Delhi Palace: Unassuming but essential Indian cuisine in the region

     Delhi Palace on Montgomery Road in Silverton has been open for a couple of years and it’s turned into our go-to destination for its lunch buffet.  I don’t know why we haven’t reviewed it before now, but I suspect it’s because like a comfortable shoe, we take it for granted even as we’re checking out something more glamorous that doesn’t fit well.  

The Lunch Buffet

The menu is extensive, but some of the favorites at Delhi Palace show up at the terrific (and reasonable) lunch buffet.  It’s worth starting there and returning for dinner a la carte on another occasion.

Flavorful Chicken Dishes

     Delhi Palace can nail chicken every time.  Regardless of the dish and the protein’s preparation, it’s always tender, which can be harder to pull off than one might initially imagine.  The Chicken Tandoori is tasty and served in smaller portions than at other restaurants.  That’s a good thing because a whole thigh or breast can sometimes be tough in spots.  Plus, it gives the diner more room on the plate for 

A Lunch Sampling

some of the other dishes.  Chicken in Butter Sauce is beautifully flavored, though mildly spiced.  It’s a rich sauce like others at this restaurant, but it’s worth it.  Their version of Saag Paneer, a staple on local Indian menus, is hands down the best in town.  It’s creamier than others, but also more complexly seasoned.  The Dal (Lentil) Soup has a citrus after-bite, which is intriguing.  The Tomato Soup was also very good when I had it in the past.  The Mango Lassi has a purer mango flavor and color than other versions I’ve drunk in the past.

Remodeled Dining Room

     The dining room has been spruced up recently, which has cut all decorative ties with the previous restaurants in this location.  Unlike some other popular or well-established Indian restaurants in the region, Delhi Palace always looks neat and there isn’t spilled food from maladroit patrons.  The gentlemen that serve and host are invariably competent and friendly in a quiet manner.  One caveat:  whether dining buffet style or a la carte, the portions are far more filling than they initially appear. 

delhipalace.com

 

Sleepy Bee Cafe

I'm kicking myself that we waited so long

Oakley's Sleepy Bee

     I admit it.  The whole reason we had not been to Sleepy Bee Cafe was because several of the early reviews reported deplorable service.  A sub reason was the long wait lines, which I wrongly attributed to the poor service.  The one beacon was the food.  Everyone seemed to love it.

The Main Dining Room

     April suggested we go there for lunch last week and I decided it was time to encounter it for myself.  Let me sum it up be saying my previous misgiving about service was dispelled.  In fact, our server was one of the best I have ever encountered in Cincinnati.  We went with her suggestions of ordering from both the breakfast and lunch menu selections and they were spot on.  

The Avi Omelet and Hive Fries

     From the breakfast side came The Avi Omelet, a mix of avocado, spinach, mushrooms, tomato, onion and white cheddar.  Everything served is locally sourced from the Tri-State area.  We hear that a lot these days, but in this case the proof was in the taste.  Alongside was the oven roasted Hive Fries that were crispy with a soft center.   We opted to

Piggy Cake

substitute the multi-grain toast that came with the omelet for a Piggy Cake filled with bacon and topped with whipped cream and candied pecans.  That would serve as our dessert and a special one it was!  

The Bee Keeper and Roasted Root Vegetables

     On the lunch menu was The Bee Keeper Sandwich combining house roasted Amish turkey, bacon, more avocado, muenster cheese, sprouts and a nectar sauce tying all the trimmings together.  It was a hit for both of us.  This time we chose the Roasted Root Vegetables (carrots, purple and sweet potatoes) as our side.  I preferred the hive fries, but our server was really into the vegetables.  It is definitely a personal choice.   Beverages were continuously filled with to go cups offered.

Outdoor Patio Dining

      We were seated on the patio, which was a nicely secluded outdoor spot.  That came about 25 minutes after arriving at 11:30 on a Friday and as predicted by the hostess.  (Eric and I tried to get in on a Sunday at 12:30 and it was an hour and 15 minute wait time.)  A new Sleepy Bee will be opening in Blue Ash late summer 2015.  They're hoping that will alleviate some of the long wait times.  At this point, that seems to be the only downfall.

sleepybeecafe.com

Alreddy Coffee & Cafe

Alreddy enough…

don't wear out the welcome mat

The Front Dining Room

     We'd love to have a place like the Alreddy Café in our neighborhood.  It's quaint, vibrant, and adds some new twists to a menu that deals with basic café fare.  Service is laid back with the feel that this is a family owned and operated restaurant.  (That's just an assumption.)  I've been there 

Side Porch Dining

3 times in the past 9 days, which would lead one to believe that it's a pretty special place.  That's true, but I don't want to get tired of it early on so I must let up this week.

