(614) May | 2024

2024 Nationwide PICNIC WITH THE POPS

8PM | Columbus Commons

Stuart Chafetz, conductor

June 15

June 22

June 29

July 6

July 13

July 20

July 26 & 27

Generation Radio with Jason Scheff (Chicago) and Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts)

Violent Femmes

Patriotic Pops

A Gershwin Celebration

Windborne

The Music of Led Zeppelin

Nas with the Columbus Symphony

Cody Fry

Gary Fry, conductor

The OSU Marching Band

Photo: Randall Scheiber

Nas

Cody Fry

Generation Radio

Violent Femmes

Windborne The Music of Led Zeppelin

TO SUMMER FUN YOUR GUIDE

ON THE GO WITH COTA

Spend less time and money on parking this summer and kick back on COTA! We’re your ride to activities and events all season long.

ALL SUMMER

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium | Zoo Bus Learn more at COTA.com/zoobus

MAY 1-4

COSI Science Festival | Lines 10 & 12

MAY 27

National Veterans Memorial and Museum Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony | Lines 10 & 12

JUNE 14

Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival | Lines 1, 2, 5 & 8

JULY 3

Red, White & BOOM! | Special Event Service Learn more at COTA.com/boom

JULY 13-14

Columbus Metropolitan Library Book Festival Lines 10 & 11

JUNE-JULY

Picnic with the Pops | Lines 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 & CMAX

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Opening Volley

SAV MCKEE Assistant Editor

Crème de la Crème

I tend to speak in hyperboles. “This is the best martini I’ve ever had,” I’ll exclaim, eagerly shoving a cocktail glass into my friend’s mouth for them to try a sip. “Hm,” they’ll often respond, paired with a wince and a shrug.

I tell my mom that my neighborhood is the best there is in the entire world, only to stumble on a Reddit post bashing it. I suggest the absolute best manicure in town to a coworker, and they inform me the next day that their nails are already chipping. Even that cocktail bar, walking distance from my house, which definitely serves the best food, best drinks, and best vibes, happens to be my neighbor’s least favorite spot in the city.

All of these things truly are the best though! At least, in my small world. And that’s why we didn’t leave this poll up to me. It’s easy to think that what we know and love as individuals is what everyone else knows and loves, too – that our favorite spots are everyone’s favorite spots. That’s not always the case.

But sometimes, it is.

We polled thousands of people throughout central Ohio, and with nearly half a million votes this year, we’re ready to show you the crème de la crème of what Columbus residents think this city has to offer, ranging from the best place to dine al fresco, to the best place to grab donuts and coffee when you have visitors in town, or even the best park to visit on a crisp Saturday morning.

And the coolest part of the ColumBEST Issue is that it solidifies that our top spot for brunch (or dinner, or getting a massage, or even buying a car) is everyone’s number one choice, too. When the bar you always recommend receives thousands of votes, it doesn’t feel so subjective anymore. Or, even better, when we see a place we’ve never even heard of at the very top, we now have some new suggestions from fellow locals.

Columbus, and all of our diverse businesses, institutions, neighborhoods, and restaurants, really are the best, and that, my friends, is not a hyperbole – it’s something we can all agree on.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jack McLaughlin

ASSISTANT EDITOR

McKee

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Carrizo, Sarah Pfeifer, Jen Brown, Aaron Massey, Heidi Oliver, Emma Mortellaro, Samuel Chase

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

McKee, Jack McLaughlin, John M. Clark, Melinda Green, Chris Alexis, Laura Hennigan

CREATIVE DESIGNERS

Biro

VIDEO PRODUCER / EDITOR

Austin Black

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Justynne Pride

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Zoe King

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Emma Mortellaro

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Meggin Weimerskirch

SALES MANAGER

Paul VanHorn

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Mindy Wilhite

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Anna Gerhard

Wyatt Krupp

BRAND MANAGER, 614 LAGER

Lizzy Saunders

EVENTS COORDINATOR

Lizzy Saunders

� STAFF PICKS

Our staff picks

Here at (614) Media Group, we love everything about Columbus (okay, minus the constant cars crashing into buildings, but even that has its own charm). We dished on what we think, in our personal opinions, makes our city so great:

There’s always fun things to do and cool people to meet, if you’re willing to seek it out!

— Atlas Biro, Creative Designer

Columbus-style pizza, obviously.

— Jack McLaughlin, Editor-In-Chief

There’s a community for everyone here! Lots of small businesses to support, plus all of the great metro parks.

— Lizzy Saunders, Brand Manager, (614) Beer

I love that the different neighborhoods and suburbs all have their own vibe!

— Sav McKee, Assistant Editor

I love the centricity of it. Might be a silly reason, but as a gal who frequents Dayton, Cincy & Cleveland I love the easy drives.

— Anna Gerhard, Account Executive

Big little town vibes! On a weekday, you can find peace and quiet even in the heart of downtown.

— Austin Black, Video Producer/Editor

Having a wide variety of shops and restaurants as if you're in a bigger city, but without all the traffic of one!

— Tori Smith, Creative Designer

I like how there's always something to do along with communities or groups for anyone and everyone's interests.

— Wyatt Krupp, Account Executive

ON the WEB

Do you check your news and entertainment updates on 614now.com? You should. Every day we’re posting Columbus' top news, entertainment, and sports stories from throughout central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below at 614now.com and subscribe to our daily email!

→ New Brewery District spot named one of the best new cocktail bars in the country by international awards

Cobra, the new international eatery and bar that made a swanky new home out of a former Brewery District Panera, was named one of the 10 best new cocktails bars in the U.S. Central Region of the Spirited Awards.

→ Massive orange snail statues from Milan, Italy placed in Columbus suburb

If you’ve driven down Riverside Dr. recently, you may have noticed some giant orange snails in the lawn of the Dublin Arts Council building.

→ Join (614) at Easton for our first (614) Sip & Shop!

Get ready for a special day of shopping, exclusive discounts, and refreshing drink & dining specials. Featuring 30+ Easton Restaurants and Retailers!

Saturday, May 11th | 10am-4pm

@fooditarian_ventures

@teatimewithtito

PRES S PLAY

614 VIDEO

Did you know that (614) has a YouTube channel with some very shareable video content? It’s true. Keep an eye out for more on our (614)TV account and on social media. In the meantime, scan the QR code to check out our newest videos.

• Snack Attack: Caffeine Edition

We tried a lot of caffeinated snacks to give you the run down—so you know what to pick up the next time you're jonesing for a kick.

• Cinco de Mayo at El Vaquero!

Spice up your Cinco De Mayo with traditional Mexican cuisines and filledto-the-brim margaritas from El Vaquero!

• Tasting Columbus–NEW episode!

Parable has some truly delicious coffee (and let's not sleep on those incredible alcoholic beverages) but it's the community that really shines.

• Jenny's Diner

Clintonville's newest diner is bringing decades of culinary expertise, making this your favorite hotspot for hotcakes.

@ohiohealth

@casakarmelitas

May Arts & Entertainment

From jamming to local folk music, celebrating strawberries, and pretending to be a pirate at a local lake, there’s an event for everyone this month

COSI Science Festival

May 1 - 4 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

333 W. Broad St. Columbus, OH

$Free

May 4 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM

May 5 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM

$Free Central Ohio Folk Festival

High Banks Metro Park 9466 Columbus Pike Lewis Center, OH

Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey®: The Greatest Show On

Earth®

May 10 - 12

Various Time Slots

Schottenstein Center 555 Borror Dr. Columbus, OH

$15+

Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest

May 18 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

5312 Walnut Rd.

Buckeye Lake, OH

CCAD Fashion Show

May 9 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM

KEMBA Live! 405 Neil Ave.

Columbus, OH

$40 - $500

Art for Franklinton: A Franklin Arts

Gala

May 11 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM 202 McDowell St. Columbus, OH

$25 - $125

Hell City Tattoo Festival

May 17 - 18

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

May 19 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Hyatt Regency 350 N. High St. Columbus, OH

$22 - $65

Jeni’s Strawberry Jam

May 19

$Free Columbus Taco Fest

May 18 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

303 W. Broad St.

Columbus, OH

$Free before 2 PM,

$5 After 2 PM

May 25 - 26 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Land-Grant Brewing Company 424 W. Town St. Columbus, OH

$Free

The Other Titanic

The tragic tale of former Columbus resident, Frederick Uhlmann, and his fate on the SS Schiller ocean liner

By John M. Clark / Story Design by Atlas Biro

In February 1854, a Swiss teenager stepped off a German steamer named the Rhine in New York and made his way to the German-speaking community on Columbus’ South Side. By all accounts, the young immigrant’s future looked bright. Little did he know that his life would be cut short in a famous shipwreck that would later be compared to the sinking of the Titanic.

His name was Frederick Uhlmann, just a month shy of his 18th birthday, and apparently traveling alone. It isn’t clear why he chose Columbus. Nevertheless, he appeared to settle in easily, operating a book and stationery store near Downtown. Six years later, Uhlmann married a Bavarian immigrant named Caroline Ambos. They had two children and made a comfortable living for themselves in a house on Livingston Avenue, near South High Street. →

↑ Launched in 1873, the German steamer SS Schiller was one of the largest ships of her day

PANDEMONIUM BROKE OUT AS THE SHIP'S CAPTAIN FIRED HIS GUN INTO THE AIR AND BRANDISHED HIS SWORD.

