Annual Manual 2016-17

The definitive city guide to Greater Cincinnati

ANNUAL MANUAL

2016 – 2 017

THE ARIEL QUARTET Sept. 6, Oct. 25, Jan. 24 & March 10 CCM’S POLISH FESTIVAL – FROM CHOPIN AND LUTOSŁAWSKI TO PAWLIK AND SZEWCZYK

JOIN US FOR A

PASSION, COURAGE AND ROMANCE

SEASON OF

Sept. 9, Sept. 13, Sept. 17, Sept. 18 & Oct. 2

ROMEO AND JULIET – ACTING Sept. 28 – Oct. 2 A CHORUS LINE – MUSICAL THEATRE Oct. 20 – 30 THE 20TH ANNUAL PRISM CONCERT – A CCM WINDS, JAZZ AND

PERCUSSION PRESENTATION

Oct. 23

PIANOPALOOZA – FEATURING CCM

FACULTY ARTISTS

MAINSTAGE SERIES

CONCERT

Nov. 13

CENDRILLON (CINDERELLA) – OPERA Nov. 17 – 20 JAZZ HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA Nov. 20

SERIES

CLASSICS WITH A TWIST – DANCE Dec. 1 – 4

ARIEL QUARTET

FEAST OF CAROLS Dec. 3 & 4

SERIES

HER NAKED SKIN – ACTING

Mature Subject Matter

Feb. 8 – 12

MACK AND MABEL – MUSICAL THEATRE March 2 – 5 IDOMENEO – OPERA March 30 – April 2 J.S. BACH’S ST. MATTHEW PASSION – A CCM CHORAL SERIES CONCERT

April 9

MASTERWORKS AND BEYOND – DANCE

April 13 – 15

COLLEGE-CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Catch a rising star at UC’s College-Conservatory of Music, a preeminent institution for the performing and media arts.

This year, CCM proudly presents over 50 major concert and theatre productions, ranging from all-time classics to world premieres. Join us for a performance and see for yourself why critics and audiences alike can’t stop talking about our resident artists and “stars of tomorrow!”

CCM Season Presenting Sponsor and Musical Theatre Program Sponsor

Mainstage Season Production Sponsor

Polish Festival Sponsor

Customizable subscription and ticket packages are on sale now!

JUDITH HEINY & PIOTR CHOMCZYNSKI

… and dozens of other events spanning the spectrum of the performing and media arts!

513-556-4183 boxoff@uc.edu ccm.uc.edu

CONTENTS

P R O J E C T E D I TO R Maija Zummo C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R Jennifer Hoffman L E A D P H OTO G R A P H E R Jesse Fox A S S I S TA N T E D I TO R S

Danny Cross, Emily Begley C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S

5 Introduction 6 Cincinnati Streetcar Ready, set, ride

10 Talking Heads Influential locals sound-off on Cincinnati

12 Kings of Pop Indie craft markets and maker pop-ups

Casey Arnold, Anne Arenstein, Brian Baker, Mike Breen, Belinda Cai, Brian Cross, McKenzie Graham, Katie Holocher, Jac Kern, Colleen McCroskey, Anne Mitchell, Pama Mitchell, Rick Pender, Garin Pirnia, Ilene Ross, Holly Rouse, Steven Rosen, Kathy Schwartz, Maria Seda-Reeder, Leyla Shokoohe, Nick Swartsell, Michael Taylor, Ashley Elizabeth Thomas, Sarah Urmston E D I TO R I A L I N T E R N S Madison Ashley, Kyler Davis, Maggie Fulmer P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Hailey Bollinger, Dennis Camp, Anna Jekel, Lindsay McCarty, Ellie Middleton, Khoi Nguyen, Bob Schwartz, Catie Viox I L L U S T R ATO R Philip Valois P U B L I S H E R Tony Frank A D V E R T I S I N G D I R E C TO R Josh Schuler

NEIGHBORHOODS

14 City Center 20 Northern Kentucky

S A L E S AC C O U N T M A N AG E R S

Annette Frac, Stephanie Hatfield, Dan Radank, Neil White A D T R A F F I C C O O R D I N ATO R Kane Kitchen O F F I C E A D M I N I S T R ATO R Brandi Ballou M A R K E T I N G & E V E N T D I R E C TO R

24 Central Core

Kenneth Wright

30 West Side

Chanell Karr

34 East Side 38 The Suburbs

M A R K E T I N G & E V E N T A S S I S TA N T C I R C U L AT I O N M A N AG E R Steve Ferguson D I S T R I B U T I O N T E A M

Dennis Conover, Doug Drennan, Jerry Ennis, Nathan Griffin, Pamela Hood, Terry Matzner, Lori Morgan, Matthew Morrison, Dan ParkerFerguson, Joan Powers, Tom Sand

LISTINGS

SOUTHCOMM

43 Dining

INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

83 Nightlife 99 Attractions 115 Shopping 133 Arts

C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R Chris Ferrell

Carla Simon C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R Blair Johnson E X E C U T I V E V I C E P R E S I D E N T Mark Bartel VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUC TION O P E R AT I O N S Curt Pordes V I C E P R E S I D E N T O F C O N T E N T/ C O M M U N I C AT I O N Patrick Rains D I R E C TO R O F H U M A N R E S O U R C E S

Becky Turner C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R Heather Pierce

144 Events

C I T Y B E AT. C O M G eneral I nfo/Q uestions: letters @ cit y beat.com

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R O E B L I N G S U S P E N S I O N B R I D G E // P H OTO : J E S S E F O X

Welcome to Cincinnati CityBeat’s Annual Manual is Cincinnati’s city guide: a local’s guide to living and a visitor’s guide to visiting.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a recent transfer to one of our multiple Fortune 500 companies and myriad startups or just have a really long layover at CVG, what you’re holding in your hands is a (mostly) definitive guide to navigating life in the Queen City.

Our fair Midwestern metropolis is steeped in history, beer and bacon; Cincinnati is the birthplace of assorted specialty meats — goetta, aqueous chili, Montgomery Inn ribs — and home to the first professional baseball team (the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings), floating soap (Ivory), Germanimmigrant-approved beer (Christian Moerlein, et al) and America’s first female-run, large-scale manufacturing operation (Rookwood Pottery). Ohio River trade and the industrial boom built the bones of our town, an inimitable collection of Italianate and Art Deco architecture defining our 52 unique neighborhoods spread over seven hills.

As modern Cincinnati, we’re reclaiming the spirit of “if you can dream it, you can do it." Today, industrious locals and enthusiastic transplants are respectfully renovating our historic buildings and turning the city into an urban oasis of drinking,

dining and shopping destinations on par with offerings from our big sister cities on the coasts. We’ve got breweries in old bottling plants and churches, succulent and staghorn fern shops in old gas stations, bars in former apothecaries and hip street food-style restaurants in defunct firehouses and post offices. And with almost four miles of city-center streetcar tracks connecting new amenities with downtown staples, the momentum looks to keep on building.

We hope that this 144-page reference book — our biggest one ever — helps to reinforce that locals and visitors are in the right place. The Annual Manual blends the usability of international travel guides with expert insights to collect and curate recommendations for things to eat, drink, see and do in each part of town and also offers comprehensive restaurant and bar listings, along with interesting attractions, independent shops and award-winning arts destinations.

Discover the latest additions to Cincinnati’s thriving cultural landscape and appreciate the people, places and things that have for so long made this bustling rivertown so great.

Whether you’re here to stay or are just looking to pass some time, this handy manual should make you feel right at home.

— M A I JA Z U M M O, P R O J E C T E D I TO R

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C LO C K W I S E F R O M TO P L E F T: M E T R O P O L E | P H OTO : J E S S E F O X // C AC D R I N K & D R AW | P H OTO : E L L E M I D D L E TO N // C A B A R E T | P H OTO : J E S S E F O X // N E I L A R M S T R O N G M U R A L | P H OTO : J E S S E F O X

Cincinnati Streetcar — Ready, Set, Ride

Hop on the brand-new modern streetcar line gliding through the heart of downtown and Over-the-Rhine

Cincinnati’s public transit legacy is complicated. Underneath our fair city lies the skeleton of a subway system that never came to be — World War I interrupted construction of the ambitious project, and the political powers that be abandoned it in 1925. Cincinnati’s once-sprawling electric streetcar system was shuttered in 1951 as Americans gravitated toward a car-based lifestyle. By the end of the 20th century, nearly every streetcar track in the city was removed, with 10 miles of unused subway tunnels and multiple completed stations sitting vacant beneath the city streets.

The political history behind Cincinnati’s modern streetcar system is as contentious as one might expect of such a place. But there’s no denying that the September 2016 launch of the 3.6-mile loop through downtown and Over-the-Rhine was the signal of a new day — economic development around the streetcar exploded as soon as the first tracks were laid in the ground.

For those just visiting the city center, the streetcar is something more tangible — it’s a tool for traversing and viewing Cincinnati in new ways. From the southernmost stop at The Banks — just steps away from Smale Riverfront Park and the Reds and Bengals stadiums — to the northernmost stop where riders are ceremoniously deposited onto Rhinegeist Brewery’s doorstep, there is plenty to see along the route and plenty of places to go. The following examples are just a place to start.

The streetcar operates every day until 11 p.m. or later and costs $2 for a day pass ($1 for two hours). Buy your ticket from a vending machine at the station before boarding and keep your ticket with you; there are random fare spot checks.

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E XCE LLE N T D E S T I N AT I O N S The Banks Station The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is the oldest team hall of fame in baseball, which makes sense because the Reds (or the Red Stockings) were the first professional baseball team. The museum recognizes, reports, records and honors on-field achievements and also exhibits cool and quirky historical displays, like Bobbleheads: The Exhibit, featuring every Reds bobblehead ever created, along with other assorted figures, to total a collection of 700 heads.

100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, cincinnati.reds.mlb.com.

Fountain Square Station Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra has just completed his massive ArtWorks-commissioned mural honoring Neil Armstrong, the Ohio-born astronaut who walked on the moon (and later taught at the University of Cincinnati). It occupies 7,632 square feet of space along the Walnut Street-facing wall of the parking garage at Fifth Third Bank’s Fountain Square headquarters and borrows

C LO C K W I S E F R O M TO P L E F T: S P R U C E N AT U R A L N A I L S H O P | TA F T ' S A L E H O U S E | F I N D L AY M A R K E T | WA S H I N G T O N PA R K // P H OTO S: J E S S E F O X

elements of both Photorealism and Op Art in its design. Stripes, squares and emanating rays of fragmented color surround the helmeted, camera-holding astronaut, and in the far corner you’ll see another celebrity: E.T., being pedaled from Earth toward “home” somewhere in that same deep space. Walnut Street façade of Fifth Third Bank’s Fountain Square headquarters, artworkscincinnati.org.

Aronoff Center Station

Contemporary Arts Center is capitalizing on that truth with the first Thursday Drink & Draw series. Local artist Lindsay Nehls hosts the informal, loosely themed free drawing nights, where guests are invited to just show up, grab a drink from Collective CAC (craft coffee, craft cocktails or wine) and draw.

Ample art supplies are provided, but you can bring your own, too.

44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, contemporaryartscenter.org.

Central Parkway Station

Charcuterie: a fun word to say and a fun snack to eat. The Metropole restaurant inside 21c Museum Hotel doubles as a swanky bar and lounge where you can order a charcuterie board alongside your craft cocktail. Mix and match smoked meats with artisanal cheese, hot olives from Metropole’s custom wood-burning fireplace and a seven-hour egg, boiled with coffee and tea. All are served with toast, truffle honey and weirdly amazing smoked grapes. 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com.

Comedy, camp, cocktails and Queens. Helmed by Cincinnati’s reigning showgurl and drag queen, Penny Tration, The Cabaret presents hilarious, highenergy drag shows featuring a rotating cast of the city’s favorite fierce stars. Attitude, feathers and rhinestones will give you life, all in an intimate 100-seat upstairs bar/theater with a full martini menu and table service.

Shows Thursday through Sunday.

Below Zero Lounge, 1122 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, cabaretcincinnati.com.

Sixth and Main Station

12th and Vine Station

Similar to the sport of bowling, the more you drink, the better you get at drawing. And the

With exposed brick, hanging plant installations, subway tile, white walls and pale pink ikat

lumbar pillows, Over-the-Rhine’s Spruce Natural Nail Shop marries its message with its aesthetic — conscious yet colorful. All Spruce services — manis, pedis, polish changes — feature cruelty-free, paraben-free and vegan nail polishes, free of toxins. It's good, clean fun. 1235 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, sprucenailshop.com.

Washington Park Station

Washington Park recently opened a new feature: an awesome, seasonal elevated bar and deck, nestled underneath some shady trees between the dog park and sprayground.

The 3,000-square-foot space features comfortable and colorful Adirondak chairs and other lounge seating, plus a full bar: beer, wine, liquor and local drafts, including MadTree, Moerlein, Taft’s Ale House and Rhinegeist. It’s an excellent addition to OTR’s “backyard” and a great space to grab a beer on weekends. 1230 Elm St., Overthe-Rhine, washingtonpark.org.

Liberty and Race Station Back in the 19th century, many devout churchgoers lived in Over-the-Rhine. The physical evidence remains in the

sanctuaries they built, many of which, 100 years later, sat deserted and crumbling.

Perhaps we should say a prayer of thanks to the brewers who have turned several into pubs, including Taft’s Ale House.

The bar is named after William Howard Taft — Cincinnatian, president and Supreme Court justice — and tribute is paid in the form of creative culinary brews and tri-tip steak. 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, taftsalehouse.com.

Findlay Market - Elm Station Findlay Market has been around for more than 150 years for a reason: The Italianate markethouse serves as a cultural melting pot for Cincinnati’s vibrant community — a place where you can wander aimlessly (or with purpose) through delicatessens, cafés, storefronts, floral shops, bakeries and more, nibbling as you go. Pick up a steak from Eckerlin Meats, Cowboy Rub seasoning from the decadeold Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices and some fresh produce from the weekend farmers market and dinner is set. 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, findlaymarket.org.

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Lang Lang

Smokey Robinson Hilary Hahn

Ben Folds

Itzhak Perlman

Melissa Etheridge

Branford Marsalis

2016–17 SEASON TAFT THEATRE

Sara Evans

CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CINCINNATI POPS ORCHESTRA cincinnatisymphony.org • 513.381.3300

Cincinnati STREETCAR

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12

10

9 13

8

14 7 6

1 The Banks 2 4th and Main

15 5

3 Richter & Phillips — 6th and Main 4 8th and Main

16 4

5 JACK Casino — Court and Main 6 Hanke Exchange — 12th and Main

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3

7 12th and Vine 8 14th and Elm 9 Liberty and Elm 10 Findlay Market — Elm Street

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11 Brewery District 12 Findlay Market — Race Street 13 Liberty and Race

1

14 Washington Park 15 Central Parkway 16 Public Library 17 Aronoff Center 18 Fountain Square

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TALKING HEADS

Laura Dolan

Cincinnati City Councilwoman

Been in Cincinnati: “My entire life.”

Been in Cincinnati: “I have lived in Cincinnati my entire life. I grew up in the Village of Lincoln Heights.”

Home ’Hood: Northside Witchy woman Laura Dolan and her husband Ross formed Psych Rock group Electric Citizen in 2013, releasing the band's debut full-length, Sateen, in 2014, and thunderously heavy followup, Higher Time, in May 2016.

They've since toured the world, opening for acts like Pentagram and Wolfmother and are currently at work on a third album. Expect to see them headlining tours in Europe and America in fall 2016.

“The low cost of living makes it easy be an artist or musician (in Cincinnati), and there’s plenty to be inspired by. … I have this idea to someday make a music venue out of a monolithic dome and call it the Rock Dome. A circular stage sits in the middle of the dome, the interior looks like a Stanley Kubrick film, and there’s a huge parking lot for pre-partying. Something so extraordinary people travel to see it, and bands go out of their way to play it.”

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Yvette Simpson

Lead singer of Electric Citizen

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Home ’Hood: West End Two-term Cincinnati City Councilwoman Yvette Simpson announced her candidacy for mayor in August 2016, opposing Mayor John Cranley in the 2017 Democratic primary. Currently, the lifelong Cincinnatian is the chair of the city's Human Services, Youth and Arts committee and is, as she says, "passionately committed to improving the lives of the city's youth."

"My favorite part of our city is the people. We have some of the most genuine, caring and committed people in this city. I also love our 52 neighborhoods.

The character of each neighborhood helps to define the city’s uniqueness. … I visit Findlay Market nearly every weekend and love engaging with citizens and visitors there."

Drew Klein Performance Curator at the Contemporary Arts Center Been in Cincinnati: “Almost 11 years in two different spells.”

Home ’Hood: Mount Auburn/OTR As the first-ever performance curator of the Contemporary Arts Center, Drew Klein oversees the creation and operation of the museum’s multidisciplinary Black Box Performance Series.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s CollegeConservatory of Music, Klein — a musician himself — strives to push boundaries with the unique performances he curates, which implement insight he has gained from traveling all over the world.

"Cincinnati is big enough to feel exciting and new, and small enough to feel comfortable. There are some truly impressive things going on all around the city, yet go anywhere and you’ll come across people you know or faces you recognize. That closeness gives a sense of support, while the bigger things going on all around you challenge you to keep doing more.”

Maryanne Zeleznik News Director of NPR Affiliate 91.7 WVXU Been in Cincinnati: 31 years Home ’Hood: Fort Thomas, Ky. Maryanne Zeleznik began working at WVXU in 2005; she previously served as WNKU's news and public affairs director for 20 years. As news director, Zeleznik is responsible for news and public affairs programming, covers daily news, produces local features and contributes regularly to National Public Radio. Her goal is to do the "best job I can to keep people informed about what’s going on in the Greater Cincinnati region." “(The best parts about living in Cincinnati) are the big city amenities — arts, sports, etc. — but still having a small town feel, and no major traffic troubles like Chicago. … (My favorite Cincinnati tradition) is A Christmas Carol at the Playhouse in the Park. We go every year we can.”

Influential locals sound-off on Cincinnati

Sean “Ugo” Okoli Striker for Football Club Cincinnati Been in Cincinnati: “About 7 months now.”

Jessie Hoffman Hairstylist and owner of Parlour Been in Cincinnati: “All my life — 31 years.”

Home ’Hood: Oakley

Home ’Hood: Clifton Heights

FC Cincinnati forward Sean Okoli wants to help the team become a force to content with nationwide — something that seems likely considering the team's popularity during its first year of existence. On April 16, 2016, FCC set a United Soccer League record, drawing a crowd of 20,497 tickets to the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. That record was short-lived, however: The following month, 23,375 people came out to see a May 14 home game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

After seven years working as a stylist for another salon, Jessie Hoffman decided to go into business for herself and in April 2012 opened Parlour in East Walnut Hills. She has since set the city's style bar quite high, garnering national attention from outlets like InStyle Magazine for her artful and contemporary cuts and color, and creating an incubator for emerging hairstylists. Her goal?

To brighten her guest’s day and boost their confidence.

"I really want to bring home a championship to the city.

I also want to help this club make it to the next level in terms of competitiveness in the country."

“I love being a small-business owner in Cincinnati and the abundance of creativity among other small business owners.

The relationships I have built with other like-minded owners has been a huge support and I’m happy to say they are among some of my closest friends. … I am constantly collaborating with friends and other business owners like Brush Factory, Continuum, Sloane, Swoon and Fern to feed our creativity.”

Shinji TurnerYamamoto Visual Artist Been in Cincinnati: 8 years Home ’Hood: Hyde Park Japanese-born, Cincinnati-based artist Shinji Turner-Yamamoto has awed locals ever since he suspended a living tree atop an inverted dead one to create Hanging Garden inside Mount Adams’ abandoned Holy Cross Church in 2010. His ongoing Global Tree Project seeks to create artistic wonder and ecological awareness by often placing plant life in the built environment in ways that make us appreciate the beauty and resilience of both.

And he continues this theme in worldwide installations that utilize fossils, minerals and other historic and natural objects — including that which he accesses in his neighborhood Ault Park, which is home to a preserved deciduous mesophytic forest that TurnerYamamoto calls "a real treasure."

"I’m passionate about raising the national profile for the visual arts in Cincinnati.

The city has an incredible support system (e.g. Weston Art Gallery) for the arts that fuels creativity."

Victoria Morgan Artistic Director and CEO of the Cincinnati Ballet Been in Cincinnati: "I’m celebrating my 20th year with Cincinnati Ballet.”

Home ’Hood: Mount Adams It’s been 20 years since Victoria Morgan — a dancer herself — joined the Cincinnati Ballet, and to celebrate, she says she’s choosing the best seasonal repertoire of her entire tenure.

One of her biggest projects is preparing for the return of King Arthur’s Camelot in February 2017 — a work that premiered worldwide here in 2014.

“I have a longtime, perhaps impractical, goal of dance being a part of everyone’s life.

Maybe you witness Cincinnati Ballet’s performances, take aerobic DANCEFIX classes or your children attend the Otto M. Budig Academy. … Dance connects us to our bodies in a way that builds respect and inspires honor for the one vehicle we are given. So the audacious, most passionate achievement for me would be for dance to, in some way, be a part of every Cincinnatian’s life. My mantra is: The world needs dance.”

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T H E C I T Y F L E A // P H OTO S: H A I L E Y B O L L I N G E R

T H E C I T Y FLE A

Kings of Pop

Indie craft markets and maker pop-ups for local shopping

Sometimes, the best things in life are fleeting. Take, for example, Cincinnati’s host of pop-up markets, mesmerizing meccas that bring all manner of arts, crafts, food and drink to local neighborhoods — but only for one day at a time. These markets are treasure troves of nearly every item imaginable: From antiques, artwork and accessories to plants, homegoods and clothes, these pop-ups truly do have something for everyone.

AR T O N V I N E What began as a college class project — the brainchild of photographer James Jenkins and graphic designer Page Lansley — is now one of the city’s most popular pop-ups. The monthly affair features fine art and handmade goods from more than 60 local artisans. Depending on the season, artists set up shop at Fountain Square, Washington Park or Rhinegeist, and each event benefits a different local nonprofit. Rather than being a curated fair, Art on Vine is intended to provide a one-onone art-buying experience and help cultivate relationships between crafters and collectors. artonvinecincy.com; instagram. com/artonvine.

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C RA F T Y SU PE RMAR K E T Get crafty: Cincinnati’s largest indie craft show hosts events in spring and fall, each of which attracts dozens of makers and thousands of shoppers. Fall’s holiday installment, held around Thanksgiving, is the larger of the two, encompassing more than 90 makers this year and an expected 6,500 shoppers. Participating vendors come from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and beyond, resulting in a wide variety of unique businesses and products. This year’s holiday show takes place Nov. 19 at the University of Cincinnati Recreation Center (2820 Bearcat Way, Clifton). craftysupermarket.com; instagram.com/ craftysupermkt.

O. F. F. MAR K E T The Oakley Fancy Flea Market touts a simple mantra: “Shop small. Shop local. Love your community.” Artists, small businesses and farmers coalesce during this monthly neighborhood marketplace, selling everything from fresh produce to unique jewelry and clothing to hand-crafted homegoods. Enjoy a boozy brunch from specialty food and beverage vendors before browsing the extensive collection of wares during winter markets and open-air shopping in warm weather. Vendors set up shop the last Saturday of every month, May through December, in Oakley's town square or a neighborhood business. theoffmarket. org; instagram.com/theoffmarket.

This curated urban flea market descends on Washington Park once a month from May to December (with special holiday markets held in area establishments). Now in its fifth season of operation, the market aims to be a “small business incubator” where you can keep your dollars local. Participating businesses feature everything from wood-burning designs to artisan pizzas to plant studios, with plenty of Cincinnatispecific gear to discover along the way. 2016 participants include Applehead City Pet, Brim Papery, Cincinnati Beer Soap, Ohio Against the World and many others. And the flea recently branched out to include a Kids Market, where the makers selling their wares are ages 4-14. thecityflea.com; instagram.com/thecityflea.

OCTOBER 8, 2016–JANUARY 1, 2017 Guy Mendes, Juliette Lee Moore, Kit’s Hole, Clark County, KY, (detail), 1968, gelatin silver print, 11 7/8 x 7 3/4 in. (30.2 x 19.7 cm), Cincinnati Art Museum: FotoFocus Art Purchase Fund, 2016.8

Generously supported by:

OCTOBER 15, 2016–JANUARY 8, 2017 Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), Undergrowth with Two Figures (detail), 1890, oil on canvas, Bequest of Mary E. Johnston, 1967.1430

This exhibition was organized with the generous support of the Harold C. Schott Foundation.

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Generously supported by: PRESENTED BY

MEDIA SPONSOR

Tickets available at cincinnatiartmuseum.org or by phone at (513) 721-ARTS (2787). Members receive free tickets.

CITY CENTER c lo c k w i s e f r o m l e f t: M a p l e w o o d k i t c h e n a n d b a r | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // o r c h i d s at pa l m c o u r t | p h oto : KHOI N G U Y E N // e l m & i r o n | p h oto : j e s s e f o x

Once known mostly for Fortune 500 companies and business lunches, the city center is in the midst of an urban renaissance (with a brand new streetcar). Downtown’s business district, still the anchor of Cincinnati's economic engine, has turned into an arts hub, while Over-the-Rhine has transformed into a mecca for foodies, creatives and all manner of hipsters. And Mount Adams, looming proudly over the river, boasts quaint streets and classic attractions.

36 Hours in the City Center

5 p.m. Spend the night at masterful French Art Deco destination the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza (35 W. Fifth St., Downtown, hilton.com, orchidsatpalmcourt.com), a charter member of the Historic Hotels of America. You’ll feel like Daisy Buchanan (minus the drama) as you check into the Brazilian rosewood-lined lobby.

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7 p.m. Pick the Palm Court Dining Package when booking your stay; it includes a fivecourse tasting menu at Orchids at Palm Court, Ohio’s only AAA five-diamond restaurant.

Chef Todd Kelly will wow with a creative seasonal menu, accompanied by sommelierselected wine pairings. After dinner, head to the bar. Decked out in detailed ceiling frescos, 1930s stylized Egyptian décor, a Rookwood fountain and weekend Jazz, it’s the perfect place for a champagne cocktail.

8 a.m. Wake up and head for the nearby California-inspired Maplewood Kitchen and Bar (525 Race St., Downtown, maplewoodkitchenandbar.com).

Pick which way your day will go by making a choice between a Brainstorm Coffee or a roastedtomatillo bloody mary. The coffee is blended with butter and oil to jumpstart your morning.

The bloody? It’s made with coldpressed Super Green Juice and Tito’s vodka. Complement either coastal concoction with avocado benedict for breakfast.

11 a.m. Shop OTR's bevy of local boutiques. Sloane Boutique (1216 Vine St., sloaneboutique. com) meets clothing needs for the style-blogger set.

Continuum (1407 Vine St., facebook.com/continuumbazaar) is a concept shop showcasing indie designers, Elm & Iron (1326 Vine St., elmandiron.com) sells industrial vintage homegoods and MiCa 12/v (1201 Vine St., shopmica.com) has locally made gifts. For upscale underpinnings and ethical intimates, visit Swoon (1421 Vine St., @swoon_otr).

clock wise from top lef t: rhineGeist rooF top | photo: hAile Y BolliNGer // krohn conserVatorY | photo: jesse fox // Vincent Van GoGh's "underGrow th with t wo FiGures" | photo: ciNciNNAti Art mUseUm

Downtown | Mount Adams | Over-the-Rhine

2 p.m. Experience the cincinnati art Museum (953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org) in a fun new way during “Fandom” programs, where curators contemplate Game of Thrones dopplegangers in the museum’s collection and make other pop culture connections. “Fandom: A Gallery Talk with a Pop Culture Fix” takes place 2 p.m. the fourth Sunday of each month.

5 p.m. Stop for oyster sliders at salazar (1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, salazarcincinnati. com) — fried bites of heaven topped with kimchi, garlic mayo and local radish sprouts for only $5 a pop.

10 p.m. Pay homage to Cincinnati’s alcohol past at an area bar — almost any downtown or Over-the-Rhine bar, really. Craft brewery rhinegeist (1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist. com) — “the ghost of the Rhine” — is housed in a historic Christian Moerlein bottling plant from the 1890s. Updated with amenities like flat-screen TVs, ping pong and cornhole, the industrial taproom welcomes all drinkers to imbibe from their selection of hoppy brews and ciders. The rooftop deck is open weather permitting.

10 a.m. With historic sites like Music Hall and Union Terminal undergoing renovation, great Art Deco landmark krohn conservatory (1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiparks.com) is here for you. With rotating exhibits and more than 3,500 plants on display at all times, the 1930s aluminum-and-glass greenhouse (which looks like an upside-down heart) is home to an indoor waterfall, exotic plants, an orchid house and more.

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Images By DANIEL MICHAEL

Holiday Party Special

beer & wine beverage package ď ł fruit & cheese for $15.00 per person pricing based on two hours. sales tax and service charge applied to all bills

C A L L U S @ 5 1 3 . 8 5 2 . 2 7 8 7 F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N 4 4 4 R E A D I N G R O A D C I N C I N N AT I , O H I O 4 5 2 0 2

D OW N T OW N Cincinnati’s central business district boasts riverfront entertainment — including the city’s major sports stadiums — historic skyscrapers, world-class dining and a flurry of arts activity. Grab a local beer, have dinner with a view or relax at one of the many parks on the Ohio River. downtowncincinnati.com.

Eat — Find restaurant clusters near the ballet-to-Broadway Aronoff Center for the Arts (650 Walnut St., cincinnatiarts.org/ aronoff) or Fountain Square (520 Vine St., myfountainsquare.com), which features almost nightly programming in summer and an ice rink in winter, centered around the iconic Tyler Davidson fountain.

Award-winning chef David Falk’s restaurant group encompasses some of the best downtown eateries: traditional Tuscan trattoria Sotto (118 E. Sixth St., sottocincinnati.com); world-class FrenchItalian upstairs sister Boca (114 E. Sixth St., bocacincinnati.com); and modern Mexican hotspot Nada (600 Walnut St., eatdrinknada.com).

Chef Cristian Pietoso’s Via Vite (545 Vine St., 513-721-8483, viaviterestaurant.com) does Northern Italian with a view of the Square.

And his Americano Burger Bar (501 Race St., americanoburgerbar.com) features an eclectic mix of steak burgers, tinged with international flavors. Save room for a grown-up milkshake, made with frozen custard and a shot of booze. Neighboring Mita’s (501 Race St., mitas.co) pays homage to chef Jose Salazar’s Colombian grandmother with a menu that plays off Latin American and Spanish traditions — expertly prepared empanadas, ceviche, paella and more. The bar also serves up a mean Mezcal Manhattan. If you want to feel like you’re on the West Coast, head to Maplewood Kitchen and Bar (525 Race St., maplewoodkitchenandbar.com), a locally owned breakfast and lunch café with cold-pressed juice and buzzword ingredients (quinoa, kale, etc.). Coffee and culture connoisseurs, look no further: Before heading upstairs to one of the Contemporary Arts Center’s (44 E. Sixth St., contemporaryartscenter.org) new exhibits, try a cortado from Collective Espresso, Cincinnati’s craft coffee masters.

Their café in the revamped lobby of the Zaha Hadid-designed CAC acts as a refuge from the scuffle of downtown, wedding modern art

and the perfect cup, plus seasonal all-day bistro bites. Eat lunch in the outdoor wooden tepee at Cheapside Café (326 E. Eighth St., cheapsidecafe.com), which also offers locally foraged housemade soda and a surprising grilled cheese with spaghetti squash and green chiles. A more affordable version of French master chef Jean-Robert de Cavel’s menu at Table (713 Vine St., jrcincy.com) is available via their bar-only Lunch Tray — four courses for $15.

And J-Ro’s new upscale venture in Great American Tower with hospitality expert Richard Brown, Restaurant L (301 E. Fourth St., jrcincy.com), pays homage to 1950s Paris and elevates the dining experience with fine China, a masterful sommelier and elegant attention to detail. For traditional Italian, Scotti’s (919 Vine St., 513-721-9484, scottiscincinnati.com), family-owned for more than a century, features nearly 20 different veal dishes and dripping candles in old Chianti bottles. For a sweet treat, head to Hello Honey (633 Vine St., 513977-0300), a hidden gem where everything is homemade — from the chocolate cayenne ice cream to the waffle cones to the handtorched marshmallows. For more space and a family-friendly vibe, head to The Banks (thebankscincy. com), a booming mixed-use riverfront development between the Reds’ and Bengals’ stadiums. It’s home to the multi-level riverfront dining destination of local brewery Moerlein Lager House (115 Joe Nuxhall Way, moerleinlagerhouse. com), with 25 beers on tap and a great view of the Ohio River.

Drink — Rooftop patios and hotel bars offer unique drinking experiences downtown. Head to the contemporary art gallery and boutique lodging experience 21c Museum Hotel (609 Walnut St., 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati), voted the best hotel in America

by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

Take a secret elevator up to their rooftop terrace and watch the sun go down over downtown with a cocktail in hand. For an equally panoramic but greener view, Top of the Park (506 E. Fourth St., Downtown, topoftheparkcincinnati.com) at the Mariott Residence Inn overlooks historic Lytle Park, where a rare beardless statue of Abraham Lincoln stands sentry.

For a drink on the ground floor, enjoy a Great Gatsby-esque Fleuri 75 (gin and champagne) at the Bar

at Palm Court (Hilton Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., orchidsatpalmcourt.com) on a bar that was once a ticket booth at Union Terminal. Grab a local beer at the cozy, 150-plus-years-old Arnold’s (210 E. Eighth St., arnoldsbarandgrill.com), the oldest continuously operated tavern in the city. For singles looking to mingle, there’s Igby’s (122 E. Sixth St., igbysbar. com), a stylish nightlife lounge with a crackling fireplace, bottle service and clever cocktails, and Bromwell’s HÄRTH Lounge (125 W. Fourth St., bromwellsharthlounge.com), a decidedly adult experience with local draft beer, vintage gin drinks and low lighting. Nation Kitchen & Bar (1200 Broadway, Pendleton, nationkitchenandbar.com) in neighboring Pendleton serves burgers, bottomless brunch and cocktails themed around Cincinnati’s defeat of Temperance warrior Carrie Nation.

Shop — Batsakes (1 W. Sixth St., 513-721-9345) hat shop has been around for more than 100 years and calls celebrities like Bruno Mars and Jack White customers.

Open since 1940, Ohio Book Store (726 Main St., ohiobookstore.net) is an independent five-story literary treasure trove with an expansive selection of books both old and new. And the wonderfully named urban wine market Corkopolis (640 Main St., corkopolis.com) offers affordable artisan bottles to go, and a bar with wine and beer on tap, signature cocktails and cheese.

Explore — Rent a Red Bike (cincyredbike.org) — which comes with its own basket — and pedal around town. Now with 50 locations ranging from Northside to Newport, the bike-share program costs just $8 a day. If you don’t feel like using your legs, book a Segway of Cincinnati Tour (1150 Vine St., Over-theRhine, thegarageotr.com). Learn about the history of Cincinnati while gliding around downtown or the riverfront in a flashy yellow vest. For culture, discover the stories of freedom’s heroes at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (50 E. Freedom Way, freedomcenter. org) or have an exhibition-inspired lunch at the Taft Museum of Art’s (316 Pike St., taftmuseum. org) garden café. The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (719 Race St., cincyshakes.com) — one of five U.S. theaters to complete Shakespeare’s 38-play “canon”

— offers the Bard and other classics and is moving to a brand new state-of-the-art theater at 12th and Elm streets in 2017. In 1987, someone dry-walled over a 1970s tile mural by famous Cincinnati artist Charley Harper at the Duke Energy Convention Center (525 Elm St., duke-energycenter. com). Thanks to renovations in 2014, the colorful “Space Walk” was rediscovered. The 30,000tile mural breaks the wildlife mold of most of Harper’s work — it was inspired by Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon. Another public Harper mural, “Space for all Species,” is on display in downtown's John Weld Peck Federal Building (550 Main St.).

Do — While classical performance landmark Music Hall (1241 Elm St., cincinnatiarts.org) is undergoing renovations, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops have relocated to the Taft Theatre (317 E. Fifth St., tafttheatre.org, cincinnatisymphony. org). The CSO’s 2016-17 season highlights include performances from Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang and Itzhak Perlman, and the Pops welcomes guests like Vanessa Williams, Melissa Etheridge and Ben Folds to perform concerts with the group. For $4 and a 49-story elevator ride, see everything Cincinnati has to offer from the Carew Tower Observation Deck (441 Vine St., 513-241-3888).

Rent a surrey bike (wheelfunrentals. com) and ride along riverfront park Sawyer Point (705 E. Pete Rose Way, cincinnatiparks.com) or neighboring Smale Riverfront Park (100 W. Mehring Way, mysmaleriverfrontpark.org) near the Roebling Suspension Bridge, with family-friendly spraygrounds, bench-swings and a whimsical carousel. Carol Ann’s Carousel features 42 hand-carved animals from Mansfield, Ohio's Carousel Works, the world’s largest manufacturer of wooden carousels. It's the 20th anniversary season of the Cincinnati Ballet's (Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., cballet.org) artistic director and CEO, Victoria Morgan. This season promises classics, comedy and Camelot.

Downtown is also home to all of the major sports teams’ arenas: the Reds’ Great American Ball Park (100 Joe Nuxhall Way, cincinnati. reds.mlb.com), the Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium (1 Paul Brown Stadium, bengals.com) and the Cyclones’ U.S. Bank Arena (100 Broadway, cycloneshockey.com).

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M O U N T A DA M S Between winding cobblestone streets, steep hills and stunning city overlooks reside many of Cincinnati’s major cultural and arts institutions, as well as eclectic restaurants and nightlife. A prime area for YPs and longtime urbandwellers. mtadamstoday.com.

Eat — Find plenty of places to grab a bite before a show at the Tony Award-winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (962 Mt. Adams Circle, cincyplay.com).

The Rookwood (1077 Celestial St., therookwood.com), housed in Rookwood Pottery’s old building — you can even eat in a kiln — has Cincinnati-centric favorites like Hanky Pankys (goetta and bechamel on rye) and french fries topped with Grippo's seasoning.

The Celestial’s (1071 Celestial St., thecelestial.com) four-star and four-diamond steakhouse includes the Incline Lounge for drinks with a full-window view of the Ohio River. Mount Adams Bar & Grill (938 Hatch St., mtadamsbarandgrill.com), once a speakeasy, is now a great place for burgers.

Calle Cantina (950 Pavilion St., callemtadams.com) serves authentic Mexican antojitos from a food cart, seasonal craft margaritas and housemade sangria. Bow Tie Café (1101 Saint Gregory St., bowtiecafe. com), founded in 2010 by former Bengal Dhani Jones, started as an effort to help raise money for charities like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Today, the café features a full menu of breakfast and brunch, plus Intelligentsia coffee and cocktails. For Thai, sushi and a cool courtyard, mainstay Teak Thai (1051 Saint Gregory St., teakthaicuisine.com) offers three floors of seating.

Drink — Grab your laddies and head to Cincinnati’s oldest Irish pub Crowley’s (958 Pavilion St., 513-721-7709) for a Guinness. City View Tavern (403 Oregon St., cityviewtavern.com) offers possibly the best bloody mary anywhere, with a Cajun-seasoned rim and slice of lime; have one on the deck for the bar’s namesake view.

And Tavern on the Hill (1111 St. Gregory St., mtadamstavernonthehill.com) has every sports station and package on 15 HD TVs, plus late-night pizza by the slice. Visit The Blind Lemon (936 Hatch St., theblindlemon.com) for live music and a romantic evening on the sequestered, secret-garden patio.

Quincy’s (1101 Saint Gregory, 18

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quincysmtadams.com) has wine, Jazz and paint nights (you drink and paint), and Monk’s Cove (1104 Saint Gregory St., monkscove.com) is island-themed with $1 Jell-O shots. If you feel like dancing, Mount Adams Pavilion (949 Pavilion St., mountadamspavilion. com) is a multi-level nightclub housed in an 1840s home, with four patio decks, great views, table service and live DJs. Explore — Mount Adams, one of Cincinnati’s seven hills, has great views in the city; try the Celestial Street Overlook (corner of Celestial and Hill streets, hillsidetrust.org). Walk across the Ida Street Viaduct (once a wooden trestle that carried the 1880s streetcar) into Eden Park (950 Eden Park Drive, cincinnatiparks. com) for another overlook and a running/walking path around Mirror Lake.

Do — Two of the city’s best attractions reside here: the Cincinnati Art Museum (953 Eden Park Drive, cincinnatiartmuseum.org) and Krohn Conservatory (1501 Eden Park Drive, cincinnatiparks.com).

The art museum offers free public tours of their collection — which includes the likes of Andy Warhol and Vincent van Gogh — Tuesday through Sunday; the conservatory is famous for its annual spring butterfly show. Visit an end-of-show plant sale — held Tuesdays after an exhibit — for some incredibly well-cared-for foliage. Climb the 100 or so steps from the base of Columbia Parkway to one of the highest points in Cincinnati — Holy Cross-Immaculata Church (30 Guido St., 2011.hciparish.org) — for exceptionally scenic views of the Ohio River. On Good Friday, the faithful make a pilgrimage praying the rosary as they walk slowly up the stairs.

OV E R -T H E - R H I N E The heart of the city’s booming 19th-century German immigrant population (the area is named after Germany’s Rhine River), OTR went through many transformations before finding its niche as a hip hub. It’s Cincinnati’s Brooklyn, consistently offering the latest in buzzworthy cultural attractions while preserving one of the largest collections of historic Italianate architecture in the nation. otrchamber.com.

Eat — Vine Street is the epicurean epicenter of cutting-edge bars and restaurants in the heart

of OTR. All the food trends are covered: farm-to-table, highend street-eats and anything else that necessitates a long wait. Award-winning chefs own multiple eateries on and slightly off the strip (sometimes directly next to each other), so anywhere you stop, you can be sure you’re in for a excellent meal and, in keeping with elevated expectations, masterful mixology paired with lists of local craft beers and fine wines. Food & Wine magazine’s 2012 “People’s Best New Chef – Great Lakes Division,” chef Daniel Wright’s Mediterranean tapas-style stop Abigail Street (1214 Vine St., abigailstreet.com) is next door to Senate (1212 Vine St., senatepub.com), which features gourmet pop culture-themed hot dogs, and down the street from Pontiac Bourbon & BBQ (1403 Vine St., pontiacbbq.com), with tiki drinks and smoked meats.

Also on the upscale down-home street-food beat is The Eagle OTR (1342 Vine St., theeagleotr.com), which serves up fried chicken in an old post office; Taste of Belgium (1135 Vine St., authenticwaffle.com), which offers a quintessential waffle and chicken dish with Ohio maple syrup and hot sauce; Krueger’s Tavern (1211 Vine St., kruegerstavern.com), featuring housemade bangers and colcannon; A Tavola (1220 Vine St., atavolapizza.com), with a pizza oven imported from Italy; Bakersfield OTR (1213 Vine St., bakersfieldtacos.com), a California-inspired taco joint; and Quan Hapa (1331 Vine St., quanhapa.com), which serves up Asian fried pork rinds, sake and ramen. Nicola’s (1420 Sycamore St., nicolasotr.com), a top Zagatrated Italian restaurant, offers an eight-course Chef’s Grand Tasting on a wisteria-covered patio. And chef Jose Salazar’s Salazar (1401 Republic St., salazarcincinnati. com) creates house-cured and -potted rillettes. For fish and other creatures of the sea, The Anchor OTR (1401 Race St., theanchorotr.com) serves remarkably fresh seafood and $1.50 oysters for happy hour; Zula (1400 Race St., zulabistro.com) does big pots of steamed mussels; and Japanese gastropub Kaze (1400 Vine St., kazeotr.com) serves creative sushi.

The lovely Macaron Bar (1206 Main St., macaron-bar.com) is dedicated exclusively to the art of baking colorful French macarons.

For more healthy options, Park + Vine (1202 Main St., parkandvine. com) is the city’s green general

store with an all-vegan lunch counter and kombucha on tap.

Bottle & Basket (1400 Republic St., wellmannsbrands.com/bottleand-basket) offers an abundance of locally grown whole foods and gourmet grab-and-go salads and sandwiches — perfect for crafting your own picnic. Off the Vine (1218 Vine St., otvcincinnati.com) is a cold-pressed juice bar, for when you don’t want to chew your food. For late-night, Gomez Salsa (107 E. 12th St., gomezsalsa.com) does walk-up tacos until 3 a.m. on weekends, with craft growlers to go until 2 a.m. at next-door HalfCut (1126 Walnut St., halfcut. com). Or grab a midnight slice at Goodfellas Pizzeria (1211 Main St., goodfellaspizzeria.com).

Drink — With an ever-expanding nightlife scene, OTR bars are places to be seen. Enjoy a wine flight at 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab (1215 Vine St.,1215vine.com) or a barrel-aged Manhattan at The Lackman (1237 Vine St., lackmanbar.com), a convenient detour on the way to any of the Vine Street restaurants. Sit on the massive dog-friendly patio at The Famous Neons Unplugged (208 E. 12th St., facebook.com/neonsunplugged), one of Travel + Leisure magazine’s “America’s Best Outdoor Bars,” with specialty-infused spirits, or head to the beer garden at Queen City Radio (222 W. 12th St., qcrbar. com) for a local pint, boozy slushies, wine and cocktails. Get down to some free live music at MOTR Pub (1345 Main St., motrpub.com) or take in a drag show upstairs at Below Zero Lounge (1122 Walnut St., belowzerolounge.com). If you’re serious about cocktails and history, visit Japp’s Since 1879 (1134 Main St., wellmannsbrands. com/japps1879) for pre-Prohibition style spirits, or the apothecarythemed Sundry and Vice (18 W. 13th St., sundryandvice.com) for drinks with egg whites, bitters and absinthe. Lachey’s (56 E. 12th St., lacheys.com) — from 98 Degrees boy-banders and brothers Nick and Drew Lachey — and Rhinehaus (119 E. 12th St., rhinehausbar.com) are the only real sports bars in OTR. 16 Bit Bar + Arcade (1331 Walnut St., 16-bitbar.com) is on the opposite spectrum — free vintage video game/cabinet gameplay and nerdy nostalgia if you’re drinking. The Rook OTR (1115 Vine St., therookotr.com) serves up the same flavor, but with board games. Liberty’s Bar & Bottle

(1427 Main St., 513-429-2461) specializes in European wine and beers, with half-pours and bottles to go. the skeleton root (38 W. McMicken Ave., skeletonroot. com) is new winery and tasting room in OTR that pays homage to Cincy’s wine-making past. And OTR is home to an entire Brewery District, launched in the 1800s by German brewers and decimated

by Prohibition. Today, the Brewery District is exploding with new microbrewers inhabiting the onceabandoned skeletons of former beer giants. Named one of the top 10 best bars in the country by USA Today, rhinegeist (1910 Elm St., rhinegeist.com) brews hoppy West Coast-style beers in an old bottling plant. Down the street, taft’s ale house (1429 Race St., taftsalehouse.com), named after president/Cincinnatian William Howard Taft, offers creative craft brews and a curated menu in a former German church. The christian Moerlein Malt house taproom (1621 Moore St., christianmoerlein.com) offers free tours into the 19th-century underground caverns used by the building’s

former inhabitants — plus $5 fresh-tapped pints and frankfurters. Book an american legacy tour (1332 Vine St., americanlegacytours.com) or a cincinnati brewery tour (cincinnatibrewerytours.com) for more history.

Shop — article (1150 Vine St., articlemenswear.com) features durable menswear and has its own sister store, idlewild woman (1230 Vine St., facebook.com/ idlewildwoman), with all the indigo, chambray and tunics you need. homage (1232 Vine St., homage.com) sells vintage-inspired T-shirts and apparel that focus on hometown and sports-team pride. righno (1417 Vine St., righno.com) offers dudes European, Australian and California streetwear styles.

Next door, the showroom of local interchangeable glasses start-up Frameri (1419 Vine St., frameri. com) sells hip Italian-made frames and lenses to help correct color blindness. Mannequin boutique (1311 Main St., mannequinboutique.org) collects high-end vintage and donates sales proceeds to local nonprofits. To see them all

in one place, visit second sunday on Main (secondsundayonmain. org), an eclectic neighborhood summer festival, or the city Flea (thecityflea.com), a curated urban market held May-December.

cult-favorite smoked meats; and pho lang thang (facebook.com/ dothelangthang), a Vietnamese eatery with the city’s best banh mi.

Do — Get a green manicure at spruce natural nail shop (1235 Vine St., sprucenailshop.com) or catch a concert at the woodward theater (1404 Main St., woodwardtheater.com), a century-old Beaux Arts venue that once played silent movies. The cincinnati Museum center at union terminal (1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, cincymuseum.org) is a 1930s railroad station converted into a natural history museum, OMNIMAX theater and children’s museum.

(The Super Friends’ Hall of Justice is modeled after the building). For the latest in avant-garde theater, check out know theatre of cincinnati (1120 Jackson St., knowtheatre.com), with $15 rush tickets right before performances. Go online for an artworks (artworkscincinnati.org) mural map to take a self-guided walking tour — the arts nonprofit paints large-scale works on the sides of local buildings every summer.

Explore — The six-acre washington park (1230 Elm St., washingtonpark.org) is a renovated 150-year-old public space that offers a dog park, children’s playground and a splashable water feature, plus free festivals, live music, movies and more. The park recently opened an elevated seasonal deck with lounge seating and a full bar (with local drafts).

Stroll Findlay Market (1801 Race St., findlaymarket.org), Ohio’s oldest continually operating public market, for farm-fresh food and weekend $7 wine flights at Market wines (128 W. Elder St., market-wines.com). The market is also home to outposts of favorite eateries like dojo Gelato (dojogelato.com), which offers an excellent affogato (gelato drowned in espresso); streetpops (streetpops.com), grown-up ice pops; eli’s bbQ (elisbarbeque.com),

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NORTHERN KENTUCKY c lo c k w i s e f r o m l e f t: p u r p l e p e o p l e b r i d g e | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // n e w p o r t aq ua r i u m | p h oto : p r o v i d e d // l i l' s b ag e l s | p h oto : j e s s e f o x

Just a hop, skip and a jump across the river will land you in Northern Kentucky, unique for simultaneously being part of Greater Cincinnati and inextricably linked to the Bluegrass State. Take the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (the prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge) from downtown for a heavy dose of German heritage, good bourbon and family-friendly entertainment.

36 Hours in Northern Kentucky

1 p.m. Traverse the Ohio River via the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge and cross into Northern Kentucky. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge opened in 1872 as Cincinnati's first railroad bridge spanning the Ohio River. In the early 2000s, it was renovated and transformed into a romantic and practical walkway connecting the two states. In fact, adding to the romance, people used to attach European-style "love locks" to the bridge structure, but they were removed in early 2016.

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2 p.m. Find some aquatic fun at the Newport Aquarium (1 Aquarium Way, Newport, newportaquarium.com).

Daily activities include dive shows, penguin parades, public animal feedings and opportunities to pet stuff that lives underwater. Cross the world’s first Shark Bridge, a rope structure suspended over an open 385,000-gallon shark tank, or head to the interactive Seahorses: Unbridled Fun exhibit.

5 p.m. Developers transformed Covington’s old City Hall (and former Coppin’s department store) into Hotel Covington (638 Madison Ave., hotelcovington. com), a luxury boutique hotel with a focus on modern-meets-vintage style and local touches. Find Hen of the Woods potato chips stashed in the in-room snack bar and locally laser-cut wood menus at in-house restaurant Coppin’s, which features local craft beer, produce and even local cheese.

Perfect for a staycation or cocktails outside of OTR.

8 a.m. Get coffee for a cause at Point Perk (43 W. Pike St., Covington, facebook.com/ thepointperk), which employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Indulge in a latte made with local Carabello Coffee and a New Yorkstyle bagel from cult fave Lil’s Bagels (facebook.com/lilsbagels) on Friday and Saturday… while they last. The hand-rolled bagels — made with “100 percent chutzpah” and Midway, Ky.’s Weisenberger Mills flour — have a rabid following and sell out fast.

c lo c k w i s e f r o m to p l e f t: h a n dZ Y | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // l i s s e s t e a k h u i s | p h oto : l i N d s AY m c c A r t Y // V e n t h aV e n M u s e u M | p h oto : B o B s c h wA r t Z

Bellevue | Covington | Newport | Florence + Nearby

noon Whimsy is the word at teeny-tiny shop and studio handzy (15 W. Pike St., Covington, hellohandzy.com), run by two best friends and girl-bosses who graduated from the University of Cincinnati’s School of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. Find a curated collection of stationery, paper goods, local crafts and greeting cards with cactuses, cats, bright colors, evil eyes and anything else you’ve ever liked on Instagram.

2 p.m. Get ready to sample a slew of rum — unbarreled, spiced and bourbon barrel-aged — at second sight spirits (301 B. Elm St., Ludlow, secondsightspirits. com) artisan distillery. Built by former Cirque de Soleil prop masters and engineers/booze pirates Rick Couch and Carus Waggoner, the distillery’s moniker is inspired by a vaudevillian swami, and free tours of the facility take visitors past the on-theme steampunk-esque copper still.

Tours and tastings run Thursday through Sunday.

7:30 p.m. Thought MainStrasse was only about Germans? Nein.

Pretend you’re in Amsterdam at the Dutch-inspired lisse steakhuis (530 Main St., Covington, lisse.restaurant). The owners rehabbed an entire historic building, which now serves food from the coast, farm and the Netherlands. Try gouda sticks, whitefish pate and sides like hutspot, mashed-up potatoes, carrots and onions.

The logo is even a windmill, with a fork and knife for fan blades.

10 a.m. Venture into Vent haven (33 W. Maple Ave., Fort Mitchell, venthavenmuseum. com), the world’s only museum dedicated to art of ventriloquism.

Home to more than 800 figures, thousands of photos, playbills, letters and an extensive library, this fascinating collection is open by appointment for guided tours.

It also hosts an annual Vent Haven ConVENTion, the world's largest and oldest gathering for ventriloquists and curious fans.

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BELLEVUE With a population of less than 6,000, this quaint little sister of Covington and Newport has a main drag of eclectic gift shops, historic homes and cozy cafés. bellevueky.org.

Eat — Bellevue Bistro (313 Fairfield Ave., bellevuebistro. com) specializes in brunch bakes, burritos, sweets, savories and six different types of benedicts, with choices like Kentucky Hot Brown and Veggie Benny (sweet potatoes, squash, avocado, cheddar jack) served over biscuits. The Elusive Cow (519 Fairfield Ave., theelusivecow.com) does organic, farm fresh and sustainable for vegetarians and meateaters alike. And Schneider’s Sweet Shop (420 Fairfield Ave., schneiderscandies.com) has been satisfying sweet tooths since 1939. They specialize in handmade, small-batch opera creams — chocolate candies with a creamy center — developed by a German confectioner for the Cincinnati Opera.

Drink — Bellevue’s Darkness Brewing (224 Fairfield Ave., facebook.com/darknessbrewing) is the latest to join the Queen City neighborhood brewery scene and specializes in, as the name would suggest, dark beers: stouts, black ales, porters and more. Very laid back. While there are a couple of other locals-only type dive bars on the Fairfield Avenue strip — and a little bit off, like the tropically themed Riverside Marina (145 Mary Ingles Highway, riversidemarinaky.com) — the booze-based highlight of Bellevue is The Party Source (95 Riviera Drive, thepartysource.com). With a mind-blowing selection of spirits at discount prices, there’s no other alcohol store like it in the country. But add to that the in-store craft brewery Ei8ht Ball Brewing (ei8htballbrewing. com), from which you can grab a pint or growler to drink while you wander the aisles, and it’s like Disneyland for adults. Just outside the Party Source’s door is adjacent distillery New Riff (24 Distillery Way, newriffdistilling.com), the northernmost stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. This urban whiskey purveyor is still aging its first batches of bourbon, but guests can sample New Riff’s gin and unaged white dog after touring 22

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the operation on weekends.

Shop — With too many gift shops and secondhand stores to name, just stroll down Fairfield Avenue and you’ll inevitably walk into one; all have a bit of that kitschy country vibe — some more than others. An excellent place to find a hostess gift.

Explore — Wander down to Bellevue Beach Park (665 Frank Benke Way, bellevueky.org), a former 19th-century community swimming spot, for views of Cincinnati from across the river. Or take a short drive to the campus of Thomas More College (333 Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills, thomasmore.edu) to see “the smallest church in the world.” The 6-footby-9-foot fieldstone Monte Casino Chapel was built in the late 19th century by Benedictine monks and moved to the college in 1965.

COV I N G T O N Covington’s historic German MainStrasse Village is full of quirky shops, al fresco eateries and award-winning bars. covingtonky.gov.

Eat — Sandwich-shop-turnedbistro Otto’s (521 Main St., ottosonmain.com) excels at casual brunch. Their crab hash is wonderfully indulgent on a Sunday morning, featuring lump crab and potato topped with a poached egg and spicy sour cream sauce. Sister restaurant Frida 602 (602 Main St., facebook.com/frida602), named for the famed painter Frida Kahlo, serves modern Mexican in a bright atmosphere. Indulge in an of-the-moment mezcal flight served in little clay copitas.

For dinner in motion and 360-degree views of the city, make a reservation at steakhouse Eighteen (668 W. Fifth St., 18dining.com), the largest rotating restaurant east of Las Vegas.

(The lights surrounding the restaurant’s exterior also function as weather forecast alerts from WLWT news.) For excellent Asian, sit at a traditional floor table at Riverside Korean (512 Madison Ave., riversidekoreanrestaurant.com) and order a steaming stone bowl bibimbap, accompanied by a selection of tangy banchan. Or visit Johnny Chu’s Kung Food Chu’s AmerAsia (521 Madison Ave., facebook.com/kungfoodchu) for

fresh American-Chinese with a kitschy lean and a binder-sized selection of brews. Dee Felice Café (529 Main St., deefelicecafe.com) specializes in Cajun — try the jambalaya with sauce so good they sell it online (and at Kroger). NUVO at Greenup (308 Greenup St., nuvoatgreenup.com) is a lush dining experience. Choose from a prix-fixe seasonal chef’s tasting menu of three or five courses (or order dishes like farm-fresh rabbit tortellini or green tomato gazpacho à la carte). Find local and artisan deli items, brick-oven pizzas, hot sandwiches and pickle fries at The Gruff (129 E. Second St., atthegruff.com). Farm-to-table Bouquet Restaurant & Wine Bar (519 Main St., bouquetrestaurant.com) puts a twist on classic dishes and offers a constantly rotating menu. Browse an extensive wine list (more than 60 bottle and glass selections) while drooling over the current carnivorous offerings prepared by chef Stephen Williams. His ethically sourced meats are found in both small plates and entrées like local goat, lamb and red wattle pork. And for lunch, Williams relocated his grab-andgo sandwich concept Son & Soil and integrated it into Bouquet’s dining room.

Drink — Bourbon is king in Covington, where two bars made the top 60 best bourbon bars in America as rated by The Bourbon Review: the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar (629 Main St., wellmannsbrands.com/ okbb), which has more than 150 different types of bourbon, rotating flights and an extremely knowledgeable staff; and the Wiseguy Lounge (603 Main St., facebook.com/wiseguylounge), which has its own Bourbon Connoisseurs Club. If you’re more into beer than bourbon, visit Braxton Brewing Co. (27 W. Seventh St., braxtonbrewing. com), started in a garage by co-founder Evan Rouse when he was just 16. The garage-inspired taproom doubles as a creative space, with high-tech accoutrements, whiteboard walls and iced coffee on nitro. It opens at 8 a.m. during the week to offer a space for the public and entrepreneurs to meet, mingle and machinate.

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub (112 E. Fourth St., covington.mollymalonesirishpub.com) is run by real Irish people — accents

and all — and shows all English Premier League “football” games live. Cock & Bull Public House (601 Main St., cockandbullcincinnati.com) is British-y, with 60 craft beers on tap and pint night on Thursdays; buy a select pint, keep the glass. And for the LGBTQ crowd and allies, Rosie’s Tavern (643 Bakewell St., rosiestavernnky.com), just off MainStrasse, offers a casual environment for happy hour, darts, pool and pinball. For less than $2, you can grab a cup of joe at Left Bank Coffeehouse (701 Greenup St., leftbankcoffeehouse.com), an independent shop that serves coffee made with local Deeper Roots beans.

They also serve local treats from Grateful Grahams, Yankee Doodle Deli and Shadeau Bread.

Shop — The city’s Renaissance Covington project is helping to revitalize the downtown retail and restaurant business: Madison Avenue is currently home to a Wedding District; MainStrasse has plenty of independently owned stores, like Sugarcube Records (422 W. Sixth St., sugarcuberecords. com), which sells new and used records, turntables and more; and near the Roebling Bridge lies Roebling Point Books & Coffee (306 Greenup St., facebook.com/ roeblingpointbooksandcoffee), a dog-friendly bookshop and coffee café.

Explore — Walk the Licking Riverside Drive Historic District. This 13-block area includes Civil War homes, carriage houses, Underground Railroad tunnels and life-size bronze statues of historic figures in lifelike poses; take your picture fake-sketching next to the permanently sketching John James Audubon, who visited Northern Kentucky in 1819. Or head to Goebel Park (501 Philadelphia Street, mainstrasse.org), a community gathering spot at the edge of MainStrasse Village that features a herd of goats that help eat weeds and maintain the park’s landscape. Pet a goat; have a picnic. At noon, little mechanical men act out the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin at the park's Carroll Chimes Bell Tower. Located on the Covington floodwall along the edge of the Ohio River, the Roebling Murals (Riverside Drive) depict the city’s history painted along hundreds of feet of concrete.

Do — Play in a Curb’d (curbd. org) parklet, little interactive public art and activity installations the length of one parking space constructed in Covington’s urban core. (Parks go into storage starting in November and come out again in spring). Drive up the hill to Devou Park (covingtonky. gov) for incomparable river views, as well as a golf course and the Behringer-Crawford Museum (1600 Montague Road, bcmuseum.org), dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting the Ohio Valley’s heritage.

Make new friends with artistic taxidermy shop and enthusiastically approachable biological/ naturalist educational organization Meddling with Nature (1707 Greenup St., meddlingwithnature. com). The group hosts a variety of workshops, where guests are invited to come and create their own taxidermied friend. Take an insect or critter from frozen/desiccated corpse to finished mount while simultaneously learning about anatomy and medical history. Can’t make it to Paris?

NBD. The French-Gothic St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica (1140 Madison Ave., covcathedral.com) is a replica of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

NEWPORT Historically referred to as “Sin City,” Newport was once known for casinos, brothels and speakeasies; the city is now home to family-friendly restaurants and undersea attractions, aka an aquarium. newportky.gov; newportonthelevee.com.

Eat — Hit up the 1920s Dixie Chili (733 Monmouth St., dixiechili.com) for a three-way, or grab a slab of goetta 24/7 at the Pepper Pod (703 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-431-7455), a third-generation family-run restaurant, which recently celebrated 45 years. Have some handmade ravioli and play some bocce ball at Pompilios (600 Washington Ave., pompilios. com), the restaurant where the toothpick scene in Rain Man was filmed. La Mexicana (642 Monmouth St., 859-261-6112) dishes out excellent Mexican, including sesos (veal brains) and squash blossom tacos.

Katharina’s Café Konditorei (529 Overton St., katharinascafe. com) is an authentic German breakfast and lunch café run by transplants from Mainz, Germany.

