^I was excited until I read "Buttermilke Shoppes in Crescent Springs." I'm about 0% likely to go there. Hopefully they'll expand to more locations if/when they do well.

Is that a direct rip off of Hot Chicken Takeover in Columbus?

 

^^ It's where the closest Home Depot is to downtown/OTR, so my chances of going there are closer to 5% than 0%. Currently Richie's is my go-to chicken place, edging out The Eagle and the Hitching Post (the one by the junkyards near Lunken Airport).

Regarding tuckers, I read the cincinnati mag article. Apperantly there's alot of new inspection processes that are needed to be done.

 

But apperantly if it goes through (which they are hoping to be approved in december/janurary) , then they will eventually reopen. They want to re-open, but new resturaunt regulations are pushing them back.

Findlay Market vendor sets opening date for Pendleton cafe

 

 

A Findlay Market vendor known for his blue espresso Vespa has set an opening date for his first brick-and-mortar cafe in Pendleton.

 

Daniel Noguera will open Urbana Cafe at 1206 Broadway St. by Dec. 14, but he could be open as soon as Dec. 11.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/12/08/findlay-market-vendor-sets-opening-date-for.html

I'm loving the new businesses opening up in Pendleton. It's such a great neighborhood.

 

I was on Instagram and saw a post from Holtman's stating they're closed until further notice. Apparently they had a kitchen fire.

Lime closed permanently at U Square last week.  The sign is already down. 

 

 

I'm under the impression that Lime is closing a lot of stores nationwide. But I could be wrong. Also, haven't they been closed for several weeks already? I thought they were closed mid-November or something.

I believe Lime is either closing or selling all stores nationwide.

Yeah Lime is going under as a company. Not really related to U Square or Cincinnati anymore than Toby Keith's closing was.

They should replace it with a Longhorn. DAAP students will eat there ironically.

^Did Jake take over your account, Travis?

They should replace it with a Longhorn. DAAP students will eat there ironically.

 

Great call, I go to Longhorn once a year on Christmas Eve and I have to say it never disappoints.

Via Vite chef's newest restaurant is opening tomorrow, and we've got a look inside: PHOTOS

 

Chef Cristian Pietoso cut his teeth working in and heading up Italian restaurants, but his newest spot, opening tomorrow, is pure American.

Americano Burger Bar at 545 Race St., on the ground floor of the 84.51 building, is hosting its grand opening on Dec. 10. It's the third restaurant owned by Pietoso and his wife, Amanda. They opened Via Vite on Fountain Square in 2007 and Forno Osteria in Hyde Park earlier this year.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2015/12/via-vite-chefs-newest-restaurant-is-opening.html

Id rather have the regions first urban Outback.  Gotta love those oil cans.

Via Vite chef's newest restaurant is opening tomorrow...

 

 

Chef Cristian Pietoso cut his teeth working in and heading up Italian restaurants, but his newest spot, opening tomorrow, is pure American.

 

Americano Burger Bar at 545 Race St., on the ground floor of the 84.51 building, is hosting its grand opening on Dec. 10. It's the third restaurant owned by Pietoso and his wife, Amanda. They opened Via Vite on Fountain Square in 2007 and Forno Osteria in Hyde Park earlier this year. Click on the image below for a first look into Pietoso's new restaurant.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2015/12/via-vite-chefs-newest-restaurant-is-opening.html

Holtman’s Donuts closes OTR shop after fire

 

 

Holtman’s Donuts in Over-the-Rhine has been closed until further notice.

 

The popular donut-maker tweeted on Tuesday night that the shop at 1332 Vine St. has been closed following a small kitchen fire.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2015/12/holtman-s-donuts-closes-otr-shop-after-fire.html

Senate opening second location in Blue Ash's Summit Park:

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/12/10/summit-park-blue-ash-ohio-senate-restaurant/75867570/

 

So Blue Ash is trying to buy some yuppie cred by luring a local independent in the way mid-sized cities like Cincinnati used to court Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood.

