December 22, 20159 yr Sadly, tomorrow is the last day to have lunch at Paula's... Downtown lunchtime favorite closing for good One rumor is Cafe De Vine will reopen here after being booted from 309 Vine. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
December 22, 20159 yr ^^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. Americano's menu lists four of their signature cocktails (Front Porch Tea, Mom & Dad's Punch, Sangria Americano, Stawberry Lemonade) for $8: http://americanoburgerbar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/americano-menu-dec2015a.pdf Maybe your party didn't realize those were alcoholic cocktails? And they have a full bar, so presumably they could make most any cocktail.
December 22, 20159 yr ^Thanks for pointing that out. We didn't even see those on the menu, but it was one of those situations where the server was ready for our drink order the moment we sat down. We did ask the server if they had a cocktail list and she said no, at which point everyone just went with beers or wine. So I guess that's just a training issue.
December 22, 20159 yr Americano is still getting the kinks worked out. We went on their first or second night and had a number of strange issues, mostly related to timing of items showing up at the table, which is typical with new places. I do think their system of asking "pink/no pink" is a little weird considering that most places just ask "how do you want it cooked?" -- maybe they're concerned that people are going to be too picky about the boundaries between medium, medium well, and well. I also found it to be a little expensive overall for the portion sizes (we got a two "full sized" fries to split between the four people at the table and that really wasn't enough).
December 23, 20159 yr Slim Chickens coming to Cincinnati in 2016 A fast-casual chicken chain plans to open its first Cincinnati location in 2016, and it expects to grow rapidly in the Queen City. Slim Chickens, a Fayetteville, Ark.-based and Southern-inspired chain specializing in chicken tenders and wings, plans to open its first Cincinnati-area location next year. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/12/22/slim-chickens-coming-to-cincinnati-in-2016.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 23, 20159 yr Slim Chickens coming to Cincinnati in 2016 A fast-casual chicken chain plans to open its first Cincinnati location in 2016, and it expects to grow rapidly in the Queen City. Slim Chickens, a Fayetteville, Ark.-based and Southern-inspired chain specializing in chicken tenders and wings, plans to open its first Cincinnati-area location next year. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/12/22/slim-chickens-coming-to-cincinnati-in-2016.html Hmm, Slim Chickens and Raisin Cane's set for battle! When will Zaxby's jump in?
December 23, 20159 yr Is Lee's Famous Recipe still around? There's one in Covington near what used to be the Mad Hatter
December 23, 20159 yr Well the one in White Oak (corner of North Bend and North Bend) closed several years ago and I hadn't seen one since. That's the one that gave my grandfather his first and second heart attacks.
December 24, 20159 yr Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant selects first Greater Cincinnati location A Louisville-based restaurant chain specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken has selected its first location for Greater Cincinnati and will be opening early next year. Joella's Hot Chicken is opening in the High Street Center at 2440 High Street in Crescent Springs. The target opening date is by Feb. 1. Joella's started in Louisville but has expanded to Lexington, with more locations planned. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/12/24/nashville-style-hot-chicken-restaurant-selects.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 25, 20159 yr Spoon and Cellar coming to the new Holiday Inn on 8th! The new holiday inn being built? Is it supposed to have ground floor retail?
December 28, 20159 yr Downtown Cincinnati restaurant closes for good A downtown Cincinnati Mexican restaurant known for its wide variety of margaritas has closed its doors for good. The aptly named Margaritas at 214 E. Sixth St. on the ground floor of the Gwynne Building is no longer open for business, Gwynne Partners LLC manager Patrick Gates told me. Gwynne Partners purchased the building on Dec. 15, 2014. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/12/28/downtown-cincinnati-restaurant-closes-for-good.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 31, 20159 yr Author Jeff Ruby’s Waterfront eyes new location on land Dec 31, 2015, 7:03am EST Jeff Ruby’s famed Waterfront restaurant could be getting new life off the banks of the Ohio River, the Enquirer reports. Ruby is in talks with city officials and property owner Corporex to move the next generation of the restaurant from its former location at Covington Landing to the plaza between the RiverCenter towers and Embassy Suites hotel. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2015/12/jeff-ruby-s-waterfront-eyes-new-location-on-land.html
January 4, 20169 yr Molly Wellmann acquires Northside, OTR restaurants Wellmann's Brands acquired Melt in Northside and its associated catering business Picnic & Pantry in OTR, both operated by chef Lisa Kagen. The acquisition price was not disclosed.
