Cincinnati Dining Dilemna

Don't often disagree with jmckee, but we ate at Virgil's in January and were underwhelmed. Been to Local 127 in the past but not since it moved; we've had some really good meals there. Honey is one of my favorites, but two cautions: They don't take reservations, and it can be really loud in there, especially if the bar is busy. Our current go-to restaurant when we need a break is Nada -- good drinks, good food (their pork belly taco is one of the best things I've ever eaten) but it's not cheap. It's always busy and they do take reservations. We've also had a couple of really good meals at Otto's in Covington. I'd also suggest getting a beer at the new Moerlein Lager House next to the ballpark. The food is just OK, but the beer and the atmosphere is fun.

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Good restaurant for prime rib and Asian market in Cincy?

Sad that F&N is gone. I think Newport on the Levee buried it; people stopped going that far down Route 8. Last time I ate there it was looking threadbare and needed an update.

Haven't been to Maury's in probably 10 years but I liked it. There is prime rib on the menu. http://maurys-steakhouse.com/new/menu.plx?SR

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Good restaurant for prime rib and Asian market in Cincy?

Though Ruby's restaurants have lots of beef, prime rib is not a regular menu item. Check the menus online at http://www.jeffruby.com/. Our last trip to Carlo & Johnny's was expensive and underwhelming; doubt I'll ever go back. My two favorite places for prime rib are both gone (Nick's Chops and Chasers in Oakley and Thomas F&N in Dayton, Ky.). Now it's hit and miss. El Coyote in Anderson occasionally has prime rib as a special. I've never had it there and in general their steaks are very good. I've also heard Campbell's Barn in Amelia has good prime rib; again, not a regular menu item. Hate to say it but I actually like the prime rib at Outback (shoot me) though we rarely eat there.

And don't know what you need from an Asian market, but you also might want to check out Saigon Market at Findlay Market.

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Looking for food and drink in Santa Fe

I would recommend Chocolate Maven for breakfast. Interesting location, tucked into an industrial building. It's a different world when you enter, and it's plenty crowded so people have no trouble finding it. Interesting menu and everything was made with great care. The friends we went with are regulars, and I can see why they go back.

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Chocolate Maven Bakery & Cafe
821 W San Mateo Rd Ste C, Santa Fe, NM 87505

johnbycz in Southwest

Looking for food and drink in Santa Fe

Here’s where we ate in Santa Fe:

-- Burgers at Bobcat Bite.
-- Drinks at the Ore House and also the Marble Brewery.
-- Dinner at La Choza.
-- Margaritas at Maria’s (twice).
-- Dinner at the Compound.
-- A late, light lunch at La Boca.
-- Dinner at Cafe Pasqual’s
-- Breakfast at Chocolate Maven.
-- Dinner at Il Piatto.

We stayed at Inn of the Governors, which has a pretty good breakfast buffet, so we ate breakfast there most mornings.

My favorite things for the trip were the margaritas as Maria’s, the grilled squid at Il Piatto, the green chile cheeseburger at Bobcat Bite and the beef tartare appetizer and lemon ricotta fritter dessert at the Compound. Best overall meal was the Compound (outstanding all around). Had the posole, sopapillas and chile relenos at La Choza; I know nothing about New Mexican food but it was great and I’d definitely go back. La Boca was great for lunch, but I could see where it could be a little hectic at dinner because the restaurant was so small and tight. Il Piatto was the best combination of good food and value. The food was great at Chocolate Maven, and I liked that the big windows in the dining room let you watch the action in the bakery. Had a beer at the Marble Brewery; the coffee-infused milk stout was stellar, best milk stout ever, and I wish I could've brought some home. Lastly, I have to put in a good word for Angelo, the bartender at the Ore House, who gave me a pretty good education in tequila.

