Shoku | March 15, 2011

1312 Grandview Ave.

Columbus, OH 43212

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 4 Buckeyes

Quality | 4.5 Buckeyes

Cost | 3.5 Buckeyes

Character | 4.0 Buckeyes

Beverages | 3.5 Buckeyes

Service | 4.5 Buckeyes

MISO SOUP | 4

garnished with scallions, seaweed and tofu

SHOKU PHAD THAI | 16

rice noodles in special shoku coconut sauce served with choice of chicken, shrimp, or tofu

California Roll | 4.50

Spicy Tuna Roll | 5.50

Grandview Roll | 10.95

Stein and I love the spur of the moment decision to go out to dinner. When Stein called to see if I was interested in checking out Shoku in Grandview, without hesitation, I excitedly agreed.

Shoku’s location in Grandview makes parking a little difficult, but there is a parking lot behind Panera and Jeni’s that is public parking and there is likely to be someone leaving when you’re arriving if you stalk the parking lot for a few minutes.

We arrived at Shoku and were seated right away and shortly greeted by our waiter who was extremely pleasant and well mannered. Stein and I were in the sharing mood so we decided to go with sushi for an appetizer and pad thai for our main course. Stein went with a diet coke and I went with water, not much to comment on beverage-wise.

Our sushi selections included a California roll, which was fantastic; the crab was tender and the avocado was perfectly ripened. Stein selected a spicy tuna roll and a Grandview roll. The fish was clearly fresh and unlike other sushi places had not been sitting around for days. The tempura Grandview roll was sinfully delicious. The crispy and sweet texture of the roll complimented the fish very well.

Our pad thai arrived shortly after we finished our sushi and came out piping hot. Stein and I were intrigued by the sound of the pad thai. Spiced with coconut, the dish seemed to be a different take on the traditional pad thai. The noodles were thin and absorbed the flavorful sauce perfectly. The sauce was delectable; the sweetness of the coconut and the saltiness of the other flavors were divine.

The service was outstanding; our drinks never went dry and our every request was met with a smile and great attitude. Although Shoku is a little on the pricey side, if you’re looking for fantastically fresh and flavorful sushi and terrific pad thai, be sure to roll on over to Shoku!

Spinelli's deli | February 26, 2011

767 Neil Avenue


Columbus, Ohio 43215

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 4.02 Buckeyes

Quality | 4.5 Buckeyes

Cost | 4.6 Buckeyes

Character | 4.0 Buckeyes

Beverages | 3.5 Buckeyes

Service | 3.5 Buckeyes

About a year and a half ago I was invited to join the Stein brother’s in their weekly tradition, breakfast at Spinelli’s Deli. This week, Stein and I woke up his brother to restart the tradition.

If you’re looking for a luxurious sit down restaurant where you’re waited on by soft-spoken servers, this is not your place. But, if you’re looking for an easy, fast and fantastically tasting breakfast, you’ve found your spot! Spinelli’s is also a great location if you’re budget is a bit tight – you can typically fill your belly for less than $9 a person.

Interestingly, the meal we all shared a year and a half ago was the same meal we ate just this past week. The everything bagel with bacon, egg, and asiago cheese with a hash brown on the side came HIGHLY recommended by two Spinelli’s connoisseurs.

When we arrived we didn’t have to wait in line or wait for a table. Stein and I ordered the three sandwiches and sat down. Spinelli’s has a fantastic strawberry orange banana juice so I filled up my cup and within five minutes we had our meal. The sandwiches came out hot and ready to eat. The three of us wasted no time and dug right in. The saltiness from the bagel and the sweetness from the egg complemented the meal extremely well. The hash browns were cooked to perfection and had a mild crisp that made our mouths water as we devoured the crispy potato heaven.

Stein’s brother said “just as I remembered it, delicious” while Stein said, as I shared my last few bites with him, “This is fantastic, I’m so lucky!” Safe to say, the three of us thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast. We sat around and chatted for over an hour as the small restaurant filled with hungry Columbusites.

So, if you’re famished, we highly recommend Spinelli’s Deli for a fast, inexpensive and all around great tasting breakfast.

