Indian cuisine has become my latest
version of a Chinese takeout meal. It’s spicy, easy to share and
something I’d never try to make myself. Taj India is my latest find for
this new addiction, but I’m glad my friend and I decided to dine in
recently. Otherwise we wouldn’t have experienced one of Taj India’s
strong points: its excellent, friendly service.
One of my favorite foodie events of the
year is coming to The Banks this weekend. I almost hate to report this,
since it’s been a best-kept secret, but the Asian Food Fest is a
don’t-miss.
Matt Greco, owner of Grecos downtown,
deftly steered clear of all that hubbub. Serving breakfast and lunch for
several months now out of his new space just west of Paul Brown
Stadium, Greco combines the hip and funky menu of popular food trucks
with all the comforts and amenities of a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
Yes, it’s May again, and time to get
ready for Mother’s Day! I have some advice: Do not buy your mom a
present! It’s just one more thing that, when she eventually moves, you
will have to carefully wrap in layers of bubble wrap, put in a box,
attach the lid on with miles of tape and carry out to the truck.
All great artists struggle to create
something new, something original. And so the biggest fear for artists
is stumbling over themselves while attempting to come up with the next
big thing. Chefs are no exception to this rule. For Adam Easterling and Jim Thompson, the
solution is simple — just make the best things better.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” I’m
sure we’ve all heard that phrase applied to any number of situations,
but I had to say it to myself when I learned I was to review a new
restaurant named Naked Tchopstix. The name is just a bit twee and made
me wonder how the food would be. I needn’t have worried — the food is
absolutely amazing.
Early spring has us all outdoors,
exploring gardens, ballparks and eateries. If you’re not drifting
through the daffodils or noshing on an outrageous hot dog topped with
baked beans, Fritos, French-fried onions and cheese at the Machine Room Grille at Great American Ball Park, you should be exploring one of the following shiny new dining spots.
Some weeks need to end on a good buzz,
and I was delighted to head off to a brand new restaurant, Buz, in
Columbia Tusculum, as last week wrapped up. Buz is the new sister
restaurant of The Green Dog, and as we drove out Columbia Parkway there
was a gorgeous bright rainbow in the sky that arched almost down to the
diner’s doors.
From the sire of Tazza Mia, Bob Bonder
brings Cincinnati another coffee destination, but this time he’s added a
full bar and tapas style dining. Located in the Gateway District on
Vine Street, 1215 Wine Bar and Coffee Lab blends the best of both worlds
— handpicked wine parings and artisanal coffee.
First located at Fountain Square and
Findlay Market under a rather dainty tent in the summer months this past
year, Eli’s BBQ has graduated to the restaurant scene — and with
honors. What was once a humble street vendor with one impeccably
prepared item on the menu — the perfect pulled pork sandwich — is now
nestled in the East End.
How
lucky would you have to be to live in the Gateway District right now?
We’ve raved about so many great places that have opened recently. Now
it’s Bakersfield’s turn.
Don’t call it a restaurant. Cincinnati riverfront’s new Moerlein
Lager House is not just a restaurant — this becomes brazenly clear as
soon as you step into the 15,000-square-foot (without even including the
underground service level) beer mecca.
JimmyG’s offers fine dining fare in an
audacious setting. The dining area’s refined red wood walls are adorned
with the work of various local contemporary pop artists and the seating
arrangement provides a similar contrast, with yellow seat cushions on
white lattice-backed chairs paired with a fine dining table arrangement.
Sonny’s
Three Meat Burger in Anderson Township hasn’t been open terribly long
(since late November last year) but a quick perusal on Google brings up
many positive reviews from happy, satisfied customers. The customer
satisfaction isn’t hard to understand once you’ve been to Sonny’s, eaten
the food and experienced the superior level of service the employees
provide.
Shoshannah and Doug Hafner opened Honey
in 2005. They’ve always been into serving fine food in a casual
atmosphere. On any night you’ll be greeted by a friendly staff and
probably a soundtrack with lots of local artists in the queue. On Tuesdays you can also choose from
between five $10 menu items.