Have you ever bit into a peach and tasted peach buttercream, raspberry preserves and pastry perfection? Have you ever experienced a true tea party in Columbus? Have you ever listened to live classical piano while savoring heavenly pastries from a pastry chef that trained in Europe?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then you need to stop what you’re doing right now (Well, finish reading this first.) and make plans to visit Mozart’s Bakery and Piano Café located in Clintonville. Mozart’s offers European pastries and authentic Austrian cuisine and features live piano music daily. There are more than 120 items on the menu, but the Miniature Marzipan Peach described above is their most popular item (After tasting it, I can see why!!) and it can be shipped all over. Not only is it a taste to-die-for, but it’s a work of art. It looks like a glistening peach ornament. Almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. (more…)

South Campus Gateway
Photo: Randall Lee Schieber

This post is part five of a seven part series featuring Columbus happy hours . Check back each week as Experience Columbus staff spotlight their favorite areas of Columbus to meet friends, share a drink and have some fun.

In this post, Meg explores the happy hour specials near The Ohio State University. You can also check out options in the Short North Arts District , Grandview , Park Street and downtown . Stay tuned for future posts in the series, where we’ll feature Easton Town Center and Worthington.

While attending The Ohio State University, I learned a lot. One of the areas in which I gained extensive knowledge is the catalog of campus bars and their respective happy hours. After my research on the subject, I’m delighted to share my findings.

From the new additions, to the ones that changed ownership, to the oldies-but-goodies that will continue to be a campus landmark, the University District offers a plethora of happy hour options that should not be limited to the student population. (more…)

Spinelli’s Deli

When I found out that a second Spinelli’s Deli location was opening downtown (50 N. High St.), their delicious food was reason enough for me to go check out the new location. The menu is the same as the menu at their Victorian Village location : breakfast sandwiches, pastries, bagels, salads, soups, hot and cold sandwiches, pizzas and coffee (all served fresh, and catering is available). Nestled in the hustle and bustle of downtown Columbus, the new location also features free Wi-Fi, bar-style seating, a patio, a large retractable window facing High Street and an online ordering/pickup system with a separate, dedicated register.

Spinelli’s is also offering a reason other than food to visit: Art. The walls of the downtown Spinelli’s restaurant will serve as a gallery space, featuring four local art exhibits a year. The first artist to be featured is Columbus photographer and native, Kojo Kamau . His work is described as "artistic impressions with historical significance." The exhibit will highlight some of Kojo’s signature pieces and will be on display through December 31. Anyone who purchases a photograph will receive a $10 Spinelli’s gift certificate.

Both Kojo’s work and Spinelli’s Deli focus on a strong sense of community, and you can check them both out tomorrow night at a grand opening celebration. Stop in on Wednesday, October 27 from 5-8 p.m for great food, great art, and a dose of Columbus community spirit.

This post is part 1 of a 6 part series featuring Experience Columbus Days , which takes place Oct. 8-11. During that time, Columbus attractions offer 50% off (or in some cases, BOGO or free admission). Plus, the restaurants of Dine Originals Columbus offer 25% off your food bill for two people.

In this post, Meg offers suggestions for how groups can make the most of Experience Columbus Days . Stay tuned for future posts in the series - we’ll be featuring Dine Originals restaurant suggestions , plus Experience Columbus Days activities that are great for dates,  perfect for art fans, fun for kids and recommended for history buffs.

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Do you ever have family coming to town and are wondering what to do and where to take them? Or do you ever think that you and your friends should venture away from doing “the usual” and go out and experience something different? Planning for a group outing can be fun, but it can also be a challenge. To make it easier for you, here are a few Experience Columbus Days suggestions that are great for groups: (more…)

I bit into my Red Caprese sandwich made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and roasted red peppers, and I marveled at it - a simple, yet absolutely delicious catered lunch option. Every lunch at Freshbox Catering is served with a pickle spear, Miss Vicki’s Sea Salt Kettle Chips, an apple and a chocolate covered Oreo (my personal favorite). They’ve thought of everything, even putting the basil pesto for my sandwich on the side, which is a small detail that I can appreciate.

Not only do they offer high quality food at a competitive prices, but Freshbox is also founded on a great mission: to empower the residents of Faith Mission Shelters by offering a competitive work environment focused on life-changing skills and training. (more…)

Great food, signature drinks and fun games – these are a few of my favorite things! And all of them can be found at KDB, your neighborhood “Kitchen, Den and Bar” opening at Easton Town Center (in the former GameWorks location) this Thursday, August 5 at 8 p.m.

KDB provides a comfortable, high-energy environment where everyone can come hang out and have a memorable time. Let me break it down for you:

There’s the Kitchen – a 150 seat dining area that serves home-style cooking and classic American cuisine. Menu items include: house specialty BBQ, gourmet pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and salads. And these delicious menu items are served late into the night, which is always a plus, just in case you get hungry after a rowdy game of pinball. (more…)

Win a Columbus experience!

Do the dates May 8-16 ring a bell? No? Well, I’ll fill you in…it’s National Travel and Tourism Week!

Now, you may be thinking “Why should I care?” Here’s why: Visitors spend $7.23 billion annually in Central Ohio. And 62,000 people are employed in the tourism and hospitality industry. Pretty impressive, huh?

Some of you cynics out there may still be asking “Why should I care?” And I say to you this: You can win some really cool stuff! Experience Columbus is celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week by offering a chance to win one of three amazing packages.