↓ Joseph Schlitz, a Milwaukee brewer who lost his life in the SS Schiller wreck

Twenty years after leaving his homeland, 39 years in age, Uhlmann made plans to visit his parents back in the “Old Country.” He obtained a passport in February 1875 and, as a precaution against tragedy, recorded his will on April 19. Just eight days later, he was in Hoboken, New Jersey, boarding the huge, German ocean liner, the SS Schiller. The two-yearold ship was fully booked, carrying 254 passengers, 118 crew members, mail bags bound for Australia and a cargo hold full of sewing machines and gold coins.

On the evening of May 7, the SS Schiller approached the southern coast of Devonshire, along the English Channel. Thick fog forced Captain George Thomas to order the ship’s speed reduced. The crew called passengers on deck to help look for the critical lighthouse on Bishop Rock, which would guide them through the rocky Scilly Isles. Mistakenly, they were told to look in the wrong direction and, at 10 p.m., the Schiller ran directly onto a reef near the Retarrier Ledges. Thomas was able to reverse the ship, but the high seas slammed it back onto the rocks, broadside, again and again.

Pandemonium broke out as the ship’s captain fired his gun into the air and brandished his sword. At one point, more than 50 women and children were taken to the relative safety of the deckhouse. Officers and male passengers then watched in horror as a giant wave ripped the roof off of the deckhouse and swept all inside out to sea. →

↑ Map of Scilly Isles with Bishop Rock and Retarrier Ledges circled in red Map by John Bartholomew (1874)

THE SINKING OF THE SS SCHILLER CLAIMED 335 LIVES...IN YEARS TO COME, IT WOULD BE REFERRED TO AS THE 'VICTORIAN TITANIC'

Only a handful of passengers made it into the only two lifeboats deemed serviceable – the other boats having been destroyed in the shipwreck or considered unusable due to poor maintenance. The sinking of the SS Schiller claimed 335 lives, including Uhlmann's, making it one of the worst disasters in British history. In years to come, it would be referred to as the “Victorian Titanic.”

The bodies of many victims, which also included Milwaukee brewer Joseph Schlitz, were either lost at sea or buried in the nearby Scilly Isles. But Uhlmann’s was returned to Columbus, where, on Thursday, June 17, a crowd of mourners gathered under threatening skies at Green Lawn Cemetery.

From the June 18 issue of the Ohio State Journal: “The Maennerchor opened the services … after which the Rev. C. Heddaeus delivered a truly touching and eloquent sermon, referring in a pathetic strain to the many virtues of the deceased ‘whom no true man could know, but to love.’”

One week later, Columbus newspapers carried the following notice on behalf of Uhlmann’s widow, Caroline: “Mrs. Uhlmann, administratrix of the late Frederick Uhlmann, desires that all debts due the estate be settled in the store, at 218 South High Street, on or before July 1st, 1875, that the business may be continued by other parties.” ♦

↑ Wreck of the steamship Schiller on her voyage from New York to Hamburg, May 7th, 1875;

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

ColumbusArtsFestival.org

ColumbusArtsFestival

ANGELA PERLEY

Design: Formation Studio

Dame, Girl!

The one-woman-run Dame Studio is empowering women with fashion and humor, and becoming the coolest clothing line you’ve never heard of along the way

ake Art and Party.” It’s become the mantra for Maddie Herbert’s female-focused clothing line, Dame Studio. Her website proclaims Dame to be genuine, bold, and fun, and that’s spot-on.

“My driving force is silly art, cute art for bad bitches. That's my vibe,” Herbert said, laughing.

Her t-shirts, beanies, bandanas, and hats are brash and witty. Many are sex-positive; most are unabashedly feminist.

Her most popular item, one of the “OG designs,” is a black beanie that says “that bitch.”

→

By Melinda Green

Photos by Sarah Pfeifer Story Design by Tori Smith

← Maddie Herbert, founder and owner of Dame Studio

“People always stop me, even if they can't buy it,” Herbert said. “They're like, ‘Oh my God, I want to wear that to work.’ ‘I want to wear that to my kid’s soccer game.’”

It’s so relatable, in fact, that when TikTok star Drew Afualo wore one, Herbert’s sales suddenly skyrocketed. “It went crazy for a couple days, which was really cool and really weird and exciting," Herbert said. "There were orders from all over the world, and I was like, ‘Wait, I'm not set up for international shipping yet!’ I was freaking out. In one day, I think I sold 60 or 70 beanies, which, for me, was insane.”

As with many small business owners, COVID is what encouraged Herbert to step into her own business.

She explained, “It was like the worst timing possible—it just kind of was a clunky transition. I was in a full-time job at an agency. I was like, ‘Okay, I'm working from home regardless.’ And I'm seeing how much happier doing my own projects is making me versus the work I'm doing for the agency.”

In some ways, she didn’t miss leaving agency life behind. Herbert said, “Being super feminine, it got a little bit hairy sometimes where my style is obviously very colorful and feminine, and it got a lot of ‘Make it less feminine, make it more masculine. Follow these guidelines.’”

But the hustle of going out on her own was tough. She worked at her now-fiance’s restaurant while she scoured the internet for branding and graphic design clients, searching forums and cold-emailing prospects.

“[Merch] was a passion project, basically—to make stuff that I thought was cute but for an audience that wasn't really catered to, which is in-your-face kind of women. I think it's cool to create something and then be able to wear it and say something without saying something,” Herbert said.

“I'm okay having politics be a part of it,” she continued. “And I also think if somebody were to look at my overall portfolio of work, even through my Instagram, you can kind of see what I think and where I fit in.”

Definitely vocal. Another of her popular items is a white t-shirt, emblazoned with two lambeth cakes holding hands, that proclaims, “I’m no longer Baby. I want Power.”

She recalls working with Doing Things Media and their wealth of meme and content creation accounts. “I was doing merch for them, which were very much silly memes. Like, rough and ready, churning and burning,” she explained. I'm like, ‘There's no stuff out there like this for women.’ And that also leaned me even harder into this. Like, ‘Let's make these bro-y graphic tees, but for women,’ because they were hilarious.” →

Touch-a-Truck

Friday, May 10, 10 a.m.-noon

Wayne & Center streets parking lot

Bring the Zoo to You

Sunday, May 19 – 4-6 p.m

Britton Farms Park

Summer Spray Down

Tuesday, June 4

(Alton Darby) – 1-1:45 p.m.

Tuesday, July 9

(Hoffman Trails) – 1-1:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

(J.W. Reason) – 1-1:45 p.m.

Celebration at the Station

Thursdays, June 6-Aug. 15*

Free Live Music 6:30-9 p.m.

June 6 – Devin Henry

June 13 – 4th Day Echo

June 20 – RockHouse

June 27 – Long Play

July 11 – Alan Carl

July 18 – Audio Graffiti

July 25 – Dave Matthews Tribute

Band

Aug. 1 – CowTown Inc

Aug. 8 – Trailer Park Ninjas

Aug. 15 – Conspiracy

*No concert July 4

Lunch Time Live!

Fridays, June 7, 28, and Aug. 2 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Weaver Park

Sprout’s Night Out

Hilliard’s Station Park

Chalk The Park

Tuesday, June 18

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Darby Glen Park

Juneteenth

Wednesday, June 19 9-11 a.m.

Municipal Park Amphitheater

Freedom Fest

Thursday, July 4 5-11 p.m.

Municipal Park

Independence Day

Parade

Thursday, July 4 – 9 a.m.

Get the Scoop

Wednesday, July 24

Noon-2 p.m.

Hilliard’s Station Park

Magic in the Park

Tuesday, July 30 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Weaver Park

Parent Recharge:

Back to School Edition

Wednesday, Aug. 21

Noon-2 p.m.

Hilliard’s Station Park

THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

FOR

Make art for the sake of having fun. And that's

all there is, actually.

↓

So she made them. “I love the vintage graphic t-shirts, like the race cars or the old ads, and stuff like that,” she said. “I've been dabbling a lot in different styles and different garments and things—that very vintage, you-would-find-it-at-athrift-store type of thing, but a brand new design, obviously.”

She added, “I'm [also] leaning into the Y2K, nineties through early 2000s vibes, for these bad bitch women that are millennials, but Y2K-ish. A lot of it is me just playing around and wanting something that is for the girls.”

She’s redesigned her website and retired some items in pursuit of a more cohesive shop. Most of her sales are online. (She’s taking this year off from local summer markets, in order to plan her fall wedding.) Selling online, she said, lets her use print on demand, so she can experiment and see what her customers like. Plus, as she noted, it’s a challenge to hold inventory in “a teeny office in a teeny basement in German Village.”

And, you may be asking, what’s behind the name?

