Right Now Downtown Blog

BRING ON THE BANANA CREAM PIE

And the Bourbon Chocolate Bread Pudding, and some Oysters Rockefeller too.  It’s all made from scratch at the new High Street Grill at 310 S. High Street.

The Grill replaces the old Theater Cafe with a new chef (that’s Wilhelm Novak), new management (Rick Cadena), a new kitchen and a new menu (they say the salmon burgers are amazing).  Yeah, it’s all new - even the decor.

The new eatery makes a dramatic contrast with its old-school hosts, the Westin Great Southern Hotel and Southern Theatre.  The thoroughly modern dining experience is nested alongside a space with 100-foot ceilings from the last century.

Change is scary, and blending the old with anything new can be tricky.  Still, hotel manager Patrick Hansen is confident in the new dining project, “It’s always a risk to replace popular items, but we think this is worth the risk.”

With all the change comes some seriously modern sensibilities.  For example, the High Street Grill serves meat that is naturally raised, hormone and antibiotic-free.  There’s also a new coffee and wine bar that’s equipped with internet access for those who prefer the company of a keyboard companion.

When a tree was planted on the Whittier Peninsula on April 22, it didn’t just signify that it was Earth Day, but it also marked the groundbreaking of the Grange Insurance Audubon Center.  The Audubon Center will be located within the new Scioto Mile Audubon Metro Park, an 80-acre green sanctuary on the Whittier Peninsula.  In the middle of the groundbreaking, a large bird flying overhead offered a short but sweet song, as if to offer its blessing!

For years, people have talked about activating the riverfront and creating additional green space downtown.  Now, there’s something to celebrate!

April 14 marked the beginning of the downtown riverfront’s renaissance into the Scioto Mile.  Community leaders and guests gathered on a chilly spring day to celebrate the beginning of an active riverfront and a transformed Bicentennial Park.  The Scioto Mile is aimed at having our riverfront become an attraction.  Using Millennium Park in Chicago as the model, the goal is to create activity during the daytime, evenings and during weekends.  AEP, the City of Columbus, CDDC and many public and private partners have joined together to fund this $38 million investment.  In just a few weeks, construction will begin - turning this long-discussed project into a reality. 

GET YER REAR IN GEAR

Nothing makes an impression in the workplace quite like Martian green biker pants.  It commands attention.  It makes a statement.

And that statement is, “I’m celebrating Bike to Work Week, and my fashion sense is questionable.”

Bike to Work Week kicks off May 12, so the time to prepare is now.  Putting your rear in spandex biker gear is highly optional, but some things are just required.

1.  Know the Law
Casey Karnes of B1 Bicycles (124 E. Long Street) says that respecting the law is critical.  Stay in the street and off the sidewalks.

2.  Know How to Park
Some businesses have bike racks nearby, some don’t.  Make sure there’s a safe place to store your bike once you make it to work.

3.  Get Fuel
You’ll need to refuel after the morning ride, so plan on biking to the Statehouse lawn on Monday, May 12.  The party will include bagels, coffee, a live band and a few political celebrities until 9 am.

4.  Get Cajones
You’ll still need a little chutzpah when it comes to sharing the streets with cars.  Karnes also suggests, “Hold your ground… stay two to three feet from the curb.”

5.  You Need a Bike
The newly expanded B1 Bicycles definitely has bikes - there’s even special “commuter” bikes with compartments for carrying the regular workday clothes (hint hint).

Fun Links
These two websites can help you plan for Bike to Work Week

http://www.considerbiking.org/site
http://www.b2ww.considerbiking.org

And Casey Karnes writes this blog for B1:

http://blog.b1bicycles.com

MOTHER NATURE INVADES DOWNTOWN

Well, well, well, Happy Earth Day.  It’s time to celebrate the planet’s environment, so let’s hear it for air conditioning, sunscreen and water filtration systems.  After centuries of existence on this planet, we finally have the environment completely under control.

That’s a misnomer about urban life:  it’s devoid of Mother Nature.  Perhaps the misconception has been earned by other cities, but it’s far from the truth in Columbus.  Integrated amongst the downtown landscape are no fewer than thirteen parks, and on more is on the way:  The Scioto Mile.

Last week’s groundbreaking ceremony for The Scioto Mile launched a $38 million project that will transform the riverfront into a dynamic, fountain-laden destination for festivals and recreation.  It’s a real park with real grass and real water and real bugs.  It’s Mama Nature in all her glory.

Mother Nature is prevailing in small ways too.  Urban gardens are cropping up everywhere, especially on Gay Street.  Liz Lessner, owner of Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails has been very busy this year designing her business’s rooftop garden.  The plans include giant flowering vines that will dangle down over the front of the restaurant.  That’s where the natural invasion starts; Lessner predicts the grand outcome, “There will be an occupational hazard of falling flowers into patio dwellers food and drinks, but we think it’s worth the risk!”

Agreed.

Now Showing:  Capitol South is constructing a new eight-story parking garage on the corner of Front & Rich.  Demolition of the old Lazarus garage will be on display through June.  Concrete curbside seating provided for viewing audience.

SELF-STIMULATION

Tax day is today.  In addition to filing tax forms, this year it’s apparently also our duty to go out and stimulate the economy.

