Right Now Downtown

They vied for your votes via video.  The competition was fierce.  And the final margins were razor thin.

Congratulations to the 2010 Show Your Love Contest Winner (drum roll please…)

Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace!!!

Thanks to all of you who voted for your flav-o-favs!  With hundreds of votes cast, J. Gumbo’s fell short of the winner’s spot by a mere three votes, with Jack’s Diner, last year’s Show Your Love winner, and Burgers Dogs and Fries in hot pursuit.

Now the love showing worked both ways.  By voting for their favorite lunch spot, food fans were entered to win free lunches from our featured downtown restaurants: Barrio, Burgers Dogs and Fries, Caffe Daniela, Dirty Frank’s, J. Gumbo’s, and Plantain Cafe.  Congratulations to our winners who now know that there is such thing as a free lunch:

Erika Haske
Trish Mester
Alyson Miles
Angela Butler
Kristine Kring
Jen Town
Christina Ringley
Mary Groves
Jeremy
Chris Powers
Joshua Young
Rhonda Ries
Sandy Auckerman
Chris Carpenter
Mark Siple
Kris Davis
Charlie Letson

LOVE ‘EM UP

(to cast your vote immediately, click here.  if you want to learn more about the campaign, read on…)

Time flies: it’s been a full year since DowntownColumbus.com’s Show Your Love project launched.  Back in 2009, six local eateries joined in a good natured contest to become Downtown’s Official Sweetheart.

The competition was brutal.  The love was intense.  Ultimately, Jack’s Diner emerged as number one.

But it can be number one for only one year.  Jack’s reign has ended.  Although we still love the joint, it’s time to find 2010’s Official Sweetheart.

Just like last year, we’ve sweetened the deal for the voting public.  Cast a ballot for your favorite eatery and you’re automatically registered for a set of gift certificates from all the competitors: Barrio Tapas Lounge; Burgers Dogs and Fries; Caffe Daniela; Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace; J. Gumbo’s; and Plantain Cafe.  Vote early and vote often.

(Sigh)… and it seemed like just yesterday when Jack’s claimed its award.

EDITOR’S NOTE: It was yesterday.  SOMEBODY kept hoarding Jack’s award plaque in our office.  Oops.

If you want to re-watch anyone’s video, to really take in the message, just click on the link: Barrio Tapas Lounge; Burgers Dogs and Fries; Caffe Daniela; Dirty Franks Hot Dog Palace; J. Gumbo’s; and Plantain Cafe

Show Us Some Love 2010 from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.

Show Us Some Love: Caffe Daniela from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.

LAST SUPPER

You know what happens next week?  That’s right; the New Year’s Diet starts.  Given the fact that celery-city is right around the corner, it’s time to eat all the downtown goodies before the calendar turns and the calorie cops come calling…

1.  Try Fried Plantains.  Plantain Cafe (77 E. Gay Street) offers the starchy banana in three different forms.  The most decadent would be the Mariquitas, which are thinly sliced, fried up and teamed with a snappy mojo.

2.  Speaking of fried things, head to Jack’s for a good fix of classic crinkle cut French Fries.  Remember, ketchup counts as a vegetable!

3.  And for those who have not yet experienced the joy of crunchy fried pepperoni chips, it’s time to try The Jury Room (22 E. Mound Street).

4.  Alfredo Alfredo Alfredo: it’s been on the no-no list for ten years.  Get your fix at Caffe Daniela (17 S. High Street) with pasta and a generous dose of the creamy stuff.

5.  Put a little south in your mouth with Flatiron’s Fried Oyster Po-Boy (129 E. Nationwide Blvd.).  Not only are those velvety bits fried, they’re teamed with remoulade (that’s Cajun Mayo)!

6.  And for dessert?  Baklava at Dirty Frank’s (248 S. Fourth Street) – you wouldn’t think a hot dog joint would sell the best baklava in town, but it’s true.  Delicate, buttery and oh-so-sweet… as for the hot dogs, you’ll find a virtuous veggie version that will work just fine next month with the New Year’s Diet.

Still hungry for more?  Sugardaddy’s Sumptuous Sweeties opens its doors on Gay Street later in January.  It’s a delicious way to end the New Year’s Diet!