Where I’ve been eating lately!

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It’s hard to keep up with our amazing food scene in Cincy/NKY! There are just so many great places, so this isn’t my end-all list… It’s just a taste of where I’ve been lately. People constantly ask me where to eat or what’s my favorite spot. Every time my answer is different… it just depends… a lot has to do with who is sharing the experience with me or what the weather is that day or where I am going before or after.  

 

I just wanted to have a list that was easy for you to access for ideas. Please feel free to message me on IG HeyMichelle1 if you want my opinion or ideas about other places. My rule is I don’t bash, so if it isn’t on my IG it means I haven’t been, or it’s not a place I would suggest. So just ask me ;)  

 

Abigail Street ~ Shareable plates that you will literally think it can’t get better,  then they bring out another amazing plate and that just keeps going! Seriously, delish. 

Pleasantry ~ Always a good choice. A great time to hit up Pleasantry is Wagyu Wednesday, just sayin. They have a creative, tasty menu and an unbelievable wine selection. 

Mita’s ~ Yes! Spanish Tapas,  such flavorful great food! I love sharing plates at Mita’s with a group of friends. It seriously takes me back to Spain yummmm. Jose Salazar doesn’t mess around. He knows what he’s doing and it shows at all of his restaurants. Goose & Elder is a must. My favorite…the Fried Bologna Sandwich. Salazar OTR is another “go-to” for an intimate delicious dinner or Sat & Sun brunch.  

Mama’s on Main~ Morning for unbelievable pastries and night for amazing and unforgettable Italian – ohhh, it’s so good. It has an eclectic cozy feel and is just a great place to chill and enjoy. 

Kiki ~ This great spot is on Hamilton Ave. and is serving up some really creative Japanese dishes that will make you become a regular. 

Baker’s Table ~ WOW this is a good one! They are offering Prix Fixe dining serving creative farm-to-table dishes that are just so good. You can also hit up Baker’s Table Bakery & Pizzeria across the street for some fantastic bites from the morning cafe to evening Za. 

Emery ~ Nestled in Mariemont but you’ll feel like you’re at the ocean. Emery will satisfy your seafood tastebuds.

Zundo Ramen ~ If you love ramen, this is some really good slurpable goodness. They also have some tasty rice dishes and a great staff. 

Pata Roja Taqueria~ Damn good tacos behind a really cool bar.. Grab a great cocktail at Bar Saeso then go to the back patio and treat yourself to some of the best tacos from the taco truck. Seriously a perfect night. 

Royce ~ Brand new to the downtown scene. This French-inspired spot is going to be the place to try. The vibe is sleek with a creative menu and a beautiful raw bar. 

Nolia ~ Let’s talk southern goodness from a New Orleans chef.. This is a whole lot of tasty food and please squirt the house-made hot sauce on everything ;) 

Empanada Box ~ OK what took me so long to bite into one of these delights? OMG, I love these empanadas so much. They have some amazing concoctions inside those little pockets and dipping sauces to take them to the next level. They have recently moved from Findlay to Covington.

Quan Hapa ~ This is always a go-to in OTR and they just did a huge renovation. Same great ramen and my fave cauliflower okonomiyaki– yummm.

Losanti ~ Any friend will tell you this is one I recommend all the time. Steaks, clams, eggplant. Ohhh, and the focaccia bread, heaven! 

Nicolas ~ Gnocchi.. nuf said.. Delish and how about the best bread basket in the city!? Monkfish if you’ve never had it; try it! The trickiest night to eat out is the best night here– BOLO Monday :) 

OKTO ~ The vibe is fantastic. You get some Greek feelz and the food is fantastic. Grilled octopus, lobster pasta. Seriously, I loved it all. 

Prime ~My friend Nelson does a great job with some amazing steaks, the crabcake is my fave in town and the deviled eggs are a must. This used to be Prime 47 and now is locally owned and it’s a great vibe with fun music on certain nights. Great place to celebrate. He also has Street City Pub next door which is a great pub. It’s a perfect casual spot to grab a burger.

Kanji ~ yummy sushi, great cocktails, and good service. It’s located at the tip of Findlay Market. 

Frankies Sips & Savories ~ Great new little spot with a fun menu, indoor and outdoor seating, and yummy cocktails.

