Joel Morrison
Romeo, 2008
Courtesy of Gagosian Gallery

Columbus’ art scene just got six times better.

The Wexner Center for the Arts has unveiled it newest exhibit, Six Solos. It’s a collection of exhibitions by six rising international artists – so for the price of one ticket, you get a taste of multiple artists from around the world. The artists each have their own gallery space inside the Wexner Center to showcase their exhibits. A variety of media is used in their creations, including video, stainless steel, flagging tape and LED lights, just to name a few.

While five of the six solos are inside the center, one of them is actually outside on the Wexner Center’s “grid.” This amazing display of approximately 100 multicolored LED light sticks, created by Erwin Redl, seems to animate the exterior of the Wexner Center and brings it to life. This exterior exhibit is best seen at night and is well worth stopping by to take a peek.

Six Solos will be on display through Feb. 13. For more details, click here .

And here’s a budget-friendly tip: Visitors are admitted for free on Thursdays after 4 p.m. and on the first Sunday of each month. Plus, the Wexner Center offers free admission anytime for Wexner Center members, college students with ID, and anyone under 18.

Calling all wine lovers and foodies! It is time again for the Columbus Food & Wine Affair Grand Tasting , Sept. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. This is by far one of my favorite events of the year and the place to be seen in Columbus.

Located at the majestic Franklin Park Conservatory , the event combines food tastings from over 35 of the finest restaurants in central Ohio with and pourings of over 300 international wines. As you walk throughout the Conservatory, you can watch chefs create some of your favorite dishes and see how they prepare some of their specialties. To see a list of the entire chef demonstration schedule, click here .

Here is a peek at just a few of the menu items: (more…)

One of our tour stops:
the Greener Grocer at the North Market

Columbus has a new way to experience some of our city’s great culinary offerings. Columbus Food Adventures launched in July and is owned and operated by Bethia Woolf, who runs three prominent Columbus food blogs.

Currently, Columbus Food Adventures offers three different tours that will expand your palate and leave your mouth watering: Short North Tour, Taco Trucks Tour and Alt Eats Tour (see the end of this post for details on how you can win one).

I was fortunate to be on one of the first Short North tours offered, along with my coworker, Scott. The tour began at the North Market at 11 a.m. and lasted a few hours. We walked a total of 1.5 miles and learned about the history of the area at specific stops on our route. (more…)

There are lots of ways to get a great deal while you’re out and about in Columbus. Being a self proclaimed “coupon queen,” I have compiled a list of three Columbus organizations that not only help you save money, but also support local businesses:

Columbus Insiders Club - monthly deals you can use to explore the city and still keep some money in the bank.

The Columbus Insider’s Club, brought to you by the team here at Experience Columbus, highlights Columbus’ finest places to play, dine and shop.  Insiders receive a monthly e-newsletter with exclusive discounts and special offers.  Click here to register - there is no cost to join and the only information needed is your email and zip code. Past Insiders Club offers have included free tickets to COSI’s newest exhibit Titanic, a Broadway Across America Wicked pre-sale opportunity and discounts to great restaurants like Pistacia Vera and Donatos pizza.

Dine Originals Columbus – quarterly discounted certificates you can use to experience unique dining in Columbus.

Dine Originals Columbus is a community of independently owned and operated restaurants. Comprised of over 40 of Central Ohio’s favorite eateries, this group’s mission is to celebrate and support local restaurants. Each quarter Dine Originals Columbus releases a certain amount of discounted certificates that equal 30% off. The certificates range from $7 for a $10 certificate to $17.50 for a $25 certificate. The catch: When they are gone, they are gone! By signing up for their mailing list, you will receive a reminder email each quarter of when the next batch of certificates will be posted. Click here to sign up. At the time I write this, there are still a few certificates available from last quarter including Cotters, Spinelli’s Deli, The Refectory and more - click here to check them out.

Small Business Beanstalk (SBB) – money saving offers you can use 365 days a year.

The  SBB connects local businesses to neighbors in the community. Much like one of those grocery cards you have on your key chain, the SBB has their own version.  Using this card will get you fabulous discounts at independent retailers, restaurants and bars all throughout Central Ohio.  Participating neighborhoods include the Short North, Worthington, Grandview Heights, Downtown, Clintonville, Dublin and Gahanna.  To sign up for your very own free SBB card, click here .  Current offers include 20% off to The Candle Lab, 15% off food at The Worthington Inn and 10% off Sugardaddy’s Sumptuous Sweeties.

Happy saving!

Downtown Columbus is now a little bit sweeter with the Grand Opening of a new Sugardaddy’s Sumptuous Sweeties location on Gay Street. If you have not had the pleasure of tasting one of their infamous 18 signature brownies, I highly recommend it. Their selection is truly second to none.

I am a chocoholic, so my personal favorite is the Dark Berry brownie. With whimsical raspberry swirls on top and chunks of rich chocolate mixed in, this brownie will satisfy anyone’s craving for a chocolate treat.

Don’t like chocolate? They have you covered with their signature blondies. I recommend the Tahiti blondie - it’s packed with cashews, coconut and chocolate, and tastes like a tropical vacation. This one is so good it beat out Food Network Chef Bobby Flay in a Throwdown. If a brownie can beat out Bobby Flay, you know has to be fabulous and a must try.

Now, I know that a lot of us are trying to eat healthier, so I have a secret for you - “Pocket Change." They’re little one to two bite pieces of brownies. These little bites are enough to satisfy your craving and won’t make you feel guilty afterwards.