They are relocating to a larger space at Eighth and Washington streets in fall of 2016. Other favorite eats are York Street Café (738 York St., yorkstonline.com); Packhouse (1004 Monmouth St., packhousemeats. com), a hand-packed meatball restaurant (with a no-tipping policy); and Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria (336 Monmouth St., strongsbrickovenpizza.com), equipped with a state-of-the-art pizza machine (aka the titular brick oven) imported from Italy.

There's also a ton of larger chainstyle stops at Newport on the Levee (newportonthelevee.com), including Brio, Bar Louie, Dick's Last Resort and locals Dewey's Pizza, Redondo Taqueria and Tom+Chee.

Drink — Grab a stein of German brew and a schnitzel in the biergarten at the first authentic Hofbräuhaus (200 E. Third St., hofbrauhausnewport. com) in America — “Where it’s Oktoberfest every day!” Nearby coffee shop Newberry Bros.

Coffee (530 Washington Ave., newberrybroscoffee.com) has more than 50 wines by the glass (for $4 on Sundays), while the philanthropic Carabello Coffee (107 E. Ninth St., carabellocoffee.com) has cold-brew coffee on draft. Visit Trailhead Coffee (35 1/2 E. Seventh St., facebook. com/trailheadcoffeenewport) inside Reser Bicycle Outfitters for Wood Burl Coffee, rotating pour-over selections, singleorigin espresso, ceremonialgrade matcha and beautiful latte art. Along with the coffee, it’s also one of the few places in town where you can regularly indulge in Brown Bear Bakery (brownbearbakes.com) baked goods. The rustic but refined small-batch bakery makes the best pastries in town. The Beer Sellar (301 Riverboat Row, facebook.com/thebeer.sellar), a sports bar on a docked riverboat, offers a boat taxi to pro sports games.

Explore — The Newport Gangster Tour and the seasonal Newport is Haunted Tour (americanlegacytours.com) both look at the city’s mob past with tales of murder, prostitution, gamblers and ghosts. For a more family-friendly adventure, check out Ride the Ducks (1 Aquarium Way, newport.ridetheducks.com), the amphibious sightseeing tour. BB Riverboats’

(101 Riverboat Row, bbriverboats.com) historic steamboats offer a variety of tours and dinner cruises on the Ohio.

Do — Walk or bike across The Purple People Bridge (purplepeoplebridge.com) from The Banks to Northern Kentucky entertainment destination Newport on the Levee — or vice versa. The Levee is a onestop shop for dining and entertainment. It houses the Newport Aquarium (newportaquarium. com), Funny Bone (funnybonecentral.com), a comedy club with national acts; an AMC Theater (amctheatres.com); and Axis Alley (axisalleylevee.com), a boutique bowling alley.

FLORENCE / NEARBY NORTHERN KENTUCK Y Famous for its “Florence Y’all” water tower, Florence is home to a big mall, chain restaurants and an independent minor-league baseball team. florence-ky.gov.

Eat — Greyhound Tavern (2500 Dixie Highway, greyhoundtavern. com) has been serving classic fried chicken in Fort Mitchell since the 1920s. Pizzeria 15 North (15 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, 15northpizza. com), run by Washington, D.C. transplants, does worth-thedrive wood-fired pizzas. People also get very excited about the stuffed dates, filled with mascarpone cheese and vanilla gelato.

Drink — Kentucky’s largest winery, Elk Creek Vineyards (150 Highway 330, elkcreekvineyards. com), is housed in the rolling hills of Owenton and offers award-winning sweet-style wines produced and bottled onsite.

Before you start boozing, go shoot some clay pigeons at the next-door Elk Creek Hunt Club.

Two guys/employees of Northern Kentucky’s Party Town mega liquor store started experimenting with “weird” beers under the moniker Mash Cult (6823 Burlington Pike, Florence, mashcult.com) and created their own nanobrewery, which serves up small batch, gnarly brews like a Ramathorn maple coffee stout.

Shop — The extremely popular Burlington Antique Show (5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, burlingtonantiqueshow.com) is one of the Midwest’s premiere antique and vintage-only shows featuring more than 200

dealers. From April through October, find all the Midcentury Modern, farmhouse primitives and industrial salvage you can fit in your car. Florence Antique Mall (8145 Mall Road, florenceantiquemall.com) is filled with vintage treasures and cool stuff; and for non-antique, there’s the Florence Mall (2028 Florence Mall Road, florencemall.com), with various chain stores and a double-decker carousel in the food court (America!).

Explore — In early 2016, the landmark 185-year-old general store of itty-bitty rivertown Rabbit Hash (10021 Lower River Road, rabbithash.com) burned to the ground. While they work to rebuild after the loss, the town — famous for its series of dog mayors — continues to be a great weekend spot for live music, local wine and motorcyclists. Florence is kind of a sports hub. Horse track Turfway Park (7500 Turfway Road, turfway.com) conducts live thoroughbred racing, with off-season year-round simulcast wagering, and Frontier League independent professional baseball team the Florence Freedom (7950 Freedom Way, florencefreedom.com) offers up the food, amenities and giant, fuzzy mascots of the major leagues.

Do — The Creation Museum (2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, creationmuseum. org): the greatest field trip for homeschooled Young-Earth Creationists and mortal enemy of science. One part museum, one part fantasy and all parts Answers in Genesis, this private oasis brings the Bible to life with dynamic animal and human displays featuring the likes of Adam and Eve and dinosaurs — together — and an exotic petting zoo. If you need more ego with your religious figures, look no further than the Ark Encounter (1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, arkencounter.com), a 510-foot-long, 50-foot-tall, $90 million replica of Noah’s boat, complete with a restaurant and $40 admission fee. For a more realistic look at biological history, Big Bone Lick State Park (3380 Beaver Road, Union, parks.ky.gov) is named after the fossils found there. The indoor museum houses a 1,000pound mastodon skull while the outdoor museum is home to a herd of real bison.

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CENTRAL CORE c lo c k w i s e f r o m l e f t: s p r i n g g r o v e c e m e t e r y | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // c i n c i n n at i z o o | p h oto : p r o v i d e d // w o o d b u r n b r e w e r y | p h oto : p r o v i d e d

What we respectfully refer to as the “central core” is a collection of some of Cincinnati’s most diverse and eclectic neighborhoods, just a stone's throw from the city center. Longtime residents mingle with young families, and local businesses add to the charm of these historically significant areas.

36 Hours in the Central Core

10 a.m. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org) is an urban gem. It's home to the oldest zoo building in the nation, the greenest restaurant in America, a pride of lions, giraffes you can feed by hand, wandering peacocks and even a house beer — a Red River Hog Ale specially brewed by Christian Moerlein.

The zoo's ever-expanding Africa exhibit just welcomed hippos Henry and Bibi to Hippo Cove, a habitat complete with a “nose-tonostril” underwater viewing area.

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2 p.m. Stroll through Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum’s (4521 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village, springgrove.org) 733-acre grounds of trees, lakes, several swans and winding pathways. Established in 1845, many famous Cincinnati families have found final resting places here. Self-guided walking tour maps are available, but the grove also hosts twilight tours, tram tours and the annual "Afternoon with the Beer Barons" tour of famous local brewers’ graves — accompanied by local beer.

4 p.m. Enjoy the rebirth of Cincinnati’s brewing scene with a cedar IPA at Woodburn Brewery (2800 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, woodburnbrewery. com). The people-friendly, dogfriendly and bee-friendly brewery (they have hives on the roof to make their own honey) embraces experimentation, offering everything from stouts to saisons and even a homebrewer series.

9 a.m. Grab a stack of famous wispy-thin pancakes or a fluffy omelet — and a free, kitschy rubber duck — at neighborhood diner Sugar n’ Spice (4381 Reading Road, Paddock Hills, sugar-n-spice-restaurant.com), which just celebrated its 75th anniversary.

c lo c k w i s e f r o m l e f t: s u g a r n ' s p i c e | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // l u c k y c at m u s e u m | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // s wa d | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // n i p p e r t s ta d i u m // p h oto : p r o v i d e d

Avondale | College Hill | East Walnut Hills | Mount Healthy Northside | North Avondale | North College Hill | Walnut Hills

11 a.m. Pick up a feline friend from the gift shop at the Lucky Cat Museum (2511 Essex Place, Walnut Hills, manekinekomuseum.com).

Open during Essex Art Walks and by appointment, the museum features a collection of nearly a thousand manekineko cats in all shapes and sizes.

The Japanese beckoning cats, depicted with one paw waving, are symbols of luck, summoning money and good fortune to those who own them.

1 p.m. Play a game of chess on the porch of the Clifton branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (3400 Brookline Ave., Clifton, cincinnatilibrary.org). The library renovated the historic Samuel Hannaford-designed home of George Barnesdale "Boss" Cox and transformed it into a 10,000-square-foot retreat with stately staircases, stainedglass windows, original fireplaces, moulded ceilings and a reading room in a former porte-cochère.

5 p.m. Cincinnati is home to excellent Indian cuisine. For proof, head to the city's “Little India” in the Gaslight District.

Among several other nearby choices are local/visitor favorites Ambar (350 Ludlow Ave., ambarindia.com) and Dusmesh (944 Ludlow Ave., dusmesh.com), Just up the road, Swad (1810 W. Galbraith Road, College Hill, swadtasty.com), from the former owners of Dusmesh, offers delicious north Indian with a daily lunch buffet.

8 p.m. Check out the action at Nippert Stadium (2700 Bearcat Way, Clifton, uc.edu) on the University of Cincinnati campus, whether it be for UC or high school football or the hottest ticket in town — FC Cincinnati futbol club. The fifth-oldest stadium in college football, Nippert has been a playing surface in rudimentary form since 1901. An $85 million renovation added a new press box, suites and better fan amenities — and it looks cool, too.

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10 MINUTE DRIVE TO DOWNTOWN PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT

C I T YS E R I E S C I N C I N N AT I .CO M Prices and community details are subject to change by developer and builder at any time. September 2016

AVO N DA L E / N O R T H AVO N DA L E / N E A R B Y One of the first Cincinnati suburbs, Avondale is socially, economically and racially diverse. northavondalecincinnati.com.

Eat — These longstanding local haunts offer authentic, ethnic eats: Blue Gibbon Chinese (1231 Tennessee Ave., Paddock Hills, bluegibbon.net); Amma’s Kitchen (7633 Reading Road, Roselawn, ammaskitchen.com), which specializes in South Indian with a weekly all-vegan lunch buffet; and Vietnamese spot Song Long (1737 Section Road, Roselawn, songlong.net).

Explore — The friendly folks at Avon Fields Golf Course (4081 Reading Road, North Avondale, avonfields.cincygolf. org), which recently celebrated its 100th birthday, will treat you right. Family-friendly roller rink Fun Factory (1631 Sherman Ave., Norwood, funfactoryrollerskating. com) is a blast back to memories of middle school skating parties.

C A M P WA S H I N G T O N Located between Clifton and Northside and established in 1845. camp-washington.org.

Eat — Classic chili parlor and ’50s-style diner Camp Washington Chili (3005 Colerain Ave., campwashingtonchili.com) has won awards for serving up some of the best chili in the nation as well as an “American Regional Classic” award from the James Beard Foundation.

Open 24/6 (they're closed on Sundays), it's a retro spot to grab a 3-way or a cheese coney.

Explore — DIY art gallery Wave Pool (2940 Colerain Ave., wavepoolgallery.org) is dedicated to experimental exhibitions and community events. The space also hosts a rotating artist-in-residence.

Do — Visit the American Sign Museum (1330 Monmouth Ave., americansignmuseum.org) — or, better yet, go to a wedding there — and check out gold-leaf signs, neon, fiberglass and more in this huge museum boasting more than 200 preserved, archived and displayed signs ranging from the late-19th century to the 1970s.

C L I F T O N / CO R R Y V I L L E Clifton is all things college — coffee shops, restaurants, bars and bookstores. Nearby, the Gaslight District’s Ludlow Avenue is full

of independent, locally owned shops and an indie movie theater.

Corryville’s Short Vine is an entertainment district anchored by longtime concert venue Bogart’s. cliftoncommunity.org.

Eat — Adriatico's (113 W. McMillan St., adriaticosuc.com) is a legend at the University of Cincinnati. For nearly 40 years they've been turning out spicysauced, garlic-crusted pizza and making drunk college kids rejoice with their Bearcat, a giant, 30-slice thick-crust Sicilian-style pie. Ethnic food abounds in Clifton. Cilantro (235 W. McMillan St., eatatcilantro.com) Vietnamese bistro uses Mama Phan's family recipes for their pho and sate.

Elephant Walk Injera and Curry House (170 W. McMillan St., 513526-1555) does double-duty as an Indian and Ethiopian restaurant in one with a daily split buffet (and double-sided menu). Habanero (358 Ludlow Ave., habanerolatin. com) has been in the big-ass burrito game since before anyone ever heard of Chipotle; Meatball Kitchen (2912 Vine St., meatballkitchenusa.com) offers subs, pastas and sandwiches with Findlay Market-sourced beef, pork, turkey or veggie balls as the main attraction; and Island Frydays’ (2826 Vine St., islandfrydays.com) was founded by a Jamaican native and former UC football player whose jerk chicken was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. For a taste of history, Mecklenburg Gardens (302 E. University Ave., mecklenburgs.net), which has been in Corryville since 1865, offers German fare with an outdoor biergarten — named one of the best biergartens in American by Travel + Leisure. Cure a hangover or get one at breakfast joint and bar Hang Over Easy (13 W. Charlton St., hangovereasycincinnati.com), open from 8 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Drink — Murphy’s Pub (2329 W. Clifton Ave., murphys-pub. com) — a classic college hang and neighborhood cornerstone — is the official pub partner of FC Cincinnati, the city’s hot new professional soccer franchise.

Bohemian coffee houses with lite bites and alcohol abound in Clifton, from neighborhood staple Sitwell’s (324 Ludlow Ave., facebook.com/sitwells.coffeehouse) — with mismatched furniture, vegetarian food and booze

shakes — and the Kerouac-esque Highland Coffee House (2839 Highland Ave., 513-861-4151), full of plants, a piano, board games and an eclectic mix of artists and students. Fries Café (3247 Jefferson Ave., friescafeclifton. com) is a low-key spot for bar games like freestanding shuffle board, billiards and darts with an outdoor patio.

Shop — The Gaslight District on Ludlow Avenue is home to many independent shops, including hippie-chic Pangaea Trading Co. (326 Ludlow Ave., 513-7513330), paolo a modern jeweler (278 Ludlow Ave., paolousa.com), importer The Hansa Guild (369 Ludlow Ave., hansaguild.us), vintage homegoods store Lentz & Company (339 Ludlow Ave., facebook.com/lentzandcompany) and specialty gift shop Toko Baru (325 Ludlow Ave., 513-751-3338).

Up the hill in Clifton Heights, mixed-use developments have attracted popular chains like Urban Outfitters and American Apparel. On Short Vine, Mike’s Music (2615 Vine St., mikesmusicohio.com) offers vintage instruments and repair specialists and is frequented by touring musicians who play nearby Bogart’s.

By the university, Duttenhofer’s Books (214 W. McMillan St., duttenhofers.com) is a treasure trove of beautiful rare, old and used books in literature, architecture, art, poetry, philosophy and more — and there’s frequently a cat or two roaming the stacks.

Explore — Grab a picnic snack at Clifton Natural Foods (336 Ludlow Ave., cliftonnaturalfoods. com), a bottle of wine at Ludlow Wines (343 Ludlow Ave., ludlowwines.com) and take in the view of the Millcreek Valley from the overlook at Mount Storm Park (700 Lafayette Ave., cincinnatiparks. com), or bundle up and do some sledding there in winter months.

Do — Catch a movie and grab a glass of wine at art-house theater Esquire Theatre (320 Ludlow Ave., esquiretheatre.com), where the Rocky Horror Picture Show draws enthusiastic — and noisy — costumed fans every other Saturday. Head to the University of Cincinnati’s CollegeConservatory of Music (2600 Clifton Ave., ccm.uc.edu) to see students from one of the leading arts conservatories perform everything from Broadway classics to alternative theater as well

as opera, dance and concerts — frequently for free. And for a real college experience, head to the Clifton location of local chili chain Skyline (290 Ludlow Ave., skylinechili.com), open until at least 3 a.m. Monday-Saturday, and sit at the bar to order a 5-Way from the steam table (with two cheese coneys, mustard and onions).

CO L L E G E H I L L / N O R T H CO L L E G E H I L L / M O U N T H E A LT H Y Central, old-school residential neighborhoods. collegehillohio.org; northcollegehill.org; mthealthy.org.

Eat — Red Rose Pizza (5915 Hamilton Ave., Hill, redrosecollegehill.com) gives Italian fans a dose of superfood with their assorted avocado dishes and even offers specialty gluten-free pizzas.

Chung Ching (5842 Hamilton Ave., 513-541-1243) is a mom-andpop Chinese restaurant. North College Hill Bakery (1807 W. Galbraith Road, northcollegehillbakery.com) has been serving tasty treats and homemade breads for more than 80 years.

Post-little league ice cream spot Mount Healthy Dairy Bar (7840 Hamilton Ave., 513-522-1288) is a 1950s-era classic creamy whip.

Drink — Neighborhood gathering spot College Hill Coffee Co. and Casual Gourmet (6128 Hamilton Ave., collegehillcoffeeco.com) is a full espresso and coffee bar with an extensive menu and live music on Wednesdays. There’s also live music — and a small plate menu and great vino — at Marty’s Hops & Vines (6110 Hamilton Ave., martys-hopsandvines.com), plus wine tastings on Friday nights.

Speaking of wine, Burnet Ridge Winery (6721 Richard Ave., burnetridge.com) makes award-winning wines and blends.

Shop — Fern (6040 Hamilton Ave., fern-shop.com) is a “design and flora” shop in an old gas station that carefully curates unique objects and assorted plants. They also offer classes in everything from indigo to calligraphy. Silk Road Textiles (6106 Hamilton Ave., silkroadcincinnati.com) carries ethically traded international fabric and yarns and offers various quilting and knitting lessons. Schwartz Jewelers (6114 Hamilton Ave., schwartzjewelers.net) has an exciting collection of estate pieces, as well as modern jewelry.

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Do — Take a tour of laurel court (5870 Belmont Ave., laurelcourt. com), an early-20th-century Beaux Arts home built to resemble Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s home in Versailles, France.

E A S T WA L N U T H I L L S / WA L N U T H I L L S these adjacent urban neighborhoods have historic homes and business districts witnessing a restaurant-and-retail renaissance. walnuthillsrf.org; eastwalnuthills.org.

Eat — More and more restaurants are popping up in this up-and-coming neighborhood, but andy’s Mediterranean Grille (906 Nassau St., Walnut Hills, andyskabob.com) has been around since the ’90s. And on Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy live belly dancing with your shish tawook or shawarma. For lunch, kitchen 452 (2714 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, kitchen452. com) offers a menu that changes seasonally to take advantage of the freshest ingredients. Former favorite food truck Fireside pizza (773 E. McMillan St., firesidepizzawalnuthills.com) serves up wood-fired pizza and cold pints from a custom fire-extinguisher draft inside a historic firehouse. o pie o (1527 Madison Road, opieo. com) does sweet-and-savory handcrafted seasonal pies for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Drink — For a bit of Greenwich Village in the Queen City, catch live Jazz, spoken word and art at the Greenwich (2442 Gilbert Ave., the-greenwich.com).

Myrtle’s punch house (2733 Woodburn Ave., wellmannsbrands.com/myrtles) from cocktail queen Molly Wellmann serves up handcrafted punches by the glass or bowl. The historic dive brew house (1047 E. McMillan St., brewhouse.com) is a welcoming neighborhood bar that has been hosting a February chili cook-off for two decades. The familyfriendly Five points biergarten (2425 Gilbert Ave., walnuthills.us/ five-points-biergarten) brings a local brewer to a pop-up party in a reclaimed urban alley the third Sunday of the month.

Shop — Experience the Woodburn Avenue business district — many of them women-owned — in one night during the monthly walk on woodburn (facebook.com/walkonwoodburn). Pick up a curated 28

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curiosity at vintage boutique hi-bred (2807 Woodburn Ave., facebook.com/hibredlife) or a Midcentury Modern statement piece at leftcoast Modern (2809 Woodburn Ave., facebook. com/leftcoastmoderncincinnati).

Make a change at parlour (2600 Woodburn Ave., salonparlour. com), voted one of the best salons for color in America by InStyle Magazine, or grab a coffee at cafe desales (2835 Woodburn Ave., facebook.com/ cafedesales). Rent a grindhouse classic from the Video archive (965 E. McMillan Road, facebook.com/videoarchivecincinnati), which pays homage to Quentin Tarantino and his oeuvre (Tarantino used to work at a shop call Video Archives).

Explore — Catch an excellent art show at creative research gallery Manifest (2727 Woodburn Ave., manifestgallery.org). Or tour the harriet beecher stowe house (2950 Gilbert Ave., stowehousecincy.org), which the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin called home before she penned her masterpiece.

Do — Grab a growler to go from one of the aptly named Growler house’s (1526 Madison Road, thegrowlerhouse.com) 30 taps and enjoy it at arkham house Games (1609 Madison Road Suite B, arkhamhousegames. com), where all are welcome to check out RPGs, tabletop games and more from the lending library and game on.

NORTHSIDE A little bit crunchy and a lot rock & roll, Northside is a diverse, green-leaning urban enclave of artists, musicians, do-it-yourselfers and a prominent lGBtQ community. northside.net.

Eat — Blending American with Tex-Mex, django western taco (4046 Hamilton Ave., djangonorthside.com) serves up tacos and a tangy margarita made with jalapeño. Try the legit huevos rancheros during Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The neighborhood’s legacy of vegetarian/ vegan food will soon be even stronger when Melt eclectic café (currently 4165 Hamilton Ave., meltcincy.com) moves into a larger space inside the Gantry apartments (4100 Hamilton Ave., gantrylife.com) development and starts serving a cocktail menu by mixologist and new business

partner Molly Wellmann. Stop into tickle pickle (4176 Hamilton Ave., ticklepicklenorthside.com) for organic beef and black bean burgers with classic or vegan milkshakes — or have it catered or delivered. Enjoy more upscale dining at bistro Grace (4034 Hamilton Ave., bistrograce. com) with a large selection of craft beers; or stop into ruth’s parkside café (1550 Blue Rock St., ruthscafe.com) — a reincarnation of defunct downtown favorite Mullane’s.

Drink — There is live music practically every night in Northside — and it’s almost always free at the power trio of bars — Northside Tavern, Northside Yacht Club and The Comet. Head to the northside tavern (4163 Hamilton Ave., northsidetav.com), or “the Tavern,” as locals call it, for an evening on their large patio and more laid-back live acts. the comet (4579 Hamilton Ave., cometbar.com) leans a little louder as a haven for Garage Rock-loving burrito-eaters; it's Bike Night — as in motorcycles — every Tuesday. northside Yacht club (4231 Spring Grove Ave., northsideyachtclub.com) continues a lineage of hip bars at this off-the-beaten-path location. Expect Indie Rock and creative twists on bar food — try the smoked wings with house rub or veggie-friendly cauliflower “boneless” wings. the littlefield (3934 Spring Grove Ave., littlefieldns.com) is an artful bourbon bar with 50 to 60 different bottles of bourbon and art installations from local artists (plus a huge patio). Across the street is arcade legacy: bar edition (3929 Spring Grove Ave., facebook.com/albaredition), with more than 60 vintage arcade games, gourmet hot dogs and a another giant patio. For a pickme-up after all that booze, circle around through Cluxton Alley to the somewhat-hidden collective espresso (4037 Hamilton Ave., collectiveespresso.com) and try their expertly selected coffee or delightfully different espresso and lemonade mix.

The Littlefield’s owners are set to open a second bar called second place (3936 Spring Grove Ave., facebook.com/secondplacebar), a neighborhood pub with outdoor ping pong, TVs, a slushie machine and free popcorn. Located in an unassuming brick building in nearby Saint

Bernard, woodstone creek’s (4712 Vine St., woodstonecreek. com) all-in-one tasting room, winery, meadery and distillery uses historic techniques to produce rare runs of wine, mead and spirits each year. Head to the distillery to try everything from cabernet and ice wine to gin to whiskey. Bonus: All tastings come with a souvenir glass.

Shop — Searches for used vinyl start and end in Northside, where indie record shops shake it records (4156 Hamilton Ave., shakeitrecords.com) — a store and label with a nod from Rolling Stone as one of the best record stores in America — and black plastic records (4027 Hamilton Ave., facebook.com/blackplasticrecords) are havens for dig-for-it vinyl collectors. Neon-and-glitter chicken lays an egg (4178 Hamilton Ave., facebook.com/ chickenlaysanegg) has all varieties of vintage, and casablanca Vintage (3944 Spring Grove Ave., casablancavintage.com) is cool and classic enough for Ke$ha to have recently stopped by. nVision (4577 Hamilton Ave., nvisionshop.com) has groovy clothing, art and home furnishings. Embroidery shop the hoop & needle (4019 Hamilton Ave., thehoopandneedle.com) focuses on modern and edgy patterns, kits and accessories.

Get a permanent reminder of your time in Northside at designs by dana (4167 Hamilton Ave., danatattoo.com) tattoo shop. Open for almost three decades, Dana tattoos with his wife and son — along with other artists — in a converted 1930s bank, which doubles as a tattoo museum, exhibiting memorabilia from 1905 to the 1960s.

Explore — Kids freak out — in a good way — at happen inc.’s (4201 Hamilton Ave., happeninc. org) toy lab, where donated toys become the parts for their very own Franken-toys — like a creative and nonviolent Transformer.

Do — Chartered in 1843, wesleyan cemetery (4003 Colerain Ave., northside.net) is older than Spring Grove and was the area’s first integrated cemetery. Seven Revolutionary War veterans are buried there, along with seven black Civil War veterans in the cemetery’s “Colored Grounds,” which were used as a funeral decoy for the Underground Railroad.

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PRESENTING THE 16/17 BROADWAY SEASON

WEST SIDE c lo c k w i s e f r o m TOP l e f t: f e r n b a n k pa r k | p h oto : p r o v i d e d // m a r a n ata s t o r e | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // i n c l i n e t h e at e r | PHOTO : m i k k i s c h a f f n e r p h oto g r a p h y // p r i c e h i l l c h i l i | p h oto : j e s s e f o x

Cincinnati’s West Side — technically everything west of Vine Street, though I-74 is a popular dividing line — represents one half of the city’s most enduring rivalry. Home to some of the city’s largest and most diverse neighborhoods, the West Side is filled with down-to-earth, blue-collar communities that are equal parts Big Box and mom-and-pop.

36 Hours on the West Side

9 a.m. One of the West Side’s best-kept secrets, Fernbank Park (50 Thornton Ave., Sayler Park, greatparks.org) is a 60-acre greenspace that features hiking and bike trails, a playground, fishing areas and playfields.

The park opens at dawn, so depending on how motivated you are, you can traverse a 1.2mile paved trail along the banks of the Ohio River as soon as the sun comes up, or sit, relax and watch riverboats slowly make their way down the river as you contemplate your day.

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11 a.m. Grab breakfast or lunch at family-run local landmark Price Hill Chili (4920 Glenway Ave., Price Hill, pricehillchili.com). The steam table serves up classic Cincinnatistyle chili from 2-ways to 5-ways (chili, spaghetti, cheese, onions and beans), and the omelets from the all-day breakfast menu are hearty, cheesy and pleasingly bright yellow. Bottomless coffee is blended exclusively for the restaurant from the Wallingford Coffee Co., a Cincinnati roaster since 1909.

5:30 p.m. A burgeoning community of Guatemalan refugees are beginning to call Price Hill home. And establishments like the Maranata Store (1215 Rulison Ave., Price Hill, maranatastore. com) are offering both a taste of Central America and an authentic cultural experience for outsiders. The tienda stocks ethnic groceries while the modest restaurant serves colorful cilantro-infused ceviche, pork pupusas, fried plantains and three-milk cake.

7:30 p.m. The arts are alive on the West Side. Cincinnati Landmark Productions’ Warsaw Federal Incline Theater (801 Matson Place, Price Hill, clpshows. org) is redefining Price Hill and the Incline District as an arts destination, producing edgy, modern musicals and dramas in an intimate space. This season, sing along to a campy live staging of the Rocky Horror Picture Show or ponder the actions of man in a slightly more psychological play like Equus.

c lo c k w i s e f r o m l e f t: M Yc i n c i n n at i Yo u t h o r c h e s t r a | p h oto : A N N A j e k e l // a n d e r s o n F e r r Y | p h oto : d e N N i s c A m p // p u t Z ' s | p h oto : j e s s e f o x

Cheviot | Green Township | Price Hill | Westwood + Nearby

7:30 p.m. Or see the students from Mycincinnati Youth orchestra (3120 Warsaw Ave., Price Hill, mycincinnatiorchestra. org) perform with the poise and passion of adults. Inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema program, MYCincinnati uses classical music as a vehicle for social change by providing urban children access to free, intense and high-quality musical education.

10:30 a.m. Ride the anderson Ferry (1 Anderson Ferry Road, Delhi, andersonferry.com) This nationally registered historic site has been in operation since 1817, transporting people and goods across the Ohio River, from the West Side to Northern Kentucky.

It used to be powered by horses walking on a treadmill, but now people use it as a shortcut to the airport. Still a fun novelty. Buy a ticket, drive your car onto the barge, go across the river and come back.

2 p.m. Pick up a Lotta Trotta and a six-pack of beer from drivethrough trotta’s (3501 Werk Road, Westwood, trottaspizza. net), a unique local experience.

The Cincinnati-style pony keg not only brings booze to your car, they also serve really, really good Sicilian-style pizza — thick crust pizza topped with your choice of extras, including salami, meatballs or chili — all without you leaving the driver’s seat.

7 p.m. Back in 1938, the Putz family opened an ice cream shop in a pair of trolley cars.

Today, putz’s creamy whip (2673 Putz Drive, Westwood, putzscreamywhip.com) is not much larger in size, but it's definitely a legend in reputation —a seasonal Cincinnati tradition.

Try their "blue" ice cream plain, in a sundae, with a dip top or rainbow sprinkles. Just remember to ask for “jimmies” instead of sprinkles if you want 'em. #westsidewords

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CHEVIOT Once a farming village, this residential suburb boasts “Big City Spirit with a Small Town Charm.” Cheviot is often considered the heart of the West Side. cheviot.org.

Eat — Step back in time at Maury’s Tiny Cove (3908 Harrison Ave., maurys-steakhouse. com), a retro steakhouse with low lights, red vinyl and dark wood.

Since 1949, they’ve been serving damn-good steak, Atomic Age sides (shredded lettuce salads; a complimentary ramekin of pickles on every table) and a perfect martini. Ask for the Carol booth — the restaurant appears in the locally filmed, Oscar-nominated movie starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — or take a photo with the Maury’s sign, featuring a kitschy cartoon steer holding a cocktail. Sebastian’s Gyros (5209 Glenway Ave., sebastiansgyros.com) is the place to grab an authentic gyro, prepared by an authentic Greek, Alex Vasiliou, who opened his familyrun shop in 1976. The seasonal creamy whip Zip Dip (4050 Drew Ave., zip-dip.com) has been a West Side tradition since 1950.

The glowing neon soft-serve sign beckons those looking for sundaes, sugar cones, shakes and nostalgic summer nights.

Drink — In a sea of sports bars, Dean’s Hops and Vines (3722 Harrison Ave., facebook.com/ deanshv) stands out for its craft beer and bourbon selection — not a mega-brew in sight. Grab a burger and a Dublin-certified perfect pint of Guinness at The Public House (3807 North Bend Road, thepublichousecheviot. com). Or get in a game of sand volleyball between beers at Game Time Sports Bar and Grill (3613 Harrison Ave., gametime2012.com), which hosts cornhole, pool, darts and volleyball leagues. You can even play shuffleboard, which is something you really can’t say about too many establishments outside of cruise liners and nursing homes.

Shop — The year-round Lettuce Eat Well Farmers’ Market brings local and sustainable produce, grass-fed beef, pastured pork and poultry and unique homemade crafts to Cheviot United Methodist Church (3820 Westwood Northern Blvd., lewfm. org) every Friday. Need more meat? Load up on chicken, ribs, 32

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homemade sausage and other carnivorous delights at Wassler Meats (4300 Harrison Ave., wasslermeats.com), a butcher shop with local roots that date back to 1894. Play Betty Draper and find a vintage apron to wear while cooking from hidden gem Edie’s Vintage Rose Room (3241 Harrison Ave., 513-662-3700).

Do — The annual end-of-summer Harvest Home Fair (3961 North Bend Road, harvesthomefair.com) — nicknamed the “Biggest Little Fair in Ohio” — dates back to the 1800s. Get a real feel for smalltown living with the festival’s parade, flower and art show and petting zoo, in addition to staples like rides, games and live music.

G R E E N T OW N S H I P Comprising the neighborhoods of Bridgetown, Covedale, Dent, Mack, Monfort Heights and White Oak, this “bedroom community” is one of Ohio’s largest townships. greentwp.org.

Eat — Nick & Tom’s (5774 Bridgetown Road, nickandtoms. com) has been a West Side anchor since 1988. Owned by the Lambrinides family, the founders of Skyline Chili, the menu is an affordable mix of pasta, salad, steak and classic chicken and fish dishes. Harrison Greene (5649 Harrison Ave.) is a strip mall that doubles as a one-stop-shop for locally adored restaurant chains.

Enjoy a moveable feast for dinner with stops at Dewey’s Pizza (deweyspizza.com), Graeter’s Ice Cream (graeters.com) and donut-grilled-cheese joint Tom + Chee (tomandchee.com). It’s kind of a big deal for West Side dining. For another local spin, stuff your face at Chandler’s Burger Bistro (6135 Cleves Warsaw Pike, chandlersburgerbistro.com). The burger joint sources fresh beef from Bridgetown Finer Meats and serves burgers — like the WhoDey, with ghost pepper cheese, smoked bacon and gouda bits — on Servatii buns. Look for a giant white rooster statue on a roof and you’ll know you’ve found Ron’s Roost (3853 Race Road, ronsroost. net), a famous fried chicken joint open since 1960. They also specialize in “old favorites,” like turkey Manhattan, breaded chicken livers with brown gravy and lemon meringue pie. For a sweet finish, visit Aroma’s Java and Gelato (6407 Bridgetown Road, aromasgelato.com). The café creates unique gelato flavors

in-house like chocolate jalapeño, cotton candy and Sprite.

Drink — If you like the margaritas at Cancun (6385 Glenway Ave.; 5034 Glenway Crossing, cancunmexicanrestaurantes.com), order some at Christine’s (5770 Harrison Ave., 513-574-1273) — the owner used to work there!

The kitchen puts out a unique combination of Mexican, Filipino and casual American fare in a former Pizza Hut location made totally new. Perfect for laidback drinks or watching the game, Tavern on the Bend (5471 North Bend Road, 513-481-7777) has a menu of loaded mac and cheese, with barbecue sauce and bacon, goetta or even lobster, and more than 20 beers on tap to wash down the decadently topped noodles. JTaps (6441 Glenway Ave., 513-574-9777) serves up craft cocktails, 20 draft beers and a plethora of local brew options.

You can even bring a growler to fill. Surprise: The West Side has its own access to the Ohio River, and Cabana on the River (7445 Forbes Road, cabanaontheriver. com) transforms the waterfront into an island escape with glowing palm trees, beach volleyball, an outdoor tiki bar and easy eats for a relaxing evening. Grab a Lava Flow, a pina colada blended with rum and poured over strawberry purée, and let the spirit of Jimmy Buffett wash over you.

Explore — The Dent Schoolhouse (5963 Hamilton Ave., frightsite.com) is one of Cincinnati’s most infamous haunted houses and is open to the thrill-seeking public during the Halloween season. Legend has it the real school was home to a tragic series of events that included dozens of missing children and one terrifying janitor.

They now offer ghost tours, sans actors and sound effects, for amateur paranormal investigators.

Do — For live theater, check out a Cincinnati Landmark Productions show at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts (4990 Glenway Ave., cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com). CLP presents a full season of popular plays and musicals and works with the Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre to produce summer shows. For late-night bowling, snacks and drinks, the revamped Western Bowl Strike & Spare (6383 Glenway Ave., westernbowl. com) is a classic West Side hang.

If you get really hungry, just head to the attached Mexican eatery, the aforementioned Cancun.

PRICE HILL The Price Hill incline ceased operation in the 1940s, but East, West and Lower Price Hill are all on the rise with redevelopments, new businesses, nightlife and arts programs. pricehillwill.org; eastpricehill.org.

Eat — Open since 1962, Price Hill Chili (4920 Glenway Ave., pricehillchili.com) is a classic Cincinnati chili parlor run by Greek immigrants, featuring family recipes and buy-by-thebottle homemade Greek salad dressing. Expect an enthusiastic greeting from owner Sam Beltsos, who still oversees his West Side empire. Incline Public House (2801 W. Eighth St., inclinepublichouse.com) serves more than a dozen local craft beers, seasonal cocktails, brunch, wood-fired pizzas and loads of creative dishes, but the view alone is worth a visit.

In fact, Price Hill’s entire Incline District offers excellent views of the downtown skyline, and as one of the originals, Primavista (810 Matson Place, pvista.com) still serves up romance with their fresh pasta. The restaurant specializes in homemade sauces, veal dishes and being the location for hundreds of wedding proposals.

St. Lawrence Bakery (3715 Saint Lawrence Ave., 513-921-3331) has been serving sweets to the East Price Hill area for more than 100 years. Their specialty: Goo Cake.

Drink — A newer addition to the Incline District, Somm Wine Bar (3105 Price Ave., sommwinebarcincinnati.com) wants to make sure your glass is always half full.

The menu offers reds, whites, rosés and sparkling selections by the glass or bottle, with light paninis, charcuterie and Europeanstyle snacks so you don’t have to drink on an empty stomach. If you don’t like wine (what’s wrong with you?!), they also serve craft beer and limited cocktails. Feel like a good Irish Catholic at The Crow’s Nest (4544 W. Eighth St., cincycrowsnest.com), one of the city’s oldest Celtic pubs. Dine on their famous beer-battered cod sandwich (there’s actually an entire Lenten menu) while you listen to live local music and drink a cheap Guinness. Need a caffeine fix? With locally roasted beans by Deeper Roots and Ohio’s Snowville Creamery milk,

BLOC Coffee Company (3101 Price Ave., bloccoffeecompany. com) is a hyper-local coffee shop.

Indulge in a craft latte or artfully pulled espresso.

Shop — Looking for a suit that really fits? Look no further than Peppe Ramundo (5229 Glenway Ave., pepperamundo.com).

Helmed by Italian immigrant and master tailor Peppe and his son Carmen, who holds a diploma in fashion design, this shop specializes in tuxedos, menswear and bespoke-style suit fittings.

An American dream since 1967, this father-son duo fitted John Travolta for his role as John Gotti in the locally filmed The Life and Death of John Gotti.

Explore — Imago Earth Center (700 Enright Ave., imagoearth. org) is a grassroots environmental organization and eco-village. The center hosts workshops on everything from mushroom cultivation to canning and creating sustainable communities.

Do — Make a night of it in the Incline District. Head to the

new, 229-seat, state-of-the-art Warsaw Federal Incline Theater (801 Matson Place, clpshows.org) for a blend of family-friendly fare and adult stagings. Stop by the aforementioned Somm Wine Bar for prosecco and pecorino before a show, and the Incline Public House after for nighttime city views and housemade pizza After more than 25 years based at St. John’s Unitarian Church in Clifton, MUSE, Cincinnati’s awardwinning women’s choir, moved to the Community Matters campus (2014 Saint Michael St., musechoir. org) in Lower Price Hill. The women blend musical excellence with a mission for social justice.

W E S T WO O D Cincinnati’s largest neighborhood features tree-lined streets and historic mansions that give way to shopping centers and new developments. westwoodcivic.org.

Eat — Taste East African cuisine at Habesha Ethiopian (5070 Crookshank Road, 513-429-4890), which hosts Ethiopian coffee

ceremonies on weekends. The Westwood area is also home to the very first LaRosa’s (2411 Boudinot Ave., larosas.com). The local pizza and pasta empire is now ubiquitous in the Cincinnati food conversation, but it’s fun to see where the history all began.

There are two types of people: those who love Thai Taste (5120 Crookshank Road, thaitastecincinnati.com) and those who are loyal to Lin’s Pad Thai (6155 Glenway Ave., 513-661-8080). Both are located in strip malls and both serve classic Thai dishes like pad see ew, tom yum gai and assorted curries.

Drink — One of the top urban wineries in the country, Henke Winery (3077 Harrison Ave., henkewine.com) makes all its wine in the building’s cellar, sourcing grapes from vineyards around the Ohio Valley. Tastings are only $10 for seven pours and you get to keep the glass. Champions Grille (3670 Werk Road, championsgrille.com) is the place to go for cold beer, cheap grub and local games — tons of HD TVs

and happy hour from noon to 7 p.m. daily. The West Side’s first craft brewery, Tap & Screw (5060 Crookshank Road, tapandscrew. com) frequently collaborates with other area breweries and homebrewers, serving a variety of local beer in addition to their own brews and a full food menu.

Shop — The West Side’s bestkept shopping secret, Bargains and Buyouts (5150 Glencrossing Way, bargainsandbuyouts.com), boasts a huge selection of drastically reduced furniture, home décor and other housewares.

Explore — Mount Airy Forest (5083 Colerain Ave., cincinnatiparks.com) features miles of hiking and bridle trails, Ohio’s only wheelchair-accessible public tree house and a sprawling dog park in addition to picnic areas, lodges and campgrounds. Check out the progress of Westwood Works (westwoodworks.org), a community development organization working to revitalize the neighborhood, especially the “bowtie” intersection of Epworth, Urwiler and Harrison avenues.

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EAST SIDE c lo c k w i s e f r o m TOP l e f t: H Y DE PARK S Q UARE | z i p ' s c a f e | d u t c h ' s // p h oto s: j e s s e f o x

In the primordial battle between Cincinnati’s East Side and West Side (the origin of which nobody seems able to cite), the East Side is considered to be the slightly more polished sibling — champagne to the West Side’s beer — filled with aspirational young professionals and ladies who lunch.

36 Hours on the East Side

11 a.m. Enjoy a day of retail therapy at Hyde Park Square (2700 Erie Ave., hydeparksquare. org). Leave your car at a meter and explore the square’s eclectic shops on foot. Make your way to upscale Soho Boutique (2757 Observatory Ave., shopsohoboutique.com), slouchy and stylish Leeli + Lou (2732 Erie Ave., facebook.com/ leeliandlou) and mod stationery boutique Poeme (3446 Michigan Ave., poeme-online.com) for gifts and greeting cards.

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2 p.m. Former pony keg turned artisanal pantry Dutch’s (3378 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, dutchscincinnati. com) has become the go-to for the epicurious. Opt for an indulgent charcuterie board, served in a comfortable and casual environment, prepared by an expert staff. Get a chef's selection of four to eight high-quality local meats, farmstead cheeses, salumi and more, with all the necessary and artful accompaniments. If the weather permits, take it outside on the patio and play a round of bocce ball.

6 p.m. Raise a Rhinegeist to Zip’s Café (1036 Delta Ave. Mount Lookout, zipscafe.com), a friendly burger joint celebrating its 90th birthday. Order a classic Zip’s burger, with fresh, flamebroiled meat from local butcher AvrilBleh & Sons, nestled in a toasted bun from Klosterman Bakery, and a side of super-crispy onion rings. As you chew, observe the model train gliding across a track running along the ceiling and revel in the nostalgia.

9 p.m. “Recently, the giant simply named ‘Nine’ awakened in Pleasant Ridge,” Nine Giant Brewing (6095 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, ninegiant. com) declares on its website. It’s a fabled narrative the new brewery and snackery seems destined to live up to, featuring an extensive list of beer and not-quite-healthconscious pub grub. Try the Amnesiac, an amber and red ale with the richness of coffee, cocoa and berry, and pair it with a heaping basket of fried pickles.

c lo c k w i s e f r o m to p l e f t: n i n e G i a n t b r e w i n G | oa k l e Y w i n e s | c i n c i n n at i o b s e r Vat o r Y | r o o t e d J u i c e r Y + k i t c h e n // p h oto s: j e s s e f o x

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9 a.m. Interested in a detox?

Browse one of the area’s largest selections of cold-pressed juices, handmade nut milks and health-packed plant-based food at rooted Juicery + kitchen (3010 Madison Road, Oakley, rootedjuicery.com). Rooted is out to prove that clean eating offers a vast variety of flavors and quality options. (Celebrity endorsement: tennis pro Andrea Petkovici is a fan of their raw chocolate mousse.)

noon The sky Galley restaurant, located inside lunken airport’s (262 Wilmer Ave., East End, skygalley.net) Art Deco terminal, gives diners a front-row seat to watch planes takeoff and land. The restaurant is known for its patio on the edge of the tarmac, where you can get an up-close look at aircrafts while others soar above your head. Back inside, grab a beer and listen to retired pilots reminisce about favorite flights.

4 p.m. Boutique bottle shop and wine bar oakley wines (4011 Allston St., Oakley, oakleywines. com) serves local beer, wine and curated cocktails in a cozy early-20th-century building. Last November, owner Zach Eidson unveiled his new project, The Cellar — a full-service basement bar that blends an upscale and casual vibe, complete with a fireplace converted from an old incinerator. Hit up the über-popular Friday night wine tastings.

8:30 p.m. It’s date night under the stars. Gaze through the oldest public telescope in the country during the cincinnati observatory’s (3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout, cincinnatiobservatory. org) Late Night Date Night.

Impress your beau by brushing up on your stargazing in advance during the public Astronomy Thursday and Friday educational events.

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CO LU M B I A T U S CU LU M Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood boasts brightly colored Victorian homes along the Ohio River. columbiatusculum.org.

Eat — From the brothers behind Over-the-Rhine’s popular Neapolitan eatery A Tavola comes Taglio (3531 Columbia Parkway, eattaglio.com), a graband-go New York-style pizza joint.

Hand-tossed pizzas are brushed with homemade sauce and then topped with ingredients like bacon, sausage and imported aged mozzarella. Order from their app and they’ll deliver your pizza — plus wine and beer — right to your door. Stop by neighboring Green Dog Café (3543 Columbia Parkway, greendogcafe.net) for environmentally conscious and farm-fresh eats for brunch, lunch and dinner. Chef Michael Shields of BrewRiver GastroPub (2062 Riverside Drive, brewrivergastropub.com) earned his chops under Emeril Lagasse and pairs local craft beer with his thoughtfully prepared NOLA-leaning cuisine. Oyster po’ boy, anyone?

Enjoy a melon-sized burger topped with your choice of fancy additions like shrimp, fried egg or truffle oil at Terry’s Turf Club (4618 Eastern Ave., 513-5334222). Eli’s BBQ (3313 Riverside Drive, elisbarbeque.com) has a devoted cult following, so bring a six-pack to drink while you wait for their famous pulledpork sandwich. Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct (311 Delta Ave., jeffruby. com/precinct), located in an old Romanesque police precinct, has been repeatedly listed as one of the best steakhouses in America and serves U.S.D.A. prime steaks named after local sports heroes, like the Steak Collinsworth, topped with king crab, asparagus, bearnaise and bordelaise.

Drink — Located in a former historic home, the weatheredlooking and welcoming Pearl’s (3520 Eastern Ave., facebook. com/pearlscincy) is Columbia Tusculum’s neighborhood hangout with light bites and quality cocktails. The wood floors, window frames and ceiling joists are all from the original 100-year-old structure and there’s a giant patio outside with a freestanding fireplace. For a special treat, head to the Irish Heritage Center of Greater Cincinnati (3905 Eastern Ave., irishcenterofcincinnati.com) for 36

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Irish music, craic and a Dublincertified perfect pint of Guinness.

Stanley’s Pub (323 Stanley Ave., facebook.com/stanleys.pub) is known as a destination for live Blues, Bluegrass and Jam bands.

The bar’s annual summer music festival draws big names.

Explore — Outdoor amphitheater Riverbend (6295 Kellogg Ave., riverbend.org) is the place to see summer tours from nostalgia acts, national tours and Jimmy Buffett’s annual pilgrimage to the Queen City. Buy a ticket or park your boat around back.

Do — With a history that goes back to 1867, amusement park Coney Island (6201 Kellogg Ave., coneyislandpark.com) has classic rides, a public pool, an arcade and a historic dance hall, Moonlite Gardens. This year, get in the holiday spirit with the park’s new Christmas Nights of Lights (Nov. 11-Jan. 1, 2017), a two-mile drive-through glowing light display.

H Y D E PA R K Leafy promenades, myriad shops and restaurants and a gentle, constant stream of souped-up strollers are anchored by a historic town square. hydeparksquare.org.

Eat — E+O Kitchen (3520 Edwards Road, eokitchen.com) lives up to the hype with a LatinAsian menu (ramen, cactus tacos, octopus sashimi), living plant wall, modern art and extensive cocktail list. It’s a place where East Side foodies can dine without the drive downtown. For more fusion, Alfio’s Buon Cibo (2724 Erie Ave., alfios-cincy.com) specializes in unique ItalianArgentinian cuisine, like rib eye with chimichurri and short rib ravioli. Forno Osteria & Bar (3514 Erie Ave., fornoosteriabar. com) is run by one of the city’s First Families of Food — the Pietosos of Nicola’s and Via Vite — and is a great place for Italian comfort food. On Tuesdays, sit at the bar for a $12 bowl of tagliatelle Bolognese, served with salad and Blue Oven bread. Dine in an old bank vault at Teller’s (2710 Erie Ave., tellersofhydepark.com), or pile your burger high during Burger Madness at Arthur’s (3516 Edwards Road, arthurscincinnati. com), which proudly serves only local beer on draft. Build your own meal at home after a stop by

the Hyde Park Farmers Market (Erie Avenue and Edwards Road, hydeparkfarmersmarket.com), 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sundays, May through October.

Drink — Enjoy award-winning fish and chips and one of 60 draft beers on the expansive square-side patio of Cock & Bull Public House (2645 Erie Ave., candbpublichouse.com). Or head to Carl’s Deli (2836 Observatory Ave., carlsdeli.com), in operation since 1938, for carry-out craft beer and wine and a build-yourown sandwich, perfect for a picnic at the nearby Ault Park (3600 Observatory Ave., aultparkac. org). Pro tip: Order a famous homemade crab-artichoke salad on a croissant.

Shop — Second Wednesdays May through October are Wine Walk Wednesdays on Hyde Park Square, which feature live music, promotional pricing and, of course, plenty of wine. Proceeds benefit local charities. Grab a glass and wander the streetside storefronts. Most gift shops, art galleries and boutiques are geared toward “ladies who lunch” or men who enjoy sport coats with panache. Specialty shops worth a look include Knickers of Hyde Park (2726 Erie Ave., knickersofhydepark.com), which does high-end lingerie and expert bra fittings; Raul Haas (2709 Erie Ave., facebook.com/haasjewelers), full of quirky estate jewelry (and sometimes a small dog); and better-than-the-mall shoe shops Morrison & Me (2643 Erie Ave., morrisonandme.com) and Corporate (2643 Erie Ave., corporategotem.com) for sneaker freaks.

Also nearby is the third location of Rose & Remington (3764 Paxton Ave., roseandremington.com), a local boutique chain offering festival-chic dresses and floaty tops year-round.

M O U N T L O O KO U T A YP residential neighborhood close to the river and downtown with a thriving singles scene. mtlookout.org.

Eat — Wurst Bar in the Square (3204 Linwood Ave., wurstbarinthesquare.com) peddles tricked-out sausages made with local meats, even goetta, and a veggie apple sausage filled with potatoes and sage. For a bubbly treat, get a Frizzante from Buona Terra Gelato and Crepes (1028 Delta Ave., buonaterragelato.

com), flavorful fruit sorbetto dropped in a sparkling Sanpellegrino. Latin street-food café El Camino (1004 Delta Ave., facebook.com/elcaminocincy) blends Puerto Rican and Cuban influences to create dishes like empanadas and Cubano sandwiches, served until 3 a.m. on weekends. Chef Julie Francis’ Nectar (1000 Delta Ave., dineatnectar.com) offers contemporary seasonal cuisine with a creative twist — like a Mediterraneanspiced beef and lamb burger or Vietnamese calamari — with ingredients sourced from local farms like Carrriage House and Marksbury, plus aquaponic microgreenery Waterfields.

Drink — It’s Friday night: Everyone’s looking for love — or lust — in Mount Lookout. Try sister and brother bars Million’s Café (3210 Linwood Ave., millions-cafe.com) and Mount Lookout Tavern (3209 Linwood Ave., mtlookouttavern.com) — or MLTs, as the locals call it. They are basically mirror-image sports bars that specialize in easy bar food (like smoked wings), craft beer and Jell-O shots of the glow-in-the-dark variety.

Shop — Boardwalk Hobby Shop (1032 Delta Ave., 513-8712110) has an excellent selection of models, puzzles and hardto-find games. Coup D’Etat Vintage Clothing (3165 Linwood Ave., coupdetatvintage.com) is a storefront location for a popular etsy shop, specializing in handpicked vintage.

Explore — Become an amateur astronomer at the Cincinnati Observatory (3489 Observatory Place, cincinnatiobservatory.org), the oldest professional observatory in the United States, by enrolling in the laid-back Topics in Astronomy classes for beginners. Drive by the Mushroom House (3331 Erie Ave.), a whimsical home built in the shape of a mushroom by a local architect.

Do — Walk, hike or picnic in the shade at the 224-acre Ault Park (5090 Observatory Circle, aultparkac.org), which features nine different walking trails of various difficulties. Get a birds-eye view of the Ohio River at nearby Alms Park (711 Alms Park Lane, cincinnatiparks.com), 94 acres of land where wine purveyor Nicholas Longworth produced his bubbly catawba before the Civil War.

N O R WO O D A tightly knit, affordable bluecollar residential city — distinct and independent, yet still nestled in Greater Cincinnati. norwood-ohio.com.

Eat — Pizza! Enjoy wood-fired Neapolitan pizza at Betta’s Italian Oven (3764 Montgomery Road, bettasitalianoven.com) or some 1950s classic family-style Italian at Sorrento’s Pizza (5143 Montgomery Road, libertymetals.biz/sorrentos), which doubles as a piano bar. Keep it quaint at Quatman Café (2434 Quatman Ave., quatmancafe.com), which frequently wins “best burger” recognition. Get a cheeseburger, fries and a drink for only $7.03 on Saturdays. If you’re looking to grub while watching a Xavier game, head to Gordo’s Pub (4328 Montgomery Road, gordospub.com) for pork belly nachos or gourmet burgers — like the BPJ with fried banana, chunky peanut butter cream cheese, jam and smoked bacon.

Drink — Some great dives here.

Enjoy a no-frills late night or afternoon with cheap drafts at Edge Inn Tavern (3935 Edwards Road, 513-841-9030), perennially decorated with Christmas lights.

Or head to Listermann Brewing Company (1621 Dana Ave., listermannbrewing.com) for a tour of the microbrewery, complete with a flight of its award-winning beers. On any given day they’ll have as many 14 on draft, including samples of their house cider and wine. (Guys, make sure to take a bathroom break — the urinals look like kegs.)

Shop — Norwood is technically home to outdoor shopping centers Rookwood Commons/ Rookwood Pavilion (3805 Edwards Road, shoprookwood.com), where you’ll find local bookstore Joseph-Beth Booksellers (2692 Madison Road, josephbeth.com) and attached café Brontë Bistro (josephbeth. com/bronte) — which has a selection of author-themed cocktails.

OA K L E Y A blend of old and new in a walkable, tree-lined residential area with a cute town square, Oakley was also once home to Wild West markswoman Annie Oakley. oakleynow.com.

Eat — The Aglamesis Brothers (3046 Madison Road, aglamesis.

com) opened their longstanding, pink-and-marble ice cream and candy shop the same year Oakley was annexed (1913); grab a nostalgic seat at the soda fountain for an ice cream float. Sleepy Bee Café (3098 Madison Road, sleepybeecafe.com) always has a wait for a reason: This familyfriendly breakfast and lunch spot with local and sustainable dishes has a menu prepared with the chef’s son in mind. They recently opened a second location in the suburb of Blue Ash. For a farmto-table meal, visit Maribelle’s eat + drink (3235 Madison Road, maribellestavern.com); order their Brussels sprouts, topped with shaved fennel and a sunnyside up egg. Mazunte (5207 Madison Road, Madisonville, mazuntetacos.com) is earnest Mexican street food, inspired by the owner’s stint in Oaxaca. Grab an order of shredded pork tacos (add pomegranate seeds) and a glass of some of the best sangria in the city — a little cinnamony, a little rich. Fair warning: It gets really busy on the weekends.

Drink — Get wild with the “Oakley Blue Plate Special” — a bottle of Dom Perignon and 20 wings for $225 — at Oakley Pub and Grill (3924 Isabella Ave., oakleypubandgrill.com) or follow the gleam of neon signs to cozy dive bar Animations (3059 Madison Road, 513-871-7606).

Sports fans dig The Oak Tavern (3089 Madison Road, oaktavernoakley.com) for its TV fetish. If you’re in need of a caffeine fix, head to Deeper Roots Coffee (3056 Madison Road, deeperrootscoffee.com), a full espresso bar that also serves food; look for goodies from cult favorite Gadabout Doughnuts. Head to Essencha Tea House (3212 Madison Road, essencha.com) for the city’s best bubble tea.

Shop — Sewn Studio (3212 Madison Road, sewnstudio. com) is a modern fabric shop with an on-trend selection of fresh patterns and crafting supplies. It also offers classes for quilting, sewing 101 and other fun projects. For kids, this family-friendly hood has The Spotted Goose (3048 Madison Road, thespottedgoose.com), a lifestyle store for girls and boys; and the Blue Manatee (3054 Madison Road, bluemanateebooks.com) children’s bookstore. Trend Boutique (2946 Markbreit Ave., trendcincinnati.

com) is a moderately priced boutique for women.

Explore — Try your hand at glass-blowing at Brazee Street Studios (4426 Brazee St., brazeestreetstudios.com).

Madison Bowl (4761 Madison Road, madisonbowl.com) in nearby Madisonville is a place where all ages, incomes and backgrounds coalesce for 24-hour bowling on the weekends. Don’t miss the new ArtWorks mural paying tribute to Annie Oakley (3211 Madison Road, artworkscincinnati.org), the world-famous sharpshooter who was a star with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in the late 19th century — and a former Oakley resident. Rumor is Annie, born Phoebe Ann Mosey, took her stage name from the neighborhood.

Do — For dinner and a view, take the Cincinnati Dinner Train (2172 Seymour Ave., cincinnatirailway. com). Each table in the 1950s train car has its own window, and the Queen City Sisters, a 1940s Andrews sister trio, provide afterdinner entertainment. Shop the Oakley Fancy Flea (theoffmarket.org), or the O.F.F. Market, a monthly pop-up market featuring arts, crafts, farmers, bakers, small businesses and more — all local.

O ’ B R YO N V I L L E A historic retail strip lining Madison Road. obryonville.com.

Eat — Cincinnati pastry institution The BonBonerie (2030 Madison Road, bonbonerie.com) is where sugar plum fairies go to get their wings. Their signature Opera Cream Torte is a doublechocolate-chip cake filled with vanilla cream. And the expanded café has a French lean with quiche, a brie panini and more.

Drink — O’Bryon’s Bar & Grill (1998 Madison Road, obryonsirishpub.com), named in honor of the Irish family who settled the area, is famous for its Shark Tank drink: a rubber shark filled with grenadine that you pour into a mix of vodka, Sprite and sour.

Shop — Hemptations (2034 Madison Road, hemptations.com) offers (almost) all the makings for a perfect 420 celebration.

Channel your inner boho princess at Kismet (2037 Madison Road, 513-871-7879) or pick up arts and crafts handmade by regional artisans at Indigenous, a handcrafted gallery (2010 Madison

Road, indigenouscraft.com). Here you’ll find all the handmade wood spoons and statement jewelry you’ve been looking for.

Do — Sign up for a marathon training program at Bob Ronker’s Running Spot (1993 Madison Road, jackrabbit.com/ info/runningspot), a locally based shop specializing in running products and services, to prep for the annual Flying Pig.

PL E A SA N T R I D G E A diverse, mostly gaslight residential neighborhood. pleasantridge.org.

Eat — Pleasant Ridge Chili (6032 Montgomery Road, pleasantridgechili.com) is like a good drinking buddy: They serve gravy fries ’til 4:30 a.m. Sample authentic East African cuisine at Emanu (6063 Montgomery Road, emanuea.com); scoop up the vegan combination platter with spongy injera. The delicious yellow lentils, carrots, beans and cabbage are all free of animal products.

For more vegan, The Loving Hut (6227 Montgomery Road, lovinghut.us/cincinnati_01) is Cincinnati’s family-owned branch of the international vegan café, with soy-free, gluten-free and raw options. Gas Light Café (6104 Montgomery Road, 513-631-6977) is not for vegans: it’s a no-frills bar and restaurant that serves up a classic, basic cheeseburger.

Drink — The Overlook Lodge (6083 Montgomery Road, theoverlooklodgecincinnati.com) draws inspiration from classic Stanley Kubrick horror flick The Shining, serving themed and seasonal craft cocktails (the Summer Caretaker, the Writer’s Block, the Elevator, etc.) in a no-frills lodge setting. Is that bartender’s name Lloyd?

Shop — Find handmade treasures, local artists and vintage charm at Dandy Haberdashery (6030 Ridge Ave., dandyhaberdashery.com). Queen City Comic & Card Co. (6101 Montgomery Road, queencitycomics.com) is the largest comic book and collectible shop in the area.

Explore — Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s (6546 Mongtomery Road, Kennedy Heights, kennedyarts.org) cultural campus — a 1875 wood-frame home and a former Kroger store — offers comprehensive arts and performance programming.

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THE SUBURBS c lo c k w i s e f r o m TOP l e f t: s u mm i t pa r k | p h oto : p r o v i d e d // f i f t y w e s t c a n o e a n d k aya k | p h oto : c at i e v i o x // f r i s c h ' s m a i n l i n e r | p h oto : c at i e v i o x

Most ’burbs are just sleepy extensions of downtown metropolises with sprawling malls and white-picket fences, but Cincinnati’s outer suburbs have managed to establish their own unique personalities through eclectic shops, quirky restaurants, family-friendly fun and diverse communities, making them more than worthy of a stop on your itinerary.

36 Hours in the Suburbs

10 a.m. Explore Blue Ash’s 130-acre Summit Park (4335 Glendale Milford Road), a stilldeveloping project at the site of the former Blue Ash airport.

Follow the paved walking path to the airport’s old runway — a popular place for biking — or bring your pooch to the all-sizes dog park. Additions coming soon include a 150-foot-tall observation tower, sledding hill and a crop of restaurants, including the second location of OTR's popular Senate, known for its upscale take on hotdogs.

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Noon Grab an old-fashioned lunch at Frisch’s Mainliner (1760 Wooster Pike, Fairfax, frischs. com), named for the first tri-motor passenger plane in operation at the nearby Lunken Airport. The restaurant began serving classic Big Boys in 1939 as Cincinnati’s first year-round drive-in. A lot has changed since then — like Big Boy bidding adieu to his chubby cheeks for a more modern look — but at the Mainliner, certain things remain frozen in time, like the old-fashioned sign out front complete with glowing neon.

