Friday, December 21, 2007

TASI

Reviewed by Ralph Rosenfield

TASI

“Fresh. Seasonal. Local”

We have been big Rigsby’s fans since Rigsby’s Cuisine Volatile opened in what, in the restaurant world, could be considered “millenia” ago. Over the years Rigsby’s has consistently delivered what we have come to believe is the best food in the city, day in, day out. With reasonable pricing on their wines and a varied and regularly updated menu to tempt us Rigsby’s can be counted on for a great dining experience. And now the Rigsby’s have done it again! Their newest venture, TASI, has already become a new favorite for us.



TASI. What a breath of fresh air! This small gem is located in the former “Pistachio” location on Pearl Alley in the Short North, between Lincoln and Russell. I had lunch at TASI one day recently, returned with Jan for dinner the same evening, then Jan had lunch at TASI the next day and we both went back for dinner that night, as well. Do you think we like the place?



Several of TASI’s larger family style tables encourage shared dining with other patrons, which we were fortunate enough to enjoy with Steve Stover and his wife Mary on one of our dinner visits and with our Buggyworks neighbors Rick and Merry on our second dinner visit. Steve is well known locally as a great foodie and reviewer, so he and I had a good time exchanging our almost entirely favorable impressions of the several menu items we ended up sharing. And Merry and Rick were in the sharing mode also, so we have now tried a pretty broad selection of TASI’s offerings. What follows is our take on what we think may be the next “IN” place to go.



We should first say that this is not a small menu. It lists no less than ten breakfast items, which are happily served ALL day long. Lunch begins at 11am with at least 15 items available through the 9pm closing time. We counted seven soups and salad items, 16 side dishes, multiple bread selections, at least seven desserts and about 10 take-home meal options. And several daily specials to boot! I’m exhausted just writing all that down!



We haven’t found anything we DIDN’T enjoy, so we’ll touch on a few of our favorites and leave it to you to discover the rest.



Sourdough Pancakes with sweet and spicy bacon and Ohio maple syrup @$7.00. Two plate-sized pancakes that are probably the lightest I have ever enjoyed. The flavor is distinctly sourdough and nothing is better on pancakes than “real” maple syrup. The bacon could have been a bit warmer for my taste, but it was full of flavor.



Huevos Rancheros with Queso Fresco Tortilla @$7.00. Another home run, this dish is comprised of two poached eggs (next time I will ask for slightly less done) over a fresh bed of salsa and a warm tortilla. Could this be Mexico?



Cinnamon Danish @$2.95. Be careful - this is an addictive delight. Doughy, alive with cinnamon flavor, and sinful when served warm with extra butter.



Meatloaf, Grilled Onions, Homemade Ketchup, Horseradish Mayo @ $9.00. I was lusting after this sandwich from the moment I so rudely peered over the shoulders of Steve and Mary seated at a large family-size table. Not known for being shy or standoffish, my obvious interest prompted Steve to graciously offer me a taste. What else could he do to stop my drooling? With veal, pork and beef in the mix, it was full-flavored and sized just right to be filling but not overly so.



Fries with Reggiano and Pepper Flake @$3.00. TASI sets the new standard in French Fries with this supreme side. Hot, crispy, fresh (not frozen) potatoes, cut and combined with the grilled onion and reggiano, they are simply the best! No ketchup needed here.



Potato Latkes with Chives and Sour Cream @$2.95; add Smoked Salmon for an extra $3.00. The Latkes are better than my Jewish grandmother ever managed and she made REALLY GOOD latkes!



Open Faced “Zoe” Tuna Sandwich with capers, relish, onions, and hard boiled egg @$6.00. The best canned tuna ever! This is a wonderfully fresh, light and perfectly prepared tuna salad – a simple, yet highly satisfying “comfort food” experience.



Lobster Mac and Cheese @$10.00. Lobster and Mac and cheese? What were Kent and Tasi drinking when they came up with this? It wasn’t water. But this IS a GREAT combination. Real cheese, creamy sauce, fresh lobster and a perfectly browned top jump up and demand that you pay attention.



