Sunday, May 18, 2008

Look at Me Shirts



Today I stumbled upon lookatmeshirts.com, which means I am probably very slow and very late to the game, but nonetheless, I fell in love instantly and purchased 3 shirts! Hilarious graphic tees, many of which are Cincinnati-specific.

My favorite (which I did order) pictured here.

What I did not know was is that the company is part owned by Josh Sneed, a local comedian who frequents down at the Funny Bone. I frequent the Bone and he's a funny cat.

On a related note, I did have Skyline for lunch today. Boyfriend always finds it ironic that I always get a side salad with my 3-way, but ya gotta have something healthy to counter that pile of tasty greasy whatever-it-is-ness.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Restaurant Review: Nada

So Nada harps itself as a contemporary Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. Yay for neat new restaurants in the heart of Cincy, but this one is what I'd call so-so.

The food was good, but not amazing. Nothing I'd crave again later. I had the tinga poblano, which is basically a chicken-chorizo stew with a tomato base and served with a side of rice. It was slightly spicy in a good way with a consistency reminiscent of a red curry. Even more so, it was $13. It was a good portion, but nothing memorable. My counterpart got the pork green chile, which he swears by. I tried a bite, and it was tasty. Heavy on the green chile flavor with chunks of perfectly braised pork.

For appetizers, we got the chips and guac. Now, seriously, I thought that the $1.50 for a scoop of guac at Chipotle was a bit much. Here, it was $7 for a basket of chips and guac that was comparable to Chipotle's self-proclaimed "silky, sexy guacamole". And the chips... oy. I think they were triple-fried and marinated in a tub of sea salt overnight. They were super crunchy, but super greasy and absurdly salt-tastic.

The atmosphere was pretty sweet, with a neat staircase to the top floor of tables (although we sat on the first floor). They also have outside seating. They were quite busy for a Tuesday lunch, with a very different mix of people. I expected all corporate downtowners on their lunch breaks, but that didn't seem to be the case: Old, young, corporate and just casual diners. But seriously, girls-who-work-at-Nada, for a Tuesday lunch, did you have to dress like you were going to a club on Saturday? Seriously?

The bottom line was: I just don't get it. Maybe it's just not my style.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Restaurant Review: The Levee Perk Cafe

What a delightful little hole-in-the wall: The Levee Perk Cafe! Their web presence leaves a little something to be desired, but the goods are well... good!

It's your standard sammy shop, with tasty sammies, wraps, and salads, but perhaps the most unique thing on the menu is the topped pretzels. Quite intrigued, as I didn't quite "get it", I had to get one. I didn't know if I should expect a pretzel sandwich, a microwaveable big soft pretzel covered in stuff, or what...

Well the results were divine: I ordered the veggie pretzel, which a large, tasty homemade (large!) soft pretzel. It had a thin layer of marinara sauce and two slices of melted mozzarella, and then it was heaped with fresh sauteed veggies, like green and yellow squash, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, etc. My only quasi-complaint was that there was almost TOO much squash on it, but that's an easily resolvable problem (I just pushed some off!). It was like a mini-veggie pizza with a super amazing tasty crust. Get this: only $4.50!!

A co-worker invested in the chicken cordon bleu pretzel, which was covered in chunks of chicken and cheese. Also looked quite scrumptious.

The price mislead me, as I assumed that it would then be relatively small so I got a side. They have a very unique list of down-homey sides, like the german potato salad, which I had. Many times, German potato salad is too vinegary, but theirs was a delightful balance of sweet + sour.

The place is small (~10/15 tables in a standard deli-sized space). The staff friendly (lots of grandmas behind the counter making the food, and our waiter was this large, young, nice looking football player -- bull in a china shop for sure. Someone's nephew was home from college for the summer looking for some extra bucks, so it seems.). Oh and we grabbed tasty cookies on the way out - super soft choco chip with a little Hershey kiss throw in the middle. Nom!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Heart you, Food Network Store

In the best email I have received all day, I received a deal from the Food Network Store via my Food Network newsletter....

