Such is the case with Matt the Miller’s Tavern. It occupies the space on Perimeter Drive that previously housed The Burgundy Room Dublin. We were hoping another great restaurant would grab that space, and we’re glad to see that it made the transition fairly painlessly. Although we went mid-afternoon on a weekday, when it was fairly empty, I hear the place really gets packed on weekends.

The menu is fairly extensive - literally, there are choices there for everyone. We honestly had a difficult time narrowing our choices down to what we ultimately got. We’re hoping to go back again soon to try out more of the menu.

Rather than ordering an appetizer from the Starter portion of the menu, we decided to split one of their flatbreads - in our case we splurged and went with the Ahi Tuna flatbread ($14.95 - other flatbread choices are significantly cheaper), and did not regret it for a second. A crispy dough was topped with a creamy miso mousse, avocado slices, Asian slaw, perfectly seared sliced ahi tuna, toasted sesame seeds, wasabi aioli and a soy reduction. The combination of flavors was out of this world. Even the portions that didn’t have tuna on them had an enticing umami about them that left me wanting more - I could have eaten this for days. Needless to say, I can see myself ordering this as an entree all to myself on our next visit - it was THAT good.

P. decided to get himself a bowl of their soup of the day, a black bean and beef chili ($4.95), which had a nice complex spice profile with a pleasant smoky undercurrent to it.

I chose to get a side portion of Matt’s Salad ($3.00), a combination of super fresh salad greens tossed with white cheddar shreds, caramelized walnuts, dried apricots, and a mustard maple vinaigrette. On first thought, I thought the dried apricots were a bit out of place, but by the time I finished the salad, I appreciated the slight sweetness they brought to the party. Great salad, I absolutely loved the vinaigrette, which was creamy and vinegary without being too much of either.

I was a bit less enamored with my entree choice, the Turkey and Avocado Sandwich ($9.25), in which all white meat turkey breast, smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, herb mayo, avocado, lettuce and tomato fill a buttery grilled brioche. It wasn’t that the sandwich was badly prepared - the preparation was just fine. We just happened to find it a bit bland compared to their other offerings. The best part of the entree was the sweet potato fries on the side - while by themselves they are nothing special (think McCain’s), with the addition of salt and dipped into a side of garlic aioli (bypass the normal ketchup and ask for this instead) they were downright addictive.

P. absolutely loved his burger, The Miller ($12.50), a 3/4 lb. behemoth topped with lettuce, tomato, onion rings, bacon, Swiss, cheddar, garlic aioli, and creamy slaw in between a homemade rosemary potato bun that definitely held up to the burger. The combination of flavors was tantalizing, but what stuck us the most that it was actually cooked correctly - we asked for medium rare and got just that, which is one of the first times that has happened - kudos!

For his side, he switched out the normal fries for an order of their scalloped potatoes, which were aptly prepared - nice browned edges, tender but not mushy potatoes, good balance of cream to cheese.

Service was quite excellent - our server was attentive and thoughtful, thinking to tuck away a couple extra containers of garlic aioli into our take-home bag knowing how much we loved it. The whole cost of the meal was quite reasonable. Knowing they have a great patio, we can see ourselves returning often on nice days, even though Dublin is a bit out of our way. Great selection of beers on tap, and good happy hour deals. If you find yourself and Dublin, this is an excellent choice. We were quite pleased with all aspects of our experience and do not hesitate to give it a full recommendation.

If you’d like to go: Matt the Miller’s Tavern, 6725 Avery-Muirfield Drive (entrance to the parking lot is on Perimeter behind the Huntington Bank), Dublin, OH 43017, 614-799-9102.

More reviews by swampkitty can be found online at ColumbusFoodie.com.

A full listing of opening day and upcoming events at the new Union can be found here.

You can check out some amazing interior shots here. Additionally, I took some new exterior photos yesterday, which can be found below.

“The state of the economy and the book and magazine industry has forced us to look at the viability of keeping open the store at our current location,” said Ro-z Mendelson, co-owner of Monkeys Retreat. “Whether we open another store front will depend on how the public responds during the next two months.”

