Three New Cincinnati Hot Spots!

Three New Cincinnati Hot Spots!

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Just when you think we have so many good places to experience more pop up! I’ve discovered three new and delicious places for you to check out. I just love sharing these surprises.

Sacred Beast
1437 Vine St.
This is your new upscale diner with an awesome vibe, great music, fab food and late hours.

Jeremy & Bridget Lieb have opened their doors for us and we should be very happy! These two met as youngsters while working at Cincinnati’s iconic Masionette, traveled around from Vegas, Atlanta and more and then brought all their knowledge back to Cincinnati…Thank you!!


This funky diner style restaurant has move in your seat tunes that are pumped out from a reel to reel system with old school speakers, cool cozy booths and seats at the bar. My fave are the seats at the “chefs table” the back bar where you can watch everything being made. They even have a great outdoor area if it ever gets above 50 degrees here.


Instead of a separate breakfast, lunch and dinner menu it’s the same menu all day, so you can decide if you want breakfast for dinner or not… bam!


Their slogan is “Simple Food Taken Seriously” and I agree. I went twice last weekend just to do some research ;). On my 1:00am visit I needed and devoured the burger which I can describe as a gourmet White Castle (and I mean this in the BEST way). I also indulged on the hash browns with a gravy on top that is so good you want to drink. The deviled eggs are on point and please try the Matzo Ball soup!

They have a late night special called the Happier Hour …single burger, pint of Hamms beer and a shot of Evan Williams for $15. They have a great selection of beers on tap as well as white, red & rosé also on tap and a killer cocktail menu. A a full bar with custom shots!

• What’s in the name? Sacred is their dedication to hard work and Beast is what they deliver from the kitchen!

Hours: Monday – Thursday 11AM – 1:00AM
Friday 11AM – 2:30AM
Saturday 10:30AM – 2:30AM
Sunday 10:30AM – 1AM

Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey
1201 BroadwaySt.
Biscuits made for a meal! This hip restaurant with a western feel and biscuits to die for, is located in the middle of Pendleton which is quickly becoming the new hotspot! “Contemporary take on classic American frontier food” and that it is.


The brainchild of Chef Christian Gill and owner PJ Neumann, Boomtown is putting a whole new meal idea on your plate and it’s as amazing as Christian’s hair! Besides having the best color changing hair he is an expert biscuit maker and learned as a little boy in his grandmother’s kitchen along with his mother (they should both be ecstatic that all of those skills have paid off). Fun fact… is Christian appeared on Food Network’s “Guy’s Big Project” with Guy Fieri!


PJ grew up with the same experience learning how to cook with his mom. He started working washing dishes at age 14 eventually going to college to learn the business side of things his love for cooking stuck with him. So, this duo is a perfect match in my opinion. Fun fact… PJ collected all of the cool antique décor that is displayed in the restaurant. Everything has a story, just ask!


The idea of Boomtown pays homage to the Gold Rush of 1849. Biscuits were the food that fueled prospectors. I can’t imagine that they were as good as Boomtown!

There is no way that you will leave without a full belly and a great experience. The Yukon is a must – it’s a melt in your mouth biscuit with friend chicken, gravy, smoked cheddar, bacon and, of course, you have to add an egg… duh! Hidalgo’s is not a biscuit, but it’s damn good with chilaquiles, poached egg, gravy, ranchera, pico and a cumin lime crema. Uggh, I’m so hungry after writing this!

The cocktails are innovative and delish…even one with gold dust on the rim.


Take a look around the decor details as they are fantastic. The gold vein paint that runs throughout the restaurant is a fun element carried out in the bathrooms, too. The gold bar utensils are so cool and showcase the theme.

Hours: Friday 7AM -10PM
Saturday 9AM – 10PM
Sunday 9AM – 3PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday –Thursday 7AM – 9PM
Photos courtesy of Boomtown*
Injoy
1400 Republic St.

Good vibes great people! First, you will know you are getting closer when you get a hint of the mouth watering aromatic smell that drifts out to the street of the new Injoy!

This amazing Indian inspired spot will make you feel healthy and you will leave with a smile because that is how they want it!

Brothers Phillip and Ben, along with childhood friend, Ramaldo kept throwing around ideas on what they wanted to do with their future. They had a few ideas but kept coming back to the idea that there is no fast Indian food in Cincinnati. The boys did a dreamy trip of sailing in the Mediterranean for a few weeks. That led to a little soul searching… reading books, exploring and thinking of what to do next. They just kept coming back to the Indian food idea and thought this is it.