2 p.m. Give your food a few minutes to settle before heading to the Little Miami River, where you can rent a flotation device from Fifty West Canoe and Kayak (7605 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, fiftywestcanoe.com). Trips begin and end at Fifty West Brewing Company’s Production Works facility, but be warned: Although it bears the brewery name, this isn’t a cabrewing trip — no alcohol is permitted on the river. Choose between a 2-, 5- and 10-mile route or opt to create your own.

8 a.m. Set your alarm (and actually listen to it): The Butler County Donut Trail (gettothebc. com) is located just 45 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, and flavors like Fruity Pebbles, s’mores and cherry confetti are calling your name. Comprised of nine mom-and-pop shops, the trail — a sugary machination of the Butler County Visitors Bureau — challenges hungry humans to visit each stop, getting an official Donut Trail passport stamped along the way (while eating a donut or three).

c lo c k w i s e f r o m to p : b u t l e r c o u n t Y d o n u t t r a i l | p h oto : j e s s e f o x // J u n G l e J i M ' s | p h oto : p r o v i d e d // k i n G s i s l a n d | p h oto : p r o v i d e d

Blue Ash | Kenwood | Madeira | Mariemont | Mason Milford | Montgomery | West Chester

11 a.m. Now that you’ve consumed around 3,000 calories (#noregrets), burn some off at the Midwest’s largest amusement park, kings island (6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, visitkingsisland.com). Get a birds-eye view at the top of the iconic one-third scale Eiffel Tower observation deck, reach speeds of over 50 mph on the Flight of Fear indoor roller coaster or ride The Beast, the longest wooden coaster in the world. Important note: Kings Island is the original home of Cincinnati’s iconic blue ice cream.

3 p.m. In nearby Loveland, explore the loveland castle (12025 Shore Road, lovelandcastle.com). Chateu Laroche, as it’s called, was hand-built by medievalist Harry Andrews over the course of 50 years and is meant to pay tribute to the values of knighthood: valor, honor and purity. Much of the castle was constructed with stones from the Little Miami River. Currently overseen by the Knights of the Golden Trail, tis a great place to picnic — or ghost hunt.

7 p.m. Wind down at Jungle Jim’s international Market (5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com), a 200,000-square-foot mecca aptly described as a “theme park of food.” More than 150,000 local and international products stock the store’s colorful shelves, including 1,500 different hot sauces. Keep an eye out for oddities like a speaking can of Campbell’s soup, some inquisitivelooking penguins clustered near the ice cream and a bigger-onthe-inside bathroom whose exterior looks like a Porta-Potty.

8:30 p.m. Take a load off at the brand-new envision cinemas (4780 Cornell Road, Blue Ash, envisioncinemas.com), a stateof-the-art movie theater and full-service restaurant and bar.

The staff brings dishes from the movie-themed menu directly to your motorized recliner while you enjoy the film of your choice.

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B LU E A S H

K E N WO O D

This cozy ’burb for families has become a hub for new restaurants and large-scale events, thanks in part to its still-expanding Summit Park. blueash.com.

Home to the Kenwood Towne Center shopping mall, Kenwood is a booming ’burb with plenty of high-end retail stores and dining chains. kenwoodtownecenter.com.

Eat — Wake up at the second location of The Sleepy Bee (9514 Kenwood Road, sleepybeecafe.com) with locally sourced breakfast and lunch options that balance healthy options with traditional comfort foods.

Up the road, banter with the Bagel Man at Marx Hot Bagels (9701 Kenwood Road, 513-8915542), a top-notch Kosher bagel shop famous for its more than 30 varieties of bagels — and owner John Marx’s jovial jabs at regulars. Afterward, head to Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli (9525 Kenwood Road, servatii. com) for a soft pretzel the size of your head. Order chef-selected omakase at Ando Japanese Restaurant (5889 Pfeiffer Road, andojapaneserestaurant.com). Or order classic Korean dishes like bibimbap in a sizzling hot stone bowl at the new ’burb iteration of downtown’s popular Sung Korean Bistro: Dolsot Bistro (5893 Pfeiffer Road, dolsotbistro. com). You might recognize Blue Ash Chili (9565 Kenwood Road, blueashchili.com) from Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Complete its No Freakin’ Way challenge — eat eight pounds of spaghetti, chili and cheese in an hour or less — to be inducted into their Facebook Hall of Fame.

Shop — Family-owned Pipkin’s Fruit & Vegetable Market (5035 Cooper Road, pipkinsmarket.com) has everything in the way of local produce, garden supplies and specialty sundries. For the outdoorsy types, stop by Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters (9525 Kenwood Road, sportinggoodscincinnati.com) for backpacking, paddling and travel supplies and advice. A useful stop before spending a weekend at popular climbing and camping destination Red River Gorge (Stanton, Ky., redrivergorge.com).

Explore — Formerly the site of the Blue Ash Airport, Summit Park (4335 Glendale Milford Road, blueash.com/summitpark) features winding walking trails, a spacious lawn, a dog park and a creative and colorful children’s playground.

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Eat — Venture outside the mall. Trio Bistro (7565 Kenwood Road, triobistro.com) does casual fine dining, and Embers (8170 Montgomery Road, embersrestaurant.com) is a contemporary steakhouse that offers a full sushi menu. In nearby Deer Park, Arrechissimo (8100 Blue Ash Road, arrechissimo.com) does authentic Venezuelan serving delicious filled arepas, fried yucca and pastelitos. The white-table-clothed Barresi’s (4111 Webster Ave., barresis. com) has been open since the 1960s, serving a blend of Italian dishes from the southern city of Calabria and northern town of Genoa. And vegans, vegetarians and Kosher customers rejoice in the Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine of Kinneret Café (8316 Plainfield Road, kinneretcafe.com).

Shop — Kenwood Towne Center (7875 Montgomery Road, kenwoodtownecenter. com) is home to 180 stores and services, including the Apple and Microsoft stores, Nordstrom, Madewell, Macy’s and the LEGO Store.

Explore — Kenwood Theatre (7815 Kenwood Road, kenwoodtheatre.com), an indie theater screening both major releases and art films, has a crafty concession stand and full bar with wine, spirits and beer.

Grab $3 brews all day on Thirsty Thursdays and see cult favorites for a discounted $5 rate during Friday Night Flicks.

MADEIRA A top-rated suburb with a small-town feel, complete with a vintage train station. madeiracity.com.

Eat — Family-owned Ferrari’s Little Italy and Bakery (7677 Goff Terrace, ferrarilittleitaly. com) serves sharable portions of both Northern and Southern authentic Italian, with an award-winning on-premise bakery. A Tavola (7022 Miami Ave., atavolapizza.com) is another Italian option — a

second location of the OTR hotspot — that specializes in Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas, other traditional Italian fare and creative cocktails, plus a curated selection of wine and craft beers. For French, visit La Petite Pierre (7800 Camargo Road, lapetitepierre.com), a cozy bistro and wine bar. Or try Madeira’s historic 1872 train station, which has been transformed into Depot Barbecue (7701 Railroad Ave., depotbarbecue.com), with St. Louis-style smoked ribs for only $10 a half-slab on Mondays. Brought to you by a fourth-generation pastry chef, Frieda’s Desserts (6927 Miami Ave., friedasdesserts.com) does handcrafted sweets, from French macarons to Cincinnati Schnecken.

Drink — Piazza Discepoli (7754 Camargo Road, piazzadiscepoli. com) has an expert selection of wines, along with other Italian staples: cheese, gelato and bread. For coffee, stop at Coffee Please (6930 Miami Ave., 513-271-4700); they roast and flavor their own beans.

Shop — Camargo Trading Company (7744 Laurel Ave., camargotrading.com) is an eclectic one-stop-shop for home, hostess gifts and your closet. The specialty boutique, housed in a cute pink cottage, has everything from candles and cashmere to purses, plates and pillows. For all sorts of monogrammed items, head to The Pink Box (6929 Miami Ave., facebook.com/thepinkbox), which also offers ladies cute clothes and accessories. Browse the shelves at The Bookshelf (7754 Camargo Road, cincybookshelf.com) where each book in stock is specifically selected by the owners. Or shop for fine European-style lingerie at the chandelier-bedecked La Silhouette (6904 Miami Ave., lasilhouettelingerie.com).

Do — Ride the Loveland Bike Trail (lovelandbiketrail.com), 70 flat, paved miles for two wheels winding through the Little Miami Scenic State Park; plenty of restaurants and quaint shops line the pathway for taking a break to drink and dine.

MARIEMONT The Tudor-style village of Mariemont is one of the nation’s few planned communities and

is a National Historic Landmark. mariemont.org.

Eat — The Quarter Bistro (6904 Wooster Pike, qbcincy.com) offers contemporary American fare and a nice patio. Finedining and brunch destination (and favorite of the blue-hair set) The National Exemplar (6880 Wooster Pike, nationalexemplar. com) is nestled in the historic 1920s Mariemont Inn — a certified Historic Hotel of America.

Dilly (6818 Wooster Pike, dillycafe.com) is a bistro, bar and bottle shop with a casual atmosphere, cobblestone patio and outdoor fireplace. Buy a bottle from their wide wine selection and drink it with dinner.

Drink — Fifty West Brewing Co. (7668 Wooster Pike, fiftywestbrew.com) pairs a variety of craft beers with a tapas menu in a historic building from 1827. Tuesdays are “penny flips” night — if your server flips a penny and you call it right, your beer is only one cent! The brewery has basically taken over a mile-long stretch of Wooster Pike with its Production Works facility (home of its canoe and kayak rental business and sand volleyball courts) and Fifty West Cycling Company (7669 Wooster Pike, fiftywestcycling. com), offering bike rentals, fittings, lessons and planned group rides.

Shop — The Strand shopping complex offers upscale boutiques in an outdoor setting.

Sara Benjamin’s (6810 Wooster Pike, sarabenjamins.com) has contemporary women’s clothing ranging from jeans to leather, and The Wardrobe (6816 Wooster Pike, thewardrobecincinnati.com), owned by a graduate of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, houses designer duds from the likes of Derek Lam 10 and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Once a Five and Dime store, The Villager (6932 Madisonville Road, thevillageronline.com) is now a gift shop with handbags, children’s toys and baby gifts, as is Pomegranate & Lime (6804 Wooster Pike, 513-271-1012).

Explore — Witness a tradition reaching back to ancient times — Mariemont maintains one of North America’s 14 town criers (mariemont.org/about-us/ town-crier). This elected official

leads the Memorial Day Parade and wears an authentic country squire uniform.

MASON Mason, home to Kings Island, is the biggest city in Warren County, nicknamed "Ohio's Largest Playground." imaginemason.org.

Eat — The Wildflower Café (207 E. Main St., wildflowergourmetcafe.com) is worth the drive. This converted centuryold farmhouse serves local, seasonal dishes and microbrews.

Established in 1803, The Golden Lamb (27 S. Broadway, Lebanon, goldenlamb.com) is Ohio’s oldest hotel, and its former guests have included Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Charles Dickens. For a great steak, try Tony’s of Cincinnati (12110 Montgomery Road, tonysofcincinnati.com), helmed by Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct’s former GM. Explore — Take a one-hour scenic train ride on the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad (127 S. Mechanic St., lebanonrr.com), during which you’ll learn about the area’s local history. You can also hop aboard the Murder Mystery Dinner Train and discover who done it.

Do — Kings Island (6300 Kings Island Drive, visitkingsisland. com) draws visitors from all over the world. The amusement park is home to more than 80 worldclass rides, including the world’s longest inverted roller coaster, and Dinosaurs Alive!, the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park. Across the street is The Beach Waterpark (2590 Water Park Drive, the beachwaterpark. com), which accompanies its water attractions with real sand and real palm trees.

MILFORD Located near the banks of the Little Miami River, the quiet town of Milford blends nature with small-town amenities. milfordohio.org.

Eat — Padrino’s (111 Main St., padrinoitalian.com) is a popular family pizzeria in the heart of the town. Try their housemade organic hot sauces, called Dark Star Sauces, and buy some to take home. May Café (5 Main St., maycafemilford.com) has specialty sandwiches and salads, as well as homemade soups

and gourmet coffees. Auel’s Fine Chocolates (204 Main St., auelsfinechocolates.com) creates sweet concoctions like homemade fudge and buckeyes right in the shop’s kitchen.

Drink — Award-winning wine bar 20 Brix (101 Main St., 20brix.com) specializes in New American cuisine and shareables.

All of the wine on their wine list is available for purchase by the bottle in their attached shop.

Grab an iced coffee drink at Old Milford Parlor (119 Main St., cincycreamywhip.com), a yearround creamy whip/craft coffee bar that uses locally sourced dairy and locally roasted beans.

Their version of an affogato decadently combines cold-brew coffee, soft serve and chocolate espresso crumbles Shop — That Shop in Milford (233 Main St., thatshopinmilford. com) sells collectables, antiques and one-of-a-kinds. Find quality vintage clothing and accessories at Gayle’s Vintage Clothing (106 Main St., etsy.com/shop/ gaylevintageclothing); products are from the ’20s-’70s.

For something more modern, Coolest Toys on Earth (314 Main St., coolesttoysonearth. com) features gadgets and gizmos aplenty. Second Saturdays invite visitors to wander down Main Street for dining, drinking and shopping; many merchants offer extended hours and eateries will give special discounts.

Explore — The Cincinnati Nature Center (4949 Tealtown Road, cincynature.org) has hiking paths of various difficulties.

(Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!) You can also canoe, kayak or tube down the Little Miami River with Loveland Canoe and Kayak (174 Karl Brown Way, lovelandcanoe.com).

MONTGOMERY Otherwise known as the home of The Ribs King, Montgomery’s brick paver sidewalks, gas lamps and 32 historical markers make it feel as though little has changed since Montgomery Inn’s founding in 1951. montgomeryohio.org.

Eat — Check out the original location of Montgomery Inn (9440 Montgomery Road, montgomeryinn.com) and find out why the city’s rack of ribs is world-famous.

Nearby European Café (9450 Montgomery Road, 513-8914551) has a patio to watch time go by in Olde Montgomery.

Try the smoked wings at Delicio Coal Fired Pizza (9321 Montgomery Road, deliciocoalfiredpizza.com). Cinque (9415 Montgomery Road, cinquerestaurant.com), a ristorante by the famed family behind Over-theRhine’s Nicola’s, exemplifies the essence of simple and elegant Italian cooking. And Mirage (11381 Montgomery Road, miragecincinnati.com), run by two Armenian-American brothers, features authentic Mediterranean family recipes.

Drink — Neighborhood watering hole The Village Tavern (9390 Montgomery Road, thevillage-tavern.com) is for locals and those who want to feel like locals.

Shop — For children, explore Little Lords & Ladies (7816 Cooper Road, facebook.com/ littlelordsladiesboutique). Moms and daughters can check out local Pink Tulip Club (9395 Montgomery Road, pinktulipclub. com) for trendy clothing and formal attire — like homecoming and prom dresses under $60.

Explore — See Montgomery’s 32 historic landmarks, including Hopewell Cemetery (10205 Montgomery Road), where Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War veterans are buried. Pick up a book about Montgomery’s history for $5 at City Hall (10101 Montgomery Road).

Do — Cincinnati’s premiere comedy spot is Go Bananas (8410 Market Place Lane, gobananascomedy.com), which brings in local and national acts and hosts the Funniest Person in Cincinnati Contest every year. Or attend their annual Bastille Day celebration.

Montgomery’s award-winning relationship with sister city and Parisian suburb, NeuillyPlaisance, is manifested in a July summer street festival.

WEST CHESTER / N E A R BY N O R T H Urban sprawl has been kind to these enclaves, cities unto themselves. westchesteroh.org.

Eat — Enjoy a meal at piano bar Jag’s Steak & Seafood (5980 West Chester Road, West

Chester, jags.com). Open seasonally, The Cone (6855 Tylersville Road, West Chester, thecone.com) is recognizable because of the towering vanilla and orange-striped soft serve on the building. The Root Beer Stand (11566 Reading Road, Sharonville, therootbeerstand. com), also open seasonally, serves the best root beer float in the city, made with well water from the property.

Drink — Nanobrewery DogBerry Brewing (7865 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester, dogberrybrewing. com), established by two former scientists and stay-at-home dads, is uniquely family-friendly, featuring kids’ activities and oldfashioned desks stocked with coloring books.

Shop — Keep a look out for thrillingly kitschy giraffes and neon palm trees — they stand by the entrance of Trader’s World (601 Union Road, Monroe, tradersworldmarket. com), the Midwest’s largest flea market, which has a little bit of everything. Jungle Jim’s International Market (5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, junglejims.com)— which recently turned 40 — is a grocery store you can literally get lost in. It features unique ethnic eats, exotic produce, aisles of hot sauce and an entire wing devoted to beer and wine within its 200,000 square feet. It also offers store tours, cooking classes and unique foodie events.

Explore — The Holiday Auto Theater (1816 Old Oxford Road, Oxford, holidayautotheatre.com) is one of the country’s last drive-in theaters. Imbibe goodies from the snack bar and settle in for a movie Thursday through Sunday nights.

Do — Like putt-putt for grownups, Topgolf (9568 Water Front Drive, West Chester, topgolf. com) is a three-story range that turns golf into an interactive game: players try to hit different targets with a micro-chipped ball; the more accurate you are, the more points you get. Food and beverages (including booze) can be delivered directly to your hitting bay, or head to the rooftop terrace for a “golfbag” shareable cocktail and cheese fries. Like a country club but with more glowing LED lights.

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TASTE OF BELGIUM OVER-THE-RHINE REMODEL New Private Dining Room 24 Beers on Draft Updated Breakfast Menu Expanded Seating Capacity

CLIFTON OPEN FOR BREAKFAST As of 9.6.16

THIRD SHIFT HAPPY HOUR

Monday-Friday, 7am-9am OVER-THE-RHINE 1133 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45202

CLIFTON

2845 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45219

authenticwaffle.com/513-396-5800

ROOKWOOD

3825 Edwards Road Cincinnati, OH 45209

THE BANKS (Coming Soon)

16 W. Freedom Way Cincinnati, OH 45202

DINING

Cheapside Café Breakfast Sandwich Cheapside’s light and airy white and wood décor matches the café’s minimalist menu of curated fare. Of the six breakfast options served all day, this sandwich features an indulgent soft-yolk fried egg topped with thick, crispy bacon and housemade pimento cheese on Sixteen Bricks multigrain bread. Wash it down with an espresso chinotto, a sweet and bitter iced blend of cinchona-bark tonic syrup, housemade soda and Deeper Roots espresso — co-owner Rom Wells’ invention. A high-end hangover cure. 326 E. Eighth St., Downtown, cheapsidecafe.com.

Otto’s B.L.F.G.T. A MainStrasse sandwich shop turned bistro, Otto’s creative menu and décor (with playfully mismatched salt and pepper shakers and colorful chairs) pay homage to Kentucky’s Southern spirit, especially via the city’s best fried green tomatoes, which can be found sandwiched on brunch’s B.L.F.G.T. Bacon, lettuce, fried green tomato, egg and cheese are served on a toasted croissant — and taste best when accompanied by a house-blended pomegranate mimosa or jalapeñogarlic bloody mary. 521 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-491-6678, ottosonmain.com.

Good Morning, Breakfast!

Nothing says “rise and shine” quite like a golden, creamy egg nestled between layers of warm toast and gooey cheese; it’s like sunshine on a sandwich. Whether poached, fried or scrambled, gourmet or grab-and-go, these egg sandwiches are some of the best breakfasts in the city.

BLOC Coffee Company Chipotle Egg Deluxe

Price Hill Chili “Mailman” Breakfast Sandwich

Sleepy Bee Café Blue Ash Smash

BLOC’s deluxe egg sandwich is a perky and flavorful menu staple for this third wave Incline District coffee shop. A fried egg, slab of goetta, slice of buttery havarti and dollop of smoky chipotle mayo are layered on an English muffin, topped with chopped red onion and bright, local Waterfields LLC hydroponic microgreens. Add a cortado, made with Snowville Creamery milk, or high-art cappuccino. 3101 Price Ave., East Price Hill, 513-429-4548, bloccoffeecompany.com.

You can’t go wrong with a classic. Family-owned since 1962, this West Side chili parlor’s multi-page menu runs the gamut from breakfast to dinner to the steam table. The practically portable "mailman sandwich" is an easy combo of fried egg and cheese on toast with your choice of bacon, sausage or a crackling Glier’s goetta patty. Pair it with a bottomless cup of hot coffee, blended exclusively for Price Hill Chili by the local Wallingford Coffee Co. 4920 Glenway Ave., Price Hill, 513-471-9507, pricehillchili.com.

In September of 2015, Sleepy Bee Café was named one of the best breakfast restaurants in America by Time Out New York. The Blue Ash expansion of the flagship Oakley location has its own slew of special menu items that blend locally sourced, bee-friendly ingredients into traditional comfort dishes. The Blue Ash Smash breakfast sandwich mushes together scrambled eggs, potatoes, candied bacon and pickled onion on sourdough bread, with pesto and special nectar sauce. Bonus: Unlike Oakley, the Blue Ash location serves boozy brunch drinks. 9514 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, 513241-2339, sleepybeecafe.com.

DINING

B A R & G R I LL S/ B R E W PU B S

H Arnold’s Bar and Grill Open since 1861, Arnold’s is the oldest continuously running tavern in town, complete with dark wood walls, vintage memorabilia and a big ol’ bathtub in the dining room, rumored to have been used to make gin during Prohibition. A Cincinnati classic, it serves up a nice range of lunch and dinner options — pasta, sandwiches and burgers, plus vegan and gluten-free options — at bargain prices.

Enjoy a local draft in the outdoor beer garden and almost daily live music. Named as one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine. $7-$18. 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, 513-421-6234, arnoldsbarandgrill.com.

Arthur’s Serving only local beers on draft, Arthur’s is a relaxed gathering place on Hyde Park Square. The menu includes salads, soups, sandwiches and — their specialty — burgers with deals on “burger madness” days. Includes a late-night menu. $8-$12. 3516 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513871-5543, arthurscincinnati.com.

Boswell’s The bar has been reopened and renovated, and the new menu contains the same inexpensive items from yesteryear, except now with more vegetarianfriendly dishes. $4-$14. 1686 Blue Rock St., Northside, 513-6818100, boswellalley.com.

BrewRiver GastroPub

H Indicates winners from CityBeat’s 2016 Best of Cincinnati® issue.

Chef Michael Shields, who earned his chops under Emeril Lagasse, opened BrewRiver GastroPub with craft beer and thoughtfully paired New Orleans-leaning cuisine in mind. Try the curried beef short rib poutine or Decatur Street Muffaletta with a rotating list of more than 50 handpicked, locally brewed drafts, bottles and cans. When the weather is nice, grab brunch on the patio — a bacon-infused cake donut, chicken and waffles or barbecue shrimp and grits — with a view of the Ohio River. $9-$22. 2062 Riverside Drive, East End, 513-8612484, brewrivergastropub.com.

City View Tavern A hillside dive and home of one of the best spicy bloody marys and best views in town. The burgers are damn tasty, too.

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griddle-cooked, handmade beef patty with American cheese, brown mustard, lettuce, pickles, mayo, onion, ketchup and homegrown tomatoes (when in season), served in a plastic basket with a bag of chips. $3-$7. 403 Oregon St., Mount Adams, 513-241-8439.

Lachey’s

A classic neighborhood bar and grill. The dinner menu changes a bit with the seasons, but you can always get Potato Rags at Habits.

Hash browns on steroids, Potato Rags are smothered in cheese, bacon, onion, tomato and ranch dressing. There’s a french fry version, too. Saturday and Sunday, brunch features make-your-own bloody mary bar. $6.25-$15.

3036 Madison Road, Oakley, 513631-8367, habitscafe.com.

When a celebrity opens a restaurant, customers likely fall into two camps: those who go there for the celeb brand, or those who actually enjoy the food, drink and ambiance. For Over-the-Rhine’s sports bar Lachey’s, it works both ways. The real winner here is the extensive drink menu; along with beer, wine and cocktails on tap, there are bottles, cans and a section devoted to both bloody marys and boilermakers. As for food, the menu (designed by celebrity chef Brian Duffy) wavers between fried foods such as tater tots and wings and healthier dishes like a heaping kale salad.

Bonus: 90-inch TVs and a running sports ticker flank the bar. $8-$16.

56 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-275-0740, lacheys.com.

Holy Grail Tavern & Grille

H Moerlein Lager House

Habits Café

With more than 15 high-definition TVs, a plethora of beers on tap and great pub grub, this is a prime sports spot at The Banks. Munch on classic fare like ball-park pretzels, angus burgers, wings and wraps, with outdoor seating directly across from the Reds stadium. $7-$10. 161 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, 513621-2222, holygrailcincy.com.

H Incline Public House With a 1,400-square-foot deck for soaking in vistas and cocktails, IPH’s name is derived from the actual Cincinnati Incline that existed there from the late 1800s to the 1940s. Their upscale twist on pub food features sandwiches, pizza, epicurean appetizers and a slew of craft cocktails and draft beers; they have a monthly beer series called Meet the Brewer during which beer-ophiles can sample suds from local breweries such as Blank Slate and MadTree. $7-$14.

2601 W. Eighth St., Price Hill, 513251-3000, inclinepublichouse.com.

Keystone Bar & Grill This neighborhood joint offers a variety of tasty comfort food.

Huge plates of pasta, a rockin’ quesadilla menu, build-your-ownburgers (including turkey or veggie options) and weekend brunch.

When a restaurant dedicates an entire menu to its macaroni and cheese varietals, you know they are serious about grub. $7-$15.

Multiple locations including 313 Greenup St., Covington, Ky., 859261-6777; 249 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-221-5397; 3384 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-2150, keystonebar.com.

Moerlein Lager House celebrates Cincinnati’s brewing tradition in a giant restaurant and brewery with sweeping views of downtown and the riverfront. Offers a large something-for-everyone menu of burgers and pastas, plus fancier dishes like filet mignon and squash wellington. With 24 beers on tap — house brews and other crafts — plus more than 60 in bottles and cans, there’s a drink for every taste.

Tours of the in-house brewery available. $10-$28. 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, 513-421-2337, moerleinlagerhouse.com.

MOTR Pub MOTR Pub does two things really well: rocks your face off with loud music and sweaty crowds and serves up one hell of a burger. But fret not veg-heads — you can get a veggie burger or veggie BLT. There’s also the spicy St. Francis Monastery mac and cheese. Try the Migas Tacos with egg, crispy potatoes, cheese and chorizo with a bloody mary during Sunday brunch. Now open for lunch. $5-$9. 1345 Main St., Over-theRhine, 513-381-6687, motrpub.com.

Northside Yacht Club The fare might be best described as bar food with a creative twist — meat, cheese and fries, your basic high-fat, low-cost, satisfying stuff, but all meats are smoked in house and sides range from caramelized Brussels sprouts to kale slaw. Fan favorites include short-rib grilled cheese, smoked chicken wings with housemade sauce and poutine with duck fat gravy. For vegetarians, there’s also a large salad and vegan

northside yacht cl u b // P hotos : catie v io x / J E S S E F O X

Cincinnati chili served over fries.

Full service brunch on weekends, with Tiki-themed cocktails. $4-$15. 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-541-0528, facebook.com/northsideyachtclub.

H Taft’s Ale House Housed in a renovated multistory 1850s-era church, Taft’s is named after William Howard Taft, the 27th president of the United States and native Cincinnatian.

The 6,000-barrels-per-year brewery and restaurant features meat platters, salads and sandwiches that focus on tri-tip beef — similar to prime rib. The creative beer selection boasts brews made with local goods — everything from locally roasted coffee to artisan chocolate. $7.50-$20.

1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-334-1393, taftsalehouse.com.

Tap House Grill A locally owned restaurant and bar featuring 34 beers on tap, focusing on local and regional breweries. They also offer a build-yourown burger menu. $9-$20. 8740 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-891-TAPS, taphousecincy.com.

Wurst Bar in the Square Mount Lookout’s Wurst Bar in the Square has tricked-out sausages showcasing local meats from Wassler’s Meat Market, along with vegetarian dogs (stuff with apple and potato), and a carefully selected lineup of craft beer and mixed drinks. The Hans Gruber, a “ruthless” German brat, is topped with peppers, shaved

onion and Vienna Dusseldorf mustard $5-$9. 3204 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-3210615, wurstbarinthesquare.com.

B A R B E CU E / H O M E S T Y LE Alabama Que In 2008, Bellamy, Ala. native Dwan Ward founded barbecue joint Alabama Que, otherwise known as the “home of turkey tips,” in the West Side before bringing the restaurant to Corryville in 2012.

After the move, Dwan, a former firefighter and football player, began catering through word of mouth; today, it’s a popular haunt for professional athletes and celebrities like A.J. Green, Snoop Dogg and Wale. All items are nonpork based, making Ward’s grub available to a wide variety of eaters; greens and green beans are made with smoked turkey, baked beans are entirely vegetarian and meat is cooked on separate grills and cut with different knives. $3.50-$21. 2733 Vine St., Corryville, 513-376-8781, alabama-q.com.

City BBQ This regional chain was named one of the best in America by Men’s Journal. They put out some dang tasty barbecue, including mouthwatering beef brisket and a good and sloppy pulled-pork sandwich.

Mix and match your sauce and meat. $7-$30. Multiple locations including 10375 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, 513-257-0362; 7706 Voice of America Centre Drive, West Chester, 513-755-0518; 2760

Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights, Ky., 859-415-4544; citybbq.com.

H The Eagle OTR The Eagle is nested inside a retired post office and has a relatively small menu, comprised of fried chicken, sandwiches, some snacks and several side dishes. Boozewise, they serve 100 kinds of beer and have about 15 different brews on tap. The fried chicken is free-range, antibiotic-free and sourced from Amish farms. You can get a whole chicken for $16, a half chicken for $8 (white and dark meat) or a quarter of a chicken for $5. The kale and artichoke dip is a must. $8-$16. 1342 Vine St., Overthe-Rhine, 513-802-5007, facebook. com/theeagleotr, theeagleotr.com.

H Eli’s BBQ

favorite, served with hot bacon dressing. Try the halibut sandwich on rye or one of the Derby’s other plentiful fish entrées. You’ll want to save room for dessert, too. The Green Derby has been around since 1947; it’s easy to see why. $9-$19. 846 York St., Newport, Ky., 859-431-8740, greenderbykentucky.com.

Greyhound Tavern Famous for its double-deckers, the Greyhound Tavern has been a Fort Mitchell institution since the 1930s. You won’t want to miss the divine fried chicken, the ginormous onion rings, the Hot Brown or the bread pudding. $10-$29. 2500 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859-331-3767, greyhoundtavern.com.

The Hitching Post Eli’s specialty, the pulled-pork “World’s Best Fried Chicken” is sandwich, is a good intro to his this diner’s claim to fame, but you amazing barbecue sauce, and should try their outstanding breakyou can move on from there to fasts — especially Uncle Bubba’s hickory-smoked ribs, smoked turUltimate Omelet. Burgers and key or an all-beef hot dog topped Tall Stacks (overstuffed doublewith pulled-pork crispins and decker sandwiches) compete with coleslaw. Try the mac and cheese, traditional classics like meatloaf mashed potatoes, baked beans or and BLTs. $4-$13. 2715 Madison the jalapeno corn bread. The East Road, Hyde Park, 513-871-9201, End location is BYOB, so don’t forhydeparkhitchingpost.com. get your six-pack. $5-$8; cash only.

3313 Riverside Drive, East End, and on the south side of Findlay Market, Huit Craft BBQ The menu reflects an intriguing 1801 Race St, Over-the Rhine. 513mashup of cultures: Flavors from 533-1957, elisbarbeque.com.

Indonesia, the Americas, China and Southeast Asia are found in Green Derby Huit’s spicy tribute to the pig, the Most diners who visit the Green chicken and the cow. But their barDerby know exactly what they becue tofu helps keep those pesky want before they walk in the vegetarians happy. This energetic door. The Derby Salad is a ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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nashville hot // P hotos : jesse fo x

dining spot is bringing new life to Court Street, with good hours for residents, including evenings and Saturdays, and their ramen is a big, fat bowl of heaven. $7-$24. 29 E. Court St., Downtown, 513-3814848, huitfoodbar.com.

Just Q’in Just Q’in’s second location in Walnut Hills is huge compared to the Newtown original — an easyto-miss little cube of real estate mostly used for carry out and sort of permanent food truck, which is how the place began. Owner Matt Cuff launched his pursuit of cooked meats by entering (and winning) barbecue competitions in South Carolina. If you don’t want pork, brisket, chicken or ribs, you can get wings, rib tips or even do a platter of sides since each one is only two bucks. Just Q’in’s version of macaroni and cheese is truly delicious. The color is deep and the texture is hearty, and you can tell that real cheese has gone into the making of this dish. $6.50-$27. 975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills, 513-386-4848; 6901 Valley Ave., Newtown, 513-2716555, justqin.com.

Montgomery Inn World-famous for its ribs, Montgomery Inn has been a staple in Cincinnati for more than 60 years. Along with ribs, the Inn offers barbecued spring chicken, silver salmon, pulled-pork sandwiches, burgers, salads and more, including everyone’s favorite: Saratoga chips served with their famous barbecue sauce. $8-$35.

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Multiple locations including 9440 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-791-3482; 925 Riverside Drive, Downtown, 513-721-7427; 400 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859344-5333; montgomeryinn.com.

Nashville Hot Nashville Hot is owned by a past president of local favorite Tom+Chee, David Krikorian. The chicken can be ordered in four spice levels with cutesy names: 1) Yankee Mild; 2) Midwest Medium; 3) Southern Heat; and 4) Nashville Hot. The meat is very moist — it’s soaked in a buttermilk brine before frying — and the seasoning is aggressive but reasonable.

The dinners come with two sides; try the original and fresh Tennessee Caviar and the loaded baked potato salad. There are multiple local beers available, including one from Covington’s Braxton Brewery on tap, as well as sodas and housemade milkshakes. $8-$11.50. 564 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs, Ky., 859-3606632, nashvillehot.com.

Ollie’s Trolley Ollie’s special seasoning spices up everything from grits and eggs at breakfast to a hearty lunch of barbecued turkey tips.

Start with the Ollie burger and fries and stay for the ribs with homemade macaroni and cheese and lemon pound cake for dessert. This cooking feeds your soul. $3-$45 (for whole turkeys).

1605 Central Ave., West End, 513-381-6100, facebook.com/ olliesburger.

Pontiac

Silver Spring House

With pimento dip served with Ritz crackers, Cheerwine and Red Neck Frito Pie, barbecue palace Pontiac takes low-class grub to a self-aware, higher level. Along with their pulled pork, their smoked brisket, turkey, kielbasa and veg are a beautiful thing. St. Louis ribs available by the slab. $9-$23.

1403 Vine St. Over-the-Rhine, 513-579-8500, pontiacbbq.com.​

Dubbing itself “The Chicken Joint,” Silver Spring House definitely serves up some delicious chicken. Marinated in citrus juices and spices, it’s grilled and succulent. If you’re not in the mood for chicken, you can choose pork ribs, salmon, burgers and a variety of sandwiches. Vegetarians need not fear — there are options for them, too. $11-$25. 8322 E. Kemper Road, Montgomery, 513-489-7044, thesilverspringhouse.com.

Ron’s Roost Family owned and operated since 1960, Ron’s Roost has the best fried chicken around. If the weather is cooperative, sit on the covered patio and enjoy the hot bacon slaw (a West Side staple), German sauerbraten, mock turtle soup and homemade cream pies. It’s easy to find: there’s a giant fiberglass rooster on the roof. $10-$20. 3853 Race Road, Bridgetown, 513-574-0222, ronsroost.net.

Schoolhouse Restaurant With the menu written on an ancient blackboard, you might expect (and maybe want?) a metal lunchbox to come to your table bursting with bologna sandwiches and Twinkies. What you’ll get, and be thrilled by, is delicious classic American fare served family-style. Among your choices: fried chicken, baked cod, meatloaf and roast beef. $9-$17.

8031 Glendale-Milford Road, Camp Dennison, 513-831-5753, theschoolhousecincinnati.com.

SmoQ The “Q” is for barbecue, the specialty at SmoQ. It’s all done slow and low in a big ’ol smoker.

You’re likely to find your favorite Southern specialty here as well, be it a Kansas City strip, blackened catfish or chicken and waffles: a buttermilk-fried chicken breast served on top of a sweet potato-pecan waffle, with maple butter and syrup. $7.99-$26.99.

275 Pictoria Drive, Springdale, 513-671-7667, smoqbbq.com.

Walt’s BBQ The menu is made for meat-lovers and includes many slow-smoked specialties like pulled pork, ribs, roasted chicken, brisket and more. $6-$20. 6040 Colerain Ave., White Oak, 513-923-9800; 746 NW. Washington Blvd., Hamilton, 513868-9258, waltsbarbeque.com.

Walt’s Hitching Post Walt’s Hitching Post is a kick-back, casual place where everybody knows your name. Open in some iteration since the 1950s, the

Prime Cincinnati at the 580 Building is Cincinnati’s newest Prime Steakhouse, featuring USDA Prime cuts of beef sourced from critically acclaimed suppliers who specialize in the Prime grade. Our extensive seafood selection is flown in fresh each day. Prime offers only the finest cuisine, expertly prepared by our Executive Chef.

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new owners have lightly tweaked classic menu items, adding fried green tomatoes to the chicken livers and increasing the steak quality. $12-$30. 3300 Madison Pike, Fort Wright, Ky., 859-3602222, waltshitchingpost.com.

B I S T R O S/C A FÉ S 27 Bar + Kitchen Only open on weekends when the rest of us 9-to-5-ers are off, Newport’s 27 Bar + Kitchen is a stylish brunch and dinner spot on Monmouth Street (aka Route 27, hence the name). The restaurant, which prides itself on being as farm-to-table as possible, offers dishes for brunch like breakfast tacos, a chef’s-choice frittata and elote dip, along with traditional morning cocktails. The dinner menu includes choices like a steak salad, blackened catfish and bourbon-glazed porkchop. $7-$16. 720 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 27barkitchen.net.

Bacalls Café

La Petite France RESTAURANT & BISTRO

Celebrating 30 years of authentic award winning french cuisine elegant private dining rooms along with a casual bistro and bar

3177 Glendale-Milford Rd Evendale, OH 45241 call 513-733-8383 for reservations lapetitefrance.biz 48

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An Art Deco dreamland complete with a custom piece of frosted glass depicting Union Terminal and a phone booth tucked in the corner. Classy, but Bacalls still has TVs on which you can watch the game. The menu has something for everyone including soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pasta and other entrées. Serving meals and booze to locals and visitors in College Hill for more than 26 years, they must be doing something right. $9.95-$14.50.

6118 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, 513-541-8804, bacallscafe.com.

Bellevue Bistro Bellevue Bistro is one of those places that you wish there were more of: a small neighborhood café where the food is made from scratch, the coffee is worth having three cups and the service is efficient and friendly. The super-cozy eatery specializes in brunch bakes, burritos, sweets, savories and six different types of benedicts — choices like Kentucky Hot Brown, Spicy Mett and Veggie Benny (sweet potatoes, squash, avocado, cheddar jack) served over biscuits, with two fried eggs and homemade sauce.

For lunchier choices, there are sandwiches served on pretzel or French bread, salads and soup, plus a devious homemade bacon jam. $8-$11. 313 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky., 859-581-5600, bellevuebistro.com.

Blue Oven Toast Bar If you’re someone who loves toast, Blue Oven Bakery Toast Bar at Findlay Market is a must-stop before any Saturdaymorning marketing (or just for a good 10 a.m. gluten binge). The bar serves up thick slices of fresh Blue Oven bread, toasted and slathered with yummy things, like sweet cream and homemade strawberry jam or homemade peanut butter and honey-roasted peanuts. $3-$5. Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, blueovenbakery.com.

Bistro Grace The impressive Bistro Grace offers quality entrées on artsy, square plates. The bar serves local beers on tap, with a couple dozen more by the bottle and a 45-bottle wine list, including 17 available by the glass. Eight “signature cocktails” round out the drinks list.

Try the hanger steak or the duck poutine. Also offers seasonal chef specialities. $12-$20. 4034 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-9600, bistrograce.com.

Bow Tie Café Coffeehouse and café that brews Chicago’s intelligentsia coffee and espresso, served in drip, pour-over and mixed coffee drinks — along with coffee cocktails. The expansive food menu features breakfast, weekend brunch, burritos, wraps, subs and salads. $2.75-$8. 1101 Saint Gregory St., Mount Adams, 513-621-CAFÉ, bowtiecafe.com.

Brontë Bistro Brontë, located inside JosephBeth Booksellers in Rookwood, is a cozy, relaxed location to enjoy a book and a great meal. It has a lot to offer, including coffee, a full bar, starters, salads, sandwiches, home-cooked entrées and dessert. $6-$15. 2692 Madison Road, Norwood, 513-3968970, josephbeth.com/bronte.

Café de Paris Feast on lunch and breakfast selections like salade niçoise, croque madame or a satisfying café bagel, topped with scrambled egg, fresh butter and a slice of tomato. Follow lunch with a Parisian espresso in the colorful and quaint downtown escape in the heart of Garfield Park. $5-$10. 17 Garfield Place, Downtown, 513-651-1919.

Cheapside Café With a menu featuring kale salads, breakfast sandwiches with

pimento cheese and modern espresso drinks (like the bubbly chinotto, with housemade tonic, espresso and soda), along with an interior decked out with a white floor, rustic wood seating and live plants, the ambiance feels decidedly West Coast — especially when you glance at the patio.

The focal point of Cheapside’s al fresco seating is a large wooden tepee, constructed out of slatted cedar, in which you can sit at a bright red table while enjoying your smoked turkey on salted rye and soda made with locally foraged finds. Cheapside plans to open a section location in 2016.

Cheapside Corner (1200 Main St., Over-the-Rhine) will focus on handmade ice cream and milkshakes as well as the coffee the spot is known for. $5-$11. 326 E. Eighth St., Downtown, 513-3456618, cheapsidecafe.com.

Collective CAC A partnership with local craft coffee shop Collective Espresso, the café inside the Contemporary Arts Center allows you to eat and drink surrounded by both local and international artists and their installations. The current menu features all-day breakfast, with sandwiches, salads and snacks available until 2 p.m. daily. But if you have a hankering for a cortado in the evening, the café offers light bites and coffee service until close — which isn’t until 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Also serves wine, beer and cocktails. $7-$10. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-345-8400, contemporaryartscenter.org/visit/caf.

Dilly Located in the heart of historic Mariemont, Dilly bistro and bottle shop serves lunch and dinner daily, with entrées like Ohio-raised strip steak, fresh Atlantic salmon and housemade pasta. Paying tribute to their origins as a deli, you’ll also find satisfying sandwiches, housemade soups and their famous beer cheese. Eat or sip a glass of beer or wine on their giant two-level English-courtyard-style patio. Guests can also choose a bottle of wine from their in-house bottle shop to enjoy with their meal for retail price plus a small $5 corkage fee. $7-$25. 6818 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-561-5233, dillycafe.com.

French Crust Café French Crust Café is cozy, seating just 26 people, and serves

both breakfast and lunch. Fresh fruit tarts and other pastries are served with coffee throughout the day. The lunch menu includes homemade soups, quiche, casseroles and assorted sandwiches.

As is the case with sister restaurant Jean-Robert’s Table, French Crust Café sources ingredients as locally as possible. $5-$14. 915 Vine St., Downtown, 513-621-2013, jrtable.com/french-crust-cafe.

Go Where the Locals Go! BEST WINE AND BEER SELECTION LIVE ENTERTAINMENT INVENTIVE AMERICAN CUISINE

BY PHILIP KURTZ

Gabby’s Café A family-owned restaurant serving American cuisine with Italian flair. Signature pizzas include The Capone with cappicola, salami, pepperoni, sausage, olives, banana peppers, mozzarella, provolone and parmesan. Specialties include eggplant parmesan, Greek vegetable pasta and gluten-free zucchini linguine. $8-$17. 515 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, 513-8216040, gabbyswyoming.com.

Half Day Café Seasonal menu items with fresh, locally sourced ingredients make this popular Wyoming mainstay a breakfast and lunch standout.

Try the thick-sliced mango-butter rum French toast, and for lunch, indulge in the carnitas with slow-roasted pulled pork in a rich mole sauce. $3-$11. 1 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, 513-821-2323, halfdaycafe.org.

Hang Over Easy Aside from being a legit breakfast and brunch spot, Hang Over Easy is also a nighttime spot with bar hours until 2:30 a.m. — so you can get drunk and cure your hangover all in one place. Try the chicken and chorizo skillet, with peppers, onions, home fries, melted queso and egg, all scrambled up and cooked in a skillet, served with toast. $3-$8. 13 W. Charlton St., Corryville, 513-221-5400, hangovereasycincinnati.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD GEM GREAT FOR OUTDOOR DINING NOTABLE WINE LIST “Date Night Done Right” as featured by Yelp “What a perfect date spot! It couldn’t have been better for a night out. Cozy atmosphere, extensive and diverse menu for everyone to enjoy, live music (not too loud), friendly service, and great wine!” -Erin K

Harvest Bistro & Wine Bar About a year ago, La Poste’s founding owner sold the business to Angela Willett, who morphed the restaurant into a farm-to-table concept and renamed it Harvest Bistro & Wine Bar. One of the restaurant’s strengths is a high level of service. The much-appreciated wine orientation of the old La Poste hasn’t been abandoned, thanks to the ongoing participation of Willett’s husband, Joe Clark, a wine expert who is in charge of the cellar. The roasted beet and kale salad, heaped with golden and red beets, slices of

Celebrating our 20th year in the Mariemont Strand in 2016!

We Put the Fun Back into Contemporary Casual Dining!

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watermelon radish, thinly sliced Brussels sprouts and candied hazelnuts, is topped with a tangy citrus vinaigrette. Second courses range from a bowl of mussels to a burger, a veggie entrée and a seafood special. Harvest is a worthy successor to this old favorite. $10-$32. 3410 Telford St., Clifton, 513-281-3663, harvest-bistro.com.

Inspirado at Madison Gallery

SUNDAY IS

BRUNCH DAY

Sun-Thurs 11am - 9pm Fri-Sat 11am - 11pm

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DJANGONORTHSIDE.COM

After many years as a corporate chef for Kroger and making the rounds at many of the top kitchens in the city, chef Baron Shirley landed in a place of his own with Inspirado at Madison Gallery in downtown Covington, and as the name suggests, the Madison Avenue restaurant/gallery offers diners a chance to enjoy their meals while surrounded by changing local art displays. Inspirado is Spanish for “inspired” or “full of inspiration,” which is evident in the form of Shirley’s super-eclectic menu with dishes like cemita, a Mexican braisedpork shoulder sandwich; gulyas, or Hungarian goulash; prawn laksa from Malaysia; and a good old Kentucky hot brown. $7-$25.

715 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-261-7600, inspiradocov.com.

Iris BookCafé

Award Winning Menu for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Late Night Cocktails with Live Music on Friday & Saturdays.

OPEN EVERY DAY Private upstairs party room also available for EVENTS! 500 Monmouth at 5th St, Newport, KY, 41071

859.581.3700 www.mokkasunset.com

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A combination of an art gallery, bookshop, coffee shop and wireless café, Iris BookCafé is a locavore’s dream. The sandwich bread is from Shadeau Bread, which is almost directly across the street, meats are from Avril’s on Court Street and ice cream is from Aglamesis. And there are both meat and veggie options on the sandwich menu. $5-$10.

1331 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-2665, irisbookcafe.com.

Kitchen 452 Combinations of sweet and savory lead to seasonal dishes such as a pear salad and a hot ham and Swiss sandwich, with crunchy slices of tart green apples. All sandwiches are made with Shadeau breads, and all salads are dressed with homemade vinaigrettes. $4-$8. 2714 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, 513-559-0452, kitchen452.com.

Mokka Whether it’s their corn flakebattered French toast topped with bananas and crème brulee or their eggy arsenal of inventive frittatas, Mokka makes a mean breakfast.

Vegetarians will love the California, veggie and Greek frittatas, while

carnivores can tear into the threemeat and Green Goat (spinach, chicken and goat cheese) varieties.

Lunch and dinner options include burgers and hearty grinder sandwiches. $5-$12. 500 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-581-3700, mokkasunset.com.

Om Eco Café Om Eco Café features fresh, local and organic coffee, tea, soups, salads and sandwiches. Coffee is shade-grown, the apothecary bar features more than 100 herbs to add to cocktails and tea and they even have homemade biscuits for dogs. Lots of veggie-friendly options here. $5-$11. 329 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-381-3436, aquariusstar.com.

H O Pie O While Findlay-Market-famous for their sweet pies, O Pie O’s restaurant also does savory — pot pies, quiche, empanadas, etc. And they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with a selection of both types. The pie crust anchors the menu with a flakiness that truly melts in your mouth and tastes just as lovely and buttery whether filled with sweet or savory ingredients. $5-$11. 1527 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills, 513-274-3238, opieo.com.

Piccolo Wine Room Conceived as a wine bar, Piccolo offers wines by the six-ounce glass or two-ounce taste, or you can select a bottle from the shop next door and pay $10 corkage.

The menu rarely repeats from one week to the next but usually will include a soup and a salad, a hearty burger or meat dish and perhaps another sandwich and two or three entrées for a total of six choices. The setting, the bonhomie and food and drink make for a splendid experience. $6-$13. 23 Village Square, Glendale, 513-771-6612, facebook. com/piccolowinebar.

Purple Poulet Dayton, Ky.’s Purple Poulet brands itself as a Southern bourbon bistro, emphasis on the bourbon —and the hospitality and service. They boast an extensive bourbon collection, one of the largest in the area, and the spirit is woven into many of their dishes. The Fried Chicken and Waffle features four pieces of fried bird — a leg, wing, breast and thigh — atop a platesized waffle. The KY Coq Au Vin is flavorful and light. The bourbonbrined chicken breast is juicy and

o pie o // P hotos : jesse fo x

stark white, and the red-wine bacon gravy is full of flavor. $12$32. 603 Sixth Ave., Dayton, Ky., 859-916-5602, purplepoulet.com.

3098 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-533-2339; 9514 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, 513-241-2339, sleepybeecafe.com.

Quarter Bistro

York Street Café

A romantic bistro offering seasonal cuisine and sophisticated ambiance. The 18-hour short ribs are to die for and the Q’s pizzas are nothing short of divine. There’s a lovely wine list at Quarter Bistro, and outdoor dining in the historic Mariemont town square is wonderfully charming. $10-$37. 6904 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-2715400, facebook.com/qbcincy.

Built in the 1880s, the building holds a beautifully decorated eclectic café, a lounge with live music and an art gallery, along with a terribly romantic garden patio. Order a Conversation Board, with samplings of different appetizers, and let the words flow. $12-$25. 738 York St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-9675, yorkstonline.com.

Ruth’s Parkside Café

B U R G E R S/ D O G S

Located in a factory bay at the American Can Building, Ruth’s offers diners a mix of comforting, well-known classics from the owners’ former restaurant Mullane’s, such as the spinach sauté and red beans and rice, as well as new dishes. Everything is from scratch, and there is plenty for vegetarians and carnivores alike. $4-$15. 1550 Blue Rock St., American Can Building, Northside, 513-542-RUTH, ruthscafe.com.

Americano Burger Bar

Sleepy Bee Café A family-friendly breakfast and lunch spot. Much of Sleepy Bee’s food is sourced locally from farms with bee-friendly practices, including Holistic Acres eggs; Marksbury Farms’ humane, pasture-raised meats; and potatoes, sprouts and microgreens from nearby growers. Expect a healthy wait on weekends for healthy and hearty brunch fare. $6-$12.

Because our country is a melting pot of traditions, Americano has taken the American staples we all love and elevated them with international flavors. In addition to burgers, you can order German- or Chicago-style hot dogs, Russian slaw, New England clam chowder, paprika-topped corn on the cob and classic starters like wings and beer cheese. They have 10 burgers on the menu, ranging from The Argentinean (chimichurri, grilled onions, provolone cheese and mayo) to the hilariously named Florence Y’all (taleggio cheese, portobello, arugula pesto). You’ll be full after the burgers, but save room for one of their frozen custard shakes. They come in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors and as a root beer float.

For a few extra bucks, you can add booze. $8-$14. 545 Race St.,

Downtown, 513-345-6677, americanoburgerbar.com.

H Flipdaddy’s Burgers & Beers

A classic joint offering craft beer (135 tap handles at their four locations) and 16 signature burgers. Add a kick to your dish with the Chuck Norris, a locally sourced beef patty topped with fire-roasted green chile and jalapeño compote, lettuce and pepper jack cheese. Or go German with The Oktoberfest burger, topped with horseradish cheddar, grilled onion, sauerkraut, pickles and bacon Dijon on a pretzel bun. The rotating drafts pour local and regional craft brews; try a craft beer sampler for $9. $8-$17. Multiple locations including 165 Pavilion Parkway, Newport, Ky., 859-431-BEER; 7453 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-272-BEER; 12071 Mason Montgomery Road, Symmes, 513-677-BEER; 8863 US Route 42, Union, Ky., 859-371-BEER, flipdaddys.com.

French Fry Heaven French Fry Heaven, a brick-andmortar franchise on Calhoun Street, is the only Ohio branch of the fast-growing chain. French Fry Heaven is open all day (11 a.m.-3 a.m.), so it caters to college kids, both sober and drunk.

They offer about 18 signature Belgian frites with toppings, but some of the items confound.

Before ordering, ask yourself: Do you want hot dogs on your fries (The Ball Park)? Beef and peas

(Shepherd’s Pie)? Pancakes and maple syrup (Sunset)? The entire concept begs the question: What can’t you pile on top of fries?

French Fry Heaven, thankfully, doesn’t list nutrition info on their website, so you can take the ignorance-is-bliss approach to the caloric intake of your meal. $4-$10. 206 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-221-2070, frenchfryheaven.com.

Mr. Gene’s Dog House Mr. Gene’s menu — for both the weenies-on-wheels food truck and brick-and-mortar location — features hot dogs, metts and Italian sausages with traditional sides of fries and onion rings. A portion of Mr. Gene’s profits are donated to charities, so pig out! Find Mr. Gene’s on Twitter (@MrGenesDoghouse) for truck location updates. $2-$10. 3703 Beekman St., South Cumminsville, 513-5417636, mrgenesdoghouse.com.

Gordo’s Pub & Grill What’s not to love about a pub with more than 100 microbrews and incredible gourmet burgers?

Their two standbys are the Jean Robert, with grape compote and goat and blue cheeses and the Gordo’s burger, topped with Boursin cheese, poblano peppers, onions and smoked bacon.

A Xavier hangout. $10-$12. 4328 Montgomery Road, Norwood, 513-351-1999, gordospub.com.

Mad Mike’s Burgers and Fries Choose from their creative signature offerings like the ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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Rockefeller, with blue cheese, cranberry chutney, beer battered onions, cilantro mayo and lettuce, or the Goliath, which features two grilled cheese sandwiches for buns because why not? $4-$8.

Multiple locations including 6420 Dixie Highway, Florence, Ky., 859647-6444, madmikesburgers.com.

Meatball Kitchen

Swad Indian Restaurant

1810 W. Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45239 513-522-5900 ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.SWADTASTYOH.COM

PLEASE JOIN US!

NOW OPEN 6 DAYS - CLOSED MONDAYS

COMPLIMENTARY KHEER & GULAB JAMAN WITH THE PURCHASE OF DINNER

PARKING LOT IN BACK & STREET PARKING LUNCH BUFFET $ 1 OFF PERSON $3 OFF 2 PERSON

2ND DINNER ENTREE $6 OFF CARRY-OUT $7 OFF DINE-IN

CINCINNATI

open 24/6 Closed Sundays

Serving award winning chili favorites as well as breakfast, burgers, salads, double deckers, gyros, fries, melts and desserts!

Family-owned since 1940 www.campwashingtonchili.com 52

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Start out with a type of meatball — beef, turkey, spicy pork or gluten-free vegetarian — and then decide if you want it on a sandwich, in a pasta or on top of a salad. Select a sauce (meat, tomato or béchamel) and add some sides. Sides include onion-and-garlic bread pudding, smoky coleslaw, Sriracha sweet-potato mash, spicy kale, seasonal roasted veggies or a side salad. The excellent focaccia bread is made in house and meat is sourced from Findlay Market. $3-$7. 2912 Vine St., Corryville, 513-407-7405, meatballkitchenusa.com.

H Quatman Café A no-frills burger joint with two locations — an original in Norwood, and a second in Mason — that frequently wins best burger accolades from local publications (including this one). Founded in 1966 by Albert Imm and Ken Talmage, this icon is known for cheeseburgers, chili, soup and cold beer. Daily specials rotate between cheeseburgers and fries and other sandwiches, like barbecue pork and hot ham and cheese. Another famous dish?

Their mock turtle soup. $3-$8.

2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood, 513-731-4370; 224 W. Main St., Mason, 513-229-0222, quatmancafe.com.

The Root Beer Stand The restaurant makes secretrecipe root beer (available by the jug) using water from the property’s 280-foot-deep well and family-recipe chili for their famous foot-long coney dogs.

Prices vary. Memorial Day-Labor Day. 11566 Reading Road, Sharonville, 513-769-4349, therootbeerstand.com.

H Senate Pushers of beer, wine and gourmet street food. Senate’s mission is to present upscale street food, and they do a terrific job of it, grabbing national attention from the likes of the New York Post, Forbes and more. The menu plays heavily on hot dogs,

from gourmet Chicago dogs to more interesting dog-of-thedays and quirkily named dogs like Hello Kitty 2.0, a beef hot dog with wasabi mayo, ponzuwasabi slaw, bacon, wasabi peas and sesame seeds. The truffle fries are a must-have, as are the cocktails. The Senate Cookbook is available now and a second Senate location is slated to open fall 2016 in Blue Ash’s Summit Park complex. $9-$25. 1212 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-4212020, senatepub.com.

Silver Ladle Silver Ladle is a “fast casual” restaurant that serves a variety of hearty sandwiches, a dozen soups, fresh salads, gluten-free options and its own twist on Cincinnati-style chili and coneys.

Burger fans will be happy to see a stout lineup of five “stuffed” burgers, and the five sandwich offerings are far from skimpy. $5.99-$8.29. 580 Building, Between Walnut and Main streets, Downtown, 513-834-7650; 7917 Beechmont Ave., Anderson, 513954-4828, silverladle.com.

H Terry’s Turf Club There’s no other character on the Cincinnati dining scene quite like Terry, and his little juke-joint is a legend — the hard-to-miss exterior glows with friendly neon signs. The short but sweet menu centers on burgers — big, beautiful hamburgers including a tender-as-butter filet mignon burger with béarnaise. Other sandwiches start with grilled chicken or portobellos and shiitakes. Take the basics and add one of the formidable sauce options for a customized burger experience. $6.50-$26. 4618 Eastern Ave., East End, 513-533-4222.

Tickle Pickle Back-alley, Earth-conscious, locally sourced Rock & Roll burgers are exactly the kind of thing one would expect to find in Northside. And Tickle Pickle happens to serve just that. Patrons order their Rock-themed burgers — like the Nom Petty (with mushrooms, Swiss cheese and mayo), Bread Zeppelin (American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo and ketchup) and Grateful Shred (shredded pulled-pork on a pretzel bun with spicy slaw and grilled onions) — from the counter and then take a seat. Choose from one of the 11 side options for an additional fee. Vegans have one burger option on the

menu, the Buns N Roses, and can also opt for non-dairy versions of thick and creamy milkshakes. $7.50-$9. 4176 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-954-4003, ticklepicklenorthside.com.

Favorite Farmers Markets Blue Ash Farmers Market 3:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays, MayOctober. Summit Park, 4335 Glendale-Milford Road, Blue Ash, blueash.com.

Covington Farmers Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, MayOctober. Third and Court streets, Covington, Ky., covingtonkyfarmersmarket.com.

Findlay Market Farmers Market 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, year-round.

1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, findlaymarket.org.

Findlay Market Farmstands Evanston Farmstand (1614 Hewitt Ave.) 3-6 p.m. Thursdays.

Price Hill Farmstand (Price and Grand avenues) 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays. Walnut Hills Farmstand (2609 Kemper Lane) 4-7 p.m.

Thursdays. findlaymarket.org.

Hyde Park Farmers Market 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sundays, May-October. Hyde Park Square, hydeparkfarmersmarket.com.

Lettuce Eat Well Farmers Market 3-7 p.m. Fridays, year-round.

3820 Westwood Northern Blvd., Cheviot, lewfm.org.

Madeira Farmers Market 3:30-7 p.m. Thursdays, May-September. Corner of Dawson Road and Miami Avenue, Madeira.

3:30-7 p.m. Thursdays, OctoberApril. 8000 Miami Ave., Madeira, madeirafarmersmarket.com.

Milford Farmers Market 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturdays, JuneOctober. 1025 Lila Ave., Milford, milfordfarmersmarket.com.

Northside Farmers Market 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, MayOctober. Hoffner Park, 4101 Hamilton Ave., Northside.

4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, OctoberMay. 4222 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsidefm.org.

Strauss Troy Market 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, MayOctober. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.

Zip’s Café Zip’s has been doing burgers right since 1926, and generations of East Side Cincinnatians call Zipburgers their favorite. The meat arrives fresh daily from locals Avril-Bleh & Sons and the lightly toasted honey-egg buns are from Klosterman — also local. For those who need more than just a burger and fries, Zip’s offers the Train Wreck, a burger, split mettwurst and shaved ham.

Now offering bacon! $4-$8. 1036 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513871-9876, zipscafe.com.

ZBGB ZBGB is long and narrow New American restaurant and gastropub conforming to the space constraints of most OTR buildings, with about 90 seats total.

Start with the carbonara mac and cheese. It’s a mac and cheese take on spaghetti carbonara — a classic preparation that starts with pancetta and ends with egg stirred in at the last moment so it can cook in the heat of the other ingredients. ZBGB’s version comes in a mini cast iron skillet with a very lightly cooked egg yolk perched perkily on top. The burgers are huge. The Italian comes on a semolina roll with bacon and mozzarella topping. The condiments are made in-house and one of the tastiest options is the pickled vegetables, a four-ounce Mason jar with crisp-tender pickled cauliflower, carrot slices and green beans. $9.50-$14. 1438 Race St., Overthe-Rhine, 513-744-9242, zbgb.co.

BREAKFAST • BRUNCH • LUNCH • DINNER CHEF’S TABLES • PRIVATE PARTIES AAA FOUR DIAMOND AWARD WINNER, 27 YEARS

Zola Pub & Grill Nine different burgers and nine flavorful wing sauces lend to a variety of options at Zola. A full bar in combination with live music Tuesday through Saturday and a great location make this a happenin’ place to be. $5-$12.

626 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859261-7510, zolapubandgrill.com.

C A SUA L / N E W AMERICAN 20 Brix

LUNCH • DINNER • HAPPY HOUR • LATE NIGHT OPEN DAILY 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM FULL MENU AVAILABLE UNTIL MIDNIGHT

Cutting-edge cuisine with more than 100 wines. $10-$36. 101 Main St., Milford, 513-831-BRIX, 20brix.com.

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e+ o kitchen // P hotos : catie v io x / J E S S E F O X

Bouquet Restaurant & Wine Bar Working closely with local sources, Bouquet’s farm-totable approach means a fresh, frequently rotating menu packed with seasonal ingredients.

