New 30% off Discount Gift Certificates on Sale Tomorrow Morning!

Local News. Global Flavors. New 30% off Discount Gift Certificates on Sale Tomorrow Morning! One of the benefits of subscribing to the Dine Originals eNewsletter is receiving an alert prior to the release of our discounted gift certificates. Each quarter we release a limited number of 30% off gift certificates for each member restaurant. These certificates are restaurant-specific and may be applied to the food portion of the bill (our full price gift certificates are called Dine Originals Dollars and are available anytime on the website....they are good at any member restaurant and may be applied to food and beverage). Dine outside at The Worthington Inn So, today is your summer quarter HEADS UP!  The release will take place tomorrow morning.  You have the rest of today to develop your strategy...have a few patios to try once the earth is back on its axis and not veering into the path of the sun?? Need a gift to fold into a birthday card in the next couple of months? Excited to have a first time opportunity to get a 30% off certificate for Hubbard Grille and Mezzo Italian Kitchen in Dublin? Have you had the Vienna Ice Cafe on your mind for weeks? Tomorrow is the day to take care of business! They will be here starting tomorrow! Great Press for Good Friends The Columbus Brewing Company was recently reviewed in the Columbus Alive. "In the drab days before a trickle of microbreweries would improbably gush into a macro small-batch splash-fest, drips of a world-class suds movement were tapped here by a rare and founding father-y breed of early believers. These malty pioneers operated in a primordial and thankfully extinct world of recreational drinking in which the average tippling citizen found the notion of "Columbus craft beer" harder to swallow than his belovedly cheap and simple Corporate Lite lager." Click Here to read the rest!

July 10, 2012 About Dine Originals Columbus Our mission is to celebrate, support and promote locally owned and operated independent restaurants by providing unique dining experiences for patrons and collaborative cost savings and marketing services for its members. We invite you to be mindful of the dining choices you make. Before heading to a chain restaurant, take your business to a local.  That small act will strengthen the Columbus economy and contribute to a vibrant, sustainable community. We're also quite confident that you'll have a better meal! READ MORE ABOUT US

USA Today - Yak burgers to Korean hodduk: Columbus' surprising food scene

Chef-owner Nadira Abdirahman dishes up fare with African and Middle Eastern influences at Solay Bistro in Columbus, Ohio.

CAPTION

By Amy Weirick

By Jayne Clark, USA TODAY

The link with more information is here

When considering a getaway that's focused on eating great local food, certain cities spring to mind -- New Orleans, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Columbus…


Columbus? As in Ohio? As in HQ of White Castle, Max and Erma's and Bob Evans? Yes, that Columbus.

I was there for a conference recently and had a chance to sample its vibrant culinary scene. From an innovative, multi-course pairing of food and cocktails at the elegant M at Miranova downtown, to spicy tacos campechanos dispensed from the Taco Nazo food truck parked behind a pawn shop on the north side, my visit was both eye-opening and mouth-watering.

There's a bustling food-truck scene, including 40-plus taco trucks alone. A hundred or so others dish out fare ranging from Korean hodduk (hot griddle cakes stuffed with walnuts, sugar and cinnamon) to duck confit salad.

I wasn't the only visitor who registered surprise and the range and quality of local offerings. At an event at the city's lovely Franklin Park Conservatory, a food and wine writer for a national magazine proclaimed the organic yak burger topped with bacon, fried egg, havarti and sundried tomatoes the best burger he'd ever eaten. The burger came courtesy of The Coop food truck, which was making a special appearance at the event.

A James Beard Award-winning columnist for a national news weekly raved about the yakitori lovingly grilled over imported Japanese Bincho-tan charcoal at Double Happiness in the Brewery District. (The resulting smoke in the upstairs restroom of this hip hole-in-the-wall was so thick you'd call the fire department if you didn't know better.)

"We're a great city for subverting expectations," says Andy Dehus, co-owner of Columbus Food Adventures. He and partner Bethia Woolf (who also writes a blog about the city's taco trucks) offer six different guided food tours.

Matt Barbee, owner of Rockmill Brewery in nearby Lancaster, brews Belgian-style beers designed to be paired with food.

CAPTION

By Amy Weirick

Fun fact: 1 in 10 Columbus residents was born outside the USA. It's the diversity, not white-bread homogeneity, that make the area a popular test market, Dehus says. "There's a high degree of food literacy here. People are willing to try new things."


