Mynt Martini

Just east of the passageway to 6th Street on Fountain Square . . .

QCS Quips

Random thoughts . . . Cincinnati related and otherwise

• So Flo’s Plate Full of Soul (or whatever it was called) on Vine Street is already gone.
• Not sure if my fantasy football team is going to be any good.
• The President’s Grove at Eden Park is all messed up with the construction of new paths and re-arranged brick piers. My Rutherford B. Hayes tree better be planted this fall!
• UC football starts next Monday at Rutgers. And with it, the Cincinnati’s Monday Sports Manager blog posts begin again.
• There is still a section of Fountain Square that is under construction. What the freakin’ hell are they doing?! (I asked Fountain Square PR but no response.)
• This summer went fast. November elections will be upon us before you know it.

Homemade Cracklins are like Crack

Lunchtime Tuesday

Music at Piatt Park . . .

And Market on the Square

It really doesn't get much better at lunchtime in Downtown.

Development II

And what most have known for a week or so, Hamburger Mary's is coming back.

Friday Fish Fry Report

This Week: St. Mark’s

A multi-week series highlighting Fish Fries in the Cincinnati area

St. Mark’s Parish is at 3500 Montgomery Road in Evanston. Their Fish Fry ran from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM and took place every Friday during Lent. They served sandwiches and dinners which include fried fish and various sides. Everything is available for dine-in or carry-out and the meal will set you back $7.00 and includes fish, bread, and two sides. Sodas are available for $0.60 and two kinds of cake were available by the slice for $1.00.

I arrived about 5:30 PM in the rain and there was a small group but by the time I left there was a nice, friendly group gathered. The food itself was fantastic. Probably the best fish I had anywhere this lenten season. And the hush puppies and macaroni and cheese were also darn good . . . quite possibly also the best of all the fish fries I’ve been too for those items as well. Oh, and the portions were out of control. I had so much fish I didn’t even get dessert.

So while they didn’t have beer, I will recommend St. Mark’s for the food and I must say other than St. Paul, the people around were also some of the friendliest. It’s nice when someone says hi and asks how you heard about them, etc.

Next Installment: Next Year!

Friday Fish Fry Report

This Week: St. Bartholomew

A multi-week series highlighting Fish Frys in the Cincinnati area

St. Bartholomew is at 9375 Winton Rd. in Finneytown. Yes, I think it was Finneytown. Their Fish Fry runs from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. They serve sandwiches and dinners which include basically baked or fried fish and various sides. I think they had a few other options but I got the dinner for $6.75 which included fish, a side of mac-n-cheese and fries, with lemonade or water included. The reason for going however was the beer - $2.00 bottles. Why else would I travel such distances!

I arrived about 6:o0 PM and there was a nice crowd. People were still ariving when I left. Before doing so I did partake of their selection of desserts for sale for $1.00. My chocolate cake was well worth it.

Final Installment: April 10

Sign of the Times

Another business staying open on weekends!

Servatii at 41 East Court Street is going to be open on Saturdays! Not Sundays . . . but hey, it is a start.

Friday Fish Fry Report

This Week: St. Pius X Parish, Granger, IN

A multi-week series highlighting Fish Frys in the Cincinnati area

Ok, so this isn’t Cincinnati. After a day at Notre Dame, I was directed to a nearby fish fry in Granger, Indiana. The Knights of Columbus put on this all-you-can-eat affair at St. Pius X just north and east of the Notre Dame campus from 4:00 – 7:00 PM every Friday during lent.

For a fairly reasonably $7.50 one can have fish, fries, mac-n-cheese, coleslaw, roll, and a fruit cup. And in true K of C fashion, it is all you can eat. There are no choices of fish and drinks are limited to water or orange drink, but the fried fish and fries were hot and pretty good. I arrived about 4:30 PM and it was just getting going. By the time I left at 5:15, the crowd started to grow.

Thank you to the Information Desk at the Lafortune Student Center for the tip and directions!

Next Installment: April 3

Friday Fish Fry Report

This Week: St. Paul's

A multi-week series highlighting Fish Fries in the Cincinnati area

St. Paul is at 7303 Dixie Highway in Florence. Their Fish Fry runs from about 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM and will take place every Friday during Lent. Run by chefs and including weekly specials, they serve sandwiches and dinners which include both fried and grilled seafood and various sides and items like crab cakes and soups. Everything is available for dine-in or carry-out.

