Lunch and Dinner

Besides eating at home several times I have had several interesting lunches and dinner out during the past week. Not all or new, but all have not been visited, lately.
Last Friday, a friend and I had lunch at the "York Street Cafe", 738 York St. Newport KY-859-261-9675. The place was jumping. The back room was full of young women, approximately 20 in number, who were obviously enjoying themselves.
The two of us sat in the main room and ate from the regular menu. I chose a "navy bean soup" and an open face grilled Pita with eggplant, tomato and goats cheese, excellent but messy. My friend stuck with the curried chicken salad.
On Monday I met another friend for lunch at "Melt" 4165 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati-513-681-6358. Melt was a new spot for me although they have been in business for several years, it is part of the renewal of Northside. "Melt" is a store front space run by two women and furnished with what tables and chairs they were able to assemble. The place filled up, with overflow, at a little after noon. The menu is fairly extensive, for this type restaurant, and many of the choices are vegetarian. I chose a Artichoke Melt made with a artichoke-spinach spread with sliced fresh tomato's and melted white Cheddar cheese. The sandwich is served on focaccia and was somewhat along the line of my Friday pita melt at the "York St. Cafe". They were different but both very good. My friend had Vegan Chili and a grilled Tuscan Chicken sandwich, with a sun dried tomato sauce.
Switching to dinners: Tuesday night Marilyn and I went, with another couple, to "Bonefish Grill" at Edwards and Madison(Hyde Park) Cincinnati. We had not been there in several months. "Bonefish" has gone thru another switch in management. Tom Schidler, the first manager left for North Carolina and Wes Lofton has also departed the scene. There absence shows in some of the communication and seating, the other couple never got to our table, but luckily we found each other, but not in the food and service, which remains good for this type chain operation. It was noticeable that the "recession" is having an effect of their business.
After my Bombay I chose a house salad, which is always good and sufficient, and a Grouper Sandwich, with a spicy rub. "Bonefish" has started offering "Petite" portions, at a lower price, and Marilyn had her usual Parmesan crusted trout in this smaller size. "Bonefish" remains a good alternative to the more expense "downtown" seafood establishments.
Last night, after drinks and hor's dourves at our house, 5 of us went to "Amarin Thai and Sushi" in Hyde Park. The same people who run "Amarin" in Madeira have opened at 3514 Erie Ave, Cincinnati-513-321-5533. It is small, cheerful and every bit as good as the original.
I shared a sushi roll with the table and for a main course had a special of the week, Seafood Crispy Pad Thai. Others had chicken pad Thai, Thai spicy chicken with vegetables, tempura soft shelled crabs, pork dumplings and a nice bottle of Puley-Fusey for the table. A very good new find. I'm sure we will return.
We'll see what the coming week brings.