Cincinnati Highlights
We were in the Cincinnati area recently for a crew race and despite staying in an area that could have been anywhere USA, we did find some delicious food and some fun shopping. This was my third birthday in a row in a random town somewhere in the US to watch rowing and we always celebrate with dinner wherever we happen to be. This year it was at the Asian Mexican fusion restaurant Lalo Chino Latino, which might like a strange combination, but it was absolutely delicious. We both chose an assortment of tacos and our favorites were the fish tempura, carnitas, and Asian fried chicken. We brought our daughter the Mexican Pad Thai (she couldn’t go because of her racing schedule) and she raved about it.
I’ve never been much of a drinker, but ever since I had food poisoning last year and ended up with liver damage I have steered clear of alcohol. My liver is healed for the most part, but it’s not really worth it to me to see what would happen if I had a drink. So I am very happy to see that many restaurants are now making mocktails. Although the Ocean Water was not listed as a mocktail on the E+O Kitchen The Banks menu their non-alcoholic adaptation was spectacular, evoking the cool, fresh breeze its name suggests.
When we weren’t at the races we were either eating or lounging inside because of the rain. At one point I said I was starting to feel like a veal with all the eating and sitting. Breakfast is by far my favorite meal and I have yet to go somewhere that didn’t have a great breakfast place. We met a friend at First Watch on our second last day. This is a chain but it is no Dennys. The Lemon Ricotta pancakes had just the right combination of tang and sweet and the Morning Meditation fresh juice felt like the antidote to the previous days many indulgences of the fried and sweet varieties. For the first time in his life my husband ordered only one blueberry pancake and he cursed his scaled back choice the entire meal. Check the website to see if there’s one in your area. Im very sad there isn’t one in the Northeast. A number of years ago we were in Cincinnati for a basketball tournament and we loved breakfast at Maplewood Kitchen and Bar but we weren’t able to get there this time.
We did make it back to Over the Rhine this time. On our previous trip 5 years ago we loved the store Elm & Iron. They had the most eclectic assortment of home goods, but that location has closed. They do still have locations outside the city. We did find some great art at MiCA 12/V. I just realized the piece we bought by Nicole Hollon is entitled Ascent/Descent which is funny considering my affinity for the Persephone myth. Over the Rhine has a number of well regarded restaurants and beautiful clothing stores. More exploration for next time.
Speaking of art, there are a ton of beautiful murals in downtown Cincinnati. I couldn’t tell you where exactly because I didn’t write down addresses but there is one near the Lalo Chino Latino. The cover photo on this post is a small section of one of them. I don’t know about you but I think it’s so much fun to turn a corner and find a giant mural on the side of a building. So much gorgeous, vibrant color.
Finally, we saw You Hurt My Feelings at the wonderful Mariemont Theater during the rainiest day. I truly love a little independent movie theater and You Hurt My Feelings was such a lovely story of the sensitivity of being a creative person and the inter workings of family and long lasting marriage.
Until the next adventure…