A fantastic road-trip to Hermitage Farms in Kentucky

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Roadtrip! How lucky are we to be able to drive a little over an hour and have an experience that feels like you are so far away from home?

Just a short jaunt from Cincy and you hit the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky….specifically Hermitage Farms. You can take a tour of the beautiful horse farm and learn about the winning horses that were bred on this very farm over the years, taste bourbon in a charming horse barn, eat dinner in a cozy stable and maybe even stay the night in a historic home on the property. The Kentucky residents/owners,  Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson purchased the farm to save it from becoming a suburban development. This couple might sound familiar because they are the couple that started the 21C Hotels…That said, you’ll understand that this isn’t just an ole farm destination and it’s so close! So you can visit and explore any of these fun tours or even a picnic lunch. 

We started with a guided tour that was not only informative but fun.  You can even get a peek at the horse carriage from “Gone With the Wind” and pose for pictures with beautiful horses while leaving with great horse facts to impress your friends. The history of this farm has a deep lineage of winners of the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Breeder’s Cup, and just about every other stakes race. So when you take a tour your chances of seeing a “soon to be” champion is pretty good. Oh, and bonus we got to feed treats to some horses… keep bringing on the horses!  

Then off to the bourbon tasting … when in Kentucky you must drink bourbon :) This experience was so one of a kind as it takes place in a rustic yet remodeled stable. We sipped on some top-of-the-list bourbons while learning a little bourbon history. 

Dinner with quite an eye-opening ending to this magical experience… This fantastic farm-to-table restaurant is worth the trip alone! They have gardens and an orchard that provides most of the food you will enjoy at Barn8 Farm Restaurant. The meal and ambiance were amazing.. You have the option of dining in our own stable! And, it goes without saying ….the cocktails were great. This meal doesn’t have to end with just dessert… I suggest you grab a cocktail and go out and stroll the cool Art Walk. They have built a thousand-foot boardwalk for you to enjoy the enchanting outdoor installation where you will see trees, creeks, the walkway, and the sky illuminated and accompanied by music!  It’s magical 

I was lucky enough to be able to stay the night in the historic farmhouse which has been carefully restored and sleeps up to 15 people. The house is like a mini-museum with amazing artwork everywhere which is often rotated. If the house is not being rented it can be toured. This would be a perfect place for a small group like a low-key bachelorette party, birthday celebration, or just a mini escape. This is also a very popular wedding venue, so if you have your wedding here it’s the perfect place for the family or bridal party to stay the night. 

I highly recommend a visit to the farm if you’re driving through Kentucky or you just want a quick day trip. I promise it won’t disappoint. The horse tour, bourbon tasting, and restaurant are open to the public. 

Add this stop to your visit ~

If you’ve got a little time, I also suggest you stop and visit the quaint little town of LaGrange, Ky. which has a train that runs right through the middle. The town is full of good people and small-town vibes. Grab a coffee at LaGrange Coffee Roasters and make sure to go to One Nineteen West Main for their famous Kentucky Bacon Pie and definitely grab some  “The Devil made me chew it eggs’.  Walk from one end of the street to the other and see the collection of shops all in a short walk “The Mercantile on Main” and “The Mercantile Market on Main” that bookend the town. My favorite shop is Judith Millinery Supply..it was such a treat! They make every kind of hat you could ever need and you can even join in on a workshop and make your own… Hello Derby ;) 

Hey Michelle noticed it first haha the HGTV show Home Town Kickstart also noticed this adorable town and will air a story about La Grange in May. Check out their website and see some future events. 

 

A Visit to Knox Joseph Distillery at OTR StillHouse

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Knox Joseph Distillery at the OTR StillHouse isn’t just a new bar… It’s way more. It is a woman-owned distillery, a concert venue, a place to grab food, a place to sip and soak up the sun in a badass space. 



The Space~

If you enter through the front it’s like a “speakeasy” because it’s a small bar/retail shop on Central Pkwy.  and then you walk in and look out the windows a see the huge outdoor area with picnic tables and an additional big indoor area that houses a kick-butt pot still that is a showstopper (more on that later), a huge concert stage, a beautiful bar, and so much character. When you see the before pics of this place I would have totally thought she was crazy too… but when she saw it she had a vision and when she discovered that this old Ice Factory had mineral water under the ground she thought it was meant to be. 

