In Memorium: 2017

As with awards shows, it is important to pay tribute to greater Cincinnati’s now-defunct restaurants and businesses. I know there are more, but these are the ones that stick out (in alphabetical order).

Ei8ht Ball Brewing (Newport)
Ei8ht Ball was one of the first places I tried — and liked — real beer. Many memories of my earliest beer drinking days and dates with BK involve Ei8ht Ball. I still feel the loss of that wonderful brewery and beer bar, though its replacement is pretty good, too.
Closed: February

Istanbul Cafe (CBD)
Istanbul Cafe, a Mediterranean restaurant serving gyros, kebabs, and other Turkish dishes closed its door after six years in operation. It opened downtown in 2011.
Closed: May

Kitchen 452 (East Walnut Hills)
After five years in operation on East Walnut Hills’ Woodburn Avenue corridor, the owners of Kitchen 452 decided to close on August 31. Kitchen 452 served casual lunch throughout the workweek, featuring rotating seasonal menus.
Closed: August

Margaritaville (CBD)
Cincinnati is home to arguably one of Jimmy Buffett’s largest fanbases, if you’re wondering how difficult it is to keep a restaurant up and running. Margaritaville was located in Jack Casino and served American fare.
Closed: April

Nectar (Mt. Lookout)
After 12 years in operation in Mt. Lookout Square, Nectar closed its doors just a couple of months into 2017. Nectar was a crowd favorite, especially with the brunch and dinner clubs crowds.
Closed: February

Packhouse Meats (Newport)
While the food truck is still in operation, the brick and mortar home base of Packhouse known for its no tipping policy, closed its Monmouth Street location last spring.
Closed: March

Park + Vine (OTR)
Park + Vine was a mainstay on Main Street in OTR, having opened in 2010 (the original Vine Street location opened in 2007 before moving to Main). The green general store and vegan lunch spot was a favorite for many, and it was a sad mid-winter day to see it close.
Closed: January

Pi Pizzeria (CBD)
Pi, the St. Louis-based deep dish and thin crust pizza restaurant located at 6th and Main, closed its doors in melodramatic fashion last spring.
Closed: June

Santo Graal (CBD)
Brought to you by the same people who opened Holy Grail, Santo Graal, a ristorante and pizzeria, closed its Banks restaurant at the beginning of 2017.
Closed: January

Sung Korean Bistro (CBD)
After 10 years of serving Korean cuisine downtown, Sung closed its doors last spring.
Closed: May

Toot’s (Loveland)
A popular, family-friendly American restaurant and bar in Loveland closed its doors after 22 years in operation. The owner cited health issues as the reason behind closing.
Closed: April

ZBGB Gourmet Burger & Bar (OTR)
The burgers were pretty good, if a bit expensive, which may have been the ultimate demise of Zula Bar and Gourmet Burgers.
Closed: March

And finally, the one that hits home the most, Blank Slate Brewing Company. Blank Slate was home to some of Cincinnati’s best craft beer and its sudden closing stunned the local beer community. For more on Blank Slate’s abrupt closing, read Thanks for the memories, Blank Slate.
Closed: August

What other restaurants, drinkeries, retail stores, or places have closed in the past year that you’d like to acknowledge?