"Bakersfield" 1213 Vine St. Cincinnati 45202 (513) 579-0444 is a new spot for us but not for the throng of patrons 20 to 50 years younger. It is in the new "restaurant row" on Vine St. in OTR ( Over the Rhine). This is number 6 or 7 in the two block area just north of the Ensemble Theatre.
Last night, at 6:30, there was a half hour wait for seating for four.
The small menu is built around Tacos but several salads and sandwiches are available. Chips and Guacamole and one or two other Mexican "bar staples".
Our table split an excellent Short Rib sandwich, which included braised short rib, caramelized onions, chihauhau cheese and roasted tomatillo salsa, served on a telera roll. We also had 6 of the seven Tacos, only excluding the Rajas (portobello). That gave us 2 Pork, 1 Chicken, 1 Fish, 1 Short Rib, and 1 corn truffles. All were attractive to the taste as well as the eye. Beer, wine and Margaritas were the main stays in the liquid department.
Fun place, good food and certainly a different evening. Incidentally our meal, including tip was approximately $25/per.
Since last writing others, as usual were: "Cumin" ( Marilyn and I split a Rack of Lamb, which I washed down with a wonderful Cote du Rhone), "Otto's" (FGT- Fried green Tomato's and for me soft shelled crabs) and "Oriental Wok" ( Appetizers, Sesame Shrimp-scampi sized, Scallops and Pad Thai, everything split with others).
Now we're off to the West Coast till after July 1. We'll see what we can find and report.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Before Maine
This is just a recap of places we ate before we went to Maine over the Memorial Day weekend. As I mentioned in the preceding posting the Maine trip was for our Granddaughter's Graduation from Bates College in Lewiston. These places and meals are just a listing to clear my file.
"The Precinct"( Steak House) Delta and Columbia Parkway, Cincinnait. Split the usual 14 oz Strip Steak and Wedge Salad plus normal sides( baked potato, onion straws) with Marilyn. Good standard "Precinct" Dinner.
"Bonefish Grill" Edwards Road and Madison Road, Cincinnati. Marilyn had excellent Orange Roughy which is not seen too often on Cincinnati menus, it was a treat. I had 2 soft shelled crabs, instead of the menu offering of 1 crab stuffed with a small crab cake. The choice for me was the correct one.
"Enocteca Emilia" 2038 Madison Road, Cincinnati. Usual good wine, food, service and menu items. For me that evening it was a Caesar Salad, Meatball Sliders, with red sauce, and a slice of Marilyn's 4 cheese Pizza; before our whole table devided the delightful Ricotta Fritters, with Chocolate Sauce and Orange Marmalade.
"Saigon Cafe" 3672 Erie Ave. Cincinnati. Marilyn has discovered "Banh Xeo" a Thai omelet with bean sprouts, shrimp and scallions in an extreamly light egg wrap. She and I split this winner for a first course. She followed with Pad Thai and I with Sushi for a very pleasent dinner.
Nothing new or unusual but now the slate is clear and I'm ready to see what the next few days bring.
"The Precinct"( Steak House) Delta and Columbia Parkway, Cincinnait. Split the usual 14 oz Strip Steak and Wedge Salad plus normal sides( baked potato, onion straws) with Marilyn. Good standard "Precinct" Dinner.
"Bonefish Grill" Edwards Road and Madison Road, Cincinnati. Marilyn had excellent Orange Roughy which is not seen too often on Cincinnati menus, it was a treat. I had 2 soft shelled crabs, instead of the menu offering of 1 crab stuffed with a small crab cake. The choice for me was the correct one.
"Enocteca Emilia" 2038 Madison Road, Cincinnati. Usual good wine, food, service and menu items. For me that evening it was a Caesar Salad, Meatball Sliders, with red sauce, and a slice of Marilyn's 4 cheese Pizza; before our whole table devided the delightful Ricotta Fritters, with Chocolate Sauce and Orange Marmalade.
"Saigon Cafe" 3672 Erie Ave. Cincinnati. Marilyn has discovered "Banh Xeo" a Thai omelet with bean sprouts, shrimp and scallions in an extreamly light egg wrap. She and I split this winner for a first course. She followed with Pad Thai and I with Sushi for a very pleasent dinner.
Nothing new or unusual but now the slate is clear and I'm ready to see what the next few days bring.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Bates College (Lewiston ME) Graduation
The real title for this posting should be: "How I went to Maine for my Granddaughters Graduation and ate my way thru southern Maine".
