A Tavola: Honestly Good Pizza

If you're familiar with the food scene in Over-The-Rhine, I'm sure you've visited A Tavola. It is home to perfect neapolitan pizza, Italian specialties and a great bar. It's somewhere in between a really good pizza place and a contemporary Italian eatery. The modern food and decor lends it that extra boost of chic and yet the atmosphere somehow remains casual and unpretentious. I loved sitting at the bar that faces the kitchen. There's something about watching those pizzas slide in and out of the wood burning oven that is simply mesmerizing. The wood burning oven (A Tavola, OTR)

To get the meal started, they offer a wide variety of meatballs and meatball sliders, antipasti, salad and bruschette. I've had the fried risotto balls and the bacon tapenade bruschette. The fried risotto balls have soft fontina cheese on the inside and are served with their wonderful house tomato sauce for dipping. The bacon tapenade bruschette was wonderfully sweet and savory.

The fried risotto balls and  tomato sauce. YES. (A Tavola, OTR)

The bacon tapenade bruschette. (A Tavola, OTR)

I have to say I'm a minimalist when it comes to Pizza.  Despite all the pasta and gelato I consumed during my time in Italy, the taste of a perfect Pizza Margherita is burned into my taste buds. A bit of tangy tomato sauce beneath perfectly melted buffalo mozzarella and a topping of fresh basil. (Is your mouth watering yet?). While I've tried quite a few pathetic imitations elsewhere, the Margherita at A Tavola is "the real deal".

The simple perfection of a Pizza Margherita. (A Tavola, OTR)

In fact, everything at A Tavola is "the real deal". It isn't an upscale Italian place nor is it a greasy pizza joint. It is just honestly good Pizza in a comfortable, modern space. So here's to you, A Tavola, for truly setting a new standard for casual Italian dining. -EK

Red Feather: Fine Dining in Oakley

I know I've found a truly good restaurant when I can conjure up the delicious flavor of a dish simply by bringing it to mind. When the food is that memorable, you know you've stumbled upon something exceptional. I had heard such glowing reviews of Red Feather that I just had to see what all the fuss was about. Located in Boca's former home on Madison Road, Red Feather is an upscale dining option not to be overlooked. So often Cincinnatians turn to the swanky hotspots of downtown for an evening of fine dining. However, Red Feather in Oakley reminds us that location isn't everything. Beautifully designed with exposed brick and modern wood finishes, the space is comfortable, yet elegant. We sat at the 'Chef's Table' where we watched the chefs work their magic on the wood-burning oven and grill. Now that the cozy scene has been set, let's add some impressive eats to this picture. Sitting at the Chef's Table having a fantastic bottle of wine. (Red Feather, Oakley)

First up were the amazing appetizers. Being the self-proclaimed cheese enthusiast that I am, I insisted we try the whipped ricotta. I could have eaten that fluffy honey and truffle ricotta with a spoon. Instead of a spoon (phew!) it arrived accompanied by crostini that was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

"Whipped Ricotta" (Red Feather, Oakley)

The "Pork Belly Steamed Buns" were next. I wasn't quite sure this would be my cup of tea, but how wrong I was! These tender slices of pork belly with cucumber and pickled red onion were served atop a steamed bun with an absolutely remarkable sauce. The steamed buns had a unique, soft texture unlike anything I'd ever had. It melted in my mouth perfectly with the crunch of the onions and cucumber.

"Pork Belly Steamed Buns" (Red Feather, Oakley)

With my expectations high after those amazing starters, we entered into the main courses. The scallops featured a pumpkin mashed potato, a brussels sprout slaw with apples and a finish of a "maple bacon gastrique" that instantly threw me into one of those "mouth full, can't talk but this is so amazing" smiles. My mother went for a bowl of the french onion soup which was so flavorful. Even as someone who is not the onion's biggest fan, I agreed it was delicious.

My father opted for the pork chop which he was quite pleased with. Criminini mushrooms and pearled onions were a perfect compliment to this well-portioned cut of meat.

"Pork Chop" (Red Feather, Oakley)

Red Feather is one of those places I left truly impressed with every aspect of the experience. Although it's on the higher end price-wise, it would be a wonderful place for a nice date night or a special occasion. The food and service is outstanding and yet it still has a reassuring, modest atmosphere. I highly recommend heading over to Oakley to experience this piece of Cincinnati's fine dining scene.

-EK