Cincinnati Magazine - December 2022 Edition

BEST of the CITY

Tell Redness & Brown Spots to “ChillOut”!

Mona Dermatology in Kenwood is the first practice in Ohio to offer the new Glacial Rx treatment, which uses cooling technology to reduce inflammation and decrease brown pigment from sun damage.

Mona Dermatology in Kenwood is the first practice in Ohio to offer a revolutionary new treatment, Glacial Rx. This patented technology harnesses the power of cold to reduce redness, accelerate exfoliation, fight inflammation, brighten skin, and decrease hyperpigmentation.

“I am so excited to offer our patients the first and only treatment that can actually decrease inflammation to treat concerns such as rosacea and melasma. My first Glacial Rx treatment was such a soothing and calming experience that I was looking forward to my next one and

I know that you will love it too,” says Dr. Mona.

How does it work? Glacial Rx improves your skin both on the surface level and deep into your cells. At the surface, the treatment will exfoliate to clear away dead skin and promote the generation of new skin. But below the surface, the cooling technology within the treatment helps to both fight inflammation and decrease stubborn pigment. In our skin, we have proteins that “tell” (or signal) our cells to either create or reduce inflammation. The Glacial Rx works by actually reducing the inflammatory signals and increasing the anti-inflammatory

signals within our skin. In addition, the treatment also prevents the production of melanin, which produces pigment that causes the sun spots we see on our skin as we get older. The combination of these two actions results in reduced redness and brown spots, as well as overall brighter and younger-looking skin.

Patients will begin to see improvements in their skin after just one treatment with progressively improving results over one to two months. Dr. Mona recommends a series of three treatments for best results. To learn more about Glacial Rx, visit monadermatology.com or call 513.984.4801.

fMonaDermatologyinKenwood

Dermatolo

MonaS.Foad,MD,isaboard-

FASTFACTS

92% of patients saw improvement in their skin

100% of patients rated the treatment as “worth it” (via RealSelf)

87% spots removed at 3 months

P. 40

BEST OF THE CITY 2022

Our annual celebration of the city’s superlatives brings you everything from stellar potato chips to a social media star to an exhaustive guide to margaritas—and more.

THE PINBALL WIZARDS

AMONG US P. 56

The retro arcade game, a Cincinnati invention, ricochets into a new age thanks to the Baker brothers, an annual tournament called Pincinnati, a new family-friendly approach, and interest from a younger generation.

BY LAURIE PIKE

JACK ROUSE IS CINCINNATI’S UNOFFICIAL MINISTER OF FUN P. 60

He launched CCM, Kings Island, The Banks, Rhinegeist, and Playhouse in the Park to new levels, among many accomplishments. Mostly, though, he’s focused on creating smiles, opening minds, and touching hearts.

BY RICK PENDER

DINE

BY: (TOP) PHIL ARMSTRONG / (BOTTOM) JEREMY KRAMER

PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC GROWTH.

BECAUSE WHO THEY BECOME IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT THEY LEARN.

We ensure that each child, 18 months to 18 years, will be known, nurtured, and inspired. Few schools are better equipped to connect students both academically and personally. Whether in the classroom or on our 62-acre campus, we are designed to help cultivate a passion for learning, independent thinking, and self-discovery that guides students to be scholars, athletes, artists, innovators, and leaders. Country Day is The Place to Be. APPLY

Faces

Up For a Challenge?

Save the date and take part in the Mightycause Cincinnati Gives Challenge presented by P&G and hosted by Cincinnati Magazine. The Challenge goes live on November 28, the evening before Giving Tuesday. All nonprofits keep the money they raise during the campaign, which runs through December 8. Learn more about some of the participating charities in this issue of Cincinnati Gives, then visit cincinnatigives.org and support your favorite cause!

Photo

Photographer Frank; 2nd Row: Alayna Parker Photography; Ashley Patton Photography

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jim DeBrosse, Kathleen Doane, Jay Gilbert, Lisa Murtha, Laurie Pike, Kevin Schultz, John Stowell, Linda Vaccariello, Kathy Y. Wilson, Jenny Wohlfarth, J. Kevin Wolfe

EDITORIAL INTERN Jaylin Leslie

DIGITAL INTERNS Brianna Connock, Emma Helbling

Jen Kawanari, Emi Villavicencio ASSISTANT

DIRECTORS Carlie Burton, Logan Case, Jessica Dunham

DESIGNER Wesley Koogle PHOTO CO-OP HATSUE

ARTISTS Lance Adkins, Ryan Back, Wes Battoclette, Aaron M. Conway, Chris Danger, Andrew Doench, Devyn Glista, Chris von Holle, Jeremy Kramer, Ryan Kurtz, Lars Leetaru, Marlene Rounds, Dola

WE’VE BEEN DOING A VERSION OF BEST OF THE CITY AT CINCINNATI MAGAZINE

since1977, when it was launched to help celebrate our 10th anniversary. Want to recall what a different world we lived in back then? The cover featured a smiling image of “Jerry,” who was dubbed the Best Newspaper Hawker for working the corner of Fourth and Vine streets downtown. You might ask what a newspaper hawker was. Or a newspaper.

Other notable “bests” from 1977: Best Cafeteria was The Wheel downtown; Best Bagels was Buchheim Bakery in Golf Manor; Best Place to Buy HighFashion Shoes was Lou Goland’s in Roselawn. A few recommendations have aged better: Best Chocolate Chip Ice Cream was Graeter’s; Best Chinese Restaurant was China Gourmet in Hyde Park; Best Place to Nurse a Cup of Coffee Before Midnight was Sugar ’n Spice in Bond Hill.

I pulled a handful of other “Best of” from our archives for a few laughs. Maybe they’ll bring a smile to your face, too. Was 1982 really this weird? Best Cheater’s Bar was Oodles downtown (“You’ll find more wedding rings in pockets than on fingers”); Best Nooner was the Drake Motel in Sycamore Township (“If you’re out in the suburbs and it’s noon and for some reason you need a motel room on a short-term basis”); and Best Place to Meet Singles was the grocery store (“Any grocery store”).

The new century dawned with these nightlife standouts, as highlighted in the 2000 issue: Best Place to Feel Sophisticated was The Spy Club downtown; Best Comeback Kid was Caddy’s on Second Street downtown; and a “Classic Cincinnati” award went to The Celestial in Mt. Adams. And just five years ago, in my first Best of the City issue as editor, we got all excited about Court Street Lobster Bar downtown (Best Quick Trip to Maine); Myrtle’s Punch House in Walnut Hills (Best Underground Comedy Scene); and a strange new sport called pickleball (Best New Racquet).

How many of this year’s awards will stand the test of time or be irrelevant by 2027? Take a look starting on page 40, and let us know.

JOHN FOX EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

LISA MURTHA

WLisa Murtha wasn’t expecting to find a story at her son’s hockey practice. But the Cincinnati Magazine contributing editor knows a good story when she sees one. Walking out of the rink, she knew she had to talk to Jamie Benassi. “She was phenomenal. I didn’t know who she was,” says Murtha, “just that there was one person who was head and shoulders better than everyone else on the ice. I really was inspired by her strength, pure joy, and positive outlook.” She hopes you’re inspired, too.

RICK PENDER

Historian and lover of all things in and around the arts, contributing writer Rick Pender explores one man’s major impact on Cincinnati in “Jack Rouse Is Cincinnati’s Unofficial Minister of Fun” (page 24). “His fingerprints are all over the arts in our community,” says Pender. “He’s just an easy guy to talk to, and I enjoyed being able to dig in and learn more about him.”

HATSUE

Cincinnati-based photographer HATSUE got her start behind the camera with little more than a camera-equipped iPad, a horse barn, and plenty of curiosity. “I learned photography through trial and error,” she says. “Jumping into the deep end and figuring things out as I went.” This month, her photographs dot the pages of CM’s annual “Best of the City” (page 40). Her own pick for best of the city? Easy. The avocado toast at Madisonville’s Mom ’n ’em Coffee & Wine. “There’s nowhere else I would spend money on an avo toast,” she says.

HOLIDAYS WITHOUT SCROOGE

Bruce Cromer finds other ways to stay busy while the Playhouse puts A Christmas Carol on hold.

JOHN STOWELL

THE BED IS EMPTY, THE NIGHTSHIRT LAID ASIDE. NO PRIZE TURKEY HANGS IN the poulterer’s shop window. The spirits who each year transform a sour curmudgeon into a giddy schoolboy are taking this Christmas off. And Bruce Cromer, Cincinnati’s iconic Ebenezer Scrooge, is on his own, because Playhouse in the Park’s Marx Theatre stage isn’t just dark this year—it’s gone.

It’s difficult to imagine a local holiday season without Scrooge. A Christmas Carol , Charles Dickens’s 1843 masterpiece about a bitter old miser who finds redemption and happiness following the visit of three Christmas spirits, has been a Playhouse tradition since 1991. Along with The Nutcracker from Cincinnati Ballet, the Fountain Square tree lighting, model trains at Union Terminal, Krohn Conservatory’s manger, and Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights, Scrooge’s annual redemption at the Playhouse has been a Queen City holiday touchstone for more than a generation.

But have no fear: Our favorite penny pincher’s absence this month will be as brief as his Christmas Eve slumber. Next year, audiences will settle back in the glittering new Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre, which is rising steadily these days atop Mt. Adams, and enjoy a new set, new script, new staging technology, and new faces along with the timeless story. In the meantime, Cromer is giving up Scrooge’s cold, dark counting house for a relaxing holiday in the warmth of his Yellow Springs home. It comes at a good time. He and Carol, his wife of 42 years, are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first grandson, due in early December. Their son Charlie, who played Young Scrooge alongside his

father, and his wife will soon have their own “Tiny Tim.”

Cromer burst onto the Marx holiday stage in 1997 as Bob Cratchit, the same year Joneal Joplin assumed the role of Scrooge, and then took over the lead role in 2005. Cromer’s eyes twinkle as he recounts scene after scene of Howard Dallin’s adaptation of the Dickens classic. It’s a script, he says, that has given directors and actors opportunity to develop the Scrooge and Cratchit characters beyond one-dimensional, almost cartoonish personas. Over the years, he notes, tweaks here and there—sometimes made on the fly—freshened up the timeless story.

He laughs at his Christmas Carol mishaps: The opening night performance in pantomime after the stage’s lift system malfunctioned in 2019; and spraining his ankle after catching his foot in the bed sheets. He marvels at Tiny Tim actors who are now grown men and fathers themselves. And he gets sentimental recounting the scene where Belle breaks her engagement with Young Scrooge, who’s lost his soul to money. “Just thinking about that moment,” he says, his voice slowly drifting off, “especially when I was watching Charlie do it…” He’s shaking his head and looking down sadly at his hands.

The Phoenix. He recalls a summer retirement party for his long-time dresser, Cindy Saalfeld, and wonders if his emotions might get the better of him again.

I ask if he’ll miss Scrooge this season as we sit on the patio at a Beavercreek brewery. He concedes he will, but it’s Scrooge talking. “I’ll miss the money,” he says with a laugh that’s all Cromer. “A Christmas Carol would finance our entire Christmas.”

THIS JUST IN: IT’S A DREAM JOB

Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig’s Holiday Party runs December 14–18 at The Phoenix, downtown. cincyplay.com

Cromer retired last year as a professor at Wright State University but remains an occasional guest lecturer and teaches stage combat and movement. He’s working on a book based on his acting career. And he visited a barber shop in the fall for the first time in years, since he had no need to cultivate the wild, unkempt hair that added an extra ingredient of intimidation into Scrooge’s bark.

Long before Serial was trending and podcasts were a thing, there was radio. Broadcast journalism is having a moment these days, which is what drew Lucy May, a long-time local print and TV reporter, to jump into the host role at WXVU’s weekday Cincinnati Edition news interview program (airing Monday through Friday, noon–1 p.m.). She’s found her calling, says May.

having a renaissance. What do you enjoy most about radio? I think what I like most is the transparency. With this job, listeners can hear me ask questions, and they can hear how guests respond. They can decide if my questions are bad or good, and they can call or e-mail with their own questions. This job puts the reporting process on display.

Cromer is so sentimental that he’s unsure if he’ll use his holiday break to take in the Playhouse’s performances of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig’s Holiday Party at

OUTDOORS

He’s very interested in the next iteration of Ebenezer Scrooge at the Playhouse, although he’s retired from the role. Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison is working on a new script adaptation that will debut with the new theater, and Cromer can imagine Scrooge in his new digs, a packed audience watching every move intently. The pressure is on, to be sure, but that’s what makes live performances so thrilling and often surprising. “I know I’m not going to do it anymore, but to go in and see a new version in a new space, that’s exciting,” he says.“I think the audience will love it.”

TWICE THE ICE

Ice skating season expands mid-month at Fountain Square downtown and Summit Park in Blue Ash: 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily at the Square (including Christmas Eve and Day), while Summit has sessions noon–8 p.m. daily (closed Christmas Day). myfountainsquare. com, summitparkblueash.com

Tell us about your background and how you arrived at WVXU. I studied journalism in college and was completely focused on being a newspaper reporter, which I did for the first 23 years of my career, followed by almost a decade at WCPO Channel 9, where I started out writing in-depth stories for the website and then reported on television, too. That was terrifying, but I learned a ton.

I’ve been a huge National Public Radio nerd and a WVXU member for decades. When the Cincinnati Edition host gig opened up, it sounded like a dream job. I applied, thinking there was no way in heck I would get it. I’m still shocked I did!

With the popularity of podcasts, broadcast journalism is kind of

What are your favorite kinds of stories to research and share? My favorite stories dig deep into complicated issues and shine light on them. I also love stories about people—their struggles, their work to overcome those struggles, how they manage to take awful experiences and turn them into something good.

As a writer and lifelong resident, I’m constantly surprised— in the best ways—by Cincinnati. What do you love about the Queen City? For me, the people here are what make Greater Cincinnati so special. I’m a dork who goes for walks and says hello to everyone I pass, and the majority say hello back. That doesn’t happen everywhere.

—SARAH M C COSHAM

Personalizing the Right Care for You

W h e t h e r s a f e l y i n o u r c l e a n f a c i l i t i e s o r v i r t u a l l y f r o m t h e c o m f o r t o f y o u r o w n h o m e ,Whether safely in our clean facilities or virtually from the comfort of your own home, w e ’ r e c r e a t i n g t h e p e r s o n a l i z e d s o l u t i o n s y o u n e e d , t o m e e t y o u w h e r e y o u n e e d u s .we’re creating the personalized solutions you need, to meet you where you need us. B e c a u s e n o m a t t e r h o w t h e w o r l d a r o u n d u s c h a n g e s , w e b e l i e v e y o u r h e a l t h c a r eBecause no matter how the world around us changes, we believe your health care s h o u l d a l w a y s r e v o l v e a r o u n d y o u .should always revolve around you.

V i s i t Visit m e r c y.c o m/p r i m a r y c a r e mercy.com/primarycare t o c o n n e c t w i t h a p r i m a r y c a r e p r o v i d e r t o d a y.to connect with a primary care provider today.

Jeffonia Wynn

Miss Ebony J

What’s the importance of fashion in your life? It plays a huge role. I never thought that your clothes could mean so much, but I have noticed, ever since I hired a fashion designer to work with me, that people see me differently now. You’re always branding. My fashion now is part of my brand, and it’s part of me. When you walk in a room amongst people who don’t know you, that’s the first thing they see, and it can speak very loud. What sorts of changes has your stylist made? I have a look book. It helps me figure out what styles I’ll wear if I’m hosting an event versus if I’m speaking at an event versus if I’m going to speak to kids or if I’m going to be around adults. We did a big closet revamp. She [Ty Riley] broke it down by the colors as well as where I will wear things, which has helped me put some looks together by myself. What’s something you’ve learned since working with your stylist? I learned that there are no rules to fashion, which is so crazy because when I was growing up, we were told there were all these rules: You can’t wear white after Labor Day, you can’t wear polka dots with stripes. What I’m learning from her is you can do what you want to do. It’s just about how your confidence is gonna pop it out. How have these fashion changes affected the way you feel about yourself? It helps me be able to get things done. It maybe cliché, but it goes back to the confidence. As somebody who’s been struggling with self-esteem and self-worth, I’m finally at a place where I can confidently say how I feel about things, what I think. My insides are glowing, and I am happy because I feel confident in what I’m wearing.

—JACLYN YOUHANA GARVER

OCCUPATION: Radio personality and producer for R&B Cincy100.3, founder/owner of Ebony J Media and the I Am Queen Awards

STYLE: Professional, with a dash of sexy

Whether you’re a start-up or a mid-size company celebrating a landmark anniversary, Heritage Bank can provide the banking solutions and expertise essential to your success. We’re small business banking specialists inspired by our customers’ vision, ingenuity and grit. We’re a community bank vested in the region you call home.

When you’re ready to bank where you’re a priority, we’re ready to get acquainted. www.OurHeritage.bank

IT’S NOT EXACTLY UNCOMMON TO SPOT BRONZE PLACARDS DOTTING front porches in historic neighborhoods like Covington. What might be slightly less likely is having a home that connects so deeply to local history, the city itself would have been different without it.

Tucked comfortably within the shady rows of the Licking Riverside Historic District (and in the shadow of the much more modern Ascent building), 207 Garrard St. has both historic chops and 21st century pull, having been impeccably maintained by generations of owners and, at one point, by the city itself.

Historical records paint a picture of a property rooted in Covington from its be ginning, when Nancy Kennedy inherited the land from her grandfather, Thomas Kennedy, remembered as founder of Covington but also one of the largest plantation owners and slaveholders in Kentucky. Nancy was a colorful character in her own right—rumor has it that Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote several chapters of Uncle Tom’s Cabin while staying at her home and even modeled the character

Following Nancy’s death in 1904, the still-vacant land at 207 Garrard St. was sold to Catherine Brennen, the wife of Connecticut-born steamboat captain John Brennen, who went on to build the house in 1908. John served as captain of the Fleetwood , a formidable sidewheel ship that would have run a route between Cincinnati and Louisville during its final years on the water. Decades later, after changing hands a handful of times, the home was sold in 1949 to the Kenton County Fiscal Court, which used it as a courthouse.

Today, however, you’d (thankfully) never know about the house’s stint as anything other than a home, thanks in part to good bones and to the Brennen’s attention to detail over a century ago. It’s still perfectly stately, with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and elegant dark wood details throughout, but it’s modern with its gourmet kitchen and three-car garage, and lush with its very private back yard, where the vine-blanketed arbor, winding walkways, and spacious veranda beckon.

Eva St. Clare after her.

RyanKiefer

AnnLafferty AshokGhildyal

Robert DiederichsenIII

Our riverfront’s bridges have painted columns of numbers on the concrete supports underneath. What do they mean? The numbers closest to the water are largest, so they can’t mean the water level. And the numbers are different under each bridge. Are they some kind of secret nautical code? —COUNT

DEAR COUNT: We receive this question regularly from landlubbers. The numbers have different meanings depending on which direction boaters are going when passing Cincinnati’s five riverfront bridges. Traveling east, numbers on the top lines show the combination for unlocking

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

the secret entrance to Hillary Clinton’s Pizzagate underground lair. Going west, add up all the numbers on the second lines, multiply the total by 1,062,021 (the date of the January 6 insurrection; easy to remember), and you have the number of vaccination victims injected with government microchips.

Or maybe it’s this: The numbers are “clearance gauges” showing the river’s water level in relation to the bridge above. Let’s say you’re approaching a bridge and you see the water line resting at the number 40. Translation: If your boat’s height exceeds 40 feet, you are about to join the many YouTube videos of trucks that sheared off their tops at a railroad overpass. Trust the science, and pay your insurance premiums.

During September’s “White Out” Bengals game, I noticed something about the uniforms: Black stripes on white helmets make the safety warning decal on the back impossible to read. The decal’s text disappears over the black stripe. Doesn’t this violate some NFL safety rule?

—A CONCERNED WHISTLEBLOWER

DEAR CONCERNED: You must know, having watched that Bengals game and others, that it’s a bad year for poking the NFL about rules and regulations. Their voicemail has probably been full since Week 5. Still, you have a point. The standard orange and black Bengals helmet displays legible white text on its safety warning decal, but on the “White Out” helmet, whether black or white text is used, some portion of the warning disappears.

There are decals with alternate-colored text, but a sleek White-Out Bengals helmet with a green or purple blob on the back would inflict an aesthetic head injury. Maybe this factored into things. Besides, do you think any NFL player has looked at the decal since receiving his first helmet in middle school? It isn’t there for the safety of players; it’s for the safety of lawyers.

Dr. Know is Jay Gilbert, radio

The Doctor dutifully contacted the Bengals organization to determine if some safety regulation may have been violated on that September night. They politely suggested contacting the NFL. The NFL’s voicemail seems to be full.

At Spring Grove Cemetery we saw The Sentinel, the statue overlooking the graves of Civil War soldiers. They say it stood on Fountain Square originally but that merchants got it moved because they thought Civil War memories were bad for business. Sounds like a fable to me. Please confirm.

—STANDING WATCH

DEAR WATCH:

This column has fearlessly debunked several entrenched Cincinnati myths, such as the “damage” from the fi rst ringing of St. Francis de Sales Church’s tower bell (May 2019), the supposed “vaudeville” history of Bogart’s in Corryville (August 2015), and others. Let’s look at this one.

Modern stories of The Sentinel all say the statue was “banished” from its downtown location in 1866 because it somehow upset Civil War veterans. We don’t know where that legend started, but it ends here. Fifth Street Market (as it was called in prefountain days) was intended from the outset as a short-term stopover for The Sentinel, awaiting the financing and building of its proper pedestal at Spring Grove Cemetery. Newspapers reported this plan long before the statue even arrived in the U.S. from its Munich foundry.

