A Couple of Days in Cincinnati
 

We are going to spend a couple of days in Cincinnati at the end of August. We will be staying downtown at the Millenium. I have been reading about some of the newer restaurants downtown such as Nada, Via Vite and McCormick & Schmicks. Any comments on any of these or suggestions for other restaurants within walking distance? Or how about Primavista? Is it worth getting into the car and driving out to? We also enjoy taking a morning and visit an antique mall or flea market. The Brass Armidillo was one of our favorites, but it was in the process of closing when we visited Cincinnati last year. Anyplace new this year? I have read about a couple of flea markets (Traders World?) off of I-75, north of Cincinnati. Does anybody know anything about thes and if they are worth the trip up there?

My personal favorites are any of the Ruby Restaurants. Jeff Ruby's downtown corner of 7th and Walnut, The Waterfront(excellent), in Covington west of the John Roebling Suspension Bridge. If you want to drive, the Precinct(very good) out Columbia Parkway (Columbia Tusculum area) or Karlo and Johnny (excellent) on Montgomery Road.
Not into antiques so I cannot help you. I do know there is an antiques place in Florence, KY (15-20 from downtown Cinti)

I agree w/ Kygirl as far as restaurants. My favorite is the Tropicana over on Newport on the Levee. There is also (one of the 3)HofbrauHauses there as well. In addition, Jean-Robert @ Pigalls on 4th is quite good. Newport is an easy/cheap cab ride, or you can hike across the bridge if you are so inclined. M & S is a chain, a good chain, but a chain nonetheless.

If our last experience at M&S in Sacramento is typical, I wouldn't recommend it. Forgettable at best. I should have known by the fact there was hardly anyone in there. I'd go for something unique to the area. I'm reading this thread with interest since I might have a trip to Cinncinati coming up.

I've been to Nada once and thought it was great. Via Vite is a nice spot for drinks on the balcony, but I'd recommend their sister restaurant, Nicola's. Pricey, but so good. It's an easy cab drive.

Don't forget Graeters on Fountain Square.

When I happen to be in Cincinnati I head straight for my fix of Cincinnati chili at Gold Star or Skyline. It is one thing I miss since living there years ago. If you haven't had the authentic stuff, you owe it to yourself to try it. It bears no connection to chili as you know it. I order it "3 way." I also like Izzy Kadets for deli.

McCormick & Schmicks is a national chain that IMO charges too much for unremarkable food.

What basingstoke2 said. Cincinnati chili is unique to the area, and Skyline or Gold Star are good spots for it. It adds sweet spices and chocolate to a more traditional chili recipe and is usually eaten on spaghetti. Adding shredded cheese, chopped onion, or kidney beans is a good idea -- it becomes a 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way as a result. A 5-way with a couple cheese coneys (little hot dogs with cheese and chili) is a very good way to go.

Then follow Syd's advice and get ice cream at Graeter's.

I'm assuming since you have been here before that you know about Ruby's (my first choice). He was closing Tropicana last I heard and it is no longer on his web site. There is a new restaurant (locally owned) next door to it called the Reserve (this is on the Levee). We were there when it first opened and liked it. There is also an Oceannaire (another chain) and a Brazilian Steak House downtown. I have heard different things about all these restaurants -- check out their menus and prices and try for yourself. For instance, we were at Nada and I liked it, but one of the people I was with would never go back.

I've always liked the Primavista, but haven't been there in a year or so. Have you been to Hyde Park yet? Redd restaurant is very good -- and we walked to Graeter's down the street for dessert.

Can't really help you with flea markets, but if you are going to Traders World there are some good restaurants up West Chester way. Jag's for instance.

I'll second the Cincinnati chili suggestion, although I guess it's really "third" it. You can get "fine dining" anywhere in the world, but you can only experience Cincinnati chili in Cincinnati. the only thing I'll differ with the others on is eating at either Gold Star or Skyline. You must eat at both. How else will you know which one you prefer. I think Skyline has the edge.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Jean-Robert's places. Jean-Robert's at Pigalls is phenomonal. Very close to Millenium. Boi na Braza is the brazillian steak place that's getting great reviews as well, it's right on fountain square.

Traders World has one good vender for every 20 crap venders. Good luck if you go.

Too bad they are closing the Tropicana. I'll also go w/the chili, when you have lived in that area, you tend to take it for granted. Pirish - i did, lol.

I live in Louisville, Kentucky, and occasionally go up to Cincinnati for a day trip or weekend.

For antiques- I would highly recommend the Duck Creek Antique Mall (on Madison Rd.). I believe they're open 7 days a week. I have also seen good reviews of the Florence Antique Mall, though I've not been there. This place is about 20 minutes south of Cincinnati, along Interstate-71, in Florence, KY. It's on the far (South) end of the Mall road, which runs behind the Florence Mall. There are signs.

For dining, if you like ribs, I'd recommend the Boathouse location of the Montgomery Inn. It's located on the riverfront, just upriver (East) of the yellow bridge (which is, I think, the I-475 bridge). They have good ribs, good salads, wine and cocktails, strawberry shortcake, and a view of the river.

