Fork Heart Knife

Fork Heart Knife had their final food sevice on Thursday 5/5.  It was my second trip and I feel lucky to have been able to partake in another one of their delicious meals.  They celebrated Cinco de Mayo and the Mexican fare was amazing.

Tortilla chips with mango salsa to begin (the guac was already gone).

Followed by Mexican street corn; sweet corn on the cob covered in mayonnaise and then rolled in cotija cheese(a crumbly goat cheese) and topped with paprika.  Yum!  Definitely something I will try to replicate.

The main course was fish tacos.  Grilled tilapia in two soft tortilla shells topped with more cotija and a cabbage slaw.  Excellent, although the picture does not do it justice. 

For dessert they served "crack" cookies; sugar cookies made with brown sugar and browned butter.  I failed to get a picture but they were by far some of the best cookies I've had.  They were topped with sugar and seemed to be lightly salted; the sweet/salty/cripsy exterior with the chewy interior was something that cannnot be explained without tasting it yourself.

I've followed ForkHeartKnife's blog for several months now and recipes are freely posted throughout its pages.  The cookie recipe is there...although you will have to hunt for it.  I think it's great that the owners have shared their gift and love of cooking with their community; their eat-in kitchen made such an impression in a very brief period of time.  Looking forward to what the future holds!



Dixie Chili

I don't often get cravings for Cincinnati-style chili.  I prefer home-made, heartier Texas-style chili with lots of onions and vegetables...and no spaghetti. 

So when I got a craving last Thursday for the local variety of chili I chose to bypass Skyline and Gold Star and head a little further north on 27 to Dixie Chili in Newport. 

I sat down and tried to pretend I wasn't a first-timer; I sat for several more minutes and no one acknowledged me so I had to blow my cover and go up to the counter to ask how I was supposed to place my order.  FYI, you order at the counter and take a tray (just like the school cafeteria!) to the end of the tray-line where you wait for your order to be prepared, and then sit down at a table. 

I ordered a small (very small) 3-way and a cheese coney with mustard.  The chili was thicker and somewhat creamy than others I've tried, not watery in the least.  The cheese melted on top of the chili and the chili stuck to the spaghetti very nicely so I basically cut it with my fork and ate it in chunks.  The flavor was great and it was served with Westminster crackers on the side, which I found very classy. 

My cheese coney was good as well; although I prefer the 3-way over the coney.  The coney didn't have enough chili or cheese for my liking; maybe a chili cheese sandwich would be a better option next time?

All things considered, Dixie Chili is a great alternative to Skyline and Goldstar and I'll definitely return to satisfy future Cincinnati chili cravings.

Newport Kroger Marketplace: A Love Story

I've lived in Southgate, KY for 4 years. For a long time the closest grocery store options were Remke Market (over-priced and old-school in my opinion) and Bellevue Kroger(go there...you'll see). My only other choice was to drive further south to Highland Heights; which seemed a tad too inconvenient for groceries.

You can imagine my glee a few years ago when excavation began on Grand Avenue and there was talk of a Kroger Marketplace! So I waited, and waited (and whined) and waited some more. Every trip heading southbound on I471 offered a view of the progress and left me on pins and needles. Construction was pushed back with the whole real estate collapse but the store finally opened about a year later than expected in October 2009.

Here is a list of all the reasons I love Newport Kroger Marketplace(NKMP).

1.) NKMP has 1/2 carts. I've never seen this before, maybe I don't get out much??  When I saw a 1/2 cart for the first time it made 2009 seem worth it after all. Why didn't someone think of this sooner? I mean come on, sometimes you need to purchase more than fits in a hand-held basket and less than fits in a whole cart. You can't maneuver around slow shoppers with a regular cart. 1/2 cart baby!

2.) NKMP has the most kick-ass cheese selection you will ever see. And they give you samples. And they have cheese experts who will offer to help you pick out a wedge. The first time I shopped at NKMP I stared at the cheese for at least 15 minutes...just stared.

3.) NKMP has a Magic Pop maker and a an employee who coerces me into buying a bag every time I'm there. He's all friendly and convincing about it.

