We have been going to Barcelona for a number of years and service and the ambience are always…read moreexcellent. The food has been up and down over the years but the last few times I've been here the quality has been consistent and good. Yesterday we shared the Carne paella, which was excellent. For the Tapas, we got the garlic shrimp, the empanadas, and the short rib. All of them were good, but my favorite was the short rib. Wonderful creamy base and melt in your mouth beef.

My friend and I celebrated my birthday at Barcelona last weekend. I was fiending for scallops so I…read morepicked them for my main entree. I love me some beets so I chose that for my salad. Both dishes were amazing. The scallops were cooked to perfection and covered with a lucious cream sauce. The service was excellent and they threw in a free chocolate lava cake + vanilla ice cream for my birthday complete with lighted candle! I'm only giving 4 stars because it lacked ADA accommodation. Very tall step to get into the restaurant and no handicap stalls in the bathroom. I have mobility issues and this is very important when I'm choosing where to dine.

Amazing Views, Tasty Tapas & One Very Small Plate Problem!…read more We visited VASO Rooftop Bar yesterday to meet up with some friends and celebrate her retirement. And what better way to celebrate than with good friends, good food, and a rooftop view? Since VASO is a tapas-style restaurant, we decided to order several things and share everything. We started with the deviled eggs, followed by the Caribbean flatbread, bruschetta, and empanadas. We also tried the mussels served over spaetzle. Now, I'll say this right up front: the portions are on the small side. When you're sharing food with four people, three empanadas probably isn't the best game plan! We were definitely doing some serious plate math. But here's the good news--what the dishes lacked in size, they made up for in flavor! Everything we tried was really tasty and well done. There wasn't a dish that disappointed. Of course, we couldn't stop at dinner, so we moved on to dessert. We shared the blackberry crème brûlée, chocolate terrine, and spice sponge cake with bourbon sauce. The desserts were just as good and gave us a sweet way to finish the evening. And then there's the view. Being a rooftop restaurant, VASO gives you an incredible perspective of the river. Seeing the river from that height, especially while enjoying dinner and drinks with friends, made the whole experience even better. Overall, VASO delivered great flavors, creative tapas, delicious desserts, and an amazing rooftop atmosphere. Just remember--if you're dining with a group, order enough plates because those tapas aren't exactly supersized! Come for the view, stay for the food... just order extra!

I have visited VASO for happy hour twice now, and keep raving about it to friends and coworkers!…read moreThe first time was in July for my birthday, and we ordered most of the happy hour food menu as well as some drinks. They paced our food very nicely, the next few tapas would come out right as we were finishing the current ones. The second visit was with a few clients, who both loved the experience. We sat inside but had a great time chatting, eating tapas, and enjoying cocktails. My favorite tapas are the truffel potatoes, Cilantro hummus, and Brazilian cheese breads. But we loved all of it (crab cakes, chicken florentine salad, spanish grilled cheese, and more). I also really like the Sparkling Sangria, as did my clients.

Knowing the power that online reviews can have and taking some experiences with a grain of salt…read morehere and there because sometimes you hit that one off day where maybe a place that's normally epic just doesn't quite have their stuff together, I find that I end up giving 5 stars in a range that goes from "really good" to "Michelin needs to stop in here (or already has)." This is definitely on the latter end of the spectrum. I popped in here tonight for a late dinner (830ish on a Saturday) to find the place relatively busy but with plenty of open seats. The decor was a nice mix of dark and light with the bright green accents plus a big screen TV cycling tropical getaways (I assume from places in Latin America). I was seated and tended to quickly by a hostess and server, respectively. I got my order in for a coconut mojito and a chicharron arepa right away. My mojito came shortly thereafter with my arepa not long after that. The mojito, as you can see, was garnished with a generous amount of shredded coconut on top and was heavier and creamier than a normal mojito, lighter on the mint flavor and pushing closer to a piña colada than a mojito. All in all though, still quite a refreshing drink after a hot and humid day. The arepa though was really the star of the show. The flavors and textures and everything about it were just mind-blowing. The handmade cheese, the incredibly seasoned and cooked pork, and the crispy arepa were all just *BOOM*. The avocado had a little bit of surface darkness on the one end that could have been polished up a little bit but not the end of the world. One I finished with these, I waited patiently for a while for my server to come back but alas I had to pop up to the bar to get my caipirinha. This version was slightly sweeter than some versions I've had and I don't mind sweet, but just be aware for those who may be considering it. Eventually, my server came back and apologized for being gone so long as she was conversing with her boss. Like I said... grain of salt. Aside from a minor inconvenience of having to walk 10 feet to the bar myself, this place absolutely blew me away and I will absolutely come back if I ever find myself in town again. Bonus points for having gluten and allergen callouts on their normal menu as well!

