robblandon

 

 

THE CRUSH

THE PRESS

THE TASTECASTING

 

Freshly Baked Texas Pecan Cakes, Cheesecakes,
Cookies and Pies…… 
Delivered to your door!
I was invited to try some of the baked goods offered by the Collin Street Bakery.  I was a little reluctant at first because one of the items to try was fruitcake.  I have not been a fruitcake lover.  What lured me in was the [...]

The Taste of Bexley at the Franklin Park Conservatory was a wonderful success.  The venue was a delight and the display of Chihuly Glass only added to its charm.  By the size of the crowd I would think this was a huge crowd pleaser and did a lot for Mid Ohio Food Bank.
 
First up was [...]

Heard of Potts Pizza or Grote Pizza?

What’s in a name? Sometimes naming a place after yourself does not work well.  In 1963, on the south side of Columbus, a guy named Potts ran a pizza parlor.  A enterprising sophomore at Ohio State University named Jim Grote offered to buy the pizza parlor.  It’s name of [...]

Greek Origin
Almost everyone has experenced Skyline Chili but did you know Nicholas Lambrinides brought this secret recipe of his mother and grandmother to America in 1949 from Kastoria, Greece.  Yes Greece.  Known today primarlly by their Coneys it might be hard to see the Greece connection.  Nicholas opened his first restaurant overlooking the skyline of [...]

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Driving north on north High you might miss this fine establishment.  Morton's sits back off High street at 280 north High.  The restaurant is only noticed by the red awning inscribed with Morton's.  Most all of the Morton's locations are discreetly located as to preserve the privacy of their patrons.  Columbus Morton's is located just blocks from the area district, theaters, and the state house.  As you enter, you find rich dark mahogony woodwork and indirect lighting.  The bar is to the left and the main dining room is just past the maitre d's station.  We were escorted through the dinning room to the board room which can be used to host parties of ten to one hundred.  As we passed through the dinning room you could not fail to notice the elegants of the crisp linens on the tables set for the guests who will arive shortly and the wait staff dressed in formal attire.  No sooner did we enter the board room Joe our server for the evening arived to take our drink order.  As we discovered throughout the evening, the wait staff is very attentive without interrupting. The TasteCasters sociallized over cosmos cocktails until our host, Sara Goldburg (Morton's Sale and Marketing Manager), entered and spoke to us about Morton's and what we would be sampling.



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We were invited to sample the "Bar Bites" which are served in the bar for a special price of $6 each.  There are seven to choose from.  They can be ordered in the dinning room at regular price.  My favorite was the Prime Cheeseburger.  You recieve three of these tasty  burgers which are 2oz burgers served on Silver Dollar Rolls with Lettuce, Tomato and Purple Onion.  There are special prices at the bar as well.  Power Hour, 5pm to closing, has $4 beer, wine for $5 and Morton's Mortinis for $7.

 

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You recieve four of these tasty Petite Filet Mignon Sandwiches.  The tender filet meat melts in your mouth.  The Blue Cheese French Fries are a good com

I was once again part of a TasteCasting team which at this event sampled fare from Serendipity Ice Cream and Coffee House. Along with four other TasteCasters, I found this establishment in Uptown Westerville at 33 East College Ave. This is just off State Street which is Route 3 through Westerville. This area of College Ave. was once residential. Serendipity's has converted one of the historic houses in this area into a space which offers tables for dining as well as a cozy room to enjoy a good book or connect to their free wifi. There is a secluded patio in the back under mature shade trees. You can enter through two doors off College Ave. or a door in the back by the patio and off street parking. We were meet at the door by owner Debbie Mitchel. It was as if she was inviteting us into her home. She explained a little about how long she had been in business and what The Dip had to offer. The Dip is the nickname the place has recieved from the frequent college student visitors. Oh by the way, nine of her employees are local students. I will let Debbie tell you more.
 
 
 
 


The Space
We were given a tour of the entire space.  When entering from College Ave. west door you find a walkup area to purchase  ice cream.  As you pass the display cases and turn to your left you enter the dining area.  The art hanging on the walls is place under consignment as well as the pottery and jewelry on display.  The walls are painted art as well.  An Otterbein student created the painted walls.


 
   
 
 

 

 

 


The Food
We had the fortune to taste many of the menu items Serendipity Ice Cream and Coffee House has to offer.

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The Pepper Jack Cheese Cubes are a crunchy breading surounding the melted pepper jack cheese.  Served with a raspberry sauce, they are a perfect side or as a snack any time of the day. You can choose any one of the dipping sauces for the sides.  Offered are Ranch, Raspberry, Blue Cheese (regular or buffalo)

 

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 I traveled to historic German Village to attend the TasteCasting at Yosick's Artisan Chocolates last night.  Located at 539 South Fifth Street Columbus, Ohio the establishment sits handsomely on the corner of Fifth Street and Jackson St. in German Village.    Just 2 blocks south of Livington and 5 blocks east I70 and I71 access makes for easy access.  This is a gorgeous area of Columbus.  The German Village area has small neighbor parks scattered around.  Houses are lit at night with gas lights which flicker as you walk down the street.  The yards are very nicely landscaped, and all round well kept.  You can just feel the sence of community this village has.

 

 
Yosick's is chocolate but much more.
We lingered outside enjoying the mild summer evening while the owner finished serving the group ahead of us.  The dining area is small in comparison to most restaurants.  As you walk in, you can't help but notice the display cases of their chocolate and pastries.  There are tables and chairs  in the cafe style which acomadate what looked to be about 20 to 30 patrons.  Space in German Village is at a premium as you notice by the narrow brick streets.  We had been told we were here to taste in addition to their chocolate delights some of the other menu items which are served for lunch and dinner.  We took our places at the long table which had been prepared for us. 
The Salad
We first were served a Israeli salad and a medium dry Tuna salad.  The tuna salad can be ordered as a sandwich or alone on a plate over lettuce.
The Quiche
 We were treated to one of Yosick's quiches. The quiche was very tasty with suttle flavors of tomato and basil. We learned they have 3 different quiches on the menu every day.
Yosick's Artisan Chocolates
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We next were delivered a plate with 3 of Yosick's Artisan Chocolates. One had a design embeded on the top.  The one with the design embedded had a flavor of Chai, an popular Indian tea. My tas