Red Brick Tavern in London, Ohio

29 July 202022 September 2024

“If these walls could talk….” I must have heard this saying at least ten times while I was enjoying a Prime Rib special at the Red Brick Tavern in London, Ohio.

Of course, I agree, but I had not really given it much thought. The three-story tavern and roadside inn was built by the Minter family in the late 1830s and was a popular stop for Americans in search of opportunities out west. William and Mary settled here with their nine children in the town they named Lafayette, halfway between Columbus and Springfield.

Most would travel the muddy road known as the National Road which originated from Cumberland, Maryland to include Stanley Watson from Connecticut. Stanley wed Effa Minter, was given a parcel of land from her father on which the Red Brick Tavern was built in 1836 and was then leased to John McMullen.

Designed in the style of Old English Manor, the Red Brick Tavern originally offered twenty-four rooms for travelers, while the ground level housed the kitchen and dining room. It was a “reversed L” structure where the front of the building faced the National Road and a narrow section extended along the side street. The third story was the private residence of the family and could be accessed by a stairway with four rooms were located under the gables of the front wing.

According to a placard outside, the Red Brick Tavern entertained six United States Presidents to include John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Warren G. Harding.

Eventually the property would revert back to the Minter family in February of 1854 and would be passed on to the next generation where it would become a school and a rental property. By 1923, the property would no longer remain in the Minter family and would sold to become a tearoom and restaurant.

Today, the Red Brick Tavern thrives as a restaurant owned by Cris Cummins and Madonna Christy who purchased the property in 2007.

Known for their home cooked meals, local residents fill the dining room for their daily specials and desserts. I was excited to learn that in addition to dinner rolls, the restaurant also served cinnamon rolls before the meal.

The Red Brick Tavern had come full circle and was once again a restaurant. I was happy to visit on Friday night for their Prime Rib special that included a side dish, rolls and dessert.

This little historic gem has been a witness to American history with the building of the National Road and for hosting several Presidents of the United States and now it was going to witness me eat their perfectly prepared, medium-rare steak, followed by a slice of their decadent peanut butter pie.

Have you visited the Red Brick Tavern in Lafayette? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Thank you for reading about my visit to Red Brick Tavern and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Red Brick Tavern
1700 Cumberland Street
London, Ohio 43140
Telephone; 614 200 5447

Go on Friday and/or Saturday night for their prime rib special and save room for dessert!

Exploring Cincinnati’s Italian Heritage at CincItalia!

11 June 201918 September 2024

Cincinnati is known for its weekly Catholic festivals and the integral part they play, not only in raising money for the local parishes, but as a social meeting place among each of the churches. One of these festivals is the CincItalia, representing the St. Catherine of Siena Parish on the west side, which takes place at the Harvest Home Park each year.

The festivities began on Friday with an Adult-Only Carnevale celebration. Lasting from 6PM until midnight, the Italian food and wine flowed abundantly. This year, the Rusty Griswolds would perform on opening night, drawing large crowds to hear their favorite 80’s tunes.

I made my first stop at Gregorios to try the Arancini ($5), a Sicilian dish, made of rice with meat and cheese in the center, coated in bread crumbs and then fried. With a crisp outside and cheese-filled middle, this would only be the start of my Italian feast.

There were over 12 food stalls serving everything from Fried Calamari to Penne Pasta, hot dogs to pizza. A large selection of desserts included Italian favorites such as gelatos, ice and cannolis.

The Beer Garden was packed, but I was able to find a place to sit after waiting in the short line for a Prosecco.

The Rusty Griswolds were preparing for their first set as a large crowd began to gather near the stage. This band has been a local favorite in the early 1980’s when they were known as Free Reins. Having won a local rock station band contest, they performed for a few years until the band took a short hiatus. Reconvening in the late 90’s, the band changed their name to the Rusty Griswolds and bring large crowds to the venues where they perform.

With an amazing selection of Italian food, drinks and desserts, phenomenal 80’s music from the Rusty Griswolds, the CincItalia is one of the best Catholic festivals to attend each year.

Have you visited the CincItalia Festival or do you have a favorite Catholic festival in Cincinnati? I would love to hear about your experience or recommendations on where to visit next! Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

CincItalia
Harvest Home Park
3961 North Bend Road
Cheviot, OH 45211
Telephone: 513 661 0651

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express West
5505 Rybolt Street
Cincinnati, OH 45248
Telephone: 513 574 6000

Where to Eat:

CincItalia
Harvest Home Park
3961 North Bend Road
Cheviot, OH 45211
Telephone: 513 661 0651

I recommend the arancini, stromboli, prosecco and limoncello.

