Best Restaurant in Cincy

I am coming to Cincy on business tommorrow. It has been several years since I've stayed overnight in the area and had time to go to a nice meal. I am staying at the Mariott Riverfront Hotel in Covington.

I would like some opinions on what the best restaurant in the city is. I am not concerned with the best deal/best price. Simply the best restaurant.

I am a steak/meat eater, but I am willing to try a non-steakhouse if it a truly exceptional establishment.

I tried to make a reservation at Jeff Ruby's on the Waterfront, but it is closed on Sundays.

Close to downtown Cincy/Covington would be nice. I appreciate people recommendations/help.

Thanks.

Jeff Ruby's.

http://www.jeffruby.com/cincinnati.php

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Originally Posted by KsMuskie

Jeff Ruby's.

http://www.jeffruby.com/cincinnati.php

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Jeff Ruby's is closed on Sundays. I tried to make a reservation at both their downtown an d waterfront location already. Anyplace else?

As a nonsteakhouse option, there is always Montgomery Inn. Great place to go for the ribs.

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Originally Posted by xufandownsouth

As a nonsteakhouse option, there is always Montgomery Inn. Great place to go for the ribs.

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I hope you're kidding.

The Precinct on Columbia Parkway. It is my favorite Jeff Ruby restaurant, and it is open on Sundays. It's about a 5 minute drive from downtown, and I like it better than Jeff Ruby's downtown and the Waterfront.

skyline

I think Scotti's might be open on sundays. On Vine St near the library, awesome traditional Italian, fantastic atmosphere, they've been there since the 20's. In the DiMarco family, XU Alum Marco DiMarco runs it.

If they're not open on Sunday head try Dee Felice Cafe in Covington. If you get lucky you'll get some Jazz with your cajun food.

Or back on the Italian side, Pompilio's in Newport. Barresi's in Deer Park is also excellent if you're on the north side of town.

Like Thai?? Bangkok Bistro on Erie Ave in Hyde Park.

Or if you want to spend a pile of money, Head to The Cincinnatian Hotel and try The Palace.

Of course, I've been gone for 6 years, don't know any of the new places.

Johnny and Carlo's - I think also owned by Jeff Ruby - the food is fantastic.

The best meal you can get in Cincinnati is at Dana's

I like Nicola's downtown, and I've heard nice things about Jean Robert's new restaurant at 7th and Race (forget the name).

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Originally Posted by Thor in 204

I like Nicola's downtown, and I've heard nice things about Jean Robert's new restaurant at 7th and Race (forget the name).

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Thor,


Jean Robert's Table......




http://jrtable.com/

This is good information. My parents are coming into town this weekend and there are a number of places I want to take them.

Hauferhaus (sp?) is obviously an ideal choice, but I am also wanting to take them to Flipdaddy's. Seeing as they'll insist on paying, I don't want to run up a huge bill, especially since the lady is coming up to join us all weekend.

Any other ideas for places to go that won't cost a group of four an arm or a leg?

Precinct is my favorite place.

I agree...Jeff Ruby's The Precinct is fantastic...I ate there last night. Get a reservation though, because they will probably be busy on Sunday night.

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Originally Posted by Titanxman04

Any other ideas for places to go that won't cost a group of four an arm or a leg?

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City View in Mt Adams is a great place to take people from out of town.

Just got back to my Hotel. I ended up at the Precinct. Great place. I'd highly recommend it to anyone. I got the New York Strip, which was outstanding. Also, tried some crab legs, shrimp prawns, and some type of tomato and smoked cheese salad. Everything was excellent. Service and atmosphere great as well.

Only thing that was a little blah was the Key Lime Pie desert.

They have a very good Cab for under $50 for the bottle, which isn't bad for a restaurant that pricey.

Thanks for the recs everyone. I really appreciate it. It will be hard to try out another restaurant next time I'm in town after eating at that place.

Boca on Madison in Oakley is by far my favorite..Nicola's and Via Vite are good as well. Jean Robert's Table..good, but typically French...heavy, lots of cream and butter..

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Originally Posted by TaipeiMuskie

Boca on Madison in Oakley is by far my favorite..Nicola's and Via Vite are good as well. Jean Robert's Table..good, but typically French...heavy, lots of cream and butter..

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hmmm, I drive through Oakley often and don't remember seeing it.

