I was a regular at the Gold Star in Athens, OH until its ignamanious close and transformation into the new Union Street Diner.  I always love it when some crappy restaurant moves to a new building of a totally different style but manages to keep the same surly character.  Even the smell of the booths seemed to change. 

My bro can't stand Camp Washington. I like it.

 

People watching there is great. Last time I was there late at night some LARPing event had just let out and all the vampyre faeries or whatever tf were in CW Chili, hahaha

There are so many nerds now that it's practically unbelievable. It's like the default male archetype now. So I don't get surprised when I see that stuff any more. And I'm not just saying that because of the industry that I am in -- it's been like that for longer than I've been around the game biz. Since 2005 at least.

If you haven't checked out the bar at Kaze in OTR yet, now's your chance:  http://www.soapboxmedia.com/features/121812kazeinotr.aspx

>There are so many nerds now

 

...yet I'm not sensing an imminent ska revival. 

 

Getting back to that beer conversation:

 

Great cultural record of what beers where hott back in '97. 

 

 

1:51: What the hell is Zima?

Old English - or was it Olde Englishe?

Zima was a scary clear fizzy alcoholic beverage. Never tried it. I don;t think it was brewed or fermented or anything, just isopropyl & seltzer.

The old(e) WC & Camp Washington Chili in Camp were insane.

Do college kids crave dives - real dives nowadays?

I had Zima once, I think. 

 

As for dives -- I dunno.  Dive bars, maybe, but as for food everyone is eating more expensive food than in the past.  At some point in the 80s or 90s colleges saw people going to the colleges with the newest and fanciest dorms and so an arms race began.  New dorms, rec centers, and food courts with chains instead of cafeterias.  People say they want "unique retailers" but they don't really.  Various people on Urban Ohio cheered on the demolition of Acropolis Chili and Inn the Wood.

1:51: What the hell is Zima?

 

Zima was actually a malt liquor.  Not like a Colt 45, but more like Sprite.  Very similar to todays Smirnoff Ice in flavor.

I drank a ton of Zima as a teen becuase climbing the "all beer not tasting like crap" mountain took a long time for me.

Yeah, Zima was like Smirnoff Ice in flavor, exactly, and it was a malted beverage like any "wine" cooler. Zima was heavily advertised on TV of the time. It was supposed to be revolutionary and it had a lot of buzz. I tried one and it was blaaaaah. But the same idea turned out to have a huge audience.

 

One episode of Babylon 5 (in 1994) where  a scene was set in a bar had a Zima sign in the background. Like Zima was supposed to be around in 2250.

Smirnoff Ice seemed quite a bit heavier than Zima to me. I'd buy a six-pack or two of Zima if they made it again.

 

It could become the next PBR if '90s nostalgia ever kicks in. '80s nostalgia was already a thing by 1995, but the '90s just doesn't seem to be happening (maybe a little of the early '90s because they were so incredibly nutty). I think it's because the '90s never totally went away except for the full-color look to everything.

 

Anyway, I was too young for a Dry beer, Red Dog or anything like that at the time. I would also give those a shot. All those beers that they advertised on MTV before they stopped accepting alcohol ads because too few adults were watching MTV.

The TUC Gold Star is no longer there. It is now a Papa Johns.

 

While we're at it, Taco Bell Replaced Pizza Hut and Chick-fil-a replaced the asian restaurant, Burger King replaced Wendy's, and sushi is still there.

 

Interesting. The rent for those spaces has to be super high. Taco Bell, Burger King, and Chick-fil-A seem like the places that would be frequented most by college students and be able to make the most profit there. (The sushi place is operated by Aramark, I believe, which also runs the campus Starbuckseses.)

My memories of food at UC are dominated by the Food Bubbles.

>It could become the next PBR if '90s nostalgia ever kicks in.

 

Except PBR was a regular regional beer at some point.  It even won that competition in St. Louis back in 1904, hence the name.  The people at PBR just lucked into it becoming the ubiquitous rock & roll beer.  In Athens the more hardcore rock & roll beer was Schaefer, which still operates under the radar, like that Olde Dan Tucker diluted whisky. 

