Cincinnati, OH

[lackadaisi]

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a nice restaurant to try in Cincinnatti on the day after Christmas?

We have finally found a family member willing - and able - to babysit. But, unfortunately, they live in Cincinnati. So, we are planning to go out to celebrate our anniversary and my birthday on the day after Christmas. So, if anyone has any recommendations for our first baby-free celebratory meal, they would be gladly appreciated.

[wolverine]

There used to be a 5-star restaurant called the Maisonette in Cincinnati, but I believe it closed up a few years ago. You should check though. Jeff Ruby's is a great steakhouse, but it sounds as though you may be looking for something more romantic.

[plunk]

Skyline?

[lackadaisi]

Maisonette closed several years ago, but we did get the opportunity to try it shortly before it did so. And, there is no way that we will miss a trip to skyline, but I don't think we need a babysitter for that meal.

[ohstate]

I've never been, but have heard that the Montgomery Inn is good for ribs. Not exactly fine dining, however.

[Joe H]

The Montgomery Inn's bbq sauce is among the best on earth. They parboil their ribs, however, so sauce there becomes extremely important.

Graeter's!!!!!!!!

[legant]

Covington is the place to go! From my sister (mother of two... who has had more than her share of Chipotle... and surely appreciates date night ) in Cincy:

For ambiance...Riverview Revolving Resturaunt (Covington) - the revolving restaurant sits on top of the Radisson Hotel. You get a beautiful view of all of downtown & the riverfront while you eat.

Did you check out OpenTable? Granted, they only list 9 restaurants...

[Joe H]

The Marriott in Covington is an especially good hotel to stay at, also. I've stayed there on business at least once a year since it opened a decade or so ago.

[lackadaisi]

We are now thinking of Jean-Robert at Pigalle (although we will definitely make a stop at both Graeters and Skyline, and hopefully the Montgomery Inn as well). Has anyone been? There are rave reviews on egullet, and he won a Beard award last year. But, I would love any input people have.

[Joe H]

This is what Zagat says about Jean-Robert:

Jean-Robert de Cavel is the Zeus of Cincinnati restaurateurs and this is his Mt. Olympus" attest admirers of this "elegant" Downtown destination that's "the absolute best the city has to offer", ranking No. 1 for Food, Decor, Service and Popularity; while set-price menus spotlight the "truly astonishing" New American–New French food, "lovely", "modern decor" sets the stage for the staff's "almost telepathic" ministrations; in sum, "everything is first-class – including the check!"

What is important is that I have NOT been. But I did go to Le Maisonette which for decades was the absolute best in Cincinnati. I thought it was very good. BUT, it was also (in today's prices) $350-400 or more for two people. Was it worth it? Was it as good as, say, Citronelle or CityZen? No, it wasn't even close. Did it even approach Maestro? Not even in the same sentence.

I suspect this is similar. I've been to very good restaurants in the Cincinnati area (a city that I like a lot and, it's people, an awful LOT!). If this were Cleveland I would send you to Chez Francois in Vermillion which is legitimately excellent and worth the "investment." I'm just not so sure that this will live up to what you'll expect for the money.

Skyline (it's really Camp Washington you want to go to...), Graeter's (there's a place called Aglamesis Brothers in Oakley Square that you REALLY want to go to-it's a one of a kind; not just in Cincinnati but in America. You'll understand as soon as you walk in the door) and Montgomery Inn aside for myself this is not a city that I would do a blowout celebratory meal in. Although there is a restaurant 20 or so miles outside of the city that might be...

One of the best restaurants in the United States was Peristyle in New Orleans. It was considered as such by locals, by the press and by James Beard. Anne Kearney was the chef/owner, a Beard winner and, several years ago, she suffered a brain aneruism (sp?) and was forced to sell.

But she is back. Near Cincinnati. And she has just opened!! This is the Cincinnati Enquirer on her new restaurant which is receiving as much press there as any restaurant has ever received here:

More than a decade ago, Kearney wrote cookbooks and TV scripts for a soon-to-be famous chef named Emeril Lagasse. Later, while working at her restaurant, Peristyle, in New Orleans, Kearney won many awards and accolades, her broad smile gracing Food & Wine, Wine Spectator and other magazines. In 2002, the James Beard Foundation named Kearney "Best Chef in the Southeast."

