My husband, Steve, travels A LOT.  I mean like every weekend a lot.  It’s been traveling off and on for most of the 9 years that we’ve been married but that’s okay.  I knew what I was getting into when I said “I do” and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

We have been blessed over the years to have him work at some amazing places and with some amazing people but I have to say that his current job is probably my favorite.  He is the Assistant Production Manager for TNA Wrestling.  I’m not afraid to admit that I love professional wrestling.  It has been a guilty pleasure of mine since I was a kid (more on that later!).  You can imagine my reaction when he got this job!  The past couple years have been an awesome opportunity to meet some of the most amazing, entertaining people I have ever encountered.  My life (and our marriage) are much better for them.  They certainly make our lives more colorful!

I have the pleasure of travelling with Steve several times a year which is always an adventure.  Usually he’s so busy (I mean he is working after all) that we don’t get to spend much time together but I find ways to entertain myself.  I love museums, zoos & aquariums, parks and outdoorsy stuff so it’s never hard to keep myself occupied.  I’m a self-taught, wannabe photographer too so it doesn’t take much to amuse me!

We had a rare occasion on a recent business trip to Cincinnati, Ohio to have a date night.  An online gaming friend of my husband’s suggested we check out SENATE Restaurant.  For someone who’s never met us and hardly knows us, he nailed us perfectly.  It’s a hip gastro-pub in the up and coming trendy Vine St. neighborhood.  If I could pick this place up (and the whole area for that matter) and move it to Nashville I definitely would!  Their menu consists of gourmet street food, local beer and hand-crafted cocktails.  For anyone who knows me and Steve, you know that those words describe us to a T.  I had one of the best hot dogs I’ve ever eaten (the Hello Kitty with cole slaw, bacon and wasabi peas on a brioche bun) which just so happens to have been featured in the latest issue of Food & Wine magazine (http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/hello-kitty-hot-dogs-cocktails-2011).  How cool is that?  Try it with a cocktail or local brew and you won’t be disappointed!  The cocktails are fresh and made by the skilled bartenders right in front of you.  The open kitchen allows a view of the wood fired grills and the chef’s creating your food.  The atmosphere is hip and energetic.  It is all the things that we like in a date-night restaurant!

Check out their Facebook page for the daily dog inspired by and named after celebrities.  It’s amazing how a hot dog can perfectly describe a person!  A couple weeks ago Senate pub caught a case of Beiber fever and I have to say now I have too!  Since I haven’t tasted their original I’m not sure how close I am but it was dang tasty!

SENATE Pub inspired “Justin Beiber” dog

• 1 package chicken sausages (usually 4 per pack)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large Vidalia onion, halved and sliced thin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 8 slices applewood smoked bacon, cooked to your liking
• 4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
• Crushed pretzels
• Your favorite BBQ sauce
• Hearty hot dog rolls, brioche rolls, hoagie rolls

In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, heat butter and olive oil until melted.  Add onions and salt & pepper.  Cook 3-5 minutes until they start becoming translucent.  Add sugar, stir and reduce heat to medium-low.  Cook, stirring occassionally, until brown and carmelized – about 15 minutes.

While onions are cooking, heat grill pan or electric grill to high.  Cook chicken sausages according to package directions (they should be fully cooked already, you’re just heating them up and getting grill marks).  I start mine in a hot grill pan on the stove until they get grill marks on each side and then transfer them to the oven to finish, about 7-8 minutes total.

To assemble dogs: Place 2 slices bacon on bottom of roll, top with sausage, onions, BBQ sauce, goat cheese and crushed pretzels.  Serve immediately.

The moral of this story is, don’t be afraid to try something new.  One of our favorite things to do when we travel is discover the city/region by it’s culinary voice.  I love coming home from a trip and recreating my experience with food.  There are a handful of restaurants I’ve visited across the country that truly inspire me.  SENATE Restaurant is definitely one of them.  If you find yourself in the Cincinnati area for any reason make sure you stop by and say hello (kitty, ha!).  You won’t be sorry, believe me!

SENATE Restaurant http://www.senatepub.com/

Check out the daily dog on their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/SENATE-Restaurant/134193393637

More shameless self promotion:  Check out my Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/mndapnda421/ for more TNA Wrestling, zoo/aquarium and lots of random photography.