Happy Monday!

I write this post from 10,000+ feet, as I embark on what is sure to be a crazy week visiting customers in the Northwest.  Over the course of the week, I’ll be making my way through five different airports, flying every day except Wednesday.  Starting with today, as I fly to Spokane by way of Denver.  Then tomorrow night, Seattle, then Seattle to Vancouver Thursday morning and finally back to Cbus (via O’hare….wish me luck) on Friday.  If all goes well, I’ll be back in time for happy hour!

Despite this plane being teeny tiny (I thought one of the perks of flying cross-country was bigger planes?!), I thought I’d use my time somewhat wisely and write this blog post!  Lucky you.  Over the past few weeks I’ve eaten at some new restaurants – both new and new to me.  And this time, I actually remembered to take pictures of (most) of the food!  So without further ado, feast your eyes on some of my recent Eats!

The Market
Last week Wyatt and I checked out a place that is both new(ish) and new to us.  The Market in Italian Village had been on both our lists for quite some time, so we turned an average boring Tuesday into a culinary adventure (how’s that for cheesiness?).  The Market is actually what it sounds – a small market that sells unique products not found at your typical grocery store.  It also has a full-service bar and kitchen serving both lunch and dinner (and maybe brunch?).  The atmosphere at 7 on a Tuesday night was a little quiet and awkward – we were one of just a handful of patrons.  But we made ourselves right at home with a high-top table and two glasses of red.

Wyatt leans Vegetarian (with a capital “V” for emphasis), and while I certainly love my bacon, I find myself going meatless quite often for no other reason than I like it.  The Market makes it very easy to select Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free options, with simple color blocks indicating these items.  We opted to share two appetizers and wood-fired pizza, which turned out to be the perfect amount of food.

This brussels sprouts salad was TO DIE FOR.  Our server warned us that it wasn’t whole brussels as the menu description would lead you to believe, but actually more of a coleslaw.  We almost changed our order but decided to give it a try, and I’m glad we did because it was outstanding.  So fresh and flavorful, with just a hint of mustard and nutty goodness from the pine nuts.

Our second appetizer was this roasted cauliflower with polenta.  This was also good, but not as good at the salad.  The cheese crisps were quite tasty (duh).

And for our main course we shared the white pizza.  It was cheesier and greasier than I expected, but man was it good.  Full of flavor.  Who says pizza needs red sauce?  Luckily I remembered to snap a photo before it was all gobbled up – I let Wyatt have my last piece.  Aren’t I a good girlfriend ( / the boy has a serious metabolism)?

In the summer, the windows of the market open up giving it that fresh “market” feel, and there is also a patio.  If you haven’t been, I highly recommend you check it out – I’ll be back this summer for a glass of white wine and that Brussels salad! (hopefully it’s not seasonal…)

Forno
Just two nights later, after putting over 600 miles on my 2003 Honda Accord traveling all over for work, I found myself dining over wood-fired pizza again – this time, at Forno!  Forno replaced the Worst Restaurant in the World (really, the worst restaurant group in the world) and is just across the street from my apartment.  I’m thrilled to have a new neighbor, but mostly I’m just glad it’s not the atrocity that was taking up space on one of the best corners in the Short North.  But enough of that rant – on to Forno!  For you locals, Forno is the latest project from the people who own the Pint House.  It’s much swankier than Pint House and features wood fired pizza as its main gig.  Ash and Jackie and I enjoyed the upscale atmosphere – nothing new for the Short North, but still fun.  We were seated in a big cozy booth by the window and feasted on two salads (actually three – the server accidentally brought us an extra) and two pizzas.

I failed to capture the salads, but the pizza is what stole the show – we ordered the Hawaiian and the White (yep, white again!), and both were excellent.  The crust was just as I like it – not too thin, definitely not thick, and chewy, and the toppings were packed with flavor.  It was good enough to order as take-out; after-all, it’s just across the street!

The Olde Mohawk
Saturday afternoon following my spin class, Matt and I had a long-overdue Saturday afternoon lunch “date”!  I knew I wanted fries, so when Matt suggested we take the CBUS (a free bus that circulates between the Short North and German Village) to The Old Mohawk in German Village, I was all in!  Now, the Old Mohawk is definitely not new, but it’s been years since I’ve been there.  We both ordered draft beers – hey, what’s a Saturday afternoon date without a day drink? – and I satisfied both my craving for a “salad” and my craving for fries by ordering the Mexican Cobb and a side of fries.

Unfortunately, both were just OK.  I guess I had high hopes for really awesome bar food, but both my food and Matt’s Turkey Reuben were just OK.  The “salad” (I use quotes because the lettuce was just a way to consumer bacon and cheese and eggs) hit the spot, but unfortunately the fries did not.  I expect a place like this to have stellar fresh-cut fries, skin on (think Five Guys style), and these were a disappointment.  But don’t worry, I ate them, along with one or two of Matt’s onion rings (which were good).  All in all, a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  Thanks, Matt!

Some Random Place in that State Up North
I mentioned earlier that I drove 600+ plus miles Wednesday and Thursday of last week, driving up to Akron, then Cleveland, then Detroit and finally back to Columbus.  After meeting up with my Distributor in Detroit on Thursday, there wasn’t time to get lunch before our 1:30 meeting with his customer.  So, I did something I hardly ever do…I skipped lunch!  Me, skip lunch?!  Luckily, I had a feeling that might happen so I came prepared and ate a granola bar on the way.  By the time the meeting was over at 3:30, I was quite hungry and had a daunting 4+ hour drive ahead of me.  I knew I couldn’t hold out until dinner but didn’t want to spoil it (that’s the night I met A&J for dinner at Forno), and I avoid drive-thrus at all costs – I’m not good at eating while driving, plus, the food stinks.  On my drive in I noticed a cute spot who’s name I can’t quite recall – maybe the Clean Plate? – but I prefer to refer to it as some Random Place in that State Up North.

Turns out, it was a good call!  It was cute and full of healthy options – I opted for a bowl of butternut squash chili.  It came with organic bread and was just the right size to hold me over until dinner, and only took about 15 minutes total.  Lesson learned – fast food isn’t the only option!

My Kitchen
And, finally, I thought I’d share a random dinner I made for myself last week.  It’s nothing special, but it was very tasty and came together in a heartbeat, so it’s worth sharing!  The mess pictured below is a sweet potato that I microwaved, topped with chili that I defrosted from my freezer and an ENTIRE BAG of microwaveable steamed broccoli.  Yep, I ate the whole bag.  Topped with sour cream, pepper jack cheese, and my new obsession – Cholula Chili Garlic hot sauce.  The meal came together in minutes, most of which took place in the micro while I showered.  Quick, healthy, filling, and very tasty – what more can you ask of from a weeknight dinner?

So tell me – what are some of your recent Eats?