LINK streetscapes: Madison Avenue

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STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

Madison Avenue in Covington is a busy street packed full of eateries, bars, small businesses and everything in between, and it’s worth visiting over and over again.

Walking into the dining room, the senses are immediately struck by the aroma of Taj Mahal’s complex cooking spices like cardamom, coriander, cumin and turmeric that fill the air.

The menu includes classic Indian dishes that feature chicken, fish, lamb, and shrimp to pair with rice. Taj Mahal understands American palates may be deterred by spicy dishes, so they let guests choose their heat level for each dish.

Since Coppin’s is based inside Hotel Covington, it’s recommended that guests who are not staying at the hotel make a reservation to ensure a seat. Coppin’s brunch menu changes with the seasons. For those who want to skip the sweet breakfast entrees and opt for something savory, Coppin’s serves a frittata with optional fillings that change based on what’s in season. Coppin’s currently offers bacon, brussels sprouts, gouda and other fresh produce to spice up custom frittatas so that each bite is filled with something new.

For guests who aren’t shy about their sweet tooth, Coppin’s serves light and fluffy pancakes. They also offer a full coffee and cocktail bar, meaning guests can take their espresso as a martini or latte. Brunch is just one of the restaurant’s options, though. Coppin’s is also open for lunch and dinner.

Agave and Rye: 635 Madison Ave.

When Agave and Rye first opened, no one could get enough and they’re still just as popular. Their creative tacos, spiked spirits and overall atmosphere are a trio as amazing as their guacamole, queso and salsa. Diners can go for an American-style taco with seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, aged white cheddar, diced tomatoes and sour cream; or order one of Agave and Rye’s epic tacos – huge tacos that require two hands to eat and a fork to pick up what’s left. It’s a challenge to eat more than two. A favorite at Agave and Rye is the Bang Bang, with crispy cauliflower, corn fritters, spicy crispy carrots and topped in their iconic queso. They also offer the Queen E with crispy Mahi Mahi and malt vinegar, French fries, chipotle remoulade, pickled red onions, radish habanero slaw, and guacamole. It’s enough to make guests forget they’re eating a taco.

Another Agave and Rye favorite is the Rooster, which comes with fried chicken, mac and cheese, Nashville hot sauce and sweet pickles. Wash it all down with a margarita frozen or on the rocks.

The atmosphere seeks to outdo the tacos as guests are welcomed by a mix of bright bold murals, chandeliers, and sugar skulls on nearly every surface.

Taj Mahal Bar and Grill: 726 Madison Ave.

A newer addition to Covington’s Madison Avenue dining scene, locally-owned Taj Mahal is a must-visit. Taj Mahal sits in a large space right by the Madison theater, and offers a casual atmosphere with a full-service bar where the television usually has a Bollywood film on.

Popular dishes served at Taj Mahal include chicken tikka masala – grilled chicken in a creamy orange curry sauce served over rice. Another favorite is the saag paneer – a dish that features cheese cubes cooked in spinach and cream. The green appearance may not win any beauty contests but the dish holds its own in flavor. Of course, no Indian meal is complete without naan. For those unfamiliar, naan is a thick, fluffy flatbread served plain or flavored with garlic, chicken, cheese, potatoes, spicy red pepper or even nuts and raisins. Taj Mahal’s naan is made in-house and probably could win a pageant prize, as it looks as good as it tastes.

From upscale dining in Coppin’s to eccentric tacos at Agave and Taj Mahal’s classic Indian flavors, this is just the beginning of what this street has to offer.

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

Five inducted into NKY sports HOF

and senior seasons at Newport Central Catholic consisted of a 13-3 record and led the team in batting average. Meyers had 123 strikeouts and 1.32 ERA in his senior campaign. Meyers went on to make his mark at Louisville. He was an All-Conference selection in 1991, ’92 and ’93. By the time his Cardinals career was done, he had become the school’s all-time leader in strikeouts and second in career wins.

for May 15.

What’s the difference in this game compared to a regular baseball game? Banana Ball.

