Columbus Monthly Archives

August 2014 Edition

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Manny Roth, founder of Café Wha?, dead at 94

Manny Roth, a colorful club owner in Greenwich Village whose Cafe Wha? and its basement level stage was a rite of passage in the 1960s for Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen and many others, has died. He was 94.

Correction: Obit-James Garner story

NEW YORK (AP) - In a story July 20 about the death of TV legend James Garner, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the actor was "found dead." In fact, he died in the presence of family and others.

Coffee talk with Actual Roastery

One of the city's best new coffee shops is operating as a charming pop-up cafe inside the Dinin' Hall space at 400 West Rich. General manager Jen Ryan talks with us about the cafe, The Actual Roastery (part of Actual Brewing Co.) and her future roasting plans.

Stars willing to risk opinions on Gaza clash

When director Jonathan Demme was approached to show support for all victims of the conflict in Gaza, he didn't hesitate to sign on. Actor Wallace Shawn is willing to put up with jeers on the street for his opinions about the violence. And Mark Ruffalo is determined to air his views about the fighting on Twitter, no matter the cost to his social media numbers.

Fired Ohio band head's backers sets up legal fund

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Friends of fired Ohio State University marching band director Jonathan Waters, who's accused of failing to stop salacious behavior among band members, have established a legal assistance fund to help him tell his side of the story.

Could Helen Mirren forget how to act? She worries

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Helen Mirren lowers her voice to a whisper and her eyes take on a devious twinkle as she makes a confession: When she has a really good time making a movie, as she did on "The Hundred-Foot Journey," she fears: "Oh my God, is it going to suck?"

Growing number of stars risk opinions on conflict

When director Jonathan Demme was approached to show support for all victims of the conflict in Gaza, he didn't hesitate to sign on. Actor Wallace Shawn is willing to put up with jeers on the street for his opinions about the violence. And Mark Ruffalo is determined to air his views about the fighting on Twitter, no matter the cost to his social media numbers.

First Look: Coppa Gelato

New gelato shop Coppa Gelato, which recently opened in Westerville, has seemingly taken a page out of the Jeni's handbook-both in good service and great sweets. Even with a line, the server was eager to dole out healthy samples of freshly made Chocolate Hazelnut Rock and Snickerdoodle.

Consignment couture offers low-cost lux fashion

BALTIMORE - In a city that is starved for luxury flagship retail stores, consignment shops are the closest thing fashionistas have to getting the same haute couture looks worn by the world's rich and famous.

Contract talks in Met Opera labor dispute extended

NEW YORK (AP) - It's a drama worthy of the Metropolitan Opera: Frantic, last-minute labor negotiations aimed at averting a lockout that threatens to stop both pay and benefits for thousands of singers, musicians, stagehands and other workers.

Correction: Obit-Robert Drew story

In a story July 30 about the death of filmmaker Robert Drew, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Drew was shot down in Germany during World War II. He was shot down in Italy.

Dublin Dogs

The Dublin Irish Festival's Celtic Canine area offers three days of entertainment.

Preview: National Mead Day

This Saturday not only marks August Gallery Hop but National Mead Day, and the team behind Brothers Drake Meadery has readied its annual day-long celebration of coffee, food, music and, of course, that sweet stuff made from honey.

Now open: The Market Italian Village

It's a grocery store and a wine shop. It's a growler-fill stop and a cafe. It's a butcher shop and bar. It sounds like The Market Italian Village has a lot going on because it does. The corner store and restaurant that opens today is banking it can be a little something to everyone in the growing neighborhood.

Cinema verite documentarian Robert Drew dies at 90

SHARON, Conn. (AP) - Robert Drew, a pioneer of the modern documentary who in "Primary" and other movies mastered the intimate, spontaneous style known as cinema verite and schooled a generation of influential directors that included D.A. Pennebaker and Albert Maysles, has died at age 90.

Ohio's growing cheese culture

Across the state, small-batch cheese makers are crafting cow, sheep and goat cheese that's turning the heads of local chefs and judges in national competitions. Any way you slice it, Ohio's artisanal cheese market is on the rise.

