Looking for a suggestion for a special restaurant in Columbus. We will be in Granville/Newark area, so something not too far from there, but in Columbus. While price in not a big issue, we'd like something with really good food (French?) and not a chain. Thanks for any suggestions!

I have always liked Lindy's in German Village. Not in your preferred area though. Close to downtown in a historic area of the city. I'm sure others will have ideas for closer to where you are staying.

You should definitely eat at the Refectory. It is rated as being Columbus' best restaurant! It is located on Bethel Road, just west of rt. 315.

The Refectory also has an outstanding wine list & routinely wins Wine Spectator awards. The Worthington Inn also used to have a fine restaurant on the premises, but I have not been there for several years. That would be easily accessible on the north side of town.

The Refectory is a wonderful restaurant; but if you don't want to drive quite so far, you could check out Le Bon Vie, Ocean Club or Brio Tuscan Grille at Easton Town Center. These restaurants are members of local restaurant groups, but not "chains" per se. They're more informal than the Refectory, but wouldn't really be considered "casual" and I've had good experiences at all of them.

http://www.eastontowncenter.com/main...bleservice.cfm

Thanks everybody! I'll start my homework now!

This is just to follow up on this thread, as we finally got to The Refectory.

It was wonderful!

We ordered two appetizers: Roasted Goat Cheese with olive oil and red beets and a seafood in stuffed pastry (the special-forgot the name). I ordered a salad: Mixed Green Salad with red onion, granny smith apple, gruyere cheese and roasted walnuts. Three entrees; Beef Tournedos with Cardomome sauce, Beef Shoulder Tenderloin with smoked bacon and wild herb Bordelaise, and Sea Scallops pan seared with purple mustard sauce. All were delicious - perhaps especially the Beef Tournedos.

Service was great. Sommelier was outstanding, a young guy - friendly and knowledgeable.

Overall, very pleasant indeed!