WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat)

quote:

Originally posted by Euched

quote:

Originally posted by Bonk

quote:

Originally posted by johnbycz

My wife and I have been doing the South Beach thing, and in the middle of all this dieting I've had a craving for two things: really good pizza and a really good Chinese buffet. The pizza thing I took care of last weekend, but the buffet jones is still there.

I think 95% of Chinese buffets are just terrible. Just read the local restaurant inspection notices if you need proof. Too much food that sits around too long. But when you find a good one ...

So, any recommendations out there? I live on the East Side, but that doesn't matter. I used to like House of Sun downtown -- not large and the food was usually very fresh -- but that closed a while back, and it's certainly not a gold standard.

I like Rong Tan's on Ohio 125 just east of I-275, but I'm not sure if that's up to your standards.

When I lived on the east side of town I used to love going to Rong Tan's. Their food is pretty good for a buffet in my opinion and they at least used to have good bands playing on Friday/Saturday nights...

Pretty good for a buffet is a good way to describe Rong Tan's. Price isn't bad either.

quote:

Originally posted by soozycue520

I went to J & J restaurant on Glenway Ave. today for breakfast. It's in the strip mall next to Kroger, across from the Plaza. It was my first time there, and at a little before 11:00am, there was a wait for a table. Not a long wait, but a good sign. As we ate, a group of policemen came in. Another good sign. The whole time we were there, people were waiting for tables.

My cousin & I both ordered the standard eggs {OE & OM}, bacon, potatoes & toast. I asked for my potatoes with onions & cheese. The waitress recommended that we share potatoes and she was so right on the money. It was a full plate of homemade home fries with cheese on the bottom AND top. It actually almost looked like a 3-way coming out of the kitchen. They were very, very good & definitely enough for two. The eggs & bacon were cooked perfectly and they ask you whether you want your toast buttered or not, another plus.

We were watching HUGE double deckers coming out of the kitchen, as well. Definitely worth a return trip.

I didn't have my camera, but here is a link to a review from the westside foodie wannabe blog:

http://foodiewannabes.blogspot.com/2008/11/j-j-restaurant.html


J & J Restaurant
6159 Glenway Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45211
(513) 661-2260

J&Js is one of my most favorite places on earth. I grew up on the west side and ate here with my father very frequently. Friday eveneings. after soccer games. Saturday for brunch. Dad always had the chef salad and a beef and ham double "for the next day" which always was somehow gone by the next day. Now this was well over 20 years ago. after having moved to the east side, Demitrios 4 came to be the stand in for J&Js, but as soon as i could drive Id start making semi annual trips to the east side (which many of my east side buddies call "France") to get a burger, or double decker or coney or in memory of my pop a chef salad. while my wife and i were still dating we began an annual trek out. Up until that new Kroger was built forcing the move to that strip center, the inside of that place had not changed a single bit in over 30 years. if the waitresses from when i was a kid were not old when i was a kid, Id swear the waitresses were even the same. the new digs are OK, kinda like a skyline inside. last time i was out they still had the same old metal hand cash register that had made the move. More importantly, those double deckers are just as huge and delicious. the burgers are tasty, typical diner fare. the cincinnati chili is a hidden jem, up there with the absolute best in town. and the fries, with a mountain of cheese of course are more than incredible. oh the breakfasts are fantastic as well. Im not surprised you waited for a table. I think Bridgetowners think of this place as a second home and pack it regularly. a hidden, must try cincinnati greasy spoon/diner landmark.

watch out though as the joint closes for a week every year in the summer for vacation...

I ate there Sunday afternoon. I grade it a C+, meaning I'm willing to give it another shot. Not a large buffet; there was one steam table of appetizers/soup and another of entrees/rice. The problem was there were only three other guys in the restaurant at the time, so the pickings on the buffet were pretty slim -- and dried out and tough. A nice woman who I assumed was the owner said they'd replenish anything I wanted. I helped myself to soup, Mongolian pork and sesame chicken, and asked for pepper beef. What I had was pretty tasty. I give them points for mixing up the selection -- at too many Chinese buffets, the chicken dishes outnumber beef/pork/other by about 6 to 1. They lose points for appetizers. Everything was fried. Next time I'll pick a better time and day to go, and we'll see what it's like when it's busy.

quote:

Originally posted by Euched

quote:

Originally posted by Bonk

quote:

Originally posted by johnbycz

My wife and I have been doing the South Beach thing, and in the middle of all this dieting I've had a craving for two things: really good pizza and a really good Chinese buffet. The pizza thing I took care of last weekend, but the buffet jones is still there.

I think 95% of Chinese buffets are just terrible. Just read the local restaurant inspection notices if you need proof. Too much food that sits around too long. But when you find a good one ...

So, any recommendations out there? I live on the East Side, but that doesn't matter. I used to like House of Sun downtown -- not large and the food was usually very fresh -- but that closed a while back, and it's certainly not a gold standard.

I like Rong Tan's on Ohio 125 just east of I-275, but I'm not sure if that's up to your standards.

When I lived on the east side of town I used to love going to Rong Tan's. Their food is pretty good for a buffet in my opinion and they at least used to have good bands playing on Friday/Saturday nights...

