This Fascinating Restaurant In Ohio Serves Creative Drinks From Books, And It’s Not Just Bookworms Who Are Obsessed
Ohio has a restaurant where the menu arrives inside an actual book, and suddenly ordering dinner feels a lot more interesting than usual.
The whole experience leans into that literary charm without letting the theme do all the work. Color-changing tea brings a little table-side magic, the cozy library-inspired room makes lingering feel natural, and the food goes far beyond novelty.
This is dinner with a plot twist.
I expected a clever concept and found a place with real personality, thoughtful service, and plates people keep talking about after the final bite. Book lovers will enjoy the details, but even the least literary diner can appreciate a restaurant that turns a meal into a story worth retelling.
A Westerville Address Worth Bookmarking
Not every restaurant earns a 4.6-star rating across more than 1,200 reviews, but Asterisk Supper Club in Westerville, Ohio has done exactly that, and the reasons become clear the moment you arrive.
Downtown Westerville has a quiet, walkable energy that feels refreshingly unhurried. The street has local shops, a sense of community, and just enough charm to make you want to slow down and actually look around.
Asterisk fits right into that vibe. It does not try to dominate the block or announce itself with flashy signage.
Instead, it earns its place through reputation, word of mouth, and a dining experience that people genuinely want to talk about after they leave.
One thing worth knowing before you go: reservations are strongly recommended. This place stays busy, and for good reason.
Walk-ins are sometimes possible, especially earlier in the day, but booking ahead gives you peace of mind.
You can find Asterisk Supper Club at 14 N State St, Westerville, OH 43081, and their phone number is +1 614-776-4633 if you want to call ahead and plan your visit properly.
The Library Atmosphere That Pulls You Right In
The inside of Asterisk Supper Club feels like someone took the coziest reading nook imaginable and turned it into a full dining room. Bookshelves line the space, warm lighting sets a relaxed mood, and the overall effect is one of those rare places that immediately makes you exhale and settle in.
Everything about the design feels intentional without being overdone. There is a British-inspired quality to the space, the kind of atmosphere that makes afternoon tea feel completely natural rather than performative.
What I found especially clever is how the library theme extends beyond decoration. The menus themselves are presented inside the covers of actual books.
Children visiting get children’s books, which doubles as entertainment while they wait. Adults get their own literary packaging, and it adds a small but memorable moment to the ordering process.
The music choices complement the mood without overpowering conversation, and the mix of mismatched teacups, varied saucers, and retro glassware gives the whole room a collected, personal character. It genuinely feels like someone put real thought into every corner of this place, and that care shows.
Menus Inside Books: The Detail Everyone Talks About
If there is one detail at Asterisk that people cannot stop mentioning, it is the menus presented inside real books. It sounds like a small thing, but in practice it transforms the ordinary act of reading the menu into something genuinely fun.
Each guest receives a book, and the menu is nestled inside. The books vary, so no two people at the table necessarily get the same cover.
That alone sparks conversation before the food even arrives.
For families with young children, the thoughtfulness goes even further. Kids receive children’s books, which keeps little ones entertained and curious during the wait.
It is a practical and imaginative solution that works surprisingly well.
I have been to plenty of restaurants that try to create a concept and then let it fade into the background once you sit down. Asterisk does not do that.
The book menu is just one example of how the theme is woven into the actual experience rather than just the decor.
Small details like this are what separate a good restaurant from one that people drive across Ohio to visit, and Asterisk clearly understands that distinction.
The Afternoon Tea Service That Feels Like a Real Occasion
Afternoon tea at Asterisk is the kind of experience that makes you feel like you have been transported somewhere much farther from Ohio than you actually are. The service is structured, the presentation is lovely, and the variety of teas available is genuinely impressive.
The current tea menu includes several options, including Cream Tea, Petite Tea, and Full Tea, with combinations of tea, scones, tea sandwiches, desserts, and soup or salad depending on what you order.
The full tea includes a generous spread with two teas, two soups or salads, a variety of tea sandwiches, two scones, and two desserts, making it feel like a proper sit-down occasion rather than a quick snack.
What makes the tea service especially appealing is how much personality it brings to the table. The mismatched cups, the bookish atmosphere, and the tiered presentation all help turn a simple afternoon plan into something more memorable.
The tea sandwich selection includes options such as cucumber and dill, egg salad, chicken salad, caprese, smoked salmon, strawberry, tuna salad, and pear and prosciutto, giving the experience more variety than you might expect.
Reservations are a smart idea for tea service, especially on busier days, so plan accordingly and book your spot in advance.
Color-Changing Butterfly Tea and Other Magical Sips
Among all the teas on the menu at Asterisk, the Butterfly Pea tea holds a special kind of magic. It changes color when acidity is added, shifting from deep blue toward purple, and watching that transformation happen at your table is genuinely delightful.
Beyond the visual drama, the tea selection here covers a wide range of flavors and styles. Lavender oolong, vanilla chai, buttery shortbread, rosehip hibiscus, mint, and strawberries and cream are just a few of the options that make the tea list feel playful and inviting.
The buttery shortbread tea in particular sounds like the kind of cozy cup that could turn an ordinary afternoon into something softer around the edges. The lavender oolong has its own appeal for anyone who likes a floral tea that still feels balanced.
All teas are served in mismatched vintage teacups and teapots, which adds to the whimsical, collected atmosphere of the space. Every cup feels slightly different from the last, and that variety keeps the experience feeling personal rather than mass-produced.
