Cincinnati Magazine - February 2024 Edition

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Skin that Glows from Within!

Skinvive is a new FDA-approved injectable treatment that deeply hydrates to smooth skin and give a natural-looking glow.

We got the behind-the-scenes scoop from Dr. Mona Foad, who has been selected as a national trainer for this exciting new treatment.

www.monadermatology.com

I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H M O N A D E R M AT O L O G Y

Dr. Mona Foad (right) shows off a Skinvive syringe at the Allergan Medical Institute training in Washington, D.C.

What is Skinvive?

Skinvive by Juvederm is the first and only FDA-approved microdroplet injectable for improving smoothness and hydration in the cheeks that lasts up to six months. This treatment has been in Europe and Canada for over five years and has now come to us in the United States. I like to describe it to my patients as a “heavy-duty, long-lasting, injectable moisturizer.”

How does Skinvive work?

The quality of our skin is one of the key indicators for our overall health and youthfulness. We already have tools here in the office to address many of the top contributors to skin quality (such as skin tone, texture, and elasticity). But when it comes to hydration, up until now, our best options have been topical moisturizers and hydrators or hydrating facial treatments. The issue with all of these options is that they do not provide a long-lasting hydration and only address the top layers of skin.

Hydration affects not only the way skin looks and feels, but also how it reacts and behaves. Skinvive is a hyaluronic acid injectable that is placed in the deeper layers of the skin and lasts up to six months. By creating water channels in the skin, Skinvive hydrates from the inside out, creating a glow and skin smoothness.

What results will a Skinvive treatment give?

Skinvive was studied in patients across all skin types who had moderate to severe loss of cheek smoothness, including visible signs such as coarse and uneven skin texture, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. When asked to rate their skin at three months post-treatment, 84% saw an improvement in overall skin health, 74% saw improvement in radiance, 78% saw improvement in hydration,

and 79% felt their skin looked more refreshed. Other notable improvements included pore appearance, skin tone and color, smoothness, morning appearance, and end of day appearance.

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the Allergan Medical Institute Skinvive training in Washington, D.C., this past September. Since then, I have been seeing first hand its incredible results both on patients that I have treated as well as our staff. Here at our office, we have treated patients ranging in age from mid-20s through 70s with Skinvive and their results have been equally as exciting as those from the clinical studies. While it can take up to a month for full results to be seen, many of those I have treated say they begin to feel a difference in their skin within the first few days after treatment.

What else can we do to boost our skin’s hydration?

The best way to create plump, glowing skin is by addressing hydration within all layers of the skin. Topical skincare products are great for hydrating the top layer of your skin, known as the epidermis. Some of our favorites here at the office include

hyaluronic acid hydrators such as SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator or Alastin HA Immerse Serum.

Using a moisturizer daily will also help to lock in moisture and protect your skin barrier; some of our best-sellers include SkinMedica Rejuvenative Moisturizer, Avène Tolérance Extrême Cream, and SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream. The next layer in your skin is known as the dermoepidermal junction. The best way to address this layer is with treatments that can infuse more deeply into the skin, such as the Diamond Glow treatment with Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Lastly, by injecting Skinvive into the deep dermis, you will have incorporated hyaluronic acid to all layers of the skin.

For more information, scan the QR code below.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 1

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F E AT U R E S F E B RU A RY 2 024 PRETTY IN PINK A BOX OF MIXED CHOCOLATES FROM AGLAMESIS BRO’S MAKES A SWEET TREAT FOR YOUR HONEY—IF YOU WANT TO SHARE.

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CITY OF LOVE

Whether you’re keeping the spark alive or looking for that special someone, we’ve got your next date night plans on lock with our guide to romance and dating in Cincinnati.

A WATERSHED MOMENT FOR THE LICKING RIVER P. 42

The restoration of Northern Kentucky’s signature waterway offers economic recovery and hope for communities throughout its basin.

THE PRINCE OF PRINTS P. 46

Celebrating Mark Patsfall’s long run as a promoter of local artists and a producer of work by international art stars.

BY LAURIE PIKE

BY CEDRIC ROSE

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREW DOENCH

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ON OUR SITE

22 FOOD NEWS

14 / CONTRIBUTORS 14 / LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

FRONTLINES

18 / SPEAK EASY

New recycling efforts are going orange to get green

18 / THEATER

Jess and Jenni Button and 20th Century Cincinnati

17 / DISPATCH

Getting to know August Wilson better

20 / STYLE COUNSEL Lori Eddleman prefers the classics

21 / HOMEGROWN Ryan Back makes baskets

22 / ON THE MARKET

DINE

74 / DINING OUT Fillo Greek Restaurant, Over-the-Rhine

76 / HOT PLATE Gilligan’s on the Green, Wyoming

76 / TABLESIDE Flyover Conference cofounder Greg Newman

77 / BAR BITES

An unassuming condo gets the Barbie treatment

Razzo, Pendleton

24 / DR. KNOW

Greater Cincinnati restaurants: A selective list

Your QC questions answered

An extra serving of our outstanding dining coverage.

CITY NEWS

Decoding our civic DNA, from history to politics to personalities.

80 / DINING GUIDE

COLUMNS

26 / LIVING IN CIN

illustration by JESSICA HISCHE

The heart of the Playhouse, and a mural anniversary

Tracking what’s new in local real estate, artisans, and storefronts.

BY J AY G I L B E R T

88 / CINCY OBSCURA Kids learn the rules of the road at Dayton, Kentucky’s traffic garden

77

SPORTS

BY REBEKAH BOSTICK

Preseason outlooks for the Reds and FC Cincinnati

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Smart Guide to Local Schools Searching for a school for your kids?

Our guide has details and stats on some outstanding local schools.

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HEALTH WATCH2024

HEART HEALTH

How’s Your Heart?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 805,000 Americans suffer heart attacks each year. In just 2021, heart disease killed 695,000 people, accounting for a fifth of all deaths. The National Center for Health Statistics also ranked Ohio 11th in the country for heart disease mortality in 2021.

“We’re dealing with a really aggressive disease that has been the leading cause of death since 1950,” says Mashhood Kakroo, M.D., a cardiologist with UC Health.

Today, care for patients who’ve suffered or are at risk of suffering major cardiac events encompasses far more than the dramatic open-heart surgeries showcased in medical dramas. Heart health has broadened into a net to help catch and support patients with various types and stages of heart disease.

“Heart health broadly refers to overall health of the heart and cardiovascular system. It used to be one doctor with one patient, and you treat that patient. Now in Cincinnati, we have a heart team approach,” Kakroo explains. “That means if there is a patient with complex disease, that can be approached different ways. We have a lot of innovative technologies. Think of the heart as a house. If there’s a problem with the electrical system of the heart, we have an electrician, an electrophysiologist. If there’s a problem with the plumbing system, like build-up in the arteries, we have an interventional cardiologist who can go in and open blockages with stents, or we have a cardiovascular surgeon.”

The variety of specialists and technologies made available in the past few decades provides more treatment options for high-risk patients in particular. Invasive surgery is no longer the only tool available. Specialists can even perform operations like heart valve replacement without always resorting to open-heart surgery.

There’s also been a significant shift

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Heart disease is a leading cause of death in America. Cincinnati specialists weigh in on how you can keep your heart healthy.

6 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

Health Watch: Heart Health Cincinnati experts share how you can take steps to improve your heart’s health.

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L E T T E R F R O M T H E E D I TO R F E B R U A R Y 2 024

A

CONTRIBUTORS

CEDRIC ROSE

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE . WHOLE LOT TA LOVE . ENDLESS LOVE . CRAZY LIT TLE THING called love. Best of my love. Can’t help falling in love with you. Addicted to love.

Your love keeps lifting me higher and higher. Love will keep us together. Love me tender. And I-I-I-I-I will always love you.

What’s love got to do with it? City of love (see page 30). Sea of love. Love shack. Love rollercoaster. Love train. Love machine. Love hangover. Love child.

We found love in a hopeless place. You’d think that people would’ve had enough of silly love songs, I look around me and see it isn’t so. I want to know what love is. Love is a many splendored thing. Love is the drug for me. Love is like oxygen.

I think I love you.

How deep is your love? Can’t buy me love.

She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah. To sir with love.

Crazy in love. Friday I’m in love. The greatest love of all. I just called to say I love you. This one goes out to the one I love. Can’t get enough of your love, babe. That’s the power of love.

You’ve got the best of my love. Baby I need your loving, got to have all your loving. I just called to say I love you. Don’t you love her madly, don’t you need her badly? When a man loves a woman. You make loving fun. She loves me like a rock. Love potion No. 9. One love, one heart.

What’s so funny ’bout peace, love, and understanding? Pride in the name of love. Love on the rocks. There must be 50 ways to leave your lover. Love stinks. Love hurts. You give love a bad name. If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with. P.S., I love you.

Love story. Love actually. Crazy stupid love. Loving. Punch-drunk love. Love and basketball. Shakespeare in love. From Russia with love. The spy who loved me. Love and thunder. Eat pray love. The love bug. Love American style. The love boat. Modern love. Big love. Love in the time of cholera. I love Lucy. Everybody loves Raymond.

Love is all you need.

J O H N F OX

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

1 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

ILLUSTR ATIO N BY L A R S LEE TA RU

The Licking River has long fascinated contributing writer Cedric Rose.

The Mercantile Library collector and librarian had plenty of encounters with the waterway on lunchtime bike rides, but this month, he goes deep in “A Watershed Moment for the Licking River” (page 44). “Its biodiversity, relative to many rivers, was fun and encouraging to learn about,” Rose says.

CLAIRE LEFTON A lifelong Cincinnatian and Ohio State University alum, Claire Lefton joined our team in November as digital editor. She honed her journalistic skills as an early morning production assistant at WLWT before making the shift to print.

“I’ve loved [Cincinnati Magazine] my whole life,” Lefton says. You may even spot her on local stages—Lefton performs and records professionally as a singer-songwriter.

JESSICA HISCHE In the world of typography, lettering artist and illustrator Jessica Hische is a bona fide celebrity. If you’ve picked up an issue of Southern Living, enjoyed a pint of Jeni’s ice cream, or watched Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, it’s safe to say you’ve interacted with her work. The Oakland-based artist crafted our Valentine’s Day–inspired cover.

THEY’RE ON THEY’RE N THE THE FOREFRONT FOREFR RONT T OF WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE From futuristic research on cervical cancer in Africa to breakthroughs in infertility care and high-risk pregnancies in the Tristate, UC College of Medicine physician-scientists are at the center of discovery. These international leaders are not only global experts in all aspects of women’s health, wellness and prevention, they are local providers of the highest level of care—both complex and routine—for women across the region.

Indispensable medicine, right here in Cincinnati.

med.uc.edu/indispensable

PHYSICIANS College of Medicine

Left to right: Andrea Hamel, MD; Leeya Pinder, MD, MPH; Hayley Barnes, MD; Robert Rossi, MD; and Emily Hurley, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Monday, March 11, 2024

MadTree Brewing Oakley Taproom,

VIP Admission: 5 pm

3301 Madison Rd., Oakley

General Admission: 6 pm

Join Cincinnati Magazine at our annual Best Restaurants Tasting Event at MadTree Brewing. Enjoy bites from this year’s top restaurants and sample treats from our key sponsors while enjoying MadTree’s brews.

Get your tickets today at CincinnatiMagazine.com/BestRestaurantsEvent

Presenting Sponsor

Sponsored by

THE BUTTON SISTERS SHOW OFF P. 18

CLASSIC STYLE P. 20

MASTER BASKET MAKER P. 21

A CONDO FIT FOR BARBIE P. 22

RECYCLING REBOOT Rumpke and Cincinnati Recycle & Reuse Hub step up their games so you can too. C A R R I E B L A C K M O R E

R

ECYCLERS, REJOICE! TWO RE-

cent developments on the area’s green team mean we all can now recycle more effectively.

First, Rumpke Waste & Recycling joined the Hefty ReNew Program in November and began collecting a whole new slew of recyclables at the curb. And right around the same time, nonprofit Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub in Lower Price Hill began taking No. 1 plastics. Local recyclers previously wouldn’t accept No. 1 items (like Solo cups and clear clamshell containers that hold fruits and vegetables).

As a result, many more everyday items that take hundreds if not thousands of years to decompose in our landfills can now be recycled responsibly in the region, including plastic silverware and to-go foam containers. “It really is a big deal,” says Carrie Harms, warehouse director at the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub. “There’s nothing easy about recycling if you’re doing it right. But these changes do make things a little easier.”

In 2022, Greater Cincinnati recycled 216 million pounds of materials through Rumpke. And from April 2021 through September 2023, the Hub recycled CONTINUED ON P. 18

I L L U S T R AT I O N BY RYA N S N O O K

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 1 7

DISPATCH

THEATER

AUGUST IN FEBRUARY

Local audiences are familiar with August Wilson’s celebrated plays, but Ensemble Theatre digs into the playwright himself with the autobiographical How I Learned What I Learned February 17–March 10, a one-man show. ensemblecincinnati.org 1 8 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

SPEAK EASY

THE BUTTON SISTERS ARE IN VINT CONDITION X Annual sales events for Mid-Century Modern goods in many larger cities have folded, but the 20th Century Cincinnati Show has gotten bigger since sisters Jenni Button and Jess Button took it over last year. They’re expanding its footprint and extracurricular offerings February 23–25 at the Sharonville Convention Center.

The internet now dominates sales for vintage furniture. Is there still a need for in-person shows?

Jenni: Yes! As a shopper, I want to touch and feel the things that I will live with, like a sofa.

Especially things of greater value.

Jess: It isn’t just a show, it’s an experience. So many of the dealers and guests return every year.

It’s a real community. Of course we want the dealers to make sales, but we also love that some people come just to look around and connect.

The Sharonville Convention Center just doubled its exhibition and ballroom space.

Will you use it all?

Jenni: We will. We have more than 60 vendors returning from last year, and we’re adding about 15 more. We’ll now have dealers from Nashville, Louisville, Chicago, Philadelphia,

and Memphis.

Jess: Some of the booths will be larger than before, at around 400 square feet. The vendors can curate a real living space.

You’ve added a costume contest?

Jenni: We’re encouraging people to come in costume. People will vote on Instagram for the best ones. As a theater major in college, I love the performative aspect of it all.

Besides Mad Menstyle furniture, the show will encompass design styles from Arts and Crafts to Art Deco to earthy-bohemian 1970s pieces.

What’s trending under the “modernism” umbrella right now?

Jess: Millennials love pottery and ceramics and chrome and gold finishes.

Jenni: Danish modern is still hot. Things with warm, natural tones will do well this year, like rattan. The younger generation is discovering Mid-Century Modern, and a brand like Lane is a good one to start with because a lot of its pieces are affordable. — L A U R I E P I K E

READ A LONGER CONVERSATION WITH THE BUTTON SISTERS AT CINCINNATIMAGAZINE. COM.

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600,000 pounds. Just think Street noon–6 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturdays. For a full list about how much more of our waste could be repurposed. of accepted items, many taken for free The Hefty ReNew Program is now and others for a small disposal fee, check out cincinnatirecyclingandreusehub.org. available to residential and commerHub staff and volunteers are always cial Rumpke customers in Ohio’s Buthappy to walk through what Rumpke ler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren takes and doesn’t take, Harms says, counties; Kentucky’s Boone, Kenton, to help people better understand the and Campbell counties; and Indiana’s region’s recycling options. “We want Dearborn County. It differs from how Rumpke customers had been preparing people to be careful because it can get items for the curb, so pay attention. very specific,” she says. “We want the First, you need to buy orange Hefty program to be a success and keep more things out of the landfill ReNew trash bags. The bags retail for less than $10 for a box but not lead to more wishof 20 and are available at Kroger cycling—people throwing in stores and at Kroger.com. Fill things just hoping they can Orange Is the be recycled.” them with any assortment of New Green Where do the newly rethe program’s accepted items, Request a free sample cycled materials end up? The which must be clean, dry, and orange recycling bag free of any foil lining. Roughly Hub has found a transparat hefty.com/hefty30 everyday items qualify: salrenew-starter-kit. ent, closed-loop recycling ad and frozen fruit bags, plastic and manufacturing company wrap, dry and wet disposable cleaning called D6 Inc. to accept No. 1 thermoform cloths, bubble wrap, foam peanuts, plasplastic items. D6 is based in Sulphur tic straws, colored plastic cups, and more.

Springs, Texas, and turns No. 1 plastics Find the full list at hefty.com/heftyback into No. 1 plastics so they can be rerenew-accepted-items. purposed again and again, Harms says.

Collecting them meant raising money for When the orange bag is full, tie it up and toss it into your curbside recycling a new $17,000 plastic baler for the Hub, bin or a recycling drop box near you. All which expects to collect and bale enough other recyclables accepted by Rumpke— No. 1 plastic to send a full semi-truck to like paper, cardboard, other plastics, D6. “And they pay us for it.” and aluminum—should continue to be The contents of the Hefty ReNew placed loose in your can as before. bags are shipped by Rumpke to facilities where the materials can become new and For those who find the bags cost prohibitive, all of the Hefty ReNew program useful products, such as plastic building items can be recycled for free through materials. Rumpke officials say 38 bags the Recycling & Reuse Hub, says Harms. can become one plastic park bench, for Bring them to the warehouse at 911 Evans example.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MIDWEST EYE CENTER

Building Community Dr. Aaron Noll combines his ophthalmology profession with a passion for community care, leaving a lasting impact.

B

orn and raised in Ft. Mitchell, ophthalmologist Aaron Noll was fascinated with science as a child, which led him to pursue a career in medicine. During medical school, Noll decided to focus on surgery, and on ophthalmology. “One thing that I realized was that I had a passion for surgery and being able to make an immediate impact in people’s lives with one procedure,” he says. A pivotal moOGPV KP JKU ECTGGT YCU VJG ƂTUV VKOG JG XKGYGF C RCVKGPVoU eyes through a slit lamp, a specialty microscope that allows an ophthalmologist to examine the anatomy of the eye in ƂPG FGVCKN p+ TGOGODGT JQY COC\GF + YCU CV VJG DGCWV[ QH VJG G[G 6JCV YCU QPG QH VJG FGƂPKPI =OQOGPVU? VJCV OCFG OG TGCNK\G VJCV QRJVJCNOQNQI[ YCU C ƂGNF VJCV + YCPVGF VQ pursue.”

Noll’s fascination with the eye and his commitment to serving his hometown community are evident in his role at Midwest Eye Center. He fondly remembers a patient who came to him with low vision in both eyes and symptoms of cataracts. While performing a routine procedure to correct VJG ECVCTCEVU 0QNN PQVKEGF KV YCU FKHƂEWNV VQ XKGY VJG DCEM of the eye. He suspected that the patient had damage to VJG QRVKE PGTXG YJKEJ ECP DG CP GCTN[ UKIPKƂGT QH FKUGCUG He ordered follow-up testing and the patient was diagnosed with a brain tumor that needed immediate attention

from a neurosurgeon. Noll reached out to a colleague at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and, instead of waiting weeks to get into a specialist, the patient was able to secure a critical surgery within days. “We have a great reNCVKQPUJKR YKVJ CNN QH QWT NQECN TGHGTTKPI RTQXKFGTU CPF =YGoTG? CNYC[U QRGP VQ VCNM YKVJ QWVUKFG RTQXKFGTU YJQ HGGN =C RCVKGPV? PGGFU VQ DG UGGP KP QWT ENKPKE q Outside of work, Noll maintains an active lifestyle, similar to his college basketball days at Vanderbilt University. Currently, he’s into outdoor activities including hiking and competes on a sand volleyball team alongside Dr. Stephan Dixon, a colleague and glaucoma specialist at the Midwest Eye Center.

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STYLE

COUNSEL

Lori Eddleman OCCUPATION: Owner of The Cottage Paperie & Gifts STYLE: Traditional, classic

What type of clothing are you most drawn to? In the winter, wool and cashmere. The summer is more cotton and linens. Denim year-round. You call your style traditional and classic.

What does that mean to you? I certainly love to follow trends, but I’m more drawn to pieces that are timeless—investment pieces that can last for years and that you can accessorize in different ways.

What’s your favorite investment piece in your closet? Probably a pair of shoes or a purse. [I love] a Chloé bag, my Gucci loafers that I wear any time. What’s your favorite current trend? I love the layered look—blouses with sweater vests— that a lot of the designers are doing. How do you like to accessorize your outfits?

I do love jewelry. Roberto Coin is probably my favorite jewelry designer, and I have a few of his pieces. [They’re] classic gold pieces. He does earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces. He works in gold and silver, and it’s pieces that you would find in higher-end jewelry stores. Saks carries it. Neiman Marcus carries it. It’s easy to look back at high school photos and go, “Ugh, what was I thinking?” Do you have that? High school for me, that was back in the ’80s. I’m pretty sure anything I would have had on, today I would be like, “What the heck?” Certainly, my style has evolved over time. With every decade, we sort of play to what’s current. Who’s your style icon? My favorite designer of all time is Oscar de la Renta. I think even though he has passed, I’ve never seen an Oscar piece that I didn’t think was fabulous. That brand exudes classic, traditional, beautiful, [and] timelessness.

—JAC LY N YO U H A N A G A R V E R

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PH OTO G R A PH BY D E V Y N G LI S TA

HOMEGROWN

BASKET BOOM

RYAN BACK’S PATH FROM PHOTOGRAPHY TO BASKETMAKING IS ALL ABOUT PROCESS. — J A C L Y N Y O U H A N A G A R V E R

R

1

RYAN BACK IS A MAKER. HOBBY WOODWORK-

ing , full-time portrait photography, spoon-making—you name it. These days, he’s found a new focus: baskets.

Back, who lives in Northside, makes a living selling his woven baskets on his website, doublemountainspoonco.com, and teaching workshops. The baskets are durable and sturdy, often made of reeds or tree bark. He hand-carves wooden handles and uses good leather for straps.

“I can do the whole thing in one day,” Back says. “The leatherwork takes me a lot longer.” Larger baskets take less time; smaller, sculptural baskets woven with finer materials take longer.“It’s like knitting with super chunky wool versus knitting with silk.”

Back found his way to this craft through woodworking—more specifically, green woodworking, which uses freshly cut green logs instead of kiln-dried, commercially available lumber. While making his wooden P H O T O G R A P H S BY RYA N B AC K

2

3

spoons, he used a knife and an axe, which resulted in a few late-night ER visits.

Back taught himself the craft using YouTube, but his basket technique is inspired by Native American and Shaker traditions. One of his popular styles is a backpack basket.

These baskets are less than 2 feet deep and sturdy, with a strong front, a round top, and a flat back, to sit against the wearer’s back.

The design, Back says, is based on an Indigenous design and meant to fit in canoes.