La Fogata Grill | February 18, 2011

790 N. High St.

Columbus, OH  43215

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 4.32 Buckeyes

Quality | 4.6 Buckeyes

Cost | 4.0 Buckeyes

Character | 4.7 Buckeyes

Beverages | 4.3 Buckeyes

Service | 4.0 Buckeyes

Queso Dip | 4

Combination plate | cheese enchilada with refried beans and rice

Combination plate | cheese enchilada & bean burrito with refried beans, guacamole, & lettuce

Combination plate | burrito with rice, guacamole, & lettuce

San Jose Burrito with rice (beef, queso, & potatoes)

Stein and I were so pleased that we were able to spend our evening and dinner experience with a couple of great people. Stein has known his friend, Mike, since high school and has known Mike’s wife, Jamie for four years. I was introduced to Mike and Jamie about a year ago.

We requested that Mike and Jamie select the food type for our dinner experience. They chose Mexican and hearing great things about La Fogata in the Short North, we decided on this popular hot spot in the trendy Short North. After scrambling to find a parking spot, very typical of this area, we walked through a large patio area, which we speculated would be packed in the warmer months.

Upon entering we were greeted by a hostess who questioned our reservation but after I pointed our name out to her on the list she quickly seated us and our waitress greeted us right away. She promptly took our drink order and brought us our refreshments. We requested to snack on the queso dip, after hearing great things about it. We were supplied with warm and perfectly salted chips for our cheese dip while we waited for Mike and Jamie.

Mike and Jamie arrived shortly after us and we made sure to save cheese for them to try because we were blown away by the flavor and how creamy the dip was. After catching up for a few minutes we ordered our meal and waited about 20 minutes. My meal along with Mike and Jamie’s meals came out without a problem, Stein’s meal however seemed a bit delayed coming out of the kitchen. Our mouths watered as we waited for the last meal to arrive and within 4 minutes, Stein’s meal joined us at the table.

I ordered a dish off of the vegetarian menu and tried the bean burrito and cheese quesadilla with a side of refried beans. The burrito was creamy and had a great taste. It was perfectly proportioned and tasted very fresh with guacamole complimenting the pate. The dish was arranged very well and really hit the spot.

Stein ordered what he called his ultimate meal. His San Jose burrito had all of his favorite ingredients; potatoes, beans, cheese, lettuce and meat. With all of his favorite elements it was going to be hard to displease Stein with this dish. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this plate and raved about the flavorful components.

Jamie ordered a cheese enchilada explaining that that was what she typically ordered at a Mexican restaurant. Jamie expressed that she likes to compare and contrast the differences in style of enchilada making and enjoys trying it at every Mexican hot spot. Jamie quickly told us that the sauce that was atop her enchilada was superb. She said she’s tried a lot of different sauces on her usual enchilada order but this was clearly one of her favorite. She explained that it was full of flavor and a great consistency; it was an excellent accompaniment to her plate.

Mike’s burrito also got rave reviews. Mike took a bit of a risk and tried something that he had never had or heard of before; he wasn’t even quite sure what was in the dish even when he had it in front of him. It worked out extremely well and he really enjoyed the burrito expressing that it was well prepared and very tasty.

Our service throughout the meal was good, our drinks barley ever got past the half-full level, which is how Stein and I typically measure good service. If a waiter is coherent enough to realize you’re running low on beverages you’re typically in a good position and don’t have to worry too much about needing something extra or ordering something more.

Stein and I really enjoyed getting together with Mike and Jamie and were so glad to catch up with such great friends. The overall consensus at the end of our dining experience was that the food was dynamite! Stein and I agreed that this could be added to our “go-to” Mexican short list. We look forward to going back in the summer and taking advantage of the patio!

