Shanghai Mama’s reopens
After months of construction delays, Shanghai Mama’s reopened its doors on Monday.
The downtown Chinese restaurant, closed since a fire last fall, will have a freshened and brightened interior and a menu update, with new seafood selections, homemade soups and more vegetarian and gluten-free items joining the popular noodle dishes.
They've also completely overhauled their website.
11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday, 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.
216 E. 6th St. 513-241-7777; www.shanghaimamas.com
Japp’s plans post-brunch festivities on Sundays
Japp’s, local mixologist Molly Wellmann’s craft cocktail bar in Over-the-Rhine, is aiming to become THE destination for after-brunch fun.
Wellmann announced via Facebook last week that she would be opening Japp’s Annex on Sundays with bottomless mimosas and a Bloody Mary stand with specialty versions of the drink. She also plans to provide soul and funk music during the day.
Japp’s Annex will be open every Sunday from 2 p.m. to midnight.
1134 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-1524, www.facebook.com/japps1879
Golden Lamb adds weekend brunch
After more than 200 years in business, The Golden Lamb has added its first weekend brunch menu.
Ohio’s oldest continuously operating inn, located in downtown Lebanon, now offers brunch from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
On the menu are new brunch options, such as the salmon patty “Benedict,” served with a sunny-side up farm fresh egg, hollandaise and skillet potatoes, and The Golden Lamb signature vanilla bean pancakes. Lighter options include an egg white frittata with spinach, mushrooms, shallots and goat cheese, while lunch offerings include: a Grilled Sky Haven Farms ham and cheddar sandwich; beef, lamb or bison burgers; and spicy bronzed chicken and spinach salad.
Golden Lamb standards, such as the roast turkey meal and bison meatloaf from Durham Ranch, are also available for brunch.
513-932-5065; www.goldenlamb.com
Seasons 52 grill, wine bar coming to Rookwood
Seasons 52, a 23-restaurant chain that calls itself a “fresh grill and wine bar,” will open an outpost at Rookwood Exchange next spring.
The chain’s seasonally inspired menu changes four times a year, with weekly specials (hence the “52” in the name) to further take advantage of seasonal ingredients. Selections include steak and cremini mushroom flatbread, cedar plank salmon, caramelized sea scallops and Maui tuna crunch salad.
Nothing on the menu — not even the “Mini Indulgence desserts” — has more than 475 calories. More than 100 wines, including 52 selections by the glass, are on the wine list, which also includes organic wines and a changing selection of “Drink Them Before They’re Famous” recommendations.
At Rookwood Exchange, Seasons 52 will feature a large outdoor patio, a piano bar with live music nightly, three private dining rooms and a chef’s table.
Seasons 52 currently operates in 13 states; the closest outpost is in Indianapolis.
Reser Bicycle Outfitters opens new store in OTR
Reser Bicycle Outfitters has opened its Over-the-Rhine store, 1419 Vine St.
Bryan Horton, who owns the shop with Jason Reser, said the new 1,000-square-foot, 3CDC developed and rehabbed shop at 1419 Vine St. will be more “commuter-oriented” than the Newport store, which carries everything from mountain bikes to road bikes.
Regular hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
513-421-BIKE; www.reserbicycle.com.
Gold Star adds catering
Gold Star Chili recently launched a catering division, meaning that anyone can have its Chilimobile serve cheese coneys and three ways with all of the fixings at their next big event.
The Chilimobile will also make “lunch runs” for organizations with 100-plus employees.
For smaller-scale gatherings, do-it-yourself Cheese Coney and Three-Way bars come pre-packaged to serve 40 people. Traditional catering, wherein food is served buffet-style by staff members, is also offered.
To book Gold Star Chili’s catering services, contact Mike DeLaney, miked@goldstarchili.com or 513-624-4419.
Closings
• Walnut Street Grill has closed. Owner Jeff Ruby said he plans to focus on his other restaurants, including a Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse in downtown Lexington and hopes to repon The Waterfrontt, the floating restaurant that closed in spring 2011 after breaking loose from its Covington moorings during Ohio River flooding. He’s also working on a new location in either West Chester or Springboro.
• After three years in Fort Mitchell, Brewberry Coffee Co. has closed.
• Guys n’ Dolls Restaurant and Night Club in Cold Spring has closed.
