sfisher

Enzo's: Don't Call It a Comeback After a couple month hiatus, Enzo's, the OTR coffeehouse/lunch spot is back up and running. The menu looks very similar to the old one (mmmm....paninis), but still no evening hours: 7:00am to 2:00pm. We assume that, like before, Enzo's will stay closed on the weekends, but we hope they decide to experiment with, at least, Sunday brunch. http://www.buycincy.com/2008/07/enzos-dont-call-it-a-comeback.html

I was told (informally) that there are ongoing discussions that would essentially fill the rest of the retail space in the Q. A jewelry store, restaurant (next to Lucky Step), lighting store, and Embrace Sweets (next to Mica 12/v on 12 Street) were all mentioned. I haven't heard anything about the restaurant, but I have heard rumors about the "jewelry" store (which would be relocating from another location into the GQ), the lighting store and Embrace (which is looking for investors for the GQ store).

Would those against this bill (and I am not completely sold either way on it), be more OK with local zoning that limits the density of payday lending places in a municipality. Because, let's face it, these things are killing the commercial sectors of many Cincinnati neighborhoods. Anyone been to Glenway Ave recently?

I have heard Chipotle is a shoe-in for the Vine St. space next to Via Vite. Also some interesting news, I have heard from a few people that Martin Wade and Jean-Robert are splitting. Wade wants to get more involved in restaurant affairs or something along those lines. Apparently Greenup and Chalk will have their last days under Jean-Robert this weekend, JR will still keep Jean-Ro and Pigall's and Twist/Lavomatic are still up in the air.

Actually, a carsharing feasibility study for Cincinnati is the concept of my thesis. Other similarly sized and similarly dense cities have been successful doing it, however it often is dependant on the success of a reliable and efficient public transportation system.

^ I live downtown sans car, and it can be a big pain in the butt. Sure, the bus line can get you most places around town, you just have to figure in how much time you want to devote to transit. A 15 minute highway drive from downtown takes over an hour on the bus. Plus, many bus routes don't stay running late nights on the weekends for those who hit the town. A car is a def. advantage here, where in places like Chicago rail transit has the time and convenience advantage.

Any way we can start a fund for private citizens to contribute to the streetcar? I'll be the first one to throw $100 in.

^ Mixx befuddles me. They have been ready to open for months now, and even had a small "opening" celebration in Dec or Jan. The fridge is stocked with beer every time I go by, yet, it is not open to the public. I know one of the owners of Vinyl was at one point involved, but I heard he no longer was. I would love to know the status of this (and if the tapas bar in the old Neon's is still being talked about as well). Whenever I get sushi downtown, I go to KoSho, it is quite good and the owner is really friendly. I heard 3CDC tried to get him to come to the Square area, but he was not interested in moving. Sushi in the square area would do a killing (esp if they are open late night).

If I'm not mistaken, the reason dogs aren't allowed on the Square isn't because of dog poo, but doggie pee. It either erodes or discolors the materials they used. Anywhere with large swaths of grass shouldn't be a problem.

I too will vouch for Grammer's and Arnold's for good beer. Grammer's is more laid back, has some board games, etc., but on a nice night, you can't beat sitting outside in Arnold's courtyard and listening to bluegrass. If you like modern architecture, I would highly recommend the Contemporary Arts Center designed by Zaha Hadid (with a nice public art piece by Julian Stanczak covering the garage across the street). Right next to the CAC (across 6th St) is Nada, which has superb Latin American food.

I don't blame Exxon one bit, I blame policies that has kept oil prices artificially low and the public for consuming a ridiculous amount of fossil fuels. If I were an oil company, would I try to use my money to influence federal policy....ummm, let me think about it..... yes. If we keep on buying SUVs and believing that 25mpg is an accomplishment, they will continue to have record profits. If Americans still value large military vehicles to commute to work instead of something that plugs in to your wall, Exxon will still make bundles of money. If we have outrage over the cost of gas and oil company profits, it is us to blame.

The Outside website is not live yet, but should be within the next week or so. I'll let everyone know when it is.

^^Yep, they still stay open late on Walnut as well. I stopped there during Bockfest in the Great Blizzard of 08.

Balboa's on Vine just started staying open until 4am Thurs-Sat. Yep, unique outdoor furniture and accessories. I was in the space a couple weeks ago and it looks really really cool. They even built an indoor wood deck in a space where the removal of a half staircase lead to a hole in the floor.

Just got back from Balboa's (where Dink's used to be on Vine). Pretty decent cheesesteaks and pizza, but awesome late night hours. They are going to be open until 4am Thurs - Sun, which makes me very, very happy.

First, honest research could lead someone to O'Toole, but he has been shown to wildly distort the facts in his favor. I have a problem with people who disagree for one ideological reason (i.e. from the CATO example, say they are libertarian), but try to mask that ideology by trying to discredit the success of other projects like this. I have more respect for people who come out and say, "I don't believe we should publicly finance anything." I never said I viewed anyone as a zealot (please read what I wrote again). For Roxie not to be looking towards higher office would be stupid, she came back in office and after a couple months on the job was one of the top two vote-getters in council. Are you saying she shouldn't be looking ahead? The dividends of the streetcar will not pay off for several years, and any liberal minded politician who agrees to spend $100 million of public transit is going to pay for it in a general election. Also, although you are correct in "groupthink" ascribing ulterior motives, in this case I feel that classification is a bit off (also, isn't it a bit of groupthink to keep throwing around the term "groupthink", just like it was groupthink to throw around the word "boondoggle"?). The average Joe sees Roxie as a champion of public transit, as did many on this board until recently. We are just trying to figure out why she is voting the way she is voting - something every citizens should do, IMO.

I have met Joe and I like Joe, and think he is a really good journalist. However, I think he missed the point that streetcar supporters are often quick to pounce because we have to. It is not often that we get asked questions as a serious inquiry, but rather as an ideological attack. Look at those who have come to this board and others with dubious figures and questionable sources, quoting people like Randal O'Tool(e) and others at the CATO. There are those who ask questions, not because they are curious, but because they want to get their own point across. I enjoy having conversations about the streetcar plan, and how I believe we need to work on developing the urban core for environmental and economic reasons. If Joe points to our quick defense of the streetcar as groupthink, it should at least be noted that this is happening as a result of attack, not because we are zealots. Oh, and Roxie is certainly not stupid, I don't think any of us would say that. She knows exactly what she has to do to get higher office.

I think Clifton should be at the top of your list, followed by Prospect Hill and College Hill - and even Covington and Newport in Kentucky.

^ Heard the same thing. I do know they are trying to get more (independant) affordable eats in there, though.

Talking about law enforcement, I just came back from Gateway and the entire east side of Vine from Central to Liberty was blocked off and a couple cop cars in between. Word on the street is that they finally got in and served a warrant on the Cricket store that always has people hanging outside.

I head down there about once a year (gf's family and all) and it is one of my favorite places in the world. So much street activity at all times of day. Hope you had a chance to hit a good restaurant for dinner.

you ate thumper. bambi's next.

I always had a dream of Western Hills Plaza as a new-urbanism style mixed-use plan with building abutting the street (and maybe even a nice urban park running through). Glenway desperately needs some residential attention to offset the parking lot nightmares that mar the street. Sorry to see the Wheel go, too, auto traffic is going to kill everything memorable about that area soon.

Went to Lavo last night and was thoroughly impressed with the food (the rabbit was fantastic). Service wasn't as attentive as say Jean-Ro, but after a couple glasses of wine, I didn't seem to care as much.

Yeah, they were still doing work in the afternoon and could not open. However, they are planning on getting it open for dinner tonight.