Adventure 16: Not So Adult Holiday Party

For the third year in a row we all let our hair down and got silly at this annual holiday get together. Our always gracious hosts, had plenty of silly games, funny gifts, yummy snacks and LOTS of beer... which obviously leads to lots of good stories. I mean who knew a can of corn could be a legitimate holiday gift?

Adventure 15: Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner

Walking into our hosts house for Thanksgiving was an amazing sight to see. I could not believe how fancy things looked for our 30 person potluck dinner. As people rolled in, so did the food. We had quite the cornucopia of treats to taste, and everything was delicious. From the amazing crab rangoon appetizers to the deep fried turkey, the meal was top notch from start to finish. And just like most family dinners, so much was eaten that most people were too full for dessert.

While this wasn't our typical dinning adventure, it was one of my favorites and if possible, one I would love to repeat next year.

Adventure 14: Game Night

Game Night!
(featuring Guitar Hero Tournament and Pizza Taste Test)

Have you ever tried your hand at the new craze Guitar Hero? If you haven’t… you really should. The game was a BLAST and very easy for people of all video game (and guitar playing) skill levels to pick up and enjoy. Of course we were all dominated by the masterful playing of one rock star who was able to play the game with his back to the TV.

Amidst all the guitar playing we also got in a few games of Drinko and of course we were taste testing pizza all night. We were lucky to have a wide variety of pizza types and toppings. All were quite delicious, but I was partial to Planks. But Adriatico’s will always hold a special place in my heart… or stomach.

Adriatico’s: half pepperoni, half banana pepper
thick crust, spicier sauce, lots of yummy cheese, fills you up FAST

Iacono’spepperoni
think crunchy crust with homemade Italian pizza sauce

Mama Lena’s: green pepper and onion
thinner crust with fresh toppings

Panzera’s: mushroom
thin pizza, I’ve had it before and thought it was average, but I don’t like mushrooms so I didn’t taste this specific one

Plank’s: black olives, tomatoes, onions
my favorite from the night, very good topping to cheese to sauce ratio, thin crust

Whole Foods: meat explosion
I’m not a big sausage fan, but I heard rave reviews about this one

Adventure 13: Dave and Busters

Dave and Busters
3665 Park Mill Run Drive
Hilliard, OH 43026




So even thought Dave and Busters is a chain and almost everyone in the group had been there before; we had a GREAT time. You definitely don’t choose to go to D&B for the food or the nice atmosphere… you go there for the GAMES! And everyone seemed to really enjoy what they had to offer.

There were numerous basketball tournaments, trivia competitions, jump rope contests, gun fights and of course DDR challenges enjoyed by all. And even though a few beer bottles (and jewelry :-( ) were lost during the play we ended up with tons of tickets and lots of lame… err… I mean AWESOME prizes (nothing beats a beer sleeve or an Indians ball).

We definitely planned things just right by going just after the dinner rush, 7ish, because by the time we were done eating the families with young kids were just finishing up their game play and we had the playing floor to ourselves.

Adventure 12: Mimi's Cafe

What food is to one, is bitter poison to another. ~ Lucretius

We definitely fell victim to the hype when selecting Mimi’s Cafe; as it came highly recommended and it always seemed crowded. But finally eating there was unfortunately a disappointment. The place was what can best be described as a French Applebee’s. Nothing was awful…. But nothing was spectacular either.
Of all the dining adventure I’d have to say this restaurant was the only complete flop.

Adventure 11: La Scala an Italian Bistro

La Scala an Italian Bistro
4199 West Dublin-Granville Rd
Dublin, OH 43017



Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside. ~ Mark Twain

La Scala is an Italian restaurant with a hint of a piano bar theme. While the piano player sat just a little too close to our table, he provided a fun mix of recent hits with classic piano ditties. I found my meal delicious and, as always, I couldn't keep my hands off the free bread (with oil for dipping of course). But above everything else, our service was the best part of the experience. Our waiter magically appeared to clear plates and refill bread without anyone noticing or interrupting our fun conversation.
But I'd have to say that overall this place just missed the mark for what could've been a GREAT restaurant. The piano was fun, but too close and too loud. The food was wonderful, but my plate was chipped. The bread was amazing, but the dip was so far in the middle of the table that everyone had to awkwardly reach over everything to get to it. In the end, I would still recommend this place to anyone but just learn from our mistakes. Get a table farther from the piano and ask for two bowls for dipping.

