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
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
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
For February, 2010, Dave & Robin selected Chi-nattis Pizza, and the food was pretty darned good! Deep dish pizzas, Italian beef submarines, fried calamari, and other dishes came (sorta slowly – it takes 30 minutes for a deep dish pie) out of the kitchen.
Tags: cincinnati, happy-mouth, ohio, restaurants
The first meeting of The Happy Mouth Supper Club for 2010 was a success! It was Angel’s month to select, and her original selection was Arthur’s in Hyde Park Square. However, Arthur’s does not accept reservations. Angel’s plan to arrive early and get seats was foiled, though, when it was revealed that it would be at least a 90 minute wait for a party of our size.
Instead, we ended up at The Echo (right next door to Arthur’s) for diner-style food and much fun. It was a large, animated group – widely agreed to be one of the most enjoyable Happy Mouth meetings of the last several months.
After tucking into comfortable, well-prepared food like my turkey breast over stuffing with cranberry sauce (“cut from a real turkey!,” observed Carrie) or Wendy’s build-your-own omelet, we walked down to Graeters to put a sweet ending on the evening.
Tracy observed that her next selection will be her ninth for Happy Mouth! Wow! It’s been a fun lot of years!
Tags: cincinnati, happy-mouth, ohio, restaurants
Ed’s month to pick, so December 2009 was spent at Walt’s Barbecue. I really enjoy BBQ, and Walt’s does a great job. It is a very family-friendly place with plenty of affordable options for kids and adults alike.
Tags: cincinnati, happy-mouth, ohio, restaurants