Back enjoys playing with tension and compression—how tightly the basket material is woven. “As a maker, I almost always feel a lot of sympathy for the forms and vessels I’m creating,” he says. “What holds a basket together, for example, is the basket trying to come apart; I find that beautiful and WICKER WONDERLAND relatable.” To him, it’s 1: Ryan Back in his studio. not unlike photograph2: A gathering basket made from five natural fibers. ing people, “except I’m 3: Shaving down the ends of a basket rim. not limited to capturing a literal likeness.”

He worked on his technique for two years, making traditional and experimental baskets and woven forms as a full-time art practice. In 2022, the National Basketry Organization awarded him a scholarship to provide study time and send him to a basketry conference in Tacoma, Washington.

As of December 2023, he’s been applying to artist residencies to further explore the craft of basketmaking.

“It’s not wasteful. It makes use of locally available materials. It is not exploitative or harmful,” he says. “That’s very important to me.”

DOUBLEMOUNTAINSPOONCO.COM

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 2 1

ON THE MARKET

ADDRESS: 12095 THAMES PL., SHARONVILLE LISTING PRICE: $499,900

PRETTY IN PINK

C

COPPERFIELD, A PLANNED COMMUNITY OF TOWNHOMES AND SINGLE-

family houses in Sharonville, looks pretty much like any other suburban subdivision. This particular unit has one of the most sought-after floorplans in the development. From the outside, it doesn’t look like Barbie’s Dream House, but the way Debbie Phillips designed this condo, it’s anything but cookie-cutter.

Instead, it’s a colorful, high-end home with details planned down to the plush pink bar stools in the kitchen and the chandeliers, positioned just right to reflect the sun from the skylights. Almost everything in the house is new, from the hardwood floors on the primary floor to custom details like the range hood, which was specially fit just below the transom windows in the kitchen.

“I renovated this to own it and live in it for the rest of my life,” Phillips says. When the seasoned interior designer’s work took her to Florida full-time, she decided it was time to put the forever home on the market.

Pink may be the primary color on this 2 2 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

house’s palette, but Phillips’s jumping-off point was the office, which has been outfitted with two walls of custom cabinetry in an easy, muted blue. A similar shade pulls together the primary bathroom, which has been outfitted with a massive walk-in shower and luxurious soaking tub. The lower level features a second living space, a bar area, an additional bedroom (with an adjoining and adorably wallpapered bathroom), and a walk-in closet with creative storage solutions for all your baubles.

But it’s the community, Phillips says, that’s one of the property’s biggest draws. The homeowner’s association oversees upkeep for all 250 townhomes (and 100 single-family houses), taking care of everything from routine maintenance to mulching in the spring.

Just down the street, you’ll find a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and a special path with direct access to Sharon Woods. “It’s a steal,” Phillips says. “If you go look for the same thing in Blue Ash, you’re going to pay a million dollars.”

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY KERRI HINES

AN INTERIOR DESIGNER TURNED HER SHARONVILLE CONDO INTO A BOLD BLUSH-COLORED RETREAT YOU WOULDN’T EXPECT TO FIND IN THE SUBURBS. — L A U R E N F I S H E R

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Dr. Know is Jay Gilbert, radio personality and advertising prankster.

Submit your questions about the city’s peculiarities at drknow@cincinnati magazine.com

DR. KNOW

cluelessly Susie was mistreated her entire life, and even beyond. After her parents were killed, she was captured by poachers and sold to French explorers at six months.

After being paraded around Europe and America, at age 4 she was caged at our zoo and “welcomed” with a frightening fireworks show.

Susie drew huge crowds, as she’d been “trained” (don’t ask how) to eat meals with a knife and fork. She got her own musical (Pas de Susie), beating Fiona by decades.

After Susie’s death in 1947, her skeleton became a display at UC until a fire in 1974 destroyed all evidence of her lifelong abuse. If it’s any consolation, a hunter who went to Africa to bring back a mate for Susie was killed by a lion.

Q+ A

I read a story about the sad decline of the magazine Sports Illustrated. One paragraph said they’d hired a high school senior to cover the Cincinnati Bengals for free! Even though I obsessively follow local sports, I never heard about that. How did Cincinnati media miss this mini-scandal? —WHO DEY WHA? DEAR WHA:

I think Cincinnati’s love affair with Fiona the hippo has gone too far. I have nothing against her, but Fiona the Musical is just too much. It made me wonder, was there ever another animal in Cincinnati Zoo history that the city went this crazy over?

—HARAMBE DOESN’T COUNT

DEAR COUNT:

The Doctor thanks you for noting the unique exception to your own question. And, yes, in 1931 the Cincinnati Zoo received an animal who was mega-loved to a highly disturbing degree. Trigger warning for Harambe fans: It was a gorilla. Her name was Susie.

Most disturbing from today’s perspective is how gleefully and

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The facts are these: In 2019, Sports Illustrated was sold to a corporation that promptly fired 40 percent of the staff.

Reporting then came from a patchwork of inexperienced people, some of whom were not even people—they were AI-generated.

The Cincinnati Bengals, at least, got assigned a human reporter named Sam Ouhaj. Cynics might nitpick that Sam was only 17, that he lived in upstate New York, and that Sports Illustrated paid him nothing—not even a free swimsuit issue. Sam said later that nobody asked his age or whereabouts when he’d submitted some sample writing (checked by his English teacher). He wrote Bengals blurbs for about six weeks. The magazine benched him when the truth emerged. (See? They do still have standards!)

After scouring Cincinnati sports reports from the autumn of 2019 and conILLUSTR ATIO N S BY L A R S LEE TA RU

versing with several local reporters, the Doctor—to his complete and utter astonishment—hereby scoops everybody in Cincinnati sports with this story. It happened four years ago, but you saw it here first! Next up: We hear Pete Rose is in some kind of trouble.

Your column often refers to historical maps, so I’m hoping you can help me. I’ve inherited an old artistic-styled Cincinnati map and can’t determine its value. A few online sales show it, but the prices vary by thousands. What’s a good source around here to appraise an old map? —ROAD NOT TAKEN DEAR TAKEN:

You are in possession of “A New and Accurate Map of Cincinnati,” which at 82 years old is neither new nor accurate. But the map has its charms.

Completely hand-drawn, it does not include every street but does display amusing little drawings of the city’s neighborhoods and landmarks. The Cincinnati Zoo illustration even shows Susie (see above).

The map was co-created by John Becker, husband of Marion Rombauer, who later steered her mother’s Joy of Cooking cookbook to the very top of America’s food chain. Mr. Becker and his partner Stuart Ball created the map in hopes of replacing lost income from their otherwise enfeebled careers—it was 1932, the Great Depression. The lithograph modestly succeeded at its original price of $2.50.

A recent online framed version went for $3,333. Identical replicas, however, have appeared in local stores for $125. In other words, while the Doctor deeply appreciates the historical value of detailed old maps, he has no idea what dollar value a stylized incomplete map deserves. Neither, apparently, does anyone else. Good luck.

MARCH 12 - 24, 2024 ARONOFF CENTER CincinnatiArts.org

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LIVING IN CIN

BY JAY GILBERT

Gimme Shelter

I WAS GOING TO TELL THE STORY OF A LOCAL MASTERPIECE. ANOTHER ONE GOT IN THE WAY. I APOLOGIZE. THIS MONTH’S COLUMN WAS SUPPOSED TO FOCUS ON A LONG, TALL, gorgeous mural currently celebrating its 25th anniversary at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. The mural will, I promise, get its due somewhere in the paragraphs below, but while I was gathering information about it I became distracted by something else.

It seems that the mural, one of many outstanding artworks by Cincinnati’s formidable C.F. Payne, is attached to a wall that’s attached to a lobby that’s attached to a building that’s the oldest part of the Playhouse theater complex—a hand-built bungalow several lifetimes older than the organization itself. I have fallen in love with this eccentric stone building. Its long journey, mostly unknown until now, compels me to give it top billing. Thank you for your patience.

Let us begin by recalling the very first Star Trek movie. (I know, I know, but stay with me.) In Star Trek the Motion Picture, Kirk and Spock and the whole Hee-Haw gang confront an enormous galactic-sized entity calling itself V’Ger, which turns out to be (spoiler alert!) an artifact of 20th century Earth. V’Ger began as a Voyager space probe from 2 6 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

NASA, but after centuries in the cosmos it collected countless layers of cosmic debris and became a surprising pearl deep inside a colossal oyster.

Don’t laugh when I suggest that we here in Cincinnati have our own version of V’Ger, because we absolutely do. The oyster is Playhouse in the Park. Its surprising pearl is the Rosenthal Shelterhouse, a humble structure that’s added on layers of mass and majesty for 150 years.

THE ORIGINAL SHELTERHOUSE ALMOST didn’t get built at all, and its opponents had a point. Isn’t it ridiculous, people said, to put anything on Eden Park’s highest, most isolated hilltop? This was 1874, remember.

Not even a footpath went up there. No Ida Street running along the bottom, no Paradrome Street, nothing.

It could have been the most inaccessible hill in our beloved City of Seven Inaccessible Hills. Why were tax dollars being wasted on an overblown barn that nobody could reach without a mule team?

PHOTOGRAPH BY LANCE ADKINS

.

EER T N U L O V

SPONSOR. DONATE.

LIVING IN CIN The city built it anyway, and damned if people didn’t start showing up. Those who slogged up the hill on hot summer days received two rewards: a spectacular view of Cincinnati that was safely distant from our famous pig-induced stink, and a refreshing glass of ice water from Jim Homer, retired lion tamer and superintendent of the Eden Park Shelter House. Today Shelterhouse is just one word, often paired with benefactors such as Thompson, Kaplan, Rosenthal, etc., but that name came with the building.

Fast-forward almost a century, and the Shelterhouse is barely surviving after decades of punishing use and neglect.

If a guest book existed, it would show countless pages of dances, political rallies, business parties, midnight teen drinking, squatters, police busts for “men acting improperly,” and fertilizer storage. By the 1950s demolition seemed inevitable.

But then in 1960 the Shelterhouse was rescued and rehabbed by local arts enthusiasts who renamed it Cincinnati

Playhouse in the Park and scheduled a full season of theater shows. Once again, damned if people didn’t start showing up.

Success made the Playhouse quickly outgrow itself, prompting the first V’Ger layer in 1968: a large new sister venue called the Marx Theatre. The original overblown barn was given back its Shelterhouse name, but there was a downside. As the Marx Theatre flourished, the Shelterhouse Theatre got fewer plays and less attention, and maintenance lagged.

Not long after the old building’s 100th birthday, it failed the city’s new fire codes and was shut down. Eventually another V’Ger project was launched to revive it, with even more growth happening later.

Every buildout, I am delighted to point out, has preserved the surprising pearl that is the Shelterhouse.

Consider the most recent renovation that demolished the entire Marx Theatre and created Moe & Jack’s Place–The Rouse Theatre. We’ve now seen more than 60

years of knockdowns and replacements, but the Playhouse has consistently stood by its overblown barn. I am clearly not alone in my irrational affection for it. Away from the Playhouse, however, the Shelterhouse is criminally overlooked.

There’s no excuse for it, really. The Shelterhouse never appears on any list of the city’s historic structures despite being older than Music Hall, Memorial Hall, City Hall, Cincinnati Art Museum, the Mt. Lookout Observatory, and others. Hey, it turns 150 this year. As Arthur Miller’s most famous play insists, “Attention must be paid!” So please, next time you’re at the Playhouse, give the Shelterhouse wall an affectionate pat. Thank you for indulging my obsession.

NOW, ABOUT THAT MURAL. PLAYHOUSE in the Park went full V’Ger in the mid1990s and added a new space adjacent to the Shelterhouse: the Kaplan Lobby. Its wrap-around wall of windows looks out

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PH OTO G R A PH BY J O N ATH A N W I LLI S

on a still-spectacular view of Cincinnati (now stink-free), and our beloved mural rests above. A description here would be as fruitless as describing a sunrise, so I will be brief.

You stroll the 100-foot length of the mural’s curves to see a picnic-like gathering of famous playwrights sharing tables with characters they created who have come to life on Playhouse stages. Everything is whimsically intermingled with familiar Cincinnati items and landmarks.

The mural, titled A Playful Gathering, was created by illustrator C.F. Payne, another local treasure. Payne concluded many years ago that he is an “illustrator” rather than an “artist,” because when you’ve gotten a call from Time magazine and they want something for next week’s cover by Friday but it’s Wednesday and the internet hasn’t been invented yet so you fax them a sketch and they like it but want some changes and you say “OK” and scramble to revise the finished piece and then race

down I-75 like a fleeing bank robber to the FedEx office at CVG, it’s hard to think of yourself as an “artist.”

The Shelterhouse mural was no Wednesday-to-Friday project. It took Payne and his assistant about two years to complete. After all, blending famous playwrights with Cincinnati paraphernalia requires some methodical and careful daydreaming.

The logistics were daunting: Acquiring enormous, heavy canvas panels. Beaming sketches onto them with a slide projector and tracing everything. Getting those famous C.F. Payne colorations to look the same on canvas as they do on paper.

Stretching between ladder rungs to touch up a face. Concocting an adhesive backing for the canvas that doesn’t bleed through and ruin the colors. Holding your breath as wallpaper experts on cherry pickers attach the finished panels. And getting the seams to line up drove everyone crazy.

Was it worth all of the effort? Here’s a

suggestion: Go see the Shelterhouse and the lobby mural for yourself! Enjoy some live theater!

Nobody seems to have ever captured a worthy image of the mural, so I decided to try. I hired videographer Jason Powell, whose drone elegantly dodged light fixtures along the mural’s path. Our video can be viewed here: tinyurl.com/yffbxjkk I often stand at historical sites and imagine being there when the history happened. I can see those guys signing the Declaration of Independence or that one guy lopping off Marie Antoinette’s head. I am at Music Hall watching its inaugural performance, and I’m with those people climbing an Eden Park hill in 1874 to enjoy the view from a newly-built overblown barn.

Then I snap back to 2024 and marvel at C.F. Payne’s mural. I imagine the launch of a fictitious space probe in an old Star Trek movie, because it reminds me of my new favorite historical building: the Shelterhouse Theatre. May it live long and prosper.

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PH OTO G R A PH BY J O N ATH A N W I LLI S

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 2 9

Whether you’re keeping the spark alive or looking for that special someone, we’ve got your next date night plans on lock with our guide to romance and dating in Cincinnati.

Pho

to

Andgraphs by Doe rew nch

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Meet Cute

Whether it’s for finding fun or finding love, these 12 spots will introduce you to all sorts of people in the Queen City.

By Lauren Fisher, Claire Lefton, and Kane Mitten

FOR THE ATHLETE Intramural Sports There’s nothing like competition and team camaraderie to get sparks flying. Cincinnati Sports Leagues has teams for every conceivable sport and game, from basketball to pickleball to euchre, while queer people should check out the LGBTQ+ sports league HotMess Cincinnati. gocsl.com; hotmesssports.com

FOR THE DANCER Alice, LoVe, Bloom Bust a move and mingle with singles as you live out your Saturday Night Fever dreams at these three dance spots. Popular dance club Alice and newly open nightclub LoVe are for anyone and everyone, but if you’re looking to meet queer people, you should boogie on down to Bloom. 1432 Main St., Overthe-Rhine, aliceotr. com; 138 W. Fourth

St., downtown, loveonfourth.com; 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 537-4591, bloomotr.com

FOR THE LIFELONG SCHOLAR OLLI Classes Relive your college glory days and head back to University of Cincinnati for OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) classes. No tests or grades here—just

From the ArchiMA GAs ZINE PERSONAL ADS PAST CINCINNATI

a chance to learn about history, literature, art, technology, music, and more while surrounded by people age 50 and up. Maybe you can start a study group.

2600 Clifton Ave., Clifton, (513) 556-9186, uc.edu

FOR THE SAPPHICS Midwestern Lesbian / Black Pearl

for WLW people to find each other.

Luckily, these two local orgs have you covered. Midwestern Lesbian makes a calendar of local queer events every week, and Black Pearl is a space specifically for Black, brown, and indigenous queer women of color. @midwestern. lesbian; @black pearlexperience on Instagram

It can be tough

yman to build JP, desired hand CLASSY LADY, DW ize in checking plumbing and AN IC ER AM LAL ecial me with broken heart, sp ll with hands, co relationship, fix rk. Must work we eativity, humor and wo ed ed ne for foundation rranty of cr . Come with a wa a nice set of tools 3 199 satisfaction. JULY

FOR THE READER Bookless Book Club at Mercantile Library We’ve all done it: You finished a great (or terrible) book but have no one around to rant about it with. At the Mercantile Library’s monthly Bookless Book Club, all attendees do is talk about recent books they’ve read.

There’s no commitment and no required reading—just a chance to meet other readers.

And it’s totally free. 414 Walnut St., downtown, (513) 621-0717, mercantilelibrary. com

V E LV E T B O R D E R S B Y S I T T I P O L / S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M

FOR THE RUNNER Fleet Feet Events Running spot Fleet Feet Cincinnati has weekly and monthly events chock full of people passionate about running. One event of note: the popular pub runs. When the weather is warmer, head to Fleet Feet at Fifty West on the first Monday of every month to go for a run. You can compare PRs and share race-day horror stories over beers afterwards.

7667 Wooster Pke., Plainville, (513) 272-0555, fleetfeet. com/s/cincy

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Puppy Love FOR THE TABLETOP FAN Cerberus Den D&D Nights Cerberus Den is a game store in Ft. Thomas that hosts D&D nights every Thursday through Sunday.

What better way to find love than the romantic art of tabletop RPGs? Campaigns are available to everyone from newbies to level 15 wizards. Let your imagination run wild and meet the paladin/rogue/ cleric of your dreams! 20 N. Grand Ave., Suite 100, Ft. Thomas, (859) 962-7565, cerberusden.com

Miss You FOR THE MUSIC FAN Hi-Fi Cincy As true audiophiles can attest, the best way to listen to music is on vinyl. That’s why music lovers flock to Hi-Fi Cincy, the only vinyl record bar in the city. Hi-Fi offers musical experiences for everyone with open mic nights, live DJs, karaoke, and curated vinyl jam sessions. Fall in love with a fellow music fan or just fall in love with some new music.

941 Pavilion St., Mt. Adams, (513) 400-4039, hificincy. com

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FOR THE SPIRITUAL The Center for Healing and Integration Time to deepen your connection with others and yourself. At The Center for Healing and Integration in Delhi, you can connect to the universe with a sound bath, become Reiki certified, and even become a master at manifestation.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll manifest love. No matter what, you’ll leave with your soul feeling fulfilled.

5332 Rapid Run Rd., Delhi Twp., (513) 748-3571, thecenterforheal ingandintegration. com

FOR THE DOG LOVER Washington Park Dog Park Your dog has always been your best friend, but now it’s time for them to help you find human companionship.

At Washington Park’s dog park, city-dwelling dog owners can meet fellow citydwelling dog owners and bond over their furry friends. You (or your dog) could find The One! 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark. org/dog-park

FOR THE ART LOVER Art After Dark at CAM Cincinnati Art Museum’s monthly Art After Dark event is perfect for both those who love art and those who want to find love through art.

Every month, the theme changes based on traveling exhibits, holidays, or artists-in-residence. This afterhours event opens all the galleries (for free!) and provides live entertainment, food, and a bar—it’s basically a perfect date night all in one convenient place. 953 Eden Park Dr., Eden Park, (513) 721-2787, cincinnatiart museum.org

FOR THE NATURE LOVER Cincinnati Hikes Cincinnati Hikes is an allinclusive hiking group bringing people together to appreciate nature as a community.

The group’s regular meetups explore all the different beautiful trails the area has to offer.

You can forge new relationships while you forage your way through the woods. cincinnatihikes. com, @cincinnati_ hikes on Instagram

I L LU S T R AT I O N S B Y ( A B O V E L E F T ) H E E D AYA H L O C K M A N / (RIGHT) ZARA PICKEN

FIND YOUR PERSON,

IN PERSON

Date Cincy hosts monthly IRL events for Cincinnati singles.

I

n this post-pandemic world, we’re all craving human connection. Constant swiping and liking on dating apps can be a drag—but venturing out alone to try to meet your person can be equally intimidating.

Date Cincy is here to help.

“It’s hard, as adults, to make friends,” says Logan Moore, who cofounded Date Cincy with long-time friend Paige Braley in 2023. “And it’s also hard to date and find the person you’re going to be with.”

Date Cincy hosts monthly large-scale socials at Cincinnati venues. These events, which typically reach 250 attendees, are high-energy and full of games, giveaways, and conversation. Attendees wear a white bracelet if they’re looking to seriously date or a black bracelet if they are casually dating or not sure what they’re looking for yet.

If large events aren’t your thing, Date Cincy also hosts smaller, activity-based events. In the past, the group has done speed dating, golfing at Swing Fit, and more. For all Date Cincy events, the age range is 25–45 years old.

However, anyone over 21 is welcome to attend.

Ready to take the leap? Braley and Moore encourage you to attend an event with an open mind. “Just come,” says Moore. “Come and be yourself, come relaxed, and come ready to have some conversations.”