Hot Ham & Brie Sandwich

     Having been there several times for lunch, I feel like I can give it a pretty fair review.  On my first visit I picked the Choose Two from a wide choice of sandwiches, quiche, salads and sides.  I went with the Hot Ham & Brie half sandwich and Tortillas with Mango Salsa and Red Pepper Hummus.  I had asked the server for suggestions on a side, but he pointed to the Fruit Salad and Fried Pickles.  I'm sure they're good, but neither struck a cord with me.  The sandwich came with chopped cucumber, tomato and onion with a creamy Raspberry Dressing.  All was good except the dressing portion was a little overwhelming making the sandwich difficult to eat and masking some other flavors.  The tortillas were abundant and the homemade salsa was pleasing.  It was nice to mix it with the hummus.  Karen had 

Tuna Melt with
Funnel Veggies & Dip

the Choose Two with Tuna Melt and Funnel of Fresh Veggies & Dip.  Jeff went with my second choice: the French Dip.  Both were hits.  We were sitting next to the pastry case and I had my eye on the scones.  I eventually took a Mocha and Caramel one with me, but I found it on the dry side.  That may be more traditional, but I love my scones soft and creamy (thank you Jenny at Bluebird Bakery in Glendale). 

French Dip
with Alreddy House Salad

     Dominic accompanied me for my second visit.  He had the Trio Salad with two servings of Egg Salad and one of Chicken Salad.  He found the egg very tasty, but the chicken was a little on the dry side.  I did Choose Two again with the French Dip and Alreddy House Salad, a combination of greens, toasted pecans, craisins, feta, strawberries and cucumber with an apple cider vinaigrette dressing.  Very nice.  We topped it off with their Cherry Cheese Cobbler, which I found to be like a pound cake, rather than a traditionally crumbled pie.  

Quiche of the Day and Seafood Bisque

     For my third visit, Eric and I went together for a late brunch.  He had Choose Two (there's a trend here) with the Quiche and cup of Seafood Bisque.  The quiche was an individual serving made with asparagus that day.  The bisque sounded so good I had to have a cup also.  It was full of seafood pieces in a rich cream that made us lap up the entire cup.  My Broken Yoke Angus Sandwich was 

Broken Yoke Angus Sandwich and Seafood Bisque

more than I expected.  It was piled high with a "runny" egg, as I preferred.  I think the next time I'll order it with just one slice of bread as it would make it easier to eat with more emphasis on the egg and various fillings.  We ended with the Peaches & Cream Cake–a variation on the cobbler from a few days back.  

Peaches & Cream Cake

Served warm, this one was the 2009 winner of Best Dessert at The Taste of Northern CIncinnati.  And one should not forget that this is a coffee house too.  They serve excellent brews.

     I see another visit in my future…soon!

alreddycafe.com

Maverick Chocolate Co.

Make it a quick stop for chocoholics 

at this Findlay Market favorite

     If you want to be knocked down from the scent of chocolate, then a trip to Maverick Chocolate Co. at Findlay Market is a must.  We had been forewarned by Lisa, but the initial whiff when opening the door was a bit overwhelming!  Made on the premises , there was a choice of 9 chocolate bars that one can taste from the apothecary jars filled with chocolate floret samplers.  (The interior replicates an early 1900s apothecary shoppe.)  Having just completed lunch and dessert, we were a bit hungover with sweets, so we limited our samplings to two…70% Belize and Prohibition (Bourbon).  Having just completed the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, that would be our choice as a take home.  

     As luck would have it, our tasting continued that evening at Bob and Mary's as they served the Belize and Prohibition, along with two other bars as part of their dessert after dinner.  I found Tumbes (82% dark) to be a bitter, intense concoction from Peru.  I have "spiciness" issues so I didn't sample the Fahrenheit 513, a secret blend of toasted chilies and spices.  Eric was coughing a bit afterwards.  You're on your own with that one!  Prohibition hit the spot again with sweet bourbon and smoked salt, but my choice of the evening was the Belize…smooth, with just the right full chocolate flavor for me.

maverickchocolate.com

 

Dutch’s Larder

We finally said, “Uncle,” and were delighted

Dutch's Larder

     We read about Dutch’s Larder when Donna Covrett (we still miss her writing and her desserts) reviewed it a couple of years ago.  We weren’t very sure about going because it sounded like take-out or a delicatessen.  Cincinnati magazine

