You may be aware that there is a rivalry between Michigan and Ohio, namely the University of Michigan and Ohio State University.  My Bride and I were in Columbus for a convention, staying at a hotel directly across the street from the convention center.  I was talking to the concierge at the hotel about my restaurant reservation for the evening and was informed that rather then going to my intended choice, I should try a brand new restaurant called M at the Miranova Center, which was a short stroll from the hotel.  I joked that it sounded like blasphemy that any establishment would be called M in Columbus.  The concierge smiled and informed me that it was the newest concept and the new flagship restaurant for Cameron Mitchell, the “Horatio Alger” of Columbus.  I had dined at both of his chain restaurants Cameron for Steaks and Mitchell’s for Seafood, so I knew of his name.  As a sidebar these two chains have since been bought by the Ruth Chris chain of restaurants.  The concierge just chuckled and said that Mr. Mitchell ran out of names.

After the convention we walked over to the restaurant for our reservation and I immediately thought of the interior of the Delano hotel in South Beach of Miami, Florida.  A two story room with muslin sheets draped from the ceiling for that tropical atmosphere.  This was far superior to the two restaurants that I had been to from Mr. Mitchell just from a visual appearance.  My Bride ordered a salmon dish and I ordered a version of filet mignon.  We also had an appetizer, salad and somehow we had room for dessert.

We also had a wonderful bottle from the Peter Michael Winery “Les Pavots.”  This is a proprietary Bordeaux style red wine from the Knights Valley district of Napa Valley.  Here is another “Meritage” wine, where the winery is not a member of the Meritage Society.  This was truly a Bordeaux style wine with the tannins and the fruit in a deep dark wine with a full nose that required one’s full attention while enjoying the labor of the wine maker’s craft.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with a heady 14.2% alcohol count.