I went to the York St. Cafe a few weeks ago to meet someone for a first date and had a wonderful time. Â The ambience of the restaurant is perfect for conversation and conversation starters with all of the collections of random items all over the walls. Â We couldn't pick from all of the tasty looking desserts, so we ordered three and they were all outstanding! Â I went back a few weeks later and tried the burger, which I would absolutely put on my top ten list for Cincinnati burgers.
Review Source:I want to live here.
DO:
-Brunch
DON'T:
-N/A
PARKING:
-Street parking (mostly free I believe)
Enjoyed a wonderful brunch at this joint. Overall the food was probably 3.5-4 stars. The menu is very refreshing thanks to the rather experimental dishes. What tipped this review to a 5 star was the decor. I'm a sucker for grungy and yet well curated selection of random decor. I felt so comfortable and cozy, I didn't want to leave. I want to come back during the evening and drink my problems away. Okay, TMI.
Quirky, quaint, cozy, home-y, and inviting. Lounge around in solitude with the morning paper and coffee, have an intimate brunch date, discuss local politics with close friends, or throw a baby shower...this place is a catch-all kind of joint.
I ordered the spinach toastie (7.95) that came with either a soup or salad. I got the soup-du-jour which was butternut squash with a chipotle twist. I liked it a lot, but it can easily become an overwhelming bowl because it's super creamy. Luckily they portion their dishes well. My spinach toastie was basically a spinach-artichoke dip on top of toasted pita bread, but it was still good. I was torn by SO many of their SEASONAL menu items. Nothing is "typical" on their menu because they add a little twist even to their sammies.
Lunch prices mostly fall around $8-9.
Their coffee was delish (and free refills!)-- pairs well with their dessert cakes, which are terrific as well. Our slice of cake was $6.50. Just warning you.
Our server was so kind and accommodating. I'd like to come back to see what they have to offer, especially in the evening. I'm sure the ambience would change as the day goes on. You have to come at least to be a nostalgic romantic lost in all the unique trinkets.
This is the first time Yelp has led me astray...this place is WEIRD, I'm into eclectic but it's really strange inside. Service was friendly but VERY slow. Dirty hummus had flavor combinations that didn't work. Hubs had a salmon wrap which he said was not good, I had the hot veggie sandwich which was good. I also ordered a Bloody Mary and it was the worst I've ever had - basically tomato juice and well vodka, blech. Just an odd jumbled mix of atmosphere and menu and we definitely won't be back. I don't understand why people like this place!
Review Source:I am going to start with the one negative because everything else about this place is so great. Â It is a little pricey, especially at dinner. Â I recommend going for lunch when the prices are pretty reasonable. Â
Decor is incredibly cute and kitschy. Â Servers are friendly and fast. Â Food is unusual... Try the dirty hummus! Â Think of hummus mixed with a Mexican 7-layer dip. Â Whoever thought of serving hummus warm is a genius. Â YUM! Â Great salads as well. Â I had the butternut squash salad, which had a ton of toppings and was large enough to have leftovers for the next day.
I hear rumor that they have an amazing patio as well. Â
Definitely try this place out!
Outstanding!
Me and my girlfriend went there for her birthday weekend.
We got two meals and split them, the Asian Grilled pork sandwich (5 - Stars)
and the Turkey & Brie Sandwich (4 - Stars)
they come with a side of chips and a pickle spear.
The waiter was awesome, super nice staff.
The atmosphere is really flipping cool. Just do yourself a favor and good.
Delicious food and excellent wait staff. Had dinner on a business trip and after many such business trips all around the country this was one of the most memorable meals. The fish special and the Amish chicken were both amazing but I am sure you cannot go wrong. The dessert we tasted was also great and the ones we didn't try sounded good too. Â I will definitely seek this place out again when in the area.
