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!!!

Many restaurants can call themselves “gastropubs”, but if you want to go to a true gastropub, then look no further than BrewRiver Gastropub in downtown 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, and 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; their head chef worked for 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.

On Sundays, come to BrewRiver to enjoy their New Orleans Sunday Brunch, with traditional items such as Eggs Benedict, Shrimp and Grits and Eggs Bardoux. 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? Tuesdays are $2 off all burgers, and you might find that Runaway Duet, 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 Playbook, as well as Wine Wednesday, where all bottles of wine are 50% off. Thursdays, in season, 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 starting February 2, they will be 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 cakes. 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!

In the month of February, Breadsmith’s special feature will be King Cake, just in time for Mardi Gras. To see the rest of the calendar, just go to 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.

If you’ve ever been out to Northside, you know that there’s just one place to go for tasty, authentic Tex-Mex cuisine: Django Western Taco. But did you know that your favorite taco place is gearing up for a new menu? That’s right, just in time for the New Year. Joshua Campbell, owner and chef of Django Western Taco, is working hard on creating a new, innovative menu that combines both traditional and non-traditional items for your dining pleasure.

Located on Hamilton Avenue in Northside, Django Western Taco is convenient to both Downtown Cincinnati and Clifton, and boasts one of the only outdoor dining patios in that area. With seating for 60 inside, Django welcomes reservations and offers Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4-7. Their innovative bar program is run by Lance Bowman, one of the top bartenders in Cincinnati; with specials on beer, wine and cocktails, Bowman is all about providing his customers with the best, most interesting drinks possible.

Django Western Taco is focused on creating a fun, approachable menu with local ingredients. In fact, they source their non-GMO corn tortillas from Tortilleria Garcia, the only tortilla-production company available in this region. They are famous for their Queso Chorizo, which was featured on Foodnetwork.com, and like to say that they can do “anything with a taco.” In addition to serving lunch and dinner, Django Western Taco has recently opened on Sundays for Brunch from 11 am – 3 pm ….already a hit, serving signature dishes and festive drinks.

Joshua Campbell has been in the restaurant biz for 18 years, and has previously owned several restaurants. With his new menu, he’s looking forward to exciting your taste buds. “I want to make you want to come back and have more.” Simple words for yummy food. Hit Northside and check out the new menu soon at Django Western Taco. Also, go to www.djangonorthside.com for hours, menus, and daily specials. Simply delicious. Django Western Taco.

Cincinnati has a wonderful selection of places to go, things to see and fun activities to do. But sometimes you just want to get out of town for the weekend and try something different. Columbus, Ohio is but an hour and a half away and one of the newest hot spots to hit there is Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph.

Located in the heart of the Short North—Columbus’s arts and entertainment district—Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph is steps away from unique shopping, endless dining options, and the contagious energy of High Street. Relax and rejuvenate in one of their 135 artfully-designed guest rooms and suites that have been designed to captivate all senses or take advantage of the hotel’s private spa suites, which are idyllic settings for refreshing mind, body, and spirit with pampering spa treatments. When you get hungry, your curiosities and palates will be stimulated by refined cuisine prepared with the freshest ingredients at The Guild House, their signature farm-to-table restaurant.

Guests can start their day with the hotel’s Signature Breakfast, and enjoy traditional café classics enlivened with a modern twist. Along with complementary Eye Openers (fun drinks with a “destination” flair,” , these distinctive offerings awaken the senses with an infusion of local flavors. Le Méridien Hub, their innovative hotel lobby concept, is a coffeehouse-style gathering place for creative minds. Enjoy an illy espresso crafted by a Master Barista, or indulge in an éclair while discovering a playlist curated by French bossa nova band “Nouvelle Vague.”

Le Méridien’s Unlock Art™ program is the most unique feature of the hotel. Your keycard unlocks more than just doors; they have partnerships that provide access to leading contemporary culture centers in every destination they are in. This offers a special opportunity to see art and culture in the Le Méridien location you are in, with just the swipe of a card. In Columbus, that means access to the Pizzuti Collection, presented by a nonprofit organization showing temporary exhibitions of contemporary art from the collection of Ron and Ann Pizzuti.

After a day of exploration and excitement, join other guests in the evening for Le Méridien Sparkling, a cocktail ceremony inspired by the traditional European aperitif hour.

While Cincinnati is certainly THE place to be, there’s nothing wrong with a little out-of-town adventure. Head north to Columbus and experience Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph.