Producing CityBeat’s annual Best of Cincinnati issue is a daunting task — months of managing online voting; weeks of soliciting ideas for the city’s best people, places and businesses to feature in our staff picks; and long hours editing, fact checking and analyzing the wealth of information about our town that ends up inside these pages each year. It would take an extremely cynical and jaded individual to flip through this magazine only to plop it down on the coffee table and say, “Meh.”  

So cheers to another year of living life in Cincinnati to the fullest, and thank you to the many people who have helped make this city the gem it is today. We hope you enjoy the Best of Cincinnati as much as we do.

Read the full issue here.

John Waters might bring to mind Divine, Baltimore or pencil-thin mustaches, but photography? The writer/actor/filmmaker/all-around pop culture icon also makes and collects art and photographs, which made him the perfect out-of-the-box candidate to headline 2014’s FotoFocus Biennial — a celebration of photography and lens-based art that took place last October around Over-the-Rhine and Greater Cincinnati. John Waters’ This Filthy World comedic monologue nearly sold out Memorial Hall’s 450-seat auditorium on Oct. 11. The 90-minute performance covered the 68-year-old’s long life and interesting career. Waters also had a photograph (“Inga #3”) on display in the FotoFocus exhibition Stills. Plans are already in the works for 2016’s featured artists. FotoFocus, fotofocusbiennial.org.

The Western Hills multiplex was once a Showcase Cinemas, then Rave Motion Pictures, which was recently acquired by Cinemark Theatres. Usually new movie theater ownership does little to change the viewer’s experience, but Western Hills 14 got a significant facelift with the Cinemark takeover. The $1 million upgrade includes “luxury loungers,” oversized, comfy leather recliners with ample cup holders and elbowroom where small, creaky, pop-stained seats used to be. Sink into one of these bad boys and you’ll be tempted to stay for a double, nay, triple feature. Moviegoers can even look forward to a theater bar as a likely addition to come. Western Hills 14, 5870 Harrison Ave., Bridgetown, 513-574-4315, cinemark.com/theatre-1100.

Some people think the only reason to ever go to Camp Washington is for the chili. Not true. Last year, former Cincinnatians Cal and Skip Cullen moved all the way from San Francisco to open Wave Pool Gallery. It may seem like an insane idea — leave SF for this arctic tundra? — but they took an old firehouse and transformed it into an incubator of art and ideas. An actual pool doesn’t exist inside; it’s a metaphor for a “Midwest version of a beach,” and the name concurrently sounds calm and ferocious, much like art itself. Wave Pool Gallery, 2940 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington, wavepoolgallery.org.

Louis C.K. released his latest comedy special, Live at the Comedy Store, earlier this year, and those who purchased the show received a long email from C.K. detailing his 30 years of stand-up experience. “I worked in comedy clubs all over the country and I think I actually remember every single club,” C.K. writes. “My favorite clubs were the smelly little beer soaked places with dim lighting and low ceilings. Go Bananas in Cincinnati. The Brokerage in Long Island (still there). Penguins in Cedar Rapids. The Comedy Underground in Seattle.” Can you imagine seeing a young Louis work out new material on a Cincinnati stage? Peep Go Bananas’ schedule of touring comedians or stop by for Pro-Am Night on Wednesdays or the Funniest Person in Cincinnati Contest over the summer. You just might find the next big comedian in action. Go Bananas Comedy Club, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, 513-948-8848, gobananascomedy.com.

A one-night showcase of photographic portraits and accompanying audio interviews by artist and photographer Natalie Jenkins explored the question, “What does homeless ‘look’ like?” For her exhibition shown at Live(In) Gallery this past October, Project (re)Face, Jenkins invited Cincinnatians who have experienced homelessness to Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart for a free haircut, an interview and a portrait. The resultant pairing of close-up photos and oral histories reveal the wide range of circumstances that can lead to homelessness. Seeing the work at a gallery that also happens to be a home (hence the gallery’s name) really nailed the point home. nataliejenkinsphotography.com. 

Several years after closing Publico, the gallery he co-founded in 2003 in Over-the-Rhine, Paul Coors has been hosting art and music shows at his walk-up loft apartment, The Ice Cream Factory, in the Brighton neighborhood since 2011. The nondescript apartment (which Coors has used as an unofficial incubator for his independent CDR label, CHOW, and publishing arm, Perfect Lovers Press) has served as a venue for an eclectic mix of visual artists (including Coors himself and fellow former Publico member Britni Bicknaver); poets such as Dana Ward and Cassandra Gillig; and local and international avant-garde musicians like Kate Wakefield, Helado Negro and Nicky Da B. The Ice Cream Factory, 2133 Central Ave., Brighton.

Before there were filters and duckfaces, a reclusive nanny named Vivian Maier was experimenting with street photography and self-portraits from the ’50s through the ’70s. The antithesis of today’s avid Instagrammer, Maier never shared her hobby or the images, leaving them locked in a storage unit for years. Historian John Maloof discovered and bought tens of thousands of Maier’s negatives at a storage auction, but she died in 2009 before Maloof could get in touch. Since then he’s made a documentary, Finding Vivian Maier, and loaned out photographs for exhibitions like A Quiet Pursuit, a FotoFocus exhibition curated by Artistic Director Kevin Moore. Of the 45 mostly black-and-white gelatin silver prints, 33 were selfies self-portraits. FotoFocus, fotofocusbiennial.org.

LastFest is a weekend-long music festival put on, by and for the young, independently minded music fan at Last House on the Left, a Punk house in Northside. The first night of the completely-DIY event last year featured mostly Hardcore/Metal bands (and an unforgettable final show of the night by Flesh Mother, who didn’t go on until nearly 5 a.m.), while the second night featured a ton of local Hip Hop and Post Punk acts, such as Eugenius, Evolve and Mardou. A whopping 14 bands played each night (hence some of the late start times). The enthusiastic supporters in the crowd and the totally independent group who organized and ran the Fest are what makes Cincinnati’s DIY community such a supportive and diverse group of people. Last House on the Left, 4328 Kirby Ave., Northside. facebook.com/lasthouseontheleft.

You might think you know Bruce Cromer through his many years at the Cincinnati Playhouse as Ebenezer Scrooge. But he demonstrated his versatility and range in An Iliad at Ensemble Theatre, a one-man retelling of Homer’s great epic of the Trojan War. Like a timeless reincarnation of the poet, Cromer bemoaned the devastation and futility of warfare, painting lurid pictures with words and dynamic physicality and bringing the story to life playing heroic Achilles, conscientious Hector, coy Helen of Troy and ambitious Patroclus. Cromer had a great script to work from, but he made it memorable with a stellar performance. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-3555, ensemblecincinnati.org.

For its 2014 summer season, Cincinnati Opera showed how singing and storytelling have evolved across four centuries. At the School for Creative and Performing Arts, audiences had the chance to see a bawdy, laugh-out-loud piece of Baroque entertainment, Francesco Cavalli’s La Calisto (1651). Back at Music Hall, audiences were transported to the First World War’s “Christmas Truce” with a moving production of Silent Night, the winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for music. America’s second-oldest opera company has the formula for giving operagoers a memorable sampling of the art form. Cincinnati Opera, cincinnatiopera.com.

After a half-dozen years of artistic leadership at Know Theatre, Eric Vosmeier handed the keys over to Andrew Hungerford, a CCM master’s grad who has been designing sets for the Jackson Street company since 2007. Vosmeier was an energetic force there, especially pushing the annual Fringe Festival in creative directions and to new heights. The transition was announced late in 2013 and occurred seamlessly during the 2014 summer. Hungerford has brought a new kick of creativity with some new directors, staff and free performances on Wednesday evenings. Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-300-5669, knowtheatre.com.

If you’re looking to see modern dance in Cincinnati, you can count on the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater to deliver the goods. Several times a year, the mid-sized theater of the Aronoff’s trio of venues hosts performances from myriad companies across a broad range of contemporary styles. From local ensembles, such as the Jazz-tinged Exhale Dance Tribe and postmodern MamLuft&Co. Dance, to Contemporary Dance Theater’s Guest Artist Series (featuring national and international companies) and its annual Area Choreographers Festival, the 437-seat venue offers a rather intimate, no-bad-seat-in-the-house space to catch contemporary dance. Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-721-3344, cincinnatiarts.org/aronoff-center.

Music Hall’s little sister, Memorial Hall, the 1908 facility just across from Washington Park, is finally getting the attention needed to make it more attractive and functional. Funds are being lined up for an imminent $7.8 million rehab that will make the place more user-friendly (air conditioning, more contemporary seating and restrooms). Even before that work begins in earnest, the Friends of Memorial Hall put together some great programming — like a “Brews and Blues” evening in January and using the 600-seat hall as a venue for events like the Midpoint Music Festival. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, cincinnatimemorialhall.com.

More than an ordinary dance workout class, DANCEFIX involves community — both within its many scores of die-hard devotees and its occasional flash mobs and other pop-up appearances in support of various local causes. Founded by professional dancer and choreographer Heather Britt, each hour-long class offers participants an intense, engaging aerobic workout with original choreography in myriad styles: Hip Hop, lyrical, Latin, Jazz and more. And it’s a friendly and diverse bunch to boot — a mix of folks of various ages and fitness/dance levels come together not only to work out, but also to have a sweaty blast. DANCEFIX classes are held at Cincinnati Ballet and Yoga Alive Kenwood. Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Academy, 1555 Central Parkway, Downtown, 513-621-5219; Yoga Alive Kenwood, 8110 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 513-834-8043, dancefixcincinnati.com.

Catch Cincinnati Ballet at its most modern in the annual New Works season opener each September. As its name suggests, this program is designed to move dance forward, thanks to a broad range of big-name innovative choreographers, many of whom represent the cutting edge of the international dance scene. Of course, such boundary-pushing choreography demands top talent — enter Cincinnati Ballet dancers’ versatile terpsichorean prowess, which makes it all come alive. Audiences also enjoy the intimacy of these shows in a close-up space. (Until last year, New Works shows had been held in the Ballet’s home studios; now they’re in the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater.) Cincinnati Ballet, 1555 Central Parkway, Downtown, 513-621-5219, cballet.org.

Since downtown’s Mainstay Rock Bar closed down last year, where does one Skee-ball around town? Luckily, dive bar Down Under in Covington has you covered. While there are no Skee-ball leagues like Mainstay had (start your own!), Skee-ball is awesome. While you Skee-ball your parking meter quarters away, indulge in Down Under’s drink specials and watch sports on one of their many TVs. Dean’s Hops & Vines in Cheviot also has your Skee fix, if you happen to be on the West Side. Down Under, 126 Park Place, Covington, Ky., 859-261-9393; Dean’s Hops & Vines, 3722 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 513-515-3215, facebook.com/deanshv. 

It seems like only affluent old people attend the symphony, and one reason is because young people either can’t afford it or have no interest in listening to music that is 200 years old. But for the MusicNOW fest the past two years, Cincinnati-bred/Brooklyn-based group The National played an evening with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at Music Hall. Yes, your fave Indie band appeared at the symphony — National member Bryce Dessner heads up MusicNOW — so suddenly it was cool to be seen among the olds, and tickets were as cheap as $25. MusicNOW, musicnowfestival.org. 

Remember late last year when North Korea (allegedly) hacked into Sony’s database, stole all their info and then brought down the movie The Interview? At this point it’s old news, but let’s not forget when those terrorists caused Sony to cancel screenings of the film. Before Sony overturned its ruling, Esquire Theatre made Cincinnati one of only three cities in Ohio (along with Dayton and Columbus) brave enough to screen the film on opening day (Christmas). The gambit paid off, too — the screenings sold out and peace was temporarily restored to the world. Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-281-8750, esquiretheatre.com. 

Cincinnati has gone through phases of being a “movie town” and then not being able to even get a reality show to film here. With the advent of Ohio tax incentives, the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Film Commission has done its best to bring Hollywood to the Queen City. Since 2011, several major movies have filmed here: Cincinnati area native George Clooney’s The Ides of March; Cate Blanchett’s Carol; Mrs. Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel’s The Blunderer; and Don Cheadle’s Miles Ahead. Openings for the more recent Cincy-filmed movies haven’t been announced yet, but we have a feeling no matter what, Cincinnati will shine on the big screen. filmcincinnati.com. 

No, sorry, your dog howling along to ambulance sirens doesn’t count as a music performance. But a canine that plays treat-baited guitar, Se727, gave a concert at the Cincinnati Main Library’s experimental music series in September. No word yet on an engagement at this year’s Bunbury Music Festival — we hear his tour rider can be pretty demanding (squeaky toys, dog bones and tennis balls, mostly). You can sample the local pooch and his human friends’ music at se727.bandcamp.com.

Libraries everywhere will often put up displays celebrating “Banned Books,” pieces of literature that the prudish think have no place in our society (including such scandalous works as Brave New World, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Hunger Games and, worst of all, the Captain Underpants series). Locally, Steven Kemple of the Cincinnati Main Library’s Popular Library put a humorous spin on the practice, erecting a display spotlighting Band Books — books about Rock bands. We bet there is even some crossover — the debauched Mötley Crüe biography The Dirt would easily fit into both displays. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Main Branch, 800 Vine St., Downtown, 513-369-6900, cincinnatilibrary.org. 

The Bathroom Gallery, in the rear of the Northside building that houses Tacocracy, is just that: A restroom converted to an art gallery. But because it still has toilets, not everyone gets that you’re supposed to do your private business in another bathroom nearby and just use the gallery one to see the art. That necessitated the posting of a one-of-a-kind sign: “Please, no urination or defecation in the gallery.” Bathroom Gallery/Tacocracy, 4029 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-8226, facebook.com/tacocracy. 

Sports bars and “Lite” beer populate the West Side, but Dean’s Hops and Vines is serving craft beer, great bourbons, wines and small bites in the heart of Cheviot. Dean’s is so committed to serving specialty drinks, they don’t even offer Anheuser-Busch beers. Formerly Luckey’s Irish Pub, the space got a fresh facelift and reopened as Dean’s in spring of 2014. The bar hosts regular beer, wine and liquor tastings and pairings. Best of all, escaping a basic beer selection doesn’t mean escaping affordability — prices are reasonable and happy hour specials are a steal. Dean’s Hops and Vines, 3722 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 513-515-3215, facebook.com/deanshv.

