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    Restaurant Roundup: Aprons, Beer, BBQ and More

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    North Market

    This weekend marks the 17th annual hosting of the Apron Gala, the North Market’s yearly fundraiser. This Saturday, May 18th, from 7pm-10pm, foodies and vendor supporters are encouraged to don their most creative aprons for an evening of food, imagination, and community. Tickets to the gala are $75 per person, and there will be prizes for the best male and female apron. For those who are not so artistically-inclined, commemorative aprons will be on sale for $15. The North Market Apron Gala is one of the premier events for the market, so for more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.northmarket.com.

    Looking for something to do earlier in the day? The North Market is also hosting their Saturday Farmer’s Market. Participating farms include Anderson Orchard, “the sunflower guy” who also sells amazing asparagus and free-range pork products like bacon and brats, the Somerset Greenhouse, purveyors of herbs and perennials, as well as strawberries and arugula, and the Toby Run Growers, who bring exotic mushrooms to the table, among others. There will be live music from Molly Winters and the Directions for Youth’s World Percussion Ensemble. This year, the Saturday Farmer’s Market coincides with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, so parking will be limited. Roads will also be closed, so consult a map to successfully plan your journey and come support local farmers in Ohio.

    Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant

    When California-based Gordon Biersch opened a location in Columbus over a decade ago, people flocked for the eclectic take on American classics – and the beer. Brewed on-site in fairly small batches, Gordon Biersch’s list of core staples has made them one of the premier craft breweries in the country. To celebrate National Craft Beer Week, the restaurant will have specials every single day geared toward getting the dining community to sample their home brews.

    On Friday, May 17th, customers can enjoy a flight of Gordon Biersch’s six beers for only $5.75. With everything from the dark and luscious Schwarzbier, to the crisp and refreshing Czech Pilsner, there’s surely a beer for everyone. On Saturday, their famous garlic fries are only $5 all day. It’s the perfect accompaniment for their current seasonal craft beer, the Maibock, which is slightly sweet, rich without being overbearing, and light enough to be enjoyed in the sunshine. Sunday is the day for the beer drinkers; the special is $4 21-oz beers.

    And with every purchase at Gordon Biersch from now till June 18th, patrons will get a Mystery Card, the chance to win either a free appetizer, receive a discount on a meal, or even score a free meal valued at $50 on the next visit. These cards must be opened by a server to be eligible, but prizes are immediately redeemable. So if you haven’t been to Gordon Biersch yet, or in a while, make a plan to get there this weekend. For more details on National Craft Beer Week specials, or for a complete menu, go to www.gordonbiersch.com.

    89 Fish & Grill

    Even though 89 Fish & grill has only been opened a year in Columbus, they have become a must-visit for seafood lovers around town. With a scratch kitchen and bar that uses the freshest of local ingredients when possible, 89 Fish & Grill’s menu is constantly in flux, which is a good thing. On Monday, May 20th, they debut their new summer menu, and it’s filled with items sure to make fish-lovers of us all.

    New appetizers include Grilled Head-On Prawns brushed with pistou and served over fregola with semi-dried tomatoes, scallions, and corn, and Duck Wings, glazed with an ancho chile sauce that’s sure to make you lick your fingers, with grilled pineapple and jicama slaw. The new entrée menu contains dishes like Chorizo Crusted Sea Scallops, paired with jalapeno skillet corn and wilted mustard greens, Saki Marinated Sea Bass, accented by shrimp dumplings, shiso broth, shitake mushrooms, carrots, leeks, and spinach, and Skuna Bay Salmon, Oscar Style – pan roasted and topped with lump crab meat and bearnaise sauce. This farm-raised, sustainable salmon is sweeter than others, and 89 Fish & Grill is the only game in town serving it.

    Food is not the only new thing at the 89 however. Fresh, inspired cocktails are also the order of the day, so belly up to enjoy a Canton Sidecar made with Couvoisier, Domaine de Canton and fresh lemon juice, or a Warehouse Old Fashioned – Knob Creek bourbon, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, sweet vermouth, lemon, and burnt orange peel.

    89 Fish & Grill will be closed on Sunday, May 19th as the staff hones the new menu, and encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the fruits of their labor on Monday the 20th. 89 Fish & Grill is located at 89, East Nationwide Boulevard. They open at 4pm every weekday, and 4:30pm on the weekend. For more on the new menu, or to make a reservation, visit www.89fish.com.

    Holy Smoke BBQ

    Everyone can get behind a good cause, and on Monday, May 20th, if you head to the Gahanna/New Albany location of local Holy Smoke BBQ at 5251 North Hamilton Road, you can get behind a truly worthwhile mission. Holy Smoke BBQ will be sponsoring Girls With Gears, a fundraiser to help Girls With Gears Peloton raise money for cancer research. There will be drink specials, raffle prizes, and live music.

    In addition, Holy Smoke has a brand new menu you can enjoy. Try the Loaded Cave Chips, cave chips topped with your choice of brisket, chicken, or pork, finished with house-made cheese sauce and bacon, jalapenos, tomatoes, and chipotle sour cream. Or the Q Salad, romaine lettuce, your choice of brisket, pork, or smoked turkey, spiced pecans, tomatoes, and crumbled blue cheese, served with warm mustard bacon vinaigrette.

    The event runs from 6pm-9pm, and 15% of all proceeds will go toward Girls With Gears. Even if you’re not able to make it out on Monday, if you visit Holy Smoke’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/HolySmokeBBQColumbus, print out the flier for the event, and bring it in during the week of Tuesday, May 21st to Sunday, May 26th, Holy Smoke will donate 15% of your meal to this very important charity. It’s a great excuse to get out, eat some great barbecue, and support a deserving cause.

    Got a restaurant tip to share? Send it to [email protected]!

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    Ayana Wilson
    Ayana Wilsonhttps://columbusunderground.com
    Ayana Wilson is a former staff writer at Columbus Underground who covered local restaurant industry news.
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