Restaurants in Covington

With a no-nonsense approach to barbecue brilliance, the menu at One Star Ranch provides barbecue appetizers and barbecue sides next to barbecue meats covered in barbecue sauces. Kick off the Q with a half-tub of onion rings ($4.99) or a platter of 20 wings ($14.99); then, ignite the rib flight with a regular order of pork ribs ($11.99), a half slab of baby-back ribs ($13.99), or a heartily stacked regular plate of One Star Ranch's signature beef ribs ($16.99). Full of meaty hunkaliciousness, the generously portioned ribs allow hands and mouths to happily tug from the bone in pursuit of the napkin-laden finish line. All rib orders, barbecue chicken orders, and barbecue plates come with two sides. Side dishes include Brunswick stew, baked beans, coleslaw, green beans, corn on the cob, and jalapeño cornbread, all made daily from scratch and scientifically designed to complement the flavors of the ribbery’s mouthwatering sauce.

Begin a flavorfully peripatetic meal by meandering like Odysseus through Veranda's $5 tapas menu and slaying calamari, capsizing xtapodi (citrusy char-grilled octopus), spearing Aegean skewers (scallops, shrimp, salmon, zucchini, and plum tomatoes), mispronouncing kolokithokeftedes (two golden zucchini cakes with feta crème), and heroically defending your tongue against the onslaught of potato croketes (croquettes with melted-cheese centers). A gyro platter ($14.95) or lamb souvlaki ($13.95) keeps traditions hot. Or rewrite classics with a beefy three-skewer plate ($13.95) and a mixed-grill order (lamb and pork chops with a chicken kebab, $23.95). No trip to the Aegean would be complete without an order of baklava ($5), so take the opportunity to bestow your tongue with its Hellenic richness. This Groupon is also valid for Veranda's bountiful lunch buffet.

Taverna Fiorentina's authentic cuisine speaks passable English to taste buds of American descent, although its accent is strong enough to convey extreme deliciousness no matter what it's saying. Begin a romantic dinner on the sidewalk patio with an antipasto board for two ($22) before cranking up the Italirator with a pasta dish, such as the orecchiette with Italian sausage and broccoli ($16). Vegetarians can satisfy their green tooth with unmeaty offerings, such as the ravioli gnudi, stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese, and served with cherry tomatoes and parmigiano cheese ($16). Meanwhile, diners terrified of iron deficiency can sate their savory side with a slab of rib eye topped with caramelized onions and served aside fried polenta and broccoli ($24). Unlike stodgy desert-island chefs, Taverna Fiorentina's chef will be happy to accommodate your dietary needs and restrictions, including gluten-free entree preparation, upon request.

Chef George Rasovsky draws upon his Czech heritage and arsenal of European spices to elevate his menu to gourmet realms. His dishes spotlight fresh herbs, organic produce, and top-quality proteins, such as free-range chicken, Atlantic salmon, and filet mignon, as well as rich sauces inspired by French and Mediterranean cuisines. The chef also curates an extensive wine list that includes red, white, and organic selections from Europe, California, and Argentina. This fusion of Southern charm and European elegance extends to the dining room, which occupies a restored historic home outfitted with umber hues, exposed brick, and a dark-mahogany tapas bar.