(Article Published in September 2025 Clintonville Spotlight):
By MATT BLAIR
It is almost time for local foodies to grab their appetites and empty stomachs for this year’s Taste of Clintonville.
The event is organized by Experience Clintonville and presented by Kemba Financial Credit Union. It takes place on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mozart’s Café, 4784 N. High St.
A couple of dozen restaurants and beverage providers will be featured, as well as live music and gift card raffles.
“The Taste of Clintonville event is an amazing way to promote our incredible neighborhood and the fantastic small businesses and organizations that make it a great place to live, work, play and — most importantly for this event — to eat,” said Anand Saha, Mozart’s owner and co-founder of Experience Clintonville.
This year’s event also presents an opportunity for the community to show off its charitable side. With fantastic food on the menu, it seemed appropriate to organizers that the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center’s Choice Food Pantry could benefit from the event.
A portion of Taste proceeds will go to the CRC. The agency also plans to raise additional funds and awareness during the event. as it faces unprecedented demands for its services while government funding has been cut.
“The CRC has been impacted by funding cuts this year and is in increased need for donations to continue having a positive impact on the lives of many individuals and families across the area,” said Melanie Ash, Experience Clintonville president and owner of Fitness Evolution Studio.
The Taste of Clintonville has become one of her favorite events.
“It is a neighborhood favorite that folks look forward to every year. Not only does it showcase Clintonville’s many culinary delights, but it also highlights the community’s best event space at Mozart’s,” she said.
“Attendees get to sample tastes from a variety of cuisines and cultures and get introduced to businesses that may be new to them. Plus, it is a delight for all ages, a family-friendly way to spend a beautiful evening eating, drinking and visiting with neighbors and friends.”
Tickets will be available online through Eventbrite, by searching for the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center, or can be purchased in person at Mozart’s.
Some of the businesses which had signed on for this year’s event include Aladdin’s, Cakes & More, Habaneros, Pat & Gracie’s, Gatto’s Pizza, Mozart’s, G.D. Ritzy’s, Global Gallery.
Restaurants were still being added to the lineup as Spotlight deadlines passed. Search for Experience Clintonville on Facebook to see the latest updates.