June 24, 20168 yr Photos of Maplewood: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/06/24/look-inside-downtown-cincinnatis-newest-restaurant.html I like how Mita's, Maplewood, and Americano all have such great interior designs, each with a very distinct feel. Of those 3 restaurants, I'm most excited about Maplewood because it introduces something that isn't currently available in the area: inexpensive (under $10/meal), open early (at 7am), nice ambiance, can accommodate larger groups, serves good coffee, good for both quick meals and longer lingering, and serves alcohol. I can't think of any other place in the CBD or OTR that hits all of those attributes. I'm curious to see how the rest of the 84.51 retail space gets filled up.
June 24, 20168 yr One other thing I like about Maplewood... while it is only open for breakfast and lunch now, after a month or so they plan on serving dinner and being open 7am-10pm, 7 days a week.
June 24, 20168 yr Just came from lunch at Maplewood. Its a very solid addition to the street scene. The decor and feel is unlike anything in the Cincinnati area. “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
June 24, 20168 yr New-to-market, fast-casual pizza restaurant coming to Oakley Station A new-to-market, fast-casual pizza restaurant will be the newest tenant in the Oakley Station development. Seattle-based Mod Pizza is opening its first Cincinnati location at 3208 Vandercar Way in the Kroger center at Oakley Station in late August or early September, franchisee Garyen Denning told me. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/06/24/new-to-market-fast-casual-pizza-restaurant-coming.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
June 24, 20168 yr Photos of Maplewood: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/06/24/look-inside-downtown-cincinnatis-newest-restaurant.html I like how Mita's, Maplewood, and Americano all have such great interior designs, each with a very distinct feel. Of those 3 restaurants, I'm most excited about Maplewood because it introduces something that isn't currently available in the area: inexpensive (under $10/meal), open early (at 7am), nice ambiance, can accommodate larger groups, serves good coffee, good for both quick meals and longer lingering, and serves alcohol. I can't think of any other place in the CBD or OTR that hits all of those attributes. I'm curious to see how the rest of the 84.51 retail space gets filled up. Maybe Plesantry on Pleasant St. in OTR. Though the meals aren't exactly inexpensive. But they do hit all of those notes you mentioned, and the food is incredibly tasty.
June 27, 20168 yr Author Olive oil-centric restaurant opens in the heart of downtown: PHOTOS Jun 27, 2016, 2:32pm EDT Andy Brownfield Reporter Cincinnati Business Courier A new restaurant with a focus on artisan-produced olive oils and wines is now open in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. We Olive opened in the former El Coyote space at 33 E. 6th St. on June 25. The Cincinnati location is the chain's first in the Midwest and only one of three outside of the West Coast. Click through the photos below for a look inside of the Cincinnati We Olive. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/06/27/olive-oil-centric-restaurant-opens-in-the-heart-of.html
June 30, 20168 yr Montgomery Inn adds different type of ribs to menu Cincinnati icon Montgomery Inn, widely known for its ribs, is now offering a new variety on its menu. Montgomery Inn's menu now includes St. Louis-style hickory smoked spare ribs. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/06/30/montgomery-inn-adds-different-type-of-ribs-to-menu.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
June 30, 20168 yr I know! What's next...LaRosa's actually becoming good pizza?!?! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
June 30, 20168 yr I know! What's next...LaRosa's actually becoming good pizza?!?! Big Boy losing weight...
June 30, 20168 yr ^Too late. Frisch's Big Boy has a new look The Big Boy has been an icon for Cincinnati restaurant chain Frisch's since the 1940s, and now the mascot has a new look. Big Boy slimmed down. The chubby, cheery cherub is looking a little more buff and a little more mature in his new incarnation, seen below. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/06/28/frischs-big-boy-has-a-new-look.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
June 30, 20168 yr Anyone else notice the "O" being off in the slide show?^ Ouch. As a retail designer, executive decisions by installers are the bane of my work life at times. Looks like someone made the call to put it on upside down. That and repeatedly explaining why all fonts dont have the same base line lead me to print lots and lots of full size templates.
June 30, 20168 yr When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time contemplating the script F in the Frisch's logo. I doubt that after months of practice I could make one with just two strokes of a quill pen, or whatever it is that they use.
