When Chef Josh Dalton moved Veritas Tavern from Delaware to downtown Columbus, he dropped "tavern" from the name and added a unique spin with the menu: a seven-course price-fixed chef's tasting option.

This tasting menu allows customers to have a relaxing dining experience without needing to make any decisions, as well as lets the chefs at Veritas, 11 W. Gay St., to create interesting dishes with higher-end products, Dalton said.

But if a tasting menu isn't your thing, Dalton also keeps busy with his other restaurants, Speck Italian Eatery and 1808 American Bistro, both in Delaware.

Dalton joined "The Great Food Debate" podcast host Abby Armbruster for an in-depth look at juggling his daily life between the three restaurants.

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New episodes are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and Stitcher. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

According to House Bill 263, establishments that allow a person to bring a dog to an outdoor dining area must adopt a policy that requires patrons to control their dog, with a leash or otherwise; prohibit the dog in the inside of the establishment; and comply with sanitation standards in the Ohio uniform food-safety code.

So where can you take your furry friends around central Ohio? Our guests, Experience Columbus senior visitor services manager Alexis Perrone and ThisWeek photojournalist Lorrie Cecil, share their favorite spots.

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New episodes are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

People often have a romantic view of owning a bakery. Whether customers think of "It's Complicated," "Moonstruck" or another classic cinematic bakery scene, the real work required to make pastries or run a store isn't as glamorous, according to two local business owners. 

This week's episode of "The Great Food Debate" dives into the work behind making pastries delicious, which treats didn't make their way to the menu and the story behind their unique restaurant names. 

This week's panelists are: 

- Michelle Allen, owner of MMELO Boutique Confections

- Jeff Excell, owner of Fox in the Snow

 Other restaurants mentioned in this episode are:

- Laughlin's Bakery, (15 E. 2nd Ave., Columbus)

- Dan the Baker (1028 Ridge St., Columbus)

- Dough Mama (3335 N. High St., Columbus)

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This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

Rooftop bars are having a moment in central Ohio -- from Seventh Son Brewing Co. adding a retractable rooftop to their second-story space last year to the brand-new Lincoln Social Rooftop opening in downtown Columbus.

For this week's episode of "The Great Food Debate," host Abby Armbruster discussed the work that goes into opening a rooftop restaurant and bar in a one-on-one interview with Orcun Turkay, the general manager of AC Hotel Columbus Dublin, which has VASO on its top floor.

Turkay has been with the hotel since it was under development, and has seen its share of awards, including "most beautifully designed bar" in Ohio by Architectural Digest. 

Listen to this week's episode to find out what it takes to create a new menu, something that Turkay and his team do at least twice a year, and if they'll bring back the snow globe-esque domes for its patio this winter.

Other spots mentioned in this episode:

- Lincoln Social Rooftop, 711 N. High St., Columbus

- Juniper, 580 N. Fourth St., Columbus

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New episodes are released every Friday. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

Central Ohio doesn't have that many restaurants that are inside of another establishment... right?

As the conversation got rolling, our panelists came up with dozens examples of delicious eats that you can find within another store, hotel or even arcade. These restaurants do not need a storefront of their own to have a big impact with our taste buds.

Listen to this week's episode to find out why our panelists are urging you to #SayYesYestoNoNo.

This episode's panelists are:

- Dilara Casey, founder of @FerociousAppetite on Instagram

- Scott Hummel, assistant manager of ThisWeek Community News, digital

- Nikki Seeley, founder of the SweetlyCBUS blog

Our panelists' picks for the best restaurants inside of another establishment are:

- Dilara: Costco (three locations in Columbus)

- Scott: Cabela's (1650 Gemini Place, Columbus, plus locations nationwide)

- Nikki: Saraga International Grocery (1265 Morse Rd, Columbus, plus two more on the way)

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New episodes are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

So many cultures are represented in restaurants in central Ohio -- from Ethiopian (Addis Restaurant) to Somali (Hoyo's Kitchen) to French (the new Le Vieux Lyon Bakery Cafe in Reynoldsburg). Our weekly column by Gary Seman Jr., called "Table Talk," often shares the newest cuisine available for Columbus diners.

For this week's episode of "The Great Food Debate," host Abby Armbruster speaks with three central Ohio residents who spend their time enlightening people to different cuisines, including Asian and Indian food.

This episode's panelists include:

- Bethia Woolf, co-founder of Columbus Food Adventures

- Mita Shah, co-owner of Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream

- Kevin Wang, sushi chef and owner of Akatsuki Sushi

 What international cuisine would you like to see in central Ohio?

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New episodes of “The Great Food Debate” are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

We gathered four vegetarians (and one former vegan) to discuss the best vegetarian restaurants found in central Ohio. 

This episode's panelists are:

- Cindy Gordon, founder of the cooking blog, "Vegetarian Mamma"

- Jayme Hitchcock, community manager for Yelp! Columbus 

- Olivia Minnier, reporter for ThisWeek Community News

- Taylor Shook, founder of the Instagram account, @CookedShook, and radio host of "Shook the Cook" for WDUB

Where can you find the best vegetarian restaurant in central Ohio?

Cindy's pick: Northstar Cafe

Jayme's pick: Comune

Olivia's pick: Angry Baker

Taylor's pick: Condado Tacos

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New episodes of "The Great Food Debate" are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

In 2019, technology can be found in nearly every aspect of the restaurant industry. From food-delivery systems such as Grubhub or Uber Eats to the equipment that can keep tabs of power outages and fridge temperatures, many restaurants now need tech gurus to run smoothly. 