January 4, 20169 yr I hope Picnic and Pantry remains on Republic Street. I just started using them to provide home-cooked meals carry-out for my family on hectic days. It has been a lifesaver. I was skeptical when it first opened, but it provides a service that no one else does ...at a reasonable price too. They have a steam table with a selection of hot entrees and sides ready to go.
January 4, 20169 yr There was a place called Margaritas? Their tacos tasted like the ones you would get from the cafeteria in grade school
January 4, 20169 yr I hope Picnic and Pantry remains on Republic Street. I just started using them to provide home-cooked meals carry-out for my family on hectic days. It has been a lifesaver. I was skeptical when it first opened, but it provides a service that no one else does ...at a reasonable price too. They have a steam table with a selection of hot entrees and sides ready to go. I really like their food. When I don't feel like making my own stuff but want something better than most quick places can offer I go there. Their food is tasty and affordable and in a convenient spot to a lot of people.
January 5, 20169 yr I hope Picnic and Pantry remains on Republic Street. I just started using them to provide home-cooked meals carry-out for my family on hectic days. It has been a lifesaver. I was skeptical when it first opened, but it provides a service that no one else does ...at a reasonable price too. They have a steam table with a selection of hot entrees and sides ready to go. My understanding is that Lisa is staying on as Exec Chef for Melt and P&P. Current locations will remain, but look to see more Melt locations eventually open and some food options come to Wellman bars. Plus now they can do integrated event stuff where you can get catering AND bar service.
January 5, 20169 yr Hopefully Cincinnati's Melt can open in Cleveland and Cleveland's Melt can open in Cincinnati.
January 5, 20169 yr I'll be honest, I really hope that never happens. Cleveland's Melt is overpriced junk. I don't really get where the obsession with cheese came from but Cleveland's Melt epitomizes the idea that more is more when it comes to cheese and it just isn't good. It's lazy food that is not really even that great when it comes to what it's trying to achieve. I'd rather have a place that uses cheese correctly and creates something more than just a slight step up from a pound of molten craft singles thrown on crappy toast. /rant
January 5, 20169 yr Härth Lounge bar to open Downtown Friday Beginning Friday, the Härth Lounge, Downtown, will transition from a private event space to a cocktail bar and lounge that's open to the public. Jeffrey McClorey, who owns fireplace and home decor retailer Bromwell's next door, has operated the venue at 125 W. Fourth St. as Bromwell's Härth Lounge and Event Center since last summer. (Before that, it operated as event venue The Hearth Room, a partnership between McClorey and Wellmann's Brands, which owns Japp's, Neons, Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar and Myrtle's Punch House. That partnership broke up, and a legal dispute resulted in the name change.) http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/nightlife/bars-and-clubs/2016/01/05/hrth-lounge-bar-open-downtown-friday/78308300/
January 6, 20169 yr I'll be honest, I really hope that never happens. Cleveland's Melt is overpriced junk. I don't really get where the obsession with cheese came from but Cleveland's Melt epitomizes the idea that more is more when it comes to cheese and it just isn't good. It's lazy food that is not really even that great when it comes to what it's trying to achieve. I'd rather have a place that uses cheese correctly and creates something more than just a slight step up from a pound of molten craft singles thrown on crappy toast. /rant Cheese is a crutch. While I like it, I know that cheese is used to cover up the fact that some things have no flavor. A lot of frozen food at the supermarket uses cheese as a crutch.
