The Cincinnati food scene is about to get a lot more flavorful. Between two specialty meat and cheese shops, a cannabis-themed sub restaurant and a craft cocktail bar, your options are endless for the 2021 dining experience. While 2020 was hard on many area restaurants with frequent closures and switches to carry-out dining, these places are ready to serve up some delicious fare during this much better year.
Parlor Pizza Project 3392 Erie Ave., Hyde Park Pizza Parlor Project’s petite shop officially opened on Friday, Feb. 19. The pizzeria focuses on carry-out pizzas and salads, with six signature 16″ pizzas to choose from plus the option to create your own. The menu currently features one salad, the Caesar, which serves two. Many fell first fell in love with Parlor Pizza Project at its Sunday Slice pop-up series at Oakley Wines. Photo via Facebook.com/ParlorPizzaProject
FB’s Kitchen & Lounge 126 W. 6th St., Downtown FB’s recently hosted their grand opening on March 10. The eatery boasts 4K TVs, fresh pasta and pizza and a patio, making it the “only Italian-inspired sports bar in Downtown Cincinnati,” their website says. The menu features wagyu beef meatballs, 12-inch specialty pizzas and a variety of cocktails. FB’s is a brainchild of the Earth + Ocean Restaurant Group (folks behind E+O Kitchen and E+O New Asian). Photo: Tony Frank
Hello Honey 1530 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills Hello Honey is set to open its second location in East Walnut Hills. The ice-cream shop has been crafting small batches of original flavors with fresh ingredients since its preliminary opening in 2012. Some current in-house flavors include honey lavender, banana honeycomb and thai iced tea. The shop also features several vegan flavor options. Other desserts such as cakes and coconut macaroons are also made to order. The owners are still undergoing renovations for the new spot, which will open near other restaurants such as Branch, O Pie O and the forthcoming Mochiko. Photo via Facebook.com/HelloHoneyIceCream
Oakley Fish House 3036 Madison Road, Oakley Oakley Square welcomed a deliciously nostalgic addition over the course of the pandemic, taking over the space formerly occupied by long-time eatery Habits Cafe. Though Oakley Fish House, from the team behind Teak OTR, opened its doors in November, owner Chanaka Delanerolle says it took roughly 14 months to build out the space into their new home. The eatery takes inspiration from Delanerolle’s former Mt. Adams Fish House, which closed about a decade ago. Delanerolle also owned Teak, Longworth’s and Celestial Steakhouse in Mt. Adams, and Aspara in Blue Ash. Photo: Francisco Huerta
Kanji 1739 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Local restaurateur behind Clifton’s Drunken Bento and Drunken Taco, Inho Cha recently opened his third Cincinnati restaurant with Kanji in Findlay Market. The restaurant’s menu focuses on sushi and Korean cuisine and was inspired by Cha’s desire to plant more of his South Korean roots to the Queen City, offering a glimpse into the culture and flavors of his home country. Kanji officially opened in the former Harvest Pizzeria space (which shuttered over the summer) on Jan. 23. Photo via Facebook.com/KanjiOTR
Mochiko 1524 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills The Japanese-style pop-up has been a local favorite for years, and it is now scheduled to open its own storefront in East Walnut Hills. The shop specializes in fusion cuisine known as “yoshoku,” which borrows elements from Asian and Western cooking styles. Some savory dishes and sweet treats on Mochiko’s menu include melonpan and ramen kits. Folks can look forward to slurping up “Cincinnati-style” ramen when they open this spring. The store currently operates via a webstore for carry-out, but its own brick-and-mortar will soon be available. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Pitch Cincy 1430 Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine This upcoming sports bar is located directly across from the West End Stadium where guests can dine on the rooftop with a scenic view of the neighborhood. The bar will also feature an outdoor patio. On the inside, there will be a wall dedicated to sports video to present an “immersive sports watching experience.” In the Pitch’s parking lot, a rotation of different food trucks will be stationed for guests to try. The Pitch is slated to “open soon” with additional details forthcoming. Photo via The Pitch Cincy’s Facebook page
Yucca 700 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue The team behind Covington’s popular new brunch spot Cedar are opening their second Northern Kentucky restaurant in Bellevue’s former Fairfield Market space this spring. The eatery, like Cedar, will serve brunch, but this establishment will have a Latin American-inspired menu, featuring items like chilaquiles and Cubano sandwiches and a full cocktail menu. Yucca is slated to open late this spring. Photo: Francisco Huerta
Pata Roja Taqueria 1208 Sycamore St., Pendleton Pata Roja Taqueria has found a more permanent home in Pendleton on Bar Saeso’s patio space. The restaurant specializes in food inspired by Mexico City such as street tacos and al pastor, and their patio provides outdoor seating to enjoy the upcoming summer months. Guests can also choose indoor seating and order beer from the bar. This spot is perfect for a late-night dinner or quick to-go meal. Photo via Facebook.com/PataRojaTacos
