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First Watch wins the Best Breakfast and Best Brunch categories so mightily that everyone else might as well have not bothered to show up. Also-rans include Waffle House, Inn the Wood and National Exemplar. Best Cheap Eats goes, by practically unanimous declaration, to Zip's Cafe. Best Chili (Chain) is equally decisive, with Skyline winning over Gold Star 5-1. In the Best Chili (Non-Chain), Pleasant Ridge Chili dominates over the Camp Washington, Price Hill and Blue Ash chili parlors.
Best Chinese goes to China Gourmet, followed by Pacific Moon. Best Coffeehouse goes to Kaldi's, followed by Starbucks. Scalea's wins Best Deli, though Izzy's comes in a close second. Black Forest wins Best German, followed by Forest View Gardens, Mecklenburg Gardens and Lenhardt's. Tucker's wins Best Hole in the Wall, though Anchor Grill could have taken the category at almost any moment in the close voting. Ice cream? Graeter's of course, though Aglamesis and UDF have respectable showings. Best Italian is Barresi's, followed by Pompilio's and Biagio's Bistro. For Best Burger & Fries, it's the once and future king of this category, Zip's; Johnny Rocket's is a distant second. Best Mexican is, by a big margin, El Coyote, with Don Pablo's trailing. Best Middle Eastern/Indian is Sitar, with Ambar India close on its trail.
The competition for Best New Restaurant was stiff, but Habaoero wins over runner-up Daveed's by a 2-1 margin. The vote for Best Pizza is unequivocable: Dewey's. Best Salad and Best Vegetarian go soundly to the newly reopened Mullane's. For Best Seafood, readers choose, with little debate, Michael G's. The same is true for Best Smoothie (Smoothie King), Best Steaks (The Precinct) and Best Sweets (Aglamesis Bros.). For Best Takeout, our UC contingent weigh in heavily on Thai Express, with What's for Dinner coming in second.
Click here for the Best Eats Story.
Scroll down this page for Staff and Reader picks!
Jump Cafe, formerly the Main Street Brewery and Swing Lounge. This OTR spot has been gussied up with a great interior design. It's sleek, chic, fun, hip and classy, looking like it came straight out of the New York scene. The tapas menu, served at dinnertime only, includes 25 items: pork ravioli, calamari, shrimp and more. Awesome. Plus big-ass tasty cosmopolitans. Jump Cafe, 1203 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 665-4677.
Mullane's is back after a brief hiatus, same as it ever was, same as it ever was. Audrey Cobb, the last chef to work there before longtime proprietor David Tape left and the doors were shuttered, bought the place. Hearty vegetarian fare, art on the walls, familiar faces waiting tables. The only thing missing is Tape greeting folks at the door. Mullane's Parkside Cafe, 723 Race St., Downtown, 381-1331.
The weekend Dim Sum at Grand Oriental offers mouthfuls of frog legs, squid and sticky rice that'll make you forget you're in white-bread Cincinnati. The endless parade of metal dim sum carts and largely Asian clientele furthers the fantasy. A word of advice: Grab the sugary pineapple buns fast. The desserts never come around when you need them. Grand Oriental, 4800 Fields-Ertel Road, Symmes Twp., 677-3388.
Crab 'n' Creations serves up a varied and incredibly extensive menu of shellfish - au gratin, deepfried or sauteed - including king crab, snow crab, blue crab, Dungenesss, lobster, you name it. Crab 'n' Creations, 433 Johnson St., Covington, 491-9888. The chuba cabre at Habaņero's. It's a pumpkin, butternut and acorn squash burrito, accented with a salsa of chopped green apples and green chilies. Habañero's, 358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 961-6800.
Trust a bakery in an old ethnic neighborhood to turn out the finest of these German delicacies in the city. St. Lawrence Bakery does pfeffernuesse cookies up right, with spicy molasses and just the right dusting of sugar. St. Lawrence Bakery, 3715 St. Lawrence Ave., Price Hill, 921-3331.
Daveed's, the sleek new bistro in the old Adrica's Pizza spot in Mount Adams. The risotto verduri offers large curls of pecorino romano with sauteed mushrooms and peppers and red wine emulsion. It's just one example of the original menu offerings, food combinations and food presentation here. Very vegetarian-friendly, too! Daveed's at 934, 934 Hatch St., Mount Adams, 721-2665.
