the rookwood

i been meaning to post a positive review about this place. we went up there for an early dinner on a sunday. the place has been made over since most of you have probably been there. the interior is kinda douchey, like bootsy's is having a trickle down effect- but the space will always be amazing as the former home of rookwood pottery. however, it very obvious that the bartender and the chef have a great idea of what they are going for.

i got a negroni, the first one i have seen offered in cincinnati. so lets make that the first one i have had in a year. it was delish. perfectly balanced. with a bitters-soaked pearl onion for garnish. nothing too over the top. just the right drink. i was blown away, actually. so i went and talked to the bartender, who keeps lots of fresh fruit on his bar, makes his own bitters. etc. hold me back!

for appetizer: goetta hanky pankys. anyone that knows the laumers knows that we have a special place for hanky pankys. little dark rye toasts with a scoop of a warm goetta cheese mixture. they served theirs with a relish of green peppers. good thinking!

we all enjoyed our sandwiches. they had great flavor, were on great bread, weren't too over the top- just the right things together. i think i'll go back again soon to see if they maintain the restraint of keeping things real. and to try another drink- a cocktail with my name on it! i'll report on the "sierra cobbler".