July 2, 20168 yr Columbus upscale-casual tavern lands 2nd Cincinnati spot Matt the Miller’s is coming to a second Cincinnati site. The Columbus-based restaurant brand expects to open in a 5,500-square-foot space in West Chester in summer 2017. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2016/07/01/columbus-upscale-casual-tavern-lands-2nd.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 6, 20168 yr Meritage restaurant moving to new location The Meritage restaurant in Glendale is moving to a new location after five years in business. The Meritage is moving from its current location at 1140 Congress Ave. to the former Iron Horse space at 40 Village Square in Glendale. Owner Kristie Fowee told me she's nearly doubling her footprint and the move will allow for more private events. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/07/06/meritage-restaurant-moving-to-new-location.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 7, 20168 yr New sushi burrito restaurant already planning Greater Cincinnati expansion Even though the CEO himself was skeptical when he first heard of the concept of sushi burritos, Roll On In has been so successful in its first month in business that he's already looking for a second location. Roll On In opened June 8 at 44 E. Mulberry St. in Lebanon. Two weeks into business, CEO John Kallenberger knew he needed to open a second location. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/07/07/new-sushi-burrito-restaurant-already-planning.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 13, 20168 yr Hotel Covington names executive chef Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar, the first-floor restaurant in Hotel Covington, named its executive chef. Brendan Haren, who was recently with Orchids at Palm Court, will head up the kitchen at Coppin’s. The menu will by “hyper-local,” with Haren planning to get ingredients, ranging from cheeses to chickens, from the surrounding region. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/07/12/hotel-covington-names-executive-chef.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 13, 20168 yr Popular Northside restaurant to move A popular Northside restaurant will expand in 2017 to a space just across the street. Melt Eclectic Cafe, owned by Wellmann's Brands, will relocate to a 3,000-square-foot space in the Gantry across the street in early 2017, according to a press release from Wellmann's Brands. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/07/13/popular-northside-restaurant-to-move.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 13, 20168 yr Bones' Burgers food truck finds new home The latest food truck to find a new home made of bricks and mortar is Bones' Burgers, the Enquirer reports. Curtis Bonekemper has been selling burgers made from grass-fed beef from a truck for four years. Now he’s moving into 9721 Montgomery Road in Montgomery. The location was most recently Anea, and before that, Verde Salad. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2016/07/bones-burgers-food-truckfinds-new-home.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 13, 20168 yr Popular Covington restaurant to serve lunch Popular Covington restaurant Bouquet will serve lunch beginning Aug. 1, River City News reports. Bouquet, 519 Main St., is owned by Chef Stephen Williams and his wife, Jessica. The couple has also decided to move their other restaurant, Son & Soil, into Bouquet’s space. The move will allow Son & Soil, which opened in September 2015, more room for its lunchtime customers. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2016/07/popular-covington-restaurant-to-serve-lunch.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 15, 20168 yr West Chester development lands 3 new restaurants Two new fast-casual restaurants and a sandwich shop are joining the West Chester Township development anchored by Cabela's. The new tenants coming to the outlots in front of Cabela's are MOD Pizza, Freddy's Steakburger and Custard, and Potbelly Sandwich Shop. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/07/15/west-chester-development-lands-3-new-restaurants.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 19, 20168 yr Former Chez Nora space gets new life A new Dutch-inspired steakhouse is now open in the former Chez Nora space in Covington. Lisse Steakhuis is opening for business at 530 Main St. in Covington on Tuesday, July 19 and plans to host a grand opening on Aug. 24. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/07/19/former-chez-nora-space-gets-new-life.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 25, 20168 yr Fast-casual Italian restaurant adds Greater Cincinnati location A Columbus-based fast-casual Italian chain is expanding its local footprint with another Greater Cincinnati location. Piada Italian Street Food is opening its first Kentucky location in Florence at 7727 Mall Road, across from the Florence Mall, on Aug. 17. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/07/25/fast-casual-italian-restaurant-adds-greater.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 26, 20168 yr Here's when the newest restaurant will open at Liberty Center The newest restaurant – and winery – at the $350 million mixed-use Liberty Center development is opening next month. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant is opening at 7490 Bales St. in Liberty Township, off of Interstate 75, on Aug. 22. The 216-seat, 12,429-square-foot restaurant is the chain's second in the Cincinnati region behind one in Sycamore Township. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/07/26/heres-when-the-newest-restaurant-will-open-at.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 28, 20168 yr So what exactly does a Dutch-inspired steakhouse look like? Check it out Lisse Steakhuis opened in the former Chez Nora space in Covington on July 19, billing itself as a Dutch-inspired steakhouse. So what exactly is a Dutch-inspired steakhouse? "A Dutch-inspired steakhouse at first sounds like an oxymoron, but it's a traditional American steakhouse with Dutch-inspired quirks," Lisse marketing director John Muething told me last week. And you can see what that looks like by clicking through the photos below. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2016/07/so-what-exactly-does-a-dutch-inspired-steakhouse.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 28, 20168 yr Bruegger's Bagels on Clifton Ave. has kicked the bucket! In law school I had the bottomless mug club there. I think I averaged two coffees and an Arnold Palmer a day
July 28, 20168 yr Bruegger's Bagels on Clifton Ave. has kicked the bucket! I think the place caught fire a few weeks back. I saw several fire trucks out front and now there's a sign on the window that says closed for remodeling.