The warehouse space located behind the store will remain available for parties and rehersal space. Additionally, Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Massage Therapy will still take place in this space under the Monkeys Retreat name.

“We are planning some events here to try and raise some help and money for moving and to try and celebrate the good times we’ve had the last 36 years,” added Ro-z. “We will be having sales of books, magazines, fixtures and will be giving away many things we just don’t want to move again.”

More information can be found online at MonkeysRetreat.com.

Founded in 1973, the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank began as a philanthropic project of area Lions Clubs. Today, Lions Clubs throughout central and southern Ohio continue to provide a community foundation to promote eye donation for corneal transplant surgeries, physician education and training, and eye research. Last year they provided the gift of sight to 400 beneficiaries and since inception have facilitated the successful collection and transplantation of over 10,000 corneas.

Corneas For Transplantation

The cornea is the clear, front “window” portion of the eye, which is about the size of a dime. It may be small in size; however, the cornea plays a big role in eye site. Those who have had damage to the cornea from diseases or injuries frequently suffer from “clouding” of the cornea, reducing or destroying sight. There are also patients who suffer from misshapen corneas, a condition called keratoconus, which can be painful and can severely distort vision. Corneal diseases and injuries can occur to anyone, at any time. Infants can have a birth defect that cause their corneas to be opaque, requiring transplants within the first weeks of life while many other corneal diseases and injuries affect children, teens, adults and the elderly. For these patients there is no alternative treatment and transplants are their only hope for regaining sight.

Because of the urgent need, the Eye Bank operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with round-the-clock staffing. When an eye donor is identified in one of the 60 hospitals within their 45 Ohio county service area, their staff must quickly respond. The Eye Bank reviews the potential donor’s medical history, recovers the donor eyes or corneas, and carefully examines and prepares the corneas for transplantation in their state-of-the-art laboratory.

Corneas For Training and Research

In addition to providing corneas for transplantation, donor eyes that do not meet the strict medical criteria for transplants are also needed for training eye doctors and for eye research. Advances in eye care are made possible thanks to eye donors, as physicians and researchers have the opportunity to study and better understand ocular structure, function, disease processes, and potential treatments and cures. Whenever possible, the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank supports these activities.

Education is Key

Providing both professional and public education about eye donation and corneal transplantation is extremely important. In hospitals, the Eye Bank trains health care professionals to discuss eye donation with the families of potential eye donors. This education provides families with the facts that can help them understand and make informed decisions about eye donation. Public education is aimed at maintaining and increasing the needed ongoing supply of corneas. The Eye Bank always encourages people to consider giving the precious gift of sight.

Critical Need

One of the most critical, ongoing needs is for people to consider becoming eye donors. Without them, the Eye Bank cannot offer corneas for sight restoring transplant surgeries. Many people do not realize that they are eligible to donate their eyes upon their death. For example, it is a myth that wearing glasses makes eye donation impossible. A person who needs corrective lenses can still have healthy corneas that will make a huge difference in the lives of patients who need transplants!

Donation is easy through the Ohio Donor Registry, which can be done when you get your drivers’ licenses at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. It can also be done online, at www.ohiobmv.gov – under the heading “BMV Online Services” click Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

Other Ways to Help

Donations to the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank are always welcomed and support their sight-restoring mission by helping to purchase laboratory equipment and off-set costs associated with all needs for cornea transplantation, even making it possible to provide corneas to all patients who need them regardless of their ability to pay. Donations can be mailed to Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank, 262 Neil Avenue, Suite 140, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You can download a donation information sheet here.

Volunteers also pay a big role in assisting the Central Ohio Eye Bank. Volunteers help make the public aware of the need for eye donors, through distribution of information in print, posters, and public speaking. Lions Club members serve as volunteer drivers, making themselves available all hours of the day and night for deliveries. The Eye Bank also seek community members for service on their volunteer Development Advisory Board, which is charged with expanding both the Eye Bank profile in the community and with fund-raising activities. Anyone interested can contact Paul Held, the Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 614-545-2096, for further information.