The Sentinel could not make you “uncomfortable” at Fifth Street Market unless you paid 25 cents to step inside a wooden building (described as “temporary” before it was even built) and view it. Some complained that the statue’s face looked a little “foreign”—whatever that means— but that’s all. There was no “banishment.” Spring Grove Cemetery was always going to be The Sentinel ’s destination. The Doctor has the receipts. He awaits his Pulitzer Prize.

INSPIRE. SUPPORT. ACT.

American Sign Museum | Arthritis Foundation | ArtWorks | Best Point Education & Behavioral Health | Bethany House Services Inc. | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati | Bridges of Faith Trialogue dba EquaSion | Cancer Free Kids Pediatric Cancer Research Alliance | Catalyst Counseling Foundation Inc. | Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra | Cincinnati Museum Center | Cincinnati Nature Center | Cincinnati Preservation Association | Cincinnati Song Initiative | Cincinnati Tennis Foundation | Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship | Cincinnati Works | Cincinnati Youth Collaborative | Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden | Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House | Companions on a Journey Grief Support Inc. | Do Good Mission | EDGE Teen Centers | Everybody In! | First Step Home | Focus on Youth Inc. | Forever Kings Inc. | Foundation of Joy | Friends of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House Incorporated | Grant Us Hope Inc. | Heartfelt Tidbits Inc. | HER Cincinnati | His Eye Is on the Sparrow Llc | Hope4 Ukraine | Inter Parish Ministry | INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati | Isaiah 55 Inc. | Islamic Educational Council | LADD | Learning Through Art | Lighthouse Youth & Family Services | Love Grows Program Inc. | Loveland LIFE Food Pantry | Master Provisions Inc. | Matthew 25 Ministries | Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio Inc. | My Nose Turns Red Theatre Company | NAMI of Southwest Ohio | National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Inc. | NewPath Child & Family Solutions | Over-The-Rhine Museum | Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region | Pro Seniors | Progressive Animal Welfare Society Adoption Center Inc. | Q-Kidz Dance Team | R-3 Restorations | Reviv Family Support Foundation | Revolution Dance | Samaritan Car Care Clinic Inc. | Springer School & Center | St Joseph Home | St. Rita School for the Deaf | St. Vincent de Paul - Cincinnati | Starfire Council of Greater Cincinnati | Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank | Taking Root | The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation | The Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center | The Story Collective | The Wyoming Fine Arts Center | The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati | West College Hill Neighborhood Services Inc. | Whitney/Strong | Your Store of the Queen City |

Charities registered as of November 2, 2022.

Happy Old Year!

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE TO LIVE IN 1922 INSTEAD OF 2022, AND NEITHER DO YOU. We might sometimes feel attracted to the “simpler times” of a century ago, when the air was cleaner and the streets were safer and Cincinnatians were friendlier, but wait—were those things really true? Sure they were, if your last name was Procter, Kroger, Nippert, Moerlein, or anyone listed in Mrs. Devereux’s Blue Book of Cincinnati.

Ordinary people, though, couldn’t afford simpler times. The air was foul, the streets were a car/horse/pedestrian death match, and if everyone was so damned friendly back then, why did Cincinnati Bell’s newspaper ads warn people to stop their “abusive language” or their phones could be confiscated? Even Mrs. Devereux’s snooty little book

printed those ads, so don’t get cocky, you Nipperts and Tafts.

Like Jail in Monopoly, let’s “just visit” the Cincinnati of 1922 from a safe distance of 100 years. What did people think were the notable events of that year, and do we care about any of them today? It’s easy for us to see the differences between then and now, but trickier to place them too solidly in the Better or Worse column. Our blurry impressions from 1922 are of speakeasys and flappers, of people holding newspa pers the size of bathmats, and of life moving jerkily in black and white. Let’s try to bring back some of the color and sound. Put on your VR goggles.

PROHIBITION WAS JUST TWO YEARS OLD in 1922, but its failure was already fully mature. Cincinnati’s moonshiners and

am i l t on Coun t y , ININDIANA

H

Experience the magic of the winter season and the spirit of holidays past. Taste and smell the sweet, seasonal confections as you stroll through the old-world holiday market. See the brightly lighted town squares twinkle, feel the joy of festive performances, and greet the thrilling winter adventures that await. Holiday in Hamilton County this holiday season.

JUST NORTH OF INDY

bootleggers were routinely getting busted and quickly popping back up like Whac-AMoles. (“No comment,” said George Remus.) Cincinnati police, however, were not the ones doing most of the busting. Cops from Milford kept upstaging them, thanks to a legal fluke.

Milford’s tiny sliver of land in Hamilton County gave it authority to enforce liquor laws countywide, letting its officers march into downtown and drag moonshiners back to Milford courts. Cincinnati suffered a loss of face, plus a loss of money. Big money. Mega fines levied on Cincinnati booze bar-

the well-funded Study of the Feebleminded, conducted in 1922 by the city’s Mental Hygiene Council. The report mentions nothing about anyone in charge of our subway. As a bonus absurdity, Cincinnati had recently been visited by the chief engineer planning Japan’s first subway for Tokyo, and he declared our work as “the best he has seen in this country.” That didn’t make the report either.

Moving on to a prouder event from 1922: the opening of our first airport. Cit ies everywhere were scrambling to become airplane-friendly, and although Cincinnati

HOW ABOUT SOME 1922 CONSUMER PRICES? A LOAF OF BREAD WAS

8 CENTS, A CARTON OF EGGS 25 CENTS. MEN’S SHOES WERE $5.85, BUT $2 MORE FOR WOMEN (AS USUAL).

ons were pouring into Milford’s treasury by the barrel. After the Ohio Supreme Court gave its blessing to this practice of legal carpetbagging, other county-adjacent townships like Loveland and Cheviot suddenly got super-patriotic.

Was Prohibition our biggest collective embarrassment of 1922? Only if you don’t think about the Queen City’s subway. In case you don’t know: Cincinnati spent many years and many millions of dollars trying to build a subway system, but eventually abandoned it. Miles of zombie tunnels sit silently under our streets today.

Numerous incidents in 1922 should have confirmed how hopeless the project was, but they didn’t. Along McMicken Avenue in Brighton, for example, several buildings mysteriously developed large cracks. A number collapsed. Residents and businesses had to bug out, and some companies went bankrupt. Was it mere coincidence that this all happened directly above a newly-dug subway tunnel? City leaders, with a straight face, called it an Act of God; really, everybody, the disaster was from long-existing underground seepage and couldn’t possibly be blamed on the digging and dynamiting. The perfect solution? Do even more digging and dynamiting, so that the subway tunnels “offer a barrier.”

Now would be a good time to mention

was facing a huge budget shortfall with mass layoffs—thanks for everything, Milford— the Chamber of Commerce eagerly plunked down $20,000 for a large field in Blue Ash. That’s $352,709.52 in today’s dollars, but remember: It’s less than Cincinnati spent just a few months ago to make our city manager go away after not quite a year on the job. The new airport held a day-long dedication, climaxing with the arrival of Cincinnati’s first air-delivered mail. Although Blue Ash seemed destined to become the permanent location for our airport, only frisbees and drones are flying there today at what’s known as Summit Park. The big job ulti mately went to Lunken, until Boone County snatched it away.

Also in 1922, from a small building on Blue Rock Street in Northside, a radio sta tion named WLW began broadcasting. It pumped out 50 puny watts, with maybe 50 people listening. I hear it’s doing better now. Other Cincinnati launches from 1922 include downtown’s Masonic Temple and the now-defunct Vernon Manor (The Beatles slept there!), the now-gone Norwood Chevrolet assembly plant, and the not-gone Empress Chili, originator of the eternal This is actual chili / No it isn’t battle. Ohio State University also opened its famous “horseshoe” stadium in 1922. That’s in Columbus, I know, but my wife is from there and I get

points for mentioning it.

THE CINCINNATI REDS GOT OFF TO A TERrible start in 1922, losing 10 of their first 11 games. Sound familiar? Resist making jokes about how nothing has changed in 100 years, because the team got better fast and finished in second place in the league. Baseball itself is what changed—back then the World Series ended on October 8. Let that sink in: The baseball season used to be over before Columbus Day instead of after Election Day.

Should we bother with movies from 1922? Everyone ignores them today because they’re silent and in black and white, which is Kryptonite to anyone under 60. I must, however, point out one important exception. Nobody saw this film at the time, but that’s what happens when a court orders every reel to be rounded up and destroyed. The German-made Nosferatu was the world’s first vampire movie, establishing every cliché of every vampire movie you’ve ever seen. But it was such an obvious rip-off of the novel Dracula that Bram Stoker’s widow had it legally crushed. Surviving hidden copies didn’t reach America until 1929 and took decades longer to reach Cincinnati. Today you’ll find Nosferatu on many best-moviesof-all-time lists. It’s dated, but still deeply, deeply creepy. Naturally, I recommend it.

Some other notable moments from the year: Cincinnati’s first armored car was delivered to Procter & Gamble, specially built to thwart Butch & Sundance-style payroll robberies, which were still a thing in 1922. The No. 1 song on the charts was Fanny Brice singing “My Man,” a cringeworthy song about her lovin’ dat man even when he beats her. The State of Ohio gave us 1922’s Miss America, along with Mister America, President Warren G. Harding. The Cincinnati Fire Department retired its last remaining horse, Bob, and announced that he was happily moving to a farm upstate—that’s how old that lie is.

How about some 1922 consumer prices? Prepare to cry. A loaf of bread at Kroger was 8 cents, a carton of eggs 25 cents. Shillito’s had crochet bedspreads for $1.98. Men’s shoes at Potter’s on Fountain Square were $5.85, but $2 more for women (as usual). A new Buick went for $1,175. If you earned a respectable $4,000 in wages, the 1922 income tax rate was 4 percent, rising to 8 percent after that.

Your IRS Form 1040 (this includes all the Schedules and everything) was two pages! OK, you win: Times were simpler.

Divorce in 1922 was uncommon enough to be news. Fannie P. McClure of Greenlawn Avenue in Evanston got a headline simply by suing her husband for alimony. Over on the next block, a happier headline was the birth of Alma and Bill Kappelhoff’s new daughter, Doris. Their cute baby eventually generated more headlines than everyone in Evan ston combined when she became Doris Day, one of the century’s best-known entertainers. Who saw that coming? Other unnoticed births of the year include Carl Reiner, Judy Garland, Kurt Vonnegut, Redd Foxx, Ava Gardner, and one per son who is still with us as we go to press: Norman Lear.

Midterm elections in 1922 were quite different from our own recent follies, especially in the way late-night results were announced. Radio was too new to spread the word, and newspapers were morningafter. How was it done? Giant colored lights were installed atop the city’s tall est building, the Union-Central Tower (now the PNC Tower). They were visible from our famous surrounding hills, and The Cincinnati Enquirer printed a guide for interpreting the various blinking or solid colors. Just think how helpful this was for anyone who needed to quickly declare the election was rigged.

One hundred years from now, assuming there’s some species of Cincinnati Magazine that can look back at 2022, what changes will be notable? When people see the word “Skyline,” will they wonder why it’s capitalized? Will “Graeter’s” look like a typo? How many Reds and Bengals stadiums will have been demolished and built and demolished again? When readers in 2122 see the word “Kardashian,” they might think it was a brand of carpet. One hundred years from now, the only familiar person from 2022’s In Memoriam segment might be Queen Elizabeth. That’s almost guaranteed, since some elderly people will remember meeting her when they were kids.

Centuries. They grow up so fast, don’t they? Happy New Year, Cincinnati, 100 times over!

Goal Oriented

JAMIE BENASSI IS ONE OF THE NATION’S HOTTEST SLED HOCKEY STARS.

THERE’S NO MINCING WORDS: JAMIE BENAssi is a sled hockey phenom, which is ironic, because just a few short years ago, she had zero interest in watching, playing, or even thinking about hockey. In fact, she says, “I thought it was the stupidest thing ever.”

Her parents tended to agree: Benassi’s mom, Allison, is a Miami, Florida, native who knew little about the sport; her dad, Tom, “thought hockey took up too much time on SportsCenter ,” says Allison. So when Benassi first met Renee Loftspring, coach of the co-ed Cincinnati IceBreakers sled hockey team, none of them thought much of it. In fact, it took Loftspring several tries to even get Benassi, who was born with caudal regression and sacral agenesis (essentially, she says, part of her spine is missing), to agree to watch a practice.

But everything changed the first time then–10-year-old Benassi visited the ice rink at Evendale’s Sports Plus. Somehow, Loftspring convinced her to suit up during the practice she was just supposed to watch, strap into a sled—a sleek sort of seat with two giant ice blades on the bottom—and head out onto the ice with the other IceBreakers players. As Tom told a WCPO reporter in 2019, his daughter emerged from that first practice a differ ent kid. “Dad,” he recalls her saying, “I have a sport.”

Today, Benassi—long blond locks spilling out from beneath a black hockey helmet—handles the ice like a pro, dodging

and weaving, passing the puck to teammates, stealing it back from the opposition and speeding around the full-sized rink with a stick in each hand. (Sled hockey sticks are one-quarter the size of regulation sticks and are used in pairs.) “I’m a little embarrassed to say that, since attending that one practice, I haven’t been off the ice,” Benassi says in a video on the Cincinnati IceBreakers’ homepage.

All that practice has paid off. In 2021, Benassi was invited to attend the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team camp and earned a spot on the team; in 2022, she played with that team in her first international Para ice hockey competition and even brought home some hardware. Now, Benassi’s parents attend every hockey game they can, Allison helps manage the IceBreakers, and Tom helps transport and maintain their equipment.“I don’t know what we would do without hockey,” says Allison, reflecting on her daughter’s whirlwind climb to the top women’s Para hockey team in the nation. Maybe SportsCenter, they’d all admit today, was on to something after all.

in hospitals a lot growing up.”

There are no other local sled hockey teams, so from September through April, Benassi practices once weekly with the IceBreakers and travels on weekends to places like Michigan, Indiana, and Chicago for tournaments (roughly four or five per year). She also devotes an additional long week end once each month to the U.S. Women’s Development Team practices and games, too, but those are always out of town, so that means she misses one or two school days each time.

What truly makes Benassi stand apart from the crowd is her drive, something that’s defined her since she was born. That’s when doctors told her parents she’d never walk. But today, save for long distances, where she uses a wheelchair, “I walk every day,” says 18-year-old Benassi. “When I was younger, I used a walker and wore leg braces.” Once she figured out how to walk unassisted, “basically I haven’t needed any of that since then. I was good.”

She has tackled the sport of sled hockey with the same tenacity. “Initially,” she says,

had never been in a gym before, so that was kinda scary,” she says.

She also credits her experience on co-ed teams and suffering through some tough losses with helping prep her for the rigors of high-level sled hockey. “It’s not a great confidence booster to be losing, like, every game,” says Benassi, “but eventually you have to realize you’re getting better, no matter what—win or lose.”

Finally, in the summer of 2021, at age 16, Benassi became the first female IceBreakers player, and one of roughly 30 women nationwide to attend the official tryouts for the U.S. women’s team at a women’s sled hockey camp in New Jersey. Benassi had no expectations of making the team—“I was kinda going out to see where I stood,” she says—but quickly realized that “I could actually compete with most of them.” Even so, “when they called and said they’d like to have me on the team, I was like: What the heck just happened?” says a euphoric Benassi today. When the Turpin principal found out, he gave her a shout-out back home at an all-school pep rally.

IN MANY WAYS, BENASSI IS A TYPICAL American teen. She lives with her parents in a suburban Newtown home, has a dog (a dachshund, named Tangerine), attends classes at Turpin High School (she’s a senior), and is fully armed with a cell phone. But in other ways that have little to do with her physical condition, she’s not much like her 18-year-old peers at all. It starts with the silver heart necklace she wears, with two crossed hockey sticks inside. She also manages a more complex schedule than most, including playing for both the Ice Breakers and the U.S. Women’s Development Team as well as taking additional nursing/health technology classes at Live Oaks. She already has her STNA certification and hopes to pursue a nursing degree after high school, noting, “I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field; I was

“I was just doing it for fun.” But when the IceBreakers shut down during COVID, Benassi realized how much she loved the sport. Before long, she figured out that coach Duane Weber was still running practices with the Indy Steel sled hockey team. “So every Saturday,” she says, “my parents would drive me up there to practice.” Interestingly, she adds, “that’s when I really started to see the improvement.”

By then, at roughly 15 years old, Benassi “knew about the women’s [Development Sled Hockey] team” and set her sights on earning an invitation to try out. (Men have had a Paralympic hockey team for decades; women hope to have one of their own by 2030.) “I started training harder, work ing out more, conditioning [and] working with a performance coach, Aaron Slusher, for strength and conditioning training. I

Among the many perks of being on the U.S. women’s team are the opportunities to travel to places like Phoenix, Arizona; Nashville, Tennessee; and Ft. Wayne, In diana. “I travel without my parents when I have the women’s hockey practices and training camps,” says Benassi, “which I love.” There are also a handful of girls her age on the team. “The friends I make is the best part,” says Benassi, noting that even “the older women love to hang out with us, too. They’re all just great people.”

BENASSI’S INITIAL RESPONSE TO AN INterview request for this piece speaks volumes about her skill and confidence: “The Women’s Sled Hockey World Challenge is in a bit under two weeks (August 23–28) so I think that it would be cool to schedule the interview for after this so that I will hopefully have the gold medal!!”

Sure enough, as promised, she returned from Wisconsin with an honorary cheese head, a candle, a Player of the Game award for scoring her first ever goal in an international game against the UK, and a gold medal, roughly half the size of her head, hanging from a thick blue ribbon.

“They’ve had world championships in the past,” says Benassi, who notes the women’s team also won gold in both 2014 and 2018. “But this year was the biggest world championship and the first sanctioned under World Para Ice Hockey.” It’s a first step, she adds, to getting women’s sled hockey recognized as an official Paralympic sport, a process that will take several more years to complete.

The event itself was something from a dream—two whirlwind days of practices, drills, and studying plays; a tour of the largest suite in Lambeau Field; and games against a European team, Great Britain’s team, and Canada’s team, twice.

Benassi, who’d played defense for the IceBreakers, has been playing forward for the women’s team and scored her first goal in the final matchup against Great Britain. “I’m good at aiming at the goalie and not at open net,” says Benassi, so “everyone scored before I did.”

The reason she was so confident about the team’s prospects for winning gold in the final game against Canada? “They had just had tryouts a few months prior,” says Benassi, “and they had eight rookies on their team this year. It was hard for them because a lot of their older players left. We were better than them for sure.” The final score was U.S. 5, Canada 1.

With nursing school on the horizon, will Benassi keep playing hockey? “I definitely don’t want to stop any time soon,” she says. “I want to continue with the women and keep growing with the sport.” She’s also happy to continue playing on co-ed teams, too, which is a good thing since, as Benassi’s mom points out, there aren’t a ton of women playing this sport yet. Benassi is hopeful fellow IceBreaker Rachel Steffen will soon make the U.S. women’s team as well.

Looking back on how much sled hockey has changed her life, Benassi offers advice to anyone considering taking a risk on something new. “I was terrified to play hockey and was just kind of thrown out there to do it…and now I’m here,” she says. “You have to let go of the fear and try something new. Find what you like and what your passion is, and that will get you places.”

The best of science, history and learning through play.

All under one dome.

Cincinnati Magazine

curated gift box, celebrating Cincinnati’s finest goodies, experiences, and products. This collection of classic Cincinnati favorites and Best of the City winners makes a great holiday gift.

Visit CincinnatiMagazine.com/best for details

BEST CITY of the

BY LAUREN FISHER, JOHN FOX, AIESHA D. LITTLE, SARAH M c COSHAM, KANE MITTEN, SAM ROSEN STIEL, AND AMANDA BOYD WALTERS

STRONG’S BRICK OVEN PIZZERIA

The tri-state chain prides itself on a passion for Old World pizza baked in brick ovens, and its pies never disappoint. The Cosentino is always a crowdpleaser with Strong’s red sauce, mozz, sweet heat from the fire-roasted red peppers, and thick-cut Italian sausage. The Pizza Alla Vodka is to die for, featuring a savory, creamy vodka sauce, mozz, seasoned mushrooms, spinach, and thin slices of prosciutto. Pizza for dessert? Yes, please. Strong’s Hot Apple and Nutella pizzas are made in the same brick oven as your main course. Buon appetito. • MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, STRONGSBRICKOVEN PIZZA.COM

DISC GOLF COURSE

DEVOU PARK

Greater Cincinnati is one of the biggest disc golf communities in the United States, and the sport is bigger than ever—in Kentucky alone, there are 132 different courses—but we somehow haven’t had a full 18-hole course in the area until now. Devou Park’s disc golf course features 18 baskets stretched across a 2-mile length in what will surely become the crown jewel of this upstart sporting community. • 1201 PARK DR., COVINGTON

MILFORD

Ah, Milford. Land of quaint storefronts, a meandering river, and…a fantastic DORA district? Stretching a full mile through the heart of downtown Milford, this DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area, for the uninitiated) lets you enjoy your beverages out in the open, provided they’re in an approved cup. A few recommendations along the way: The Governor, for a rotating selection of boozy slushies; 20 Brix, for a glass of wine on the charming patio; Little Miami Brewing Company, for a craft beer by the river; and Cincinnati Distilling Co., for spirits on the rooftop bar. The best part? You can finish your drink from the last stop as you head to the next.

