Mick & Mack s to Reopen for Lunch on Sept. 19

Mick & Mack’s Contemporary Café’s renovation is almost complete. The dining room now includes a built- in gas fireplace, integrated audio visual capabilities for all event needs, new carpet and furniture, and new Chef Jonathan Hunt’s bistro menu. The atmosphere will be warmer and more comfortable with enhanced textures and colors, and the food will be even more distinctive.

From Sept. 19 through the end of the month, Mick & Mack’s will be offering each table a complimentary dessert sampler from the new menu.  During this week, sign up for our exclusive announcements e-list, and you’ll be registered to win a free pass for two to a Wine Tasting or Epicure’s Delight dinner. Mick & Mack’s will also feature a free cheesecake dessert of your choice to celebrate individuals’ birthdays.

New Menu
An updated menu will reflect the physical refreshing that has been happening in the modern space in Tangeman University Center. Highlights include exotic daily themes on the regular buffet: Pacific Rim on Mondays, Creole on Tuesdays, Mediterranean on Wednesdays, Bombay on Thursdays, and Pescatarian on Fridays. Also in the offering are fresh new entrées, salads, sandwiches, wraps and pizzas, and a true vegetarian and vegan menu that extends so much further than just ‘lip’ service to pesco-, ovo-, and lacto-tarians. The full menu will be available for take-out, and Quick Mick’s will be offering a few select items from the list of options, as well.

Now an Event Destination
The new dining room, with an integrated audio/visual system, now offers the opportunity to hold special events, business and social meetings in an attractive central campus location.  Not only will meeting and party planners be able to choose from Mick & Mack’s menu, catering menus will also be available. Contact Conference & Event Services at 513-556-2442 or event.services@uc.edu to discuss options and menu planning.

New Chef and Dining Services Manager

Coinciding with the updating of the campus’s premier table service restaurant, University Dining Services has had changes in the form of new management and executive chefs.

Chef Jonathan Hunt, a Cincinnati native, recently joined the University Dining Services team as the new executive chef for Mick & Mack’s. A graduate of the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State, Jonathan has worked in various kitchens throughout the Cincinnati area including Jeff Ruby’s Carlo & Johnny and most recently as the executive chef at Mariemont’s Quarter Bistro, where he was praised for his noteworthy seasonal menus. He has been featured in Carnegie’s Art of Food Exhibition, showcasing local culinary artists and restaurants, and has been reviewed in Cincinnati Magazine. Jonathan enjoys creating food with great flavor and texture and is looking forward to adding his unique culinary twist to the new Mick & Mack’s menu this fall.

Geno Svec joined University Dining Services this summer as resident district manager and manages all University Dining Services Operations. Geno’s experience in both the culinary and operational sides of the food service industry makes him a great leader of the dining services team at UC. His previous experience includes regional vice-president for Ovations Food Services, a project manager for Centerplate, and an executive chef for Service America. He has managed culinary operations at venues such as the Ervin J. Nutter Center, Northern Kentucky Convention Center, and the New Orleans Superdome. We are looking forward to Geno’s fresh approach to dining services and his culinary creativity.

Additionally, Executive Chef Kiril Gallovitch has been promoted to District Chef of Dining Services, overseeing all culinary initiatives on campus with a focus on catering. Previously, Chef Kiril was the executive chef for Residential Dining. His extensive culinary experience includes his role as executive chef for Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse at Belterra Casino & Resort. He also worked as the banquet culinary operations chef for the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he prepared dining experiences for 50 to 5,000 guests. Kiril’s strong ability to transform great recipes into creative menus will enhance the variety in the overall dining experience.

We look forward to announcing the details of Mick & Mack’s grand re-opening event in October.

Mick & Mack’s Events
The popular Wine Tastings and Epicures Delights will continue in Mick & Mack’s on the first and third Thursday evenings, respectively. Read the schedule of upcoming wine lists and menus on Mick & Mack’s website.

New additions to Mick & Mack’s events calendar are the pre-game grill-outs before every home football game this season.  Everyone is welcome to join us outside on the patio for tailgate favorites including wings, burgers, grilled sausages, domestic and imported beer, wine, and soft drinks. View menu and pricing at uc.edu/mick_macks.