They love the OTR scene and thought it would be perfect for a walk-up window type place. So they fused all ther ideas and came up with basically a take-away place with a small eat in area. After success in Findlay Market and a food cart where they set up at different events, they perfected what they were doing and knew it’s what people liked.

Injoy which the name is a combo of Indian + joy = Injoy … perfect!

It’s Chipotle style. You pick your bowl or wrap and walk it through adding your favorite things. This is going to be hard because I tried all three sauces and literally couldn’t decide because they were all so good. Everything has so much flavor you will love it. They also offer salad, garlic naan, Daal soup (has a kick, but so good), and the apple pie bite is the topper…just the right size for a little treat.

This is the perfect place to pick up some food and head over to Washington Park for a picnic! It’s great just to have a healthy and unbelievably fantastic meal on the go. They also offer catering!

Ben says the food is obviously important, but what is equally important is good vibes. He wants people to come in and leave with some pep in their step. He wants to brighten their day. His smile says it all and you will see how genuine he is in his eyes. With a motto like “Take a moment to be in the moment “ you just gotta love them.


•Beer and wine coming soon!
•FYI Almost everything is vegan but don’t let this scare you… It’s so dang good I wouldn’t have even known!
Hours: Monday Closed
Tuesday –Thursday 11:00AM – 2:30PM, 4:30PM – 8:00PM
Friday 11:00AM – 2:30,PM 4:30PM – 9:00PM
Sunday 11:00AM – 9:00PM

Who Knew

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Sister Act!

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I have been dying to try the new spot, CWC the Resturant (Cooking with Caitlin), in Wyoming, since they opened a couple of weeks ago.  The two bubbly, spirited sisters are finally––after many years of dabbling in all sorts of cooking experiences––getting hot in their own kitchen!

Ten years ago, Caitlin Steininger finished Cordon Bleu Cooking school, came home and started teaching cooking classes on Clough Pike. Her fun-spirited sister, Kelly Trush, urged her to get the show on the road because Caitlin had so much to offer. They did catering, started a website with recipes and had pop-up dinner parties all over town (way before anyone did “pop-ups”). Soon companies started reaching out for them to create recipes for them, which was a huge deal and boosted their confidence to move forward with their dreams.  Then, eight years ago, they started a radio show on WKRC,which is still being aired from 3-4 every Sunday.  As if they don’t sound busy enough with all of this and having a brood of children between the two of them, they also have a recipe column in The Enquirer’s Food section every Sunday! When do these two sleep?? Apparently never! When I talked to Kelly, she said with the restaurant only being open Friday – Sunday, they have time to cater events and host their Third Thursday event. Seriously, it’s amazing, because these two always have smiles on their faces and a bounce in their step!

Their motto is “We can’t wait to feed you,” and they really mean it! CWC feels like part of their home. The kitchen is open and in the heart of the restaurant. Kelly says, “Caitlin is the cook, and I love to eat,” so Kelly is the “front of the house” greeting, seating and serving with a huge smile while Caitlin is shaking sugar on the donuts and frying things up in a pan.

Kevin and I sat at the back bar, which is where you can watch it all go down! We shared the Breakfast Nachos, Breakfast Pizza and, of course, you always have to have Breakfast dessert, so we had the homemade donuts with dipping creams. There was seriously a party in my mouth, and that’s what I love!! :)

I can’t wait to go back and give dinner a try! Fantastic menu and a full bar. I also want to try a Third Thursday,which is 9 courses of small bites. ($25 per person…drinks additional.) Caitlin loves this night so she can flex her cooking muscles and try some new things. This night sells out fast (I hate to tell you guys before I even get on the list…haha)!

Hours: Friday 4-12, Saturday 5-12 and Sunday 9-2. Located at 1517 Springfield Pk.
Things to know…
• The girls’ dad is always running around busing tables and anything else, so say “Hi!”
• I always have to mention if there are phone chargers and purse hooks at the bar because,      well… its good to know :)
• They have specials every week, so make sure to get the lowdown
• Very kid-friendly…they even have little boxes of toys the kids can play with
• 80s music playing and singing along will happen!
• Bottomless cups of  La Terza Coffee
• Caitlin & Kelly MacEachen (maiden name) are proud graduates of the same grade school as my kids..St. Ursula Villa;)

Sláinte !!

