This post is written by Meg Gordon, Membership  Manager at Experience Columbus. You can follow Meg on Twitter @Meg_ExpCols .

Do you want to experience flavors unlike anything you’ve had before? Then come to Vienna Ice Café where you can taste European inspired, locally handmade ice cream. In fact, I don’t feel right calling it ice cream. Every flavor is like a work of art that your taste buds will be sure to appreciate. It’s that good.

Anand and Doris Saha, owners of Mozart’s Bakery , has done it again with Vienna Ice Café, where he once again brings the tastes of Europe to Columbus, more specifically the lovely Clintonville (Link #3). The flavors go from Key Lime Pie to Coffee Kahlua. Each one is as good as the next, with some even featuring pieces of pastries from Mozart’s. My personal favorite is the German Chocolate Brownie and this month’s flavor is Pumpkin Spice Gelatto. They also offer a variety of sundaes, or coupes, most notably the Marzipan peach, featuring Mozart’s most famed pastry.

But it doesn’t stop with ice cream! You haven’t officially experience Vienna Ice Café until you’ve tried the Vienna Ice Coffee, one of the signature desserts. The Vacherin takes ice cream cake to a whole other level: a French specialty-vanilla and strawberry ice cream in layers of meringue, with whipped cream and toasted almonds. It’s the epitome of the phrase melts in your mouth.

So, if you want to shock your taste buds with the Mona Lisa of ice cream, then check out Vienna Ice Café.

Brunch is pretty much the perfect way to start a lazy Sunday. Whether you’re an in-towner or visiting Columbus, you’ve got to take the time to slow down your pace and enjoy the simple things in life. While I’m not really a breakfast food guy, I love brunch, because I can get a sandwich or soup while my co-diners can order omelets and waffles. The added bonus of brunch: it’s a socially acceptable way to have a cocktail before noon. Here are my three favorite brunch beverages in Columbus:

Due Amici – Bloody Marys
How awesome is this: You walk into this upscale, loungy spot for brunch, find a plush booth and while you’re waiting for your dining companions to arrive, a server wheels over a cart with all the fixings to make your perfect, customized bloody mary! Order an extra spicy (Tabasco, pepperoncini and pickle spear) for an added kick to your meal, or steer to classic (celery stalk.) Life is good. If you’re not a fan of tomato juice, Due Amici also serves mimosas and peach bellinis at brunch – thought I’ve never known anyone to pass up the bloody mary cart.

The Jury Room – The Nina West
Reopening earlier this year, the Jury Room has put a new spin on Columbus’ oldest restaurant. Serving hearty brunch staples with a twist, there is also a nice bar menu, to indulge a little more. One of the most fanciful drinks, (available for lunch and dinner, too) is the Nina West, named for Columbus’ premiere drag queen, comes complete with pop rocks and a candy cigarette. Fanciful, tasty, a bit tacky – perfect for a fun brunch.

Northstar Café – Shooting Star
OK, this one is perfect for teetotalers, and it also leaves you feeling like you’ve got the energy to conquer the world on your day off. Northstar Café, with locations in the Short North, Clintonville and at Easton, is a brunch mainstay in Columbus. While there are some boozy drink options, I always steer to the Shooting Star – and invigorating, organic blend of orange juice, carrot juice, lemon and ginger. And let’s be honest, I also grab a mug for a never-ending cup of eye-opening, mild coffee.

What would you add to the list?

Sew to Speak is a stitching-maven’s paradise, located in Columbus’ Clintonville neighborhood. The small shop beautifully merchandises hundreds of trendy and classic fabrics that are hard to find elsewhere. A hub of the city’s maker culture, Sew to Speak not only carries supplies, but also offers classes – from simple projects to intricate quilting - learn more, and find some projects on their blog . It’s a favorite of my crafty wife’s, and definitely a spot to check out of you have an artistic inclination.

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…)

Retro reindeer at Sobo Style

This post is part one in a four part series about the holiday season in Columbus. Stay tuned for more in the coming week - we’ll cover where to see holiday lights and places to catch a great performance. We’ll also investigate what’s happening for the holidays at some of Columbus’ favorite attractions.

Looking for unique gifts to surprise the people on your holiday shopping list this year? With an abundance of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items around town, this is a great time to shop local. And what better way than at a holiday shopping fair? These all-things-handmade extravaganzas bring diverse artisans under the same roof to sell everything from blown glass ornaments and funky kitchen accents, to wheel-thrown pottery and wearable art. Stop by one of several shows taking place over the next few weeks, and who knows, you may even find a thing or two for yourself. (more…)

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series posted on The Columbus Experience. Part 1 is by Amy Gatto Klein, who features her last-minute shopping gameplan. Part 2 is by Brian Cheek, who features some of his already-completed shopping stops made this holiday season.

