Hyde Park has had the honor of being the home of one of the best Chinese restaurants in Cincinnati for over 40 years: China Gourmet.  Currently owned by long-term employee Matt Loomis, China Gourmet has consistently provided high quality food to generations of Cincinnatians.

February is the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dog, and China Gourmet is celebrating it for a whole week from February 12-17; they’ll have their regular menu, but will also be featuring specials all week for the New Year highlighting authentic Chinese cuisine, such as razor scallops, rabbit, and oxtail soup, to name a few.

In addition to their traditional Cantonese and Szechuan dishes, China Gourmet really enjoys preparing custom and unique dishes – in fact, your server might ask you five questions to figure out the best custom meal for you!  Known for their fresh fish and seafood, all delivered daily, China Gourmet prefers to serve the whole fish, because it just “tastes better.”

If you are looking for a great place for a date night out, come to China Gourmet on Mondays: it’s Family Night!  While the adults enjoy a delicious meal on their own, the kids will have a blast in their own room with food and entertainment, including a ping pong table, tv, toys, arts and crafts and games.  The room is closed, so the kids stay safely contained…and their parents don’t have to share their fortune cookies!

On Lobster Tuesdays, you can get a 1.75-pound hard shell lobster for just a few dollars over what the restaurant paid for it.  It’s a great deal, so call ahead and order yours, and then come in and enjoy it freshly prepared just for you.

Is it Wednesday?  Must be Flight Night!  Enjoy a rotating selection of wine and bourbon flights, 4 to a flight, for just $16.

China Gourmet didn’t forget about Valentine’s Day!  Come in for surf and turf, Chinese style.  Heart-shaped scallops will be served along side Hong Kong style filet mignon, perfect for a romantic evening out with your sweetie.

China Gourmet is open for lunch Wednesday through Friday from 11:00am-2:00pm, dinner Monday through Thursday from 4:00pm-11:00pm, and Friday and Saturday from 4:00pm-midnight.  They are closed on Sundays.  From the exotic to the classic, China Gourmet has the dish you are sure to love.

The Mayerson JCC’s Jewish and Israeli Film Festival will again bring a diverse, inspiring lineup of award-winning films that showcase Jewish and Israeli culture to theatres aroundGreater Cincinnati. The festival will showcase 12 feature-length films and several short films from February 1 – 22.

The festival will kick off with an Opening Night celebration and screening of Hummus! The Movie at 20th Century Theater at 7pm. This festive event will honor this quirky documentary film with a Mediterranean-themed cocktail reception, including, of course, plenty of hummus.

Opening Night will also include a discussion with Israeli film expert and screenwriter Galit Roichman, who will serve as the Festival’s Scholar-in-Residence during its first week. Ms. Roichman will lead audiences on a journey into Israeli cinema, providing a glimpse of the local culture and the changing face of Israeli society in films and television.

This year, the Mayerson JCC’s ongoing Israel at 70 celebration will add an exciting new facet to the festival. In keeping with the celebration’s theme of “The Faces of Israel,” several films will present different perspectives of Israel and what it means to be Israeli.

The Festival’s Closing Night, featuring the poignant documentary Big Sonia, will take place at 20th Century Theater on February 22 at 7pm. Big Sonia follows 91-year-old businesswoman and Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski as the specter of retirement prompts her to revisit her traumatic past.

Closing Night attendees are encouraged to stay after the screening for a discussion with Caroline Kennedy, a member of the Big Sonia cast and founder and CEO of Empower: Educate & Inspire, a youth-run nonprofit that teaches students leadership skills and educates them about today’s global issues.

The Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival has received critical acclaim, enabling people from all over Cincinnati to experience thought-provoking Jewish and Israeli films from around the world. The festival builds community by attracting community organizations and experts to speak about the issues presented in the diverse slate of films.

For more information on the Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, including up-to-date details on the selected films and schedule of events, please visit MayersonJCC.org.

Postmark is the newest restaurant to hit the Clifton scene from Chef/Owner Brad Bernstein and Sommelier/Owner Devon Barret (of Red Feather Kitchen); housed in the former Tink’s, La Poste and Harvest Bistro and Wine Bar space, Postmark is a “new American restaurant.”  But what does that mean?

It’s a “farmhouse refined” concept that emphasizes “slow food”; by showcasing the best in farm goods, old world ingredients and artful products, Postmark delivers great food and drink, honestly prepared and served.  They are proud to work directly with merchants, farmers and importers to preserve this impression tradition; they are open, friendly and considerate, trained and educated in their trade, with an unwavering confidence in their product and beliefs.

What’s unique about Postmark is the setting; it’s repurposed, reused, and up-cycled. Worn and weathered while still being cozy and comfortable, yet also rustic and rugged. Filled with old world charm and nostalgia, this is where fine dining meets farmhouse style. The postal theme is portrayed by post office antiques, prints and decor, throughout the dining room.  Postmark also features a semi-private dining room that can accommodate groups up to thirty, and guests will appreciate overlooking the curated, 2,000 bottle wine room.

Postmark owner Chef Brad Bernstein is a third-generation restauranteur and this is his second restaurant separate from his family. Devon Barrett, certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers, came to Cincinnati six years ago and worked at Red the Steakhouse and Moxie in Beechwood. Before opening Red Feather Kitchen in 2013 in Oakley, Devon Barrett was general manager at Zula in OTR where he and Brad Bernstein met.