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One of my favorite days of the year is upon us. Hello, St. Patrick’s Day! My sisters and I declare this a holiday and start off in the wee hours of the morn’.  I am going to give you a list of some of our fave stops and some on the list for this year.
Please be smart and Uber, Lyft or taxi your way around… You may only think you’re going out for one, but the bars are full of so much fun you’ll be sucked in, I promise!

Some info I think you need before you head out in your green attire to drink green beer ;)

• March 17th is the Feast Day of St. Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland, and the day of his death. Of course we celebrate this because if you are Irish they say there isn’t a huge difference between a wake and a keg party!

• The three-leaved shamrock is what St. Patrick used to explain the Holy Trinity.

• For the feast of St. Patrick, Christians traditionally attend church. Since St. Pat’s falls on a Friday this year––which is a day to abstain from meat––this Lenten restriction and the abstaining from alcohol is lifted for the day!! :)

• Pinching someone who is not wearing green comes from when the English invaded Ireland. It was dangerous to wear green and, if you did, you could be killed so the people that wore green would pinch the others for having lack of pride!

Some sayings you can practice before heading out so you can really look and sound the part! Click here for video on pronunciation.

• Erin Go Brah: the English translation from Erin go Brách literally means Ireland until the end or Ireland until eternity.
• Dia is Dhuit: a greeting meaning Good Day and, to respond, you say, “Dia is Muire Duit,” meaning God & Mary with you
• Pog Mo Thóin (pronounced “Pug ma hone”): Kiss my a**…this might come in handy ;)
• Craic (pronounced “crack”): means good time…or party time
• Sláinte (pronounced “shlanta”): Cheers!! Will be used 100 times, for sure.

Now, where to go to celebrate!! Really, every bar does something fun, and you may want to make sure you go where there’s a TV for the games!

I think Northern KY is a blast on St. Patty’s Day! They block off streets in Mainstrasse, which is tons of fun (though weather might make it less fun this year). People dress up in all kinds of crazy costumes. Be sure to take a pic with everyone!

Remember you can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning!!

• Molly Malone’s – 112 E. 4th St. Covington
Open at 7:00 for Kegs & Eggs. WEBN hosts the party, along with live music starting at 10:30. Irish dancers and bagpipers will be around .  The Pleasant Ridge Molly Malone’s- 6111 Montgomery will also open at 7:00 and give 100 t-shirts away.  Same fun stuff going on all day.

• Cock & Bull- three locations – 601 Main St. in Covington (blocked street for partying), 2645 Erie Ave. in Hyde Park and 27 E. Sharon Rd. in Glendale.
Opens at 6:00am with green eggs & ham AND Guinness pancakes!! Free T-shirts while they last!
Make sure to hit all the little pubs in the NKY area there are some really cute places!

• Crowley’s Irish Pub in Mt. Adams – 958 Pavillion St. $2.50 shot specials, Girl Scout Cookies & Irish Cuddles…? I will be checking this deal out! ;)

• Nicholson’s – 625 Walnut St. in downtown Cincinnati. Opens at 11:00, so while at work, you might start feeling like you have a “very important meeting” around 11!
Irish Sinker, Jell-O shots and more.

• The Pub in Rookwood – 2692 Madison Rd.  Open at 6:00 a.m. Kegs & Eggs buffet, bands all day, photo booth, bagpipers & Irish Dancers!

• R.P. McMurphy’s  in Hyde Park  – 2910 Wasson Rd.   Open at 8:00 a.m.
Green beer and, starting at noon, food trucks to fill your belly!

• Hap’s Irish Pub in Hyde Park – 3510 Erie Ave. Opens at 7:00 a.m.
Full Irish breakfast – Rashers, bangers, potatoes and more.  Irish Dancers and bagpipers throughout the day. This is always a must!

• O’Bryon’s Bar & Grill in O’Bryonville – 1998 Madison Rd.  Open at 9:00 a.m.
Irish Dancers, Green Shark Tanks! Irish Car Bomb, Jell-O shots and Irish Breakfast!

• Dingle House in West Chester – 9102 West Chester Town Center Dr. Opens at 8:00 a.m. Kegs & Eggs, live music at 11:00, special beer tapping and more!

• Woodburn Brewery in Walnut Hills- 2800 Woodburn
Open 7:00 for Kegs & Eggs – Chef from Cozy Café cooking it up! Then, in the evening, Mazunté will be doing Mexican with an Irish twist!

• Fogarty’s Irish Pub in Cheviot- 3620 Harrison Ave.  HOLY NIGHT opens at 5:30 a.m. (why go to sleep?)!
First 150 people get a free t-shirt, free breakfast, Irish coffee, Tullamore Dew tasting $15!