—BRIANNA CONNOCK

@datecincy

Let’s Do Dinner FIRST DATE

Zip’s Café

Kiki

The Gruff

Nothing says “first date” quite like a burger and fries at a cozy, town-square café. Grab a two-seater at this Mt. Lookout mainstay for a no-frills, no-pressure lunch date (order the Zip Burger, obviously), or meet for a couple of house cocktails at the bar, hidden behind the swinging saloon doors. 1036 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout, (513) 871-9876, zipscafe.com

If you’re looking for an inexpensive joint to show off your great taste in food, this izakaya has made fans of everyone from Guy Fieri to the James Beard Foundation. Ramen, dumplings, karaage, curry pan—just about everything you can find at this Asian spot is best-in-show and under $20.5932 Hamilton Ave., College Hill, (513) 541-0381, kikicincinnati.com

Not sure what the vibes are like for a first or second date? This deli/grocery/bar/bottle shop/pizzeria has an option for every kind of night. Sandwiches abound alongside a long cocktail menu, but the real star is the brick oven. Order the truffle sausage pizza and prepare for several compliments. 129 E. Second St., Covington, (859) 581-0040, atthegruff.com

Whether you’re testing the waters on a first date or getting ready to pop the question (or somewhere in between), let these romantic restaurants set the scene. By Lauren Fisher, Claire Lefton, and Kane Mitten

Cafe Mochiko You’ve got two fantastic date options at this Japanese-inspired restaurant and café. Pop by in the a.m. and pick a kimchi and egg croissant to share, or go in the evening for a ramen-fueled dinner. Keep an eye on the café’s Instagram for limited drops of its famous Cincinnati chili–style ramen. 1524 Madison Rd., East Walnut Hills, (513) 5591000, cafemochiko.com

HEATING UP

Truva

Cozy up with the short rib o o S cappellacci at

XOXO

This halal Turkish restaurant in Kenwood is cozy, welcoming, and delicious. Dishes are big enough to split, and the hand-carved doner kebab and whole Mediterranean branzino come fresh off the grill. Stick around for dessert and treat your date to some Turkish coffee or Truva’s popular baklava. 8060 Montgomery Rd., Suite 400, Kenwood, (513) 407-6965, truvaturkishkitchen.com

POP THE QUESTION

Sotto

Pepp & Dolores

Bouquet

It’s the crème de la crème of date night restaurants, for good reason. Everything about it screams romance, from the candlelight to the rustic Italian cuisine. And if you’re ready to pop the question over dinner, there’s no better place to do it. Just be sure to make that reservation at least a few months in advance. 118 E. Sixth St., downtown, (513) 977-6886, sottocincinnati.com

A classy Italian joint that won’t empty your wallet, Pepp & Dolores is one of the trendiest options in town. Traditional fare like spaghetti and meatballs sits alongside flashier options like butternut and mascarpone agnolotti. This is one of the most budget-friendly places for a fancy night out. 1501 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 4191820, peppanddolores.com

This cozy Covington spot is just right for a more serious relationship; the dining room is, well, tiny, and its ever-changing global menu could be completely different on each visit depending on what ingredients are inseason. Head across the river for intimate vibes and some of the freshest food you’ve ever eaten. 519 Main St., Covington, (859) 4917777, bouquetbistro.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY JEREMY KRAMER / CUPID ICON BY OLENA/STOCK . ADOBE .COM

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Pho Lang Thang

Mid-City Restaurant

20 Brix

This sit-down spot is known for its array of Vietnamese dishes, from pho to com tam to bánh mì sandwiches. Our advice? Try the house-made iced coffee. If things are going well, and you’re feeling dessert, head directly next door to Lang Thang Whip for a soft serve cone, and choose from uncommon flavors like coconut taro. 1828 Race St., Overthe-Rhine, (513) 376-9177, pholangthang.com

This Court Street spot is all the swank you need for a higher-end date night without totally breaking the bank. The sister restaurant of Longfellow bar, the vibes here are homey and oddly reminiscent of an old train’s dining car, with intimate tables for two and a slate of small plates that are perfectly shareable. 40 E. Court St., downtown, midcitycinti.com

When things are getting serious enough to drive out to the suburbs for an evening, head to 20 Brix. This white tablecloth restaurant and wine bar combines casual and chic, perfect for a three-course dinner shared over a bottle of wine. In the warmer months, snag a table on the patio overlooking Milford’s charming Main Street. 101 Main St., Milford, (513) 831-2749, 20brix.com

IT'S GETTING SERIOUS

Mita’s Everything here is shareable, making it the perfect spot for when you know each other’s tastes well enough to order for both. Traditional Latin fare like tacos and empanadas? Sure, but the real fun is trying something neither of you have had. Spanish octopus and potatoes, anyone? 501 Race St., downtown, (513) 421-6482, mitas.co

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Good Libations Toast for two over cocktails or coffee at the 513’s most romantic watering holes. By Lauren Fisher and Kane Mitten

Ghost Baby This underground spot isn’t exactly… underground anymore (thanks, Esquire). But the subterranean lowlights, intimate corner booths, and speakeasy atmosphere still make this bar one of the swankiest haunts around. Pop in for a spontaneous cocktail at The Rattle Room or book a bistro table for two and cozy up for a night of live music. 1314 Republic St., Overthe-Rhine, (513) 381-5333, ghostbaby.com

1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab No matter the time of day, this OTR mainstay is perfect for a casual pop-in.

Meet up on your lunch break for a cold brew (try the seasonal coffee

FALL IN LOVE

WITH LOVELAND’S VALENTINE LADIES

P H OTO G R A P H BY A N D R E W D O E N C H / B AC KG R O U N D BY S I R I PA K /STO C K . A D O B E .CO M

drinks!) or make plans to waste away an evening over a bottle of wine while peoplewatching out the Vine Street-facing window. 1215 Vine St., Over-theRhine, (513) 4295745, 1215vine.com

Annata Wine Bar & Cellar Whether you’ve got the nose of a trained sommelier or are totally satisfied with the lowshelf screwtops at the grocery store (nothing wrong with that!), there’s a surprise to be found for everyone at Annata.

Book a table for two for your next date night, order a few light bites to start, and let the experts at this O’Bryonville wine bar take the reins.

2021 Madison Rd., O’Bryonville, (513) 871-8788,

T

here is nothing in the world so sweet as love. At least, that’s what Roland Boike, former president of the Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce, thought when he created the slogan for a special Valentine postmark in 1971.

Loveland resident (and Chamber Secretary) Doris Pfeister offered to assist in stamping the postages, and more than 1,000 Valentines were postmarked in the first year. Years later, an article referred to Pfeister not as a volunteer, but by a new name: a Valentine Lady.

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annatawinebarand cellar.com

Bar Saeso Sure, you could book a romantic vacation to Southern Italy for your next anniversary. Or you could save yourself the transatlantic flight and go to Bar Saeso instead.

The tiny Pendleton joint is about as close as you can get to a Euro-cool neighborhood bar on this side of the globe.

1208 Sycamore St., Pendleton, barsaeso.com

Ripple Wine Bar Part dining room, part wine bar, this duo of restaurants (one in Covington, one in O’Bryonville) takes the guessing game out of ordering.

The food and wine menus are compact and carefully curated, leaving more time for you

and your partner to focus on the reason you’re really there: Each other.

Multiple locations, ripplewinebar.com

The Blind Lemon A hidden gem in Mt. Adams, this homey bar sports a roaring fireplace and live music six nights a week. The outdoor brick courtyard is accessible year-round, too: in the spring and summer, it features an array of plants, and in the winter it features a massive fire pit.

What’s better than cozying up next to your partner around the fire?

936 Hatch St., Mt. Adams,

(513) 241-3885, theblindlemon.com

Somerset In the summertime, there’s probably not a coolerlooking outdoor spot than Somerset.

African- and Asian-inspired decor, plants, and old exotic cars come together to form a space unlike anything else in Cincinnati—with plenty of hidden spots behind the leaves in case there’s a need to slip away for a kiss.

139 E. McMicken Ave., Over-theRhine, (513) 2705982, somersetotr. com

HomeMaker’s

Uncle Leo’s

Low Spark

At HomeMaker’s, classic datefriendly board games like Guess Who and Battleship sit alongside a hefty drink menu that has everything from elderflower liqueurs to zeroproof cocktails.

And if the evening calls for something a little sexier and more dimly lit, head through the double doors to its sister bar FiftyFifty Gin Club.

39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 394-7559, homemakersbar. com

A not-quite-dive bar with a cheeky sense of humor, this is probably the cheapest and most low-key spot for a couple to grab a weekday drink in all of Over-theRhine. The real secret at Leo’s is the incredible food, which is not always available but is always a thousand times better than usual bar fare in both quality and sophistication.

1709 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, uncleleosdive.com, @uncleleoscincy on Instagram

This square-shaped neighborhood bar is best known for how every seat in the house faces a giant fish tank in the middle, brimming with aquatic creatures of all types. If that’s not enough to sell this as a perfect date spot, they’ve got $3 Budweiser daily and some of the most creative cocktails in town—like the Sandworm, which mixes bourbon, cinnamon, pineapple, lime, orange, and black walnut bitters.

15 W. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 371-5722, lowsparkbar.com

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“The name stuck, and each year since, the Valentine Committee selects a new Valentine Lady,” says Meredith Taylor, vice president of operations at the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance.

Today, Loveland celebrates its Valentine Ladies as part of a program that hosts poetry contests, art contests, and a kickoff ceremony with an annual Valentine Breakfast (celebrating love and unity, of course) in Loveland. —EMMA HELBLING

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I L LU S T R AT I O N B Y H E E D AYA H L O C K M A N

Ready to Mingle

True Love

These four singles are ready to hit the town in search for Mr. or Mrs. Right.

PRONOUNS: He/him ORIENTATION: Gay AGE: 25 OCCUPATION: Development Officer, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

What’s your favorite first date spot in Cincinnati? One of my favorite places is in Walnut Hills—Fireside Pizza. I love how it’s right next to Comfort Station, which is a really cute, intimate little bar. Do you have any specifically Cincinnati-related turnoffs or turn ons?

I am Skyline through and through. No Gold Star in this house. If you tell me that you want to go for a walk down by the [Roebling Bridge], immediate green flag. Is there a Cincinnati flavored pickup line that would work on you? Honestly, if someone said,“Do you want to go to Skyline? Because I’d love to have a three way with you,” I would really appreciate that. [Laughs] How would you describe yourself?

What are you looking for in a partner? I would say I’m confident, outgoing, down to earth. Just a hopeless romantic at heart. I definitely want a long-term relationship. I want someone who is driven.

Somebody who likes trying new things and having fun. Is there anything else you want to say about the dating scene or about the queer scene in Cincinnati? Cincinnati is such a progressive pocket in an area of the country that is not always very progressive. I think it’s really cool to live in a city where I can go out and meet and be with queer people and never feel afraid to do so. —Kane Mitten

Be Mine

@themattburcham

Ma Burcham

PRONOUNS: She/her ORIENTATION: Straight AGE: 37 OCCUPATION: Entrepreneur, Beauty Editor, and Blogger

What’s your go-to spot for a first date in Cincinnati? What does your ideal date night look like? Somewhere where I can actually talk to my date! I tend to go for coffee or a cocktail to see if I want to continue the date or finish my coffee/drink and be on my way.

Do you think Cincinnati is a good city for single people looking to date? Growing up and being from Cincinnati, everyone really knows everyone. If you’re not careful, you can end up dating someone one of your friends has already dated—which goes against girl code for me. Oftentimes you have to seek out people who are new to the city and try to date them before someone you know gets to them first. What do you think is the most romantic spot in Cincinnati? I think the Festival of Lights at the Zoo is romantic with all the lights. Several rooftop bars during the summer have a vibe!

I also think Sotto is one of my favorite “moody” restaurants for romance. —Lauren Fisher

e Kiss M

@morganangeliqueowens

Morgan Owens P H O T O G R A P H S B Y A N D R E W D O E N C H / G R A P H I C S B Y S T O C K . A D O B E . C O M ( H E A R T F R A M E S ) L A N A ( K I S S ) YA B L U K O D R A W S

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PRONOUNS: She/they ORIENTATION: Bisexual OCCUPATION: Hostess, Alfio’s

Call Me

AGE: 23

What’s the best first date you’ve ever been on? This might be silly. But I went on a first date to Casablanca Vintage, and then walked over to Shake It Records. We got to walk around a little bit, it was low stakes, and we learned about each other’s interests.

It was really sweet because I was the one who asked if he wanted to go to Shake It. And he was all excited like, “Yeah!” Turned out he didn’t have a record player, but he just wanted to do something that I would enjoy. How would you describe yourself? What are you looking for in a partner? As far as partners, I have three rules: Don't waste my time, don’t lie to me, and don’t make me look stupid. Describing myself…I’m kinda an airhead, but also definitely smarter than you. I’m always down to do something adventurous and wild. You’re also gonna have to deal with my obsession with Taylor Swift and the occult. So…Swiftie, witch, and adventurer?

The three things that make up a bisexual woman in her early 20s.

Just please don’t call me Ramona Flowers—I might actually be put in a straitjacket the next time I hear that. —K.M.

Corinne Byrne

@corinnefaith_

PRONOUNS: She/her ORIENTATION: Straight OCCUPATION: Anchor/Reporter, Local 12

t Swee t Hear

Ca y Arsenault

What’s your favorite first date spot in Cincinnati? The Blind Lemon. There’s always live music, but it’s quiet enough you can still hear, and the cocktails are really good. If the date’s going well, there’s food next door so you can keep it going. What do you think is an ideal uniquely Cincinnati thing or place to eat or go to on a date? If somebody says “Hey, I’m gonna take you to Sotto,” or “Hey, let’s go to Pepp & Dolores,” I’m like, “OK, he knows what he’s doing.” What do you think is the most romantic view in the city?

Primavista has the best view of the city, hands down. Do you think Cincinnati is a good city for single people looking to date? Yes. I think it’s awesome. I feel comfortable here. I feel like there’s an endless amount of amazing places to go on dates. As for the pool of men, I think it’s pretty small. I think a lot of people around [Cincinnati] get married young. I wish there was more people dating or people in the era that I’m in. But in terms of places to go, it’s great.

I have an endless list. So you’re saying “Single guys, hit me up,” basically? Please get in touch with me. [Laughs] —K.M.

@cassyarsenault

From the Archi s

PAST CINCINNATI MAGAZIN

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Break Free from Boring Dates Dinner and a movie? That’s old news. Get out on the town and outside your comfort zone with these unconventional Queen City date ideas.

By Lauren Fisher and Kane Mitten

Take a Cooking Class at Afromeals Ready to take your relationship and your kitchen game to the next level? Spend an evening with Chef Gabi Odebode, who offers special “date night” classes in African and Caribbean cooking through the Afromeals company. It’s a collaborative experience to remember—plus, you’ll leave with a new recipe to prepare at home.

1719 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 7831955, afromeals.com

Throw Pottery at Queen City Clay You don’t have to be a veteran of the wheel and kiln to learn a new skill together at one of Queen City Clay’s pottery classes. Every session includes professional instruction and classes are ranked by expertise level, making it easy for both beginner ceramicists and seasoned sculptors to find a fit.

2760 Highland Ave., Norwood, (513) 8712529, queencityclay.com

Karaoke at Tokyo Kitty For some, doing karaoke for a crowd is an anxiety attack waiting to happen. For others, it’s the perfect way to show your stuff.

Tokyo Kitty has you covered either way, with plenty of private rooms in case you want your partner to be the only person to hear you fail to hit the high notes. 575 Race St., downtown, thattokyobar.com

Go on an Ax-Throwing Double Date at Flying Axes If a little bit of danger is thrilling (disclaimer: it’s not actually that dangerous), book a slot at Flying Axes, the Covington ax-throwing venue that draws pros and amateurs alike. Compete against one another or raise the stakes and invite another couple to battle it out over blades and beer. Trust us—it’s more fun that way. 100 W. Sixth St., Covington, (859) 261-0526, flyingaxes.com

I L LU S T R AT I O N BY Z A R A P I C K E N

Paddle the Little Miami with Scenic River Canoe Excursions Here’s the thing about activities on the water: You’re kind of forced to spend time together. Milford-based Scenic River Canoe Excursions lets rowers go at their own pace, so you can make the date last as long as you’d like—or end it as fast as you can paddle. 4595 Round Bottom Rd., Milford, (513) 576-9000, scenicrivercanoe.com

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Late Night Date Night at the Cincinnati Observatory

From the ANArcTIhiMA GAs ZINE PAST CINCIN S PERSONAL AD

Spend an evening beneath the stars and explore far-off galaxies hand-inhand at one of the Cincinnati Observatory’s “Late Night Date Nights.” Using the observatory’s high-powered telescopes, the staff astronomers take couples on a guided tour of astronomical objects, including planets and stars that are only visible late at night. 3489 Observatory Pl., Mt. Lookout, (513) 3215186, cincinnati observatory.org

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Cruise The Ohio River with BB Riverboats If you’re looking to have your very own “I’m the king of the world!” moment, there’s no better option for a couple’s river cruise than BB Riverboats. Choose a brunch, lunch, or dinner voyage, or set sail at sunset, by moonlight, or during the holidays for a cruise to remember. 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, (800) 261-8586, bbriverboats.com

Try Some Wine at Revel Is there a more romantic drink than wine? The OTR location of this winery gives you several options: Have a glass here and walk a few steps to Main Street to continue the night, schedule a private tasting if you’re really balling out, or just head upstairs to the lounge and enjoy some live R&B. 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 579-9463, revelotr.com

See a Free Play at Shakespeare in the Park During the warmer months, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company puts on some of the Bard’s most famous romances, tragedies, and dramas for free at outdoor venues all over the city. Sitting outside on a cool summer evening and watching a show is one of the best free dates you could go on. Multiple locations, cincyshakes.com

Listen to Live Jazz at Schwartz’s Point Musical couples know that sometimes there’s nothing more romantic than a dimly lit room, a nice cocktail, and some great smooth jazz. Schwartz’s Point prides itself on being the only European-style jazz lounge in Cincinnati, featuring live jazz from Thursday to Sunday every week. 1901 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 208-4466, thepointclub.weebly.com

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P H OTO G R A P H S BY ( TO P ) M A R I A S C H WA R T Z M A N W E B B / ( B OT TO M ) M E L A N I E M A L I COT E

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fo r

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L ic k i n

ive r R g

THE RESTORATION OF

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SIGNATURE WATERWAY

OFFERS ECONOMIC RECOVERY

AND HOPE FOR COMMUNITIES

THROUGHOUT ITS BASIN.

BY CEDR IC ROSE P HOTO GRAP H BY JUSTIN SCHA FER

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My own scant awareness of the

OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN DON SANDERS GREW UP IN COVINGTON PLAYING IN THE LICKING RIVER, WHICH LED TO A LIVELY CAREER AS A RIVERBOAT CAPTAIN, HISTORIAN, AND STORYTELLER.

Licking River grew out of lunchtime bike rides

following Covington’s Licking River Greenway Trail. I enjoyed views of the river from the flood wall and the soon-to-bereplaced Fourth Street Bridge between Covington and Newport.

That river struck me—and still does—as an unusual swath of wildness smack dab in the middle of city and industry. Watch the Licking’s mouth long enough, and you’ll see towboats pivot massive barges into the tributary just a few hundred feet from Covington’s antebellum mansions. The first time I saw that, I was like, Wait, you can get a barge up the Licking River? You sure can.

You can spot a few of them almost any time at Frederick’s Landing, just beyond a rusty railroad bridge, waiting for their petrochemical loads.

The Licking River’s story follows the arc of most U.S. rivers, which moved

people and freight in the nation’s early years and supported growth, resource extraction, and industry...and then we polluted them. Attempts at protecting our waterways culminated in the Clean Water Act in 1972, and recovery began.

Still, among America’s rivers, the Licking is unusual for its amazing biodiversity. It’s home, for example, to 61 species of freshwater mussels, 10 percent of all the mussel species in North America.

Monte McGregor with the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources’s Center for Mollusk Conservation rattles off their fantastic names: catspaw, clubshell, northern riffleshell, pink mucket, rayed bean, rabbitsfoot, rough pigtoe, and fanshell—in fact, the Licking has the strongest population of endangered fanshell mussels worldwide.

Mussels are a key indicator of a river’s health, says McGregor. As larvae they attach to the gills of fish. Some live for decades, centuries even. And they in turn cleanse the water. A single mussel can filter 15 gallons of water a day, and mussel beds might contain thousands of individuals. They’re foundational to the Licking River’s nuanced aquatic ecosystem, which shows signs of rebound all the way to the top. In recent history, the Licking has become a hotspot for bald eagles and home to the feisty muskellunge, a

44

relative of the northern pike.

But the Licking hasn’t recovered on its own. It’s taken concerted efforts by federal and local governments, scientists, and an army of citizens. The ongoing story of the river’s conservation has much to tell us about the importance of healthy watersheds, with benefits beyond biology.

CA P TA I N D O N SA N D E R S grew up on the banks of the Licking River, and in it. He credits the river with setting him on course for a life spent working on riverboats, because, as a Covington kid, he says, “I drank so much Licking River water swimming across it.”

He’s joking. You wouldn’t intentionally drink that water. Not then, not now, not untreated. Although after filtration and treatment, the Licking basin supplies about a quarter of a million Kentuckians with their drinking water.

As a riverboat captain, historian, and storyteller, Sanders has watched our region’s rivers change. To put his career in perspective, he started working on riverboats with men who’d gotten their steamboat licenses right after the Civil War. Sanders’ river-related columns for the Northern Kentucky Tribune are now collected in a book, The River: River Rat to Steamboatman, Riding ‘Magic River Spell’ PHOTOGRAPH BY KELSI HOWELL

ICONS BY STOCK . ADOBE .COM

across the Ohio River and

to 65-Year Adventure.

From the earliest human times, Sanders says, the Licking watershed was an important trade and travel network. It floated timber, tobacco, coal, cotton, hemp, and whiskey out of Kentucky. Distiller, horse-breeder, and slave-owner Jacob Spears sent barrels of his whiskey, the first to be called bourbon, down the Licking on flatboats. Enslaved persons used both branches of the Licking to work their way north. And the Licking put us on the map, literally. Surveyor John Filson’s first name for Cincinnati was Losantiville, a French, Greek, and Latin mash-up meaning the ville (city) anti (opposite) the os (mouth) of the Licking.

Sanders says the Native Americans called the river Nepernine. Na pe pa me means salt in the language of the Shawnee, who, like many tribes, travelled to the river for the big game attracted to its plentiful salt licks—saline deposits left by ancient seas. Hence, the Licking was rich in both salt and meat.

The Licking of Sanders’s boyhood, he says, wasn’t clean at all compared to today. “You had the Sohio refinery up there in Latonia, and when they would clean the tanks they would dump it in the creek,” he says. “Just as soon as we came over the hill and down into the Licking valley you instantly got the smell of oil.”

Rainstorms flushed raw sewage directly into the Licking’s creeks and stem. Despite the pollution, Sanders says it was a magic place to connect with the past even as it met the future.

He and his friends made slides in its clay banks. They discovered a beautiful trilobite in the limestone layer, “this perfect concave imprint,” he recalls.

They left the fossil in place until, one day, the river began to rise.

In June 1964, the Markland Dam raised the level of the Ohio River 13 feet and, with it, the lower Licking. Sanders says the Licking was much smaller and more shallow when he was a kid. Seeing the water rise, he carefully removed the trilobite from the clay and gave it to his science teacher.

There are large stones near Frederick’s Landing, submerged when the water rose, that speak of something important from the Licking River’s past. In 1837, a series of 21 locks and dams aimed at making the

river navigable all the way to West Liberty, Kentucky, was begun. A financial crisis halted the scheme. John Roebling purchased some of the stones for his suspension bridge on the Ohio River.

Today the Licking runs unbroken all the way to the Daniel Boone National Forest and Cave Run Lake Dam, which the Army Corp of Engineers completed in 1973 as a flood control measure. That lack of barriers has helped restore and preserve the river’s biodiversity, allowing aquatic populations, including fish, freedom to move up and down its length.

In 2015, Lexington-based journalist Andy Mead made a series of trips for the Northern Kentucky Herald that covered the Licking’s full 300-mile length, from its Magoffin County headwaters to its outfall at the Ohio. He spoke with business owners, fishermen, trappers, and

as you pass over a bridge, and that lack of visibility doesn’t do conservation efforts any favors. “There are not many places where a person can just look at the Licking River,” he says. That’s a shame, because this waterway is so beautifully sinuous that it often curves back to almost kiss itself as it etches its way across the undulating geology of Kentucky.

The steepness of its banks, says water resource planner Barry Tonning, has kept them from being cleared in many places. “When you go down the Licking River in a canoe, you see this incredible strip of native trees and vegetation angling up diagonally through the heart of Eastern Kentucky,” he says.

