Rime Time Pops

Caroline’s Picks: 5 Local Treats to Try

We are lucky to have access to some great creators of gourmet treats right here in Columbus. I’ve rounded up some items that I’ve been loving lately, and listed them here for your snacking pleasure.

Rime Time Pops

http://www.rimetimepops.com/
Rime Time Pops

In summertime, nothing can beat a popsicle. But when that icy dessert is carefully crafted with quality ingredients, it makes all the difference. Rime Time creates flavors that are familiar with a hint of something new, and can appeal to both kids and adults alike. My favorite of Cody’s concoctions is the peanut butter and raspberry jam, but I’ve got to get my hands on the newest twists: watermelon habanero and juicy Georgia peach.  Just follow the bike with the snowflake sign!

Middle West Spirits OYO Bourbon-Barrel Aged Maple Syrup

http://middlewestspirits.com/
Midwest Spirits Maple Syrup

Is there a better barrel-aged combo than bourbon and maple syrup? Rich, dark, and guaranteed to step up your pancake game, this syrup will absolutely blow your mind. Made by sourcing maple from Ohio farms and cask-aging it in the Middle West Spirits barrels, the syrup is packed with flavor and begs to be put in a cocktail. I picked up this bottle at STUMP plants, and it’s made for some heavenly chocolate French toast.

Katie’s Beef Jerky

http://www.katiesbeefjerky.com/
Katie's Beef Jerky

There’s a great story behind Katie’s Beef Jerky, in that Katie left her job in the corporate world to pursue her passion in the kitchen. I was lucky enough to sample some of her available flavors, and had fun taste-testing! There are varieties such as teriyaki, garlic, ghost pepper, and even pineapple jerky. I have to recommend picking up a variety of flavors and sharing pieces of each with friends, to compare and contrast the heat levels all the way up to ultra-fiery Scorpion XXX! Our favorite was the Half Heat, but I’ve got to try the Black Cherry Bourbon next. You can find Katie’s at the North Market, Celebrate Local, and various Columbus events.

Santo Brigadeiro

Check out their Facebook page
Santo Brigadeiro
Brigadeiros are a kind of Brazilian truffle, which are super soft, made with condensed milk, and rolled in more goodies such as nuts, sprinkles, or coconut. I’d never had them before until Santo Brigadeiro came along, but when my husband and I were nibbling on these delicacies we kept trying each new flavor and saying, “this one is my favorite.” Then we’d eat another, and change our minds. The cycle continued until we gave up and just accepted the fact that each one of these delights is just as tasty as the last. Bonus: the packaging of the treats is very pretty and ideal for gift-giving!

Root 23 Simple Syrups

http://www.root23.com/
Root 23 Simple Syrups

I’m an admitted addict of Root 23 syrups, because this stuff is just so ridiculously versatile! It comes in flavors like Cherry Almond (hello, bourbon on the rocks), Pear Rosemary, and Vanilla Ginger. Each can be made into a refreshing soda  when paired with a glug of tonic water, or stirred into lemonade. Even ice cream, cocktails, and baked goods can be dressed up with a drizzle of Root 23.  Sip on each kind and then purchase your favorite at the New Albany Farmers Market.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Disclosure: Some products were received free of charge. This in no way impacts the nature of my opinions or writing.

Mountain State Food Tours: Charleston, West Virginia

Mountain State Food Tour
Mountain State Food Tours: Charleston, WV
http://www.mountainstatefoodtours.com

When I went to visit one of my close friends who recently relocated from Columbus to Charleston, WV, I wasn’t sure what to expect out of the food scene in her new city. But, knowing she was a was fellow food aficionado, I was positive I was in good hands when she signed us up for one of the inaugural Mountain State Food Tours of downtown Charleston. The fledgling business has a leg up with Michael and Maria Young at the helm, since Maria is a features editor for the Charleston Gazette-Mail.  The Youngs’ goal is to create a culture of food and drink tours just like those we are fortunate enough to have here in Cbus with Columbus Food Adventures and Columbus Brew Adventures.

Fried Feta from Adelphia

We embarked on our tour with an empty stomach, but we certainly didn’t go home hungry. The food sample sizes were generous, and we also received drink pairings at each stop so our guides could test out the potential addition of an alcohol aspect to the tour offerings – lucky us! As we roamed the streets, Michael gave us some history tidbits about the landmarks we were passing on our walk. There were tales of fire and destruction, wealthy salt barons, underground speakeasies, and secret art pieces, all sprinkled into the narrative mix. But naturally, the most important part was the grub, so let’s get to that!

