Courtesy of Orchids at Palm Court
I used to have a rule: Never eat in a hotel, and never sleep in a
restaurant. In downtown Cincinnati, though, that rule is made to be
broken. Orchids at the Palm Court in the Hilton Netherland Plaza is
world-class. Executive Chef Todd Kelly was named Chef of the Year by the
American Culinary Federation. Pastry Chef Megan Ketover is competing on
Bravo TV’s Top Chef: Just Desserts. When I dined there for Do Downtown Restaurant Week, I was absolutely blown away. Rules off!
CityBeat: What was the last great meal you ate and where did you eat it?
Todd Kelly: There are all different levels of
greatness! I just ate at the Cincinnatian at the Palace (601 Vine St.,
Downtown) Sunday night, and I had burgers and beers at Gordo’s in
Norwood (4328 Montgomery Road).
They were different, but they were both
great. Jose Salazar, at the Palace, created a fantastic meal; a great
cold vegetable summer salad, grilled octopus, redfish with lentils, just
a beautifully cooked piece of fish and hanger steak with wonderful
chimichurri. But at Gordo’s I had a great burger in such a fun
environment.
CB: What is it that makes those places great?
TK: They do what they do really well. I love
hole-in-the-wall places, the kind of places I’d be afraid to take my
mother, if they really love to make good food. Do what you do right.
