Krema Nut Company

Krema Nut Company

1000 West Goodale Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 299-4131
http://www.krema.com/

Top Tastes
1. PB Apple Cheesecake
2. Buckeye Milkshake
3. The Kicker
4. Cashew Delight
5. Buckeye Cashew Crunch

Now that I finally made it to the Grandview-area Krema Nut Company, I am seriously upset I waited this long to check it out. I am always fiending for peanut butter anything, so it was high time that I give Krema a visit, if for no other reason than to check a box on the 2016 Hot List. I underestimated what I’d find inside, and I will definitely return, with friends, for some nutty treats.

Krema Nut Company Sandwich

Upon entering, you walk into the gift shop. The store sports every snack and sweet you can imagine, many of them house-made. Pick up addictive Buckeye Cashew Crunch popcorn, cinnamon almonds, or Krema’s nut butter sampler pack so you can taste every variety! Glass offers a peek into the production area from the retail section; Krema also conducts tours by appointment, giving a glimpse of the peanut butter-making process.

Treats from Krema Nut Company

But it’s the sandwich shop area to the left where you should head for your dining pleasure. The Cashew Delight, with tart cherry preserves and cashew spread, is simple and utterly satisfying, or gobble up the PB Apple Cheesecake sandwich, combining peanut butter on one side with honey nut cream cheese and chunky apple fruit spread on the other. Heat seekers should snap up The Kicker, made with house hot and spicy peanut butter and slathered with raspberry preserves. You can also mix-and-match your choice of breads, nut butters, and toppings like bananas, marshmallow fluff, or orange-apricot spread for a custom sammy. Wash it all down with a Buckeye milkshake, a thick and creamy take on the beloved PB and chocolate combo in a shake.

Gourmet PB and J Sandwich | Krema Nut Company

Culinary Clue: Don’t miss out on Brothers Drake’s collaborative PB & J mead, made using 300 pounds of Krema’s Spanish peanuts for the PB component. And yes, it actually does taste like your favorite childhood sandwich.

Keep Connected,
Caroline

Krema Nut Company Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Guest Post For: Little Adventures Await

Mothers Day Brunch

Mother’s Day is one of the best holidays of the year – the weather finally starts to turn, and it is so important to take time to celebrate the special woman in our lives. Everyone has their own Mother’s Day dining traditions, but you should definitely consider taking mom out for brunch! When Stacie from Little Adventures Await (http://www.littleadventuresawait.com) asked me to guest post for her Mother’s Day roundup, it was the perfect opportunity to pick my Mother’s Day brunch favorites. Below, you will find my restaurant ideas for Mom’s big day, but you MUST check out Stacie’s full article here: http://www.littleadventuresawait.com/2016/04/mothers-day-in-cbus.html. She has tons of gift inspiration, and also multiple giveways! Plus if you are looking for fun things to do with kids in our capital city, she is your go-to girl.

The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek

http://thebarncolumbus.com/
Mothers Day Brunch at The Barn
For a traditional brunch that the whole family will love, book a table at The Barn. This Cameron Mitchell spot is serving up a bounty of dishes, ranging from eggs benedict to peel-and-eat shrimp, plus two carving stations. The enormous patio in the back also boasts cozy chairs, its own bar, and multiple fire pits to gather with your crew afterwards. Hurry though, because reservations are filling up fast!

Dough Mama

http://www.dough-mama.com/
Dough Mama
Treat the special mama in your life to a slice of heaven at Dough Mama. The inviting Clintonville bakery is the ideal place to nosh on savory low-key treats such as seasonal quiche, fruit hand pies, and bread pudding, all paired with Thunderkiss coffee. Best of all, every mom that comes in the door gets to take home a free slice of pie!

Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar

http://www.lindeys.com/
A Columbus classic, check out Lindey’s in German Village for an upscale and satisfying dining affair. Lindey’s is offering a buffet as well as a special a la carte menu for the occasion, so you have the best of both worlds. You can gorge yourself on dishes like beignets or a Monte Cristo with maple blueberry jam, mother-approved!

Zen-Cha Tea Salon

http://www.zen-cha.com/
Give mom the gift of a unique and tasty experience at Zen-Cha. The lady in your life will adore sipping every variety of tea under the sun. Nibble on plump Chinese dumplings and Earl Grey pancakes, or order the miniature scone sampler to share with the table. Brunch doesn’t have to be fussy to be beautiful and scrumptious.