Woman owned~

Michele Hobbs had a vision that people questioned back in 2014 but she worked her rear-end off to prove them wrong and I would say she did it! She did a ton of heavy lifting, truck driving, moving, and hauling all while building a killer team of talent. A group like Larry – the whiskey legend to Dr.Tom – the Ph.D. flavor scientist, to local top brewer Chris and so many more have helped Michele create her dream. When talking with Michele you can’t help getting excited about the Stillhouse because she was involved in every detail and was so intentional with every detail. When she told me she cared about the rubber flooring behind the bar because the bartenders stand for hours a day, I knew she was special. She built showers for employees and they have their own lockers (I love that she thinks of her employees like this).  She gets all geeked out about the clean air system she had pumped everywhere..it shows this is a place she built for everyone to enjoy. 

So many things that make this place special~

There are many things that make OTR Stillhouse a place you have to visit. It’s more than the wide variety of expertly distilled spirits and cocktails and housemade brews & wines. When you walk into the big space the first thing you’ll notice is the beautiful huge bar which used to be at Brazenhead Irish Pub that was taken apart and reassembled. The “Bishops Quarter” is the cool sitting area where all the furniture came from the Archbishops’ place. Ok now my favorite is “AuerFiona” see it ?? Fiona… yes, the copper pot still looks like a hippo named after Cincy’s favorite hippo. They both are the stars of the show and everyone wants a picture with them ;) Take a close look at the stunning floor which is all repurposed from the original joists, so they date back to 1899. Everything has a story… take a look at the cool bottles that are to be displayed sideways and look like books on a shelf. They even have the original map of the building in the back. The chandeliers have been in Cincy for over 120 years. They last hung in Mike & Carol Trotta’s custom-tailoring. 

Food~

There is also food that is provided from Josh Campbell formally from Django now SQR (skewer) serving up Japanese-style street food…a perfect menu to compliment all the cocktails. They also have a great Saturday & Sunday Brunch! 

I can’t wait to catch a concert soon. Check out the calendar of events to start planning. 

More things to know:

*The name Knox Joseph Distillery is a nod to Michele’s children 

*They  already won a few medals in the U.S. Open Whiskey Championship before they even sold a bottle 

*Located at 2017 Branch St. (a ton of parking in a lot and you enter through the back gates) it’s also a short walk off the streetcar 

*Michele is also the proud long time owner of Pet Wants and a long time OTR resident

*Knox Joseph Retail bottle and gift shop hours ~1820 Central Pkwy (front)

Sunday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

Monday – Closed

Tuesday – Closed

Wednesday 12:00 PM–6:00 PM

Thursday 12:00 PM–6:00 PM

Friday 12:00 PM–6:00 AM

Saturday 11:00 AM–7:00 PM

*Knox Joseph Distillery at the OTR StillHouse Hours ~

Sunday 11:00 AM–9:00 PM

Monday- Closed

Tuesday – Closed

Wednesday 3:00 PM–10:00 PM

Thursday 3:00 PM–10:00 PM

Friday 3:00 PM–11:00 PM

Saturday 11:00 AM–11:00 PM

*No pets

*If you spot Michele talk to her, ask her questions, see her passion and enjoy 

* Great spot to pre or post party for FCC games

 

Sipping away at Hart & Cru

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Hart & Cru ~

Love the wine you’re with 😉 

I walked into Leon Bridges playing on the record player, glasses clinking, warm vibes and I texted owner Kevin Hart and I said “this place makes me smile!” 😍

 

Kevin has been my go-to “wine guy” for years because he’s so knowledgeable, approachable and he delivers wine to my door hahahaha. I’m so happy that after serving wine at most of the top restaurants in town he’s now is able to pour 🍷 in his own place. He literally has been the one choosing the wines on most restaurant menus… so he knows his grapes. He has worked around town with some of our most famous chefs like Jean-Robert Cavel and David Falk and you have to be proficient in wine to pair up with their creations. 

