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Best Day Ever: Chef BJ Lieberman

Best Day Ever: Chef BJ Lieberman

Axios09-07-2025
BJ Lieberman is about as close as we can get to having a local celebrity chef.
Catch up quick: A 2024 James Beard nominee, Lieberman is known for Chapman's Eat Market (RIP 😔) and Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge.
He also recently opened Metsi's, a new Italian concept.
For the latest entry in our Best Day Ever series, here's his perfect day:
🎶 Music to start your day: In the morning, I like something peppy — maybe Vampire Weekend or '80s synthpop.
When I'm preparing at the restaurant, it's always Drive-By Truckers or Jason Isbell.
🍳 Breakfast: I'm torn between two favorites: Lox and Fox in the Snow.
I'll either get a sesame bagel with egg and cheese from Lox, or Fox in the Snow's classic breakfast sandwich.
🏌️‍♂️ Morning activity: If I have free time, I'm either spending it with my 4-year-old son or golfing.
I love to wake up early and finish a round before 10am.
🌯 Lunch: Easy — Joya's. The wrap snack is my favorite food item in Columbus.
My favorite dish is Speck's pomodoro. It's the reason the Metsi's menu doesn't have a pomodoro dish. It's perfect.
📺 Evening activity: Probably binging a bit of a TV show — right now, "The Last of Us" or "The Righteous Gemstones."
My wife and I getting to spend time sitting near each other is pretty rare these days, so I take every chance I get.
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