This past weekend, June 24/28, was Graduation. All three Grandparents plus sister, uncle and parents made the trip.We all were most impressed with the graduation, speakers( especially Bonnie Bassler, look her up), and handling of the whole affair, including our own graduate Kathryn Wolf, and a final school picnic for 4 to 5 thousand including "lobsert rolls", "free" or $200,000, depending on how one figures.
We arrived Thursday evening in Portland and had dinner at "Street & Company" The menu is almost entirly seafood and all was prepared excellently. Besides several salads we indulged in Hake, Seafood Stew, very much in the Bouillabaisse mode, Grilled Dorade( flakey white fish), Broiled Sole and of course a small taste of Lobster. Then well satisfied we drove on to our final destination, Lewiston-Auburn.
Next day lunch was at "Chick-A-Dee of Lewiston" 1472 Lisbon St. 207-376-3670. A very typical Maine, stan alone, seafood restaurant with and active fryer and full kitchen, as well. The table started with a pint of fresh clams, fried with crumbs and butter, sweet and crusty. Two crocks of Onion Soup, well covered with cheese and bread, an order of Coconut Shrimp, deep fried, several Lobster rolls, the best of the trip and a Jr.(ha) Mini Shore lunch, fish chowded, Cole Slaw, Lobster Roll, french fries and baked beans( the beans were the only disapontment).
The same night is was an early dinner, 5:15 PM at "Fish Bones" 70 Lincoln St. 207-333-3663. Large menu but poor service and ordinary food. Possibly it was because of the short time laps from lunch to dinner.
Shared a bottle of Fume Blanc( too sweet), Lobster Flatbread( the best dish of the dinner) Grouper, Scampi in tomato sauce, Lobster Ravioli( read better than presented), several salads and an Asian Stir Fry, there has to be one in every group.
Saturday, excellent sanwiches from a stand alone bakery, an then an evening with roommates and parents with sandwich trays and ordinary Thai, but very good company and feelings and lots of beer, after all it's college.
Sunday Graduation, as I said, was outstanding, and the picnic lunch a marvel of timing and work by the Bates food service. Dinner was another drive to Protland, approximtely 35 miles, and an outstanding dinner at "Fore Street" 288 Fore St. Portland ME 207-775-2717. If your in the area make a reservation and go. Large menu divided in to categories and all done exceedingly well in an open kitchen with a wood fired brick oven, not just for Pizza( I don't think that item is on the menu). Numerous drinks, hard and soft and lots of food for 9 participants. Chilled seafood plate( cured salmon, pickled halibut etc), several salads, oven roasted pork belly, Jonah Crab( don't miss), Bing cherry salad( a treat), Halibut, Sweetbreads( which could be passed, better elsewhere), Whole Black Bass( don't pass) Vegetable Pasta, Flounder ( outstanding) Artic Char( also excellent as were all the seafood dishes) 3 Charcutere( tongue, duck pate, farm pate), grilled cauliflower, grilled asparagus, and 3 desserts the best in, my opinion, was the orange and rhubarb crisp. They all completly dissapeared, as did we after the meal.
This past weekend, June 24/28, was Graduation. All three Grandparents plus sister, uncle and parents made the trip.We all were most impressed with the graduation, speakers( especially Bonnie Bassler, look her up), and handling of the whole affair, including our own graduate Kathryn Wolf, and a final school picnic for 4 to 5 thousand including "lobsert rolls", "free" or $200,000, depending on how one figures.
We arrived Thursday evening in Portland and had dinner at "Street & Company" The menu is almost entirly seafood and all was prepared excellently. Besides several salads we indulged in Hake, Seafood Stew, very much in the Bouillabaisse mode, Grilled Dorade( flakey white fish), Broiled Sole and of course a small taste of Lobster. Then well satisfied we drove on to our final destination, Lewiston-Auburn.
Next day lunch was at "Chick-A-Dee of Lewiston" 1472 Lisbon St. 207-376-3670. A very typical Maine, stan alone, seafood restaurant with and active fryer and full kitchen, as well. The table started with a pint of fresh clams, fried with crumbs and butter, sweet and crusty. Two crocks of Onion Soup, well covered with cheese and bread, an order of Coconut Shrimp, deep fried, several Lobster rolls, the best of the trip and a Jr.(ha) Mini Shore lunch, fish chowded, Cole Slaw, Lobster Roll, french fries and baked beans( the beans were the only disapontment).
The same night is was an early dinner, 5:15 PM at "Fish Bones" 70 Lincoln St. 207-333-3663. Large menu but poor service and ordinary food. Possibly it was because of the short time laps from lunch to dinner.
Shared a bottle of Fume Blanc( too sweet), Lobster Flatbread( the best dish of the dinner) Grouper, Scampi in tomato sauce, Lobster Ravioli( read better than presented), several salads and an Asian Stir Fry, there has to be one in every group.
