How to go
WHAT: Mahogany’s Café & Grill
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 11 a.m. to Midnight, Friday/Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Mahogany’s is closed Monday and the kitchen closes each night at 10 p.m. Friday night Karaoke starts at 9 p.m. and beginning in December, live bands will begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday nights.
WHERE: 863 Central Ave., Hamilton (near the intersection of Ohio 127, Central Ave. & Hanover Street)
COST: Paw - Pa Jim’s Shrimp & Grits $14.95, Catfish or Tilapia Dinner $11.25 or $12.25, Johnnie-Mae’s Catfish & Grits $12.75, Baby Backed Ribs $15.95, Chicken & Waffles $12.95, Fried Chicken Wing Dinner $11.95. Desserts average $4 - $5.95. Please note that a 15% gratuity will be added to all checks for parties under 8, and 18% for parties of 8 or more.
MORE INFO: (513) 737-SOUL (7685) The website is under construction and will be online within a few weeks.
HAMILTON — Low-calorie meals may be considered en vogue by some, but the fare at Mahogany’s Café and Grill is served up in huge portions and styled with plenty of flavor and soul.
“Our food is for everyone, no matter what their ethnicity, and everybody loves soul food because it’s good, southern, down home cooking,” said Owner and Executive Chef Liz Rogers.
Rogers said her love for Hamilton is what made her decide to open the restaurant back in August, saying she wanted to do her part for the revitalization of the Southeast Business District. In a bit of a twist, Mahogany’s decor is very urban and reminiscent of the cigar or martini bars in larger cities like New York. “The style is a reflection of me, yet the food was handed down to me from mine and my husband’s family,” Rogers said.
The menu is filled with soul food delicacies with Paw-Pa Jim’s Shrimp & Grits being this writer’s favorite. The huge portion of grits was drenched in butter and special secret sauces, then sauteed in smoked bacon, scallions, portabella mushrooms mixed with fresh shrimp. My decision to mix in hot sauce gave the traditional favorite a kick that was to die for. Other menu faves include Johnnie-Mae’s Catfish and grits, so named after Roger’s mother-in-law, with the fish being an Asian variety that has no bones and a lighter texture. The dessert and baked goods menu changes daily, but the Slap Your Mama Banana Puddin,’ and Sweet Potato Muffins are the most popular choices for carry out.
Mahogany’s seats about 50, and Rogers said she cooks each dish to order so customers should expect a bit of a wait on nights when the restaurant is full. There’s a full bar, and weekend nights will soon feature live music. Happy hour is offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The café can be rented out for private parties with advance notice and Rogers will cater events of all sizes off site.
Contact this writer at tlhrsly@cinci.rr.com
About the Author