Restaurants in Upper Arlington

Spinelli's lunch and dinner menu has hot panini, fresh salads, flatbread pizza, soups, pasta, and more. Try penne with meatballs smothered in Spinelli's signature sauce ($6.49) or a magherita pizza made with fresh basil, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella balls ($4.99). Spinelli's is best known for its creative cold sandwiches, including the Jalapeño Joe (turkey, jalapeño bacon, pepper-jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo on a cheddar roll, $6.49) and the Thurber Big Beef (roast beef, lettuce, tomato, Monterey jack cheese, and mild horseradish sauce on an Asiago roll, $6.29). Have half a sandwich with a cup of lobster bisque, vegetarian gumbo, chicken noodle soup, chili, or another fresh soup for $6.49. Or start the day with a specialty sandwich. The breakfast bill of fare includes melty morning grinders such as a tostini (egg, American cheese, roasted red peppers, $3.99) and a lox sandwich (smoked salmon, plain cream cheese, and red onion, $6.49) served on a freshly baked bagel, English muffin, or croissant. Breakfast, like syndicated Simpsons reruns, is available all day.

East of Chicago Pizza placates grumbling hunger mobs with its selection of 11 specialty pizzas. Scale the sour-creamed peaks of the taco pizza, which mingles chicken or beef with lettuce, tomato, black olives, and onions ($14.99), or lounge on the bacon-blanketed shores of the Hawaiian, with ham and pineapple ($14.99). Topping-centric thrillseekers can venture down into the deep-dish depths of the Tower, whose upper crust erupts with pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, green peppers, onions, ham, bacon, mild banana peppers, and green and black olives ($15.99). East of Chicago also offers the seven-layer veggie ($14.99), which sates the plant-based tastes of vegetarians and irradiated mole rats.

Founded in 1947 as a poker hall for traveling tycoons, The Clarmont became a steakhouse when it fell out of fashion to use grilled beef slabs as chips. Since then, the Columbus institution has added seafood and fresh fish offerings to its sumptuous menu. The culinary fireworks begin at dinner with the always-goes-fast prime rib of beef ($19.59), seasoned and roasted on-site each day, or The Clarmont's 50-year standby: 12 ounces of filet mignon ($30.99), which you can top with fresh mushrooms ($2.99), drizzle with port demi-glace ($2.95), and side with french-fried onion rings ($4.79/full order), among other things. Beyond the beef, discriminating diners can branch out into lamb osso bucco ($23.99), Long Island duckling in a bing cherry glaze ($21.99), or potato-encrusted salmon in an orange horseradish beurre blanc ($19.99). A wine menu featuring 17 by-the-glass options, such as Italian Al Verdi Pinot Grigio ($5.25), and more than 100 bottle options are available to pair with delectable dishes, as well as lubricate conversation that's been desiccated by too many office anecdotes.

Warm, natural woods, terra cotta, wrought-iron fixtures, and exposed ceiling beams lend the upscale eatery an Old World charm studded with pops of contemporary green chairs, red lamp shades, and ethereal purple lights glowing above the bar. Overlooking scenic Big Walnut Creek and its surrounding park, the dining room is a romantic and comfortable spot for first dates that's free of the stuffy atmosphere and snooty waiters commonly associated with date-night fare. For an even better view and more intimate outing, hit the outdoor patio, where a fire pit casts flattering light and warm fuzzies on couples, old friends, and former P.E. teachers.

A whirlwind of utensils hovers over a sizzling grill under the ministrations of a deft hibachi chef, sending morsels of seared meat to diners seated around a crimson-hued circle of polished wood. Guests can request orders of teriyaki chicken, hibachi steak, or shrimp and watch the multitasking chef cook each meal to order while entertaining fellow diners and writing a grocery list to shop for after their shift. Vibrant, rustic murals and dioramas decorate the dining room, and lantern-style light fixtures cast a warm glow on tables and working fountain by the restaurant's entrance.