Saturday, excellent sanwiches from a stand alone bakery, an then an evening with roommates and parents with sandwich trays and ordinary Thai, but very good company and feelings and lots of beer, after all it's college.
Sunday Graduation, as I said, was outstanding, and the picnic lunch a marvel of timing and work by the Bates food service. Dinner was another drive to Protland, approximtely 35 miles, and an outstanding dinner at "Fore Street" 288 Fore St. Portland ME 207-775-2717. If your in the area make a reservation and go. Large menu divided in to categories and all done exceedingly well in an open kitchen with a wood fired brick oven, not just for Pizza( I don't think that item is on the menu). Numerous drinks, hard and soft and lots of food for 9 participants. Chilled seafood plate( cured salmon, pickled halibut etc), several salads, oven roasted pork belly, Jonah Crab( don't miss), Bing cherry salad( a treat), Halibut, Sweetbreads( which could be passed, better elsewhere), Whole Black Bass( don't pass) Vegetable Pasta, Flounder ( outstanding) Artic Char( also excellent as were all the seafood dishes) 3 Charcutere( tongue, duck pate, farm pate), grilled cauliflower, grilled asparagus, and 3 desserts the best in, my opinion, was the orange and rhubarb crisp. They all completly dissapeared, as did we after the meal.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Iteresting Items
I thought I would record some interesting items I've had since my last posting. Since the "blogspot" format no longer comes up I'm giving it a try on what I am presented by the computer.
Yesterday Saturday, we had out of town guests. At 12:30 PM 5 of us went to Finley Market( a mob scene) and ate from various pervayors. Amoung the terrific items I tasted were a grilled Bratwurst from "Eckerlin's", a Gyro, from the indoor stand of the same name, Salmon salad from "Fresh Table" and outstanding Apricot and Cinnamon Geloto from "do-jo". The key lime cupcake from Skirtz and Johnson was not easy to forget.
"Cumin Eclectic Cusine" on Erie, in Hyde Park served some wonderful pork belly, Asian Bar-B-Qued buns with crisp cabbage all enclosed in soft steamed buns. I followed with an Avocado Salad, chunks of exactly ripened avocado mixed with corn bread crutons and seasoned with a slightly spicy greek Yogurt dressing.
"Senate" 1212 Vine Street still puts forth the best mussels in the area while "Abigail Street", right next door, gave us a wonderful lamb salad( arugilla, medium-rare marinated and roasted lamb, sauted, crisp, chickpeas and diced grape tomatoes all covered with excellent Balsamic vinegar. Besides that large salad we were served a bowl of Gnocchi with sweet fresh peas and cut asparagus.
Moving on in the fish department "La Poste" 3410 Telford give us all( 3) perfectly prepared Walleye, either on chopped salas or on new green diced vegetables while the "Oakley Pub" Oakley Square( where 5 streets meet) still turns out the best Grouper sandwich I've run across. Another place that has satisfied my taste for well prepared fish, and other items, is "Cafe Mediterranean" 9525 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash. Their offering a week ago was both striped Bass and very well repared Swordfish.
Last, but not least, was a meal at "Jean Robert's Table" 713 Vine Street which opened my eyes and taste buds with Skate Wings and perfectly roasted rack of Lamb.
And so the "eating out" goes on.
Yesterday Saturday, we had out of town guests. At 12:30 PM 5 of us went to Finley Market( a mob scene) and ate from various pervayors. Amoung the terrific items I tasted were a grilled Bratwurst from "Eckerlin's", a Gyro, from the indoor stand of the same name, Salmon salad from "Fresh Table" and outstanding Apricot and Cinnamon Geloto from "do-jo". The key lime cupcake from Skirtz and Johnson was not easy to forget.
"Cumin Eclectic Cusine" on Erie, in Hyde Park served some wonderful pork belly, Asian Bar-B-Qued buns with crisp cabbage all enclosed in soft steamed buns. I followed with an Avocado Salad, chunks of exactly ripened avocado mixed with corn bread crutons and seasoned with a slightly spicy greek Yogurt dressing.
"Senate" 1212 Vine Street still puts forth the best mussels in the area while "Abigail Street", right next door, gave us a wonderful lamb salad( arugilla, medium-rare marinated and roasted lamb, sauted, crisp, chickpeas and diced grape tomatoes all covered with excellent Balsamic vinegar. Besides that large salad we were served a bowl of Gnocchi with sweet fresh peas and cut asparagus.
