WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat)

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:53:05 GMT

TJ Jackson

A second A Tavola Pizza location opening in Madeira

http://cincinnati.com/blo...ii-opening-in-madeira/

The picture with the burnt crust is a turn off for me, but Madeira's definitely a lot closer so I'll have to give it a shot when it opens.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:49:16 GMT

Polly compiled a list of top BBQ joints...

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=AB&Dato=20130618&Kategori=ENT09&Lopenr=306180055&Ref=PH/Polly-Campbell-s-top-barbecue-joints

She does lose some credibility for listing City BBQ, which isn't native to Cincinnati.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (TJ Jackson)

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:48:53 GMT

A second A Tavola Pizza location opening in Madeira

http://cincinnati.com/blo...ii-opening-in-madeira/

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (CajunKing)

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:44:53 GMT

He did have a great selection of bottle soft drinks and TJ you are right about his dedication to his craft. he knew how to tweek his recipe to make it the best possible and it was extremely good pizza.

He will be missed, and his pizza will be too.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (TJ Jackson)

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:13:08 GMT

He was very very dedicated to his craft and produced a wonderful pizza. He has just finally gotten the upstairs room ready so more folks could eat in, and he always felt his pizza was bet if eaten right out of the oven. I would usually get it to go to save on tax and dine ala trunk in the drug store parking lot across the street

Before Cosmic, I would not have believed it was possible for a great pizza to come off a conveyor belt system

He also had one of the best selection of bottled soft drinks in town - Birch Beer from new england, blueberry soda from Maine, various root beers

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (dlawson)

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:50:49 GMT

Horrible news. Thanks to TJ's recommendation/insistence, I picked up pizza from his place several times, and he was always a pleasure to talk to. He obviously took a lot of pride in his product, always explaining how to properly reheat it so that it would taste its best once I got it home.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (soozycue520)

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:05:44 GMT

Very bad news tonight. The owner of Cosmic Pizza in Hartwell was shot to death while opening his pizza parlor during a robbery attempt. I did not get to try his pizza, although I intended to get there. Very sad.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/local-news/cincinnati/man-fatally-shot-at-pizza-parlor-in-hartwell/-/13549970/20586212/-/10qdykiz/-/index.html

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:49:26 GMT

We did 50 West in Mariemont on Sunday. Our experience after a slow start was definitely positive.

We walked in and it looked like there was a hostess area set up, but no hostess nor nearby waiters/waitresses. After about two minutes we seated ourselves. After about five more minutes someone came over to take our order, and after explaining what happened, we weren't offered any kind of apology.

We knew the menu was tapas style, so we ordered the turkey wings, the stuffed poblano and the C.A.B. (White cheddar, bacon and cole slaw sliders).

The food was all excellent and surprisingly filling. They were $8 each, and we shared all three. The stuffed poblano had a chicken-chorizo filling that was delightful. The turkey wings were huge, well cooked and served in sort of a buffalo sauce and the CABs were really good as well, although I normally don't like cole slaw. You get three for $8.

I thoroughly enjoyed the beer, as I knew I would. I certainly wasn't turned off by it, but tapas-style food normally is for an upscale crowd. Beer drinkers -- even high-end beer drinkers -- are typically more into bar food. Wings, fried stuff, etc.

Sorry I hit the wrong button...no issue with this post. AL

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (donw9876)

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:33:46 GMT

At least RI isn't going to Troni's.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (NYPIzzaNut)

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:37:29 GMT

I have tried their pizza - I thought highly of their cheese and sauce but the crust did not rate near as highly as Dewey's IMHO.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (donw9876)

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:40:59 GMT

Usually "Chef" Irvine corrects both front of house and back of house problems. I got a vibe from the couple of times we poked our heads in the place that getting service there would be a pain in the butt, and you see some negative comments on social media about the service.

Anyway, they're going to get $20K+ worth of remodeling out of the deal ($10K material budget plus a conscripted army of construction people so I figure the usual RI remodeling job is worth $20K+ in market value) - plus craploads of publicity - so it's a win-win for Aponte's. I'm guessing they told the RI staff a sob story and it's really not that bad. Usually the typical RI target restaurant is a ghost town and has horrible, sometimes unsanitary food before any makeover. Aponte's really doesn't fit the usual profile.

But who knows until we see the episode.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (dlawson)

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:06:03 GMT

I agree. I would never have guessed that they are "troubled" based on the few times we've been (although we don't have cause to be up that way much anymore). The place could definitely use some updating and rearranging inside (the side entrance/lobby thing is especially awkward), but I agree with most of the comments that the pizza is fine as is. We have never had a bad pie there.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (donw9876)

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:43:15 GMT

Restaurant Impossible is coming to Mason to re-do Aponte's:

http://masonbuzz.com/2013...sible-coming-to-mason/

I don't get it. The place is full every time we've tried to go there.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (NYPIzzaNut)

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 07:39:42 GMT

Bonk

Did Becknell's again, and this time we ate in. We went at 1 on a Sunday, and there were 10 or so 60-somethings in there eating and shooting the breeze, which was kind of cool.

