Out to Eat: Bootsy's

Is there any doubt that the Ruby Roll from Bootsy's was conceived by Jeff Ruby? (Credit: David Sorcher | Metromix)

Bootsy Collins is a Cincinnati native and living music legend. Jeff Ruby is one of the top restaurateurs in town. So what happens when the two join forces?

They create the eclectic, energetic restaurant/nightspot that is Bootsy's Produced by Jeff Ruby.

ONE RESTAURANT UNDER A GROOVE

Remember Tropicana, Ruby's popular nightspot at Newport on the Levee? If so, you'll likely find yourself right at home at Bootsy's.

The perfectly purple doors are a bit of a tease leading to the small stage and memorabilia collection located downstairs. Turn up the stairs to the right, however, and you'll start heading up a path to what might best be described as a living, breathing Dr. Seuss book. Be it the 360-degree bar, the open-kitchen dining hall with adjacent sushi counter, the "Bootsy Room" or outdoor patio overlooking Walnut Street, every area of Bootsy's is an experience within itself.

As one might expect, plenty of music-related memorabilia - Rolling Stone covers, instruments, gold and platinum records, photos of Bootsy and Ruby with other celebrities - is splashed throughout the restaurant. All this is set against the kaleidoscope-like purple, yellow, red and green hues amid a mix of brick, hardwood floors and funky seating befitting its namesake.

Oddly enough, the one element missing is the one that seems the most obvious: the funk! (The mix of bland drum 'n' bass and generic Latin music we heard throughout the night just wasn't cutting it.)

MUNCHIES 'N' MUSIC

As one might expect, the menu at Bootsy's is as cool as Collins himself. Reflecting its Mediterranean/Spanish/Asian architectural influence, the menu boasts a mix of tapas, paellas, sushi, large plates and even a few Peruvian specialties.

My friend and I started our evening with the calamari ($8), which, thanks in part to accompanying candied chili and lime/cilantro dipping sauces, was a solid choice. Our entrées, however, proved to be a bit more confounding.

Eyeing the sushi menu, my friend settled on an item our server told us has become quite popular: The "Ruby roll" - tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado and tempura crunch with three types of roe, wrapped in pink soy paper with a side of wasabi ($16). I had to agree it tasted a bit like a sushi sandwich due to the unique soy wrapping. It wasn't bad, just different - the same thing my friend said about her cucumber martini ($9).

I wish I could tell you about the mariscos (seafood) linguine ($16); our server, however, thought I ordered "paella mariscos" ($28) - which resulted in my shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels being served over bomba rice and piquillo peppers instead of pasta. The mistake turned out to be one I could live with.

We rounded out the evening with a delicious Spanish-style "creme de Catalana" crème brûlée ($6), ready to get down for the funk of it.

MENU SAMPLER

APPETIZERS, SMALL PLATES & SKEWERS
Cigalas (whole blue prawns), $13

SUSHI
Ruby roll - Yellowtail tuna, salmon, scallops, avocado and tempura crunch wrapped in pink soy paper with a side of wasabi ($16)

PAELLA
Valenciana - Bomba rice, chicken, pork, chorizo, saffron and rosemary ($24, intended for two)

CEBICHE (TRADITIONAL PERUVIAN DISH)
"Leche de Tigre-Tuna" - Calamari with coconut milk, lime and chiles and cachca ($16)

LARGE PLATES
Short Ribs "Rabo de Toro" - With grilled arepa, queso fresco and Rioja red sauce ($21)

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