Restaurant Review: The Birch - Terrace Park

The Birch opened in Terrace Park maybe a year ago and I kept meaning to go – it’s a really cute place and they have a big outdoor patio and a cool look. But I felt like it was a place for “ladies who lunch” – and I checked out the menu and there wasn’t much my husband would like…so I went with a friend!

It’s in the heart of Terrace Park – across from what used to be a Subway but is now going to be a BBQ place and the UDF. It’s the only thing going in terms of a real restaurant in TP – but you’ve got Mariemont right next to it – so there’s plenty of options nearby.

The outside is where it’s at – the patio is fantastic and you can play bocce ball and lounge – it’s very well covered by trees so even on a super sunny day – you’re not blazing in the heat. They have a good drink menu – my girl Kelly got one of their local brews on tap.

We started out with the Roasted Olives on the “shared plates” menu ($7). This was unique and disappointing. The portion is GINORMOUS – I mean – there was enough olives there for 12 people – and I like olives! They all have pits – which is not very lady-like (haha me talking about lady-like behavior – kinda funny) to spit out at the table. They’re served warm. And IT’S LITERALLY JUST OLIVES. No bread, no nothing. Just a bowl of hot olives with pits.

Kelly is vegetarian now and there were plenty of options for her – she ordered a couple of items. First up were the Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($6). She said they were fine – I tried a bite and they were a bit raw for me.

She also ordered the Southwest Quinoa Bowl ($12) – she liked it but it seemed small for $12. It came with tomato salsa, black beans, corn, cilantro, lime crema and an avocado puree. I’m not a fan of quinoa – that weird popping texture freaks me out.

I ordered the Birch Burger ($13) and added on the sauteed fingerling potatoes ($3). The burger is a 1/2 pound black angus (grass-fed probably), tilamook cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle, birch sauce and a brioche bun. The potatoes had a hot bacon mustard vinaigrette, salumi and a gremolata.

The burger was fine…it wasn’t juicy or very beefy tasting (thus the guess on grass-fed). The potatoes were in need of seasoning – it was all just kinda bland.

Why Should You Go? It’s not that it was bad – it was just meh – and I think the price tag made it more meh. $16 for mine PLUS a few bucks for a soda plus a tip – it was a $25 dinner for one person and I just think it was worth it. Great atmosphere outside though – it’s a beautiful setting. If you’re looking for a place to have a few drinks and share a starter (other than a giant bowl of hot olives) – I think you’ll enjoy it.