Calphalon non-stick, oven-safe saute pans; one 10 inch and one 12 inch

Usually retail around $150 (on Calphalon's site they retail even higher than that!)...
I got them for:

$58.23!!!!!!!!! (including shipping)

Ah happiness. I was just thinking that I was going to ask for oven-safe pans for my b-day. Happy 3-months-early Birthday to me!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Maribelle's anyone?

Dine Bitch: someone sent T flowers
Wine Bitch: biltmore and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
good
she needs them
Dine Bitch: i wonder who
but i'm glad
Wine Bitch: hubby?
Dine Bitch: prolly hubby
Wine Bitch: me too
biltmore and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
Dine Bitch: de ja vous?
Wine Bitch: biltmore and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
biltmore and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
Dine Bitch: en fuego and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
Wine Bitch: si si
Dine Bitch: en fuego and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
Wine Bitch: biltmore and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
Dine Bitch: en fuego and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
Wine Bitch: biltmore and the medi plate outside NOW would be glorious
Dine Bitch: this is the best conversation we've ever had
i almost drooled on myself
Wine Bitch: sigh
if only

Monday, April 14, 2008

feelin salty?

(14:38:41) Wine Bitch: i need something
(14:38:42) Wine Bitch: called
(14:38:45) Wine Bitch: cool ranch doritos
(14:38:48) Wine Bitch: or
(14:38:49) Dine Bitch: hmmm
(14:38:52) Wine Bitch: cheese nips
(14:38:55) Dine Bitch: yes
(14:38:59) Dine Bitch: i'm pickin up what you're puttin down
(14:39:05) Wine Bitch: i aint putting any down
(14:39:09) Dine Bitch: ha
(14:39:10) Wine Bitch: they are all going in my mouf
(14:39:17) Dine Bitch: okay ludacris

Lots of cute. LOTS of it.

An aggregated list of all things glorious and cute, including lots of puppies and kitties, on the web:

http://cute.alltop.com/

Yet another brilliant creation, brought to the world by Guy Kawasaki

Thursday, April 10, 2008

What we talk about at work

(13:44:39) Wine Bitch: “Male colleague A” is trying to talk search
(13:44:41) Wine Bitch: its funny
(13:44:45) Dine Bitch: “Male colleague A” is THE MAN
(13:44:54) Wine Bitch: (his ass is large)
(13:45:00) Wine Bitch: (i am bitchy)
(13:45:21) Dine Bitch: “Male colleague A” has a large ass?
(13:45:31) Wine Bitch: seriously?
(13:45:38) Dine Bitch: never taken stock in his ass
(13:45:39) Wine Bitch: its a bubble
(13:45:43) Dine Bitch: delightful
(13:45:45) Wine Bitch: no
(13:45:48) Wine Bitch: i hate man ass
(13:45:53) Dine Bitch: as you should
(13:45:57) Dine Bitch: i don't know many women
(13:45:58) Dine Bitch: who say
(13:46:02) Dine Bitch: i want a man with a THICK ASS
(13:46:12) Wine Bitch: ROUND like a BALL
(13:46:25) Dine Bitch: weird
(13:46:34) Dine Bitch: i shall check it out next time
(13:46:44) Wine Bitch: you could bounce off the back of it
(13:46:49) Dine Bitch: neat
(13:46:52) Dine Bitch: like a sumo suit
(13:46:53) Wine Bitch: i cant believe you have not clocked that thing yet
(13:46:58) Wine Bitch: and
(13:46:59) Wine Bitch: i am done

Everyone loves a cupcake!


Everyone loves a cupcake!
Originally uploaded by winedinewhine
What's better than a cupcake? A CUPCAKE BAR!