• Trinity Gastro Pub in West Chester– 8953 Princeton Glendale Rd. Opens at 11:00 a.m.
Irish beer, bands and food!

A side note… If you see the McGing Irish Dancers–– who are always out and about all day trying to hit every bar in town–– and they’re passing a hat for donations, please throw in some cash. These kids will be using the money to go to Dublin for the World Championships for Irish Dancers!

 

 

Urban Goes Suburban

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It’s the moment everyone in the Anderson/Newtown area has been waiting for…an adorable restaurant that serves great food and drink…and isn’t a chain! Hello, Urban Grill on Main!

Betsy Eicher and her brother-in-law, Randy Reichelderfer, have taken the training wheels off their very popular Urban Grill food truck and have opened a cool restaurant in Newtown.

The food truck was doing very well––after four years of serving food all over the city––but Randy had the vision of a restaurant.  Betsy wasn’t feeling it as much until Randy took her to this awesome 1870’s farmhouse on Route 32. Then Betsy admitted she could envision the rooms with a look and feel that she thought would make it a place people would love to visit.

She lights up when talking about the transformation of the old farmhouse to this quaint place, with one main dining room and two smaller rooms that can be reserved for big groups. With a host of soccer fields nearby, new pickle ball courts and a bike trail, I’m assuming these rooms will be full of fun groups on a daily basis.

They have a great bar in the main dining room and a coffee bar in one of the smaller rooms. If you’re a Fixer Upperfan like myself, you’d agree that Joanna had something to do with the look of the place! There’s a back deck scheduled to open in April and a front outdoor area where people can walk-up to a window and order up a soft serve ice cream. They held on to the original high quality soft serve machine left from the previous owners’ ice cream shop.

My friend Molly and I shared some serious goodness. We had the Mac ‘n’ cheese balls with a Dijon Mayo sauce. Do yourself a favor and order these! We also shared the Meat Loaf Burger and Queen City Chicken Sandwich on an English Muffin with Buffalo cream sauce and a side of Brussels Sprouts. We loved it all!

I can’t wait to go back and try some more!

This is a great place to meet for a coffee. They open the coffee bar at 8:30 Wednesday – Saturday and 11:00 on Sunday. When I asked about a possible brunch in the future Betsy didn’t say “NO”! So I will be looking forward to that someday :)

Things I like…
• purse hooks on the bar and community table
• phone charger outlets at bar seats
• first come, first served bar seats
• community table that can be shared by many in the main bar area. Meet some new people while your out!
• adult slushy machine (plugged in the day I was there!)
• great Daily Special menu
• their tagline is “Bacon Built This City” !
• they take reservations

Urban Grill on Main– 6623 Main St.
Open 11-9 Wednesday & Thursday ,11-10 Friday & Saturday  and Noon-8 on Sunday. Closed Monday & Tuesday

Winner for the $100 Woodhouse Spa in NKYis misford79  Congrats!

Things going on this weekend
• Reelabilites Film Festival – All taking place at Duke Energy Center. This is so worth grabbing the family and attending at least a couple short films. Some are free but you still need to go to the website and reserve tickets. These films and the whole event will open your eyes to the possibilities of life if you put your mind to it!
• St. Patricks Day Parade– Saturday March 11th at Noon Kicks off at Paul Brown Stadium and ends on Freedom Way and Rosa Parks St.

Thank Cod it’s Friday!

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You don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy a traditional Lenten fish fry! I have to admit, it’s been years since I’ve been to one, so I started Googling and learned it’s not your old-school fish fry anymore!

Following is a list of the some of the fish fries in town with healthy and unique offerings. (I’ll also link you to the whole list so you can check all of them out!) Pay attention to the dates, because some churches don’t have them every week.

• All Saints- 8939 Montgomery Rd. 792-4600
March 10th,17t ,24th, 31st and Apr. 7th 5:00-7:30
Choose from fried cod, grilled salmon & tilapia to fish tacos, pizza, sweet potato fries and more.

• Guardian Angels- 6531 Beechmont Ave. 231-7440
March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, Apr. 7th and 14th 5:00-7:00
Baked fish, shrimp, crab cakes, mozzarella sticks and more. You can dine-in or carry-out!

• Immaculate Heart of Mary- 7820 Beechmont Ave. 388-0031
March 3rd,10th,17th,24th,31st and April 7th 4:30-7:00
Fish tacos,  Shrimp Caesar salad, hush puppies and tons more. The bonus of this is everyone is invited to pray the rosary at 6:25, stations of the cross at 7:00, followed by a weekly Lenten Speaker at 7:30. April 7th the children of the parish do a live stations of the cross at 7:00
All proceeds benefit the IHM Boosters. Reserved parking for pick up.

