This story originally appeared in the August 23, 2024 issue of LINK Reader.
Northern Kentucky’s restaurant scene has undergone significant changes over the past calendar year, with many establishments opening their doors while longtime favorites have closed for good.
The region said goodbye to classic restaurants like Dee Felice Café, an institution in Covington’s Main Street neighborhood for nearly 40 years, and Keystone Bar and Grill, one of the region’s most popular comfort food spots.
It’s not all bad news, though. NKY is also seeing an influx of new restaurants, such as Cattleman’s Roadhouse and Opal.
As the culinary landscape changes, we highlight five restaurants that opened in the last calendar year and five that closed.
OPENINGS
Thai Pavilion: 405 Scott St., Covington
Covington’s only Thai restaurant opened its doors in October in the former Chi Maek on Scott Street.
The owners Anya Hoffman and Wun Woon have fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening their own Thai restaurant. According to Hoffman, the restaurant was recommended to her by Chi Maek owner Bruce Kim.
As self-professed foodies, Hoffman and Woon use the Thai Pavilion to share their love of Thai cuisine and culture with the Northern Kentucky community.
The Thai Pavilion’s menu includes classics such as Pad Thai, red curry and Pad Kee Mao, as well as various noodle dishes, fried rice dishes, wontons and spring rolls.
Cattleman’s Roadhouse: 12910 Frogtown Connector Road, Walton
Cattleman’s Roadhouse, the local branch of the Kentucky-based steakhouse chain, opened with much fanfare in June. The new steakhouse is located just west of Interstate 75 in Walton.
The franchise is the brainchild of restaurant owners Bill Hisle and Stuart Meredith, who opened the first location in Shelbyville in 2006. The menu features nine steaks from Demkota Ranch Beef in Aberdeen, South Dakota, as well as a variety of burgers, salads and main dishes.
Honey uninhibited: 50 E Rivercenter Blvd., Suite 20, Covington
Former Cincinnati Bengals player Carlos Dunlap opened his newest eatery, Honey Uninhibited, a Southern-style restaurant in Covington’s RiverCenter in July 2023. The 12-year NFL veteran lived in Northern Kentucky during his playing days with the Bengals.
The menu features creative takes on classic Southern dishes like Gullah Shrimp ‘n’ Grits, Macaroni and Cheese and Lobster Truffle, specialty drinks and mimosa kits.
Several restaurants have moved into the RiverCenter. The previous tenant was FIRE, a New American restaurant, which closed in March 2020. Before that, the Behle Street Cafe occupied the space. It closed in 2013 but has since reopened in Fort Mitchell.
The Covington location is the second Honey Uninhibited in the United States. Dunlap opened the original restaurant in 2022 in Miami, Florida, his hometown.
Opal: 535 Madison Ave., Covington
Northern Kentucky’s newest rooftop restaurant is located on the seventh floor of the renovated Republic Bank building in Covington’s central business district.
At the opening, founder Bill Whitlow described Opal as a casual fine dining experience. Whitlow, a well-known Covington restaurant owner, also owns Hangry Omar’s Slider Shack and Rich’s Proper.
Opal’s Grillworks open-fire grill is one of the few within a two-hour radius of Cincinnati. It also features a patio bar with an extensive cocktail and wine list.
Bridges Nepali: 11 W. Seventh St., Covington
Nepali restaurant Bridges opened its first Northern Kentucky location in June, located in the former McK’s BBQ shop. Bridges was founded in 2015 by Ashak Chipalu and his parents, Rose and Manoj, in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood.
Bridges’ menu includes noodles, rice bowls, samosas and momos – the Nepalese version of a dumpling.
There is another Bridges location in Elmwood Place, Ohio, and according to the restaurant’s website, a fourth location is planned to open in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati.
CLOSURES
Keystone Bar & Grill: 313 Greenup St., Covington
Keystone Bar & Grill, a popular comfort food restaurant, closed its doors in September after 16 years in business.
The restaurant was founded in 2007 by Cincinnati-based Four Entertainment Group. Despite its closure, Keystone’s signature mac and cheese lives on at Keystone’s Mac Shack on Short Vine Street in Cincinnati.
By Golly’s Bar & Grill is set to open in the space vacated by Keystone. By Golly’s menu will feature classic bar fare such as burgers, chicken wings and sandwiches.
Café Dee Felice: 529 Main Street, Covington
After nearly four decades in Covington, Dee Felice Cafe announced its permanent closure in July 2023.
The cafe was founded by Shelly DeFelice-Nelson and her father, a jazz musician who performed under the stage name Dee Felice – the restaurant’s namesake.
The New Orleans-style restaurant’s menu featured Cajun offerings such as grilled shrimp, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, fried catfish sandwiches and shrimp po’boys.
Since Dee Felice closed, Kealoha’s Kitchen, a Hawaiian restaurant formerly located in Latonia, has moved into the space.
McK’s BBQ: 11 W. Seventh St., Covington
Covington barbecue joint McK’s abruptly closed after six years in business.
McK’s serves classic grilled dishes and traditional sides like collard greens, mac and cheese and baked beans. The meat is cooked each morning in two drum smokers in the alley next to the restaurant.
McK’s also had a second location in Cincinnati’s Liberty Township. That location has also been closed.
Bridges Nepali opened in the Covington space in June.
Baker’s Table Bakery: 1001 Monmouth St., Newport
Newport’s Baker’s Table Bakery cafe on Monmouth Street suddenly closed its doors last October.
Baker’s Table restaurant across the street remained open and resumed serving brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Additionally, Baker’s Table has offered immersive cooking classes in its former bakery space, allowing participants to make pizza, pasta and bread, and now also offers artisan sourdough bread for weekly pickup.
Quaker Steak and Lube: 8025 Action Blvd., Florence
Quaker Steak and Lube, a popular burger and wings shop near Florence Mall, closed permanently in January after the national franchise struggled to recover from the pandemic and was impacted by limited accessibility starting on Kentucky 18. The Florence location opened in 2012.
Quaker Steak and Lube’s menu offers a selection of steaks, burgers, hot wings and sandwiches.
The Quaker Steak and Lube building now stands vacant, a sign of the continued decline of the Florence Mall area.
