I've heard a couple people say that Mr. Sushi is now open on 6th Street near Walnut. Can anyone confirm, or has anyone been yet?

It's open. I may try it out later this week and see how it goes. I know they (obviously) serve sushi, but they also have popular Korean dishes that are served in a traditional Korean format.

Excellent! I'll try it tomorrow.

 

I saw an orange Taco Truck driving down Vine (by Fountain Square) about 12:30 today. Name escapes me... Anyone know where this thing is setting up?

I saw an orange Taco Truck driving down Vine (by Fountain Square) about 12:30 today. Name escapes me... Anyone know where this thing is setting up?

 

That is Senor Roy's Taco Patrol.  They have a Twitter account, but never really update people with that on where they'll be like the other food trucks around town.

 

Taco Azul will be hitting the streets this month and have said they'll be releasing their menu this week.  They have said they'll be using their Twitter account to update people on where they'll be, but for the most part the owner has said they're going to be Downtown for late night and open until 3am.

4th street It's just crepe's opened today

There is a deli on Main called "Lunch on Main" that just opened a few weeks back. if you like a real deli w/ boars head meants, this is for you.  Menu still seems a bit limited but what I have had their is excellent in the east coast deli style.

There is a deloi on Main called "Lunch on Main" that just opened a few weeks back. if you like a real deli w/ boars head meants, this is for you.  Menu still seems a bit limited but what I have had their is excellent in the east coast deli style.

 

Where is this located?

Tried Mr. Sushi for lunch today. I found the Sushi very good. Service needs a lot of work. By 11:45 they were busy and by noon they were getting slammed. You could tell it was their second day... With a little time, and little patience by the customers, they'll get it worked out.

 

It's a much needed option downtown and is in the perfect location. I will definitely return!

There is a deloi on Main called "Lunch on Main" that just opened a few weeks back. if you like a real deli w/ boars head meants, this is for you. Menu still seems a bit limited but what I have had their is excellent in the east coast deli style.

 

Where is this located?

 

Right accross from Penn Station.  I moved here from NY a year or so ago and while I think Cincy has a good restaurant scene and heritage for a Midwestern city, lunch options have been somewhat uninspiring. This place (I am a sucker for boarshead meats) and Mr. Sushi are very good additions.  Capri has some good dishes too. The pizza is good (not great) but some of the soups and specials they have are excellent.

I was suprised that Mr. Sushi was set up with full bar.  I also like how the varied the "drop" of the drop ceiling to sort of break the room up.  I was expecting something more spartan.

 

The service, as noted above, was atrocious and unbelieveably slow.  Our waiter was like an Asian version of McLovin.  I also never heard a waiter say "brain fart" before.  But he will get better, I'm sure. They were just slammed.  That said, we were on the tail end of lunch rush and still had a 90 minute lunch.  Worse than Bootsy's aborted lunch service.  We asked for our checks so we could pay PRIOR to even getting our food, that's how slow they were.

Yikes. I will give it a review hopefully by the end of the week, but I'm definitely going to avoid the rush based on the comments here and elsewhere. They do serve authentic Korean dishes, right?

There's a lot of stuff on the menu. They certainly have bi bim bap.  I didn't focus too much on the other stuff however so am not sure of the breadth of korean options.  The bento boxes may have some variety in them.

Taco Azul to open this March

By Randy A. Simes, UrbanCincy | February 5, 2010

http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/02/taco-azul-to-open-this-march.html

 

Cincinnati's newest food truck, Taco Azul, will hit the streets late this March according to owner Gary Sims. Once open for business, Taco Azul will bring a Los Angeles-style taco truck to Cincinnati with a variety authentic Mexican favorites hard to find locally.

 

There will be a variety of taco choices including the traditional taco pastor. In addition to tacos, Taco Azul will have burritos, quesadillas, and more traditional Mexican dishes like sopes and tortas. On the weekends Sims says that they will be serving menudo - a popular weekend soup great for hangovers. When available, Taco Azul also plans on offering ceviche and lengua. Maybe more exciting than anything else is the fact that horchata will also be on the menu.