Play Ball

On July 25th, the Central Ohio Eye Bank will be hosting their second annual “Eye Bank Night at the Clippers,” and the public can purchase tickets for the ball game through the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank, so that proceeds benefit the organization’s mission. Sections 1, 2 & 3 are reserved for seating. Ticket prices are $11.00 and $27.00. The $27.00 tickets include a reception on the second level with food and drinks. If you’re interested in purchasing tickets email the Eye Bank at info@coleb.org.

Most of us take our vision for granted and are very fortunate that we can. But for patients whose sight has been compromised or lost, life becomes challenging in ways that may be unimaginable to those of us who are sighted. One of the greatest difficulties patients without sight face is the dependence they feel on others for even simple, daily tasks like driving to the grocery store, reading the newspaper, going online, and seeing the faces of their family. It is through the mission and vision of the Central Ohio Eye Bank that they hope to open greater opportunities for sight restoration.

For more information on the Central Ohio Eye Bank visit their website, www.DonateMyEyes.org.

To read some touching testimonials about The Central Ohio Eye Bank visit www.inkindconnection.com.

Philanthropy Friday is a feature article by Michele Savoldi that will highlight a Columbus area non-profit organization every other week. For more nonprofit information follow Michele on Twitter at @cbusimpressions and @inkindconnect.

“This is terrific news for us, and we’re extremely excited,” said David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development & Communications at Columbus Regional Airport Authority.

“Service to LAX has been a top priority in our strategic plan,” added Whitaker. “We hope to see this nonstop flight supported in Columbus, as the continuation of this service will rely on occupancy and popularity.”

The new flight will operate daily and begin operation on June 10th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, March 20th. Current schedules indicate that the flight will depart CMH at 6:25pm and return trips will arrive back in Columbus as a red-eye flight at 5:57am.

Event sponsors have formed “teams” in advance, but volunteering remains open to the general public. Additional information about the event can be found at kickbuttcolumbus.eventbrite.com and questions can be directed to keepcolumbusbeautiful@columbus.gov.

When I think of the island of Zanzibar, I remember it being called “Spice Island” in history class, but sadly couldn’t remember much more, other than being a kind of exotic destination. I was determined to learn more when I returned home. But since I was in their newly opened restaurant, I had to look at the menu and sample some of their food.

Their menu resembled what looked like Indian food to me: Curries, chapati, spinach. Nikki kindly explained to me that the menu is a direct reflection of Indian influence on Zanzibari cuisine. Knowing that I had dinner plans later on, I ordered light:

Vegetable Sambusa
Mchicha
warm chapati bread

My sambusa was similar to the Indian samosa, but lighter, less greasy, smaller and not nearly as spicy as a typical samosa. This was the size of a medium sized Greek spanokopita, and had a similar exterior as well, not as fattening as a samosa. It was filled with spinach, peas, green onion, carrot, potato and spices. The exterior was dusted with a spice, probably clove, Zanzibar’s chief export. The samosa can also be ordered with either beef or chicken. It was truly delicious, and at $1, I wanted more but eagerly moved on to the next course.

Mchicha is a chopped warm spinach, cooked in coconut or peanut butter, and with a little stewed tomato and mild spices. I ordered it with coconut, and enjoyed scooping it up with the warm, slightly crisp chapati bread. I could taste and feel the Indian influence, but everything had a Zanzibari twist to it, which made it distinctly different.

Telly, one of chef Nikki’s coworkers, asked me if I was enjoying my food. I nodded and chatted with her a bit. She came from New York to help open Zanzibar, the other ladies were from Columbus. The restaurant was operated by four women that day, one in Muslim dress.

Vowed that I would be back, I came home and researched Zanzibar on the computer. What I found out is that Zanzibar has been influenced by outside sources for over ten centuries, thru either invasion or peaceful occupation. These different cultures introduced their own foods, ingredients, and culture to the residents of Zanzibar.

