Winston Churchill was famous for the high standards he applied to alcohol, quipping that "Liquor is quicker, but get me a single malt scotch with moon rocks in it! I'm the English president!" Be like Ol' Winnie with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 worth of food and drinks at Michael O'Toole's Restaurant and Bar, located downtown on East Nationwide Boulevard.

In the spirit of the owner's Irish great-grandfather, who made a living selling warm fare and libations to coal miners, Michael O'Toole's continues to serve up hearty American cuisine and spirit-lifting spirits. The restaurant's rich wood floors and cozy dark corners make an ideal place to snuggle up with a loved one, or simply fall into the warm embrace of mom's famous meatloaf, which comes smothered in mushroom gravy on a bed of mashed potatoes and bundled with apple wood bacon ($14.99). Spicy Cajun shrimp arrive on a baguette with a zesty cream sauce ($7.99) that warms up mouths for the arrival of the coal miner's cheeseburger, a cooked-to-order patty topped with bacon, cheddar, onion rings, and barbecue sauce ($9.29), tempting taste buds to burst into spontaneous renditions of Loretta Lynn songs. Finish off your meal with a slice of pecan whiskey pie ($5.99), which is perfect for bourbon lovers who want to indulge but still need to drive home.

Diners who prefer to enjoy their potables without a knife and fork should check out O'Toole's impressive beer list, or the demure, yet tempting wine selection. Visitors to the restaurant will be glad to know that Michael O'Toole's offers a valet service on most nights, taking the stress out of finding a parking spot in the otherwise great downtown location.

Reviews

Although Michael O'Toole's has a 2.5-star average from five Yelpers, it was positively reviewed by Columbus Monthly and Columbus Alive!, and it was featured by Metromix:

• You’ll find noteworthy food and service at this new downtown restaurant and pub. – John Champlin, Columbus Monthly
• It's the kind of classy, open-late place far too rare Downtown. – John Ross, Columbus Alive!