 

Plus, look at the streetcar hate in the comments.  Ironically it is Blue Ash's purchase of the airport land where Senate #2 will operate that is paying a significant fraction of the streetcar's construction cost. 

Two new upscale burger places now open -- Bru in the former Cadillac Ranch space and Americano in the Dunnhumby Centre. Anyone done a taste test between them?

Has anyone been to Terry's Turf Club? A Columbus co-worker of mine has asked me if it is loud (in her words "louder than The Cracker Barrel").

I can get loud at Terry's Turf Club. There is also a bit of a wait at times.

...The Cracker Barrel is generally filled with lifelessness and is probably the opposite dining atmosphere from Terry's. Terry's is very enjoyable though even though it can often get loud.

Some might say the neon is loud...

Bru's interiors don't look too shabby and it was packed the other night ... can't wait to try it.

Went there for lunch today. Table of 8 all enjoyed their burgers and the service was quite good for how busy they were.

Urbana Cafe is now open right next to Nation in Pendleton.

Sprout Market in Mt. Adams closing Sunday

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/12/17/sprout-market-mt-adams-closing-sunday/77411604/

 

Mount Adams will lose an establishment from its food, drink and shopping landscape this weekend.

 

Sprout Market & Eatery, a combination restaurant and small grocery that sold local goods, announced Tuesday its final day of business will be Sunday.

That's unfortunate. I enjoyed it the times I ate there. But not once while there was it even remotely full so it's not surprising.

That's too bad, it was a nice establishment.  It seems Mt. Adams isn't doing so hot these days as OTR is really filling out.  I don't know names off hand but a few bars have closed, and some of the buildings aren't in great shape on the inside compared to when I moved here only 3 years ago.

My experience with many Mt. Adams bars and restaurants is that they are just not on par with what OTR and Northside offer. Many of them don't have great selections of craft beer or craft cocktails, or are bar & grill type places that have mediocre food, or are the type of places that would have a "Ladies Night" which is definitely not something that the top OTR and Northside bars are doing these days. Not to say that there aren't a few really great places in Mt. Adams. The Rookwood is still one of my favorite restaurants in the city both in terms of food and atmosphere.

^I think you've hit the nail on the forehead of why Mt. Adams might not be doing quite as well as it once was. It's not so much that other places have pirated their business as it is that the options in Mt. Adams just aren't up to par with what they really should be. A few places are fun but overall it just doesn't have anything that distinctive or anything you can't find a better version of elsewhere.

My experience with many Mt. Adams bars and restaurants is that they are just not on par with what OTR and Northside offer. Many of them don't have great selections of craft beer or craft cocktails, or are bar & grill type places that have mediocre food, or are the type of places that would have a "Ladies Night" which is definitely not something that the top OTR and Northside bars are doing these days. Not to say that there aren't a few really great places in Mt. Adams. The Rookwood is still one of my favorite restaurants in the city both in terms of food and atmosphere.

 

Unfortunately, Sprout was one of the few that didn't fit the Mt Adams mold that you have outlined, and its the one that closed.  Also, AliveOne and Tap&Go before that had great craft beer selections and also closed.  Mt Adams might actually be a poor environment for that type of bar, given that most people that want craft beer and cocktails are already bar hopping in OTR.

I abandoned Mt. Adams once Tavern on the Hill took deep fried pretzel bites off their menu.  :wtf:

My experience with many Mt. Adams bars and restaurants is that they are just not on par with what OTR and Northside offer. Many of them don't have great selections of craft beer or craft cocktails, or are bar & grill type places that have mediocre food, or are the type of places that would have a "Ladies Night" which is definitely not something that the top OTR and Northside bars are doing these days. Not to say that there aren't a few really great places in Mt. Adams. The Rookwood is still one of my favorite restaurants in the city both in terms of food and atmosphere.

 

Unfortunately, Sprout was one of the few that didn't fit the Mt Adams mold that you have outlined, and its the one that closed.  Also, AliveOne and Tap&Go before that had great craft beer selections and also closed.  Mt Adams might actually be a poor environment for that type of bar, given that most people that want craft beer and cocktails are already bar hopping in OTR.

