Alpaca at the Refectory
There is a dish at the Refectory, 1092 Bethel Rd., you won’t find anywhere else in Ohio—or in the country, says owner Kamal Boulos.
It’s a terrine that resembles pâté, and it’s made from alpaca. That’s right, alpaca. Boulos gets his supply from the only farmer in Ohio licensed to process the animal, which resembles a llama and most commonly is raised for fur, he says.
The alpaca terrine ($15) is served with griottine cherries, lavender vinaigrette, chive oil, a cornichon pickle and tomato concassée.
Earlier this year, executive chef Richard Blondin ran the terrine as a special to gauge reaction by diners. Boulos says the dish has received high praise—except from a couple who raises alpaca.
So, how does alpaca taste? “It’s very lean. I would compare it to ostrich, which compares to bison. It’s red meat, but not gamey,” he explains.
OPENINGS
The first Columbus location of Zoup! Fresh Soup Company is expected to open this fall at the Huntington Center downtown, says owner Denis Barboza. The concept centers on, well, soup, and there will be 12 kinds each day. There are sandwich and salad options as well, and menu items that cater to vegetarians. Barboza says the shop will seat up to 65 guests.
The Wine Bistro opened its second location in Upper Arlington at 1750 W. Lane Ave. earlier this year, says operating partner Rob Lindeman. (The first site is near Worthington on Rt. 23.) Menu options include flatbreads, scallop lollipops, several pasta dishes and a meatball small plate, which Lindeman says is the most popular item on the menu. He adds that the shop has between 500 and 1,000 different wine labels that guests can purchase. “It’s a place to get together with friends, family or the girls and relax. It’s an escape,” he says. The Wine Bistro is open daily for lunch and dinner.
You may notice the Dublin location of the Rusty Bucket has changed. The pub-style restaurant moved to 6726 Perimeter Loop Rd. in mid July, due to the expansion of Giant Eagle into the restaurant’s original location, which was in the same shopping center, says spokesperson Heather Leonard. The new spot is the largest of the six Rusty Buckets—4,800 square feet—and features a private dining room for 25 guests. There also are two garage doors that will open during nice weather so guests can enjoy an outdoor dining experience.
Craig Decker, the owner of the Wine Guy Wine Shop Wine Bar & Bistro concept, has opened just a Wine Guy Wine Shop near New Albany (1383 Johnstown Rd.). “We’re going back to what we used to do,” says Decker, emphasizing that while there will not be a food menu, several other options— including cigars, a florist and a chocolate shop—will be available. The store is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 pm and Friday and Saturday till 9 pm.
Yerba Buena Latin Grill, a food truck that opened in late June at 4100 N. High St. in Clintonville, isn’t exactly El Arepazo on wheels, says owner Carlos Gutierrez, who operates both businesses. While each place uses similar ingredients, the truck’s menu is geared more toward street food, including items such as fish tacos, empanadas and salads. (Prices range from $3 to $7.) “People seem to love it, and we love to be here,” says Gutierrez. The truck is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 8:30 pm.
UPDATE
Bad news for Burgundy Room fans. The Short North tapas and wine bar officially is closed and won’t reopen, says owner Jeff Benson, who also owns G. Michael’s Bistro in German Village. “Restaurants are like a Rubik’s Cube. Everything has to fall into place perfectly, or it doesn’t work. There were a couple of things that just weren’t working.” (He declines to go into details.) However, Benson says he is discussing options for another concept in a new location with friend and fellow restaurateur Craig Dye, who owns Michael O’Toole’s in the Brewery District.
But he won’t forget about the Burgundy Room, which opened in 2003. “My brother met his wife there. It was a great place,” he says. “Unfortunately, things happen. It is what it is. I hate to say that, but it fits perfectly in this case.”
A NEW CHAPTER
Tony Murray started to work at Lindey’s in German Village in 1989. A bartender by training, he always envisioned starting his own restaurant someday.
That day has come with T. Murray’s Bar & Kitchen, 560 S. High St., which opened in mid July. He says the menu is upscale, but still casual, with offerings such as ale steamed mussels, arugula and Milanese chicken, stacked shrimp and greens, and spinach, artichoke and goat cheese wontons.
Murray can’t speak highly enough about Sue Doody and the rest of his “family” at Lindey’s. “I love those guys. They are my family for life. I helped them open the first Bravo in 1992 and watched the whole company grow. It’s a dynasty. It was hard to leave,” he says. “But I just had to try. You don’t know if you don’t try.”
T. Murray’s Bar & Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
See originaly story: http://www.columbusmonthly.com/articles/2011/09/16/features/doc4e7394f1bbfd8958426646.txt