Guide: Create the perfect cheese spread

Good variety: A solid presentation will typically feature three to four cheeses with a variety of textures, flavors, hardness and softness. Mike Kast of Curds & Whey starts with something creamy, like a fresh goat cheese, or chevre. (If you object, he suggests brie.) Next, on to something harder like an aged gouda. His third choice is something more medium in texture, like a young gouda. He rounds the board off with a crumbly blue cheese (again, if your palate agrees).

Dessert: Gluten-free treats from Bake Me Happy

Wendy Miller Pugh doesn't remember having craved Twinkies before she adopted a gluten-free lifestyle eight years ago. But when that option is yanked away, she says with a laugh, that's when the desire hits. This is why Miller Pugh and Letha Pugh opened the fast-growing, gluten-free wholesale bakery Bake Me Happy last year, offering nostalgic childhood treats-like Twinkies-like snack cakes called Spongies and oatmeal cream pies-alongside classics like peanut butter cookies. "We wanted to have a...

Profile: Chef Alfonso Contrisciani of Plate

Alfonso Contrisciani wears many hats-chef, farmer and educator among them-but his passion for great cooking and dedication to local food remain defining elements in the long and impressive career of the chef and owner of Plate.

Fresh Take

The Mid-Ohio Foodbank, this year's Farm to Plate beneficiary, shifts its focus from canned-goods to fresh produce.

Guide: Chefs' favorite fall ingredients

It's no secret the fall welcomes heartier dishes laden with game meats, squash, root vegetables and grains. "Fall always starts the process of making our menu heavier, deeper in flavor and heartier," says G. Michael's Bistro & Bar chef David Tetzloff. But beyond the expected potatoes and carrots, chefs share a few unusual ingredients enjoying their time on the plate this season.

Closing time: Collin Castore of Bodega and Seventh Son Brewing

It's quite possible Collin Castore doesn't sleep. Not only is he a married father of two, he's also one of the forces behind three-yes, three-well-known Columbus food and drink establishments: the beer-centric Bodega, beer and wine shop The Barrel & Bottle and Italian Village brewery Seventh Son Brewing Co.

Foodie Event: Gallerie Monthly Supper Club

Ever since he teamed up with seven of the area's top chefs for a dinner event last year, Bill Glover has been brainstorming ways to recreate the experience. At the same time, the executive chef of Gallerie Bar & Bistro knew he wanted to steer clear of hosting typical wine dinners.

Guide: Foodie first date ideas

Posture, pastimes and sweaty palms. You've got enough to think about when it comes to that first date. Grab the breath freshener and make that first move. Crave's got your back with these themed food and drink combinations sure to make a memorable first impression or refresh your regular date night.

Guide: How to properly taste cheese

Smell it first, says Kent Rand of Weiland's Market. Then, consider the texture-the way it interacts with your teeth. Does it have bite? Next, pay attention to the way the cheese reacts on the inside of your cheeks and back of your tongue. "If it's complex, it might start off a little slow, then attack the entire mouth," Rand says.

Cheese: Ohio makes the best goat cheese

More than any other style of cheese produced in Ohio, goat cheese is the standout, says cheesemonger Mike Kast of Curds & Whey. "The goat cheese has skyrocketed in quality and flavors," Kast says, adding Ohio goat milk is considered among some of the best in the country, a factor directly linked to the state's rich, green pastures and farmland. "The soil and the grass make goat cheese so much better. You get more mineral-ness to it. You get more of a creamy butteriness."

Cheese: How flavors change with the season

Celeste Nolan of Laurel Valley Creamery confesses she screws up two batches of cheese every spring. "The chemistry of making cheese from spring to summer to winter to fall, it changes," she says. As the cows munch on different grasses throughout the year, the level of acid in their milk fluctuates. And because making cheese is all about the pH (acid develops faster in spring milk), a slight miscalculation can mean a vat of cheese that doesn't set right.

