So excited to take the family to the Old Mohawk! Usually we head to the Spaghetti Warehouse after the theater but not this time!!  We headed over to German Village and found the Old Mohawk, parked and walked a few steps on the cobblestone walk to the entrance.  The little brick homes in the Village were decorated with wreaths and bows and looked like they were out of a storybook.  The Old Mohawk looked weathered and worn but filled with locals who know where to go for good food and service,  We sat right down and my husband commented that we stuck out like sore thumbs.  My husband may of felt that way but the kids and I did not. We are used to getting out of the burbs and being adventurous!   Our server told us there was no kids menu, but I was not surprised.  I told the server it was no big deal because I am sure that my kids will eat anything that is fried.  We ordered the Fish n Chips for my kids to split, I ordered the Mini Burgers with Potato Pancakes and the husband ordered French Onion Soup. The kids always snarl their noses at the pungent smell of french onion soup, I just laugh!  The potato pancakes were delish, the burgers were dried up patties that seemed as though they were cooked yesterday and then microwaved today. French onion soup was outstanding and it was surreal watching my husband dip potato chips in the bit of soup left in his bowl.  The picture to the left is half of the fish n chips order!  The fish was awesome, possibly the best fish n chips in Columbus and the potato wedges (jo-jos) were nicely seasoned.  Never fear everyone Little Joe pulled his usual when eating fish n chips, which is to slather it all in malt vinegar and lick his chops.  SMAC Approved!  Get out of the burbs!!!  http://www.theoldmohawk.com/

Food, Family and Fun! That was how the Greek Festival was this year for Little Joe and his family! If you did not make it to the festival this year, I hope these pictures inspire you to go downtown to the cathedral next fall!  Enjoy the slideshow. OPA!

YES! I took my Little Joe on a food tasting adventure downtown at the North Market located on Spruce Street.  Little Joe was not sure what to expect, but was very curious if there were any samples of food to taste.  I assured him that we would get plenty of foods to taste!  Parking at the North Market is really EASY.  You can park in the North Market lot and if you make a purchase, have the merchant stamp your receipt and you will not pay a fee. If you do not buy anything, your parking fee is $12.   Another tip is to bring some change to feed the meter parking in case the lot is full.  Little Joe and I came up with a plan to walk around the whole market to see what the food options were then we would buy our food then sit at the picnic tables outside and watch the downtown traffic.  So many options!  We settled on hummus, pita bread, pierogies, soft pretzel, chicken cutlet, macaroni and cheese and saffron roasted carrots.  Since we were tasting so many foods, I packed my own water bottles to say a few pennies!  There were lots of people on lunch breaks eating at the picnic tables, which made for some fun people watching.  Little Joe and I shared a table with a women who was very impressed that Little Joe would try all these foods.  Little Joe is a big hummus eater and thought the hummus from the market was better than the kind we buy at Giant Eagle.  The pierogies looked tempting in the buttery onion sauce, but were a little on the dry side.  The pretzel, was super yummy and would beat the socks of an Auntie Ann's pretzel from the mall any day.  The chicken cutlet was very tender and Little Joe thought macaroni and cheese was very good.  The saffron roasted carrots were questionable.  Little Joe did not care for the saffron and I have to admit neither did I.  After our lunch we went back in the market and snapped some photos then stopped at CaJohns. CaJohns had salsas, hot sauces and BBQ sauces out to taste.  Little Joe loves BBQ sauce so we purchased a bottle to take home.  We then rounded the corner and came to Mozart's Bakery case.  Little Joe chose a chocolate dipped biscotti and I chose a florentine.  Little Joe thought the market was fun and wants to come back with his Daddy and his sister.  This is a great adventure for the whole family!  SMAC Approved!

"Mommy, when can we go on an adventure?....Mommy, where can we go to lunch?... Mommy, what's for lunch today?...Mommy,when can we eat Greek food again?", Little Joe nags.  I calmly reply.. "ALRIGHT! Let's go to Greek Express, but I'm not sure what fast food Greek will be like."   We arrived at Greek Express at 8685 Sancus Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43240 (614) 841-1700 during the busy lunch hour.  You could smell lemon and garlic in the parking lot!  We entered and the decor was not bad for fast food.  We ordered and I was glad to see a big leg of lamb spinning on a spit behind the counter. Trust me this is a good thing.  Little Joe of course wanted Spanikopita, but at Greek Express they are called Spinach Pies. So we ordered 1 mini gyro, 1 spinach pie, 1 order of dolmathes.  I also noted that a kids menu and Chicago Corner Menu was offered featuring American Cuisine.  I am not sure why I would order a hot dog at a Greek Place...   We sat down and Little Joe was very excited about his Spinach Pie.  Little Joe licked his lips after his first bite and said, "Mommy, spinach makes you strong! So Spanikopita is good for you right?"  Right Little Joe, all deep fried foods with spinach and cheese inside are good for you at least in my book!  My favorite at greek food to try is the Dolmathes. Dolmathes are grape leaves that are filled with lamb, rice and spices and rolled up and have a lemon sauce drizzled on top.  Greek Express give you an order of 4 Dolmathes swimming in sauce.  The grape leaves were a little tough and the filling was under seasoned, but the SAUCE was lemonlicious.  I love lemon and garlic.  Little Joe asked for a taste of the sauce and he raised his eyebrows and said, "Can I have spoon?"  I knew that kid was a chip off his Mother's block!  Little Joe and I polished off the lemon sauce with spoons and some pita bread.  Now let's foucus on that Leg of Lamb on the spit from earlier.  The meat is shaved directly off the spit into your warm pita.  The lamb was very tender and well seasoned.  I was very pleased with the lamb, but Little Joe said he did not like it. O'well, maybe one day he will understand the was meat off the spit tastes so good especially after a night out on OSU's Campus!  Try Greek Express! greekexpress1.com
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-Written by Valerie Delmonico, Mommy of Little Joe