Welcome to the Jungle!

Where can you feast on a lunch of fresh smoked salmon sushi under a giant, pink elephant head?  Where can you watch the enormous can of Campbell’s Soup enjoy a good time on a giant swing?  What other grocery brings shoppers in to shop, in a tour bus?  It can only be Jungle Jims!

Jungle Jim’s location is 5440 Dixie Highway (Route 4) in Fairfield, but going there feels like a shopping vacation!  Depending on where you live in the Greater Cincinnati area, it can be a bit of a drive.  From Milford or Eastgate,   it’s about 30 – 35 minutes.  From points in Mason, it will be perhaps 20 – 30 minutes.  If you live in the Hyde Park, Mt Lookout area, again, about 30 minutes.  But seriously. What else do you have to do on your day off? Laundry? Wash the floors? Nope….plan a trip to the Jungle.

The lively animated characters will entertain the kids, and the food selection will knock your socks off.  We can take a ½ hour just looking at the cheese selections. As Jungle Jim’s boasts over 1400 cheese selections in just the International Cheese section alone, before you even hit the deli, you can see why we get stalled! The bakery is just painful to enter if you have a sweet tooth.  So many dessert options. So little time.  There is an outstanding deli of course.  Select one or two of the overwhelming number of delicious prepared salads to enhance your main course.  There is a Natural Foods section, International Foods, and fresh Seafood.   You just have to go.

Soup on a swing? Why not!

We had our smoked salmon sushi lunch, and were treated to a complimentary taste of the hot cider.  We found the free samples of an outstanding fresh antipasto, and then tried the sample of whipped salmon mouse on a flat pretzel. Yes, if you are lucky, you can graze your way through the store.  Saturday and Sunday are the big sample days. 

There are more than just groceries here of course.  The Shasta store is fun. As in “She Hasta Have That”. Clever. If you have errands to run, there is a bank, post office and pharmacy to help check those chores off the list.  Be sure to check out the 2009 America’ Best Bathroom award winner.  I don’t generally recommend any particular locations “comfort station”.  Just trust me on this one.

There isn’t enough room here to discuss this place. I haven’t even mentioned the monorail, the humidor or the wine selection. Visit their site for all the latest information, including cooking school information and the online flyer of weekly specials.

More Cincinnati real estate information can be found at RealCincy.com

I grew up thinking “chili” as in “Tex-Mex” or Texas style chili. A big ole’ bowl of chili pepper spiced ground beef, onions, kidney beans, tomatoes. Pile on the cheese and hot peppers. When I was about 11 years old and needed to earn my Girl Scout Cooking Badge, I flipped through my mom’s circa 1960’something Betty Crocker cookbook, and found a recipe I thought my family would go for.  Chili-ghetti it was called. Basically, make the beef, beans and onion tomato-based sauce, and serve it on spaghetti. It was a hit, even with my twerp little brothers.

When I first move to Cincinnati in 1988, a co-worker suggested Skyline for lunch. I wrongly assumed it would be similar to the Chili-ghetti I so proudly served.  She warned me that most people don’t like it at first. I didn’t. “You have to try it a second time” she said, “… it takes getting used to.”  She was right. I’m hooked.

Now, for something different: Cincinnati-style chili.

Don’t think Tex-Mex, think Greek.  Cincinnati style chili recipes are all based on what might be considered a Greek version of spaghetti.  Spices like cinnamon, cloves, and rumors of chocolate, are woven into the closely guarded secret recipes of each of Cincinnati’s old chili parlors.  Pile the chili on a hot dog or spaghetti, serve with soda crackers and hot sauce, and you now have a regional delicacy!  Cincinnati is the Chili Capital of the World, with bragging rights to more chili parlors per capita than anywhere else you will ever live.

