René of the Day // 11.25.11 // A Great Day

Lunched at Senate with Mom + Kiki and did some shopping in OTR

(Poutine: fries, local cheese curds, braised shortribs + gravy - NOMS!)

North Carolina BBQ sandwich

Visited Spring Grove Cemetery and laid wreaths and Gigi's and grandpa's graves

Late afternoon cocktail on the rooftop at O'Bryon's, enjoying the balmy day with Kiki

Bowling at Star Lanes* in Newport with the Loveland gals 

(*Loved this place! A smoke-free bowling alley? Finally! And their appetizers were above par, for sure.)

One word: poutine

René of the Day // 11.17.12 // La Poste

The former Tink’s space off Ludlow in Clifton exceeded my expectations. Mrs. (!!) Kris and I went to catch up post-wedding and since they just moved to Indy and she was back home for the week. We had to celebrate her job, too! As soon as we walked in the door, we ran into one of my fav sommeliers, Eric Faber, who I initially met with my mom at A Bottle or Two. He also took Amy Scalia of Cincy Chic and me on a hot air balloon ride last summer… I loved the tempranillo that was his current featured selection on the menu and we decided to split a selection of appetizers. We chose scallops, salad, crab cake and flat bread.

Kris surprised me with the cutest painting of a Westie that looks just like shaggy Findlay – it is so sweet! (See photo below) I think he likes to look up at “his” masterpiece above the armchair in the studio.

One amazing aspect of the restaurant is they use their wall space and as a rotating art gallery of work by local artists. The current paintings of Cincinnati was sensational -  by Cole Carothers, the owner was happy to discuss with us. The name of the restaurant is also charming – the building was originally built as a post office. The check was neatly folded and presented in a time hand-stamped envelope – little touches like this make a cute place unique, inspiring and worthy of a return visit.

Read the menu on the La Poste website here.

*As always, I’m not a food critic, just a lover of food and fine dining.

The salad of the season

Painting of Findlay

René of the Day // 11.9.11 // Annabell's Brunch

This adorable hole in the wall in Mt Lookout has been calling my name for years but I’d never managed to make it there until now. My friend Angie called me to do brunch and great minds think alike as we both threw it out as an idea. The key is to get there early – there’s less than 10 tables in this etsy-esque little café. But even if you have to wait – it’s worth it! Loads of options with fresh local produce,  cheeses and unique dishes. The huveous rancheros was phenomenal. It was hard to choose this over the egg scramble with fall squashes (pumpkin, butternut) and two other people in our party loved it. The vintage tables, glass pastry domes on the counter filled with goodies and cute artwork on the walls make this sunny spot the ideal start to a weekend morning. The only down fall, which is why I’ve yet to take MR, is that people wait inside the door for a table so they’re hovering over you as you eat – which he despises. It can be difficult to relax and enjoy a meal when you know you’ll be hustled out.

So go early and enjoy this gem – I can’t wait to sample more of the menu. 

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 // 10.10.11 // Hot Head

I'm not one of the many people I know who must get their Chipotle (say it right "chi-POt-lay") fix every week. But I do love a burrito every now and again. And when Hot Head Burritos opened in Oakley this past year, I planned to check it out... eventually. And then coupons arrived in the janky JB Dollar Stretcher Magazine - it was hard to pass up a "lil burrito" for $2.99. I don't go regularly but I don't just toss those glossy direct mail garbo catalogs anymore - I clip out the Hot Heads coupons and use them for what they're worth!

I've had the lil burrito and the lil bowls (options that I wish Chipotle would consider.) Although the rice isn't quite as great, I like that they let you choose to steam or grill the tortilla (numerous flavors) and they have spicy chicken. They offer more vegetables - plus pineapple - and a ton of sauces... it's hard to choose. I love their sweet habanero sauce. I wouldn't go often if it weren't for the coupons but it's hard to beat a filling dinner for $3 that isn't a gorging portion. This week it looks like the ad has jumped up to $3.99 for the lil guys - which I think is only a savings of 20 cents. But the people who work there are always super nice - I'll go alone and sit on the patio when the weather's nice and have a quiet dinner by myself when I'm not in the mood to cook.