• Old St. Mary – 123 E 13th St.  TONIGHT ONLY!  721-2988
This, my friends, is on the Bockfest Parade route!! Begins at 5:00.  Only on Friday March 3rd.

• Our Lady of Grace School at Little Flower– 5560 Kirby Ave.  541-5560(carry out)
March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st and April 7th 5:00- 7:30
Fried pickles, onion rings and local craft brews are the great additions to this fry!

• Our Lady of the Rosary – (4 of my sisters’ alma mater) 17 Farragut Rd.  825-8626
March 3rd, 10th,17th,24th, 31st and April 7th. Drive Thru and they take credit cards at this one!• Our Lady of the Sacred Heart – 177 Siebenthaler Ave. 733-4950
March 17th, 24th, 31st and April 7th 5:0-7:30
Fettucine, pizza and fish nuggets are good add-ons at this fry along with Chef Specials each Friday. Carry out available.

• Our Lord Christ the King (better know as Pacelli) – 922 Ellison Ave. 321-4121
March 24th & 31st 5:00-8:00
Clam chowder, homemade mac & cheese and grilled veggies are added attractions here!

• St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church– 2530 Victory Pkwy 961-0120
March 3rd,10th,17th,24th,31st & Apr. 7th 7:00-8:00 after prayer service at 6:00
Enjoy Middle Eastern (meatless) dinners for a suggested $10 donation. Yum!

• St. Cecilia Fry & Monte Carlo – 3105 Madison Rd.  871-5757
March 17th!! St. Pattys Day 5:30-midnight
All you can eat plus three drink tickets with games of chance and NCAA games. MUST BE 21! $17 in advance or $20 at the door! Love this one!

• St. Columban – 894 Oakland Rd. Loveland  683-0105
March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th,31st & Apr 7th 5:00-8:00
Buffalo shrimp wraps , weekly food specials and themes each week. Craft beer & drink specials make this one sound fun!!

• St. Francis de Sales- 1600 Madison Rd. 961-1945
March 3rd,10th,17th,24th,31st & Apr. 7th 5:00-7:00
This could be a place to meet new friends while grabbing some fish! I’ve attended mass here, and it’s so friendly (and many 20/30-sometings hang here). Plus, you can walk to Woodburn Brewery, Growler and Myrtles afterwards!

• St. Bartholomew- 9375 Winton Rd. 522-3680
March 24th,31st & April 7th 5:00- 7:30
My alma mater, so, of course, I had to plug it!! Looks like the addition of Famous Kaiser Pickles and Krimmer’s Italianette Pizza baked onsite seem to be the main attraction.

• St. WilliamW. 8th St. 921-0247
March 3rd, 10th,17th,24th,& April 7th 4:00-7:00
They are serving up all the good seafood delights dine in , carry-out and drive-through. You may want to stick around because they have live music every week. The line up is on their website www.stwilliamsfishfry.com

• Last but not least if a fish fry is not your thing… Gold Star Chili is rolling out their Vegetarian Chili !!! So if you have that hankering for meat on the day you can’t have it head on over for a three-way

Click HEREfor the complete line-up!

What’s your sign?

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One recent Sunday, my husband and I went on a field trip to the American Sign Museum.Gotta tell you…it was so cool, that I was mad at myself for waiting so long to check it out! It’s a museum that everyone in the family will enjoy. (Including the in-laws that come into town and want to be entertained. This will give you bonus points for sure!)

With 20,000 square feet full of every kind of sign, it’s the largest public museum dedicated to signs in the U.S.

It started in 1999 with the owner Tod Swormstedt’s passion for collecting signs. He got the “sign fever” because his family owned a trade journal for sign manufacturing since 1906. So, I guess you’d say it was a sign (hee hee). He opened a museum in 2005 and, with a growing collection, in 2012 he moved into the current space in Camp Washington which displays signs inside and out.

You’ll see signs that move, light up and spin dating from 1870 (a portfolio sign book) to around 1982 (the Burger King sign). You can enjoy a stroll on the brick path as if you’re walking through a lit-up city street and take a selfie or an entertaining snapchat story.

