No, it's not a book title, a soap opera or a movie but rather the names of two individuals who made our dinner, at "Otto's" last night, a blast. Both said that they had never seen their name on the Blog( not many do) and that it would be the highpoint of their day. Their days must be pretty full of the ordinary.
Lauren, our server, is 7 months pregnant with her second child while Keith, who turned out to be our host thanks, again), is the head of the David J Joseph Co. and Executive VP of Nucor Steel. Both are good friends and good company.
The meal, as most usually are, was terrific with the outstanding Fried Green Tomato's, a half priced bottle of Cote de Rhone and Salmon for Kieth, Tile Fish for me and Duck for Marilyn. As I have said before,"it's home away from home".
Since I am posting infrequently, I keep a few reminder of some of the places we eat and will list them in no particular order, with a comment or two if warranted.
"Holy Grail"- the Banks. Upon recommendation of some of the Police Offices, we see while working at the Visitor Center, on Fountain Square, we went on a Monday night to try their hamburger. I would say that our friends are better Police Officers than food critics. We did find the Ruben Wonton very interesting. An egg roll shaped tube, deep fried and stuffed with corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut, all drizzled with 1000 island dressing. The "Holy Grail" holds about 250 but Monday the crowd was 10 plus more than that many TV screens.
Return visits to: "Embers" bar on Thursday night where all food on the Bar Menu is half price and where salads easily serve two.
"Phoenician Taverna" in Mason where after the excellent Maze( small appetizers portions, I had the usual Vegetarian Sampler and Marilyn the wonderful Lamb Shank.
"The Quarter Bistro", Mariemont. Salmon for Joe, Lobster Ravioli for Marilyn
"Pelican's Reef",Beechmont. Seafood Gumbo, Fried Oysters, Fish Taco's shared all around. Patti Brochure, the "hostess with the mostess".
"Wurst Bar", Mt. Lookout Square. Now here is a real Hamburger with all the upscale trimmings. "Long Green Things" are great grilled asparagus.
"Red Feather", Oakley. A second visit proved that the first wasn't a fluke. Asian Hot buns with pork belly, marinated cucumber slices, bean sprouts and sauce; Beet salad and Gnocchi and Marilyn had wonderful chicken and shared our Bread pudding.
Thanks for the love note Lauren, even if my Credit card was no good, last night.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
Three New, for us
Friday night, with another couple we dined at "Red Feather" 3200 Madison Rd, Oakley. The restaurant is in the space formally occupied by "Boca", when they were in Oakley. Very little of the lay out has changed. The food, prepared by Brad Bernstein, was not only good but interesting both from a taste and a presentation point of view.
I had a salad of baby beets, both golden and red, plus arugula and and candied nuts. My main course was pan sauteed Monk fish served over a bed of polenta, with several stalks of asparagus. Marilyn had an interesting shoulder fillet done perfectly, medium rare.
The awesome experience of the weekend, was not the Super Bowl game, but the Brunch on Sunday at "Orchids", the restaurant at the Netherlands Hilton. Absolutely outstanding food and service and the best VALUE in Cincinnati. There is no way that I can detail all the items available but let me start by mentioning a few I did not eat: Prime Rib of beef, roast pork, 3 salads, duck, roast vegetables and greens. Also waffles, omelets, made to order, tortellini, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, bread and parties, and a whole table of items I by passed with out opening their chaffing dishes.
So what did I pile on my plate and consume. Eggs Benedict, Poached egg on mushrooms and English muffins, peppered white fish, smoked trout salad, shrimp, king crab legs, Nova Scotia salmon, a perfectly cooked duck leg, with a fruit glaze, haricot vert, fingerling potato slices and mushrooms. There could have been other items that I devoured in my feeding frenzy. For desert Marilyn and shared a very light, warm bread pudding with creme angles, while she added a chocolate toffee tart and I a lemon, berry one. I passed the Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake and fudge bars, a little restraint never huts. Reservation are a must as it is a full house, booked by the middle of the week.
Today I had my first encounter at the "Wurst Bar", 3204 Linwood Ave, 45226 phone 513-321-0709. I was pleasantly surprised. While sausage is their specialty that are several interesting items for those, to whom that meat isn't high on their list. The two of us had one Hawaiian Munch, a sausage wrapped in a slice of honey baked ham and topped with pineapple chunks and crisp fried onions and a sweet tangy mustard; an order of grilled asparagus served with a topping of dried cranberries and slivered almonds, a bowl of thick beef chili and a large chopped salad. Again too much unless one is planning leftovers for the next meal.
So those are the new spots; other meals out in the last few weeks have been at "Abigail Street", 1214 Vine OTR, "Boca" 114 East 6th St. Downtown, "Ash" (again) 3520 Erie Ave and "Salazar" 1401 Republic St. OTR for a 3rd Monday night in a row. Keep your bib clean.
I had a salad of baby beets, both golden and red, plus arugula and and candied nuts. My main course was pan sauteed Monk fish served over a bed of polenta, with several stalks of asparagus. Marilyn had an interesting shoulder fillet done perfectly, medium rare.
The awesome experience of the weekend, was not the Super Bowl game, but the Brunch on Sunday at "Orchids", the restaurant at the Netherlands Hilton. Absolutely outstanding food and service and the best VALUE in Cincinnati. There is no way that I can detail all the items available but let me start by mentioning a few I did not eat: Prime Rib of beef, roast pork, 3 salads, duck, roast vegetables and greens. Also waffles, omelets, made to order, tortellini, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, bread and parties, and a whole table of items I by passed with out opening their chaffing dishes.
So what did I pile on my plate and consume. Eggs Benedict, Poached egg on mushrooms and English muffins, peppered white fish, smoked trout salad, shrimp, king crab legs, Nova Scotia salmon, a perfectly cooked duck leg, with a fruit glaze, haricot vert, fingerling potato slices and mushrooms. There could have been other items that I devoured in my feeding frenzy. For desert Marilyn and shared a very light, warm bread pudding with creme angles, while she added a chocolate toffee tart and I a lemon, berry one. I passed the Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake and fudge bars, a little restraint never huts. Reservation are a must as it is a full house, booked by the middle of the week.
Today I had my first encounter at the "Wurst Bar", 3204 Linwood Ave, 45226 phone 513-321-0709. I was pleasantly surprised. While sausage is their specialty that are several interesting items for those, to whom that meat isn't high on their list. The two of us had one Hawaiian Munch, a sausage wrapped in a slice of honey baked ham and topped with pineapple chunks and crisp fried onions and a sweet tangy mustard; an order of grilled asparagus served with a topping of dried cranberries and slivered almonds, a bowl of thick beef chili and a large chopped salad. Again too much unless one is planning leftovers for the next meal.
So those are the new spots; other meals out in the last few weeks have been at "Abigail Street", 1214 Vine OTR, "Boca" 114 East 6th St. Downtown, "Ash" (again) 3520 Erie Ave and "Salazar" 1401 Republic St. OTR for a 3rd Monday night in a row. Keep your bib clean.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)