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Excellent restaurants within short walking distance of Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati?

• I have been traveling to Cincinnati for business meetings and I am looking for some recommendations for excellent restaurants within a short walking distance from Fountain Square. We are going to have a dinner mid-week of only employees of my company, but there will be a vice-president with us, so I am either looking for some of the best food or something fancy but not WAY expensive. The next day we are going to eat out with the customer for lunch. We have eaten at the Rock Bottom, so I am looking for something similar like brew-pub or business lunch. This should not be too fancy because I want us to be done within an hour, some of the guests will need to head back to work while the rest head to the airport. Here is a list I have compiled, please comment or add. Montgomery Inn - Not really too close, but I hear this is excellent and should not be missed. We can cab it if necessary. I think too far (and possibly too messy) for our customer, because I do not want them to cab anything. http://www.montgomeryinn.com/ Bistro JeanRo http://www.bistrojeanro.com/ Boi Na Braza http://www.boinabraza.com/ Jean-Robert at Pigalls http://jeanrobertgroup.com/pigalls Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse http://www.jeffruby.com/cincinnati.html Lavomatic Cafe & Urban Wine Bar http://jeanrobertgroup.com/# Morton's The Steakhouse - Carew Tower http://mortons.com/location_detail.php?pageid=location_detail&idlocation=51 Nicholson's Tavern & Pub http://tavernrestaurantgroup.com/nicholsons.html Oceanaire Seafood Room - Cincinnati http://www.theoceanaire.com/location/seafood-restaurant-cincinnati The Phoenix http://www.thephx.com/ Via Vite - We have eaten here last trip, I am unsure if we would do it again, but I include it to indicate the caliber of restaurant and also let you know we have been here. www.viaviterestaurant.com I have excluded Nada Restaurant based on some internet reviews. I am afraid some of my team may not be 'hip' enough for it. Tell me otherwise if I am incorrect.

• Answer:

  I heard that Pigalls is shutting down soon, although I do not know the exact date- you may want to strike it off your list (its due to the bad economy). One I dont see on your list, which is right there, overlooking Fountain Square is Palomino. Its a nice place with very good food. Jeff Ruby's, Pigalls, JeanRo, and Morton's are all on the fairly expensive side. Of those, I'd suggest JeanRo or Jeff Ruby's for steak. Palomino is also not cheap, but is a bit under the prices of those above. Ive done a number of business lunches at Palomino. And I do agree, for visitors to Cincinnati, the Montgomery Inn is not to be missed. But, since its primarily known for its ribs, it is also somewhat dangerous for a business meal in my opinion, given the natural messiness of the primary entree.