The Enquirer's comments about her new restaurant and a bit about her background:

Even though Rue Dumaine isn't tucked into the French Quarter, Anne Kearney and her husband, Tom Sand, have designed their new restaurant with an upscale bistro feel, featuring a handmade, zinc-topped mahogany bar, a bank of beveled mirrors on one side of the dining room surrounded by subdued pear-and-burgundy colored walls, and an open, stainless kitchen in the rear.

Kearney promises food similar to what she served at Peristyle in New Orleans - frog legs Provencal, oysters "Rockafella," hanger steak with frites, classic trout amandine - but at a lower price, averaging $35 to $45 per diner, including wine. Service will also be more casual.

Where: 1061 Miamisburg-Centerville Road (Ohio 725), Centerville

Open: 5-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Open for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday only beginning Jan. 4

Information and reservations: 937-610-1061"

________________________________

Anne Kearney

Age: 40

Home: Centerville, Ohio

Family: Tom Sand, husband

Occupation: Chef/owner, Rue Dumaine, Centerville

Education: Graduate, Greater Cincinnati Culinary Arts Academy, 1988

Resume: Grammer's, Over-the-Rhine; L'Auberge, Dayton; Mr. B's Bistro, New Orleans; Bistro at Maison de Ville, New Orleans; Emeril's, New Orleans; Peristyle, New Orleans.

Awards: Nominee, "Rising Star Chef, 1997" James Beard Foundation; "Best New Chef," 1998, Food & Wine Magazine; Nominee, "Best Chef, Southeast," 2000, 2001, James Beard Foundation; "Best Chef, Southeast," 2002, James Beard Foundation.

Quote: "I'm not getting back into this to become nationally recognized. I just want to cook good food."

Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am jealous. Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This could be an extraordinary experience well worthy of an anniversary!

What a helluva an anniversary you may have. If she is as good as she was at Peristyle you are in for one of the best meals of your life. And one of the very first to taste her cooking after her return. She was, indeed, a God in NOLA!

[lackadaisi]

Thank you all for your help. And, Joe H, thank you for the detailed response - it really answered all of our questions.

As I mentioned previously, we went to Le Maisonette soon before it closed; and, our impression was similar to yours. It was very good. But, it didn't compare to any of the other "best" restaurant experiences we have had in any way other than the cost; it was just very formal without a ton of creativity. We blamed some of this (but not all, it is Cincinatti after all) on the fact that it had recently lost its chef, and in hindsight, that it was on its last legs. It is interesting to us that you had the same opinion, as you were probably there while the chef was still there - and, the chef was Jean-Robert.

So, we weren't stuck on the Jean-Robert option and the thought of spending all of that money for an experience that would likely not floor us. But, then again, it seemed a bit silly to waste our first chance at having a babysitter on ribs, chili, and/or ice cream - classic family-friendly foods.

Rue Dumaine seems like the perfect choice. We have always lamented that we never made it to Peristyle, and we are thrilled to get a chance to try her cooking. Plus, it is actually closer to where we will be staying than downtown Cincinatti. So, we have made our reservations, and we will report back after we are done.

(once again, I am thankful for this site - I don't know that I would have been able to find such a good option without the help of Joe H and this forum)

[johnb]

Not a restaurant, but if you would be interested in a mind-blowing grocery shopping experience, you really owe it to yourself to stop by Jungle Jim's for a couple of hours. Nothing anywhere quite like it. I'm sure Joe H would concur. And you can bring the wee one along. Even my jaded true love admits it was well worth the time spent.

It is a place to which the much-misused word "unique" can truly be applied.

[Joe H]

Jungle Jim's is, indeed, incredible. Perspective: Wegman's in Sterling is 135,000 square feet (a real figure). Jungle Jim's is north of 280,000 square feet and it is all food. Totally different but an incredible experience for what is arguably the largest grocery "store" in the world.

I am jealous that you're going to Anne Kearney's new restaurant. She is a real success story as well as literally a survivor. PLEASE, report back here on your experience. And, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

...I think you are going to have a memory for a long time!

Best wishes.

[lackadaisi]

Jungle Jim's is an annual Christmastime escape for us as it is just 5 minutes from my in-laws' house. I love it! Some of the excitement has dissipated as more of the immense variety has spread elsewhere (and it added a few watered-down elements, such as starbucks), but we always find something exciting. Last year we realized the huge benefit of the gigantic, well-stocked wine section, as the midwest purchasers do not clear the shelves as quickly as those around here - we were able to find several bottles of Carnival of Love when the east coast had pretty much me sold out. And, we made use of the oxygen bar - odd for a supermarket, but interesting for those that want to kill as much time as possible . . .

