December 29, 2023

Kid Free Chicago Getaway | 沒帶小孩的芝加哥行

December 29, 2023/ Brandy C.

Second time visiting Chicago, but the goal is not to hit up all of the touristy spots. To take full advantage of this kid-free vacation, our main objective is to sleep. Big thanks to my mom for taking care of the girls and letting us have this getaway. I love you mommy!

重遊芝加哥，踩點是其次，做自己想做的才是重點。沒帶小孩出遊，我們當然要睡飽飽，然後以龜速打理好自己才出門。在此，真心感謝我媽對我們這麼好，一打二在家顧小孩。我愛你媽咪！！！

Prime and Provision

http://primeandprovisions.com

$1 oysters during Happy Hour, on weekdays from 4-6. Other great bites are served as well!

週間4點到6點有生蠔一顆一塊錢的Happy Hour，還有其他小點選擇。

McDonald’s Global Menu Restaurant

http://mcdonalds.com

Can order McDonald’s items from other countries, such as the Japanese Ebi (shrimp) burger and Thai french fries! So cool!

在美國竟然能點到麥當勞在其他國家限定的食物，像是日本蝦漢堡還有泰國蕃薯薯條，超酷的啦！

Aji

http://ajiomakase.com

Sushi omakase is not something that we get to enjoy as often as we did before kids. It’s been so long since we’ve had sushi prepared for us at the counter by a sushi chef!

想說吃點小孩不宜的餐廳，決定來吃日式無菜單料理。大家坐上位後師傅就開始包壽司給大家吃，好久沒坐在壽司台前吃日本料理了。

Christkindlmarket

https://www.christkindlmarket.com/

One of the must visit Christmas market in the US!

被選為美國最有聖誕節氣息的市集之一！

December 16, 2023

2023 November List | 十一月清單

December 16, 2023/ Brandy C.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. No need for superfluous decorations, and no worries about buying gifts. Simply gathering among friends and family to reflect on gratitude. This year’s Thanksgiving we spent it with our dear friends M&L’s family. So grateful that they have looked after our entire family since we moved to Cincinnati.

感恩節是我最愛的節日之一！不需要花俏裝飾品，更不需要絞盡腦汁買禮物，一家人聚一起回顧一整年感謝的事，最愛這種樸實過節的方法。今年感恩節我們在很照顧我們的M&L家過，謝謝他們全家從我們到這裡時就很照顧我們一家人。

Friendsgiving

Never thought our little house can host so many people to celebrate Friendsgiving! What a night! Everyone brought their signature dish, and I smoked a turkey for the first time ever and it was a success!

感恩節前夕，朋友們一起來我們家慶祝！沒想到我們小小的家能擠進這麼多人，真的特別開心。大家帶了拿手菜分享，而我（第一次）準備煙燻烤火雞，超級成功！

Mita’s

https://www.mitas.co/

This restaurant has been on my list since the summer when we moved to Cincinnati, and it did not disappoint! Every dish we ordered came as advertised. This place is perfect for friends gathering or date night!

好吃耶！暑假搬來之前心心念念想來的餐廳，好險沒讓我們失望！每道菜都有達到我們的期待值，絕對適合約會或是朋友聚會來的餐廳。

Cafe Mochiko

http://cafemochiko.com/

If you don’t want to wait in line, come here at 5pm when they open. They offer seasonal ramen, but supply runs out fast. They have quite the fan base, and is definitely the best ramen place in Cincinnati!

不想等的話，5點一開絕對要在門口簽到！店裡時不時會推出季節限定拉麵，但晚到賣光就吃不到。每天生意好到不行，說是辛城最好吃的拉麵店絕對不為過！

Sotto

http://sottocincinnati.com/

Sotto is our favorite restaurant in Cincinnati! After a football game, UN and I came here for early dinner, and we loved every bite! Must order is their donuts for dessert, definitely save room for them!

介紹完我們在這裡最愛吃的拉麵店，Sotto是我們在辛城最愛的餐廳！上次看完美式足球比賽，我和UN一起來這裡！天阿，我倆一直讚不絕口！最後一定要點甜甜圈，超級飽也要點喔！

December 12, 2023

Greater Cincinnati Japanese Restaurants Review | 大辛辛那提日本料理評比

December 12, 2023/ Brandy C.

（中文翻譯請往下滑）

Greater Cincinnati encompasses Northern Kentucky, Southeast Indiana, and Southwest Ohio. Even though the Asian population is scarce here, we would always hear Japanese when we shop at the Costco in Northern Kentucky. After some investigation, I found out that Kentucky has the biggest Toyota plant in the US. At the No. 1 Children’s Hospital in the Nation, there are many Japanese researchers. Which led me to think, there must be some authentic Japanese restaurants! We were stoked when I found three Japanese restaurants near us! (Finally no more avocado and mayo/cream cheese sushis)

Matsuya Japanese Restaurant

7149 Manderlay Dr, Florence, KY 41042

Entering the restaurant transported us back to Okinawa. The daily recommendations are written in Japanese on a white board. I’m happy that I can still read some Japanese! The English and Japanese menu brings back so many great memories. The sushi chef chatted up his customers at the bar, and there’s a tatami dining area. The dishes that we ordered easily won the approval of our babies.

Nagomi Japanese Restaurant

Nagomijapaneserestaurant.com

Smaller portion, don’t ask if we got full. Like the other two Japanese restaurants, they serve hand rolls and sushi rolls.

Mei Japanese Restaurant

http://www.meijapaneserestaurant.com/

This was the one Japanese restaurant I most looked forward to because of all the reviews. But maybe it got hyped up too much. I feel like the quality of the food does not justify the price. But I was still satisfied that I got to eat authentic Japanese cuisine. Btw, the minimum spend to get a private dining area is $100.

大辛辛那提區涵蓋北肯德基州、南印第安納州、俄亥俄州東南邊。雖然這帶亞洲人極度少，但我們常在北肯德基州的Costco聽到日文。於是我開啟偵探模式，發現這裡有Toyota美國中部最大廠。而在全美第一名的兒童醫院裡，有許多日本來的學者在做研究，我就想⋯這裡應該會有正宗日本料理吧！果然不出所料，被我找到三間道地日本料理店，讓我和UN都好開心！（終於不用吃酪梨壽司和奶酪壽司）

Matsuya Japanese Restaurant

7149 Manderlay Dr, Florence, KY 41042

一進去，感覺像回到沖繩。白板上用日文寫著今日特餐，好開心自己還能看懂日文字，菜單上一堆日英文參雜，真的太懷念了。師傅在吧檯邊做壽司邊和客人聊天，餐廳裡還有榻榻米區。這次點這幾道菜，寶寶們超捧場。平時不愛吃肉，今天卻把牛舌吃光（爸媽只能吃牛舌屑屑）。我點的壽司omakase，絕對是大辛辛那提裡最好吃的（三間裡價位最親民）。