If it's in your budget, get the Chef's grand tasting at Boca.  Outstanding!

whats the prices like?  the menu online doesnt have prices?  I know its pricey, but whats the general range?

The Chef's tasting is $145/person with wine.  Entrees range $25-38 ish.  The diver caught sea scallops, for an app, run around $14-16.  I don't remember as I wasn't the one paying the bill.  I just ate and drank excessively!

is the dress code trendy nice or business nice? 

^Atlas sets the trend when he shows up so what difference does it make?  :wink2:

 

 

ha, well in that case, sweatpants it is. 

They've started doing a "Classic" tasting too - all the most popular of their dishes. $75 for 5 courses and another $35 for wine pairings if you're interested. That is in addition to the Grand tasting (which is no longer actually on the menu)

The dress is anything from nice jeans and a collared shirt to full on suits.

 

thanks...

went to boca and really enjoyed it.  The scallop dish was my favorite.  Certainly an expensive dinner, but well worth it.  For special occasions, this place is perfect.

Too many restaurants?

 

BY POLLY CAMPBELL | [email protected]

In 2007, downtown Cincinnati saw a dining explosion.

 

Responding to investment in the renovated Fountain Square, about 20 new establishments serving food and drink opened in a year. Suddenly, with dining choices that ranged from modern Korean to seafood to inexpensive bar food, some people began to ask a question that would have been unthinkable just a few years earlier: Is it possible that there are too many restaurants downtown? Can all these new choices survive?

 

No link available.

I don't think downtown has too many restaurants, at least during dinner.  Last night, we went downtown for dinner around 7:30 on the spur of the moment.  There were hour waits for tables across the board at the five or six restaurants we bothered to check (not even including Nada and Via Vite) before we went to that old standby, Arnold's.  Having lived downtown for a few years and being used to being able to walk in and be seated at pretty much any hour, the new restaurant scene downtown is a huge change, despite the new openings.

I agree, we had over an hour wait last night at Palominos. 

It sounds like there's a huge demand for upscale dining downtown. Those downtown restaurants always have a large number of reservations on the books. If anything, I think the abundance of restaurants will DRIVE that synergy that downtowns need. What would be great though, is a number of other things to do during weekday nights; when those restaurants aren't so busy. I don't feel like there's too much competition though; for the most part they all seem to be doing extremely well.

There are theaters around that usually have shows during the week. This is strong argument for Playhouse to move downtown. Fifth and Race anyone? Anyone for arena at Broadway Commons or a streetcar?

I still can't get into Via Vite as a walk in :(

I can't say there are too many restaurants downtown.  When we get a McDonalds, Burger King and Fatburger I'll be happy.  No really on the first two.  Downtown has great restaurants but if it wants to further that synergy give people a few more approachable choices and that'll be nice.  Give me at least a McDonald's I'd definitely go to it at least every 9-12 weeks:).  Downtown probably needs a smaller park or some renovations of an existing space to increase playground space for children.

Definately agreed on that one, Weedrose.  Something like a Fatburger or even a diner such as a (localized) Steak N' Shake would do wonders for everyone else.

I still can't get into Via Vite as a walk in :(

 

Go sunday through thursday.

It is nice to see the all the attention downtown restaurants are getting.  I also agree that downtown could use some more "fast food" places, even though I don't really like to eat a them.  Sometimes it's just more convienent when you don't have time.

Also...................does anyone know if Jean-Roberts new place called Lavomatic has opened yet?

Because of construction delays, Lavomatic is now looking to open late Feb/early Mar.

Downtown needs a chili joint. There are a couple but they are seriously down on your luck kind of places. Places with the vibe of Camp Washington or Pleasant Ridge Chile would awesome, maybe even Anchor from Cov. Shanghai Mama's has the vibe but the wrong kind of food. Yumm...cheese coney and chile fries at 3:00 Am after bowling. my mis-spent youth.

Too many restaurants?

 

“The number of restaurants is one question, but more important, what else is there? If people go to dinner, and they want to do something else afterward – which is what humans do – there needs to be something else to see: shops or theater. There needs to be synergism,” said Triantafillou. “You see it now around the Aronoff, with Nicholson’s, Nada, the Contemporary Art Center. Think of other cities or, for example, Clifton, where there are all the amenities you need to enjoy a nice night out. That’s what downtown needs.”