Tonning’s firm, Tetra Tech, does a lot of consulting and engineering work for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal and state

A WORKING RIVER THE LICKING RIVER HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED ADVENTURERS, SHIPPERS, AND INDUSTRY. IT ALSO GAVE CINCINNATI ITS ORIGINAL NAME, LOSANTIVILLE.

biologists; explored areas devastated by flooding and economic depression; and watched sections of the river being reshaped to repair ecosystems. He saw bald eagles and many, many automobile tires.

Mead chronicled a Licking River in transition, recovering and changing.

Coal was on the wane. Water treatment facilities were being upgraded. And tobacco fields, which historically sent silt into the river, had been converted to pastures for cows, which generated a different kind of pollution.

Mead says the Licking is often hidden from sight, glimpsed if you’re lucky

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agencies. He’s been working in the Licking watershed for decades, as well as on rivers nationally.

His 1998 report on the Licking cataloged the diversity of its terrain and wildlife as well as its challenges. Pollutants from coal extraction and oil drilling were an issue in some places, but the biggest contaminants had become excess nutrients, bacteria, and sediments.

Excess nutrients come from fertilizers, mostly phosphorus and nitrogen, used in agriculture and lawn care. Bacteria is caused by untreated sewage or manure CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 70 f ro m

MR. PRESSMAN Mark Patsfall photographed at Clay Street Press on December 29, 2023.

THE PRINCE OF PRINTS CELEBRATING MARK PATSFALL’S LONG RUN AS A PROMOTER OF LOCAL ARTISTS AND A PRODUCER OF WORK BY INTERNATIONAL ART STARS.

BY LAURIE PIKE //// PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS VON HOLLE

///// IF THE NAME MARK

PATSFALL ISN’T FAMILIAR, IT’S BECAUSE THE MAN IS MORE INTERESTED IN PROMOTING OTHER ARTISTS THAN HIS OWN WORK. BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, HE IS ONE OF CINCINNATI’S MOST INFLUENTIAL ART WORLD MULTI-HYPHENATES. C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

Mounting exhibitions by local creators in his Over-the-Rhine gallery and teaching them the trade in his cavernous print shop, Patsfall helped launch dozens of careers over the past four decades. Switching hats, he’s also been the go-to fabricator for prints, sculptures, and installations by a who’s who of international contemporary artists. Those relationships strengthened Cincinnati’s renown as a place where artistic ideas are concretized into museum quality objets.

“Mark helped artists who’d never made prints before,” says Michael Solway, owner of Solway Gallery. Architect Buckminster Fuller and composer John Cage are among the notable thinkers who

collaborated with Patsfall on prints of their work that were affordable to a wide swath of fans.

Though he’s made brass chess sets for Yoko Ono and an installation of vintage cars for Nam June Paik, Patsfall is first and foremost a master printer. The University of Cincinnati grad, who spent his childhood in Cincinnati, dedicated years to learning the tricky, laborintensive skills on heavy machinery to produce etchings, wood cuts, silk screens, and lithographs.

After working with Carl Solway, Michael’s father, he opened his own shop in 1981, renaming it Clay Street Press upon its move to the namesake location in a pre-revitalized OTR.

PHOTOGRAPH BY EMILINE SITES

COLOR MY WORLD In 2007, Mark Patsfall (center) rolls colors for a series of wood-block prints by Korea-born artist Ik-Joong Kang (far left). Assisting is artist Terence Hammonds, who apprenticed with Patsfall starting in high school, while the late gallerist Carl Solway looks on.

Of the hundreds of artists Patsfall has collaborated with, Nam June Paik, the “Father of Video Art,” was the most frequent and famous. Patsfall printed the Korea-born, New York–based artist’s first portfolio of etchings in the 1980s, then partnered on Paik’s career-defining video art and TV-set sculptures, one of which stands outside the Contemporary Arts Center downtown near the corner of Walnut and Fifth streets.

Patsfall, 74, decided to pull the plug on Clay Street Press at the end of 2023. His property taxes are going up, he says, and he’s ready to (semi) retire. He’s been selling off his machines and ruminating about a swan song exhibition or celebration later this year, though he isn’t sure exactly what that would entail.

One thing is sure, though: Patsfall’s legacy is immeasurable. “Mark has made opportunities for a lot of artists,” says Terence Hammonds, a rising art star who worked at Clay Street Press for several years, starting when he was a teenager. “I wouldn’t be who I am without him, and I’m not alone in that assessment.”

NO CAKEWALK Cincinnati’s beloved Shark Girl character appears in “My Super Power,” a print by Casey Riordan Millard, from Cincinnati Portfolio IV, an edition of work by local artists that Patsfall published in 2013.

SUCH A DOLL “Blown-Up Baby Doll,” by the late internationally acclaimed artist Vito Acconci, is a photo of 24 triangular pieces screenprinted on a plastic-like material, which can be arranged and rearranged, fabricated

by Patsfall and published by Carl Solway Gallery in 1992.

DARKNESS VISIBLE The Hidden Boy was a 1983 edition of lithography and wood cuts by Jay Bolotin about growing up in Kentucky. Bolotin continues to live and show there.

I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y C L AY S T R E E T P R E S S

//// THOUGH HE’S MADE BRASS CHESS SETS FOR YOKO ONO

AND AN INSTALLATION OF VINTAGE CARS FOR NAM JUNE PAIK, PATSFALL IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A MASTER PRINTER.

AUTO SHOW At the 1997 Muenster Sculpture Project in Germany, Paik debuted 32 Cars for the 20th Century: Play Mozart’s Requiem Quietly. To fabricate the piece, Patsfall and Carl Solway traveled around the Midwest to find cars, which were then purchased and shipped to Germany, where they were painted silver. On the ground in Muenster, Patsfall arranged the cars in front of a castle and buried wires under paving stones so that classical music could be played continually in the area. The installation was later bought by Samsung and shipped to Korea. To this day, Patsfall consults on its conservation.

MOTHER’S MILK Nam June Paik’s video assemblage Mother was one of the first “robot” sculptures Patsfall fabricated for him in 1986. It measures 6 feet, 6 inches. Coincidentally, Patsfall had already been collecting old TV consoles for his own future art pieces. For this piece, he scoured antique shops for the televisions and helped engineer the electronics. Sales from this sculpture series (the pieces are named after family members such as Father, Aunt, etc.) earned Patsfall enough money for the down payment on the Clay Street Press building. In total, Patsfall and Paik made more than 400 works of art together.

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P H O T O G R A P H S ( T H I S PA G E , O P P O S I T E ) C O U R T E S Y S O LWAY G A L L E R Y

JUST THE FAX The Fluxfax Portfolio was a 1994 edition of prints by artists of Fluxus, an international conceptual movement that began in New York in the late 1950s. Nam June Paik and Patsfall collaborated on the portfolio, originally wanting to bring the artists to Cincinnati to create work but not knowing how they could afford the travel and lodging costs. In a 3 a.m. brainstorm, Paik called Patsfall to suggest the artists simply fax instructions to the print shop.

ANIMAL HOUSE

CHECK MATE For Yoko Ono’s Play It By Trust in 1987, Patsfall cast brass pieces and etched a 30-by-30-inch metal chess board. Everything is painted white—a comment, it has been written, on the futility of war.

I M A G E S ( TO P ) C O U R T E S Y C L AY S T R E E T P R E S S

Katie Parker and Guy Michael Davis were young Cincinnati artists in 2013 when “Quantitative Menagerie” appeared in Cincinnati Portfolio IV. The couple, who had also shown their work in the Clay Street Press gallery, now live in Arizona and are primarily known for sculpture. “I invited artists based on the strength of their work, whether they were printmakers or not,” says Patsfall.

Davis recalls, “We could always count on a good scene and thoughtful exhibition at Clay Street Press.”

SPRING

A CINCINNATI MAGAZINE EVENT

g*¢ s s^J¢ j ^© J^ ࣐ॹࣈࣉू ࣉࣇࣉ࣋ ࣃॹ࣐ु࣊ࣇ ेgे Our lavish four-night dinner series returns to celebrate the bounty of Spring. Be sure to #savorthedate Ʌʁʟ ʰɏɔʦ ʹɷɔ̍ʹȲ dining experience and enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal in a fun and festive atmosphere.

Limited tickets available.

CINCINNATIMAGAZINE.COM/SAVOR

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Smart Guide to Local Schools INSIDE 5WT‫ܪ‬QJX FSI XYFYX KTW XTRJ TZYXYFSINSL XHMTTQX FWTZSI YMJ WJLNTS

2024 5 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

Illustration by Hd3dsh/stock.adobe.com

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Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Winter Open House: January 27, 2024, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (all grades, all campuses). Learn more and register at chca-oh.org/visit-us.

Step into CHCA and you will discover an extraordinary Christcentered community unlike any other, where college-prep academics combine with theological integration to provide XYZIJSYX HTZSYQJXX TUUTWYZSNYNJX YT ‫ܪ‬SI YMJNW UQFHJ FSI UZWXZJ their gifts. Spanning four campuses in northern and downtown Cincinnati, we are on a mission to equip and empower students so they can impact our city and our world.

From preschool to Upper School, our students experience high levels of engagement through innovative programming, handson learning, and unique academic environments that nurture their hearts and challenge their minds. Spaces on our campuses were intentionally designed to foster creativity and collaboration, including our Early Childhood Learning Center with a specialized RTYTW WTTR XVZFWJ KTTY LWJJSMTZXJ \NYM F ‫ܪ‬WXY TK NYX PNSI teaching kitchen; outdoor classroom for young students to explore God’s creation; modernized athletic facilities to enhance strength and performance; state-of-the-art technology suites for our awardwinning robotics team; and so much more.

In our classrooms, students receive a world-class education centered on Christ. Faculty encourage intellectual and spiritual LWT\YM YMWTZLM NSXYWZHYNTS YMFY NSYJLWFYJX ‫[ܪ‬J PJ^ YMJTQTLNHFQ ѦGNL ideas” into everyday study, prompting students to wrestle with realworld problems while viewing everything they do through the lens of Christ. CHCA’s Intersession and Student Organized Service groups provide a myriad of opportunities to serve others at home and abroad. And weekly chapels see students across grades gathering together in worship.

Our vision is for all students to unleash a lifelong passion to learn, lead, and serve. Our passion is to see lives transformed for Christ through pursuing excellence in all things. We believe every student is uniquely created with God-given gifts that can change the world, and we want to help them thrive. By approaching education holistically, we graduate young adults ready to be a beacon wherever they go.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1989 GRADES SERVED: PK2–Grade 12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 1,345 STUDENT/ FACULTY RATIO: 12:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes, through Grade 6 TUITION: $4,150–$21,500 TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: 14% of the Class of 2023 recognized by National Merit Scholarship Corporation • State and conference champions across multiple sports • Only school in the city offering an Entrepreneurship & Sustainability program with student-run businesses, multiple learning gardens, a 4,000-square-foot greenhouse, and a nationally recognized teaching kitchen PK2–Grade 3: Edyth B. Lindner Campus, 11312 Snider Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249; Grades 4–8: Founders’ Campus, 11300 Snider Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249; Grades 9–12: Martha S. Lindner Campus, 11525 Snider Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249; Downtown Cincinnati PK3– Grade 6: Otto Armleder Memorial Education Campus, 140 W. 9th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 • (513) 247-0900 • chca-oh.org F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 5 5

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Great Oaks Career Campuses Great Oaks is the largest public career-technical school district in Ohio, partnering with 36 school districts in an area spanning 2,200 square miles.

Each year, thousands of area high school juniors and seniors prepare for a career at one of Great Oaks’ state-of-the-art campuses—Diamond Oaks in Dent (Green Township), Laurel Oaks in Wilmington, Live Oaks in Milford, or Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville.

5WTKJXXNTSFQ HJWYN‫ܪ‬HFYNTS NX F[FNQFGQJ NS F \NIJ WFSLJ TK HFWJJW ‫ܪ‬JQIX KWTR MJFQYM HFWJ YT MNLM YJHM RFSZKFHYZWNSL YT H^GJWXJHZrity to construction trades, culinary arts, cosmetology, digital arts, FSNRFQ XHNJSHJ FZYT YJHMSTQTL^ F[NFYNTS RJHMFSNHX ‫ܪ‬WJ‫ܪ‬LMYNSL and more. Great Oaks offers over 30 different programs across its four campuses that focus on skills in demand by industry.

Students spend half of the school day in their super elective lab

programs and the other half in academic classes. High school students can earn college credits, gain work experience through internships and co-ops, and secure industry credentials.

Great Oaks also offers over 100 “satellite” programs embedded in 30 partnering high schools across the region focused on workforce development including biomedical sciences, business management, marketing, teaching professions, and more.

The district serves adult learners through career training NS MNLM IJRFSI ‫ܪ‬JQI QNPJ \JQINSL MJF[^ JVZNURJSY TUJWFYNTSX and engineering, police, and health care, among many others.

Great Oaks also provides programs like English for speakers of other languages, high school equivalency, and personal enrichment classes. Partnerships with local business, education, and community agencies help shape the programs offered.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1970 GRADES SERVED: 11–12 and adults on campus; middle and high school satellite programs in partner schools CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 24,000 high school students at four Great Oaks campuses and in programs embedded in 30 area public schools; 14,000 adult students STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: Varies UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: Tuition is free for high school students; adult program tuition varies TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar • : 8 5WJXNIJSYNFQ 8HMTQFWѣX 2TXY .S‫ܫ‬ZJSYNFQ 9JFHMJW • 2023 U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Medal • 2023 Ohio ACTE Postsecondary Teacher of the Year • 2023 ACTE Region 1 (19 states) Advisory Committee Member of the Year • 2023 ACTE Region 1 School Board Recognition Award • Students consistently place in national skills competitions 110 Great Oaks Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45241 • (513) 771-8840 • www.greatoaks.com

5 6 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

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The Seven Hills School Walk & Talk Group Tour: Grades 6–12, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, 9–10 a.m.

Virtual Student and Parent Panel: Grades 6–12, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, 7–7:45 p.m.

Register for an event or schedule a personalized tour at www.7hills.org/explore Seven Hills is a top ranked Cincinnati private school for students age 2 through grade 12. To learn more or schedule a personalized tour, contact our admission team at 513.728.2400 or visit www.7hills.org!

Affordable, Flexible Tuition Seven Hills is committed to providing access to as many students as possible. As part of our Affordability Initiative, we offer two options, the Flexible Tuition Program and Seven Hills Scholar Awards, both designed to provide families from many walks of life the advantage of a Seven Hills education.

We Teach the Whole Child Our students are empowered to explore all aspects of themselves.

That’s why we offer a range of experiences—in academics, the arts, athletics, and co-curricular programs—and seek to broaden their horizons with a host of extracurricular experiences, internships, global travel, and enrichment programs.

Two Campuses, One School Seven Hills is composed of two campuses—each offering an engaging environment for students to learn, discover, and grow. Our Doherty Campus in East Walnut Hills is home to the Doherty Lower School (2-year-olds through grade 5). Our Hillsdale Campus in Madisonville houses the Lotspeich Lower School (2-year-olds through grade 5), the Middle School (grades 6–8), and Upper School (grades 9–12).

Our Teachers Are the Difference Trained in some of the nation’s best universities and recruited from all over the country, Seven Hills teachers are experts in their subjects and the grade levels they teach. In an environment that encourages students to take risks, Seven Hills students gain more from their time at Seven Hills—supported along the way by their innovative teachers.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1906 GRADES SERVED: Pre-k for 2-year-olds through Grade 12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 1,040 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 7.5:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes, Doherty Campus (2-year-olds through Grade 5); no, Hillsdale Campus (2-year-olds through Grade 12) TUITION: $8,410–$31,350 TOP AWARDS/ RECOGNITIONS: Ranked No. 1 College Prep Private High School in Cincinnati according to Niche for 2024 • Received Platinum distinction on the 2024 Advanced Placement School Honor Roll • 24% of the Class of 2024 have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program Hillsdale Campus, 5400 Red Bank Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45227 • Doherty Campus, 2726 Johnstone Pl., Cincinnati, OH 45206 • (513) 728-2400 • www.7hills.org

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 5 7

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Bethany School Open House: Sunday, February 4, 2024, 2–4 p.m.

Bethany School is a warm and diverse community that has served Ohio families for 125 years. We believe in the joy of learning. Our small class sizes and curriculum spark curiosity, encourage play, and make discovery an exciting journey.

Our graduates continue to experience academic success in Cincinnati’s premier high schools.

Bethany School’s students experience a vibrant array of activities including \JJPQ^ HMFUJQ ‫ܪ‬SJ FWYX FYMQJYNHX YWF[JQ and community service. Our beautiful,

SFYZWJ ‫ܪ‬QQJI FHWJ HFRUZX KJFYZWJX Y\T 1**) 5QFYNSZR HJWYN‫ܪ‬JI GZNQINSLX TKKJWNSL an eco-friendly learning space where your child can grow and create wonderful memories. Choose Bethany School for your child’s enriching educational journey.

“The small class sizes & caring faculty created a positive environment for my kids and the focus on academics, spiritual/ character development, and diversity helped them grow into the amazing people they were created to be.” - Bethany Parent

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1898 GRADES SERVED: K–8 CURRENT ENROLLMENT:160 STUDENT/ FACULTY RATIO: 6:1 UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: $10,980 TOP THREE AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: Platinum 1**) (JWYN‫ܪ‬JI GZNQINSLX • -FRNQYTS (TZSY^ 7JXTZWHJ <FXYJ 7JIZHYNTS .SST[FYNTS LWFSY WJHNUNJSY • 4MNTѣX TSQ^ *UNXHTUFQ school 555 Albion Ave., Cincinnati, OH, • (513) 771-7462 • www.bethanyschool.org

Bishop Fenwick High School For Admission information, please contact Fenwick’s Admissions Department at 513-428-0525.

Bishop Fenwick High School is a Catholic, co-educational high school located on State Route 122, just minutes from I-75 and State Route 741. Fenwick offers a variety of AP and CCP courses, Engineering and IT programs, and a wide range of electives. Our Flock Block program creates an opportunity for Fenwick to dedicate time each day to essential components of our mission that take place beyond the traditional classroom setting: spiritual formation, social-emotional learning, college and career readiness,

and community building. The Fenwick experience—challenging classes, diverse activities, competitive sports, and creative arts—prepares students for future success.

Fenwick is built with purpose—to help our students to learn, to lead, and to love. Our students are ready to boldly live their calling, as they go forth to love God and serve him present in others.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1952 GRADES SERVED: 9–12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 456 STUDENT/ FACULTY RATIO: 13:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: $11,700 (2023-2024 school year) TOP THREE AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: 9MJ (QFXX TK \FX F\FWIJI RNQQNTS NS XHMTQFWXMNU ITQQFWX • The (QFXX TK NSHQZIJX F 3FYNTSFQ 2JWNY 8JRN +NSFQNXY FSI F 3FYNTSFQ 2JWNY (TRRJSIJI 8YZIJSY • 9\JSY^ XYZIJSYX \JWJ SFRJI &5 8HMTQFWX 4855 OH-122, Franklin, OH 45005 • (513) 423-0723 • www.fenwickfalcons.org 5 8 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

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Cincinnati Country Day School Personalized appointments available Monday through Friday. Learn more at www.countryday.net We ensure families that their children will be known, nurtured, and inspired. We provide students an exemplary, character-driven, and innovative academic experience that will guide them to be the future leaders of the next generation.

We are one community united to help grow students, ages 18 months to 18 years. We connect students both academ-

ically and personally, whether in the classroom or outside on our 60-acre campus. <J UWJUFWJ XYZIJSYX KTW ‫ܪ‬SINSL XZHHJXX NS the next phase of their lives with purpose, HTS‫ܪ‬IJSHJ FSI HMFWFHYJW Be a scholar. Be an athlete. Be an artist.

Be an inventor. Be a leader. Country Day is The Place To Be.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1926 GRADES SERVED: Early childhood (18 months)–grade 12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 855 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 9:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes, K–grade 4; dress code grades 5–12 TUITION: $8,390–$29,995 TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: #1 Best Private High School, #1 Best K-12 School, #1 Best High School for STEM by Niche for 2024 • #1 Cincinnati area high school for sending students to Harvard, Princeton, and MIT (PolarisList) • $7.5 million awarded in college grants and scholarships to the class of 2023 • Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam grant winner • “Platinum with Access” 2023 AP School Honor Roll by College Board • National Merit Recipients, Scholars, and Scholarship winners • Scholastic Art and Writing Award winners • Students matriculate to top colleges nationally and internationally 6905 Given Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45243 • (513) 979-0220 • www.countryday.net

Cincinnati Waldorf School Open House: February 4, 2024, 10 am–1 pm.

Personal tours available by appointment; e-mail enrollment@cincinnatiwaldorfschool.org At the Cincinnati Waldorf School, we are committed to preparing our students for life. In addition to an engaging and rigorous academic program, our students learn compassion, initiative, resilience, creativity, balance, and independent thinking—exactly what our world needs most right now.

At CWS , students learn through traditional methods, as well as through music, movement, drama, painting,

sculpting, woodworking, world language, gardening, knitting, etc. Through handson experiences, community building, and problem solving, CWS students cultivate their intellectual, social-emotional, and physical abilities in order to become inspired, well-rounded, and passionate young adults who are of service to the world.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1973 GRADES SERVED: Preschool–Grade 12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 275 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 10:1 GRADUATION RATE: N/A UNIFORMS REQUIRED? No TUITION: Varies by program TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: Voted “Best Private School in 2023” by CityBeat readers Preschool–Gr 8: 6743 Chestnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45227 • (513) 541-0220; Gr 9–12: 6703 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45227 • (513) 386-7974 • www.cincinnatiwaldorfschool.org

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Guardian Angels School Schedule a personal tour today: (513) 624-3141

G u a rd i a n A n g e l s S c h o o l p rov i d e s a Catholic education to students in preschool through 8th grade. Our focus is on individualized education, preparing each student to be a faithful disciple of Christ through service and leadership.

Character development is a top priority. Students work hard each day at earning their “H.A.L.O.,” by being Honest, Accountable, and a Leader to Others. Skills

related to each of these character traits are directly taught by staff and modeled by all.

The result is a strong community of wellWTZSIJI KFNYM ‫ܪ‬QQJI UJWXTSX The combined approach of guiding students spiritually, academically, and socially leads students to graduate from Guardian Angels fully prepared to be successful in high school and beyond.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1895 GRADES SERVED: Preschool–Grade 8 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 507 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 12:1 UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: $6,166 parishioners, $7,016 non-parishioners TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: Blue Ribbon School of Excellence • All students participate in community service • Leader in technology with a 1:1 tablet program and STEM Makerspace • K–8 students attend Art, Music, Spanish, and Gym classes • Extracurricular activities include Athletics, Music, Drama, Chess, plus much more.

6539 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230 • (513) 624-3141 • www.gaschool.org

Montessori Center Room Call (513) 321-3282 to schedule your tour today!

