If the walls at Sorrento's Restaurant & Lounge could talk, patrons wouldn't be able to get a word in edgewise. That's because the building dates back to the late 1800s, when it served as a general store and pit stop for travelers on their way to downtown Cincinnati. If that isn't enough to whet a local historian's whistle, the place was then transformed into a full-fledged steakhouse in the glitzy, Bogart-dominated 1940s, and officially became Sorrento’s Restaurant & Lounge in 1964. After a few changes in ownership and a major renovation, Sorrento's is still doing what it's always done best: serving up classic Italian pasta dishes and charbroiled steaks.

It's not just about the historic digs or the prime cuts of beef, though. Guests can also order up anything from classic chicken parmigiana meals to meatball hoagies blanketed in provolone cheese. The vino is worth mentioning, too—the place features a variety of meal-enhancing wines, including the Australian-based aptly named Sorrento Shiraz. After meals, patrons can move to the piano bar for a live performance or a dramatic reading of the specials.