August 5, 20213 yr Iconic downtown butcher shop expanding as part of $5.8M Court Street redevelopment A storied downtown butcher shop is expanding its space, and its services, as part of a $5.8 million redevelopment in the booming Court Street district. Avril-Bleh Meat Market & Deli is expanding from its current location at 33 and 35 E. Court St. downtown into neighboring 37 E. Court St., which will allow it to expand its wholesale and retail businesses, as well as add a walk-up window to serve grilled foods to consumers. The expansion comes as part of a larger redevelopment of 31-37 E. Court St. by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC), a $5.8 million project that will see the addition of 14 new condominiums above the street level retail spaces. Len Bleh, the fourth-generation owner of the shop. told me that he's taking the occasion to renovate the entire space as he adds more production space, an indoor grill and hood, new display cases and more processing area. He said the total investment, which included buying 37 E. Court St. from 3CDC, will be about $475,000. "We're putting quite an investment into our business because the city is putting such an investment into Court Street," Bleh said. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/04/iconic-butcher-shop-expanding-as-part-of-58m-cou.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 5, 20213 yr I get why they want an indoor/permanent grill (much simpler/easier to manage), but I love how Avril Bleh currently grills outside at lunchtime. It smells great and helps activate that area. I had a nice mett for lunch there today, so it’s fresh on my mind.
August 5, 20213 yr 13 hours ago, jwulsin said: I get why they want an indoor/permanent grill (much simpler/easier to manage), but I love how Avril Bleh currently grills outside at lunchtime. It smells great and helps activate that area. I had a nice mett for lunch there today, so it’s fresh on my mind. I have shockingly never tried Avril. It’s on wish list for sure. Do they serve more to go food than just hot dogs though? I couldn’t really from their website if they have a full fledged carry out menu or if it was more geared towards simply being a butcher shop.
August 5, 20213 yr 1 minute ago, Troeros2 said: I have shockingly never tried Avril. It’s on wish list for sure. Do they serve more to go food than just hot dogs though? I couldn’t really from their website if they have a full fledged carry out menu or if it was more geared towards simply being a butcher shop. They are more of a butcher than a restaurant. They don't have a "menu" per se, but they sell a variety of meats, and they'll make you a sandwich based on what you ask for and charge you by weight. Just be ready to specify exactly what you want on the sandwich.
August 5, 20213 yr Oh that’s neat ^ I’m guessing I could say I want bbq rib sandwich and they can cook it on the spot? Or is it very specific meats you can request for them to grill?
August 5, 20213 yr 52 minutes ago, Troeros2 said: Oh that’s neat ^ I’m guessing I could say I want bbq rib sandwich and they can cook it on the spot? Or is it very specific meats you can request for them to grill? For their outside set up they have a menu. It's hot dogs, brats, metts, cheddar metts, hot metts, pepperjack metts, and burgers. The burgers are really good. You can do single or double, with or without cheese. They have a bunch of toppings options and you can get potato chips and a pop with it.
August 7, 20213 yr Jeff Ruby's moving flagship steakhouse to prominent downtown spot One of the best-known names in Cincinnati restaurants is moving its flagship steakhouse to a new development on one of the most prominent corners of downtown, right across from Fountain Square. Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment is moving Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse from its current location at 700 Walnut St. to the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp.'s (3CDC) Foundry in the renovated Fountain Place. The steakhouse – which Jeff Ruby said will be his restaurant group's "masterpiece" – is slated to open in September 2022. "We want our marquee restaurant to be in our hometown," Ruby said. "My attitude has always been if I'm not going to build something different than anything I've done before, then I won't build it." More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/06/jeff-rubys-steakhouse-moving-to-3cdcs-foundry.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 9, 20213 yr Of course it is... Gourmet popcorn shop opening in OTR A gourmet popcorn company that boasts more than 80 flavors – from pizza all the way to orange creamsicle – is opening up shop in Over-the-Rhine. Al's Delicious Popcorn is opening at 1202 Main St. in the former Park + Vine retail space in Over-the-Rhine with a goal of opening by January 2022. It marks the first Cincinnati shop for the company, which was born in Columbus and has a market location in Hilliard. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/09/als-delicious-popcorn-otr.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 10, 20213 yr Lauded NKY restaurateur opening bakery in neighboring space The owners of a restaurant that was once named among the best new eateries in the United States is opening a sister concept in a neighboring building. David Willocks and Wendy Braun, owners of the Baker's Table at 1004 Monmouth St. in Newport, are opening the Baker's Table Bakery across the street at 1001 Monmouth St. The bakery is slated to open this fall. The Baker's Table Bakery is an extension of the original vision of the restaurant, which serves farm-to-table breakfast and lunch. The Baker's Table was named one of the top 16 new restaurants in the U.S. by Eater when it opened in 2019. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/10/bakers-table-bakery-opening.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 11, 20213 yr https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/11/thunderdome-maplewood-reopening.html Maplewood OTR is reopening on the 17th.
