WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat)

dlawson

I drove by New Orleans To Go after work yesterday, and the signs in the window say that they "will be back", and to check www.neworleanstogopoboys.com for updates. To expand on the "truck-based operation" mention by TJ, they are looking for 100 donations of $250 each, in exchange for either $250 in gift certificates once they reopen, or a catered lunch/dinner for 25 people. The signs also mention (twice) that catering is still available.

I am not too surprised by this development, as she has mentioned in the past that they were strongly considering moving the restaurant closer to their home in Boone County, KY, due to the inconvenience of the drive. It has been a couple of months since I last ate there, however, so I guess the trailer-based operation is a more recent idea.

Update via NOTG's twitter account:

Our mobile kitchen has been ordered. Should be ready to roll the first part of June. Stay tuned...
5:05 PM Apr 28th via Twitter for BlackBerry®

Ate at Boston Butz's today in Fairfield area.

   because Pit to Plate was a bad failure the time we went there we hedged our bets and got.

  1 16' cheese pizza.  Wife got the Boston burger. Which was pulled pork on 2 burger patties covered in bbq sauce. We also had the fries covered in cheese and bacon. I got the mini trough. I had gotten the pulled pork and ribs, along with sides of mashed potato salad, baked beans, and johnny cakes.

  My wife loved the burger. she wished she had not gotten the burger and instead had just gone with the pulled pork sammich.   Pulled pork was extremely juicy, and good. We both got the classic sauce.
  I also second that the pulled pork was good. For pulled pork I would put it as best as  have had in cinci. OF course I have only gotten pulled pork at city Q, pit to plate, and smokey bones.
  The ribs were really good also. Not alot of smoke flavor. I forgot to ask what type of smoker he used tho. Was a vast upgrade to pit to plate which was so smokey I also wondered if they added liquid smoke to it.
  Sides were good. Baked beans were really good. They could have been caned, but doctored up a bit. Still really good. Johnny cake was a great item to eat along with the food also. Been years since I last had one.

  The pizza was a great surpise also. Who would have guessed a bbq joint could do pretty good pizza. Not Tronis level, but def top 5 in cinci. crust was garlicy and thin. Next time wife and I both want to get the bbq pork pizza.

so all and all

ribs 8-10 i think he might finish on a grill. had a good crust to the sauce.

pulled pork 8-10 almost to juicy. but dang tasty along with the sauce.

pizza 8-10  a great surprise. went in figuring if it was a good chain pizza we would be ok with it and it was alot better.
 I am def looking forward to another trip out here.

I believe we were served by the owner, a quirky older guy. who was fun to talk to. We sat outside on the patio which was nice.

TJ Jackson



Update via NOTG's twitter account:

Our mobile kitchen has been ordered. Should be ready to roll the first part of June. Stay tuned...
5:05 PM Apr 28th via Twitter for BlackBerry®

 


I heard they are having extreme difficulty getting the city or any of the two major parking lot companies downtown to help them secure parking for their mobile kitchen.


Apparently Senor Roy's made a deal with Central Parking and Cafe de Wheels made a deal with System Parking.   I don't know if they are exclusive deals or what, but they can't seem to make any headway with these companies in trying to get their cart downtown.


Anybody have any ideas that could help them out?

I am fairly certain the churches on the east side could use some fees - and this would get them some business from all the construction workers over there

There's a fairly empty stretch where The Temple and Langano used to be over on the west side - most anything west of Vine street

Maybe talk to the owners of the Old Bay Horse?  Park in front of there?

....and on an entirely unrelated note: the winners of Taste of Cincinnati were announced today, and I am happy to note that almost none of the winners are from Chain restaurants.  Big problems the last few years where the top award went to a national chain.  Not so this year.   

http://news.cincinnati.co...Taste+winners+selected

Best Damn Dish: raspberry cloud pie from Courtyard Cafe / dujours

Best entree: Chicago gyro pizza, Mac’s Pizza Pub (you'll recall Mac participated in this forum some years ago, just as he was getting ready to open Mac's Pizza Pub)

baughman


Ate at Boston Butz's today in Fairfield area.

   because Pit to Plate was a bad failure the time we went there we hedged our bets and got.

