A little more than two months old, M uses its freshly-imported European oven as a centerpiece for its casual dining concept, with nearly everything but the desserts spending some bit of time basking in blissfully blistering heat.   

New and notable on the dining scene is the latest addition to the Washington Park/OTR/Gateway District — The Anchor (14th and Race, Over-the-Rhine). After a few days of serving family and friends to get in the groove, full-service operations started on Sept. 18.  

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.  

Cumin Eclectic Cuisine is an East Side hideaway I’d heard good things about but hadn’t visited until their recent menu change was announced. A stop confirmed all the positive predictions: Cumin is indeed chic, eclectic, fun and flavorful.  

If you're in the mood to schmooze with strangers this month, there are quite a few communal drinking/dining experiences to get you out of your comfort zone and meeting new people — from "Euro-Chic" young professionals to not-as-chic UC professors. For instance, on July 9 the European-American Chamber of Commerce hosts "Euro-Chic" Happy Hour at Cumin. For $7, you can mingle with international and "internationally minded" young professionals.