1. Asian Lantern
Longtime, popular Hamilton restaurant Chinese Lantern, which closed at at 965 Main St. in December after its owners retired, will soon see new life under a new name, new ownership and an expanded menu.
Asian Lantern will open March 1, retaining menu items available on Chinese Lantern’s menu while adding new items such as Korean Spicy Noodles Soup with jumbo shrimp, scallops, crab meat, vegetables and Japanese udon noodles, as well as Hor Fun Noodle Soup with a choice of chicken or beef.
Cooking them will be Hor Zhen, who served as a chef in Chinese Lantern for its last 10 years.
MORE: Popular Chinese restaurant reopening under new name, owner
2. Rib City
Rib City is bringing its “fall-off-the-bone” ribs — and much more — to Hamilton’s West Side.
The restaurant, which got its started in Fairfield in 2006, moved to Springdale in 2011. Its run there will end on Feb. 28 and open this spring at 746 NW Washington Blvd., the former location of Walt’s Barbeque
Rib City touts itself as a full-service, family oriented restaurant with “fall-off-the-bone” ribs and a variety of other menu selections, including appetizers, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
MORE: This local restaurant is coming back to Butler County with a NEW location
3. MacKenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub
MacKenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub, which features gourmet pizzas, burgers, fish tacos and other offerings made from scratch recipes, will open this summer in Fairfield Twp.’s Bridgewater Falls shopping center. It’ll replace Max & Erma’s, which opened in 2005, will shut its doors next Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Launched in 1993, MacKenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub features a menu with more than 70 items, including gourmet pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, fish tacos, goat cheese queso, Kentucky bourbon bites, specialty cocktails and much more.
The Fairfield Twp. location will be the first MacKenzie River location in the Butler County area. Other locations in the state include Beavercreek and Columbus.
MORE: New restaurant in Fairfield Twp. already planned in closing Max & Erma’s space
4. Basil’s on Market
Slated to open in April at 5650 Tylersville Road in the the high-profile spot that was formerly Brazenhead Irish Pub, Basil’s On Market in Mason is renovating that landmark space to feature a new bar and patio, plus three large garage doors that are set to give the enormous establishment its own summer dining experience.
Entrees for dinner at the restaurant will feature everything from Boneless Short Rib, Pesto Chicken and Buttermilk Fried Chicken to Sauteed Sea Bass, Barrel-Aged Salmon and Lobster Shells and Cheese with Grilled Shrimp.
A lunch menu features Pulled Pork BLT, Bruschetta Pasta, a Chiptole Chicken Wrap and more. Also available will be 43 wines, both red and white, as well as a selection of 10 scotch whiskeys and 10 bourbon whiskeys.
MORE: Things are coming along at Mason’s newest restaurant. Here are 5 things to know.
5. Duck Donuts
Duck Donuts is opening its fourth Ohio location this April at 5635 Deerfield Blvd. in Deerfield Twp.’s Deerfield Towne Center.
The North Carolina-based franchise specializes in warm, made-to-order doughnuts. Customers may choose from a variety of topping combinations, including traditional flavors such as vanilla icing with sprinkles and more adventurous creations such as maple icing with bacon.
MORE: 5 things to know about the new Duck Donuts coming to the area
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