Whiskey Yard combines global cuisine with over 200 whiskeys
As guests walk through the doors of Whiskey Yard, they are taken away by the smell of fresh food and the sound of live piano music. The host guides them to their table where they can see a display of more than 200 bourbons and whiskeys and look over the long menu that features a variety of brunch and dinner items.
“We want to provide a mindful escape for our guests,” Robert Harrison, corporate creative chef of Epic Brands, says. “With everything in the world that’s going on, we want them to enjoy our atmosphere where they can escape the real world and just come in and enjoy the time that they spend with us.”
Whiskey Yard, which opened Feb. 8 in Liberty Township, is owned by Epic Brands, a restaurant group led by founder and CEO Yavonne Sarber. Some other Cincinnati favorites such as Agave & Rye and Son of a Butcher (S.O.B.) Steakhouse are also owned by Epic Brands.
“We actually do not build restaurants; we curate experiences and this is no different,” Sarber says. “You fall into this atmosphere that you don’t expect at all. You can’t tell from the outside. You know you’re walking into something special, but you have no idea what’s in here.”
The concept of Whiskey Yard brings together global cuisine with a massive whiskey selection. The restaurant has small plates such as whipped feta, jumbo lump crab cake, Asian beef bao buns and more, all of which are curated for sharing. It also has a variety of salads and fresh pasta that is made in house. For main dishes, it serves a filet mignon au café, whiskey-braised short rib, lobster risotto and more.
“[Whiskey Yard’s] identity through food would be trying to create these dishes that have global influences, but that are approachable to the average guest,” Harrison says.
On the cocktail menu, Whiskey Yard has a smoked house old-fashioned, house espresso martini and other drinks. With a huge collection of whiskey and bourbon, the restaurant has found ways to appeal to beginners while still exciting more experienced whiskey lovers.
“The best way to balance it is our flight program,” Sarber says. “We’ll have more of your traditional flights. Then it goes up to more of your curated flights with different flavors and tones. Our team is pretty educated on asking the guest, ‘What are you looking for?’ and being steered towards it.”
This is Epic Brands’ 23rd restaurant, but its first Whiskey Yard. With a new concept like this, the experience is more important than the food.
“It’s just a unique, unforgettable experience,” Britt says. “We use the word experience a lot. You can come and relax, have a good time. It’s an environment like no other, whether it’s date night, or with co-workers, friends, family, whatever it may be. From the moment you walk in the door, until the moment you leave, you’re not going to forget about Whiskey Yard.”
Whiskey Yard, 7524 Bales St., Liberty Township. M-F 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sa 9 a.m.-11 p.m.., Su 9 a.m.-10 p.m. 513-480-9273, thewhiskeyyard.com.