SECOND OPINION

CINCINNATI CANCER ADVISORS

Little in life is more unsettling and unnerving than a cancer diagnosis, and patients are usually anxious to launch treatment as soon as possible. Cincinnati Cancer Advisors offers a unique second opinion service to supplement your doctor’s assessments, reviewing tests and performing a full examination in order to recommend a treatment plan to your health care team. Not providing the care themselves allows Cincinnati Cancer Advisors to remain objective and multidisciplinary. And all second opinions are free of charge thanks to funding provided by the Cincinnati Cancer Foundation. • 4805 MONTGOMERY RD., NORWOOD, (513) 731-2273, CINCINNATICANCERADVISORS.ORG

POP CULTURE EXPERIENCE

COSMIC GORILLA

It’s difficult to describe Cincinnati’s Cosmic Gorilla as anything other than an experience. Is it a comic shop? Yes. An effortlessly hip bar? Yes. Does it host unique events? Yes. Does it pull off the kind of pop culture magic that disappears at the stroke of midnight? Yes! Essentially, Cosmic Gorilla is a comic book and board game shop at Findlay Market that not only offers the latest issues of your favorite superhero’s adventures, but also boasts a full bar with signature cocktails—both fortified and nonalcoholic— and hosts the most unique experiences in the city. For example, this past fall’s “Pennifold’s Pub” provided HP fans a glimpse into the wonderful world ofJ.K. Rowling, complete with butterbeer and televised quidditch tournaments. In short, Cosmic Gorilla isn’t merely a comic shop and bar, it’s a place of real-life whimsy where anything is possible. • 1834 RACE ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, GORILLAVERSE.COM

UNEXPECTEDLY GOOD DORA DISTRICT

NY STYLE PIZZA

SOUL FOOD SOUL SECRETS

After four years of catering mouth-watering Southern cuisine around the city, Candice Holloway took her business brick and mortar with launch of Soul Secrets’s Over-the-Rhine location this past spring. The fried chicken and catfish are the main entrées, but the sides take center stage. Macaroni and cheese, collard greens, Hoppin’ John (Carolina peas and rice), and more, all made from recipes handed down by Holloway’s grandmother and great grandmother. During each service, staff members don T-shirts that read “My ancestors sent me,” and we believe it. • 1434 VINE ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, (513) 721-7685, SOULSECRETSCINCY.COM

REFILLERY

FILL MORE WASTE LESS

The average American throws out nearly five pounds of garbage each day—and that can add up fast. Enter: the refillery. Rather than selling gallon-size plastic jugs of laundry detergent or floor cleaner, refilleries allow customers to bring their own containers and fill them up, trash-free. Madisonville’s Fill More Waste Less is a one-stop shop for anyone looking to embark on a zero-waste journey, with products (everything from dish brushes to reusable utensils), an expansive refilling station, and even a blog that offers tips, support, and resources. • 4305 WHETSEL AVE., MADISONVILLE, (513) 390-2873, FILLMORE WASTELESS.COM

NEW BABY FRITZ THE HIPPO

Bibi and Tucker got pushed down to the third and fourth most famous hippos in Cincinnati when Fritz was born on August 3 at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, a feeling of irrelevance well-known to parents of every species everywhere. The fact that “famous hippos in Cincinnati” continues to be a popular Google search term owes directly to big sister Fiona, who no doubt will teach baby bro the ropes of being ultra-cute and camera-ready while rocking thousands of pounds of hippo blubber. Welcome to the world, Fritz! • 3400 VINE ST., AVONDALE, (513) 281-4700, CINCINNATI ZOO.ORG

PREHISTORIC HIKE

SHARON GORGE TRAIL

Sharon Woods is one of Hamilton County’s Great Parks, and the hiking is truly extraordinary. Sharon Woods features a 2.6-mile paved walking and biking loop around the lake, a mile-long fitness trail through the woods, and the 0.7-mile, out-and-back Gorge Trail which features…fossils. Yes, fossils! Once wholly underwater, Cincinnati is littered with rocks holding marine deposits from the Ordovician Period, a time more than 450 million years ago when ancient ocean covered most of the United States. Today, intrepid explorers (i.e., curious kids) can follow these ancient breadcrumbs in local creeks and rock beds, making for an all-around awesome hiking experience. • 11450 LEBANON RD., SHARONVILLE, (513) 521-7275, GREATPARKS.ORG/ PARKS/SHARON-WOODS

PLACES TO TIE THE KNOT

FOR RUSTIC VIBES

STONE VALLEY MEADOWS

Don’t be fooled by the phrase “barn wedding.” We’re not talking horse stalls and straw floors. Picture instead soaring ceilings, magnificent chandeliers, and spacious suites (with a private deck) for the bridal party to get ready and take in sweeping views of the meadows. Everything at this Franklin venue is customizable, from the decor to the celebration spaces, which range from the luxe indoors to The Meadow, the perfect peaceful, outdoor setting for a wedding ceremony. • 4914 ROBINSON VAIL RD., FRANKLIN, (937) 806-3053, STONEVALLEYMEADOWS.COM

FOR A GARDEN CEREMONY THE MARMALADE LILY

This functioning flower farm just so happens to double as a wedding and event venue. Or is it the other way around? Regardless, The Marmalade Lily is a year-round garden paradise situated just a few miles outside Loveland. Its two-story event barn is perfectly lovely, but the real draw is the plentiful outdoor space, from the flower gardens (great for cocktail hour) to the tree-covered ceremony space, set just next to the pond, and the expansive patio, where guests can dance the evening away under the stars. • 9850 SCHLOTTMAN RD., LOVELAND, (513) 604-6561, THEMARMALADELILY.COM

FOR BRIDES ON A BUDGET HEADQUARTERS WEDDING & EVENT CENTER

For an affordable event with immaculate Main Street (technically, Monmouth Street) vibes, you really can’t beat Headquarters. During its heyday in the 1800s, the Newport venue was a bustling hardware store. Since then, it’s been lovingly restored to its former glory with all historic details in mind and turned into an insanely chic, customizable event venue that can fit up to 100 guests for ceremonies, receptions, and even elopement celebrations. And it’s all for a competitive price. • 935 MONMOUTH ST., NEWPORT, (859) 888-0573, HEADQUARTERS.EVENTS

FOR THE FAIRY TALE GREENACRES

In its past life, this sprawling English Norman-style manor house was part of the Fleischmann estate. Today, it’s the centerpiece of the Greenacres Arts Center, a sophisticated indoor-outdoor venue in Indian Hill that hosts ultra-luxe events. Tie the knot in the garden and treat your guests to a lavish reception in the Grand Tent (which accommodates up to 400 people) before taking a sweethearts’ stroll through formal gardens, past lush waterfalls and breathtaking valley views that’ll make even the most hard-to-impress in-laws stop and stare. • 8400 BLOME RD., INDIAN HILL, (513) 891-4227, GREEN-ACRES.ORG

FOR INSTA-WORTHY SHOTS

MOJAVE EAST

This relative newcomer to the local wedding scene is unlike anything else you’ll find in Cincinnati. Taking its aesthetic inspiration from sunsoaked Palm Springs, Mojave East blends industrial-chic (concrete floors, exposed rafters, painted brick) with warm, minimalist touches that disguise the fact that you’re in Newtown. And your wedding style doesn’t have to fit the desert oasis vibe—the 11,000-square-foot space is sleek and endlessly customizable, with plenty of room indoors and out for year-round celebrations. • 7202 MAIN ST., NEWTOWN, (513) 9675972, MOJAVEEAST.COM

DOG PARKS

FOR OWNERS TO GRAB A BEER BARK PARK & PATIO

With 20 beers on tap and several wine options, BARk is a vibe for your dog and you (but mostly you). Membership to the venue—$240 a year or $25 a month—includes trivia nights, monthly meetups by breed, and other special events. • 7544 BURLINGTON PIKE, FLORENCE, (859) 2820738, BARKPARKPATIO. COM

FOR WATER PLAY ARMLEDER DOG PARK

Let your puppers splash until their hearts are content at Armleder Dog Park. Located at the Otto Armleder Memorial Park & Recreation Complex, it features a canine shower and doggie drinking fountains for those thirsty after running wild on the park’s 10 acres. • 5057 WOOSTER PIKE., LINWOOD, GREATPARKS.ORG

FOR ART APPRECIATION

KELLOGG PARK DOG FIELD

In 2012, artists Elizabeth Hatchett and Laura McNeel worked with a team of ArtWorks apprentices to create a floof-themed tribute to man’s best friend at Kellogg Park Dog Field. The mural overlooks the park, four acres of fencedin space where dogs can run, jump, and play off leash. • 6701 KELLOGG RD., ANDERSON TWP., ANDERSON PARKS.COM

FOR DOWNTOWN DWELLERS FIDO FIELD

The drone of cars and trucks whizzing by on I-471 and I-71 shouldn’t bother your doggos as they run free at Fido Field, an off-leash, volunteerrun play area. The park is a quick walk for downtown residents who want to get pooches some exercise without having to drive anywhere.

• 630 EGGLESTON AVE., DOWNTOWN, FACEBOOK .COM/GROUPS/DOWN TOWNDOGRA

HEAD-TO-HEAD: LOCAL CANDY MAKERS

AGLAMESIS BRO’S SCHNEIDER’S SWEET SHOP

1908 Year founded 1939

Third; Randy Young’s stepfather James was the son of founder Thomas Aglamesis

Opera

Current generation in charge

Third;

creams and pecandies Signature Sweet Opera creams

Homemade ice creams and the Oakley ice cream parlor

Also known for Homemade ice creams and ice balls

Oakley, Montgomery Location Bellevue

A new West End production facility should lead to more treats.

Bottom Line Grandpa Schneider’s recipes and tools spread more sweetness every day.

TASTIEST TRAIL BUTLER COUNTY DONUT TRAIL

If your preferred “trail” is one that requires stretchy pants instead of hiking boots, you’ll be delighted to discover the Butler County Donut Trail. Composed of a baker’s dozen of the area’s most beloved bakeries, the Butler County Donut Trail is the tastiest trip you’ll ever take. Your mission (should you choose to accept): Visit each of the 13 shops on the trail, enjoy all.the.delicious.doughnuts and get your passport stamped. Whether you complete this trail in a day or weekend or entire year is up to you; as with most adventures worth taking, the Butler County Donut Trail is about the journey— and it’s a downright delicious one.

• GETTOTHEBC.COM/DONUT-TRAIL

Kelly Schneider Morgan is founder Robert Schneider’s granddaughter

GRAETER’S MIDNIGHT SNACK

Graeter’s 2022 Mystery Flavor is one of its best in years, a malt-vanilla-flavored ice cream with peanut butter cups, chocolate covered pretzels, and brownie pieces. If you get it at a Graeter’s store, you can even opt to get kettle chips mixed in. By the time you read this, there’ll only be a month left to grab this one. Run, don’t walk, to your local grocery to ensure you can buy as many pints as possible.

HOLIDAY ADDITION MINI MUSIC HALL AT THE KROHN CONSERVATORY

• MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, GRAETERS.COM

HEALTH FOOD SHOP

HARVEST MARKET

Call it what you’d like—a smoothie shop, a lunch spot, or a new-age convenience store. Milford’s Harvest Market is content to be all of those things at once. The tiny Main Street storefront is a health food shop without the pretentiousness of health food shops, offering a slew of local products, fresh produce, and grab-and-go options that range from smoothies and acai bowls to coffee and kombucha on tap. Locals live and die by the takeout lunch specials, which rotate daily and regularly accommodate gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian palates. • 308 MAIN ST., MILFORD, (513) 239-5400

HANGOVER CURE BREAKFAST BELLEVUE BISTRO

This cozy Bellevue stop is the perfect spot to fill your tummy with bakes, benedicts, hot browns, paninis, sandwiches, and every other breakfast option you could think of. Cocktails like mimosas and Bloody Marys are available, too, if you’re going for hair of the dog. (This writer even saw someone order a PBR.) The crown jewel? Cinnamonbrioche French toast with powdered sugar and peanut butter bourbon caramel sauce, served over bananas. Thank us later. • 313 FAIRFIELD AVE., BELLEVUE, (859) 581-5600, BELLEVUEBISTRO.COM

The annual train show has delighted Krohn visitors for 31 years, and thanks to Alexandriabased Applied Imagination, it’s featured engines whizzing by botanical models of landmarks like Fountain Square, Kings Island, Findlay Market, and the Krohn itself. New this year: an illuminated Music Hall with working lanterns, a fairy light chandelier in the hall’s rose window, and intricate finials and iron work on the roof that has yet to be restored on the real-life building. AI president Laura Busse Dolan says she’s wanted to bring this model to life for many years, and with the help of research by the Friends of Music Hall, it’s finally possible. Each model takes 300–500 hours to complete, but Music Hall—the most elaborate AI has created for the Krohn—took around 1,000 hours. • 1501 EDEN PARK DR., MT. ADAMS, (513) 421-4086, CINCINNATI-OH.GOV/CINCYPARKS/VISIT-A-PARK/FIND-A-PARKFACILITY/KROHN-CONSERVATORY

BOOZY ICE BLOX

SPIKED ICE

Do you feel like there are just too many steps to making a good frozen cocktail? Then BLOX Spiked Ice is the product for the lazy bartender in you. Available in strawberry, lemon, lime, and pineapple, these boozy cubes (7.5 percent ABV per serving) won’t water down your alcohol when dropped into a glass of wine, a snifter of bourbon, or even a Solo cup of your favorite beer. And if you don’t want to add them to a drink, you can always chug them right out of the container like a slushie shot. • ONTHE BLOX.COM

RETURN OF A PREGAME SPOT IN BETWEEN TAVERN

The original In Between wasn’t a swanky sports bar back in the day, just a place to stop in between whatever you were doing earlier and the game you were headed to at Riverfront Stadium or the concert at Riverfront Coliseum. As venue names and game-day experiences got more extravagant, the In Between fell out of fashion, closing in 2016. But it reopened in July, thanks to Ignite Entertainment, which also owns Che, O’Malley’s, Pampas, The View at Shires’ Garden, and other spots. The tavern is still a few ferns short of swanky, but the indoor and outdoor spaces are definitely upgraded and welcoming. You can even book private parties there now. • 307 SYCAMORE ST., DOWNTOWN, (513) 621-7009, INBETWEENTAVERN.COM

OUTDOOR ROLLER RINK SAWYER POINT SKATING RINK

With the pandemic came a resurgence in outdoor roller skating, sparking interest in a nearly dormant gem on our riverfront—Sawyer Point Skating Rink. Located behind the Montgomery Inn Boathouse, the rink opened in 1988 as part of the launch of Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point. Today, it’s a hot spot once again, thanks to the efforts of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation and Skate Downtown Cincy, a resident-led organization that raises awareness about public skating spaces. When the weather warms up this spring, you know exactly where to go to rock skate and roll bounce. • 925 RIVERSIDE DR., DOWNTOWN, CINCINNATIPARKSFOUNDATION.ORG/PROGRAMS/ROLLER-SKATE

STORE

MANGA MANGA

This manga store (Cincinnati’s first) was an overnight word-of-mouth success thanks to its selection of great stories for all ages and all audiences. Popular series like Dragon Ball and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure sit alongside unexpected finds like LGBTQ+ romances and stories of living with mental illness. Owner Jacqueline Wood is also skilled at procuring hard-to-locate books upon request, like unreleased-in-the-U.S. art books or cookbooks detailing how to make your favorite illustrated foods. Next you’ll say, “What a great shop!” • 1612 CEDAR AVE., COLLEGE HILL, (513) 429-8361, MANGACINCINNATI.COM

SEASONAL ICE CREAM

JAPANESE COMIC

FRISCH’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

The Frisch family opened its first Cincinnati café in 1905 and its “Mainliner” drive-in restaurant on Wooster Pike in the 1930s. But it wasn’t until importing the “Big Boy” hamburger concept from California in 1947 and adding a secret recipe tartar sauce that the Frisch name spread across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The company celebrated its

75th anniversary in August with competitive eater Joey Chestnut, who downed Frisch’s Hot Fudge Cakes and signed autographs. • MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, FRISCHS.COM

HANDCRAFTED FURNITURE LUCCA

In a world of build-ityourself IKEA furniture, it’s a rare thing to be able to walk into a furniture store and actually pick up your products in-person, no assembly

required. At Lucca, you’ll find a thoughtfully curated selection of home furnishings, gifts, and decor, all crafted by a close-knit team of designers and machinists. Lucca is headquartered at Findlay Market, where it focuses on smaller items and gifts, but the store opened a workshop on 13th Street this summer to expand its offerings. • 126 W. ELDER ST., OVERTHE-RHINE (FINDLAY MARKET LOCATION), LUCCAWORKSHOP.COM

MARGARITAS

CHEAP LA MEXICANA

The no-frills Mexican restaurant and international grocery in Newport slings a perfectly delicious margarita for those on a budget. The large is almost big enough to swim in (now there’s a happy thought), and La Mexicana’s rendition is a classic mix of sweet, tart, and refreshing. You won’t find any wild infusions or outlandish garnish in this drink, because it’s plumb, old-fashioned good all on its own. But if you’re feeling fancy, make it a Corona-Rita, because a tiny bottle of beer makes everything better. • 642 MONMOUTH ST., NEWPORT, (859) 261-6112

CRAZY MI COZUMEL

PLACE TO PET A SHARK NEWPORT AQUARIUM

The Aquarium’s massive Surrounded by Sharks exhibition provides lots of ways to see the scary sea creatures up close, from crossing a rope bridge over its 385,000-gallon open-top shark tank to peering through glass walls to witness underwater activity to petting certain shark breeds and ray-like skates in a 5,000-gallon shallow-

water tank. How do you pet a shark? Very carefully! • NEWPORT ON THE LEVEE, NEWPORT, (800) 406-3474, NEWPORT AQUARIUM.COM

BOBA

BOBACHA

Officially known as “bubble tea” (but colloquially dubbed “boba”), the Taiwanese drink can be tough to find outside of specialty boba shops. Luckily, dwellers of Cincinnati’s city center don’t have to go far to get their

fix. BobaCha can put together your classic milk tea but encourages you to step outside your comfort zone with a wide array of flavors and alternative milks to choose from. Just choose your size, sweetness level, and toppings—perfectly chewy tapioca pearls for the purists, flavored jellies for the more adventurous—and dive in. • 1606 MAIN ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, (513) 421-9111, BOBACHAOTR. COM

Some of Mi Cozumel’s flashy margs are served out of massive fishbowls (big enough to hold a bouquet), Vegas-sized carafes that wouldn’t look out of place walking on the Strip, IV bags (seriously), and massive marg towers. Our Fishbowl Marg, which came perfectly frozen and layered like a sunset, had an entire fruit bowl and gummies hanging off the rim, shots of bubbling fog, and a giant, show-stopping sparkler. • MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MICOZUMEL.COM

TOP SHELF LA OFRENDA

Jacob Treviño’s ode to Día de los Muertos possesses a collection of high-end tequilas potent enough to wake the dead. If you’re lucky, you might catch the Gorilla Cinema founder behind the bar to mix your sweetly spicy Mango Habanero or Pablo’s Passion. The 20-seat Over-theRhine bar, furnished in the style and warmth of a Mexican mercado with eye-catching murals, has the best vibes of any place to drink margaritas on this list. • 30 FINDLAY ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, LAOFRENDATEQUILA.COM

OUTDOOR HOLIDAY VENUE

YULETIDE VILLAGE

For those who just can’t get enough of the Ohio Renaissance Festival venue during faire season, wrap yourself up in your winter gear and head back out to Waynesville for Yuletide Village. This themed wonderland is a throwback to holidays of yore, featuring Victorian carolers, live music, and more hot chocolate and apple cider than you could ever need. Peruse the Yuletide Market for gifts before strolling the lanes under thousands of twinkling Christmas lights. Don’t forget to snag a commemorative photo with Santa—or a selfie with Krampus if you’ve been naughty. • 10542 OH-73, WAYNESVILLE, (513) 8977000, YULETIDEVILLAGE.COM

FOOD NETWORK TAKEOVER CHRISTIAN GILL, HEATHER JOHNSON, AND KAYLA ROBINSON

Cincinnati chefs continued to keep the city’s culinary scene on the national radar this year, thanks to high-profile victories on Food Network show competitions. Christian Gill (Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey) won $25,000 in a summer tournament on Guy’s Grocery Games, besting seven other chefs over a five-week period, and also emerged victorious on Beat Bobby Flay. Heather Johnson (The Food Hussy) won an episode of Guy’s Grocery Games featuring four “super fans” of the show, taking home a $20,000 prize. And Kayla Robison (Arnold’s Bar and Grill) bested three fine-dining chefs to win $10,000 on an episode of Chopped. Gill and Robison won episodes of Guy’s Grocery Games in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Keep on cooking!

FROZEN EL RIO BRAVO

Don’t let El Rio Bravo’s strip mall appearance fool you: the Alexandria Tex Mex joint serves a basic but perfectly frozen cocktail. Your choice of blanco tequila comes perfectly balanced (because there’s nothing worse than a watery marg) with salt or sugar on the rim and a lime wheel. It may not come with a whole song and dance, but a classic marg done right can easily be called the best in the region. • 6815 ALEXANDRIA PIKE, ALEXANDRIA, (859) 448-9906

ON THE ROCKS AGAVE & RYE

The Jalapeño Pineapple Rita is the perfect balance of sweet and heat—as if tequila didn’t burn on the way down already, A&R uses a jalapeñoinfused spirit to give this drink a nice kick. If you’re seeking a more mellow warmth, the Bee Sting is essentially the love child of a margarita and a Kentucky Mule. Whiskey, ginger beer, and a dash of Angostura elevate this mule-garita into something new and delicious. The skull glasses they serve in are pretty cool, too. • MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, AGAVEANDRYE.COM

CLIMB TIME

Climbing is having a bit of a moment right now as a popular alternative workout. In Cincinnati, Climb Time has been doing it the longest, and it’s still doing it the best. You can head to one of two locations—Oakley has more toprope climbing, auto-belayed, and lead climbing options alongside tension and campus boards, whereas Blue Ash specializes in bouldering—to get your climb on. • 4460 ORKNEY AVE., OAKLEY, (513) 818-8017; 10898 KENWOOD RD., BLUE ASH, (513) 891-2850, CTOBA.COM

CLIMBING GYM

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CATIE VIOX

WORKOUT SPOTS

FOR FEELING THE BURN PURE BARRE

The thing about barre is that it’s deceptively difficult. The tiny, hyper-focused movements sneak up on you quickly, and even a short workout can leave you feeling sore for days. But its adherents will tell you that type of glad-youdid-it soreness can be addictive. Pure Barre has the burn down to a science, using fast-paced classes, minimal equipment, and high-energy playlists to help you tuck (you’ll be hearing that word a lot) your way to a fitter version of your self.

• MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, PUREBARRE.COM

FOR PEDAL PUSHERS

DEFINE BODY & MIND

Until the day SoulCyle opens a Cincinnati studio (We checked. Nothing yet.), we’ll have to settle for Pelotons and good old-fashioned bicycles. Right? Not so fast. The cycling options around here are plentiful, both indoors and out. Oak ley’s Define Body & Mind offers barre and yoga, but it’s in large part the spin classes that keep students coming back for more. Short on time? Try one of the studio’s “Rev Xpress” classes for a 30-minute full-body blast that’ll leave you feeling good and sweaty. Mostly sweaty. • 3012 MADISON RD., OAKLEY, (513) 351-7746, OAKLEY. DEFINEBODY.COM

FOR SWEATY YOGIS EMBRA

If you take an Embra class in the winter, expect to go in wearing a parka and leave in a sports bra. This place gets hot. Classes happen in a heated room where temperatures regularly break the 100-degree mark and humidifiers pump in extra steam, which means doing your vinyasa flow in this sauna of a studio will get you real sweaty, real fast. As intimidating as hot yoga can be, Embra makes it accessible with a variety of beginner-friendly class types, modification options, and experienced teach ers. A word of advice: Bring a towel. Even if you don’t think you need it…you’re going to need it.

• MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, EMBRASTUDIO.COM

FOR A MIND-BODY CONNECTION

ACTIVATE BRAIN & BODY

Designed specifically for the 45-and-up demographic, this fitness center treats you to a workout unlike anything you’ve likely ever done before. That’s because this isn’t just a gym for your body. It’s also, believe it or not, a gym for your brain. The center offers personalized, accessible small-group workouts that combine physical and cognitive circuits (think memory exercises and aerobics) that aim to slow down the brain’s natural cognitive decline. Hop on the bandwagon while you can—Activate is a brand with national ambitions, and Cincinnati happens to have the first studio in the country. • 9301 MONTGOMERY RD., (513) 793-2794, MONTGOM ERY, ACTIVATEBRAINANDBODY.COM

FOR MOMS BARRE3

Working out with kids in tow can sound like an impossible feat. But Barre3, which has three locations in Greater Cincinnati, makes it feasible—even fun. The studios come equipped with special “play lounges” where little ones as young as six weeks can hang with a qualified childcare provider while you power through a 60-minute class. And Barre3 gets extra brownie points for being super accessible for expect ing moms. Modifications are plentiful, and the studio’s digital platform has an impressive se lection of pre- and post-natal classes available online. • MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, BARRE3.COM

FOR TV ANCHORS MODEL FIT

Don’t ask how we know this (we may or may not have sources on the inside…), but Model Fit attracts a very specific crowd: local TV person alities. With an emphasis on high-intensity functional fitness workouts (read: CrossFit but not officially CrossFit), the Covington gym isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll bench press, box jump, and kettlebell swing your way through sweaty circuits designed to put your body through the mental and physical gauntlet. But hey—if our fantastically fit local anchors are any indication, this place gets results. • 331 W. PIKE ST., COVINGTON, (859) 350-2212, MODELFITBODY.COM

DANGER WHEEL

Remember being a kid and crashing your Big Wheel through an obstacle course or jumping your bike over handmade ramps and landing in the mud? Some friends in Pendleton recreated that fun a few years ago on two blocks of asphalt lined by hay bales, then added food trucks and craft beer booths and called it a festival. Danger Wheel returned from the pandemic shutdown in July as 64 teams paid $125 each to enter the competi tive races down 12th Street, with all money going to Pendleton neighborhood beautifica tion projects • DANGERWHEEL.COM

CRAZY IDEA THAT STUCK

FLORENCE

Inside a park Location Under a bridge

22,000 square feet Size 5,000 square feet

Massive amoeba bowl Signature spot Newport mural half-pipe

An outdoor space chock-full of ramps and grinds perfect for all ages and skill levels.

8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence

Bottom line

A concrete jungle with a lot of heart and plenty of sick spots for experienced skaters.

E. Ninth St., under the I-471 bridge, Newport

CHURCH GIFT SHOP SOUL GOODS

In a small space at Christ Church Cathedral on Fourth Street downtown, Soul Goods offers a wide selection of fair-trade goods. There are bandanas for dogs that say “You sit,” bright Guatemala-made baby bibs, a selection of greeting cards, earrings, T-shirts, tote bags, home goods, and more. Some products directly support a cause, such as the candles, soap, and lotion from Thistle Farms, which helps women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. • 318 E. FOURTH ST., DOWNTOWN, SOULGOODSCINCINNATI.COM

VENDING MACHINE “DUDE, SERIOUSLY” HOT SAUCE MACHINE

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOW

JOEY VOTTO

Greats are born on the field, but legends are born online. The Reds GOAT candidate might seem like an unlikely pick for Best Social Media Follow, but he certainly shouldn’t be. The first baseman has always had a flair for the comedic (the Toronto-born playmaker wore a freakin’ Mountie uniform for a TV interview), and he lets it all hang out online. Whether he’s busting it wide with Doja Cat (why’d you delete the vid, JV?), duetting Goo Goo Dolls on TikTok, clowning Dodgers pitcher Tyler Anderson after a hit to the dome, or tweeting ironic bean puns, we’re always delighted to see the mighty @JoeyVotto log on and let loose.

CHIP GRIPPO’S BAR-B-Q Grippo’s wasn’t the first to offer the flavor, but its slightly sweet, slightly hot, decidedly un-smoky Bar-B-Q version is by far the best around. Local restaurants including Senate, Incline Public House, and even Frisch’s have worked them into menu items, but our favorite way to enjoy them is straight from the bag. (We’ve heard that the heavier the bag, the spicier the mix, and while there’s no objective way to confirm this, we believe it.) • GRIPPOS.COM

POTATO

OLD-SCHOOL MINI GOLF

THE ACRES

The Acres is a “new” mini golf course in Evendale that’s pretty darn cool. Formerly Etter’s Golf Center, it features a full driving range, pro shop, restaurant (and bar!) led by Leroy Ansley, founding chef of Pearlstar, and two mini golf courses, making it a fun destination for folks of all ages. Admission gets you unlimited play at the mini golf courses, which, with an adult beverage in hand, is basically the perfect family outing. • 9941 READING RD., EVENDALE, (513) 733-1100, ACRESCINCINNATI.COM

RESALE SHOP FOR A CAUSE PORTALUCA

Hot Ones fans, rejoice: Your days of wondering “Could I handle that?” are over…as soon as you head to the Oakley Kitchen Food Hall. Show favorites—like Dirty Dick’s Hot Pepper—sit alongside beloved local brands in this machine where each bottle is just $10. (Don’t pass up Dude, Seriously’s own brand, either.) Take it home, or just pop it immediately with whatever wings or wing substitute you like from one of the many surrounding food vendors. • 3715 MADISON RD., OAKLEY

In 2021, Portaluca, the Dress for Success Cincinnati boutique, moved from Fourth Street to a new space near the Hamilton County Board of Elections in Norwood. While there’s no bargain basement, there is a $2 sale rack, plus loads of designer items, dressier pieces, and work wear. We spotted Talbots, Ralph Lauren, and Lily Pulitzer items, and the reasonable prices (dresses are $15, blouses go for $8; designer items are priced slightly higher) make it easy to splurge. After all, you’re helping women enter or re-enter the workforce, and making sure every one of them has an interview fit that’s on point. • 4623 WESLEY AVE., SUITE I, NORWOOD, PORTALUCA.ORG

GOOSE & ELDER’S ELDER FRIES AND GOOSE SAUCE

When CM moved into new offices across from Findlay Market, we discovered an embarrassment of riches in terms of snacks and lunch possibilities. One of the most popular and comforting choices? Elder Fries and Goose Sauce from Goose & Elder, José Salazar’s casual neighborhood eatery. The humble crinkle-cut fry is the star of the show, balancing satisfying crunch with a fluffy interior. A dunk in the slightly spicy mayo-based Goose Sauce creates a silken counterpoint. It won’t be long until you’re addicted, too.

• 1800 RACE ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, (513) 5798400, GOOSEANDELDER.COM

BLACK MUSIC WALK OF FAME

Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece spearheaded the latest public attraction at The Banks, a strolling walkway tucked below the Andrew J Brady Music Center across from Smale Riverfront Park. Celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage, the space will eventually incorporate interactive kiosks to go with star installations honoring well-known hometown stars like Bootsy Collins, the Isley Brothers, Midnight Star, and Hi-Tek. Other inductees so far highlight Cincinnati’s contributions to gospel (Charles Fold), pop and funk (Penny Ford), jazz (Wilbert Longmire), and R&B (Otis Williams) music. • RACE STREET AND MEHRING WAY, DOWNTOWN, CINCYBLACKMUSIC WALKOFFAME.ORG

PODCAST CONTINUATION NATURE GUYS

When Bill Creasy retired in 2016 after serving 40-plus years as chief naturalist at the Cincinnati Nature Center, he and longtime CNC volunteer Bob Staggenborg launched Nature Guys, a popular podcast connecting listeners to the natural world right in our own neighborhoods. Since Creasy’s death in 2020, Staggenborg has enlisted a group of collaborators from Cincinnati Parks, Imago, Northside Greenspace, and other likeminded organizations to keep the podcast going and producing biweekly conversations. • NATUREGUYS.ORG

DESSERT LOSANTI’S BUTTER CAKE

“I think more people come here for this now than they do for our food.” Our server’s comment should tell you all you need to know about this savorysweet delight from one of the city’s best steakhouses. Creamy, buttery, and incredibly rich—you’ll want to take it home, not just because it’s hard to finish, but because you’ll want to experience it twice. • 1401 RACE ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, (513) 2464213, LOSANTIOTR.COM

COSTUME SHOP THEATRE HOUSE

Whether it’s for spooky season, convention time, a house party, or a stage production, Covington’s Theatre House has the props, accessories, and costumes you need. With a selection of theatrical grade makeup products from some of the best brands in the business (Ben Nye, Mehron), your face is covered, too. And if you don’t find any costumes you like, you can always make one for yourself from the shop’s thousands of yards of nearly every kind of fabric you can imagine. Costuming shouldn’t be this addictive. • 400 W. THIRD ST., COVINGTON, (859) 431-2414, THEATREHOUSE.COM

CM STAFF ADDICTION

MUSIC HISTORY LESSON

CAR MUSEUM

SALTY DOG MUSEUM

There’s something undeniably charming about classic old cars, and if you don’t consider yourself a “car” person, a visit to Salty Dog Museum in Shandon will surely change your mind. Salty Dog houses dozens of vintage vehicles dating from 1911 to the 1970s, all restored to spotless, shiny splendor. Admission to this hidden gem is free; however, it’s open by appointment only, as owner Ron Miller is often busy working at his eponymous body shop next door. Salty Dog Museum is Miller’s homage to the American automobile—a classic car museum that’s (pardon the pun) worth the drive. • 4995 CINCINNATI BROOKVILLE RD., SHANDON, (513) 738-7353, SALTYDOGMUSEUM.COM

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

CAFFE VIVACE NOSTALGIA WINE & JAZZ LOUNGE

4.5 Years in Business 2

Jazz with a capital J Signature Style Laidback environment for mood setting

Walnut Hills Location Over-the-Rhine

Vivace is for those who study jazz like they’re getting a degree in it (no talking!).

975 E. McMillan St., (513) 601-9897, caffevivace.com

Bottom Line

Nostalgia is where the music enhances the conversation.

1432 Vine St., (513) 381-1300, nostalgiaotr.com

MOCKTAIL ZIGGY STARDUST, SOMERSET BAR

Urban oasis Somerset Bar serves some of the best cocktails in Over-the-Rhine, but if you’re not in the mood for alcohol, the Ziggy Stardust is the way to go. This mocktail, which debuted last November in honor of a staff member’s newborn, is pineapple, lime, and hibiscus juice mixed with coconut milk, a fresh squeeze of summer for these dreary winter months. The aforementioned Baby Ziggy might even be able to take a swig. • 139 E. MCMICKEN AVE., OVER-THE-RHINE, SOMERSETOTR.COM

KOREAN BBQ QUAN HAPA

While plenty of restaurant goers enjoy the do-ityourself nature of traditional Korean BBQ meals, others are more focused on the end result—that smoky, grill-cooked meat. For a tasty (and faster) twist on this Korean classic, try Quan Hapa’s happy hour sliders. The Chicken Katsu slider combines panko-crusted chicken with Korean BBQ, while it’s mixed in with seasoned ground pork in the Pork Sloppy Joe (if pork’s not your thing, get it with shiitake mushrooms instead). The sliders fit well with the revamped menu, which has had a focus on lighter bites since the restaurant reopened in the summer after a hiatus due to supply chain and staffing issues.

• 1331 VINE ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, (513) 421-7826, QUANHAPA.COM

HIDDEN GEM BOOKSTORE CONVEYOR BELT BOOKS

When Brandon Disabatino and Shelbi Schindler left New York for Covington during the pandemic, the pair set out to create a shop where you to discover used and rare books “you can’t find anywhere else.” Conveyor Belt also offers a vibe

and sense of community you can’t find anywhere else. With its reading nook decorated like a ’70s living room and typewriters from Disabatino’s collection scattered throughout the space, the cozy shop is the perfect place to sit and thumb through a Bukowski or Cocteau volume, and artists can find community with regular showcases on the patio. Disabatino claims Conveyor Belt is “the greatest bookstore placed next to a gas station,” and we wholeheartedly agree. • 410 W. PIKE ST., COVINGTON, (859) 360-2311, INSTAGRAM.COM/CONVEYOR_BELT_BOOKS

PLACE TO BUST A MOVE ALICE

This modern-industrial bar and weekend discotheque opened this summer to much acclaim, and it’s easy to understand why. The brightly colored bar is littered with pop culture nods and psychedelic decor. Dancing in the new Four Seasons room is like spinning through a trippy planetarium. Heart-pumping weekend DJ sets ensure the beat doesn’t stop and the crowds keep dancing every weekend for years to come. • 1432 MAIN ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, (513) 480-8118, ALICEOTR.COM

HIDDEN

EARTH TO KENTUCKY

What are bootleg toys, you ask? (Don’t worry— we weren’t sure either.) Bootleg toys are a specific type of collectible that’s part art piece and part pop culture object. They’re action figures built with spare parts and silicone molds; an art form born from pure, unadulterated nostalgia—and you’ll find them at Earth To Kentucky, a quirky Covington art and toy store with a flair for the bizarre. Kids get to have all the fun, so we’re challenging you to embrace your inner child and be a kid in a candy store. Or, in this case, a kid in a super-cool, next-level, bootleg toy store. • 836 MAIN ST., COVINGTON, EARTH2KENTUCKY.COM

NOVA CANDLE

Remember going to the mall and visiting Yankee Candle or Bath and Body Works just for the smells? (Was that just me?) Either way, if you’re the type who always has something delicious burning (this is one instance where that’s a good thing!), Nova Candle will be your happy place. In addition to an impressive inventory of hand-poured soy wax candles infused with ah-mazing essential oils, Nova Candle also offers candle making workshops and take-home DIY kits, if you’re the stay-at-home type. Combinations like sandalwood and ocean rose, white sage and lavender, and peppermint mocha guarantee your creation will smell like the real deal, way better than those ’90s mall stores ever did. • 9895 MONTGOMERY RD., MONTGOMERY, (513) 8911100, NOVACANDLECO.COM

HOTEL EXPANSION

HOTEL COVINGTON

The Saylers Group, which transformed the building that once housed Coppin’s department store and Covington City Hall into one of the hottest Cincinnati-area hotels, has big plans brewing across the street. Enter North by Hotel Covington, the upcoming addition at the corner of Madison Avenue and East Seventh Street in the historic YMCA building. The $26 million development plan will feature 53 luxury suites, a new bar, Donna Salyers Fabulous-Furs and Revival Vintage Bottle Shop, office space, and a 500-seat ballroom. Suites and VIP penthouses, which feature sleek finishes and skyline views, should be ready to visit by the time you read this. We’d like a late checkout, please. • 19 E. PIKE ST., COVINGTON, NORTHBYHOTELCOVINGTON.COM

LATE NIGHT SNACKS

13TH STREET ALLEY

You leave a weekend show at the Woodward Theater or a night with friends at Homemakers Bar and it’s late and you’re hungry, when suddenly a small, bright walk-up window appears across from Old St. Mary’s Church. The hot and gooey cheesesteaks on the grill at 13th Street Alley are close to a religious experience at that hour—from the classic OTR Philly sandwich with sauteed onions, mushrooms, green peppers, and provolone cheese to excellent chicken, veggie, and bowl versions. 13th Street Alley serves up deliciousness seven days a week, but its late-night fare (open until at least 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights) is downright heavenly. • 126 E. 13TH ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, (513) 813-3000

DIY CANDLE SPOT

QUEER SPACES

FOR DANCING GOOD JUDY’S

You should be at this eccentric Northside queer-owned-and-operated bar every day of the weekend, with events like Stan Thursdays (where the music of just one or two artists is played all night long) or weekly drag shows with an all-trans lineup of drag queens. The resident DJ, DJ Boywife, summed up the vibe best: “Another publication made us sound very mainstream and crowds turned out, then I would play SOPHIE and they’d all leave.” • 4169 HAMILTON AVE., NORTHSIDE, GOODJUDYS.COM

FOR BIPOC-CENTRIC COMMUNITY

BLACK PEARL

This queer community founded by two Black women and named after legendary icon Josephine Baker—the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture—is focused toward Black, brown, and indigenous queer women of color. They hold social events—with cofounder Rah D usually live DJ’ing—at least once a month at some of Cincinnati’s most popular spots, in addition to unique expeditions, like group camping trips to the hills of Kentucky. • @BLACKPEARL EXPERIENCE ON IG, BLACKPEARLEXPERIENCE.COM

FOR HEAVY READERS

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL

Once a month at Lil’s Bagels, the library is open and reading is fundamental—but we’re not talking about RuPaul’s Drag Race, or even Dorian Corey’s “real art form of insult.” Every second Wednesday of the month, the queer-owned Covington bakery holds discussions on books centered on the queer experience—most often literary fiction, but plenty of memoirs and classics make it too. Check the Facebook page for details on the next selected book(s). • 308 GREENUP ST., COVINGTON, CHECK LIL’S BAGELS FACEBOOK FOR DETAILS

FOR TRANS KIDS

TRANS-FORM

Nonprofit Trans-form is all about helping trans or non-binary youth transition safely. Their most well-known service—which has been on the Today Show, NPR, and even got a video from Lin-Manuel Miranda—is giving queer kids an entire new wardrobe of 15–20 outfits, curated to their taste, for free. That’s not all, though—there’s a youth council for community service, and Friday night programming full of board games and arts and crafts. • FACEBOOK.COM/TRANSFORMCINCY

FOR SKATERS

CINCINNATI SKATE COLLECTIVE

More than 1,000 people quad and inline skate all around the state in this upstart collective. Queer skater and Cincinnati Rollergirls player Gabrielle Larkin noticed that roller-skating was having a bit of a resurgence, so she created a group for people to connect, learn, and get resources. Their biggest event? The Pride Roll-Out, a free outdoor skating event with live music that grew so big it’s now part of the official Cincinnati Pride celebration. • CINCINNATISKATECOLLEC TIVE.COM, @CINCINNATISKATECOLLECTIVE

NATURAL OASIS CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER

This wild wonderland doesn’t get nearly the love it deserves. Within the Cincinnati Nature Center is Rowe Woods, one of Ohio’s most amazing treasures. Spanning more than 1,000 acres, its 14 miles of trails traverse deciduous woodlands, fields, streams, ponds, wetlands, and even old-growth forest. The CNC is home to 65 acres of old-growth forest, in fact, and the Upland Trail takes explorers straight through it. This trail offers big payoffs with minimal effort. It meanders around the center of Rowe Woods, showcasing the myriad ecosystems and wildlife of southwest Ohio. The star of the show—the wondrous old-growth forest—is one of only a dozen in the entire state. The opportunity to walk among ancient, real-life giants right here in Cincinnati is something you shouldn’t pass up. • 4949 TEALTOWN RD., MILFORD, (513) 831-1711, CINCYNATURE.ORG

VEGAN GROCERY SELECTION

CLIFTON NATURAL FOODS

If you’re looking for tofurkey slices for your deli sandwich, soy butter for your next bake, or dairy-free chocolate to satisfy a sweet tooth, this Ludlow Avenue health food shop is a student favorite for good reason. Shelves at Clifton Natural Foods are stocked with organic produce, vegan alternatives (Benevolent Bacon, anyone?), and herbal supplements to satisfy a demand that has only grown since the store opened in 1985. Pro tip: Consider buying your favorite products in bulk for a special discount on select goods. • 336 LUDLOW AVE., CLIFTON, (513) 961-6111, CLIFTONNATURALFOODS.COM

DAISY JANE’S SCARLET BEGONIA’S

“Smalls”

“The Great Bambino” Bouquet to Ask for (Grand Gestures) “Ramble on Rose”

Not your grandma’s florist, though she may have driven the same truck.

Bottom Line Groovy, whimsical arrangements, delivered right to your door.

HIKING GROUP TRI-STATE HIKING EVENTS GROUP

Any seasoned hiker will tell you it’s never wise to go alone, but where do you find fellow hiking enthu siasts? The Tri-State Hiking Events Group, nearly 18,000 members strong, organizes nature events for all ages and experience levels and regular meet ups for locals. The group also hosts a virtual space for enthusiasts to share about their latest journeys, offer hiking tips, and build a community of nature lovers and trail addicts. Find your new backpack buddies here before you hit the trails. • FACEBOOK. COM/GROUPS/738968110186085

SPORTING CRAZE PICKLEBALL

With athletes like LeBron James investing in Major League Pickleball teams and thousands of courts being built every day, it’s safe to say pickleball (a cross between tennis, badminton, and ping-pong) is sweeping the nation. Cincinnati happens to be one of the biggest hubs, with two of the biggest ma jor tournaments hosted here (in September 2022 and May 2023, respectively) and Sawyer Point now boasting 20 different pickleball courts. Pick up a paddle and give it a try! • SAWYER POINT COURTS, 705 E. PETE ROSE WAY, DOWNTOWN

DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT PEPP & DOLORES

They say the way to your lover’s heart is through their stomach, and when the romantic, rustic, and flavorful come together at Pepp & Dolores, love is in the air. The bread course (or The Dunk) is an Allez Bakery epi baguette you can dip in a blend of olive oil, vinegar, herbs—and be sure to order the delectable veal and pork meatballs to start. The authentic Italian ristorante’s house-made pasta menu is knockout after knockout, including a Sunday bigoli like nonna used to make, mallored dus squid ink pasta and shrimp, and spicy vodka pasta with calabrian chili. Now that’s amore. • 1501 VINE ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, (513) 419-1820, PEPPAND DOLORES.COM

POTIONS

HIEROPHANY & HEDGE

Let Coil and Augur, the owners of Hierophany & Hedge, introduce you to the wonderful world of magic at their Covington shop, which looks like something straight out of Diagon Alley (their Victorian clothing lends itself to the illusion). With a “deluxe line of custom magical solutions,” H&H is home to candles, incense, crystals, wands, and all the other accoutrements you might need to put someone under a spell. Mischief managed. • 19 W. PIKE ST., COVINGTON, HIEROPHANYANDHEDGE.COM

Daisy & Pearl Truck Names Scarlet & Maggie

1965 Ford Econoline & 1961 Ford Econoline Truck Specs 1959 Chevy 3100 Apac & 1948 Chevy 3100 Rat Rod

Bouquet to Ask for (Small Surprises) “Tennessee Jed”

HEAD-TO-HEAD: FLOWER TRUCK

NEONWORKS

Located adjacent to the American Sign Museum, Neonworks has lots of experience working with the museum to repair neon signs dating back to the artform’s invention 100 years ago—experience that’s now offered directly to individuals and businesses as well. Technicians can restore signs by repairing or replacing the wiring, transformers, and neon tubing, and they can design and build new neon pieces as commercial signage or personal works of art.

• 1330 MONMOUTH AVE., CAMP WASHINGTON, (513) 771-8559, NEONWORKSOFCINCY.COM

MOBILE BAR

THE MERRY MARE

In recent years, mobile bars have redefined the open bar concept, and no one does it better than The Merry Mare. In 2020, Emma Jones, Tracy Tekulve, and Melissa Gerth converted an old horse trailer into a luxury mobile bar, which they use to sling signature drinks blended with fresh botanicals for special events. Last spring, the trio expanded their services with the launch of the Crosley, a bar built into a 1939 version of the vehicle from the former Cincinnati automaker. This may be the only acceptable form of drinking and driving.

•

THEMERRYMARE.COM

BROW TAMER

BROW OTR

Eyebrows looking a little more like sisters than twins? Honour Hook and Co. at Brow OTR are wizards when it comes to microblading, a form of semi-permanent tattoo that mimics natural, hairlike strokes to create fuller, totally realistic brows. Following a thorough consultation process, clients have their facial symmetry mapped and their dream brows measured to perfection. The result is a game-changer for victims of the ’90s pencil-thin trend, chronic over-pluckers, and anyone who’s lost brow volume and definition to time and age.

• 36 W. COURT ST., DOWNTOWN, (513) 291-7212, BROWOTR.COM

THE FIFTY FIFTY GIN CLUB

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in the world, you’ll be happy you walked into this one. This intimate, 22-seat bar named for Ruth Lyons’s trailblazing 50-50 Club talk show, is the first in Cincinnati to specialize in gin cocktails. The Fifty-Fifty Cocktail is a delicious half-and-half mix of gin and house vermouth blend. Along with refreshing G&Ts, FFGC also stirs the tastiest Dirty Martini in the city—the house-made giardiniera brine adds a wonderful spice. You have more than 65 gins to choose from at the bar, which is separated from the much-celebrated Homemaker’s Bar by sleek partitions. If you’ve had enough gin, try a Lyons Den, a warm whiskey-based cocktail with coffee-infused cherry Heering. Here’s lookin’ at you, kid. • 35 E. 13TH ST., OVER-THE-RHINE, FIFTYFIFTYGINCLUB.COM

GIN BAR

The retro a r c a de game, aCincinnati invention , ricochet s i nt o a new age.

By Laurie Pike

by Scott Balmer

Illustration

JUSTIN MASTERSON STEPS UP

to Tron: Legacy, a pinball machine based on the sequel to the cult 1980s sci-fi movie. It’s got futuristic motorcycles on its sides and a play field pulsating blue, yellow, and orange lights to the electro beat of Daft Punk.

Masterson, 43, is trailing Jesse Baker, also 43, who is Cincinnati’s top-ranked pinball player and the arcade’s owner. Masterson pulls the plunger ever so gently to knock off a skill shot (a specific first target after the ball release for extra points). He shoots the ball up a ramp lit by neon-like fiber optics, and it disappears into a scoop—a hole that locks the ball and then, after releasing it, activates multi-ball, sending steel spheres raining down. Masterson traps and cradles them in the flippers so he can deploy them, one at a time, to execute a strategic sequence of moves. With hip and hand, he nudges an outlane-bound ball into an in-lane. He saves another from the drain with a quick left/ right slap to the sides of the cabinet.

When he passes 22 million points, the machine knocks—a short, loud sound designed to let everyone in the place know he’s crushing it. Now he’s in multi-ball again ! This time he’s flipping furiously, just trying to keep from draining. One more shove of the machine and it tilts: Game over. His score of 41 million trounces Baker’s 36 mil. Masterson steps away, beaming. “When I beat Jesse…” he says, gobsmacked. “Well, that never happens.”

The sweet smell of success doesn’t linger. Masterson—tall with short salt-andpepper facial hair, wearing the pinballplayer uniform of a baseball cap, T-shirt, and loose, knee-length shorts—goes on to

IT’S A MUGGY SUMMER EVENING AT ARCADE LEGACY NEWPORT, A CAVERN OF ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENTS IN A SHOPPING CENTER BETWEEN SUPERCUTS AND CRUNCH FITNESS.

lose the next three games in a row. He places fifth out of 11 in the tournament. “It’s a streaky game, a very mental game,” he says, rounding up his 12-year-old daughter, Bayla, who also competed. “But playing pinball is my happy place.”

Not unlike those multi-balls, more and more Cincinnatians are descending into that happy place all at once—or ricocheting back to it, like Masterson. As a suburbs-raised, middle-aged white man who was exposed to pinball as a kid, he typifies the core enthusiast demographic. “Pinball embodies an element of pure physics that video games don’t have,” says Masterson, who has soured on the latter since they’re pre-programmed and as such can be memorized and become predictable. “You get to be surprised every second of every pinball game. It keeps you fully present.”

Introducing Bayla to pinball back when she was 6 and bringing her to compete alongside him is part of a newer phenomenon that’s lending staying power to the trend. The new generation of fidgety flipper fingers suggests that pinball’s popularity isn’t just a passing hipster fad. Bayla de molishes me in our first game together, explaining that shots need to be strategized. “You could have a ball for 15 minutes and score lower than someone who has it for five if they hit the right things,” she says.

THE QUEEN CITY IS NO STRANGer to the growing national predilection for nostalgic, tactile pastimes away from the computer, such as crafting and playing vinyl LPs. More than that, though, Cincinnati appears to be setting the tone for pinball’s 21st cen- CONTINUED ON PAGE 99

“YOU

Is Cincinnati’s Unofficial

Minister of Fun

HE LAUNCHED CCM’S MUSICAL THEATER PROGRAM, KINGS ISLAND, THE BANKS, RHINEGEIST, AND PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK TO NEW LEVELS. MOSTLY, THOUGH, HE’S FOCUSED ON CREATING SMILES, OPENING MINDS, AND TOUCHING HEARTS.

BY RICK PENDER

PHOTOGRAPHS

BY CHRIS VON HOLLE

take your work seriously, but for God ’s sake stop taking

He

likes to think he’s worked hard and created his own opportunities over a 50-plus-year career in Cincinnati, but Jack Rouse isn’t so sure the rest of us agree.

“When your work is everyone else’s pleasure, it’s difficult to convince them you’re holding down a real job,” he says.

Rouse has been directing pleasurable communitywide moments since arriving in 1969 to launch the renowned musical theater program at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. But the average Cincinnatian probably isn’t familiar with his name or his reputation—and still won’t be for a few more months, until Playhouse in the Park opens its new mainstage venue, Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre. The unconventional name is one more way he makes people smile.

Think of all the fun activities and destinations you enjoy

across the city, and Rouse has likely had a hand in creating or improving them. He launched Kings Island’s entertainment shows and repeated them at theme parks across the country. He established a design company to build similar attractions around the world, from Canada and Australia to China and Dubai. He led early efforts to transform the riverfront into The Banks and to preserve Music Hall and Cincinnati Museum Center. He helped hire artistic leaders for some of the city’s most revered arts organizations. He was the first investor in Rhinegeist Brewery.

Rouse finds fun everywhere, whether it’s riding motorcycles through a Colorado snowstorm or walking the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with a giant Scooby Doo balloon. He had his first taste of Rhinegeist beer at an investor’s meeting before it was available to the public. “I’m still smiling about that,” he says.

At 83, he no longer owns Jack Rouse Associates, the downtown-based design firm now known as JRA. He’s helping the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra search for a replacement for Music

“ You can

yourself seriously. ”

JACK ROUSE (LEFT PAGE AND PREVIOUS SPREAD) PHOTOGRAPHED AT PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK'S CONSTRUCTION SITE ON OCTOBER 24, 2022.

ROUSE (ABOVE) AND JRA COLLEAGUE BRUCE FISHER JOIN DOLLY PARTON IN 1994 TO CELEBRATE HER ALBUM, HEARTSONG , WHICH FISHER HELPED ARRANGE.

ROUSE (PICTURED ON THE LEFT) AND KEITH JAMES, HIS STUDENT AT CCM WHO'D EVENTUALLY BECOME PRESIDENT OF JACK ROUSE ASSOCIATES (JRA), RIDE MOTORCYCLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN 1970.

Director Louis Langrée, and he led fund-raising efforts to retire the Playhouse’s obsolete Marx Theatre. Otherwise, he says, he’s trying to keep an even lowerkey profile than usual.

Rouse is often self-effacing in a gruff, nonchalant way. He says he didn’t do anything to advance the Playhouse cause other than write a sizeable check. But as Keith James—his protégé, former business partner, and current president of JRA—observes, “You can’t sell fun if you’re not having fun.” Truth be told, Rouse’s real job since 1969 has been to stir things up and reshape the entertainment scene in Cincinnati and beyond. We should all feel lucky he enjoyed it enough here to stick around.

“You can take your work seriously, but for God’s sake stop taking yourself seriously,” Rouse says. “I’ve always tried to be open to change and to realize whether you mess up or shit happens, that’s not the important part. You have to move on to the second thing, whatever it is. Don’t carry around grievances, and don’t be negative about how the world didn’t treat you right. Be positive.”

Rouse’s life lessons might sound a bit corny, but he’s been evolving and moving on to the second thing for decades. Born in Tyler, Texas, and raised in Billings, Montana, he started doing magic at parties during his

teenage years for a little extra money. He performed briefly at Billings’s Pioneer Playhouse, a small summer theater for teens managed by a hard-working high school speech teacher and his wife. Rouse admired their honesty and devotion, and toward the end he played the grandfather in a production of The Rainmaker. “I think that ended my acting career, which was appropriate,” he says.

Rouse’s pre-med major at Washington & Lee College in Virginia (he characterizes it with a chuckle as “a school for gentlemen”) led him to the University of Michigan, where he discovered that medicine wasn’t for him. He missed having fun, which he found doing theater. As he pursued a Ph.D. in film in Ann Arbor (his dissertation considered the 1922 documentary Nanook of the North), he worked on student musical shows, first backstage and eventually as the director of big productions of The Boy Friend, Wonderful Town, West Side Story, and Anything Goes.

Rouse taught film courses at the University of Wisconsin for a year after graduating, but his theatrical credentials led him to a new opportunity. He was recruited to UC’s College-Conservatory of Music in 1969 to launch programs in musical theater, technical theater, broadcasting, and opera. He and Moe got married in Ann Arbor, and she came to CCM to teach broadcasting. The college musical theater program that Rouse established was the first of its kind in the U.S., and today it remains one of the most respected.

Art student Paul Shortt, an undergrad at Michigan, designed scenery for

Continued on page 102

FACES

of CINCINNATI PHOTOGRAPHS

BY ANDREW DOENCH

Photograph by Sehenswerk/stock.adobe.com

Beacon has spent years developing a total joint replacement program that leads the region in patient-focused and valuebased care with less pain, faster recovery, and fewer complications than hospital-based procedures. By utilizing lower-cost outpatient centers, Beacon offers patients a surgical setting that is 40% less expensive than traditional hospital-based services, driving additional savings to patients and their employers. With the utilization of cutting-edge technology and constant innovation, Beacon is committed to driving ongoing excellence in the fi eld of total joint replacement.

THE FACE of INTEGRATED DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE

BHDP

BHDP is an award-winning, international design firm, recognized for innovative and inspiring solutions in architecture, planning, interior design, and experiential graphic design to provide more informed design solutions for our clients. BHDP serves six markets: Workplace, Higher Education, Industrial, Discovery & Science, Retail, and Healthcare from its offi ces in Cincinnati and Columbus, OH, and Charlotte and Raleigh, NC. Our purpose is to design environments that positively impact people’s behaviors and achieve results. We are committed to a rigorous, collaborative design process that starts with understanding our clients, their people, and their processes. For information, visit www.bhdp.com.

302 W. THIRD ST., STE. 500, CIN CINNATI, OH 45202, (513) 271-1634, WWW.BHDP.COM

THE FACE of RUNNING

Fleet Feet

Fleet Feet is Cincinnati’s locally owned and operated premier running, walking, fitness, and multi-sport specialty store. Since 2001 Fleet Feet has made a name in town for their unmatched customer service, attention to detail, and expert product knowledge. That, along with cutting edge 3D scanning and Dynamic Pressure Plate Mapping, allows our Outfitters to provide a one-on-one shoe fitting service that is best in class. With a core value of, It’s a Privilege to Serve, Fleet Feet also prides itself on the level of support it provides to the Cincinnati running community. From dozens of local running and charity events as well as major events like Girls on the Run, Heart Mini, Hyde Park Blast, and the Flying Pig, Fleet Feet contributes over $250,000 annually to support the health and wellness of our city. With eight locations, Fleet Feet also trains over 1,000 individuals every year through its family-like Training Programs, the largest of which is the Official Training Program of the Heart Mini and Flying Pig. Owned by Frank and Stacey DeJulius of Montgomery, Fleet Feet is a true community resource and 100% committed to the health of our city.

9525 KENWOOD RD., BLUE ASH, OH 45242, (330) 524-8384, HTTP://FLEE TFEETCINCY.COM

THE FACE of NORTHSIDE REAL ESTATE

KB Real Estate/ Comey & Shepherd

KB Real Estate with Comey & Shepherd Realtors is the face of Northside Real Estate in Cincinnati, forging forward with all Cincinnatians and neighborhoods in mind. Kate Bridgman rented her first apartment in Northside in 1998 and went on to raise a family and forge her career in the 45223. Working with her husband, Chris Schadler (who is a pioneer in the Cincinnati music scene and part owner of MOTR Pub and the Woodward Theater), Julie Brown, and Wendy Simmons, the KB Team has coined their approach as “A³”. We are trusted Advisors with over 20 years’ experience in all aspects of real estate and bring with us a vast knowledge of the business. We are fierce Advocates because we work to make the best deal possible for our clients in a fun, fair, and equitable way. We are loyal Allies because we value, embrace, and respect the diversity in our community, and we work tirelessly to make sure everyone is treated fairly in this process.

1544 ADDINGHAM PL., CINCINNATI, OH 45223-1712, (513) 379-4881, WWW.KATEESTATE.COM

NOW SHOWING THE JERGENS ESTATE: WWW.KATEESTATE.COM/JERGENSESTATE

THE FACE of COSMETIC AND MEDICAL DERMATOLOGY

Mona Dermatology

Mona S. Foad, MD MHS FAAD

Dr. Mona Foad has been in private practice in Cincinnati as a board-certified dermatologist since 2002. Her vision for what heath care should be came to life through her Kenwood-based practice, Mona Dermatology, where she and her team care for patients through cosmetic, medical, and surgical dermatology. Dr. Mona’s impact has grown exponentially over the last 19 years, and allowed her to achieve several accolades, including: Cincinnati Magazine Top Doctor for the past 14 years and national trainer for Allergan, the maker of Botox and Juvederm. Mona Dermatology has also been named a top practice among all plastic surgeons, cosmetic dermatologists, and medspas nationally in the “Allergan Top 250.” Dr. Mona grew up here in Cincinnati and has made it her mission to help the community achieve healthy, beautiful skin, and to treat them as she would want her loved ones to be treated.

7730 MONTGOMERY RD., CINCINNATI, OH 45236, (513) 984-4800, WWW. MONADERMATOLOGY.COM

THE FACE of MEN’S SEXUAL HEALTH

The Urology Group Becoming a urologist requires extensive training in the urinary and reproductive systems. So, if you’re a man experiencing sexual health issues, a urologist is THE doctor you should trust. The Urology Group treats men’s sexual health issues through an integrated, comprehensive approach. We understand the male sexual anatomy better than anyone else. From medications to ultrasound wave therapy to surgical implants, we offer a range of treatment options individually tailored to each man’s physical health, lifestyle, and personal comfort level. Sexual health is essential to a man’s well-being, and we are with you every step of the way to help you lead the most fulfilling life possible. Take ownership of your health and start the conversation with us today.

2000 JOSEPH E. SANKER BLVD., CINCINNATI, OH 45212, (513) 841- 7400, HTTPS:// UROLOGYGROUP.COM

THE FACE of HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Historic Madison, Indiana Nestled in the rolling hills along the Ohio River Scenic Byway, Madison, Indiana, emerges as the nation’s largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District with a jaw-dropping 133 historic blocks. The heart of this timeless community is rooted in Downtown Madison’s Main Street. The captivating stately buildings and historic homes set the stage for the vibrant arts and entertainment experience. Virtually every decade and architectural style of the 19th century is represented: Federal, Italianate, Greek, and Gothic revival galore! When viewing the multitude of magnificent mansions to humble shotgun cottages, it is apparent why Madison has been hailed as a true American treasure. Conveniently located between the metro areas of Cincinnati, Louisville, and Indianapolis, regional and national visitors alike delight in Madison’s diverse family, group, and pet friendly activities while also marveling at our unique historical built environment. Madison seeks to build on the foundations of our past to promote the promises of future memories yet to be made.

VISIT MADISON, INC., 601W. FIRST ST., MADISON, IN 47250, (812) 265-2956, WWW. VISITMADISON.ORG

Photograph by Brent Spry

THE FACE of

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group

Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group, a First Financial company, is focused on you with a personalized approach to wealth management. A Yellow Cardinal is one of the rarest occurrences in nature—literally one in a million. And our name serves as a constant reminder that each client is truly unique. You have an original story to tell, and we’re here to make it happen. That process starts with taking the time to understand where you’ve been, where you’re going, and how you want to get there. Whether it’s passing along a family business, creating a trust, planning for a secure retirement, or building wealth to pay for future needs. Every solution that we build is tailor-made and can assist you in ways that go far beyond investing. By connecting the dots for our clients, we’re able to help them see how truly special their future can be.

255 E. FIFTH ST., SUITE 700, CINCINNATI, OH 45202, (800) 479-0285, WWW.YELLOWC ARDINALADVISORS.COM

Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group, a division of First Financial Bank, provides investment advisory, wealth management, and fiduciary services. Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. The products and services made available by Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group are: not deposits, not insured by FDIC or any government agency, not guaranteed by the financial institution, subject to risk, and may lose value.

THE FACE of

CONNECTING SENIORS

55 North Shelley Goering is the CEO of 55 North, a community-based nonprofit on a mission to empower adults 55 and older to be independent, active, healthy, engaged, and connected as they age at home. While committed to the core values that have been organizational standards for nearly 50 years, Goering is passionate about innovating 55 North’s connection with seniors. Even before the pandemic, she saw the need for new and dynamic programming to reach older adults in their homes and neighborhoods. Through technology, 55 North has bridged social connections and ensured seniors’ access to virtual health and wellness programs. A trusted resource in the seven neighborhoods it serves, 55 North remains dedicated to essential services including meals, transportation, and social services. By transforming its model to meet seniors right where they are, 55 North has ensured a bright future and greater reach through collaborations and partnerships. 3975 ERIE AVE., CINCINNATI, OH 45208, (513) 321-6816, WWW.55NORTH.ORG

THE FACE of ORAL SURGERY AND FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION

About Face Surgical Arts | Dr. Khurram A. Khan Dr. Khan—an experienced, well-educated and notably kind surgeon—along with his team bring something truly special to Cincinnati. About Face Surgical Arts is equipped to handle any of your oral surgery or facial reconstructive needs. From basic tooth extractions to the most complex jaw surgery or cleft lip and palate case, Dr. Khan and his team will welcome you to their practice and assist you on your treatment journey. The community has grown to know them well for treating babies to seniors; patients with medical conditions, disorders, and disabilities; patients of all backgrounds and gender preferences; throughout all stages of life. This full scope practice is sure to impress you with the care that is shown to each patient. This team takes pride in providing their patients with an exceptional experience and will continue to carve their place in Cincinnati’s history for Oral Surgery and Facial Reconstructive treatment.

