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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!!

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WOW, where has the time gone? Christmas is a month away and it is already snowing! Maybe we will have a “White Christmas” this year. EEEKK! Let the holiday cheers roll! I am back with Ohio. Find It Here. to bring you some fun holiday activities. These activities can be done with family, friends, or your significant other. Around the holidays everyone likes to do holiday gift guides. This is similar. Think of this as my holiday activity guide ;p   What makes this one so fun and special is all of the activities are done right here in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas! As always, grab your family and friends, and this time of year, grab a coat, and get out and celebrate the holidays in Ohio!

Shopping At Home!

Do you like to shop, but want to avoid large crowds? I have just the thing for you, Shop Til You Drop-At Home!Online shopping is a great way to avoid crowds but still purchase what you need hassle free. Plus, online shopping has become the new day and age shopping and is super convenient with what is going on now in the world. Shopping online provides so much ease and less chaos in the comfort of your own home. I love to shop and honestly do a lot of my shopping online. I could online shop for hours! The good thing about online shopping is, there is something quick and easy for everyone just a click away. Some of my favorite places to online shop are Amazon, Zara, Women’s Clothing Boutiques, Designer Shoe Companies (i.e. YSL, Balenciaga, Bottega, Valentino, and more), Candle Stores, and more.

Tree Picking at Findlay Market

Is a real Christmas Tree your thing? Look no further, a Findlay Market has plenty of Christmas Trees to choose from. The tree sale at Findlay Market is a huge fundraiser for them! They have such a great selection with new ones being regularly delivered. Whether you want big or small, they have the perfect fit for your family. The tree/greens sale is located on the west side of the Market, at Jane’s Bar.

Ice Skating like Kristi Yamaguchi

Did you know that you and your friends can skate at an outdoor ice arena in the middle of downtown? Yep, you sure can! Every year from November 7 through February 15, UC Health and Fifth Third Bank present an outdoor ice arena that takes over Fountain Square. It is so much fun to get on the ice and feel like a kid again that must learn how to skate. It is even more fun when you go with a small group of friends, and everyone is out on the ice looking like babies trying to walk. Do not bother with a workout for the day because you will get the perfect leg day workout going around the rink 3 times. LOL! I hit the ice rink like I was Kristi Yamaguchi! HAHA, more like her student in training! Nonetheless, while I have no skills close to Kristi, I had a ball ice skating to celebrate a friend’s birthday! If you are looking for an outdoor activity that is unique and whimsical, ice skating at Fountain Square is for you!

Be a Wax Chandler

If you know anything about me, you know I love candles! I am always trying to find the best candle companies around, plus there is nothing like the holidays with family and nicely scented candles burning! With my love for candles, I had the opportunity to take a candle making class with Manitou Candle Co. (https://www.manitoucandleco.com/). Manitou is located approximately 10 minutes outside of downtown Cincinnati. It is the cutest candle shop that offers candles, stationery, home décor, lifestyle, kitchen and bar, bath and beauty, prints, jewelry, children items, and men’s wear. This is a super cute place to buy that female in your life the perfect gift. They offer 100 scents of premade candles. They also offer candle making classes held right in their studio. The candle class is so much fun and is the perfect holiday activity for yourself or with a friend. I went by myself but there were a few smaller groups of friends (2-3) or mom and daughter duos. The studio and candle making room is super picturesque. The class is 1.5 hours and walks you step-by-step through making two candles. The class is $50. This is a great deal because each 11 oz. candle in the store is $25 therefore you are only paying for the candles themselves, but the experience is free. That is a win in my book because sometimes the best experiences in life are priceless. I choose two scents which were Merry Merry and Vanilla Chai and mixed them together. This was the perfect Christmas candle for me. I name my candle Vanilla Chai Christmas. Shelby was my class teacher, and she was awesome! They also allow you to BYOB! Kind of like paint and sip but be a chandler and sip. What is a chandler you ask? A chandler is someone who handles wax. If you are looking for a fun, more creative holiday activity this one has your name all over it! 

