Relentless Self-Promotion — Done RIGHT!
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For this month’s Happy Mouth Supper Club outing, Kristy picked The Wildflower Cafe and Coffee House all the way out in Mason. It’s a bit of a haul, but well worth it.
Our rowdy group had an entire room to ourselves (a good choice on the part of the restaurant!) and we enjoyed a wide sampling of their wares. Standouts included the Cheese Board, Burgers, Gourmet Grilled Cheese, and desserts.
It was a good time for all of us!
Tags: cincinnati, happy-mouth, ohio, restaurants
Today is the Day of the Bright Carvers, according to Mervyn Peake’s GORMENGHAST novels.
Today is the day that the Bright Carvers (who take their name from the age-old craft of woodcarving, which is their only passion), a poor a disease-ridden community whose only pride is their carving and in their allegiance to the House of Groan, are permitted to enter Castle Gormenghast to present their best work. The carvings are judged by the Earl of Groan, and the finest are taken and set up in the Hall of the Bright Carvings, a long room in the north wing of the castle. No one ever visits the hall; the masterpieces are simply left there to gather dust over the years. All rejected works are burnt in the courtyard below the earl’s chamber. The carvers whose efforts have been chosen are given vellum scrolls and the privilege of walking the battlements above the Dwellings (their homes) at the full moon of each alternate month. This is their only reward, an honour greatly prized by the Bright Carvers.
Happy Bright Carvers Day!
Tags: books, gormenghast, reading
This was originally Jay’s month to pick. Because Jay’s mom was having a surgical procedure (which went well, by the way!), Wendy offered to switch months with Jay.
So, this month became Wendy’s month to select. She chose to host a brunch at The Comet in Northside. Ted, Tracy, Ron, Carrie, Wendy, and Andrew made it out that morning. The Comet, long known for their tasty burritos and great live music, recently started doing brunch on Sundays.
Chef Luke Radkey does a great job of turning out delicious dishes from a tiny kitchen. The menu features a few staples but changes slightly each week. You cannot go wrong with any of the brunch choices! Start your meal with a light mimosa to set a nice tone (I think it would be fun if Luke offered “mimosa two ways” – one of these and one of these!), then settle in for excellent, made-to-order brunch items.
Of particular interest to our table was the Sticky Toffee French Toast, while I went for an asparagus quiche that was a new menu item. Everything was delicious!
Despite the rather low turn-out (we had members tending to ailing relatives, out of town, etc), we had a great time at Happy Mouth. The brunch at the Comet is not to be missed!
I suggest you get there early – the doors open at 11:00am sharp – because it tends to fill up.
Tags: cincinnati, happy-mouth, ohio, restaurants
Thanks to an article I wrote being posted on Lifehacker, our server got mobbed by hoards of eager folks (over 2,000 hits in a couple hours – and still going) and collapsed.
With the quick work of Doug & Rabbitt, the site’s operation was tweaked and restored quickly. Within about 30 minutes, it was serving pages again. Thanks, guys, for getting it back together so fast.
Thanks, Lifehacker! I appreciate the link from your site and the chance to real-world load-test the server!
Tags: lifehacker
Tags: gtd
On Saturday, March 13, 2010, the Happy Mouth Supper Club met at The Rookwood for dinner. It was Tracy’s month to select, and also her birthday.
The group met at the downstairs bar for “craft cocktails” before dinner.
What “Craft Cocktails” in Cincinnati means to me, a short essay by Andrew Vogel:
Craft cocktails, or “scratch cocktails” (implying that the cocktail is made from scratch – a term I prefer because it lacks the pretense of “craft cocktails”) are a throwback to days of yore when fresh-squeezed juices, house-made simple syrup, premium spirits, and precise measurements were the norm. These cocktails are, perhaps, the antithesis of the bar scene we saw in the movie Cocktail. (Why we ever left the high standards of the old days is topic for another post.)
The experiences I’ve had with “craft cocktails” in Cincinnati make it clear to me that we don’t have the full implementation of the spirit (no pun) of “craft cocktails”. Sure, local wine lists now include cocktails (which I think is just dandy), but too often, the places in Cincinnati seem to substitute fresh lime juice for mixes, make their own simple syrup, call ‘em “craft cocktails”, and jack the price.
What are hallmarks of craft cocktails in Cincinnati?:
That being said, the selection of drinks on the menu at The Rookwood appears varied and interesting, but ultimately, the palette of ingredients is limited so the resulting drinks end up being fairly routine. Plus, $9 to take a chance on an unknown drink is cost-prohibitive for many people.
After waiting too long to have my order taken, I received a “Com Tollins”, The Rookwood’s twist on a Tom Collins. It was made well, but not better than a similar cocktail I’ve had for less than half the price. Ultimately, what matters to me is not riding the wave of the latest fad, but what happens in your mouth – what’s it taste like? And, I found that the difference between a premium-priced “craft cocktail” isn’t worth the price difference for a “non-craft” cocktail made with non-well spirits.
It is interesting to observe how fads come in and out of fashion, and how hangers-on are quick to jump to the latest fad. (From a culinary perspective… Remember foams? Yeah, I am glad that fad is over!) I suspect that in 12-15 months, we’ll be done with “craft cocktails”. Perhaps by then we’ll be back to “flair bartending”! 
So, I am not impressed with this fad of “craft cocktails”. Still, I acknowledge that being able to charge $9 for a $4 drink is smart marketing. (Open wide and say “glug”!)
Until I find a place that embraces the full-spirit of “craft cocktails” in Cincinnati, I’m declaring Cincinnati a “half-craft cocktail” town.
Here ends the short essay.
However, hanging with friends was very nice. We were a big group, nearly filling the bar seats before we moved to a private upstairs dining room for dinner.
The Rookwood took very good care of us upstairs, and the food was good. I enjoyed a chicken dish with polenta, brussels sprouts, and bacon. Everyone else seemed to enjoy theirs as well!
Another successful Happy Mouth! Happy Birthday Tracy!
Tags: cincinnati, culinary, food, happy-mouth, ohio, restaurants
