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    Eat Right: 10 Restaurant Destinations for Ohio Summer Produce

    Ohio is in the midst of prime summer farmers market season, that glorious time when the best of our bounty is ripe for the picking. Head to any of these Columbus restaurants to find chefs who love working seasonal produce into their menus.

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    Barcelona
    263 E. Whittier St., Columbus, OH 43206
    Barcelona’s menus change on a regular basis to reflect the season and to incorporate the best products available. On the newest summer menu, you’ll love the summery chilled soups including the Sopa de Melocoton Fria, a chilled spiced peach soup, or the Sopa de Pepino, a chilled spicy cucumber soup with squid ink crème fraiche and red pepper brunoise.

    Basi Italia
    811 Highland St., Columbus, OH 43215
    You’ll spot Ohio sweet corn all over the summer menu at Basi—sweet corn is combined with crab in a frittata served over avocado and mixed greens, a sweet corn mash accompanies braised beef short ribs, and baked ricotta gnocchi is served with sweet corn and wild mushroom with a truffle-and-basil pesto.

    Black Creek Bistro
    51 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
    The Olde Towne East Bistro was built as an extension of owner Kent Peters’ family farm in Canal Winchester. The menu incorporates heirloom vegetables and herbs straight from the farm. From the lunch menu, try the Summer Wrap, filled with a summer turkey salad with grapes, fresh herbs, walnuts, cranberries, lettuce and tomato.

    G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar
    595 S. Third St., Columbus, OH 43215
    We got a sneak peek at G. Michael’s upcoming summer seasonal menu, and Chef David Tetzloff has some excellent seasonal creations in store. Don’t miss Broiled Corn on the Cob with charred tomato aioli, aged cheddar, fried black-eyed peas and parsley-tarragon pesto, or the Coriander-Dusted Grilled Watermelon with quinoa salad, baharat spiced crispy chicken skins and a goat cheese vinaigrette.

    Local Roots
    15 E. Olentangy St., Powell, OH 43065
    This Powell restaurant also sources its produce from the family farm located not far from downtown Powell, plus grows herbs in a garden on the patio! Head in for summer favorites like the Cilantro Lime Scallops served with heirloom tomatoes, roasted corn and micro basil in a cilantro lime cream sauce.

    The Refectory Restaurant & Bistro
    1092 Bethel Rd., Columbus, OH 43220
    Chef Richard Blondin works directly with local farmers to bring in fresh Ohio produce to incorporate into his French-inspired cuisine. On the Salade menu now, try the Red Radish Carpaccio with roasted pistachio, parmesan and champagne vinaigrette, or the French Haricots Vert & Corn Remoulade with bacon pepites, red onion and mushroom shavings with a lovage vinaigrette.

    Rooks Tavern
    195 Chittenden Ave., Columbus, OH 43201
    Chef Aaron Mercier seeks out Ohio’s best farms and makers to provide inspiration for his regularly changing menus. His Farmed and Foraged salads and Garden to Grill plates change each day to feature the very freshest of ingredients—a recent Garden to Grill special included local heirloom carrots and tomatoes, seared garlic scapes and rat tail radishes, and potato and farro salad.

    Skillet Rustic. Urban. Food
    410 E. Whittier St., Columbus, OH 43206
    Skillet is a seasonal-driven, farm-to-table comfort restaurant where the menu changes daily based on what’s in season. So around this time of year you can enjoy heirloom tomato and cucumber salad with your Farmstead Cheese Omelette, or a bowl of Chilled Summer Melon soup with Ohio melon, baby Persian cucumbers, lime and jalapeño.

    The Top Steakhouse
    2891 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 43209
    The dinner menu hasn’t changed much over the years at The Top, but Chef Denver Adkins does get to flex his creativity and work in seasonal ingredients with monthly prix-fixe menus. In July, you’ll find a Half Rack of Ribs with skillet corn and twice-baked potato plus a Fresh Berry Tart with Johnson’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

    The Worthington Inn
    649 High St., Worthington, OH 43085
    The Inn believes strongly in the farmer-to-chef concept with works with local purveyors to feature locally grown fruits and vegetables. You’ll spot Ohio fruits and veggies in dishes like the Garden Gazpacho with summer vegetables and fresh herbs, or the Strawberry Shortcake dessert.

    dine-originals

    Dine Originals Columbus celebrates, supports and promotes the culinary diversity that locally owned and operated member restaurants contribute to the identity and culture of our city. The nonprofit group is committed to strengthening the local economy and enriching the community through education and charitable partnerships.

    A limited quantity of Dine Originals restaurant gift certificates are sold at 30 percent off face value each quarter. They can be purchased here.

    For more information, visit www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com

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    Shelley Mann
    Shelley Mannhttp://www.umamicolumbus.com
    Shelley Mann is the executive director of Dine Originals Columbus, a nonprofit group that celebrates, supports and promotes independently owned restaurants in Central Ohio. She's also the founder of Umami Consulting, a company that provides marketing and public relations support for local, independent restaurants in Columbus.
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