Five New Restaurants for 2023

Amador

1 Levee Way, Suite #P-122A
Newport, KY 41071
859-392-2060
Website

Launched in May, 2023, Amador is billed as the area's first "full-service" Cuban restaurant. It's owned by Nick Pesola, who'd left managing a Dewey's to open Revolution Rotisserie, then later opened Milkman in Over-the-Rhine. Amador is perhaps his most ambitious venture yet, residing in an ample corner of the Newport on the Levee complex, overlooking the Ohio River and the Purple People Bridge.

The menu offers classic Cuban fare, including the inimitable pressed cubano sandwich with slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and house pickles; tostones, empanadas and croquetas; ropa vieja, with braised flank steak, onions, peppers and tomatoes served with sweet plantains and rice; and lechon asado, a slow-roasted, marinated Cuban pork dish with black beans and rice.

VV The Italian Experience

1026 Delta Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45208
513-485-4007
Website

Opened in April by owners Andrea and Melissa De Giorgi, this Mt. Lookout-based Italian cafe and coffeehouse offers the authentic feel of their mother country. The "VV" in the name stands for "Vigne Vecchie," or "Old Vineyards" in Italian. The southern Italian couple had started off selling their "Vigne Vecchie" branded foods and wines online, then followed up that success with the opening of their cafe in 2023.

The experience is quite unique: have a seat, get served some complimentary, savory tarallini biscuits and olive oil, then perhaps order an Espresso Salentino Shakerato with a Cornetto pastry filled with custard. Stop by again for lunch and try a panini served on focaccia or multigrain bread, or go for one of their three pasta entrees.

Viva India

3672 Erie Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45208
513-321-0140
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This new Indian restaurant is located on Erie Avenue, at the former site of two long-lived and long-loved establishments: Saybrook Tavern, which opened in 1946 and remained until 1976; and Pasta al Dente, which debuted in 1984 and served as the neighborhood's most beloved Italian restaurant for the following twenty years.

Viva is poised to be the next long-standing resident here: the service is fast and friendly and there are a few unique dishes to compliment the typical array of Indian entrees, including the karahi tandoori chicken saag, goat curry and lamb bhuna.

Y'all Cafe

50 E. RiverCenter Blvd.
Covington, KY 41011
859-292-1699
Website

Y'all Cafe opened in late October, 2022 at the RiverCenter complex in Covington, near Embassy Suites. It's a breakfast and brunch restaurant in the spirit of a Sleep Bee Cafe or a Wild Eggs, with an emphasis on seasonal specials, local suppliers, fresh ingredients and more varied vegetarian options. The cafe is led by Executive Chef Carla Heiert, who had previosly served as the sous chef at the acclaimed Jean-Robert's Table.

My favorite fun surprise was my side of pecorino tots: bite-size, lightly-fried, cheese-filled balls with a wonderfully light, crispy outer layer covering a soft pecorino cheese-infused core.

Chef Heiert also oversees the Butlers Pantry next door, which offers quick, to-go sandwiches, salads, baked goods and full breakfast plates in the morning.

Rosewood

3036 Madison Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45209
513-631-3474
Website

Rosewood is the new Thai food concept replacing the Oakley Fish House in Oakley Square. Owner Chanaka De Lanerolle, who is renowned in Cincinnati for his beloved Teak Thai restaurant, renamed and refocused the concept in late 2022.

The menu offers the classic Thai noodle and curry dishes one would expect from the Cincinnati area's top Thai restaurants, with an elevated feel and preparation.