Columbus, Ohio’s historic North Market recently hosted its annual Apron Gala as part of the market’s 150th anniversary celebration.



Held each year as a fundraiser, the Apron Gala supports North Market and its nonprofit operator, the North Market Development Authority, whose mission centers on preserving the historic market while fostering local entrepreneurship and independent businesses.



North Market dates back to 1876, when it opened as one of several public markets serving Columbus. Today, it remains the city’s only original public market still operating at its historic location.



Inside, nearly every vendor had a small bite to try. Here's what we were able to sample:



- American Nut Company
Bacon Pepper Marmalade Bites with bacon pepper marmalade, whipped cream cheese and Rosemary's Bar mix.



- Barrel & Boar
Piggy Smash with slow smoked pulled pork, house slaw, Carolina BBQ, pickled red onion, and jalapeno cornbread crouton



- The Barrel & Bottle
Dumpster Diving with wild Maine blueberry infused watershed four peel gin spritz



- Black Radish Creamery
It's Not Cheese Cake! with shortbread cookie, Black Radish Creamery farmers cheese, orange curd, spiced pecans and edible flowers



- Brezel
Hot Honey & Roasted Onion Melt with garlic herb butter, marinara, mozzarella, colby jack, North Market Spoices hot honey seasoning, roasted red onions and pretzel salt



- Buckeye Donuts
Red Velvet, Blueberry or Old Fashioned Donuts



- Bubbles Tea & Juice Co.
Berry Bubble Burst with orange sorbet, pomegranate popping bubbles and mint leaf; Coco Kiwi Splash with coconut sorbet with kiwi popping bubbles and mint leaf



- Caroline’s Sandwiches
Pate Croquettes with pate, whole grain aioli, pickled pepper jam and cornichons



- COLO Market & Oyster Bar
Oyster Ajo Blanco & Chive Oil with oyster on the half shell, almond, garlic EVOO, brad, sherry vinegar and green grapes; Bluefin Tuna Meatballs with bluefin tuna mixed with traditional Cicilian herbs & spices simmered in tomato sauce



- Dos Hermanos
Aguachile de Camaron with chilled shrimp marinated in bright lime, chile, cucumber, red onion and cilantro, served as a fresh, spicy coastal Mexican bite; Churro Fries with sweet milk



- Firdous Express
Mediterranean Favorites with hummus, jalapeno jummus, falafael olives, za'atar pita; Mini Gyro with sliced gyro meat, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and house sauce; Mini Chicken Shawarma with seasoned chicken, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and house sauce; Greek Fries with fresh cut fries, feta and house sauce



- Flavors of India
Chicken Makhani with spiced tomato and butter sauce, served with basmati rice; Chickpeas with spiced tomato sauce and basmati rice; Cabbage & Peas with seasoned cabbage and peas, served with basmati rice; Saag Paneer with spiced spinach and cheese, served with basmati rice

- Fox’s Bagel & Deli
Crab Rangoon Bagel with crab rangoon cream cheese topped with crispy fried wontons and a drizzle of housemade sweet chili sauce served on a freshly baked mini challah roll



- Green Olive Company
Whipped Feta Phyllo Crowns with dill olive oil and pomegranate glaze; Pomegranate Lemon Balsamic Spritz



- Holy Crepes
De France; Leap of Indulgence; Strawberry & Chocolate Skewer



- Hoyo’s Kitchen
Beef Sambosa; Chicken Sambusa; Vegetable Sambusa



- Hubert’s Polish Kitchen
Kielbasa with a beef and pork spiced with garlic, black pepper and whole mustard seed



- Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Summery Berry Parfait with Summer Verries Parfait ice cream, strawberry sauce and whipped cream



- Lan Viet Market
Nem Hai San which is seafood and pork spring rolls; Bun Cha Hanoi which is Hanoi dipping noodles; Che Viet is Vietnamese fruit cocktail



- Littleton’s Market Bakery
Palmier as a French puff pastry with mascarpone mousse and poached pear; Beef Tartare served on focaccia



- Marlow’s Cheesesteaks
The Marlow's Breakfast Bowl with hasbrowns, steak, egg, cheese, onion and pico de gallo



- Mini-Super Produce Bodega
Mini-Super's famous fresh-made Guacamole



- Momo Ghar
Lama Ko Baara with mild chicken or spicy chicken



- Nida’s Sushi
Khao Soi



- North Market Spices
Jerk Chicken Tacos with chicken tacos featuring North Market Spices Jamaican Jerk Seasoning; Jerk Jackfruit Tacos with jackfruit featuring North Market Spices Jamaican Jerk Seasoning



- Pastaria
Stuffed Mushrooms with chicken sausage and jalapeno cheddar cheese; Chicken Picatta - cream sauce with lemon & capers; Cannoli Dip



- The Pastry Factory
Burnt Honey Creme Brulee with creamy custard and caramelized honey



- Sarefino’s Pizzeria
I don't believe they had an offering



- Satori Ramen Bar
Yuzu Ceviche with raw seafood marinated in yuzu; Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki as a savory layered pancake



- Stauf’s Coffee Roasters
Microlot Mexico El Izote Geshan Cold Brew with flavors of burnt sugar, raisin and dark chocolate; Red Fruit Cocktail Iced Team with herbal blend with orange peel & cranberry, infused with fresh fruit



- Tajine House
Moroccan Meatball with chicken meatballs and plum tomato sauce; Potato salad with onions, parsley and vinaigrette dressing



Have you been?