Postmark is open six days a week: Tuesday through Thursday from 5-9pm; Friday and Saturday from 5-10pm; and Sunday from 5-9pm. Wine tastings with small bites, charcuterie, & cheese are available Tuesday through Friday from 5-7pm.  Drop by 3410 Telford Street, just off Ludlow Avenue in Clifton, and see what all the buzz is about.

It’s Mardi Gras for Homeless Children – the 27th Year Anniversary celebration. Once again the event is presented by Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell and at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center on “Fat Tuesday,” February 13th. The proceeds from the Mardi Gras go to three area shelters that provide essential care to homeless children and their families: Bethany House Services of Cincinnati, Brighton Center’s Homeward Bound and Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, Inc. in Covington.

Together these three agencies serve more than 40,000 needy individuals in our community each year. How did the Mardi Gras for the Homeless begin? 28 years ago, there was a tragic accident that touched the hearts of the Tri-State area; three homeless children were living in an abandoned garage and – locked in when their father left them alone. Tragically, a fire broke out. Unable to escape, the three children perished. Realizing children are not always visible behind the homeless adults, the Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association wanted to help – the first Mardi Gras for Homeless Children was held.

This 27th Mardi Gras will feature over 50 booths of fantastic food and beverages (all-included) provided by members of the Northern Kentucky Restaurant Association. This year, one of the highlights will be a Royal Court Parade featuring returning Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard as Grand Marshal, Scott Sloan of WLW 700 and Sheila Gray of Channel 12 as King and Queen, and the Beechwood High School marching band, as well as a float. Live and silent auctions will offer a remarkable selection of items, with live music provided by Robin Lacy and DeZydeco.

The party is 6:30pm-10:00pm. For tickets call 859-291-NKRA (6572) or go to www.mardigras2018.org. Tickets may also be purchased at Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell.

When you think of sports in Cincinnati, you think the Reds, the Bengals, even the UC Bearcats.  But did you know we have a hockey team too?  Our Cincinnati Cyclones are a top-notch team and a game is the perfect evening out for the whole family!

Since 1990, the Cincinnati Cyclones have been playing hockey all over the country and in Canada; they are the AA team of the National Predators. Eighteen of their players have gone on to play for the NHL, which makes our Cyclones a hotbed of talent that’s exciting to watch.

Coming to a game at the US Bank Arena is more than just a hockey experience: it’s the complete package of great fun, great food and great times.  There’s music, promotions and fun half-time activities (think hamster balls and sumo suits!), so even if you aren’t a hockey fan, there’s plenty to enjoy.  Games always have a fun theme, such as Superheroes, Star Wars and Video Games, and promotions include $1 beer night, $1 hot dog night, kids eat free and more.  Special fundraising nights are featured as well: for example, “The Cure Starts Now Night” raises money for pediatric cancer and there also are breast cancer awareness nights that mix philanthropy and fun. The atmosphere at a Cyclones game is always charged up with excitement and exuberance.

In February, the Cyclones will hold the Frozen 5K/10K, a unique winter race that takes you on a course along the Banks of the Ohio River and through Cincinnati’s Transit Center underneath Second Street; funds raise go to the Cincinnati Cyclones Foundation, an organization that helps defray the costs so that children can play youth hockey.

A Cyclones game is also a great place to celebrate birthdays!  Check out their package options at www.cycloneshockey.com.

When you want more than just a sports experience on a night out – when you’re looking for sports, fun, music, food and an atmosphere of excitement – come to a Cincinnati Cyclones game at the US Bank Arena.

Downtown Cincinnati is great for shopping, entertainment, culture and of course, food!  And Palomino Restaurant and Bar is one of downtown Cincinnati’s most popular destinations.  They serve fabulous rustic Italian food in a stylish and eclectic setting, all while taking your taste buds to new heights of deliciousness.  With a wide variety of specials, as well as unique dishes and drinks, there is something for everyone on their menu.

One of the best drinks to start your meal with is the Chef-inspired Bloody Mary.  Made with Stoli Pepper Vodka, rimmed with herbed salt and adorned with house-made mozzarella and Kalamata olives, this drink is a sure-fire reason to leave work early or kick off a Sunday brunch.  Palomino is also known for their signature Paella dish; featuring clams, mussels, fish, chicken, chorizo and saffron rice, this Italian specialty is sure to satisfy.  You can even add prawns, scallops or Dungeness crab for a slight extra charge.

Palomino also has a special for almost every day of the week!  Every Wednesday Palomino has “Wine Down Wednesday,” featuring 1/2 price bottles of wine, all day long.  You can savor half-price martinis on ‘Tini Tuesday, and Mondays offer $5 wine flights.  For those who enjoy dining a little on the earlier side, Palomino has a “First Seating” menu for two; this delicious menu is served daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and includes: one choice of antipasto (such as bruschetta, hummus and tzatziki or french onion dip); two choices from the Primo offerings (soup or one of three salads); two selections from the Secondo Y Contorno items (main course dishes); and of course, a dessert.  This menu is available for just $25 per person.  On Sundays, come in for the “3 for $25” dinner menu; a great way to enjoy a delicious meal without having to do all the cooking!

For Happy Hour, a leisurely meal, or drinks and dessert after the theater, Palomino is the place to be.