You mean Crave? I had a decent late lunch there over the weekend. Small crowd. Looking forward to Mahogany.

You mean Crave?

 

Mahogany's is now open.

^ saw some pictures from a friend who went Saturday, high end finishes- looks nice!

Really?~! I didn't even realize it had opened.  I figured someone would have covered a ribbon cutting or something.

Yeah, after all the hullaballoo, no mention in the media (or on here) of the opening. Weird.

I am looking forward to trying Mahogany's. We tried Crave for lunch. It was acceptable, but nothing about it was memorable.

I am looking forward to trying Mahogany's. We tried Crave for lunch. It was acceptable, but nothing about it was memorable.

 

Wow, you're tough. I had the veggie burger for lunch and, frankly, it's the best veggie burger I've ever had - and I've had a few. And the outdoor patio is as good as it gets for people-watching in Cincinnati. The drinks are a little pricey but that seems to be the M.O. at The Banks, which is fine. It'll be a vacuum cleaning up suburban dollars, I think.

 

Quite memorable, in my opinion. I'd easily recommend it.

^ I'm pretty sure Their menu is just very uneven. I had friends go and say it was a huge disappointment, but I went for a couple appetizers as thought it was fine. I've heard similar stories & Polly campbell at the Enquirer wrote a review that said that as well. Hoping they even out their quality.

I just signed up and wanted to eagerly discuss the banks.

 

I know, architecturally wise, it's a bit weak and seems done on the cheap in some respect.

 

That said, I can forgive that miscue simply because of how much it has changed the downtown scene. Seeing people play Frisbee on the great lawn with there kids in front of the river, or seeing some residents of the bank apartments playing music from there balcony, to see reds fans gathered in groves at the holy grail, to see kids playing in the jetting fountains as a riverboat passes by, to see simple things like families eating ice cream cones and families riding segways and bikes as they pass the various restaurants just creates this ATMOSPHERE that I've never seen in the downtown area in such a LOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNG time.

 

An to think, that what we have now is just a minuscule fraction of what else is in store in terms of restaurants, stores, a possible boutique hotel, and the future expansion of the Smale park with the addition of a marry-go round, and a possible farmers market.

 

I sometimes close my eyes, and just envision the banks, the park, everything, completed in 10 years or so, and just imagine how awesome the atmosphere would be if the reds were in the world series, or if the bengals were in the superbowl..it would simply be electric.

I just signed up and wanted to eagerly discuss the banks.

 

I know, architecturally wise, it's a bit weak and seems done on the cheap in some respect.

 

That said, I can forgive that miscue simply because of how much it has changed the downtown scene. Seeing people play Frisbee on the great lawn with there kids in front of the river, or seeing some residents of the bank apartments playing music from there balcony, to see reds fans gathered in groves at the holy grail, to see kids playing in the jetting fountains as a riverboat passes by, to see simple things like families eating ice cream cones and families riding segways and bikes as they pass the various restaurants just creates this ATMOSPHERE that I've never seen in the downtown area in such a LOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNG time.

 

An to think, that what we have now is just a minuscule fraction of what else is in store in terms of restaurants, stores, a possible boutique hotel, and the future expansion of the Smale park with the addition of a marry-go round, and a possible farmers market.

 

I sometimes close my eyes, and just envision the banks, the park, everything, completed in 10 years or so, and just imagine how awesome the atmosphere would be if the reds were in the world series, or if the bengals were in the superbowl..it would simply be electric.

 

I think the addition of the hotel on JNW will really take an already dynamic scene to the next level entirely. Then, hopefully, you add even more out-of-town visitors into the daily mix. And then we'll get rid of that ugly wooden wall that's now blocking off the hotel pad.

 

And I'd love to see those handful of vacant old buildings on the NE corner of Third and Main be redeveloped to help ease the transition between downtown and The Banks. The corner building there has one of the highest visibility locations in this entire region.

I think those corner buildings are kept vacant because whoever owns Atrium I has the rights to expand onto that property.  What form the expansion would take I have no idea, especially since the alley is needed for access to the garage (and formerly the taxi/bus bridge that crossed over to Riverfront Stadium).  My hope is that they will preserve the facades as is commonly done in New York. 