So am I. And because food tours are a great way to explore lesser-known parts of a locale, I joined Duhus and Woolf on one of theirs.
We headed off to the city's north side to a seen-better-days strip mall. There, sandwiched between a Laundromat and a Dollar General is Salam Market & Bakery. The morning ritual at this Palestinian-owned establishment involves baking savory pies – cheese and falafel, spicy chicken and za'atar. They're pillowy half moons of heaven. And at $1.50 to $2, cheaper than a fast-food breakfast. (Go early. They typically sell out by noon.)

Next stop was Mi Li Café, which, Dehus proclaims, sells the best Banh Mi (Vietnamese subs) in town. Each grilled pork, carrot, cilantro and jalapeno concoction is carefully assembled by the café's owner on a warm, chewy baguette.

Then it was off to Solay Bistro, an attractive Somali restaurant, also in the area. (Columbus has the nation's second largest Somali population. Consequently, there are a lot of West African restaurants.) Somali dishes have Ethiopian and Middle Eastern influences, with a dash of Italian. There, we sampled sambusa (meat-filled tarts), fragrant lentils, and Somali-style bread pudding with a turmeric-spiced sauce.

Innovations are occurring on the spirits front, too. At Middle West Spirits in the downtown Short North neighborhood, they're distilling unfiltered "character" vodkas and an all-wheat whiskey.

Next door, Brothers Drake Meadery & Bar dispenses five types of the honey-based drink that hasn't seen a heyday since the Renaissance.

In Lancaster, 25 minutes outside the city, the Rockmill Brewery occupies a bucolic space near the headwaters of the Hocking River. There's a new tasting room in a charmingly converted horse barn. Or bring a picnic to enjoy by the pond. Brew master Matt Barbee's Belgian-style beers are meant to paired with food – prosciutto, cheese, even chocolate.

"Wine and cheese is like arm wrestling," he says. "But beer and cheese is more like holding hands. It's smoother."

Have you happened upon an interesting food scene in an unexpected place?

The next events in the Short North

Red, White & Boom Fireworks will light up the skies tonight in downtown Columbus as high volumes of spectators will descend on our neighborhood. Additional officers have been scheduled to help assist in keeping Goodale park and parking in order. Volunteers with ComFest, Friends of Goodale Park, the Short North Civic Association, Doo Dah Parade and other local groups will assist in the setup and cleanup of the park. Anytime you're available to help out from 4pm onward, and especially between 10pm-midnight, please stop by the Goodale Park shelter house to pitch in. Live NBC4 TV Coverage begins at 9, with Fireworks at 10pm. For a complete list of events and schedules, visit: www.redwhiteandboom.org Doo Dah Parade The 29th Annual Doo Dah Parade is Wednesday, July 4th, 2012 at 1:00pm. Line-up is at Noon on Park Street. Parade Route: From Park Street, West on Buttles, to North on Neil, to East on Second, to South on High, to completely fall apart at Russell Street.  There is FREE live music on Buttles Avenue between High & Park Streets from 10am - 7pm. No Entry Fee - Just Show Up! The Doo Dah DisOrganizers can't wait to see what YOU will have humurous to say about life and politics on July 4th in the Short North. Follow-up contact info: Deb Roberts, 614-228-0621, mzdoodah@yahoo.com, www.DooDahParade.com Screen on the Green   Short North Civic Association will launch the fourth season of Screen on the Green on July 20 with a screening of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. This will be the first of three outdoor movie nights held on a 30-foot screen at the softball diamond in the southwest corner of Goodale Park.  July 20: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World — 8:30 p.m. August 17: Steel Magnolias — 8:00 p.m. September 21: The Sound of Music — 7:00 p.m. All movies begin at sundown and will be preceded by a half hour of classic cartoons. Each film will also feature themed contests and activities that encourage audience participation.  A variety of food trucks and carts will sell refreshments, as organized by Food Fort Columbus. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and flashlights. There are no rain dates.   Screen on the Green is free and open to the public. It’s made possible through organization and major funding by the Short North Civic Association, with additional funding by the Gateway Film Center and ComFest. Goodale Park Music Series You won't want to miss this year's outdoor concert performances, now in their 4th season.  This year live visual and comic book artists, as well as food trucks and the Columbus Artmobile, which touts activities for children, will be on hand to add even more flair to the events. July 8 - Tony Monaco July 15 - The Fabulous Johnson Brothers July 29 - Maza Blaska Aug. 5 - the Spike-drivers Aug. 12 Mary Adam Aug. 19 - Nick Tolford and Company Shows kickoff each Sunday, 12:30pm at Goodale Park. More information at:  www.goodaleparkmusicseries.com July SNCA Meeting Please join us on Thursday, July 19th, 7-8pm at the Goodale Park Shelter House Caretaker's Residence as we resume our regularly scheduled monthly meetings, open to area residents and businesses interested in learning about and taking an active role in their neighborhood's ongoing development, issues and programming. Tour of Homes seeks Community Supporters The Tour committee is actively accepting nominations and requests for homes to be on this year's tour. Local businesses, residents and leaders can get involved by sponsoring, advertising, volunteering or hosting a dinner party. Mark your calendars - always the 3rd weekend in September - for the 15th (Preview and Dinners) and 16th (Tour). For more information call 614-228-2912 or email: tour@shortnorthcivic.org Become a member of the Short North Civic Association The SNCA welcomes all area homeowners, renters, business owners, and employees to become members. Annual SNCA memberships cost $25 for individuals, $50 per household, and $75 for businesses. They can be purchased by visiting the link below.  JOIN TODAY!

US News and World Report - America's best ice cream

The story is here

On a warm summer day, nothing's more enticing than a creamy scoop of America's most delectable frozen treat. Whether they are artisan creations or from a homemade batch, these tantalizing swirls delight sweet-toothed enthusiasts of all ages. And as the warm air wafts through our windows, we can almost taste the melted deliciousness dripping from a sugary waffle cone…

That brings us to another subject. Few topics are as controversial among dessert-lovers as ice cream. Taking parlor reputation, flavor diversity, and online reviews into consideration, U.S. News Travel has compiled a list of America's best ice cream spots to indulge in this summertime delight.

10. Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain(Photo: Michael Turkel/Brooklyn Pharmacy & Soda Fountain)
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Favorite Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip (Cost: $3.75)

Run by Peter Freeman and Gia Giasullo, Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain adds an inventive twist to classic flavors with ingredients like toffee and maple egg cream. Inside the Farmacy (or "The Farm" for those in the know), you'll find an eclectic mix of creamy malts, floats, shakes, and egg creams. Standouts include the "Rocket Shake" (a milkshake laced with fresh coffee and scoops of coffee ice cream) and the "Flatbush Ave. Float" (a blend of your choice of ice cream layered with chocolate or vanilla egg cream).

Should you prefer a decadent sundae rather than a float, try the "Sundae of Broken Dreams." This frosted dessert (vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce, whipped cream, and crispy pretzels) keeps customers smiling.

(Photo: Couresy of Roots Ice Cream)9. Roots Ice Cream
Charleston, S.C.
Favorite Flavor: Beet (Cost: $3)

As its name suggests, Roots Ice Cream is all about showcasing Charleston flavors by sourcing fresh ingredients from local farmers. And with its versatile array of seasonal specialties, including Cucumber-Mint, Bourbon-Peach, Beet, and Sweet Tea, Roots Ice Cream has become a local favorite. Although Roots has no official parlor, you can find its artisan blends at farmers markets throughout the Lowcountry, including in Marion, Kiawah Island, and Mt. Pleasant.

8. Capogiro Gelato Artisans(Photo: Courtesy of Capogiro Gelato Artisans)
Philadelphia
Favorite Flavor: Cioccolato Scuro "Bitter Chocolate" (Cost: $4.50)

If you're craving a spoonful of pure bliss, it's hard to match Capogiro's artisan gelato. Owner Stephanie Reitano has mastered the art of flavor, infusing her signature sorbets and gelato with seasonal ingredients. Capogiro's offerings vary from tried-and-true Nocciola Piemontese (hazelnut gelato made with nuts from Italy's Piedmont region) to bold flavors like peppery Basil. For a rich treat, try Cioccolato Scuro (Bitter Chocolate), a favorite among loyal fans. You can order a cup or cone at 13th Street in Philadelphia or at one of the other three locations in Pennsylvania.

(Courtesy of Sweet Action Ice Cream )7. Sweet Action Ice Cream
Denver
Favorite Flavor: Strawberry Balsamic (Cost: $2.75)

With 24 delectable flavors enriched with local ingredients, this trendy shop values quality as much as inventiveness. Its eclectic blends were not under the radar for long. Food & Wine labeled Sweet Action "One of the best ice cream spots in the U.S." and USA Today praised the parlor as the best ice cream shop in Colorado. From Salted Butterscotch to Lemon Ricotta, Sweet Action Ice Cream crafts each variety with care. For pure sweetness, give the Strawberry Balsamic or Pistachio flavors a whirl.

6. Graeter's(Photo: Courtesy of Graeter's)
Cincinnati
Favorite Flavor: Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip (Cost: $2.75)

This fourth-generation landmark creamery dates back to 1870, when Louis C. Graeter crafted the original confection in Cincinnati. The secret behind Graeter's recipes is the elaborate French Pot swirling process. Fresh cream and egg custard are gradually folded together until they reach a thick texture and one-of-a-kind rich taste. 

Then, fresh ingredients are sprinkled in, like liquid gourmet chocolate and Madagascar vanilla beans. Signature flavors include Butter Pecan (endorsed by Oprah Winfrey), Cinnamon, and Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip. Other Graeter's branches can be found in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, and Lexington and Louisville, Ky.

(Courtesy of Sweet Republic)5. Sweet Republic
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Favorite Flavor: Salted Butter Caramel (Cost: $2.95)
Since 2008, Sweet Republic owners Jan Wichayanuparp and Helen Yung have attracted ice cream connoisseurs with their homemade batches. The milk and creams used are provided by local dairy farms, while tasty toppings, including marshmallows, brownies, and waffles, are all made by hand. 

And that's not all: From its birchwood ice cream sticks to its recycled glass bottles, this shop prides itself on its eco-friendliness. To indulge your taste buds with an extra burst of flavor, try the zesty Honey Blue Cheese or decadent Mayan Chocolate flavors. You'll find Sweet Republic headquartered on Scottsdale's Shea Boulevard. Sweet Republic products are also sold at select grocery stores throughout the state.

4. Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream(Photo: Kathryn Barnard/Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream )
Seattle
Favorite Flavor: Salted Caramel (Cost: $3.45)

Since opening in spring 2008, this beloved Seattle ice creamery draws dessert fanatics far and wide. In fact, Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream's handheld delights have become so popular that customers are willing to brave long lines for a single scoop.

Fans go wild for the Salted Caramel and "Theo Chocolate" (fudgy chocolate ice cream drizzled with fair-trade Theo chocolate bars) flavors. Another favorite: Balsamic Strawberry (made with locally grown strawberries and a honey balsamic reduction). The original Molly Moon's is located on North 45th Street, though the company also operates four other stores in the Seattle area.





(Photo: Paige Green © 2012/Bi-Rite Creamery )3. Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop
San Francisco
Favorite Flavor: Salted Caramel Ice Cream (Cost: $3.50)

For a cool, creamy batch crafted from scratch, look no further than Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop, a San Francisco landmark set in the heart of the Mission District. Aside from its signature creamy scoops, Bi-Rite boasts a versatile selection of delicacies, ranging from ice cream sandwiches to popsicles to fully loaded sundaes. To top it off, owners Anne Walker and Kris Hoogerhyde pride themselves on making all the toppings — including marshmallows, peanut brittle, and hot fudge — at their adjoining bakery. For intense flavor, try their "dainty gentleman" signature sundae (honey-lavender ice cream lathered in hot fudge, sea salt, and blood orange olive oil).

2. Toscanini's(Photo: James Leighton/Toscanini's )
Cambridge, Mass.
Favorite Flavor: Burnt Caramel (Cost: $4.25)

With brag-worthy accolades from the New York Times, People magazine, Bon Appetit, and Gourmet magazine (to name a few), it would seem misleading not to include this Boston-area gelato shop on our list. With its setting in the heart of intellectual academia, Toscanini's draws a cerebral clientele that sparks fresh ideas for bold flavors.

Kulfi, an intense blend with pistachios and cardamom, was inspired by a Harvard professor from India. Other notable gelato flavors include Grape-Nut, Pear Chardonnay sorbet, and the beloved Burnt Caramel. The secret behind owner Gus Rancatore's much-admired caramel concoction: Heating the sugar until the crème caramel — the golden delicious crust — appears on the surface (much like a crème brulee) and then off-setting the prominent sugary taste with cold cream and milk. 

(Photo: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams)1. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Columbus, Ohio
Favorite Flavor: Brambleberry Crisp (Cost: $4.50)

With its broad selection of creative flavors — ranging from Wildberry Lavender to Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet to Brambleberry Crisp — it's no wonder Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has foodies swooning across the nation. Jeni Britton Bauer's handmade sorbet, frozen yogurt, and ice cream push the boundaries of dessert artisanship. What makes her batches so delicious? Key ingredients, like grass-grazed cream, whole fruits, and fair-trade vanilla. You'll find Jeni's original shop in the North Market of Columbus. There are currently eight other stores spread across the state and two additional locations in Nashville.