7523 STATE RD., CINCINNATI, OH 45255, (513) 232-8989, HTTPS://

THE FACE of COMMERCIAL CLEANING, DISINFECTION, AND MAINTENANCE

Alpha & Omega Building Services, Inc. Alpha & Omega has provided the highest quality commercial cleaning, disinfection, and facility maintenance solutions to many top companies and organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area for more than 35 years. Our professional team gives you peace of mind while caring for the commercial facility needs of your office, educational, event venue, and industrial facilities. With services from daily housekeeping and carpet/floor cleaning to GermStopTM Disinfection Service and electrical/ plumbing/mechanical repairs and upgrades, we are the recognized industry leader in Greater Cincinnati. As one of the only organizations achieving the highest awards from the International Sanitary Supply Association and Global Biorisk Advisory Council, Alpha & Omega is a trusted partner providing a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for your staff and clients. Customers choose to stay with Alpha & Omega year after year as their proven quality service provider because of our uncompromising commitment to quality and customer service.

11319 GROOMS RD., CINCINNATI, (513) 429- 5082; 2843 CULVER AVE., DAYTON, (800) 838-7676, WWW.AOBUILDINGSERVICES.COM

THE FACE of FINE FURNITURE AND DESIGN

Best Furniture Gallery

Located just minutes from downtown Cincinnati in historic Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, sits one of the region’s best-kept secrets in home furnishings and interior design. Tracing its roots back to 1941, Best Furniture Gallery is celebrating 81 years of serving clients north and south of the river. Offering quality American-crafted furnishings and a shopping experience that will leave you wondering why you’ve yet to discover this gem, Best Furniture Gallery is dedicated to creating beautiful spaces that keep generations of families coming back time and again. When Carolynn and Craig Reis purchased the business in 2002, they became only the third owners and immediately set out to build the business and grow its offerings. Today, their 18,000-square-foot showroom showcases some of the finest home furnishing and accessories available, and their dedicated team works hard to ensure nothing less than the best possible experience from the moment you walk through the doors. 1123 S. FT. THOMAS AVE., FT. THOMAS, KY 41075, (859) 441-2378, WWW. BESTFURNITUREGALLERY.COM

THE

FACE

of CURATED FURNISHINGS AND APPROACHABLE DESIGN

Bond Furniture and Design

When Kevin and Jodi Malof took over as new owners of Bond Furniture in 2018, they knew the roughly 10,000-square-foot space needed a revitalization. The family-owned business had been well established in Cincinnati and Loveland for over 90 years, but ask anyone familiar with the neighborhood and they would say it was well overdue for a facelift. So, Jodi and Kevin enlisted the help of designers and business partners who shaped it into its current form, a hybrid showroom of sorts. As the new name suggests, Bond Furniture and Design is not just a furniture store, and not just a design studio. Offering full interior design services such as window treatments, architectural selections, space planning, and more, the new team is focused on bringing custom furniture to Loveland and the surrounding Cincinnati area. Staying true to its roots, one thing has remained: an emphasis on quality products and services and establishing personal relationships for years to come.

113 KARL BROWN WAY, LOVELAND, OH 25140, (513) 683-2233, HTTPS:// BONDFURNITURE.COM

Cindy Halverson | Sandy Castonguay | Jill Powell | Jodi Malof | Heather Walker | Angie Seuss | Melissa Akin

THE FACE of PAIN MANAGEMENT

Cincinnati Pain Physicians

Gururau Sudarshan, MD FRCA

The field of medicine in general and pain medicine in particular is at an interesting crossroads. The role of corporations and private equities is well recognized throughout the medical community with more than 50% of solo/private practitioners opting to sell their practices to larger groups, consolidated organizations, and private equities. This often results in a volume driven approach of practicing medicine in a manner most acceptable to the organizations and private equities. Cincinnati Pain Physicians is an outcome based solo practice that strives to differentiate itself from a large corporate model and create a standard of care for the patient where each patient gets the individualized care and time they deserve. This approach is especially important in the field of pain management where each patient’s need is unique, and it ultimately yields the best outcome for patients from a healthcare and affordability perspective.

8261 CORNELL RD., STE 630, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513) 891-0022, WWW. CINCINNATIPAINPHYSICIANS.COM

THE FACE of VISUAL MARKETING STRATEGIES

Decal Impressions

Since 1969, Decal Impressions has been serving clients from coast to coast, helping them make lasting, positive impressions on their business. By integrating our knowledge of traditional craft, coupled with cutting-edge printing and digital technologies, we continue to be a vital asset for our customers. The experience of our seasoned team members paired with the fresh perspective of our young talent allows us to off er powerful and strategic solutions with proven results. From print to digital, our team’s understanding of visual marketing will help you find the best solution for your marketing needs. Reach out to us online, in person, or over the phone. Our committed team is here to help you make a good impression. 2111 KINDEL AVE., CINCINNATI, OH 45214, (513) 721- 3801, WWW.DEC ALIMPRESSIONS.COM

THE FACE of

HEART HEALTH INNOVATORS IN THE CITY

OF MASON

Drivers of Mason’s Heart Health Commitment: Amy Marcotte | Michele Blair | Alyson Poling | Peeyush Shrivastava | Vineet Erasala | Sandra Gunselman, PhD | Asimal Ansari, MD | Jeanette Altenau

The Mason Living Lab is the City’s Economic Development platform driving innovation. Mason has a unique commitment to heart health literacy and has attracted innovators who are tackling heart disease, detection, and prevention. The solutions today are SMALLER, MORE MOBILE, and MORE INNOVATIVE. Thank you to the teams that come together to leverage the entire City, moving forward early adoption of novel technology. Featured here: AtriCure – innovates technologies for treating Afib and related conditions; Genetesis – biomagnetic heart imaging; American Heart Association – science-based treatment guidelines; Mobility Health – mobile diagnostic lab and digital platform; and TriHealth – leading heart and vascular institu te.

CITY OF MASON BIOHUB COLAB: WHYMASON.COM; FEATURED: ATRICURE.COM, GENETESIS.COM, HEART.ORG, MOBILITYHEALTHLAB.COM, TRIHEALTH.COM

THE FACE of CUSTOM BACKYARD COURTS AND HOME GYMNASIUM CONSTRUCTION

Gamechanger Athletics,

Life is busy. We’re all plugged in to our screens and distracted. Before you know it, your kids are grown. We understand the struggle to have quality time with your family. At Gamechanger Athletics we build custom courts and gymnasiums to help Cincinnati families and communities create lifelong memories.

Our management team has a wide range of experience in the planning and construction of sports projects. From conceptual design to complete construction services, our team offers customized solutions to build the court of your dreams. We get excited about helping you create unforgettable moments by building a spectacular court or gymnasium for your friends, family, and communities to enjoy for years to come.

3761 SHAWHAN RD., MORROW, OH 45152, (513) 993-0550, WWW.GCATHLETICSLLC.COM

THE FACE of CAREER EDUCATION

Great Oaks Career Campuses

With a territory spanning 2,200 square miles of southwest Ohio, and serving students through four campuses, Great Oaks is one of the largest career and technical education districts in the United States. We have adapted our curriculum as workforce needs have evolved over the last 52 years, striving to stay at the leading edge of technology and industry demands. More than 30 career fields are available in healthcare, information systems, advanced manufacturing, animal care, construction technology, robotics, culinary arts, and more. Great Oaks enrolls 3,000 high school students on its four campuses from 36 affiliate districts, and over 21,000 secondary and middle school students through Great Oaks satellite programs embedded in schools throughout the region. In addition, there are also over 13,000 adult students attending Great Oaks, training in a diverse array of fields. Everyone’s journey is unique and Great Oaks helps students discover their passions and play to their strengths. It is ultimately about forging pathways to success.

110 GREAT OAKS DR., CINCINNATI, OH 45040, (513) 771-8840, WWW.GREATOAKS.COM

THE FACE of FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY

Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery

Our mission at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is to help people on their journey to self-confidence, to “feel good about feeling good.” I was fellowship-trained in the most advanced surgical techniques in facial plastic surgery. Those techniques include the extended deep plane facelift, which was developed by my fellowship director. He has trained only a few surgeons across the country in this technique. The extended deep plane facelift can address the signs of facial aging more comprehensively and naturally than other approaches, especially when complemented by other procedures including the neck lift, lip lift, and lateral temporal brow lift. We not only provide the most effective, natural techniques in aesthetic facial plastic surgery, but we are also focused on making sure patients feel cared for during their journey. We value making them feel welcomed, listened to, and respected. Our phenomenal care and results have powered our growth.

2752 ERIE AVE., SUITE 3, CINCINNATI, OH 45208, (513) 813-1400, WWW. HARMONFACE.COM

THE FACE of FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGN

Courtenay Lambert Floral & Event Design

Courtenay Lambert Floral & Event Design is the premier event and floral designer servicing Cincinnati and destinations nationwide. Whether you are looking to throw a small intimate affair, a corporate holiday event, or a gorgeously designed wedding, Courtenay Lambert Floral & Event Design is a must for your event design and floral needs. We offer gorgeous floral designs, event decor, and event design management under one roof, ensuring that every design decision is coordinated and that all design elements are managed and installed professionally. We source floral and decor from the top sources both locally and around the world so that our designs have the quality that so many have come to expect from a Courtenay Lambert Florals Event.

4212 AIRPORT RD., SUITE 108, CINCINNATI, OH 45226, (513) 321-0100, HTTP://COUR TENAYLAMBERT.COM

THE FACE

of PERIODONTICS AND DENTAL IMPLANTOLOGY

Periodontics and Implantology at Cornerstone

Our entire team is dedicated to providing personalized care and returning patients to gum health, restoring the smiles of our patients who suffer from tooth loss. Our patients regularly report having an exceptional experience, feeling informed and comfortable throughout the treatment process. Together, our hygienists have over 100 years of experience! Our office is often the first choice of dentists, dentists’ family members, and staff or team members of dental offices throughout Cincinnati when seeking advanced periodontal and implant care. Dr. Blume and Dr. Patel offer the latest technologies, including collagenbased allografting, Platelet-rich growth factor, and Cone-beam Computed Tomography. Patient referrals and referrals from colleagues within the dental community have allowed our facility to expand over the years and to continue to provide the most technologically-advanced setting possible.

4030 SMITH RD., SUITE 225, CI NCINNATI, OH 45209, (513) 871-8488, WWW.TOPGUMS.NET

THE FACE of PLASTIC SURGERY

The Plastic Surgery Group Surgery As An Art

Our mission is to help you look great at every age. With our patient-focused approach, we emphasize education, patient safety, comfort, confidentiality, wellness, and, most important, your goals. With more than 100 years of combined surgical experience, you can rely on our expertise. The surgeons and staff of The Plastic Surgery Group work tirelessly to provide the most up-to-date information on the latest plastic and cosmetic surgical and non-surgical options available. We’ll take the time to listen and work with you to help design your new look. We have created one of the most comprehensive plastic surgery websites available and invite you to visit our Before and After Gallery to view results from actual patients. If you’ve ever contemplated a cosmetic procedure, you owe it to yourself to have a complimentary consultation with one of our esteemed surgeons at one of our three convenient locations.

4030 SMITH RD., SUITE 350, CINCINNATI, OH 45209; 340 THOMAS MORE PKWY., CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY 41017; 7162 LIBERTY CENTRE DR., SUITE C, WEST CHESTER, OH 45069; WWW. THEPLASTICSURGERYGROUP.COM

THE FACE of BUTLER COUNTY HOMES

Jonathan Price, Coldwell Banker Realty

Serving real estate clients during uncertain conditions, inflationary concerns, and interest rate and inventory issues, Jonathan has demonstrated his ability to remain confident in the middle of all the noise, flourishing in a marketplace that is rapidly evolving. “Regardless of the atmosphere, I wake up ready to win for the people who rely on me to be their trusted advisor.” Coldwell Banker Realty has provided Jonathan with the international global luxury platform and marketing resources to help build his brand. Licensed in OH, KY, and IN, he provides specialty, individualized service to each of his buyers, sellers, investors, and builders. Since the spring of 2019 he has closed nearly $50 million in volume and 250 residential and commercial units. Among Jonathan and wife Marlene’s milestones of 2022, they are most grateful for the opportunity to travel with their children, spend time with their two new granddaughters, and watch their son Eli graduate from UC with a degree in Economics. (He’s now also a Licensed Coldwell Banker agent!) The Price family also established Honeyfield Homes in 2022, specializing in custom new construction, high-end renovations and additions, modern farm houses/barndos, multi-tiered decks, garages, and metal buildings of all types, providing value-adds and accelerated appreciation to existing homes. 9321 MONTGOMERY RD., CINCINNATI, OH 45242, (513) 484-1415, JONATHAN.PRICE@CBREALTY.COM, WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JONATHANVPRICE

THE FACE of AMPLIFIED GIVING

Nominated by Greater Cincinnati Foundation

David S. Taylor, Former P&G Chairman and CEO

Philanthropy provides needed support to many critical services for our community that otherwise would go unfunded or under-resourced. I care about our community and want to see it thrive, not only for some, but for all.

My philanthropic philosophy is focused on providing basic human needs and services, arts and education, in addition to supporting our church. When I served on the national Feeding America Board I heard the phrase, “a hungry child cannot learn, and a hungry adult cannot earn.” This phrase motivates me to want to do more to support our food bank as they work to ensure all children and adults have access to a nutritious meal.

My wife and I have been blessed in many ways and we have always believed it is right to share what you have with others. We want our community to thrive, and we see so many outstanding organizations such as United Way, Freestore Foodbank, and Greater Cincinnati Foundation that provide or fund critical services and need our support.

720 E. PETE ROSE WAY, STE. 120, CINCINNATI, OH 45202, (513) 241-2880, WWW.GCFDN.ORG

tury comeback as a more family-oriented hobby while boosting the game’s new prominence as a competitive sport. Pinball has been around for close to a century, but only in the past few years could a Cincinnatian compete for rank in a globally recognized pecking order. To climb that list requires practice and frequent competing, which is bringing business back to arcades.

“Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland are probably in the top 10 of pinball cities in the U.S.,” says Chad Hobbs, who publishes Pin Headz, a monthly zine about the local silver-ball scene. “Seattle is first, and Pittsburgh is up there. But Cincinnati has probably grown the fastest of them.”

The stats back him up: The number of machines available for public play in this area has tripled since 2015. There are well over 200 in the arcades, bars, family amusement centers, and the odd ice cream stand between Florence’s Comics2Games (40 machines) and Pinball Garage in Hamilton (45). Arcade Legacy Newport has a 11,000-square-foot sister arcade, simply called Arcade Legacy, set to open soon in Sharonville. Wondercade opened last year in a former plumbing supply showroom in Westwood, and this past summer Anderson Tap House joined the growing list of craft beer emporiums with a wing of thoughtfully curated pinball machines. This explosion doesn’t include the expanding personal collections of folks like Phoebe and Larry Smith, whose Batavia home brims with more than 60 “pins,” as hobbyists call them.

Like Hobbs, Masterson found his raison d’etre when he rediscovered pinball several years ago. He taught himself to repair machines (refusing to accept pay for his service when helping out an arcade) and broadcasts commentary from pinball tournaments that stream live online. He’s more than your average stan, though—his mission is to raise

pinball’s profile on the national and international stage and to give Cincinnati its due. The Queen City, he wants everyone to know, is where modern pinball was born.

“I spent a big chunk of last year making sure that if someone googled ‘birthplace of pinball’ Cincinnati would come up,” says Masterson, who works in marketing. He contacted news organizations last year about the 150th anniversary of pinball’s invention here. He called into a live radio show about the recent Made in Cincinnati exhibition at the Cincinnati Museum Center to inform listeners about pinball, which was overlooked in the show. “This year my goal is a demo reel for ESPN,” he says. “If we can watch cornhole tournaments or darts finals, there’s no reason we shouldn’t have commentary around pinball games.”

Even if modern pinball was born in these parts, the game itself has French origins. Bagatelle, an 18th century variation on billiards, may be forgotten today, but its pins of metal or wood standing sentry around holes or pockets on a tilted, dome-topped play field foretold the hobby that The Who (and Elton John) popularized a half-century ago with Pinball Wizard. Bagatelle migrated from France in the 1700s and spread across America. An 1863 political cartoon depicts Abe Lincoln playing the game, using a pool cue, in a tavern.

In 1871, Montague Redgrave, a British expat living in Cincinnati, secured a patent for “Improvements in Bagatelles.” A springloaded plunger built into the right side of a wooden case replaced the cue. Other defining aspects of the game, such as bell sound effects, made it more like modern pinball than anything before it. Other Ohioans in Youngstown modified a handmade tabletop bagatelle into a money-making contraption by adding a coin slot, plus a ball return and a glass top. That 1931 novelty, called Whiffle, was test-marketed in a drugstore where it “took in $2.60 in nickels in a single hour,” writes Alexander Smith, a historian who lives in Atlanta. “Before long, they were booking orders for over 2,000 Whiffle games per month.”

A handful of tinkerers around the country were simultaneously concocting similar contraptions. Several proved popular but could not be produced fast enough to keep up with demand from bars, stores, and

train stations. It was the Depression era, and cheap entertainment provided a brief respite from the misery of breadlines and unemployment.

Cincinnati’s place in the history of pinball was all but forgotten by the mid1930s, when Chicago, already a leading maker of coin-op amusements such as slot machines, eclipsed us as the game’s headquarters. The three biggest pinball manufacturers (Bally, Williams, and Gottlieb) rode wave after wave of the game’s popularity. It was a good run, all the way to the end of the century.

The bells and chimes went silent, though, by the year 2000. Video games had edged pinball machines out of arcade real estate. Home consoles were a literal gamechanger, obviating the arcades themselves.

Stern Pinball Inc. arose from the millennial ashes in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, near Chicago, and is the game’s big kahuna today. It’s created more than 100 games, mainly licenses of bands, movies, and TV shows such as Stranger Things and The Mandalorian; an Eminem-themed game is rumored to be coming soon.

Pinball will undoubtedly remain the quirky little sibling to video games. But the post-pandemic desperation for human contact has fueled a return to a new phenomenon: “barcades” like BrewDog in Pendleton and Pins Mechanical in Over-the-Rhine.

Sure, you can buy your own home pinball machine, as a growing number of people do, for several thousand dollars. But for most silver-ball fans, in-person playing with others in a venue where you can meet new acquaintances, grab a beer, and compete for the glory of inputting your name on the backbox display is the preferred method of play. Especially when there are so many sculpture-quality games to choose from. Batman 66 features a rotating bat cave and a TV set under the glass that runs footage from the original TV show. Ghostbusters has a hologram target that blows up a ghost when a ball passes under it. The Guns ’n Roses pin takes a photo of you while playing and inserts it into one of the band, making it look as if you were hanging out with Axel and Slash. Upstart pinball machine makers, such as Jersey Jack Pinball and Spooky Pinball, compete to outdo each other with such novelties.

The retro a r c

de game, aCincinnati invention , ricochet s i nt o a new age.

TWO DEVELOPMENTS HAVE RAISED THE game’s profile in Cincinnati in recent years: The growth of Pincinnati, an annual tournament, and attention from the area’s royal family of pinball, the Bakers. Brad Baker owns Pinball Garage, a three-generational barcade: Paterfamilias Rick works behind the scenes and in maintenance, Brad owns the place and handles promotions, and his son Bradley is general manager. Brad’s brother Jesse Baker—the aforementioned top player in this area—owns Arcade Legacy, with about 80 pins. “Jesse brought back

the mid-’80s highly objectified women, with lots of cleavage and suggestive voices in callouts. They were never geared toward a kid playing them.”

That part of the business hasn’t disappeared. Older games depicting stereotypes of women and minorities still gobble quarters. Stern came out (in 2015!) with Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons, whose exploitative graphics are embarrassingly out of date. But Baker says the industry in general got the message when the video game biz steered toward G- and PG-rated fare, which guar-

vention is similarly committed to keeping the sport not just family-friendly but welcoming to segments of the population that have been underrepresented in arcades. “New people are getting into it,” says Wurtenberger, who is currently preparing for the fourth edition of Pincinnati December 2–4 at the Holiday Inn Eastgate. “It’s shifting slowly but steadily. A lot of women are playing. There’s an entire women’s competitive league called Belles and Chimes. And it’s exploded with younger players. It’s easy for multiple ages, genders, and lifestyles to be on the competitive tip.”

pinball,” Brad boasts, citing his brother’s string of locations starting in 2009, when pinball was a long-forgotten memory.

The Bakers have done more than provide old-school arcade experiences for a nostalgic older generation and the new guard of enthusiasts. They’ve imbued a wholesomeness into the Cincinnati pinball scene, which may be the key to the game’s survival. Their Christian background is not discussed but can be felt.

Their father worked for Cincinnati Christian School in Fairfield, which Brad and Jesse attended, and their mother was a children’s pastor in Over-the-Rhine, where the family ministered to people in need. Today, people going through a rough patch can get a free meal at Pinball Garage, no questions asked. Brad Baker was named Citizen of the Year in 2021 by the city of Hamilton for his generosity in hosting countless charity events at the Garage. (As anyone in the pinball business will tell you, no one gets rich in it.)

“Part of the exciting thing about arcades was that they felt a little wrong,” says Brad. “As a kid you want a little of that feeling, that edge, but not to the point you did something wrong. You wanted to be an adult. It was an adult’s game back then. It was mostly in seedy bars with a bunch of guys smoking and drinking and talking wrong about women. Pinballs from before

anteed a wider customer base.

