Recently went to Ginger Rabbit for the first time & it was an amazing evening! It's an intimate…read moresetting, the vibes are great and the service is professional and personable! The jazz was incredible and the show flew by! The 3.5 grahams was such a fun drink! The graham cracker-infused rum with the banana liquor was right up my alley! You can never go wrong with a French 75 too! The pretzel poppers are addicting and I love the peppers in the hummus! I totally recommending stopping by for a show & a great night!

My first time here. You walk down a fight of stairs into a darkened area. Watch your step because…read morecoming in from the brightness of the day your eyes need a few seconds to adjust before walking down a flight of stairs. The place is a bit small but nicely decorated. The room is a bit dark and the small candle on each table is definitely not enough light to read the menu. Make sure you have your phone for light. I am Deaf but my girlfriend loves jazz so I like to take her to places she's never been before. She loved the music so that was great! We ordered the hummus and they gave you plenty of it. I ordered the octopus and for $28 it was definitely not worth it nor was it delicious. They give you two small pieces. If I knew that I would have never ordered it. Plus it was not cooked properly. Octopus is my favorite food and I have many years of experience ordering it and cooking it myself. This was very disappointing. The one woman server did a good job managing about 10 couples herself. I would return but I would think twice about ordering dinner here.

There are meals that satisfy, and then there are meals that define an evening. My recent birthday…read moredinner at Sidebar Columbus fell squarely -- and triumphantly -- into the latter category. From the moment we arrived, the service set the tone for what would become an unforgettable dining experience. Our server, Lacey delivered hospitality with the kind of effortless grace that can't be taught. She anticipated needs before they were spoken, guided us through the menu with confidence, and maintained a warmth that made our table feel like the only one in the room. Wine & Cocktails: A Study in Balance and Craft The wine selection was superb -- thoughtfully curated, expressive, and perfectly paired with the richness of the evening's dishes. The cocktails were equally impressive, crafted with precision and a clear respect for balance. Each sip felt intentional, layered, and celebratory. The Paella: A Showstopper But the true star of the night was the paella -- a dish so masterfully executed it deserves its own ovation. The rice was tender yet structured, infused with deep saffron warmth and kissed with just enough socarrat to make any purist smile. The seafood was impeccably fresh, each component cooked to its ideal texture. It was the kind of paella that silences a table, not out of politeness, but out of reverence. When the chef personally came out to greet us, it only reinforced what the dish had already made clear: this is a kitchen led by someone who cooks with both technique and heart. A Birthday Elevated My husband orchestrated the evening beautifully, and Sidebar rose to meet the moment with finesse. Our guests were genuinely impressed -- not just by the food, but by the seamless choreography of service, ambiance, and attention to detail. It felt less like a dinner and more like a curated celebration Final Thoughts Sidebar Columbus delivers the rare combination of exceptional cuisine, polished service, and heartfelt hospitality. The paella alone is worth crossing the city for, but the entire experience -- from Laceys attentive care to the chef's personal touch -- transforms a simple night out into something memorable. For anyone seeking a dining experience that feels both elevated and warmly personal, Sidebar stands confidently at the top.

I had been wanting to try this place for a while and I finally got to stop in after Latino Fest…read more There were so many things on the menu that looked good so it was really hard to choose. I ended up ordering the mussels and my friend got the ceviche. I was really impressed. They were both so delicious, the service was great, and the inside of the restaurant was very moody and nice. We ended the night with the tres leches which was really good as well. I am excited to come back and try the lamb and the lomo saltado. The people next to us ordered the lamb and would not stop raving about how great it was.

So happy to have a new cafe in the area. It was refreshing to walk and see such a nice, new and…read moreclean place to dine. While they just opened, I see a lot of potential! The menu has something to offer for almost anyone: hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, soups, etc. I personally got the pork belly appetizer and the Capicola Ham & Swiss sandwich. The ingredients were really good. The ham sandwich blew my expectations out of the water. My ONLY suggestion right now is that I feel like there would be more value if the sandwiches and burgers were served with a side like chips, fruit, or fries instead of house pickles given the price point. They are planning to start doing brunch very soon on Saturdays and they have a full bar. Would highly recommend checking this place out!!! I'll update in a few months once they get more settled.

Mixed bag. Great: cocktails and beer selection…read more So-so: Service was friendly enough when it was present, but the 4tops are weirdly stocked for two. We ended up just snatching stuff from the next table when we couldn't get anyone's attention. The disappointing: the food wasn't exactly bad, but based on what we had, I wouldn't send someone here for the food. We had cold noodles (too much sauce), brussel sprouts (fine but not great), french onion fries (most interesting thing we ate), Mac and cheese (good. Not decadent but good). I'd come back to drink at the bar and down a bowl of that Mac and cheese, but I don't think I'd come back with a group looking to share apps at happy hour.

My first experience with Bendi was with DoorDash and it was less than stellar. My coworker recently…read morecatered a lunch with Bendi and everything I had was delicious, so I decided to actually visit the restaurant to see if my feelings about this spot would change. They have a small parking lot which is helpful since parking can be challenging in this area. They have some outside seating and a small but cute dinning room with a bar. It was such a gorgeous day, I sat outside. I ordered the Penang curry with chicken and a couple of egg rolls. This is what I ordered via DoorDash, and it is one of my favorite dishes so I wanted to keep in consistent for my review. The waitress was attentive and friendly. It isn't busy at all. There is only one other couple dining during this lunch hour. The table outside is a mesh-top table, which is concerning, especially when you have a dish with sauce. When places don't provide a placemat, you risk food getting on your lap and pants. This would be a simple suggestion and fix. The egg rolls came out first. The presentation was really nice. They were nice and crisp, not soggy, like some places. The dipping sauce was perfect. I thought they were delicious. We are off to a good start! The Penang curry came out looking delicious. It was nothing like my DoorDash meal. The portions were good. Fair amount of chicken. Loved the flavor and spice. Some of the best flavor I've had in this dish in a long time. This dish came with rice. I don't know what happened with my DoorDash order, so I'm happy I stopped in to give them another chance. I have no reservations recommending you check out this delicious spot in the town. I can't wait to come back and try out some other dishes. I also bring friends!

Everything I ate at Bendi Wok N Bar was fantastic! We started with drinks & I ordered a Pink…read moreElephant that has some fragrant citrus notes and gin, it was delicious! For appetizers we got the crab rangoon's, pretty standard, the sauce that came with them had a nice tang. The sticky noodles with pork were so flavorful and I loved the texture of them. The portion was a nice size as well, I had some to take home. As for the environment, the inside of the restaurant was beautiful, the lanterns that hung from the ceiling were fun! They also had anime on the TV, so bonus points for that. The service was quick and the staff was very friendly, and answered any questions I had. The only downside in my opinion was the temperature in the restaurant, it may have just been a humid day, but there was not much airflow inside so it was very hot and humid.

I've been eating at El Arepazo since its early days on Pearl Alley when there was no where to sit…read more As a Colombian-American, I am proud of our heritage and cuisine, but there aren't always great places to eat besides at home. So it was some surprise to try bandeja paisa (traditional huge platter of various Colombian foods) and find it the best anywhere, including in Colombia. 25 years later and that still holds true. I have yet to find arepitas as exquisite of those of Carolina and Carlos, and they remain my standard (I think they are Venezolano, but does it matter? They are delicious and they are the best I've had). The cilantro salsa is unique and really adds to a lot of the foods they offer. My spouse is all about the maracuyá juice, and their options are worth sampling since its not usual for most Americans. For me it is comfort food not only as a Colombian-American, but as a (former) long-time resident of Columbus who at times craves reminders of the past. I've been to Pearl through its incarnations, then Gahanna, and now this Brewery District location. This one is my favorite of the three, with nice space and a great Latin atmosphere. We were there recently on a Saturday and had top-notch service, and even a visit from Carlos to reminisce about old times. El Arepazo is a Columbus institution. If you are curious about Latino food, and Colombian/Venezuelan cuisine in particular, it is THE place to start. Columbus is lucky to have a restaurant like this that beats out anything in Queens, Elizabeth NJ, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, and would give places from Bogotá to Caracas a run for its money. It's legit, its delicious, it is attractively priced, the location is great, the staff is warm and friendly. 10/10. Stop reading and go eat there!

I am writing this review because I am extremely frustrated by the lack of communication I have…read moreexperienced with Carlos, the owner. On Saturday, August 8th, I took a friend to breakfast at First Watch, across the street from Arepazo. I parked in a legal parking space in front of Arepazo at approximately 10:30 AM and left around 12:30 PM. Later that day, I discovered that the front passenger door of my Jeep Grand Cherokee had been badly dented. At first, it looked as though someone had purposely kicked it. I retraced everywhere I had been that day in an attempt to determine exactly what happened. After reviewing my home security camera footage, I was able to narrow down when the damage occurred. The footage clearly showed that when I backed out of my garage to go to breakfast that morning, my passenger door was undamaged. When I returned home after breakfast, the damage was clearly visible. A few days later, after Arepazo reopened following Sunday, I called the restaurant and spoke directly with Carlos. I explained what had happened and told him that I had noticed security cameras on the restaurant that appeared to be pointed toward the area where my Jeep had been parked. Carlos confirmed that the cameras were working, although he told me the resolution probably would not be good enough to identify someone's face. I explained that I wasn't concerned about identifying a face--I simply wanted to know what happened to my vehicle. Carlos assured me that he would help me figure out what happened and promised to get back to me. It has now been two weeks. My insurance estimator has since inspected the Jeep and determined that the damage is consistent with someone's body having been slammed into the passenger door. The estimated repair cost is approximately $3,300. Despite Carlos telling me he would help, I have not heard from him. I have called several times and left messages with multiple staff members, including his manager, Brent. On Tuesday, August 18th, at approximately 6:30 PM, I finally went to Arepazo in person. I spoke with several employees, including Brent. Brent went into the back to call Carlos. After approximately 15 minutes, he returned and told me that he had just spoken with Carlos and assured me that Carlos would contact me. He still has not. Is this a review of the food at Arepazo Tapas Bar and Grille? No. Is it a review of the restaurant's service? Not exactly. But I do believe it says something about how the owner treats people. I wasn't asking Carlos to pay for the damage. I wasn't accusing Arepazo or any of its employees of causing it. I was simply asking him to follow through on his promise to check security footage that might show what happened to my vehicle while it was parked directly in front of his restaurant. I even told Carlos and Brent that I would gladly come back and eat at Arepazo if they would simply help me with the security footage. Apparently, after two weeks, several phone calls, multiple messages, an in-person visit, and two separate assurances that Carlos would contact me, getting back to me isn't a priority. That's disappointing. Sometimes how a business owner treats someone when there is absolutely nothing in it for him says more about the business than the food ever could. I guess Arepazo has enough business that Carlos doesn't need mine--or that of the friends and family I might otherwise have recommended to his restaurant.

Finally got around to experiencing Mornings at Rooh, which has been on my list since April…read more Overall, a really enjoyable experience. My partner and I shared the chicken sandwich (my favorite), tandoori chicken spiral (his favorite), the mango rasmalai croissant, and the jaggery latte (which I loved, especially with the Ube cold foam on top). Everything came out reasonably quickly, and the presentation was lovely! Everything looked so delicious and inviting. The chicken sandwich was my favorite item, but for my partner, the flavor of the chicken wasn't coming through enough. Personally, I really enjoyed the desi flavors and the sweet and spicy combination. I'd definitely eat this sandwich again. The tandoori chicken croissant was my partner's favorite- he loved almost everything about it. For me, while very delicious, the croissant wasn't flaky enough. The sauce also tasted more like a tomato soup than a red pepper puree, which kept surprising me every bite (just a different flavor than I expected). The mango rasmalai croissant wasn't too sweet, which I liked. I do wish it had a little more of a rasmalai flavor in the cream - there's a rasmalai ball in the middle which is a lovely burst of flavor. I would have preferred that flavor to permeate. I'd come back if my schedule allows!

I had the pleasure of attending Roo's Duckhorn Vineyards wine dinner last night, and it was a…read morefantastic evening overall. This four-course dinner, paired with wines from Duckhorn, was another reminder of why Roo is, in my opinion, the premier Indian restaurant in the city. The menu was incredibly creative, with each course beautifully executed. The Tuna Sashimi Chaat was bright, fresh, and packed with vibrant flavors, and was wonderful with the fruity Sauvignon Blanc. The Tandoori Herb Chicken Tikka, topped with Amul cheese fondue foam, was paired perfectly with a crisp, lightly oaked Chardonnay. The standout of the evening was the perfectly charred Grilled Double-Bone Lamb Chop with Cherry Onion Chutney - savory, tender, and unforgettable alongside Duckhorn's Merlot. Dessert featured a light, fluffy chocolate cake served with raspberry, followed by a bold Cabernet to finish the meal on a high note. The only area that fell a bit short was the service. The staff worked incredibly hard, but they seemed overwhelmed at times. On a couple of courses, the wine arrived well before the food it was intended to accompany, which took away from the pairing experience. They also appeared to be short on stemware and had to serve some wines in glasses that weren't ideal. Even with those minor hiccups, it was a wonderful evening. Roo continues to set the standard for exceptional Indian cuisine, and I hope they host many more wine dinners like this. If you haven't experienced Roo yet, what are you waiting for? It's truly one of the best dining experiences in the city.

This was our second visit, and we enjoyed both the food and the service. However, the restaurant's…read moreambiance leaves something to be desired. The dining room feels overcrowded because the tables are placed extremely close together. My wife and I were seated at a table for two beside a table for four, and the proximity was so close that we felt uncomfortable, almost as though we were part of their dinner conversation. While I appreciate the business realities of running a restaurant, guest comfort should also be a priority. Reducing the number of tables slightly could make a dramatic difference. Considering that several booths were unoccupied between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. on a Friday night, despite being told reservations had the restaurant quite busy, it seems like a reasonable adjustment.

Decided to stop in for dinner while in town. This place did not disappoint, and the decor was very…read morecute. Both dishes arrived piping hot and fresh. Even the donuts were made fresh, which I highly recommend -- although I didn't take a picture. I ordered them for dessert with a side of chocolate for dipping. I typically order hot sake in different flavors, but the waiter informed me that flavored options are only served cold, so I went with the original hot sake instead. Overall, great service and a great experience.

Parking is crazy but that's why I don't come downtown AT ALL!!!…read more Baby when I opened that door I knew a time was about to be had! I went for brunch on Sunday and baby they didn't disappoint. THE DJ WAS LIT U TIL 3pm then it was a playlist but we were out by then PLAN FOR A TWO HOUR DINNER EXPERIENCE HERE! MAC HAS A HIT OF SPICE AND THEY HAVE SEA FOOD OPTIONS. Basically if u like seafood this is the restaurant for you! I got the wings and they were ok! The bill was over $165 for food and drinks plus a $30 tip! Our waiter was really nice and friendly. Would I come back no I'm not a seafood person but I would come back for the drinks and music!

WiFi password is: houseofcreole (lowercase no spaces)…read more We checked out House of Creole Columbus in the Short North. Overall, service was good, but I don't think the experience and food quite lived up to the $90 cost for a Tuesday afternoon lunch. Chris went with the Jambalaya, which has Gulf shrimp, chicken, smoked andouille sausage, onions and peppers in a seafood tomato Creole sauce, served over rice. I also tried the Loaded Gumbo, made with andouille sausage, shrimp and chicken slow cooked Creole style and served with scallion rice. I also had the Steak Tacos which were a relatively new menu item. The food was good, but at these prices I expected a little more and just didn't feel it was worth what we paid for lunch for two. The restaurant definitely has a lively atmosphere, although the music was way too loud for me, especially when trying to have a conversation. Service was good, and one of the highlights was the manager, who greeted us and engaged us in a couple of conversations. He had a great personality and really good customer service skills, and that interaction actually made the overall experience better. Our server, Roman, was nice as well. Our bill: * Jambalaya with rice: $26.00 * Loaded Gumbo with rice: $15.00 * Steak Tacos: $15.00 * Single Well Blanco Tequila Margarita: $8.00 + Strawberry add on: $3.50 * Short North Reinvestment Charge (1%): $0.68 * Automatic Service gratuity (20%): $13.50 * Tax: $5.40 * Total: $87.08 I enjoyed trying House of Creole and appreciated the service, but between the prices and the volume of the music, I'm not sure I'd rush back.

Damn, it feels so long ago, but this night, in the month of February 2023, should have been posted…read morethen! It is what it is and for what it is worth, The Cave Bar & Lounge is an EASY 5 out of 5. The environment was clean, the staff polite, the drinks fair and the whole experience phenomenal! I will be coming back, The Cave is one of the best low-key nightclubs in #columbusohio !!!

Nice cozy area. I've never been here and was interested in seeing a local DJ and decided to swing…read moreout. Nice sound to the place, I was hoping for more deeper bass, but it's was still good sound for the highs and mids. I'll definitely come back.

Super impressed with the ramen here! It was our first time trying Satori I side North Market, but…read moreit won't be our last. Service was friendly and quick. Little counter to sit and dine "in" which was nice. Only negative is the seats are right in front of the exterior doors so it can blow cold air in on you which isn't great, but it's still better than finding seating upstairs. We got a spicy ramen and a tonkotsu and both were really solid. Price was about $15 each give or take, which is on par with most ramen spots around town. I liked my tonkotsu ramen enough that I'd definitely get it again!

Santori was one of the vendor stalls we chose to try during our visit to North Market and I am so…read moreglad we did. I loved the traditional ramen counter bar vibe, and the ramen was absolutely amazing. We went with the Veggie Shoyu which provided an amazing flavor profile. We weren't sure how spicy we wanted to, so they gave us some chili sauce so we could customize it. We also ordered the seasonal Veg Croquette which was a filled with a delicious mashed potato mixture and served with some Tonkatsu sauce which was an amazing combo. I wish I lived in Columbus so I could get this ramen more often!