A yawn is a silent scream for coffee!

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Time to Percolate…not the dance move from the 1990’s (although after all the coffee I drank for this post I had the energy for it!).

So I was planning on sneaking off with my husband this week and joining him in Chicago for his business trip. While he did his business stuff, I was going to be hitting up some great restaurants and checking out what’s new and cool with my niece and blogging about all of it for you. Unfortunately he came down with a wicked virus (reminder…get your flu shot) that kept him in bed from late Saturday night until Wednesday night! Ugh, I felt bad for him, but I really was bummed about missing out on Chi-town. (Poor me.)

While Kevin was laid up, I was wondering what I could write about this week. So I called my sister and asked her to “Thelma and Louise” with me and drive around to check out some coffee shops. We have a ton of good ones here, and I may have to do a few blogs on this topic. This city never disappoints with the cool people and the endless list of things to do.

Following is an overview of our coffee tour. (Forgive me if I’m a bit scattered…I think I’m still buzzing from the coffee overload!)


86 Coffee Bar & Concert Venue– 2820 Vine St. (short vine for those who went to UC)
Our first stop was 86 Coffee Bar in Clifton. And for good reason. They were transforming the bar for five hours intoLuke’s Dinerfrom the Gilmore Girls! Awesome! And just in time for the Gilmoreversary (first day Gilmore Girls aired).  We pulled up, and the line was wrapped all the way around the building.  So we drove around to some other places and came back just in time to get a picture with the Luke’s sign as they took it down. Apparently they ran out of the collectible coffee mugs at 9:30, but they were all still wearing the aprons, so the nostalgia was not lost.

When this coffee shop isn’t doing the pop-up thing, it remains a cool spot. Total college coffee place with two band stages for live performances in the evenings and a cool outdoor area with cornhole. (Of course!)  Board games, a big chess table and cute cozy sitting areas.  If you plan on hanging out, you can grab an “ugly mug”––$4 bottomless cup of java, and you get to pick any of the fun mugs on display!

French Crust Café -1801 Elm St.
Next, we cruised on down to Findlay Market to check out Jean-Robert’s French Crust, which just moved from Vine St. to Findlay Market (BTW Findlay Mkt. was recently named one of 15 great places in America!) French Crust’s doors opened for the first day, and Thelma and Louise were there to check it out. Cute little café serving breakfast and lunch.  I had an amazing Croque Monsieur…it’ll make you feel like you’re in Paris.  My sister (Thelma, I guess) munched on a puff pastry with goetta, poached egg and hollandaise. Made her feel like “home” in Paris since goetta is a local delicacy and not a typical cuisine found in Paris ;) You’d be remiss if you didn’t treat yourself to a chocolate morsel or a French pastry made by Jean-Philippe Solnom (BTW, is the name Jean a common French name like Bob?)
You must check out his serious salt & pepper collection.

Soon to open in the spot connected to––and sharing a kitchen with––the café is Jean-Robert’s French Bistro.  (I swear, Jean-Robert opens restaurants as frequently as Kim Kardashian posts on Instagram!) The Bistro will serve lunch and dinner.  Think country French food with a full bar.  Oui oui…can’t wait!


Carabello Coffee– 107 E. 9th St. Newport, Ky.
After two coffee stops, we sped to Carabello Coffee in Newport. Ok, I could literally write a book about this spot, so I’m going to give you the cliff notes and beg you to look at their website. Justin and Emily Carabello decided to find a way to roast coffee and give back to the third world country that sourced their beans in the first place.  So that’s exactly what they did. They’ve helped fund an orphanage. You buy a coffee, they buy a uniform for a student. Seriously? How cool is that? Their slogan is “Coffee & Compassion in Tandem.” The tandem bike is their fitting symbol…another great story you’ll see on the web. Click here to watch.

When I walked in, I immediately wanted to gravitate into the room that was closed
(because I knew things were special in there).  But I went in anyway. (Go figure.) People were working hard, and this adorable guy tried to explain that the area is only open Thursday- Saturday.  That adorable guy? The owner, Justin Carabello.  I told him I wanted to write about their place, but didn’t know much about it.  He stopped what he was doing and showed me what was going on, gave me his card and said he would love to answer any questions.  You immediately fall in love with Justin and when you see his story, all of this makes sense.  This place has a God wink on it (I will tell you that clue) and we’re lucky to have it in our town.

So what, you might ask, is in the secret area? It’s the hiding place for the bean roaster and the big huge burlap bags (yes the beans really come in the old burlap).  There are people bagging the beans and working on projects during the closed days.  The “secret area” is called the Anolog Slow Bar.  This, my friends, is like a cocktail bar for coffee.  The baristas use their imagination and creativity to mix it up like a bartender, but without the alcohol.  The Analog Slow Bar is somewhat like a chef table at a restaurant! They host events so you can really learn about the coffees while sipping on their special drinks. (Yeah, I’m doing this soon!)

The front of the shop is the area that’s open to serve you on a daily basis. There are so many options and slow drip coffees from which to choose. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and try something new.


College Hill Coffee Co. & Casual Gourmet – 6128 Hamilton Ave.
Our final stop was up from Northside. (Yes, at this point I was talking 100 mph!)  What a cute place!  College Hill Coffee Co. & Casual Gourmet is your everything stop, but you still feel like you’re in a cozy Bed & Breakfast. You can grab lunch, sit and do work on your laptop… all while sipping on a hot drink.  While you’re there, might as well shop for everyone in your family.  It is like a little store! And their copper espresso machine…a piece of art.

They say their most popular coffee is the Highlander Grogg (my favorite too).
The slogan here is “eat, sip, chat & chill”…couldn’t be more fitting.  Stop by and enjoy the outdoor area while we’re having this amazing weather!

Just saying.

I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying writing this blog/email/post every week. I’m meeting the coolest people with such passion for what they do and such love for this city.

Thank you for reading! And please feel free to contact me with ideas and places you think are worth sharing. Join me on Instagram (Heymichelle1) and Twitter (HeyMichelle?)

Whats up this weekend ?

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Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are just a few things for you to put on your list. We live in a city that doesn’t stop…that’s for sure. There are so many great things to do that I’m tired just planning! Don’t forget to stop, smell the sunflowers and sip on your pumpkin spice latte.. tis the season

• Restaurant Week– Going on thru October 2nd. There are over 25 restaurants offering a 3-course meal for $35.

• Want to stay home ? Learn a little bit more about the Boss! Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography Born to Run was released Tuesday. Joseph Bethhas it 20% off.

• September 30 & October 1st is the Porkopolis Pig & Whiskey Festivalat Washington Park. All of your favorite BBQ’s and whiskey…plus a ton of live music to welcome the feel of Fall.

• October 2nd 10-5pm is the Hyde Park Square Art Show and the celebration of the square’s 50th anniversary. There will be over 200 exhibitors for you to check out along with food and drink.

• Feeling like being philanthropic? Join me at theBloomevent supporting Stepping Stonesat the beautiful Greenacres in Indian Hill. Food provided by over 20 restaurants, music by Clueless, emcess Jeff & Jen from Q102, bar and great auction items. Tickets can be purchased at www.cincybloom.org

I’ll show you a Candy Crush!

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Two sweet businesses in Cincinnati that you’ll want to check out!

Sunshine Caramel Company

Years after devouring the caramels for sale on the counter, as she left her hair appointment at High Five Salon, Cara Carter-Misleh heard that the caramel lady wanted to sell her business. Her interest immediately piqued at this opportunity.  The original owner, Michele Wolf, never imagined that her joy of making caramels was going to turn into a huge success (that would become a little overwhelming).  From her point of view, Cara saw it as a chance to make it even bigger.  Her love of cooking and her creative flare made it a natural fit.  After working under Michele for a short while, learning the technique of making a fine caramel, Cara took over.

These are the softest, most delish caramels around.  Made with love and a long sticky process, they are then hand cut and hand wrapped.  She gave me samples, and I totally hoarded them! I didn’t give one away.  You don’t get between my sweet tooth and me!

She offers a variety of flavors, and there’s even a flavor-of-the-month club. I sunk my teeth into the Sea Salt…holy night, that’s some good stuff!   Turns out that’s the #1 crowd pleaser. I got to get a jump on the flavor of the month (yep I get big perks with this job)…the apple cinnamon.  I’m telling you, one bite of these little gems, and you will be hooked too.  Oh, lest I forget… coming soon to you… the “carabons”. These are like caramel buckeyes or like a Rolo on steroids. :)

I’m telling you, this is a perfect idea for corporate gifts, wedding treats, hostess gifts, the holidays, “a lift someone up” gift or just, flat out, a treat for yourself!  She can even do very cute custom labels to add to her adorable packaging.

She sells her caramel delights in many locations:
High Five Salon
Carabello Coffee(which just opened a new cool coffee house)
Dutch’s
Camargo Trading Co.
OTR Candy Bar
Lehr’s Prime Market
New Riff– (she uses their bourbon in the bourbon vanilla)
6 Skyline locations
And her treats are used for VIPs at 21C Hotel

FLAVORS… are you ready for this?
Sea Salt, Bourbon Vanilla, Espresso, Chocolate Drizzle, Georgia Pecan, Maple Bacon (because bacon is a new staple in our food groups), Hot Buttered Rum, Sunshine Orange, Coconut, Bananas Foster, Old Fashioned Vanilla and, just in time, Harvest Spice.

• Keep your eye out for the new Carabons and the caramel corn flavor
• As of this minute, you can order anything online but a storefront may be announced soon.
• 10% off you purchase when you mention “Hey, Michelle”


Mavericks Chocolate

When you walk up and open the old front door of this adorable chocolate shop, you’ll immediately be engulfed with the most amazing aroma of decadent chocolate ever.  As I stood there, everyone who walked in made a comment… “Smells sooo good” or “ahh, that is the smell of chocolate”.  The next thing you notice is the cool space, tracing its roots to the Hong Kong Tea and Coffee Co. from the 1800s.  From there, it’s the classy logo and the wonderful packaging.  The display of the beautiful truffles will confuse you on exactly what you want to buy.  So many choices!  The Maverick theme playing through on all the candy bar wrappers. Marlene said they thought the name was fitting because Mavericks “danced to the beat of their own drum,” and they were inventors of their time, just like the Pictons who went on a limb to build a business around chocolates.

Owners Paul & Marlene Picton always knew they wanted a family business. Paul’s job as an engineer in aviation, hence the Maverick theme, had him traveling around the world.  When he came home from a trip, he always brought home chocolates for the family to try.  After his traveling stopped, they missed all the fun chocolates, so why not try to make some themselves?! They started in their kitchen, selling to family and friends.  From there, the demand grew.  Then, why not go to the home of many family businesses…Findlay Market?!

The adorable staff will assist you with detailed scoop about the chocolate, where the beans come from and the process.  You can sample all the wonderful flavors.  You can also see the chocolate being made right there in the store, which is also the factory.  I had no clue there was so much that went into the process of making a candy bar!

This process will make you appreciate chocolate more than ever!  They are a bean-to-bar factory (I have never run across one of those).  The chocolate is crafted in small batches right in the store and it is quite a craft.  Check out the Maverick Chocolate website to see the process.  It takes 7 days to make a batch, resulting in about 400 bars.  Who knew!?
They have 11 flavors of chocolate bars, a drinking chocolate mix and truffles in their store.

I also tried the nitro coffee. It’s basically carbonated coffee that’s served through a keg.  Cheers! They also have cold-brewed coffee made with cocoa chips that has a steeping process of 16 hours.  For non-coffee drinkers, they offer a cold or hot chocolate to which you can add peanut butter or espresso.

Stop in and take a whiff… I promise you won’t leave without buying something!

FLAVORS
Pumpkin Spice Milk Chocolate
63% Morropon Dark Chocolate
70% Belize Dark Chocolate
72% Ecuador Dark Chocolate
60% Dark Milk Chocolate
60% Dark Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs
65% Espresso Dark Chocolate
Fahrenheit 513 Dark Choc.
Prohibition Milk Choc
White Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs
Lemon Lavender White Choc

Things to know…
•They won the 2015 Good Food Awardfor the Fahrenheit 513 Bar
•They won the 2015 International Chocolate Award.Silver for the Prohibition Milk Chocolate
•Madtree Brewerypartnered with them to create Rubus Cacao which is a stout with a slight raspberry flavor
• They support the locals. They use Deeper Rootsfor the Espresso Bar. They make truffles forNew Riffusing their bourbon, Churchill’s Fine Teathe Earl Grey Bar and Colonel De Spicesfor the Pumpkin Spice
• They have beautiful boxes for gifts that will surely win someone over
• When they opened two years ago there were only 40 chocolate makers like themselves in the U.S.
• Their chocolates are sold in stores all over the country but are made right here in our backyard!

      WHO DEY!!!!

Whats up this weekend??

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• Frenchie Fresh  is open in Rookwood! Jean-Robertowns many of the hottest restaurants in town, and now you can go to one without it being a special occasion. He just opened restaurant Llast month and now this. He is one busy dude. His newest gem is a casual dining spot with fast service and fresh, organic food. It’s a great spot for lunch, eat in or carry out.  Family friendly with an outdoor patio for your poochies (French bulldogs especially).  I highly recommend the seafood & truffle mac & cheese! Burgers with tons of toppings, wonderful salads and of course French fries. Try dipping your fries in the “franch” sauce.. get it?? French ranch… trés fancy! Oui Oui ok I’m finshed that’s all I know. Located in the old Lime location in Rookwood. 3831 Edwards Rd.

• Baby giraffe just born at the Cincinnati Zoo. Second time in two months. Make sure you have space on your phone to take pictures. So cute! 3400 Vine St.

• Hungry for pizza? Tagliois your answer it is truly the best pizza in town. I’m not even a huge pizza person, yet I dream of this stuff. 3531 Columbia Pkwy.

• The obvious thing to do but a new location…Oktoberfest Zinzinnati! Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest is the biggest in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world outside of Germany.  This year located on Second and Third St. (Sept. 16-18)

• Up for an adventure? The Ohio Renaissance Festivalruns through Oct. 23rd. You can see everything from knights to maidens walking around in character, to jousting and live sword fighting, while you gnaw on a huge turkey leg. Living Social has ahalf off coupon. 10542 E. State Rt. 73 Waynesville, OH 45068.

• This could be a two-fer…if you hit up the Renaissance Festival in your wench outfit, you could cut the skirt short, slap on some knee socks…now you have a dirndl and are ready for Oktoberfest..Prost!!!

• Cincinnati Balletpresents the Director’s Cut Sept. 16 & 17. The Aronoff Art Center, 650 Walnut St.

•If you haven’t attended an FC Cincinnatisoccer game, hit the game this Sat. Sept. 17th @ 7:00. Games are played at Nippert Stadium home of the U.C. Bearcats. (Girls, these players are adorbs, so if nothing else you can watch them!)

• The Saturday I look forward to every month.. City Flea at Washington Park. Tons of vendors selling everything from soaps, homemade dog treats, leather purses and jewelry to the dress shop that sell clothes right out of a truck. Seriously there is something for everyone. Come hungry because there are always food trucks.  This is a great family outing.

Frenchie Fresh 

What’s Up This Weekend ?????

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•Woodburn Brewery is now serving food from Mazunte!! Your happy hour just got better:) Mexican food & Beer!!

•Do you want to take it up a notch? TryLisse in Covington. Steaks to die for .. you can cut them with your fork kind of good. Dine inside, on the balcony or in the grass boulevard. You can also grab an appetizer and a drink on the rooftop bar that has a great view of the Cincinnati skyline as the train passes in the foreground. They have done an amazing job renovating this spot.
While you’re in Covington, check out the abundance of great little bars. Molly Wellmann’s Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar is totally worth a stop. Coolest Bourbon bar around. Small and quaint with a great outside area in the back.

•Still general admission tickets available for Cincy Chics Cocktails & Couture at the Cincinnati Art Museum.$10 online. Learn the history of fashion and cocktail tastings with (speaking of the devil) Molly Wellmann!

* Get downtown and jump on the new Cincinnati Bell Connector! No the streetcar is not called Desire :(
•Don’t want to go out? Have you read Eligibleyet? The author grew up in Cincinnati and her family still lives here, hence the story taking place all around the Hyde Park area. It will make you want to run to Skyline for a bite. Think modern day Pride & Prejudice. Fun and easy read for the weekend!

Give me liberty, or give me…hey, look, a cocktail!

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I could give up malls… but I’m not a quitter!

I know that online shopping is the way to go these days, and we’re hearing a lot about brick and mortar stores closing their doors. But the newLiberty Center shopping area is a must to check out. It’s more than a mall…it’s an experience.

Liberty Center is a great place to go as a couple, a family or a girls day out. Why does outdoor shopping seem better, you ask?? Personally, I think its because the restaurants and bars are great stopping spots on your walk. Shop and sip is the way to go!

If you have been to Eastonin Columbus, you can picture the cool open layout of this mostly outdoor experience. It is a place to eat, shop, relax and play. Even I (one who LOVES to shop) was skeptical because, after a long life of retail, I’m not a big fan of mall shopping. But I was pleasantly surprised by Liberty!

One of the big perks is that are there shops and restaurants that are nowhere else in Cincinnati. Also, they hold concerts on Thursdays in the summer and storytime for kids in their cool 2,000 sq. ft. Discovery Center for moms, dads and tots.  It has the over the top Cobb Luxury 15 theater…with reserved seating for your favorite movie and servers that bring you great food and cocktails while you lounge in leather lounge seats. (Seriously, try not to fall asleep during the movie after a couple martinis!)

Also unique to Liberty is their yoga retreat center, fountain areas for the kids and the coolest outdoor train set that will stop you in your tracks. ;) There is also an indoor section with a food court (if you don’t like the light of day).

Walking around and venturing into some of these new shopping spots is beyond fun. It’s Sugar candy store is awesome (I think Gene Wilder would have given it his Willy Wonka stamp of approval). Ask Wesleythe manager to show you some of my favorite things. We were cracking up at their slightly inappropriate (my fave) items that I’ll definitely be purchasing for my white elephant gag gifts at our family Christmas party. They also have enormous boxes of your favorite candy, along with candies from around the world. You will spend time in here I promise ;)

Marbles the Brain Store is a great spot for unique and cool games and toys. I’ve been in this store in Chicago and was thrilled to see it here.

Other stores new to Cincy:
• Adore(organic make-up)
• Celebrate Local(all sorts of items made by Ohioians, such as honey, t-shirts, wine, mini buckeyes, college stuff and thumbprint cookies on the counter. If there are some there, grab them because they go fast!)
• David’s Tea
• Flash Photography
• Jakes Toggery(all your preppy needs under one roof)
• Kendra Scott Jewelry
• Occasionally Yours (featuring Vera Bradley, Lily Pulitzer, Kate Spade and more)
• Scentology Brand name perfumes & colognes as well as their own candle line
• S Mari Designsfor great gifts,
• Sports Possessionsfor the baseball card collector
• Simply Mac!! Ok people, it may be worth the drive to get any Apple product fixed or have a one-on-one to learn about your Apple computer and not have to deal with the line at the Apple store. They also sell Apple products, and the cool thing is that they have an accidental insurance policy that covers things that Apple Care does not. Check this place out! They are all Apple certified technicians.

Restaurants that are new to the area:
•Cantina Loredo
• Bibibop(one in Clifton)
• Degs Chicken
• Flipside(owned by a couple in Cleveland)
• Kona Grill
• Northstar Café (I really enjoyed this spot! (great brunch too)
• Pies & Pints
• Rodizio Grill

Tips:

Amid all the new and unique stores are some of your comfort stores, such as Dillards and Gap. And there’s a chic and modern AC Hotel by Marriotton the property. Make a weekend of it!

Another cool aspect is the on-street metered parking. All proceeds go to local charities, as does the income from parking tickets! (Might be the only time you’re not upset if you see that piece of paper sticking out from under windshield wiper!) If you have a charity you’d like considered, they accept online applications. There are free parking garages as well as the metered street spots.

If you are in a hurry for lunch there are a few places that offer call-ahead for in and out in 45 minutes. Available Mon-Fri from 11-2. (Brio, Kona Grill, Pies & Pints and Rodizio Grill all participate.)

Summer Concert Series (Thursday nights from 6-9)
• Tonight Leroy Ellington
• September 8 The Chuck Taylors
• September 15 Danny Frazier
• September 22 Eden Park

Movies under the Moonlight
• September 9 Hocus Pocus
• September 16 Monsters, Inc.
• September 23 Halloween Town
• September 30 Hotel Transylvania 2

Visit Liberty Center’s website(quick links) for discounts on many of the stores!

Working for that green sports coat? Top Golf could be your answer!

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Are 18 holes too long for you?  Like to hit but not spend your whole day on a course? Is a round of golf really just a means to an end…in the bar? Would you rather play fun, interactive golf games with your peeps while sippin’ on gin & juice and watching the Olympics on T.V.?…If you answered “yes” to any of the above ( and I know you did), you haveto head to Top Golf! It’s basically golf and your favorite bar combined!

From the minute I arrived, I was won over. You park, and up pulls a guy in a golf cart to take you and your clubs up to the three-tiered building! (By the way, unless you love your clubs or are perfecting your game, they do supply clubs at every bay.) Want to know the vibe? Think bowling alley with cool couches and high top tables, plus a club area instead of bowling balls.