A Country music festival seems like a brilliant money-making plan, but organizers of last year’s inaugural Buckle Up Music Festival (the same folks behind the big Alt music fest, Bunbury) did a great job of not just featuring the “big hat” Pop Country acts, showcasing a wide range of more eclectic Americana artists. So Country fans who went to see Alabama or Willie Nelson could also catch (and possibly get turned on to) critically acclaimed Roots acts like The Lone Bellow, Drive-By Truckers and Sturgill Simpson, as well as great locals like Noah Smith, The Tillers and Arlo McKinley. After being purchased (along with Bunbury) by Promowest, the fest will take 2015 off and move from Sawyer Point to Blue Ash’s Summit Park in 2016. buckleupfestival.com.

You know Over-the-Rhine has changed dramatically when visitors to the neighborhood are willing to park north enough on Main Street to throw a rock and hit Liberty. That’s just what is happening today as one of the newest additions to OTR is also one of its northern-most attractions: Liberty’s Bar & Bottle at 14th and Main. Though it is much more wine bar than neighborhood corner store, Liberty’s offers the best of both worlds with 20 rotating craft beers on tap and 15 wines available by the glass — including half-pours — along with 60 bottles of wine and 40 more craft beers in its retail selection. Throw in a sleek space with chalkboard menus and a couple TVs for sports, and Liberty’s can pretty much function as whatever type of drinkery you like best: wine bar, craft beer hall, sports-watching spot or general cool hangout. It’s also a convenient stop before a show at the newly renovated Woodward Theater. Follow Liberty’s Facebook page for updates on rare tappings and the latest wine offerings. Liberty’s Bar & Bottle, 1427 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-429-2461.

The owners of popular Over-the-Rhine music club MOTR Pub know what they’re doing when it comes to putting on a show (Dan McCabe and Chris Schadler are two of the area’s most important booking agents in recent history), so local music lovers had reason to be excited when they took over the 100-year-old building across the street from the club and turned it into the beautiful new Woodward Theater. Since opening in November, the 600-capacity venue has showcased local bands as well as some of the national acts coming through town that have outgrown MOTR’s relatively small stage/room. Bookings so far have included San Fermin, The Church and Barrence Whitfield and the Savages. Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, woodwardtheater.com.

Although Rosemary Clooney’s nephew George is the one making headlines today, the girl singer who grew up in Maysville, Ky., and Cincinnati made her own name back in the ’40s and ’50s. Her rise, fall and comeback were neatly documented in Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical at the Playhouse. It was like a trip back in time at the Cincinnati Playhouse’s intimate Shelterhouse, where performer Susan Haefner wonderfully captured the essence of Rosie’s singing career. Local audiences flocked to see her through the holidays in a twice-extended run to the middle of January. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Mount Adams, 513-421-3888, cincyplay.com. 

If you pay attention to local music, you know there is no particular “Cincinnati sound.” That’s because of not only the diversity of genres that are popular locally, but also because Cincinnati artists (at least the ones with endurance) strive to create something unique and not just mimic the hot band of the day. But a true “sound of Cincinnati” did emerge on the compelling 2014 project Cincinnati Dronescape, whereby several area artists were given field recordings of “found sounds” gathered at various sites around town (for example, from under the Western Hills Viaduct and Brent Spence Bridge). The artists then took the sounds and worked them into unique, ambient compositions and soundscapes, which were compiled for the release. cincinnatidronescape.bandcamp.com.

Someday soon you’ll be able to go to a concert, visit the merch booth and pick up a poster, a T-shirt and … a six-pack of craft beer? A pair of local bands got a head start on the should-be-bigger trend with their own distinct, limited-edition brews. Last year, rockers Ohio Knife teamed up with the Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. to help create Ohio Knife Amber Ale, while Blues crew The Whiskey Shambles worked with the brewers at Rivertown Brewing Company to create Shambling Southward – Dubbel Barrel Blues. ohio-knife.com; whiskeyshambles.com.

Audiences for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra performances have fallen in love with Louis Langrée since his tenure began in 2013. He brings French charm, world-class connections and joie de vivre to his role as the CSO’s 13th music director, and his warm enthusiasm for Cincinnati is cause for celebration. He’s not limiting his impact to Music Hall, either. In January, he spent a day at the nearby School for Creative and Performing Arts coaching 14- to 18-year-old musicians in a rehearsal for Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony.” Afterward he told everyone how much he loves being part of the life of the city. cincinnatisymphony.org.

Never have so many Cincinnati-spawned bands been featured on network television. In 2014 Wussy was featured in a segment on CBS This Morning, Buffalo Killers made their network TV debut on Last Call with Carson Daly, Walk the Moon did Late Night, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Tonight Show in support of its most recent major label release and The Afghan Whigs impressed David Letterman with their performance on his Late Show. 

Ohio’s got the Blues bad/good. Ohio accounted for five of the 16 finalists at the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis (which featured Blues acts from across the globe, including Cincinnati’s The Whiskey Shambles and The Sonny Moorman Group). At the end of the Challenge, Cincinnati-based Blues artist Noah Wotherspoon won “Best Guitarist” honors, while his group came in second in the “Best Group” competition. blues.org.

Though our optimism was cautious when, in 2013, it was announced that local Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia, Inc.) radio station The Project (100.7 FM/106.3 FM) was introducing a new weekly program featuring only local music, we felt much better when it was revealed that cincymusic.com was presenting the program and longtime Cincinnati music fixture Venomous Valdez was hosting. The CincyMusic Spotlight shows (airing midnight on Sundays) have been consistently excellent and even led to local artists being added to The Project’s regular rotation. Even better, in 2014, Northern Kentucky’s WNKU (89.7 FM) picked up the same crew for the CincyMusic Soundcheck program, which airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. You can find links to podcast versions of the shows at cincymusic.com. cincinnatiproject.com; wnku.org.

After a successful comeback tour in 2013, the locally spawned Afghan Whigs bucked the “cash in” reunion trend by not only releasing a new album (Do to the Beast), but releasing a new album that stands with the band’s best material. The group’s only area appearance on its world tour to promote the new release was at the MidPoint Music Festival last September where the band played a great show to an enthused crowd at Washington Park. Singer Greg Dulli said it was their first outdoor show in Cincinnati the band had played since its earliest days, when the group performed in someone’s yard for a party. mpmf.com.

Besides its dwindling popularity amongst younger music fans, local Jazz suffered another big blow in 2014 as the Blue Wisp Jazz Club (which has had various locations since it opened in the ’70s) shuttered the doors of its most recent space downtown on Race Street. But the legendary house band, the Blue Wisp Big Band, didn’t close up shop with its namesake. Fans have followed the band, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, as it has done residencies at clubs like Japp’s in Over-the-Rhine and West Side club The Pirate’s Den. facebook.com/bluewispbigband.

Did you know there are still “jug bands”? Did you know there is a renowned jug band in Cincinnati? Did you know that jug band was recently inducted into the Jug Band Hall of Fame? Well now you do. The long-running Cincinnati Dancing Pigs, who formed in the late ’60s and have played monthly at downtown bar Arnold’s for the past 30-plus years, were inducted into the Jug Band Hall of Fame in September. In early December, the old-timey Americana outfit celebrated with a show at Arnold’s (where else?), where they also released the wildly entertaining new album, Goin’ to Cincinnati. cincinnatidancingpigs.com.

It seems like whenever someone local pops up on one of the many singing competition shows on television, it’s usually a complete unknown. So it was a pleasant surprise to see fantastic local singer Jess Lamb not only audition for the show, but actually make it through to the Hollywood round. Lamb has been a fixture on the local club scene the last few years and performed at the 2013 Cincinnati Entertainment Awards ceremony (a short clip of which was used in her introductory “bio” segment). Alas, inexplicably, Lamb did not make it past “Hollywood Week,” but given her skill and this new exposure, don’t be surprised when she moves on to bigger and better things. jesslamb.com.

Local collector Mary Baskett had loaned her very colorful and avant-garde “pneumatic dress,” designed by Naoki Takizawa for Issey Miyake’s 2000-2001 fall/winter collection, for a 2007 Cincinnati Art Museum exhibition, but it started to leak air after an extended period of being on display and inflated. The museum had long contemplated a restoration/preservation project, but it was finally finished in 2014 by textile conservator Chandra Obie. Baskett proudly wore it at a museum event in August. There have been discussions but no formal commitment about donating this dress to the museum. If that happens, it’s doubtful it would be worn again. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, 513-721-2787, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Last March, University of Cincinnati hosted the second-ever International Zizek Studies Conference, devoted to the theories of Slavoj Zizek, the Slovenian theorist/writer/radical thinker who especially loves film. The dynamic Zizek himself addressed a packed house on the final day, entertaining the crowd with eccentric observations about films ranging from Ashton Kutcher’s The Butterfly Effect to Bela Lugosi’s White Zombie to the campy 2012 flick, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer, which Zizek said he prefers to Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln. zizekstudiesconference.com.

For an October panel discussion at the Cincinnati Main Library about Junior McCants, the late King Records singer whose rare 1967 single “Try Me for Your New Love” netted $15,099 in an auction, the library’s Brian Powers tracked down family members who had no idea that McCants — who died at age 24 before the record could be officially released — had developed such a following among collectors over the decades. Their observations about this, as well as their pleasure at seeing him finally get some attention, made for a touching evening. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Main Branch, 800 Vine St., Downtown, 513-369-6900, cincinnatilibrary.org.

For the Contemporary Arts Center-sponsored presentation in May of poet/dancer/playwright Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s red, black & GREEN: a blues, the actors used a wonderful revolving set designed by artist Theaster Gates that evoked housing in the black communities in which the play was set. Audience members were invited to wander onstage before the show to see the actors and the artful set up close, adding extra levels of depth and intimacy to the show. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-345-8400, contemporaryartscenter.org.

Cincinnati’s Jazz scene is wanting, especially for the kind of exploratory, rigorously creative new music that is not chained to the clichéd everybody-gets-a-polite-solo-on-a-standard approach. One exception is the long-running, somewhat-under-the-radar Loft Society, which in August brought to its Clifton Heights loft studio the great Free Jazz drummer and composer William Hooker, who not only played fantastically, but also emotionally exhorted the crowd to think about the relationship of Jazz to freedom. Hooker then stayed to talk to everyone about the power of music. Events like this are irregular but should be cherished. The Loft Society, 119 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-559-9220, loftsociety.com.

For a November discussion related to the Eyes on the Street photography exhibition at Cincinnati Art Museum, Associate Photo Curator Brian Sholis got both Cincinnati police chief Jeffrey Blackwell and civil rights lawyer Alphonse Gerhardstein to discuss "Art and Privacy" in an age of anxiety, where cameras are recording everything everywhere. For those who remember the Robert Mapplethorpe show, it’s always good to see a law enforcement official at a museum who is not trying to arrest someone. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, 513-721-2787, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

The one-person theatrical adaptation of Joan Didion’s acclaimed memoir The Year of Magical Thinking, an anguished but poetic rumination of the death of her husband and extended (and ultimately fatal) illness of her daughter, is a tough, cathartic project to pull off. But Cate White, who starred in it in December as part of the Cincy One Act Festival of plays at College Hill Town Hall, was magnificent at portraying Didion as she addressed the audience in a small, intimate setting. She was assisted by director Lyle Benjamin, lighting designer Chris Carter and projection designer by Doug Borntrager. It deserved the revival it got this year. cincyoneact.com.

Ken Katkin’s Trash Flow Radio, a staple of WAIF’s Saturday afternoon (3-5 p.m.) programming on the radio dial at 88.3 FM, offers the best Indie/Alt/Experimental rock (and weird asides) since the glory days of late local DJ Michael Riley. Katkin’s playlists are blissfully unpredictable (something rarely if ever said about radio anymore). A recent set list featured Coma in Algiers, Bonnie Prince Billy (covering Hot Chip), Sun Ra, Burl Ives, Human Hearts, Swearing at Motorists and more. He also does great interviews and has an impressive “day gig” as a constitutional law professor at Northern Kentucky University. waif883.org.

Local mixologist/entrepreneur Molly Wellmann is a well-known figure in the local bar/nightlife scene, her tattooed visage having appeared in numerous media over the years, from the TV news to national websites and even cool newspapers like CityBeat. Wellmann has turned her love for booze — and its history — into a growing collection of the area’s best bars and most creative endeavors. Now under the umbrella of Wellmann’s Brands, her ever-expanding craft cocktail empire includes Neons Unplugged, Japp’s Since 1879, The Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar and Myrtle’s Punch House. Wellmann recently announced her latest work: designing a new cocktail menu for local restaurant magnate Jeff Ruby. The menu includes 10 or so recipes created exclusively for Jeff Ruby restaurants, and Ruby’s staff has been trained on the history behind the drinks as well as the meticulous techniques used to create them. Wellmann’s Brands, @Wellmannsbrands on Twitter; Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, jeffruby.com. 

It’s easy to envision oneself putting in a reservation at Kaze OTR for a celebratory dinner or popping into the Japanese gastropub’s beer garden for happy hour during pleasant weather. Nestled among these complimentary spaces is Kaze’s bar area, an almost secret-feeling space in the back that even offers its own separate entrance — just look for the red neon sign reading “BAR” above Kaze’s side door on East 14th Street. What happens in this cozy modern bar area after hours is nothing short of magical, if by magical you mean post-restaurant-hour karaoke craziness in a space that holds its own against even the best contemporary OTR bars. Named one of the city’s top five karaoke nights by Cincinnati Magazine in 2013, Kaze’s Wednesday night sessions are still going strong today. Kaze OTR, 1400 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-898-7991, kazeotr.com. 

Cincinnati's best dining destinations as selected by CityBeat readers.

1. Sotto  
2. Boca  
3. Eli’s BBQ  
4. Jeff Ruby’s Precinct  
5. Bakersfield OTR  
6. Montgomery Inn  
7. The Eagle OTR  
8. A Tavola Bar and Trattoria 
9. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse  
10. Nada 

BEST OTR SAUSAGE HOUSE GIVING SENATE A RUN FOR ITS MONEY 

The go-to place in Over-the-Rhine for housemade sausage is Krueger’s Tavern, a bar and eatery where Lavomatic once held forth. There you’ll find menu items like jagerwurst (“hunting sausage” with lean beef and pork, touches of pepper, garlic and mustard seed) and spicy reddish merguez (a Moroccan lamb sausage sparked up with cumin and chili peppers). Choose from a great selection of canned beers — they brag of 75 varieties — in buckets or in beer cocktails, which you can enjoy inside the eatery or on the rooftop patio come spring. Krueger’s is across the street from Senate, whose gourmet hot dogs must be feeling some friendly competitive heat. Krueger’s Tavern, 1211 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-834-8670, facebook.com/kruegerstavern.  

