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Calling Cincinnati-area board members including WBCincy, recommendations please

ApexLion

ApexLion

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Jun 28, 2001
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Hello Cincinnati-area board members,

My oldest is headed to Miami University (Honors, more scholarships than Dad could ever attain) in Oxford, OH. Our next one is interested in the University of Cincinnati. We will be visiting Cincinnati soon. Recommendations on dining? Family-oriented but not chains please (Skyline being the exception of course).

Thanks in advance and WBCincy I would be interested in any recommendations you may have.
 
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ApexLion said:
Hello Cincinnati-area board members,

My oldest is headed to Miami University (Honors, more scholarships than Dad could ever attain) in Oxford, OH. Our next one is interested in the University of Cincinnati. We will be visiting Cincinnati soon. Recommendations on dining? Family-oriented but not chains please (Skyline being the exception of course).

Thanks in advance and WBCincy I would be interested in any recommendations you may have.
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I only visit Cinncy every so often, but If I were heading out to see Miami, I would want to check out Jungle Jim's. (http://junglejims.com/) Jungle Jim's is not a restaurant but rather this humongiest grocery store with everything in the world in it!! It is a must see , it is unlike anything I have seen and we have driven the 3+ hrs just to shop there!!

the other place to visit, and although they have several locations, I dont think they are a chain, is the Montgomery Inn for ribs. http://www.montgomeryinn.com/ They have a location over on the river, and I enjoyed that.
 
Montgomery Inn is famous for their ribs. Definitely recommended / there's several locations but I like the original in the Montgomery area (just north of the city).
 
Check out the OTR area some great places to eat like Pontiac BBQ, The Eagle, Taft Ale house. And Rhinegeist Brewery is close and they have a great tap room
 
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silverbakdevil said:
Check out the OTR area some great places to eat like Pontiac BBQ, The Eagle, Taft Ale house. And Rhinegeist Brewery is close and they have a great tap room
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Good tip on Over the Rhine. I had never heard of it before today. thanks
 
ApexLion said:
Hello Cincinnati-area board members,

My oldest is headed to Miami University (Honors, more scholarships than Dad could ever attain) in Oxford, OH. Our next one is interested in the University of Cincinnati. We will be visiting Cincinnati soon. Recommendations on dining? Family-oriented but not chains please (Skyline being the exception of course).

Thanks in advance and WBCincy I would be interested in any recommendations you may have.
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Not from Cincinnati and its been several years but ate at a good steakhouse outside the city called The Precinct. Was an old police station filled with a bunch of cool sports memorabilia.
 
gotta hit a "skyline chilli". That is quintessential Cincy. Also, go to a Graeter's ice cream store.

BTW, both are really good schools. Cincy is very under rated, especially if you like schools in a city.
 
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Obliviax said:
gotta hit a "skyline chilli". That is quintessential Cincy. Also, go to a Graeter's ice cream store.

BTW, both are really good schools. Cincy is very under rated, especially if you like schools in a city.
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Obi, I was completely amazed by Miami. They've been 'recruiting' my daughter for two years. They used various data points from a survey and their state recruiter found her. Hell, my wife and I were recruited via email as well. I was amazed at their consistent messaging to us. It didn't hurt that they outbid UNC and came in $2k under an in-state tuition bill. Very impressed by Miami. Our next child has two years yet but she wants an urban school so we thought close to Oxford might work. Another lifetime ago, I led a team that created UC's athletic dept. web site and was out there a few times and liked the city. Funny how things can circle back. Thanks for the ice cream tip.
 
I havent been here, but it was on a foodie show (Burgers,Brews, BBQ?) but it looks very interesting. the website does not do it Justice. The Incline takes you to the top of the hill, and you get a total view of the city!! It looked like you had an awesome view of everything!

https://www.inclinepublichouse.com/index.aspx
 
ApexLion said:
Obi, I was completely amazed by Miami. They've been 'recruiting' my daughter for two years. They used various data points from a survey and their state recruiter found her. Hell, my wife and I were recruited via email as well. I was amazed at their consistent messaging to us. It didn't hurt that they outbid UNC and came in $2k under an in-state tuition bill. Very impressed by Miami. Our next child has two years yet but she wants an urban school so we thought close to Oxford might work. Another lifetime ago, I led a team that created UC's athletic dept. web site and was out there a few times and liked the city. Funny how things can circle back. Thanks for the ice cream tip.
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My neigbor has three kids, he is a very successful dentist/businessperson. All three graduated from Miami
  • Oldest son is a very successful Venture Capitalists who negotiates mergers and acquisitions
  • Daughter is now in dental school
  • youngest son is in international finance and spent last summer in Singapore on an internship.
the kids loved it and the family thinks it is the best bang for the buck in the state of Ohio. My son's went to Kent (meh...) and tOSU (very happy with that choice).
 
I second Obli’s tip on Graeter’s ice cream.

Outstanding stuff, I was first introduced to it about 15 years ago during a visit to Columbus. They opened a retail store in Northbrook IL a little over a year ago and it’s conveniently located on my way home from my golf club. They know me on a first-name basis!

And it’s also now carried locally by several supermarkets.

My endocrinologist is NOT a happy camper!
 
There's a place in Glendale, just north of Cincinnati, called the Grand Finale which has an excellent Sunday brunch. You might need reservations.

The top floor of the Radisson in Covington, Ky., has a revolving restaurant. The one time I ate there several years ago, the food was just OK, but you make an entire revolution in one hour. Great views of the Cincinnati skyline and baseball and football stadiums.
 
My son graduated from Miami in 2014.
Comparing PSU and State College to Miami and Oxford would be justifiable if you account for the size difference.
I hope your oldest enjoys school there. My son did.
 
ApexLion said:
My oldest is headed to Miami University (Honors, more scholarships than Dad could ever attain) in Oxford, OH. Our next one is interested in the University of Cincinnati. We will be visiting Cincinnati soon. Recommendations on dining? Family-oriented but not chains please (Skyline being the exception of course).
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I realize that each kid, and each situation, is unique, so generalizations are on shaky ground with regards to kids, college choices, etc. With that caveat, I'm somewhat saddened to read Apex's post.

Over the years, I recall Apex being a great PSU fan, and also being actively involved at one time in his local PSAA Chapter. I think he's from a long-time PSU family, but I'm not 100% certain of that. If I recall correctly, he also worked in the PSU athletic department either during or after his time as a student at PSU

A few years ago, Apex seemed to reach his breaking point with the BOT/PSU Administration, and their actions following the release of the grand jury presentment against JS. I don't remember what caused him to reach that point, or his exact words, but he basically said that he would no longer promote PSU in his area, and would not encourage his kids to go to PSU. That post hit me very deeply. I remember thinking that if PSU was losing people like Apex, that the rupture between many alums and PSU might be permanent. (I may have posted a response to Apex along those lines, but I can't recall if I kept those thoughts to myself, or expressed them in a post.)

So now I read that Apex's oldest is headed to Miami University, and that his youngest is considering U. of Cincinnati. I wish each of them the best of luck, and have no doubt that they'll do really well in college, and after that make Apex and his wife quite proud. Still, it is sad to consider that to them, PSU will just be that place where their dad went to college.

Sorry if this post diverts the purpose of your thread, Apex.
 
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wex18 said:
There's a place in Glendale, just north of Cincinnati, called the Grand Finale which has an excellent Sunday brunch. You might need reservations.

The top floor of the Radisson in Covington, Ky., has a revolving restaurant. The one time I ate there several years ago, the food was just OK, but you make an entire revolution in one hour. Great views of the Cincinnati skyline and baseball and football stadiums.
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It's been 22 years since I left the Cincinnati area, and even back then the Precinct, Montgomery Inn and Grand Finale were all very solid choices. Their longevity says a lot.
 
silverbakdevil said:
Check out the OTR area some great places to eat like Pontiac BBQ, The Eagle, Taft Ale house. And Rhinegeist Brewery is close and they have a great tap room
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As an ex-Cincinnatian (left town in 2017) --- this is the best suggestion of the bunch.

Visit and eat in OTR. Clifton (where University of Cincinnati is located) is a good neighborhood, but OTR is the best neighborhood for getting a feel for the city. Not very far from Clifton, of course.

The Eagle is great. Also recommend Bakersfield (Mexican), and.Revolution (chicken, like The Eagle). I'm not a Senate or Montgomery Inn fan - but that's just one man's opinion.

I live in Denver now --- Denver's a fine city and certainly a very popular city with most folk. But Cincinnati was, IMO, the best city I lived in. An under-rated great American city. I just wish that Bearcats basketball and the Reds weren't consistent under-achievers.
 
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LeatherHelmets said:
Montgomery Inn is famous for their ribs. Definitely recommended / there's several locations but I like the original in the Montgomery area (just north of the city).
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I'm not that fond of them (they failed in Columbus), but some like them a lot. I enjoy the Hofbrauhaus over in Newport, KY. And, of course, Graters. Not as good as The Creamery, but pretty darn good.

Miami's a pretty darn good school (one of the oldest in the midwest) and Oxford is pretty nice. It's been a few years since I've been down there, however. For outdoor stuff, Huston Woods is pretty nice (nearby). I have a number of friends who went there.
 
michnittlion said:
As an ex-Cincinnatian (left town in 2017) --- this is the best suggestion of the bunch.

Visit and eat in OTR. Clifton (where University of Cincinnati is located) is a good neighborhood, but OTR is the best neighborhood for getting a feel for the city. Not very far from Clifton, of course.

The Eagle is great. Also recommend Bakersfield (Mexican), and.Revolution (chicken, like The Eagle). I'm not a Senate or Montgomery Inn fan - but that's just one man's opinion.

I live in Denver now --- Denver's a fine city and certainly a very popular city with most folk. But Cincinnati was, IMO, the best city I lived in. An under-rated great American city. I just wish that Bearcats basketball and the Reds weren't consistent under-achievers.
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yep Bakersfield fish tacos not bad at all
 
I have a lot of Chinese connections. The first place most Chinese people like to visit is Sichuan Chili (don't understand the name at all, but it is a Chinese restaurant with a full menu.) It is very good to me, but not absolutely exceptional. In Evendale area. In the same strip shopping center there is an Asian market that has 100% authentic Chinese and Asian food.

