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Exploring Springfield, OH!

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Happy New Year everyone!!! We are so excited for all that 2022 has in store. To start the year, we are here with a fresh new blog post for you! At the end of 2021, Tiff D. and the hubby partnered with Greater Springfield in Ohio for a full day and a half of activities. Lucky for us, we visited during “Holidays in the City” which is a 5 week celebration with tons of fun activities. And for you holiday lovers, Christmas and New Year’s Eve may have passed, but it continues through 1/7/22! Let me just say, we had a blast!! But before we get to the deets on what all we did, let me share a bit about Springfield.

Springfield, also known as “Champion City” is a smaller city located in between the suburbs of greater Dayton and Columbus. It was founded in 1801 with the original growth stimulated by the construction of the national railroad which went through the area. There is deep cultural history here that comes from the booming businesses in the 1900s, financial industries and racial development. Right now, the area continues to be revitalized, which is exciting to see!

Fun fact: My brother is an alum of Wittenberg University which is a Liberal Arts college located in the city.

Ok…now to the activities!

We arrived early in the day and kicked things off by visiting Champion City Guide & Supply – This is a cool shop that has great apparel. They have sweatshirts, t-shirts, pants, mugs, hats, and much more. If you want to ‘rep your city’ with heritage apparel or buy local artisan goods, this is the place to visit first. They are also a Visitor’s Center, as they are partnered with the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. It gave us a feel for everyone’s true love for Springfield, which was apparent throughout the entire store.

Time to fuel up! Our next step was Winans Chocolates + Coffee. What I love about this Ohio based company is they have a nice appreciation for great quality and community. As their website says, they “develop products that are authentic to our history and relevant to the national culinary fabric and its continued development” and they “maintain appealing spaces where all members of the community can gather and feel at home”. I certainly felt this comfort from the moment I walked in and tasted the quality right away. We opted for chai lattes with a shot of espresso (dirty chai) and a pump of caramel. Deliciousss! It was exactly what we needed to get our day jumpstarted. If it weren’t so early, we would’ve dove right into all of their handcrafted chocolates because as they say, coffee and chocolate fit together like a glove! Having had their chocolates at another location before, we opted for their blueberry muffin which is just as tasty. Next time, I plan to leave with a huge bag to snack on later

Now that our energy was at a high, it was time for our tour of the Westcott House. The Westcott house was designed in 1906 and built in 1908 by the one and only Frank Lloyd Wright. If you’re unfamiliar with him, take a moment to do a bit of research on him, as he is one of the top architects of that time. This house was a site to see in the community! It’s horizontal lines and openness were far above its time. After the passing of the Westcotts, the house was converted to a multi-unit apartment building. This changed the original design so after many years and millions of dollars funded, the house was revitalized to honor the original design and is now open for tours to the public. We truly enjoyed being able to see the uniqueness and preservation of furniture. It was as if we walked back in time but were still viewing items that were modern. Quite a different and fun activity!

Now after all that learning, it was time to EAT! We were on our way to one of the best- and well-known restaurants in Springfield- Speakeasy Ramen. They’ve only been open for a few years but have already received numerous awards for their taste and quality. This was my second time visiting and it was just as delicious as the first. Yummmyyy! You can taste the freshness of the ingredients in every bite. This time around, we ordered:

One Holiday Special Cocktail- The Merry Martini & The Lemon Lavender Martini

Appetizer Wings- These are spicyyyy! Get the sauce on the side if you don’t like them hot!

JFC Taco- The most original taco I’ve probably ever had!

Japanese Curry Ramen with Shrimp- They’re known for their ramen!

All the items were flavored perfectly and filled us up with just the right amount of food. Great stuff! Be sure to check out the menu before you go. It changes frequently.

Now, if we were going to make it out anywhere else, we needed to get to the hotel for some rest! We checked in at the Courtyard Marriott, downtown Springfield for a bit of quiet time before getting back to things. The first thing we noticed was how friendly the staff were. They were super helpful with any question we asked and made general conversation, which is not always likely at hotels. If you’re picking a place to stay, I would encourage you to book this one because it’s updated, clean, modern and right in the heart of downtown. You can leave your car parked and walk to a great deal of options nearby. They also have all the major streaming services already set up on your tv so depending on the time that you have, you can sit, and binge watch your favorite shows before bed or before you head back out (which is exactly what we did).

It’s amazing how good rest causes you to work up an appetite! LOL Yes, it was time to eat again! For dinner, we walked down to Stella Bleu. Our walk was lovely because of the Christmas displays (including the HUGE Christmas tree in the center of downtown), and the holiday music playing in the air. Super romantic! We loved being able to visit during Holidays in the City. It made it extra special!

Sidenote: They are offering carriage rides through downtown through the 7th as well. The weather was not on our side for this but try it out if you’re in the area during this time!