Since opening a brick-and-mortar version of their popular wood-fired pizza cart last year, Fireside Pizza has been able to attract a crowd to the up-and-coming East Walnut Hills neighborhood. With the family-friendly vibe, old school Ms. Pac-Man game and the fact that it’s located inside an actual historic firehouse, Fireside’s appeal transcends its nicely singed wood-fired pizzas. With more businesses following suit, East Walnut Hills has suddenly become a destination again. And for the area bars that don’t offer food, many allow you to bring in or order a Fireside pie — maybe a White Pie (olive oil, provolone, mozzarella, shaved Parm, rosemary and garlic)? Fireside Pizza, 773 E. McMillan St., East Walnut Hills, 513-751-FIRE, firesidepizzawalnuthills.com. 

The influx of juice bars in Cincinnati is making it easier to be health conscious while still maintaining a certain level of laziness. With the opening of Off the Vine in Over-the-Rhine and The Weekly Juicery in Hyde Park, plus the longstanding Total Juice Plus downtown (in operation since 1997), you can get all the fresh-squeezed or cold-pressed, nutrient-dense juice you need without the hassle of cleaning up the annoying mess a home juicer makes. Order pre-planned cleansing programs from Off the Vine or The Weekly Juicery ($55-$65 per day), featuring homemade nut milks, citrus, root and green juices, and see if you can reset, restore and go three days without chewing. Off the Vine, 1218 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-305-6020, otvcincinnati.com; The Weekly Juicery, 2727 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-0680, theweeklyjuicery.com; Total Juice Plus, 631 Vine St., Downtown, 513-784-1666, totaljuicecincy.com. 

BEST ROAD TRIP EVER 

Take six of the best chefs from Cincinnati — David Cook of Daveed’s NEXT, David Falk of Boca, Julie Francis of Nectar, Jose Salazar of Salazar, Jean Philippe Solnom of French Crust Café, and Stephen Williams of Bouquet Restaurant and Wine Bar — led by arguably the most recognizable chef in town, Jean-Robert de Cavel, plus a gaggle of sous chefs, photographers, PR people, food writers, family, etc., bring them all to New York City to cook at the world-renowned James Beard House and what do you have? Quite possibly the best damn road trip known to man. Last May’s Cincy in NYC was a weeklong showcase of Cincinnati’s performing arts and culture in venues across the Big Apple: the Cincinnati Ballet danced at the Joyce Theater; CCM Jazz alumni performed at Lincoln Center; the Cincinnati Symphony and the May Festival Chorus took the stage at Carnegie Hall; and, of course, our talented chefs showed folks that Cincinnati food is about so much more than chili. cincyinnyc.com. 

BEST REASON TO SPEND CASH ON A COCKTAIL 

Northside bourbon bar and kitchen The Littlefield made a smart move when they brought on former Honey chef Shoshannah Hafner to craft and cook their curated menu of savories and sweets to pair with their bourbon and beer. And while their bourbon selection, which features coveted brands and years like Old Rip Van Winkle’s 10 and 12 year, Old Forester’s vintage-dated Birthday Bourbon and Bulleit’s 10 year, is commendable, so is their effort to raise money for local causes. The bar creates a featured cocktail or flight of the month, with proceeds going to everything from arts organizations to community initiatives. The bar’s February cocktail — the Apple Street Cooptail, with brandy, cherry shrub, house lemonade and soda — benefitted ownership drive efforts for Northside’s Apple Street Market coop; for each drink sold, the bar donated $1. And if that’s not a reason to get drunk, their Mad Anthony (Four Roses with basil simple syrup, house ginger beer and balsamic vinegar) certainly is. The Littlefield, 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 513-386-7570, littlefieldns.com. 

BEST VEGETARIAN BARBECUE 

Don’t misunderstand: Huit Craft BBQ hosted a dinner for Meat Week in January, the eight-day national holiday where a city’s restaurants celebrate barbecue with meat-based meals. And the French-Asian fusion Huit cooks up a fine, spicy tribute to the pig, the chicken and the cow. But their barbecue tofu helps keep those pesky vegetarians happy, and god knows we need joyful vegetarians. This energetic dining spot is bringing new life to Court Street, with good hours for residents, including evenings and Saturdays, and their ramen is a big fat bowl of heaven. And Huit is opening a second location in Corryville this spring. Huit Craft BBQ, 29 E. Court St., Downtown, 513-381-4848, facebook.com/huitasian.

BEST PASTRIES THAT LOOK GREAT BUT TASTE EVEN BETTER 

Cincinnati pastry artist Blair Fornshell does not have her own storefront yet, so she’s relegated to selling her Brown Bear Bakery goods at various locations throughout the city, including at Carabello Coffee and City Flea. Unlike a lot of commercial bakeries in the city, Blair uses all-natural ingredients (no food coloring or preservatives) to create so-beautiful-you-almost-feel-bad-about-eating-them desserts, such as vanilla bean scones, oat flour salty chocolate chip cookies, cacao nib rochers and brown butter cranberry almond streusel muffins. Just check out her Instagram feed (@brownbearbakery) and you’ll fall in love at first sight. brownbearbakes.com. 

BEST MARRIAGE OF LOCAL FOOD AND BREWS 

MadTree Brewing recently formed a permanent relationship with food truck Catch-a-Fire Pizza in the form of a wood-fired in-taproom café, but luckily the brewery will continue to host its popular Hop Up Dinner Series. Hop Ups pair some of the city’s hippest chefs — like Hideki Harada from Kaze, Patrick Hague from Dutch’s and Jose Salazar from Salazar — with MadTree’s rotating 21 brews on draft for a casual dinner. Eat at your own pace, and fill a growler before you head home. (MadTree also offers homemade root beer on tap for the kids and teetotalers who still want good food sans brews.) MadTree Brewing, 5164 Kennedy Ave., Oakley, 513-836-8733, madtreebrewing.com. 

BEST URBAN COVINGTON FARM 

Grassroots cooperative gardening effort Grow the COV takes a different approach to creating food access through not only growing food but also by giving people resources to grow their own and educating the community on where their food comes from. The goal of co-founders Lydia Cook and Gus Wolf is to “create enough noise” that the issue of access to fresh, healthy, affordable food gets heard by the demographic of folks who shop at corner markets and convenience stores. Their agrarian efforts include chicken coops on Orchard Street and goats who groom the hillside at Covington’s Goebel Park. growthecov.org. 

BEST SALAD WRAPPED IN MEAT 

Salads tend to have a bad rap — their main ingredient is usually lettuce. Some call it rabbit food, a palate cleanser or a lean alternative to a hot (real) meal. But La Poste’s prosciutto salad is none of those things. This tasty plate includes pistachio relish, Stilton blue cheese, blackberry vinaigrette — and, yes, fresh spinach — and it all comes neatly enveloped in a dainty slice of the sweet and savory Italian ham. Be sure to ask for a wine pairing suggestion. La Poste, 3410 Telford St., Clifton, 513- 281-3663, laposteeatery.com. 

BEST CULINARY BLIND DATE 

Today, it’s not uncommon to walk into a restaurant ready to order. Diners can look up a restaurant’s menu online in advance, check out some Yelp reviews and scope out dishes on Instagram to figure out what they want to get. But if you can throw all order planning aside, Vitor’s Bistro’s Chef’s Course Menu is a three-, four- or five-course surprise party for your mouth. Just give your food preferences/dietary constrictions (the fewer the better) and chef Vitor Abreu will whip up a memorable meal in an unsuspecting space tucked away in Cheviot. Each dish leaves you eager to see what Vitor will create next. Odds are you’ll find a new favorite dish you never would have ordered in the first place. Vitor’s Bistro, 3232 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 513- 481-5333, vitorsbistro.net. 

BEST WEST SIDE BREWERY WITH A NAUGHTY-SOUNDING NAME 

Get your mind out of the gutter! Tap & Screw, the West Side’s first microbrewery, refers to beer taps, wine corkscrews and the Cincinnati Screw and Tap Company of the 1800s. Another recent addition to the ever-growing list of local beer brewers, Tap & Screw offers its own beers — Irony Belgium, Dr. Kool IPA and Jacked Porter, among others — along with local favorites from Rhinegeist, MadTree, West Sixth and more. Come for drinks and apps with friends or stop by for a quick dinner and bring a growler home (for cheap!). Tap & Screw Brewery, 5060 Crookshank Road, Westwood, 513- 451-1763, tapandscrew.com. 

BEST GUY FIERI QUOTE ABOUT CINCINNATI 

Guy Fieri is no stranger to Cincinnati. The exuberantly bleached culinary hedgehog has taken his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Flavortown everywhere from Northside’s Melt to Corryville’s Island Fryday’s to the ’burbs’ Blue Ash Chili. He even went as far as to devote a show entirely to a single street — Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine — for the first time. The OTR “One Street Wonders” episode aired last year and featured Senate, Bakersfield and Taste of Belgium. All of which Fieri was super psyched on, as judged by his classic comments on Taste of Belgium (“This is the way to get your kid up in the morning on Sunday to have him mow the lawn and wax the car and shave the dog”) and Senate (“Hot Dogs are gangster”). Follow Fieri on Twitter for more gems: @guyfieri. 

BEST WAY TO EAT A BANANA 

So Tom+Chee is kind of a big deal. They’re always on TV, they’re expanding nationwide and their food — from their fancy grilled cheese, tomato soups and salads with grilled cheese croutons — is excellent … especially the Bananarama grilled cheese donut. More than a great ’80s Pop group, this sandwich will have you thinking differently about getting your vitamin B6 (bananas are full of it). Made with caramelized banana and smoked Gouda on a grilled glazed donut, it’s an amazingly delicious and slightly nutritious comfort food. Tom+Chee, multiple locations including 113 E. Court St., Downtown, tomandchee.com. 

BEST FRIED RICE FOR GAMERS 

KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia brings the kitschy charm of New York City’s Chinatown to Covington, Ky., with hanging lanterns, subtitled Kung Fu movies playing on a TV behind the bar and Asian film posters hanging on the tiny dining room’s bright red walls. The food — like the tongue-in-cheekly named Fly Rice and super spicy Dragon’s Breath Wontons — is fresh, with classic Chinese take-out undertones, and their extensive beer list (more than 100 cans, bottles and drafts) is enough to set them apart. But what really takes AmerAsia to the next level are its game nights. The restaurant frequently hosts public video game tournaments in concert with brewing companies, like a 007 competition with Victory Brewing or Super Smash Brothers with Upland Brewing. And with the recent addition of their vintage NBA Jam game cabinet (plus the food, booze and bathroom), there’s really no reason to leave. KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia, 521 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-261-6121, facebook.com/kungfoodchu. 

BEST TEPEE TO EAT INSIDE 

Eating lunch downtown during the workweek can become a bit rote — First Watch, Subway, Panera, repeat. Enter Cheapside Café, a breath of fresh air in the Eighth Street Design District. With a menu featuring kale salads, breakfast sandwiches with pimento cheese and modern espresso drinks (like the bubbly chinotto, with housemade tonic, espresso and soda), along with an interior decked out with a white floor, rustic wood seating and live plants, the ambiance feels decidedly West Coast — especially when you glance at the patio. The focal point of Cheapside’s al fresco seating is a large wooden tepee, constructed out of slatted cedar, in which you can sit at a bright red table while enjoying your smoked turkey on salted rye and locally foraged soda. Cheapside Café, 326 E. Eighth St., Downtown, 513-345-6618, cheapsidecafe.com. 

BEST PLACE TO SHOW OFF YOUR MUSSELS 

On the northeast corner of OTR’s Washington Park you’ll find Zula Restaurant + Wine Bar, a place where you could dine every night for a week and sample a new pot of mussels from a different locale around the world each time. Preparations include classic French (white wine, shallots, garlic), Mediterranean (scallions, peppers, lemon and sundried tomatoes), Thai (coconut milk, lemon grass and ginger) and New Orleans (gumbo flavorings with shrimp and Andouille sausage), among others. But don’t get stuck on the mussels: You’ll miss out on a half-dozen flatbreads and great appetizers like eggplant fries dusted with confectioner’s sugar and a spicy-sour dipping sauce. With the hard-to-pick-just-one variety, this is the kind of place that invites multiple visits. Zula Restaurant + Wine Bar, 1400 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-744-9852, zulabistro.com. 

If you stayed up too late drinking, deciding what to eat for breakfast is really difficult. You need a bit of the hair of the dog, plus food, but having to choose what to ingest for those two separate components is far too taxing on brain cylinders that aren’t completely firing all at once. Enter the Longshoreman’s Bloody Mary at The Anchor-OTR. Far from your ordinary brunch bevvy, this baby is a meal in a glass. A go-to rescue drink, it’s chock-full of everything, including the requisite vodka, tomato juice, pickled veggies and a big ol’ lobster claw (or shrimp or an oyster). It’s a one trick wonder and an excellent hangover cure. The Anchor-OTR, 1401 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-8111, theanchor-otr.com. 

BEST HIGH-CALORIE CORNER 

No matter which way you turn at 14th and Vine streets in Over-the-Rhine, you’ll get caught. Let’s start with Holtman’s Donuts: the maple-glazed donut topped with bacon will get you every time. Then, next door at The Eagle OTR, there’s the best fried chicken on the planet. Hop across Vine to Graeter’s for some raspberry chip after that — or try the raspberry sorbet if you’re starting to feel a tad guilty. Then head west on 14th a few more steps to Brezel pretzel shop for numerous flavors in a twist — cinnamon sugar, dark chocolate chunk and salt, orange thyme, spinach asiago, chipotle cheddar, Italian Parmesan and many more. Because everything’s so delicious, you won’t feel bad about yourself until tomorrow — and maybe not even then; wandering several blocks to different eateries definitely burned off at least some of that donut. holmantsdonutshop.com; facebook.com/theeagleotr; graeters.com; brezelpower.com. 

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT REVIVAL 

Szechuan Garden Bistro in Park Hills, Ky., had become one of those restaurants you would drive past to get to someplace better, no matter how hungry you were. Not anymore. Veteran restaurateur Alex Chin has rescued the Garden, and you owe it to yourself to stop. It still doesn’t look too chic, but who cares when the food is completely fantastic. The standards are there, and they’re done very well, but the ante is upped by Hot Pots, duck dishes and shrimp with candied walnuts. There’s a vast gluten-free menu and vegetarian options like the Fresh Wild Mushroom Trio in Ginger White Wine Sauce, plus attentive service and a full bar. Szechuan Garden Bistro, 1504 Dixie Highway, Park Hills, Ky., 859-491-0505, szechuangardenbistro.com. 

BEST DINER FEATURING ELVIS PARAPHERNALIA 

There are old school diners that try too hard to resurrect the past, and then there are diners that authentically live in the past to the point where you feel like everything is trapped in amber, including yourself. Covington, Ky.’s Rima’s Diner follows the latter logic — in a great way. Elvis paraphernalia exploded inside the restaurant, from knickknacks of Fat Elvis to ephemera of handsome younger Elvis to his vinyl record sleeves hanging on walls. To counterbalance the nostalgic Elvis tinsel, Rima’s threw in some Marilyn Monroe pictures, so you can fixate on both The King and Norma Jean while you stuff your face with pie. Rima’s Diner, 635 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-261-7800, facebook.com/rimasdiner. 

BEST NEW FAST FOOD 

Healthy grab-and-go takeaways are the new drive-thrus, and Cincinnati is full of ’em. Either with the meal-and-market concept like Sprout Market and Eatery in Mount Adams or Picnic and Pantry’s new Over-the-Rhine location, or a restaurant-cum-takeaway like Happy Belly in OTR (pictured), The Gruff in Covington and Fond: Lunch and Deli in Blue Ash, these stops are making it easier to eat fresh food without the hassle of cooking it yourself. Grab a ready-made, local and organically sourced meal at any of these locations for lunch or dinner. And with this many to choose from, it might even be more convenient than finding a McDonald’s. sproutmtadams.com; picnicandpantry.com; facebook.com/happybellyonvine; atthegruff.com; facebook.com/fondorganiclunchanddeli. 

BEST REASON TO GET TO FINDLAY MARKET (OR JUNGLE JIM’S) EARLY 

Quick question: Why doesn’t Blue Oven Bakery have a storefront? They should, but for now you can find them hawking their homemade breads year-round at Findlay Market, Jungle Jim’s and seasonally at various farmers markets. One caveat: You need to arrive to any and all locations early or risk leaving empty handed. Blue Oven frequently sells out of their stock by late morning/early afternoon and it’s easy to see why: Their hearth-baked bread is crusty and fluffy and their buttery English muffins are so good they put all other store brands to shame. Blue Oven Bakery, Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine; Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, blueovenbakery.com. 

BEST COFFEE SHOP INSIDE A BIKE SHOP 

Newport, Ky.’s Reser Bicycle just doesn’t sell bikes — they also sell really good coffee drinks at their coffee outpost Trailhead. It’s currently the only place in town where you can get a whole bag or a cup of Portland-originated Stumptown Coffee, which is like the gold of coffees. Using rotating roasts and Brown Bear Bakery’s salty caramel syrup, they make a great somewhat-sweet drink called The Grizzly (try it). The best part of the shop? Their baristas are knowledgeable and not intimidating like those at some craft coffee joints. Come for the coffee, maybe buy a bike? Trailhead Coffee, 648 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-6187, reserbicycle.com/pages/trailheadcoffee. 

BEST MODERN BANH MI 

Years ago, as a result of Vietnam’s French colonial past, Vietnamese bakers transformed baguettes into an even more interesting bread and called it bánh mì, and shops using this thinner, airier baked bun are all the rage these days. Today the term bánh mì generally refers to a type of sandwich made with the bread and stuffed with pork or pate, cilantro and pickled veggies. The best place locally to try one on for size is Quán Hapa in the heart of Over-the-Rhine (sister restaurant of Findlay Market’s popular bánh mì-serving Pho Lang Thang), where you can get these trendy sandwiches with a modern twist. Each filling has its own specially pickled accent and sauce: chicken with pickled cucumbers and adobo sauce; pork belly with pickled papaya and aioli; and cauliflower with red onions and cashew. They’re available during both lunch and dinner hours at the sleek diner, which offers a variety of Asian street fare and TV screens with anime features. They also now take reservations. Quán Hapa, 1331 Vine St. Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-7826, quanhapa.com. 

BEST HAPPY HOUR SNACK TRAY 

Downtown happy hours are a dime a dozen, but The Presidents Room at The Phoenix separates itself from the mundane by turning average snack food on its head. The bar hosts a happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (weekend happy hour!) and offers something called a “snack tray” for $4.50. It’s comprised of housemade Cheese Nips (cheddar crisps), spicy pistachios, smoked olives and smoked almond brittle, and it fills you up. When’s the last time you had homemade Cheese Nips instead of store-bought ones? Um, yeah. (Also grab an order of their deep-fried biscuits with apple butter or the craft cocktail of the day — just $5 during happy hour.) The Presidents Room at the Phoenix, 812 Race St., Downtown, 513-721-2260, thepresidentsrm.com. 

BEST NORTHERN KENTUCKY FISHMONGER 

The only place to get fresh fish in Northern Kentucky (Kroger does not count) is Afishionados, which is situated inside The Friendly Market. John Lafontaine, the fishmonger, occasionally sells exotic and hard-to-find fish like tilefish, along with his daily staples of prepared foods, seafood dips, soups and Texas caviar (a black-eyed pea and black bean salad). His fish — try the Chilean sea bass and swordfish — is fresh, affordable and sustainable, and he buys a small amount of stock so he doesn’t waste much or sell gross leftovers. Lafontaine easily competes with the big boys at Findlay Market and Whole Foods. In fact, his fish is much better. Afishionados, 10050 Norbotten Drive, Florence, 859-869-4186, a-fish-ionados.com. 

BEST $5 BITE AT A FANCY RESTAURANT 

It’s just a little fried oyster sandwich with kimchi, radish sprouts and garlic mayo, but Salazar’s oyster slider tastes so good you’ll want more. They offer it on both their lunch and dinner menus but only as a bite-sized morsel. Considering it’s only $5 (all of their nibbles are priced between $5-$6), the oyster’s a good deal. What we wouldn’t give for an entire plate of these, but leaving customers wanting more is chef Salazar’s modus operandi. Salazar, 1401 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-621-7000, salazarcincinnati.com.

BEST PLACE TO GET A CHICAGO-STYLE DOG THAT’S NOT CHICAGO 

Chicago is well known for its “Red Hots,” or all-beef frankfurters on poppy seed buns. And as it should be, they’re delicious. But you don’t have to travel some 300 miles just to enjoy one: Mount Lookout’s Wurst Bar in the Square offers the Abe Froman Special, a Chicago-style dog with a twist that will satisfy any sausage-lover’s tummy. The plump all-beef dog is topped with relish, spicy peppers, shaved onion, brown mustard, sauerkraut and fries. It’s a perfect hot mesh of Cincinnati and Windy City cuisine. And, as it’s named after the Sausage King of Chicago, how can you go wrong? Wurst Bar in the Square, 3204 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-321-0615, wurstbarinthesquare.com. 

BEST EXCUSE FOR NOT LEAVING A TIP 

Newport, Ky.’s Packhouse Meats received national attention last year when it started a policy that customers do not tip the waitstaff. Instead, waiters and waitresses get paid either $10 per hour or 20 percent of their food sales — whichever is higher. With all the controversy surrounding tipping these days — the U.S. has a higher suggested tipping percentage (15-20 percent) than any other country — it’s refreshing to know you don’t have to rate someone’s service with cash and that workers receive what’s considered a fair and decent wage regardless. And, oh yeah, their quinoa meatballs are quite good. Packhouse Meats, 1004 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-415-2312, packhousemeats.com. 

BEST BEER FESTIVAL FOR HOP HEADS 

If you lust after bitter, dankly aromatic pale ales and compulsively check your beer’s IBUs, chances are Rhinegeist’s first Hopgeist double IPA festival was a religious experience. The November fest featured rare, hopped-up creations from more than 30 breweries, local and non, like MadTree, Listermann, Jackie O’s, Dogfish Head, Smuttynose and a ton more, plus brats and a special Rhinegeist double IPA homebrew collaboration called Homie. If you missed it last year, don’t worry — the first Hopgeist was super popular and it will be back again in 2015. Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-1367, rhinegeist.com. 

BEST REASON TO RESURRECT YOUR TOT POCKET 

Things seem to come back in style more quickly these days, like how New Kids on the Block is currently on a North American tour with TLC and Nelly. So it makes sense that you’d need to dust off your Napoleon Dynamite impression because tater tots are back — not that they ever necessarily left. The fried potato cylinders are showing up on menus across the city, from the fancier Poutine Supreme at The Rookwood (truffle tots with pork-cheek gravy, pecorino and shishitos) to the Tot Bowl at Lachey’s (pick one of three flavors of tots — jerked spice, garlic Parm or bacon and cheese — served with malt vinegar aioli, cheese sauce and homemade ketchup) to the drunk-food staple at Adriatico’s, where you can stuff your face with a basket of tots covered in cheese, bacon or pizza toppings. You gonna eat your tots? therookwood.com; lacheys.com; adriaticosuc.com. 

BEST EPICUREAN BEER BREWER 

People often use “food” words to describe the taste of wine and beer — a jammy red wine, a bready lager — but few alcohol producers take the designation as literally as Blank Slate Brewing Company. Scott LaFollette, the man behind the small-batch draft-only brewery, is no stranger to unique flavors. He incorporates ingredients designed for food pairings into his beers, like in his popular Shroominous brown ale, made with shiitake mushrooms. More recently, he collaborated on a Cincy 3-Way Porter with Colorado’s Oskar Blues Brewery to play on the flavor of Cincinnati chili (even going so far as to add a ceremonial can to the batch) and on an Opera Cream Stout with local bakery the BonBonerie. Skip lunch and try LaFollette’s latest creations in the freshly opened Blank Slate PourHouse taproom. Blank Slate Brewing Company, 4233 Airport Road, Unit C, East End, 513-979-4540, blankslatebeer.com. 

BEST PLACE FOR A SUB NAMED AFTER A NEW YORK BOROUGH OR MONUMENT 

If you want a taste of the Big Apple, travel no further than to Mount Washington, specifically to the family-owned New York NY Deli on Beechmont Avenue. The menu features delicious 6- or 12-inch subs made with New York-style recipes, and each sub features a Big Apple name, such as the Midtown Club, the Empire State or the Bronx Bomber. Lady Liberty, a chicken breast sub topped with bacon, Havarti cheese, ranch dressing, honey mustard, lettuce, tomato and onion is especially coma-inducing. In addition to its subs, the menu features breakfast items (including 10-inch breakfast burritos), gourmet sandwiches and housemade soups. New York NY Deli, 2210 Beechmont Ave., Mount Washington, 513-233-3354, nynydeli.com. 

BEST STEAK FOR TWO — OR THREE OR FOUR 

Downtown’s intimate underground trattoria Sotto is well known and well lauded for its collection of delicious housemade pasta (oh to be buried in a pile of their tonnarelli cacio e pepe). But they have an equally ravenous cult following for their meat dishes, including the Bistecca Fiorentina. The huge 1-kilogram grilled Creekstone porterhouse steak comes sliced along the bone on a platter, with daily sides. For $85, it’s a dish to share con la famiglia — you just may have to fight over who gets to gnaw on the bone. Sotto, 118 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-977-6886, sottocincinnati.com. 

BEST SWEET AND SAVORY CHICKEN PIE 

Moroccan cuisine, a mix of Berber, Andalusian and Mediterranean influences, intersects with the idea of what Americans generally consider “Middle Eastern” food — falafel, hummus, gyros, baba ganoush, etc. Marrakech Moroccan Café and Grill in Clifton meets those preconceived notions and expands them with dishes you can’t find anywhere else in the city. The chefs, who hail from Marrakech, serve up Mediterranean staples, plus a variety of tajines, flavorful stews slow-cooked in a conical earthenware pot, and bastilla, a sweet and savory chicken pie layered with scrambled eggs, shredded chicken, caramelized onions, ground almonds, confectioners sugar and cinnamon. Don’t miss out on the Moroccan tea, a sweet green tea with fresh mint served with a kind hospitality you’d expect dining in someone’s home. Marrakech Moroccan Café and Grill, 341 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-442-2233, marrakech1.com. 

BEST MIDNIGHT SANDWICH DELIVERY (WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF DOWNTOWN AND CLIFTON) 

There’s something to be said for late-night food delivery when you’re too drunk or too lazy to drive … obviously. And Gilpin’s Steamed Grub recently jumped in on the post-dinner delivery action. If you really need a steamed sandwich — like their My Cousin Vinny, with pepperoni, ham, bacon, banana peppers, jalapeno, cheese and barbecue chips on a pretzel bun — a steamed burger or a really creative vegetarian snack (with a lot of cheese, cream cheese and avocado) at like 11 p.m. on a Sunday, they’ve got you covered. Alternately, if you can convince someone to drive you to either the Clifton or downtown location, which are open until 3 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, you can get the Doritos sandwich off the drunk menu, with turkey, cheese, lettuce, honey mustard, dressing and Doritos — nacho cheese or Cool Ranch. Gilpin’s Steamed Grub, 2504 W. Clifton Ave., Clifton; 37 E. Seventh St., Downtown, eatgilpins.com. 

BEST BUFFET TO CARBO-LOAD ON INJERA AND NAAN 

One genius way to set yourself apart in Cincinnati’s sea of Indian restaurants is by serving Ethiopian food. Elephant Walk Injera & Curry House boasts a large, double-sided menu — Northern Indian on one side, traditional Ethiopian on the other. The Indian side has your standards, plus wraps — chicken tikka, spiced lamb or paneer, cauliflower and potatoes wrapped in wheat roti. And the Ethiopian side — which is all-gluten free, and the veggie choices are also all vegan — covers all the bases and has a nice selection of combo platters for meat eaters, vegetarians and omnivores. But what’s really awesome (besides the 3-7 p.m. daily half-price bottles of wine, which includes organic Ethiopian wine) is the 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily lunch buffet. It has both Ethiopian and Indian dishes, so you can sample all you can eat of both country’s cuisines and gorge yourself on naan and injera. Elephant Walk Injera & Curry House, 170 W. McMillan, Clifton, 513-526-1555, elephantwalkcincy.com.

1. Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine 
2. Dr. Sheng 
3. Tiny Needle 

1. SPCA Cincinnati 
2. Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP) 
3. OAR: Ohio Alleycat Resource 

1. Ohio Valley Antique Mall 
2. Duck Creek Antique Mall 
3. Wooden Nickel Antiques 

1. Michaels 
2. Hobby Lobby 
3. Rock Paper Scissors 

1. Cheers To Art 
2. Painting with a Twist 
3. Funke Fired Arts 

1. Jeff Wyler Honda 
2. Honda East 
3. Kings Toyota 

Auto Repair Service 

1. Donovan’s Auto & Tire Center 
2. Bob Sumerel Tire 
3. Tire Discounters 

1. Fifth Third Bank 
2. PNC Bank 
3. Huntington 

1. Kings Court Master Barber & Shoe Shine Service 
2. Gil’s Barber Shop 
3. Sports Clips 

1. Montgomery Cyclery 
2. Reser Bicycle Outfitters 
3. Spun Bicycles 

1. Joseph-Beth Booksellers 
2. Barnes & Noble 
3. Half Price Books 

1. Blue Manatee 
2. Ohio Book Store 
3. The Booksellers on Fountain Square 

1. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
2. The Party Source 
3. Dutch’s 

1. MiCA 12/v 
2. Park + Vine 
3. HighStreet 

1. Pretty Pony Boutique 
2. Seventh Street Gifts 
3. It’s Only Fair 

1. Kismet 
2. Pomegranate & Lime 
3. Urban Chick Boutique 

1. LouLou’s 
2. Edgewood Designs 
3. Broadhope Art Collective 

1. Dandy Haberdashery 
2. Pangaea Trading Co. 
3. NVISION 

1. The Pink Box 
2. Mim’s Off Main 
3. Art On/Off Symmes 

1. Avril-Bleh & Sons 
2. Eckerlin Meats 
3. Humbert’s Meats 

1. Dodd Camera 
2. Best Buy 
3. Western Hills Photo & Hobby 

1. Mike’s Carwash 
2. AAA Auto Wash (formerly Rainbow Car Wash) 
3. Johnny’s Car Wash 

1. Funky’s Catering 
2. Vonderhaar’s Catering 
3. eat well celebrations and feasts 

1. Shake It Records 
2. Everybody’s Records 
3. Phil’s Records 

1. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
2. JE Gibbs Cheese & Sausage at Findlay Market 
3. Silverglades 

1. Once Upon A Child 
2. The Spotted Goose 
3. Castle House 

1. Norwood Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center 
2. Dr. Allan Byrne 
3. Dr. Mark King at Mt. Lookout Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center 

1. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
2. The Party Source 
3. Dutch’s 

1. Coffee Emporium 
2. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
3. Lookout Joe 

1. Queen City Comic and Card Company 
2. Comic Book World 
3. Rockin’ Rooster Comics & Games 

1. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
2. The Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State 
3. The Learning Kitchen 

1. Cappel’s 
2. Costume Gallery (Newport) 
3. Casablanca Vintage 

1. Kemba Credit Union 
2. G.E.Credit Union
3. Cinfed 

1. Cincinnati Ballet Academy 
2. DANCEFIX 
3. Revere Dance Studio 

1. Vita Dental 
2. Cincinnati Dental Services 
3. Advanced Family Dentistry 

1. Trotta’s Pizza 
2.  Dutch’s 
3. City Beverage of Hyde Park 

1. Widmer’s Cleaners 
2. Springdale Cleaners 
3. Kroner Dry Cleaners 

1. Best Buy 
2. Apple Store 
3. Micro Center 

1. LensCrafters 
2. Wing Eyecare 
3. Thoma & Sutton 

1. Fidelity Investments 
2. Edward Jones 
3. Merrill Lynch 

1. Adrian Durban 
2. Robin Wood 
3. H.J.Benken 

1. Frameshop OTR 
2. Michaels 
3. Fabulous Frames & Art 

1. Keegan’s Seafood 
2. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
3. Lobsta Bakes of Maine 

1. IKEA 
2. Furniture Fair 
3. HighStreet 

1. MiCA 12/v 
2. Park + Vine 
3. indigenous 

1. Kroger 
2. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
3. Findlay Market 

1. European Wax Center 
2. Woodhouse Day Spa 
3. Ideal Image 

1. Parlour 
2. CoCo Creative Wellness 
3. Greenline Salon 

1. Ace Hardware 
2. Lowe’s 
3. Home Depot 

1. Whole Foods Market 
2. Park + Vine 
3. Findlay Market
 

1. Planet Fitness 
2. YMCA 
3. LA Fitness 

1. IKEA 
2. HomeGoods 
3. Bed Bath & Beyond 

1. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 
2. Christ Hospital 
3. Good Samaritan Hospital 

1. 21c Museum Hotel 
2. Hilton Cincinnatian Netherland Plaza 
3. The Cincinnatian Hotel 

1. Amrein Diamonds 
2. Joseph Faigle & Sons Jewelers 
3. Richter & Phillips 

1. Scott Knox 
2. Frost Brown Todd 
3. Dinsmore & Shohl

1. IKEA 
2. HighStreet 
3. Switch Lighting & Design 

1. Knickers of Hyde Park 
2. Victoria’s Secret 
3. Hustler Hollywood 

1. The Party Source 
2. DEP’s Fine Wine & Spirits 
3. Jungle Jim’s International Market 

1. Joseph-Beth Booksellers 
2. Cincinnati Public Library 
3. Barnes & Noble 

1. Kenwood Towne Centre 
2. Rookwood Commons 
3. Crestview Hills Town Center 

1. Deluxe Nails on Camargo 
2. Ambiance Nail Salon & Spa 
3. Woodhouse Day Spa 

1. Martial Arts America 
2. Cincinnati Taekwondo Center 
3. Vision Mixed Martial Arts 

1. Woodhouse Day Spa 
2. Massage Envy 
3. Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa 

1. Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati 
2. Eastgate Harley-Davidson 
3. Powder Keg Harley-Davidson 

1. Buddy Roger’s 
2. Guitar Center 
3. Willis Music 

1. Rookwood Commons 
2. Over-the-Rhine 
3. Hyde Park Square 

1. Natorp’s 
2. A.J. Rahn Greenhouses 
3. Burger Farm & Garden Center 

1. REI 
2. Benchmark Outfitters 
3. Bass Pro Shops 

1. Sherwin-Williams 
2. Home Depot 
3. Lowe’s 

1. Ted’s Pawn 
2. Facet Jewelry, Music & Pawn 
3. Newport Pawn Shop 

1. Cincy 360 Fitness 
2. CrossFit Cincinnati 
3. WieFIT 

1. The Pet Spot 
2. Animal Care Centers Cincinnati 
3. Red Dog Pet Resort & Spa 

1. The Pet Spot 
2. PetSmart 
3. Animal Care Center Cincinnati 

1. PetSmart 
2. Pet People 
3. Pet Wants 

1. Group Health Associates 
2. Christ Hospital 
3. Mercy Health Physicians 

1. Beelistic
2. Skincraft 
3. Mothers 

1. Pendleton Pilates 
2. The Breathing Room 
3. CORE a Movement Studio 

1. Good Samaritan Hospital 
2. Christ Hospital 
3. Bethesda North Hospital 

1. Park + Vine 
2. Findlay Market 
3. Whole Foods Market 

1. Mandell-Brown Plastic Surgery Center 
2. Dr. Kurtis Martin at Cincinnati Plastic Surgery 
3. The Plastic Surgery Group 

1. Sibcy Cline 
2. Comey & Shepherd 
3. Coldwell Banker/West Shell 

1. DSW 
2. Bob Roncker’s Running Spot 
3. Nordstrom 

1. Woodhouse Day Spa 
2. Sephora 
3. 501 Salon & Spa


 

1. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
2. Hemptations 
3. Straus Tobacconist 

1. Dick’s Sporting Goods 
2. REI 
3. Bass Pro Shop 

1. Palm Beach Tan 
2. Envy Tan 
3. Planet Fitness 

1. Designs by Dana 
2. Beelistic 
3. Mothers 

1. Churchill’s Fine Teas 
2. Essencha Tea House 
3. Teavanna 

1. Snooty Fox 
2. Once Upon A Child 
3. Legacies 

1. Casablanca Vintage 
2. Chicken Lays An Egg 
3. Hi-Bred 

1. Tire Discounters 
2. Bob Sumerel 
3. Costco 

1. Straus Tobacconist
2. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
3. Covington Tobacco 

1. King Arthur’s Court Toys 
2. Toys “R” Us 
3. Johnny’s Toys 

1. Cincy Vapors 
2. Bluegrass Vape 
3. AltSmoke 

1. Animal Care Centers 
2. The Animal Hospital on Mt. Lookout Square 
3. Banfield Pet Hospital 

1. Trix & Treats Sweets 
2. The BonBonerie 
3. Fantasy in Frosting 

1. Bridal & Formal 
2. David’s Bridal 
3. Donna Salyers’ Fabulous-Bridal 

1. 20th Century Theatre 
2. Bell Event Centre 
3. Drees Pavilion 

1. Jungle Jim’s International Market 
2. DEP’s Fine Wine & Spirits 
3. The Party Source 

1. Verizon 
2. AT&T 
3. Sprint 

1. The Yoga Bar 
2. Modo Yoga 
3. Simply Power Yoga 

Cincinnati's best shopping and service destinations as selected by CityBeat staff.

It’s refreshing both literally and figuratively that floral arranging has transitioned from a tightly puckered ’80s roses-and-baby’s-breath-equal-high-class-fancy philosophy to something organic, ethereal and loose, utilizing herbs, wildflowers and natural branches (see Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Saipua). Locally, Una Floral is bringing a breath of fresh air to the world of arranging. Graphic-designer-turned-florist Patricia Duque Campos uses her training in color and composition to create beautifully wild bouquets, centerpieces and wreaths, combining textural elements like rose hips and eucalyptus with unique florals like pincushion protea, scabiosa pods and pale ranunculus. The result is both soft and expansive. Duque Campos frequently does pop-up flower markets with Fern, and is also available for weddings. Una Floral, unafloral.com.

Roebling Point Books and Coffee is a bookstore, coffee shop and community gathering place, and its outdoor chalk wall is the place to read the most uplifting graffiti in town. Roebling Point is the best place to find local hiking and outdoor guides, along with a well-curated collection of fiction, history, kids books and more. It’s founded by Richard Hunt, publisher at local Keen Communications, who believes that by reading, reasoning and reflecting we lift one another up and become our own best selves. Plus caffeine, which can’t hurt, either. Roebling Point Books and Coffee, 306 Greenup St., Covington, Ky., 513-607-1206, facebook.com/roeblingpointbooksandcoffee.

Thanks to trendsetters like Kim K., neutral colors and minimalistic looks have been duplicated by and injected into the commercial clothing market. If you are wearing all black or nude this season, dress it up! The Little Mahatma has extraordinary, high quality accessories with deep spiritual meaning. The shop sells local, recycled and fair trade jewelry and goods from across the street and around the globe. Add a statement to your look with a delicately crafted turquoise, coral and copal Tibetan silver-plated brass ring. They also carry handmade baskets from Centre for Sustainable Development, a nonprofit in Ghana. This women-empowering buy will keep a girl in school. The Little Mahatma, 1205 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-723-1287, thelittlemahatma.com.

Brian Stuparyk operates a vintage letterpress by foot from his Over-the-Rhine shop Steam Whistle Letterpress. A far cry from Hallmark’s mass-produced greeting cards, Steam Whistle creates paper goods one card at a time, one color at a time. Just in time for the 2014 holidays, Stuparyk and artist Ashley Kroninger produced a Cincy-themed activity book, Cincinnati Book-O-Fun. The book is full of local jokes and tidbits — and crayons! — for kids and adults alike. Browse Steam Whistle’s one-of-a-kind cards and more at local shops like Rock Paper Scissors and MiCa 12/v. Steam Whistle Letterpress, 1342 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-621-6800, steamwhistlepress.com.

Jill of all trades Wanda Kay was once a Country singer, but today she has a penchant for magic. Kay moved her Wilder, Ky., ghost shop, Wanda Kay’s, into Newport’s Gambling Museum, where you can buy mystical items such as dreamcatchers, incense and goblin figurines or “consult” with her and a staff of psychics and tarot card readers about your future. Kay also investigates hauntings and gives paranormal tours of the supposedly spirit-filled museum, showing guests where the Newport gangsters did their biddings. Basically, she’s a female Ghostbuster. Wanda Kay’s Ghost Shop, 602 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-291-1689, facebook.com/wandakaysghostshop.

For dog owners, a pup is more than a pet — it’s a family member. For those who want to flaunt, brag and show off their adorable canine friend, Cards For Canines is the perfect avenue to boast for a good cause. Choose from an assortment of one-of-a-kind handmade prints or simply submit a photo of your own furry friend and they’ll create a custom set of illustrated cards. All proceeds go toward no-kill shelters in the Cincinnati area, so you can have a healthy obsession with your own dog while simultaneously supporting a rescue dog and the shelters that house them. Purchase an order through Etsy and email your photos to [email protected]. etsy.com/shop/cardsforcanines.

It’s hard to believe a thriving neighborhood like Clifton has been without a full-scale grocery store since IGA closed a few years ago. Clifton’s denizens struggled to find sundries until Clifton Natural Foods moved from McMillan Street to the Gaslight District, giving Cliftonians a much-needed place to shop. It’s not just a typical store, as its bread and butter, so to speak, is health food. Bob and Aline Craig sell everything from vitamins and organic produce to local milk, snack foods and Sixteen Bricks breads. The new store is smaller than their former one, but it packs a mighty punch of good food and cheer. Clifton Natural Foods, 336 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-961-6111, cliftonnaturalfoods.com.

Work out and Zen out at The Breathing Room, a Pilates and yoga studio that gives the (literal) full-body experience. Its unique classes strengthen both the body and the mind, with core aligning Pilates equipment and restorative yoga and meditation practices. “Be at one” with a hot bod and a peaceful disposition while practicing in a beautiful space. Get toned, tight, sculpted and centered with help from knowledgeable and personable instructors. The Breathing Room, 2128 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-321-4433, thebreathingroom.com.

Is MiCA 12/v a gift shop or an art gallery? Does it really matter? You’ll find thoughtfully curated goods in the shop at the corner of 12th and Vine, right in the midst of Over-the-Rhine’s restaurant mecca — a location it settled into even before the neighborhood took off. Many of the items for sale are created by Cincinnati artists — like Ephemera temporary tattoos by Aurore Fournier — but Mike and Carolyn Deininger also explore pottery, dishes, home décor, toys, cards and more by artists and independent designers from far beyond the Tristate. It’s a great place to browse, and you can set up wedding and baby gift registries if that’s your thing. MiCA 12/v, 1201 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-533-1974, shopmica.com.