Elegant small plates, entrées and thoughtful wine pairings set the stage for an intimate dining experience. Now serving lunch during the week via Son & Soil, which the owners expanding from a separate location into the Bouquet dining room.

The convenient-yet-healthy menu features freshly pressed juices, smoothies, sandwiches on Sixteen Bricks bread and salads — plus a few Bouquet dinner favorites. Available for carryout or dining in. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers. $5-$36. 519 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-491-7777, bouquetrestaurant.com.

Buz Features full table service, a bountiful wine selection and an environmentally friendly menu in an elegant, exposed-brick dining room. Pick from a whimsical list of “Bar Doeuvres,” including the addictive cheese donuts: beignets with crab and Gruyère dipped in a side of curried remoulade. $4-$25. 3543 Columbia Parkway, Columbia Tusculum, 513-533-2899, buzrestaurant.com.

Cooper’s Hawk A wide-ranging menu accompanies the winery’s housemade wine. $7-$35. 8080 Montgomery 54

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Road, Kenwood, 513-488-1110, coopershawkwinery.com.

E+O Kitchen E+O stands for “Earth + Ocean,” and the menu, which encompasses lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, is based on wholesome and organic ingredients. You’ll find Asian influences in dishes like the ahi tuna poke — cold and tender raw tuna mixed with crispy seaweed, carrots and mushy avocado — and miso-marinated black cod. For brunch, the fusion expands to eggs, like the egg nachos (scrambled eggs, gravy, beef and cheese) and egg sandwiches, like the Eggwich (eggs, cheese, turkey sausage and syrup). $6-$27.

3520 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513-832-1023, eokitchen.com.

H Grand Finale Operating at the same historic building since 1975, Grand Finale serves up everything from steak and lobster to crepes and outrageous desserts. Try the bacon, shrimp and sun-dried tomato deviled eggs or the herbed filet mignon brochette. No worries for your vegetarian tablemates: Grand Finale has plenty of veggie fare. $12-$38. 3 E. Sharon Road, Glendale, 513-771-5925, grandfinale.info.

Grandview Tavern & Grille Great cheeseburgers (a grilled Angus half-pounder) and sweet-potato fries. The braised short rib and the oven-roasted sea bass shouldn’t be missed.

$9-$38. 2220 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859-341-8439, grandviewtaverngrille.com.

H Krueger’s Tavern The menu is broken up into snacks, sandwiches, sausages, “greens” and sides. The Lincolnshire sausage is bursting with herby flavor, served over colcannon — a tart, creamy take on mashed potatoes, with wilted kale and Guinness-braised onions. Their sandwich section is equally appealing; it features a Cuban, Krueger’s take on the sloppy joe, an eggplant parm sandwich and an awesome, crunchy housemade veggie burger. Try their beer cocktails — beer plus booze! $5-$10.

1211 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-834-8670, facebook.com/ kruegerstavern.

Live! at the Ludlow Garage Acoustic concerts in the renovated Ludlow Garage cellar have been well-received, and the upstairs restaurant and bar remains open five nights a week, even when the concert venue is dark. Chef Steve Hermes, formerly of The Anchor-OTR, worked to create the menu, which consists of three appetizers, two salads, six entrées, five flatbreads and a daily soup.

There’s also a separate “tapas” menu that serves the music venue on concert nights. Entrées hit all the right notes — the hand-cut strip steak with wild mushroom ragu is stellar. The saag paneer flatbread, with

curried paneer, spinach, tomato, red onion, cilantro and Srircharanch dressing, is one of several vegetarian offerings. Finish with a Woodford Reserve Manhattan sundae. $6-$22. 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-221-4111, liveattheludlowgarage.com.

Main Bite Main Bite creates delicious, seasonal fare with crafty culinary cocktails (featuring muddled or puréed fresh veggies and fruits) to go with each nibble. All of the sauces and dressings are made in-house. This isn’t a tapas-style restaurant, but the portion sizes are shaved down, so one dish won’t stuff you. $8-$15. 522 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-261-2483, mainbiterestaurant.com.

Maribelle’s eat + drink With a homey feeling, diners can see — and actually eat — inside the kitchen. Some favorites include a Brussels sprouts starter, with toasted walnut, shaved fennel and a sunny-side up egg; burger with cheese curd and duck-fat bacon mayo; and a turkey sandwich with peach butter and tomato on a pretzel bun.

Saturday and Sunday brunch specials include cornmeal pancakes, housemade goetta and a sunny-side egg sandwich with truffle aioli and Gruyère. $7-$16.

3235 Madison Road, Oakley, 513321-9111, maribellestavern.com.

Marty’s Hops & Vines This College Hill wine and beer emporium offers weekly wine

tastings with six healthy pours accompanied by cubed cheese and crackers. Half the shop is retail, selling bottle craft beers and local and international wines, and the other half is a bar and restaurant. Their newly expanded menu consists of salads, baked subs and an individual build-your-own pizza. $7-$10. 6110 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, 513-681-4222, martyshopsandvines.com.

The Mercer OTR The Mercer OTR fills the niche for those diners looking for easy parking, a sense of space, delicious flavor and gracious service in OTR. The scallops starter, which, though plural, is indeed just two scallops, is amazing.

The menu is wide, but the chef excels in seafood and mushrooms in combination, like in the branzino: two crisp filets perched on fregola sarda and maitake mushrooms. $8-$37. 1324 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-5111, themercerotr.com.

Metropole With a menu focused on dishes cooked in a custom-built woodburning fireplace, the restaurant is a showcase for the area’s sustainable farmers and producers, and the menu features an ever-changing list of hearthroasted meat and fish, along with vegetables, grains and housemade charcuterie. Offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar bites, including incredibly interesting smoked grapes. $8-$32. 609 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-578-6660, metropoleonwalnut.com.

Nectar Cincinnati native chef Julie Francis finely crafts a small menu filled with locally sourced, organic ingredients. Sunday brunch is also available, featuring pastured eggs, local honey and fresh-baked breads. $7-$25.

1000 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-929-0525, dineatnectar.com.

Otto’s The pinotage wine is glorious.

Try the balsamic tofu for dinner with caramelized kale and honeycurry cream sauce. For brunch, Benedict Otto’s substitutes fried crispy flatbread and smoked salmon for the English muffin and ham of a traditional eggs Benedict. It’s delicious, a bit rich and a true indulgence. $7-$31.

521 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859491-6678, ottosonmain.com.

Packhouse Meats Waiters and waitresses get paid either $10 per hour or 20 percent of their food sales — whichever is higher — so there’s no tipping at Packouse, which serves up meatballs in a variety of formats.

Pick a packed meat (quinoa, turkey, fried chicken, etc.), then a gravy and stick them in a bowl, on a sandwich or in a salad. $7.50-$9.50. 1004 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-415-2312, packhousemeats.com.

The Presidents Room The Presidents Room restaurant inside The Phoenix has a traditional feel, but with some whimsical touches that welcome a younger crowd. The menu is modern American with Italian and German influences, visible in dishes like Pork Osso Bucco or the sauerkraut balls with Black Forest prosciutto. It should be on your radar if for no other reason than that the pine nut tart is a dessert with more buttery goodness than your standard after-dinner sweets, topped with a special honey-lavender gelato and savory black pepper honey. $9-$39. 812 Race St., Downtown, 513-721-2260, thepresidentsrm.com.

Sit.

Stay.

Red Feather Kitchen Red Feather serves up fromscratch housemade dishes using the best possible ingredients.

Described as New American, the chef-driven menu reflects a diversity of global influences; small plates range from shrimp and grits to falafel and entrées run the gamut from a burger with boursin cheese and candied bacon to a fava bean agnolotti with curry. The restaurant is an unpretentious, approachable, neighborhood spot that serves fun food that people enjoy. $8-$84. 3200 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-407-3631, redfeatherkitchen.com.

Savor.

Red Roost Tavern The Hyatt Regency’s farm-totable Red Roost Tavern joins topnotch hotel eateries downtown.

Red Roost’s philosophy is: “Food.

Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served.” They emphasize harvesting produce within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant. $12-$34.

151 W. Fifth St., Downtown, 513579-1234, cincinnati.hyatt.com.

The Rookwood

4335 Glendale-Milford Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242 (513) 794-1610 browndogcafe.com

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that inhabits the former pottery building is putting its stamp on Cincinnati as well. Great food and well-crafted cocktails are their specialties, served in the main dining room, the loft or inside one of the pottery’s old kilns. The menu has some unique Cincinnati dishes: Hanky Pankys on the small plates list, french fries with Grippo’s seasoning and a crazy-good pork belly sandwich. The young staff has a lot of creativity and skill. $6-$27. 1077 Celestial St., Mount Adams, 513421-5555, therookwood.com.

Salazar The eponymous restaurant from chef Jose Salazar mixes old and new to create an approachable yet refined farm-inspired menu.

Salazar offers creative dishes including cured and potted items, like housemade rillettes, terrines and charcuterie. There are also comfortable choices like burgers, fish and pasta. Seasonal, farm-fresh specials frequently pop up on the changing menu, as do staple favorites like the little fried oyster sandwich with

kimi, local radish sprouts and garlic mayo. The wide-ranging drink menu features thoughtful craft beers, cocktails and wines.

Now offers lunch and limited reservations. $9-$31. 1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-6217000, salazarcincinnati.com.

The Summit Class is in session! Yes, this restaurant is inside a school. Culinary and hospitality students at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State are handpicked to staff the kitchen and dining room in this teaching restaurant.

Top-notch food at reasonable prices paired with an extensive wine list make this a restaurant for the city to be proud of. $10-$28. 3520 Central Parkway, Clifton, 513-569-4980, facebook. com/thesummit.mci.

Te— la bar + kitchen

Te-la bar + kitchen serves pub grub executed at a much higher level than you can find in the northwest suburbs. Serving both lunch and dinner six days a week, Te-la does steady business and

really rocks on weekends. Rock & Roll cognoscenti will appreciate the numerous music references, starting with the restaurant’s name, taken from a song title by the owners’ favorite band, Phish.

The pub-grub slant is apparent at the top of the dinner menu, with items such as pretzel nuggets, chicken wings and poutine. What brings this fare to a “higher level” might be such twists as preparing the wings as confit or adding pork belly to the poutine. $6-$25. 1212 Springfield Pike, Wyoming, 513821-8352, telabarandkitchen.com.

items with an upscale twist.

Choose from many great salads, sandwiches, gourmet pizzas and seafood and pair your meal with a nice glass of wine from the extensive wine list. The filet mignon, the Trio Meatloaf and the soy-glazed seabass are customer favorites. $11-$40. 7565 Kenwood Road, Kenwood, 513984-1905, triobistro.com.

Walhill Farm

Located in the historic Hyde Park Savings and Loan building, Teller’s offers unique ambiance, 30 beers on tap, a plethora of wine and a comprehensive menu with pastas, pizzas, salads, steak and more. They also offer a back patio and the option to eat inside of a bank vault. $7-$32.

2710 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513321-4721, tellersofhydepark.com.

By using what is readily available from the 250-acre farm itself and local farms nearby, the restaurant provides guests with higherquality products at a lower price point. Walhill Farm raises Black Angus cattle, Berkshire pigs, chickens and other animals sustainably, free from antibiotics and fed with crops from the farm’s acres of pasture. They even have a butcher shop on the premises, where they prepare most of their cuts. $7-$25. 857 Six Pine Ranch Road, Batesville, Ind., 812-9342600, walhillfarm.com.

Trio

Wildflower Café

Trio offers something-foreveryone American-style menu

With local farm-raised, grassfed beef and an extensive wine

Teller’s of Hyde Park

GENUINE HICKORY SMOKED BBQ

*WE CATER*

We offer Corn & Pig Roasts too

*FOOD TRUCK LOVERS* Call us to roll ~ in on your next event

Picky People Pick Us

MONDAY-THURSDAY: 11:30am - 2:30pm Lunch, 5pm - 9:30pm Dinner FRIDAY: 11:30am - 2:30pm Lunch, 5pm - 10pm Dinner SATURDAY: 10am - 2pm Brunch, 5pm - 10pm Dinner SUNDAY: 10am - 2pm Brunch, 5pm - 8pm Dinner

8021 Hamilton Ave. Cinti, OH 45231 * pittoplatebbq.com

513-281-3663 3410 TELFORD STREET. CINCINNATI, OH, 45220

513.931.9100

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list that features products from Cincinnati-area vineyards, Wildflower is dedicated to producing the freshest and best-quality food at an honest price. Foods are local, sustainable and seasonable to offer peak freshness. $9-$24. 207 E. Main St., Mason, 513-492-7514, wildflowergourmetcafe.com.

Wise Owl Expect thoughtful and consistently excellent wine recommendations in an inviting atmosphere at this wine bar and tapas restaurant. The menu includes small plates, like a charcuterie board and bruschetta, plus more filling options like a variety of sliders (braised short rib or beef tenderloin) and some light seafood dishes. Wine available by the glass and bottle. $7-$15.

6206 Mulhauser Road, West Chester, 513-860-9463, wiseowlwinebar.com.

Zula You could dine every night for a week and sample a new pot of mussels from a different locale around the world each time.

Preparations include classic French, Mediterranean, Thai and New Orleans, among others. But don’t get stuck on the mussels: You’ll miss out on a half-dozen flatbreads and great appetizers like eggplant fries dusted with confectioner’s sugar and a spicysour dipping sauce. $6-$17. 1400 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513744-9852, zulabistro.com.

CO FFE E H O US E S Awakenings Coffee and more than 500 bottles of boutique wine, plus food and artwork, in the middle of Hyde Park square. Prices vary. 2734 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-2525, awakeningscoffeeandwine.com.

Bean Haus Bakery & Café A MainStrasse coffee café and bakery. Prices vary. 640 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-431-2326, facebook.com/beanhaus.

H BLOC Coffee Company BLOC earns its reputation for serving some of the best cups of joe in the city from local roaster Deeper Roots. All dairy comes

from Snowville Creamery, giving that frothy latte an extra touch of wholesomeness. Find everything from cortados and con pannas to chemex and Hario manual brews.

The breakfast and lunch menu features tasty egg sandwiches, artisanal toast and build your own sandwiches, served on Sixteen Bricks bread. $3.25-$8. 3101 Price Ave., Price Hill, 513-4294548, bloccoffeecompany.com.

Carabello Coffee Husband-and-wife owners Justin and Emily Carabello roast and sell their coffee on the premises, but they’re also entrenched in local and international philanthropy, giving much of their profits to Third World coffee regions in Nicaragua and Kenya. Also carries frozen ice pops called Bello’s Bike Pops. Prices vary. 107 E. Ninth St., Newport, Ky., 859415-1587, carabellocoffee.com.

Coffee Please Local coffee roaster in Madeira’s town square, offering pastries, sandwiches, salads and soups. $5-$10. 6930 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-271-4700.

H Coffee Emporium A Queen City staple with multiple locations, Coffee Emporium has been serving up artisanal roasted beans for decades (they’re the city’s oldest coffee house) and offers up some of the best breakfast pastries in Cincinnati. Lunch options are simple and hearty, with daily homemade soups. A hip, laid-back atmosphere makes it feel like you’re at a book club meeting with 20 of your friends. Prices vary. Multiple locations including 110 E. Central Parkway, Downtown, coffeeemporium.com.

Collective Espresso Big-city-style espresso and coffee bar. Offers cool blends like cortados and espresso lemonade. Collective also helms the café inside of the Contemporary Arts Center, which offers a limited food menu along with the same craft coffee drinks. $3-$7. 207 Woodward St., Overthe-Rhine; 4037 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-399-7207, collectiveespresso.com.

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u rbana C af é owner Daniel N og u era // photo : jesse fo x

H College Hill Coffee Company

Full espresso and coffee bar with a hearty café menu and gift shop. Free music and Wi-Fi. Prices vary. 6128 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, 513-542-2739, collegehillcoffeeco.com.

Fuel Coffee Coffee shop, breakfast, brunch and lunch. Prices vary. 2726 Riverside Drive, East End, 513-257-1858, facebook.com/fuelcoffeecincy.

HD Beans and Brews Café A coffee shop, bar, café and sports haven in one. Fair-trade coffee, more than 100 local and national microbrews and wines.

Prices vary. 6721 Montgomery Road, Silverton, 513-793-6036, hdbeansandbrews.com.

Highland Coffee House Not your traditional coffeehouse — Highland doesn’t open shop ’til 5 p.m., and alongside a bunch of coffee drinks and a full bar, there are delights like boozy milkshakes, iced Thai coffee and fresh cookies. Prices vary.

2839 Highland Ave., Corryville, 513-861-4151, facebook.com/ officialhighlandcoffeehouse.

Kitty’s Coffee Hot or iced coffee, tea and sandwiches. $2-$8. 120 E. Fourth St., Suite 5, Downtown, 513-721-2233.

Left Bank Coffeehouse Serves Deeper Roots coffee as well as snacks and pastries from local purveyors including Savor Catering, Shadeau Bread, 58

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Grateful Grahams and more. $2-$7. 701 Greenup St., Covington, Ky., 859-431-4655, leftbankcoffeehouse.com.

Lookout Joe Small but mighty, Lookout Joe in the heart of downtown can roast with the best of them. Serves fair-trade beans from around the world as well as a great selection of pastries, bagels and smoothies. Also in Mount Lookout, hence the name. Prices vary.

Multiple locations including 3181 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-8626; 15 W. Seventh St., Downtown, 513-241-0281, lookoutjoe.com.

Newberry Bros. Coffee What started as a fair-trade organic coffee roaster and coffee shop in the Mansion Hill neighborhood of Newport has become a full-fledged café and wine bar (with an awesome patio).

Newberry Bros. Coffee roasts small batches of beans sourced from family farms in Sumatra, Peru and Guatemala. And if that’s not enough to get you in the door, their from-scratch daily pastries, deli sandwiches, more than 60 wines by-the-glass and 500 different bourbons and whiskies should be. Prices vary. 530 Washington Ave., Newport, Ky., 859-261-9463, newberrybroscoffee.com.

coffee drinks and is one of the only locations in town to serve the delicious Lil’s Bagels. Prices vary. 43 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., 859-292-PERK, facebook. com/thepointperk.

Reality Tuesday Café Longstanding Northern Kentucky coffeehouse and bakery. Prices vary. 1518 Dixie Highway, Park Hills, Ky., 859-261-4939, facebook. com/realitytuesdaycafe.

Redtree Art Gallery and Coffee Shop Fair-trade and organic coffee within a gallery setting. Prices vary. 3210 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-321-8733, redtreegallery.net.

Roebling Point Books & Coffee Local independent bookstore with interior coffee shop. $2-$5.

306 Greenup St., Covington, Ky., 859-815-7204, roeblingpointbooks.com.

Rohs Street Café This not-for-profit coffeehouse close to the University of Cincinnati fully embraces ethical sourcing by offering only fair-trade coffees and teas. Choose from a selection of locally roasted La Terza coffees to sip with a fresh pastry. $1.20-$4.45. 245 W. McMillan St., Clifton, 513-3817647, rohsstreetcafe.com.

Point Perk

Sidewinder Coffee & Tea

A coffeehouse that trains and employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from The Point. Serves craft

The café offers locally roasted fair-trade and organic coffees, espresso drinks, spirits, blended and loose-leaf teas. Tasty sweet

and savory treats abound, including a veggie sandwich with roasted red peppers, cucumbers, spinach, hummus and provolone. $1.50-$7.25. 4181 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-8321, sidewindercoffee.com.

Sitwell’s Maybe you enjoy the smell of coffee, but would rather have a beer or mixed drink in your hand. This Clifton coffee shop offers a fine line of artisan coffee, local and imported beer, a full bar with signature cocktails and even fancy milkshakes. Food choices include salads, breakfast, sandwiches and options for vegetarians and kids. $4-$9. 324 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-2817487, facebook.com/sitwells. coffeehouse.

Trailhead Coffee Newport, Ky.’s Reser Bicycle doesn’t just sell bikes — they also sell really good coffee at their coffee outpost Trailhead. It’s currently the only place in town where you can get a whole bag or a cup of Portland-originated Stumptown Coffee, which is like the gold of coffees. Using rotating roasts and Brown Bear Bakery’s salty caramel syrup, they make a great somewhat-sweet drink called The Grizzly (try it). The best part of the shop? Their baristas are knowledgeable and not intimidating like those at some craft coffee joints.

Prices vary. 648 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-6187, reserbicycle.com/pages/trailheadcoffee.

Urbana Café Urbana Café’s storefront in Pendleton offers about 20 items on the coffee menu, including more experimental options like the caffé frizzante — espresso is poured into a highball glass and then topped with San Pellegrino carbonated mineral water.

In-house baked goods range from Italian donuts to European shortbreads to a toast bar. $1.24$5. 1206 Broadway St., Pendleton, 513-813-3133, urbana-cafe.com.

Velocity Bike & Bean Full-service bike shop that serves coffee. $2-$5. 7560 Burlington Pike, Florence, Ky., 859-371-8356, velocitybb.com.

D E L I S/SA N DW I C H E S/ TA K E AWAY Avril-Bleh & Sons A historic Cincinnati butcher and meat market with attached deli and takeout. Established in 1894. Prices vary. 33 E. Court St., Downtown, 513-241-2433, avrilblehmeats.com.

Bottle & Basket Bottle & Basket offers an abundance of locally grown whole foods and gourmet take-home salads and sandwiches. Picnicperfect. A knowledgeable staff of chefs develops the menu and supplies more than enough produce, dairy and meat to make that special dinner without a trip to the megastore. Now under the umbrella of the locally expanding Wellmann’s Brands with sister restaurant Melt. $5-$12. 1400 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-6325, facebook.com/ bottleandbasket.

Dutch’s Larder Dutch’s established itself as a wine and bottling shop and open-air pony keg in 1947 and has expanded into a deli/grocery. Not only do they have an enormous selection of wine and craft beer, they also have an upscale deli with an impressive selection of artisan charcuterie, gourmet cheeses, sandwiches, sausages and pantry staples.

They embrace both old-world techniques and the new wave of domestic artisans. Prices vary.

3378 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513871-1446, dutchscincinnati.com.

Fred & Gari’s Fresh meats roasted daily draw a crowd during downtown lunch breaks — along with the charm and hospitality of the staff. No

packaged deli meats here: The chicken breasts are oven-baked and artfully sliced by hand, and the ham is just like mama made.

There are also soft chocolate chip cookies and freshly baked pies. $3-$20. 629 Vine St., Downtown, 513-784-9000, facebook. com/fredgaris.

Fond Lunch and Deli An organically inspired lunch stop that does locally sourced deli and ready-made meals. $7-$14. 10764 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, facebook.com/ fondorganiclunchanddeli.

Fresh Table at Findlay Market Meredith Trombly, Louis Snowden and their staff do all the hard parts — finding the best locally sourced ingredients and cooking 40-50 delicious and beautifully presented dishes every day. Baby-back ribs and grilled wild-caught salmon highlight the main courses at this constantly evolving eatery. Try the eggless egg salad. $5-$12.

1801 Race St., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-3774, freshtable.biz.

Gilpin’s Steamed Grub If you really need a steamed sandwich, like their My Cousin Vinny (pepperoni, ham, bacon, banana peppers, cheese and barbecue chips on a pretzel bun), a steamed burger or a really creative vegetarian snack at like 11 p.m. on a Sunday, they’ve got you covered. Alternately, if it’s 2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, you can get the Doritos sandwich off the drunk menu, with turkey, cheese, lettuce, honey mustard, dressing and Doritos — nacho cheese or Cool Ranch. Prices vary. 2504 W. Clifton Ave., Clifton, 513-4316939; 37 E. Seventh St., Downtown, 513-421-4223, eatgilpins. com.

Ice Cream & Candy Made the Sincere Way Visit one of the last authentic ice cream parlors left in the US

aglamesis.com 3046 Madison Rd • 9899 Montgomery Rd

• Lunch • Dinner • Catering

Outdoor Enclosed Deck & Tented Event Space

Ohio’s first draft beer was served here

t Wed & Sa

Gramma Debbie’s Kitchen Old-fashioned comfort food, cooked and ready for you to take home. $5-$12. 1801 Race St., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-4726, facebook.com/ grammadebbiesatfindlaymarket.

210 YEARS

The Gruff The Gruff is a gourmet market/ deli, a bar and a pizzeria/restaurant all working in tandem.

The restaurant does brick-oven pizzas and hot sandwiches, with Graeter’s ice cream and Covington’s Piebird pies and milkshakes for dessert. You can even order food and beer through the

Nightly Live Music

• Outdoor patio & Fountain w/fire pit

of business Outdoor Sand & still going Volleyball Courtstrong Leagues & Open Play 10675 SPRINGFIELD PIKE

L o c a t e d o n S p r i n g f i e l d P i ke wh e re 7 4 7 a n d R o u t e 4 S p l i t .

CINCINNATI, OH 45215-1120 PHONE: (513) 771-4816

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Voted BEST INDIAN for 15 Years

350 Ludlow • 513-281-7000

Additional Parking Available in Clifton Business Lot (next to IGA)

3120 Madison Rd • 513-321-1600

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camp washington chili // photos: catie v io x

drive-thru. Prices vary. 129 E. Second St., Covington, Ky., 859581-0040, atthegruff.com.

H Izzy’s A Cincinnati tradition, Izzy’s serves a reuben we can all be proud of. Sandwiches such as the Reuben-ator and the Izzy’s Mex showcase their delicious corned beef. $5-$10. Multiple locations including 800 Elm St., Downtown, 513-721-4241; 610 Main St., Downtown, 513-241-6246, izzys.com.

Revolution Rotisserie Revolution specializes in hormone-free, preservativefree roasted Amish chicken on a number of pita sandwiches named after revolutionaries — Marie Curie, Thomas Jefferson, Gandhi, etc. — as well as in chicken-centric house specialties, indulgent appetizers, fresh salads and traditional sides made with a twist. There is also a full drink menu with draft and bottled beer, wine and house punch. $8-$13. 1106 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-0009, revolutionrotisserie.com.

Tom+Chee A gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup shop with a famous grilled-cheese donut. Featured on Shark Tank. Prices vary. 125 E. Court St., Downtown, 513-7212433; Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-291-2433, tomandchee.com.

Total Juice Plus Total Juice Plus has been serving natural fruit smoothies, wraps

and fresh-squeezed juices to the weekday downtown population for more than a decade. They use all-natural flash-frozen fruit, extol the benefits of fresh juice and make excellent wraps with a Mediterranean lean. $3.25-$9.50.

631 Vine St., Downtown, 513-7841666, totaljuicecincy.com.

The ‘Wich on Sycamore Quality made-to-order sandwiches with roasted meats. $5-$10. 425 Sycamore St., Downtown, 513-421-9424, facebook. com/thewichonsycamore.

D I N E R S/C H I L I PA R LO R S Anchor Grill Taking its blazing neon “We May Doze, But Never Close” sign to heart, the Anchor Grill stays open 24/7, offering round-theclock breakfast fare along with lunch and dinner comfort-food classics. The diner ambiance is unmatched, from the sassyyet-personable waitresses to the vintage ’50s animatronic miniature band moving in sync with jukebox selections. $4-$12.

438 Pike St., Covington, Ky., 859-431-9498.

Blue Ash Chili This family-owned chili parlor, established in 1969, not only offers traditional Cincinnati-style chili with coneys and three-, fourand five-ways, but also a menu loaded with sandwiches, burgers, salads and sides. Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. $3-$8. 9565 Kenwood

Road, Blue Ash, 513-984-6107, blueashchili.com.

H Camp Washington Chili A great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Camp Washington Chili features greasy-spoon breakfast offerings, doubledecker sandwiches, Cincinnatistyle chili, coneys and even a few salads. A James Beard Award-winner, Camp Washington Chili opened its doors in 1940, and current owner Johnny Johnson started work at the chili parlor in 1951. $5-$8. 3005 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington, 513-541-0061, campwashingtonchili.com.

Dixie Chili Founded in 1929 by “Papa Nick,” Dixie Chili has classic, secretingredient Cincinnati-style chili with cheese and onions on spaghetti. $1.50-$7. Multiple locations including 733 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-291-5337; 2421 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-431-7444, dixiechili.com.

The Echo Customer favorites include the Echo Grill (baked ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato served with tartar sauce), an open-faced turkey sandwich and the Hot Mess (layers of home fries, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and cheese). The Echo has weekly specials and always serves up homemade pie. $4.50-$11. 3510 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513-321-2816, echohydepark.com.

Hathaway’s The old-fashioned flavors of the soda fountain are found at Hathaway’s, including the best darn chocolate shake in town. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped through a time portal to the 1950s. Get a plate lunch or a burger, but if you’re there for breakfast (and when isn’t it time for breakfast food?) don’t miss the French toast and goetta. Hathaway’s does them both exactly right. $4-$12. 441 Vine St., Carew Tower, Downtown, 513-621-1332, facebook.com/hathawaysdiner.

J&J Restaurant This old-school diner serves huge double-decker sandwiches, good chili, cheese coneys and all-day breakfast at a great price.

Tucked into a strip mall, this is a no-frills neighborhood staple with lots of regulars and quick service. $5-$8. 6159 Glenway Ave., Westwood, 513-661-2260.

Pepper Pod Open 24 hours a day so you can get your fried-pickle fix whenever the craving hits — and once you have the Pepper Pod’s fried pickles, the hankering will hit you often. The meatloaf goes very quickly in the evening, so get there early. Greasy spoon dining at its best, the Pepper Pod is a Newport legend. $3-$10. 703 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-431-7455.

Pleasant Ridge Chili A local chili joint that just celebrated 50 years. Offers ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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chili to-go and late-night eats. $3-$9. 6032 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-531-2365, pleasantridgechili.com.

Price Hill Chili

At Pitrelli’s, we pride ourselves in serving only authentic Italian cuisine and offer a great selection of wines. Pitrelli’s entrees and appetizers capture flavors from several regions of Italy, from our light and delicate sauces of the north to the full flavor red sauces of the south. Our sauces are made fresh daily in our kitchen and we incorporate only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. Let Pitrelli’s Italian Ristoranté become “your new favorite Italian Restaurant.

Buon Appetito!

Tuesday- Thursday: 5 - 9 pm • Friday - Saturday: 4:30 - 10pm • Closed Sunday & Monday 513.770.0122 * 404 2nd Ave., Mason, OH 45040

pitrellis.com

Generations of West Side patrons have grown up on this iconic, family-owned restaurant’s diverse, fairly priced menu. Having expanded several times over the years, there are now multiple dining areas and a full-service cocktail lounge called Golden Fleece attached. What sets them apart from other chili joints is the full menu of sandwiches, sides, entrées and even breakfast served all day. $2-$15. 4920 Glenway Ave., Price Hill, 513-4719507, pricehillchili.com.

Rima’s Diner There are old-school diners that try too hard to resurrect the past, and then there are diners that authentically live in the past to the point where you feel like everything is trapped in amber, including yourself. Covington, Ky.’s Rima’s Diner follows the latter logic — in a great way. Elvis paraphernalia exploded inside the restaurant, from knickknacks of Fat Elvis to ephemera of handsome younger Elvis to his vinyl record sleeves hanging on walls. $5-$10. Rima’s Diner, 635 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-261-7800, facebook.com/ rimasdiner.

H Skyline Chili A locally based chain of chili parlors founded by Greek immigrants in Cincinnati in 1949. Their Cincinnati-style chili is poured over spaghetti or hot dogs along with chili burritos, fries and baked potatoes. Their vegetarian version is almost as tasty with black beans and rice. $4-$9.

Multiple locations including 290 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-2212142, skylinechili.com.

Sugar n’ Spice

• breakfast • brunch • lunch • happy hour • late nite 39 craft beers on tap • large outdoor patio

Huge, fluffy omelets and “wispythin” pancakes have made Sugar n’ Spice a bona fide breakfast institution for 75 years. Lunch highlights include third- and halfpound burgers, double-deckers and signature sandwiches. $3-$11. 4381 Reading Road, Avondale, 513-242-3521, sugar-nspice-restaurant.com.

Tucker’s Truly an Over-the-Rhine institution (same family since 1946!) and an “everyman” restaurant. Solid, Midwestern staples for hungry, 62

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working people. Features a full breakfast menu complete with a variety of omelets, pancakes and egg dishes. Try the Big Tucker, a double-decker burger with cheese and special sauce. Other standbys include biscuits and gravy and the fried cod sandwich.

Recently recovered after a kitchen fire closed the restaurant for more than a year. $4-$7. 1637 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/tuckersrestaurantotr.

AFRICAN Elephant Walk Injera & Curry House One genius way to set yourself apart in Cincinnati’s sea of Indian restaurants is by also serving Ethiopian food. Elephant Walk Injera & Curry House boasts a large, double-sided menu — Northern Indian on one side, traditional Ethiopian on the other. But what’s really awesome (besides the 3-7 p.m. daily half-price bottles of wine, which includes organic Ethiopian wine) is the 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily lunch buffet. It has both Ethiopian and Indian dishes, so you can sample all you can eat of both country’s cuisines and gorge yourself on naan and injera. $4-$30. 170 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-526-1555, elephantwalkcincy.com.

Emanu The cuisine comes from eastern Africa, specifically sharing dishes from Ethiopia and Eritrea, which neighbors Ethiopia to the north.

Guests can delight in communal platters of meat and vegetable stews, meant to be scooped up with injera flat bread. There are plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians, like the Ahmelti with collard greens and lightly spiced cabbage cooked with onions and pepper. $10-$22. 6063 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-351-7686, emanuea.com.

Habesha Family-run restaurant with true Ethiopian dishes and Ethiopianstyle coffee ceremony. $7-$15.

5070 Crookshank Road, Westwood, 513-429-4890, habesharestaurantandcafe.com.

Teranga They offer dishes like kebabs with fish or shrimp and whole grilled tilapia, with the head on or off, served with sides of couscous or steamed noodles. It’s a great place to try West African dishes such as Mechoui (stuffed lamb leg

fort u ne noodle ho u se // photos: hailey bolli n ger

with onion sauce) and Charwarma (chicken or beef in a mustard sauce served in flatbread). $5-$10.

8438 Vine St., Hartwell, 513-8211300, terangaenterprise.com.

ASIAN China Gourmet China Gourmet has been serving fine Chinese cuisine since 1977.

The menu at China Gourmet is not your typical gigantic Chinese menu with hundreds of items. It is divided into sections of classics, what’s new and traditional favorites, each with just a handful of choices. $8-$26. 3340 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-6612, thechinagourmet.com.

Cilantro “Eat well. Eat fresh. Eat often.” These three sentences serve both as a tagline and as a personal philosophy for local restaurateur Darren Phan, owner of Cilantro Vietnamese Bistro, Clifton’s brothy, herby, vermicellifilled landmark. A collection of family recipes and flavors brought over from the motherland serve as the heart from which joy and laughter still pump. $5-$9.50. 235 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-281-1732, eatatcilantro.com.

H Cloud 9 Sushi An unpretentious sushi joint serving half-price sushi all day, everyday, with a selection of more than 50 different rolls. $5-$20. 1018 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513533-9218, cloudninesushi.com.

Fortune Noodle House You know your carbs are made with love when a restaurant dedicates an entire employee just to their production, but here’s the thing: Everything else at Fortune is delicious, too. Fortune sits on the corner of Calhoun and Clifton streets, perfectly situated for international students at the University of Cincinnati to get a taste of home and for local students to try something new. They currently have no liquor license, but offer a plentiful selection of flavored and bubble teas. $7-$15. 349 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-281-1800, fortunenoodles.com.

Fusian Fusian’s fast-casual approach, in which you choose your own custom sushi roll, prompted many to coin the restaurant the “Chipotle of sushi.” They offer a diverse selection of non-traditional sushi proteins, including steak, chicken and roasted tofu, but the classic tuna and salmon rolls remain among the most popular. $6-$9.

Multiple locations including 600 Vine St., Downtown, 513-4217646, fusian.com.

House of Sun A great find for Saturday and Sunday mornings, you’ll love the traditional Chinese Dim Sum, with long, sweet fried breadsticks, small sausage-filled steamed dumplings, the scallion pancake with egg and the most delicious Sesame ShaoBing

with beef — all bargain-priced. $6-$11. 11959 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, 513-769-0888, houseofsuncincy.com.

Ichiban Sushi, sashimi and Robotayaki grill (traditional Japanese charcoal grill) offerings abound in the cozy Ichiban dining room.

Tapas-style small plates, dishes to tempt carnivores and a dizzying variety of noodle dishes round out the menu. Belly up to the sushi bar or bring a group and dive into the half-price sushi menu while enjoying a warm sake or Asian-inspired cocktail. $10-$60. 1020 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-321-8686, ichibancinci.com.

H Kaze The old Cincinnati Color building on Vine Street is such a landmark that it would have been dreadful had it been torn down. Thankfully, Japanese gastropub Kaze saved it. With a distinct bar and dining room, favorites are the pork belly buns and kobe sliders, with cucumber pickled kimchi-style and a rich Korean barbecue sauce. The huge patio and attached bar do daily happy hours, with food and drink specials and frequent late-night dance parties. $5-$39. 1400 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-898-7991, kazeotr.com.

H KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia Quaint and comfortable with a huge beer list, AmerAsia might be Covington’s best-kept secret.

Offering all the usual Chinese dishes and a list of chef specialties, AmerAsia’s food is anything but the usual. Chef Chu makes it all from scratch. His motto: “Do not take short cuts and do everything with passion and love.”

Enjoy it all while taking in the eclectic décor of Kung Fu movie posters and paper lanterns. $7.50-$18. 521 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-261-6121, facebook.com/kungfoodchu.

Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine Fresh and authentic casual Thai, Lemon Grass is a favorite hidden gem spot. Reasonable priced farm-fresh spring rolls to signature pad Thai. $8-$15. 2666 Madison Road, Hyde Park, 513321-2882, lemongrasscincy.com.

Le’s Pho and Sandwiches The menu is simple yet extensive, offering both traditional Vietnamese dishes as well as those that cater to less adventurous palates. The banh mi, a traditional Vietnamese sandwich, comes complete with your choice of chicken, beef, pork, teriyaki or dac biet (a hearty combination of pork and pâté), topped with pickled carrot, onion, cilantro, jalapeño and just the right amount of mayonnaise. But the dish you will most often find in front of Le’s customers is the pho, with a heaping serving of Vietnamese broth, rice noodles, meat, vegetables and herbs. $4-$6. 3 E. Court St., Downtown, 513-721-9700.

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Lulu’s Rice & Noodles It’s not a Chinese restaurant, it’s a noodle shop! Serving up inexpensive steaming bowls of various Asian rice and noodle dishes garnished with vegetables and seafood or meat. Their soups are great, too. Try the spicy and intense Tom Yum soup with shrimp. $5.50-$9.50. 135 W. Kemper Road, Springdale, 513-671-4949.

Oriental Wok Transcending the typical Chinese American menu since 1977, Oriental Wok and the Wong family offer upscale, innovative, fresh and delicious chef-prepared cuisine that’s never boring — from five-spice tofu over stir-fried spinach to sea bass with black bean and garlic sauce or a steak with peppercorn sauce. Excellent beer and wine selections. $11-$34. 317 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859-331-3000; 2444 Madison Road, Hyde Park, 513871-6888, orientalwok.com.

dishes like hot pho soup, spring rolls and the ever-popular banh mi sandwiches, which come sprinkled with assorted pickled vegetables and your choice of meat or tofu.

They also serve Vietnamese coffee sweetened with condensed milk and brewed right on the table into your glass. $5-$11. 114 W. Elder St., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine, 513-376-9177, facebook.com/ dothelangthang.

an excellent choice. They offer traditional rice-based dolsot bi bim bap with mixed vegetables, a sunny-side up egg and your choice of beef, chicken or tofu.

All entrées are served with a delightful selection of traditional side dishes called ban chan.

Floor tables available. $12-$36.

512 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-291-1484, riversidekoreanrestaurant.com.

Quan Hapa

Shanghai Mama’s

“Hapa” is the word for a mixed-race Asian or Pacific Islander — the perfect nomenclature considering the food is an iteration of the best dishes and spirits from Korea, Vietnam, Japan and Hawaii. Their menu is delineated into sections of small plates, okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes), noodles and ramen. Dishes are mostly shareable, like the DIY salad rolls and Hapa wings. $4-$13. 1331 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-7826, quanhapa.com.

Shanghai Mama’s menu gives you the option of mixing and matching proteins with starches.

The noodles are homemade, thick and rustic and very delicious. And Mama’s is very vegetarian-friendly. There are several seitan dishes, including veggie cashew chicken and the Happy Buddha. $6-$25. 216 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-2417777, shanghaimamas.com.

Singha In addition to being the name of the most widely known Thai beer, Singha translates as “guardian lion,” a national symbol common throughout

H Pho Lang Thang

H Riverside Korean Restaurant

Located in the heart of Findlay Market, Pho Lang Thang offers

For authentic Korean dishes, Riverside Korean Restaurant is

Local & Organic Chicken Sandwiches, Burgers, Milkshakes & more.

Tohi

Ice cold cans of Cincy Brewed Beers 4176 Hamilton Ave. 45223 ticklepicklenorthside.com

urger Pair your b

with a beer

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Song Long We’re lucky to have Song Long’s authentic Vietnamese food in town. Family-run, Song Long is often busy enough to have a line out the door on weekday nights.

Try the Bahn Xeo crepe stuffed with bean sprouts and shrimp, or the Gui Con with its clear, cool rice paper and blend of fresh cilantro sprigs and vermicelli doused with peanut sauce. Not fancy, just fantastic. Also offers a selection of Chinese specialities. $4-$23. 1737 Section Road, Roselawn, 513-351-7631, songlong.net.

Cincinnati’s Only Hemp Spa, Tea House, and Boutique Sunday & Monday Closed Tuesday - Friday 10am-7pm Saturday 10am-2pm

942 HATCH ST. • MT ADAMS 513-421-8644 • TOHISPA.COM

513-954-4003 selection m our wide

Southeast Asia and China.

What sets Singha apart from other local Thai restaurants is a section of Thai noodle soups, sushi rolls made with black rice — instead of sticky white rice — and several dishes in a menu section called Singha’s Special Entrée. The Black Pearl roll has a highly unorthodox ingredient: mozzarella cheese. It sounds weird but totally works. $5$21. 2912 Wasson Road, Hyde Park, 513-351-0123, singhacincinnati.com.

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4767 Creek Road Blue Ash | 513-745-9484 64

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Stone Bowl Stone Bowl’s somewhat slapdash appearance belies its tasty food.

The mostly Korean menu — sometimes there’s sushi — offers up delicious pancakes, noodles and rice dishes; it’s the perfect family-friendly fare if you can keep small fingers off of the piping-hot stone bowls. $8-$30.

3355 Madison Road, Oakley, 513533-9600, stonebowloakley.com.

Sukhothai Thai Cuisine Features exotic dishes like mango prawns stir-fried in a tamarind sauce or tamarind crispy duck.

There are also familiar options like stir-fry and noodle dishes like pad Thai with your choice of meat and house fried rice. All of the dishes can be made vegetarian-friendly with vegetables or tofu. $6-$18.

8102 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, 513-794-0057, sukhothaicincy.com.

Sung Korean Bistro For a break from the ordinary downtown dinner, Sung Korean Bistro hits the spot. Sung serves traditional Korean dishes like hot

stone bowl dolsot bibimbap, sizzling with your choice of meat and a spicy chili bean paste served on the side. Try the doeji galbi pork rib dish, which packs a sweet-andspicy flavor combo served with rice. For an appetizer, try the haemul pajun: wheat flour pancake with egg, shrimp, crabmeat, squid, green onion and pepper. They also serve sushi for dinner. $6-$25.

700 Elm St., Downtown, 513-7217864, sungkoreanbistro.com.

puts out some very tasty Thai food. Everything is cooked in one of the two giant iron woks, and nothing on the menu is outside a student’s budget. Most dishes come with your choice of tofu, chicken, pork or shrimp.

All-time favorites are pad Thai and the red curry with chicken, spring rolls or the Waterfall beef salad. $5-$11. 213 W. McMillan St., Clifton, 513-651-9000, facebook.com/thaiexpresscincinnati.

Teak Thai

Thai Namtip

With three floors of dining, a full bar and a large outdoor patio area, Teak Thai has the room to accommodate throngs of Thai and sushi lovers. It also has the food to keep them coming back for more. Thai curries, soups, stir-fries, sushi and sashimi all vie for space alongside noodle dishes and house specialties like seafood claypot and crispy duck. $5-$20. 1051 Saint Gregory St., Mount Adams, 513-665-9800, teakthaicuisine.com.

Located in a strip mall, Thai Namtip has a rather unassuming location, but diners who know good Thai food make regular pilgrimages to this spot. Their specialty is the orange chicken, with breaded chicken breast drenched in a tangy orange sauce with vegetables and cashews. Another specialty is the Seafood Clay Pot. $3-$16. 5461 N. Bend Road, Monfort Heights, 513-481-3360, thainamtip.com.

expansion added a Hibachi grill to the mix. Try the Heema Roll, with shrimp tempura, asparagus and avocado, topped with yellowfin tuna and sprinkled with crabmeat and tempura flakes. $10-$22. 3655 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513-533-9500, wildgingercincy.com.

CARIBBEAN Caribe Carryout A Caribbean carryout with dishes like empanadas, stews, coconut chicken, black beans and more. $3-$7.50. 2605 Vine St., Corryville, 513-221-1786, caribeonvine.com.

Island Frydays This bright-yellow building sitting in the heart of Corryville offers authentic Jamaican delights like jerk chicken, sweet plantains, oxtail and curry goat. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. $7-$15. 2826 Vine St., Corryville, 513-498-0680, islandfrydays.com.

C A J U N /C R EO LE

H Thai Express

Wild Ginger

A favorite stop for inexpensive, good Thai food and friendly service. The tiny, no-frills kitchen

Many Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese dishes complement the creative sushi menu. A recent

Allyn’s Café The sheer number of menu items you’ll find at Allyn’s will surprise

ANDERSON 7625 Beechmont Ave • 513-231-5550

DOWNTOWN 800 Elm St • 513-721-4241 612 Main St • 513-241-6246

FOREST PARK 1198 Smiley Ave (At Winton Rd) • 513-825-3888

WEST CHESTER 7624 Beechmont Ave 8179 Princeton-Glendale Rd • 513-942-7800 Across from Beckett Ridge Kroger

WESTERN HILLS 5098B Glen Crossing Way • 513-347-9699

MADISONvILLE 4766 Red Bank Expressway • 513-376-6008

FLORENCE 7905 Mall Road (Next to Starbucks) • 859-525-2333

FT. WRIGHT 1965 Highland Pike • 859-331-4999

Voted Best Deli in Cincinnati, CityBeat ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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you. There are Cajun specialties like fried gator, jambalaya and red beans and rice; slowcooked ribs; Tex-Mex treats like enchiladas and chimichangas; and standard pub grub like hot wings, fries and sandwiches.

There is also a menu for the kids and beverages for adults (try the margaritas). $9-$17. 3538 Columbia Parkway, Columbia Tusculum, 513-871-5779, allynscafe.com.

Dee Felice Café If you’re looking for more of an experience than just dinner, swing into Dee Felice Café.

Along with spicy New Orleansstyle dishes, you’ll enjoy great live Jazz performed on a raised stage behind the bar. The star dish here is the crawfish étouffée, a generous pile of crawfish tails with vegetables and spicy sauce over rice. $15-$37. 529 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-261-2365, deefelicecafe.com.

H Knotty Pine on the Bayou Louisiana cooking featuring alligator, lobster bisque, oysters, fried catfish and frog legs with a mess of sides. Be sure to ask

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about the nightly special. $8-$30.

6302 Licking Pike, Cold Spring, Ky., 859-781-2200, knottypineonthebayou.com.

barbecue chicken and pulled pork. $8-$20. 3742 Kellogg Ave., East End, 513-834-7067, swampwatergrill.com.

E. Fourth St., Covington, Ky., 859491-6659, covington.mollymalonesirishpub.com.

Mardi Gras on Madison

B R I T I S H /C E LT I C

For some gastropub food with Scottish influence and a cocktail or two, Nicholson’s is a hot spot to hit. They’re known for their fish and chips, but their new menu offers duck-fat fries and shepherd’s pie. If you’re not hungry, check out one of their 90 single-malt scotches, craft cocktails or draft beer. $9-$29. 625 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-5649111, nicholsonspub.com.

Latoya Foster and her husband Randy, originally from Algiers Point, La., were among the first pioneers to establish a foothold in the Cincinnati food-truck movement with their popular New Orleans to Go eatery. Now they’ve parlayed their mobile success into Mardis Gras on Madison, a café featuring classic Cajun and Creole dishes. Foster invents the menu each morning, serving up items like catfish tacos, black beans and rice, fried okra and shrimp po’ boys from opening until they’re gone.

Prices vary. 1524 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills, 513-873-9041, facebook.com/mardigrasmad.

Swampwater Grill Southerners will feel right at home. An ample lineup of classic Louisiana favorites like jambalaya, gumbo, po’ boys and red beans and rice are paired with a selection of hardwood-smoked ribs,

Cock & Bull Public House Cock & Bull serves awardwinning fish and chips and better-than-average pub grub, including excellent crab cakes and build-your-own burgers. The atmosphere is convivial, and the beer selection is fantastic — 60 beers on tap. $7-$17. Multiple locations including 2645 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-533-4253; 601 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-581-4253; 275 E. Sharon Road, Glendale, 513-771-4253, candbpublichouse.com.

Molly Malone’s Northern Kentucky’s own Irish Pub, Molly’s has a great mix of Irish and American fare for lunch, brunch and supper, and serves pizza and appetizers until the wee hours. With 28 draft beers, trivia, karaoke and live music seven nights a week, Molly’s will fill your dance card. $7-$15. 112

Nicholson’s

F R E N C H / B E LG I A N Le Bar a Boeuf Jean-Robert de Cavel’s Le Bar a Boeuf (French slang for ‘beef bar’) is set in The Edgecliff highrise residences in East Walnut Hills, boasting stunning views over Eden Park and the Ohio River. The city’s most beloved restaurateur opened the bar to specialize in ground meat served with potatoes and veggies, with a selection of sauces, cheese and garnishes to dress. The bison

Food Trucks Cincinnati Food Truck Association

Cuban Pete Sandwiches

Just Jerks

Associated and allied trucks. cincinnatifoodtruckassociation.org

Cuban and Caribbean-style sandwiches. cubanpete­ sandwiches.com

Authentic Jamaican jerk cuisine. thatsjerk.com

Bistro de Mohr

Dojo Gelato

Hot dog cart featuring gourmet sausages and Chicago-style street meat. kaimelskys.com

An eclectic menu featuring local and sustainable ingredients. facebook.com/bistrodemohr

Bones’ Burgers Angus burgers and grilled cheeses. bones-burgers.com

Bones Brothers Wings Grilled wings, served with secret sauces. bonesbrotherswings.com

Catch-a-Fire Pizza Traveling wood-fired pizza. catchafirepizza.com

C’est Cheese Cincy Gourmet grilled cheese. cestcheesecincy.com

The Chili Hut Cincinnati-style chili on spaghetti and hot dogs. cincychilihut.com

Mobile outpost of independent Italian-style gelateria. dojo­gelato.com

East Coast Eatz

Kaimelsky’s

Legasea East Coast Café

Authentic East Coast eats. eastcoasteatz.com

Fresh, free-range Philly cheese­ steak. legaseacafe.com

Empanadas Aqui

Marty’s Waffles

South American empanadas, arepas and more. empanadasaqui.com

Belgian sugar waffles with fruit and other sweet toppings. martyswaffles.com

Granny's Goodies on the Go

Monk Express

Soft-serve ice cream, shakes and floats. ggsonthego.net

Harvest Mobile Cuisine Healthy comfort food. harvestmobilecuisine.com

Hungry Bros.

Specializes in waffle fries, fried pies and other comfort foods. instagram.com/ hungrybrosfoodtruck

Sushi burritos and rice burgers. facebook.com/monkexpress

P&P Woodfired Pizza Artisan pizza from a brick oven. pnpwoodfiredpizza.com

Quite Frankly All-beef franks with quality homemade toppings. quitefranklyllc.weebly.com

Red Sesame Korean Barbecue Korean barbecue with a Mexican slant. redsesamebbq.com

Renegade Street Eats Wings, burgers and sandwiches. renegadestreeteats.com

Street Chef Brigade Edgy comfort food. streetchefbrigade.com

SugarSnap! Sweet Treats Gourmet desserts. sugarsnaptruck.com

Sweets & Meats Barbecue and smoked meats. sweetsandmeatsbbq.com

Texas Joe Family-recipe Tex-Mex. texasjoethelegalmexican.com

Urban Grill Handcrafted sandwiches and skewers. urbangrillfoodtruck.com

Waffo Sweet and savory waffles. facebook.com/waffotruck

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topped with goat cheese and ‘forestiere’ mushroom-based sauce is perfect in every way. $9-$25. 2200 Victory Parkway, East Walnut Hills. 513-751-2333, jrcincy.com.

Jean-Robert’s Table

GRILL OF INDIA 354 Ludlow Ave, Cincinnati, OH

513-961-3600

ORDER ONLINE: WWW.GRILLOFINDIAOH.COM OR TEXT: (513) 652-4447

LUNCH BUFFET $ 1 OFF PERSON $3 OFF 2 PERSON

FULL BAR OPEN 7 DAYS 11AM - 10PM

2ND DINNER ENTREE $6 OFF CARRY-OUT $7 OFF DINE-IN

The casual, upscale menu of French-American cuisine includes foie gras, local chicken with potato croquette and the French Chateau Burger with blue cheese, caramelized onions, tomato and bacon on a fluffy brioche bun. A Duo of Snail & Frog Leg appetizer is also available, served with a crawfish beignet, kale and chablis reduction. For lunch, the four-course $15 French Lunch Tray changes every week and is available only at the bar. $12-$38. 713 Vine St., Downtown, 513-621-4777, jrtable.com.

H Taste of Belgium Hot, fresh Belgian waffles make delicious breakfast sandwiches, but there are also healthy fruit-and-yogurt parfaits. The crepe station prepares sweet and savory crepes, like the Nati Crepe with goetta, made fresh to order. At dinner, the sophistication goes up a notch with mussels, steak frites and Belgian specialties. Exclusive selection of Belgian beers. $5-$25. Multiple locations including 1133 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-3814607; 2845 Vine St., Corryville, 513-394-7105; 3825 Edward Road, Rookwood, Norwood, 513-3965800, authenticwaffle.com.

GERMAN

H Hofbräuhaus The first authentic German Hofbräuhaus in America modeled after the legendary Munich location. Traditionally decorated rooms, beer brewed onsite, a huge biergarten and German dishes make this a fun dining option. $4-$16. 200 E. Third St., Newport, Ky., 859-491-7200, hofbrauhausnewport.com.

Iron Skillet Did you even know that there are 10 kinds of schnitzel? The Iron Skillet celebrates traditional Eastern European cuisine with a schnitzel for every day of the week — and then some. $6-$26. 1020 Ohio Pike, Withamsville, 513-561-6776, laszlosironskillet.com.

Katharina’s Café-Konditorei Katharina’s is a family-run operation, with the entire staff 68

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hailing from Mainz, a small town in Germany. The traditional German menu is bilingual and offers breakfast and lunch — meat, breads, cheeses and, of course, cake — in an authentic kaffee haus environment. $4-$13.

Moving to a new location at Eighth and Washington streets, Newport, Ky. Find updates at katharinascafe.com.

Mecklenburg Gardens For a taste of Zinzinnati’s German heritage, Mecklenburg Gardens showcases some of the best German cuisine the city has to offer. Their specialty is wiener schnitzel, a tender veal cutlet topped with lemon; it’s served with German fried potatoes and cabbage. They have 16 beers on tap, most of which are German, along with some microbrews.

One of the best biergartens in the country, and one of the oldest restaurants in Cincinnati. $8-$20. 302 E. University Ave., Corryville, 513-221-5353, mecklenburgs.com.

Wunderbar!

Wunderbar! is one of those restaurants that’s considered a “hidden gem.” The authentic German-inspired menu features housemade wursts with locally sourced meats, like the restaurant’s super popular currywurst — a peculiar invention of post-World War II Germany. It’s a spiced sausage served with a ketchup-Worcestershire-curry sauce. The rotating sausage menu is written on a blackboard behind the bar, but a must-try is the Riesen Brezel, a gigantic, plate-sized pretzel that easily complements any of the bar’s more than 35 beers. $7-$12. 1132 Lee St., Covington, Ky., 859-8158027, facebook.com/wunderbar. covington.3.

INDIAN Akash India Authentic Northern Indian cuisine with a lunch buffet and Indian beer. $8-$15. 24 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-723-1300, akashindia.net.

H Ambar India Perhaps the classiest of the Indian restaurants along Ludlow Avenue in Clifton, Ambar touts a neat and simple dining room with white tablecloths and consistently good service. $8-$20.

350 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513281-7000, ambarindia.com.

Amma’s Kitchen Amma’s serves only vegan and vegetarian Indian food, but you won’t miss the meat when the flavors are this complex. Homemade breads include the puffy pillows of cooked dough called batura. They also carry IndoChinese dishes. $5-$10. 7633 Reading Road, Roselawn, 513821-2021, ammaskitchen.com.

Baba India Baba is known for its gentle blending of herbs and spices, featuring authentic cuisine from Northern India. Try the savory tandoori oven dishes, exotic curries, excellent naan and various mango juice beverages. $6-$14.

3120 Madison Road, Oakley, 513321-1600, babarestaurant.com.

Bombay Brazier Owners G. and Rip, who own the original Bombay Brazier in Lexington, Ky., bring style and class to a cuisine popularized by buffets, Americanized dishes and rushed, overcrowded dining rooms. What’s their philosophy?

Northern Indian recipes done the only way they know: authentically. $12-$28. 7791 Cooper Road, Montgomery, 513-794-0000, bombaybraziercincy.com.

Brij Mohan Indian Sweets & Restaurant Brij Mohan features authentic northern Indian cuisine specializing in desserts and street-foodstyle dishes. Try the malai kofta, a creamy onion and tomato sauce with mixed vegetable balls, or homemade cheese dishes like spicy chili paneer or saag paneer with spinach. All dishes are vegetarian and made from scratch, including their pastries. $7-$10.

11259 Reading Road, Sharonville, 513-769-4549.

Deep India Deep India’s simple, cheaper take on takeout is welcome in the Clifton brotherhood of Indian restaurants. Head to the counter to order, and then wait for your giant Styrofoam container of saag to come out. You can either eat in at one of their fast-foodstyle tables or take your Goliath order home and make a few meals out of it. $7-$10. 211 W. McMillan Ave., Clifton Heights, 513-421-6453, deepindiacincinnati.com.

Dusmesh Sitting at the bottom of Ludlow Avenue right across from

Cincinnati State, Dusmesh is a foodie favorite, offering Northern Indian food made fresh with organic produce. Vegans can substitute coconut milk in any of their dishes. If you want to sample a little bit of everything, check out the lunch buffet. $8-$15. 944 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-221-8900, dusmesh.com.

Krishna With only a few seats in house and every dish served in a Styrofoam container, it’s no wonder why the emphasis is on the food. Krishna offers budgetfriendly Indian fare without compromising the quality. Go in for the lamb biryani or the saag paneer, and add some vegetable samosas to your order. Their food is friendly whether you’re carnivore or herbivore. $7-$10.

313 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-961-2878.

New Krishna Specializes in a wide variety of North Indian foods. Includes a lunch and dinner buffet. $8.50-$15.99. 11974 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, 513-769-6266, newkrishnarestaurant.com.

Shaan Indian Cuisine Located in Hyde Park, Shaan Indian Cuisine provides Northern Indian specializing in saag dishes, like the chicken saag and the saag paneer. The Chane Ki Chat is a blend of fruit and vegetables mixed with chickpeas served cold as an appetizer that you don’t normally see, but don’t miss the spicy lamb vindaloo or the ginger lamb. $9-$12. 3880 Paxton Ave., Hyde Park, 513-5333100, shaanindian.net.

HOME OF THE

CUBANS

Swad The former owners of Dusmesh opened this spot that’s friendly to all: gluten-free eaters, vegans, bring-your-own-beer types and those who just love excellent garlic naan. $9-$15. 1810 W. Galbraith Road, North College Hill, 513-522-5900, swadtasty.com.

I TA L I A N / PI Z Z A 15 North Wood-fired pizzas are the centerpiece of this restaurant.

The Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas are smallish — about six slices per pizza — and come with toppings like a Black & Blue (tomato sauce, olive tapenade, blue cheese, pepperoni, roasted onion, Kalamata olives) and Harvest (onion and garlic purée,

133 E. Court St. Cincinnati, OH

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mozzarella, squash, cherry tomatoes, red pepper, basil). The small plates consist of bruschetta, caprese salad and roasted olives, and even three sandwiches: a veggie, an Italian and a prosciutto. $9-$14. 15 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, Ky., 859-441-0967, 15northpizza.com.

H Adriatico’s Adriatico’s has a huge draft beer selection and 64-ounce growlers to go, plus spicy, garlicky sauce, oversized pepperonis and the super-thick crust that their pizzas are known for. Good luck finding calzones like theirs, too.

It’s “madness” every Monday and Tuesday with specials that the college kids can’t turn down.

The Bearcat pizza will feed your entire party. $6-$53. 113 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-281-4344, adriaticosuc.com.

Fig + Prosciutto, Sweet Pea + Bacon or Sausage + Sage — are a blend of the familiar coupled with the exotic. Whet your appetite with their stuffed dates, filled with house sausage, wrapped in smoky bacon and topped with tomato sauce. $5-$20. 1220 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-2460192; 7022 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-272-0192, atavolapizza.com.

Bella Luna Ideal for a lively night out with friends. Features authentic recipes from Italy’s Sicily and Calabria regions — must-haves include the mushroom ravioli stuffed with portobello and topped with sweet pepper sauce and gorgonzola as well as eggplant parmesan. They also offer a gluten-free menu. $9-$26. 4632 Eastern Ave., East End, 513-8715862, bellalunacincy.com.

H A Tavola

Betta’s Italian Oven

Armed with a pizza oven from Naples, Italy, A Tavola strikes a resounding chord of authenticity while redefining the perfect pie. Their playful selection of signature pizzas — such as the

Plenty o’ choices here to give any local Italian chain a serious run for its money. Familiar favorites include antipasto, soups, salads and Italian and NYC-style sandwiches, but pizza

is the real word. The wood-fired oven produces tasty, thin-crust pies like the Quattro Stagioni with kalamata olives, prosciutto, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, and breadsticks including the spicy pepperoni sticks. There are plenty of regulars filling the tables every night — always a sign of a consistently good meal. $8-$14. 3764 Montgomery Road, Norwood, 513-631-6836, bettasitalianoven.com.

Buona Vita Pizzeria Lots of Italian restaurants claim to cook “just like Grandma made it,” but few actually use authentic recipes passed down from the motherland. At Buona Vita Pizzeria, the Frommeyers use their family name (Buonavita, “the good life”) and family recipes. Truly a family affair, Joseph Frommeyer runs the front of the house while his brother/chef Matthew runs the kitchen using recipes handed down from their Nonna. Mamma helps out in the dining room, serving her homemade cookies and other Italian treats to guests; plus

cousin Ralph drops off his Dolce Vita Gelato. $5-$18. 441 Sixth St., Dayton, Ky., 859-261-6792, buonavitapizzeria.com.

