Edamame

We ate at Easton today.



Before I go on, I feel like I need to give you a bit of an explanation.



If you noticed the name of this blog, you will see that it is about finding 'authentic' things in and around Columbus. Easton may be the antidote to this blog since it is mostly comprised of chain stores, chain restaurants, things that you can find in most places in this country...and around the world (think fast food chains).



But thankfully, as we found out tonight, not everything there fits that bill. You can find some things that are relatively authentic, relatively good, and the perfect stop for dinner with the family on a rainy night (after picking up a member of the family who insists on bike-commuting 15 miles to work).



Edamame is the place. We all love Japanese food in our family. And we have explored a few places in town that are worth writing home about. We have even been here! The plethora and quality of the cuisine here, in central Ohio, is quite impressive. We are happy about that, needless to say.

This restaurant is unique (look at the colors and decor), but serves up perfectly acceptable sushi rolls, miso soup (not the best, but I am picky), green tea, and mochi ice cream.

Service was wonderful, and best of all, if you eat on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you get a good deal on your sushi rolls. Who would say no to that?

Japanese Goodness

Even though I grew up in Thailand, I think I had more Japanese food growing up than anything else. Well, maybe not quite, but it sure feels like it!

I love Japanese food, and can probably eat it everyday. Since we got to Columbus, we have been told about a few 'good' Japanese / Sushi restaurants. It was pretty unanimous that we needed to check out Akai Hana, and Kihachi.

Since I needed a place to celebrate a birthday dinner, I first called Kihachi to make a reservation for a Monday evening table... Of course, they were going to be closed. So Akai Hana it was.

Being new in town, we relied on our GPS to take us to this new area of town. We had had no reason to go to this area before, but once there, it felt like a whole new-Japanese-world opened up to us!! A restaurant, a market, a bakery? All Japanese. Phenomenal!

Tensuke market was impeccably clean, and stocked with everything you need to enjoy Japanese meals. I even found frozen Amish Chicken tenders there, along with fresh fish, fresh vegetables and all sorts of Japanse goodies.

The restaurant, well, was superb! Our children devoured their meals (edemame, sushi rolls and Una-ju), and my husband and I enjoyed our udon and tendon quite a bit. I was even surprised with fried green ice cream at the end for a birthday treat. No candle on it, though. Do you think it would have melted the treat?

All I can say is that I am certain that all my Japanese cravings will be satisfied now in this new home town of ours.

Akai Hana
1173 Old Henderson Road
Columbus, OH 43220-3607
(614) 451-5411

Tensuke Market
1167 Old Henderson Road
Columbus, OH 43220-3607
(614) 451-6002