I'm thrilled to have found something worth clipping from the mega magazine and a quick spot to grab dinner when I'm not sure what sounds good - the coupons on the fridge catch my eye and the decision is made. Try it out - it's not Chipotle but it has it's own unique qualities. Oh and they have stamp cards that earn free food and they give two stamps on Tuesdays, along with other deals throughout the week involving cookies and other items. Ole!

[As always, I'm not a restaurant critic. Just sharing my experiences.]

René of the Day // 9.25.11 // $2 sammies @ Starbucks!

Pleasant surprise at SBux - their breakfast sandwiches are now $2 with the purchase of a beverage! w00t! Whenever I receive Starbucks gift cards, I tend to use them on their delicious sammies, since we have a Keurig machine at the office for warm AM drinks and I have a horrible habit of keep breakfast foods on hand at home.

I went for a little Friday morning salted caramel latté (I've had one pumpkin spice latté this season and it just didn't hit the spot like I remembered - Panera and Coffee Emporium do it better) I was thrilled to see a note about the sandwich special. I mean, that's less than I'd pay for a breakfast sandwich at McDonald's (which I wouldn't do anyhow - I only eat McGriddles when I'm severely hung over.) What a steal! Their hot breakfast options beat "fast food" any morning.

My favorites are the spinach & feta breakfast wrap with cage-free egg whites, feta, roasted tomatoes and spinach in a wheat wrap and the reduced-fat turkey bacon and white cheddar on ciabatta.

Read more about the deal here.

René of the Day // 9.21. // Cloud 9

So I'm not quite there (on Cloud 9 if you follow) after dining at the new restaurant in the former Dancing Wasabi space but I was pleased with the experience. Katie texted me in the early evening to finally catch up after numerous failed attempts and re-scheduled dates and sushi just sounded right. I'd been wanting to see the new place but was also curious because their sign outside reads, "Half price! Same menu as Dancing Wasabi!" It didn't make much sense to open a new restaurant and keep it the same so it didn't excite me, but it was worth checking out. Of course they offer "half price" which has been the gig for at least two years now. They keep the prices high and you do the math to see how "cheap" it is - wow!

Cloud 9 doesn't have any of the tacky art work and junk on the walls that Dancing Wasabi had. They do have two small white boards that state that they offer toro (richer, fatty tuna, harder to find and pricier) on the weekends. The menu has expanded non-sushi options with more appetizers and entreé options. The sushi menu offers all of the rolls that Dancing Wasabi did, but features quite a few new options. Katie and I struggled with determining which to choose because so many sounded similar. Almost every roll was wrapped around shrimp. It was hard to find five different rolls that were enticing and not repetitive, and neither of us are picky, we do it all - eel, uncooked, veggies, tempura, spicy, etc.

We ordered:
Orange County (sushi shrimp, cucumber & crab topped with spicy tuna, eel sauce & spicy mayo)
Dynamite (California roll topped with torched Hot Mama - mix of chopped tuna, salmon, tilapia, white tuna, yellowtail, garlic, red pepper paste, sriacha & green onion - eel sauce & spicy mayo)
Red Double (tempura shrimp, avocado, crab, eel sauce, spicy mayo, tempura flakes & wasabi sauce)
Caterpillar (eel & cucumber inside with layers of sliced avocado and eel sauce on top)
Tempura (tuna, salmon, tilapia, white tuna, crab stick, asparagus, cream cheese - deep fried)

Ultimately, the Orange County was the only new one for us. The Dynamite has changed a little and it was very similar to the Red Double, which we enjoyed much more. Red Double, Caterpillar and Tempura are always easy wins. We joked that they need a chart of spreadsheet comparing the rolls since many are so similar, it's hard to compare (so much for leaving work at the office, ha).

