OOO #57: Outfits, Ohio, and Other Things I Like
An attack on my vocabulary, probably my favorite resto in Columbus, stamps!, and a new section
Outfits
Ohio
I think I have proclaimed various restaurants to be my favorite restaurant in Columbus SEVERAL times, but if I’m making a determination based on repeat visits, my favorite restaurant might actually be Bistrolino in German Village. If I want to go out to dinner AND want to go somewhere I know will be consistently excellent no matter what I order, I go to Bistrolino.
My husband and I first stumbled upon Bistrolino on a walk in our first year here in Columbus. We impulsively stopped for drinks and an appetizer and were hooked. Bistrolino’s menu is a mix of Lebanese (one co-owner is Lebanese) and Italian (the other co-owner is Italian and from New York) cuisine, and since we both know I love the Middle East and Italy, this place is the ultimate mix of places that make me happy. Bistrolino is one of the few places in Columbus that serves several dishes with za’atar in it/on it, so if za’atar is your thing, please go. I still dream about the za’atar-covered croissant I ate in the Starbucks on the Muscat corniche, and Bistrolino’s za’atar flatbread makes me ten times happier than that croissant did.
I went to Bistrolino again last night, and I forgot to take photos because I was too preoccupied with the food 🤷🏻♀️. I started off with their brussel sprouts (which we get every time) and then had their eggplant parmesan for my entrée. Their eggplant parmesan is made how it should be: with eggplant pieces that have not been breaded and fried. I ended the evening with a little cannolo—to be honest, I wish I had ordered three more.
Bistrolino’s atmosphere is relaxed but chic, and they have achieved their goal of recreating the “experience of the neighborhood bistros of New York. Small, friendly places that served simple food with good ingredients.” Bistrolino is also attached to the Ferdinand lounge, which serves excellent drinks.
I love this place and would go every weekend if I could.
Other Things I Like
There are few companies I am more loyal to than rubberstamps.net. It is such a niche topic to write about, but I feel very passionate about this company!
I was OBSESSED with a little rubber stamp with my name on it that my parents gave me when I was little (in addition to the dozens of animal/shape/hieroglyph rubber stamps I also had), and since the best part of being an adult with a bit of disposable income is indulging in the things you liked as a kid, I have bought myself quite a few personalized rubber stamps since I first found rubberstamps.net. I am particularly fond of this company over others because they are a small, family-owned business based in Iowa (you know by now I’m all in on the midwest). I also like them because:
They produce their work quicker than I would expect, and it’s always accurate. Personalized merchandise always stressed me out (especially because I’ve been burned by sloppy companies in the past), but these guys are professional!
They have EVERYTHING you could want related to stamps in both personal and professional settings. I have purchased stamps for my Save the Dates and in lieu of return address labels; I have some from multiple residences at this point. I currently have my eye on designing a personalized “ex libris” embosser for my books because I am slightly insufferable/a bonne vivante.
They send out maybe one newsletter a year and always preface it something along the lines of “we only send you guys emails when it’s important.” I’ll never unsubscribe because they are judicious with their mailing list.
If you’re tired of using sticker return address labels or want a rubber stamp for your business (or just for fun), check out rubberstamps.net. They are a wonderful company run by, from what I can tell, good people.
Old News
I’m adding a new section (which may not appear in every issue, depending on what I find or if I remember) called “Old News.” I will share various media from the past week that is relevant to my interests and topics I’ve subjected you to in the past. Think: Henry VIII, jam, Italy, sweaters… that kind of thing.
I typically write OOO on Sunday, so by the time it gets to you, it’s definitely old news. Some of it isn’t even news. Some of it is just an Instagram post. Whatever.
Here’s my roundup from the last week or so:
The latest in pizza news (pizza news deserves it’s own section in The New York Times): “Can New Haven’s Legendary Pizza Joints Play on the National Stage?” My answer: why not? My husband and I went to Frank Pepe’s in New Haven in June 2015 and LOVED IT.
The “FEUD: Capote v. The Swans” trailer is out. I don’t see any mention of Marella Agnelli, but I’m still excited for it nonetheless. I can’t wait to pair it with Laurence Leamer’s Capote’s Women. We need more Babe Paley content in general. Anyway, GET HIM, LADIES.
The last segment (17:13) of the January 3rd episode of “The Intelligence” from The Economist (you know I love The Economist) talks about the decline of French women wearing high heels.
A friend (hi, Julianne!) sent me this reel from “@robotnoises” on Instagram that ranks the flavors from the Bonne Maman advent calendar. Hard agree on the guava.
That’s it! Have a great rest of your week!