 

I love the dining options downtown, but I couldn't agree more about the lack of shopping options. With the amount of foot traffic it is now getting, isn't Fountain Square ready for a few nice stores?

Does anyone else feel that no matter what downtown does the Enquirer is always going to give them negative press? To me what they are saying is downtown has had to much success in the past year with restaurants. A positive article would have shown how much progress fountain square has caused in bringing new restaurants downtown.

 

I'm not saying that they don't make a good point, that maybe this has been too much too quick, but it would have been nice to see some positive press rather than the negative.

Downtown needs a chili joint. There are a couple but they are seriously down on your luck kind of places. Places with the vibe of Camp Washington or Pleasant Ridge Chile would awesome, maybe even Anchor from Cov. Shanghai Mama's has the vibe but the wrong kind of food. Yumm...cheese coney and chile fries at 3:00 Am after bowling. my mis-spent youth.

 

Well there are a bunch of Skyline Chili locations Downtown, but unfortunately they seem content with keeping their crappy hours...and even at times not adhering to their posted hours.  I still don't understand why they don't keep the location at 7th/Vine open late on weekends...they are right in the middle of the after hours chaos when everyone is looking for a quick bite to eat after leaving places like Madonna's, Sully's, McFaddens, Lodge Bar, etc.

Skyline is fine, but the local places are cooler and you could sell to the tourists as local flavor in a way Skyline (outside of Ludlow and a couple other locations) doesn't.

That, and that the Skyline locations aren't visible for the average tourist.  Graeter's in Fountain Square is quite obviously visible.  No one in their right mind would think "Well, let's go behind the Federated Headquarters or at the edge of Court Street Market to get some!"  Now, if they had a location near the Square, across from the Aronoff, etc, it'd probably would have been open longer.

Tried to go to Tink's in the Clifton Gaslight District last night and was turned away because they were totally booked for the night.  I am not used to being turned away from restaurants in Cincinnati, like I have been lately.  I don't like to make reservations but since Cincinnati is so hot for dining these days I am going to have to have all these restaurants in my cell phone now. 

 

We ended up going to Olives and while the staff was pleasant and the place makes an attempt to give you a good experience, I don't think it commands a $50+ bill for two people.  Seems like a good place for sandwiches but the food could have been better when it was all said and done.  I would go back but on a more casual sandwich outing.

 

We made it over to the Reserve Piano bar in Newport finally.  I used to really enjoy the Federal Reserve Piano Bar on 4th Street so I was interested to see how the new place compared.  If I walked into the place without never knowing the previous location, I might have been impressed as it looks like a nice place to dine (biases aside) but I was very disappointed to see it was a restaurant first these days with a half ass cramped bar and a piano that is hidden and invisible from the door.  I could barely hear music and if I didn't search for the piano, I wouldn't have known there was one in the restaurant.  Needless to say, I won't be hanging out at the new location.  After walking around Newport on the Levee for 20 minutes and circling around the bar at Arnie's across the street, we decided to cut our losses on $3 parking and head back to Ohio.  We ended up crashing at the Blind Lemon in Mt. Adams for the rest of the night to a jam packed crowd and some fantastic folk sounds from Greg Burton. 

 

You can hear him here:

http://www.myspace.com/gandthehpo

I was at Tink's last night around 6pm and they were packed to the gills and turning people away, as well.  If you haven't eaten at Tink's give it a try.  You'll love it.

for those requesting a more affordable/less formal dinner spot downtown, the Mythos at 4th & Walnut is going to stay open later, i.e. until 9 or so.

 

also--for the downtown lunch crowd, Fresh does not appear to be long for this world.  Word is they are also eyeing a possible move to Kenwood (?) area.

 

finally, not on topic, but keep your eye out for "SOAPBOX Cincinnati,"

an online weekly magazine devoted to documenting and advancing

the region's physical and economic transformation.

Think "Dwell" meets "Fast Company."

 

launching next Tuesday.

That's good news about Mythos, I've always thought they would do well in the evenings.

I was at Tink's last night around 6pm and they were packed to the gills and turning people away, as well.  If you haven't eaten at Tink's give it a try.  You'll love it.

