25 New Restaurants in 2010

[cuddlyevil]

2. Jason's Deli - Dublin, Ohio. I had a wrap, it was good. The place reminded me of a more modern panera, but with a more extensive menu. My sister got the pastrami melt, it was huge and I was tempted to get it too but I needed to avoid a food coma.

I looooove Jason's Deli. They have them all over the place down here. DUDE! Try a baked potato next time...but, only get the 1/2 size. They are HUGE and sooooooooo tasty!

Thanks for the tip Not sure when I'll get back over there though, my sister has a list of places she wants to take me when I don't have to rush back to the office. (the next one being the Surly Girl).

[The Hegemo]

2. Jason's Deli - Dublin, Ohio. I had a wrap, it was good. The place reminded me of a more modern panera, but with a more extensive menu. My sister got the pastrami melt, it was huge and I was tempted to get it too but I needed to avoid a food coma.

I looooove Jason's Deli. They have them all over the place down here. DUDE! Try a baked potato next time...but, only get the 1/2 size. They are HUGE and sooooooooo tasty!

I have never tried the one in Dublin, but they are opening one of these in my neighborhood. I think it should open some time this year. Looking forward to trying it for lunch.

[MissKitty]

1. Brothers Bar & Grill - Newport on the Levee
2. Aladdin's Eatery - West Chester
3. J. Gumbo's - downtown Cincinnati
4. It's Just Crepes - downtown Cincinnati
5. Raya's Middle Eastern Restaurant - Court Street, downtown.
6. Paxton's Grill - Loveland Ave., Loveland
7. Bulldog's Roadhouse - Newport, KY.

8. Tokyo Dragon - Alexandria, KY.

Substandard buffet, even by lowly Chinese buffet standards. Total and utter crap.

[Butter]

1. Knuckles Bar & Grill - Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA - 6
2. Fior d'Italia - San Francisco, CA - 9
3. Scala's Bistro - San Francisco, CA - 7
4. House of Prime Rib - San Francisco, CA - 8
5. In-n-Out Burger - San Francisco, CA - 5
6. J. Alexander's - Centerville - 9
7. Cadillac Jack's - Beavercreek, OH - 11
8. China Buffet - Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH - 2
9. Los Reyes - Dorothy Lane and Woodman Dr., Kettering - 8

10. Village Family Restaurant - Waynesville - 6

This was your standard family run hole in the wall diner.  I had a beef hot shot as my mom has talked about them for literally years.  It was pretty good.  It was a little drab in there, but otherwise fine.

[The Hegemo]

1. Caffe Davinci (Tremont & Zollinger in Upper Arlington) -- got carryout for lunch. I had the sausage sandwich. It was pretty good. Probably not something I would go out of my way to get all the time. My coworkers were kind of meh on their entrees. 3/5
2. Shish Kebab Mediterranean Grill (Bethel & Godown in NW Columbus) -- this is not a new restaurant per se; we used to go when it was Cafe Shish Kebab, but the name and menu have changed since we were last year. Still the same great lunch special ($8.95 for appetizer, entree and dessert). Food was excellent. Service was uber-slow, but it was a birthday lunch and our boss was along with us, so we could get away with the two hour lunch.. 4/5
3. Shish Kebab Express (So. Campus Gateway) -- This is the new carryout-focused sibling of the place we went a couple weeks ago. They haven't been open too long, and it was a little disorganized -- out of stuff, confusion about orders, etc. But the food was pretty tasty. I got the lamb shish kebab sandwich on Turkish bread with fries. Would definitely return. 4/5
4. Spice Market Buffet (inside Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas) -- I was starving, because with the flight and the time change, we missed lunch, so I just combined lunch and dinner and ate myself into a stupor. It was decent, although not mind-blowingly good. 3/5
5. Firefly on Paradise (Las Vegas) -- We went here for our usual fancy dinner at the meeting I was attending. The food I had was good, but whoever did the ordering for the group didn't order nearly enough, and it seemed to be very unevenly delivered between the tables. Had hardly anything to eat, and then they kind of gave us the bum's rush out the door. 2/5
6. Latitude 41 (inside the Renaissance Hotel, downtown Columbus) -- Went for a lunch meeting for work. I've heard very polarized views of this place -- people seem to either love it or hate it. I had a tuna sandwich and salad. Pretty good. Wouldn't mind coming back to try dinner. 4/5
7. J. Gumbo's (Gay & Pearl, downtown Columbus) -- I forgot that I tried this a couple weeks ago. Had the crawfish etouffee, which was nice and spicy on a cold day. Bread they served with it was good as well. If I worked downtown, I would probably go there a lot, but with having to drive downtown and find parking and pay where a quarter buys you three minutes of time, I doubt I'll go much. But it was good. 4/5

