Tiger + Lily Bistro
19 E. GAY ST. 614-928-9989, www.tigerandlilybistro.com Nov. 2 (out of five) Japanese, Chinese and Korean influences inform a fusion cuisine designed to appeal to health-minded diners; it’s more successful than not.
Szechuan Dandan Mazeman with turkey, bao, Tso Good wings, rice and salad bowls, Tiger’s Signature Ramen, crepe cake
With its name gracing more than 60 pizzerias, Giordano’s is a large restaurant corporation. So you’ve got to hand it to the Chicagobased company: Its branding and reputation as a Chi-town classic have helped make it a local sensation. This is apparent to anyone who’s visited the first Giordano’s in Ohio, on Polaris Parkway, where streams of patrons routinely face considerable waits to eat the place’s pizza.
The affable staff in this Giordano’s branch is clearly trained to explain wait times to hungry customers. After a few visits, I’ve become proficient at it, too.
As a rule of thumb — and expect a sauce-and-cheesecovered thumb — budget at least two hours to eat here. This span accounts for a possible hour or more to get seated if dining on a weekend or another time when the often-crowded pizzeria is swamped.
It also factors in the 45 minutes or so it takes, after ordering, to receive Giordano’s specialty: a heavy, Chicago-style stuffed pizza. As a courtesy to customers, and to give the busy kitchen a jump on the lengthy cooking process for its popular deepdish pies, orders can be taken while diners wait on a table.
The spacious bar can mitigate seating delays, especially if stools are available. You can eat there or just pregame while perusing a menu accompanied by something from Giordano’s modest adult-beverage selection, such as a glass of Caposaldo chianti ($7.50) or CBC beer ($6).
In the roomy, modern restaurant’s other dining