Nicola's RistoranteTh BestSo far, Nicola's is thebest Italian restaurant in Cincinnati.
Great food & service.
What do you need other than that!
May feel a bit expensive, but it does worth for money.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful mother's day dinnerwe took my in-laws and our 3-yr old son for dinner at Nicola's. We were a bit nervous about taking our son, but he was treated very well and no one acted as if he should not have been there. They made him a special plate of plain pasta and he ate tons of bread. With a full belly, he behaved well and we did not feel as though he was disturbing other tables. As for the res tof us, the food at Nicola's was amazing, as always. We've been to italian restaurants all over the country and we've been to italy, and this is some of the best italian food you'll find anywhere. The service is very good, but this time we thought the food could have come a bit faster, especially with a 3-yr old at the table.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best mealsI have been hearing about Nicola's for years and finally had a chance to go there last weekend. It not only lived up to the hype but far exceeded my expectations. This was the best Italian food I've ever had -- and I've been to Italy. The service is superb and the whole experience was outstanding. I'd recommend this restaurant to everyone.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMBuonissimoThis restaurant never fails to please. The pastas were fabulous.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the best meals ever.One of the best meals ever. Expert, unbelievable service. Lovely decor and ambiance. Truly exceptional.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFavorite SpotNikola's is a Cincinnati hidden gem. The food is made with such passion, creativity and enthusiasm. Then service is always great too. They have group rooms but that does not detract for the intimacy of the tables. Nikola's is a special place to us.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMDefinitely going againWhat an amazing restaurant! Everyone there, especially our waitress was really kind and helpful. To start off, we got to try their amazing bread basket; it by itself was enough to make me satisfied with dinner. The waitress really knew everything about what was on the menu. Next I got the goat cheese salad which was absolutely divine, and for the main course I got the gnocchi. Like all the other reviews on here and top have said, this dish is to die for. It had a rich cheese sauce and had truffle oil which was strong enough to cut through the cheese but not overpower it, and the gnocchi itself was amazing and satisfying. Just a wonderful experience, and I will be going there again soon even though it is a little expensive.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a Treat!The food and the service were outstanding! Will definitely go back again and again.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant is one ofThis restaurant is one of the best Italian restauarants I have visited outside of Italy. It does Cincinnati proud to have an istitution as good as this. Leonardo, the waiter is a gem.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMEvery time I have been here,Every time I have been here, everything has been flawless.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWhen only the very best will do.Top scale restaurant with top scale prices but worth every bit. Food was unique, flavorful and quantities did not overwhelm. Sauces and flavors left you saying, "how did they get that taste?" Even the bread was different, a basket of assorted rolls, and bits of bread of every shape, size and flavor, the perfect companion to the antipasto that we shared with 4 people. Even that was different, few vegetables and lots of different meats. My goat cheese was served slightly warm with melted goat cheese underneath, very different. The duet of pork was beyond description, with a sauce that defied description. Service was sophisticated, attentive and unobtrusive. This is a special place for a special occasion.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThe dinner was excellent.The dinner was excellent. We were seated right on time, our server was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful bur intrusive. Not my first time there and not my last.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful place for a dinner for 2Nicola's menu selections is terrific -- its a mix of familiar favorites and something new. This has become one of our favorite near-downtown spots. Be warned that its a little pricey -- our dinner for two sans dessert was $120. If that's too much for your budget, try Nicola's Via Vite which is right on Fountain Square. Some of the same great recipes at perhaps 1/2 the price but without the ambience. And the really really great service.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMNicola's continues to supportNicola's continues to support its reputation for excellence that has been built over almost two deades. Menu is creative though somewhat limited. Execution is first-rate. Servers are knowledgable and willing to share "inside info." Wine list diverse and creative -- first time I've seen Barolo by the glass in a long time.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food and service are alwaysThe food and service are always excellent. However, we were a little disappointed in the menu this trip. It wasn't the most exciting or creative , lacked variety and was flat. The Ossobucco was tender but could have used a sauce as it was a little dry. Also , would not serve it on a bed of kale. The salads and desserts were fine.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWe celebrated a birthday atWe celebrated a birthday at Nicola's with family - the food was superb, the service was at least as good, and the atmosphere was simply outstanding. The staff worked hard to accommodate split entrees between two people, and graciously prepared and served the special birthday cake we had brought with us - then boxed up the left-overs so we could enjoy a second piece later!
