By Polly Campbell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Where to eat during Tall Stacks (Oct. 15-19) :

There will be food available from concession stands during Greater Cincinnati's big party on the river, and many of the cruises will feature special meals, but those trips are mostly sold out.

But if you want to sit down for a meal, there are many riverfront restaurants. Some will be open extra hours or doing things a little differently to accommodate the extra people downtown for Tall Stacks. Most of these restaurants are on the Kentucky side, but if you're on the Ohio side, it's easy to get over by walking the Suspension or Purple People bridges or taking the water taxi.

Here's a sampling of Tall Stacks dining:

• Zebo's Bistro at the Cincinnati Marriott Rivercenter in Covington will be going all-out thematically, decorating its river view dining room like a riverboat. The entrance will be via gangplank, and Mark Twain and Stephen Foster will be special guests. It's creating a paddlewheel lounge where patrons can wait for a table and have a drink, featuring entertainment and an ice cream soda bar.

Oct. 17, there will be a "Huck Finn" buffet with fried chicken, a salad bar and a display of apple and blueberry pies. Oct. 18, there will be a buffet including prime rib and seafood served 2-5 p.m.. Cost: $13.95. From 5-10 p.m., with more items, the buffet will be $19.95. Zebo's regular Sunday brunch will be Oct. 19. Reservations required: (859) 392-3750.

• The Chart House in Newport will open its lounge 2 p.m. each day of Tall Stacks, serving drinks and hors d'oeuvres, and will be open for dinner at 5 p.m.

•  TGI Friday's at Covington Landing will open for breakfast at 9 a.m. Oct. 18-19, and stay open through the rest of the day. It will be a simple menu of omelets and breakfast club sandwiches. Friday's also will extend its special deal of two entrees and an appetizer for $19.99.

• Mike Fink in Covington, serving a somewhat limited menu during Tall Stacks, is accepting reservations. (859) 261-4212.

• The Waterfront in Covington will delay its usual winterizing and leave its open-air barges in place so people can sit outside and watch the riverboats go by. The summertime menu will be available, and perhaps hot chocolate.

• Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse, on the Ohio side, will open for lunch at 11 a.m. Oct. 18-19.

E-mail pcampbell@enquirer.com

Tall Stacks Guide