A second Chinese restaurant that my Chinese friends like to frequent is Chung Ching in North College Hill. This area is a bit run down, but the food is comparable to Sichuan Chile.

A third Chinese restaurant is in an uninviting little strip center and doesn't seem to be all that busy. However, 3 weeks ago I had their General Tso's chicken (I know it is not an authentic Chinese food), and it was amazingly good. Have only visited it once when Sichuan Chile was busy. It is called China Moon and is in Blue Ash.
 
Tom McAndrew said:
I realize that each kid, and each situation, is unique, so generalizations are on shaky ground with regards to kids, college choices, etc. With that caveat, I'm somewhat saddened to read Apex's post.

Over the years, I recall Apex being a great PSU fan, and also being actively involved at one time in his local PSAA Chapter. I think he's from a long-time PSU family, but I'm not 100% certain of that. If I recall correctly, he also worked in the PSU athletic department either during or after his time as a student at PSU

A few years ago, Apex seemed to reach his breaking point with the BOT/PSU Administration, and their actions following the release of the grand jury presentment against JS. I don't remember what caused him to reach that point, or his exact words, but he basically said that he would no longer promote PSU in his area, and would not encourage his kids to go to PSU. That post hit me very deeply. I remember thinking that if PSU was losing people like Apex, that the rupture between many alums and PSU might be permanent. (I may have posted a response to Apex along those lines, but I can't recall if I kept those thoughts to myself, or expressed them in a post.)

So now I read that Apex's oldest is headed to Miami University, and that his youngest is considering U. of Cincinnati. I wish each of them the best of luck, and have no doubt that they'll do really well in college, and after that make Apex and his wife quite proud. Still, it is sad to consider that to them, PSU will just be that place where their dad went to college.

Sorry if this post diverts the purpose of your thread, Apex.
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Wow Tom. You hit it on the head. I was the first in my family to attend Penn State, an honor that made my coal miner grandfather tear up probably for the first and last time in his 84 years. My father was a booster and I flirted with the idea of playing baseball at Maryland instead of Penn State (was being stupid much to my father’s chagrin) but ultimately I made the right choice and became a Nittany Lion. While in college, I tutored Brian Chizmar, Leroy Thompson and several other athletes as a part-timer in the athletic dept. i met the various coaches and even sat with Joe talking side by side like old friends for much of a basketball game. My roommate’s father played at PSU so we met Galen many times. In sum, I lived and breathed Penn State athletics.

When Sandusky hit I read every detail and sparred with several posters on here because I knew all of the people involved. Hell, Joyner and my dad met in the late 70s. I know these people, at least in his case I thought I knew something about him. As a former alum rep, I also knew the other side of PSU - the gilded monsters that were brought in to raise corporate dollars. You all now know them - take it from me the BOT was nasty before Sandusky. So you are correct Tom. Sandusky broke me. Anger, frustration for a long time. So much so that I’ve asked my kids to look elsewhere. We have four kids and maybe one or two will go to PSU some day. I don’t know but for now I’m taking a break. Will that change? Don’t know.
 
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ApexLion said:
Hello Cincinnati-area board members,

My oldest is headed to Miami University (Honors, more scholarships than Dad could ever attain) in Oxford, OH. Our next one is interested in the University of Cincinnati. We will be visiting Cincinnati soon. Recommendations on dining? Family-oriented but not chains please (Skyline being the exception of course).

Thanks in advance and WBCincy I would be interested in any recommendations you may have.
Click to expand...

Any of the restaurants owned by Jeff Ruby are great. Also, our zoo is great, ranked in the top five nationally.
 
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Obliviax said:
My neigbor has three kids, he is a very successful dentist/businessperson. All three graduated from Miami
  • Oldest son is a very successful Venture Capitalists who negotiates mergers and acquisitions
  • Daughter is now in dental school
  • youngest son is in international finance and spent last summer in Singapore on an internship.
the kids loved it and the family thinks it is the best bang for the buck in the state of Ohio. My son's went to Kent (meh...) and tOSU (very happy with that choice).
Click to expand...

That pretty much affirms what I’ve heard about Miami - really solid grads.
 
Cincinnati Kid said:
Any of the restaurants owned by Jeff Ruby are great. Also, our zoo is great, ranked in the top five nationally.
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But pricy.... At some point I want to try his new one in Columbus...if I can afford it.

As far as the zoo goes, I've seen a lot of different rankings for "best zoo", so it's hard to trust one. But as a person who goes to a lot of zoos, I'll say that Cincy's is pretty darn good (we have some friends on staff there). One caveat--on a nice day on the weekend, parking can be troublesome. It suffers from the same issue as many city zoos--landlocked and not in a great neighborhood.
 
Miami of OH is a good school. Good choice.

Like a lot of people, I get where Apex is coming from re Penn State.
 
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