Abner's Casual Dining: A hidden gem within a hidden gem.

Downtown Hilliard, Ohio is a cool place. Even though it is a major suburb of a large city (Columbus), it has a unique feel to it. If you step outside of one of the many fine dining establishments here, and use your imagination, you can feel as though you are in a small town. There is just kind of a Mayberry, North Carolina type of vibe here. It's a hidden gem within the sprawling metropolis of Columbus.

Located in the center of this hidden gem is another hidden gem: Abner's. Located near the intersection of Main and Center, this unassuming little spot is barely noticeable unless you look for it. It also sits right between two very popular spots: Otie's and Old Bag of Nails Pub. Both are good. But Abner's is something on another level.

Think "Gourmet Diner Food". The head chef graduated from an esteemed culinary school and was formerly a chef at The Refectory, a well known high cuisine spot on Bethel Road. So while the menu looks like your typical diner fare, prepare to be surprised when your food arrives.

The place is definitely a diner. And I love diners. My wife and I used to go on diner hunts, trying to find an obscure little spot in a small town. No need for that anymore. Everything here is just a notch or 3 better than typical diner fare, while maintaining a small town diner feel. I have been here so many times, and tried so many different dishes, that it is hard to know which to talk about first. I'll try to touch on the highlights and just let you decide for yourself when you see the menu.

Want breakfast? Steak and eggs has always been my favorite. And the steak and eggs here are the best I have ever had. I don't know what they season the huge ground beef patty with, but it is amazing. Garlic-onion potato cakes and corned beef hash are also advised with it, but only if you have time for a long post meal nap. I'm not a pancake guy, but my wife swears by the cornmeal pancakes. And she is definitely a pancake girl.

Okay, you want lunch? I have had cheeseburgers in virtually every state in this country, and very few compare to this place. Amazingly seasoned, grilled to perfection, and on a soft bakery bun coated with butter, these things are crazy good. My personal favorite is the bacon cheeseburger, but they offer enough variations to please any taste.

Dinner includes a nightly special, ranging from pot roast to stuffed chicken and gravy. Angela ordered the latter tonight, and loved it. I ordered one of my favorites from any restaurant, a French Dip sandwich. I had never had it here before, and it did not disappoint. Fantastic Au Jus, a nice melted provolone, and a perfect bun. Delicious!

In summary, this may be my favorite diner in the world. And I've been to a few. It's good to be back on the west side. Please check this place out. It is worth the trip to Hilliard.

Anthony's Pizzeria: Under new ownership...and better than ever!

Growing up in my hometown of Bexley, Ohio...there was always a pizza war going on. Such amazing places...TAT, Rubino's, and Anthony's. The pizza gods truly blessed Bexley.

TAT and Rubino's are old school thin and crispy crust. Both excellent. Anthony's however, was known for it's "Stuffed Pizza" It was a crazy thick pie full of stuffing that could fill you up after one slice. Not really my style.

A couple of years ago, though, Anthony's got new ownership. And everything changed. For the better.

I realize that everyone has a different preference when it comes to pizza. And my preference has always been authentic New York style pizza. You know, thin, but not too thin to fold and eat. And that was hard to find in Central Ohio. Until now.

This stuff is the real deal. Starting with the base, it's one of the tastiest crusts I have ever had. Buttery and soft with a slight crunch on the bottom. The sauce is tangy and sweet at the same time. The cheese is delicious, and dealt in the perfect amount. Finally, the small and spicy pepperoni puts it over the top.

In addition to the amazing pizza, make sure to get some of the garlic rolls and try the Stromboli too. Both are amazing. In summary, if you have a passion for classic New York style pizza, this is your place. Corner of East Main and College in downtown Bexley. Check it out!

Classic Columbus Haunts: Wings Restaurant and Bar

Those are not my words, they were the words on the cover of Columbus Alive, which featured a picture of owner Kenny Yee. The article was a tribute to some of the oldest restaurants in Columbus, and Wings is definitely one of them. It is certainly the oldest Asian joint.

Established in the 1940s as The Far East Bar and Grill, this spot was serving authentic Mandarin cuisine when such a concept was unheard of in Central Ohio. It still stands tall in the Eastmoor district of Columbus, where old-school dining reigns supreme. As you pull into the East Main Street location, you notice the building is a little...rustic. As you approach the building, two large doors are adorned with amazing Eastern-inspired door handles. When you open those doors, two more doors await with similar spectacular design. Entering the second set, you step right into the bar.

The place is cool. It is elaborately decorated and dimly lit but not dark. The songs of old-time crooners play in the background, but at a low level. It all has a very cerebral and calming effect. Despite something of a language barrier, the staff is very friendly and polite.

The menu is diverse, mostly Asian but with a few variations from the norm, My mother ordered lamb chops and spinach ravioli, and said it was fantastic. They also were featuring a special tonight: Corned Beef and Cabbage. Something to do with some Irish drinking holiday. Kinda cool..

I decided to go traditional, and went with a spicy garlic chicken over fried rice and some hot and sour soup. My sister ordered sesame chicken wings (she wasn't very hungry, because I ate half of them) and we enjoyed our drinks and relaxed.

The chicken wings and soup came out first. The wings were tasty, sweet and spicy with a hint of pepper. The soup was very rich, thick, and loaded with scallions and shrimp, which was a first for me. Definitely different, but quite good. The main course came next.

Now, I am a huge fan of spicy Asian food, and this was advertised as spicy. Hell, it had the word spicy in it's name. So imagine my surprise when I took my first bite and there was nothing spicy about it. But I was not disappointed at all. I just directed my taste buds to head in a different direction of food enjoyment. They obeyed and I took a second bite.

I had never tasted anything like this. So many unexpected flavors going on here. More than a hint of ginger, some garlic, and something sweet and slightly chocolate like. I wasn't sure if I liked it at first. But I kept eating it. Until it was gone.

I enjoyed my post meal cup of coffee and thought, wow, that was very different, but very good. Everything at Wings is a little different, the food, the atmosphere, the actual place itself. But in this world of Applebee's and Olive Garden, different is refreshing. And tasty....

TAT Ristorante di Famiglia: This ain't The Olive Garden

http://www.tatitalian.com/

And in regard to the title of this entry, if The Olive Garden ranks as one of your favorite Italian dining spots, you have my sympathy. But, go ahead and skip this entry and check back tomorrow. There's nothing here for you. However, if you appreciate authentic Sicilian cuisine in a very Italian family atmosphere, read on.

TAT Ristorante di Famiglia (TAT for short) is located at James and Livingston on the east side of Columbus. Advance warning: This place is not located in the best neighborhood. In between courses (I had 10, see below) I stepped out for a smoke. I was promptly approached by two unsavory characters demanding money. Of course, I laughed at them and they went away. But that is another story.

So, if you frequent this spot be careful, and don't go outside alone, Just settle in for some amazing food. I ordered my usual, The Sicilian Delight. It is not quite a Man v Food challenge, but it's close. As mentioned. 10 courses! You start with a glass of Chablis. This is followed by Sicilian Bread (garlic bread on steroids), wedding soup, and a house salad. I then stepped out for the previously mentioned smoke, and returned with the rest of the courses waiting.

Before me now sits a huge plate full of every Italian favorite imaginable on it. Homemade pasta noodles covered in a delicious garlic-heavy marinara, a huge meatball, sausage that is VERY spicy, manicotti, and some cheese ravioli. I dug in and put a good dent in it. Didn't finish as I had 4 times in my younger days, but hey, that just means great leftovers. And to top it all off, you get spumoni for dessert. As if you need it!

I went with several family members. Yes, we WERE that loud Italian family enjoying their meal. But that just meant we fit in. TAT is the real deal, definitely the best authentic Italian cuisine in Columbus. Check it out. But be careful :)

Steak in a Time Machine

http://www.thetopsteakhouse.com/

As you walk into The Top, located in Bexley, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus), you suddenly feel the presence of Frank, Dean, and Sammy. The darkness of the place, the narrow hallway entrance, the stained glass, the 1950s feel. As you enter the restaurant itself, you are greeted by a piano player wailing a song by one of the aforementioned artists. Wow, you think, this joint is cool. It gets better.

This place has been here since 1955. It hasn't changed. You are led to your table by a waitress who could very well be the original owners daughter. You look at the menu and think, hmm...kinda pricey. But you order anyway. You won't be sorry.

The Top has one of the coolest atmospheres to dine in that I have ever experienced. The only thing cooler than the atmosphere, though, is the food. Succelent steaks, great sides, incredible seafood, and great cocktails. My personal favorite is the porterhouse (usually 22-24 oz.) covered in roasted garlic butter. Seafood fan? The shrimp is fantastic. Also tried the French Onion Soup. Not to my liking, as it was a bit sweet. But if you like a sweeter, grenadine-infused FOS, this is for you. All plates are also garnished with 2 delicious onion rings.

As the piano man crooned "Piano Man", I came to the realization that this was the best steak I had ever eaten. I savored the experience, and didn't even think about the bill. It wasn't cheap, but it was worth every penny. I can't give a place any higher rating than The Top Steak House. An unreal experience....