Bringing the farm to you: Crave's Farm to Plate, Aug. 18-24, 2014

In an effort to help create and strengthen local food relationships, Crave's Farm to Plate dining celebration returns for its third year. From Aug. 18 to 24, nearly 50 local restaurants will offer special dishes crafted with at least 70 percent locally grown ingredients, from fruits to vegetables, herbs to dairy, meat to poultry.

How chefs make tiny kitchens work

From the outside they look hot, uncomfortable, cramped. But to the chefs who operate in some of the city's most miniscule kitchens, a few square feet of space is all they need to create amazing meals. Kitchen creatives explain the ups and downs and how they make their tiny kitchens work. (Spoiler alert: Smaller is sometimes better.)

Chefs share a passion for tomatoes

Ask any Columbus chef how he prepares for tomato season, and he'll likely laugh, pause and then laugh again. Drew Lash, executive chef at Black Creek Bistro, likens Ohio's tomato season (July through October) to a blessing and a curse. "You anticipate and anticipate," he says, "and then it starts, and it's like, 'Oh, crap. I suddenly have all these tomatoes.'"

Perfect Pairings: Wine at Figlio and Vino Vino

Peter Danis still has the green, fish-shaped wine bottle that showed him wine could be more than sweet or dry, fruity or tannic-it could be an experience. And though he doesn't remember all the nuances of the pinot grigio he enjoyed 25 years ago while on vacation in Florida with his then-girlfriend (now-wife and restaurant co-owner), Laurie, he'll never forget that bottle.

Ethnic Eats: Guide to Middle Eastern fare

Nailing down an authoritative definition of the boundaries of the Middle East is nearly impossible. But just about everyone can agree it's vast-perhaps as large as Europe-and it encompasses many distinct countries and traditions. And yet, in the U.S., the national cuisines and culinary variations of the region are often overlooked and instead packaged for consumption as a singular entity known as either Middle Eastern or Mediterranean food.

Regular: Dining at Z Cucina

Stefanie Fox and Tim Logan had their first date at Z Cucina di Spirito two years ago. And not only did they fall in love with each other, they fell in love with the Grandview restaurant. That's why they keep going back to the place where it all started.

Road Trip: Malabar Farm

The best-kept secret in Central Ohio might be the amazing story of once-glamorous Louis Bromfield and his nationally renowned Malabar Farm. Before getting to Bromfield-who knew Picasso and Hemingway and palled around with golden-age Hollywood stars (who'd visit him in Ohio)-let's talk about the Farm.

Guide: Where to eat in downtown Powell

How many ways can you say "cute?" I wondered this while investigating the suddenly bustling little culinary scene in Powell-a family-friendly city where, on sunny weekends, popular pastimes include antique and boutique shopping and bench-sitting.

Guide: The best ramen in town

Ramen-it's a confusing subject. And it's all the more confusing because it's hard to understand why it is confusing in the first place. It's just noodles, broth and toppings, isn't it? How hard could it be? But Japanese chefs spent decades learning to perfect it. It's also something packaged in freeze-dried bricks and sold for three for 99 cents. As I said, confusing. Clearly the current American ramen craze aspires to reach the Japanese chef-crafted approach. I've sampled top-notch ramen in...

Behind the bar: shrubs

Cocktail shrubs have been around for more than 400 years, so it's no surprise there's no single method for prepping these piquant infusions of produce, sugar and vinegar. Three area bartenders share their preferred methods for achieving the best result.

Inside CMR's The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek

Brian Hinshaw wanted to create an instant classic with The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek. "I grew up in Columbus, so I remember all the old kinds of steakhouses, the ones my parents used to take us to Sundays after church with paper napkins and big, long buffets," says the corporate executive chef of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. To create the upscale-casual Gahanna steakhouse menu, Hinshaw combined a touch of nostalgia with the chic appeal of New York City steakhouses and the all-pleasing attitude...

