Category Archives: Central Ohio

Best Dessert Places in Columbus, OH

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Best Dessert Places in Columbus, OH

There are new restaurants popping up in the Columbus area every day, but where do you go if you just want what comes after the meal? There are a number of great dessert places in the area, and whether you’re in the mood for cake and cookies, or ice cream, you’ll have no trouble finding what you’re looking for. Here are five of the best dessert places in Columbus, Ohio.

Pistacia Vera

Brunch may be served daily, but it’s the delicious treats that make people want to come back for more. The macarons are the best in the area and if you’ve never tried one before, the time is now. You’ll never want a different treat once you try some of the goodies on this menu.

Pattycake Bakery

This one is calling to all of the vegans in the area. Not vegan? Not a problem. You won’t regret going to Pattycake Bakery the next time you’d like to indulge.

Mozart’s

This little Austrian bakery and piano cafe is perfect for a casual dessert date with friends or your significant other. With outdoor seating, it’s the perfect place to spend a weeknight. Mozart’s is home to decadent pastries, in addition to some of the best entrees you’ll taste in the area – it’s not just a place for dessert.

Sugardaddy’s

Sugardaddy’s in Polaris will satisfy any sweet tooth you may think you have. The brownies are to die for, along with the plethora of decadent desserts. if you need a gift basket for your next special occasion, spoil your loved one with amazing desserts from Sugardaddy’s.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

No Columbus dessert list would be complete without Jeni’s. With ten different locations throughout the Columbus areas, you can always find a Jeni’s nearby. These unique ice cream flavors will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you wanting to try every other flavor on the menu.

For more information on some of the best dessert places in the area, visit here.

Top 10 Restaurants in Columbus, OH

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Top 10 Restaurants in Columbus, OH  – It seems like there is a new restaurant popping up in the area every day. Whether you’re looking for a new date night spot, or somewhere to bring the whole family, you will have no trouble finding a new place to try. Here are ten of the top restaurants in Columbus, Ohio.

 

The Refectory

Price: $$$

Type: French

FOr an upscale dining experience, take your date to this beautiful and delicious French restaurant located on Bethel Road.

 

Lindey’s

Price: $$

Type: American

This American-type bistro is a wonderful place to go to celebrate the next special occasion in your life.

 

The Thurman Cafe

Price: $$

Type: Rustic American

If you’re a hamburger lover, this one is definitely worth trying. Gather a group of friends to see who can finish the infamous Thurman Burger.

 

Hyde Park

Price: $$$

Type: Steakhouse

Hyde Park is a staple in Columbus and is a great place for a date night, or to celebrate your next big occasion.

 

Northstar Cafe

Price: $$

Type: American

With a couple of locations throughout Columbus, Northstar take local dining to a whole new level.

 

Marcella’s

Price: $$

Type: Italian

Who doesn’t love a great Italian restaurant? Marcella’s not only has great food, but a number of delicious cocktails as well.

 

Tasi Cafe

Price: $

Type: Cafe

This casual cafe is great for a low-key morning or afternoon.

 

Katalina

Price: $

Type: Cafe

The delicious food from Katalina is locally sourced and served in an intimate environment.

 

Basi Italia

Price: $$

Type: Italian

Consider Basi another hidden gem in Columbus, Ohio – with it’s delicious food and intimate environment, you can’t go wrong.

 

Mozart’s

Price: $$

Type: European

Go to Mozart’s to enjoy some live music and decadent, savory dishes.

 

For more ideas of some of the best restaurants to check out in Columbus, visit here.

Highligh: A Treehouse in Columbus

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Highlight: A Treehouse in Columbus

What do you do when you find the perfect house lined with old shade trees? Build a treehouse!

That’s exactly what Mike and Jamie O’Leary did when they found their home in Clintonville, Ohio. All they needed was the right sized yard, an old tree that was big enough, and they were able to accomplish their dream.

It’s not just for kids, either! “I do yoga up there occasionally,” says Jamie.