 

 

>'80s nostalgia was already a thing by 1995, but the '90s just doesn't seem to be happening

 

Now if you are caught listening to any 90s rock, you're "stuck in the 90's".  The same people who make fun of 90s rock are the same ones who still think it's funny to sit around and talk about bacon. 

 

I went to the preview night at Quan Hapa last night. Their soft opening is tonight. It's a very small space and there's maybe only 10 seats at the bar, so expect long waits. Interesting food that is salty and savory and pairs well with beer. Certainly nothing like this in Cincinnati and maybe few places in the midwest...reminds me of some places in the Bay area I have been to. Lots of Japanese beer on tap. The prices seem to range from $6-12 for food (small plates) and their beer is all over the place from cheap OTR ale to $10/pint Japanese beers on tap. Lots of sake choices as well by the bottle or shot, with one bottle selling for $100.

 

One thing that I do not like is that they made the choice of using harsh white (energy-efficient) flourescent lighting everywhere, which makes the place feel kind of sterile and makes everyone look a lot less attractive haha. It's not a place that I would want to linger, like Bakersfield.

 

Both sides of the building have those glass garage doors that will roll-up in the summer, which will be awesome.

I went to the preview night at Quan Hapa last night. Their soft opening is tonight. It's a very small space and there's maybe only 10 seats at the bar, so expect long waits. Interesting food that is salty and savory and pairs well with beer. Certainly nothing like this in Cincinnati and maybe few places in the midwest...reminds me of some places in the Bay area I have been to. Lots of Japanese beer on tap. The prices seem to range from $6-12 for food (small plates) and their beer is all over the place from cheap OTR ale to $10/pint Japanese beers on tap. Lots of sake choices as well by the bottle or shot, with one bottle selling for $100.

 

One thing that I do not like is that they made the choice of using harsh white (energy-efficient) flourescent lighting everywhere, which makes the place feel kind of sterile and makes everyone look a lot less attractive haha. It's not a place that I would want to linger, like Bakersfield.

 

Both sides of the building have those glass garage doors that will roll-up in the summer, which will be awesome.

 

I was there too and everything I ate was great.  It is a tiny space, though, even smaller than the likes of Bakersfield and the other places further down on Vine.  Across the street at Kaze the bar is open, and the restaurant is supposed to follow in January, and it is massive.  It’s great to see so much activity so far north on Vine, and in Kaze’s case, actually off of Vine down a stretch of 14th street that I wouldn’t even walk down at night a month ago.

Does anyone know if the patio they are building at Kaze going to come all the way up to Vine St?

^Not sure, but I must say the design of KaZe is a knockout. Dark, minimalist and very sexy...they did an excellent job. Can't wait to see the restaurant and outdoor spaces.

 

If there's one downside, it's that this has high probability to be taken over by the bottle service/look at me/pretending to be in NYC-Miami-or LA crowd soon because it's far more upscale and sophisticated than anything in OTR right now.

 

Getting a criticial mass of people up there is a huge deal though. I bet most people who frequent A-Tavola/Bakersfield/etc have not had had any reason to go up there before. More foot traffic will likely also force Kroger to deal with all the loitering and drug activity that STILL plagues the area between 14 and 15th.

Overall I've been pretty disappointed at Kroger's complete lack of anything that recognizes the expanding demographics their store is being surrounded by. I actually never go there. I get almost everything from weekly trips to Findlay Market and a monthly trip to HP Kroger. About once a quarter I give the OTR Kroger a try and Nothing seems to ever change.

 

My immediate requests:

-Stop selling single serve alcohol

-Re do the parking lot, including basic fencing along Vine to funnel traffic correctly through an exit and entrance on each side (as in, three small 4 ft tall fences up against outer most spaces)

-More frequent hiring of off duty cops

 

Then start to improve the product selection, hell, maybe partner with a Findlay Market vendor or two.

