‘Rustically refined’
Chefs put heads together to transform North Side restaurant
Jacob Hough and Patrick Marker, who worked side by side for nearly a decade, have opened their own restaurant, Alqueria Farmhouse Kitchen, on the North Side.
Two months ago, the former chefs at Barcelona in German Village decided to strike out on their own and create a “new American, rustically refined menu,” Hough said.
“We want to do things that are accessible but things people will appreciate,” Marker said.
Alqueria takes over the former Angry Baker space at 247 King Ave., just west of North High Street.
Warm, with earth tones and reclaimed wood, the 60-seat interior features antique fixtures, a quilted-pattern mural, original artwork and small bar.
Both Hough and Marker designed the menu and take turns running the kitchen and front of the house.
At lunch, customers can get Nashville hot chicken over a savory waffle with ham and cheddar. It’s drizzled with dill buttermilk sauce and topped with horseradish pickles for a spicy counterpoint.
Grilled cheese has an adult contemporary edge as it combines applewoodsmoked duck, pickled onions and Havarti cheese on buttered sourdough. It is served with seasoned fries.
The dinner menu is a hearty affair, with dishes such as buttermilk fried chicken over mascarpone potato puree, a cassoulet offering smoked duck breast, pork belly and chorizo links, and crispy braised pork shank that’s flash-fried before serving and glazed with a Korean barbecue sauce.
“We knew we were opening in winter, so that was the thought behind the menu,” Hough said.
There also are plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans, including salads, a green hummus spread (made with young chickpeas for an earthier flavor), beet carpaccio starter and a farro entree with roasted squash, parsnips, onions, Brussels sprouts and mushrooms.
Most entrees are between $12 and $28.
"Alqueria" means farmhouse in Spanish, a nod to their former employer, Scott Heimlich, and his restaurant.
While there isn’t a tremendous amount of Spanish flair on the menu, there is the occasional touch such as charred octopus with fried potatoes and a sofrito verde.
The full bar has a small selection of craft beers on tap, hand-picked wine list and several craft cocktails created by bar manager Michael Marson.
The restaurant space, which has seen some turnover in recent years, is in a walkable neighborhood with a growing food scene north of the Short North.
“I feel we’re in a good space,” Hough said.
Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sunday. For more information, call 614-824-5579.
General Tso’s retiring
General Tso’s Chinese restaurant, a quaint little eatery on the Northwest Side, is closing Feb. 23.
Fur Tang and his wife, Chun Shen, who have owned the restaurant for 25 years, said they are retiring.
Tang said another operator will create a different restaurant at the space at 5227 Godown Road, but he does not know what the new owner has planned.
Craving Valentine's Day
For those who can’t make it to White Castle on Valentine’s Day, a romantic dinner is just a phone call away.
The special Love Castle Crave Case is only available to the first 10 delivery orders at each restaurant on Feb. 14 only. The custom case is $20 and comes with 10 cheese sliders, one sack of chicken rings, two small Coca-cola beverages and two desserts on a stick.
It must be ordered for delivery on Thursday from Grubhub or Doordash.
The case includes special decor such as red napkins, a note for the recipients to share on social media, Valentine’s Day cards and candy hearts, and heartshaped confetti that can be planted to grow flowers.
Salad days
Chicken Salad Chick is opening its first Ohio store this spring at 687 Worthington Road in Westerville.
Franchisee Jen Crichfield of Buckeye Chick LLC will own and operate the store, the nation’s only Southerninspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept. Crichfield’s father, Larry Romanoff, a 43-year veteran of the Ohio State University’s athletic department, will serve as her operations partner.
Based in Auburn, Alabama, the restaurant chain is known for a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and desserts.
Healthy at the Core
Corelife Eatery’s third Columbus location opens at 11 a.m. Friday at 17 E. Lane Ave. near Ohio State University.
The latest Corelife, known for its healthy greens, grains and broth-based dishes is located in Wilson Place at the northeast corner of Lane and North High Street.
Bacon lovers rejoice
Wendy’s is giving away free Baconator Fries with any in-restaurant purchase through Wendy's mobile app now through Sunday.
People can purchase the free Baconator Fries every day if they wish, but no more than one order a day through the mobile app.