“We want to be family-friendly,” he says. “A lot of pinball bars are geared toward adults, with maybe a family night once or twice a week. We want kids to come and learn pinball alongside mom and dad.”

On a recent Sunday night, the Garage was hopping with retirees, tattooed middle-agers, young couples on dates, a woman in a wheelchair, and a dad coaching his 6-year-old on the Harlem Globetrotters game. There were kids everywhere. A 10-year-old DJ was rocking the adjacent patio, while a waitress weaved through the crowd delivering brisket sliders to families at picnic tables. Mission accomplished.

Pincinnati launched in 2018, and today it’s a multi-day tournament offering more than 100 free-play machines for the ticketbuying public. It has jumped in size each year, with 2020 skipped for obvious rea sons. With the recent folding of two of the nation’s biggest pinball juggernauts—the Museum of Pinball in Banning, California, and Pinburgh, an annual confab in Pittsburgh—its rise has come at an auspicious time. “Ohio has three large pinball conventions a year now,” says Erik Wurtenberger, co-owner of Pincinnati with Jerry Westerkamp. “I don’t know if any other state has more than two.”

Pincinnati relies on the Baker brothers for machines and overall support. The con-

Having competed in pinball shows across the country—he’s ranked 12th in his home state of Kentucky—Wur tenberger developed a clear sense of the vibe he wanted at the Cincinnati show. No profane freakouts over losses. Eti quette rules posted on each game. Never scheduling women’s tournament games in conflict with general competitions, in which women are also welcome to play. Pincinnati would also not be part of a larger comic-con type of event that draws furries, cosplayers, and others keen on the sexier side of leisure activities. In short, it would be less about hard partying and more about pinball.

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of official competitions in the rise of pinball. And that’s where Jesse Baker comes in. Up until 2015 there were no tournaments here (that we know of) sanctioned by the International Flipper Pinball As sociation, competitive pinball’s governing body. Phoebe and Larry Smith, the Batavia couple whose game-filled home had been ground zero for Cincinnati pinball leagues, wanted to improve their IFPA ranking, which is recognized internationally, so they secured credentials to run a tourna ment in their house in 2015. The following year, Baker’s Arcade Legacy: Bar Edition in Northside (now closed) ran the city’s first IFPA-endorsed tournaments in a public establishment. Thirteen people showed up.

Today, Baker says, “We have over 100 unique players locally who come to any given tournament.” That doesn’t include out-of-towners like Carlos Delaserda and John Delzoppo, Columbus and Cleveland players, respectively, who rank in the top 30 players worldwide and who travel here for

tournaments. Meanwhile, someone like Justin Masterson, who travels for work, can also now play in any IFPA-approved competition in any city, and his scores will figure into his world ranking. That wasn’t possible before.

IT’S BEEN 150 YEARS SINCE MODERN pinball was invented here, and Cincinnatians are not done tinkering with the game. Masterson and Wurtenberger are fine-tuning the tournament broad casts with pre-recorded videos such as explainers on the objectives of par ticular pinball machines. At the University of Cincinnati, a professor teaches two courses in pinball machine design, the nation’s first accredited university courses in a science niche that’s starting to spread to other campuses.

Will pinball storm pop culture again the way it did in the 1950s? Or the ’70s or the ’90s? Maybe. Sales of machines are on the upswing, arcades are expanding, and the IFPA will soon reach six figures in its number of ranked players.

At last year’s Pincinnati event, I had to drag my then 9-year-old nephew out of the game hall after two hours of nonstop play; it was his first experience of flipping the ball from pop bumper to drop-target, and he didn’t want it to end. On a recent Saturday evening, I brought him and his sister, now 10 and 6 respectively, to Wondercade. Parents and grandparents drank White Claw and beer. A slightly skeevy guy asked if I wanted to go out and smoke weed, just like in arcades of yore!

I wasn’t as successful this time getting the kids to take to the silver ball. My nephew fell in with a group of kids in multi-player video games. His sister took the wheel at a driving simulator, squealing at every fiery collision. Standing next to the foosball tables, I waited to use the Guardians of the Galaxy pinball machine, which features Groot, whose kinetic mouth can gobble a ball or spit out multi-balls.

“Push the button, flip the flipper!” a 30-something dad coached, his hand on top of his son’s tiny paws. The kid, just 3 years old, stood on a stool, his eyes wide as saucers, for his first crack at pinball.

TORCH OF EXCELLENCE 32 ND ANNUAL NURSING AWARDS

For more than three decades, the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing has brought the Greater Cincinnati community together to recognize and celebrate outstanding nurses who go above and beyond to provide exceptional patient care.

Nominations for the individual and team-leading categories of the 2023 Torch of Excellence Nursing Awards are accepted until December 31, 2022. RNs in the Greater Cincinnati region are eligible.

some of Rouse’s shows there. He recalls that Rouse “was hands-on backstage. You name it, he was an all-inclusive, can-do guy. He can sell things to other people. He could recruit people to be part of his big shows.” Shortt also remembers that Rouse loved riding motorcycles, a passion that enhanced his cool reputation.

When Rouse invited Shortt to come to Cincinnati to teach scenic design, he jumped at the opportunity. Shortt still lives here after a 37-year career at CCM and worldwide theater and opera set design credits.

of their particular passion, and he’s especially proud of developing three “museums of conscience” that are lessons in empathy: the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati and the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

James, president of JRA since Rouse sold it in 2008, was the son of Rouse’s secretary at CCM. He graduated from Walnut Hills High School, and the following summer he and Rouse rode motorcycles cross-country together. James earned his degree at CCM during Rouse’s tenure there, and they worked together at Kings Island under both Taft Broadcasting and Kings Entertainment. James joined JRA in 1992 after stints with theme parks in Orlando and Toronto.

James says the design firm’s “job is to create memories. Jack was very good at leading us down that path to create miles

my first two years on the CSO board. It’s much easier to move as a leader from the performing arts into the corporate world than it is to move from the corporate world to performing arts. In the arts, you’re continually starting over with a new ballet production, a play, a concert.”

Rouse continued to start over, and his growing experience led him to recognize the role that arts, culture, and entertainment venues could play in the larger context of economic development. The importance of the arts as an essential component of civic involvement and leadership became a core value for him.

His reputation as a capable community leader grew, and he was recruited to larger roles. In 1998, after two years of public speculation and disagreement about how the acreage on Cincinnati’s central riverfront would be developed between the new sports stadiums, elected officials envisioned a mix of residential and commercial aspects but with minimal detail. A new group, the Riverfront Advisors, was convened by city and county leaders to make specific recommendations; Rouse was named its chair.

Rouse’s success at CCM brought him to the attention of Taft Broadcasting executives who were looking to present summertime shows at Kings Island, their new amusement park north of town. He took on the seasonal task in 1971, and before long he was in charge of live entertainment and design for the company's expanding array of theme parks. He left CCM in 1975 for fulltime work with Taft Attractions (later Kings Productions) and was part of the team that undertook a leveraged buyout of the Taft parks in 1983. He led Kings Entertainment until 1987.

That year he and colleague Amy Merrell, building on their theme park experience, founded Jack Rouse Associates (JRA). For more than two decades, their experiential design firm worked with hundreds of venues and attractions around the world, including Universal Studios, Chicago’s Field Museum, and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. He knew how to entertain people regardless

of memories that last a lifetime.” He cites Rouse’s description of JRA’s basic job, using “experiential design to create a smile or to open a mind or to touch a heart.”

“There are very few people like Jack,” says James. “He’s a dynamic person, a magnetic personality, a character, and a great leader. He’s the one chasing the windmill and doing it exceedingly well.” Their long friendship continues. “He still pops into the JRA office,” says James, “and we have dinner from time to time.”

WHILE ROUSE WORKED FOR TAFT BROADcasting in the 1970s, the company’s corporate leadership encouraged executives to get involved in community affairs. He joined the board of an Over-the-Rhine community center, and before long he was on the board of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. “Despite my tendency to verbosity, I also knew how to shut up and listen,” says Rouse. “That’s what I did for

“Everyone clearly understood that Jack was the guy to lead the process,” says thenMayor Roxanne Qualls. “Everyone knew of him, if not personally, then because of his arts involvement and his understanding of what people’s needs are when it comes to spaces. His experience was very important and relevant.” Under his leadership, the Riverfront Advisors put into motion the housing and entertainment environment that The Banks offers today.

That engagement led to Rouse’s appointment as founding chair of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, a position he filled between 2002 and 2011. When the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) was formed in 2003, Rouse was a founding member. And when serious efforts began regarding the renovation of Cincinnati Music Hall in 2010, he was an original board member of the Music Hall Revitalization Company.

His arts and entertainment involvement continued into the new century. As a member of the Cincinnati Symphony board, he chaired the search committee

“JACK IS A DYNAMIC PERSON, A MAGNETIC PERSONALITY, A CHARACTER, AND A GREAT LEADER,” SAYS KEITH JAMES,

PRESIDENT OF JRA. “HE’S THE ONE CHASING THE WINDMILL.”

Reserve your stay at the new Delta Hotels Marriott Cincinnati, centrally located right off the intersection of I-275 & I-75. Just 15 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati.

Host conferences in one of our many event rooms with 20,000 square feet of event space configurable to your needs. 513 • 552 • 6369 www.marriott.com/cvgde nidhi@deltahotelscincinnati.com

that brought Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell back to town in 2010 to succeed the late Erich Kunzel. Today Rouse continues his CSO support, serving on the search committee for a new music director to follow conductor Langrée. He’s been on executive boards for the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ArtsWave, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and chamber music presenter Concert:Nova. His lifelong passion for theater landed him leadership roles with the Playhouse in the Park board, and he chaired the 2011 search for Blake Robison, its current artistic director. And, of course, Rouse and his wife Moe are principal benefactors of the Playhouse’s new mainstage theater, set to open in March.

“Jack was the fi rst person I met from Cincinnati,” Robison recalls. “I was impressed by his casual manner, his candor, and his passion for the Playhouse. He’s a tremendous ambassador because he’s so charming and disarming. He makes a great first impression.” During Robison’s

recruitment, Rouse hosted him for lunch with major Playhouse patrons Lois Rosenthal and David Herriman. A businessman who knew them stopped by to say hello, Robison remembers. “He looks at me and says, Well, I don’t know who you are, but if you’re having lunch with these three, you must be important. I thought, If these are community leaders, this is the place I want to be.”

While those who don’t know him well might have an impression of Rouse as someone with a colorful vocabulary and sharp elbows who just “gets stuff done,” Robison says Rouse is also deeply thoughtful and sneakily strategic about laying the foundation for future success. “It wasn’t just the enormous financial pledge that he and Moe made to launch the capital campaign for our new theater,” he says. “It was also the planning and smart, strategic thinking that goes into a campaign like that. That’s a side of Jack that people don’t often see unless they’re serving with him.”

Rouse’s business sense helped Rhine-

geist get over the hump in its early days, says cofounder Bob Bonder. “Jack was the very first investor to actually give us a Yes at that point on our entrepreneurial path where we’d pitched 20 or 30 times and were starting to get this feeling like, I don’t know, is this gonna make it or is it not? He just cut through our business plan so fast and asked really incisive questions. I look back to that and realize our initial conversation turned pretty quickly into a back and forth. He got not just our plan, but he got us!"

Bonder asked Rouse to do leadership classes for Rhinegeist’s employees, and his entertaining demeanor quickly reached the brewery’s young staff “He’d come in and really connect with our staff in a unique way,” says Bonder. “He’s like a 22-year-old with the wisdom of an 80-year-old.”

Since 2013, Rouse has flown monthly to New York City at his own expense to coteach a graduate class at Columbia University’s School of the Arts. Teaming with professional stage manager Michael Pas-

saro—who spent several years working for JRA and who’s currently stage manager for Moulin Rouge on Broadway—Rouse teaches “Leadership and Ethics in the Arts” to young stage managers and company managers. Passaro, who’d never taught at the university level, asked Jack for guidance.

“He came to New York and ‘stayed’ for 10 years,” says Passaro, chuckling. “I thought it would be a one-off , and he just kept coming back. Anyone can teach them how to do a cue sheet or call a show. Jack shows them how to lead people from diverse backgrounds and work toward a common goal.”

When he’s back in Cincinnati these days, Rouse has a more fundamental teaching gig as a math tutor with third graders at the Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy (CCPA), based in the West End. “These kids are more often than not living with a guardian or a grandparent,” he says, recalling how one of his students didn’t have time for extracurricular activities because

he was teaching English to his parents. Rouse encountered the young man a few years later with his parents and learned they had become U.S. citizens.

“I was crying on the spot,” he says. “Teaching at Columbia hits one side of your emotions, but this was completely different.” He’d wondered if the kids would respond to an “old white guy,” he says, but discovered they were simply grateful for someone who cares.

WITH HIS WORLDWIDE REACH AND IMpressively diverse credentials, what’s kept Rouse in Cincinnati? “It’s easier to make a difference and to help folks along in a community this size,” he says. “If I were still chasing projects for JRA, I would have left a long, long time ago. But I think Cincinnati has a combination of work ethic and honesty.” That’s how he’d described his Montana high school theater teacher.

According to Robison, “In a board world populated by CEOs and VIPs, Jack remains

refreshingly down to earth. When an issue arises at the Playhouse, we’re more likely to solve it at my kitchen table sharing a beer— Rhinegeist, of course!—than with a fancy consultant. That’s the way Jack rolls, and we’re all the better for it.”

Mary McCullough-Hudson frequently intersected with Rouse during her years leading the Fine Arts Fund, now known as ArtsWave. He was on several arts boards, as well as hers. “He has so much respect for the art form and for the artist,” she says. “He cuts through the bullshit. There’s a lot of tradition and politics around putting the arts together. Jack has such deep appreciation and feeling for the artists involved.”

Qualls recalls Rouse’s way of getting things done. “He just picks up the phone and is casual, relaxed, very open, nonjudgmental,” she says.” That’s how he does things. That makes you say, Of course I’ll have coffee with you and have a conversation. He’s emotionally accessible and knows how people feel.”

book by Joseph McDonough music & lyrics by David Kisor

PRETTY IN PINK

The pink lemonade cookies at Maya’s Bakes were a customer favorite long before the dessert shop opened its Over-theRhine space in August.

HOME CHEFS GO BRICK AND MORTAR P. 108 BURGERS AND BEER IN MADEIRA P. 110 JAMAICAN FOOD IN OTR P. 112

SWEET HOME

—CARRIE BLACKMORE SMITH

URROUNDED BY PINK AND PURPLE DECORATIONS, KEMAYA MOLDEN, OWNER OF Maya’s Bakes, welcomes some customers into her new space near Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine. She’s standing behind the counter near a self-service refrig erator full of brownies, pink lemonade cookies, banana pudding, and pound cake slices, some of her best sellers.

Molden moved from a smaller operation inside Findlay’s market house to a standalone location on Elm Street in late August. She had been selling cakes and baked goods for almost a decade out of her own kitchen before joining the Findlay Market incubator program and learned many lessons along the way to prepare herself to become a one-woman show, six days a week. “I wanted to be ready, not in practice mode, when I opened,” she explains. “It took a couple of tries to say ‘yes.’”

Molden is one of several self-taught cooks to say yes to brick-and-mortar locations recently. Now their signature dishes and snacks are available on a regular basis to hungry customers.

Val Abafo, along with his wife and their children, opened Kealoha’s Kitchen, a Hawaiian cuisine–themed takeout spot connected to Latonia bar Pandemonium, in late 2021. The Abafos had been dishing out Val’s time-perfected pineapple teriyaki short ribs, Kalua pig, ahi-poke tuna, and more from a roving food truck since 2020. They’re pleased to now serve their customers—many of them pictured on the walls surrounding the carry-out counter—from a fixed location.

Abafo is from Halawa, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. He spent 20 years working as a heavy equipment mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, stationed all over the world in places where he couldn’t find the food of his

FYI

Maya’s Bakes

1811 Elm St., Over-theRhine, (513) 212-6972, mayasbakes.com

Kealoha’s Kitchen

3428 Decoursey Ave., Latonia, (808) 217-3070, kealohaskitchen.com

My Kolorful Kitchen

124½ E. Main St., Mason, (513) 375-2936, mykolorfulkitchen.com

childhood, so he started making it himself. “My recipes are all my favorites from the islands,” he says.

Pineapple teriyaki meats are on the menu, of course, and so are Spam musubi (fried Spam wrapped between two beds of rice in nori) and loco moco, a beef patty over a bed of rice topped with brown gravy and an over-easy egg.

Abafo met his wife, Amy, an English teacher, in South Korea at a Memorial Day cookout. The two started hanging out and fell in love. “I said, ‘If you hang out with me for five more years, when I retire, I will follow you for the rest of your life,’ ” he recalls.

That led the couple back to Cincinnati, Amy’s hometown. They settled in Northern Kentucky with their four children and Val picked up a second career as a scale technician while Amy continued to work in academic settings. Through it all, they were constantly throwing parties and serving Val’s food.

“Everyone was always saying, ‘You should open a restaurant,’ ” Abafo says. “And I was like, ‘No way, too much work.’ ”

It was the sudden death of his older brother, Rudy Kealoha Abafo—who died of a heart attack at age 52—that ultimately resulted in the opening of Kealoha’s Kitchen. Kealoha means “the love” and it describes his brother, but also the feeling Abafo gets when someone tries, and subsequently falls in love with, his food.

Aparna “Appy” Thukrel Kad gets a similar joy serving Indian dishes at her lunch bistro, My Kolorful Kitchen, in Mason.

“I thrive on it,” says Kad, who opened her 15-seat café back in June after months of selling her dishes at the coffee shop Adesso across the street. “Seeing people pick that last grain of rice off the plate—and knowing it turned out good—there’s nothing like it. An empty plate is my biggest reward.”

Kad was born in Bombay, India, (now Mumbai) and began cook ing young. The joke in her family—well, sort of a joke—was that

her mother was afraid to leave 7-year-old Appy home alone with her older brother because she liked to make fried food and her brother liked to eat it, so he didn’t stop her.

When she was 12, her family moved to southern India and Kad began to understand the vast differences in Indian food from state to state. Her inspiration for cooking came from sitting around with the women in her family, talking about food and sharing cooking tips. The science of cooking always fascinated Kad, like how an onion tastes different in a recipe whether it is sliced or chopped.

When her husband’s work brought them to the United States, where they are currently raising two boys, Kad made friends who also liked to cook.

During the early months of the pandemic, her friends were always asking her to make them Indian dishes, including her butter chicken. She watched MasterChef India and got inspired. She began posting pictures and descriptions of her dishes on social media and blogging about them.

People told her, too, she should open a restaurant. It was her husband who encouraged her most and gave her the financial backing.

“He was like, ‘You can do it,’ ” Kad says. “He travels an awful, awful lot. He said, ‘I’ve eaten all over the country and trust me, nothing is more soul food for all of us than your food.’ ”

Kad creates a new menu each week, serving two lunch options, one vegetarian and one meat. The options are always changing, pulling from her knowledge of curries, Indo-Chinese dishes, dals, biryanis, and much more. My Kolorful Kitchen also has a dinner and catering menu that can be ordered for pick up.

In fact, all these home chefs have catering menus.

Molden can whip up one of her MB Originals for a special occasion, like a Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake Cake, Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake, or a Fudge Round.

“When I started down this path, it wasn’t about making a bunch of money,” says Molden, who is taking business classes and looking at hiring her first employee. “I love baking so much, and I want to share that love with my customers.”

SWEET AND SAVORY

(From left) A slice of pound cake from Maya’s Bakes is a great way to end a meal; the Spam musubi from Kealoha’s Kitchen; the exterior of Kealoha’s Kitchen’s Latonia location.

Swing Theory

ESPITE A HANDFUL OF STANDOUT DESTINAtions, Madeira has mostly been a “roll up the sidewalks at 6 p.m.” type of place. SwingLine seeks to fill the post-dusk dinnertime void. “We knew it was lacking some family-friendly restaurant-type bar place,” says co-owner Tom Powers. “A lot of people want a cheeseburger, fries, and a beer, and we have that.”

Once you get past the overflowing parking lot, which has a smaller capacity than the spacious dining room (there’s plenty of street parking!), you’ll find that the menu offers plenty of traditional fare like salads and sandwiches with a ton of vegan and vegetarian options. But heed the siren’s call and opt for choose-your-own steak burgers.

While the topping choices can be daunting and expansive—ranging from the basics like tomato, lettuce, and mayo to onion aioli, sauteed peppers, and mushrooms—they just make the generous, flavorful half-pound patties even more satisfying. Pair one with an order of loaded tater tots (topped with shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, chives, and drizzled with ranch dressing) instead of fries and prepare to be full by the time you’re halfway done.

Powers and crew can be proud of their follow through. SwingLine is exactly what it aims to be—a great place for a burger and a beer. —RODNEY WILSON

SwingLine, 7710 Railroad Ave., Madeira, (513) 407-7444, swinglinemadeira.com

CACKLEBERRY

The best part of waking up isn’t coffee. It’s having a breakfast sandwich from one of these local gems.

