Restaurant Week Extended at Mezzo

March 17, 2010 – 2:55 pm Posted by nate

Filed under: Mezzo Italian Kitchen and Wine, Restaurants

Due to the overwhelming success of last week’s Dine Originals Week, we’ve decided to continue to offer the fixed-price menu through this week! Enjoy a 3-course meal at a special fixed-price of $20.10 per person.

Salad
House Salad
Mixed Greens, Poached Apples, Spiced Walnuts, Gorgonzola Vinaigrette
-or-
Wedge Salad
Smoked Bacon, Diced Tomatoes, Gorgonzola, Peppercorn Ranch Dressing

Entrée
Sautéed Salmon
Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Zucchini, Balsamic Reduction
-or-
Chicken Marsala
Roasted Shitakes, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
-or-
Lasagna al Forno
Veal, Beef, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Marinara

Dessert
Ricotta Cheesecake
Whipped Cream and Strawberries
-or-
Layered Triple Chocolate Cake
Powdered Sugar and Raspberries

Happy Hour at Barrio with CD101

March 17, 2010 – 2:13 pm Posted by Katharine Moore

Filed under: Barrio Restaurant, Restaurants

Stop by the Barrio Restaurant on March 25th for Happy Hour with CD101. Click here for Barrio’s Happy Hour details!

Local Matters

March 15, 2010 – 1:16 pm Posted by Katharine Moore

Filed under: Features

Thanks to all of the great eaters who happily emerged from the hibernation of our harsh winter in time to celebrate Dine Originals Week. While some may scout for crocuses poking their green sprouts out of still crisp winter soil to be certain that spring will, in fact, come around, Dine Originals people find that assurance in the buzz of a busy restaurant. And you can’t hide those patios. We all know they’ll be scrubbed down and reopened sooner or later.

Each of our 42 member restaurants made a commitment to share the profits of the event with Local Matters. This remarkable organization has a broad range of programs…when their founder and director, Michael Jones, came to us at the beginning and explained the that the mission of the organization is to make sure that children and adults know where their food really comes from and what healthy, wholesome food is; to support our communities need for better access to healthy, local food and healthful ways to prepare it; and to entice our local farmers to grow more local food while helping them make a living wage while they do it, we knew these were like-minded people and that Dine Originals could be an important component in their outreach efforts. Check them out at www.local-matters.org. Our goal is to have all of our supporters get behind this community-changing initiative.

As the season does begin to shift, our chefs are hunched over writing tablets and computer screens developing plans to infuse their menus with springtime flavors. The globalization of cuisine and climate-controlled indoor farming may mean that most ingredients are no longer seasonal, but the members of Dine Originals have the flexibility and the resources to capture the essence of the coming spring. The focus of our menus will evolve from showcasing winter’s rustic flavors to highlighting the best of spring’s produce and the fresh fish of America’s rivers. Think early spring peas. Salmon. Asparagus.

It’s early. I’m pushing. I know. But as the season of Easter and Passover comes around, you’ll be ready to benefit from some early sourcing and aspirational planning.

See how simpatico our efforts and the programs of Local Matters are?

Happy Hour at Cotter’s with CD101 Recap!

February 28, 2010 – 11:18 am Posted by nate

Filed under: Cotter's Restaurant, Restaurants

On February 25th, Cotter’s at the Arena’s celebrated their Happy Hour with CD101. Happy Hour specials and fun were abound.  View the photos of this fun-filled Happy Hour with CD101.

Dine Originals Week!

February 16, 2010 – 1:32 pm Posted by Katharine Moore

Filed under: Restaurants

Dine Originals Week was created last year with two goals in mind ~ driving  business for our local restaurant community and spotlighting Columbus’s curiously vibrant culinary scene.

Who imagined, just a generation ago, that there could be so many innovative establishments and discerning foodies in this moderate sized city on the edge of the Midwest?!

Dine Originals Week, which has become a highly anticipated culinary tradition in record time, features 42 of Columbus’s locally owned restaurants offering special menus for $10.10,  $20.10,  or $30.10. There are no tickets or passes required. Food lovers may simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they like during Dine Originals Week, exploring new dining opportunities or enjoying old favorites. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, as restaurants may fill up very quickly.

We happily share a portion of the proceeds from Dine Originals Week with Local Matters.  They believe that food connects us to the most important issues of our times: our health, our economy, and our environment.  It is very important to us to support this organization of like-minded people. They take the gospel of making mindful choices into Columbus elementary schools…so we feel certain there will be another generation of foodies for us to serve.

