Washington Park is without a doubt the jewel of this excellent summer in Cincinnati. And it’s drawing crowds — whether to its well-chosen events or just to enjoy its well-designed spaces. And crowds, we know, travel on their stomachs.
  

Lisa Kagen is an artist, a chef, a parent and an entrepreneur — and all of those identities factor heavily into the operation of her two Northside businesses: Melt Eclectic Deli and Picnic and Pantry, a market that serves healthy, sustainable groceries and prepared foods.  

I just returned from my third annual visit to Tales of the Cocktail, an almost week-long event that, for mixologists and the media who cover them, is what the Cannes International Film Festival is to movie critics: a little bit glamorous, a lot of information to drink in and a lot of fun.
  

Maybe we’ve done enough for this summer, and it’s time to chillax. But then we’d miss out on the Farmers Markets, City Flea at the gorgeous new Washington Park and planning for September and the MidPoint Music Festival. This town is on a roll, people!  

Hot days mean cold beer, right? That’s what I used to think, too. Nowadays, I like summer cocktails that are lighter, more creative and tastier than the old standby. Sure, they’re not as easy as opening a frosty bottle, but they don’t have to be a major Tiki-type production either.  

When David and Liz Cook of Daveed’s at 934 decided this year to try a new concept in Loveland, Daveed’s Next, the Mount Adams space Daveed’s had occupied at 934 Hatch St. was not vacant long. Mantra on the Hill opened in late May, lead by Chef Yajan Upadhyaya, originally chef/owner of Cumin in Hyde Park.  

There are plenty of restaurants downtown, but for the World Choir Games, the city has set up a Market Garden at the corner of Fifth and Race streets to provide additional options that are fast and affordable. It’s a great “Taste of Cincinnati” opportunity — without the crowds and long lines.Eats include local food trucks and Cincinnati’s own Mecklenburg Gardens, A Taste of Julia, sweets ...  

The hills — around here, anyway — are alive with the sound of music! Everyone is singing this week in honor of the World Choir Games, which, you’ve got to admit, have actually become the Very Cool Thing that our civic leaders were predicting. It’s nice to see the city filled with people, arriving from all over the globe, enjoying Cincinnati and all it has to offer. I suspect that a choir, like an army, travels on its stomach. These singers are going to need sustenance! Snacks! Skyline!   

With CityBeat’s Dining Guide hot off the presses, you’d think there’d be nothing new to report on the local eating front, but you’d be wrong. The food scene just keeps booming, and you need a scorecard to know the players. Here’s some news, and an important June-time reminder.  

Chef Daniel Wright, who owns Senate with his wife, Lana, is Food & Wine’s People’s Choice for the Best New Chef in the Midwest. He has two hit restaurants in the hottest neighborhood in town. He is days away from becoming the father of twins. His mojo is working overtime.