Saturday, December 31, 2011

So Long 2011

Tonight we will go to the CSO concert followed by a Gala, food, wine, auction and dancing. That will ring our the old and in the new. I'm cleaning out the file of places eaten, since I last posted, and that will be it for the year.
Thanks to those who took the time to comment. Most were verbal but I am really indebted to those who made the effort to send a written response. To all Happy New Year and may it be healthy and full of joy for all.

Christmas Eve the whole family(8) went to the "Precinct". We had to settle for a 9 PM reservation , the latest taken, as the holidays have evolved into a big time for eating out. I am of the opinion that this trend has intensified over the last 10 to 20 years.
We were handled promptly and had a good sized round table which is always nice for a group. The regular menu was available but no specials due to pressure on the kitchen.
Our daughter, who has MS, can not eat their famous steaks and so they did make an exception and served her the Crab Brulee, which Marilyn and I had enjoyed the week before in the Bar.
I had the usual, splitting a strip(MR) and baked potato with my wife.
After spreading a few extra buck around, to the staff( Christmas eve) we departed full and satisfied.

Next morning, with some CCM friends, we drove to "Uncle Yips" 10736 Reading Road Cincinnati, OH 45241 for Diem Sum. The friends had just returned from a conducting stint in China and are well versed in the cuisine. We usually go, with them, to "Jen's Chinese" but they had heard that it was under new ownership and had declined. We'll try for ourselves, and make a judgement, as none of us thought the "Uncle Yips" was quite up to "Jen's" at its prime.
We must have consumed, at least, 15 different items, with most quite acceptable, but the temperature and taste left something to be desired. My favorites were the crab balls and scallion cakes, although I managed to down almost everything brought to the table.
Price remains very reasonable with the total around $35 per couple.

Lastly we returned Thursday evening to "Enoteca Emilia" 2038 Madison Road 45208 (513) 834-5773.
I am happy to announce that they now take reservations, upstairs, for any number. We prefer the first floor and so arrive before 6:30.
As usual we were greeted by the staff and owner, most cordually, and the four of us dined for about 2 hours, although the place fills up, with a wait, after 7 PM. "Emilia" has added several new items to the menu and so after placing an order for wine and a Bianca Pizza( split between the four), wonderful, the table split both the Crispy Pork( belly) and the "Pig n' Fig Terrine'. Plenty of flavor, fat and salt in both. The terrine is a "country pate (good sized slice) and an arugula leaves mixed with chopped fresh figs and balsamic vinegar. We also managed to down 3 orders of pasta Bologense and for dessert an order of Ricotta Fritters, with orange marmalade and chocolate sauce. No one left hunger or disappointed. My new restaurant and wine bar of the year.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Finishing Up

Just to finish up, what I start yesterday, here are the other places leading up to the Holidays, none new;

"Pelican's Reef" Beechmont near 5 mile road. Always fun with these very nice folks and food actually better than decent. I had grilled Brook Trout with a twice baked potato( creamy and hot) and a Cesar Salad, washed down by a Yuengling Lite( stick with the full flavored lager) while Marilyn had a thin carved prime rib sandwich, somewhat reminiscent of a Penn Station sub but upgraded by sour dough toast and a large house salad.

"Keystone Bar and Grill", Erie in East Hyde Park. With the two granddaughters, home for the holidays, we divided 2 house salad, more than enough for a lunch, not sure how anyone can eat a whole; as well as two orders of Mac and Cheese. On Mondays this item( M&C) is half priced as are the Quesadallas on Tuesday. One of the "specials" contained caramelized onions and bacon while the other had fresh tomatoes and Pesto. Both came in small cast iron skillets and were not only tasty and hot but enough so that some went home to the girls mother. As I mentioned before this new addition to the "hood" is a great place for lunch. large menu, good service and reasonable prices.

Another place with special lunch price is the "Washington Platform Salon" 1000 Elm Street a block below the new SCPA building. I was hankering for fried oysters which I had in an Appetizer portion, 8 oysters, and that would have sufficed until I heard that Tuesdays the Salmon Salad, grilled salmon on a bed of spinach with nuts, blue cheese crumbles and slices of tomato and cucumber, was the daily $1 sale item. Therefore my lunch guest and I each had one. I only ate the salmon and the rest came home for the basis of a dinner side salad, fairly full sized in it's own right. The come on is that each day one item on the full priced menu is paired with a second of the same for only $1 additional. How can one pass? Both items were very good and the place is generous to it's customers and the community.

The other spot has been a lunch at the new "Saigon Cafe" Erie Ave. in East Hyde Park. Marilyn, 2 granddaughter and a male friend, of one, made up our entourage. A 20+ year old male and his feminine companions are a veritable open pit at the table. Crab Rangoon( 2 orders), 5 large Sushi rolls(sp) a Thai omelet and a spicy tuna dish got them stoked enough for the ride home and a raid on their own families refrigerator. It was fun, very good food and thank God for half priced Sushi, a Cincinnati current phenomenon. Also 10% off for cash, don't know how they do it unless rice is very cheap, kept Grandpa solvent.

So now after several dinners at home we look forward to Christmas eve and a big family event.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

On to the Holidays

Here a run down to the food we have consumed before the holidays. As someone told me, this week, my metabolism must really run on high to keep weight somewhat in check.

"Jean Robert's Table" 713 Vine Street Cincinnati 45202 (513) 621-4777.
Good news, the reservation and table situation has been straitened out as has the crowd at the front door. When we arrived at 7:40 PM, Saturday night, for a 7:45 reservation the couple who we were to meet were already seated. Other people we knew, who were there that evening, also received their tables at the reservation time.
The two other changes I noted were the offerings of several more specials and the change in price of my "starter" Bombay. The first a terrific plus and the second a reaffirmation that good things can't go on for ever.
As the server, who did a fine job through out the evening, told us of the "specials" Marilyn's eyes widened with the mention of Dover Sole, her favorite. I chose 2 items off the printed menu, Surf and Turf Tartar and Skate Fish Wings. The Tartar came as a layer of ground beef topped with chopped raw Tuna, which was separated from the beef by thinly sliced well marinated cucumbers. All was mildly seasoned.
The Skate Wing turned out to be a wing shaped piece of Skate(surprise) pleasantly broiled or grilled. It was served with fingerling potato's and a vegetable puree. Both item were beautifully done and sized perfectly.
Marilyn's sole, which I didn't taste, turned out to be small medallions rather than the usual whole fish. She was surprised but not disappointed.

I must digress and cover an oft mentioned subject- my spelling. The subject came up this week when a good friend told me she thinks my spelling is "charming"; whatever that means, certainly not perfect. I have never been able to spell and am well aware of that, what I was not aware of was the amount of misspelling on restaurant menus, which she advised is prevalent.
Since I know I am a "basket case" I rely on three sources, menus, register tapes and mostly cook books or dictionaries. If they lead me astray, which she said the former 2 often do, what you see is what you get.

Other spots in the pre-holiday list have been "Otto's" 521 Main Covington, KY (859) 491-6678 which certainly needs little comment. Brunch Sunday, for 7 family members, consisted, for the table, of Crab Hash, Benedict Otto's and Belgian Waffle with syrup and fresh berries. All are standard "Otto's" items which don't change in flavor or consistency. One thing I did notice was the attentiveness and attractiveness of the wait staff.

Computer has jamed so more later.
price

Friday, December 16, 2011

Tough Time

December is a very busy time in the restaurant business. Holiday Parties, time off schedules, busy kitchens and often weather related issues.
Opening a new operation during this period is even tougher than opening always has been.

