Miss me?

At least I’m coming back with something you really must attend.

Asian Food Fest, I insisted last year, would be way more popular if it were downtown. The Donauschwaben, where they were located last year, is remote and kind of hard to find. Mind you, I didn’t actually tell anyone this– well, besides the cats. Apparently, the Asian Food Fest organizers heard my conversations (I doubt the cats told), and moved it to The Banks, making it one of the first big events down there that doesn’t have to do with sports.

Asian Food Fest features food from familiar cuisines, like Thai and Indian, as well as some cuisines that are not as familiar to Cincinnati palates, like Filipino. It kicked off a few months ago with a cook-off series (which I judged) where various home cooks competed for the best congee, curry, asian barbecue, and fried rice.  I met a lot of really great people there, and one of the participants (who won two best curry awards) will be there as well– Henna Grover from Kurrylicious.  Look for a feature on her in a couple of weeks.

So head down to the Banks, pick up some banh mi from Pho Lang Thang, chole from Kurrylicious and Filipino barbecue from Mapi’s Barbecuehan and wash it down with Tea and Bowl’s bubble tea (I adore bubble tea!) any time on Saturday between 11 p.m. and midnight or Sunday from 11-9 p.m.  In between bites you can check out demonstrations of Asian dance, music and martial arts.

My mom *loves* to come downtown now. When I first moved downtown, once in 1999 and then in 2007, she thought I was taking my life into my hands. As downtown has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years, she’s gotten excited too. She loves Senate and Mayberry and Lackman, she talks about visiting the Netherland as a kid (and how many parts of it haven’t changed much, like the Arcade and the Palm Court.  She loves that Fountain Square has something happening every night, and she loves brunch at Nada.  I’m not sure what Mom and I are doing for Mother’s Day this year, but the folks at Downtown Cincinnati, Inc. have provided a list.

Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakery, Cupcakes in a variety of flavors. The cut off date for Mother’s Day orders is May 10^th. 41 W. Fifth St. (513) 335-0898. http://www.abbygirlsweets.com

Akash India, Regular Menu, Open 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, 24 E. Sixth St. (513) 723-1300. http://www.akashindia.net

Blue Wisp,  Serving dinner, plus hear the Keith Karns Big Band from 7:00 to 11:00 pm, 700 Race St., (513) 241-9477. http://www.thebluewisp.com

 Boi Na Braza, Mother’s Day special includes unlimited servings of various cuts of meat and an unlimited salad bar. $34.95 per person. Open noon to 8:30 pm, 441 Vine St.  (513) 421-7111. http://www.boinabraza.com

 Cincy’s on Sixth, Regular Menu, Open 11:00 am to midnight, 41 E. Sixth St. (513) 621-6200. http://www.cincysonsixth.com

Cafe at the Taft Museum of Art, Mother’s Day Brunch from 11:00 am to  3:00 pm. Brunch prepared by Taft Executive Chef Mark Bowers and served in the Museum’s garden. After brunch, visit the just- opened exhibit Ohio to the White House: Photographs by Matthew Albritton. 316 Pike St. (513) 352-5140. Museum entrance is free on Sundays.http://www.taftmuseum.org

First Watch, Mom gets a free box of chocolates when you treat her to breakfast, brunch or lunch on Mother’s Day. While supplies last. Open 7:00 am to 2:30 pm, 700 Walnut St. (513) 721-4744. http://www.firstwatch.com

Iris BookCafe, Regular Menu, Open 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, 1331 Main St. (513) 381-2665. http://www.irishbookcafe.com

Istanbul Grill, Regular Menu, Open 1:00 to 8:30 pm. 628 Vine St., (513) 421-5100. http://www.facebook.com/Istanbulgrillcincy

It’s Just Crepes, Regular Menu, Open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, 39 E. Court St. and 151 W. Fourth St. (513) 632-7373