Anjou Craft Cocktail Bar 2804 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills Anjou Craft Cocktail Bar will soon open in East Walnut Hills. The space is currently undergoing renovations, which are being chronicled in “Building a Bar” blogs on Facebook. The bar takes several influences from European culture—for example, its namesake is Margaret of Anjou, once-queen of England and nominal queen of France in the 1400s. The bar will feature a wide assortment of beers, spirits and wines. Photo via Instagram.com/AnjouCinci/
Copper & Flame 1115 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Become your own bartender with Copper & Flame’s pour-your-own-drink concept, slated to open in Over-the-Rhine this spring. Choose from over 52 local self-pour draft brews, plus 16 wines and cocktails. Complete your night by ordering from the bar’s extensive menu of elevated Central/South American and Southeast Asian street food, like Korean hot wings or wonton nachos. The bar inhabits the space formerly occupied by game bar The Rook. Photo via Facebook.com/CopperandFlameOTR
El Barril 940 Pavilion Ave., Mount Adams Slated to open this April, El Barril, a sports bar and grill, will take over the space formerly occupied by Next Chapter in Mount Adams. The restaurant is from the same group behind local Mexican chain El Jinete. Photo: Provided
MashRoots 5903 Hamilton Ave., College Hill The Puerto Rican-inspired restaurant has recently opened a brick-and-mortar in College Hill. Known originally as a pop-up shop in the area, MashRoots offers Latin American cuisine in a fast, casual approach to dining. Its most iconic menu item is the “build-your-own Mofongo bowl,” which allows customers to hand-select ingredients for the famous Puerto Rican dish. MashRoots is available now for dine-in or carry-out. Photo via Facebook.com/MashRoots.Cincy
Shanghai On Elm 700 Elm St., Downtown Shanghai has returned with a new name to serve its beloved Asian fusion cuisine. The restaurant, formerly known as Shanghai Mama’s, moved to a new spot and recently reopened with the original founders at the helm. Photo via Facebook.com/ShanghaionElm
Cheba Hut 2614 Short Vine St., Corryville Cheba Hut is a marijuana-inspired sub concept that offers sandwiches, salads and other “munchies.” The company recently opened its Cincinnati location in Corryville for guests to stop by and sate their appetite. This shop also features a full bar with a variety of local craft beers, wines and mixed drinks. Photo via Facebook.com/ChebaHutCincinnatiShortVine/
Morsel and Nosh 4183 Hamilton Ave., Northside Morsel and Nosh, located in Northside, is now open for folks to find a treasure trove of fine cheeses and cured meats. The shop features specialty groceries such as fresh produce and pantry items, and the deli offers grab-and-go soups, sandwiches and salads. Charcuterie and cheese boards are available as well as made-to-order dishes in Morsel and Nosh’s kitchen. Food items are offered in various diets such as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Photo via Facebook.com/MorselandNosh
Purrfect Day Cafe 17 W. 8th St., Covington In just four months since opening its doors in Nov. 2020, Purrfect Day Cafe recently celebrated its 200th cat adoption. The cafe partners with Kenton County Animal Services in Northern Kentucky, which provides the cats and kittens that are housed in the cafe. The shop offers up some delicious treats to go along with your cuddly visit. Scones such as the bacon and cheddar “Calico” scone, “Pawmpkin” Spice scone, and “Raspurry” scone as well as cake pops and paw-pcorn are available. Along with a regular cup of coffee, they offer various tea drinks, hot cocoa, frozen lemonade and soft drinks. Visitors of age can even enjoy beer, wine, or even the Purrfect Meowmosa. Photo: Danielle Schuster Photo: Danielle Schuster
The Upside Brew 329 Ludlow Ave., Clifton Upside Brew is the new coffee-based iteration by the team behind Newport’s Cosmic Coffee. While the Newport location has closed, Upside Brew is an upcoming coffee shop that features artisan coffee, craft beer, music and art. Renovations are currently ongoing, but the shop is expected to open this spring. Photo via https://www.facebook.com/theupsidebrew/photos/a.1967749436805958/2903769169870642
Redden Fine Meats & Seafood 7701 Railroad Ave., Madeira The deli and specialty grocery plans to open by April 1 in Madeira. The one-stop shop will specialize in meats such as beef, pork, poultry and seafood. Pantry items like pasta, olive oils and local produce will also be available for purchase. Photo via Redden Fine Meats and Seafood’s Facebook
Malus To be announced From the team behind Oakley Wines’ 2019 Sunday Sauce pop-up series, husband-and-wife chef duo David Jackman and Lydia Jackman are returning to the Queen City to open Malus, along with chef Ethan Bartlett. Boasting a seasonal, contemporary American menu guests can look forward to enjoying homemade pasta, plenty of vegetarian offerings and a rotating burger that benefits a local cause. In an interview with CityBeat Jackman says he plans to have a regular menu, a budget-friendly menu and a tasting menu. The restaurant is slated to open this June or July (yes, not quite spring, but call us wishful thinkers). Photo: Hailey Bollinger