Clark Street Blog Best of Cincinnati

Back when CityBeat’s BOC issue came out, I started thinking of some of my “Best Ofs”. Since I don’t have anything to post today, here are some of my local favorites instead:

Best Liquor & Beer Store: I like Cork & Bottle. Easy access, easy parking, good selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff. If Party Source is a Cray then Cork & Bottle is a PC. And how often do you really need a Cray? Also, Cork & Bottle carries my favorite beer, Christian Moerlein, and Party Source does not (at least I’ve never seen it).

Best Wine Shop: The best selection is Party Source, but Cork & Bottle suffices for 99% of my wine needs. I only check Party Source if I’m looking for something hard to find.

Best Restaurant w/ a View: Hooters. Okay, just kidding. Actual best views: The Pavilion from the east; Primavista from the west; Mike Fink from the south.

Best Bagels: Dunkin’ Donuts. Busken has good bagels, too. Both are lighter (airier) than Bruegger’s or Marx’s.

Best Bakery: Servati’s. I like their pumpkin and blueberry muffins and all those little desserts they make. Their iced cookies are better than Busken’s.

Best Burgers: Oakley pub. I ordered it medium-rare, and it came medium-rare. Three times. It’s the only place in this city that has done that. The fries are great too, as is everything else I’ve had on the menu. The only thing I didn’t like is the chili burger- didn’t like the flavor and messy to eat. The Oakley Pub may be small, but they don’t mess around in the kitchen. Special mention: the ostrich burger at Habits (right across the street).

Best Cheap Eats: Potbelly sandwich shop. I loved this place when I lived in Chicago and I love it now that it’s here. And I don’t have to park a mile away, at least not in the summer.

Best Chili (non-chain): Camp Washington Chili. The meatiest of the Cincinnati chilis. Dixie Chili (Monmouth St., N.Ky.) is also pretty good and meaty, but I find it a bit bland. I like a little kick.

Best Fish & Chips: I like the Green Derby's best. I also like Nicholson's. For quick carry-out, you can't beat the Alabama Fish Bar.

Best Chinese: Doodles in Hyde Park and Shanghai Mama’s downtown. Lately I’ve liked the Singapore noodles at Shanghai Mama’s. I also know the owner, and she’s a good person. Eat at Shanghai Mama’s.

Best Coffeehouse: The non-smoking Sitwell’s.

Best Deli: I like the rare roast beef from Avril’s (Court St.). I like the smoked turkey from Mike’s Meats (Findlay Mkt.). I like the baked ham from Ebert’s Meats (Monmouth St.). For one-stop shopping, I like the Clifton IGA.

Best Desserts: Take the Cake (Main & Liberty). It’s mostly cakes made to order rather than conventional desserts, but it’s great stuff. For normal desserts, Servati’s is good, and of course I think we all have a special place in our hearts for Graeter’s ice cream pies.

Best Ice Cream: It’s heresy to say anything besides Graeter’s, but the best ice cream is Cold Stone Creamery. And don’t forget about Agalamesis, either. Their mocha chip is great, as is their chocolate mint (very minty). In hot weather like this, the Dutch Holland chocolate shake really hits the spot.

Best Indian: I haven’t been to Cumin (Erie Ave, Hyde Park), but reliable sources say it’s the best. The chef came from Sitar (Hunt Rd, Blue Ash), which was the best when he was there.

Best Pizza (non-chain): Dewey’s. I haven’t been to ZZ’s (Walnut Hills) in a while, but I used to live near there and liked it a lot. If anybody has been there recently please comment.

Best Sandwiches: Izzy’s. Paula’s Deli in Findlay Mkt. also makes the best sandwiches, but offers fewer choices. I’ve had Paula’s reuben, pastrami & swiss, and “The Cuban” and they’re all great. Be sure to peruse Paula’s deli case, too. Good stuff in there.

Best Wings: The jumbo wings at Habits Café in Oakley.