For anyone who thinks tea is just a warm drink, Asterisk will respectfully and deliciously change that perspective.
The Food Menu Goes Way Beyond Tea Sandwiches
Asterisk markets itself as a supper club, and the dinner menu makes a strong case that this label is earned. The food goes well beyond what you might expect from a tea-focused restaurant, with a lineup that includes comfort dishes prepared with real care.
The meatloaf, for example, has become one of those menu items that proves familiar food can still feel special when it is handled well.
Other current standout options include chicken marsala, chicken and spinach ravioli with smoked gouda cream sauce, beef short rib, chicken parmesan, walleye, chicken pot pie, and carbonara.
The chicken pot pie is especially well-suited to the atmosphere, with shredded chicken, potatoes, carrots, peas, and corn under house-made pie dough.
The mushroom toast is another item that has developed a following, with whipped ricotta and goat cheese, braised wild mushrooms, and burnt honey layered over toast points.
The range and quality of the menu is one of Asterisk’s most underrated strengths.
The Famous Chicken Sandwich and the Truffle Fry Debate
Some restaurants have a dish that becomes the thing people order on their first visit and then compare everything else to afterward. At Asterisk, the Famous Chicken Sandwich has taken on that role for many guests, and it is not hard to understand why.
The version with sweet chili ginger, cucumber and cabbage slaw, and wasabi aioli is a combination that works on every level. The flavors balance heat, brightness, and richness without any single element taking over.
It comes with truffle fries and garlic aioli, which makes the plate feel complete before you even start negotiating bites with the person across from you.
The truffle fries have their own reputation, and guests who try them for the first time tend to understand quickly why they are not just treated like a background side.
The garlic aioli adds a creamy, savory contrast that elevates what could otherwise be a simple side dish.
If you are visiting Asterisk for the first time and want something satisfying without overthinking the menu, this sandwich is one of the easiest ways to understand why people keep coming back.
Desserts That Make a Strong Case for Saving Room
Dessert at Asterisk is not an afterthought. Chef Christie’s Famous Cinnamon Roll alone makes a strong case for saving room, especially if you like a sweet ending that feels comforting without being boring.
The pastries served during afternoon tea are designed to complement the tea rather than overwhelm it. Scones, small sweets, and delicate bites round out the service in a way that feels balanced and satisfying without being excessive.
The current dessert menu also includes options such as butter cake with berries, lemon curd, raspberry sauce, and vanilla ice cream, along with a vegan chocolate torte or seasonal cake option.
That mix gives the dessert list enough range to work for different moods, whether you want something cozy, bright, rich, or a little more refined.
The dessert menu can change and evolve, which gives regulars a reason to keep coming back and exploring. That sense of discovery is part of what makes Asterisk feel alive rather than static.
Whether you are finishing dinner with a cinnamon roll or wrapping up tea service with something sweet and delicate, the desserts here feel like they were made by someone who genuinely cares about the final impression a meal leaves behind.
Vegan Options and Dietary Awareness Done Right
One of the quieter but genuinely important strengths of Asterisk is that the menu gives diners with different needs more than one way to participate in the experience. Vegan and gluten-free options are noted on several items, which makes ordering feel less like a guessing game.
The Asterisk Famous Chicken Sandwich has a vegan option available, and the Chicken Parmesan can also be ordered as a vegan option.
Several other dishes can be adjusted for gluten-free or dairy-free needs, including items like mushroom toast, the Asterisk Burger, toast points, and select grilled cheese options.
The afternoon tea service also includes enough variety that guests with dietary restrictions should be able to ask about available modifications before booking or ordering.
For anyone who has navigated a restaurant with dietary restrictions, the relief of finding a place that at least clearly marks some options is hard to overstate. It removes a layer of uncertainty from the dining experience and lets you focus more on enjoying the meal.
As always, anyone with a serious allergy should contact the restaurant directly before visiting, but Asterisk gives diners a helpful starting point by making several options visible on the menu.
Private Events and Special Occasions at Asterisk
Asterisk has developed a strong reputation as a venue for private events, and the restaurant’s own event information makes it clear that groups are part of what the team does.
Rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, birthday celebrations, anniversary dinners, and other gatherings all fit naturally into a space this warm and distinctive.
The restaurant offers catering and party options, with customized menus and table settings listed as part of the experience for private bookings.
That flexibility matters because a place like this works best when the details feel personal rather than generic.
For anyone in Ohio planning a milestone event and looking for a venue that combines warmth, elegance, and real culinary skill, Asterisk deserves serious consideration.
The combination of a beautiful space, flexible menu options, and a staff that clearly cares makes it a compelling choice for a celebration worth remembering.
Hours, Pricing, and Everything You Need to Plan Your Visit
Planning a visit to Asterisk is straightforward once you know the schedule. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 PM, and Sunday from noon to 8 PM.
Monday is the one day it stays closed, so keep that in mind when you are picking your date.
Pricing falls in the moderate range, marked as two dollar signs on most review platforms. For the quality and experience you receive, guests consistently describe it as worth every penny, and that sentiment shows up repeatedly across the reviews.
Parking in the area can be a little tight, so arriving with a few extra minutes to find a spot is a smart move. The downtown Westerville location is walkable from nearby areas, which is a nice bonus if you happen to be staying close by.
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for afternoon tea and weekend dinner service. You can book by calling +1 614-776-4633 or visiting the website at asterisksupperclub.com.
Walk-ins are occasionally possible during slower hours, but locking in a reservation ensures you get the full experience without the wait.