Kuya Ian's Bistro, Columbus

Nonie Firmalan and her late husband, Van, always shared a love of cooking, and dreamed of one day owning their own Filipino restaurant together. Two years after Van lost his life to kidney failure, Nonie decided to honor their shared dream and open Kuya Ian's Bistro. Here, she prepares authentic Filipino dishes—the same she and her husband would cook up—for guests. Specials include Nonie's grilled chicken, which consists of skewered chicken smothered in brown sauce, or pan-fried milkfish marinated in vinegar and served on top of rice and vegetables. Finger foods like Filipino-style egg rolls or steamed rice buns hold appetites over until the main course arrives, and fried pieces of banana and jackfruit over ice cream finish the meal off.