Two Fish Bistro

August 27, 2013

Yes, it has been an unforgivably long time since this food and drink blog targeted at veggie-types interested in Columbus' many great restaurants and bars has hit the virtual press. But I will be attempting a Short North Food Tour of sorts over the next few months. I am working my way south on the west side of High St. from Buttles to downtown and then will work my way back on the east side, up to 5th Ave., and then back down the west side to Buttles, attempting to hit every restaurant and bar along the way. This may take more than a couple months. Chalk it up to a desire to become intimately knowledgeable with my environment. And everyone knows the Short North now is more about restaurants than it is about galleries. Ah well, that's okay with me...

So, first on the list is Two Fish Bistro http://www.twofishbistro.com/. This was a Tuesday night around 6pm, so the place was not exactly hopping...just my speed. I was seated near the windows and enjoyed the open, clean space around me. My server was pleasant and took my drink order.

The Great Lakes Oktoberfest was a nice honey amber, malty and mellow. And the $2 off happy hour drafts from 5-7 was nice. I give it a 4/5.

I ordered the Crispy Tofu Salad, a large, filling salad of fresh greens, just-right crispy outside and tender inside tofu, cucumbers, fried basil, ripe avocado, pimiento, shredded carrots, and a delicious balanced lightly creamy dressing that really pulled it all together. My only complaint? $13 is a bit pricey for a salad, no matter how big it is. And Northstar's is bigger, and I hesitate to pay that much there. I remember when salads were an afterthought and cost about $3. I just gave my age away. Apparently my heyday was sometime in the 1950s. Okay, I'm not that old. I give this salad a 4.5/5.

Because I wanted to take advantage of the 1/2 off sushi M-Th., I also ordered the garden roll. I got six pieces of sticky-rice surrounding seaweed, surrounding morsels of avocado, zucchini, and asparagus, with the requisite wasabi and fresh ginger and a splash of soy sauce. They were tasty and exactly what I expected. 4/5.

The server was helpful in pointing out vegetarian options, pleasant and attentive without hovering, so 4/5 there. And the atmosphere was inviting and light.

Overall, I give Two Fish a 4/5.