The Symphony Hotel welcomes you to Cincinnati, Ohio. Whether you are visiting from out of town, or want an in-town getaway and want to treat yourself to a five-course gourmet dinner any Friday or Saturday night, the ambiance can’t be beat!   The Symphony Hotel is a great place to find classical comfort, cozy surroundings, great bar scene, and wonderful, live music.

The Symphony Hotel’s main building was constructed in 1871, seven years before the completion of Cincinnati’s Music Hall. It was designed by a famous architect, James McLaughlin, who also designed the original McAlpin’s, Shillito’s, a wing of the Art Museum, Cincinnati Gas-Light & Coke Company, and the Cincinnati Public Library.

The Symphony Hotel is located just across from Cincinnati Music Hall, in OTR.   It’s the ideal location to enjoy a classical romantic getaway, eat an exquisite dinner, listen to live music, and experience the Opera, the Cincinnati Symphony, or the Pops Orchestra. Come back, stay overnight and wake up to the aroma of a gourmet breakfast.

The Symphony Hotel is award winning…. and was originally an old mansion. The building was restored into a boutique hotel where the rooms are named after famous composers: Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Schubert, Beech, Brahms, Mahler, and Copland.

What a gem right here in the Queen City……Cincinnati’s Premiere Boutique Hotel…come experience the wonder of The Symphony Hotel.

To know what’s happening in Cincinnati, look no further than the Cincinnati Arts Association, because whether you’re looking for theater, concerts, art or unique experiences, the Cincinnati Arts Association has their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in town.

The CAA was founded in 1992, and is not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.3 million students.

The CAA brings a wide variety of entertainment and culture to Cincinnati. Like Broadway shows? Newsies is about to open at the Aronoff Center for the Arts on March 1, and the end of the month will feature smash hit The Book of Mormon. If you prefer straight drama, The Diogenes Theater Company will be presenting Saint Joan through March 5 at the Aronoff and if it’s dance you like, the Exhale Dance Tribe will present Wohali on March 5. The CAA has just announced the 2016-2017 Broadway series, which includes The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid, and The Phantom of the Opera.

What about something off the beaten path? Try a Guided Ghost Tour of Music Hall. This icon building is well-known to paranormal enthusiasts, with activity dating back to the early 1800’s. And for those who appreciate art, the Weston Art Gallery is celebrating 20 years is business as well as featuring Canstruction 2016 in March.

Whatever your interests are, the CAA is sure to have something that fits the bill. Go to www.cincinnatiarts.org for more information and their calendar

 

Many restaurants can call themselves “gastropubs”, but if you want to go to a true gastropub, then look no further than BrewRiver Gastropub in the Historic East end of Cincinnati.

Open for over three years, this craft beer-centric, made-from-scratch cuisine eatery provides not just the pub atmosphere, but also allows the customer to enjoy a relaxed environment while savoring their house-made food and drinks.  Located on Riverside Drive, just a mile and half from downtown, BrewRiver is a destination not to be missed; by being just a small way from the main crowds, patrons can park in their private lot and get right to enjoying the river view, live music and delicious food without having to fight traffic while searching for a parking spot.  When the weather is good, you can enjoy your drinks and snacks on the patio, (which also happens to be dog friendly.) Additionally, if you are looking for a place to hold a private event, there is a private upper deck patio perfect for any occasion.

BrewRiver Gastropub is a New Orleans-influenced pub.   Executive Chef Michael Shields trained under Emeril Lagasse for 6 years in New Orleans and Atlanta, and he brings that experience to the menus he creates every day.  There are 23 craft beers available, and almost every menu item features beer in the recipe: even dessert.  Not sure which beer or fine wine to enjoy with your meal?  BrewRiver is proud to offer wine and beer pairings for each item they serve, as well as flights of beer, which allow you to try up to 6 different beers at a time.

On Sundays, come to BrewRiver to enjoy their New Orleans Sunday Brunch, with traditional items such as Eggs Benedict, Shrimp and Grits and Eggs Sardou.  If you like bacon, you’ll be glad to know they make all their bacon in-house, and infuse it into their own take on the classic Beignet.  And if you like Bloody Mary’s, they serve theirs with spicy pickled veggies and that special house-made bacon!  During brunch, you’ll be entertained and entranced by local blues musician Todd Hepburn.  Also on Sundays, on the first and third nights of the month, Cheryl Renee & Shorty take the floor and will delight you with their blues renditions.

Got a burger craving?  BrewRiver uses a local proprietary blend of beef and Sixteen Bricks’ buns top off these burgers. The newest burger, The Creole Queen, adds bacon to the burger mix, and tops it with a Fried Green Tomato, Cheddar cheese, and creole spices. You might find that Runaway Sidecar, a local band that plays a diverse set of popular music and old rock, is in house.

On Wednesdays you can enjoy the crooning of Old Green Eyes and BBG, styling the Great American Songbook, as well as Wine Wednesday, where all bottles of wine are 50% off.  Thursdays, starting March 3rd, and running through the beginning of July,  you can enjoy an old-fashioned crawfish boil along with the music of Lagniappe (French for “a little something extra”), a Cajun band that plays gypsy jazz.

