Cincy – Pursuit of Delights

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

December 6, 2022/0 Comments/in Campaigns, Cincinnati, Recent, Traveling Eats /by Tiffany Biddle

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!

Top Ten Local Ice Cream Shops

July 14, 2021/0 Comments/in All Food, Cincinnati, Food, Recent, Uncategorized /by Tiffany Dace

Can you all feel that? That, my friend, would be the heat of summer that we are all experiencing.
That means jumping into pools, going to lake, and definitely treating ourselves with delicious,
refreshing ICE CREAM! Ice cream is one of those desserts that has no age restriction. Whether
you are age 5 or 75, you probably still get as excited as we do to get this special dessert. We
love it so much that we’ve partnered with Ohio. Find It Here to bring you our top local ice cream
shops! That’s of course excluding the nostalgic ice cream truck. :) Get your taste buds ready
and let’s dive innnnnn!

Dojo
There is so much I can appreciate about shops that hand craft their ice cream daily. Dojo is one
of them. They specialize in Italian-style gelato and coffee. Everything is just so fresh and
incredibly unique. They have the traditional flavors if that’s your thing or fun ones, such as
peach pie, for all of you adventurous ones out there. Due to their success, they now have two
locations, one in Northside and the other at Findlay Market. There’s never been a time that I’ve
gone and not seen a line. Now that’s a good sign (I did not mean to rhyme there hehehe). But
that shows that it’s not just us- the community also loves them!
They have a fun sign that says, “Sorry We’re Open” and I totally get it because once you go,
you’re going to want to keep coming back!
Suggested flavor To Try: Ooey Butter Cake

Putz
Where are there soft serve ice cream lovers at? If that’s you, head on over to the West Side of
town and visit Putz. One of the cutest things about them is how much they believe in family.
Since 1938, they have passed down the company through their family line. I <3 that! When you
arrive, it will feel like an old neighborhood store with their super cute picnic tables around. They
truly have something for everyone here. If you want soft serve, which is what they’re known for,
go for it! If you want a banana split, which I opted for this most recent time, do that! If you want a
turtle sundae, they have one with your name on it. They are pretty perfect for a hot day and
great to bring the full family to as well.

One disclosure: They accept cash only! Don’t be that person to get there and not have any on
you. That will be a sad day. BUT there is a gas station with an ATM machine if that does
happen to be you. Just know you won’t want to miss it!
Suggested Flavor To Try: Banana Split with Vanilla Soft Serve Base

The Cone
Now this one brings back so many memories for my family and I. We lived down the street from
it for 15+ years and visited on a very regular basis- probably too much, but who’s counting?!
They are another soft serve location that has plenty of fun options to choose from. When I was
younger, there was no need to ask me what I wanted to order. I ALWAYS went with the Oreo

wizard. Too Good!! Now, my choice is a strawberry & vanilla soft serve twist in a cone, with lots
and lots of sprinkles added (can you all tell yet that sprinkles are one of my weaknesses?)They
also have ice cream cakes that are pretty freaking good for birthdays (or if you just want a cake
just because…). You can also utilize some of their indoor rooms to have a small celebration!
Celebrations with ice cream and your favorite people sounds like a win to me! What’s also cool
about The Cone is they have a drive thru! No need to get out of the car to get your favorite
items! Although I live pretty far from them, I will absolutely make the drive to experience a bit of my childhood here!
Suggested Flavors to Try: Oreo Wizzard or Vanilla/Strawberry Twist Cone

Hello Honey
O.M.G. This one is one of Tiff D.’s absolute favs. Although we didn’t discover it until a couple of
years back, they have been around for yearsssss. They are located downtown on Vine Street,
but closer to the business district (right before 7 th street). This place is absolutely incredible!
They are a small batch ice cream shop that makes their flavors in house too! They get our vote
for most creative combos and best overall taste. I typically try to pick options that don’t normally
go together to make it super fun.
Outside of the flavors, we love that they make their waffle cones fresh to order. They’re not hot
enough to melt the ice cream though. They are just right. We also enjoy their toppings- like the
toasted marshmallow. They just have items that you won’t really see anywhere else.
And guess what? They are opening a second location in Walnut Hills later this year. Love to see
that growth for our local businesses! They have never disappointed any time either of us have
been. So when the new one opens, we’ll be one of the first in line!
Suggested Flavors to Try: Blueberry Cheesecake or Honey Lavender

Bold Face Dairy
Bold Face Dairy is one of the newer ice cream shops on the block (opened in 2018), but you
would you never know because they have perfected their taste! Now let me ask you…. Have
you ever held a soft serve ice cream cone upside down for an extended period without it
dripping and melting? This is the place where you can do so! Their soft serve is nice and
creamy but is also thick!
This is another place that is great for yourself and your family because they have flavors others
don’t have such as chai tea, cardamom, and bourbon barrel stout. Have you ever seen flavors
like that?! It’s not just creative names though. The awesome part is they are equally delicious as
they are exciting. When there’s so many flavors like this, that just means you have to keep
going back until you’ve tried them all!
Suggested Item: Be BOLD like their name and get the Bold Face Cone