Yes, I went south of the river to Never-Neverland for a fish fry.

I arrived with friends about 6:30 PM and let me tell you it was crowded but a very efficient system gets you in, ordered, paid, and served. I had a fish platter that included fried fish, mac-n-cheese, onion rings, and hush puppies. I then add a crab cake too. It was without question one of the best fish fry food experiences ever. I thought everything was really great. A friend said their mac-n-cheese was just average but I thought it was pretty good for a fish fry. To make it truly excellent, they served beer! We left at 7:30 and while still crowded, the line had finally died down.

But don’t take my word for the quality, here is an article from the Kentucky Post about the place. That was really the reason we went to check it out.

Next Installment: March 27

Coming Soon!

The Righteous Room

641 Walnut Street

A new, Downtown bar from the owners of the Pavilion in Mt. Adams.

Survey Says . . .

The best crepes at It’s Just Crepes (as judged by me).

Top 6 answers on the board . . .

1. Mediterranean w/ Chicken*
Chicken, Feta, Olives, Tomato, Green Pepper, Oregano
* Note: Standard ‘Mediterranean’ does not come with chicken.

2. Cordon Bleu
Swiss, Chicken, Ham, Honey Mustard
3. Club
Swiss, Turkey, Bacon, Tomato, Ranch Dressing

4. Good Morning
Cheddar, Ham*, Egg
* Note: This is good with bacon in lieu of ham too.

5. Buffalo
Blue cheese, Chicken, Buffalo sauce

6. Hawaiian*
Cheddar, Ham, Pineapple, Brown Sugar, Soy Sauce
* Note: This is my friend’s 2nd favorite crepe after the Cordon Blue so I thought I should add it even though I do not like pineapple.

This post is in honor of It’s Just Crepes new expanded hours Monday through Saturday and the all new Sunday hours that started on Monday, March 2.

Located at 39 E. Court Street Downtown, the hours of operation are now:
Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

A couple of things in closing . . .

• It’s Just Crepes also has sweet crepes but I have never had any.
• You can check ‘em out on Facebook
• Get a “Crepe Fan Card” and after your ninth crepe, your tenth one is free.

Friday Fish Fry Report

This Week: St. Teresa of Avila

A multi-week series highlighting Fish Frys in the Cincinnati area

St. Teresa of Avila is at 1175 Overlook Avenue in West Price Hill. Their Fish Fry runs from 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM and will take place every Friday during Lent. Benefiting Boy Scout Troop 271, they serve sandwiches and dinners which include both fried and grilled fish (salmon) and various sides. Children’s meals are also available. Everything is available for dine-in or carry-out and even drive-thru.

Drive-thru!
I arrived a little 5:o0 PM. There was a good crowd but no line. I quickly ordered the Fish Platter which included a fish sandwich, fries, and cole slaw. I added a drink and an additional side of Mac-n-cheese. Total: $6.75

All were pretty good. Fries and fish were warm which can sometimes be a problem at these things. Fries too were fresh and while not homemade were still tasty. The cole slaw was a little “wet” for my taste. Flovor to me was just ok. After sitting down, some kids were walking around with a dessert tray. I splurged and got a piece of chocolate cake for an extra $1.00. All-in-all, well worth it for the price. By the time I left, there was definately a crowd forming.
Next Installment: March 20
(Next Friday is the “Art of Food” Opening at The Carnegie and March 13 is Friday Night Fights at the CAC so no installments of the Friday Fish Fry Report until March 20.)

Fish Frys!

Ok, so tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. For many it is a time of fasting . . . and for others, Fish Frys! I'm a big fan of the Fish Fry, especially here in the birthplace of the Fillet-O-Fish.

I think I want to do a tour this Lent. I think I am starting at St. Teresa of Avila on Friday. Think it would be weird to do a weekly Fish Fry blog post? I know . . . this coming from someone doing an NCAA style tournament of local buildings.

Where are your favorites? Anyone know any downtown or in Over-the-Rhine?

Immaculate Heart of Mary Fish Fry photo from Cincinnati Enquirer, April 2, 2003.

