EATS | Staff Picks

Best Greek on the Go: Jordan Valley is the best Greek fix this side of Detroit. Try the Mediterranean fare such as falafel, hummus, beef kabobs, tabbouleh and Greek salad. Jordan Valley, 213 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-929-9299.

Best Ethiopian: East African Restaurant, which concocts a spicy stew with lamb, vegetable gomen (greens with onion and pepper) and more. East African Restaurant, 6025 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 513-351-7686.

Best Lebanese Lunch: The selections at Andy's Mediterranean Grille, (aka Andy's International Deli), are bountiful: Kibbeh (chopped lamb, bulgar wheat and onion), Shawarma (marinated chicken), Kafta (charbroiled ground steak with parsley) and more. Andy's Grille & International Market, 906 Nassau St., Walnut Hills, 513-281-9791.

Best Treat with Dinner: Come back to Andy's Mediterranean Grille later in the evening, when you can order Egyptian tobacco, apple being the most popular flavor, and smoke it from a traditional hookah during or after your meal.

Photo: Jymi Bolden Marie Martin, server at Simone's Cafe Best Eating Experience: Simone's Cafe Simone's is proof that the city's blacks and whites aren't afraid to at least break bread together. Any given afternoon the lunch crowd could comprise yuppies from Mount Adams, Hyde Park and Oakley squeezed in with artists and actors from downtown intermingled with middle-aged black secretaries. And on Sundays, the dining room looks like the cafeteria in heaven -- white, black, Catholic, Baptist, Jewish, families, gay, straight, lesbian and solo diners. They come out of curiosity and come back for the startlingly good (and award-winning) blackened tilapia sandwich, the blackened salmon sandwich or the pleasingly diverse Sunday brunch menu. The dream and brainchild of eccentric owner Atif Kemaz, Simone's is that experience somewhere in-between. It's comfortable, invigorating, interesting and tasteful. (KYW) Simone's Cafe, 2907 1/2 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills, 513-751-3975.

Best Russian Roulette: Peter's Burg serves a full menu of Russian and European fare, and the borscht can't be beat, comrade. Peter's Burg, 4924 Hunt Road, Blue Ash, 513-791-4900.

Best Taste of London, Red Meat Dept.: The London Broil served by a replica London pub, appropriately enough. The Pub at Rookwood Mews prepares its broil tender and generously portioned -- and it's relatively inexpensive by Cincinnati restaurant standards ($8.95). Order a Grilled Asparagus Salad on the side, and wash it down with Old Speckled Hen on tap. Pub at Rookwood Mews, 2692 Madison Road, Norwood, 513-841-2748.

Best Taste of London, Fish Dept.: Many places in town serve up Irish or British fare that includes fish & chips, but Nicholson's Scottish Tavern has the best. They might not be the most authentic, but who wants to eat bland fish and chips anyway? As a good friend from Cardiff, England, told us, "These are better than any fish and chips you'll find over there." Nicholson's, 625 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-564-9111.

Best Hawaiian-Thai Fusion: Siam Orchid's pineapple shrimp curry is a standout. Siam Orchid Thai Restaurant, 8254 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, 859-694-7700.

Best Hawaiian-American Fusion: Hamburger Mary's Hawaii Burger is loaded with pineapple and mushrooms. Drink it down with a tropical Queen City Punch or Mary's Orange Cosmo. Hamburger Mary's, 909 Vine St., Downtown, 513-381-MARY.

Best Spot to Get Shanghai'd, Ohio Division: Shanghai Mama's, a rice and noodle shop themed to circa 1920s Shanghai. The eatery prepares anything from crabmeat and shrimp wrapped around sugar cane to crabmeat cannoli, bamboo cocktail, warm duck salad and Orange Glazed Duckling Rice Bowl. Oh, mama. Shanghai Mama's, 216 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-241-7777.

Best Spot to Get Shanghai'd, Kentucky Division: Mitchell's Fish Market, the Columbus, Ohio, export that serves up seafood "Shanghai style," steamed with ginger, scallions and soy rice wine sauce over spinach and sticky rice. And no small miracle in Kentucky: The entire dining room is non-smoking. Mitchell's Fish Market, Newport on the Levee, Newport, 859-291-7454.

Best Portions-to-Price: We challenge anyone who loves Italian food and has a healthy appetite to finish an entire four-course meal at Tanino's. The appetizers are exquisite, the bread is fresh, the salads are copious, the entrées are flavorful and, if you're a champ, you just might survive a bite of their tempting desserts. The atmosphere is conducive to great conversation with friends or impressing a date -- as long as you don't mind them watching you devour a mountain of food. They also allow folks to bring in their own wine or beer, which is cheaper anyway. Tanino's Café, 114 Pike St., Covington, 859-431-8575.

Photo: Jymi Bolden Singing for your supper at Vito's: (L-R) Greg Speiss, Mary and Vic Ceipiel Best Song for Your Supper: Vito's Café In addition to serving some darn good Italian food, Vito's offers the unusual treat of hearing the server who just delivered your spaghetti and meatballs step onstage to belt out an aria from a Verdi opera or croon a heartfelt love song from Phantom of the Opera. Owner Vic Ciepiel, who studied singing at CCM years ago and spent some time working at another beloved Cincinnati musical dining spot, the late Forest View Gardens, and his wife, Mary, have put together a restaurant with romance written all over it. (RP) Vito's Café, 654 Highland Ave., Fort Thomas, 859-442-9444.

Best Biscuits & Gravy: Inn the Wood's version is full of artery-clogging goodness. The chunks of sausage are huge and a bit on the spicy side, while the biscuits are moist and somewhat sweet. Plus it's only $3.95! Add a glass of OJ, and you've got the perfect hangover breakfast before that Sunday afternoon nap. Inn the Wood, 277 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights, 513-221-3044.

Photo: Jymi Bolden Junebug's Riverside BBQ & Steakhouse owner George Beatty (center) with customers

Best Crack Cookies: Gretchen's on Vine has the most intoxicating, alluring cookies anywhere. We swear they must put crack or something in the recipe -- they're that addictive. Stop us before we eat again! Gretchen's on Vine, 915 Vine St., Downtown, 513-784-9421.

Best Heart Attack on a Plate: The fried eggplant at F&N Steakhouse is to die for, no pun intended. Served with a cocktail/horseradish sauce, the fried eggplant is plenty for at least two and is the perfect starter for one of the F&N's gigantic sandwiches. F&N Steakhouse, 46 State Rt. 8, Dayton, Ky., 859-261-6766.

Best Country Fried Steak: The real deal served at Shaker's in Town. It arrives the way it ought to, with mashed potatoes and green beans. Shaker's in Town, 711 Main St., Downtown, 513-361-0888.

Best Chef: Allen Stickell jumped over from the Jump Cafe to Bella -- named "Best New Restaurant" by our readers this year -- to create a menu that includes Szechuan barbecue pork chops, horseradish encrusted sea scallops, grilled cilantro and sake marinated chicken breast, marinated veal chop, pesto swordfish, balsamic and honey-glazed salmon, pan-seared beef with Yukon golds, smoked bacon and Gorgonzola, pan-roasted tenderloin of beef, pizzas, specialty pastas and rare ahi tuna. Bella, 600 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-721-7100.

Best, Just for the Halibut: A'meretta Cafe, recently reopened under new ownership, serves a helluva halibut, pine nut encrusted with a raspberry beurre blanc on four-cheese risotto. A'meretta Cafe, 4632 Eastern Ave., Linwood, 513-871-7177.

Best Fisherman's Hangout: Shakey's Pub & Grub, where the seafood is fresh and the local anglers watch the sports fishing shows airing above the bar area. "Yeah, we've got the Fishing Channel on there a lot," says one barmaid. Shakey's Pub & Grub, 7718 U.S. 42, Florence, 859-647-6458.

Best Fish Sandwich: At King's Inn, where the battered cod on dark rye is lightly breaded, moist and accompanied by terrific tartar sauce. King's Inn, Rt. 128 at Rt. 50, Cleves, 513-353-1095.

Best Raw Deal: At Kingfish Grill, where the raw bar is loaded with oysters, king crab, shrimp, seafood stew and more. Kingfish Grill, 11384 Mongtomery Road, Montgomery, 513-489-9777.

