Candace Lately: Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH Edition: Bakersfield

10:00 AM

Bakersfield is a hip spot with delicious tacos and tequila. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and that always makes me curious to check it out.

We were seated right near the open wall that spills out onto the sidewalk. And even though it was rainy, it was neat to get the fresh air and have this sort of indoor-outdoor dining experience.

We went simple with queso, and I got a taco.

The queso was tasty - pretty creamy and a little bit of heat.

And my taco was the SHORT RIB: braised short rib, queso fresco, crema, white onion, radish, cilantro. It was very good. I almost wish I would have tried more tacos - there just wasn't room in my belly. Do you have a favorite here?

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Cincinnati - Ohio

Cincinnati, OH Edition: A Tavola Bar & Trattoria

10:00 AM

A Tavola is an Italian bar that is known for its delicious offerings and cool vibe.

We stopped here for just a quick snack - in between our main meals - but it was so cute.

A TAVOLA is a community gathering place, a modern interpretation of the timeless Italian bar and trattorias in cities like Naples, Rome, Venice, Bologna, and Florence, which have served as local gathering places for hundreds of years. At A Tavola we are about family, and our restaurant is an extension of your dining room. Pizza, pasta, platters, and wine are meant for sharing which helps create the communal atmosphere that makes the A TAVOLA experience.

Our food is based on family recipes, made by hand from the finest ingredients available, and inspired by our travels. We make it just like your grandma would, and just like your grandma we care about what you eat and drink.

We ordered the arancini to split. Arancini are fried risotto balls, stuffed with fontina, and they were served with tomato sauce.

I love these little balls of goodness. Crunchy, creamy, and delish! Have you tried these?

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Cincinnati - Ohio

Cincinnati, OH Edition: Buzzed Bull Creamery

10:00 AM

Buzzed Bull Creamery combines two of my favorites: ice cream and booze.

Harnessing the power of liquid nitrogen, our innovative process provides a fully customized frozen dessert that’s hand-crafted. We range from creating fresh ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbets, and nitro milkshakes. From sizing, bases, flavors, mix-in’s and alcohol, our guests can create their ideal frozen delight made entirely possible by liquid nitrogen. With over 20 mix-ins, over 30 available flavors, and ability to upgrade your liquor, the possibilities are truly endless.

The menu features many ways to customize your "buzz," including using ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet. You can also get a nitro milkshake or coffee.

I went for the The Bonfire: MARSHMALLOW FLAVOR, GRAHAM CRACKERS, CHOCOLATE CHIPS + Suggested Buzz: CINNAMON WHISKEY

And, it was OK. I could definitely taste the booze, which was the dominant flavor. But, fun concept!

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Cincinnati - Ohio

Cincinnati, OH Edition: Tom+Chee

10:00 AM

Tom+Chee is a tomato soup & grilled cheese shop that defines comfort food.

Spotlighting quality ingredients and friendly customer service, T+C’s founders have grown this quirky grilled cheese business from a tiny food tent on a public square in Cincinnati, Ohio to a rapidly expanding franchise empire thanks to TV exposure and an investment deal on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Our Grilled Cheese Donut has been featured on ABC’s “The Chew”, Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food Nation” and was named one of America’s best new sandwiches by NBC’s “Today” show. The 2013 Brand Innovators Made in America Summit named Tom+Chee one of “25 Brands to Watch.”

This fun, bright shop features all sorts of grilled cheeses:

A grilled mac & cheese
BBQ & bacon
Ham & swiss

But the one that caught my eye was under "grilled desserts" - The Original Grilled Cheese Donut, which is mild cheddar on a grilled donut! That paired with creamy tomato basil soup was perfection.

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Cincinnati - Ohio

Cincinnati, OH Edition: Cincinnati Museum Center Chocolate Exhibit

10:00 AM

I was really excited to check out the Cincinnati Museum Center (because I'm a nerd).

But, I was even more excited when I learned they were having their Chocolate exhibition.

It was so cool and went through the history of chocolate throughout the centuries.

And, then we got to try some samples of chocolate!

I was surprised to find that I really didn't like most of them.

The chocolate that I have become accustomed to is very sweet - compared to the bittersweet or unsweet versions.

Chocolate hasn’t always been a bar. It hasn’t always been widely available. It hasn’t even always been sweet. Chocolate: The Exhibition tracks the rich history of the cacao bean, from its beginning as a royal — even divine — Maya drink to its current role as a romantic gesture, guilty pleasure and global commodity. Follow the history of chocolate culture and science from the 10th century rainforest to the modern-day corner store.