WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat)

Big Top restaurant has closed as of early spring. Guenther's is average at best and not worth the drive. City BBQ is outstanding. Pitrelli's is nice and I believe you can buy their sauce(s) at Kroger. Jet's pizza which is a regional chain opened in Mason recently and was disappointing. Deep dish pie was veerrryyy greasy and chewy. Cheese didn't want to stay on crust. Wasn't impressed with hand tossed pizzas either. If your going to get chain pizza, I still feel Papa John's is the way to go.

Welcome to the forums, Suburban Dad!

Did not know (obviously) about Big Top closing - that's a real shame

Are you located in the northern reaches of Cincy?

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I'll be hitting City BBQ for lunch.

TJ..yes Deerfield Township/Mason area...unfortunately not alot of roadfood stops up here. Chains are prevalent. Corky's pizza up by Kings Island used to be really good, but haven't been there in over 18mos. A good breakfast place further north in a small town Red Lion is Mom's and is a must. Only negative is the heavy smoke for those who are non-smokers.

If you want to drive a little, try the Best Cafe in Lebanon. It's right around the corner from the Golden lamb.

Best Cafe
900 Clover Ln , Lebanon, OH
Phone - (513) 932-4400

I have not been there for a while, so call ahead to make sure they are still there. Best Chicken pot pie and open faced roastbeef sandwich lunches I have had in a long time.

Cozy mom and pop place serving yummy comfort food.

I really like MV Pizza at 3187 Western Row Rd. (513-459-7799) in the strip mall just east of the Kings Island Drive exit. Good New York style pizza in an owner-run operation.

I am dying for some really good Chinese in Northern Kentucky or very close to downtown Cincinnati. Any recommendations would be very appreciated. I prefer Szechaun and Hunanese, but will take Cantonese.

Sandy and Arianej seem to be far better clued in than I on all the ethnic choices in the area...ladies?

quote:

Originally posted by Robin Hood

I am dying for some really good Chinese in Northern Kentucky or very close to downtown Cincinnati. Any recommendations would be very appreciated. I prefer Szechaun and Hunanese, but will take Cantonese.

Hello, Robin -

I'd recommend The Cathay Kitchen in Florence, KY which has Szechuan dishes and Hong Kong style noodle dishes. It's on Connector Drive in Florence. The owner has apparently opened another restaurant, The Hong Kong Cafe, in Richwood, KY. Haven't been to that one yet but it looks interesting. The link below brings up a brief version of the Cathay Kitchen menu. You can also click on the Hong Kong Cafe's menu from this link.

http://www.hongkongcafe.us/cathaykitchen.htm

I don't know if it's open yet but Pacific Moon is slated to open at Newport on the Levee. It's a Pan-Asian place that has a very good reputation. We ate at their original location many years ago and it was excellent but it was too long ago to say if that impression is still valid.

Some folks like the Oriental Wok on Buttermilk Pike in Ft. Mitchell. I've eaten there several times because it was handy. It's nothing special in my opinion but way better than any of the buffet or storefront carry-out places around town.

Hope this helps.

Sandy

Hehe... appreciate the vote of confidence, TJ, but I'm not very familiar with the downtown or N. KY area, sorry to say!

quote:

Originally posted by Robin Hood

I am dying for some really good Chinese in Northern Kentucky or very close to downtown Cincinnati. Any recommendations would be very appreciated. I prefer Szechaun and Hunanese, but will take Cantonese.

You looking for some a cut above the usual take-out, or someplace fancier? Default place used to be Uncle Yip's in Fairfield, which is too far north for your purposes, unfortunately. Also, I haven't been there in ages, so I have no idea what the quality is like nowadays.

Thanks for the recommendations! Sandy, I saw Cathay on my way to a dinner party last night, and I wondered about it. I will try it soon. The place on Buttermilk is very close to my office, so I can try it on my lunch hour.

I was wondering about Pacific Moon. Does anyone know when this place is going to open?

This site could use some of the valuable input from the Cincinnati folks that post here.

www.cincinnatihotbytes.com

It is the sister site of the one for Louisville rub by Robin Garr.

BTW, I am not Mr. Garr. Just a coincidence that my screen name is same as his first name.

Ok...need some help...I will be staying at the Comfort Inn on the River in Newport, KY>....I want to have a nice dinner and some drinks and I will need to be within walking distance of the hotel. Any ideas on what is good/great in that area?

