Worst breakfast ever!

In my last few hours visiting Z over labor day weekend, we felt a tasty breakfast on our way to the airport would hit the spot nicely. So, we decided to go to Tasi, home of delicious and fluffy sourdough pancakes (and other breakfast goodies).


I highly recommend the place, but unfortunately, they were closed for labor day (and starting next week, will be closed every Monday). Disappointment #1.


On to Jack and Benny's, for surely they would be open on Labor Day. Their delicious chocolate chip (or chocolate & peanut butter chip - AKA "buckeye" - if you prefer) pancakes would certainly hit the spot. Well, they would have, had they been open. Disappointment #2.

look how sad I am

Finally, in a desperation move, we decided to go for Bob Evans. Unfortunately, it turns out, they were open. I say unfortunately, because our morning would have been a lot better had they not been, and we could have simply gone home and had cereal. Instead, we waited ten minutes to get a seat. We were able to order our food right away, and then we waited. And we waited. Keep in mind that after running to so many different places, my need to get to the airport was rapidly becoming urgent. Eventually, the waitress, who we'd watched bring food to several tables seated after us, did bring us something - biscuits (not what we ordered) to satisfy our appetites while we waited. As if on cue, when we finally decided to ask for our food to go, the waitress arrived with our food. We ate quickly. My pancakes were undercooked, but at that point I didn't care. Z didn't finish all of her food, so when I went up to pay, I asked the waitress to bring her a to-go box. After waiting in line to pay for ten-minutes (with Z patiently waiting at the table for the to-go box), Z finally walked over with no leftovers in hand. Disappointments #3 through infinity.

Perhaps I can have a satisfying breakfast next time I'm in Columbus...

Last Supper

So, after the movers took our stuff away from us, we immediately locked the door, hopped in the car, and went to the Taj Mahal.


Now, this is admittedly, a pretty generic name for an Indian restaurant, but we've really grown to like the place. If any place were to be called "our place," this might be it. It is a formal enough restaurant to be suitable for date night (picture candlelight and a bottle of wine - I don't think they have candles, but they definitely have wine :) ), but well under the price of most other formal eating options.

So, last Wednesday (have I been gone a week already!) we started our typical dinner menu with some naan - this time garlic naan. I have no idea how they do it, but I swear this stuff is made of crack! It is flavorful, rich, and delicious!


Now this is where we really get into our routine. Z ordered the coconut chicken...


... and I ordered the chicken tikka.


I say "routine" because this is what we always get. Not that there's anything wrong with that. We've both tried other things on the menu and have always been satisfied. We just like these dishes so much, that nothing else can compare (in our minds at least). I actually like going for their lunch buffet, because then I can try a greater variety of dishes, while still having some of my old standby (or something similar to it) available.

Finally, Z finished the meal with some rice pudding.

please note, this picture was taken with the correct white balance.

So, that's it - the last of my Columbus blogs :(. Hopefully I'll have new dishes prepared here in Lubbock to blog about soon - once I have pots and pans to prepare them in (and a working oven, dishes, silverware, etc.)!

Surly Girl

Now that I have internet back at home, I can try and finish up my end of Columbus posts. Don't expect any new food posts this week, however, as I still don't have my stuff (no pots and pans to cook with) nor does the oven in my new apartment work (which will hopefully be taken care of very soon).

So, the night before the movers came (for the first day), and Z and I were frantically trying to get ready (last-minute packing, sorting out what stays and what goes, etc.), we decided to walk to the Surly Girl Saloon, one of our favorite places to walk - especially for a late dinner. The Surly Girl, and its sister (mother?) Betty's, are both locally owned and operated restaurant/bars in the Short North. Surly Girl has more of a western empowered woman theme, featuring drinks from female-owned wineries/breweries. They also have a great seasonal selection of mixed drinks (e.g., blueberry "lemonade").


We don't have any food pictures, in part because it was relatively dark inside and in part because by the time our food came, all we wanted to do was devour it. We split a plate of nachos (very good). I think Z had the Surly Girl salad and I had the Cajun meatloaf. Betty's meatloaf is better, but Surly Girl's is still quite good. While we didn't have any this time, Surly Girl also has funky cupcakes, like chocolate cayenne, that make for a great dessert.

Eating instead of cooking

Since my days in Columbus are limited, Z and I have been hitting up places we're going to miss, have fond memories of, or haven't yet tried. Today was a 2-fer, with one we had not tried and one we have fond memories of.

For the one we had not tried, the German Village Coffee Shop (aka - Der Kaffe Haus). It was a very good find - the food was extremely reasonably, and the portions were more than reasonable. I got a short stack and a side of bacon for around $5, and it was way too much food. The pancakes were large, thick, and fluffy (and loaded with complex grease-bohydrates). Z had a monte cristo sandwhich, and also had more than she could finish.

Then, this evening, Z and I returned to the site of our first official date, Hunan Lion. While I'm sure the food is not "authentic," that sure doesn't mean it isn't delicious. They serve family style, so we split veggie spring rolls and orders of sesame beef and mango chicken. Both were very good, but the sesame beef was absolutely delicious. They must put crack or some other controlled substance in the sauce, because it was hard to stop eating.