Palomino European Bistro

In the month of March Palomino was running a tasting menu. 3 courses for $30. I'm a sucker for a tasting menu. I arrived for my reservation and was warmly greeted and seated by the window. The fountain square party for opening day was just ending.



They brought me out their rosemary foccacia bread with feta tomato relish. Absolutely delicious.



I chose the Spanish temparnillo wine flight which was a steal!
L to R

Torres Ibericos Rioja Crianza
Lorinon Rioja Reserva
Vina Gormaz Ribera Del Duero
Abadia Retuerta Rivola Sardon Del Duero

My favorites were the first and second.



This was their chop chop salad with tomato, salami, provolone, basil, garbanzo beans, parmesan. Although it sounds and looks like there's too much going on the plate there the flavors were really simple and delicious.



Yum. These scallops were great. Asiago and almond crusted and perfectly cooked. Above them you can see the toasted orzo pasta and to the left is a fennel salad. Just delicious. I was off scallops for a while until this past year and now I'm back on scallops like a fiend.



I also ordered the bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream. If you're a regular you know how much I love bread pudding. This did not disappoint. There were golden raisins and cinnamon. Heavenly.

This is a beautiful restaurant with an upscale look but a casual feel for a downtown restaurant. You have a beautiful view of fountain square and the service could not be better. 

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

Pat was craving seafood. We planned a dinner/movie date night and tried Pappadeaux. First of all that place is sprawling! VERY large dining room. We had prompt service from a friendly server who helped us through the expansive menu. I was impressed that they had a chef selection menu of "daily fresh fish" that is flown in.

I wanted to try their crab cake (below). It was very tasty, lots of crab meat inside it. I prefer a crisp crab cake and this was more moist. It had a nest of potato straws on top, a remoulade butter sauce with crawfish and capers. It was very flavorful and unexpectedly hearty for just one crab cake. 




We also had the alligator appetizer. They were as tasty as I remember from when I had alligator for the first time in Florida. The dipping sauce is a creole butter sauce which was very tasty. It had a slight smoky roux flavor to it and was a good substitute for a barbecue sauce.



I had a side cup of the andouille sausage and seafood gumbo. I liked the taste of this, it had a great smoky flavor which can be attributed to a dark roux. There was however a little too much going on in it for me. There was several unidentified seafood items in this bowl. There was one item that I can only HOPE was an oyster that I had that I think led to a slight allergic reaction/migraine. Not their fault though.



I ordered the platter with fried shrimp, fried crawfish, catfish and chicken tenders and dirty rice. I liked the breading for the shrimp, chicken and crawfish. It was crsip and smoky. I had never eaten crawfish before and I didn't know what I'd been missing! The catfish had a cornmeal breading which was good. The fish itself tasted very fresh and buttery. They do take extra care with the shrimp ensuring it is butterflied before frying. There was an overwhelming portion of that rice, I couldn't finish it all.



Pat got the shrimp and catfish combo and he enjoyed it very much. He and I bartered a little bit, I took some of his shrimp for some of my chicken tenders. Pat decided to use more of that creole sauce for dipping instead of cocktail sauce which he hates.



For desserts I chose the banana pudding. I really hate the fact that it comes in a mason jar. It's really hard to eat, just unnecessary decoration. The pudding itself was nothing outstanding. There wasn't a lot of banana flavor in it until the bottom where the bananas lurk. Word to the wise: if you can't finish it - they give you a lid for you to take the jar home. Seriously.



Pat had the pecan sweet potato pie and enjoyed it. He's a sucker for both so he was in heaven.




By no means think that Pappadeaux is cheap. It cost us as much to eat there as it does on a normal evening to eat at the Precinct. The quality of the food is good and the service was great as well. It is something different for sure.  I'd still prefer to eat steak than seafood any day.

Naked Pizza

How could pizza get any better? I guess if I didn't feel like I ate a ton of bricks afterwords that would be a start. If I felt good about myself after I ate it? That would be nice. If it tasted great? Also, another plus. You get all of that at Naked Pizza.

Here's a view of the store. For some reason I thought there was dine in. That's not a deal breaker for me.



