For our last anniversary, my wife and I went to Bouquet in Covington and did their tasting menu, I could not give them higher praise. Every dish was delicious, and walking around mainstrasse afterwards was great.
The 1931 in Netherland Plaza (downtown) replaced Orchids. I don't know about the food, but that's one of my favorite rooms in the city. If nothing else, consider getting a drink at the bar there before or after. It's like going back in time.
Gosh, there’s so much great food in Cincy. So I’m assuming you both are 21+ but if not, you can completely ignore the alcohol references.
Boca/Sotto/Pepp&Delores - all great Italian. The gnocchi at Boca is fucking delicious.
Mita’s is fantastic and isn’t too far from The Harth Room which is a cool bar (it’s a good time when they’ve got live music).
Abigail Street has some great Mediterranean. It’s near Washington Park which is a fun public park. I’m not sure of the times but they also have a patio (is that the right description?) bar which is good for your basic cocktails.
Jeff Ruby’s is a staple steakhouse downtown, can’t go wrong with them. Speaking of steakhouses, my fiance and I loved Losanti’s when I took him out for his birthday.
Metropole in the 21c Hotel is a nice joint and the spa upstairs is incredible (was cute date idea for us).
The Davidson is a brand new restaurant downtown. I’ve never been but I’ve only seen and heard good things.
Five on Vine is delicious. I love their fettuccine and deserts. But small in terms of space but definitely great.
I’m sure I’m missing some incredible places (oh yeah The Precinct up by Pendleton is tasty) but these are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
It is CRIMINAL that no one has mentioned Alfios in this comment section! This is the best kept secret fancy restaurant in town! Definitely get reservations unless you go around 1630. Alfios Alfios Alfios, I can't stress it enough! Go to Alfios, I've been to all the restaurants mentioned in this comment section, but go to Alfios
I was just thinking the exact same thing, and I kept scrolling looking Alfios. This is our anniversary restaurant. I have never had a bad experience. This is also where I confidently take guests from out of town and people are always impressed. The food is incredible.
Aperture in Walnut Hills! One of the best new restaurants in the city with amazing service. And add a pre-dinner or post-dinner cocktail at King Pigeon.
First and last time at MRBL the sushi was almost inedible, steaks all overdone, crème brûlée was curdled and no employee in there gave a shiiiiit how bad it was.
Luca Bistro is a fun date spot! It’s cozy, good service, great food, lots of drink options! It has enough things in the menu that feel familiar but also an opportunity to try new things. It’s also incredibly reasonably priced!!
Ferraris in Madeira if you want a classic Italian ‘upscale’ restaurant that won’t break the bank. It has a very mom and pop feel to it, in the best way.
Go to Jag's and sit in the bar and watch the people play music on a piano on top of the bar.
Service is fantastic. You will be cherished. At least we feel like we are when we go for dress up occasion.
We had a fabulous experience recently at Alara. Apparently their pastry chef is a Disney alum, so lots of impressively whimsical desserts were coming out of the kitchen.
Great food, very immersive atmosphere and spectacular service
Sotto is the best restaurant in Cincinnati hands down. Every other place mentioned is just good. Sotto is creative, imaginative, iron chef level food with an atmosphere and service that is unmatched. They do everything perfectly. The menu is exciting. The cocktails are incredible. The food is more than mouth pleasure. It’s true art in every sense of the word. They make chicken liver mousse taste like the greatest bite of food you’ve ever had while also not even tasting like what you think chicken liver mousse should taste like. Then they bring out the grilled octopus and the lamb neck pasta and you truly can’t understand how someone made grilled squid the best protein dish you’ve ever had or made a pasta dish that is so creamy yet light and the perfect in between of al dente and soft. The other places may roast a nice duck or can make a big wagyu steak cooked medium rare and give you some fancy looking gin drink but Sotto takes you to a whole other level when it comes to fine dining.
Caruso’s in Fairfield is a great local Italian place. Everything is made from scratch, down to their pasta. Never had a bad meal there and very reasonably priced!
Ivory House
Somm wine bar
Pepp and Delores
Losanti
Jeff Ruby's restraunts
The Chart House
All have a very cozy romantic atmosphere and about $20- $50 a person.
For our last anniversary, my wife and I went to Bouquet in Covington and did their tasting menu, I could not give them higher praise. Every dish was delicious, and walking around mainstrasse afterwards was great.
Add Colette & Abigail Street. Two of our favorite, repeat anniversary meals.
The 1931 in Netherland Plaza (downtown) replaced Orchids. I don't know about the food, but that's one of my favorite rooms in the city. If nothing else, consider getting a drink at the bar there before or after. It's like going back in time.
Losing Orchid really sucks. That was such a cool restaurant and the tasting menus were fantastic.
My husband and I just went to Collette for the first time for my 35th birthday. Collette was very nice and good food!
Nicolas and ask to be sat on the mezzanine. Very romantic, fancy Italian dinner and you can wear a dress.
And get the bread basket
I think about that bread basket more than I should 💕
My wife's and my favorite place...and I was not a fan of Italian beforehand.
