Holy Grail Tavern (on the Banks)

The Holy Grail Tavern was the first business to open inside the Banks project on... er, the banks.

(You'd think I'd go back and fix awkward sentences like that, but here we are.)

Holy Grail isn't the first of its kind-- it's the third location of the Grail, which I suppose has to keep moving, right?

I visited for lunch, always eager for a new place to eat downtown. (One can even tire of Paula's and Ingredients if one eats there frequently enough.)

We chose a gorgeous, breezy day, so the Holy Grail had its large garage door walls open (think Parker Flats), and though it still smells of sawdust and sounds like construction, it really made the restaurant a great place to be. The tavern is humongous, decked out with TVs (it's a sports bar) on mute (at least for lunch), long bars that could seat 20 people, reservable tables with private taps, and even bar seats right against the open windows. Large and fantastic.

The place was hummin' when we visited, but we had no problem getting a seat. Service was a little slow, but nothing unforgivable. The food was really great for bar food-- I had a turkey burger with swiss and it was juicy and delicious. (Food was a bit pricey-- check the posted menu.) The staff eventually rolled down the garage door because of some intense wind, but the room still felt airy and sunlit.

Holy Grail Tavern website: http://www.holygrailcincy.com/html/home/home.php
Holy Grail on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/holy-grail-tavern-and-grille-cincinnati-3

a ride through the city

We post this on Twitter and Facebook the other day, but I figured I'd post it here for anyone who missed it. Another experiment with our GoPro camera, this time mounted to the roof of the car while we made a pad thai run up to Teak.

Casino construction

While I was out on my bike Saturday I rode along the edge of the new casino site and took a few pictures on my phone. They're certainly moving along with excavation and the removal of buildings.

Still unsure what I think about the casino project in general, but its well underway so I'll just hope it brings something positive to the area.

Taste of Belgium (in the Freedom Center)

Holy smokes!

On the hunt for something new, I suggested we hit Taste of Belgium for lunch. I've had crêpes and the like from Taste of Belgium in Findlay Market, but in January they opened a new branch inside the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, right on the river.

What a fantastic call that turned out to be.

When we first walked in, we were a little turned around-- you can take your order to go (as many of the construction workers for the Banks have been doing), but the restaurant is actually full-service. We were kindly led to a table and talked through the menu.

So much sounded great, but I decided on the "waffle sandwich" (exactly what you'd imagine) with turkey, and my coworker had the shrimp and grits waffle. He didn't take much convincing.

You have to understand that a Taste of Belgium waffle is unlike any other waffle you've ever had. It's sweet but not saccharine, and thoroughly delicious. Slap some turkey in there and it's lunch, apparently.

My coworker loved his shrimp and grits, and was actually just as impressed with the side salad served with it. The lemon poppyseed dressing was apparently a great complement to his lunch.

This location is a little odd because they aren't fully situated yet-- there were four laminated menus, three salt shakers and a handful of ketchup packets to share among the patrons-- but they're working toward a remodel and other upgrades (flatware?). I think they're doing exactly the right thing: getting the food right first. There's time to keep moving toward perfect so long as you keep cranking out freaking delicious lunches like these!

One other small weird thing: they seemed caught off-guard when a group of 40 Mennonites paraded in after a tour of the Freedom Center. As a museum café, I'd think you'd be expecting these kinds of onslaughts! The waitstaff handled it quickly and politely, so no harm done, but I hope they're able to scale in the way they'll need to when this Taste of Belgium location picks up the popularity it deserves.

Taste of Belgium's website: http://authenticwaffle.com/
Freedom Center's website: http://www.freedomcenter.org/
This location on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/taste-of-belgium-cincinnati-2

Views from a Commute, part 2

Hi Mike!

When parading around with my camera, Mike made the mistake of leaving the door to Mica 12/v propped open. :) (He permitted me to take a photo, fear not.) I love this guy, and I love walking by his and his wife's gorgeous shop in OTR!

Do I need to tell you how anxious I am for more of this photo-friendly weather?

Views from a Commute, part 1

Remember when the weather was startlingly gorgeous? Lasted about 15 minutes? Well, I managed to grab the camera during that infinitesimal window and snap a few pictures of my walk around OTR.

Look for a few more tomorrow, to tide us over until the sun pops out for a bit longer.

Library Day: Mercantile Library and CPL Main Branch

After the Madeira, Norwood and Corryville branches, the last libraries my friends and I visited were the Mercantile Library and Cincinnati Public Library's main branch.