BrewRiver Gastropub is proud to announce that they are now open all day, Tuesday through Sunday (they are closed on Mondays).  Happy Hour during the week has been extended to 3pm-6pm and remains 3pm-5pm on Saturday and Sunday.  This is a foodie destination not to be missed!

There’s nothing like fresh bread…or fresh pastries…or fresh sweets. Are your taste buds watering for something yeasty and delicious? Look no further than Breadsmith, located on Michigan Avenue in Hyde Park.

Breadsmith only uses the finest natural ingredients for all their artisan breads and sweets. From their daily selections like French Baguette, Ciabatta and Sour Dough to their specialties like Cinnamon Buns, Dessert Breads and Scones, everything is made from scratch in their 5-ton European hearth stone oven. In addition to their daily offerings, Breadsmith has daily, weekly and monthly specials for your enjoyment. You can also call in your order for pick up – what a great way to be stocked up on fresh bread and treats for the week!

To see all daily and monthly goodies, go to the calendar… www.breadsmith.com/cincinnati and click on the calendar link. Many goodies are in store, so get your bread knife ready!

Breadsmith is open Tuesdays through Sundays; drop by for a fresh loaf of bread, a tasty coffee cake or the daily special now.

A journey through 5000 years of civilization will begin when you attend Shen Yun, coming to Cincinnati February 27 at the Aronoff Center.

This brand-new show features a live, East-West orchestra, exquisite dancing and timeless legends and stories told through the use of cutting-edge animated backdrops. It tells the tales a time when Emperors ruled dynasties, heroes became legends and the world was full of magic and miracles. Ancient China was a land of beauty and wonder—a world of heroes, legends and heavenly wisdom—until its divine culture was lost. Now you have the opportunity to travel across centuries, visit imperial palaces and discover realms hidden to the human eye by experiencing Shen Yun. The energy and expressiveness of classical Chinese dance combined with soul-stirring music that blends East and West will take you to another world.

Isn’t it time you saw Shen Yun? To purchase tickets call 513-621-2787 or go to CincinnatiArts.org. or ShenYun.com/Cincinnati.

 

Indianapolis.  100 miles away.  A city I’ve come to know and love over the last several years.

As much fun as I’ve had in the past on my visits, nothing can come even close to the 2 nights/3 days spent recently in this wonderful metropolis.  The days and evenings were filled with fun, great food, great sites, and a spectacular hotel.

The fun began upon arrival at the Alexander Hotel. We were wowed  by the beauty… Stunning lanterns for two stories, in a sleek, contemporary setting.   I had never seen such beautiful holiday decor. Tasteful and elegant.  The room was perfection. Cool, yet comfortable at the same time.

Our journey began at “Mass Ave.”, a fun collection of shops and restaurants not far from the hotel, and headed to Bru Burger.  The burger and fries were oh so worth the calories (good news…there’s one open now here in Cincinnati!). Had to get in some shopping.. Which continued at Union Centre in the heart of downtown Indy.

We then proceeded to the Indianapolis Museum of Art… and upon entering, looked at a stunning display of books, yes books, made into a mosaic suspended from the ceiling.  Chiluly’esque in paperback! Wonderful exhibits on every floor. Then back for a little cocktail at Plat 99, The Uber cool spot in the hotel. Tasty drinks and appetizers, and truffle popcorn (my personal fave!).  Nap time!!!!

Dinner was spent late at Georgia Reese’s…. And I let my partner in crime select the meal.  His eyes lit up at the word “alligator”…. In bites (tasty fried morsels), and then in a spicy gumbo (so good we got a quart to go!). Then ribs, shrimp and grits, and the best sweet potatoes I’ve ever had. We will be back.

Day two..off to the Indianapolis Car Show!  Was the perfect rainy day activity… Followed by… Shopping!  Keystone at the Crossing, a serious mall for serious shoppers.  Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and bunches of other fun places to hit. We then dined at a spectacular Italian gem, Napolese Pizzeria, not your typical mall restaurant.  The Meat Pizza and Brussels Sprouts salad (OMG!). I would seriously consider opening this restaurant in Cincinnati, if that was the business I was in!

Back to the Alexander Hotel to decompress for a bit before heading over to watch the Pacers.

Had to stop back at Plat 99 first, then a quick two minute walk to the arena. The Pacers were playing the Atlanta Hawks. The crowd was electric! Our seats were amazing, and I must admit that seeing Larry Bird in person (he was just seats away) was just too cool.  I spent part of the game trying to get that perfect pic of him! Everyone was pumped… The Pacers took an early lead, and maintained throughout. Superstars playing amazing basketball just a few feet in front of us. Too cool.

Off to St. Elmo’s for dinner after (it was perfect as they are open late), where we dined on Shrimp Cocktail, The perfect bread basket  (yes, perfect), and the Lamb Porterhouse.  Wonderful. Bedtime!!!!

Day three… almost time to head back to reality.  But first, and conveniently at the highway entrance, sits Schapiro’s delicatessen.  A must stop place each time we are in Indianapolis. We ordered a gargantuan sandwich to eat in, then of course food to go.  Was the perfect way to end this little Indy getaway.

So, next time you find yourself with one, two or three days and looking for a quick escape, Visit Indy.  So fun!!! Go to www.visitindy.com for the latest info!!!