This time I got the combo, which was $6.49 and includes a big-ass cookie and a bag of kettle chips. This time I got turkey and swiss on a croissant, and it was excellent.

The cookie was loaded with chunks of chocolate and was very fresh and soft.

Very pleased with my two trips there.

Tried their cannolis. Nothing to write home about unfortunately.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:05:58 GMT

Did Becknell's again, and this time we ate in. We went at 1 on a Sunday, and there were 10 or so 60-somethings in there eating and shooting the breeze, which was kind of cool.

This time I got the combo, which was $6.49 and includes a big-ass cookie and a bag of kettle chips. This time I got turkey and swiss on a croissant, and it was excellent.

The cookie was loaded with chunks of chocolate and was very fresh and soft.

Very pleased with my two trips there.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:32:58 GMT

TJ Jackson

Looking forward to the possibility of some new Orleans-type grub on the east side sometime in the next month or so - tho this location has seen the death of many an eatery in recent years

From: http://cincinnati.com/blo...2013/05/15/swampwater/

On the menu: oysters on the half-shell, chargrilled and fried, gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, crawfish pies, fried catfish and po-boys. Then there’s the smoker side of the menu, with ribs, pulled pork, chicken and sometimes turkey. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, and will offer a breakfast buffet on the weekend for about $12. Tentative hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3 p. m. to midnight on Saturday; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3-10 p.m. Sunday

Good Lord, that Wyatt's is gone already? The grilled cheese place before that was actually really good.

Sounds promising, but obviously that location hasn't worked out for others.

Speaking of places that have replaced other Roadfood places in tough locations, I visited Becknell's Bakery and Cafe today, which is in the spot of the former BBQ joint whose name escapes me right now that was in a strip mall on Glen Este-Withamsville just south of Ohio 32.

I went in for a quick sandwich and to pick up a menu. For $3.99 I got a turkey and swiss on ciabatta. There was plenty of meat on it and it was very tasty. You can also get a sandwich on a croissant or on a pretzel bread, and you get your choice of swiss, American or cheddar and turkey, ham or roast beef. The ladies working there were very friendly. You can also get a sandwich with kettle chips and mini cookies for $6.49.

I didn't get any bakery items but they looked delicious and what struck me about them was how inexpensive they were. Cake balls were $.65, canolis were $1.09, chocolate covered Oreos were $.75. It's tough to get in and out of there, which I hope doesn't affect their business.

I want to go back soon and try more sandwich combinations and some of the confectionaries.

The Web site is all for specialty cakes, but maybe it'll get updated. It's www.becknellsbakery.com.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (TJ Jackson)

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:23:39 GMT

Looking forward to the possibility of some new Orleans-type grub on the east side sometime in the next month or so - tho this location has seen the death of many an eatery in recent years

From: http://cincinnati.com/blo...2013/05/15/swampwater/

On the menu: oysters on the half-shell, chargrilled and fried, gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, crawfish pies, fried catfish and po-boys. Then there’s the smoker side of the menu, with ribs, pulled pork, chicken and sometimes turkey. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, and will offer a breakfast buffet on the weekend for about $12. Tentative hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3 p. m. to midnight on Saturday; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3-10 p.m. Sunday

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (dlawson)

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:32:28 GMT

Rabkin, how was your Mariemont trip? Did I talk you into 50 West, or did johnbycz talk you out of it?

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (johnbycz)

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:57:16 GMT

Gotta disagree on 50West. Beers are just OK at best, and the food (a "small plates" menu) is also nothing special. I like Flipdaddy's, and the breakfasts at the National Exemplar in the Mariemont Inn. Also not far away is Just Q'in', for BBQ, in Newtown (mostly takeout, but they have a few tables).

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (dlawson)

Sun, 05 May 2013 20:32:51 GMT

Rabkin

Anybody have suggestions for a decent place to eat in or around Mariemont? Wifey and I are planning on spending the day there this coming Saturday, and believe it or not, I've never visited there. I mean, what with urbanspoon, yelp, etc., I know what restaurants are actually there (Dilly's Café, Flipdaddy's, Pizzelii, etc.); I was more interested in my fellow Roadfooders' take on what's really good, and what isn't so really good. Thanks.

There have been some grumblings about the pricing here, but I don't find Flipdaddy's to be all that unreasonable (although it does add up if you enjoy craft brews, and I do). I have been several times, and I keep going back to the Gaucho.

