Council Oak Unveils New Johnny Bench-Themed Menu Items

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati’s Council Oak Steaks & Seafood unveiled two new menu items named after Cincinnati Reds legend and Big Red Machine catcher Johnny Bench.

The new menu items include an entrée and dessert. The entrée, “Johnny Bench’s Catch & Release,” features a 10-ounce blackened Gulf Snapper topped with five royal red prawns, an apple-mango relish and cilantro lime crema. The snapper is Bench’s favorite fish, and the number “10” in the dish represents his 10 Gold Glove awards.

For dessert, diners can enjoy the “Johnny Bench’s Apple Caramel Funnel Cake.” The funnel cake is shaped like a baseball glove and comes with 14 simple–syrup-poached apple bites to symbolize Bench’s 14 All-Star game appearances. The dish is served with vanilla bean ice cream and topped with Crown Royale Apple Whiskey caramel sauce and Cracker Jack streusel topping.

The unveiling happened at a special event Wednesday hosted by Bench and Property President Justin Wyborn as the casino restaurant also introduced its new executive culinary team. Josh Treadway, a former manager at Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, will serve as Council Oak’s new general manager, while the kitchen will be helmed by executive chef Mathew Polanka and executive sous chef Clint Walker.

Council Oak is located in the Hard Rock Casino at 1000 Broadway St., Downtown. More info: casino.hardrock.com .