Dine Originals has become such a Columbus institution that it’s hard to believe that the organization is only ten years old. The Dine Originals group of 49 independent restaurants is pulling out all of the stops for this milestone occasion by introducing Dine Originals 10: ten days of fantastic food events and special menus. There will be cooking classes, brunch buffets, tapas, beer, wine, and whiskey themed events and menu offerings from lobster to grilled cheese and even a whole pigs head. Barcelona is going all out and offering a chef’s dinner every night of the event! Here is the calendar of events and the link to special menus.
In previous years Dine Originals has offered two ‘restaurant weeks’ per year with set price menus. We spoke with executive director Katharine Moore about Dine Originals 10, and how it is indicative of a bold new direction for the organization:
“Dine Originals Columbus realized it had taken a very unoriginal approach to its twice-a -year promotion of dining locally. Our member’s styles, price points, and cuisines are too varied to impose the format of a 3 course menu at a fixed price across the board.
Dine Originals 10 will allow every kitchen to showcase their strengths from March 11 – 20th. Some are offering a fixed price menu, others are hosting events, throwing parties, and roasting pig heads. It hasn’t even kicked off yet, and it already feels like a much better fit!”
To mark Dine Originals 10, we have a special giveaway to offer for our Columbus Food Adventures fans and readers. One of our fabulous Short North tour partners and Dine Originals stalwart member, Rigsby’s Kitchen, is hosting a Sardinian wine dinner on Wednesday March 13th. We are thrilled to be able to offer two tickets for this dinner to our readers. This is particularly exciting for us, as we attended a previous Sardinian wine dinner at Rigsby’s back in 2009 to celebrate the first anniversary of Slow Food Columbus and it was spectacular.
Here are the details of the dinner:
March 7, 2013
The only time I’ve ever been to The Top was on a Dine Originals deal. So it got me in the door of a Columbus Landmark. My wife and I really enjoyed it.
Dan
March 7, 2013
I first discovered Alana’s one Restaurant Week (I live in Clintonville, so how I didn’t try this place well before I actually did, I have no idea). Anyway, Alana’s is now a family favorite, so thank you, Restaurant Week!
March 7, 2013
Last year, my wife and I went to the Granville Inn for a combined birthday (hers)/ Valentine’s Day getaway. We ate dinner at the Oak Room. Very classy and romantic. I enjoyed a filet mignon, and my wife had cioppino. Afterwards, we played several games of pool upstairs in their game room. . . . Had to work it off somehow. I let her win 😉
March 7, 2013
My mom & I had the degustation menu at Alana’s 2 years ago. AMAZING.
March 7, 2013
My most vivid memory of Dine Originals week is spending hours (I only wish I was kidding) going over every menu with my husband trying to decide which ones we would try!
March 7, 2013
I was able to try Deepwood for the first time during Dine Originals 2010. A wonderful lunch!
March 7, 2013
I had a fabulous girls’ dinner last year at The Refectory. Despite the fact that were were surrounded by couples in the ultra-romantic atmosphere, we had a great time sharing wine, amazing food, and gossip!
March 7, 2013
I was always “that crazy Restaurant Week” person at Children’s until I organized the fabulous Katzinger’s and Pistachia Vera lunch.
March 7, 2013
I’m afraid I don’t have a Dine Originals memory. Raising two kids leaves little time for date nights. Now that they are older, we look forward to more night’s out ‘specially during the week. We have been enjoying Columbus Food Adventures tours and even brought the kids with us to the last one.
March 8, 2013
My friend Jody & I had our “1st date” at Hubbard Grille. We were both new to the area & mutual friends thought we’d get along. We had a great meal, their short ribs & shrimp appetizer i’m still dreaming about.. We are now BFFs and i couldn’t imagine life in Columbus with out her.
March 8, 2013
My girlfriend and I had a wonderfully romantic and fun night at Alana’s or the first time this summer.
March 8, 2013
Years ago we enjoyed fried squash blossoms at La Tavola during Dine Originals week. Now we grow our own squash – but more for the blossoms than the fruit so that we can recreate this dish all summer long.
March 8, 2013
I discovered Dine Originals week when I moved back to Columbus to attend grad school. It provided a way for my grad school friends to dine out a bit better than our normal budgets allowed. We still try and get together during DO week for dinners.