8. Bluegrass Kitchen (Charleston, WV) -- I took advantage of the nice weather to take a little day trip down to Charleston yesterday. I'd heard this place is somehow connected to Northstar here in Columbus, so I wanted to give it a try. I got there a little before 11, so it was the brunch menu. I got the corned beef hash, which came with pepper gravy and potato cakes and this really great toast. It was excellent. The only down side was that I'm pretty certain an ex-co-worker of mine who lives in WV now was in there, and it was really awkward, although either she didn't recognize me, or was pretending not to. I would definitely like to eat there again and try lunch and dinner, but only if we inspect for former co-workers first. 5/5

[The Hegemo]

1. Caffe Davinci (Tremont & Zollinger in Upper Arlington) -- got carryout for lunch. I had the sausage sandwich. It was pretty good. Probably not something I would go out of my way to get all the time. My coworkers were kind of meh on their entrees. 3/5
2. Shish Kebab Mediterranean Grill (Bethel & Godown in NW Columbus) -- this is not a new restaurant per se; we used to go when it was Cafe Shish Kebab, but the name and menu have changed since we were last year. Still the same great lunch special ($8.95 for appetizer, entree and dessert). Food was excellent. Service was uber-slow, but it was a birthday lunch and our boss was along with us, so we could get away with the two hour lunch.. 4/5
3. Shish Kebab Express (So. Campus Gateway) -- This is the new carryout-focused sibling of the place we went a couple weeks ago. They haven't been open too long, and it was a little disorganized -- out of stuff, confusion about orders, etc. But the food was pretty tasty. I got the lamb shish kebab sandwich on Turkish bread with fries. Would definitely return. 4/5
4. Spice Market Buffet (inside Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas) -- I was starving, because with the flight and the time change, we missed lunch, so I just combined lunch and dinner and ate myself into a stupor. It was decent, although not mind-blowingly good. 3/5
5. Firefly on Paradise (Las Vegas) -- We went here for our usual fancy dinner at the meeting I was attending. The food I had was good, but whoever did the ordering for the group didn't order nearly enough, and it seemed to be very unevenly delivered between the tables. Had hardly anything to eat, and then they kind of gave us the bum's rush out the door. 2/5
6. Latitude 41 (inside the Renaissance Hotel, downtown Columbus) -- Went for a lunch meeting for work. I've heard very polarized views of this place -- people seem to either love it or hate it. I had a tuna sandwich and salad. Pretty good. Wouldn't mind coming back to try dinner. 4/5
7. J. Gumbo's (Gay & Pearl, downtown Columbus) -- I forgot that I tried this a couple weeks ago. Had the crawfish etouffee, which was nice and spicy on a cold day. Bread they served with it was good as well. If I worked downtown, I would probably go there a lot, but with having to drive downtown and find parking and pay where a quarter buys you three minutes of time, I doubt I'll go much. But it was good. 4/5
8. Bluegrass Kitchen (Charleston, WV) -- I took advantage of the nice weather to take a little day trip down to Charleston yesterday. I'd heard this place is somehow connected to Northstar here in Columbus, so I wanted to give it a try. I got there a little before 11, so it was the brunch menu. I got the corned beef hash, which came with pepper gravy and potato cakes and this really great toast. It was excellent. The only down side was that I'm pretty certain an ex-co-worker of mine who lives in WV now was in there, and it was really awkward, although either she didn't recognize me, or was pretending not to. I would definitely like to eat there again and try lunch and dinner, but only if we inspect for former co-workers first. 5/5

9. Costelo's (Cleveland Ave. & 270, Columbus) -- Coworker left her purse at a restaurant in Worthington last night, so going out to retrieve it gave us an opportunity to try this hole-in-the-wall Puerto Rican place on the NE side. I had Tilapia, which was cooked in a light seasoning with onions and peppers. It also came with rice & beans, salad, and fried plantains, for $9. Pretty tasty. Too far away from work/home that I'd go there often, but worth going to. 4/5

[c-lando]

1. El Porton - 01/02/10
2. Curbside Cafe - 02/20/10

3. Nancy G's Cafe - 03/06/10 - LOVED this place. Great decor, service, menu and food. Pricing goes from cheap to moderate.

