Veritas — Restaurant in Columbus

We went here over the weekend for my birthday and it was a wonderful experience. Full review is below for those interested in the longer version, but the short of it is this place is worth every penny and one of the best meals I've ever eaten in Columbus!

Service: Our server was exceptional. She flawlessly answered any questions we had in regards to the menu, broke down the offerings in great detail and every pairing, explaining region and flavor profile as well as why that wine was chosen with a particular dish. As the staff walked around you could see them laying eyes on the table to time up when the next pairing or plate should arrive, the replacement of cutlery between dishes, and everything came out with rhythmic precision, with the next items arriving just as you're ready for them.

Food: The depth of flavor and balance in these dishes is what for me sets them apart from an even "really good" restaurant. Portions are on the smaller side so if I were to say I made any mistake it would be that I ate very little in preparation for this meal. I think arriving with a normal appetite would be best as this is not something that's going to leave you busting at the seams. However with how explosively flavorful the dishes were I think the smaller portions worked quite well.

The gnocchi was the star of the table. Delicately soft in an outrageous truffle fondue. I'm still thinking about it three days later! Also in course number two the Celeriac dish which is what I would describe as a bisque, which my wife ordered, made me envy her selection. Pure flavor great balance of salt and richness. The beef would be my only critique as I wish it was just slightly more tender, but this was made up for by the ridiculously flavorful parsnip puree and cocoa jus. Lastly the dessert was hands down the single greatest dessert item I've ever tasted. I almost never order dessert. It's not something I look forward to. But this...Carrot cake mousse, caramel, topped with a quenelle of cream cheese ice cream, graham crumble and a candied carrot slice. Again I can't stress enough to the balance of these dishes. This wasn't sweet it was the perfect amount of sweetness. It wasn't rich it was the perfect amount of richness, just absolutely delicious. Oh and because it was my birthday they brought out a miniature ice cream cone with sprinkles LOL which was also nice touch

The wine: We opted for the wine pairing and are very happy we did. Every glass we had married beautifully with it's accompanying dish. I'd never heard of a single bottle they brought out but thoroughly enjoyed each pour. After dining here I think I will go to their wine store as well.

Ambience: Nice spacing between tables interesting decor, both on the walls and with a variety dried flowers hanging from the ceiling. The kitchen area was visible in the back of the restaurant through large windows which is something I enjoy in restaurants. The vibe was clean and warm, upscale without...

Not for the Unrefined This place is food focused. Catering to the customer…not so much. Right from the start, we were greeted by a menu that quickly informed us this place was all or nothing. Take it or leave it. Your whole party commits to the $100/person tastings menu, otherwise you must order a la carte from the small plates menu. Since one of our guests was gluten and legume free, it was a quick decision. Furthermore, no substitutions are permitted on any of the dishes. We’ll have to entrust our chef’s flavor profiles. This was new for our group who enjoys to dining at the nicer places around town. Drinks. One of our fellas ordered a beer and it arrived in a large champagne-sized bottle and was served in stemware. Embarrassed, we double checked the menu. Sure enough, it was, in fact, a Belgian beer. Would’ve appreciated the head’s up. But it was delicious. Apparently it was also $35. Oops. The menu also offers a standardized list of wines by the glass as well as a higher end sommelier recommended selection. Extra fancy!! One of our guests felt intimidated by the cocktail selection so we joked with one of the passing by staff by asking if she could explain the menu as we didn’t speak “Veritas-anese”. We thought we were being funny/cute. She told us she felt as though we were making fun of her. Horrified, we apologized profusely and just asked for a standard vodka drink. Now for the food. We shared most of the items on the menu and several were amazing. The food truly is the show-stopper here. My favorites included the feta dip, shishitos, mushroom and ricotta toast and burrata (apparently I am a fan of the cheeses). The Goncchi with crab as also stellar (all 6 pieces). We also tried the Brussel sprouts (similar flavors to the veggies at Brassica), bacon risotto, shoulder filet and scallops. Everything was really good. Just don’t ask for anything extra – we requested a few extra cucumbers for our GF guest to go with the feta. Our server hemmed-n-hawed that she would ask “but the cucumbers are really more expensive than the toast/crackers and she wasn’t sure it would be allowed”. Seriously?!?!?!?! She successfully managed to procure a large helping of the cukes and we were summarily upcharged $3. No joke. Dessert: We are a group who loves our sweets to the point of over-eating! Just not these. They were really just tiny portions lacking the tempting flavors I expect from a third course. Really I’d say you could skip this course. We tried the banana (probably the best of the 3), the “cheesecake” – really just a spoonful of a white cream smear, and the “chocolate”. Now. The “chocolate” was presented as a mousse under a pile of Styrofoam-looking, dry-ice-steaming-frozen cream. Our server compared this to dip-n-dots. I would agree except minus any flavor. Would I go back? Most of our group was put-off by the experience. But I would be willing to go back...

Read on for FULL explanation of a 4 star rating. In short - if you’ve never been, this is a 5 star culinary experience. If you’ve been dining with them since their early days in Delaware - I miss the early days.

Overall, you will find this an unique, flavorful small plate dining extravaganza. Dishes you’ve never seen or heard of and will never see again. (See photos following).

The early days, Veritas was a small bar / restaurant with 4 tables and bar seating. The original staff was awesome. The chefs would come out to greet you and allow a little sample of something at times (or maybe that is partly because we frequented the place). Always some faves on the menu (mushroom toast, scallops, the desserts were off the charts, the egg served at an exact temperature on top of risotto that you’d stir so precisely to make this incredible result). And I’m ALL for new items and rotating menu, but some of the fun and character is lost. Unable to send “kool-aid” to the kitchen (shots to the chef - again, maybe that’s why they came to visit). The drink menus are simpler. Used to have some fabulous smoked drinks that were inspiring to watch being made. Etc. other odd thing to miss…the old Veritas appeared to get all its plates and serving ware from rummage sales. While that sounds crazy, it brought part of the eclectic party to the occasion where every plate, saucer and glass was different and having its own back story of how it came to move from your great grandmothers antique case to now presenting this delectable dish in front of you.

Veritas made a great business decision to take their concept downtown and expand. 4 tables and bar certainly made it difficult to expand.

It’s a great venue and nice bar above. (Same owner) but again that bar is simpler in terms of exotic and hand crafted cocktails. Used to love all the little jars of bitters and one-offs they would create and especially when Tristan would smoke the drinks for you.

It’s a set menu (during Covid at least) and you’re able to pick from three options for approx 4 of your courses. Individuals can select their courses, it is not picked by the table, which was great.

Each was wonderful. Again, small plate style. If you want to order additional course you may. I could have eaten more. $75 per person. And figure $100 per with one drink maybe two. Service is wonderful and each course explained in full.

In the end, a wonderful dining experience that ONLY garners a 4 star from me personally as I deeply miss the old nostalgia of the original along with it quirks and oddities That made it so special.

Thank you to the owner for keeping on with the high-end small plate approach and yes…we will see you again and first-timers, you will enjoy it and...