VB in the city

Crown Republic Gastropub is one of my favorite hearty New American places to dine downtown right now.. Chef Anthony Sitek, and the entire team at Crown Republic, take pride in creating nearly all of the ingredients in house with service to match and enhance every thought out detail.  The decor of the gastropub sets the tone for the culinary experience, from the tall ceilings to the inviting open modern bar and intriguing art. I have been following Chef Anthony Siteks work for a while and was excited to take a bite into every dish we tried, and with every bite we were certain that we would be repeat customers. To start we had the Yemeni Mussels,Moroccan Curry, Coconut, Sweet Potato, Lemongrass, Garlic, Ciabatta then moved on to the hand rolled Gnocchi,Sorrentina. Tomato, Burrata, Basil and the One Pound Meatball,Roasted Tomato Sauce, Ricotta Gremolata, Parmesan, Basil, Ciabatta. We could taste the attention to detail in every dish and cocktail that we tried at Crown Republic. Check out this gastropub in the business district of downtown Cincinnati, you’ll find me there attempting to order everything off of the menu. Happy eating readers!

 

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Spring is here and I am looking to detox and get back on my yoga mat. I’m letting my hibernation cease and rejuvenation begin. This month a must buy cookbook is one jam packed with Ayurvedic principles in everyday dishes. What is ayurveda? It is a form of alternative medicine that is the traditional system of medicine of India and seeks to treat and integrate body, mind, and spirit using a comprehensive holistic approach especially by emphasizing diet, herbal remedies, exercise, meditation, breathing, and physical therapy. With ancient Ayurvedic wisdom in mind, OJAS was created to fit our diets with sensibilities: eating with the seasons, healing ourselves with food from the inside out, establishing the right food for our bodies’ individual needs. Chef Nira Kehar uses her French background to teach us 99 recipes that use Ayurvedic ingredients and spices.

Click Here to BUY 

• Author: Nira Kehar
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Click Here for Shrimp and Grits Recipe 

Fat Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. It’s a day of penitence, to clean the soul, and a day of celebration as the last chance to feast on all the foods before Lent begins. I am more or less a witch, but will definitely indulge in this ritual. I loved my time spent in NOLA, and with yesterday being Fat Tuesday, I had to share recipes for one of my favorite dishes from my stay in New Orleans, shrimp and grits. If I am going to indulge, cheesy grits and spicy shrimp is my go-to favorite dish. Spending some of my summers in Kentucky, I had a deep love for a good batch of o so cheesy grits. If you throw some seasoned shrimp in the mix, I am one happy patron. Below are some pictures from my time in New Orleans and some of my favorite Shrimp and Grits recipes. Enjoy and indulge, gourmands! 

My New Orleans Travel Guide will be up on the blog Saturday.

Recipes // 

CAJUN GARLIC SHRIMP AND GRITS

Shrimp and Cheddar Grits with Bacon 

Southern Shrimp And Cheesy Grits

Spicy shrimp and grits casserole with gouda cheese

Shrimp and Gruyère Cheese Grits With Bacon and Mushrooms Recipe

Smothered Shrimp with Andouille Sausage and Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Grits

Whole30 Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits

Vegetarian Cajun Roasted Vegetables with Cheesy Grits

ALL the Cheese Shrimp and Grits 

Easy Shrimp and Grits 

Basil Shrimp and Grits

 

 

 

 

Fretboard Brewery located in Blue Ash, is the brewery to check out in Cincinnati right now.  I have been following the food and brew scene in this city since I moved  downtown 8 years ago. With over 60 breweries in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area right now, Fretboard Brewery is the brewery that definitely stands out.  The brewery is music centric, starting with the fret of a guitar literally being in the name of the brewery. With Fretboard only being open since November 2017, the amount of buzz and awards this brewery has received is something everyone should note. This baby is one bad ass baby of a brewery.  Fretboards beer is award winning and world renowned; winning the highest awarded pilsner in the world, with their Vlad in the 2018 world beer cup. This brewery also took home awards for their Crazy Train Copper Ale +  Peso in my Hand, Mexican Lager.

The brewery also books an array of  talented acts every Friday and Saturday night. One of the first times I ventured to the brewery I saw the band Foreigner… yes The Foreigner. The sound system in the brewery is more than rad, and will definitely incite you to dance or become a rock legend. One of the two. Patrons, get excited for an amazing beer rotation at Fretboard. Shimmy Shimmy, a chocolate red ale, is their newest beer on tap. Shimmy Shimmy is also available in six packs. Want Fretboard to go? Crowlers are in the mix to be purchased. The brewers here really are local Willy Wonka’s, creating insanely delicious beers.  One of my favorite ales is a breakfast ale named Fugee, but I also love that strawberry blonde, Reba.

Looking for amazing BBQ? Smoked Out Cincy is a BBQ kitchen that operates out of Fretboard Brewery.   All meat is smoked in house. My favorites on the menu right now are the Spicy Bacon Fries, and the BBQ pork fries. Imagine warm white queso, smoked pulled pork, over colossal fries. Topped with fresh scallions mild and hot buffalo sauce for dipping- I am also digging the house made Blue Cheese. Also, the SmokedOut Blue Cheese is what turned me into a blue cheese lover. I am also loving the Mac n’ Cheese rolls and the Cajun Rolls. Vegetarians – there is an amazing black bean burger on the menu as well.

I am kind of a self proclaimed music snob- so this place is my haven, and the spot for beer, music enthusiasts, musicians, and artists alike. ArtsWave just recently held an event with Fretboard Brewery – of which they just released a Fretboard ArtsWave Lager, art is all around at this brewery. The continuum of art depicted in the chemistry of the beer, the music, the great team and patrons,  is a fantastic sneak peek into the portal of what this brewery will become in ten years. This is a great beginning, and I can’t wait to watch this brewery continue to push the boundaries.

FRETBOARD BREWING
5800 CREEK ROAD
BLUE ASH, OH 45242

513 914-HOPS (4677)

Check Fretboard Brewing out on Facebook >>> CLICK HERE <<<<

For Their Official Website >>> CLICK HERE <<< 

For more information on Shows, Events, and Other beer releases keep checking Facebook or the official website.