NBR: Restaurant ideas

KYmama9286

So I posted this on the FB page too but I realized that I should start at least XP'ing to this board since its so dead--

Attn Foodies: I am planning on doing 3 different gift certificates for my BIL & SIL for Christmas. We have roughly $100-120 to spend total-- I want to get them a "Progressive Dinner Date" gift package of sorts-- what restaurants would you recommend? I was thinking 1 restaurant for appetizers and drinks, another restaurant for dinner and another restaurant for dessert. Bonus points if they are somewhat close to each other since they will be switching restaurants throughout the night. I am hoping that I can get some fun/trendier restaurants that they normally wouldnt think to go to-- okay...go!

natibride

What a fun gift! What general area are you thinking of? 

KarmaKP

My first thought for fun and trendy is Nada downtown.  I think that would be a great place to start or end because of all the other places around.  I'm not up on all the restaurants downtown but that would be a great idea for one of the restaurants.

Agree with natibride. This is a very cute gift idea.

natibride

I'd vote for Bella Luna for either entree or dessert - love that place. 

tegss

natibride:

I'd vote for Bella Luna for either entree or dessert - love that place. 

 

LOVE Bella Luna!!!!!

 

 

KYmama9286

I would say any area really, I mean we are in Nky but I know DH and I have gone up to restaurants in Montgomery or Mason if we are planning a special date night and I would think they wouldnt mind to travel some. But if they are going to travel I would like the restaurants to all be relatively close to each other so the whole evening isnt spent in the car, kwim?

We love Bella Luna and Grande Finale too-- I was also thinking Nada since I've heard nothing but good reviews but I wasnt sure what else was downtown that I could get gift cards to...

vollmasm

Have you considered Hyde Park Square?  There are several restaurants - Arthurs, Beluga, Tellers, *** & Bull - and a Graeters for dessert.  Or Aglamesis is over in Oakley Square.  And if they want to do the bar scene afterwards, there is Habits in Oakley Square or they can go down the street to Mt. Lookout.  If you go to hydeparksquare.org, it has a listing of all the restaurants on the square.

natibride

Dup

natibride

Mariemont would be a fun area - you can walk around once you get there. Dilly Cafe, Latin Quarter, National Exemplar, Graeter's. Or Covington- Dee Felice, Chez Nora (if only Chalk were still open...)

kykassie

Building on the Nada (drinks and apps) idea... Via Vite for the main course, then the Cricket (in the Cincinnatian) for dessert. Other great restaurants downtown include Trattoria Roma, Jeff Ruby's, Local 127, Jean Robert's Table... and Boca is moving down to the old Maisonette location.

Christine.Louie

I'm late in replying to this post but we do a walking progressive dinner with our interns every year and have done in order of appetizer-dinner-dessert (in years where I've been involved either as an intern or coordinator).  Since you're considering driving and don't have a huge group like we do for work that would open things up a bit but here's some thought starters.

Downtown: Palomino - Jeff Ruby's - Via Vite

Downtown 2: Rock Bottom Brewery - McCormick and Schmick's - Oceanic (closed)

Downtown 3: Nada - Palomino - The Palace

Montgomery: Village Tavern (NOT recommended but if you're driving try Slatt's or if walking Pomodori's) - Stone Creek - Germano's

Rookwood: The Pub - Buca di Beppo - PF Chang's

Have considered but not yet done:
Mariemont: Dilly Deli Cafe - Quarter Bistro - ?
Clifton: Tink's Cafe - Dewey's - Biaggo's Bistro
Hyde Park: Arthur's - Pocco a Poco - Teller's

KYmama9286

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I think I narrowed it down and will do Nada for drinks and apps, Palomino for dinner and then The Cricket Lounge for dessert. I like that they are within a close walking distance so they only have to park once :-)