I ordered the bread sticks with optional basil. Very cheesy and great flavor thanks to the basil. Great size for sharing and the smell of the dough is almost indescribable. The herb and grain blend makes the flavor of the crust unlike any other crust that I've tried.



I ordered the Ragin' Cajun pizza which was just superb. I loved the sauce, and I usually hate pizza sauce.  I could actually taste the freshness in the chicken. The sausage on the pizza was also flavorful and obviously fresh. Additionally there was onion, bell pepper and garlic.




The staff at Naked Pizza were really friendly and helpful in explaining the menu and what makes NP different than other pizza joints. If you live in the Hyde Park area you can get NP delivered.
I still kind of wish that they had dine in.

City Beat Publishes the 2011 Best of Cincinnati Restaurant List

Is your favorite restaurant on the list? I’m very happy to see Nada, The Precinct, Jean-Robert’s Table, Newport Pizza Company, Tom + Chee and La Poste on the list!

Keep in mind that this is the reader's picks. 

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT
1. Montgomery Inn - 9440 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-791-3482; 925 Riverside Drive, East End, 513-721-7427; 400 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell, 859-344-5333
2. Skyline Chili, Multiple locations
3. Nada, 600 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-721-6232
4. Melt, 4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-861-MELT
5. The Precinct, 311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-321-5454
6. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, 700 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-784-1200
7. 20 Brix, 101 Main St., Milford, 513-831-2749
8. Bella Luna, Findlay Market, 1813 Pleasant St., 513-381-5862; 4632 Eastern Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-871-5862
9. Boca 3200 Madison, Road, Oakley, 513-542-2022
10. Jean-Robert’s Table, 713 Vine St., Downtown, 513-621-4777

PIZZA (Non-Chain)
Adriatico’s - 3205 Jefferson Ave., Clifton, 513-281-4344
2. Pomodori’s, 121 W. McMillan St., Clifton Heights, 513-861-0080; 7880 Remington Road, Montgomery, 513-794-0080
3. Lucy Blue, multiple locations
4. Northslice Pizza, 1609 Chase Ave., Northside, 513-541-5858
5. Newport Pizza Company, 601 Monmouth St., Newport, 859-261-4900
6. Italianette Pizza, 6916 Plainfield Road, Silverton, 513-791-7650
7. Chi-natti, 7980 Hosbrook Road, Kenwood, 513-985-4445
8. Trotta’s Pizza & Drive Thru, 3501 Werk Road, Western Hills, 513-451-5555
9. Ramundo’s, 3166 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-321-0978
10. NYPD Pizza, multiple locations

24/7 RESTAURANT
Anchor Grill - 438 Pike St., Covington, 859-431-9498
2. Skyline Chili, multiple locations
3. Camp Washington Chili, Camp Washington

APPETIZERS
Nada - 600 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-721-6232
2. P.F. Chang’s Bistro, Norwood/Hyde Park
3. Bonefish Grill, Hyde Park

ASIAN (Not Chinese)
Teak Thai - 1051 St. Gregory, Mount Adams, 513-665-9800
2. Wild Ginger, Hyde Park
3. Lemon Grass, Hyde Park/Crescent Springs/West Chester

BAKERY
The BonBonerie - 2030 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-321-3399
2. Servatii Pastry Shop, multiple locations
3. Busken Bakery, multiple locations

BARBEQUE
Montgomery Inn - 9440 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, 513-791-3482; 925 Eastern Ave., Downtown, 513-721-7427; 400 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell, 859-344-5333
2. City Barbeque, multiple locations
3. Walt’s Barbeque, White Oak

BEER SELECTION
The Comet - 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-8900
2. Hofbrauhaus, Newport
3. Beer Sellar, Newport

BREAKFAST
First Watch - Multiple locations
2. Bob Evans, multiple locations
3. The Echo, Hyde Park

BUFFET
Golden Corral - Multiple locations
2. Boi Na Braza, Downtown
3. The Palm Court, Downtown

BURGERS
Terry’s Turf Club - 4618 Eastern Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-533-4222
2. Zip’s Cafe, Mount Lookout
3. Five Guys Burgers and Fries, multiple locations

BURRITOS/WRAPS
Chipotle Mexican Grill - Multiple locations
2. The Comet, Northside
3. Habanero, Clifton/Newport

BUSINESS LUNCH
Arnold’s Bar & Grill - 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, 513-421-6234
2. Montgomery Inn Boathouse, Downtown
3. Palomino, Downtown

CHEAP EATS
Skyline Chili - Multiple locations
2. Chipotle Mexican Grill, multiple locations
3. Zip’s Cafe, Mount Lookout

CHEESESTEAK
Penn Station - Multiple locations
2. Melt, Northside
3. Jersey Mike’s, multiple locations

CHEF
Jean-Robert de Cavel
2. David Falk, (Boca, Nada)
3. Mark Bodenstein, (Parker’s Blue Ash)

CHICKEN
Chick-Fil-A - Multiple locations
2. Silver Spring House, Symmes Twp.
3. Hitching Post, Hyde Park

CHILI (CHAIN)
Skyline Chili - Multiple locations
2. Gold Star, multiple locations
3. Dixie Chili, multiple locations

CHILI (NON-CHAIN)
Camp Washington Chili - Hopple and Colerain avenues, Camp Washington, 513-541-0061
2. Blue Ash Chili
3. Price Hill Chili

CHINESE
P.F. Chang - 2633 Edmondson Road, Norwood, 513-531-4567; 9435 Civic Center Blvd., West Chester, 513-779-5555
2. Shanghai Mama’s, Downtown
3. Oriental Wok, Fort Mitchell

COFFEEHOUSE
Coffee Emporium - Downtown/Hyde Park
2. Starbucks, Multiple locations
3. Sitwell’s, Clifton

DELI
Izzy’s - Multiple locations
2. Jungle Jim’s, Fairfield
3. Avril Bleh Meats, Downtown

DESSERTS
The BonBonerie - 2030 Madison Road, O’Bryonville, 513-321-3399
2. Graeter’s, multiple locations
3. Cheesecake Factory, Kenwood

FIRST DATE RESTAURANT
York Street Café - 738 York St., Newport, 859-261-9675
2. Nada, Downtown
3. Melting Pot, Symmes Twp.

FRENCH FRIES
Five Guys Burgers and Fries - Multiple locations
2. Penn Station, multiple locations
3. McDonald’s, multiple locations

GERMAN
Hofbrauhaus - 200 E. Third St., Newport, 859-491-7200
2. Mecklenburg Gardens, Corryville
3. Christy’s & Lenhardt’s, Clifton Heights

ICE CREAM
Graeter’s - Multiple locations
2. Aglamesis Brothers, Oakley/Montgomery
3. U.D.F., multiple locations

INDIAN
Ambar - 350 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, 513-281-7000
2. Baba, Oakley
3. Dusmesh, Clifton

ITALIAN
Pompilio’s - 600 Washington Ave., Newport, 859-581-3065
2. Scotti’s, Downtown
3. Bella Luna, East End

KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Chuck-E-Cheese - Multiple locations
2. Chick-Fil-A, multiple locations
3. Red Robin, multiple locations

LIVE MUSIC WHILE YOU EAT
The Comet - 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-541-8900
2. Arnold’s Bar & Grill, Downtown
3. Hofbrauhaus, Newport

MEDITERRANEAN
Andy’s Mediterranean Grill - 906 Nassau St., Walnut Hills, 513-281-9791
2. Myra’s Dionysus, Clifton Heights
3. Cafe Mediterranean, Anderson Twp.

MEXICAN
Nada - 600 Walnut St., Downtown, 513-721-6232
2. Rio Grande, Newport
3. El Rancho Grande, multiple locations

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Jean-Robert’s Table - 713 Vine St., Downtown, 513-621-4777
2. Mellow Mushroom, 1014 Town Drive, Wilder, Ky., 859-441-6600
3. Senate, 1212 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-2020
4. forkheartknife, 1437 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-3451
5. NorthSlice Pizza, 1609 Chase Ave., Northside, 513-541-5858
6. Tom Chee, 133 E. Court St., Downtown, 513-721-CHEE (2433)
7. MOTR Pub, 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-6687
8. Tony’s of Cincinnati, 12110 Montgomery Road, Symmes Twp., 513-677-1993
9. La Poste, 3410 Telford St., Clifton, 513-281-3663
10. Joe’s Diner on Sycamore, 1203 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-421-5637

OUTDOOR DINING
Arnold’s Bar and Grill - 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown, 513-421-6234
2. Arthur’s, Hyde Park
3. Buckhead Grill, Bellevue

PIZZA (CHAIN)
Dewey’s - Multiple locations
2. La Rosa’s, multiple locations
3. Donato’s, multiple locations

PUB FOOD
Terry’s Turf Club - 4618 Eastern Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-533-4222
2. Arthur’s, Hyde Park
3. Claddagh Irish Pub, Newport

RAW BAR
Dancing Wasabi, Mount Lookout - 1018 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-533-9218
2. The Waterfront, Covington
3. Teak Thai, Mount Adams

RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW
Primavista - 810 Matson Place, Price Hill, 513-251-6467
2. The Celestial, Mount Adams
3. Montgomery Inn Boathouse, Downtown

ROMANTIC RESTAURANT
Primavista - 810 Matson Place, Price Hill, 513-251-6467
2. The Celestial, Mount Adams
3. Orchids at Palm Court, Downtown

SALADS
Dewey’s - Multiple locations
2. Olive Garden, multiple locations
3. Melt, Northside

SEAFOOD
Mitchell’s Fish Market - Newport on the Levee, Newport, 859-291-7454
2. Bonefish Grill, Hyde Park/Crescent Springs/West Chester
3. McCormick & Schmick’s, Downtown

SOUL FOOD
Knotty Pine on the Bayou - 1802 Licking Pike, Cold Spring, 859-781-2200
2. Alabama Fish House, Over-the-Rhine
3. Tucker’s, Over-the-Rhine

STEAKS
The Precinct - 311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-321-5454
2. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Downtown
3. Outback, multiple locations

SUBS AND HOAGIE SANDWICHES
Penn Station - Multiple locations
2. Jimmy John’s, multiple locations
3. Jersey Mike’s, multiple locations

SUNDAY BRUNCH
First Watch - Multiple locations
2. Grand Finale, Glendale
3. Take the Cake, Northside

SUSHI
Dancing Wasabi - 1018 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-533-9218
2. Teak Thai, Mount Adams
3. Green Papaya, Oakley

TAKEOUT
Chipotle Mexican Grill - Multiple locations
2. Skyline Chili, multiple locations
3. Frisch’s, multiple locations

TAPAS
Argentine Bean - 2875 Town Center Blvd., Crestview Hills, Ky., 859-341-1841
2. Latitudes, Anderson
3. Daveed’s at 934, Mount Adams

VEGETARIAN
Melt - 4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside, 513-861-MELT
2. Green Dog Cafe, Columbia-Tusculum
3. Myra’s Dionysus, Clifton Heights

WAITSTAFF/SERVICE
The Precinct - 311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-321-5454
2. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Downtown
3. Nada, Downtown

WATERFRONT DINING
Montgomery Inn Boathouse - 925 Eastern Ave., Downtown, 513-721-7427
2. The Waterfront, Covington
3. Buckhead Mountain Grill, Bellevue

WINE SELECTION
20 Brix - 101 Main St., Milford, 513-831-2749
2. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Downtown
3. Dilly Deli, Mariemont

There are for sure some restaurants on there that taunt me because I haven’t been there yet. All in due time.

Predicting Movie Remakes of the Future: Beetlejuice

2nd in the series we are discussing the eventual movie remake of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice. This is possibly my favorite of his films and it was one that I loved as a kid but there were some things I didn’t understand fully until I was older. I even played the video game on Nintendo and watched the cartoon show that was on Saturdays.

Original Cast:

Alec Baldwin: Adam Maitland

Geena Davis: Barbara Maitland

A young, married couple who are killed in a car accident and become ghosts. Before death, they own a hardware store. Adam is a highly-skilled miniature model maker, while Barbara enjoys fixing items around their home.