Prima Vista has always been on of my faves, particularly for the view as well as the cuisine. Re: Antiques - I would not go to the flea markets up north - imo definitley not worth it. However for an excursion you may want to drive up north to Waynesville & Lebanon. (near each other). Not only antiques, but wonderful small towns. http://www.waynesvilleohio.com/members/Antiques.htm
http://www.waynesvilleshops.com/

I agree with many of the previous suggestions but I would also suggest two other Jean-Robert restaurants, Jean-Ro's and Chalk Food & Wine. Both are substantially less expensive than Pigall's which can easily run well over $100 per person.

Jean-Ro's is a French bistro on Vine Street between 4th and 5th Streets. Excellent food and nice casual atmosphere. Also half priced bottles of wine on Sunday nights! Can have a great dinner for two with a bottle of wine for $100.

Chalk Food & Wine is in Covington on Greenup Street just the other side of the historic Roebling Bridge. This is a very nice walk from downtown over the Ohio River. This Jean-Robert restaurant is extremely good also and pricing is about the same as Jean-Ro's.

In any case, enjoy your weekend in the Queen City.

I lived in Cincinnati for 5 years while in graduate school at UC. Didn't have much money then but if you want the true taste of Cincinnati (this is what I do when I get a chnace to go) is a meal at Skyline Chilli, icecream at Grater's, a bottle or two of Christian Morlein beer (very Cincy). A trip to Mount Adams and a lunch/dinner at Montogomery Inn (they have opened one in downtown/Riverfront).

Banarasi

Hi Don,

I just wrote to your other post about downtown- was thrilled to see two posts on Cincy!

I can't rave highly enough about Nada. WOW- amazing mexican, fresh ingrediants, fun atmosphere.

Also in easy walking distance to the Millenium is Palomino, which has a great happy hour/cocktail bar area that overlooks Fountain Square. I haven't eaten there for dinner, but love the happy hour food items- grilled mushrooms, bruschetta, individualized pizzas, salads, etc. It feels upscale. We've also gone there after dinner for drinks.

For steak, yes, you have Ruby's... but our favorite is The Phoenix on 8th Street. It's an open room, not as shiny as Ruby restaurants, but feels so classy and old school. The service is impeccable.

Sunday brunch- check out the Omni Netherland Plaza. One of the best in the city.

Restaurants right across the river in Main Strasse that are excellent are Chez Nora- especially for Sunday brunch, Dee Felice- food and live jazz club, and Bouquet, a new wine bar.

Wow, now I'm hungry :)

Enjoy your visit!

Emily

We live up north and east of Cincinnati in Warren County, closer to the flea markets and I don't think you'll find many antiques there. I like the suggestion of going to Lebanon and/or Waynesville for antiquing. Lebanon is a beautiful little town and both are full of antique shops.

Have fun!

My favorite Cincinnati choices are Skyline for the chili (it's really Greek spaghetti, but WOW!), Montgomery Inn rib (I prefer the location in Montgomery over the Boathouse if the one in Montgomery is still there), and Graeters for ice cream.

I moved away from Dayton, Ohio (just north of Cinci) about 6 years ago, and those are still my favorite "flavors." So much, that I found the recipe for Skyline Chili and I now make it for all my Ohio transplant friends and just just love me for it. :) I also got the recipe for the rib sauce, so I get to have that too. As for the ice cream, well, I've developed my own line of flavors (homemade ice cream) to get my "fix."

I heard that the Boathouse just wasn't as good as it used to be back in the early 90s. Upon my last couple of visits there, I tend to agree which is why I prefer the location in Montgomery. Oh, and don't get the baked potato with your ribs...order the Saratoga chips. First-timers often make this mistake and order the potato.

Hum...I see you're going to Cinci at the end of August...guess you're there now. :) Well, maybe this info will be of use to someone who has plans to go to Cinci at a later time.

i understand this won't help you don, but will help future fodorities


well i disagree about Mccormick and schmicks!!! I thought the food was wonderful! Worth the money! Me and my husband still talk about it and we went up for labor day weekend (the webn fireworks are awesome)

The brewmasters is also a nice restaurant.... they make their own beer, the sampler is fun with friends

Obviously gold star is the best haha!
we import it to florida every chance we get!
i also think la rosa's is a must too! we import that as well!

And we stayed at the westin and the hyatt regency.... the hyatt we enjoyed because we watched a 30 minute fireworks display from the top floor! we were extremely upgraded.. we bought off expedia and got a room not expediaesque
and the westin we had a nice room with a view of fountain square... we watched transformers on the jumbotron from the bed! it was fantastic....

Brass Armadillo is just a chain of malls through the country. Cincy and environs can be antiquing heaven. Go across the River to the German neighborhood. Go up the road to Lebanon for REAL antiquing heaven. Eat lunch at the Golden Lamb (an inn since Revolutionary days) Go to Oxford (30 minutes) and antique there--GOOD stuff. And there is another whole town of shops just north and east of Cincy--Waynesville. EXCELLENT especially for American primitives.
Findlay Market is an old time good farmer's market. Jungle Jim's is a Trader Joe's style market--fun.
If you want two antique malls to spend the day in go to I70 toward Springfield (between I75East and Springfield). Spend the entire day.