Review Source:I wandered in to York Street today for lunch after an absence of about.....8 years. Â At one point, I spent most of my waking hours at York Street at the club upstairs, so after that was done, I didn't feel much like going back. Â
Greeted happily by a server and seated promptly, we were off to a good start. Â Thinking I wanted something "good for me" I ordered the Chick Pea patty pita with a side salad with the house made Gorgonzola dressing (ok...not "as" good for me, but still, a favorite from years ago) and started to read my book. Â
My food came out quickly, looked wonderful and tasted even better, but after graciously giving me some water in addition to the hot herbal tea I ordered, I never saw my pleasant server again. Â It was fine, except I really wanted to pay out and head next door to the little rummage/antique shop for a few minutes before I had to go back to the office. Â I did have to track her down through another server, but that probably won't stop me from treating myself to a good lunch now and again.
Perhaps this is better experienced as a dine-in destination. While I will grant you that the physical building is very pretty, the neighborhood is fetching, the gentleman who assisted me was kind (as opposed to the woman who greeted me; smiles are free currency... jus' sayin'), and I was thanking all the good graces I'd accumulated to find something - anything - open on a Saturday afternoon (seriously, Newport; Saturday!!). That said, I just can't justify $16 salads that don't take *me* to dinner. I can't.
Generally, when I spend that kind of money for lettuce and protein, I am dressed nicely, have a bottle of wine by my side and am dining in. When searching for a take-out option ($13 for plain salad; $3 for chicken/salmon add-on... $5 for shrimp), paying that above market in a smaller market doesn't make me happy. Don't get me started on the bottle coke prices. Has Newport experienced a pricing boom in the time since I've been gone from Kentucky? For the amount of money I dropped for life-saving food for me and my colleagues, I would have thought that I commissioned Rick Bayless for a private dinner. No me gusta!
Such personality! This place is charming and filled with many knick knacks that beg you to explore and think about. I along with 12 others held a book club meeting here and it was a great night.
Our server Chris, was great and was on top of everyone's order. He also kept my glass of water filled to the brim. Thank you!
Food: I had the Veggie Burger ($12) which is a little pricey in my opinion, but at least it is a great tasting burger. It is also thick and was not quick to crumble like many veggie burgers. The bun was toasted to perfection and includes a lot of red onion, a small piece of lettuce, some cheddar cheese and a tomato. There is also some kind of risotto-like dish. All condiments (mayo, mustard, and ketchup) were automatically served on the side. While I am on the topic, I do like ketchup and the ketchup ramekin only had about a tablespoon and a half of ketchup. I quickly went through that and had to ask for some more and was brought back another one with even less ketchup. Is there a ketchup shortage going on that no one told me about?
No big deal, thankfully the food had lots of flavor and didn't need a ketchup bath.
When it was time to pay, our server even asked for my ID since I have it written big on the credit card. Good job!
Had the service and food not been excellent, I would have dinged the place a star as smoking is I guess allowed (there was an ash tray in the lobby with two half used cigs), but maybe not in the main dining area. But I am in the minority as it is Kentucky and you'll have to pry the cancer sticks from their cold dead hands... ha!
Cell reception for me was a little bad, if you are waiting on others, you might want to dip outside once in a while.
The service, food and atmosphere are great. It's treasures like this place that we need to frequent and tell others about.
Very cute atmosphere and delicious food.
I came to town to see the Newport Aquarium with my girlfriend the other day. After having a fantastic afternoon at the aquarium we were getting really hungry and started looking for someplace to eat some late lunch/ early dinner.
We looked around the Levy part of town and everything appeared to be big chains and corporate franchises, so I suggested that we drive around the neighborhood and get on our yelp smartphone apps and find some place a little bit different.
Boy, I'm glad we did because soon after leaving the parking garage and navigating the one way streets we found this charming place.
The decor is like that of an antique store full of nick knacks and is fun and inviting.
The waiter was very nice and did very well considering that I think he had the whole dining room to himself to manage. I asked him what his favorite sandwich was on the menu and he said absolutely, no question, it's the turkey/Brie/apple/cranberry dip one, said it made his eyes roll back it was so good. lol ! I told him that's what my girl was ordering so I wanted something different and I decided on the Asian grilled pork sandwich and we both opted for ginger carrot soup in place of chips.