You check in and pay $5 for a membership.  This keeps track of yours scores and other stats. I suggest doing this online before you go to save time upon arrival.  Once checked in, go to the concierge who’ll escort you to your bay. (With 102 bays that accommodate up to 6 players each, there’s rarely a wait.) Your concierge will explain everything in detail and set you up. The balls have chips that will track your distance and accuracy for points. You can pick among seven games.  Some are great for a families with a range of experience and some for Tiger Woods and friends. We were able to play two different games in the 1½ hours we played.  You pay by the hour, but can add ½ hour increments. ($25/hour for up to 6 players from open-noon , $35/hour noon-5 and $45/hour from 5-close.)

A server is at your side, so no need to miss your shot going to get cocktails.  There is a full bar and great food (not normally seen in “sports venues”).  My kids gave the wings a thumbs up, and Kevin and I loved  the Mushi –which is like a chipotle sushi.  Save room for dessert and try the injectable donuts (you decided the flavor and shoot it inside the donut hole) or S’mores made with chocolate chip cookies!  They open early and have brunch (the menu looked great!).  Golf and a Bloody Mary… I might improve my game!

If you want to bring a group, non-golfers don’t need to worry. There are pool tables on the bottom floor, along with shuffle board and Xbox Kinect. Each bay has its own TV which youcontrol by downloading the Top Golf app. The top floor has an open terrace bar area with fire pits, cornhole and fooseball. If you have no interest in any type of “sport”, you can perfect your drinking game in the main bar/restaurant. There’s most definitely something for everyone.

Tips

  • Get membership onlinebefore coming.
  • Bring a few clubs if you’d like… you can use your own or use theirs.
  • My family suggests not playing on the bottom floor unless you’re really working on your game. The middle and top floors provide better views of the targets.
  • You can control the television at your bay if you download the app.
  • Keep in mind, the longest distance for skills completion is 215 yards. If you choose that particular game
  • Lessons are available
  • Party rooms are available. Great idea for an office party. Open year- round with climate controlled bays
  • I do suggest that you know how to swing a club and make contact with the ball most of the time!! :)

Top Golf
9568 Water Front Drive
West Chester Township, Oh 45069
(513) 342-6249
topgolf.com

Pinkies Up!

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Today I visited a treasured Cincinnati gem…the Taft Museum. It’s one of the coolest spots in town, and right now it’s housing the clothing worn on the PBShit series Downton Abbey! The anticipated record-breaking crowds will take the Taft from a hidden gem to a must-visit-often destination.

Downton Abbeyfan or not, the Dressing Downton™ exhibit is stunning. You’ll gain some history with each of the outfits and will see pictures of the scenes where they were worn. There are 36 costumes in total, but 10 are creatively displayed in rooms designed to match the period. Take particular notice of “Footman in the Dining Room”. As you walk through, you’ll certainly appreciate the appropriateness of the display, given the historic correlation between the Taft House and Downton. And it’s only fitting that the character Cora Crawley was from Cincinnati. I wonder which Cincinnati family the writer had in mind when he creating Cora? Hmmmm.

Take note of the upcoming events associated with the exhibit.  Careful, the tours book quickly, so call or go onlinefor tickets!
  • Lunch in the café (reservations required 48 hours in advance).
  • Rules of Etiquette class–August 9
  • Fashion Panel & Trunk Show (start using the eye cream…this is for Young Professionals only)
  • Ragtime Dancing–September 15… learn some new dance moves to embarrass your kids on the dance floor!

Exhibit runs through September 25

Michelle’s tips…

  • Lighter crowds in the late afternoon and Sundays…get ticketsin advance.
  • Parking: the lot can reach capacity during busy times, but there’s plenty of nearby parking available.
  • Video: there’s a 3 ½ minute loop that rolls in a sitting area for “friends” that may have (for some strange reason) never watched Downton. (That way you don’t have to explain everything!)
  • Store:  bring some fun money, because they have the Downtonjewelry collection along with teas, cookbooks, hats and much more.

I do suggest, after you fall in love with the Taft, you consider becoming a member. You can enjoy so much more!  Plus, the Taft is a great place to visit when they decorate the Home for Christmas (November 4-January 8).

Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513.241.0343

On my radar…

One of my favorite weeks is on the horizon…Cincinnati Restaurant Week! August 8-14. You’ll find 23 name-dropping restaurants on the list. This is a great way to try places that you normally would think are for a special occasion.  They have a fixed price menu, so you get three courses at a discounted price. Reservations go fast so try to call today!  Some of the spots include Jeff Ruby’s, Metropole @ 21c, Nicola’s, Symphony Hotel and more. Bon apetit!