Last night, the second night of general operations Marilyn and I went to the new bar, "Tavern", at "The Precinct", all prior address and phone info remain the same. Not surprisingly there were "hitches" but we are glad we went and experienced this additional Jeff Ruby enterprise.
One enters thru the main lobby 0f the Precinct and climbs a small flight of stairs. The entrance to the fairly large room is thru a set of swinging doors. The room has a large bar, at the far end, (seating at the bar available) and a group of "high tops" filling the center. The "high tops" are surrounded by booths on three sides. The decorations are the turn of the century ( 1800's to 1900's), noise level are typical bar noises and the crowd Thursday night was full but not packed. One can reserve or just show up.
The wait staff is mostly attractive young women and the "Tavern" food is served from the same kitchen as the main restaurant.
Currently there is a very small, 5 item, bar food menu, which will expand after the first of the year, on the table and the regular Precinct menu is presented for those who want to eat more substantially.
We had reserved and therefore had one of the booths. Our server was young( 21) and also works at "Jeff Ruby Steakhouse", down town. She had a slight problem adjusting to the offerings at the "Tavern" and downtown. She could not have been more friendly and anxious to please.
I had 2 Yuengling Lager's, the new "hot" beer in Cincinnati. It is a very good rich, mellow and satisfying brew. The Manager highly recommended the Alaskan King Crab Brulee, a mixture of crab meat, cheese, sauce and topped with Panko Bread Crumbs. This comes in a ramekin, very hot, and served with lime corn chips. It went well with the beer and was plenty for 2 or 3 to share. We each had a large iceberg wedge salad with all the usual additions. Marilyn then had sourdough toast with mushrooms will I tried the chili, meat beans and spices. I had wanted the, listed, Seafood Chowder but was told it wasn't available.
It was a fine sampling from both menus and gave us plenty till we got home to homemade brownies and Graeter's.

Also this week we returned to "View Cucina" 2200 Victory Parkway 45206. Our daughter, whose birthday we celebrated had chosen this after hearing of our experience the week before.
Tuesday is half priced wine night and we ordered a bottle of "Benton Lane", one of my favorite Pinot's. Marilyn and I split a wedge( it's getting to be a habit) which we followed with a divided order of prime rib Canneloni, in a very rich cheese, Alfredo sauce. Half is enough as it is served in a interesting divided round plate ( ying and yang) and is accompanied by linguine with tomato basil sauce. Have some pasta. Our daughter and others had the eggplant salad, see earlier report, which continues to be one of the best, most interesting items. Coffee, for Marilyn, and a table shared Cookie Dough Pie topped with Graeter's vanilla and chocolate sauce finished the birthday dinner.

For lunch Tuesday I met my friend Paul Weckman ( Otto's) at "Pho Lang Thang" in Finley market. I stuck with a cabbage and chicken salad while Paul had several Vietnamiese dishes. Afterward I did some shopping, for shut In's at both Silverglades, cheese spread and grape, pecan chicken salad, across the street, and "Fresh Table" in the market house. There I picked up cauliflower au gratin, pea pod salad with nuts and dried cranberries and Mediterranean Couscous with chopped marinated veggies. Should have been good lunch items for all.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Around the corner

One of the long time downtown restaurants( more than 20 years in existence) moved from Walnut St, around the corner to a spot in the 580 Building on 6th St, just a door or two East of Walnut.
Our trainer, who is of Italian heritage, recommended that we give it a try. He thought that there were new owners but it is only a fairly new multi-national staff and an improved kitchen that has changed.
"Trattoria Roma" 580 Walnut St. SW 400 Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 723 0220 is very convenient and very decent, nothing fancy. With another couple we gave it a try a few nights ago.
The table divided a bottle of Valpolicella, a big week for that wine for me, and I followed with a small, lightly dressed Cesar Salad, which was included with my entree. My main course was fresh clams over perfectly cooked Linguine. The semi-clear broth was heavy in clam juice and my only negative is that the clams could have been scrubbed or soaked longer to remove every trace of grit. The portion size was filling and the dish satisfying. Marilyn had Linguine Bolognese, to large a portion for her, or the other lady, to finish. My taste of Marilyn's proved it to be better than acceptable.
Possibly the best dish of the evening was our friends Veal Picatta, 3 or 4 slices of tender pounded veal in a creamy lemon caper sauce. This was also served over Linguine also, maybe they made a good buy on that Pasta.
If you are in the area or want very good, not great, Italian food try "Trattoria Roma".