 Lavomatic Cafe & Wine Bar, Brunch from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, 1211 Vine St. (513) 621-1999. http://lavomaticcafe.com

Local 127, Brunch from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. 3 courses for $34.95. 413 Vine St. (513) 721-1345. http://www.mylocal127.com

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Brunch served from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and includes two chef inspired omelets, eggs benedicts, stuffed French Toast and Salmon O’Brien.  21 E. Fifth St. (513) 721-9339. Open 10:30 am to 9:00 pm. http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com

Moerlein Lager House, Regular menu, open 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way. (513) 421-2337. http://www.moerleinlagerhouse.com

Morton’s the Steakhouse, Open 2:00 to 9:00 pm. Enjoy a special Mother’s Day Menu for $59 per person on Sunday, May 13 only.  Morton’s Salad or Caesar Salad, Entree Selection (Choice of one) Single Cut Filet Mignon, Chicken Bianco, Honey Chili Glazed Salmon Fillet, Colossal Shrimp Alexander, Chicken Christopher, Choice of one vegetable or potato, Choice of one dessert. Morton’s full dinner menu also available. 441 Vine St. (513) 621-3111. http://www.mortons.com

 MOTR Pub, Regular Menu, Open for brunch from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, 1345 Main St. (513) 381-6687. http://www.motorpub.com

Mr. Sushi, Regular Menu, Open 4:00 to 9:45 pm, 580 Walnut St. (513) 827-9345. http://www.mrsushiusa.com

Nada, Brunch 10:30 am to 3:00 pm; Dinner 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, 600 Walnut St. (513) 721-6232. http://www.eatdrinknada.com

Nicholson’s Tavern & Pub, Regular Menu, Open for brunch from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, 625 Walnut St. (513) 564-9111. http://www.nicholsonspub.com

Orchids at Palm Court, Limited availability, Open 10:30 am to 4:00 pm; Brunch $45.95 for adults, kids 5-12 $23.95, Seniors $38.95, 35 W. Fifth St. (513) 421-9100.http://www.orchidspalmcourt.com

Palace Restaurant, Open 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. A la carte breakfast menu with additional a la carte brunch items and extended hours. 601 Vine St. (513) 381-3000.http://www.palacecincinnati.com

Palomino Rotisserie and Bar, Brunch 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; Dinner 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, 505 Vine St. (513) 381-1300. http://www.palomino.com

The Phoenix, Mother’s Day brunch 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. $29.95 adults, children 12 and under $18.95, ages 4 and under are free. Limited availability. 812 Race St. (513) 721-8901.http://www.thephx.com

Rock Bottom Brewery, Regular Menu, Open 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, 10 Fountain Square Plaza (513) 621-1588. http://www.rockbottom.com

Trattoria Roma, 3-course meal for $22.95 for Mother’s Day includes soup/ salad, choice of Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna, Linguine Bolognese, or Gnocchi alla Vodka, choice of dessert (tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, chocolate tort, chocolate mousse). Kids’ menu too. Open 3:30 to 9:00 pm. 580 Walnut St. (513) 723-0220. http://www.trattoria-roma.com

Via Vite, Brunch 11:00 am to 3:00 pm; terrace seating if weather is nice. Regular lunch menu with specials for appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts. 520 Vine St. (513) 721-8483.http://www.viaviterestaurant.com

Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant,; Jazz brunch featuring Lori’s Egg Bake, Fried Chicken, Carving Station, salads and more. Open 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, 1000 Elm St. (513) 421-0110. http://www.washingtonplatform.com

Businesses, did they miss anything?  I know that Taste of Belgium and 1215 Wine Bar in OTR are also serving brunch– anyone else?

I think it’s going to be a good Taste of Cincinnati this year.