Having a strategy is never a bad idea…one devoted Dine Originals patron wrote “we always make a reservation where we know the chef (Barcelona, Alana’s, The Inn at Cedar Falls), and we push ourselves to select at least one other restaurant we’ve never tried.  Last September we had an amazing dinner on the patio at Mezzo Italian Kitchen and Wine and have been back several times. Without Dine Originals Week it would have never occurred to us to go to Gahanna for dinner!”

Another testimonial said “With young children,  we don’t go out to dinner as much as we used to, so we always make lunch dates during Dine Originals Week.  My husband and I both work downtown, so this time we plan to try DeepWood and Black Creek Bistro.  Thanks for giving us an excuse to drink wine at lunch!”

Develop your own strategy for making the most of the remarkable array of distinctive offerings.

Dine Originals Week.  Keeping it local and loyal.

Valentine’s Day Brunch Buffet at Cotter’s

February 10, 2010 – 6:13 pm Posted by nate

Filed under: Cotter's Restaurant, Restaurants

Valentine’s Day Brunch Buffet ~ Sunday February 14, 2010, 10am - 2pm

Assortment of gourmet scones, Danish, and breakfast breads

Eggs wrapped in puffed pastry with crumbled mildly spiced sausage and Vermont cheddar

Eggs wrapped in puffed pastry with an assortment of roasted veggies with shredded provolone cheese

Apple wood smoked bacon strips

White cheddar potato bake

Pan-seared salmon accompanied with a dill cream

Honey glazed spiral ham garnished with grilled pineapple slices

Baked boneless, skin-on chicken breast accompanied with jus lie

Winter vegetable medley including sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, red peppers, and green beans

Mixed Greens with chopped romaine, toasted pecans, smoked gouda, and dried cherries with a white balsamic vinaigrette

Individual bowls of fresh fruit

$17.95 per person.

Click here for special Cotter’s Valentine’s Day Brunch Coupon!

Bertrand Wine Dinner at Z. Cucina

February 4, 2010 – 6:33 pm Posted by nate

Filed under: Restaurants, Z Cucina Ristorante & Bar

Z Cucina welcomes Mark Fine, Master Magician and former Sommelier at Windows on the World as special guest host for a dinner featuring the wines of Gerard Bertrand -  ***Monday, February 8th, beginning at 6:30 pm.

Click here to view the menu.

The price is $69 including tax and tip. Reservations Required at 486-9200

A Dine Originals Valentine Celebration Anything Your Heart Desires…

February 1, 2010 – 5:00 pm Posted by Katharine Moore

Filed under: Restaurants

sensual
adj sensual [ˈsensuəl]
of the senses and the body rather than the mind

As America has become more food savvy, Valentine’s specials and dinners on the town have become more sensual. A recent tally found almost every one of the Dine Originals chef’s working on a Valentine menu that would be nuanced and tiered.

With Valentines falling on a Sunday this year, you have the chance to make this your favorite meal…whether that’s a long Saturday lunch, a Sunday brunch with fresh flowers and chilled mimosas, or a formal Valentines dinner.

Many of our member restaurants that are usually dark on Sundays, such as Alana’s, will be open on the fourteenth. Checking individual websites, each just a click away from our member listing, will help you with the details. Tutto Vino is hosting a reservations-only dinner on Saturday, Surly Girl will offer a three course Sweet or Surly special on Saturday and Sunday, and The Refectory has an amazing five course prix-fixe menu to linger over.

If your romance is a one-of-a-kind, celebrate your good fortune with an Original Valentine meal. Dine Originals Columbus…when a chain just won’t do.

2-Course Special Menu Offerings at Cotter’s

February 1, 2010 – 4:52 pm Posted by nate

Filed under: Cotter's Restaurant, Restaurants

Join us Monday-Thursday for our new 2-course special menu offerings…only $14.95!

1st Course
Field greens with a blood orange vin, crumbled blue cheese, artichokes, mandarin oranges

2nd Course
Your choice of Chicken, Salmon, Tuna, Cod, or Roasted Portobello.

Served with a sun dried tomato vin with extra virgin olive oil and rustic vegetable couscous

A Wine Tasting Downtown

January 22, 2010 – 9:42 am Posted by nate

Filed under: Cotter's Restaurant, Restaurants

Help us fight Leukemia and Lymphoma and enjoy great food, wine, and live music. All for a great cause.

Friday January 29, 2010

5:00pm-8:00pm

Cotters Restaurant at the Arena

Come support a great cause!

7 Great Wines with Fabulous Hors d’ Oeuvres

Live Jazz and Swing Music

Silent Auction featuring art from local artists and galleries, gift cards to great local restaurants, salons, and stores, sports memorabilia and more

Proceeds from the event go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

tickets are $20 and tax deductible with a tax ID form

Tickets at Cotters prior to the event and the day of, you can also purchase tickets in advance at:

http://www.buckeyedirectmarketing.com/Up-Coming-Events.htm