Want to support local restaurants? Curious about new openings or under-the-radar finds? Here are five restaurants I’m suggesting you try this month!
1. Nomad
Nomad is one of our most memorable recent dining experiences. The Polaris eatery focuses on live fire cooking to craft a menu that wanders the world, from Italian to Greek, America to Spain, Peru to Vietnam. Best of all, they’re offering an AMAZING happy hour all summer: 1/2 off the entire menu from 4-5:30 p.m. every day, now through Labor Day.
Nomad
2050 Polaris Pkwy.
Columbus, OH 43240
Learn more: Nomad Offers Columbus’ Absolute Best Happy Hour This Summer
2. JB’s Downtown Grill
Last month we spent a night in downtown Lancaster for the annual ArtWalk, grabbing dinner at JB’s Downtown Grill. We had a wonderful brunch there a few years ago, and dinner solidified our love for the place. Owners Jamie and Beth Brumbaugh are warm and welcoming, and they offer scratch-made comfort food that hits all the right notes: deviled eggs, giant burgers, fried fish sandwiches, chicken tenders, onion rings.
JB’s Downtown Grill
111 N. Columbus St.
Lancaster, OH 43130
Learn more: JB’s Downtown Grill
3. Brass Eye
Earlier last month The Junto Hotel opened on the Scioto Peninsula. The eight-story “independent lifestyle hotel” features a variety of eateries, including a ground floor tavern, a coffee shop, and the Brass Eye, their eighth-floor bar and restaurant. Its views are unparalleled in Columbus; the patios wrap around three quarters of the building so you can see from downtown and Franklinton. Their cocktails are superb and the menu expertly done, from lighter snacks like tuna tartar and deviled eggs to more substantial meals like a double smash burger, seared scallops, glazed spare ribs.
Brass Eye
77 Belle St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Learn more: Brass Eye
4. Legacy Smokehouse
Summer is the time for barbecue, and Legacy Smokehouse in Hilliard does a spectacular job with it. After a fire last year, they recently reopened their downtown Hilliard spot (now with a bourbon bar on the second floor!), so they’re back to serving expertly done brisket, smoked turkey, sausages, pulled pork, and all those wonderful sides.
Legacy Smokehouse
3987 Main St.
Hilliard, OH 43026
Learn more: Legacy Smokehouse
5. The Original Goodie Shop
With school approaching, I’m thinking of old school eats, and it doesn’t get much more old school than Upper Arlington’s Original Goodie Shop, known lovingly to some as the Tremont Goodie Shop. They’re the go-to spot for all sorts of donuts, cookies, and cakes. They’d make a good treat for summer or first days of school!
The Original Goodie Shop
2116 Tremont Center
Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Learn more: The Original Goodie Shop
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