Salted Caramel

Here is a rundown of our tour stops:

Adelphia:  Greek wine and the most amazing fried feta balls imaginable, served on pita wedges
Blossom Dairy:  Warm and savory roasted red pepper soup coupled with a mini Reuben sammie
Celsius:  Moscow Mules served up with filet mignon sliders topped with delightfully tangy blue cheese
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works + The Peanut Shoppe: Soft caramel squares, dusted with local salt
Black Sheep Burrito & Brews:   A small sample of beer plus a killer Thai Shrimp taco, slathered in hoisin-peanut sauce and garnished with daikon-carrot slaw
Ellen’s Ice Cream:  A scoop of ice cream in the flavor of your choosing – I went for amaretto gelato!

Ellens Ice Cream

Next time you need a foodie getaway that is a short drive from Columbus, don’t overlook Charleston and Mountain State Food Tours! We loved each stop, as well as the entertaining and bubbly guides.

Some other Charleston dining highlights I enjoyed while in town: a wine flight at The Block, Capitol Market where I bought all the cheese in sight, and a Maple Pancake Latte at Starlings Coffee & Provisions.

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Caroline

On the Road: Rhode Island

Rhode Island
Road-trippin’ is one of my favorite ways to discover new culinary destinations, so I was eager to head to Rhode Island to visit my best friend who now lives there. America’s smallest state is not lacking in dining options, and we indulged in some fabulous food, with my friend as my knowledgeable tour guide. A couple of fun finds that Ohioans may not be familiar with include Autocrat coffee syrup (a tasty treat mixed with milk to make “coffee milk”) and uncovering a new love of pepperoni and broccoli pizza – don’t knock it ’til you try it!

Providence was our home base during the trip, and we explored the historic neighborhoods as well as Brown University’s campus. I fell in love with the raspberry bars at Seven Stars Bakery (http://sevenstarsbakery.com/). I love that the Northeast is so walkable, especially since I have yet to master parallel parking! We also headed to the coastal city of Newport, the perfect mash-up of seafood joints and rambling Gilded Age mansions. Count me in for another round of lobster (Lobsta!?!) rolls at Flo’s Clam Shack (http://www.flosclamshacks.com/) any day! Walk off your meal by strolling along the Cliff Walk or touring Marble House or The Breakers, where the Vanderbilts had their “summer cottages.”

Because we were so close to Boston, we had to check out Fenway Park while the Yankees played the Red Sox. It was a little chilly, but the atmosphere at the game was electric, and hey, they don’t offer clam chowder at Clippers games! If you watch A&E, you may be familiar with our dinner spot  Wahlburgers, (https://www.wahlburgersrestaurant.com/) a burger bar owed by the Wahlbergs of acting fame. No Marky Mark sightings, but I was mollified by a savory bacon and avocado burger and a Frosty-esque chocolate frappe.

The bottom line: the Northeast really isn’t that far of a drive from Columbus, and has some foodie gems! Below, find some shots of my quick getaway to Rhode Island!

Fenway Park

Yankees vs. Red Sox at Fenway Park

Wahlburgers

Dinner at Wahlburgers

Rhode Island Sky

Flo's Clam Shack

Flo’s Clam Shack

Lobster Roll

Lobster Roll

Marble House

Marble House

Seven Stars Bakery

Seven Stars Bakery

Autocrat Coffee Syrup

Autocrat Coffee Syrup

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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

Live Columbus Takeover

Live Columbus Takeover
I finally got around to doing a Live Columbus Instagram takeover! This account (@livecolumbus) gives anyone who wants it a chance to show how they “live Columbus,” taking followers around town and giving a glimpse into their ideal day in the capital city.  If you aren’t familiar with Andrea Archibald, the originator of the account, check out her personal feed at @andrealivescbus. She’s the owner of the Simply Vague stores at Polaris and Tuttle malls, and lends her support to many local vendors.

Doing an Instagram takeover is also a great way to get new eyes on your business, as the account has over 20,000 followers, so people who might not have discovered your brand can find you. It is interesting to see the different perspectives on Columbus living. I’ve seen restaurants do a behind-the-scenes look at their kitchens, yoga studios show you crazy poses at iconic locations, moms take followers on a tour of kid-friendly spots, or charities, photographers, and even a flower farm take the helm to put their spin on the account.

