Columbus has good food and good restaurants, but we generally lack in high end dining - tasting…read moremenus, and cuisine that truly knocks your socks off, but that's what Isla is starting to charge. Located in Merion Village, Isla is one of the few restaurants in Columbus that offer a true chef's tasting menu with an ambiance and delivery that you could find in London, but located right here in central Ohio. Isla is a bit unassuming from the outside, and the interior feels like the exact kind of startup restaurant experience I would expect - making do with a great urban location that's a little rough around the edges but not pretentious or assuming - quiet, confident delivery. Sitting at the chef's counter is a great experience and it's great watching the team delicately assemble each dish: quiet, controlled, intentional. As we sat down we were treated to a steady stream of delicious food. One of our favorites was the cracker - I don't know what or how this thing came into being, but it was dang good. Moving through the tasting menu we were treated to seasonal produce cooked in innovative and interesting ways - wait that's the skin of the squash? How is it so good? You get the hint. At the end of the evening we were treated to the amaro cart. Kind of the like the after dinner cheese, Isla offers an after dinner amaro drink of your choice from their selection and it was a great and nice way to end the evening. Overall - awesome. But I do have nitpicks. 1. The wine/beer/alcohol list is subpar to say the least. I guess I don't care as much about cocktails but I'm sensitive to the wine list - maybe they are good wines, the ones I had were just fine, but where Isla exceeds in attention to detail to the food and its presentation, they seem to lack that same attention to the wine list. I guess for a restaurant with the ambitions that they have, they could really sing here with an intentional wine pairing (not offered) or a lot more engagement from the staff on win selection. Beer was basically not an option, and cocktails were light. I guess I just feel like you could do something cool here - maybe an aperitif? Surprise and delight me! 2. We left feeling great but it feels like there is something missing to take this up a notch. I see the aspiration and I want it, but Isla needs just a little something more on the menu to level up. This shouldn't deter you from going, we have extreme standards having eaten as some very fine restaurants all over the world. I love what I see. I guess at the price point I'd like to see something even more challenging or more unique. Ok your squash is great. Show me something spectacular. I know you can do it!

I have had their oxtail and their cabbage and potatoes and something else I can't remember but I'm…read morenot just saying this I live within walking distance of it they are the nicest friendly people ever the food is so good when you eat you feel like you're eating something good for you and they give you plenty to eat well worth the price. I highly recommend you try this place the food explodes with flavor in your mouth.

From the owner: At Olivia's Kitchens, we specialize in our weekly Personal Chef Service. Our Chefs can prepare a…read morerange of cuisines and special diets to fit our clients needs. Ultimately, we solve the problem of having fresh, healthy, customized meals on the dinner table.

Superior company to work for and superior company to help with special events. The team always…read moreshows appreciation and dedication to their employees with their no pressure approach to today's "Gig Economy". Always there to find you work when you need it and no pressure, when your life gets busy. Either way, you feel a valued part of the team. Their focus on excellent service makes people so glad they chose 5 Star for their event and will make them repeat that decision. As an employee, it makes you proud to say you work for 5 Star.

From the owner: 5 Star is a local, woman-owned event staffing resource. Providing expertise in the hospitality…read moreindustry for 34 years.

Disclaimer: haven't tried the food. Waited in line more than 1 hour to order. Then waited 45…read moreminutes to get food and there were still 3 orders ahead of me. Had to abandon ship- ended up giving buzzer to someone waiting in line. Hope they enjoyed the free Mac and cheese bowl. I'm fine waiting for quality food but this was just not acceptable. Poorly managed, beware

I was introduced to Sprouting Dreams at a vegan pop-up market. I saw the crowd of people around…read moretheir table, so figured I'd see what they're all about. Apparently, they are rather well known in the Columbus area by the vegan population. From what I could gather, this is a family affair: daughter is the chef and builds the menu, with the help of her mother. I tried their vegan burger. They make their own vegan honey mustard sauce to go on it, which I thought was good, but a bit overpowering; should have asked for lite sauce. The vegan protein party could have used a some more umph in the flavor department, but it was still a solid meal. Anyone attempting to venture out and appease the masses deserves a nod.