Judging from the rendering I saw (which may or may not be outdated) there seemed to be an aweful lot of trees all around fountain square, taking up a lot of space. Is this a good idea in a setting that requires open space for gatherings? Trees provide great shade but I don't know if several lines of them are necessary.

It sounds like the plaza will at least be open Sept. 9th.  But it also sounds like it will be pretty raw space.  I at least hope the fountain is set in place by then, even if the plumbing isn't ready.  It's disappointing to see that one of the two "new" restaurants in Tower Place at 5th and Vine is just a relocation of Morton's.  So far, the new fountain square will have the following restaurants within sight:

Rock Bottom (newly renovated)

Palomino

Havana Martini Club

Boi na Braza

Morton's

JeanRo Bistro

McCormick & Schmick's

Ingredients (Westin Atrium)

 

Also rumored is a second location by the owner of Nicola's

Boloco, the burrito and wrap chain that recently opened in Clifton Heights, is also planning a second location around fountain square.

 

Within a block or so there's also:

Orchids at Palm Court

The Palace Restaurant

Bella

Nicholson's

Benihana

 

The new Fountain Square will be the gastronomical epicenter of the region, and this list doesn't even account for the two or three unfilled spaces in 5/3's buildings on the Square.

Brazilian steakhouse joins Fountain Square menu

Cincinnati Business Courier - July 14, 2006by Dan Monk

 

Keep an eye on Carew Tower for the next year or so. If it starts tilting to the northeast, we'll know it's the beef.

 

Two high-profile steakhouses are likely to fill the space to be vacated by The Limited retail chain at Fifth and Vine streets. The building's owner, Belvedere Corp., confirmed this week that a Brazilian restaurant chain, Boi Na Braza, will open its third U.S. location early next year at the Carew Tower complex near Fountain Square. Lease terms were not disclosed.

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/07/17/tidbits1.html

It seems like the negative upchuck reflex of Cincinnatians (on UrbanOhio), may have gotten a little out of control here.  The square is showing great signs of progress and investment, so to say that the place won't be leased is a confusing statement to me.  As a business person you can't simply go around throwing out the names of possible tenants, they will fill in (IMO).

 

I do agree though that it is a major missed opportunity not to have it opened in time for the major events, but I dont believe that it will keep people from coming back again.  It will actually encourage them to say, "man I wonder what this place will be like a year from now?"  They are already coming, without the square in mind, now when they come they will have something to look forward to when they plan their return for next years events.

I ate at Brazilian steakhouse in Chicago and it was a great experience. You have all these guys walking around with all types of meat on skewers ready to slice and dice you a piece. It was expensive, but worth it. There also was a salad bar and some strange fruit/booze drinks that had some serious kick to them. Bring your appetite. I like the idea of some latin culture to FS. Thanks god they didn't choose WC/Mason.

There does seem to be a lot of expensive places opening up, but do these places have bars inside as well?  Some places with bars will offer a seperate menu with appetizers and sandwiches at reduced prices. 

 

It is great that these expensive places are opening up around the square.  However, I agree that there is a need for cheaper places as well.  A wings place such as BW-3 would be great.  A late-night chili parlor would be great, too.  :)

i agree. Although Rock Bottom is pretty reasonable...i ate there and i am a college student...only once though...can't go too many times. A wing place (downtown hooters has a nice ring to it...If they were to do a chili place i would want it to be like a signature restaraunt (something different, not just any ol' chili place, this could be the only skyline/goldstar that out of towners will see...make it really trendy...i don't think anything like this has been tried in cincy...a trendy skyline chili...interesting....what do you guys think?...trendy skyline chili joint on fountain square..lets put a la Rosa's and a graters too...all of the Cincinnati favorites :-D )

I think a Fountain Square pizza place should open up (i.e. Dewey's, CPK, whatever) along with a cheapo bar/wing joint (aka Quaker Steak N' Lube or something local).  And perhaps a soul food joint :D.

LaRosa's pizza is bland.  I'd rather see a Dewey's or something totally new to the area.  What about a Fountain Square Chili?  In addition, I would love to see a new Servatti's open to replace that one closing this Friday.  :(

I agree a nice mix would be great.  Too many expensive places makes it a special occasion place not an every day place.  I maintain that the whole thing should be completed before opening to the public - and that should have been accomplished by Tall Stacks.

I was also hoping there would be some cheaper places to eat on Fountain Square. It needs to not only be a destination, but somewhere you can go on a casual evening to just hang out and relax for awhile. I am recalling a college break where some friends and I decided that we would spend the evening downtown and walked around for about 20 minutes without finding a single place open where we could eat a simple meal (it was probably 8:30 or 9).

 

What I would really love on the square is a LaRosa's by-the-slice pizza stand. Yum! A late-night coffeeshop would encourage lingering as well.

Yes, a coffee shop would be an excellent addition as well.

There is an independent coffee shop that was trying to get a spot on Fountain Square.  Last I heard, they were still waiting to hear.

I wouldnt mind a 2-3 story Skyline (like UCPlanner was saying) that had some touristy/trendy appeal.  Right on the corner of the 5/3 bldg that abuts the square and Vine St.  I can picture it now...all glass going up and people eating Cincinnati Chili all hours of the day!  Ahhhh Yes!!!

Screw Skyline.  Bring on Mr. Pigs!

Screw Skyline. 

 

Ugh!!!   How dare you make such a comment!   :x

Downtown Cincy from what I've seen is lacking a quality Skyline.  The one I went to downtown was grungy and we had to beg them just to get service....

Screw Skyline.  Bring on Mr. Pigs!

Screw the freakin Cheesecake Factory!!!

 

see how it feels?  :|

 

Downtown Cincy from what I've seen is lacking a quality Skyline.  The one I went to downtown was grungy and we had to beg them just to get service....

Yes but there are already three skylines downtown. They would probably have to get rid of one of them. I have come up with a genius idea though: A skyline at CVG! Think about it...the first thing native Cincinnatians do when they come back into town is go to skyline, so why not give them their fix sooner?

^ No kidding!  The Cheesecake Factory is overrated....like a glorified T.G.I. Friday's.  :-D

Nice try, folks.  But Skyline is a glorified Chilli Stop.

And perhaps a soul food joint :D.

 

Newport's got you taken care of:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=4257.msg106639#msg106639

 

(sorry...)

I'm not talking UPSCALE soul food.  I mean REAL soul food!  Straight from the pit!  TSK TSK!!!!

 

*DEMONS OF HELL WILL RISE AND DESTROY FOUNTAIN SQUARE!*

 

And will finally institute a Mr. Pigs, Ritchie's, Lee's, and a Bojangles or two.

no Popeyes?

 

I miss Manhattan West :(

Well, they were debating between a new place for Nicola, a new place for Jean-Robert, and a new place for Mr. Ike, weren't they?

Jean-Robert ain't got ANYTHIN' on Bojangles!  Bring that ***** back to Cincinnati!

I'm not talking UPSCALE soul food.  I mean REAL soul food!  Straight from the pit!  TSK TSK!!!!

 

Soul food?!?!?!?  Thats what Kentucky is for......all of the hillbilly fixes for Cincinnatians/SW Ohioans (cheap cigs, soul food, horses, meth labs, etc)

Kentucky does not do soul food, as it doesn't have that many blacks.  Cincinnati should be for soul food (talking to you, Avondale, Evanston, and College Hill).

no Popeyes?

 

Who cares about Popeyes?  If you want good fried chicken, go to Ron's Roost on the west side. 

Correction: "Who cares about Popeyes chicken?"  It's about the biscuits, baby!

I agree a nice mix would be great.  Too many expensive places makes it a special occasion place not an every day place.  I maintain that the whole thing should be completed before opening to the public - and that should have been accomplished by Tall Stacks.

 

I remember somewhere back when that all the new restaurants around Fountain Square would be catering to the newly expanded convention center attendees who stay at downtown hotels.  Wouldn't an out of town conventioner likely eat at a chain like Morton's rather than a Jean-Ro's.

I have to agree, a coffee shop that would be open almost 24/7 would be a great addition to the square.

 

My idea....a coffee shop directly on the square, one similar to this one in Birmingham, England.

 

 

 

 

And yes, Popeye's biscuits are the best ever.

Ike's macaroni and cheese...ooo...

DELICIOUS!!!

 

I do agree though that it is a major missed opportunity not to have it opened in time for the major events, but I dont believe that it will keep people from coming back again.  It will actually encourage them to say, "man I wonder what this place will be like a year from now?"

 

Sorry, but the only people who would think that are the people on this forum; not very many. I'm just being realistc. Your average Joe is not going to even think about that for a second.

^On two separate occassions, I've been walking by the square while under construction and heard conversations similar to this:

 

First Person: "I can't believe they spent $42 million dollars to move the fountain 10 feet."

Second Person: "Yeah, that's why this city is so screwed up, what a waste of money."

First Person: "They should have spent the money on Over the Rhine or the Banks."

 

Unfortunately, I think it's thoughts like this that predominate.  It shows complete ignorance and lack of information on the part of the speakers, but why would they want to read the paper when they can just watch the news and be told what to think? 

 

I disagree that people will never come back to the square if it's not held during Oktoberfest.  Would it have been optimum to have had it during Oktoberfest? Yes.  But c'mon how many people will be coming here for Tall Stacks and Bengals games.  There are plenty of opportunities to market the square in the fall.  You could have a big event for every home Bengals game.  And, it's not like people don't work downtown.  Downtown workers will be able to see it and be exposed to it on a daily basis.  So, I think it's crazy to forecast the death of the Square because it's not opening for Oktoberfest.  Personally, I would much rather have the square done right instead of some half-assed finishing so that it can be opened in September.       

^ Could you imagine the conversations if the city had just ignored the parking garage below and let it fall apart?  People would be blasting the city left and right.  My understanding it that the they had to tear up the square to fix the garage.  And the city is only paying $4 million.  They had that money set aside to fix the garage anyways.

^On two separate occassions, I've been walking by the square while under construction and heard conversations similar to this:

 

First Person: "I can't believe they spent $42 million dollars to move the fountain 10 feet."

Second Person: "Yeah, that's why this city is so screwed up, what a waste of money."

First Person: "They should have spent the money on Over the Rhine or the Banks."

 

Unfortunately, I think it's thoughts like this that predominate.  It shows complete ignorance and lack of information on the part of the speakers, but why would they want to read the paper when they can just watch the news and be told what to think?        

 

I know exactly what you are talking about.....did you happen to jump in and correct the two morons...I mean individuals.  I have done this before, it is slightly uncomfortable and could come across as rude, but I find it rude when someone is bashing my/their city openly with little or no reguard to actual facts/info.

 

We all must be informants and abassadors for this great city, because the city certainly isn't getting any other help from its citizens/local media/national media.  We can do it!!!!

I've heard people say things to the effect of "the city never has its priorities straight, they're spending millions of dollars to feng shui fountain square and move the fountain 10 feet". A lot of people also confuse new construction with maintenance. A lot of that old stuff has to be fixed and updated and it costs a lot of money, that's just the reality of it.

Ahem... :( :(

 

^ great pic montecarloss  :clap:

^^I dont understand the 'ahem... :-( :-( ' part of your post....what is this supposed to mean?

It means...  Oktoberfest without the Square... hence the :(

"Workers were still pouring concrete last week as they scrambled to meet a Sept. 9 deadline for the square's official reopening. But the formal celebration has been pushed back to Oct. 14, when rededication ceremonies will kick off a four-month-long "rolling re-opening" as construction wraps up and new elements of the square are finished."

