We were looking forward to our dinner at The Crest but were disappointed to arrive to a closed restaurant undergoing remodeling for a new concept. I was surprised Open Table would make the mistake of booking a reservation for me!
K. Sullivan
I really liked the lamb and cookies, and my drink (the smoky margarita) was quite good and sweet enough to balance the smoky. Great atmosphere. I appreciate the "wellness fee" in theory, but it makes pricing less transparent, and it's already rather pricey. Server was awesome.
hineconsult
Lots of good alternatives for our vegetarians. Very friendly staff. The regular burger and the vegetarian burger are both great. I wish that the menu was more varied.
Jay Evans
I was with a large party today at the Crest Tavern. Everyone was very happy with their food and drink. I had the walleye, which was very well prepared and tasty. They have some things on the menu, which require further questioning like there is a dinner item for mushrooms and another for goat cheese. What does that really mean? Well, the person across from me got the goat cheese and shared it. It is goat cheese, but wow, very good I don’t know if I will get it for a dinner item but yes it was excellent. My wife got the crest burger which she enjoyed very much and even more so the salad that she got with it. It had bits and pieces of fruit that she quite enjoyed. One of my friends got the green tomato BLT and seemed to think it was just OK.
Lesley Reed
A pleasurable experience both times I’ve been in.First off, I absolutely adore the community garden in front of the parking lot and the compost collection. New to the area and new to living in an apartment I was struggling to figure out the best way to dispose of my food scraps and gardening trims and this offered me the perfect solution.Service is stupendous! Each server has been very knowledgeable about the menu and seasonal offerings, and if they didn’t know they returned right back with an answer.Drinks are stiff and delicious. I keep meaning to make it in for a Monday Happy Hour and I keep forgetting unfortunately.The first night we came we had the Confit Chicken Wings, Walleye, and Wedge Salad. All were absolute show stoppers and hooked us. Can’t recommend any of those dishes enough!On our second visit we sampled the burger with loaded fries, the chili was a bit on the spicy side and def a coney sauce vs a chili, fries overall could be taken or left, kind of tasted freezer burnt but I was under the impression the food was fresh so have some conflicted thoughts there. We also had the Fried Green Tomatos BLT which was so HUGE! Thick cuts of bacon, a lil on the crunchier side, lettuce, their house aioli, and a thick cut of tomato with 3 smaller slices of fried green tomatos on thick slices of toast. It definitely filled me up. The crest salad as a side was refreshingly delicious with the nuts adding a satisfying munch. Not as impressive as our first visit but happy to try more of the menu and left with full bellies.
micheles
The food was not prepared as the menu stated--chicken wings are not "confit" when they are deep fried. The sauerkraut balls tasted like sauerkraut only; very one dimensional with no hint of pork jowl (as menu stated) or any balance of flavors. the service seemed scattered; wasn't really sure who our server was. For the cost, the experience didn't deliver.
Vince Tata
First off food was fantastic! However, we were not told of an added gratuity and we’re essentially double charged for our tips. I find this to be extremely unprofessional. You should be told what you are paying for and if there is added grat. I have been in the service industry for almost a decade. Completely inappropriate to not inform the table of an added fee.Positive notes. Great restaurant with great food.
Gage Elwood
Went for a dinner date, the service was fine but definitely a little informal. The atmosphere is superb but the fit and finish is a little “self done” . The beer selection was less than 12 beers, which again, is fine, mostly Columbus brews you’re already tired of. I cannot speak to the wine menu, but it seems mundane. The fries were good and I see the appeal but fatty seasoned fries are available everywhere. the goat cheese was great but the bread was a little limp, the whipped goat cheese really set our expectations high. The fried green tomato BLT was great, the same bread as the goat cheese, SLIGHTLY lacking on the fried green tomatoes. the bacon was the star of the sandwich and has the consistency and flavor profile of sugardale bacon but sliced thick and double smoked. The lamb was great but for $27 I expected a primal piece of lamb, not ground. Again everything was fine, but my money will continue to search for better in Columbus.
Marissa Z
The food and service was outstanding. We had a Rueben sandwich and salad with fresh picks and some great chili dries. Highly recommend.
Mike
Fantastic! Neighborhood gem! Everything was great. Best fries in Franklin county. Happy hour was all night long. Cocktails were amazing and generous. Patio was very nice. Staff were all very friendly and attentive. Will definitely return!
This place is truly one of a kind. Fantastic food, awesome staff, and in a really great neighborhood. A lot of times after eating a meal I feel gross just because of how much food I eat. The food at The Crest is so fresh and wonderfully prepared that even though I had a lot to eat I didn't feel gross afterward! The establishment is a hidden gem in Columbus.