H Dewey’s Pizza A hip neighborhood pizza chain with craft beers, seasonal salads, specialty toppings and a window where kids (and adults) can watch the pizzas being hand-tossed. $9-$22. Multiple locations including 3014 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-731-7755; 7767 Kenwood Road, Kenwood, 513791-1616; Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-431-9700, deweyspizza.com.

Fireside Pizza Since opening a brick-and-mortar version of their popular woodfired pizza cart last year, Fireside Pizza has been able to attract a crowd to the up-and-coming East Walnut Hills neighborhood.

With the family-friendly vibe, old school Ms. Pac-Man game and the fact that it’s located inside an actual historic firehouse, Fireside’s appeal transcends its nicely singed wood-fired pizzas. $4-$20. 773 E. McMillan

Voted Best Italian Restaurant in Greater Cincinnati 9 of the past 12 years

Serving authentic Italian cuisine from rich, Old World recipes in the heart of Newport, Ky. Live music every weekend.

Check pompilios.com for schedule.

www.pompilios.com | 600 Washington Ave, Newport, KY | (859) 581-3065 70

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St., Walnut Hills, 513-751-FIRE, firesidepizzawalnuthills.com.

Forno Osteria + Bar One of the city’s First Families of Food — the Pietosos of Nicola’s and Via Vite — have brought upscale-casual Italian cooking to the East Side with Forno, serving what they describe as “Italian comfort food.” The restaurant is one large dining room with an open kitchen showcasing the brick ovens and a large bar. In addition to a selection of red- and white-sauced pizzas, the menu lists six pasta plates and five meat- and fish-based entrées. $11-$30. 3514 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-818-8720, fornoosteriabar.com.

H Goodfellas Pizzeria The place to be when you stumble out of the bar at 2 a.m. (or for lunch), Goodfellas makes their dough fresh every morning and their sauce in-house. They also offer subs, calzones and a multitude of delectable dipping sauces. A bourbon bar is upstairs. $5.95-$32. 1211 Main St., Overthe-Rhine, 513-381-3625; 603

Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-9165209, goodfellaspizzeria.com.

LaRosa’s A chain of local pizzerias that’s been dishing up pies for 60 years, as well as pasta, salads, sandwiches and more. The sauce and crust are both a tiny bit sweet. $5-$25. Multiple locations, 513347-1111, larosas.com.

Mac’s Pizza Pub It’s kind of a collegiate Chuck E. Cheese. There are games, live music, sports and food — good food with vegan options. Mac’s pizza has won numerous awards, and the rest of its menu ain’t too shabby, either. $3.50-$20. 205 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-241-MACS; 6309 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-271-MACS; 2920 W. US-22, Maineville, 513-677-MACS; 604 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-431-MACS, macspizzapub.com.

Mellow Mushroom Choices are endless at this groovy pizza joint. Choose from an extensive list of specialty pizzas including the Holy Shiitake

Pie or opt to craft your own creation. $5-$25. Multiple locations including 9238 Floer Drive, West Chester, 513-860-0888; 3804 Paxton Ave., Hyde Park, 513-3212555, mellowmushroom.com.

Newport Pizza Company The pizzas are excellent, of course, and the vegetarian options are much better than average since Newport Pizza roasts most of their veggies themselves. Best thing on the menu, though, is the Antipasti Basket with salami, pepperoni, capicola ham, asiago and fresh mozzarella, manzanella olives, banana peppers, Roma tomato, fresh basil and a big fat head of roasted garlic. $5-$17. 601 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-4900, newportpizzacompany.com.

H Pompilios This restaurant, where the toothpick scene in Rain Man was filmed, has been offering classic family Italian since 1933. Can’t go wrong with any pasta dish. Play a game of bocce ball on the back court or grab a beer-and-burger

special in the attached Colonel Pomp’s Tavern. $7-$28. 600 Washington Ave., Newport, Ky., 859-581-3065, pompilios.com.

Ramundo’s Pizzeria Try the pizza challenge — two people, 10 minutes, one 24-inch pizza. Winners get their photo on the wall. $3-$36. 3166 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-3210978, ramundospizzeria.com.

Red Rose Avocados are usually associated with Mexican food, but if you crave the green stuff on unconventional dishes, Red Rose Pizza offers it in the form of a fresh guacamole appetizer, broccoli avocado soup, the Goats & Guacamole salad, May’s Funky Chicken grinder and as a pizza topping. $6-$68 (for a 28-inch pizza). 5915 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, 513-620-7673, redrosecollegehill.com.

Santo Graal Santo Graal fills a niche at The Banks for an affordably priced restaurant that gives sports fans and concertgoers a respite from

Over-The-rhine

110 E. Central Parkway Cincinnati, OH, 45202 513-651-5483 Monday - Friday: 6:30am - 8pm Saturday/Sunday: 7am - 8pm

easT hyde Park

3316 Erie Avenue Cincinnati, OH, 45208 513-321-5943 Monday - Friday: 6:00am - 8pm Saturday/Sunday: 7am - 8pm

Xavier UniversiTy

Gallagher Student Center 513-745-3786 Monday - Thursday: 7am - 11pm Friday: 7am - 5pm Saturday: 8am - 2pm Sunday: 10am - 10pm Summer Hours Monday-Friday: 8am - 2pm

Williams COllege Of BUsiness/aTriUm 513-745-4902 Monday - Thursday: 7am - 9pm Friday: 7am - 1pm Saturday: 8am - 2pm Summer Hours Monday-Thursday: 4 - 8pm

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restau rant l // P hotos: pro v ided

the crowds. The food is familiar, mainstream Cincinnati Italian, and you can get a decent bottle of wine. $10-$15. 180 E. Freedom Way, The Banks, Downtown, 513721-7222, santograalbanks.com.

Scotti’s Family-owned for a century, Scotti’s must be doing something right. Their large menu features just about every pasta imaginable and nearly 20 different varieties of veal dishes. Finish off your meal with a bottle of wine and you’ll be full for days.

Multi-colored tiles plaster the walls, and candles drip layer upon layer of wax on Chianti bottles at every table, providing a little light to the otherwise dimly lit dining room. $18-$31.

919 Vine St., Downtown, 513-7219484, scottiscincinnati.com.

H Sotto Located under Boca restaurant, the Tuscan-inspired Sotto offers a more approachable atmosphere and price point than its upstairs neighbor. With multiple dining rooms, the kitchen is open to view, including the custommade wood-fire grill in front and a fresh-pasta room in the back hallway. Menu items include handmade pasta, house-cured salami and big-ticket items like Bistecca Fiorentina, a grilled creekstone porterhouse steak with daily sides. Sotto sources their bread from Blue Oven and also grows their own herbs and vegetables. Now serving lunch during the week. $7-$75. 118 E. 72

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Sixth St., Downtown, 513-9776886, sottocincinnati.com.

Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria is not just another pizza joint. The dough is thin, with beautiful crisp air pockets that bulge out of the pizza. It is golden, charred and chewy. The toppings are tossed on top deliberately but asymmetrically — rustic in every sense. $9-$18. 336 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-291-6836, strongsbrickovenpizza.com.

Taglio In Italian, “Taglio” means “pizza by the slice” and the restaurant focuses on large slices of gas-fired New York-style pizza (hand-tossed, thin crust, real cheese). The concept is simple: walk up to the counter, order a slice or a whole pizza, grab a six-pack or a bottle (or two) of wine from their booze wall, go home and stuff your face.

They make all of their meats inhouse but import the ricotta and mozzarella from Italy. $3 slice; $14$26 pizza. 3531 Columbia Parkway, Columbia Tusculum, 513-321-0454, eattaglio.com.

Trotta’s A beverage drive-thru with aboveaverage pizza, including the Lotta Trotta big-ass pizza. $6-$35. 3501 Werk Road, Westwood, 513-4515555, trottaspizza.net.

Via Vite Via Vite showcases chef Cristian Pietoso’s casual take on Northern Italian cuisine. Crispy, wood-fired pizzas and hearty

pastas hearken to the motherland, while entrées of braised lamb shank and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin smothered in grandma’s peperonata lead the diner on a classic Italian journey. $10-$38. 520 Vine St., Fountain Square, Downtown, 513-721-8483, viaviterestaurant.com.

MEDITERR ANEAN

H Abigail Street The Mediterranean-inspired menu of small plates revels in Italian, Spanish, Turkish and Greek influences, with unique twists only chef Daniel Wright (winner of Food & Wine’s 2012 People’s Best New Chef: Great Lakes Region) could pull off — chorizo-stuffed dates, grilled octopus, batata and more. Wines are available on tap, by the bottle or the glass. $5-$16. 1214 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-4214040, abigailstreet.com.

Ali Baba Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill is a tiny hole-in-the-wall serving up gargantuan falafel and gyro platters that won’t break the bank.

Stock your plate with a variety of fresh toppings doled out by a friendly server, then sit down to watch Persian singer Mansour and others belt out hits in music videos hearkening back to MTV’s glory days. $5-$10. 4793 Red Bank Road, Madisonville, 513-271-0706.

H Andy’s Mediterranean Grille Expect maximum Mediterranean flavor at Andy’s, from

the signature Shish Tawook, a marinated chicken kabob, to authentic stuffed grape leaves and many varieties of baklava and Turkish coffee. $6-$35. 906 Nassau St., Walnut Hills, 513-2819791, andyskabob.com.

Kinneret Café This veg-friendly, Kosher spot combines cultures and dishes from around the Mediterranean, specializing in Israeli food.

Everything is made in-house and the only meat on the menu is fish. $5.50-$16. 8316 Plainfield Road, Deer Park, 513-791-1777, kinneretcafe.com.

Marrakech Moroccan Café & Grill The chefs, who hail from Marrakech, serve up Mediterranean staples, plus a variety of tajines, flavorful stews slow-cooked in a conical earthenware pot, and bastilla, a sweet-andsavory chicken pie layered with scrambled eggs, shredded chicken, caramelized onions, ground almonds, confectioners sugar and cinnamon. Don’t miss out on the Moroccan mint tea. $5-$12. 341 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-442-2233, facebook.com/ cliftonmoroccancafe.

Mirage Mediterranean Owned by two Armenian-American brothers, Mirage features authentic family recipes that have been passed from generation to generation. Most dishes hail from around the Black Sea, including kebabs, Russian borscht, khinkali

Beechmont 5230 Beechmont Ave. (Formerly Los Portales) 513-231-2300

Dent

6121 Harrison Ave. (Formerly Gran Fiesta) 513-574-2164

Eastgate

4476 Glen Este Withamsville Rd. (Across from Meijer) 513-752-9900

Kenwood

6475 E Galbraith Rd Cincinnati OH, 45236 513-813-3079

3.00 OFF $6.00 OFF LUNCH DINNER

$

BUY ONE LUNCH, GET ONE $3.00 OFF A 2ND LUNCH OF EQUAL OF LESSER VALUE

Valid 11am-2:30pm. Valid every day.

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Not good for carry-out. Excludes a la carte items.

BUY ONE DINNER, GET ONE $6.00 OFF A 2ND DINNER OF EQUAL OF LESSER VALUE. VALID EVERY DAY Not valid with any other offers. Not good for carry-out. Excludes a la carte items

Mason

4920 Socialville-Foster Rd Mason, OH 45040 513-229-0595

Middletown

6601 Terhune Dr. 513-705-0454

Sharonville

11765 Lebanon Rd. 513-733-1310

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Serving coffee, loose-leaf teas, sandwiches, and fresh made desserts.

e f a C & y r e Bak

dumplings and Mikado cake. $5-$20. 11381 Montgomery Road, Mongtomery, 513-469-0089, miragecincinnati.com.

Phoenician Taverna A hidden gem in a Mason stripmall, Phoenician Taverna specializes in Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine, all made in-house — from the pita bread to the sausage stuffed in natural casings. For entrées, find shawarma, mouzat (braised lamb shank in tomato sauce), mashawi and ouzi (braised met over rice).

Plenty of hot and cold vegetarian mezza (appetizers) abound. $10-$23. 7994 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, 513-770-0027, phoeniciantaverna.com.

Sebastian’s

L O C AT E D I N H I S T O R I C M A I N S T R A S S E V I L L AG E 6 4 0 M A I N S T R E ET COV I N G TO N , K E N T U C KY 4 1 0 1 4

859-431-2326 | BEANHAUS.COM

Serving as a West Side staple for more than 38 years, Sebastian’s family-owned restaurant is a Greek treasure. With mouthwatering baklava, flaky spanakopita and the hands-down best gyro in town, it’s no wonder why customers keep coming back for more. $4-$10.50. 5209 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill, 513-4712100, sebastiansgyros.com.

Sultan’s VOTED #1 Bakery in Cincinnati for Sweets, Weddings and Neighborhood Place to Go

Authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

Owner and executive chef Mustafa Koylu prepares a wide selection of excellent kebabs, and the menu also reflects Ottoman specialties and traditional appetizers (grape leaves, hummus, cacik), along with plenty of vegetarian entrees. $7-$35.

7305 Tyler’s Corner Drive, West Chester, 513-847-1535, sultanscincinnati.com.

M E X I C A N / T E X- M E X / L AT I N A M E R I C A N The Arepa Place Latin Grill Owner and chef Isis ArrietaDennis and her husband make everything from scratch using an arepa recipe passed down from Isis’ mother, who owns her own restaurant in Cartagena, Colombia.

The grill has six different arepas, stuffed with cheese, beans and plantains, and then your choice of beef, chicken or both, sourced from Findlay’s Mackie Quality Meats. The grill is currently open at Findlay Market during the weekend. $5-$10. 1801 Race St., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine, facebook. com/thearepaplacelatingrill.

2030 Madison Rd. • Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 321-3399 • www.bonbonerie.com

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H Bakersfield OTR Part bar, part taco joint, all classy. Bakersfield specializes

in gourmet tacos (pollo rojo, pastor, huitlacoche, etc.), quality tequilas and whiskeys and handcrafted margaritas made the old fashioned way — not from a premade mix. $3-$9. 1213 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-579-0446, bakersfieldtacos.com.

Calle Cantina Calle means “street” and cantina means “bar,” and that’s exactly what you’re getting: a no-frills watering hole/street-food restaurant that feels like a worldly destination you’d come across on your travels. They have a sparse menu: fresh veggie, chicken or carnitas tacos; tostados; loaded nachos; and chips and salas or guac.

On a given day, Calle offers about three kinds of seasonal margs, along with red or white housemade sangria. $3-$12. 950 Pavilion St., Mount Adams, 513721-6977, callemtadams.com.

Cancun This Mexican restaurant attached to Western Bowl bowling alley is an area favorite. Prices vary.

Multiple locations including 6385 Glenway Ave., Western Hills, 513574-1639, cancunmexicanrestaurantes.com.

Cazadores Cazadores is one of the city’s most underrated restaurants. It’s locally owned, boasting four decent-sized, clean and rarely crowded restaurants in the Greater Cincinnati area. They even recently started sending a guy around to the tables with a cart to make fresh guacamole. $6.50-$15. Multiple locations including 750 Ohio 28, Milford, 513-831-3300, cazadoresrestaurants.com.

Ché Located just a hair off the beaten path in Over-the-Rhine, Ché is nestled on Walnut Street, down a block from 16 Bit Bar+Arcade.

The three “cheese” empanadas are basically quesadillas with an additional ingredient: de espinaca features baby spinach, queso y cebolla has sautéed onion and jamon y queso comes with classic ham and cheese.

Then there are the meat-centric ’nadas. The de carne has cuminand paprika-spiced beef and the spicy smoked pork belly also features caramelized onion and cheese. The real surprises are the shrimp scampi, the Buffalo chicken and the Breakfast, with country-style sausage, scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese. $3-$9.

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1342 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-978-1706, checincinnati.com.

The Comet A neighborhood bar with tons of bottled beer options and a limited Mexican-inspired menu available from 4 p.m.-1 a.m.

Choose chicken, beef or jerked tofu for your burrito or have the same in a quesadilla, nachos or tacos. $4-$8. 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-8900, cometbar.com.

flan is silky, with smoky caramel. $3.50-$8. 1004 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-376-8328, facebook. com/elcaminocincy.

El Rancho Grande One of the largest local Mexican chains. $2-$10. Multiple locations including 6475 E. Galbraith Road, Kenwood, elranchogrande.info.

Frida 602

The al pastor pork pairs with tequila-soaked, grilled pineapple and fragrant chopped mint. Vegetarians can enjoy a delicious veggie taco. Seafood stew features a mix of yellow fin tune, mussels, clams and shrimp in a garlic tomato broth with okra and cotija cheese. Django’s take on guac boasts pistachio, Serrano pepper and cotija cheese. $6-$18. 4046 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-3664, djangonorthside.com.

The restaurant, named after the legendary painter Frida Kahlo, has Kahlo’s portrait and famous unibrow emblazoned all over the place. The cocktail list is divided into margaritas and house cocktails made with either tequila or mezcal, and they offer both in a flight, served in copitas (small clay cups). The menu is categorized into antojitos of chips and salsas, salads, nachos and several kinds of tacos. The vegetarian chickpea and Brussels sprout tacos are the best. Also a must: the queso dip. $8-$14. 602 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-8158736, facebook.com/frida602.

El Camino

H Gomez Salsa

Co-owner Sean Morgan and chef Brad Johnson’s Puerto Rican and Cuban street-food-inspired eatery serves up easy Latin American dishes. El Camino’s tostones, which are deep-fried plantains, come with a side of garlic ketchup. They’re crisp, crunchy and, miraculously, not at all greasy. The Cubano sandwich is delicious, standard and comforting. Their huge empanadas have rotating fillings. And the

Open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Gomez’s walk-up taco window has it all: mahi-mahi tacos with slaw and Baja sauce, chips with pineapple salsa, taco salad bowls and owner Andrew Gomez’s greatest invention, the Turtle Shell. Take a tortilla, stuff it with rice, beans, sour cream, lettuce, salsa, meat, veggies and cheese, layer in a tostado for crunch, put some cheese on the top and then brown it. It’s a fat

Django Western Taco

little crunchy burrito envelope, a walking taco. And the Turtle tastes even better if you stumble over after imbibing at the adjacent HalfCut, a craft beer café of sorts. Now open for lunch and brunch. $3-$9. 107 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-1596, gomezsalsa.com.

Habañero Cincinnati’s original foil-wrapped Latin fare. Habañero opened in 1999, before most of us had even heard of that national burrito chain. Known for their more creative burrito options like the Mad Max (with fried tilapia) and the Calypso Chicken (with adoboglazed chicken breast and pineapple salsa), along with various quesadillas and signature salsas. $2.50-$8. 358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-961-6800, habanerolatin.com.

La Mexicana Home of some of the city’s best tacos: tacos al pastor with delicious marinated pork shoulder, barbacoa, carne asada, lengua (tongue) and sesos (brains; they wash down perfectly with a cerveza). For vegetarians, wideranging fillings include seasoned pumpkin flower, corn truffle, hongos, beans and queso fresco.

This inexpensive and authentic menu has been known to incite cravings after as little as one visit. $3-$10. 642 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-6112.

H Mazunte Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup with pork, chicken, hominy,

red radish, onions, avocados, cilantro, limes, Mexican oregano and tostadas. And a steamy bowl of pozole from Mazunte is like a soft kiss of authenticity from Oaxaca, Mexico. Owner Josh Wamsley wanted to create a dining experience to match those he had as a hungry English professor in that Mexican state, a place he calls the “unofficial mecca of Mexican cuisine.” It’s a refreshing and authentic culinary surprise, considering the restaurant’s location in a Madisonville strip mall. $7.25$9.25. 5207 Madison Road, Madisonville, 513-785-0000, mazuntetacos.com.

Mita’s Chef Jose Salazar is a continent away from his mamita and the hand-cranked mill she still uses to grind corn for arepas and empanadas, but his restaurant, Mita’s, is a tribute to her spirit and to Spanish and Latin American food. Some of the more intriguing dishes at Mita’s use familiar ingredients in new ways. The fresh emerald-green sauce for the short-rib empanadas is unexpectedly minty, and the beef is tucked into cornmeal crusts so light and crisp that it lifts the dish to the sublime. The bar at Mita’s is a great place to get familiar with mezcal, the underexplored spirit-of-themoment — the Mezcal Manhattan is getting lots of buzz. $7-$39.

501 Race St., Downtown, 513421-6482, mitas.co.

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Montoya’s Friendly service and fresh, affordable food have kept Montoya’s a neighborhood staple for more than 20 years. Patrons rave about their authentic Mexican dishes like chilaquiles, their signature spicy Pirata Plate and anything with mole. Great margaritas are the cherry on top. $2.25-$11.

2507 Chelsea Drive, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859-341-0707.

Nada Modern Mexican. Outstanding guacamole tops beer-batterfried hake on crisp, Baja-style tacos. The ceviche zings with notes of orange and chipotle.

Churros, classic fried dough with cinnamon and sugar, are a sweet way to wrap it up. Great location next to the Aronoff Center downtown, and the patio is a big attraction when nice weather beckons. $6-$22. 600 Walnut St., Downtown. 513-721-6232, eatdrinknada.com.

Rio Grande Serves up good strip-mall Mexican, with the giant portions and plentiful margaritas you’d expect. $2-$10. 34 Carothers Road, Newport, Ky., 859-292-8750.

Taqueria Mercado Fajitas come with your choice of grilled steak, chicken or shrimp.

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light or dark beer mixed with tomato juice, lime juice and hot sauce. $3-$15. 100 E. Eighth St., Downtown, 513-381-0678; 6507 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, 513-9424943, taqueriamercado.com.

Taqueria Yolandita Taqueria Yolandita is a tiny taco trailer. The menu is brief, but you’ve still got a tough choice — you’ll want to try everything.

Overstuffed tacos, priced at three for $6; burritos, quesadillas and tortas, all $7 each. An order of three is a sit-down, eat-witha-fork feast, heaped high with braised meat, fresh avocado, chopped onions and cilantro, quartered lemons — not limes — and slices of crisp radish. $5-$7.

1881 Westwood Ave., Price Hill, 513-551-0828.

R USS I A N Oasis Russian Fusion A Russian restaurant that holds back a little on the traditional fattening ingredients Russian meals are known for. Find beef stroganoff, Georgian chicken tabaka, goulash, dumplings and pastry appetizers. $8-$18. 8697 Fields Ertel Road, Symmes, 513-247-9755, oasisrussianfusion.com.

SOUTH AMERICAN Alfio’s Buon Cibo Italian for “good food,” the restaurant aims to wed Italian and Argentinian cuisine. The menu is dotted with Italian (baked ravioli, bruschetta) and Argentinian (empanadas, grilled lamb) dishes,

but steers more toward the former. And, as both countries are located on coasts, there’s always fresh seafood. $7-$33. 2724 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-0555, alfios-cincy.com.

Boi Na Braza Brazilian Steakhouse with a lot of fancy meat on sticks delivered tableside by gauchos, plus a salad bar. $48.95. 441 Vine St., Downtown, 513-421-7111, boinabraza.com.

FINE DINING

H Boca A trip to chef David Falk’s Italian/ French gemstone is an experience to be savored as much as the food itself. Take your time, invest a few hours and allow him and his attentive, knowledgeable staff to unfold an epic tale of two or three courses, plus dessert. $15-$60. 114 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-5422022, bocacincinnati.com.

The Celestial Whet your appetite on drunken mussels with applewoodsmoked bacon, Blue Moon beer and orange zest or delectable crab cakes with chili pasilla aioli. Whether you choose the Celestial Oscar, crowned with lump crabmeat, or the roasted Cornish game hen, you will not be disappointed. Desserts include a classic crème brulee and chocolate-crusted cheesecake. $8-$60. 1071 Celestial St., Mount Adams, 513-241-4455, thecelestial.com.

Meritage Meritage offers upscale classic American cuisine, ranging from pan-seared scallops with lemon butter and Thai-glazed salmon to a Cajun goat cheese-crusted filet. Don’t miss the bone-in pork chop served with bourbon cream sauce. Meritage also boasts an extensive wine cellar and signature cocktails. $10-$40. 40 Village Square., Glendale, 513376-8134, meritagecincy.com.

Nicola’s Restaurant A celeb-spotting treasure, Nicola’s renown is undeniable. One of Cincinnati’s top, Zagat-rated restaurants, its menu of housemade pastas and secondi piatti — branzino, bistecca and scallop piccata — are among some of the thoughtfully conceived dishes transporting patrons to the heart of Italy. Indulge in wine-paired tasting menus, or cap off your meal with a dessert of panna cotta with strawberry or tiramisu. $12-$40. 1420 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-6200, nicolasotr.com.

NUVO at Greenup Chef Mark Bodenstein finally has a venue where he can let his creativity flourish. A la carte options run from headings “garden” to “land” to “ocean,” with selections like local Carriage House Farm’s cornmeal dumplings, Hudson Valley duck a l’orange and hamachi crudo with fruit caviar.

Dessert spans sweet and savory, with polenta cake and butternut squash gelato and warm apple

tart with white cheddar ice cream. $10-$21. 308 Greenup St., Covington, Ky., 859-415-1308, nuvoatgreenup.com.

Orchids at Palm Court Nestled inside Carew Tower’s historic Art Deco Hilton hotel, Orchids hosts a breathtaking feast for the eyes — a perfect backdrop for weekly seasonal menus of refined elegance made with local ingredients, including some from the hotel’s rooftop beehive and herb garden. Chef Todd Kelly’s AAA five-diamond menu features creative, fresh cuisine paired with an awardwinning wine list and delicious desserts by pastry chef Megan Ketover. $9-$60 (for the chef’s tasting prix fixe platters). 35 W. Fifth St., Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel, Downtown, 513-421-9100, orchidsatpalmcourt.com.

The Palace Restaurant Seasonal menus of fine, upscale fare at a four-diamond restaurant — including a menu just for vegetarians and vegans. $75 for five courses; $95 for nine, with a la carte pricing in between.

601 Vine St., The Cincinnatian Hotel, Downtown, 513-381-3000, palacecincinnati.com.

Primavista With a breathtaking city view, Primavista wins frequent reader’s choice and magazine awards such as “most romantic,” “best date spot” and “best dining with a view.” They offer fine Italian dishes from all regions, specializing in veal and fish, with sauces made in-house. The gnocchi sautéed in sage butter with pancetta melts in your mouth, and the bread pudding is excellent. Includes special menus for vegans, vegetarians and those with a gluten intolerance. $7-$39.

810 Matson Place, Price Hill, 513251-6467, pvista.com.

Restaurant L Jean-Robert de Cavel and Richard Brown have teamed up to revive classic fine dining with elevated cuisine, impeccable service and refined decor. Housed inside Great American Tower, the restaurant serves seasonally inspired French cuisine with "Parisian flair, a little New York attitude, and an abundance of Cincinnati charm." Chose from three- or seven-course high-end tasting menus. $89-$190. 221 E. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-7605525, jrcincy.com.

S T E A K H O U S E S/ S E A FO O D Alabama Fish Bar

AUTHENTIC THAI CUISINE in the heart of Mason

Get in line at the Alabama Fish Bar and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best fried fish in the city: a choice of whiting, perch or cod served atop a pile of fries resting on a bed of white bread.

A side of sautéed peppers and onions and hot sauce make it a spicy, lip-smacking experience. $7-$8. 1601 Race St., Over-theRhine, 513-241-2255, alabamafishbar.com.

H The Anchor-OTR Located in a historic building at the corner of Washington Park, Anchor OTR offers impressivequality seafood. The raw bar selections are tempting, and they also offer interesting starters: crawfish beignets, grilled calamari and deviled eggs with smoked salmon. Beachside classics like hush puppies and lobster rolls will transport you to the coast. The salads change seasonally and the Longshoreman’s Bloody Mary gets a lot of local attention — a bloody mary with vodka, housemade pickles and your choice of shrimp, oyster or lobster claw. $6-$32. 1401 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-8111, theanchor-otr.com.

Eddie Merlot’s An upscale chain of prime-aged steak and seafood. House recommendations include a romaine Waldorf salad with maple applecider vinaigrette, sesame calamari, chateaubriand for two and a bone-in filet. $8-$95. 10808 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-489-1212, eddiemerlots.com.

Embers There is a seemingly endless variety of Thai/sushi/Asian restaurants in our city. How about a steakhouse/sushi joint? That’s what you’ll find in Embers. Steaks are aged 28 days and are served with housemade compound butter or a variety of “extras” like truffle sauce or caramelized onions. Try the pickled veggie sushi or crunchy eel sushi to start, and then dig into some Vietnamese-style baby-back ribs. $17-$63. 8170 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 513-984-8090, embersrestaurant.com.

Jag’s Steak and Seafood This upscale steakhouse and piano bar does everything from innovative meals to craft cocktails and extensive wine choices

101 E MAIN ST, MASON, OH 45040 (513) 234-0779 bananaleafmodernthai.com ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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The Craft Bier Of Bavarian Kings to live music. For dinner, opt for sushi or the raw bar to start, followed by a West Chester Chop salad (with bacon, egg, cheddar, tomato, cucumber and onion) or signature entrées, like the black truffle filet, chateaubriand for two or vegetarian portabellos with goat cheese and tomato. $9-$99. 5980 West Chester Blvd., West Chester, 513-860-5353, jags.com.

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Modeled after a 1940s New York Art Deco steakhouse. If you love steak you have about a zero-percent chance of being let down with one of Ruby’s — they dry-age their own. There are several non-steak options on the menu, including good seafood dishes, but the cow is king (queen?) at Ruby’s. $7-$80. 700 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-7841200, jeffruby.com.

Lisse Steakhuis

859.491.7200 W W W. H O F B R A U H A U S N E W P O R T. C O M

3rd & Saratoga at the Levee 2 0 0 E A S T 3 R D S T. | | N E W P O R T, K Y 4 1 0 7 1

A Dutch-inspired steakhuis.

Start with smoked whitefish pate or bitterballen, a mixture of ground meat, rolled in panko breadcrumbs and then deep fried. For dinner, move to the coast with Faroe Island salmon, or the farm, with a Dutch filet — a barrel-cut filet grilled a la plancha, seasoned with salt and pepper and served over hutspot cake (mashed potatoes, carrots and onion). $10-$72. 530 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-360-7008, lisse.restaurant.

Maury’s Tiny Cove

At Martino’s, Go BIG or Go Home!

Home oT 2ft Hoagie!

Come watch your favorite sporting event on one of our 31 TV’s Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials J U S T 2 B LO C K S AWAY F R O M U C O N S H O R T V I N E 2618 VINE STREET, CINCINNATI, OH 45219 513-221-8487 • MARTINOSONVINE.COM 78

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Maury’s has been packed full of flavor and West Side tradition since 1949. The dimly lit 1940s supper-club vibe will have you feeling like a regular on your first visit. The extensive menu consists of all the classic steakhouse options: tender, juicy steaks, seafood and chicken cooked just right, plus pasta, sandwiches, soups and salads. Look for the steer drinking a martini on the sign. $8-$31. 3908 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 513-662-2683, mauryssteakhouse.com.

Pelican’s Reef For 20 years, the laid-back island oasis Pelican’s Reef has been serving up super-fresh seafood in Anderson. While much of the expansive menu features breaded and fried items with plenty of tartar sauce — choices like fried oyster po’boys or broiled grouper stuffed with crab meat, wild rice and cornbread

stuffing — none of the restaurant’s diehard fans are complaining. $6-$24. 7261 Beechmont Ave., Anderson, 513-232-2526, thepelicansreef.com.

H The Precinct You can always rely on a Jeff Ruby restaurant for a big, rare steak and platters of seafood.

The Precinct, housed in a historical Romanesque-style former police precinct, was the first in a long line of Ruby steakhouses.

You can’t go wrong with a sirloin or porterhouse, named after current and past Cincinnati baseball greats. But there are other options, like blackened diver scallops or something from the tableside service menu like seafood fettuccine alfredo for two. $14-$82. 311 Delta Ave., Columbia Tusculum, 513-3215454, jeffruby.com.

Tony’s of Cincinnati A luxury steakhouse operated

by Tony Ricci, former GM of Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct, serving USDA prime meats with all the toppings you could want — Oscar, au poivre, sauce béarnaise. Also features a raw bar, indulgent pastas, non-steak entrées and classic steakhouse sides. $10-$67. 12110 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-6771993, tonysofcincinnati.com.

Washington Platform Established in 1875 (and reestablished in 1986), the saloon is home to an annual oyster festival, lobstapalooza and crab carnival. $4-$32. 1000 Elm St., Downtown, 513-421-0110, washingtonplatform.com.

V E G E TA R I A N / V EG A N The Elusive Cow The owner of The Elusive Cow, Jim Fisher, wanted to create a space where eaters of every kind can sit down and enjoy something off the menu. Focused on sustainable and organic farms, the food supports the omnivore in us all, including dishes with bison, tofu, fish and, of course, hamburgers. $6.95-$12. 519 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky., 859-2910269, theelusivecow.com.

H Green Dog Café Sustainable, organic and stylish.

Many selections are Mexicanor Mediterranean-inspired, others are unique vegetarian or vegetarian-capable wraps, bowls and sandwiches. The poultry is locally pastured, the

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fish is organic and sustainably sourced, the pork is antibiotic free and the restaurant itself focuses on environmentally processes and products. They also serve Jeni’s Splendid ice cream. $5-$15. 3543 Columbia Parkway, Columbia Tusculum, 513-3218777, greendogcafe.net.

Happy Chicks Bakery The Northside café and bakery offers cakes, cookies, cupcakes, pies and more, all with fresh, seasonal flavors, and light lunch options, including sandwiches, salads and soups that are all freshly prepared from nonprocessed foods and are free from preservatives and animal products $4-$7. 4035 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-386-7990, happychicksbakery.com.

Loving Hut The mission behind Loving Hut is to offer affordable, healthy, vegan cuisine. The restaurant’s environment was created using many found, reclaimed and reused materials. For disposable goods like containers, cups and utensils, they choose biodegradable and/or recyclable products.

Tons of paninis, wraps, sandwiches and burgers to choose from. $5.50-$8. 6227 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513731-2233, lovinghut.us.

H Melt Eclectic Café Vegan, vegetarian and glutenfree diners aren’t an afterthought at Melt. But no worries, the carnivorous can feast, too. A

plethora of sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads tempt every palate. Sandwiches include items like the veggie cheesesteak made with seitan and The Rachel, a smoked turkey sandwich with red cabbage, apple sauerkraut and Swiss cheese. $4-$10. 4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-681-6358; relocating in 2017 to The Gantry, 1580 Blue Rock St., Northside, meltcincy.com.

H Off The Vine Juice Bar We’re not talking smoothies — we’re talking nutrient-dense, cold-pressed juice funneled into a pint-sized glass container.

Juice heads can stop by and purchase an 8-ounce juice or 16-ounce juice in a reusable glass bottle that can be returned and recycled. Customers also will be able to purchase a set of juices and homemade nut milks for a one, three or five-day juice cleanse. $6-$10. 1218 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-305-6020, facebook.com/otvcincy.

Park + Vine A vegan lunch counter with items like smoky potato salad, fresh kale and barbecue sliders, alongside local favorites Blue Oven Bakery and Shadeau Breads. All items are available gluten-free. $5-$8. 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-7217275, parkandvine.com.

Rooted Juicery + Kitchen From coolers housing a rainbow display of juices to vegan meal bowls to a mini bakery, Rooted

is out to prove that plant-based eating offers a vast variety of flavors and quality options. The Mexican grain bowl (quinoa, black beans, guacamole, walnut crumble, cashew cheese) is a favorite in the bowl category.

Everything is as locally sourced as possible. $4-$12. 3010 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-351-2900; 6844 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-271-0432, rootedjuicery.com.

The Weekly Juicery The juicery boasts an almost entirely gluten-free and vegan menu, and the staff is sensitive to just about every allergy imaginable. Their weekly juicing programs offer three, four and five-day juicing regimens in the $27 to $54 price range. 2727 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-0680, theweeklyjuicery.com.

D E SS E R T S

H Abby Girl Sweets A from-scratch cupcakery with two locations and special, seasonal flavors. Prices vary. 4773 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash, 513-335-0898; 41 W. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-335-0898, abbygirlsweets.com.

H Aglamesis Brothers A classic 1900s ice cream parlor at its best, wooing foodie visitors from all around the country with its unblemished reputation for quality. The Raspberry Hot Fudge and the Banana Classique shakes are chart-toppers. Prices vary. Multiple locations including 3046 Madison Road, Oakley,

513-531-5196; 9899 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-7917082, aglamesis.com.

Bluebird Bakery Twin Peaks’ Agent Dale Cooper was onto something with his interest in pairing a cup of coffee with a slice of pie. And at Bluebird Bakery in historic Glendale’s quaint village square, their fromscratch seasonal pies, made with farm-fresh eggs, sweet butter and real garden-fresh fruit, are as authentic as it gets. Prices vary.

29 Village Square, Glendale, 513772-5633, bluebirdbakery.com.

H The BonBonerie Have your cake and eat it too as the BonBonerie crew shows off their savory skills. Scones, coffee and quiche adorn the breakfast menu, but the real treat is for those with a sweet tooth. The dessert menu features tortes, cakes, pastries and old-fashioned cookies to please everyone. $5.50-$15. 2030 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-321-3399, bonbonerie.com.

Brown Bear Bakery Cincinnati pastry artist Blair Fornshell does not have her own storefront yet. Unlike a lot of commercial bakeries in the city, Blair uses all-natural ingredients to create so-beautiful-youalmost-feel-bad-about-eatingthem desserts, such as vanilla bean scones, oat flour salty chocolate chip cookies, cacao nib rochers and brown butter cranberry almond streusel ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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muffins. Prices vary. brownbearbakes.com.

Buona Terra European-style street food and gelato. Savory crepes — with fillings like pesto, turkey, fontina and spinach — are made with buckwheat-based batter and sweet crepes — with fillings like lemon curd, Nutella, pastry cream and brown sugar — are made with something similar to pancake batter. They also serve colorful French macarons. $3-$8. 1028 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513386-9356, buonaterragelato.com.

Busken Bakery Busken Bakery opened in 1928 and quickly became a Cincinnati staple with bakery counters in grocery stores, 24-hour drive-in bakeries and delicious donuts, bread and apple pies. Their award-winning baked goods can be found in Remke-Bigg’s stores, UDF locations and 10 bakeries around the city. Hyde Park location open 24/7. $2-$6. Multiple locations including 2675 Madison Road, Hyde Park, 513-871-2114, busken.com.

H Dojo Gelato Authentic Italian-style gelato.

Dojo Gelato loves to create unexpected flavor profiles — guacamole, bellini, honey lavender, Vietnamese coffee, etc. And they use fresh, seasonal ingredients in their creations. $2-$8. Findlay Market, 137 Elder St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-3289000, dojogelato.com.

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H Graeter’s Ice Cream Since its founding in 1870, Graeter’s French Pot Ice Cream, handmade chocolate confections and fresh-baked goods have become traditions in the Queen City. Today, the Graeter family still faithfully uses century-old recipes and methods of production. $2.75-$5.75. Multiple locations including 511 Walnut St., Fountain Square, Downtown, 513-381-4191, graeters.com.

Hello Honey Everything is homemade and handcrafted from scratch at this hidden-gem ice cream parlor downtown. Rotating creative and decadent flavors — like chocolate cayenne, honey lavender, pistachio, espresso brittle and salted caramel — are also free from artificial ingredients. That means they’re healthy, right? 633 Vine St., Downtown, 513-977-0300, facebook.com/hellohoneyicecream.

H Holtman’s Donuts In September 2013, the Lovelandbased Holtman’s Donuts finally opened an OTR location, replete with a window you can peer through and watch them make donuts, like the sensational maple bacon. Homer Simpson would be so proud... and hungry. Prices vary. 1332 Vine St., Over-theRhine, 513-381-0903; 1399 State Route 28, Loveland, 513-575-1077, holtmansdonutshop.com.

Macaron Bar In the past, the closest thing Cincinnati had to Paris was the Eiffel

Tower replica at Kings Island.

Now we have Macaron Bar, the only local bakery and coffee shop specializing in the brightly colored French pastry, which offers traditional and seasonal macarons, with flavors like salted caramel, Earl Grey tea and pistachio. They’ve recently expanded into multiple storefronts in town, and into Kentucky. Prices vary.

Multiple locations including 1206 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, macaron-bar.com.

Maverick Chocolate A bean-to-bar chocolatier in Findlay Market, made with ethically sourced cocoa beans.

Prices vary. 129 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/ maverickchocolate.

OTR Candy Bar The shop feels a bit like the candy store from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, chock full of sticky sweets, an entire table devoted to out-of-thebox candies. Then there’s an actual bar upon which a sharply dressed candy barista will make you a float using the vintage soda of your choice, dressed with a piece of old-fashioned stick candy. $2-$10. 1735 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-2765, otrcandybar.com.

Schneider’s Sweet Shop An old-time corner candy and ice cream store serving the area since 1939. Prices vary. 420 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky., 859-4313545, schneiderscandies.com.

H Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli Fourth-generation family bakery, started by great-grandfather George in Muenster, Germany.

Known for their pastries, desserts and especially for their soft pretzels, which you can get in all sizes from six ounces to three pounds. $2-$8. Multiple locations including 511 Walnut St., Fountain Square, Downtown, 513-421-2253, servatii.com.

streetpops Grown-up ice pops made from unique combinations of fresh ingredients and unexpected flavors, like papaya rosemary, Thai basil lime, peach Sriracha and many more. $3. 1437 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 3096 Madison Road, Oakley, streetpops.com.

Sweet Petit Desserts Taren Kinebrew specializes in tiny treats at her aptly named shop, Sweet Petit Desserts — macarons, chocolate-covered strawberries, petit fours, even layered cake push-pops. And while the third-generation baker and her team whip up sweets for the shop and special events, they can also teach you how to do it. Call to sign up for the next scheduled class or grab a group and book a private class for up to six people. After learning all her baking secrets, they send you home with a kit so you can recreate the miniature magic. Prices vary. 1426 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-443-5094, sweetpetitdesserts.com.

Great times

together.

Great gourmet

pizza.

Dewey’s is for everyone who love a fun, festive, foodie experience. Bring in your crew and we’ll show you a great time with our handcrafted gourmet pizzas, fresh hand-cut salads, local seasonal brews and more.

deweyspizza.com

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NIGHTLIFE

A Classic Cocktail Sugar, bitters, whiskey and citrus. With just a few ingredients and a name that has carried history and heft since its invention, the Old Fashioned is literally the definition of a cocktail — and a staple drink in the imbibing arsenal of both bar patrons and bartenders alike. Few iterations stray from that refined recipe (avoid them if they do), and while there will always be a disagreement regarding what makes a “perfect” Old Fashioned, here are a few local favorites.

The Littlefield When you call yourself a bourbon bar, you better be able to back it up with the basics. the littlefield’s blue goose old Fashioned — named after one of northside’s first bars — masterfully mixes bulleit, housemade luxardo-cherry bitters (dark and nutty italian maraschinos), vanilla simple syrup and muddled cherry with an orange twist. the vanilla complements the spicy high-rye bourbon for a slightly sweet finish and dangerous drinkability. 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-386-7570, littlefieldns.com.

The Lackman this shotgun-style corner bar in otr honors its building’s turnof-the-century history with an original tile floor, exposed brick and a warm wooden bartop. this respect for the past is reflected in their tried-and-true approach to an old Fashioned — a demerara sugar cube, splash of soda water and angostura bitters are quickly muddled and gently stirred, topped with bulleit and stirred for another 30 seconds. add ice, stir again and rub lemon peel along the glass rim and drop in as garnish. simple, straightforward and as close to an algebraic formula for perfection as you can get. 1237 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513381-0741, lackmanbar.com.

Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar For a good time, call molly Wellmann. there’s a reason the local mixologist’s name has launched a hospitality chain — Wellmann’s brands is synonymous with highquality craft cocktails and laidback bars. and her cozy old Kentucky bourbon bar is a library of brown liquors — more than 300 bottles of domestic bourbon and whiskey are accessible by wooden ladder. on thursdays, oKbb’s old Fashioneds are only $5. the spirit-forward preprohibition recipe blends a touch of sugar and bitters with a select bourbon or rye and a twist of citrus. 629 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-581-1777, wellmannsbrands. com/okbb.

The Bar at Palm Court nestled inside the historic hilton cincinnati netherland plaza, the bar at palm court is an astonishing French art deco masterpiece — brazilian rosewood, a massive ziggurat-shaped fountain and seashell-framed booths like Venus rising from the foam. the art is in the interior design and also in the drinks. in line with house restaurant orchids’ aaa five-diamond chef todd Kelly, the bartenders at palm court blend culinary innovation and classic mixology. simple syrup and bitters are frozen inside the drink's ice cubes and blended with chef’s choice bourbon; the flavor changes as the ice melts. 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-4219100, orchidsatpalmcourt.com.

Sundry and Vice history meets technology at sundry and Vice. the apothecarythemed establishment prides itself on liquored-up health tonics and cocktails — think egg whites, absinthe and names like the night cure. be-aproned bartenders take their time handcrafting house inventions and classics, but if you’re looking for less of a wait, try their old Fashioned on draft. the drink pours out of a tap behind the bar and is served with a slow-melting ice sphere and an orange twist. Visit during happy hour, where the bill for your discounted drink will come hidden inside a vintage book. 18 W. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-8423, sundryandvice.com.

NIGHTLIFE

A R C A D E /G A M E B A R S

H 16 Bit Bar + Arcade Guzzle ’80s-themed drinks like the Molly Ringwald or Kevin Bacon while playing more than 50 different classic arcade games and pinball. If you drink, you play for free. It might not be the ’80s or the ’90s anymore, but 16-Bit makes those decades feel new again. 1331 Walnut St., Over-theRhine, 513-381-1616, 16-bitbar. com/cincy.

Arcade Legacy: Bar Edition Retro arcade games plus alcohol and hot dogs (even vegetarian ones). Monday Night Bar Fights are for serious players, and there’s a high-score board for some local fame. Some arcade bars are for drinking and gaming; Arcade Legacy is for gaming and drinking. 3929 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-429-3180, facebook.com/albaredition.

Queen City Exchange An interactive bar where the pricing of drinks is dictated based on consumer demand — like a bar meets the stock exchange. 32 W. Court St., Downtown, facebook. com/queencityexchange.

The Rook OTR People can play Twister, Cards Against Humanity, The Game of Nasty Things…, The Resistance: Avalon and Pictionary, all the while snacking on sliders and drinking board game-themed cocktails, local beers on draft or wine. The Amaretto-spiked Pretty Pretty Princess comes in a champagne flute with a candy necklace wrapped around the rim, and there’s a rum-infused Capri Sun, a Pixy Stix martini or a tequila sunrise made with Sunny Delight. Unlike at some other board game parlors, it’s free to play, but you’re encouraged to eat or drink while gaming. 1115 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513954-8191, therookotr.com.

B E AC H B A R S Cabana On The River

H Indicates winners from CityBeat’s 2016 Best of Cincinnati® issue.

A seasonal tropical watering hole with a famous Long Island iced tea and plenty of seafood. 7445 Forbes Road, Sayler Park, 513941-7442, cabanaontheriver.com.

Drew’s On The River A well-kept West Side secret, Drew’s features an oversized, partially shaded patio and tiki bar right on the river. 4333 River Road, Columbia Tusculum, 513451-1157, drewsontheriver.com.

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Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club With a giant shark figurine impaled on the sign, this bar, grill and marina has a definite sense of laid-back island humor — and cheap drinks. 860 Elm St., Ludlow, Ky., 859-291-8132, ludlowbromleyyachtclub.com.

Pirate’s Cove Tropical Bar and Grill Located in the Four Seasons Marina, this bar and grill offers seafood, island entertainment and tropical drink specials, rain or shine. 4609 Kellogg Ave., California, 513-871-1820, piratescovecincy.com.

Riverside Marina Bar & Grille A floating bar and grill with a full bar, food and live music on the weekends. Enjoy sunshine, a river view and a daiquiri on their tropical patio. 145 Mary Ingles Highway, Dayton, Ky., 859-4428111, riversidemarinaky.com.

The Sandbar It’s a day at the beach, with seven volleyball courts and a view of the river. After digging in the sand, enjoy a beer at the cabana bar or take a dip in the pool. Four Seasons Marina, 4609 Kellogg Ave., California, 513-5333810, thesandbarcincinnati.com.

BOURBON BARS Igby’s Multi-leveled with a large atrium and two outdoor patios, their craft cocktail menu was developed by mixologist Brian Van Flandern, with a huge scotch and whiskey selection that includes their own private-label bottles of Four Roses bourbon. A shareable plates menu features high-end bites like fried calamari, pesto cocktail shrimp and a warm, salted fudge brownie. 122 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-2464396, igbysbar.com.

The Littlefield A casual neighborhood bar and restaurant specializing in bourbon and regional craft beer.

Clever cocktails mix sweet and savory — Buffalo Trace bourbon with fresh herbs with balsamic vinaigrette or housemade cherry bitters with vanilla simple syrup and Bulleit. The kitchen puts out excellent seasonal plates and heavenly desserts, like a BLP sandwich with bacon, bitter lettuce and peaches on sourdough or an artful pot pie. Added bonus? Local and outsider art is on display everywhere, even

in the bathroom. 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-3867570, littlefieldns.com.

H Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar Houses a mind-boggling bourbon selection, served in snifters by a well-educated, passionate staff. For those less interested in straight booze, enjoy select preProhibition cocktails or bourbon barrel-aged beers. 629 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-581-1777, wellmannsbrands.com/okbb.

Prohibition Bourbon Bar at Newberry Bros.

A collection of more than 1,000 bottles and counting of bourbon and rye whisky, including Scotch, Irish, Tennessee and Japanese brands, along with more than 50 wines by the glass and more than 50 craft beers. Named one of the best bourbon bars in America by The Bourbon Review. 530 Washington Ave., Newport, Ky., 859-2619463, newberrybroscoffee.com.

Wiseguy Lounge A speakeasy above Goodfellas Pizzeria with bourbon, craft cocktails and 16 beers on draft.

Offers a bourbon connoisseurs club for serious imbibers. 603 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-9165209; 1211 Main St., Over-theRhine, 513-381-3625, facebook. com/wiseguylounge.

BREWERIES Bad Tom Smith Brewing Craft brewers with a focus on quality, taste and originality. The rehabbed tap room features a new bar, barstools, a big TV and the same old record player for spinning vinyl. #badassinaglass. 4720 Eastern Ave., East End, 513-8714677, badtomsmithbrewing.com.

Blank Slate Brewing Company Produces handcrafted, seasonal ales in small batches. Known for using unique and innovative ingredients, like in their Shroominous brown ale brewed with shiitake mushroom or Fume porter made with cherrywood smoked malt. The PourHouse taproom is open three days a week for samples, pints and growler fills. 4233 Airport Road, Unit C, East End, 513-979-4540, blankslatebeer.com.

Braxton Brewing Co. The “taproom of the future,” Braxton’s comfy and airy garageinspired brewery and taproom was the first in the nation with gigabit internet, plus tech charging

bra x ton brewing company // p h oto s: l i n d s ay m c c a r t y

stations, projectors and whiteboard painted walls to accommodate the local creative and startup community. A space for innovation, Braxton even opens at 8 a.m.

Tuesday through Friday as a public workspace, serving local Carabello coffee in the taproom and Nitro cold brew. 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, Ky., 859-261-5600, braxtonbrewing.com.

Cellar Dweller Craft beers produced in a vineyard. The tasting room is open daily, offering pints of pale ales, stouts and wheats, as well as pizza and cheese plates. 2276 E. U.S. 22, Morrow, 513-899-2485, valleyvineyards.com/cellardwellerbeers.html.

Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom Enjoy a rich piece of Cincinnati’s brewing heritage at the Christian Moerlein craft brewery, taproom and tour center. Take a free tour of the production brewery and go inside the historic underground malt house from before Prohibition. Offers trivia, fowling and the Wienerwurst Mike Frankfurtary, serving up sausages, Bavarian pretzels and stuffed sandwiches. 1621 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-827-6025, christianmoerlein.com.

Darkness Brewing Like the name suggests, this Bellevue brewery specializes in brewing dark beers — stouts, porters and browns. 224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky., facebook. com/darknessbrewing.

Dogberry Brewing An ever-expanding nanobrewery helmed by two former scientists and passionate homebrewers.

Staple beers include On the Aisle Kolsch, a classic German blonde twisted with modern hops, and Maiden Flight RyePA, a spicy modern rye ale. 7865 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester, dogberrybrewing.com.

Ei8ht Ball Brewing Ei8ht Ball practically screams “anything goes” as soon as you walk up to the bar, with tap handles topped with random toys and light fixtures made from recycled growlers. There a more than 40 beers on tap, so you can fill growlers to go with their brews and other crafts. Or grab a beer to drink while you shop The Party Source. The Party Source, 95 Riviera Drive, Bellevue, Ky., 859-2910036, ei8htballbrewing.com.

Fibonacci Brewing

doubles as a restaurant with a focus on beer pairings to match dishes like pork chops, blackened mahi mahi and a wide array of meaty and veg-friendly sandwiches. Find their signature orange VW bus, Penny, parked out front. Across the street, the expanded Fifty West Pro Works is home to additional fermenters to produce thousands more barrels of Fifty West beer a year, and an event space that can be rented out for larger parties. Pro Works also includes sand volleyball courts and canoe and kayak rentals. 7668 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-8348789, fiftywestbrew.com.

The Growler House Focusing on growlers but also offering tastings, the Growler House is one of the new guard bringing East Walnut Hills back to life. With 30 taps of fresh beer, it’s not exactly a brewery, but it’s pretty darn close. 1526 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills, 513-5808277, thegrowlerhouse.com.

A nanobrewery with a focus on science, math and nature and brewing non-traditional and hybrid beer styles. Their Foundational Series is offered year-round with numerous additional seasonal and rotating brews, available to sample in the taproom or in growlers to go. Fibonacci also makes wine, with varieties on tap and in bottles. 1445 Compton Road, Mount Healthy, 513-8321422, fibbrew.com.

Handcrafted ales, a growler station and contagious enthusiasm for home brewing characterize this owner-operated brewing company. Also offers frequent brewing classes, home-brewing supplies and wine-making ingredients and equipment. 1621 Dana Ave., Evanston, 513-7311130, listermannbrewing.com.

Fifty West Brewing Company

H MadTree Brewing Company

Located in a historic building, this craft brewery and taproom

Ohio’s first craft beer in a can, MadTree is run by good friends

Listermann Brewing Company

with a passion for creative brews; they’re always experimenting with new recipes. Stop by the taproom for a fresh pint or a wood-fired pizza from the in-house Catcha-Fire Café. A multimillion-dollar expansion for MadTree 2.0 — a larger space for a production brewery, taproom and beer garden in a former paper manufacturer — is expected to open in 2017 at 3301 Madison Ave. 5164 Kennedy Ave., Oakley, 513-8368733, madtreebrewing.com.

Mash Cult Jon Wells and Tony Harrell are the brewmasters behind experimental nanobrewery Mash Cult. The duo brews small-batch weird beers like Ramathorn, a smoked maple syrup coffee stout; an unfiltered and raw mango gose; and a Mic Drop double IPA. Located inside Party Town. 6823 Burlington Pike, Florence, Ky., mashcult.com.

Mt. Carmel Brewing Company Founders Mike and Kathleen Dewey started brewing out of the 1920s farmhouse storm cellar in 2005. The oldest craft microbrewery in the area, they now produce 900 gallons of exceptional craft beer a year. 4362 Mount Carmel-Tobasco Road, Mount Carmel, 513-240-BREW, mtcarmelbrewingcompany.com.

Nine Giant Brewing A brewery and snackery in the heart of Pleasant Ridge. Features 10 taps of rotating styles of house beer, all served in tulip-style snifters. The in-house snackery ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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offers shareable plates of fromscratch nibbles like deep-fried pickles, falafel and pommes frites.

6095 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-366-4550, facebook. com/ninegiant.

Old Firehouse A microbrewery inside a former firehouse focusing on handcrafted, session-driven beers.

The dog-friendly taproom and brewery is filled with firefighting memorabilia — owner Adam Cowan is a former firefighter — and serves cleverly named brews, like Code 3 copper ale and Flash Point IPA. 237 W. Main St., Wililamsburg, Ohio, 513-536-9071, oldfirehousebrewery.com.

Rhinegeist A large brewery and event space in historic Over-the-Rhine (housed in an old Moerlein bottling plant) producing hoppy and sessionable ales. The seasonal deck is an excellent addition to the city’s rooftop bar scene.

Climb on up for views of the historic Jackson Brewery building, downtown, Mount Adams and the Elm Street streetcar line.

1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513381-1367, rhinegeist.com.

Rivertown Brewery and Barrel House Part brewery, part lab experiment. Rivertown produces high-quality beers with a focus on spontaneous fermentation, wild yeast and funky flavors. The taproom features super-rare beers on draft, as well as vintage 86

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arcade games and food. 607 Shepherd Drive, Lockland, 513827-9280, rivertownbrewery.com.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery A restaurant and brew pub that brews its own beer in the heart of downtown, right on Fountain Square. More than 10 homebrewed styles and a lengthy menu.

10 E. Fountain Square, Downtown, 513-621-1588, rockbottom.com.

Taft’s Ale House Located inside a former church, the building is an ode to Cincinnatian and former president William Howard Taft. The multifloor brewpub maintains some of the sanctuary’s charm (like the bell tower) and serves a menu focused on tri-tip beef, complemented by creative brews. 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513334-1393, taftsalehouse.com.

Tap & Screw Tap & Screw, the West Side’s first microbrewery, is named after the Cincinnati Screw and Tap Company of the 1800s. Offers its own beers along with local favorites from Rhinegeist, MadTree and more. 5060 Crookshank Road, Westwood, 513-451-1763, tapandscrew.com.

Triple Digit Brewing Company Housed inside Listermann Brewing Company, their Chickow! hazelnut double brown ale and its variants have a dedicated cult following. 1621 Dana Ave., Evanston, 513-731-1130, tripledigitbrewing.com.

Urban Artifact A brewery, taproom and music venue located in a historic church. Beers are crafted with locally caught wild yeast and bacteria, resulting in sour, tart brews, like their flagship Harrow Gose. If sour isn’t your thing, add some sweet flavored-syrups from the bar or try local Skinny Piggy green tea kombucha on tap.

1660 Blue Rock St., Northside, 513-620-4729, artifactbeer.com.

Woodburn Brewery An urban brewery and taproom with beers including a pineapple saison, a chocolate cherry stout, a cedar IPA and a breakfast IPA. Invites intrepid home-brewers to recreate their best recipes on guest taps. Rooftop bees are slated to produce honey for brewing and help assist with the decline in the bee population.

2800 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, 513-601-8783, twitter. com/woodburnbrewery.

CO LLEG E B A R S Brass Tap It’s not necessarily a college bar, but it’s a bar near the University of Cincinnati. The “upscale beer emporium” offers more than 80 craft beers on tap, live music, trivia on Tuesday, karaoke and plenty of TVs. They also have wine and food, like a pretzel pizza. 251 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-242-2337, brasstapbeerbar.com.

Dana Gardens Since 1938, Dana’s has been the home of all things Xavier; it’s

like walking into a sports-centric XU grad’s basement. Watch the Muskie basketball team hoop it up and enjoy pub fare with students and X fans alike. Loosely Irishthemed. 1832 Dana Ave., Evanston, 513-631-2337, danagardens.com.

Dive Bar Self-described as “not your average dive bar,” this establishment offers 70 different beers and 80 different liquors — about one semester’s worth. It also has free wi-fi, games and TVs for watching sports. 2608 Vine St., Corryville, 513-221-0931, facebook. com/divebarcincinnati.

Fries Café A laid-back dive-bar legend by the University of Cincinnati.

Appeals to everyone from UC students taking a break from exams and Cliftonites to downtown professionals. The first floor features a draft bar with a focus on craft beer and a popular oldfashioned shuffle board table, the lower level features two billiards tables and the top floor features more darts and billiards with access to the seasonal patio and deck. 3247 Jefferson Ave., Clifton, 513-620-7659, friescafeclifton.com.

The Mad Frog Live music almost every night ranging from Gothic/Industrial to Cincy EDM Showcases. Tons of dancing and drinking and fog machines. 1 E. McMillan St., Corryville, 513-784-9119, themadfrog.net.

Murphy’s Pub Established in 1969, this dive bar offers everyday deals on pitchers, bar games and team sports, frequent free pizza, soup and hot dogs. Murphy’s represents its Irish roots on St. Patrick’s Day. 2329 W. Clifton Ave., Clifton Heights, 513721-6148, murphys-pub.com.

The St. Clair A nightclub/bar in the University of Cincinnati area from 4EG, the people behind popular bars such as the Mount Adams Pavilion, Igby’s, The Lackman and more. Offers weekly drink specials and signature shots like the Bearcat Bomb. 245 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-2815397, thestclair.com.

Uncle Woody’s Pub A college student’s rec room dream — long wooden bar, sports on TV and an outdoor patio are tough to turn down during the walk home from class. Try their famous Cajun burger. 339 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-751-2518.

CE LT I C / I R I S H B A R S Cock & Bull Public House Try a local beer flight (there are more than 50 brews on tap) to spice up a menu dotted with authentic English pub staples like fish and chips. Frequent daily specials including Pint Night on Thursdays. With a different craft ale featured every week, they pour the pint, you keep the glass.

601 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859581-4253; 275 E. Sharon Road, Glendale, 513-771-4253; 2645 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-5334253, candbpublichouse.com.

Crowley’s Highland House Cafe Cincinnati’s oldest Irish pub.

Smithwick’s, Guinness and Killian’s on draft in an unpretentious atmosphere. 958 Pavilion St., Mount Adams, 513-721-7709.

Crow’s Nest One of Cincinnati’s oldest Irish pubs. Established in 1895 by Irish immigrants, this cozy neighborhood dive bar features live music — lots of Bluegrass and Americana — cheap drinks, a famous fish sandwich and a patio out back for cornhole and casual conversation. 4544 W. Eighth St., Covedale, cincycrowsnest.com.

perfect pint of Guinness for more than three decades. 3510 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-6477.

Maloney’s Pub West A West Side classic that specializes in brews and burgers. 408 Greenwell Ave., Delhi, 513-922-3156.

H Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

Like a good Irish pub, this place can get rowdy; and like a good community gathering space, it hosts trivia nights, live Irish music and karaoke. For all you soccer fans — football, if you’re a traditionalist — enjoy the best Guinness in town while you watch live English Premier League games.

112 E. Fourth St., Covington, Ky., 859-491-6659, covington.mollymalonesirishpub.com.

Nicholson’s Nicholson’s offers one of the best scotch selections in the city (view their extensive single-malt scotch and whiskey menus online), plus pub food — shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips — and servers in kilts. 625 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-564-9111, nicholsonspub.com.

UNLEASH YOUR INNER CHILD...

WITH ADULT BEVERAGES.

O’Bryon’s Bar and Grill Neighborhood bar and grill with two floors and an outdoor patio.

Enjoy peanuts — in the shell — while watching one of 14 TVs and explore the regularly rotating draft beer selection. Famous for their Shark Tank novelty cocktail: vodka, sprite, sour mix and a rubber shark filled with grenadine you pour in yourself; you get to take the shark home. 1998 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-3215525, obryonsirishpub.com.

