OPENING HOURS: Mon- Sun: 9am-10pm
ADDRESS: 4015 Townsfair Way, Columbus, OH 43219
PHONE:(614) 532-5444
WEBSITE: www.thenorthstarcafe.com
After an intense spin class at the CycleBar, my newest fit friend and I decided to head over for Sunday morning breakfast at her favourite cafe, Northstar. I was desperate to try it as she is always raving on about how amazing it is!Northstar uses locally grown, organic, and artisan produced foods not only to protect the environment and to support producers whose values are aligned with theirs, but also to ensure that they are serving the most wholesome and delicious food possible.
ATMOSPHERE RATING 3/5
At Northstar cafes, you are required to order on arrival at the front counter, prior to finding a table. As a first time Northstar diner, I can’t say I was a huge fan of this system as I felt a little rushed looking over the menu and deciding on my breakfast. Also, after ordering my breakfast and morning coffee, I was given an empty mug to go and pour my own self-selected coffee. As much as I enjoyed being able to select my own bean, I felt flustered as the coffee machines are located right by the counter and as we hadn’t even sat down yet, I was now holding my coat, bag, coffee cup and order number. However, enough of the negative. Northstar Easton has a large dining area, which is almost circular in style and enclosed almost completely by large windows, which allows for beautiful natural light to stream through. Northstar has a rustic look to it, with lots of wooden attributes, but with a perfectly modern and clean feel.
SERVICE RATING 5/5
We arrived at the right time…right when they opened! There was no order line and we easily found a table for two. Unlike when we left over an hour later when the brunch line was out the door and people were queuing up with their order number to find a spare seat. I guess when a cafe serves fresh food that tastes this good, you can understand why it is so popular! The girl taking our order was bubbly and polite and was more than encouraging when I asked a million questions about a few dishes I was decided between. She was even more than accommodating when I asked for egg whites instead of whole eggs! Our meals arrived at our tables in a suitable time frame. As all meals are cooked fresh and as requested (I made a few substitutions to mine) it is more acceptable for it to take a little longer. In saying that, our meals arrived relatively quickly and the service was again, perfect. Our server was genuine, approachable and interested in us- even making comments about our CycleBar water bottles. He checked on us a few moments later to ensure that our meals were to our liking and then left us to enjoy each others company. Considering we had already paid for our meal (so tipping wasn’t on the cards) it was so refreshing to know that the service was purely to ensure we were comfortable and happy with our dining experience and food selections.
MENU 4/5
The breakfast menu was different, yet impressive. If you are a typical bacon and eggs person, Northstar is not for you. As for me, I LOVE breakfast and I LOVE hearty, healthy yet wholesome foods so the menu was impressive. After much contemplation, I decided to order the Sweet Potato and Turkey Hash. This consisted of applewood smoked turkey, red peppers, sweet onions, and two sunny eggs, which I substituted for egg whites. This meal was so good. It was flavourful and plentiful and certainly “filled the spot”. I left feeling satisfied yet not heavy and would recommend it to others. In fact, I was tossing up between the Mushroom Frittata and this dish and after choosing the Turkey Hash I promised my GF that I would try the mushroom dish next time we ate at Northstar. But now, after having this, I’m not sure if I’m willing to sacrifice this dish for another. We will see!
The breakfast menu was different, yet impressive. If you are a typical bacon and eggs person, Northstar is not for you. As for me, I LOVE breakfast and I LOVE hearty, healthy yet wholesome foods so the menu was impressive. After much contemplation, I decided to order the Sweet Potato and Turkey Hash. This consisted of applewood smoked turkey, red peppers, sweet onions, and two sunny eggs, which I substituted for egg whites. This meal was so good. It was flavourful and plentiful and certainly “filled the spot”. I left feeling satisfied yet not heavy and would recommend it to others. In fact, I was tossing up between the Mushroom Frittata and this dish and after choosing the Turkey Hash I promised my GF that I would try the mushroom dish next time we ate at Northstar. But now, after having this, I’m not sure if I’m willing to sacrifice this dish for another. We will see!
COST OF BILL $$
My meal was a total of $16. My Turkey Hash meal was $13 + $3 for coffee. Most meals on the breakfast/brunch menu ranged between $11- $15, although if you are watching your money (and not your waistline) there were plenty of pastries and treats from the bakery ranging from $3 and up.
My meal was a total of $16. My Turkey Hash meal was $13 + $3 for coffee. Most meals on the breakfast/brunch menu ranged between $11- $15, although if you are watching your money (and not your waistline) there were plenty of pastries and treats from the bakery ranging from $3 and up.
OVERALL SCORE 4/5
If you haven’t yet dined at Northstar… do yourself a favour and get there. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, cake and coffee, dinner… no excuse or reason necessary- just do it!
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