Goose & Elder is local chef and restaurateur Jose Salazar's most recent venture. The eatery/bar is located across from historic Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine and hosted its grand opening on Aug. 20.
Salazar describes the restaurant as "Midcentury grandma," sourcing colors and patterns that evoke a sense of the 1970s and '80s.
"You will find some posters of iconic '80s female badasses (youll have to come see for yourself who those are)," Salazar says in an email interview.
Pulling from Cincinnati's rich German history, guests can also expect to see beer steins and cuckoo clocks on display.
The restaurant offers a menu of American comfort food ranging from traditional dishes to new takes on classics. Both approachable and affordable, no menu item exceeds $20. Dishes include a grain bowl ($9), chicken schnitzel ($17), roasted bone marrow ($8), fried bologna sandwich ($9) and baked mac and cheese ($6).
Goose & Elder also caters to health-conscious eaters, offering a variety of seasonal dishes, sourcing farm-fresh and sustainable ingredients.
Salazar emphasizes approachability when it comes to this particular restaurant.
"We want Goose & Elder to be that great neighborhood joint that you can feel comfortable bringing the kids, the grandparents in, or a place to spend a girls night out in. We truly feel like there is something for everyone at Goose & Elder," he says.
Head to the back of Goose & Elder to visit the bar, which focuses on kitschy, old-school cocktails like a Long Island Iced Tea ($9), Tequila Sunrise ($9) or White Russian ($9). "Happy goose hour" runs from 4-7 p.m., with $10 buckets, $5 house wine and dollar off drafts.
Goose & Elder is located at 1800 Race St. in Over the Rhine. The kitchen is open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. The bar closes at midnight at the earliest on weeknights and Sundays, but will stay open later depending on demand and until 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Photos by Hailey Bollinger