Have you Hurd... Columbus Craft Beer Week 2016 is in the rear-view mirror...

Apologies from your Dining Scout for not getting this post out before the end of Columbus Craft Beer Week, but I was out of town for the front half of the week.  It is an annual ritual adored by carnivores everywhere, and thoroughly scorned by cows.  It may be a sign of my age, but I thought in years past the participating restaurants would offer a special beer week themed burger to pair with the brews they were offering.  This year, the approach seemed a bit different.  Rather than concocting a new limited time offering, they offered a favorable price ($6) on a burger already on their regular menu and also offered a selected craft beer to accompany said burger for only $4.  So all around Columbus you could have a great burger and a great beer for only ten bucks.  Although chances are you would have some fries or onion rings with the burger and also have a second or maybe even a third beer.  You might even say to yourself "well I am only in for ten bucks on round one, so why not?"  Well played, craft beer week marketers... Well played.

Given my late start, I didn't have time to try all the burgers offered this year, but did hit one of my favorite haunts (The B Spot) and tried a new one (Hudson 29 - New Albany).  At the B Spot, the Lola Burger was offered for only $6 and while this was a solid entry...  I was enticed to try the Smasher Special at full price.  Could've been the long hiatus since my last visit or could have been jet lag.  Either way, the Smasher Special was the bomb.  Plus my wife was paying, so price didn't matter. -wink, smile-  I was so wiped out from just getting off a long flight, I don't even remember exactly what was on the burger.  Just know that it was fabulous. Hurry in to The B Spot if you want to unravel the mystery, as the Smasher Special will reset on October 1 (maybe sooner if they run out of ingredients, so don't delay).

Once I had fully regained my composure sometime over the weekend, my wife and I took my parents out for dinner to show our appreciation for all the dog-sitting they do for us.  They recently moved into the area and I picked a Craft Beer Week establishment in their new neighborhood - Hudson 29 in New Albany.  The Hudson 29 double burger with American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, sweet pickle, and mayo on a grilled bun was delicious.  Although I couldn't really taste the sweet pickle much.  A mild disappointment, as I am a huge fan of sweet pickle on a burger and very few places offer that.  Juicy and flavorful perfection otherwise.  Normally the burger would be priced at $16 and include fries, but since it was priced at only $6 for the Craft Beer Week promotion, a side had to be ordered separately and I opted for the Colcannon Potatoes (mashed potatoes with cabbage and horseradish).  I had never tried these before and they didn't disappoint.  Will definitely order them again in the future.  Even with price of the side added to the $6 Hudson 29 burger, it was still a substantial discount over the regular price.  I am sure you know what that means.  Cocktails and dessert are duly authorized!  I tried the Blood Orange Margarita.  Those who know me well should not be shocked that I skipped the brew even during Craft Beer Week.  Others will eventually learn I am not a beer drinker.  I thoroughly enjoyed the margarita.  The novelty at Hudson 29 is that the cocktails are prepared and bottled prior to serving and they bring the bottle to you at the table, open it, and pour the first half over ice for you.  Yummy.

My wife and I thought we might be getting a victory lap, since Hudson 29 also had strawberry shortcake as their summer dessert feature.  The waitress described it as a brown butter cake.  It was similar in flavor, but not in texture to my favorite style of shortcake.  It was topped with a house made strawberry sauce and fresh whipped cream.  It was good, but I have to give the edge to Ted's Montana Grill on the shortcake.  Just a personal preference, I guess.  My parents opted for the warm Texas sheet cake served with Graeter's vanilla bean ice cream.  It was a slice of cake the size of Texas and they were kind enough to share it.  Don't tell anyone I said this, but I was wishing I had ordered the Texas sheet cake too.  Maybe next time I will.  :-)  As good as it was, I am pretty sure there will be a next time.

In closing, I should mention what I noticed was all the food related details.  Which my parents may have noticed too.  What really got them talking was the quiet and elegant atmosphere.  Worked out great, since my Mom and I both have a hard time following conversation in noisy environments.  My Dad... Well...  He noticed the solid... black... walnut... table...  Only someone who knows woodcraft would recognize that in a dimly lit restaurant.  Somebody at Hudson 29 is clearly paying attention to all the details.   Based on our first visit, it is a near certainty that we will be back soon.  Just remember that if you want to take the measure of their shortcake in the meantime, you only have a few days left. -big smile-

Your Dining Scout and Shade Tree Chef,
Michael Hurd - aka Big Mike

Hudson 29 - New Albany
260 Market Street Suite D
http://www.hudson29.com/Locations-Menus/New-Albany/Menus

No, that is not ice cream.  It is house-made
fresh whipped cream.  It tastes better than it looks.

The Texas sheet cake after it has been
shared with our entire party.   Still a healthy
(as in BIG) slice of cake, huh?

This was a blood orange margarita.  Every sip
was delightful and refreshing.  No off-premises
liquor license, so for now enjoy on site only.