Spring Explore Columbus

For our second semester explore Columbus activity, Maddy and I went to eat dinner at Brassica. Brassica is a build your own sandwich and salad place that specializes in brassica, which is the scientific name for cabbage. Brassica has four different locations in the Short North, Bexley, Upper Arlington, and Shaker Heights. This evening, we visited the establishment in the Short North, which is located at 680 N High Street. For lent this year, Maddy became a vegan, and I became a vegetarian. When trying to find a place to eat dinner at, we had to make sure the restaurant had accommodations for plant-based diets. We both love Mediterranean food and heard that Brassica had good falafel pitas and well-cooked vegetables. Maddy and I were both looking forward to catching up on each other’s semesters and trying out a new restaurant.

Maddy and I rode the COTA bus down into the Short North. Brassica is at the corner of High Street and Brickel Street, so the bus ride from south campus took a little less than ten minutes. The COTA bus is very helpful for when students need to go up and down High Street because just having to swipe your BuckID to hop on a bus on the east side of campus that simply runs the length of High Street is quick and convenient. Maddy and I missed the closest bus stop, so we got off the bus at the Russell Street stop. We walked north along High Street to Buttles Street, to cross the road at a crosswalk. After crossing the road, we then walked south along High Street, to the restaurant.

Walking around the Short North was so nice because the weather was perfect. Sometimes, as students, it is difficult to spend time outside, other than walking to our classes, because we are so busy between classes, homework, and finals week coming up. Most of our time is spent at a desk indoors. I am glad Maddy and I had the chance to spend a little time walking around outside while the sun was still out.

The Brassica restaurant in the Short North has developed a unique space with a modern and industrial setting. From the exposed brick and green tiles covering the walls, to the marble tables, to the chalkboard signs and menu, to the thick metal rings used to hold up the pitas, Brassica was warm and inviting. When you first walk into the establishment, you are greeted by a large metal oven where the employees are baking the pita breads as you order.

Ordering works similarly to that at Chipotle, where you ask for a pita and a type of protein, then move down the line to choose from a wide variety of cooked vegetables to add to your pita. Maddy and I both ordered falafel pitas and shared a side of fries. The food tasted fantastic. The falafel was flavorful, and all the vegetables were seasoned and roasted to perfection. Maddy and I have found that the most frustrating aspect about dining on campus is the lack of well-cooked vegetables. At the majority of the dining establishments on campus, the vegetables are either steamed until they are mushy, served cold, despite being cooked, or are in limited variety. Getting to eat well-cooked vegetables, seasoned like my parents would have cooked them at home, was a treat.

After eating and having good conversations, Maddy and I took an Uber back to campus because we were tight with time due to our evening plans.

I would absolutely go back to Brassica in the Short North again, and I will recommend it to anyone looking for restaurant recommendations as well. Now that lent it over, I would like to go back to try out some of the other protein options, such as the glazed lamb bacon or the brisket. I would also like to try out some of the other locations Brassica has to see how to establishments differ.

This Explore Columbus Activity was a fantastic way to experience different aspects of the city that students don’t always get the opportunity to try out. Trying out new restaurants in a new city lets you see and experience the cultural background of the city and what locals like to eat and experience. I had been saying that I wanted to go to Brassica for over a year now because I had heard so many good things about its food from people who have lived in Columbus for a long time, but I never found the time or opportunity to go. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to spend good quality time and experience this wonderful restaurant with Maddy.

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