A "Kick Ass" Time at Studio 35

Part of what we hope to do here at Date Night with Keith and Lisa is to provide a little spice. Whether it’s a tasty new flavor, restaurant, or dish you haven’t tried yet, or a feast for the eyes on screen, we hope to elevate your weekend beyond the bland, everyday, same old stuff. With that being said, let me make my first film related suggestion- go to the movie theater.

So, you’re probably thinking, thanks genius, we already knew that. But wait. You can go out to the movies any weekend. If you’re going to make it a movie night, don’t just head to the Lennox for the millionth time. Make it a worthwhile date night that provides an atmosphere so worthwhile, it will transcend what happens onscreen.

If you haven’t been to Studio 35 yet, this unique theater should be first on your list. Located “in the heart of Clintonville,” on Indianola and Milford, it offers pizza, great beer on tap from Columbus Brewing Company, and first run features, as well as cult favorites, including“The Big Lebowski.” (Their annual Dude Fest, usually in January, is a hot ticket. It sold out this year). Lisa and I headed there recently to see Kick-Ass, which as the title suggests, is pretty kick ass. And I’ve probably read that quote in about 5 dozen reviews so far, so it’s accurate.

The parking is sparse, so make sure to get there early. And while you have time to kill, try a Barley’s Scottish Ale, a favorite of Lisa and myself. After all, it is the “Studio 35 Cinema and DRAFTHOUSE.” We already ate before we went, but the menu has pizza, subs and salads, so you could chow down while you wait. Take a look at all the cool chalkboards and the T shirts for sale in the lobby while you’re there. There’s a great art school/hipster vibe about the place, but not enough to scare off the Banana/J Crew crowd and self-proclaimed anti-hipsters (i.e. me). It’s definitely cozier and more adventurous than the circa 1996 photos of Julia Roberts and Leo DiCaprio at AMC Easton or the frightening orange, lime green and purple that surround you at Cinemark theaters.

The prices are not that bad. At $7.00 for draft beers and $7.50 for tickets, we’ll definitely be back. The seating is in a larger, old school auditorium, which has a few tables for those who plan to snack while they watch. The seats are not as cushy as AMC, but there’s no annoying usher asking you to move to the center of the row either. My biggest pet peeve at the theater is when some snotty 15 year old wielding a Mag-Lite thinks they can squeeze a few more people in at the last second, when I’ve already staked out my seat in advance. You’ll find none of that here.

In fact, you’ll find some interesting 40s inspired murals on the side walls, and a crowd that is actually there to ENJOY THE MOVIE, not text, make out, or create their own sideshow. All you’ll hear around you in laughter, cheers, and people who are there to soak up the atmosphere, entertainment and adult beverages. It’s a very chill place to have a Kick-Ass time.

-Studio 35’s website
www.columbusbrewingco.com –Columbus Brewing Company, one of the beers on tap, and a great local beer, if you’re not yet aware, FYI
www.kickass-themovie.com- Kick-Ass movie website. For the movie. The site’s pretty cool too I guess.

Mazah Mediterranean Eatery

Mazah Mediterranean Eatery is one of our new favorites in Columbus! Keith and I have been there together twice and I've been there two additional times. We've ordered and split the large sampler (about $12) as well as a couple of other menu items and highly recommend this restaurant. Located on Grandview Ave., this Mediterranean, family-owned restaurant is very reasonably priced, offers carry-out or eat-in (only a handful of tables). I love the five-bean salad and chicken schwarma and both Keith and I LOVE the falafel. The hummus is the smoothest I've ever tasted (seriously, how do they get it so smooth?!) I've gone back just to take home the creamy hummus dripping with extra virgin olive oil and tahini and sprinkled with paprika.

This would be a great lunch or weeknight dinner date spot for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. I have had better baklava ... but this is the only dessert I've tried so far. Keith has a much bigger sweet tooth than me :)

During my latest trip to Mazah, the waitress said that they are working on obtaining their liquor license, so fellow wine lovers, stay tuned.

Check out the Columbus Dispatch's review:
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/weekender/stories/2010/01/28/9A_JON28.ART_ART_01-28-10_T6_0HGCGOS.html?sid=101

And Columbus Alive's review:
http://www.columbusalive.com/live/content/features/stories/2010/01/07/ca_fo_menu_mazah.html?sid=108

And this review by fellow food blogger Nothing Better to Do:
http://deraj1013.blogspot.com/2010/04/mazah-mediterranean-eatery.html

Next on our list of restaurants to try is AAB Indian Restaurant. It just opened in Grandview last weekend. We've heard good things from friends and are eager to try it.

-Lisa and Keith