I went to the preview night at Quan Hapa last night. Their soft opening is tonight. It's a very small space and there's maybe only 10 seats at the bar, so expect long waits. Interesting food that is salty and savory and pairs well with beer. Certainly nothing like this in Cincinnati and maybe few places in the midwest...reminds me of some places in the Bay area I have been to. Lots of Japanese beer on tap. The prices seem to range from $6-12 for food (small plates) and their beer is all over the place from cheap OTR ale to $10/pint Japanese beers on tap. Lots of sake choices as well by the bottle or shot, with one bottle selling for $100.

 

Pretty awesome place, I was espicially shocked to find Okonomiyaki there, that's something that quite literally I've only seen at a japanese grocery/food court catering to Japanese expats in Chicagoland.  We wound up doing an Asian fusion night spent 45 mins having a drink at Kaze, beating the cold then going across the street to Quan Hapa to get our food.

 

Kaze was beautiful, to top it off they awesome in the bathrooms too, plus they were even playing Akira on the tv screens :P.

 

Me and the owner of Quan Hapa just hit it off, I was talking about how Okonomiyaki is served with this weird cabbage like stuff that moves (some kind of fish thing, I forget the name) - he also mentioned an interest in doing hot pot and seemed very open to trying different things.  Not only that but the beer selection was fantastic and exotic too - beers I don't even see at pan asian places in Chicago or even San Francisco (one place in NYC had stuff like that) :).

>that this has high probability to be taken over by the bottle service/look at me/pretending to be in NYC-Miami-or LA crowd soon because it's far more upscale and sophisticated than anything in OTR right now.

 

Too bad The Warehouse isn't still there.  It would be incredible to see the Beautiful People forced to interact with The Marilyn Manson crowd. 

Does anyone know if the patio they are building at Kaze going to come all the way up to Vine St?

 

I've been told yes, there will be a nice looking wooden fence that goes between the front of the paint building and the front of Weilerts along the sidewalk. 

 

Also, I'm going to love how unique the restaurant crowd will be at Kaze. Embers crowds will be coming down from Madeira, Kenwood, Indian Hill etc. to see their newest restaurant.  That will really be great for OTR, those folks have a lot of disposable income! Also, I really love that side entrance off 14th. Pretty cool!

 

Went to Quan Hapa last night as well.  Packed, great beer selections, service was just ok but they were SLAMMED and I'm sure they're just working out the kinks. Disappointed that out of the huge sake menu there was only 1 hot sake, but the place was very good.  It's amazing how different the design of the two places are.  Kaze is dark, has lots of brick and steel, etc.  Quan Hapa is very bright and (as it's in an infill building) very new with lots of white, and aluminum. Good contrasts. 

 

When Mercer Commons opens up and Cintrifuse moves into/renovates 1313 Vine there will be a much greater connection between the restaurants between 12th and 13th and these new restaurants at 14th.  I've heard 4EG is looking at Weilerts for their second OTR concept as well.

Overall I've been pretty disappointed at Kroger's complete lack of anything that recognizes the expanding demographics their store is being surrounded by. I actually never go there. I get almost everything from weekly trips to Findlay Market and a monthly trip to HP Kroger. About once a quarter I give the OTR Kroger a try and Nothing seems to ever change.

 

My immediate requests:

-Stop selling single serve alcohol

-Re do the parking lot, including basic fencing along Vine to funnel traffic correctly through an exit and entrance on each side (as in, three small 4 ft tall fences up against outer most spaces)

-More frequent hiring of off duty cops

 

Then start to improve the product selection, hell, maybe partner with a Findlay Market vendor or two.

 

I actually LOVE the OTR Kroger.  While they definitely still act blissfully unaware of the drug traffic in their parking lot, once you get inside it's a different story.  I work near the Corryville Kroger and my next door neighbor does a weekly trip to Newport and offers a ride, but I try those two options every once in a while and NEVER find what I need in a convenient place.  Even though both stores are larger, they fail to adapt their products to the market.  At OTR Kroger, I asked for hummus and they added hummus.  I asked for Yogurt, they added yogurt.  I also asked for a larger produce selection and they said we'd love to, but Findley is a short walk away.  I asked for more tea and they said the same thing.  OTR Kroger is VERY good about addressing the neighborhood's needs which is expecially difficult given the two wildly different demographics in the immediate vicinity. 