 

But I think there is plenty of opportunity for other neighborhoods to step up their game and be destinations for people that don't want to go to OTR. Northside has The Littlefield; Pleasant Ridge has the Overlook Lodge. Those are both very polished bars on par with what you'd find in OTR. I think Mt. Adams could support a few places of that caliber.

I feel like if your a restaurant/bar and your not locating yourself in OTR, your shooting yourself in the foot.

 

OTR gets so much pedestrian traffic and word of mouth, and each restaurant has so long wait times on the weekends. If you manage to make decent food/serve good drinks, then your bound to be successful from the spill over from people tired of waiting for there go-to spot.

^Other neighborhoods need restaurants and bars as well.  Not everyone wants to go to OTR all of the time, even though it is very popular right now.

 

It may be time for a few of the Mt Adams bars to transition to other types of businesses though.  I'm not sure that there is enough demand in Mt Adams to support 10+ bars .

I can very much see Mt. Adams transitioning to a more traditional neighborhood business district with retail filling the spots of these bars. I think if they pushed for it to be a small scale shopping corridor it could do well. It would distinguish itself from other places and would attract some of the older crowd that avoids it because of the bars that are there currently. There is definitely an adjustment that needs to be made because having only bars isn't working.

My fiancée used to work at Tavern on the Hill back in the 00's. We drove through the neighborhood  down St. Gregory St. on a recent weekend night and she was surprised at how slow everything was. Some relevant links including a story from today:

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/nightlife/bars-and-clubs/2015/12/18/how-downtown-otr-bar-scene-turned-upscale/76732586/

 

https://cincinnatiideas.wordpress.com/mt-adams-gondola/

I think if they pushed for it to be a small scale shopping corridor it could do well. It would distinguish itself from other places and would attract some of the older crowd that avoids it because of the bars that are there currently.

 

Love this idea. 

I almost feel as if it could do very well turning a few of those bars into "co-work" space / coffee shops.  Obviously Bow Tie Cafe does a nice job up there, but I think it could support a couple one or two more of those types of establishments.  I figured that's what Sprouts was going for, a little more "mature" crowd (I hope that doesn't offend anyone, as that is not my intention).  Also you have to wonder how the opening of the new event space up at the top of the hill, is it the Montastery, will affect the crowds in Mt. Adams.

I can very much see Mt. Adams transitioning to a more traditional neighborhood business district with retail filling the spots of these bars. I think if they pushed for it to be a small scale shopping corridor it could do well. It would distinguish itself from other places and would attract some of the older crowd that avoids it because of the bars that are there currently. There is definitely an adjustment that needs to be made because having only bars isn't working.

 

That's the way Mt. Adams used to be!  There were mainly very nice boutiques, art galleries, etc. along St. Gregory.  The only bars I can recall from those days (talking about the late 1960s - 1970s) were the Blind Lemon, which is still there, and Mahogany Hall.  Summerfair was held on the streets of Mt. Adams a couple of times, which complemented the crafts, art, apparel and jewelry found in the boutiques, but it was too much in the way of crowds and rowdiness for the tiny neighborhood and was moved to the Eden Park reservoir area for a while, where it expanded and eventually moved on to different venues.  I guess the bar scene grew as Baby Boomers came of age, but since it's become a neighborhood that mainly only wealthy people can afford to live in, the noisy bars and expensive residences don't coexist very peacefully.  I have friends who live in Mt. Adams and they're glad the bar scene is dying down.

^that's what I was thinking. The party hardy demo might have been pushed out by older, wealthier individuals.

^I wouldn't say that.  I think the OTR bar scene has simply siphoned off Mt. Adams customers.

The bars are still totally jammed on Fridays and Saturdays.  There's usually gridlock on St. Gregory from about 12:30-2:30. 

:clap:

 

Raising Cane's to open restaurant in Cincinnati's core

 

 

Fast-casual chicken finger chain Raising Cane's Cincinnati fans have set records when new locations opened in the Tri-State. But they've all been in suburban or outlying areas, never in the city's center. Until now.

