Ok, got a few places under my belt worth mentioning:
Clintonville Pizza – Friday Night, Anne & I decided to get pizza, but instead of going someplace we’ve already been, we opted for something new. We busted out the “Idea Book” that we keep in the car and flipped through the pizza offerings. We settled on Clintonville Pizza (also called Pizza Primo) and called in our order for pickup. Twenty minutes later, I grabbed it and we made our way back home.
I have to pause for a second to make a quick disclaimer… we got our pizza for free. But this time it wasn’t due to our superstar celebrity status… The credit card machine went down, and I didn’t have any cash on me. After we tried two different cards three times, the manager just said the pizza was on her due to the problems. Very nice of them.
Anyway, we got home and dug in. We chose pepperoni and mushrooms (canned (Anne’s favorite)) as toppings. The pizza was cut into squares (Columbus Style). Uh… now that a few days have passed, I’m struggling to really recall exactly what the sauce and crust tasted like. It was pretty average. Which isn’t a bad thing. We typically avoid trying new pizza places because there’s a LOT of bad pizza out there. This pizza was very standard. We probably won’t make the drive up there again specifically for it (a good 10 mile round trip), but I could see myself ordering one at Studio 35 (this is where their pizza comes from) and eating it in the theater. Alternatively, if we lived in Clintonville, I could see myself getting it from time to time. Worth trying out if you’ve never had it.
Warehouse Cafe – Saturday Morning, Anne & I finally made it to the Warehouse Cafe, where a group from CU (started by Craig & Roland) have been meeting up every week for breakfast. The place is fairly small. Maybe 8 tables, so it seats around 30 people. The breakfast menu was mostly standard American fare… eggs, toast, meats, pancakes. Their menu option included mostly sandwiches and paninis. I read a review awhile ago that said the owners were Albanian, and heard that their Albanian Panini is very good.
So, Anne ordered pancakes with strawberry topping, while I went for a combo that included two eggs, bacon, and toast. We eat got a drink, and Anne got some oreo pie for dessert. All of this only set us back $13, so it was a nice cheap breakfast. You could easily fill up for under $5 with a water to drink.
We will definitely be back to the Warehouse Cafe. It’s just a hair under a mile from our house, and while it wasn’t quite warm enough to walk on Saturday, this will be a great place within walking distance for us to hit during the warmer months.
The Ohio Deli - Anne & I ventured down South High to The Ohio Deli to witness “The Dagwood Challenge“. I’ll let the video itself do all of the explaining. You can watch it here.
While everyone else stuffed themselves ridiculously, I ordered their Monte Cristo, which I’ve only recently discovered thanks to The Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails. From what I’ve been told, most places around Columbus have a regional way of serving them, where they’re deep-fried, but don’t come powered or with jam. And honestly, I think I would probably prefer it without. I think it would make it too sweet for my tastes. Or make it too breakfast-like.
Anyway, I thought the Monte Cristo was ok at the Ohio Deli. Not great, but not bad. A bit smaller than the one at Tip Top, and not quite as flavorful. Plus, the side of chips was very lacking compared to the sweet potato fries you get as a side at the Tip Top. Still, I probably need to try more Monte Cristos before I can really become too much of a critic on them.
That’s all for now. More food updates coming soon!
We tried out Black Creek Bistro the other night for small plates and vino. Very nice!
It was a little bright for being 8:30…they should really dim the lights a little. The service was also slow, but we were in no hurry.
On the plus side, the salads were excellent, the wine was at state minimums, and the duck gnochi was some of the best gnochi I’ve had in any restaurant. Not gluey and pasty like Marcella’s, but still dense. Almost as good as my italian in-laws!
clintonville pizza primo is a friend of skreened. and it’s no surprise michelle, the manager, who is very capable, professional, and generous took care of you. way to go!
Walker, I think we do have a problem with access to carry out in our neighborhood. My favorites are Flat Irons, Tip Top, Elevator and Max and Ermas on Nationwide for quick carry out but some of those are almost too expensive to hit too often–same with Black Creek which, though we adore it and its convenient, isn’t cheap nor is it the kind of food one typically carrys out.
Pizza is the same thing. Clintonville is just to far to go for a carry out pie though I’ve been known to hit Rotolos, we usually end up with Tommy’s on Broad or Bexley Pizza Plus or Rubinos if we’re in the mood.
I always forget about but like Creole Kitchen in Mt Vernon Plaza. A long dead rumor had bread and better moving to Long and Garfield and i still foolishly hold out hope of something along those lines going there.
Hey Joe.
Hopefully we’ll see an Ohioanna All-Star Market opening over here soon after the one in the Short North takes off.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
The beauty of Pizza Primo is the cost. Mondays and Tuesdays you can get a lrg 1 topping pie for 7.50. with pick up.
Thats a hell of a good pie for that price.
The staff is friendly as hell as well – they serve at Studio 35 also. So a pitcher of beer, a bad movie, and good pizza are all part of the charm