You need to learn the lingo if you’re going to be mistaken as a Cincinnati native.  A 3-way is the sauce, spaghetti and generous heap of cheddar cheese.  A 4 – way: sauce, spaghetti, cheese, and your choice of beans or onion.  A 5-way is the base, plus onions and beans. Definitely my favorite. Hot sauce and soda crackers are a must.  Of course, the sauce can be found in burritos, on salads,  or on top of hot dogs then topped with cheese.  (I watched Randy eat 4 of those one day, I promise) A Greek salad with feta cheese and kalamata olives makes a great side too.

 By the way, you don’t “twirl” the spaghetti, you cut. I don’t know, it’s some kinda’ rule. Rule breakers will be quickly admonished by the seasoned Cincinnati-style chili connoisseur.

A couple of the most popular chains are Skyline and Gold Star.  Skyline Chili opened in 1949. The first restaurant strategically overlooked the Cincinnati skyline. Skyline products can be found in groceries and Skyline Dip is a staple at “bring an appetizer” parties all over town.  Gold Star Chili was opened in 1965 by 4 brothers who scraped together $1200 to open their first restaurant, Hamburger Heaven, in the Mt Washington area. On the menu was their Greek inspired chili. They “tweaked” the recipe until they had a hit. The brothers renamed the store Gold Star and opened 2 more restaurants within the year!

Independent or small chain parlors are a hit here too.  Price Hill Chili is a west side landmark, family owned.  Big specialty sandwiches, tasty appetizers, and salads are on the menu. But it’s all about the chili that gives this Cincinnati establishment its name.

Pleasant Ridge Chili is known for its late night dining. Open until the unreasonable hour of 4:30 am, you know they are competing for the attention of the White Castle and all night pancake house crowd. They probably win.

Empress Chile has 3 locations, including one in Alexandria, Ky. On the Ohio side of the river, you’ll find Empress on Vine Street and Rapid Run Road.  Milk shakes, good looking salads, and a popular baked potato entry topped with the sauce. I can’t say I’ve been to Empress, but I hear nothing but good things. Give it a try in my stead.

Randy raves about Dixie Chili.  Established in 1929, “Papa Nick” opened Newport, Kentucky’s first chili parlor. Remember the lingo? 3 –way, 4-way, etc?  At Empress, they offer a 6 – way that include chopped garlic. I’m willing to bet that’s good.

Now my favorite: Blue Ash Chili. Established in 1969, this chili parlor is like entering a ‘50’s diner complete with celebrity photos and the tempting desserts under glass on the counter. Have the carrot cake. Our office is close enough to Blue Ash Chili that whenever we have a team meeting of The RealCincy Group, we look for an excuse to make it a late lunch or early dinner at Blue Ash Chili.  Their 6 –way adds jalapenos to the 5-way base. Incredible! The double and triple decker sandwiches could feed a small army. They have a gyro served on a grilled pita with onion, tomato and tzatziki sauce that I want to try. Problem is, I can’t go in there and NOT get a 5 –way or 6-way. What’s a girl to do?  Be sure to play the Spin to Win game on their website. Maybe you’ll win a freebie.

There are small, local parlors dotted throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. No doubt, wherever you decide to live in the area, there will be a Cincinnati-style chili parlor right around the corner. Give it a try. Then try it a second time….it’s take some getting used to.

More Cincinnati real estate information can be found at RealCincy.com

Paramount’s Kings Island – The jewel in the crown of the Queen City! Located in the northeastern suburb of Mason, this park is the area’s biggest attraction for kids.

Great Wolf Lodge  – The official resort of Kings Island, this large indoor water park is exclusive for the lodge’s guests. Fun, decorated suites, tailored to kids. Activities galore, and good food too!

The Beach Water Park – Located in Mason, across from Kings Island, this  35 Acre water park has a “water coaster”, water racing slides, inner tube rides, wave pool and plenty more to  help keep you cool in steamy Cincinnati summers.

The Cincinnati Fire Museum – Antique memorabilia and a real fire pole to slide down! Ring the bell and climb on the fire truck.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – The second oldest zoo in the country. Treat your family to a zoo-pass so you can get in to sneak peeks of new attractions.

Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science – Featuring the Children’s Discovery Center, an interactive exhibit where kids can do some “hands on” learning.  It’s worth checking out the gift shop for really special items. Your budding scientist will thank you.

Cincinnati History Museum – A museum in an art deco train station….very cool.  Visit Cincinnati in Motion, and the working radio studio.

Coney Island – On the Ohio River, Anderson.  A really good time at a major attraction, but on a smaller scale.  Sunlite Pool at Coney has a large shallow section for the littlest Cincinnatians.  More adventurous kids will like the 500 foot waterslide. There is a Ferris wheel, pedal-boat trips and a great playground area.

Newport Aquarium – Newport on the Levee, Newport KY – One of the newest area attractions.  Walk under and into the sea, thanks to the large acrylic tunnels. Surround yourself with sharks, eels and a giant Pacific octopus.

Game Works – Newport on the Levee – Drop them off, go get something to eat at one of the Levee’s restaurants for big people, and pick them up later. They still won’t want to leave.  25,000 square feet of interactive games and virtual-reality craziness. This brainchild of Steven Spielberg does become an “over 18” night spot after 10 pm.

OMNIMAX Theatre, Union Terminal – Once you have exhausted the Museum tours, bring the kids back to the OMNIMAX Theatre to view movies on a domed ceiling, above your head.  If you’ve never seen an OMNIMAX movie, you need to.  It’s quite an experience.

This is just a short list of ideas to help you get comfortable with the Cincinnati area.  To see an even more complete list of ideas and attractions, be sure to let us know where we can send you your copy of The Insider’s Guide to Cincinnati.  You’ll find more great ideas to keep away the “boredom bug”.

More Cincinnati real estate information can be found at RealCincy.com

It’s good to know where the old favorites are, like Target and Macys. It’s great fun to find new stores and restaurants, independent shops, you won’t find anywhere else. In the “Areas of Cincinnati” segment of our site, I try to talk about shops and restaurants, special to that particular area, along with popular shopping.

If you are new to the area, maybe this compilation will help. I’ve put together a general list of some of the best spots to shop, special to Cincinnati, and area malls, with big box retailers nearby.  I have links to their websites, so you can get driving directions and check out what each mall has to offer, and link to the individual store sites. But this is just the beginning! As you travel to the individual shopping destinations, you’ll certainly pass those acres and acres of adjoining retail, and find a few places to spend your new home decorating allowance quite quickly.

• Rookwood Commons and Rookwood Pavilion – Central Cincinnati. 75 of the Best Specialty Stores & Restaurants.  Shop Ann Taylor, NY & Company, Eddie Bauer, White House/Black Market, Anthropologie.  Enjoy P.F. Changs, J. Alexander & Buca d. Beppo
• Kenwood Towne Centre –  Central Cincinnati.  2-Story Shopping, Anchored by Macys, Dillards, and coming soon….Nordstrom!  Cheesecake Factory & Maggianos!
• Eastgate Mall-  East Cincinnati. JC Penny, Dillards, Sears & Kohls….and an indoor Merry-Go-Round for the kids!
• Tri County Mall-  Northern Suburbs. 2 Level Mall – Large Food Court. Macys, Dillards, Sears, Ethan Allen and Krazy City! An Indoor Theme Park with Over 50,000 square feet of rides and games. Great for kid’s parties.
• Anderson Towne Center – East Cincinnati – Anchored by a small Macys, K-Mart and the Largest Kroger Ever Built. Destination Grocery Shopping!
• Bridgewater Falls – Fairfield Township Northwest Cincinnati. Bed, Bath & Beyond, Dick’s Sporting Goods, JC Penny, Old Navy
• Tower Place Mall- & Downtown Shopping.  Macys, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany’s Jewelry. Morton’s of Chicago
• Findley Market- Just north of downtown in Over the Rhine – Ohio’s Oldest Continuously Operated Open Air Market. Farmer’s Market. Outdoor Vendors. Indoor Merchants. Meat, Fish, Cheese and More!
• Newport on the Levee- Newport Kentucky, Just Across the Ohio River from Downtown. Good Restaurants: Mitchell’s Fish Market, Deweys Pizza, Bar Louie. Jefferson Hall for Live Music. Newport Aquarium. Funny Bone Comedy Club
• Northgate Mall- Colerain North, Northwest Cincinnati.  Over 100 Stores and Specialty Shops. Dillards, Macys, Sears and JC Penny
• Cincinnati Mills- North, Northwest Cincinnati- Forever 21, Guess Factory Store, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th for Discount Designer Shopping.
• Jungle Jim’s International Market & Foodie Paradise-Fairfield/North Cincinnati Foodie Alert! This Place is Worth the Drive! Amish Foods. International Choices. Seafood. Sushi. Meat Shop with Fresh Cuts for the Courageous Foodie: Elk, Wild Boar and Antelope.  Kids Will Like the Singing Characters. Watch For the Singing Birds in the Pet Shop and the Singing “Elvis”.  I Don’t Normally Encourage you to Check Out the Restrooms Anywhere……Trust Me on This One!