Let the Light Guide You

Let the lights guide you! Every year, Ohio. Find It Here. celebrates holidays in Ohio with a campaign to support the Ohio Holiday Lights Trail. They encourage Ohio’s 88 counties to go all out on holiday themed decorations. From fancy lights to full on displays, this still allows everyone to celebrate and get into the Holiday spirit. One of the festival of lights locations is the Cincinnati Zoo. They host the PNC Festival of Lights. It runs from Nov. 18, 2022-Jan. 8, 2022. This is the perfect activity for families. I went with my husband and two small daughters. It was the best 2-in-1 combination. You get to experience the zoo as well as see all the lights. My oldest daughter loved being able to see some of the animals. While all of the animals are not out on display, they do have a few. We even saw the city’s favorite, Fiona, the hippo. We went mid-afternoon (4:30 pm) to be able to get the full effects of the lights when it got dark. It was perfect! The zoo was lit in a rainbow of colors. It was a great experience and a fun thing to see. If you have children and are looking for a fun-family activity to brighten up your holiday cheer, this one is for you. We also visited Columbus Zoo Wildlights and Light Up Middletown.

Holiday Lunch Date

One of my favorite things to do is go one lunch dates or mid-afternoon dates with my husband. It is the perfect time for us to bond before picking up the kids from daycare. We usually either go to a wine bar or a restaurant we’ve been wanting to try. I had heard that Jeff Ruby’s was doing a holiday lunch, so we decided to go. It was a super chill afternoon. Jeff Ruby’s is normally only open for dinner, but during the holidays they open for lunch. We started with cocktails. My husband had a glass of wine and I had Keegan’s Egg Nog. This Egg Nog cocktail was perfect. Creamy, smooth, and of course spiked. The perfect start to our lunch date. Next, we shared Ruby’s famous side salad, Freddie. It consists of Roma Tomatoes, Applewood Bacon, and Buttermilk Ranch. This classic is simple but delicious. I’m a salmon girl, so I got the Salmon with Gnocchi and my husband got the Fried Chicken Sandwich. Both meals were tasty. As you can tell, we left full. We also had a great time talking over delicious food and drinks! If you are looking for a lunch date idea, check out Jeff Ruby’s during their holiday lunch hours.

Igloos at Vista Rooftop

Who doesn’t love a good rooftop bar? They are fun and cute in the Summer, but in the Fall and Winter they turn into a winter wonderland. The holidays are so magical and heading to a rooftop bar with friends can be such an amazing experience. I know because my girls and I stopped by Vista Rooftop Bar for a fun, holiday festive night out. You may be thinking, “Isn’t it cold?” However, during the colder months, Vista offers 2 igloos that you can rent. The igloos come with heaters and blankets to keep you warm and cozy, and a Bluetooth speaker to help set your musical vibes. You also receive amazing views of the city. The igloos are spacious and can fit up to 10 friends. The Lytle Park had it decorated so pretty, and it felt so festive all night. They even have a cute “snow” machine to help give all the winter vibes. The décor, the igloos, and the “snow” make the perfect picturesque back drop. We even had cute holiday cocktails to sip on while we enjoyed the night. After a few drinks, some snacks, and good laughs, we headed downstairs to the Subito Restaurant for dinner. Talk about a time well spent with the girls!

Details:

* Location: Lytle Park Hotel

* Vista Rooftop Bar at Lytle Park Hotel

* 2 Igloos available for rent

* Can book 2 hours at a time

* Can fit up to 10 people at a time

* Enjoy amazing views of the city

* Has a food and drink minimum

* Monday – Thursday $350 for 2 hrs

* Friday – Saturday $500 for 2 hrs

A Mini Road Trip

I am not sure about you, but my family and I love to take mini road trips to different locations. My husband and I pack up our two daughters and we hit the road. A fun holiday stop is Columbus, OH. Just like Cincinnati, Columbus is also beautiful during the holidays. We love to experience other cities and cultures so taking a road trip is always fun. While my husband and I find things for ourselves to do that are kid friendly we also find a few things that are fun for the girls. During our holiday trip to Columbus, we visited so many places and had a ball. We stopped by Easton’s Grand Illumination, Legoland Discovery Center, Short North Arts District, Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, and the Columbus Museum of Art. This was a fun weekend getaway not far from Cincinnati. If you want to experience the perfect family getaway, Columbus is the place for you. To find out more about our visit to Columbus click the link here.   