I was pretty excited to be asked to be on the panel to judge entrees for the Best of Taste of Cincinnati this year. The panel for Best of Taste is mostly members of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, plus a few of us who are more food-oriented– Polly Campbell (who joined me in entrees), Debbie Goulding from Les Chefs de Cuisine and Kroger and Alex Shebar from Yelp. I actually like this– though it’s fun to have people who live and breathe food on these panels, the ultimate “winners” are selected by those who put their hard-earned dollars down for food at Taste, and this panel represented the average consumer well.  Most of the restaurants were local– Claddagh was an exception.

Best Entree went to Andy’s Gyro Wrap, which was really nice and unexpected. I’ve never been impressed with Andy’s (sorry, Andy) but I was really happy with this wrap– there was a lot of flavor, the meat was well seasoned, the bread not too thick and the tzatziki for dipping complimented the dish well.

Best Damn Dish was from Arloi Dee, who has won in the past for their lettuce wraps. This dish, technically a seafood entree, was one of those dishes you can’t help but take more than one bite of because it’s so good. I had two seafood judges next to me and they just raved about it, so I’m not surprised. It was also gorgeous! I tried (on their insistence, as well as Bridgett from 365 Cincinnati’s insistence) their dessert, which was a coconut-tapioca pudding that was just fantastic. I’m hoping it’s on their menu regularly (as I’d definitely order it).

I also loved Mac’s Pizza with spinach and goat cheese and Laszlo’s walking Chicken Saltimbocca. I’ll admit, eating one bite (just one!) of 29 dishes was kind of overwhelming (and I’ll be full for weeks) but it was a very fun time.

Urban Cincy and Urban Ohio’s forums  have confirmed a rumor that has been circulating around for a while: Pho Lang Thang is opening a new location on Vine Street.

Tom + Chee, which appears to be taking over the world (or, fine, the Tri-State area) is opening up a third local (and fourth regional) location on 4th and Walnut (as mentioned to me by Kate the Great).

Queen City Cookies is now available at Dean and Deluca.  Kind of a big deal for a little cookie store.

Nada will be sponsoring a Cinco de Mayo celebration that benefits Transitions Global, which helps victims of sex trafficking.  On May 4 and 5, the square in front of Nada will be taken over by revelers drinking and eating for this great cause.  There will be the premiere of a new, al pastor-style taco, DJs, drinks and prizes.

According to Mullane’s Facebook page, they were evicted from their space at 1222 Race Street.

From Ellen Faeth:

“but sadly, after investing in excess of $50,000 of my own money in this venture, today we were evicted because of an error in my calculations about how long I had to pay the rent……I accidentally paid it one day late, and they evicted me on those grounds.”

Court records show that this is not the first attempt at eviction by Faeth’s landlord: two prior evictions were dismissed.  Says landlord Mike Stehlin, “Ellen failed to meet many terms of her lease, not just rent.”  She has been ordered out of the building within 7 days.

Faeth has been attempting to reopen the restaurant since 2009.

Corrected:  I spoke with Chris Kemper from the Cincinnati Chamber– the food trucks aren’t finalized yet, but they are in negotiations.

Just heard this from Tom Acito, the owner of Cafe de Wheels:

The Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce is negotiating with food trucks to serve at Taste of Cincinnati. The list of food trucks in negotiatons:

• Cafe de Wheels
• Taco Azul
• Eat
• New Orleans to Go
• Pizza Bomba

This definitely makes sense– why not include them?  Their lack of inclusion was a bit controversial last year, so I’m glad that organizers are looking into including them this year.  I also hope that the food trucks can support the volume they’ll get at Taste– half a million people in less than three days is a lot of people!

My friend Monika pointed me out to some really cool menus for sale on eBay– all from landmark Cincinnati restaurants, most of which are now closed.