Best Pizza Magic: The Wednesday night performances by "The Amazing Cindini" at Pizza Tower, where you'll also perform your own disappearing acts with their amazing pizza creations. They even deliver alcohol along with their pizzas, which just might be the best trick ever devised. Pizza Tower, 8945 Governor's Way, Mason, 513-683-8400.

Best Place That Never Changes: Mount Adams' City View Tavern looks the same as it did when the now-yuppiefied neighborhood was a hippie hangout. It remains one of the city's friendliest watering holes despite the fact that only corporate fat cats can afford the surrounding real estate. City View Tavern, 403 Oregon St., Mount Adams, 513-241-VIEW.

Best Place That Changed for the Better: Camp Washington Chili looks sleek and polished in its new digs. Granted, we miss the coziness of owner John Johnson's old chili parlor. Of course, it helps to stretch one's legs after diving into that fifth coney. Yum! Camp Washington Chili, Hopple and Colerain avenues, Camp Washington, 513-541-0061.

Best French Toast: At Daybreak, a breakfast nook that serves an exquisite blueberry ricotta-stuffed French toast dish. Daybreak, 3816 Paxton Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-4400.

Best Sunday Brunch to Expand Your Horizons: The Dim Sum Brunch at Pacific Moon. Different, and different is good. Pacific Moon Café, 8300 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, 513-891-0091.

Best Cheap Breakfast: Apple on Elm is good during the week or after Findlay Market on Saturday. The homemade beignettes are great for those who crave a little taste of New Orleans. Apple on Elm, 801 Elm St., Downtown, 513-621-6512.

Photo: Jymi Bolden Jeff Poore (L) executive chef of the Pub at Rookwood Mews; fries (right) Best British/Indian Fusion: Pub at Rookwood Mews Good nosh is essential for an evening of extended drinking, and that's the kind of evening you'll have at the Pub at Rookwood Mews. This 18-and-over British-inspired pub has a small food menu to complement its more extensive (and more important) drink list. One tasty side that dares to break the British-is-bland cuisine rule: Fries with Yellow Curry Sauce. The fries might seem familiar -- they're the same fat steak fries you'll find at Nicholson's (same owner) -- but the spicy curry sauce is different and delectable. If you're dining with the less adventuresome, you're in luck: The sauce comes on the side. (RL) Pub at Rookwood Mews, 2692 Madison Road, Norwood, 513-841-1764.

Best Milkshake for Breakfast: The $5 shakes at Buzz Coffeeshop can't be beat. They're really good, really filling and they have lots of caffeine in them. Get your day started right. Buzz Coffeeshop & CD-o-Rama, 2900 Jefferson Ave., Corryville, 513-221-3472.

Best Business Lunch: Nicola's might not be your grab-a-sandwich-and-go kind of place. But if you're looking to impress a client, boss or date, it has an extensive lunch menu, quiet atmosphere and usually plenty of tables during the lunch hour. And prices are more moderate than the dinner menu. Nicola's Ristorante, 1420 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-721-6200.

Best Chicken Salad: The all-white meat chicken salad at Aynie's Deli, served as either a sandwich or salad plate scoop. Aynie's Deli Cafe, 333 Scott Blvd., Covington, 859-491-2233.

Best Overlooked Lunch Spot: The Cricket, where varied offerings include shrimp papaya salad, turkey club (with bacon, avocado and pepper jack cheese), fresh fruit plate with yogurt dressing, an exotic cheese and fruit plate and butternut squash soup. It's not as expensive as you might think -- many of the dishes are $7 to $9. The Cricket, inside the Cincinnatian Hotel, 601 Vine St., Downtown, 513-381-3000.

Best Literary Lunch: At the Book Nook Cafe, which is good news for downtown library noshers. The cafe -- which occupies space in the mezzanine abandoned by the Bonbonerie last summer -- is run by Jim McCabe, who grew up in a family of New York City restaurateurs. Book Nook Cafe, Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, 800 Vine St., Downtown, 513-665-3339.

Best Vegetarian to Go: Head to Fruities and browse the fresh fruit and salad bar or order up a smoothie with your vegetarian sandwich. Fruities, 426 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-246-0330.

Best Roast Beef Fix: No contest, the rarest and leanest roast beef sandwiches and wraps are found at Silverglade's new downtown outlet. Silverglade's, 431 W. Fourth St., Downtown, 513-564-0600.