Moving on in the fish department "La Poste" 3410 Telford give us all( 3) perfectly prepared Walleye, either on chopped salas or on new green diced vegetables while the "Oakley Pub" Oakley Square( where 5 streets meet) still turns out the best Grouper sandwich I've run across. Another place that has satisfied my taste for well prepared fish, and other items, is "Cafe Mediterranean" 9525 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash. Their offering a week ago was both striped Bass and very well repared Swordfish.
Last, but not least, was a meal at "Jean Robert's Table" 713 Vine Street which opened my eyes and taste buds with Skate Wings and perfectly roasted rack of Lamb.
And so the "eating out" goes on.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Nothing New
The format on the computer has been changed and so I am not sure if this will be added or not.
I am doing a "brown bag lunch" for OLLI (Osher Life Long Learning Institute) on Thursday, May 3, at the UC Blue Ash campus. Paul Weckman, of "Otto's" will accompany me and carry most of the load.
Other than that things have been pretty quiet. Several meals by organizations, to which we belong, some at home and trips to "Otto's"( fried green tomato's, best in the area, and shrimp and gritz), "Nectar" ( Pork Paprikasch)and the "Keystone Grill ( home made chips, excellent, wedge salad, fair, and chilli, also only fair). And that has been it as far as "eating out" is concerned.
As I said I probably wont post much unless there is really something special to report.
Now we'll see what happens, with the computer, when I try to post.
I am doing a "brown bag lunch" for OLLI (Osher Life Long Learning Institute) on Thursday, May 3, at the UC Blue Ash campus. Paul Weckman, of "Otto's" will accompany me and carry most of the load.
Other than that things have been pretty quiet. Several meals by organizations, to which we belong, some at home and trips to "Otto's"( fried green tomato's, best in the area, and shrimp and gritz), "Nectar" ( Pork Paprikasch)and the "Keystone Grill ( home made chips, excellent, wedge salad, fair, and chilli, also only fair). And that has been it as far as "eating out" is concerned.
As I said I probably wont post much unless there is really something special to report.
Now we'll see what happens, with the computer, when I try to post.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Standard 10 days
I'm not sure that there is a lot of value in posting the things we do unless I have something special to report or a cogent comment on some place that makes my writing and your reading worth the time.
I'll put on new places or special meals but just to tell you we average about 3 nights out a week isn't anything worth reporting.
Any way here is what we did since last adding to the Blog.
April 10, dinner at the "Oriental Wok" Hyde Park. Guy Burges again suggested an item or two and I followed while Marilyn didn't. She stuck with Pad Thai, which they do very well, while I had Guy's recommendation of beef with a Chinese green( name unknown) and black mushrooms. Tasty, Crunchy and filling. I always enjoy putting myself in the chef's hands.
April 13, Cafe Mediterranean- 9525 Kenwood Rd. (513) 745-9386. This is our 4th or 5th visit and the food and service remain excellent. Our table of 4 split a "Sampler", 5 or 6 cold appetizers, and then the "other wife" and I split the grilled whole Pompano. I have had grilled fresh fish there several times and never been disapointed. The restaurant has no liquor license so we always bring our own wine, which they handle beautifully.
April 15, "Maggianos" in Kenwood Plaza. A pleasent evening with very decent, fairly standard, Italian fare. Marilyn had Spaghetti with meat sauce while I had "angle hair" with fresh clams( more that enough for two meals). We split a "side salad" and since I love salads I was left wanting more.
April 18, "Enoteca Emilia" 2038 Madison Road (513) 834-5773. They are still doing a bang up job and on the week nights the tremedous crowd seems to have subsided.
The two of us split 3 dishes: a full Caesar Salad (quite enough), "Quattro Formaggi", as the name implies a 4 cheese, white pizza with sliced mushrooms added( a nice touch) and an order of Cauliflower flourets, grilled with a touch of anchovie and lemon. We were all most pleased with the food and the whole experience.
I'll put on new places or special meals but just to tell you we average about 3 nights out a week isn't anything worth reporting.
Any way here is what we did since last adding to the Blog.
April 10, dinner at the "Oriental Wok" Hyde Park. Guy Burges again suggested an item or two and I followed while Marilyn didn't. She stuck with Pad Thai, which they do very well, while I had Guy's recommendation of beef with a Chinese green( name unknown) and black mushrooms. Tasty, Crunchy and filling. I always enjoy putting myself in the chef's hands.
April 13, Cafe Mediterranean- 9525 Kenwood Rd. (513) 745-9386. This is our 4th or 5th visit and the food and service remain excellent. Our table of 4 split a "Sampler", 5 or 6 cold appetizers, and then the "other wife" and I split the grilled whole Pompano. I have had grilled fresh fish there several times and never been disapointed. The restaurant has no liquor license so we always bring our own wine, which they handle beautifully.
