The Incline Public House in Price Hill on Cincinnati’s west side has a wonderful view of downtown Cincinnati and the riverfront. Sit outside on the patio on a sunny day and enjoy unique appetizers (small bites as they call them), a great meal or maybe just a local craft beer from one of Cincinnati’s resurgent breweries.

If you do choose to go on a nice day, be prepared to wait for outdoor seating – but trust me, it’s worth it. Besides, you can pass the time relaxing at the park next door where the old incline to Price Hill once existed. Take some time to look across 8th Street and imagine what it would have been like to ride the incline down the hill and take a streetcar into downtown. Today the path is overgrown with trees, but you can still see where the incline station previously stood.

The View

The Food

I started with the Cheddar Ale Soup and it was creamy, smooth and rich with just enough French-fried onions to add a little zip. Next I had the burger, and it was in the mold of several Cincinnati burger joints (think Terry’s Turf Club, Gordo’s or Mad Mike’s in Newport) – thick, juicy and piled high with toppings. I also added a side of onion rings. The wide slices of onion were dipped in a light breading and deep-fried for a crispy, flaky coating that allowed the onion flavor to dominate the palate.
For dessert? Chickow!

The Drink

That’s right. I had a beer for dessert. But don’t mistake Triple Digit’s Chickow! beer as just another wannabe craft brewskie. Triple Digit Brewing is the brewery side of homebrew suppliers Listermann Brewing Company. Chickow! is a rich, malty brew that actually satisfies a sweet tooth. With all the potency and complexity of a Belgium-style beer and all the rich fullness of an oatmeal stout, the Chickow! might as well be a dessert.

Besides Triple Digit, the Incline Public House also offers other local breweries including Fifty West, Mt. Carmel, Rivertown and of course, Moerlein. Plus they rotate taps regularly, showcasing a wide variety of styles and flavors.

If you don’t like beer, I would recommend the Bloody Martini (available during brunch). Served in a martini glass, this take on the Bloody Mary features bacon vodka, a hot pickle spear, olives, celery, one thick-cut bacon strip and a jumbo cocktail shrimp. Perhaps it should be classified under “small bites.”

The Upshot

I’ve already told most people I know about the Incline Public House, from the view to the food to the craft beers. I have since received reports back supporting the accuracy of my assessment. In other words, like me, they loved it.

—Ryan Varney

The Challenge

For my latest trip to New Orleans I was challenged to eat gumbo at every restaurant I visited. I took the bait. Given how much I love gumbo, it was truly an offer I could not refuse. So for those of you who also love this tasty little dish, here’s the lowdown. (Please excuse some of the blurry photography—in my excitement to get to eating, I may have lost a little control over my motor skills.)

Legend’s at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Legend’s at MSY

I arrived in NOLA at 10:30 am and immediately started in on my mission. Legend’s was the only sit down restaurant serving food at that hour, so I began my challenge with a bowl of their sausage and chicken gumbo. I wasn’t expecting much, so I was pleasantly surprised by the tender and plentiful chunks of chicken and sausage, as well as the spicy kick. The sauce consistency was thicker than most gumbo I’ve eaten which made it more stew than soup. If you’re ever at MSY, and craving some gumbo, I’d recommend a bowl at Legend’s.

Pat O’Brien’s

Pat O’Brien’s
624 Bourbon St.
New Orleans, LA 70130

Pat O’Brien’s is famous for their hurricanes, a very tasty adult beverage, which makes them a very touristy place to go in NOLA. However, despite being a tourist mecca, the gumbo at Pat O’Brien’s was probably the best I had on my trip. Rich and smoky, the sauce oozed the essence of Cajun cooking. Add in spicy andouille sausage and shredded chicken and this was a gumbo to offset any effects from too many hurricanes.

Pier 424 Seafood Market

Pier 424 Seafood Market
424 Bourbon St.
New Orleans, LA 70112

Pier 424 Seafood Market sits amid the chaos that is Bourbon Street. Sitting outside on the second level deck, it was a great place to watch the drunken revelers stagger down Bourbon Street—while enjoying a nice cup o’ gumbo. Pier 424’s gumbo was eerily similar to Pat O’Brien’s gumbo in sauce flavor and texture, but theirs had the added bonus of baby shrimp thrown into the mix. (Well, duh, it’s called Pier 424 Seafood Market.) Still, given the choice, if you find yourself on Bourbon Street, I’d stagger a little further on down to Pat O’Brien’s.

The Original French Market Restaurant & Bar

The Original French Market Restaurant & Bar
1001 Decatur St.
New Orleans, LA 70116

The Original French Market Restaurant & Bar prides itself on its long history in New Orleans. My experience there has certainly proven its stability. I was last in NOLA two years ago, and stumbled across this historical bar. I thought it would be fun to revisit old memories, so I made it a point to stop in this trip. It was like I never left. Upon entering, I found myself being served by the same waitress I had two years ago, while my drinks were poured by the same bartender. Deja vu. The food was the same, too—a good thing. Last trip, I did not have the gumbo, but obviously I had to try it this time. It did not disappoint. A little soupier than my previous bowls, the Original French Market Restaurant & Bar gumbo was still loaded with sausage, shrimp and crawfish. To enhance the flavor, every bowl is served with a full bay leaf, lending it an authentic Cajun flair.

Huck Finn’s

Huck Finn’s
135 Decatur St.
New Orleans, LA 70130

Huck Finn’s is a fun little sports joint on the edge of the French Quarter. Tons of big screen TVs and sports memorabilia, yet somehow not your run-of-the-mill sports bar. The gumbo was good, but not great (though most of the food at Huck Finn’s is pretty darn good, generally speaking). Perhaps it was too much green onion or maybe a lack of rice, but the overall feel on the palette just seemed a little off. Still, the flavor was zesty from the nice chunks of hot peppers and the sausage was sliced extra thick. One other note: if you’re in the mood for a Bloody Mary while in New Orleans, definitely go to Huck Finn’s.

Fiorella’s Cafe

Fiorella’s Cafe
45 French Market Pl.
New Orleans, LA 70116

Fiorella’s Cafe is known as a great place to get fried chicken in NOLA (and indeed it was outstanding), but the gumbo was a nice bonus. Served in a huge bowl and with a side of thick-sliced French bread, Fiorella’s gumbo was laden with chicken and sausage. The French bread was perfect for sopping up the excess sauce and tempering the spice. For me it was certainly a great way to cap off the gumbo challenge.

Conquering the Challenge

Sadly, my gumbo-fest had to come to an end. However, I am quite pleased to have eaten six bowls on my trip. I would’ve eaten more, but several restaurants I ate at did not serve gumbo. (To those restaurants I say, “C’mon man. You’re in NOLA for Saints sake.”) Perhaps my only regret was not tampering with the gumbo by adding some of the many hot sauces provided. As a guy who enjoys spicy food, I do wonder if adding some extra kick would’ve enhanced some of the gumbos. As a side note, I did try some of the more uniquely-named hot sauces offered, and they were quite hot. And if you’re ever in the mood for spicy goodness, you can always try some of these hot sauces.

If you ever find yourself in New Orleans, maybe my gumbo challenge will give you some options if you’re in the mood for gumbo. I know I can’t wait to get back to NOLA and hunt down more of this Cajun fave I so often crave.

—Ryan Varney