Being married to a guy who wants to put up as many Christmas lights as Clark Griswold, I wondered how much the electric bill was for all of these signs. The answer? About $4,200 a month! That makes me feel so much better about our two months of lights. :)

When you visit, do yourself a favor and take the guided tour. It is about an hour long and packed with great information. During the week you can see the Neonworks shop in the back that fixes neon lights. It is a separate business, but they have windows so you can watch them in action.

• Things to look for: The sputnik spinning sign from Anaheim, CA. It’s so funky––with long spikes and a spinning orb––that when the desigenr took the idea around to sign makers, they thought he was crazy, so he ended up building it himself in his basement. Also, pay attention to the Earl Scheib Auto Painting with the cars rotating around the globe from Compton, CA. When it moves around find the bullet hole. It’s “straight outta Compton” :) Also, look for the Cincinnati room, where you can walk down memory lane.

• There’s plenty of parking in the lot and on the streets. It’s in a remote area, so when you’re driving there, don’t think you are lost!

• The entrance fee is $15, so get more for your money and take the free tour.
Seniors are $10 and up to 3 children 12 and under are free with a paying adult

• Hours: 10:00-4:00 Wednesday – Saturday (tours at 11:00 & 2:00) and Sundays 12:00-4:00 (tour at 2:00).

• Can be rented for private parties!

1330 Monmouth Ave. 45225 (Camp Washington area) I’m not posting many pictures because I don’t want to ruin it for you!

Loveland!

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Hello, my friends!  Sorry I took a couple weeks off to celebrate a pretty significant birthday. I was too busy eating cake, drinking Prosecco and hitting the beach. I’m now old, but just in numbers!!

The other day I had a great time walking around an adorable area of our city that I need to check out more often…Loveland! I have so many friends that live there, so I’ve driven through but never really walked around. My long time friend Sandy was my tour guide, and we had so much fun :)

First off, I can’t tell you how friendly everyone was in this adorable town, named after the first Postman and early shopkeeper, James Loveland.  We’d walk in to a shop or restaurant, and when I’d mention I’m a blogger, they all wanted to talk and tell me about their place. So let me take you on my tour.

Tano Bistro 

loveland-0

loveland-1


To start, we had lunch (and Bloody Marys) at Tano. This was suggested by every Lovelander I know, and it did not disappoint. What a cute place with great food and a cozy atmosphere. Check out the wall made off wine crates in the bar area! I enjoyed the Quinoa Bowl with Salmon, and Sandy had the pesto flatbread. Both were delish!

Cincy Fashion Wheels/ The Home Decor Market of Loveland 


Down from Tano is this cute clothing boutique with great clothes at a great price. It’s also home to The Home Décor Market of Lovelandin the back of the store and has some great pieces to jazz up your house.  They also do interior design and consulting.

Cocoa Bites


Wasn’t open the day I was there, and I think that saved me 1,000 calories! It’s adorable.  I will be back to grab a treat or a delicious lunch next time! I did sneak some pics so you could see how cute it is.

The Copper Pearl

We were greeted and given a full tour from Brian the proud and creative owner. This cool spot is housed in a building from the 1800’s, so ask about the history of the building itself. Brian, his wife and some helpers make anything you want. They also repair and paint furniture. Great pieces from dining tables to an awesome bar he designed.

Narrow Path Brewing Co.
Peeked in this cute little gem. They have been doing a soft opening but will have a grand opening soon.

Cappy’s Wine & Spirits
You’d probably drive by and wonder what’s going on in there. Well, you may want to stop and see. It’s not only a liquor store, but also a bar with 40 taps (drink while picking out your beer. Uh…ok!).. Their regulars say they have some unique beers that can’t be found in Cincinnati.  You can enjoy your beer while sitting on the covered patio with the locals.

Plaid Room Records

Are you spinning vinyl? This is a great little record store selling new and used records. They also operate a Colemine Records label out of the back. They gave me one of the CDs they made––Durand Jones & The Indications––and I’ve been jammin’ to it ever since!

Paxtons Grille 


Another local fave is a cozy, little pub housed in one of the town’s oldest buildings and named after Colonel Thomas Paxton––the first settler of the area. They offer a great bar menu that will please everyone. They also serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. If you become a regular, make sure to join the VIP club to earn yourself some free grub!