I was introduced to Clinton Latin Fusion a year or two ago thanks to Yelp, and their food is always…read moretasty. This visit had a rough start, but thankfully it turned around. I had made a reservation through OpenTable and arrived for the dinner. I ended up standing at the front for about seven minutes without being greeted or acknowledged. I honestly almost walked out and was kind of unbelievable as some other servers made eye contact but that was it and no one at the host/hostess stand. Thankfully, Isabella noticed me, asked if I had been helped, and promptly seated me after I explained what happened. From that point on, the experience completely turned around as I waited for a server to come work the table Isabella said she could pick it up. She really was the nicest person even though I had zero interactions with any other staff or managers, etc. I ordered the Cheese Tequeños, six for $12.50, and the Venezuelan Pastelitos, three for $12.50. The pastelitos came with three different fillings, ground beef, shredded chicken, and cheese. The shredded chicken was definitely my favorite. Isabella recommended the red beans instead of the black beans that I was looking at, so I took her guidance and added a side of red beans for $5. Great recommendation! They had so much flavor and were really good. Despite the frustrating start, Isabella saved the experience with her friendly and attentive service. The food continues to be good, and I'll definitely be back just hope the improve the welcome and front of house experience .

After we were seated, one of the folks in our party said they had just learned that the restaurant…read morewas not as good now as it was with the previous owners (or previous chef?). When the server--"Yana"--approached us, I grew less optimistic that all was well. I ordered a martini. When I asked if they have blue cheese olives, she told me "they cost extra." I thought she was joking, but she was not. (I learned when the bill came that my small martini cost 21 bucks. When I told the server at one point that I've never seen a martini in a cordial glass before, she informed me with some attitude, "It's still three ounces." I confirmed that I wasn't challenging her, but simply commenting on the non-traditional glass. Later, I ordered a diet coke. "We have Boylan's" she told me. "If it's a diet cola, that will be fine." When she brought it, she twisted the lid, poured most of the soda in my glass and took the bottle away with the remaining soda. I called her back after I'd taken a sip and said, "This tastes like rootbeer." Again with what seemed like attitude, she showed me the bottle and told me "it says diet cola." The server interrupted us at our table multiple times, reached over us to serve us, and took away plates we were still using. It felt less like fine dining "service" and more like what you would expect at a church dinner. The server was abrupt and seemed disinterested in trying curate a positive experience. The food, to be clear, was quite good, but that was the extent of the success for the evening. The menu prices would make sense if the service was above reproach, but it was NOT excellent service. Had the place been packed out, it might have made more sense that the service was compromised, but we actually commented on how light the attendance seemed to be for a Saturday evening. My hope is that the management might consider more staff training (or adjust their "fine dining" prices to match the service.)

For me, Lupo still ticks all the boxes. I love the lively atmosphere, the always changing menu, and…read morethe proper craft cocktails. I think they are doing something unique in Columbus and I am happy to see them as busy as ever. I will say, the menu is eclectic and some of the dishes are more successful than others. On a recent visit, we loved the bacon wrapped dates, the charred green beans, the croquettes, and mixed greens salad. The birria tacos were fine, but not amazing. There are some great birria tacos in this city and they did not compare. The spicy chocolate martini was a perfect finish to the meal. Very spicy, very chocolatey, and not overly sweet.

I've been eating at El Arepazo since its early days on Pearl Alley when there was no where to sit…read more As a Colombian-American, I am proud of our heritage and cuisine, but there aren't always great places to eat besides at home. So it was some surprise to try bandeja paisa (traditional huge platter of various Colombian foods) and find it the best anywhere, including in Colombia. 25 years later and that still holds true. I have yet to find arepitas as exquisite of those of Carolina and Carlos, and they remain my standard (I think they are Venezolano, but does it matter? They are delicious and they are the best I've had). The cilantro salsa is unique and really adds to a lot of the foods they offer. My spouse is all about the maracuyá juice, and their options are worth sampling since its not usual for most Americans. For me it is comfort food not only as a Colombian-American, but as a (former) long-time resident of Columbus who at times craves reminders of the past. I've been to Pearl through its incarnations, then Gahanna, and now this Brewery District location. This one is my favorite of the three, with nice space and a great Latin atmosphere. We were there recently on a Saturday and had top-notch service, and even a visit from Carlos to reminisce about old times. El Arepazo is a Columbus institution. If you are curious about Latino food, and Colombian/Venezuelan cuisine in particular, it is THE place to start. Columbus is lucky to have a restaurant like this that beats out anything in Queens, Elizabeth NJ, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, and would give places from Bogotá to Caracas a run for its money. It's legit, its delicious, it is attractively priced, the location is great, the staff is warm and friendly. 10/10. Stop reading and go eat there!