CraveWorthy: Local pasta

Isn't it time to spice up your weekly pasta night? Whether you're a ravioli purist or an adventurous pasta lover, these local pasta makers (both new and old) will satisfy any carb-loading cravings. -Beth Stallings

Trend: Chefs get creative with poutine

Who would have thought a dish typically composed of fries, cheese curds and brown gravy could be so inspiring? Poutine is offering area chefs the chance to make some playful interpretations. "It's been one of our most successful dishes," says Bradley Balch, executive chef at The Sycamore. "I was going to take it off the summer menu, and there was a huge backlash." Diners looking to help the trend continue can enjoy these creative takes on the Canadian comfort food.

Chef Michael Symon talks burgers, brats & bourbon

Michael Symon's sense of humor is infectious. Maybe it's the way he easily pokes fun at himself. Or the way his laugh-a signature in its own right-walks the line between school-girl giddy and baritone-manly. Either way, a chat with the Cleveland-based celebrity chef will leave you smiling.

Social Media: Food sharing

Use the hashtag #CraveCbus to share your favorite dishes and drinks from around the city. We'll print a few of our favorites in the next issue of Crave. And don't forget to follow the local food adventures of editor Beth Stallings at @CraveEditor.

Editor's Note: Finding meaning

While out to dinner recently with friends, I stepped up on my soapbox as we nibbled on a cheese plate of tangy goat cheese and creamy blue. I bragged about the great local cheeses you can buy in Columbus, talking up a nutty gruyere from Laurel Valley Creamery and an award-winning goat-milk gouda from Turkeyfoot Creek Creamery.

Rabe, Wolcott, Bidart among winners of PEN awards

NEW YORK (AP) - Playwright David Rabe, journalist and critic James Wolcott and poet Frank Bidart are among this year's winners of awards given out by the PEN American Center, the literary and human rights organization.

APNewsBreak: Ventura passage to be cut from book

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The passage from the best-selling memoir "American Sniper" that sparked former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's defamation lawsuit against author Chris Kyle will be removed, publisher HarperCollins said Wednesday.

APNewsBreak: Ventura passage to be cut from book

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Publisher HarperCollins says it will remove a passage from best-seller "American Sniper" that sparked former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's defamation lawsuit against book author Chris Kyle.

Lollapalooza marks a decade in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) - Once the vagabond of the music festival and touring circuit, Lollapalooza marks its 10th anniversary in Chicago when it opens for three days starting Friday with a lineup including Eminem, Outkast and Kings of Leon.

Rabe, Wolcott, Bidart among winners of PEN awards

NEW YORK (AP) - Playwright David Rabe, journalist and critic James Wolcott and poet Frank Bidart are among this year's winners of awards given out by the PEN American Center, the literary and human rights organization.

Correction: Music-Eric Clapton story

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - In a story July 24 about Eric Clapton's new album "The Breeze," The Associated Press reported erroneously the first name of singer Don White.

Tasting notes from the Vanguard Wines tasting

This week, I had a chance to sample and visit with winemakers from around the world as part of the Vanguard Wines annual portfolio tasting. Here are a few styles sampled that I'd love to see more of when they hopefully make it onto local restaurant wine lists and store shelves this fall.

Jury awards Ventura $1.8M in defamation case

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura won $1.8 million Tuesday in his two-year fight to prove he was defamed by a military sniper and best-selling author who claimed to have punched out Ventura at a bar for bad-mouthing the Navy SEALs.

Oddfellows Liquor Bar opening in the Short North

The guys behind Mikey's Late Night Slice are ready to unveil Oddfellows Liquor Bar, their new Short North dive bar, this weekend. The bar will open at 3 p.m. Saturday in the former 83 Gallery space at 1038 N. High Street, next to Short North Tattoo and adjacent to The Shack of Mikey's Late Night Slice.

Columbus' Only Lexus LFA

When your name is on the sign of an auto empire, expectations for what you drive are high. Rick Germain, president of Germain of Columbus, delivers.

Maggie Gyllenhaal glows as 'The Honorable Woman'

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "The Honorable Woman" is a meditative thriller that investigates a woman's inner life and a global hot spot. Poised between dream-state and tough reality, it exposes timeless truths while remaining as current as the next Israeli-Palestinian clash.

