited blog posts to date:

Thank you as always for following along with my food journey. I’m incredibly humbled when someone takes the time to read content I’ve produced. Please let me know what kinds of posts you love best, so I can focus on those topics this year. Or shoot me a message and just say hi!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Caroline’s Picks: 5 More Chocolate Treats to Try

When I picked 5 of my favorite cocoa confections for a Valentine’s Day post earlier this year, something horrible happened. It was too hard to pick just five local items highlighting chocolate. So, here we go again! Below you’ll find a few more of the sweet treats that I love best.

Chocolate Cheesecake – The Cheesecake Girl

https://www.thecheesecakegirl.com/

My husband is cheesecake-crazy, but I’d never been an aficionado until I sampled The Cheesecake Girl’s cheesecake. Try all kinds of chocolate-packed types such as puppy chow, Oreo, and even brownie. You can also custom order your own cheesecake with all the chocolatey toppings you can imagine; think Reese’s cups, ganache, and cookie dough. Find Sam and her cheesecakes at North Market pop-ups, Local Roots and Smidge and Pinch in Powell, and at all kinds of pairing events.

Chocolate Cremeaux – Tupelo Donuts

https://tupelodoughnuts.com/

While I await the opening of Tupelo’s Worthington shop, I’ve been stalking their trucks all around town to swipe their Chocolate Cremeaux donuts. This pastry is stuffed with a deep, dark chocolate custard, dipped in glaze and then drizzled with more chocolate, all adding up to a sugar-lover’s dream. Check their social media pages to see where to find the truck and order ahead – this donut sells out fast!

Chocolate Bars (various flavors) – Ohiyo Chocolate

https://ohiyochocolate.com/

Crafted “bean to bar” in small batches, Ohiyo’s offerings will delight chocolate purists and adventurers alike. All kinds of chocolate are produced, with additions like salt, coffee, and sage, as well as traditional 75% cacao versions. Ohiyo also recently did a beer collaboration with Pretentious Barrel House, so be on the lookout for this chocolate beer combo too! You can buy the bars online, or I pick mine up at Wholly Craft in Clintonville.

Nutella Pancake Balls – Katalina’s Cafe

http://www.katalinascafe.com/

Who says you can’t have chocolate for breakfast? Every pancake ball offering from Katalina’s is utterly craveable, but if you haven’t tried the Nutella version and then dunked it in bourbon barrel maple syrup, you’re not living your best life. Gooey, warm Nutella oozing out of a bite-sized pancake is something that everyone must experience, especially with a side of spicy bacon.

Chocolate Croissant – Pistachia Vera

http://www.pistaciavera.com

The German Village bakery’s Pain au Chocolat consists of a flaky, buttery dough wrapped around semi-sweet chocolate batons – simple and perfect. Make sure to microwave the croissant for maximum melt factor if you eat it at home! Wash your chocolate down with an iced mocha featuring Hartzler Dairy’s chocolate milk to get a double chocolate hit.

Want to bake a chocolatey treat of your own at home? Check out these recipes from the blog: Top Secret Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and Magic Chocolate Stout Cake.

Have another favorite cocoa goodie that needs to be included in Part 3 of this chocolate saga? Send me an email and let me know!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Brunchin’ it Up: Vaso Dublin

Vaso
6540 Riverside Drive
Dublin, OH 43017
(614) 698-2525
https://www.vasodublin.com

I can’t seem to stop gravitating towards the new Bridge Park area in Dublin lately. All of your local Cbus favorites appear to be popping up in this new complex: Local Cantina, Cap City Diner, Pins Mechanical, Fukuryu Ramen, and more. Go ahead and add Vaso to this mega-list, as my new go-to brunch locale. Perched on the top floor of the AC Dublin Hotel, Vaso’s lounge is churning out a Spanish-inspired brunch menu that will make you melt. Every dish is familiar, but new ingredients and preparations will keep me coming back for more. I should also note that if you’re like me and obsessively photograph your meals, the glass-encased dining room makes it easy to capture Instagram-worthy snaps. I also can’t wait to visit Vaso in the summer so I can enjoy my brunch on the enormous rooftop patio, filled with fire pits and an outdoor bar!

Let’s get to the cuisine though. The chef here excels at sauce-making; every course I tried boasted a flavorful aioli, vinaigrette, hollandaise, or other liquid delight. The Tortilla Española, a Spanish potato omelette, had dollops of craveable garlic aioli and a lightly dressed side salad. The almond and red pepper-based romesco accompanying the fiery lamb meatballs was divine. I loved the Brussels Sprouts salad as well, featuring two preparations of sprouts: one raw and thinly sliced as a “Caesar salad” and one deliciously crispy and fried. Be gone, boring avocado toast – Vaso’s version has the addition of crispy peas and a drippy egg for texture and flavor. The shrimp flatbread has succulent shrimp, but also a surprising slather of white bean puree and tomato jam. My favorite dish was the Benedictino del Sur, an Eggs Benedict redux consisting of an English muffin layered with ham, braised greens, and poached eggs, then topped with a generous ladle of pimento hollandaise. There’s even more to the menu, such as hangar steak, grilled octopus, and chorizo hash that I’ll have to sample soon.

Wash all this fare down with some brunch-ready libations. I’ve never been a Bloody Mary fan, but I have to admit that I found the Red Snapper, Vaso’s slightly spicy twist, enjoyable. The use of house pepper mix, ginger, and Watershed gin instead of vodka made me a convert, in this case at least. Watch your drink being made live at the corner Bloody Mary cart, overflowing with fresh fruits and veggies. Traditional Bloodys and mimosas are also available, but my favorite cocktail was the Madrid Old Fashioned (Oloroso Sherry, simple syrup, lemon, and rum) all shaken up and poured over a giant ice cube with the Vaso logo, a nice touch.