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy Thruthegarden

This is more "fine dining" than road food, although Polly Campbell praised the burgers. I'm referring to the Edgecliff Room in Walnut Hills, in the Edgecliff Condominiums.

Sandy, I've eaten here more than a half dozen times but haven't been there in over a year or so. The many meals I had while eating there seems to be adequate, but nothing over the top, especially for the price. I usually stuck to burgers or salmon, and to this day can't say anything stood out in my mind as being exceptional. The view is great and location is great for summer nites, which is when I usually went.

Walnut Hills/Eden Park/O'Brianville is a fickle area for diners. The residents of the Edgecliff expect high end dining, but then complain about prices being too high and out of line. Same problems that drove J's Seafood rest. out of the highrise on Madison and ultimately has spelled the end of every rest. in that location.

Seems the tapas's restaurant just up Madison has good food which is a sore spot for the Edgecliff restaurant. Edgecliff is a very nice environment with a great view, but the food is nothing beyond what I could find at 20 other places within 5 miles. It just tries to be all things to all people and fails as a result.

jjjrfoodie.

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy Thruthegarden

This is more "fine dining" than road food, although Polly Campbell praised the burgers. I'm referring to the Edgecliff Room in Walnut Hills, in the Edgecliff Condominiums. I met some friends for dinner there yesterday evening. It was explained that it is in the JeanRo group but Jean Robert doesn't own or manage it. Without going into detail, almost everything was disappointing. None of us had a burger so that may be their best offering. It's pretty expensive, making the food even more disappointing. A miniscule "loaf" of hard, overbaked bread, served with a miniscule amount of hard, cold butter, started the meal. Only 4 appetizers on the menu and none sounded appealing. My filet was good but not oustanding. My friend's stuffed chicken entree was tasteless. Every entree was served with tough broccoli. Service was slow and sporadic. One dessert was inaccurately described and the pastry shell was tough to cut. My Pot de Creme was good but Polly liked it better than I did.

There is a deck overlooking the Ohio River that my friend says is a great place to go for a drink in warm weather. And, indeed, I would love to sit out there for a drink...before or after dinner somewhere else.

I ate at the Edgecliff about a month or so ago. They must change their menu regularly, because there was no filet on the menu {it was a short menu}. I had a strip steak with a baked potato & asparagus. It was nothing that stood out, but not bad. It was @$22, but it was a huge steak. My friend had a veal entree that had a fabulous sauce, but she thought it was tough. We also shared a goat cheese salad that was the best thing we had that evening, and it was really good.

There has been some speculation about what is going on with the Jean Robert Group. The Edgecliff is being run by Martin Wade, not the JRG. Lavomatic has changed all of their staff, and apparently it had nothing to do with Jean Robert.

So you can't blame your "bad experience" on Jean Robert. He doesn't have a hand in the Edgecliff. Although my experience was not stellar, it was not as bad as yours. It's too bad that Martin Wade is riding on JR's coattails and not living up to the reputation.

quote:

Originally posted by jjjrfoodie



Seems the tapas's restaurant just up Madison has good food which is a sore spot for the Edgecliff restaurant.

jjjrfoodie.

Seny, the tapas restaurant has closed.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=blog14&plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a1921648a-c77d-4218-b8c1-5af7ab309046Post%3ac013b406-9304-45d1-be12-4bd171fc78c7&sid=sitelife.cincinnati.com

quote:

Originally posted by johnbycz

I ate there Sunday afternoon. I grade it a C+, meaning I'm willing to give it another shot. Not a large buffet; there was one steam table of appetizers/soup and another of entrees/rice. The problem was there were only three other guys in the restaurant at the time, so the pickings on the buffet were pretty slim -- and dried out and tough. A nice woman who I assumed was the owner said they'd replenish anything I wanted. I helped myself to soup, Mongolian pork and sesame chicken, and asked for pepper beef. What I had was pretty tasty. I give them points for mixing up the selection -- at too many Chinese buffets, the chicken dishes outnumber beef/pork/other by about 6 to 1. They lose points for appetizers. Everything was fried. Next time I'll pick a better time and day to go, and we'll see what it's like when it's busy.

quote:

Originally posted by Euched

quote:

Originally posted by Bonk

quote:

Originally posted by johnbycz

My wife and I have been doing the South Beach thing, and in the middle of all this dieting I've had a craving for two things: really good pizza and a really good Chinese buffet. The pizza thing I took care of last weekend, but the buffet jones is still there.

I think 95% of Chinese buffets are just terrible. Just read the local restaurant inspection notices if you need proof. Too much food that sits around too long. But when you find a good one ...

So, any recommendations out there? I live on the East Side, but that doesn't matter. I used to like House of Sun downtown -- not large and the food was usually very fresh -- but that closed a while back, and it's certainly not a gold standard.

I like Rong Tan's on Ohio 125 just east of I-275, but I'm not sure if that's up to your standards.

When I lived on the east side of town I used to love going to Rong Tan's. Their food is pretty good for a buffet in my opinion and they at least used to have good bands playing on Friday/Saturday nights...