More of My Favorite Places to Eat:

Skyline Chili: My go-to meal at Skyline is the 4-way chili with onion served with oyster crackers and hot sauce. I always pick up two York peppermint patties after cashing out. Cincinnati chili is a beef based sauce served over spaghetti noodles and cheese. Additional toppings include onions and beans.
LaRosa’s Pizza: A local chain pizzeria, this Sicilian style pie is made with a sweet crust and sauce. My favorite menu item is the Caprese pesto Flatbread Pizza.
Graeter’s Ice Cream: It’s the French Pot process that makes Graeter’s Ice Cream so decadent and rich. Towards the end of the process, they pour chocolate into the mix creating large chunks of yummy goodness.
Montgomery Inn BBQ: Visiting the original Montgomery Inn BBQ at the boathouse is a culinary and scenic experience. Their ribs are served with a sweet and tangy sauce that has since made them the “Ribs King” and a favorite among locals. Load up on their amazing BBQ flavored Saratoga chips,
Glier’s Goetta: While it looks like a slab of corn beef hash, this breakfast staple is made of sausage and oats, cooked until crispy. Most breakfast restaurants carry it as a side, especially the local cafes and diners.
BonBonerie: One of the most decadent pastry shops in Cincinnati, their rich confections are absolutely amazing.

Where to Drink:

Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 421 2337

Books to Read:

Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld
Running, by J.T. Cooper
Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
Beloved, by Toni Morrison
Double Dutch, by Sharon M. Draper
Romiette and Julio, by Sharon M. Draper

Photo Guide for Cincinnati (as provided by Chris Thompson on FourSquare):

The John A Roebling Suspension Bridge
- Pick a spot near the Covington pier and shoot north toward the Cincinnati skyline. Shoot at sunset and underexpose by a few stops to get the lights just right.
- The new lights on the bridge create excellent stars when you photograph them using a narrow aperture (~f/16 and above) on your camera. That means you’ll need a longer exposure (and thus a tripod).
General James Taylor Park
- Shoot from the top of the flag pole mound to get more building reflections in your shot. Shoot at sunset or sunrise for great lighting.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
- Arrive first thing in the morning when the sun is coming up
The Fountain at Fountain Square
- For great photos of the fountain: set your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure (2-5 seconds) to capture the running water. Get Carew or the colored lights above Rock Bottom in the background.
Fountain Square (look for reflections in puddles)
Celestial Restaurant in Mount Adams – The restaurant is now closed, but you may still be able to use the parking lot.
Carew Tower Observation Deck
- Provides some neat photos of the highways snaking around the city. Set your camera on a tripod and use a long exposure to get moving car trails. It’s only open at sunset a few days each year.
Engine Company 46, 2733 Erie Avenue (at Michigan), Cincinnati
- One of the most beautiful historic firehouses in all of Cincinnati. The firefighters here are used to having their photo taken while they work. Ask nicely and you can get some cool shots.
Cincinnati Observatory Center
Krohn Conservatory
Great American Ball Park
- Shoot the front of the stadium around sunset to get a nice color blue in the sky. Get one of the player statues in your shot for extra effect.
Devou Park
- The overlook next to the Drees pavilion affords a great view of the Cincinnati skyline. Shoot at sunrise or sunset for the best lighting. Underexpose slightly to get the city lights just right.
Newport Central Catholic for fireworks
- Shoot the Riverfest fireworks from this location. Bring a long lens and a tripod. You’ll want a long-ish exposure (5-10 seconds) to capture the bursts, but make sure the skyline isn’t overexposed.
Riverfront Park
- The colorful fountains make a great subject, but you need to use a relatively fast shutter speed (>1/20 or so) to catch the lights before they change color, leaving your pic with plain white lights.
American Sign Museum
- Be sure to bring a tripod to capture all the signs. Manual white balance is the way to go, because there are so many crazy colors of lights that your camera won’t know how to react.

Treating Ourselves in Traverse City

23 April 201921 September 2024

Traverse City’s charm is in its shops, restaurants and scenic shoreline. We picked up the local publication, “Northern Express” for the most recent events and up-to-date information. With so many options, we decided first to eat lunch and Grand Traverse Pie Company was our unanimous vote.