 

What Cincinnati needs are more Krogers exactly like OTR scattered in every neighborhood.  Put a small one on Linn in West End, One in Lower Price Hill, one in Pendleton up on Reading and Liberty where the Check Cashing place is and build a larger Kroger Marketplace in downtown.  Perfect.

looking forward to the mercer commons garage opening in the spring. it will probably be a popular place to park for the kaze/quan hapa crowd

What Cincinnati needs are more Krogers exactly like OTR scattered in every neighborhood.  Put a small one on Linn in West End, One in Lower Price Hill, one in Pendleton up on Reading and Liberty where the Check Cashing place is and build a larger Kroger Marketplace in downtown.  Perfect.

 

Sadly, I think the industry has figured out a way to make that unprofitable.

We had a date night last Wednesday - started off with a happy hour drink at Japp's, then dinner at Metropole, followed by seeing the Hobbit.

 

The design of the Metropole is really, really great.  The original floor being kept is key, and it's just an interestingly laid out place.  Definitely somewhere to see and be seen.  By the time we left at 7, it was pretty hopping - not bad for a weeknight just after the holiday season. Service is not stuffy but is extremely attentive.

 

I had a Pig in the City, which was a cocktail made with rye, sweet vermouth, maple syrup, and bacon essence.  Not bad, but the bacon was a little too overpowering - made it difficult to taste the rye and maple.  I had a terrific salad with roasted pears and cooked chioggia beets.  Just really lovely.  My husband had the burger and fries which was done perfectly, and my entree was the milk-braised pork, which was simple but executed very very well, letting the excellent red wattle pork and local polenta shine. Portions were reasonable.

 

We enjoyed ourselves quite a bit, but I'd recommend checking the menu before you go.  There's only about 5-6 entrees, so make sure there's something you'd be excited about eating before you go.  Menu's supposed to change every few months.

I learned from their Twitter account that Kaze now is going to be open on Sunday, which is great news.  On that note, there was something weird I noticed when I was in town visiting the folks for the holidays, in spite of OTR having the hottest restaurant scene in the city, just about everywhere but Bakersfield which predictably had a very long wait was closed on Sunday after a Bengals game... does that make any sense?

 

In larger more progressive cities the close day tends to be Monday and/or Tuesday as the weekend is when most volume comes to stores.  On top of that, someone should write the franchiser of the Skyline Chili at Court Street about the $100,000s they are probably loosing by not catering to the night crowd just to the north...  I mean come on, it closes at 5pm like that corner of downtown isn't even active and/or is still dangerous.

 

Too many folks in the Cincy region have a real problem adapting to change :P.

I learned from their Twitter account that Kaze now is going to be open on Sunday, which is great news.  On that note, there was something weird I noticed when I was in town visiting the folks for the holidays, in spite of OTR having the hottest restaurant scene in the city, just about everywhere but Bakersfield which predictably had a very long wait was closed on Sunday after a Bengals game... does that make any sense?

 

In larger more progressive cities the close day tends to be Monday and/or Tuesday as the weekend is when most volume comes to stores.  On top of that, someone should write the franchiser of the Skyline Chili at Court Street about the $100,000s they are probably loosing by not catering to the night crowd just to the north...  I mean come on, it closes at 5pm like that corner of downtown isn't even active and/or is still dangerous.

 

Too many folks in the Cincy region have a real problem adapting to change :P.

 

It is a corporate-owned store... good luck convincing "the man" to change.

If they don't its their loss  :evil:

 

Purely a practical business proposition in this case.  I had read somewhere it was the first franchise store, but if its a corp store it doesn't make much of a difference other than who runs it.

I learned from their Twitter account that Kaze now is going to be open on Sunday, which is great news.  On that note, there was something weird I noticed when I was in town visiting the folks for the holidays, in spite of OTR having the hottest restaurant scene in the city, just about everywhere but Bakersfield which predictably had a very long wait was closed on Sunday after a Bengals game... does that make any sense?

