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New Columns appear each Tuesday. 02MAY06 Doral Chenoweth writes about the business of restaurants and the food industry in the Columbus, Ohio, Metro area. Reader comments are welcome by telephone. 614-538-1822. Email the Grump: thegrumpygourmet@wowway.com Send food stuff here: iPLATE@grumpygourmetusa.com Send weird stuff here: alferd_e_packer@wowway.com E-mail messages must include name and telephone for a reply. |
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02MAY06 Who Reads This Website? The Answer May Surprise For some unexplained reason, OSU journalism students have discovered the field of food writing. It must be the times we live in today, but one of two callers last week asked if it is a lucrative pursuit? The caller said she had managed to get a ticket to hear Ruth Reichl, former NYTimes reviewer, when she lectured a gaggle of bankers here some weeks ago. This Website's (www.columbuschefs.com) quick retort: There's only one such job as held by Reichl. Yes, in that example, the paycheck is/will be great. The problem is that too many daily newspapers regard restaurant reviewing as an asterisk, a part-time job. Of the 1,600 USA dailies, less than a dozen consider such a fulltime endeavor. Many make the position a secondary assignment for the food editor. Even in this late year, 2006, a new century, there is no such course for formal restaurant reviewing being offered on the university level. To all callers, this Website offers an adjunct course - no notes, no tuition, no advertising - www.grumpygourmetusa.com. |
 THE TONGUE; Your most important tool when you become a restaurant reviewer. It has 10,000 little buds to deliver four sensations - Sweet, sour, bitter and salty. |
Next Lesson: Pass on Retro 'Cocktails' A caller, also a fledgling food writer, asked for guidance in "ordering mixed drinks." A quick retort: Forget it. When reviewing food or restaurants, confine alcohol consumption with food to wine and beer. Avoid in this order: Tequila, gin, vodka and any of the half million versions of rum-based cocktails, nee mixed drinks. Example of what-not-to-do: A top rated marketing person asked this writer to accompany her on her review dinner to a major (in 1984) German Village restaurant. She was writing about restaurants that advertised in her hotel room dining guide. Once seated, she ordered a Cuba Libre (Rum and Coca-Cola). I didn't have the nerve to suggest that her 10,000 taste buds were about to congeal and curl up dead. When she opened the dinner with an oil and vinegar salad of iceberg, my consultation ended. |
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Delphia Hammers Down Da Vinci Da Vinci Ristorante, 4740 Reed Rd., has closed. Auctioneer Paul Delphia, on May 9, at 10 a.m.., will do what he does best - hammer down bids on kitchen equipment, two bars, a complete bakery, chairs, tables and small wares. Even the elevator goes. Add stained glass windows to the final rites. For information, pull up www.AuctionByDelphia.com. |
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Delaware's 'Cleanest' Restaurant Kitchens If you reside within jurisdiction of the Delaware (County) General Health District, you know where the "cleanest" restaurants are. If you have doubts about food and drink being served in a particular place, and it does not appear on this list - avoid the joint. The county to the north of Columbus has long been known as agressive in shutting down health code violators. Remember the action taken a few years ago against a filthy Chinese eatery in Powell. Now, here's a list of eateries culled from a list of 161inspections reports covering schools, churches, food markets. All are noted for having "exceptional cleanliness" in kitchens. Columbuschefs.com has pulled from the list names of restaurants and fast fooders of interest. For further information, any not noted herein, call Jesse Carter, information officer for the Delaware department, 740-203-2085. "We are recognizing these operators for outstanding work in protecting food safety for their customers," said Stephan Ruckman R.S., the Health District's Program Manager overseeing food operation inspections.Recipients of the scarlet and gray award certificates scored at least 90 percent on their two mandatory health inspections during the licensing year that ended Feb. 28. The Health District issues licenses and inspects more than 500 establishments that sell food in Delaware County. The restaurant award recipients, listed by geographical area, are: Delaware and Buckeye Valley Area: Steve's Dari Treats, Walker Station Steakhouse, Brewskee's, Burger King, Cottage Inn Pizza, Donato's, KFC, McDonald's (Sandusky Street), Papa John's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Rally's, Subway (Delaware Square), Subway (inside Delaware Wal Mart),Taco Bell (U.S. 23S), Wendy's (U.S. 23S),Wendy's (Sandusky Street), Ostrander Restaurant & DB Pizza, BonoPIZZA, Dairy Queen (U.S. 36), Dari Point, Delco Drive Thru & Pizza (Pennsylvania Ave.), Domino's, Gibeye's Pizza, Hungry Howie's, Subway (Sandusky Street), Subway (Troy Road), Top Dog Deli,Corner Café and Wendy's (U.S. 23N) Shawnee Hills Area: Wendy's (Glick Road); Columbus Zoo, Zoo Congo, RiverFood Court, Zoo Elephant Grill, Zoo Flamingo Fair, Zoo Prairie Dog; Buckeye Subs and Salads (Main), Buckeye Subs and Salads (Pier),Wyandot Lake Snack Shack, Wyandot Lake Surfside Grill and Wyandot Lake The World Is Flat Pizza Powell and Olentangy Area: Pizzano's Pizza & Stromboli, Subway, Wendy's (Powell), Chipotle, Ruby Tuesday , Wendy's (Lewis Center), Arby's (Powell), Papa Murphy's Pizza, Sheridan's Frozen Custard, Pizza Hut (Lewis Center), Donato's Pizza (Powell), Panera Bread, Dream Dinners and Burger King (U.S. 23S). Sunbury and Big Walnut area: Arby's, Taco Bell, A&W Root Beer, Wendy's (Sunbury) and Wendy's (U.S. 36). Westerville Area: Wendy's (Maxtown Road). by Doral Chenoweth 614-538-1822 |
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