Thanks for the good wishes, and we will be sure to report.

[lackadaisi]

Sorry this report is so delayed, but we ended up going to Rue Dumain.

It was a perfect choice for this evening, and I can't wait to try it again in a year or so. But, for now, there are still some problems. I think that the problems all stem from having such a green staff and from having to deal with an audience that may not be as used to fine dining.

I can't find the website right now, and I no longer have a perfect recollection of everything that we ate, but I do remember that Jlock had an absolutely wonderful pork dish. It was creative and perfectly balanced. But, it could have been a touch pinker; it wasn't overdone as much as it wasn't underdone as much as we would have liked. I had a fish dish that was almost inedible - way overdone and way too much lemon. It seemed that the recipe was likely very good, but the staff just could not implement it properly. On the other hand, I ordered a side of lentils - just because I love them - and they were the absolute best lentils that I have ever eaten!!!!!

Both of our appetizers - including the frogs legs and something else that I can't recall - were excellent. The cheese course was good, but included only very mild cheeses; I would have prefered something a bit stronger. And, I know that we very much enjoyed our dessert.

Service was very good. Our waiter was just the perfect amount of chatty. Another symptom of the location, I believe, is that he defined all culinary terms after he said them (ex. "served with haricot verts, thin green beans"). He pulled it off though so that it didn't sound like he was talking down to us at all. When we asked for suggestions of wine and - later - of port, he checked with the bartender (didn't say sommelier), and we ended up with some lovely choices. And, the port suggested was the lowest priced on the menu - only $6, and extremely good. The server noticed that I didn't eat much of my fish, and he insisted on taking it off of the bill over my objections. Additionally, at the end of the night, Anne walked around and spoke to each of the tables; we were in the middle of an in-depth conversation, so we didn't occupy her for long, but we noticed that she spoke to many at great length, listening very intently to their suggestions (even at the obnoxious - and uninformed - table next to us). She is obviously making great efforts to comport her amazing food with the local tastes.

I really liked the look of the place. It was a very bustling bistro with a long bar and a large main room with an open kitchen. Although they did a good job of having lots of windows with the lower portions covered to obscure the strip mall parking lot outside, there were mirrors on the adjoining wall that showed all that was to be concealed. Seemed odd. But, the attention to detail was apparant in the bathrooms, which were fully stocked with anything that someone might want - including some nice mints.

A wonderful meal in all! And, not expensive at all.

[Joe H]

My guess is that she absolutely loves "being back" and has longed for the moment of returning and "working the room." I wish her the absolute best and applaud (ok, envy!) you for experiencing her return!

[The Leaver]

Didn't see this posted until now. I grew up in Cincy. If you get back there, definitely make it to Jean-Robert Pigall's if you can. He also has a bistro, Jean-Ro Bistro [closed August, 2011], also downtown on Vine St which is good and affordable.

Also great on the times I've been there is Daveed's in Mt. Adams [moved to Loveland]. if you go there, stop by the Lemondrop [now The Blind Lemon], which is nearby, for a nightcap.

[lackadaisi]

A year has passed, and it is time for another date night (and another trip to the in-laws). Seriously, way past time, we have only had one other this year (Komi - amazing, of course). We are thinking of trying out a hopefully more mature Rue Dumain. Has anyone been there or elsewhere in the area recently?

[darkstar965]

Anything recent or anyone on the board living there? Headed out for a weekend soon and would love the kind of quality advice only found on dr.com. Dinner of any ethnicity and across price points with quality the main criterium? Breakfast? Whether the higher-priced seats at Great American Ballpark that include food are worth it?

Some calibration, context or what have you from a recent visit:

Local 127 on Vine: Liked it. Pretty good even. Maybe close to as good as it gets in Cincinnati? Not at all sure. Local, farm-to-table, yada, yada. Guess I'd go back. But I'd rather go to places I haven't been.

Skyline: Hadn't been in many, many years and think my palate has evolved majorly since the last visit. Don't get this place at all aside from it being such the local treasure. Chili is watery. Way, way too much processed shredded velveeta atop the mound which, of course, has as its base, way, way too much limp spaghetti.

Graeters Ice Cream: OK. Not great. I suspect not made with a small number of "real" ingredients but, again, know it's a local institution.

