Grill and Skillet

We did it. We went to Grill and Skillet.

Asked by Nick and Bethia a few weeks ago if we had frequented this Breakfast (and more) establishment, my answer was No. But really, it was more like, where?

We moved to Bexley about 3 months ago now, and honestly we don't go out to breakfast much, if at all (sorry Nick!). Something about this morning called us outside for a walk (the sun, the leaves, the cool fresh air?), a walk and some food and so we decided it was time for a visit to Grill and Skillet.

The place, right across from the post office on Main St. in Bexley, was packed when we arrived. Clearly, this is a known entity in town (unbeknownst to us!). John Flood, the owner, gave us the signal to sit wherever we would like (one of the two available spots left).

We were quickly given some water, offered some coffee and the menus. We came for breakfast (which is served all day -- see the sign?), but we could have gotten other food items (sandwiches, burgers, dinner plates) as well. Our kids opted for pancakes and bacon and the adults tried a Veggie omelet and Chicken Fried Steak (that would be my husband!).

While waiting for our food, John came to chat with us, giving us a little history about this place he has owned for 25 years. Apparently the building/ restaurant has been there for much longer, maybe since post WWII. Some additions had been built on to it, but it has had loyal customers forever.

After the history lesson, we dove into our breakfasts. Happy with our choices and our bellies full, we promised to return many more times, now that we know the owner by name and vice versa.

Edible Columbus Cooking Series

I had fun at my first ever cooking class!

Tricia Wheeler, the founder and editor-in-chief of the beautiful local-food magazine, Edible Columbus, teaches a series of cooking classes at M/I homes in Easton. Today her ingredients came from The Chef's Garden: specialty vegetables in season from lettuces to carrots to beets to purple potatoes (and much more). Just looking at the vegetables made my mouth water!

Tricia made several dishes out of the bounty. She emphasized simplicity because she wanted us to taste these delicious vegetables at their best. The potatoes were simply sauteed with olive oil and rosemary; the beets were oven roasted to perfection; the cauliflowers were baked with a bit of cheese on top. There was also a green salad with white wine vinaigrette that Tricia whipped up in a flash. The Waldorf Coleslaw featured celery root and tart apples. The class and meal ended with warm apple crisp and vanilla ice cream. And of course, we all went home with recipes of everything we got to taste during the class.

It was such a fun, informational class! Check the schedule for future classes, if you would like to see what else Tricia is planning to create and share with us all.

Colors!

I didn't really expect it to be this magnificent, honestly.

I have lived in New England, a few times, so I know what fall foliage is supposed to be like. And I knew to expect more colors here in Ohio than, say, what we had in Northern California during this time of year.

But I didn't expect it to be this beautiful. How wonderfully wrong I was!

Fall Bounty

It is no secret that we love the metroparks here in Columbus. And this is one of our favorites: Slate Run Historical Farm.

This morning, this is what we found upon entering the farm.

And this.

And this.

It was also fun to show friends from out of town this little gem. They are from the state up north... and they were impressed with the bounty and the beauty around here.

I think I am starting to feel a little...what do you call it? Ohio Pride?

Schacht Farm

Did you know that just a few miles south of Columbus in Canal Winchester, you can pick your own greens? By greens, I mean, kale, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens and more!

Schacht farm has been in operation since 1981, and perhaps it is a big kept secret that you can go there to purchase fresh produce at their farm market, or if you would like, harvest your own produce! It's brilliant. At least, it is for those who like to get their hands a little wet and dirty and know exactly where their dinner is coming from tonight.

The picking is a plenty and will be available until the end of October. I will be going back there to stock up on my greens for the winter months for sure.

Discovery Park

Broad Street is a busy thoroughfare for downtown Columbus. I have gone by this little park many times before, but yesterday, I made a point to stop, and really spend a moment getting to know this sweet little spot.

Discovery Park, as it is called, was built to honor the public educators of Ohio (well deserved, needless to say!). I love the figures of both children and grown-ups: they each have expressions so familiar to me (being a parent of a boy and a girl myself).

I can almost feel the emotions of the girl in that first photo. Am I reminded of myself as a youth? That is possible...but that would be a whole different story!

If you have time, go by this little spot, and maybe these children will speak to you as well.

Franklin Park Community Garden

It was one of those mornings when I had many things planned, but not all of them got accomplished. And the most (wonderfully) unexpected ventures became part of the day.

Fall has treated us well here, I am sure you will agree (if you live here in Columbus, that is!). Take today: the sky can't be more blue, the foliage is in full blown display. It is quite lovely to live here, right now.

From point A to point B (part of my plan this morning), I had to go by Franklin Park Community Garden. Though I did not plan on stopping, I found myself pulling into their parking spot, and getting the camera out of the car.

I love this time of the year in the garden. I love it that there are still treasures to be found on the leaves and branches of the vegetables, and flowers and other produce that are still growing from the earth. These are the last of the fresh tomatoes, ripe eggplants, and sweet basil before we all go into hibernation and won't emerge again until next spring!

I also love all the colors playing against one another. The deep reds, the bright yellows, the crazy orange hue of the maple leaves that have fallen next to the dark green of the kale and broccoli. It must be a painter's paradise.

As I bent down to take a picture of some Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars on dill leaves, a gentleman named Bill joined me in marveling at these creatures' beauty. As we talked, I found out that Bill is the coordinator for the Franklin Park Conservatory's community garden. He is the man behind the amazing community garden projects in and around Columbus. He is also the man with inspiring visions. I was terribly happy that I stopped by and had met Bill.

We talked some more about our shared interest in community and school gardens. I learned a lot about what has been happening in Columbus alone. For instance, did you know that there is a free eight-week Urban Garden Academy course sponsored by the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company right at the Franklin Park Conservatory? Did you know that if you have an idea about starting a new community garden somewhere in town and did not know where to start, you can call up Bill and just...ask?

I am very happy to see and hear that the "getting closer to our food source" movement (my own term), whether you want to call it Slow Food, Edible Schoolyard, Sustainable Community Agriculture, Locavore, or something else, is alive and well and growing in this community.

You can find out more about Franklin Park Conservatory, their programs and resources here! Best of all, I recommend that you go and spend a quiet morning (or afternoon) at the community garden. Bring your camera, or a book, and see where it will take you!