  1 16' cheese pizza.  Wife got the Boston burger. Which was pulled pork on 2 burger patties covered in bbq sauce. We also had the fries covered in cheese and bacon. I got the mini trough. I had gotten the pulled pork and ribs, along with sides of mashed potato salad, baked beans, and johnny cakes.

  My wife loved the burger. she wished she had not gotten the burger and instead had just gone with the pulled pork sammich.   Pulled pork was extremely juicy, and good. We both got the classic sauce.
  I also second that the pulled pork was good. For pulled pork I would put it as best as  have had in cinci. OF course I have only gotten pulled pork at city Q, pit to plate, and smokey bones.
  The ribs were really good also. Not alot of smoke flavor. I forgot to ask what type of smoker he used tho. Was a vast upgrade to pit to plate which was so smokey I also wondered if they added liquid smoke to it.
  Sides were good. Baked beans were really good. They could have been caned, but doctored up a bit. Still really good. Johnny cake was a great item to eat along with the food also. Been years since I last had one.

  The pizza was a great surpise also. Who would have guessed a bbq joint could do pretty good pizza. Not Tronis level, but def top 5 in cinci. crust was garlicy and thin. Next time wife and I both want to get the bbq pork pizza.

so all and all

ribs 8-10 i think he might finish on a grill. had a good crust to the sauce.

pulled pork 8-10 almost to juicy. but dang tasty along with the sauce.

pizza 8-10  a great surprise. went in figuring if it was a good chain pizza we would be ok with it and it was alot better.
 I am def looking forward to another trip out here.

I believe we were served by the owner, a quirky older guy. who was fun to talk to. We sat outside on the patio which was nice.

 
Butz is pretty awesome. We hit it on our way up to Miami hockey games.
 
I almost always get the Boston burger, and it's one of my favorite sandwiches in the city.
 
The only thing about that place is you can't go there if you're in a hurry. It almost always takes us close to hour to eat there, even if it's empty.
 
I think the guy you're talking about is the owner, and yes, he is a little quirky but very nice.
 
It's actually in Ross, but its address is listed as Hamilton. Not sure what that's all about.

It isn't Roadfood, but it is good eats.......had dinner with my youngest this past Saturday at Cafe Mediterranean in the old Beechmont Mall (whatever it is called now)

She had the highly authentic chicken fingers and fries :-)

I had

--falafel app - ok, not great.  A little denser/heavier and drier than I like my falafel (albeit falafel is something I've only recently acquired a taste for)
--spinach and cheese burek - sinfully good, especially when dipped in the tahini intended for the falafel
--lamb shish kebab on rice pilaf - best lamb I have ever eaten, almost like a top notch steak, no gamey taste at all.  I even questioned the waiter to be sure he had not given me a steak in place of lamb somehow.   Pilaf was excellent as well.
--baklava - this was sent out gratis after my lovely 7 year old charmed the chef with several questions about the open kitchen (we were sat right next to it, and she watched the goings-on with interest).  I am not a baklava fan but this piece changed my mind.  Just wonderful.  The top half had a lighter color and different consistency that the bottom, and the chef said this was how baklava is done in Turkey rather than the Greek style baklava I was probably (and actually am) used to seeing.  My lovely companion also liked her piece of baklava, which is a big surprise because she regularly turns her nose up at anything she does not recognize.  That said, she's always begging for sweets, so it helped that it was a dessert. 

This place is on the pricey side but this is a white tablecloth and candle and wine service type place.  A bit fancier than you might expect.

