So, there’s doing it easy, and there’s doing it right, and Casa Figueroa is all about doing it right. They feature Latin-inspired dining in Cincinnati’s Pleasant Ridge neighborhood; with regional, non-GMO, minimally processed seasonal ingredients, no hormones or antibiotics in any of the chicken, beef or pork served. Casa Figueroa is taking their food to the next level.

Casa Figueroa is passionate about being the best, not necessarily the least expensive. They source their ingredients, from tortillas made from local Ohio corn to fresh, never frozen, fish from the best fishmongers in the country.  In fact, Casa is a member of the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch and commits to always serve the highest quality, most sustainable fish.  At Casa Figueroa, guacamole is made fresh daily, chips are dusted with lime salt, and the drinks are top-shelf.  Craving tacos?  You can have everything from fish and lobster to BBQ pork, chicken, and barbacoa, and vegetarians and vegans can enjoy potato, seasonal veggie and cauliflower options.  Entrees feature the fresh fish of the day, short rib chilaquiles, and an amazing item called Big Ass Casa Nachos that takes the finest strip steak around and turns it into a nacho dish that you’ve been dreaming of your whole life.

Plenty of fresh salsas are on the menu, as well as salads (beet, pazole, and a Tijuana Caesar, to name a few), starters to share (Rhode Island calamari, PEI Blue Mussels, casadillas), sides like crispy brussels sprouts and beans and rice and for dessert, Aglamesis Dutch chocolate ice cream and Latin treats such as churros and cornmeal tres leches pound cake.

There’s more to Casa Figueroa than just outstanding Latin cuisine, there is also a fabulous drink menu, featuring a carefully curated selection of tequilas, mezcals, craft cocktails, and small batch, cult-driven beers and wines.  The place is already on the map for their killer handcrafted margaritas!

Speaking of margaritas, there’s no better place to enjoy one than on Casa Figueroa’s gorgeous outdoor patio, the perfect place to meet up, enjoy a bite and take in the up and coming renaissance of Pleasant Ridge.

Casa “puts it’s money where it’s mouth is,” not just by buying the best ingredients they can find, but by also making it a priority to recycle and compost; at Casa Figueroa, there’s virtually no waste.  It’s important to her that her restaurant not only delivers high-quality food but does it with a sense of responsibility.  

Have we made you hungry yet?  Good!  Now pop down to Pleasant Ridge, get some chips and queso, a taco or two and a drink and take in the best in Cincinnati’s Latin dining.

 

The best place to enjoy Greek food and culture is the Annual Panegyri Greek Festival, held at the Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at 7000 Winton Road.  In its 44th year, this festival is a Cincinnati favorite, featuring the best in Greek food, dancing, shopping and culture.  It’s an event that’s perfect for all ages, with something to enjoy for everyone.

In addition to the abundance of Greek food and dancing, there will be a cultural exhibit; the Parish’s Greek Language School has prepared an exhibit that features three pivotal figures in world history: Pericles, Alexander the Great, and Constantine the Great.  You can discover their contributions to our civilization as well as examples of contemporary Greek culture, including traditional costumes.  You can also enjoy tours of the church while at the festival.

Of course, it’s all about the food at the Panegryi Greek Festival!  From gyros and moussaka to baklava and Greek coffee, there are a wide variety of food options to keep you stuffed the whole time you’re at the festival!  Food is available both inside the church and outside at the event, and if you loved what you ate, drop by one of the two daily cooking classes to learn more on how to cook like a native of Greece.

Once you’re full, you’ll need to take a break.  Every day there are numerous dance performances, by Greek dancers of all ages, from young children all the way through college students and adults.  You can revel in the artistry and rhythm of the Folk Dancers and when they aren’t on the stage, jump up and try out a few Greek dance steps yourself!  The dancers would be happy to help you learn how during the FREE “Learn to Dance Greek” lesson sessions.

Before you leave, be sure to browse through the Greek-style “agora” (open air market) and discover beautiful Greek art, jewelry, linens, religious items and of course: olive oil!