Startrooper: Unfortunately, I dont like anything within that short a distance...most of which is Newport on the Levee....and enough said about that.....

Now, if you're willing to pay for a very short cab ride

York Street Cafe
http://www.citybeat.com/2005-10-26/diner.shtml

Pompilios
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/071400_pompilios.html

Washington Platform
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/013004_wplatform.html

Riverside Korean
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/073004_riversidekorean_yum.html

and that old Cincinnati favorite, famous for ribs that are good but are not BBQ....just across the river and in view of your hotel

Montgomery Inn
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/boathouse.html

Cafe Istanbul is good and not too far from where you are staying. It is located in the Newport on the Levee mall.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Startrooper: Unfortunately, I dont like anything within that short a distance...most of which is Newport on the Levee....and enough said about that.....

Now, if you're willing to pay for a very short cab ride or take a nice LONG walk......

York Street Cafe
http://www.citybeat.com/2005-10-26/diner.shtml

Pompilios
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/071400_pompilios.html

Washington Platform
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/013004_wplatform.html

Riverside Korean
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/073004_riversidekorean_yum.html

and that old Cincinnati favorite, famous for ribs that are good but are not BBQ....just across the river and in view of your hotel

Montgomery Inn
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/boathouse.html

Yes, we heard you the first 500 times. Nevertheless there are several perfectly good restaurants at Newport on the Levee. Besides which, you didn't even answer his question.

Actually, I did answer his question.

You on the other hand contributed an angry swipe at me and a vague generalization about the area - nothing helpful to the person posting the question.

You might want to try your hand at constructive suggestions.....that is in no small part what these web forums are all about.

As an aside, it seems odd to me to see a member with 3 posts to his (or her) credit and a membership barely a month old speak in terms of "we" as if speaking for the entire roadfood community. I can't say I can ever claim to have had that broad a backing myself, but hey, more power to ya.

Thanks, TJ...I think I am going to take the York Street Cafe...However, a while back I remember a restraunt that sat on the street level below Embassy Suites in Covington... I can't remember the name of it...but I was very impressed by it. Any thoughts?

Hmm, I know Zebo's Bistro is in that building, but I don't know what else is

Zebo's is in the Marriott in Covington.

Sorry.

Perhaps the Embassy Grille?

http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/photo_gallery.jhtml;jsessionid=032CHW1JVS15SCSGBIU2VCQKIYFC3UUC?ctyhocn=CVGCVES&category=3&photo=0

(I don't spend any time in any hotels locally, having a home here and all, sorry)

I found it....Behle Street Cafe... I think I may make the walk to there to eat!!!! Thanks for all the information.

quote:

Originally posted by BillyZoom

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Startrooper: Unfortunately, I dont like anything within that short a distance...most of which is Newport on the Levee....and enough said about that.....

Now, if you're willing to pay for a very short cab ride or take a nice LONG walk......

York Street Cafe
http://www.citybeat.com/2005-10-26/diner.shtml

Pompilios
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/071400_pompilios.html

Washington Platform
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/013004_wplatform.html

Riverside Korean
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/073004_riversidekorean_yum.html

and that old Cincinnati favorite, famous for ribs that are good but are not BBQ....just across the river and in view of your hotel

Montgomery Inn
http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/boathouse.html

Yes, we heard you the first 500 times. Nevertheless there are several perfectly good restaurants at Newport on the Levee. Besides which, you didn't even answer his question.

Hey Billy. This is a friendly civil board.

In other words, as my mother used to say, maybe you can't help being unpleasant, but you could stay home and spare the rest of us.

This is my 500th post, by the way. I am now nearly 20% of the man TJ Jackson is.

I stopped last week at the former Bounty Seafood II on Salem in Mt. Washington, now Keegans Seafood, and noticed that they've opened a little cafe in the building next door, open for breakfast and lunch.

If the shrimp I bought for my son's birthday was any indication, I'd say this is one to pass on. I bought jumbo shrimp that was supposed to be already steamed for his shrimp cocktail, and when I served it, it was only partially cooked. Now, I like sushi; but not when what I paid an exorbitant price (even in Ohio) for was supposed to becooked shrimp. I had to cook it again until it was no longer translucent, floppy, and raw.