Give it a shot on a weekend night and you'll probably enjoy it a lot more.

quote:

Originally posted by NYPIzzaNut

quote:

Originally posted by Euched

I don't know any places north of Cross County but I really like Song Long in Roselawn... They have been open for at least 20yrs and their Vietnamese and Chinese food is very tasty... They are right by the corner of Section Rd and Reading Rd and across the street from the post office.

I simply love Song Long - I have been eating there for years and my favorite items are

LV4. Bun Bo Hue Soup

Our spicy lemongrass and beef broth with round rice noodles and sliced beef. (You can get your spice level from 1-10)

and

Goi Cuon (2 cold spring shrimp rolls)

They have many items on their menu that are great but I just fell in love with these two. And they are more than a meal - the soup bowl is HUGE!

Here is a link to part of their lunch menu (the prices may be out of date I think) from menuism.com:

http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/bOiW90PjCr25QMabBlKsEs-song-long-restaurant-cincinnati-oh#the-menu

Doing some research on Cincy area because I'm gonna be coming up for a visit next week or two. What a surprise to read that Song Long's is still open. I used to have an office in the litle shopping center ( the original shopping center in Cincy as I recall) on corner of Reading and theother main road (can't remember the name) and used to eat at Song Long's all the time. Also used to walk down to another shopping center to a wonderful deli shop which I'm sure is gone.

We had another great dinner at New Orleans to Go on Wednesday. I had the glazed tilapia 1/2 sandwich with gumbo and my husband had a shrimp sandwich. Both were delightfully spicy and prepared on the spot. The bread is excellent, reminiscent of that used for muffeletas at Central Grocery, albeit a different shape. The half sandwiches are huge...can't imagine downing a whole one. My gumbo was delightfully spicy and generous with chicken and sausage. We were the only customers in the place, sad to say. We asked after the owner who is nearing the end of a difficult pregnancy, and her mom said she was doing much better and was working most mornings. She did mention that it's wise to call, as the hours can be irregular, due to the owner's health. I want to go back again soon, although it's a haul from Anderson. So many other menu items looked intriguing, and many were new since our last visit. I urge all of us to keep patronizing this little gem; I'd be so sad if it ever closed.

quote:

Originally posted by Earl of Sandwich
Doing some research on Cincy area because I'm gonna be coming up for a visit next week or two. What a surprise to read that Song Long's is still open. I used to have an office in the litle shopping center ( the original shopping center in Cincy as I recall) on corner of Reading and theother main road (can't remember the name) and used to eat at Song Long's all the time. Also used to walk down to another shopping center to a wonderful deli shop which I'm sure is gone.

Yes... The intersection there is Section Rd. and Reading Rd. and that little strip with Song Long still has a couple places in it that have been there forever, but I believe there are quite a few empty places there now if I remember correctly from my last trip to Song Long. The other strip was The Valley Shopping Center and the bagel store there that I am guessing is the deli you used to go to there is long gone. I am not even sure what is at the Valley now. The last time I checked the barber shop that was at the Valley is still there, but that was the only place besides the pharmacy that has been there forever that I remembered from being there before...maybe the library, but I am not even sure that is still there.

I made it over to Pasquale's in Bellevue, KY late on Tuesday.
Medium pie with 1/2 pepperoni and 1/2 Italian sausage to go.

Brought back a ton of memories as I've not eaten a Pasquale's pizza in over 2 decades. Nice and clean place with a huge menu. Nice owner and very propmt and courteous service. Sauce was spot-on althought the crust is baked with a slight olive oil brushing, which I thought the older ones were not and done like a LaRosas traditional crust.

Tis a shame there are so few of them left in the area. I'll be back to try more of the menu as it is near Newport on the Levee and the Party Source and I am down that way often.



jjjrfoodie

quote:

Originally posted by Earl of Sandwich

quote:

Originally posted by NYPIzzaNut

quote:

Originally posted by Euched

I don't know any places north of Cross County but I really like Song Long in Roselawn... They have been open for at least 20yrs and their Vietnamese and Chinese food is very tasty... They are right by the corner of Section Rd and Reading Rd and across the street from the post office.

I simply love Song Long - I have been eating there for years and my favorite items are

LV4. Bun Bo Hue Soup

Our spicy lemongrass and beef broth with round rice noodles and sliced beef. (You can get your spice level from 1-10)

and

Goi Cuon (2 cold spring shrimp rolls)

They have many items on their menu that are great but I just fell in love with these two. And they are more than a meal - the soup bowl is HUGE!

Here is a link to part of their lunch menu (the prices may be out of date I think) from menuism.com:

http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/bOiW90PjCr25QMabBlKsEs-song-long-restaurant-cincinnati-oh#the-menu

Doing some research on Cincy area because I'm gonna be coming up for a visit next week or two. What a surprise to read that Song Long's is still open. I used to have an office in the litle shopping center ( the original shopping center in Cincy as I recall) on corner of Reading and theother main road (can't remember the name) and used to eat at Song Long's all the time. Also used to walk down to another shopping center to a wonderful deli shop which I'm sure is gone.

On Reading Rd just north of Section on the left in a small strip center next to a car wash there was until recently a Russian deli and grocery that sold the finest mushroom salad (from Chicago) I ever tasted. They were robbed once too often and closed shop and may have moved somewhere north of Roselawn but I am have trouble finding them - anyone know their whereabouts? Their name was Yummie Yummie.

Here is a comment on them from 2002:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/121019


There's an excellent Russian deli at 7523 Reading Road in Roselawn called Yummie Yummie. The tortes, which they told me they ship in from New York, are the most wonderful, complex creations I've ever seen. Great rye bread from Chicago, too.

Permalink | Reply

CincyChowhound Sep 22, 2002 07:54PM

quote:

Originally posted by Euched

quote:

Originally posted by Earl of Sandwich
Doing some research on Cincy area because I'm gonna be coming up for a visit next week or two. What a surprise to read that Song Long's is still open. I used to have an office in the litle shopping center ( the original shopping center in Cincy as I recall) on corner of Reading and theother main road (can't remember the name) and used to eat at Song Long's all the time. Also used to walk down to another shopping center to a wonderful deli shop which I'm sure is gone.

Yes... The intersection there is Section Rd. and Reading Rd. and that little strip with Song Long still has a couple places in it that have been there forever, but I believe there are quite a few empty places there now if I remember correctly from my last trip to Song Long. The other strip was The Valley Shopping Center and the bagel store there that I am guessing is the deli you used to go to there is long gone. I am not even sure what is at the Valley now. The last time I checked the barber shop that was at the Valley is still there, but that was the only place besides the pharmacy that has been there forever that I remembered from being there before...maybe the library, but I am not even sure that is still there.

The deli you remember was Bilkers Fine Foods, which was sort of across Reading Road from Marx Hot Bagels. Like them, they moved to Blue Ash in the mid-90s as the neighborhood declined. Bilkers still does a very healthy business, but now on Kenwood Road north of Cooper.

Bilkers closed about a year ago.

quote:

Originally posted by NYPIzzaNut

Bilkers closed about a year ago.

That's what I get for being out of town for a year. 8-)

I should have fact checked, about half my regular haunts have closed or declined since I left.

I miss Bilkers. Loved their fresh horseradish and sandwiches and old tyme sodas and much more. I would always stop there after getting my bags of Marx bagels across the street. Marx is still alive and well - Kosher and owned by a Catholic!

quote:

Originally posted by jjjrfoodie

I made it over to Pasquale's in Bellevue, KY late on Tuesday.
Medium pie with 1/2 pepperoni and 1/2 Italian sausage to go.

Brought back a ton of memories as I've not eaten a Pasquale's pizza in over 2 decades. Nice and clean place with a huge menu. Nice owner and very propmt and courteous service. Sauce was spot-on althought the crust is baked with a slight olive oil brushing, which I thought the older ones were not and done like a LaRosas traditional crust.

Tis a shame there are so few of them left in the area. I'll be back to try more of the menu as it is near Newport on the Levee and the Party Source and I am down that way often.



jjjrfoodie

That looks awesome, but I can't picture where it is.

From the map it looks like it's near the Subway-Burger King across from Party Source. Is that where it's at?

I used to work downtown and went to Party Source all the time. Has it been there a while? I don't know I could've missed it if it was that close to the highway.

quote:

Originally posted by Bonk

That looks awesome, but I can't picture where it is.

From the map it looks like it's near the Subway-Burger King across from Party Source. Is that where it's at?

I used to work downtown and went to Party Source all the time. Has it been there a while? I don't know I could've missed it if it was that close to the highway.

It is about two blocks east of Burger King at the corner of Fairfield (KY8) and Washington.

quote:

Originally posted by NYPIzzaNut

I miss Bilkers. Loved their fresh horseradish and sandwiches and old tyme sodas and much more. I would always stop there after getting my bags of Marx bagels across the street. Marx is still alive and well - Kosher and owned by a Catholic!

Marx is still around, but only in Blue Ash...

quote:

Originally posted by Alco251

quote:

Originally posted by Bonk

That looks awesome, but I can't picture where it is.

From the map it looks like it's near the Subway-Burger King across from Party Source. Is that where it's at?

I used to work downtown and went to Party Source all the time. Has it been there a while? I don't know I could've missed it if it was that close to the highway.

It is about two blocks east of Burger King at the corner of Fairfield (KY8) and Washington.

That explains why I never saw it.

Thanks a ton -- I'm going to check that out in the next couple of weeks.

jjjrfoodie and soozycue,

One of the women I dined with knew that the Edgecliff Room is managed by Martin Wade...she had done some research...so we weren't expecting a Jean Robert experience. We just expected more because of Polly Campbell's review and the prices. I do see myself going back for a salad and a cool glass of Reisling on a summer evening.

In general, our experiences with restaurants that serve as quasi-dining rooms in residences for the mature and monied have been underwhelming. We've also dined at the Prima Vista and the defunct Napa Grille at the Regency in Hyde Park. Both were expensive and mediocre. The menu at Prima Vista lacked excitement. The service at Prima Vista was snooty and stuffy in an old-fashioned Cincinnati way. Service at Napa Grille was downright pretentious. The Edgecliff Room seemed like more of the same. The only exception I can think of was J's Seafood. I have much preferred our group dinners at Honey, Tink's, and the York Street Cafe.

