Funny, I've never heard anyone complain about the food there.  As far as pub grub goes, I've found it to be pretty good.  But to each his own.  Thankfully, we live in a city with lots of options, and that list seems to be increasing in both size and variety.

Via Vite---The bar should be open Friday if you want to check the place out early. You probably won't be able to dine until Sunday/Monday. He mentioned something about a hold up with the liquor license.

I overheard one of the wait staff at Nicola's tonight (Thursday) tell a customer it would be open Friday.

Apparently one of the local news stations announced tonight that Graeters and Potbelly will be opening on FS.  Nothing new, but they did make one other announcement...Chipotle will also be opening a location on FS - according to the local news.

Chipotle will also be opening a location on FS - according to the local news.

 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Screw a Via Vite discount! I know where I'm eating.

Chipotle will also be opening a location on FS - according to the local news.

 

Wow, where did you hear this?  I love Chipotle!!!!!  However, this means I will probably gain even more weight since moving downtown....

Umm that's why they invented burrito BOWLS Melanie ;)

I did look up my burrito on chipotle's website one time. Everything I usually get (extra meat, extra cheese) is over 1300 calories.

Umm that's why they invented burrito BOWLS Melanie ;)

 

Actually, that is what I get.  :)  My typical order is actually around 500-600 calories.

I'd actually rather see a Currito there (my new favorite burrito place). They have Cajun, Teriyaki, etc (it's Thai) and they put Cilantro in their rice unlike Habanero. Currito also has two sizes of burritos; I don't understand why Chipotle doesn't; I'm sure there's a lot of people that think they're too big.

Yeah, Boloco (I refuse to call it Currito for no good reason) is pretty good.  But its a different type of burrito.  I could deal with both of them downtown. 

we need other things besides restaurants on the square.  too much of a good thing it seems like.

we need other things besides restaurants on the square.  too much of a good thing it seems like.

 

Although there is enough demand for cheap meals on or around the square. 

If the Chipolte rumor is true, I just hope they don't hurt Javier's business too much. Hopefully, there is enough room for the both of them (and Burrito Joe's).

If the Chipolte rumor is true, I just hope they don't hurt Javier's business too much. Hopefully, there is enough room for the both of them (and Burrito Joe's).

 

You do have a point, but Javier's has such limited hours.  I would love to be able to order a burrito downtown for dinner, whether it's at Javier's or Chipotle.

I would love to be able to order a burrito downtown for dinner, whether it's at Javier's or Chipotle.

 

Yeah, good point on Javier's not having dinner hours.

My wife works downtown and she said that she was disappointed in Javier's.  I am guilty of liking Chipotle though. 

Javier's is my favorite...by far.

Well next time I will tell her to get something other than a salad before she evaluates a place. ;)

Well next time I will tell her to get something other than a salad before she evaluates a place. ;)

 

Gotta get the chicken burrito.  If you like it hot, get the hot sauce.  It can get very, very spicy.

 

Also, the more mythos the better.  Tough to beat those gyro's.

Well next time I will tell her to get something other than a salad before she evaluates a place. ;)

 

Salad at Javier's?  Sounds crazy!  ;)

 

But seriously, their chicken burritos are really good, and so is the hot salsa.  I've heard good things about their quesadillas as well.

Javier's is the best.

 

By the way, Via Vite is officially open. I had a drink there tonight at the bar. Very nice inside. They should do very well.

^ I walked by around 9:00 pm and I saw that it was open as well.  People in the bar and up on the terrace.  I also saw a sign on Graeter's that they may open tomorrow at noon!

 

http://queencitysurvey.blogspot.com

Javier's is my favorite...by far.

 

I've actually never been to Javier's. I take it it's authentic?

 

Mr. Cincinnati came into Via Vite tonight :)

^ Yes, very authentic.  Owned and operated by Javier himself.

The Graeters grand opening is Monday at 11:00, but they may open earlier.

we need other things besides restaurants on the square.  too much of a good thing it seems like.

 

Don't worry, I hear a florist is also coming to the square.

^ Don't forget live music at Potbellys ;)

^ Graeter's is open.  The Lemon Sorbet just tastes better on the Square. :)

Mr. Cincinnati came into Via Vite tonight :)

 

Actually I didn't make it down over the weekend.  I'll be dropping by soon though.  :-D

LMAO

 

 

P.S.

 

THANK GOD there is so much nightlife around fountain square. I was able to catch a cab instantly in front of Cadillac Ranch at 2AM. Cabs were all lined up. If not for that, I would have been forced to walk up to Clifton Heights if not for late cab service  :-(. Not fun after a double shift. More proof that entertainment districts are efficient.

Sounds like you could use a Vespa.

David, where have you been ... I've never had a hard time catching a cab at that time of night in DT.

My phone was dead! I didn't know they cluster like that around Cadillac Ranch.

 

Sounds like you could use a Vespa.

 

I always wanted one of those but I've seen people try to get up my street (Warner) with them and they don't make it! LOL! Well it wasn't a Vespa but it was probably still in the 50cc range...

I was able to catch a cab instantly in front of Cadillac Ranch at 2AM. Cabs were all lined up.

 

There is a taxi stand on 6th Street on the same block as Cadillac Ranch.  Also, you can easily find cabs near the hotels.