The food arrived and was very good indeed, the Turkey sandwich was the winner but my Pork was very tasty as well. We decided that the meat would have been great on it's own with out the bun so you knew it was going to make a great sandwich based on that alone.
The waiter even went out of his way to make us some Iced Teas for the long drive back to Detroit.
:-)
This is an awesome place with tons of vegetarian options if you're willing to pay.
For starters, they make a tasty hummus with pita that is reasonably priced. The spanakopita is also a solid option that is freshly made and has a good serving size.
With regards to entrees I am a huge fan of their veggie burger. York st is one of the few restaurants that makes their own burger that actually tastes great. I highly recommend it.
York Street Cafe was a pleasant surprise - we went on a whim to catch a concert upstairs but ended up enjoying a nice dinner in the first-floor restaurant instead.
The atmosphere is immediately engaging - the walls are packed with shelves of conversation-worthy old toys, knickknacks, and photographs (we ate next to an old set of drawers, one of which contained - seriously - a pack of old naked Troll dolls).
The food was, quite simply, spectacular. The Autumn salad included a creative mix of butternut squash, golden raisins, and superb candied walnuts. The brie puff pastry was just what I expected: sweet, filling, and warm. Other menu items looked delicious, but with entrees all over 20 dollars, they were a little pricey. The price was the only downside to this otherwise excellent cafe! We'll be back soon.
If you need a place that serves good food and fodder for conversation, get yourself to York Street Cafe. The decor is nothing if not different. It's almost as though you're eating in someone's attic, surrounded by all of their favorite things. If you're nervous about starting a conversation with your date, the dining room will offer plenty of conversation starters.
And, oh the food. I really enjoy this place. They serve a great mix of cuisines, with appetizers leaning towards Mediterranean and lighter fare, while main dishes are more American with a twist. Be prepared to share if you go for the Mediterranean platter - it's a bunch of food.
The entrees change with the season and they typically offer at least one meat and one fish special. The Amish stuffed chicken is amazing. I highly recommend. At last visit, I tried the pork tenderloin - also delicious and it came with homey mashed potatoes. Score.
They offer a full bar in addition to beer and wine. The wine prices are reasonable. The dessert is amazing. I'm a sweets girl, and no matter how full I am, I have to try something out when I go to York Street. I'm not sure if they're made in house, but they typically offer a wide selection of (what appears to be) homemade cakes and pie. They are out on display, so you can take your time and pick what looks best to you.
Oh, and they have a nice outdoor space as well. When the weather's right, get yourself an outside table. Another aside: While they do offer parking, the lot is small. If you're meeting a group, you may want to give yourself some time to find a space. It's far enough away from the Levee that you can typically find a free space on the street without a problem.
Excellent, eclectic restaurant with food that doesn't disappoint. We got to try the new fall menu and the autumn salad was delightful. We also shared the catch of the day and chicken; both were high quality, well done, and satisfying. Our server was kind and patient as we chatted away and suffered a bit of indecision, she was also helpful and knowledgeable about the menu offerings.
The $1 BOTTLE of wine with the purchase of two entrees made our pleasant fall meal on the patio all the sweeter. We stuck around long enough that we got a bit chilly, so we headed inside for peanut butter pie and got to laugh at and admire the decor. (BTW-The fish in the tank is not real; it's an art installation.)
York Street Cafe is a fun place with lots of charm. I will definitely return with friends, family, or a date.
York Street Café still boasts original decor from its operation as a pharmacy in the 1800s. The walls are lined with tall, gorgeous wooden cabinets. Each cabinet is bursting with nostalgia, from Elvis collectibles to dog figurines. It's organized chaos filled with novelties that will bring back memories. There's just so much to look at! It's like an old-fashioned carnival meets home.
The food at York Street is original, fresh and healthy. The chef uses only seasonal ingredients so the menu rotates on a monthly basis. Some items stay the same, but many things switch according to available produce. The portions are plentiful and the meals are bursting with unique flavors.
So, what's good here?
- Chicken quesadilla stuffed w/ vegetables
- Salmon wrap
- Turkey cranberry sandwich w/ horseradish sauce
- Peppermint Patty cake
- Rum cake
- State Fair cake
- Carrot cake
...really, just rename yourselves to York Street Cake! Â Never have I had such wonderful cake. It's baked fresh in the kitchen or from Bonbonerie. The slices are HUGE. When you walk in, all of the cakes are lined up on the counter, waiting for you to savor them. I could easily come here for coffee and dessert and be content.
The service has always been wonderful too. I love the petite young lady with short black hair. She's very compassionate and attentive. Our glasses never ran dry, orders were placed, received, and bussed quickly. All of this during lunch rush, and she was still cheerful!
Entrees at York Street Café are around $8.00 - $10.00, cake is $4.00. Ample street parking. Don't park in the lot if you have an SUV. Big cars don't fit well there, plus other drivers will despise you! Park on the street instead.
I highly recommend York Street Café for business lunches, outings with friends, group dinners, first dates...and cake. They're all-around fantastic for any occasion!
Price per person: $15.00
The first thing you'll notice when you walk in here is the eclectic decorations. They have crammed every strange thing in here that you could imagine and then some.
Appetizers lean Mediterranean and they have what they call 'conversation platters', which are larger appetizers (either samplers or things like fondue) which are meant to be shared.
They entrees are good, if not a little overpriced. Almost all of them are over $20. I got the tomato pesto pasta with salmon and was pleased. The dish could have been a little more bold on the pesto flavor, but it was still very good. The wedge salad was just ok; there wasn't a ton of flavor in the Gorgonzola dressing. Dessert, however, was amazing. I had a piece of butter rum pudding cake that was to die for. Moist, almost to the point of wet and extremely flavorful. The best dessert I've had in a restaurant in a long while.
Overall, a great experience. Good food, good atmosphere, but prices a little high for what you're going to receive.
Pros:
1)Great atmosphere, very relaxed and filled with unique decorations
2) Their lunch: I had the turkey and brie sandwich which was pretty rich and delicious. The hummus appetizer is decent but the hummus was slightly more watery that I usually prefer.
3) Very reasonably priced lunch options
4) Their brie conversation board
Cons:
1) The service is extremely slow, we were done with our food and waiting for 30 minutes before our server came and asked us if we wanted our check
2) Dinner: I had the steak, while it was decent I felt that it was extremely over priced, for that price I would much rather have a Jeff Ruby steak
York Street Café is just nifty. I seriously didn't even know a place like that existed. Walking in there's a total classy Victorian feel, then bam! Pop culture posters, bobble heads and mannequins everywhere!
This place is packed with everything unique, giving it a complete vintage feel. The food is delicious! OK, so I've only been there once, to get drinks and appetizers, but it was delicious I promise! I'm a fan of the conversation plates- huge appetizers you can share with the whole table!
York Street is the perfect place to grab some food in Newport. The staff is great, food is delicious, and the atmosphere just can't be beat!
Love the kitchy, vintage feel of this place and the food has always been very good. Some borders on overpriced for what it is though. The first floor restaurant level has lots of comfortable, mismatched seating and they can accommodate large parties well. The acoustics make a little loud down there (especially when there are large parties) so if a more romantic evening is what you're going for, there's a nice little 2-top along the bookcases right as you enter the main dining room that feels a bit more removed.
I've tried a few different sandwiches at lunch time, but prefer this place for dinner where the creativity and quality shine through a little more. There's a Mediterranean influence on the menu, especially in the appetizer section with things like spanikopita, hummus, baba ganoush, etc. Â My personal favorite starter to share is the Dirty Hummus which has olives, red onion, a kind of tangy BBQ-like sauce, and then melted cheese on top, served with pita points. A bit like Middle Eastern nachos. Although on my last visit, there was way too much cheese (yes, it is possible) in the cheese to hummus ratio.