I only snagged this one photo from Mercantile Library-- it's so austere in there, it's not really the kind of place where you whip out your camera! But if you haven't visited this gem inside the Mercantile Center (duh), you really ought to take the opportunity. You don't need to be a member to visit the Mercantile Library, and it's so full of artifacts and history, it's simply amazing.

The remaining three (crappy, iPhone-taken) photos are from the main branch at the Cincinnati Public Library. The library has these stained glass windows peppered throughout the downtown branch, and I'd love to know more about them. Were they in the walls at one point?

This is the view from one of the higher level windows. Embarrassed admission: I'd never moved above the ground floor before "Library Day." Seeing how many open, bright windows and great reading spaces live throughout the library was a big eye-opener for me! I had imagined it'd be a lot more... stuffy upstairs. Oops!

Of course, there are older artifacts in the higher floors of the library. Dan was thrilled to find a card catalog, and we were all excited to tour the "Cincinnati Room," where they house some great local history pieces and changing exhibitions.

We spent hours in the main branch of the Public Library... there is so much there, I'm going to have to go back with the real camera and document more of it. I was overwhelmed to discover more than I'd imagined was housed in the downtown branch! I've been underutilizing this great public resource.

Mercantile Library: http://www.mercantilelibrary.com/
Cincinnati Public Library: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/main/

Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show

As we noted over here, we were gifted with a handful of free tickets to the Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show. We have given a handful of the tickets away (Matt S., let us know how we can get two tickets to you!) and we used a few for ourselves, because we had never been to a boat show before.

Mostly, as we guessed, the boat show was not for us. The layout and feel was similar to the Auto Expo we attended last year, also held at Duke, but there wasn't much to hold my attention. The boat show's target audience seemed to be having a fantastic time, and even around 7pm the place was hopping.

I did get to sit on a scooter, though! Metro Scooter was in attendance, which almost became financially dangerous for me. Some day! ;)

I'm so glad we had an opportunity to tackle something new, and within walking distance from home!

Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show: http://www.hartproductions.com/travel-sport-and-boat-show/

Giveaway: Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show

I have to admit... boat shows are not necessarily my thang. However, I've been given a handful of free tickets to the event to distribute to my readers. Are there any boating enthusiasts out there?

Comment on this post! Dan and I will randomly choose three readers to win a pair of tickets each. We'll be choosing quickly because this event takes place over the next two weekends!

Information about the event, from their press release:

53rd annual Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show

Jan. 14-16 and Jan. 19-23, 2011 at the Duke Energy Center

Escape from winter at the place for everything outdoors, with more than 250,000 square feet of boats and 400 companies representing: boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, hunting, camping, golf and travel destinations near and far where you can do it all. Experts in all areas will offer knowledgeable one-on-one consultation to buy the boat, equipment and gear or book the perfect customized trip – at the best early-season prices!

Tickets are $11 for adults and FREE for children 13 and under (available ONLY at the Convention Center ticket windows). Admission includes the Cincinnati Golf Show (Jan.14-16) and the Cincinnati Hunting & Fishing Show® (Jan.19-23). Save $3 when you buy adult admission tickets with your Kroger Plus Card at any Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Kroger store thru 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23. Wed., Jan. 19, - BUCK NIGHT: admission is $1 for all.

Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show website: http://www.hartproductions.com/travel-sport-and-boat-show/

Possible Cincinnati Streetcar on public display

Starting today at 1PM the City of Cincinnati will have one of the possible models of streetcar on display at Fountain Square. This gives the public a chance to look at and to get a feel for what we'll be riding starting in 2013. Erica was able to get a photo of the streetcar on its transport before they set it up on the square.

Here's the official press release from Mayor Mark Mallory -

Dear Friend:

I wanted to let you in on some exciting news: a Streetcar visiting Cincinnati. It is going to be set up on Fountain Square on 5^th Street and you will be able to climb aboard and check it out. It arrives tomorrow and will be here through Wednesday, November 10. It will be open for people to tour from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm tomorrow and from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm daily after that.

This is a great opportunity for you and your friends to climb aboard and see a modern Streetcar up close. This isn’t necessarily the Streetcar that we will have in Cincinnati because we haven’t selected our model yet, but it will give you a great idea of what you can expect when our Streetcar system is up and running in 2013.

I invite you to join me tomorrow at 1:00 pm for the opening so that you can be among the first to tour the Streetcar.

