Archive for the ‘Cincinnati’ Category

Sep

2010

Cincinnati Review: Terry’s Turf Club…

A couple of nights ago some friends picked me up to get me out of the house. We decided to go somewhere I’ve not been before for dinner — thankfully, these guys knew right where to take me.

Terry’s Turf Club is located @ 4618 Eastern Ave. in the East End of Cincinnati. I’d heard of the restaurant many times before, but I’m not really all that into burgers so I’ve never made an effort to get there. There are a lot of bad burger joints in Cincy…this isn’t one of them.

Terry’s couldn’t be located in a more unassuming place. It’s essentially a ghetto looking house that is parked in between other dilapidated houses. The only difference between these houses, is that Terry’s has neon lights all over it and there’s a line of people waiting to get inside.

A line of people? For a burger place? Methinks something good is happening in that neon house.

We had to wait for about 20 minutes outside, which didn’t bother me at all because we were able to grab a beer (of which they had tons to choose from) and share dumb guy stories as we waited. Time flies when you’re sharing dumb guy stories.

Once we sat down, I was impressed by how little they had on their menu. It was essentially Burgers and Fries…with various toppings for your burger including lump crab meat, caramelized onions, aged Gruyere cheese, and some other specialty stuff. Of course you could just go with lettuce and tomato if that’s what floats your boat. The only other item on the menu that I couldn’t seem to get past was a Filet Mignon sandwich topped with Béarnaise sauce.

All of the guys ordered their burger options, but it’s in my nature…it’s just who I am…I had to get the Filet Mignon sandwich. And I’m glad I did. I received the best sandwich I’ve ever tasted on Tuesday night – A Filet of Beef cooked to the perfect medium-rare, covered in just the right amount of a beautiful butter and egg yolk sauce that I’d gladly drink from a shoe if offered to do so. Yes, it was a $13 sandwich, but to be honest — that steak would have run you at least $25 if it was sitting on a plate next to some limp vegetables.

Although the phone pictures don’t do a whole lot of justice to the atmosphere of Terry’s Turf Club…I think you get the idea. It’s a diner. It’s filled with neon lights. It feels retro and you get the sense that you’ve been coming there for years even if it’s your first visit. Terry’s had the total package for me, great environment, small menu done really well, and tasty french fries. There’s nothing worse than being known for great burgers and having sucky french fries.

If you live in Cincinnati or you have the chance to pass through – Terry’s Turf Club is a culinary destination worth exploring. Top notch experience. I can see why it’s #1 on UrbanSpoon.com

One of our favorite moments of the night was just before we left. An older gentleman who was eating alone stopped just as he was exiting the door and yelled out to everyone, “OKAY EVERYBODY – WE’RE GOING TO BLESS THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS BY SINGING…

♫ God bless America…
land that I love…
stand beside her….
and guide her…through the night with a light from above…”

By the third word he sang, the entire restaurant burst out in unison to loudly harmonize the rest of it.

It. Was. Epic.

I think I know where I’m taking Allison for our next date night.

Posted in Cincinnati, Food // Cooking | 24 Comments »

Apr

2010

A Refuge for the Coffee…

I can still remember where I was sitting when the thought popped into my head. A comfy orange reading chair in the library of a cruise ship heading to Jamaica was my daydreaming haven. As I let myself drift deeper into Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, it became difficult to fend off the distractions of ideas and possibilities. Everything was new and exciting during that time as we had just launched a risky ship of our own – a church.

It was just one year into the 5 year old project we now call Vineyard Westside. Creativity was rampant within our group as we’d not yet experienced the many failures that were destined to find us. We hadn’t screwed up enough to have the life stamped out of us, therefore, anything was an option. Even a coffeehouse that wasn’t there to make profits.

As I returned home from that cruise to share my idea of a coffeehouse that was owned by the church – I came to find out it wasn’t really my idea at all. I just happened to be in on something that was brewing in the hearts of quite a few people already. We shared our vision, we prayed, and we dreamed about what it would look like to have a business that was really a ministry…that was really a business. What if all the profits of that Biznistry went back to the church and then into the community?

God Himself would have to come through in a massive way if a new little church like us was ever going to accomplish such an undertaking. Where would it be? How would we pay for it? Who would run it?

One prayer leads to another and before you know it someone shows up who wants to use the old bar they own to transform lives instead of take away from them. Thousands of hours in volunteer labor added to a continued vision eventually put skin and bones on what many considered a pipe dream.

It was an honor and a privilege to stand amongst friends who have worked tirelessly oven these past two years to make Refuge Coffee Bar a reality. The West Side of Cincinnati has a new venue for meetings, free wireless internet access, art gallery showings, bands of all sorts, and a great hang out spot. Not to mention the fact that it is the best coffee in town. I might be biased though.

Refuge is open for business. It is located at 5012 Glenway Ave just as you enter into Price Hill. They are currently working on a website and I will share that link once it’s available. I’ve written about the progress of Refuge Coffee Bar before in August of 2008…it’s come a long way:

http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/08/refuge.html

I think I’ll be spending a good bit of my time there. Check it out if you’re ever in the area.

Posted in Cincinnati, Vineyard Westside | 38 Comments »

Nov

2009

Randomography in it’s truest form…

This is my friend Chris.

He is reminding me that Vineyard Westside is doing a Live CD recording on November 10th from 6:30pm until it’s done. Come be in the crowd with us if you’re a Cincy peep. We’ve got serious talent at our church and they’re finally going to be creating something that is available to the masses. The CD should be available by Christmas.

This is my little sister Chloe and my little girl Ava reminding me that it’s getting cold outside.

Somehow, even though I tried to prevent this, summer came and left as I blinked.

This is a Sancho Panza…and I’m not sure a better value exists in the cigar department.

This is Harrison.

He belongs to my Sister-In-Law, Andrea and my Brother-In-Law, Chris.
If either of you are reading this…I love you. Oh, and your boy is a cookie monster.

This is Andrea and Chris’ baby Lincoln. He’s happy.

This photo was shot at ISO6400 and is therefore grainy. Andrea is learning all about what makes photos grainy right now. She’s started taking some serious photos as of late —-> check em’ out. I’m proud of her.

This is the cutest look ever.

And I didn’t take the photo. My little sister-in-law Allayna did with her camera. She’s getting into photography as well…and she too is good at it. I’m proud of her also.

This is a photo of the sister-in-laws, pointing their Canons at me.

This is me with Ava in South Carolina. I miss wearing shorts already.

This is the day Finn was born, and I can’t believe it was over 3 months ago already.

This is self-explanatory.

This is me preparing myself for the day she gets married. Lord, let him be a worthy suitor.

This is me trying to live an interesting life. I wasn’t allowed to blog about this when it took place a few months back. Top secret stuff you know. All I can say is that when you’re given an opportunity to do something crazy, you need to take it.