Restaurant Review: Orchids at Palm Court

Sunday Brunch

I had always wanted to go to Sunday Brunch at the Palm Court in the Hilton Netherlands but had never been. Spending a small fortune for an all you can eat buffet seemed a little wasteful because I just didn’t think I could eat that much. But a few weeks ago a friend moved to Florida. We were trying to figure out a place to do dinner one last time but we could not coordinate our schedules. So I suggested Sunday Brunch in one of the most glorious interior spaces in Cincinnati – the Palm Court.

I went not really caring what it would cost so I’ll get to that at the end.

Arriving, there was a nice crowd but it was not packed by any means. A few empty tables did looked reserved so we were seated near the bar area. The bartender was our server and while he was good, he was as attentive as he could be given that he had other things to manage. Thankfully, it was a buffet and you do not need the server that much.

The brunch itself is fairly large including different selection tables including warm breakfast foods, breakfast pastries, made-to-order omelets, various cheeses, warm lunch and seafood selections, a carving station, and desserts. The website calls it "a splendid array of delicacies". If you couldn’t find something you liked you are crazy. That said, there is a lot of food and I know I did not try half of it. The breakfast selections were my favorite.

So the price of the Sunday Brunch for an adult is $29.95 not including tax, tip, and drinks. (It might include some drinks; I am just not sure.) Was it worth it? I guess for this special occasion it was. However, call me cheap, I just do not know if I get the value out of it for a more than a special occasion. The setting is fabulous but no way can I eat $30 dollars worth of food at noon. Even if it includes Prime Rib and crab legs! For Sunday Brunch, I honestly think Grand Finale’s is still my favorite. It is focused more on breakfast and doesn’t have quite the setting but it is still quaint, it less expensive ($15.50), and has my favorite chocolate mouse.

Sunday Brunch at Orchids at Palm Court is Sundays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Photo from Orchids at Palm Court website.

New Restaurant on 7th

Gilpin's Bagel & Deli

Not sure when it opens but I hear the concept is based on Bagel & Deli in Oxford, Ohio.

Bootsy's

Bootsy's restaurant is taking shape baby!

Let Them Eat . . . Lunch!

It’s Just Crepes, 39 E. Court Street
Revisited!

I’ve now been to It’s Just Crepes three times and I have an update.

First, they have expanded their drink selection. Turns out their fountain drink dispenser just hadn’t been installed at the time of the opening. They now serve fountain drinks (Coke products) and iced tea in addition to their bottled selection. And speaking of bottled selections, they now also have Diet Snapple! Thank You!

Second, I have now tried the BBQ (Chicken, Green Peppers, BBQ Sauce & Sour Cream) and the Buffalo (Chicken, Blue Cheese, & Buffalo Sauce) in addition to my original Cordon Blue. All good but the Cordon Blue is still my favorite. Co-workers have also tagged along now and between all of them they have had the Cordon Blue (x2), Mexican (Chicken, Cheddar Cheese, Salsa, & Sour Cream), and the Hawaiian (Ham, Pineapple, Cheddar Cheese, & Brown Sugar and Soy Sauce). They all said they would come back.

Let Them Eat . . . Lunch!

It's Just Crepes: 39 E. Court Street

I headed over to It's Just Crepes for an early lunch today to check it out for the first time. Confession - I've never had a crepe before. Savory, Sweet or otherwise. So I wasn't sure what to expect. In short, it was fantastic.

They have two types of crepes - savory and sweet. So for lunch I tried the Cordon Bleu which had chicken, ham, Swiss cheese and honey mustard inside a folded crepe that you eat sort of like a sandwich or sort of like a burrito. At $6.19 it was the most expensive crepe on the menu but it just sounded good.


Oh, and it was good. Quickly prepared to order, I made quick work of eating it. And it was by no means small. You can get chips to go with your crepe but I decided I didn't need them. With drink and tax my meal was $8.29.


A few additional thoughts . . .
- I really liked the honey mustard on the Cordon Bleu crepe. It added a nice flavor component. Next time I get that, I'm getting extra mustard.
- Interiors were bright, breezy, and clean.
- My only recommendation: I'd like them to carry a Diet Snapple, either Raspberry or Lemon, in addition to the regular.

I might come back tomorrow with friends and if I do I think I'm going to try the Buffalo (Chicken, Bleu Cheese, and Buffalo sauce).

It's Just Crepes
Hours (as of 9/15/08):
Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Coming Soon

On Fountain Square