There's also a bar on the second floor that has live music. Check their website for a schedule. Fun, laid-back vibe. And the third floor is a mini art gallery. So it's very possible to have an entire fun night in one building with dinner, music & drinks, and a little art too.
I had been looking for a nice place to have lunch after a radio session at WNKU and I wanted to surprise my comrades with a real good one, seeing as we'd gotten up super early just so I could be on the radio yet again, doing my thing as I tend to do.
I was fiddling with my Yelp app while we were criss-crossing Eastern and Central time zones in our typical careless fashion when York Street Cafe somehow caught my attention. Later when I asked the good people at WNKU where to lunch they immediately suggested York Street Cafe. Say no more. We were already there.
A delightful romp of a place, decor-wise. We found a table by the window, in the shadow of a mannequin minding her own business. Still, she frightened me with her sultry looks and frozen posture (picture attached). I wouldn't let this diminish my lunch experience, however, and our waiter was in good spirits so we tore the menu a new one and ordered.
Our very own Kishi Bashi was craving heritage-food of the pan-Asian sortiment and refused to dine with us. Fine. Whatever. Herremannen and Giancarla ordered the veggie-burger and were pleased as pie. "How do they get it so crispy?" "It almost tastes like the real thing!" Such were the many complimentary comments that flew out of their cute, tiny little mouths as they ate up those burgers with glee and hunger. Always the wise-ass, I craved the real thing and ordered a non-veggie-burger. As such, I did not have to point out that it tasted like the real thing. It was real, indeed - very non-snobbish and charming. The mannequin behind me might not have approved of such folksy fare, but I am a man of the people and beg to differ. Shut your pie-hole, mannequin! You freak me out!!!
We also enjoyed salads and soups like there was no tomorrow. Inspired by Giancarla's alfalfa-sprouts, Herremannen opted for a side of said sprouts, a wish our kind waiter gladly granted. Herremannen then went on to put the alfalfa-goodness (never heard of alfalfa-sprouts btw. Could be these two veggie-dogs are just making this up. I drift in and out of any conversation so it's hard for me to say for certain) on his veggie-burger, to reportedly magical effect.
So happy was our dear Herremann that he got up from his chair and recited three sheets of history about Southgate House - printed out by our gracious hosts after we requested folklore related to the unusual rock club venue where we were to perform that night - with the enthusiasm, wit and thirst for knowledge typical of a true scholar and thespian. We delighted in his performance and ordered deserts. My first-ever strawberry shortcake. It was rich yet light. In a word or two, it was delicious and somehow not filling. Perfect for when your showbiz-life is getting all up in your grill. You know what I'm talking about.
And so the good vibes and tone were all set for us to do our thing at Southgate House. The sound there is terrific. As was the personel and we went on to have a great concert. I even got to wear the new USA leather jacket that I had purchased that day at a beautiful store right around the corner from York Street Cafe, the Razzle Dazzle Butique.
A bargain and only fitting. After all, it was Flag Day. You're welcome, America.
- SL
The BF & I ventured here with a Groupon I had purchased a while ago. Â He used to work very close, but never knew it existed. Â We walked in and had a short wait, but were seated pretty quickly.
The decor, while completely random, was very interesting. Â We were seated near the dressed up mouse head. Â All the chairs are different, but very comfortable. Â I ordered a appletini & was surprised to see how large it was and it came with an actual apple slice, yum! Â The BF ordered a Coke & was a little disappointed to see it came in a retro glass bottle. Â Certainly not something you see everyday, but he was looking forward to refills. Â I had the Amish chicken with broccoli & mashed potatoes & he had the fish special. Â We both enjoyed our dishes and the portions were very large. Â He ended up finishing my chicken as I was so full. Â The desserts looked amazing, but I just didn't have room for it.
Sigh.