August 11, 20213 yr Speaking of Downtown restaurant news… Hathaway’s is moving, but staying within the Carew Tower. Article says they are moving “from Vine to West 5th”… which is confusing/sloppy because their current location is closer to Race St than Vine St. Does anybody know which spot on West 5th they are going to occupy? https://local12.com/news/local/a-historic-cincinnati-diner-is-moving-but-not-far-ohio-hathaways-carew-tower-restaurant
August 11, 20213 yr 37 minutes ago, jwulsin said: Speaking of Downtown restaurant news… Hathaway’s is moving, but staying within the Carew Tower. Article says they are moving “from Vine to West 5th”… which is confusing/sloppy because their current location is closer to Race St than Vine St. Does anybody know which spot on West 5th they are going to occupy? https://local12.com/news/local/a-historic-cincinnati-diner-is-moving-but-not-far-ohio-hathaways-carew-tower-restaurant The always put their sandwich board out on Vine Street so I think they view that as their current "front door." I would imagine they might be moving into the space where Frisch's was on 5th Street so they can have a real street presence.
August 11, 20213 yr 1 hour ago, CincyIntheKnow said: I think you mean downtown ^ Yes thank you! Was just so excited they were reopening lol
August 11, 20213 yr 2 hours ago, DEPACincy said: The always put their sandwich board out on Vine Street so I think they view that as their current "front door." I would imagine they might be moving into the space where Frisch's was on 5th Street so they can have a real street presence. That would make sense especially if they can repurpose some of the kitchen/diner improvements that were left behind by Frisch’s, or was the place gutted?
August 12, 20213 yr 2 hours ago, jwulsin said: That would make sense especially if they can repurpose some of the kitchen/diner improvements that were left behind by Frisch’s, or was the place gutted? No idea! But seems reasonable to me that they kept the improvements.
August 13, 20213 yr Really enjoyed both the food and atmosphere of Please. Sad to see it gone. James Beard-nominated chef permanently shutters acclaimed OTR restaurant The chef of one of Cincinnati's most lauded restaurants announced Thursday that it will be closing for good. Chef Ryan Santos, who was named a semifinalist for Best Chef: Great Lakes in the 2020 James Beard awards, announced on social media that he is permanently closing Please at 1405 Clay St. in Over-the-Rhine. The restaurant, which first opened in 2016, never returned to full service following Ohio's coronavirus-related restrictions on in-person dining. In an Instagram post, Santos wrote that there are several reasons for Please's closure, many of them pandemic related. Cont "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
August 16, 20213 yr Incline Public House owner's newest restaurant now open The newest restaurant and bourbon bar from the owners of the Incline Public House, Press on Monmouth and Somm Wine Bar just opened in Hamilton. The Cafeo Hospitality Group opened Billy Yanks at 205 Main St. in Hamilton on Aug. 13. Flip through the photos for a look inside. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/13/incline-public-house-owners-newest-restaurant.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 18, 20213 yr Shuttered OTR chicken restaurant to become throwback burger and boozy milkshake bar The former Revolution Rotisserie space in Over-the-Rhine, adjacent to Washington Park, will take on new life as a modern take on the nostalgic diner serving up hamburgers and boozy ice cream treats. Restaurateur Nick Pesola, who owns the Pleasant Ridge Revolution Rotisserie, is turning his shuttered Over-the-Rhine location at 1106 Race St. into Milkman, a playful, modern take on the retro burger and shake concept of the 1950s. The goal is to open by the end of the year. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/18/milkman-burger-and-boozy-milkshake-bar.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 18, 20213 yr 42 minutes ago, ColDayMan said: Shuttered OTR chicken restaurant to become throwback burger and boozy milkshake bar The former Revolution Rotisserie space in Over-the-Rhine, adjacent to Washington Park, will take on new life as a modern take on the nostalgic diner serving up hamburgers and boozy ice cream treats. Restaurateur Nick Pesola, who owns the Pleasant Ridge Revolution Rotisserie, is turning his shuttered Over-the-Rhine location at 1106 Race St. into Milkman, a playful, modern take on the retro burger and shake concept of the 1950s. The goal is to open by the end of the year. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/18/milkman-burger-and-boozy-milkshake-bar.html For awhile we had a plethora of chicken restaurants in downtown/OTR and several have closed. Now with this, the new place on Court Street, Jack Brown's, and Nation we seem to have a glut of burger places.