Michigan is known for its cherries, so it would only make sense to stop by the Grand Traverse Pie Company for a slice of cherry pie. We were surprised to find over 50 flavors of pie in addition to a few other dessert options.

GT Pie Company’s menu was extensive to include dishes from breakfast to dinner. With a so many great options, we each placed our orders for soups, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Among the eight of us, we decided on the Grand Traverse Chicken Salad, Cherrywood BLT, Chicken Focaccia and Lighthouse Turkey Cheddar Sandwich. The meals were fresh and delicious served with either coleslaw or blueberry applesauce.

Leaving room for dessert, we decided to order their signature Cherry Pie (perfect….not too sweet and not too tart), Blueberry Pie (with a crumble on top), ABC Pie (apple, blueberry and cherry) and Peanut Butter Cups.

Our meals and dessert were amazing so we found ourselves stopping by a couple more times during our vacation, even if it was only to pick up a pie or two.

Another great reason to add Grand Traverse Pie Company to your list of restaurants to visit is that they partner with local farmers for the fruit that goes into their delicious pies. They are also involved in several projects that give back to their community, which makes them pretty amazing. Check out their website to learn more about the charities they sponsor.

Another company that supports local farmers is Cherry Republic. This great store perfectly represents Michigan’s designation as the Cherry Capital of the US. With its humble beginnings to its claim of being the “most exclusive retailer of cherry food creations”, Cherry Republic was a mandatory stop on our tour of downtown Traverse City.

But to be honest, what we couldn’t resist were all of the samples that were available throughout the store . From cherry salsa to cherry chews, cherry wine and cherry sodas, we were in cherry heaven. We left with quite a few souvenirs and gifts to take back home.

The staff were extremely helpful with any questions and suggestions on what to purchase. We left with several products and enjoyed lunch at their wonderful café. I loaded up on the salsa and cider, perfect gifts for friends and family back home. Of course we had to make a second stop because we ran out of chips and cherry salsa midway through the week.

Cherry Republic is a wonderful success story with its start as a t-shirt business in 1989. Branching out to four locations in Michigan, the store sells over 200 types of cherry products. You can read more about the company on their website and revel in their accomplishments, which includes a flourishing catalog and online business as well. Visit their website to place an order or request a catalog.

According to its website, most of Cherry Republic’s produce comes from its own backyard, the Leelanau peninsula. And if that wasn’t enough, the company has established programs that have given back over $600,000 to charitable causes in northern Michigan.

After having lunch at Grand Traverse Pie Company and trying samples at Cherry Republic, we needed some time to walk off the calories. It was such a beautiful day and there were several shops that we found interesting. Downtown Grand Traverse is such a quaint, friendly town and we stopped by the Visitor’s Center for a map and suggestions on what to see while we were here.

One of my favorite places to visit was Nest. Described as a home interiors and furnishings boutique, we enjoyed all of the designs and merchandise on display. The décor is said to be “Up North Chic” and “Modern Cottage” and I loved all of the unique home goods and decorations.

Not only are the products fabulous, but the building in itself is artistic and appealing. The original brick walls display the fabulous artwork and the refurbished 1800’s tin ceiling was absolutely stunning.

What we love about Nest is that they have an online store. With so many great products, this is the perfect way to shop from home and search for updated items for your home. Just visit their website.

Michigan’s Traverse City is a great way to see the local flavors of Michigan as well as to taste them. If you have already visited this beautiful part of Michigan and want to bring back some of those fabulous memories, shop the online stores of Grand Traverse Pie Company, Cherry Republic and Nest. You can also check out “Traverse City in a Box” for additional selections as well.

If you have visited Traverse City or Grand Traverse, Michigan, what were some of your most memorable moments? Did you try some of the state’s local offerings? I would love to hear what you would suggest the next time we visit Michigan if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my adventures in Traverse City, Michigan and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Grand Traverse Pie Company
525 West Front STreet
Traverse City, MI 49684
Telephone: 231 922 7437

Cherry Republic
154 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Telephone: 231 932 9205

Nest of Grand Traverse
218 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Telephone: 231 946 0232

Where to Eat:

amical
929 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Telephone: 231 941 8888

It was time for lunch and I wanted something light to tie me over for dinner. The French Onion soup with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat was a perfect combination. The crabcakes were served with a sweet chili aioli sauce which had a little heat so I needed a nice local Pinot Grigio from Good Harbor Winery in Leland, Michigan.

