The Top Steak House - Recipe

Visit the Top Steak House

For nearly 50 years Central Ohio has enjoyed the food and the hospitality at the Top Steak House in Bexley. As their Web site says: Still locally and independently owned, the Top is able to focus on service and quality as opposed to the “bottom line” focus of many modern steak houses.


The Top is a blast from the past. Still seemingly decorated as it was originally, with piano bar and a 1950s feel you can almost see Dean Martin and the rest of the rat pack sipping a martini and having a good time at the Top.

Before ordering, tables are served a cold plate of deli pickles and sauerkraut. Unlike other steakhouses, all dinners come with salad and potatoes; large, basic side dishes like broccoli and asparagus can be ordered separately. The steaks incredibly tender and mouthwatering.

For a great steak dinner and great service while stepping back in time, the Top can't be beat.
The Top is located at 2891 East Main Street in Bexley, Ohio.
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Creamy Blue Cheese (Roquefort)

"For over 45 years Creamy Blue Cheese or Roquefort as it is known amongst the "old school" has and will always be a long standing tradition at The Top."


CHEF: The Top Steak House
SERVINGS: 5 gallons (good for 3 days / more thick than less)

INGREDIENTS:

9 lbs. cream cheese

5 lbs. Blue Cheese crumbles (wheel)

3 quarts Half & Half


DIRECTIONS:

In large mixer combine 6 pounds cream cheese, 3 pounds blue cheese. Mix slowly while adding 2 quarts Half & Half, increase mixing, add rest of ingredients (3 pounds cream cheese, 2 pounds blue cheese, 1 quart Half & Half ). Mix until texture becomes thick as desired.



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JUNGLE JACK HANNA'S FAVORITE CARROT CAKE

In 2001, I started collecting recipes from Columbus (& Ohio) celebrities.  After the death of my Rottweiler, Fritzy, I needed a hobby - something that would involve writing and animals.  I contacted the local Pilot Dogs of Columbus and told them I wanted to put together a Celebrity Cookbook, with all funds going to their behalf.  It was alot of fun corresponding with various Columbus notables (Jack Nicklaus, Archie Griffin, Dave Thomas, Gail Hogan, Clark Kellogg and more).  I never launched the cookbook due to the high expense which I didn't anticipate; however, I want to share these recipes with Columbus.  My PayPal button is attached; please make a small donation to Pilot Dogs if you decide to use one of these delicious recipes.  They do good work, too.  Bringing together animals and people who need them.

Jack Hanna

Visit Jack Online

CHEF: Jack Hanna

INGREDIENTS:
4 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 cups canola oil
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped pineapple, drained
2 or 3 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
1/4 cup apricot nectar (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Mix eggs, sugars and oil. Separately sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and add to mixture. Add remaining ingredients. Grease and lightly flour a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees approximately one hour or until top springs back or you can toothpick test.


Icing: Combine 1 box confectioner's sugar, 1 8-ounce package Philly cream cheese, 1 stick butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon apricot nectar (optional for color).

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Jack Hanna, popular host of the hit television series, " Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures", is one of America's most beloved naturalists and adventurers. Jack Hanna is "every person's" television zoologist. Hanna received national attention after he became Director of the Columbus Zoo in 1978. He transformed our zoo into a model facility and through his media savvy, made the Columbus Zoo a household name. He is a regular guest on shows like "Good Morning America, " Larry King Live," "The Late Show With David Letterman" and "The Maury Povich Show." He also makes countless personal appearances and speeches throughout the U.S. The route to becoming a national celebrity began in his family's bathtub in Knoxville, Tennessee where he raised bluegills and quickly extended his menagerie to the backyard. After majoring in business in college, Hanna, with support from his wife, Suzi, started a pet shop and petting zoo, worked for a wildlife adventure company and directed a small Florida zoo. The couple's subsequent move to Columbus (with their three daughters) was the start of Hanna's rising media star. Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo since 1993, he still remains active in the zoo and his community.

