What you need to know From first jobs to late-night chili stops, Empress Chili has shaped Alexandria residents for four decades. The Alexandria institution will serve its Cincinnati-style chili for 40 years on Sept. 23. In honor of that milestone, the Alexandria City Council recognized Steve Martin, the owner of Empress Chili, for his 40 […]
Category: Restaurants
Posted inNKY Eats
Behind the Recipe: Carmelo’s with Chef Mitch Arens
What is Behind the Recipe? Each month, I (LINK’s digital editor and newsroom food aficionado) am going behind the scenes with a local chef, bartender or barista to learn how their recipes came to be and what makes them unique. This month, we’re stopping by Carmelo’s to hear from chef Mitch Arens. In October, Carmelo’s […]
Posted inCulture
New board game bar coming to Covington
A new board-game themed cocktail bar called Dice on Draft is coming to 5th Street in Covington. “Dice on Draft is a board game bar coming to Covington Fall 2025,” according to the venue’s website. “We will feature 200+ free to play board games, a private tabletop RPG room and unique cocktails as well as […]
Posted inNKY Eats
Fry Guys visit: Bard’s Burgers & Chili
Will Johnson is a member of the LINK nky editorial board, and he loves, loves, LOVES french fries. Come back each month for a new column on deep-fried delicacies around the region. The only thing better than a good french fry is a great french fry. But where have all the great fries gone? Over […]
Posted inCulture
Here are the NKY restaurants participating in Cincinnati Restaurant Week
Join the region for a celebration of culinary tourism in the Greater Cincinnati area with the return of Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week. From Sept. 22 to 28, this is a whole week dedicated to prix fixe three-course menu specials for $26, $36, $46 or $56. The restaurants include an array of dining styles, price points and […]
Posted inCulture
Living the good life in Northern Kentucky’s beer gardens
Joe Schutzman is a Newport firefighter who loves Northern Kentucky’s culture, sense of place – and beer. Come back each month for a new column on the latest brewery opening, Joe’s seasonal favorites, and more. Have you ever asked your dog if he wants to take a walk? Have you ever proposed a trip to […]
Posted inCulture
Sip, stroll, support: first-ever Covington Coffee Crawl kicks off in September
Well, you cannot join along on the first-ever Covington Coffee Crawl on Sept. 6, but you can join the self-guided tour. That’s because all the guided tour spots filled up within an hour of opening the sign-ups. “I honestly was talking with my coworkers, and I was like, ‘Maybe 15 or 20 people agreed to […]
Posted inCulture
In Search of the Best: Korean
Beth McDaniel’s In Search of the Best column explores her adventures in food around Northern Kentucky as she looks for the best … everything! If you have an idea for the perfect something, email Beth at mcdaniel.elizabeth@gmail.com. Click here to meet all of our food writers. One of my first meals in Korea nearly snuck […]
Posted inCulture
Inside LINK: Introducing our new food writers
A couple of months ago, we announced that our food writer, Maria Hehman, who had been with LINK from almost the beginning, would be parting ways with us (we miss you, Maria!). I certainly didn’t think it would be two months before I announced who we had hired to replace her, but that was before I […]
Posted inCulture
LaRosa’s Newport pizzeria dining room reopens with new look
LaRosa’s Pizzeria in Newport has updated its dining room aimed at elevating guest comfort and convenience. After being closed for a little more than 30 days for renovation, the dining room is now fully reopened and offering full-service dining once again. Located at 75 Carothers Road off I-471 in Newport, the location has been in […]