I would also highly recommend a stop at 50 West if you are beer drinkers, or even if you aren't. The place is absolutely gorgeous, and you could easily make a lunch out of their (limited) menu offerings.

Re:WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Rabkin)

Sun, 05 May 2013 19:06:18 GMT

Anybody have suggestions for a decent place to eat in or around Mariemont? Wifey and I are planning on spending the day there this coming Saturday, and believe it or not, I've never visited there. I mean, what with urbanspoon, yelp, etc., I know what restaurants are actually there (Dilly's Café, Flipdaddy's, Pizzelii, etc.); I was more interested in my fellow Roadfooders' take on what's really good, and what isn't so really good. Thanks.

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Fri, 03 May 2013 20:33:47 GMT

He's a little different, but I did make it to Tom's downtown location and it was very good.

Did the Oleg's food "truck" Monday (thanks for the heads-up, TJ), and I thought his meatball sub was awesome. Five huge meatballs with homemade marinera and parmesan, with fries that he re-dropped when I ordered and a can of pop for $5. I wish that was his permanent spot.

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (TJ Jackson)

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:48:53 GMT

Several years ago, while I was still working downtown, one of my very favorite lunch spots was a place called Tom's Pot Pies. He had a sensational traditional chicken pot pie and an even better broccoli alfredo pot pie, and I would generally get over there at least once a week

Unfortunately, he had to close up shop, and I have not seen or heard from him since

However, there was a blog post on Cincinnati Nomerati this week that indicated he is still in business and you can still get these pies, which is great news

The blog post: http://cincinnatinomerati.../05/toms-pot-pies.html

Key snippet from the post:

I found out that Tom would deliver potpies downtown if you called and asked nicely, and gave him a day's notice.

Potpies are $7 and worth every penny. You can reach Tom at 513-235-2400 for potpie orders. I'd recommend avoiding home games, as rumor has it that the Cincinnati Reds devour Tom's pies before each home game.

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 21:16:20 GMT

I was in Great Scott Withamsville, and the bartender said the ownership is not changing in the Oakley location, but it's going to re-open as an antiques place-slash-bar-slash-wine store-slash-specialty sandwich shop.

Their initial food concept didn't work in that area and I'm not sure if this idea is any better of a fit for that location.

But the food at the Withamsville location is still very good. :)

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:10:28 GMT

Good info as always, TJ...I'll try to get up there Monday for lunch.

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (TJ Jackson)

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:21:34 GMT

I am sure many of you recall Oleg's Tavern (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:EPfoifD1dsYJ:cincinnati.com/blogs/dining/2010/09/17/ukrainian-has-german-touch-with-oleg-taverns-cuisine/+olegs+tavern+campbell&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us) up in the Field's-Ertel area in Northeastern Cincinnati, and of course this tavern closed some time back

Well, I found out today that Oleg is now operating a food truck - well, more like a food trailer pulled behind a truck - called Berliner Doner Kebab. I spotted this on Mt Carmel Tabasco Road just barely north of Beechmont in the parking lot next to Butterbees. I had unfortunately already eaten when I spotted the truck, so I just stopped to chat with him for a few minutes. From what he told me, it looks like the truck will mainly be doing specials rather than a regular menu . For example, he had a meatball sandwich today. The card he gave me reads "Oleg's International Cusine" so it may be that he is transitioning from one name to another, although I forgot to ask that question.

He said he'd be at that same location Monday Tuesday next week and after that he might move back to Mason for a while

website as listed on the card: www.olegsfood.com

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (Bonk)

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:02:07 GMT

jmckee

Too bad. I'd like to try Bobby's food, but I will never set foot in that monstrosity.

That's sort of what I'm thinking...

Thanks for the info westsider!!

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (jmckee)

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:48:30 GMT

Too bad. I'd like to try Bobby's food, but I will never set foot in that monstrosity.

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (TJ Jackson)

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:24:59 GMT

For quite some time now, those with a layover at Cincinnati's airport (CVG) have been able to get a taste of Cincinnati-style chili without leaving the airport

Now, you can also get our famous Graeter's ice cream without leaving the airport

http://news.cincinnati.co...er-s-now-available-CVG

RE: WhereToEat: Cincinnati and N.Ky (open chat) (westsider12)

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:23:24 GMT

There is no outside entrance to BBP; you can just walk along the fringe of the casino floor to get there. You don't have to walk through all of the gambling, but you will have to walk past it.

Bonk

Interesting. So is BBP accessable from outside the casino or do you have to physically go inside the casino to get to it? I don't have any desire to visit the casino but I would like to check out Flay's place.

TJ - I just moved to within two miles of the Withamsville Great Scott and when I went in for a beverage last Saturday they were still talking the Oakley location up. That sucks, but at least the diner and the original location are still close.