That corner is also a local historic district, while it won't stop demolition it does make it significantly harder.  Those buildings could have been kick-ass apartments over retail 10-15 years ago and have been making a profit, but as JMeck said, there is probably a larger force at work behind the scenes.

 

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cdap/pages/-3730-/

 

 

^ It would be a dirty shame to lose those.

 

A hotel at the Banks will be a game changer for the Freedom Center. Almost like having a captive audience. Why would you visit the city and stay there and not go to the Freedom Center?

I just signed up and wanted to eagerly discuss the banks.

 

I know, architecturally wise, it's a bit weak and seems done on the cheap in some respect.

 

That said, I can forgive that miscue simply because of how much it has changed the downtown scene. Seeing people play Frisbee on the great lawn with there kids in front of the river, or seeing some residents of the bank apartments playing music from there balcony, to see reds fans gathered in groves at the holy grail, to see kids playing in the jetting fountains as a riverboat passes by, to see simple things like families eating ice cream cones and families riding segways and bikes as they pass the various restaurants just creates this ATMOSPHERE that I've never seen in the downtown area in such a LOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNG time.

 

An to think, that what we have now is just a minuscule fraction of what else is in store in terms of restaurants, stores, a possible boutique hotel, and the future expansion of the Smale park with the addition of a marry-go round, and a possible farmers market.

 

I sometimes close my eyes, and just envision the banks, the park, everything, completed in 10 years or so, and just imagine how awesome the atmosphere would be if the reds were in the world series, or if the bengals were in the superbowl..it would simply be electric.

 

Welcome to UrbanOhio, DatDude!

>Why would you visit the city and stay there and not go to the Freedom Center?

 

Maybe you're here on business.  Maybe because you can hardly tell what it is by appearances, or if it's even open.  A 150 room hotel is going to get them 5-10 visitors per day.  Not a game changer. 

Talk radio creating Mahogany's controversy the past two days...

 

First, Cunningham and P.G. banter about going there next week. Then one caller stated that cute waitresses were trying to lure them over from the Holy Grail. That evidently pissed off the HG manager and words were exchanged.

 

Today a Brian Thomas caller wanted to seek legal action against Council members because they are knowingly allowing Mahogany's to serve alcohol without a liquor license. Brian was going to look into it... Wasn't The Banks made an entertainment district with a shared license?

Talk radio creating Mahogany's controversy the past two days...

 

First, Cunningham and P.G. banter about going there next week. Then one caller stated that cute waitresses were trying to lure them over from the Holy Grail. That evidently pissed off the HG manager and words were exchanged.

 

Today a Brian Thomas caller wanted to seek legal action against Council members because they are knowingly allowing Mahogany's to serve alcohol without a liquor license. Brian was going to look into it... Wasn't The Banks made an entertainment district with a shared license?

 

I hate talk radio in this city.

 

So now, above everything else, Mahogany's waitresses are too cute? Good God ...

 

 

 

So now, above everything else, Mahogany's waitresses are too cute? Good God ...

 

 

Well, this just gave me a reason to give it a try.

^+2

From reading the last couple posts, Mahogany's seems like it's some sort of aggressive Hooters. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see managers of neighboring establishments exchanging words, I'd be pissed if my neighbor got a million dollars for free to open my competition. 

^How much did Mahogany's neighbors receive in financial assistance?

 

Like everything Mahogany's related, this is being blown out of proportion.

They received devil money.  Didn't some Butler county gov't clown refer to federal money as devil money?

What is the status of the Ruth Chris  (sp?) development?

Work is well under way on the interior on what looks to be a two-story restaurant. And the signs on the glass walls say a fall opening.

 

What's the status of the wine bistro place? That had the wood boards up earlier this summer indicating work but they've long since been removed and nothing seems to be going on inside.

I was at the Banks before the Bengals game and of course it was packed. About an hour before kickoff, there was an hour wait at the Moerlein Lager House, 15 minute wait at Crave, and Johnny Rockets was packed. Not sure about times at Toby Keith's or Mahogany's - though they were busy.

 

It was nice to see the crowds downtown but the Banks isn't really my style, FWIW.

 

What is the status of the Ruth Chris  (sp?) development?

 

It says opening Fall 2012 on the signage.

I'm watching the pregame on FSN Ohio before the second game in this doubleheader. The announcers were saying how a lot of the Reds now 'live across the street' and had the chance to go home between games and eat out of their own refrigerator. So I guess that means the Banks?

^How much did Mahogany's neighbors receive in financial assistance?

 

Like everything Mahogany's related, this is being blown out of proportion.

 

Hardly. Not paying your taxes yet receiving city subsidies to open a minority-owned business due to a "quota"? Sign me up!

^How much did Mahogany's neighbors receive in financial assistance?

 

Like everything Mahogany's related, this is being blown out of proportion.

 

Hardly. Not paying your taxes yet receiving city subsidies to open a minority-owned business due to a "quota"? Sign me up!

 

Of course you ignore my question of how much assistance did other businesses at the Banks receive.  You really don't like Mahogany's do you?

 

Do you understand that quotas are in place because if they weren't, minority-owned business would not be a component of most development projects?  Minorities have microscopic representation in the business field and are generally outsiders to the good 'ol boys club that pulls strings and decides how projects come to fruition in every market in America.  Minorities begin their careers from a point of weakness because they aren't in the majority.  This is a fact, you can accept it or not.  But to hear you constantly railing against anything that regulates the professional playing field all the time makes me think you just don't understand the history of the United States.

There needs to be a Cincinnati Chili parlor at The Banks. I mean, this is Cincinnati, right?

Do you understand that quotas are in place because if they weren't, minority-owned business would not be a component of most development projects?  Minorities have microscopic representation in the business field and are generally outsiders to the good 'ol boys club that pulls strings and decides how projects come to fruition in every market in America.  Minorities begin their careers from a point of weakness because they aren't in the majority.  This is a fact, you can accept it or not.  But to hear you constantly railing against anything that regulates the professional playing field all the time makes me think you just don't understand the history of the United States.

 

Oh brother. The last time I checked the President of the USA was a minority.  Can we get back on topic?

I had heard that many reds (15-20) have apartments at The Banks.

Many used to or still have apartments at One Lytle Place.

I have a friend that lives in the Banks and he has told me that there are several Reds players that essentially use it as a hotel while they are in town for games, but commute between their actual homes in Florida, Arizona, Texas, etc. This is further evidenced by the number of serious luxury cars in his garage with out of state plates that sit covered in dust and are rarely driven.

The real car show is the garage of the Edgecliff on Victory Parkway.  There are about a dozen exotic foreign cars (Ferrari's, etc.) down there at any given time, and a handful of restored muscle cars.

^There's also a garage downtown (forget what building) that has/had Carl Lindner's fleet of Rolls Royces.  I went to a Bengals game with my friend a few years ago, and his mom gave us her parking pass for the garage she parks in for work (attorney), and when we got down to the second level, there were probably 8-10 Rolls Royces parked in a row.  Pretty surreal.

I believe it's the Provident Bank tower at 4th & Vine. My dad interned for Carl Lindner when he was in law school and one day was tasked with driving him home to Indian Hill in one of those Rolls-Royces when his regular driver called in sick.   

^ Correct

Ruth's Chris exterior progress:

Yet another chain and yet another steakhouse?  Sigh..

 

I suppose it's a nice looking building and the suburbanites will enjoy it.

those tasteless suburbanites..  Damn them.

I've heard good things about Ruth's Chris FWIW

I've heard good things about Ruth's Chris FWIW

 

It is a very, very good steakhouse chain.

 

Again: the mix of restaurants that are going into the Banks don't really seem to be my thing (though I really should try Mahogany), but I'm delighted that they are really popular.  The Banks is just catering to a different crowd than the redevelopment in OTR, and that's okay.

Ruth's Chris is not bad, but the Precinct is better in almost every way.

Mahoganys had a $10 cover this weekend. Is it a restaurant or a night club?

