MasonBuzz.com

Wildflower Cafe is in the running to be named the city’s burger champion in Cincinnati magazine’s Burger Madness contest.

The magazine recently launched round one of the contest, in which readers narrow down votes from among 32 area restaurants.  The “Sweet 16″ finalists will be announced on Tuesday. Voters are also entered into a drawing to win a burger-themed prize package.

Wildflower Cafe, a family-owned business in Mason, says it strives to use locally-produced and organic ingredients in its menu. Its Webb Valley Farm Burger features grass-fed beef, served on a Blue Oven English muffin, with double-smoked bacon and fresh herb aioli.

The restaurant posted a photo of its burger, shown right, on Twitter.

For a list of other finalists or to vote, go to www.cincinnatimagazine.com/burgermadness.

Posted in: Business, News |

Tags: Tags: best burger, burger madness, cincinnati magazine, contest, mason, webb valley farm burger, wildflower cafe

Pitrelli's Italian Ristorante serves Veal and Prosciutto Tortellini and Antipasta in their restaurant in old Mason. The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Searching for the most romantic restaurant in Mason to take your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day?  Search no more.  MasonBuzz readers have voted and the top Valentine’s Day date spot in Mason is… Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante.

The locally-owned family eatery topped the charts with 43 percent of 575 votes cast.  The Claddagh Irish Pub trailed with 32 percent of the vote, followed by Wildflower Cafe with 13 percent, The Polo Grille with six percent and Brazenhead Irish Pub with four percent.

Several readers also left write-in comments for Mimi’s Cafe, Cafe Bella and Aponte’s.

• Photos: Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante voted top V-Day date spot in Mason
• Read: Metromix reviews Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante
  

Jim and Linda Pitrelli launched Pitrelli’s out of their West Chester home.  The husband and wife team were teachers at St. Susanna’s in Mason when the longtime food lovers and part-time caterers got their first big order for their line of Italian sauces from retailer Jungle Jim’s.

It wasn’t long before rave reviews of their sauces and catering led to the opening in 2004 of Pitrelli’s Italian Cafe.  In late 2010, the couple relocated and expanded the now renamed Pitrelli’s Italian Ristorante to 404 2nd Ave. in downtown Mason.

Nicknamed by patrons as the “Italian Cheers” of Mason, the restaurant has become known as a warm and inviting mom-and-pop operation providing authentic Italian cuisine amongst a sea of chain restaurants.

“Forget the big chain restaurants where you are just a piece of plastic,” wrote Lynn Daum in her nomination of Pitrelli’s.  “If you want someplace romantic, try Pitrelli’s.  Comfortable, friendly, great service, and authentic Italian food – not some goo smothered in tomato paste.”

Linda Teater Trammel says she enjoys the restaurant’s ambiance, good food and reasonable prices.

“It has great food, is a romantic setting with great ambiance and being housed in an old post office, it definitely has lots of memories. There is no other place in Mason that has what it has,” she wrote.

“Wonderful violin player strolls among the tables, fabulous food, cozy atmosphere, the food is top shelf. Dessert? The restaurant is is connected to a bakery! Pitrelli’s – absolutely fabulous!” echoed Angelina Mueth.

A serving of cannoli at Pitrelli's in Mason. File photo

The Pitrelli’s say they work hard to create a welcoming atmosphere where patrons feel like family.  The 5,000 square-foot space is broken up into four dining areas to offer diners a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

“When you walk in, it’s like you’re walking into our house,” said Jim. “In the front hallway when you come in, there’s pictures of our family: Linda and I at prom, our wedding photos and family pictures.  That’s part of the charm of the restaurant.”

It’s the restaurant’s homespun blend of ambiance, family atmosphere and its Italian comfort food menu that turns diners into regulars, said Jim.

The restaurant is famous for its signature eggplant Parmesan (believed by many a hopeful pregnant woman to induce labor) and lasagna.  Pizza is also a popular menu offering, said Jim.

“The pizza is phenomenal,” he said.  “We make a really good pizza.”

