Cincinnati Restaurant Tips by Stephen-KarenConn

Restaurant Name: Copeland's

When Karen and I decided to meet for the first time, after we had been chatting for a few days on the internet, she suggested we meet for dinner at Copeland's. I'll never forget the fateful night, March 28, 2001. Copeland's is an upscale but casual restaurant with a full American menu, and a speciality in New Orleans style Cajun dishes. In fact, Copeland's flagship restaurant in New Orleans has been voted "Best Cajun Restaurant," for eight years by New Orleans Magazine.

Normally a first blind date would just be for a drink, or lunch. However, it must have been in the stars that this was to be a magical evening. We hit it off from the start (unlike many other first dates we had both had), and after dinner we went across the street to the lobby of the Marriott where we sat and continued talking until late into the night. Within a short period of time we were seeing each other exculsively. Exactly one year and two days later, we became husband and wife.

Oh HaPpY Day!!!

Favorite Dish: On our first date we both ordered Catfish Acadiana, golden fried bayou catfish with creamy shrimp butter sauce, steamed vegetables, and spicey red potatoes. Although I was totally enchanted by Karen, and she apparently found me at least amusing, it was not exactly love at first sight - just keen interest - so we both enjoyed the food. We have been back there many times, as recently as last Sunday, and I almost always order the Catfish Acadiana. Not only is it terrific, but at $12.99 it is also one of the least expensive items on the menu. You won't have room for desert, but if you decide to go for it anyway, you won't go wrong by trying the Brownie Deluxe A LaMode.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 513-336-0043
Address: 5150 Mason-Montgomery Road
Directions: In the northeastern suburbs of Cincinnati. From downtown take I-71 north about 18 miles to the Mason-Montgomery exit. Turn left (west) and you will see the restaurant across from the Marriott.
Website: www.cincinnati.com/dining/copelands

Restaurant Name: Skyline Chili

When I was living in Tennessee and my son, Chris, came to Cincinnati to attend the University, he called home raving about Skyline Chili. So when I went to visit him I insisted that he take me to Skyline for a meal. It was not at all like I expected; it was much better.

Skyline first opened in Cincinnati in 1949, and was named for the view from the original location. The proprieter was Nicholas Lambrinides, an immigrant from Kastoria, Greece, who was fulfilling his dream of coming to America and opening a restaurant. Nicholas used family recipe handed down to him from his mother and grandmother back in the Old World.

People loved Skyline Chili and the dish gained an almost cult-like following. The enterprise has grown until today there are dozens of Cincinnati area restaurants serving the recipe that has become known throughout America as Cincinnati-style chili.

Favorite Dish: Nothing at all like Texas Chili, Skyline Chili is a spicy but mild meaty sauce, poured on a plate of spaghetti, and topped with huge mounds of shreaded mild cheddar cheeze. That's the three way. You can also have the four way (add onions OR red beans), or the five way (add onions AND red beans). It is served with oyster crackers. Skyline is also famous for their Coney dogs, also piled high with chili and cheeze.

Just before writing this tip I went to our neighborhood Skyline Chili for lunch and took this picture before I ate. Now I'm going to email this page to my son,Chris, who now lives in Denver, CO. It will make him so homesick and hungry. Every time he returns to Cincinnati, we head for Skyline Chili.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: There are numerous Skyline Chili Restaurants throughout the greater Cincinnati area. Also, a handful of restaurants can now be found as far away as Florida and Michigan.
Website: www.skylinechili.com

Restaurant Name: Buca di Beppo

After the hostess greets you at Buca di Beppo, you will be taken through the kitchen, filled with savory aromas, and into one of ten dining rooms. The walls are almost totally covered with photos, posters, record albums and other items of Italiana - 5-000 of them. That with the colored lights and upbeat staff soon puts everyone into a festive mood. Your server arrives at your table and encourages everyone to feel free to get up and look around, be loud, be obnoxious, wild, and crazy. And that was even before the wine was served.

When the food comes out it is heaped on platters, family style, and everyone is encouraged to share. This is no place to grab a quick bite. It's a wonderful venue for a party - large or small. We enjoyed our anniversary celebration here on one occasion and a birthday on another. The staff will even come to your table and sing for you.

Favorite Dish: The last time we ate at Buca di Beppo it was with a group of twelve people around a big table. Because of the family style service, we must have sampled at least a half dozen different dishes -all very good. I especially enjoyed the Chicken Marsala with fresh mushrooms. The Italian sausage was also a favorite.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1-513-396-POPE
Address: 2635 Edmondson Road, Norwood, OH 45209
Directions: From downtown Cincinnati take I-71 north five miles, to the Smith Rd. - Edwards Rd. exit. After exiting, turn right onto Edmondson Road and follow it to Rookwood Commons, where you will find the restaurant.
Website: www.bucadibeppo.com

Restaurant Name: Rock Bottom Cafe and Brewery

Rock Bottom is top drawer with us. The restaurant has an upscale feel and is in a festive setting at Fountain Square - the very heart of Cincinnati. They are open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner, but we have only done lunch there. If the weather is nice and you eat outside you will enjoy a wonderful view of the splashing fountain, and you may even attract some pigeons to share your crumbs.

Favorite Dish: We love their brick-oven pizza, and the homemade bread has been voted "Best of Cincinnati." People say the beer is passable, but I've never tried it. I hate the taste of beer. The iced tea and diet cola are sublime, especially on a warm summer day.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 513-621-1588
Address: 10 Fountain Square, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Directions: At Fountain Square in the heart of downtown Cincinnati.

Restaurant Name: Rookwood Pottery Restaurant

Rookwood Pottery was first made in Cincinnati in 1880, and was manufactured in this beautiful historic tudor-style building atop Mt. Adams from 1892 - 1961. That's when the pottery business was moved elsewhere, and the old red brick kilns were made into three dining rooms for this popular Cincinnati Restaurant. Regretably, there is no view from inside the restaurant, but some say that the view from the parking lot is the best in the city. It is absolutely dazzling to stand beside the restaurant after dark and look down on the lights of Cincinnati. The restaurant is tastefully decorated, and reflects the historic significance of the building.

Favorite Dish: The seafood fettuccini is sumptous, and the thick juicy burgers are great too. Be sure to leave room for the chocolate fudge cake.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 513-721-5456
Address: 1077 Celestial Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Directions: On Mount Adams, just east of downtown Cincinnati

Restaurant Name: Graeters

Since 1870 Graeters Ice Cream has been a tradition in Cincinnati, and it's popularity is still growing. This is Cincinnati's own local brand ice cream which has managed to become the signature frozen dairy desert for the city. In addition to ice cream Graeters also serves cookies and cakes. This is a place to come for dessert, or a sweet snack, and every time I have ever dones so, I have had to stand in line behind others who have come to satisfy their own sweet tooth.

Favorite Dish: I took a photo of this banana split just before consuming it - with much gusto. You can choose any flavor of ice cream or toppings. For this delightful creation I selected a scoop each of vanilla bean and butter pecan ice cream, crowned with hot chocolate and strawberry toppings, plus whipped cream, pecans and a cherry on top. Yummy!

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Theme: Dessert
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1-513-721-3323
Directions: 13 Locations throughout the greater Cincinnati area, and a few in nearby cities, including Lexington, Louisville and Columbus.
Website: www.graeters.com