I was sorry to see that Seny closed. It was delightful.

jjr - That pizza looks great. Is that with extra cheese, or is that the standard amount?

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy Thruthegarden

jjjrfoodie and soozycue,

jjr - That pizza looks great. Is that with extra cheese, or is that the standard amount?

Sandy and Bonk, yep the above pizza was just a standard order traditional crust with 1/2 and 1/2. Prices are very reasonable, as I got out the door for $8 or so for that one. Sizes are 6", 10" , 12" and 15". I asked for a medium, so I assume it was the 10 or 12".


TJ needs to give it a try as kids meals are $3.49 and a lot to choose from.

They offer goetta as a pizza topping, and hoagy choices number at 17. That's alot. I'll try and scan the menu or take some pics of it soon.

Just head east on Route 8 past the Party Source and it's about 6 blocks up on your left (river side of the street).

For the price, it's worth a try and will not break the piggy bank.

jjjrfoodie

quote:

Originally posted by jjjrfoodie


Sandy and Bonk, yep the above pizza was just a standard order traditional crust with 1/2 and 1/2. Prices are very reasonable, as I got out the door for $8 or so for that one. Sizes are 6", 10" , 12" and 15". I asked for a medium, so I assume it was the 10 or 12".


For the price, it's worth a try and will not break the piggy bank.

jjjrfoodie

This, of course, requires a visit to Bellevue.

Thanks!

I noticed a small place called New European Deli I believe in an older, small strip center at the end of Wilkens Blvd on Fields Ertel Rd. I think there was an Ameristop station there and maybe a chinese carryout restaurant. Has anyone ever been? What is it like? One thing I think this city lacks is a GOOD DELI. I live in the general area, but had never ever seen this place before.

Try Decent Deli in Blue Ash. As good as Izzy's used to be like.

Ill 2nd the decent deli. The spud ces are ok when fresh but they can really soak up the grease.
BTW-Im getting sick of all the pizza on the cibci and dayton boards. I now we are deprived here but you can only look at soo much pizza!

Potato pancakes are always and only best when fresh out of the fryer. No matter what deli you are at.

I could never get sick of pizza living in Ohio because it is a rare treat to find really good pizza in this area.

I'm officially hooked on Boston Butz in Ross.

We went Saturday, and I had the Boston Burger, which is a double cheeseburger with pulled pork between the patties. Nice hint of smoke, and all the flavors blend together nicely. Heaven on a bun.

We also had the crinkle cut fries with cheese and bacon for an appetizer, and they were awesome. I can't wait to go back.

We walked out stuffed, with leftovers, for $20. The only slight drawback is the service can be a little slow, but the wait is worth it.

Speaking of pizza, we had Hungry Howie's in Oxford on Sunday. Better than most chains, not as good as a Mom and Pop. It was our second time there, and we'll definitely go back.

quote:

Originally posted by Bonk


Speaking of pizza, we had Hungry Howie's in Oxford on Sunday. Better than most chains, not as good as a Mom and Pop. It was our second time there, and we'll definitely go back.

I used to get their pizza when I lived in Florida... It is OK...their different types of crust were the only thing that really set them apart from any other pizza chain though... Does the location up here also have the different types of crust? I used to get a few different types of crust including: sesame seed and garlic butter.

The only pizza crust I look for is NY style - chewy and crunchy - sesame seed crust????????????????????????

quote:

Originally posted by Euched

quote:

Originally posted by Bonk


Speaking of pizza, we had Hungry Howie's in Oxford on Sunday. Better than most chains, not as good as a Mom and Pop. It was our second time there, and we'll definitely go back.

I used to get their pizza when I lived in Florida... It is OK...their different types of crust were the only thing that really set them apart from any other pizza chain though... Does the location up here also have the different types of crust? I used to get a few different types of crust including: sesame seed and garlic butter.

Yes, they have the different types of crust. I think the garlic butter one's pretty awesome. I would agree it's ordinary other than that.

Although the garlic cheese bread they have absolutely rocks.

quote:

Originally posted by NYPIzzaNut

The only pizza crust I look for is NY style - chewy and crunchy - sesame seed crust????????????????????????

OK, we get it. Really, we do.

Just visited the Pasquale's in Newport. JJJRFoodie - Thanks for the inspiring picture, and your assessment is right on. Delicious.

Toppings all the way to the edge, excellent, slightly tangy sauce. I'll be back again very soon.

It's actually 4-5 blocks east of the BK/Subway and Party Source.

OK, time for a help request.  We're visiting Cincy for Christmas...only our second visit since we sold our house there in April '07.  We have limited dining-out time because we are only in for 3.5 days (Wednesday breakfast through Saturday lunch), and have some family dining obligations too.  I have my "usual favorites" that I need to visit too (Skyline or Gold Star, Sub Station II, Arloi Dee), although I can do carry-outs and eat them later in the weekend.  Some good baby-back ribs might be nice too (although not a priority), because I'm having a tough time finding good ones here in Missouri. 

