Treat Yourself! 614 feast names his top 5 upscale, money’s-no-option meals
Fine dining can seem intimidating, with its upscale vibes and complex dishes. Yet, in Columbus’s fine dining scene, I’ve experienced warm, friendly service and a great atmosphere that made me feel right at home. Combine this welcoming atmosphere with seriously creative cooking, incredible flavors, seasonal specialties, and you’ve got an experience that’s both welcoming and feast-worthy.
Here are my top 5 ‘treat yourself’ meals in Columbus.
Hiraeth (36 E. Lincoln St.)
Start with the hummus with grilled lamb, zhug, pine nuts & naan to start. Followed by the Lamb barbacoa with Hoppin’ John, escabeche & ancho braisage. The space is beautiful, whether you’re at street level, downstairs, or at the chef’s counter. Top-tier vibes and ambiance everywhere, but sitting at the chef’s counter offers a truly special experience.
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Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse (89 E. Nationwide Blvd.)
The Steak & Lobster: a 12 oz cold water lobster tail and an 8 oz filet mignon, served with a side of Jeff Ruby’s Baked Macaroni & Cheese featuring six imported cheeses. This classic surf & turf, paired with decadent mac and cheese, is tough to beat. The space is awe-inspiring, elegant, and fancy with old-school vibes.
The Refectory Restaurant (1092 Bethel Rd.)
A fancy French feast. The Refectory is beloved for their amazing service, top-tier food, and wine selection. I suggest ordering the Chef’s Five-Course Tasting Menu, and have your guest order the Chef’s Five-Course Vegetarian Tasting Menu, so you can share and experience the best of both worlds.
Lindey’s (169 E. Beck St.)
I like to start with the Ahi Tuna Tartare: diced tuna, ginger ponzu, avocado, toasted garlic, chive, and rice chips. Then, for the main course, go for the Willow Bend Double Cut Lamb Chops: free-range Australian lamb chops (you can order 2 or 3, but you definitely want 3) served with crispy potato pavé, wilted spinach, and chimichurri. Lindey’s is a gorgeous German Village staple.
Veritas (11 W. Gay St.)
Their tasting menu is as creative as it is delicious, offering unique and fresh options. It’s plenty, but since this is a treat yourself list, I also suggest adding their confit wings with labneh ranch + carrots. The vibe is upscale but not stuffy.
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