The Bottom Line
Pros
- The crab cakes. The salmon cakes are an acceptable substitute,
- The desserts.
- Happy hour prices that include $5 meal-size appetizers.
- Many of the ingredients are grown on the owners farm.
- Intriguing art exhibits rotate on and off the brick walls.
Cons
- The bread.
- Emphasis on locally-grown foods means that your favorites aren't always available.
- Can get very crowded on weekends.
Description
- Address: 51 Parsons Ave, Columbus. Park in the lot across Parsons from the restaurant.
- Phone: (614) 246-9662
- Hours: M-Th: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; F: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat: 4-11 p.m.
- Happy Hours: M-F, 4-7 p.m.
- Fax: (614) 246-9664
Guide Review - Black Creek Bistro
You never know what will be on the Black Creek Bistro's menu. Most of the produce and meat comes from the owner’s farm, so the menu varies with the season. That doesn’t limit the chefs. They play with tastes and textures, creating dishes that surprise, but still taste like comfort food.
Delicious comfort food. The oven-roasted chicken ($18) comes with red bliss mashed, garlicky creamed corn and red wine pan sauce. The Olde Towne fried shrimp appetizer (six shrimp: $9 regular; $5 Happy Hour) comes with a tabasco aioli for dipping. The smooth blend of olive oil, garlic, egg and tabasco has a little kick, but doesn’t overpower the shrimp. The lamb small plates ($16) and roasted pork loin large plate ($19 when available) are subtly seasoned. Familiar foods, dressed up for guests.
That’s one key to Black Creek’s success: You’re treated as a true guest. The owners and staff take a personal interest in what they’re serving you. Staff is friendly, and offers tastes of the featured wines if you’re curious.
One of the friendliest features is Black Creek’s Happy Hour pricing. From 4-7 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, all appetizers are $5. Wines of the week are $5-$6 a glass, and there are special prices for beer and mixed drinks. The crab cakes appetizer (2 crab cakes, $9 regular; $5 Happy Hour) and a summer bistro salad ($6) makes a filling meal. Black Creek also offers two $10 specials nightly until they run out.
Save room for dessert. Pastry chef Michelle gives new life to old standbys. The citrus pot au creme ($9) is a tangy lemon-lime-grapefruit custard, topped with blueberries and fresh whipped cream for a perfect mix of bite and sweetness. Custard never tasted s good.
My only quibble is that the rolls are average. I almost suspect that it’s purposeful – the restaurant’s version of “Don’t eat too much bread or you’ll spoil your dinner.”