Forget about the economy.  It’s time for a little self-stimulation, and you know what we’re talking about.  When was the last time you…

1.  HAD A REALLY GOOD CUP OF COFFEE?
Try the premium stuff they brew at Cafe Brioso.  It’s delicious and chock full of a very potent stimulant: caffeine.  In fact, caffeine is so stimulating, it was a banned substance in the 2000 Olympics.

Or you could

2.  STIMULATE YOUR METABOLISM
Stimulate your metabolism with exercise.  According to Emily Bockenstette, manager at Grant Fitness Center, “Regular exercise will increase your metabolism and help burn calories throughout the day.”

3.  STIMULATE YOUR MIND
With a book, at the library… it’s free.  For those without time to read, the library has books-on-CD too.

4.  STIMULATE YOUR IMAGINATION
COSI’s not just for kids.  Adults can have fun there too; it’s the only place in town with a piano that generates perfectly tuned burps.

5.  STIMULATE YOUR BODY
They also have massage therapists back at Grant Fitness Center.  Bockenstette points out that a good massage benefits the body and the mind too - it’s very effective as a stress relief tool.

Taxes due?  Who’s stressed?

FIND YOUR WAY

Word problem:  your driver’s license expired (oops!) yesterday.  Using no more than a 60-minute lunch break, trace a path from the center of Downtown to a state license agency, make a pit-stop for food, and return to your desk.  Travel no more than five miles total distance.

Finding the solution to that question just got easier.  It doesn’t require a calculator, a GPS system or a refresher course in algebra.  Downtown is now home to a directional tool that is energy-efficient, green and available 24-7-365.

Welcome Wayfinding Signs.  The first one’s already made its debut at Nationwide and High.  Soon there will be 55 map kiosks, each with a distinguishing “i” at the top.  Step up and take a look-see at the installation; according to coordinator Ken Ferrell, it’s packed with plenty of pertinent information about nearby establishments.  He says, “Each map will have information right down to business name… the kiosks will list all businesses within a five minute walk.”

But wait, there’s more.  Also on the way are 86 auto-directional signs designed to point out approaching parking and big destinations.  That ought to ease the stresses of downtown driving navigation, and forever eliminate any excuse for sudden lane changes.

And if you’re worried about that word problem (or renewing a driver’s license), here’s the solution.  Go south on Third Street; there’s a license agency at 267 S. Third.  If you take Fourth Street to return to the office, Queen Bee can do lunch at 248 S. Fourth.

AIN’T NO JOKE

The beginning of April usually brings out the worst in amateur jokesters, so we’re taking on this week’s informational service with absolute sobriety.  Here are five downtown facts that sound like jokes (but they’re the real-deal… swear!).

1.  RED WHITE & BOOM IS RELOCATING
It is really and truly moving.  The launch pad is shifting across Broad Street to the parking lot of Veterans Memorial.  Visitors will need to re-think parking and seating.

Boom isn’t the only event on-the-move.  For example, The Columbus Arts Festival will be found this June in a new spot in the Discovery District.  Check back at downtowncolumbus.com for more information on summer festival locations.

2.  STREETCARS ARE MOVING CLOSER
“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”  Mark Twain said it best, and the adage holds truth for downtown’s streetcars.  Right now, planners are developing a potentially workable layout for streetcar operation and installation.  The proposal is far from dead.

3.  LAZARUS IS RISING FROM THE DEAD
It’s no secret that the defunct department store building is showing strong signs of life these days.  OSU has introduced its new art gallery, and we’ve moved in too.  Columbus Downtown Development Corporation can now be found on the second floor at 150 South Front Street.

4.  YOU CAN BUY A HAMMER DOWNTOWN
You can buy shoes, flowers, groceries - anything.  It’s all here at downtown retail establishments like Zettler Hardware (good place for a hammer).  The easiest way to find what you’re looking for?  Check the listings in the See & Do section of downtowncolumbus.com.

5.  FRONT CAN GO BACK
Soon Front Street will join the leagues of other two-way thoroughfares.  It’s scheduled to complete the switch from one-way to two-way before the end of 2008.

DO YOU SEE SUSHI?
Yu sees sushi; Mitchell Yu sees a place for the fare downtown at 88 East Broad Street.  And so with very little ado, Sushi By Yu made its debut on Monday, March 24 and is open weekdays from 10:30 am - 3 pm.

If Yu’s name sounds familiar, it should.  He’s also the name behind the successful Chinese restaurant, Windchimes, out in Dublin.  Yu’s very excited about bringing his new project to the city’s core.  He says, “There’s nothing like this with sushi downtown and here we’ll be feeding pedestrians.”

Yeah, there is something special and exciting about the rhythms of an urban environment.  Where Windchimes is an old-school Chinese restaurant, Sushi By Yu is designed with quick counter service to meet the appetites and time constraints of the daily lunch hour.

Yu says that the sushi stop’s menu is centered around maki/rolls.  Expect the classic fillings, like tuna, salmon and (Yu’s favorite) eel.  For those who are still squeamish about the thought of raw fish, he’ll have fare for you too.  He promises, “We have California Rolls - those are vegetable, and Cream Cheese Rolls too.”

Bonus:  Sushi By Yu also has Salads By Yu - built on a Spring Mix and fussed up with several different dressings.

See you at Yu’s!