–AIESHA D. LITTLE

Get in line early and hope you’ll make it to this mobile bistro in time to grab the tamagoyaki style eggs (Japanese rolled omelette) served on a brioche bun. Sharp cheddar cheese, caramelized onion aioli, and sriracha ketchup make it worth the wait. eatcackleberry. com

ALL HAIL THE BISCUIT

Top them with chicken, sausage, or bacon, or go completely gluttonous with braised beef—the dense, made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits are the stars at this east side breakfast joint. 877 State Route 28, Milford, (513) 3404811, allhailthebiscuit. com

CROWN REPUBLIC GASTROPUB

If you order the “Belly Buster,” stretchy pants are essential. Maple sausage or anise bacon topped with cheesy eggs, crispy potatoes, and aioli on a brioche bun lives up to the name. 720 Sycamore St., downtown, (513) 246-4272, crownre publicgastropub.com

THE BAGELRY

The handrolled, kettleboiled bagels are baked fresh every day, so pairing them with Glier’s goetta or Avril Bleh sausage means you’re getting the best of Cincinnati and NYC in one sandwich. 1401 Walnut St., Over-theRhine, (513) 975-0631, bagelrycincy.com

HAVEN CAFÉ

You can’t have a breakfast sandwich list without an English muffin, and The Sammy’s is organic. Topped with chipotle mayo, a pasture raised egg, bacon, and cheddar, your weekend will be off to a great start with this one. 332 Scott Blvd., Covington, havencov.com

THE LYTLE PARK HOTEL IS PROUD TO BRING YOU THE WINE & FOOD SERIES:

An annual event featuring an array of the world’s most celebrated wines, complemented by the exquisite culinary creations of The Lytle Park Hotel Executive Chef, Joseph Helm.

Surrounded by the beautiful charm of The Lytle Park Hotel, come experience an event Exactly Like Nothing Else.

Visit www.subitoatlytlepark.com to explore dates this winter and secure your tickets for these exceptional events.

Island Vibes

this spring when she opened Flavors of the Isle across from Findlay Market. This restaurant—which specializes in dishes Williams learned to cook as a youngster while spending time in the kitchen with her Jamaican stepfather—is all about the jerk seasoning, a fragrant blend of spices that range from cumin and paprika to red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.

Meaty rib tips and chicken wings and drums are generously rubbed in the restaurant’s own version of the seasoning, then smoked with pimento wood and served with homemade mild BBQ sauce. The smoky flavoring is a delightful discovery for those who’ve never dabbled in this quintessential Jamaican entrée. That flavor even extends to the jerk chicken salad, which is balanced out by grapes, celery, and creamy mayonnaise dressing. If you want something a little lighter, the Bob Marley salad is kale and quinoa mixed with bell pepper, onion, carrot, and purple cabbage, all tossed in house-made red wine and thyme vinaigrette. Don’t forget about the curry stews. Available in chicken or goat, the meat is braised and then cooked with onion, garlic, and carrot in Jamaican yellow curry and spices. (And if you’re lucky, you can dig into some of Williams’s jerk turkey this holiday season.)

Wash whatever you get down with a Red Stripe, a ginger beer, or a frozen rum punch (pineapple, coconut, mango, and Jamaican white rum), and let your mind take you somewhere tropical during the dreary winter months. —AIESHA D. LITTLE

HIDEKI HARADA

Flavors of the Isle, 1807 Elm St., Over-theRhine, (513) 421-4753, flavorsoftheisle.com

How did you choose the name? “Sen” comes from the phrase “shinsen” meaning “fresh.”

How’s Sen different from Kiki? Kiki is a full restaurant whereas Sen is a market. At Sen, we specialize in selling fresh ingredients to the public for them to be able to create something special.

Will customers of both places see any crossover? We rotate some items through Kiki to run features to minimize waste and to share our ideas with the guests at Kiki.

How are you juggling both Sen and Kiki? I’m fortunate to have good people at both places.

What’s your favorite type of seafood? I love all silver-skin fish! Mackerel, sardine, anchovy, pike, etc.

You’re focused on “responsibly caught seafood” at Sen. Why’s that important? It’s our way of educating customers about the importance of our oceans in a world that is currently not sustainable.

What kind of response have you gotten so far? We have been getting a lot of great feedback about the freshness of our seafood and a lot of oyster lovers! It’s great to see repeat customers because it shows us that we’re doing something right.

AIESHA D . LITTLE

Sen by Kiki, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 813-3284

THE OWNER OF KIKI IS making waves with Sen, a new fish market and oyster bar at Findlay Market.

EBONY WILLIAMS’S DECADE-OLD CATERING BUSINESS GOT A BRICK-AND-MORTAR BOOST

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

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

AMERICAN

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.

2692 Madison Rd., Norwood, (513) 396-8970, josephbeth.com. Breakfast, lunch, 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 dinner. While the juicy (never greasy) chicken with its lightly seasoned, crisp coating is the star, the side dishes—homemade biscuits, cole slaw, 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 Sat & Sun. MCC, DS. $$

IVORY HOUSE

The menu here generally doesn’t reinvent dishes or introduce outlandish flavors, but simply pays

BEER BESTS

MadTree Brewing’s Happy Amber, Boston Beer Co.’s Just The Haze, and Big Ash Brewing’s Symphony took home gold in the extra special bitter, nonalcoholic beer, and Vienna-style lager categories during the Great American Beer Festival back in October. More than 230 beer experts from seven countries served as judges over the nineday competition. greatamericanbeer festival.com

attention to enough little things to make the results unusually good. The Wagyu is served in cheeseburger form, but the exceptional tomme from Urban Stead gives it that extra something. The cocktails are things you’ve probably seen before, but everything—from the Death Valley Old Fashioned to the Queen City’s Bees Knees—had an extra dash of liveliness from a house-made element, like a rhubarb honey syrup or the raspberry shrub. Even when an ingredient seems out of left field, like the burnt grapefruit hot sauce on the Hamachi, it never tastes as unusual as it sounds. The hot sauce is just a hint of sweet citrusy spice that melts into the grits—a softly intriguing element rather than a slap in the face. Ivory House also has an excellent brunch.

2998 Harrison Ave., Westwood, (513) 3890175, ivoryhousecincy.com. Dinner Tues–Sat, brunch Sun. MCC. $$$

TRIO

Trio is nothing if not a crowd pleaser. Whether you’re in the mood for a California-style pizza or filet mignon (with roasted red potatoes, sauteed spinach, crispy onions, and a red wine demi glace), the menu is broad enough to offer something for everyone. It may lack a cohesive point of view, but with the number of regulars who come in seven nights a week, variety is Trio’s ace in the hole. A simple Margherita pizza with roma tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, and mozzarella delivered a fine balance of crunchy crust, soft cheese, and sweet, roasted tomatoes. Paired with a glass of pinot noir, it made a perfect light meal. The service is friendly enough for a casual neighborhood joint but comes with white tablecloth attentiveness and knowledge. Combine that with the consistency in the kitchen, and Trio is a safe bet. 7565 Kenwood Rd., Kenwood, (513) 984-1905, triobistro.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DC. $$

BARBECUE

BEE’S BARBEQUE

You’ll want to get to Bee’s Barbecue in Madisonville 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, this doesn’t take long.

5910 Chandler St., Madisonville, (513) 5612337, beesbarbecue.com. Lunch and dinner Wed–Sat. MCC. $

SINNERS & SAINTS TAVERN

You won’t leave this Texas smokehouse/sports bar hungry. From the brisket—served with Texas BBQ sauce, white bread, and pickles, or on toasted sourdough—to the chicken thighs, you can’t go wrong with these richly smoked flavors. Several dishes, like the Korean style pork belly, the pulled pork naan tacos, and Bigos stew, draw on global influences, while the sides take flavors back to the country (try the creamy coleslaw, the house-made mac and cheese, and chili-spiced cornbread). The restaurant’s character shines through its decor, which includes hanging hockey memorabilia, pictures of public figures and tables made from real NBA courts.

2062 Riverside Dr., East End, (513) 281-4355, sinsaintsmoke.com. Lunch Sat & Sun, dinner Tues–Sun. MCC. $$

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 corn-

FIVE ON IT

The Crown Restaurant Group’s latest restaurant concept Five on Vine will open in the former Mercer OTR space this winter. Showcasing local produce and fresh ingredients, the menu will focus on twists on American classics like a half Amish chicken, kale panzanella, the Campanella mac and cheese, and smoked pork ribs. crgcincy.com

meal breading—are served on fluff y 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. $

KNOTTY PINE ON THE BAYOU

The Pine serves some of the best Louisiana homestyle 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 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.

6302 Licking Pke., Cold Spring, (859) 7812200, 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) 5636888, chineseimperialinn.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MC, V, 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. $$

UNCLE YIP’S

Long before sushi somehow un-disgusted itself to the Western World, China had houses of dim

sum. Uncle Yip’s valiantly upholds that tradition in Evendale. This is a traditional dim sum house with all manner of exotic dumplings, including shark fin or beef tripe with ginger and onion. As for the seafood part of the restaurant’s full name, Uncle Yip has most everything the sea has to offer, from lobster to mussels. The menu has more than 160 items, so you’ll find a range of favorites, from moo goo gai pan to rock salt frog legs.

10736 Reading Rd., Evendale, (513) 733-8484, uncleyips.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, discount for cash. $$

ECLECTIC

BOCA

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 dinnerWed–Sun. MCC. $$

Top10

With its grand staircase, chandelier, and floor-to-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 violet-derived purple sugar beside the pain de Gênes (French almond cake). In others, there is a dramatic suspense, like the whole egg yolk quivering in the center of the Fassone 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. 114 E. Sixth St., downtown, (513) 542-2022, bocacincinnati.com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DS. $$$

Top10

BOUQUET RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR

Normally diners aren’t pleased when a restaurant runs out of something. At Bouquet, though, surprise changes to the menu are simply a sign of integrity. Chef-owner Stephen Williams is serious about using seasonal ingredients, and if the figs have run out or there is no more chicken from a local farm, so be it. The flavors at Bouquet are about doing justice to what’s available. Preparations are unfussy, complexity coming from within the vegetables and proteins themselves. A spring salad—wonderfully fresh and vibrant, so you know the strawberries included have just come off a nearby vine—is dressed with candy-striped beets, jerk-seasoned pepitas and whipped goat cheese. This determination to make something delicious out of what’s on hand, to embrace limitations, gives the food at Bouquet a rustic, soulful quality.

519 Main St., Covington, (859) 491-7777, bouquetrestaurant.com. Dinner Tues–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 pop-ular 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 beluga lentils, green tomato, cucumber, brown butter, and smoked onion. The blistered shishitos, served with refreshing watermelon, goat cheese, yuzu, and spiced almonds, 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. Dinner seven days. V, DS, MC, AMEX. $$

SACRED BEAST

Sacred Beast advertises itself as a kind of upscale

SALAZAR

A freewheeling tour through Korean, Moroccan, Italian, and French flavors—and that’s just on one iteration of the ever-evolving menu. Salazar turns out fresh, well-balanced dishes dotted with seasonal surprises: the cauliflower steak special (a Moroccan spiced, seared wedge of the cruciferous vegetable complemented by a strong hit of lemon), the chicken liver mousse (so good it deserves its own trophy), and the succulent chicken Milanese (with its musky, sweet-and-sour notes of ground cherry). With its bustling bar and cheek-by-jowl tables, Salazar hums with energy at every meal.

1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 6217000, salazarcincinnati.com. Dinner Mon–Sat, brunch Sat & Sun. MCC. $$

SENATE

Ever since it began dishing out its lo-fi eats, Chef Dan Wright’s gastropub has been operating at a velocity few can match. From the howl and growl of supremely badass hot dogs to the palaterattling poutine, Senate has led the charge in changing the local conventional wisdom about what makes a great restaurant. Consumption of mussels charmoula means either ordering additional grilled bread to soak up every drop of the herby, saffron-laced broth or drinking the remainder straight from the bowl and perfectly crisped and seasoned fries inspire countless return visits.

1100 Summit Place Dr., Blue Ash, (513) 7690099, senateblueash.com. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sun. MC, V, DS. $

TASTE OF BELGIUM

Jean-François Flechet’s waffle empire grew from a back counter of Madison’s grocery at Findlay Market to multiple full-service sit-down spots. There’s more on the menu than the authentic Belgian treat, though it would be a crime to miss the chicken and waffles: a dense, yeasty waffle topped with a succulent buttermilk fried chicken breast, Frank’s hot sauce, and maple syrup. There are also frites, of course, and Brussels sprouts—served with pancetta and sherry vinaigrette—plus a gem of a Bolognese. And let’s not forget the beer. Five rotating taps offer some of the best the Belgians brew, not to mention those made in town.

1133 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 381-4607, and other locations, authenticwaffle.com. Breakfast and lunch Mon–Sat, dinner Tues–Sat, brunch Sun. MCC. $

FRENCH

CHEZ RENÉE FRENCH BISTROT

Based on American stereotypes of French food— that it’s elaborate, elitist, and expensive—one

EXPLORING CITY LIVING AT THE 2022 DOWNTOWN LIVING TOUR

A beautiful October Saturday enticed 250 guests to explore all that downtown Cincinnati has to offer. Guests started their self-guided tour with a mimosa or great cup of coffee and then headed out to explore many of the business gems that make living downtown easy and fun. Along they way, they visited multiple apartments and condos for a peek at city life.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Kroger, Downtown Cincinnati Inc., 21c, Don Francisco’s Coffee, and Santa Margherita

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. Friday–Sat and 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 bouillabaisse or cassoulet—for dinner. If you’re an early bird, a Croque Monsieur (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–Sun. MCC. $$

LE BAR A BOEUF

If it’s been a couple of years since you’ve been to Le Bar a Boeuf—Jean-Robert de Cavel’s fun-yetrefined 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 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) 751-2333, barboeuf.com. Dinner Tues–Sat. MCC. $$

ITALIAN

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 Peroni lager. 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. $

PEPP & DOLORES

As with all of Thunderdome’s restaurants, you get a sense that they want to deliver a meal that satisfies many different kinds of people. The prices are reasonable, with pasta entrées about $15. The dishes are familiar in their flavors, but everything feels balanced and modulated and gradually perfected. There is lovely variety: the

limone pasta is zippy with lemon and chili flakes, and just the right mixture of tart and creamy; the deep meaty flavors on the mushroom toast are balanced with a nice acidity; and the heat in dishes like the eggplant involtini is just enough to wake up the sauce without overwhelming the flavor. The menu has a wealth of excellent vegetarian and pasta-alternative options.

1501 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 419-1820, peppanddolores.com. Lunch Fri–Sun, dinner Mon–Thurs. MCC. $$

SOTTO

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.

Top 10

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. Penne with rapini and 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 tart cherry sauce on the panna cotta, most of the food has some added element of soulfulness.

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. $$

JAPANESE

ANDO

You don’t go just anywhere to dine on uni sashimi (sea urchin) or tanshio (thinly sliced charcoalgrilled beef tongue). Don’t miss the rich and meaty chyu toro (fatty big-eye tuna), or the pucker-inducing umeshiso maki (pickled plum paste and shiso leaf roll). Noodles are also well represented, with udon, soba, or ramen options available. And don’t forget to ask about the specials; owners Ken and Keiko Ando always have something new, be it grilled koji or marinated amberjack smoked salmon crudo, delicacies that you’ll be hard-pressed to find in any of those Hyde Park pan-Asian wannabes. The only thing you won’t find here is sake, or any other alcohol. Bring your own, or stick to the nutty and outright addicting barley tea.

5889 Pfeiffer Rd., Blue Ash, (513) 791-8687, andojapaneserestaurant.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

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

KOREAN

HARU

After the closing of Sung Korean Bistro, Haru is a welcome addition to the downtown scene. Dishes are served along with the usual Korean accompaniment of pickles, kimchi, fish cakes, and other mysteriously delicious dainties. A favorite is the japchae, a traditional dish sporting silky sweet potato noodles with sesame-and-garlic sauce, matchsticks of assorted crisp vegetables, and behind it all a wonderful smokiness that pervades the whole meal. The accompanying pot of gochujang, a fermented Korean chili paste, adds its own sweet and spicy note. The result is a homey, soulful, and satisfying taste that appeals even to those who’ve never eaten a bite of Korean food before.

628 Vine St., downtown, (513) 381-0947, harucincy.com. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. MCC. $$

RIVERSIDE KOREAN RESTAURANT

Come for the jo gi mae un tang—a bowl of sizzling, happy hellbroth pungent with red pepper, garlic, and ginger, crowded with nuggets of fish, tofu, and vegetables. Come for the restorative power of sam gae tang, a chicken soup for the Seoul—a whole Cor nish hen submerged in its own juices and plumped with sticky rice and ginseng, dried red dates, and pine nuts. Revered for their medicinal properties, both dinner-sized soups will leave your eyes glistening and your brow beaded with sweat. They’re 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 unrestrained: 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. $$

GREAT CINCINNATI BAKE-OFF15 MINUTES

THE INAUGURAL GREAT CINCINNATI BAKE-OFF SERVED SWEET TREATS AT THE MIDWEST CULINARY INSTITUTE

In October, 300 guests joined local bakeries and national baking sponsors to celebrate Cincinnati’s sweet treats. Thirty-six contestants in professional and amateur divisions competed in four categories to win the coveted “Golden Rolling Pin” presented by Fisher.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Maker’s Mark, Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, Cincinnati State, McCormick, Fisher, Blue Diamond, Ghiradelli, Hershey, Lily’s, Rodelle, and St. Pierre

Top10 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. $$

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 boureks, 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 Tyler’s Corner Dr., West Chester, (513) 847-1535, sultanscincinnati.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC, DS. $$

MEXICAN

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 mangohabañero 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) 7850000, 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 could be. The tuna ceviche is nicely balanced: tart, with a little spicy creaminess, and a good crispy tostada. The Baja snapper goes well with a bright pile of grated radish and the mango habañero salsa, one of the highlights of the meal. With minced chunks

of mango and a hint of fruity habañero heat, it is a prime example of how you can elevate Mexican food and make it worthy of a higher-than-ordinary price. One of Mesa Loca’s appealing qualities is its dramatic flair: The yucca fries come stacked on the plate like a late-stages game of Jenga, and their sour-and-spicy rub is quite delicious and striking against the bright starchy white of the fries. 2645 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, (513) 321-6372, mesalocahydepark.com. Lunch and dinner seven days. MCC. $$

MONTOYA’S

Mexican places seem to change hands in this town so often that you can’t get the same meal twice. Montoya’s is the exception. They’ve been hidden in a tiny strip mall off the main drag in Ft. Mitchell for years. It’s unpretentious and seemingly not interested in success, which means success has never gone to their head here. At a place where you can get Huracan Fajitas with steak, chicken, and chorizo or Tilapia Asada, the tacos are still a big item.

2507 Chelsea Dr., Ft. Mitchell, (859) 341-0707. Lunch and dinner Tues–Sat. MC, V, DS. $

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.

MORE BEER HERE

This winter, Cleveland-based chain Beerhead Bar & Eatery opens its first Queen City location at 5277 Kings Mills Rd. in Mason. The restaurant stocks more than 300 beers and has 50 on tap, with a focus on local craft brews. There may be plans on the horizon for additional locations in the area. beerheadbar.com

much like huaraches, only smaller.

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

STEAKS

CARLO & JOHNNY

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 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. $$

OAKLEY FISH HOUSE

Chanaka De Lanerolle sold Mt. Adams Fish House back in 2011, and Oakley Fish House 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. $$$

The stars of the menu are 12 delectable steaks that could sway the vegi-curious to recommit. Not sure which to choose? If you prefer brawny flavor over buttery texture, go for one of the three bone-in rib cuts. Or if it’s that melt-in-your-mouth experience that raises your serotonin levels, C&J features several tenderloin cuts, including the premium six-ounce Wagyu filet. There are the usual suspects of raw bar, seafood, pork chops, et al, if you’re interested in non-beef alternatives. 9769 Montgomery Rd., Montgomery, (513) 936-8600, jeffruby.com/carlo-johnny. Dinner seven days. MCC. $$$$

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 twofisted 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. 700 Walnut St., downtown, (513) 784-1200, jeffruby. com. Dinner Mon–Sat. MCC, DC. $$$$

MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE

No one has replicated the concept of an expensive boys’ club better than Morton’s. Amid the dark polished woods and white linen, the Riedel stemware and stupendous flower arrangements, assorted suits grapple with double cut filet mignons, 24 ounces of porterhouse, pink shiny slabs of prime rib, overflowing plates of salty Lyonnaise potatoes, or mam-

moth iceberg wedges frosted with thick blue cheese dressing. Jumbo is Morton’s decree: Oversized martini and wine glasses, ethereal towering lemon soufflés, roomy chairs, and tables large enough for a plate and a laptop. Even steaks billed as “slightly smaller” weigh in at 8 to 10 ounces.

441 Vine St., downtown, (513) 621-3111, mortons.com. Dinner seven days. MCC. $$$

VIETNAMESE

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), December 2022, Volume 56, Number 3. Published monthly ($19.95 for 12 issues annually) at 1818 Race St., Ste. 301, Cincinnati, OH 45202. (513) 421-4300. Copyright © 2022 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. Postmaster: Please send forms 3579 to CINCINNATI MAGAZINE, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071. If the Postal Service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year.

Cabin Fever

YOU

WOODS FOR a lesson in early 1800s architecture. But hidden in plain sight among sprawling forests and wildflower fields is a living time capsule that typifies what homes looked like for southern Ohio’s early families—and it’s worth seeking out. The Abner Hollow Cabin was originally situated near Waggoner’s Riffle, a point at the Ohio Bush Creek in Adams County where the water was just shallow enough for wagons to cross. Cincinnati proper had only recently been settled when the cabin was raised in 1805, but the differences between life at Waggoner’s Riffle and the burgeoning city couldn’t have been more glaring. Furniture here would likely have been hand-made instead of imported, and even glass windowpanes were considered a luxury. At one point, the Nature Center estimates, at least 12 people simultaneously called the cabin home. Years after its inhabitants moved up and out (cabins were considered unfashionable by the early 1900s), the Edge of Appalachia Nature Preserve was worried for its structural safety, so they uprooted it and sent it (very carefully) to its current resting place at Rowe Woods, where it’s lovingly maintained and the subject of endless fascination for visitors along the Mashburn Family Discovery Trail. —LAUREN

WOULDN’T NECESSARILY VISIT THE CINCINNATI NATURE CENTER’S ROWE

FISHER