Northstar Cafe

Last Friday we went down to Columbus for our anniversary. Since we were just coming down for the day we figured we'd do lunch and dinner.

Refectory was the evening's destination so I didn't want an overly heavy lunch (City Barbeque or Katz's Deli). Northstar Cafe has been getting rave reviews for the last few years, but somehow we never managed to get there.

What a mistake.

When we walked up to the Short North location and thought we thought we were going to beat the lunch crowd at 11:45 - wrong! Every seat was taken in both the inside and outside dining areas (from a food standpoint this is a good sign).

Outdoor Dining Area

As we made our way through the line, I was really impressed with how well thought out this place was. There was a magazine rack against the north wall that sold eco and food related magazines (with a copy to read while you were eating). There were bar style tables for those who were solo, couch areas where people could sit and drink coffee, as well as movable tables for multiples of two and four.

Magazine Rack and Lounge Area

The kitchen is exposed to the front of the dining room behind the cash registers. Northstar has a wood fired oven for pizzas, coffee drink machines (they also serve wine and beer), and the requisite work area for sandwich and salad making.

Dining Area with the Kitchen in the Background

Northstar is dedicated to supplying as much locally produced organic and artisanal food that they can find. You won't see styrofoam carryout containors or plastic forks here, either.

That's all good, but what about the food?

Obviously the other stuff doesn't really matter if the food isn't any good. Let me tell you - the food does not disappoint.

Pulled Pork with Wild Rice Salad
(JB King's Ohio raised)
Given to me for free because they made an extra one.

Smoked Turkey with Wild Rice Salad (Turkey is, or was, local)

*vegetarian* Northstar Burger (beets, organic brown rice, and black beans)

If you live in Columbus, or are going to be in Columbus, you have got to come here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Northstar makes Panera look like White Castle. There's really no comparison. I think it even blows away Così (which is a favorite of ours). The vibe is great. The philosophy even better. The food is top of the heap.

Two thumbs....way the hell up!

Northstar Cafe (Short North)
951 N High St
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 298-9999
www.thenorthstarcafe.com

Goin' Corporate in the Capitol!

Last week I had to go down to Columbus for a conference. If you spend any time in our state capitol’s restaurant scene, you’ll soon figure out that its landscape is dominated by corporate entities. For a relatively large city, Columbus’ fine dining options are especially corporate.

On the one night I spent there I was eating at Cameron Mitchell’s Martini Modern Italian, in the Short North. Located across from the Columbus Convention Center, Martini does a massive business from events held across the street.

I first noticed two things:

1) The place was packed to the gills.
2) Where there are many people, there is much body heat. It was absolutely sweltering in the upper dining room.

So I sit down with my friend Danny (seated with a party of about 15 other people) and partake in a few drinks. Passing on the appetizers I dove straight into Caesar’s salad. It was big and it was, well, a Caesar’s salad.

I chose the Garlic Crusted Salmon for my entrée. My first impression was that, from the top, it looked like a grilled cheese sandwich. The skin side (with the skin off) had a garlic crust on it. Since it was the flat side, it looked like a grilled cheese sandwich because the crust was on top and maintaining that flat firm surface. I was skeptical to say the least. Just then Ed, who was sitting across from me said, “I had that last night. It’s good. Don’t you think it looks like grilled cheese?” If you look here you’ll see it pictured in the banner in the upper right hand corner.

All I can say is that it the garlic crust is where it’s at. It tasted damn good. The funny thing is that the salmon looked like a piece of Coho or Sockeye (not particularly thick and a very deep salmon color), but it was perfectly cooked. Looking at the piece of salmon I thought, “Man, this is going to be dry as hell.” However, the crust and the sauce really pulled the whole together to create a really good dish.

For dessert I had the Tiramisu, again not your typical presentation. Expecting the “same old same old”, it came out served in a chocolate cup. The tiramisu itself seemed to have more of the creaminess and fewer of the lady fingers. I would jump on this dessert again in a heart beat.

Was it corporate? Sure. Was it free? Yeah. Thanks Danny. If there weren’t a number of new restaurants I haven’t tried in Columbus I would go there again. Other than the overwhelmingly high temperatures inside (in the middle of December no less), I really enjoyed my dinner here.

Martini Modern Italian
445 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 224-8259
martinimodernitalian.com