Kitchen Ink

Ale's well that ends well

by G.A. Benton

WILL SHILLING PHOTO

Jeni Britton

Unibroue is not a single, unbroken hairy appendage growing above a hirsute man's eyeline. No, it's a brewery out of Quebec, Canada, that specializes in potent ales. I'm talking head-knocking, ass-kicking, put you down at night and wake up with you in the morning strong.

If you haven't heard of this brewery, you've probably seen or drunk its demonic offspring—beers like Fin du Monde (the aptly named "End of the World") and Maudite ("Damned").

These brews have been making the rounds lately and are made in a bold Belgian style. This includes being bottled with some leftover yeast, which imparts flavors and enables longer bottle aging. These beers are not for sissies.

This week, La Chatelaine will be hosting a four-food course, five-ale course sip-n-sup party that will feature Unibroue's brewmaster, Rick Suarez. To match up with his Belgian-style beers (ranging in strength from five to nine percent ABV) there will be Belgian/French style dishes like shrimp cooked in beer, a steak au poivre with Belgian fries (i.e. twice-fried), Belgian cheeses and a dessert course. Tab: $50.

Sunday, March 25 at 5 p.m., the Worthington location will host; Monday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m., the Upper Arlington location is the place. Contact La Chatelaine at 614-488-1911 for info and reservations.

More drinks and eats

The Gallo family—you know, of massive California wine fame and fortune—have announced the finalists in their nationwide Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal awards.

These awards offer media attention, money and some highfalutin NYC wining and dining to a select few who qualify as top producers of artisinal food products. The prestigious judging panel includes the president emeritus of the Culinary Institute of America and TV personality Sara Moulton, among others.

Ohioans who have made it deep into the competition are Milo's Whole World Gourmet out of Athens and Columbus' own Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. Good luck, Jeni!

More food on North High

The exceptional Northstar Café has recently opened up a northern satellite right around Cooke Road and High Street. This Northstar is much more roomy, has much more parking and potentially much more kitchen potential.

A quick looksee showed it currently to be working off an identical menu to the Short North original, but once its opening bugs get worked out, who knows? (Soup, anyone?) Northstar Café is located at 4241 N. High St.; dial 614-784-2233 for info.

A little bit north of Northstar North is a new falafel/kebab shop called Pita Hut. The little hut sells inexpensive cold salads cafeteria style, plus fries and made-to-order shawarmas and other sandwiches ($5) loaded with grilled onions, veggies, pickles and plenty of spices and sauces.

It's more of a take-out operation, but does have a few tables for eating in. Pita Hut is located at 4655 N. High St. Call 614-433-0996.

E-mail food news and comestible comments to gbenton@columbusalive.com

March 22nd, 2007