Jordan Taylor, GM of The Precinct, also makes the move to Carlo & Johnny to round out a refreshed leadership team in 2025
CINCINNATI (January 14, 2025) – The team at Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment (JRCE) welcomes Chef Brad Bernstein, former owner of Red Feather and Dutch’s, as the new Executive Chef of Carlo & Johnny by Jeff Ruby. In addition, the current General Manager (GM) at The Precinct, Jordan Taylor, will also be making the move over to the restaurant as the Italian steakhouse’s new GM.
Chef Bernstein brings extensive restaurant experience to his new role as a third-generation restauranteur. He studied at the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, New York and Napa Valley, California. Chef Bernstein also served in several roles at his family-owned businesses that include the BB Riverboats in Newport, Kentucky, and Mike Fink, the iconic floating restaurant located along the Ohio River that closed in 2008.
“There’s a real history with my family and the Rubys,” said Chef Bernstein. “We’re well known for playing a major role in helping to create the local restaurant and hospitality scene here in Cincinnati. Both of our families even owned floating restaurants at one time, known for their raw bars and steakhouse offerings. This is really a full-circle moment for me as I join the team at Carlo & Johnny.”
In his new role, Chef Bernstein will bring his creative vision, culinary expertise, and passion for mentorship to the kitchen—enhancing Carlo & Johnny’s already exceptional menu with his personal touch and inspiring the next generation of chefs. With a reputation for innovation and a deep respect for classic flavors, he’ll provide a fresh perspective to the menu, elevating the dining experience while upholding the high standards guests have come to expect.
“I’m thankful that the team here at Jeff Ruby’s is open to collaboration in the kitchen and I look forward to honoring the classic dishes that Carlo & Johnny is known for while breathing some fresh life into Italian classics that fit the unique feel of the restaurant,” said Chef Bernstein. “I anticipate fans of Red Feather will be happy to see some dishes inspired by the restaurant’s cuisine on the Carlo & Johnny menu but with a unique twist that’s true to the Jeff Ruby’s brand.”
The shared commitment to culinary excellence and rich regional history of both Chef Bernstein and JRCE makes this transition a natural fit.
“Chef Brad coming to work for us shows how important relationships can be,” said Britney Ruby Miller, President & CEO at JRCE. “Brad is so talented he could have gone anywhere, but he chose us because of the history, respect, and friendship we share. I feel like we have another family member at Carlo & Johnny overseeing the operation, and I’m excited for the leadership and breath of fresh air this will bring to our team.”
In addition to working in various roles at his family-owned businesses and other organizations in Cincinnati, he also spent time training under Jean-Robert de Cavel, and as the Executive Chef of Lavomatic Café. In 2013, he had the opportunity to purchase the former Bocca space where he opened Red Feather. Chef Bernstein has also owned and operated Postmark and Dutch’s. Chef Bernstein recently announced the closing of Red Feather in December 2024 and that he is stepping away from Dutch’s as well.
“Closing Red Feather and stepping away from Dutch’s was not an easy decision that I took lightly, but I was thrilled when several of my employees stepped up and mentioned they wanted to take over Dutch’s,” said Chef Bernstein. “Hospitality is my passion and being in the kitchen, feeding guests and creating experiences for them, I look forward to focusing on that.”
“We are deeply aware of the challenges our industry has faced due to external economic factors beyond our control,” said Ruby Miller. “Despite this, we are profoundly grateful for our dedicated team, and loyal guests for choosing us to be part of their special moments. We look forward to creating many more together in 2025 with new leadership at Carlo & Johnny.”
In addition to Chef Bernstein, Jordan Taylor, the GM of The Precinct, will also join the Carlo & Johnny team as GM. Taylor and Chef Bernstein are excited to be working together in 2025 to lead the newly remodeled restaurant to a successful year.
“I was excited to hear that I would be working closely with Chef Brad in my new role – his wife is a regular at The Precinct,” said Taylor. “I have such nostalgia tied to Carlo & Johnny since that’s where I started my career with the organization. I look forward to getting the restaurant back to its roots but with a fresh perspective. Because my team is like family to me, I’ll be focused on strengthening the culture and continue to ensure we’re delivering that Jeff Ruby’s Experience our guests expect.”
Taylor has been with JRCE for almost 17 years and is no stranger to Carlo & Johnny. He first spent time at the restaurant as a server and worked his way up to an Assistant General Manager (AGM). He then moved into the role of AGM at The Precinct in 2018, working his way to GM by 2021.
“I was thrilled to hear I would be working with Jordan because my wife is a regular at his restaurant and the whole team there has felt like family to us over the years,” said Chef Bernstein. “After the unexpected loss of an employee at The Precinct we even dropped off food to help support them in their time of need. This is truly all very serendipitous for me.”
“Jordan Taylor is an avid sports fan, so in the world of sports, I compare him to the great coach, Tony Dungy. He is a player’s coach,” said Ruby Miller. “There’s a quiet strength to his leadership style that makes a huge impact. He’s invested in developing people, mentoring, and building a culture that everyone thrives in. Together, Jordan and Brad will take an already great restaurant and make it even greater.”
Jeff Ruby opened Carlo & Johnny in 2011, adding to a growing family of award-winning steakhouses. In 2023, OpenTable, the leader in restaurant tech and guest insights named Carlo & Johnny on its Top 100 Restaurants in America List. Like each of Jeff Ruby’s restaurants, Carlo & Johnny tells quite a story. Housed in a historic mansion that was once a stagecoach stopover, a speakeasy, an illegal casino, and a gangster hideout, this award-winning steakhouse exudes intimacy and character. The restaurant is known for world-class U.S.D.A. Prime steaks, a raw bar honored as one of Cincinnati’s finest, live entertainment, and service that leaves guests feeling like royalty. The restaurant recently underwent a $1M renovation.
“Carlo & Johnny is near and dear to our family,” said Jeff Ruby, Founder of JRCE. “While we lease most of our restaurant buildings with great partners, the Ruby family owns this historic mansion – making it even more personal to us. Last year, we significantly invested in a design refresh. The Collector’s Room is one of my favorite dining rooms among all our restaurants. Carlo and Johnny has become a gem in the community of Montgomery. We are honored that Chef Brad Bernstein, who I have immense respect for, has chosen to join our team and will be putting his stamp on our special steakhouse.
This news was also featured on Cincinnati.com and BizJournals.com.
For more information on Jeff Ruby’s restaurants, visit JeffRuby.com.
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About Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment
Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment (JRCE), founded by Jeff Ruby in 1981 with the opening of The Precinct in Cincinnati, has grown into one of the longest-running fine dining steakhouses in America, with seven nationally recognized fine dining restaurants in Cincinnati, Columbus, Lexington, Louisville, and Nashville. In June 2023, the company opened its first event venue in Cincinnati called The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby. In 2024, the company launched Jeff Ruby’s Catering in Cincinnati. JRCE is led by an executive team and Ruby family, Britney Ruby Miller, Brandon and Dillon Ruby. Additionally, the family founded the Jeff Ruby Foundation to improve the lives of at-risk youth in all their restaurant communities. For more information, visit JeffRuby.com.