March 8, 2013
Last year my husband and I attended dine originals at The Refectory. I have previously attended, years before, with coworkers. The experience was so amazing that I wanted my husband to experience it as well. The staff and environment were like nothing I had ever seen. The place just shined of class and the food was absolutely scrumptious. I loved how educated the staff were in the preperations of the meals. I knew that this experience would enlighten my husbands taste buds. We both decided on the date which was close to our anniversary. How perfect? Not only was this experience with my husband great, it couldn’t have been more perfect. We are a younger couple with little knowledge of wine pairings. With our recent trip to the put-n-bay winery we decided to try a dessert wine with our meal. Not being a huge wine fan I had learned that they were super sweet and I may actually like it. After receiving the glass, which the waiter divided into two glasses, I took a sip and a cringe came upon my face. I quickly scooted my glass closer to my husband and continued on with my dinner. The waiter noticed I had done this and asked the problem. I told him I’m just not a wine person. He gave me a look and off he went. He returned with three glasses of wine, without being asked. He tutored me on how to swirl the glass, sniff the wine, and sip slowly so that I could clearly taste the wine. I tried all three with his techniques and enjoyed two of them very much. Whoever knew I would actually find a wine which I could enjoy? Electra Moscato California Orange Muscat is my absolute fav!! The staff went over and beyond to accommodate us. Not only were we out of our usual fast food meals but they went into great detail explaining the processes the food underwent and which wines paired the best. This was the greatest and funnest experience I have ever had at any restaurant! Thanks Refectory for making my anniversary day even more special.
March 8, 2013
My husband and I had a delicious first anniversary dinner at G. Michaels Bistro recently. All our friends and family know to get us Dine Originals Gift Certificates for the holidays!
March 8, 2013
my wife (^up there) told me to enter this contest to double our chances of winning, so here we are. plus, we love rigsby’s, so this would kick ass!
March 8, 2013
I visited Rigsby’s Kitchen last year with a group of my co-workers and I can honestly say it was one of the most memorable meals I have ever had and I cannot wait to go back. I had the lunch special which was pasta with pesto, vegetables and shrimp. It was so good!!!
March 8, 2013
While I was pregnant I went on the Short North Walking tour and Rigby’s was one of the stops. I never even knew it existed before that. We sampled the eggplant parmesan and it was amazing. Both mom and baby were happy. I would love the chance to take my husband back to Rigby’s for the same great experience. Oh and Dirty Frank’s is pretty sweet too.
March 8, 2013
We volunteered for Dine Original’s during the Art fair downtown last year and it was a great opportunity to try unbelievable food from the Dine Original participating restaurants booth, work with wonderful people and meet the chefs. Couldn’t have been a more perfect experience. Great food, great people, art and a beautiful day.
March 8, 2013
Last summer, two of my friends and I helped out by volunteering for the Dine Originals restaurants that were at the Columbus Arts Festival. We learned how to make and serve the food and had a great time, but would love the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a dinner at Rigby’s.
March 8, 2013
Dinner at Skillet pre-engagement in November! Yummy
March 8, 2013
My wife and I have attended Dine Originals for the last 5 years or so. We’ve had so many good experiences, it’s hard to pick just one. We attended lunch at Barcelona last year after my wife’s grandfathers funeral. It was a sad time, but Barcelona helped put a smile on her face. It reminded her of all the good times with her pap instead of focusing on his death. We’ve had the opportunity to try so many different types of foods from Lamb Wellington and Duck Tostadas (Black Creek Bistro), Escargo (The Top), Alpaca Terrain (The Refectory), and Corn Cream Brulee just to name a few. My wife and I love to branch out and try new foods and new combinations, that’s why Dine Originals is perfect for us! There’s a reason for the saying “The heart of a man is through his stomach” and it’s safe to say I’m all yours! Hah Rigsbys would be a great restaurant to add to the list!
March 9, 2013
My husband and I love Basi. We ate there on the night we got engaged a little over a year ago, and I have also named my cat after the restaurant. Rigsby’s, Betty’s and Tip Top are our other favorites!
March 9, 2013
It’s the grilled cheese Mondays at Bodega for me. Great food with good friends (without breaking the bank)!
March 9, 2013
I’ve discovered so many Columbus gems thanks to Dine Originals!! Alana’s is incredible and we now visit often. Next, I can’t wait to try the Scotch Egg at Trattoria Roma.. might become my new favorite.
March 9, 2013
For years, I’d make an excel sheet for dine originals week with pricing, links to the menus and my rating of how interested I was. Then I’d send this excel sheet to my friends and it made making decisions easier. That sheet always made me feel accomplished.
March 9, 2013
My wife and I are suckers for Barcelona and Basi. Food is always great at both restaurants and we LOVE their patios. Spring is just around the corner and so is patio weather… I hope!
March 9, 2013
Dine Originals helped us discover Black Creek Bistro. The exposure to menu wonderful local establishments makes it a special week.
March 9, 2013
I love dine originals! Such a great way to try new places…it’s how I discovered skillet! Looking forward to this again!
March 10, 2013
All our Dine originals experiences seem to have one thing in common. Great service on top of outstanding food. The service at all the members restaurants is always engaging, servers who know the food, speak passionately about the preperation and are knowledgable about eating local.
March 10, 2013
Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. The competition is now closed. We chose the winner with a random number generator. The winner was entry number 3 John McCauley.
Congratulations John, we hope you have a wonderful time.