 

I agree, I've always had excellent experiences at Tink's.  I was going to say that it seems like a lot of people I know have never been or haven't heard about it, but from the sounds of the lines there I'll keep it that way. 

for those requesting a more affordable/less formal dinner spot downtown, the Mythos at 4th & Walnut is going to stay open later, i.e. until 9 or so.

 

That is great!  Will they do weekend hours as well?

 

also--for the downtown lunch crowd, Fresh does not appear to be long for this world.  Word is they are also eyeing a possible move to Kenwood (?) area.

 

 

That sucks!  They are my favorite lunch time restaurant, and I eat there at least twice a week.  If they move to Kenwood, I will probably never go back.  I rarely go to the Kenwood area.  It seems they would get lost in a shuffle.  Perhaps they would do well in the Clifton area, but I can't picture them in Kenwood.

it's just a rumor....business has been pretty competitive since Ingredients et al opened up for lunch.

Does anyone know whats going on across the street from "Bang" and "Boss Cox"?

I saw some construction guys in there this morning...looks like they are starting to do work!

 

This is the one-story building located directly across the street from the Lombardy Apartments.

 

I stopped by and asked the construction workers what they were working on.  They informed me they are simply using the site as a temporary workshop and a place to store building materials for another project.

Hey David, just a piece of advice for the chef/owner at Via Vite.  The Inzimino is way overcooked. This is a big complaint by many on-line reviewers and i felt the same way. Otehrwise, I think the restaurant is excellent.

Looks like a Burrito Joe's is opening on Main St., near 7th or 8th St.

More sub-par burritos. Rah!

What about the construction in the Otte Building? (Next to McAlpin, corner of 4th and Race). Anyone knows what's coming there?

Looks like a Burrito Joe's is opening on Main St., near 7th or 8th St.

Dam, Where am I gonna get my gold  teeth caps now?

Hey David, just a piece of advice for the chef/owner at Via Vite.  The Inzimino is way overcooked

.

 

I heard  Chef Ramsay runs Via Vite?  Lester I dare you to tell it to face in his kitchen! :lol:

 

What about the construction in the Otte Building? (Next to McAlpin, corner of 4th and Race). Anyone knows what's coming there?

 

I asked some folks who work at the McAlpin in sales about the construction on the corner, and they are just finishing up the construction so it is more "sellable".  No takers yet on the retail space.  I then got on my soapbox and told them how perfect a Trader Joe's would be there or a gym.

That spot would be perfect for a Grocer.

Fresh looks great from the outside but there hours suck. I walk pass there on the way to work and they have a great highly visible location but they have the worst hours and they seem to lack that hustle.  Incentives and promotions can work to build brand loyalty; they need to indulge.

Taps ready to flow again at long-closed Grammer's

BY LISA BIANK FASIG | CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER

February 8, 2008

 

OVER-THE-RHINE - Restaurant investors Martin and Marilyn Wade are preparing to reopen the former Grammer's Restaurant in Over-the-Rhine as an historic bar that could one day be the anchor of a revitalized district.

 

See link above for article.

Someone should inform these gents that Penn Station makes a better cheesesteak than any in Philly. Fresher bread, better cheese, better meat.

 

No whiz wit.

Burrito Joe’s to open new store

BY STEPFANIE ROMINE | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

February 8, 2008

 

DOWNTOWN - The restaurant that was one of the first to bring big, custom-made burritos to Cincinnati is expanding again.

 

B.J. David is opening a second Burrito Joe’s location in downtown Cincinnati at the former Union Station Video Café and Carol’s on Main location at 825 Main St.

 

See link above for article.

^ that kinda sucks.  Burrito Joe's is so-so and those hours are weak as expected.  That is such a great space, in fact one of my favorite dining rooms in the city when it was Carol's.  I'd prefer to see it reborn as another lively night-time restaurant.

 

I suppose it's still better than sitting vacant.  Now someone needs to do something with the old Lava space next door.

Someone should inform these gents that Penn Station makes a better cheesesteak than any in Philly. Fresher bread, better cheese, better meat.

 

No whiz wit.

 

Co-sign.

I suppose it's still better than sitting vacant.  Now someone needs to do something with the old Lava space next door.

 

Yup...that stretch of Main Street could definitely use a thorough freshening up.