4.) I've never been to another grocery store where the meat/seafood staff prepare lobster bisque and serve samples to customers. This happened a few weeks ago and my love for NKMP intensified.

5.) The organic food selection at NKMP is extensive. It's not just a 1/2 aisle of random things; which means I don't have to make a separate trip to Whole Foods if I'm feeling like some organica.

6.) Every time I shop I get to sample a vast array of food. If I time my shopping trip right, I'm able to substitute lunch with free samples:) Herb Gouda, Jarlsburg, Magic Pop, Puffins, fresh guacamole, deli sandwiches, dips, Greek yogurt. These are just a few of the items I have purchased thanks to sampling them first.

7.) The fresh produce selection and quality are never lacking.

8.) Starbucks is located inside the store!

9.) NKMP has 12 Uscan lanes. This means I always get to check out my own groceries. I don't know why I enjoy this so much; it's a control thing.

10.) Last, but certainly not least. NKMP employees are a class act. I've never had a bad experience. At first I thought it was because of the newness of the store, but their level of customer service continues to impress.

Shop at NKMP, you will fall in love too!

Stuffed on Vine

I tried Stuffed on Vine!  Finally!  It seems like I've been waiting for ages but realistically it's only been about 2 months.  T'was everything I dreamed.

We went on a Sunday evening to have the option of the "Sunday meal" in addition to a Big Lene or other menu item.  The restaurant is partially under construction with the main bar area fixed up and the side room still a work in progress.  We had a larger group so we sat in the side room and enjoyed it to ourselves.

Charlena is one of the co-owners and was our server.  She basically wrote the book on hospitality.  After answering our questions, making menu recommendations and sharing information about the building's history she took our order and explained how the whole stuffed burger bit got started.

From the 1930's until the late 1980's the ground floor of 1720 Vine Street was a bar and grill of sorts.  At one point in the early 1990's it was turned into a wine bar...admittedly well before the whole wine bar craze.  Needless to say, it didn't last long.  The building was subsequently owned by someone for a couple years who did nothing with the space and then re-sold and put up for lease. 

Charlena's grandmother was living in an apartment upstairs and that is how she became aware of the vacancy on the ground floor.  They signed the lease even before they knew what they would sell in the space.  The stuffed burger niche was decided and they never looked back. 

All the rehab work was done themselves; including refinishing the original bar.  Behind the bar is a refrigerator displaying a nice selection of canned soda you can purchase with your meal (may I recommend the Vernor's ginger ale).  Menu items are beyond reasonably priced. Check out their Facebook page to get updates on what they're serving for Sunday dinner and hours of operation.

This particular day I went with the Sunday dinner special: Salisbury steak, garlic mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, green beans, macaroni and cheese and a dinner roll for $8.

Several of my friends chose the mushroom Swiss stuffed burger:

And one order of naked wings sprinkled with seasoned salt.

Can't forget the Big Lene (named after CharLENa) and all of its stuffed goodness.  The inside houses a combination of cheese, peppers and mushrooms among others.

Everyone who ordered fries raved about their taste, texture and seasoning.  My first trip to Stuffed on Vine left me satisfied but longing to go back.  Yes, Big Lene, you are on my radar and your side of fries too.

I love the new food experience.  I believe the only way great-tasting food can get better is when you know the food is cooked from someone's heart.  Stuffed on Vine undoubtedly serves food from the heart. 

Newport Kroger Marketplace: Eat.Laugh.Love.

Every time I go to Newport Kroger Marketplace it is packed.  This past Saturday was rainy icky weather; so it was even more crowded with people getting their grocery shopping out of the way before the weather cleared up.  Good thing I don't mind walking from the far corners of the parking lot; it's so worth it!