August 19, 20213 yr Not just a lot of burger places, but two that are "retro diner" themed. I don't see how they both survive.
August 23, 20213 yr Cincinnati food truck opening brick-and-mortar restaurant A longtime Cincinnati food truck is putting down roots with a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Bones Brothers Wings, in operation as a food truck since 2015, is moving into the former Hwy 55 restaurant space at 140 W. McMillan St. in the U Square @ the Loop development adjacent to the University of Cincinnati's campus. The goal is to open in September. The restaurant will serve the same menu of grilled wings and chicken-based entrees as the food truck, but with a few additions made possible by the larger kitchen space, including popular desserts like a fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cheesecake nachos. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/23/bones-brothers-wings-location.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 26, 20213 yr Restaurateur reimagines Hyde Park eatery The owner of an upscale Korean eatery in Hyde Park has converted it into a different restaurant concept. The owner of 3501 Seoul at 3501 Erie Ave. in Hyde Park has converted the Korean bistro into a more casual eatery with a focus on fresh fish, SushiNati. It is the second SushiNati location for Shelly Choi, behind the original in Anderson Township. The change took place the second week of August. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/25/restaurateur-reimagines-hyde-park-eatery.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 26, 20213 yr New restaurant will be built at the banks: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/26/new-restaurant-to-be-built-at-the-banks.html
August 26, 20213 yr That's exciting and I hope this one doesn't fall through like the BBQ joint, that corner really needs something.
August 26, 20213 yr Good. Now develop the lot south of GE that already has the parking garage in place.
August 26, 20213 yr I’ll take whatever at the banks…Development has been so slow so something small like this is pretty big.
August 26, 20213 yr Hopefully this can get off the ground and operating by sometime next Summer for Reds season. It will go a long way towards stretching the area west. Now add some more residential south of GE and another hotel by PBS.
August 26, 20213 yr Is it fair to view this as a failure to attract outside investment, since the lot will be owned/operated by a subsidiary of JR Anderson, who is responsible for retail leasing at The Banks? For the longterm viability and vibrancy of the area, I want to see a diverse set of owners/operators. I certainly prefer something over the status quo, but it's not a good sign JR Anderson is taking this "in house".
August 26, 20213 yr 9 minutes ago, jwulsin said: I certainly prefer something over the status quo, but it's not a good sign JR Anderson is taking this "in house". I had the same feeling. If there's one place we should be trying to land a Shake Shake or Giordano's, it's The Banks.
August 26, 20213 yr 28 minutes ago, jwulsin said: Is it fair to view this as a failure to attract outside investment, since the lot will be owned/operated by a subsidiary of JR Anderson, who is responsible for retail leasing at The Banks? For the longterm viability and vibrancy of the area, I want to see a diverse set of owners/operators. I certainly prefer something over the status quo, but it's not a good sign JR Anderson is taking this "in house". At least they'll put the building up. If this restaurant concept fails then the space is there for someone else to come in and only need to make cosmetic changes, rather then having to pay to build everything from scratch. Also, Giodano's is garbage and has no place in this city. Shake Shack would be fine but there's already a burger place at the banks so no reason to add a second one.