 

In larger more progressive cities the close day tends to be Monday and/or Tuesday as the weekend is when most volume comes to stores.  On top of that, someone should write the franchiser of the Skyline Chili at Court Street about the $100,000s they are probably loosing by not catering to the night crowd just to the north...  I mean come on, it closes at 5pm like that corner of downtown isn't even active and/or is still dangerous.

 

Too many folks in the Cincy region have a real problem adapting to change :P.

 

I've been to Kaze the last two sundays... I'm confused....

A friend recently moved back to Cincinnati. We went out this weekend and spent most of our time out at the Metropole bar/21c museuem, Kaze and Quan Hapa. Those three places are all brand new and on a whole new level for the city. The changes happening in Cincinnati are really incredible.

 

EDIT: Also, Senate is now open for lunch 11a-2p on Saturday.

 

Blue Wisp Jazz club might go out after their big move/expansion into the restaurant biz. Before they moved, they were considering coming to OTR. They would have been wise to do so. If Blue Wisp closes, I hope it is reincarnated somewhere in OTR.

The Blue Wisp's current location is on the same block as its second location.  It was in the basement of the building on the south side of Piatt Park from about 1988 until about 2003.  A lot of its patronage came from hotels.  Part of the move back to that block was an attempt to regain those hotel people. 

A look inside the new Seasons 52 at Rookwood

 

 

When Seasons 52 Fresh Grill opens on Feb. 4 at Rookwood Exchange in Norwood, it will offer patrons five unique dining experiences.

 

I got a personal tour of the under-construction restaurant from Michael Jong, director of operations for Seasons 52. Even though the restaurant is about four weeks away from being ready to open to the public, you could almost smell the aroma of wine and hear the hustle and bustle of the open kitchen.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/01/08/a-look-inside-the-under-construction.html

Jefferson Social to open at The Banks

 

Jefferson Social, a neighborhood bar and restaurant serving Mexican street food, will move into a more than 4,000-square-foot space at the Banks riverfront development.

 

The bar and restaurant will fill the space at the corner of Freedom Way and Walnut Street. It will have seating for small and large groups, as well as communal tables. The bar at Jefferson Social will have more than 25 bourbons and 16 taps rotating domestic and craft beers.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/01/08/jefferson-hall-owner-opening-bar-and.html

how many goram restaurants can we support?

Following the closure of Springfield's TGIF, the one in Oakley is closing.

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/newintown/2013/01/15/t-g-i-fridays-in-hyde-park-plaza-closed/

 

When the one in Springfield closed the Dayton Biz Journal said "The Bistro Group, the third largest franchisee of T.G.I. Friday’s, announced Monday it had closed the Springfield location as a result of evolving guest and consumer needs."

uh, yeah

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2012/09/24/tgi-fridays-closes-local-restaurant.html

The Springdale Friday's is where The Naked Cowboy got his start.  When and if it closes, they need to put up a historic site marker.

^ umm, i would suspect he got his start in northside.

The Springdale Friday's is where The Naked Cowboy got his start.  When and if it closes, they need to put up a historic site marker.

 

I thought he got his start at the Pipeline in OTR.

I had heard that he started as a Friday's waiter BEFORE I met the former manager who claimed he hired him.  Adjust that sentence in any direction and you have some standup material. 

Everyone remain calm about TGI Fridays.... Oakley is gaining an Olive Garden! We dodged a bullet there!

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130116/BIZ/301170035/Olive-Garden-headed-Oakley

PTL

I had heard that he started as a Friday's waiter BEFORE I met the former manager who claimed he hired him.  Adjust that sentence in any direction and you have some standup material. 

 

He used to come back there and wait tables even after he was famous.

 

Source: Went there once in high school and he was our waiter, after seeing him on Times Square a few months earlier.

I heard today that Incline Public House opens Feb 1.

Same. It's on its website too: http://www.inclinepublichouse.com

 

Such + Such made its sign:

Bobby Flay’s burger joint coming to Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati

 

 

Bobby’s Burger Palace, an East Coast hamburger chain promoted by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, is coming to Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati.

