Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Nicholas Gill 

The Refectory
1092 Bethel Road
Columbus, Ohio 43220
Northwest
614-451-9774

Longtime Chef Richard Blondin and The Refectory has been on the Columbus Dispatch’s Top Ten List every year since 1982. Its exquisite décor and food are matched by a manner that isn’t at all stuffy and they even encourage walk-ins. Their collection, which features more than 20,000 bottles of wine, have lead to a Wine Spectator Grand Award and a Best Award, as well as Four Diamonds from AAA. Blondin is a native of Lyon, France, and studied under chefs Pierre Orsi and Paul Bocuse. The classical French restaurant is set in an 1800’s church, with the main dining room being set amidst the beams and arched ceiling where congregations once were held. Dining here is almost a spiritual experience.

by Nicholas Gill

Nida’s Sushi
59 Spruce St
Columbus, OH 43215
It’s just a small collection of appliances and a bar that takes a form of a stall in the North Market. Surprisingly Nida’s is quite good though and is great for take out too. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the product and the craftsmanship. The selection is somewhat limited to standard maki and nigiri, and they will even sell you sushi grade fish and all other sorts of accessories.

Dragonfly Neo-V Cuisine
247 King Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43201
Victorian Village
614-298-9986

Rarely is a completely Organic and Vegan restaurant on the top of every critics top ten list. However, that is the case with Dragonfly. Listed as one of America’s best Vegetarian restaurants (the best in North America by the Vegetarian News), Executive Chef/Owner Magdiale Wolmark’s menu will satisfy even die hard meat lovers. The menu changes seasonally, and specials arise daily based on what’s available and what can be grown in their incredible kitchen garden behind the restaurant. Most ingredients are found locally. Sashimi Styled Matsutake and Portobello Leak Tarts are among the highly creative entrees, along with the highly popular pizzas of the day. There is a nice list of juices that combine many exotic ingredients and are made fresh. The dining room features glass work and other art by local artists.

By Nicholas Gill

Mitchell’s Steakhouse
45 North Third Street
Columbus, OH 43215-3509
614-621-2333

7619 Huntington Park Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43235
614-888-CHOP (2467)

It calls itself a 21st Century Update of the upscale American steakhouse. The style is classic over the top steakhouse with dark wood paneling, leather booths, and sometimes live jazz. As far as the food goes, it rivals anywhere in the city for beef, which is corn-fed, hand selected, aged to perfection, and trimmed to their specifications. Seafood is flown in fresh daily. The wine list rounds out more than 200 bottles from mostly France and Italy. It is a restaurant and atmosphere to let someone know just how serious you are about fine dining, if nothing else.