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Best Calamari in Columbus?

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Started 2 years ago by SalsaQueen
Latest reply from lifeliberty

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SalsaQueen
Columbus, OH
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Okay, so for all those of us that looove good calamari, what is your favorite place in Columbus and what makes their version so special?
And to be fair, let's mention the worst calamari as well.

Me first:
Best: Maritini Park - they make this heavenly calamari appetizer with a sweet/spicy Thai sauce which you can have served on the side, if you so choose. Also, the squid is tender and juicy.

Worst: Happy Greek - Campus Gateway - The breading was somewhat burnt, and the squid inside was rubbery and rather hard. I have only had this dish there once, so it may have been a one time mistake. I would not want to assume this is how they make it every time. I love their other dishes though :)

Posted 2 years ago #
JR
Short North
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I like Level's calamari myself.

Posted 2 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
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http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/best-calamari-in-cmh

Wouldn't ya know - there's already a thread for this topic! Some good answers too. I have to add Black Creek Bistro to my list of favorites.

Posted 2 years ago #
SalsaQueen
Columbus, OH
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joev wrote >>
http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/best-calamari-in-cmh
Wouldn't ya know - there's already a thread for this topic! Some good answers too.

lol sorry guys.. did not even think of that before i posted :) Thx joev

Posted 2 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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I used to love the calamari at Martini...never rubbery and lots of squidlicious tentacles which I love so much more than the body. They also served it with really good lemony aioli and the breading was always really light...kinda panko-ish. I dunno if they still have it though. :(
You HAVE TO go to Yau's on 8th or 9th and High and order the spicy salted squid.
I mean...you HAVE TO.
It's so good.

Posted 2 years ago #
SalsaQueen
Columbus, OH
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osulew wrote >>
I used to love the calamari at Martini...never rubbery and lots of squidlicious tentacles which I love so much more than the body. They also served it with really good lemony aioli and the breading was always really light...kinda panko-ish. I dunno if they still have it though. :(
You HAVE TO go to Yau's on 8th or 9th and High and order the spicy salted squid.
I mean...you HAVE TO.
It's so good.

Yup, I believe they [martini park]make the same thing, the sauce is somewhere between sweet/spicy and lemony..and the breading is very light.

I will try Yau's for sure - is that it's full name?

Posted 2 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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Yau's Bistro screwed me over with their squid; it's sooo freaking good that I feel like I'm wasting my order if I get anything different. I mean, it's all good, but the spicy salted squid is exceptionally good.

Posted 2 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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SalsaQueen wrote >>

osulew wrote >>
I used to love the calamari at Martini...never rubbery and lots of squidlicious tentacles which I love so much more than the body. They also served it with really good lemony aioli and the breading was always really light...kinda panko-ish. I dunno if they still have it though. :(
You HAVE TO go to Yau's on 8th or 9th and High and order the spicy salted squid.
I mean...you HAVE TO.
It's so good.

Yup, I believe they [martini park]make the same thing, the sauce is somewhere between sweet/spicy and lemony..and the breading is very light.
I will try Yau's for sure - is that it's full name?

It's Yau's Chinese Bistro...here is the website...
http://yauschinesebistro.com/
SUPER YUM.

Posted 2 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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Barcelona's is really good.

Posted 2 years ago #
dru
IV
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on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Posted 2 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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dru wrote >>
on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Oooooh...on that note...I also dig their wee lil grilled octopus tentacles. Splobber.

Posted 2 years ago #
SalsaQueen
Columbus, OH
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dru wrote >>
on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Speaking of Barrio, although not seafood related... I am absolutely addicted to their steak... I forgot the exact name of the item, but it is heavenly

Posted 2 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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osulew wrote >>

dru wrote >>
on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Oooooh...on that note...I also dig their wee lil grilled octopus tentacles. Splobber.

Barrio has that? I had the best grilled octopus in my life at a Greek restaurant up in Cleveland, can't remember the name now. I tried to recapture the magic at Taverna Opa but theirs was sautÃƒÂ©ed & not quite the same. I'm wondering if I can make the jump from Greek to Mexican/Spanish though and get a similar dish.

I tried to recreate it at home but the preparation of octopus is not for the squeamish.

Posted 2 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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SalsaQueen wrote >>

dru wrote >>
on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Speaking of Barrio, although not seafood related... I am absolutely addicted to their steak... I forgot the exact name of the item, but it is heavenly

Is it the hangar steak with the mashed sweet potatoes.
I drooled all over that too. Soo good.