“My grandmother was a ceramicist, and she and her friends, they were stay-athome moms,” Herbert explained. “They would gather together and have craft nights, and make a big batch of things. Then they sold their creative endeavors, in order to raise money, because they're all broke, you know, with three, four, five kids. They sold their stuff so they could throw themselves a dance—just to literally have a party. And they called themselves The Dames.”

She continued, “‘Make art and party’ is a reference to that story and a reminder that art is fun and you can just make art for the sake of whatever it may be. When I start to get in the weeds with overthinking ideas, I think how you can literally just make this, and it's fun, and you never show it to anybody, but you're like ‘This made me laugh’ or ‘This made me get out of my head for a couple hours.’”

“Make art for the sake of having fun,” she said. “And that's all there is, actually.”

a snail’s journey

May 11 - June 28,

2024

Dublin Arts Council invites you to be a part of the story. Bring your curiousity as we explore together the journey of the three larger-than-life snails that adorn the front lawn of Dublin Arts Council.

The three sculptures traveled here from Milan, Italy, where they were created by a group of six Italian-based artists known as Cracking Art. The Group upholds a solid commitment to investigating social and environmental issues through the conception and creation of artwork made by recycled plastics.

7125 Riverside Drive, Dublin, OH

The exhibition runs from May 11- June 28, 2024.

Tues - Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. & the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Visit dublinarts.org to learn more.

Browse through Dame Studio's merchandise at damecoolshit.com/shop.

A Cut Above the Rest

Phenix Salon Suites offers a luxury booth rental experience for professionals, complete with separated facilities, fully equipped rooms, and a focus on flexibility and empowerment

By Sav McKee

Photos by Sarah Pfeifer

Gina Rivera, the visionary behind Phenix Salon Suites, understands the intricate dance of balancing entrepreneurship and family life firsthand. Her journey, rooted in the challenges of early motherhood and professional aspirations, allowed Phenix to rise from the ashes, completely revolutionizing the salon industry.

As a budding hairstylist, Rivera faced the harsh reality that many in the beauty sector encounter. The rigidity of lease agreements for a booth rental posed significant obstacles for her, especially when she had her first child and needed to take some time off.

“In the beauty industry, for women especially, as they try to start a career, they owe the money for rent no matter what. This sometimes can conflict with young women who want to start their own business, but are scared they might get pregnant in the future, or have to take time away from their business for any reason,” explained Kyle Bartels, Operations Manager of Phenix Salon Suites.

we all know that sometimes your stylist or esthetician is the best person to vent to –you won’t have to worry about anyone overhearing your private conversation.

"Phenix Salon Suites is an awesome place to be a part of. Facility is new, luxurious, modern, and extremely clean. They take a lot of pride in keeping the facility this way and as a tenant I truly appreciate it because when my clients come in they can truly see the work that's put into the facility. Kyle and everyone I've met in management has been extremely kind and accommodating. I can't say enough good things about the way everything is managed and maintained. I hope to be here for years to come.”

Offering month-to-month lease options, coupled with maternity leave provisions, plus free accounting and scheduling software, professionals are supported from the very beginning.

“Most booth rentals in salons require a year-long contract, and this can scare people from moving forward,” said Bartels. “Life can happen. People have to take care of their family. That’s why we offer month-tomonth leases. We don’t want to trap you into a contract – we want professionals that want to be with us, and we want everyone to be fully satisfied.”

Beyond flexibility, Phenix sets a new standard of luxury and comfort. Unlike conventional booth rentals, each suite boasts complete privacy, with soundproofing and individual temperature control, ensuring an unparalleled client experience. Bartels highlights the meticulous attention to detail in the suites, from personalized music playlists to specific ventilation systems in the nail suites.

Thick, insulated drywall separates the suites, preventing shared noises, fumes, and air from traveling to the next suite over. Guests who are coming in for an acrylic nail appointment won’t have to listen to a hair dryer blowing, and guests getting their hair done won’t have to smell nail fumes throughout their appointment, either. Plus,

All professionals who sign a lease with Phenix Salon Suites have 24/7 access to their suite, providing them with the flexibility and freedom to choose their own hours. The weekly price for each suite includes provided laundry machines, water, electric, and notably, many salon essentials are already stocked in each suite, sparing no detail in providing everything professionals need to hit the ground running (or cutting, or nail painting – you get the idea!).

“The company was started by someone who cuts hair and knows what the industry is like, and what someone would need to get started. We provide them with all the tools they need to make this a simple process for them,” said Bartels. This includes salon chairs, cabinets, hot tool carts, hairdryers, spa sinks, and shampoo bowls in all of the hair styling suites.

Moreover, Phenix embraces diversity, welcoming a spectrum of beauty and wellness businesses, and really, any legal business that can be performed in a suite. From skincare, to massage therapy, to even tattooing and tutoring, their inclusive ethos fosters a vibrant community of professionals. ♦

To inquire about renting your own suite, visit phenixsalonsuitescolumbus.com or call or text 614-259-7638.

-Jeremy Dinh, Mr. Right Nails, Suite 117

"Hi! I'm Cassie, a nurse turned fine line tattoo artist and permanent Jeweler! Kyle & Phenix have been so supportive & helpful for me as a new business owner, it's made this dream of mine a reality! Stop in and see me!"

-Cassie

Ore, Saged Cosmetics, Suite103

Phenix Salon Suites, located at 1134 Henderson Road, dismantles barriers for those starting their own business, empowering professionals to thrive without compromise.

I Like It I Like It (Like that)

The new cocktail bar inside of Natalie’s Grandview picks up where Light of the Seven Matchsticks left off, in its own quirky, culture-driven way

By Chris Alexis / Photos by Aaron Massey / Story Design by Atlas Biro

↑ Las Maravillas Skirt Steak and the Chamomilla cocktail at I Like It Like That

The spirited team behind a new cocktail and wine bar is hoping you like it like that.

I Like It Like That opened in March at Natalie's Grandview (945 King Avenue). A popular Chris Kenner song inspired the establishment's name. If you look up this tune with its New Orleans vibe, you may just find yourself humming it for the rest of the day:

Come on (come on, let me show you where it's at)/The name of the place is 'I like it like that.'

Many in Columbus remember Light of the Seven Matchsticks, the cocktail bar located underneath Natalie’s Worthington. I Like It Like That continues the tradition of ultrachic spots auxiliary to Natalie’s, but with a style that’s totally its own.

A manager and cocktail creator, Lindsay Koontz, collaborates closely with co-manager Genevieve Johnson, who also goes by "G." The duo has teamed up with executive chef Megan Hodges and sous chef Dustin Mustard to produce an array of culinary delights that extend beyond beverages alone.

Upon stepping inside, patrons will discover three cozy rooms. The green room, with its dimmed lighting, sets the tone for a serene date night.

"It's adorned with plants; we call that our 'Zen' room," Koontz said. "So if you have a date night and you want it to be intimate and calm, that's where you're going to want to sit. There's beautiful furniture in there. It's relaxing, calming, and even a little seductive."

Move on to the blue room, and you'll be greeted by a vintage Aardvark Video sign. It's a throwback to one of the first businesses owned by Natalie's co-owner Charlie Jackson. Koontz described the blue room as "vintage and funky."

And if you're looking for a drink, step into the pink room, where you'll discover the bar and its large pendant lights.

“A lot of people who come in keep saying that it's just fun and comfortable. It makes you want to stay, you want to linger," she said. →

Both the architecture and design of I Like It Like That are the brainchild of Christina Colucci, and her company, ALIGN.

"Her vision transformed what was a junk room into something truly special," said Natalie Jackson, co-owner of Natalie's. "Being able to collaborate with my best friend on this space for me personally was very rewarding."

According to G, the I Like It Like That team wanted a strong focus on creating an "interdisciplinary community."

"Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday will be available for anyone and everyone to pitch ideas to us for events and pop-ups," she said. "We want to have a connection to our community as a whole, not just the service industry.”

The concept will value inclusion and dial down the "stuffy" vibe often attached to the term "cocktail bar." But there are still plenty of cocktails to be sipped. An array of wines is also ripe for consumption.

"Lauren Noel is our sommelier, and she killed it," G said. "Our wine list is all small production and low intervention, which means the creators care deeply about their product and the environment. We made an effort to get as many female winemakers on our menu as possible."

"Our wine is great with food, and we even have some we like to call 'pizza wine,' like the Txakolina," G added.

Guests can choose from drinks like 'Four Roses…How About Five?' featuring rosa tequila, rosa vermouth, rose water, sparkling rosé, and a secret fifth ingredient. You'll also find 'Big Hands, I Know You're The One,' with Drumshanbo vodka, tamarind guild gin, chocolate habanero pepper, vermouth blend, agave, and bubbles.

↓

↓ Black Phillip Pizza

While the names of their cocktails may appear scattershot at first, they aren't quite as random as you might think. Just like there are hidden clues in the blue room, cultural references abound throughout the menu.

"We have a reference to art; we have a reference to a TV show; everything is a reference," said Genevieve. "We even have a reference to Megan (Hodges) on our menu–The Bahn Megs pizza. Everything's intentional and everything was thought out and very specifically chosen."