One thing I've noticed is that when visitors come to Cincy for a game, there's not really many bars close to the stadiums for them to go to. Mainstrasse and Mount Adams are two really great bar districts. But they are a good hike for people drinking before Reds games. Hopefully The Banks will provide some much needed bars close to the stadiums.

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Originally Posted by GuyFawkes38

hmmm, I drive through Oakley often and don't remember seeing it.

One thing I've noticed is that when visitors come to Cincy for a game, there's not really many bars close to the stadiums for them to go to. Mainstrasse and Mount Adams are two really great bar districts. But they are a good hike for people drinking before Reds games. Hopefully The Banks will provid some much needed bars close to the stadiums.

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Boca is across from Voltage..David Falk is the chef (owns Nada as well)..

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Originally Posted by Titanxman04

This is good information. My parents are coming into town this weekend and there are a number of places I want to take them.

Hauferhaus (sp?) is obviously an ideal choice, but I am also wanting to take them to Flipdaddy's. Seeing as they'll insist on paying, I don't want to run up a huge bill, especially since the lady is coming up to join us all weekend.

Any other ideas for places to go that won't cost a group of four an arm or a leg?

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Honey, Slims and Melt in Northside are all very good and not very expensive..

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Originally Posted by TaipeiMuskie

Honey, Slims and Melt in Northside are all very good and not very expensive..

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I have not tried Melt, yet, but I've heard it's very good. Boca used to be where Honey is now in Northside. Slim's is my favorite among those. Just know that they have no liquor license; so, you have to bring your own.

If you are in Clifton and enjoy Indian, Ambar is the best I've ever had. FYI - There are around 15 to 20 parking spots behind the building (on Ludlow). Anand (may be owned by the same family?) on Reading Road is very good, too.

I prefer Amol over Ambar.

Baba India in Oakley is a good substitute for the Clifton Indian restaurants if you live on the east side.

The Precinct used to feature a Sean Miller steak. No word on whether it tasted like a Buick or a Lexus.

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Originally Posted by TaipeiMuskie

Boca is across from Voltage..David Falk is the chef (owns Nada as well)..

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I walked into Voltage one day and the salespeople took one look at me and thought "he isn't going to buy anything" and ignored me. Frickin snobs.

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Originally Posted by GuyFawkes38

I prefer Amol over Ambar.

Baba India in Oakley is a good substitute for the Clifton Indian restaurants if you live on the east side.

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I like the one in Hyde Park Plaza. Shaan maybe? The owner is super friendly. Baba is okay, but they act like they shit roses at that place and they are doing you a favor letting you in the door.

Boca in Oakley is outstanding. KMC- I would put that next on your list now that you've done Precinct.

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Originally Posted by XUOWNSUC

I walked into Voltage one day and the salespeople took one look at me and thought "he isn't going to buy anything" and ignored me. Frickin snobs.

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Were you there to buy anything?

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Originally Posted by GuyFawkes38

hmmm, I drive through Oakley often and don't remember seeing it.

One thing I've noticed is that when visitors come to Cincy for a game, there's not really many bars close to the stadiums for them to go to. Mainstrasse and Mount Adams are two really great bar districts. But they are a good hike for people drinking before Reds games. Hopefully The Banks will provide some much needed bars close to the stadiums.

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It's not wrigleyville, but there are plenty of downtown bars. In Between, Head First, O'Mally's, the new piano bar in the old Game Day, Lodge, Rock Bottom, Mynt, Nicholsons, Righteous Room, as well as plenty of restaurants with great bars like Nada, Palamino, Via Vite, McCormick and Schmicks. Fountain Square is practically ringed with restaurants and bars now.

Covington has Behle Street, Molly Malones, Sidebar, Keystone...

Newport has Jefferson Hall, Hoffbrau, Brothers....

How many bars would you like there to be?

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Originally Posted by Kahns Krazy

Were you there to buy anything?

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Yep. My wife and I just moved into a new (and bigger) house and needed some furniture. We were prepared to buy that day but were completely put off by the staff. We will never go back. Trust me, they lost some business that day.

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Originally Posted by Kahns Krazy

It's not wrigleyville, but there are plenty of downtown bars. In Between, Head First, O'Mally's, the new piano bar in the old Game Day, Lodge, Rock Bottom, Mynt, Nicholsons, Righteous Room, as well as plenty of restaurants with great bars like Nada, Palamino, Via Vite, McCormick and Schmicks. Fountain Square is practically ringed with restaurants and bars now.