All the reviews are so good! I feel like such a freak, why am I the odd one out? But my story needs to be told too, so here goes:
I'll start with a disclaimer. I came here, to use my Groupon, two days before the groupon expired. Apparently everyone else in town remembered THEIR groupon was expiring, and apparently York St. did not plan for this eventuality. I realize this is not a normal situation, but it was my first (and probably only) experience with York St, which I was really looking forward to. And gosh darn it, people--if you are a restaurant and can't handle the groupon--don't offer the groupon!
We had been really wanting to go to York St, because the reviews are awesome. This is the 3rd time we've tried to go, so expectations were high. They don't take reservations, but we got there at 6pm on a Tuesday night and thought it wouldn't be an issue. Well--we got there, looked around for a bit (there was a little area I thought could be a hostess area, but no one was there), and after 5 minutes we finally tracked down someone who told us there was a 30-minute wait...and looked a bit bummed when we said we were going to stay.
An hour later, our name finally got called. Our server, when he finally showed up, said that he was slammed and his job was to "keep the train moving", which we took to mean that he didn't have time to answer questions about the menu, we sent him off for drinks, and when he got back we quickly gave him our order--no questions.I heard other servers telling people the specials, but we never heard them because we were trying our best to keep the train moving.
In our hour pre-game, and time after the order, we had plenty of time to look around. Cincinnati--I see many of you really like the decor, and I have one word for you all: FREAKSHOW. The whole time I am looking around, I start to feel uncomfortable and dirty. I also start thinking about Miss Havisham from Great Expectations. I am staring at all this stuff that hasn't been dusted since 1952, and thinking maybe I'm not hungry anymore.
And then the food comes.
Well, the food was wonderful. We had the fish of the day, which was superb, and the flippin' shrimp, which were pricey at $10 for 4 shrimp but spectacular. We also had the chicken cherry salad, which was pretty good as well. And if I were in a different environment, and didn't have the monstrous wait and the staff who didn't want me there, I would give at least 4 stars for the food. And if I shut my eyes, the food was wonderful...but the minute I opened them, I started seeing undusted troll dolls and peeling paint and frankly, it really put a damper on the experience for me.
So there you go. If I ever went back, I would need to sit outside (I understand there is a courtyard folks can go to in the summer). But I probably won't go back.
I've performed here a few times as part of The Big Reveal (a Moth-style storytelling show) and I always look forward to hanging out before or after the show because the food is SO good, the atmosphere is great, and the service is amazing. It doesn't get much better than that.
P.S. Order the dirty hummus and thank me later.
Lunch at the York St Cafe is yum yum yum good. I have been going to the York st Cafe for lunch since David Hosea opened it in the early 90s. I have never been disappointed and today was no exception.
I always ask about and try the specials they are always good. Today special was some kind of gourmet pizza and it was GREAT. Service prompt and accurate my Arnold Palmer was never empty. The check with Tip was just north of $10. My lunch partner and I enjoyed some good conversation in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere. I'll be back.
I want to give this place another half star because I didn't try their signature dishes or desserts, and hence, can't judge them fairly.
The reason for my three star review is situation specific. Because this location was close to a party that we were attending, we thought a cafe would be a good place to grab a quick bite. We ordered cheeseburgers and the chicken mole sandwich, thinking that it would be relatively quick. Unfortunately, York Street Cafe is undermanned, and service is dreadfully slow. This simple meal took an hour an half, making us late for our event.
Under different circumstances, I think I'd rate this place a 4 or 5. This place would be a perfect place for a first date, or to grab a bite when you have an hour or two to kill.
I look forward to coming back to see what York Street Cafe has to offer in full.
I lived for 2 years on York Street and never ended up going to York St. Cafe. I spent most of my time at Pepper Pod.
The York St Cafe has a nice decor of an old mercantile with a lot of knick-knacks and decorations. Horrible pictures below.
I had the spanikopita, this was a delicious spinach phyllo dough pie with a nice feta cheese salad.
Next was the apple salad. Apple, cider dressing, bacon, goat cheese and mixed greens. To the left you can see a hearty wheat bread. Just delicious.