O’Malley’s in the Alley Cincinnati’s second-oldest bar, this Irish pub calls itself “Downtown Cincinnati’s Traditional Irish Hole in the Wall.” It offers a full menu, happy hour and a great stop before Reds, Cyclones or Bengals games. 25 W. Ogden Place, Downtown, 513-381-3114, facebook. com/omalleysinthealley1.

The Public House Bartenders are certified “perfect pint pourers” from the Guinness brewery in Dublin. 3807 North Bend Road, Cheviot, 513-4816300, thepublichousecheviot.com.

Hap’s Irish Pub

R.P. McMurphy’s Pub

Hap’s considers itself the most authentic Irish pub outside of the Emerald Isle; it’s been pouring a

All-seasons patio with a fire pit, televisions galore and Irish bar-food staples. Live music on

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the weekends. Mug Club every Wednesday: Buy a $5 mug, get it refilled with $3 premium beer and only $2 for domestics. 2910 Wasson Road, Hyde Park, 513531-3300, rpmcmurphyspub.com.

D I S T I LLE R I E S

H New Riff Distilling A craft distillery adjacent to The Party Source and the northernmost end of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. Distills Kentucky wild gin, rye and bourbon (which is currently still aging).

Free tours take visitors behind the scenes to see production from grain to barrel, and end in a tasting. 24 Distillery Way, Newport, Ky., 859-261-RIFF, newriffdistilling.com.

Second Sight Spirits An artisan distillery that produces innovative premium unbarreled white rum, spiced rum, bourbonbarreled rum and Villa Hillbillies Moonshine. The tasting room offers samples and tours under the watchful eye of Second Sight’s steam-punk-esque copper still that looks like it came straight from the mind of Jules Verne. 301

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B. Elm St., Ludlow, Ky., 702-5106075, secondsightspirits.com.

Woodstone Creek A true artisan winery and boutique distillery, Woodstone Creek produces 100-200 cases of wine, mead and distilled spirit yearly. The offerings include dry to sweet wine from Ohio grape varietals, a wide range of mead, five-grain bourbon, single malt whisky (peated and unpeated), rum, gin, bierschnaaps, vodka and more. Sample anything and everything they have available during Saturday tastings. 4712 Vine St., Saint Bernard, 513-5690300, woodstonecreek.com.

H OT S P OT S The Drinkery Local beer and local music at this OTR joint, famous for its rowdy karaoke night. 1150 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-509-2574, drinkotr.com.

H The Famous Neons Unplugged

Basically Over-the-Rhine’s backyard. Specialty infused spirits

and yard games on the giant outdoor patio including bocce ball and giant Jenga. Travel + Leisure magazine named it one of “America’s Best Outdoor Bars.”

208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-827-9361, wellmannsbrands. com/neons.

H Japp’s Since 1879 Craft cocktails inspired by classic recipes from the 1700s to 1950s.

Drinks are made with fresh ingredients — homemade syrups, real fruit, liquor from craft distillers — in a historic environment. Named one of Esquire’s 18 best bars in America; the mag recommends “A Cool Jules, a gin-and-port stunner.

(Unless it’s Tiki night).” 1136 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-1524, wellmannsbrands.com/japps1879.

Kaze OTR What happens in this cozy modern bar area is nothing short of magical, if by magical you mean post-restaurant-hour karaoke craziness in a space that holds its own against even the best contemporary OTR bars. 1400 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-898-7991, kazeotr.com.

The Lackman Located in a turn-of-the-century building built by brewer Herman Lackman. Fourteen beers on tap and more than 30 bottles and cans (microbrews, imports and domestics) in a cozy environment.

Try the barrel-aged Negroni, with Plymouth gin, Carpano Antica and Campari. 1237 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-0741, lackmanbar.com.

Low Spark 4EG’s Low Spark offers a chill atmosphere at its square-shaped, theater-in-the-round bar, featuring an aquarium in the center and a slew of comfy button-tufted orange leather bowling-alley-ish chairs. They have everything from $3 Bud to local beers on draft and a fine cocktail list that includes a classic ’70s Harvey Wallbanger. 15 W. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513371-5722, lowsparkbar.com.

H MOTR Pub Hosts some of the best live shows in the city, highlighting local and touring Indie, Rock and Folk acts — all without a cover. Also boasts

a nice bar menu, patio, spokenword nights and sketch comedy.

1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-MOTR, motrpub.com.

Myrtle’s Punch House Non-beer drinkers, rejoice!

Myrtle’s focuses on handcrafted punch sold by the bowl, glass or state-of-the-art draft system.

The punch features fresh juice, syrup and in-house infusions.

Shareable plates include vegan, vegetarian and carnivorous options. 2733 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, 513-834-8589, wellmannsbrands.com/myrtles.

Nation Kitchen + Bar The name is a nod to Carrie Nation, the Temperance warrior who destroyed many a saloon window with a hatchet. She was so overwhelmed by the sheer number of Cincinnati bars in the early 1900s, she turned around and left, destroying not a one. Nation pays tribute to the city’s rich social and alcoholic heritage with a burger menu, bottomless brunch and signature cocktail. 1200 Broadway St., Pendleton, 513-381-3794, nationkitchenandbar.com.

The Overlook Lodge This The Shining-themed bar features rustic cocktails like The Hatchet and The Writer’s Block that can help guarantee some much-needed play after a hard day’s work. Combine the cozy atmosphere and weekend Bluegrass performances and you’ve got a recipe for a terrifyingly addicting watering hole. 6083 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-351-0035, theoverlooklodgecincinnati.com.

Pearl’s Located in a historic building in the heart of Columbia Tusculum (Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood), Pearl’s offers a rooftop bar and large outdoor patio for the warmer months and serves classic cocktails, draft beer and small bites. 3520 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum, 513-8320485, pearls-cincy.com.

Rake’s End A local artist transformed this former motorcycle club into an artsy drinkery befitting the neighborhood, which includes a

number of artists and artist-run spaces. 2141 Central Ave., Brighton, therakesend.com.

Second Place From the owners of Northside’s popular bourbon bar The Littlefield, Second Place is a neighborhood hang with darts, board games, billiards and TVs to watch soccer, Reds and Bengals games and hockey, with bites from Littlefield chef Shoshannah Hafner.

There’s also a slushie machine, free popcorn and seasonal outdoor ping pong. 3936 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-3867570, secondplacebar.com.

Queen City Radio The historic Queen City Radio building has been turned into a well-manicured full-service bar and outdoor beer garden. The bar serves 14 rotating taps of local, regional and national beer, canned and bottled brews, wine, a small cocktail program and boozy slushies. Garage doors create indoor/outdoor space, weather permitting, and the food program is coordinated by Eli’s BBQ’s Elias Leisring. 222 W. 12th

St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-0918, qcrbar.com.

H Sundry and Vice Apothecary-themed with an extensive and inventive cocktail menu. The drinks — meticulously crafted by be-aproned bartenders — take a little longer to make than usual, but that’s only because they’re so good. 18 W. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-721VICE, sundryandvice.com.

The Vestry at The Transept The Transept was built in 1867 and was once the home of St. John Unitarian Church, the first German-American congregation in Cincinnati. Today, it’s a multi-room event center for weddings, meetings and nonprofit banquets. The in-house bar, called Vestry, is only a small shard of The Transept, but with its leather banquettes, wingback chairs and large windows that look out on Washington Park, it manages to feel intimate inside the capacious setting. The bar offers 11 beers on tap, mostly local and regional, wine and five signature cocktails. 1205 Elm St.,

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Hair of the Dog Meeting human friends at a bar doesn’t have to mean leaving your furry friend at home — local businesses are starting to catch on to the fact that people want to take their dogs everywhere with them.

And these pet-friendly establishments welcome pups just as warmly as their people.

Braxton Brewing Company The garage-inspired taproom offers a ton of seating inside — and out — with 20 beers on tap and lots of techy gadgets and big TVs. Dogs are allowed inside the brewery (until 9 p.m.), so grab a Storm golden cream ale and watch the game with your best bud. 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, Ky., 859-261-5600, braxtonbrewing.com.

Dutch’s Settle in with your pup on the patio at Dutch’s. There are more than 200 different varieties of wine to ponder on the menu, as well as one of the largest selections of refrigerated beer in the region.

Expect ample begging if you order from the food menu, especially during Thursday night burger night. 3378 Erie Ave., Oakley, 513-8711446, dutchscincinnati.com.

The Famous Neons Unplugged It’s easy to whittle away the hours at Neons, drinking an herb-infused cocktail and snacking on tacos from Mazunte’s outside outpost. Dogs are welcome everywhere at the bar, so bring him/her along for a game of giant Jenga on the giant patio or make your pooch an honorary team member during Monday night trivia. 208 E. 12th Street, Over-the-Rhine, 513-827-9361, wellmannsbrands.com/neons.

Liberty’s Bar & Bottle Have your dog hang out on the rustic wood floor while you post up at the bar for a Sunday wine tasting. The bartender picks four vinos and offers them by the taste, glass, flight and/or bottle. Or pick a beer from 20 rotating drafts and 40 bottled/canned crafts. 1427 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-429-2461.

The Littlefield This Northside bourbon bar welcomes leashed dogs to accompany their owners on the full-service patio. Order the craft cocktail of the month, which benefits a local nonprofit, and something from the enticing small bites menu; cilantro-lime chicken wings in Thai coconut milk broth? 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-3867570, littlefieldns.com.

Northside Yacht Club Help your pup find his/her sea legs at this nautical-inspired hotspot, where well-behaved dogs are always welcome on the outdoor patio.

Tempting tropical concoctions like the banana daiquiri and singapore sling are served up in beach-ready Tiki cups. And you’ll have to give your dog a bite of your duck-fat poutine. 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-541-0528, facebook.com/northsideyachtclub.

Queen City Radio With 14 rotating taps, wine and boozy slushies (plus bar snacks), Queen City Radio neighborhood bar and outdoor beer garden wants to be “pet-friendly across the board,” says co-owner Gabriel Deutsch. “You could bring your pet pig if you wanted to. As long as you clean up after yourself, we’re cool with it.” 222 West 12th St., Downtown, 513-381-0918, qcrbar.com.

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Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-1058, thetransept.com.

E N T E R TA I N M E N T D E S T I N AT I O N S Axis Alley Boutique bowling with lane-side food and beverage service. 1 Levee Way, Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-6527250, axisalleylevee.com.

Bobby Mackey’s Music World A classic Honky Tonk with Country music, cowboys and a mechanical bull. If you’re a thrillseeker looking for a little scare — the place is haunted. 44 Licking Pike, Wilder, Ky., 859-431-5588, bobbymackey.com.

Boogie Nights Break loose before or after hitting the slots. Jam with the best DJs in the area and shake what your mama gave ya. Hollywood Casino, 777 Hollywood Blvd., Lawrenceburg, Ind., 888-2746797, hollywoodindiana.com, boogienightsusa.com/indiana.

Funny Bone Features national headlining comedians as well as up-andcomers. 1 Levee Way, Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-957-2000, levee.funnybone. com; 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township, 513-779-5233, liberty. funnybone.com.

H Go Bananas Comedy Club One of Cincinnati’s premier comedy clubs. See the up-andcomers on Wednesday Pro-Am Nights or come and see your favorite touring comedians.

8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, 513-984-8848, gobananascomedy.com.

Howl at the Moon/Splitsville Luxury Lanes In 1990, Howl at the Moon's dueling piano show was an entertainment staple at Covington Landing. Howl is back and bigger than ever. Their 16,000-square-foot venue features live music, food, drinks and an attached boutique bowling alley. 145 Second St. East, Downtown, 513-421-2695, thebanks.howlsplitsville.com.

H Madison Bowl Voted the best bowling alley in the city by CityBeat readers. This historic alley is open until 1 a.m.

Sunday-Wednesday and 24 hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The in-house Madison Diner is a quaint Atomic Era throwback and home of the Big Burger, a

half-pound patty with your choice of toppings, ranging from grilled onions and jalapeños to Swiss cheese and a fried egg.

4671 Madison Road, Madisonville, 513-271-2700, madisonbowl.com.

Stone Lanes A classic family-owned bowling alley by Xavier University. Open until 11 p.m. or later Monday through Saturday. Join the Can Club and get a Stone Lanes growler can for $6, which you can refill with Miller Lite at the alley for $2.95 anytime. There’s a social media campaign inviting patrons to post photos of themselves with their cans on vacation and in exotic destinations. 3746 Montgomery Road, Norwood, 513-396-7003, stonelanes.com.

Topgolf Hit a microchipped golf ball into colorful targets to score points.

This chain of shooting ranges brings golf out of the country club and into the public as a space to practice your swing, grab a bite to eat or even watch the sun go down over West Chester on a rooftop patio. 9568 Waterfront Drive, West Chester, 513-342-6249, topgolf.com.

Western Bowl Strike & Spare A family fun center with 68 lanes of bowling, a state of the art scoring system and glow bowling on Friday nights. 6383 Glenway Ave., Western Hills, 513-574-2222, westernbowl.strikeandspare.com.

GERMAN BIERGARTENS Hofbräuhaus Beers brewed on-site in the Munich tradition (under the license and supervision of Staatliches Hofbräuhaus in München), with a keg tapping of seasonal brews the final Wednesday of each month. Buy a liter of beer and keep the stein for $10. 200 E. Third St., Newport, Ky., 859-4917200, hofbrauhausnewport.com.

Kreimer’s Bier Haus German bier haus on the Great Miami River. 6052 State Route 128, Cleves, 513-353-2168, bierhauswest.net.

Mecklenburg Gardens Oktoberfest all year long. Wash down your triple-goettawurst and spaetzle with a doppelbock or hefeweizen in the grape vineladen outdoor biergarten. 302 E. University Ave., Corryville, 513221-5353, mecklenburgs.com.

kaze otr // p h oto : h a i l e y b o l l i n g e r

Wunderbar!

Rhineland ambiance with wooden picnic tables and German signage. Food options include giant pretzels, sauerkraut, sausage and doner kabobs, one of Germany’s favorite street-food dishes. Beer choices abound with German staples such as Franziskaner and Warsteiner. 1132 Lee St., Covington, Ky., 859-815-8027, wunderbarcovington.com.

Wurst Bar in the Square A gastropub with German leanings specializing in Cincinnati favorites: homemade sausage and beer.

The Moscow Mule is served in an ice-cold copper mug and their bloody mary is made with house mix and bacon-infused vodka and garnished with a Wisconsin Beer stick. 3204 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-321-0615, wurstbarinthesquare.com.

H OT E L B A R S The Bar at Palm Court A lobby-level bar with French Art Deco décor in the historic Hilton Netherland Plaza — like stepping into an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.

Happy hour features half-price appetizers created by Orchids at Palm Court’s AAA five diamond award-winning chef, Todd Kelly.

Try their special barrel-aged Negroni or Netherland Plaza Ale, a special collaboration with Rivertown Brewing Company. 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-421-9100, orchidsatpalmcourt.com.

Coppins at Hotel Covington Located in the center of Hotel

Covington’s dining atrium, with floor-to-ceiling windows and al fresco courtyard, Coppins restaurant offers a seasonal menu of comfortable Kentucky cuisine plus local beer, wine, cider and craft cocktails. 638 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 866-501-1700, hotelcovington.com.

The Cricket Lounge at The Cincinnatian Hotel A city-centered lounge with plenty of ambiance for mixing business and pleasure. A live Jazz trio plays Friday and Saturday. Happy hour daily. 601 Vine St., Downtown, 513-381-3000, cincinnatianhotel.com.

H Metropole/Cocktail Terrace Housed in the 21c Museum Hotel, the Metropole is a restaurant and lounge with craft beers on tap, clever cocktails and a smart selection of old- and new-world wines. Or take a secret elevator up 11 floors to the roof for the hotel’s cocktail terrace, open during warm weather. The glasssurrounded rooftop has its own cocktail menu and tableside service. 609 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-578-6600, metropoleonwalnut.com, 21ccocktailterrace.com.

The Phelps/The Top of the Park Both located in the Residence Inn Marriott. The Phelps is a hidden oasis in the city — a tapas bar featuring small bites, wine and hand-crafted cocktails. On the roof, the Top of the Park features unparalleled views of

Lytle Park, downtown Cincinnati, the Ohio River and Mount Adams. Open to the public select evenings. 506 E. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-651-1234, topoftheparkcincinnati.com.

The Symphony Hotel A quiet spot for a cocktail or glass of wine inside a historic bed and breakfast near Music Hall, Memorial Hall and Washington Park. 210 W. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513721-3353, symphonyhotel.com.

LG B TQ B A R S

H Below Zero Lounge OTR’s hip nightclub has one of the area’s largest vodka collections — more than 100 varieties (some dispensed at 6 degrees Fahrenheit) — with Martini Madness on Wednesdays. Karaoke on Thursdays lets you be the star.

The Cabaret club upstairs features fantastic drag shows on Saturdays.

1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-9376, belowzerolounge. com, cabaretcincinnati.com.

shows. 603 W. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, 513-241-5623.

On Broadway Bar Everyone’s welcome at this selfproclaimed Cincinnati version of Cheers. 817 Broadway St., Downtown, 513-421-2555, facebook. com/onbroadwaybarandnightclub.

Rosie’s Tavern A mixed crowd of beer drinkers and regulars at this gay-friendly bar. Pool, shuffleboard, pitcher specials, live music and more. 643 Bakewell St., Covington, Ky., 859291-9707, rosiestavernnky.com.

Simon Says One of the oldest gay bars in town, Simon Says has been a business district staple in some form since the ’60s. 428 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-381-7577, facebook.com/simonsaysbarcincy.

LIVE MUSIC BARS The Blind Lemon

Drink specials, smoke-free interior, pinball, darts, trivia, pool, TVs, off-street parking and an assortment of absinthe. Dogfriendly. 901 Washington Ave., Newport, Ky., 859-261-2143.

Mount Adams’ favorite backyard bar since 1963. Walk down a set of stairs to find a secret, little hideaway. Inside, the cozy walls are lined with eclectic paraphernalia. Outside, the relaxed patio is incredibly popular in the warmer months. Live music almost every night. 936 Hatch St., Mount Adams, 513-241-3885, theblindlemon.com.

The Dock Complex

H Bogart’s

H Crazy Fox Saloon

Three bars, one covered smoking patio, one patio lounge with a volleyball court, a fully equipped dance floor with four platforms, pool table, touch-screen games, DJs, foam parties and drag

Corryville/Live Nation’s premier live music venue featuring local, national and international acts, plus six bars. 2621 Vine St., Corryville, 513-872-8801, bogarts.com.

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H The Comet Eclectic neighborhood bar and big-ass burrito joint with more than 150 beers, homemade ginger ale, live music, art exhibits and one of the best jukeboxes in town. The Comet Bluegrass AllStars play every Sunday. Kitchen menu served until 1 a.m. daily.

4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-8900, cometbar.com.

Dee Felice Café Jazz, Swing and the food of the French Quarter. A credit to the notion that Cincinnati is as far as one can be North while still being South. 529 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-261-2365, deefelicecafe.com.

The Greenwich Walnut Hills’ answer to Greenwich Village. Features a combination of Jazz, Spoken Word and Hip Hop. 2442 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-221-1151, the-greenwich.com.

The Incline Lounge at the Celestial With a view that overlooks the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline, the Celestial’s bar and

lounge is the perfect place to watch the sun go down and the lights of the city come up. The live music is frequently Jazz. 1071 Celestial St., Mount Adams, 513241-4455, thecelestial.com.

H Live! at the Ludlow Garage In its 100-year history, the Ludlow Garage has been everything from an auto repair shop and parking garage to a shopping mall and pizzeria, but it’s most well-known for its legacy as a music venue from 1969 to 1971.

The Allman Brothers recorded Live at the Ludlow Garage here, and everyone from Iggy Pop and The Stooges to MC5 and The Kinks to Santana played there.

New owners have revamped the venue and reclaimed its music history; it’s once again a concert hall welcoming national touring acts for intimate concerts. It also features an upstairs restaurant and cocktail lounge. 342 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-221-4111, liveattheludlowgarage.com.

Madison Theater This historic venue offers local and national music acts. 730 Madison

Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-491-2444, madisontheateronline.com.

Mansion Hill Tavern Come for the excellent Blues and troll dolls, stay for the casual bar fare, extensive beer selection and live music. 502 Washington Ave., Newport, Ky., 859-581-0100, mansionhilltavern.tripod.com.

Maudie’s Housed above local pizza joint Cincy by the Slice, this is an 18+ live music venue. 1207 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, searchable on Facebook.

H Northside Tavern A laid-back neighborhood drinking destination. A front bar, back bar and huge patio. Free live music almost every night of the week, including live band karaoke.

Not uncommon for happy hour here to last far into the night. 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-5423603, northsidetav.com/cincy.

Northside Yacht Club A loosely nautically themed Rock club from two local music veterans.

The mixology is masterful, made

with fresh juice, fruit and herbal garnish. Tropical-themed drinks are served in Tiki glasses and the bar-food menu features satisfying items like house-smoked wings, duck fat poutine and vegan lentil chili fries. 4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-541-0528, northsideyachtclub.com.

Schwartz’s Point This is what speakeasies were like back in the day. An unpretentious Jazz club with live Jazz from the virtuoso owner Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. 1901 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-651-2236, schwartzspoint.com.

The Southgate House Revival New location for an old favorite.

Live music from a variety of genres several nights a week. 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, Ky., 859431-2201, southgatehouse.com.

Stanley’s Pub A favorite spot for live, eclectic tunes along the river. Local and out-of-town bands with cheap drinks make Stanley’s an area favorite. A big place for Jamgrass. 323 Stanley Ave.,

sierra hull

Marc Broussard

Saturday JaN. 28 7:30 pM St. Xavier performance Center tickets: $45, $40

Saturday Sept. 10 7:30 pM St. Xavier performance Center tickets: $40, $35

rhythM of the dance

1964 the triBute- 50th anniversary of the Beatles at crosley Field

Saturday Mar. 11 8:00 pM Mount St. Joseph university tickets: $50, $45

Saturday OCt. 29 7:30 pM Mount St. Joseph university tickets: $45, $40

- 16 State-of-the-Art Lanes - Full Bar & Menu - Customizable A/V Systems - Private Party Spaces - Team Building Programs - Professional Event Planners

Mike farris

Saturday apr. 8 7:30 pM Matthews auditorium princeton HS tickets $40, $35

annie Moses Band christmas celebration

arrival the music of abba

Saturday NOv. 26 7:30 pM Mcauley performing arts Center tickets: $45, $40

Saturday May 6 7:30 pM Mount St. Joseph university tickets: $49, $39

For tickets,

call 513-570-0652

Newport on the Levee • 1 Levee Way • NEWPORT, KY

axisalleylevee.com • 859.652.7250 92

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or visit

cincymusicseries.org

Columbia Tusculum, 513-8716249, facebook.com/stanleys.pub.

NEIGHBORHOOD B A R S A N D PU B S

Thompson House

Animations Lounge

A live music venue housed in a historic mansion, where the Tommy Gun was invented. 24 E. Third St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-SHOW, thompsonhousenewport.com.

A pool bar with drink specials.

3059 Madison Road, Oakley, 513871-7606, facebook.com/animations.oakley.

The Tin Roof

The Gaslight District’s neighborhood pub for the thinking man or woman. Have a beer on the back patio or enjoy live music and bar food. 307 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-751-6566.

A live music joint chain from Nashville. E. Freedom Way, Downtown, 513-381-2176, tinroofcincinnati.com.

The Venue Live music with ballroom and swing dancing. 9980 Kings Automall Drive, Mason, 513-239-5009, thevenuecincinnati.com.

Woodward Theater The owners of popular Overthe-Rhine music club MOTR Pub took over the 100-year-old building across the street from the club and turned it into the beautiful new Woodward Theater. Hosts local and national touring acts. 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-345-7986, woodwardtheater.com.

Arlin’s

H Arnold’s Bar & Grill A friendly, diverse and historic gin joint, Arnold’s is the city’s oldest bar — since the 1830s. Arnold’s draws folks for its food, live music (lots of Americana and Bluegrass), local brews and casual atmosphere. Named as one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine. Friendly service, cheap drinks, awesome courtyard (used to be a stable and carriage house) and a bathtub, that was once reputedly used for making bathtub gin. 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, 513-4216234, arnoldsbarandgrill.com.

Arthur’s Cafe Arthur’s is one of Hyde Park’s favorite neighborhood taverns. If you’re looking for more than just a beer and the average pub fare, this is the right place. Let burger madness ensue — $8.99 for any burger with your choice of toppings on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The tap features only local beers. 3516 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513-8715543, arthurscincinnati.com.

H Back Porch Saloon Open since 1972, this casual spot serves up lunch and dinner with a focus on fun; their motto is, “It’s more fun to eat in a saloon, than drink in a restaurant.” Find burgers, ribs, tons of flatscreen TVs, cornhole, a Tiki bar and seasonal sand volleyball leagues. 9626 Princeton-Glendale Road, West Chester, 513-874-2432, backporch-saloon.net.

Bart’s On York A stone’s throw and a world away from Newport on the Levee. With the motto, “Where everyone knows your name and thinks you’re an asshole,” it’s a

great neighborhood bar with a casual, friendly atmosphere. Huge outdoor patio and great drink specials. 323 York St., Newport, Ky., 859-491-2337, bartsonyork.com.

Brew House A Walnut Hills institution since 1978 with funky décor, friendly people, good burgers and cheap drinks. 1047 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills, 513-961-9058, brewhouse.com.

Chameleon A neighborhood nightclub with themed nights, an event space, a large venue hall for live music, drink specials and more. 4114 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-5412073, chameleon-northside.com.

City View Tavern A fine neighborhood bar offering panoramic vistas of our fair metropolis, along with burgers, soups, sandwiches and a spicy bloody mary. 403 Oregon St., Mount Adams, 513-241-VIEW.

Dean’s Hops & Vines Sports bars and “Lite” beer populate the West Side, but Dean’s

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Hops & Vines serves craft beer, great bourbons, wines and small bites in the heart of Cheviot. 3722 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 513-5153215, facebook.com/deanshv.

store or at the walk-up window to go. Or even enjoy your beer inside, sitting at one of HalfCut’s tables. 1126 Walnut St., Over-theRhine, 513-381-1952, halfcut.com.

H Dutch’s

Incline Public House

A former pony keg turned artisan bottle shop and larder. They have the largest selection of refrigerated beer in the region, more than 200 wines for carryout or to enjoy at the bar, freshly butchered meats and farmstead cheeses, with a backyard patio, bocce court and relaxed atmosphere.

3378 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513871-1446, dutchscincinnati.com.

Sitting high atop the now-defunct Price Hill incline, the Incline Public House offers brick-oven dishes, craft beers with a focus on local craft breweries (featuring meet-the-brewer evenings) and a panoramic view of the Ohio River and downtown. 2601 W. Eighth St., Price Hill, 513-251-3000, inclinepublichouse.com.

Edge Inn Tavern If you’re a dive bar fan and looking to ditch the chains around the Rookwood area, this is your place. Super-cheap drinks.

3935 Edwards Road, Norwood, 513-841-9030.

The Establishment Known colloquially as “The E” for its unassuming local flavor. 2900 Wasson Road, Hyde Park, 513631-9000, theeoakley.com.

The Gas Light Café A comfy Pleasant Ridge gem that’s more café than bar. The burgers are excellent and the rest of the menu is pretty darned good, too. 6104 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-631-6977.

Gypsy’s With a welcoming, dog-friendly atmosphere, Gypsy’s is perhaps most well known for their fully stocked bar and large craft beer selection on draft or in bottles and cans — you can find a drink special for under $4 any day of the week (including $2 Jameson and $3 drafts). Watch your favorite game on one of several TVs or enjoy their back patio equipped with fire pits and giant Jenga. 641 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-2610272, facebook.com/pub641.

Habits Café There’s nothing quite like a big plate of Habits’ “potato rags” (hash browns on steroids) to complement a craft beer or three.

Home to weekly open mic nights, live music, almost 90 bottled beers and possibly a ghost. 3036 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-6318367, habitscafe.com.

HalfCut While not exactly a bar, you can fill a growler with local beers and hard-to-find crafts in this OTR 94

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H Knotty Pine A West Side Rock club and Tiki bar. There’s live music on weekends, karaoke on Tuesdays and leagues for sand volleyball in the summer and pool and dart the rest of the year. 6947 Cheviot Road, Cheviot, 513-741-3900, knottypinerocks.com.

Madonna’s Bar and Grill Cozy dive bar with a pool table and jukebox, friendly bartenders and a great BLT. 11 E. Seventh St., Downtown, 513-621-8838, madonnabarandgrill.com.

MainStrasse Village Pub The microbrew mecca of MainStrasse Village — 200 different, constantly changing bottled brews.

No beers on draft, but there’s happy hour all day Sunday. 619 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-4315552, mainstrassevillagepub.com.

Marty’s Hops & Vines A bottle shop and bar in a restored 1920s building in North College Hill. Marty’s Hops & Vines offers fine wine, craft beer and small plates and pizza, along with a rotating weekly event schedule featuring deals, tastings and live music. 6110 Hamilton Ave., North College Hill, 513-6814222, martys-hopsandvines.com.

Milton’s Prospect Hill Tavern Prospect Hill’s neighborhood joint is chatty, diverse and full of character. A great place to have beer, relax and chat it up with the regulars. 301 Milton St., Liberty Hill, 513-784-9938, facebook. com/miltonstheprospecthilltavern.

Mount Adams Bar & Grill Once a speakeasy, today it is one of the city’s most picturesque taverns with lots of wood grain, class and photos of famous patrons. 938 Hatch St., Mount Adams, 513-621-3666, mtadamsbarandgrill.com.

Next Chapter A new bar and grill, Next Chapter is complete with live music, outdoor seating and a menu that includes brunch. 940 Pavilion St., Mount Adams, 513-381-1905, mtadamschapter.com.

Oakley Pub & Grill Trivia Night Tuesdays are wildly popular, and regulars swear by the fish tacos (only $7.95 Fridays).

Food specials nightly. 3924 Isabella Ave., Oakley, 513-531-2500, oakleypubandgrill.com.

The Oak Tavern Catch your sports obsessions at this beloved local drinkery on multiple TVs. Live bands, patio and food. 3089 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-321-6258, oaktavernoakley.com.

Silverton Café Massive double deckers, an enthusiastic sports scene, spirits and fun. Either catch a live band or show everyone your own skills on the karaoke machine. 7201 Montgomery Road, Silverton, 513-791-2922, silvertoncafe.com.

The Strasse Haus Serving up bar food and German fare with an outdoor patio and live music for more than 20 years.

630 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859261-1199, mainstrasse.org.

Village Tavern A historic neighborhood watering hole in the heart of Montgomery. There is something to do at VT every night: trivia, karaoke, live bands and various DJs. 9390 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-793-7882, thevillage-tavern.com.

Yesterday’s Old Time Saloon A no-frills dive bar with free popcorn. 930 Hatch St., Mount Adams, 513-421-9998.

Army Knife of Newport bars. VIP tables available. 120 E. Third St., Newport, Ky., 859-431-4340, arniesonthelevee.com.

Bromwell’s HÄRTH Lounge Opened in 1819, Bromwell’s is the oldest business in Cincinnati. The next-door Bromwell’shelmed bar is a lovely and comfortable piano bar, open to the public Wednesday through Saturday (available other days for private rentals), featuring live Jazz and handcrafted cocktails.

It’s a decidedly adult experience — as in grown-up — with local draft beer, vintage drinks like an Old Fashioned and French 75 and classy furnishings. 125 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-6213473, bromwellsharthlounge.com.

Energy Nightclub Laser lights, DJs and a dress code.

700 W. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, 513-721-2582, energycincy.com.

Ivy Lounge European-style nightclub and lounge featuring craft cocktails and “vaportinis” (evaporated, flavor-infused spirits that you can breathe in through a glass straw).

645 Walnut St., Downtown, 513421-3800, ivycincinnati.com.

Millions Café & Mount Lookout Tavern Mount Lookout’s sister bars and nightlife staples. Live music and frequent parties plus sports on TV and food deals daily. 3209 and 3210 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-8719633, facebook.com/millionscafe, facebook.com/mtlookouttavern, millions-cafe.com.

Monks Cove A place for Jell-O shots from a giant, plastic syringe. 1104 St Gregory St., Mount Adams, monkscove.com

Zip’s Café

Mount Adams Pavilion

Since 1926, Zip’s has served up some of Cincinnati’s best hamburgers, including the Girth Burger — a Zip burger with a split grilled mettwurst on top.

The bar is housed in an old Prohibition-era “Code Room.”

1036 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-9876, zipscafe.com.

A multi-level nightclub and lounge with four patio decks with city views. DJs and live music every night. 949 Pavilion St., Mount Adams, 513-744-9200, mountadamspavilion.com.

N I G H TCLU B S/ LO U N G E S Arnie’s on the Levee Big screens, dance floor, stage, pool table, jukebox, popcorn machine and year-round outdoor seating make Arnie’s the Swiss

Mynt Dress-code enforced. Industry nights Saturday and Sunday.

Ticketed DJ events. 28 Fountain Square Plaza, Downtown, 513621-6968, myntcincinnati.com.

The Righteous Room A bar and lounge that caters to the YP crowd, as well as arts patrons (it’s directly across from the

sundry and vice // p h oto s: J e s s e F O X / h a i l e y b o l l i n g e r

Aronoff) and after-dinner drinkers.

641 Walnut St., Downtown, 513381-4408, therighteousroom.com.

Way, Newport, Ky., 859-291-2767, brothersbar.com/newport-ky.

Scene Ultra Lounge

Fifty-cent wings on Tuesday and a ton of TVs for watching sports.

5790 Cheviot Road, White Oak, 513245-9999, crossroadswings.com.

An ultra sleek lounge with a long bar and plenty of space to see and be seen. 637 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-381-4327, scenecinci.com.

SPORTS BARS Beer Sellar The Beer Sellar barge offers 63 taps and live music with a scenic view of downtown — literally on the Ohio River. And you can’t beat the $5 round-trip water taxi for all home Bengals and Reds games. 301 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., 859-431-6969, facebook. com/thebeersellar.

The Blind Pig A modern speakeasy with food, updated Prohibition-style drinks, plenty of TVs and a huge patio with a view of the riverfront, stadiums and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. 24 W. Third St., Downtown, 513-381-3114.

Brothers Drink specials daily with nice, fried bar bites, like Gator Balls, chicken breast wedges wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese and peppers and served with ranch. Tons of TVs playing sports and UFC to watch while imbibing pitchers of Long Islands in five different flavors: red, blue, orange, green and purple. A giant patio overlooks the Ohio River and downtown Cincinnati. 1 Levee

Crossroads Sports Bar & Grill

Dickmann’s Sports Pub & Grub A sports bar on steroids. Not only are the sports on TV, Dickmann’s also has volleyball and trivia. 479 Orphanage Road, Fort Wright, Ky., 859-331-8076, dickmannscafe.com.

Flipdaddy’s Burgers & Beers An old-school burger joint meets up with a modern sports bar, and Flipdaddy’s is born. Hear some live music, watch the game or just enjoy some delicious burgers and beer. Multiple locations including 12071 Mason Montgomery Road, Symmes Township, 513-677-BEER; 7453 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-272-BEER, flipdaddys.com.

Game Time Sports Bar & Grill Offers sand volleyball leagues, 20 premium craft beers, 20 gourmet burgers, steel-tip darts, cornhole, pool, shuffleboard and more.

3613 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 513661-9464, gametime2012.com.

Holy Grail Tavern & Grille Within 100 yards of Great American Ball Park you can chug a beer and get to the game almost as fast as “Neon” Deion could steal second, third and home. Features 31 TVs so you won’t miss a dunk, goal, run or touchdown.

161 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, 513-621-2222, holygrailcincy.com.

In Between Tavern It’s the sports bar that’s between the Reds and Bengals stadiums.

307 Sycamore St., Downtown, 513-621-7009, facebook.com/ inbetweentavern.

Jefferson Social Craft beers, a ton of tequila and nachos done up with any variety of meat. Wings go from spicy to dry-rubbed and there are plenty of tacos on the menu. Find weekly trivia, a large patio and draft deals. 101 E. Freedom Way, The Banks, Downtown, 513-3812623, jeffersonsocial.com.

Knockback Nat’s Part neighborhood hangout, part sports bar, part destination for hungry individuals looking for delicious smoked wings (featured on the Travel Channel), Knockback Nat’s has a little something for everyone. And there are always sports on TV. 10 W. Seventh St., Downtown, 513-621-1000.

Lachey’s From brother’s Nick and Drew Lachey, with its myriad TVs, a sports ticker wrapped around the elongated bar, large windows, framed Reds photos on the walls and a Pedal Wagon bay, the space screams sports bar, albeit a more refined one. But Lachey’s isn’t a typical sports bar because, really, how many sports bars have wine and cocktails on draft? 56 E. 12th St., Downtown, 513-275-0740, lacheys.com.

Martino’s on Vine An Italian-American restaurant on Short Vine that doubles as a Steelers bar. 2618 Vine St., Corryville, 513-221-8487, martinosonvine.com.

MVP Sports Bar & Grill Full menu, live music, free Wi-Fi, DirecTV with NFL Sunday Ticket.

6923 Plainfield Road, Silverton, 513-794-1400, mymvpsportsbarandgrille.com.

Pachinko Bar Drink specials, ladies night, giant margaritas, beer buckets and Bengals Mania. Also has a pool table and outdoor patio.

424 W. Sixth St., Covington, Ky., 859-431-6400.

The Pirate’s Den Sports bar, nightclub, pub and eatery with live music and a VIP room. 3670 Werk Road, Suite 6, Bridgetown, 513-347-3900, piratesdencincy.com.

Rhinehaus Houses more than 12 TVs, 16 occasionally rotating taps and channels/packages like NFL Sunday Ticket and FOX Soccer Channel. 119 E. 12th St., Overthe-Rhine, 513-381-2277, rhinehausbar.com.

Tap House Grill Sit back with your choice of 28 taps and enjoy this sports restaurant and bar’s 20-something TVs. 8740 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-891-TAPS, taphousecincy.com.

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Tavern on the Hill Sports bar and tavern with late-night food. Carries the NFL, MLB and NCAA March Madness TV packages. 1111 St. Gregory St., Mount Adams, 513-421-3309, mtadamstavernonthehill.com.

Tina’s A third generation family-owned and -operated bar in the heart of downtown. At just one block north of Paul Brown Stadium, it’s also basically a Bengals bar. Stop in before games or watch them on one of their 13 flatscreens.

350 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-621-3567, tinasbar.com.

W INE BA R S/ W INER IES

H 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab

This OTR spot is an eclectic coffee shop by day and wine bar by night. Try the wine flights, which double as both alcohol and a game. Three different wines are served in numbered glasses; use the tasting notes from the menu and blindly identify which is which.

See if you’re correct on a provided card. 1215 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-429-5745, 1215vine.com.

H Elk Creek Vineyards The largest winery in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, nestled in the rolling hills of Owenton. Award-winning wines are produced and bottled on-site, where there is a deli, art gallery, cooking classes and nearby Elk Creek shooting range. 150 Highway 330, Owenton, Ky., 502-4840005, elkcreekvineyards.com.

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Henke Winery Wine and dine the old fashioned way, with both food and grapes processed in-house. This familyowned and -operated urban winery was considered one of the 10 best in the country by Food Republic. 3077 Harrison Ave., Westwood, 513-662-9463, henkewine.com.

Liberty’s Bar & Bottle Though it is much more wine bar than neighborhood corner store, Liberty’s offers the best of both worlds with 20 rotating craft beers on tap and 15 wines available by the glass — including halfpours — along with 60 bottles of wine and 40 more craft beers in its retail selection. 1427 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-429-2461.

Listing Loon A craft beer and wine shop in Northside that now offers a casual drinking environment as well as great carry-out options.

4124 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-LOON.

Ludlow Wines Since 1963, this has been a family-owned and operated wine and craft beer merchant in Clifton’s Gaslight District. Tastings Friday and Saturday nights. 343 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-7513727, ludlowwines.com.

Market Wines A wine store by day with fantastic $5 four-pour wine tastings on the weekends. Findlay Market, 128 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine, 513744-9888, market-wines.com.

Meier’s Wine Cellars Ohio’s oldest and largest winery producing wine and juices from Native American grape varieties. 6955 Plainfield Road, Silverton, 513-891-2900, meierswinecellars.com.

Oakley Wines Oakley Wines started as a boutique bottle shop just off the main drag in Oakley. And then it became more than a neighborhood hang when upward of 100 people started stopping in for Friday-night wine tastings. So, expanding with demand, owner Zach Eidson revamped the basement and turned it into The Cellar bar. The subterranean bar features a full drink list, with wine and beer on tap, and upscale snacks. 4011 Allston St., Oakley, 513-531-1400, oakleywines.com.

Revel Urban Winery Boutique winery and event space specializing in promoting local, regional and family-owned wineries. Produces wine on-site using an Italian technique. 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, revelotr.com.

Seven Wells Vineyard & Winery Five-acre vineyard with more than 3,000 vines, a winery and tasting room. Part of the Back Woods Wine Trail. 1223 Siry Road, California, Ky., 859-8160003, sevenwellswinery.com.

The Skeleton Root A working winery and event space in OTR that pays homage to Cincinnati’s wine history

producing heritage and French and European style wines, crushed and aged on site. The tasting room feels like a living room, with communal seating, laptop bars and couches; the upstairs loft offers additional seating. 38 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine, 513-253-6727, skeletonroot.com.

Stonebrook Winery Small family winery featuring a farmhouse tasting room. Part of the Back Roads Wine Trail. 6570 Vineyard Lane, Camp Springs, Ky., 859-6350111, stonebrookwinery.com.

Unwind Wine Bar & Light Fare California-style wine bar in the heart of Hyde Park. 3435 Michigan Ave., Hyde Park, 513-3219463, unwindhydepark.com.

Valley Vineyards Award-winning, estate-grown table and dessert wines since 1970. Also home to Cellar Dweller brewery. 2276 E. U.S. 22, Morrow, 513-899-2485, valleyvineyards.com.

Verona Vineyards A storefront tasting room for Verona Vineyards wines in historic Rabbit Hash. 10021 Lower River Road, Rabbit Hash, Ky., 859322-0487, veronavineyards.com.

Vinoklet Winery Thirty acres of picturesque rolling hills and ponds in the only working winery with a vineyard in Hamilton County. Also home of Vinoklet Restaurant. 11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain, 513-3859309, vinokletwines.com.

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Now Open New Microbrewery with a passion for dark craft beer Thur 3 - 10

Fri & SaT 3 - 11

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Beer - live music - live art - food trucks

224 Fairfield Ave bellevue ky 41073

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Take a stroll with American Legacy Tours. This acclaimed company has been featured in the national media, and Queen City Underground is one of their most popular excursions. With a hidden crypt, more than a hundred saloons, historic brewery tunnels and tales of Buffalo Bill, the stories behind Cincinnati may sound like something out of the Wild West. But Over-the-Rhine is home to America’s largest collection of 19th-century Italianate buildings as well as a ton of mysterious history. Follow bowlerhatted guides to landmarks and breweries. 1332 Vine St., OTR, americanlegacytours.com.

Tour the Town The historical, hauntingly beautiful side of Cincinnati is often overlooked during the daily grind. Dig deeper and see the city on foot with guided tours of everything from beer and art to supernatural entities.

ATTRACTIONS

Queen City Underground

ArtWorks Mural Tours

Cincinnati Brewery Tours

Segway of Cincinnati

Cincinnati Food Tours

The city is a gallery, so come out and enjoy the scenery. ArtWorks, a local nonprofit that enriches the community through art, offers walking tours of the larger-thanlife murals the organization paints with apprentices each summer — there are more than 120 throughout Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods. These walking tours combine historical facts with gorgeous art and include anecdotes and trivia about murals like “Mr. Tarbell Tips His Hat” and “Cincinnati’s Strongman: Henry Holtgrewe.” Guided tours take place May through October; a self-guided tour map is available online. 20 E. Central Parkway, Downtown, 513-3330388, artworkscincinnati.org.

The Queen City is veritable beer royalty. The city’s first brewery opened in 1812, and dozens more were established soon after, largely thanks to the city’s influx of German immigrants, brewers and beer drinkers. By 1860, Zinzinnati was the third-largest brewer in the nation. Cincinnati Brewery Tours take guests back in time, placing them smack-dab in the middle of the 19th century, when beer was king. Descend beneath the city, where a massive network of lagering cellars still stands, explore Christian Moerlein’s historic taproom and learn how beer was made before the advent of refrigeration. 1619 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatibrewerytours.com.

Walking across the Purple People Bridge is fun, but have you ever cruised across it on a Segway? Segway of Cincinnati offers unique two-wheeled tours, including rides through Eden Park, along the riverfront and through Over-the-Rhine. Learn about Cincinnati’s historic canal system, the streetcar, public gardens and more with this interactive jaunt that combines the present and the past. New tours include the Art of Cincinnati, which highlights galleries, ghost signs and hidden folk art, and the Lights of the City, a night glide through downtown, OTR and across the river into Covington.

1150 Vine St., Downtown, 513-2251583, segwayofcincinnati.com.

Taste your way through the Queen City’s culinary culture with this delicious tour series and see how the local food scene is enhancing urban revitalization. Take a trip around the world at Ohio’s oldest public market, Findlay Market, with a guided tour of hidden gems and ethnic eats. Visit Over-the-Rhine for hip restaurant samples or to satisfy your sweet tooth. Or wander Walnut Hills to learn the history behind one of Cincinnati’s oldest hilltop neighborhoods and visit the new restaurants and people who are reigniting its dining scene. 107 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-602-5602, cincinnatifoodtours.com.

ATTRACTIONS

A M US E M E N T PA R K S Ark Encounter A replica of biblical Noah’s massive wooden boat, along with a 1,500-seat restaurant built far, far away from any significant body of water. Helmed by Answers in Genesis, the same people who run the Creation Museum. It’s just as much a theme park as it is an attempt

by Evangelicals to prove that one man really could build a giant boat and fill it with every type of animal out there. Open daily. Admission fee. 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, Ky., 855-284-3275, arkencounter.com.

The Beach Waterpark Thirty-five acres of real sand and real waves. A chill lazy river, cabana rentals, waterslides — like the five-story The Cliff — and sand volleyball. Turns into Beach Mountain in winter with snow tubing. Open May-September; January-March. Admission/ parking fees. 2590 Waterpark Drive, Mason, 513-398-SWIM, thebeachwaterpark.com.

Coney Island A historic amusement park, in operation since the 1880s, that is home to classic rides — bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, a wooden roller coaster and paddle boats — live shows, family-friendly fests and Sunlite Pool. New this year: Christmas Nights of Lights, a seven-week drivethrough display of dazzling lights and Christmas displays. Open May-October; Seasonal exhibit November, 2016-January 1, 2017.

Admission/parking fees. 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson, 513-2328230, coneyislandpark.com.

Kings Island

H Indicates winners from CityBeat’s 2016 Best of Cincinnati® issue.

The largest amusement park and waterpark in the Midwest. There are thrill rides — like the Banshee inverted roller coaster; the Beast, the world’s longest wooden roller coaster; and a giant slingshot — daily live shows, Soak City Waterpark, the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park and lots of traditional carnival games. Open April-October.

Admission/parking fees. 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, 513754-5700, visitkingsisland.com.

Stricker’s Grove This family-owned and -operated private amusement park, which has origins dating back to 1924, has a ton of diverse classic rides that younger children will love, as well as a pair of hand-built 100

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wooden roller coasters: The Tornado and The Teddy Bear, both built by late owner Ralph Stricker, the only person in the United States to ever build his own roller coaster. The park is only open to the public a handful of days per year, including Fourth of July and Labor Day, but that limited access makes the experience even more special and unique. (It is available to rent for picnics, wedding receptions and other occasions.) Open to the public four times a year plus several days in July. Admission fee. 11490 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, 513-738-3366, strickersgrove.com.

C A S I N O S/G A M I N G Arcade Legacy A classic arcade with 7,600-square-feet of arcade games and pinball cabinets and a console area with stations to play everything from NES and PS4 to Atari. Open daily. Admission fee. Cincinnati Mall, 662 Cincinnati Mills Drive, Forest Park, 513-874-8766, arcadelegacyohio.com.

Belterra Casino Resort This eastern Indiana casino and resort offers a spa, golf course and live entertainment, in addition to slot machines, table games and daily poker tournaments. Open 24/7. Free. 777 Belterra Drive, Florence, Ind., 812-427-7777, belterracasino.com.

Belterra Park Gaming & Entertainment Center Live thoroughbred racing plus simulcasting, 24/7 gaming, live entertainment and dining. Check website for live racing schedule; simulcasting year-round. Free.

6301 Kellogg Road, Anderson, 513-232-8000, belterrapark.com.

Cincinnati Escape Room Once you arrive, you’ll receive a mission to complete in a themed, locked room. Find and solve puzzles and hidden clues to escape. Open daily. Admission fee. 2300 Montana Ave., Westwood, 513-432-4263, cincinnatiescaperoom.com.

Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg This casino and hotel riverboat gambling complex includes a nightclub, live music acts and a large poker room, in addition to many slot machines and table games. Open 24/7. Free. 777 Hollywood Blvd., Lawrenceburg, Ind., 888-274-6797, hollywoodindiana.com.

JACK Cincinnati Casino A casino located in the heart of downtown that features highstakes poker, more than 2,000 slot machines, live entertainment and concerts. Detroit-based company JACK reopened and rebranded the casino, formerly known as Horseshoe Casino, allowing for redesigned slot machines, table games and signs.

Open 24/7. Free. 1000 Broadway St., Pendleton, 513-252-0777, jackentertainment.com/cincinnati.

Houdini’s Room Escape Use teamwork, observation skills and the power of deduction to solve clues to escape a locked room. For 2-16 players. Open daily.

Admission fee. 9309 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-549-5419, houdinisroomescape.com.

Rising Star Casino and Resort A casino with concerts, golf, a hotel and several restaurants.

Open 24/7. Free. 777 Rising Star Drive, Rising Sun, Ind., 812-4381234, risingstarcasino.com.

Scene 75 A local indoor entertainment center with an arcade, laser tag, black-light mini golf, bumper cars, food, drink and other interactive attractions. Closed Tuesday. Fee to play. 876 State Route 28, Milford, 513-965-4050, scene75.com.

Turfway Park One of the busiest horse tracks in the country, Turfway Park is home to a prestigious prep race for the Kentucky Derby. Check website for live racing schedule; simulcasting year-round. Free.

7500 Turfway Road, Florence, Ky., 859-371-0200, turfway.com.

Escape the Room Challenge

H I S TO R I C A L S I T E S

Locked in a room with family and friends, you must solve clues to escape. Themed rooms include gypsy curses and mob escapes.

Open daily. Admission fee. 7391 Squire Court, West Chester, 513759-7666, escapetheroomchallenge.com.

Built in 1804, it’s the oldest brick house in Ohio and serves as an artifact of Cincinnati’s period of early settlement. Offers programs and exhibits about historic preservation, architecture and the built environment.

Betts House Research Center

V iew from C arew T ower // P hotos : J esse F o x

Also offers regular walking tours of the Betts Longworth Historic District, 10-blocks of the historic West End that contains Federal, Italianate and Queen Anne architecture. Open Tuesday-Thursday and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Admission fee. 416 Clark St., West End, 513651-0734, thebettshouse.org.

Carew Tower and Observation Deck Completed in 1930, Carew Tower is one of the world’s finest examples of French Art Deco architecture, and includes Rookwood Pottery floral tiles, an Art Deco shopping center and the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza hotel (complete with a Great Gatsby-esque hotel bar and five-diamond restaurant). One of downtown’s tallest skyscrapers, the viewing area and observation deck on top of the building features a wonderful panoramic view of downtown, the Ohio River and Northern Kentucky.

Open daily. Admission fee for observation deck. 441 Vine St., Downtown, 513-241-3888.

Cincinnati City Hall Designed by Samuel Hannaford and completed in 1893, the Romanesque building with massive stonework and rounded arches boasts a nine-story clock tower, stained glass windows that depict Cincinnati’s early history and ceiling frescos. Open daily; call to schedule a tour. Free.

801 Plum St., Downtown, 513591-6000, cincinnati-oh.gov.

Columbia Tusculum Historic District Cincinnati’s historic riverside neighborhood boasts some of the city’s oldest homes and a collection of pastel “painted lady” Victorians, along with Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Folk Victorian and Stick style homes. Most houses in the historic district area were built between the mid1800s to early 1900s. Open daily.

Free. Tusculum Avenue, Columbia Tusculum, columbiatusculum.org.

Dinsmore Homestead The five-generation home of the Dinsmore family features authentic furnishings as well as a carriage house, a wine/gift shop a, cookhouse and the family cemetery. Tours April-December.

Admission fee. 5656 Burlington Pike, Burlington, Ky., 859-5866117, dinsmorefarm.org.

Dixie Terminal Breathtaking French Art Deco.

Once home to a streetcar terminal, the 1920s building now houses offices, but you can still view the exterior Rookwood Pottery entry arch and ornate ceiling for free. Open daily. Free. 49 E. Fourth St., Downtown.

Findlay Market At more than 150 years old, Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continually operated public market. Go for the farmers market, butcher shops, flower stalls, OTR Biergarten and eclectic eats.

Open Tuesday-Sunday. Free.

1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-665-4839, findlaymarket.org.

Fort Ancient A 100-acre park of Native American earthworks and remains of village sites built by ancient Hopewell Indians and other tribes since the ice age.

The circular earthwork mounds were used as sundials. Open Tuesday-Saturday April-November; Saturdays and Sundays December-March. Admission fee.

6213 State Route 350, Oregonia, 513-932-4421, fortancient.org.

German Heritage Museum Located at refurbished West Fork Park, this reassembled 1800s German-style log home aims to be the focal point of German culture in Cincinnati.

Open most Sundays or by appointment. Free. 4764 West Fork Road, Monfort Heights, 513-598-5732, gacl.org/museum.

East Row Historic District

Harriet Beecher Stowe House

Walk the district to view bungalows from the 1930s and 1940s, Colonial Revival-style houses from the 1910s and Queen Anne and Princess Anne styles. Open daily. Free. Linden, Maple, Monroe, Oak and Overton streets, Newport, Ky., eastrow.org.

The Cincinnati home of the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the center of Abolitionist debate leading up to the Civil War. The house offers tours, cultural programming and select exhibits. Open FridaySunday. Group visits by appointment. Admission fee. 2950 Gilbert

Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-751-0651, stowehousecincy.org.

Heritage Village Museum A “living history” village that offers an interactive glimpse into what life was like in 19th-century Ohio. Period-authentic costumed guides lead tours through the museum’s historic buildings and grounds — preserved homes, out-buildings and equipment, like an 1890s schoolhouse and an 1860s general store — to interpret historic crafts and tasks, like spinning, weaving, candledipping, carpentry, printing and more. Also hosts Civil War re-enactor weekends, vintage baseball tournaments, a haunted village and special exhibits.

Open May-September for village tours. Admission fee. Sharon Woods Park, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, 513-563-9484, heritagevillagecincinnati.org.

Holy Cross-Immaculata Parish This Roman Catholic church sits high atop Mount Adams. Known for the annual Good Friday pilgrimage, when the faithful climb 85 steps to the church while praying the Rosary. Built in 1859, the building is made of limestone and offers one of the best views of the Ohio Riverfront. Masses held daily. Free. 30 Guido St., Mount Adams, 513721-6544, 2011.hciparish.org.

Licking Riverside Historic District Historic homes of significance along the Licking River, including ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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a home that once belonged to the parents of Ulysses S. Grant. Walk along the row for stunning river and city views, interesting bronze sculptures of historical figures (like a sketching John James Audubon), as well as examples of Bungalow/ Craftsman architecture, Second Empire architecture and Italianate architecture. Many homes have connections to the Underground Railroad. Open daily. Free. 322 E. Third St., Covington, Ky., 859-2922171, covingtonky.gov.

MainStrasse Village This designated historic district surrounds Covington’s old German area with a collection of shops, restaurants, parks and Victorian and Classic Italianate homes of the mid- to late-1800s.

Also home to the Carroll Chimes clock tower, a glockenspiel with animatronic characters that play out the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Open daily. Free. 406 W. Sixth St., Covington, Ky., 859491-0458, mainstrasse.org.

Memorial Hall Built by famed architects Samuel Hannaford & Sons, Memorial Hall is considered one of the area’s finest Beaux Arts buildings. The exterior includes a symmetrical façade, stairs, Corinthian columns and statues of historical pioneers, soldiers and sailors as well as the Roman god Mars.

Inside is an intimate theater. Set to reopen after renovations in late 2016. Free. 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-0348, cincinnatimemorialhall.com.

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The Mercantile Library A members-only library, this historic location (more than 175 years old) houses a grand collection of books, artworks and sketchbooks of Cincinnati artist Elizabeth Nourse. It's like a Harry Potter hideaway. The library also presents discussions, national author lectures, workshops, forums and musical events. Open MondaySaturday. Membership fee. 414 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-6210717, mercantilelibrary.com.

Miller House Museum Built in 1922, this Sears Roebuck kit house operated by the Madeira Historical Society presents an accurate slice of life as it was from the 1920s-1950s.

Open the first Saturday and third Sunday of the month. Free. 7226 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-5619069, madeirahs.org.

Music Hall Completed in 1878, Music Hall houses a concert theater, Springer Auditorium, which serves as home for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Opera and the May Festival Chorus, among other local performing arts organizations. Built over a pauper’s cemetery, it’s rumored to be one of the most haunted buildings in America.

Under renovation until the fall of 2017. 1241 Elm St., Downtown, 513-744-3344, cincinnatiarts.org.

Old St. Mary Church A Roman Catholic church opened in 1841 by German

immigrants. The Greek Revivalstyle building was designed

by Franz Ignatz Erd and is the second-oldest German-Catholic parish in Cincinnati. Masses held daily and in Latin, German and English every Sunday. Free. 123 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-7212988, oldstmarys.org.

Promont House Museum Ohio Gov. John M. Pattison lived in this stately home from 18791906. The house is now operated by the Greater Milford Area Historical Society. Offers special exhibits. Open Saturday-Sunday March-December. Admission fee.

906 Main St., Milford, 513-2480324, milfordhistory.net.

The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Main Library Built in 1955, the main library building was designed by noted Cincinnati architect Woodie Garber and was widely recognized for its contemporary design and use of open space. Open daily.

Free. 800 Vine St., Downtown, cincinnatilibrary.org, 513-3696900 to schedule a tour.

Rabbit Hash, Kentucky A historic rivertown in Kentucky that boasts a series of dog mayors. The Rabbit Hash General Store, open since 1831 and regarded as one of the best-preserved country stores in Kentucky, was recently destroyed by fire, but the town is rallying to raise funds to rebuild. Rabbit Hash is unincorporated, so it is without

fixed boundaries, but the hamlet is considered to have a population of about 40. Visit weekends for beer and music. Open daily.

Free. 10021 Lower River Road, Rabbit Hash, Ky., rabbithash.com.

Ohio Historic Markers Find a listing of all the city’s informational historic markers at remarkableohio.org.

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum The second-largest cemetery in the U.S. — 773 sprawling acres — featuring a bird sanctuary and park. This National Historic Landmark is the final resting place of many famous (and not-so-famous) Cincinnatians, from Salmon P. Chase and Skip Prosser to William Procter and James Gamble. But for local ale fanatics, it’s worth making a pilgrimage to the cemetery just for one of their Beer Baron tours, where guides lead you on a walk to visit the graves and ornate mausoleums of the likes of Christian Moerlein, John Kauffman of the Kauffman Brewing Company and more. Other themed tours are also frequently available. Open daily. Free. 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Winton Place, 513-681-7526, springgrove.org.

St. Peter in Chains Cathedral A Greek revival Roman Catholic church, formally dedicated in 1845.

Stone angels created by Odoardo Fantacchiotti, which once flanked the main altar, were the first European sculptures to come to the city and can now be viewed in

the Cincinnati Art Museum. Inside, Greek-themed mosaics depict the Stations of the Cross. Hosts Great Music in a Great Space Concerts. Masses daily. Admission fee for concerts. 325 W. Eighth St., Downtown, 513-421-5354, stpeterinchainscathedral.org.

St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Basilica Modeled after Notre Dame in Paris, the Gothic architecture features 26 Italian-carved gargoyle water spouts, flying buttresses, vaulted arches, columns and one of the world’s largest church stained-glass windows. Tours Monday-Saturday. Free. 1140 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-431-2060, covcathedral.com.

Ulysses S. Grant’s Homestead Maintained by the Ohio Historic Society, the boyhood home of Grant is a National Historic Landmark. On display are Grant’s binoculars from the Civil War, the family cradle, a nearby schoolhouse and an animatron of the former president at 15 years old.

Open Wednesday-Sunday MayOctober. Admission fee. 219 E. Grant Ave., Georgetown, 877-3728177, usgrantboyhoodhome.org.

White Water Shaker Village One of 24 communal Shaker villages founded between 1787 and 1824. More than 20 original Shaker buildings remain on site including a broom shop, meeting house and dwelling. Open daily.

Admission fee. Miami Whitewater Forest, 11813 Oxford Road, Harrison, whitewatervillage.org.

William Howard Taft National Historic Site Come see the boyhood home of the nation’s 27th president and 10th chief justice. Features an animatronic version of Taft’s son, Charles Phelps Taft II, and house tours. Open daily. Free. 2038 Auburn Ave., Mount Auburn, 513684-3262, nps.gov/wiho.

M U S EU M S American Sign Museum Take a walk down Memory Lane and experience the only public sign museum in America. Take a guided tour of more than 200 signs, beginning with the fancy gold-leaf signs of the 1900s through the plastic era of the funky 1950s and 1960s. Open Wednesday-Sunday. Admission fee. 1330 Monmouth St., Camp Washington, 513-541-6366, americansignmuseum.org.

Behringer-Crawford Museum of Natural History Set in Devou Park, the museum is the legacy of William Behringer, who collected artifacts from all over the world. You can find 450 million years of Northern Kentucky history in one spot. Open Tuesday-Sunday. Admission fee.

1600 Montague Road, Devou Park, Covington, Ky., 859-4914003, bcmuseum.org.

Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education Subjects covered include the cultural heritage of the Jewish people, artifacts and modern objects relating to contemporary Jewish holidays and celebrations. There is also the occasional visiting display.

Open Monday-Friday and Sunday.

Admission fee. 8401 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 513-487-3055, holocaustandhumanity.org.

H Cincinnati Art Museum Permanent displays include collections of art, sculpture and artifacts from various periods and cultures from the past 5,000 years, including Contemporary and Folk art. Traveling and changing exhibitions are popular attractions and often require a separate entrance fee. The new Rosenthal Education Center offers hands-on activities for children to discover art. Open Tuesday-Sunday. Free admission; parking fee. 953 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, Mount Adams, 513-7212787, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

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Cincinnati Fire Museum The museum preserves and exhibits Greater Cincinnati’s firefighting artifacts from the last 200 years.

A permanent installation honors Paula Duncan-Anderson, one of the city’s first female AfricanAmerican firefighters. Open Tuesday-Saturday. Admission fee.

315 W. Court St., Downtown, 513621-5553, cincyfiremuseum.com.

937.767.2686

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H Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

Union Terminal is Cincinnati’s grand Art Deco home to multiple museums. A former train terminal, the space is an architectural wonder. It houses the Museum of Natural History & Science, which features a recreated limestone cave; the Duke Energy Children’s Museum, consistently ranked in the top 10 children’s museums in the U.S.; the Cincinnati History Museum, which allows you go to back in time and climb aboard historical replicas of steamboats, buses and more; the Cincinnati

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History Library, with its impressive regional history collection; the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theater, which features a five-story domed screen; the Arts Consortium of Cincinnati; and the Cincinnati Railroad Club. The Cincinnati History Museum and Museum of Natural History & Science are closed for renovation.

