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Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week: 9 must-eats

Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week: 9 must-eats
Posted at 12:31 PM, Apr 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-18 12:34:30-04

Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week gets bigger every year.

If you're not familiar with it, this week (April 18-24) local restaurants will put together special, seasonal prix fixe menus so you can try their food without spending as much as you might normally. If you need some help deciding which of the 26 participating restaurants to visit, here are nine menu recommendations.

And remember -- make reservations ASAP.

Best Value

The Palace at the Cincinnatian: For $35 per person, you can sample a prix fixe menu that would normally go for much more. Diners will be able to taste the creations of Nathan Sheatzley, who has revived The Palace as a premier dining destination. Try the miso cured pork belly, ricotta gnocchi with blue prawns and perfectly in-season rhubarb savarin with rhubarb sorbet. 601 Vine St., Downtown

Primavista: Romantic restaurant Primavista pairs Italian food with cozy surroundings and the best view in the city. This menu is a stunner, with veal Scallopine, ravioli with walnut pesto and Primavista's famous budino di pannetone (bread pudding made with Italian-style almond and fruit bread). 810 Matson Place, East Price Hill

Prime 47: Steakhouses are always a sure bet during Restaurant Week. When do you have the opportunity to get a high-quality steak -- not to mention a first course and dessert -- for $35? Start with a classic wedge salad or lobster bisque, then choose among filet mignon, New York strip, shrimp or salmon. Finish with a half-baked chocolate chip cookie or a Grippo's pretzel-crusted brownie. Delicious. 580 Walnut St., Downtown

Interesting Menus

Golden Lamb: No longer a meat-and-three "home cooking" restaurant, Golden Lamb has some interesting, high-end choices daily -- and particularly during Restaurant Week. Goat cheese panna cotta with spicy coconut granola is an excellent start for a first course, followed by lentil and bacon soup with a pork rind topping. Finish with lamb -- of course -- with crispy polenta and a sunny-side up egg. There's also a cucumber limeade drink special, which is available with gin to complete a beautiful spring meal. 27 S. Broadway St., Lebanon

Daveed's: Cincinnati couldn't be happier to have owner-chef David Cook back in the kitchen at Daveed's, a Mount Adams favorite for years. Not only is Cook's food delicious, he also has plenty of options for those who are gluten-free or vegetarian. Begin your meal with a turnip and tarragon cappuccino, an Indian Hill spinach panzanella made with 16 Bricks bread and Spicy Olive olive oil. Then choose chicken with cheesy grits or flat iron steak. Opt for Israeli couscous with carbonara ratatouille if you're vegetarian or simply would prefer a meat-free entree. 934 Hatch St., Mount Adams

York Street Cafe: If you're vegetarian, this is one of the best menu options available during Restaurant Week. Choose from vegetarian soups such as carrot-ginger or hummus and pita as a first course, roasted stuffed poblanos as a main course and a variety of York Street's famous, homemade desserts. (I love the strawberry cake.) Don't worry, meat eaters -- there are choices for you, too. 738 York St., Newport

New Choices

D. Burnham's: This excellent hidden gem in the Renaissance Hotel has a delicious Restaurant Week menu. Pork belly with pineapple compote, stuffed dates with jalapeno and bacon and poached beet salad are all first-course choices, and salmon, short ribs and chicken are the choices for your entree. Enjoy creme brulee or chocolate-caramel torte for dessert. This could become one of your new favorite restaurants. Inside Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel, 36 E. Fourth St., Downtown

Harvest Bistro & Wine: Harvest, formerly La Poste, is coming out strong for its first official Restaurant Week. Its menu includes shrimp and grits, wild mushroom risotto, Harvest's signature wedge salad and bread pudding for dessert. Restaurant Week is a great way to try a new restaurant, so put this one on your list. 3410 Telford St., Clifton

Cozy's Cottage: Open only two years, Cozy's Cottage is new to Restaurant Week, representing local restaurants in the northern suburbs. I'm interested particularly in the grilled bibb lettuce salad with a raw jasmine vanilla citrus vinaigrette. Also worth a try: white balsamic glazed chicken, fried pork belly with Brussels sprouts and carrot cake. 6456 Cincinnati Dayton Road, Liberty Township

Where are you heading for Restaurant Week? Tweet me at @winemedineme!