Many thanks for any help.

[Joe H]

Graeters Ice Cream: OK. Not great. I suspect not made with a small number of "real" ingredients but, again, know it's a local institution.

Graeter's chip flavors are Great. I will argue this long into the night. I am NOT talking about Graeter's that you buy in a supermarket. Rather, I am talking about Graeter's that is hand dipped IN one of their Cincinnati stores. The chip flavors are outstanding and among the best of any commercial ice cream in America. I passionately believe this having eaten and made a lot of ice cream in my lifetime. Cincinnati chili may be an acquired taste but Camp Washington is the arguably the best of all of them. Still, for over two decades I've built business trips to Cincinnati around lunch at Camp Washington and dessert at Graeter's. Graeter's also makes a phenominally good Swiss sundae.

Again, NOT a supermarket but IN the Graeter's store. CHIP flavors which have huge chunks of chocolate.

[darkstar965]

Have only done Graeter's once. Had the raspberry chip...or some kind of fruit chip...hand dipped from the store in Fountain Square. LIked it. It did have big chips. Though quality more than size is usually my lens on something like that.

On one hand, I'll need to try it again at least once more to fairly take the other side of the argument. On the other hand, "best of any...in America"? My initial reaction is No Way. First, there should be an automatic disqualifier of any ice cream in contention that uses corn syrup, artificial colors, lengtheners and preservatives of any kind. I don't know for sure for Graeters does but I couldn't get a definite answer when I asked. Second, though I could think of a few others with more time, I'd refer you just to Salt & Straw in Portland, OR. Plan a business trip there and try theirs. It's not even close. Though I imagine one could quibble around the term "commercial."

Ice cream aside, any reccs for good food?

[DonRocks]

Ice cream aside, any reccs for good food?

The only two times I went to Cincinnati, I dined at La Maisonette (*), so you can see how long it's been for me. I remember I went with three other college buddies and we split a 1982 Ducru - one of them (from the deep south) was having his first-ever fine dining experience, and was so nervous he couldn't hold his utensils without shaking. We all had a great time, and it was a serious change of pace from Wednesday Night "Slurp and Burp" at Bullwinkle's which featured 10-cent drafts and shagging. (No, really.)

(*) La Maisonette, at the time, had the longest streak of Mobil 5-Star Awards in the United States. The first two syllables were pronounced like "George Mason" and not the French maison.

[Joe H]

Have only done Graeter's once. Had the raspberry chip...or some kind of fruit chip...hand dipped from the store in Fountain Square. LIked it. It did have big chips. Though quality more than size is usually my lens on something like that.

On one hand, I'll need to try it again at least once more to fairly take the other side of the argument. On the other hand, "best of any...in America"? My initial reaction is No Way. First, there should be an automatic disqualifier of any ice cream in contention that uses corn syrup, artificial colors, lengtheners and preservatives of any kind. I don't know for sure for Graeters does but I couldn't get a definite answer when I asked. Second, though I could think of a few others with more time, I'd refer you just to Salt & Straw in Portland, OR. Plan a business trip there and try theirs. It's not even close. Though I imagine one could quibble around the term "commercial."

Graeter's makes their own chocolate for the chips. I don't know about Salt & Straw but Graeter's chip flavors which are hand dipped in their stores are (pick an adjective). I would also refer you to what I wrote in post #10 above and suggest driving to Rue Dumaine. She was nominated for a Beard award this year and would have won if more judges would visit southwestern Ohio.

[qwertyy]

Graeter's makes their own chocolate for the chips.

Graeter's black cherry chocolate chip: yes, please.

[lion]

After visiting my wife's family in Cincinnati many times over the past few years, we finally made it to Rue Domaine. We throughly enjoyed the 2 hour dinner with my in-laws.

We stopped by The Rookwood for lunch before a wedding and was well worth the trip to the top of the hill community. The key lime pie was truly incredible.

After having Graeter's many times, definitely recommend it, but stopping by Young's Jersey Dairy can be equally pleasing.

[dcandohio]

If you can get to Yellow Springs, which is closer to Dayton, do make a reservation for The Winds Cafe, and you can stop at Young's Jersey Dairy for ice cream. Also, for a retail adventure just north of Cincinnati, go to Jungle Jim's. Google it. Theme park meets ethnic market meets fabulous wine selection...no description will do it justice. Pack a cooler and your patience...especially on a weekend....it gets crazy busy. We drive from Columbus twice a year to stock up.

[lion]

Thanks for the link for The Winds Cafe.

Surprisingly my wife has low interest in taking me to Jungle Jim's, so we've never made the trip. Of course, we're usually visiting during holiday times or special occasions so there hasn't been a lot of time for just shopping.

[MBK]

Any new tips for Cincinnati? Particularly for dinner on the way to and from the airport (in the direction of Lexington, KY - but can probably deviate). Both times we'll have a 17 month old with us so kid-friendly would help - but still chef aunt friendly if possible!

[Genevieve]

Has anyone been to the Orchids at Palm Court, in downtown Cincinnati?  Getting very good press.  The Chef is Todd Kelly.

(Rue Demain isn't an option for this trip, timewise - it's the Orchids or eating at the hotel bar -- which has some delicious sounding items that have my favorite ingredients -- or getting room service. Just deciding whether The Orchids deserves its glowing reviews enough for me to spend the extra money there instead of less at the hotel bar.)

[Dr. Delicious]

I had a really great rack of baby back ribs at the Montgomery Inn, The Boathouse the other day. The restaurant is located on the banks of the Ohio river, and with a rounded glass wall, provides excellent views. The sauce is thick, wet, and on the sweet side, so it's not the dry southern-style of bbq. I prefer it this way, if I'm being honest. I also shared an order of the Saratoga Chips, which is basically another method for eating their sauce, this time via potato chips (house made). It's an old-school kind of place filled with Ohio sports memorabilia. I rather enjoyed it.

[darkstar965]

Anything recent or anyone on the board living there? Headed out for a weekend soon and would love the kind of quality advice only found on dr.com. Dinner of any ethnicity and across price points with quality the main criterium? Breakfast? Whether the higher-priced seats at Great American Ballpark that include food are worth it?

Some calibration, context or what have you from a recent visit:

Local 127 on Vine: Liked it. Pretty good even. Maybe close to as good as it gets in Cincinnati? Not at all sure. Local, farm-to-table, yada, yada. Guess I'd go back. But I'd rather go to places I haven't been.

...

Local127, right near Fountain Square, closed last year.

[donk79]

Based on my memories of Cincinnati (more than a decade old) I thought it might pay to ask well ahead.  I will be in Cincinnati in July of next year for a week and will be looking for reasonably priced meals worth eating.  Last time I was in town, the best to be found was a Blimpie sub shop.  I definitely hope to do better this time!  Most of the dining will need to be within walking distance from the Duke Energy Convention Center, though we will have a car, and there will be at least one excursion to Jungle Jim's!

[cocobinga]

Check out Please - http://pleasecincinnati.com/

Ryan used to work at Riverstead with John Shields, which means he's tremendously talented.

[DonRocks]

On 10/26/2017 at 12:09 AM, donk79 said:

Based on my memories of Cincinnati (more than a decade old) I thought it might pay to ask well ahead.  I will be in Cincinnati in July of next year for a week and will be looking for reasonably priced meals worth eating.  Last time I was in town, the best to be found was a Blimpie sub shop.  I definitely hope to do better this time!  Most of the dining will need to be within walking distance from the Duke Energy Convention Center, though we will have a car, and there will be at least one excursion to Jungle Jim's!

Jean-Robert Caval used to be the chef at The Maisonette (where I've been twice, believe it or not). This is back when your two sources for nationwide dining were AAA and Mobil.

And, like it or not, it was pronounced "The Mason ette."

[lion]

On 10/26/2017 at 12:09 AM, donk79 said:

Most of the dining will need to be within walking distance from the Duke Energy Convention Center, though we will have a car, and there will be at least one excursion to Jungle Jim's!

Try and make it to Jungle Jim's once a year during the trips to see the wife's family. Whole heartedly recommend checking out the hot sauce area. I've never seen more variety any place in the country. 

[donk79]

On 11/3/2017 at 1:41 PM, DonRocks said:

Jean-Robert Caval used to be the chef at The Maisonette (where I've been twice, believe it or not). This is back when your two sources for nationwide dining were AAA and Mobil.

And, like it or not, it was pronounced "The Mason ette."

Ha!  That's what I remember of that area.  Check out the pronunciation of the town of Versailles NW of Dayton.  Then move on to Russia, pronounced Rue-see!