For my takeover, I had to highlight my favorite Cbus spots to eat and drink, naturally. If you didn’t follow along, I’ve included some shots from the day below:

Live Columbus 1

I kicked off the morning with a cup of Sticky Toffee Caramel coffee from Crimson Cup Coffee and uploading a blog post about my favorite bacon dishes in Columbus.

Kittie's Cakes for Live Columbus Takeover

The first stop on my tour brought me to Kittie’s Cakes to pick up some desserts for later. Read all about Kittie’s in this blog post.

Third and Hollywood for Live Columbus

After picking up some dessert treats, I headed to one of my favorite neighborhoods Grandview Heights and ate these delicious pimento cheese and garlic butter biscuits from Third and Hollywood. Click here to read all about brunch at Third and Hollywood.

Daily Growler for Live Columbus Takeover

For a quick lunch I enjoyed two of my favorites: a beer flight from The Daily Growler + the spicy scallop King Kong roll at Hudson 29.

Crest Gastropub for Live Columbus Takeover

Clintonville is another great dining destination, and one item I can’t get enough of is the honey goat cheese balls from Crest Gastropub. Served up with Brother’s Drake Apple Pie mead, I couldn’t think of a better Sunday happy hour treat!

Rockmill Brewery for Live Columbus Takeover

I started winding down the day with a stop at Rockmill Brewery. It’s a perfect spot for a Sunday Funday picnic with beautiful views and wonderful brews. You can read all about Rockmill Brewery by going here.

Muffins for Live Columbus Takeover

I love dining out, but my first love is baking. I made it home in time to make some blueberry streusel muffins! For some of my original recipes, head here on the blog.

Mikeys Late Night Slice for Live Columbus Takeover

I had to close with the ideal late night snack: Mikey’s Late Night Slice pizza! Love mixing the garlic and the sauce-that-shall-not-be-named together for dipping, and I can’t wait to try the Mikey’s + Hot Chicken Takeover pizza.

To schedule an Instagram takeover of your own, head to http://www.livecbus.com/ and sign up!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

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/

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Caroline

5 North Market Treats to Take Home

5 North Market Treat to Take Home
Visitors and residents alike delight in everything North Market has to offer: Katzinger’s sandwiches, Pistacia Vera macarons, cheeses, fall-off-the bone ribs, craft beer, and of course, Hot Chicken Takeover. I want every single thing, pronto. But sometimes there is so much to do and see, that is it easy to be overwhelmed by the deliciousness overload when deciding what goodies to grab for later. Here are 5 unique items found at North Market that are awesome to enjoy at home!

Everything Bagel Spice Mix – North Market Spices

http://www.northmarketspices.com
North Market Spices
North Market Spices have perfectly portioned packets of every herb and spice you could ever dream of, and a couple more to boot. One of my favs is the everything bagel mix. It’s perfect for sprinkling on steaks, grilled veggies, and (naturally) yeasty bread of any variety. The spice gurus also sell seasoning mixes from local joints, like Katalina’s Spicy Hot Chocolate and Double Comfort’s fiery heat mix.

Frozen Chocolate Chunk and Sea Salt Pretzel Twists – Brezel

http://brezelpower.com
Brezel at North Market
In my quest to eat all things sweet and salty, I’m lucky to have found my mecca, Brezel. The pretzel eatery offers all variety of pretzels ranging from jalapeño to French onion. They carry some frozen options as well, for you to take home and bake later. I’m loving the Chocolate Chunk and Sea Salt twists though. Chocolate is rolled into doughy, twisty goodness, partially baked, and then frozen and put in bags for your take-home enjoyment. You sprinkle on the salt after baking to keep it crunchy!

Coffee & Brown Sugar Bacon – North Country Charcuterie

https://www.facebook.com/NCCharcuterie/
North Country Charcuterie
I’m pretty sure I can exist on a charcuterie diet, and fortunately North Country Charcuterie has started a pop-up shop at North Market. They create some scrumptious salami using Rockmill beers and Blue Jacket cheeses, and something else wonderful: coffee and brown sugar bacon. It’s everything you want at breakfast, in one tasty slice. Bake it in the oven for maximum flavor and crispiness.

Gorgonzola and Pear Ravioli – Pastaria

http://www.pastarianorthmarket.com
Pastaria
Pastaria has oodles of noodles up for sale, along with some killer sweet potato gnocchi and many sauces. But a fun take-home choice is a pound of the Gorgonzola and Pear ravioli. All you need for an impressive entree is some boiling water and a splash of brown butter to pour over these pretty pasta parcels.

