Local Favorites

Hi everyone--

Since so many people seem to be new to town, I thought I would share two Columbus websites with you all: Columbus Underground and Metromix Columbus. I've been here two years and still turn to these often for ideas about where to go out for dinner, drinks, shows, etc. I've found that the reviews of restaurants and bars (esp. on the Columbus Underground pages) have been very helpful and almost always accurate-- through them I've found my favorite sushi joints, happy hour spots, cheap eats, etc.

And in fact, since we're (well, I'm) talking about favorites, I'm just going to throw a list out there now with some possible suggestions for people (and anyone else who has been in C-bus for a while should add their ideas too!): Great sushi at Akai Hana and Blue Ginger; upscale happy hours and awesome ambiance at Barcelona , Burgundy Room, and the relatively-new Barrio Tapas; delicious microbrews and bar menu at Barley's; fun Thursday night dancing at Ladies 80s (@ Skully's in the Short North); and late-night eats at the Blue Danube (or "Blue Dube," as you will hear it called around Denney).

Also, some of the most unique restaurants in Columbus are the four Liz Lessner-owned joints scattered throughout the Short Nort and downtown: Surly Girl (an English dept. fave, where I always run into folks); Betty's; Tip Top Kitchen; and the newest addition, Dirty Frank's. Each has a cool theme (pirates, pinups, cowboys, etc) and feel, and really delicious food and cocktails. Definitely check them out if you get a chance.

Hope some of these suggestions help, and looking forward to hearing more as everyone learns their way around the city!

Theresa in the middle

Thanks to Rachel for the post title, this is how the pic of me in Wednesday's slide show is labeled. Catchy, I thought!

I'm a first-year PhD student (originally from San Francisco, just moved here from Ann Arbor), focusing on Project Narrative and I already love living in Columbus with my pup, Lili. She is a blue-eyed cockerpoo with a super mellow personality unless an annoying dog gets in her face or anyone messes with me.

One of my major passions is painting. 2009 is my first major exhibition year. You can see my art web site here: TheresaRojas dot com

I'm Mexican-American (Chicana) and fluent in Spanish, though fairly out of practice. My family back in California tells me that I have a weird accent after 11 years in Michigan. I miss really good Mexican food!

One of my pet peeves is not having a pen handy when I need to write something, so you'll find cups full of them all over my home. I still write longhand letters and love to get fun care packages in the mail (who doesn't?). I also put a high value on family and friendship. I always return pens when I steal them. Borrow. I meant to say that I borrow them.

I am fabulously excited to be here!

Here's a better pic of The Lili: