ArtWorks Mural @ 7th and Washington in Covington

The $10 Downtown Experience

In the 1990s, Main Street which borders Cincinnati’s Pendleton and Over-the-Rhine neighborhoods, between the blocks of Central Parkway and Liberty was a hot bed of vibrant night life, bringing all walks of life together.

Over the past few years, this area is in the process of seeing its economic renaissance which has yet to peak. The community of Over-the-Rhine has historically thrived on community togetherness, fostering a sense of urban unity.

Events like Grapevine, Second Sundays on Main and Final Fridays brings vendors onto the street and people to patron the many shops and galleries which brighten these blocks on Main and the addition of Joe’s Diner will do nothing but make the district that much more appealing.

It is not unexpected to spend a week night in this area for less than $20 and here’s how.

Meet for Coffee @ Iris Café $2

Located at 1331 Main, this small quite coffee shop is a great way has taken the place of kaldi’s, sans the alcohol, by providing a shelves of books, sustenance and a great place to socialize.

Eat @ Joe's ... Diner That Is $8

Move just a block and half east to Sycamore to find burgers which are reminiscent of what you would come to expect from a traditional diner, in addition to extra seasoned fires which are filling yet relatively light and not floating in a sea of grease.

Light Up The Night @ Neon’s $10

End your evening with spirit or two around the corner from Joe’s Diner. A $10 spot will get you a couple of Over-the-Rhine ales, but the outdoor experience is of outdoor social hour is priceless.

Take Back The Street On Main

In the 1990’s, the block of Main St., between Central Parkway and Liberty was a hot bed of vibrant night life, bring all walks of life together. I was in college then and Have A Nice Day Café, Bar Cincinnati and Cincinnati’s own Jefferson Hall were all places where you could find me knee deep in libration on weekend nights.

Then there were the Riots of 2001.

The aftermath of the week long unrest placed Cincinnati with a black eye and hit the city hardest in its pocketbooks. Celebrities such as Bill Cosby and Whoopi Goldberg called for a boycott of the city and Prince even cancelled a show which he was scheduled to have in the city. People did not feel safe spending their hard earned money in Over-the-Rhine any longer and the afore mentioned bars closed up and moved elsewhere, leaving Main Street silent on Friday and Saturday nights.

Until now.

Over the past few years, Main Street has been in the process of seeing its economic renaissance which has yet to peak. Historically, OTR has thrived on community togetherness has fostered urban unity.

Events like Grapevine, Second Sundays on Main and Final Fridays brings vendors onto the street and people to patron the many shops and galleries which brighten these blocks on Main.

In keeping with the historically holistic appeal of Main Street, eateries such as Iris Book Café (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cincinnati-OH/Iris-Book-Cafe/169729995076) and Shadeau Breads (www.shadeaubreads.com) offer locally made and grown options. Great if you want to grab a coffee before your trek into the office or a quiet place to catch up on some work away from the office over a great salmon and avocado sandwich.

Though Main Street is re-incorporating is livable appeal to its day time patrons, its night time appeal has not been forgotten. Last weekend, Jack Pots opened in Jefferson Hall’s old space and Neon’s have been opened for a few weeks. Mixx Ultra Lounge (www.mixxcincy.com) offers upscale entertainment without the big city prices. In addition, with the coming to city’s casino and street car, venues such as Neon’s and Jack Pots have promised to re-open to offer additional entertainment options, not un-similar to the old days of Main Street.

And there is word that The Dinner on Sycamore is under new management and will open soon.

Oh Happy Day!

Findley Market: Come Out And Enjoy!

http://soapboxmedia.com/videos/0811findlaymarket.aspx

The Last Mac & Cheese Recipe You'll Ever Use

That is, if you are a single gay man.

Despite our area's great grocery stores like Kroger and Whole Foods, Trader Joe's seems to always come out of my mouth first when anyone asks me where buy groceries.

I have stumbled on the perfect Mac & Cheese recipe which all ingredients can be purchased with products at Trader Joe's

Enjoy!

The Riverfront Plans To Bring Back The Beer!

So who said that Cincinnati abandoned its beer brewing heritage?

As The Banks project trudges along,

Greg Hardman, Christian Moerlein Brewing Company owner announced that he will be heading up The Moerlein Larger House (or should it be Hause) which will anchor the Central Riverfront park Development plans.

The restaurant/bar plans to be located and the bottom of Main Street just on the East side of the Great American Ball Park. It plans to include indoor seating for 500, including a 600 seat outdoor space.

Not only does it plan to be a great place to hang out and have a beer and grub, the building plans to be LEED certified , 3 stories in height, complete with a green roof, balconies and terraces with views of the new Central Riverfront Park, Ohio River, Roebling Suspension Bridge and Great American Ball Park.

Can’t wait to see it come to fruition!

My New Favorite Weekday Breakfast Place

Located just north of Media Bridges @ the corner of Race St. and Central Ave., here is where you can get one of the best breakfast sandwiches without having to spend 30mins waiting or breaking your piggy bank.

While you are in there, don't forget to pick up coupons for 50% off any of my services @ ION Consultants.

The Taste of Cincinnati 2009 (Through My Eyes)

Every year Cincinnati shuts down a few blocks of 5th Street in the heart of the city and hosts some of the best eateries of the city.

During this three day event, you are able to sample some of the best dishes of the city within just a few steps rather than driving all over the city.

This years 'Taste' was held over the Memorial Day weekend, and though some showers temporarily dampened the event, over all it was a great weekend!

Playing w/ my new phone app @ Findley Market

Created with PicSay Pro on my T-Mobile G1

Coffee Emporium's Downtown Location Is Now Open On Sundays!

Downtown Cincinnati loves its coffee, and there’s no more evidence of that than by the popularity of hangouts like Bruegger's Bagel Bakery, Taza Mia, Starbucks and Over the Rhine's own Coffee Emporium.

The latter of the four is bucking its trend of traditionally being one of the only locally owned Downtown coffee-stops not to be open on Sundays by announcing that it will now welcome patrons 8am to 4pm on this day of rest!

Sunday being the busiest day of CE's Erie Ave location, I am glad to see that they are finally following in the footsteps of its suburban location's success by giving Downtowners a locally owned Sunday option for a nice "cuppa java".

So if you are downtown on Sundays and looking for a place to unwind before the hectic week begins all over again, come down brew over a hot cup of Joe!

Coffee Emporium

110 E. Central Parkway

Cincinnati, OH 45202

(513) 651-5483

Red Bull Soapbox Races....Nati Style!

Sorry not too many pics of the actual racers. It was sooo crowded in Mt. Adams that if you did not get there several hours before the actual race, you were stuck watching the entire race in the jumbo-tron or you had great views of the backs of people's head.

After about 20 minutes of Trying to watch the race, we relegated ourselves to City View Tavern for Bloody Mary's and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Tazza Mia: Downtown Coffe Shop Hops

I found a new place to grab a bit e to eat on Sunday mornings. Here is a review I found about the place online.

"An inviting and laid-back combo of coffee shop and cafe, Tazza Mia's free WiFi draws lots of business folk with laptops, as well as casual lunchers and serious coffee drinkers too.

Paninis, artisan breads, coffees ground and roasted fresh for every cup - with free refills - tea lattes, desserts and chocolates tempt the hungry diner as well as those just giving themselves a well-earned treat."

For the most part I thought that this place was a great place. Centrally located in the Carew Tower, Tazza is a great meeting place for breakfast or lunch meetings for the business downtown worker, or even if you are just visiting the Queen City.

The sandwiches are a bit over priced for what you get, but if you are looking to support locally owned businesses, Tazza is your place.

All Is Right At Deli Seven 20

Formerly Poppies’ Deli located on Elm Street, Deli Seven 20 has emerged as one of the best kept lunch time secrets of Cincinnati’s business district.

Now located in what was formerly called Buck Town, at the corner of Pete Rose Way and Eggleston, Deli 720 has succeeded in carving out a niche in The Sawyer Point Building, pre-made with captive clientele comprised of several different companies including C.R.E. Corporation, and Northlich Incorporated.

Deli 720 uses its new home, built in 1905 and once the home to the American Tool Company and then White Consolidated Industries, to serve some of the most saliva inspiring lunch time delights in the city.

Michelle Lightfoot, the brains and beauty behind the popular Poppies’ struck gold again with her recent proprietary achievement. Her signature recipes of freshly chopped garden veggies and thinly sliced sandwich meats, in addition to tasty toppings have all made the transition across town from the widely popular Poppies’ to the insatiable Deli Seven 20.

Open weekdays 8am to 3pm, you can stop by on your way to work or at lunch time and settle your taste buds on their riki tiki turkey sandwich, comprised of roast turkey, Swiss cheese, olive tapenade and honey mustard all layered nicely atop a fucaccia.

Not only that, you can stay on the healthy side by choosing the equally delectable salad seven 20 infused with mixed greens chilled pasta, tomato, blue cheese, English cucumber, toasted pine nuts and chopped bacon.

Note: Your sandwich and salad option also include your choice of ingredient mix and matches, included daily made soups and home-made sweet potato chips.

Taking no more than five minutes from order to delivery, Deli seven 20 is a perfect lunch time place for you if you are looking for something new and fresh without paying an arm and a leg.

Deli Seven 20, 720 East Pete Rose Way, 513.381.3720, deliseven20@fuse.com

Sources:

http://www.pilotbuilds.com/domino/web/pilotweb.nsf/2ac7aa4905f4aef3852567e0002b0ae1/235db3b6544f6ddd852568180051097502ec.html?OpenDocument

http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_f0ccj1

http://www.urbanup.net/index.php?buildingID=59

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/12/19/story8.html

http://citybeat.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A127311

http://home.fuse.net/deliseven20/

My Mom's Birthday at Nada

My family surprised my mom last night for her 50th birthday at Nada.

The birday girl is in the green.

Inside Outside in the Q

Today was definitely a day to get out and enjoy downtown. I decided to hit up Lavo-matique for a light brunch and then on the way home, stopped in to check out the new store Outside.

I love what the owner, Terry Lee has done with the place. Not that it was bad before, the transition of the ceiling from a darker blue to white has really opened the place up. i guess that a necessity for a door devoted to outdoors.

I see great things for this store. I left with a little present for the birds in the yard.

Just Another Day

I snapped these photos on my way home frm the gym the other day. Enjoy!

Hind sight is 20 /20

I was walking home the other day and as I traveled north on Sycamore St. I came across this scene.


The City seems to be doing some street work in front of the old Vinyl restaurant. To direct traffic, there is a large lighted arrow directing north-bound traffic to the left side of the street. I tried to get a photo of it, but my camera phone is not that extravagant. With the naked eye, it would look as though the large arrow was directing people to go into Vinyl.

Do you think if this was there when Vinyl was in operation, they would have gotten enough foot traffic to stay open?

My Buns are hot....and crossed

A hot cross bun is a type of sweet bun composed of currants and leavened with yeast ornamented with a cross on the top made with frosting.

Historically, these sweets are traditionally eaten on today, Good Friday, having the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion. Believed by some to pre-date Christianity, according to what I have read, the term "hot cross bun" did not appear 1733.

Though I grew up Catholic, I have never heard of these tasty treats until this morning when I stopped in to Shadeau Bread to pick up my morning egg and cheese croissant. I chatted up the attendant, and on my way out, she presented me with one of these treats.

Is anyone else as clueless to this tradition as I am?

The Quiet After The Storm

Earlier in the week, the area was hit with a winter storm.Believe me, I am not complaining, I was called off of work that day.Due to the unusually warm weather that Cincinnati experienced, I thought I would take may camera along with as I traveled to Clifton for some of the best Indian buffets in town.

Save The Date: Bock Fest 2008 (Take 2)

As I mentioned last month, Bock Fest is fast approaching. Here are some additional dates you should keep in mind if you want to participate in the parade that will kick off the fest:

BOCKFEST PARADE 2008
Friday, March 7th at 6pm
Starting at Arnold's Bar & Grill
210 East 8th Street
Admission is Free

Some additional notes:
Best Parade entry wins a HUGE, one-of-a-kind beer stein handcrafted by the Art Academy
The Bockfest Parade is Cincinnati's most bohemian parade!
Best entries are determined by originality, Bockfest themes (Bock Beer, Goats, German Renaissance) , and general funkiness!
Visit www.bockfest. com for more details!