I Like It Like That’s food menu, which leans into small plates and shareables, includes samosa masala, which is a Thai samosa with masala and pickled cauliflower. There's also seasonal arancini, which features crispy risotto balls, cheddar and cream cheese, jalapeño, jam, crispy bacon, and much more. →

"We have referenceato art; we have a reference to a TV show; everything is a reference"

"You don't need to be specifically in the mood for something... Everything is so different, we can find something for you"

Hodges said, “We have three of Natalie's fanfavorite pizzas on the menu, but we also have two completely different ones if you're feeling pizzas, but not your traditional pizza.”

One is the Black Phillip pizza (a nod to the 2015 horror film, The Witch), which features shiitake bacon, goat cheese, blackberry chipotle, mozzarella, caramelized onion, arugula, and almonds. The other is Bahn Megs, which includes hoisin soy, marinated tofu, carrot, jalapeño, pickled onion, and cilantro.

For those with late-night cravings, their "smacks" are available until close, which include purple puppy chow (Chex, pretzels, chocolate, and peanut butter), duck fat popcorn (truffle butter, Grana Padano and black pepper), along with char "cutie" (a daily selection of cured meats, artisanal cheese, and appropriate garnishes).

You don't have to be deeply entrenched in the cocktail or culinary world to understand what's most appealing on the menu, either. A glossary at the back of the menu is a helpful guide for patrons, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with certain liqueurs can gain an understanding of what will be the best match for their palette.

"This is for everybody," Koontz said. "We want you to understand the menu. We want you to ask questions, and we want you to know what you're ordering and if you're going to like it or not. We really try to make it a safe, cozy space that is inviting for everyone, where you're there to have a good time, and you're there to feel like, OK, this is my spot."

And G agreed.

"You don't need to be specifically in the mood for something because when you come in, everything is so different,” G added. "We can find something for you."

And so far, everyone seems to like it like that. ♦

Follow @ilikeitlikethat_bar on Instagram to get the inside scoop on all things food & cocktail related at this new bar.

(From Left to Right) Sous Chef Dustin Mustard, managers and bartenders Lindsay Koontz and Genevieve Johnson, & Chef Megan Hodges →

Saturday, July 13

10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sunday, July 14

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

By Laura Hennigan

/ Photos by Jen Brown / Story Design by Tori Smith

↑ Menu at Jenny’s Diner

↓ Exterior of Jenny’s Diner, located in the Old Beechwold area

With over two decades in Columbus’ restaurant industry, longtime Tee Jaye’s employee

Jenny Dials is striking out on her own with a brand new Clintonville diner

After working as a server in diners for 20 plus years, Jenny Dials understands what customers are looking for, and she knows exactly how to deliver. Her bubbly personality and non-stop work ethic has propelled her to realize a dream.

You may recognize her familiar face from the 17 years she spent serving biscuits & gravy at Tee Jaye’s Country Place, or maybe the three years she spent always making sure everyone’s mugs were full of coffee at Beechwold Diner. Now, Jenny is making a name for herself. Literally. She recently opened her own spot, aptly named Jenny’s Diner.

“I had a lot of support from my friends and family. They really encouraged me to try doing this,” Dials shared. “I decided to go big or go home. I figured, if I’m doing all this hard work for someone else every day, I might as well do it for myself.”

The new spot at 4768 N. High St. opened in February and is every inch a true Americana diner, complete with retro black and white checks, bright red walls, chrome seats at the long counter and plenty of pop culture accents.

“This was the third space in Clintonville that I looked at and it was the winner,” said Dials. “I designed it and my husband built it. We worked hard to make it really fun and unique.” Bringing their collective experience from Tee Jaye’s and Beechwold Diner, Jenny’s is up and running with Dials and her best friend, Crystal Peplau, at the helm, doing everything from managing the restaurant to running food and rolling silverware.

↓ Jenny Dials, founder and owner of Jenny’s Diner

“I DECIDED TO GO BIG OR GO HOME. I FIGURED, IF I’M DOING ALL THIS HARD WORK FOR SOMEONE ELSE EVERY DAY, I MIGHT AS WELL DO IT FOR MYSELF.”

“Clintonville has been my home, my area, for 20 years, and I can’t wait to have some of my old customers in,” said Dials.

The diner is currently open Tuesday through Sunday, 6am until 2:00pm, serving up classic breakfast comforts like eggs and pancakes, omelets, hash browns, and much more, along with a few twists. Best sellers include the Tex Mex scramble with chorizo, Johnny Marzetti, shrimp and grits, and five different styles of eggs Benedict. Plus, Dials offers a weekend special of made-from-scratch dishes as a nod to her Mexican heritage, such as tamales, huevos rancheros, and chilaquiles. You can enjoy it all with bottomless coffee, classic milkshakes, and even Mexican bottled Coca-Cola. “We’re fast, we’re friendly, we’re consistent, we serve good food and we won’t break the bank,” Dials emphasized.

Although her role as owner is new, Dials is an old pro in the restaurant industry and is excited for this opportunity to start her own chapter.

“I love meeting people, feeding them and making sure they’re happy. I prefer to be on the customer side, serving and chatting with them. My customers get to know me and I learn about their lives. That’s what I love and why I’m doing this.”

To learn more about Jenny’s Diner, follow along on Facebook.

Martha’s Fusion Kitchen, a hotspot for Columbus birria, has re-opened after nearly two years, and central Ohio is as hungry as ever

By

BStory Design by Atlas Biro

irria lovers rejoice – Martha’s Fusion Kitchen is finally back. No idea what birria is? Head on over to 3331 Maize Rd. stat, try the beef, chicken or new shrimp variety, and taste for yourself what all the fuss is about. →

↑ Birria tacos from Martha’s Fusion Kitchen, aside freshly-dipped consommé

Laura Hennigan / Photos by Heidi Oliver

NORTH MARKET

APRON GALA MAY

17, 2024

7:00PM-10:00PM

PRESERVING THE PAST

CELEBRATING THE FUTURE

NORTH MARKET DOWNTOWN | 59 Spruce Street, Columbus OH 43215

NORTHMARKET.ORG

FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION

↑ Birria quesadilla

Dipped birria taco ↓

After closing for renovations in April 2022, the restaurant dealt with many unexpected delays and was forced to postpone their reopening until this March. Co-owner Jose Zacatelco expressed his gratitude about the warm reception they have received over the past several weeks. “Everybody is very, very happy that we are back open, and we have been welcomed back to the neighborhood. People didn’t forget about us, and we are very grateful.”

Zacatelco credits keeping Martha’s social media active with helping to stay connected with customers during the long closure. “I kept the website and Facebook page alive while we were closed so that people would remember us,” he shared. “I kept people engaged by sharing about the construction and the struggles we had along the way, and the excitement about the reopening. We’ve gained hundreds of new followers because of that.”

S

Unity in Art: Cherry Creek

“Once we run out of birria for the day, people say, ‘I'll come back tomorrow.’ And they do come back!”

“Once we run out of birria for the day, people say, ‘I'll come back tomorrow.’ And they do come back!”

- Adam Hernandez

Zacatelco owns the restaurant with its namesake, Martha Armenta, who grew up cooking in Guanajuato, Mexico, and wanted to bring the flavors of home to Columbus. When they first opened, the duo chose to include the name fusion because they offered additional menu items like pizza and gyros. But now they are solely focused on Mexican dishes, namely birria.

“The birria is our number one item. The birria tacos are a huge part of the menu and account for 90% of our sales,” said Zacatelco. “Once we run out of birria for the day, people say, ‘Oh never mind thanks, I’ll come back tomorrow.’ And they do come back!” →

Birria (beer-e-ya) is a rich, flavorful Mexican stew made from meat that is slow cooked in a savory liquid until it is fall-apart tender. At Martha’s, their birria tacos are topped with a sprinkle of chopped onion and cilantro and served with a side of consommé, the flavorful broth that the meat has been cooked in. It can also be ordered in quesadillas and enchiladas, as a bowl, on top of fries or nachos, or in a massive pizzadilla creation. Chicken birria takes around two hours to cook, while the beef variety takes upwards of five or more, and Martha’s typically makes batches of each at least twice daily.

The renovated space features a much larger grill, more tables for dining in, and a new bar, with an alcohol license set to arrive within the next several months. The restaurant prides itself on not only the delicious, authentic food they serve, but also their commitment to their team.

Employees are paid fair, livable wages and tips are split equally among the staff. Zacatelco emphasized that Martha’s is a true family business and that the loyal customers who have stuck with them are the reason they are able to stay afloat during the challenging times. “I would like to thank everyone who shares their love with our kitchen,” he said. And, he added with a smile, “West Jefferson, pay attention.” ♦

Check out Martha’s Fusion Kitchen’s Facebook page to stay up to date and view more pictures of their delicious creations.

↑ A full spread from Martha’s Fusion Kitchen ↓

“I would like to thank everyone who shares their love with our kitchen”

“I would like to thank everyone who shares their love with our kitchen”

↑ Churros from Martha’s Fusion Kitchen

A Columbus-area institution since 1950, here’s how Johnson’s Real Ice Cream is adding three new storefronts—and doubling its footprint—in just a few short months

By Chris Alexis Photos by Emma Mortellaro

Story Design by Atlas Biro

The temperatures are rising…and so are the number of Johnson’s Real Ice Cream locations.