August 26, 20213 yr 29 minutes ago, jwulsin said: Is it fair to view this as a failure to attract outside investment, since the lot will be owned/operated by a subsidiary of JR Anderson, who is responsible for retail leasing at The Banks? For the longterm viability and vibrancy of the area, I want to see a diverse set of owners/operators. I certainly prefer something over the status quo, but it's not a good sign JR Anderson is taking this "in house". It’s definitely odd that they couldn’t get anything down there until now. It’s a great money making location, especially now with ICON Center. Seems to me it’s more to the story of the long delay than is made public right now.
August 26, 20213 yr 5 minutes ago, Cincy513 said: Also, Giodano's is garbage and has no place in this city. Shake Shack would be fine but there's already a burger place at the banks so no reason to add a second one. I agree the pizza isn’t that good, and shake shack belongs in Kenwood in my opinion.
August 26, 20213 yr I heard rent id ridiculously high at the banks by a restaurant operator there. Is that true? Maybe they should start discounting?
August 26, 20213 yr 7 minutes ago, Cincy513 said: Also, Giodano's is garbage and has no place in this city. Shake Shack would be fine but there's already a burger place at the banks so no reason to add a second one. I've never advocated for Giordano's on their quality, only on the increased foot traffic that a restaurant like this would bring. I honestly can't think of a restaurant that would bring more people down to The Banks, which is what I've always been saying.
August 26, 20213 yr 1 minute ago, Troeros2 said: I heard rent id ridiculously high at the banks by a restaurant operator there. Is that true? Maybe they should start discounting? They aren’t going to discount anything considering the existing retail space at the banks is almost all full.
August 26, 20213 yr 15 minutes ago, 646empire said: It’s definitely odd that they couldn’t get anything down there until now. It’s a great money making location, especially now with ICON Center. Seems to me it’s more to the story of the long delay than is made public right now. I think it's just the economics of a one-story building (mandated one-story) on such an expensive piece of land. If they had put out a request for a mid-rise mixed-use building they would've had tons of takers and the ground floor spots would fill up in no time.
August 26, 20213 yr Newport on the Levee signs restaurant for massive space with city view Newport on the Levee has signed a new Cuban eatery from a Cincinnati restaurateur for a massive space in the $100 million redevelopment of the riverfront entertainment property. Amador, a Cuban restaurant from the Pesola Hospitality Group, owners of Revolution Rotisserie in Pleasant Ridge and the upcoming Milkman in Over-the-Rhine, is coming to a 6,400-square-foot restaurant space inside of the redeveloped Newport on the Levee. Construction is slated to begin in October, with the restaurant opening in early spring 2022. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/26/newport-on-the-levee-amador-cuban.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 27, 20213 yr Capital One bringing Ohio's first banking cafe to Greater Cincinnati Capital One is opening its first Greater Cincinnati location with a banking café in a prominent location. McLean, Va.-based Capital One is opening a Capital One Café in Kenwood Towne Centre. An opening date isn’t available. It will be the first Capital One Café in Ohio. Capital One is advertising on its website for employees to staff the new café. A sign posted on the space at Kenwood Towne Centre states the new location is coming soon. Kenwood Towne Centre’s website lists Capital One Café as a new tenant that’s coming soon. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/26/capital-one-opening-first-cincinnati-bank-caf.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 27, 20213 yr 19 hours ago, Cincy513 said: Also, Giodano's is garbage and has no place in this city. Yeah? Well that's just like, your opinion, man...
August 27, 20213 yr If the Banks is the "front door" of Cincinnati, I do like the idea of a restaurant focused on more Cincinnati style/based foods rather than an out of town chain like Giordanos or Shake Shack. The previous proposal of the whole pig bbq was from Nashville but still fit the former porkopolis, something like that would be great in the location and there is no other bbq places in downtown. I'll be curious what this Filson Queen City Kitchen & Bar menu will be like, because the other Brimstone Restaurants I found are in Florida and have pretty generic modern american cuisine which seems redundant with Yard House so hopefully they are able to make it more specific to this region. Pork/bbq, goetta, chili, metts, grippos who knows but I hope they get creative.
