Columbus, Ohio USA
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Dis 'n' Data
By Margaret Marten, Editor
email margaret@shortnorth.com
January/February 2020
Rooh
The Indian restaurant Rooh opened in the former Westies Tavern next to Chase Bank at 685 N. High St. in mid-November. Rooh restaurant launched in 2017 in San Francisco and now has four locations in major cities, including one in India, where the founders Anu and Vikram Bhambri originated.
In collaboration with Chef Sujan Sarkar, the Bhambris formed Good Times Restaurants group and developed the Rooh concept, combining traditional Indian cuisine with progressive palate-pleasing innovations. The group also owns the gastrobar Baar Baar in New York City and in New Delhi. A distant cousin of the Bhambris, Ashok Kishinchand and his son Bhavesh Kishinchand of Dublin manage Columbus Rooh. The chef here, Swapan Das, worked at Rooh San Francisco and received direction from founder chef Sujan Sarkar.
Rooh Columbus is fine dining in a spacious elegant environment. Everything – including the food – is visually stimulating. The special atmosphere is perfect for anniversaries and other celebrations.
Traditional dishes include a large sharable plate of Butter Chicken for $24. A small plate of Lamb Keema Hyderabadi is $16. They serve Ayurveda-inspired cocktails. Check out their menu and photos online. The reviews for this place are very positive.
Hours are Tuesday through Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. They are closed Monday. The website is roohcolumbus.com. They can be reached by phone: 614-972-8678 and accept reservations.
Woodhouse Vegan
A quaint restaurant serving plant-based comfort food opened in Italian Village at 851 N. Fourth St in October. It’s easy to miss while driving on that crazy one-way street, but if you look you’ll spot it directly across from Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen. Woodhouse Vegan is operated by Carla Woodhouse and her three daughters: Cara, Nicole, and Krista. Over the past couple years, their vegan fare developed a following among foodies who frequented Oddfellows Liquor Bar where Woodhouse Vegan Pop-up was stationed one or two days a week. Opening their own restaurant was the logical next step, and they have created an inviting dining milieu in the old brick house on that corner. Once you enter, you can traipse the length of the bar, turn left and walk up a few steps into a serene dining area removed from the bustle of the front entrance, register, and kitchen. There are four or five tables with a window on that level. But seating near the entrance and bar are comfortable as well and provide more activity and people watching. The food is excellent, so the trick is to find a time when they’re not too crowded. Instagram photos and their Facebook are online. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 to 11 p.m. The phone number is 614-390-2410.Zaftig Brew Pub
The newly constructed Beeker multi-use development at the corner of 5th Avenue and Summit Street in Italian Village opened its doors to residents in May 2019. With the new year, it has leased about three-quarters of the 89 residential units. A recent press release noted that the owner, Borror, loosened its pet policy, allowing up to two pets per apartment with no weight restrictions. A commercial tenant on the ground floor, Zaftig Italian Village Brew Pub, opened for business in December. The owners, Jason Blevins and James Gokenbach, launched Zaftig Brewing Co. in 2013 in Worthington. Most of the beer for the new Italian Village pub will come from the original brewery; however, they are testing new beers processed in Italian Village. Based on customer input, they’ll decide which of those beers remain. The new spot includes a kitchen serving upscale pub fare, a patio, five-barrel brewhouse, and taproom with seating for about 150. They also have a private room to rent for small groups. Zaftig Italian Village is located at 119 E. 5th Avenue. Doors open at 3p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. on the weekend serving brunch. Visit www.drinkzaftigitalianvillage.com or call 614-902-1730 for more information. Another commercial space in that building should be open for business by February. DiCarlo’s Pizza originated in Steubenville, Ohio, 75 years ago and now has 14 locations.
C. Krueger’s Cookies
C. Krueger’s Finest Baked Goods relocated from the Brickel Alley near Tasi Cafe, where they launched in October 2018, to a more visible spot at 749 N. High St. Management said they were disappointed with foot traffic at the Brickel location. C. Krueger’s specialty is fresh baked cookies, and the store offers stylish gift packaging in boxes and bags. The owner, Cheryl Krueger, founded the highly successful Cheryl’s cookie business in 1981 that she later sold. In addition to cookies, the store has a milk bar (milk on tap) and other sweet treats from local bakeries for added variety. A self-serve icing station allows customers to ice and add topping to cookies, similar to a frozen yogurt machine but with buttercream icing. The new location is tight on space, so there is no customer seating. Store hours are Mon. 11am-5pm, Tues. - Thurs., 10am - 6pm; Fri. - Sat., 10am - 8pm; Sun, 10am - 5pm. Visit www.ckruegers.com to order online or view the cookies.
