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.  

I am about to reveal my secret favorite Mexican eatery. If you think you can guess it, you can’t. You’ve probably never heard of it. You might have driven past it and never noticed that it’s there. But, believe me, it’s worth a stop. Taqueria Yolandita can’t really be called a taco “truck.” It’s more like a taco trailer.  

Last week we covered family-friendly dining suggestions to accompany holiday activities. Date night is a little different. I don't want to be the one to say that Scuba Santa's not sexy — hey, roly poly people in wetsuits might be just the ticket for some. But when you're fueling up for fun under the mistletoe, I think I have some better ideas.  

When you’re headed out for holiday activities, there’s no one-size-fits-all restaurant recommendation. If you’re going to Holiday of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo, you’re probably not going to want the same pre- or post-event dining suggestion as a couple headed to date night under the mistletoe. So here are a few activity-specific, family-friendly recommendations that might help during the holiday happenings ahead.  

Nowadays, I'm more likely to make a gift than buy a gift, and I'm twice as likely to dine with my friends than to give them presents. Of course, when I do give gifts, they tend to be food related. So when I sat down to think about a local foodie holiday, I decided to consult with Julie Francis . She's not Santa, but in Cincinnati food circles when you think "local" you think of Julie.  

The only smoking I want with my breakfast is the bacon. Maybe the ham, too, but no cigarettes. With the indoor public smoking ban, of course, you Ohio diners have taken smoke-free eating for granted for a few years now. But in Kentucky it's still a big bone of contention. I recommend checking out Fort Wright Family Restaurant, where last year when they remodeled they went smoke-free. They lost some business as a result but gained many new customers like me.  

Salt of the Earth (4760 Red Bank Road, Madisonville, 513-272-3650) is a lunch café and dinner-to-go place that’s been helping home cooks round out their repertoire for the past 10 years. Very vegetarian friendly, but not exclusively vegetarian, they also do catering and carry a small specialty grocery selection.  

I'm letting you in on one of my "Bet you didn’t know about this place" places, since it's starting to become more and more well known anyway. And it deserves to! Mai Thai is located just across the road from the quirkiest hotel in, well, just about anywhere: the Wildwood Inn. Even if the exotic setting isn't enough to entice you to Florence Y'all, the food at Mai Thai should be.  

Findlay Market is serving up some new specialties these days: The long-awaited Vietnamese diner Pho Lang Thang is up and running, as is Sushi Bears, with an extensive menu of vegetarian and vegan sushi and stir fries. Fresh Table opened last month and offers ready-to-serve takeout with a focus on healthy, sustainable ingredients.