PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: SALAZAR RESTAURANT GROUP
When it comes to Cincinnati’s food and beverage scene…
Chef Jose Salazar, of Salazar, Mita's, Safi Wine Bar, and Daylily Deli is an iconic part of our city’s cuisine and culture. A James Beard nominated chef bringing seasonal, farm-inspired cuisine to the heart of our city, Jose shares our commitment to celebrating local relationships and exceptional quality. We are proud to work with him and encourage everyone to experience the hospitality and incredible food at his restaurants throughout downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine!
Chef Jose Salazar
The Salazar Restaurant Group operates some of the best restaurants in the country.
How did THis all begin and what inspired Chef Jose & Ann Salazar to move to Cincinnati and ultimately open their restaurants?
“Chef Jose and Ann Salazar didn’t actually plan to make Cincinnati their home when they visited for the first time. Chef Jose moved to the city in 2008 to serve as Executive Chef of the historic Cincinnatian Hotel and Palace Restaurant, planning to stay only a few years. But he and Ann quickly fell in love with Cincinnati’s eclectic neighborhoods and warm, welcoming community, and decided to plant roots and build their future here.”
How would you describe your approach to coffee & what does quality mean to you?
“Quality, to us, is driven by consistency and showing up every day with the intention and effort to meet the standards our guests expect.”
Each restaurant has a distinct identity — through space, menu, and experience. What sources of inspiration have guided Chef Salazar and the team in creating such memorable concepts over the years?
“Salazar is inspired by Chef Jose’s travels and his years working alongside other talented chefs, with menus driven by the seasons.
Mita’s reflects his Colombian heritage and his love of Spanish flavors, ingredients, and culinary traditions.
Safi was born from a trip to Morocco, where Chef Jose fell in love with the culture, food, and people. Morocco has long been a place of admiration for him — he even wrote his final paper on it while studying at The New York Restaurant School.”
WHAT ROLE DOES COFFE PLAY IN SALAZAR RESTAURANTS?
“Coffee plays a huge role in the dining experience at all Chef Jose’s restaurants. It’s often the final note of the meal, and a great cup of coffee or espresso can elevate the entire experience. Chef Jose knows firsthand that a bad cup of coffee can leave a terrible impression, so the quality of our coffee really matters.”
The value placed on the people and team at Salazar restaurants is apparent. It’s one of the many reasons we love partnering with you all. What role does the team play in shaping the experiences and identity of the restaurants?
“Chef Jose believes people are the most important ingredient in any restaurant. They bring the vision to life and shape the identity of the restaurant with their experiences, perspectives, and talents.”
One of the throughlines between the Deeper Roots and Salazar worlds is the connection to and importance of the producers of our food and beverages. The menus that Chef Jose Salazar creates are typically driven by seasonality of ingredients and working with local producers. What’s behind that focus for you?
“Chef Jose’s approach to cooking has always been rooted in seasonality and trust in local producers. It’s not a calculated strategy so much as the ethos he was taught early in his career. He believes that working with fresh, seasonal ingredients and building relationships with local producers results in food that not only tastes better but also feels deeply connected to the community.”
We’re very proud to support Salazar restaurant group with excellent coffee, and to partner with Jose and Ann on our own project – daylily in the Columbia Tusculum neighborhood of Cincinnati. Stop in and see us at Daylily, or grab a reservation at any of Jose’s excellent restaurants throughout the city!