Cincinnati would be a very nice place to live if it weren't for the weather. There's an old saying around here; if you don't like the weather, stick around. It'll change. And it does, but two things are constant: It gets very muggy in the summer months (imagine the steam room in a health spa; Cincinnati is like one every Summer) and it DOES get cold in the winter months-it may not be Chicago or Buffalo as we don't get as much snow but we're next on the list as it gets COLD.
The Cincinnati Art Museum had a whole room ful of Claude Monet's water lilies in 2004. They are gone now but will always be remembered. Also in this display was Monet's Cathedral of Rouen. The Japanese Bridge was supposed to accompany this exhibit, but when it arrived it was in too damaged condition to mount on the wall. This is a real tragedy. On the upside, the altar to Ba'al that has befouled the museum all these years happens to be part of the Petra exhibit moved on. I claim that now it's gone the museum will prosper.
Oktoberfest is our annual Fall Fest - it is a cultural classic in the Zinzinnati area, where early German settlers decided that the landscape looked like Ober-der-Rhine in their homeland. Right across the river Covington Kentucky has its own Oktoberfest; and also has early German architectural buildings that are flavorfully quaint.
The rare peregrine falcon has been photographed in the Tri-State area. This isn't too surprising as about ten of them were released at Red River Gorge in a successful attempt to repopulate them. Partly as a result, they were taken off the Endangered Species List in 1999. It is the fastest bird in the world and dives at speeds starting at 200 mpg. See Cincinnati's Skycam9; near the lower right are links to a raw video of it landing. More on the peregrine.
Although Cincinnati isn't considered a very happenin' place to be unless you have the inside invite to private parties (and George W sure does) unless you are into skydiving, whitewater rafting, or clubbing; but we do have lovely parks, friendly inhabitants, and great food.
Our Parks are well-kept and really beautiful. Click on where it says 'click here for park's calendar' near the bottom of the page you will get a calendar of events. And, it's all free. Except for the Park pass, which is reasonable ($3/day or $5/year).
Here is a link to a restaurant and nightlife guide for Cincinnati, but in the meantime, the following are reasonably priced (you can usually get out of there under $10-$12 a person, lunch specials where available under $5) and second to none. NOTE: Cincinnati has passed the Nazi No Smoking law and there are NO smoking areas in Cincinnati, but it is a hop skip and a jump over to Kentucky or Indiana where you CAN. Those there that don't, earn the Smoker's Scowl.
INDIAN
Amol India, 354 Ludlow Ave, Clifton - THE best Indian cuisine (if you prefer Southern Indian try Mayura up the street) the lunch buffet (about $7.50 without drink) stays open late on Weekends and is one of only three buffets I rate worthwhile (including Mayura) but the menu items are a definite 10, including everything especially the chutney, which is H O T.
THAI
Lemon Grass on Madison off Edwards in Hyde Park is dive-ish but truly excellent cuisine. Daily specials include yummies like Mango Curry. Lunch specials are available but either lunch or dinner is affordable ($6-$12). I rate them a perfect 10.
Arloi Dee Thai Bistro, 4920 Socialville Foster Rd in Mason is a drive but second to none in Thai food, I rate 10 on a 1-10 scale, the best coconut-curry anybody ever made and the most beautifully elegant presentation. They do have a lunch special for around $5.99 but expect to pay $12-$15 on the less expensive side of the dinner menu.
Thai Express, McMillan St, Clifton is really carryout-only but does have two tables offering the worst dining experience with some of the very best food at the best prices! I rate them a 9.
Thai Cafe, 316 Ludlow Ave, Clifton - Snotty prices and ambiance but great lunch special, "uptown collegiate" let's give her an 8.
CHINESE
The Red Pepper, 204 W McMillan St, Clifton - moved from a dive to the old Alpha Restaurant building and now offers multilevel dining besides their award-winning food which I also give a 10, particularly the best Hot & Sour Soup and eggrolls.
Dragon City, Vine St just north of Galbraith, Hartwell - a dive but the BEST Chinese, a perfect 10.
China Moon is on Hunt Road off of Plainfield and a stone's throw from Raymond Walter's college. Reasonable, lunch specials, and very good food. I rate them an 8.