Casting Notes: Middle 30’s to 40’s cute couple.

Winona Ryder: Lydia Deetz

Daughter of Charles Deetz (Delia is actually her stepmother), a goth adolescent. She is the only one of the family who can see the Maitlands and quickly befriends them — notably, she wishes she were a ghost like them. At the end of the film she was nearly forced to marry Betelgeuse.

Casting Notes: Excellent opportunity to either typecast an actress that already is Goth-like or to cast someone that would be totally unexpected.

Catherine O’Hara: Delia Deetz

Wife of Charles and stepmother to Lydia, as well as an aspiring (but pretentious) sculptor.

Casting Notes: Pretentious and hip. Sticks out like a sore thumb.

Jeffrey Jones: Charles Deetz

A previously cutthroat and successful contractor whose nerves went and now only wants "to relax and clip coupons." Charles moves his family to the countryside to recover.

Casting Notes: Aloof and bored to death with his wife.

Michael Keaton: Betelgeuse

Juno's former assistant, an obnoxious, perverted and chaotic "bio-exorcist" who carries a grotesque physical appearance. The character is a mystery; his age and even how he came to die remain unknown, but he refers to having lived through the Black Death.

Casting Notes: Crazy as can be but loveably funny at the same time.

Glenn Shadix: Otho

A friend of Delia. Otho is an interior designer and former paranormal expert.

Casting Notes: A creepy little smug man. Portly and coiffed, he is the only one who understands Delia.

Sylvia Sidney: Juno

The Maitlands' social worker in the afterlife. She recommends that the Maitlands do not accept the help of Betelgeuse.

Casting Notes: Could not care less about the Maitland’s or helping them transition. Hates Betelgeuse.

Hollywood Version:

Adam Maitland: James Franco

Barbara Maitland: Scarlett Johannson

Lydia Deetz: Selena Gomez

Delia Deetz: Cameron Diaz

Charles Deetz: Paul Rudd

Betelgeuse: Charlie Sheen

Otho: Jonah Hill

Juno: Diane Keaton

Version I Would Actually Enjoy:

Adam Maitland: Ed Helms

Barbara Maitland: Kristin Wiig

Lydia Deetz: Hailee Steinfeld

Delia Deetz: Juliette Lewis

Charles Deetz: Robert Downey Jr.

Betelgeuse: Russel Brand

Otho: Zack Galifinakis

Juno: Shirley MacLaine

Update Hurdles:  

Animations:

Animations are seriously going to suffer from not having that "Tim Burton" touch. 

Music: 

I'm not sure this demon will get greenlit because of the lack of Danny Elfman music.

Recipe: Banana Bread

I tried this new recipe and yet again altered it!

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups AP flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter (about 5 1/2 tbs)
2 eggs
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 1/2 - 3 bananas)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Grease an 8x4" loaf pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.



In a large mixing bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.


Add butter, eggs, nuts and banana. Beat until well blended.




Pour batter into prepared pan and bake about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

And there you have bread!

Recipe: Fettuccini Alfredo

Incredibly cheap and easy to make.

Ingredients:
1 quart heavy cream
2 sticks butter
3 cups parmesan cheese
salt

Directions:

Melt butter in a large saucepan.



Put a pot of water on the stove to boil for your pasta.



After butter has melted, add cream.



You can use bagged cheese which is fine if you're pressed for time. You'll find a nuttier flavor if you use a parmesan reggiano or similar cheese and grate it yourself.



Add your cheese to the saucepan with the butter and cream.

You'll have to babysit this until it all melts and combines because the parmesan likes to sink to the bottom and burn. Don't be discouraged, it will combine.

Serve over fettuccine or any pasta you like. Add broccoli, chicken, shrimp, mushroom or whatever you like! I like to add roasted garlic to mine but this was for work. No adventurous eaters where I work. You can also adapt this recipe to a vegan version. Use Daiya cheese, soy milk, and earth balance butter.

You'll never buy jar sauce again!