 

Raising Cane's, based in Baton Rouge, La., will open a restaurant location – it's fifth in the region – near the campus of the University of Cincinnati by next fall, local franchisee Tim McCarthy told me.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/12/21/raising-canes-to-open-restaurant-in-cincinnatis.html

:cry:

 

Greater Cincinnati restaurant closes

 

 

A beloved Greater Cincinnati restaurant is closing its doors.

 

Virgil’s Café announced on its Facebook page last week that it would be closing after 6.5 years in Bellevue.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2015/12/greater-cincinnati-restaurant-closes.html

Oh no!

 

 

 

The bars are still totally jammed on Fridays and Saturdays.  There's usually gridlock on St. Gregory from about 12:30-2:30. 

 

I took my girlfriend down to Cincinnati last year to show her around. She's from Cleveland and we were living in Columbus at the time. She had never been there. Of course she fell in love with the city. She was taking so many pictures of all the little side streets with views of hills in the background. She's really not even one to take a lot of pictures but I think that's the first thing most people do once they go to Cincinnati. People are instantly blown away by how picturesque the built environment is.

 

I took her to OTR and was blown away by all of the swift changes. I think it was actually probably hard for her to envision that the southern part of OTR was as bad as it was, just 6-7 years ago. Sort of like how it would be hard for me to picture German Village being skid row before the '60s or whenever gentrification occurred there.

 

I wanted to show her the true beauty of the city which is best seen from Mt. Adams with its incredible architecture, density, hills and view of downtown. I believe we went in the middle of the week, though. It was probably about 8-9pm and we were the only patrons in Longworth's. I told the bartender I remembered Mt. Adams bars being busier. He said that a lot of their clientele is in OTR now. Probably their younger college-aged crowd since OTR is much closer to UC than Mt. Adams. I'd imagine Mt. Adams will always have its die-hard loyal patrons though. Hopefully enough to sustain the long-standing businesses there.

 

Via Vite chef's newest restaurant is opening tomorrow...

 

 

Chef Cristian Pietoso cut his teeth working in and heading up Italian restaurants, but his newest spot, opening tomorrow, is pure American.

 

Americano Burger Bar at 545 Race St., on the ground floor of the 84.51 building, is hosting its grand opening on Dec. 10. It's the third restaurant owned by Pietoso and his wife, Amanda. They opened Via Vite on Fountain Square in 2007 and Forno Osteria in Hyde Park earlier this year. Click on the image below for a first look into Pietoso's new restaurant.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2015/12/via-vite-chefs-newest-restaurant-is-opening.html

 

I really need to go to this new place! D#mnit, now I live in Cleveland, I can't take easy trips to Cincinnati.

I have fond memories of working at Via Vite. Christian was really cool. That other executive chef they hired was an over-paid @sshole. I hope Christian got rid of him. Also when I went to Cincinnati, I took my girlfriend to Via Vite. The menu was almost exactly the same as when I worked there in 2007 when they first opened. I was really surprised, usually chef's have seasonal menus and the regular menu changes over the years but I think the goal with Via Vite was to keep the menu simple so that the food was guaranteed to be consistent and made and sent out quickly. If you guys haven't tried it, get the Penne alla Bolognese. It's the best Bolognese sauce I've ever had and if you go during happy hour you get a good amount for $6!) I'm really curious to try his new place and see what other recipes he has up his sleeve.

David[/member] Cristian also opened a new place in Hyde Park called "Forno" which is quite good. It has more of the changing, seasonal type menu thing going on.

^^I went to Americano Burger Bar for the first time with some friends over the weekend and all of us loved it.  The food was great and I really liked the feel of the space.  My only criticism is that they don't have a cocktail list, which means they're just leaving money on the table.  The girls in our group wanted cocktails but weren't sure what to get, so they just went with a glass of the house wine (probably $5, but they would have preferred a $10 mixed drink).  That's an easy fix that will hopefully happen in time.