So the question to you Cincinnati foodies is, what is new in the last year and a half that I "must try"?  Like I said, I don't have many meal opportunities, but I'd like to try something promising.  Thanks in advance.

Bonk

[id=quote font="arial, helvetica"]quote: Originally posted by NYPIzzaNut

The only pizza crust I look for is NY style - chewy and crunchy - sesame seed crust????????????????????????

OK, we get it. Really, we do.

Time for Pie


OK, time for a help request.  We're visiting Cincy for Christmas...only our second visit since we sold our house there in April '07.  We have limited dining-out time because we are only in for 3.5 days (Wednesday breakfast through Saturday lunch), and have some family dining obligations too.  I have my "usual favorites" that I need to visit too (Skyline or Gold Star, Sub Station II, Arloi Dee), although I can do carry-outs and eat them later in the weekend.  Some good baby-back ribs might be nice too (although not a priority), because I'm having a tough time finding good ones here in Missouri. 

So the question to you Cincinnati foodies is, what is new in the last year and a half that I "must try"?  Like I said, I don't have many meal opportunities, but I'd like to try something promising.  Thanks in advance.

Some questions:
 
Since you mentioned Arloi Dee, are you staying north of the city?  Do you have any "range" that you would like to stay within, area wise?
 
I know there is a lot of new things going on in West Chester, but I don't make it up that way too often.
 
 

We lived in West Chester from '00 through '06, so we will be visiting old friends there and in Loveland (hmmm...I may need to visit The Works too ), but we will be very centrally located, in Finneytown.  Sub Station II is, of course, in NKy, so I'd say there is not much that I would consider "out of range", unless the weather makes driving too treacherous.

I would get an oyster po' boy at New Orleans To Go for sure:

http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/dining/detail.asp?RestID=10499

It is mentioned in this thread quite a number of times.

jmckee

Bonk

[id=quote font="arial, helvetica"]quote: Originally posted by NYPIzzaNut

The only pizza crust I look for is NY style - chewy and crunchy - sesame seed crust????????????????????????

OK, we get it. Really, we do.

I am so very  glad you have been paying attention.

NYPIzzaNut

I am so very  glad you have been paying attention.

The following old quote exemplifies my opinion of pizza (and sex):

“Pizza is a lot like sex. When it's good, it's really good. When it's bad, it's still pretty good.”

There have been a few pizzas that I regretted ordering and eating, but not many. It really takes a lot to make pizza "lousy". Cracker crust? Not great, but not the most damning aspect of the meal either.

I am pretty picky, but I also have to live with my wife and be around friends who will find more meaning in the social occasion for dinner than in the penultimate crust texture. My wife likes Donato's. I would rather drive to a road food like pizza place, but we aren't basing our evening around pizza, either, so the mass produced Donato's wins at times.

NYPIzzaNut


I would get an oyster po' boy at New Orleans To Go for sure:

http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/dining/detail.asp?RestID=10499

It is mentioned in this thread quite a number of times.

Shellfish and I have an agreement...I don't eat it and it won't make me sick.   But a catfish po boy sounds pretty good...I liked the ones that I got at Redfish when it was downtown.  Is the rémoulade any good?

Everything there is exceptional.

Time for Pie

NYPIzzaNut


I would get an oyster po' boy at New Orleans To Go for sure:

http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/dining/detail.asp?RestID=10499

It is mentioned in this thread quite a number of times.

Shellfish and I have an agreement...I don't eat it and it won't make me sick.   But a catfish po boy sounds pretty good...I liked the ones that I got at Redfish when it was downtown.  Is the rémoulade any good?

I have never had anything bad at New Orleans to Go...  I have tried well over half of what they offer and never had anything that disappointed me...

I keep forgetting to order their fried okra!   It is soooooo good.

NYPIzzaNut

jmckee

Bonk

[id=quote font="arial, helvetica"]quote: Originally posted by NYPIzzaNut

The only pizza crust I look for is NY style - chewy and crunchy - sesame seed crust????????????????????????

OK, we get it. Really, we do.

I am so very  glad you have been paying attention.

Between the two threads it was getting a little repetitive. Just letting you know.
 
Nothing personal. I like reading your take on pizza.

This thread has finally been merged back together.

I had a catfish po' boy at NTG last week and it was really good. It isn't served with remoulade but I didn't miss it. An 11 inch po boy can feed two easily.

Time for Pie


We lived in West Chester from '00 through '06, so we will be visiting old friends there and in Loveland (hmmm...I may need to visit The Works too ), but we will be very centrally located, in Finneytown.  Sub Station II is, of course, in NKy, so I'd say there is not much that I would consider "out of range", unless the weather makes driving too treacherous.

 
Looks like the weather will be good while you are here, so driving shouldn't be a problem.  Hope your trip here goes well, and let us know where you end up going!!
 
I would recommend Terry's Turf Club for burgers.  There have been different opinions, but I think it's great!!  It's on the east side of town, so not close to Finneytown.  Also, if you have kids, it is a bar & not always the right environment for children.  And they don't open til @4pm.
 