Best Quick Soup: The cream of mushroom, potato or any of the other savory chowders at Pendleton Joe's, a classic lunch spot across from the Pendleton Art Center that the Main Street crowd is hip to. Pendleton Joe's, 1309 Pendleton St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-723-1725.

Best Morel Majority: The portabella mushroom sandwich served at Manna. It's the talk of the office highrises. "We had really good feedback on that sandwich, that's for sure," says one Manna worker, "but the chef doesn't do it everyday, so call first." Manna, 39 E. Seventh St., Downtown, 513-241-8343.

Best Tapas: At Wildflour, the breakfast spot that's now open for dinner as well, up top on the second flour. Tapas are those snack-size Spanish dishes, including sauteed chorizo and mushrooms, oysters in rice wine vinegar and tomato bread with Serrano ham, as well as other entrées including zarzuela, a Spanish fish stew. A new liquor license means Wildflour can also offer a full selection of Spanish wines. Wildflour, 308 Greenup St., Covington, 859-581-1000.

Best Steakhouse Salad: The Garbage Salad for two at Carlo & Johnny's. This $13.95 monster includes salami, fontina cheese, provolone, shrimp, olives, you name it, all blended with a red wine vinaigrette. Carlo & Johnny's, 9769 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-936-8600.

Best Salad That's a Meal: The Ferrari's Salad at Ferrari's Little Italy blends mixed greens with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette dressing, then tosses in toasted pine-nuts and sun-dried cranberries and a healthy handful of Gorgonzola cheese. A small salad ($6.25) is plenty for a dinner; a large one ($10.50) is enough to share with a friend. Ferrari's Little Italy, 7677 Golf Terrace, Madeira, 513-272-2220.

Best Poet Laureate of Bakers: Bill Pritz of Shadeau Bakery is an artist with hand-crafted breads, from French baguettes to ciabattas and fresh basil foccacias. Several markets around town carry his baked goods -- and we do mean good. Shadeau Bakery, 1366 Main St. and Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine, 513-665-9270.

Best Company Cafeteria: Beauty products distributor Frederic's Corporation runs an organic eatery that's open to the public and serves sandwiches, pizzas and the like. Really. Frederic's Corporation Cafe, 4235 Mulhauser Road, Fairfield, 513-874-2226.

Best Restaurant to Do Time in: The Courthouse Restaurant is located in a former county courthouse where you can actually dine inside a jail cell. Your "last meal" can include filet mignon, blackened redfish, quesadillas or pierogies. The Courthouse, 2015 Declaration Drive, Independence, 859-363-4400.

Best Hole in the Wall: El Pueblito must be Mexican for "joint," but the tiny eatery nonetheless sports some of the most authentic tamales, sauces and other creations you'll find this side of the border. "We're by the BP station. That's how we tell people to find us," says one of the owners. El Pueblito, 8450 U.S. 42, Florence, 859-371-7080.

Best Fish Taco: The Mad Max Burrito at Habañero isn't technically a fish taco -- they call it "flash-fried perch" -- but it's one of the best fish taco-like choices in town. They have great homemade chips and salsa, too. Habañero, 358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-961-6800.

Best Chimi: The gigantic steak chimichanga at Su Casa. Gringos will also find a pretty fair selection of tamales, burritos, enchiladas and tacos. Su Casa, 11711 Princeton Pike, Springdale, 513-671-5985.

Best Fancy Rendition of Comfort Food: They call them a side dish ($2.95), but Redfish's mashed potatoes are a gourmet treat. The Andouille Sausage, Cheddar Mashers with Gravy have a spicy bite, softened by the creamy gravy. These will get you pretty close to heaven on a down day. Redfish Looziana Roadhouse, Seventh and Race streets, Downtown, 513-929-4700.

Best Bargain Buffet: Grand Buffet's all-you-can-eat Chinese smorgasbord is actually international. Try the New Zealand green mussels, Japanese sushi rolls, Alaskan crab leg and stir-fried shrimp. Lunch is $5.25, dinner is $8.45. And, get this, it's about the only buffet that is available for takeout ($3.25 a pound lunch, $3.99 a pound dinner). Grand Buffet, 3320 Highland Ave., Norwood, 513-351-3288.

