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Tag Archives: pastries

Butler County’s Donut Trail: Kelly’s Bakery in Hamilton

4 June 201918 September 2024

There is nothing as sweet as Butler County, Ohio’s Donut Trail.  With ten amazing bakeries offering a wide assortment of sweets, I couldn’t wait to order a donut at each one.

First, I stopped by Butler County’s Visitor Bureau to pick up my complimentary passport. I was so excited to swing by Kelly’s Bakery as my first stop, eager to try their Fruity Pebbles donut. 

Located in downtown Hamilton, Ohio, I pulled up into the strip mall and could hardly find a parking spot.  Kelly’s sign, advertising “Donuts and More,” was a welcome sight as the line continued to carry on outside the door.

From a dozen pastries to specialty treats, hungry patrons couldn’t resist the wide selection of donuts and more. From crème horns to fruit-filled confections, my list continued to grow, but I just couldn’t see myself eating so many donuts that day.  Each donut was handcrafted and overflowed with toppings.

S’Mores with a generous heaping of graham crackers, marshmallows and melted chocolate.

Or decadent birthday cake with sugary frosty and colorful nonpareils.

With so many choices, I was happy to order the Fruity Pebbles donut and enjoyed every morsel of sugary cereal bits.

Have you visited Kelly’s Bakery in Hamilton?  Which donut or donuts did you order?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

What to See and What to Do:

Kelly’s Bakery
1335 Main Street
Hamilton, OH  45013
Telephone:   513 285 4040

Where to Stay:

Beninghofen House
807 Dayton Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
Telephone: 513 275 9990

Where to Eat:

Tano Bistro
150 Riverfront Plaza
Hamilton, OH 45011
Telephone: 513 795 8654

We split the charcutarie board overflowing with prosciutto, porchetta, salame schiacciata,  pecorino , sage derby, brie, orange fig jam, eggplant roasted pepper relish, grapes  and pickled tomato.

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On the Butler County Donut Trail Visiting Stan the Donut Man

26 March 201716 September 2024

I had been wanting to visit the donut shops on Butler County’s Donut Trail and headed north from Cincinnati to check out a couple of the donut shops on the list.  Stan the Donut Man was a small donut shop tucked away in a small shopping plaza in West Chester Township next to Jazzercize.

Standing in the long line, I was excited when I reached the kiosk with a list of pastries.  I could hear the patrons in line discussing their next order and reminiscing about their last week’s visit as they purchased dozens of glazed yeast donuts and apple fritters.

Inside are large racks filled with a wide variety of donuts while the walls display sports memorabilia from Cincinnati.  Their best sellers are the danishes and sour cream donuts, but I could not overlook the Davey Crockets, their ginormous cinnamon rolls.

With so many choices, I couldn’t resist the chocolate iced, cream-filled donut.

Stan the Donut Man is conveniently located off of I-75 in West Chester and is open 7 days per week from 6AM to noon.  But even at 8AM when I had arrived, there was a long line and several sold out pastries, so plan to arrive early.

Have you visited Stan the Donut Man?  Which pastry did you purchase?  Let me know by leaving a message in the comments section.  Thank you for reading about my visit to Stan the Donut Man and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Stan the Donut Man
7967 Cincinnati Dayton Rd.
West Chester Township, OH 45069
Telephone:  513 759 0016

  • Hours:  Daily from 6AM to noon
  • Length of Visit:  1 hour
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Arrive early as some of their pastries may run out and to minimize the amount of time you will wait in line.
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Jungle Jim’s International Market, Fairfield, Ohio

10 November 201616 September 2024

To describe Jungle Jim’s as an “International Food Lovers’ Paradise!” is more than accurate and may quite well be understated.

The parking lot was packed as I arrived at the supermarket’s flagship location in Fairfield, Ohio.  Not quite sure what to expect, I was happy to have picked up a map because this place is ginormous.  With my shopping cart, I began my trek through over 150,000 worldwide product and was happy to try some samples as well.  I could have easily spent hours browsing the aisles, sorting through all of the fabulous merchandise and produce.

Greeted by a talking corn stalk, I would soon learn that the entertaining displays are as much a part of the experience of Jungle Jim’s as exploring the superstore and its endless grocery items.

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Bearing towards the right,  I passed the pharmacy and American grocery aisles.  I soon arrived at the delicatessen where I found several stands displaying a wide variety of snacks.  Attendants were distributing samples of organic crackers topped with brie cheese and fig jam. I found myself adding these items to my cart for my next get-together with friends.

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I selected a few dairy products from Greece and Italy to create a charcuterie board to enjoy later that afternoon.   I also selected a variety of cheeses from England, Ireland and Australia.

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What’s a charcuterie board without wine?  The wine and beer “wing” of the market is stocked with spirits from all over the world that at first glance, I was a bit overwhelmed.  The wine representatives at Jungle Jim’s are more than helpful to help visitors find the best wines in their price range based on the wine that interest them.

