Dining
Fresh Kitchen has brought healthier, tastier, sustainable vegan options to the Mill Run Shopping Center in Hilliard. From refreshing salads, to “power” bowls, to satiating sandwiches, everyone can find something for them, including vegans and gluten-free diners. The Sesame Ginger, Lemon Herb Chimi dressings and Sweet and Spicy Korean sauces are vegan. The pesto is not (dairy), neither are the smashed potatoes (dairy), Honey-Sesame Dressing, Citrus Vinaigrette, or Lemon Garlic Broccoli options (honey). Tofu is the current vegan protein option, however they are interested in adding cannellini beans for those seeking more whole foods, plant-based options.
Copious Restaurant just delivered – for those seeking amazing vegan (and even gluten-free) options – a new and exciting, fine dining experience. WOW! The only thing currently missing is a decadent dessert (rest assured, they are working on it). Everything is top notch – from the grains, greens and beans to the avocado gazpacho (hits the spot on a hot summer night). I was quite likely drooling whilst dreaming about the steak and potatoes for days after my first experience. The only thing good about losing my camera recently, was returning there to replace my lost food photos and assuage my woes with another meal.
In other Socially Just Dining news, according to The Telegraph (UK) the vegan population in Britain has boomed by 360 percent over the last ten years. Mintel reports vegan options have increased in Germany 633 percent from 2011 to 2015. Al Jazeera reports The Not Company (Chilean), has a computer program, Giuseppe, which has algorithms to replicate the molecular components for the taste, texture and nutrition of animal-based foods with enhanced plant-based substitutes.
Kona Grill aims to please their customers with their agile menu adaptations to suite specific, avoidant requirements and still provide a splendidly satisfying dining experience. If you enjoy being transported to the tropics in atmosphere and flavors, Kona’s spectrum of sensory offerings is the place for you. They surpass their conventional dining service level peers by offering a clearly identified vegan and vegetarian menu for their patrons, which is (surprisingly) still an uncommon feature of most mainstream restaurants. I enjoyed an appetizer of vegan sushi and meal of specially requested grilled vegetables, with tofu and macadamia nuts.
Condado is taking the Short North by storm with the best selection of tasty vegan taco options ever seen (by me anyway) in this part of the country. Thai Chili Tofu, Portabella Mushrooms (standards) Hominy and Jackfruit (specials) have been featured plant proteins. Exotic toppings such as jicama cabbage slaw, pineapple salsa and all vegan and gluten-free options are clearly marked. According to owner Joe Khan, other socially just considerations are that they use recycled/unbleached paper towels, and recycle all the cardboard products. No Styrofoam! Another awesomeness; the only things that are fried in the fryer are the chips, taco shells, and the Thai Chili Tofu, so you can safely indulge in the full Monty and have no risk of being unpleasantly surprised by the cross-contamination tastes and smells of fish or other animals.
Jiu Thai is an Asian Northern Chinese style (not Thai) restuarant that does a dish called Tiger Tofu that is absolutely delicious. They are very accommodating and flexible with their menu, which has several veganizable and gluten-free possibilities, just be clear what you need, (Nicole and Welling on their team are savvy on what vegans need). Many dishes come with animal products that can be otherwise substituted for tofu or a different sauce without sea-based or land-based animals in it. Caution- Two menu items do not indicate there are animals in them: 1) Biang Biang Noodle does not state it comes with strips of cow flesh in it, and 2) Peking Zhab Jaing Noodle has ground pigs in the sauce.
Mitchell’s Ocean Club has created a delicious potato quinoa cake vegan entrée with a tasty sauce, a vibrant fennel salad and perfectly grilled vegetables- all of which also happen to be gluten-free. When you want to enjoy a vegan meal in a fine dining atmosphere, this is certainly one place in Columbus (Easton) that makes that possible. These items are not listed on the menu, however they are always available, you just have to make your vegan requirements known.
In 2006 scientists sounded the alarm that the track humanity is currently on with its increasing human populations, increasing pollution acidifying the water and creating ocean dead zones, as well as the ever increasing five islands of plastic waste each currently the size of Texas, the oceans will be empty of fish by 2048. That was before the BP disaster and Fukushima that continues to spew unknown amounts of radioactive waste into the Pacific.
Smith & Wollensky Columbus Steakhouse in Easton serves a smart and an original vegan option (with advanced nutritional requirements notice) that is pretty exciting to those who enjoy a savory varietal mushroom filled pasty. If you have a penchant for grilled asparagus, baked potatoes, varietal olives and the biggest, saltiest, capers I’ve experienced, you will resonate with their vegan offerings. Healthy, fresh berries finish the meal but don’t satisfy that tempting chocolate craving you may have (especially when you witness other desserts non-vegans delight in- FYI vegan chocolate exists). However, there was some confusion with the team on the salad dressing and the mashed potatoes presented, because both contained dairy. If you have allergies or a heart/cancer/diabetes condition or prevention strategy for which you are avoiding animal products, you will want to remain vigilant on qualifying suspicious offerings.
The Grass Skirt Tiki Bar has been a great venue for a number of socially just events! My first encounter with this ambiance-filled restaurant was in Aug 2013 during a coalition effort of several environmental conservation and climate change organizations posing with a bus stating #I WILL ACT ON CLIMATE (none of which said anything about vegan living as an empowerment strategy so I was happy to be there representing with my vegan shirt). I love what the Liz Lessner restaurants stand for with their vegan empowering offerings as well as their consciousness to local, organic and community building and engaging progressive political efforts. There are several vegan options on their menu and very interesting drink concoctions too. If you want to get a reprieve from the Ohio winter blues and be transported to the tropics (via taste and atmosphere anyway- not weatherL) without the cost of a plane ticket, the Grass Skirt Tiki Bar may be just what you are looking for. They do offer tofu and lots of gluten-free, rice, pineapple and coconut based meals.
It’s All Natural is the only totally exclusively vegan and vegetarian market in Northeast Columbus (Gahanna just off of Morse Rd in the Cherry Bottom Shopping Center). They focus on vegan, organic, locally made, non-GMO foods and offer many kosher, gluten-free, sugar-free and tree-nut free options such as peanut-free peanut butter. They are also currently phasing out all non-vegan items so there are several items on sale to move them out if you want to get some good deals on honey or buttermilk pancake mix.
When you want something new on the vegan market, this is the place that has it first.
Vegan Egg Alternatives: Want to try the latest algae-based vegan egg replacer mixes by Follow Your Heart, or the chia and chic pea egg replacer by Neat, or The Vegg nutritional yeast and rice milk-based French Toast Kit or Scrambled eggs mix, or the Orgran Gluten-Free egg replacer or the seasoning spice packs for those who still prefer tofu; it’s all available at It’s All Natural.
Brassica, a new comer in the Short North, hands down, gets my vote for “best falafel sandwich” in Columbus. If the custom opportunity of building the sandwich myself wasn’t enough reason to love it, the care they put into making every component downright delicious sealed the deal. Sumac and paprika seasoned fries was a fresh twist (though I rarely eat fries). Truth-be-told they had me at fresh baked pita, house made baba ganoush, “crispy” onions and that roasted red pepper sauce. They ensure you can get a robust infusion of healthy nutrients with fresh pressed juice that is fairly affordable. Brassica continues to strive with their organic, local and sustainable packaging standards typical of their sister establishments, Northstar Café and Third and Hollywood.