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5786 Columbus Square
614.899.8800
We had out of town guests with us today, making a long delayed visit to Columbus. We wanted to give them a dining experience with a distinctively local flair --so of course we thought Somali cuisine! I've long been partial to Darbo Restaurant on Cleveland, but for tonight we decided to go with a recommendation from Alt Eats --Solay Bistro, located in the former "Smackies"
http://alteatscolumbus.com/2010/07/14/solay-bistro/#more-910
The food was delicious, which is what I've come to expect from the local African restaurants, but more than that, it had a light, healthy taste that was much more unusual for an ethnic restaurant. From the Alt Eats article, we learned that the owner has an interest in organic and local ingredients and tries to use them wherever possible. The food was also noticeably less salty than most dining-out experiences. Our out-of-town visitors were very impressed, and I think Solay Bistro helped change their previous stereotypes of Columbus as a bland Midwestern burgh.
The dining area was beautiful and modern, and the owner, who waitressed our table, was incredibly gracious and thoughtful. However, it seemed like business was poor, so please check them out if you have a chance.
We ate:
Goat meat with Chapati
Spinach with Njeera
Chicken steak with spaghetti
Tilapia with Cous Cous
Chick Peas with rice
The goat meat was the standout of the night, tender and flavorful without the gamey taste you sometimes get with goat. The tilapia was a close second. The spinach was also very good, although it didn't seem to actually be spinach at all, but rather some other similar green. Out of the starches, the chapati and the couscous were the best. The njeera was also very good, not quite as acidic as the Ethiopian version. I also highly recommend the samosas, which we ordered as an appetizer, and the Mandazi, which the owner brought, complimentary, to our table.
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