Sugardaddy’s is holding their downtown Grand Opening all month long, May 3-28, and they’ll offer in-store specials and prizes. I’m personally hoping to win the six months of Sugardaddy’s brownies and blondies!

Visit the Sugardaddy’s Web site for more information about them and all of their sweet treats.

Photo: Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

If you have not yet been to Martini Modern Italian , you are missing out on one of the trendiest and most delicious establishments in the city.

I recently went, knowing that I would get a good meal as I do from every Cameron Mitchell restaurant, but Martini Modern Italian exceeded my expectations for a great dining experience.

I ordered the tuna and since you eat with your eyes first, I took in the presentation of the perfectly plated tuna atop a bed of glazed root vegetables and gnocchi surrounded by a Sangiovese wine reduction. It was almost too pretty to eat…almost. The tuna was cooked to perfection and the carmelization of the veggies mixed with the wine reduction was a burst of flavors in my mouth. It was the type of meal that you think about for days afterwards. The type of meal that makes you do your “I’m so happy I ordered this” dance when you take a bite (or maybe that is just me).

From the time I sat down and put the napkin on my lap, to the time I took the last bit of my tiramisu (that is a fantastic choice as well) , it was a wonderful experience and will definitely be back soon.

Photo: Big Red’s Lodges

If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city but don’t feel like driving very far from downtown Columbus, check out Big Red’s Lodges .

These quaint cabins are nestled in a small wooded area right behind the McConnell Heart Health Center (north of The Ohio State University) . They are just far enough that you cannot hear anything but nature, but not so far that you find yourself saying, “are we there yet?”

Big Red’s Lodges were a dream of John H. McConnell , who envisioned a place where people could enjoy peaceful accommodations close to a world-class health facility. My husband and I stayed there over the winter and enjoyed relaxing by the fire and watching our favorite movie. Complete with a kitchenette, we enjoyed a warm cup of joe and popped some popcorn without leaving the comforts of the cabin. With warmer weather now here, it would be a great place to relax on the porch and listen to the birds or walk on the adjacent walking paths and wetlands.

Your stay includes access to the McConnell Heart Health Center, an absolutely gorgeous facility with state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Breakfast from the café is also included and offers an array of healthy and tasty options.

Big Red’s Lodges is a great place to get away for a night or weekend, and would also be a great option for hosting friends and family coming into town. Take a photo tour or click here for more info.

Photo: The Ohio State University

As spring approaches, so does the opening of the new Ohio Union at The Ohio State University. With such a great addition to campus, they couldn’t just have one day of grand openings, so they decided to have 30 days to make the celebration last!

The official grand opening is on Monday, March 29, when you can get your first peek at this great new facility. Events begin at 11 a.m. and include prizes, music, games, food and free Ohio Union keepsakes. The ribbon cutting will be at noon.

Some other great events that will be going on during this 30 day celebration are a concert with Black Shelton on March 31 and an Evening with Saturday Night Live’s Andy Samberg on April 25.

Click here for more details about all 30 days of activities.

I recently had a hard-hat tour of the Union and I can tell you firsthand that this space is great. Complete with Woody’s Tavern and Sloopy’s Diner, it will be a great place to eat when you are on campus. And if you’re planning a meeting or event, make sure to check out all 30 of their meeting and event spaces .

The new Ohio Union will definitely be a hopping place on campus for both students and guests. To keep up with the progress until the grand opening, you can check out their Web site .

Sushi Rock

As an avid sushi lover, I recently went to Sushi Rock on the Cap at Union Station to see how they compare to other sushi places in Columbus. The result was pleasantly surprising!

If I had to use one word to sum up the atmosphere, it would be “sexy”. With red lighting and sleek interior, the atmosphere is hip and would be a fabulous place to take a date. I tried a few things from the menu (I tried to order things different than the normal handrolls), and my favorite by far was Mr. Kim’s Special. This art-on-a-plate sushi was nothing like I had ever had before. Somehow Chef Kim blended tuna, kiwi, pineapple (and a few other ingredients) together in a crispy shell for a mouthful of indulgence in every bite. I would get this again in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone.

Sushi Rock also has happy hour specials. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can get $4 Maki rolls, $4 martinis, $4 house wines, $2 domestic beer and $3 import beers - great deals for trying Sushi Rock on a budget.

Photo: Easton Town Center

Many of us are looking for inventive ways to keep ourselves in the holiday spirit, while still keeping money in our pockets. Here, I have just a few picks for free, family-friendly holiday things to do during the next three weekends in Columbus.

Eleventh Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Easton Town Center
November 20

Start off the holiday season tomorrow by bringing the family over to Easton Town Center for their Eleventh Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony. The whole center comes alive and starts off the shopping season with the lighting of their huge 50 foot tree, complete with an appearance by Santa. Carolers will be strolling around the sparkling streets of the center and the stores will be abuzz with sales.

Grandview Holiday Hop
Grandview Avenue, between 1st and 5th
November 28

Grandview Avenue comes alive with holiday spirit the Saturday after Thanksgiving. You can start by seeing a live reindeer exhibit at Arlington Bank and end by getting a free picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Tri-Village Studios. There are free horse-drawn sleigh rides for all ages up and down the Avenue throughout the night. Smell the holiday scents at The Candle Lab and check out other holiday crafts and treats along the way.

Village Lights
German Village
December 6

Experience the holiday charm of German Village during the holidays. The village is truly beautiful, with luminaries lit throughout the streets and park, and local businesses come out in full force this night with samples, holiday treats and specials. There is also an appearance by Santa, live entertainment and music to get you in the holiday spirit.

These events are sure to get you excited for the season, and you can search for even more here . Enjoy!