Well, this is the end of my holiday activity guide, but now that means it’s time for you to get out and explore the holidays in Ohio! I hope you find something fun for you and your family to do to bring in the holiday cheer. Hopefully, this list of activities brings you so much joy during your holidays! I look forward to seeing what you and your family get out and do. Happy Holidays and Cheers to an amazing New Year!

A Day in Cincinnati’s own, Westwood Neighborhood

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It is springtime, the flowers have bloomed, and the warm weather has started to show its face! COVID is starting to slow, and that means it’s time to get out and explore one of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods on the west side. The neighborhood on the west side called Westwood may seem small but it makes for a relaxed fun day! It is filled with people walking around, fresh air blowing, burgers, an Urban Winery, a brewery, and nice restaurants. My husband and I spent an afternoon in Westwood and had a ball! The kids went out of town (thank goodness for grandparents and breaks, LOL), and we spent an afternoon out laughing, eating, and sharing a few brews. If you know me, you know I love to get out and explore. Often times, exploring means leaving the city aka traveling. However, you would be amazed at what you can find when you look in your own back yard. Westwood was a fun experience! I would highly encourage stopping through to spend some time, so get your Cincy on, on the west side!

Westwood is located about 20 minutes from the heart of downtown Cincinnati. If you want a chill day this is the place for you. Life is short and the time to have fun is NOW! Plus, the entertainment/restaurant industry took a major hit due to COVID, what better way than to get out and support local businesses! Let me guide you through Cincinnati’s back yard!

Wine & Cheese Me, Please!

My husband and I are a couple who loves our wine, and you know I am one half of the foodies that make up Tiff Squared! LOL! You know we love to eat. Our first stop in Westwood after taking pictures in front of the cool Westwood mural, was Henke Winery. Wineries are amazing and provide a way to try different types of wines and the makers styles on classic versions of wine. Henke is an Urban Winery with many accolades around the world. If you are not familiar with an Urban Winery, it is a winery that does not grow their own grapes. However, they do every other part of the wine making process at their facility. They have their grapes shipped in from different parts of the world, depending on their preference of grape growers and the wine they want to make. We were greeted at the door by the owner, Joe. He started wine making back in 1996 after being inspired during a visit to his sister’s Pennsylvania home. That small spark ignited into the flame that has turned into Henke Winery. Henke is serving some delicious wines and yummy food pairings.

My husband’s go-to is Pinot Noir and I always order a sweet wine. I had the Cellar Blush. This is considered a Sweet Blush Wine. It was delicious! We paired our wines with a small plates to share. We had the Stuffed Mushrooms with Sausage, Cheese & Charcuterie Plate, and their famous Air-Fried Cheese. This was the perfect afternoon lunch/snack. We laughed, toasted, and enjoyed our delicious bites. Their Air-Fried Cheese tasted like the perfect homemade cheese stick. It is a sharp Vermont White Cheddar in a crunchy herb jacket. These dishes were delicious! The crust was seasoned and fried perfectly! It also came with some berry compote to sweeten things up a bite. Grab a friend or two and don’t be cheesy and miss out on this Urban Winery!

  • Rob (owner of Henke Winery) & I
  • Cheese & Charcuterie Plate
  • Air-Fried Cheese
  • Stuffed Mushrooms with Sausage

Soft Serve & Sprinkles!

Yes, as two grown adults without our kids for a weekend, we still enjoy ice cream cones or shakes! Just a short 3-minute drive away is Putz’s Creamy Whip. Who doesn’t love an ice cream shack with a line and soft serve ice cream? Putz’s was started in 1938 and has been passed down the family for generations. Putz’s truly believes in family, the time that family spends together and the memories that are made with family. Their entire operation was started with family and their passion is not so much about ice cream but families enjoying their favorite treats at the picnic tables on those hot summer days! I can say I honestly believe this as when we arrived there was a line. It felt like the old neighborhood store that had been around for years. The one that your grandparents go to and now you go there with your kids. I love a good ole neighborhood staple. We knew we were in for a treat! This was my first time visiting so I had to try the neighborhood staple, classic soft serve. Plus, I am no basic betty and I like a pop of color. I added some sprinkles. HAHA! I can honestly say, I was not disappointed. My husband is a classic milkshake guy, so he ordered a Strawberry Milkshake. I must admit it was pretty dang good! It was thick and full of strawberries, just the way we like it! Both are perfect on a spring or hot summer day!