 

I read the article as saying the plaza will be accessible Sept. 9th, but that the features (such as the Fountain) won't be ready until later.  Although the fountain will likely be in place, just not running: "The iconic fountain will be reinstalled in late August or early September, facing south this time rather than west..."

^facing south this time rather than west..."

 

Would somebody with an English lit degree please expound upon the symbolism of which direction the fountain faces?  When they first put it in, it faced east, I suppose in dialogue with both the original American homeland of the Eastern Seabord and also the "Old Countries" of the large immigrant populations in town.  When they changed the square from an esplanade to a, well, square, they faced the statue west, perhaps in a sense of self-satisfaction with the dominance of the U.S. in world affairs or the rise of the western states, Goldwater, Reagan and all that.  Now, in century 21, it shall face South.  Is it because we are in competition with the "New South" as we may have felt we were competing with those previous areas?  Or does it perhaps mean we finally recognize the South as the new locus for our new "Old Country" and see (let's hope) immigration as a source for our renewed greatness?  Or may they'll simply be more space on the southern end of the Square now, and they figure more folks will view it from that place?  I don't know.  I'm still going to miss seeing the old girl as I drive down 5th Street.

^facing south this time rather than west..."

 

Would somebody with an English lit degree please expound upon the symbolism of which direction the fountain faces?  When they first put it in, it faced east, I suppose in dialogue with both the original American homeland of the Eastern Seabord and also the "Old Countries" of the large immigrant populations in town.  When they changed the square from an esplanade to a, well, square, they faced the statue west, perhaps in a sense of self-satisfaction with the dominance of the U.S. in world affairs or the rise of the western states, Goldwater, Reagan and all that.  Now, in century 21, it shall face South.  Is it because we are in competition with the "New South" as we may have felt we were competing with those previous areas?  Or does it perhaps mean we finally recognize the South as the new locus for our new "Old Country" and see (let's hope) immigration as a source for our renewed greatness?  Or may they'll simply be more space on the southern end of the Square now, and they figure more folks will view it from that place?  I don't know.  I'm still going to miss seeing the old girl as I drive down 5th Street.

You're probably digging too deep. My guess is that more people would be able to see it...or perhaps its some feng shui conecept? I'd like to know as well.

Well, it looks like Boi na Braza won't be the first Brazilian steakhouse in Greater Cincinnati, Deerfield Twp. beat us to it.  Hopefully Tower Place has them locked into a lease so they can't change their mind.  This article makes no mention of the plans for a similar restaurant downtown.

 

-------

 

Brazilian restaurant a mouthful

BY POLLY CAMPBELL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Brazilian churrascarias are a hot concept in dining, and the first in the area will open in Deerfield Township in August when the Copeland's restaurant company turns Copeland's into Amor de Brazil.

 

"Oh, that's exciting," says restaurant-goer John Connors of Symmes Township, who has been to churrascarias in New York.

 

"It's like a steakhouse, but it's much more fun. I took 10 guys to one in Manhattan when I was there for business, and they had a blast."

Would somebody with an English lit degree please expound upon the symbolism of which direction the fountain faces?

 

My bet is that the fountain had to move to the north end of the square due to whatever other design ideas they had...once there, that decided which way she'd face.  Face her north or east and she'd look like she was bad and had to go stand in the corner...face her west and she's ignoring the square...

 

That's my guess...as for what it means symbolically, I'd go with her facing the river, in all its glory...connected to history, looking to the future, always in progress, but always rooted in the past...sometimes a little dangerous, sometimes a little stagnant, but always pretty if you're looking down on it all from Mt. Adams...

^Also, I think when the 5/3 building is reclad it will serve as an impressive backdrop for the fountain.

wrong thread

 

sorry wrong again...