Has anyone been and can review? (Not yet up at Yelp.)

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/32/1694308/restaurant/Downtown/Mahoganys-at-the-Banks-Cincinnati

 

Or at least provide some further details - site, menu, etc. I just submitted for some changes - there is no web-site, for instance.

Ruth's Chris is not bad, but the Precinct is better in almost every way.

 

I completely agree. But visitors - especially those staying downtown - are never going to find their way to the Precinct.

Has anyone been and can review? (Not yet up at Yelp.)

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/32/1694308/restaurant/Downtown/Mahoganys-at-the-Banks-Cincinnati

 

Or at least provide some further details - site, menu, etc. I just submitted for some changes - there is no web-site, for instance.

 

We had a mini-UrbanOhio meet up there.  It was a soft-opening and had a VERY limited menu so it isn't fair to review yet.  The owner spoke with us and stated it'd be fully up and running in September.

Has anyone been and can review? (Not yet up at Yelp.)

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/32/1694308/restaurant/Downtown/Mahoganys-at-the-Banks-Cincinnati

 

Or at least provide some further details - site, menu, etc. I just submitted for some changes - there is no web-site, for instance.

 

I was there after the Reds-Mets game on Wednesday night. I don't really know how to do reviews so I'll just post a few reactions/observations:

 

- The game was over relatively early so we got there well before 10 p.m.

- Holy Grail was slam-packed with people shoulder-to-shoulder on the patio

- Mahogany's patio had about 15 people sitting at the tables

- There was only one couple sitting at an inside table

- The bar area looks really chill and they had two TV's, both playing the Reds post-game show

- I asked our waitress what beers they had on tap and was told that their taps weren't working that night

- Disappointed, I ordered a bottle of Coors Light (there was no beer menu on the table)

- I ordered another bottle of Coors Light after that

- Got food - the fish and chips, which was breaded tilapia and steak fries; the girl I went with didn't get anything to eat but had a Bud Light

- I hate ketchup so I asked for a side of honey mustard, which, after the waitress went to get it, I was told they don't have (a first for me)

- The fish was very good but wasn't served with tartar sauce or anything else.

- I ordered another Coors Light (Don't give me grief ... If I was at Arnold's or Lackman I'd certainly get something better. Coors Light is my go-to "pound" beer :))

- I got the feeling they were closing up, so we finished up and left

 

- I'll also point out that the men's restroom was a small room with a door lock and just one toilet in it, and one urinal. It was akin to a small gas station restroom as opposed to a high-volume restaurant at The Banks. The girls bathroom, I was told, was only slightly bigger. This oversight will be an unwelcome reality for some people in the months to come.

 

In short, I understand this was a soft opening. In fact, the menu, which was rather limited, said "Mahogany's Soft Opening" at the top. I don't at all blame them for their glitches, like the beer taps being out. Still, there were only two total taps, which is certainly an oddity at The Banks. I'll reiterate how chill the interior is and how inviting the bar looks - a nice post-game alternative to the "thump-thump" 20-something free-for-all at Holy Grail. I'll certainly check it out again once it's up and running fully. But, honestly, I'd put it ahead of only Johnny Rockets at this point as a place I'd choose to go to have a few drinks at The Banks.

 

 

 

- I asked our waitress what beers they had on tap and was told that their taps weren't working that night

- Disappointed, I ordered a bottle of Coors Light (there was no beer menu on the table)

 

We were told the beer wasn't cold... I believe they only had 5-6 beer on tap. Bud Light, Miller Lite, Stella, Blue Moon, Yuengling.

Mahogany's owner Rogers ignores criticism

'I'm going to stay focused'

 

Liz Rogers is still hoarse.

 

The executive chef and owner of newly opened Mahogany’s at The Banks has been calling out endless orders for hand-breaded catfish, fried green tomatoes, grits and smothered pork chops.

 

“At one point, we were on a three-hour wait for a table,” Rogers said Monday.

 

Since Mahogany’s launched a “soft” opening three weeks ago, Rogers has been pulling 15-hour days to work out the kinks and prep for a grand opening in mid-September.

 

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