Nearby was a liquor store, a humidor and a tasting bar.  There is not much that Jungle Jim’s does not offer and who wouldn’t mind a glass of wine while shopping for groceries?

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This is not just the average grocery store wine selection.  There are aisles and aisles of wines from Argentina to South Africa, clearly marked by country.

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One of my favorite areas of wine to explore is the local vintages where I stocked up on a few bottles from my favorite Ohio wineries.

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The beer selection is just as impressive.  I had a great time shopping for a few international beers to enjoy throughout the week.  Each aisle is clearly marked by country and local beers making it easy for me to find the brands I wanted to sample.

Jungle Jim’s also has a tasting room where visitors can sample a pre-selected list of wines and beers for a minimal charge.  I ordered a couple of samples and then a glass of wine, that I could drink as I continued shopping.

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I passed the beer cave and restrooms heading away from the beer and wine until I arrived at the bakery.  With so many selections, I decided to pick up some cannolis and macaroons.

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The desserts seemed to continue on into eternity.  In addition to Jungle Jim-made sweets, there are local selections from some of the best bakeries in Cincinnati.

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The meat counter offers fresh cuts of meat or packaged items that include some exotic cuts of beef.  One of my favorite areas of the market is the International produce where fruits and vegetables are imported from all over the world.

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Where else can you find Durian fruit in the state of Ohio?

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To the left of the International Produce section which includes such items as bok choy, chili peppers, yucca, etc., there are several rows of freezers and shelving units that display Asian foods and spices.

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From Japanese to Balinese, Chinese to Taiwanese, there is no shortage of cooking items for making some of the best Asian dishes.

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I couldn’t wait to explore the seafood area.  Jungle Jim’s is one of the rare markets that carries sushi-grade tuna.  I was also able to find lobster, oysters as well as a selection of local fish.

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Once I had taken in the smells of the seafood and said goodbye to the lobster, I arrived at a large fire truck  showcasing a never ending supply of hot sauce.

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Germany is to my right and further down the aisle is a great selection of cookware and gadgets.  From here, I could see Sherwood Forest representing the foods of Great Britain.  I picked up some Twinings Tea and proceeded past the Hispanic section towards the aisles of Italy.

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In the market for a couple of great pasta sauces, the Jungle Jim’s representative suggested a local option, so I grabbed one off of the shelf and began making my way towards the check out line.

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Within minutes I was home and ready to open one of my bottles of wine after a long day of shopping.  I had such an amazing experience at Jungle Jim’s and couldn’t wait to make a few new dishes from the ingredients I had just purchased.  Removing a pad and pen from the kitchen drawer, I began a new list of items to purchase for another visit I planned for the next weekend.

Jungle Jim’s International Market first opened its doors as a permanent fruit and vegetable market in 1975.  From its humble beginnings in a 4,200 square foot complex to a 6-acre megastore, Jungle Jim’s also provides a variety of additional services to its customers including banking, pharmacy, post office, jewelers, hair dressers and restaurants to name a few.

Have you visited Jungle Jim’s or experienced an international Superstore?  I would love to hear about your experience so leave your comments below!  Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Jungle Jim’s International Market
5440 Dixie Highway
Fairfield OH, 45014
Telephone:  513 674 6000

Jungle Jim’s International Market – Eastgate location
4450 Eastgate South Drive
Cincinnati, OH  45245
Telephone:  513 674 6000

  • Hours:  Daily from 8AM to 8PM;  Holiday Hours – Easter: 8AM to 8PM, Thanksgiving:  8AM to 5PM, Christmas Eve:  8AM to 6PM, Christmas Day:  Closed, New Year’s Eve:  8AM to 8PM,  New Year’s Day:  8AM to 8PM
  • Amenities:  worldwide merchandise, guided tours, cooking classes, events, wine tastings
  • Length of Visit:  Minimum 1 hour
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Pick up a map of the venue; plan on at least a couple of hours if you want to explore the whole store. check out the website for upcoming events and cooking classes, arrive on Saturdays and Sundays for samples, and visit Monday through Friday to avoid the large crowds.

Where to Stay:

Holiday Inn Express Fairfield
6755 Fairfield Business, Joyce Park Drive
Fairfield, OH  45014
Telephone:  513 860 2900

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cincinnati Eastgate
4521 Eastgate Blvd.,
Cincinnati, OH  45245
Telephone:  513 947 9402

Where to Eat:

Acapulco
5953 Boymel Drive
Fairfield, OH  45015
Telephone:  513 874 5777

I ordered the Hot & Spicy Burrito filled with refried beans, ground beef, shredded chicken and rice, topped with supreme sauce and sour cream.

BanThai

792 Eastgate S Drive
Cincinnati, OH  45245
Telephone:  513 752 3200

The Bento Boxes for lunch are the best deal priced at only $10.95 served with salad, spring roll, crab rangoon, fruit, and lo mein noodles or rice. So far, I have tried Box Number 3 (spicy tuna roll and 3 pieces of a California roll), Box Number 4 (Shrimp Tempura roll and 3 pieces of a California Roll), and Box Number 15 (Grilled 4 chicken satay). They are made fresh and extremely filling.