My wife bounced it off of her parents later in the week. They live closer to the place than we do, and they said they've tried Keegans a couple of times and were unimpressed by the quality, the service, and the extreme high prices -- much higher than were Bounty's prices, by my recollection.

Jim: good to see you on here, and congrats on the 500th post.

Did you ever eat at Hamburger Heaven? This was supposedly the original restaurant owned by the folks who own Gold Star...see link below...right here in Mt Washington....it became the Gold Star commissary - yes, the one right there in Mt Washington that "perfumed" the daily morning drive down Beechmont hill.

The building has been torn down in the past year, but I was curious if you ever ate at the restaurant where Gold Star was started......

http://www.goldstarchili.com/about/index.php

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Jim: good to see you on here, and cograts on the 500th post.

Did you ever eat at Hamburger Heaven? This was supposedly the original restaurant owned by the folks who own Gold Star...see link below...right here in Mt Washington....it became the Gold Star commissary - yes, the one right there in Mt Washington that "perfumed" the daily morning drive down Beechmont hill.

The building has been torn down in the past year, but I was curious if you ever ate at the restaurant where Gold Star was started......

http://www.goldstarchili.com/about/index.php

I seem to remember Hamburger Heaven from when we moved into the area when I was seven, back in 19(mumblemumblemumble). . . before it became Gold Star....

I drove up The Hill and through Mt. Washington a week or two ago and scoped out the changes. It's funny how that building is gone and a lot of others have been built further back from Beechmont. Until you get to Corbly, in which case The Wall (Kroger) looms over everything.

Here's the Enquirer review of the new churuscaria opened in place of Copeland's in Fields-Ertel
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20060908/ENT01/609080307/

Just had Amor de Brazil for lunch today. The meats are outstanding, especially the Brazilian Steak mentioned in the review. Salad bar is good, not great, with more exotic choices. Sides were good but small. Could have used more of the bananas YUM! Unless you are a BIG EATER or you just like to sample alot of different items, I would say this place is overpriced for dinner. Would choose instead to go for lunch and make that my big meal of the day at half the price. Also, would recommend not just getting the salad bar at $15. If you are a vegetarian, there must be better places with better value.

great report, SD

My brother is trying to find a roving bbq seller who goes by the name "Big Bobs BBQ".....says it is the best he has ever had.

Has anyone come across this particular business in the Cincnnati area? I googled, I checked the online yellow pages, no luck

re: Amor de Brazil

$41 plus drinks, tax and tip? Anybody think they may have to adjust pricing once the novelty wares off? After a quick Google search it looks like this is on the high end for this style of place everywhere but NYC. I'm not sure the tables will be turning on weeknights.

I may be biased though... Another board I read that's based in New Orleans generally condemns all things Copeland.

Tom

I do think prices will drop after a bit, but probably not more than 25% or so

Every purchase I've made from Bounty Seafood and now Keegan's has been outstanding. I don't notice much pricing difference beweeen the two, and I live within walking distance. My son's in-laws are Louisiana shrimpers, and the LA shrimp I've gotten from Keegan's is every bit as good as what I've had in LA. It's pricey, but very worth it. They are so friendly and customer oriented that I'm sure any less than satisfactory purchase would be remedied. Did you take the shrimp back?

another mt washington/anderson resident :-)

hi sudie!

I need a restaurant for a Friday night where we can take our two kids and not worry about making them act like small adults, but where we can also get a decent bottle of wine and some good grub.

Is this asking for the impossible?

I'm no wine drinker, so I can't speak to this, sorry - the only place that serves alcohol and there has been stuff (crayons, kiddie dinner selections incl small desert) for my 3 and 5 year old daughters was (is) a chain - Macaroni Grill.

Robin Hood, do you have a particular style of food you are looking for, or better yet, is there a style/cuisine you will not eat and hence i know not to recommend?

Many a kid friendly place locally, but then again I have an 8 year old who likes eel sushi and authentic spinach enchiladas , so YMMV.

We'll find you a place for the evening. Worry not.

No particular style of food, we like everything as long as it is well-made and preferably locally owned. As for the wine list, we are not wine snobs, just looking for a place that will handle kids and let us order a bottle at the same time . . .

