The National Exemplar Sets a Higher Bar

Commendable dining with some service snafus

All Eyes Were on the National Exemplar (Including Dexter's)

      When we heard that Chef Sean Daly was joining the National Exemplar at the Mariemont Inn as Executive GM and Chef last fall, Eric and I were both elated and dumbfounded.  He is one of our favorite chefs in the city, with a high profile as chef/owner of the now defunct Hugo's.  When he originally

"City of Thieves" by David Benioff

     We were in Joseph-Beth Booksellers a few weeks ago.   Lisa and I were talking books and looking around.  She saw City of Thieves in paperback at the front of the store and said,

The Sapphires

Here’s hoping this will be a sleeper hit like Dirty Dancing

     The Sapphires is an Australian movie based on a stage play by Tony Briggs that was inspired by a true story.  I hope it’s a hit because it’s worthwhile and the additional Mariemont cinemas need some business, though the few audience members with whom we saw it acted like they were preparing

Why I Don’t Like Paul McCartney but Revere Elton John

One is known for his bands, but acts like a primo divo, while the other is known as a solo artist, but always puts collaboration and community first

     My Aunt bought tickets to see Paul McCartney and I’m as excited for her as I was for my former stylist – who left town to make it in New York and since she made it here I know she’ll make it there – when she saw Paul McCartney at Bengals Stadium last summer.  By ‘excited’ I mean the way Nina Garcia looks on Project Runway when Heidi Klum overrules her for which contestant is out.  It’s a tense, closed lip smile that says “I can

Vive la Table du Jean-Robert!

It feels like everyone’s cozy club with world-class food

The Canopied Cochon Entrance to Jean-Robert's Table

     We’ve reviewed Jean-Robert’s Table before – it was actually the first restaurant article on this blog – but he’s so willing to change things up while remaining grounded in an egalitarian American-French vision that this deserves a second look.  Most regional food enthusiasts know that Jean-Robert de Cavel

Kim Taylor

Due for the Big Time, Love’s A Dog 
Delivers Quicksilver Joy

Kim Taylor at WNKU's Studio 89

     Kim Taylor performed acoustically during WNKU’s Studio 89 in the Digitorium at NKU on Monday night.  This is an economical way to see some wonderful talent in a unique space and be part of a live show on the best radio station in

Red Lobster: Setting the Standards

Great service, a variety of choices, and excellent deals

Dexter Explores the New Menu

     My Mom and Nana used to drive fifty miles to Red Lobster regularly.  I couldn’t believe it and my Mom called me a food snob.  My sister sent us a Red Lobster gift certificate a few years ago and we went for lunch at the Kenwood location and

Goodbye, Roger Ebert,——————— Au Revoir, Elaine Stritch

Two legends move on and signal the end of an era

Roger Ebert (1942 - 2013)*

     Roger Ebert (1942 – 2013) died Thursday after a long, heroic battle against cancer.  He was a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, whose criticism was informed by his background as a screenwriter on various movies in the ‘60s, including a couple of Russ Meyers’ wild, sort of feminist, sort of soft core porn fantasy epics.  He was passionate about movies and more encouraging to new filmmakers and receptive to the failed efforts of others than almost any other major critic. 

Siskel & Ebert...& Dexter

     He was most widely known for his collaboration with Gene Siskel (he was The Chicago Tribune’s reviewer while Ebert wrote for The Chicago Sun-Times) from the 1970s until

Agnès Jaoui: Actress, screenwriter, director, (and singer)

1/3 Tina Fey + 1/3 André Téchiné x 3/2 Chekhov = Jaoui

Agnès Jaoui

     Agnès Jaoui has acted professionally in French since her early twenties and has written, directed, and played parts in her own movies for the past dozen years.  I saw her first creation The Taste of Others at the Esquire in 2001.  I think

Persian Nights Fills Missing Niché

Kabobs, belly dancing, and a family passion

Dexter Oogles the Pastries

      Let's get right to the food because that is where Persian Nights really soars.  Eric immediately chose the Lamb Shank special when it was recommended by our server.  I asked for