After Hours: Megan Ada of Asterisk

Megan Ada, a 15-year veteran of the restaurant industry, recently opened Asterisk Supper Club in Westerville.

It's safe to say that Megan Ada, a 15-year veteran of the restaurant industry, knows a thing or two about eating and drinking. The owner of the Westerville Sunny Street Cafe and the newly opened Asterisk Supper Club (also in Westerville) has been a bartender, a barista, a caterer and a hostess. These days, the culinary school grad is most likely to be overseeing operations at her classy comfort food joint, Asterisk, which opened on State Street in late April. Here are the places that inspire her.

Dive Bar:Philco. I think the food's really good and I never get the same thing. As far as favorites go, I like their breakfast tacos. And they serve grits. I just enjoy casual places.

Upscale Bar:The Pearl. I love the atmosphere. All their dishes are excellent. I really appreciate when designers pay attention to every little thing. From the decorations on the shelves behind the bar, to the utensils. Also, their Bloody Mary mix is made from scratch and they infuse their own vodka.

Special Occasion:Jeddo Kabab. It's a Persian restaurant on Dublin Granville. My husband is Persian, and he took me there on our first date. I get the baba ghanoush. We've gotten to know the family, and they come to Sunny Street to eat, as well.

Guilty Pleasure:I don't know if it's guilty, but I love breakfast. I really love Tasi. If I ever have a morning off-which I don't very often-I go there. I get their Greek scrambler.

All-Time Favorite Meal:Ramen noodles at Tora in Gahanna. I get the miso ramen with chicken. It's one of those meals that's so good, but I don't eat that often because of all the sodium and carbs.