While 2016 was a rocky year for fans of music and democrats, food has been a great consolation. Just like it always does, this year the eating scene delivered solace in a million different forms in Columbus.
Happiness could be found in Poutine, it’s now everywhere on menus. This is good news for long-time fans of cheese fries and gravy. A couple of especially pleasant versions from newer restaurants can be found at Old Skool in Clintonville, as well as at the boutique BBQ place, Rook’s. They both offer a cheese/gravy/fry combo with bonus BBQ meat. Those who need edgier versions might try the one offered by the Short North’s Standard Hall; it uses tator tots and coney sauce.
There is also comfort and joy in Asian Noodle Soups. Like the poutine, it’s now ubiquitous. Whether it’s pho (Vietnamese) or ramen (Japanese), both continue to ride a giant wave of popularity. Adding to the well-populated scene this year, the family behind Kahiki entered the mix with Fukuryu Ramen on Lane Avenue. For the low-carb crowd, the (Chinese) Hot Pot trend is a kissing cousin. A growing number of joints, such as newbies Peking Hot Pot and Mr. Pot, offer diners big bowls of savory soups in which to cook any number of interesting vegetables and meats.
Bacon/pork belly has been a trendy form of happiness for about a decade now. Just when it seemed like there was nothing new in the bacon world, Blind Lady Tavern comes up with something sublime: Hangtown Toast. It’s a historically intriguing combo of pickled eggs, bacon, toast and a game-changing oyster sauce that makes the Downtown eatery a destination point.
In 2016, control freaks could find Chipotle happiness in even more outlets that let designers create their own meals. We’ve seen the model in Mexican, Asian, Greek, and Italian fare. In 2016, What’s for Doner brought the concept to German(ish) food at Polaris. Curry Up brought the concept to Indian food. And Hawaiian food fans can participate too, with PokeBap and Poke Bros now in operation.
For those who like intellectual puzzles, there’s this culinary distraction: Remember back in 2014, how the restaurant at 22 E. Mound was going to be named Balls and serve meatballs along with racy puns? And then everyone was horrified and ridiculed it, so it changed its name? Have you noticed that the (very nice) Moretti Family opened a meatball place up in Grandview, with “commando” options on the menu? That place’s name is Palle. Do people know what “palle” is? Here’s a hint, the phone number is 614-421-BALL.
What’s in store for 2017? Predictions are fun, especially once you’ve been tragically wrong a few times (tacos anyone?). With predictive credibility sunk, there’s nothing left to lose.
The popularity of pricy donuts and burgers will decline. Both have enjoyed recent popularity as high-end fare, but their origins in affordability are calling them back home.
The market will support more weird fermented things. Blame the Activia people. Now we’re eating all kinds of rotting foods and beverages.
Heat has gone as far as it goes: when Ghost Peppers got eclipsed by Carolina Reapers, we ended up with food that makes us physically ill. Food that causes you to vomit is not appealing. Diners need a new way to hurt themselves and prove toughness: investigate horseradish.
Lists have grown exhausting. This is not just a slacker’s way out of generating future lists, but they all look like click-bait. The whole listing-of-things craze has undermined its own credibility. Something new is in order. Perhaps an eating flow chart or eating venn diagrams or something.
Full Restaurant Review Archive for 2016:
- Acre Farm-to-Table
- Addis Restaurant
- Baba’s
- Bento Go
- Big Mamma’s Burritos
- Blind Lady Tavern
- Bonifacio
- Cafe Phenix
- Condado
- Curry Up
- Dada Empanada
- Dessert Bowl
- D&L Sandwich Kings
- Easy Street Cafe
- Estilo Brazil
- Factory on 4th (closed)
- Fresh Kitchen
- Freshii
- Fukuryu Ramen
- Gallo’s Kitchen
- Halwani Cuisine
- Hot Chicken Kitchen (closed)
- Leone’s Pizza
- Momo Ghar
- Mr. Pot
- Old Skool
- Pat & Gracie’s
- Pocket Produce
- Pokébap
- Press Pub on Fifth
- Ripper’s Roadstand
- Roots Cafe
- Sandman’s Cheesesteak
- Schokko Art Cafe at CMA
- Starliner Diner
- Stav’s Diner
- Sweet Carrot
- Tacos Fogoncito
- The Angry Baker
- The Eagle
- Valter’s at Mannerchor
- What’s for Döner?