Parlor
I knowwww we must have cookie dough lovers out there!!! We are certainly in that category as
well. Parlor has been opened in the Madeira area for quite some time, but they opened a
second location in Pendleton just a few years back. And that’s when my taste buds were forever
changed. They are very well known for their edible cookie dough. But what is great is they offer
the option for you to pair it with one of their freshly made ice cream flavors. My go to is usually
the cookies n’ cream ice cream as the base with a scoop of cookie dough on top. My
Goodness!! I don’t think I’d ever had anything like it but once I did, it was heaven in a cup yall!
Something else they have that I very much enjoy is blueberry ice cream. If you grew up in the
Ohio area and were anything like me, you may have gone to King’s Island just for the “smurf”
ice cream. No need to go that far anymore. They have it right here in their shop. And you know
what I topped it with…Yep. That’s right… Sprinkles!
Suggested Flavor to Try: Cookies n’ Cream

Graeter’s
Ok now. You all know we HAD to add in the Cincinnati STAPLE. Although you’ll see them in
many locations throughout Ohio and the surrounding states, they originated in Cincinnati and
have been going strong for the longest! They are actually celebrating their 150 th anniversary this
year!!! If we completed a poll for “fan favorite”, Greater’s would certainly win. What’s really cool
they have certain flavors that are present all year, but they do a great job of keeping fans
guessing with surprise flavors each month. And if you’re looking for something lighter, try their
sorbets. The lemon is perfectly refreshing in the summer. In addition to their, handcrafted flavors
of ice cream to choose from; they also have delicious cakes, cookies, & pies.
You will never, ever go wrong with choosing Greater’s. We can pretty much guarantee you and
whoever you are with will leave with a sugary smile on your face
Suggested Flavor to Try: Current special- strawberry sorbet

Aglamesis Brothers’
Our last feature in this post may have hit 150 years, but this one isn’t far behind. This year
Aglamesis Brothers’ hit 113 years. That is a longgg time of serving the city with tasty treats!
They actually may have the most unique story. One of the founding members is from Greece
and came to Cincinnati to build a life for himself. After his brother joined him here, they
eventually took a turn at starting their first ice cream parlor and the rest is history (thank
goodness for us!) I just love a story that has this type of background in it. They have kept the old
school vibe and charm inside of the locations which makes you really feel like you’re in a parlor.
Their attire even matches it!
Now…the ice cream- sooooo good! But it’s not just your traditional ice cream. It’s Italian ice as
well. Every time I visit, I try to get something different- even though I have my favorites (like
double chocolate chip). They’re just all too good to not try them all. And for a company that has

been this successful for this long, you KNOW they’re good (just google them and you’ll see that
they have a nationwide reputation as well!)
Suggested Flavor To Try: Banana Chocolate Chip

Jeni’s
Ok this one is not local, but it’s too good to pass up. If you’re up for a drive to Columbus you
have to try Jeni’s. I’m not sure when I first tried them, but when I did, my life changed LOL In
addition to having fun flavors, like some of the others, they are well known for how smooth and
creamy their ice cream is. It is a struggle for me to NOT stop at one of their locations when I’m
in the area. There must be something in it that’s keeping me addicted.
If you have no other reason to drive to Columbus and want to go just to check this place out, we
won’t judge. Hehehe It will be worth it! You may have also noticed them in your local grocery
store. Yep, they sell their flavors by the pint and in case you’re wondering, they are just as
delicious that way too!
Suggested flavors: Lemon and Blueberry Parfait

Now I know you must now have googly eyes and may have dreams about these places in your
sleep tonight (Sorry, not Sorry! �� ). We have an easy way to solve for that. Hop in the car
immediately and pick one of these incredible places! No matter which one you choose, it will
likely become your new favorite! It happens to us every single time!
Enjoy y’all

A Staycation Right Here In Cincy!

July 6, 2021/0 Comments/in Cincinnati, North America Travel, Recent, Travel, Uncategorized /by Tiffany Dace

Outdoor Adventures in Ohio

July 1, 2021/0 Comments/in Cincinnati, Recent /by Tiffany Biddle

Summer has officially begun, and that means it is time to get out and explore. After a year of being stuck in the house, I think the outdoors is calling everyone’s name. There is so much to see and do right here in Ohio. How do you do the outdoors? Is it a good patio with fancy drinks, an outdoor mural, or maybe a good ole breath of fresh air outside hiking or a walk in the park! We recommend taking a mini day trip to Columbus, Dayton, or staying right here in Cincinnati. All three of these cities provide a great experience with friends or family. The awesome thing is the two listed destinations outside of Cincinnati are within 100 miles of Cincinnati. Cincinnati is great and can be the perfect day exploring what is in your back yard. Dayton and Columbus are perfect for mini getaways not to far from home. Each city offers something for everyone. Whether you like to shop, eat, ride a bike, hike, play volleyball, walk in parks, or embrace the art culture, we promise you will not be left out. Ohio is a beautiful state with unexpected hipness and coolness. We have partnered with Ohio. Find It Here. to bring awareness to just how cool and fun Ohio is! Whether you live in Cincinnati, Columbus, or Dayton, or you are making any of these destinations a road trip, you will appreciate the beauty in each city and what it has to offer.

TIP: While we are providing outdoor adventures for all three cities, we will also suggest one food stop per location as well.

Cincinnati

ADVENTURES:

Queen City aka Cincinnati! They do not call Cincinnati the queen for no reason, the city is truly a diamond! While we, Tiff Squared, do a lot of travel, Cincinnati is where we call home! They always say home is where the heart is 😉 We absolutely love our city and the fun we have here. From Pedal wagoning through the city on a mural tour, restaurants, playing volleyball at a cool brewery, to farmer’s markets, the Queen City has a lot of jewels to offer.