His spot tucked in Pendleton is perfect.. it’s small and quaint so you feel like you stumbled across a cute little wine bar on vacation in Italy or France. ✈️ It’s a perfect place for an intimate date or a get-together with friends. It’s also a great spot to rent out for small groups. Wine is part of an experience and is meant to be enjoyed and talked about so this is the perfect setting to soak it all in.

So stop by taste away while enjoying a meal… or enjoy a flight tasting 🍾 and really learn about what you’re sipping from one of the professional winos 😁.  They’re happy to help you find a bottle you’ll love. It was so nice to have Pete sit with us and walk us through our selection… Nothing like learning a little something while drinking! 

Things to know:

🍷 They have a small menu with lite bites and food options that pair perfectly with the wines. If you have some non-winos in your party no fear they have some beers and cocktails available 🥃.

🍷 Check out the Wine Club 

🍷 You can just stop in for a grab and go… and sip away at home. They have a selection of around 250 bottles ranging in price from $15 to $500

🍷 Yes, lucky for you they sell beautiful wine glasses ( I might have purchased some :) Glasvin glasses 

🍷 1206 Broadway St. 

Hours~ Monday-Wednesday appointment only, Thursday & Friday 2pm – 10 pm , Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 1pm-6pm 

Easter meals, treats & basket ideas!

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Here is a list of some brunch & dinner ideas for Easter!  

 

As things are opening up Easter Brunches is A La Carte and some are adding special items to their already fantastic menu! Make sure to make your reservations now. I also love all the take-home kits so you can just warm and eat. Let me know if there are more to add and I’ll post on my IG story. I know there are so many but I wanted to highlight some. Read below for candy and fun basket ideas.

Coppins ~ located in Hotel Covington ~ Egg hunts & Brunch Great selection including colored deviled eggs 

Via Vita ~ Brunch & Dinner dine in or at home Chefs Lasagna !! YUM 

Dear ~ Brunch $50 per person 4 Course meal and you have options to choose 

Ivory House ~ Offering a big A la carte menu grab a brunch punch too :) Also, available for carryout. 

Lytle Hotel ~ Subito is serving up Brunch and Vista Rooftop is serving up new cocktails 

Funkys ~ Amazing selection to order for Brunch or Dinner for you to serve at home! 

Louvino ~ Set price but offering a good selection to choose from Adults $23 Kids under 12 are $12.50

Forno ~ Offering dine-in & take home …Great selection with a “pick two” adults $25 kids $12 they even have the Bloody Mary bar :) Take-home kit is $79 serves 4-5 

Metropole ~ Take home or dine in Easter Brunch $35 pp kids menu available. The take-home feeds from 2 to 8 people delicious items like smoked ribs to rosemary garlic lamb.. sides and more. 

Cozy Cafe ~ Always a delish brunch … great outdoor patio! 

Incline Public House ~ Brunch 10-3 … eat with a view :) 

Urban Grill ~ 11- 3 pm Brunch They are adding a yummy Prime Rib to the usual great brunch menu 

BB Riverboats ~ They are offering a Brunch & a Dinner Cruise with the Easter Bunny $50 Adults and $28 Children 4-12  This sounds so fun 

Jeff Ruby ~ Easter at Home Meal Kit $285 for 6 people ( they give you so much food I think you get more people :) 

Elm Street Social Club ~ Have you heard of this cool spot in OTR near Findlay? They’re offering a dinner kit that looks amazing! Pre-order and then pick up on Saturday. Braised beef short ribs, tender biscuits with pimento cheese, salad, potato gratin, olive oil cake w/ Meyer lemon :) 

Greyhound Tavern ~ They have created one heck of an Easter menu for you!

Let’s talk Easter Baskets

Where to get an adorable basket? These baskets are so dang cute and great for the beach or shopping after Easter… !  Artisan Boutique Co.  

Fill the basket! All of these listed below are local chocolate and candy makers that should be in every basket! Go ahead click and see but be ready your mouth will water. Family-owned local made.. doesn’t get much better. So much chocolate made in our Sweeeet city!

