By Chuck Martin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

More than 200 people savored an early preview Monday night of Taste of Cincinnati, at the Best of Taste.

Owner of Ron's Roost, Ron Larkin , shows off his white chocolate cheesecake, the winner of Best of Taste 2004's Best Damn Dish. (Melissa Heatherly photo)

Usually the event, at which restaurants put up their best dishes for judging, is open only to VIPs, elected officials and the judges. But to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Memorial Day Weekend (May 29-31) event, organizers opened Best of Taste at the Hyatt Regency, downtown, to the public this year.

"We just like to eat," said Angel Hough of Hamilton who came to the event from Hamilton with her boyfriend, John McWilliams. "And at $15, it's a steal."

Judges awarded Ron's Roost of Bridgetown a prize for its white chocolate cheesecake as the best overall dish in the competition. The cheesecake also won in the desserts category.

Other winners in respective categories:

Best appetizer: Song Long, Roselawn (Curry Chicken Wings).

Best soup or salad: Patoshnik's, downtown (Lisa's Famous Salad).

Best entree: Arloi Dee, downtown (Chicken Curry).

Best seafood entree: Johnny Chan 2, Symmes Township (Crispy Jumbo Shrimp).

Best vegetarian entree: Courtyard Cafe on Main, downtown (Black Bean Burrito).

If you go

What: Taste of Cincinnati

When: Noon-midnight, May 29 and 30; noon-9 p.m. May 31.

Where: Central Parkway, between Elm and Main streets, downtown.

Cost: Free.

Information: www.tasteofcincinnati.com