req: Eating out in Columbus, Oh & NYC

 First of all I am going to Columbus, Oh. I would very much
> appreciate tips for both affordable day-in-day-out places
> aswell as information on real gourmet places.

FINALLY!  Someone is coming to Columbus!  My two favorite day-in-day-out places are Katzingers (at the entrance to German Village at Livingston and 3rd) for the best deli (corned beef and LOTS of gourmet stuff) - better than any NY deli, believe it or not!  For a high cholesterol pig out try their #31:  corned beef, pastrami, cole slaw and thousand island dressing on rye, of course (the BEST rye bread!)  They also make a fantastic vegetarian sandwich (roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts and other stuff.)  The second place is Le Chatelaine.  They have two locations, one on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington and the other on High Street in Worthington.  Their Caesar Salad is the best I've ever had anywhere.  And even if you don't like macaroons you MUST try one of theirs.

My favorite gourmet type places are Rigsby's on High Street just north of downtown and Tapatio's (on Park also just north of downtown.)  Everything on the menu is terrific at both places.  I don't like the Refectory (it smells musty to me) but it's generally considered to be the "best" restaurant in Columbus.

                                                Judy

for something different in columbus, try grand vu or bacchus (which i think is now called pierre's bistro).  they are both located in grandview.  also, it sounds like you want to stay away from pizza, but figlio's offers great "gourmet pizza", pasta, salads and desserts.  i have eaten here several times and have never been disappointed.  figlio's is located a block from grand vu.

Laurie L. Miraglia