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Toro Tonto (T-bone steak), taco salad and Margaritas are served at La Pinata Mexican Restaurant in the Bridgewater Falls shopping plaza.Click to enlarge

Each week, the staff of GO! magazine provides a suggestion on local dining options. Our food columnists set out to find a unique eatery and share it with hungry readers. The following is a compilation of some of our recent food stories throughout 2008.

La Pinata: We just focused on this Mexican restaurant in last week's edition, but the food — and the photos — were worth a second mention. Yum ... on so many levels.

"A trip to La Pinata in Fairfield Twp. is like taking a mini-vacation to Mexico. The brightly colored walls, Spanish language television and traditional Mexican food keep visitors happy and coming back for more," wrote food columnist Teri Horsley.

La Pinata, 3425 Princeton Road, Fairfield Twp. (In the Bridgewater Falls shopping center); (513) 863-1230.

Raja India: This restaurant continues the Indian tradition of presenting exotic cuisine that's prepared with a gentle blend of herbs and spices. It serves foods from the Northern part of the country with exotic curries and Tandoori specialties. "We try to feature as many types of meats as we can on our menu — including beef dishes, which is unusual for an Indian restaurant," said manager Vaishali Datta.

Raja India, 6188 Tylersville Road, Mason; (513) 770-0500, www.raja indiarestaurant.com.

Izzy's: "Sandwiches come in whole or half portions at Izzy's and feature corned beef, roast beef and pastrami, and homemade chicken, egg and tuna salad. Specialty plates are often named after Cincinnati celebrities and items like the Joe Walter Combo features the former Bengals' favorite oven-roasted turkey breast, black Angus roast beef and American cheese with lettuce and tomato piled high on whole wheat bread," wrote food columnist Teri Horsely.

Izzy's, 8179 Princeton-Glendale Road, West Chester Twp.; (513) 942-7800, www.izzys.com.

Wild Bistro: At the Wild Bistro in Oxford, Seer Chen makes the sweet 'n' sour and spicy sauces for their authentic Asian cuisine daily, or as needed, in house. "The portions are large, but if a customer has room for dessert, there are several to choose from, including Sesame bananas," wrote food columnist Sue Perine O'Reilly.

Wild Bistro, 37 E. High St., Oxford; (513) 523-5888.

M café & bistro: "M café and bistro is located inside the Wingate by Wyndham hotel, and diners can expect a light menu with an extensive wine list," wrote food columnist Teri Horsley.

M café & bistro, 7500 Tylers Place Blvd., West Chester Twp. (off Tylersville, inside the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel); (513) 777-1101, www.mcafeandbistro.com.

Take 5 Bar & Grill: "It's the menu that separates Take 5 from your run of the mill bar and grill," wrote food columnist Teri Horsley. Both the lunch and dinner menus are served all day at Take 5, with the Reuben, Double Decker, and the Take 5 Veggie Sandwich already listed as customer favorites.

Take 5 Bar & Grill, 3320 Tylersville Road. Fairfield Twp. (at the intersection of Tylersville and Bypass 4, behind Speedway); (513) 892-6555, www.Take5barandgrill.com.

Colors Cafe: Writer Teri Horsley loved the look of this dining place. "Entering Colors Café in Mason is like walking under a rainbow. With the brightly colored restaurant walls and a pink play area for children, the cheery atmosphere is sure to make kids of all ages smile." In addition to original menu items with unique style, the eatery offers homemade soups and hand-dipped ice cream. Colors Cafe; 5948 Snider Road, Mason; (513) 336-0850.

Ryan's Tavern:  At this new Irish pub in downtown Hamilton, the music is becoming as popular as what's on the menu and on tap at the bar. Recent performances have included Eric Leyton, Whiskey City Sounds, Dan Spencer and others.

The menu includes sandwiches such as the Ryan's Tavern Burger, the Ryan's Reuben and the Blarney Dog, which is a half-pound, foot-long hot dog covered with chili, mustard, onions and cheese.

Dinner entrees include the Luck of the Irish — the fresh catch of the day — as well as the Tavern Baked Chicken, Filet Mignon and Jumbo Shrimp. There are also a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, pasta and desserts. Lunch combos that feature a half sandwich and soup. Tavern specialties include the Shepherd's Pie, Fish and Chips and Certified Angus Beef Meatloaf.

Ryan's Tavern, 241 High St., Hamilton; (513) 737-2200, www.ryanstavern.com.

West Side Cafe: The West Side Cafe, appropriately located on Hamilton's West Side in the plaza with Hobby Lobby, Staples and BW3s, offers a daily breakfast menu featuring various egg dishes, pancakes, french toast and scrambled eggs topped with ham, sausage, bacon, onion, mushrooms and cheese.

Lunch options include deli selections, such as the West Side Club, stuffed with ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese and mayo. Another choice is Edna's Homemade Chicken Salad, which has become a customer favorite.

"I get a lot of requests for my homemade chicken and tuna salad as well as my chili and cole slaw," said owner Edna Hart.

West Side Cafe, 752 N.W. Washington Blvd., Hamilton; (513) 867-9378.

Bottums up: While this entertainment venue offers food, we took a look at its most popular offering: trivia. The bar hosts competitive trivia on Mondays and DJ Ricky D, the host, awards prizes. "I try to make them not too easy and not too hard," Rick Lawson said. He doesn't even mind if people try to look up the answers on the Internet —because they're often wrong, he said.

Bottums Up Tavern & Grill, 2229 N Verity Parkway, Middletown.

Have an idea?

Do you know of a restaurant you'd like to see in GO! magazine? E-mail suggestions to rjones@coxohio.com and tlhrsly@cinci.rr.com.

Comment: What's your favorite restaurant and why?