More Cincinnati real estate information can be found at RealCincy.com

Rowe Woods, with more than 16 miles of trails, winding up and around 1,025 lush acres, is part of the Cincinnati Nature Center group that also includes Long Branch Farm & Trails in Goshen, Ohio.

The history of the nature center is fascinating. Carl Krippendorf was born in 1875 to German immigrant parents living in Cincinnati. Carl wasn’t a healthy child and was sent to live in the country, to breathe fresh clean air. Staying with a doctor in the Perintown area, Carl fell in love with the outdoors: the woods, the flowers, woodland creatures.

You can read more at www.cincynature.org. They beautifully explain how Carl purchased the land, built his home for his bride, and lived happily ever after.

The Cincinnati Nature Center was founded in 1965 by Stanley Rowe and 12 other environmentalists, anchored in the firm belief that “All people, especially children, benefit physically, emotionally and intellectually from frequent contact with nature.”

Named for Mr. Rowe, The Stanley Rowe All Persons path is a level, paved path that allows all visitors to get out and enjoy the center.

Krippendorf Lodge, built in 1899, welcomes visitors with its large, covered, wraparound porch and stone terrace.

Celebration Garden, located near the Krippendorf Lodge, is a lovely place to stroll. You can remember loved ones through donations to the Nature Center. A bench, a plaque, or some other marker can be placed on the CNC gardens. Look at their site for details.

The Nature Shop has fun & educational items like birdfeeders, children’s books, field guides, binoculars…and plenty more.
There are nature camps, stream exploration programs, and bird walks.  Excellent school programs give school aged kids the opportunity to get out and learn.
Be sure to visit the Abner Hollow cabin, and remember to count your blessings….like indoor plumbing and central air!
Turtle and fish feeding is allowed at Powel Crosley Lake. If the bullfrogs are singing when I pass Lotus Pond, they just make me grin. 

The membership fee is reasonable. It’s just $50 for two adults in the same household.  Other rates are available for families, or singles. Check out www.cincynature.org  for details.  It’s a pretty good way to get the kids out to play!
My favorite thing to do is just hike the trails. I like to go out there and “get lost”. The stress just melts away.  I think more clearly, and relax. With over 16 miles of trail, I like combining different trails for a change of scenery. It’s absolutely breathtaking in the fall colors. Equally spectacular after the long, gray winter when the spring annuals take bloom.

Huffing and puffing the trails, I can just visualize Carl and Mary living in their cabin, and enjoying 999 acres of land.
In the spring and fall months I see plenty of deer every time I go out.
I once walked right past a huge barn owl perched on a fence. So, get out there and leave behind the phones, the computers, the T.V., the stress!

More Cincinnati real estate information can be found at RealCincy.com