Whether it’s returning to places I haven’t visited in a while, trying something new or dropping in on the tried-and-true, it’s always a fine time to get out of the kitchen. Here are five restaurants I’ve tried recently that are worth a visit.

Safi | 1410 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine Photo: Lydia Schembre
The Hamilton 4029 Hamilton Ave., Northside A new neighbor of mine mentioned how much his family liked The Hamilton, a Northside bar I hadn’t stepped inside since before COVID. We went by one weeknight and pretty much had the place to ourselves, sitting at the bar and enjoying a couple of tasty beverages. The place is friendly, comfortable and very much a neighborhood mainstay. It was too hot to enjoy the outdoor tables in back, but it is a nice space worth returning to. With the departure of the beloved Littlefield, Hamilton could help fill the gap. Their Taco Tuesday is worth a visit, and I must include a shout-out for the house cocktails, in which I might have over-indulged just a bit. Photo: instagram.com/thehamiltoncincinnati
Five on Vine 1324 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Crown Restaurant Group’s Five on Vine is more than just fine dining — its concept comes from co-owner and chef Anthony Sitek’s view on food as an opportunity for connection, from where they source their ingredients to how they greet and take care of their guests. The menu features modern and elevated takes on traditional American comfort food; you may have seen these dishes growing up, like Five on Vine’s stroganoff or pot roast, but they’re reinvented in a way you may not have experienced yet. For example, Gracie’s Meatballs are crafted with beef and tomato sauce like your grandmother may have made them, but they have the added thought of raisins and pine nuts to add a little sweetness and texture, the Sicilian way. No matter what you get though, it’ll be made from scratch in Five on Vine’s kitchen. To drink, try one of their craft cocktails, like the Emerald Dream (gin, green chartreuse, lime, agave, absinthe, watermelon and basil) or The Rite of Spring (gin, cucumber liqueur, grapefruit, honey, Italicus and mint). Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Tequila Modern Mexican 1544 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills First impressions were positive at Tequila Modern Mexican in East Walnut Hills, which replaced another Mexican restaurant called Solstice. It’s mostly staffed with those of Mexican descent, which hit the right note for me. The tortillas are freshly made each day, and in fact the food we tried seemed to come straight from somebody’s farm. They make a good Paloma, a tequila cocktail I prefer to margarita. But don’t worry: there are several margarita variations on the drinks menu, as well. We had enchiladas and a delicious seviche sampler. The chips and salsa weren’t stellar, but everything else hit the spot. I look forward to returning soon to try tacos and other dishes. Photo: instagram.com/tequilacinci
Alara 5410 Medpace Way, Madisonville My favorite dining experience in recent weeks, however, was at Alara, the new fine-dining restaurant in Madisonville with Chef Mark Bodenstein at the helm. Our meal was wow from start to finish. Such excellence deserves a full review, so watch this space for my detailed take on this wonderful addition to our dining world. Photo: Lydia Schembre