101 Beer Kitchen

http://www.101beerkitchen.com/
Pretzels from 101 Beer Kitchen
If you are a procrastinator like me, some of the fancier spots might be booked before Mother’s Day creeps up on you. 101 Beer Kitchen to the rescue! Seating is first come, first serve, and there are Dublin and Gahanna locations. My mouth is already watering over the 101 Twinkie, a pastry cream- stuffed take on French toast and the pretzels with beer cheese. For the craft brew-loving mom, this should be your pick.

5 Egg-cellent Dishes to Try

5 Egg-cellent Dishes to Try
A ho-hum entrée can be transformed by the unctuous, drippy center of a just-cooked egg; there’s really no limit to the cuisine the incredible, edible ingredient can boost, from Mexican chilaquiles to a spicy pizza. Egg dishes also photograph well, thanks to the pop of sunny yellow yolk. Columbus restaurant chefs recognize the power of huevos too! Below, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite local menu items which get their extra special something from the addition of eggs.

Egg Tart: Fox in the Snow Café

http://www.foxinthesnow.com/
Egg Tart from Fox in the Snow Cafe
There’s something so perfect about the egg tarts at the Italian Village spot. Buttery, flaky crust frames a tender egg sprinkled with chives, and leaves you wanting to order a million more. The café touts an excellent egg sandwich crowned with arugula, so make a return visit to sample that as well!

Breakfast Pizza: Forno Kitchen + Bar

http://www.fornoshortnorth.com/
Breakfast Pizza from Forno Short North
I’ve written about my passion for this pizza before, but I won’t hesitate to do it again. Who would’ve guessed that Brussels + pancetta + cheese + oozy eggs = the breakfast of my dreams? This pie is charred in all the right places, and is best paired with a mimosa for maximum enjoyment.

Pierogi with an Egg: Sophie’s Pierogi

http://www.sophiesgourmet.com/
Pierogi with an Egg from Sophies
This little food cart puts out some of my favorite mobile food in town, and provides proof that eggs work for dinner too. Order up some piergoi with roasted garlic paprika butter, and make sure to add a fried egg. It comes with caramelized onions, sour cream, and a full belly.

Egg Sammy: Kittie’s Cakes

http://kittiescakes.com/
Egg Sammy: Kitties Cakes
Only available on Sunday mornings while supplies last, this egg dish is so good, I’ve never gotten a good photo of it. Kittie’s offering consists of a fluffy egg sandwiched between a split biscuit sprinkled with everything bagel spice. If this treat doesn’t get you out of bed, nothing will.

Poutine: Hoof Hearted Brewery + Kitchen

http://www.hoofhearted.bar/
Poutine: Hoof Hearted Brewery + Kitchen
This isn’t your basic egg-topped poutine, it’s innovative comfort food at its finest. Once popped, the savory egg yolk envelops chunky potatoes, onion rings, cheese curds, jalapeno, and more. All the components come together to make the ideal appetizer for brewery fun.

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Caroline

Juice Cleanse: sambaFRESH New Albany

sambaFRESH Juice Cleanse
260 Market St.
New Albany, OH, 43054
614-245-4575

4939 Dierker Rd.
Upper Arlington, OH, 432200
614-918-7716
http://www.sambafresh.com/

For the new year, I buckled down and did a juice cleanse with sambaFRESH juices…and I am finally getting around to writing about it. I love juice and had been wanting to see if I could actually follow through and do a multi-day cleanse. The answer, surprisingly, was yes! My husband was out of town for a work trip and so it seemed like the perfect time – he is a total food enabler and I always end up wanting to bake when he is around. For my needs, I went with the workplace cleanse so I had 4 juices during the day with a light salad at night. The New Albany location was the most convenient for me, and the staff there was super awesome. They explained how everything worked in great detail (a relief for a first-time cleanser like myself) and labeled the order to drink each juice for me. I also had a horrible sinus infection, and sambaFRESH hooked me up with some immunity booster shots with lemon, honey, and ginger to help clear up my cold!

sambaFRESH Immunity

When I headed home with my juices, I started to worry since I enjoy fruits, but some of the bottles were really green (read: would they taste like veggies I hate?). Many of the juices were available to sample before purchase, but there was no way to try them all, plus I wanted to follow the recommended plan. Also, I was nervous about being starving during the three day stretch – I don’t do hangry well. Once I started though, I have to say if you keep busy during the day and drink your juices on time, you won’t be hungry. You might miss the process and routine of eating, but you should not be ravenous.