I am writing this review because I am extremely frustrated by the lack of communication I have…read moreexperienced with Carlos, the owner. On Saturday, August 8th, I took a friend to breakfast at First Watch, across the street from Arepazo. I parked in a legal parking space in front of Arepazo at approximately 10:30 AM and left around 12:30 PM. Later that day, I discovered that the front passenger door of my Jeep Grand Cherokee had been badly dented. At first, it looked as though someone had purposely kicked it. I retraced everywhere I had been that day in an attempt to determine exactly what happened. After reviewing my home security camera footage, I was able to narrow down when the damage occurred. The footage clearly showed that when I backed out of my garage to go to breakfast that morning, my passenger door was undamaged. When I returned home after breakfast, the damage was clearly visible. A few days later, after Arepazo reopened following Sunday, I called the restaurant and spoke directly with Carlos. I explained what had happened and told him that I had noticed security cameras on the restaurant that appeared to be pointed toward the area where my Jeep had been parked. Carlos confirmed that the cameras were working, although he told me the resolution probably would not be good enough to identify someone's face. I explained that I wasn't concerned about identifying a face--I simply wanted to know what happened to my vehicle. Carlos assured me that he would help me figure out what happened and promised to get back to me. It has now been two weeks. My insurance estimator has since inspected the Jeep and determined that the damage is consistent with someone's body having been slammed into the passenger door. The estimated repair cost is approximately $3,300. Despite Carlos telling me he would help, I have not heard from him. I have called several times and left messages with multiple staff members, including his manager, Brent. On Tuesday, August 18th, at approximately 6:30 PM, I finally went to Arepazo in person. I spoke with several employees, including Brent. Brent went into the back to call Carlos. After approximately 15 minutes, he returned and told me that he had just spoken with Carlos and assured me that Carlos would contact me. He still has not. Is this a review of the food at Arepazo Tapas Bar and Grille? No. Is it a review of the restaurant's service? Not exactly. But I do believe it says something about how the owner treats people. I wasn't asking Carlos to pay for the damage. I wasn't accusing Arepazo or any of its employees of causing it. I was simply asking him to follow through on his promise to check security footage that might show what happened to my vehicle while it was parked directly in front of his restaurant. I even told Carlos and Brent that I would gladly come back and eat at Arepazo if they would simply help me with the security footage. Apparently, after two weeks, several phone calls, multiple messages, an in-person visit, and two separate assurances that Carlos would contact me, getting back to me isn't a priority. That's disappointing. Sometimes how a business owner treats someone when there is absolutely nothing in it for him says more about the business than the food ever could. I guess Arepazo has enough business that Carlos doesn't need mine--or that of the friends and family I might otherwise have recommended to his restaurant.

Ordered carry out. Was greeted by a friendly staff member who helped place my order. The Arepa…read morewas spectacular. Very fresh and tasty. The cheese and meat were quite generous in my portion. I will return for sure.

The Cactus Restaurant started as a food truck in Marysville in 2020 and opened a restaurant in 2024…read morein a Powell strip mall off the beaten path. The restaurant is bright, welcoming and very clean We were seated in a side room with the bar, a large projection TV screen with the volume on MAXIMUM and two smaller TVs advertising menu items. Those TVs featured some seriously delicious looking items! Service was ok. Drink refills were not offered and I needed one. We both ordered lunch specials advertised for $10.99 but billed at $11.99. Hubs ordered the lunch chicken bowl with rice, black beans, grilled chicken and corn. The corn was served refrigerator cold. The rest of the meal was hot. Overall the food lacked seasoning. I started with a cheese empanada. Expertly made and fried with goody cheese inside. The empanada was served with a dmall side of green sauce that I thought was cilantro based. I ordered the lunch Pabellon Bowl with pork, white rice, black beans and a sweet plaintain Everything on my plate was served hot but also without seasoning making it bland. I used the empanada sauce to add some flavor to the pork and rice. In summary, I wanted to love this restaurant the advrtised images on 2 TVs are gorgeous but the food was bland. The projection TV volume made conversation difficult and service could have been more attentive. This was our first expusure to Venezuelan food and probably our last. I still stand by the fantastic empanada. I would return for that alone.