Greg, Mark and Jason are the personable guys at Whities Car Care in Walnut Hills, a shop specializing in servicing and preventative maintenance. The business has been at it for more than 70 years; today they focus on vehicles from Asian manufacturers, emphasizing the quality of their work and doing exactly what you need — no more. It’s like having your car-savvy brother or dad work on your car. They care about customers and even maintain a few beaters you can borrow for free on the day they’re getting your wheels back in shape. Whities Car Care, 1701 Madison Road, Walnut Hills, 513-221-1666, whitiescarcare.com.

Putting the finishing touches on a room in your home? Nothing ties a room together like incorporating a sophisticated touch of culture. Hanamiya Shop provides a variety of fine quality porcelain and accessories originating in Japan, though it often highlights local artists and craftsmen — earlier this year, the shop featured ceramics by Cincinnati artist Ayako Lightning. Hanamiya also offers origami classes and a Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) workshop to take your experience even further. Follow the shop on Facebook for the latest on Japanese cultural events around town. Hanamiya Shop, 7795 Cooper Road, Montgomery, 513-891-8738, hanamiyashop.com.

Looking for clothing that tells a story? You’ll find it at Homage. The shop got its start in Columbus with Ohio State University imagery on T-shirts, but fear not: At its Over-the-Rhine shop, Cincinnati is the focus, with vintage tees representing sports teams from UC and XU plus many more ways to show your allegiance and pride in a hip, low-key way. Ohio University, Miami University, UK and IU fans can find ways to show off, as there are miscellaneous items from “Surf Ohio” skateboarding gear to vintage sports posters. Be cool. Homage, 1232 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-834-7205, homage.com.

Since 1937, the friendly folks at Atlas Dry Cleaners have been making Northern Kentuckians and Cincinnatians look good. They provide full-service dry cleaning and laundry services at competitive prices, plus free pick-up and delivery services if you can’t make it to their landmark location with the cool marquee within a stone’s throw of Newport on the Levee. They’ll recycle your hangers and even offer reusable garment bags. And you can pick up a Tootsie Roll while they chase down your duds. Atlas Dry Cleaners, 328 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-9745, atlasdrycleaners.com.

Stroll up Main Street in Over-the-Rhine and wander into Iris BookCafé, a modest eatery with all-natural ingredients and locally roasted coffee. Check out vintage books — shelves and shelves of them — there for the browsing and purchase: architecture, art, philosophy, literature, drama, film, cooking, Americana, children’s books and titles in numerous foreign languages (including Polish!). Pull a volume off a shelf and get lost in it, lingering at a quiet table with a cup of tea or coffee or sitting outside in the magical urban garden when the weather is right. And don’t forget to check out the current photography exhibit on display. Iris BookCafé, 1331 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-2665, irisbookcafe.com.

Want to put a fresh yet old-fashioned spin on your wedding photo setup — or even your reception? Farmhouse chic or Midcentury quirky? Queen City Vignette offers for rent a dizzying array of vintage furnishings, floral china, props and more, from the eclectic to the extravagant. Think velvet Victorian loveseats or thrones, ’70s butterfly chairs, unique banquet tables and seating, plus rather surprising items such as globes and trophy deer heads. Not only can founders Amber Zaragoza and Emma Durham create whatever look you might desire, their environmental styling services and “library of curiosities” are also available for photo shoots and events of all kinds. Queen City Vignette, 2530 Spring Grove Ave. Unit 3G, Camp Washington, 513-813-VTG1, queencityvignette.com.

As in physical therapy, not help with substance abuse (dogs don’t even know how to use money to buy drugs). MedVet, typically classified by public perception as a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital, also houses a team of highly specialized doctors with focuses in oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology, surgery and rehabilitation. Their physical rehab program, for post-surgery, after an accident or to manage a chronic condition (from arthritis to paralysis), is unparalleled in Cincinnati. Their fantastic team, led by certified canine rehabilitation practitioner Shawn Zimmermann, creates an individualized therapy plan for your pet, which blends passive and active range of motion exercises you can do at home with in-office cold laser therapy, massage therapy and one of the only aquatic treadmills in town. Exercising on the treadmill helps pets build strength and endurance in a warm, low-impact aquatic setting. MedVet also has a strong focus on holistics, with options for herbal painkillers to complement your pet’s pain management plan. MedVet, 3964 Red Bank Road, Fairfax, 513-561-0069, medvetforpets.com.

If you, a family member or a friend faces a cancer diagnosis, the next stop should be Cancer Support Community of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky (CSC). Now in its 25th year, CSC offers more than 200 free programs per month in locations throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, everything from tai chi to life planning, healthy eating and traditional support groups for adults, couples and children. CSC staff and its counselors understand that cancer is more than a shock; it’s a plethora of emotions along with information overload. They’re compassionate, concerned and helpful. And all of CSC’s programs are free. Cancer Support Community of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, 4918 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, 513-791-4060, cancersupportcincinnati.org.

Searching for the perfect piece of jewelry that is both unique and wearable on an everyday basis? Libby Andress designs and crafts her own line of minimalist silver jewelry — and occasionally gold or other mixed metal — and sells it in her namesake Libby boutique, alongside a huge selection of fun and ridiculously affordable costume baubles, plus a few other hand-crafted jewelry lines. The Cincinnati native, who attended New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and studied metal-smithing at Rhode Island School of Design, is inspired by classic modernist artists — Alexander Calder, for one. Tip: Ask Libby which designs are hers. She also does repairs and custom orders. Libby, 1420 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-409-4256, facebook.com/shoplibby.

Clarence Howell has been repairing shoes for more than 35 years and he’s a life master. After relocating from Walnut Hills to St. Bernard, his shop now calls Pleasant Ridge home. Howell is meticulous in his work and lavishes the same care on others’ shoes as he does on his own. Howell does the standard stuff beautifully, but he stands out as the go-to guy for shoes or a purse that needs extra TLC. The only thing that outshines the repaired leather is Howell’s delightfully warm smile. Stop by during Pleasant Ridge’s monthly Shop Hop weekend for a discount on orders. Clarence Howell Shoe Repair, 6089 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-531-7463, clarencehowellshoerepair.com.

Visiting an aquarium might call to mind childhood fieldtrips or awkward first dates, but what about shopping? The Underwater Trading Co. inside the Newport Aquarium has numerous neat souvenirs, special gifts and collector’s items. Expect standard aquarium memorabilia in addition to hats, jewelry and one of the largest collections of plush critters. Want to shop without visiting the aquarium? Cheat. We won’t tell. All Newport on the Levee guests are welcome to stop in and shop without purchasing a ticket for the aquarium. The Underwater Trading Co., One Aquarium Way, Newport, Ky., 859-815-1444, newportaquarium.com. 

Who says you need to visit an expensive salon to get your hair did? Covington’s Greenline Salon feels fancy while offering reasonable prices (about $35-$50 for women’s cuts; less for men) and nice pampering perks. The prices include a wash, a mini-facial or hand and arm massage, a style and a drink. Refer a friend and you’ll both get $10 off. The facial or arm massage occurs at every single visit and adds a relaxing touch. And the people who work there are hip, friendly, knowledgeable and do hair right. Greenline Salon, 201 W. Sixth St., Covington, Ky., 859-292-8111, greenlinesalon.com.

With snow days seemingly increasing by the year, it’s more crucial than ever for parents to have a backup plan to keep their kids engaged for a few hours. Totter’s Otterville, an educational entertainment center geared toward children through second grade, provides classes that incorporate teaching, developing social skills and fun. It’s all in one place and for the whole family to enjoy. Relax before or after programs at the café and enjoy the many menu options. Totter’s also offers birthday parties and group discounts for daycares, scout troops, camps and more. Totter’s Otterville, 4314 Boron Drive, Covington, Ky., 859-491-1441, tottersotterville.com. 

Simply put, founder Moe Rouse takes the term “charity shop” to a whole new level. Far from an ordinary secondhand store, Mannequin Boutique stocks an amazingly eclectic array of gently used and vintage high-quality and designer clothing, shoes and accessories for women (alongside a smaller menswear selection). The best part of all? The store’s proceeds benefit area charities, such as Caracole, Freestore Foodbank and Tender Mercies, among others. We almost don’t want to let others in on this semi-secret treasure trove of unique items, but then again it is all for a good cause. Mannequin Boutique, 1311 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-813-3982, mannequinboutique.org. 

Dr. Robert Biederman, founder of the Plum Street Pet Clinic, is an excellent downtown vet who treats dogs, cats and “pocket pets” in the Tristate area. “Dr. Bob” is noted for his compassion and the special personal connection he forms with his patients and their pets to make sure he meets the needs of his clients. He shares his encyclopedic knowledge of all things pets on his weekly radio program on WMKV, Our Best Friends. Plum Street offers surgery, endocrinology, dental care and even acupuncture for pets. Plum Street Pet Clinic, 427 Plum St., Downtown, 513-961-1110, plumstreetpet.com.

Artist and potter Christie Goodfellow is the mastermind behind CGCERAMICS. She wheel-throws beautiful, earthy and super on-trend plates, bowls and mugs with a clean aesthetic that references Midcentury Modern, Japanese and Scandinavian design. Her stoneware (which culinary pop-up Please used as plateware for its dinner series) is finished with warm and natural colors and glazes, like her everyday bowl in a waxy, translucent white, or her sepia-toned dessert plates with a one-sided sheen. Imbibing from a CG cup and saucer will elevate your morning coffee to a Zen experience. Available at MiCA 12/v, Park + Vine, Fern and cgceramics.etsy.com. CGCERAMICS, cgceramics.net.

Riverside Centre Antique Mall features more than enough for any antique explorer’s dreams. On any given day one might find Coca-Cola memorabilia, movie posters, vintage hats and repurposed items ranging from jewelry chests to lamps amongst a whole plethora of other items, but that’s only scratching the surface of what this place has to offer. This 30,000-square-foot space stocks up on new items regularly, and it’s not just for the weekend crowd. Serious pickers and casual browsers alike can enjoy this jaunt down memory lane seven days a week. Riverside Centre Antique Mall, 3742 Kellogg Ave., East End, 513-321-1430, riversidecentreantiques.com.

According to Parks and Recreation’s Ron Swanson, the three most important people in a man’s life are his barber, his butcher and his lover. With more than 120 years of experience, the folks at Avril-Bleh & Sons Meat Market should be able to fill one of those voids (we can’t speak to their hair-cutting abilities or romantic status). The shop offers a vast selection of cheeses and deli meats (the finest cuts of beef, pork and chicken, plus a wide variety of sausages and cold cuts), but they also deliver on the meals they prepare themselves. Order burgers, wraps, soups or salads for lunch; they even have breakfast foods, which would definitely please Mr. Swanson. Avril-Bleh & Sons Meat Market, 33 E. Court St., Downtown, 513-241-2433, avril-blehmeats.com.

There are probably a lot of people out there still trying to convince themselves to keep their New Year’s resolution by working out. It’s difficult to find a local gym that has a fair membership fee and also offers support and doesn’t judge its members. That’s where Hero Gym comes in. Entering its fifth year of fitness services, this gym promises to help get you started on your road to better health at decent prices and offers social support through thoughtful direction and by keeping it “meathead” free. Hero Gym, 4025 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-307-9666, facebook.com/herogym.

If you’re a fan of all things feline or are shopping for someone who is, Confetti Cats boutique carries all sorts of cat-related goodness in a space where you can surely expect to find a few neighborhood cat enthusiasts. Peruse everything from cat toys, collars, food, gifts and more, all encompassed within one cat paradise. There are even human items like T-shirts, socks and jewelry for the proudest cat lovers who aren’t afraid to show it. Also, what’s a cat store without a true cat? Be greeted by the two cats that run rampant around the store’s parameter. Go visit right meow! Confetti Cats, 3184 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-533-9996, confetticats.com. 

Good quality, gently used merchandise sold for a good cause awaits your arrival at Treasures 4 Charity Shop. When stepping into the shop, you’ll find some of the best deals tied to life’s finer reward of helping others. The upscale shop sells donated and consigned items, and 70 percent of its proceeds go to six charities in the Cincinnati area. Look for everything from furniture to accessories, including artwork, china, collectibles, non-upholstered furniture, home decor, jewelry and other delightful treasures. Treasures 4 Charity Shop, 2723 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-221-0555, treasures4charity.net. 

Stuff. You’ve got it and you’ve got to stick it somewhere. Baskets are pretty played out, so if you’re looking for something a bit cleaner and more modular, look no further than Simple Wood Goods. Owned and operated by local carpenter and Harvard-educated designer Matthew Swaidan, the homegoods company creates a small series of aptly named simple wood “goods,” from plant stands made of ash and white acrylic to locally harvested steam-bent walnut coat hooks and Swaidan’s incredibly clever storage cube. These “Liftable. Stackable. Openable. Closeable. Moveable. And not so breakable” cubes are made of Baltic birch with round little maple feet and sturdy acrylic lids, which slide into place to keep things in order and add a colorful splash of white, green, black, red, yellow or blue to your décor. Perfectly sized for vinyl collections, books or as burrow box hiding places for small dogs. Simple Wood Goods, simplewoodgoods.com.

For many locals, going to a flea market used to entail a trip up to Monroe, Ohio, lots of dusty rummaging and what can only be described as a Beanie Baby graveyard. While Traders World is still kickin’ it up I-75, the urban flea market scene is thriving in the city. The City Flea started the trend in 2011 and the Oakley Fancy Flea (O.F.F. Market) joined in 2013. You won’t find bins of unopened McDonald’s toys here; expect handmade, vintage and otherwise unique furniture, home décor, clothing and accessories. Stop by on the final Saturday of each month, May through September, to browse the collections of numerous local vendors. Oakley Fancy Flea, 2980 Madison Road, Oakley, theoffmarket.org. 

Nestled in an old gas station in College Hill, Fern floral studio has blossomed in its craft in more ways than one. In addition to specializing in custom plant design installations and home accents, Fern offers a variety of trendy classes for greenthumbs and crafters alike. Learn traditional plant-based crafts like floral arranging and wreath-making or try your hand at weaving, calligraphy and macramé to make those Pinterest dreams a reality. The classes even come with free charcuterie and cocktails. Fern, 6040 Hamilton Ave., North College Hill, fern-shop.com.  