The Streetcar is an exciting project for Cincinnati. I hope that you get a chance to come to Fountain Square and check it out while it is here, and bring your friends and family when you do.

Thanks.

Mark Mallory

Mayor

UPDATE! Erica grabbed a few more pictures:

Incredulity Improv

I was involved with improvisational comedy throughout my time at college, and for a few years afterward. That eventually tapered off because there's a very, very sparse improv scene in Cincinnati.

However, the Queen City is fortunate to have Incredulity. Incredulity has been around for a few years and has performed at the Fringe Festival; they currently have an ongoing gig at Grammer's in Over-the-Rhine.

Incredulity has a rotating cast, including two very talented friends of mine: Alison Strickland and Dave Powell.

I do not say this lightly: no member of their cast was carrying the show, and no member was clearly struggling to keep up. As a veteran improviser I can tell you it's almost always the case that there are chinks in the armor as well as stage hogs, but Incredulity comes off as a team with a strong bond, a sense of trust, and the ability to share a stage.

The only real disappointment in the performance was the audience turnout. As a city full of art nuts, we need to be showing more love to the improv side of theater. Improvisers rarely make much money (and Incredulity's shows are free)-- they live on laughter, applause and attention.

Keep up with Incredulity's show listings (mostly at Grammer's) on their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=113157735370717

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company: Dracula

Dracula scared me.

I'm not in the habit of being scared at the theater. Even when I'm supposed to be. It's all pretend, right? Make believe. Acting.

Still, something about this old classic really frightened me!

It was never Count Dracula who scared me. By the time the lights in the theater dim, you're prepared for him. You're watching the shadows, waiting for him to appear. But that makes you put your guard down for a supporting cast that will play on your tension. I definitely won't spoil those scenes for you, but it's not Giles Davies' Dracula that sends shivers down your spine in this production.

Sometimes, during intermissions, I'll make notes in my iPhone about a show. This time I wanted to note Davies' crazy (and required!) Transylvanian accent, and I unintentionally coined the term "Draccent." You're welcome.

Davies is good, though I was surprised how little of a role the title character actually has in the performance. This leaves plenty of stage time for a lovable doctor, a coquettish vampiress, a richly German Van Helsing, and a handful of other roles that are just as entertaining.

I will mention that the most memorable performance came from the lunatic Renfield, but who can ignore a man in the deepest throes of Hamletness? Words, words, words!

I enjoyed the play from the start: an introduction to Dracula by the mesmerizing Renfield. However, I'll paraphrase my seat-neighbor: "I really like the lighting in this show-- but it is hot as hell in here." Seriously, by the end of Dracula I was ready to run from the theater. There are drawbacks to a packed house, I suppose.

I would be completely remiss if I didn't mention WVXU-- I won our tickets through a random drawing on their site. I couldn't love that station more!

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company: http://cincyshakes.com/
Dracula (at CSC): http://www.cincyshakes.com/dracula.html

Football 101

I can't remember the last time I've had so much fun.

Dan managed two tickets to Football 101 through his office, and it sounded like something fun for my mom and me to try out. Neither of us are "football people," though she's much closer than I am.

Let's back up. Football 101 is a benefit for the Marvin Lewis Community Fund. Tickets are a bit pricey (in the neighborhood of $200), and they raise more money through raffles and silent/live auctions during the event.


When dinner and the live auction were over... that's when the fun began. I have to admit I was full of trepidation about heading onto Paul Brown Stadium and running drills. I don't have an athletic bone in my body! But the event was managed in such a way that everyone could have a great time. We ran tackling drills, kicked field goals, suited up in Bengals uniforms, met with coaches in the locker room and classroom, and even had a scrimmage at the end of the night.


There were times when my mom was lying on the astroturf, laughing her tail off. We both spent some time on the jumbotron, and we were able to meet coaches like Jay Hayes and Paul Alexander. And through all the fun and hilarity, I think I managed to learn a thing or two about football. No small feat!


And I'd like to say that Marvin Lewis was awesome. He was so engaged throughout the entire night, managed to raise a ton of money during the live auction, and was very encouraging and supportive to the women running around making fools of themselves. The energy was buzzing all night, all the way from 4:30 to almost 10pm.


Even if I can't score free tickets next year, I might be persuaded to buy a pair!

Football 101: http://www.marvinlewis.org/football101.aspx
Marvin Lewis Community Fund: http://www.marvinlewis.org/default.aspx
More photos and videos from my first time at Football 101: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rrrrred/sets/72157625041778999/