Doscher’s Candies ~ It’s a must

Cheesecakery 

Ruby’s Chocolate

Fawn Candy

Graeter’s

Aglamesis Bro’s

Sweet Mae’s Cookies

Mayas Bakes ~ brownies and a great pink lemonade cookie yummy

Paktli ~ for the healthy person that still likes a treat

Mollys Cupcakes

Other Fun Basket items~

&Sundries ~ great bath items, candles, and kids stuff

The Cottage Paperie~ Has so many super cute items

Joseph Book Store ~ Always something and of course books

Sweaty Bands~ Great for the athlete :)

I like to throw mini liquor bottles, lottery tickets, and cash in my boy’s baskets too.. they like that !!! :)

Emery in Mariemont~ Bringing you seafood and more

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The closest ocean is about 9 hours away, but lucky for us we can get some amazing seafood at Emery! Nestled in the heart of historic Mariemont, Emery is the new restaurant for the Looking Glass Group that already serves up some great food all over Cincinnati at S.W.Clyborne in Mason, Tahona Kitchen & Bar in Blue Ash, Fretboard, and more coming soon. Emery, which is named after Mary Emery, was a Cincinnati philanthropist and was a big part of developing Mariemont, so it’s a fitting name for the new spot. 

Atmosphere:

The spot has been vacant for about 14 years so this is the new buzz. There are two levels of dining both have a bar (perfection because sometimes I love just having a bite at the bar). The street level is cool and casual…  It has a great window wall where you can watch all the hustle and bustle of the kitchen; while the upper level is a larger space a little more “formalish” but still relaxed :). Make sure to take a look at the great saltwater tank, (ask for the names of the fish… they are like a part of the family).  The ambiance is soothing… I love the way they tied in the ocean theme from the wave-shaped lighting, the wave wallpaper, and the seashell high top type seating against the wall. The music is fun (if you’re my age you will be singing along:). 

Elderflower & Pear

Food & Drink

There is a wide variety of seafood delights that they’re passionate about, but no fear, there are options for your non-fish eating friends. Chef has prepared so many tasty dishes! Look at the pictures for some of my faves. They also have a pub menu with hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and more to enjoy while sipping some great cocktails. They have a fantastic Happy Hour Tues – Fri 4-6 pm and the cocktail menu offers a good variety (if you get the Elderflower & Pear (and I strongly suggest you do, eat the pear right away ‘cause it’s amazing). 

Pan-Seared Halibut

Crusted Erie Walleye

Lump Crab Cake

Short Rib Ravioli

 

Things to know:

*Parking on the street or in the center lot is free!

*6914 Wooster Pike 

*Tuesday-Thursday 4-9 pm, Friday & Saturday 4-10 pm

*Carryout is available 

 

deSha’s an Oldie but a Goodie!

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Oldie but a goodie~ deSha’s is exactly that. They just celebrated a big 30th Birthday in June which, let’s admit is like 100 in restaurant years! So let’s say Happy Bday :)  When they opened deSha’s in Montgomery it was basically a cornfield… Now it’s in the middle of hustle and bustle. The Tavern group is a force of long-running restaurants not just in Cincinnati, but all around the map. 

A Little History…

Owner Nick Sanders (CEO of Tavern Restaurant Group) comes from a restaurant family..his father owned a deSha’s in Lexington in the ’50s. Sanders started with owning fourteen Long John Silver’s locations, then in ‘81, he developed a dine-in experience with deSha’s. Through growth and expansion, they have perfected casual, comfortable dining.   They also own Nicholson’s (downtown Cincy) and The Pub in Rookwood  (also many Pub locations in Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida). And, most recently, they have added two “ghost kitchens”. What are ghost kitchens you ask? They are basically food that is only served by delivery. So they have The Pub Fish and Chips & Nick’s Southern Kitchen. This allows restaurants to “makeup with sales and offer more variety to at-home diners.” Both of these are only available within a 5-mile radius of deSha’s and can only be ordered on DoorDash. 

My Visit…

Ok, now let’s get back to deSha’s because I had a great time when I recently visited. The menu is full of goodness and I’m telling you this is just one of those places where you can take a group and everyone will find something they like. They have two igloos right now to add more seating in addition to the big yet cozy restaurant space. Igloos have been popping up all over and they’re all a little different. The two at deSha’s are a dining table for 8, a cute fireplace heater, and a speaker to enjoy your own tunes.

Sanders has his specialty which is definitely fish, but they have so many great bites from the apps. The Chicken & Andouille spring rolls are one of my faves, as are the fish sliders, ohhh the Prime Rib Pretzel Sandwich and don’t forget to add a side of goetta fries to top off the night :) Check out the pictures for more great bites.  

