Columbus Monthly: Restaurant Signatures Special Section (2023)

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The city’s finest dining pros dish on themselves and the items that set their menus apart.

PHOTOS BY TIM JOHNSON

NOVEMBER 2023 COLUMBUS MONTHLY

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10/10/23 4:08 PM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MEGAN ADA • JOSHUA COOK OWNER AND CHEF, AMPERSAND ASIAN SUPPER CLUB WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU? My wife! She’s an extremely motivated person who is very compassionate about hospitality. -JC My dad inspired me to work hard and whatever I chose to do as my career, do it with 100 percent. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for my dad. -MA WHAT IS YOUR ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND WHY? A dry towel because everything is hot. -JC My laptop. As much as I would rather be cooking and doing the fun part of the business, the bills need paid and the emails need answered. -MA WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ALTERNATE CAREER CHOICE? To work at NASA. -JC A doctor. I went to medical school for a few months but then decided to go to culinary school. -MA WHAT DINING/BAR TRENDS DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE GROWING POPULAR IN THE FUTURE? I keep hearing a lot about non-alcoholic options from different companies. Also, the demand for vegan and vegetarian options continues to be on the up and up! -JC WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK? Spend time with my 6-year-old daughter. She’s the most caring and empathetic little girl; I’m a lucky mommy. -MA

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COLUMBUS MONTHLY NOVEMBER 2023

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10/10/2023 8:28:08 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

AMPERSAND ASIAN SUPPER CLUB 940 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43201 614-928-3333 ampersandasiansupperclub.com

STEAMED BUNS Our bun selection showcases our braised pork chashu, marinated tofu and delicious local mushrooms. Our pork and tofu are topped with achara slaw and chili mayo. The mushroom is topped with an asparagus salad and wasabi vinaigrette.

NOVEMBER 2023 COLUMBUS MONTHLY

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10/10/23 3:14 PM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

DESMOND REID JR. • MEGAN ADA • KATHRINE DIXON EXECUTIVE CHEF, OWNER AND MANAGING PARTNER, ASTERISK SUPPER CLUB WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE INDUSTRY? McDonald’s in Marietta, OH when I was 16. I was hired the day I turned 16 and I absolutely loved it. -MA I started during culinary school. I was 19 years old starting as a pastry chef at Piece of Cake in the Short North. -KD My first job in the culinary industry was at Dock 580 during my sophomore year in high school. -DRJ WHAT IS YOUR ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND WHY? Tongs. Tongs can be used like a spoon, ladle and even a spatula. -DRJ WHAT IS YOUR STYLE AS AN OWNER? I believe in leading by example and keeping a positive attitude. Details are extremely important to being successful. I want those that come into our doors to know we genuinely care and appreciate they are dining with us. -MA WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE COLUMBUS BAR SCENE? The cocktail scene in Columbus is so much fun. It’s growing so rapidly and it excites me to see what this city is capable of. -KD

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COLUMBUS MONTHLY NOVEMBER 2023

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10/10/23 11:35 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SHRIMP AND SHORTIE Our Shrimp and Shortie is a new-age take on the classic Shrimp and Grits.

Consisting of smoked gouda grits, tender braised short rib, seared shrimp, pickled vegetables and a black garlic bacon dashi that we pour along the perimeter of the dish at the table.

ASTERISK SUPPER CLUB 14 N. State St. Westerville, OH 43081 614-776-4633 asterisksupperclub.com

NOVEMBER 2023 COLUMBUS MONTHLY

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

REBEKAH WEISS OWNER, BASIC BISCUITS, KINDNESS, COFFEE

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE INDUSTRY? I started waiting tables when I was in high school. I always loved the restaurant scene and people.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ALTERNATE CAREER CHOICE? I already have another career: I’m also an attorney! But I dream of running a bed-and-breakfast someday.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COOKBOOK BOOK? Gosh, this is a hard one, but I think I’d have to pick Smitten Kitchen.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE COLUMBUS DINING SCENE? The sheer volume of it all! There’s always a place I haven’t been yet and want to try. My list is long.

WHAT DINING TRENDS DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE GROWING POPULAR IN THE FUTURE? Smaller, more casual joints with a carryout focus. I feel like places that are just a window, not even a place you go in are becoming more popular.

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Owner Rebekah Weiss outside of Basic Biscuits eatery

COLUMBUS MONTHLY NOVEMBER 2023

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10/10/23 11:40 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FANCY AF BISCUIT SANDWICH One of our daily featured biscuit sandwiches, the Fancy AF appears on Fridays (but can be ordered any day of the week from the “secret” menu). It’s built on our classic buttermilk biscuit [made from scratch] and stacked up with our own house blend and hand pattied sausage, a freshly cooked egg, and is then slathered with goat cheese and seasonal jam.

BASIC BISCUITS, KINDNESS, COFFEE 1160 Goodale Blvd.

Grandview Heights, OH 43212 614-955-8201 getbasicbiscuits.com

NOVEMBER 2023 COLUMBUS MONTHLY

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10/10/23 3:18 PM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ANA LOWE MARKETING DIRECTOR, LOCAL CANTINA WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE UNEXPECTED INGREDIENT AND WHY? Our favorite unexpected ingredients on our Weezy-style tacos are the soft flour and hard corn shells fused together with queso and guac—it’s pure magic.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE COLUMBUS DINING AND/OR BAR SCENE? The Columbus food and drink scene is always evolving which keeps us all on our toes. It’s inspiring to be a part of the tribe that works hard to give Columbus an exciting, eclectic range of choices.

WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE RESTAURANT AND WHY? Local Cantina! Our team works hard to provide everyone with a really fun and relaxed environment. It’s always a good time with great food and drinks.

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Marketing director Ana Lowe with Local Cantina owner George Tanchevski

COLUMBUS MONTHLY NOVEMBER 2023

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10/9/23 12:40 PM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION THE CRUNCHWEEZY A riveting, unique taco experience featuring a harmonious blending of flavors. The Crunchweezy’s signature combination of soft flour and hard corn shells are fused with creamy queso and guacamole and provide a luscious base that adds depth to every bite.

LOCAL CANTINA Multiple locations localcantina.com

NOVEMBER 2023 COLUMBUS MONTHLY

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10/10/2023 3:19:54 PM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LAURENZO PERKINS HEAD BARTENDER, SCHMIDT’S SAUSAGE HAUS WHAT IS YOUR STYLE AS A BARTENDER? We are hospitalitydriven at Schmidt’s, so I make sure that our guests have the best experience possible through conversational interactions with them.

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE INDUSTRY? I actually started as a busser here at Schmidt’s back in 2014 and worked my way up to my current position.

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU? My inspiration comes from daily interactions with my fellow teammates, our guests, and knowing that I am part of such an iconic and legendary brand.

WHAT IS YOUR ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND WHY? Schmidt’s is most known for our amazing import and local draft beers, so I have to say that our draft system is the most essential piece of equipment.

Head bartender at Schmidt’s, Laurenzo Perkins

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WHAT DINING/BAR TRENDS DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE GROWING POPULAR IN THE FUTURE? I notice guests are excited about experiencing flavor profiles from different countries.

COLUMBUS MONTHLY NOVEMBER 2023

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10/10/23 11:43 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CHICKEN SCHNITZEL Crispy, lightly breaded, tender chicken breast cutlets topped with Schmidt’s own German bier cheese sauce, served with braised red cabbage and green beans with spatzle

SCHMIDT’S SAUSAGE HAUS 240 E. Kossuth St. Columbus, OH 43206 614-444-6808 schmidthaus.com

NOVEMBER 2023 COLUMBUS MONTHLY

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10/10/23 3:19 PM

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COCKTAIL COMPETITION 11 . 15 . 2023 Introducing Columbus Monthly's Cocktail Competition, an experience coming this fall featuring the city’s most exciting bartenders and bar programs.

Guests will enjoy an evening which will include premier cocktails, music and entertainment. Bartenders from some of Central Ohio’s favorite bars will share sips, competing for most creative cocktail in the city.

Attendees will vote on the winner.

Nov. 15, 2023 | 6-8 PM Vitria on the Square Tickets are $35

Purchase Tickets

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Liquor Sponsor:

Venue Sponsor:

Proceeds will benefit:

Participants include:

Agni Antiques On High Asterisk Supper Club The Bottle Shop Chapman’s Eat Market Denmark On High Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge Hiraeth Columbus Hubbard Grille Law Bird Speck The Whitney House

10/10/23 4:23 PM