In fact, they are doubling!

Last year in 2023, there were three locations: Bexley, New Albany, and Dublin. And this year alone central Ohio is seeing new stores popping up in Grandview, Italian Village, and Canal Winchester.

The Johnson’s team knew they wanted to expand, putting their soft and creamy treats within better reach of more communities. They first settled on their Grandview location and got to work, digging into the logistics of opening their fourth location.

But then another company approached, announcing they were transitioning away from the ice cream business. Perhaps Johnson’s would be interested in their Italian Village location?

It was an offer Johnson’s couldn’t refuse. Number five was on the way! But then yet another opportunity revealed itself: This time in Canal Winchester, and city leaders were the ones who came calling.

They had purchased a building in their historic district and were planning on returning the exterior to its historic facade to make it attractive for a destination restaurant or retail location.

“They were looking around for an ice cream company they wanted to locate in that area,” said Matt Wilcoxon, CEO of Johnson’s Real Ice Cream. “They came to us and said, ‘Look, we want Johnson's in our community. Johnson's fits the mold.’”

Wilcoxon admitted to feeling a bit overwhelmed in that moment.

“Of course, my instinct right away was like, I don't know how we could possibly do this,” he said. “Three locations? There's no way!”

But the city sweetened the deal with build-out costs to offset the extensive renovations needed.

“These three stars aligned on all three of these locations just at the same time,” Wilcoxon said.

“We're making it happen. We have a great staff, management team, and director of retail operations, Chris Van Horn. He's been with us for 10 years. He ran multiple Wendy's locations. He has the experience of helping us understand how to pull this together and make this happen. I can't take all the credit for deciding to do this.”

The Grandview location opened on March 21, Italian Village opened April 11, and Canal Winchester will debut the week before Memorial Day. In case you’re keeping score at home, that’s three new storefronts in just over two months.

With so many new stores, it’s easy to forget that Johnson’s goes way back, coming into existence back in the 1940s, and it’s been in the same family’s hands for decades.

“My great-grandpa Johnson had a small ice cream freezer,” Wilcoxon said. “He owned a meat locker plant during the war so people could store their frozen foods.”

And he realized that the flash-freezing point of ice cream was the same as the temperature of his freezer: negative 20 degrees.

The faster you freeze ice cream, the fewer crystals you have, and the creamier the ice cream. It was perfect. So perfect, it would become a differentiator for the company throughout the next seven decades.

↓ Johnson’s Real Ice Cream scoops on display

After the war subsided, technology advanced and home freezers became more common. The demand for his freezers cooled off, but the same could not be said for his ice cream. The public continued to flock to his 10x20 foot walk-up area with an ice cream machine.

“We still have the original walk-up windows we still use today, believe it or not,” Wilcoxon added, noting the first store opened in Bexley in 1950.

Now, (614) readers may have a question. The name is Johnson’s … but his descendant is Wilcoxon.

“The name Johnson's comes from my grandmother, who married into the Wilcoxon family,” he explained, referring to the daughter of his great-grandfather. “Even though the family name changed, we kept Johnson's because it was already well-known and loved.“

His grandfather handed it down to his father, who handed it down to him.

“To this day, I still remember riding the COTA bus,” he reminisced. “My grandmother would put me on the bus and I'd go directly to Johnson's on Main Street. My grandfather would be waiting there to get me off the bus.”

His father and grandfather mentored him in the ice cream business. But it wasn’t just about selling more treats. It was about connecting with the community and customer service, he said.

“The one thing I'll never forget is them saying to me, ‘Every decision we make has an outcome on our family.’ I think that's important,” he said. “I still tell our customers and our new hires now that it all reflects on our family.”

It’s not just a business. It’s something the Wilcoxons have invested their whole hearts into.

“We have true feelings in this every single day, and I have for the last 35 years of my life,” Wilcoxon said.

He continued, “We still refer to occasionally our handwritten formula book that's been edited multiple times. Looking back at that, it just reminds us over the last 60 years of where Johnson’s started.”

But one thing is clear: They’re not finishing anytime soon. Before long, the sun will deliver warmer weather, and people will seek out the cool comfort of ice cream. And if they seek out Johnson’s, they’ll bite into the sweet, creamy, cool taste of family, love, and history.

Honestly, we can’t think of a better recipe. ♦

“Every decision we make has an outcome on our family...I still tell our customers and our new hires now that it all reflects on our family”

↓ Johnson’s Ice Cream decked out in sprinkles

614 614

By Sav McKee Story Design by Bryce Patterson

Well folks, it’s the moment the entire city has been waiting for. Nearly half a million votes later, and we’re ready to present the absolute best that Columbus has to offer. No need to open your phone and search “best _____ in Columbus.” Just flip to the next page, the good ol’ fashioned way. We got you covered, from the best pizza in town, to the best

florist, and yup, even down to the best pet store around central Ohio.

We couldn’t have done it without you. Yes, you! And all of the other thousands of readers who took the time to vote on the restaurants that feel like home (and the cocktails that they wish they could recreate at home.)

So, let’s get to it. This is ColumBEST.

#1 · STAUF'S COFFEE ROASTERS

Multiple Locations foxinthesnow.com

#2 First Watch

#3 DK Diner

#1 · KITCHEN SOCIAL

Multiple Locations ourkitchensocial.com

#2 Northstar Cafe

#3 First Watch

Multiple Locations staufs.com

#2 Fox in the Snow

#3 Crimson Cup

& Sandwiches

#1 · KATZINGER'S DELICATESSEN

475 S. 3rd St. | 7160 Muirfield Dr. katzingers.com

#2 Brown Bag Deli

#3 Wario’s Beef & Pork

#2

#3

↓ Dirty Frank's Brats, Photo by Leonardo Carrizo

#2 Budd Dairy Food Hall #3 North Market Bridge Park Multiple Locations greekexpressfamily.com

#2 Happy Greek

Lavash Cafe

N. High St. | 424 Town St. rayrayshogpit.com

#2 Schmidt's Sausage Truck #3 Dos Hermanos 2198 E. Main St. thetopsteakhouse.com

#2 Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

#3 Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

#2 City Barbecue #3 Hoggy’s BBQ & Catering

Multiple Locations capcityfinediner.com

#2 DK Diner

#3 Tommy's Diner Multiple Locations rayrayshogpit.com

#1 · NORTH MARKET

59 Spruce St. northmarket.org

#2 Brassica #3 BIBIBOP

Best Sushi

#1 · AKAI HANA

1173 Old Henderson Rd. akaihana.japanmarketplace.com

#2 FUSIAN

#3 Mr. Sushi

Best Place for a Salad

#1 · NORTHSTAR CAFE

Multiple Locations thenorthstarcafe.com

#2 Cap City Fine Diner #3 Brassica

Best Ramen

#1 · FUKURYU RAMEN

Multiple Locations fukuryuramen.com

#2 Slurping Turtle

#3 Meshikou Ramen

Best Gourmet Burger

#1 · THE THURMAN CAFE

183 Thurman Ave. thethurmancafe.com

#2 Northstar Cafe #3 The Rail

Best Traditional Burger

#1 · THE THURMAN CAFE

183 Thurman Ave. thethurmancafe.com

#2 Ritzy's #3 Shake Shack

Best Wings

#1 · ROOSTERS

Multiple Locations roosterswings.com

THANK YOU COLUMBUS AND THE ENTIRE BREWDOG TEAM, THIS WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU.

#2 Wings Over Columbus

#3 Hot Chicken Takeover

Multiple Locations harvestpizzeria.com

#2 Dewey's Pizza

#3 Sexton's Pizza

#1 · MIKEY'S LATE NIGHT SLICE #1

Multiple Locations latenightslice.com

#2 Massey's Pizza

#3 Hounddog's Pizza

#1

Multiple Locations fiveguys.com

#2 Brassica #3 Rusty Bucket

↑ Roosters Wings, Photo by Zane Osler

#2 Yats Cajun Creole

J. Gumbo's

#2 Roosters

Photo courtesy of Northstar

Best Italian Restaurant

Best Asian Restaurant

#1 · TAI'S ASIAN BISTRO

1285 W. Lane Ave. taisasianbistrocbus.com

#2 Akai Hana

#3 Molly Woo's Asian Bistro

#1 · MARCELLA'S

615 N. High St. | 1319 Polaris Pkwy. marcellasrestaurant.com

#2 Carfagna's Ristorante

#3 Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria

Best Mexican Restaurant

#1 · EL VAQUERO

Multiple Locations vaquerorestaurant.com

#2 Los Guachos Taqueria

#3 Condado Tacos

Best Greek Restaurant

#1 · HAPPY GREEK

660 N. High St. happygreek.com

#2 Greek Express

#3 Yanni's Greek Restaurant

Best Indian Restaurant

#1 · AAB INDIA

1470 Grandview Ave. aabindiarestaurants.com

#2 Rooh

#3 Cumin and Curry

Best Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern Restaurant

#1 · ALADDIN'S EATERY

Multiple Locations aladdins.com

#2 Brassica

#3 Lavash Cafe

↓ Photo courtesy of Mitchell's Ocean Club

Best Seafood Restaurant

#1

· MITCHELL'S OCEAN CLUB

4002 Easton Station ocean-prime.com

#2 The Pearl

#3 Columbus Fish Market

Best Tacos

#1

· CONDADO TACOS

Multiple Locations condadotacos.com

#2 Los Guachos Taqueria

#3 Local Cantina

↑ Assorted Tacos, Condado Tacos, Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

#2 101 Beer Kitchen

#3 Arch City Tavern 1092 Bethel Rd. refectory.com

#2 Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

#3 Lindey's

Best Price is Not an Object Restaurant Best Date Night Restaurant

#1 · LINDEY'S Multiple Locations highbankco.com

169 E. Beck St. lindeys.com

#2 The Melting Pot

#3 The Pearl

Photo by Collins Laatsch

Multiple Locations ourkitchensocial.com

#2 Lindey's #3 High Bank Distillery Co.