They offer great cocktails and a wide variety of beers, wine, and mules too! So cheers to 30 years serving Cincinnati great comfort food! 

Things to know:

*The name deSha’s comes from the family name~ four generations all bearing this as their first name

*They offer Brunch Sat & Sun 11am-2pm! 

*Hours: Sun-Thur 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm 

*11320 Montgomery Rd. 

*Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3-7pm 

 

Ripple Wine Bar… a whole lot more than wine!

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Don’t let the name fool ya… there is wayyy more than wine offered at this adorable spot in Covington. First, let me say that the owners of Ripple Wine Bar…Kathleen and Matt are a great pair just having fun… doing what they love and it shows through the vibe and the staff. I had a chance to eat and sip with Kathleen and Jade ( Jade is one of the bartenders and I’ve known since she was a mini human :)) and it was so fun to see the interaction between them. It just shows the work/family atmosphere which filters out to the patrons. 

When Matt & Kathleen started planning Ripple they wanted to take ideas from all their favorite things from 5-star restaurants they love, to casual spots they frequented and put them all on one menu. They aim to be unassuming. They have a progressive wine selection and over 40 by the glass! They have a Cruvinet, temperature-controlled wine preservation and dispensing system that allows them to serve a wide variety of wines by the glass…. ‘cuz there are days when you really just want one glass (maybe haha). If you’re not proficient in wine, don’t worry they are happy to help. Like they say “don’t freak out it’s just wine!” Oh, and if wine isn’t your thing, don’t worry they have a full bar and an awesome collection of cocktails.

 

The food is just as fine as the wine… I was able to enjoy the Wine Dinner Wednesday which is a great gig! Four-Course Dinner for 2 for $60 from 4:00-11:00pm. And you can add wine pairings. Ripple is just one of those places you want to put on your list for any day of the week… just a casual fun spot with a great atmosphere, food and drink!

What I ate!

Charcuterie & Cheeseboard (full of so many cheese options & cured meats)

Roasted Grape Salad~ So delish 

Beef Tenderloin ~ yummm

Salmon~ with a honey teriyaki glaze 

Shroom Pasta ~ so many shrooms and so much flavor  

I also got to try one of Matt’s favorites … The Beef Wellington Popovers~ I highly recommend it! 

 

A wine retail shop is soon on the horizon so keep your eyes open for this! Next time (which will be very soon) I’m dying to try the Sicilian Flatbread with hot honey and the house-made sauce is Kathleen’s favorite! The kitchen is the smallest kitchen ever… you will walk right by it when you come through the door and you may not even give it a glance but please do because you’ll appreciate your meal even more haha. 

Look at this “kitchen”

Need to know:

*4 West Pike St. in Covington 

 

* Hours: Sunday & Monday ~Closed, 

 Tuesday 4-11 pm (Bottle & Board Special also HH 4-6 $10 half bottle pours)

 Wednesday 4-11 pm (Dinner for 2 Special & HH 4-6 $10 half pours) 

 Thursday 4-11 pm (HH half pours ) 

 Friday 4-Midnight ( 4-6 pm HH$10 half pours)

 Saturday 4-Midnight 

* Parking on the street

*They do take reservations you can call 859.261.0004 or use RESY.com

 

Dear Restaurant & Butchery opens its blue door in Hyde Park!

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Dear? I invite you to a wonderful meal with great company…  

Who’s behind the scenes? 

So, this is what is going on behind the blue door nestled in the middle of Hyde Park Square. Owners Ashely & Austin Heidt who were born and raised in Cincinnati had dabbled in the restaurant business in Colorado. Lucky for us they decided to move back to Cincy with an idea…to open Dear Restaurant & Butchery.  They were able to hook Chef Brian Young, from Boston to be the creative kitchen wiz.  Young has had a few creative foodie stops on the way.  He brings great experience and bragging rights from his stint on the show Top Chef. He’s also an experienced butcher… so his skills come in handy in the front of the house which offers top of the line cuts of meat, sandwiches, and more for take home.