A friend from work was also there and mentioned they had really slow service and their plate of sushi sat on the counter for a while before it was noticed and delivered to their table; not a great experience but I've had this happen before. I think I'll go back - the atmosphere of Dancing Wasabi in the old Beluga space has better ambiance but I'm so sick of ordering maki from the same menu over the past few years.

Their full menu is available on their urbanspoon page.

(As always, I'm not a restaurant critic. Just a foodie sharing my experiences.)

René of the Day // 9.18.11 // Restaurant Week @ Bouquet

Bouquet Restaurant and Wine Bar is located in Covington, Kentucky, part of MainStrasse Village. It's been on "my list" for years and when Becca and I were deciding where to go for Greater Cincinnati Independents Restaurant Week, it was one of my top choices.

The Restaurant Week menu - 3 courses for $26.11 - wasn't as appealing to me as some of the selections from their man menu. Becca really enjoyed the butternut squash soup, heirloom salad and Atlantic salmon. I decided to forego the deal and choose what sounded best. I started with the smoked salmon mousse, served with cucumber, pickled ginger, red onion, candied orange zest and lemon caper aioli (see photo below). I was surprised to see the mousse served in little tarts but it was fantastic - the crust was rich and buttery and not too flaky. I would love to try another dish in a larger shell made with this dough. For the main course I had game hen with roasted brussels sprouts, blackberries, bacon and smoked buttermilk grits. It was outstanding! It was plated with four meaty little winglets stacked on top of one another, atop the delicious medley listed. The brussels sprouts were crunchy and roasted, the bacon was in thick, juicy little hunks and the grits provided the perfect creamy texture. My only qualm was that the blackberry seeds kept finding their way between my teeth, but what can you do? Our server was wonderful - I'm looking forward to going back with my mom and Kiki - we've talked about going for a long time - or for a romantic date with MR - he thought the hen sounded great. It's a very small and intimate space, so reservations are certainly recommended, I'm glad we had one. It was a full house at 8pm on Saturday. Next time I'd like to tap into their wine list, too.

After dinner we went to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati to meet up with friends and it was an absolute cluster! Phone service was spotty and it was nearly impossible to find anyone. I have never seen the festival so packed - it made it hard to enjoy the evening. The weather that afternoon was beautiful so perhaps that would've been a better time to go. It was just a crowd of drunk fools and far too many insulting smells in every direction. I also hate to see how people trash our city - but I also didn't see many garbage cans at our disposal (literally.) We each had one Sam Adams Oktoberfest beer and chatted a bit then headed home. I'll need to re-think my visit to Oktoberfest next year because I just can't be bothered with that circus again.

Side story: Bouquet also holds a special spot in my memory because last May, Kristin and I went to MaiFest in MainStrasse one Saturday and decided to sit down with our Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ales at a little table right in front of Bouquet. We were chatting about how I'd been a single gal since college and Kristin gave me a great girl talk about how I'm too quick to judge and should give guys the benefit of the doubt and not be so skeptical. I took her advice and tucked it in my back pocket when she dropped me off in Mt. Adams to meet up with Lindsey & Maura an hour or so later. So when we left Monk's Cove and sat down at a table at Tavern on the Hill, the only open seat was across from the girls, next to a guy with a huge smile and a big laugh who started talking about the Vols - so I turned around and gave him - MR! - a big Gator chomp... I gave him a chance, just like Kristin said, and the rest is history :)

René of the Day // 7.18.11 // Bucket List: Cooking Vacations

When I saw a link on National Geographic's Twitter feed for "Ten U.S. Cooking Vacations" I salivated. Two of my greatest passions are food (cooking) and traveling... to combine the two is my ultimate bliss. I'm thrilled to say I've been to some of these popular culinary getaways but I've only dined in great restaurants - I haven't had the opportunity to dive into culinary travel like the trips offered by Epitourean (how wonderful is that name?)