With the first package, you and three others can:

• Cheer on the 2008 MLS Champs at a Columbus Crew game
• Enjoy the May flowers at Franklin Park Conservatory
• View historic motorcycles at AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum
• See an Austrian M47 tank driven by Arnold Schwarzenegger at Motts Military Museum

Or you may be more enticed by the second package, where you and three others can:

• Learn through hands-on science interaction at COSI (voted #1 science center in the nation by Parents magazine)
• Cruise through Columbus with SegAway Tours of Columbus
• Watch a timeless film in the beautiful Ohio Theatre with the CAPA Summer Movie Series
• Shop at your favorite local merchant with your $20 North Market gift card.

And last but not least is the third package, which allows you and three others to:

• Eat your peanuts and crackerjacks at a Columbus Clippers game at Huntington Park (named ballpark of the year by Ballpark Digest and BaseballParks.com)
• View the new polar bear exhibit at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (#1 zoo in America by USA Travel Guide)
• Lean back and enjoy a movie at the sophisticated Arena Grand Theatre
• Go on a shopping spree with your $50 gift card for Easton Town Center

You can enter to win by stopping in one of the Experience Columbus Visitor Centers (Easton or Arena District locations) or by visiting this link . The winners will be drawn and notified on May 17.

Best of luck and Happy National Travel and Tourism Week!

The Titanic Exhibit at COSI is so much more than just artifacts and information. It transports you back in time, it tells a story, and it evokes real emotion.

Prior to entering the exhibit, each person is assigned an identity of an actual passenger that was aboard the Titanic. The passenger name, age, city of origin, class (first, second, or third), names of any family members, traveling companions, reason for being on the Titanic and a passenger fact are listed.

When I approached the first artifact, a pair of glasses, I was immediately struck by what great condition they were in! It was truly amazing to think that these very spectacles were on the ship that sunk in 1912 and were submerged under water for at least another 73 years before they were resurrected (Titanic remains weren’t discovered until 1985).

However, it was not the artifacts alone that really impressed me. (more…)

Photo:
PromoWest Productions

A couple Saturdays ago Serena Ryder, an amazing folk-singer who opened for Howie Day at The Basement , asked the concert goers to sing along with her. When her request was met with the majority of the crowd joining in on her chorus, she exclaimed, "Man, I love you Columbus!" As I swayed along to the beat, singing the lyrics myself, I looked around the venue at my fellow concert patrons and felt a surge of pride.

Of course, I can’t say that all Columbus concert-goers display the utmost respect and enthusiasm at every concert, but I think there’s a deep level of music appreciation in Columbus. I feel especially thankful for the presence of smaller, intimate concert venues in Columbus that allow me to experience all sorts of musicians.

There’s something so appealing about small venues. There’s a special connection between the musicians and the crowd. For example, I just recently attended an intimate preview concert of the Barenaked Ladies at A&R Music Bar . The band members were talking a lot between their songs and really engaging with the audience. I think this is partly because the A&R Music Bar has a fun, casual atmosphere that creates a comfortable vibe and allows the musicians and crowd to relate easier.

A similar vibe occurs at The Basement. When Howie Day came on to perform, he made a comment about how whenever he plays there, he feels like he’s in high school, in a friend’s basement while the parents are out of town. Of course, I don’t know of any basements that have such a large bar, but I can definitely relate to the comment because whenever I’m there, I get the sense that I’m with a whole bunch of friends, just hanging out and enjoying some music. There’s that comfortable, low-key atmosphere that really makes the music resonate that much more.

Yet another smaller concert venue is Newport Music Hall , located on The Ohio State University campus. While this venue is substantially larger than A&R Music Bar and The Basement, it still allows for you to get close to the stage with a general admission ticket. You also have the option of viewing the concert from the balcony, if you’d prefer that perspective. The venue itself is an older building that has a concert hall feel to it, and all in all, it’s another great Columbus concert venue to add to the list.

I love concerts of all sizes, but I have a distinct appreciation for the smaller venues. And as an avid concert-goer, I’m especially grateful for these precious Columbus gems.

For more info on these venues and concert lineups, check out the PromoWest Productions Web site .

Photo: G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar

Restaurant Week Columbus was last week, and I was presented with the difficult decision of selecting a restaurant from the list of enticing three-course deals. There was one restaurant on the list that I’ve always heard great things about, but hadn’t yet tried: G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar . I made my decision and quickly made my reservation. And I was not disappointed.

When I walked into the restaurant located in historic German Village , I thought the décor could be described as classic and contemporary, but the exposed brick walls gave it a comfortable and homey feel. It was early Friday evening, and the restaurant and bar were considerably busy and buzzing with conversations and laughter. We were immediately seated and greeted by our server.

I made my dinner selections from the Restaurant Week menu, but I browsed the regular menu and was impressed. It was much like their décor: contemporary in terms of their sophisticated seafood and unique pairings, but comfortable in regards to items like as grits and southern-fried chicken.

My first course from the Restaurant Week menu was their house salad made with poached pears, spiced pecans and gorgonzola vinaigrette, which was sweet and extremely fresh. My main course was seared scallops with braised short ribs, which I thought was the perfect example of a more refined food item (the scallops) paired with, in my opinion, the ultimate comfort meal (meat, potatoes and green beans). For dessert, I selected a delicious trio of one of Columbus’ favorite desserts: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams . The entire meal and experience was incredibly satisfying.

If you’d like to experience a similar three-course meal for $30, check out G. Michael’s on Monday nights (menu selections change each week).

To sum it all up: my expectations for G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar were high, but they were definitely met. Great environment, great service and great food. If you’re looking for a place where elegance meets comfort, I highly recommend it.