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by sudie

Every purchase I've made from Bounty Seafood and now Keegan's has been outstanding. I don't notice much pricing difference beweeen the two, and I live within walking distance. My son's in-laws are Louisiana shrimpers, and the LA shrimp I've gotten from Keegan's is every bit as good as what I've had in LA. It's pricey, but very worth it. They are so friendly and customer oriented that I'm sure any less than satisfactory purchase would be remedied. Did you take the shrimp back?

No. But I do have a call in to Tom Keegan.....we've played phone tag.....

I just cooked it to finish it.

BURGERS?

Since moving to Cincinnati, everyone has told me about Zip's, and I have enjoyed the burger there on several occassions, but where else should I go for a great burger?

I don't like Zips at all...I prefer the full sized thick pub burgers that are cooked to order

If you like that type of burger as well.....
Arthur's in Hyde Park
Mansion Hill Tavern in Newport
Quatman's in Norwood
Zola's in Covington

Here's a pic of a Mansion Hill Burger

quote:

Originally posted by Robin Hood

BURGERS?

Since moving to Cincinnati, everyone has told me about Zip's, and I have enjoyed the burger there on several occassions, but where else should I go for a great burger?

TJ is spot on with his list although I do personally like Zips for the atmosphere. Bugers are not gormet but acceptable by my standards.
TJ also posted this link to the Cincinnati Burger Guys a while back.
http://www.cvgburgerguys.blogspot.com/

Hope this helps.

It's posted in more than one place, but there have been some closings of note of late:

Bella's (at the Aronoff downtown)
Michael G's (in Anderson)
Jack Quinn's (Covington)

Here's a related link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/325849

Thanks. I was aware that there were old posts about it, but I was concerned about how accurate they were. For example, Jack Quinn's has been closed for some time now.

Cool.

I had not heard about Jack Quinn's, or at least don't recall hearing about it, so I assumed it was recent.

Bella was more or less this week - yesterday, I believe

Not sure about Michael G's, even though it is more or less in my neighborhood. I am sure one of the other anderson/mt washington residents (there are many of us on this forum) will have better info on the aproximate timeframe

When Jack Quinn's closed, they said they were closing for remodeling, and would reopen.

Unfortunately, a lot of places say they are "closing for remodeling" and never reopen.

My friend, who works at a downtown bar on the weekends, knew about Bella last week. Apparently it has been rumored for a while, as the rest of the Queen City Group's restaurants {Watson Bros., Jump} had already bit the dust.

Don't know much about Michael G's.

It's sad that all these restaurants are closing.

The guys who did Jack Quinns sank a lot of money in that place. They relied on Covington's promise and plans to develop that area. Those plans never developed. Too bad. It's a gorgeous building.

Anyone tried Hoggy's yet? We gave the Crestview location a shot tonight for dinner and after having City BarBQ on Sunday I can say with authority that there is NO comparison. Hoggy's ain't even close. I had pulled pork and it was extremely bland, with an odd texture, almost as if it had been dusted with cornstarch. Nothing there that might make me try it again. As disappointed as I was with Shane's a few months back, I'd pick it over Hoggy's if I had to have Que in that neighborhood.

From July 29, 2006 Cincinnati Enquirer:

LATE TAX PAYMENT TURNS OFF TAP AT BELLA

The Bella restaurant at Sixth and Walnut streets downtown was closed Thursday and was not serving alcohol Friday afternoon after the Ohio Liquor Control Commission suspended its liquor license effective July 24 for delinquent tax payments.

General manager Ryan Cracchiolo acknowledged a violation earlier in the week, but said the restaurant would have it resolved Friday.

Bella and Teller's in Hyde Park Square are owned by Queen City Restaurant Group, which has had delinquent tax payments at several of its locations, including the former Watson Bros. Bistro & Brewery in Blue Ash and Donna's Diner in Covington.

Will Bella reopen?

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060914/BIZ01/309140029/-1/back01

Personally, I do not believe it will happen. All the QCRG's restaurants have closed, except Teller's.

It's been closed a couple of weeks. Last visit to Super Kroger, we walked by and saw a sign on the door that said "closed for renovation" usually restaurant-ese for "We're outta here." The couple of times we went, we had to walk up to be sure they were open; their facade always looked as though they were closed. I saw in the community paper yesterday that they're closed for goo.

My post was refering to Michael G's, and I do believe they're closed for good, not closed for goo, but who knows?