AMERICAN
Anna's Family Restaurant, 4633 Montgomery Rd, Norwood - great home cafeteria-style food also award-winning, often the dinner special is stuffed cabbage or codfish plus often they have stewed tomatoes; their pies are homemade and if you get there early in the week you can have custard. I would give an 8 but the custard pie gets a 10.
Inn The Wood, 277 Calhoun St, Clifton - well-hidden (the entrance is around the corner) and the downstairs is a club, but lovely all-wood ambiance and one-of-a-kind food choices. But don't eat the pancakes. An 8.
Hyde's Restaurant, 130 S Erie Blvd, Hamilton - A far piece to drive but the best pie anywhere AND the best pie selection anywhere (almost always have banana pie), plus you get a free piece with dinner items. Cafeteria-style food served by Grandma and the best anywhere. A 9, except the pie (all of them) gets a 10.
Mexican
Chili's has a lot of Tex-Mex including fabulous black beans but is not specifically Mexican, and their food is fantastic. A little pricier, you can get out of there under $10 or go all out and spend $16 per person (minus drinks). A definite 10. Full bar.
Montoya's is actually off the Ft. Wright exit in Kentucky but is a family-style restaurant, has earned the Smoker's Scowl, and sells many items ala carte plus they do serve alcohol. The flan is worth it, too, but the item that gets the 10 rating is the Seafood Enchiladas. The rest, a good 8.
Taco Casa is by the Hyde Park Plaza and has outdoor seating only. This is more of a fast food joint but it's very hard to find good Mexican food in Cincinnati. We are the Midwest and it is very hard to find good hot sauces. But TC (and Montoyas) get a good rating from me, who grew up in Southern California. I would give them a 9.
Don Pablo's is another Mexican wannabe, but their food IS good though on the pricier side, and the dining experience is one-of-a-kind. The building is a huge old brick warehouse including metal pipes across the ceiling, and you can watch them make tortillas. Full bar. A 7.
SPECIALTY
Adriatico's Pizza, Ludlow Ave, Clifton - makes its own sausage fresh every morning, besides being bigger than your average pizza it is a definite 9. Carryout only.
Skyline Chili, Cincinnati's own Greek Chili restaurant with a history all its own (and you can't find them anywhere else) PLUS they are a four-star restaurant. A 10 if you like Greek chili, Greek or regular salads, and new burrito items. The Skyline in Silverton offers great pie.
Pleasant Ridge Chili at 6032 Montgomery Road is a great little cafeteria-style, between them, Anna's and Hyde's it's hard to decide who has the best pie; their custard pie is awesome. And people come from miles around for there fries with cheese and gravy. One of only three restaurants open 24 hours a day, double-decker sandwiches and breakfast, all day and night. A good 7.5.
The Cafe in the Vineyard INSIDE The Vineyard Community Church in Sharonville offers truly magnificent gourmet pizza, such homemade gourmet treats as mandarin cake, and an al fresco bistro-type dining atmosphere. Come sit on the sidewalk with us!
Other restaurants that are just about as good include Cassano's Pizza in College Hill, Akash India downtown, and I will be adding to this list.
The Cincinnati Cicada invasion only occurs once every 17 years. 2005 saw them come and go. When Cicada Craze is going on one can find recipes in the newspaper (they are reputed to taste like avocado mashed potatoes). But you can still check them out:
Cicada Mania - -
Kids' Cicada Hunt - -
Cicada Facts - (great for kids)
The rare peregrine falcon has been photographed in the Tri-State area. This isn't too surprising as about ten of them were released at Red River Gorge in a successful attempt to repopulate them. Partly as a result, they were taken off the Endangered Species List in 1999. It is the fastest bird in the world and dives at speeds starting at 200 mpg. See Cincinnati's Skycam9; near the lower right are links to a raw video of it landing. More on the peregrine.
The Cincinnati Cicada invasion only occurs once every 17 years. 2005 saw them come and go. When Cicada Craze is going on one can find recipes in the newspaper (they are reputed to taste like avocado mashed potatoes). But you can still check them out: