A new eatery opens on July 16 in Cincinnati's bustling Westwood neighborhood.
Ivory House will be located at 2998 Harrison Ave. and will offer a menu of elevated but approachable eats — small plates and entrees — plus a curated wine menu.
Cincinnati's chef Dana Adkins, formerly of popular Queen City eateries including Revolution Rotisserie, The Eagle and Bella Luna, will be at the helm and is "known for working with fresh, seasonal ingredients from local sustainable farms," according to an email interview with Ivory House's marketing director Linda Pitt. "Visitors can expect this focus to come through in the flavor and quality of our offerings, which will include vegetarian and vegan selections."
The menu will offer nearly a dozen small plates like the ham and bean agnolotti, mussels diablo and Appalachian shrimp and grits, as well as shareable 34-ounce angus prime ribeye Tomahawk for two, and lunch dishes like the vegan club, pork belly tacos and Ivory House wagyu and cheddar.
One of the dishes Adkins is most excited about is the BBQ Louie’d Quail, named after his grandfather who taught him how to grill and brine chicken.
"The pickled watermelon chowchow that accompanies the quail is his grandfather’s recipe. The dish also features a refined version of cast iron spoon bread (a cross between a souffle and pudding). Think summertime BBQ with the family meets Le Cordon Bleu," Pitt says.
In addition to eats, Ivory House will offer an extensive wine menu "with something for every palate." They will also have three local draft brews on tap, including the "Ivory House Amber" by nearby West Side Brewing, plus bottled and canned beers. Guests can expect a seasonal cocktail menu with fresh juices and fruits, house infusions and handcrafted shrubs and syrups.
The restaurant will host a happy hour from 4-6 p.m. daily with several $5 wines by the glass and various discounts on beers, mixed drinks and small plates.
Owned by Frank Eversole and Rick Pouliot of Westwood's EP Investment Group, the eatery honors James N. Gamble, a former Westwood mayor, who was a key player in pushing important neighborhood projects forward. Gamble was also the Vice President of Cincinnati's Procter & Gamble and invented the floating ivory soap. "His accomplishments as a community leader parallel his success as an inventor and businessman," the restaurant's Facebook page reads.
According to Ivory House's Facebook page, Eversole and Pouliot purchased the building in 2019 and decided to utilize the space to bring more dining options to the community.
"Westwood has been on an upswing for several years now. It has really come to life as a walkable neighborhood with a beautiful, historic town hall district. Our aim is to contribute to this evolution by adding a different type of dining experience to the West Side mix. We believe this will serve the community well, while introducing guests from other parts of the city to Westwood’s unique vibe," Pitt said.
The contemporary design of the space will feature elements of Midcentury Modern style throughout, a cool color palette of subdued blues, grays and dark browns contrasted by white bar tiling and linens. Historical photos of Westwood will be hung throughout the restaurant, and it will include a baby grand piano and "semi-private" lounge.
The restaurant will offer lunch, dinner and curbside pick-up daily. They will also offer catering and eventually will add a brunch menu.
For more info, visit ivoryhousecincy.com.
