We recently retired and thought it would be fun to celebrate with a weekend getaway. We couldn’t wait to get out of town on a road trip.
That’s why we were excited that the Columbus CVB to be gave us accommodations, admissions to activities, and meals. We’ve been sharing our experiences in a series of posts:
On our last day in Columbus, we knew we had arrived at a wonderful place to eat when the women at the next table kept going “mmm-mmm-mmm.”
The owners, Anne Fletcher and Scott Budros, of Pistacia Vera in German Village have out done themselves in developing this restaurant.
Their business cards describe it as a desert boutique, but it is much more than that.
The owners are extremely friendly and outgoing as is their staff. Every customer is treated as a special friend. The restaurant is sleek and clean. You know the owners of a restaurant are proud of what they offer when they invite you into their kitchen which, except for a bit of flour on the floor, was spotless. All their pastry chefs seem to enjoy their jobs, which says a great deal about their employers.
As we waited for our food, we had the opportunity to watch Anne & Scott interview a potential employee. They did a great job of drawing her out and truly listening to her. They acted as if they had all the time in the world to spend with her. This is their attitude with whoever they are talking with. They make you feel that you are the most important person in their life at that moment. A rare feat in today’s workplace and one that will probably carry them far,
Pistacia Vera is a desert boutique, but it also offers quiches, shirred eggs and croquet monsieur. While there we ordered the Bacon, Onion, Spinach and Emmentaler Cheese Quiche.
It was placed on a shell of homemade pate brisee. Instead of a quiche that is flat and dense, this was light and fluffy. All Randy and I could say was, “mmm-mmm-mmm.”
The dessert boutique is also well known for their Macaroons. In fact they sell 25,000 macaroons a month!
They are a light, crispy meringue sandwich cookie with a buttercream or ganache filling. We brought several home and gave some to our granddaughters. They ate theirs and wanted to know if there was more! We know what we will be sending to them in the future, since Pistacia Vera ships their wonderful dessert! We also brought home a chocolate chunk pistachio cookie, one of the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve had!
We were happy to have stopped at Pistacia Vera and are already excited to be stopping back in on our next trip to Columbus!
One of our last stops before heading home was to the Columbus Topiary Park. The Park is a work in progress. The sculptor, James T Mason, has taken as his inspiration the landscape painting Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grande Jatte, by George Seauret.
He has bent thick piping in various shapes to mimic the painting. He has then planted yews and they are continuously trimmed to fill in the piping. We were lucky enough to see some of the sculptures not yet completely filled in, which gave us the ability to tell how he did it. The end result is a living landscape of a painted landscape. It was very intriguing.
If that was not enough, the gardens around the park are well maintained and beautiful.
It made a perfect morning for a leisurely stroll. We enjoyed the Topiary Park and would love to come back again sometime to see how it’s changed.
As we left the gardens we knew it was time for the last stop of our trip. Tired Grandpa Randy and I both love books, so we were excited to see a discounted book store in German Village. The Book Loft has small rooms, but every room is well organized and well displayed. For example, the room with the cookbooks has jigsaw puzzles with cooking themes. Throughout the store are greeting card displays with very unique cards.
In order to get to the store you have to walk through the side of the building through their well maintained gardens. That was a treat in itself.
I would challenge you to leave that store without buying something! We couldn’t do it.
We were sad to leave Columbus, but even us retired folks have to return home sometime. And now that we have all this time on our hands we are excited to plan a return trip soon.
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Pistacia Vera is a MUST DO every time I’m in Columbus. Fortunately my friend lives in German Village so we normally grab brunch there plus I get stuff to take home. Yum!!!
Wow! Looks and sounds wonderful!
Love Pistacia Vera,!!!!!, So glad you enjoyed it:)
Oh my goodness! Fabulous Looking Treats! Yum!
I am a new follower would you please follow me back thanks so much :)
Tara
about this great story, you want to know his race? Thats just lame. Hes been on practically EVERY news cehnnal in American, has ANYONE ever asked his race? Has he ever mentioned his race? Are you getting the picture yet? NO ONE CARES about his race except for YOU!. Catch up to the 21st century and look at people beyond their skin color.
Omigosh, the Book Loft is one of my favorite bookstores! I live outside of Columbus now, so I don’t get there much like I used to when I lived in Columbus. Next time you’re headed our way, let me know and maybe we can meet up!
That looks like a really nice place to visit. ESPECIALLY the food part! : )
looks like a nice trip
I live in Columbus and have never been nor heard of either of those places thanks for the tips.
I lived in German Village as a young child, I’m talking over 40 years ago, so I’m sure it’s changed. The only thing I remember is the cobblestone streets. I’ve always hoped to go back to visit some day.
Wow, looks like a great place to visit.
We were just in Columbus this past weekend. And now I’m sad I didn’t try the Macarons! Will have to hit this place up our next road trip! Thanks for the tip!