Monday, March 14, 2011

Restaurant Review: Basil

This week is Dine Originals in Columbus.  It is similar to restaurant week where you can order a three or four course meal for $15-35 per person depending on the restaurant.  Generally there is a preset menu you can select from.  Since I love food, I always use these events as an excuse to go and try a new restaurant.  Moe and I went to Basil in the Short North this past weekend.  I have been dying to try it for some time so I was so excited when I called and found out they had a cancellation and could fit us in! 

Soup:  Moe got the Tom Ka soup (a full flavored soup made with your choice of chicken or vegetables; stewed in rich broth of coconut milk, galingale root, citrus leaves, lemon grass, mushrooms, green onions and cilantro*) and I got the vegetable soup (spiced chicken broth with ground chicken, vermicelli & mixed vegetables*).  Both the soups were full of flavor; however, my preference was the Tom Ka.  It was so unique and I wasn't a fan of how much garlic was used in the vegetable soup. 

Appetizer:  Moe got the vegetable tempura which was deep fried and heavy (as expected).  I got the crispy rolls (crispy rice wrapper stuffed with ground chicken, vermicelli, egg & bean sprouts; topped with tart plum sauce & ground peanuts*).  It was heavy as well but because it was a small portion it didn't leave me with a overwhelmingly full feeling. 

Main Course:  We ordered the yellow curry and the Key Mow.  Yellow curry was a traditional chicken with red skin potatoes in a yellow curry sauce.  The Key Mow was a wide rice noodles tossed with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, bean sprouts, and Thai basil.  Since Moe and I are just venturing into the Thai world and tolerating spicy foods, we ordered everything medium (which we were super proud of ourselves for)!  To my surprise, I thought they had the perfect amount of heat (Moe thought the Key Mow was a bit hot but he wasn't sure if it was because he burned his tongue on the soup or if it really was hot).  Both entrees were outstanding; however, I would say the yellow curry chicken was my favorite!

Dessert:  The restaurant gave us a voucher to the attic to get a cupcake.  The Attic was a vintage store next to Basil that I had never seen before.  Moe ended up buying a tie and tie clip in addition to getting a red velvet cupcake to go! The store was relatively inexpensive so whenever I am in need of some good costume jewelry or vintage clothing, I will definitely keep this place in mind. 

All in all, I would DEFINITELY recommend this to any of my friends and family.  Moe and will be making another dinner reservation there in the near future!

- Miss J

http://www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com/

http://www.basilshortnorth.com/

*Dish discriptions from the Basil menu.

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