Café Getaways in Columbus, OH
I had no idea what to expect when I moved to Columbus for my husband's summer sales gig. What was the weather like? What does the cultural melting pot there consist of? Being from the West Coast, Ohio in general doesn't make it into many conversations.
There was no better way to find out than to be dropped off in the suburbs of C-Bus and left to discover the city on our own.
So far this Summer, three café's have dotted the already studded map of locally owned restaurants. I'm shining light on these quaint places, with wonderful employees.
Stop One: The Brown Bag Delicatessen in German Village
You'll think your GPS has done lost it's mind as you drive through cobble streets and beautiful retro brownstones because it just doesn't look like the type of place to find a deli amongst the mature trees and one way streets. When she tells you to park, just get out and follow the corner full of people gathered near an open door...that's the Brown Bag Delicatessen!
A giant menu hangs for all to see the many sandwich and salad options. I was most pleased with how many vegetarian sandwich options there were! My husband and I of course split sandwiches to try the best of both worlds. With 16 sandwich options (not including build-your-own) there has to be something here for each member of your party to LOVE.
His order: The Weezie's Cheezie with veggie cream cheese, muenster, honeycup mustard, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, red onion, tomato served on our toasted 9-grain bread. With a cup of vegan chickpea curry soup. The color of the soup was gorgeous.
My order: The Jalapeño Popper with jalapeño cream cheese, hot pepper jack, spinach, tomato, red onion served grilled on pumpernickel. With a cup of mushroom barley soup. Yeeeah. Even on a hot summer evening I couldn't help but try any type of soup that has "mushroom" in the name.
We were so pleased with the freshness and quality of this deli! I can't imagine any of their menu items being less than ideal. Menu and prices are posted online, hallelujah! (In case you don't feel like googling it, about $8.50 a sandwich.)
Not pictured or mentioned is their dessert case filled with various cakes, brownies and desserts. This particular date we had a different dessert in mind...but the baklava looked as fresh and flaky as I've ever seen it look!
The takeaway? Hip nook in a rad location serving sandwiches with the tastiest of ingredients.
Stop Two: Bibibop Asian Grill
I recently have started dabbling in "MasterChef" marathons. I know I could do way better in that competition than those amateurs! *Shoves more popcorn down my throat while dinner burns on the stove* Anyways, on one episode the challenge was to make bibimbap, a Korean dish that means, "mixed rice." Traditionally, bibimbap is served as warm rice (sometimes slightly crunchy due to it being placed in a hot stone-like bowl) topped with sauteed vegetables, sauces, and perhaps meat. Now that the culinary lesson is finished...there is a restaurant here in Columbus that serves a variation of bibimbap...and it's called Bibibop! Ha! These names are too fun to say.
There are multiple locations for Bibibop, including DC, MD, IL, CA and of course, OH! Like seriously, there are plenty of locations in Columbus alone. We choose to go to the Polaris location because, well it's closest. I'm not a huge fan of blogging about chains because I like eating and shopping as local as possible without breaking my own bank (newlywed and college-student, need I say more?) but Bibibop was started in Columbus! Let's celebrate their success!
This is like a Chipotle, but even FRESHER (gasp) and Asian! But same concept. They have a counter full of tasty, crisp veggies and legumes and steaming meat options and you ask for what you want on top of your rice.
The takeaway? So fresh, and SO healthy. Not to mention, really easy on the budget.
Stop Three: Flowers & Bread on High Street in Clintonville
Okay, so I read about this café/bakery/coffee shop in the (614) magazine I picked up for free. They had a three or four page spread that was so quaint and tasteful I knew I needed to find an excuse to go check it out. Luckily for me, a handful of girlfriends wanted to take out one of our mommy-to-be's to a little brunch baby shower.
THIS IS A PERFECT PLACE FOR A GIRLFRIEND BRUNCH REGARDLESS OF THE OCCASION. Glad I got that off my chest.
Seriously, it is sooo quaint and light. Their motto? We believe in simple pleasures: flowers, bread and a good cup of coffee. This is a three in one stop, flower shop, coffee spot, and tasty bakery/café. Their menu is not extensive, but they have a handful of options (including a few great options for vegetarians...I was pleased with their selection.) They also proudly serve Backroom Coffee espresso and coffee...I don't drink coffee so I can't vouch for the barista talent or quality. Feel free to give it a whirl.
My order: Sandwich with grilled vegetables with feta yogurt spread & homemade pepper jelly served on a freshly baked ficelle.
For dessert? Zucchini carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and buttermilk chocolate bundt cake.
Honestly, this place is probably the less best deal as far as bang-for-your-buck goes. The Brown Bag Deli served more food for the same price...but like I said, here I feel like I paid to be in a delightful space that was open and light and therefore perfect to chill with the ladies. Their service was also excellent and I always appreciate eating at a place with a fun and helpful staff.
The takeaway? Please do brunch here with your ladies. Even if it's just for desserts. You will get the most instagram-worthy pics ever.
*Side note on Flowers & Bread*
They offer classes for seasonal flower arranging, baking bread, and cooking from their wood-fired hearth...if that strikes your fancy like it did mine. Also, their hours are limited. Open Tuesday-Sunday and they close by about 3 everyday...like I said...BRUNCH.