Recommended

TJ Jackson


It isn't Roadfood, but it is good eats.......had dinner with my youngest daughter this past Saturday at Cafe Mediterranean in the old Beechmont Mall (whatever it is called now)

She had the highly authentic chicken fingers and fries :-)

I had

--falafel app - ok, not great.  A little denser/heavier and drier than I like my falafel (albeit falafel is something I've only recently acquired a taste for)
--spinach and cheese burek - sinfully good, especially when dipped in the tahini intended for the falafel
--lamb shish kebab on rice pilaf - best lamb I have ever eaten, almost like a top notch steak, no gamey taste at all.  I even questioned the waiter to be sure he had not given me a steak in place of lamb somehow.   Pilaf was excellent as well.
--baklava - this was sent out gratis after my 7 year old charmed the chef with her questions about the open kitchen (we were sat right next to it, and she watched the goings-on with interest).  I am not a baklava fan but this piece changed my mind.  Just wonderful.  The top half had a lighter color and different consistency that the bottom, and the chef said this was how baklava is done in Turkey rather than the Greek style baklava I was probably (and actually am) used to seeing.  The youngest also liked her piece of baklava, which is a big surprise because she regularly turns her nose up at anything she does not recognize.  That said, she's always begging for sweets, so it helped that it was a dessert. 

This place is on the pricey side but this is a white tablecloth and candle and wine service type place.  A bit fancier than you might expect.

Recommended

Great report. I was wondering...I've recently gotten very interested in middle Eastern food, and it's good to know you like the place. Our 25th anniversary is coming up so maybe....
 
I've also heard extremely good things about Kar-ma, the Asian place in the Anderson Towne Centre (nee "mall"; actually, when I moved to Anderson when I was seven, there was NOTHING there -- not even Five Mile. It was an open field where my brother and our friends played.)

Kar-Ma was very good - it was reported on early in the SW OH thread.

Well, I had said I was done with Capri Tavola Calda, the little italian slice and sandwich joint next to Subway on Walnut between 4th and 5th

TJ Jackson
Well, sad to say, but I am done with Capri Tavola Calda

I gave them a lot of chances since they are just a half block away from work, but nothing has worked out.

I've tried 4-5 different slices, including the white slice, and none have been better than meh.  I've tried two different sandwiches, and the prosciutto/arugula/mozz was at least good but at almost 8 bucks and sized like a half sandwich elsewhere, not worthy of a repeat.   A cup of lobster bisque was near as thin as water and tasted like paste, with nary a bit of lobster in sight.  A chocolate chip cookie I was given as a freebie when my wait was excessive - a nice touch, mind you - tasted no better than store bought and featured an uncooked center.

Westsider's experience there was more or less in step with my own

westsider12
I ate at Capri Tavola downtown before Christmas.  It is a new pizza place next to Subway on Walnut between 4th and 5th (took the spot of the old Balboa's).  I ordered a slice of cheese, a slice of pepperoni and wedding soup.  Two other companions ordered the meatball sub and spaghetti and meatballs.   The results were underwhelming at best.  This was shopping mall pizza and pasta, nothing more.  Maybe a step up from Balboa's, but not very far.

but then, not too long ago, a new thread popped up touting a specific sandwich/panini there - the Arista - with the following message

indy_traveler

In town for a Reds-Dodgers game, my husband and I stopped at Capri Tavola Calda (420 Walnut St.) on our walk to the ballpark. We asked the owner what we should order, and he recommended the Arista Panini – a daily special. This sandwich featured wonderfully seasoned roast pork topped with a slice of mozzarella and lettuce on a baguette that was soft and chewy on the inside with a delightfully crunchy crust. OMG, this was one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten! I now know how a sandwich can “melt in your mouth.” Capri Tavola Calda will be one of my mandatory stops on future trips to Cincinnati.

and then more recently, Cincinnati Bites declared in a blog entry that this very same sandwich is "among my top 5 favorite sandwiches of all time" 

Strong praise drew my curiousity, and it doesn't hurt that this place is a block and a half away from where I work. 

so

yeah, it was lunch today

The good: this is a MUCH larger sandwich than the ones I had gotten previously, one is more than enough for most any eater.  The hoagie roll it came on was of truly excellent quality, perhaps the best I have had in Cincinnati and reminiscent of some of the rolls I ran into in Philadephia a few years back.  This was a tasty, juicy, satisfying sandwich.