Yeah, I guess I've just never noticed because I haven't needed one downtown until now. I hate cabs, I end up staring at the meter the whole time, getting mad as it goes up in each increment. I can't believe how many people still have those old early 90s models. If I were a cab company I'd be getting cars that are way more gas efficient. I think those Crown Victorias are V8s.

^ Most cab companies pass the cost of gas through to their drivers so there is no financial incentive for the company to become more fuel efficient.

i decided to do a paper on the fountain square district.  does anyone have a good resource for the history of fountain square...like 1871-2000 or something. 

Yeah, I guess I've just never noticed because I haven't needed one downtown until now. I hate cabs, I end up staring at the meter the whole time, getting mad as it goes up in each increment. I can't believe how many people still have those old early 90s models. If I were a cab company I'd be getting cars that are way more gas efficient. I think those Crown Victorias are V8s.

 

Ever ridden in a cab in another city?  Maybe it's just me, but cabs in Chicago seem to be much cheaper than in Cincy.  That claim may be totally baseless, because I'm not as familiar with the streets and/or distances in other cities, but the impression that I've gotten is that Cincinnati cabs are really expensive, comparatively.

 

 

i decided to do a paper on the fountain square district.  does anyone have a good resource for the history of fountain square...like 1871-2000 or something. 

 

Good topic.  Include some pictures, if you can find them, of the old fountain square.  Not the one we just redid, but the original esplanade.  It was before my time, but I vastly prefer it to both the new Fountain Square and the 1970s version.  There were streetcars running past and it was surrounded by gorgeous old buildings that had a ton of character.  The best picture I've ever seen of that was on page 4 of the streetcar study PDF file, which is available at:

 

http://cincinnati-oh.gov/city/downloads/city_pdf16341.pdf

 

There is also some information on the Betts House Research Center's website, in their excellent "Lost Cincinnati: Why Buildings Die" presentation.  Just click on "Impact of the Automobile" and then on "Tyler Davidson Fountain"

 

http://www.bettshouse.org/lost/

^ thanks, yea I have plenty of images.  Always a good filler. :)

Ever ridden in a cab in another city?  Maybe it's just me, but cabs in Chicago seem to be much cheaper than in Cincy.  That claim may be totally baseless, because I'm not as familiar with the streets and/or distances in other cities, but the impression that I've gotten is that Cincinnati cabs are really expensive, comparatively.

 

No way! Cabs are cheap here in comparison.

Ever ridden in a cab in another city?  Maybe it's just me, but cabs in Chicago seem to be much cheaper than in Cincy.  That claim may be totally baseless, because I'm not as familiar with the streets and/or distances in other cities, but the impression that I've gotten is that Cincinnati cabs are really expensive, comparatively.

 

No way! Cabs are cheap here in comparison.

 

Really?  I walk almost everywhere, so I never take them anymore.  So maybe it's just sticker shock on the rare occasion that I do ride in one.

Yeah, I guess I've just never noticed because I haven't needed one downtown until now. I hate cabs, I end up staring at the meter the whole time, getting mad as it goes up in each increment. I can't believe how many people still have those old early 90s models. If I were a cab company I'd be getting cars that are way more gas efficient. I think those Crown Victorias are V8s.

Those old V8 Crown Vics and such are very inexpensive, extremely reliable, easy to repair and most cab companies have huge piles of cheap used parts sitting around for them. They save big bucks by running those things over more complex, fragile FWD cars, easily enough to recoup the gas costs. And those small V8s are actually quite efficient for what they are.

The first time I took a cab in Cincy I also thought it was fairly expensive but since it has been a while since I've had to take a cab I wrote it off as inflation & didn't think to much about it. Oh well...

I was asking a cabbie about his job last week.  He waited at the airport for 4 hours (he said that's average) for a $25 flat-rate fare to downtown.  He says that they don't make any money because of the flat rate.  I can see his point if you think an 8 hour day would be $60 gross with tips.  Then you take out gas and cab company charges and there wouldn't be much to bring home. He did say that by getting a radio and being called out to people they make better money.

 

My question is why do cabbies wait 4 hours at the airport?

^ He was prepping you for a big tip!

Maybe, but the difference to him would only be a couple bucks.  I always ask cabbies questions because I see them as keepers of information.  It seems that they would know what's going on around town from driving and talking to people.

Only time I took a cab in Cincy, I took it from Mt. Adams to District 1 (cost $5) because some asshole cop towed my car.  It was parked on the side street facing Playhouse in the Park.  The car in from of me was a brand new Escalade that the towing company dinged up.  I talked to the couple at District 1 and they said the SUV was only 3 hours old...  yikes.

 

David, I am guilty of watching the meter too.  Give me light rail or a street car damn it!

I went to Graeters on FS last night.  For those of you who have been there already, do you think the interior is a bit bland?? It feels like being in a movie theatre at the refreshment/popcorn purchasing area.  It is not very Family friendly(only high stools) I don't know I wasn't very impressed, a bunch of people were milling around and leaving without buying anything.  Maybe they heard there was free ice cream or something.  I will try it again on the weekend.

went to via vite, looks great on the inside, horrible on the outside.

My concern with Graeters is the customer flow.  There is only the single door and it is too narrow to have flow along the counter and back out again when crowded.  Still, it's way better than a newsdesk or an empty building.