Brooklyn Boro

A story of what we do for love

September 26, 2022 Andy Furman
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Oh, the things we do for love.

Take Mike Stankovich for example.

His love for the restaurant business saw him bussing tables at Benjamin’s restaurant back in 1996.

“It has been a life long endeavor, working in the food industry,” the 42-year-old told the Brooklyn Eagle. 

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Stankovich lived in Clinton Hill, Greenpoint and Cobble Hill starting from the ground-up in the business.

“From Bus Boy to management,” he joked.

And he can’t forget Roberta’s Pizza in Bushwick.

That was a three-year stint.

Then Mike Stankovich found his real love — Shailah.

One problem – she lived in Cincinnati – he was still in Brooklyn.

The outside of the restaurant. Photo courtesy of Andy Furman

Yes – the things we do for love.

“We’ve been together now for 11 years,” he said. “And yes, we now live in Cincinnati. In fact, I’ve never been to Cincinnati – until I moved there.”

But his other love didn’t die.

In 2017 he opened the first of two restaurants in the Queen City of the Midwest – Longfellow.

“We specialize in deli sandwiches and salads, and happy to say we’re doing very well,” he said. “We’ve developed a regular-base from seven to 73.”

And in October, 2021 Mid-City Restaurant was born – again in the downtown area of Cincinnati. Tucked-away on 40 East Court St. 

“I like to think of my establishments as alternatives,” he said.

What does that mean?

“Well, most people go to a bar/restaurant with their friends to perhaps watch a sporting event,” he said. “We have no TVs in either one of my places.”

What?

“TVs,” he said, “interrupt what you should be in a bar for – chit chat.”

And good eats.

Some of the favorites on the Mid-City menu include: Mushrooms in foil- turnip greens, shoyu, butter; The Mid-City Plate – bratwurst, pork belly, frankfurter, potato, kraut; and Petite Steak Filet—bay leaf-ramp hollandaise, chive.

But, no Brooklyn pizza to be found.

“Yes, it was hard leaving Brooklyn,” he admits, “but I’ve really found quite a niche here and I like it.”

So does Shailah.

And her dad – Thayne Maynard – who just happens to be the Director of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Inside the restaurant. Photo courtesy of Andy Furman

In fact, USA Today’s 10Best editors announced that the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden once again took the top spot in the Best Zoo category in its 2022 Readers’ Choice poll. It also earned the number two spot in the 10Best Botanical Garden category.

Seems Stankovich has some lofty goals to achieve to remain on-par with his father-in-law.

“Really, this is all I know how to do,” he said. “I know what I say is somewhat rare, but I truly enjoy it.”

So does his staff.

“We’ve had the same staff for almost six years,” he said, “Which is almost unheard of in the restaurant business.”

Mid-City rolls out their red-carpet Wednesday through Sunday from 5 pm till 1- pm and serves brunch on the weekends.

The door of the restaurant. Photo courtesy of Andy Furman

But there’s no TV.

Just chit-chat – the way a restaurant should be.

Even though it’s not in Brooklyn – Mike Stankovich was.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR


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