Pedal Wagon Cincinnati

Experience Cincinnati’s colorful side through the beautiful mural masterpieces! Whether you’re a local looking for a unique way to explore the art that Cincy has to offer, or a out-of-towner visiting for the first time, Pedal Wagon Cincinnati’s Mural Tour makes for a fun and creative day! This is the perfect insider to Over-the-Rhine’s (OTR) most known murals. What is also really cool is that Pedal Wagon Cincinnati gives back. Ten percent of all proceeds of this our go to ArtWorks, an award-winning non-profit arts organization that empowers and inspires the creative community.

Tiff Squared took this tour and loved exploring the city through its creative art. Each mural told a story and gave a piece of the city in its own unique way. Every mural was painted with love and care and uniqueness to its placement on certain buildings or the story that it told. What was also fun was that the pedal wagon offers an opportunity for you to hang with friends and meet new people. While not everyone knew each other on our tour, we were all brought together by our city’s precious art and the meaning it had to the city. The fact that Cincinnati has such a cool and unique way to exhibit artwork on the streets, outside was something that everyone could appreciate and connect on. This experience was one for the books. Grab your friends and pedal your way through Cincinnati’s OTR neighborhood and tap into your creative side.

Findlay Market

Are you someone who likes fresh, local ingredients and products? If you answered yes, we have the spot for you, Findlay Market. Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market and one of Cincinnati’s most cherished institutions. Findlay is one of the top visited locations in Cincinnati by locals as well as out-of-towners. It is in OTR and just a few blocks from downtown. Our love for Findlay runs deep. The sense of community you gain from visiting Findlay is like no other. We love to visit the thriving Farmers Markets on the weekends while sitting outside to enjoy street performers and live music. It is so nice to be able to go and support local businesses while purchasing farm fresh, locally sourced, artisanal and specialty foods. Findlay offers a little of everything. From sweets, savory, spices, plants, chocolate, to candles, you name it and they have it. It is also the perfect weekend plans for the family and young kids. It is one of our favorite places to visit. If you want a true since of Cincinnati mixed with a little home grown, Findlay is the place to see.

TIP: You might even catch our very own, Tiffany B., out in the market. She works out of Findlay Market’s commercial kitchen, Findlay Kitchen. She makes thick, hand-made, delicious, stuffed cookies. Look for Sweet Mae’s Cookie Co. She even sometimes participates as a vendor at Findlay Market during different events Findlay Market host.

50 West Brewery

Need a brew or want to have some outdoor fun? Either way, 50 West has you covered. Located on US 50 heading west into the city of Cincinnati. This brewery was founded in a former roadside speakeasy. If you did not know US Route 50 passes through 12 states from Ocean City, MD to Sacramento, CA, meaning it passes right through Cincinnati. If you are up for a HUGE road trip you can still pass right through the Queen City. However, in the meantime let us just take US 50 right to 50 West.

This brewery is huge with lots to do, eat and drink! It is the perfect summer activity for outdoors adventures as well as outdoors sports. They have a cycling trail, volleyball, and so much more. Not only do they have outdoor activities, but they also even have food and drinks to keep you fueled. Tiff Squared spent an afternoon here. We took a short walk on their biking trail and went back to watch people play volleyball. It was cool. What we loved most about this brewery is it is not just a brewery; they provide you with a fun experience. Most breweries offer just beer and food. 50 West is giving all the vibes with food, drinks, and outdoor fun!

FOOD:

50 West Brewery – Staying in true Tiff Squared Fashion, we must talk about food! LOL! The food stop suggestion for Cincinnati is 50 West Brewery Burgers. You do not have to go to far for this location. LOL! While you are at 50 West indulging in all the outdoor activities, you will certainly need food to recharge. They are known for their burgers. What is fun is they offer different toppings and name each burger after states. After our biking adventure and watching people play volleyball, Tiff D. decided to grab a burger and fries. The burgers are really tasty! They have great flavor and really unique toppings. Pictured is the Maryland burger which is a double with Old Bay Tater Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, and American Cheese. It was soooo good! Tiff D. is challenging herself to try all of the flavors at least once.

Dayton

ADVENTURES:

Keeping this outdoor adventure moving along to our next stop in our three city Ohio outdoor guide. While Cincinnati is known as the Queen City, our next stop, Dayton, is known as “Gem City”. How cute and fitting is that? The Queen City and a few miles away is her Gem. Hehe! See we told you Ohio has so much to offer. Dayton received this nickname from an article written by a reporter in an August 1945 report in the Cincinnati Chronicle about Dayton, due to its beautiful upkeep of the city. The report sited wide streets, kept in excellent order, noble blocks of stores, filled with choice, and of course, the exceeding beauty and neatness of the dwellings. We can surely attest to that, especially the nature side of things! Dayton offers a great way to get out and explore the outdoors through great views at beautiful parks while embracing a breath of fresh air and enjoying your family.

Wegerzyn Gardens

The Wegerzyn Garden is a metropark in Dayton. You will be wowed by its beauty. A hidden gem?! Very much so! The next time you find yourself in the area, certainly get out and explore this gem of a garden. This garden is perfect for a summer afternoon stroll. The flowers are in full bloom and the garden turns into what we will call a magical place. It certainly offers the most picturesque backdrop. The garden is surrounded by the Stillwater River Trail. The Stillwater River Trail provides cyclist, runners, and walkers tranquil and diverse terrain. The Park features the Stillwater Trail, Formal Gardens, a Children’s Discovery Garden, a Giant Pedestal Oak, Marie Aull Nature Trail, the Swamp Forest, and Community Gardens. Wegerzyn Gardens is beautiful and packed with fun and offers the perfect family time. My children and I ran around the open gardens and took tons of cool pictures while having fun. They also loved the Children’s Discovery Garden. It features a small waterfall, pond, sand boxes, and other interactive exhibits. My family and I had a blast visiting Wergerzyn Gardens. If you are looking for a fun, peaceful and stunning place to explore, this is the location for you! It is free and open to the public.

