This week, Streetscapes heads to Crestview Hills, where we visit outposts of three locally owned chains. We’ll sample Chinese and Belgian cuisine, then finish off with some unique desserts.
Asiana Thai and Sushi
With its original location in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood garnering success and a loyal fanbase, Asiana opened its second location in Northern Kentucky.
Asiana serves traditional Thai food, broken down into stir fry choices, noodles, fried rice and curries. It of course offers pad thai, but it also offers a twist on this popular traditional dish, Asiana crispy pad thai. It’s got the same peanut flavor with an added crunch. The Siam fried rice or massaman curry are noteworthy choices for those not wanting noodles. All entrees are customizable with choices of proteins: chicken, tofu, veggie, beef, pork, shrimp, scallops or even squid.
Asiana serves sushi a la carte for those wanting to sample new flavors without committing to an entire roll. There are plenty of rolls, too, from traditional options like California and Philly rolls to larger, speciality rolls.
Asiana’s desserts can’t be overlooked. Fried banana and ice cream is an ideal sweet treat to cool diners down after some spicy food. For a more refreshing option, their mango and Thai sticky rice is delightful.
Asiana’s space is limited, but there’s sidewalk seating in warmer months. Lunch specials are ideal for those on a short lunch break or in need of a break from shopping.
Taste of Belgium
Taste of Belgium got its start in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine in 2007, and the food quickly became some of the most coveted in the area. Belgian waffles and frites have since taken over hearts and stomachs across Greater Cincinnati as Taste of Belgium has grown to nine Tri-State locations. The Crestview location is the only one in Northern Kentucky.
ToB restaurant is best known for its breakfast and brunch offerings – from waffle and chicken to goetta hash – that beautifully blend Belgian classics with Cincinnati staples. Both those items are available all day, along with a few other breakfast dishes. For lunch and dinner, there’s also mussels, Brussels sprouts, and frites and dips as appetizers. Along with a recent remodeling, ToB brought back beloved staples including the original frites (with dipping sauces!) and its gourmet pop tarts.
Crepes, salads and a whole lot of handheld options complete the menu, with ample options in both Belgian and American cuisines. There’s indoor and outdoor seating; with its recent facelift, the interior is as picturesque as the food is delicious.
For guests wanting drinks and light bites, the side patio is the perfect spot to grab after-work drinks.
Milk Jar Cafe
Milk Jar serves guests a taste of childhood with three unique dessert offerings.
The Cincinnati-based chain has seven locations north of the Ohio River. NKY is home to the newest location, in Crestview.
Milk Jar took some of the most popular desserts in the nation and brought them to the area. Guests no longer have to dream of desserts from viral videos; they now can experience these tasty treats in real life.
Milk Jar’s first offering is Thai rolled ice cream. Milk and cream are poured on an anti-griddle (a fancy device that flash-freezes the liquid), where it’s mixed with various toppings and thinned out before being rolled into swirls of ice cream. There are a dozen flavors and over 40 toppings, from fruit to candy to cookies and sauces.
The second offering is tea. By name alone teas may seem, uhh, boring, but these are anything but. What makes them a dessert and not a basic beverage is what’s added. Milk Jar has milk teas, fruit teas and milkies (think a melted milkshake) on the menu – all of which come in endless options.
Drinks can be customized with a milk cap (a sweetened cream cheese foam), boba or jellies. Thai tea milk tea and the matcha latte are perfect for those who want classic tea flavors with some sweetness. Milkies are for the sweet tooth fanatic. From Oreo to Taro, these drinks will please every palate.
The last offering is straight from every kid’s dream: cereal bowls. Not just cereal and milk, these cereal creations pair your childhood favorite breakfast with candy, cookies and any topping guests choose.
What to Know If You Go
Asiana Thai and Sushi
Location: 2886 Town Center Blvd., Crestview Hills
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-8:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, noon-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-7 p.m.
Website: asianathaisushi.com
Phone: 859-578-9999
Taste Of Belgium
Location: 2833 Dixie Highway, Crestview Hills
Hours: Monday-Tuesday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Website: authenticwaffle.com
Phone: 859-341-1400
Milk Jar Cafe
Location: 2870 Town Center Blvd., Crestview Hills
Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Website: milkjarcafe.com