January 6, 20169 yr I hope Picnic and Pantry remains on Republic Street. I just started using them to provide home-cooked meals carry-out for my family on hectic days. It has been a lifesaver. I was skeptical when it first opened, but it provides a service that no one else does ...at a reasonable price too. They have a steam table with a selection of hot entrees and sides ready to go. Picnic and Pantry is staying right where it is and Melt is not leaving Northside. As Northsider said, we are hoping to add additional locations and bring food into our current bars. The food will remain the same but with more rotation and we hope to add addition product lines to both. Lisa Kagan isn't going anywhere either. She gets to get back to doing what she does best, being a chef.
January 7, 20169 yr I'll be honest, I really hope that never happens. Cleveland's Melt is overpriced junk. I don't really get where the obsession with cheese came from but Cleveland's Melt epitomizes the idea that more is more when it comes to cheese and it just isn't good. It's lazy food that is not really even that great when it comes to what it's trying to achieve. I'd rather have a place that uses cheese correctly and creates something more than just a slight step up from a pound of molten craft singles thrown on crappy toast. /rant I would disagree completely. I don't know which locations of Melt you've been to, but the original Lakewood location has always put out good product. And for what you get, it's not overpriced. Not every grilled cheese is going to be $5.
January 7, 20169 yr I've been to both the one in Lakewood and the one in Independence. You have to be obsessed with cheese to think it's even remotely worth the money. And I'm not. I like cheese in moderation like I like any other ingredient. And "moderation" isn't a word that's understood by Melt.
January 7, 20169 yr Raising Cane’s sets 1st Cincinnati opening date, adds 2nd location RCO Limited, the Ohio franchisee, will open its first restaurant in West Chester Township at 7806 Tylersville Road on April 30. The new store hired about 50 employees. In addition, the franchisee for Raising Cane’s will open a second restaurant in Springdale at 705 Kemper Commons Circle this July. It's beautiful! Raising Cane's, Springdale, OH (2) by Ryan busman_49, on Flickr
January 7, 20169 yr I've been to both the one in Lakewood and the one in Independence. You have to be obsessed with cheese to think it's even remotely worth the money. And I'm not. I like cheese in moderation like I like any other ingredient. And "moderation" isn't a word that's understood by Melt. Moderation was never their business model or style. They have always emphasized how much cheese they use. It's their style and always has been. A very successful style, I might add. You don't have to like their food, but don't pretend they are doing something wrong or are overpriced because you don't like the product. $9-15 for the food they give you is not overpriced and they are doing booming business.
January 7, 20169 yr I'm rarely one to think something is bad or overpriced or whatever just because it doesn't fit my taste. There are plenty of things that I think are great products that I just don't care for. This is in every category. Food, music, movies, whatever. I'm able to separate personal taste from what I consider a good product. I just don't think ridiculous amounts of cheese is a good product. That's all it is. It doesn't take any creativity or effort to taste "good." I'd rather something more interesting and unique like Cincinnati's Melt.
January 8, 20169 yr ^Now that Cincinnati's Melt has changed hands, they should really consider rebranding because that name is completely generic and overused. Apparently all 3 C's have their own restaurant with that moniker, and Columbus's might expand down here.
January 8, 20169 yr I'd support that. Every time I've ever described it to anyone coming from elsewhere in Ohio I have to follow it up with, "not the one in Cleveland." I didn't even realize there's another in Columbus. It doesn't even really necessarily describe the food that well in Cincy either. A different name could work but I doubt they'd go through that process honestly.
January 8, 20169 yr I've never been to the Cleveland style Melt, but it sounds like the type of place Guy Fieri would like - is that a proper assumption?
January 8, 20169 yr There's a different Melt in Columbus? Didn't Cleveland Melt expand into Columbus recently? This is too confusing.