Centrally located on the banks of the Ohio River, Montessori Center Room (MCR) is the only local Montessori program specializing in pre-primary education.

MCR was founded in 1966 with the mission to make a Montessori education accessible for all children and each year we provide tuition assistance for those who qualify.

Our two classrooms, fully equipped with traditional Montessori materials, are led by experienced and Montessori credentialed teachers. Teachers prepare

a loving environment that is enticing to the young child’s mind; fostering a lifetime love of learning, the opportunity to develop independence and the skills necessary to suppor t their intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth.

Children at MCR spend their days choosing activities in the classroom, in individual and small group lessons and playing outside. We encourage you to chedule a tour and visit one of our classroom observation booths.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1966 GRADES SERVED: 3 years–Kindergarten CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 45 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 1:9 UNIFORMS REQUIRED? No TUITION: $6,250, tuition assistance available 2505 Riverside Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45202 • (513) 321-3282 • https://montessoricenterroom.com 6 0 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

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Mount Notre Dame High School Mount Notre Dame High School is the premier Catholic high school for young women in Cincinnati. Experience our dedication to academic excellence, unwavering Catholic values, a personalized learning experience, accomplished faculty, and our resolute mission of nurturing and empowering young women. We embrace the gift of diversity in our students’ academic levels, as well as ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. MND is conveniently located off Ronald Regan Highway in Reading, Ohio, between I-71 and I-75. Our students come from all over Greater Cincinnati, representing over 70 zip codes.Our dedicated faculty

and staff are committed to educating for life through rigorous academics, opportunities for personal growth, and a values-based Catholic education.

Our campus features a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, a contemporary Tech Center that supports our cutting-edge technology, newly remodeled laboratory classrooms, ample safe, off-street parking for students, and one of the top outdoor athletic complexes in the region.

Be a part of our Bold Future where young women are empowered to recognize and develop their unique capabilities to learn, live, lead and serve.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1860 GRADES SERVED: 9–12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 663 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 17:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: $13,855 TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: 2022/23 – 2 National Merit Finalists, 4 National Merit Commended Students • Over $25.4 million in scholarships awarded to the class of 2023. • 20 AP courses, 27 Honors courses, 12 College Credit Plus courses on campus • 20+ Service programs 711 E. Columbia Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45215 • (513) 821-3044 • www.mndhs.org

The New School Montessori

Virtual Open House: January 23, 2024 / Zoom Meeting begins at noon

We encourage you to visit our website and schedule a tour with our admissions director.

Our experienced Montessori-credentialed teachers prepare students to succeed in the real world by allowing children to discover their innate love of learning and by helping them develop time-management and relationship-building skills. Students are adept at working in active spaces in both positions of leadership and as team members. Teachers interweave Montessori principles and philosophy to create an atmosphere of respect for one another. Students’ social and emotional health is fostered daily YMWTZLM NSYJSYNTSFQ QJXXTSX WJ‫ܫ‬JHYN[J INXHZX-

sions, and skill-building exercises in grace and courtesy. Our hands-on Montessori kitchen provides homemade, healthy lunches with plenty of vegetarian options. The New School’s wooded spaces allow for age-appropriate active play in shaded, natural surroundings. In addition to more traditional climbing equipment, children JSOT^ YJSINSL ‫ܫ‬T\JWX UQF^NSL NS YMJ XFSI QNKYNSL logs in search of interesting insects, climbing on low tree branches, and building huts. The older children also enjoy tetherball, outdoor ping pong, and the gaga pit.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1970 GRADES SERVED: 3-year-olds to grade 6 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 150 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 6:1–12:1 pre primary, 10:1–15:1 elementary UNIFORMS REQUIRED? No TUITION: Visit website for current tuition information. TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: The only Ohio State chartered Montessori school in Cincinnati with dual accreditation: AMS and ISACS • &QQ YJFHMJWX FWJ 2TSYJXXTWN YWFNSJI FSI HJWYN‫ܪ‬JI • Recognized by Cincinnati Magazine for our innovative lunch program. We are the only school in Cincinnati making homemade, healthy lunches for all students and staff every day—and it’s covered in tuition. No pre-made meals. Nothing merely warmed up.

3 Burton Woods Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45229 • (513) 281-7999 • www.newschoolmontessori.com F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 6 1

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Purcell Marian High School Schedule a Visit: www.purcellmarian.org/shadow Purcell Marian High School is a historic Marianist co-ed high school serving a diverse population of students. We are the only local private school offering the International Baccalaureate Program—a rigorous course of study designed to uncover a student’s passion and advance their critical thinking.

Our school, affectionately called The (FXYQJ MFX XYTTI ‫ܪ‬WR NS *FXY <FQSZY -NQQX for more than 90 years, devoted to the ministry of Mary, education, the arts, social

justice, and service to others. Students at Purcell Marian are welcomed, nurtured, and encouraged to grow in an environment that fosters collaboration and belonging.

With advanced learning opportunities, inclusive student activities, and engaged faculty, it’s easy to see why students feel they belong at Purcell Marian. Learn more about the passionate students who have said “I Belong” at www.purcellmarian.org/ ibelong.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1928 GRADES SERVED: 9–12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 408 STUDENT/ FACULTY RATIO: 12:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: $11,000 TOP AWARDS/ RECOGNITIONS: Authorized International Baccalaureate World School 2935 Hackberry St., Cincinnati, OH 45206 • (513) 751-1230 • www.purcellmarian.org

Rockwern Academy Tours available by request. Please contact Sarah Shmoel at admissions@rockwernacademy.org or (513) 984-3770 ext. 3015 to set up an appointment.

At Rockwern Academy, we expand minds, celebrate Judaism, nurture community, and commit to building a better world.

Located in the Kenwood area, we serve students from 12 months through eighth grade. Our curriculum focuses on handson exploration to prepare students for a world of possibilities beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to stay curious and connect with the

community around them. Small class sizes allow teachers to know students at a deep level and tailor learning to meet their individual needs and interests. Early care and after care are available for all students, as well as a diverse lineup of after school activities. For our early childhood program, there are full and part-time options plus a summer camp. Tuition assistance is available to families in need.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1952 GRADES SERVED: 12 months—eighth grade CURRENTLY ENROLLMENT: 237 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 5:1 UNIFORMS REQUIRED? No TUITION: $7,600–$15,300 TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: Accredited by ISACS (Independent Schools Association of the Central States) • Newly-opened, The Curiosity Center at Rockwern allows students to explore utilizing robotics, LEGOS, 3-D printers, an audio-visual studio, and more.

8401 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45236 • (513) 984-3770 • www.rockwernacademy.org

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The School for Creative and Performing Arts Open House: Annual Open House in October, tours given once a month on Tuesdays, shadow program available. Auditions to enroll take place in January and April.

SCPA is a K–12 pre-professional art and academic college preparatory school.

Artistically, we prepare students for continued university and conservatory studies, apprenticeships, and/or professional experience. Academically, we prepare students for continued college and university studies in the humanities, liberal arts, and sciences. In addition to serving a

student population with traditional needs, SCPA serves students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and students who MF[J GJJS NIJSYN‫ܪ‬JI G^ (58 FX LNKYJI FSI talented. Through meticulous attention to both artistic and academic development, we provide all of our students with unique educational opportunities in a creative and challenging environment.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1973 GRADES SERVED: K–12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 1,325 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 15:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? No TUITION: Public school, out-of-district students may pay tuition TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: Exemplary School Rating by Arts Schools Network • National List of Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report 2022 • First K–12 Arts Magnet School in the nation 108 W. Central Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45202 • (513) 363-8000 • https://scpa.cps-k12.org

Ursuline Academy Open House: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 1–3 p.m.

Ursuline Academy is an academically rigorous, Catholic college preparatory school. In the tradition of an Ursuline education, our mission is to prepare a young woman for college and beyond by nurturing her soul, intellect, heart, and imagination.

At Ursuline, we learn for life. Our unique modular schedule allows each young

woman to make daily choices about her free time and emphasize classes that align with her passions. Experienced counselors and teachers steer her moral and spiritual growth and inspire her to pursue personal and academic excellence.

Guided by faith. Intellectually curious.

Confident. See her soar as an Ursuline woman!

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1896 GRADES SERVED: 9–12 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 486 STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO: 12:1 GRADUATION RATE: 100% UNIFORMS REQUIRED? Yes TUITION: $16,500 TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: Consistent recognition for outstanding college placement test scores: In the class of 2024, six students earned perfect ACT scores and 13 were honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation • Advanced Placement excellence: We offer 23 AP courses and earned the AP’s Platinum School Honor Roll designation based on student enrollment and success on AP tests • Personalized college preparation: Our student to counselor ratio is three times better than the national average 5535 Pfeiffer Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45242 • (513) 791-5791 • www.ursulineacademy.org F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 6 3

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HEALTH WATCH2024

HEART HEALTH

How’s Your Heart?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 805,000 Americans suffer heart attacks each year. In just 2021, heart disease killed 695,000 people, accounting for a fifth of all deaths. The National Center for Health Statistics also ranked Ohio 11th in the country for heart disease mortality in 2021.

“We’re dealing with a really aggressive disease that has been the leading cause of death since 1950,” says Mashhood Kakroo, M.D., a cardiologist with UC Health.

Today, care for patients who’ve suffered or are at risk of suffering major cardiac events encompasses far more than the dramatic open-heart surgeries showcased in medical dramas. Heart health has broadened into a net to help catch and support patients with various types and stages of heart disease.

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“Heart health broadly refers to overall health of the heart and cardiovascular system. It used to be one doctor with one patient, and you treat that patient. Now in Cincinnati, we have a heart team approach,” Kakroo explains. “That means if there is a patient with complex disease, that can be approached different ways. We have a lot of innovative technologies. Think of the heart as a house. If there’s a problem with the electrical system of the heart, we have an electrician, an electrophysiologist. If there’s a problem with the plumbing system, like build-up in the arteries, we have an interventional cardiologist who can go in and open blockages with stents, or we have a cardiovascular surgeon.”

The variety of specialists and technologies made available in the past few decades provides more treatment options for high-risk patients in particular. Invasive surgery is no longer the only tool available. Specialists can even perform operations like heart valve replacement without always resorting to open-heart surgery.

There’s also been a significant shift

PHOTOGRAPH BY SHARNE T/PEOPLEIMAGES.COM/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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in recent decades towards preventative techniques, like control of risk factors and associated therapies as opposed to surgical procedures that treat later-stage heart disease. Joel Forman, M.D., a preventative cardiologist with The Christ Hospital, explains, “We want to keep people from the misery of heart disease, and by treating them in advance, we prevent this cause of unnecessary mortality.”

“Prevention is something that’s caught on,” notes Damodhar Suresh, M.D., executive medical director of the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Elizabeth. “More people are being treated.”

inflammation as a cause of cardiovascular disease, and we’re understanding how important it is to be aggressive with people’s blood pressure and their cholesterol.”

One of the reasons prevention and monitoring are so vital is the variety of heart attack symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly one in five heart attacks is “silent,” meaning you won’t know you’ve suffered a cardiac event, even though it may have caused permanent damage. Even patients who notice something is wrong may not experience the sharp chest pains and fainting popularly associated with a heart attack.

suffer a heart attack at a similar age due to genetic factors. Suresh notes, “One in three patients in North America who has a heart attack has normal cholesterol and normal blood sugars.”

Every year brings new data and better understanding to the field, but misinformation still plagues public forums, and few people understand their actual risk.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about heart health,” Kakroo says. “One of the common misconceptions is heart disease only happens in older people.”

Heart health usually appears framed as an issue for elders, something to consider more as you age. While it’s true that risks increase over time, two out of

Roughly one in five heart attacks is “ silent,” meaning you won’t know you’ve suffered a cardiac event.

Prevention zeroes in on managing risk factors. Common risk factors for heart disease include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, obesity, diets high in saturated fats, low activity level, and genetics. Health Care Access Now reported in 2022 that more than 28 percent of Cincinnatians lived under the poverty line, meaning over a quarter of the city’s population faces a higher likelihood of developing key risk factors for heart disease according to the National Institutes of Health. The potential benefits of preventative care locally couldn’t be clearer, and experts like Forman see hope in improving therapies and techniques.

“We’re driving cholesterol lower than we ever have with a lot of improvement in patient outcomes,” Forman says. “We’re now looking at treating

“A lot of people may not feel any symptoms. They may come in with nausea or elbow pain,” Kakroo says. “My dad woke up at 4:30 in the morning and was breaking out in sweat and having some nausea. They’d had a big party the night before, and he attributed his pain to overeating. But when my mom saw him, she called my brother-in-law, who is also a cardiologist.” His father went in for an EKG, and they found a major blockage in his heart. “A lot of people ignore symptoms like that,” Kakroo adds.

Simply having a family history of heart disease, like Kakroo, is reason to speak to a doctor. “If your mom had heart disease, and your dad had heart disease, the odds are you might have heart disease,” Suresh cautions. Even if a patient’s parents had additional risk factors, like smoking, the patient could still

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every 10 deaths from coronary artery disease (the most common cause of heart attacks) were of patients under 65.

“This is something that starts in our teens. When soldiers die in battle and teens die in car accidents, there is plaque in the aorta,” Forman explains. “Know your numbers and have a relationship with your provider. There are a lot of people who don’t get regular care, and they have no idea their blood glucose, blood pressure, or cholesterol is elevated.

It’s not impossible to have heart disease in your 30s. Don’t ignore symptoms. If things don’t seem right, get seen.”

“In Cincinnati, one-third of high school seniors now have high blood cholesterol and sugars that are abnormal,” Suresh says. “There are more people in their 20s and 30s with high blood pressure, which is why checking your blood

“I’ve been feeling lightheaded lately.

Could this be connected to my heart?”

- Alexis, Cincinnati, OH

“Yes, and you shouldn’t have to wait to have it checked.”

Dr. DP Suresh Heart & Vascular Institute

At St. Elizabeth we’re committed to providing you with the heart care you need from one of our nationally ranked cardiologists. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to listen, discuss your symptoms and make sure you get an appointment quickly. We understand you have questions, and at St. Elizabeth we personalize care with answers you need.

To schedule your expedited appointment, please call (859) 287-3045.

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pressure is essential. They can have heart attacks in their early 40s, and that’s because, for 10 years, their blood pressure was not treated.”

Another insidious myth heart care providers often face is that females do not suffer as often from heart disease as male patients. Not only is this not true, but addressing this fallacy has helped broaden recognized symptoms of heart attacks. Unfortunately, many women at risk still dismiss critical signs of impending heart attacks.

“There are very few women who are aware that there are more women who die from heart disease and stroke than all cancers combined,” Suresh points out. “If you’re a 34-year-old woman with chest pain, take it seriously. It’s more common than you think. See your physician.”

All of this leads to a very practical question: What can you do about your risk factors? The American Heart Association has a simple answer, Life’s Essential 8. The list highlights the most important behaviors and factors for maintaining and improving heart health. They are: eat well, be more active, sleep better, quit tobacco products, manage weight, control cholesterol, maintain healthy blood sugar, and manage blood pressure.

“You only need to see a health care professional for three. Five are very easily done,” Suresh says.

That is true, and you can implement some of the Essential 8 today, but genetics influence other factors. “We can’t go back and pick our parents,” Kakroo says, “so our genetics are what they are, but some risk factors can be modified.”

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Activity is key. Life on the move reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, but a full schedule is not always a sign of the right kind of activity.

“One of the most common misconceptions I find is that busy is the same as active. We don’t move enough,” Forman explains. “Go to New York City and everybody’s walking. I think it’s very easy to lead a sedentary lifestyle around here.”

This doesn’t mean you need to get into powerlifting to protect your heart, though. The secret is simpler than you may imagine.

“There’s more and more data that if you walk even a minimum of 3,000 steps [a day], you reduce your lifestyle risk of heart attack and stroke,” Suresh explains.

He’s referring to what the Europe-

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an Society of Cardiology has called the largest study ever conducted. Published this August in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, the study found that walking is one of the most powerful weapons against heart disease.

Subjects’ number of daily steps appears to correlate directly with reduced risk of death by heart disease. Those under 60 who walked at least 7,000 steps a day faced 49 percent less risk of death from heart disease.

“The key is: keep moving. I’m not talking about endurance. If you get five to seven thousand steps five days a week, you’ve already done your part,” Suresh says.

“There are a lot of technologies that have changed how we think of heart disease, like Apple Watches,” Kakroo says. “That can give us really use-

ful data.” One of the most important things your smartwatch can do, apparently, is count steps.

Kakroo also emphasizes the importance of annual visits to your primary care provider. Those appointments keep your doctor informed of changes in your numbers, including your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

Regular tests and screenings analyze risk factors, equipping your care team with vital data. It’s one of the first and most important steps towards effective preventative care.

The other side of the coin is, of course, modifying risk factors through day-to-day life.

“Good habits take time just like bad habits take time. Start to pay attention to the hundreds of decisions you make every day in regard to your health,”

Forman advises. “Eat things from the earth or that had a mother with feathers or gills. Can you take a five-minute walk? Be kind to yourself and realize no one is perfect.”

Even if you face risk factors beyond your control, improvements in technology and medical understanding stand to benefit everyone. Heart attacks still happen, but they are not fatal as often as they once were, and the variety of treatment options empowers more patients to live longer, fuller lives.

“We are in an amazing time,” Suresh emphasizes. “If we collectively take care of each other, we are going to be fine. We have all the things we need to live healthily, but we don’t take enough time to stop and smell the roses. We don’t take enough time for ourselves; we should do that.”

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LICKING RIVER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45

cows being raised on former tobacco fields.

Silt comes from damage to the banks by agriculture and construction.

Over the past eight years, Tonning has been working with the federal Hypoxia Task Force, which is trying to address nutrient contamination in the Gulf of Mexico.

the Licking’s designation. Environmental agencies responded with renewed attention and investment.

From 1999 to 2006, Kentucky invested Clean Water Act funding in the Banklick Creek and other lower Licking streams.

The money was used to create the Banklick Creek Watershed Council, composed of agencies, officials, and concerned citizens. They worked with stakeholders and landowners to better manage stormwater and pollution sources by fencing off cattle, upgrading homeowners’ failing septic systems, redirecting storm water into local soils rather than straight into creeks, replanting and repairing streams, and reclaiming natural floodplains.

“WE HAVE SEEN VERY CONSISTENT SUPPORT FOR SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS,” SAYS BARRY TONNING. “EVERYBODY WANTS CLEAN WATER.” Excess fertilizers eventually enter the Gulf of Mexico, where they trigger algae blooms that consume oxygen and create a huge “dead zone” near the outfall of the Mississippi River that’s unable to support life.

The real challenge with the three pollution types, says Tonning, is that unlike contaminants from a defined source—a sewage pipe perhaps—that can be identified and fixed, this pollution washes off the landscape and comes seemingly from everywhere. And that marks a shift in the fight for waterways like the Licking.

IN 1999, THE LOWER LICKING—THE section from its mouth to Banklick Creek several miles up in Latonia—was designated “impaired” for failing to meet the required dissolved oxygen needed to support life, as well as for “organic enrichment.” Banklick Creek runs past where the Sohio refinery of Sander’s youth once stood and drains 58 square miles in Kenton and Boone counties, from rural agricultural areas to dense urban neighborhoods.

An EPA report blamed combined sewer overflows, urban runoff, and storm sewers as well as agriculture, improperly treated wastewater, and loss of wetland habitat for

By 2004, the lower Licking showed improvement. While it continues to be listed as “impaired” for bacteria, dissolved oxygen has rebounded to acceptable levels.

The Banklick Creek Watershed Council remains active, rebuilding streams, conducting cleanups and education, and connecting landowners with financial resources to implement watershed-friendly upgrades. Chris Lorentz, professor of biological sciences at Thomas More University, says watershed groups “have been gamechangers in identifying issues and raising awareness. Citizens have made a difference where government lacks the resources to adequately monitor and address issues.”

For those without a tree-hugging bone in their body, there are plenty of economic arguments in favor of supporting watershed health. First, healthy waterways reduce costs for water treatment—an EPA review of 27 drinking water utilities found that for every 10 percent increase in forest cover of the source water area, chemical and treatment costs decrease by 20 percent. Likewise for flooding. Floodplains and natural landscapes minimize the size and impact of floods, reducing the need for expensive public drainage infrastructure.

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For outdoorsy types, studies show greenspaces around watersheds have tremendous physical and mental health benefits. For you indoorsy folks, how about those higher property values that waterside properties bring? Who doesn’t covet a beautiful waterfront view?

If you want to debate economic arguments for healthy watersheds, though, let’s talk recreation and fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and wildlife-watching dollars. According to the EPA, every year 30 million Americans fish recreationally, creating about 1 million jobs and more than $45 billion in retail sales. In 2023, according to the nonprofit research group Headwaters Economics, the U.S. outdoor recreation industry generated $1.1 trillion in economic output, of which $32 billion came from boating and fishing.

The economic case is useful for communities on a river running through coal country that now need new revenue sources, says Lorentz, and also broadens the number of interested parties.

In rural areas, says Tonning of Tetra Tech, water quality is slowly progressing in the right direction. “I’ve seen the agricultural community step up and do what needs to be done,” he says. “Producers have moved toward keeping their cows away from the river.” Some are taking advantage of government funding for expensive fencing and building buffer zones between their pastures and the water.

Likewise, farmers are interested in not wasting expensive fertilizers. “So they’ve gotten better at testing soil to calibrate their fertilizer applications,” says Tonning.“We’re not there yet, but we’re certainly light years ahead of where we were 30 years ago.”

River pollution isn’t just a rural, agricultural problem. Rapid urban development throughout the Licking’s northern reaches has resulted in more runoff from lawns and impervious paved surfaces, more excess fertilizer from landscaping and homes, and more silt from construction. Homeowners have a disproportionate effect, says journalist Mead, because often they’ll buy a whole bag of fertilizer and, not wanting to waste it, use the entire thing.

“THERE’S BEEN KIND OF A REVOLUTION across the Licking watershed and a lot of

Kentucky in looking at waterways as an investment in the community,” says Brian Storz, Licking River Basin Coordinator for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. He’s been busy lately travelling throughout the basin to speak to communities about water improvement. His agency manages the allocation of EPA funds like those that were used to turn around the lower Licking.

From Maysville to Mason County to Mt. Sterling to Morehead, says Storz, “whether they want fishing or blue water trails for kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding,” he says, “residents want to turn their particular creek into a public green space and develop outdoor recreation, and they see it as a long-term investment.”

The first step, he tells them, is to get data on their water quality, particularly E. coli and nutrient levels. From there, develop a plan. If flooding is an issue, his agency recommends nature-based solutions, including wetlands and retention basins, “while trying to get that stream in good condition for communities to enjoy.”

The connection between recreation and conservation underscores the importance of waterfront projects closer to the Ohio River. The Licking River Greenway Trail, Riverfront Commons walk/bike trail, and Kentucky Route 8 Licking River Bridge Project are all places to celebrate Northern Kentucky’s riverfronts as multipurpose public spaces that put waterways front and center as community assets.

