Christmas Time in the Cbus

Top of Mind

Slow Your Sleigh: A Holiday Reminder from The Scarlet Letter

Ah, the holidays a magical time when we’re all sprinting through gift buying, cookie-baking, and end-of-year chaos like Rudolph on an espresso martini bender. Before you burn out faster than your neighbor’s oversized inflatable Santa, let us remind you: it’s okay to slow down.

Whether you’re hosting a very stylish dinner or eating a whole box of little Debbies Christmas tree donuts in your pajamas (we stan), take a moment to enjoy the season however you can. Breathe in the pine-scented air, smile at the chaos of the mall parking lot, and remember, Aunt Karen’s annual fruitcake isn’t that bad if you wash it down with enough mulled wine.

And hey, safety first. The streets are icy, the drinks are flowing, and the last thing you want is to jingle all the way to the ER. So buckle up, designate a driver, and enjoy the show. 

Here’s to a season full of laughter, light, and however much relaxation you can sneak in between awkward family photos and Mariah Carey on repeat. From the two of us at The Scarlet Letter, have a safe and merry holiday. You deserve it!

Enjoy this week’s letter and we will see you in Next Week (unless we get snowed in).

🎄 Cheers,
The Scarlet Letter

How the Grinch Stole Landlines (and Why We’re OK With It)

’Twas the night before Christmas, and down every street,
Not a landline was ringing oh, what a defeat.

The Grinch this time played by AT&T has announced his latest holiday heist: by 2029, landlines in Ohio and nearly every other state will be gone for good. The copper wires that once carried our late night gossip, frantic “Quick! Put your mother on the phone” calls, and hopefully hold music are on their way out. AT&T calls them “antiquated” and “inefficient,” which is tech speak for “retirement party overdue.”

Let’s be real: when was the last time you actually used a landline? (If your a grandma you don’t count, y’all are the MVP’s, not the norm.) These days, we’ve got smartphones glued to our hands, smartwatches monitoring our every move, and smart speakers eavesdropping on our questionable Spotify playlists. Landlines? They’re the rotary phones of modern life nostalgic but impractical.

AT&T says it’s time to cut the cord and focus on the future: expanding fiber broadband and wireless options. And honestly? Good for them. Holding on to old technology is like leaving out cookies for Santa when you know he’s ordering DoorDash.

But what about the landline die-hards? (Yes, they exist.) Rural residents, senior citizens, and those who rely on landlines during power outages might feel like the Grinch stole their Christmas tree. For them, AT&T is offering a $45-a-month wireless landline option essentially a “cordless” cord. It’s like getting a lump of coal but with Wi-Fi.

Oddly enough, California gets to keep its landlines. Maybe they left out better cookies and milk, or maybe the Grinch just likes their weather. Either way, Ohioans are left pondering life after landlines and, honestly, it’s probably for the best. Landlines aren’t the reliable lifeline they once were, and the world has moved on.

So, here’s to AT&T for finally helping us hang up for good. And to landlines: thank you for your years of service. You’ll always be remembered fondly like flip phones and Blockbuster.

Scarlet Letter Trivia

Question: In Ohio, holiday sales are expected to increase by 1.1% this year. What is the total projected amount for these sales, according to the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants?

A) $25.3 billion
B) $27.8 billion
C) $30.4 billion
D) $32.9 billion

Columbus Brewing Company: Ranks Top 30 Brewiers in USA Baby

Ohioans have known for decades that Columbus Brewing Company (CBC) isn’t just good it’s “top-30 breweries in the country” good. Now, thanks to Vine Pair, the rest of the world (or at least beer nerds) is catching on. Sorry, Brooklyn. This one’s ours.

Vine Pair’s Joshua M. Bernstein, fresh off a move from New York to Columbus, put it best:

“Quite possibly the best IPA brewery that few people outside of Ohio know about.”

That’s because CBC has been brewing up hop-forward brilliance since 1988 and has zero plans to ship it beyond our borders. This means that when you crack open a Bodhi Double IPA or their dank, citrusy flagship IPA, you’re tasting something special something made just for Ohio. And where else can you get a fridge-ready 15-pack of world-class IPA for $20? (Hint: Nowhere. Not even Brooklyn.)

But CBC isn’t just about what’s in the can. Their Beer Hall is a hop lover’s paradise, with fresh hop IPAs, experimental hazies, and other lupulin loaded creations that make you wonder if hops have a direct line to your soul.

So here’s to CBC: a brewery that proves you don’t need to leave the state or even your couch for some of the best beer in the country. But if you’re looking for a fresh pint and good vibes, head to their beer hall. Trust us, it’s the kind of place that makes you proud to call Columbus home.

havelibistro

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The Gang Goes To Haveli

This weekend, we found ourselves downtown on High Street, walking into Haveli Bistro, and let me tell you it was like stepping into a big warm hug made of spices. (To Much Ted Lasso, I know) This spot isn’t just serving Indian classics; Its opening up your mind with unexpected fusion dishes like Schezwan Noodles and Hot and Sour Soup that make you sit up and take notice.

Let’s start with the appetizers. The Hot and Sour Soup officially a contender for the best in the city, was a perfect balance of tangy and spicy. And then there were the Drums of Heaven: crispy chicken drumsticks coated in rich spices, with peanuts and carrots adding a delightful crunch. These weren’t just good; they were “order another round and call it dinner” good.

For the mains, Haveli brought the sizzle literally. The Tandoori Lamb arrived on a cast iron platter, spicy, tender, and cooked to perfection. And then there was the Pomfret Tandoori: a whole roasted fish (yes, eyes and all) served over cabbage. It tasted like it had been cooked over an open fire on a beach somewhere magical. Mild, flaky, and bursting with tandoori flavor, it was a showstopper that stole the table’s attention.

And dessert? Oh, dessert. Their Brownie Sundae was so hot and gooey it might as well have been a lava cake. Paired with top notch presentation, it was an indulgent finish that left me grinning ear to ear. Honorable mention goes to the Jalapeño Cheese Naan spicy, cheesy, and impossible to share.

But here’s the real insider tip: ask for the Butter Buffed Bread and say onlyincbus told you.  This almost carnival-style beignet is a secret menu item, and trust me, it rivals every other dessert we tried (and yes, we tried seven).

Trivia Answer:

C) $30.4 billion (that’s like each person spending $902)