That Beechmont Mall area has claimed an amazing number of restaurants over the years. Must have something to do with the freeway access? I didn't see Michael G's making a go of it there. No one thinks of eating by Krogers unless they think strip mall food. CiCi's should thrive.

Wally - not to ignore you, I have never been to the remodeled Crestview Hills Mall, or whatever they are calling it now. Since everything is a chain there, combined with all the reviews I have heard thus far, I doubt I ever will.

It is called Crestview Hills Town Center.

Mike and Jimmy's Chophouse is pretty good. It is owned by Jim Gerhardt and Michael Kunha. They were the chefs at the Oakroom in the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville before opening Limestone Restaurant there. The Chophouse is their second restaurant.

I also believe that the Pub and the Argentine Bean are both locally owned restaurants there. Oh yeah, and the Wiener Hut or whatever it is called is locally owned. Good places for high quality wursts and wieners, including brats, mets and franks. They also make a good reuben sandwich.

quote:

Originally posted by Wallyum

That Beechmont Mall area has claimed an amazing number of restaurants over the years. Must have something to do with the freeway access? I didn't see Michael G's making a go of it there. No one thinks of eating by Krogers unless they think strip mall food. CiCi's should thrive.

The Anderson Towne Centre is one of the dumbest developments I've ever seen. It's basically Kroger with a huge food court attached.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

Wally - not to ignore you, I have never been to the remodeled Crestview Hills Mall, or whatever they are calling it now. Since everything is a chain there, combined with all the reviews I have heard thus far, I doubt I ever will.

I can't say I'd recommend anything there. Even the bookstore is a dud. I was going to drive to Carrollton to try Tina's, but I didn't feel like making the drive after carting the kids around all afternoon. Wish I'd have made it now.

quote:

Originally posted by jmckee

quote:

Originally posted by Wallyum

That Beechmont Mall area has claimed an amazing number of restaurants over the years. Must have something to do with the freeway access? I didn't see Michael G's making a go of it there. No one thinks of eating by Krogers unless they think strip mall food. CiCi's should thrive.

The Anderson Towne Centre is one of the dumbest developments I've ever seen. It's basically Kroger with a huge food court attached.

True. We tried Moe's back at the start of the summer. I think it's mant to be in Chipotle's league, but I didn't think it was close. I'll give it another try, but that will be the end if nothing has changed. (They had crunchy rice in my burrito! How tough is it to keep your rice at least semi-fresh?)

Chipotle, Qdoba and Moe's are all fairly similar. Chipotle and Qdoba have about the same menu except Qdoba offers queso cheese and ground sirloin, while Chipotle offers carnitas. Moes is a little different in that they don't have the fluffy white lime/cilantro rice. It is more of a mexican rice/fried type of rice. Moe's I believe only offers chicken, steak and tofu.
At Moe's you have to have the mexi-ranch dressing put on your Burrito. Qdoba you have to have the cheese queso. And Chipotle, the carnitas is great.

To change the topic, anyone tried Rosati's Chicago style pizza in West Chester?? I believe they have other crust/style choices as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Suburban Dad

To change the topic, anyone tried Rosati's Chicago style pizza in West Chester?? I believe they have other crust/style choices as well.

Is it of any relation to this chain, http://www.rosatis.com? I ate at one of these in northwest Indiana five or six years ago; it was all right but I was expecting deep dish crust since it is based out of Chicagoland (Lisle to be exact).

There was talk of one coming to Springboro (south of Dayton) near me. I saw the sign up at the location in a mini-strip mall last November. I haven't been back since, so I don't know if it will open. It does not look promising considering that the only restaurants listed on Rosatis.com are in three states other than Ohio.

quote:

Originally posted by 45013
Is it of any relation to this chain, http://www.rosatis.com? I ate at one of these in northwest Indiana five or six years ago; it was all right but I was expecting deep dish crust since it is based out of Chicagoland (Lisle to be exact).

There was talk of one coming to Springboro (south of Dayton) near me. I saw the sign up at the location in a mini-strip mall last November. I haven't been back since, so I don't know if it will open. It does not look promising considering that the only restaurants listed on Rosatis.com are in three states other than Ohio.

I wrote too soon!

There is another Rosati's site at http://www.rosatispizza.net, and--sure enough--the Springboro location is listed under Ohio, as is West Chester! I should have looked harder!