April 15, "Maggianos" in Kenwood Plaza. A pleasent evening with very decent, fairly standard, Italian fare. Marilyn had Spaghetti with meat sauce while I had "angle hair" with fresh clams( more that enough for two meals). We split a "side salad" and since I love salads I was left wanting more.
April 18, "Enoteca Emilia" 2038 Madison Road (513) 834-5773. They are still doing a bang up job and on the week nights the tremedous crowd seems to have subsided.
The two of us split 3 dishes: a full Caesar Salad (quite enough), "Quattro Formaggi", as the name implies a 4 cheese, white pizza with sliced mushrooms added( a nice touch) and an order of Cauliflower flourets, grilled with a touch of anchovie and lemon. We were all most pleased with the food and the whole experience.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Slow Week
After a week on the road and also getting prepared for the Easter and Passover weekend we stayed pretty close to home during the last 7 days. We did have one night out and on Easter started with a restaurant visit before moving on to several Easter events. So here is where we went and what we ate.
Thursday night 4 of us went to "Nectar" 1000 Delta Ave. 513-929-0525. There were very few others in attendance and so our table was able to mix and match under Julie Francis's direction. I had an excellent Vishyssoise, creamy and beautifully seasoned. Julie finely chopped some house curred salmon and made an island of this protein in the middle of the bowl. Next came one Cornmeal Crepe filled with fresh asparagus( it's the season and they are everywhere) and several soft creamy cheeses. The top was decorated with slivered spinach leaves and parsley. All was finished under a broiler and the crepe arrived hot and golden.
My last "small plate" was a house made tamale, the cornmeal roll stuffed with a chopped lamb sausage. A mole sauce was the bed on which this rested.
Others had the cornmeal crepes(2) as a main course or either chicken or fish. There were either one or two salads and an 'amuse bush"( crostni lathered with seasoned, hummus and laced with fresh asparagus) for the other three which was served while I enjoyed with my soup.
Easter morning Dim Sum at "King Wok" 203 West McMillan 513-723-1999. We have been eating Dim Sum around the Cincinnati area with another couple for the last couple of years. Usually we venture to the "burbs" but the other couple, who are our guides, because of their China experience, had tried "King Wok" and pronounced it the best of the region. It has two great advantages: in the city, near both of us, and all items are "cooked to order" and served individually hot from the kitchen. Other spots peddle their wares from carts. Also it is extremely reasonable. The patrons were less Asia than at other Dim Sum restaurants as it's proximity to UC populates this spot with students and their friends. The table shared 6 items, pork buns, pineapple buns, two different shrimp dishes, roasted tofu and a chive dumpling. The food was all tasty although my favorite was one of the shrimp dishes in which the scampi were encases in crispy noodles. Hot tea started us on an upbeat Easter.
Thursday night 4 of us went to "Nectar" 1000 Delta Ave. 513-929-0525. There were very few others in attendance and so our table was able to mix and match under Julie Francis's direction. I had an excellent Vishyssoise, creamy and beautifully seasoned. Julie finely chopped some house curred salmon and made an island of this protein in the middle of the bowl. Next came one Cornmeal Crepe filled with fresh asparagus( it's the season and they are everywhere) and several soft creamy cheeses. The top was decorated with slivered spinach leaves and parsley. All was finished under a broiler and the crepe arrived hot and golden.
My last "small plate" was a house made tamale, the cornmeal roll stuffed with a chopped lamb sausage. A mole sauce was the bed on which this rested.
Others had the cornmeal crepes(2) as a main course or either chicken or fish. There were either one or two salads and an 'amuse bush"( crostni lathered with seasoned, hummus and laced with fresh asparagus) for the other three which was served while I enjoyed with my soup.
Easter morning Dim Sum at "King Wok" 203 West McMillan 513-723-1999. We have been eating Dim Sum around the Cincinnati area with another couple for the last couple of years. Usually we venture to the "burbs" but the other couple, who are our guides, because of their China experience, had tried "King Wok" and pronounced it the best of the region. It has two great advantages: in the city, near both of us, and all items are "cooked to order" and served individually hot from the kitchen. Other spots peddle their wares from carts. Also it is extremely reasonable. The patrons were less Asia than at other Dim Sum restaurants as it's proximity to UC populates this spot with students and their friends. The table shared 6 items, pork buns, pineapple buns, two different shrimp dishes, roasted tofu and a chive dumpling. The food was all tasty although my favorite was one of the shrimp dishes in which the scampi were encases in crispy noodles. Hot tea started us on an upbeat Easter.
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