Summer Flea

Photo courtesy Columbus Flea

Mark your calendar: It's time for another Columbus Flea. Summer Flea is happening this Sunday, Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Head over to Seventh Son Brewing Company to shop roughly 50 vendors selling antiques, vintage clothes, jewelry, home...

Meatless Monday: Tacos verde at Hass

While Hass is a favorite for its carne asada and al pastor tacos, I went with three Tacos Verde ($1.75 apiece) and was pleased to find the meatless offerings were anything but a menu afterthought.

'Sharknado' sequel has bite and lots of laughs

NEW YORK (AP) - Don't worry about me. The Sharknado Evacuation map supplied by Syfy network places me, as a resident of Lower Manhattan, smack in the zone most in peril this sharknado season. But I'll be ready.

Ronstadt, Katzenberg among those honored by Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) - Singer Linda Ronstadt, DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg and public radio host Diane Rehm are among those being honored at the White House Monday for their contributions to arts and humanities.

Ronstadt, Katzenberg among those honored by Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) - Singer Linda Ronstadt, DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg and public radio host Diane Rehm are among those being honored at the White House for their contributions to arts and humanities.

Take off your clothes to make it in TV

NEW YORK (AP) - A male contestant on a new VH1 dating show didn't beckon a woman to walk in front of him out of politeness. He wanted to check her out from behind, and didn't need to use his imagination.

Take off your clothes to make it in TV

NEW YORK (AP) - A male contestant on a new VH1 dating show didn't beckon a woman to walk in front of him out of politeness. He wanted to check her out from behind, and didn't need to use his imagination.

Sexual harassment at Comic-Con in the spotlight

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Amid the costumes and fantasy of this weekend's Comic-Con convention, a group of young women drew widespread attention to a very real issue - allegations of sexual harassment at the annual comic book convention.

Brunch pick: A tale of two French toasts

I've been on a bit of a French toast kick lately-craving the semi-sweet, semi-sour, soft centered, crisp-edged breakfast treat. So as you prepare to make brunch plans this weekend, keep these two spots in mind for solid French toast choices. (Bonus! Each option is under $10.)

Lockout looms as Met contracts set to expire

NEW YORK (AP) - Figaro might not be getting married anytime soon. Mimi and Rodolfo might not fall in love in that cold Parisian garret. And Macbeth might never murder his way to the throne.

YWCA New to You

0725 YWCA New to You

Want to shop and support a good cause at the same time? The YWCA is hosting a New to You accessory party on Saturday, Aug. 2. From 12 noon to 4 p.m., visit The Kitchen in German Village for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and shopping: There will be a...

New Kids on the Block

What started as a suggestion on a trip back to Columbus from the South by Southwest festival in Austin has become a three-day music and fashion extravaganza that will take over the Arena District on Labor Day weekend. Organizers of the Fashion Meets Music Festival say they hope to attract at least 80,000 people to their inaugural event, which is packed with concerts, shopping, fashion shows, workshops and outdoor activities. Thing is, they've never done something like this before.

FX says overnight ratings becoming meaningless

NEW YORK (AP) - It's a rite nearly as old as television: the morning after a new show premieres, network executives wait impatiently for the Nielsen company's estimate of how many people watched, and rush to report the first sign of a hit.

Hot dog! Get your coney dog fix

Today, July 23, is national hot dog day. Before you shrug it off as just another gastronomic holiday on a list of hundreds devoted to treats from waffles to chocolate pudding, we've got three words for you: coney hot dog. Here's where to get your chili-topped dog fix.

Meet the right meat at Bareburger

Brooklyn-based burger chain Bareburger opened its first Midwest location in the Arena District earlier this summer. The buzz seemed centered around the uncommon meat patty options (think elk and wild boar). For the seasoned beef-burger eaters out there, Chuck Xu, co-owner of the local Bareburger, shares insight on which style of burger pairs best with each of these meat selections.

Correction: Obit-Thomas Berger story

NEW YORK (AP) - In a story July 22 about the death of author Thomas Berger, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the main character in his novel "Little Big Man" fought with the Cherokees at the Battle of Little Big Horn. He fought with the Cheyenne.

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