January 8, 20169 yr Yeah, Cleveland's Melt is expanding across the state. So if they decide to enter Cincinnati, it's going to get really interesting. Molly's Melt?
January 8, 20169 yr Someone should do some rogue rebranding efforts and anonymously mail it to them for suggestion.
January 8, 20169 yr There's a different Melt in Columbus? Didn't Cleveland Melt expand into Columbus recently? This is too confusing. I thought so, but I'm only basing it on ColDayMan's post from earlier in the thread. I haven't subscribed to the business courier yet, so I can't read the full article. I just assumed that if Columbus Business First broke the story, it's probably a Columbus chain. Either way, this illustrates my point about the name: A new grilled cheese restaurant could be coming to Cincinnati Cincinnati is the home of “Shark Tank” success story Tom + Chee, but can it handle another gourmet grilled cheese restaurant? Courier sister publication Columbus Business First reports that Melt Bar & Grilled is scouting Cincinnati for a new location to expand its footprint in Ohio. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2015/12/a-new-grilled-cheese-restaurant-could-be-coming-to.html
January 8, 20169 yr I'd support that. Every time I've ever described it to anyone coming from elsewhere in Ohio I have to follow it up with, "not the one in Cleveland." I didn't even realize there's another in Columbus. It doesn't even really necessarily describe the food that well in Cincy either. A different name could work but I doubt they'd go through that process honestly. I've never understood the name either. I didn't want to mention it because I've always assumed I was just ordering the wrong thing and that different food might be... "meltier?". I'm glad I'm not alone on this.
January 8, 20169 yr I know it's just to describe the generic term for the type of sandwiches you can get there but they're just not all that melty. Which is fine by me, but the name isn't indicative of what you'll be getting when you go there.
January 8, 20169 yr The one from Columbus is owned by the one in Cleveland. Its a chain. “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
January 10, 20169 yr French fry-focused eatery opening first Cincinnati location By now most Cincinnatians are familiar with poutine – the Canadian dish that smothers French fries in brown gravy and tops them with cheese curds. But what about shepherd's pie over fries? Bruschetta? Bacon cheeseburger? A new restaurant is bringing those options to the Queen City in April. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/01/08/french-fry-focused-eatery-opening-first-cincinnati.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 12, 20169 yr OTR's newest burger bar is now open Over-the-Rhine's newest upscale burger restaurant and bar is now open across the street from Taft's Ale House. ZBGB Gourmet Burgers & Bar, run by Tsvika Silberberg, the chef behind Zula in OTR, opened its doors on Jan. 8 at 1438 Race St. ZBGB stands for Zula Bar and Gourmet Burgers, but the restaurant is independent from Zula. It's also a nod to the iconic New York bar CBGB. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/01/12/otrs-newest-burger-bar-is-now-open.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 13, 20169 yr New restaurant now open in former Annabel's space A new restaurant featuring Cuban- and Puerto Rican-influenced fare with an emphasis on street food is now open in the former Annabel's space on Mount Lookout Square. El Camino - Latin Street Food hosted its grand opening at 1004 Delta Ave. on Jan. 12. It held soft openings beginning on Jan. 6, including a brunch on Jan. 10. Co-owners Sean Morgan and Brad Johnson are running the restaurant. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/01/13/new-restaurant-now-open-in-former-annabels-space.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 13, 20169 yr Oakley juice bar expands with 2 new locations A popular cold-pressed juice bar and organic restaurant based in Oakley is expanding with two new locations in different neighborhoods this year. Rooted Juicery + Kitchen at 3010 Madison Road is opening two new locations in 2016, one in downtown Cincinnati and one in Mariemont. The restaurant and juice bar has been open at its Oakley location for six months. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/01/13/exclusive-oakley-juice-bar-expands-with-2-new.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 13, 20169 yr I have also seen people saying that Off the Vine juice bar has opened a second location, I believe in the skywalk level of the 580 building.
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