Sunday, March 11, 2012

24 Hours

From dinner Friday night, thru dinner last night, was a good 24 hours of a sort of eating and wine drinking frenzy. It included, in part, the big Cincinnati "Wine Festival" lunch and auction. I am not a regular participant but this year I gave it another "shoot" both literally and figuratively.

We started Friday night at "Otto's, in Covington. Do I need to say more?
After the Bombay and shared Fried Green Tomato's I had as my main dish "Golden Tilefish". This species, as you probably know, is firm, flaky and slightly sweet. It was roasted and placed on a seasoned polenta cake and surrounded by beautifully caramelized Brussels Sprouts. Certainly enough to satisfy anyone; but then how could I resist the apricot bread pudding that came to the table, unordered. The fresh whipped cream on top was wonderful excess.

Saturday, I arrived at the Wine Festival even at approx. 10:30 to view the selections offered in the silent auction. While making the rounds a very small piece of Cinnamon coffee cake was called for. I bid on only one of the items with a high enough price to be in the running.
The "open" auction started at 11:30 and lasted almost 2 hours, prices were much above my range, as I neither drink, nor pay for excellent old vintage wine.

Lunch of three courses, prepared by Todd Kelley and the staff of "Orchid's" started with a helping of shrimp ravioli on a bed of steamed spinach and covered with a lobster sauce containing some pieces of the lobster meat. With this we were served a Foxglove Chardonnay, remember it's a wine festival even ( no restriction on the size or quantities of the pour). Our vintner host was James Varner and all the wines were his "Foxglove" label, from his winery. Next came Todd's brazed short ribs both in pieces and shredded and made into a crispy beef cake. This had small gnocchi and small amounts or root vegetables floating in the sauce. The wine was a Pinto Noir. Lastly a individual cheese plate with a very nice Zinfandel as it's accompaniment. I rose from the table around 3 PM loaded with both food and wine and dreading our diner date set fro 6:30. I picked up my winning bid, 6 bottles of Oregon Pinot Noir. I have no idea if I paid a reasonable price as there is always a frenzy of bidding around these events.

I dragged myself to "Meritage" in Glendale, 1140 Congress Ave Cincinnati, OH 45246 (513) 376-8134 determined to have nothing more that a light salad with lemon juice or vinegar. I can hear you laughing, I I would have been if I were self-honest. When we left around 8 PM I had consumed a beautiful wedge of crisp iceberg with all the trimmings and several dressings( blue cheese and a topping of Balsamic). Marilyn and i split a full slab of ribs with a sweet and slightly peppery sauce as well as a side of excellent "Mac & Cheese". The only stab at less than deviant behavior was passing on anything alcoholic that evening.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Delightful Dishes

Here are just some of the outstanding "delightful dishes" which we ate last week. By no means are these our whole consumption, but then you readers are not planning either menus or diets.

Saigon Cafe, Erie Ave, Hyde Park:
Excellent Pad Thai, Marilyn thinks the best in Cincinnati, served with ones choice of meats, seafood or tofu. "Hot Mama" Sushi roll- seafood and rice wrapped in a crisp shell and flash fried, somewhat spicy but not over powering.

Nectar Restaurant, 1000 Delta Ave:
An extremely light shrimp pancake seasoned with Kim Chi. The pancake was most reminiscent of a crepe heavier in egg than in flower, the fresh shrimp were sliced very thin and the Kim Chi was spread over the dish to just added enough spice and "fire". Great with wine or beer.

Orchids at the Netherlands, Downtown:
House smoked salmon wrapped around the worlds best "tater tot"( crispy shaved potato's and herbs, pressed into a roll, deep fried) all topped with whipped mascarpone( small marble sized globules), pickled red onions and garlic chips and salmon row. Possibly the best "gravlax" presentation in the world.
Red Snapper "En Papillote" (menu spelling on all items) Beautiful fillets of fresh Red Snapper covered with a paper thin Brie( that's correct Brie) dough. served with Madras Curry Vinagrette, Vidalia Onions and tart Apple Tzatziki.
Any doubt why "Orchid's" is our favorite.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Big Raspberry Sign

Shannon Carter, a good friend, is always trying to find a restaurant, in the area, which she visits before we do. She called last weekend and asked if we had ever been to "Rima's Diner" 2520 Hazelwood Drive, Crescent Springs, KY 41017 (859)331-6444. Having admitted defeat I set out to find more about Rima and her diner.
I knew that it was somewhere near CVG (Greater Cincinnati International Airport) and so on Thursday, when I was picking up a friend from the Netherlands, I decided that "Rima's" would be good for a late lunch and a reintroduction to the Midwest for our Dutch friend.
I phoned, introduced myself to the owner, and got specific instructions, on how to find the place: Exit I-71, I-75 at the Buttermilk Pike exit,( head North), go to McDonald's( you'll see the arches) and look for the big Raspberry sign right across the street.
"Rima's Diner" can best be described as "down home". It is clean, but has a homey worn look and exudes friendship from all involved. From Rima to the server to the cashier I quickly became "Joe".
Since we were there around 2 PM, and planed drinks and dinner around 6, we decided to split a burger and fries, for a taste, but not filling meal. We chose the deluxe burger with "crazy sauce" and asked that the fries be "well done". Rima suggested a full order of slaw and we were glad she did. The slaw was wonderful, crisp, tangy and terrific as a compliment to the burger and fries, which came as ordered.
The crazy sauce is a thinned horseradish cream sauce which adds a delightful "bite" to the burger and its grilled onions and mushroom toppings.
As I mention we had planed to "eat light" but Rima insisted that we try her strawberry cake and so with our half portion each she added a small sliver of her coconut cake. Both were excellent and I can report the the strawberry had a true fresh strawberry taste, while the coconut was light and delightfully smooth.
"Rima's" has a daily special, Thursday it was chicken and dumplings. The place is open from 11 AM thru diner. Rima, my new best friend, told me that her place was voted "the best diner between downtown Cincinnati and the airport". I'll certainly add my vote to that.

I'll give a report on some of the other spots and interesting dishes that we sampled during the past week on the next posting.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Swanee

The hit song of 1919 was "Swanee", music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Irving Caeser. The first line of the refrain goes "I've been away from you a long time.....". Since I wrote about repetitiveness I thought I'd start with a couple of spots for which that line is most descriptive.

"Riverside Korean Restaurant" 512 Madison Ave. Covington (859) 291-1484 has been in place for about 20 years but I have not been there for 5 or more. Tuesday I had lunch with Paul Weckman, owner and chef of "Otto's", which plans an expansion the spring, and we both ordered the "dolsot bibimbap" the traditional hot stone pots filled with rice, vegetables, meat( me) or tofu( Paul) and topped with a fried egg and chili paste. Along with this ample main dish the server puts out a dozen or so small side items, reminiscent of a "rijstaffel" (Indonesian) or tapis, numerous and smaller bowls. Our sides( one might say condiments) ranged from Kimchee to an apple slaw and included several pickled vegetables plus spinach leaves, noodles etc. Fun, good, tasty and possibly the most authentic in the area.

Another, not resent dining spot, was "Nicola's" 1420 Sycamore St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 721-6200. It is "pricey" but to my way of thinking the best Italian in the city. Nick Pietoso has been in business for about 10 years( his son Christian runs "Via Vite") and the family really upgraded the Italian restaurant scene with his arrival. The evening started with a bottle of "Gavi", shared with another guest, and followed with salads and pasta courses. The other couple had Cesar( made table side, by the proprietor) which I tasted, it was wonderful; while Marilyn and I had a shredded Belgian Endive and pear combination, lightly dressed. Marilyn's main course, as usual, was pasta Bolognese, while I ordered, and devoured, two half orders; Veal Agnolotti ( large ravioli) and petite Potato Gnocchi, browned and served on a bed of very light cream sauce and chives. The Gnocchi were like eating light, small clouds of slightly sweetened cheese filled potato puffs. I can't rave enough or wait for a return engagement. As I said, diners are not inexpensive but the food, service and atmosphere are all conducive to a wonderful evening.

Other spot, for the past week, were also "top of the line" " The Precinct", with a completely new dish, "pounded" veal chop Picata. This new offering was outstanding and large enough for two, hungry eaters to share. The chop is flattened to about a half inch and is breaded and pan sauteed. The bone is attached to one side and a butter, lemon and caper sauce is served separately. A worthy addition to their "chop house" menu. Their lettuce wedge is also large enough to serve 2 if not a whole table.
"Enoteca Emilia" now takes reservations on the 2nd floor. Six of us had a large table, at 6:30, and the layout makes conversation quite enjoyable. We tasted and passed many items, from assorted cheeses to several deserts( many other items in between) and several bottles of Barolo. I wont attempt to list all the food items which made their way around the table but no one left hungry, thirsty of unsatisfied.
These two restaurants, plus others, make dining on the eastern side of the city a joy.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Wine listing

With the help of the Matre'D/Sommelier at "Orchid's", Charles Redmond here is a listing of the correct wines I was served Thursday night, not my poor guess:
2008 Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet
2009 Rex Hill Pinot Noir
2008 Leeuwin Estate "Art Series" Shiraz (this was with the sweetbreads)
2006 Chateau Cantenac Grand Cru St. Emilion
To any wine lovers, I'm sorry for my major error. Next time I'll try to record as I drink rather than guess afterwards.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Outstanding

What more can I say about a dinner at "Orchid's" at the Hilton Netherland Plaza, 5th and Race Sts. in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. As special as it always is, it is even more so when eating with the wife of the chef( Todd Kelly) in this beautifully appointed and served "art deco" dining room.

Thursday night the three of us dined and were later joined by the chef, himself.
After a bottle of Puligny-Montrachet, a wonderful white Burgundy, we decided to let Todd send out a meal of his choosing. The only thing we had to decide was how many courses(3 ) and whether we had any restrictions. Unfortunately Marilyn was not feeling well and so she restricted her dinner to a light clam broth and a chicken breast main course. Emily, Todd's wife, an I let the dishes come as the feeling moved our host.

Before going further I must tell you that our wonderful cousin had given us a gift certificate for "Orchid's" and therefore I felt no bounds, as you can tell from the beginning wine, thanks Nancy.

Dinner was as follows, all accompanied by selected wines, which I couldn't by name or vintage identify, but all, of course, matched the course as served. Our "amuse boche" was a basket of Parmesan stripes, baked and crispy, holding a white gelatin of lamb and drizzled with a sour cherry jelly sweeten to just compliment the balance of the presentation.
The first of the three courses was the incomparable Lobster salad, a medallion of chopped lobster meat, slightly moistened and covered with a poached egg and crisp onion straws.
The 2nd courses, diverged, with Emily having roast duck Brest, fruit compote garnish, accompanying, while I was served sauteed sweetbreads and caramelized Brussels Sprouts, two of my favorites. "Orchid's" either has an excellent computer system of an Executive chef who really knows his customers. I was smiling with every bite. As I recall the wines, all red after the opener were a Zinfandel, a Pinto and a Merlot, but this is subject to a clouded memory from my imbibing.
Our main, and third course, was a beef plate with a 3 oz piece of medium rare sirloin strip, topped with a mixed nut butter and roasted, plus a pulled, beef, short rib molded into a miniature "hockey puck" and roasted or quickly fried again covered and browned to perfection.
The vegetable accompaniment was shaved, marinated, fennel with the consistency of a crisp sauerkraut or inside of a cabbage head, wow.
We added a cheese plate for desert, Maytag Blue with a raspberry jam, french goat with a drip of fresh honey and a cows milk with candied orange peels and a sugar coated pecan half. We killed the last 1/2 bottle of wine as the dinner came to a glorious end.
Thanks to all.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Repetative

There have been several comment's, of late, that I am repeating places we eat too often. Some readers believe that limiting postings on the same restaurants would make reading more current and useful. Of course, that assumes that we will get to enough new places to still have something to post.
Trying to listen, and still hoping people will post "comments" on this site, I will probably make some compromises and write more in detail about some place we have not been for a while, or ever, and just list others unless some special item has stimulated me and my taste buds.

"Betta's Italian Oven" 3764 Montgomery Road, Norwood (513) 631-6836 Eat in or carry out.
We have not been there in over 3 years. Probably only once or twice since they moved from Mt. Lookout Square. "Betta's" was rated #1 by Cincinnati magazine for Pizza. I don't claim to be a judge of this item but their Pizza's are very good, especially if one likes "thin crust" as I do.
Last night we went with a young women and her 8 year old twins( adorable, all). There is a children's menu and after a full order of "garlic-cheese bread" the twins ordered items from that menu. We three adults(?) ordered 3 different pizza, some of each accompanied us home, Sandy and Marilyn each made up their own, which all shared. I like Sandy's the most because I thought the spinach added both color and taste. I went with the house special, an all white, which contained cut cherry tomato's, arugula, Parmesan shavings and prosciutto. Too bland for my taste.
With several; glasses of wine, beer and soft drinks the total bill, including tax came to $100.

Here are other places the credit card worked in the last week or so; "Brio Tuscan Grille" "Newport on the Levee" (859) 431-0900. Had the Bruschetta Sampler for the first time. Eight pieces, four varieties all interesting and good.
"Nectar Restaurant 1000 Delta Ave (513) 929-0525. A constant favorite with Julie Francis at the helm. All fresh and interesting. I had cauliflower soap with a crab salad and Grilled Ruby Trout.
"Cumin" 3520 Erie Ave. 45208 (513) 871-8714. I love Mung who makes every evening a success. Sampling allowed and we four did; from a special cheese appetizer, thru mussels, agnolotti( large cheese and spinach filled ravioli type pasta), lamb shank and salads. Wow.
Tuesday special at the "Keystone Bar and Grille" Erie Ave. Hyde Park, for lunch. Half priced Quesadillas.
And finally "Dilly Cafe" 6818 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, OH 45227 (513) 561-5233. New for dinner which for me was a wonderful Grilled shrimp and Asparagus salad with tomato's, greens, feta cheese as well as a full secure of shrimp (8 or 9 medium) and several grilled asparagus spears, light dressing.
I also had a Stilton Pasta with sun dried tomato's all in a light Stilton cream sauce. The salad and a desert would have been plenty. Food was good and wine "Hirsch Gruner Veltliner" was also as desired. They do have a nice wine list which all at our table, except Marilyn enjoyed.

So much for the new posting scheme. What do you think?