Posted 2 years ago #
SalsaQueen
Columbus, OH
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blammo wrote >>

osulew wrote >>

dru wrote >>
on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Oooooh...on that note...I also dig their wee lil grilled octopus tentacles. Splobber.

Barrio has that? I had the best grilled octopus in my life at a Greek restaurant up in Cleveland, can't remember the name now. I tried to recapture the magic at Taverna Opa but theirs was sautÃƒÂ©ed & not quite the same. I'm wondering if I can make the jump from Greek to Mexican/Spanish though and get a similar dish.
I tried to recreate it at home but the preparation of octopus is not for the squeamish.

lol made that mistake too. Bought nice little pack of squid from Giant Eagle and then, despite my rather decent culinary skills, I had to throw the whole thing away... Stunk up the whole neighborhood while at it too... Do not try this at home :) lol

Posted 2 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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blammo wrote >>

osulew wrote >>

dru wrote >>
on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Oooooh...on that note...I also dig their wee lil grilled octopus tentacles. Splobber.

Barrio has that? I had the best grilled octopus in my life at a Greek restaurant up in Cleveland, can't remember the name now. I tried to recapture the magic at Taverna Opa but theirs was sautÃƒÂ©ed & not quite the same. I'm wondering if I can make the jump from Greek to Mexican/Spanish though and get a similar dish.
I tried to recreate it at home but the preparation of octopus is not for the squeamish.

Yeppers...they do a grilled octopus small plate thingie. It's good. They do 2 for one tapas on Tuesdays at the bar...we'll motorbike up one Tuesday and NOM.

Posted 2 years ago #
Kbear919
Villaggio Italiano
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I too love those sweet taters

MOAR PICS.... LESS TEXT

Posted 2 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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SalsaQueen wrote >>

blammo wrote >>

osulew wrote >>

dru wrote >>
on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Oooooh...on that note...I also dig their wee lil grilled octopus tentacles. Splobber.

Barrio has that? I had the best grilled octopus in my life at a Greek restaurant up in Cleveland, can't remember the name now. I tried to recapture the magic at Taverna Opa but theirs was sautÃƒÂ©ed & not quite the same. I'm wondering if I can make the jump from Greek to Mexican/Spanish though and get a similar dish.
I tried to recreate it at home but the preparation of octopus is not for the squeamish.

lol made that mistake too. Bought nice little pack of squid from Giant Eagle and then, despite my rather decent culinary skills, I had to throw the whole thing away... Stunk up the whole neighborhood while at it too... Do not try this at home :) lol

Ha! I bought an entire octopus from Whole Foods. I figured I'd just cut off the gross parts and grill the rest. Unfortunately "gross" suddenly seemed a little more arbitrary than I had bargained for.

Posted 2 years ago #
berdawn
near that stretch of N. High Street in the Short North
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Thanks for the Yau's tip!

Happy Greek may be worth a second trip, their service is soooo uneven it's not always worth it to go in the door, but I've always had great fried calamari there (the sauteed stuff was not even fit for feral cats)

Posted 2 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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blammo wrote >>

SalsaQueen wrote >>

blammo wrote >>

osulew wrote >>

dru wrote >>
on the + side i'd add the Calamares y Arepa at Barrio. It's not your typical ringed calamari app, but a nice filet of calamari with tomato and arugula.

Oooooh...on that note...I also dig their wee lil grilled octopus tentacles. Splobber.

Barrio has that? I had the best grilled octopus in my life at a Greek restaurant up in Cleveland, can't remember the name now. I tried to recapture the magic at Taverna Opa but theirs was sautÃƒÂ©ed & not quite the same. I'm wondering if I can make the jump from Greek to Mexican/Spanish though and get a similar dish.
I tried to recreate it at home but the preparation of octopus is not for the squeamish.

lol made that mistake too. Bought nice little pack of squid from Giant Eagle and then, despite my rather decent culinary skills, I had to throw the whole thing away... Stunk up the whole neighborhood while at it too... Do not try this at home :) lol

Ha! I bought an entire octopus from Whole Foods. I figured I'd just cut off the gross parts and grill the rest. Unfortunately "gross" suddenly seemed a little more arbitrary than I had bargained for.

Don't tell me that!
I'm totally going to try making the octo recipe Bear posted the other day, and now I'm scurred!
I see pretty nasty stuff every day at work though...not sure how much worse the octo will be.

Posted 2 years ago #