Beloved OTR Restaurant Finds New Home on Fifth Street

Chef Jose Salazar Announces Return of Namesake Restaurant

CINCINNATI (June 3, 2024) – After announcing in November that Salazar restaurant would be temporarily closing following a decade on Republic Street, renowned Chef Jose Salazar has identified a new home for the beloved Over-the-Rhine (OTR) eatery. Salazar has signed a lease for an 8,300-square-foot space on the ground floor of Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC)’s 101 W. Fifth Street development in Downtown Cincinnati. The restaurant will be located below Paycor’s new headquarters in a portion of the former Saks Fifth Avenue space.

While the new restaurant will have many similarities to the original, patrons can also expect to see a number of changes. Salazar will continue to focus on working with local farmers and artisans, making fresh pastas and other items in-house, but will put more emphasis on seafood. It will be a place for celebrating special occasions, or a place you can pop in for a quick bite to eat – complete with a versatile menu ranging from a burger & fries to a seafood tower.

“We had a lot of constraints in the Republic Street space due to its size,” Salazar said. “We outgrew it. The new, larger space opens up a world of possibilities as far as what we can do, and we’re taking full advantage. It’s going to feel more grown up – more refined and polished.”

In addition to its regular dining space, Salazar will feature three private dining rooms varying in size. Each room will have a different look and feel to accommodate a range of occasions. The restaurant will be able to host events for up to 60 people.

“Salazar was one of the first restaurants to really put OTR on the culinary map, so we couldn’t be more excited to see it revived in a new, larger space,” said Lindzie Gunnels, Director of Commercial Leasing for 3CDC. “With Paycor relocating its headquarters to the former Saks building, and Salazar joining them on the ground floor, we can’t wait to see this area brought back to life, and the integral role it will play in connecting the Convention District to Fountain Square.”

As Salazar shifts his focus back to his eponymous restaurant while working in tandem to open his newest concept, Safi, he has also made the incredibly difficult decision to permanently close his Findlay Market restaurant, Goose & Elder. He ultimately determined it was best to concentrate his energies on opening Safi and building out the new Salazar, in addition to maintaining his ongoing operations at his other concepts, Mita’s and Daylily. Goose & Elder will remain open through the middle of this month, with its final day in operation being June 15.

Salazar is on track to open at 101 W. Fifth Street in the spring of 2025. Additional details, as well as grand opening plans, will be shared at a later date.

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