Anna Hohmeier
The Crest used to be so much better. My review is with hopes that things will change, and I intend all kindness. But it’s not going to be very complimentary.The atmosphere is everything I want in a neighborhood restaurant & bar—which is easy to notice from photos alone. But the ownership changed and what once was a hip-but-casual joint is now puzzlingly expensive, unimpressive restaurant where you’ll leave hungry (literally—more on portion size later).Since changing ownership, the menu shifted to “modern Appalachian fare,” (what does that even mean?) which offers very small portions for high cost. While I love that the menu remains seasonal—its small choices of meat-forward options leave something to be desired, literally. You might order a salad and get 3 literal carrots. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, there’s likely only 1 item on the menu that you can eat (this may change seasonally though). Entrees are also small.The cocktails are good and happy hour deals are on point (50% off appetizers) but I’d rather have a heartier appetizer than a handful of spiced nuts or a single piece of bread with a few dips.The Crest used to be a gastropub and it’s not anymore. Their food is lacking for the cost—I understand upscale restaurants may serve food this way (high cost, small portions), but that’s not the Crest we knew and loved. The neighborhood loved its approachable, casual feel before the pandemic, but it’s taken a turn. We miss our old Crest.
Judith B
The food has gotten very weird here since pandemic, not many choices. We ordered a Reuben sandwich-the meat was tough and filled with gristle. The service was excellent and the atmosphere on the patio was great. I keep wishing they’d change their menu.
Bari Philips
I used to absolutely love this place-the fun atmosphere and nice waitstaff were wonderful, but my last visit was the opposite of that. First, we came during the week around 5pm and asked if we had a reservation. I replied ,”No, but you seem pretty empty.” Her reply was “those tables are reserved, and then like she was doing me a favor said I can give u that corner table as long as you are there no more than 90 minutes-which seemed reasonable yet it sounded they didn’t want my business especially since there was no line and only two extra tables got filled while we ate at our table so not many tables I assume were reserved at that time. Food was mediocre-maybe I was put off by the hostess-even my alcoholic beverage didn’t help us feel better about being there. I won’t be back for a long time.
Vegetarian options: They were decent.
DebC
The food at the Crest is always very, very good and unique. I loved the biscuit appetizer. The balance between the toppings was excellent. The trout was so well cooked. I don't like fish, but when I tasted my companion's dish, I immediately wished I had ordered it myself. And the Hibiscus Margarita will make me look forward to the next time I go. And the service was just right. Enough attention that you know they are watching, but not overly attentive. Great job EVERYONE.
We were looking forward to our dinner at The Crest but were disappointed to arrive to a closed restaurant undergoing remodeling for a new concept. I was surprised Open Table would make the mistake of booking a reservation for me!
I really liked the lamb and cookies, and my drink (the smoky margarita) was quite good and sweet enough to balance the smoky. Great atmosphere. I appreciate the "wellness fee" in theory, but it makes pricing less transparent, and it's already rather pricey. Server was awesome.
Lots of good alternatives for our vegetarians. Very friendly staff. The regular burger and the vegetarian burger are both great. I wish that the menu was more varied.
I was with a large party today at the Crest Tavern. Everyone was very happy with their food and drink. I had the walleye, which was very well prepared and tasty. They have some things on the menu, which require further questioning like there is a dinner item for mushrooms and another for goat cheese. What does that really mean? Well, the person across from me got the goat cheese and shared it. It is goat cheese, but wow, very good I don’t know if I will get it for a dinner item but yes it was excellent. My wife got the crest burger which she enjoyed very much and even more so the salad that she got with it. It had bits and pieces of fruit that she quite enjoyed. One of my friends got the green tomato BLT and seemed to think it was just OK.
A pleasurable experience both times I’ve been in.First off, I absolutely adore the community garden in front of the parking lot and the compost collection. New to the area and new to living in an apartment I was struggling to figure out the best way to dispose of my food scraps and gardening trims and this offered me the perfect solution.Service is stupendous! Each server has been very knowledgeable about the menu and seasonal offerings, and if they didn’t know they returned right back with an answer.Drinks are stiff and delicious. I keep meaning to make it in for a Monday Happy Hour and I keep forgetting unfortunately.The first night we came we had the Confit Chicken Wings, Walleye, and Wedge Salad. All were absolute show stoppers and hooked us. Can’t recommend any of those dishes enough!On our second visit we sampled the burger with loaded fries, the chili was a bit on the spicy side and def a coney sauce vs a chili, fries overall could be taken or left, kind of tasted freezer burnt but I was under the impression the food was fresh so have some conflicted thoughts there. We also had the Fried Green Tomatos BLT which was so HUGE! Thick cuts of bacon, a lil on the crunchier side, lettuce, their house aioli, and a thick cut of tomato with 3 smaller slices of fried green tomatos on thick slices of toast. It definitely filled me up. The crest salad as a side was refreshingly delicious with the nuts adding a satisfying munch. Not as impressive as our first visit but happy to try more of the menu and left with full bellies.