Next I ordered the Ruby Trout. A generous portion of trout with rice and broccoli. The trout was topped with a lemon dill vin blanc. I can't say I really tasted the dill flavor in the sauce, but it was delicious anyways. I don't know if you can tell but it was a very hearty portion as well.
I ordered the buttermilk strawberry cake to go and it was incredibly delicious. I love a good strawberry cake. The frosting was buttery and light and the cake tasted like strawberry shortcake.
York St. Cafe is near my work and as such very accessible for a long lunch or a holiday party. I recommend you try it as well!
My lunch at York Street Cafe makes me want to jump up and down singing, "So good, so good!" Except that I ate so much that I am sinking into food coma.
Beyond my delicious smoked salmon wrap, soup, and the strawberry buttermilk cake that I didn't need, the restaurant decor is amazing and when you look around, you just have to wonder about.... the mannequins (especially the stripper mannequin in the window), the Pez collection, the shelves full of old and weird toys. You also have to admire the beautiful woodwork, high ceilings, and the all around coziness. When you see the stained glass window sign, you'll then understand that this crazy/fabulous place used to be an old school pharmacy.
We came at the end of the lunch rush and service was a tad leisurely for a work day- however, this may have been a fluke since the server apologized profusely for the delays. If I didn't need to get back to the office, it wouldn't have bothered me at all- I could have hung out there for another hour if I could. Either way, the servers were very nice.
The food was tasty and fresh, and extra bonus points for having their delicious cakes out on display on a little bar and being located in such a cool space.
I purchased a groupon for the York Street Cafe to give it a whirl ($50 for $25 is a pretty good deal). Â After my experience I most definitely will be coming back.
The service was top notch, extremely friendly and willing to explain what's on the menu.  We had babaganoush as an appetizer and it was a very interesting and spicy baba, among the best I've ever had.  For my main course I had the polenta which was super tasty, I really liked the bits of corn in it, and  I'm normally not a fan of mushrooms but the mushrooms in my dish were excellent.  My friend had the salmon and she said it was super delicious.
The decor and atmosphere was delightful as well, it was upscale but also relaxed and quirky. Â Also be sure to try to go on a Tuesday or Wednesday, they have $1 bottles of wine with 2 entrees.
York Street Cafe is a really cute place with fabulous food. Â Service was a little slow, however, the food was well worth the wait. Â Given the quality of the dishes we found the wait to be understandable. Â The staff were very helpful and courteous. We loved the dirty hummus and coffee. Â I throughly enjoyed the apple salad and enjoyed bites of the Amish chicken and greek salad from my date's plates. Â Unfortunately we did not save room for dessert- but next time we will try. Â
This is probably not the best place to go if you are in a hurry, but rather somewhere to take the ones with whom you love to spend time (ie great place to catch up with family or the girls!!).
Good lord, York Street has seen more reincarnations through the years....I don't even know where to begin.
My best memories of York Street were as a music venue and I saw some of the best talent in Cincinnati with the best sound. Â I have fond memories of watching from beneath the floor boards bending in time to the music on the tiny stage on the second floor (dancing was the norm) and was present forone of the most sold out shows in Cincy history - Stop Making Cents (a tribute to Talking Heads) to benefit autism. Â The line stretched around the block to get in. Â Sadly, this is no longer an option.
The second floor also boasted the only unisex bathroom in Cincinnati and was a nortorious spot for evesdropping - just go into one of the stalls and shut the door. Â Best theatre in Cincy.
The food downstairs however has never been short of excellent. Â It's been awhile since we've visited York Street and I need to get back. Â It's still a destination for lunch in the area I am told and I think they still have their famous Black Forest Torte on the menu.
You stare up into the blank face of a life-size papier-mâché angel, hanging from the ceiling, slowly spinning, in the middle of a dark red room, and can only wonder, "My god. Life. This existence. What does it all mean?" - then you eat a burger and it's all good again.
