Last night, I found a little slice of heaven on a side street in Oakley, and it might be the best restaurant (that isn’t really a restaurant) in the city. Sometimes I find little gems, and I don’t want to blog about it––because I want to keep it to myself––and this is one! It’s like a speakeasy, but with food. It’s The Wheel.

The culinary genius behind The Wheel is the humble and somewhat adorably shy Chrissy Antenucci. Chrissy was born in Cincinnati, went to French culinary school in Manhattan, then worked at the award-winning Gramercy Tavern in New York. Chrissy came home for a bit and worked with Jean Robert at Pigall’s, then headed out to San Fran. While there, she got some serious pasta knowledge at Quice, another top-notch spot where pasta is a main part of the menu.
Lucky for us, she headed home with a ton of dough skills and passion for making mouth-watering dishes.

She found a great location for her new restaurant, but due to logistics bumped the plans. A “restaurant “ wasn’t going to happen…but a “pop-up” was! Two years ago, she started this concept, and it has been hugely successful. In September, she finally got a commercial kitchen built and now has a carry-out lunch area, as well.

Here’s the deal…You get on her email list and she sends out a monthly schedule (typically three dates). She takes about 20 people a night. You’re greeted with a glass of Prosecco, then find your spot at a long, communal table. I love this because you can either keep the conversation to you and your friends or, if you get bored with them, just start up a convo with the people next to you!! :) Next, the fun begins. Chrissy is literally cooking everything fresh while you’re at the table. She describes every dish as it’s put in front of you. Then the music (great music btw) goes back on, and this goes on for the full five-course meal. Every dish is made in-house…from the hand-rolled pastas and hand-made bread to the sauces.. you get the picture! All I have to say is every plate down the table was licked clean.

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This intimate experience is truly a delight. You can watch Chrissy smile as she is preparing each dish right there. She’s in her zone and just loving what she’s doing…and making it look SO easy. One of Cincinnati’s best restaurants that’s really not a restaurant :)

You can also visit her takeaway shop next door. Once again, everything is made in-house! Soups, sandwiches, lasagna and pizza! There’s no seating, so it’s for carry-out only.

Things to know:

•3805 Brotherton Rd.
•Follow The Wheel on instagram to see what she is whipping up. It’s a fun one to follow because because of her love for music she always incorporates a lyric with her picture.
•You need to sign up for the invite at thewheeloakley@gmail.com
•Parking behind or on the street
•BYOB
•What’s in the name, The Wheel? By looking around, you’ll catch on to the fact that she loves good music! The Wheel comes from the Grateful Dead song.
“The wheel is turning and you can’t slow it down. You can’ t let it go
You can’t hold on you can’t go back and you can’t stand still.
If the thunder don’t get you the lightning will… “
•Price is $50 per person (worth every penny)
•The meal is planned so be ready for a surprise and it takes a little over 2 hours