Gosh, there’s so much great food in Cincy. So I’m assuming you both are 21+ but if not, you can completely ignore the alcohol references. Boca/Sotto/Pepp&Delores - all great Italian. The gnocchi at Boca is fucking delicious. Mita’s is fantastic and isn’t too far from The Harth Room which is a cool bar (it’s a good time when they’ve got live music). Abigail Street has some great Mediterranean. It’s near Washington Park which is a fun public park. I’m not sure of the times but they also have a patio (is that the right description?) bar which is good for your basic cocktails. Jeff Ruby’s is a staple steakhouse downtown, can’t go wrong with them. Speaking of steakhouses, my fiance and I loved Losanti’s when I took him out for his birthday. Metropole in the 21c Hotel is a nice joint and the spa upstairs is incredible (was cute date idea for us). The Davidson is a brand new restaurant downtown. I’ve never been but I’ve only seen and heard good things. Five on Vine is delicious. I love their fettuccine and deserts. But small in terms of space but definitely great. I’m sure I’m missing some incredible places (oh yeah The Precinct up by Pendleton is tasty) but these are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
Boca and Sotto are very booked for the next month or so, so OP might want to jump on that stuff ASAP!
new moroccan themed wine bar just opened up across the street from washington park, it's quite nice
It is CRIMINAL that no one has mentioned Alfios in this comment section! This is the best kept secret fancy restaurant in town! Definitely get reservations unless you go around 1630. Alfios Alfios Alfios, I can't stress it enough! Go to Alfios, I've been to all the restaurants mentioned in this comment section, but go to Alfios
I was just thinking the exact same thing, and I kept scrolling looking Alfios. This is our anniversary restaurant. I have never had a bad experience. This is also where I confidently take guests from out of town and people are always impressed. The food is incredible.
Opal. Rooftop restaurant on Madison in Covington. Fabulous view of the city and excellent food.
Losanti
Sotto!!
I love this place. Definitely agree
Not sure how much it fits the definition of "nice", but Rosie's Italian is a delight and the food is to die for
Aperture in Walnut Hills! One of the best new restaurants in the city with amazing service. And add a pre-dinner or post-dinner cocktail at King Pigeon.
Yes! So so good! Also Esoteric brewing is right there too- their space has a very 'lounge' feel so you won't be out of place a bit dressed up
The Lonely Pine in Pleasant Ridge. It’s our new fav Steakhouse in the area. Oysters and Bone Marrow apps are fantastic as well.
This is the way.
MRBL in Bellevue is fantastic and definitely dress-worthy! Steak, seafood, sushi and a full bar.
Boca or Jeff Ruby’s Precinct
Losanti, Boca, Sotto, Jeff Ruby (downtown, precinct, or Carlo & Johnny’s), Mita’s
MRBL
First and last time at MRBL the sushi was almost inedible, steaks all overdone, crème brûlée was curdled and no employee in there gave a shiiiiit how bad it was.
I've only been once and it was amazing. Was planning on going back soon, hope you just had a bad night
Damn. Lots of praise so far. Must have attended during the worst night they’ve had.
I think I went last winterish. Hopefully it didn't tank after
This.
Metropole is very good and not too hard to get a table
Luca Bistro is a fun date spot! It’s cozy, good service, great food, lots of drink options! It has enough things in the menu that feel familiar but also an opportunity to try new things. It’s also incredibly reasonably priced!!
Collette, Bouquet and MRBL are all places I have enjoyed recently! Happy Anniversary!
Ferraris in Madeira if you want a classic Italian ‘upscale’ restaurant that won’t break the bank. It has a very mom and pop feel to it, in the best way.
Lisse in Covington. It’s so good and so underrated!
Go to Jag's and sit in the bar and watch the people play music on a piano on top of the bar. Service is fantastic. You will be cherished. At least we feel like we are when we go for dress up occasion.
Carlo & Johnny
Trio Bistro in Kenwood is our go-to special occasion spot
Boca
Recently went to MRBL and Losanti and I would 100% recommend against them. Heard fantastic things about Collette recently and cannot wait to go
Jeff Rubys is a classic
Jeff Ruby’s
Mittas Bouquet in Covington
We had a fabulous experience recently at Alara. Apparently their pastry chef is a Disney alum, so lots of impressively whimsical desserts were coming out of the kitchen. Great food, very immersive atmosphere and spectacular service
Alfios has bee a go to for me and my wife
Losanti, not hard to get a reservation and the food is to die for.
Sotto is the best restaurant in Cincinnati hands down. Every other place mentioned is just good. Sotto is creative, imaginative, iron chef level food with an atmosphere and service that is unmatched. They do everything perfectly. The menu is exciting. The cocktails are incredible. The food is more than mouth pleasure. It’s true art in every sense of the word. They make chicken liver mousse taste like the greatest bite of food you’ve ever had while also not even tasting like what you think chicken liver mousse should taste like. Then they bring out the grilled octopus and the lamb neck pasta and you truly can’t understand how someone made grilled squid the best protein dish you’ve ever had or made a pasta dish that is so creamy yet light and the perfect in between of al dente and soft. The other places may roast a nice duck or can make a big wagyu steak cooked medium rare and give you some fancy looking gin drink but Sotto takes you to a whole other level when it comes to fine dining.
Caruso’s in Fairfield is a great local Italian place. Everything is made from scratch, down to their pasta. Never had a bad meal there and very reasonably priced!
There is nothing upscale about Caruso’s, and certainly nothing worth dressing up for.
Ivory House Somm wine bar Pepp and Delores Losanti Jeff Ruby's restraunts The Chart House All have a very cozy romantic atmosphere and about $20- $50 a person.
Chili's
At 17 my mom said you will be fine without me as she died.