August 27, 20213 yr Vegan 'seafood' restaurant coming to OTR An eatery that specializes in vegan cuisine inspired by the sea is opening up shop next week in Over-the-Rhine. Herban Vegans will open Sept. 3 at 1809 Elm St., adjacent to Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine. Owner Danielle DeLaine described Herban Vegan's cuisine as plant-based pan-cultural homestyle dishes. Much of it consists of vegan takes on seafood dishes, with Southern and Creole inspirations, but one of the best sellers is the soy-, nut- and dairy-free "miracle mac" macaroni and cheese. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/27/vegan-seafood-restaurant-opening-in-over-the-rhine.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 30, 20213 yr Korean fried chicken franchise signs deal to open Cincinnati restaurants A franchise specializing in Korean fried chicken has signed a deal to open multiple restaurants in the Cincinnati area. Dallas-based Bonchon announced Aug. 26 that Ohio franchisees Max Liu and Hong Zhong have signed an agreement to open three locations of the South Korean-born concept in Kenwood and Cincinnati. The restaurants, which have not yet selected locations, will be the first in the region. The chain has one location in Cleveland. Korean fried chicken is different from what an American audience might be used to in that it has a crispier crust, typically double-fried, and uses a different spice blend. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/30/bonchon-signs-deal-to-open-cincinnati-restaurants.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 30, 20213 yr Restaurateur plans new concept in wake of East Walnut Hills closure The owner of an East Walnut Hills restaurant that's been in operation since 2015 may have closed the eatery, but he's not done with that space yet. O Pie O at 1527 Madison Road in East Walnut Hills hosted its last day in business on Aug. 29, but owner Lou Ginocchio said that he hopes to reopen in that space with a new menu and concept this fall. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/30/restaurateur-plans-new-concept-in-wake-of-east-wal.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 31, 20213 yr O Pie O is one of the places a take friends and family who visit from out of town. I even have a friend who hates pie, demand that I bring their honey vinegar pie with me.
August 31, 20213 yr About damn time! Soul food restaurant opening in OTR A Cincinnati entrepreneur who started cooking with her grandmother, and then as a way to bond with her own daughter, is opening a soul food restaurant in Over-the-Rhine. Candice Holloway is opening Soul Secrets at 1434 Vine St. next door to the Nostalgia Jazz Lounge and across from Pepp & Dolores with the goal of welcoming guests by the end of the year. Soul Secrets will serve up Southern-inspired comfort food in a setting reminiscent of being at your grandmother's table, Holloway said. The restaurant's menu will include dishes such as fried whiting and fried chicken, as well as a sampling of sides made from scratch daily, including collard greens, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes and buttermilk cornbread. The brunch menu includes dishes like chicken and waffles, peach cobbler french toast and shrimp and grits. For dessert, there is bourbon bread pudding, banana pudding and pound cake. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/08/31/soul-food-restaurant-opening-in-otr.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 2, 20213 yr Pizzeria inspired by popular Chicago chain opening another NKY location A Northern Kentucky pizzeria inspired by its owners love of her native Chicago will be the first retail tenant at a Newport development. Bourbon House Pizza announced Wednesday it will be opening in the $80 million Aqua on the Levee development in Newport, with plans to serve up deep dish pizza by the end of the year. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/09/01/bourbon-house-pizza-newport.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 2, 20213 yr Shuttered riverfront restaurant getting new life as seafood eatery A restaurant on the banks of the Ohio River that has been shuttered for more than a year is getting new life as a seafood-centric eatery. The former Joe's Crab Shack at 25 Fairfield Ave. In Bellevue, Ky., which has been closed since May 2020, is being reopened as Enson Harbor. A spokeswoman for the restaurant said the plan was to be open on Sept. 1, but delays in construction has pushed it back and the hope is to open as soon as possible. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/09/02/enson-harbor-nky.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
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