René of the Day // 10.30.11 // Café de Wheels @ Dutch's

Could it be - one the best bars + the best burgers @ brunch = hell yeah! I'm not sure if this secret has been circulated so I had to share. Café de Wheels AKA The Burger Truck is now serving at Dutch's Bar & Bottle Shop in East Hyde Park on weekends for brunch! Order on the curb and take it out back - they have a great patio with bocce ball courts (my fav!)

I love the Wheels burger (ooh, balsamic onion marmalade) with sweet potato fries. Does this not sound like the dream savior for the worst G&T hangover ever? Yes. Yes, it is. Add a Pellegrino Limonata, spend a few hours in the sun and you're ready for a nap. Perfecto.

René of the Day // 9.17.11 // PetPeople

Since Hyde Bark has closed on Hyde Park Square, I was excited to see a new pet-themed shop opened recently in walking distance of my apartment. It was a gorgeous day so I took Findlay to PetPeople - a national chain pet shop that has opened in the former Blockbuster space by the Aveda Institute in Hyde Park. The store is very clean, bright and fun. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. They had a great selection of premium dog food, treats and leashes and collars, plus items to meet the needs of cats, bunnies (Rocky, get excited!) and other small animals. Findlay was a good boy and got a little squeaky hedgehog! I'm looking forward to going back - they had a lot of nice toys and treats at really reasonable prices.

We joined their PetPeeps rewards so we'll continue to make visits. I've been thinking about a new leash and collar - he's always had the same orange argyle set that I can't seem to part with. PetPeople also has a "pet wash" - for $15 to use the space to scrub your pooch and they provide the shampoo, towels and clean up. Luckily Fin fits in my tub when he just needs to be cleaned up but not groomed. I think we equally enjoyed our visit and I was pleased to see it was much more reasonable than Hyde Bark.

René of the Day // 8.22.11 // "He's so pretty."

On our evening walk, a dude told me Findlay was "so pretty." I laughed - it was sweet and I had to agree - he was just groomed at Red Dog Pet Resort & Spa. I decided to add a service while he stayed there over the weekend and they had a lower flat rate than PetsMart where I usually take him for a hack & whack job. Red Dog finally gave him the proper Westie cut he needs - they cut the fluff off his tail - it's been driving me crazy when I pick him up and his tail fluffs about like a little girl - even with it cut, he was still referred to as a gal... But oh well. 

If it makes him feel any better, my "grooming" was also commented on that evening. A fireman at the Hyde Park Square station always compliments my hair. He asked if he could ask me a personal question - you know, that naturally awkward spot people put you in where you're forced to say "yes" or else you're the rude one - and he asked if my father was black because my hair looks just like his daughter's. I may need to ask Seb and Teri if we need to go on Maury lol

But back to Fin, I've decided I'll budget the $25/night petite suite into my budget for every trip long in the future... Having friends or family watch him for a weekend still works but I feel bad asking anyone to take on the responsibility for more than a few days - and he loves it! He sleeps for 2 whole days when we come home :) And if they can make him look pretty, we'll take it. 

René of the Day // 7.27.11 // Wasson Way Project

This incredible idea was first brought to my attention on Facebook - how amazing would it be to have a trail similar to the Loveland Bike Trail that I grew up on, here in the Hyde Park area? With the multitudes of people walking their dogs, running with their jogging strollers and walking with friends around the neighborhoods, it would surely receive high foot and bike traffic. What better to do with 6.5 miles of unused railroads? This would be perfect for Bob Ronnecker's runners training for races...

"Like" it and learn more about turning these abandoned tracks into a recreational trail! A project of this magnitude needs all the local support it can muster up.

UPDATE: My step-dad, Chip, just told me about the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - perhaps they can link up with them to continue rolling it forward.

René of the Day // 6.30.11 // Dancing Wasabi 2: Hyde Park

Could it be? Great sushi in walking distance of my place - for half price? Reason #213 to live in Hyde Park. It's incredible how when I worked at Beluga, the uber-trendy sushi pan-Asian restaurant off the square, they would never succumb to half price deals. But as the economy slid and their former sushi chef Charlie opened Dancing Wasabi on Mt. Lookout Square, it became apparent that they'd have to sack it up and do half price, at least once a week. I think Cincinnati loves that almost ever sushi spot in this area now offers half price to stay competitive - people wait over an hour on the sidewalk for their maki in Mt. Lookout. Charlie made a brilliant business decision. So brilliant that Beluga closed it's doors and Dancing Wasabi recently opened their second location there - you know you're going gangbusters when you can open a second location literally less than 2 miles away and still fill the house in both restaurants.

Of course, the former Beluga space is much bigger and still has a lot of the pricey decor. I do think they've cheapened it up a bit - massive TV over the bar, huge plants lining the stairs as you walk in and they've replaced the dj booth in the corner with a round white wood table. But this is what the people want - it's fun, affordable and decent food. They've expanded their menu now that they have a larger nicer kitchen but I think I'll always stick to the sushi. I think I've tried all 20+ rolls at this point and there's never been one that I wouldn't try again. The service was fantastic - every employee we passed greeted us warmly and our server was attentive without being annoying. To be honest, I doubt I'll go back to the Mt. Lookout location - it has a tinge of a funky smell and I can walk to the new one. Arigato, Charlie!

René of the Day // 6.14.11 // Live in Hyde Park!

Two blocks from Hyde Park Square! I've lived here for almost 5 years (in August) and I absolutely love the location and building. It's a quiet, affordable and charming building from the 1930s. I've placed nearly 10 friends into my building and their neighboring properties over the past few years so my landlord gave me a call to tell me we have two vacancies. I give their information to people all the time so I thought I'd knock it out with a blog post.

One of the coveted studios is finally open! Like my apartment pictured here, it's $375/month with A/C, heat, water and gas included; my Duke energy bill is generally $12 month. Can you believe that?! It's clearly a great deal. And I love the unique built-in desk, drawers and cabinets in the closet hallway. This apartment is currently vacant.

There is also a one bedroom that will be available August 1. It has an open floor plan with a full dining room, large living room, bathroom and bedroom, plus a balcony. Rent is $600/month with the same inclusions.

All outside doors are locked, can buzz guests in and all apartments have gorgeous hardwood floors. Parking for the building is easy on the street or you can usually grab a spot in the lot behind the building. Pets are welcome and there's a side yard that's perfect for pups!

If you're interested, call Mike at North American Properties (formerly Jackson Advisory Group) at 513.602.2469. Let him know René filled you in - unfortunately I don't receive any incentives but I did tell him I'd put the word out. Happy house hunting! :)

‎"Everyone should have a big room they can go to. By living in one room, you eliminate a lot of worries." - Andy Warhol