The not-so-good:The dominant flavors were salt and dried oregano.  I mean, shouldn't a pricey spot like this use fresh oregano?  The taste of the pork was not in evidence til the last bites, but was good when it finally came through.  Although one might think a fresh mozerella would go on a sandwich like this, thin slices of standard dry mozz were applied, and added very little to the overall sandwhich.  While it is not mentioned as an ingredient, the sandwich was doused liberally with olive oil just before wrapping, and the wrapper was soaked with it when I got it back to the office.

The overall: I think this sandwich has the chance to become a real winner despite the hefty (6.99) price.  Cut down on the olive oil (perhaps eliminate it all together?), go easier on the salt and oregano, use a sharper (smoked provy? sharp provy? rough grated parm? a combo thereof?) or creamier (fresh mozz anyone?) cheese, and make roasted red peppers an option.....and I think you'd have a serious contender.

I will return to get this at least once more to see if all that salt was just an abberration.  it is listed as a special rather than a normal menu item, so it make take several stops to get another shot at it

and finally

I noticed two other very interesting items on the specials board - porchetta and italian beef.  Also worth checking out, particularly if they both come on that excellent roll

UPDATE 05/12/2010: I stopped in for another Arista today.  I asked about adding onion, and was told they'd charge 50 cents to add a vegetable.....per vegetable.  Outrageous, particularly given the base price.  Keeping my calm, I ordered anyway, and asked them to go easy on the olive oil this time.  The bread was as good or better than the first, but the pork was even saltier this time, so much so that I went through near 24 ounces of water to get through it.    Texturally, this remains an excellent sandwich, and it will certainly fill you up, but overall I will pass on it.  I will go back to try the italian beef (the excellent crusty roll is definitely up to going the 'extra wet' route, if thats available as it would be in Chicago) and the peppers and parm slice. 

UPDATE 05/14/2010: I had what this place calls an italian beef.  The same excellent roll was used, but it all goes downhill from there.  Cold beef was place don the roll as well as some cold congealed wet stuff, looke dmuch like gravey out of the refrigerator, and then some green peppers, and then this was put into an oven for about 5 minutes.  The result was filling, surprisingly tasty, and very spicy hot tho lacking in the expected garlic.  Good, but not 7.25 good, and definitely a cruel joke on anyone expecting (hoping for?) a real Chicago-style italian beef.

UPDATE 05/20/2010: I have since my last update had the Porchetta, which was unremarkable, and re-tried the slices.  I liked them a lot better this time, but at 2.65 a plain slice, they remain too expensive for what you get.  I also fond the crust to be dense/spongy rather than airy, and the crust itself is just a bit sour when eaten by itself.   My favorite slice of the lot is the occasional special of roasted red and yellow papers with fresh wide shavings of parmesan - very, very good, but at over 3 bucks a slice is IMHO not a good value.  That said, I admit to craving another as I type this, so I do recommend anyone in the area at least trying that particular slice once.  Also - I found out today that the excellent hoagie rolls come from Gimminetti in Walnut Hills

Flipping through the latest Bearcash coupon booklet, I couldn't help but notice an ad for the following:

www.islandfrydays.com

Now, I have yet to go, but this is the most excited I've been about a restaurant in quite some time, as I have been mourning the demise of The Pattie Shack for almost (or over?) a decade now. Neither the ad nor the site list business hours, but the ad has coupons for a $5 lunch special available between 11:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. The menu on the site is also a bit sparse, but the ad contains a fairly extensive listing:

Curry Goat $10 lg., $8 sm.
Curry Chicken $10
Curry Shrimp $10
Stew Chicken $10 lg., $6 sm.
Jerk Chicken $10 lg., $8 sm.
Jerk Chicken Salad $6
Steam Fish $10
Escovich Fish $10
Hellshire Garlic Shrimp $10
Brown Stew Fish $10
Jerk Chicken Sandwich $3
Jerk Wrap $3
Pattie & Coco Bread $3
Oxtail $10 lg., $8 sm.
Sweet Plantain $2
Steam Vegetables $2
Beef, Chicken, or Veggie Pattie $2
Caribbean Fruit Salad $4

They are on short Vine in Clifton, right by most of our normal dinner haunts, so I will make it a point to go as soon as possible, assuming they are open for dinner.

TJ Jackson


UPDATE 05/12/2010: I stopped in for another Arista today.  I asked about adding onion, and was told they'd charge 50 cents to add a vegetable.....per vegetable.  Outrageous, particularly given the base price.  Keeping my calm, I ordered anyway, and asked them to go easy on the olive oil this time.  The bread was as good or better than the first, but the pork was even saltier this time, so much so that I went through near 24 ounces of water to get through it.    Texturally, this remains an excellent sandwich, and it will certainly fill you up, but overall I will pass on it.  I will go back to try the italian beef (the excellent crusty roll is definitely up to going the 'extra wet' route, if thats available as it would be in Chicago) and the peppers and parm slice. 

 
If you ever find a good Italian beef here in town, let me know. Hotdoggin it is just OK, and that place in Greenhills does a decent one, and I need to try Chi-Nati's, but those are the only three places in town I know that even do a beef at all.
 
Glad to see you know how to order one -- dipped with sweet peppers. :)

Tried Island Frydays this weekend and enjoyed it. I had the Jerk Chicken and my husband had the Goat Curry. Both came with the option of yellow rice or white rice with peas along with steamed vegetables. Both were very good. The Jerk was spicy without being too hot. The Goat was flavorful but not spicy hot. The vegetables were mostly cabbage and had a good flavor but were limp.
 
We both had a Beef Patty. They sell out quickly so we had our curries while we waited for the new batch of patties to be ready. These were traditional Jamaican patties and really good. I look forward to trying the Chicken or Vegetable Patty on my next visit. They also have a full array of Jamaican drinks including ginger beer and Ting.
 
The price was fair for the portions and the food was good. They also do catering.

Finally, a legitimate reason to talk about a Dayton eatery in this thread   Hot Head Burritos is opening their first Northern Kentucky location in Florence on Mt. Zion Road.  I've eaten at the Kettering location and while they're not half bad, I don't think Chipotle has any reason to worry.

Also noticed that J. Gumbo's is opening a location in Florence on Mall Road in the old Florence Y'all Gyros and Wings location next to Chuck E. Chese's.  Will definitely give them a try once they open. 

Ghaz
Finally, a legitimate reason to talk about a Dayton eatery in this thread   Hot Head Burritos is opening their first Northern Kentucky location in Florence on Mt. Zion Road.  I've eaten at the Kettering location and while they're not half bad, I don't think Chipotle has any reason to worry.

Writing from direct experience - they're not half good and correct, Chipotle will not even notice. I'll pick Taco Bell over H.H.B..

While our boy was at Prom last evening, Vickie and I went to Great Scott in Withamsville, just east of the I-275 Beechmont Amelia exit.

This was my second visit, having had wings and salad with a friend of mine a while back.

This could easily become my favorite restaurant in the 275/Eastgate corridor. Summary:

Wings: Available traditional or char-grilled in several different flavorings. Good, not overly meaty (I like a wing with chaw), outstanding flavor.

Entree Salads: My friend gave me a taste of the Blackened Steak Salad. Outstanding; They know how to blacken wtiihout it being just burned meat with a whole lot of cayenne on it. Last night I had the new potsticker salad: Beautifully prepared salad greens, crispy noodles, very good potstickers in a delicate Asian dressing.

