PRidgeFlyer

^ I would have stared the renovations by getting rid of the horrible drop ceiling in there and ended them by changing the concept to something other than another piano bar. That said, I think this one probably has the best chance based on their location near the hotels. It's the kind of safe (lame) concept that should play well to the out of town convention / wedding crowds that stay there.

The Q was rocking on Saturday night. The Queen City is Haunted Walking Tours were leaving from the Q Info Center and the two groups I saw leave were huge. Senate was overflowing as usual, Lavomatic had a really nice crowd , and the Lackman was about two cab loads of people away from being one-in, one-out. If they can add a few more unique restaurants (like A Tavola) and a couple of small bars to the area it's really going to take off. Right now, the only limitation seems to be the amount of people that can be accommodated by those three establishments.

They can add that distinction to their 2nd place finish in the 2008 America's Best Bathroom competition sponsored by Cintas. These pictures don't do it justice. http://www.bestrestroom.com/us/Hall_of_Fame/2008/21c.asp

Gotta give it up for Bellaire's favorite son Ted Lavigne <img src="http://unrealitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tedlevine_l.jpg">

Not entirely surprised about Booty's, but I would have liked to see it succeed. Their restaurant concept was all over the place and while I thought the food was pretty good it wasn't really notable for any reason. I think they should have devoted a lot more of their sq footage upstairs to the bar area which seemed to be where they did most of their business, but it could only accommodate so many people. The first floor space was a total waste as well. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100914/ENT01/309140108/1026/Jeff-Ruby-to-close-Bootsy-s

I think the city / police are recommending that communities initially use this tactic instead of petitioning the State ABC to revoke liquor licenses from nuisance stores in neighborhoods. This allows the community to voice their concern about what types of products are being sold without trying to shut down someone's livelyhood. I heard where community councils have approached new businesses that are applying for a liquor license and saying they will support it if they agree not to carry certain items like single cans, double deuces, & 40's.

If you're looking for Thai places head to Hyde Park/Mt.Lookout. Lemon Grass Wild Ginger Bangkok Bistro Green Papaya Ruthai's Thai Amarin Thai Blue Elephant I think Asian & Sake Bomb also have some Thai dishes on their menus.

The article says Restaurant & Bar venues so I'm guessing not LaRosa's (for now). Ruby would sort of make sense, but I think opening something at the Banks would cannibalize his other restaurants downtown. I was thinking maybe 4EG also - they seem to be announcing a new bar every month. Who else wanted the Fountain Square restaurant spot?

No one has any rumors yet about who the tenants will be? In particular the "local" operator?

The material that will be used is a LEED certified combination of recycled flagpole and webcam jokes.

I think it's good location for it. It has outdoor seating on a highly visible corner of the main intersection of a pedestrian friendly square; which pretty much describes their Covington location to a tee. Back when I used to live near HPS I always wished that there was somewhere on the square that was a bar first and foremost. Tellers, Aurthur's, Beluga, (and formerly Red) all have bar areas/scenes, but they feel primarily like restaurants. It would have been nice to have a laid back pub to grab a drink at after eating at one of the other establishments on the square.

^and mount a webcam to the top of the flag pole to add a few more inches.

If there is a god, I would consider this a very clear sign that he disapproves of ridiculous construction in his name....so consider yourself warned Creation Museum :evil:

With any luck both locations will be turned into martini bars

I love Taqueria Mercado. They used to have one on Dixie Highway south of Crestview Town Center that was close enough to my office for lunch. Now I'm limited to hitting the original maybe once a year on a Jungle Jim's excursion, so hopefully the downtown spot will have weekend hours. I will say it's a little too authentic for some.

That's a shame about Tink's if true, I've always really like it. According the Business Journal today - Javier's downtown is closing. http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2010/02/15/daily59.html?surround=lfn

I'm not sure of any single list or map that is going to capture a majority of them, but there is a Greater Cincinnati Independents restaurant association. Their website is www.gcindependents.com

Are Chicago natives offended when people order a "chicago" dog?

I believe Aroma is the new sushi place...questionable name for a place that services raw fish

I went to Lavomatic last night for the first time since they changed to more of a gastro pub menu and I think this is what they've needed to do for a while to get more casual and repeat diners in the door. The majority of items on the menu are under $10 and none of the entree's are over $19. There are now a number of sandwiches and small plates that lend themselves to sharing over a few drinks if you aren't looking to have a formal meal. It was packed last night and I think that Sentate opening down the street will be a nice compliment for Lavo to help drawn even more people down to the Gateway at night.

Wow - that sucks! I was in Dayton last Friday and I took my wife to the Pine Club. On our way out of the restaurant, I pointed out the hair saloon next door that is where the Gem City on Brown St used to be and said how depressing it was when that store closed. It's really sad to hear that the main on is closing now. What a great record store...it's the end of an era :-(

Since light rail opposition continues to be strong, the alternative clean energy, mass transit plan is to use Zeppelin's to ferry suburban commuters in and out the CBD. Carew Tower would become the central transit hub. <IMG SRC="http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5311/11esbd.jpg">

I just heard a rumor that the Carew Tower is planning to add on a 90 foot dirigible mooring mast in order to keep their crown for the tallest building

Anyone know what's going on with the large brick building just south of the Broadway Commons that is in the process of being torn down?

It may sound that way on paper, but if you've been in 21c in Louisville the art flows throughout the gallery, the restaurant, the hotel and even the bathrooms. The gallery space is one a piece of the whole concept. I've loved the different exhibitions and installations they have every time I've been there so I think that the 21c will really complement the CAC nicely. My biggest concern at this point is that the yellow penguins in the renderings don't pop as much as the red penguins in Louisville :-D