[UPDATE: Market 65 is no longer serving breakfast.]
Market 65 (Facebook / @marketsixtyfive)
65 E. State. St. (map it!)
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 564-6565
Open Mon-Fri, 7:30 am – 8 pm (bfast served until 10:30 am)
Accepts cash & credit/debit
Vegetarian/vegan/gluten free? Y/Y/N
Kid-friendly? Y
Date of Visit: Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
IMPRESSIONS: Market 65 is a much-needed new addition to the downtown dining scene. They took the spot formerly inhabited by the San Francisco Pizza Oven, and have replaced that forgettable chain with a bright, fresh restaurant that features a lot of great Ohio goods.
ATMOSPHERE: The space flows pretty easily; once you step through the front door, you’re right at the top of the line that follows the counters. I visited on a Thursday mid-morning and the place was quiet, although lunch time can get busier.
There’s a good-sized seating section extending back into the space. The color palette is full of greens and browns; you feel like you’re walking in a forest.
FOOD: The real star of Market 65 is their salad bar, what with the choosing and the mixing and the chopping, but they do feature a good breakfast menu, too. And obviously, that’s why I’m here.
The fun of eating there is watching your food be assembled as you head down the line. They have a huge variety of fresh ingredients to choose from…
…including meats…
…and cheeses. The biggest dish on their breakfast menu – the wrap – lets you choose two of the vegetables and a cheese (you can add bacon or sausage, too). That’s a pretty wide selection.
Other breakfast items include oatmeal, fresh fruit, and pastries.
Coffee service provided by Stauf’s, with a special Market 65 blend. Very nice.
Baked goods come from Sassafras Bakery, Sue’s Kitchen, and Cupcake Yum Yum.
My son and I split a wrap (which you can also order as a scramble) with some white cheddar and black beans. It’s a hefty wrap, and was plenty for the both of us.
The ingredients are simple, but the flavors were all there. A great option if you need a quick breakfast downtown. The bonus is that these ingredients are sourced locally, so you know you’re getting good Ohio eggs, cheese, and the like.
SERVICE: I’ll be honest: I had a great service experience, although I got to chat with owners Anthony and Patrick. One of their staffers very kindly played with my son Will while we spoke. If Anthony, Patrick, and their staff are anything to go by, they can take care of a long line of customers smoothly.
OVERALL: Market 65 is a simple concept, but one that’s well connected to the local food community and provides a much-needed option for downtown dining. They’re open early and stay open late, which is encouraging for that area. And now that the weather is getting warmer, imagine yourself out here on the patio…
OTHER LINKS:
-> my piece for (614) Magazine on Market 65
-> interview with the owners on ColumbusUnderground
