No plans for Spring Break? No worries!

You don’t need to buy a plane ticket or pack your crew into the car for a (entirely too long) car ride. And, you’ll be home in time to watch your favorite shows.

Here’s a tasty idea that will not only tantalize your tastebuds, it will make you feel like you’ve traveled the world. Enjoy “Spring Break eats in your backyard.” It’s as easy as closing your eyes and picking a place on the map. Think of us as your travel agents, since we’ve done the hard work for you!

**Experience Lebanese-American** **cuisine**

Aladdin’s
1203 Main St., OTR
3664 Edwards Road, Hyde Park
9344 Union Centre Blvd, West Chester

If you want to feel good, eat good. The Mediterranean diet is widely regarded as one of the healthiest in the world because it focuses on fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables, seafood and grains.

Lucky for us, there are a number of restaurants serving up delicious dishes guaranteed to fill you up and make you feel great.

Best Dishes: Hummus, tabouli, dawali, spicy fried cauliflower, Genie’s Combo Plate, Mujadara plate, and any of the pitzas or salads.

For the adventurous eater: No major surprises on this menu, but if you love a flavor explosion, check out the Mujadara plate! It’s full of flavorful lentils and rice topped with lebanese salata and fried onions!

For the picky eater: Start with hummus, a creamy blend of chickpeas puréed with tahini and lemon juice drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Dip fresh veggies or pita slices in it.

Dietary preferences: Gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and vegetarian? It’s easy to find a dish that fits your preferences here.

Kid-friendly dishes: From beef kafta with basmati rice, grilled chicken tenders, chicken and cheese pitza, and more, the kids’ menu offers a taste of Aladdin’s menu without being overwhelming.

Languages spoken: Lebanese-American and English.

Words and phrases: “Hayda tayyib” – “This is tasty!”

Hours and more info at https://aladdins.com.

Bridges Cuisine
4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside
2459 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills

Dive into a drool-worthy favorite, Momos. The steamed dumplings are filled with veggies, chicken, and pork grew in popularity at Bridges’ Northside location and were only served on the weekends. Now, served daily, momos can be steamed or pan fried. You can also purchase frozen momos in store to enjoy at home.

Best dishes: Bridges offers many delicious options, with noodles, rice bowls, and dumplings, but the momos are a must order.

For the adventurous eater: Check out ‘Woh’: Ground mixed lentils, marinated in fresh ginger and Nepali spices, seared to a pancake patty - comes with a side of your choice!

For the picky eater: Keep it simple with an order of spring rolls and a rice bowl with your choice of meat toppings.

Dietary preferences: Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options are available.

Kid-friendly dishes: rice bowls with veggies!

Languages spoken: Nepali and English.

Words and phrases: “Namaste” – “Hello” or“Greetings”

Hours and info at www.bridgesnepalicuisine.com.

Uncle Yip’s
10736 Reading Road, Evendale

Dim sum is one of the most iconic food traditions in Chinese cuisine. It comprises a wide range of delicious small dishes typically served in steamer baskets or on small plates. Dim sum dates back thousands of years, to the ancient Chinese Song dynasty.

Dishes to try: Soup dumplings, Taro cakes,

For the picky eater: Keep it simple with Taro cakes and house Shumai

Dietary preferences: Vegetarian and gluten-free diets can work here. Just steer clear of dumplings if you’re GF, and confirm dumpling fillings before ordering.

Kid-friendly dishes: Fried and steamed rice options are typically available on the carts.

Languages spoken: Chinese and English.

Words and phrases: Check out this article on Dim Sum etiquette and more!

Hours and more info at www.uncleyips.com.

Mita’s
501 Race St.

Dishes to try: Don’t miss the paella! Make sure to order it as soon as you’re seated, as the delectable dish takes 30 to 40 minutes to prepare and cook.

For the adventurous eater: Try a bit of everything, especially Quesos Y Embutidos (cheeses and salt-cured meats), warm marinated olives and drunken goat cheese.

For the picky eater: Twice-fried plantains tossed in garlic butter, served with crushed avocado dip taste like an elevated version of your fave chips and queso!

Dietary preferences: Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free preferences can be accommodated. Just check in with your server.

Kid-friendly dishes: Patatas Bravas, fried potato wedges tossed in spicy pimenton oil, are always a hit.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Words and phrases: “Buenas tardes” = good afternoon: “Adiós” = Goodbye, “Buenos días” = Good Morning; “Por favor” = Please; “Gracia”: = Thank You!

Hours and info from https://www.mitas.co/about.

Pata Roja
52 E. Court St.

Dishes to try: Birria tacos, al pastor.

For the adventurous eater: Sweet potato bowl, which is diced sweet potato, rice, black beans, pickled cabbage, pico de gallo, cilantro and Mexican cream salsa.

For the picky eater: Try the Pollo burrito.

Dietary preferences: Gluten free (corn tortillas and chips), vegan, and vegetarian options are available.

Kid friendly dishes: Chips and queso

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Words and phrases: “Buenas tardes” = Good Afternoon; “Adiós” = goodbye; “Buenos días” = Good Morning; “Por favor” = Please; “Gracias” = Thank You!,

Hours and info https://www.patarojatacos.com.

Green Papaya
2942 Wasson Road, Hyde Park
4002 Plainville Road, Mariemont

Dishes to try: Green papaya roll (sushi), Green Papaya mango fried rice, Panang curry, Green Papaya salad, shumai, Tom Kha (coconut soup)

For the adventurous eater: Try a Thai favorite, Khao Soi, egg noodle with chicken, broccoli, red pepper, red and white onion in northern Thai curry sauce.

For the picky eater: A side of jasmine rice and steamed veggies with chicken.

Dietary preferences: Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy free preferences can be accommodated. Just check in with your server. (FYI, many noodles used in Thai cooking are naturally gluten-free!)

Kid friendly dishes: Popcorn chicken (breaded chicken pieces - like chicken nuggets, but better!)

Languages spoken: Thai, English

Words and phrases: “Sà-wàt-dee” (Sa-wot-dee ) = Hello. “Khop khun” (Kob - coon - Ka) = Thank you.

Hours and info at https://greenpapayacincinnati.com

Onolicious Hawaii
1005 Walnut St.

Dishes to try: Spam Musubi! Don’t by shy, this Hawaiian dish is loved for a reason! Marinated grilled spam and steamed rice, wrapped in roasted seaweed and topped with sesame seeds.

For the adventurous eater: Mix plate - choose up to two proteins, with two scoops of steamed rice and side salad.

For the picky eater: Eggs and rice, two organic eggs and two scoops steamed rice. green onion and Papaya string garnish.

Dietary preferences: Gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian.

Kid-friendly dishes: Keiki rice bowl, a small kids-size portion. Comes with one scoop of rice and your choice of meat.

Languages spoken: Hawaiian and English

Words and phrases: “Aloha” = Hello and Goodbye

Hours and info at hhtps://www.onoliciousgrinds.com

A Taste for Adventure

At the Plate

Food for Thought