The Beehive Tavern

Augusta, KY

Just across the river from Higginsport via the Ferry
101 West Riverside Drive Augusta KY 41002
(606) 756-2202

The Beehive Tavern is one of Augusta's most famous historic landmarks. The Beehive, with its diverse menu of international and regional specialties as well as great prime rib and seafood, is considered one of the best restaurants in northern Kentucky.

The Beehive Tavern is open:
        Lunch 12-2 pm Wednesday-Saturday
        Dinner 5-8 pm Wednesday-Thursday
        Dinner 5-9 pm Friday-Saturday
        Dinner 12:30-6 pm Sunday

The Beehive will also open any day of the week for groups of 25 or more.

A sweet attraction called the Beehive

Column by Nick Clooney, 10-14-98

When my wife Nina first called it the ''crossroads of the world,'' I smiled indulgently. That was a few years ago. Now, I'm not so sure she was wrong.

The place is the Beehive Tavern, a first-class restaurant in our little town of Augusta, Kentucky. Nina made the remark several years ago when, on a Friday night, we sat down next to a couple from Great Britain and across the room from a family visiting from Denver. Just freak circumstances, I said. I spoke too soon.

We were at the Beehive Saturday night. We're there at least once a week, and why not? A very few small towns can boast a unique dining experience. Augusta can.

My guess is that many reading these words have already been to the Beehive. In many ways, it is a most unlikely restaurant. It was opened by a man whose deepest love is music. Luciano ''Sean'' Morel is a fine classical singer. He is, however, an equally fine chef. There's the rub.

In the early 1980s, Sean fell in love with Augusta. It is a contagion Nina and I and 1,300 others share. In Sean's case, his affection for this spot on the river changed his life. He bought a row house right at the ferry landing. It is one of the oldest original structures on the Ohio River. It was built in 1794. When those pioneers laid brick on brick 204 years ago, the second floor was equipped with gun ports to ward off the remaining Native Americans who disputed the European invasion. Think of that.

Sean did think of that. He carefully, lovingly, restored the space which actually had once been a tavern. Sean was not a rich man, so the restoration took many years. By the mid-1980s, however, he was ready to offer a unique, alternative dining experience for the Ohio Valley.

Unique? Alternative? Yes. How could it be otherwise? This talented singer who is also a talented chef comes from Italian antecedents, spent his childhood in Cuba, was adopted by Cincinnatians of German antecedents and has himself adopted the Irish name ''Sean.'' What would you expect from his menu, pot roast?

Nina and I sat by the window Saturday night, looking out at our matchless stretch of the Ohio River, sampling Sean's potato soup. I usually order the Cuban black bean soup, but Sean always has a surprise for us. Two young boys came up. Will and Derek. ''Will you sign these for us?'' Batman's parents. Of course. Their parents said hello. ''We have friends here from Germany. They always want to come to Augusta.'' And to the Beehive.

A couple came up. They were from Clermont County. ''Hey, Nick. We thought the Beehive had been run out of business by the flood last year. Just found out last month it's still open.'' We've heard that often. Actually, most of the businesses in Augusta were open a week after the flood of March 1997 receded. It takes a great deal more than a flood to conquer the spirit of Augusta and its residents, including our transplanted Italian, Cuban, German, Irish, opera singer. Kentuckian Sean Morel.

Nina got the country ham. Figures. Pretty close to her Perryville, Kentucky, roots. I jumped into something called ''Chicken Juanita.'' Blackened breast of chicken, mushrooms, melted Swiss cheese. Darn good. This singer can cook.

Nina and I wandered around the packed house to say hello. My guess is that more than half of the customers were from Augusta, Maysville and close-in communities. Quite an accolade after 15 years. The locals know what's good and what isn't.

''I just didn't know what to expect,'' said a woman from Dayton, Ohio. ''These chairs and tables that don't match, I never saw anything like it. I guess I expected fried chicken and grits. This has been some experience.'' Good experience, I asked? ''Oh, yes, It just wasn't what I expected and, you know, that's pretty rare. Almost every place I go is exactly what I expected. I might as well go to McDonald's. Here I get this handwritten menu telling me about some Cuban lamb stew. But my husband can still get a steak, which is all he ever wants. It took us two hours to get here and we're coming back on the first Wednesday in November.''

Nina and I drove the six blocks to our house. ''Do you remember what you said to the woman in Los Angeles at the benefit last week when she asked your favorite restaurant?'' I did. ''Have you been to the Beehive in Augusta?'' I asked.'' Is that near the Masters?'' she inquired. ''Yes,'' I said, ''about 400 miles.'' That other Augusta, down in Georgia, you know. I'm glad Sean doesn't play golf.