Why did I ever leave Ohio?

A business trip called me to Cincinnati recently, and I must say that I did my research before I went. I had heard from a family friend (and native Cincinnatian) there were three things of note:


1. Graeter's Ice Cream
2. Skyline Chili
3. La Maisonette

I only got to try one out of the three recommended items, but I made up for it in other quarters.
Let me start by saying I have tasted Graeter's and it truly is excellent ice cream. I tried three flavors: peppermint, chocolate chocolate chip, and black raspberry chocolate chip. The black raspberry chocolate chip was, by far, the winner, and it is because the raspberry flavor was clean and true. The chips are interesting; they are more like fudgy chunks than hard chips - they have a soft bite to them. I am a big fan of mint, but would have liked to try the mint chip rather than the peppermint. These folks can overnight pints anywhere in the continental US, so if you're so inclined to spent the $70-$100 it costs, by all means invite some friends over and have a party!

I was unable to get a reservation at La Maisonette due to the 72 hour notice requirement. Instead of La Maisonette, I tried The Palace at the Cincinnatian (where I stayed). The food was superb. Since I was dining alone, I did not get an appetizer, but focused my energy on the entree. I chose a stuffed walleye (a local white fish) with Maine lobster, which was served on sautéed baby spinach and shitake mushrooms with a lemon and lobster infusion. The fish was moist and flaky, and was extremely delicious. The staff sent me away with a small box of petit fours, which I was unable to consume at the table. Silly, because I immediately ate them upon returning to my room. One small gaffe: the maitre d' came up to me while I was waiting for my entree to be served, and asked, quite loudly, if I wanted something to read. Unnecessary, on his part, to draw attention to my lack of company.

I had lunch at a private club - the Banker's Club - where a colleage had a membership. The lunch was a large buffet lunch, and there was nothing noteable about it whatsoever (except for the fact that they served Graeter's Ice Cream for dessert). The room looked like a conference room. The buffet selection was large, but virtually tasteless.

Confession: I had the opportunity to try Skyline Chili, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. In Ohio, you can still smoke inside restaurants, and when I entered a Skyline Chili establishment, the smell of smoke was so strong, it completely took away my appetite for the chili. I suppose I could buy some cans, but somehow, it doesn't seem the same.