LINK Streetscapes: Romantic spots for Valentine’s Day

BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

Valentine’s Day comes during one of the coldest, dreariest months of the year when many could use a day dedicated to love and warmth. A challenge for some each Valentine’s Day is finding a cozy, comforting, and hopefully romantic place to celebrate. This Streetscapes, feel the love found in Northern Kentucky’s eateries.

Carabello Coffee

Carabello has been an NKY staple since its founding by husband and wife duo Justin and Emily Carabello. They sought to create a space that would bring the community together. In a video about the origins of Carabello, Justin Carabello explains “coffee is the means to relationships,” which is why so many have found themselves enjoying a drink in their coffee shop, and usually in good company.

For those who aren’t looking to spend an arm and a leg for Valentine’s Day, Carabello is also an easy alternative without sacrificing romantic ambiance.

Each year, the Carabellos use their coffee shop to bring couples – new and not-sonew – together for Valentine’s Day. Carabello is transformed from a bright coffee shop to a candlelit room with linen-draped tables. The ticketed event offers couples a special tasting menu served over a one hour period. The menu is specially curated for this event and includes three drinks each and two desserts to share, all set to live music. Tickets are $46 per couple.

That event is planned for the evening of Feb. 11. The day before, Carabello is making room for gals with “Galentine’s Day.” The event is designed for best friends to grab a coffee and toast to their relationship with hot chocolate, desserts, two signature drinks and a photo booth for this ladies only event.

Bouquet

For those with dietary restrictions, dining out can be a challenge. However, Bouquet in Covington offers vegan dishes, varying charcuterie boards with plant-based cheese, and is best known for its fresh, farm-to-table food.

The chefs at Bouquet take their food seriously. They frequently share photos of their artfully crafted dishes on social media to whet appetites with photos of perfectly pink steaks, zaatar onions and poblano peppers; or braised carrots with arugula, mushroom, corn and red pepper hummus.

Bouquet is located in the heart of Mainstrasse. Upon entering, guests are greeted by colorful walls, stained glass windows, and a spacious dining room. Bouquet uses every nook and cranny for its seating, so tables are plentiful but still feel private.

The location in Covington’s hub paired with its delicious menu and plentiful seating make Bouquet a great choice for couples looking to dine out this Valentine’s Day.

Mrbl

For those seeking a decadent and romantic ambiance for the evening, this new-tothe-scene restaurant in Bellevue is a great option. A glass elevator takes guests to the restaurant, where the first thing one notices are the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Ohio River and offer a view of the Cincinnati skyline.

MRBL specializes in surf and turf, with steak, lamb, and pork options alongside a sushi menu, seafood appetizers like the blue crab spinach dip, and ahi tuna tacos.

MRBL is celebrating Valentine’s Day on both Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 with a four course menu for guests to try both their sushi and steak offerings. Cost is $100 per person with an optional wine pairing that can be added on for $50 per person. MRBL also allows guests to preview its regular menu and make reservations online.

Ripple Wine Bar

Romance doesn’t always have to include candle lit dinners and caviar. Ripple Wine Bar takes a more modern approach to a romantic setting with white walls, light wood tables, and mosaic tiles to brighten up the space.

Sharing a bottle of wine and charcuterie board here can turn an afternoon into a mini-European vacation.

Ripple is also a tasteful option for those who aren’t looking for a multi-course meal, though the menu is plentiful with dishes like filet mignon, mushroom pasta and scallops with the right wine to match. Anyone who isn’t a sommelier can rely on the Ripple’s expert suggestions to maximize their wine tasting experience.

Valentine’s Day is about appreciating the most important relationships. Whether that’s with friends or significant others, Northern Kentucky has an array of options and experiences to fit any style.

Have a city, street or business you want me to check out next? Email me at mchehman@gmail.com and it could be featured on the next LINK streetscapes.

What to know if you go:

Carabello Coffee

Location: 107 E. Ninth St., Newport

Hours: Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

Website: carabellocoffee.com

Bouquet Location: 519 Main St., Covington

Hours: Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday

Website: bouquetrestaurant.com

MRBL Location: 119 Fairfield Ave., Suite 427, Bellevue

Hours: Open 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday; 4:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday

Website: mrblsteak.com

Ripple Wine Bar Location: 4 West Pike Street Covington

Hours: Open 4 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight

Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday

Website: ripplewinebar.com

Settlement reached in St. Henry student death

In June 2020, St. Henry high school soccer player Matthew Mangine Jr. collapsed on the field during a training session and later died. The family has now reached a settlement with his former high school, the Diocese of Covington, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare, where the school’s athletic trainer is employed.