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.

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.

More photos

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The Cigar Room

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International Cheese

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My Favorite  Cheese!  Feta!

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Visit Historic Dublin, Ohio

15 September 201531 August 2024

I settled into Dublin, Ohio after moving from San Clemente, California and loved the charm of this lovely Midwest neighborhood.  While I have since moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, here were some of my favorite places to visit.

Historic Dublin, Ohio is located on the corners of Bridge and High Streets.  Once an area home to the Scioto Indians, Dublin is a sought-after suburb in Columbus.  There are several business districts, a large number of restaurants and shopping venues with a historic district that has maintained its appeal.

La Chatelaine, a French Bakery and Bistro, made its debut in Dublin in 1991.  I couldn’t wait for Saturdays to purchase Brioche rolls for the week and choose from their large selections of fresh pastries as well.  From chocolate croissants to coconut macaroons, I enjoyed selecting a few for a late afternoon indulgence.

Happy Hours are best spent at the Dublin Village Tavern.  Before prohibition, the Tavern was only one of the many pubs that lined the street.  Considered one of the rowdiest, it is  most certainly referenced in this ballad.  “Dublin, Dublin, city of beautiful roses, Gouged out eyes and bloody noses, If it weren’t for the solid rock foundation, It’d be gone to hell and damnation!”   Fortunately, this lovely town is not as rambunctious as it once was and the Village Tavern is a great place to meet up with friends and make new ones.

Jeni’s Ice Cream (now Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream) was also a frequent stop throughout the week.  When out-of-town friends would stop for a visit, it was always such a great excuse to visit.  The company makes “one-of-a-kind flavors with Direct and Fair Trade ingredients and super fresh milk from family dairy farms”.  My favorite flavor was Queen City Cayenne which was a spicy, chocolate ice cream, but I am also a fan of the Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Salty Caramel, Gooey Butter Cake and Buttercream Birthday Cake.  There are so many amazing flavors!

For an amazing steak in historical Dublin, my favorite restaurant is Oscar’s Bar and Grill.  With a lovely, rustic setting, this restaurant offers an incredible selection of entrees, but in my opinion, their finest dish is the  8 oz. filet.  For a side dish, my go-to options are either the cranberry balsamic salad or the fried Brussel sprouts.

Looking for an Italian restaurant in historic Dublin?  Look no further than Mezzo.  From Arancini to Winter Squash and Radicchio Salad, there is a large number of dishes to satisfy that Italian craving.  For starters, the Truffle bread is one of my go-to selections but I am also tempted by the Cheese & Charcuterie board when I am dining with a friend or two.   My favorite soup and salad option is the Wedding Soup and Salmon Kale salad, but if I want a hearty meal that tastes like Italy, I can’t wait to dig into a Margherita Pizza or the rich, filling Carbonara.  Somehow, I always find room for the Spumoni or an after-dinner Limoncello liqueur.

J. Liu is the perfect place when you are craving Asian-inspired dishes.  My only problem is that the offer so many delicious appetizers, that I have a difficult time making a choice.  My favorites include the crab rangoons, spring rolls, potstickers and the lettuce wraps.  However, if I’m in the mood for an entree, I can never go wrong with the miso salmon or the poke bowl.

What to See and What to Do:

Le Chatelaine French Bakery & Bistro
65 W. Bridge Street
Dublin, OH 43017
Telephone:  614 763 7151
Hours:  Monday – Saturday from 8AM to 3PM
Tip for your visit:  Arrive early for the best selections and breads and pastries.

Dublin Village Tavern
27 S. High Street
Dublin, OH 43017
Telephone:  614 766 6250
Hours:  Monday – Saturday from 11AM to 11PM; Sunday from 12PM to 9PM;
Tip for your visit:  Order their eggrolls and house-made chowder!

Oscar’s of Dublin
84 N. High Street
Dublin, OH 43017
Telephone: 614 792 3424
Hours:  Lunch:  Tuesday – Friday from 11:30AM to 2:30PM; Dinner:  Monday – Saturday from 5PM to close.
Tip for your visit:  Make reservations ahead as this restaurant books up during the summer.

Mezzo
12 West Bridge Street
Dublin, OH  43017
Telephone:  614 889 6100
Hours:   Monday from 4PM to 9PM, Tuesday and Wednesday from 4PM to 10PM; Thursday from 11:30AM to 10PM; Friday and Saturday from 11:30AM to 11PM; and Sunday from 11:30AM to 9PM.
Tip for your visit: The restaurant is now serving lunch!

J. Liu Restaurant and Bar
50 West Bridge Street
Dublin, OH  43017
Telephone:  614 718 1818
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11AM – 9PM; Friday: 11AM – 10PM; Saturday: 4PM – 10PM and Sunday from 4PM – 8PM
Tip for your Visit:  Bring lots of friends and order lots of appetizers!

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I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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