  • Vanilla Soft Serve with Sprinkles

Let’s Take A Long Walk, Around The Park!

I am not sure about you but a nice spring or summer walk, in the open crisp cool air is the best! The weather is nice, the sun is just right, and after being locked up by COVID, it is so nice to see people out again. The restaurants, brewery, winery, and mini park are all within walking distance of one another. It was also neat to see parks filled with kids playing again. I remember walking past a park, and it looked like a desert. Haha! It is just so nice to see everyone getting out exploring again. Have reservations or waiting to be seated, get out and take a walk around the park!

Westside Brewery!

I mean c’mon, how fitting is that name? ;p Westside Brewery is located in the heart of Westwood. My husband and I decided to stop here just to sit and talk over beer and cider. This brewery has some good beer. While I am not a beer girl, I enjoy a good cider. Beer and cider not your thing, that’s ok because they also have wine and cocktail selections. They offer something for everyone. The taproom is huge and offers enough space for everyone. They do not offer food, but they always have different food trucks parked outside. My husband grabbed some delicious wings from Buffalo’s Best. Westside Brewery is a good hang out place. Want some beer and a good time? Stop by Westside Brewery.

Time To Eat!

Now after a beer or two, you probably have worked up an appetite. While west side is smaller than other parts of Cincinnati, you can still find some good eats. While there are different places to eat we enjoy two eateries in Westwood, Ivory House and Nation. One is a little more upscale and the other is down right roll your sleeves up and get messy!

Ivory House – Looking for flavorful, small plate, American food? This is the place for you! When I walked in, I was immediately wowed by the décor. The gold and navy-blue décor was amazing! They even had gold utensils. I loved that! I would recommend coming on an empty stomach! Ok, lets jump right in to their Kale Caesar Salad and their House Salad. Both are amazing and fresh! The flavors are bomb and you won’t be disappointed! Also, try their Salmon on Cheese Grits. I really enjoy seafood, especially with grits. I grew up on fried fish and grits. My mom would make it once a week. Now as an adult I love any seafood and grit combination. You also can’t leave without dessert! We had their Seasonal Crème Brulee. They have something for everyone!

  • Death Valley Farm Old Fashioned & Get Lucky
  • Green Goddess Salad
  • Smash Sliders
  • Caesar Salad
  • Crème Brulee
  • Chicken Cavatelli Carbonara
  • Salmon

Nation – Simply a good ole’ burger joint! If you like a good burger and fries, Nation is calling your name! This is my mine and my husband’s favorite place to come and get burger and tots. I am an ABSOLUTE tater tot lover! What I love about Nation is they offer tater tots as they are or dressed up. I love this! I always get my tater tots LOADED style. Imagine a baked potato but remove the baked potato and add tots and all the baked potato fixings! Wahla! SOOOOO GOOD! While they offer different burgers, my favorite is the Temperance burger. It’s a traditional burger. What can I say, somethings I like plain jane! HAHA! This is the perfect place for a more relaxed meal. Certainly, a cheat meal or a Friday Night burger and fry night with friends! No matter what you order, you won’t be disappointed. Come hungry, leave happy!

  • Temperance
  • Nation

While the world is slowly opening back up, fun can still be had in a safe manner! It can also be had right here in Cincinnati. Now that you have an entertainment guide of Westwood, get out and go have fun!

Old European Charm at Grand Finale!

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Sunday Sunrise

While Cincinnati and the surrounding areas are known for up and coming restaurants, we can’t forget about the oldies that started this restaurant thing many years ago. Many years ago, like 43.5 years to be exact. That’s right, Grand Finale opened in August of 1975. Grand Finale has serviced many clients over the years. In fact, their clientele is generational. Families who have discovered Grand Finale, introduce their children to the restaurant who in turn introduce their children. It is a unique phenomena. Pursuit of Delights is no stranger to the new kids on the block, but interesting enough we wanted to see how the old heads do it. We had a chance to give Grand Finale a try and wanted to give you a quick behind the scenes look at what they have to offer. Let’s take a walk through this old yet charming establishment.

