Tavern merges fine fare with laid-back ambience
Liberty Tavern stands as a citadel for those who enjoy chef-driven food without the stuffy environment.
“This phrase kind of describes us in our current state: casual gourmet with a tavern attitude,” said Tim Picciano, who owns the restaurant with Emil Skasko. “And it just seems to fit.”
The Powell restaurant, which opened in 2008, satisfies regulars with dishes such as the double-cut pork chop ($21), grilled and finished in the oven, ladled with red-wine demi-glace and served with whipped redskin potatoes and the vegetable of the day.
Available only on Sundays is the mesquite-smoked prime rib ($20) that weighs in at 15 ounces.
Chef Aaron Fischer said a whole ribeye is dry rubbed and smoked to rare over hickory wood. Individual prime-rib cuts from the ribeye are warmed to order and topped with demi-glace. The
How often do you eat out?
We have a tradition in our family, we go out every Friday.
Does your family have a go-to place?
They have a soft spot for Old Mohawk (819 Mohawk St.).
It’s mostly American, but they do most of it in-house. They have a turtle-soup recipe that is something I guess they’re well-known for. My older daughter (18) loves it. What do you get? I like the Reuben. I often will try whatever their special is because they’re pretty creative there. My go-to often is the bratwurst dinner.
Do you have a favorite ethnic place?
Tensuke Express (1155 Old Henderson Road). It’s definitely, I think, my kids' favorite ethnic place. They want Powell
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
614-825-0500, www.libertytavernpowell. com prime rib is served with mashed potato and vegetables.
“It is so different because of the smoked taste,” Picciano said. “You don’t get that anywhere else.”
The beef is also used in smoked prime-rib soft tacos (two for $9), garnished with spinach, roasted red peppers, feta director, Ohio State University Press
to go there every Saturday afternoon for lunch.
What’s your favorite dish there?
I get either the chicken karaage or the pork.
It’s comfort food, which is something that I really like. The friedchicken chunks, they’re just warm and salty, and they kind of make you forget about the troubles of the day.
How about a favorite place for pizza?
Rubino's (Pizza, 2643 E. Main Street, Bexley) has the amazing and chimichurri.
New to the menu is the oyster po’ boy sandwich ($14), with buttermilkmarinated oysters that are dusted with cornmeal-seasoned flour and deep-fried for a light crunch. They’re served on a toasted baguette with roasted garlic mayo, local arugula, tomatoes and pickled red onions, with fries on the side.
Liberty Tavern makes a poutine ($13) using braised short rib and cheddar-cheese curds over hand-cut potato and parsnip fries, topped with gravy and fresh horseradish root.
“It’s big enough to share, for sure,” Picciano said. crispy crust, but their toppings are kind of limited. They make their own pepperoni and sausage, and the cheese pizza is really good. Whereas Bexley Pizza Plus (2651 E. Main St., Bexley), it’s a breadier crust, it’s a thicker crust; they’re very creative with their toppings.
Any other hidden gems?
The Global Mall (Northtowne Centre, 2210 Morse Road).
It’s unusual. It’s like a bazaar when you walk in. You’ll see clothing and hair products. And they also have a little cafe that makes little Somali snacks. That’s where the kids and I first tried real, authentic Somali food.