Arabs and Persians - coconut palms, mango trees, citrus fruits, and rice and different cooking techniques, not to mention Islam.

Portuguese - cassava, maize and pineapples.

Omanis - started the massive spice plantations

Indians - brought their families with them and thus Indian cooking techniques. Their traditional recipes combined with locally available ingredients created a variety of spicy pickles, chutneys, biriyani, curry sauces, fish cakes, and sambusas

Sadly, the Omanis pressed many locals into slavery until the British interceded. As the slaves were taken to different parts of the globe, they brought with them fried cassava chips, stewed greens, sweet potatoes, yams, and roasted maize. The chopped spinach dish I ate may have been similar to that time and place.

A taste of Zanzibar is a welcome addition the already active Cleveland Avenue/Morse Road ethnic food culture here in Columbus.

Taste of Zanzibar 3322-A Morse Road, Columbus 43231 614-476-1843

More information can be found at www.asilifoods.com.

The initiative will address various current issues that will shape the future of urban development, including alternative energy resources, building technology, and environmental sustainability.

The first discussion topic posted to the ULI Columbus 2050 Blog is titled “Metro Metrics: Urban Competitiveness Redefined” and focuses on the urban development that has occurred in Vancouver and what we can learn from that region. Additional topics will be posted monthly, and will be followed by a series of meetings and events with various national and local speakers.

More information can be found online at columbus.uli.org.

The event takes place on Sunday, March 21st from 3:30 to 5pm in the Dispatch Kitchen located upstairs in the North Market. There’s no cover charge for the event, you can RSVP at info@slowfoodcolumbus.org, and donations will be accepted at the door.

More information can be found on the Slow Food Columbus blog.

“The Food is Educators Program works very well at Brookside as it integrates into our Community Vegetable Garden and our Schoolyard Enhanced Learning approach to teaching.  This program is also very aligned with Ohio’s Educational Standards and gives children direct experiences with food and preparing food,” said Principal Monroe of Brookside Elementary in Worthington. Monroe introduced the program to the school in January 2009 and the students love it.  “We get to bake every week!” said a very excited first grader.

A team from Local Matters goes into a school once a week and introduces various foods. For example, one week the lesson is about food in Mexico. The students learn how to make black bean dip, guacamole, salsa, and use multi-grain chips and vegetables as dippers. Local Matters brings all of the necessities with them for the lesson: the instructor, the food, the preparation devices, the books or music if appropriate, and the love for kids. The students get to help with all of the food prep, ask questions, and of course - eat! Lessons in culture, growing practices, and sustainable living are also incorporated. There are many schools in the Columbus, Worthington, and Circleville school districts, CDC Headstart and Learning Never Ends that have instituted the Food is Elementary program.

“It is so rewarding when a parent tell us that they are making better choices at home. We know we are making a difference,” said Trish Dehnbostel, Programming Manager of Local Matters. Trish heads up the program and explained that the lessons are designed to cross curriculum to help students make connections. For instance, reading a recipe and doing measurements is an instruction in math. The recipes are sent home to the parents on an informational sheet, and the sheet also includes suggestions for getting your kids to try new foods.

Take a look at a few helpful tips:

• Involve your children in meal preparation.
• Model healthy eating for your family.
• Don’t use reward or pressure to encourage children to eat new and healthy foods.

Local Matters doesn’t stop with the Food is Elementary program, they can also help implement a school or community garden. Teaching children from the ground up about food is a great way to introduce and hopefully maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you would like more information on the Food is Elementary program or for volunteer information with Local Matters, please check out the Local Matters website at www.local-matters.org or contact Trish Dehnbostel at trish@local-matters.org or 614-263-5662. Information about Dr. Antonia Demas’ curriculum can be found at www.foodstudies.org.

Kristin Marks is a Columbus Underground contributor, and can be found blogging about kid-friendly activities in Central Ohio over at cbusmom.com. She can be reached at Kristin@cbusmom.com.