From the list, Napa Valley is floating on the top of my bucket... I'm hoping I can finally take a trip with my well-seasoned Mom and Aunt Chrissy next year, since we've talked about going since I was in college - it's about time they brought me along! MR and I have plans for a trip to Asheville, NC next spring to visit The Biltmore Estate. I'd love to spend a summer holiday in Maine - the summer as a camp counselor in Connecticut came close but boy, do I love New England. Santa Fe and Savannah, Georgia are also on the list and some old friends rave of Santa Fe and perhaps I could swing by Savannah to see the "Hostess City" on a trip to see family and friends in Atlanta - who can refuse Southern delicacies?

I've had memorable dinners in New Orleans at Galatoires the week of New Year's two years ago, MR and I had lovely meals at High Cotton and 82 Queen in Charleston, SC this spring. I have in fact seen Julia Child's kitchen in the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and also explored the culinary treasures of NYC the summer of 2007 while I was interning.

So ultimately this list of trips is an entire chapter of my bucket list - packing my bags & bon apetit!

To read the full article, click here.

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 // 6.15.11 // Featured Friend: Emerlu + SENATE

Disclaimer: Honest to goodness - I didn't plan to post so many "Featured Friends"so often... I just happen to have some incredible people in my life and when they deserve recognition, they get it NOW, dammit. ;)

I had a hell of a time last night with my friend Emily... we've been close since Mr. Partin's sixth grade social studies class at Loveland Middle School. She'd come over after school and we'd make peach oatmeal or order LaRosa's pizza and eat it on my bedroom floor. In college, we both spent the summer of 2007 interning in NYC. Em lived in the NYU dorms above Union Square and I lived in the East Village. We'd walk the 10 or so blocks to each other's places and check out the dive bars in between... and one of the coolest things I did that summer was the Live Earth concert with her at the Giant's stadium - talk about an amazing show - Damien Rice & David Gray, Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Beastie Boys, Foo Fighters, Alicia Keys, Roger Waters to name a few. A truly unforgettable day.

After college, Emily moved to Santa Rosa, California to join AmeriCorp - I admired her so much. I dreamed of joining the Peace Corp and scared myself out of it by thinking I'd come home at 26 without a connection to my friends, single forever, jobless and broke. After two years of incredible connections with her students, countless amazing photos of the vineyards and all the beauty the left coast has to offer, she moved to Portland. A year later and she has completed her Masters in education - super proud of her! Emily is a sensational dancer, intuitive photographer, is wonderfully artistic (she made me the painting hanging in my apartment, pictured in the album linked in the Live in Hyde Park! post) a skilled writer and a great friend - I can be more goofy with her than anyone I know. Since college, we have continued hand-written correspondence - letters, postcards, photos, even as we communicate via text, Facebook and email. Her parents still welcome me to dinner at their home and her older brother Clint has become a good buddy to grab a beer with at the local pubs around Hyde Park.

Although I miss having her here, I think our friendship is so special because of how we stay in touch and our visits when she comes home to Cincinnati a few times a year. I can't wait to visit Portland - hopefully this fall.

Last night I took her to OTR to see how our city is transforming and that we may not be Port of Land but we have some cool places popping. First we had a beer at The Lackman then hit Senate for another beer and a bite. Em is now a vegetarian so the hot dog named after my pal Dan Korman was perfect for her - red callini bean & Turkish lentil sausage with sun-dried tomatoes, shaved fennel, arugula and goat cheese was perfect. I loved the Lindsay Loahn (who she happens to be obsessed with, ha) - all beef hot dog with arugula, goat cheese, caramelized onions and balsamic - and truffle fries with aioli, of course!

Our outstanding meal at SENATE

So cheers to Emily - and many more years of friendship and letters and laughs!
xoxo

Em & I lunching at the famous former Tavern on the Green in NYC 

René of the Day // 6.10.11 // French Strawberry Torte & Friends

Isn't this French Strawberry Torte from The BonBonerie absolutely divine? Last night I had a delicious dinner at Stone Creek Dining Company with my mom and her cousin Colleen and two of her friends, Janey and Amanda, who have become good friends of ours over the past few years. It's quite hard to schedule an evening for the 5 of us to get together but it was successful! First of all, the bottle of Coppola Claret I shared with Mom was so nice - well balanced with fruit, smooth tannins and I loved the tobacco aroma. I ordered the Applewood Bacon Wrapped Salmon with lime teriyaki glaze and napa slaw and had to have sweet potato fries with aioli... it was all fantastic!