Rotunda tours every Saturday and Sunday. Free to view rotunda; admission fee to museums. 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, 513287-7000, cincymuseum.org.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum Spanning more than 130 years of history, the Reds Hall of Fame features 10 galleries including “The Front Office,” “Hall of Records,” “Play Ball!” and more. Open Saturday, Sunday and game days. Admission fee.

100 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks, Downtown, 513-765-7923, cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/hof.

Contemporary Arts Center The city’s major downtown art facility, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, features changing

displays and exhibitions, a children’s UnMuseum and special events. Also home to an avantgarde performance calendar, eclectic gift shop, bookstore and hip café, serving artisan coffee and seasonal farm-to-table dishes.

Closed Tuesdays. Admission fee; free Wednesdays after 5 p.m. and for various special events. 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-3458400, contemporaryartscenter.org.

Creation Museum Christian theme park that takes a romp all over science and evolution to explore “answers in Genesis.” There’s also a planetarium, botanical garden, zip line and a petting zoo. Open daily. Admission fee. 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, Ky., 800-7212298, creationmuseum.org.

Greater Cincinnati Police Museum Take a step back in time to explore the lives of men and women who served. Features artifacts and ephemera from Greater Cincinnati-area police forces, including photos of those killed in the line of duty since

Discover why CityBeat readers consistently vote Anderson Township as

Greater Cincinnati’s Best Suburb

Anderson Township is a first-rate place to play, work, and call home.

Tree-lined neighborhoods help define a community of excellent schools and public services, outstanding parks and trails, and numerous shopping opportunities. Anderson also offers easy access to Downtown and around town.

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Legends Museum Celebrate 61 years’ worth of sports and entertainment events at the museum inside the Cincinnati Gardens filled with autographs, photographs, ticket stubs and other memorabilia, including ephemera from the Beatles and Martin Luther King, Jr. Open during events at Cincinnati Gardens. Free. 2250 Seymour Ave., Roselawn, 513351-3999, cincygardens.com.

Lucky Cat Museum

Lloyd Library & Museum Once home to a popular 19thcentury pharmacy run by the local Lloyd brothers, the library still features their rare collection of books on pharmacy, botany, pharmacognosy, alternative medicine and horticulture. In 1949, the Library of Congress named

Boasts a one-of-a-kind collection of Japanese “lucky cat” figures.

See more than 800 of these waving felines, varying in design from antique porcelain to slot machines and pop-culture-themed cats. The tiny Walnut Hills museum inside Essex Art Studios is run by Micha Robertson and features nearly a thousand maneki neko cats in all shapes and sizes — traditional Tokoname style, in plush, as Hello Kitty, on key chains, even as nail clippers and telephones. The Japanese beckoning cats, or lucky cats, depicted with one paw waving, are symbols of luck in Japan, summoning money and good

C e le b r at ing 40 ye a rs o f

Education that Works!

• High School students are career and college-ready • Adult students prepare for in-demand careers in about one year • Earn certifications & college credit • Be a step ahead in the job market • Over 90 percent of our graduates are working or in further education train for careers in: Healthcare, Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Heavy Equipment/ Site Construction, Cosmetology, HVAC, Welding, Public Safety, Electrical Power Line Mechanic, Culinary, Automotive, Aerospace, Arts/Communication, Agriculture, Education, Business

There is something for everyone in Anderson!

At the core of township life a variety of civic events, Anderson Center activities, local festivals and upcoming downtown renovations that lead to a unique sense of community found here.

it the No. 6 most important private library in the country, and currently, the museum features rotating art and science exhibits, as well as permanent displays of vintage pharmaceutical instruments, medicine bottles, medical office equipment and other mildly morbid-looking historical medical equipment. Open Monday-Friday.

Free. 917 Plum St., Downtown, 513-721-3707, lloydlibrary.org.

the 1880s, historic uniforms and badges, weapons, vehicles and the city’s first police dog, Handsome, a 19th-century mutt who went on daily patrols. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Donations requested. 308 Reading Road, Pendleton, 513300-3664, police-museum.com.

Find out more at:

AndersonTownship.org AndersonCenterEvents.org FB: Anderson Township, Ohio

3525 N. Ohio 48, Lebanon, OH 45036 adult Education: 513-932-8145 high school: 513-932-5677 MyWCCC.org

fortune. Stocking up on a couple of these knick-knacks just in case might not hurt, and there are several available in the gift shop.

Open by appointment and during Essex Studios’ ArtWalks. Free. 2511 Essex Place, Walnut Hills, 513-6333923, manekinekomuseum.com

Miami University Art Museum A growing permanent collection of approximately 17,000 artworks, including works on paper by Rembrandt, paintings by Sir John Everett Millais and sculpture by Hiram Powers. Includes a public sculpture park and objects housed in the William Holmes McGuffey Museum. Open Tuesday-Saturday. Free. 801 S. Patterson Ave., Oxford, 513-5292232, miamioh.edu/art-museum.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center The monument to freedom explores courage, cooperation and perseverance through films and artifacts. A 19th-century slave pen has been rebuilt as a walk-through experiential exhibit. Open Tuesday-Saturday.

Admission fee. 50 E. Freedom

Way, Downtown, 513-333-7739, freedomcenter.org.

National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting Cincinnati is home to the earliest and strongest AM radio station (700 WLW) and this museum is dedicated to the preservation and display of historical artifacts of radio and wireless communication. Housed in the Bethany Relay Station. Open the third Saturday of the month. Admission fee. 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester, 513-777-0027, voamuseum.org.

Shawnee Lookout Archaeological Museum Inside Shawnee Lookout Park.

The museum houses prehistoric Native American artifacts dating back to 14,000 B.C. discovered on archaeological digs. Open daily. Free. 2008 Lawrenceburg Road, Miami Township, 513-941-0120.

Taft Museum of Art This historic house museum, one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the Palladian style

in the country, was once home to Anna Sinton Taft and Charles Phelps Taft (half-brother of President William Howard Taft). The villa, bequeathed to the people of Cincinnati in 1927 — along with a collection of more than 690 works of art ranging from European and American masters to decorative arts and Chinese porcelain— includes a large garden, tearoom and historical displays related to the permanent collection in addition to changing and traveling exhibitions. Open WednesdaySunday. Admission fee. 316 Pike St., Downtown, 513-241-0343, taftmuseum.org.

Vent Haven Museum The world’s only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism.

It houses more than 700 figures, photographs and playbills. Collector and founder William Shakespeare Burger also left a massive library devoted exclusively to “vent” volumes. Open MaySeptember and by appointment.

Admission fee. 33 W. Maple Ave., Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859-341-0461, venthavenmuseum.com.

PA R K S/O U T D O O R S Ault Park The fourth largest park in Cincinnati. The park's crowning jewel, a scenic 1930s stone pavilion, is accessible by two Parisia-esque flights of stairs, between which cascades a lovely waterfall fountain. From the pavilion roof you can see 360 degrees and many miles of Cincinnati vistas.

The park also includes nature trails, European-style gardens and plenty of picnic space. Open daily.

Free. 5090 Observatory Circle, Hyde Park, cincinnatiparks.com.

Big Bone Lick State Park Five hundred and twelve acres of Kentucky parkland named after the Pleisotocene megafauna fossils found there, including mammoths, sloths and bison. The park is nicknamed the “birthplace of American paleontology” and is an official Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail Site. Along with giant fossils, American art and trails, the park has a small herd of bison. Open daily. Free. 3380 Beaver Road, Union, Ky., 859-384-4267.

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PILATES

Caesar Creek State Park

YOUR

MIND BODY

An outdoor recreation and nature preserve with boating, camping, hiking and more. Open daily. Free. 8574 E. State Route 73, Waynesville, 513-897-1092, caesarcreekstatepark.com.

Carriage House Farm

STR E NGT HE N YO UR

Futbol Mania in the Queen City Cincinnati has seen plenty of professional and semi-pro sports franchises come and go over the years. From Cincinnati Royals hoops in the ’60s to Cincinnati Comets soccer in the ’70s or the minor league hockey glory days — two teams at once! — in the 2000s, these niche sports entertainment enterprises have often failed to find sustainability in our “pro sports” town.

This trend appears to be changing with the success of FC Cincinnati, the orange-and blueclad soccer juggernaut drawing tens of thousands of fans to its home pitch at the University of Cincinnati’s recently renovated Nippert Stadium. In less than a year, the organization has competed with the best teams in the United Soccer League, broken league attendance records and faced off against top European clubs.

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Most importantly, FC Cincinnati is building a massive following. The team drew more than 20,000 fans to its second home match, a feat that earned a write-up in London’s Guardian newspaper. Cincinnati’s soccer scene is internationally intriguing, and leaders of Major League Soccer have certainly taken notice — the team is on a short list for the next round of MLS expansion.

The USL schedule runs February through September. Stop by any number of local shops for FC Cincinnati gear — go with the scarf for the most authentic look — and join the crazies in “The Bailey” — a front-row section where raucous fan groups congregate and do European soccer stuff like chanting, waving flags, blowing horns and setting off smoke flares.

A working farm nestled in the Miami River valley. The farm, which dates back to the Revolutionary War, offers produce from their organic garden, honey from local bees and is also home to local vinegar producer Mad House Vinegars. Hosts chef-led farm dinners using seasonal ingredients, enjoyed on the open-air terrace. Open by appointment or event. Events may include admission fees.

10251 Miamiview Road, North Bend, 513-967-1106, carriagehousefarmllc.com.

H Cincinnati Nature Center This privately run park offers 1,020 acres of trails, plus wildlife and nature classes, bird watching and more. Open daily. Admission fee. 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, 513-831-1711, cincynature.org.

H Cincinnati Parks Cincinnati Parks includes more than 5,000 acres and 100 scenic parks around the city (almost 10 percent of the city’s total land area). Open daily. Free. 513-3524080, cincinnatiparks.com.

H Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

The second-oldest zoo in the United States, it’s also one of the nation’s best, with more than 500 species represented, many endangered. Be sure to check out the new Hippo Cove exhibit and the interactive giraffe area.

Open daily. Admission/parking fees. 3400 Vine St., Avondale, 513-281-4700, cincinnatizoo.org.

Devou Park Boasts fantastic scenic views of downtown Cincinnati and features a golf course, the Behringer-Crawford Museum and a nature trail. Open daily.

Free. Up Sleepy Hollow Road off Dixie Highway, Covington, Ky., 859-292-2151, covingtonky.gov.

H Eden Park Home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Krohn Conservatory, this park boasts tree groves, walking paths, Mirror Lake, several sculptures, a playground and fantastic views

Washi n gto n Park // P hotos : J esse F o x

of the Ohio River and Kentucky.

Open daily. Free. 950 Eden Park Drive, East Walnut Hills/Mount Adams, 513-352-4080, cincinnatiparks.com.

Everybody’s Treehouse For those who strongly believe treehouses aren’t just for kids, there is a place for you in Mount Airy Forest, and it’s called Everybody’s Treehouse. The wheelchair-accessible structure — the only treehouse like it in Ohio — was built in 2006. It was the vision of then-WCPO reporter Michael Flannery, who worked with the Parks Foundation, Cincinnati Rotary and Forever Young Treehouses to build this childhood nook for all. Bring a book or some friends and enjoy this magical public space year-round.

Open during park hours. Free.

Mount Airy Forest, 5083 Colerain Ave., Mount Airy, 513-541-8176, cincinnatiparks.com.

Fleischmann Gardens A four-acre park that was once the site of Charles Fleischmann’s (of Fleischmann Yeast Company) estate, which today is home to the state’s largest ginkgo tree and an evergreen maze. Open daily. Free.

524 Forest Ave., Avondale, 513352-4080, cincinnatiparks.com.

Fountain Square This square at the center of downtown is a gathering place for friends and family. Enjoy coffee or lunch from one of the neighboring restaurants on the outdoor plaza or attend one of the

scheduled events ranging from concerts to dancing to open-air movie nights — or just enjoy the scenery and the Genius of Water fountain. Open daily. Free. Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.

Grailville A spiritual retreat and education center, Grailville offers opportunities to connect with other seekers, work on an organic garden, meditate and explore connections between people, the divine and the planet. It also has a meditation labyrinth. Open daily and for special events. Free. 932 O’Bannonville Road, Loveland, 513-683-2340, grailville.org.

Great Parks of Hamilton County Offers a vibrant array of green spaces all over the city, including 21 parks spanning over 16,000 acres. Boating, cycling, hiking, horseback riding lessons and much more. Winton Woods, Sharon Woods and Miami Whitewater all have lakes to which you can bring your own small watercraft or rent one for the day.

Open daily. Vehicle fee. 513-5217275, greatparks.org.

Gorman Heritage Farm Gorman Heritage Farm is a 122acre working and educational farm, located just minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Explore gardens and meet farm animals or hike wooded trails and challenge yourself to climb Calf Builder Hill for a great view of the Mill Creek

Valley. The Farm Shop sells eggs, honey, pasture-raised meats, T-shirts and local foods and crafts. Don’t miss the annual Sunflower Festival, held the first weekend in October. Open Monday-Friday. Admission fee.

10052 Reading Road, Evendale, 513-563-6663, gormanfarm.org.

Krohn Conservatory This giant greenhouse features deserts, tropics, a butterfly garden, orchids and an interior waterfall, which guests can walk behind. Seasonally themed exhibitions feature unique plants, and the ever-popular annual butterfly show showcases butterflies from various parts of the world. Open Tuesday-Sunday. Admission fee.

1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, 513-421-4086, cincinnatiparks.com/krohn-conservatory.

Loveland Castle Step into one local man’s obsession and lifetime construction project, a hand-built Medieval castle based on European counterparts and built from stones from the Little Miami River. Open daily April-September; weekends October-March. Admission fee.

12025 Shore Road, Loveland, 513683-4686, lovelandcastle.com.

Newport Aquarium See — and touch — a variety of aquatic life at this massive, walkthrough aquarium, which boasts the world’s first Shark Bridge on which visitors can traverse across the top of a giant shark aquarium for a bird’s-eye view. View

exhibits featuring sharks, penguins, jellyfish, the world’s largest collection of shark rays and much more. The new Seahorses: Unbridled Fun includes 10 species of seahorses, sea dragons, trumpetfish and more, including an interactive smartphone game.

Open daily. Admission fee. 1 Levee Way, Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-2617444, newportaquarium.com.

Parky’s Farm Located inside Winton Woods, Parky’s Farm is a 100-acre educational farm with live animals, wagon and pony rides, a playground, indoor Parky’s Playbarn, children’s parties and more. Open daily. Parking fee. 10073 Daly Road, Winton Woods, Greenhills, 513-521-3276, greatparks.org.

Purple People Bridge Walk across the bridge from Cincinnati to Northern Kentucky (or vice versa) for a unique view of the river or attend one of the many events held on the bridge. Open daily. Free. Bridge entrances on Pete Rose Way in Cincinnati near the entrance to Sawyer Point and on Third Street in Newport, Ky., purplepeoplebridge.com.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum Peruse almost 60 pieces of monumental sculpture on 265 acres of rolling hills in one of the few outdoor sculpture museums in the United States.

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Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, 513-868-8336, pyramidhill.org.

Sawyer Point A mile-long linear park right on the riverfront. Offers a performance pavilion, concessions, an outdoor skating rink, tennis courts, volleyball courts, playgrounds, water features (including the Armeleder Memorial Sprayground) and more.

See the river from a variety of heights and viewpoints and climb the curving Serpentine Wall. Open daily. Free. 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, 513-357-2604, cincinnatiparks.com.

H Smale Riverfront Park Nestled between Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium in the center of The Banks by the Roebling Suspension Bridge, the park features fountains, walkways, a bike center, gardens, an event lawn and stage, a meditative labyrinth, the Black Brigade Monument and a glass-encased carousel with Cincinnati-themed critters.

Open daily. Free. 100 W Mehring Way, Downtown, 513-352-6180, mysmaleriverfrontpark.org.

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H Washington Park Washington Park is a central civic space in the heart of Cincinnati, right across the street from Music Hall. A fenced dog park, playground, fountain, concessions with local craft beer, the American Classical Music Walk of Fame, a civic lawn and big deck with a full bar are just part of its charm. The newish 3,000-squarefoot deck, which opened in 2015, features comfortable and colorful Adirondack chairs and other lounge seating, plus a full bar: beer, wine, liquor and local drafts, including MadTree, Moerlein, Taft’s Ale House and Rhinegeist.

It’s an excellent addition to OTR’s “backyard,” and a great space to grab a beer on weekends when the weather is warm. Open daily.

Free. 1230 Elm St., Over-theRhine, washingtonpark.org.

Wolf Creek Habitat and Rescue The Wolf Creek Habitat and Rescue in Brookville, Ind. can fulfill your desires of hanging out up close and personal with wolves.

The sanctuary, which is only open

on weekends, allows visitors to roam and pet all the wolves they want for a suggested donation of $30. If you’re feeling like more of an extended stay, there’s also the option to camp or rent a tipi on the property or schedule a photo op with a wolf. Open weekends.

Admission fee. 14099 Wolf Creek Road, Brookville, Ind., 513-3129143, wolfcreekhabitat.org.

O B S E RVATO R I E S/ PL A N E TA R I U M S Cincinnati Observatory Founded in 1842, the Cincinnati Observatory houses the oldest fully operational telescope in the nation. Hosts public viewings, special date-night events and more. Open on most Thursdays, Fridays and the occasional Saturday. Suggested donation.

3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout, 513-321-5186, cincinnatiobservatory.org.

Drake Planetarium Located inside Norwood Senior High, this planetarium conducts educational programs as well as astronomical glimpses and laser

light shows. Almost daily public showings. Admission fee. 2020 Sherman Ave., Norwood, 513396-5578, drakeplanetarium.org.

Wolff Planetarium The oldest planetarium west of the Allegheny Mountains. Twenty adults can sit and gaze at the constellations while an experienced naturalist leads you on a journey through the stars. Open daily. Admission fee; reservations required. Trailside Nature Center, 3400 Brookline Ave., Burnet Woods, Clifton, 513-751-3679.

R E C R E AT I O N Cincinnati Recreation Commission Provides recreational, culture, leisure and educational activities to Cincinnatians of all ages and abilities. Includes pools, tennis courts, workout facilities, public golf courses and on and on. CRC centers located throughout the city. cincinnati-oh.gov/recreation.

Climb Time Indoor climbing facility that specializes in bouldering. Open

daily. Admission/rental fee.

10898 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, 513-891-4850, ctoba.com.

Open weekends. Rental fee. 5701 State Route 350, Oregonia, 513932-7658, morganscanoe.com.

Fifty West Canoe & Kayak

Ozone Zipline Adventures

Fifty West brewing company has expanded their offerings from beer and small bites to include outdoor activities. The Fifty West Canoe & Kayak rental offers canoes, kayaks and tubes for a floating trip down the Little Miami River. Open daily during the season, weather permitting.

Admission fee. 7639 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township, 513479-0037, fiftywestcanoe.com.

H The Miami Trail/Loveland Bike Trail

Also known as the Loveland Trail, it’s a 70-mile segment of the Little Miami Scenic State Park. The Loveland segment is closed to motorized traffic and is composed of flat, paved-over train tracks. Open daily. Free. lovelandbiketrail.com.

Morgan’s Canoe Livery Canoe, raft and kayak rentals for the Little Miami River and Whitewater River, plus riverside camping.

How about ziplining across 1,300 feet at heights of up to 200 feet above the ground? Proceeds help subsidize YMCA’s Camp Kern.

Open daily; reservations required.

Admission fee. 5291 State Route 350, Oregonia, 513-932-3756, campkern.org/ozone.

Perfect North Slopes Twenty-three ski and snowboard trails, two terrain parks and 23 snow tubing lanes. Offers rental shop and lessons. Open December-March. Admission/ rental fee. 19074 Perfect Place Lane, Lawrenceburg, Ind., 812-5373754, perfectnorth.com.

RockQuest Indoor rock climbing. Open daily.

Admission/rental fees. 3475 E. Kemper Road, Sharonville, 513733-0123, rockquest.com.

Wake Nation Cincinnati Cable wake boarding involves a cable system that drags riders

around a lake. Wake Nation is one of only eight places in the country where you can do it. Open MayOctober. Admission fee. 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield, 513-8879253, wakenationcincinnati.com.

Pro fessional S ports

H Cincinnati Bengals Who dey! Cincinnati’s NFL team. Season runs AugustDecember. Admission fee.

Paul Brown Stadium, Second and Elm streets, Downtown, 513-6213550, bengals.com.

Cincinnati Cyclones The minor league hockey team returns to action with cool theme nights and regular deals on food and (adult) beverages. Season runs October-March. Admission fee. U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Downtown, 513-421-4111, cycloneshockey.com.

Cincinnati Reds Catch Homer Bailey and the talented young Redlegs as they look to rebound in 2017. Season runs April-October. Admission

fee. Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, 513-765-7000, reds.mlb.com.

Dayton Dragons Just a quick trip up I-75 takes you to Fifth Third Field, home of the Reds’ Class A minor league baseball team, the Dayton Dragons. Season runs AprilSeptember. Admission fee. Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, 937-228-2287, daytondragons.com.

H FC Cincinnati Local European-style professional soccer team competing in the United Soccer League.

Admission fee. Nippert Stadium, University of Cincinnati campus, Clifton Heights, fccincinnati.com.

Kentucky Speedway This 100,000-plus capacity speedway hosts big time races, including those in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. Admission fee. 1 Kentucky Speedway Blvd, Sparta, Ky., 859-578-2300, kentuckyspeedway.com.

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Cooper Creek

Cooper Creek is the newest hot spot in Greater Cincinnati for social and corporate events. Centrally located in the desirable Blue Ash Community, we’re an inviting, upscale destination overlooking the scenic Blue Ash Golf Course. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted with immaculate grounds, a grand entrance and breathtaking views. We are proud to offer exquisite cuisine and exceptional service in an extraordinary atmosphere.

Special Events

The City of Blue Ash’s premiere events feature delicious food from local restaurants, local and national entertainment wrapped up in an inviting, family atmosphere. We host a Summer Concert Series in addition to the annual Red White and Blue Ash and Taste of Blue Ash. Our events give the community a great way to connect with friends, bring the kids out for fun, and enjoy making new memories.

Summit Park

Summit Park, located in the center of Blue Ash, is a 130-acre world-class park project currently under development where visitors will enjoy large & small events, interactive programming, unique learning opportunities and year-round experiences in one of the region’s most beautiful settings. Development will continue for the next several years as we watch Summit Park’s story unfold.

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BlueAsh.com

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A M AT EU R /S emi - Pro S ports Cincinnati Dockers Australian-rules football with roots in early forms of rugby and Gaelic football. Season runs April-October. Admission fee.

Point Pleasant Park, Resor Road at Windemere Lane, Fairfield, cincinnatidockers.com.

H Cincinnati Rollergirls This flat track roller derby squad does its thing at Cincinnati Gardens. Season runs FebruaryAugust. Admission fee. cincinnatirollergirls.com.

Cincinnati Wolfhounds High-quality rugby. Seasons in spring and fall. Free. Brimelow Fields, 6440 Stockton Road, Fairfield, wolfhoundsrfc.com.

Florence Freedom Minor league baseball in the independent Frontier League.

Season runs May-September.

Admission fee. University of Cincinnati Health Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence, Ky., 859594-4487, florencefreedom.com.

Kentucky University, 500 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, Ky., 859442-2652, nkunorse.com.

Thomas More College The Saints compete in Division III and the school’s football team regularly competes for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship.

Thomas More College, Bank of Kentucky Field, Crestview Hills, Ky., 859-341-5800, tmcsaints.com.

H University of Cincinnati The Bearcats football and basketball teams are on the rise. UC’s athletic complex is a great place to catch other sports as well. University of Cincinnati, Clifton Heights, 513-556-CATS, gobearcats.com.

H Xavier University The Musketeers are enjoying life in the new Big East Conference.

Cintas Center, Xavier University, 1624 Herald Ave., Evanston, 513745-3900, goxavier.com.

TO U R S

H American Legacy Tours

“Historically entertaining.” Guided tours through the history of the Queen City. Tours include the Newport Gangster Tour, which CO LLEG E S ports explores historic brothels, speakMount St. Joseph University easies and casinos; Queen City One of the best Division III Underground, which explores the football programs in the country.

Mount St. Joseph University, Delhi, city’s brewing history and underground tunnels; 1919 Baseball; 513-244-4927, msj.edu/athletics.

Newport Is Haunted; and Queen City Is Haunted. Tour times vary; Northern Kentucky University group tours available. Admission The Norse compete in Division I fee. Tours begin at various venues, athletics, having recently moved 859-951-8560, americanlegacyup from the Atlantic Sun Conference. BB&T Arena, Northern tours.com.

Arnold’s Brothels, Bootleggers and Booze Tours Starts at Arnold’s, Cincinnati’s oldest continuously operating saloon.

Tours give the inside scoop on the bar, then takes a walking route that explores the days when Cincinnati was home to almost 2,000 bars and distilleries — notorious for mayhem and debauchery — and covers the Courthouse Riots of 1884. Saturdays May-October.

Admission fee. Arnold’s Bar & Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, queencityhistory.com.

H ArtWorks Mural Tours Each summer, ArtWorks, a local arts nonprofit, connects professional artists with apprentice students to create public murals.

Found throughout the city, they range from small and quirky to entire walls. Guided walking tours of downtown and Over-theRhine murals. Admission fee. 513333-0388, artworkscincinnati.org.

BB Riverboats Historic riverboat cruises along the Ohio River. Pick from themed dinner cruises, sightseeing cruises, holiday cruises or charter your own private ship. Daily.

Admission fee. 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., 800-261-8586, bbriverboats.com.

Cincy Brew Bus Don’t drink and drive. Cincy Brew Bus takes patrons to a variety of different local breweries on themed five-hour tours.

Also offers a Wine Wagon tour of local wineries and Bourbon,

Brews and a Winery Too!, which takes you to Braxton Brewing Company, StoneBrook winery and New Riff distillery. TuesdaySunday. Admission fee. 513-2587909, cincybrewbus.com.

Cincinnati Food Tours Hosts walkable culinary tours of Over-the-Rhine and Findlay Market. Taste the World at Findlay Market makes stops at five specialty merchants for tastings and includes hidden gems and optional wine or beer tastings. The three-hour OTR tour includes tastings at four local establishments. Private tours also available. Findlay Market tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays; OTR tour times vary. Admission fee. Leaves from Daisy Mae’s in Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-602-5602, cincinnatifoodtours.com.

Cincinnati German Heritage Tours Learn about Cincinnati’s 19thcentury German immigrant boom. See historic German neighborhoods, iconic buildings and landmarks, and learn about local businesses built by German peoples. Led by German-American historian Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann. Tours available Saturdays and Sundays and by appointment.

Admission fee. 513-256-0384, germanheritagetours.com.

Craft Connection Brewery Tours Takes riders on behind-thescenes tours of local breweries.

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Stop at three to four breweries in three to four hours for tours, tastings and an on-bus cooler to store any growlers you grab to go. Friday and Saturday. Admission fee. 937-367-8054, craftconnectiontours.com.

Cycling Backroads Tour Promotes cycling in the area. Take guided tours of Spring Grove Cemetery or Over-the-Rhine. Tour lasts about two hours. Admission fee. Reservations required. 513279-2452, cyclingbackroads.com/ backroads/cbtours.html.

Downtown Self-Guided Walking Tours Downtown Cincinnati offers a choice of pre-planned Queen City Walking tours. Also includes itinerary suggestions for all ages and interests. Free. Download a brochure and map at downtowncincinnati.com.

Flavors of the Queen City A delicious walking tour of downtown restaurants. Enjoy bite-sized portions of establishment favorites, as well as history lessons for each. Fridays and Saturdays. Admission fee. Tour leaves from Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown, 513-7030880, flavorsofthequeencity.com.

The Garage OTR Offers three distinct Segway tour routes in the immediate Cincinnati area. All three routes include 15-20 minutes of training and a 90-minute guided ride.

Also offers custom tours and electric bike rentals. Tours daily.

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Admission fee. 1150 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-225-1583, thegarageotr.com

513-604-9812, cincinnatibrewerytours.com.

Go Vibrant Walking Tours

Inspired by the pedal wagons in Belgium and Germany, this is a 15-person, pedal-powered rolling party. Take a Tavern Cruise for a two-hour ride that stops at three bars, the Redlegs Rally for a pub crawl before Reds’ home games or create your own tour.

Now allows alcohol on board for light drinking while pedaling.

Admission fee. 1114 Bunker Alley, Over-the-Rhine, 513-201-7655, pedalwagon.com.

Go Vibrant tours lead walkers on one- to three-mile tours throughout Cincinnati neighborhoods, including Avondale, Covington, East Walnut Hills, Northside and more. Free. govibrant.org.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides A variety of carriage providers offer rides through downtown Cincinnati, Covington and Newport. Rides available most Friday and Saturday nights.

Admission fee. Most carriages depart from Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown, downtowncincinnati.com.

Main Street OTR Tour Learn about the history and architecture of Main Street, its German population, Italianate architecture and its current independent shop and restaurant boom. Second Saturdays June-October. Admission fee. Leaves from Park + Vine, 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, queencityhistory.com.

The Original Cincinnati Brewery Tour Run by a nonprofit aimed at preserving the history of Over-theRhine and Cincinnati’s brewing legacy, the Original Cincinnati Brewery Tour offers guests a look inside the city’s breweries, cellars and lagering tunnels.

Tours in summer, fall and spring.

Admission fee. Findlay Market, 1801 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine,

Pedal Wagon

Ride the Ducks

May-October. Admission fee.

1000 Elm St., Downtown, queencityhistory.com.

TR AINS Cincinnati Dinner Train Enjoy dinner on two restored 1950s vintage dining cars and a drink or two in the Queen City Tavern car as you travel along the scenic railways of Cincinnati to downtown, the riverfront and back. Saturdays. Admission fee.

2172 Seymour Ave, Norwood, 513-791-7245, cincinnatirailway. com/dinnertrain.

EnterTRAINment Junction

Newport’s land and water tour in an amphibious WWII-era DUKW vehicle. View historic sites on land and then cruise the Ohio River’s historic waterfronts, including Newport, Covington and Cincinnati. Tours April-November.

Admission fee. Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-8151439, newport.ridetheducks.com.

A train-themed family entertainment center, including the world’s largest indoor interactive train display, kids interactive play area and railroading museum. Open daily. Admission fee. 7379 Squire Court, West Chester, 513-8988000, entertrainmentjunction.com.

Stratus Helicopter Tours

Offers an hour-long train ride through the beautiful rolling countryside of Southwest Ohio.

Open select dates. Admission fee. 127 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon, 513-933-8022, lebanonrr.com.

Scenic aerial tours of Greater Cincinnati, taking off and landing right on the Ohio River. Tours by appointment. Admission fee. 513533-HELI, stratushelicopters.com.

Washington Platform Tours Tour includes stories of Over-theRhine’s immigrant origins, ethnic conflicts, industrial triumphs and notorious alcohol history. Also see historic architecture and travel into subterranean malt oven cellars two stories below Washington Platform. Thursdays

Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad

Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati Visit Cincinnati’s four-acre outdoor museum filled with locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars and railroad memorabilia. Open Saturdays. Admission fee. 323 W. Southern Ave., Covington, Ky., cincirailmuseum.org.

Do you recycle?

Customers notice.

Any restaurant or bar in Hamilton County is eligible to receive free assistance setting up a recycling program. Email getnoticed@hamilton-co.org, visit HamiltonCountyRecycles.org or call 946-7736.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Foodies Unite in the 21ST Century!

Delicious eats, fine craft beer, cocktails, music; we love going out! A huge fist bump to establishments that also recycle. Whether you are a general manager, employee or patron, you can give glass bottles, cardboard, cans, and plastic bottles and jugs a new life when you recycle.

Bars and Restaurants: ✔ Look at your trash (50-90% recyclable on average).

Patrons: Visit bars and restaurants that recycle by checking our list at HamiltonCountyRecycles.org.

Let them know you appreciate them. Tell the others to contact us at getnoticed@hamilton-co.org to get started.

✔ Call your waste hauler and ask for a recycling quote. ✔ Call Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste at 513-946-7736 for assistance.

We asked businesses that recycle to respond to the top reasons given for not recycling:

Time

Cost

Space

Ease

“It doesn’t take any more time to throw items in a recycling bin than a trash bin.”

“Once we started recycling, we reduced our waste pick-ups and actually saved a bit of money.”

“We banded together with neighboring businesses and share services to save space.”

“When you place recycling next to the trash, even at 2 a.m., people know what to do.”

Additional support is available not only for recycling but other best practices to reduce waste no matter what type of business you run! Connect with us at HamiltonCountyRecycles.org.

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Creative Clay Cincinnati has a long and artful tradition in ceramics, starting with the Rookwood Pottery Company. In the 19th century, American ceramics were thought to be inferior to their European counterparts — unrefined and basic. But that changed when Rookwood was awarded a first-prize gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1889 — a shock to the international artistic community. Even more shocking? The company was run by a woman, Maria Longworth, and was the first female-helmed manufacturing company in the United States. That creativity, quality and moxie manifested in clay continues in Cincinnati today.

SHOPPING

RheinoCeramics Jessie Rienerth, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning, revels in making utilitarian pieces with a story. She turns bowls, dinner plates and tumblers into usable works of art by adding layered surface treatments and unique designs. In some, red clay bodies feature blue transfer patterns made from Rienerth’s drawings of Russian prison tattoos — like a traditional blue China pattern, but with an unexpected edge (or skulls). facebook. com/rheinoceramics.

Amanda Bialk Makes Art

CGCERAMICS

Future Retrieval

Rookwood Pottery

Amanda Bialk handcrafts contemporary ceramics for self and home, blending organic and modern forms into simple and beautiful vessels. Her experimentation in glazes and finishes turns the functional into the covetable as planters are faceted and splashed with a pink watercolor finish, mugs are gilded with geometric designs and cups are dipped with an almost-ediblelooking chocolate-black glaze. amandabialk.com.

Artist Christie Goodfellow believes handmade objects enrich our everyday lives and connect us to one another. Her wheel-thrown earthy stoneware pieces call to mind Midcentury Modern, Scandinavian and Japanese designs, and since her artful surfaces are meant to be used, it’s no surprise that area and regional restaurants are turning to her for customdesigned servingware. Find her plates under your crafted culinary dishes at Over-theRhine’s Pleasantry and Please and Chicago’s Elske Restaurant. cgceramics.net.

Future Retrieval is the combined artistic effort of Katie Parker and Guy Michael Davis. More often seen in art exhibits than in storefronts, their crafted sculptures reference history while playfully incorporating modern and surreal design. Porcelain undersea coral forms are covered in reflective metallics and archival molds from Rookwood Pottery are manipulated — a monkey wears wolf-head epaulets, and the same wolves elsewhere hold neon-tailed rats. The result is a fresh and humorous take on classic porcelain, which is at home in a gallery or even in a bar, like in a permanent display at The Littlefield in Northside. futureretrieval.com.

Today, Rookwood Pottery pays homage to its heritage by continuing to produce art tiles, vases, figurines and more. From the whimsical, like a Scottie dog paperweight, to the collectible — art tiles featuring the work of Cincinnati nature artist Edie Harper and hefty Bavarian-inspired beer steins. Free, guided tours of the factory are available Wednesday mornings or by appointment, and the nearby showroom offers the latest designs. You can also see the decorative tiles inside many area landmarks, especially Art Deco buildings like Carew Tower and Union Terminal. Showroom: 1209 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-579-1209, rookwood.com.

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A N T I Q U E S/ FLE A MARKETS Art on Vine An art show and market where more than 60 local fine artists and makers come together to sell handmade goods. Monthly at various locations including Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Overthe-Rhine; Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown; and Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, artonvinecincy.com.

Burlington Antique Show More than 200 dealers featuring only vintage collectibles.

Find everything from art to furniture to quilts. Third Sundays, April-October. Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, Ky., 513-922-6847, burlingtonantiqueshow.com.

H The City Flea Cincinnati’s curated urban flea market with vendors from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and beyond.

Find vintage clothes and decor, upcycled goods, handmade arts and crafts, artisanal foods, pet supplies and more. Monthly May-December. Summers at Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com.

Crafty Supermarket Juried indie craft show with annual spring and holiday markets featuring crafters from across the region and the U.S. Shows in spring and during the holidays. Various locations, craftysupermarket.com.

English Traditions Fine European antiques, European-made replica antique home furniture and accessories. Additional location in Naples, Fla. 2041 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-321-4730, englishtraditions.com.

Florence Antique Mall

H Indicates winners from CityBeat’s 2016 Best of Cincinnati® issue.

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50,000-square-foot showroom with 300 showcases featuring antiques, collectibles and furniture. 8145 Mall Road, Florence, Ky., 859-371-0600, florenceantiquemall.com.

Grand Antique Mall

Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-2671, hanoverhouseltd.com.

Leftcoast Modern Retailer of all things modern from the 1950s through the 1970s.

2809 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, 513-288-2364, facebook. com/leftcoastmoderncincinnati.

Oakley Fancy Flea Market A monthly neighborhood marketplace that brings together specialty food and beverage vendors, independent businesses, artists and farmers. Warmweather markets are held in Oakley Square and winter markets take place at various locations and include brunch cocktails.

Monthly. Oakley Square, Oakley, theoffmarket.org.

H Ohio Valley Antique Mall Cincinnati’s largest multi-dealer antique mall featuring collectibles, books, furniture, clothing and accessories. 7285 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, 513-874-7855, ohiovalleyantiques.com.

Richwood Flea Market Family-friendly flea market.

10915 Dixie Highway, Walton, Ky., 859-371-5800, richwoodfleamarket.com.

Riverside Centre Antique Mall More than 100 vendors selling everything from vintage and collectible furniture, clothing, estate jewelry, Rookwood pottery and primitives to books, photos, novelty items and more.

3742 Kellogg Ave., East End, 513-321-1430, riversidecentreantiques.com.

That Shop in Milford Wide variety of antiques and collectibles along with oneof-a-kind finds. 223 Main St., Milford, 513-831-0065, thatshopinmilford.com.

Traders World “Ohio’s largest family shopping mall.” Indoor/outdoor flea market with giant animal statues and neon palm trees. 601 Union Road, Monroe, 513-424-5708, tradersworldmarket.com.

Treasure Aisles Flea Market

Peruse 27,000-square-feet of antiques. 9701 Reading Road, Reading, 513-554-1919, grandantiquemall.com.

A pirate-themed bargain hunter’s paradise. 320 N. Garver Road, Monroe, 513-539-4497, treasureaisles.com.

Hanover House

Tri-State Antique Market

English and American antique furniture, home accessories, ceramics and fine art. 2701 Observatory

The largest regularly scheduled gathering of antiques and vintage-goods dealers in Indiana.

All merchandise is required to be at least 30 years old and out of production. First Sundays, MayOctober. Lawrenceburg Indiana Fairgrounds, U.S. 50 at Argosy Casino Parkway, Lawrenceburg, Ind., queencityshows.com.

Wooden Nickel Antiques Buys and sells vintage items.

Specializes in architectural wares.

1410 Central Parkway, Over-theRhine, 513-241-2985, woodennickelantiques.net.

A R T S/C R A F T S/ HOBBIES Absolutely Needlepoint Needlepoint and sewing arts supply store that offers classes.

7117 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513561-7999, absolutelyneedlepointcincy.com.

The Bead Shop Almost two decades old, the Bead Shop sells beads and related items. Also offers classes. 7754 Camargo Road, Madeira, 513-271-5222, beadshop-online.com.

Boardwalk Hobby Shop Model kit and hobby shop, featuring a wide variety of board and card games. 1032 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-2110.

Brazee Street Studios Solar-powered green building that houses more than 25 artist studios; a school of glass; a retail store for tools, supplies, glass products and gifts; and a gallery featuring regional and national artwork. 4426 Brazee St., Oakley, 513-321-0206, brazeestreetstudios.com.

The Candle Lab A Columbus-based shop specializing in soy candles and custom fragrances. Pour your own custom-scented candles or customize home fragrance products.

1325 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-222-2256, thecandlelab.com.

H Cappel’s With a little bit of everything, Cappel’s is known as a costume destination but also offers party decorations, floral supplies and event ephemera. Multiple locations including 920 Elm St., Downtown, 513-621-0952, cappelsinc.com.

Core Clay A shared studio with more than 40 artisans that also sells clay supplies, including their own line of in-house glazes and special

indigo hippo // photos: jesse fo x

tools. Also offers classes from child and beginner to advanced.

2533 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-961-2728, coreclay.com.

H Dodd Camera Cameras, lenses, flashes and accessories, plus printing services, rentals, repairs and more.

6475 E. Galbraith Road, Kenwood, 513-791-3333, doddcamera.com.

Fabulous Frames & Art Custom framer with a wide selection of art, specializing in naturebased Midcentury Modern prints from Cincinnatian Charley Harper.

Multiple locations including 17 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-5799998, fabframes.com.

Fiberlicious Artsy and eclectic yarn boutique.

Also offers knitting lessons. 8157 Camargo Road, Madeira, 513271-3191, fiberlicious.com.

Frameshop Custom picture frames and wall-hanging oddities. 1317 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-275-9916, frameshopusa.com.

H Indigenous Handcrafted gallery with contemporary American fine crafts. 2010 Madison Road, O’Byronville, 513321-3750, indigenouscraft.com.

Indigo Hippo A gallery and thrift store for art supplies that focuses on the creative reuse of materials. 1301 Main St., Downtown, 513-9184917, facebook.com/indigohippo.

Knit On! Knitting classes, supplies, yarn and accessories from around the world. 735 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-291-5648.

Mad Potter Paint-your-own pottery studio.

7754 Camargo Road #11, Madeira, 513-561-1888, madpottercincinnati.com.

Pit Row Hobby Shop R/C cars, boats and planes, models, rockets and more. 7796 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 513-891-7487.

Plaza Artist Materials

Large selection of yarn (from cotton to cashmere), patterns for knitting, crafts and classes. 2651 Observatory Ave., Hyde Park, 513-386-9869, hankyarn.com.

A smaller national chain of art supply stores. 230 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-8610667; 701 Main St., Downtown, 513-621-0726; 8154 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 513-793-5300, plazaart.com.

The Hoop & Needle

Pull Club Studio

Hank, A Yarn Boutique

Fresh and modern needle-craft supplies and embroidery classes.

4019 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 330-715-6064, thehoopandneedle.com.

Printmaking and design studio that applies hand-drawn illustrations to bags, fabrics, notebooks, pillows and more. pullclubstudio.com.

Queen City Clay

A World of Beads

Offers pottery classes, demonstrations and goods for sale to nurture the human impulse to create. 3130 Wasson Road, Hyde Park, 513-871-2529, queencityclay.com.

A make-your-own jewelry store featuring beads, bead-making products and classes. 2725 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-5600, aworldofbeads.com.

The Rookwood Pottery Co.

B O O K S/CO M I C S/ GAMES

World-renowned art-tile and pottery company known for impeccable design and craftsmanship. 1920 Race St., Downtown, 513-381-2510; retail location at 1209 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-579-1209, rookwood.com.

The latest graphic novels, comic books and games, including options for young readers and Magic: The Gathering events. 627 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859291-5071, arcadiancomics.com.

Sewn Studio

Arkham House Games

Modern fabric boutique and sewing lounge. Also offers classes.

3212 Madison Road, Oakley, 513321-0600, sewnstudio.com.

H Silk Road Textiles Ethically traded fine fabrics, yarns and gifts. 6106 Hamilton Ave., North College Hill, 513-5413700, silkroadcincinnati.com.

St. Theresa Textile Trove Eclectic sewing notions, fabric and quilting supplies. 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton Art Center, Pendleton, 859-380-2833, sttheresatextile.com.

Urban Eden Fine art and contemporary crafts including jewelry, handbags, accessories, garden art, soaps and more by local and regional artists. 1313 Main St., Over-theRhine, 513-260-8434, irisbookcafe.com/urban-eden.

Arcadian Comics & Games

A wide selection of board and tabletop games, RPG, card games, strategy games and more, priced below MSRP. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own snacks and drinks — including alcohol — and borrow free games from the rental library to game in house. Also offers frequent tournament nights.

1609 Madison Road, Suite B, East Walnut Hills, 513-818-9936, arkhamhousegames.com.

H Blue Manatee Children’s Bookstore

Seeks to provide the best children’s books and activities to engage young minds. 3054 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-7312665, bluemanateebooks.com.

Blue Marble Books An independent bookstore offering toddler through teen books, games and activities. 1356 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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Ky., 859-781-0602, bluemarblebooks.com.

The Booksellers on Fountain Square A locally owned and operated independent downtown bookstore with a coffee shop. 505 Vine St., Downtown, 513-2582038, booksellersonfountainsquare.com.

The Bookshelf A small, neighborhood bookstore with an edited selection of books and individual service. 7754 Camargo Road, Madeira, 513-271-9140, cincybookshelf.com.

The Book Rack The largest chain of independently owned used bookstores offering a free-spirited experience for those who love to read.

Multiple locations including 8315 Beechmont Ave., Anderson, 513-474-1337; 5081 Glencrossing Way, Western Hills, 513-451-8544, thebookrack.com.

Comic Book World Comic book and gaming store.

7130 Turfway Road, Florence, Ky., 859-371-9562, comicbookworld.com.

Duttenhofer’s Books Tons of quality used and old books specializing in antiquarian, art and architecture, decorative binding, ephemera, leather binding and literary classics. 214 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-381-1340, duttenhofers.com.

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Cincinnati Public Library Friends’ Shop Housed in the public library’s main branch, the shop has treasures for readers, writers and gift-givers including gently used books, greeting cards and literary-themed items. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine St., Downtown, 513-369-6920, friends.cincinnatilibrary.org.

Game Swap Buys and sells gently used video games and specializes in Atari, NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, Sega Master and Gameboy. Wide selection of cards and card games like Magic the Gathering.

1065 Reading Road, Mason, 513770-0170, gameswapstores.com.

Half Price Books Independent bookstore chain buying and selling books, magazines, DVDs, CDs and more.

Multiple locations including 8118 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 513-891-7170, hpb.com.

Iris BookCafé

signings, gifts and a bistro. 2692 Madison Road, Norwood, 513396-8960; 2785 Dixie Highway, Crestview Hills, Ky., 859-912-7860, josephbeth.com.

Ohio Book Store In operation since 1940, the store offers five floors of books and magazines, including book repair and binding. 726 Main St., Downtown, 513-621-5142, ohiobookstore.net.

H Queen City Comic & Card Co.

Provides a large and diverse selection of comic books, trading cards, movie posters and toys.

6101 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-351-5674, queencitycomics.com.

Roebling Point Books and Coffee A small, independent bookstore and coffee shop at the foot of the Roebling Bridge.

Dog-friendly. 306 Greenup St., Covington, Ky., 859815-7204, facebook.com/ roeblingpointbooksandcoffee.

Coffee shop and bookstore with large selection of vintage books on topics like art, architecture, literature and film. Also has children’s books in many languages and the largest collection of Polish books in Cincinnati. 1331 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513381-2665, irisbookcafe.com.

Comics, games, trade paperbacks, graphic novels, T-shirts, statues and action figures. 5000 Glenway Ave., Western Hills, 513-661-7625, rockinroostercomics.com.

H Joseph-Beth Booksellers

Up, Up and Away! Comics

Independent chain of bookstores offering a large selection of books for all ages, author

Rockin’ Rooster Comics & Games

Wide selection of graphic novels, more than 57,000 back-issue comics on display and hundreds

of new items every week. 4016 Harrison Ave., Bridgetown, 513661-6300; 5885 Pfeiffer Road, Blue Ash, 513-936-6300, upupandawaycomics.com.

B R I DA L B O U T I Q U E S Amanda’s Hyde Park Bridal Specialty bridal boutique offering exclusive and couture designers and one-on-one services.

3319 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513321-1800, hydeparkbridal.com.

Belle Bridal Boutique Plus-size bridal couture. 320 W. Benson St., Reading, 513-4293779, thebellbridalboutique.com.

H Bridal & Formal Carries the largest selection of wedding dresses in the area. 300 W. Benson St., Reading, 513-8216622, bridalandformalinc.com.

Carrie Karibo Bridal Boutique Fun, stylish and unique wedding dresses in an intimate, boutique atmosphere. 334 W. Benson St., Reading, 513-821-9666, carriekaribobridal.com.

Donna Salyers’ Fabulous-Bridal Four floors of the runway’s latest bridal fashions in a historic building. 601 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-291-9222, fabulousbridal.com.

European Bridal European-style wedding gowns from an extremely knowledgeable staff. 307 W. Benson St., Reading, 513-821-6505, europeanbridal.com.

Lace Bridal Couture Chic boutique for any budget.

Prices range from $1,000-$10,000.

133 W. Benson St., Reading, 513821-6000, lacebridalcouture.com.

LUXEredux Bridal

Luddites Rejoice As the world of erudite entertainment once rotated toward all-things-digital, like a cultural boomerang, the mainstream is dropping its blind devotion to the electronic in favor of reincorporating tactile experiences. As things shift, customers are returning to stores that were almost wiped from the map and reveling in the collectability of the tangible.

The Booksellers on Fountain Square — The urban renaissance of downtown and Over-the-Rhine birthed many local indie shops, including The Booksellers. Find new releases, old favorites, kids’ reads, tons of magazines, a coffee shop and gifts. 505 Vine St., Downtown, booksellersonfountainsquare.com.

Duttenhofer’s Books — The narrow-aisled and comfortably stuffed store near the University of Cincinnati celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016 and loves a $3 paperback copy of 1984 as much as a vintage edition of The Three Musketeers. 214 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, duttenhofers.com.

The Ohio Book Store — Classics never die. The five-floor Ohio Book Store has been around since 1940, stocking more than 300,000 books and magazines ranging from rare and classic volumes to weird finds and favorite fiction.

There’s also an in-house bindery and repair shop. 726 Main St., Downtown, ohiobookstore.net.

Black Plastic Records — The resurgence of vinyl is going so well that Black Plastic was able to open a second storefront. Thousands of rarities, new arrivals and a dig-able selection of used records, plus cool T-shirts and a general Punk attitude at both locations.

4027 Hamilton Ave., Northside; 1411 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/blackplasticrecords.

The Video Archive — Coming soon: a video rental store. Taking a cue from Quentin Tarantino, the shop will specialize in DVD and VHS copies of grindhouse, indie and cult classic movies. 965 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills, facebook.com/videoarchivecincinnati.

HANDMADE FOR 111 YEARS

A high-end consignment boutique that offers gently used designer wedding gowns without the big price tags. Designers like Vera Wang, Pronovias, Badgley Mischka and more are all represented and affordable — tons of options under $1,000. 203 W. Benson St. Reading, 513-5503531, luxereduxbridal.com.

Splendid Bridal Locally owned family business offering a large selection of gowns, bridesmaid and motherof-the-bride dresses, plus accessories from local designers. 6 W. Benson St., Reading, 513-761-GOWN; discount warehouse at 7555 Mall Road, Florence, Ky., 859-360-5501, splendidbridal.com.

Wendy’s Bridal Cincinnati A large selection of bridal designers including Allure, Venus Bridal and more. 301 W. Benson St., Reading, 513-761-7750, wendysbridalcincinnati.com.

CHILDREN’S A PPA R E L / TOYS Castle House Providing upscale designer clothing and shoes for boys, girls and infants for more than 55 years.

3435 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513-871-2458, castlehouse.com.

HERITAGE

NOW FOUND IN THE TRI-STATE • 15 MINUTES FROM OTR Red Wing Shoe Store: 8071 Connector Dr. Florence, KY 41042-1466 • (859) 283-2909

Greater Cincinnati's Pawnbroker Longer Loan Lengths! Lower Fees!

Jewelry-Guitars-Tools-Watches-TVs & More!

Coolest Toys on Earth Superior and extraordinary toys from around the world. 314 Main St., Milford, 513-831-8697, coolesttoysonearth.com.

H King Arthur’s Court Toys Large selection of toys and games such as Playmobil, LEGO, Melissa & Doug toys and more.

3040 Madison Road, Oakley, 513531-4600, kingarthurstoys.com.

Little Lords and Ladies Boutique Children’s boutique with clothing, toys and accessories for girls and boys. 7816 Cooper Road, Montgomery, 513-891-1569.

Mary Helen Clothing Unique and handmade girls’ clothes. Also offers sewing classes, camp and parties.

1981 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-802-5020, maryhelenclothing.com.

2026 Delaware Ave • Norwood, OH 45212 staff@tedspawn.com • 513-631-2112 www.tedspawn.net license #PB100101.000 ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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Spotted Goose Unique and trendy apparel, gifts and goodies for kids. 3048 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-351-9600, thespottedgoose.com.

Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe All things fairy princess and magical with wings, gifts and more. 323 W. Sixth St., Covington, Ky., 859-655-9571, stoneystoys.com.

ECO/G R E E N Greener Stock Sells green building materials and architectural components for homes and businesses. 3747 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum, 513-321-0567, greenerstock.com.

Hemptations Quality hemp and eco-friendly goods. Celebrating two decades in business. Three locations including 2034 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-871-4367, hemptations.com.

H Park + Vine Eco-friendly general store with a vegan lunch counter. 1202 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-7275, parkandvine.com.

EYEWEAR Buten Eyewear Unique and designer eyewear. 21 E. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-7211848, buteneyewear.com.

Eye 1 Unique Eyewear High-end and unique eyewear, featuring brands like Balenciaga, Tom Ford, Oliver Peoples and 120

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more. 2648 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-2244, eye-1.com.

Road, Glendale, 513-921-8433, wingeyecare.com.

Eye Tech Optical

G I F T S/ N OV E LT I E S

Full-service eye lab and cheap frames. 40 E. Seventh St., Downtown, 513-421-2911.

Frameri Local startup that sells Italianmade interchangeable frames and lenses, allowing the wearer to purchase just one pair of lenses that can seamlessly transition between different frames.

1419 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 844-372-6374, frameri.com

Holte Eyewear Designer and boutique frames in a full-service eyewear shop: contact lenses, glasses, exams, sunglasses and more. 8211 Cornell Road, Suite 510, Montgomery, 513-489-4000, holteeyewear.com.

Thoma & Sutton Eye Care Cincinnati optometrists, luxury eyeglasses/sunglasses, contacts and more since 1949. Multiple locations including 2045 Anderson Ferry Road, Western Hills, 513-922-6030, thomasutton.com.

York Vision Motto is, “The art of being unique.” Offers stylish eyewear.

7599 Kenwood Road, Kenwood, 513-891-2020, yorkvisionkenwood.com.

Wing Eyecare Third-generation Cincinnati optometrist and eyewear provider. Multiple locations including 2920 Glendale Milford

Camargo Trading Company Stylish destination for high-end home accessories and more.

7744 Laurel Ave., Madeira, 513561-0842, camargotrading.com.

The Chocolate Bee The collective home of Chocolats Latour and Bee Haven. Chocolats Latour concocts fair-trade, gourmet chocolates made with local ingredients like juniper, lavender and Coffee Emporium coffee, while Bee Haven is a honeylovers’ dream, offering products like beeswax lanterns, candles and lip balms made with the help of the owners’ own beehives.

4037 Hamilton Ave., Northside, chocolatebeecincy.com.

Dandy Haberdashery Offers a rotating collection of artisan-made, vintage and custom products ranging from clothing to housewares. 6030 Ridge Ave., Pleasant Ridge, 513-3441097, dandyhaberdashery.com.

Eden Floral Boutique A recently revamped flower shop open daily for succulents. Offers a curated line of houseplants and containers. 1129 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-281-3336, edenfloralboutique.com.

Fern Offers minimal, modern and nature-inspired items ranging from succulent arrangements and custom vertical gardens

to curated homegoods. 6040 Hamilton Ave., North College Hill, 513-910-7299, fern-shop.com.

The Fig Leaf Quality handcrafted jewelry, accessories and gifts. 3438 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513321-2970, thefigleaf.com.

Gia and the Blooms Contemporary and clean seasonal floral arrangements at an affordable price point. Offers a curated selection of items like greeting cards, candles and locally made ceramics. 114 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-4870915, giablooms.com.

Grainwell Owned and operated by three sisters. A wood and design shop offering unique handmade pieces.

316 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., 859-415-4955, grainwell.com.

Hanamiya Japanese Gift Shop A shop specializing in Japanese porcelain, accessories and traditional crafts — textiles, dishes, books, fashion and more. 7795 Cooper Road, Montgomery, 513891-8738, hanamiyashop.com.

Handzy Shop + Studio Owned by two graduates of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. Shop for illustrations, lettering, paper goods, party supplies and more; also does custom lettering, illustrations and invitations. 15 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., hellohandzy.com.

Celebrating 25 years in 2016!

Semester writing classes workshops specialty classes

Classes & Programs for Girls and Teens Register Now!

womenwriting.org 513-272-1171 “It was inspiring to be in a group with such diverse writing, topics, and voices.”

Waxing Cincinnati for 25 years

Heavenly Bodies Wax Spa

Cincinnati’s 5 Star Waxing Spa. Home of the 15 minute Brazilian Bikini Wax

3608 Marburg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513) 321-8252 | www.cincyspa.com ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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I Love Cincinnati Shop Reds, Bengals and local college goods galore, plus collectibles, shirts, hats, glassware and photos. 441 Vine St., Downtown, 513-381-4401, ilovecincinnatishop.com.

The Little Mahatma Exotic jewelry, folk art and artifacts from the world’s traditional cultures. 1205 Vine St., Over-theRhine, 513-723-1287, thelittlemahatma.com.

Lucca Laser Workshop Specializes in laser-cut wood, natural gifts, supplies and décor.

1342 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, luccaworkshop.com.

H M. Hopple & Co. Creative paper goods and stationery plus design services.

7920 Hosbrook Road, Kenwood, 513-791-6426, mhopple.com.

Market Side Mercantile Upcycled and repurposed consignment furniture, gifts, homegoods and artwork. 4170 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-967-2026.

Splendid Things

Bloodline Merchants

Local and independently made crafts and homegoods. 1201 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-4213500, shopmica.com.

Unusual shop with gifts for you and your home. 312 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky., 859-261-8777, splendidthingsky.com.

Nest Gifts

Ten Thousand Villages

Industrial antiques and quality home furnishings. The shop mixes heritage with salvage, and also offers modern, locally made goods and art. 4855 Eastern Ave., East End, 513-407-8904, bloodlinemerchants.com.

H MiCA 12/v

Full spectrum of gifts from baby to home décor, including monograms. 3439 Michigan Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-8852, facebook. com/nestgiftscincinnati.

Fair trade jewelry, gifts and more from across the globe. 2011 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-871-5840, tenthousandvillages.com.

Poeme

Toko Baru

Personal stationery, unique gifts, custom invitation design services, clever sundries and more. 3446 Michigan Ave., Hyde Park, 513321-4999, poeme-online.com.

Original jewelry, home décor, trinkets and more. 325 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-751-3338.

Pomegranate & Lime

Algin Retro Furniture

Creative gifts for every age, every occasion and every taste.

Specializes in gift wrapping.

6804 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-271-1012, facebook.com/ pomegranateandlime.

The Purple Monkey Toys, greeting cards and gifts.

336 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky., 859-261-0245.

H O U S E WA R E S/ home D ECO R Family-owned store selling Midcentury Modern reproductions.

810 Main St., Over the-Rhine, 513-621-1616, alginretro.com.

Artichoke Curated Cookware Basic, classic and one-of-a-kind kitchen items. Features a demonstration kitchen. 1824 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-263-1002, artichokeotr.com.

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BOVA Furniture Contemporary furniture shop open for three decades. Locations in other cities, including Washington, D.C. and Dallas.

12130 Royal Point Drive, Kings, 513-247-9100, bovafurniture.com.

Bromwell’s Luxury fireplace design and accessories since 1819. 117 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-6210620, bromwells.com.

Brush Factory Contemporary furniture designed with a focus on beauty and simplicity and inspired by fashion, art and the natural world.

Custom work available. 1110 Alfred St., 513-602-9546, brushmanufactory.com.

Building Value Remodelers donate used or leftover architectural salvage and materials to Building Value, which resells these materials to the public. Prices are often a third the cost of new. 4040 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-475-6783, buildingvalue.org.

H Elm & Iron New and vintage industrial home décor and accessories. 1326 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-954-4217, elmandiron.com.

Elm & Iron Loft Newly opened Elm & Iron location with an expanded furniture selection. 1411 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-429-4472, elmandiron.com.

HighStreet London-inspired urban lifestyle store. Also find art books, rare magazines and creative kids items. 1401 Reading Road, Downtown, 513-723-1901, facebook.com/highstreetcinci.

Jack Wood Gallery High-quality vintage posters and period graphics from the

late-19th to mid-20th centuries.

1413 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513321-7077, jackwoodgallery.com.

Legacies Consignment Vintage and second-hand furniture, home goods and jewelry.

Proceeds benefit Cancer Support Community. 3854 Paxton Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-8899, shoplegacies.com.

Rooster A curated shop featuring furniture, home decor and various unearthed arcana from the wilds of the Midwest. 923 Vine St., Downtown, 513-238-2587, facebook.com/923rooster.

Switch Lighting & Design Contemporary lighting from Scandinavia, Europe and Asia.

1207 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513721-8100, switch-collection.com.

Lentz & Company Vintage home goods, furniture, local art and handmade gifts.

339 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513739-0193, lentzandcompany.com.

Mainly Art Twentieth-century collectibles.

3711 Madison Road, Norwood, 513-378-8261, mainlyart.com.

Modern high-design furniture, lighting and accessories from Europe. 3209 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-871-5483, voltagefurniture.com.

45/46 Fine Men’s Apparel

An ever-changing array of curated home and garden goods — uncommon upholstery, lighting, tabletop items, gifts and oneof-a-kind finds. 3066 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-321-3343, qandqhome.com.

Batsakes Old-school hat shop, with frequent celebrity clientele and fancy caps. 1 W. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-721-9345.

Black Owned

Voltage

M E N ’ S A PPA R E L / ACCE SS O R I E S

Quince & Quinn

solely with men in mind. Durable goods ranging from T-shirts and jeans to grooming products and leathergoods. 1150 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-1150, articlemenswear.com.

A ready-to-wear mens store with custom shirts and suits. 2719 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-257-0259, facebook.com/4546.xy.

H Article Quality clothing in a highly curated environment, designed

A handmade outerwear and fashion line that represents every person of every culture, every generation and every style. Lines for men, women and children.

822 Elm St., Downtown, 513-4073496, blackowned19xx.com.

Camino Motor Co. A retail shop celebrating OTR’s growing motorcycle community.

Find grip gloves, Bell helmets, bike-inspired T-shirts, backpacks and more. Located in an old dry cleaners storefront. 1212 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-659-6431, caminomotorco.com.

s ’ d l r TheWo

t s e Larg n o i t c e l Se ! p m e of H

3 locations:

Start at Hemptations.com

O’BRYONVILLE 2034 Madison Rd. 513-871-HEMP

SHARONVILLE

11353 Lebanon Rd. 513-524-HEMP

CORRYVILLE

2824 Jefferson Ave. 513-569-0420

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black plastic records // photos: jesse fo x

Cincy Shirts Vintage-inspired T-shirt brand that offers anything and everything Cincinnati themed for adults and kids. 1435 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-510-5774, cincyshirts.com.