[DonRocks]

On 10/26/2017 at 12:09 AM, donk79 said:

Based on my memories of Cincinnati (more than a decade old) I thought it might pay to ask well ahead.  I will be in Cincinnati in July of next year for a week and will be looking for reasonably priced meals worth eating.  Last time I was in town, the best to be found was a Blimpie sub shop.  I definitely hope to do better this time!  Most of the dining will need to be within walking distance from the Duke Energy Convention Center, though we will have a car, and there will be at least one excursion to Jungle Jim's!

On 11/3/2017 at 1:41 PM, DonRocks said:

Jean-Robert Caval used to be the chef at The Maisonette (where I've been twice, believe it or not). This is back when your two sources for nationwide dining were AAA and Mobil.

And, like it or not, it was pronounced "The Mason ette."

So! I'll be finding myself in Cincinnati for 2-3 nights soon, and I'm wondering if anyone knows of anything.

There's the Jean-Robert restaurant group, Jose Salazar's restaurants, Camp Washington Chili (probably a lunch stop).

But I have nowhere in mind for dinners - does anyone have specific restaurants to try? I'm happy to try anything and everything, from the down-and-dirty, to the Maisonette offspring (I guess La Maisonette is about the first ultra-luxe restaurant I ever tried). 

Three nights, and probably two days ... any ideas?

PS - Please tune into Matt Rockwell's senior recital ... Sat, Apr 6, 5-6 PM, live-streamed ... I'll have more information as the date approaches, but it's going to be really good.

Matt Plays Things 3: The Threequel

[donk79]

I did not touch the fancier dining scene while I was there, but I can heartily recommend Taste of Belgium for solid and tasty fare (And a pretty decent beer selection as well!).  Also, if I were back in Cincinatti, I would be at Maplewood Kitchen and Bar at every opportunity.  In particular, the goetta is not to be missed!

[dcandohio]

When I lived in Columbus, everybody raved about Terry’s turf club  for burgers and cocktails in Cincy

[DonRocks]

14 hours ago, donk79 said:

I did not touch the fancier dining scene while I was there, but I can heartily recommend Taste of Belgium for solid and tasty fare (And a pretty decent beer selection as well!).  Also, if I were back in Cincinatti, I would be at Maplewood Kitchen and Bar at every opportunity.  In particular, the goetta is not to be missed!

Goetta sounds a lot like scapple - we're there for one meal.

Terry's Turf Club also!

[donk79]

I grew up eating scrapple, and love it.  Goetta is in the same family tree as scrapple.  The grain in the goetta is very prominent.  But I have to say, if I could get goetta regularly, I would abandon scrapple immediately!

Of course, I believe they put goose (duck?)fat on the griddle before cooking the goetta.  That may have something to do with why I liked it so much!

[lion]

On 3/22/2019 at 11:20 AM, donk79 said:

Also, if I were back in Cincinatti, I would be at Maplewood Kitchen and Bar at every opportunity.  In particular, the goetta is not to be missed!

We’ve been to Maplewood, it’s pretty good. 

[cocobinga]

Check out Please 

FYI, Ryan cooked at Riverstead with John Shields.

[DonRocks]

Thank you for the recommendations - three nights upcoming, and staying right on Fountain Square. 

(Also, if there are any must-try places between Cincinnati and Bloomington, please let me know.)

Don't forget, Matt's senior recital is Saturday at 5 PM, and will be live-streamed (I'll have the information here).

[dcandohio]

11 hours ago, DonRocks said:

Thank you for the recommendations - three nights upcoming, and staying right on Fountain Square. 

(Also, if there are any must-try places between Cincinnati and Bloomington, please let me know.)

Don't forget, Matt's senior recital is Saturday at 5 PM, and will be live-streamed (I'll have the information here).

 Depending on your definition of “between,” The Winds in Yellow Springs, near Dayton south of 1-70, is a gem. The town is a hippie enclave and is super cute. Great lunch stop. Then get ice cream at Young’s Jersey Dairy. 

[DIShGo]

On 3/22/2019 at 11:20 AM, donk79 said:

I did not touch the fancier dining scene while I was there, but I can heartily recommend Taste of Belgium for solid and tasty fare (And a pretty decent beer selection as well!).  Also, if I were back in Cincinatti, I would be at Maplewood Kitchen and Bar at every opportunity.  In particular, the goetta is not to be missed!

Maplewood Kitchen and Bar did not disappoint! Thank you for the recommendation. The lemon ricotta pancakes, with a side of house-made sausage, were deliciously decadent.