Victor's Review: - Wolfgang Puck Express - Post 3

***Update 31 July 2010***
I've been meaning to mention this for a couple of months now, but Wolfgang Puck Express has closed its Upper Arlington location.
***End Update***

This was a "cold visit" for me. I have not read any reviews prior to going and did not even look for a website or menu. On entering, there is seating to the left, a counter to order straight ahead, more seating behind the counter (behind a dividing wall), and the food prep / kitchen to the far left back corner.

As I understand the information from Puck's website, this is a franchise establishment using his name. The "express" portion of the name is pretty accurate. Sandwiches, pizzas, and salads are the main fare.

I had the lunch combo - the "Daily Duo". For $7.95 this consisted of 1/2 of a pocket sandwich (chef's choice each day) and soup or salad. The sandwich of the day was the Chicken Aioli and for salad, I chose the Caesar. The salad was on the smallish side, but this was easily counteracted by the fullness of the pocket. Homemade chips accompanied the meal, and honestly - I did not care for them as they were very greasy.

Aioli is a traditional French sauce made w/ garlic and olive oil, this version was made with cilantro as well. The sandwich had chicken, lettuce, red onion, tomato and the cilantro aioli. Sun-dried tomatos were cooked to the top of the pocket bread and added another flavour to the meal. Again, same complaint as the chips - the top of the bread was also fairly greasy, though I think it was predominantly from the sun-dried tomatos.

Overall, the sandwich and salad were not bad. Salad size was a little small, but the 1/2 sandwich was perfectly adequate as a full meal. The price for the lunch special was average considering a full sandwich lists at $6.75. The beverages were a little pricy. A bottle of "Republic of Tea" iced tea ran $2.75.

I would be willing to return to try the butternut squash soup, as it is one of my favourite soups...

Basic info:
Website (Wolfgang Puck) - http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/
Website (Menu - from Cafe Courier) - http://ohio.cafecourier.com/menu_show.asp?ID=104
Location - Shops on Lane, Upper Arlington (south side of street)
Phone - 614.481.9675
Victor's Rating = 3 (0-5 scale)

Victor's Review: - Surly Girl Saloon Post 2

Surly Girl Saloon is one of the brain-children of Elizabeth Lessner (who also owns Betty's, Tip-Top, and Dirty Franks) decorated with a certain pin-up / cowgirl feel to it. Lately, I find Surly Girl to be my number one destination to the Short North and has been my "go-to" first dinner-date locale while dating.

Inside the decor includes dark wood, dark paint, old pictures of cow-girls and pin-ups, old chandeliers with beads hanging from them and swatches of fabric hung from the walls and draping from the ceiling. The lighting is low. One large window facing west, overlooking High Street, lets in what limited natural light can be found inside - creating a pleasant low-light environment perfect for intimate conversations.

The bar is well stocked with roughly 2 dozen beers on tap. Last week I went following a concert @ Skully's and ordered "The Captain's Doctor" and was told that they had "cherry infused Captain Morgan" - this was UNREAL!!! Unique house specialties like this are reason enough to stop back - just to see if they have it this week.

The food is almost always of the highest quality. I hate the term, but "comfort food" is the rule here. My stand by is the Cajun Meatloaf w/ spicy mashed potatoes and (wait for it) cornbread stuffing... I HATE stuffing - but I <3 this stuff. There's spice, it's not dry, the gravy complements it nicely, and it just goes w/ the meatloaf. (Though in full disclosure, the last time I was there two days ago the meatloaf had a sweet taste to it. It was still a little spicy, but the sweetness was something I don't ever recall from previous visits.) Betty's Spinach and Artichoke Dip makes for an excellent appetizer with it's smooth consistency and stellar taste.

I have heard great things about the BLT&A (Bacon Lettuce Tomato and Avocado Sandwich) and the Southwest Mac & Cheese - and am looking forward to trying both.

Cost is very reasonable with most entrees costing ~ $10. Drinks are reasonably priced as 2 Captain's Doctors cost $11 w/ tip and the kitchen is open during all hours of operation.

Basic info:
Website (Menu, Map, Parking Info, & Schedule) - http://surlygirlsaloon.com/index.php
Location - High Street south of 5th in the Short North (east side of street)
Hours - 1100 - 0200 Daily
Victor's Rating = 4 (0-5 scale)

Leo's Intro:

Hello all, Leo here...

I've lived in Columbus since 2004, and have enjoyed it to the fullest. I attended THE Ohio State University as well, and am currently a "yo-pro", working in the southern end of downtown . As Victor mentioned, our intention is to give you our best and brightest opinions on various things here in the city.

Victor and I usually have quite interesting "takes" on just about everything, and although we don't always agree with one another, it makes for good conversation.

Personally, I'll make a conscious effort to include all kinds of things, and am always up for a suggestion on what I should make one of my writings on.

Welcome aboard Columbus Reviews Et Cetera!

Leo

victor's introduction - post 1

this blog is intended to be a collaboration between two friends here in the greater columbus metro region. i will be writing under the pen name "victor" and will indicate any posts by me w/ my name in the title. since it is a collaboration - i will allow my co-author the pleasure of introducing himself.

i have lived in columbus since summer of 2003 and am not planning on leaving anytime soon. i attended THE ohio state university as a non-traditional student for undergrad and am currently attending TOSU as a grad student.

my vision is that this blog will be a forum for us to write about things in columbus we enjoy - reviews of bands, restaurants, local attractions, special events, and talking points of interest for the region.

i hope our posts entertain you and are informative.

warm regards - victor