CincyWhimsy: February 2013

NKY CHICKEN WARS

The ongoing debate amongst Northern Kentuckians centers around who has the best fried chicken. The top two candidates known for serving up this dish are Colonial Cottage in Erlanger and Greyhound Tavern in Fort Mitchell. Both restaurants specialize in Southern-style homecooking, providing chicken buffets, all-you-can-eat chicken nights, and blue plate dinner specials.

With both restaurants having a dedicated following, folks around the tri-state are bound and determined to get you to try the chicken at their favorite eatery. After dining at each restaurant, I'll weigh in my two cents on The Great Chicken Debacle.

Both restaurants tied for side dishes that accompany the fried chicken dinners: green beans, mashed potatoes and biscuits. Greyhound Tavern had something a little extra special in their mashed potatoes that pushed them over the top, but Colonial Cottage's marinated green beans brought back fond memories of Grandma's home cooking.

Colonial Cottage fried chicken dinner

Greyhound Tavern fried chicken dinner

While both restaurants serve up generous portions, Colonial Cottage takes the cake...er, cluck, for fried chicken. A well seasoned, crisp, and non-greasy breading complimented the juicy, succulent meat beneath. I found Greyhound Tavern's breast bland in flavor and the meat was too dry for my taste. Some may prefer plain chicken, but I'm a savory lady. Colonial Cottage wins, hands down.

What's your take on the Northern Kentucky Chicken Wars? Do you have a favorite restaurant?

Stop by each and give their chicken a try!

Greyhound Tavern:
Fried Chicken Daily Special on Mondays and Tuesdays
Fried chicken is on the Sunday brunch buffet as well, from 10:00am - 2:00pm

Colonial Cottage:
Fried Chicken Daily Special on Tuesdays
All-You-Can-Eat Fried Chicken Night on Tuesday, March 19, from 4:00pm - 9:00pm.

THE AWESOME 80s PROM

Leapin' Lizard Lounge in Covington was transported back to 1989 in celebration of a high school prom. Guests were encouraged to wear 80s attire and became part of a live theatrical production, just as if they were characters in their favorite coming-of-age movie.


My 80s high school stereotype outfit: The Goth Chick

D.A.R.E. signage for a drug free prom!

Decor inside Leapin' Lizard

The Awesome 80s Prom was fashioned as interactive improv theatre, where a story unfolds as the cast mingles with the audience. In true high school spirit, the plot centered on the battle for Prom Queen between the popular girl and the underdog. Simultaneously, another tale took place as the awkward girl pined after the football captain, all while the class nerd adored her from afar.

A throwdown between the two Prom Queen candidates:
Whitley, the head cheerleader, and Dickie, the flamboyant underdog.

Louis, the nerd, professes his love for Kerrie, the awkward girl.

These main characters were complimented by the rest of the cast of high school sitcom characters including: the Asian exchange student, the voluptuous Swedish student, the loud fat guy, several cheerleaders named Heather, the George H. W. Bush-loving class president, and of course, the grumpy principal.

Beef, the fat loud guy, hits it off with the Heathers.

Principal Snelgrove is fed up with the prom shenanigans... like putting a cherry bomb in the toilet.

By the end of the night, Principal Snelgrove untucked his shirt, pulled out a flask, and got drunk with Beef.

In addition to the show, the DJ spun all the pop hits from the 80s and also included an appearance by MC Hammer. Gourmet cupcakes were served, and a full bar offered a variety of classic and creative cocktails. The evening was highlighted by a series of well-choreographed group dances including Thriller, conga lines, and capped off with an 80s classic: the Lifetouch photo booth.

Raspberry, rainbow, and chocolate buttercream cupcakes.

It's HAMMERTIME!

The whole crowd dancing to Thriller.

Lining up the nominees to announce Prom King & Queen.

"Having the time of my life..."

Presented by MartinE Productions, The Awesome 80s Prom was a blast and a unique way to spent a Friday evening. I'm looking forward to what themed event these folks come up with next!

FISH FRY #1: KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - LUDLOW

Each Friday during Lent, our group of fish-minded friends gather to check out some of Cincinnati's most outstanding fish fries. While only a few of us are Catholic, the majority get together to try something new and explore different parts of the city. Armed with our Friday Fish Fry Passports, we collect signatures from the pastors of each venue we visit, take notes on the meal, and rank the quality on a scale of one to five Fishies.

For our first week, we visited Knights of Columbus in Ludlow, Kentucky. Known for their beer battered cod and fried mushrooms, this brotherhood showed us the hospitality of a small river town.

#FFFCincy Rating:

4 of 5 Fishies

Beer-battered Cod on rye, cole slaw, mac-n-cheese, fried mushrooms.

A most popular fish fry, Fred, at the end of the table, passed out free beers as the line wrapped around the room.

Free beer and baby buggies. That's how we roll in Ludlow.