Hanna is a Professional Fellow of the American Zoo & Aquarium Association and a member of the Explorer's Club. He is also an active supporter of Easter Seals and the Leukemia Society and serves on the boards of several educational institutions. While he takes all of his civic responsibilities seriously, he maintains that wildlife conservation is his true calling.

The TAT Restaurant

An alltime favorite of my father and I, especially the hot buttered Italian spaghetti.  It was orange!   In 1950 they moved to East Main Street and in 1953 they opened another restaurant on James Road (which we visited often). In the 60's two more restaurants were opened, one on Beechwood Avenue and one on Sullivant Avenue.


Today, the TAT Ristorante di Famiglia, was opened in 1970 by Jimmy Corrova on James Road and still serves excellent Italian cuisine.  Family owned and operated since 1929, they are famous for the Poor Boy Sandwich, which is loaded with Italian meats and lettuce, cheese, tomato, peppers and spices. They serve several types of sandwiches, as well as appetizers, soups and salads.

The desserts are wonderful! The Ultimate Chocolate Fudge Cake was always my favorite and definitely takes care of a sweets craving!

Make Mine a Big Boy

My grandmother "suggested" I get a job in the summer of 1978.  Frisch's, near my family's apartment in Wyandotte East, seemed a good choice.  After a bit of training at the West Broad location, I was ready to don my spiffy brown polyester uniform and apron, and get to work.  I wasn't that great waiting tables.  If I had a table of more than two, I panicked, which happened often. 

When fellow Walnut Ridge classmates would wander in, I'd die a 1000 deaths being witnessed in that uniform.  My shift was 4pm to close (which was 1:30 or 2:00 am).  I used to walk home most nights with no worries.

The best part of working there was the free meal you'd get on your shift (and not getting goosed in the walk-in freezer!!).  Anything Frisch's had on hand they would make for a customer.  My favorite was the Buddie Boy and side salad with buttermilk dressing.

This Frisch's still had the car-hop drive-in out back.  Is Frisch's still there today, or did that turn into a Walgreen's also?  Let me know.

The Whirling Satellite

Dustin got me thinking about the "Whirling Satellite".  I remember the song too.....do you remember BBF?

Columbus' Claim to Fame

Columbus lays claim to a number of ‘firsts’ that include the first Junior High School (Indianola Junior High in 1909), the first kindergarten (1838 by German settlers), the first shopping center, the first filling station (Standard Oil of Ohio at Young and Oak streets in 1912), the first banana split (Foeller’s Drug Store on North High Street), the first Miss America (Mary Catherine Campbell, 1922), the first Wendy’s restaurant and the first gorilla born in captivity (Colo in 1956).


Now you can add another one to your list of Columbus trivia: The Madison Dance, purportedly invented by William “Bubbles” Holloway and the dancers at the LVA Club on Mt. Vernon Avenue in 1957.

The first Wendy's restaurant opened in my father's former club on Broad Street (Marty's La Mancha)...across from COSI and The Christopher Inn.  Does anyone have any pics of the La Mancha?  Many entertainers stopped by.....Frankie Avalon, George Carlin, Frank Sinatra, Jr.....to name a few.

My Family - Mellmans & Greenes

Here's a picture of my beloved Jewish family. Most are gone now.  Debbie Mellman lives in California; Estelle Mellman lives on the East Coast of Florida.  This photo was taken at 59 South Roosevelt, Bexley, Ohio.

Back Row (Uncle Ted Greene, Aunt Irene Greene, Aunt Estelle Mellman, Uncle Jerry Mellman)
Front Row (Grandfather AJ Mellman, Grandmother Rose Mellman, Debbie Mellman (my father's first wife), Father Marty Mellman)

My father hiding the proverbial cigarette in his hand.....lol.

What a PlayBoy!

