New Places to Eat in Cincinnati Part 5: Karrikin Spirit Company

A relatively new craft distillery and restaurant opened in Fairfax and I’m so thankful it’s only a fifteen-minute drive from my house because this place is pretty special.  The craft brew scene in Cincinnati has been exploding for a while now, but a spirits distillery brings something new.  It’s a distillery, yes, but it’s also an incredible restaurant.  Airy, open, warm, cozy, and full of character, Karrikin Spirit Company has plenty of seating spread over two large rooms.  You can either have drinks with a large group or have an intimate dinner with a sweet someone.

Karrikin has a rotating drink menu featuring spirits, hard sodas, and craft cocktails.  And if you’re not a drinker, check out the soft sodas.  I ordered a flight of the homemade soft sodas because I needed to try them all and the flight made me feel more sophisticated.  While I enjoyed each,  I think the grapefruit was my favorite.  I also appreciate the whimsy mocktails like the Blood Orange Shrub.  So many drinks, so little time.  My husband was especially fond of the housemade gin and brandy!  The drinks list is pretty extensive.

But Karrikin is far more than drinks; the food is incredible.  The menu, which is all about sharing, includes warm, rich, traditional dishes with a few fun twists.   We chose to sit at the Chef’s Table which essentially is an elevated bar overlooking the chefs preparing food.  I would absolutely recommend it.

Rather than describing each dish, I’m going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

Shaved Apple Slaw

Vinegared Fries

Baked Urban Stead Cheese Curds with Sixteen Bricks Sourdough Bread

Grilled Chuck Roast

We enjoyed every single bite of every single dish that we shared!  But, if you want super standouts, don’t miss the Vinegared Fries and the Baked Urban Stead Cheese Curds. The fries are crispy and then, salty with the perfect hint of vinegar.  And those “cheese curds” are the stuff foodies dream about.  We were scraping the pan trying to get all the cheese out.  So much goodness!  I haven’t been for brunch yet, but it’s on my to-do list.  I have several friends who have gone for brunch and they each sing its praises.  I look forward to working my through the menu!

GO THERE (Karrikin Spirits)! TRY THAT (Urban Stead Cheese Curds, Vinegard fries, spirits)!