 

"We are looking into no animal lard beans for our vegan friends," said Sims who also stated that their produce will come from local farms and that their meats will be local and range free whenever possible.

 

Stay tuned over the coming weeks as Taco Azul works out the final details for their new truck and continue to revise their menu (through user feedback of course). Right now their Facebook Page is the best way to stay connected, but once they start rolling around Opening Day their Twitter account will probably be the best bet.

I didn't know menudo was great for hangovers. 

 

Menudo: More than a Latino boy band

 

Great to hear they'll use local foods too.

Daniel Wright, co-owner of Senate, has informed me that they will be having a friends/family night on Wednesday, February 17 and a grand opening on Friday, February 19.  Be sure to go check 'em out...I'm planning on going on that Saturday at some point.

Hey Cincy formers...  I'm looking for a restaurant in urban Cincinnati to take my girlfriend for dinner on V-Day.  I'm looking for a place which is classy but not too expensive and preferrably an ethnic restaurant.

 

Thanks!!

I'd recommend Nada (http://www.eatdrinknada.com/main.html) or Sung Korean (http://www.sungkoreanbistro.com/) if you're going for somewhat upscale ethnic.

Cumin ain't bad either in East Hyde Park.

What type of food in particular, are you looking for when you say ethnic? There are loads of Italian and, to a lesser extent French restaurants that are classy yet unexpensive, but other ethnic cuisines limit the scenario a bit.  I've never been, but I've heard Emanu (http://www.emanuea.com/) is a pretty good place for Ethiopian food.  For Thai, Teak (http://www.teakthaicuisine.com/index.php) is great, and it's in the heart of Mt. Adams, which could be a nice spot for Valentines Day.  Beluga (http://www.belugaone.com/) is a great place in Hyde Park for sushi, although it's a little trendy/clubby, so if that's not your scene, avoid it. Also Ichiban (http://www.ichibanjapanesefusion.com/default.aspx) is a nice place (formerly 'Aqua') for Japanese fusion in Mt. Lookout Square.

 

Hope that helped!

Emanu is without a doubt the best Ethiopian food I have ever had at that price range.  (there are some considerably more expensive Ethiopian places in Atlanta and DC I have been too, which are better but not twice as good)

Great Stuff Guys!!  Thanks for helping out...  I'll probably go with the Ethiopian if my girlfriend is down...  I have also never been in the Kennedy Heights neighborhood; so that should be good.

 

 

Melt's new brunch offerings a smash hit

By Randy A. Simes, UrbanCincy | February 8, 2010

http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/02/melts-new-brunch-offerings-smash-hit.html

 

Due to an "overwhelming response" to Melt Eclectic Deli's new Sunday brunch hours (10am to 3pm), owner Lisa Kagen says that they will be increasing staff and prep, and plan on rotating the brunch menu on a monthly basis.

 

February's Sunday brunch menu includes vegan options like the Tofu Corquettes with creamy chipotle sauce, Smokey Roasted Tomatoes & Fresh Basil over Polenta cakes, and biscuits topped with vegan sausage "sawmill" style gravy and chives. Vegetarian options include the Huevos Rancheros (can also be made vegan), Veggie Bacon & Eggs Melt with mozzarella cheese and cage-free eggs on a ciabatta bun, and Spinach & Mushroom Frittata with smoked Gouda cheese.

 

Read the rest of Melt's Sunday brunch menu online here. Melt is located (map) in the heart of the Northside neighborhood business district. Bicycle parking is available nearby along with On and off-street for automobiles. Melt Eclectic Deli is also located on several Metro bus routes (plan your trip now).

Great Stuff Guys!! Thanks for helping out... I'll probably go with the Ethiopian if my girlfriend is down... I have also never been in the Kennedy Heights neighborhood; so that should be good.

 

 

 

It used to be BYOB, not sure if it still is

Great Stuff Guys!! Thanks for helping out... I'll probably go with the Ethiopian if my girlfriend is down... I have also never been in the Kennedy Heights neighborhood; so that should be good.