Cheesecake Factory feasting

(08:56:14) Wine Bitch: did you get the mac and cheese balls?
(08:56:19) Dine Bitch: no
(08:56:22) Wine Bitch: WTF?
(08:56:28) Dine Bitch: dan ordered the app while i was in the bathroom
(08:56:32) Dine Bitch: he got the potstickers
(08:56:35) Dine Bitch: which were also tasty
(08:56:39) Dine Bitch: but weren't anything amazing
(08:56:40) Wine Bitch: meh
(08:56:51) Wine Bitch: what did you get ro eat?
(08:57:11) Dine Bitch: "wasabi crusted ahi tuna"
(08:57:17) Dine Bitch: which was nummies
(08:57:27) Dine Bitch: i have half of it for lunch today
(08:57:30) Dine Bitch: i might put it on a salad
(08:57:47) Dine Bitch: i just need to figure out a way to heat it up without cooking the fish the rest of the way through cause i still want it rare



The result from last night's Cheesecake Factory dinner...
For a chain, I am consistently impressed with their food. Dan gets the large filet mignon every time we go. Last time we went, for his b-day, it was a few days after Valentine's Day. I must say that I liked the steak he got at CF much better than the fancy schmancy steak he got at The Celestial on V-day! He went the same route at CF last night, and it was tasty.

I opted for the tuna steak. The "wasabi crust" was misleading cause it was more like wasabi mixed with an aoili and dumped on top of my tuna steak. It was good but there was too much so I scraped it all off. The veggies they serve with it are tasty - I wish there woulda been more of them, and there was slightly too much butter in the sauce they put on the veggies. But a bite of everything on the plate together made a very very yummy and light plate.

So now, how to reheat my tuna steak for lunch but still keep it rare...

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Review: Balboa's Philly Steaks and Pizza

Food selection:
  • Chicken Philly with provo, onion, mushroom
  • Bag of Baked Lays
  • Diet Pepsi
Verdict:
  • Neat attempt at bring Motown Philly to Cincinnati
  • Chicken wasn't anything memorable, potentially slightly overcooked
  • Nice little grease brick for my tummy
  • I was jealous of the colleagues' Traditional Philly (steak, cheez wiz, onions)
  • They serve TastyKakes there, which was neat
Return-ability?
  • only if I am drunk, for the traditional philly cheesesteak

The Making of a Blog

(11:35:46) Dine Bitch: we could write a food blog
(11:35:52) Wine Bitch: YES
(11:35:52) Dine Bitch: but it would have to have some fun twist
(11:35:53) Dine Bitch: like
(11:35:59) Wine Bitch: drunk girls eating food?
(11:36:07) Dine Bitch: cincinnati restaurant blogs? what i ate for dinner last night blog?
(11:36:11) Dine Bitch: something like that
(11:36:17) Dine Bitch: simple subject: what we ate
(11:36:17) Wine Bitch: i like what i ate for dinner last night blog
(11:36:18) Dine Bitch: hahahah
(11:36:20) Dine Bitch: yes
(11:36:41) Dine Bitch: last night i had salmon with cheesy pasta
(11:36:48) Wine Bitch: yum
(11:36:48) Dine Bitch: the salmon had a spice rub
(11:36:52) Wine Bitch: rub
(11:36:52) Wine Bitch: haha
(11:36:55) Dine Bitch: and some steamed crab legs
(11:36:58) Wine Bitch: WHAT
(11:37:00) Dine Bitch: and a salad
(11:37:01) Wine Bitch: who are you?
(11:37:08) Dine Bitch: dan spoils me when i ask him to make me dinner
(11:37:10) Dine Bitch: eeeeeee!
(11:37:17) Wine Bitch: and here i was being all smug about a SALAD
(11:37:23) Wine Bitch: seriously
(11:37:27) Dine Bitch: homemade baked salmon
(11:37:27) Wine Bitch: can he make me dinner too?

Monkey Talk

(15:43:38) Wine Bitch: i am not all pink butted and shit