Terry's Turf Club
4618 Eastern Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45226
(513) 533-4222
 
And here are my reviews:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=440425&mpage=

soozycue520

Time for Pie


We lived in West Chester from '00 through '06, so we will be visiting old friends there and in Loveland (hmmm...I may need to visit The Works too ), but we will be very centrally located, in Finneytown.  Sub Station II is, of course, in NKy, so I'd say there is not much that I would consider "out of range", unless the weather makes driving too treacherous.

 
Looks like the weather will be good while you are here, so driving shouldn't be a problem.  Hope your trip here goes well, and let us know where you end up going!!
 
I would recommend Terry's Turf Club for burgers.  There have been different opinions, but I think it's great!!  It's on the east side of town, so not close to Finneytown.  Also, if you have kids, it is a bar & not always the right environment for children.  And they don't open til @4pm.
 
Terry's Turf Club
4618 Eastern Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45226
(513) 533-4222
 
And here are my reviews:
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=440425&mpage=

Terry's does have VERY good burgers...  I would rate them the best in town personally...

The change in forum software has me gone.

ASPPlayground is blocked at work and also does not support any of the browsers I use on my home Mac. :(

I did make it back to the Mexican restaurant over in Elmwood Place and it was awesome. Huge deep fried chimichanga covered with a green mole sauce stuffed with chicken in adobo and cheese.  Also had cheese and sour cream on top and sides of refried beans and spanish rice.  i have pics but no way to post them these days.
They also do a standard mole as well as red enchilada sauce as toppings.
I suggest you give it a go.

jjjrfoodie

test

I was just checking to see if I could post to this thread - the  Dayton/Middletown one keeps giving me an error message every time I try to post to it.

This has been going on for two days now.

I wanted to mention what happened after eating at the Grecian Delight in Middletown last Thursday - if no luck  I will post the message here as there are overlapping locations involved.

Bad news.  It seems that Kona Bistro in Oakley will be closing for good due to the economic downturn.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20081224/BIZ01/312240018/

Still getting error when I try to post on the companion Dayton/Middletown thread.

I wanted to comment on Mr Herbs in N Ky - I have been there several times and I was never disappointed.

Besides lots of local folk you will be dining also with a number of pilots and stewardess.

I was at Marx Bagels in Blue Ash last Thursday to pick up our monthly supply of bagels and bialys - shot lots of photos and will be posting some.

I also visited Bonnie Lynn Bakery in Montgomery picking up a dozen cinammon squares which are little pieces of heaven - the best little piece of a bun (similar but more airier and tasty than a crumb bun) I have ever tasted in my life - if you want to try them you have to reserve them before 3 pm the day before or likely they will be gone by 8 am or so the day you want them.  If you order in quantity like we do they simply tell the main bakery to make more for the next day.

That day I also picked up another wonderful NY type pizza from Dewey's Pizza in Montgomery for the wife and some delicious smoked sliced beef tongue and mushroom salad from Marina's International Deli and Gourmet Foods, just above Dewey's at 11426 Montgomery Rd in the next little strip center past E.Kemper Rd on the right - they are in the far north portion of the building) last going away from I-275 (they are a Eastern European type deli/grocery and open til 8 pm on weekdays).

Here is their website:

 http://www.marinasdeli.com/

That day we ate at Grecian Delight in Middletown  and we found them to be good and reasonable -  but their baklava was the best we had ever had in our lives.

Leaving there we pass Micromonaco's Pizzeria on the way to downtown Middletown - they are about a mile or less from the Grecian Delight - since I had planned on Dewey's Pizza for take out I did not stop there to check them out as I plan to in the future when in that area once again.  (They are mentioned on the companion thread  as being THE pizzeria in Middletown - any one ever been there?)

"Golden Lamb owner opens G Baileys": http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/12/22/daily52.html

My wife and I tried it tonight.

It is located in the old Encore restaurant space at McCabe Crossing and most of the decor is the same.

Basically, the menu was an upscale, more innovative and smaller version of an O'Charley's selection. I don't mean this critically - they are clearly focusing on fewer items with more care. They had one or two steak dinners and a fish dinner in the $20 range, some pasta dishes in the <$15 range, a bunch of sandwiches and salads around $6-$8, and a selection of common appetizers. One soup, which was cream of asparagus today.

We had a Caesar salad, a lettuce wedge salad, and the spinach and artichoke dip with pita wedges. The artichoke dip was very thick and flavorful, and had a large mound of grated parmesan. Our salads were very fresh and well prepared.

We had the undivided attention of the manager who was serving us, who hovered over us to see how we liked the food  and the atmosphere (probably a bit too much, but we were the only couple there when we left at about 9:30 PM.) He told us that the place had been open just this week as as "soft opening", meaning that it just opened with no advertising.

There's a full bar. We had iced tea.

Two things mentioned by the Business Courier article that may be a bit misleading. "From $5.95" entrees is technically correct, but that is literally only a couple of items on the menu. The prices are more mass-chain level than "bargain" level, per my description above. I'm assuming that they will promote the place with coupons and special offers. Secondly, the menu isn't anything like the Golden Lamb, which may be implied by the title of the BC article.

