O on LANE and BELLISARI’S: Friends Forged in Food

Decades ago Annette Bellisari Johnson’s brother, and OSU football player, introduced her to Ed Gaughan, current owner of The O on Lane. The rest is Columbus food history.

“I met him through the socialization aspect of college,” Ed said, with the flawless tact of a career barman.

In other words, Annette’s brother was in Ed’s Bar. A LOT. That meant Annette hung around an struck up a friendship with Ed and his wife.

By St. Patrick’s day, 2024, that friendship has seen years of shared family dinners, big backyard barbecues, and the founding of two iconic Columbus brands — one is Ed’s The O, and the other Bellisari’s Gourmet Convenience sauces and spreads.

Thats why these two members of the Columbus food aristocracy decided to team up at The O to demonstrate some cutting edge twists on classic Irish fare. Ed is, after all, a Columbus Irishman of the Year alum.

Annette and Ed teamed up at The O During St. Patty’s week to livestream some cutting-edge St. Patrick’s Day recipies and festive cocktail recipies. Demos included a Reuben pizza with Bellisari’s award-winning Saigon St. Sauce, a spicy mustard. They fired it in the state-of-the-art Neapolitan Pizza oven built onsite at The O on Lane by Italian pizza technicians.

Annette also made some corned beef tacos with Bellisari’s Honey Pineapple Adobo Sauce.