To Eat Well, Try Eat Well Cafe

Chef Renee Schuler

Made my second visit to Eat Well Cafe, in O'Bryonville, this week, and had a better chance to sample and appreciate what this bright, pleasant (mostly) lunch spot has to offer. I'd gone once before on a very cold winter day with a friend who doesn't really enjoy eating, which usually holds me back from full enjoyment of my own. This time I went with my ravenous husband, which gave me permission to have more than a cup of soup with a couple of crackers, as on my first visit.
He selected from one of the pasta bowls -- his choice was pearl couscous (the Israeli variety) with roasted veggies, chicken and pesto. The portion was large but, in character, he ate all of it and said "yum" quite a few times as he did so.
I went with one of the salads, also served in a large bowl, the same size as his pasta dish. The choices were called Health, East and West. Each had an interesting combo of ingredients that made it hard to select, but I ended up with the East Salad, in part because it was the only one without cheese, which I wasn't in the mood for.

The salad was impressive in its combination of flavors and textures, as well as the evident care that went into preparing the ingredients. I was especially impressed by the high quality of the pulled chicken, which was lean (all the skin and fat had been removed) even though it included bits of dark meat, and clearly not some kind of industrial meat. The other notable ingredient was what they called orange supremes, which was slices of fresh oranges with the white membrane removed -- something that you almost never see anywhere. I know the amount of labor it takes to slice an orange that way, and appreciated every bite. Rounding out the salad were sliced almonds and a nice sprinkling of fried wontons.
Along with the salad, I had a large mug of chamomile tea, which hit the spot on another cold, wintery day (even though it's the end of March).
While I don't think the cafe itself has a website, the venture that includes catering can be found online here.
Chef/owner Renee Schuler was chef at our favorite rural getaway, Murphin Ridge Inn. 
We both really liked our meal here and definitely plan many return visits. Healthy and delicious, too! It's at 3009 O'Bryon Street and is open Monday - Friday 11-8:30 and Saturday 9 - 4.

Enoteca Emilia: New in O'Bryonville

Pasta, spiedini and insalata at Emilia Enoteca

It's all Italian, from the salumi and formaggi (cured meats and cheese) pre-appetizers through the spiedini (grilled skewers of meat and garnishes), pasta, artisnal pizza and wines ranging from soave to amarone. Enoteca Emilia at 2038 Madison Road has been open just since mid-August and it doesn't yet have a website, although you can find them on Facebook.
We dropped in for dinner the other night and tried a few items, beginning with a lovely Principessa Gavi 2010 (mine) and a glass of Abrigo Rosato Dolcetto 2010 for my companion. She ordered deviled eggs for a quick nosh -- three eggs each garnished with a tasty topping, a bit pricey she thought at $7. After that, we split three dishes: asparagus salad with an heirloom tomato vinaigrette -- the lightest and for my taste the best thing we ate. Again, she thought it was good but that $10 was too much for the portion.
Along with that we split a rich, buttery Bucatini pasta with prosciutto, white wine, a tiny bit of frisee lettuce (I wished for more of that) and a side of roasted cauliflower, also a bit too rich with olive oil for my waistline.
We spoke with owner Margaret Ranalli after we ate and found her open to our feedback. She also said the restaurant had started well and she felt good about the community's reaction thus far.
My friend and I agreed we would both return. I'd like to try the pizzas and more of the pastas, and would definitely order the asparagus salad again. There are enough interesting Italian wines -- not a strong suit in my wine knowledge -- to entice me back, as well.
The space -- formerly Brickyard Pizza -- makes for a pleasant, open ambiance. It's definitely a good addition to the neighborhood, and Cincinnati needs more wine oriented places to dine. Check it out!