The View from Burnet Woods

The View from Burnet Woods

Originally uploaded by ludlowave

New Lights Installed in Fountain

Fountain gets new lights

Originally uploaded by ludlowave

I came across this fellow installing new lights in the fountain. He tells me they are 15W halogens, replacing the 120W lights that were there before. Should be safer for any dogs that happen to hop in once summer hits.

There should be water flowing in about a week.

Best of Cincinnati: Ludlow Ave Edition

There’s plenty of Clifton represented in the 2008 Best of Cincinnati edition of CityBeat. Here’s the rundown:

• Best Place to Watch a Movie in Peace and Quiet: The Esquire
• Best New Bakery in an Old Bakery Spot: Servatii’s
• Best Spot for a Casual Drink: Olive’s
• Best Mad Max Move: Habanero, for their expansion to Newport.
• Best Heart Attack in Ball Form: Arlin’s, for their fried delights.

And taking home reader’s choice awards were Mustard Seed for best non-chain clothing store, and Adrian Durban for best florist.  Congrats to all the winners.  

Cincinnati Named Best Walking City in Ohio

Cincinnati was named the Best Walking City in Ohio and 10th best in the US in a study from Prevention Magazine. And there are few places that can match Clifton for walking in town, whether it’s a walk in Burnet Woods or Mt. Storm Park or a trip to Ludlow to the grocery, the library, or dinner and a movie.

Here’s a related piece from Richard Florida about a different set of walkable cities and the benefits they provide.

In Toronto, we can walk to everything. The grocery store is two blocks away. Coffee shops and restaurants and more specialty groceries maybe a ten minute walk. The university maybe a 10 minute bike ride.   

Sounds familiar.

Habanero Expanding to Newport

I stopped at Habanero the other day for a Porkopolis burrito, and noticed they had snazzy new menus and a sign announcing a new location at Newport on the Levee — terrific news! Now when there are as many Habaneros as Chipotles, just remember where it all began.

They’ve got some swanky new internet digs as well, at habanerolatin.com.  I sort of miss the old photocopied menus, though. 

Update: Here’s more info from the Foodie Report blog. 

Starbucks Closed Today — Coffee Still Available on Ludlow

By now, you may have heard that all Starbucks around the country will be closed today between 5:30 and 9 pm, for employee reeducation. Apparently, founder Howard Schultz feels relentless expansion has stripped away the passion from slinging joe, and it’s time to relight the fire. Meanwhile, Sitwell’s and Brutopia remain open.  

Oscars at the Esquire

The Esquire is once again hosting an Oscar-viewing party this Sunday at 8. From the invite:

 Join us at the Esquire to watch the Oscars, Sunday, February 24, 2008, live and on the big screen!  The nominees will seem even larger than life and you can feel like you are part of the show.  Will Julie Christie and Daniel Day Lewis add an Oscar to their statue collections?  Will No Country for Old Men or Atonement get upset by Juno, the quirky comedy that could?  Find out with your friends and fellow movie-lovers at the Esquire Theatre. 

The action starts at 8, but get there early for the best seats. There’s even a red carpet—dress it up like Cary Grant, or keep it Brando style, just jeans and a t-shirt. 

You can also enter to win movie passes by filling out your Oscar ballot. Drop it off at either the Esquire or Mariemont Theatres.

Ludlow Avenue “Best street by far”

That according to The BG News, the student newspaper of Bowling Green State University.

The best street by far to be on is Ludlow Avenue which is a city in itself. Smelling of Thai and Indian food, both sides of the street are lined with unique family-owned restaurants and shops that each have their own personal touch.  

Clothing stores Pangaea and Toko Baru fashion the style of the 70s and the hippie generation. Spiral Light is covered wall to wall with knickknacks, trinkets, ceramic dishware and handmade art hanging from the ceiling. Esquire is a classic movie theater that doesn’t even have to beg for your attention. Its vintage appearance and lights immediately catch your eye and spark your interest. 

Pretty spot on. And unlike readers in Bowling Green, you don’t have to travel 180 miles to see it. 

Valentine’s Day on Ludlow

Ludlow Avenue is an ideal place for the Valentine’s Day procrastinator like me. When you’re coming down to the wire, it’s nice to have everything within reach. So here’s my plan:

•  Flowers: A bit middle of the road maybe, but I’ll stick to what works. Roses it is; get them at Adrian Durban Florist at 302 Ludlow Ave. 
• Candy: Staying with the staples. Chocolate lovers love the goodies at Graeter’s at 341 Ludlow.
• Dinner: I’ll be cooking at home (my culinary skills stop somewhere just after boiling, so fingers crossed), so it’s off to Keller’s for me. If you’re more interested in making it a night out, as I probably should, there’s plenty of great choices as well. I’d go with Tinks.
• Wine: Ludlow Wines has just the thing to pair with whatever I’ll come up with. 339 Ludlow Ave, 513 751-3727.
• Gifts: I’m going to keep it simple, but if going a bit bigger is more your style, skip the mall jewelry store and go see the artisans at Paolo. 

And all that with just a few blocks. Another Valentine’s Day made easy—take that Cupid.

Take the Ludlow Avenue Survey

While we work out some kinks on the website,  please take our consumer survey. We’d appreciate your input on how we can improve the Ludlow Avenue business district.