Experience Columbus Bathrooms {Friday Five}

Last week, Experience Columbus treated a group of bloggers from around the US and I to a whirlwind tour of the Columbus food scene. The other guests captured some fabulous shots of the food we ate and drank. I took pictures in the bathrooms. My line of reporting was unintentional but actually makes sense in hindsight. More than a place to wash up, the best restrooms reflect the sensibility of a place. Here's what I found in the toilets around town:

1) The food scene tour started in the Men's Room of the Westin Columbus. The loo is not of note but it houses one of the most notable people I've ever met in central Ohio: Carey, the Shoe Artist. Fine shoe collectors send him their leathers and Carey restores the shoes to former luster...from his office in the bathroom. 2) I carried my purse into the Basi Italia water closet. I didn't expect to use the camera in the bag but I couldn't resist documenting chef Johnny's cookbook collection and quirky choice of a light switch plate.

3) Rockmill Brewery is an earthy yet refined place. The birds eye maple sink cabinet drawer fronts reflect this aesthetic exactly.

4) The light and tasteful restroom of Pistacia Vera perfectly mirrors the atmosphere of the rest of their elegant bakery.

5) The last bathroom I want to highlight is not pictured because it doesn't exist, sorta. Non-Columbus folks were surprised and thrilled at the diversity and quality of the taco trucks we toured with Columbus Food Adventures, whose van is not equipped with a lavatory. Ever prepared, guide Bethia was ready with potty break spots for guests as needed.

Stay tuned to my fellow travelers for their impressions of Columbus: Blue Kitchen (Chicago) Cincinnati Nomerati Eat The Love (San Francisco) The Heritage Cook (San Francisco Bay) Joe of The Hungry Dudes (Detroit) A Thought For Food (Boston) Vanilla Icing (Pittsburgh) Wine Me, Dine Me Cincinnati

Disclosure: Experience Columbus paid for my meals and transportation for a three day extravaganza of eating. I bet they didn't expect a review of restaurant johns when they asked me to come along. ;)

Alana's Food and Wine Columbus & My Food Blogger Confession

I had the pleasure of eating at Alana's Food and Wine for lunch a few weeks ago during the Ohio AEP gridSMART presentation. I consider previous dinners at Alana's as some of the best I've had in Columbus and, honestly, I will listen to damn near anything so long as it includes lunch at Alana's.

What first attracts me to Alana's is the colorful witty decor. Serving plates include a rainbow of fiesta ware. The sign above the bar proclaims, in cross-stitch no less, "home is where the vodka is". The artwork varies; Rick Borg's eclectic folk art was on display when I dined.

The warm indulgent environment may betray the delicacy of Alana's food to some but I feel like I belong in her dining rooms, having my own off-beat, alcohol-loving, well-worn style.

Our lunch was served family style during talks by Silver Spring and Ohio AEP. Unfortunately this arrangement allowed very little communication with the server and chef or among myself and other guests. My description of dishes is based on the loose menu provided and my hopefully accurate palate.

Lillet marinated pineapple served in adorable kumquat cups started the meal. Tasty breads of a few varieties were served in denim baskets. A second starter of a bean? puree on Parmesan and rosemary focaccia followed. This is the dish I most wish I knew more about as I could not identify the puree.

As appetizers were passed among the guests, we selected drinks. I choose the lemon quince fizz, wanting to enjoy the ne'er-offered local fruit, quince. It was sweet and refreshing. I caught an intoxicating whiff of the spiced hot cider as it was passed to my table mate.

Soups were distributed among the guests. I was served a smoked turkey soup and traded another blogger for the pumpkin soup as she didn't prefer cream soups. If my tastes are correct, the pumpkin was flavored with goat cheese and nutmeg in an interesting and delightful takeoff on the expected spices for a squash soup.

The entrée course was a little confusing, to be honest. Chopped frisee salad with local apples came out of the kitchen at the same time as pepper stuffed mushrooms and crab stuffed fingerling potatoes. Immediately following were heaping plates of mushroom risotto and shrimp puttanesca. The family style dishes barely fit on the table and I had trouble savoring this course as there were so many disparate items to consume in succession.

That said, the mushroom risotto was perfectly cooked and seasoned. I was surprised at first to taste crab in the potatoes; with no explanation from the server or menu I had assumed they were cheese stuffed. The pepper stuffed mushrooms were fantastically flavored. I chose not to eat the shrimp puttanesca as I was getting full and shrimp are not my favorite meat.

In the name of food blogging, I tasted both desserts. ;) The short cinnamon-spiced chocolate brownie was full of flavor without over-the-top richness. I wanted to eat more of the crunchy deftly spiced nut pie.

In all, it was a fabulous lunch. I was wanting more time to talk and focus on the food but we were there to learn about the gridSMART program. I am so pleased that MomCentral supported a small restaurant that features local seasonal ingredients when it might have been easier to host a catered lunch at a bland corporate site.

Now, for the food blogger confession I know you have been waiting for: I have no pictures from other Alana's meals because I don't usually take pictures of restaurant food. I love dining out but taking pictures while I eat delays and inhibits the restaurant experience for me. I have great respect for those who write dining blogs because they do interrupt their meals to take a few shots.

If y'all like my restaurant reviewing and want to read more of it, I might be persuaded to take pictures and write up more restaurants. Just slip a check in the mail or insert gratuitous comments below. ;)

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Alana's Food and Wine

2333 North High Street | Columbus, OH 43202 | 614-294-6783

Open Tuesdays - Sundays for dinner from 5 pm.

Welcome to Our Restaurant

This is a repost from the now defunct Ohio Moms Blog, originally published in April of 2010. A few nights ago, I asked my daughter whether we should go out to a restaurant or stay home.  I was vying for restaurant because I didn't want to have to clean up dishes.

"How about a compromise?" she asked.  "We'll make a restaurant at home."

I rarely say no to her compromises because the act of offering one is something I want to encourage.  So restaurant play began as it has many times before.

We worked together on a big sign for the door that said 'Lizard Restaurant.'  My husband was designated the chef and Lillian, the waitress.  They collaborated to make a menu while I set the table with fresh place mats, cloth napkins, silverware and glasses.

Lil tied on a too small wrap around skirt as a cafe apron.  She choose a notepad on which to scribble orders, then called them to the chef.

I poured drinks and she carefully carried them to the table.  We used our real crystal and dimmed the lights.  Service began, in courses.  After an appetizer of chilled grapes and entrée of spaghetti with various toppings, we ordered dessert from the menu.  It was served on antique plates from my great grandmother.

Lillian the waitress has a lot to learn.  She rarely recalls an order correctly.  Sometimes she nibbles off the guest's plates.  She isn't very good about clearing the table and never remembers the bill.

But Lil serves up the biggest smiles and one great way to spend the evening together as a family!