Upper Arlington, OH: The Country Club District

Overview

UA, as it is referred to, was established in 1913 by Ben and King Thompson as an idealistic country-club district and was incorporated in 1918. The original 840-acre village was developed (south of Lane Avenue) using the distinctive Pitkin Plan, which is seen to this day in the wide, curving, and tree-lined streets and balanced layout of municipal, educational, retail, and residential buildings. The plan was tweaked in the 1920s to include the Mallway business district, and after substantial population growth, Upper Arlington became a city in 1941. In 1985, the Upper Arlington Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. South of Lane Avenue is where to find the most dramatic stone houses, many of which are landmarked, and all of which are expensive. Even if you can't buy a house, just drive through and gawk.

Quick Tips:

The city puts on a very reputable Labor Day Arts Festival, but its biggest community celebration is the 4th of July Parade and fireworks. You’ll find medium-sized shopping centers, small plazas, exclusive boutiques, and fine restaurants throughout the predominantly residential neighborhood. Upper Arlington puts a strong emphasis on developing an already highly esteemed school system, and the proof is in the pudding. Ninety-five percent of UA high school graduates pursue higher education.

Best Way To Get Around:

Upper Arlington is only 2 miles from the Ohio State University and an easy 6-mile drive from downtown. It is conveniently located near Routes 315 and 33. Buses travel frequently from High Street across Lane Avenue during the week, and taxis are a few dollars from campus, around from downtown Columbus.

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Alex’s Bistro On Reed

Restaurant

For 18 years, Arlington Square Strip Mall has been home to this unpretentious, upscale French bistro. The menu is posted outside so you can see what you are getting yourself into: duck, salmon, and filet mignon. Does classic French fare sound good? Then entrez vous! The dimly lit, dark wood-and-brass bar is a great place to have a cocktail before dinner, and as someone put it, the sort of place to meet your mistress! Mirrored walls and white tablecloths continue the bistro-style decor through to the dining room, where you will be spoiled with escargot and creamy pate, trout, and lamb. The menu changes seasonally, but you will always find crepes in the mix. All the items served are hormone-free, free-range, and/or organic. End your night sweetly with Alex’s ever-famous crème bruleé or chocolate mousse. Wines are available by the glass, bottle, or half-carafe, and there is occasional live entertainment in the bar.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Alex’s Bistro On Reed
4681 Reed Road Upper Arlington, Ohio
(614) 457-8887

Big Ten Subs & Salads

Restaurant | "Big Ten Subs "

So it's a sub shop, but as an official licensee of the Big Ten athletic conference, the parent company will donate a percentage of sales to scholarship funds at member universities. This flagship eatery is decorated with college memorabilia and located close to Ohio State University. They have TV’s showing different events and cater (and often host) pre-game tailgate parties. The subs are quite big, and the salads come with a surprising list of toppings, like oranges, raisins, sunflower seeds, or Chinese noodles.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Big Ten Subs & Salads
3051 Northwest Boulevard Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221
(614) 326-2410

Chef O’Nette

Restaurant

The Chef-O is a total time warp. This is no throwback diner – it’s the real deal. Seats have been swiveling at the counter since 1955, making the Chef-O an Arlington tradition for three generations. The menu is full of old-time comfort food, like fried chicken and fish sandwiches, but the mainstays of the menu are the Hangover Sandwich and the Chef-O-burger. Some people go just for the soda-fountain malts and shakes. They offer a full-service carryout area and have an antiquated drive-thru window.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Chef O’Nette
2090 Tremont Center Upper Arlington, Ohio
(614) 488-8444

El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant

Restaurant

Most people living west of the Olentangy will say to go to El Vaquero for good, authentic Mexican food, thinking this corporate-owned restaurant is a mom-and-pop shop. The decor is nothing fancy, and though there are some piñatas and blow-up Corona bottles hanging from the ceiling, it’s not as garish or fake as some Mexican chains. The Spanish-speaking wait staff is very attentive, and your refillable basket of chips and spicy salsa will seem bottomless. The food never fails to come out very fast, as if Speedy Gonzales himself made it. It will probably take you longer to figure out what you want from the 160-plus menu options than to actually get your food. Be careful, because the plates and the food arrive steaming hot and the refried beans are like liquid lava at times.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant
2195 Riverside Dr. Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221
(614) 486-4547