Plaza 600 Seafood Grille has made quite an impact with its new seafood-oriented offerings. Even though its slumbering next-door neighbor, the Aronoff Center for the Arts, doesn't send as many patrons to the restaurant as they'd probably like, Plaza 600 (and its new bookend down the block, Jeff Ruby's) has breathed life into the Backstage Entertainment District. Try the steamed mussels appetizers; oysters stuffed with crab, spinach and smoked cheddar; and pan-fried lake walleye with cranberry/ mandarin-orange compote. Plaza 600 Seafood Grille, 600 Walnut St., Downtown, 721-8600.
Sonoma just about knocks you over with friendly servers, hosts and bus staff. The menu is marketed as California-Mediterranean, featuring dishes like Tunisian Chicken, spiced and served with a wild pistachio-studded couscous. And don't miss the sumptuous tiramisu. Sonoma, 313 Greenup St., Covington, 261-7626.
Kaldi's continues to impress with excellent, creative food and hot beverage selections. It's still Cincinnati's center of hip coffeehouse culture. But it's also still the worst service in town. It's virtually self-serve, always having to leave the table to find your server when you need anything from a refill to a check. Kaldi's Coffeehouse & Bookstore, 1204 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 241-3070.
The green curry chicken at Teak, one of the best Thai restaurants in town. Teak Thai, 1051 St. Gregory St., Mount Adams, 665-9800.
The savory creation at Bangkok Thai, with coconut milk, potatoes, pineapple, ground carrots and chopped peanuts. Bangkok Thai, 1055 Main St., Milford, 248-4853.
The Abracadabra Cafe, where a rotating staff of 25 local magicians stroll from table to table performing sleight-of-hand tricks and other entertaining acts of illusion for mystified diners. Presto, chango, watch me pull an Angus steak out of my hat! Abracadabra Cafe, 622 Riegert Square, Fairfield, 895-2233.
The Comet continues serving up burritos that slay. Play some pool, jam with the best jukebox in town and satisfy your late-night cravings. For food, anyway. The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 541-8900.
Two-legged carnivores know that everything that bleeds is top-notch at Ebert's, the long-time Newport butcher shop. The real action occurs on Friday mornings, when the veteran carvers here turn whole sides of beef into steaks, roasts and ribs. Yum. Ebert's Meat Market, 939 Monmouth St., Newport, 261-4648.
While some would suggest the best frog's legs are the ones that remain on the frog, fans of this dish head to the Houston Inn, which labels itself the "frog legs king of Ohio." We'll give the title to them, as well. Houston Inn, 4026 U.S. 42, Mason, 398-7377.
Fans of Mongolian barbecue or the Melting Pot style of cooking your meal yourself will like Chung Kiwha Korean Barbecue. You grab a dish, pile on from the buffet of raw ingredients, then prepare them at your table's private charcoal grill. Chung Kiwha Korean Barbecue, 7800 Commerce Drive, Florence, 525-9978.
The chocolate bread pudding at Daveed's, outfitted with glazed bananas and peanut butter ice cream. Daveed's at 934, 934 Hatch St., Mount Adams, 721-2665.
The eggplant flan, if you can believe it, at Nicola's. Served with tomato sauce, it's healthy as well as tasty. Nicola's, 1420 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine, 721-6200.
The Siesta Key Cocktail at First Watch. And it's healthy, too. First Watch, 8118 Montgomery Road, Madeira, 891-0088; 2692 Madison Road, Norwood, 531-7430; 700 Walnut St., Downtown, 721-4744; 11301 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township, 489-6849.
The banana cream pie at Trio's. You simply have to save room for this. Trio's, 7565 Kenwood Road, Kenwood. 984-1905.
Madison Ridge Farms at Findlay Market. Only serious foodies even know about black trumpet mushrooms. But aspiring gourmets in need of fresh chantrelle, shitake and portabella mushrooms, or organic sweet potatoes for that matter, know that this Findlay Market stand is essential. Madison Ridge Farms, Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine.
The salmon poppers at Margo & Jimmy's feature chunks of salmon lathered in dill and garlic, then deep-fried to a crunchy perfection. Margo & Jimmy's, 404 Pike St., Covington, 581-3730.
Some people would argue that there is, of course, no such thing. But if you must consume okra, the dish at funky and fun Manhattan West is fried to the point where it actually verges on tasty. Manhattan West, 6041 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 531-7222.
The red beans and rice from Jozo's. Add some Zydeco music, mix up a batch of hurricanes and, presto, you'll be second-lining in no time. Let the good times roll! Jozo's Bayou Gumbo, 11378 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township, 530-5500.
The Bonbonerie's "yule logs" are done up especially for the holiday season. Garnished with meringue mushrooms and candy canes, this chocolate mousse cake is a decadent delight. The Bonbonerie, 2030 Madison Road, 321-3399.
Old Timber Inn might have 125 years of history, but the Northside restaurant is better known for its orange, flourescent sign touting Half Fish Log/SteakFr es/ ot Slaw/ $5.95. Don't let the sign scare you away. Frying is an art, especially with a thick piece of cod, and the Old Timber Inn does it best. Make sure you get a side of the homemade tartar sauce, too. It spanks that Frisch's stuff. Old Timber Inn, 4330 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, 681-8149.
Stenger's Cafe. A fresh coat of paint and new ownership hasn't changed the atmosphere of this venerable Over-the-Rhine saloon. The steam table still delivers the goods: breaded pork chops, hot roast beef sandwiches and saurbraten. Previous owner Leo Sunderman would be proud. Stenger's Cafe, 1720 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 721-4346.
El Coyote, heretofore known for its Mexican fare, offers a potato that's sooooo good. El Coyote, 7404 State Road, Anderson Township, 232-5757; 10900 New Haven Road, Harrison, 367-7777; 3041 Dixie Highway, Edgewood, 331-6767.
The Chop Chop Salad at Palomino. Palomino Euro Bistro, Fountain Place, Fifth and Vine Sts., Downtown, 381-1300.
Nicholson's offers more than a dozen brews on tap, with a few Celtic brands not found in abundance locally (Belhaven Scottish Ale and Ruddles County to name a couple, plus a rotating selection of double-fermented hand-pumped beers such as Black Sheep Riggwelter). Nicholson's, 625 Walnut St., Downtown, 564-9111.
HockingHills Hefeweizen and Red Legg Ale at BarrelHouse, which still brews its own premium beer and serves it on site. The Hefeweizen is light and pungent, enjoyed with a slice of lemon, and the Red Legg Ale is hearty and spicy. They're good for what ales you. BarrelHouse Brewing, 22 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, 749-2337.
The demise of those all-smoking cigar clubs. The Private Smoking Club, for instance, is now One Eyed Jack's restaurant and bar. Hack. Not a nicotine nanosecond too soon for our lungs. One Eyed Jack's, Mt. Lookout Square, Mount Lookout, 871-5006.
Well, if you gotta light up with lunch or dinner, there's no cooler spot than the two-table smoking section at Arloi Dee. It's tucked away in the front room. Very cozy, and very good Thai food. Arloi Dee, 18 E. Seventh St., Downtown, 421-1304.
The lobster and andouille paella at Bistro 151, loaded with mussels, shrimp and chicken in addition to the crustaceans. Bistro 151, 151 Goodman Drive, Clifton, 487-3800.
The New Zealand Cockles at the resurrected Prime & Wine. This is one of the few area restaurants to feature these tender, tasty mollusks, which are somewhat smaller than a clam. Served with sherry and shallot sauce on focaccia toast points, they're no less than succulent. Prime & Wine, Sycamore Plaza, 7800 Montgomery Road, Kenwood, 936-WINE.
Floyd's not only serves the best spit-roasted chicken in town, but it dresses up the chicken with killer sides, especially baba ganouje and lima beans. Now if you can only figure out when they're open. Floyd's, 129 Calhoun St., Corryville, 221-2434.
Just down from Floyd's is Cody's Cybercafe, where you can eat, drink and e-mail to your heart's content. For suburbanites, another fun e-spot is the Java Hut and Cybercafe in Loveland, where you get full use of computers and Internet access along with your sandwich. Cody's Cybercafe, 113 Calhoun St., Corryville, 569-0555; The Java Hut and Cybercafe, 10576 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, 697-9910.
The reappearance of Rosemary's Piglet, once a menu favorite at diJohn's Restaurant. No, diJohn's hasn't made a comeback, but former diJohn's owner Lee Bledsoe has opened A'meretta Cafe and brought the piglet back. A'meretta Cafe, 4632 Eastern Ave., Linwood, 871-7177.
At Shanty's, where they serve chateaubriand, shrimp, scallops and salmon on skewers. The chef tells us this isn't a regular menu item, but it's so popular as a special that he'll make it on request. Call ahead, though. Shanty's Steak and Fish, 5959 Kellogg Ave., California, 231-2312.
