Six Greater Cincinnati Restaurants to be Featured on 'America's Best Restaurants'

Several Greater Cincinnati restaurants will be stepping into the spotlight after being selected to be featured on America’s Best Restaurants (ABR).

America’s Best Restaurants is a national media and marketing company that focuses on bringing attention to local, independently-owned restaurants. Its ABR Roadshow is a web series that highlights individual restaurants across the country, including many in the Greater Cincinnati area, where ABR has an office.

Local restaurants to be featured include Cafe Alma, The Purple Poulet, Kelly Q’s & Whipper’s Dairy, Lisse Steakhuis, Bouquet and Hansie Flip Burger.

Cafe Alma (6111 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge)

ABR will visit this Pleasant Ridge eatery for filming and to interview owners Yair and Lainey Richler on Monday, Aug. 5. Cafe Alma focuses on healthy and flavorful dishes with Mediterranean influences, like hand-rolled Montreal-style bagels and challah that are made daily; BYOB (Build Your Own Bagel) sandwiches; hummus; medi mezze; salads and bowls; and more. Popular dishes that may be highlighted in the show include the rosewater pistachio waffle with coconut whipped cream or the Blazin’ Balkan, a variety of shakshuka with roasted eggplant, olives, chili flakes and feta.

The Purple Poulet (846 York St., Newport)

The Purple Poulet is a Southern bourbon bistro in Newport that offers elevated dishes with French influences. ABR will film here and interview owners Rich and Roxanne Zumwalde on Monday, July 29.

“We rely on word of mouth for a lot of our advertising,” Rich told ABR in a press release. “This would be really a great opportunity in terms of getting people familiar with us. [If] we get some new people to come in, then it’s up to us to get them to come back.”

Popular menu items you may see on ABR include the “Swanky” Shrimp-n-Grits served with a bourbon-cream pan gravy; the Chef’s Seafood Melange, a variety of seafood with potatoes, zucchini and a Creole sauce; deep-fried deviled eggs; and the famous fried chicken, which Southern Living named the best in the state.

Kelly Q’s & Whipper’s Dairy (188 N. Main St., Walton)

ABR will visit Kelly and Jackie Hunter’s Walton diner, Kelly Q’s & Whipper’s Dairy, on Monday, Aug. 5. Kelly will talk more about what the restaurant means to the tight-knit community.

“When you come in, you experience a small hometown feel,” Kelly told ABR. “What we are most proud of here at Kelly Q’s is our hard-working staff. You’re only as good as the people you work with.”

The restaurant offers a menu of popular American dishes, including sandwiches, dinner platters and barbecue. It also has a full ice cream selection.

Holland Farms Restaurant Group

ABR’s stops include three Northern Kentucky restaurants owned by Holland Farms Restaurant Group: Lisse Steakhuis (530 Main St., Covington), Bouquet (519 Main St., Covington) and Hansie Flip Burger (134 N. Main St., Williamstown). Key staff from each location will be interviewed and popular dishes highlighted.

Lisse Steakhuis is described as a "traditional American steakhouse with a strong Dutch influence," featuring dishes with Black Angus and Wagyu beef from Holland Farms, as well as signature cocktails. ABR will visit on Thursday, Aug. 1.

ABR will also visit Bouquet Aug. 1 to highlight the restaurant’s farm-to-table bistro experience that utilizes regional foods and ingredients.

And Hansie Flip Burgers’ visit will be Friday, Aug. 2. The casual joint offers burgers made with local ingredients and housemade sauces, sides and milkshakes.

ABR says it will announce the air date of each episode on its social media sites at a later date. To be featured on ABR, restaurants can either apply at americasbestrestaurants.com or can be nominated by customers.