Culinary Clues: Vaso is also a stop on the Celtic Cocktail Trail. In this passport-style program, you can collect stamps for visiting select Dublin restaurants and earn rewards like koozies and t-shirts along the way. Additionally, Vaso is part of my 2018 Dining Bucket List; read more here.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Disclosure: Vaso invited me to try their new brunch in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Keep

The Keep

The Keep
50 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 745-0322
https://www.thekeepcolumbus.com

One of the restaurants on this year’s dining bucket list that I was very eager to sample was The Keep. Having experienced a meal here, that excitement hasn’t waned. Nestled inside one of Columbus’ most identifiable skyscrapers, the LeVeque Tower, this swanky spot is the ideal locale for cocktails with friends or a fancy night out before a show at the Palace Theater.

I don’t normally focus on the decor of a space, but the ambiance inside The Keep is worth noting. Every detail was considered in the design of the interior, from the torch-like gas lamps on the walls, the beautiful gold artwork, and the coves in the bar that are perfect for lounging.

Just as appealing to the eye are the cocktails. The LeVeque 75, a local twist on the classic French 75, is crafted with Watershed bourbon-barrel gin, bubbly, lemon, and simple syrup. As someone always partial to bourbon, I was also fond of the Keep-Easy Walnut Manhattan (The Keep’s special Maker’s Mark, nocino walnut liqueur, chocolate and orange bitters, vermouth, and a cherry) and the In Brasserie Fashioned (bourbon, St. Germain liqueur, and a bitters ice cube with an orange peel and a cherry encapsulated in the middle).

Chicken and Waffles - The Keep

The curated menu at The Keep has French leanings, and there wasn’t a dish that I sampled which I didn’t enjoy. Start with the tender Braised Short Rib, accompanied by the best grits I’ve had in awhile, or the pink-hued, beet-cured salmon with a pop of cranberries. For entrees, the Chicken and “Waffles” is a fun dish, a caper-sauced concoction of thin, crispy waffle-shaped potatoes atop breaded chicken. The Pork Cheek was another delectable selection, slow-cooked pork with collards, black-eyed peas, andouille sausage, and corn nuts for crunch. The Steak Frites were served up with an generous portion of craveable fries, and the scallop and green tea noodles had just enough sear and spice to be perfect. Our party didn’t have time to savor one of the signature Shellfish Towers, but next visit will have to include one of the heaping seafood platters overflowing with Creole shrimp, oysters, chilled lobster, ceviche, and smoked whitefish. I will have to return soon for beignets and the brunch menu too!

Culinary Clue: Don’t miss a chance to sit at the bar around the open kitchen in middle of the main dining room. It’s so interesting to watch the care going into every meal as it’s plated.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Caroline’s Picks: 5 Chocolate Treats to Try

I don’t get all lovey dovey on Valentine’s Day, but I do appreciate the power of cocoa as February 14th rolls around. Fortunately, Columbus has plenty to offer in the chocolate arena, so it was hard to pick 5 of my favorite chocolate treats.

Chocolate Mini Bundt Cake: Flowers & Bread

http://flowersandbread.com/

Chocolate Mini Bundt Cake Flowers & Bread

Instagram-worthy and the ideal size (given that you’ve likely just crammed yourself full of carbs), I must order this cake each time I visit Flowers & Bread. The bundts are coated with a rich chocolate glaze, and the buttermilk keeps the texture delightfully fudgy. The bakery also started offering them in a parfait form as well in the grab-and-go cooler!

Click here to learn more about Flowers & Bread.

Chocolate Morning Bun: Fox in the Snow Cafe

https://www.foxinthesnow.com

Chocolate Morning Bun Fox in the Snow Cafe

That’s right folks. The picture above is indeed croissant dough baked into a muffin shape, rolled in sugar, and filled with glorious mounds of chocolate mousse. Add on the fact that you can find it at one of my favorite coffee shops, Fox in the Snow, and we’ve got a winner here. For breakfast, a coffee break, or dessert, this offering is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Click here to learn more about Fox in the Snow.

Gooey Chocolate Espresso Hummus: Darista Dips

https://daristadips.com

Gooey Chocolate Espresso Hummus Darista Dips

It’s rare that a hummus company could make both the veggie-rific list AND this chocolate treats list, but I’m convinced that Darista Dips is taking over the world. Their Gooey Chocolate Espresso Hummus celebrates girl power by sourcing ingredients from female-led companies. You won’t believe there’s chickpeas inside, but you will want to slather it on everything. Plus the talented local girl boss Natterdoodle drew the label!

Dairy-free Dark Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream: Jeni’s Ice Cream

https://jenis.com

Dairy-free Dark Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream Jeni's Ice Cream

This new variety from Jeni’s is deep, dark, chocolatey goodness that would excite Willy Wonka himself. Concocted with coconut cream instead of milk, this vegan-friendly option will fill the cocoa bill. Lately I’ve loved making it a double-scoop duo with Salty Caramel to hit all the flavor notes, but it’s successful as a stand-alone too.

Seriously Big Chocolate Cake: Cap City Fine Diner

https://capcityfinediner.com

Seriously Big Chocolate Cake Cap City Fine Diner

Cameron Mitchell always proves that simple things executed perfectly are the best things, and Cap City’s chocolate cake is a classic for just this reason. You might be tempted to share the immense slab of this confection with a partner-in-crime, but I’m fairly certain I could polish off a whole piece myself. The cake is tender and packs a chocolate punch, and the icing is just as divine.

It was so difficult to narrow this list, I might have to do a chocolate treats part 2 post. Where do you get your chocolate fix in town? Let me know: caroline@columbusculinaryconnection.com

Keep Connected,

Caroline