Cox Arboretum Metro Park

Cox Arboretum is another metropark in Dayton. Like its counterpart, Wegerzyn Gardens, Cox too provides the beauty of nature. Here is a place for you to come and connect with nature. Discover the peacefulness nature, its trees and shrubs thoughtfully placed to capture your imagination and take you to a place of serenity. The Park features Pollinator Gardens, Specialty Gardens, The Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture, a Butterfly House, Tree Tower, Bell Children’s Maze, Zorniger Education Center, Conservation Corner, Nature Trails, and Ruth Cummings Mead Woodland. There is certainly something for everyone. My family and I enjoyed a nice stroll admiring all that Cox Park has to offer. We spent a lot of time at the pond at the entrance. It had all the “fishys” and turtles. Go get out and explore Cox Park and enjoy a relaxing family adventure.

FOOD:

Salar – We gotta eat! It is part of what we do and as they say food brings people together! Located in Dayton’s Historic Oregon District, Salar features an exciting menu with strong Peruvian, French, and Mediterranean influences. We love a good reasonably priced, upscale, yet casual meal. Not to mention it is one of our favorite restaurants in Dayton. We love that they offer unique flavors. Some of the dishes we tried were their Beef Empanadas, Fried Calamari, Chicken Chicharrones, Pollo a la Brasa, Faroe Island Salmon, and the Red Quinoa Encrusted Chilean Sea Bass. All of their food is flavorful and touches on different flavor elements and cooking techniques. Overall, Salar is delicious, and you can not go wrong with any option.

Columbus

ADVENTURES:

Welcome to the state capital- COLUMBUS! Columbus is one of those cities that has been thriving for a long time and won’t be letting up any time soon. There is just so much life and vibrance to it! Even with that, it still feels super homey with awesome opportunities to connect with other people. It’s a great city for people of all ages and at any stage of life. If you’re looking for something for your family, they have it. If you’re looking for nightlife, they have it. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, they have that too! And we can’t forget about sports at THE Ohio State University! Clearly there’s something for everyone. Here’s a small glimpse at the many activities they have to offer:

Easton Town Center

Shopping is an activity, right? Hmmmm Of course it is!! And it just happens to be one of our favorite ones! If you also enjoy shopping, Easton in Columbus is absolutely the place to be. It is one of the largest outdoor shopping centers in all of Ohio. If you’re looking for something specific, they probably have it. That can range from items for kids, items for the home, shoes and so so much more! But the thing is, they are not just for shopping. There are quite a few delicious restaurants there, ranging from grab and go to high-end sit-down options. One of my favorites is Shake Shack. It’s simply delicious! If you want to make a day out of it, they have entertainment as well! This includes a movie theater, comedy club, legoland, Pins mechanical company, and a wealth of other options. Prior to my brother getting married, my family stayed at the Hilton on site when we would visit him. We’d spend hoursss shopping, playing, and overall, just enjoying the area and each other’s company. They do have indoor shopping, eating and entertainment as well, but we’re all for the outdoor options!

Topiary Park

Topiary Park is a beautiful, public park and garden located in downtown Columbus and is officially known as the Topiary Garden at Old Deaf School Park. It is such a cool place! When we visited, we originally thought there were just cool figures cut into the trees, but what they actually depict are figures from Georges Seurat‘s 1884 painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. It is the only park based entirely on a painting. They are life-sized shapes which makes it really fun to take pictures with. We really enjoyed pulling up the actual image and picking out which topiary matched to each part of the picture. From what we observed, the park is used to relax, take professional pictures, and to learn about the history of the painting and the Ohio School for the Deaf. We were really excited to experience something new that’s tied to such a beautiful painting.

FOOD:

Hen Quarter Dublin – If you haven’t been to the Dublin area of Columbus, it is a must go! Bridge view park has plenty to offer that is outdoors. If you’re looking for a restaurant with a great patio, we’d highly recommend Hen Quarter. They are a black owned restaurant focused on southern cuisine. We loved how much of a diverse crowd they drew (I mean…who doesn’t love fried chicken, Mac n cheese and more?!)

We ordered the chicken and waffles with greens, the crab stuffed salmon over rice, and a side of mac n cheese. From the seasoning, to the rich balance of flavors, we loved every single bit of it. I also loved the old school R&B playing over the speakers. Such a vibe!

This is the end of our Ohio three-city outdoor adventure tour. However, this could be the start for you. Ohio has so much to offer, and we love getting to explore such a great midwestern state. A lot of times people view the Midwest as cows and pastures. However, we are here to show and tell that the Midwest, Ohio, has such great hidden gems. There is plenty to do and see in every city for everyone. We hope you enjoyed our guide! Be sure to check us out next month as well to see what we have in store as our partnership with Ohio. Find It Here. continues. Stay tuned!

