Insta pot good👘 🍜So many amazing eats at Riverside Korean Restaurant, located across the river in Covington, Kentucky 🔥🔥🥟🥢 I loved everything about this experience and definitely can’t wait to go back again. Make sure to prepare to take off your shoes and definitely dine in one of their fantastic tatami rooms. You’ll feel like a queen. I started with the Goon Man Du 군만두 Pan fried dumplings (7pcs) filled with vegetables and tofu. We then decided to dive into the Bul Go Gi Jun Gol 불고기전골 a
Beef soup with bulgogi, dumpling, tofu, daikon radish, zucchini, mushroom, hot pepper, onion, green onion and sweet potato noodle – the experience, amazing flavors, and team, make this restaurant one of my new favorite places to eat in Kentucky and Ohio🍜

HOURS //

Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:00pm

Dinner: Monday-Thursday, Sunday 5:00 – 9:00pm

Dinner: Friday-Saturday 5:00 – 10:00pm

 

LOCATION

512 Madison Ave

Covington KY 41011-1506

Click here for Website 

CALL 859-291-1484

 

 

EGGPLANT, PROSCIUTTO, & PESTO PRESSED PICNIC SANDWICHES

One of my favorite things to do during the Spring and Summer months is picnic. If you are like me, you love to be innovative and try new recipes, even if the picnic is in your own backyard. Below are some of my favorite recipes for salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, snacks and more. I have also included a couple vegan and vegetarian recipes, as I consider myself a flexatarian, and always like to supply options for those looking to try something new – or those learning to live a greener lifestyle. Enjoy!

Peace + Love,
V

Taco Dogs 

 No-Bake Mason Jar Cheesecakes for Your Next Picnic

Smoked Salmon Lavash Wrap

Fried Chicken Sandwich 

Black Bean Burger 

Avocado Mango Brown Rice Sushi

Blue Cheese, Bacon and Balsamic Onion Burger

No Cook Nutella S’mores

 

Vegan SMOKY TTLA SANDWICH

Caprese Sandwiches with Parsley Pesto

 

Chicken Burger with Chipotle mayo and Avocado 

Strawberry Oats click  here.

Pasta Salad – Recipe here.

SPINACH & RICOTTA TARTS | FREEZER FRIENDLY

Shaved Zucchini and Prosciutto Grilled Pizza

Pesto Pasta 

Fried Chicken Sandwich 

 

Creamy Basil Potato Salad

Hawaiian Hot Dog 

Fried Green Tomatoes 

Green Chile Cheeseburger 

Mini Shrimp Rolls 

Veggie Dog 

Deviled Eggs 

 

BBQ Brisket Sandwiches with Quick Slaw

Vegan Bento Boxes 

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice – veganheaven.org

Southwest Salad Recipe: aberdeenskitchen.com

 

 

 

 

        Dry Aged Duck Breast, Salsify, Chestnuts, Black Mission Figs, Red Wine Duck Sauce

This weeks local spotlight is truly a diamond in this city. Glamour and decadence has been apart of the Netherland Plaza since it opened in 1931, and the glamour continues as the restaurant is Ohio’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Four Star rated restaurant. I can remember going to Orchids at Palm Court at a very young age for tea, transitioning to luncheons when I  had my first internship at 5th street Art Gallery when it was located in the same building at 19, and now in 2019 my palate continues to be challanged and delighted with Chef George Zappas and the incredible team taking the lead in fine dining.  I had not been to the Orchids at Palm Court since Todd Kelly was the Chef, so I had been anticipating diving into the culinary creativity of Chef George Zappas for a while. As soon as we arrived at the restaurant, our party was treated like royalty as we were absolutely accommodated. We had an amazing server named Chris, who delightfully guided us through the entire evening. His attention to detail as well as the entire staffs as a whole, really made the night a night we all would remember.

 

We started with the Blue Cheese Beignet, Pear, Arugula, Marcona Almonds, Red Wine Vinaigrette, which brought me back to NOLA. We also had the Smoked Salmon, “Tater Tots”, Horesradish, Egg Yolk, Shallot, Lemon, Caper. For the second course you must order the Glazed Veal Cheeks, Truffle Croquette, Soubise, Melrose Apples, easily one of my favorites on the menu. I also wanted to try a lot of the dishes that incorporated the restaurants fresh local honey, as the honey used is from the beehives on the fifth floor of the building. We also tried the Seared Foie Gras, with Concord Grape, and Hazelnut Granola. Another must for the second course right now, is the Maitake, Cappelletti, Thyme, with more Rooftop Honey, spinach, roasted garlic.