Ample parking in a busy strip center. Two doors from a BMV. Ambivalent front opening to a spacious,…read moreopen, comfortable interior. Our server was pleasant, helpful, and efficient. Any age would be welcome here. The food for me was mixed. Nothing bad or not fresh. The tortilla chips were thin and excellent. Not overly salty and strong enough to scoop goodly amounts of the tasty cheese dip. Sadly the cheese dip was barely above room temperature which was disappointing. The "bang bang shrimp" had no bang. They were alright as fried shrimp but no spice. The shrimp sauce was essentially mayonnaise. And again lukewarm at best. The two different sandwiches we had were both well stuffed. Among other things we tried both types of chorizo sausage they offered. Neither was what I expected. The French fries were very good. Another place that I'd have no problem going again, but, probably wouldn't choose again.

Excelente servicios, sopas ricas, lugar limpio. 100% recommended. Additionally, big variety in the…read moremenu. I will absolutely come back.

After finally finding myself down in the Grove City/Lincoln Village area, I can justify the short…read moredrives to all the food I've bookmarked down here. I've been craving Peruvian cause aji verde is life. Anyway, this is a little unassuming restaurant in a strip mall. Wasn't too hard to find and plenty of parking. I got the half chicken with 2 sides cause i was HUNGRY. Def could have just gotten a quarter chicken and been fine. For sides I got the sweet plantains and green rice. The sides are what won the show for me. Those plantains were amazing. Crispy, gooey, and not too sweet, just a great dish all on its own. The rice was also flavorful without being too strong. The chicken was good but a little dry. It was great with the aji verde though and I wish I had asked for more sauce haha live and learn! For the amount of food, price, and taste, I thought this was an excellent meal. I'd definitely come back, even if just for some plantains!

I wanted the Pollo a la Plancha with papas a la huancaina but they were out of it; wanted to…read morereplace it with tostones, and it was not available. I asked why still on the menu and was told "Our regular customers know we don't have this available" I guess this restaurant is only for regular customers???? Ceviche was actually REALLY good; fish was fresh and really seasoned well. Last time I came here the ceviche tasted like the rind of lemons. Service actually has improved; if you've come to this restaurant before you know that every plate is made fresh and that the dishes come out one at a time and not all at once. While my dishes came out separate as usual, the timing between dishes to table has drastically improved! When looking up this restaurant on line the cost for meals is listed as $ out of $$$$, however IMO it should be $$ or $$$. These two dishes and one drink (Chicha Morada) cost me $39.59 (3% charge for using credit card) Restrooms are...well they need improvement to say the least. Broken toilet in men's restroom and women's restroom needs cleaning. Overall it was an "ok" experience...I've been here before and because I HAVE SEEN improvement in food quality and service I'll give it 4 stars...otherwise it would be 2 stars if it was my first experience.

I had been wanting to try this place for a while and I finally got to stop in after Latino Fest…read more There were so many things on the menu that looked good so it was really hard to choose. I ended up ordering the mussels and my friend got the ceviche. I was really impressed. They were both so delicious, the service was great, and the inside of the restaurant was very moody and nice. We ended the night with the tres leches which was really good as well. I am excited to come back and try the lamb and the lomo saltado. The people next to us ordered the lamb and would not stop raving about how great it was.

We made it for happy hour before the show at the Ohio Theatre. We grabbed a two-top in the bar…read more We had one cocktail each and 3 starters. Great food and awesome service from the staff in the bar. My Old Fashioned hit the spot. The Spicy Potatoes are amazing, as is the Caprese Salad and Grilled Chicken Jalapeno pizza. Tip: they have resumed Tapas Tuesdays and it will be great if I can make it there.

Dave's Hit, is everywhere…read more But is it really good? Some might says it is But in my opinion, is was just a-okay Is different, add some spice into the chicken and put it in the bun

Met my family for lunch on a Sunday. Great location and friendly servers…read more Choose your heat level from no spice to Carolina Reaper. I'm happy with medium which is a sweet heat. FYI of you want to try their hottest, most extreme heat level, you have to sign a waiver.