Apple Pie Salsa – CaJohns Fiery Foods

http://cajohns.com/store/
Apple Pie Salsa- CaJohns Fiery Foods
My husband will try literally any hot sauce out there, so we always end up carting out some CaJohns. But they also have some fun salsa options, ranging from strawberry to pumpkin and more. A fun selection? Apple Pie Salsa! You’ve had apple pie moonshine and regular ole apple pie, but salsa? Try it! This salsa is savory and cinnamon-laden with chunks of apples. I had the first round with chips, but can’t wait to pour it over pork tenderloin.

What are your favorite North Market treats? Let me know in the comments below.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

2015 Year in Review

2015 Year in Review
2015 has been a spectacular year for so many reasons, but deciding to start this blog has been one of the most fulfilling. It’s provided me with a creative writing outlet and been a way to document my favorite hobby. So as I reflect on all of the fun I’ve had this year, here are some of the Columbus Culinary Connection posts that you as readers have loved the most, and a few of my favorite snapshots from my first year as a blogger. This is a lengthier post, but it’s too challenging to narrow down my experiences!

Eats and Treats

Year in Review - Hot Chicken Takeover
Doing so much writing forced me to discover new restaurants that I’d never set foot in previously, and I’m so glad it got me out of my usual rotation. I unearthed gems like Hot Chicken Takeover and Veritas Tavern, and became a regular at places such as 101 Beer Kitchen, Harvest Pizzeria, and Harvest Moon Cafe. I want to take up residence at Fox in the Snow. I also started a food truck series that has been super entertaining; you adored posts about Por’Ketta and Tortilla Street Food the most.

Brews and Bottles

Year in Review - Rockmill

I relished getting the chance to chronicle my most-loved watering holes, and add some new ones to my list as well. From wineries like Buckeye Lake to campus-area meadery Brothers Drake, it was a joy sampling local spirits! I upped my craft beer numbers too, by picking up rare finds at Crafted Drafts and Rockmill Brewery. Curio curated one of my favorite cocktails, the Dapper Dan, and I began writing monthly boozy recipes for Drink Up Columbus.

Local Love

Year in Review - Liberty Pottery

Columbus as a community is all about helping others and supporting local, family-owned businesses. There are so many options for gifts, tours, or non-chain spots to grab a bite. In 2015 I featured joints like this in one neighborhood in particular, Grandview. Next year, look for a neighborhood guide on a new section of Cbus! I also started a “5 to Try” column, highlighting topics like products or pizza. I had a blast visiting the Ohio History Center Speakeasy event, and traveling to South Carolina, Biltmore Estate, and Pittsburgh, with a few other quick jaunts in between.

Recipes

Year in Review - Pork Tenderloin

Sharing new cooking creations and my family’s favorite meals was very personal for me. Grilling pork tenderloin with this marinade proved tasty beyond belief, and this easy sweet Italian salad dressing was also a hit. My mom shared the first guest post on the blog, detailing our Christmas cookie traditions.

Instagram is a platform that truly lets food photos shine, and it’s been so enjoyable sharing a photograph each day as I eat my way through the capital city. Below, you will find my most memorable Instagram shots and a few extra pics sprinkled in. Follow along at @cbusconnect :

2015 Photos in Review

It’s always been my mission to share my love of all things culinary and all things Columbus, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store! I am so humbled and grateful that so many of you have taken the time to read the posts, send me emails, and promote this brand.

What has been your favorite post this year? Is there a can’t-miss restaurant you want to see featured? Let me know in the comments!

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Holiday Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide
It’s that time of year. You know, when it starts to get so close to crunch time for holiday gifts that even online ordering will let you down. This year, save yourself a panic attack and shop local! Steer clear of gas gift cards and ties that no one wants – you can do so much better in the presents department. Here are some of my favorite gifts for the food and drink lover in your life; all are Columbus-centric.

For the Foodie:

Jeni’s Spendid Ice Creams is touting one of the most craveable selections on this list: The Pint Club. Four times a year, receive three unique pints of Jeni’s, delivered right to your doorstep. What’s not to love?

The North Market offers gift cards which can be redeemed at the vendor stalls within the building. There are so many good options to utilize these certificates: Pistacia Vera, Hot Chicken Takeover, or freshly rolled ravioli at Pastaria.

