LINK Streetscapes - Rivercenter Boulevard

Powered by Merk and Gile, Injury Attorneys

PHOTOS AND STORY BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

As the weather gets warmer, many of us to flock to the nearest patio or park to fully embrace the sunshine. Rivercenter Boulevard in Covington has some of the best patios and views in all of Northern Kentucky. For this Streetscapes, grab your favorite coffee and come take a walk with us on Rivercenter Boulevard in Covington.

Its 3 Billy Goats sandwich with salami, soppressata, prosciutto, spinach, goat cheese and olive is best paired with its famous tater tots.

One of the best-selling items – the pickle fries – will give guests their fried-pickle fix in a unique way, whether ordered as a starter or an additional side to any sandwich. They’re much smaller than traditional pickle spears and less salty than pickle chips, making for the perfect poppable side.

Y’all Café Rivercenter standout on the lunch menu would have to be Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, a filling and refreshing meal to fuel a busy summer day. For those looking for something more grab-and-go, right next door is Butler’s Pantry.

Y’all Cafe boasts an ample outdoor patio, excellent for enjoying a morning mimosa. Only a year old, Y’all Café has quickly become a coveted spot for breakfast and lunch. Conveniently located, this is an easy stop to grab a bite to eat before heading over the river.

Butler’s Pantry

cheese fritters and ending with bourbon bread pudding, it will be sure to provide a perfect NKY experience. Mash and Oak has drawn more than just hotel guests. With its five-day-a-week happy hour or its Bourbon Tuesdays, there are plenty of reasons to visit. The ever-changing menu is perfect for guests who want a unique culinary experience with each visit.

Have a street, city or business you want to see covered next? Email Maria Hehman at mchehman@gmail.com and it could be featured on the next installment of LINK Streetscapes.

What to Know If You Go:

The Gruff

For a view with a laid-back ambiance with cheap and satisfying eats, The Gruff is the spot this summer. The Gruff doubles as a restaurant and small shop serving local bourbon, beer and wine and is most famous for its creative brick-oven pizzas, including a Brussels sprouts pizza with Applewood smoked bacon, green onion parmesan and mozzarella and topped with a lemon vinaigrette.

Patrons looking for something heartier have the task of choosing between the truffle sausage, smoked brisket and Philly cheese steak. And yes, those are all still pizzas. The traditional crust is thin and crispy, making the perfect crunch after it cooks in the brick oven. Gluten-free or health-conscious guests can also order their pie on a cauliflower crust.

In addition to pizza, The Gruff offers cold and warm sandwiches as well as salads.

Breakfast patrons can’t go wrong with the specialty quiches; the y’all super quiche with shallot, bacon and gruyere; or a rotating seasonal vegetarian quiche. Omelets, biscuits and gravy and avocado bruschetta are among the other enticing choices.

For guests visiting at lunch, Y’all offers burgers, sandwiches and salads. The

Butler’s Pantry is quick and convenient, offering both a market and a café. Like Y’all Café, it has ample outdoor seating that is covered and illuminated with twinkle lights. The main difference between the two is that Butler’s Pantry is more coffee shop-style, where guests order and wait for their food. For guests who want a grab-and-go, this is a great option. Go ahead and grab an iced coffee here and sit on the patio before heading out to enjoy a walk along the river.

Mash and Oak

Located inside the Marriott Rivercenter, Mash and Oak is everything guests want when it comes to bourbon and Midwest cuisine. Mash and Oak aims to put an end to the stereotypes around hotel restaurants by elevating everything from its menu to the overall dining experience.

The menu rotates seasonally and features sustainably sourced local ingredients. Starting with mac and pimiento

Location: 129 E. Second St., Covington

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, closed

Website: atthegruff.com

Phone: 859-581-0040

Y’all Café Rivercenter

Location: 50 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Website: yallcaferivercenter.com

Phone: 859-292-1699

Butler’s Pantry

Location: 50 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Website: butlerspantrymarket.com

Phone: 859-292-1699

Mash and Oak

Location: 10 W. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 5-10 p.m.

Website: mashandoak.com

Phone: 859-261-2900

It was early March. Winter was on the way out, and senior Kathryn McLagan was in a quandary. Mere weeks from the start of the season in her last year on the Villa Madonna softball team, there were just six players in uniform under new head coach Tony Fields.

“We were really nervous we weren’t going to have a team,” McLagan said.