 

The Puff

Warm Mixed Berry Cobbler

Why should you even stay for the Grand Finale? That’s an amazing question! The Grand Finale Restaurant started out as a dessert restaurant. Hence their name “Grand Finale”. I guess the saying “Save the best for last” holds true in some cases, especially this one. You have to save room for their dessert. They are a nice portion and their desserts are pretty tasty. The originators, Cindy & Larry Youse, retired in 2006. At that point in time, they sold the business to their tenured management team. In which the current owner, Virginia Chambers, started working for them in February 1977. She has taken pride in the restaurant’s original European concept as well as the buildings Old European charm. She has kept many things the same as when the restaurant first opened; as well as, adding a few new things to help keep the interest of the younger crowd. Hospitability, Old European charm, and great food are the key elements that Virginia and her team stand behind to continue the legacy started almost 44 years ago.

In most up and coming restaurants, they have more of a new century modern vibe with little to medium space to accommodate large groups. However, Grand Finale provides a spacious dining area where generational families can continue to enjoy a dinner together. Don’t have a large group, that’s ok because they can also accommodate date night for 2 people, or a couple’s date night for 4 or more. Grand Finale prides itself on its ambience and décor dedicated to the originators’ influences of their travels in Europe but mostly maintaining the actual history of the building. The building was built in the late 1850’s. During that era, it was a Saloon and a grocery store. The tin ceiling in the main dining room is original; the back bar in the main dining room came from the Florentine Inn in Germantown, Ohio; the back bar in the cabernet room came from a barber shop in Hyde Park; the chandelier in the tea room came from a West Virginia mansion. They built the brick garden room with a touch of New Orleans in its design. The décor reflects a country French flair with antique furnishings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their menu has something on it for everyone! Larry’s passion in creating the menu was all about the sauces. In 1975, as their menu evolved from desserts to light country French foods; Quiche, crepes, soups & homemade breads & desserts. Over the years, their scratch kitchen, has expanded the menu to include steak, chicken, fresh fish & pasta concepts. We had the pleasure to sit down and try multiple menu items they have to offer as well as a few drinks. We tried the Bacon, Lobster & Sundried Tomato Deviled Eggs, the House Salad, the Bleu BLT Wedge, Kielbasa & Lentil Soup (special), Steak, Chicken Ginger, Rosemary Potato Gratin, and of course the GRAND FINALE – dessert, The Puff and the Warm Mixed Berry Cobbler. Talk about having to be rolled out of there. We left stuffed! They also have fun and tasty drinks. We tried the Sunday Sunrise, Pomegranate Margarita, and the Blue Cranberry. We also hear guests travel far and wide for their Chicken Ginger, Spinach or Mushroom Crepe, Avocado Salad Dressing & The Puff. Also, if you love brunch as much as we do, you can join them for Sunday Brunch on Sunday’s from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm. It’s a buffet, so come hungry!

We asked Virginia what makes Grand Finale unique. Her response was, “I’m not sure it is any one given thing – devoted customers, loyal staff (we have a ten+ year team member list on our menus), recipes that have stood the taste test of time, and consistency to name a few.” While Cincinnati does have a lot of new kids on the block, we can never forget about the legacies that are still around. Even though they have now been in business for over 40 years, reminding people that they are here is important. With that being said, remember it’s always polite to pay homage and “Respect your elders” 😉! Go give them a visit!

Warm Mixed Berry Cobbler & The Puff

 

Grand Finale Website

We’re Fired Up For Fiery Hen!

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Downtown Cincinnati is no stranger to up and coming restaurants. It seems like every month there is something new- and we’re certainly not complaining about it! When we heard Dan Swormstedt, owner of Court Street Lobster, was launching a new restaurant centered around Nashville hot chicken, we were all over it! We sat down with Dan and chef Clint Walker to talk all things chicken and more…

Welcome to the Fiery Hen

Photo Credit: Sam Greenhill

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