York Street Café

Bohemian mainstay still nails it

The Victorian Dining Room

      York Street Café in Newport has been around for more than a couple of decades (rare for most restaurants), unique both for its menu and décor.  We used to go there for lunch or dinner or for later desserts.  Not only was there a gallery back

Maribelle's Eat + Drink

a boycott ended with delight

Maribelle's Eat + Drink

     Quite frankly, we've avoided Maribelle's since they moved to their new location in Oakley.  The reason was simple…their new menu.  When we checked it out shortly after their re-opening, the emphasis seemed to be on the "drink" in their

Banana Leaf Modern Thai

Destination dining for us that appeared

to be a neighborhood gem for others

Banana Leaf Modern Thai

     I doubt there are many of us that can remember the streetcar and bustling hotel on Main Street in Mason.  They're gone, but the private residence across the street has stood there since 1877.  Currently, it's been elegantly revamped with

Arnold’s Bar & Grill

A Cincinnati institution 
that keeps a-going and deserves attention

The Courtyard at Arnold's

     Katy and Denny just moved to a spacious, beautiful apartment downtown so we decided on Arnold’s for dinner a couple of weeks ago.  They’d visited earlier in the spring and

NuVo at Greenup

The new basilica for serious foodies

Dexter Enjoys the Serene Dining Room

     NuVo at Greenup serves a three to nine course table d’hôte menu at an extremely reasonable price (currently $35-$60).  It focuses with laser-like intensity on specific ingredients to produce food that is superb.  Wine pairings with those courses are available for $25-$45, which is a deal, almost a steal.  We really enjoyed NuVo when it was in Newport about four to five

Ruth’s Parkside Café

A winner in Northside 

that pays homage to, but exceeds, Mullane’s

Dexter Waits for Us to Arrive at Ruth's Parkside Café

     Many former patrons remember Mullane’s and Kona Bistro fondly.  Ruth’s Parkside Café combines the best of both of those former establishments.  It’s in the American Can Building in a part of Northside that’s Bohemian cool, rather

Cincinnati Thanks!

It’s livable, mostly affordable, and a combination of Northern Tough and Southern Charm

     It’s that time of year to show our gratitude, especially in the great region of Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.  We hate hearing people knock Porkopolis and its environs because

Katalina's Cafe Corner

A little Victorian Village corner in Columbus with lively, local color and great edible fare

Dexter Checks Out the Chalk Board

      The perfect formula for a coffee house, in my opinion, starts with a personality to emphasize its individuality and service that supports that quality.  Of course, the coffee must be great (something that's overlooked often times in the effort to

The Palace at The Cincinnatian

Excellent food, mature service, 

charming surroundings combine 

for a purr-fect experience

Dexter Takes a Special Seat at The Palace

     During last week’s restaurant week, Neil thought we should try one of the mostly downtown establishments.  Some offered $35 menus/couple while others offered $35 menus/diner.  We thought, what the heck, we’re not going on vacation anywhere soon so let’s look at the high fliers.  The menu at The Palace featured choices from the actual menu, but there weren’t any

Incline Public House

In or out, it's all a hit on the hill

Dexter Walks the Rails at the Incline Public House

      We had experienced the view before.  If you haven't yet—you should.  It's one of the best vantage points in the city, laying out all of its geographic highlights.  The neighborhood runs the gamut of turn-of-the-last century homes to high-rise condos, with a new unassuming building atop the site of the

Wurst Bar in the Square

Serves a casual menu with hometown roots

The Inviting Wood-Paneled Interior

    We’d heard about The Wurst Bar and then read reviews on Cincinnati Bites and A Gravy Train with Biscuit Wheels, written by fellow bloggers.  They compared it favorably to Senate in the Gateway Quarter so we thought we’d check it out with a group some time since it’s pretty close in Mount Lookout.  The square needs a go-to restaurant besides Zip’s since Annabel’s is closed at night and Nectar is dreary 24/7.  

Wurst Bar in the
(Mt. Lookout) Square

     A couple of weeks ago we dropped by on a Saturday night.  A table was being held (they don’t actually reserve there since it’s small and busy) for another group, but the manager/co-owner was very gracious about seating us immediately.  It’s a natural wood-paneled space that wasn’t loud and, though busy, the staff didn’t seem overwhelmed.  We returned earlier this week because of how good the food was the first time (more on that later).  Neil called ahead and we thought we had a reservation, but that was when the bartender told me that they try to get tables ready for larger parties, but they don’t actually reserve.  The staff was very accommodating and had us seated by the front door within ten minutes even though the place was packed.  It was louder, though we could still hear each other, but there was something wrong either with the air conditioning or the venting because it was hotter inside than outside on a 90º evening.  Neil could see only one duct along the ceiling behind the bar.  

     There is a good selection of beers and a fine variety of mixologist-designed drinks.  I had the Red Legged Rosie.  It was akin to a Cosmopolitan in taste, but with different ingredients except for the vodka.  I thought it was very good and fairly priced.

     The food is the main deal for being there because they make all the sausages, metts, wieners, wursts, etc., and the bread for the buns.  All the meats and breads we ate were excellent on both occasions and we were able to take some food home because the portions are large, especially for those diners that have a couple of beers.  Service was attentive, quick, and very upbeat even when packed.  

Flying Pigs in a Blanket Appetizer

     The Flying Pigs in a Blanket with Beer Cheese is a real winner as an appetizer and more than enough as a main dish.  The sauce is thick with a smoky beer flavor and made us want to eat it like a heavy soup it was so good.  The puff pastry is robust enough to keep its shape around the sausage, but is springy and light in texture.  It even reheats pretty well.  

The Brewer Coat

The Brewer Coat, a wurst topped with blue cheese and garlic fries, was very good and Dale liked the four-grain roll.

Chicken Andouille

The Roonie

The chicken truffle sausage in The Roonie and the breaded Chicken Andouille were seasoned complexly and were meals in themselves.  The fried onions and Boursin cheese on The Roonie were creamy and, blessedly, not greasy while the crisp bacon wrapping on the Chicken Andouille was a creative touch to what appeared somewhat like a corn dog.   The homemade brioche and Italian rolls were excellent accompaniments.  The Hustlin’ 14 is a paean to the chili dog, Cincnnati style, but it’s big and a little messy.  The chili is very good.  If uncertain about dog and bread choices, ask the servers who are willing to steer customers to what they’ll like.  

The All-Time Wurst Burger

     The All-Time Wurst Burger is enormous (Neil and I shared it) since a cheese wurst is set between the veal and short rib meat mix, and topped with onion straws on a pretzel bun.  This was tender and robust and, fortunately, did not fall apart into a grease-meat puddle when sliced in half (unlike some other noted burgers in the region).  The Garlic Fries were the only

Ooey Gooey Mac-n-Cheese

uneven choice that were good the first time, but didn’t seem to have garlic the second time.  The Onion Brick House was a stronger side, and the Mac-n-Cheese was decidedly a match for any of the sausages.

     Wurst Bar on the Square showcases excellent food, friendly service, and a lively vibe. Hopefully, the air temperature was just a temporary bump in the road to success.

https://www.facebook.com/wurstbarinthesq

It doesn't sound like the worst place.

Adriatico's Pizza

It's not just for college students anymore

The Open Terrace at Adriatico's

      When Lisa and I met there for dinner her first reaction was, "This used to be Shirley's Laundry where I deposited many a quarter".  It hasn't looked like a laundry since Adriatico's gutted

Cilantro Vietnamese Bistro

An around the corner move 
lends room to some old favorites

Cilantro's New Home

      Eric and I started going to Cilantro around 10 years ago when it was a hole-in-the-wall with barely enough room to sit down estaminet on Clifton Avenue.  It had that feel of being in the middle of a university and, more appropriately, a space that could be found in an alley of Saigon.  The pho soups and noodle dishes, combined with a 1-2-3 simple order concept, were fairly new to our city at the time.  The tastes and smells

BBP: Bobby’s Burger Palace at the Horseshoe Casino

A tour of the bedazzled casino reveals a diner with pizzazz

The Horseshoe Casino Gaming Floor

     Neil and I finally visited the Horseshoe Casino and, yes, it’s just like Vegas except without the smoke.  This is somewhat of a relief because an elderly lady with an oxygen tank would

The National Exemplar Sets a Higher Bar

Commendable dining with some service snafus

All Eyes Were on the National Exemplar (Including Dexter's)

      When we heard that Chef Sean Daly was joining the National Exemplar at the Mariemont Inn as Executive GM and Chef last fall, Eric and I were both elated and dumbfounded.  He is one of our favorite chefs in the city, with a high profile as chef/owner of the now defunct Hugo's.  When he originally