A Day in Cincinnati’s own, Westwood Neighborhood

June 1, 2021/0 Comments/in Campaigns, Cincinnati, Recent /by Tiffany Biddle

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

6 Reasons Why You Should Have a DEAR Experience

December 22, 2020/0 Comments/in Cincinnati, Food, Recent /by Tiffany Dace

There is certainly something extremely commendable about taking a huge leap and stepping out on faith, especially when things around you are going crazy (insert all of the craziness of 2020 here!) This is exactly what owners Ashley and Austin Heidt did. And we appreciate them so much for it because they have added an EXPERIENCE (not just a restaurant) to the city and it’s everything we didn’t know we needed!

Before we thought of doing a Behind the Scenes, we each had the opportunity to dine in and loved every bit of it. So much that we just HAD to meet the people behind it all. In today’s post, we provide you with 6 reasons why this should be your next place to visit.

1. The Staff

If you’ve had a chance to meet Ashley and Austin Heidt, I am pretty confident that you already love them. They are the type of people who’s positive energy is just contagious. You can absolutely tell they love what they do and do what they love. Prior to this, Ashley was a corporate event planner and Austin worked at Frasca Food & Wine, while also becoming a sommelier (level 3 to be exact!) The merge of their experiences really brings Dear to life.

But it’s not just them. Every staff member has these exact traits. They make you feel like you’re having the best meal in the comforts of your own home. They are warm, pleasant and so very attentive. What’s also great is they all know the menu like the back of their hands. You could ask the bartender, the host, your server, or anyone else on staff any question if you’re torn on what to get and they will guide in a very descriptive way. And they never steer you wrong! Trust them!

2.The cocktails

I highly encourage you to sit at the bar and have a cocktail before going to your table (although you can also eat there as well). The bar is just lovely and the bartenders are all great. We enjoyed having a casual conversations before we transitioned to the next space. They also have a nice lounge space upstairs that you are welcome to sit and have a drink at. And when the weather warms up, you HAVE to visit their outdoor bar. It’s hip and modern while still maintaining their cozy feel.

3.The Dinner Service-

Ok, the dinner is I N C R E D I B L E in every way! The kitchen is led by executive chef, Brian Young. If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because he was on season 16 of Top Chef. I am obsessed with that show and was so happy to see he’d joined the team. Their Sous Chef, Austin Helfin works hand and hand with him to bring their vision to our plates. The food is all uniquely crafted, using seasonal ingredients. This means the menu will change which is always so exciting to me! Literally, every bite you take will have you swooning! They’re innovative, yet not so far out that they leave you missing the meals you know and love. They take all of your favorites and step it up several notches. It is just so good y’all! It’s hard to name a favorite, as they are all so tasty, but some of our favs are the short ribs, tempura squash, lamb sugo, and chicken fried mushrooms. And don’t forget the dessert, which is prepared by pastry chef Caitlin Steininger. MY GOODNESS!

4.The Butchery & Market

Did you know they also have a butchery and market space? Yep, sure do, as if they couldn’t get any better! They are open in the morning and afternoon and are perfect for a quick grab and go. They offer take-home cuts of meat, house-made charcuterie as well as sandwiches, coffee, and soft-serve ice cream. I’ve also tried their breakfast biscuit sandwich and donuts (on the weekends) and they were mouthwatering! This quite literally makes them an all purpose restaurant with the perfect neighborhood feel.

5.The Wine Club

As we mentioned, Austin is a level 3 Sommelier, which is a huge accomplishment btw! So what person person to pick your wines for you than him?! With his expertise, they offer a comprehensive selection which also comes with virtual wine tastings where he walks you through each one. There are 2 tiers, each with 4 bottles of wine, priced at $75 or $150. The difference is based on the quality of wine. We mentioned cocktails above as well, but they also have many great wines in house to pair with your meal.

6.The overall experience

Hopefully you can tell by now that Dear really gives you an experience. They are very serious about their hospitality and quality. It shows in their actions, food and even the decor. The space is so beautifully crafted from the moment you walk up to the door to the patio. It is the type of place that you just never want to leave and keeps you coming back for more. They offer private events of all sorts. Whether it’s baby shower, wedding shower, promotional celebration, a birthday or more, I guarantee this is the perfect place to book.

Ashley and Austin, thank you for following your dreams and providing us all with a home away from home. We can’t wait to visit again! Cheers Ya’ll!

Revolving Rotisserie Around A New Way of Life

July 30, 2020/0 Comments/in Cincinnati, Food, Recent, Uncategorized /by Tiffany Biddle

Cincinnati’s food scene has always been on the rise. It seemed there for awhile, there was something new opening every month. This was certainly music to our ears, especially with our love for food and being foodies. In recent months COVID-19 has taken over and has put a slight delay to restaurants opening. However, there is one restaurant that is not letting COVID rain on their parade. Revolution Rotisserie is open for business, doing well, and thriving in spite of the pandemic. When we heard Nick Pesola, owner of Revolution Rotisserie, was continuing to sell his well-known Rotisserie Chicken not letting COVID bring him down, we had to support! We sat down with Nick to talk all things Rotisserie Chicken and more.

You may wonder where the concept of rotisserie chicken came from and why. Well, wonder no more! In the summer of 2014, at the age of 25, Nick, opened a gourmet rotisserie chicken tent at Findlay Market. This was Nick’s Dream and he was determined to prove he and his rotisserie chicken were here to stay. That summer he sold so many of his signature “Chitas” and rotisserie chickens. He could not keep the rotisserie stocked fast enough with his delicious chickens. After so much positive feedback, Nick knew it was time to expand his concept and open a brick-and-mortar location in Cincinnati. It was at his OTR location that Nick added full-service hospitality and a bar program for Revolution to become a “Rotisserie & Bar.” This location did well enough that he opened a 2^nd location in Pleasant Ridge. Nick has always been self-motivated and driven. His mission for Revolution Rotisserie is to make a positive impact on the world around him. Revolution initially came from the chicken rotisserie revolving. Over the years, the meaning of “Revolution” has evolved and become so much more. On their menu, they pay homage to revolutionaries who changed the world. Even their walls are decorated with hip, revolutionary-inspired artwork you will not find anywhere else but within their restaurants.