Covington has Behle Street, Molly Malones, Sidebar, Keystone...

Newport has Jefferson Hall, Hoffbrau, Brothers....

How many bars would you like there to be?

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Bartini's just opened downtown as well. Also Cadillac Ranch, Black Finn, Righteous Room, Rock Bottom, just to name a few more.

I agree with you that there definitely does not seem to be a shortage of bars downtown. Downtown is actually one of my favorite spots to go out drinking. There is a variety of good bars and restaurants.

Downtown seems to get a bad rap for their being nothing to do down there, however I have been down there a lot on Friday and Saturday nights recently and have found it to be a great time. Plenty of people downtown eating and drinking as well.

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Originally Posted by XUOWNSUC

Yep. My wife and I just moved into a new (and bigger) house and needed some furniture. We were prepared to buy that day but were completely put off by the staff. We will never go back. Trust me, they lost some business that day.

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I think if you were put off by snobby attitudes, you probably didn't want any of their furniture to begin with. Their offerings are the furniture equivalent of snobby attitude.

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Originally Posted by boozehound

Downtown seems to get a bad rap for their being nothing to do down there, however I have been down there a lot on Friday and Saturday nights recently and have found it to be a great time. Plenty of people downtown eating and drinking as well.

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We moved downtown earlier this month and have yet to find a shortage of things to do. Tons of restaurants, bars and events--none of which I have to drive to.

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Originally Posted by Porkopolis

We moved downtown earlier this month and have yet to find a shortage of things to do. Tons of restaurants, bars and events--none of which I have to drive to.

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It's a very Cincinnati thing to do - never go downtown, and then bash downtown for being whatever it is in your mind.

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Originally Posted by Kahns Krazy

I like the one in Hyde Park Plaza. Shaan maybe? The owner is super friendly. Baba is okay, but they act like they shit roses at that place and they are doing you a favor letting you in the door.

Boca in Oakley is outstanding. KMC- I would put that next on your list now that you've done Precinct.

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I'll have to give Shaan a try. I like Baba's but agree that they act like you are an inconvenience when you walk in the door. Truth be told last time I was in Baba's I was noticing how dirty the dining room is.

I take it Shaan is a different outfit from the Indian restaurant that used to be in Hyde Park Plaza. For some reason I didn't care for that one as well.

What is with the prolifferation of Indian restaurants?

Re Amol/Ambar - you have heard the backstory of those two restaurants? I've been to both, Amol wins for dine in lunch just based on the virtue of having a buffet. When our office orders in though, its Ambar. Just make sure you park on the correct side of the fence.

Tell me what you think after you try Shaan coaster, I think you'll like it.

An Indian friend of mine recommended Apna in Clifton. He says it is the most authentic North Indian restaurant (and the best) he's visited in Cincinnati. Any thoughts from the board?

The Precinct is the best steakhouse. Zips and Terry's Turf Club have the best burgers.
And Dee Felice in Covington is money.



As for the Montgomery Inn, their food is poor and overpriced.

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Originally Posted by Kahns Krazy

It's not wrigleyville, but there are plenty of downtown bars. In Between, Head First, O'Mally's, the new piano bar in the old Game Day, Lodge, Rock Bottom, Mynt, Nicholsons, Righteous Room, as well as plenty of restaurants with great bars like Nada, Palamino, Via Vite, McCormick and Schmicks. Fountain Square is practically ringed with restaurants and bars now.

Covington has Behle Street, Molly Malones, Sidebar, Keystone...

Newport has Jefferson Hall, Hoffbrau, Brothers....

How many bars would you like there to be?

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definitely good to know. For some reason, I've gotten into the habit of going to Mount Adams/Mainstrasse instead of downtown before games.

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Originally Posted by KC4X

I have not tried Melt, yet, but I've heard it's very good. Boca used to be where Honey is now in Northside. Slim's is my favorite among those. Just know that they have no liquor license; so, you have to bring your own.

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Take the Cake in Northside has a great Sunday brunch. Mayberry downtown (on Vine) is good as well..

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Originally Posted by Kahns Krazy

It's a very Cincinnati thing to do - never go downtown, and then bash downtown for being whatever it is in your mind.

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I live in Mt. Lookout, so most weekends are spent downtown. Slowly, but surely downtown is growing. Everywhere was packed this past Saturday night..hope it continues.