Country Fried Steak: My wife had this and paid it the ultimate compliment from her: Better than mine, which she loves. This is a serious piece of meat, reaching beyond the edge of the plate, with a crisp flavorful crust, accompanied by good mashed spuds and a fine gravy.

Beer list is immense -- over 100, I think, and you can join the "beer club", try 'em all, and get your name on a plaque when you're done. (I did something similar in the '80s at the bar in the Westin downtown). Last night I had the Mt. Carmel Spring Ale, which is locally brewed.

In looking at the menu there were at least five dishes I had to try. We'll be back again and again, I suspect.

Gotta concur on Great Scott -- the place is excellent.
 
If you're into them, try the fried pickles for a super-sized appetizer. The things are freaking huge with a thick batter. They're like $6 for five, and could be a meal for a smaller person.

Delilah77
Tried Island Frydays this weekend and enjoyed it. I had the Jerk Chicken and my husband had the Goat Curry. Both came with the option of yellow rice or white rice with peas along with steamed vegetables. Both were very good. The Jerk was spicy without being too hot. The Goat was flavorful but not spicy hot. The vegetables were mostly cabbage and had a good flavor but were limp.

I just finished my first meal there, and have to agree on all counts above (except for the Jerk Chicken, which will be on my next visit). The vegetables were the only disappointment in my eyes, as everything took on the flavor of the cabbage. Fortunately, I had enough leftover curry sauce to liven them up a bit. The goat was prepared quite well, and the rice and plantains were also very good.

I thought that they might be down by Bogart's, but they are next door to what was Top Cat's, a couple of doors down from the fire station. As a result, there is minimal foot traffic in that area...probably bad for business, but good for patrons.  The clerk was happy to hear that I found them in the Bearcash booklet, and I hope the ad continues to pay dividends for them. I'll be back, no question.

2 weeks ago my wife and I were in the area staying with some friends at the Great Wolf Lodge.  After check out, they headed back north, we turned south to go to Blue Ash.  Somehow we got lost and thought we found directions on our phone (I realy need a GPS for the car).  Anyways, the directions were not to Blue Ash but somehow lead us right to Chili Time in St Bernard.  We figured as long as we were there, we'd try it.  I loved it.  Blue Ash or Dixie have been my favorites of the chili parlors we've tried but I really liked this one.  The chili had a little more kick to it but still the flavor I was expecting.  Unlike the last time we were down there and at at Dehli Chili.  It had a little kick but I really did not care for the spice mixture in that one.

I haven't eaten at Scotti's downtown on Vine St since the 80s.    According to the web they are still at it.  Anyone eat there recently and able to comment on the experience?

Some tidbits

--According to a recent post on Chowhound and verified on Noce's website, Noce's Pizza has opened a NKy location at 116 Barnwood Dr, Edgewood Ky 41017 right next to the Edgewood Tavern

--I finally made it over to It's Just Crepes, picked "The Traditional" -- a ham and swiss crepe -- off their menu.  It was quite good, and more filling than I would have expected.  Will be returning soon for more, uhm, research :-)

--Polly Campbell mentioned in a recent blog post that a new vietnamese place is going to be opening up at Findlay market -- maybe we'll finally get some good Banh Mi here in Cincinnati.  In related news, I managed to get over to Findlay Market right about 5:30 yesterday, and tho the place is supposed to be open til 6 on weekdays (according to the signs), everything was shut down, doors locked, no sign of life anywhere - ie they hadn't just in the last few minutes, they'd been closed a while.  So I'd say get there by 4 if you want to shop/eat there on a weekday. 

