By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor 20 Brix Chef Paul Barraco blurs the lines between bland quotidian reality and bewitching culinary conceptions. He’s a perfect match with owner Hunter Thomas whose love of food and wine led him to create Cincinnati’s first combination wine store, wine bar and restaurant focused on matching food and wine so [ Read More...]

By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor There were many intriguing aspects to the Blue Elephant. The first was a delicious tiramisu in an Asian restaurant. Co-owner Somsak Wongtouwan, who was a chef at the Hilton Hotels, is at home with both Thai and Italian cuisine. His wife, Saowanit (Leena), a third generation Thai restaurant owner, explained [ Read More...]

By Nicole Simon Assistant Editor After enjoying a meal at Tandoor of Montgomery, the word unique came to mind to describe the wonderful food that was found there. Nestled in the Marketplace on Montgomery Road, you’ll find a place that serves Indian food that’s so good you can taste the love that went into it. [ Read More...]

By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor Come with me to the days of yesteryear, circa 1970. Do you remember when a Chinese restaurant was a “rara avis,” — a much sought after oddity? Susanna Wong Burgess, doyenne of the Wong restaurant family and manager of Oriental Wok at the Regency, explained, “Chinese cooking was such a [ Read More...]

By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor Crispy, sweet veal schnitzel, succulent red cabbage and other tempting, authentic German food have been Wertheim’s specialty for over 22 years. Located in Main Strasse Village on a picturesque boulevard with buildings that reflect turn of the century New Orleans inspired architecture, with graceful iron grillwork, balconies, porches and a [ Read More...]

By Nicole Simon Contributing Editor If you were to tell Kenny Tessel, the outspoken owner and main cook of KT’s Barbecue, that “food is food and barbecue is barbecue,” he would serve up some of his restaurant’s fare with a dash of his personality in order to prove you wrong. And that is what you [ Read More...]

By Sondra Katkin Jewish Telegraphic Agency Bella Luna shimmers with bright colors, a festive atmosphere that fires up your expectations of food bursting with equally bright flavors. And they deliver! My husband Steve and I dined there recently, and in the convivial bonhomie of the crowded dining room where voice levels rose and fell, we [ Read More...]

By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor Years ago friends recommended trying the special house salad at Ferrari’s Little Italy. This award winner—“Best of Taste,” 1999— which lived up to its reputation, was crisp and carefully prepared with an interplay of leafy greens, cranberries, pine nuts, gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. My husband Steve and I also [ Read More...]

By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor Crispy, sweet veal schnitzel, succulent red cabbage and other tempting, authentic German food has been Wertheim’s specialty for over 22 years. Located in Main Strasse Village on a picturesque boulevard with buildings that reflect turn of the century New Orleans inspired architecture — graceful iron grillwork, balconies, porches and a [ Read More...]

By Sondra Katkin Dining Editor Marx Hot Bagels has the best bagel in town. John Marx has had years to perfect his formula. When still a teen, he served an apprenticeship in a large baking plant. He took over the bagel shop when it was a failing business. A hard worker with a skilled craftsman’s [ Read More...]