The Panegryi Greek Festival will be held on Friday, June 22 from 5:00pm-11:00pm, Saturday, June 23 from 3:00pm-11:00pm and Sunday, June 24 from 1:00pm-8:00pm.  Admission is just $2 per person, with children 12 and under free.  A portion of your entry fee is donated to the FreeStore FoodBank and The Good Shepherd Food Pantry.   Parking is free and there is a shuttle bus available at St. Xavier High School.  For more details, go to http://holytrinity.oh.goarch.org/panegyri/welcome. Opa!

 

There’s nothing better than getting a good laugh and having a good time while supporting a great cause.  And it’s easy to do in Cincinnati because Window World has their 5th annual “Laughter is the Best Medicine” event coming up on June 15th.

Held at The Syndicate in Newport, Kentucky, this event raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is Window World’s national philanthropy.  Window World has raised over $8 million for St. Jude, and the money raised will help defray the costs of treating patients at St. Jude’s, because no one ever pays a dime when they are a patient there.  Not for medical care, food, lodging, medications…everything is taken care of so families can focus on treatment and healing.

The evening begins at 7pm and your ticket will get you appetizers, a buffet dinner and all you can drink, all night long.  Two comedians will entertain you during the evening:  opening up will be Darren Cox, and the headlining act is Candy Baby.  Your emcee for the night will be former Bengals player Tom Dinkle, whose own son benefitted from a St. Jude’s protocol at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.  A patient, or a patient’s family, will be on hand to discuss their experiences with St. Jude Hospital, as well as a representative of the hospital itself.  

Don’t forget to drop by the silent auction, featuring items such as trip packages, jewelry, gift card raffles and a wine raffle, as well as participate in the live auction, all hosted by an auctioneer who specializes in “Laughter is the Best Medicine” events.

Want to buy tickets?  Just go to www.windowworldcincinnati.com and click on the link to purchase!  Tickets are $100 each, or $185 a couple; tables of ten are available for $1000.  

Come ready to laugh and have a great time, and help Window World support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

 

Taste of Cincinnati^®, presented by Kroger, is back for its 40th year, May 26-28, on Fifth Street from Main Street to the ramps of I-71 and Columbia Parkway in downtown Cincinnati. Nearly 75 restaurants, food trucks and entrepreneurs will participate, offering more than 300 menu items and 100 beer varieties.

Highlights will include Rhinegeist Food Truck Alley, and Taste of Findlay Market which will showcase freshly prepared bites from Ohio’s oldest surviving municipal market house. Attendees will also experience 45 musical acts, performing free-of-charge throughout the weekend, on five stages. 

Additionally, Music Bash @Taste of Cincinnati^®, a new ticketed event, will feature the world’s greatest party band, The B-52’s (“Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster,” “Roam”) and Grammy winning singer, songwriter, and musician  Rick Springfield (“Jesse’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers”) co-headlining with special guest Loverboy (“Turn Me Loose,” “Working for the Weekend,” Lovin’ Every Minute of It”). This fun, can’t-miss, concert is scheduled for Sunday, May 27, beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets for Music Bash at Taste of Cincinnati are now on sale via www.TasteOfCincinnati.com.

“Taste of Cincinnati is embedded in the Cincinnati community and vice-versa,” said Cynthia Oxley, director of Taste of Cincinnati. “More than 50 percent of Taste of Cincinnati’s vendor businesses are minority-, woman- or immigrant-owned; nearly half of the beers are locally-brewed; and close to 20 regional not-for-profit groups will raise about $70,000 through Cincinnati Chamber donations and your drink tips.” 

In 2017, The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, producers of Taste of Cincinnati, made a $15,000 donation to the Findlay Market FoodPreneur Fund, helping food entrepreneurs in the Cincinnati region. Since 2013, the Cincinnati Chamber has donated $80,000 to support regional culinary and entrepreneurial growth.

