Only the beginning....Star Lounge & Bar was only in it's "soft launch" phase when we stopped in on a Sunday at noon. Their full Open House is planned for early March 2024.We had originally stopped in for lunch but, once we sat at our table and looked at our menus, we were very surprised that this is an Indian Cuisine Restaurant. This is 100% on me. I saw great reviews, skimmed a few but I went on the stars alone. Also, I thought it would be interesting to see what was done with the long vacant home to what was The Trinity Pub. Out of the gate, I have to say that Indian Cuisine is probably our biggest go-to for dining out and take out. If you're a fan, then you know the Cincy area is flush with some really fantastic Indian restaurants. With that said, this is just not what I was expecting or had a taste for during this visit. I was looking for more of a brunch, sandwich, lunch type place and maybe a drink.We quickly decided to go with a drink and an appetizer since we were there. We're so glad we did....We ordered a glass of wine, an orange cream cider and a vegetable pakora appetizer. The drinks were drinks. The vegetable pakora was beautiful. Hot, fresh as it was made to order and delicious. It came with two sauces/chutney's but we're not sure what they were exactly. One was really good and the other we were not a fan of. But the pakoras themselves were great.After we were done, we had a chance to speak with our server a bit about the business. She stated that their Chef likes to put a "twist" on things and not deliver the same old fare. He likes to be creative and prepare good, fresh food made to order. If the pakoras were a good example of this, we can't wait to go back. She also spoke of the overall target of the restaurant and it's menu. From what she said, they're looking to have a 50/50 Indian / American Pub Food menu, if I fully understood this correctly. They will have a full bar lounge downstairs, they have the full bar and restaurant upstairs and they have a great outside eating area as well, for when the weather is warmer.The one personal observation I shared with her was the fact that, unless I read closer to the reviews or visited their website, I had absolutely no idea that this was an Indian Cuisine Restaurant. Whether that is a pro or con is irrelevant. It was merely an observation. In my case, it worked out for them because we likely would not have stopped in today, but would have eventually. However, had we not stopped in today, who knows how long a new Indian Restaurant was in town and we'd not have had any idea.Would I go back? I'm very much looking forward to checking out Star Lounge & Bar when they open. At that point, I'll likely update this review with some real substance on the food.
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