And some residents of Northern Kentucky would be happy to see more people out on the water.

Kayaker Jen Scheper hopes to see better access to the urban-set lower Licking soon. The artist and designer moved to Newport, she says, partly to be closer to the Licking River, where she kayaks about once a month. The Cincinnati Rowing Club already uses that length of river, housing their sculls in a boathouse near the Newport floodwall.

Scheper says she’d kayak more frequently if she didn’t have to use her car to lug her boat less than a mile to the water.

She also kayaks on the Ohio River, but she says the Licking is quieter with less current, “and then as soon as you get on it from the confluence of the Ohio River you’re imme-

diately in nature, really.” Paddling silently in a kayak immerses her in the natural world, gliding close to herons, turtles, and ducks on a waterway where, if you look back, you can see the downtown skyline.

Scheper currently puts in at Newport’s General James Taylor Park at the Licking’s outfall. She and her paddling friends have been advocating with the city of Newport for a designated safe access point and storage for kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and bikes. City leaders are listening, she says, and they’re on track to open a permanent boat storage facility and hopefully a kayak rental company on the Licking later this year.

Avid kayaker, grassroots organizer, and Ohio River Paddlefest founder Brewster Rhoads used to moor his houseboat close to the Roebling Suspension Bridge,“like the troll under the bridge,” he says.

Rhoads is board chair of the Ohio River Way, a blue water trail from Portsmouth to Louisville. There’s a ton of interest, he says, in increasing access to the Licking in Northern Kentucky, and a blue water trail for the river would capitalize on both its natural wonder and its heritage as a conduit for that popular Bluegrass export, bourbon.

The proposed Licking River Blue Water Trail would run from Stoner Creek near Paris, Kentucky, where Jacob Spears created the earliest bourbon, to the mouth of the Licking. According to Kenton County Director of External Affairs John Stanton, the project is currently stalled following recent litigation surrounding the development of a distillery near Spear’s original home.

But detailed research that’s gone into the proposed trail shows both the Licking’s untapped potential and its challenges. One of the main barriers cited in an October 2023 project report is a lack of public river access—but don’t let that keep you from renting a canoe or kayak at Thaxon’s Canoe and Paddlers Inn or any of the other boat liveries in the Licking watershed.

Cultural and economic tides would seem to be working in favor of the Licking. “We have seen very consistent support among liberals, conservatives, Democrats, and Republicans for soil and water conservation programs across the country,” says Tonning. “Everybody wants clean water.”

We want clean water, yes, but challenges presented by runoff pollution are growing

with the urbanizing world. How clean, realistically, can we expect the Licking to become? The answer to that question probably falls to future generations. And those generations need to have some experience with the river to learn to love it.

Professor Kristine Hopfensperger, director of Northern Kentucky University’s Environmental Sciences program, studies green infrastructure and the restoration of wetland ecosystems. Her “Water and People” class for non-science-major NKU undergrads takes them out to Banklick Creek, where they don waders, take water samples, and survey its fauna. “Many of my students are kind of scared of the water in our region,” she says. “A lot of times they’re surprised to learn that it’s maybe not as bad as they think.”

Hopfensperger believes it’s important, when green spaces are created in watersheds for communities, that the community is part of that creation. “We don’t want an outside group coming in and saying, Look at this amazing park we made for you. Let the community members have a voice and be a part of creating it. Then the residents take ownership and want to protect it.”

I ask Hopfensperger whether she thinks there’s hope for the Licking becoming really clean again, to the point where I won’t have to worry as much if my child is playing on its bank. “Maybe I’m a glass-halffull-type of person, but I don’t think the water is that bad,” she says. “E. coli is always going to be there. They’re in the gut of all wildlife. But the good news is that we know the sources of pollution and we know the solutions. The more greenspace we can put in our watersheds and on our landscape to absorb runoff, the less that will go into our streams and our creeks. Right now, most of those streams are fine on a day-to-day basis to go and play and look for things.”

I’ve explored creeks since I was a kid.

Their pull on me is even stronger as a parent, eager to share their magic with my son.

His face lights up when we reach the water’s edge. We turn over stones and skip rocks.

Something about the river’s attraction goes deeper than our vital need for water.

Rivers and watersheds transcend the sum of their parts, connecting us to the world and each other in ways we’ll never fully grasp.

That, too, is part of their purpose.

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GOING GREEK IN OTR P. 74

D NE IRISH EATS IN WYOMING P. 76

CONFERENCE COFOUNDER Q&A P. 76

ROMAN-STYLE PIZZA P. 77

CHOP IT UP Squeeze a lemon wedge over Fillo’s grilled lamb chops and crispy fries, and add a side of tzatziki dip and pita chips to round out the meal.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS VON HOLLE

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 7 3

DINING OUT

GREEK REVIVAL Formerly a bakery and café, Fillo delights foodies with its dinner service. — B R A N D O N W U S K E

I

T’S 5 O’CLOCK ON A DREARY FRIDAY AFTERNOON. AN EARLY BIRD IN A TRUE NIGHT OWL neighborhood, I’m the only customer at Fillo (pronounced fee-low), the European bakery turned modern Greek restaurant at the corner of Race and 15th streets in Over-the-Rhine.

As I wait for my lamb chops, the cook calls out from the kitchen’s small window, “They’re going to be good!” As he sets the four perfectly charred lamb tomahawks in front of me (one of the benefits of being the sole diner: direct-from-kitchen service), I second his prediction. We’re both right—the lamb chops are rare, juicy, and fatty; sublime with a good squeeze of the accompanying lemon wedge. Beaming, the cook tells me that the lamb chops are thrown directly on the grill to lock in the juices before being hit with a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and oregano.

I later found out that the proud cook is Evan Papanikolaou, Fillo’s owner/chef. Having moved to the Queen City from central Greece at the age of 12, he’s spent most of his life in the restaurant industry and is a second-generation Cincinnati restauranteur—his father opened a Pasquale’s pizza franchise in Clifton shortly after moving his family to the U.S. Greece, while small, has a diverse array of regional cuisines. The islands have their bountiful seafood, while Papanikolaou’s central region specializes in grilled meats. And while the aforementioned lamb chops are perhaps the best expression of that tradition, nearly everything at Fillo benefits from a quick hit of fire.

Starting with the bread. A favorite appetizer from a previous (less solitary) visit was a simple preparation of hearty Blue Oven bread slices, striped with grill marks and flecked with sesame seeds, served with a downright buttery extra virgin olive oil.

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FYI

Fillo Greek Restaurant 1505 Race St., Over-theRhine, (513) 873-1995, fillogreekbakeshop.com Hours Dinner Wed 4:30–9 p.m., Thurs–Sat 4:30–10 p.m., Sun 4–9 p.m.

Prices $8 (Bread Basket)– $48 (Lamb Chops) Credit Cards All major The Takeaway Neighborhood European bakery swaps pastries for dazzling Greek dinner menu.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRIS VON HOLLE

GREEK LIFE (From left) Owner/Chef Evan Papanikolaou; spiced grilled shrimp over pesto couscous; Fillo’s former pastry counter is now a full-service bar; baklava filled with chopped nuts.

Those ubiquitous grill marks are even found on the pita bread, which gets a serious upgrade from its chargrilled finish as well as a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of oregano.

We order the pita bread with a generous bowl of tzatziki, which is made from scratch and enriched by a sheen of that ubiquitous olive oil. Much like Midas, the olive oil here tends to gild everything it touches.

Most of Fillo’s menu is composed of mezedes, the small, shareable plates that serve as the binder to a great Greek meal. Take the saganaki, for example. True to Greek tradition, Fillo’s version is served without a tableside flambé. But what the dish lacks in spectacle, it makes up for in spectacular flavor. The lemonkissed vlahotyri (a tangy sheep’s milk cheese native to Greece) has a smoky, pizza parlor flavor that lingers long after the last bite.

Other dishes, like the Ntakos Salad, are much less familiar, though no less authentic. The salad (which originated on the Greek island of Crete) starts with a puck-shaped rusk of barley. The hard rusk gets a good soaking to soften it, then gets topped with olive oil, vinegar, onions, feta, capers, and kalamata olives. The oil, vinegar, and various juices flavor the barley, adding texture to the colorful, pungent salad.

This layering of ingredients and flavors also defines Fillo’s most filling entrée: moussaka. The classic dish appears on several local Mediterranean menus, but for pure comfort, Fillo’s combination of eggplant, potato, tomato-y beef ragu sauce, and béchamel can’t be beat. The veritable goulash of ingredients meld together beautifully, while each retains its identity, as in any great medley.

While Fillo honors Greek traditions, it certainly isn’t con-

strained by them. The menu at this self-described “modern” Greek restaurant leaves plenty of room for invention. Such novelty is perhaps best represented in the grilled shrimp entrée. It’s a deceptively simple name for a playful, complex dish. The shrimp, which arrive at the restaurant whole (heads and all), are cleaned and de-veined daily before taking a bath in a lemon juice and olive oil marinade.

They then get served over pesto couscous, bringing together bold flavors from across the Mediterranean.

The cocktail menu creatively infuses Greek flavors into classic drinks. That’s why my Baklava Negroni came with a splash of baklava syrup, adding a honeyed sweetness to the tart blend of gin, Campari, and passion fruit. The wine menu is composed almost entirely of Greek varietals, and there are two Greek lagers on offer.

After all, what’s a modern Greek restaurant without a well-rounded list of modern Greek drinks?

Proof that Fillo still has some bakery muscles left to flex, its three baklava rolls are spiced with cloves and cinnamon, then sprinkled with honey and walnuts. This is one of the few baklavas I’ve had where the honey is demure enough to take a backseat to the spices. If only all of them were this way.

Even though Fillo has been operating as a full-service restaurant for just a few months, it already feels like a neighborhood staple.

The changing patterns of that foot traffic necessitated Fillo’s shift from European bakery to restaurant. The bakery’s kitchen, I’m told, had the bones of a working restaurant kitchen from the beginning, in case Fillo ever needed to fall back on “Plan B.” When you work in the restaurant business for as long as Papanikolaou has, you learn how to roll with the punches. And while I’m never happy to hear that a “Plan A” hasn’t worked out, it seems that with this new iteration of Fillo, he has truly come home.

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TABLESIDE WITH...

GREG NEWMAN

HOT PLATE

A FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDustry event cofounder takes flight with Flyover Conference.

How did you come up with the concept for Flyover Conference?

After attending all of the larger food and beverage conferences scattered around the largest cities in the world, we [my business partner, Sarah Engstrand, and I] mutually agreed that there was a giant gap in accessibility. We asked ourselves, How can we take the education, networking, and community building that are so vitally important to the health of the industry overall and give smaller markets the attention they deserve? A conference combining national and international talent with local leaders right in their own city was the answer.

Irish Three-Way FROM THE TEAM BEHIND WESTWOOD’S IVORY HOUSE, GILLIGAN’S ON THE GREEN BRINGS Irish and American cuisine to the bar. Pub favorites abound in the converted firehouse (burgers, pretzels with beer cheese, grilled chicken, Reubens), but Irish bites—like fish and chips, Galway spicy mussels, and potato and leek soup—balance the menu.

One dish brings the best of each side of the Atlantic together with local flavor. The Cincy Shepherd’s Pie (Cincinnati chili–rubbed beef, sweet corn, peas, cheddar cheese, and whipped potato crust) blends two comfort classics into a new darling. This is the entrée for anyone who’s ever had a three-way and thought, “This could use more potato.”

Melted cheddar cheese crowns the dish, crisping on the sides and thick enough to cut with a knife as it cools, keeping the whipped potatoes soft and fluffy. Sweet corn and peas add texture and variety to the beef and potatoes, while the chili seasons every bite, elevating a good shepherd’s pie into a rich, decadent meal. There’s more than enough spice to make you sniff before you finish, in true Cincinnati chili fashion.

Gilligan’s on If you want to keep in the Irish spirit, go for a boxty, a traditional the Green, 400 Wyoming Ave., fried pancake of grated and mashed potato. It’s a crisp and creamy Wyoming, classic. There’s a side of ketchup if you’re feeling particularly Ameri(513) 510-5995, gilli gansonthegreen.com can, but it’s nicely seasoned and savory all on its own. — M . L E I G H H O O D 7 6 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

Who’s the target audience for the event? We hope that everyone in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry will be able to find something of value. Whether you’re a barback looking to become a bartender or an owner looking to expand or just adopt better practices, we have something for you.

Why did you want to start here?

The F&B industry here is on the rise and starting to grab some national attention thanks to several unofficial ambassadors gaining spots on advisory boards, appearing and hosting panels at the larger conferences, and winning food contests on TV. I want to keep that momentum going.

–AIESHA D. LITTLE FYI The Flyover Conference takes place at Rhinegeist Brewery on February 26 & 27. More information at flyover-conference.com

PH OTO G R A PH BY D E V Y N G LI S TA / ILLU S TR ATI O N BY C H RI S DA N G ER

BAR BITES

Blast Off

This eatery adds to the European vibe in Pendleton.

WHEN BOOMTOWN BISCUITS & WHISkey permanently closed its Pendleton location last winter, Christy Wulfson and Michael Guilfoil leapt into action. The space at the corner of 12th and Broadway wouldn’t stay empty for long, and the duo behind Bar Saeso and The Carriage House wanted it for themselves. The result is Razzo, a laid-back, dimly-lit eatery that doubles as a wine bar with a selection of natural wines, classic cocktails, and European beers.

The restaurant’s name is Italian for “rocket,” which fits with the Italianate architecture and the small menu of Italian dishes. The center of attention here is the Roman-style pizza, a rectangular, thin-crusted pie with more sauce than cheese. Spice things up with the Diavola (spicy pomodoro, ’nduja ricotta, rapini, and Calabrian chili oil) or go veggie with the Funghi (fontina, roasted garlic, local mushrooms, and caramelized onion).

“We only hoped that if we opened a pizza spot on the corner it would soon become a place that means something to people, a place where big and small things are celebrated and traditions start to take shape,” the owners wrote in a post on Razzo’s Instagram in December. “Now that we’ve been open for a couple of months we can say that you all have exceeded our expectations.”

For those not interested in pizza, you can go with the cacio e pepe (spaghetti, pecorino, and a heaping helping of black pepper) or the meatball appetizer (braised meatballs, pomodoro, and parmigiano). There’s plenty of Italy to go around. — A I E S H A D . L I T T L E Razzo, 1201 Broadway St., Pendleton, (513) 493-2806, razzo.pizza

PH OTO G R A PHS BY H AT S U E

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 7 7

BREAK K FAST A Cincinnati Magazine Event

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FOR

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Sponsored by

$40 per ticket includes: Breakfast and brunch foods from local

breakfast hot spots and favorite national brands, 2 drink tickets, live music from 4 bands, complimentary parking www.cincinnatimagazine.com/breakfast

! m u Y

Thursday, February 22 The Cincinnati Club 30 Garfield Place

6–8:30 pm

WHERE TO EAT NOW

AMERICAN 80 BARBECUE 81 CAJUN/CARIBBEAN 81 CHINESE 81 ECLECTIC 82 FRENCH 82 INDIAN 83 ITALIAN 83 JAPANESE 84 KOREAN 84 MEDITERRANEAN 84 MEXICAN 84 SEAFOOD 86 STEAKS 86 VIETNAMESE 87

DINING GUIDE CINCINNATI MAGAZINE’S

dining guide is compiled by our editors as a service to our readers.

The magazine accepts no advertising or other consideration in exchange for a restaurant listing.

The editors may add or delete restaurants based on their judgment.

Because of space limitations, all

late the “Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie Board,” which dresses up the main attractions with honey, Dijon mustard, house pickles, and Sixteen Bricks purple barley bread. The filet mignon with confit fingerling potatoes, bacon and gorgonzola cream, root house aquaponics cress, green apple, and cabernet rosemary salt is a must-have. Or try the Faroe Island salmon with wheatberries, charred bok choy, cranberries, walnuts chive purée, and tamarind vinaigrette.

AMERICAN THE BIRCH

On any given evening, guests nibble at roasted red pepper hummus served with crudités and pita bread while sipping slightly spumante glasses of white squirrel, the specialty house cocktail. And while the dinner menu reads strictly casual at first glance—soups, salads, sandwiches, and sharing plates—the preparation and quality are anything but. A broccoli cheddar kale salad with cheddar cheese, red onion, broccoli, sunflower kernels, and a garlic parmesan dressing, surpassed many versions of the bistro classic. And both the Brussels sprouts and roasted potato sides refused to play merely supporting roles. Both were sensational studies in the balance of sweet, spicy, and acidic flavors.

702 Indian Hill Rd., Terrace Park, (513) 8315678, thebirchtp.com. Lunch and dinner Tues– Sat. MCC, DS. $

BRONTË BISTRO

You might think this is a lunch-only spot where you can nosh on a chicken salad sandwich after browsing next door at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.

But this Norwood eatery feels welcoming after work, too. The dinner menu features entrées beyond the rotating soup and quiche roster that’s popular at noon. Mac and cheese? Check. Quesadillas and other starters? Yep. An assortment of burgers? Present, including a grilled portobello option. Casual food rules the day but the surprise is Brontë Bistro’s lineup of adult beverages, which elevates the place above a basic bookstore coffeeshop. The regular drinks menu includes such mainstays as cosmopolitans and sidecars.

of the guide’s restaurants may not be included. Many restaurants have changing seasonal menus; dishes listed here are examples of the type of cuisine available and may not be on the menu when you visit.

To update listings, e-mail: cmletters@cincinnati magazine.com

FIRE STARTER

Local pizzeria Catch-A-Fire closed its MadTree Brewing location in Oakley at the end of last year but will soon open a new spot inside of West Side Brewing taproom in Westwood. “We have been wanting to be a part of the Westwood and west side community for a long time, since our food truck days,” Jeff Ledford, Catcha-Fire’s co-owner, says. “We couldn’t be more excited to be joining forces with West Side Brewing.”

catchafirepizza.com

2692 Madison Rd., Norwood, (513) 396-8970, josephbeth.com. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days. MCC. $

COPPIN’S

With wine on tap and a local beer list, Coppin’s is an ideal place to meet for drinks. In addition to plenty of Kentucky bourbon, much of the produce, meat, and cheese comes from local growers and producers. House-cured meat and cheese from Kenny’s Farmhouse and cheese from Urban Stead popu-

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638 Madison Ave., Covington, (859) 9056600, hotelcovington.com/dining/coppins.

Breakfast seven days, lunch Mon–Fri, and dinner seven days. MCC. $$

GREYHOUND TAVERN

Back in the streetcar days, this roughly 100-yearold roadhouse was at the end of the Dixie Highway line, where the cars turned around to head north. The place was called the Dixie Tea Room then, and they served ice cream. The fried chicken came along in the 1930s, and they’re still dishing it up today. Families and regulars alike pile in on Mondays and Tuesdays for the fried chicken special. While the juicy (never greasy) chicken with its lightly seasoned, crisp coating is the star, the side dishes—homemade biscuits, coleslaw, green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy—will make you ask for seconds. Call ahead no matter what night you choose: There’s bound to be a crowd.

Not in the mood for chicken? Choose from steaks, seafood, sandwiches, and comfort food options that include meatloaf and a Kentucky Hot Brown.

Or just try the onion rings. You’ll wonder where onions that big come from.

2500 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell, (859) 3313767, greyhoundtavern.com. Lunch and dinner seven days, brunch Sun. MCC, DS. $$

MR. GENE’S DOGHOUSE

Cumminsville is home to arguably the best hot chili cheese mett and chocolate malt in Greater Cincinnati. A family-owned business that began as a simple hot dog stand more than 50 years ago, Mr. Gene’s still attracts lines of loyal customers at its windows. Can’t stand the heat? Order the mild chili mett—more flavor, fewer BTUs. And if you still haven’t embraced Cincinnati-style coneys, try the Chicago-style hot dog with pickles, onions, relish, mustard, tomato, and celery salt; a pork sandwich; or wings (a sign proclaims “So hot they make the

KEY: No checks unless specified.

AE American Express, DC Diners Club DS Discover, MC MasterCard, V Visa MCC Major credit cards: AE, MC, V $ = Under $15 $$$ = Up to $49 $$ = Up to $30 $$$$ = $50 and up Top 10

= Named a Best Restaurant March 2023.

devil sweat”). Although the chocolate malt is the biggest seller, we love the $3.75 pineapple shake, made with real pineapple.

3703 Beekman St., South Cumminsville, (513) 541-7636, mrgenesdoghouse.com. Open Feb– Oct for lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. MC, V. $

THE NATIONAL EXEMPLAR

The classics are here—prime rib with horseradish and au jus; liver and onions; an eight-ounce filet with béarnaise—plus some new favorites, including Pappardelle al ragu with Tuscan-style beef ragu, carrots, peas, grana cheese, and parsley.

Or choose from classic breakfast options like eggs benedict with country ham, vine-ripened tomatoes, and hollandaise sauce and the egg sandwich with your choice of goetta, ham, or bacon. The dinner menu also features burgers, risotto, pasta, seafood, and plenty more lighter options.

6880 Wooster Pke., Mariemont, (513) 2712103, nationalexemplar.com. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days. MCC, DS. $$

THE NORTHSTAR CAFÉ

In Northstar’s first outpost beyond the Greater Columbus area, the space itself reflects the ethos of the food: warm and comfortable, but still modern and fresh. The dinner and cocktail menus are fab, as is the large bar. But breakfast is worth waking up early for. Take the mushroom frittata, made with meaty mushrooms, caramelized sweet onions, and Gruyère. The portions are no joke—that frittata comes with breakfast potatoes and arugula—yet it doesn’t feel gluttonous or excessive.

In large part that’s due to the freshness (e.g., the sausage made in-house daily) and the abundance of healthy options. One of our favorites: the shooting star juice, a balanced blend of carrot, ginger, orange, and lemon.

7610 Sloan Way, Liberty Township, (513) 7590033, thenorthstarcafe.com. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days. MCC. No cash. $

QUATMAN CAFÉ

The quintessential neighborhood dive, Quatman’s sits in the shadow of the Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, serving up a classic bar burger. Look elsewhere if you like your burger with exotic toppings: This half-pound of grilled beef is served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. Sometimes cheese. The no-frills theme is straightforward and ICON BY JOE HOFFECKER

appealing. A menu of standard sandwich fare and smooth mock turtle soup; beer on tap or soda in cans (no wine or liquor); and checkered tablecloths, serving baskets, and plenty of kitsch is served daily. Peppered with regulars, families, and political discussions, Quatman’s is far from fancy. But it is fun, fast, and delicious.

2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood, (513) 731-4370, quatmancafe.com. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. MC, V, DS, MCC. $

RON’S ROOST

Ron’s stakes its reputation on its fried chicken, serving roughly 10,000 pieces weekly. It takes a few minutes, since each batch is made to order. Ron’s also serves chicken 18 other ways, including chicken livers in gravy. It’s all about the chicken here, but the menu is five solid pages of other stuff good enough to be called specialties: Oktoberfest sauerbraten, Black Angus cheeseburgers, fried whitefish on rye, hot bacon slaw, lemon meringue pie (homemade, of course), and the best Saratoga chips this side of Saratoga.

3853 Race Rd., Bridgetown, (513) 574-0222, ronsroost. net. Breakfast Sun, lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DS. $$

SUGAR N’ SPICE

This Paddock Hills diner, with other locations in Over-theRhine and Blue Ash, has been dishing up wispy-thin pancakes and football-sized omelettes to Cincinnatians since FDR was signing new deals. Breakfast and lunch offerings mix old-hat classics like steak and eggs, corned beef hash, and basic burgers with funky iterations that draw on ethnic ingredients such as chorizo and tzatziki. Get here early if you don’t want to stand in line.

4381 Reading Rd., Paddock Hills, (513) 242-3521; 1203 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 762-0390; 10275 Summit Pkwy., Blue Ash, (513) 447-6453, eatsugarnspice. com. Breakfast and lunch seven days. MCC. $

TANO BISTRO

This Loveland bistro is comfortable, with reasonably priced food and amenable service. The menu is tidy—25 or so dishes divided between appetizers, salads, and entrées, plus two or three specials—its flavor profile partially influenced by a childhood growing up in a third-generation Italian family. Most of Tano Bistro’s main courses lean toward the comfortable side of American. For instance, Williams serves a stuffed salmon and an allegiance pork chop. The sprout & snout appetizer is also worth a trip to Loveland, combining balsamic-drizzled Brussels sprouts with sliced pork belly.

204 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland, (513) 683-8266; 150 Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton, (513) 795-8654, foodbytano. com. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sat, dinner Sun & Mon. MCC. $$$

YORK STREET CAFÉ

Five blocks from the Newport riverfront, Terry and Betsy Cunningham have created the sort of comfortable, welcoming environment that encourages steady customers.

A dependable menu and quirky atmosphere appeal to a broad range of diners, from non-adventurous visiting relatives to non-attentive children. Desserts have always been one of the stars: flourless chocolate hazelnut torte, bittersweet, rich, and moist; butter rum pudding that would be equally at home on a picnic table or a finely dressed Michelin-starred table.

738 York St., Newport, (859) 261-9675, yorkstreetrestaurant.com. Dinner Tues–Sat, brunch Sun. MCC, DS. $$

BARBECUE BEE’S BARBEQUE

You’ll want to get to Bee’s early if you want to avoid the line of friendly regulars. The restaurant’s smoker churns out a variety of meats—including brisket, pulled pork, ribs, turkey breast, and two kinds of sausage—so it’s easy to see why they keep coming back. If you enjoy the spicy grease that oozes out of a good chorizo, you’ll love the Cincinnati Hot Link, which tastes like the delicious love child of a chorizo and a hot mett. Word to the wise: Bee’s opens at 11 a.m. and closes when they run out of meat. Understandably, PHOTOGRAPH BY TK FREELANCER

this doesn’t take long.

5910 Chandler St., Madisonville, (513) 561-2337; 1403 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 721-2337, beesbarbecue. com. Lunch and dinner Wed–Sat. MCC. $

ELI’S BBQ

Elias Leisring started building his pulled pork reputation under canopies at Findlay Market and Fountain Square in 2011. Leisring’s proper little ’cue shack along the river serves up ribs that are speaking-in-tongues good, some of the zazziest jalapeño cheese grits north of the MasonDixon line, and browned mashed potatoes that would make any short-order cook diner-proud. The small no-frills restaurant—packed cheek-by-jowl most nights—feels like it’s been there a lifetime, with customers dropping vinyl on the turntable, dogs romping in the side yard, and picnic tables crowded with diners. The hooch is bring-your-own, and the barbecue is bona fide.

3313 Riverside Dr., East End, (513) 533-1957; 133 West Elder St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 533-1957, ext. 2, elisbarbeque.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC. $

WALT’S HITCHING POST

A Northern Kentucky institution returns. Roughly 750 pounds of ribs per week are pit-fired in a small building in front of the restaurant, with a smaller dedicated smoker out back for brisket and chicken. Walt’s ribs begin with several hours in the smokehouse and then are quick-seared at the time of service. This hybrid method takes advantage of the leaner nature of the baby-back ribs they prefer to use. Each rib had a just-right tooth to it where soft flesh peeled away from the bone. One hidden treasure: Walt’s homemade tomato and garlic dressing. Slightly thicker than a vinaigrette yet unwilling to overwhelm a plate of greens, the two key elements play well together.

3300 Madison Pke., Ft. Wright, (859) 360-2222, waltshitchingpost.com. Dinner seven days. MCC. $$

6302 Licking Pke., Cold Spring, (859) 781-2200, theknottypineonthebayou.com. Dinner Tues–Sun. MCC, DS. $$

CHINESE CHINESE IMPERIAL INN

The chilies-on-steroids cooking here will have you mopping beads of garlic-laced sweat from your brow. The musky, firecracker-red Mongolian chicken stabilizes somewhere just before nirvana exhaustion, and aggressively pungent shredded pork with dried bean curd leaves your eyes gloriously glistening from its spicy hot scarlet oil. Even an ice-cold beer practically evaporates on your tongue. Do not fear: not all the dishes are incendiary. Try the seafood—lobster, Manila clams, Dungeness and blue crabs, whelk, and oysters—prepared with tamer garlicky black bean sauce, or ginger and green onions. The Cantonese wonton soup, nearly as mild as your morning bowl of oatmeal, is as memorable as the feverish stuff. Sliced pork and shrimp are pushed into the steaming bowl of noodles and greens just before serving. Think comforting, grandmotherly tenderness.

11042 Reading Rd., Sharonville, (513) 563-6888, chineseimperialinnoh.com. Lunch and dinner seven days.

MC, V, DS. $

GREAT TANG

CAJUN/ CARIBBEAN BREWRIVER CREOLE

More than 800 miles from New Orleans, this may be as close as you can get to the real deal here in your own backyard.

The menu fully leans into Chef Michael Shields’s penchant for cuisine from the Crescent City. His six years of training under NOLA’s own Emeril Lagasse comes through in a scratch kitchen menu that spans a range of the city’s classics. The enormous shrimp and oyster po’boys—the former protein fried in a light and crispy beer batter and the latter in a hearty cornmeal breading—are served on fluffy French bread loaves and dressed with lightly spicy rémoulades.

The jambalaya packs all the heat of a late summer day in the French Quarter without masking a hint of its satisfying flavors. Paired with a Sazerac and nightly live jazz, you may just feel tempted to start a second line.

4632 Eastern Ave., Linwood, (513) 861-2484, brewrivercreolekitchen.com. Dinner Tues–Sun, brunch and lunch Sat & Sun. MCC. $

SWAMPWATER GRILL

At first blush, this place is a dive where homesick Cajuns can find a good pile of jambalaya. But thoughtful details like draft Abita Root Beer and char-grilled Gulf Coast oysters on the half shell signal its ambition. Bayou standards like jambalaya, gumbo, and fried seafood also make an appearance. But the extensive menu also features amped-up pubstyle items for those who may be squeamish about crawfish tails (which can be added to just about anything on the menu). You’ll also find a roundup of oyster, shrimp, catfish, and alligator po’boys, as well as a selection of hardwoodsmoked meats.

3742 Kellogg Ave., East End, (513) 834-7067, swampwatergrill.com. Lunch and dinner Wed–Sun, brunch Sat & Sun. V, MC, DS, AMEX. $$

KNOTTY PINE ON THE BAYOU

June, it’s crawfish season. Get them boiled and heaped high on a platter or in a superb crawfish etouffee. But the rockin’ gumbo—a thick, murky brew of andouille sausage, chicken, and vegetables—serves the best roundhouse punch all year round. As soon as you inhale the bouquet and take that first bite, you realize why Cajun-style food is considered a high art form and a serious pleasure. And you’ll start planning your return trip.

Although the (24-page!) menu features classic dishes in every style, the specialty at Great Tang is the refined coastal cuisine of Zhejiang. If you like spice, you can get still the Sichuanese and Hunanese classics. One dish will hint at the surprises in store for people who are mainly used to Chinese takeout: the lovely Xian cold noodle. The dish is exquisitely layered: the creamy and nutty undertone of sesame paste, mixed with notes of tang and spice, topped with the bright pop of cilantro. The combination of textures is also delightful, with crunches of cucumber and sprouted mung and the softness of the flat noodles. And that tofu! It was wonderfully meaty, with dense layers, substantial and satisfying as a counterpart to the noodles. Be as brave as you are in the mood to be. Ask for some suggestions and prepare to be astonished.

7340 Kingsgate Way, West Chester, (513) 847-6097, greattangohio.com. Lunch and dinner Wed–Mon, dim sum Sat & Sun. MCC, DS. $$

ORIENTAL WOK

When Mike and Helen Wong opened Oriental Wok in 1977, the couple wanted to recreate the glamor and refinement of the Hong Kong-Cantonese cuisine they knew. Today, locals and expats alike enjoy authentic Chinese and Chinese-American dishes in dining rooms reminiscent of Beijing. Beyond the elephant tusk entryway and fish ponds and fountains is the warmth and hospitality of the Wong family, service on par with the finest establishments, and very, very good food. Best are the fresh fish: salmon, grouper and sea bass steamed, grilled or fried in a wok, needing little more than the ginger-green onion sauce that accompanies them. Oriental Wok is the tri-state’s longest-running family-owned Chinese restaurant for a reason.

317 Buttermilk Pke., Ft. Mitchell, (859) 331-3000; 2444 Madison Rd., Hyde Park, (513) 871-6888, orientalwok. com. Lunch Mon–Fri (Ft. Mitchell; buffet Sun 11–2:30), lunch Tues–Sat (Hyde Park), dinner Mon–Sat (Ft. Mitchell) dinner Tues–Sun (Hyde Park). MCC. $$

THE PACIFIC KITCHEN

The Pine serves some of the best Louisiana home-style food you’ll find this far north of New Orleans. Taste the fried catfish filets with their peppery crust, or the garlic sauteed shrimp with smoky greens on the side, and you’ll understand why it’s called soul food. Between March and

The monster of a menu can be dizzying. Ease in with some top-notch Korean Wings. These slightly bubbly, shatter-crisp wings are painted with a thin gochujang chili sauce (a foil to the fat). It takes 24 hours to prep the Cantonese duck, between a honey-vinegar brine to dry the skin, a marinade of star anise, bean paste, and soy within the re-sealed cav-

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dressing. And the bar’s clubby intimacy makes it easy to belly up and enjoy their impressive collection of single malts or a Scottish ale.

625 Walnut St., downtown, (513) 564-9111, nicholsonspub.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC. $$

ity, and the crispy convection oven finish. Dolsot bibimbap had plenty of crispy rice at the bottom of the stone bowl, and the accompanying banchan were soothing yet flavorful. Even dishes like a Malaysian goat stew resonated with rich, original flavors.

8300 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, (513) 898-1833, thepacific.kitchen. Lunch and dinner Mon & Wed–Sun, dim sum lunch Sat & Sun. MCC. $$

ECLECTIC ABIGAIL STREET

Most people who’ve eaten at Abigail Street have favorite dishes that they order every visit: the Moroccan spiced broccoli, for example, or the mussels charmoula, with its perfect balance of saffron, creaminess, and tomatoey acidity. Many of the new items on the menu have the same perfected feeling as these classics. Working within a loose framework of Middle Eastern and North African flavors, Abigail Street has never fallen into a routine that would sap its energy. Offerings like the wood-grilled lamb, with apricot, harissa, and pickled Persian cucumbers, feel just as accomplished as old favorites like the falafel, beautifully moist and crumbly with a bright parsley interior. The restaurant is always watching for what works and what will truly satisfy, ready to sacrifice the superficially interesting in favor of the essential.

Top 10

1214 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 421-4040, abigailstreet.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC, DS. $$

BOCA

With its grand staircase, chandelier, and floorto-ceiling draperies, Boca has an atmosphere of grandeur and refinement. There is a sense of drama not only in the decor but in everything it serves. In some dishes, there is a painterly sense of contrast and surprise, like the maple tuile served with the maple mascarpone cheesecake.

In others, there is a dramatic suspense, like the whole egg yolk quivering in the center of the beef tartare waiting to be broken. While staying mostly grounded in the fundamentals of Italian and French cuisine, Boca has an air of international sophistication that sets its food apart. The hamachi crudo, an old standby on the menu, takes Japanese flavors and gives them new dimensions with grapefruit suprêmes and slivers of shishito pepper. This is food of extraordinary creativity and flair.

Top 10

114 E. Sixth St., downtown, (513) 542-2022, bocacincinnati.com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DS. $$$

METROPOLE

Metropole has been remarkably stable since it opened in 2012. Even when chefs have left, the organization has promoted from within, kept popular dishes on the menu, and maintained a certain vibe, a balance between sophistication and rustic-ity. Its vegetarian fare contains many of its most inventive and delightful creations. The seared salmon is served with miso wild rice, asparagus, pickled bok choy, and sesame seeds. The blistered shishitos, served with burrata and preserved lemon, encapsulates Metropole at its best: fun and whimsical, but rooted in careful execution of deep and satisfying flavors.

609 Walnut St., downtown, (513) 578-6660, metropoleonwalnut.com. Breakfast Wed–Fri, dinner seven days, brunch Sat & Sun. V, DS, MC, AMEX. $$

NICHOLSON’S

To remind local diners that they were here before those young dog-toting punks with their exposed brick and crafty ales in Over-the-Rhine, Nicholson’s branded themselves Cincinnati’s “first and finest gastropub,” and revamped the menu to include plenty of snacks and small plates for grazing, and not-quite-brawny, straightforward sandwiches and main dishes. Try the Faroe Island salmon, a bowl of cock-a-leekie soup, or check out the shepherd’s or Scottish BBQ style burgers or the turkey reuben with Russian

NOLIA

Chef/Owner Jeffery Harris, a New Orleans native, prepares the cuisine of his beloved city with sophistication and flair, drawing on all the influences that have contributed to the cuisine of the Big Easy—from West African to French to Japanese to Haitian. The menu changes seasonally, with almost a complete overhaul each time. If classic New Orleans dishes do show up on the menu, they’re likely to get delightfully unexpected touches. Take the duck and oyster gumbo. Harris deconstructs the typical stew, building on a base of popcorn rice, instead of the more typical long grain, and a decadent duck fat roux. It’s exquisitely prepared food served in a funky, laid-back atmosphere.

1405 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 384-3597, noliakitchen.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC. $$

THE QUARTER BISTRO

Quarter Bistro has multiple personalities: one part clubby neighborhood joint, one part dinner and a movie with a dash of lusty romance. The Bistro Burger, a half-pound of black Angus beef, is seasoned but not overly so, with a sturdy-but-not-too-chewy bun. The 18-hour short ribs are the star, and reason enough to skip the movie next door.

Braised into a flavor bomb of meat candy, it’s served with papardelle pasta, roasted vegetables, and onion straws.

With the no-lip service, The Quarter Bistro could be well on the way to making middle age look sexy.

6904 Wooster Pke., Mariemont, (513) 271-5400, qbcincy.com. Dinner Tues–Sun. MCC, DS. $$

RUTH’S PARKSIDE CAFÉ

The spiritual successor of Mullane’s Parkside Café, Ruth’s brings back the vegetable-forward menu with a few concessions to contemporary tastes. Dinner options now include steaks and heavier entrées. But the stir-fries, beans and rice, pasta, and the traditional option to add a protein to an entrée (tofu, tempeh, chicken, or local chorizo) for an upcharge are all old standards. While dishes are generally hearty, they are rarely too rich, leaving room to freely consider dessert.

There is a small selection of baked goods, including a gooey butter cake, homemade fruit pies, and Madisono’s Gelato.

1550 Blue Rock St., Northside, (513) 542-7884, ruthscafe.com. Lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Mon–Sat. MCC. $$

SACRED BEAST

Sacred Beast advertises itself as a kind of upscale diner, but the real gems are the oddball dishes that don’t quite fit the diner mold. The menu can be disorienting in its eclecticism: foie gras torchon is next to fries with lobster gravy, and a king salmon is next to a diner breakfast and deviled eggs.

Winners are scattered throughout the menu in every category. On the cocktail list, the Covington Iced Tea, a lemon and coffee concoction made with cold brew, San Pellegrino, and vodka is oddly satisfying. The service is good, and there is some flair about the place—including vintage touches, from the facsimile reel-to-reel audio system to the mostly classic cocktails—even within its rather chilly industrial design. In short, go for the unique grub; stay for the elegant, shareable twists on classic snacks.

1437 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 213-2864, sacredbeastdiner.com. Lunch and dinner Wed–Sun. MCC. $$

THE STANDARD

Owners Paul Weckman and Emily Wolff offer a pared-down menu of small plates and sandwiches. It’s simple but satisfying, with a small-town diner vibe. After a complete menu overhaul that shifted the restaurant away from its Pan-Asian street food concept, The Standard focuses on Americana classics, like smoked brisket chopped cheese, smash burgers, smoked wings, and chili.

434 Main St., Covington, (859) 360-0731, facebook. com/thestandardcov. Dinner Tues–Sun. MCC. $

20 BRIX

This restaurant mixes Mediterranean influences with homespun choices, and he comes up with some marvelous food.

Lamb meatballs with melted onions and romesco sauce are

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sweet and peppery, and their simplicity partners well with a lush Zinfandel. The excellent wine list, arranged by flavor profiles within the varietals, features dozens of varieties by the glass in five-ounce or two-ounce pours, which makes it easy to try several.

101 Main St., Milford, (513) 831-2749, 20brix.com. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DS, DC. $$

TERANGA

West African cuisine consists of mostly simple, home-style dishes of stews and grilled lamb with just enough of the exotic to offer a glimpse of another culture. Be prepared for a few stimulating sights and flavors that warm from within. An entire grilled tilapia—head and all—in a peppery citrus marinade and served on plantains with a side of Dijon-coated cooked onions is interesting enough to pique foodie interest without overwhelming the moderate eater. Stews of lamb or chicken with vegetables and rice are a milder bet, and Moroccan-style couscous with vegetables and mustard sauce accompanies most items.

The dining room atmosphere is extremely modest with most of the action coming from the constant stream of carryout orders.

8438 Vine St., Hartwell, (513) 821-1300, terangacinci. com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC. $

THE VIEW AT SHIRES’ GARDEN

The name of this restaurant demands that one question be answered first: So, how’s that view? Well, it’s impressive.

Especially if the weather cooperates and you can get a seat outside. Most dishes are rotated out every six months, but a few remain staples from season to season. Try the panroasted chicken, featuring a Freebird Farms skin-on breast.

Or go for the Chef’s Feast for Two, a shareable steak with an Argentine shrimp salad and two sides. The cocktail list offers high, low, and zero proof options alongside a well-rounded beer and wine selection.

309 Vine St., 10th Floor, downtown, (513) 407-7501, theviewatshiresgarden.com. Dinner seven days, brunch Sat & Sun. MCC. $$$

FRENCH CHEZ RENÉE FRENCH BISTROT

Based on American stereotypes of French food—that it’s elaborate, elitist, and expensive—one might expect Chez Renée to fall on the chichi side. Instead, it’s elegant in an everyday way, operating on the principle that it is better to excel at simplicity than to badly execute something complicated. The formula is not complex: Simple ingredients, generally fresh and from nearby, prepared without much fuss. Warmed brie is served with thyme, almonds, fruit, and bread, and the chicken risotto is served with creamy mushrooms. This is solid, tasty food, both approachable and well-executed. It’s well on its way to becoming, as a good bistrot should be, a neighborhood institution.

233 Main St., Milford, (513) 428-0454, chezreneefrenchbistrot.com. Lunch Fri & Sat, dinner Wed–Sat. MCC. $$

FRENCH CRUST

Located in the old Globe Furniture building at the corner of Elm and Elder Streets, this Jean-Robert de Cavel creation offers French fare in the heart of Over-the-Rhine. Swing by for lunch and have a quiche Lorraine (French Crust’s quiches are unrivaled in our humble opinion) and an avocado and shrimp salad, or opt for a more hearty entree—like cassoulet—for dinner. If you’re an early bird, a Croque Monsieur (with a sunny side-up egg) is a great way to start the day.

1801 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 455-3720, frenchcrustcafe.com. Breakfast and lunch Wed–Sun, dinner Thurs–Sat. MCC. $$

LE BAR A BOEUF

If it’s been a couple of years since you’ve been to Le Bar a Boeuf—the late Jean-Robert de Cavel’s fun-yet-refined French bistro located on the first floor of the Edgecliff Private Residences in East Walnut Hills—it may be time for a revisit. The formerly burger-centric menu Top 10

now approaches the full repertoire of bistro classics.

The menu reads like a greatest hits list of bistro fare, with escargot, beef tartare, duck leg confit, steak frites, and French onion soup all making appearances. As France’s influence on American fine dining has waned, it’s refreshing to see a restaurant committed to not only preserving the French classics but reinvigorating them.

2200 Victory Pkwy., East Walnut Hills, (513) 7512333, lebarboeuf.com. Dinner Wed–Sat. MCC. $$

INDIAN AMMA’S KITCHEN

Muthu Kumar Muthiah serves traditional southern Indian and Indo-Chinese vegetarian cuisine, but with a sizable Orthodox Jewish community nearby, Muthiah saw an opportunity: If he was going to cook vegetarian, why not also make it kosher? Muthiah prepares every item—from the addictively crunchy gobhi Manchurian, a spicy Chinese cauliflower dish, to the lemon pickle, tamarind, and mint sauces—entirely from scratch under the careful eye of Rabbi Michoel Stern. Always 80 percent vegan, the daily lunch buffet is 100 percent animal-product-free on Wednesdays. Tuck into a warm and savory channa masala (spiced chickpeas) or malai kofta (vegetable dumplings in tomato sauce) from the curry menu. Or tear into a crispy, two-foot diameter dosa (chickpea flour crepe) stuffed with spiced onions and potatoes.

FOLLOW US

7633 Reading Rd., Roselawn, (513) 821-2021, cincinnati.ammaskitchen.com. Lunch buffet Mon–Fri (all vegan on Wed), dinner seven days. MC, V, DS. $

BRIJ MOHAN

Order at the counter the way you might at a fast food joint, except the shakes come in mango and there’s no supersizing your mint lassi. The saag, full of cream in most northern Indian restaurants, is as intensely flavored as collard greens in the Deep South—real Punjabi soul food. Tarka dal is spectacular here, the black lentils smoky from charred tomatoes and onions, and the pani puri, hollow fried shells into which you spoon a peppery cold broth, burst with tart cool crunch. Follow the spice with soothing ras malai, freshly made cheese simmered in thick almond-flavored milk, cooled and sprinkled with crushed pistachios.