Before this, they were living in Italian Village in a small industrial loft, so they really wanted to find something more “family friendly.” Although they loved living in Italian Village, they needed something more practical for kids.

The O’Leary’s wanted a place that kept them near certain things, such as parks, farmers’ markets, and libraries.

After a year of looking, they finally made a decision on the Clintonville house.  They adorned their home with pieces from Grandview Mercantile, IKEA, Clintonville online Facebook groups, Etsy, and Wholly Craft.

After moving around from Philadelphia, to D.C. and New York, they settled on Columbus to be closer to both of their families and found an amazing food and beer scene in central Ohio.

Mike aims to soundproof the garage for space to practice with his band, We Are The Movies, make the porch an art room for his daughter, finish the attics, clean up the yard with some landscaping, and making some improvements to the basement.

The O’Leary’s are very happy with their decision in Clintonville, as it is very kid-friendly and Clintonville did just top Columbus Underground’s reader poll as the Best Neighborhood of 2014. Let’s see if it can keep it’s title in 2015!

Do you spend any time in Clintonville, Ohio? Let us know in the comments below!

Things to do in Central Ohio This April

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Things to do in Central Ohio This April – There are a plethora of things going on in Central Ohio this month. Whether you’re looking for an activity for the whole family, or you just want to spend a night out with friends, you will have plenty of options.

 

Here are five things going on near you this month…

 

The Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders

Thursday April 2,  7pm

Nationwide Arena

Columbus, OH

Come out and cheer for the only NHL team in Ohio!

 

COSI After Dark – 21+ Event

Top Secret Spycraft

Thursday April 2, 5:30-10pm

COSI Columbus

333 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

COSI without kids! Tickets available for $16 at the COSI Box Office, valid photo ID required.

 

Backyard Science Day

Saturday April 11, 10am-4pm

COSI Columbus

333 West Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43215

COSI with the kids! Discover science you can find in your own backyard!

 

Adult Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday April 4, 1-3pm

Camelot Cellars

958 N High St

Columbus, OH

(614) 441-8860

Cost: $5

https://www.facebook.com/events/894169757299871

Come grab your glass of wine and hunt for the eggs hidden around the Winery. Each egg holds a prize, and two eggs will have very special prizes valued at $50 each. Each person may collect up to 3 eggs. All glasses of wine will be $1 off their regular price during the Hunt. Must be over 21 to participate.

 

Urban Euphoria at Gallery 831

April 1-30, 3-9pm

831 S Front St Columbus, OH, 43206

A solo exhibit featuring original work by local artist Joss Parker.

 

Were these suggestions helpful to you? Let us know in the comments below!

TEDx Talks Come to Columbus, Ohio

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TEDx Talks Come to Columbus, Ohio – TEDWomen is a three-day conference about the power of women and girls to be creators and change-makers. The program of speakers, workshops, events — and daring discussions — has sparked some of TED’s most iconic moments yet.

 

While that is going on in Monterey, California, there will be something else going on in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

TEDxColumbusWomen will take place on the day of the global TEDxWomen conference, similar to what happened in 2014. It will include local talks in the typical TED-style in the morning and feature live-streamed talks in the afternoon from the main conference in Monterey. The local talks in Columbus will be posted online in true TEDx form.

The event will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at the Southern Theatre at 21 E. Main Street, Columbus, Ohio.

 

The schedule is as follows for the day:

Registration/Networking: 8 am – 9 am

Session 1: 9 am – 10:15 am

Break: 10:15 am – 10:45 am

Session 2: 10:45 – noon

Provided lunch break 12 pm -1:30

Live-stream of a session of TEDWomen from California: 1:30pm – 5pm

If you would like to become a TEDxColumbusWomen Ambassador, helping to ensure that the crowd is diverse as possible, email the team at tedxcolumbus@gmail.com

Those who want to be a sponsor can also email the team at tedxcolumbus@gmail.com.

Tickets will go on sale in early April and they will be available through CAPA at this link here.