At Garzelli's Grinder & Pizza Co., where they make their sub sandwiches the way you'd expect to get authentic grinders: hot out of the oven. Garzelli's Grinder & Pizza Co., 637 Ohio Pike, Withamsville, 947-9000.
The creamy succulent version served at Ingram's. A drive, but worth it. Ingram's, 6 E. Lickert Road, Alexandria, 635-0022.
Tucker's Restaurant, where young hipsters, downtown power brokers and wannabe Rap artists gather elbow-to-elbow. Maybe it's the egg sandwiches. Then again, the vegetarian omelet and fancy potatoes are addictive. Tucker's Restaurant, 1637 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 241-3354.
At the Cafe at the Giminetti Baking Co. Try, for instance, the cialotto. It's a bumpy bread circle (think focaccia) loaded with ham or bacon, cheddar, mushrooms, onions and more. Cafe at the Giminetti Baking Co., 2900 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills, 751-7655.
Try the wonderfully tacky Spare-Time Grill. It's a brick shack with a 1950s neon sign (appropriate, since that's when it opened) and a classic counter with a short-order grill, where you see your eggs flipped and country ham fried. Like something out of a film noir, only in color and you can smell the grease. Spare-Time Grill, 7807 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, 635-5542.
Anthony's, a brand-new eatery on the West side (there's an oxymoron for you), offers fresh takes on pasta dishes, such as the Asian stir-fry seasoned pork atop noodles. Anthony's Restaurant, 3613 Harrison Ave., Cheviot, 389-9222.
The wacky but delicious "Green Asparagus and Ham (Sam I Am)" pizza at Pizza Nuova. It's layered with asparagus spears, spicy Capacola ham, brie and garlic cloves. Other offbeat pizzas here feature shrimp, scallops, baja cactus chorizo sausage and smoked gouda. Pizza Nuova, 7759 Five Mile Road, Anderson Twp., 231-6111.
At deSha's, where occasional tastings feature a sampling of single-barrel bourbons, plus a menu of whiskey-cured salmon, salad with bourbon vinaigrette, bourbon beef tenderloin and whiskey bread pudding. Hic. Who's the designated driver here? deSha's American Tavern, Harper's Point, Symmes Twp., 247-9933.
The incredibly politically incorrect veal meat loaf at Pane e Vino. We feel guilty enjoying it so much. Pane e Vino, 2724 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 321-7100
At the late, lamented Lenhardt's. The Clifton Heights institution closed in January, the worst news for schnitzel lovers since the departure of Grammer's. While the restaurant has reopened with a new theme and menu, the schnitzels are gone for good. Can't this town, of all towns, support more than one or two German eateries? All we can say is auf Wiedersehen.
Copeland's of New Orleans is finally coming to town. The Cajun-Creole outlet opens later this month, with live New Orleans Jazz on the weekends. Copeland's of New Orleans, 5150 Mercen Drive, Mason, 336-0043.
The winner of last year's "Best Kentucky Hot Brown" was the Garten Haus restaurant, which proceeded to burn down months later. Good news: They plan a reopening this summer. Garten Haus, Shelby and Main streets, Florence, 282-9594.
Anderson Township Pub, which doesn't have the dozens of TVs like the big-time sports bars named after certain local "celebrities." But there's a nice collection of local sports memorabilia and a fine lineup of burgers named after famous area hills and served on honey and egg buns from the Mt. Washington Bakery. Anderson Township Pub, 6694 Clough Pike, Anderson Twp., 231-0601.
Get out to the Sunday brunch at Iron Horse Inn in bucolic Glendale. You'll enjoy the drive and everything about the meal once you get there. Iron Horse Inn, 40 Village Square, Glendale, 771-4787.
Put an entire day aside when you go out to Jungle Jim's. But it's worth the trouble. It's the only place in the Tristate to find certain foods, herbs, beers, wines and cheeses. Plus you can ride the new monorail, rescued from the King's Island junk heap. When is owner Jim Bonamino going to open a superstore somewhere within the city of Cincinnati? Jungle Jim's, 5440 Dixie Hwy., Fairfield, 829-1919.
The anticipated opening of Beluga, a restaurant that will feature an eccentric menu of caviar, eggrolls stuffed with duck confit, Asian vegetables and pickled ginger served with mango chutney. Beluga, 3520 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 533-4444.
The owners of Sushi Ray are from south Florida, but this hip sushi spot on Mount Lookout Square is all Japanese. Sample the barbecued eel, cucumber with smoked salmon, crab and cream cheese with avocado and more. Don't pass up the Sumo Maki, a jumbo roll of tuna, yellowtail, salmon, avocado and caviar. Sushi Ray, 1018 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 533-9218.