Pastaria at North Market

Not interested in making dessert? I’m obsessed with the cutout cookies from Jana Lee’s Bake Shop. Her designs are creative and will have your guests drooling. Or give a box of them to someone with a sweet tooth!

Jana Lee Bake Shop Christmas Cookies

Breakfast with Nick’s cozy breakfast-themed t-shirts are also a great choice for a hard-to-buy friend. Find them here.

For the Drinker:

A starter kit from The Daily Growler is a perfect present for craft beer nerds. You get a growler, 2 pint glasses, and a $10 gift card to the taproom, all for $25.

The Daily Growler Starter Kit

Giving a gift of an experience is always a good way to spend time with someone. Columbus Brew Adventures tours visit multiple breweries and distilleries, transporting you around the city and providing tastings. Learn more here. Food tours are available too, from Columbus Food Adventures.

Camelot Cellars offers a Handcraft Your Own Wine Package, a tasty twist on gift-giving. This purchase lets you create, bottle, and custom-label your own series of wine.

Books are always crowd-pleasers for the reader that also loves to drink. I recommend Historic Columbus Taverns, for some interesting facts about some of our town’s most beloved watering holes.

Columbus Taverns Book

For the Home Chef:

There are so many locations in Columbus to take cooking classes, places that offer lessons for novices and expert cooks alike. The Commissary, Shaw’s Restaurant & Inn, and Franklin Park Conservatory all have classes for every cuisine imaginable.

If you have a friend that loves to play host or hostess, there are so many options for kitchen decor.  Elm + Iron has a beautiful shop in Clintonville filled with items like fun bar signs, Columbus Barrel Co. bottle openers, and these snarky plates.

Holiday Gift Guide Entertainer

Check out Celebrate Local for wine, wooden cutting boards, and other local items like jams and syrups to add to your seasonal table.

Celebrate Local

Have some ideas for local gifts for culinary-loving friends and family? Let me know in the comments below.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

 

Disclosure: In an effort to be completely transparent, the book link through Amazon is an affiliate link. I do get a small advertising commission if you buy it, but you are not charged anything extra.

Caroline’s Picks: 5 Columbus Pizzas I Love

Caroline's Picks - 5 Columbus Picks I Love
Pizza might be the best food there is. Period. It has bread and cheese, plus it’s socially appropriate to dip it in garlic butter, so I’m on board. Fortunately for those of us who reside in Columbus, we have so many great options in the pizza department. This list isn’t all-inclusive, but here are 5 of the most craveable pies in central Ohio, a mix of traditional and unique styles.

Spicy Yuma: Harvest Pizzeria
Spicy Yuma from Harvest Pizza

Heat seekers will love this sublime creation topped with a chipotle-spiked sauce, corn, chorizo, roasted peppers, cheese, and jalapenos. All this deliciousness is placed atop a wood-fired crust that will leave you wanting more!

Pepperoni Pizza: Tommy’s Pizza
Tommys Pizza

Perfect for a post-tailgate meal, campus-area Tommy’s is one of my favorites since childhood. A classic take on pepperoni pie, this offering is anything but boring. With an ultra-thin crust and crispy-edged pepperoni, everyone will enjoy this pizza.

Pimento Cheese Pizza: Diamond Jim’s
Pimento Cheese Pizza from Diamond Jims

Pimento cheese on a pizza? Yes please! The tasty southern spread (with just a little kick to it) is slathered on a cornmeal-dusted crust, along with strips of bacon and a sprinkle of lettuce and banana peppers. Don’t miss this downtown Lancaster treat!

Pepperoni Pizza: Mikey’s Late Night Slice
Pepperoni Pizza from Mikeys Late Night Slice

Served by the slice, Mikey’s pizzas are the ideal food to accompany your adult beverage of choice. Best of all? Each joint has serve your own sauce stations with ranch, spicy ranch, garlic, and the fiery Sauce-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Find the trucks around town, or at one of the many brick-and mortar locations.

Falafel Pitza: Aladdin’s Eatery
Falafel Pitza: Aladdin's Eatery

For a new twist on pizza, give the falafel-topped pie at this Grandview spot a taste. I am so obsessed with this concoction of tahini yogurt, falafel, sliced banana peppers, diced tomatoes, and parsley, all on a pita base.

These are just few of the pizzas I love. Which ones are your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

Keep Connected,

Caroline