Adventure 10: The Elevator Restaraunt & Brewery

elevator brewery & restaurant
161 N High St
Columbus, OH 43215

If you are planning on heading out to the Elevator Restaraunt & Brewery there is one menu item that is a must try, The Rock Fillet. This steak was a huge hit with the group based on the unique presentation. The steak is presented raw and served with a 400 degree rock on which you cook your meat after dipping it into one of three marinades. The whole process was quite fun to watch and I heard it didn't taste half bad either.
I'd personally recommend the delicious calamari for an appetizer, but beware it's a bit spicy.
Overall this place had a great atmosphere and a fun menu. The one downside being that it was a bit pricey. So definitely invest in an entertainment book, bring a friend, and enjoy this cool place for half off.

Adventure 9: The Big Fat Greek Cuisina

The Big Fat Greek Cuisina
Upper Arlington
2816 Fishinger Rd
Columbus, OH 43221
614.457.4733

This place definitely stands up to its slogan. Ok, this may have been the only Greek place I’ve ever been to in Columbus but it was an AMAZING baptism into Greek cuisine. The Greek chips and salsa, or at least that’s what we called the pita and green stuff that just kept coming, were outstanding! I almost didn’t need a gyro afterwards. All the meals seemed to have pretty big portions and yet the bill was still very small. This is a great diamond in the rough that I’m sure many of us will frequent again.

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Miller said...
I had the pastitsio. A classic greek dish of layered macaroni-style noodles, ground meat, and bechamel sauce. The portion was huge and could have served two. BFGC also featured Elevator Brewery on tap and several Greek selections of beer and wine.
Taste - 4 out of 5
Value - 5 out of 5...absolutely nothing to complain about here. With free greek chips and salsa and moderately priced entrees throughout the menu it is hard to go wrong. Perhaps the best value among the Columbus Dining Adventures so far.

Adventure 8: FlatIron Bar & Diner

FlatIron Bar & Diner
129 E Nationwide Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614.461.0033

Situated in a very unique building, the restaurant is surprisingly small. With a wood oven grill out in the open, the atmosphere was very intimate. The dinner selections were pub like, offering plenty of sandwiches and burgers. The diner has a great ambiance, but isn’t very conducive to large groups since reservations are not accepted. So if you are interested, go early and hang out in the surprisingly large bar area until a table opens up.

Adventure 7: G. Michael's Bistro & Bar

G. Michael's Bistro & Bar
595 South 3rd. Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614.464.0575

Probably one of the funnier dinner adventure's we've had in awhile, this is based mostly on the hysterical conversation than the restaurant (If I recall correctly, 80’s TV and darts where the top two conversations… can you say Balki Bartokomous?). The food here was average and the atmosphere was quaint. While most people enjoyed the fish selections, some were less pleased with the beef alternatives. All and all a very nice German Village restaurant that is highly recommendable.

Adventure 6: Shoku

Shoku
Grandview Heights
1312 Grandview Ave
Columbus, OH 43212
614.485.9490

Yum! Sushi!! And nothing beats getting sushi with a big group so you can try a wide variety of different rolls. Plus, sushi is always more fun when they bring it out on the big boat! We suggest the Biggie Roll; it’s not on the menu but if you pencil it in and the sushi chefs are feeling friendly you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

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Softball Dan said...
Some history on the Biggie Roll. As legend has it, when Shoku was first established they accidentally left the Biggie Roll off of the template that was used to produce thousands menus to be used in the restaurant. As business boomed, new chefs were hired, but since the Biggie Roll was not on the menu, the art of the Biggie roll was also left out of the training regimine. Today, there are only two chefs that have mastered the art of the Biggie Roll (the original chef and one other up-and-comer), so if they say 'no biggie' don't get discouraged, and try and ask again on your next visit.

Adventure 5: Boma the Bar of Modern Art

Bar of Modern Art (BOMA)
583 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614.233.3000

This was by far the most interesting restaurant we have been to thus far. Converted from an old church to a restaurant/bar, this place is full of great art and interesting architecture that will keep you entertained while waiting for the elegantly plated food. Before sitting down to eat, have a drink or two in the bar which exudes an aurora of swank intimacy. Everyone in attendance raved about the food both in taste and presentation. This place gives off an overall impression of sophistication that can’t be beat for the reasonable price of the entrées.