Bissinger’s store opens in Kenwood this weekend, Wine & Food Festival returns to The Lytle Park Hotel, gelato line relaunched at A Tavola and Taglio, and more.
Bissinger’s Opens in Kenwood Towne Centre
Bissinger’s—the 350-year-old chocolate company that started in France before moving to Cincinnati in 1845, where it claims to have invented the Opera Cream during its time on Main Street—makes its triumphant return to the Queen City this weekend with the grand opening of its Kenwood Towne Centre store. Beginning at 11 a.m. today, May 15, customers can receive two complimentary signature truffles with purchase and 20 percent of grand opening sales will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Southwest Ohio. One lucky customer guest will receive a $200 gift card if they find a Golden Ticket hidden inside of a Bissinger’s shopping bag.
Wine & Food Festival Returns
The annual Wine & Food Festival returns to The Lytle Park Hotel this weekend. The festival kicks off with a special wine-pairing dinner from 6 to 9 10 p.m. tonight, May 15, in collaboration with Page Wine Cellars. Winemaker Bryan Page will guide diners through small-production and back-vintage wines paired with an intimate, curated four-course meal crafted by Subito Executive Chef Joseph Helm. The cost is $125 per person. Then, from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, May 16, Chef Daniel Bruce, founder of the renowned Boston Wine Festival, and Chef Helm will collaborate on a menu to complement Bruce’s selection of world-class artisanal wines. Tickets are $145 per person. All proceeds benefit Cincinnati Cancer Advisors. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lytleparkwineandfoodfestival.com.
Gelato Relaunched at A Tavola Bar and Taglio
This week, A Tavola Bar + Trattoria relaunched its small-batch gelato line. Available in half-pints at all A Tavola in Madeira and Taglio Bar + Pizzeria locations throughout the tri-state, the initial flavor lineup includes toasted coconut, cookies and cream, pistachio and fior di latte gelato, along with passion fruit guava and chocolate sorbetto. “Our philosophy has always been pretty simple: find the best ingredients and let them shine,” said Jared Wayne, founder and co-owner of A Tavola, in a press release. “With gelato, that means paying attention to every detail, from the chocolate and pistachios to the way each batch is blended, frozen and finished.”
Free Sliders at White Castle Today
In recognition of National Slider Day, White Castle is giving away a free slider to every customer (no purchase necessary) today, May 15. The burger chain introduced National Slider Day in May 2015 to honor its Original Slider, which was named “the most influential burger of all time” by Time magazine in 2014. Customers can use the digital coupon available on White Castle’s website or enter the code SLIDERDAY on the White Castle app to redeem the offer.
East Fork Pottery Pop-Up
East Fork, a popular pottery brand for chefs and home cooks, is hosting one of its signature “seconds” pop-ups from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at The Mason Gallery (3846 Montgomery Rd., Norwood). Select pottery items will be 30 percent off retail prices. Visit eastfork.com/pages/pop-ups for more information.
Elly Gets an Ice Cream Flavor
Starting Monday, May 18, United Dairy Farmers (UDF) is partnering with Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz for an exclusive new Homemade Brand ice cream flavor: Dulce De La Cruz. Made with caramel ice cream (inspired by Elly’s favorite flavor) and caramel sauce, customers can try the ice cream in the #44 Shake, which blends Dulce De La Cruz with toasted coconut. Visit any of UDF’s 170-plus tri-state locations to try these treats while supplies last.
MilkShake Factory Celebrates First Anniversary
Milkshake chain MilkShake Factory, known for hand-spun milkshakes and small-batch premium chocolates, will celebrate the first anniversary of its first Greater Cincinnati location on Saturday, May 23, at 2144 Kings Mills Rd. in Mason. To mark the occasion, customers can enjoy buy one-get one free milkshakes all day long.
Wildweed Wins “One to Watch” Award
Last week, Wildweed has been named this year’s recipient of the “One To Watch Award for 2026” by North America’s 50 Best Restaurants. The award honors “a rising-star restaurant whose distinctive vision and culinary excellence mark it as a future leader on the North American stage.” “Much like the inspiration for its name—weeds growing through cracks in the pavement—Wildweed is unexpected,” says writer Louella Berryman on North America 50 Best’s website. “This Cincinnati restaurant opened in July 2024 in an often-overlooked dining scene. Referred to by some as a flyover state, a place brushed over in favour of more well-trodden coastal destinations in the U.S., Ohio is part of a New Midwestern cuisine boom.”
Cinnamon Roll-Focused Bakery Opens in OTR
Over-the-Rhine got a little sweeter last week with the opening of The Roll. The bakery, owned by mother-son duo Yanitza Linares and Ramy Mahmud, serves up massive from‑scratch, freshly baked cinnamon rolls in a variety of flavors, including glazed sugar, cream cheese, pistachio, chocolate ganache, salted caramel, and blueberry. Don’t forget to pair your roll with a coffee, matcha, or lemonade from the beverage menu!
European-Inspired Restaurant Opens in Madisonville This Summer
Concorde—a European-inspired restaurant and bar from veteran restaurateur Kevin Armon—is set to open in Madisonville this summer. Located inside of the Madamore mixed-use development at the corner of Madison Road and Whetsel Avenue, the restaurant’s menu will draw from French, Italian and Spanish traditions, balancing classic dishes with “more approachable” options. Armond has more than 35 years of restaurant/hospitality experience, having worked locally at Somm Wine Bar in East Price Hill’s Incline District, Kaze in Over-the-Rhine, and for the Boca Restaurant Group.