July 28, 20168 yr So what exactly does a Dutch-inspired steakhouse look like? Check it out Lisse Steakhuis opened in the former Chez Nora space in Covington on July 19, billing itself as a Dutch-inspired steakhouse. So what exactly is a Dutch-inspired steakhouse? "A Dutch-inspired steakhouse at first sounds like an oxymoron, but it's a traditional American steakhouse with Dutch-inspired quirks," Lisse marketing director John Muething told me last week. And you can see what that looks like by clicking through the photos below. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2016/07/so-what-exactly-does-a-dutch-inspired-steakhouse.html Up next: a Febo around the corner
July 28, 20168 yr Up next: a Febo around the corner Something tells me that a local incarnation of Febo will never live up to the expectations set by the 25 year old version of myself that crushed like 5 of those fried cheese things at some late night hour.
August 1, 20168 yr Dayton pizza restaurant expands in Cincinnati A Dayton-based fast-casual pizza concept is expanding its footprint in Cincinnati, opening a second location. Rapid Fired Pizza signed a lease for a 3,485-square-foot location that will seat 91 at 12096 Montgomery Road. The restaurant is expected to open in November. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2016/07/29/dayton-pizza-restaurant-expands-in-cincinnati.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 1, 20168 yr Asian grill coming to Clifton Heights A Columbus-based Asian restaurant chain is opening its first Cincinnati location near the University of Cincinnati this month. Bibibop Asian Grill is opening at 210 Calhoun St. in 2,334 square feet at the Calhoun St. Marketplace on Aug. 11. The opening date was confirmed by Patrick Reynolds of Edge Real Estate Group, who brokered the deal. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/08/01/asian-grill-coming-to-clifton-heights.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 2, 20168 yr Molly Malone's expands Molly Malone’s in Covington is making more room for soccer fans and pub regulars, Soapbox Cincinnati reports. The owners of the Irish pub will expand their facility into the building next door at 106-108 E. Fourth St. The now-vacant space used to be a Mexican restaurant. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/08/02/molly-malones-expands.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 4, 20168 yr Pizza ATM debuts at Xavier A new ATM that dispenses hot, fresh pizzas will debut at Xavier University just in time for school to start, WCPO reports. The university partnered with France-based Paline to install the first Pizza ATM in North America in Fenwick Place near Hoff Dining Hall. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/08/04/pizza-atm-debuts-at-xavier.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 5, 20168 yr Coffee shop and bakery opens in Madisonville A new coffee shop and bakery is now open in Madisonville. Mad Llama Coffee Shop and Bakery opened at 5001 Kenwood Road on July 29. The coffee shop was founded by Jeff Gardocki and Andrew Jeavons. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/08/05/coffee-shop-and-bakery-opens-in-madisonville.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 5, 20168 yr Chipotle-backed pizza concept expanding in Cincinnati A fast-casual pizza concept from the owner of Chipotle is expanding in Greater Cincinnati with a new location. Pizzeria Locale, a Neopolitan-inspired pizza concept that assembles its pies in an interactive serving line, opened its second area location at 9540 Mason Montgomery Road on Aug. 4. The chain's first location opened at Sycamore Crossing in 2015. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/08/05/chipotle-backed-pizza-concept-expanding-in.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 5, 20168 yr Looks like the people at Chopotle were smart enough to realize that "menu fatigue" (people getting bored with the extremely limited menus at fast casual places that only keep a few ingredients around) was hurting their brand almost as bad as food poisoning. So instead of expanding the menu at Chipotle and breaking the system they have in place, they are coming up with and investing in entire new concepts in order to diversify the company. With the pizza concept and their burger place that they are trying in Lancaster, if people get bored with a concept they can survive as a company. They can even switch concepts in individual locations. Since I haven't tried the pizza, I don't know if it can help Cincinnati's reputation of having inferior pizza chains to the rest of the Midwest.