The Bananas, who used to play in the Coastal Plain League, use the basic fundamental rules of baseball as a guideline, but over the years Savannah has developed its own twist on America’s Pastime.

Meyer is once again leading the state in scoring with 35.5 points per game. Ludlow’s Jaxson Rice is third with 30.8, while Covington Catholic’s Evan Ipsaro is 10th with 25.4. Beechwood’s Cameron Boyd is fourth in free throw shooting, hitting 90.6% of his attempts. Newport Central Catholic’s Coby Kramer is fifth in the state with 3.9 made 3-pointers per game. Holy Cross senior Sam Gibson is sixth with 12.6 rebounds per game.

The Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame welcomed five new members during its December induction meeting at the Gardens of Park Hills

December’s class included Mick Abner, Highlands; Victor Brown, Dayton; Glenn Meyers, Newport Central Catholic; Mark Wehry, Holy Cross; and Dennis Wright, Covington Catholic.

Abner was involved in the Fort Thomas Junior League Football Program for 18 years and is a current assistant football coach for Highlands’ freshman team. Abner has also partnered with former NFL player Merrill Hoge to coach USA Football’s under-15 national team.

Brown was a two-way football starter at Dayton High School in the 1960’s, earning Class A All-State honors as a senior. Brown then went on to play in college at Anderson University, where he was a four-year starter on the offensive line.

Meyers’ baseball career during his junior

Wehry is the founder of (859) Sports Radio, which streams area high school games over the internet. He mans the camera and updates the on-screen score, all while doing the play-by-play. He got his start delivering high school athletics to the masses with the Covington Catholic Internet Radio Broadcasting Network in 2004. Prior to that, he had been the PA announcer for Thomas More basketball from 1994-2004.

Wright and his broadcast partner Mike Tussey began calling NKU men’s and women’s basketball games in 2000. After years on the mic for the Norse, they then teamed up in the booth to call Thomas More football. Wright got his start in broadcasting in the mid-to-late 1960’s, working in television and radio. In 1972, he became track announcer at Latonia Race Course. Wright also served as Elder High School PA announcer for 40 years.

Florence Y’alls going Bananas in 2023

The Florence Y’alls have added a game to their 2023 slate and it won’t be any ordinary game. They’ll travel to Savannah, Georgia in mid-May to take on the Savannah Bananas in a showcase game. The game is set

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

“Banana Ball” began in 2018 and has evolved to feature a two-hour game time limit; no bunting; no walks; stealing first base; and counting a foul ball as an out if the fan makes the catch, just to name a few rules.

Other in-game antics include players performing choreographed dances; players wearing kilts as uniforms; teams sending batters to the plate with a bat set on fire; and hitters batting against a pitcher standing tall on stilts.

The Y’alls open the season May 11 against the Gateway Grizzlies at Thomas More Stadium.

NKY sporting some of the top stat stuffers

If you access the stats leaders across the state on the KHSAA website, you’ll see a lot of NKY players and teams on the lists.

Whether it be scoring, shooting, defense or rebounding, there’s plenty of standouts from around the area.

On the boys’ side, Holy Cross senior Jacob

Five of the top 10 scoring teams in the state are from NKY, Highlands is second with 82.4 points per game, Walton-Verona third at 82.3, Holy Cross sixth with 78.5, Covington Catholic eighth at 75.4 and Campbell County 10th at 75.3.

Defensively, Simon Kenton and Cooper rank in the top 10 for points allowed per game, the Pioneers fifth at 47.5 points per game, the Jaguars tied for seventh at 48.3.

Covington Catholic’s plus-16.7 margin per game is eighth.

Beechwood’s 80.6% from the free throw line as a team is second, Covington Catholic’s 78.2 is fifth.

Conner’s 41.6% from 3-point land is fifth, Simon Kenton’s 41.2 seventh, Highlands 40.9 10th.

Holy Cross’ 36.7 rebounds per game is fourth, Campbell County’s 35.3 ninth.

We’ll send out the girls’ NKY state stat leaders in next week’s edition.