[The Hegemo]

1. Caffe Davinci (Tremont & Zollinger in Upper Arlington) -- got carryout for lunch. I had the sausage sandwich. It was pretty good. Probably not something I would go out of my way to get all the time. My coworkers were kind of meh on their entrees. 3/5
2. Shish Kebab Mediterranean Grill (Bethel & Godown in NW Columbus) -- this is not a new restaurant per se; we used to go when it was Cafe Shish Kebab, but the name and menu have changed since we were last year. Still the same great lunch special ($8.95 for appetizer, entree and dessert). Food was excellent. Service was uber-slow, but it was a birthday lunch and our boss was along with us, so we could get away with the two hour lunch.. 4/5
3. Shish Kebab Express (So. Campus Gateway) -- This is the new carryout-focused sibling of the place we went a couple weeks ago. They haven't been open too long, and it was a little disorganized -- out of stuff, confusion about orders, etc. But the food was pretty tasty. I got the lamb shish kebab sandwich on Turkish bread with fries. Would definitely return. 4/5
4. Spice Market Buffet (inside Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas) -- I was starving, because with the flight and the time change, we missed lunch, so I just combined lunch and dinner and ate myself into a stupor. It was decent, although not mind-blowingly good. 3/5
5. Firefly on Paradise (Las Vegas) -- We went here for our usual fancy dinner at the meeting I was attending. The food I had was good, but whoever did the ordering for the group didn't order nearly enough, and it seemed to be very unevenly delivered between the tables. Had hardly anything to eat, and then they kind of gave us the bum's rush out the door. 2/5
6. Latitude 41 (inside the Renaissance Hotel, downtown Columbus) -- Went for a lunch meeting for work. I've heard very polarized views of this place -- people seem to either love it or hate it. I had a tuna sandwich and salad. Pretty good. Wouldn't mind coming back to try dinner. 4/5
7. J. Gumbo's (Gay & Pearl, downtown Columbus) -- I forgot that I tried this a couple weeks ago. Had the crawfish etouffee, which was nice and spicy on a cold day. Bread they served with it was good as well. If I worked downtown, I would probably go there a lot, but with having to drive downtown and find parking and pay where a quarter buys you three minutes of time, I doubt I'll go much. But it was good. 4/5
8. Bluegrass Kitchen (Charleston, WV) -- I took advantage of the nice weather to take a little day trip down to Charleston yesterday. I'd heard this place is somehow connected to Northstar here in Columbus, so I wanted to give it a try. I got there a little before 11, so it was the brunch menu. I got the corned beef hash, which came with pepper gravy and potato cakes and this really great toast. It was excellent. The only down side was that I'm pretty certain an ex-co-worker of mine who lives in WV now was in there, and it was really awkward, although either she didn't recognize me, or was pretending not to. I would definitely like to eat there again and try lunch and dinner, but only if we inspect for former co-workers first. 5/5
9. Costelo's (Cleveland Ave. & 270, Columbus) -- Coworker left her purse at a restaurant in Worthington last night, so going out to retrieve it gave us an opportunity to try this hole-in-the-wall Puerto Rican place on the NE side. I had Tilapia, which was cooked in a light seasoning with onions and peppers. It also came with rice & beans, salad, and fried plantains, for $9. Pretty tasty. Too far away from work/home that I'd go there often, but worth going to. 4/5

10. Olive Tree Cafe (Hilliard-Rome Rd, Hilliard) -- Carryout for lunch. I had the spicy gyro platter with lentil soup. The gyro was very good and nicely spicy. I like the lentil soup at Shish Kebab better, though. Coworkers who ordered fries said the fries were awesome. This is fairly close to both work and home, so I expect I'll be back. 4/5

[Doug]

1) Tomato Restaurant - Ashville, NC.

We took a wrong turn on our way down to SC and wound up off the highway.  It was about lunch time, so we decided to stop at the first good looking place we could find.  After passing miles of fast food joints, we pulled into the parking lot of this crummy looking place.  What we found inside was some of the freshest and best prepared mexican food we've ever had.  I don't think it was really mexican..more like something further south.  I had some tasty carnitas tacos with generous helpings of some fresh cilantro heavy salsa.  The boys ate tamales and Michelle got a combo.  We were so happy for our accidental discovery.

2) Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - Cashiers, NC.

This is where we ate on New Years Eve.  We got there just in time to watch the sun set in the valley from the deck of the pub.  The food was standard brewpub fare.  Michelle had a wood smoked pizza and I had smoked chicken wings.  The boys split a burger.  Dessert was oven baked s'mores.  It was all really good.  I had a couple of their house brews..a stout and a pilsner.  It was just a really nice atmosphere and a relaxing way to fatten up for the new year.

3) Uno's Chicago Grill - south of Knoxville TN.