 

 

 

Not to nitpick, but it's in Pleasant Ridge. Right down the street from Molly Malones Irish Pub and Everybody's Records.

Great Stuff Guys!! Thanks for helping out... I'll probably go with the Ethiopian if my girlfriend is down... I have also never been in the Kennedy Heights neighborhood; so that should be good.

 

 

 

Not to nitpick, but it's in Pleasant Ridge. Right down the street from Molly Malones Irish Pub and Everybody's Records.

Ohh no that's fine.  I'm just trying to learn more about Cincy neighborhoods.  Is Pleasant Ridge a seperate Cincy neighborhood?

Great Stuff Guys!! Thanks for helping out... I'll probably go with the Ethiopian if my girlfriend is down... I have also never been in the Kennedy Heights neighborhood; so that should be good.

 

 

I actually decided to go with the Teak restaurant... Thanks Edale!

Great Stuff Guys!! Thanks for helping out... I'll probably go with the Ethiopian if my girlfriend is down... I have also never been in the Kennedy Heights neighborhood; so that should be good.

 

 

 

Not to nitpick, but it's in Pleasant Ridge. Right down the street from Molly Malones Irish Pub and Everybody's Records.

Ohh no that's fine. I'm just trying to learn more about Cincy neighborhoods. Is Pleasant Ridge a seperate Cincy neighborhood?

 

Yes.  Pleasant Ridge is south of Kennedy Heights.  If anything, Kennedy Heights should be a sub-section of Pleasant Ridge.

Hey guys, heading back down to cincy friday night and am going to meet up with my sister for dinner.  She was thinking Myra's but i told her i'd check around for anything new that we could check out.  Any ideas?  Nothing too expensive, I'm in grad school and she's a first year teacher.  Thanks for the suggestions

Island Frydays on Short Vine is pretty good Jamaican food, a couple minutes away from Myra's.  Can't go wrong with Myra's, though. One of my favorite places in Cincy.  Lavomatic is good but a bit pricier.

Tink's in Clifton before they close....

Hey guys, heading back down to cincy friday night and am going to meet up with my sister for dinner. She was thinking Myra's but i told her i'd check around for anything new that we could check out. Any ideas? Nothing too expensive, I'm in grad school and she's a first year teacher. Thanks for the suggestions

 

Hideaway in Northside.  Good food, lots of vegetarian options, similar vibe to Myra's but less Mediterranean centric and BYOB

Might have to check out Hideaway, my sister is a vegetarian.  Thanks for the suggestions

What type of food in particular, are you looking for when you say ethnic? There are loads of Italian and, to a lesser extent French restaurants that are classy yet unexpensive, but other ethnic cuisines limit the scenario a bit. I've never been, but I've heard Emanu (http://www.emanuea.com/) is a pretty good place for Ethiopian food. For Thai, Teak (http://www.teakthaicuisine.com/index.php) is great, and it's in the heart of Mt. Adams, which could be a nice spot for Valentines Day. Beluga (http://www.belugaone.com/) is a great place in Hyde Park for sushi, although it's a little trendy/clubby, so if that's not your scene, avoid it. Also Ichiban (http://www.ichibanjapanesefusion.com/default.aspx) is a nice place (formerly 'Aqua') for Japanese fusion in Mt. Lookout Square.

 

Hope that helped!

 

Thanks again for the restaurant suggestion.  Teak was a really interesting place with very good food.  I beat this place is really cool in the summer with the out door patio on the third floor..

 

 

Tink's in Clifton before they close....

 

When is Tink's closing?  I haven't heard anything about that.

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

My understanding is the speed of service at Javier's lately has been pretty awful.  People I know who used to go there stopped going when it took so long to get their food that their lunch hour was nearly over by the time they were served.

^ I always had good service at lunchtime at Javier's but horrible service at dinner.  I stopped going for dinner after two times of painfully long waits.