--Polly has recently started doing live chats on the Cincinnati.com website, and in one of the chats, I asked for a place to get a good slice of chocolate cream pie, given that the excellent CCP at Frisch's is generally only available at certain times of the year.  Her response was to give the Wednesday-only CCP at Fred and Gari's downtown a try.  Well, once a week is is better than once a year :-).  I picked up a slice (3.50) today, and while I think it is good quality, it is far denser and more of a dark chocolate creation than the much lighter/sweeter/fluffier version Frisch's makes.  If you like less sweet, darker chocolate, I'm fairly sure you'll like this pie.   I will also say this - I usually (and wrongly) kinda dismiss pie crust as simply being a vessel to hold and covey the filling in question - but the crust in this pie was wonderful, sorta french-pastry-like. Flakey, a bit chewy in spots, and flavorful on its own.   Frisch's filling on this crust would currently be a "last meal"  dessert candidate for me.

- I recently stopped into Mr Sushi to give them a try.  Weird, because I dont like sushi :-)  But they have other stuff, fried rice, katsu, noodle dishes, etc etc.  I doubt I will be returning.  One word adequately describes the 4 pieces of pork and veggie gyoza ($4) as well as the chicken fried rice($10) - tasteless.  For that kind of price, I'd like to see better quality food or more of it.  To be fair, they throw in a small side salad with the fried rice, but it too was like unto an afterthought.  High prices, small portions, mediocre food - nope, not recommended.

TJ Jackson



--According to a recent post on Chowhound and verified on Noce's website, Noce's Pizza has opened a NKy location at 116 Barnwood Dr, Edgewood Ky 41017 right next to the Edgewood Tavern

Being a regular at Edgewood Tavern I can confirm this.   Haven't had a chance to try them yet but I'm hoping this will be a big step up from the La Rossa's carry-out that was there before.  Since the Tavern doesn't serve food they might not mind if you brought your pie over and had a beer along with it as long as the place isn't too crowded.  Just check first.

TJ Jackson

--Polly Campbell mentioned in a recent blog post that a new vietnamese place is going to be opening up at Findlay market -- maybe we'll finally get some good Banh Mi here in Cincinnati.  In related news, I managed to get over to Findlay Market right about 5:30 yesterday, and tho the place is supposed to be open til 6 on weekdays (according to the signs), everything was shut down, doors locked, no sign of life anywhere - ie they hadn't just in the last few minutes, they'd been closed a while.  So I'd say get there by 4 if you want to shop/eat there on a weekday. 

I was picking up my office's half price sushi order from Fuji Steak House on Mall Rd when I saw a sign for a new Vietnamese place just down the strip.  I wasn't open yet and there was no way to tell what the menu might be like but it looked like a storefront type place.  I'm not sure why it's so hard to find Banh Mi in Cincinnati since they're pretty easy to find in most other large cities.  Until they changed to Thai/Sushi Chopstix on Tylersville made a good version of the sandwich.  I hear Take The Cake in Northside has a Banh Mi on their rotating Twittered lunch menu.  I'd like to give that a try someday but I'm not usually near that part of town at lunchtime.

BTW if you're in the area the half price rolls on Tuesday at Fuji are a pretty good deal.  Miykao on Buttermilk has the same deal but it's eat-in only and I work Tuesday evenings so it has to be carry-out.

TJ Jackson
 



- I recently stopped into Mr Sushi to give them a try.  Weird, because I dont like sushi :-)  But they have other stuff, fried rice, katsu, noodle dishes, etc etc.  I doubt I will be returning.  One word adequately describes the 4 pieces of pork and veggie gyoza ($4) as well as the chicken fried rice($10) - tasteless.  For that kind of price, I'd like to see better quality food or more of it.  To be fair, they throw in a small side salad with the fried rice, but it too was like unto an afterthought.  High prices, small portions, mediocre food - nope, not recommended.

 
I have hesitated to try this place as well.  I don't like sushi much either but I like to broaden my horizons.  However, I may take a pass on them now.  Thanks for the update.
 
Also, went back Tacqueria Mercado downtown today.  Food was as good as ever and the service was ten times better.  I would highly recommend it.

