I often enjoy eating at the Taj Palace in Hilliard, Ohio for their fine lunch buffet. Nothing like Indian buffet and a hot cup of chai on a cold wintry day. Mind you, the lunch fare’s spiciness has been toned down to attract the large, American crowds but the chai runs freely. If you want the real deal in hot and spicy terms, go there for dinner.

I started my last dinner there with the Assorted Platter - described as a delicious combination of Samosa, Vegetable Pakore, Chicken Pakore and Shammi Kabab and it lived up to its billing. I followed that with the Lamb Vindaloo - described in the menu as meats and seafood sauteed in a fiery hot curry sauce with potatoes and red chili peppers. You don’t order the level of spiciness on this dish - it just comes one way - fire hot! And it was darn tasty! But the best part of the meal may have been the naan. I asked if they had any naan made with raisins and The Taj Palace recommended - Kashmiri Kulcha - a soft white bread stuffed with raisins, cashews, coconut, and herbs. It was so good, we ordered another.

Taj Palace - go there at lunch for a fine repast - go there at dinner for an adventure!

http://www.tajpalacecolumbus.com/

Popularity: 32% [?]

Boca could exist anywhere in the world as a top dining experience. The food is impeccable, and the service is beyond anything I have experienced in the state of Ohio. The menu is based on the prix fixe concept. My second visit to the restaurant, our server was Jeremy. Having ordered just the two course, whereas my husband ordered three, Jeremy had planned on bringing out a sampling of the prosciutto (that I had asked about for my first course, but ended up ordering a sashimi course) during my husband’s second course so that I wouldn’t appear to be a novice sitting without a plate.

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Popularity: 34% [?]

Finerepast, et al., visited the Taboo Lounge at 7520 High Cross Blvd in Columbus (right next to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse). The Taboo Lounge looks to combine the best of all worlds as it offers fine dining, dancing, and lounging in the Crossroads area. And they certainly came dressed to impress. Check out the dining area and bar, the lounge and the dance floor in the following photos:

Dining area and bar at Taboo Lounge

The Lounge at Taboo Fine Dining and Lounge
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Popularity: 100% [?]

Finerepast, et al., revisited La Michoacana and found the food as delightful, if not more so, than the first occasion there. Above is the Steak D-Joker - Grilled steak & Mushrooms topped with cheese. Served with grilled onions, fresh tomato, cilantro, avocado and diced onion.

I had to go with the photogenic dish - the Mojarra or Fried Tilapia. Not bad but a little gamey as you get close to the head. Check out past Mojarra encounters at La Hacienda Real.

Popularity: 46% [?]

Back at the Maca Cafe - a tapas cafe. Of all the posts on this site, the one I wrote on the Maca Cafe several months ago is still ringing in the most visitors. So I was long overdue for a return visit to the back of what used to be Clara’s store in Sweet Home Powell, Ohio. Take me back!

Karl Wohlwend providing nonstop entertainment and good times at the Maca Cafe

FineRepast, et al., happened upon Columbus’ finest classical guitarist, Karl “The Truth” Wohlwend, regaling the throngs with the works of Albeniz, Villa Lobos, Tarrega, Sor, and others. Karl is available for hire at your fine establishment - just follow the links.
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Popularity: 47% [?]

FineRepast and the gang headed over to Smith and Wollensky for some Easter brunch at Disneyland, i.e., Easton Shopping Center. It was actually a good day to go to Disneyland as all but the restaurants were closed. Although it was Easter at Easton, the rent still gots to be paid and Smith and Wollensky was open for bidnass offering everything from its brunch, lunch and dinner menus. Cha-ching!

Time for the movie quote of the week and we’re going back to our tried and true source. Regular viewers may be able to guess where I’m headed.

“That’s a pretty fucking good milkshake. I don’t know if it’s worth five dollars but it’s pretty fucking good.”
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Popularity: 47% [?]

Rustic Tomato Soup at the Northstar Cafe

I think I’m onto the philosophy of the Northstar Cafe. It’s a bit pricey but people in Clintonville will pay more for quality food. And the Northstar Cafe delivers on quality food. I hope I caught the name of this soup right. The rustic tomato soup was out of this world good with chunks of tomato, chopped up olives, garlic, olive oil and just a little touch of goodness. Mmm, mmm, good - that’s what rustic tomato soup is - mmm, mmm, good.
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Popularity: 67% [?]

Hello!

photo credit: helmet13

I’m John, and for the past 3 years, I have been the chef and wine department manager for Trader Joe’s Easton. In addition to this fun job, I am also for hire for in home/event wine tastings. I offer a special treat for those who want to learn about wine, but are put off with all the B.S. My tastings are simple, straighforward and fun! You choose the wine (I can help of course), and I facilitate with my insight and information. I am a self taught chef and wine consultant, well traveled, and love to work with fun groups.

Contact me @ johnthewineguy@gmail.com

Popularity: 62% [?]

Lac Viet Market’s version of Bi Bim Bop

Hungry from a day of checking out the Arnold Fitness Expo, a friend and I headed over to the North Market. Problem is - is that there are too many choices. After circling in a holding pattern, we veered off towards the northwest corner of the market to Lac Viet Market - the market within the market. I’ve always been intrigued by the Lac Viet Market as it is usually packed. This was a bit later in the day so it wasn’t so crowded. As we gandered at the menu, a customer pulled his head out of his bowl long enough to tell us that the number 9 “was to die for.”
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Popularity: 64% [?]

Nothing like the obscured atmosphere at the Dube’s bar

Trying to find a good place to eat on campus, I discovered that a lot of places are closed on Monday night including The Taj Mahal and The Blue Nile. But you can always count on The Dube to be open. And open it is until 1 am on most nights and 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. As we were famished and desperate after walking several blocks on ice laden sidewalks, we headed into the Dube. Does this place have a basement. I’d love to see the basement at the Dube. Their furnaces are located on the main floor so it may not. If the main floor is always dark then the basement would have to be like something from Silence of the Lambs.
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Popularity: 62% [?]