What to Eat:

Bell’s Oberon beer
Blueberries
Boston Cooler – ginger ale and vanilla ice cream float
Cherries
Chipati – salad made of lettuce, mushrooms, cheese and peppers stuffed in a pita
Cider and Doughnuts
Cudhigi – spicy Italian sandwich
Deep Dish Pizza
Detroit Street Brick – aged goat’s milk cheese and green peppercorns
Double Baked Rye Bread
Faygo Pop
Hot Fudge Cream Puffs
Mackinac Island Fudge
Packzi (pronounced Punch-key) – Polish donut stuffed with jam
Pasty – hand made pies filled with meat
Whitefish

What to Read:

Blameless; A Novel, by Lisa Reardon
Two, Two Lily-White Boys, by Geoffrey Clark

Photo Guide to Traverse City:

Bijou by the Bay movie theater
Cherries
Cherry Bowl Drive In
Gallagher’s Farm Market Produce and Barn
Glen Haven Beach at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Grand Traverse Pie Company
Lads Winery
North Bar Lake at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Tall Ships along the Lake
Vineyards of Black Star Farms

Entering Grand Traverse Pie Company

Peanut Butter Cup Dessert, Grand Traverse Pie Company

One of the many delicious pies we ordered from Grand Traverse Pie Company! Is that the state of Michigan in the center?

The Old Arcana, Arcanum Ohio – NOW CLOSED

9 July 201531 August 2024

UPDATE: The Old Arcana is now CLOSED.

What initially drew me to The Old Arcana Restaurant was their Bourbon Praline French Toast, which was voted the best by Ohio Magazine. I was also interested in visiting Bear’s Mill in Greenville, so I combined the two for a pleasant morning in Darke County, Ohio. Passing through cornfields and small country towns, my GPS guided me to Arcanum with its red brick streets and charming antique shops.

The beautiful interior was rich with exposed brick walls, dark wood furnishings and simple, yet elegant table settings. The bar is the main attraction displaying the homemade desserts in the glass enclosure at the front, while in the back, servers are ringing up orders and pouring their customer’s beverages.

The menu offered a long list of Southern-style entrees with a few healthy options as well. My eyes were drawn to the sausage gravy and biscuits, three egg omelets with herb roasted potatoes or an order of pancakes and homemade syrup.

Lunch and dinner selections included comfort foods such as the Kentucky Hot Brown and burgers of fresh meat made from brisket. All menu items are made in-house with fresh ingredients purchased from local markets and farmers.

A unique list of starters such as falafel fries, deviled eggs and Reuben rolls, and an excellent selection of salads ranged in price from $6 to $8. While each item looked delicious, I was not swayed away from the Bourbon Praline French Toast.

As Janeen brought my meal to the table, I could smell the sweetness of the bourbon praline sauce and the candied pecans. Coupled with the subtle aroma of cinnamon and homemade whipped cream, I could not wait to dive in. Taking my first bite, I have to admit it tasted more like a dessert than breakfast. This rich cinnamon creation, loaded with pecan goodness, was sinfully delicious.

All desserts at The Old Arcana are made from scratch and the selection changes on a regular basis. Behind the counter, there was the carrot cake bread pudding, devil’s food cake, their signature banana pudding, strawberry tart parfait and their chocolate cake with strawberry icing. The temptation was overwhelming, but having had the decadent French toast, I was going to have to pass and plan for dessert on my next visit.

Janeen mentioned that her brother Jeff Besecker was the owner and successful self-taught chef behind some of the most amazing menu items. Her father was instrumental in the renovations of the restaurant, adding some personal touches such as the bench seating along the wall opposite the bar. The restaurant sells some of her father’s beautifully designed walnut and brown maple cutting boards as well as sycamore rolling pins.

After settling my check, I was determined to return soon for another of the restaurant’s top sellers, the Arcana Hot Brown. The Old Arcana Restaurant ranks high on my list of restaurants in the state of Ohio and is a hidden gem located in the farmlands of Darke County. Of course, the next time, I will definitely save room for dessert.

Have you had the opportunity to dine at The Old Arcana Restaurant? I would love to hear about your experience or to recommend any restaurant items that you have tried if you would kindly leave your comments below! Many thanks for reading about my experience at The Old Arcana Restaurant and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Where to Eat:

The Old Arcana Restaurant
109 W. George Street
Arcanum, OH 45304
Telephone: 937 692 0068

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and accepts cash only for payment. The Old Arcana Restaurant also offers cooking classes, which are provided on their webpage. In March of 2016, they began a Supper Club to bring like minded foodies together to enjoy a meal in a slow, engaging environment. This is also an opportunity to meet the chef, the staff and “hear their inspiration behind the month’s dish”. Information about becoming a member of the Supper Club is also listed on their website.

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

The brick streets of Arcanum and the storefront for The Old Arcana Restaurant

Aprons for Sale at the Old Arcana Restaurant in Arcanum, Ohio

Cigar Box Guitars Available for Purchase at The Old Arcana Restaurant

Bada Bing! Pizzeria, Springfield, Ohio – NOW CLOSED

28 May 201531 August 2024

Update: Bada Bing! is now closed.

It was a chilly afternoon and I had not yet tried Bada Bing! Pizzeria which had relocated to a larger space on Springfield, Ohio’s historic Fountain Avenue.

Bada Bing! Pizzeria became a national sensation when in 2015, the owner, Jason Hague, posted a flyer on the door of his business inviting anyone who did not have any money or was hungry to celebrate Thanksgiving with him and his family. It was such an overwhelming act of kindness that when someone shared his invitation on social media, it went viral and landed him publicity with Fox News all over the country. Donations poured in to supplement the cost of Jason’s offer to those in need. He was pleasantly overwhelmed and thankful for those who unexpectedly contributed to his cause. On Thanksgiving Day, Bada Bing! was able to feed close to 100 people.

But for those who live in Springfield, Bada Bing! has been a hit with its locals since bringing gourmet pizzas and friendly service to town.

Bada Bing’s humble beginnings found itself in a small neighborhood of Springfield where it quickly outgrew its space. Working with other locals to revive the downtown area, they found a location on North Fountain Avenue and began the tumultuous work of installing updates and renovations. With a new wood fire stove, they also expanded their kitchen space downstairs.

In addition to Bada Bing!’s extreme generosity, what I love about this downtown eatery is that they are serving gourmet pizzas with unique flavor combinations. All of their pies are baked in the woodfire stove, just like an Italian pizzeria.

The Kickin’ Kung Pow Chicken with a spicy teriyaki sauce is crazy delicious and one of my favorites. Loaded with cheese, grilled chicken, garlic green peppers, red onion, crushed red pepper and peanuts. This fascinating mix of flavors will have you ordering another before the week is over. Other selections include the Vampire Slayer, the F-Bomb and the Dirty SOB, but if you are in the mood for a super, rich, breathtaking eating experience, order the C.B.R made with garlic butter sauce, four cheeses, grilled chicken, bacon, red onions, tomatoes, and topped with MORE garlic (roasted minced) and ranch sauce.

I was having a difficult time deciding which pizza to order when I learned I could try two different flavor combinations on one pie. I couldn’t pass up the Kickin’ Kung Pow while the other half was the more mild Mona Lisa, with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. On a later visit I ordered the Award Winning Goombah with lots of spice.

In addition to upscale pizza flavors and decadent sides, Bada Bing! serves craft beer. Nothing goes better with an outstanding pizza than a nice cold brew. I ordered the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and the Bell’s Oberon at the excellent advice from my knowledgeable server.

A list of Bada Bing!’s beers on tap are posted on the chalk board to the right of the checkout station. There is also a generous number of wines and a cooler filled with bottled beers as well.

So the word is out about Bada Bing!’s pizza and the locals are loving it. I can’t wait to delve into their calzones, salads, grinders, desserts and appetizers, especially the cinnamon knots and the garlic knots.

Bada Bing!’s can be summed up as a company with fabulous food, awesome customer service and an owner with a big heart. That is a trifecta for success and a pizzeria I feel proud to support. And just as their logo states, “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Bada Bing!”

Do you have a favorite local pizzeria? I would love to hear about it and which pizzas you enjoy if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many Thanks and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Bada Bing! Pizzeria
40 North Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH 45502
Telephone: 937 390 1300

Where to Stay:

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
100 South Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH 45502
Telephone; 937 322 3600

Where to Eat:

Hafle Winery’s menu offers a wonderful selection of appetizers, sandwiches, dinners and salads. The winery hosts popular weekend cookouts with live music entertainment.

More favorite Springfield eateries:

Schuler’s Donuts: Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
Simon Kenton Inn: This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue. With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
Guerra’s Krazy Tacos: One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
Salato Deli: I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
Le Torte Dolci Bakery; Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
Mike & Rosie’s Deli: This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.