With all of the talk about the economy, I tried to make a conscious effort to shop locally for Christmas this year. I wanted to support our Columbus merchants - those who would feel the effects of the economy first, those we can not afford to lose, and those who make Columbus what it is.

I’m typically a last-minute shopper like Amy, but this year I planned ahead and gave myself time to hit a few Columbus neighborhoods to find gifts.

• I started with Collier West in the Short North , a gorgeous store with a variety of wares including tabletop items by Michael Aram and decoupage pieces by John Derian . I received personal assistance, didn’t have to deal with a stressed-out sales person out to make a commission, and my purchase was packaged uniquely and ready to give.

• I still send good old-fashioned greeting cards (and actually, not just at Christmas but year round). For unique cards, I headed to my usual stop, Peabody Papers in Grandview. I love walking into a place that carries a variety of styles created by artists or companies with a specific style. You’re warmly greeted at Peabody Papers and given personalized individual attention - whether you’re there for a single card or a set of customized invitations.

• Since I work for Experience Columbus, it might seem cheesy to say I like to give a local "experience" as a gift. Well pass the Gouda, because the truth is that’s exactly what I like to do. I purchased tickets for a friend and me to take a Chef Series Cooking Class at the North Market . You can’t get more local then taking a cooking class from a Columbus area chef; ours will be taught by Paul Yow from Barcelona Restaurant & Bar . What I really love about this gift is that my friend would have never bought it for herself.

• I have nine nieces and nephews, so for their gifts I headed to Larson’s Toys and Games in Upper Arlington, a great alternative to big box toy stores. Larson’s carries a variety of classic wooden toys along with lines of toys from around the world. I never worry that I’ve bought the little ones in my life something they already have. Larson’s also offers free gift wrapping, all year round. Enough said.

• Finally, for my friend that has everything, I turned to food. Weiland’s Gourmet Market in Clintonville has a wide variety of seafood, meat, cheese and specialty international items. I chose an assortment of goodies specific to my friend’s tastes, and was able to do it all during one stop at this busy but friendly market.  Weiland’s also offers a wide selection of beer, wine and liquor. Their knowledgeable staff will help you find just the right drink to go with whatever you might be serving (and for some of you out there, they can help figure out which libation will get you through holiday get-togethers with the relatives).

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series posted on The Columbus Experience. Part 1 is by Amy Gatto Klein, who features her last-minute shopping gameplan. Part 2 is by Brian Cheek, features some of his already-completed shopping stops made this holiday season.

It’s just a week before Christmas and my shopping list is sadly devoid of checked-off items.  This is one of those times I especially love living in my Clintonville neighborhood because I can just stroll up the street and find a perfect gift for almost everyone on the list.

By the time I actually shop it might be too late to share my recommendations with you, so I’ll tell you where I’m headed on my last-minute Christmas shopping stroll in advance. My gameplan:

• First stop will be Cup O’ Joe . I’m nothing if not realistic, and my mission will clearly need to be fueled by something stronger than good cheer. In addition to my coffee, I’ll buy a pound of fresh roasted coffee beans and travel mugs as good stocking stuffers for my husband and brother. The warmth of the fireplace will, like always, be inviting and the tables will be packed with neighbors chatting, studying and tapping away on laptops. But I won’t be able to stay this trip.

• Energized by my coffee, I’ll make my way north on High Street to stop by Wholly Craft for fun and funky handmade gifts. This store is a treasure-trove of unique items from a variety of individual crafters . This is where I’ll find cute earrings for my mom and a few friends, and I’ll also grab a package of hand-stamped note cards as a general all-purpose gift. If anyone needs gift hints for me, I’m also not-so-secretly hoping someone thinks of signing me up for one of their upcoming crocheting classes.

Oilcloth totes at SoBo Style

• Next I’ll cross the street and continue north to SoBo Style , home of shabby chic gift options.  The vintage furniture covered in bright fabrics always make me smile, but I’ll be looking for smaller items this time – purses and totes made with oilcloth, perfect to send to my sisters-and-mother-in-laws. They’re fun and functional in a whimsical retro way, plus the totes are a great alternative to plastic bags at grocery stores. I’ll also pick up some adorable all-purpose holiday decorations which will be good for my grandmother and aunts.

• Across the street, I’ll stop by Skreened for clever designs made on American Apparel tees I have pre-ordered online.  Here I’ll check my husband and brothers off the list, admire all the quirky shirts and bright colors, and know the ones I picked out will be hits on Christmas morning.

• Finally, I’ll swing by Mozart’s Bakery & Piano Cafe for some buttery and delicious hostess goodies to serve to my holiday guests.

The beauty of my last-minute gameplan? I’ll do pretty well in a small amount of time, then head for home reminded about how much I love living in this part of Columbus.