 

Was this information helpful for you? Let us know in the comments below!

4 Home Updates That May Hurt You When Selling

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4 Home Updates That May Hurt You When Selling  – Updating your home is something that everyone wants to do, but thinking that they will make a positive return on their investment isn’t always accurate. Customized updates might be the best thing for you and your vision, however, they might not be the most practical option. Here are four home updates that will ultimately hurt you when you explore the options of selling your home.

 

Personalization

Personalizing your home might seem like the right idea for you; however, it won’t provide you with a positive ROI. It has the possibility of inhibiting the potential buyer from picturing themselves in your home, and therefore not purchasing it in the long run. To avoid an over personalization of your home, give it non-permanent personalized touches like furniture and accent colors.

 

Home Office Renovation

Many homeowners dish out a lot of cash to create their very own home office. Unfortunately for them, that isn’t necessarily an important feature that potential home buyers are looking for. To avoid this costly mistake, make updates to your home office that won’t necessarily be permanent. You want to give the person who buys your home the option of converting the room into a bedroom, or recreational room of their choice.

 

Additions

Additions to your home, like a sun room or additional garage, might end up hurting you in the long run. The extra space has the potential to hook the potential buyer into being a homeowner; however, they will not want to foot the bill of your expensive renovation and expansion.

 

Luxury Upgrades

Any type of luxury upgrade to your existing home sounds like it would be a benefit and provide a positive turn on your investment, right? No, not every luxury upgrade is beneficial. Unless you have a very high-end home, making upgrades like marble floors and custom bathrooms, will likely not pay off in the long run.

 

Customized updates to your home might be the best thing for you at the time, however, it might not be the best option for you to get the best return on your investment. To learn more about home updates that will hurt you when you sell your home, visit here.

 

Things to do in Central Ohio This March

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Things to do in Central Ohio This March – There are a plethora of things going on in central Ohio this month. Whether you’re looking for an activity for the whole family, or you just want to spend a night out with friends, you will have plenty of options. Here are five things going on near you this month.

1. Jig Thursdays

When: March 6

Admission: Free to attend

On the first Thursday of the month make your way out to Historic Dublin for Jig Thursdays. There will be a plethora of music, arts, casual shopping and upscale dining throughout the area.

2. 2015 Dublin Ohio St. Patrick’s Celebration

When: March 14

Admission: Free to attend

It’s time for the greenest day of the year in one of the most festive cities in Ohio – Dublin! Make your way out to Historic Dublin with the whole family for the annual celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

3. Westerville Symphony Orchestra Masterworks II

When: March 15

Admission: $20 – $25

For a unique date night out, grab your significant other and head out to Cowan Hall at Otterbein College Theatre. You will have the opportunity to hear the beautiful sounds of Copland, Milhaud, Ibert and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue featuring guest pianist Richard Lopez and Peter Stafford Wilson.

4. Mac Worthington: Urban Sprawls

When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays this month

Admission: Free

Make your way out to the Dublin Arts Center for what is sure to be a beautiful exhibition. Columbus-based artist Mac Worthington exhibition will feature a series of abstract and expressionistic cityscape paintings.

5. The Street Players

When: Fridays this month

Admission: Free to attend

Gather some friends and make your way out to LaScala for live music, dancing and what is sure to be a great night of fun. There will be first-come, first-served seating available in the Martini Lounge, with all-night Happy Hour specials for all.

 

For more information on all of the great events and activities available to you in Central Ohio, visit here.

Tips for Spring Buying

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Tips for Spring Buying – Warmer weather means the return of more than just the sun and the flowers-it’s also the high season for the real estate market. It’s a great season to buy a home, since the weather is good for moving and for home improvement projects. However, since spring is the busiest time to purchase a new home that means that there is a great deal of competition among prospective home buyers. It’s important to be prepared for purchase before you begin your search for a new home. Below are a few tips to get ready for the buying process. Happy buying!

  • Set your budget. Your first step should be to decide how much you can afford to spend on a new home. Besides your asking price, also take closing costs, montly mortgage payments, a down payment, moving and other expenses into consideration. The Mortgage Bankers Association recommends that buyers spend no more than 2.5 times their income on a home. Total housing payments should not exceed 28 percent of your gross income, and total debt payments should be less than 36 percent.
  • Make a list of must-haves. What does your new home absolutely need to have? What features are negotiable and what are not? Research these now to save time when you’re searching.
  • Find a good real estate agent. A real estate agent can often give you valuable information that may not be available to you otherwise and help you find a home with all of your requirements within your budget. Ask friends and family for recommendations, or check online.
  • Get your mortgage pre-approved. Discuss your options for a mortgage with several lenders and choose the rate and terms that are right for you. This way you’ll be able to act quickly once you find a home that you love.

Keep these tips and mind and when spring hits you’ll be ready to find your new home!

5 Romantic Restaurants in Columbus

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5 Romantic Restaurants in Columbus, Ohio

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and that means it’s time to plan how you’re going to spend the most romantic day of the year. If you’re looking to have a delicious meal in the Columbus area, there are some amazing restaurants to choose from – but where do you start? No matter what kind of cuisine you’re craving on Valentine’s Day, there’s something in Columbus to suit your taste.

Below are ten of our top picks for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. Bon appétit!

  1. Mitchell’s Ocean Club: With delicious signature drinks, warm environment and amazing steakhouse cuisine, this Cameron Mitchell restaurant is perfect for steak and seafood lovers. Be sure to make reservations beforehand!
  2. Akai Hana: Are you craving sushi for your romantic night out? This restaurant in Upper Arlington is just the ticket with authentic Japanese sushi, a fun and exciting atmosphere and excellent service. Be sure to try the scallop roll or the Dragon roll!
  3. Hubbard Grille: Located in the popular Short North arts district, this American-style bistro serves modern takes on your favorites in a low-key, social setting. Perfect for a more casual Valentine’s Day dining experience!
  4. Cooper’s Hawk Winery: Pair your delicious, romantic dinner with a glass (or bottle) of wine from this fantastic winery! Ask your server for a great wine pairing for your meal, and prepare to end with dessert!
  5. The Melting Pot: Fondue for two? Yum! Share a pot along with some drinks, then have some chocolate fondue for dessert. What a unique Valentine’s dinner!

Where is your favorite place to have a romantic evening out? Share it with us in a comment below!

Things to do in Central Ohio – February

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Things to do in Central Ohio This February – February might be the shortest month of the year, but there is definitely no shortage of things to do in the area. From family-friendly activities to adults-only nights out, Central Ohio has it all. Here are five things going on near you this month.

1. emerging: An Annual Exhibition of Student Art

When: February 3 – 13

Admission: Free

Bring the whole family out to the Dublin Art Center to celebrate the artistic abilities of local students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, who participate in summer ARTcamps. It will be a great celebration of students and community.

2. Paradise Island

When: Fridays this month

Admission: Free to attend

Leave the kids at home and gather a group of friends for a fun Friday night out on the town. Paradise Island will be on from 9 – midnight and there will be happy hour specials all night long.

3. McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra

When: February 8

Admission: $12 – $25

For a beautiful Sunday afternoon experience, make your way out to the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington. You will have the opportunity to hear classical pieces in the intimate setting of our Bronwynn Theatre.

4. I’ll Eat You Last

When: February 12-22

Admission: $25 – $30

Gather a group of friends and head out to The Garden Theater for a conversation with Sue Mengers. In the height of her reign, Mengers made her career simply by uttering an invitation to one of her memorable dinner parties, which she will share with the intimate audience.

5. Eddie Pollina Band

When: Fridays this month

Admission: Free to attend

The Eddie Pollina Band is coming to Dublin, so bring your significant other for a fun and thrilling date night out on the town. The band will be playing all night long with happy hour prices on drinks in the lounge.

For more information on all of the great events and activities available to you in Central Ohio, visit here.