I discovered something brand new at Kroger, Eat Laugh Love  What is this?  The friendly woman preparing samples briefly described it as a monthly recipe program.  Kroger creates a simple and wholesome recipe and then displays a kiosk with all of the non-perishable items you need for preparation. (my pictures were lacking today)

Next to the product kiosk is the sample counter.  She prepared this month's Eat.Love.Laugh.; Unstuffed Pepper Bake.  It was delicious!  Basically a rice/ground beef/pepper dish topped with cheese.  She suggested serving it over lettuce or in a tortilla.  Both excellent options.  She also recommended some ingredient swaps if you or your family have a picky palate.  I snagged one of the recipe cards so I can make.  Doesn't it look yummy??  It tasted just as delicious as it looks.

This is an unbelievably creative way for Kroger to promote wholesome, family meals that can be prepared quickly and easily with Kroger ingredients. 

Thank you Newport Kroger Marketplace!

Newport Kroger Marketplace: Pineapple

The highlight of this week's grocery adventure was, by far, the sale on whole Pineapple; $1.99 each.  I hesitate to buy fruit that is labor intensive to peel, cut or prepare in general.  But I couldn't pass up a deal and pineapple seemed appropriate for a 70 degree day. 

As I was leaving I spotted staff from the meat and seafood department preparing CRAWFISH to sample!  I failed to get a picture.  Samples, in general, were scarce that day.

When I got home I cut the pineapple and the creative juices started flowing.  Last week there was a nice sale on on Greek Yogurt so I stocked up. 

So I combined the fresh pineapple and Dannon Greek Yogurt, along with a frozen banana and 1/2 an orange to make this:

Pineapple/Orange/Banana smoothie in a bowl.

Thank you Newport Kroger Marketplace!

Newport Kroger Marketplace: International Foods

On today's adventure to Newport KMP I explored the exotic International Foods section.  First, may I recommend Maria cookies.  I wouldn't call them a sugar cookie or a shortbread cookie, more like a crispy wafer sweetened to perfection.  Marias also taste delicious with almond butter and dark chocolate sandwiched in between.

Next up is Ricanelas by Gamesa.  Very similar to graham crackers, but again, not as sweet and a bit crispier.  Sugar crystals are sprinkled on top and they have a very strong cinnamon taste.  Think Red Hots but not quite as intense.  Instead of cinnamon flavor it looks as though the cinnamon is grated from a whole cinnamon stick and sprinkled on top of the cracker.  Ricanelas are great paired with a cup of herbal tea.

I snapped a few additional pics of the international foods section, picked up some great ideas for themed meals.  I also noticed the prices on items (party crackers, for example) are cheaper in the International food section than in the regular food aisle.  Next week I am going to try buying similar products, one from International and one from regular foods, and perform a taste-test and price comparison.

Also, cantaloupe is for sale, $1.99 each.  I tried a sample and it was delicious.  Does this mean spring is here?

That just about wraps up todays trip but I want to leave you with a picture from a couple weeks ago.  It was Saturday afternoon and I stopped in for a quick trip.  I was in the seafood area and noticed one of the chefs placed a fresh platter of some type of sandwich wraps.  This immediately caught my attention and I walked over to get more information.  I asked if the wraps were free and conversed with the chef for a bit.  It was a breakfast burrito made with chorizo sausage, sorano peppers, cheese and a few other ingredients which have escaped my memory.  By far the BEST breakfast burrito I have ever tasted.  Newport KMP employs extremely skilled culinary artists.  I would pay good money for this dish in a restaurant.  Behold!

Shadeau Breads

 While attending a workshop at Higher Branches on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine I noticed this sweet little bakery that sits adjacent.  I paid a visit yesterday and it took me back to 2004 when I spent 5 weeks travelling Europe; frequenting the neighborhood bakeries for their delicious pastries and warm atmosphere.

Shadeau Breads has been baking in OTR for 15 years and does a great business selling to up-scale restaurants in the Cincinnati area as well as to other local patrons.  They also offer soup/sandwich lunch options served daily at their store.

I picked up a 1lb loaf of the multi-grain, delicious!  They also offer a variety of baguette, sandwich loafs and wonderful pastries and focaccia made with fresh ingredients and baked on-site daily.

On my next visit I will be partaking in the pastry followed by the focaccia (see below).  I have a feeling I will become a regular at this wonderful old-world bakery located appropriately in historic OTR.