Biggest disappointment was Cafe Pasqual’s. We hadn’t planned to go; after checking the menu online the prices seemed excessive, but we talked to several people who raved about it so we went. My initial impression was correct. The food was fine. I had two chicken enchiladas in mole, and they were very good. But $29? Two entrees, a beer, a glass of wine and the tip came to $100. The service was efficient but cool. It’s every bit as expensive as the Compound but not nearly the same experience; I would prefer the Compound any day. Cafe Pasqual's is the one place we went that I wouldn’t return to. By comparison, Il Piatto’s entrees were a third less expensive, and I enjoyed the meal much more.

Overall we loved Santa Fe. I keep dreaming about the margaritas at Maria's so we'll be back someday.

johnbycz in Southwest

Looking for food and drink in Santa Fe

Thanks all. Good information. I'll let you know how we do.

johnbycz in Southwest

Looking for food and drink in Santa Fe

My wife and I are headed to Santa Fe for five nights to celebrate an anniversary. I’ve been cruising the boards here, I’ve come up with a few things, and I guess I’m looking for validation and a little help. A few things first: We’ll eat just about anything, and we’re not obsessed with finding the absolutely very best meal out there. We’re never pleased if the restaurant is too precious or impressed with itself. A relaxed atmosphere, great service and a good drink are as important as a good meal. We plan to do quite a bit of hiking in the area and we’ll probably be too tired for a fussy meal at the end of a day or two.

So there. Based on recommendations on the board, we’ve booked the Compound for our big meal. I’ve also booked Il Piatto for the last night and we’re committed to hitting Bobcat Bite. We looked at the menu for Max’s because y’all raved about it, but it didn’t grab us. Vinaigrette is out there because I know we can’t eat green chile for every meal. La Boca also sounds interesting. Other than that, we’re flexible. Here’s what else we’re looking for.

-- A good breakfast.

-- New Mexican. La Choza seems to be a consensus pick. Any others? We’re wide open on this because I know almost nothing about New Mexican food. Also, we like spicy.

-- Someplace that’s both good for eating and good for drinking, and in the area of the Plaza, where we’re staying. I’d also like to find someplace that has a wide selection of tequilas, sort of like the Old Seelbach or Brown Hotel in Louisville, that have 60-plus bourbons. And is there any good local beer in Santa Fe?

-- A good lunch restaurant in Los Alamos.

Thanks all. We’re very much looking forward to this trip.

johnbycz in Southwest

Cincinnati Fine Dining?

Are you talking about white-tablecloth-style dining? Then it's Boca, Jean-Robert's Table, Orchids, the Palace and Nicola's. If you like big steaks, there's Jeff Ruby's.

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Cleveland: Recommendation needed off I-271

I'm meeting someone next week near Cleveland for lunch, and we're looking for something convenient off I-271. My first choice was Babushka's Kitchen in Northfield Center, but their web site says that location is closed for renovation. Too bad -- the mini-Polish sampler is real good. That's the kind of place I'm looking for. Any suggestions? Jack's Deli? Corky & Lenny's? Thanks.

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Jack's Deli and Restaurant
14490 Cedar Rd, Cleveland, OH 44121

Corky & Lenny's
27091 Chagrin Blvd, Beachwood, OH 44122

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Cincy hounds - where can I get a GOOD turkey?

Just ordered a Huisman turkey from Heist at Findlay Market -- $2.49 a pound.

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Findlay Market
Findlay Market Hse, Cincinnati, OH 45202

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Cincinnatti restaurants?

Wasn't trying to be nasty, but if you're going to search on Cincinnati, I just wanted to make sure you were spelling it right. BTW Nicola and Boca won't fit in your budget. Otherwise, I've had good meals lately at Otto's in Covington and Primavista in Price Hill. Primavista has an incredible view of the city and the food was better than I expected (another Italian choice), though the interior could stand to be updated. Nada downtown is a fun, lively place to eat with great food and drinks (one of my wife's favorites).

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Primavista
810 Matson Place, Cincinnati, OH 45204

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Cincinnatti restaurants?

Any of these are good:

http://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/bestrestaurants/home.aspx

If you're interested in Italian, Via Vite is right downtown and while it's good it won't blow you away. it's sister restaurant Nicola in Over-the-Rhine is better and Boca, further away in Oakley, is also excellent.