The food was not prepared as the menu stated--chicken wings are not "confit" when they are deep fried. The sauerkraut balls tasted like sauerkraut only; very one dimensional with no hint of pork jowl (as menu stated) or any balance of flavors. the service seemed scattered; wasn't really sure who our server was. For the cost, the experience didn't deliver.
First off food was fantastic! However, we were not told of an added gratuity and we’re essentially double charged for our tips. I find this to be extremely unprofessional. You should be told what you are paying for and if there is added grat. I have been in the service industry for almost a decade. Completely inappropriate to not inform the table of an added fee.Positive notes. Great restaurant with great food.
Went for a dinner date, the service was fine but definitely a little informal. The atmosphere is superb but the fit and finish is a little “self done” . The beer selection was less than 12 beers, which again, is fine, mostly Columbus brews you’re already tired of. I cannot speak to the wine menu, but it seems mundane. The fries were good and I see the appeal but fatty seasoned fries are available everywhere. the goat cheese was great but the bread was a little limp, the whipped goat cheese really set our expectations high. The fried green tomato BLT was great, the same bread as the goat cheese, SLIGHTLY lacking on the fried green tomatoes. the bacon was the star of the sandwich and has the consistency and flavor profile of sugardale bacon but sliced thick and double smoked. The lamb was great but for $27 I expected a primal piece of lamb, not ground. Again everything was fine, but my money will continue to search for better in Columbus.
The food and service was outstanding. We had a Rueben sandwich and salad with fresh picks and some great chili dries. Highly recommend.
Fantastic! Neighborhood gem! Everything was great. Best fries in Franklin county. Happy hour was all night long. Cocktails were amazing and generous. Patio was very nice. Staff were all very friendly and attentive. Will definitely return!
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is truly one of a kind. Fantastic food, awesome staff, and in a really great neighborhood. A lot of times after eating a meal I feel gross just because of how much food I eat. The food at The Crest is so fresh and wonderfully prepared that even though I had a lot to eat I didn't feel gross afterward! The establishment is a hidden gem in Columbus.
The Crest used to be so much better. My review is with hopes that things will change, and I intend all kindness. But it’s not going to be very complimentary.The atmosphere is everything I want in a neighborhood restaurant & bar—which is easy to notice from photos alone. But the ownership changed and what once was a hip-but-casual joint is now puzzlingly expensive, unimpressive restaurant where you’ll leave hungry (literally—more on portion size later).Since changing ownership, the menu shifted to “modern Appalachian fare,” (what does that even mean?) which offers very small portions for high cost. While I love that the menu remains seasonal—its small choices of meat-forward options leave something to be desired, literally. You might order a salad and get 3 literal carrots. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, there’s likely only 1 item on the menu that you can eat (this may change seasonally though). Entrees are also small.The cocktails are good and happy hour deals are on point (50% off appetizers) but I’d rather have a heartier appetizer than a handful of spiced nuts or a single piece of bread with a few dips.The Crest used to be a gastropub and it’s not anymore. Their food is lacking for the cost—I understand upscale restaurants may serve food this way (high cost, small portions), but that’s not the Crest we knew and loved. The neighborhood loved its approachable, casual feel before the pandemic, but it’s taken a turn. We miss our old Crest.
The food has gotten very weird here since pandemic, not many choices. We ordered a Reuben sandwich-the meat was tough and filled with gristle. The service was excellent and the atmosphere on the patio was great. I keep wishing they’d change their menu.
I used to absolutely love this place-the fun atmosphere and nice waitstaff were wonderful, but my last visit was the opposite of that. First, we came during the week around 5pm and asked if we had a reservation. I replied ,”No, but you seem pretty empty.” Her reply was “those tables are reserved, and then like she was doing me a favor said I can give u that corner table as long as you are there no more than 90 minutes-which seemed reasonable yet it sounded they didn’t want my business especially since there was no line and only two extra tables got filled while we ate at our table so not many tables I assume were reserved at that time. Food was mediocre-maybe I was put off by the hostess-even my alcoholic beverage didn’t help us feel better about being there. I won’t be back for a long time.
Vegetarian options: They were decent.
The food at the Crest is always very, very good and unique. I loved the biscuit appetizer. The balance between the toppings was excellent. The trout was so well cooked. I don't like fish, but when I tasted my companion's dish, I immediately wished I had ordered it myself. And the Hibiscus Margarita will make me look forward to the next time I go. And the service was just right. Enough attention that you know they are watching, but not overly attentive. Great job EVERYONE.
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