Cincinnati, until recently, lacked an authentic Persian restaurant. Finally, in November, the Iranian Mostofi family opened Persian Nights in West Chester, making it the only restaurant of its kind from here to Columbus.  

Those of us who regularly witness these scenes were not surprised that it took only two weeks for Ohio to arrest its first legally armed bar patron for threatening to kill someone. Supporters of the new guns-in-bars law say it worked as intended and that once the gun-wielding public hears one of its brothers is in jail for five years the rest will learn to control themselves when someone plays Dave Matthews Band on the jukebox five times in a row.   

A visiting judge in the Clermont County Common Pleas Court ruled that an attorney who works for the Turkish American Legal Defense Fund cannot represent U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Miami Township) in a lawsuit there. The ruling is a victory for Krikorian, who ran as an independent against Schmidt in 2008 for her congressional seat.  

A few weeks ago my roommate was asked to entertain two West Coast business associates. He frantically texted me asking if I knew about any sushi joints near his workplace in Fairfield. My response was one word: Akira.  

Those of us who have frequented West Chester in the past to purchase geometrically shaped light fixtures know how welcoming the township can be. That's why we were surprised today to hear that leaders there are considering converting the township into a city, which would give them the ability to impose a 1 percent income tax. Critics say that will upset members of the Cincinnati Tea Party because they've never had to protest in their own neighborhood before.  

I think a foodie friend recently said it best: "I'm no longer interested in the 'complicated' food. What I like best are restaurants with simple menus where they do simple food well." I don't know if she was channeling me or we’re channeling a general food trend that's building, but I wholeheartedly agree. And, as if on cue, Troy's Cafe walked into my life.  

I used to wonder why some bars brand themselves as Irish pubs when they're not. Wouldn't it be easier to be Fred's Bar and not O'Malley's Olde Ale House? Our team of pub wonders took in the area's latest Irish-themed spot, and we arrived to a shiny, new, crowded house on a Friday evening. The mood of the place was very festive, and I liked the look of some fried oysters on their way to a patron at the bar.