Multiple Locations buckeyedonuts.com

#2 Resch's Bakery

#3 Schneider's Bakery Multiple Locations thecheesecakegirl.com

#2 Pistacia Vera #3 Chocolate Cafe Multiple Locations graeters.com

#2 Pistacia Vera #3 Belle’s Bread

#2 Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream #3 Whit's Frozen Custard 1261 Grandview Ave. 7105 N. High St. lioncubscookies.com

#2 Crumbl #3 Fox in the Snow 4061 E. Livingston Ave. reschbakery.com

Best Restaurant: Arena District

#1 · WARIO’S BEEF & PORK

111 W. Nationwide Blvd. wariosbeefandpork614.com

#2 Nada

#3 Buca di Beppo

Best Restaurant: Bexley

#1 · THE TOP STEAK HOUSE

2198 E. Main St. thetopsteakhouse.com

#2 Harvest Pizzeria

#3 Giuseppe's Ritrovo

Best Restaurant: Campus, Clintonville & Linden

#1 · PAT & GRACIE'S

138 Graceland Blvd. patandgracies.com

#2 Northstar Cafe

#3 Harvest Pizzeria

Best Restaurant: Dublin & Powell

#1 · KITCHEN SOCIAL

6791 Longshore St. ourkitchensocial.com

#2 The Pearl

#3 Local Roots

Best Restaurant: Franklinton & Hilltop

#1 · TOMMY'S DINER

914 W. Broad St. tommysdiner.com

#2 BrewDog

#3 Yellow Brick Pizza

Best Restaurant: Gahanna & Easton

#1 · MITCHELL'S OCEAN CLUB

4002 Easton Station ocean-prime.com

#2 Cooper's Hawk

#3 Lola & Giuseppe's Trattoria

Best Restaurant: German Village, Olde Towne East, Merion Village & Brewery District

#1 · LINDEY'S

169 E. Beck St. lindeys.com

#2 Schmidt's Sausage Haus

#3 Chapman's Eat Market

Best Restaurant: Grove City

#1 · PLANKS ON BROADWAY

4022 Broadway Planks on Broadway

#2 Grove City Brewing Company

#3 Roosters

Best Restaurant: Hilliard

#1 · STARLINER DINER

4121 Main St. starlinerdiner.com

#2 Roosters

#3 The Goat

Best Restaurant: New Albany

#1 · THE BARN

#2 Hudson 29 #3 BrewDog

Best Restaurant: Reynoldsburg

#1 · BLOCK'S HOT BAGELS & DELI

6115 McNaughten Rd. blocksbagelsdeli.com

#2 Scali Ristorante

#3 Prost

Best Restaurant: Short North, Italian Village & Victorian Village

#1 · FORNO KITCHEN + BAR

721 N. High St. fornoshortnorth.com

#2 The Pearl

#3 Marcella's 1370 E. Johnstown Rd. thebarncolumbus.com

Best Restaurant:

Upper Arlington & Grandview

#1 · HIGH BANK DISTILLERY CO.

1051 Goodale Blvd. highbankco.com

#2 Third & Hollywood

#3 Cap City Fine Diner

Best Restaurant: Westerville & Polaris

#1 · KITCHEN SOCIAL

8954 Lyra Dr. ourkitchensocial.com

#2 Carfagna's Ristorante

#3 Asterisk Supper Club

Best Restaurant: Worthington

#1 · THE WHITNEY HOUSE

666 High St. thewhitneyhouserestaurant.com

#2 Joya’s

#3 Villa Nova

Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

#2 Bob's Bar

#2

Roosters, Photo by Collins Laatsch

#1 · JACKIE O'S ON FOURTH

171 N. 4th St. jackieos.com

#2 Cobra #3 Stories on High

#1 · 101 BEER KITCHEN

Multiple Locations 101beerkitchen.com

#2 Pins Mechanical Co.

#3 The Daily Growler

4230 The Strand chwinery.com

#2 The Refectory #3 The Bottle Shop

#1 · THE PEARL

#1 · COOPER'S HAWK #1 · LAND-GRANT BREWING

641 N. High St. | 88 N. High St. thepearlrestaurant.com

#2 Hangover Easy #3 High Bank Distillery Co.

#1 · FORNO KITCHEN + BAR

721 N. High St. fornoshortnorth.com

#2 High Bank Distillery Co.

#3 Kitchen Social

424 W. Town St. landgrantbrewing.com

#2 Seventh Son Brewing Co #3 BrewDog

Jackie O's On Fourth,

Photo by Aaron Massey ↓

Best Bar: Arena District

#1 · BETTY’S BAR

435 W. Nationwide Blvd. Betty’s Bar

#2 R Bar Arena

#3 Brother’s Bar and Grill

Best Bar: Bexley

#1 · THE TOP STEAK HOUSE

2891 E. Main St. thetopsteakhouse.com

#2 Harvest Pizzeria

#3 Giuseppe's Ritrovo

Best Bar: Campus, Clintonville & Linden

#1 · OUT-R-INN

20 Frambes Ave. @outrinn

#2 Bob's Bar

#3 The Varsity Club

Best Bar: Downtown

#1 · 16-BIT BAR+ARCADE

254 S. 4th St. 16-bitbar.com

#2 Slammers

#3 Citizen's Trust

↑ Photo courtesy of The Top Steak House

Best Bar: Dublin & Powell

#1 · NOCTERRA BREWING CO.

41 Depot St. nocterrabrewing.com

#2 Pins Mechanical Co.

#3 VASO

Best Bar: Franklinton / Hilltop

#1 · LAND-GRANT BREWING CO.

424 W. Town St. landgrantbrewing.com

#2 BrewDog

#3 Rehab Tavern

Best Bar: Gahanna & Easton

#1 · PINS MECHANICAL CO.

4117 Worth Ave. pinsbar.com

#2 High Bank Distillery Co.

#3 Gatsby's

Best

#1 · GROVE CITY BREWING CO.

3946 Broadway grovecitybrewery.com

#2 Memories Food & Spirits

#3 The Upper Deck

Best Bar: German Village, Olde Towne East, Merion Village & Brewery District

#1 · ANTIQUES ON HIGH

714 S. High St. antiquesonhigh.com

#2 Club 185

#3 The Thurman Cafe

Best Bar: Hilliard

#1 · CROOKED CAN BREWING CO.

5354 Center St. crookedcanohio.com

#2 Roosters

#3 The Goat

Bar: Grove City

↑ Photo courtesy of Land-Grant Brewing Co.

Best Bar: New Albany

#1 · BREWDOG

#2 The Goat

#3 Flanagan's Pub 17 Buttles Ave. gingerrabbitjazz.com

Best Bar: Short North, Italian Village & Victorian Village

#1 · GINGER RABBIT JAZZ LOUNGE

#2 Budd Dairy Food Hall

#3 Zeno's

Best Bar: Westerville & Polaris

#1 · KITCHEN SOCIAL 97 E. Dublin Granville Rd. brewdog.com

8954 Lyra Dr. ourkitchensocial.com

#2 North High Brewing

#3 Uptown Deli and Brew

Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge,

Photo by Aaron Massey ↑

Best Bar: Reynoldsburg

#1 · O'TOOLE'S IRISH PUB

7578 E. Main St. otoolesreynoldsburg.com

#2 Prost #3 SC Bar & Kitchen

Best Bar: Upper Arlington & Grandview

#1 · HIGH BANK DISTILLERY CO.

1051 Goodale Blvd. highbankco.com

#2 Grandview Cafe

#3 Byrne's Pub

Best Bar: Worthington

#1 · WORTHINGTON TAVERN

671 High St. worthingtontavern.com

#2 Old Bag of Nails

#3 Zaftig Brewing Co. & Taproom

Photo

Best Cover Band Best Local Solo Musician Best Local Band

#1 · SHUCKING BUBBA #1 · NORTH TO NASHVILLE #1 · JOHN SCHWAB @shuckingbubba

#2 Hoo Doo Soul Band

#3 Conspiracy John Schwab

#2 Molly Winters #3 Dave Powers @northtonashville

#2 CAAMP #3 MoJoFlo North to Nashville

Photo courtesy of North to Nashville ↓

Best Bowling Alley Best Art Gallery Best Apartment Complex

#1 · PINS MECHANICAL CO.

Multiple Locations pinsbar.com

#2 Ten Pin Alley

#1 · WEXNER CENTER FOR THE ARTS

#3 Star Lanes wexarts.org

#2 Studios on High

#1 · GRANDVIEW YARD

#3 83 Gallery grandviewyard.com

#2 Bridge Park

#3 The Quarry

Grandview Yard, Photo by Courtesy of Grandview Yard ↑

#1 · 97.9 WNCI

#2 97.1, The Fan

Best Columbus Employer 500+ Employees

#3 92.3, WCOL hr.osu.edu/careers/

#1 · THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

#2 Nationwide Children's Hospital

#3 Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Favorite

Hot Chicken Takeover, Photo by Collins Laatsch →

Favorite Local TV Personality

#1 · YOLANDA HARRIS, 10TV

#2 Dom Tiberi, 10TV

#3 Monica Day, NBC4

Best Columbus Employer

Under 500 Employees

#1 · HOT CHICKEN TAKEOVER

hotchickentakeover.com

#2 BrewDog

#3 Moo Moo Car Wash

#2 Hotel LeVeque

#3 Hilton Downtown

#2 Timbrook Guesthouse

#3 50 Lincoln Bed & Breakfast

#2 Columbus Park of Roses

#3 Schiller Park

#2

Maudine's, at The Junto Hotel,

Photo by Sarah Pfeifer ↓

Best Private Golf Course

#1 · MUIRFIELD VILLAGE

mvgc.org

#2 Scioto Country Club

#3 Ohio State University Golf Club

Best Local Place to Get Married / Hold Your Reception

#1 · FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY

fpconservatory.org

#2 Jorgensen Farms

#3 Whetstone Park of Roses

Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners

#1 · COLUMBUS ZOO & AQUARIUM

columbuszoo.org

#2 North Market

#3 Bridge Park

Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

Photo by Leonardo Carrizo

#2 Roush Honda

Germain Auto, Photo by Collins Laatsch ↓

Best Pet Groomer

#1 · DOGGIE DAY SPA

@doggydayspacolumbus

#2 Mutts & Co.

#3 PetSmart

Best Doggie Daycare

#1 · DOGTOPIA

#2 Camp Bow Wow

#3 PetSuites vmc.net.osu.edu

Best Vet/Animal Hospital

#1 · OSU ANIMAL HOSPITAL

#2 MedVet

#3 Upper Arlington Vet Hospital

Best Hospital

#1 · WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER

wexnermedical.osu.edu

#2 Riverside Methodist Hospital

#3 Nationwide Children's Hospital dogtopia.com

Photo by Rebecca Tien

Huntington

Photo by Emery Photography ↓

Homage Clothing,

Photo by Collins Laatsch ↓

↑ Weiland's

Photo by Megan Leigh Barnard

Photo

(614)'S SPRING COCKTAIL COMPETITION WINNERS

1ST PLACE

LINDEY’S | Oscar Leyva

2ND PLACE

BRISTOL

Gunnar Meyer & Julia Layer

3RD PLACE

BARREL & BOAR

Tracy Wisse & Ben Mooney

4TH PLACE

HIGH BANK | Bismark Akomeah

TABLE DECOR

SYCAMORE | Mykl Hicks

MOST SUSTAINABLE

I LIKE IT LIKE THAT

Lindsay Koontz & Genevieve Johnson

DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL TASTE

OFFICIAL AMERICAN WHISKEY OF THE MICHELIN ® GUIDE

MR. WRITE

After an unexpected appearance on Zillow Gone Wild, Columbus learned of—and fell in love with—local typewriter collector Danny Jordan

By Melinda Green / Photos by Samuel Chase Story Design by Tori Smith

Tucked into the three-season room of an unassuming split-level house on Columbus’ North Side was a collection that caught the attention of Zillow Gone Wild’s social media accounts in late March. It wasn’t stamps, exotic animals or even vintage cars.

It was Danny Jordan’s nearly two hundred vintage typewriters.

So let’s be honest: all typewriters are vintage nowadays, thanks to digital technology. But Jordan’s collection runs the gamut from some of the earliest 1870s models to some of the last to be produced.

↓

↓ Jordan’s vintage typewriter collection

A quick internet search shows the wall-towall machinery that got so much attention on Zillow Gone Wild’s Facebook and X posts. But, to be exact, Jordan is sort of a Renaissance Man. Originally from Toronto, he came to Chicago and then to Columbus, following personal relationships. He’s been a graphic designer and a retail manager. In Chicago, he owned an antiques shop. “You have a lot of fun and you learn a lot,” he said of that experience. “Your range widens.”

In addition to typewriters, he collects cameras, beer steins, and 78rpm records—and that’s the tip of the iceberg. He studied art history in college, and when he talks about art, it’s easy to see how he slid into his collections. “I don't have a particular genre that appeals more to me than others,” he said. “A lot of people don't like abstract art because they just can't process the visual. I think it's important to be able to appreciate a wide range of styles.”

But typewriters are his most serious collection, rooted in the history he shares with so many Americans. “Like everyone my age, you either hand wrote your papers in high school and college, or, if you were smart, you used the typewriter. Because most people's writing wasn't very legible,” he said. Typewriters were society’s answer to more youth pursuing whitecollar work and writing more and more papers on tighter and tighter deadlines.

Jordan’s fascination with typewriters may have started in his late teens, but he began collecting in earnest in his 40s—after he had closed his Chicago antiques store.

“I've just always been kind of entranced by typewriters, because the mechanics of them are simple and complicated at the same time,” he continued. “And, as a mechanical device, they've been around for a long time.“

Long enough to result in an impressive collection. Metal shelves and stacks of cases fill his three-season room. Early models line a generously wide window berth. Everywhere, there are typewriters displaying names like National, Victor, Remington, and Underwood, in muted shades of taupe, green, gray, blue, red, and gold. The earlier models are black enamel. Occasionally, a pastel shade pops out.

The typewriter’s mechanical detail is what really drew him into this passion. “I mean, it's great engineering,” he said. “It has to be precise because you want all of those letters to line up. You don't want one up and down, up and down, which on some typewriters happens with age. But, you know, a good typewriter, it'll be consistent for a lifetime. And that's really special, because it's not easy to do.” →

“...it's great engineering. It has to be precise because you want all of those letters to line up. You don't want one up and down, up and down, which on some typewriters happens with age. But, you know, a good typewriter, it'll be consistent for a lifetime. And that's really special, because it's not easy to do.”

Jordan continued, “We're all familiar with the standard 56 keys, or however many there usually are, the QWERTY keyboard and striker arms. But that hasn't always been the case. There were typewriters made with cylinders that had all the letters on them.” He also points out an Oliver “batwing” model, with striker arms that swing down from the sides.

He has standard (tabletop) models, heavymotored electrics, and lightweight ultraportables, rare and common—even a hard-to-find Macy’s Portable No. 1. The oldest models in his collection date back well over a hundred years, and American models are generally the most coveted.

Does he try them all out? He sure does. Does he use a particular sentence, like, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog?” “I'm a little nastier than that,” he said with a hearty laugh. “It depends on how I'm feeling that day.”

The biggest criterion for what he won’t collect is items that need repair. ”You have to have the right tools—you can't use a regular screwdriver or a pair of pliers or anything like that,” he explained. “And, you know, you have to get the alignment correct. You have to make sure you're careful, or you can throw everything off.” His favorites, on the other hand, are the lightweight, easy-to-use portables.

Perusing the room, it’s easy to wonder what history might have been made with the help of these machines—historic correspondence, groundbreaking research reports, economic growth, even the great American novel. But the stories are lost to time.

And some of the collection will be lost to time, as well. While he was showing off typewriter after typewriter for this article, Jordan also was in the process of moving to Florida. To prepare, he had to downsize his collection a bit—which is easier than you might think, thanks to the internet. There's even a typewriter collector’s group on Facebook that has thousands of members. Who knows—maybe one or two typewriters stayed in Columbus.

Jordan isn’t losing sleep over downsizing his collection. “I've had a lot of fun with [the typewriters],” he said, while considering how to display the remaining models in a much smaller house.

Jordan’s story—and Columbus’ late-blooming infatuation with the vintage typewriter collector— is like so many things laced with an almost Shakespearean level of irony: It’s only when he’s about to leave that we latch onto him.

“It’s funny, Danny had photos of his historic home in Olde Towne East with the same typewriter collection, and nobody noticed then,” Jordan’s real estate agent Rayna Morgan said. “Who knows. Maybe it’s just the quality of the photos this time.”

And maybe—hopefully—we’ll see pictures of Jordan and his typewriters again, from somewhere else. Farewell, The Columbus Typewriter Guy!