Best Wallop of Wellington: Razzberry's out-of-this-world Chicken Wellington is a unique take on its Beef Wellington cousin, with grilled marinated chicken, broccoli, assorted cheeses all stuffed into a flaky pastry with cream sauce. Razzberry's, 724 Madison Ave., Covington, 859-431-4555.

Best Transition: Boca's rebirth under new owner/chef David Falk is great news to fans of the trendy Northside eatery. The Boca Fries might be gone -- at least from the dinner menu -- but Falk has added some wonderful new dishes, including grilled ahi tuna, fresh tagliatelle and interesting appetizers. A few old favorites remain, like the chocolate-lovers' dream, Boca Negra. Boca, 4034 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-542-2022.

Best Soup Nazi: The greeter at Shanghai Mama's won't let anyone inside until their "other party" is with them. A major scowl appears if you elude his system and claim a table early. Shanghai Mama's, 216 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-241-7777.

Best Place to Get Told What to Eat: The owner of Mayura's generally will ask you if you like chicken or lamb or vegetarian, ask how hot you like it and then bring you something that will have you coming back for seconds. Sit back and let them do all the work. Mayura's Indian Restaurant, 3201 Jefferson Ave., Clifton, 513-221-7125.

Best Turkey Chili: Allyn's Cafe has the perfect cure for a cold winter's day. They make it on site, and it's so good and good for you. It's also one of the few items you can get to go. Allyn's Café, 3538 Columbia Pkwy., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-871-5779.

Best Use of a Baby Bottle: Hamburger Mary's uses them for cream dispensers. But you won't have any reason to cry here, what with the wonderful soups and great burgers, including turkey burgers any way you want them. Hamburger Mary's, 909 Vine St., Downtown, 513-381-MARY.

Best Caloric Tart: The delectable "Raspberry Crostada" at Germano's, a large tart filled with raspberries and a thick layer of custard, layer of almonds and a sweet glaze. Germano's, 9415 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-794-1155.

Best Reeses Tribute: The warm chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and peanut butter ice cream at Bella. You'll go to pieces over it. Bella, 600 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-721-7100.

Best Flan: At the Guadalajara Grill, a rich and creamy Mexican custard to cool the after-effects of even the most fiery meal. Guadalajara Grill, 7991 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Twp., 513-474-4325.

Best Sweets and Books: You can't beat Joseph-Beth's in-store restaurant Bronte's, where the decadant chocolate choice and a chef's secret recipe bread pudding will keep you as interested as any mystery novel on the store shelves. Bronte's, 2692 Madison Road, Norwood, 513-396-8966.

Best Brain Food: The icy ginseng berry freeze at Baker's Cafe, loaded up with vitamins. The cafe is located inside a health club but is open to the public. Baker's Cafe, 7500 State Road, Anderson Twp., 513-624-1871.

Best New Coffeehouse: Reality Tuesday's blends are delicious, and they bake incredible cookies and muffins. There's a table of laptops to chat online or surf and live music on the weekends. Reality Tuesday Café, 1518 Dixie Hwy., Park Hills, 859-261-4939.

Best People-Watching at 3 a.m.: We've said it before and we'll say it again -- the Anchor Grill is a treasure, particularly for night owls. CityBeat profiled it last year as one of the area's best 24-hour restaurants. The food, the atmosphere, the people, the dancing Barbie dolls ... a real Cincinnati treasure. 438 Pike St., Covington, 859-431-9498.

Best Reason to Drive Past the Drive-Thru for Late Night Munchies: Head downtown to Shanghai Mama's, where the kitchen stays open until 3 a.m. on weekends. Shanghai Mama's, 216 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-241-7777.

Best Reason(s) to Boycott the Boycott: Downtown and Over-the-Rhine have a number of one-of-a-kind restaurants that need your support -- before we lose them as we lost The Diner on Sycamore. Try Bella, Nicholson's, Scotti's, Jump, BarrelHouse, Kaldi's, Nicola's, Arnold's, Aioli, Redfish, Palomino, Café Cin-Cin, Mullane's, La Normandie, The Maisonette and more. And don't come downtown only when an e-mail campaign shames you into patronizing downtown -- these restaurants are open all the time and need your business on an ordinary Tuesday night, too.