And now we have a very special treat, our first guest writer. When it comes to La Fogata there is no better expert on the issue. A frequent guest of La Fogata when she lived in Columbus is now heart struck because she lives in Baltimore and can’t go every Monday. Her review is as follows, “La Fogata is the best place for happy hour with co-worker, classmate, and friends on Monday nights! They have an extensive variety of margarita flavors for only 2 dollars a drink! My personal favorites are the dessert pear and the traditional margarita. Sometimes I just ask the server to surprise me, I have never been dissatisfied! My coworkers are more into the specials they have on beer during happy hour. Nothing beats an ice cold amber or dark Dos Equis. Once my drink order is in, I am on a direct path to chicken nacho town! Really, any of the nachos are great. Of course I have tasted them all, but the chicken takes the cake! Imagine fresh baked tortilla chips smothered in melted cheese and sautéed onions and green peppers. We always like to order a side of sour cream and lettuce. (The lettuce is no extra charge!) You can top them with the fresh Fogata salsa if you choose. The possibilities are endless! Well, unless you get there after 6pm as that is when happy hour is over. It is important to note you can still get 2 buck margs ALL NIGHT! If you are running late, you can always call your friends to put in your order so it will be waiting for you still half price when you arrive. There have been times when they reheated dishes for us. The staff is very personable, and if you go there enough they will remember your order as you walk in the door. As far as seating goes I suggest outside in nice weather or the 'King's Table' in the window for the best view. The cherry on top of this experience is that it is located right off High Street. This means you can drink as much as you want and stay responsible my hopping on the number 2 COTA or hailing a cab! In summary, if anyone tells you negative things about Mondays at Fogata you can tell them to "fogata 'bout it!'”

Lemongrass Fusion Bistro | February 14, 2011

641 North High St.

Columbus, OH

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 4.52  Buckeyes

Quality | 4.7 Buckeyes

Cost | 4.4 Buckeyes

Character | 5.0 Buckeyes

Beverages | 4.0 Buckeyes

Service | 4.5 Buckeyes

West coast | 14


Grilled shrimp with fresh strawberries, avocado, cucumber, grape tomatoes, romaine lettuce and crispy noodles with lime vinaigrette

Sushi | California roll | 8

100% real crabmeat, and avocado

Pad-thai
 | tofu 12 
chicken 12

Rice noodles, snow peas, carrots, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts 
stir-fried in a semi-spicy lime sauce

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate | 7

Chocolate fudge cake topped dark bittersweet swiss chocolate mousse and finished with a sour cream chocolate ganache

Lemongrass opened six years ago in the Short North and offers a wide array of sushi rolls, sashimi and nigirl along with a variety of Pan-Asian cuisine.

Ah, Valentines Day, a day filled with flowers, kisses, love and for the Miller-Stein duo, good food. Stein surprised me and decided we should try something new. Stein had been to Lemongrass once before, but it was new for me.

Parking in the Short North, per usual was difficult. Directed to a lot with individual meters we got the last spot within a ½ mile of the restaurant. We arrived 7 minutes before out reservation and were seated early. A rose greeted us at our table as our stomachs growled. We were quick to order our drinks and our entire dinner. Stein was inspired to make our reservation at Lemongrass because they are known for excellent pad thai.

We made the executive decision to order the west coast salad knowing it would settle our tummies as we awaited our main course. The salad was unique and nothing like we have ever had before. The strawberries were a tasty touch and were juicy and ripe. The lime vinaigrette that topped the salad added a saltiness that added a delicious element to the salad.

Shortly following the salad was a California roll with real crab meat (oh yes, some places use artificial crab). This meat was excellent, a nice fishy taste added to the excellently rolled sushi.

Stein and I both went with the pad thai; I chose the tofu and Stein went with the chicken. While we waited for our main course, modern songs on a baby grand piano serenaded us. The pad thai came out piping hot and smelled delicious. We both dug right in and were immediately satisfied, the spiciness of the ingredients helped Stein and I guzzle our diet cokes, which were quickly replenished by our attentive waiter.

Dessert was easy, the description had me at the first chocolate; add two more and my mouth was watering. The dessert lived up to its name, it was sweet a melted in our mouths.

The restaurant had a retro yet modern feel to it, truly a fusion of designs. Stein got two thumbs up and a smile ear-to-ear for this selection and from now on, is in charge of Valentines Day dinner selection.

Jason’s Deli | February 7, 2011

775 Yard Street #190

Grandview Heights, OH 4321

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 3.1 Buckeyes

Quality | 3.0 Buckeyes

Cost | 4.0 Buckeyes

Character | 4.0 Buckeyes

Beverages | 2.0 Buckeyes

Service | 2.5 Buckeyes

Chicago Club | 6.59

Herb foccacia with smoked turkey breast, bacon, provolone, smoked red pepper- cilantro aioli, organic spinach, roma tomatoes.

Build Your Own Sandwich - Side Salad with purchase | 3.99

Hot New York style pastrami on rye bread

Portobello Garden Pasta | 7.29

Bowtie pasta topped with grilled portobello mushrooms, oven roasted herb tomatoes, organic spinach, artichokes, asiago.

