Over-the-Rhine gets new taco bar, coffee and wine spot
Bakersfield OTR, the tacos, tequila and whisky bar on Vine Street in the Gateway Quarter, has opened. They've had cocktails aging in barrels for the last four months that will be ready when they open, including a Manhattan and a Tegroni . They’ll have 45 tequilas, 45 American whiskeys, and they’re also serving a menu of authentic Mexican street food. They’ll be open 4 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday; 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 1213 Vine St. 513-579-0446, facebook.com/bakersfieldotr.
On Monday, the wine bar and coffee lab 1215 opened next door. Owned by the people behind Tazza Mia, it opens at 7 a.m. most days (8 a.m. on Sunday) with coffee from around the world, then shifts to a wine bar at night. 513-381-5800, facebook.com/1215WineCoffee.
Gabby’s owners taking over Sturkey’s building
The building at 400 Wyoming Ave. that started life as a fire station for horse-drawn fire wagons, and then had a few great years as Sturkey’s restaurant and Encore Cafe, has been vacant for four years. That’s about to change.
Dino DiStasi, the owner of Gabby’s, which is just down the street, decided he will turn the building into a restaurant with banquet space and outdoor dining. It will be called DiStasi’s.
The plan is for a 65-70-seat restaurant with entrees and salads based on Italian and other Mediterranean cuisines, including gourmet pizzas and wine. They hope to be open by summer.
Toby Keith’s bar open at the Banks
The country spot Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill at the Banks opened last week for lunch and dinner, and has live country acts lined up.
Smokehouse nachos, fried bologna sandwich, country-fried steak, chili, cobb salad and apple pie all on the menu. A cheeseburger, fries and a soda is on the house for any active military with ID.
145 E. 2nd St., 513-721-8629 (TOBY).
Mayberry restaurant set to open at new location
Mayberry is open at its new location on Main Street, but it won't be the full-blown Mayberry menu. Josh Campbell said that a construction/permitting issue means they won't be ready to serve their full menu right away. So they will be serving barbecue for the first month and will be serving baby back ribs, beef ribs, pork shoulder, their burger, chicken, salmon and shrimp, some grilled items for vegetarians and side items. Their full bar is open.
Campbell said they'll be open with the whole menu the weekend after Bockfest; 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m. -2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 1211 Main St., in the former location of Courtyard Cafe.
Goodcents sandwich shop opens in West Chester
The first local Goodcents franchise opened last week in West Chester. Goodcents is a 22-year-old sandwich chain based in Kansas, with 90 locations around the country. They feature deli-style subs with freshly baked bread and sliced-to-order deli meats and cheeses. There’s a drive-through and online ordering.
The restaurant is located at 9216 Allen Road in the former Tazza Mia off Union Centre Boulevard.
Buffalo Wings & Rings adds 40 menu items
Buffalo Wings & Rings is expanding its offerings, adding 40 new appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches to its menu of wings and sauces.
The local chain also added food and beer pairing suggestions to its menu. New items and suggested pairings include Barbeque Chicken Quesadilla with Budweiser; Chicken and Black Bean Egg Roll with Hoegaarden; and Philly Steak with Stella Artois. The new menu is being rolled out gradually; currently, it’s available at the Eastgate, Fairfield and Finneytown locations.
Info: www.buffalowingsandrings.com
Taste of Northern Cincinnati is Sunday
The Sharonville Chamber of Commerce is again putting on a Taste of Northern Cincinnati, to be held at Princeton High School, noon-4 p.m. Feb 19. Unlike other “Taste of” events, this one is inside, and there is one admission price that gets you all the tastes you want. Some participating restaurants: Mitchell's Fish Market, Uno's, Max & Erma's, Gold Star Chili, LaRosa's, Parkers Blue Ash Tavern, Blue Goose, BJ's and the Iron Horse. Attendees vote on best appetizer, salad/soup, entree and dessert. It's $20; or $17 if you register online. 11080 Chester Road, Sharonville.
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon
Oriental Wok in Hyde Park is offering a Chinese New Year’s Banquet on Feb 19. It includes a number of traditional foods eaten during New Year’s (which is officially over; but it’s still a new year, and Susanna Wong says it’s often celebrated for an extended period of time.) It’s $75 per person.
And, you’ll be following in the footsteps of celebrity; both Lang Lang and Natalie Portman have eaten there recently.