Columbus Dispatch - AIDS clinic’s design revised to fit in Short North

By  Mark Ferenchik  and  Lucas Sullivan

Monday June 25, 2012 4:30 AM

The story is here

A national advocacy group for people with AIDS is modifying plans for its clinic and thrift store in the University District, hoping to convince community leaders that the building’s new look fits the neighborhood.

The Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation will present its new plans before the University Area Review Board on Thursday.

The board objected to the original design of Out of the Closet, to be built at the northeast corner of N. High Street and E. 5th Avenue, which is considered a gateway to the Short North, Italian Village, Victorian Village and Weinland Park.

“It’s such an important corner, it needed to fit in well with the neighborhood streetscape,” said Fredric Goodman, the board’s chairman and an architect.

The original concept featured a one-story building with light-colored bricks and a cylindrical glass element atop a corner. Three-story red-brick buildings occupy the other three corners.

On May 22, the Harrison West Society wrote to the Columbus City Council that the building’s single-story design and suburban-style parking layout would be “grossly out of place in the High Street corridor.”

Michael Weinstein, the foundation’s president, said the review board is forcing him to adhere to design features that aren’t in the zoning code.

“We want an up-and-down vote on if they are going to approve this plan,” he said. “If there are any more delays, we will lose a whole building season, and that is very costly.”

The foundation is adding more details that fit with the neighborhood and make it look more urban, said Adam Ouderkirk, the group’s regional director. The height of the building would range from 30 to 45 feet, he said.

Most of the building would be oyster-gray brick, with magenta stucco insets and some teal stucco on a corner, according to the city.

“We’re trying our best within reason to respond to concerns,” Ouderkirk said.

Last month, Weinstein said he thought that some city officials were delaying the project because they didn’t agree with the group’s mission.

Community leaders say they welcome the clinic and store.

In the May 22 letter, Harrison West President Kristen Easterday wrote, “The Harrison West Society’s objection is totally unrelated to the intended use of the property by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and any claim otherwise is contrary to the long history Harrison West and the other Short North neighborhoods have had in supporting GLBT businesses and residents.”

The neighborhood is close to the intersection.

“We want to make sure the aesthetics of the building blend in with the neighborhood,” Easterday said last week.

John Angelo, the executive director of the new Short North Alliance, said, “There’s no opposition based on what their mission is.”

The nonprofit foundation operates more than 20 clinics, mostly in California and Florida. Columbus would be the group’s first Midwestern location.

“We are not going to be run off,” Weinstein said, “and I expected since we were bringing jobs and a much-needed service to the area that the red carpet would have been rolled out.”

Goodale Park Pond Being Refilled

As of Tuesday around 2:00pm ET

Short North Block Watch - Investigation of loitering, burglary, and possible stalking!

Investigation of loitering, burglary, and possible stalking!   The Columbus City Attorney's Office has hired a stalking investigator to gather information about the connection between some incidents of burglary, loitering, and possible stalking. The investigator is looking for any information regarding a potential suspect described below. Please contact Gil Leffler, Contract Felony Stalking Investigator at (614) 645-2436/6232 or (614) 929-8792. SEX:          MALE RACE:       WHITE HEIGHT:    5’10” to 6’00” WEIGHT:   170 to 185 lbs EYES:        HAZEL HAIR:          BLOND (LIGHT COLORED, THINNING, RECEDING HAIR LINE) AGE:          43 to 48 years of age Individual is usually dressed in clean clothes, even though he is proclaimed to be homeless, and is known to carry a medium sized backpack/book bag with him.  Individual often acts as though he is deaf or hard of hearing. Individual is known to loiter on Neil Ave. and N. High St.  Stops at 777 Neil Ave. (Giant Eagle) almost every morning for coffee. In the morning he travels north on Neil from Goodale to the campus area. In the evenings/nights he travels back south on Neil or High toward Goodale. Along with the Giant Eagle, individual is known to loiter in and around the OSU Starbucks at N. High St. and 14thAve. Individual has been seen peering into windows of female dorms on the south side of the OSU campus. Individual is described as being homeless and has been known to stay at below listed locations: - The homeless mission located at 315 E. Long St. - Goodale Park, on Goodale St., between Neil Ave. and N. High St. - The wooded area on Neil Ave., near W. Goodale St. and Spruce St. - Individual is anti-social and does not interact well with others.