More around the corner from us, at Lunken Airport, is "Sky Galley" 262 Wilmer Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45226 (513)-871-7400 where we can be found from time to time. With three others we stopped in last week after some drinks and conversation at our home.
We had "noshed"(snacked) for an hour and a half and so I went with my usual lunch items; black bean soup and a Braunschweiger on rye. The soup came nice and hot and the sandwich, which is adorned with sliced hard boiled eggs and spicy, whole grained mustard was up to it's usual freshness. Marilyn, who almost always has the the Tilapia, of course, stuck with her usual while our guest had the advertised "Worlds Best Chicken Livers". Crisp Saratoga chips for all kept our calorie, fat and salt content up above normal. "Sky Galley" is most informal and always friendly and consistent.

A bit further afield we dined at "Cafe Mediterranean" 9525 Kenwood Road, Suite 8-10, Blue Ash (513)745-9386. This relocated Mid-Eastern spot moved about 6 weeks ago from the Beechmont area. Food remains excellent as proven by the Baba Ghanoush and warm pita followed by a Mediterranean style whole, grilled Sea Bass ( rubbed with olive oil, lemon and herbs before grilling). The table also had marinated chicken thighs, really delightful, and Lamb Shish Kebab. Still no liquor licence so we brought our own white wine.
Well worth the drive. ( I still can't figure out what I hit to change the print, any help?)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Interesting dishes

Last night we had dinner at "View Cucina" 2200 Victory Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45206 (513) 751-8439.The restaurant is owned by Gay and Harry Stevens, along with "Bella Luna" . The name for this space was formerly "The View" but the menu has been enhanced with additional Italian, themed dishes and there for the name change.
Last night was "half priced wine" night and consequently I shared a bottle of Valpolicella with the wife of the other couple, with whom we dined. The 2010 Bolla was quite light but went with all the food served.
I started my meal with a wonderful Eggplant salad. Five pieces of grilled eggplant, chilled and then drizzled with a light olive oil dressing. On the slices of eggplant were crumbled Feta and diced fresh tomato's. This was all nestled in a surroundings of golden raisins and pistachio kernel.
It was a wonderful mixture of flavors as well as an attractive plate.
My main course was Lamb Meatloaf, another hit. The lamb was finally ground, mixed with spices and bread crumbs, and baked to a perfect consistency. The thick slice was topped with Tomato Jam, made from crushed cherry tomato's with other seasonings and sweetness added. The combination was terrific. I skipped the potato's and instead had green beans and also asparagus both fixed slight too crispy for my palate.
The vegetables did not detract and the whole meal was a pleasant adventure in various tastes and flavors.
Marilyn had a bowl of much complimented, rich, Minestrone and a large Wedge Salad. The wedge had all the usual compliments, bacon, tomato, crumbled cheese and of course dressing.
It was a surprising evening and I recommend you give "View Cucina" a try.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Pleasent surprises

During the last 7 days we have continued to eat out. Two of the meals have been really very pleasant surprises.

Last Sunday morning we went, as usual with another couple, to "Cumin Eclectic Cuisine" 3520 Erie Ave. 45208 (513) 871-8714 to sample their new (about a month), Sunday Brunch. We were all very pleasantly surprised. "Cumin" serves from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The menu contains about a dozen offerings and all are served individually to the table. We had our favorite server, Mung, and of course were off on a lovely adventure. I chose Shrimp and Grits which is topped with an "over easy" egg and is plated with a tasty mushroom gravy. It was a wonderful, unusual Sunday morning taste treat. Marilyn had the "eggs ur way" which features up to 3 eggs, any style, with meat, starch and croissant. Since Marilyn only wanted one egg the platter arrived with both bacon and turkey sausage. The other two had waffle with shaved pancetta and a Korean stone bowl, with scrambled eggs instead of poached or fired. Both looked very inviting.
I'm sure we will revisit many times.