Maybe it was the 50 mile detour we took at 20 mph through a winding 2 lane mountain road that spoiled this for us.  Or maybe it was the bland. fresh out of the microwave taste of the food.  Either way, I spent the rest of the day feeling sick from this place.

4) Fuji Japanese Steakhouse - Florence y'all.

After 12 hours of driving and with home in site just a couple hours ahead, we decided to stop in here.  The boys wanted spaghetti, but the only place we saw for that was Fazolli's, and I'd rather eat Chef Boy Are Dee.  So when we broke it to them that we were going to have Japanese, they started a fuss.  Then the hibachi chef came out and lit some shit on fire and that shut them up.  It was pricey, but well worth it.  I had my favorite, steak and scallops with lots of shrimp sauce.  Michelle ate tempura and sushi and the boys got chicken and shrimp.  Everybody left fat and happy.

Olive Tree Cafe (Hilliard-Rome Rd, Hilliard) -- Carryout for lunch. I had the spicy gyro platter with lentil soup. The gyro was very good and nicely spicy. I like the lentil soup at Shish Kebab better, though. Coworkers who ordered fries said the fries were awesome. This is fairly close to both work and home, so I expect I'll be back. 4/5

You just reminded me that we ate there a few weeks back.  

5) Olive Tree Cafe - Hilliard

We were up in Hillard seeing my nephew's play at the High School and stopped by on the way back.  I had the spicy gyro combo too, with the fries.  Everything was completely awesome.  The owner of the joint came by to ask us how we were doing and we got into a discussion with him.  He used to be a professional soccer player.  I give the place two big thumbs up...excellent food at decent prices, nice clean atmosphere and freindly workers.  I would go there all the time if I lived over there.

[cuddlyevil]

1. Izzy's deli - The best part about it was the potato pancakes, I got the reuben and was not blown away. I'm still trying to figure out how the sandwich is worth $7. And I was expecting something more substantial than pickle slices.
2. Jason's Deli - Dublin, Ohio. I had a wrap, it was good. The place reminded me of a more modern panera, but with a more extensive menu. My sister got the pastrami melt, it was huge and I was tempted to get it too but I needed to avoid a food coma.

3. El rancho grande (Kenwood) - Initially, we were going to eat at IHOP, but as we didn't see hide nor hair of the hostess or any waitstaff that was motivated to seat us (a server saw us and ignored us), we went next door to El rancho grande. We were seated right away, even though they were much busier than IHOP. We placed our order, I took the kiddo to the bathroom and our order was on the table when we got back--it was 5 minutes or so between the time we placed our order and when the food got to our table. I had the enchiladas poblanas which were quite good, Steve had the enchiladas supremas--he loved them but raved about the bean enchiladas. We'll definitely go back.

[Butter]

1. Knuckles Bar & Grill - Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA - 6
2. Fior d'Italia - San Francisco, CA - 9
3. Scala's Bistro - San Francisco, CA - 7
4. House of Prime Rib - San Francisco, CA - 8
5. In-n-Out Burger - San Francisco, CA - 5
6. J. Alexander's - Centerville - 9
7. Cadillac Jack's - Beavercreek, OH - 11
8. China Buffet - Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH - 2
9. Los Reyes - Dorothy Lane and Woodman Dr., Kettering - 8
10. Village Family Restaurant - Waynesville - 6

11. Jimmy John's - Miamisburg - 8

The sandwiches were made FAST, and they were very good.  Add in the fact that I didn't think their drink and chip/pickle prices were outrageous, and this was a pretty good meal.  Larger sandwich than I expected for sure.  They have some interesting and different sandwich types that I'll try next time.

12. EO Burgers - The Greene, Beavercreek - 1 for value, 8 for taste

BIG thumbs down on prices.  But other than dropping $40 on lunch, this was fantastic.  The custard shake was great.  The fries were some of the best I've ever had, even from Penn Station.  Their idea of onion rings are more like thin onion straws you would get on burgers.  The burgers themselves were not exactly huge, but they were darn tasty.  They offer some nice healthier options like salads and whole grain buns.  Andrea highly recommends the Chipotle mayo if you go.  Very spicy.

13. Lulu's Noodles & Rice - Kemper Rd. and Northland Blvd., Springdale - 7

Huge portion of Chicken Pad Thai.  I got it without spice and added some sriracha sauce myself to control the heat.  It worked well.  Comparable taste (and prices) to a regular sit down place, but this one is counter service.  They have all your standard Chinese dishes in a slightly dingy atmosphere.  Might try the Kung Pao next time.

[Doug]

1) Tomato Restaurant - Ashville, NC.

We took a wrong turn on our way down to SC and wound up off the highway.  It was about lunch time, so we decided to stop at the first good looking place we could find.  After passing miles of fast food joints, we pulled into the parking lot of this crummy looking place.  What we found inside was some of the freshest and best prepared mexican food we've ever had.  I don't think it was really mexican..more like something further south.  I had some tasty carnitas tacos with generous helpings of some fresh cilantro heavy salsa.  The boys ate tamales and Michelle got a combo.  We were so happy for our accidental discovery.

2) Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company - Cashiers, NC.

This is where we ate on New Years Eve.  We got there just in time to watch the sun set in the valley from the deck of the pub.  The food was standard brewpub fare.  Michelle had a wood smoked pizza and I had smoked chicken wings.  The boys split a burger.  Dessert was oven baked s'mores.  It was all really good.  I had a couple of their house brews..a stout and a pilsner.  It was just a really nice atmosphere and a relaxing way to fatten up for the new year.

3) Uno's Chicago Grill - south of Knoxville TN.

Maybe it was the 50 mile detour we took at 20 mph through a winding 2 lane mountain road that spoiled this for us.  Or maybe it was the bland. fresh out of the microwave taste of the food.  Either way, I spent the rest of the day feeling sick from this place.

4) Fuji Japanese Steakhouse - Florence y'all.

After 12 hours of driving and with home in site just a couple hours ahead, we decided to stop in here.  The boys wanted spaghetti, but the only place we saw for that was Fazolli's, and I'd rather eat Chef Boy Are Dee.  So when we broke it to them that we were going to have Japanese, they started a fuss.  Then the hibachi chef came out and lit some shit on fire and that shut them up.  It was pricey, but well worth it.  I had my favorite, steak and scallops with lots of shrimp sauce.  Michelle ate tempura and sushi and the boys got chicken and shrimp.  Everybody left fat and happy.

5) Olive Tree Cafe - Hilliard

We were up in Hillard seeing my nephew's play at the High School and stopped by on the way back.  I had the spicy gyro combo too, with the fries.  Everything was completely awesome.  The owner of the joint came by to ask us how we were doing and we got into a discussion with him.  He used to be a professional soccer player.  I give the place two big thumbs up...excellent food at decent prices, nice clean atmosphere and freindly workers.  I would go there all the time if I lived over there.

6) Five Guys - Dayton

We were down at Second Time Around on Brown St., looking for a new DS game to reward my son and I noticed the Five Guys just a few doors down.  Having heard some good stuff about it, I had to give it a try.  I didn't realive that I was gonna' spend 25 bucks for me and the boys to eat some burgers.  The quality and everything was good, but darned expensive.  The boys loved it, of course...free peanuts and lots of french fries!  I got the bacon cheeseburger, the boys got a mini bacon cheesburger and a bacon cheese dog.  I took a bit of the dog and it was pretty tasty.  My burger was alright and frickin huge.  I think the mini burger is more my speed.  It was nice, but I doubt I'll be back anytime soon.

[MissKitty]

Butter, if you are still working downtown there is a Jimmy John's on 4th Street between Vine and Walnut. Might be a bit of a hike from your building, but the nice weather is a plus.

[Hell Toupee]

13. Lulu's Noodles & Rice - Kemper Rd. and Northland Blvd., Springdale - 7

Huge portion of Chicken Pad Thai.  I got it without spice and added some sriracha sauce myself to control the heat.  It worked well.  Comparable taste (and prices) to a regular sit down place, but this one is counter service.  They have all your standard Chinese dishes in a slightly dingy atmosphere.  Might try the Kung Pao next time.

I love Lulu's but it gets too busy on weekends.

Just tried Five Guys in Norwood. Reminds me of a better Steak n Shake though. (good food / too pricey)

Haven't tried Jimmy Johns yet, even though there is one in Deerfield Township.

[The Hegemo]

13. Lulu's Noodles & Rice - Kemper Rd. and Northland Blvd., Springdale - 7

Huge portion of Chicken Pad Thai.  I got it without spice and added some sriracha sauce myself to control the heat.  It worked well.  Comparable taste (and prices) to a regular sit down place, but this one is counter service.  They have all your standard Chinese dishes in a slightly dingy atmosphere.  Might try the Kung Pao next time.

I used to go here a lot with my parents when I lived in Cincinnati...like mid-90s. I think their pad thai is among my favorites that I've had any place. I don't think I've ever even tried a different entree there because I like the pad thai so much. Hmm...maybe this is where my parents and I should go for dinner tomorrow