Over time I'll write alot about my father, Marty.  Many knew him as a jazz club owner (Marty's 502 Club).  I simply knew him as (awwwwwwwww....Dad).  One of the funniest people I've ever known but he had a tremendous knack to embaress me at just the right time.  Growing up as an only child with Marty was, to say the least, an adventure. Loved to laugh, loved to have fun, gave me my love for horses, music and a good joke at an early age.  Many friends have shared alot of stories of Marty with me over the years.....some stories I knew of....many I didn't.  I hope to share them with you.

These photos were taken in Miami, Florida.  My father attended the University of Miami briefly.....he told me he took basketweaving and ballet.  He was "let go" after a brief gambling escapade.  Ever the fun-loving smile and spirit.  My father would take me to the FountainBleu Hotel later in my life to show me how they used to party.  I'm sure he taught Miami-ans a thing or two.

Remember the Alamo - Whitehall, Ohio

I entered first and second grade at East Main Elementary School. I lived on Mound Street with my dad and grandparents. Kids who lived across the street went to Columbus schools. Remember when the Burger King was built on the corner of Main and ??? (in 1970??). My friends and I inaugurated it by stuffing the bathroom toilet full of toilet paper. We loved nothing more than to get a couple dollars apiece, hop on our bikes and head to Burger King. Growing up on Mound street was fun. My best friend Marla lived a few doors down (we shared the same birth day). Her dad worked at DCSC and her mom worked at General Electric on East Broad St. We were a mischevious group. Neighbors Mark and Troy Todd would tie fishing wire from stop sign to stop sign to see what would happen. Throwing snowballs at cars, reading Mad Magazine, Barbies, etc. I attended 1st and 2nd grade at East Main. My dad asked out my attractive second grade teacher and took her and her son out to Plotnick's farm for a day of horseback riding. I had a Dalmatian, Wilbur, who would later be hit by a car in front of my house.

My grandparents owned The Alamo Motor Inn on Main St and my Aunt Anne ran the place. I often stayed at the Alamo when my grandparents were away. There was a drive-in theatre next door that I used to peer over the fence at. Sometimes the movies were inappropriate for children.  The Time Out bar was on the other side.  New Years Eve found me lying in bed watching all the intoxicated (drunk) patrons stumble outside at midnight.  A favorite task was emptying quarters out of the "Magic Fingers" boxes in the rooms.

When I was 6 I learned how to work the old-style switchboard (think of one ringy dingy Lily Tomlin). I'm sure guests were surprised to hear a young child's voice answer the phone.  Does anyone else remember Whitehall?  the original Massey's? Lum's? Charlie Bear's? Emil's Restaurant? What was the name of department store on the corner of Main & Hamilton?

Nancy Lane, Columbus, Ohio

I was born in 1962 and from 1962-1964 I lived on Nancy Lane in Columbus, Ohio.  My mom, Pam and father, Marty and half-brother Drew and half-sister Karen.  I remember being put on the back of a bike and taken to Lawsons (where the juice rushes in and they pour it out!).  We had a live-in housekeeper, Sadie, who I spent alot of time with.  It was on Nancy Lane that I was playing on my swingset out back and water had collected underneath.  It was a great place for frogs but after my scary first encounter with such I ran inside to grab Sadie, who was ironing.  The iron somehow fell on my right hand.  That I don't luckily remember too much but still have the scars from that day.  My parents divorced after that time period.  My mother moved to Dayton with Drew and Karen.  I stayed with my father.  Here the story begins.

Welcome to my Blog

I took this opportunity to share my memories of Columbus, Ohio and hope that you will do the same.  Columbus was my home for exactly 40 years.  I moved to Sarasota, Florida on my 40th birthday.  I think of Columbus almost every day...the friends I've made, the places I've been and the wonderful city that is home to alot of great people.  I hope you'll take the time to post a comment or add a photo of your own.   Whether it's music, dining, places to visit or just fond memories....please share this blog with your friends.

Thanks!  Go Bucks!