Loveland Sweet (click on arrows for more pics)


You will be taken back in time when you enter this cute candy store. Treat yourself to some homemade ice cream and candies. You can grab some oldies but goodies like Pop Rocks or French Chews. :)

Pizazz Studio (click on arrows for more pics)

A shout out to the Tuesday team of workers for showcasing all the great merchandise for me. A cool gift idea––exclusive for them in the area––is the Coton Colors line that has holiday themed attachments for their specially designed platters and cake plates (great gift). Consuela purses, Sticks furniture and Uno de 50 jewelry from Madrid, all exclusively sold here for our area.  Other fun things to check out are the Gurgle Pot and chirp….??? I guarantee you’ll find something for someone. They also have Ladies Nights to gather, drink and craft the night away. Kids can have fun with a crafty birthday party! 50% off Valentines and check out sales upstairs!

The Works

Known for their brick oven pizzas, but many other great items on the menu. This building was originally a water filling station for steam locomotives and later a firehouse. The owners purchased and refurbished a 1921 Pullman passenger car from Pennsylvania––complete with original seats and tables––and have attached it to the main building for additional seating .

All of these fantastic spots are just one way to spend some time in this quaint town of Loveland. The unbelievable 70-mile-long bike trail (with connections to over 100 miles) is something to add to your list of things to do! You can rent bikes on the trail atLoveland Bike Trail Rental or Montgomery Cyclery Loveland. This bike trail started as Pennsylvania R.R. the same one you might have owned once in Monopoly ;) Also, in 1861 President elect Abraham Lincoln rode the line to his inauguration.  There is alsoLoveland Canoe & Kayakrental right there also  Both bike and canoe rentals will re-open in the Spring !
This is all in one area so literally you can park and do everything.

On my list for next time in Loveland
The Loveland Castle
Cindy’s Friendly Tavern
Trailside Smokehouse
Zab Thai Kitchen (not walking distance)
Little Shanghai ( not walking distance)
Fresh Press(opening soon)

Things coming up
•The Heart Ball  Saturday February 25th benefitting the American Heart Association – come have some fun for a cause! One of the cities biggest after parties following the sit down dinner.
•The End of Season Sale is going on Friday and Saturday at Co-Op  great deals from a bunch of cool stores all in one spot! 7892 Camargo Rd. 

Spahhh…

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Woodhouse Day Spa

They call it an “experience”, and that’s exactly what it is. When you enter the Spa––other than the fact there’s no ocean outside––you immediately feel like you’re on vacation! The scents and sounds relax you right away. (And it’s way cheaper than a plane ticket!)

You’re guided by a receptionist to the dressing area, where you’re given the softest, silkiest bathrobe and a pair of slippers to get your cozy on, then are taken to the “relaxation room”.  I suggest you come early so you can sit and sip on wine, tea or whatever while reading a magazine in front of the fireplace.

I did a little unwind with a one-hour Swedish massage…heaven!  Then …(yes, I say then, because I did two treatments) …AMAZING! I had The Woodhouse hydrafacial. This was something I’ve never experienced. Eighty minutes of facial care that made my skin glow! You don’t just get a facial…they also include a warm foot massage with all of their services… sign me up!

Guys and gals, there are so many treatments from pedicures & manicures, waxing, sleep treatments to wedding day packages for your whole bridal party or groomsman crew. If a massage makes you nervous, bring your loved one and do a dual massage, both of you in the same room. In addition to the serene spa upstairs, there is a lower level that can be reserved.  You can have a day with your own party room, sitting area and a big screen. Eat Well catering can bring you wonderful food, and cocktails can be provided while people take turns getting pampered.

This is such an awesome gift for anyone or a perfect place to gather for a birthday celebration or just an hour to get away and chill.

Never feel guilty for having a massage or a facial. Do something nice for you because you deserve it! Check out the link to see all the wonderful services they offer. Make it a day, and go check out the Crestview Hills Town Center, which is a great outdoor mall with some fun shops and restaurants.

Shake your booty!

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Happy New Year!
I hope everyone is still going strong with the resolutions…eating healthy, drinking only on the weekends, working out, etc. I thought I’d do the obligatory January blog and attack some of these things that everyone’s talking about (at least for a few weeks until we all go back to our good ol’ selves :)
When people ask me about my Instagramposts with all the food pics, they love to ask, “So how are you not huge?” Well, if you’ve ever seen my “no bigger than a minute” mom, you could easily say its in my genes. People like to know what work out do I do?  So I thought I would share some of my fave workouts, and then with next blog, we’ll go back to going out and eating and drinking our way through the rest of the year!!

Now let me clarify…I have the luxury of my potpourri of odds-and-ends jobs, which give me a  flexible schedule. And my kids are of driving age, so I don’t do carpool anymore. Now a gym is not for everyone, and I get that. There are so many things you can do at home. I do think if you want to try some classes and see what you like to do (and make sure you’re doing things correctly), you could totally make it work at home.