Back to Stella Bleu…. They are a casual, fine dining experience in a newly renovated space. Their menu has quite a bit of variety to it so there’s likely going to be something for everyone you visit with. What we really enjoyed about this restaurant is they had great menu options that were nicer than your typical dining place, but they were also reasonably priced. So, if you want to have a date night or night out with your friends and family, this is your place! We ordered:

Stella Frites (superrrr good!)

Salmon Entrée

Butter Chicken Entrée

All entrees came with a side salad and complimentary biscuits. The biscuits were so good that we asked for more lol The service is also FAST! If you want to take your time a bit more, ask them to space out your options and they gladly will!

Who’s ready for cocktails?!!! We are!!! After finishing our meal, we walked down the street to CoHatch, which is a coworking space that also has restaurants and events. There are several throughout the state and other regions, so it was nice to also see one in the transitioning area of Springfield! This night, we went specifically for Market Bar. They are a cool, hip bar that offers up a huge variety of fun drinks. It happened to be a Tuesday night when we went which meant Tequila specials!! Woop! The bartender made us THE BEST margaritas that I’ve had in a long time. And they have a ton of flavor options that you can mix and match to make a custom one. What was cool about this area is one of the rooms nearby had public salsa dancing available for everyone. They looked like they were having a ball! And every so often, they’d come to the bar, grab and finish a drink, then go back to dancing! It was a fun vibe that I would keep coming back for!

And now….it was time to head back to the Marriott for a good night’s sleep because we still had a few more things to get into in the morning!

Alrighty! It was now morning and the first thing I always want to do when I wake up is EAT! Lucky for us, Ironworks Waffle Cafe, which is located inside of CoHatch, was waiting on us. A bit about them: They were founded on the goal of restoring vitality and passion to the rich historic downtown of Springfield. They also name every waffle after a notable Springfield icon. Let’s get into these waffles though! They have sweet and savory selections to fit whatever your taste buds are calling for. We ordered one of each:

Savory- The Johnny Lytle which had fried chicken and bourbon syrup. This one comes with a side. I recommend the waffle fries

Sweet- The National Road- which was a traditional waffle that we topped with fruit and whipped cream

I loveeee traditional Belgian waffles so these were right up my alley. They were the perfect way to start our day.

Oh, don’t forget to get coffee from Ironworks. We ordered our regular Dirty Chai with caramel. Veryyy good! We also were able to see more of the CoHatch space and all that it has to offer. It’s pretty cool!

Ok, last, but certainly not least was our stop at the Gammon House for a tour. For those that don’t know, the Gammon House was built in 1850 and is one of only three existing Ohio stops on the Underground Railroad owned by a free person of color. George and Sarah Gammon were extremely courageous in helping slaves get to freedom. They risked paying a huge fine or jail time if caught. Over the years, the house has been revitalized and is now like a mini museum, displaying many historical facts about slavery in general, Springfield happenings related to race, and Ohio news related to race. I learned so many new, and very important things visiting. It sent me through a wave of emotions primarily because it’s hard to continue to hear about the treatment of my people, but it’s also encouraging and motivating to see how far we have come and hear about the heroic people who paved the way! I encourage all people to visit this historic house. And in great news, we learned that they just purchased the land across the street to expand the space for more facts and additional events! Kudos to them!

Well ya’ll, that wraps up our time in Springfield. We loved learning more about the area and enjoyed visiting some of the top spots the city offers! We look forward to visiting again in the future. We hope this encourages you all to visit as well!

Cheers!



Top Ten Local Ice Cream Shops

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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

Cincinnati Foodie Favs with Ohio.findithere!

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Happy October friends!!! We hope you’ve had a great month so far filled with fun and food! Speaking of
food, we have another partnership with Ohio. Find It Here. for you where it’s all about Cincinnati food!
For the locals and the road trippers, we have the Cincinnati staples right here for you! Starting off with…

Findlay Market

Did you know Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market?? Yep! Sure is! The
market is open year-round Tuesday-Sunday and attracts over a MILLION visitors a year! And it just so
happens to be one of my favorite places to visit in Cincinnati. There is such a community feel every time
I visit. You get the hustle and bustle inside of the market, but you also get a very cool, chill vibe in the
outer parts. There is typically live music being played, people drinking and eating, and lots of shopping!
From fresh produce, to restaurants, to customizable cuts of meat, to spices, to plants, to
jewelry…Findlay is ready to meet your needs. When I have friends in town, this is a 100% go to.
Everyone always falls in love with it and raves about wishing they had one in their hometown. Whether
you live in the city of Cincinnati, the suburbs, or in a completely different area, it is well worth the trip.

