This week, Streetscapes checks out summer hot spots on Covington’s West Seventh Street. Visitors will find beers and pizza from NKY staples and a brand new Nepali restaurant from Cincinnati. Grab your sunglasses and meet us on the rooftop.
Braxton Brewery
Since Braxton’s rooftop opened, its ambiance on a summer evening just never gets old. Since its debut, Braxton first became a local hotspot, then expanded across the Tri-State both through other locations and offering their beverages in stores. Yet there is still no better place to spend a summer evening in NKY than on Braxton’s Covington rooftop.
Braxton is best known for its craft beers. Storm and Garage Beer are among the most popular, and there are regular collaborations with local businesses like Graeter’s to create delectable, dessert-worthy beers. Currently on tap, Greater’s Lemon Meringue Pie is a great beer for hot summer days. The lemon and meringue balance out one another so it isn’t too tart or sweet. Scooter and Summertrip are popular summer choices, too. With fruity notes, they’re the perfect refreshing drinks to celebrate the weekend.
Not a beer lover? Braxton has its own line of seltzers, wine and plenty of cocktail choices. On hot days the rooftop often features some sort of frozen alcoholic beverage – basically slushies for adults. Like many of its other drinks, the flavors rotate and are always fun seasonal choices.
Braxton offers food through its neighbor, Dewey’s (read on). This can be ordered from the taproom and delivered directly to guests.
Dewey’s Pizza
Most Northern Kentucky residents will fondly remember Dewey’s Pizza at its former Newport on the Levee location. Although that has closed, Dewey’s recently added a location in Covington, conveniently next to Braxton.
There is a reason Dewey’s is as popular as it is: The pizza is undeniably good. From the light chewy crust to specialty pizzas with edge-to-edge toppings, it’s always a reliable and fresh meal. The inclusive menu offers choices for vegetarians, vegans and carnivores alike. Meat lovers are best sated with the Don Corleone – with red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, Genoa salami, capicola and oregano – or the meatball, with red sauce, basil, mozzarella, Italian meatballs, oregano and shaved parmesan. Veggie fanatics should look to the Edgar Allen Poe – a pizza with olive oil, mozzarella, fontina, mushrooms, whole roasted garlic, kalamata olives, goat cheese, tomatoes and parsley – or the Killer Veggie, featuring red sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, white onion, black olives, green bell peppers, tomatoes and parsley.
Like a little of both? The menu offers plenty of other specialty pizzas mixing meat and veggies, and guests can always order half and half for a taste of everything.
Their salads shouldn’t be overlooked, either. They’re massive and packed with ample toppings to fill up even the hungriest customer.
Bridges Nepali Cuisine
With three locations north of the river, Bridges Nepali Cuisine found a home in NKY to bring Kentuckians a taste of Nepal. It has choices for all diets, including vegan dishes and desserts. It’s most famous for momos, a Nepali style dumpling that can come steamed, pan seared or jhol, served in caramelized tomato soup with roasted sesame and soybean. Guests also can choose from chicken, pork or vegetable filling.
For speciality dishes there are chow mein, fried rice and woh. Woh is made of ground mixed lentils that form a pancake-like patty that’s marinated in fresh ginger and spices, then served as is or stuffed with either protein or vegetables. The aromatic chicken or aloo wala (marinated potatoes) are perfect complements to any meal.
Although it does offer some seating both inside and outside, the restaurant is on the smaller side, and so it’s a great grab-and-go option. Don’t forget to order a chai tea or a yogurt lassi for a tasty drink.
What to Know If You Go
Braxton Brewery
Location: 27 W Seventh St., Covington
Hours: Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday, 3 p.m.-10 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight
Website: braxtonbrewing.com
Phone: 859-261-5600
Dewey’s Pizza
Location: 43 W. Seventh St., Covington
Hours: Sunday, Noon-10 p.m.; Monday, 4-10 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Website: deweyspizza.com
Phone: 859-306-0013
Bridges Nepali Cuisine
Location: 11 W. Seventh St., Covington
Hours: Sunday, closed; Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Website: bridgesnepalicuisine.com
Phone: 859-417-7704