The other surprise was at "Tano Bistro" 204 West Loveland Ave Loveland, OH 45140 (513-683-8266). Again with two others, the age of our children, we enjoyed a somewhat new experience at a restaurant to which we had been introduced a year or so ago. It's a long haul from our domicile but this time the trip was certainly worth the drive. The service at "Tano" has always been uniformly good and that night was no exception.
The table ordered a "Bear Boat" Pinot which turned out to be perfect for the entrees. I started with an arranged roasted beet salad, layered with goat cheese on a bed of torn romaine, lightly dressed. Marilyn had not only a cup of rich mushroom soup and she followed with a chopped iceberg wedge. To my surprise she ate both.
Our main courses were Short Rib Bolognese, for me, and Fried Chicken, for her. The Short Rib presentation was something new to me with the rib meat serving as the protein in a tomato vodka sauce to which peas and a few chopped mushrooms had been added. The pasta was a large helping of excellent Gnocchi which made the whole dish outstanding. Marilyn's fried chicken turned out to be just a fully crusted, sauteed chicken breast made crisp with bread crumbs and butter topping. The other couple started with mussels in a tomato and ground Andouille sauce. They had as their main courses, grilled, stuffed salmon and a pumpkin blackened swordfish.
For dessert we ordered Apple Tarte Tatin witch came as two sizable, star shaped pieces with a scoop of Cinnamon ice cream in the center of each. The other chose pumpkin Creme Brulee. Marilyn's decaf finished the meal.
Twenty some miles but worth every one.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Everyone must start sometime

A couple of nights ago we went, with another couple, to "Meritage" 1140 Congress Ave. Glendale, 45246 (513)376-8134. The owner, Mike Francy, had spoken to the "Let's Eat Out" class at UC (OLLI) a couple of weeks ago we we were anxious to give it a try. During his presentation he had said that they had taken the old "Glendale Gaslite Tavern" and fully redone the place and had a menu from very "family friendly" ( soaps, salads and sandwiches) to "fine dinning dishes" with a stress on their wine selections.
Our server, on this initial visit, was "on his own" for the first time and I must comment that he was pleasant and accommodating but in my opinion had not been sufficiently trained. He misquoted the prices of the specials, brought the wrong salads( not sure if it was his mistake or the kitchens) and presented the checks with the salads not corrected. Nothing in it's omission terrible but combined showing a lack of management supervision. Can you imagine having me for your first evening "on your own".
The new owner was very available and wanted our "honest comments". He did all the correct things in rectifying the situation.
Now for the positive. The food was good, ample and served hot or cold as the dish demanded.
(I get criticized for my spelling and syntax but what I try to do is just report on places we eat and my reaction)
No wine was ever mentioned, a surprise after the OLLI presentation, so I started with the usual Bombay and followed with the Iceberg Wedge. For my main item I chose the fish sandwich which came perfectly grilled and hot on a whole wheat bun with crisp pickle slices. Instead of French Fries I substituted excellent potato salad and the combination was perfect. A fine picnic on a snowy November night.
Marilyn had the steak sandwich, which she report was very good, and wonderful Macaroni and Cheese which I tasted several times, and will do so again, on my own.
This obviously is a mixed review but overall the food is worth your time and the place is clean, bright a convenient for those on the north side of Cincinnati and the "burbs. "Meritage" is a good effort and we all wish them success.

We have also been to a couple of regulars which remain on our "preferred" list.
"Enoteca Emilia" 2038 Madison Road 45208 (513)834-573. Still terrific Italian food and wine with good service and a lively spot and"Otto's" 521 Main St Covington KY 41016 (859) 491-6678 which was buzzing last Saturday night but handled approximately 150 "covers" throughout the evening in a very professional way, especially for a small restaurant with a very small kitchen.
Food and service a both remains "up to par" or beyond.

Yesterday a friend who is going to Prague ask about places to eat there. We had been in 2008 so I directed him to the posting for May of that month. European places often last longer than those in the US and I noticed that the first night in Prague we, and a group of followers, spent the evening in a "beer hall" that had opened in 1499. My blog may help people who travel so check it from time to time.