Americano Burger Bar is now open on the ground floor of the 84.51 building at 545 Race St. Cincinnati’s hottest burger joint and bar is the third venue from Chef Cristian & Amanda Pietoso. They opened FORNO Osteria & Bar in Hyde Park earlier this year and it has been named one of the top new restaurants of 2015. Americano is quickly becoming a favorite, and Via Vite on Fountain Square has been a staple of Italian food since 2007.

America is a country like no other—an eclectic mix of cultures and traditions. It’s a melting pot of ideas and a celebration of what makes us all different, but yet very much the same. Inspired by this rich heritage, Americano Burger Bar has taken American staples we all love, and elevated them with international flavors from around the world. Their slogan is simple, ‘Beer, Burger, Fries, Repeat.’ Chef Cristian Pietoso says, “People ask me, as an Italian, will I put my own spin on the burger? I won’t. It needs to be what it is,” he said. “At the same time, what is American food? It’s really a collage of so many things.”

The burgeoning lunch crowds are a sign that Americano is already a hit. On any night a steady crowd enjoys the shuffleboard, Foosball tables and the extensive craft beer selection. Simon Pelkey, General Manager, says they are already adding more tables and preparing the outdoor patio ahead of schedule to handle the volume. Americano is one of the few late night options downtown. Their kitchen is open until midnight most nights and 2am on the weekends. Visit www.AmericanoBurgerBar.com

Wow… Our fine city has surely seen an incredible year. The All-Star game pu our hidden gem of a city on the map.... In the spotlight shining so bright for one full week. The world got to see that Cincinnati is THE place for major events! 

We welcomed visitors from all over with open arms......thanks Cincinnati. You literally stepped up to the plate. 

Every August, our city shines again with The Western & Southern Open.... An 
anticipated event every end of summer… Always welcoming the tennis stars...hello Roger and Serena! They both walked away with the trophy....And so does our city. 

Now the whole country is watching as our beloved Bengals are having the season of their lives. You can feel the passion and spirit all over the city… 
Everywhere you look on game day you see a sea of orange and black. Bengal 
stripes are everywhere! We continue to wish them luck in their upcoming 
schedule… let's finish the season with playoff wins and cross our fingers 
for......Super Bowl! 

We'd like to remember Lauren Hill and the true legacy she has left this 
town....remembering that dreams can come true..,for Lauren....and for 
Cincinnati. Her spirit lives on..... And wishing continued strength and prayers for Leah Still....what a fighter!!! 

A heartfelt THANK YOU...to all Key Magazine Cincinnati readers, advertisers, online fans, distributors, and my dedicated staff...you make everything 
possible. 
 
From the staff of Key Magazine Cincinnati… and from my family to yours… wishing you a very merry holiday season… And peace.

Patty Youkilis
Owner/Publisher
Key Magazine Cincinnati

With the holidays barreling down upon us, visitors to Greater Cincinnati may want to plan on a trip to Appointments in the very heart of downtown Cincinnati. Appointments is that special kind of shop with quality gifts you will not find in many places.

Ask to see the exquisitely crafted Cross Botanicals—upscale pens featuring floral patterns on the barrel of the pen, engraved into the surface and lacquered to protect the beauty. Cross has been a leading name in writing instruments for generations, and has served as a “special occasion” gift for decades.

You may want to consider the hottest thing in professional and personal accessories of the luggage variety. The pieces are done in waxed canvas with leather trim, and they are the rage among professionals. The bags are made in the USA, and they feature great style, offering the perfect balance between business and personal carry items.

There’s a large selection of leather-bound goods for a variety of uses among professionals and lifestyle consumers. There are finely tooled leather day planners and pads, briefcases, computer totes, messenger bags and satchels and travel kits for toiletries. “All of these items are finely made by the top names in the leather goods business, and a good value too,” said Douglas Kennedy, owner of Appointments.

Kennedy’s all-leather luggage goods are made by Johnston & Murphy. The genuine leather brief cases, laptop totes and leather document cases are of exceptional quality, and the perfect statement for professional types on the go and the climb— also great stocking stuffers or under-the-tree items.

The Key magazine team promises you’ll find a varied, exotic, interesting selection of items, and nobody else in Greater Cincinnati has such a collection under one roof.

In addition to the Cross Botanicals, Appointments carries a fantastic line of writing implements— yes, pens, exquisite and of the fountain variety, but also ball-points, fiber tips, mechanical pencils and the like—targeting writing aficionados of all inks.

There are fountain pens from all the world’s elite makers of fine writing instruments, including: Montblanc, Porsche, Waterman, and many others as well.