Last night we went to the Cincinnati Blackfinn for dinner with another couple for the soft opening. Across the street from the URS Tower and in the space McFaddens used to occupy BlackFinn has an updated menu with a few more sophisticated choices and some old favorites. We had the opportunity to try a sampling and were reasonably impressed.

Our table dined on some beer steamed mussels and Ahi tuna for starters. You could really smell the beer in the mussels and the tuna was seared just right with a sweet glaze drizzled on top. I enjoyed my penne primavera and my husband thought the Ahi sandwich was great. Our friends enjoyed the BlackFinn grilled chicken and rice dinner and buffalo chicken sandwich.

The desserts were equally as good. The ice cream cake was easily large enough for two and our friends spoke highly of the apple pie. There was a glass of Guinness inspired chocolate mousse that we missed out on but it looked amazing.

We are running a small contest here for free passes to the BlackFinn grand opening Party Thursday night March 13th. The first people to track back and comment will get up to 4 VIP tickets to the event.

Downtown Cincinnati has once again come alive. With plenty of new restaurants opening up and a thriving nightlife, it has once again become a thriving place to be. In the past year, we have seen new restaurants open on or near fountain square such as Boi Na Braza (Brazilian Food), Nada (Contemporary Mexican Food), and Vie Vite (Italian). Mortons reopened in the Carew Tower and Fountain Square welcomed their new tenants Greaters Famous Ice Cream and Potbelly Sandwich Shop. The nightlife has revived with The Lodge Bar on 7th Street, Havana Martini, Sully’s reopening, and Cadillac Ranch the Country Bar with a mechanical bull for endless entertainment. Although McFaddens closed there will be a new restaurant/bar opening soon in the same location.

Since a lot of the 20, 30, and 40 somethings that are re-locating to Cincinnati from larger cities like I did such as Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Miami one of the concerns about moving to Cincinnati is losing the culture and excitement of living in a large city which includes the fine dining that is available there. The restaurants listed above as well as Jeff Ruby’s (steakhouse), McCormick and Schmicks (steak and seafood), Palomino (American), Pigall’s (French),Oceanaire (a new seafood restaurant opening soon), and Nicholsons (Irish pub food) are only adding to the excitement of the new downtown. These are all trendy restaurants that have excellent food and service and have a contemporary decor and ambiance that was not found in Cincinnati a few years ago. Many of these restaurants have hip bar areas where guests can enjoy happy hour as well.

Fountain Square has been reconfigured and currently has an ice skating rink with rental equipment available for visitors to enjoy. There were many events over the holidays and as the weather warms up the lunchtime events during the week will return. All Cincinnati residents should come see for themselves the changes that have occurred and support the businesses who have taken the leap of faith that things have changed and will continue to improve.

Downtown has returned as the hot place to be. You should feel safe coming downtown to work, eat, and party! Crime rates have decreased in the double digit percentages over the past 7 years and the crowds have returned. I look forward to enjoying the places that are there now and to see the new restaurants and bars that will open soon. You will not be disappointed!