Nelson Mandela Chita (Front), Tater Tots (center) & George Washington Chita (back)

Both locations serve amazing food, but Rotisserie Chicken is always the focal point. Nick loved the concept of rotisserie chicken because it was different. It also has many applications (i.e. sandwiches, salad, by itself, and more). We can vouch that his chicken is DEEEELIICIOUS! Tender and full of flavor, and served with some amazing sauces. At Revolution Rotisserie, they brine, rub and then cook their chicken on an actual revolving rotisserie. Yes, you are getting the real deal! They support local Ohio businesses and source their chicken from Ohio Amish farms. We sat down with Nick at his Pleasant Ridge location. There is enough space for everyone to safely eat 6 ft. apart during this pandemic. They also have a nice outdoor patio with the cutest little picnic tables and umbrellas.

Their menu is diverse and has an option for everyone while still allowing rotisserie chicken to be the forefront. Anyone can add rotisserie chicken as a menu item, but what about alternative options? Their chicken is the bomb, but Nick wanted to meet the tasting needs of everyone. Nick and his GM, Scott, collaborate on different food items to be placed on the menu. Menu planning always sparks a fire for Nick. Making food this good is a labor of love! In addition to rotisserie chicken, you can order Fancy Fries, Joan of Arc, Gracie’s Coney, Nelson Mandela Chita, Lightning Fried Chicken Sandwich, Tater Tots, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and many more items. The Joan of Arc is their most popular seasonal salad and their Lightning Fried Chicken Sandwich is the most popular sandwich. The Joan of Arc is full of berries and is light. It adds the perfect pop to summer. The fried chicken sandwich is so good and comes with the Fiery Lightning Sauce. This will be sure to add a punch to your taste buds. Would you believe this sandwich just started as something to offer during the Western Southern Open? It did so well during the tennis tournament, that it became a regular menu staple. Also, Gracie’s Coney is named after the neighbor’s dog who Nick drilled holes into the neighbor’s building to hang patio lights. Man, that is one lucky dog! This hotdog is something serious. This hot dog is an all-beef hot dog, loaded with Vegetarian Chili, Cheddar Cheese and topped with Mustard & Red Onion. Served on a local Poppy Seed Bun. This dog might make you want to slap your mama. However, we would not advise that. HAHA! If you have a sweet tooth this is the place for you. Revolution Rotisserie serves some amazing desserts. I had their Blueberry Pie with a scoop of Vanilla Bean ice cream from Milkman Ice Cream and Donuts. This was the best Blueberry Pie I have ever had. The other Tiff had one scoop each of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Raspberry Sorbet on a cone. Speaking of Milkman, check out Nick’s new concept Milkman Ice Cream & Donuts. My oh my, was that ice cream perfect on a hot summer day and we heard the donuts sell out in 40 minutes of being released. You better hurry if you do not want to miss out!

Tiff B. eating the Lightning Fried Chicken Sandwich

They also offer brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am to 2 pm. They have a brunch menu, but the regular dining menu is offered as well. Some of the brunch items are Chicken and Waffles and Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Biscuit. They also have drink specials like $5 mimosas.

We can say Nick truly believes in warm hospitality, serving great food and drinks, and bringing people together for a good time even if it means wearing a mask and staying 6 ft apart. He is very big on impacting the world and being the change he wants to see. He finds a cause and dream that he believes in and sees it to the finish line. So come hungry, bring some friends (not to many, remember social distancing, LOL), grab a drink or two and have an unforgettable time and meal at a revolutionary place.

Supporting Black Owned Businesses

June 9, 2020/0 Comments/in Cincinnati, Featured Posts (for homepage), Food, Uncategorized /by Tiffany Dace

Everyone is aware of the protests currently happening around the world, organized to continue the fight
for Black Lives. For far too long, Blacks have been fighting this fight primarily alone, in more ways than
one. The world now appears to really be opening their eyes to the injustice and are joining in the fight
(THANK YOU!) If you follow our Instagram, you may have seen a post where we also talked about the
importance of supporting black businesses.

If you missed it, here is an excerpt from it:

“When this account/blog was created, it was to have fun and to point people in the direction of new and
hip restaurants. Many of these restaurants have grown tremendously, based off the love and support of
the community. But do you know which owners/entrepreneurs often get left in the dust? Black owned
businesses. It is often much harder for them to receive the support to even open a brick and mortar
location as well as let their voices be heard. Some of it is political and some is due to systematic oppression.”

No matter the reason why, the issues are certainly not new. We too have been inadvertently guilty of
this, as we typically keep up with the trends of who’s opening and want to ensure our audience is aware
of it. It can be tough for black owners to get the same size funding to provide them with the opportunity
to open and get attention- especially in the up and coming areas where most are spending a lot of their
time and dollars. That means, at times, we don’t hear about the openings because promotions led by
large media outlets are often not as prevalent. Another blogger mentioned they often feature black
owned restaurants but have not specifically stated they were black owned in the description. We have
also done the same, but we missed highlighting them as black owned. Why is it important to state this
fact? Because they often have to work extra hard, and sometimes on their own, to open and need the
support more than ever. We are dedicated to this change and will ensure they get the attention they
deserve (not to mention, the food is ALWAYS on point!)