Finish your meal with home-style cookies, cream pie or chocolate pudding, and you’ll leave feeling satisfied and looking forward to your NEXT visit to this warm and homey addition to our local dining scene.



Are you convinced? Go ahead and give it a try. At such friendly prices (including the wine at just one penny over retail!) you just can’t go wrong.

Turber House 2008 Winter/Sring Evenings With Authors

This press release is from Turber House.
77 Jeffer son Avenue
Contact : Missie Kendall
Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-464-1032 ext . 1 1
www.thurberhouse.org


Tuesday, January 15: Kurt Anderson
Heyday
Columbus School for Girls, 56 S. Columbia Ave. 7:30 PM

Kurt Anderson is the author of Turn of the Century, a New York Times Notable Book. He will read from his newest novel and New York Times bestseller Heyday, a brilliantly imagined, immensely entertaining tale of America’s boisterous coming of age in the 19th century.

Friday, February 8: John Burnham Schwartz
The Commoner
Canzani Center (CCAD) 7:30 PM

Jonathan Burnham Schwartz is the author of three novels, Claire Marvel, Bicycle Days and Reservation Road, currently a film. He will read from his new novel, The Commoner, a mesmerizing story of the first non-aristocrat to marry a Crown Prince of Japan and enter one of the most mysterious monarchies in the world.





Monday, February 25: Lee Woodruff
In an Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing
Columbus School for Girls, 56 S. Columbia Ave. 7:30 PM

Lee Woodruff, with her husband, Bob Woodruff, tell their amazing story in the New York Times best seller, In an Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing. Theirs is a story of courage and resilience after Bob’s critical injury in Iraq while anchoring a broadcast for ABC News. Despite the trauma and fear, the Woodruffs’ love, perseverance, and even humor led to the creation of the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury.











Wednesday, March 12: Mary Doria Russel l
Dreamers of the Day
Columbus Performing Art Center, 549 Franklin Avenue 7:30 PM

Mary Doria Russell is the award-winning author of four novels, including The Sparrow, Children of God, and A Thread of Grace, nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. She will read from her latest novel Dreamers of the Day, about the 1921 Cairo Peace Conference when a handful of British diplomats, oil executives and military men invented the modern Middle East.

Monday, April 28: Joanne Harris
The Girl with No Shadow
Columbus Performing Art Center, 549 Franklin Avenue 7:30 PM

Although Joanne Harris has written over a dozen books, including Blackberry Wine, Five Quarters of the Orange and Holy Fools and The French Kitchen: A Cookbook. She is best known for Chocolat which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She will read from her eagerly-anticipated sequel, The Girl with No Shadow, a dazzling urban fairy tale set in Paris five years after Chocolat. Harris is the author of several novels including Blackberry Wine.

Thursday, June 5: Nancy Horan
Loving Frank
Columbus Museum of Art, 480 East Broad Street 7:30 PM

In her debut novel, Loving Frank, Nancy Horan brilliantly blends fact and fiction into an unforgettable story of the long-lived love affair between Mamah Borthwick Cheney and Frank Lloyd Wright – a union that would shock Chicago society and forever change their lives. Drawing on years of research and weaving in little-known facts, Horan reveals the profound influence that Cheney had on Wright, and delivers a fitting tribute to a courageous woman, a national icon, and their timeless love story.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Jazz Holiday Events at Columbus Music Hall

Friday, December 21, 8:00
Red Hot Holiday Stomp
Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra opening at 7:30
Todd Stoll Septet

Saturday, December 22, 8:00 p.m.
Musical Holiday Treats with the
Mark Flugge Trio featuring Derek DiCenzo on guitar, steel pan, and other surprises!

*PBJ & Jazz on December 22 at 11:00a.m
early performance for kids and families with
the Mark Flugge Trio and Derek DiCenzo
PBJ sandwiches, cookie, juice for kids, coffee for adults!


Vaughn Wiester Famous Jazz Orchestra
Off for Christmas eve, New Year's Eve and the OSU bowl game on Jan.7
Back on January 14

Every Wednesday, 9:00
Yumbambé

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