Five New Restaurants for 2023
Posted Wednesday, July 5, 2023Amador
1 Levee Way, Suite #P-122ANewport, 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
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.
= Outstanding
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
The best TACO joint in the city. I go there as a treat to myself every Monday. TEX MEX TACOS are delicious culinary treats that look beautiful and taste great. I'm so impressed with this place that I never explore the other items on the menu. If you don't get your taco fix here, you're losing in life.
posted: Tue., Apr 27th, 2021 @ 2:37 PM
My Wife and myself dined at Ferrari’s on Saturday and the Food and service was great/ I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli with misc nuts and sauce and it was the best meal I’ve had there/ My wife had the Fish and Vegetables and was very happy/ I also got a couple of their pizza and olive loaves of bread/ The bread is always a hit at work.
posted: Mon., Nov 23rd, 2020 @ 1:14 PM
@Rick: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to remember to give them a try.
posted: Sat., Nov 21st, 2020 @ 9:06 AM
Try Joe's Pizza located at Airway and Smithville Rd. You might like it...That's one of favorite haunts. I definitely think it beats Cassano's.
posted: Fri., Nov 6th, 2020 @ 4:19 PM
Hands down the best Indian in the area. I have yet to find their yellow Punjabi dish anywhere. It is my favorite, and what keeps me coming back time after time. I think I have been here over 100 times. I love this place.
posted: Thu., May 28th, 2020 @ 12:03 PM
I found a gyro I keep thinking about
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tazikis-mediterranean-cafe-cincinnati
their lamb gyro is about 2-3 bucks higher in cost than a gyro elsewhere - B U T - it is made with whole pieces of lamb meat, not the lamb and beef loaf that all other Gyro joints in Cincinnati seem to do
it is a chain. A minus for me, and I suspect for you as well.
But its good.
really, really good
one caveat: skip the baklava as it is not made in-house
posted: Mon., Dec 9th, 2019 @ 12:43 PM
I'll take your word for it, then.....it is fairly close to work so it'll be an upcoming lunch
I also need to try out this little taco wagon near Quatmans in Norwood
posted: Mon., Sep 9th, 2019 @ 6:21 PM
Hi @TJ - We were pretty impressed with the quality of the items, which I think justifies some of the pricing. I really liked the house-made tortillas and their salsas. Chilero offered some extra little touches that were a pleasant surprise. :)
Just by way of comparison...that same week we'd tried the new Mazunte location downtown...and our experience at Chilero beat them out.
posted: Thu., Aug 29th, 2019 @ 10:18 PM
Great food and fantastic atmosphere
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 8:29 PM
Seems very pricey for a mostly carryout/counter-service joint
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 5:51 PM