After dinner, we went to Janey's new home (well, we've been trying to find time to celebrate the new home for a few years lol) and it was so adorable; she is the most gracious hostess. She has fantastic taste; I felt like I was walking through Pottery Barn with great pops of color. And I had some serious kitchen-envy of her cool backsplash and Sub-Zero fridge. The best part was her stinkin' cute little red head Elise came down to say hello in her ladybug pj's.

We enjoyed wine and the cake by candlelight on the screened in patio and it was just so nice to relax, chat and laugh - they're all hilarious, successful and gorgeous women and I hope to learn from all of them for when I'm a wife and mother. I am so blessed to have such strong, smart and funny women in my life to model myself after. I truly wish we can find the time to see each other more often. Cheers, ladies!

René of the Day // 6.8.11 // The List

Those who know me well - and many who do not - know that I love food, wine, cocktails and dining out. Forget shopping, I'll go broke enjoying five course meals and drowning in bottles of fancy port. I always keep The List of the restaurants I'd love to try and persistently plan adventures with my appetite to cross places off The List. So today I, René, will share The List publicly. If you see a restaurant you'd like to explore with me, please, leave a comment - let's go! If I'm missing something, please, leave a comment so I can add it to The List. These are all Cincinnati spots. (The national list includes Girl in the Fig, The Stinking Rose, Per Se, Charlie Trotter, Daniel, French Laundry & Ad Hoc to name a few...) The two most recent escapades have been to Nicola's and China Gourmet. And so it goes:

The Celestial (Currently without liquor license; won a bet against MR on NYE so I have earned this!)
Quarter Bistro
Nectar
Annabelle's
Virgil's
Bouquet
Barresi
Scotti's
Tano Bistro
York St. Café
Fork Heart Knife
Iron Horse Inn
Argentine Bean
Golden Lamb
La Poste Eatery (Have a Groupon!)
Pompilio's
Chez Nora
Germano's
Ollie's Trolley
Cincinnati Dinner Train (Making plans for this with MR & friends)
The Painted Fish
A Tavola
Skinny Pig
Turophilia (Aistream Quesadilla trailer)
Stuffed on Vine

René of the Day // 5.24.11 // Bye Bye, Beluga

Oh how I will miss this restaurant/club/martini mecca/sushi shrine. Say what you will about the overtly trendy decor, the overpriced cocktails and the music that bumped so loud it would likely spill that pricey punchy drink. But, Toon is an impeccably creative chef and all pretentiousness aside, Beluga always offered an evening unmatched in Cincinnati.

I will forever be grateful to Cindy, who for two years ensured that I was always fed and my financial and academic obligations were always met. She taught me to work smarter and harder (she reminded me tonight how high octane I was -am- and how much I learned and grew) and great tidbits about countless things, and honestly, my time there definitely influenced my passion for food. Hostessing in college at this oft-acclaimed and equally criticized restaurant was perhaps one of the most demanding but fun jobs I have ever had. The parties were absolutely fabulous and it was a wonderful place for networking and learning the value and importance of gracious customer service.

I am happy to see Charlie return to the space and to still have the opportunity to walk around the corner for delicious sushi (half price at that)! Although he created some of the original and amazing maki on Beluga's sushi list, you honestly cannot beat Beluga's fresh sushi. I will miss treating myself but will also enjoy indulging in the new Dancing Wasabi 2 space where it may just be a little softer on the pocket.

Best of luck to Cindy, Mike & Toon and their next adventures. Thank you for everything!

Enjoying sushi with the British bestie, Summer 2006