Alabama ExPat

Mrs ExPat and I went to to Via Vite today for lunch. She hadn't been in yet, and we were curious to see how things were going. My wife ordered the Spaghetti with tomato sauce, basil, and olive oil. I ordered the Leek and Potato soup with truffle oil, and a Pizza Margherita. I'd have to say that any problems they were having on my first visit appear to have been resolved. The soup was simply amazing. The pizza was perfectly prepared, reminding me of what I get when travelling in Italy (except they caved and have started slicing it in quarters). The pasta was cooked just right (al dente), with just the right amount of sauce.

I was walking along the east end of 4th street today and came accross a new clock installed at the south east corner of 4th and Broadway in front of the University club. It has gone up in the last few weeks, probably to commemerate the 100th aniverssary of the club (it says "University Club" on the top, and bears the club logo on the clock face. Sorry for the quality of the pic. I used my cell phone.

Also, I'm glad Cheryl has Randy's life all planned out for him. I'm sure he appreciates it.

No Mobil 4 or 5 starts in Detroit.

I miss being able to brag about Cincinnati having one of the few mobile five star restaurants in the country, but I can't say I actually miss the Maisonette. In it's final years, the menu was rather dull and unimaginative. Service was good, but it really wasn't as good as what I've consistently received at Pigall's

^ They always look smaller during construction. Its some kind of optical illusion.

Banks development contract due Tuesday Business Courier of Cincinnati - by Dan Monk Senior Staff Reporter The advisory panel trying to finalize a master development agreement for the Banks riverfront project has scheduled a 9 a.m. meeting Tuesday - when it's expected to unveil a contract that could enable a Banks ground-breaking by year end. At the same time, a group of downtown property owners has renewed its request for Cincinnati City Council to delay - and ultimately reject - the project. Following the Banks Working Group meeting, City Council's economic development committee is planning a public hearing on a zone change that would permit buildings of up to 30 stories in the area between Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ball Park... http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/10/22/daily12.html

That ad is pathetic

A former resident told me that the parking garage for this project was just recently finished.

Thanks Cramer! I didn't get a chance to find out how things went until now. Reading your posts, I almost feel like I was there. Much appreciated. This whole internet / mobile technology thing might just catch on after all! :-)

Can't argue with that comment. If I hadn't known, I would never have guessed it was the second night. I've sent you a PM about the pizza. Feel free to forward.

Stopped in at Via Vite Saturday. I was in around 7:00. The bar was full, and people were starting to show up for tables. There was live music upstairs, which is a combination dining/lounge area. There is also a smaller bar upstairs for serving that area and terrace. Back downstairs, I managed to grab a seat at the bar. The service at the bar was efficient. The made sure that the bar patrons were covered as well as the drink orders coming in from the wait staff (although the dining room wasn't very crowded yet). I ordered a pizza and a glass of wine. One feature of note in the downstairs bar area, there are three or four bar stools at a short counter which looks into the open kitchen. On the down side, I would recommend ordering something besides the pizza. I think they're still trying to get the hang of their brick oven.

Graeter's opened today as a dry run. They are having their grand opening on Monday. Also, I'm taking my claim as the first forum member to patronize the new Graeter's with an official receipt time of 11:40am.

I overheard one of the wait staff at Nicola's tonight (Thursday) tell a customer it would be open Friday.

When you say "oval stickers" are you referring to the European style country stickers? That would be kind of cool. Although I might feel obligated to get a CBD sticker for my car since I wouldn't be entitled to an OTR one.

Just remember, you heard about the new location on Urban Ohio first from xumelanie, a day before it hit the traditional press. That's what I like about this board, 1500+ reporters on the streets. Anyway... I tried Mythos for the first time this week at the Vine street location. The Gyros wasn't bad, but I think the one I had over at the place on Elm street was better (plus you could get fries there). The Mythos gyros seemed light on sauce and too heavy on onions. However, I wish them well at all their new locations. I'd still go there just as a convenience. It's still much better than getting someting from a fast food place like McDonald's (but it's still just as fast).

I saw the same sign yesterday as well. It read "Mytho's Grecian Grill", which is the same name they use on the place over in Newport. Based on the windows with signs in them, it looks like they may be using the entire space. Maybe it will be more of a table service place with evening hours.

I thought the plan for the raised area filled with packed gravel next to the new restaurant was for outdoor dining.

I just noticed today that the clock is back up on the carew tower at 5th and Vine. I'm pretty sure it reappeared in the past few weeks.

Excellent news! Late night dining downtown! I guess I'll be spending less time at the Anchor Grill in Covington! :-D

I liked the Federal Reserve. Most of the bar tenders were pretty cool. On slow weeknights it had more of a neighborhood feel to it. Usually a couple of people getting off work from one of the other restaurants/bars downtown and the bar tender hanging out. On weekends, the personality of the place was completely different.

POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2007: Qualls: Break Up The Banks She warns of boring mall atmosphere By Kevin Osborne With the latest plans for The Banks riverfront project calling for much larger buildings and more public subsidies to make the long-stalled project financially feasible, some prominent people are having second thoughts. Cincinnati City Councilwoman Roxanne Qualls says The Banks shouldn't be given to a single master developer if the city wants a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood along the Ohio River... URL for this story: http://citybeat.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A141600

FYI. The following is a statement from an article posted elsewhere on the forum.

Middle Earth turns relics into renovated urban living spaces BY LISA BERNARD-KUHN | [email protected] CAMP WASHINGTON - You have to know your niche. That's just one of the philosophies behind the continued success of Middle Earth Developers Inc., said Jay Voss, the firm's co-founder and a principal partner. The Camp Washington-based firm has built its reputation by transforming Cincinnati's lingering relics into some of the city's most unique urban living spaces. "You've got to know your niche, and I think we really know how to do edgy, urban residential development," Voss said. "There's nothing better than finding a cool, old building and being able to breathe new life into it." http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070916/BIZ01/709160349/1076/BIZ

^ Thanks. I did a google search on Vanilla Ice and A-1-A and found the lyrics from Ice Ice Baby: ... Kept on pursuing to the next stop I busted a left and I'm heading to the next block The block was dead Yo so I continued to A1A Beachfront Avenue Girls were hot wearing less than bikinis Rockman lovers driving Lamborghinis ...