FRISCH'S: NEW BREAKFAST ITEMS

One of Cincinnati's famed restaurants is making your morning bigger and brighter as they expand their breakfast menu. Frisch's recently unveiled several new options for your first meal of the day.

Karen Maier, granddaughter of founder David Frisch, serving our group breakfast.

Greg Grisanti tells us about his adventures in Frisch's kitchen.

During our tour of Frisch's Commissary, Mr. Frisch's granddaughter, Karen Maier, gave us a sneak peak of the new tastes taking over the menu. Each of the new selections were created in Frisch's kitchen by Greg Grisanti, Director of Research & Development. Ideal for the drive-thru bite on your way to work, not only are these dishes portable, some are even healthy for you!

MY FAVORITE:
Light sausage, egg and cheese sandwich on a thin wheat muffin.
Full-flavor, less calories!

I'm not a breakfast burrito fan, but this zesty order changed my mind!

The classic sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit.

Of course, the one question everyone is hungry to ask Karen and Greg:

What's your favorite thing?

Karen loves the chili pasta, but also notes that "There is nothing like a hot Big Boy right off the grill." She is also a fan of onion rings dipped in tartar sauce, hot fudge cake, and the Philly Chicken Sandwich topped with Swiss and grilled onions.

Greg's appetite is loyal to the fish sandwich, made with golden-fried Cod topped with lettuce and tartar sauce. A close second are few of his fresh recipes, including the Primetime Jalapeño Swiss Burger and Frisch's newest condiment: chipolte mayo.

 

Karen Maier sports a Frisch's tee shirt as our group enjoys breakfast.

PHOTOGRAPHIC WONDERS AT TAFT MUSEUM

Photographic Wonders, the Taft Museum of Art's latest exhibit, features daguerreotypes depicting candid images of life during the 1840s - 1860s.

A daguerreotype of men sharing daguerreotypes, 1850.
Courtesy of Taft Museum of Art

Comic Dentist, about 1850
Courtesy of Taft Museum of Art

The earliest form of a photograph, a daguerreotype is a singular, unique image that is crafted onto a silvered copper plate. Each picture is a one-of-a-kind, with no negatives from which duplicates can be made. The earliest daguerreotypes required exposures of up to thirty minutes, but within a few years could be made in 10 - 20 seconds.


To create an image, the daguerreotypist coated a metal plate with silver and applied iodine vapors to make it sensitive to light.  After placing the plate inside the camera, he removed the lens cap to expose the plate, capturing an image of the subject. Afterwards, mercury vapors were applied to develop the image, then mounted behind glass in an airtight case to protect the delicate surface.

The Fisherman

William C. North (American, 1814–1890)
Courtesy of Taft Museum of Art

 

Clown, about 1850–55
Courtesy of Taft Museum of Art

The collection features more than just portraits: landscapes, pets, leisure activities, entertainers, trade workers, slavery, and post-mortem memorials were all part of the imagery of the Victorian Era. While some daguerreotypes came in 6-inch or 9-inch sets, most are quarter-plate sized, which could easily slip into a pocket.

Occupational portraits, such as the ones above, were based on an understanding that the self was more than just appearance. What one did was central to who one was, a representation of economic security and social respectability. These pictures suggest that identity was less a matter of looks and more about knowledge and ability.

The earliest Instagram of a cat.
Courtesy of Taft Museum of Art

Man with Elephant

Thomas Easterly (American, 1809–1882)Courtesy of Taft Museum of Art

One of my favorite portraits, this performer's shorts have small, diamond detailing
etched to show the sequins on his outfit.

Tightrope Walker, 1855
Courtesy of Taft Museum of Art

The most spectacular daguerreotypes tell stories of camaraderie, games and amusements, pets and companionship. Both spontaneous and personal, the images on display give viewers a mirrored glimpse into life in the 19th Century.

Explore nine elaborate sections of this "wonderful wonder of wonders," as one man in 1839 called it, through August 25, 2013. Be sure to pick up a booklet when entering the exhibit which tells the stories about each individual shown in the daguerreotypes.

TORRENCE ROAD STATION

At the corner of Riverside Drive and Torrence Road in the East End, an old rail station lays forgotten in the overgrowth. Constructed by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1907, the station uniquely featured an elevator platform to transport passengers from the street level to the tracks. Legend has it that the elevator was designed for Mrs. Taft, who was wheelchair bound.

The station fell into disuse after the opening of Union Terminal in 1933, and the line eventually ceased operating in 1968. The stone foundation of the station remains intact, filled with railroad ash and bricked-up windows. An intricate terracotta sculpture remains trackside, built into a stone wall emblazoned with "Cincinnati."

MARKET ON THE SQUARE

Every Tuesday, spend your lunchtime outside on the beautiful Fountain Square and take part in their weekly pop-up market. With several booths catering to lunch, drinks and desserts, you can also find shops selling fresh produce, handmade jewelry, stationery and more.

My favorite meal is a pulled pork sandwich fresh off the smoker at Eli's BBQ, coupled with a taro bubble tea from new start-up, Cincy Bubble Tea.

So tasty, we spotted Meteorologist Steve Raleigh and Tanya O'Rouke from WCPO grabbing a bite.

Market on the Square runs from 11:00am - 2:00pm every Tuesday during the summer.

ASIAN FOOD FEST 2013

My all-time favorite food festival in Cincinnati takes place this weekend at The Banks. In its fourth year, Asian Food Fest celebrates the wealth of Eastern culture in the tri-state highlighting local Asian restaurants and entertainers.

 
Vendors come from a variety of backgrounds: Vietnamese, Thai, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Korean, Malaysian and more. Food is very reasonably priced from $2.00 - $6.00, most averaging around $3.00 - $4.00 for a featured item.. Each dish is unique to the culture, so you won't find many repeats from booth to booth. The portion sizes are just perfect: you get just enough food to enjoy and still have room to sample several more.

I sampled a little bit of everything, and decided on these Top 5 eats that are a must have at Asian Food Fest:

#1: Asian Corn Dog - Quán Hapa

Served with a side of shrimp rice chips

#2: Taro Bubble Tea - Tea N' Bowl

 

It tastes like cookies n' cream!

#3: Eight Spice Ribs, Honey Tamarind Margarita - Huit Asiatique

 

#4: Thai Milk Tea - Budina

#5: Kook Kik Noodles, Wontons, Spring Roll - Budina 

One of my favorite summertime treats set up shop at the festival too: Streetpops! Owner Sara Bornick crafted exotic-themed popsicles just for the event, such as Vietnamese Coffee, Thai Lime Basil, and Mango Creamsicle.

 

Streetpops are always POPular.

Asian performers entertained the crowd, some with music, some demonstrating martial arts or dance. It was an added touch to see many people wearing authentic dress around the festival as well.

Asian Food Fest was topped off with a magnificent fireworks show from Rozzi's set up near the Roebling Suspension Bridge. If you missed out on today's festivities, you're in luck! Asian Food Fest continues on Sunday, May 19th from 1:00PM - 9:00PM.