CINCY STREETCAR STROLL #2

Once a month, Noel Prows organizes a group to walk the route of the Cincinnati Streetcar to view and document the development of light rail in the Queen City. During our first stroll in March, we saw the start of construction taking place in Over The Rhine. Armed with a blueprint (rather than our old graphic map), we explored the entire route in roughly three hours.

Justin and Noel with our trusty new map.


The old graphic map... still great for blogging purposes.

Not much activity was taking place in the Downtown portion, aside from a few signs indicating the streetcar route. Over The Rhine, however, was bustling with Duke Energy crews as they relocate utilities for track construction.


CENTRAL PARKWAY & MAIN

No change since March




12TH & MAIN

UPDATE: Duke Energy out in full-force to move utilities.




12TH AT WALNUT & VINE

UPDATE: Duke Energy out in full-force to move utilities.

Last month, we estimated this stop too far east.
It will actually be right in front of the parking lot at 12th and Vine.

MUSIC HALL ON ELM

UPDATE: Local contractor J. Daniel Company working in front of Music Hall







LIBERTY & ELM

No change since March

We found another Cincinnati Streetcar sign that was torn down.

FINDLAY MARKET ON ELM


UPDATE: Duke Energy continues work on utilities just south of Findlay Market


Streetcar stop will be just south of the Elm Street entrance to Findlay Market, as to not to block the crosswalk and intersection.

HENRY STREET & ELM


No change since March

Streetcar signposts like this once marked stops on the route.
Unfortunately, all but one have been torn down by anti-streetcar folks.

The bend at Henry Street where the streetcar will turn to head south.

ELDER STREET & RACE


UPDATE: Work on the curb / fire hydrants completed.


LIBERTY & RACE


UPDATE: Work on the curb / fire hydrants completed.

Streetcar will be running on the left side of the street from here to Central Parkway.
Residential development along the streetcar route.

14TH & RACE 

UPDATE: Work on the curb / fire hydrants completed.




CENTRAL PARKWAY & RACE

UPDATE: Blueprints indicate for streetcar to turn onto Central Parkway using a portion of the current median. This may allow for future integration for a stop at the abandoned subway tunnels if ever put into use for rail transit.  A subway station exists directly below this intersection.






LIBRARY ON WALNUT
 

Two streetcar signs have been put up to indicate this stop. Both have been ripped and partially torn off.


ARONOFF CENTER AT 6TH & WALNUT






GOVERNMENT SQUARE ON WALNUT



THE BANKS ON 2ND STREET




4TH & MAIN




 6TH & MAIN



 

8TH & MAIN


A newish streetcar sign wrap.


BOCA TO OFFER "LADIES PORTIONS"

The high-profile restaurant location of the former Maisonette became all the buzz on Wednesday when new tenant Boca released a statement about its new and exciting mission: "create a world-class, affordable dining experience that offers the highest expression of Italian cuisine."



Relocating from Oakley, it's not the eatery's reputation that got everyone talking. Owner David Falk said in a statement to the Cincinnati Enquirer that new to Boca's menu are tasting portions for "women [that] don't want to eat a lot of food."

I guess that's an innovative way to cut back on the expense of dining out. Ladies, just eat less.

Shortly after the article went live, Twitter lit up with Cincinnatians raising an eyebrow. "Who the heck are these ladies?!" exclaimed @Twitricia. I couldn't agree more.

A few blocks away at 9th and Vine Street, Scotti's Italian Restaurant has been serving up generous portions for four generations. With specialty dishes for those who want to splurge, and simple meals for those on a budget, Scotti's has found a way to keep customers happy without letting women go hungry.

Eggplant Parmesan at Scotti's.

Boca is a few noodles short of a spaghetti dinner if they think the highest expression of Italian cuisine is now singling-out women. I'll gladly continue to patronize Scotti's, and have them roll me out the door satiated and satisfied.

FISH FRY #6: BRIDGETOWN FINER MEATS

Our sixth and final stop on our 2013 tour of Friday Fish Fries was Bridgetown Finer Meats on the Westside. This was our favorite meal during last year's fish fry tour, which made it worthy of a repeat visit.

#FFFCincy Rating:

5 of 5 Fishies
Two years in a row!





Bridgetown cranks out over 1,400 fish sandwiches every Friday during Lent. That's over $10,000 in one day just in fish sales... and they're worth every penny!


Known for their Fabulous Fish Sandwich, a gigantic filet of beer-battered Haddock on Servatii rye bread is topped off with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle along with Bridgetown's homemade tartar sauce. This is by-far the largest piece of fish we've found on our Friday Fish Fry tour: big enough for two to share and barely fitting inside a large takeaway box.



Let's not forget to give a shout out to the side dishes, which are as equally amazing as the sandwich. Everything is made from scratch and it's a challenge to pick a favorite. The vegetarian-style green beans taste just as good (if not better) than the traditional variety that is cooked with ham. Mac N Cheese is warm and gooey, with large noodles. The coleslaw is crisp and well seasoned. Even the fresh fruit cup is worth bragging about!



Located in a small strip mall of local shops, the trifecta of deliciousness starts at the fish fry then wanders next door to Jenny's Homemade Cookies for dessert. Afterwards, we stopped by Bridgetown Wine Shop for their Friday tasting: seven wines for only $10.00!


Jenny's S'mores Cookie:
chocolate, marshmallows, topped with a graham cracker. Best enjoyed warm.



One of my favorite details of Bridgetown is how the staff comes out to meet our group once we're all settled in at the picnic tables. We had a manager stop by last year too, just to say hello and to hear how we found out about their fish fry.



Bridgetown Finer Meats hosts their fish fry from 4:00PM - 6:00PM every Friday during Lent. Their regular deli / butcher shop is open year-round, and also offers made-to-order sandwiches.
Free parking lot. Cash or Credit. Beer and wine. Take away only. Call ahead your order for pick up. Check out the menu.

Follow our Friday Fish Fry adventures on Twitter: #FFFCincy

BEST OF: REDS OPENING DAY PARADE

Recapping the best sights of the Reds Opening Day Parade:

For our full set of photos, check out the CincyWhimsy Facebook Page.

Avtar Gill aka "Cincinnati's Hat Man" tribute portrayed by Mike Ingram of The Seedy Seeds
A one-seater Metro bus
Christian Moerlein portrayed by a Spring Grove Cemetery reenactor
The Neuterville Express


Bunbury Music Festival bees on segways
A swanky shot of Mayor Mark Mallory
City Councilmember Chris Seelbach's giant seal float
Jeff Ruby's mobile dining room

Findlay Market veggie car
Little boy on a mini motorized tractor
The Cincinnati Sarcastisies