Kitoba Dot Com

Restaurants

Contents

1. Asian (Non Chinese)
2. Chinese
3. Fine Dining
4. Greek Food
5. Miscellaneous Ethnic Food
6. Tea
7. Vegetarian

1. Asian (Non Chinese)

   Get an authentic Indonsian multi-course meal at Taste of Bali
   
   Taste of Bali (Carriage Place)
   (614) 459-7230
   2548 Bethel Rd
   Columbus, OH 43220
   
   For the best Thai food in the city at a great price, try Bankok on Refugee Road, just east of Route 33 (College Avenue).
   
   Bangkok Grocery & Restaurant Carryout Orders (South)
   (614) 231-8787
   3277 Refugee Rd
   Columbus, OH 43232
   
   There are an overabundance of mediocre Japanese and mock-Japanese restaurants in Columbus, but Akai Hana (formerly Restaurant Japan) is the 100% real deal. However, it definitely does NOT fit the category of "budget restaurant" --this is a special occasion destination.
   
   Akai Hana (North/West)
   (614) 451-6002
   1167 Old Henderson Rd
   Columbus, OH 43220
   
   For cheaply priced Vietnamese treats, check out the North Market's Lac Viet. The "Goi-cuon" summer roll is particularly good. Be aware, however, that the stand closes when North Market does.
   
   Lac Viet (North Market)
   (614) 221-0777
   59 Spruce Street
   Columbus, OH 43215

2. Chinese

   Highly awarded Hong Kong chef Frank Louie and his equally accomplished wife Helena continue to cook Columbus' best Chinese food at Sun Tong Luck, a gourmet's delight cleverly disguised as a typical hole-in-the-wall. The menu, prices and decor here are similar to every cheap Chinese joint in town, but the food is heavenly. Produced entirely without MSG and saturated fats, the STL menu is the best value for money in the city.
   
   Sun Tong Luck Asian Cuisine (Carriage Place)
   (614) 442-3375
   2500 Bethel Rd
   Columbus, OH 43220
   
   Those of you who remember the old Joy's Village on campus may do so with a queasy feeling in your stomach. But under the new owners, JV has transformed into an all-hours vendor of tasty and surprisingly authentic Asian specialties.
   Make sure you check out their large Dim Sum menu, complete with many unusual offerings.
   
   Joy's Village (Campus, under Buckeye Books)
   (614)297-7723
   2060 N High St
   Columbus, OH 43201
   
   If you want the authentic big-city Dim Sum experience with the carts, try Fortune Chinese, in the Ackerman Plaza:
   
   Fortune Chinese Restaurant
   (614) 263-1991
   2869 Olentangy River Rd
   Columbus, Ohio 43202
   
   I still miss their old chef, but the Fifth Avenue Peking Dynasty remains one of the best places to find ultra-authentic Chinese food in Columbus on a budget.
   Make sure you ask for the "Chinese" menu if you want to get away from standard Americanized fare.
   
   Peking Dynasty
   1773 W 5th Ave
   Columbus, OH 43212
   (614) 488-8128
   

3. Fine Dining

   The Refectory has long been acknowledged as Columbus' premiere fine-dining experience for those with deep pockets. Few people, however, know about their prix fixe Bistro Menu, which is a real steal at $21 per person.
   Even the Refectory Bistro still ranks as a rare special-event destination
   for anyone on a budget, but it places true elegance within the realm of possibility for those willing to place their choice of entree in the capable hands of the chef.
   
   Refectory Restaurant & Bistro
   1092 Bethel Rd
   Columbus, OH 43220
   (614) 451-9774
   
   The cramped seating and impeccable menu make Basi Italia the closest thing Columbus has to a New York City dining experience. Like the Refectory, Basi also features a prix fixe menu for food affectionados with smaller budgets (although here the price differential is not as large).
   
   basi italia
   811 Highland St
   Columbus OH 43215
   (614) 294-7383

4. Greek Food

   There used to be one great Greek restaurant in Columbus. Then, these three partners split up and each started their own version. And then the owner of the Happy Greek was arrested for real estate fraud.
   
   But the restaurants are all still around and serving great food. The Happy Greek on Campus and the Short North, The Mad Greek on East Broad and My Big Fat Greek Cusina up North all feature the same fantastic appetizer menu. Try the spanakopita (greek spinach pie) the chicken lemon soup, the calamari (fried squid --delicious!) and the kopanisti (spicy feta dip). I guarantee you won't miss the entrée.
   
   Happy Greek (Short North)
   (614) 463-1111
   660 N High St
   Columbus, OH 43215
   
   Mad Greek (East)
   (614) 338-0000
   4210 E Broad St
   Columbus, OH 43213
   
   My Big Fat Greek Cusina (North)
   US 33 at Fishinger Road
   

5. Miscellaneous Ethnic Food

   Darbo Restaurant on Cleveland serves a variety of delicious Somali and Italian entrées at the low price of $7 for a more-than-generous plateful.
   Each entrée comes with a choice of rice, pasta or chapati, and a bottomless cup of a delicious pineapple beverage is free with each meal.
   
   Darbo Restaurant (North)
   3764 Cleveland Ave
   Columbus, OH 43224
   (614) 475-8004
   
   

6. Tea

   Zen Cha:
   
   Columbus's most unique locale, a combination gallery and teahouse serving over a hundred different specialty teas from all around the world.
   
   ZenCha Tea Salon (Short North)
   982 North High Street,
   Columbus Ohio 43201
   Phone 614.421.2140
   Fax 614.421.2141
   
   Momo2 TeaZone: The new expanded Momo features a full range of Bubble Teas, a snacks menu, a live DJ, a bowling alley, karaoke rooms and a "Hello Kitty" emporium. What more could you ask for?
   
   Momo KTV and Teazone (North)
   2895 Olentangy River Rd.
   Columbus, OH 43202
   Map to location
   Phone: (614) 784-0888
   
   

7. Vegetarian

   Benevolence
   For the hippie in you: Vegan organic food served in a communal atmosphere, with profits supporting a local farm/nature preserve.
   
   Benevolence (Short North)
   (614) 221-9330
   41 W Swan St
   Columbus, OH 43215
   
   Dragonfly Neo-V
   For a more upscale experience, check out the organic cuisine at this nationally acclaimed vegan restaurant:
   
   Dragonfly (Victorian Village)
   247 King Ave
   Columbus, Ohio 43201
   (614) 294-8287
   
   Or for a less expensive vegan meal, try their new downscale sister restaurant "On The Fly" at the same location.