York Street Café is one of the weirder and cooler spaces I've ever been into in Cincinnati - and I didn't even know it existed (technically it's in Newport, which I don't go to often, tucked away from the main strip, so I'm not sure how I would have found it sooner - but still!). You walk by the window an a mannequin is staring you down, right next to people eating. Inside is artwork and statues, pictures and paintings and everything in between. It's like entering the mind of a crazy person, but with really good food.
The name's actually misleading - it's more of a restaurant and less of a café. Yes, you can get coffee and beer but their food selection is not only great, it's also semi-cheap. Also, they a have a part of their menu called "conversation platters" meant for sharing and talking over. Ha! I love that.
I was here for a hilarious storytelling show  and they ushered me up to the second floor. Here was more crazy artwork in a large room with a full bar. I didn't even have to go downstairs to get a drink. Win. The space was really good for a show too - tables in the back and rows of chairs in the front, meaning you could tailor how intimate you wanted everything to be. I was quite happy there.
I also wanted to point out that I was amused and freaked out by the men's bathroom. I was told to go up to the third floor where there's this wooden door with the word "restroom." Opening up, it's this white space with drawings of flowers and shapes all over the wall. Was this really the men's room? Yep, it was. They even had drawn a princess crown over the toilet, just for more weirdness. Fantastic.
Seriously, there wasn't one thing about this place I didn't like. A hard-earned five stars for sure.
This place quite simply put is a rockstar. But not in that, in your face, fake, I'm too cool for school kind of way. It just exudes cool in an unassuming manner and makes you want to be near it.
The street presence is appealing, yet understated. The interior decor is perfect without slapping you in the face about it. The food itself is delish, even the basic grub. The service is overtly friendly with a radiating warmth of kindness. There are a few little nooks you can sequester yourself, and that special someone, away to for some deep eye gazing without being disconnected from the pulse of the place.
Follow the stairs up and there are often live music performances. They feature some of the best local and 'from out of town' acts, all with an eclectic mix of true soul. The drinks are mixed with care and a sense of urgency, tempered with a relaxed coolness that adds to the experience. There are a variety of couches and other seating arrangements, but you have to arrive promptly to snag the prime locations. The unisex bathroom certainly brings a bit of an edge in a racy, ahead of its area feel. If you play your cards right, this could be an opportune moment to sneak that sideways glance to a certain unknown someone to see if you should pursue once back in the safety of the mellowness without.
As a final side note, there are many interesting historical facts about this location dating back to the days of Newport gangsters, gambling, and adult entertainment. For example the upstairs bar was purloined, piece by piece from a famous rival establishment at the time. Learn all this and more by going on a Newport Gangster Tour.
I love to eat at York St. Cafe for lunch on the weekends and occasionally for dinner.  We also go sometimes just for dessert!  The atmosphere and decorations are very authentic and interesting to look at.  The restaurant has a  romantic feel and is great for a date night. Â
You have to try their cakes! Â They are hand made every day with new selections each week. Â Their spice cakes are my favorite. Â
As for the main course, I love their Mediterranean wrap for lunch. Â They also have excellent hummus. Â Try their "dirty" hummus. Â It is a meal in itself!
For dinners, my husband and I will often get a cheese and fruit plate before our meal. Â We love their brie. Â
Everything is homemade and you can really taste the love the owners and chefs put into their food.
I first came here not long after it opened.  On a second visit I saw Lucy Kaplansky upstairs  (1994) -- a great venue for music.  Downstairs we have food, pretty damn good food in a delightful atmosphere.  I've eaten here only about a dozen times in 12 years.  Everyone I've dated here loved it.
 Many don't expect a very good classy restaurant in these environs.  A real delight.
York St has some of the best tastes, presentation and atmosphere in the Cincinnati-area. There are plenty of "upscale" places to eat in Cincinnati but many have the good-old-boy P&G feel. York St. has a great unpretentious and welcoming staff and atmosphere.
I highly recommend it as a date spot, especially when its warm out -- the patio is great. I've got to contribute some of my relationship with my fiancee to dates at York St.
Desert, wine and food, no matter what you choose, you'll find something extraordinary.
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