Running, Eating, and Drinking in Cincinnati

Good morning! How are you guys feeling this morning? Did you race? It seems like lots of people are celebrating PRs this morning which is so fun! I can’t wait to read lots of race recaps from Euguene, Big Sur, Nike Women’s Half, and more!

Things around here have been a little slower than normal this morning since we were out quite late last night! Our evening started with a dance party and didn’t end until 3am!Amy ashley dancing

Yesterday kicked off with the Active Water 5k in Fern Bank Park. Amy and I were hoping to secure a new PR but unfortunately, this 5k was definitely not official. There were less than 30 runners and it not only started 15 minutes late but we also realized that the course was not mapped well nor was there a time clock. We almost left after showing up but decided instead we’d support the local high school group’s fundraising efforts and push ourselves to run the fastest 5k we could.

IMG_8197 IMG_8198IMG_8204 IMG_8207 The course ended up only being 2.95 miles long but we enjoyed running along the river and taking in the scenery while pushing our legs! We were both sad that this wasn’t officially timed and therefore won’t go down in the record books for our 5k PR but I’m definitely on the search for a 5k in NYC this month! Anyone want to join in the fun?

We spent the rest of the day eating, drinking, shopping, and exploring Cincinnati’s different neighborhoods.

Teller’s of Hyde Park: A delicious brunch spot in an old bank complete with a dining room in the old vault! Each of us loved our meals which included the warm hazelnut encrusted goat cheese salad, grilled chicken sandwich on pretzel bun, and the lobster po boy!

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Cock & Bull English Pub in Hyde Park: Great outdoor seating right in the middle of Hyde Park! Their food is supposedly delicious and they have more than 60 beers on tap! We loved taking advantage of their make your own beer flight! IMG_8222 IMG_8224 IMG_8226Kaze in Over the Rhine: Miraculously we were able to score a table for 4 at this Japanese gastropub and sushi bar! Most other restaurants had a long wait but we hit this restaurant at the perfect time and were able to enjoy some delicious cocktails, their special sushi rolls, a few appetizers, and their halibut special that melted in our mouths! Amy Ashley at KazeIMG_8269 IMG_8270

Senate Restaurant & Bar in Over the Rhine: While we couldn’t make it in for dinner due to a two hour wait, their cocktails and desserts were amazing! We enjoyed an order of beignets with our cocktails and were floored by how delicious they were! I think the secret is the pretzel sugar dusting!IMG_8276Needless to say we had an amazing time in Cincinnati yesterday and are enjoying a morning mimosa with our homemade blueberry pancakes! Have a great Sunday!

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50 West Brewing Company

What a fun night we had in Cincinnati!

A little beer, some shuffle board laughs, good food, and lots of celebrating made for a perfect first night of our mini vacation!

After a smooth flight from JFK we were in Ryan and Amy’s new home getting a full tour by 8pm! They have only been in the house for a month but have already made such headway in the short time. Their hours is 7 TIMES the size of our little New York apartment! It’s incredible to see friends that are at the same stage as us buying homes. We loved hearing about all the renovations and projects they have in mind along with seeing the awesome before and after pictures from the projects they’ve already completed.   IMG_8172

Amy and Ryan’s realtor was kind enough to gift them a delicious bottle of champagne which was the perfect thing to kick off the evening! Between the four of us we have so much to celebrate: new homes and new jobs!IMG_8169

For dinner we headed to 50 West Brewing Company, a new brewhouse/gastropub in the Mariemont area of Cincinnati!

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One of the great things about 50 West is that they have plenty of waiting areas other than the bar. They have an outdoor area with picnic tables with fire pits and heat lamps along with a game area. While we waited for a table we had a game of girls vs boys shuffleboard. Needless to say, us girls are no experts as you can tell from the score board. But, it was so much fun!

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Once we were seated our priority was definitely on more beer and food! Since it was already 9pm we were all starving! 50 West’s menu features small plates which are intended to be shared with others and paired with their beers. Amy and I ended up drinking the Speedbump Kolsch all night, a light ale with sweet malt flavor!

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Overall the food was better than expected though definitely spicy. Seriously though, out of the 8 small plates we ordered 6 of them were very spicy. This works out perfectly for 50 West because you end up drinking more beer!

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Overall our favorites were the California Roll salad, short ribs, and fried green tomatoes.

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Such a great night!

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A Relaxing Saturday in Savannah

Since I last checked in on Thursday the weekend has been pretty amazing! We’ve spent time enjoying the gorgeous Savannah weather, tried a few new restaurants, found time to relax at the spa, and have laughed for hours!

I’m so blessed to be home at my parent’s house this weekend with everyone!

The Savannah sunshine finally decided to say hello yesterday so we were able to take advantage of the weather by going for a long walk along River Street.

We spent an hour walking through Savannah’s gorgeous squares. I can’t believe how busy the city was yesterday! One thing is for sure, Savannah loves the tourists who help fund the city!

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After a long New York City winter which has included more gray, cold days than most years I was definitely ready for some Vitamin D by way of Savannah sunshine. My aunt and mom thought I was crazy to only be in my Lululemon crop pants and Lululemon Power Y tank but it was perfect! Warmth and temperature is all relative!

After our walk we found a new to us, local Savannah coffee shop, Foxy Loxy, where we were able to get delicious cappuccinos with hearts! It’s the little things in life!

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Our afternoon was pretty much perfect bliss! When this trip was organized a few months ago, my mom and I thought it would serve as the perfect excuse for a girls’ spa day. I haven’t enjoyed a full spa day in quite a while and it was exactly what we each needed. While Spa Bleu has been open for three years, neither my mom nor I had been there before. Located just off Broughton Street in Savannah’s historic district the spa is very reasonably priced while providing quite a full menu of services. Our choice, Spa Bleu Escape Day, included a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, and lunch for $235. It is also a fully organic spa, registered as part of the Green Spa Network. The price was a great deal considering the prices that we each normally face in New York, Tuscon, Chapel Hill, and our other respective towns! We were able to have our services at the same time so the day of relaxation included an hour to two relaxing together during our manicures, pedicures and lunch.  We were impressed by each of our services, especially the facial and pedicure which while being all natural were very effective! The only disappointing part of the day was the lunch. Since the spa is right above a Panera, it seems like ordering lunch from there could be an easy option. Instead, we had mini quiche just like you would buy from Sams. Not exactly my idea of a spa lunch!

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What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon! While the ladies relaxed the men spent the day walking the beach, touring historic Fort Pulaski and enjoying seafood dockside!

Last but not least, we toasted a great weekend with dinner at our favorite Savannah restaurant, Elizabeth’s on 37th. (See previous review here.)
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Today my goal is to be outside as much as possible, enjoying every bit of warm weather and blue sky! We are dining al fresco for breakfast on the back patio my parents have updated recently and then heading out on the boat this afternoon!

Happy Sunday!

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