August 5, 20168 yr Heaven forbid people realize that they actually really like cafeterias when they don't have flashbacks of entire meals that had to be served for $1 at their schools that were crafted by lobbyists.
August 5, 20168 yr I haven't really liked any of the fast Chipotle-style pizza places I've tried -- Pieology and Blaze. I'd rather go get a slice of Goodfella's or the Lucy Blue's buffet and get better quality pizza even if it's not to my exact specifications.
August 5, 20168 yr The best Chipotle-style (and maybe Chipotle owned?) idea yet is Shophouse. I went to the one in Chicago a bunch, and the Chipotle style front line works well with quick stirfry and it is delicious.
August 5, 20168 yr Since I haven't tried the pizza, I don't know if it can help Cincinnati's reputation of having inferior pizza chains to the rest of the Midwest. I've never heard of this reputation. What chains are we missing? I feel like we have all the big nationals (Papa Johns, Dominos, Donatos, Jets, etc.) with some pretty good locals added in to the mix (Deweys, Adriaticos, Pomodoris). Then of course there is Larosa's, which people seem to either love or hate.
August 5, 20168 yr The based Chipotle-style (and maybe Chipotle owned?) idea yet is Shophouse. I went to the one in Chicago a bunch, and the Chipotle style front line works well with quick stirfry and it is delicious. I ate at this chain in Amsterdam (late night, not much else was open) that was like a stir-fry Chipotle. You pick the type of noodles, protein, veggies, and sauce and it's all ready in under 5 mins, and it was really cheap and pretty delicious! I believe it was called Wok To Go. If we had something like that here, I would probably eat there a couple times a week.
August 5, 20168 yr Since I haven't tried the pizza, I don't know if it can help Cincinnati's reputation of having inferior pizza chains to the rest of the Midwest. I've never heard of this reputation. What chains are we missing? I feel like we have all the big nationals (Papa Johns, Dominos, Donatos, Jets, etc.) with some pretty good locals added in to the mix (Deweys, Adriaticos, Pomodoris). Then of course there is Larosa's, which people seem to either love or hate. Adriaticos is good, but Cincinnati has way too many Domino's and Snappy Tomato locations. And to outsiders LaRosa's is meh.
August 5, 20168 yr I don't think anyone in the midwest has a reputation for pizza, good or bad. Except for Chicago of course but that stuff isn't even real pizza.
August 5, 20168 yr ^ And they're both gross. The based Chipotle-style (and maybe Chipotle owned?) idea yet is Shophouse. I went to the one in Chicago a bunch, and the Chipotle style front line works well with quick stirfry and it is delicious. I ate at this chain in Amsterdam (late night, not much else was open) that was like a stir-fry Chipotle. You pick the type of noodles, protein, veggies, and sauce and it's all ready in under 5 mins, and it was really cheap and pretty delicious! I believe it was called Wok To Go. If we had something like that here, I would probably eat there a couple times a week. That sounds a bit like the new "Bibibop" chain out of Columbus that is opening a location in Cincinnati soon.
August 5, 20168 yr ^ And they're both gross. The based Chipotle-style (and maybe Chipotle owned?) idea yet is Shophouse. I went to the one in Chicago a bunch, and the Chipotle style front line works well with quick stirfry and it is delicious. I ate at this chain in Amsterdam (late night, not much else was open) that was like a stir-fry Chipotle. You pick the type of noodles, protein, veggies, and sauce and it's all ready in under 5 mins, and it was really cheap and pretty delicious! I believe it was called Wok To Go. If we had something like that here, I would probably eat there a couple times a week. That sounds a bit like the new "Bibibop" chain out of Columbus that is opening a location in Cincinnati soon. Yeah I just heard about that place, and I'm excited to try it. I thought it was more geared towards Korean rice bowls (bi bim bap) than noodles though. Regardless, I will be checking it out when it opens.
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