Primavista, the longtime Italian restaurant perched on the ground floor of East Price Hill's Queens Tower, is reopening its doors roughly two months after a fire in the building sent smoke pouring through the 16-story high-rise and forced the restaurant to shut down. The closure followed a fire that began in the building's basement storage and parking area, and while no injuries were reported, the incident triggered the evacuation of approximately 150 residents from the tower.
According to WKRC, the restaurant's return comes two months after the fire first swept through the building. In the immediate aftermath of the June 10 blaze, co-owner John Lenkerd had hoped Primavista could reopen within days, but the timeline stretched considerably as cleanup and restoration work dragged on, per the same account. Direct flame damage to the restaurant space itself was reportedly minimal, but the extensive smoke that spread through the high-rise, along with the remediation and safety inspections required for a residential tower of that size, ultimately pushed the reopening into August.
A Family Restaurant Built Around the View
Primavista has anchored the top of East Price Hill since December 1989, when it was founded by husband-and-wife owners Frank and Joan Lenkerd, according to the restaurant's official website. The couple, former hotel food and beverage managers, built the venue into a landmark fine-dining destination, and day-to-day operations have since passed to their son, John Lenkerd, and general manager Cristie Reynolds. Executive Chef Chris Prince joined the kitchen shortly after the 1989 opening and has led it for more than 30 years, eventually becoming a managing partner in the business.
The dining room's signature feature has always been its view. Floor-to-ceiling windows and carefully placed interior mirrors were designed so that nearly every table looks out toward downtown Cincinnati, the Ohio River, and Northern Kentucky, as Cincinnati CityBeat has reported. The restaurant specializes in Northern Italian cuisine built around house-made stocks and sauces, with signature dishes including veal saltimbocca, seafood cioppino, and goat cheese bruschetta, according to details from the restaurant's website and Visit Cincy.
Inside Queens Tower
Queens Tower, the 122-unit residential condominium complex at 810 Matson Place that houses Primavista on its ground floor, was built in 1964 and sits on a steep ridge overlooking the city, according to Homes.com. City of Cincinnati Department of Buildings and Inspections records show a 2014 permit for an underground fire line and sprinkler system installation at the property, valued at $45,870, reflecting the kind of fire suppression infrastructure required for high-rise commercial and residential spaces.
Primavista's history in the neighborhood predates much of the commercial growth that later reshaped the area into what is now known as East Price Hill's Incline District, home to newer draws like Incline Public House. Hoodline's own coverage has tracked the district's nightlife growth, and Primavista has long stood as one of the hilltop corridor's earliest dining anchors.
A Longtime Local Fixture
The restaurant has also built a reputation through regional hospitality traditions, including its participation in Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week, an annual event organized by Cincinnati Magazine in which fixed-price three-course meals generate donations for local institutions such as Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Hoodline previously featured Primavista among the neighborhood's top dining spots and noted its sommelier-selected wine list as part of a look at the city's priciest bars, underscoring its standing as one of East Price Hill's most recognizable names well before the fire forced its temporary closure.
