Summer in the 'Nati

We finally made it to summer!

Hi, it's Sheila. I know we didn't have much of a spring with all of the rain, but I am loving this warm weather, and there's no better time to live in Greater Cincinnati than right now because there are so many things to do!

Saturday, my guys and I headed down to the Taste of Cincinnati with a few hundred thousands of our friends. We had a bit of lunch, and we listened to our friend Greg's band, Cover Model. http://www.covermodelband.com/ Eric danced to the music while sipping a fresh squeezed lemonade (now that really says summer!) I put some money in the jar at The Bistro's stand to vote for its Korean BBQ Turkey Slider with Slaw. Yum! And we topped it off with a double serving of Blueberry and Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding from Bella Luna. To die for!


Last week, Eric and I made our first trip of the season to Kings Island to check out the new Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. He had a blast pushing the buttons to make these life sized creatures move, wag their tails, and nod their heads. The layout on this thing is amazing. You take a long walk through the woods on acreage previously unused by the park. The dinos peek out at you and roar as you approach. Eric kept saying, "I'm not scared!" It's the world's largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs, and if you have a little guy who loves all things reptilian, it's a must for your next Kings Island visit. The park is offering Dinosaurs Alive birthday parties too. http://www.visitkingsisland.com/


And what's summer without some lunch outside? I finally got down to Jean-Francois Flechet's new Taste of Belgium location at The Banks. You've probably heard of his famous authentic Belgian waffles, whether from his stand at Findlay Market, or one of the other places around town. (Did you know you can even get them for wedding favors?) But Jean-Francois offers a full menu at this new cafe right inside the Freedom Center. You can get in from the museum or from a separate entrance at the corner of Walnut St. and Freedom Way. My girlfriend Lauren had the Veggie Crepes with Balsamic Vinagrette, and I had the Belgian Onion Soup with a salad. He has a big selection of breakfast and lunch fare, including chicken and waffles. Maybe I'll get that next time! And if you haven't seen how The Banks is shaping up, it's a great place to take in the view. It almost feels like a little vacation. http://authenticwaffle.com/