On this week's episode of "The Great Food Debate," host Abby Armbruster talked to three people who know about the technology needed to improve the dining experience.

This episode's panelists are:

- Stephan Harman, co-founder of Fusian

- Chris Shirer, founder of JoinMyTable

- Orlando Sprockel, director of information technology for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

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New episodes are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

Central Ohio has an ever-evolving list of restaurants for residents to try.

But which restaurant has packed a punch in less than two years of opening?

Our season 2 debut of "The Great Food Debate" dives into that very question.

Welcome to "The Great Food Debate" podcast, where we discuss the best food, drinks and specialties found in central Ohio.

This episode's panelists are: 

- Erin Edwards, dining editor at Columbus Monthly magazine

- Megumi Robinson, director of public relations at Experience Columbus

- Nikki Seeley, founder of the SweetlyCBUS blog

- Bethia Woolf, co-owner of Columbus Food Adventures

The following restaurants were in this week's episode: 

- Comune, 677 Parsons Ave., Columbus

- Ambrose & Eve, 716 S. High St., Columbus

- Antiques on High, 714 S. High St., Columbus

- Philco, 747 N. High St., Columbus

- Lupo, 2124 Arlington Ave., Columbus

- Bulgogi Korean Restaurant, 1265 Morse Road, Columbus

- Barroluco, 47 N. Pearl St., Columbus

- Alpine Restaurant & Bar, 525 S. Fourth St., Columbus

- El Lugar, 525 S. Fourth St, Columbus

- Swensons Drive-In, with locations in Dublin and Columbus and more on the way

- Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, 89 E. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus

- The Lox Bagel Shop, 772 N. High St., Suite 106, Columbus

- Dos Sabores Taqueria and Mexican Grill, 6042 Huntley Road, Columbus

- Harvey & Ed's, 698 N. High St., Columbus

- Alqueria, 247 King Ave., Columbus

- Momo Ghar, with two Columbus locations

- Fox in the Snow, with locations in New Albany, German Village and Columbus 

- Brassica, with locations in Bexley, Short North and Upper Arlington

- Bake Me Happy, 106 E. Moler St., Columbus

- Old Spot, 1099 W. First Ave., Grandview, opening soon

- Everest Cuisine, 652 High St., Worthington

- Kollektiv, 741 S. Third St., Columbus

- Pierogi Mountain, with two Columbus locations

- Wunderbar, 739 S. Third St., Columbus

- Woodhouse Vegan Pop-Up, currently at 1038 N. High St., Columbus

- Portia's Cafe, opening a second restaurant venture at 3269 N. High St., Columbus

- Little Eater, with two Columbus locations

- Satori Ramen Bar, coming soon to North Market, 59 Spruce St., Columbus

- Preston's: A Burger Joint, with two Columbus locations plus a food truck

- Juniper, 580 N. Fourth St., Columbus

- Bridge Park, 6634 Riverside Drive, Dublin

- Law Bird, coming soon to the Brewery District 

- Budd Dairy Food Hall, coming this fall to 1086 N. Fourth St., Columbus

- Center Street Market, coming this September to 5354 Center St., Hilliard

- Hoyo's Kitchen, 5788 Columbus Square, Columbus

- Newfangled Kitchen, 2258 E. Main St., Bexley

- A Common Table, 3496 N. High St., Columbus

- Brekkie Shack, 1060 Yard St., Columbus

- The Drunken Donut, a home bakery

- Spicy Hop, 878 Bethel Road, Columbus

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New episodes are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.

As National Pizza Month comes to a close, we are ending on a high note by talking to three people who create pizza toppings that are out of this world.

From a mussel pizza (with mussels still in their shell) to one based on Showtime's "Dexter," we discovered how they come up with these pizzas and how they market the oddball concoctions.

Welcome to "The Great Food Debate," where we talk about the best food, drinks and more in central Ohio.

Three weeks ago, we made a laundry list of the 'best ofs," from favorite deep dish to best high-end pizza found in central Ohio.

Two weeks ago, we interviewed pizza shop owners from Bexley Pizza Plus, Borgata Pizza Cafe and Mama Mimi's Take N' Bake Shop about how to make great pizza and where they go to find a good slice in central Ohio.

Last week, we toured the Donatos test kitchen and made three pizzas, including their most popular pepperoni pizza and the Founder's Favorite (the top choice of managing editor Lee Cochran).

This episode's panelists are:

• Jason Biundo, part owner of Mikey's Late Night Slice (locations in the Arena District, Clintonville, Short North and downtown Columbus)

• Heidi Oliver, director of promotions at Mikey's Late Night Slice

• Peter Danis, owner of Figlio Wood Fired Pizza (locations in Grandview, Upper Arlington and Dayton)

Where do they go to find the best pizza in central Ohio?

• Jason's pick: Flying Pizza (Former location: 1812 N. High St., Columbus) and Buckeye Slice (Former location: 5216 Bethel Road, Columbus).

• Heidi's pick: Pizza Hut (Editor's note: Heidi mentioned that her pick was somewhat persuaded by her pregnancy. Congratulations!)

• Peter's pick: Harvest Pizzeria (Locations in Bexley, Clintonville, Dublin, German Village and Grandview Heights)

Other pizza places mentioned in this episode:

• Sizzle Pie (locations in Eugene and Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington)

• &Pizza (pronounced "And pizza") (locations in seven states; the closest to central Ohio would be Washington, D.C.)

New episodes are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced and hosted by Abby Armbruster, ThisWeek social-media strategist.