Corporate Men’s clothing store and sneaker shop. Focuses on fresh and unique indie brands. 2643 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-771-0432; 1323 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, corporategotem.com.

Durham Dept.

The in-house shop of creative studio Durham & Co., which crafts work for consumer brands, start-ups, artists and companies.

Sells T-shirts, hats, prints and more for both men and women.

2 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., 859905-0460, durhambrandco.com.

flow — a shop for men A simple yet sophisticated shop for the modern gentleman carrying everything from socks and shirts to select vintage items. Now with an attached barber shop, Cutman. 5 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., 859-291-3569, gentlemanflow.com

HOMAGE Sporty vintage-inspired team T-shirts, sweatshirts and other athletic apparel. 1232 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-834-7205, homage.com.

Downtown, 513-721-2004, huntclubclothiers.com.

Mike & Carol Trotta Tailor offering bespoke men’s suits and made-to-measure clothing.

406 Walnut St., Downtown, 513621-2930, mikeandcaroltrotta.com.

Noble Denim Locally based, American-made and responsibly produced men’s jeans, knits, accessories and more. 1405 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-818-9158, nobledenim.com.

Peppe Ramundo Established in 1967 by tailor Peppe Ramundo, this West Side store is one of the best spots in town to shop for fine menswear and tuxedo rentals. Includes a large selection of in-stock sports coats, dress shirts, ties and sweaters from labels like Michael Kors and Penguin. 5229 Glenway Ave., Western Hills, 513-921-2400, pepperamundo.com.

Righno: A Men’s Shop Contemporary lifestyle fashions inspired by European, Australian and Southern California streetwear styles. 1417 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, righno.com.

Romualdo Ready-to-wear, formalwear, tailoring and suiting. 7121 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-561-9010, romualdo.com.

Hunt Club Clothiers

Unheard Of

Men’s suits and tailoring since 1974. 441 Vine St., Carew Tower,

A street pusher of rare goods.

T-shirts, hats, Nikes and more. 341

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W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513744-9444, unheardofbrand.com.

PE T S Argos Independently owned shop offering all-natural pet food and supplies. 7713 Camargo Road, Madeira, 513-561-7966; 2801 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, 513-221-4451, argospet.com.

The Bird Shoppe Parrot supplies, services like grooming and boarding, a nursery and adoptable birds. 6160 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, 513-8744405, thebirdshoppe.com.

Confetti Cats A shop for unique gifts for humans and the cats who own them. 6923 Main St., Newtown, 513-533-9996, confetticats.com.

Northside Grange Services and products for the urban farmer. 4116 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-1321, northsidegrange.com.

Petey’s Pet Stop Pet food and treats, DIY bath stations, toys and boarding. 311 Howell Ave., Clifton, 513-2217387, peteyspetstop.com.

Pet Wants Locavore pet food and supply store for urban pet owners. 1813 Pleasant St., Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-8696; 1409 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-621-3647, petwants.com.

Strasse Dog Pet grooming, clothing and supplies. 605 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-431-PETS.

R E CO R D S TO R E S Another Part of the Forest Unique used vinyl, comics, pulp fiction and DVD rentals. 1333 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/anotherpartoftheforest.

Black Plastic Records An independent record store with bins and bins of unique vinyl, plus Cincinnati- and Ohio-centric clothing items.

Kind of like stumbling into the best basement ever. 4027 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-258-0535; 1411 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/ blackplasticrecords.

Everybody’s Records Full-service record store specializing in a wide variety of new and used records, CDs and cassettes.

6106 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-531-4500, everybodysrecords.com.

Mole’s Record Exchange Open since 1974, Mole’s is a record exchange store near the University of Cincinnati. 111 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-861-6291.

Phil’s Records In business for more than 30 years, featuring vinyl records, CDs and DVDs. 3914 Winston Ave., Latonia, Ky., 859-441-2514, philsrecords.com.

REVOL STAUB curated cookware collection Cookware Kitchen Tools Barware Cooking Classes

Stop in today

FINEX

513-263-1002 www.artichokeOTR.com

1824 Elm Street, OTR next to Historic Findlay Market

Tasting Room & Wine Boutique 6955 Plainfield Road Silverton, Ohio 45236

Across from Kenwood Towne Centre

7599 Kenwood Road 513•891•2020

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H Shake It Records Named one of the 30 best record stores in America by Rolling Stone, Shake It has two floors of CDs and vinyl. They also have a great selection of used CDs and LPs, books, fanzines and Japanese-style trinkets. 4156 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-591-0123, shakeitrecords.com.

areurban urban beekeepers beekeepers providing honey, WeWeare providinglocal local honey, beeswax candles candles and beeswax andgifts giftsfrom fromthethehive. hive.

Visit us weekends at Findlay Market.

Visit us weekends at Findlay Market.

beehavenhoney.com

Sugarcube Records

beehavenhoney.com

4037 Hamilton Ave. in Northside

CONFETTI CATS Cincinnati’s Shop for Unique Gifts for Humans...

Independently owned record store in the heart of MainStrasse.

Sells new vinyl, used vinyl, T-shirts, books, turntables and more. 422 W. Sixth St., Covington, Ky., 859-291-CUBE, sugarcuberecords.com.

S P O R T S/O U T D O O R S Bob Roncker’s Running Spot

...and the Cats Who Own Them!

6923 Main Street in Newtown 45244 • 513-533-9996 Find us on facebook or visit www.confetticats.com

Local specialty running store.

1993 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-321-3006, runningspot.com.

Benchmark Outfitters Independent, local familyowned outdoor gear and apparel retailer. 9525 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, 513-791-2453, sportinggoodscincinnati.com

BioWheels Full service bike shop. 6810 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-8612453, biowheels.com.

Certified Medical Hypnotist Margaret Arthur RN, C.HT., EFT-ADV

www.hypnoticsolutionsohio.com

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Local skateboard shop with two locations. 4202 Hamilton Ave., Northside until October 2016; 4040 Hamilton Ave., Northside after October 2016; 625 Monmouth Ave., Newport, Ky., facebook.com/galaxieskateshop.

Jim’s Bicycle Shop Dedicated to Cincinnati and cycling since 1976. 8015 Plainfield Road, Kenwood, 513-7931163, jimsbicycleshop.com.

Koch Sporting Goods Cincinnati’s oldest and largest sporting goods store offering an array of men’s and women’s licensed sports apparel and accessories. 131 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-621-2352, kochsports.com.

MoBo Bicycle Coop

Campus Cyclery

H Montgomery Cyclery

Cincinnati Bicycle Company

HYPNOTIC SOLUTIONS

Galaxie Skateshop

Located next to the Little Miami Bicycle Trail. 313 Main St., Milford, 513-831-2521, bishopsbicycles.net.

One of the oldest full-service bike shops in the city, which sells and repairs bikes. 241 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-7216628, campuscyclery.com.

It is time to do something different!

Fifty West Cycling Company More brewery sports. Located just off the Little Miami Scenic trail, Fifty West Cycling Company is a full-service bicycle shop that also offers fittings, rides, rentals and bikes for the whole family.

7669 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-731-9111, fiftywestcycling.com.

A bicycle cooperative (the only one in the city) dedicated to making Cincinnati a cycling hub.

1415 Knowlton St., Northside, mobobicyclecoop.org.

Bishop’s Bicycles

Feel Stuffed...Overwhelmed?

In Pain...Still Smoking?

Columbia Township, 513-4790337, fiftywestcanoe.com.

Offers student discounts.

2817 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-841-2453, cincinnatibicycle.com.

Cincinnati Bike Center Bicycle rental, lockers, showers and bike repair. 120 E. Mehring Way, Downtown, 513-282-4260, bikeandpark.com/city/cincinnati.

Fifty West Canoe & Kayak Local brewery Fifty West has expanded its beer empire to include the great outdoors.

Across the street from the taproom, find a canoe and kayak rental for trips down the Little Miami River. Formerly known as the Mariemont Livery.

7639 Wooster Pike, Mariemont/

Provides people of all ages, skill levels and experience with quality bicycles and fitness equipment, as well as related accessories and service.

Multiple locations including 9449 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-793-3855, montgomerycyclery.com.

Northside Surplus Military and tactical clothing, base layers, outerwear, bags, packs, knives, tools and camping and outdoor gear. 4019 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-5411405, northsidesurplus.com.

Piston Society Motorcyle and urban scooter rentals. 1428 Race St., Downtown, 513-277-0300, pistonsociety.com.

Reser Bicycle Outfitters Sales and repairs on bikes for beginners and pros. 648 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-2616187, reserbicycle.com.

E ricka L eighton - S pradlin of continuum // photos: khoi nguyen

Roads, Rivers and Trails Independently owned adventure outfitter offering seminars, presentations and classes. 118 Main St., Milford, 513-248-7787, roadsriversandtrails.com.

Smitty’s Cyclery Certified in advanced bicycle mechanics. 6000 Wooster Pike, Fairfax, 513-271-3180, smittyscyclery.com.

Spun Bicycles New bikes, parts, accessories and a full repair shop plus some awesome, occasional used bikes.

4122 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-7786, spunbicycles.com.

TEAM Cycling & Fitness Bicycle shop offering bicycle fittings, demos and repair services.

7765 Colerain Ave., White Oak, 513-522-1551, teamcyclingandfitness.com.

Trek Bicycle Store of Cincinnati Offers a wide range of Trek bikes.

7576 Voice of America Drive, West Chester, 513-755-3773; 9695 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, 513745-0369, trekstorecincinnati.com.

Velocity Bike & Bean Bike and coffee shop. 7560 Burlington Pike, Florence, Ky., 859-371-8356, velocitybb.com.

V I N TAG E / CO N S I G N M E N T Bella on the Avenue Brand-name second-hand clothing and accessories. 318 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky., 859-431-2978.

H Casablanca Vintage Classic apparel and accessories from the 1920s-1980s. Also offers theater costuming, shoe repair and leather repair. 3944 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-5416999, casablancavintage.com.

Chicken Lays an Egg Chicken Lays an Egg — what it looks like inside John Waters’ brain. Vintage clothing, accessories and housewares. 4178 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook. com/chickenlaysanegg.

Coup D’Etat Vintage Clothing High-quality and designer vintage clothing. Wedding dresses by appointment. 3165 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-3210180, coupdetatvintage.com.

Edie’s Vintage Rose Room Authentic vintage; a hidden gem. 3241 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 513-662-3700.

Gayle’s Vintage Clothing Packed to the brim with vintage clothing, hats, accessories and costume jewelry. 106 Main St., Milford, 513-831-5404, gaylevintageclothing.etsy.com.

Hi-Bred A curated boutique with vintage clothing, jewelry, vinyl, housewares and curiosities. 2807 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, 513-2404664, facebook.com/hibredlife.

Julie’s Inspiration Consignment Shoppe Gifts, jewelry, art, collectibles,

furniture and clothing, from vintage to designer. 608 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-291-8200, juliesinspiration.com.

Mannequin Boutique Women’s used-vintage and upscale-consignment boutique where proceeds go directly to seven local service agencies, including the FreeStore FoodBank, Tender Mercies and Lighthouse Youth Services. 1311 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-813-3982, mannequinboutique.org.

NVISION Fun, affordable vintage clothing, rotating art shows and home furnishings alongside handcrafted, redesigned or repurposed items by local artists and designers.

4577 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-4577, nvisionshop.com.

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries A nonprofit that provides job training, employment, placement services and other communitybased programs for those with disabilities via consignment shops and donations. Multiple locations including 3080 Markbreit Ave., Oakley, 513-631-6348, cincinnatigoodwill.org.

Pixel 19 Vintage clothing and accessories handpicked from a Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Association-registered set designer and costumer. 211 Klotter Ave., Clifton, 513-476-2333, pixel19vintage.com.

Portaluca Formerly 4th Street Boutique. A high-end thrift store that financially supports Dress for Success Cincinnati. 209 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-322-1782, portaluca.org.

H St. Vincent de Paul Caring for those in need in Cincinnati and Hamilton County via thrift stores that provide furniture, clothing, household items and more. Multiple locations including 3015 Glenway Ave., Western Hills, 513-347-0342, svdpcincinnati.org.

H The Snooty Fox A local chain of upscale furniture and clothing consignment shops.

Multiple locations including 3854 Paxton Ave., Hyde Park, 513-5334700, shopsnooty.com.

Talk of the Town Vintage clothing and costumes for men and women. 9111 Reading Road, Reading, 513-563-8844, talkofthetowncincy.com.

WO M E N ’ S A PPA R E L / ACCE SS O R I E S Alligator Purse Sophisticated and edgy contemporary women’s clothing, including designers Diane von Furstenberg, Helmut Lang, Vince and more. 2701 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-6171, shopalligatorpurse.com.

Atelier Specializes in trendy handcrafted artisanal works, custom jewelry, ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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accessories and clothing. 2716 Erie Ave., Second Floor, Hyde Park, 513-453-4828, ateliercincinnati.com.

Continuum An eclectic women’s clothing store and bazaar featuring a curated selection of items from independent artists, designers and makers. 1407 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-429-5035, facebook.com/continuumbazaar.

Couture Couture Boutique Contemporary women’s clothing boutique. 1315 Main St., Overthe-Rhine, 513-428-9139.

Cut & Sewn/SHWRM A sample room offering design, sewing, pattern-making, samples and small-batch manufacturing of apparel and soft goods. The new SHWRM sells the work of local independent fashion designers and makers. 4183 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513374-9979, cutsewn.com, facebook. com/shwrmgallery.

Downtown Girl Women’s apparel, handbags, jewelry and more. 7791 Cooper Road, Montgomery, 513-984-8837.

H Idlewild Woman Clothing and lifestyle destination that embraces the beauty and creativity of the modern woman.

1230 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513381-4059, idlewildwoman.com.

Hansa Guild Moccasins, sheepskin shoes, clogs, hats, rugs and all sorts of other interesting global clothing and accessory imports. 369 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-221-4002, hansaguild.us.

Khakis Carries brands for men and women like Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, Jack Rogers, Southern Tide and many others. 3445 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513871-1212, khakiscincinnati.com.

Kilimanjaro African Heritage African heritage and import store. Clothing, accessories, art.

310 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-2210700, africanforus.com.

Kismet The best of Tulle, Free People, Billabong, Groggy, Dansko and other eclectic purveyors of women’s fashion and accessories. 2037 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-871-7879; 1321 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine,

513-429-4073, facebook.com/ kismetovertherhine.

H Knickers of Hyde Park Lingerie experts; also sells sleepwear, swimwear, accessories and gifts. 2726 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-533-9592, knickersofhydepark.com.

La Silhouette Exclusive fine lingerie from Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany, the U.K. and more. 6904 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-272-8100, lasilhouette-lingerie.com.

LIBBY A clothing store and jewelry studio. 1420 Main St., Over-theRhine, 513-409-4256, facebook. com/shoplibby.

Leeli + Lou Chic and affordable boutique for the trendy college girl. 2732 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-873-2892, facebook.com/leeliandlou.

H LouLou’s Women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry and bags focusing on simple styles. 6145 Bridgetown Road, Bridgetown, 513-574-0839, shoploulous.com.

Made in Cincinnati A curated online shopping site connecting customers to Cincinnati makers and their stories, 24/7. Offers goods directly from Cincinnati’s best creatives and artisans in one online location. shopmadeincincinnati.com.

Monkee’s of Madeira Trendy women’s shoes, clothing and accessories. 6928 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-271-0038, monkeesofmadeira.com.

Morrison & Me The only haute couture shoe store in Cincinnati, offering shoes, bags and accessories.

2643 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513232-7463, morrisonandme.com.

Ossie A fun and fashionable mix of whimsical and comfy upscale designs from the likes of Anna Sui, Christine Alcalay, NSF and more.

3433 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513-832-1341, ossieboutique.com.

Ottoman Imports A global bazaar of fashion and overseas imports. 523 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-291-9555, ottomanimports.com.

paolo | a modern jeweler A modern jeweler featuring everything from bridal to ANNUAL M ANUAL 2 016 -2 017

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victor athletics club // photos: jesse fo x

ready-to-wear and custom designs. 278 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-751-2171, paolousa.com.

H Pangaea Trading Co. Eclectic women’s jewelry, apparel, shoes and more.

326 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-751-3330.

The Pink Box Women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories and unique in-house, monogrammed items. 6929 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-2717900, facebook.com/thepinkbox.

Pink Tulip Club Apparel and accessories for women and girls. 9395 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-878-5552; 2651 Observatory Ave., Hyde Park, 513-609-9393, pinktulipclub.com.

H Pretty Pony Boutique Fairly priced women’s clothing boutique. 2220 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859-341-7669, prettyponyboutique.com.

H Rose & Remington An eclectic boutique with affordable chic and contemporary clothing and jewelry. 9261 Governors Way, Loveland, 513-5830088; 15 E. Main St., Lebanon, 513-228-0799; 3764 Paxton Ave., Hyde Park, 513-914-5152, roseandremington.com.

Sara Benjamin’s Fashion-forward, fresh clothing and accessories. 6810 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-272-2280, sarabenjamins.com.

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The Shoe Haus Upscale, European shoe store for women and men, specializing in comfort, fit and style. 441 Vine St., Carew Tower, Downtown, 513-929-4900, theshoehaus.com.

Clough Pike, Anderson, 513233-2445, facebook.com/ urbanchickboutique.

513-770-0273, deerfieldtownecenter.com.

Victor Athletics Club

Abercrombie & Fitch, Bath & Body Works, Buckle, H&M, Hot Topic, JCPenny, Macy’s, Payless, Sears, Tala’s Treasures, Victoria’s Secret and more. 2028 Florence Mall, Florence, Ky., 859-371-1231, florencemall.com.

Mix of American and European clothing and accessories catering to the edgy, urban woman. 1216 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-5798111, sloaneboutique.com.

Men’s and women’s clothing made with organic materials.

Five percent of after-tax profit is given back to factories to be invested in workers and to combat outsourcing. 1405 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-818-9158, victorathletics.com.

Soho Boutique

The Wardrobe

Sloane Boutique

Well-edited selection of highend dresses, separates and shoes. 2757 Observatory Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-6930, shopsohoboutique.com.

Chic, casual and sophisticated women’s clothing. 6816 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-271-4800, thewardrobecincinnati.com.

Swoon OTR

A licensed supplier of original lederhosen and dirndls from Munich’s Oktoberfest. Located inside the Christian Moerlein Malt House Taproom. 1621 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine, 513304-4495, wiesnkoenig-usa.com.

Women’s intimates and selfcare products. 1421 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, instagram.com/ swoon_otr.

Three French Hens Eclectic trend-based clothing, accessories, home decor and gifts. 3444 Michigan Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-1161.

Trend Boutique Unique fashion at a moderate price. 2946 Markbreit Ave., Oakley, 513-351-5574, trendcincinnati.com.

Truckshop Cincinnati’s curated fashion boutique on wheels. facebook.com/ shopthetruck.

Urban Chick Boutique Large selection of women’s dress and casual attire. 6740

Wiesnkoenig

M A LL S/O U T LE T S Cincinnati Premium Outlets Banana Republic Factory Store, Calvin Klein, Coach, Columbia Sportswear, J. Crew, Le Creuset, Levi’s Outlet Store, Michael Kors, Reebok, True Religion and more. 400 Premium Outlets Drive, Monroe, 513-539-0710, premiumoutlets.com.

Deerfield Towne Center Francesca’s, Lane Bryant, LOFT, New York & Company, Ulta Beauty, White House/Black Market, Whole Foods and more.

5503 Deerfield Blvd., Mason,

Florence Mall

H Kenwood Towne Centre Apple store, Anthropologie, Forever21, Fossil, Gap, H&M, J.Crew, Kit + Ace, Madewell, Michael Kors, Nordstrom, Sephora and more. 7875 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 513-745-9100, kenwoodtownecentre.com.

Northgate Mall Bath & Body Works, DSW, Marshall's, Macy's, Victoria's Secret, ULTA and more. 9501 Colerain Ave., Colerain, 513-385-7065, mynorthgatemall.com.

Rookwood Commons & Pavilion DSW, HomeGoods, J.Crew Factory, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Nordstrom Rack, T.J. Maxx, Pier One, REI, Sur La Table, Whole Foods and more. 3805 Edwards Road, Norwood, 513-241-5800, shoprookwood.com.

Tri-County Mall Charlotte Russe, Ethan Allen, Forever21, Hollister, Hot Topic, Journeys, Justice, Sears, Yankee Candle and more. 11700 Princeton Pike, Glendale, 513-6710120, tricountymall.com.

F I N D L AY M A R K E T

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Visit Churchill’s Fine Teas & Learn About Traditional, Contemporary & Wellness Teas From Around The World Voted “Best Tea Selection in Cincinnati” Featuring 265 Varieties of Tea and Custom Blends

Stop by today or shop online!

129 W Elder St. Cincinnati, OH 513-381-0561 MaverickChocolate.com

Visit Findlay Market or Shop Online 122 West Elder Street • 513-421-1455 www.churchillsteas.com

Located at Historic Findlay Market Mon 4-7:30 | Tues 10-7:30 Wed-Fri 9-7:30 | Sat 8-6 | Sun 10-6 (513) 744-9888

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YOU BELONG HERE ContemporaryArtsCenter

@CincyCAC

CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER 6th & Walnut • Downtown Cincinnati • 513.345.8400 • contemporaryartscenter.org

Music to Your Ears From internationally renowned groups like Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to world-class facilities like the Aronoff Center, the Queen City has so much to offer in the way of Classical music that it’s often hard to decide which shows to attend. Each of the city’s musical groups has a unique focus, whether it’s a dedication to recreating songs as they were performed 1,000 years ago or a desire to create an entirely new experience. Although these groups comprise only a portion of Cincinnati’s musical repertoire, the wide range of elements they incorporate has something for every discerning ear.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Founded in 1865, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is one of the foremost orchestras in the world, comprised of world-class musicians from all around the globe.

Under the baton of conductor Louis Langrée, the orchestra presents pieces by the greats — Beethoven, Handel, Bach, Brahms, Rachmaninoff and many more — and frequently collaborates with internationally renowned artists.

This season’s highlights include appearances by classical pianist Emanuel Ax, saxophonist Branford Marsalis and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Because of ongoing renovations at historic Music Hall, this year’s CSO performances will be held at the Taft Theatre downtown. cincinnatisymphony.org.

Catacoustic Consort Cincinnati’s Catacoustic Consort is devoted to recreating the sounds of early vocal and instrumental music — from Renaissance chamber music to Baroque opera — as it was originally composed. Artists bring a historically informed approach to their performances, which implement period instruments like the theorbo, Baroque guitar and harpsichord. The group also presents the Cincinnati Early Music Festival in February, featuring recitals from the Renaissance, Baroque and Medieval eras. catacoustic.com.

ARTS

concert:nova This isn’t your everyday Classical company. concert:nova, a chamber music group comprised of guest artists and musicians from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, produces interactive and multi-disciplinary “musical experiences.” The group collaborates with creative partners to illustrate music in nontraditional ways; recent partnerships have included the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, urban arts center Elementz and the Midwest Culinary Institute, where they scored a one-woman chamber opera about Julia Child while Soprano Ellen Graham simultaneously sang and cooked a chocolate cake. concertnova.com.

University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music The city’s multidisciplinary and internationally renowned CollegeConservatory of Music stages performances on par with the city’s professional theaters, orchestras and opera. The Opera Fusion: New Works program, a collaboration between CCM and Cincinnati Opera, helped fine tune the world premiere of Fellow Travelers, a landmark production about the repression of gay government workers during the McCarthy Era. And its faculty quartet-in-residence, the Ariel Quartet, are basically Classical rockstars — they sold out Carnegie Hall, mentored under Itzhak Perlman and have been rabidly praised by The New York Times — and you can see them for less than half their average ticket price. ccm.uc.edu.

MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra As part of this free urban youth orchestra program, kids ages 7-13 perform concerts across the region, many of which include collaborations with local arts groups and award-winning artists.

Directed by violinist, composer and teacher Eddy Kwon, the orchestra is inspired by El Sistema, a Venezuelan program that believes young people can achieve personal transformation by striving toward musical excellence. mycincinnatiorchestra.org.

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ARTS

A R T M US EU M S

H Cincinnati Art Museum Located in scenic Eden Park, the museum’s collection spans 6,000 years and includes galleries devoted to folk art, antiquities, European painting and more, including works by Andy Warhol, Marc Chagall, van Gogh and Paul Gauguin. The Rosenthal Education Center is a hands-on art experience for kids. 2016-17 exhibits include The Book of Only Enoch and The Jackleg Testament, Part I: Jack & Eve (Sept. 24-Dec. 4, 2016), Kentucky Renaissance: The Lexington Camera Club and Its Community, 1954-1974 (Oct. 8, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017), Van Gogh: Into the Undergrowth (Oct. 15, 2016-Jan. 8, 2017), Dressed to Kill: Japanese Arms & Armor (Feb. 11-May 7, 2017), Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light (April 1-Aug. 13, 2017) and more.

Open Tuesday-Sunday. Free admission; $4 parking (free for members). 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, 513-721-ARTS, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Contemporary Arts Center The city’s major downtown contemporary art facility, designed by late architect Zaha Hadid, features changing exhibitions as well as special events, a hip café, a gift shop and the avant-garde Black Box Performance Series. 2016-17 exhibits include Glenn Brown (Sept. 9, 2016– Jan. 15, 2017), Roe Ethridge: Nearest Neighbor (Oct. 7, 2015–March 12, 2017), Noel Anderson: Blak Origin Moment (Feb. 10-June 18, 2017), Ugo Rondinone: CHROMAphile (May 5-Aug. 27, 2017), Jane Benson: Half-Truths (May 5-Aug. 27, 2017) and Njideka Akunyili Crosby: The Predecessors (July 14-Oct. 20, 2017). Closed Tuesdays. Free admission. 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-345-8400, contemporaryartscenter.org.

Taft Museum of Art

H Indicates winners from CityBeat’s 2016 Best of Cincinnati® issue.

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This fine art museum, the former historic home of relatives of President William Howard Taft, features a large garden, tea room and historical displays related to the permanent collection in addition to changing and traveling exhibitions. 201617 exhibits include Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times (through Sept.

25, 2016), London at Large: A Wall-Sized Map (through Nov. 6, 2016), Picturing the West: Masterworks of 19th-Century

Landscape Photography (Oct. 22, 2016-Jan. 15, 2017) and Antique Christmas (Nov. 4, 2016-Jan. 8, 2017). Closed Monday. Admission fee for non-members. 316 Pike St., Downtown, 513-2410343, taftmuseum.org.

A R T G A LLE R I E S A N D S PACE S 1305 Gallery Features works by local and up-and-coming artists. Open for Final Fridays and select days during the week. 1305 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-659-4987, 1305gallery.blogspot.com.

H 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati’s only museum hotel.

Features rotating exhibits of Contemporary art and a permanent collection that includes site-specially commissioned works. 609 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-578-6600, 21cmuseumhotels. com/cincinnati.

Art Academy of Cincinnati The Art Academy offers several spaces for viewing works by students, faculty and others, with openings and events coinciding with Final Friday Gallery Walks. Chidlaw and Pearlman galleries, plus a Convergys space in the lobby. 1212 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-562-6262, artacademy.edu.

ART Beyond Boundaries This space, sponsored by The Center for Independent Living Options, features work by local artists with disabilities. 1410 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-8726, artbeyondboundaries.com.

BLDG A creative refuge, communitymural painter and gallery for innovative and avant-garde contemporary art and street art.

30 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., 859-491-4228, bldgrefuge.com.

Bromwell’s Gallery

in conjunction with Brazee open studios on second Fridays. 4426 Brazee St., Oakley, 513-321-0206, c-linklocal.com.

Carl Solway Gallery The only member of the Art Dealers Association of America in the Tristate, it features nationally known modern and contemporary artists in a variety of media.

424 Findlay St., West End, 513621-0069, solwaygallery.com.

The Carnegie A key spot in Covington’s growing visual and performing arts community. Hosts the yearly Art of Food event and culinary art exhibit, along with regional surveys and exhibits in painting, sculpture, video and more. 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington, Ky., 859491-2030, thecarnegie.com.

Cincinnati Art Club Established in 1890. Offers peer review for area artists as well as educational opportunities and an outreach program. 1021 Parkside Place, Mount Adams, 513-2414591, cincinnatiartclub.com.

Chase Public Collaborative art space hosting weekly (if not bi-weekly) public events, encouraging discourse, collaborative art-making, radical workshops and poetry readings.

1569 Chase Ave., No. 4, Northside, chasepublic.org.

Cincinnati Art Galleries Offers pricing, exhibition and sale of American and European paintings. 225 E. Sixth St., Second Floor, Downtown, 513-3812128, cincyart.com.

Clay Street Press, Inc. A fine art press that specializes in small-edition hand-pulled prints in lithography, etching, woodcut and silkscreen. 1312 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-2413232, patsfallgraphics.com.

Clifton Cultural Arts Center

Cincinnati’s oldest business (founded in 1819) provides a forum to display art by and for the local community. 117 W. Fourth St., Second Floor, Downtown, 513-621-0620, bromwellsgallery.com.

A multi-venue, regional cultural arts center encompassing — and preserving — more than 57,000 square feet of historically significant space in an urban campus.

3711 Clifton Ave., Clifton, 513497-2860, cliftonculturalarts.org.

C-Link Gallery

College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning Galleries, UC

Inside Brazee Street Studios.

Exhibits solo, group and collaborative exhibits of Cincinnati artists, craftspeople and designers to encourage the purchase of locally produced goods. Exhibits monthly shows

Student work from one of the nation’s best-regarded art programs. Also hosts work from faculty. Dorothy W. and C. Lawson Reed, Jr. Gallery, DAAP Complex,

the mockbee // photos: jesse fo x

Fifth Floor; Philip M. Meyers, Jr. Memorial Gallery, Steger Student Life Center, University of Cincinnati, 5470 Aronoff Center, Clifton Heights, 513-556-1376, daap. uc.edu/galleries.

Enjoy the Arts A membership to Enjoy the Arts exposes students and professionals 35 and younger to local art. Provides tickets to a wide variety of visual- and performingarts education. 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, 513-455-7140, enjoythearts.org.

Essex Studios Features more than 100 local artists’ studios, showcased at quarterly art walks. 2511 Essex Place, Walnut Hills, 513-476-2170, essexstudios.com.

Fitton Center for Creative Arts Renowned arts center for the Hamilton area that hosts changing exhibitions and offers many education programs. Also home to Mad Anthony Theatre Company. 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton, 513-863-8873, fittoncenter.org.

Globe Gallery An 800-foot storefront space in Findlay Market on the ground floor of People’s Liberty’s headquarters. The philanthropic lab gives grants to three individuals a year to transform the space into an installation that engages the surrounding neighborhood. 1805 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-4922659, peoplesliberty.org.

HudsonJones A contemporary art gallery with high ceilings and a roll-up garage door helmed by Angela Jones.

1110 Alfred St., Camp Washington, hudsonjonesgallery.com.

Ice Cream Factory A walk-up loft apartment that hosts an eclectic mix of visual artists and local and national Experimental and Indie musicians. 2133 Central Ave., Brighton.

Kennedy Heights Arts Center Hosts a variety of exhibitions and offers art classes. Recent expansion into a new annex allows for additional programming and classes, performing arts, concerts and special exhibitions. 6546 Montgomery Road, Kennedy Heights, 513-631-4278, kennedyarts.org.

Ledge Gallery A narrow, 5-foot-long ledge that’s best viewed from the spiral staircase of gallery director, curator, graphic designer, social media editor, installer and evil genius Maya Drozdz’s 400-square-foot loft. ledgegallery.com.

Live-In Gallery Run out of a residential space, the gallery exhibits artists with an emphasis on experimental, ephemeral and collaborative works. 2159 Central Ave., Apt. 5, Brighton, 859-322-1777, facebook. com/liveingallery.

Lloyd Library and Museum The library archive features

books, holdings and ephemera centered around medical botany, pharmacy, eclectic medicine and horticulture. Also includes changing art exhibits. 917 Plum St., Downtown, 513-721-3707, lloydlibrary.org.

Malton Art Gallery Changing exhibitions and collectibles. 3804 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513-321-8614, maltonartgallery.com.

Manifest Features changing and frequently juried group exhibitions, including the popular annual Magnitude SEVEN small works exhibition. Also offers internships, study opportunities and a drawing center. 2727 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, 513-8613638, manifestgallery.org.

Marta Hewett Gallery Offers exhibitions of rarely seen works in contemporary studio glass. The Annex at Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton, 513-281-2780, martahewett.com.

Mary Ran Gallery A fine-art gallery dedicated to local and global 19th- and 20thcentury American and European art. 3668 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-5604, maryrangallery.net.

McMicken FreeSpace An activist hub, infoshop and solidarity center that hosts educational events, film nights, art events and poetry readings. 527 W. McMicken

Ave., Brighton, facebook.com/ mcmickenfreespace.

Miller Gallery Exhibits national and international artists in all media in genres ranging from contemporary realism to abstract to traditional. 2715 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-4420, millergallery.com.

The Mockbee An industrial multi-use venue in a historic brewery space with a DIY ethos. Hosts changing exhibits, live music, workshops, dance parties, open mics and more.

2260 Central Parkway, Over-theRhine, 513-621-1900, facebook. com/themockbee.

Northern Kentucky University Fine Arts Center Showcases work by NKU students and faculty. Northern Kentucky University, 312 Nunn Drive, Third Floor, Highland Heights, Ky., 859-572-5421, nku.edu.

Pendleton Art Center Boasts eight floors of artists’ studios, which are open to the public each month via the Final Friday Gallery Walks, Second Look Saturdays and holiday open houses. 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton, 513-421-4339, pendletonartcenter.com.

Pique An open-ended art experiment where guests can view and even temporarily lodge with artwork, operated out of a two-unit storefront space. 210 W. Pike St., Covington, Ky., piquewebsite.com.

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Popp=d ART A mobile pop-up gallery housed in a converted 1963 Rainbow Caravan camper with the goal of increasing community interaction using the power of art. Find upcoming exhibits and locations at poppedart.gallery.

Powerhouse Factories Rock-poster shop and design studio. 33 E. Ninth St., Newport, Ky., 859-491-0444, powerhousefactories.com.

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Permanent and temporary art, book and historical exhibits at the Main Library. 800 Vine St., Downtown, 513-369-6900, cincinnatilibrary.org.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum An outdoor sculpture museum focusing on monumental pieces.

Also features an Ancient Sculpture Museum displaying historic Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan works. 1763 HamiltonCleves Road, Hamilton, Ohio, 513-868-1234, pyramidhill.org.

Red Tree Gallery Coffee shop and art gallery featuring many group shows. 3210 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-3218733, redtreegallery.net.

Studio San Giuseppe Displays the works of regional professionals as well as Mount St. Joseph students and faculty.

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5701 Delhi Road, Delhi, 513-2444314, msj.edu.

Thunder-Sky, Inc. Founded in order to preserve the legacy of outsider artist Raymond Thunder-Sky and to provide an exhibition space for other unconventional artists in the area.

4573 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-426-0477, raymondthundersky.org/gallery.

University of Cincinnati Park National Bank Art Gallery Features student works from UC Clermont College. Snyder Building, University of Cincinnati Clermont College, 4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia, 513-558-2787, ucclermont.edu.

Upstairs at The Greenwich Changing exhibitions in a local nightclub/Jazz club. 2442 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-221-1151, the-greenwich.com.

Visionaries + Voices Started with the vision of creating a space for artists with disabilities, Visionaries + Voices now helps hundreds of artists find their voices within Cincinnati. 3841 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-861-4333; 225 Northland Blvd., Tri-County, 513-771-2999, visionariesandvoices.com.

Wash Park Art A creative art gallery located across from Washington Park, in the heart of Over-the-Rhine. 1215 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-2913626, washparkart.com.

Wave Pool Gallery Art gallery, studio and residency program for emerging and established artists. Contributes to the local community through experimental art, interpretation and interactive programming.

2940 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington, wavepoolgallery.org.

Weston Art Gallery Changing exhibitions of local and regional artists. Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-977-4165, cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery.

Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center Fondly known as “The Barn,” the center hosts children’s art classes, social events, lectures, art exhibits and more. 6980 Cambridge Ave., Mariemont, 513-272-3700, artatthebarn.org.

Xavier University Art Galleries Features works by XU students and faculty. A.B. Cohen Center, First Floor, Xavier University, 1658 Herald Ave., Evanston, 513-7451919, xavier.edu.

G A LLE RY WA LK S Essex Studios Art Walk Recurring art walks inside a collective gallery with works from resident artists. Held first Fridays and Saturdays. 2511 Essex Place, Walnut Hills, essexstudios.com.

Final Friday Gallery Walk A monthly gallery hop in historic Pendleton and on north Main

Street. Meet artists, view and purchase artwork and attend lectures, live demonstrations and interactive classes during Art in Action, held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. the following Saturdays. 5 p.m.-midnight Final Fridays. Main Street, Over-theRhine, finalfridayotr.com; The Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton, 513-421-4339, pendletonartcenter.com.

Northside Second Saturdays A neighborhood walk with new art openings, later retail hours, later restaurant hours, bar drink specials, interactive events and monthly promotions in one of Cincinnati’s most eclectic neighborhoods. Second Saturdays.

Hamilton Avenue, Northside, northside.net.

Walk on Woodburn (WoW) East Walnut Hills’ version of a gallery walk occurring on irregular Fridays corresponding with gallery openings in the neighborhood. 2700-2800 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, facebook.com/ walkonwoodburn.

O N S TAG E Aronoff Center For the Arts The Cincinnati Arts Association presents an eclectic mix of performances, including celebrity appearances, modern dance, live music, theater and the Cincinnati Ballet. Full calendar online. 650 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-6212787, cincinnatiarts.org.

Broadway in Cincinnati Broadway Across America brings

touring shows — mostly musicals — to Cincinnati. The 2016-17 season offers The Phantom of the Opera (Nov. 15-27, 2016), The Little Mermaid (Jan. 17-29, 2017), Something Rotten! (Feb. 21-March 5, 2017), Mamma Mia! (March 10-12, 2017), Matilda (April 4-16, 2017), Beautiful: The Carol King Musical (May 2-14, 2017), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (Jan. 3-8, 2017) and The Illusionists: Live from Broadway (March 21-26, 2017).

Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-6212787, cincinnati.broadway.com.

The Carnegie The largest and only multidisciplinary arts venue in Northern Kentucky. The Carnegie’s 2016-17 season features Love, Loss and What I Wore (Nov. 5-20, 2016), The Music Man (Jan. 19-29, 2017) and Disenchanted (March 25-April 9, 2017). 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington, Ky., 859-9571940 thecarnegie.com.

H Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

One of America’s best regional theaters and winner of two Tony Awards. With two stages, the Playhouse produces comedies, dramas, musicals, classics and new works. The 2016-17 season includes A Prayer for Owen Meany (through Oct. 1, 2016), Disgraced (Sept. 24-Oct. 23, 2016), August Wilson’s Jitney (Oct. 15-Nov. 12, 2016), The Second City’s Holidazed & Confused Revue (Nov. 5-Dec. 31, 2016), A Christmas Carol (Nov. 23-Dec. 31, 2016), Little Shop of Horrors (Jan. 21-Feb. 19, 2017), Summerland (Feb. 4-March 5, 2017), Jane Eyre (March 11-April 8, 2017), All the Roads Home (March 25-April 23, 2017), Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (April 22-May 20, 2017) and Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End (May 6-June 4, 2017). 962 Mount Adams Circle, Mount Adams, 513-421-3888, cincyplay.com.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Resident company of experienced professional actors presents works by Shakespeare (in 2013-14, they finished a 20-year mission to perform all 38 plays in the canon) as well as other classics. This is the final season the company will perform on Race Street before moving to their new home in Over-the-Rhine. Season 23 includes The Diary of Anne

Frank (Sept. 9-Oct. 1, 2016), The Elephant Man (Oct. 14-Nov. 5, 2016), Much Ado About Nothing (Nov. 18-Dec. 10, 2016), Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) (Dec. 14-31, 2016), Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses Part 2, (Jan. 20-Feb. 11, 2017), Richard III (Feb. 17-March 11, 2017), A Raisin in the Sun (March 24-April 15, 2017) and The Tempest (April 28-May 20, 2017). 719 Race St., Downtown, 513-381-2273, cincyshakes.com.

Old Green Eyes Music S i n at r a S o u n d C i n C i n n at i S t y l e

Weddings, Parties, Holiday Music www.oldgreeneyes.com

Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre High school talent in an annual summer production, presenting West Side Story (July 28-Aug. 7, 2016). Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Ave., Covedale, 513-241-6550, cincinnatilandmarkproductions. com/cypt.

Enameling Workshops Enameling Workshops Enameling Workshops Guest Instructors Guest Instructors Guest Instructors Online Registration Online Registration Online Registration

Clifton Performance Theatre Contemporary works featuring professional actors. 404 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-813-SHOW, cliftonperformancetheatre.com.

Tom Ellis

College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati Professional-grade musical theater and drama productions. Season includes Romeo and Juliet (Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2016), A Chorus Line (Oct. 20-30, 2016), Cendrillon (Cinderella) (Nov. 17-20, 2016), Classics with a Twist (Dec. 1-4, 2016), Her Naked Skin (Feb. 9-12, 2017), Mack and Mabel (March 2-5, 2017), Idomeneo (March 30-April 2, 2017) and Masterworks and Beyond (April 13-15, 2017). Corbett Auditorium, Patricia Corbett Theater or Cohen Family Studio Theater, University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave., Clifton Heights, 513-556-4183, ccm.uc.edu.

Covedale Center for the Performing Arts Renovated movie theater presenting semi-professional works, including musical theater. The 2016-17 season includes Godspell (Sept. 8-Oct. 2, 2016), The Foreigner (Oct. 20-Nov. 13, 2016), The Nights Before Christmas (Dec. 1-23, 2016), Doubt, A Parable (January 19-Feb. 12, 2017), Leading Ladies (March 9-April 2, 2017) and My Fair Lady (April 27-May 21, 2017). 4990 Glenway Ave., Covedale, 513-241-6550, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Tom Ellis

16 17

for tiCkets or to suBsCriBe:

513.421.3555 or www.ensemblecincinnati.org

season

the legend of georgia mcbride by matthew lopez

Featuring Bruce cromer!

sept 6 – 25

brownsville song (b-side for tray)

by Kimber lee

oct 11 – 30 Cinderella: after ever after

by Joseph mcdonough, david Kisor & fitz patton

nov 30 – dec 30 first date

book by austin winsberg music & lyrics by alan Zachary & michael weiner

Jan 17 – feb 5 When We Were Young & unafraid by sarah treem

feb 21 – march 12 BloomsdaY by steven dietz

april 4 – 23

season presenting sponsor

season funder

operating support

513.421.3555 ensemblecincinnati.org

Excellent productions of local, regional and world premieres.

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Stop for Street Art art

Since its inception in 2007, local arts nonprofit ArtWorks has created more than 120 murals through its summer mural program — all of them a boon to public art along the streets of Cincinnati. But there are plenty of other street sights to see in town, from sculptures to abstracts and 27-foot robots. (Visit artworkscincinnati.org for more information on its mural tours.)

“Metrobot,” the 27-foot-tall interactive gold metallic robot sculpture by video art pioneer Nam June Paik, has been comfortably in place since 2014 at its location on Walnut Street just north of Sixth, outside the Contemporary Arts Center.

Given to the city as a bicentennial gift in 1988, it was originally located near the old CAC location on Government Square and then placed in storage in 2009 until it was refurbished for the museum’s 75th anniversary.

Among the ways it is interactive is the still-working payphone in its leg.

Julian Stanczak’s outdoor sculpture along Fifth Third Bank’s north-facing parking garage façade on Sixth Street might be Cincinnati’s best public artwork by the most important artist — Stanczak was one of the originators of the Op Art movement. The 50-by400-by-300-foot structure uses more than 500 aluminum bars in different color combinations to create a major piece, like a block-long linear rainbow.

One of the great ghost murals of Cincinnati’s past is the abstractly geometric “Allegro.” It was created in 1971 by Barron Krody when he was a teacher at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and it is

the only readily visible remaining mural from the prescient Urban Walls series commissioned by gallerist Carl Solway and his assistant Jack Boulton. It has become somewhat obscured by time and trees, but is still one of the earliest and best of the city’s public murals.

Louise Nevelson’s 1980 “Sky Landscape II,” a black abstract sculpture whose shapes and lines encourage contemplation, stands outside the eastern entrance of downtown’s Main Library. It was commissioned by Federated Department Stores for its corporate headquarters but later given to the city. It was moved to its present location in 1993.

“Recognized nationally as the best store of its kind in the Midwest for over 28 years!”

Mainly Art Vintage Modern Furniture 3711 Madison Rd. (3 blocks east of the Mad Tree Brewery Complex) 513-378-8261 or mainlyart.com Cincinnati’s original primer vintage Mid Century modern furniture store.

Moving, downsizing, estate liquidation? Always buying 1940’s thru 1980’s quality items.

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8/10/16 11:40 AM

The 2016-17 season includes The Legend of Georgia McBride (Sept. 6-25, 2016), Brownsville Song (B-Side for Tray) (Oct. 11-30, 2016), Cinderella: After Ever After (Nov. 30-Dec. 30, 2016), First Date (Jan. 17-Feb. 5, 2017), When We Were Young and Unafraid (Feb. 21-March 12, 2017) and Bloomsday (April 4-23, 2017).

Ensemble Theatre, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-3555, ensemblecincinnati.org.

Falcon Theatre Semi-professional theater. 201617 season includes The Toxic Avenger, Dial M for Murder, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, Rabbit Hole and “Master Harold”… and the Boys. Monmouth Theatre, 636 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 513-479-6783, falcontheater.net.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati Adventurous company presents plays with an emphasis on contemporary issues. Also manages the annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival at venues throughout Over-the-Rhine in early June.

Season 19 features Pulp (Oct.

7-29, 2016), The Other Rhine (Oct. 22-31), Darkest Night at the Gnarly Stump (Nov. 26-Dec. 17, 2016), Dragon Play (Jan. 27-Feb. 18, 2017), Heavier Than… (March 10-April 1, 2017) and Listen for the Light (April 21-May 13, 2017).

1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-300-5669, knowtheatre.com.

Grapes of Wrath (Sept. 29-Oct. 9, 2016), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Oct. 25-30, 2016), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Dec. 1-11, 2016) and All Shook Up (Feb. 16-26, 2017). 1 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, Ky., 859-572-5464, artscience.nku.edu/departments/ theatre.html.

Mariemont Players

School for Creative & Performing Arts

One of Cincinnati's oldest and most successful community theaters. 4101 Walton Creek Road, Mariemont, 513-684-1236, mariemontplayers.com.

New Edgecliff Theatre Founded in 1998, New Edgecliff Theatre’s mission has always been to create a powerful artistic experience utilizing local professionals. Presents contemporary dramas, comedies and musicals.

Urban Artifact Brewery, 1662 Blue Rock St., Northside, 513-3996638, newedgecliff.com.

Northern Kentucky University Musical theater and drama productions. The 2016-17 season includes productions of The

High school talent and productions/concerts in drama, dance, vocal arts and music. The Erich Kunzel Center for Arts and Education, 108 W. Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine, 513-363-8000, spca.cps-k12.org.

Taft Theatre Hosts frequent national and international musicians, along with comedians, theatrical productions and evenings with celebrities. Full calendar online.

317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, 513232-6220, tafttheatre.org.

Thomas More College Villa Players A liberal arts theater program.

Thomas More College, 333

Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills, Ky., 859-341-5800, thomasmore.edu/theatre.

Untethered Theater Company Little-seen recent works in an intimate space. Clifton Performance Theatre, 404 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-861-SHOW, untetheredtheater.com.

Warsaw Federal Incline Theater A performing-arts venue in East Price Hill’s Incline District staging modern musicals and dramas.

The 2016-17 season includes [Title of Show] (Sept. 29-Oct. 16), God of Carnage (Nov. 17-Dec. 4, 2016), The Rocky Horror Show (Feb. 16-March 5, 2017) and Equus (April 6-23, 2017). 801 Matson Place, East Price Hill, 513241-6550, cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

Xavier University Players Classics, musicals and new theater. This year’s season includes The Music Man (Oct. 20-22, 2016), The Diviners (Nov. 11-19, 2016), Hamlet (Feb. 9-12, 2017), The

James Gilmer & Maizyalet Velázquez; photography Aaron M. Conway

CELEBRATING VICTORIA MORGAN’S 20 TH SEASON

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Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] (Feb. 16-19, 2017), The Aliens (April 5-8, 2017) and Into the Woods (April 20-22, 2017). Gallagher Studio Theatre, Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Evanston, 513745-3939, xavier.edu.

C H I L D R E N ’ S T H E AT E R Calico Children’s Theatre Children’s community theater.

Krueger Auditorium, University of Cincinnati Clermont College, 4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia, 513-558-2787, ucclermont.edu.

Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati One of America’s oldest professional theater companies for young audiences. Current season includes Alice in Wonderland (Oct. 15-23, 2016), Elf Jr. (Dec. 10-18, 2016), The Wizard of Oz (Feb. 11-19, 2017) and Tarzan: The Stage Musical (April 1-9, 2017). Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-569-8080, thechildrenstheatre.com.

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Frisch Marionette Company Traveling marionette and puppet theater, focused on young audiences. Various venues, 513-4518875, frischmarionettes.com.

Madcap Puppets Features giant puppets and normal-sized actors. Various venues, 513-921-5965, madcappuppets.com.

Wump Mucket Puppets A traveling local puppet theater.

Various venues, 513-370-9803, wumpmucketpuppets.com.

CO M E DY Funny Bone Features national headlining comedians as well as up-andcomers. Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-957-2000, levee.funnybone.com; 7518 Bales St., Liberty Township, 513-7795233, liberty.funnybone.com.

Future Science A live multi-media sketch comedy show the last Sunday of the month at MOTR Pub. 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook. com/futurescienceshow.

H Go Bananas Comedy Club Established comedy club featuring national and local acts. 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, 513-984-9288, gobananascomedy.com.

H OTRimprov Improvisational group inside the Know Theatre offering performances and open-mic jams. 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, 513300-KNOW, otrimprov.com.

DA N CE Bi-Okoto Drum and Dance Theatre This African cultural ensemble performs throughout the year at various venues, with classes and weekly drum circles. 5601 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-221-6112, bi-okoto.com.

H Cincinnati Ballet One of the top ballet companies in the country. Also performs smaller works at its rehearsal studio and offers classes. The 201617 season includes Coppelia (Oct. 21-23, 2016), Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker (Dec. 9-18, 2016),

King Arthur’s Camelot (Feb. 10-12, 2017), Bold Moves (March 17-18, 2017) and The Kaplan New Works Series (April 20-29, 2017).

Cincinnati Ballet Center & Mickey Jarson Kaplan Performance Studio, 1555 Central Parkway, Downtown; Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, cballet.org.

Contemporary Dance Theater Nationally known acts perform a variety of dance styles from ballet to jazz to modern. Guest Artist Series performed at Jarson-Kaplan Theater at Aronoff Center for the Arts. 1805 Larch Ave., College Hill, 513-591-1222, cdt-dance.org.

de la Dance Company High-quality professional dance performances ranging from contemporary to full-length classical works. Performs the annual popular The Nutcracker Jazzed Up! Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, deladancecompany.org.

Exhale Dance Tribe A contemporary dance troupe made up of Cincinnati-based

performing artists and dance educators. Various venues, 513505-6340, exhaledancetribe.com.

MamLuft&Co. Dance This modern dance company performs original works. Various venues, 513-494-6526, mamluftcodance.org.

CL A SS I C A L M U S I C Catacoustic Consort Vocal and instrumental works from Renaissance chamber music to Baroque opera that’s performed on antique instruments.

Various venues, 513-772-3242, catacoustic.com.

Chamber Music Cincinnati Presents well-known Chamber ensembles as well as newbies in concerts throughout the year. Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, CCM Village, University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave., Clifton Heights, 513-342-6870, cincychamber.org.

Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra Small orchestra performs a Classical repertoire. Presents

the annual Summermusik festival.

Various venues, 513-723-1182, ccocincinnati.org.

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Celebrities galore regularly pop into town to perform everything from Broadway show tunes to modern earworms. 2016-17 season includes special appearances

by Vanessa Williams, Sara Evans, Over the Rhine, Melissa Etheridge, Smokey Robinson and Ben Folds. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-381-3300, cincinnatisymphony.org.

H Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Maestro Louis Langrée directs the fifth oldest symphony orchestra in the United States.

The symphony performs around 125 concerts a year, from enduring works by beloved composers to innovative and well-loved programs. The packed 2016-2017 season includes cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Lang Lang and violinist Itzhak Perlman, along with The Pelléas Trilogy, Brahms Fest, One City, One Symphony and MusicNOW, unique collaborations

and works from Indie musicians helmed by Bryce Dessner of band The National. This year the CSO finds a temporary home in the Taft Theater while Music Hall undergoes renovations. Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-381-3300, cincinnatisymphony.org.

concert:nova Exploratory chamber ensemble comprised of Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra musicians that performs traditional and contemporary Classical music.

Various venues, 513-739-NOVA, concertnova.com.

College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati Presents hundreds of concerts, performances, recitals, master classes and more — often daily, often free. CCM Village, University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave., Clifton Heights, 513-5564183, ccm.uc.edu.

CSO Chamber Players The small group of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra members

performs four Fridays each season. Various venues, 513-3813300, cincinnatisymphony.org.

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Orchestra that caters to the common man with concerts built around approachable themes.

Various venues, 859-431-6216, kyso.org.

Linton Chamber Music Series The finest chamber music series in the Tristate, featuring worldclass soloists. Also presents Peanut Butter & Jam sessions for kids. Various venues, 513-3816868, lintonmusic.org.

MYCincinnati Orchestra Offers children in Price Hill the opportunity to learn violin, viola, cello or bass, and play in an orchestra. Inspired by El Sistema, a youth orchestra from Venezuela founded on the idea that personal transformation can be achieved by striving toward musical excellence. 3117 Warsaw Ave., East Price Hill, 513-251-3800, mycincinnatiorchestra.org.

FOTOFOCUS BIENNIAL 2016 OCTOBER 1–31, CINCINNATI, OHIO

FotoFocus Biennial Program: October 6–9

ABOUT THE BIENNIAL The FotoFocus Biennial is a month-long celebration of lens-based art held throughout the greater Cincinnati region. The 2016 Biennial is anchored by eight major exhibitions curated by FotoFocus Artistic Director and Curator Kevin Moore exploring the documentary nature of photography, including solo exhibitions of Roe Ethridge, Zanele Muholi and Jackie Nickerson. With 60 exhibitions and four days of events, lectures and screenings, FotoFocus brings together the community to celebrate October as the Month of Photography.

Roe Ethridge, Me and Auggie, 2015. Dye sublimation print on aluminum, 45 x 30 inches.

Courtesy of the artist, Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York, and Greengrassi, London

#FOTOFOCUS2016 #UNDOCUMENT FOTOFOCUSBIENNIAL.ORG

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future science // photo : hailey bollinger

Northern Kentucky University Various college performing arts.

Greaves Concert Hall, 1 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, Ky., 859572-6399, nku.edu.

World Piano Competition Features the country’s best young pianists in a culminating concert. cincinnatiwpc.org.

settings and featuring young, emerging artists. Various venues, 513-580-4440, cincinnatichamberopera.com.

Cincinnati Men’s Chorus Various music styles are featured and performed by GBTQ men and allies. Various venues, 513-542-2626, cincinnatimenschorus.org.

Xavier University

Cincinnati Opera

Various college performing arts, including guitar and piano series with artists from around the world. Gallagher Student Center Theatre, 3800 Victory Parkway, Evanston, 513-745-3135, xavier. edu/music.

The nation’s second-oldest opera company stages productions every summer with national and international opera stars. Due to renovations at Music Hall, venue information will be announced at cincinnatiopera.com.

VO C A L G R O U P S Athenaeum Chorale Mount St. Mary’s seminary choir specializes in religious Classical music. 6616 Beechmont Ave., Mount Washington, 513-2336138, athenaeum.edu.

Cincinnati Boychoir Comprised of young men from more than 75 schools around the Tristate. Various venues, 513-3967664, cincinnatiboychoir.org.

Cincinnati Camerata A cutting-edge chorus that performs a broad spectrum of works from the Renaissance to the avant-garde. Various venues, 513-941-5088, cincinnaticamerata.com.

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Diverse City Youth Chorus Performing arts organization for LGBTQ and straight youth ages 13-22, supported

by MUSE. Various venues, 513-965-1568, facebook.com/ diversecityyouthchorus.

H MUSE: Cincinnati Women’s Choir

A feminist-centered, social justice-oriented chorus of women of diverse backgrounds, celebrating queer and straight identities.

Various venues, 513-221-1118, musechoir.org.

Queen City Chamber Opera A professional opera company that presents emerging artists in fully staged productions of repertory composers. Various venues, 513-503-8323, queencitychamberopera.org.

Vocal Arts Ensemble This professional choir performs a variety of historic and religious Western music. Various venues, 513-381-3300, vaecinci.org.

FILM Cincy World Cinema Provides the community with motion pictures that explore the human condition and celebrate cultural diversity. Programming frequently includes Oscarnominated shorts, foreign films and the Lunafest women’s film festival. 859-957-3456, cincyworldcinema.org.

Eastgate Brew and View From the indie movie house that brought you the Esquire, Mariemont and Kenwood theaters: a restaurant and cinema that serves a full menu and craft drinks at your seat 4450 Eastgate South Drive, Eastgate, 513-9472739, egbrewview.com.

Envision Cinema State-of-the-art movie theater and full restaurant and lounge.

All auditoriums feature recliners and in-seat dining. 4780 Cornell Road, Blue Ash, 513-421-3000, envisioncinemas.com.

H Esquire Theatre Offers movies from mainstream to foreign, including special themed events and midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show every other Saturday. 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-281-8750, esquiretheatre.com.

Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Film Commission With the advent of Ohio tax incentives, the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission has done its best to bring Hollywood to the Queen City. Major movies are filmed here annually. filmcincinnati.com.

Holiday Auto Theatre A drive-in open for more than 60 years. 1816 Old Oxford Road, Hamilton, 513-929-2999, holidayautotheatre.com.

Kenwood Theatre Locally owned state-of-the-art theater screening everything from commercial to indie to foreign films. 7815 Kenwood Road, Kenwood, 513-984-4488, kenwoodtheatre.com.

Mariemont Theatre Indie theater in a neighborhood with eclectic restaurants and shops nearby. 6906 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-272-2002, mariemonttheatre.com.

ReelAbilities Film Festival Showcases films, conversations and artistic programs to explore, embrace and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience. March 2017. Admission fee.

Various venues, 513-487-3940, cincy.reelabilities.org.

Starlite Drive-In Celebrating more than 65 years of flicks, food and fun.

2255 State Route 125, Amelia, 513-734-4001, starlitedriveinohio.com.

2016 Sep - Dec Alan Rath: New Sculpture Duane Michals: Sequences, Tintypes and Talking Pictures

2017 Jan - Apr

Catherine Richards- Capricious Alignment: Sculpture and Installation Eva Kwong- Love Between The Atoms: Recent Ceramic Sculpture Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson- Based on a Photograph: New Woven Works

Apr - Jul

Distant Horizons: Pioneers of Psychedelic Art, Isaac Abrams, Ira Cohen, Tony Martin, USCO, Curated by Carlo McCormick solwaygallery.com

Visit us at booth number 516

December 1–4, 2016 Indian Beach Park 4601 Collins Avenue

Fest Life

CityBeat's annual events highlight the city’s best food, drinks and entertainment. citybeat.com.

CO M P I L E D BY M A I JA Z U M M O

Cincinnati Entertainment Awards — Honors the city's best bands. January 2017.

A guide to Cincinnati’s annual festivals and parties Appalachian Festival — 48th annual. May 12-14, 2017. appalachianfestival.org.

Bockfest — Celebrates OTR, Cincinnati’s brewing heritage and spring. Features a parade led by a goat pulling a keg.

March 3-5, 2017. bockfest.com.

Bunbury Music Festival — Bigname Indie Rock, EDM and Hip Hop. June 2017. bunburyfestival.com.

Cincinnati Food + Wine Classic — A weekend-long food and wine fest. September 2017. cincinnatifoodandwineclassic.com.

Cincy Blues Fest — August 2017. cincybluesfest.org.

Flying Pig Marathon — May 7, 2017. flyingpigmarathon.com.

FotoFocus Biennial — A monthlong celebration of photography and lens-based art. October 2016. fotofocuscincinnati.org.

Glier’s GoettaFest — August 2017. goettafest.com.

Hamilton County Fair — More than 160 years old. August 2017. hamiltoncountyfair.com.

Cincinnati Fringe Festival — Two weeks of experimental theater. May 30-June 11, 2017. cincyfringe.com.

Harvest Home Fair — A West Side street festival dating back to the 1860s. September 2017. harvesthomefair.com.

Cincinnati International Wine Festival — March 1-4, 2017. winefestival.com.

Maifest — German celebration of spring. May 2017. mainstrasse.org.

Cincinnati May Festival — May 19-27, 2017. mayfestival.com.

MidPoint Music Festival — Three days of live music in an urban setting. September 2017. mpmf.com.

Cincinnati Music Festival — Bigname Blues, Jazz and R&B. July 28-29, 2017. cincymusicfestival.com.

Cincy Beerfest — September 2017. cincybeerfest.com.

Cincy Brew Ha-Ha — A riverfront beer and comedy festival.

August 2017. cincybrewhaha.com.

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Midwest Black Family Reunion — August 2017. myblackfamilyreunion.org.

Northside Rock N' Roll Carnival — Beer, music, carnival sideshows and the best Fourth of July parade. July 2017. northsiderocks.com.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati — North America’s largest Oktoberfest. September 2017. oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.

Panegyri — Greek festival! June 2017. panegyri.com.

Pride — A giant celebration of Cincinnati’s LGBTQ community.

June 2017. cincinnatipride.org.

Reds Opening Day Parade — April 2017. findlaymarketparade.com.

Riverfest — One of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest.

Labor Day weekend. riverfest­ cincinnati.com.

St. Patrick's Day Parade — Held rain or shine (or sleet or snow). March 11, 2017. cincystpatsparade.com.

Summerfair — Cincinnati’s premier fine arts and crafts festival. June 2017. appalachianfestival.org.

Taste of Cincinnati — The nation’s longest-running culinary arts festival. Memorial Day weekend. tasteofcincinnati.com.

Western & Southern Open — America's oldest tennis tournament. August 2017. wsopen.com.

Best of Cincinnati — A party to fête the annual Best of Cincinnati issue. March 2017.

Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week — April 2017. greatercincinnatirestaurantweek.com.

Margarita Madness — May 2017.

Brunched — A boozy breakfast club.

June 2017.

Cincinnati Burger Week — July 2017. cincinnatiburgerweek.com.

Sugar Rush — A smorgasbord of sweets. August 2017.

Porkopolis Pig & Whiskey Festival — September 2017.

Iron Fork — Local chefs battle.

October 2017.

Bourbon and Bacon — And beer.

December 2017.

clockwise from left: brunched // greater cincinnati restaurant week // cincinnati entertainment awards | PHOTOS: JE SSE FOX / hailey bollinger / catie v iox

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