sambaFRESH Proteina

My favorite juice was the first one of the day: G.L.O. (grapefruit, lemon, orange). I could kick off each morning with a G.L.O. juice, seriously. It was bright, citrusy, and refreshing. I am not addicted to morning coffee, so I didn’t miss the caffeine, but this juice helped perk me up. The other flavors I looked forward to were A.B.C. (apple, beet, and carrot) and the dessert-like vanilla Proteina (cashews, filtered water, cinnamon, maca, medjool dates, vanilla). I even liked the Rio, which had me nervous since cucumber is the bane of my existence. The pear and lemon must have helped hide the evil cucumber just enough! The only juice I didn’t care for was the Detox, I think because of the fennel. I actually ended up having a Tonico (tumeric, orange, lemon, filtered water, pineapple) left after the three days because I wasn’t hungry for it, so I drank it the next day for breakfast. Win!

sambaFRESH

Could I cleanse all the time? No. I am too obsessed with eating pizza. However, I am looking forward to incorporating more juices into my diet, and I would definitely try another cleanse. It is a good way to hold yourself accountable and hit the reset button when you are feeling a little sluggish. Have questions about doing a juice cleanse? Shoot me an email or contact me on social media to chat! I’d love to hear more about your juice experiences too.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

sambaFRESH Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Brunchin’ It Up: Wolf’s Ridge Brewing

Brunchin it Up at Wolf's Ridge Brewing
215 N. 4th Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-429-3936
http://www.wolfsridgebrewing.com/

Top Tastes:
1.  Bacon French Toast
2. Toad in the Hole
3. Sugared Dougnuts
4. Howlin’ Tail
5. Driftwood Session IPA

When a brewery-restaurant can fully master both the beer and the kitchen sides of the equation, there’s not too much more that I am looking for in a dining experience. Wolf’s Ridge Brewing certainly fits the bill here. But then, the downtown spot went above and beyond, developing a brunch menu with beautifully plated and innovative cuisine. It’s a combo of elegant brunch dishes and well-made beers that is impossible to find anywhere else in Columbus.

Donuts from Wolfs Ridge

Let me go ahead and let you know ahead of time: you will struggle to select your meal. My husband and I had to go the “divide-and-conquer” route on our most recent visit so that we could sample as many items as possible, and still wanted to try more entrees. The poutine special they had that day really threw off our game, but who can say no to peppers + onions, sausage gravy, and an egg over shoestring fries? So we had that too. The regular menu though, is packed with delectable choices. Take the sugared doughnuts, for instance: large doughnut holes that arrive at your table warm and puffy, with eggnog anglaise for dipping. Or try the Bacon French Toast, any bacon lover’s dream: Brioche bread, bourbon bacon ice cream, applewood smoked bacon, anglaise, and syrup. It’s ok to get ice cream for breakfast if it’s a dish someone else created, right? I am so glad I decided the answer is a resounding “yes!” The Toad in the Hole, or “hens in a nest/eggs in a basket,” depending where you’re from, had the best porter cheese sauce, and was served with fingerling potatoes and bacon. It looked way better than any egg I’d fried up at home, that’s for sure. And there’s more too: Oysters Rockefeller frittatas, Cuban-style eggs benedicts, or a Kentucky Fried Chicken sandwich.

Toad in the Hole from Wolf's Ridge

The drink possibilities are worthy complements to the fabulous fare.  Wolf’s Ridge Brewing has some excellent beers to quench your late-morning thirst, all of which are brewed in-house. Flights are available to taste them all, but my favorites for brunch are the Driftwood Session IPA, to ease into the day with a low ABV brew, or the creamy N2 the Night Stout.  On the cocktail side of things, sip on the Beermosa: House Hefeweizen, Lillet, and fresh-squeezed orange juice, or my favorite, the Howlin’ Tail: Howling Moon beer, Watershed gin, lime, orange, St. Germain, and grapefruit bitters. Beer cocktails should really be more popular.

Bacon French Toast

Culinary Clue: If you are looking for a lighter snack or post-brunch beverage, check out the tap room at the back of the restaurant. It is a separate space with munchies, a full draft list, and sometimes even live music. Take a peek at the menu here: http://www.wolfsridgebrewing.com/menu-1/

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Wolf's Ridge Brewing Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

5 Columbus Bacon Dishes to Try

5 Bacon Dishes
When it comes to bacon dishes, I’ve tried it all. This year’s Ohio Bacon Fest at the Columbus Commons was my dream, and I sampled everything from bacon pecan pie made by The Pearl to bacon-cheddar popcorn courtesy of Pam’s North Market Popcorn. Knowing my weakness for anything bacon-related, a friend even bought me bacon dental floss once (it’s probably not approved by the American Dental Association). But what if you are looking for a bacon fix at one of Columbus’ local restaurants in the meantime? Here are some of my favorite dishes that can satisfy those cravings for meat candy any time.

