Three Valentine's Dinners that May Surprise You
By Kimberly M. Stolz, Amy Fisher, & Eric Pacella |
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All Thai'd Up
To put a modern twist on the classic love scene in Lady and the Tramp, check out Bahn Thai Bistro. A cozy place to go noodle-crazy, the spicy dimension of their noodle dishes adds another layer of "hotness" to the night's carte du jour. Seating only about 30, the tables are close together, encouraging whispered sweet nothings surrounded by a carved wood decor, Asian parasols, and lush greenery.
Pad Thai at Bahn Thair Bistro
Photo: Chris Casella
When it comes to noodles, Bahn Thai executes the iconic Pad Thai ($9.95) beautifully, the sauce a sweet tango with the chopped peanuts and citrus tweak of lime. For another noodle nosh, try one of their four steamy soups. Ba-Mee-Nam ($7.95) is a huge bowl of long egg noodles in an earth-toned broth swimming with cilantro, fried garlic, and a choice of protein. Dishes can vary from mildly spicy to sweating-across-the-forehead dangerous, with little disks of Thai chili making their fiery presence known. Sip on the traditional orange-hued Thai iced tea, sweet with a layer of condensed milk to tone down the heat. Definitely order the fried bananas with coconut ice cream ($5) for dessert; the crunchy exterior belies the warm soft fruit on the inside resulting in a love song of texture on the tongue.
An old adage states that a healthy appetite at the table results in a healthy appetite in the bedroom. Slurp away at Bahn Thai, let the noodles do their magic and look forward to a spicy evening. Deciding to play the Lady or the Tramp is up to you.
Bahn Thai Bistro
1932 W Henderson Rd.
(614) 451-3700
www.bahnthaicolumbus.com
Smoke, Eat, Love
Want a hot Valentine's date that isn't filled with people crowding you around the table and slow service delaying the hotness that comes later? Try something spicy, sticky, and sweet - like sharing takeout BBQ at home. Smoked meat, adult beverages, and a little soul music is a time-tested recipe for pants removal - assuming your love interest isn't a vegetarian.
Something more casual at One Man - One Smoker BBQ Cart
Photo: Chris Casella
The mobile smoker at the corner of Pacemont and High in Clintonville will provide just the right sensation. The former owner of Smackies BBQ, James Anderson, has mobilized the famous fare with his 'One Man - One Smoker' cart. The smell of burning wood and sweet barbecue start the senses tingling, followed by large, sharp knives and meat carving. (Stand close to your date for safety.)
Consider the pulled pork ($4). Two fist-fulls of a firm white-bread bun filled with tender, smoky pork, and haloed with barbecue sauce. That is one sexy sandwich.
The smoked wings ($7 for 10) are not the usual central Ohio flavor profile. No deep fryer or buffalo sauce. Each barbecue sauce (mild, hot, or habanero) carries an inviting sweet vinegar aroma and smoke from the bird. The sauces adhere to wings, fingers, lips, and tongue with a pleasing thickness, and each piece is covered in a tight smoky skin that hides the soft and juicy flesh.
Take the food home. Hide away from the sun. Drink whatever you like: beer, wine, sweet tea - all of which can be found within walking distance of the smoker cart. Eat barbecue, get messy, get down on the rug, then go out for dessert or drinks at a quiet bar . . . that's a pretty hot date.
Let's own up; some people will never be happy with anything outside their expectations. Sometimes, however, a novel experience hits the "sweet spot."
One Man - One Smoker BBQ Cart
Pacemont Rd. & N High St.
Facebook: Smackies Tracker
No Beef with Banana Leaf
Want to take your sweetie out for authentic Indian food but find that, here in Columbus, it would be cheaper to splurge on plane tickets to Chennai? Thanks to Banana Leaf, your worries are over, my friend. This all-vegetarian Bethel Road eatery is your destination for dosas, the final stop on your quest for curry - all at prices that will make you feel like you're shopping at an Indian marketplace. You won't find any Naan at this Southern Indian chuck wagon, but its lightly fried cousin, Puri, is sure to please.
Masala Dosa at Banana Leaf
Photo: Chris Casella
Banana Leaf is a perfect date spot where the majority of the menu is conducive to sharing. The Masala Dosa ($6.99), a paper-thin rice crepe filled with potatoes and peas, is large enough for two - as long as you order an appetizer or dessert. In the face of a perfectly balanced Coconut Chutney and a bit of warm, rich, and smoky Sambhar, you might fill yourself past the point of comfort, unable to stop the hand-to-mouth reflex. If, indeed, you take it too far, try a Rose Lassi ($2.49): the sweet, creamy yogurt shake will aid your digestion and impress your date at the same time. Make sure to finish your meal with the traditional Meetha Paan ($1.49), a sachet of powerful breath-freshening spices, wrapped in a tasty leaf of mysterious origin, and all soaked in a sugary syrup. There's just nothing like sharing a culturally broadening experience to improve your chances at the end of the night.
Banana Leaf Restaurant
816 Bethel Rd.
(614) 459-4101
www.bananaleafofcolumbus.com
Originally Published: February 1, 2010