Olive oil has become such a popular ingredient to cook with and consume, shops devoted to the fresh stuff are popping up across the city. Step into The Spicy Olive and the scent of herb-infused olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars will whisk you abroad. Where to? Italy, Greece, Spain, South Africa, Brazil and other countries from which fresh olive oils are sourced, depending on the season. As for recent concern about oil labeling regulations — “Is your ‘extra virgin’ olive oil a rip-off?” headlines inquire — The Spicy Olive’s oils are ultra-premium grade, which is a better quality than even extra virgin. They also offer oil and vinegar tastings, pairings and cooking classes. The Spicy Olive, 2736 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-376-9061; 7671 Cox Lane, West Chester, 513-847-4397, thespicyolive.com.

For many people, spending time in a doctor’s office waiting room is akin to turning your body into a petri dish for all the other sick people’s germs to join forces and make you feel even worse. The Little Clinic has an answer: Pop into one of its locations inside local Kroger stores and subject other people to your germs instead of the other way around. Founded in Louisville, Ky., in 2003, and purchased by Kroger in 2010, the chain of health care providers sets up certified nurse practitioners in nice small offices inside retail stores, offering patients a convenient way to see a nurse practitioner without requiring an appointment. Kroger stores typically offer a pharmacy as well, so you can get your meds and all the juices and vitamins you need to feel physically and mentally prepared to start healing (do vitamins really do anything?). Find Little Clinics inside 20 or so Greater Cincinnati Kroger locations, including those in Norwood, Delhi, Newport and Fort Mitchell. The Little Clinic, thelittleclinic.com.

Gems, charms and crystals of all sizes, styles and colors fill World of Beads’ every nook and cranny. Overwhelmed by the options? The helpful staff can guide you in the right direction or teach you the basics at one of their many jewelry-making classes. Check a current schedule for offerings like Silversmithing for Beginners, Introduction to Beaded Jewelry or Metal Stamping. World of Beads also hosts private groups, kids’ birthday parties and even a “Brunch and Beading” event at Unwind wine bar next door. World of Beads, 2725 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-5600, aworldofbeads.com. 

Sewing classes support modern day taste at Sewn Studio, where you can expect to find a vast range of fresh fabrics. Sewing doesn’t have to be for folks over 60. These classes suit all levels, including young adults and teens, with a beginner sewing series and fun fabric patterns. Each month, a selection of workshops are put together to enhance the experience for beginner levels to savvy advanced sewers, and no one will be judged for being stuck on the whole threading the needle thing. Sewn Studio, 3212 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-321-0600, sewnstudio.com. 

When Nick Salzano arrived in Cincinnati in 1956 straight out of Italy, he brought enthusiasm, perseverance and skill with him to open Salzano’s Hair Stylist Barbering Salon. Salzano passed the business down to his three sons, who have undoubtedly worked to put integrity into every straight razor shave and cut, instilled with their father’s quality work. Expect to walk into a specialty line of products, sit back in the barber’s chair and let years of experience do the talking with perfected shaves and quality cuts at this family-owned space. Salzano’s is filled with character and old-school tradition. Salzano’s Hair Stylist Barbering Salon, 201 E. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-241-9669, gsalzanos.com. 

Featuring more than 200 antique dealers, the Burlington Antique Show takes over the Boone County Fairgrounds every third Sunday, April through October. Shoppers from around the region are drawn to hunt for collector’s items and hidden treasures, and camera crews from PBS and the History Channel have been known to stop by and scope out the action. The antique show has a 6 a.m. early bird opening, so rise and shine and get to “picking” while the getting’s good. Burlington Antique Show, Boone County Fairgrounds, 5919 Idlewild Road, Burlington, Ky., 513-922-6847, burlingtonantiqueshow.com. 

Northside Chop Shop owner Scott Ponder already has a solid reputation when it comes to his ability to cut, color and style hair. Now he’s moving on to the face. His Ohio Valley Beard Supply company offers elixirs, finishing balms, washes and conditioners for all types of beards: long beards, short beards, course beards, billy goat beards, etc. If you can grow it, Ohio Valley Beard Supply will help you groom it. You can buy the products all over town, including at Park + Vine, Joseph-Beth, Article and the Chop Shop (obviously). Elixirs, like the Hemingway, are scented with juniper, cedar and grapefruit, leaving your beard with a subtle scent and shine. Balms, like the Lincoln (vetiver, pine, sage and sandalwood), tame fly-aways. And the washes and conditioners, well, wash and condition. Find a full list of retailers online. Ohio Valley Beard Supply, ohiovalleybeard.com.

After a career in a landscape design for 20 years, Gabe Rice decided to pursue his passion for garden décor. Ten years later, Rice’s Renaissance Garden Ornament offers everything necessary to add the finishing touches on breathtaking outdoor scenery. The 3,000-square-foot warehouse showroom carries a wide selection of distinct decorative items ranging from classic to contemporary, including pottery, fountains, birdbaths, furniture and more to add any accent to any garden. Renaissance Garden Ornament, 3209 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-321-2430, rengarden.com. 

Between Cincinnati’s bevy of breweries, love of pork sausages and the biggest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, it’s clear that our Deutschland heritage runs deep. If you’re looking to incorporate more lederhosen in your wardrobe, Wiesnkoenig USA has them — along with dirndls, boots and even a tracht for your phone. Inspired by traditional German fashions and trendsetters across Europe, Wiesnkoenig will help unleash your inner German year-round. The company opened its flagship U.S. store in Over-the-Rhine last August. Wiesnkoenig USA, 1621 Moore St., Over-the-Rhine, wiesnkoenig-usa.com. 

If you think vinyl went away with Woodstock, drop your 8-tracks and head to Sugarcube Records. New releases — yes, they still come out on vinyl — as well as vintage, Indie and Punk, Alt, Garage Rock, Funk and Soul — a little bit of everything, even vintage band T-shirts. And if you gave away your turntable, they have those, too. Owner Craig Baker is a hunter — he’s gonna find that treasure you want. Record Store Day is coming on April 18. Celebrate with some Sugarcube. Sugarcube Records, 609 Main St., Covington, Ky., 859-291-2823, sugarcuberecords.com.

A deal is only as good as the quality of the product, and at Bargains and Buyouts, there are serious deals to be found. The outlet carries a dizzying array of furniture for all rooms, rugs and décor at close-out costs. If you enjoy the hunt of tearing through a Gap Outlet rack to find a steal, you’ll love this place. But remember the classic outlet saying: If you see something you like, but it now — items don’t stick around for long at Bargains and Buyouts, especially as more folks divulge details about this hidden gem. Bargains and Buyouts, 5150 Glencrossing Way, Western Hills, 888-729-6074, bargainsandbuyouts.com.

Local jean company Noble Denim joined forces with Bulleit Bourbon last fall to hatch an experiment: What happens when you age and over-dye jeans in freshly dumped bourbon barrels? The result was 50 pairs of deep blue denim jeans with hints of a caramel color. The boozy jeans aren’t available for purchase, but you can order other small batch jeans, canvas pants, T-shirts, sweatshirts and more. Noble Denim won the first-place $15,000 grand prize in ArtWorks’ Big Pitch competition last August. Noble Denim, 1212 Sycamore St. #25, Over-the-Rhine, 513-512-4998, nobledenim.com.

 

Newport, Ky.’s Galaxie Skateshop expanded with a Northside location in March 2014. Owner Gary Collins (also founder of Instrument Skateboards) is a major player in the local skating scene, hosting various events, representing the needs of local skaters in meetings with city officials and serving as a positive role model for many young kids in the community. To him, the shop is more of a community hub than just a board and show store. Galaxie hosted Northern Kentucky native Alex Davis’ professional debut release party last December. Galaxie Skateshop, 625 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-7292; 4202 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-3400, galaxieskateshop.blogspot.com.

 

The idea of mail has changed dramatically over the past 30 years. Between email and texting, tweeted engagement announcements and Facebook e-vites, physical paper mail has been relegated to random bills and credit card offers. Madeira’s custom and personalized paper and gift boutique Designs By Dawson has the tools to take back your mailbox. Dawson’s does everything from custom wedding invites, save-the-dates and programs to personal stationary for more everyday correspondence. Designs by Dawson, 6929 Miami Ave., Madeira, 513-827-9100, designsbydawson.com.

Located about 150 miles southeast of the city, Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest is a favorite weekend camping destination for locals. Cincinnati maker Kristin Guastaferro of Cannonball Handmade uses wood sustainably forested in the Red River Gorge for cabin construction to create beautifully crafted geometric jewelry and other accessories. Carry a piece of the Gorge wherever you go or rep your hometown pride with cute Ohio-shaped earrings. She has also started to experiment with leather goods like belts and wallets. Cannonball Handmade, etsy.com/shop/cannonballhandmade.

Midcentury antique furniture gallery Leftcoast Modern is located in the heart of downtown where movies like Carol, Miles Ahead and The Blunderer used the city’s period architecture as a backdrop in the past year. The vintage shop — along with other area suppliers — offered furniture and props to all three films. Stop by the shop and you won’t find any bargain basement prices — authentic vintage pieces from designers like Herman Miller don’t come cheap — but rather statement pieces worth the investment. Leftcoast Modern, 323 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-288-2364, facebook.com/leftcoastmoderncincinnati.  

Believe it or not, two beloved, taffy-esque candies have roots within the Tristate: AirHeads and Doscher’s French Chew. Airheads got their humble beginnings in Erlanger, Ky., in 1986 in the U.S. branch of the candy company Perfetti Van Melle. Doscher’s French Chew started when Claus Doscher, the founder of the confectionary company, got the recipe from France along with several copper kettles to prep the chewy stuff in, and then experimented for years before resulting in the timeless treat. To this day both of the delectable delicacies are still being made locally for everyone to consume. Doscher’s Candies, 24 W. Court St., Downtown, 513-381-8656, frenchchewtaffy.com; AirHeads, 3645 Turfway Road, Erlanger, Ky., 513-283-1234, airheads.com. 

Humans are an emotional lot, prone to feeling good on some days and sad on others, the weight of existential despair hovering over us even during the good times. One way to snap out of the more annoying moods we go through is to literally stop and smell the roses and other pretty flowers. Osterbrock Greenhouse & Florist in Winton Place is a super convenient way to grab a fresh bouquet on your way home from work — or during lunch to surprise your life partner when he or she gets home — and the prices are extremely reasonable. You can just tell them you’d like to spend $10 on some purple and yellow stuff, and they’ll take it from there. (Calling ahead is a considerate thing to do, FYI.) Osterbrock also grows its own bedding plants and perrenials, making it a fine place to hit up for spring lawn and garden upgrades. They deliver daily locally for orders placed before noon and they’re open seven days a week. Osterbrock Greenhouse & Florist, 4848 Gray Road, Winton Place, 513-541-4304, osterbrockflorist.com.

Maybe howling at the moon isn’t at the top of your list of bad things your best non-human friend does on a regular basis, but you might be surprised how far a little training will go for dogs of all ages and with all sorts of behavioral issues. Mike Dixon at Tri-State Canine Obedience became a certified dog trainer 15 years ago and today offers his own therapy dog training programs ranging from basic puppy training and obedience to off-leash training and behavioral modification. Dixon’s in-home programs also help humans understand that they need to follow the rules too in order to create and maintain a healthy and happy “pack.” Though Tri-State Canine offers various obedience classes like Puppy Kindergarten and Adult Obedience, Dixon’s interest in animal psychology goes well beyond the simplistic notions expounded by the Cesar Millans of the world. Dixon is currently pursuing a degree as an applied animal behaviorist specializing in aggression. Tri-State Canine Obedience, 859-816-5500, tristatecanineobedience.com.

Numerous reports came out last year revealing that cocoa might be extinct by 2020. Wait, what? Chocolate is a lifestyle. Candy is a food group. Jenco Brothers’ Candy store in Clifton is a wonderland. This modern candy store features more than 400 candies and has original, innovative combinations. A crowd favorite at UC are the chocolate covered pretzels and bacon. Located near campus, Jenco Brothers’ understands the sudden Netflix-induced candy craving a college student experiences. The accessibility is as easy as going in, grabbing a bag, filling it up with your favorite treats and going back to your favorite show. Check out their sweet Instagram @jencobroscandy! Jenco Brothers’ Candy, 224 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-417-8956, jencobrotherscandy.com.

Those familiar with 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab in Over-the-Rhine know it to be a lovely place to stop in to enjoy a wine flight, tapas-style dining or a legit pourover or specialty coffee drink. But if you’re one of the busybodies who cruises right past the quaint shop on Vine Street, you might not realize that 1215 also offers a retail wine shelf with prices at state minimum. For as little as $8-$10 you can score something about 100 times better than the $6 generic stuff you’ll find at the Vine Street Kroger. Warning: Once you start trying better wines you’re also more likely to start wondering what the $20 and $30 bottles taste like. But that’s what the wine flights are for. 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab, 1215 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-429-5745, 1215vine.com.

Glasses: two corrective lenses held firmly in place by a frame that sits on your face in front of your eyeballs. They haven’t really changed much since they were invented — that is until Frameri stepped in. Frameri is a local eyewear start-up that is changing the way the world looks at glasses. They’re “glasses for glasses-wearers,” with prescription lenses you can pop in and out of trendy and cost-effective frames. For $100 you can grab a pair of traditional thick black plastic frames, translucent blush frames, some inconspicuous clear frames or all of the above, and then stick your prescription lenses inside for another $100. The lenses and frames are all interchangeable so you can swap them out based on your outfit, occasion or state of mind. Also available in sunglasses. Frameri, 1-844-FRAMERI, frameri.com.

Self-taught jewelry designer Katelin Reeser’s delicately structural Rock Salt Vintage brand has a local cult following. Women love her metal and gemstone pieces that mimic both the natural world and manmade objects. From large hanging crystals on delicate chains, evoking the grounding power of healing stones, to a new collection of metallic rings, bracelets and necklaces bound by bars, balls and lines that imply the stackable decoration of ancient body art with the aesthetic leanings of a sci-fi alien queen, her pieces make a statement without being overpowering — an extension of self. Rock Salt Vintage’s handmade jewelry is carried in boutiques across America and internationally in Amsterdam. Find her locally at Sloane Boutique, Parlour salon and Fern. Rock Salt Vintage, rocksaltvintage.com.