 

For our entrees we devoured the Dry Aged Duck Breast, Salsify, Chestnuts, Black Mission Figs, Red Wine Duck Sauce,Prime NY Strip, Celery Root, Lardo Persillade, Black Truffles, Mustard Greens, Truffle Demi Glace, Scallops, Cauliflower, Marcona Almonds, Pork Belly, Lobster Nage, and the in season Halibut, English Pea, Oyster Mushroom, Pearl Onion, and lobster beurre Blanc. When presenting the dinners the Orchid staff revealed art, as the cloche dome plates were lifted with  perfect timing. I felt like I was in an episode of Downton Abbey with updated french culinary masterpieces, in an art deco environment. Needless to say I will be back, and I hope all of Cincinnati realizes the amount of stardom and power we have in our culinary scene especially with Chef Zappas continuing to make in- fashion again fine dining, along with powerhouse restaurant L. If you are looking to have an out of this world royal experience, please head to Orchids in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Make sure to also explore the hotel as notables as Elvis Presely, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, John and Jackie Kennedy, Winston Churchill, have graced the hallways. You will feel like a movie star during your whole experience at Orchids and you will be blown away with the expertise behind Chef George Zappas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Brunch? Me too! This months cookbook focuses on Fifty chefs/cooks whom are featured at home with their families, sharing recipes for brunch together. With recipes from Otto’s, Frida’s, Senate, L, Oriental Wok, and more! I am always looking for cookbooks to add to my collection and this one is most definitely one you and your family will use for generations to come. I know I love a good brunch on a Sunday with loved ones, and to have recipes from restaurants I frequent is even more amazing.

You can buy this amazing cookbook for $40 >>>  www.eatplaygive.net, You can also buy tickets to the Friends & Family SIDS Brunch,  that features many of the chefs from the cookbook.

Participating restaurants/producers this year:  Coffee Emporium, Daveed’s, Forno Osteria+Bar, French Crust Cafe, Happy Chicks Bakery, JR Table, Keystone Bar & Grill, Kroger, La Petite Pierre, Madisono’s Gelato & Sorbet, Maplewood Kitchen and Bar, Maribelle’s eat + drink, Meatball Kitchen, Metropole, Oriental Wok, Otto’s, Red Feather Kitchen, The Rookwood, Taste of Belgium, and Vintner Select.

Now let’s cook and make a difference at the same time. Enjoy readers!

Peace + Love,

V

 

Welcome to my new favorite mobile garden in the city, Daisy Jane’s Flower Truck. I love to spotlight women business owners and those making a difference  in our tri-state and beyond,  and just had to tell my readers about this perfectly curated flower truck popping up all over the city. I found Daisy’s Flower Truck on instagram, and instantaneously fell in love with the business, the flowers, the truck, and I knew our city house needed a bit of floral accompaniment for Spring. When you visit Daisy Jane’s Flower Truck you’ll have the opportunity to pick out your own flowers no matter what variation and of course converse with the owner Megan Moore, who is  literally the nicest woman you will ever meet. I found the Daisy Jane’s flower truck nestled in Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati, and with concrete everywhere a bit of green in the midst of the city chaos is all I wanted for the morning; that and a cup of coffee. If you’re not feeling especially creative that day, the owner can gladly and artistically hand pick each bloom, so that you leave with a stupendous and unique bouquet for you or a loved one. Wanting to know where you can find the Daisy Jane Flower Truck?

Monday: 8AM-12PM at Coffee Emporium on Central Parkway in OTR

 

Tuesday: 11AM-1:30PM “Market on the Square” on Fountain Square (starting April 2)

 

Wednesday: A Village Gift Shop at The Century House in Glendale

 

Thursday: 3-8PM Alley Boutique in Downtown Loveland 

 

Friday: 9AM-1PM Harvest Market in Old Milford

 

Friday: 4-7PM Country Fresh Farm Market & Wine Depot on Vine St. in Hartwell

 

Saturday & Sunday: TBA on social media –

Follow Daisy Jane’s Flower Truck  –

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• YouTube

Want to rent the truck for your next party, wedding or event? Daisy Jane’s Flower Truck can help you have some fun building bouquets or flower crowns! Would you love for Daisy Jane to make a stop at your office to treat your employees to beautiful bouquets? Head on over to our events page and give us a shout!  

Lemon Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Hydrangea Cupcakes

VEGAN LEMON BARS 

Blackberry Crumb Squares

Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Brownie Bars (Vegan)

Carrot Cake Cupcakes + Coconut Frosting (Vegan+GF)

Rhubarb & Raspberry Frangipane Tart with Almond Praline

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake Loaf

ALMOND BLACKBERRY FINANCIERS

Cranberry Lemon No-Bake Granola Bars (Vegan+GF)

CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CANNOLI

 

 

Welcome to Lil’s Bagels, located on 308 Greenup Street in Covington, Ky. This Spring and Summer make sure to head to their walk up window and either dine outside on their patio or get their exceptional hand rolled, boiled, bagel, made with tradition and CHUTZPAH and sandwiches to go.  I plan on doing a lot of hiking this Spring and Summer, so hearty, green, local, and unique eats wrapped and ready to go are what I am looking for. I am in love with The Chixa, a locally made 16 Brick’s Ciabatta Roll covered in Lil’s Pesto Chicken Salad, Homemade Kraut Slaw, Gribenes, and Pepper Jelly. We also had to get the PEC (Pastrami, Egg, & Cheese) Local Organic Egg, Lil’s House Smoked Pastrami Bacon, & Munster Cheese on a fresh Allez Challah Roll or 16 Brick’s Rye Bread with of course a side of Hen and Woods Salt and Vinegar Chips. Readers, you will most definitely want to stop here before a picnic, for coffee, or to dine outside and relax in-between bites. 

Peace + Love,

V

Located //

Lil’s Bagels

308 Greenup St.
Covington, Kentucky 41011

(859) 412-6922

www.lilsbagels.com

Follow Lil’s Bagels on Instagram // @Lilsbagels 

Follow Lil’s Bagels on Facebook // Lil’s Bagels