• Frisch’s Mt. Vernon
• Iron Horse Inn in Glendale (looks to be from the 60s)
• El Greco (I remember my mom talking about going there and I remember their campaign of “An Italian restaurant with a Spanish name…”
• The Terrace Room
• Beverly Hills Supper Club (a Playbill from 1950)
• Shuller’s (on Reading, not the Wigwam on Hamilton)
• Lookout House
• The Blue Star
• Tom House
• Flame

I love old menus– they tell you so much about the people (and food) of a particular time period.  I want a bonded Manhattan for 80 cents! Or Planter’s Punch for 90 cents.

As an unabashed Francophile, I keep up on what is going on in my favorite city– via blogs, friends in Paris, or occasionally coverage in a US publication, like the New York Times. I remembered reading about Diner en Blanc in the Times last year, as they were just about to launch a Diner in New York City.

Diner en Blanc, in case you’re not familiar, is an invitation-only soiree that is essentialy a “pop-up” dinner. People, dressed in white, congregate at a local landmark (in Paris, for example, Notre Dame; in New York, they used Battery Park). Each table has a “head”, who is responsible for organizing the table’s attendees, and each member of the table is responsible for bringing their own picnic dinner. Everything is white: the clothes, the linens, the plates. When they’re finished, they pack up their belongings and go– leaving the place as clean (or cleaner!) than when they got there.

Right now, Diner has just launched their Cincinnati Facebook page, touting this as the “must-attend” event of the summer with a limit of 1000 attendees.  No details on date or much less location– which is always announced last-minute, to prevent party-crashing and to build some suspense– but as I find out more information I’ll share it with you.

Here’s a shot from the Diner en Blanc at Les Invalides a few years ago, used under Creative Commons license from Guillaume.

(Courtesy Joe Robb)

Yelp is always doing cool stuff– Yelp Eats, the Yelp Drinks promotion, and lots of other, smaller events around the city. This time, they’re giving back to the community and presenting a pretty cool event that highlights some of the smaller non-profits in the Cincinnati area.

Yelp Helps, held at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center on Friday, March 30 at 8 p.m., will feature lots of great food from local providers as well as the chance to interact with nonprofits. Here’s the list of nonprofits– some you’ve probably heard of, and some I’ll bet you haven’t.

Arts Innovation Movement:aim Cincinnati
Bad Girl Ventures
BawaForChange
Bluegrass for Babies
Caracole, Inc.
Chicks & Chucks, Inc
Child Wellness Fund
Children’s Law Center, Inc.
Cincinnati Childrens Home
Circle Tail
Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati
Community Services YMCA
Crayons to Computers
Enjoy The Arts
Faces without Places
Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart
Girls on the Run of Greater Cincinnati, Inc.
Give Back Cincinnati
Greyhound Adoption of Greater Cincinnati
Junior League of Cincinnati
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful
Lady Riders Against Cancer Inc
National Kidney Foundation Greater Cincinnati Region
Necco
Play it Forward
Power Inspires Progress
Starshine Hospice of Cincinnati Childrens’ Hospital
Stop Traffick Fashion
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation/The Women’s Fund of GCF
Transitions
Women Helping Women

Personally, I have a soft spot for the Children’s Home (I was adopted from there) as well as the Junior League, Bad Girl Ventures, and Circle Tail, and am really looking forward to exploring more of these great charities.

And, of course, you’re here for the food, and the list is pretty extensive:

Alpine Valley Water
Andy’s Mediterranean
Artrageous Desserts
The Avenue Lounge
Bakerloo Bakery
Christian Moerlein
Coffee Emporium
FB’s
Donna’s Gourmet Cookies
Glier’s Meats
Izzy’s
Keystone
PhroZen
PizzaBomba
PLAY
Remi J’s Barbecue
streetpops
Sweet Petit Desserts (
Table Top Brewing
Taste of Belgium
vitaminwater
Whisky Bar Cincinnati
Whole Foods Market
Windmill Coffee
Yagööt

The event is free, and only about 60 tickets are left, so RSVP here http://www.yelp.com/events/cincinnati-the-yelp-helps-after-school-special-a-giant-party-for-a-good-cause.