Restaurant Week Began At Level Three
State Street North And South
Strate Street through Uptown on Sunday looked like the day of a parade, minus the crowd and the marchers, with only a few people walking in the empty street to avoid the foot of snow that fell on the sidewalks.
Restaurant Week in Westerville started on a day when nearly everyone stayed home, trapped by Arctic temperatures and at least a foot of snow at their door. Never mind the roads and sidewalks. One of the most praised qualities of Westerville government is its ability to quickly clear streets and roads of any snow depth. Even with the main roads easily passable and side streets plowed, getting out of the driveway remains the hardest part of the day.
Most diners probably enjoyed homemade meals or leftovers, which are easier to prepare. Empty banana stands at local grocery stores indicated that some people had gotten their potassium fix from the nearly seedless fruit. Others ate salads that were also popular, leaving the same stores with near-empty shelves. Most of the chicken was gone, leaving only the more expensive cuts of beef and pork chops. Don’t talk about the milk, bread, and egg aisles.
The best decision would have been to pick the most skilled driver in the house and let them, alone against the elements, drive the car through the snow and over obstructions caused by snowplows into the street, where, after the car’s heater had warmed it enough for passengers, the group of diners could join in traveling to one of the restaurants below for the first of a week’s worth of fine dining.
101 Craft Kitchen. 817 Polaris Pkwy. (614) 776-4775.
Ampersand Asian Supper Club. 32 W College Ave. (614) 423-4454.
Asterisk Supper Club. 14 N State St. (614) 776-4633.
BRU Burger Bar. 691 N Cleveland Ave. (614) 918-8680.
El Vaquero. 420 Polaris Parkway. (614) 392-2045.
High Bank Distillery. 28 S State St. (614) 380-3130.
Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern. 400 Polaris Pkwy. (614) 890-3663.
This year’s list features Ampersand Asian Supper Club instead of Bob Evans and Local Cantina. Additionally, last year, 101 Craft Kitchen was called 101 Beer Kitchen. The company stated the name change better reflects the restaurant's focus on food rather than beverages.
The menus are special for Restaurant Week, offering some appetizers, main courses, and desserts that aren't on the regular menu and feature slightly different ingredients or portions. Some diners often suggest these special items be added to the regular menu.
Choose wisely. A menu with only three appetizers, three main courses, and three desserts can create 27 different meals. Bru Burger offers 96 meal options. That’s nearly 14 weeks of meals.
101 Craft Kitchen Restaurant Week Menu
First Course
Warm Cumin Roasted Carrot Salad. Served with hot honey ricotta, toasted almonds, and fresh greens.
Italian Wedding Soup. Housemade meatball, chicken broth, pearl pasta, and fresh spinach.
Korean BBQ Scotch Egg. Pork sausage, kimchi slaw, gochujang aioli, and chili crisp.
Second Course
BBQ Glazed Meatloaf. Served with housemade roasted garlic mashed potatoes, lemon chili green beans topped with crispy potato straws.
Pasta Bolognese. Gemelli pasta, creamy ricotta, and parmesan cheese.
Blackened Mahi Mahi and Grits. Served with fresh spinach and tomatoes, topped with Louisiana BBQ sauce.
Third Course
Ampersand Restaurant Week Menu
1st Course. Choose one
Spam and Pickle Steam Bun. Crispy delicious spam on a pillow like steam bun. With delicious house pickles and spicy mustard.
Poblano Crab Rangoons. This delicate version of rangoons will be filled with a mixture of charred corn and goat cheese sriracha cream.
Nori Fries. Crispy thin fries tossed in nori, salt, and white pepper. Spicy chili mayo.
2nd Course. Choose one
Zarzuela Style Ramen. Rich saffron-tomato dashi broth, calamari, shrimp, octopus, and Patagonia scallops.
Jeremy Tso’s Chicken Rice Bowl. Chef Jeremy’s twist on a classic. Medium level spicy sauce, karaage, green beans, carrots, and rice.
Miso Glazed Salmon Rice Bowl. Seared salmon glazed with a miso yuzu glaze, green beans, and togarashi roasted carrots.
3rd Course. Choose one
Vegan Chocolate Torte. Smooth chocolate torte, raspberry sauce.
Matcha Cheesecake. Green tea vibes. Honeydew gastrique.
The best way to make sure you get one of these special menu items is call and make a reservation. Most restaurants are serving the special menu after 4 pm.
Asterisk Supper Club Menu
1st Course. Choose one
Jambalaya (GF). A hearty Louisiana classic made with seasoned rice simmered in a rich blend of spices, tomatoes, and the “holy trinity” of onions, celery, and bell peppers. Finished with chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp, and bold Creole flavor.
Gumbo. A slow-simmered Cajun stew built on a deep, dark roux, loaded with savory chicken, andouille sausage, and crab meat, vegetables, and traditional spices, served over warm rice.
Muffuletta Fritters. Crispy, golden fritters inspired by the famous New Orleans sandwich, filled with chopped cured meats, cheese, and olive salad for a tangy, savory bite.
2nd Course. Choose one
Shrimp Po’ Boy. Crispy fried shrimp piled onto a soft French roll and dressed with fresh lettuce, tomato, and creamy remoulade sauce for a true New Orleans street-food favorite.
Boudin Sausage on a Roll. Traditional Cajun boudin sausage made with seasoned pork and rice, served warm on a soft roll for a flavorful and comforting classic.
Crawfish Étouffée (GF). Tender crawfish tails smothered in a rich, buttery sauce made with onions, celery, bell peppers, and Cajun spices, served over steamed rice.
3rd Course. Choose one
Beignets. Light, pillowy squares of fried dough, dusted generously with powdered sugar and served warm in classic New Orleans style.
Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce. A comforting Southern dessert made with custard-soaked bread baked until golden, topped with a smooth, buttery whiskey sauce for a warm and indulgent finish.
Bananas Foster (GF). Sliced bananas sautéed in a rich brown sugar and butter sauce with warm spices, finished with a splash of whiskey and served over creamy vanilla ice cream.
Bru Burger Bar Menu
1st Course. Choose one
Any (1) craft or domestic beer on draft. Your choice.
Any (1) 6 oz. wine pour on draft. Your choice.
Strawberry Honey Mule (non-alcoholic). Strawberry, honey simple, lemon juice, ginger beer.
Blueberry Basil Cooler (non-alcoholic). Blueberry, basil, lime juice, coconut water.
2nd Course. Choose one
Bowl of Chili. Beef, pork, bean, chopped onion, sour cream, Tillamook white cheddar.
Gorgoneberry Pecan. Mixed greens, gorgonzola, cranberry, candied pecan, bacon, cranberry-poppyseed dressing.
Soft Pretzels. VG (2). Beer cheese, spicy mustard.
Sriracha Caesar. Romaine, red onion, tomato, parmesan, house crouton, sriracha drizzle.
3rd Course. Choose one
BRU Burger*. Double smash, taleggio cheese, bacon, tomato jam, caramelized onion, chopped lettuce, mayo.
Garlic-Three Cheeseburger*. Double smash, Swiss, American, Tillamook white cheddar, roasted garlic, truffle aioli.
Turkey Burger. Carrot-ginger slaw, peach compote, curry mayo.
Honey-Gochujang Chicken Sandwich. Sesame, guacamole, jalapeño, lettuce.
Pimento Jalapeño*. Double smash, pimento cheese, bacon, fried onion, pickled jalapeño, chipotle BBQ.
Provencal*. 7 oz. patty, basil aioli, marinated red onion, goat cheese, sautéed mushroom.
*Impossible TM (V)**. Vegan cheese, vegan mayo, mustard, ketchup, garden.
El Vaquero Menu
1st Course. Choose one
Cup of Azteca Soup. Chicken broth, shredded chicken, and tortilla strips.
House Salad. Romaine lettuce, gourmet greens, pico de gallo, avocado, cheese, tortilla strips.
Queso Dip. Cheese Dip
Corn on the Cob
2nd Course. Choose one
Enchiladas Supreme. Supreme combination of four enchiladas, one chicken, one beef, one cheese and one bean, covered with enchilada sauce, lettuce, sour cream and tomato.
Enchiladas Vegetables. Three cheese enchiladas topped with grilled onions, bell peppers and zucchini covered with ranchero sauce. Served with lettuce, tomato, broccoli coleslaw and your choice of brown rice, black or refried beans.
Tacos al Pastor. Marinated pork in a special sauce with onions, cilantro, lime and tomatillo hot sauce. Served with cucumbers, grilled onions, radish and one side order. Choose from yellow Mexican rice, brown rice, guacamole salad with sour cream, black or refried beans.
Pollo Nayarit. Grilled chicken strips over a bed of Mexican rice, covered with melted cheese. Served with guacamole salad, sour cream, tomato and tortillas. Side order not included.
3rd Course. Choose one
Fried Ice Cream. Ice cream rolled in corn flakes and cinnamon. Served with your choice of strawberry syrup, chocolate or honey, and whipped cream.
Sopapillas. Fried flour tortilla, with honey, butter, and cinnamon.
High Bank Distillery Menu
1st Course. Choose one
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls. Crushed tomato sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, provolone, fresh basil, spicy ranch dressing.
Apple and Sweet Potato Salad. Mixed greens, red onion, granny smith apples, feta, dijon vinaigrette, crispy sweet potatoes.
Crab Rangoon Dip. Lump crab, cream cheese, mozzarella, crispy wonton, sweet chili sauce.
2nd Course. Choose one
Fish and Chips. Beer-battered white fish, crystal remoulade, red pepper slaw, lemon, and fresh parsley.
Pesto Pasta. Fresh linguine, basil, roasted roma tomatoes, pine nuts, parmesan, bread crumbs.
French Onion Burger. Brioche bun, smash patty, caramelized onion, gruyere, crispy onion straws, smoked garlic aioli, beef au jus.
3rd Course. Choose one
Milk and Cookies. Chocolate chip cookies, sea salt, creme anglaise.
Apple Tart. Granny Smith apple, puff pastry, caramel. A la mode +$2.
Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern Menu
1st Course. Choose one
Spinach Con Queso. Liquid gold, chardonnay, spinach, tomato, corn chips.
Brussels Sprouts. Parmesan, lemon aioli.
Simple Salad. Carrot, cucumber, tomato, sharp cheddar, crouton, choice of dressing.
Double Nickel Salad. Bacon, tomato, onion, blue cheese crumbles, house dressing.
2nd Course. Choose one
Chicken Parmesan. Panko-crusted, tomato ragout, and alfredo noodles.
Fish and Chips. Pilsner-battered cold water haddock, seasoned fries, cole slaw, tartar.
BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad. BBQ glazed chicken, greens, black bean and corn salsa, tomato, pepper jack, tortilla, cilantro ranch.
Bucket Burger. American, mayo, sweet pickle relish, LTO, dill pickle chips.
Pepperoni and Peppers Pizza. Ezzo pepperoni and Hungarian peppers, that’s it.
3rd Course. Choose one
Chocolate Icebox Cake. Vanilla bean ice cream and powdered sugar.
New York Cheesecake. Macerated strawberry, whipped cream, and bonus, it’s gluten-free friendly.
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