Cactus Pear

Cactus Pear Restaurant Review:

This Southwestern bistro near the University of Cincinnati campus draws a college crowd for its Margarita Mondays, Brewsday Tuesdays and its signature smoky roasted tomato salsa. Don't let the dark color of the salsa fool you --- it's that way on purpose. The roasted tomatoes are a little blackened, and the chips and salsa alone are reason enough to stop in. Cactus Pear also attracts a following of vegetarians with a menu that includes items like tofu, portobello or eggplant fajitas and kale chips as a side. Burgers and steaks are available, and Cactus Pear serves a surprising selection of Tex-Italian pastas; the house specialty is red pepper noodles. Of course, this casual hangout is a bit dark and dated, and it can be pricey for what it is: not exactly Mexican and not exactly authentic anything else. But you can't go wrong with a plate of fajitas, especially if you wash it all down with a margarita or two. And don't forget to try the guacamole. For dessert, there's white chocolate bread pudding or a fried ice cream sundae with caramel sauce and whipped cream.