Written and Photgraphy
Andrew Livelsberger
Vue Columbus
Our DinnerLab venue!
Background:
DinnerLab is a club of sorts that anyone can join. You get a membership which opens up the location list for you of when an event will be held and the menu. Select a location - for us it was Columbus - but you can attend any DinnerLab events anywhere. Once you sign up for a specific event, a few days before, you are told the venue and time.
For the price you pay, you get a meal and drinks. You just need show up and enjoy!
Our hostess and chef explain the courses for the evening |
Impression:
It was a light, open atmosphere. Upon first arrival, you check in and are directed to the dinning area. Before dinner, everyone is visiting, some people know each other, while others like us are new to the whole experience.
My wife and I decided to try this as we consider ourselves "foodies" and we enjoy the experience of finding new and different cuisines.
Promptly at the starting time, we are seated and the hostess and chef come out to explain a little bit about the DinnerLab experience for the newbies as well as cover the menu.
After which, the dinner courses started arriving.
The pace at which the courses were served was perfect, as were the portion sizes.
Chef Russ Bodner prepared a meal inspired by his experience working in Michelin starred Greek restaurant in NYC.
Chef Bodner is originally from St. Louis, MO and moved to NYC to further his culinary career. He has worked in such restaurants as Aspen Mountains Club, Springhouse and Randolfi's
Lightly Seared Tuna
fennel pollen crust, thassos olives, dehydrated feta, orange vinaigrette
Course #1 |
Ricotta Dumplings
Lousiana crawfish, tobacco onions, spinach,leek, corn, beans
Course #2 |
Smoked Octopus
pickled shallots, mushroom, coriander yogurt, frisee
Course #3 |
Slow Roasted Lamb Leg
bulgar trahana, green onion, grilled okra, harissa
Course #4 |
Okra is another tricky item and if not made properly can be come out slimey. That is why a lot of places deep fry it. So when I saw grilled, I had my reservations. Russ knocked it out of the park again!
Tsoureki Shortcake
basil ice cream, mastic oil, strawberry, yogurt
Course #5 |
Bottom line, if you you want to experience a unique menu and want to have a good time - definitely hit a DinnerLab some time. It is so worth the money if you love food the way we do.