Two new lunch spots have opened on Main Street downtown:

http://soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0223mainstreetinvestment.aspx

Melt's new brunch offerings a smash hit

By Randy A. Simes, UrbanCincy | February 8, 2010

http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/02/melts-new-brunch-offerings-smash-hit.html

 

Due to an "overwhelming response" to Melt Eclectic Deli's new Sunday brunch hours (10am to 3pm), owner Lisa Kagen says that they will be increasing staff and prep, and plan on rotating the brunch menu on a monthly basis.

 

February's Sunday brunch menu includes vegan options like the Tofu Corquettes with creamy chipotle sauce, Smokey Roasted Tomatoes & Fresh Basil over Polenta cakes, and biscuits topped with vegan sausage "sawmill" style gravy and chives. Vegetarian options include the Huevos Rancheros (can also be made vegan), Veggie Bacon & Eggs Melt with mozzarella cheese and cage-free eggs on a ciabatta bun, and Spinach & Mushroom Frittata with smoked Gouda cheese.

 

Read the rest of Melt's Sunday brunch menu online here. Melt is located in the heart of the Northside neighborhood business district. Bicycle parking is available nearby along with On and off-street for automobiles. Melt Eclectic Deli is also located on several Metro bus routes (plan your trip now).

Will someone please give me a list of newer places in the Q that serve lunch M-F?  Thanks.

Will someone please give me a list of newer places in the Q that serve lunch M-F?  Thanks.

 

[*]Venice on Vine (Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 8pm)

[*]Senate (Tuesday through Thursday, 11am to 2pm & 4:30pm to 11pm; Friday 11am to 2pm & 4:30pm to 2am; Saturday, 4:30pm to 2am)

[*]Enzo's (Monday through Friday, 7am to 2pm)

[*]Coffee Emporium (Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm; Saturday & Sunday, 8am to 6pm)

[*]Lavomatic (Tuesday through Thursday, 11am to 10pm; Friday & Saturday, 11am to 11pm; Sunday 11am to 4pm)

 

I think that's all of them, but I may have missed one or two.

^

Depending on how far you want to stretch:

 

6: Iris Book Cafe (Monday through Thursday, 8AM to 10PM, Friday 8AM to 6PM, Saturday 11AM to 6PM, Sunday 11AM to 10PM)

^

Depending on how far you want to stretch:

 

6: Iris Book Cafe (Monday through Thursday, 8AM to 10PM, Friday 8AM to 6PM, Saturday 11AM to 6PM, Sunday 11AM to 10PM)

 

Not in the Gateway Urban Living Quarter but still good- Mayberry M-F 11-3pm,  Dinner Fri-Sat

Attempted to have dinner at the Senate last night. My party started trying before 8 and they were still on an indefinite wait two hours later. We ate at Lavomatic, which was also full. Good times.

^Thanks, guys.  I've found myself making frequent trips from downtown to Clifton via Vine the last month or so and will have to hit a few spots up. 

 

My wife is a picky eater so weekday lunch on my is the best time for me to explore!

My group also ate at Lavomatic this weekend after we found a long wait at Senate.  (Man, the menu at Lavomatic has gone downhill since I first ate there a year or so ago...)

(Man, the menu at Lavomatic has gone downhill since I first ate there a year or so ago...)

Why do you say that? I haven't had a chance to eat there yet, so that sounds quite disappointing. What are the differences?

Yeah I can also say that I think out of 7 of us, I was the only one happy with my meal. And they had run out of a bunch of stuff. It was kind of a mess. But I loved seeing Vine so active at night.

(Man, the menu at Lavomatic has gone downhill since I first ate there a year or so ago...)

Why do you say that? I haven't had a chance to eat there yet, so that sounds quite disappointing. What are the differences?

 

It seems like it went from being a semi-upscale restaurant to being a neighborhood hangout and faux greasy spoon.  The first time I ate there, I had the special which was a rack of lamb, and there were all kinds of desert options.    Now, the menu mostly consists of sandwiches, soup, hamburgers, fries, and tater tots.  Not that the food is bad or anything... it's just expensive for what it is, and there isn't much on the menu I'm interested in.

Tater tots?