Blue Elephant Thai, Sushi, and Italian Restaurant (Hyde Park- Cincinnati, Ohio)

"Get Your Roll On" by Big Tymers

Sushi Edition
Blue Elephant is a small restaurant located in the Hyde Park/Mt.Lookout area of Cincinnati, Ohio. The restaurant offers a variety of food featuring sushi, Thai cuisine, and Italian cuisine, but sushi was on my plate for this review. In the Cincinnati area it is sometimes hard to find good sushi, no less, seafood in general so I figured I had nothing to lose.

My first impression of the restaurant was,"whoa, this is pretty nice for a sushi restaurant." The restaurant provides a casual to fine dining atmosphere with 'romantic' lighting and dark wood furniture, and also provides the option to dine outside on their small porch area. The only negative to the outdoor seating is that is on the street side so it can become noisy, however how often do you find sushi with an outdoor seating area?

What I Ordered
Edamame
Miso Soup
Spicy Tuna Roll
Volcano Maki Roll 
(I was hungry, what can I say?)

The presentation of the food was great and it tasted just as great. The edamame was cooked to perfection and the miso soup was also delicious. Sometimes sushi rolls are not rolled tight enough and it becomes a mess to eat; that was not the problem here. The sushi chef rolled tight rolls that made for easy eating.  

My bill totaled about $27.00, but on an average day when my eyes aren't bigger than my stomach a meal may run you closer to $15.00. 

Knowing that a lot of the sushi restaurants in the area offer half priced sushi specials, I asked if they had anything alike. Unfortunately, they do not at this time.  


Overall, the restaurant is located in a fun area of town, provides a great atmosphere, and good sushi. I am very interested in returning to try their Thai and Italian options. The restaurant could be the setting for a great first date. Prices are higher than average, but not too expensive and is nice enough to wear a dress and heels to without feeling overdressed. With great bars located within walking distance, it is convenient to get a night cap if the date goes well.

The Rankings:
Price: $$$
Quality: B+ 
Actual Number of Meals: Depends/this order=2 meals
Date-Ability: First Date

Want Blue Elephant? (Contact Information)
Blue Elephant Website 

Krishna Indian Restaurant and Carry-Out (Clifton, Ohio)

"Jai Hi" Remixed By Pump Sisters
 
My History with Indian Food:
If you would have asked me four years ago if I liked Indian food I would have answered quickly with, "No, absolutely not!" This being despite the fact that I had never tried Indian food before.

My first introduction to Indian cuisine came while I was studying abroad in Australia. After trying several different dishes during my stay there I decided that I was very fond of the Indian cuisine.

Upon my arrival back to the States, many people were recommending that I try "Krishna's" a small Indian restaurant located in the heart of Clifton, near the University of Cincinnati campus.

Krishna Indian Restaurant and Carry-Out: 
Krishna's is a privately owned restaurant that just opened a second location in Oxford, Ohio near the Miami University campus. They offer a wide variety of chicken and vegetarian options which you are then asked to rank on a scale from 1-6 on how spicy you would like it, 6 being the spiciest. 

I would describe the atmosphere as a hole in the wall kind of place. There is very limited dine-in seating consisting of about four wooden booths each seating four people. In the summer, Krishna's does offer outdoor seating where they bring out bistro style tables and chairs for a sidewalk view, great for people watching. Despite the small eating area, it is extremely clean and the staff is very friendly, but the staff does not speak great English so be patient and they will help you find a meal you will greatly enjoy.

I have been to Krishna's many times by now. I order the Chicken Tikka Masala number spicy level 8 (if you give a wink to the owner he'll be more than happy to let you order off the scale) with a piece of Garlic Nan. The portions are huge and the food is 100% ethnic and tasty. They offer a lunch special where plain or garlic nan is free with your purchase. Depending if I am eating lunch or dinner my meals typically average $11.50- $15.00 which includes rice, nan, and the main dish.

Overall, it is one of my favorite finds. I try to eat there at least once a week and have never had a meal that I have not enjoyed.

So Here are the Rankings:
Price: $$$
Quality: A (Woo!)
Actual Number of Meals: 2- 2.5 
Date-Ability: Not a date place...grab lunch here. To impress, claim it is a great little place, 'you found.'

Want Krishna's? (Contact Information)