Also mentioned in our post:

“We support everyone, but as PROUD BLACK WOMEN running this account (and blog), let us just say,
black owners, we will shine a light on you. As a priority. No matter how small you are.”

Our commitment is to not just be another blog that keeps up with the trends. But a blog that also
provides support and awareness for those who really need it- our kind. Going forward, expect much of
the same content, but also a shift in who all we feature. A few people have previously documented black
owned businesses to support which has been both amazing and eye opening! Since we all have different
audiences, we want as many people as possible to see these lists. At the bottom of the post, you will
find restaurants (because this is a food and travel blog- keeping with the theme) categorized by type. I bet you didn’t realize there were this many did you? Yeah, us either! If we missed any, let us know in the comments!

Just a few of the black owned restaurants that we’ve featured in the past:

If you’re wondering about other ways to support, here are a few suggestions:

Stay Educated
a. There are tons of books (including cookbooks for the home cooks out there), movies,
and documentaries out there that detail our history and why we fight so hard.
Have the Uncomfortable Conversations
a. Know what you are supporting and why
Donate!
a. There are multiple organizations to donate to that will filter dollars to black businesses.
A quick google search will pull up multiple by city, state, or country
Spend at Black Owned Businesses
a. As mentioned, there are restaurants listed below. However, there are multiple other
businesses out there that also need support. Google them in your specific area
Promote what you know!
a. Hear about a great black owned business (restaurants, bookstores, designers,
nonprofits, startups, wineries, etc.)? Share them with your audience!

Although different from most of our blog posts, we hope this has been educational. Enjoy the list! We hope to run into you at many of them :)

Also, shoutout to the following bloggers/influencers for putting in so much work in locating a lot of the
businesses below: @linsinnati @kaitskravings @drinkingdiningdione @heymichelle1 and
@cincy.cocoabloggers . Follow them all!

Soul Food
Rasheedah’s café
Burnett’s soul food
Soul Secrets LLC
Ike’s BBQ
Jewell’s soul food
Millie’s Place
Gigi’s Kitchen
Ollie’s Trolley
Aunt Flora’s

Pluto’s Café

Tacos
Patora Tacos

Winery
Revel OTR

Personal Chefs/Caterers/Independent
Chef Banbini
Kwality Eats
Soul Secrets LLC
Purposely Plated
Crown’s Kitchen
Soleil Kitchen
Emma’s all in one occasions

Coffee
Cream and sugar coffeehouse (Brand New!)
Sunny Blu Coffee House
Black Coffee
Sunny Blu Coffeehouse
Muse Café (also wine bar)

BBQ
Just Qin
Sweets and Meats BBQ
Triple J’s BBQ
Eddie’s Southern Style BBQ

Dada Smokes BBQ
Ike’s BBQ
Alabama Que
C&M BBQ Grill
Talis Southern Bar and Grill
Smokin Inferno BBQ
J&W BBQ

Sweets
Davis Cookie Collection
Sweet Petit
Sweets by Ladawn
Green Man Twist
Sugar
Honeychild Pops
Jazzy Sweeties Bakery
Keys Cheesecakes and Pies
Keys cheesecake
Lala’s Blissful Bites
Goodies

Healthy
Bol Acai Bowl Bar
Conscious Kitchen
Kombuchinnati
Pause Cincy

Africa/Caribbean/Latin
Teranga Restaurant

Darou Salam
Divine appetite café
Gee’s Caribbean style
Island Frydays
Maize

Pizza/Burgers/Wings/Cafe and the Like
Endzone pizza
Express Wings
AJ’s cheesesteaks
Burger world
Pluto’s Café
Agape Café
Boomtown biscuits and whiskey
Copa lounge

Asian
Boombox buns

Seafood
Mango’s Tropical Oasis (also drinks)
K&J Seafood

Cincinnati’s Bread King – Sixteen Bricks

December 3, 2019/0 Comments/in All Food, Cincinnati, Food, Recent /by Tiffany Biddle

Cincinnati is known as the Queen City, and every queen needs her king!

What do you do when you are well into adulthood, have a six-figure job, hate your six-figure job, but your family needs your help to run their bread bakery? For some this could be a hard truth to deal with. Well for, Ryan Morgan, owner of Sixteen Bricks bakery, that question was a no brainer. You put your big boy pants on, quit your six-figure job, step out on faith and go help your family. We truly enjoyed ourselves behind the scenes with Sixteen Bricks. Ryan’s hard work, determination, drive, and hustle is what landed him to successfully continue to run his family’s bakery for 8 years now.

After living in Cincinnati for 2.5 years, seeing Sixteen Bricks on plenty of menus, tasting some of their bread at different locations, and seeing Ryan doing different collaborations; I thought hmmm this would be an awesome behind the scenes. Mannnnn, was I right! Ryan is such a dope soul! Him and his crew are some amazing people. Tiff Squared had the chance to make bread with the Sixteen Bricks crew for a day. Yes, a day to learn about all things bread (i.e. types of flours, shape, bread types, baking temperatures and times, etc.).

