I’m not a TV watcher, so I didn’t see the “No Reservations” episode this summer that apparently got some peeps in my current town of Columbus, Ohio all riled up. In this case the drama unfolded not on the TV screen but on the internet.
Last fall, Anthony Bourdain and a Cleveland-based food writer and blogger, Michael Ruhlman, created some excitement last fall when they filmed a segment here featuring a couple of local restaurants for a “Heartland” episode. But when it aired this summer, locals were indignant that the episode gave the impression that the two restaurants featured were rare and surprising standouts in “Applebee’s country.” Ruhlman took extra heat as an Ohio native for the portrayal of Columbus as a culinary backwater.
This fall Ruhlman made another trip back to C-bus, spending time with members of the local food community, and wrote about it in his blog. Here’s his reconsidered take on dining in Buckeye country: Michael Ruhlman on the Columbus food scene.
And for those who want to catch up on the uproar from the summer, here’s an indignant post from columbusfoodadventures.com, written after the “No Reservations” episode aired.
All this food sparring has me hungry. Now I have even more reasons to get off my country butt and make it into town. No surprise that the only places I’ve tried are the sweet destinations – the brilliantly creative Jeni’s, so renowned it’s sold at Dean & Deluca, and the exquisite Pistacia Vera, land of pillowy pastel rainbow macarons. When I can make it for a full meal out, I am excited to try Kihachi and Clever Crow Pizza, the restaurants featured in “No Reservations.” Another restaurant visited by Ruhlman this fall is Alana’s, my neighbor Dan’s favorite and one I’ve been meaning to try for ages. With four kids, our dining out is mostly family friendly and close to home (Ruhlman-sampled City Barbeque among them), but I’m resolving to get out a bit more in my second year here.
Anyone have more tips on food destinations in Columbus? Any thoughts on Ruhlman’s culinary tour of town?
And on the football front…go Bucks, beat Michigan! Third quarter score, 37-7.
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