Dentistry Re-imagined

By Jack McLaughlin / Photos by Jen Brown Story Design by Tori Smith

Worthington’s Total Wellness

Dental Studio is leading the charge into a new era of dentistry, while leaving patient anxiety and lifeless interiors in the past

When you first walk into Worthington’s Total Wellness Dental Studio, you may think, for a second, you ended up in the wrong location. A waiting room filled with natural light. An eclectic spray of live plants lining the walls. A warm, enthusiastic staff that helps melt away any remaining anxiety.

If this doesn’t sound like a dental studio to you, you’re not alone. And that’s exactly how owner Dr. Natalie Massa Wallace and her team want it to be.

“We would like to have a place where everyone can feel comfortable. For some people that means keeping things clean and bright, and for others that means creating a more approachable space,” Dr. Massa said. “We're all plant people and we wanted to share our love of plants with our patients. And for us, it's like bringing a little piece of home to the office.”

Patient comfort and happiness are two priorities of utmost importance for Dr. Massa and her team. And if the intricately composed space (“I would have been an interior designer if I didn’t become a dentist," Dr. Massa joked), lush greenery and the fact that many of its rooms have TVs with Netflix, Discovery and Disney don’t do the trick, the people who make up the Total Wellness team will.

"My goal in sharing our story in (614) Magazine is not to sell dentistry, it's to let others get to know us," Dr. Massa said. "We're all human and I want everyone to know we are approachable. Once they get to know us a little bit, then at that point they can decide if we are going to be their dental home." →

Dr. Massa's career (in some capacity) started at just 15 years old when she served as everything from front desk check-in to dental assistant. Since she’s served in nearly every role there is, she closely understands the wants and needs of the individuals currently in those positions. The empathy Dr. Massa gained extends to her staff, and later, to her patients.

“It’s not just about having a beautiful environment, it's about how you feel coming to work everyday. We want to have a place where everyone can feel comfortable,” she said. “I don't want our team to wake up and say ‘I have to go work,’ I want them to say ‘I get to go to work today.’”

While it’s easy for some business owners to say this much, the upbeat energy and atmosphere of the Total Wellness Dental team is apparent from the moment you walk in. It starts at the front desk with warm welcomes and bright smiles and extends to the clinical side through the passion and care exuded by the clinical team.

According to Dr. Massa, the cohesion of her team is achieved not just through open lines of communication and empathy, but also three day weekends, every week (the office is closed Friday-Sunday), flexible scheduling and manageable workloads.

Don’t let the staff’s charm and charisma come off as flippant, though: The Total Wellness team knows how to get down to business when they need to. The Worthington dental studio offers the full panel of regular dental care– including exams and cleanings, fillings, crowns, IV sedation, root canals, extractions and other dental services you'd typically expect. But they go further by offering a more holistic approach to

dentistry with fluoride-alternative options and by placing priority on education and prevention.

Not just dentistry, Total Wellness Dental Studio embraces a range of aesthetic services. Cultivating self-love in others is what truly motivates Dr. Massa the most. They offer a wide range of speciality services like KOR whitening, Invisalign, botox, dermal fillers, and medical-grade skincare. "I offer these additional services because self-confidence is important to us, and these treatments can really boost someone's confidence to the next level," Dr. Massa said.

In fact, the woman behind Total Wellness Dental Studio had her own life changing experience through dentistry. "I was self conscious as a teen because of how my jaws developed as I grew. I had a really deep underbite which affected my appearance. I didn't like having lunch with anyone because I had a hard time chewing food properly. I couldn't be myself, " she said. "After years and years of braces, I had jaw surgery my senior year of highschool. That whole journey ended in a more confident me allowing me to be the person I was meant to be. And now, I want to do that same thing for others using the skills I've worked at perfecting over the years."

”

We want to have a place where everyone can feel comfortable. I don’t want our staff to wake up and say, ‘I have to go work,’ I want them to say ‘I get to go to work today.’ ”

MEET THE TOTAL WELLNESS DENTAL STUDIO TEAM!

“After I had my braces removed, it totally transformed my smile and my confidence. I wanted to be able to do that for other people.”

PATIENT COORDINATOR

“I have a background in education and I love the way everyone here embraces the opportunity to teach. Our patients know why they're getting their treatment. At the front desk, we also work hard to help them understand their dental insurance coverage. When you have information, you have power, and empowering our patients is a key value.”

ALEXA

REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

DIANE

TEAM COACH

“Hi! I'm Dr. Massa's mom. It has been my dream to work with her since she was 15 years old. It's the best end to my dental career of 35 years!”

KATIE

TREATMENT COORDINATOR

“We often serve people who are riddled with dental anxiety. We are able to instill confidence in our patients by providing clarity and giving patients the time to ask any questions. When they leave our office, they feel confident moving forward with the plan to improve their oral health. I love being a part of making our patients feel supported and comfortable.”

INES

REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

“I’ve always wanted to be in the healthcare field and help my community somehow. I love the aspect of helping others with gum health and preventative treatments, and it’s also a form of art in a way! My favorite part of working at Total Wellness Dental is that we’re a true team of caring women who work with each other instead of against each other.”

JESSICA

EXPANDED FUNCTIONS DENTAL ASSISTANT

KATHY

REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST

“I love to help others. What better way to do this than through dental hygiene? I consider myself an educator first and a clinician second. A healthy body starts with having a healthy mouth. That's my focus, educating patients on the ways they can take care of their oral health, in turn caring for their whole body. ”

TATIANA

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

“I enjoy the art of restoring teeth to their natural form and function. Transforming old fillings or worn-down teeth into pretty, detailed restorations is what I have the most fun with in my work!”

“My youngest daughter had dental work done at the age of 2, and I learned later a lot of it probably wasn’t needed. I never want anyone to experience that for themselves, and I love how Dr. Massa makes sure patients leave understanding not only what work they had done, but why.”

Skin Scholars

Local tattoo parlor, Evolved, is helping aspiring skin artists gain confidence and skills through their unique tattoo curriculum and apprenticeship program, churning out true ink masters

By Laura Hennigan / Photos by Leonardo Carrizo / Story Design by Tori Smith

↓ Ravyn Markham, Tattoo apprentice at Evolved Body Art

saturday, june 1

11AM - 8PM

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Take part in the LARGEST PEDESTRIANONLY EXPERIENCE in Central Ohio

Enjoy LIVE MUSIC, COMEDY, ART-MAKING, FASHION SHOWS, POETRY and more

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Hosted by: With Support From:

↓ Markham, who is about to finish her two-year apprenticeship at Evolved Body Art, in front of the tattoo and piercing parlor

Ravyn Markham’s fascination with body art and modifications began when she was a teenager.

“I lived in a rural area, so the internet was how I began learning about what was out there,” she shared. “I saw body art on other people and thought it was really cool. I was a pretty rebellious kid and would pierce myself a lot. Once I turned 18, I started getting professional tattoos.” She ended up finding her place and her people at Evolved Body Art, which has two locations, one on N. High St. in the University District, as well as a shop on Summit St.

Markham started there in 2018, working in the front of the house and taking on different projects, including creating an online booking system. As time went on, she became increasingly interested in learning the tattoo trade for herself.

Rewind a few years before that, when Evolved owner Nick Wolak was working on his Masters degree at OSU and took a curriculum class. “I chose to do my research on Tattooing and Body Piercing curriculums throughout the world,” he said. “At that time, I found only one curriculum anywhere in the world (in Canada) and it was ultra simple, even vague. That was definitely inspiration and motivation to put together something that we could use at Evolved and then to also post it on our website to be used by anyone in the industry.”

Thus began the apprenticeship program at Evolved, which Markham is currently wrapping up after having started in 2021. The beginning of the program focuses heavily on hygiene and best practices, covering topics like cross-contamination and infectious disease awareness. “I started from scratch and it was definitely scary for a few months,” said Markham. “But we have the whole shop helping and supporting us. They helped me learn how to focus and understand the techniques of tattooing.” Artists in the program start with drawing designs and artwork on paper, then practice extensively on lifelike silicone “skins” before moving to real people. →

“I still have so much to learn. We have artists who have been tattooing for over 20 years and they are still learning everyday too.”

There is no timeline for completion of an apprenticeship at Evolved, but rather an emphasis on each artist feeling as knowledgeable and comfortable as possible. “We use a mastery approach and allow each person to take as long as they need to really, really master each concept and skill set,” said Wolak. “Once the apprentice feels ready, they sign off on it and request that one of our tattooers sign off too. If the tattooer signs off, then I will ‘test’ the apprentice in depth.”

Markham is excited to be nearly done with her apprenticeship, but knows this is just the very beginning of her career. She feels much more experienced and empowered than she did a year ago, having gained confidence in both her tattooing skills and her interactions with clients. “An apprenticeship is hard to get through, so it’s something you have to really want. It’s not easy, but it’s been fun,” she shared. “And I still have so much to learn. We have artists who have been tattooing for over 20 years and they are still learning everyday too. I can’t wait to continue learning and gaining knowledge at Evolved.”

To learn more about Evolved’s apprenticeship program, visit evolvedbodyart.com.

↓ Markham applying a tattoo stencil of a “silly goose” on her client and friend