I am not usually off of work on Saturday, but WAS this past Saturday, and went to Findlay Market. I don't care what anyone says, GO THERE!!! BE DAMNED the bad neighborhood, THIS PLACE ROCKS!!!

My reason for bringing this up is, there is a new BAKERY that no one has noticed yet. I cannot find it anywhere (on any blog).  It is called Skirtz & Johnston. It is on the south side of the market, east of Krause, west of Mr. Pig.

They have fresh baked breads, pastries, cakes, etc., etc. Very clean space, and excellent food. It was very crowded when I got there, and when I pushed my way to the front (because everyone was oohing and aahing, and couldn't decide what they wanted), I asked what the bread pudding looking things were.

I ended up buying a slice of the savory breakfast bread pudding, and two cannolis. They also serve cake by the slice, and BELIEVE ME, they all looked excellent!!! They also had Mediterranian bread, and other things, I overheard talked about, while I was there.

SO much food, SO little time, and I wanted to eat everything!!!

westsider12
 
 
Also, went back Tacqueria Mercado downtown today.  Food was as good as ever and the service was ten times better.  I would highly recommend it.

 
Glad to hear the service is getting better. I have been to the original location in Fairfield, on my way to Jungle Jim's, and was excited to see the downtown location. 
 
Right after they opened, I had some time to waste, and went in to order some food to go. There were more employees than customers, and my very small order took more than 25 minutes.
 
I could have walked out without paying, because they handed me my food, without payment, BUT ~~  I told them I hadn't paid. And, they gave me more food than I ordered.
 
When I tried to tell them I did not order all the food I was given, they kept quoting me the price.  I finally gave up (since I was waiting on a bus), and paid the extra $5.00.
 
The food I ended up with was great. It was fabulous. But the service was not good. Actually, after almost a half an hour, I was pretty POed.
 
So much for being honest~~ But, the food WAS good!!

soozycue520


I am not usually off of work on Saturday, but WAS this past Saturday, and went to Findlay Market. I don't care what anyone says, GO THERE!!! BE DAMNED the bad neighborhood, THIS PLACE ROCKS!!!

 


Being a former downtown resident, I have no fear of the neighborhood...but for those who do, it really is an oasis of sorts on Saturdays, almost like the market is completely independent of its surroundings. We go almost every Saturday during the summer. I will have to pay closer attention to this new bakery, but after my usual stops at Areti's, Market Wines, and Dojo Gelato, I am not sure how much room I will have left for it. 

I've been going to Findlay Market at least once a month for 25 years, usually early on a Saturday morning, and have never had a problem in the neighborhood. Never been assaulted or had anyone touch my car. And since many shops are open weeknights till 6, I'll hit a few shops on the way home from work. Heist for Amish chickens, Dean's Mediterranean for hummus and olive oil, Eckerlin for goetta and pepper bacon, Gibbs Cheese, Charles Bare Meats for steaks and short ribs, Herbs & Spice, Kroeger for sausage and big fat pork chops, and then the farmers in the back for flowers and whatever's in season. And the occasional breakfast at Tucker's nearby. Great food, great people-watching.

Anywhere in the area to get a good deep dish pizza besides Unos?

Thanks!

Unos locally - chain locations, not really associated with the original in Chicago that I am assured remains quite good - is in my opinion not very good at all

I believe it was Bonk who first talked about Bourbon House Pizza in Florence some time back, and I have had their excellent deep dish 3 or 4 times since.  Consistently good.

Mio's is not good for thin, but they make a very good cousin of the deep dish - the stuffed pie

When I go to Cincinnati I never fail to go back to Trio.  It's the best.  Great tilapia, salads, steaks and wood fired pizza.  Great desserts as well.

Also, Gold Star Chili - gotta have a 5-way.  Cincinnatians constantly debate Skyline versus Gold Star, my family prefers Gold Star.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have heard many bad things from people around me about the Unos in Anderson. Thats why I am avoiding the place.