 

An affiliated entity, BBP Cincinnati LLC, obtained an Ohio liquor permit for the sale of beer, wine and spirits at a casino restaurant.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2013/01/bobby-flays-burger-joint-coming-to.html

bobby flay is on the way -- armed with his infamous array of squirt bottles!

My name is Rex Vining. I’m the new Marketing Coordinator at Mayberry Gastro Pub, and I’d like to inform you of the events we’ll be running during Cincinnati Beer Week. The attachment function doesn't seem to be working for me, so I'm pasting the press release in the body below. Please share with any interested parties.

 

Contact:  Rex Vining                                                                                             

Cell Phone:  513.288.3886

Email:  [email protected]

 

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

 

MAYBERRY GASTRO PUB GETS CRAFTY DURING CINCINNATI BEER WEEK

OTR Eatery and Bar Celebrates with Epic Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada, and a Rare Trappist Beer

 

Starting February 7th, craft beer lovers from all over will descend upon Greater Cincinnati to participate in Cincinnati Beer Week (Feb. 7-14) and Cincy Beer Fest (Feb 15 & 16). In honor of Cincinnati Beer Week, Mayberry Gatro Pub in Over-the-Rhine (1211 Main St.) is running several beer-related promotions, including an Epic Brewery Hors D’oeuvres Party, a special Sierra Nevada Dinner, and the raffling of a rare Trappist beer. Read on for all the mouthwatering details.

 

Epic Brewery Hors D’oeuvres Party

 

Friday February 8th from 5 to 10 PM, Mayberry Gastro Pub will feature five craft beers from Epic Brewing Company paired perfectly with five tasty bites from their kitchen. Beers will be sold for $5 each, while bites will cost $2 each.

 

Sierra Nevada Dinner

 

The following Tuesday on February 12th at 6:30 PM, Sierra Nevada will take over Mayberry Gastro Pub for a special pre-fixe dinner. For $50, guests will enjoy a five-course meal paired with five Sierra Nevada brews—plus a beer for happy hour. Happy hour will feature Sierra Nevada’s Kellerweis, followed by a first course served with their Pale Ale, a second course paired with their Ovila Golden, a third course featuring their Ruthless Rye, a fourth course served with their Big Foot Ale, and a dessert coursed paired with the brewery’s Ovila Abbey Quad with Plums. 50 seats are available for the dinner. For reservations, call 513-381-5999. A credit card is required to hold your table and 48-hour notice is required for all cancellations. 

 

Westvleteren 12 Beer Raffle

 

When Chef Joshua Campbell of Mayberry Gastro Pub had the opportunity to obtain a six-pack of Westvleteren 12, he jumped at the chance. The beer, which many experts call the single best tasting beer in the world, is brewed by the monks at St. Sixtus Abbey in Belgium. It is usually only available at the abbey, and even then with an appointment. However, the abbey needed a new roof, and a limited amount of specialty edition six packs were recently sold in the United States. While the initial retail price was just under $100, the beer went quickly, and many six packs have sold on ebay for several hundred dollars. During Cincinnati Beer Week, Mayberry Gastro Pub will sell 50 raffle tickets for $25 each, and one lucky winner will take home the prized six-pack.         

 

Cincy Beerfest Connoisseur’s Lounge

 

In addition to the various events taking place at Mayberry Gastro Pub, Chef Campbell and his team will help feed event patrons at the Cincy Beerfest Connoisseur’s Lounge. 

 

“Cincinnati Beer Week and Cincy Beerfest are big events for us,” said Chef Campbell. “Being a gastropub, we take a lot of pride in the quality of both our food and our beer. These events provide an excellent way for us to connect with fellow beer lovers and showcase our strengths.”     

 

###

If you’d like more information about this topic, please call Rex Vining at 513.288.3886 or e-mail Rex at

[email protected].

Plans to reopen Mike Fink restaurant on hold

Staff Business Courier

 

The partnership between two family-owned companies that planned to reopen the Mike Fink floating restaurant has dissolved and plans for reopening the restaurant by Cincinnati Reds Opening Day are on hold, the River City News reported.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2013/01/plans-to-reopen-mike-fink-restaurant.html