The restaurant also boasts a full-service bakery, offering cannolis, tiramisu, crème brûlée cheesecake and other sweet treats.

But diners hoping for a Valentine’s Day dinner at Pitrelli’s will be disappointed to know the restaurant is completely booked tonight.

“I couldn’t get Obama in tonight.  We’re booked solid,” said Jim with a laugh.

The restaurant is accepting reservations for later this week and weekend.  To make a reservation, call 513-770-0122.

Have you eaten at Pitrelli’s?  What did you think?  Tell us your experiences in the comments below.

Posted in: Business, Community, News |

Tags: Tags: aponte's, brazenhead irish pub, business, cafe bella, date spot, downtown mason, food, italian, jim pitrelli, linda pitrelli, mason, mimi's cafe, most romantic restaurant, photos, pitrelli's italian ristorante, restaurant, the claddagh, the polo grille, valentine's day, west chester, wildflower cafe

Three Mason restaurants are in the running for local bragging rights.

Wildflower Cafe is up for two honors, both in Enquirer restaurant critic Polly Campbell’s Burger Hall of Fame and as Best Burger in the Best of Metromix 2012 awards.  Here’s Polly’s write-up of Wildflower’s burger:

This little cafe in Mason is all back-to-the-earth and so on. That doesn’t mean they don’t put out an outstanding meat product. Their burger is grass-fed beef from not too far away, with attention paid to each detail. Now, new and improved: they’re served on English muffins from Blue Oven Bakery.

And Metromix’s nomination of Wildflower:

The Wildflower Cafe located in downtown Mason supports its local farmers and food suppliers which is why everything on the menu was purchased locally. The coffee house was built in a 100-year-old house where the owner is the chef and his wife serves the coffee. The daily changing menu is based on what is fresh and seasonal and welcomes patron suggestions. Food choices vary some of which include Sushi Grade Wild Ahi Tuna, Blackened Beef Tenderloin Salad, Tuscan Pasta and Lobster, Crab and Prawn Fra Diavolo. Beverages are all organic and consist of locally roasted coffee, iced black tea, southern sweet tea, hot teas and a variety of bottled drinks.

Polly will decide her Hall of Fame winners on three criteria: 1.  Deliciousness; 2.  Having the great weight of tradition and popular opinion behind it; and 3. Being part of a great burger-eating experience, including side dishes and atmosphere.  Readers can vote for their favorite burger in the Best of Metromix.

Two other Mason restaurants are in the running for Best of Metromix awards: Sichuan Bistro and Blue Ash Chili (which has locations in Blue Ash and Mason).

Sichuan Bistro is being considered in the Chinese restaurant category in the Best of Metromix awards:

Three separate menus: the light and quick Lunch Menu and the Dinner Menu – featuring Chinese American favorites – and the Authentic Sichuan Favorites offering genuine specialties of Sichuan Province and surrounding areas, from mild or hot to the “numbingly” hot flavors. Try the cumin lamb or choose from a wide variety of other dishes. Where else can you have a jellyfish and cucumber appetizer? Beer and spirits also available.

Blue Ash Chili is in the running for best chili parlors:

Who doesn’t love a hometown chili parlor? Blue Ash residents have patronized Blue Ash Chili for 39 years and are especially keen to the restaurant’s enormous and meaty double-decker sandwiches and homemade, Cincinnati-style chili. You’ll also find the usual burgers, breakfast items, fish, chicken, gyros, soups and salads. For dessert, try the summer-time favorite root beer float.

Vote for your favorites in the Best of Metromix now through Jan. 29.

Wildflower Cafe, 207 East Main Street, 513-492-7514, wildflowercafeandcoffeehouse.com

Sichuan Bistro, 7888 Mason-Montgomery Road, 513-770-3123, www.sichuanbistro.com

Blue Ash Chili, 4200 Aero Drive (Mason location), 513-492-9650, www.blueashchili.com

Posted in: Business, Community, News |

Tags: Tags: best of metromix, blue ash chili, burger hall of fame, chili parlor, chinese, cincinnati, mason, polly campbell, restaurant, sichuan bistro, wildflower cafe