Club Lite | 6.59

Toasted whole grain wheat with low fat smoked turkey breast, low fat ham, swiss, low fat honey mustard, lettuce, tomato.

Chicken Club Wrapini | 6.59

Marinated chicken breast, bacon, swiss, cheddar, purple onions, roma tomatoes and fresh-made ranch dressing. Pressed between olive oil basted organic wheat wrap.

Jason's Deli was founded in Beaumont, Texas in 1976. The company offers standard deli style menu including traditional sandwiches such as Po’boys and muffalettas. Each deli has a salad bar and a daily soup selection.

Stein often told stories of an exceptional deli here in Columbus but I was convinced he raved about it simply because the restaurant shared his name. Turned out that the food was pretty delicious.

Be prepared, parking at this location is a bit of a pain; the deli is located in the heart of Grandview and like most hot spots in this small town, parking is a challenge. The restaurant is located beside an above ground-parking garage, but located next to the one of the few, if not the only gym in Grandview you may have to hunt for a spot.

The deli had a funky feel from the moment we walked through the door. Tall ceilings and exposed piping give the deli a new-age feel. Your experience begins the moment you enter; you shuffle along in a cafeteria style as you select what tickles your taste buds. After paying and exiting the line you’re confronted with a salad bar the size of a small island.

We were lucky to have Stein’s parents and brother with us for dinner; we found a table big enough for all of us and waited. Within 10 minutes our food was served to us. Stein went with the Chicago club and the endless salad bar. Stein described the sandwich as flavorful, fresh and added that the tomatoes were an excellent touch. Stein also thoroughly enjoyed the salad bar making sure to get a little bit of everything on his dish.

Stein’s Dad went with the “build your own” option selecting pastrami on rye. The portion size was extremely generous and filled the plate and was explained as being appetizing. Stein’s Dad also selected the salad option and made sure to get a nice variety of tasty options.

Stein’s Mom went with the portabella garden pasta and the salad bar. After getting a delectable salad full of her favorite veggies she began to wonder if another meal was even necessary. The salad got an excellent review but the pasta wasn’t anything spectacular; the flavors weren’t quite there.

Stein’s brother got the wrap and salad bar and after gathering his goodies from the salad bar thoroughly enjoyed the fresh ingredients that made up the wrap. Stein’s brother described the wrap as scrumptious.

Miller, daring to be different, (and knowing she could steal a nibble from Stein’s plate) opted to not get a salad and settled on the club. There seemed to be an extraordinarily large amount of meat on her sandwich, which was somewhat un-appetizing. After taking off about half of the meat Miller enjoyed the combination of ham and turkey melding with the lettuce and tomato.

After finishing dinner we were all informed that with each purchase diners get a free serving of soft serve chocolate, vanilla or swirl ice cream on a cone or in a cup. The ice cream was a tasty way to end this dining experience. Overall the dining experience was satisfying with most of the high marks coming from the fresh salad bar.

TASI café | February 5, 2011

680 North Pearl Street

Columbus, OH 43215

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 4.2 Buckeyes

Quality | 5.0 Buckeyes

Cost | 4.0 Buckeyes

Character | 4.5 Buckeyes

Beverages | 4.0 Buckeyes

Service | 3.5 Buckeyes

Buttermilk Pancakes with Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Pure Maple Syrup |  7

Greek Scrambled Eggs with Zucchini, Tomato Feta, Toasted Sourdough |  6

Toasted Croissant Sandwich, Fried Egg, Canadian bacon, Swiss cheese |  7

Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary |  3

Chocolate Croissant |  3.25

Stein’s parents were in town so we decided to take them to an exclusively Columbus and somewhat hidden dining spot. Getting to Tasi was somewhat difficult; tucked behind Jeni’s in the Short North, Tasi is a quant little restaurant with a “home-cooked” type atmosphere. We sent Stein’s brother ahead of time to scout out a table knowing very well that the seating space is limited. We arrived and waited in a short line and orded, paid and took our seats.

The table identification markers are different breeds of dogs leading us to assume that the owner is somewhat of a dog enthusiast. Our food arrived about 15 minutes post order and came out fresh from the kitchen.

Miller and Stein’s brother both went with the toasted croissant sandwich with fried egg, Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese. The fried egg oozed beautifully from the center of the sandwich and covered everything on the plate with a delicious egg base. The sandwich was the perfect combination of salty, crispy, soft and chewy. Safe to say, there was nothing left on her or Stein’s brothers plate.

