You have probably driven by Green Papaya on Wasson in Hyde Park and, as I had done for years, blankly stared at it as you waited for the longest light in the city to turn green. And, as you wait for said light, your mind will inevitably wander and you will take a mental inventory of similar Thai/Sushi places in the area. As I entered Green Papaya, I already knew what set it apart — ambiance.  

Chef Matt Buschle doesn’t like to take the easy way out. Two years ago at the height of the recession as restaurants were closing all over the area, Buschle decided it was a good time to open up his dream restaurant. Virgils Café (710 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, 859-491-3287) has been packed ever since.  

The evolution of flavor represented in Americans’ diet over the course of U.S. history has gone from a timid, “lightly salted” hint to today’s loud barrage of often bewildering tastes. During a recent grocery trip, I was in the snack aisle and was stopped dead in my tracks by an almost psychedelically colorful tower of products. It was the magical land of Pringles, standing out with gaudy insistency.  

When someone offers you the option of “Good news first?” or “Bad news first?” which do you take? I’m the kind of person who likes to delay bad news as long as possible. So, on the good news front, Sis’s Family Affair in Newport has plenty to offer. The staff is unbelievably friendly, not only to the regulars but also to our table of newcomers.  

Good food that is not pretentious. That’s what owner and chef Shawn McCoy of the Brown Dog Café (5893 Pfeiffer Road, Blue Ash, 513-794-1610) wants to provide for his guests. And with a creative menu served in his cozy Blue Ash restaurant, he does just that.  

What are the signs of civilization? Indoor plumbing, a literate population and a good deli, right? There’s something about a real deli that’s big city and major league. If you’ve never eaten at a genuine deli, how do you understand half the jokes on Seinfeld? The black and white cookie, the marble rye — these are deli things.  

New music venue/restaurant MOTR Pub is owned by Dan McCabe and Chris Schadler, who have booked up-and-coming bands for various local venues over the years. McCabe also produces the MidPoint Music Festival and the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for CityBeat and plays in the band The Kiss Me Everlasting.  

Dee Felice Café in Mainstrasse had a waiting list on Saturday night. Why’s that remarkable? Well, because it’s been two weeks since the Jazz club banned smoking and, once upon a time, the cool cats of Jazz would not have gone smoke-free without a fuss. So it was in a spirit of celebration that we sat at the bar on Saturday night, waiting for the music to start.  

We all know Hathaway’s (306 Vine St., Downtown; 513-621-1332) as the charming diner in the Carew Tower, a mainstay that’s been serving up breakfast and lunch comfort food for over half a century. But what do we know about its newest owner?  

Sunday is usually a day that you have to pry me off the couch, especially during football season. However, I had heard about the once-a-month New Orleans Jazz and Food lunch at Washington Platform (1000 Elm St., Downtown; 513-421-0110), and since whatever the Bengals did wouldn’t matter, I asked my friend Barbara to check it out with me.  

The Summit’s a bit of a hidden gem, with attentive service that’s not at all rushed and top-notch food at a very reasonable price.  

When the weather gets brisker come winter, traffic at Findlay Market starts to dwindle. But a new eatery in the former Paula’s location is still bustling.   

The winter months make me a bit reflective, and a nice glass or four of wine is perfect for those moments. Who better to spend an evening reminiscing with friends than the Wine Guy?  

Chef Clendon Springer has created a dining menu at Final Cut Steakhouse at the Hollywood Casino that’s pretty much a sure bet, with Midwestern-aged, corn-fed beef; free-range Amish chicken from Ohio; bourbon creamed corn; and Indiana goat cheese croquettes as examples of what wants to achieve with local products and dishes.  

Mayberry Foodstuffs (203 E. Seventh St., Downtown, 513-621-5555) is billing itself as “Cincinnati’s newest urban grocery store.” It’s definitely that … and more. Foodstuffs is the latest venture from Josh Campbell, chef/owner of Mayberry Restaurant on Vine Street and World Food Bar at Findlay Market.