550,000 people are expected to attend Taste of Cincinnati, the nation’s longest running, free culinary arts festival.

I just love Indianapolis. The sites, the restaurants, the city activities, so many things!

We try to get to Indianapolis at least twice a year… And some events are a must every time we go. We always see the Pacers play, and we always go to Traderspoint Creamery!

This go around, we were actually famished as we headed toward the Skyline… Only one place to stop… Shapiro’s Deli! Have you ever been there in Indy? Just delicious. Old-fashioned cafeteria with the line you walk through with delectable food to pick and choose from and over-order… The best Reuben anywhere! Yes, it competes with New York City! We indulged… Then moved along to our hotel. This trip we stayed at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis… It did not disappoint! We got to our room and were greeted with a wonderful welcome from the hotel. Always a yummy surprise. Great room with super comfy bed. No time to hang around though, we had to head out to the annual Pacers game. It was a great game with the Pacers in the lead the entire time. I like when they win. I’ve come to feel as though they are my home team.

As we headed back to the hotel, I saw the name CharBlue on a building… hey, I know that guy! That was a yummy feast… Glad we stopped in! Now back to the hotel for a little rest.

We woke up and went for a swim because this hotel has a pool! Always a plus… Especially when it’s cold outside as it was! We piled in the car (our dear friends accompanied us on this trip) and headed out to one of our favorite spots as I stated, Traderspoint Creamery. Always a special treat, especially since I have become close with the folks who run the place! I feel like we ordered everything on the menu, and we ate practically everything. Of course we had to go out back and see the cows as this is a working dairy farm, only the freshest ingredients in everything!

We headed to the mall for a few hours of shopping ($$$$), Then took a bit of a drive and then back to the hotel. Had to rest before our next meal!

So, we headed north to one of our all-time favorite Indy restaurants, one I haven’t mentioned before… Late Harvest Kitchen. Farm to table amazingness. Maybe 15 minutes from downtown with just the absolute best food. It was hard to decide, so yes again, we practically ordered the menu! Pork belly, whole Bronzini, rabbit (I’m sorry but it was so good!), and the desserts. They also have an incredible wine selection and festive bar. Great atmosphere…. great food…. one of my faves. Once again, a feast and wonderful time was had by all!

Thinking of escaping to Indy in May? THE INDY 500…..a must!

On May 11, practice and qualifying begins. So many events for weeks to come, including the Indy Grand Prix on May 12 and weekly races, but the grand finale, the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Penngrade Motor Oil – Sunday, May 27, 2018. Come for the first time, or come for the 20th time! What an amazing action packed month of fun!

Go to IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com and VisitIndy.com for up to the minute planning of your awesome getaway! So much to see and do….Visit Indy. 

The TEDxCincinnati mission is to, “Live consciously. Be authentic. Empower others.” This year’s theme, Reinvent, is sure to match this mission by providing the audience with new ways of thinking and living. Topics vary year to year, but usually include humanity, healthcare innovation, disruptive technology, cryptocurrency, and more.

TEDxCincinnati is a locally organized TED event. TED is an organization founded on the principle – ideas worth spreading. This year’s Main Stage event is scheduled for May 12th at Memorial Hall. This is our 8th Main Stage Event. 

We will host two times to attend the Main Stage event (4:00-6:00PM or 7:30 to 9:30PM). The same speakers and artistic performances will be featured at both times.  In between the shows, attendees will have the chance to network, as well as meet the speakers of the evening.  There will also be a happy hour with a cash bar and Elis BBQ for people to purchase food if they are interested.

“TEDxCincinnati draws a diverse crowd of individuals ready to connect and open to new perspectives.  Think of TEDxCincinnati as a trip to the brain spa, one in which you leave ready to talk and explore new ideas with those around you,” says Director of TEDxCincinnati, Jami Edelheit. 

Visit tedxcincinnati.eventbrite.com to purchase your tickets for May 12, 2018. Interested in a corporate partnership, please reach out to tedxcincinnati@gmail.com.