We discovered that our tablemates were Ludlow Councilwoman Joyce McMullin and her husband.
They were so much fun to chat with, and taught us all about Ludlow!

Joyce had the chicken dinner... which was an entire hen!

The fried mushrooms were amazing and elicited many of these reactions.

The Cod was gigantic, flaky, fresh, and delicious.

A tasty dilemma: the fish fillets were HUGE!

Dozens of homemade desserts made by adorable little old ladies.
Brownies, cakes, and pies galore! Only $1.00 each.

Apple Pie

Orange Dreamcicle Cake and Texas Pound Cake
(Both were incredible, and served in a handy to-go box.)

Knights of Columbus - Ludlow hosts their fish fry from 4:30PM - 7:30PM every Friday during Lent. If you weren't already intrigued, they also do a fish fry throughout the year on the first Friday of each month. In addition to fish, they also serve shrimp, chicken and steak dinners. Check out the menu.

Free parking lot, generous spaces. Cash only.

Follow our Friday Fish Fry adventures on Twitter: #FFFCincy

CANSTRUCTION

CANstruction is an international community service project of the design and construction industry to benefit community food banks. Every year, architects, engineers, designers and contractors compete to design and build elaborate, giant-sized structures made entirely out of canned foods. Teams of five people gather at five different locations around Cincinnati to build 10'x10'x10' sculptures in five hours.

Cincinnati consistently places at the top of America's best designs. Following the construction, the exhibits stay up for three weeks for public viewing. The sculptures are then dismantled and donated to Freestore Foodbank. In 2012, CANstruction raised 55,000 lbs of food which equals over 40,000 meals for families in need. Since it's conception 15 years ago, over 500,000 lbs have been donated.

The majority of the sculptures can be seen at Weston Art Gallery at the Aronoff, with other exhibits at Downtown Library, Downtown Macy's, Contemporary Arts Center, and the Scripps Center on Walnut Street.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET

My obsession with Million Dollar Quartet began in 2009 when I heard about the show playing at Chicago's Apollo Theatre. For one reason or another, I never made it to the Windy City and secretly hoped the show would one day find its way down to Cincinnati. That day of joy came when Broadway In Cincinnati announced their 2013 lineup, which would be bringing my four rock stars to town at the Aronoff Center.

Meeting the cast: Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis

Million Dollar Quartet portrays the evening of December 4, 1956, when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis held a jam session at Sun Records, the label under which each got their start. This 90-minute musical is a non-stop rock n' roll frenzy which creates a strong desire to get up and dance in the aisles.

Image courtesy of Broadway Across America

In true Broadway fashion, a story accompanies the playlist of songs: a journey back to the roots of each musician and how they arrived on the doorstep of producer Sam Phillips, who took them in and made them famous.

With a cast of talented musicians who distinctly resemble the rock legends, Million Dollar Quartet transports the audience back to the 1950s for a chance to experience (or relive, for older generations) a live concert of Cash, Presley, Perkins, and Lewis. The set list includes over 20 favorite songs, such as: Blue Suede Shoes, Who Do You Love?, Great Balls of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk The Line, and Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.

Image courtesy of Broadway Across America

I'm a long-time Elvis fan and a more recent admirer of Johnny Cash. However, Jerry Lee Lewis stole the show. His quirky demeanor and lively piano playing will make any lady swoon with delight. As for Carl Perkins, who doesn't love a Rockabilly man who plays guitar while standing on the rim of an upright bass?

Image courtesy of Broadway Across America

After four years of anticipation, I can certainly say that Million Dollar Quartet lived up to and exceeded all expectations. Million Dollar Quartet runs through March 3 at The Aronoff. Be sure to stay after curtain call; there's a fantastic encore with chart-topping songs and audience participation.

CINCY WINTER BEERFEST

With over 350 craft beers from 110 breweries, Cincy Beerfest made for a weekend of indulgence at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Armed with my VIP pass, 8 oz. souvenir mug, and 25 beer tickets, my friends and I set out to sample Friday night.

Kristen, Bob, myself and Paul do a cheers to beer.
Photo by 5chw4r7z

Lindsay, Missy, and Tiffany share a sample of Bell's Sparkling Ale.

Dan, Bob, Jesse, and Tony enjoying their first pour of the night.

After a little math, it would be hard pressed for someone to use all the tickets and drink 200 ounces of beer in a four hour period. That's the equivalent of about six Big Gulps. Instead, one should use the tickets for trying a variety by getting some half-pours, rather than taking on a full 8 ounce glass of each. Our group used an average of 11 - 14 tickets per person for the night.

MY TOP 3 BEERS OF BEERFEST

Derailed Ale by Erie Brewing Company
Erie, Pennsylvania
Amber beer with subtle hints of black cherry and vanilla.

Yes, one of the best beers of the night was dispensed from a box truck.

La Trappe Quadrupel by Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven
Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands
Amber beer with subtle hints of fig and clove. A perfect combination of fruity and earthy.