Hamilton, Ohio Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill’s eagerly awaited Forklift and Palate is officially open, albeit temporarily.
Plans for the event, hotel, and conference center complex have always included Forklift and Palate, the restaurant under the Spooky Nook brand.
The restaurant’s kitchen is finished, but the eating area hasn’t been worked on yet. The construction of the Forklift and Palate has been delayed for a number of reasons, including a lawsuit against the former general contractor for Spooky Nook. However, the 240-seat dining room will be completed within the next two to four weeks.
In recent weeks, the area outside the Hydraulic Bar was roped off to create a temporary 140-seat dining room for the restaurant because the kitchen is operational and Spooky Nook hired Matthew Rowland, a former executive chef at Tano Bistro.
We can’t wait to open our temporary location. “Our entire dining area is preparing to begin construction and should be operational by the start of next year,” stated Sarah Awsumb, Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill’s director of food and beverage. We have been looking forward to this for a number of years, and it is sort of our crowning treasure.
The Hydraulic Bar opened in March 2024, and the restaurant dining room will be to the left. According to Awsumb, they thought, “We have this great space, so why not open the restaurant and put a dining room out here?”
According to the restaurant’s website, Spooky Nook’s upscale casual dining experience, The Forklift and Palate, combines chef-driven inventiveness with contemporary comfort.
There will be a sizable dining area, outdoor seating, and a few parking spots specifically designated for the restaurant. Awsumb stated that she would prefer to open the dining room at some point in January.
The menu will resemble what patrons enjoyed at Tano Bistro, where he served as executive chef for three years, according to Chef Rowland.
The Georgia transplant stated, “I wanted to bring more of that caliber of food at Tano Bistro to Hamilton.” This type of food appeals to me. It tastes great and isn’t overly fancy.
A cheeseburger, grilled chicken, and shellfish are among the many selections available on the menu. It also offers gluten-free and vegetarian choices. The majority of the entrees range in price from $17 to $21. But the marinated salmon, surf and turf, and grilled pork chop range in price from $30 to $45.
The varied bread bin is $6, while shared portions like the burrata bruschetta, Korean-style chicken tenders, and crab tots cost $14 to $18. Additionally, they serve standard kid-friendly menu items including mac & cheese, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
At the moment, Forklift and Palate is open Wednesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Although they are not required, reservations are welcome. In the coming weeks, customers will be able to DoorDash their meals, and the restaurant will soon be available on the OpenTable reservation app.
According to Awsumb, the meal was created by our amazing executive chef, so there is something for everyone. All we want is for folks to try us out.