The dish that's served for two at Pisces - the lobster is taken out of the shell, chopped, mixed with garlic and basil in a cream sauce, then put back in the shell. Pure heaven. You also can't miss with their sea bass, planked salmon, skate stuffed with scallops and bluefin tuna. (Fair warning: The dining room might be closed for renovations; call ahead.) Pisces, Covington Landing at the foot of Madison Avenue, Covington, 431-8880.
The smart-thinking restaurants in the Backstage Entertainment District that banded together to offer a "Taste of the Titanic" sampling (and then did it again for Cabaret), featuring authentic fare from the doomed ship's first-class menu. Nicholson's, Palomino Euro Bistro and Rock Bottom Brewery were among the smart marketers that offered a movable feast. All this, of course, in connection with the run of the Titanic musical at the Aronoff Center. We passed on the iceberg lettuce salad, though.
Anderson Township. That's where Ethan Becker, the cooking expert and author of The Joy of Cooking, lives. Hey, Ethan, can we borrow a cup of Jamaican soy sugar?
At the Vineyard Cafe, where they serve up a mean white cheddar and lobster quesadilla. Vineyard Cafe, 2653 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 871-6167.
Tel Aviv Pizza and Pasta is a dairy kosher outlet that makes its pizza without meat, plus offers an interesting blend of influences in sandwiches and pastas. Tel Aviv Pizza and Pasta, 7384 Reading Road, Roselawn, 631-8808.
Well, not literally, but you can watch owner Biagio Lamassa prepare your fresh pasta to order in the middle of the dining room here. And don't skimp on the cappuccino, a specialty of Lamassa, who has been making the frothy java since he was 8 years old. Biagio's Bistro, 308 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 861-4777.
You still can't beat the pasta, salads and sandwiches at Arnold's Bar & Grill, Cincinnati's oldest continuously operated food and drink establishment. Jim Tarbell doesn't hold court there, having sold it to employees Sue Brooker and Ronda Roell, who are running it in the same friendly, inexpensive fashion as before. It's good that some things don't change. Arnold's Bar & Grill, 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, 421-6234.
Boca, which opened a few years ago to rave reviews, continues to be one of the Tristate's best restaurants, even after some changes in ownership. Sitting in Boca's sparse, noisy main dining room, watching the traffic go by on Hamilton, eating imaginative and well-presented dishes - it's like a mini-vacation to Chicago in one night. Boca, 4034 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 542-2022.
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 Lemon Grass, 2666 Madison Road, Hyde Park, 321-2882. Marx Hot Bagels, mutliple locations. Shadeau Breads, 1336 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 665-9720 First Watch, 8118 Montgomery Road, Madeira, 891-0088; 2692 Madison Road, Norwood, 531-7430; 700 Walnut St., Downtown, 721-4744; 11301 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township, 489-6849. First Watch, 8118 Montgomery Road, Madeira, 891-0088; 2692 Madison Road, Norwood, 531-7430; 700 Walnut St., Downtown, 721-4744; 11301 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township, 489-6849. Zip's Cafe, 1036 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 871-9876. Skyline, multiple outlets. Pleasant Ridge Chili, 6032 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, 531-2365. China Gourmet, 3340 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 871-6612. Kaldi's Coffee House & Bookstore, 1204 Main St., Over-the Rhine, 241-3070. Scalea's, 320 Greenup St., Covington, 491-3334. Black Forest, 8675 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, West Chester, 777-7600. Tucker's, 1637 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 721-7123. Graeter's, multiple locations. Barresi's, 4111 Webster Ave., Deer Park, 793-2540. Zip's Cafe, 1036 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 871-9876. El Coyote, multiple locations. Sitar, 4270 Hunt Road, Blue Ash, 793-7487. Habañero, 358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 961-6800. Dewey's Pizza, 3014 Madison Road, Oakley, 731-7755. Mullane's Parkside Cafe, 723 Race St., Downtown, 381-1331. Michael G's, 4601 Kellogg Ave., California, 533-3131. Smoothie King, Hyde Park Plaza, Hyde Park, 321-3024. The Precinct, 311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 321-5454. Aglamesis Bros., 3046 Madison Road, Oakley, 531-5196; 9887 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 791-7082. Thai Express, 213 W. McMillan, Clifton Heights, 651-9000. Mullane's Parkside Cafe, 723 Race St., Downtown, 381-1331. |
