Elaine Townsend and Erik Bentz of MochikoPhoto: Hailey BollingerRight after running as a Cincinnati pop-up for numerous yrs, Japanese-model eatery Mochiko is having a permanent home in East Walnut Hills this spring.
Co-entrepreneurs Elaine Townsend and Erik Bentz launched Mochiko in the spring of 2019, a culinary endeavor that usually takes inspiration from a style of Japanese delicacies identified as “yoshoku,” which incorporates Western recipes with Eastern components and sensibilities. Bentz cooks the savories and Townsend bakes the sweets.
Due to the fact opening, the duo has set up a cult-like subsequent for their pop-ups at corporations throughout the city, transitioning to supply and carry-out meals (which include Do-it-yourself ramen kits) when the pandemic hit final spring.
The duo’s first brick-and-mortar cafe will be situated at 1524 Madison Street, in the former Mardi Gras on Madison place.
Frequenters of Mochiko pop-ups can glimpse forward to some common menu items, like Townsend’s cakes, crammed buns and melopans, the at any time-popular omurice, karaage hen, a bao bun smash burger, and, of program, ramen — such as a Cincinnati-model possibility.
And whilst prospects have been capable to get a taste of Mochiko even though pop-ups were on hold by means of their have-out and shipping meals, Townsend states they had to hold back on some of their preferred dishes simply because of the preparation restrictions.
Mochiko ramenImage: Hailey Bollinger
“We are most enthusiastic about currently being capable to serve incredibly hot food items once again, specially our Omurice! When we pivoted our food items to pickup/delivery only, it was a single of all those dishes we wanted to make but determined versus it because it would not be the similar if people could not get it refreshing, just out of the pan,” Townsend tells CityBeat.
The place is petite, Townsend says, giving some tables for dine-in guests in addition to bar seating, with a negligible style showcasing pale pink walls, gentle-colored wood and crops galore.
Finally Townsend and Bentz approach to have a modest bar software that capabilities beer, wine and sake. But when they wait for their liquor license, Mochiko will be a BYOB institution.
And for people hesitating to dine within, the eatery is equipped with a helpful carry-out window, which Townsend suggests aided “seal the deal” when scoping out possible destinations.
“We want persons to sense relaxed buying from us, and with COVID-19 it seems like it could possibly be awhile just before absolutely everyone feels relaxed dining inside of, so this was a terrific substitute to that,” Townsend says.
A grand opening day has not nevertheless been declared, but Townsend claims they’re aiming for mid-March. Stick to along on their Instagram or Fb web site for opening updates.