Figlio

Restaurant | "Figlio Arlington "

Similar to the Grandview location, this upscale eatery, pronounced "feel-io," serves designer wood-fired pizzas and creative gourmet pastas in a casual and lively dining room. It’s a very popular neighborhood gathering place, and quite often half of Arlington is in the dining room, which is probably what gives Figlio its noisy vibrancy. This is an easy place for a relaxing but quality dinner. The bar is small and classy. The pleasant fenced-in patio is quite popular for alfresco dining in the summertime.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Figlio
3712 Riverside Dr. Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221
(614) 459-6575

Hyde Park Grille

Restaurant

I hesitate to call anything the best, but will go out on a limb here and say one should come to this dark, clubby steakhouse with high expectations. Valet parking is complimentary, and one could say the caliber of cars parked outside reflect the caliber of dining you will find inside. A friendly host will guide you past the bar, where cigar-smokers and the over-30 set look equally at home, into one of the cozy, wood-paneled dining rooms.

The menu is loaded with top-quality cuts of meat that can be enhanced with any of the gourmet sauces named for Ohio sports celebrities. Steak Rahal (as in Bobby) is a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with caramelized Dijon hollandaise sauce. The house favorite is Steak Kosar (named for the Browns’ Bernie Kosar). This huge filet is topped with lobster and served in bordelaise sauce. Seafood lovers won’t be disappointed with classics such as oysters Rockefeller, lobster tails, and king crab. Like the other Hyde Park restaurants, the side dishes are varied and come portioned for two. The quality of service matches the food – world-class. Hyde Park Chop House on Frantz Road in Dublin has very similar ambience, service, and menu.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Hyde Park Grille
1615 Old Henderson Rd. Upper Arlington, Ohio 43220
(614) 442-3310

Iacono’s Pizza & Restaurant

Restaurant | "Iacono’s Pizza & Restaurant "

Iacono’s serves Italian food just like grandma made! This storefront pizzeria offers full-service carry-out, limited delivery, and a cozy eat-in dining room that is extremely family-friendly. The sauces, meats, and pizza dough are made without preservatives from recipes that have been passed down through the family. Alcohol is served in the dining room, and they have a nice selection of six-packs to carry out. Locals love the airy thin-crust pizza with its tangy sauce and crispy pepperonis. (It’s the author’s favorite!) The pastas, and even more specific, the handmade egg noodles, are the stand outs. People will drive across town for the spaghetti with meatballs. That says it all. The two other Columbus locations are in Hilliard and on Sawmill Road.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Iacono’s Pizza & Restaurant
4452 Kenny Road Upper Arlington, Ohio
(614) 451-0234

Kaya Grill and Sushi Bar

Restaurant

Kaya serves a variety of Japanese, Thai, and Korean cuisine, the latter being their specialty. They have a small sushi bar which gets mixed reviews, but almost everyone agrees the Korean BBQ is top-notch. One can sit at regular tables in the dining room or at booths with built-in grills. Kaya’s tableside grilling is unique in Columbus and offers a wide selection of grillables such as meats, seafood, shrimp, and scallops. Korean delicacies like monkfish with vegetables, cooked Japanese fare, and noodle dishes are also on the menu. The ambience is serene, and a double-sided fireplace adds to the tranquility.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Kaya Grill and Sushi Bar
4710 Reed Road Columbus, Ohio
(614) 326-2551

Kikyo Japanese Restaurant

Restaurant

Kikyo isn’t obvious, as it sits back in a somewhat dated strip mall off Route 33, but this is one of Columbus’s tried and true traditional Japanese restaurants and sushi bar. The décor is restrained, and the sushi bar is smaller than it looks. It seats about ten people comfortably, so call ahead to reserve a place if you really like to watch the edible art being made. The dining room is slightly larger and is a mix of tables and booths, while a private room is available for larger groups. They have a decent selection of wine, beers, and sake. Kikyo is closed Mondays.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Kikyo Japanese Restaurant
3706 Riverside Drive (Route 33) Columbus, Ohio
(614) 457-5277

