Marcella’s Italian Kitchen

If honey be the nectar of the gods and
an apple the fruit of original sin, what is
to be made of Marcella’s delectable
appetizer consisting of a crostini
topped with melted Pecorino cheese,
sliced green apples and a drizzle of
truffle honey? Heavenly or devilish? A
sacrament or a sin? Rather than cast
moral aspersions, head to either
Marcella’s Italian Kitchen location to
decide for yourself.

Marcella’s Italian Kitchen
Short North
615 N. High Street
Columbus, Oh 43215

Polaris
1319 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, Oh 43240

www.marcellasristorante.com

Trattoria-Roma

There are certain flavor combinations
so perfect; almost any dish created
would surely glorify their perfect
balance. Smoked salmon, capers and
cheese comes to mind as one of these
flavor locks. Piled upon a morning
bagel, they are a well loved dish, while
Trattoria-Roma’s ravioli interpretation
is a welcome twist. Stuffed in these
pasta pockets is a combination of
smoked salmon and marscapone
cheese, sealed, boiled and tossed in a
tomato-caper cream sauce. It is
familiar in its unfamiliarity, a
combination destined to please, thanks
to its traditional balance.

Trattoria-Roma
1447 Grandview Avenue
Columbus, Oh 43212
www.trattoria-roma.com

Dirty Franks

Ever wondered what a baseball
diamond would have looked like to
Chris Sabo if he had forgotten to trot
out to third minus his trademarked Rec
Specs? Well then Dirty Franks has got
a drink for you. This prime choice from
their “slushes for lushes” section of the
menu is a Cherry slush & orange
vodka concoction. Just one sip and
you’ll understand why this beverage
was not named after the famed bullpen
“Nasty Boys.”

Dirty Franks Hot Dog Palace
248 South 4th Street
Columbus, Oh 43215
www.dirtyfrankscolumbus.com

Café Instanbul

On Doner! On Chicken. On Shish and
Adana. To a restaurant where we’ll
eat till we’re full, lets dash away, dash
away all to Café Istanbul. Their pieces
of meat with tastes running deep, the
perfect treat before any coming sleep.
With succulent veggies grilled with
tomato cherry, we knew in an instant
this meal would make us merry. Just
one addition would finish it off, a
delectable carb described as rice
pilaf. We spoke not a word but went
straight to our plate, consuming each
morsel, enjoying all that we ate. Next
we then ran to our modern sleigh, fully
pleased with our meal, vowing soon to
return, others spurred by our zeal.

Café Instanbul
3983 Worth Ave.
Columbus, Oh 43219
www.cafeistanbul.com

Thurman Café

Jaeger Bombs, Jaeger Burgers, either
way you go there is bound to be a little
regret involved. The difference being
a Bomb is usually a bad idea that may
elicit some illicit behavior, the burger
available at Thurman Café in German
Village is always a good idea that will
elicit some incredible flavor. Too
messy to serve as a traditional
sandwich, this open faced patty of beef
is smothered with sautéed mushrooms
and onions topped with a house made
French onion topping. The only regret
being the nap required to sleep off this
humongous meal. Rest assured, no
hangover will be involved with this
Jaeger decision.

Thurman Café
183 Thurman Avenue
Columbus, Oh 43206
www.TheThurmanCafe.com

Zombieland

To paraphrase and disagree with what his character Tallahassee says during the new film Zombieland, Woody Harrelson is capable of being good at more than one thing. He perfected the dimwitted bartender to comedic perfection on the television show Cheers and he has mastered the persona of a natural born killer during is film career. For this film the two blend in a crowd pleasing, enjoyable piece of pointless entertainment.
In fact pointless is certainly in vogue as this is the season when monsters take center stage in the national consciousness. Grown adults dress up as ghosts and ghouls while zombies eat the flesh of their victims on the big screen. Usually, movies with this theme are laughably bad. In the case of Zombieland, it is knowingly laughable. It has the gore associated with its genre with a comedic touch that rescues it from the realm of camp. Driving this cinematic vehicle is the perfectly cast Harrelson. His Tallahassee, though not dimwitted, requires a comedic timing and joyous bloodlust few actors possess inherently. It is an inspired piece of casting for a character that must traverse the waste of what was the United States slaughtering zombie after zombie with unrestrained zeal.
Harrelson’s casting actually saved the movie because his counterweight, Jesse Eisenberg is that much of a letdown. Not that he is necessarily bad, it is just sad to see that either he or director Ruben Fleischer chose to have his character, Columbus, channel the comedic persona actor Michael Cerra has mastered since his days on Arrested Development. In a film that is so well done and intelligently aware of itself, particularly for the genre, there is no need to make such an obvious ploy to capture the audience’s sympathies.
Perhaps that is just splitting hairs because really Zombieland is a riotous joy to watch. The zombie’s kill with a gore that will trigger your gag reflex, every demented funny bone in your body will be tickled in turn by the ways the zombies are slaughtered by the humans. It is a pointless excursion into the Halloween season that will not soon be forgotten. Zombieland is an instant classic for a genre usually remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Oodles

Momma’s little baby loves a dumplin’,
dumplin’, momma’s little baby loves
some dumplin’ bread. There’s just
something about stuffed dough that
cultures all over the world felt
compelled to develop such their own
version of these culinary treasure
chests. For the money though, no
place concocted these pockets quite
like in Asia where their development
reached the sublime. The pouches
were developed in soups, housing
soups, steamed, fried, seared,
containing pork, seafood, chicken,
veggies, the varieties seemingly
endless. At Oodles Noodle &
Dumpling Bar, several of these
variations are featured to mouth
watering success. The only complaint
would be the choices don’t equal the
expectations of a “dumpling bar” and
their pesky use of Styrofoam.
Otherwise, momma’s little baby
enjoyed oodles of flavor.

Oodles Noodle & Dumpling Bar
765 Neil Ave
Columbus, Oh 43215
443 East Main Street
Columbus, Oh 43215
www.gooodles.com