Several people have asked me where they should eat before or after attending the Cincinnati Open, which runs through Aug. 23 at the Carl Lindner Family Tennis Center, in Mason. In response, I’ve put together this list of what I think are your 10 best options, all of which are located less than 8 miles from the action.
One thing you’ll learn if you’ve never been to Mason is that this Cincinnati suburb is by no means a culinary wasteland. In fact, they have one of the most diverse dining scenes in the area, which is why my list represents everything from Turkish to Sichuan to Mexican fare.
Sichuan Bistro (5.5 miles)
At Sichuan Bistro, Sichuan peppercorns work their magic, numbing your tongue just enough to endure the heat of the cuisine. Their mapo tofu (available with minced pork or as a vegetarian entree) is excellent, as are the hot and sour soup and chewy, spicy dan dan noodles. There are two menus available, one for novices and one with more authentic Chinese dishes. My advice: Try as many things as you can.
7888 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, 513-770-3123, sichuanbistro.com. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.
Tortilleria Garcia (2.4 miles)
This popular and pioneering Mexican restaurant is owned by Omar Garcia, who grew up in Michoacan, Mexico, on a farm where his family grew corn. It’s also where he learned how to ground corn into masa, part of the reason why he makes the best corn tortillas in Greater Cincinnati. Along with excellent tacos and burritos, the restaurant is known for its rotisserie chicken, specifically the whole chicken served with Garcia’s tortillas for just $12.99.
4200 Aero Drive, Mason, 513-486-4016, tortilleria-garcia.com. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-8p.m. seven days a week.
S.W. Clyborne Co. Provision & Spirits (3.9 miles)
Opened in 2018 by Mason residents Scott Schmidt and Will Wadsworth, Clyborne offers well prepared crowd-pleasers including Southern fried chicken, shrimp scampi, sweet corn and tomato carbonara, crab-crusted Lake Erie Walleye and poutine. There’s also a large menu of sharable dishes and fresh salads.
5948 Snider Road, Mason, 513-204-7922, clybornes.com. Hours: 4-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Two Cities Pizza (2.6 miles)
Two Cities’ pizza is so good that I recently included it on my list of the top 15 in Greater Cincinnati. The thing that sets this popular Mason restaurant apart is that they serve both New York-style pizza and classic Chicago deep-dish pizza. In the latter category, try The Wrigley, stuffed with mushrooms, spinach, red onions, feta and mozzarella and topped with summery red sauce. The tomato sauce is light and chunky, and each bite gives way without so much as a pull. There’s also parmesan fries, Waldorf and Cracked Pepper Caesar salads and a full bar.
202 W. Main St., Mason, 513-770-0000, twocitiespizza.com. Hours: 3-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.
Truva Turkish Kitchen (7 miles)
A mainstay for Mediterranean food, Truva has plenty of light, healthy options after a hot day of watching tennis. Try the cheesy Spinach Borek or the appetizer platter for four – the latter includes enough food to be considered an entree. Branzino is filleted tableside, giving Truva some white tablecloth flare. Other good options are the okra stew, moussaka and a shepherd casserole of lamb sauteed with garlic, onions, fresh herbs and tomatoes.
5065 Deerfield Blvd., inside the Deerfield Towne Center, Mason, 513-486-1856; truvaturkishkitchen.com. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Wildflower Cafe (2.3 miles)
About two decades after opening in a century-plus-old home, Wildflower Cafe is still a Mason favorite. Chef and owner Todd Hudson crafts dishes made with seasonal, mostly local ingredients. There’s a Freedom Run Farms lamb meatloaf, lemon chicken and a burger from Dogwood Farm. Appalachian asparagus is topped with Benton’s country ham, the restaurant’s own eggs and heirloom beans. The list goes on. Reservations highly recommended.
207 Main St., Mason, 513-492-7514, wildflowermason.com. Hours: 4-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Phoenician Taverna (5.3 miles)
Phoenician’s Lebanese-focused menu is outstanding, and owner Wassim Matar will make your dinner feel like a lively family gathering. Go with his mezze plates, especially the muhammara, a blend of walnuts with a pomegranate reduction, the eggplant ratatouille and the pumpkin kibbeh. The super tender sliced lamb loin with fresh herb sauce is also a must. Actually, almost everything else on the menu is, too. Reservations highly recommended.
7944 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, 513-770-0027, phoeniciantaverna.com. Hours: 5-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5-8 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.
Dolsot Bistro (5.4 miles)
Dolsot Bistro specializes in bibimbap, a bowl of rice topped with meats or tofu, vegetables, spicy sauce and fried egg. You can order it in a regular bowl or a dolsot, a piping hot granite bowl that crisps the rice in the bottom (I suggest the latter). Dolsot Bistro also offers a bulgogi burrito served in a fried flour tortilla and Udon noodles stir fried with vegetables.
7876 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, 513-492-7006, dolsotbistro.com. Hours: Lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Dinner, 5-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Quatman Cafe (2.6 miles)
If you’re feeling like a casual lunch at a simple, affordable cafe, Quatman’s has got you covered. Opened in 1966 in Norwood, the Mason location offers outstanding burgers and sandwiches as well as mock turtle soup, a Cincinnati classic in its own right.
224 W. Main St., Mason, 513-229-0222. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Closed Sunday
Fifty West (7.2 miles)
Since opening as a brewpub inside a historic house on Route 50, Fifty West has expanded into a family friendly phenomena with three locations serving some of the best beer and burgers in town. What makes those burgers extra special is that they represent all of the states along Route 50, which runs from the East Coast to the West. There’s the Kansas burger with barbecue sauce, American cheese and coleslaw. My favorite is the Indiana, topped with fresh corn salad, American cheese and lettuce. Sandwiches and salad are also available.
5224 District Park Drive, Deerfield Township, 513-834-8789, fiftywestbrew.com. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 10 great restaurants to try within 8 miles of the Cincinnati Open
Reporting by Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