Basically it is a higher quality, locally owned, and personalized alternative to the middle of the road big chain restaurants, which dominate the scene in the Deerfield Twp. area. The decor makes it seem like it would be more expensive than it is.

We intend to go back and try some of their other offerings when we get a chance. I recommend it.

http://earlworld.blogspot.com/2006/04/marxs-bagels.html

Saturday, April 01, 2006 Marx's Bagels A couple weeks ago, Dianne and I went to Marx's Hot Bagel Factory in Blue Ash. There is a large sign on the door that says "This is an experience, not a restaurant. Owner not politically correct. Enter at your own risk." We've been going there off and on since we moved here so we knew what to expect.

It was a busy day. The counter was full and there was a large line of people waiting to place orders at the register. While waiting in line, Dianne spotted some people leaving their seats at the counter so we got out of line and sat down. John Marx the owner, affectionately dubbed "The Bagel Man", was working near that spot. He seemed pretty wound up with all the customers. Fortunately, one of the employees came over to wait on us before he got there. ALL the employees there hustle or The Bagel Man chews them out. We knew what we wanted, ordered, and paid promptly when we got our bagels.

The Blue Ash location of Marx's Hot Bagels is Kosher. We were chatting about the Marx experience and Dianne asked if I remembered when we saw The Bagel Man wait on someone many years ago who asked for ham or bacon on their bagel. Boy did he go off on one of his rants! No sooner did Dianne mention that when the Bagel Man gets on the restaurant speaker and yells to people in line to get over to the counter and order rather than standing in line at the register. Then he takes out his referee whistle and gives it a big blast so they know where to go.
The first people ordering from him give little bits of their request at a time. It's hard to know if he's paying attention since you say one thing and he walks away. However, he expects you to yell the rest of your order so he'll get everything at once. When The Bagel Man returns and hears more of the order he starts ranting to the customer about the right way to order. After a couple more rounds of this, the customer finally asks "why do you have to be so mean?" That softens him up a bit and when he comes back with the take out bagels he gives an extra couple bagels in a bag with some instructions how to keep them.

The next couple ordering comes over and the woman asks The Bagel Man for a Reuben bagel sandwich. He replies we don't have that and she comes back with I'll just have corned beef on a bagel. That sends him over the edge so he grabs the microphone and yells to one of the customers he recognizes in line and asks him to come over and explain to this lady why we don't have corned beef – this is a kosher place (although I understand it's possible to make kosher corned beef). It was a classic déjà vu moment for us.

You can read more about the Bagel Man story here and experiences at the restaurant here. Most important for me, I think he makes a great bagel product. Whether he's blowing a whistle, wearing a beanie, or looking at you through the bagel glasses, you are in for an experience if you go to Marx's Bagels while John is working.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you want bagels and bialys like you find in NYC this is the place to go.  As promised here are some photos from my last visit to this wonderful Cincinnati institution:


..what the outside looks lik..








...part of the bagel and bialy selection that awaits you...



..a wide shot of the interior of Marx Bagels..



..part of the lunch counter...

NYPizzanut,

Thanks for sharing!!!!  I really should try to get out there soon.  I grew up on these bagels, and miss them tremendously.  My cousin worked there when they were located on Reading Rd. near Section Ave. {many, many moons ago}, and would bring us a dozen bagels a couple times a week.  I really liked the salt bagels back then, but am more an everything bagel kinda person nowadays.

soozycue520
...Looks like the weather will be good while you are here, so driving shouldn't be a problem.  Hope your trip here goes well, and let us know where you end up going!!...

It was a good trip, and I got to a few of my favorites, but unfortunately not to anything new.  We never got to Tri-County area, so I couldn't try NO-to-go.  Too bad, that catfish sounded pretty good...maybe next time. 

We had a family (21 people!) excursion to the Finneytown Skyline the day after Christmas, followed by a Greater's visit.  Other stops:
We were able to stay an extra day, so my wife and I had a great dinner at Arloi Dee on Saturday night.  I also got to have my favorite design-your-own pizza at The Works in Loveland (BBQ sauce, pepperoni, bacon and roasted garlic, NO cheese) this trip.  Also did a visit to Frisch's breakfast bar...a glutton's paradise!  The baby-back ribs I wanted came from an unexpected place...mom made some for Christmas Eve dinner!

Did a lot of food shopping too.  My wife is a Celiac sufferer, so we have to go to extremes to find ingredients.  We visited Jungle Jim's and Whole Foods and Fresh Market and got bags full of good stuff.  New find: the Moondance brand desserts at Whole Foods are winners if you know any Celiacs who are desperate for dessert...and they are made in Cincinnati!

Now I'm off to make some gluten-free pecan pie!

TJ/everyone
 
- I saw there was a new bagel and deli place over by the Lodge Bar /Gondola Pizza downtown.  Did not catch a name - has anyone heard about it/been there yet? 

Also, there was a write up in the Enquirer about Avril-Bleh and their lunch sandwich menu recently.  Has anyone tested the waters there yet?  That one is a bit of a hike for me so I assume it might not be in the cards with the cold weather finally coming.  Just curious as I'd like to try some new places soon and was hoping for a preview. 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090102/ENT01/901020327/1026/ent01

Happy Eating 2009.