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Breakfast From The Liquor Cabinet. There isn’t much new that could surprise me when it comes to breakfast and I would probably eat 99.9% of what is placed in front of me. You see breakfast in my eye is just that good and a trip to Columbus’ Brewery District Banana Bean Cafe at 340 Greenlawn Avenue last weekend proved it.
Christine and I met up with a good friend for brunch and we were lucky to find the place not quite as busy as you might think for the time of the year (a spring with decent weather tends to bring the Central Ohio masses out of hibernation) . Wanting to test the waters with something other than the usual coffee, Christine and I order a Bloody Mary. Our waitress lit up like a street light at dusk as she told us we were in for a treat: their signature Bacon Bloody Mary. Wha…!? A BACON Bloody Mary!
As surprised as we were to hear the good news, no…make that GREAT news, we continued to review the menu and didn’t really think any more of it. When it arrived moments later….we had misjudged Banana Bean Cafe’s uniqueness. We had more than a potent mid-morning/afternoon refresher, we had three meals and a cocktail in one! This baby came exactly how the menu described it, but better: A Sassy “Mary’nade” with a Garnish of lemon, lime, pepperoncini, cherry peppers, kosher pickle, & a crisp rasher of corn cob smoked bacon; with Grey Goose Vodka.
It was like someone had fertilized a Bloody Mary and it paid you back with with various garden veggies, fruit and fried pork! Digging into the spicy concoction soothed my need to satisfy my hunger, basic human nutrition and a good swift kick in the ass! Each draw from the small tree of goodness allowed the mix of sweet, tart, hot and satisfaction to slide down the back of my throat; leaving behind a wonderful texture to be savored until the next round.
Ladies and Gentleman….we had a small meal before we even dared to order an actual dish of some kind. I finished off the small garden and was sucking the remaining drops at the bottom of my glass and clinging to the ice cubes by the time brunch arrived. It made my meal that much better!
I can’t say I was in the mood for Banana Bean’s unique fusion of Florida Keys, Cuban, Jamaican, and Caribbean Cuisines, but I’m willing to try anything.
Lucky enough the food was equally as satisfying. I had the Keys Poacher which includes: Smoked Salmon, Poached Eggs atop Fresh Baked Biscuits, served with creamy goat cheese grits. Christine dug into the Huey, Louis, Andouille. The eatery explains is as an: Omlette with Roasted Vegetables, Andouille Sausage, and Manchego. Our partner in crime on this day, Joy, order the Bananas Foster French Toast which is Garnished with Fresh Berries of the Season and Captain Morgan Rum Sauce. All three items turned out well and made our Saturday better than we could have asked for. The atmosphere was just as good as we sat next to the fireplace that chilly morning.
I think we would have had a more than decent meal last weekend even if we had not ordered that wonderful veggie, fruit, pork, spicy, liquor mixture…though I’m glad I did. I have new appreciation for bacon because of it!
You can get your Bacon Bloody Mary fix and other unique Banana Bean Cafe items at the Greenlawn location or in Schumacher Place at 410 East Whittier Street.
yum. i love every bit of banana bean.
Can’t get enough of that place. Can do a whole meal of appetizers.
Great review! I’ve always loved that place.
I love this place but something needs to be done about their service. About two weeks ago we tried to go to the greenlawn location and told we couldn’t be seated because they ran out of food! Every other time I’ve gone there either the brought out the wrong food, had to wait a long time for a table (even though there were open tables) or they messed up the check. It’s one thing if they were particularly busy, but they weren’t.
But man, that food is awesome and I’ll keep coming back despite my grievances.
Since learning of Banana Bean Cafe here on CU, my companion and I have been there three times in a week, all for dinner, which once included the Bananas Foster French Toast for dessert. It was so delicious and not sickeningly sweet like it could’ve been. We have definitely become regulars at BBC! Love it!!
Futureman, my friend and I called ahead one day and didn’t get to go because they told us they ran out of food! Let’s hope that was all the same day and not a regular occurrence! However, each time we’ve been, the service has been excellent and no mix-ups on the food.
Glad to hear you get good service there, I think I might just be jinxed!
Oh and they day they ran out of food Sunday March 15th.
I believe March 15 was over Restaurant Week? Maybe a busier week than expected cleaned em out?
Thanks for your comments everyone!I It is appreciated! This is fun for me!
Yep, March 15 was the day there was no food for us either.
Great review!! You are a great writer! definitely made me want to have a bacon mary…
Thanks Lisa! It was good meeting you last night!
My buddy and I rode bikes from Clintonville down to the Greenlawn Banana Bean tonight. The sandwiches made the trip worth it. I must say though, I am perplexed as to why they have such a weak beer selection and why their non-happy hour is so expensive. Wouldnt it make sense to try to grab those softballers across the street for some cheap, good items hot off of the grill?
Very nicely written review. I haven’t been to the Bean since the move but will be there for the next wekend brunch I can. Got to have that Bloody! Thanks for the encouragement to get back there.
Well, we had the awaited oppotrunity for brunch at the Bean today. It was, in a word, great. We were dismayed to learn that the Bean’s liquor license allows nothing over 22% alchohol to be served on Sunday. I am not sure if this is a remnant of those silly “blue laws” or just a nuance of the license. I guess they are using the liquor license from the previous owners of the business at that address. None the less we had a darn good “Natty” Bloody Mary –made with beer–that had all the accoutrements described in your review, and still a nice kick. The heat made up. I guess, for the lesser alcohol burn, and the bacon was cool. Just have to go back on Saturday next time! We had atentive and pleasant service.
FYI: Their menu was just completely overhauled at the Greenlawn location. All of the old favorites are still there, and there’s some great new additions as well, including ALL DAY BRUNCH MENU. That’s right! You can get your Bananas Foster French Toast Fix any time of day! ;)
Anyway, we went on Saturday night and took some friends from Canton who loved the place!
Worth checking out again if you haven’t been in awhile.