Dad Stein decided on the buttermilk pancakes topped with sweet and spicy bacon. The pancakes were light and fluffy and with the pure maple syrup drizzled atop the stack the pancakes were truly delightful.

Mom Stein and Stein both went with the Greek scrambled eggs with zucchini, tomato feta and toasted sourdough. The dish was a genius mix of fresh eggs and perfectly cooked and seasoned veggies. Stein and his Mom both had no trouble finishing their dish either.

Mom and Dad Stein both enjoyed a cup of coffee and the table shared a warm, homemade, fresh chocolate croissant. The chocolate in the warm and lightly browned pastry melted on your mouth and left you wanting more.

Because the restaurant was booming our empty plates were scooped away from us making us feel as though the staff was hinting we skedaddle. We sat a bit longer and finally stood up only to immediately be asked if we were leaving and if the next group of people could score our table.

All around, breakfast was absolutely fantastic. Aside from the crowds and forceful exit our experience was quite pleasant and we highly recommend Tasi. As a side note, make sure your car is completely up-to-date sticker wise and you’ve fed the meter otherwise you’re sure to get a visit from the lovely Columbus ticket police, making your breakfast a little more expensive then you anticipated.

Third & Hollywood | January 26, 2011

1433 W Third Avenue

Grandview Heights

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 4.5 Buckeyes

Quality | 5.0 Buckeyes

Cost | 4.0 Buckeyes

Character | 5.0 Buckeyes

Beverages | 4.5 Buckeyes

Service | 4.0 Buckeyes

Corn and Black Bean Burger | 14

Just made, topped with jack and guacamole

Roasted Chicken Sandwich | 15

Smoked provolone, roasted red pepper and arugula

Grilled Fish Sandwich | 16

Lettuce, tomato, red onion, and fresh herb aioli

Avocado and Chicken Caesar | 15

Roasted chicken, house made dressing and parmigiano

Created by the owners of Northstar Café, our next restaurant review is Third & Hollywood (named for the nearby street intersection). As with Northstar Café, Third & Hollywood sources the highest quality beef, pork, and poultry available, all raised humanely, using traditional methods without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. Many of Third & Hollywood’s ingredients are locally grown, organic, or artisan produced.

We went to Third & Hollywood on a late Wednesday night with Stein’s brother and Miller’s unrelated sister. The evening began as we were escorted to our romantically lit booth and immediately greeted by our server who had a few great wine recommendations. After the drink selection we were offered an appetizer, which we declined primarily because we were ready for the main course. We have in the past, however, had the guacamole and cheese pimento dip, which is delectable.

Our booth was a comfortable temperature and we had a roaring fireplace in our peripherals, quite picturesque. After ordering dinner, we didn’t have to wait more then a 20-minute wait for our dinner. The presentation was impeccable and the plates were artfully decorated.

Miller ordered the corn and black bean burger with a side of mashed potatoes. The burger was full of flavor and was a nice blend of protein and vegetables. The homemade mashed potatoes were fresh and melted in your mouth.

Stein’s brother ordered the roasted chicken sandwich with the mashed potatoes. The chicken was cooked well and was accompanied by a slice of provolone. The sandwich was also decorated with red peppers, which added a fresh flavor to the dish. Stein’s brother also enjoyed the mashed potatoes and complimented the presentation.

Stein ordered the grilled fish sandwich with the fries. Stein thoroughly enjoyed his fish sandwich explaining that the fish was moist and the bun that was served was toasted nicely. The fries were seasoned with a tasty combination of spices.

Miller’s God-sister ordered an avocado and chicken salad. The bowl that the salad came in was two times what she had anticipated. She explained that the salad was fresh and the chicken that lay on top was juicy and full of flavor. The dressing, which she had on the side, was a nice accompaniment to the giant salad.

The service was consistently good throughout the entire dining experience and when the check arrived we weren’t too surprised at the somewhat higher than normal price tag associated with this meal. The prices were clearly labeled on the menu and gentlemen that they are; the Stein brothers generously treated the ladies to dinner.

We highly enjoyed our quiet, warm and tasty dinner experience at Third & Hollywood in Grandview and highly recommend the restaurant for a special dinner, anniversary or a date night where you’re trying to impress your date!