Mochi Ring in is a popular spot for unique, chewy mochi donuts with a wide variety of rotating flavors like Oreo, Matcha and Fruity Pebbles. "As its an ingredient that’s delicate in its flavor yet rich in its structure, mochi is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice, commonly found in many east Asian cuisines. The mochi donut was created to give the classic, traditional donut a new twist to its taste and name. In other words, mochi donut is a unique creation of ingredients found commonly in the east that perfectly matches those from the west," reads the website. The strawberry was chewy and sweet and fun, above all else! Maybe just a bit dry, though.

Grade: B

Cap City Fine Diner is a Columbus-area staple that puts a modern spin on classic comfort food favorites.



It does the same with the space - which pulls from retro diner decor and adds a modern edge. A dimly lit space accented with cool lighting.



This is a Cameron Mitchell restaurant, of which there are many great ones in the area.

"Like the histories of most entrepreneurial companies, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants begins in a very humble place — Cameron Mitchell’s mother’s dining room table. It was here where Cameron mapped out his career goals which would eventually set the course for his restaurant industry career. After hitting the glass ceiling at the now defunct 55 Restaurant Group in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, Cameron was ready to go out on his own and pursue his dream of running his own restaurant company. He went fourteen months without a paycheck while putting together all the essential ingredients for his own restaurant. In 1993, Cameron signed a lease for a small piece of storefront property, tucked in the northwest corner of Columbus. The space would be transformed into his first restaurant, “Cameron’s.” This contemporary American bistro wowed Columbus diners with its diverse flavors selected from across the American culinary landscape as well as its extraordinary attention to service. Cameron’s was a notable success, especially when considering Columbus’ highly competitive restaurant business climate. Among the raving fans were investors and developers, who were hungry for more. While remaining independent and privately held, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants has grown to 48 restaurants across the country from Beverly Hills to New York City, and 20 different concepts in 15 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to Cameron’s, the concepts are: Cap City Fine Diner & Bar, The Guild House, Hudson 29 Kitchen + Drink, Martini Modern Italian, Marcella’s, Ocean Prime, Molly Woo’s Asian Bistro, The Pearl Restaurant, Tavern & Oyster Room, The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek, The Avenue Steak Tavern, SoCal Kitchen, Lincoln Social Rooftop, Prime Social Rooftop, Del Mar Naples, Valentina’s, Cento, with future openings Butcher & Rose, Big Rock Italian Chophouse, and Del Mar at Easton. The company also operates a separate, highly successful catering division, Cameron Mitchell Premier Events, and a dynamic food hall hosting 10 kitchens, 3 bars and a rooftop, Budd Dairy Food Hall," reads the website.



My colleagues and I started with the Blue Cheese Potato Chips because I was told they are a must-try.

"A Cap City original - blue cheese, chives, and Alfredo sauce. Alfredo is served on the side."

These were pretty tasty. I would not hate some garlic or truffle oil to take the richness to the max.



For my main entree, I went with "CAP CITY DINER MEATLOAF - Buttermilk-chive mashed potatoes, wild mushrooms, broccoli, chili onion rings, and BBQ gravy served on buttermilk toast."



This was definitely a new spin on the classic. I do appreciate the creativity here and adding in some crispy elements for texture. But I do miss the tomato based sauce that I have to love on meatloaf. The texture was a little bit more dense; I almost would've preferred the toast on the bottom to be ground up inside the meat mixture to spread that moisture around. These are small critiques; overall, this was a pretty good meal.



Grade: B

The Lox Bagel Shop in Columbus, Ohio, hand-rolls, boils and then bakes their bagels - which has helped them earn spots on lists such as: Bon Appétit Magazine's "The Very Best Bagels in the US (yes, outside New York)" and Food & Wine Magazine's "The Best Bagels in America."



The trendy spot is a bit off the beaten path, but not far. They are known for their hybrid-style bagel - a beautiful blend between nice crunch exterior and soft interior. You can get them as plain, sesame, sea salt and herb, or everything. you can also add a spread or go for a bagel sandwich.



"Our bagels are a cross between a New York and Montreal style, boiled and fired in a live fire oven. We pride ourselves on sourcing the highest quality ingredients as well as sound technique to produce a delicious and enjoyable bagel or bagel sandwich," reads the website.



I had to try their namesake sandwich, the Lox, which has capers, onion, cucumber, and cream cheese. I made mine a sea salt and herb bagel with chive cream cheese.



I loved the sandwich so much. There was a perfect mixture of textures. There was some sweetness from the pickled red onion. There was lots of savory from the herbs and chives. Delicious.



Grade: A