The settlement was reached three days prior to the case going to trial.

The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in November 2020, alleged that over 10 minutes passed after Mangine Jr. collapsed before EMS arrived and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to try to revive him.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleged that the school was in violation of state law and Kentucky High School Athletic Association policies. Kentucky high schools are required by law to create and train location-specific emergency action plans, or EAPs, that outline the nearest location of emergency response equipment and how to use these devices properly.

At the time of Mangine’s collapse, the athletic trainer supplied by St. Elizabeth Healthcare was on the other side of the campus at another soccer practice, and the coach at the scene didn’t have the keys needed to retrieve the nearest AED. The medical examiner listed the cause of death as “undetermined” with the primary complaint as cardiac arrest.

Mangine’s family founded The Matthew Mangine Jr. “One Shot” Foundation, a nonprofit to bring awareness to emergency response and the installation of AEDs on sidelines of sports venues, following their son’s death.

Faust breaks Ninth Region career wins record

St. Henry boys’ basketball coach Dave Faust is now the all-time wins leader in the Ninth Region, passing Kenney Shields in the Crusaders win over Bluegrass United on Jan. 27.

Shields was on hand to present Faust the game ball afterwards, with Faust earning his 461st career victory and passing up Shields’ 35-year-old record. Now in his 31st year as head coach of the Crusaders, Faust had many former players in attendance to witness the feat.

Faust played at Newport Central Catholic, where he is a member of its hall of fame, before continuing his playing career at Thomas More, where he is also a member of the school’s hall of fame. As a high school coach, Faust has compiled a 461-383 record. He was 32 years old when he became St. Henry’s coach, beginning with the 199293 season.

He’s won the school’s only Ninth Region title to date and three All “A” state championships in 2003 and 2020 and ‘21. He’s won the All “A” Ninth Region tournament eight times.

Not just the boys’ basketball coach, Faust has also been a teacher all these 31 years.

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

Holy Cross girls win All “A” state title, boys runner-up

The Holy Cross basketball programs nearly pulled off something that’s never been done before. Both the boys and girls teams headed to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond to compete in the All “A” Classic state tournament and both nearly came home with the championship trophy, something that had never been done before in the 32 years of existence for both tournaments.

The girls won the title with a 65-61 victory over Bethlehem, defeating Leslie County, Owen County and Pikeville along the way. Junior Julia Hunt was named the tournament MVP while seniors Nejai Lewis, Aleah Arlinghaus and Sarah Bottom were named to the All-Tournament team.

The boys fell just short in the championship game to Evangel Christian, 65-62. They defeated Danville, Hazard and Owensboro Catholic to get to that point. Senior Jacob Meyer was named the tournament MVP. Seniors Sam Gibson, Javier Ward and Matthew Dreas were named to the All-Tournament team.

It was the second All “A” state title in program history for the girls. The boys were denied their fourth All “A” state title in their fifth trip to the title game.

Newport Central Catholic girls win region bowling title, Dayton boys runner-up

After earning the No. 2 seed in the first round of the 5th Region tournament, the Newport Central Catholic girls’ bowling team made their way through the bracket with wins over Highlands and Campbell County to win the region and remain undefeated.

The victory over Highlands was in four games, winning 3-1. They followed it up with a 3-0 win over the Camels.

The bowling team coached by Denny Barnes consists of: Mia Buemi, Rylee Clore, Eva Greene, Reagan Hill, Amy Kelly, Nora Kelly, Trinity Marron, Reilly McMahon, Katie Meyer, Allison Meyers, Avery Moeves and Annika Obert. Obert took home first place in the regional singles bowling tournament, Buemi finished fourth place individually as both qualified as individuals for the state tournament as well.

Despite having the No. 7 seed in the 5th Region bowling tournament, Dayton’s boys bowling team made a run all the way to the finals before losing to Pendleton County.

First they defeated Highlands, 3-2, then Simon Kenton, 3-1, before coming up short in the championship to reigning champ Pendleton County, 0-3.

Dayton’s boys team is coached by Rebecca Holaday and team members include: Nick Baldwin, Zyon Barnes, Diem Donnerson, Brayden Hall, Nick Holaday, Connor Huebner, Connor Hurtt, DeAngelo Jimenez, Landon Jones, Russell McIntyre, Jose Sanchez, Enrique Soard and Cooper Sparks.

Both teams competed in the KHSAA state tournament Feb. 6-8.