Departures
A Short North bar Eugene’s Canteen closed at the end of 2019. Owner Justin Boehme had been a proprietor in that space at 765 N. High St. for nearly a decade. He launched the restaurant Da Levee in March 2010 selling Cajun/Creole cuisine and opened a second location five years later in Gahanna. In March 2018, he rebranded the Short North eatery into a bar, Eugene’s Canteen. His Facebook announcement about the closing promised a new concept under new management at the Short North location.
Marc Haberman closed his tailoring business, Richard Bennett Clothiers, at 12 East Lincoln St. next to Marcia Evans Gallery, in October. His shop in the Short North opened in 2008. He started the business with a partner, Jim Reiser, over 30 years ago on Busch Boulevard before moving downtown in 1993, then relocated to the Short North. His phone number is currently disconnected and no mention of this development is online. I think it’s reasonable to assume that he has retired.
Emi Pet plans to close the Short North location and is currently open only on the weekends while continuing business as usual at their other locations in New Albany and Powell. Emma Jin and her husband Patrick Quian opened the grooming service in New Albany in 2014. They purchased Jo Johnson’s Posh Pets at 743 N. High St. in October 2015, eventually changing the name to Emi Pets while maintaining the same merchandise and grooming services. We’re sorry to see them leave the Short North. It’s always a delight to browse through the cute pet products. See Dis N Data July 2016
The news of Laughlin’s Bakery closing is making a lot of people unhappy. The shop closed permanently at the end of 2019. Jonas Laughlin opened the store with a kickstarter campaign five years ago in December 2014. Much has been written over the years about his path from opera singer to baker but the bottom line is that Laughlin’s European-inspired treats and his winning personality will be sorely missed at 15 E. Second Ave.
Tom Coombs Tom Coombs 1938 - 2019. One of Doo Dah’s greatest fans and dedicated marchers passed away December 4, 2019, at the age of 81. Over the past three decades, Tom Coombs drove nearly 400 miles from Rolling Meadows, Illinois, to Columbus each year to march in the Doo Dah Parade on July Fourth. His exuberance for life and Doo Dah-ism is evident in every photo of him that came to light from the parade.
Deb Roberts (Mz Doo Dah) and her husband Charlie grew close to Tom over the years. He attended their wedding and never forgot an anniversary until recently. “I knew something was really wrong with him this year when the 20th card didn’t arrive,” Deb wrote in her online condolence. He later told her “Make sure you tell everyone at Doo Dah I said Happy Doo Dah and hello!”
W.C. Hemming W. C. Hemming 1946 - 2019. Another Doo Dah enthusiast died in December. Tavern artist W.C. Hemming departed this earthly realm on December 5, 2019, but not before creating a treasure trove of off-beat paintings for more than half a century, many of which made their way into homes and businesses of Central Ohioans. He was 73 when he passed.
Caricatures of important historical figures in history, literature, art and music, night skies and landscapes filled his canvases, as well as unnamed rogues one might find on the streets or in the bars from Columbus to Paris. In fact, his art hung regularly at the Short North Tavern; years back he was a regular at Dick’s Den in Clintonville. He made his mark as a Doo Dah dabbler creating funny posters for the dis-organization. The influence of Mad Magazine is evident.
Hemming spent part of his professional career working as a social worker for the mentally disabled. He then worked for the Ohio State University – first as a room scheduler, then an appointment secretary and building coordinator for the pyschology department. After retiring, he committed himself to his art. He is survived by his wife Soon Ja; brother, Patrick; sister, Brenda Mellet; and prized pup Mr. Clancy.Email margaret@shortnorth.com or call 614-251-0656 with neighborhood news items for the Short North Gazette.
Email the Editor margaret@shortnorth.com
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