5 new places to eat and drink in Hamilton this year

Hamilton restaurants are serving up everything from sushi and tapas to burgers and beer. Here’s a look at five new eateries you need to try this year.

NOW OPEN: Basil 1791

The new Asian-American “gastro-pub-esque” restaurant has opened at 241 High St. in the former Ryan’s Tavern.

The establishment is part of a northeastern Ohio group that operates three Basil Asian Bistro restaurants.

MORE: New restaurant in Hamilton will feed your sushi fix

Tony Ly, the restaurant’s operator, previously told the Journal-News that Basil 1791 features “a predominantly pan-Asian menu,” including sushi, “a lot of play-offs, with a lot of Asian-influenced things” and even familiar dishes, such as hamburgers.

NOW OPEN: Quarter Barrel Brewery & Pub

Quarter Barrel Brewery & Pub, at the southwest corner of Main and B streets in the city’s growing Main Street entertainment district, now offers rooftop dining overlooking the Great Miami River and Hamilton’s downtown.

MORE: The wait for rooftop dining in Hamilton is over

Quarter Barrel’s biggest sellers are a farm-raised burger and large flat breads called Lavosh. It also offers traditional American “up-casual bistro pub fare,” and comfort food, with nightly specials.

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

NOW OPEN: Roll On In

The owners of a new local sushi burrito franchise opened with a huge success in downtown Hamilton this past spring.

Roll On In sold out during its opening weekend at 102 Main St., the former site of J. Austin’s Riverbank Cafe, a restaurant that closed in 2017.

MORE: 3 things to know about the sushi burrito restaurant in Hamilton

The non-traditional business operates off a “build your own” template in which guests opt for a burrito, bowl or salad, then choose one, two or three proteins, including tuna, salmon, chicken, gyro, shrimp, crab or tofu, followed by fillers and toppers.

Roll On In started in Lebanon in June 2016, adding locations in Loveland and Clifton thereafter.

COMING SOON: Tano Bistro & Catering

Tano Bistro & Catering is working to open in Hamilton this July at a high-profile spot at the corner of Dayton Street and Riverfront Plaza.

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Located in the first floor of The Marcum, a new mixed-used development combining 103 high-end apartments and first-floor commercial space, the restaurant will feature a seasonally changing tapas-style menu with daily specials that have a focus on fresh, high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

COMING SOON: The Casual Pint

The Casual Pint plans to open in Hamilton in July 2018 on the first floor of The Marcum Apartments in downtown Hamilton.

The business will offer 30 beers on tap and hundreds more on carry-out shelves, along with a variety of wines and a limited food menu.

Expert “beer-tenders” will serve craft beer by the pint from the tap wall, by the can, or by the bottle for customers to enjoy in the store. Growler fills, Mix-a-Six Pack out of bottle and can selections from the cooler or dry shelves, and kegs will also be available to go.

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