Despite fallout from unrest in Cincinnati that has dampened downtown business, there has been a flurry of announcements about new downtown restaurants.

        The big news last week was that Jean-Robert de Cavel, executive chef at the Maisonette, will open his own restaurant this fall in the former Pigall's on Fourth Street, adding a new fine-dining spot to downtown choices.

        “It really lifted my spirits to hear about Jean-Robert opening downtown,” says Julie Francis, a native Cincinnatian who returned to open Aioli this winter on Elm Street. “It discourages me that people are staying away. I'm hurting, I employ people from downtown neighborhoods and they're hurting.”

        But Mr. de Cavel isn't the only one to follow through with a plan that involves investment in downtown Cincinnati.

        • Queen City Restaurant Group has bought Plaza 600, attached to the Aronoff Center for the Arts, and plans to dramatically renovate the restaurant space and reopen in August as Bella.

        The plaza that flanks the theater will have an expansive patio for dining, and upstairs will hold a party and meeting room. The food will be by Allen Stickell, chef at Jump Cafe (also owned by Queen City Restaurant Group) in Over-the-Rhine. Bella won't serve the fine-dining fare Mr. Stickell turns out at Jump, but less expensive choices with wider appeal.

        It's a great location, and the owners have a successful track record. They also own Teller's of Hyde Park and Watson Bros in Blue Ash.

        • Alex Chin, owner of Pacific Moon Cafe in Montgomery, is waiting for furniture from China to arrive before he opens Shanghai Mama, his new Chinese restaurant on Sixth Street, between Sycamore and Main. It should be a little different from the usual Chinese restaurant, with casual home-cooked meals and homemade noodle dishes. It could open in June.

        • The Gourmet Room, on the 20th floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, is open for breakfast and Friday evening buffets. After work is done on the elevators that go from the hotel's eighth-floor lobby to the 20th floor, the room may be reopened on a broader scale — possibly after the winter holidays.

        In addition to the Maisonette, the Palace at the Cincinnatian is searching for a new chef. If both make outstanding hires, it could be another shot in the arm — or at least some added interest — for fine dining downtown.

        Contact Polly Campbell at 768-8376; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pcampbell@enquirer.com. Cincinnati.Com keyword: Campbell.

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