Otherwise, there's lots of discussion here on Chowhound. To correct your spelling, Cincinnati only has one "t".

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Via Vite
520 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Cincinnati Dinner suggestions?

We ate at A Tavola on Tuesday. Good, but not great, and not someplace I can't wait to get back to. I will say it was fast and comparatively cheap, but not a special-occasion restaurant.

One other place I'll suggest -- Riverside, a Korean restaurant in Covington. I honestly don't know good Korean from bad Korean, but we've had several great meals there, it gets great reviews and it's usually busy. It's really different and a lot of fun.

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Cincinnati Dinner suggestions?

Nectar is good, Local 127 is good, though I haven't eaten there since they moved to the old Bistro space. We're paying our first visit to Jean-Robert's Table on Saturday based on good reports. We're also fans of Honey in Northside (but it can be very loud), Nicola's in OTR, and Otto's in Covington.

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Northside Cafe
1697 N Stephenson Ave, Iron Mountain, MI 49801

Local 127
127 W. Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Breakfast in Toledo

Thanks. We're staying in Holland, near the airport. I'm sure there's Denny's etc. chain restaurants around there, but I always look for the local stuff. Been to Original Pancake House elsewhere (Cincinnati, Chicago, Buffalo) and I've always liked it. Is Schmucker's any good?

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Schmucker's Restaurant
2103 N. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, OH

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Breakfast in Toledo

Going to Toledo this weekend. Where's someplace good for breakfast on Saturday morning? Thanks.

johnbycz in Great Lakes

One amazing lunch in Cincinnati

A few things: "Fountain Square" is a place, not a restaurant. Via Vite is a restaurant on Fountain Square and it's good but nothing you couldn't get elsewhere. Also, are you looking for lunch food or dinner food at lunch?

Mayberry is very good, kinda homestyle-plus food. Terrific burger, but no more a go-to place than say, Tucker's in Over-the-Rhine, which is an old diner with food you might not be used to finding in diners.

Nada is also very good; it's upscale Mexican (the pork-belly tacos are really good), but it's better when you can have a few drinks.

Haven't been to Jean-Robert's but I've not heard a bad thing about it. That might also be your choice.

You might also consider Senate in Over-the-Rhine. For lunch food, try Tom + Chee, which is grilled cheese and tomato soup, and much better than it sounds.

Personally, when I visit a town and can only get one meal, I go for the local specialty. I've had many disappointments at supposedly "hot" restaurants. In Cincinnati, I'd go for Cincinnati chili. There are Skyline restaurants everywhere, but then there's Camp Washington Chili, a James Beard award winner.

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Via Vite
520 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Camp Washington Chili
3005 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45225

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Rec Needed for Nice Cincinnati dinner with Elderly Grandparents

I second the Iron Skillet. One caveat is that the menu is large and they don't do everything well. Stick the schnitzels and paprikashes and you'll do fine.

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Preshow dinner/drinks near Taft Theatre in Cincinnati?

Almost nothing within a block of the Taft. The Skyline at Fourth and Sycamore is open till 7, I think. Fountain Square is roughly two-three blocks away, and you can walk in under 10 minutes. We ate at Via Vite before a Ray LaMontagne show at the Taft a couple of summers ago. The Bistro is three blocks away on Vine, likewise for Nada (at Sixth and Walnut) and the new Walnut Street Grill (on Walnut between Sixth and Seventh). All have good food. Nada and Via Vite may have the best drinks. The Bistro usually has good beers on tap. There's also Trattoria Roma on Sixth between Walnut and Main, but I haven't eaten there since they moved to their new location.

Enjoy Elvis.

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Via Vite
520 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Trattoria Roma
1447 Grandview Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Mother's Day Brunch in Cincinnati

Glad you enjoyed Honey. That's one of my favorite places in this town.

Don't know exactly why Slim's closed. Last time I ate there it was a real trial. I enjoy relaxed meals but Slim's would stretch it out to 3-3.5 hours. It would take forever just to get the salad course. I enjoyed their food but the length of the meal discouraged us from eating there much. My wife preferred the original incarnation, when the food was simpler.

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Denver brewpubs

My apologies -- you're right. I guess I my view was slanted because it;'s not hard to find Left Hand and Stone back home. I was looking for beers I don't see as often (like the Avery). My view of the food (good but not special) and service (rough) stands.

johnbycz in Mountain States

Denver brewpubs

We ended up at Wynkoop, and enjoyed ourselves. We had five drinks but tasted probably 12 beers. I like to sit at the bar and get samples; bartender was great and the manager even threw in a shot of Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey to boot. I drank the milk stout and Silverback IPA (their beer list is heavy on pale ales). At happy hour prices, five drinks and soft pretzels came to all of $25. Can't beat that with a stick. I'd go back.

For dinner we headed to Euclid Hall, and were disappointed. The food was good; I had the short-rib kielbasa and grilled cabbage. The service was rough and and the loud European dance hall music seemed out of place. Lots of hipsters -- not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'm not really Euclid's target audience. The draft list was interesting but didn't have as many local beers as I was looking for.

johnbycz in Mountain States

Mother's Day Brunch in Cincinnati

Trio and Palomino are both decent. Trio is not near UC however. If you're wiling to do Palomino, also consider Via Vite on Fountain Square. (and I still think Honey is a good idea)

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Via Vite
520 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Denver brewpubs

i need to do that.

johnbycz in Mountain States

Denver brewpubs

Thanks for all the suggestions. Specifically, I want local beer on tap. The food doesn't have to be high end, but fresh ingredients and some care in preparation would be appreciated. (For the record, I live in Ohio.) We're staying at the Crown Plaza downtown and won't have a car. Euclid was already on my radar. I was also looking at Great Divide, Breckenridge and Wynkoop. Was also looking at Bull & Bush but that's a little far away. We'll head to Fort Collins at the end of the week (would've gone to Boulder, but it's graduation weekend at UColorado and there's not a hotel room to be had).

johnbycz in Mountain States

Denver brewpubs

I'll be in Denver next week -- first time, can't wait. Been trolling the boards here looking for recommendations. We're looking for a brewpub rec, the best combination of beer and food, because some people are really big on beer and others don't drink beer. Any suggestions? Thanks.

johnbycz in Mountain States

Mother's Day Brunch in Cincinnati

I like Honey in Northside, less than 10 minutes from UC. Plated, not buffet. Brunch is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A big brunch is at Orchids in the Hilton Netherland downtown. The most beautiful room in Cincinnati, but it's more expensive and likely to be pretty crowded. Personally, we stay home on Mother's Day and cook a big meal.

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Northside Cafe
1697 N Stephenson Ave, Iron Mountain, MI 49801

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Cincinnati Area - new in the last year

This recent thread gives a nice overview: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/777932

Lately, our favorites include Nada, which you probably know about; Local 127, in the former Pigall's on Fourth; Via Vite on Fountain Square; and the Bistro, which used to be Jean-Ro Bistro, on Vine across from the Westin. Terry's Turf Club is worth a visit -- the burgers are very good and the place has an electricity that other recent burger joints (like Flipdaddy's) don't have. For burgers I also like Gordo's in Norwood. There are a couple of veggie/vegan places that have come into their own lately: Green Dog across from Allyn's on Columbia Parkway, and Melt in Northside. Both are very casual and offer meat dishes but the veggie stuff is more interesting.

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Jean-Ro Bistro
413 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Via Vite
520 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Northside Cafe
1697 N Stephenson Ave, Iron Mountain, MI 49801

Terry's Turf Club
4618 Eastern Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226

Local 127
127 W. Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

johnbycz in Great Lakes

Scotti's in Cincinnati - any good or other Italian near UC campus?

Trattoria Roma is pretty good, new location on Sixth Street. I like the gnocchi and the tiramisu.

http://www.trattoriaroma.net/

johnbycz in Great Lakes