Dining

How fun is Chalk? Very. The menu is kitschy with entrees like, Cow #1 & Cow #2.

Lavomatic Brunch is the perfect way to start your Sunday. I highly recommend the shrimp & grits. Don't be put off by the mention of porkbelly in the description. It's subtle. The omlette du jour was great today. And the special, pulled pork on griddle cakes smelled amazing.

The staff goes out of their way to be accommodating bringing extra ice for tea and extra baguette for toast. It was easy to get a table the past two weekends. I'm hoping this becomes a habit.

Can't wait to see Funny Games at Esquire. It seems odd that a remake would be almost exactly the same as the original made just a few years ago (1997).

TAZA is a new not-for-profit coffee house opening in the Uptown area. We will be located at 2900 Jefferson Avenue in the former Buzz coffee house building. TAZA will strive to be a home away from home andoperate around three principles: Coffee, Community, and Creativity.

I really like Christian Moerlein's OTR Ale, but last night I tipped a couple of their new Fifth & Vine Oktoberfest Marzen and I may have a new favorite. I don't know how different this was from Moerlein's prior Oktoberfest Marzen, but I would love to have this all year round. I look forward to repeated sampling this beer, and will stock in my fridge if I see it in stores.

Get your taste of it today and tomorrow at the Moerlein OTR Ale Haus at Findlay Market Square. The Ale Haus is open until 9PM on Saturday and 5PM on Sunday.

Add another new Downtown restaurant into the mix in the BackStage/Fountain Square areas.

Nada, from the owners of Boca in Oakley, are planning to open by Christmas.

Nada will fill the spot on the corner of Walnut and 6th Streets in the location of Bella's which closed because of reported corporate problems.