 They wanted to make the old Teller’s spot into a restaurant and butchery, the name spirals from the idea that “Cincinnati is family and eating with those who are near and “dear” to you?”  An experience of surrounding yourself with family and friends as if you all got a special invitation… “Dear friend”… Awwww, I love that. 

New vision. Iconic spot 

If you have been in Cincy for a while or a lifetime, like me you have seen the cool, iconic building transform from a bank and, when I was in high school, it briefly housed many individual shops. It was awesome and we couldn’t wait to shop and spend our babysitting money on clothes… Then, for 25 years it was Tellers, a local hangout. Now, after gutting it (but keeping the historic vault) they have done a fantastic job remodeling the whole building and making it an eating destination that you will want to frequent. When the weather allows the wonderful outdoor patio and bar are perfect with such a great atmosphere. 

Food & Drink 

I got to experience one of the prix fixe menu nights with a wine pairing (bonus Anothony is a Sommelier). They’re thinking of continuing these in the future (Valentine’s Day being the next one) and sometimes I love to be able to sit down and just enjoy what is brought to me and not have to decide.

Meals to take home and more…

 As if all that isn’t enough, remember I said they are a butcher? Yes, you can come to pick up fine cuts of meat for fantastic meals at home. They’re open throughout the day to grab a sandwich, salads, and other great grab and go items. Join them bright and early to start your day with a coffee, breakfast sammy, and make sure you get there early to grab one of Chef Caitlin Steiningers’ unbelievably yummy bakery items. 

So, if you haven’t caught on yet… my prediction is this place is going to be around for a long time in this iconic building, with an open invitation to come and enjoy with your Dear ones. 

Need to know:

Address ~ 2710 Erie Ave. 

Hours ~ Butchery & Market ~ Wednesday – Sunday 8 am-6 pm (grab a coffee)

Restaurant Hours ~ Wednesday – Sunday 5:30-10 pm

Parking ~ meters on the street and there is a metered lot behind the building 

 

A great night at Losanti in OTR!

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Holy crap what took me so long to visit Losanti ? Well, I can tell you one thing … I’ll be back very soon! 

Cheers!

The Team! 

Owners Chef Anthony & Haley Sitek have really nailed it with Losanti, the sister restaurant to Crown Republic, another great place in Cincy to put on your list if you haven’t yet. It is almost the year anniversary and they are still going strong in the craziest year in the business. 

Nice partitions for dining safely

And, I Love the name!

Losanti which is a nod to the original name of Cincinnati is a stone throw from Washington Park in the old Anchor location. They have really done a great job creating a soft and warm ambiance both inside and with the outside dining, too. Service (we had Maeve she’s adorbs) was fantastic! The cocktail menu made it really hard to decide (such a great problem).   

Nice bar & great cozy vibe

What did I nosh on? 

Now let’s get to the best part… the FOOD! Even though they are categorized as a steakhouse we went a different direction. Starting with the Mussels and OMG seriously lick the bowl and re-dip the bread, delish. Speaking of bread, we tried the focaccia on Maeve’s reco, and let’s just say carb overload may have gone down… so good. Tuesday is known for “Fried Chicken Night” it is Chef Jenna’s family recipe… totally worth every bite and 100% up my alley. The chicken was a half chicken, served over charred onion mashed potatoes,  topped with tomato gravy that really took it to another level. Who can say “NO” to Gnocchi Al Forno ~ truffle? ..swoon… it was creamy delish. OK, you’re probably full just reading this but oh heck no matter how full I am I always have room for dessert. We happily dug into the highly recommended Butter Cake…mmm warm with a scoop of salted caramel gelato..seriously what a way to end the night. 

I can’t wait to go again and even though they have dinner specials almost every night I will have to try their wonderful steaks. The menu has a wonderful array of choices so there is something for everyone. 

Reality check… I guess in these crazy days I need to give a shout out to the safety factor. Yes, I felt very safe. They have installed partitions and distanced the tables. They also have the outside area which is so cute. 

 

Need to know:

*Parking on the street ~ remember the parking app is your best friend :) or in the parking garage under Washington Park. 

*1401 Race St. 

*Monday – Thursday 5:00pm – 9:00 pm , Friday & Saturday 4:30pm- 10:00 pm 

* Brunch & Lunch coming soon … SWEET! 

* Bar seating is available