Let’s take a walk down memory lane to see how Sixteen Bricks was formed:

If you have had Sixteen Bricks bread, you know it is the bomb. com. It is what we like to hashtag #iyktyk (if you know, then you know). Lol! However, would you believe that Ryan use to be a medical equipment mechanic before he was what I like to call, Cincinnati’s Bread King? You would think by the taste of his amazing bread, he has been in the business for 10+ years. Nope, he has only been in the bread making business for 8 years. WOWZERS, is what we said! Don’t feel bad, we were shocked as well. The bakery first started with Ryan’s mother and father. Their concept was a little sit-down restaurant with food made from the heart. They grew their own veggies that they cooked and served to guests. The menu was seasonal so they could provide the best dishes with the freshest ingredients. Although his mom owned the restaurant, she bought her bread from another company. Her and this owner became great friends over the years. Suddenly, the bread company owner became ill, so Ryan’s mother bought his bread bakery. After years of running the bakery, it was time to pass down the reins. Ryan’s mother was also growing in age, and it was now time to retire and pass the bread bakery along. This is where Ryan had to step out on faith. He decided to quit his six-figure job as a mechanic and take over his mother’s bakery. Oh, not to mention he did not know a thing about bread. Like most men, he was not going to let his mother down. He learned what he needed to know and hired the help he needed. As many know, the food industry can be brutal. However, Ryan beat the odds, grinded through the storm and became what we know today, Sixteen Bricks Artisan Bakehouse a.k.a Cincinnati’s Bread King. A total bad *shut your mouth* 😊

Fast forward to November 2019:

Sixteen Bricks is booming and doing better than ever. Sixteen Bricks has its own bread factory where they produce thousands of lbs of bread a year. They produce bread for multiple restaurants and a few store locations (i.e Kroger).

Tiff Squared’s Bread Making Experience

Out of all the bread Sixteen Bricks can make, by now I am sure you are wondering what type Tiff Squared made. Wonder no more, Tiff Squared loves Focaccia Bread, so that is what we asked Ryan to teach us. Making Focaccia Bread is fun and easy.

First, you make the dough and let it sit for about 1-2 hours to rise.

Second, you get your baking dish. We used what looked to be 6-in cake pans. We then oiled each pan with olive oil. You must get the right amount of oil on the bottom and not add to much. Adding too much oil can fry your bread on the bottom. We then weighed out about 8-9 oz. of dough to fill each pan.

Third, we let the dough set for another 1-2 hours to rise again.

During this time, Ryan took us on a bakery tour. We went to all the different bread making stations (in no particular order) and learned the process on how to make bread. We got to see how the bread was loaded onto the conveyer belt to go into the oven. We watched a batch be loaded and off into the oven it went. Some of the bread had to be scored before it went into the oven. I, Tiff B., had the opportunity to score a few pieces. After the oven section, Ryan showed us what the finished product looks like. We then went into the walk-in refrigerator and learned about the different types of flour. After, we were able to go watch a batch of bread dough being made in the mixer. We even watched a bread machine pre-cut bread dough to make hoagies.

Now it was time to go back and check on our rising dough. We came back and it looked good.

Fourth, it was time for toppings! Oh yeah! We kept it simple and did salt, black pepper, and rosemary. MMM MMM MMM! Just the smell of all of the seasonings had us very excited about the finished product. Tiff D. topped the bread dough with the selected seasonings.

Fifth, now it was time for the bread to go into the oven. Our bread baked for about 30-40 min.

Sixth, take the bread out the oven and let it cool. Then enjoy! The taste of simple ingredients like salt, black pepper, and dried rosemary add great flavor. The three ingredients were robust in flavor yet worked well together on the palate. The notes of rosemary add an earthy taste while the pepper added that light kick of spice. The salt was the cherry on top adding that tangy element that we all know goes so well with bread. The texture of the Focaccia Bread was light and airy. It had the perfect chew as well.

While we waited for the bread to bake and cool, we spent the last 30-40 min in the pastry section talking to Sixteen Brick’s pastry chef, Bec. She was super cool and taught us simple terms and looks of pastry making. We learned the lamination of bread and what it is supposed to look like. The lamination when talking about pastries is the honeycomb look you should see. If you cut a croissant in half, it should have a uniform honeycomb look on both pieces. After all that learning, we worked up an appetite. The best part of it all besides meeting incredible people, tasting time! We got to sample our delicious Focaccia Bread we made! YYAAAYY! We also got to sample some amazing pastries. We tried different croissant flavors like plan, lemon custard filled, jam filled, chocolate filled, and cream cheese filled. All were very tasty. The croissant layers themselves were light and flaky. They are working on their new line of pastries that are offered to a few local restaurants.

Kudos and much respect to Ryan and his team! Our day in the bakery was time well spent and everyone made us feel at home. You can’t go wrong with any type of bread from Sixteen Bricks. If you haven’t tried them, be sure you do. You are totally missing out! If you have, well keep continuing to eat their bread. No one is counting your calories, plus who doesn’t love carbs? We sure do! Give them a try, you will be just as impressed as we are!

Wellness Your Way Is This Weekend!

October 8, 2019/0 Comments/in Events, Events & Pursuits, Recent /by Tiffany Dace

Get excited ya’ll! The Wellness Your Way Festival is finally here!!!!

If you’re unfamiliar with this incredible fest, we’d be happy to share more! The Wellness Your Way Festival, presented by Kroger, is a premiere, weekend experience to kick-start your journey to a healthy lifestyle. We can all use a bit of that right?! Taking place at the Duke Energy Center, you will work out with celebrity fitness experts, hear from inspiring speakers, pick up cooking tips from world-renowned chefs, and learn from passionate health professionals about what wellness means for you. Sounds like a great time doesn’t it? Trust us, we’ve been and are super excited to go again!