My husband and I just moved from Denver to Cincinnati a week ago and we don't know much about Cincinnati and especially its restaurants. Tomorrow is my husband's birthday and I'd like to take him someplace that is fun and contemporary as opposed to the stuffy steakhouse environment that we seem to find. Where can I find a fresh fun moderately priced restaurant with a good wine list, lighter menu and cool atmosphere? Help!

Try IHOP.

In Paris, you could try Hippo.

Sorry for the joking. It may help to repost with Cincy in the title. Also, check tripadvisor reviews.

Well that was rude. We like Jeff Ruby's Club Tropicana across the river at the Newport Levee. That would be fun, plus you can walk around and enjoy the area a bit.

I meant Pappy's not Star's.

There are so really good restaurants in Cincinnati but the best aren't really moderately priced. For hip and moderately priced, I'd recommend Teller's in Hyde Park Square. However since it is a special occasion and I imagine you'd like something great, here is what I would go with Boca or Pigall's. Both are chef owned and very contemporary - Boca has a more lively atmosphere. I hear Slims & Honey in Northside recommended quite a bit, but I haven't been to either yet (though we have plans to go to Honey in a couple of weeks). If you like seafood, Mitchell's Fish Market at Newport on the Levee is good.

I saw Tropicanna recommended - dh is friends w/the head chef there & it is very good, but it is a steakhouse (with a lively atmosphere though).

snowrooster- Tropicana has seafood, chicken as well. Their pan seared yellowfin tuna is to die for! Check out the menu:
http://www.newportonthelevee.com/dir...ail.aspx?id=24
I like Teller's in Hyde Park, too, really nice place, neat area with nice boutiques. Mitchell's was pretty loud and crowded when we were there. There's a restaurant on Mt Adams that is really cute and fun and it's housed in an old brick foundry with tables in kilns, etc...Rookwood Pottery. Reasonable, good food, fun place. Love the area, too!

I'll third or fourth Tropicana, it is also right across the street from the Hofbrau House (in case you want some oompah music after dinner). The Trop is not stuffy & depending on the night typically has a lot going on towards the weekend (not too sure about a Tuesday though). Try to www.jeffruby.com to check out all of his restaurants (all of which are good).

I actually haven't ever been to Tropicana but would like to go. Dh always goes w/his buddies and his friends sets up something special for them at a very reduced price. I think it's time he takes me so I can benefit from this friendship as well!

Don't know what part of town you are in, but there is a Mitchell's Fish Mkt at Streets of West Chester as well (north of the city off 75). It is definitely not as hopping as the one in Newport but still nice & good food. There is a nice movie theatre there as well.

Cancel my Rookwood Pottery rec. It's called Porkopia now and is more of a rib joint, though the inside is really cute. Anybody know of any cool places on Mt Adams? We used to love the Celestial up there, but now it's a ...drumroll...steak house! LOL! Well, the menu looks great though and the views are wonderful. Anybody been there lately?
http://www.thecelestial.com/pages/6/index.htm

I haven't been to either (we don't get to fancy restaurants as much as we'd like w/a 3 & 5 year old) but in Mt Adams I've heard good things about Mt Adams Fish House and Daveed's. For thai food everyone seems to love Teak in Mt Adams, but the one time we went I wasn't overly impressed.