Moretti’s of Arlington

Restaurant | "Moretti's of Arlington "

First-rate, zesty southern Italian food is served in a modern, zesty setting in this storefront restaurant, located in a part of town where strip malls are called ‘plazas’. Behind the smoky-colored glass door is a small but lively bar leading into a small but festive dining area. The walls are deep red. The paintings of Florentine bridges are colorful and glossy. The room is lit by track lighting but the fire in the fireplace is faux. Once you settle in to the (lived-in) chairs, you might not be able to get up after stuffing yourself with the sumptuous, hand-rolled pasta piled with meats and cheese. Though one will find hearty classics and pizzas on the menu, the kitchen turns out some very sophisticated dishes and nightly specials. Moretti’s is open for dinner only and closed on Sundays.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Moretti’s of Arlington
2124 Tremont Center, between Tremont & Redding Rd Upper Arlington, Ohio
(614) 486-2333

Restaurant Japan

Restaurant

This casual strip-mall restaurant has a very traditional, understated elegance. The dining room is large and unpretentious; the sushi bar is small and always busy. There isn’t anything trendy about this place but the sushi menu is extensive and the fish is very fresh and well-prepared. If you are struggling to decide what to get, order the Columbus Box, which comes with a selection of just about everything. There are a handful of Korean selections alongside the cooked Japanese fare. Tempura, deep-fried tofu, and udon noodles are house favorites. Sushi lovers claim this is the best Japanese restaurant because of the portions and atmosphere.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Restaurant Japan
1140 Kenny Center Mall Upper Arlington, Ohio
(614) 451-5411

Sher-e-Punjab

Restaurant

Located in the same shopping center as many other ethnic eateries, this casual north Indian restaurant is known primarily for its vegetarian buffet on Tuesday nights. The daily lunch buffet isn’t too shabby either. The staff is very friendly, and they serve high-quality food in a roomy dining area. Vegetarians are generally quite pleased with the selections.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Sher-e-Punjab
1140 Kenny Square Mall, off Kenny Road Columbus, Ohio
(614) 538-9790

Spiro's Scioto Inn

Restaurant

This hybrid Greek café/American diner, once located on Trabue Road, now calls Arlington home. Spiro’s opens early for breakfast, and in keeping with the Greek theme, you can order an omelet with feta and tomatoes or, if you prefer American greasy spoon, order a breakfast sandwich. A whole gamut of Mediterranean and American food can be had for lunch and dinner, but the house favorites are gyros and the pastitsio (pasta and meat covered with cream). The dining room and bar areas are both spacious, and the décor is restrained. They have several large-screen TVs to catch the games, pool tables, and live music. The bar is most lively on Saturday nights, as they play host to a karaoke party. The clientele is diverse and spans every age group, so twenty-somethings and seventy-somethings will feel right at home. Spiro’s has a small outdoor patio, but unfortunately, it overlooks Riverside Drive.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Spiro's Scioto Inn
3140 Riverside Drive (Route 33) Columbus, Ohio
(614) 481-8448

Thai Taste

Restaurant

The smell of coconut and curry greets you at the door of this very casual storefront eatery. The dining room has a makeshift ‘islandy’ feel, with umbrella tables, a waterfall of flowers, and a few fish tanks, but the food is a true taste of Thailand. The cold Thai salad gets great reviews, as do several red snapper dishes. A few Chinese entrees are included for the more mainstream. Thai Taste is open every day but closes between lunch and dinner.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Thai Taste
1178 Kenny Square Mall, off Kenny Road Columbus, Ohio
(614) 451-7605

Tommy’s Pizza

Restaurant | "Tommy's Pizza"

This place serves the best pizza in the universe. It is cheesy, the pepperonis curl up at the edges, and the crust is crisp--not too thick, not too thin. You will, however, have to pick up your pizza (or eat in), as they do not deliver. Tommy’s menu includes subs, salads, and full dinners. This restaurant is totally family-friendly, which adds to the appeal for those who live in the neighborhood.

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by DrTravel on April 15, 2005

Tommy’s Pizza
1350 W. Lane Avenue Columbus, Ohio
(614) 486-2969

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Upper Arlington

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Upper Arlington, OH: The Country Club District