Seapunk is an awesomely weird ’90s-inspired Internet subculture that embraces ocean-related imagery and colors (plus some Hip Hop/House music stuff and a Windows ’95 fetish that is irrelevant for these purposes). IRL seapunks don hair colors dyed chlorine green, seafoam blue, silver grey, lavender and other flavors of an aquatic pastel palette. If you want mermaid hair — real mermaid, not Ariel “what is a fork?” red — head to Parlour in East Walnut Hills. The expert team at the salon applies ammonia-free permanent color from sustainable Italian brand Davines in all shades of Neptunian cotton candy. Parlour, 2600 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, 513-961-4247, salonparlour.com.

Finally, a bar you don’t have to feel bad about stumbling out of. The CycleBar in Rookwood Commons is a premium indoor cyclery spot with all the ingredients of your favorite high-energy bar, minus the alcohol and calories associated with drinking. This upscale fitness venue has state-of-the-art bike equipment and enhanced lighting and sound systems for an intoxicating, multisensory workout experience. Whether you’re a first-time rider or extreme cycling enthusiast, they offer classes for every fitness level. CycleBar, 2713 Edmondson Road, Hyde Park, 513-631-7433, hydepark.cyclebar.com.

BEST PART-TIME HOURS WITH FULL-TIME PASSION 

Owner Edie handpicks all of the assorted vintage knick-knacks and clothing at Edie’s Vintage Rose Room. She frequently greets every single customer who steps in, while providing hugs to some of her regulars. Just tell her what you’re interested in purchasing and she’ll be more than willing to pull pieces out of storage for review, including vintage costume jewelry, clothes, childhood books and perfumes. If the store hours don’t work for you, give Edie a call to arrange a time to come in and she’ll try her best to accommodate. Edie’s Vintage Rose Room, 3241 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 513-662-3700.

 

1. American Can Lofts
2. Towne Properties
3. Current @ the Banks

1. Cincinnati.com
2. Roadtrippers
3. WCPO

1. Clifton House 
2. B & B Symphony Hotel 
3. Murphin Ridge Inn 

1. 3CDC 
2. 8K Partners 
3. Drees 

1. Union Terminal 
2. Music Hall 
3. Carew Tower 

1. Panegyri Festival 
2. Immaculate Heart of Mary 
3. St. Rita’s 

1. Over-the-Rhine 
2. Northside 
3. Hyde Park 

1. University of Cincinnati 
2. Xavier University 
3. Northern Kentucky  University 

1. Oktoberfest  Zinzinnati 
2. Taste of Cincinnati 
3. LumenoCity 

1. Blue Oven Bakery 
2. Taste of Belgium 
3. Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices 

1. Cincinnati Parks 
2. Findlay Market 
3. LumenoCity 

1. Cincinnati Zoo 
2. Cincinnati Children’s Museum 
3. Kings Island 

1. Cincinnati Nature Center 
2. Loveland Hike/Bike Trail 
3. Miami Whitewater Forest 

1. Loveland Bike Trail 
2. Eden Park 
3. Lunken Airfield 

1. Roadtrippers 
2. Rock Paper Scissors 
3. Ohio Valley Beard Supply 

1. Queen City Underground 
2. Brewery District Tour 
3. Queen City is Haunted 

1. Red Bike 
2. Jungle Jim’s Whiskey Trail 
3. ArtWalks with Art on the Streets 

1. Covington 
2. Newport 
3. Bellevue 

1. Cincinnati Zoo 
2. Findlay Market 
3. Music Hall

1. Eden Park 
2. Washington Park 
3. Ault Park 

1. Downtown/OTR 
2. Findlay Market 
3. Cincinnati Zoo 

1. Washington Park 
2. The Lackman 
3. 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab 

1. Washington Park 
2. Cincinnati Children’s Museum 
3. Sawyer Point Park 

1. ArtWorks Murals 
2. Metrobot 
3. Tyler Davidson Memorial Fountain 

1. St.Xavier High School 
2. Elder High School 
3. Archibshop Moeller High School 

1. Walnut Hills High School 
2. Oak Hills High School 
3. Sycamore High School 

1. Anderson Township 
2. Mariemont 
3. Loveland 

1. Camp Kern
2. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Camp 
3. YMCA Camp Ernst 

1. Eden Park
2. Devou Park 
3. Alms Park 

1. Hocking Hills, Ohio 
2. Red River Gorge, Ky. 
3. Louisville, Ky.

The Reds, Major League Baseball’s oldest franchise, haven’t won a playoff series since 1995. The Bengals, founded by one of the National Football League’s enduring icons, haven’t won a playoff game since 1991. Even our consistently successful college basketball teams, the Xavier Musketeers and Cincinnati Bearcats, have failed to reach the Final Four over the last two decades. 

Yet Hoard, the play-by-play voice of the Bengals and UC’s football and basketball teams, is the first to stand up for his adopted hometown. “I think it’s a great sports town,” Hoard says. “People get ticked off easily, because they’ve been kicked down so many times since 1995, but they’re still there, they still show up and they still listen. It’s a great place to work, and having grown up in a city that had no professional teams of its own, I love being in the middle of it all.” 

In a city also known for spawning superior broadcasters — former Bengals wide receiver and local resident Chris Collinsworth is widely considered the NFL’s best television analyst, and Reds radio announcer Marty Brennaman is already a Hall of Famer, to name just two — Hoard more than holds his own as one of the best-prepared and perpetually enthusiastic voices in the business. And now the love is mutual: Hoard was recently named Ohio Sportscaster of the Year by a group of his peers. 

“I’m flattered,” Hoard says. “It’s nice in Ohio because Marty (Brennaman) is one of the best ever; Tom Hamilton, the (Cleveland) Indians announcer, is fantastic; Jim Donovan, the Cleveland Browns radio announcer, is one of my favorites; and Paul Keels, at Ohio State, is one of the best college broadcasters in the country. It really is a who’s who kind of state, so to win is kind of cool.” 

Hoard grew up in Jamestown, N.Y., a small town about 70 miles south of Buffalo that is best known, according to its native son, as the “birthplace of Lucille Ball and the 10,000 Maniacs.” 

He was a sports freak from the get-go. “I always knew I wanted to be a sports announcer — I mean always,” he says. “Came out of the womb, slap me on the ass and that’s what I wanted to do.” 

Like many a sports freak, once he realized he would never be a professional athlete himself, Hoard spent most of his free time trying to figure out how to stay immersed in his obsession. 

“In high school and even earlier I was plotting how to do it,” Hoard says, laughing as he looks back to his youth. “I was turning the sound down on the TV and practicing into my cassette tape recorder when those still existed. I signed up for the high school debate team even though it was probably the least popular club in the school, just because I knew it would help me gain experience as a public speaker.” 

Van Miller, longtime voice of the Buffalo Bills, was Hoard’s sportscasting hero, a role model for his own future endeavors. Yet when it came time for Hoard to further his broadcasting education, a different sportscaster had a big impact. 

“I picked up a paperback written by Marv Albert called Yesss, and he mentioned in there that he went to Syracuse,” Hoard says. “He was the only sportscaster I ever heard say what college he went to, so therefore I thought, ‘That must be the place to go.’ And it turned out to definitely be the place to go, because when I was there my fellow students were so talented and so freakishly competitive and into it, that it was the greatest possible training ground for getting into the business.” 

Hoard graduated from Syracuse in 1985 and immediately landed a gig as the play-by-play guy for the Boston Red Sox AAA franchise in Pawtucket, R.I. Baseball is still his first love and an indispensible building block in his road to broadcasting success. “The sheer amount of repetitions — 144 games in 152 days — and just doing it three hours a night was like a writer committing himself to cranking it out every day and making sure you get something on paper.” 

It wasn’t long before Hoard added television duties to his resume when college classmate and longtime ESPN announcer Mike Tirico recommended him for the vacated sports director job at WTVH-TV in Syracuse. He eventually moved on to Cincinnati in 1995 as the sports director at FOX-19 when his then-girlfriend, now-wife Peg Rusconi got a news reporter job at Channel 12. A year later he began his long-running stint calling Bearcats basketball. His first game was pretty memorable — the 1996 Crosstown Shootout, in which XU’s Lenny Brown hit a last-second shot to beat then-No. 1 UC. 

When Rusconi landed her dream job as a reporter back in Boston, the couple tried the separate city thing for a while, but the opportunity to do Pawtucket Red Sox radio eventually moved Hoard back east, too. He continued doing the Bearcats football and basketball games while living in Boston, flying back and forth during the Pawtucket offseason, until it was his turn to land a dream gig — and move his family to Cincinnati full-time. In 2011, Hoard became the play-by-play man with the Bengals, joining longtime analyst Dave Lapham in the booth. 

“When I got the job, Lap called me up to congratulate me, and in the course of the conversation he goes, ‘Well, I’ve been doing the games for 25 years, and we’ve had five winning seasons.’"

“My man saw a lot of bad football without losing his enthusiasm,” Hoard says when asked about Lapham’s tendency to go crazy in the booth, “so he’s earned the right to scream and get excited when good things happen after making it through the ’90s with a smile on his face.” 

 

Now fully entrenched as a Cincinnati sports landscape staple — very few sportscasters in any city have enjoyed such a ubiquitous presence — Hoard is ready for a long, Marty Brennaman-like run behind the mic. 

“Had I gone to Syracuse and then gone back to my small hometown and done a high school game of the week, I think I would have been happy,” Hoard says. “But I’m glad it didn’t turn out that way. I just really wanted to do sports on TV or radio, so in some ways reality has exceeded the dream.” ©

McCabe’s unique vision for Cincinnati is evidenced in the booking prowess that gave meaning to the tagline “Rock & Roll Laundry” at former Corryville club Sudsy Malone’s, not to mention his incredible run of shows at the original Southgate House in Newport, his brilliant leadership in the evolution of the MidPoint Music Festival and his determination in turning a run-of-the-mill Main Street bar in Over-the-Rhine into MOTR Pub, one of the Midwest’s premier music venues. 

A creative restlessness lies at the heart of McCabe’s activities, rooted in his love of music, his deep affection for Cincinnati and his passionate desire to make the city a better place for everyone. His latest project, the renovation and resurrection of the Woodward Theater in Over-the-Rhine, is another impressive example of his transformative perspective. 

Seven years ago, McCabe and business partner Chris Schadler (former Southgate House booker and guitarist/vocalist for Fists of Love) were property shopping in OTR for a new neighborhood music hotspot. McCabe and Schadler were intent on finding a theater-scaled situation, but after several opportunities fell through they switched gears to a bar/restaurant model and bought the former Coopers on Main, turning it into MOTR in 2010. As renovations began, McCabe still obsessed about his theater. “We started chipping away, and we’d look out the window when we had time,” McCabe says with a laugh over beers on the Woodward balcony. “And it was like, ‘Look at that place over there.’ ” 

McCabe’s attention had been drawn to the old Woodward Theater, located almost directly across the street from MOTR. Once the site of the old William Woodward mansion, the original wood structure was demolished, replaced by the 1913 Art Deco building that became home to a neighborhood movie theater. 

After the Woodward succumbed to the Depression in 1933, the building housed several tenants, including a used car dealership, a Kroger store, a furniture outlet, dive bars and finally Greg’s Antiques. Through it all, no one made any substantial changes to the facade, which remains largely untouched. 

Soon after MOTR’s launch, McCabe’s group (Schadler, Cincinnati Enquirer scribe Chris Varias and a silent partner) made inquiries about the Woodward.“We talked to the owner, let him know we were interested, giving him that out if he was considering it; the price came back and he was not a motivated seller,” McCabe says. “Eventually, he said ‘We’re getting out of the business. Are you guys still interested?’ ” 

After acquiring the Woodward in 2013 — the building’s centennial year — and lining up renovation money, the theater began construction last May, with its first shows taking place in late 2014, including a video shoot by local band DAAP Girls and Wussy’s New Year’s Eve blowout. Although musical events will dominate the venue’s programming calendar, the Woodward will feature a broad event spectrum. The venue hosted the vigil for the late transgender teen Leelah Alcorn in January, and they’re even considering a possible film component for the theater. 

“We had no idea how robust the venue’s booking would be,” he says. “Downtown businesses coming in for holiday parties; the Playhouse in the Park is having the announcement of their new season here for their donors. It’s a versatile room for all kinds of concepts — fundraising events for different organizations, wedding receptions every now and again, all kinds of things.” 

Still, music remains the priority for McCabe and his partners as the 600-capacity Woodward evolves physically and philosophically. As word circulates about the Woodward within the industry, McCabe expects to attract acts from every conceivable genre. 

“The more we do, the more notable we’ll be for it and the easier it will get,” McCabe says. “I understand it takes repetition, and we’re building. March is thick, April’s thicker and May is pretty gangbusters. It’s coming along.” 

McCabe and Schadler have fashioned sizable booking reputations over the past two decades, and while their strategies remain consistent, McCabe points out their biggest advantage with MOTR and now the Woodward: “It’s very much like Sudsy’s and the Southgate, the difference being we’re able to stick our necks out a little further,” he says. “I fronted all the money for the bands at Sudsy’s and Southgate. I didn’t have access to bar revenue. I had to pay for sound, catering, renting a generator, and I hoped to God tickets sold so I could pay for everything. Here I can be a little risky, take some chances and I own the entire business so if only 200 show up, there’s going to be some profit at the bar to cover potential shortfall at the door.” 

McCabe and Schadler applied a good deal of their experience to the revival of the Woodward as an entertainment venue, and it shows in their construction touches. “Chris and I spent a decade or so over at Southgate House, and this isn’t far removed from that,” McCabe says. “The capacity, the horseshoe balcony. In terms of imagination, it didn’t take much, other than the fact that Greg’s Antiques had it filled with stuff and you couldn’t see the walls.” 

It’s clear that McCabe doesn’t view the potential success of the Woodward Theater as a personal victory but as the next step in the rise of Over-the-Rhine as an entertainment destination and a source of pride for its residents. “It’s going to happen out there,” McCabe says, gesturing to the balcony window. 

“It’s going to be a catalyst for Main Street and 14th Street, for storefronts and new businesses. Some of the artists that come through will hit one city, and we’ll win some, and when we do, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville, Columbus will drive into this neighborhood. This is going to be the gateway that introduces the region. 

“It’s not going to be Vine Street and it’s not going to be Washington Park. It’s going to be Main Street.” 

---

Woodward Theater, 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, woodwardtheater.com.

---