Disclosure: The author of this post is related to the mayor of Ft. Mitchell, who is also one of the owners of Jim’s Fine Wine and Spirits.
Fort Mitchell will forever have my heart. This is where I walked home from elementary school each day, where I now stop for my daily coffee, and where I meet friends for dinner and drinks. I can’t go more than a few feet without running into someone I know.Â
Like most of you, my hometown is a large part of who I am, and my hope in this series is to look at each street through the eyes of someone who lives there; to highlight the businesses and people that make those streets what they are. Each place holds something more than just the shops they run. It’s moments and memories we cherish that make these places dear to us.
These spots are mere steps away from one another. As a local, I would consider myself a true expert on each of them. For this Streetscape, come with me to Fort Mitchell’s hotspots on Dixie Highway.
Camporosso: 2475 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell
Originally a gas station, and for the majority of my childhood just a scary-looking garage with antlers, this is now one of the most notable restaurants in Northern Kentucky and it’s gaining national recognition for its food and atmosphere.
Camporosso focuses on Italian cuisine with pizza at the center of its menu. Perhaps that’s why Food and Wine magazine said Camporosso is home to the best pizza in the state.
For that reason, their gorgeous woodfire oven is the focal point of the dining room. Pizzas can be seen sliding into the dome of marbled stone from any seat in the house.
This place is small, there is no doubt about it. Unless you are among the first people there, you will probably have to wait. To accommodate waiting guests, Camporosso adapted its parking lot into a space with a bonfire, so guests may sip an Italian wine to pass the time. In the summer, Camporosso also has extra seats in tents to help cut down on wait time. For a truly Tuscan experience, I recommend coming in early for lunch or a weekday dinner for a seat on the main patio.
Starting with an Aperol Spritz will bring you closer still to that authentic Italian summer. It’s the drink in Italy and far more refreshing on a summer night than a dry red wine.
When it comes to pizza, the Margherita is my personal favorite. For something unique, their Sopressata Hot Honey Pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella, salami and a spicy honey will elevate what we know as a traditional pizza. Prosciutto and fig top a sweet and savory pizza in a combination so good, it may become a pizza for one.
Speaking of size, these pies are smaller than the traditional takeout pizza, so guests don’t have to commit to just one. Bring some friends and order a variety. Once you try one, you’ll want to try them all.
Braxton Barrell House: 5 Orphanage Road, Fort Mitchell
I’ve mentioned before my love of Braxton beers. They are my favorite local brewery, so when I found out there was one within walking distance from my home, I put on my gym shoes and ran there immediately.
It’s a quiet, more intimate setting than the Covington location, making it the perfect spot for an after-work drink with a friend. The drink menu is very similar to its original location with plenty of cans for drinks to go, too. Their outside seating is vast, and you can opt for a covered awning or sit out in the sun. Braxton often pairs its drinks with live music and hosts a variety of events from floral bouquet building to fitness classes.
The space is also rentable for parties and special events. With the help of Braxton’s brewers, guests can create a custom bourbon barrel beer for a truly tailored experience.
Their latest drink Orange and Cream Graeter’s beer, is so wonderfully sweet and yet still refreshing with the orange kick, it’s a must-try next time you go.
If you’ve ever read anything I’ve said about Braxton, you know I’m going to tell you that Scooter is the best beer in NKY and possibly the world. Sipping a Scooter on a summer evening is the right way to close out a day, plain and simple.
Greyhound Tavern: 2500 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell
Greyhound has been a staple in NKY since its founding. The ambiance is so different than that of what I was used to, growing up with sports bars and fast casual dining. I felt fancy, even if I was ordering chicken fingers and fries. As I’ve gotten older, I still feel fancy walking in here and as if I’ve stepped back in time a bit. They take pride in their history and it shows in their décor, dress and atmosphere.
Greyhound feels new and innovative. Through the years, they’ve just stayed true to tradition, and sometimes, that’s all you need.
Though the white tablecloths say “fine dining,” I’ve never shuddered at the bill. Greyhound has found the sweet spot of high-quality dishes without the Michelin Star pricetag.
Newcomers to Greyhound Tavern will never regret ordering the famous fried chicken. Almost anyone from Northern Kentucky, and specifically Fort Mitchell, can probably taste the chicken as they read this sentence. It’s that good.
All of their food is reminiscent of home-cooked dinners and homestyle cuisine. The most unique item and my personal favorite are the goetta eggrolls. These are are savory, crunchy and memorable. My mouth is watering as I type.
Jim’s Fine Wine and Spirits: 2521 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell
As I’ve mentioned, Fort Mitchell is my hometown. Each of these places is linked to special people and memories of mine. I’m sure anyone could do the same with their hometowns, but walk into Jim’s and tell the owners that Maria Hehman sent you, and you’ll see my point.
Jim’s Fine Wine and Spirits recently had a facelift. The restaurant was redesigned for an upscale experience, and Jim’s added a larger selection of liquor with more unique options. The makeover has shifted Jim’s from a quick stop to a sip-and-stay establishment. Rather than heading to a chain, this local shop should be the first stop for Northern Kentuckians.
Anytime I go to the grocery or liquor store I just stand and stare at the options because there are just so many. What’s the right one? Will I regret buying the cheap bottle of wine? All of that goes away here. Jim’s is smaller, less overwhelming and the staff there will help you find the right items. The experience is personalized and catered. Whether it’s a pack of seltzers or a nice wine for a family function, you’ll know you chose the right item.
Little Flour Baked Goods: 2479 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell
The specialty cakes are what this bakery is known for, and those who have seen or tasted them know why.
My siblings got my dad a bourbon birthday cake from Little Flour for his 60th birthday and it was so detailed that I hesitated to cut it. It was art, and I wanted to leave it on display.
If we didn’t cut it open, we would not have experienced the light and airy yellow cake with chocolate buttercream. It was as good as it sounds.
Little Flour also does specialty cookies. They’re perfect for celebrations to add a little extra décor that lasts longer than an ornate cake.
This bakery has been recognized by The Knot and Wedding Wire for its custom Wedding Cakes. To be fair, I judge all weddings by their cake and their cake alone and if you show up with a cake from Little Flour, it’s a perfect wedding to me. They marry artistry and culinary expertise to create both decadent and beautiful desserts.
Little Flour hosts Free Cake Friday every week on its social media channels, and no one is more passionate about this event than my sister.
I know every Friday morning I will be tagged in numerous posts from her about the cake. These cakes are so cute and well-known for their taste, most of my feed is consumed by Little Flour posts on Fridays and for good reason. Who doesn’t want a free cake?
Like my sister, I suggest you keep trying each Friday to win. Until then, I suggest going in and checking them out yourself. Pick up some other baked goods on your visit, too. Their cupcakes will be the perfect treat to tide you over while you think of an excuse to order a custom cake. But, let’s be real, you never need an excuse to order a cake.
If you have a street or city that you want me to check out next for Streetscape, email me at mchehman@gmail.com
