Around Cincinnati II

Probably everyone reading this is already restaurant savvy. Just in case it slips someones mind, always ask your server if there are "any specials," also remember most restaurants are very willing to "mix and match," if it is on the menu or certainly substitute, if it is within reason.

J.Alexander's Restaurant, 2629 Edmondson Road(Rookwood Shopping Center), Cincinnati, OH, 45209-513-531-7495. No reservations taken, limited large tables. Full bar and the place is handicapped accessible.
Sure it a chain, but pretty decent. What they offer they do well and the service is efficient and pleasant, while the kitchen is fast. Entree salads are huge and easily serve two. If your a light eater sharing one is probably enough for dinner. The menu runs from prime rib to burgers, both very good, with several fish items and pastas. I have found the Salmon especially good and they prepare it to my specifications. The French Fries are wicked, to me they are the best in the area, you can get baked potatoes, which are also very good, if you want to behave. Most helpings are quite large and it takes a good appetite or a bunch of teenagers to finish everything served.
It a good place when your on your way to or from and also is satisfactory for just a dinner out.

A new place, only open about a month, is Grandview Tavern and Grille, 2220 Grandview Dr., the street runs off Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017-859-341-8439. It's a good spot for lunch or diner on a "to or from" Airport trip. There is complete Bar Service and the restaurant is handicapped accessible, as are all new public establishments. the menu is very nice and the service, the night we were there, was excellent. I would say that although it is not a chain it is reminiscent of J. Alexanders, maybe a half step higher, or others along that line. Being new they did not offer specials but what we all had, fish, meatloaf, pasta and an entree Salmon salad was all very good. I wouldn't hesitate to use this as a destination if you want a pleasant meal at a reasonable price.

Mitchell's Fish Market, Newport on the Levee, Newport, KY, 41071-859-291-7454. Cincinnati area has gone from no seafood restaurants, 15 years ago, Jimmy excuse me, to the home of at least three chains, specializing in fresh fish and shell fish. Mitchell's originated in Columbus and now has two locations in our area. Since Newport is the closest we gravitate there. I have to say none of the chains compare favorably to true coastal eating places but then it's expensive to hop a plane for dinner just because you want the finest and freshest. Of the three chains I am partial to "Bonefish Grille" because we know the people there, it is in our neighborhood and I personally think it is a better value for the same quality. I'm not going to go into the menu items, however McCormick and Schmick's seem to have the most choices and Bonefish the least, so you can figure out where that leaves Mitchell's. All are good and a positive example of the trend to "white table cloth" chains.

Last, but really not least, in this report is the Sky Galley at Lunken Airport, 262 Wilmar Ave-513-871-7400. Marilyn and I go with some regularity, in the evening, and I pop in for lunch, at least, once a month. The menu is the same at both, although the specials change from a sandwich to an entree. Sky Galley has a full bar and is handicapped accessable, although it from the Airport side of the building. It is informal and relaxed and the next table may be a group of Lady golfers or a family with 3 generations.
Marilyn thinks the Tilapia is the best in the city, she should know because she has it most places. I eat everything from the specials to a pulled pork sandwich to Branschwiger, when I'm feeling the need for a fat and cholesterol fix. I really enjoy the Black Bean Soup, which has a slight kick and most of their items are anywhere from decent to great. Oh, by the way, they have homemade Saratoga Chips if the Branschwiger isn't enough. Our dinners run between $35 and $40 dollars, for the two of us, including drinks and tax.
Don't wait for a commuter line to fly out of Lunken before you try the Sky Galley.