Whenever I go to Columbus, I go by the North Market. Not nearly as crazy or as busy as the West Side Market here in Cleveland, but a great market all the same. Centrally located near the convention center, it has a great selection of vendors. There is meat, fish, produce (local!), salsa, kitchen wares, spices, imports, coffee and tea…all kinds of stuff for eating or for your home. On Saturdays, they have local vendors that set up shop outside. One thing here that our market is missing is the hot food component. There is no better selection of food stalls in the city. You can buy Indian Tikka Masala, a Greek Gyro, an Italian Calzone, a Mexican burrito or one of many other selections all under one roof. Then you can sit and enjoy it there or take it to go for home. When you are done, there is always dessert. The chocolate stall makes its own homemade truffles. But my favorite place is the one I cannot miss-ever!
I love Jeni’s Ice Cream. We first discovered this shop while at a show at the convention center and never miss the chance to have at least one scoop. The flavors are out of this world! There is, of course, Honey Vanilla and Dark Chocolate. But the off-beat flavors are the most awesome. They feature weird stuff like Queen City Cayenne (Mexican chocolate with cinnamon and a hint of hot pepper) and Thai Chili (salty-sweet with peanut and pepper-a personal fav). They also have a revolving selection of flavors that are seasonal and make use of the very best of local ingredients. We tried Lavender and Wild Berry, Sweet Corn and Raspberry, and Goat Milk with Dark Cherry. One time I had Pesto (basil and pine nut-yum). They are doing something right, as they opened a second location right on High Street to accommodate those who couldn’t make the market hours. They even ship, as so many people would come from neighboring states to stock up on their 30 pints or more!
So, I had to find out why Jeni’s Ice Cream is so good. It goes beyond the interesting mix of flavors to the heart of all great food: the ingredients. Jeni’s uses locally produced milk from grass fed cows. In case you don’t know, cows like grass. Their bodies are built for it. Feeding them corn creates a lower quality milk that is not as rich. They work with local family run dairies and buy only organic milk. Next they take each ingredient seriously. They shop locally. For example, they have a Strawberry Buttermilk flavor. For this ice cream, they only use only fresh Ohio grown berries that are at the peak of their season (which is only a few weeks a year). They are processed ASAP and frozen for the season. When they are gone-no more Strawberry Buttermilk for us! They take this commitment to quality very seriously. Every season, they use the ingredients that are fresh locally and make only the best ice cream from them. That is why you may see squash or beets or even cucumber in their flavor selection. They produce in small batches, so that they can make every batch as delicious as the next! I swear it is worth the drive just for dessert!
In case you cannot be convinced to drive for 2 hours for ice cream (and it isn’t very sustainable anyhow), make sure you take in at least one other spot while you are there. There is Polaris Mall, all kinds of stuff at the convention center, free movies and concerts in the summer, and plenty of good food. It is also our state capital, so stop by and see your senator or rep and let them know what you want done to make Ohio a sustainable state, with a vibrant green economy!
We went to Nida’s Thai on High for dinner while we were there. I have lived in Seattle and Portland, visited San Francisco and LA, been to Boston, Chicago, and NYC. During my travels, I have had a lot of Thai food. This meal that I had rivaled the best meals that I have eaten. Ever had a ginger dirty martini (fresh ginger and citrus vodka-I was the only one who liked it, but mmmm)? I started with sushi-something that always makes me leery in the middle of the country so far from the actual ocean. The fish was fresh and the sushi perfectly rolled. Others at the table had crab ragoon, satay and spring rolls. (Okay, so it wasn’t purely Thai!) While most of the diners were raving about their assorted rice dishes, I was eating the very best Panang Curry that I have ever tasted. The layers of flavor were so intense that I can recall them as if I was eating it now. I made sure to save some of my rice, so I could taste the peanut sauce, and it was heaven. Okay, so this has nothing to do with being green or sustainable, but when you have a meal this good, you have to tell the world.
Next time you are in the area don’t miss these two spots! Oh and follow Jeni’s blog!
Tags: Columbus, environment, food
Not very green of me either, but I would seriously consider burning gasoline for two hours in each direction to savor this ice cream again. Been there only once, but it is that good.
Next one to go has to bring some back for the other! Deal?
Deal.
My sister used to live in Columbus so I used to spend quite a bit of time there, and I never had any of this! Now I’m mad I missed out. Guess it’s time for a weekend get a way to Columbus, it’s hard to find good Thai!
Nica’s was in the Market and had sushi, and now has this fabulous restaurant!
Tell them I sent you! It won’t do any good, but tell em anyway!