11259 Reading Rd., Sharonville, (513) 769-4549, brijmohancincinnati.com. Lunch Fri–Sun, dinner Tues–Sun. MC, V, DC, AMEX. $

I TA L I A N A TAVOLA

In 2011, Jared Wayne opened A Tavola Pizza with two friends just as OTR was blowing up. A Ferrara pizza oven was ordered from Italy; Wayne, a skilled woodworker, built custom tables; and the menu was fleshed in with trendy crowd-pleasers like charcuterie and craft cocktails. Fast-forward a decade. The OTR outpost is closed but the second location is still going strong in the ’burbs: A Tavola Madeira capitalizes on the menu from the Vine Street location, including the fresh and zesty artichoke pizza on a Neapolitan crust; gooey mozzarella-filled arancini, or risotto fritters; and the zucchini mozzarella. Wash down your small plates with a glass of crisp and grassy Sannio falanghina or an ice-cold Rhinegeist. They’re definitely going to need a bigger parking lot.

7022 Miami Ave., Madeira, (513) 272-0192, atavolapizza.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. V, DC, MS, AMEX. $

NICOLA’S

Chef/Restaurateur Cristian Pietoso carries on the legacy of his father, Nicola, as the elder Pietoso’s Over-the-Rhine eatery celebrated 25 years in business in 2021. You can still get the old Italian classics, and they’ll be as good as ever, but the rest of Top 10

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the menu has blossomed into a freewheeling tour

of modern American cuisine. Any establishment paying this level of attention to detail—from the candied slice of blood orange on the mascarpone cheesecake to the staff’s wine knowledge—is going to put out special meals. Rarely have humble insalate been so intricately delicious, between the perfectly nested ribbons of beets in the pickled beet salad or the balance of bitterness, funkiness, and creaminess in the endive and Gorgonzola salad. Order an old favorite, by all means, but make sure you try something new, too.

1420 Sycamore St., Pendleton, (513) 721-6200, nicolasotr.com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DC, DS. $$$

PRIMAVISTA

TOP SPOTS

Six local eateries—Boca, Carlo & Johnny, Jeff Ruby’s, Nolia, Pepp & Dolores, and Sotto— made OpenTable’s 2023 Top 100 Restaurants list. The online restaurant reservation platform used 12 million verified reviews and dining metrics, such as diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance, and five-star reviews, to compile the listings.

opentable.com/blog/ top-100-restaurantsamerica-2023

Besides offering the old-world flavors of Italy, Primavista also serves up a specialty no other restaurant can match: a bird’s eye view of Cincinnati from the west side. The kitchen is equally comfortable with northern and southern regional specialties: a Venetian carpaccio of paper-thin raw beef sparked by fruity olive oil; house-made fresh mozzarella stuffed with pesto and mushrooms; or artichoke hearts with snails and mushrooms in a creamy Gorgonzola sauce from Lombardy.

Among the classics, nothing is more restorative than the pasta e fagioli, a hearty soup of cannellini, ditali pasta, and bacon. Most of the pastas are cooked just a degree more mellow than al dente so that they soak up the fragrant tomato basil or satiny cream sauces. The fork-tender osso buco Milanese, with its marrow-filled center bone and salty-sweet brown sauce (marinara and lemon juice), is simply superb. Desserts present further problems; you’ll be hard-pressed to decide between the house-made tiramisu or bread pudding with caramel sauce, marsala-soaked raisins, and cream.

810 Matson Pl., Price Hill, (513) 251-6467, pvista.com. Dinner Wed–Sun. MCC, DC, DS. $$

SOTTO

There are certain books and movies that you can read or watch over and over. Eating at Sotto is a similar experience: familiar, but so profound and satisfying that there is no reason to ever stop. Unlike other restaurants, where the techniques are often elaborate and unfamiliar, the magic at Sotto happens right in front of you, using ordinary elements and methods. When you taste the results, though, you realize that some mysterious transmutation has taken place. Orecchiette with rapini and pork sausage comes in a buttery, lightly starchy broth with a kick of spice that you could go on eating forever. From the texture of the chicken liver mousse to the seasonal fruit sauce on the panna cotta, most of the food has some added element of soulfulness.

Top 10

118 E. Sixth St., downtown, (513) 977-6886, sottocincinnati.com. Dinner seven days. V, MC, DS, AMEX. $$

VIA VITE

Via Vite serves up crowd-pleasing entrées, including the Pietoso family Bolognese, over penne, right on Fountain Square. (Add in a golf-ball-sized veal meatball heavy with lemon zest, and it’s an over-the-top comforting main dish.) The same applies to the risotto, where a few small touches add sophistication. Carnaroli rice results in a glossier, starchier dish. A puree of asparagus turns the risotto an eye-popping green, and the poached lobster garnish creates a nice back-and-forth between vegetal and briny flavors. Braised lamb shank over polenta is comforting workhorse, and the flavorful Faroe Island salmon with roasted carrot puree, caramelized Brussel sprouts and truffled brown butter balsamic vinaigrette.

520 Vine St., downtown, (513) 721-8483, viaviterestaurant.com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DS. $$

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J A PA N E S E BARU

Baru, the sleek izakaya in the former MidiCi space, prioritizes bar dining, which is meant to be enjoyed alongside its eclectic drinks list. The menu is broken down into drinks, sushi, “small plates,” “plates,” sides, and ishiyaki. Start with clever cocktail offerings, like the Japanese Highball (which uses Japanese whiskey), the Sake-tini, or the sweetly spicy Wasabi Margarita. Sushi chef Samson Kim’s offerings are—like the rest of the menu—fun and funky. The sushi menu is varied, but concise, featuring a trio of ahi tuna, spicy tuna, and escolar, as well as a quail egg nigiri. If sushi got the party going, the theatrical ishiyaki kicked it into high gear. The term refers to dishes that diners grill tableside on a hot stone. We went with the Sakura Wagyu, sourced from Ohio’s own Sakura Farms. For all its convivial buzz, Baru is also a spot where solo diners can enjoy a few peaceful bar-side bites. Tthe Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna from the small plates section brought the same level of freshness and quality as the rest of the menu. Sometimes it pays to dine alone.

595 Race St., downtown, (513) 246-0150, barusushi.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC. $$$

KYOTO

Owner Jason Shi seems to know everybody’s name as he chats up diners, guiding them through the extensive sushi and sashimi menu. Five young sushi chefs, all part of Shi’s family, work at light speed behind the bar, a choreography backlit by rows of gleaming liquor bottles. Dinner proceeds with glorious chaos as a feisty Carla Tortelli–like server delivers one dish after another—slivers of giant clam on ice in a super-sized martini glass, a volcanic tower of chopped fatty tuna hidden inside overlapping layers of thin avocado slices, smoky grilled New Zealand mussels drizzled with spicy mayo, and delicate slices of a samurai roll—all between shots of chilled sake.

12082 Montgomery Rd., Symmes Twp., (513) 583-8897, kyotousa.m988.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC. $$

KOREAN RIVERSIDE KOREAN RESTAURANT

Come for the jham bong—a seafood soup with flour noodles in a spicy broth with pork, shrimp, squid, mussels, and vegetables. Revered for its medicinal properties, the dinner-sized soup will leave your eyes glistening and your brow beaded with sweat. It’s a detox for your overindulgence, rejuvenation for when you’re feeling under the weather. Expect crowds on weekends. Expect too, that dozens of them have come for dolsot bibimbap, the hot stone pots filled with layers of rice, vegetables, meat or tofu, egg, and chili paste.

Characterized by its electric color and addictive flavors, Riverside Korean’s version is a captivating bowl of heaven.

512 Madison Ave., Covington, (859) 291-1484, riversidekoreanrestaurant.com. Lunch Tues– Fri, dinner Tues–Sun. MCC, DS. $$

MEDITERRANEAN ANDY’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILLE

In this lively joint with a burnished summer lodge interior of wood and stone, even the food is un-

restrained: rough-cut chunks of charbroiled beef tenderloin, big slices of onion and green pepper turned sweet and wet in the heat, skewers of marinated and charbroiled chicken perched on rice too generous for its plate. Co-owner Andy Hajjar mans his station at the end of the bar, smoking a hookah pipe that fills the air with the sweet smell of flavored tobacco, while the friendly but hurried staff hustles through.

906 Nassau St., Walnut Hills, (513) 281-9791, andyskabob.com. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner seven days. MCC. $$ Top 10

PHOENICIAN TAVERNA

No matter how much restraint you go in with, meals at Phoenician Taverna quickly become feasts. There is just too much that’s good, and everything is meant to be shared. With fresh pita bread continuously arriving from the ovens, and a table of quickly multiplying meze (hummus, falafel, muhammara), there is a warmth and depth to the cooking that envelops you. With such traditional cuisine, you may think there isn’t much left to discover beyond simply executed classics prepared according to time-tested methods. But there are always new discoveries as the flavors mingle from plate to plate: the tabbouleh with the hummus, mixed with a touch of harissa, or the smoky baba ghanoush spooned onto falafel.

Phoenician Taverna keeps taking these classics a little further.

7944 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, (513) 770-0027, phoeniciantaverna.com. Lunch Tues– Fri, dinner Tues–Sun. MCC. $$

SEBASTIAN’S

When the wind is just right, you can smell the meat roasting from a mile away. Watch owner Alex Vassiliou tend to the rotating wheels of beef and lamb, and you understand how Greek food has escaped the American tendency to appropriate foreign cuisines. Sebastian’s specializes in gyros, shaved off the stick, wrapped in thick griddle pita with onions and tomatoes, and served with cool tzatziki sauce. Alex’s wife and daughter run the counter with efficient speed, and whether you’re having a crisp Greek salad with house-made dressing, triangles of spanakopita, or simply the best walnut and honey baklava this side of the Atlantic (often made by the Mrs.), they never miss a beat, turning more covers in their tiny restaurant on one Saturday afternoon than some restaurants do in an entire weekend.

5209 Glenway Ave., Price Hill, (513) 471-2100, sebastiansgyros.com. Lunch and dinner Mon– Sat. Cash. $

SULTAN’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

The meze, a parade of small plates and appetizers—the refreshing yogurt dish with cucumber, mint, and garlic known as cacik, and its thicker cousin haydari, with chopped walnuts, dill, and garlic—is rounded out with flaky cheese or spinach bourekas, falafels, soups, salads, and more, while baked casseroles or stuffed cabbage and eggplant dishes (dubbed “Ottoman specials”) augment the heavy focus on kebabs: chunks of lamb and beef on a vertical spit for the popular Doner kebab (a.k.a.

Turkish gyro), peppery ground lamb for the Adana kebab, or cubed and marinated for the Shish kebab.

7305 Tylers Corner Dr., West Chester, (513) 847-1535, sultanscincinnati.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DS. $$

MEXICAN HABAÑERO

It’s easy to find a cheap burrito place around a college campus, but you’d be hard-pressed to find one as consistently good as Habañero, with ICON BY JOE HOFFECKER

Veteran Owned & Operated • 100% Custom Menus Creating Delicious Memories

Located at Peterloon. Photography by Chelsey Barhorst Photography.

GarnishCincinnati.com • (513) 791-CHEF (2433)

could be. The tuna ceviche is nicely balanced: tart, with a little spicy creaminess, and a good crispy tostada. One of Mesa Loca’s appealing qualities is its dramatic flair: The yucca fries come stacked on the plate like a late-stage game of Jenga, and the sour-and-spicy rub is quite delicious and striking against the bright starchy white of the fries.

WHERE TO EAT NOW

its flavors of Latin America and the Caribbean wrapped up in enormous packages. Fried tilapia, apricot-glazed chicken breast, hand-rubbed spiced flank steak, shredded pork tenderloin, or cinnamon-roasted squash are just some of the ingredients for Habañero’s signature burritos. All salsas are made in-house, from the smoky tomato chipotle to the sweet-sounding mango jalapeño, which is hot enough to spark spontaneous combustion.

358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, (513) 961-6800, habanerolatin.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DC, DS. $

MAZUNTE Mazunte runs a culinary full-court press, switching up specials to keep both regulars and staff engaged. Pork tamales arrive swaddled in a banana leaf, the shredded pork filling steeped in a sauce fiery with guajillo and ancho chilies yet foiled by the calming sweetness of raisins. The fried fish tacos are finished with a citrusy red and white cabbage slaw that complements the accompanying mango-habañero salsa.

With this level of authentic yet fast-paced execution, a slightly greasy pozole can be easily forgiven. Don’t miss the Mexican Coke, the margaritas, or the non-alcoholic horchata.

5207 Madison Rd., Madisonville, (513) 785-0000, mazuntetacos.com. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat, brunch Sun. MCC. $

MESA LOCA Sitting on a corner of Hyde Park Square, it’s easy to see that Mesa Loca has an absolute dream of a location. The pandemic forced a few changes to the seafood-centric menu, but those dishes still on the menu indicate what Mesa Loca

2645 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, (513) 321-6372, mesalocahydepark.com. Lunch and dinner seven days.

MCC. $$

TAQUERIA CRUZ The menu at this four-table mom-and-pop welcomes you to “a little piece of Mexico.” The huaraches (spelled guarachis here), are flat troughs of thick, handmade fried masa dough the approximate shape and size of a shoeprint, mounded with beans and slivers of grilled beef or chili-red nubs of sausage, shredded lettuce, a crumble of queso fresco, and drizzle of cultured cream. Should you have an adventurous side, you can have your huarache topped with slippery tongue, goat meat, shredded chicken, or pork. There are stews, carne asada plates, and sopes—saucers of fried masa much like huaraches, only smaller.

518 Pike St., Covington, (859) 431-3859. Lunch and dinner seven days. Cash. $

to remain a favorite. After all, it’s right in the middle of things.

21 E. Fifth St., downtown, (513) 721-9339, mccormickandschmicks.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DC, DS. $$

ROSEWOOD SUSHI, THAI & SEAFOOD Chanaka De Lanerolle sold Mt. Adams Fish House back in 2011, and Rosewood Sushi, Thai & Seafood is its reincarnation—and reinvention. Most of the menu tends toward fairly conservative takes on classics, like well-seasoned crab cakes and thick, creamy chowder full of seafood. The handful of ethnic experiments on the menu are among its most vibrant offerings, including a Mediterranean fish stew that takes inspiration from the North African coast. Tender, fluffy couscous soaks up a fiery but sweet tomato sauce that showcases chiles and peppercorns, golden raisins, and lovely firm cashews, and the stew itself is packed with mussels, shrimp, and chunks of fish.

3036 Madison Rd., Oakley, (513) 631-3474, oakleyfishhouse.com. Lunch Fri–Sun, dinner Tues–Sun. MCC. $$$

STEAKS

SEAFOOD

JAG’S STEAK AND SEAFOOD

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK’S The daily rotation here reads like a fisherman’s wish list: fresh lobsters from the coast of Maine, ahi tuna from Hawaii, clams from New England. But high-quality ingredients are only half the equation; preparation is the other. Herb-broth sea bass, served with roasted fingerling potatoes, makes the taste buds dance. The spacious digs and attentive waitstaff bring a touch of class to Fountain Square and make it a sophisticated destination. It’s likely

Chef Michelle Brown’s food is deeply flavored, if occasionally a bit busy, her steaks of the buttery-mild variety, with not too much salty char crust. All five cuts are served with veal demi-glace and fried onion straws. According to my steak-centric dining partner, his cowboy ribeye is “too tender and uniform” (as if that’s a crime). “I like to wrestle with the bone,” he adds, though that’s a scenario that, thankfully, doesn’t get played out in this subdued dining room.

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5980 West Chester Rd., West Chester, (513) 8605353, jags.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC, DC. $$$

JEFF RUBY’S

Filled most nights with local scenesters and power brokers (and those who think they are), everything in this urban steakhouse is generous—from the portions to the expert service. White-jacketed waiters with floor-length aprons deliver two-fisted martinis and mounds of greens dressed in thin vinaigrettes or thick, creamy emulsions. An occasional salmon or sea bass appears, and there’s a small but decent assortment of land fare. But most customers, even the willowy model types, inhale slabs of beef (dry aged USDA prime) like they’re dining in a crack house for carnivores. The best of these is Jeff Ruby’s Cowboy, 22 ounces of 70-day dry-aged bone-in rib eye. This is steak tailor-made for movers and shakers.

505 Vine St., downtown, (513) 784-1200, jeffruby.com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DC. $$$$

LOSANTI

A bit more upscale than its sister restaurant, Crown Republic Gastropub, Losanti is also more conservative in its offerings. Service is friendly and informal, and though the meal feels like a special occasion, prices and atmosphere are right for, say, a date, rather than a wedding anniversary.

The filet mignon, rib eye, and New York strip are cut to order for each table (there are a few available weights for each). The steaks themselves are totally irreproachable, perfectly seasoned, cooked to precisely the right point. Losanti even makes the steakhouse sides a little special. Sweet and smoky caramelized onions are folded into the mashed potatoes, a nice dusting of truffles wakes up the mac and cheese, and the sweet corn is at least freshly cut off the cob and recalls elote with lime and chile.

Top 10

1401 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 246-4213, losantiotr.com. Dinner seven days. MCC. $$$

THE PRECINCT

Part of the appeal of the Ruby restaurants is their ability to deliver deep, comfort-food satisfaction. And the steaks. The meat is tender with a rich mineral flavor, and the signature seasoning provided a nice crunch, not to mention blazing heat. The supporting cast is strong—the basket of warm Sixteen Bricks bread with a mushroom truffle butter, the addictive baked macaroni and cheese, the creamy garlic mashed potatoes, the crisp-tender asparagus with roasted garlic and lemon vinaigrette—and dinner ends on a sweet note with a piece of Ruby family recipe cheesecake. Neither cloyingly sweet nor overwhelmingly creamy, it’s a lovely slice of restraint.

Top 10

311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, (513) 321-5454, jeffruby.com/precinct. Dinner seven days. MCC. $$$$

TONY’S

He is a captivating presence, Tony Ricci. Best known for his 30 years in fine dining—including the Jeff Ruby empire while managing the venerable Precinct—Ricci has built a life in the hospitality industry.

Much of Tony’s menu is right out of a steakhouse playbook: jumbo shrimp and king crab legs from the raw bar; Caprese, Greek, and Caesar salads; sides of creamed spinach, mac-and-cheese, asparagus, and sautéed mushrooms; toppings of roasted garlic or Gorgonzola butters to accompany your center cut of filet mignon. There are boutique touches, though, that make it stand out—a garlic herb aioli with the calamari, steak tartare torch-kissed and topped with a poached egg, a superb rack of lamb rubbed with aromatic sumac and served with mint pesto.

12110 Montgomery Rd., Symmes Township,

(513) 677-8669, tonysofcincinnati.com. Dinner seven days. MCC, DS. $$$$

VI ETNAM E S E PHO LANG THANG

Owners Duy and Bao Nguyen and David Le have created a greatest hits playlist of Vietnamese cuisine: elegant, brothy pho made from poultry, beef, or vegan stocks poured over rice noodles and adrift with slices of onions, meats, or vegetables (the vegan pho chay is by far the most flavorful); fresh julienned vegetables, crunchy sprouts, and herbs served over vermicelli rice noodles (again, the vegan version, bun chay, is the standout); and bánh mì. Be sure to end with a cup of Vietnamese coffee, a devilish jolt of dark roast and sweetened condensed milk that should make canned energy drinks obsolete.

1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 376-9177, pholangthang.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DS, DC. $ CINCINNATI MAGAZINE, (ISSN 0746-8 210), February 2024, Volume 57, Number 5. Published monthly ($19.95 for 12 issues annually) at 1818 Race St., Ste. 301, Cincinnati, OH 45202. (513) 421-4300.

Copyright © 2024 by Cincinnati Magazine LLC, a subsidiary of Hour Media Group, 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted without permission. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, and artwork should be accompanied by SASE for return. The magazine cannot be held responsible for loss. For subscription orders, address changes or renewals, write to CINCINNATI MAGAZINE, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071, or call 1-866-660-6247. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati, Ohio, and additional mailing offices.

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BEAN THERE, DONE THAT

The Fix Coffeehouse & Bar recently opened in the former Symposium space in East Walnut Hills.

Owners Keith and Elizabeth Coombs decided to move their downtown location from the Scripps Center to DeSales Plaza on Woodburn Avenue after only a few months of operation.

thefixcoffeebar.com

FEBRUARY 25 • 11 A.M. –3 P.M.

WEDDING SHOWCASE A FREE event showcasing wedding cake trends and tablescape inspiration.

The Loft at DLM Springboro 740 N. Main Street • (937) 748-6800 DorothyLane.com/WeddingShowcase

ICON BY JOE HOFFECKER

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M 8 7

CINCY OBSCURA

Safety First NORTHERN KENTUCKY KIDS HAVE A FUN NEW WAY TO LEARN ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY IN A

controlled environment—and right in their own neighborhood. The Dayton “traffic garden” goes beyond the typical dos and don’ts of traffic safety. “It teaches children how the built environment helps facilitate different transportation choices and how better design and engineering can enable healthier, safer, and more sustainable modes of transportation,” says project manager Caitlin Sparks. The kid-sized course features everything from roundabouts to railroad crossings and is accessible for kids and adults on wheels and on foot.

It permanently opened in October 2023, just months after the city tested a temporary chalk version for neighborhood feedback. “Children navigate the small-scale network of streets on foot and bikes, learning important life lessons, and adults gain a better understanding of a young person’s needs and experiences,” Sparks says. “In small and grand ways, we believe traffic gardens help us all sharpen our focus on safety and accessibility so that we may build healthier, more equitable, and vibrant communities.”— R E B E K A H B O S T I C K 8 8 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4

PHOTOGRAPH BY GRANT MOXLEY

ANTIQUES

FC PLAYER

Ohio Valley Antique Mall

Lucho Acosta

BOOKSTORE

FOOD TRUCK

Joseph-Beth Booksellers

Tacos Locos

BUTCHER

FURNITURE STORE

Eckerlin Meats

Bova

CHARITY

ICE CREAM

Matthew 25: Ministries

Graeter’s

CLUB

KIDS CLOTHING STORE

Bloom OTR

The Spotted Goose

COFFEE

MUSEUM

Mom ’n ’Em

Cincinnati Art Museum

CONCERT VENUE

PIZZA

Ludlow Garage

Taglio

BENGAL

ROMANTIC DINING

Joe Burrow

Sotto

RED

WEDDING VENUE

Joey Votto

Mojave East

DOG PARK

WINGS

Otto Armleder

Knockback Nats

Congratulations to the Winners!

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BRING US TOGETHER Miami is a storied university with record-breaking love: Traditions are an important part of life at Miami, and Upham Arch is one of the most famous. On June 20, 2009, Miami University made history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most people renewing their wedding vows at once under the Upham Arch.

At Miami, we lead with Love and Honor and provide moments that will truly transform you. Jules Jefferson ’24 says, “Why Miami? Because of the Love and Honor that people share uniquely with each other — so building that unique community.”

Learn how Miamians live by the Code of Love and Honor