The Arepa Place

Colombian and Venezuelan food in one!! Yes please! If you have been a Cincinnatian for a while and
have visited Findlay Market, you likely saw The Arepa Place when it was a mobile stand. The owners
spent years building their clientele and reputation before opening a storefront location last year.
Woohoo! The arepas that we know, and love are here to stay!
An arepa , whose term comes from the indigenous populations in Colombia and Venezuela, is a form of
cornbread and most comparable to a pita. These arepas are typically stuffed with either cheese, beef,
plantains, chicken or all the above! They have a bit of a crunchiness to the shell as well, which makes for
the perfect bite. Typically, they are stuffed arepas are often stuffed with many ingredients such as
chicken, beef, cheese and plantains. Although they are called the Arepa place, they have more on the
menu, such as empanadas, chips and guac, and more! They also use the front of their space as a store
where they sell plenty of traditional Colombian and Venezuelan goods that you can have at home. Now,
it might not be as good as theirs, but you can still try!

Cream and Sugar Coffeehouse

Cream & Sugar Coffeehouse has only been open for about a half a year, but with how good they are, you
would think it was much longer.  They’re a Black-owned coffee shop that gives off all of the cool vibes.
The owners are some of the first Black entrepreneurs to have more than one Black-owned business in
the area. Before you enter, you’ll see amazinggggg Black art on the outer walls. I could just stand out
there looking at it for the longest! I personally don’t drink much coffee, but I’ve heard theirs is really
good. I also love that they have milk alternatives. That is a must these days! Although I haven’t had the
coffee, I have had their teas and their food. I highly recommend their herbal teas, their salads, their
toasts, and their yogurt. All are super tasty! Just try it all! And if you need to get a little work done,
this is a great spot that’s not too loud for you.

Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey

Boomtown Biscuits and Whiskey is comfort food taken up a notch. You get the well-known items you’ve
learned to love (like biscuits, gravy, and fried chicken) but with a twist. The twist is bold, yet subtle
enough to keep the restaurant’s neighborhood feel. I went to college in the south and this brings me
right back to some of that home cooking!
Tragedy struck the business in late 2019, when the owner of the restaurant unexpectedly passed.
Though it could have left the business in limbo the executive chef, who has a long culinary history and
has been on Food Network numerous times, stepped in and took over ownership (it is now officially a
Black-owned business!) In fact, he is working on opening his 2 nd location which will be in Union, KY. He is also working on a Boomtown Biscuit wagon which will be a mobile offering.
I love how they adapt to the times and don’t let anything stop them. Kudos to them!

Rhinegheist Brewing

Cincinnati is heavily a beer city. Blame it on our German heritage! New, microbreweries pop up all the
time in the area and in Northern Kentucky. But, no matter how many open, none of them are as large as
Rhinegheist. Rhinegheist is definitely one of the originals to the area and is not going anywhere anytime
soon. Not only do they have a huge location, they also distribute to many restaurants and bars
throughout the area. They have a very large selection of beers and ciders that will likely fit your palette.
They’re both tasty and refreshing!
Let’s talk about their rooftop though! I honestly vote them for best rooftop in Cincinnati. The view alone
is enough to give them the top rating. You can see so far into the city and it is especially gorgeous at
night. It’s also very spacious and has super cozy seats/couches on different parts of the roof. The first
time I came up here, I was blown away. I am obsessed with rooftops and don’t know why it took me so
long to go to theirs. You will have to walk up quite a bit of stairs, but it’s so worth it!
Lastly, if you get hungry, you’re in luck. OTR chili is serving up the Cincinnati chili staples from the
kitchen next door and will bring your food right to your seat. Now that makes for a perfect night!

Holtman’s Donuts

If you have been to Cincinnati and don’t know about Holtman’s Donuts, you may or may not have been
living in a cave somewhere. �� Just kidding. Maybe. Although many mistakenly think Holtman’s is a
restaurant founded in Cincinnati, it actually dates to May 1960, and is based out of Newton, Ohio.

Who knew?!
My first experience with them was years ago when I was walking down Vine street in OTR. They have a
wide range of fun toppings such as our favorite cereals as a child, bacon, coconut, red velvet, etc., but
they also offered traditional options such as plain glaze, jelly filled, fritters and many more! Holtman’s
now has 5 locations total and I’m sure they’re not done. If you are near one, I encourage you to try
them. There may be a line, but your belly will thank you later for waiting in it.

Graeter’s Ice Cream

Now there’s noooo way I could close out the Cincinnati foodie favs without mentioning the O.G of ice
cream…..

Graeter’s!
Graeter’s was originated in Cincinnati and has been going strong for over 147 years!!! No matter what
area you reside in or visit, you are not far from a Graeter’s, as they quickly expanding throughout
Cincinnati and surrounding cities. Choose from their multiple hand-crafted and small-batch flavors or try
their delicious cakes, cookies and pies! My favorites are the chocolate chip cookie dough, buckeye, and
peanut butter chip. To. Die. For! I grew up going to Graeter’s and still enjoy plenty of other ice cream
locations, but I will never get enough of them!

That’s all for now road trippers!
For more foodie road trip ideas, check out the Ohio.findithere link below. We’ll be featuring more out
of Columbus on our Instagram in November. Stay tuned! And don’t forget to let us know about your
Cincinnati foodie favs!
https://roadtrips.ohio.org/wps/portal/gov/roadtrips/home