Katalina’s Original Sweet & Spicy Bacon

Katalinas Sweet and Spicy Bacon

One of my go-to breakfast spots in Cbus is Katalina’s, and nothing pairs better with pancake balls or avocado tacos than Katalina’s Original Sweet & Spicy Bacon. The bacon is served in thick slices, is crisp but still has a good amount of chewiness, and is slathered in a mix of sticky and savory spices. It is way too addictive, do not plan on sharing. http://www.katalinascafe.com/

Lamb Bacon at Brassica

Lamb Bacon at Brassica

Bacon doesn’t have to be traditional to be delicious. The lamb bacon at Brassica is unlike anything you’ve ever tried before. Who knew bacon belonged with pitas and hummus and even spicy carrots? The kitchen makes the lamb bacon themselves, curing it and brushing on a tasty pepper glaze. You won’t miss the pork here; this delight is smoky and wonderful. http://brassicashortnorth.com/

Chocolate Bacon Donut at Destination Donuts

Chocolate Bacon Donut at Destination Donuts

As any true bacon aficionado will tell you, bacon can go well in desserts and other sugary applications! Everyone likes a sweet and salty combo, and Destination Donuts knows how to play that game. Order their Chocolate Bacon donut for the most mouthwatering breakfast you’ve ever imagined. Think tender dough, dark chocolate, and crunchy bacon bits. Heaven! http://www.destinationdonuts.com/

Bacon Risotto at Veritas Tavern

Bacon Risotto from Veritas Tavern

If there’s one thing I can guarantee in this life, it’s that bacon + runny egg + risotto = sheer perfection. At Veritas Tavern, they coax every bit of bacony goodness out when preparing their Bacon Risotto, and the end result is spectacular. If you’ve been told that classy restaurants can’t do bacon, let this Delaware spot prove naysayers wrong. http://www.veritastavern.com/menus/

Bacon Breakfast Sausage Patties at Blystone Farm

Bacon Breakfast Sausage patties at Blystone Farm

If you like to whip up bacon-centric meals at home, check out the Bacon Breakfast Sausage patties at Blystone Farm in Canal Winchester. This local butcher gives you the best of both worlds by grinding up bacon into their house sausage mix, which are the perfect size for sliders or breakfast munching. They also sell slabs of their bacon, which is so tempting as well. http://blystonefarm.com/

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen

Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen
850 N 4th St.
Columbus, OH 43215
614-401-4033
http://www.hoofhearted.bar/

Top Tastes:
1. Kimchi Panzanella
2. Roller Blabe DIPA
3. Poutine
4. Musk of the Minotaur IPA
5. Are We Having Fun Yet? Pale Ale

Hoof Hearted Swag

What do you get when you mix great craft beer, innovative cuisine, and a dash of humor? The new Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen, of course! I’ve long been a fan of Hoof Hearted’s beer offerings (thanks to The Daily Growler) but I was totally blown away by the food at the brewpub. A great addition to Italian Village, Hoof Hearted’s restaurant is airy and colorful. Brew tanks encased in glass are the joint’s focal point, and they have an excellent assortment of logo-laden swag on display for purchase as well.

Poutine and Hoof Hearted Beers

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty though. Hoof Hearted shines the most when it comes to IPA’s; which is just dandy for this hophead. The Musk of the Minotaur IPA is a great mix of citrus and hop bitterness, and I love Roller Blabe, the fruity and smooth Double India Pale Ale. The “party pale” ale, Are We Having Fun Yet?, is a beer that is just drinkable enough for summer patio-sipping. A gose, a coffee ale, and other solid picks are also available.

Kimchi Panzanella

Sometimes breweries that serve food get stuck in the same old rut, dishing up pretzels and greasy fries. Not so for the Hoof Hearted menu, since the creators of Crest Gastropub are at the helm. I am desperate for the recipe to recreate the Kimchi Panzanella, one of my favorite bites of 2016 so far. This shareable plate takes chunks of bread, Brussels Sprouts, and tangy kimchi, then slathers it all in an out-of-this-world red pepper sauce. So original, so savory, and surprisingly vegan-friendly! We also sampled the oxtail toast and the poutine. The poutine was a table favorite, with large potato wedges topped with jalapenos, daikon, pork cheek, onion rings, brown gravy, and a gloriously runny egg. The cheese plate looked killer, as did the fried chicken and the taco quartet – I must return soon for these items. Desserts consist of apple pie dolloped with sage whipped cream and a pistachio-crusted fig tart.

Fig Tart

Culinary Clue: Don’t forget about Hoof Hearted’s Marengo taproom either. At this original location, you can score cans of your favorite brews on select weekends, and drink their selections on draft as well. Be sure to get there early – these can release parties can get crowded.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Hoof Hearted Brewery and Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Brunchin’ it Up: Forno Kitchen + Bar

Forno
721 N High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 469-0053
http://www.fornoshortnorth.com/

Top Tastes:
1. Breakfast Pizza
2. Chicken and Waffles
3. True Grit 
4. Arancini
5. Nutella Stuffed French Toast

Like so many Columbus food fans, I finally made it to Forno for brunch. Why did I take so long?! What a lapse in personal judgment. Located in the heart of the Short North, the vibe at Forno is clean and modern. The restaurant is filled with great natural light that is ideal for brunch lingering. I was ready to dine.

Forno Kitchen + Bar in the Short North

For an appetizer, we picked the arancini, tasty fried risotto balls with tomato sauce. It was a great start. Upon a quick scan of the menu, I knew I had to order the breakfast pizza, since it covered every component of brunch you could ever want: cheese, runny egg yolks, crispy Brussels sprouts, pancetta, wood-fired crust. Check all the boxes. When I woke up the next morning and came to the realization that I still had leftovers of this pizza, I got on my knees and thanked the food gods. I think it’s the garlicky, Parmesan crust that makes it so addictive. Chicken and Waffles seem to be everywhere right now, but this version was toothsome. It hit all the flavor spots: crunchy chicken, sweet maple syrup on waffles, and spicy hot sauce aioli. Forno also has Nutella Stuffed French Toast, biscuits and gravy, a BLT, + more lunch-leaning dishes such as salads and chicken saltimbocca available. What’s not to love?

Forno Kitchen + Bar

If you eat brunch and don’t have a cocktail, can you even call it brunch? I think not. If you order a brunch entree, you can add on a mimosa for just $4, or a bloody mary for $5. I went with a mimosa and wasn’t sorry. As a bourbon-lover, I also sampled the True Grit cocktail, containing Bulleit Rye, bitters, lemon juice, and a muddled luxardo cherry, but the Kiwi Mule caught my eye as well. I need to come back at night too, for their happy hour specials and Forno’s late-night menu that includes spiked strawberries topped with whipped cream, and 1/2 off bottles of wine and champagne from 10 pm – 1 am!

Cocktails from Forno

Culinary Clue: Forno is the sister restaurant of Pint House, just down the block. Make your own tour of High Street and nosh at Forno, then head to Pint House for sports-viewing and craft beers.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Forno Kitchen + Bar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Soul at the Joseph

Soul at the Joseph
620 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio  43215
Phone: 614-227-0100
http://www.lemeridiencolumbus.com/soul-at-the-joseph

Top Tastes:

1.  The Soul Burger
2. Hamachi
3. Rye & Thai
4. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
5. Toast

I’m totally sold on Soul! The new hotel hot spot at Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph offers exquisite small plates and innovative cocktails (plus one bold burger) in an impeccable atmosphere. Whether you’re waiting to nosh on a full meal at The Guild House, dining in with friends, or craving a late-night bite as a hotel guest, you won’t be disappointed.

Cocktails from Soul at the Joseph

The menu is the brainchild of neighboring The Guild House Chef John Paul Iaccobucci and Roger Vivas; almost every dish is meant for sharing and for devouring. If you follow this blog at all, you know I have a serious obsession with appetizers because I love to try a little of everything. Mission accomplished, Soul! Honestly though, it was hard to narrow down the Top Tastes list here, because I scraped the plate on every single dish that I sampled.

Small plates from Soul at the Joseph

The setting seems too posh to get a burger but please do! The Soul Burger is a bite you won’t want to miss, consisting of bacon, Manchego cheese, greens, pickled zucchini, and a tender brioche bun enveloping a juicy patty. The Toast is a much classier version of your mom’s Sunday pot roast on bread, with mustard-braised beef, tomato jam, and Ohio-based Blue Jacket cheese.   I am down with fried Brussels anytime, anywhere, and the Sautéed Brussels Sprouts are sheer bliss, perfectly charred with caramelized onions and pecans for crunch.  Further, I am never the person who orders sashimi at sushi restaurants, but the Hamachi was lovely, with yuzu vinaigrette and radish slivers. So many other choices sounded delectable too, from ribeye to gnocchi to flatbreads.

KAWS from Soul at the Joseph

This isn’t your average hotel bar, either. Bump up your expectations with drinks like the Down By Law (including double chocolate bourbon + chocolate and black walnut bitters).   Bubbles are always a good option, so try the Champagne Cocktail: Hennessy VSOP, bubbly, bitters, and a sugar cube.  A fun option is the Rye & Thai, a concoction of chili-infused rye, mezcal, bitters, and more. It has a slow-burning heat that will surprise you. The wine list is upscale, with half-glass options available, so that you can taste an expensive wine before investing in a pricey bottle you don’t love. There are also local craft beer options on tap for us hopheads! The whole staff was incredibly attentive without suffocating us, and the entire experience was truly memorable.

Culinary Clue: Le Méridien would be the perfect place for a Columbus staycation or a bachelorette party. The rooms are gorgeous, and there are tons of great places to sight-see within walking distance of the hotel, and you can cap off the evening dining right at Soul. I spy a long weekend lounging at The Joseph in the works!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Disclosure: The kind folks at Soul contacted me to try and review their menu. Any opinions expressed within this review are my own unbiased views.

Soul At The Joseph Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Strongwater Food and Spirits

Strongwater Food and Spirits
Strongwater Food and Spirits
401 W. Town St.
Columbus, OH 43215
http://strongwatercolumbus.com/

Top Tastes
1. Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cheesecake
2. Nashville Hot Chicken
3. Jackfruit Taco
4. “Champagne” Cocktail
5. Maple Shake

Salmon from Strongwater Food and Spirits

The verdict is still out on whether I love the food or the drinks better at Strongwater Food and Spirits. I sincerely hope I don’t have to choose between either, because the vibe and the menu is one of the most unique in the city, in the best possible way.  An anchor in the revival of the Franklinton neighborhood (along with Land-Grant Brewing) this fun and funky spot is great for a casual dinner out or late-night drinks with friends.  Located in an old industrial building, Strongwater has kept the integrity of the structure, with exposed brick and leaving intact the former executive offices as private mini-rooms. On my most recent visit, I went with a group for New Year’s Eve, and it was so nice to have one of the offices as our own little space.

Private Dining at Strongwater Food and Spirits

Now let’s get down to business. You will find innovative twists on some classic dishes on the menu here, as well as many vegan-friendly items. Take the tacos for example. You may have tried tofu as a meat substitute, but how about shredded jackfruit? I hadn’t tried jackfruit before either, but the fruit shreds like pulled pork, and takes on the texture and flavor that real meat would. Add the jackfruit to some jalapeno, cilantro sauce, and butternut squash puree and you’ve got one special taco!  I’m a sucker for small plates, Brussels sprouts, and anything with a fried egg, so the Brussels was an easy choice. This appetizer has roasted Brussels sprouts, onions, orange gastrique, sweet potato, a yolky egg, and just enough spice. The salmon was a hit at the table too, with a garnish of apple cider foam. Nashville Hot Chicken is taking over the Midwest, and Strongwater’s take was pretty admirable: a heat-heavy sandwich with chipotle aioli and house-made pickles. Desserts were just as tempting. I adored the chocolate shortbread crust on my Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cheesecake, and the puffy Apple Fritters with bourbon anglaise were remarkably light.

Tacos from Strongwater

And oh, the drinks! There are beer and wine options of course, but Strongwater really excels at mixology. The Franklinton Mule is a fun riff on a Moscow Mule, with bourbon instead of vodka. A satisfying winter option is the Maple Shake, consisting of coffee, vodka, soymilk, and maple syrup. My absolute favorite libation was the “Champagne” Cocktail, a blend of prosecco, rhubarb bitters, and a sugar cube. There are too many other good drinks to even list.

Champagne Cocktail from Strongwater

Don’t be late to the party! Check out Strongwater and the Franklinton area before it loses some of its grittiness, and don’t be afraid to try an unusual menu item while you’re there.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Strongwater Food and Spirits Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato