Tasty Travels

Living in Ohio is really a treat because we have so much great food! The Buckeye State knows good food. We have birthed celebrity chefs like Michael Symon, Guy Fieri and Susan Feniger.  We are the birthplace of some of the best ice cream in the world with Jeni's and Graeters. Ohio is a state that offers so much variety in culinary experiences. I have experienced fine dining at white tablecloth establishments in both the big cities and in the smaller towns. I have had some of the best meals at greasy spoon eateries, like diners and country style restaurants. Don't let me get started on our Amish Country buffets! Ohio has established an impressive food truck culture, so much so that a festival was started in Columbus a few years ago, to celebrate the diverse food truck offerings in the city. My favorite thing though, is the growing number of Food Tours being offered in Ohio. You can visit several cities in Ohio, big or small and taste your way through their best restaurants and local delicacies with tour companies like Columbus Food Adventures, Cincinnati Food Tours, Canton Food Tours and Wooster Food Tours. I have been taking tours with Columbus Food Adventures for years now and I got to check out Findlay Market (one of the first markets in the US)  with Cincinnati Food Tours last year. The food scene in Ohio is so strong, I believe that is why I have never had a bad experience on a food tour. Ohio is also one of the states that hosts the most festivals. More than half of the festivals are food festivals using a particular subject matter in interesting ways like: The Pawpaw Festival, Dandelion May Fest, and the many festivals whose subject matter are the produce we grow locally like corn, berries and grapes.

 Because of all of the reasons I offered above I wanted to start a new series. This series will feature places in Ohio, in Columbus and away, that are worth the drive. I will travel for good food or an interesting dining experience. If you call yourself a foodie or love a road trip with a side of food, these posts are for you! I hope you enjoy reading Tasty Travels as much as I enjoy doing the delicious research for it.

 Five of My Favorite Ohio Restaurants

For my series premier I thought it would be cool to start with a handful of my favorite places to eat in Ohio. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Maybe instead of taking your love to the dimly lit romantic cliche places you frequent every February, you may want to spice things up with a road trip to a place you have never been. You can take a day trip and drive up to these places in a few hours or less or make a weekend of it by staying at a local Bed & Breakfast. These places have good food and or offer great Ohio history. Some of them even have gorgeous scenery.

1. Malabar Farm Restaurant

 3645 Pleasant Valley Rd

Lucas, Ohio 44843

Malabar Farm Restaurant is a white tablecloth establishment with lots of history. It is even connected to the romantic Hollywood story of Lauren Becall and Humphrey Bogart who were married at Malabar Farm, the historic landmark and state park where some of the restaurant's produce is grown. If you are looking for fine dining, this is your place. The restaurant celebrates farm to table culture. Everything they serve is produced locally. Even the exceptional cuts of meat are delivered from a butcher in the area.  They are my number one pick because there I had one of the best meals I have ever had, but also because they have impeccable service. I showed up without a reservation on a busy weekend one warm fall day and requested to sit on the patio like so many other people who had indeed made reservations and they made it possible. They also treated me like Hollywood royalty.

A lamb steak with carrots and red skin potatoes from my meal.

2. The Golden Lamb Inn & Restaurant 
27  S. Broadway
Lebanon, Ohio 45036

I have mentioned the Golden Lamb before. It made my list of #101CoolPlacesAndThingsInOhio on the blog and under @krisofohio on instagram. The hotel is the longest running business in Ohio, so the history is extensive. The establishment has hosted 12 presidents and literary greats such as Charles Dickens and Mark Twain. The hotel restaurant also happens to be a place I have had one of my better dining experiences. I enjoyed brunch one Saturday some time ago then explored the hotel to check out the rooms that former presidents slept in. The hotel is set up like a museum, so if the rooms are vacant they are open for viewers. This place would make a great weekend getaway next month. The place is cozy and charming. The restaurant has planned a prix fixe three course menu for Valentine's Day weekend with wine pairings or you can just order off the regular dinner menu which includes: prime rib, a lamb shank and fried chicken among other offerings.

Part of my brunch included smoked salmon with capers, fresh greens and potato salad.

3. Rhapsody Music & Dining
18 Public Square
Nelsonville, Ohio

Rhapsody is a farm to table restaurant that is run by Certified Master Chef  and Executive Director of Culinary Operations of Hocking College,  Alfonso Contrisciani. With the help of the culinary students of Hocking College they prepare what they describe as "cutting edge comfort food". Don't be alarmed, these students  are well trained and create dishes that taste like they certainly know what they are doing. My meal looked and tasted "cutting edge" and I was ever so "comfortable" eating it. Lol!  I went before the fire that temporarily shut the place down and I had the Chicken Coq au Vin.  I still see the meal sometimes in my dreams. They only just reopened fall of last year and the menu concept has changed since I ate there last. This is probably the most romantic place on my list.  It's fine dining, the ambiance is perfect for a date and on weekends they have live music.

Fresh golden beets and greens grown in Athens County.

4. Red Brick Tavern 

1700 Cumberland Rd (Route 40)

Lafayette, Ohio

The building is deceiving because it's been standing for well over a hundred years. It has quite the history as Ohio's second oldest stagecoach stop. The place has also hosted six presidents. The food speaks for itself though. It is in my top five places for prime rib and they offer some delicious country fare like chicken livers. The menu is the most diverse in food offerings and price. You can order hot sandwiches and salads as low as $4.99 to beef selections like New York Strip and Prime Rib at $18.99 to $22.99. Other menu items include pasta, fish and chicken dishes. The dining room ambiance is country charm.

A appetizer of chicken livers with onions from my last visit.

5. Hussey's 

8760 West Broad St.

Port Jefferson, Ohio 

My final feature is more of a greasy spoon but they have a variety of  items on the menu. I haven't been to Hussey's in quite some time but it is on my to do list for the near future. Even though it's been a while, I am still hearing great things about the restaurant. I don't have any food photos from Hussey's since it has been a few years but they make my list because they prepared the best prime rib I have ever eaten in my lifetime. I did not even know I liked prime rib until I ate Hussey's. Even though this may not be the best date food, I must also mention they have a delicious blooming onion. In addition to the food, the restaurant rests along some old locks of the Little Miami River. The scenery includes a pond that is beautifully equipped with koi fish, ducks and geese all year long.  The restaurant has recently been remodeled but the atmosphere is still country casual.  The photo above is the place today. My second photo is the back of the property before it changed hands, was painted and remodeled. 

Watching the ducks and geese swim around the pond.

If you are interested in any of these establishments, the live links to their menus and contact information for reservations are attached to their names above. These places would make great locations for your Valentine's Day weekend. Unintentionally, I also managed to get a couple cool Presidents Day sites in as well.  I hope you enjoyed this 'Tasty Travels' introduction. I promise future posts will not be as long. Have a great week!

Kris,

photos courtesy of: Hussey's facebook Page, Malabar Farm Website & Flicker

Hello 2016

 
It is still January, so I hope it doesn't sound too funny telling you, Happy New Year! Last month and part of this month, I struggled a little with illness but I am much better now. My energy has finally returned and I feel so blessed to feel normal again. I appreciate every day that I wake up feeling well and comfortable. 

Since it is a new year, I am making new plans for the blog. A friend of mine suggested that I make my blog strictly about food since I love food so much. I don't have any plans to do that since I started  this blog to talk about all the things I love like: Ohio travel, art and exploring unique experiences. However, I do want to start highlighting more of my food adventures. This year I am introducing a new series called Tasty Travels. It will feature restaurants and other types of food establishments all over Ohio that are worth a road trip. At the end of the year I introduced a series called Made In Ohio. It is a series that features things that are produced in the Buckeye State. I plan to incorporate more of that series this year as well. I will continue my list of 101 Cool Places And Things In Ohio. I will continue to share the castles, wineries and natural wonders in my home state. Ohio will not be the only place I discuss this year, I am currently working on some travel plans. I will share as my plans progress.

If you have any suggestions, I will happily address what ever topics you have in mind.  I get messages on social media all the time asking me about events, where to eat or places to visit. I want to continue to be that person that has at least some of those answers for you. I will try my best to give you something cool, new or exciting weekly. I will try not to let you down. Again, Happy New Year! I hope the first month of this year has already brought you joy!

Kris,

2015 In the Rear View

I feel like this year has flown by so rapidly! As I get older, it seems like New Years Eve and birthdays come back to back, hardly giving me time to rest in between. The saying is that " time flies when you are having fun." So, I guess I must be enjoying my life. Well, I can certainly say I have had a good year but it has also had it's not so great moments. For quite some time now, I have tried to keep a positive attitude and go with the flow when ever possible. This year I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do but I did a lot. I am ever so grateful for the great things I got to experience but also for the chaos because it turned into opportunities to bond with my family and friends.

In 2015 I made my first snowman who was actually a snow-woman. She was fabulous! I treated my guy to a Tesla concert in Troy, Ohio. It was my first Tesla concert and our first time in Troy. The city of Troy is beautiful, by the way. I saw Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Tyga in concert with my sister. I started a list of 101 Cool Places & Things in Ohio. I saw the legend,Stevie Wonder,in concert and was surprised by his special guest India Arie. I saw White Snake & Scorpions in concert. I got to hang out with my nephew all summer for the second year.  I took my nephew to his first concert to see Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa where I blushed and cringed at the sight of large blow up joints being thrown around. I grew great tasting vegetables and fruits in my garden and my parents garden. My family took a trip to Orlando and introduced my nephew to Disney World. I saw my grandpa Robinson who I hadn't seen in ten years also while I was in Florida. My sister and I started a sister trip tradition. We spent a weekend in the Cincinnati area where we checked off four places on my to do list: Loveland Castle, Newport Aquarium, Jungle Jim's International Market & Findlay Market on a tour with Cincinnati Food Tours.  I took a meditation class to introduce the art of meditation into my daily life. To end the year I did my second list of residential holiday light displays and it became the most viewed blog post of any of the ChristinaKristin blogs in three days. Yay!

left to right: Frostine the Snow-woman, Tesla concert, Wiz Khalifa, My veggies, Epcot, Disney, Newport on the Levee with my sister, Findlay Market in Over the Rhine & Columbus KTC Buddhist Center

It has been an amazing year, full of love and color and hope. I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for me, other than a trip to the dentist next week. Lol. I look forward to spending more time with my friends home and away. I look forward to more travel and more learning. I look forward to really living my life and learning to be more independent.

What were your 2015 highlights?

Holiday Overload! The Must See Holiday Displays in Columbus 2015

Last year I started a list of residential holiday light displays for those in search of free light displays in the Columbus area.  It has become a tradition of mine to go out searching for over the top, decorated homes. My favorite displays are beautiful or beautifully tacky. They are the kind of displays that take months to create and rack up hundreds of dollars in energy bills. The bill is worth it considering the way these displays make us feel when we look at them. They evoke precious memories of our childhood when things were simpler and exciting. They remind us of the days when some of us believed in magic. 

On Christmas Eve, after Christmas dinner or after you see the new Star Wars movie; take a drive around the Columbus area to check out these cool displays. Grab yourself some snacks, a cup of hot cocoa and take a tour of the best residential displays in your area.  After all, this is something we only get to see once a year.  

 This year I got lots of leads but only had time to check out some of them before my self appointed deadline. So, this list may have some later additions. Some new displays have made the list this year and three displays have returned. The two new light displays are synchronized to music. You can find videos of those displays on my instagram today @krisofohio. I hope you go out and enjoy your tour!

 1.The Musical Angel

Westbrook Village Lights 

Located on Westbrook Village off Holt Rd & Lesbrook Dr.

(near Georgesville) 

I discovered this display last year after I posted my list but I wanted to make sure it made it's debut as first on my list this year.

 

Every year a group of neighbors get together to make the neighborhood beautiful and collect can goods for the Mid Ohio Food Bank. The neighbors put up their lights and synchronize them to a holiday soundtrack. They encourage you to come out to enjoy the free light show but pay it forward by leaving can goods in the drop boxes near the display. 

tips: Keep the neighbors in mind and don't stop in the middle of the street or block their driveways. Pull over beside the curb. Consider visiting during the week when there is less traffic.

 

2.The Christmas Melting Pot 

Guilford Road off Riverside Dr. Upper Arlington

I have visited this home for a few years now and it never gets old. It is beautifully tacky and everyone loves it. It is one of the homes that gets a lot of traffic each year. When I visited, it was late so the house was not completely lit. This photo does it no justice. There are Santas all over the windows on the house.

tips: Pull over to the side of the road so you can get out of the car to take in the details. Also ride around the neighborhood for some beautiful classically decorated homes. There is one just at the right of this home off Guilford.

3.Christmas in the Country

Kropp Rd off of Alkire in Galloway

 This is another photo that does this display no justice, but the light show is definitely worth checking out. This display is on a large piece of property in the Galloway area and is synchronized to music. You can get a better idea of the show from my instagram.

 

tips: pull into one of the long driveways nearby to keep from getting interupted by traffic.

4. All American Christmas 
S.Richardson between W.Mound and Eakin on West Columbus

This is my favorite display each year. I have faithfully visited this home for the last four years. It is always beautiful but he changes and adds things every new season. This year one of my favorite details are gingerbread men playing in the late Cooper Stadium next to Santa's workshop. Also, new this year is a inflatable snowman on the porch and a nativity scene.

tips: Pull over, park if you can to get out and see the details. You can only see the gingerbread men on the soccer field from outside the car. 

5. Land of Lights
Valleyview Dr. off Hague across from YMCA

This display was 50,500 lights last year but they have increased to 57,300 lights this year. The display is a family tradition and is on it's second generation of decorators. It is free to visit but feel free to leave a donation if you love what you see.

tips: Drive up the long driveway and get out to walk around.
 

I hope this has been helpful to all of those looking for places to check out free light displays in Columbus. Check back because I may add new displays before the season ends. For those of you who are looking for lights that aren't in the Columbus area, check out the Tacky Light Tour website. There isn't much for Columbus but there are large lists of homes for many other cities.

Happy Holidays!

Kris, 
 

My Holiday Wish List (Foodie Gifts)

Happy Holidays to you all! It has been a month since I posted here, so I thought I'd share with you my holiday wish list. The items I am sharing are things that I absolutely love and wouldn't mind getting as gifts this year. I am in no way affiliated with these brands, nor am I being compensated for the items I selected. If you read my blog often, some of these brands will be familiar to you because I have written about them in previous posts.  I love food!  I also love to celebrate the businesses in my city and state. All of these items represent foods, drinks and businesses from the Buckeye State.  If you are looking to buy gifts for me, yourself or the foodies in your life, all of the links are attached to the brand names.

5. Al's Delicious Popcorn

I tried Al's Delicious Popcorn over the summer while exploring the city with my nephew and fell in love with the Dill Pickle popcorn. I have been craving the flavor ever since. Pretty please someone slip a gallon bag under my tree! (mouth waters) You can find some of Al's Delicious Popcorn at Celebrate Local, but to see everything that Al's has to offer you have to go to their shop at
1500 Bethel Road.

 

photo credit

4. Tommy's Old Fashion Jerkey

I came across this brand watching a local television show a couple months ago and decided to check this place out. I have been sending people there for jerky and smokies ever since. I am not a huge jerky fan, but I love their  Sweet & Sassy Smokies. They are the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. I went through an entire bag in two days the first time I bought some. You can order the jerky online or visit the Grove City location at 3461 Broadway.

 

3. Ohio Amish Country Wine

  

 I discovered two of my favorite wines in Dover, Ohio at two different wineries. The two wineries also happen to be across the street from each other. Though I love all kinds of wine, full bodied to sweet, reds and whites; these two wines are the traditional sweet Ohio wines you would expect. I am thirsty just thinking about them!

Breitenbach Winery

I have sworn by Breitenbach Winery's Dandelion Wine since I first tasted it about four years ago. It is a delicious white dessert wine made from Dandelion blossoms. It can only be purchased at the winery or online.

photo credit

Swiss Heritage Winery

I tried this wine a year ago while on a Christmas cookie tour in Amish Country. As many times as I had been to the winery directly across from Swiss Heritage, I never thought to stop in Swiss Heritage Winery until last year. I am glad I did because I discovered their Doggone Good Sweet Red wine. I am always looking for a good sweet red and this one is in my top three. It is a blend of Concord and Chamberson grapes.

photo credit

2. Marie's Candies

  

Every time I visit West Liberty, Ohio, I pay a visit to Marie's Candies. While everything I have

 tasted from there has been phenomenal,  my favorite Marie's treats

 are the dark chocolate potato chips. I have even gotten my mother hooked on them. I had them sent  to her this year for her birthday. This is the ultimate treat for chocolate lovers and the chips can be purchased in milk or dark chocolate. You can order the chocolate covered chips online or visit the West Liberty store at 311 Zanesfield Rd. (also US St. Rt. 68).

 

photo credit

1. Columbus Food Adventures

I feel like I write something about Columbus Food Adventures every other month. Well, it is because I love love love, this food tour company. The number one thing I would love under my tree or in my stocking is a gift certificate for a food tour with CFA. There are 11 tours to choose from and there are five that I have not done yet. My favorites tours of the six I have taken are: the Taco Truck and the Dessert tours. I would certainly love to check out the Brunch Tour or the Grandview Walking Tour in the near future.  Gift certificates can be purchased for any of the 11 tours or you can let the one you are shopping for decide by purchasing general gift certificates in increments options of one (The Wildcard), three (The Wanderer) or five (The Grand Tourist). You will find these great gift options on the website.

 

I hope this is helpful to someone out there struggling to find special gifts for people who love food and wine. Family and friends, this is really my personal wish list as well. LOL! 

Happy Holidays!

Kristin,