I do work out as much as I can…because I really like to eat. (And drink.) January is the worst month for people who go to the gym regularly, because it’s much like going to church on Christmas and Easter. You go in and look at your spot, and someone else is there. Ugh!! But then, come February, things thin out. If you’re a newbie to the workout scene, this is the time to jump right in there.  All of my classes have new people so you won’t be the only one…I promise! Plus, we’re all grown ups, so you should put on some confidence, walk in and go for it. Don’t be afraid or intimidated.  I love to see new people coming in and trying to make a difference for themselves. And, if you get an attitude from anyone, you just show them by continuing to show up!!

So, I change-up my workout every day. It’s my ADD in full force.  That’s also why I don’t trust myself on the machines, doing my own thing. I would be bored after 15 minutes and leave! I have to have to check in to a class and get it done!
I know I am not telling you anything you haven’t heard before (but, hey, maybe I am :) All the morning shows have been featuring quick workouts at home…a great way to get it done. If you need incentive, you can just put a bottle of wine out on the table, and if you don’t move your ass, you can’t have a glass!!
Google “at home workouts.” There are so many to choose from, you can’t go wrong. If none of this tickles your fancy, then when you’re home alone, just crank some music and dance like you are going to win the disco ball trophy. Just make damn sure your kids aren’t coming home from school anytime soon and that your UPS guy has already been through the neighborhood !

Cyclebar- 2713 Edmondson Rd. Rookwood
I really enjoy spinning for my cardio. I go to Cyclebar in Rookwood. The “cycle” is for the bike part and the “bar” is for the 4- or 6-lb. long bar you use for a couple of songs to add some bicep curls and arm work. (I do have to say, I was disappointed when I found out the “bar” part didn’t involve cocktails.) There is also a location in Liberty Township and one opening in Kenwood soon.  They have shoes you can borrow (think bowling, only cooler). Just remember the teacher is there to guide you and encourage you, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow everything they say. If they are going full on a heavy gear and that seems hard, then don’t do it… nobody knows except you. If they are jumping in and out of the seat and that exhausts you, then ride in a seated position. I promise, as long as you put effort into your ride, you’ll sweat your butt off!! FYI, if you do go and try a class tell, them you want to opt-out of showing your stats on the big screen. I don’t need everyone to know I’m always the bottom 5 of the class every time! There is a promo right now to bring a friend for free if you know someone who goes.  Also, on Saturdays there’s a free intro class!

Body Alive- 8110 Montgomery Rd.
I also like a “body fusion” class at Body Alive in Kenwood.  Body Alive offers many different classes all day, every day. So no “it doesn’t fit my schedule” excuses here! This is also where I take yoga. Body Fusion is a total body workout using light weights, bands and barre. We do high impact intervals designed to tone, increase endurance and work on core. Once again, this is a class where you follow along and, if something doesn’t feel right or you have bad knees like me, you just do an alternative move. It is OK to do that I promise!

Yoga is the one thing I know I need to do more, and I love when I do it. It’s the one true exercise that we should incorporate more because of the thousands of years it’s been in practice and the benefits to your body.  It decreases your cholesterol and blood pressure and can help a realm of things such as fatigue, chronic pain, stress and much more.  I feel the older you get, the stretching and lengthening of the muscles is key to help prevent injury.

It’s Working Out-3546 Columbia Pkwy
My husband is has been an avid participant at It’s Working Out, which was just featured in The Wall Street Journal. He takes TRX Suspension Training. We both love this workout.  This is using a strap system that allows you to work against your own body weight.  They also have rowing classes…very cool! They use water rowers that work your legs, core and arms…all while getting your heart rate up.
They have recently added yoga, and this month are including it with a membership of TRX or Rowing for $69 a month. If you sign up now and use promo code HEYM, you can get $10 off.

New Spot- Fit Food Stop
It can be hard to eat healthy, but a new place in Oakley just opened that can help make it doable. Fit Food Stop (3180 Madison Rd.) can be your healthy alternative to the dreaded drive-thru. All meals are gluten-free, and they’ll work with you to make a meal plan if you’d like. You can come grab something right out of the fridge, take it home and heat it up.
Bottom line is…get out there and try something, then try to make it part of your lifestyle. This doesn’t mean you have to go every day, it just means eating right most of the time and getting your heart rate up as much as possible. It really can make a difference. There are so many great places all over town. Grab a friend and try something new!