Many thanks to Jennifer our waitress, Nicola, and the entire staff for making this a quite special occasion!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMI go to Nicola's quite often.I go to Nicola's quite often. Nicola does a fantastic job of leading every aspect of the restaurant. The cuisine is creative and delicious. Highly recommended. (Have the Tagliatelle Bolognese).4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic! Wonderful atmosphere.Fantastic! Wonderful atmosphere. A culinary masterpiece.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was good but they ranFood was good but they ran out of bread that day, so we didn't get the chance to try their famous bread bowl. I was very disappointed by this, as that was one of the things I was looking forward to. Service was good and the ambiance was nice, but running out of bread is something I've never encountered at a restaurant.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and service.Excellent food and service. We will definitely be back.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMContinues to be one of theContinues to be one of the best restaurants in cincinnati. I continue to think about a special they had, fried chicken saltimboca, and am dying for them to have it again!4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMA consistent, very good restaurant.A consistent, very good restaurant. One of my favorites in town. Dan, our server was was particularly good. We informed him we had theatre tickets and hoped to leave around 7:30. He had us out the door right at that time, without us feeling rushed. Great job!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyable........all aroundEnjoyable........all around enjoyavle..........pricey, but will come back for special occasions4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMReconnectingWe had an amazing night of food and conversation. An excellent atmosphere for reconnecting. The Sea Bass and Gnocchi were perfectly prepared and plated. Everything was beautiful and cooked to perfection. Thank you.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMIncredible eveningAmazing evening - delightful food , great service and wonderful table side Caesar! The evening couldn't be more delightful4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMThe four of us had a lovelyThe four of us had a lovely time celebrating two birthdays. I am impressed with the changes in the pastry chef. She is a gem, hang on to her.
The pork dish I had was delicious from start to finish. Everyone enjoyed their meals.
We have been to Nicola's several times and it wi well worth the drive from Trotwood.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMOUTSTANDING EXPERIENCE!!!!I've been to alot of fine dining restaurants in the Cincinnati area and I must say that Nicola's is in the top 3! The food was exquisite. We shared half portions of 2 entrees and had the sea bass as well. Our waiter was excellent and extreme helpful since that was my first time there. HIGHLY recommended. Will definitely go back in the near future!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMI can't say anthing on hereI can't say anthing on here that hasn't already been said. The bread basket is worth the price of admission alone. We also had a goat cheese salad which sounds mundane but was divine. The gnocci in cheese fondue sauce was easily one of the best dishes I've ever had, hands down. I wish we had saved more bread from the bread basket to sop up the leftover cheese sauce. Our main entree was walleye, which Nicola himself deboned at our table. For dessert we had a decontructed tiramisu that was soaked in espresso so delicious it momentarily made us forget about the bread basket. Sometimes when I sleep at night, I dream about that bread basket. It might be what they serve in heaven.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM50 Shades of AwesomeNicola's buried the needle on awesome on our dinner. I am not one to gush, but I can only heap praise on the experience. Each course was outstanding, and the service was the right balance of attention without being intrusive. Particular attention must be made to the mushroom risotto (probably have the spelling wrong) which was spectacular. Just a tremendous experience.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been fortunate to travelI have been fortunate to travel extensively the last 20 years and I would say when it comes to Italian food Nicola's right in my hometown is as good as any other Italian restaurant I've been to in the world.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother great meal at Nicola's.Another great meal at Nicola's. The experience is always consistently wonderful! The best Bolognese sauce within 100 miles of here.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place to go for a specialGreat place to go for a special date or just a nice night out.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is one of our favoriteThis is one of our favorite places to dine. The service is wonderful. We always feel comfortable and enjoy interacting with our server. While we have enjoyed excellent food on previous visits this time was an exception.The Tagliolini had microscopic pieces of scallop. Because of the small pieces these were virtually tasteless. I had high hopes for this preparation and was extremely disappointed.The sea bass, on the other hand, was enjoyable.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was nice to have a nightIt was nice to have a night out with friends at a restaurant that was relaxed but also a little more formal than the norm.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA mustThis is a wonderful restaurant. The meal is outstanding. One of our favorites.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding restaurant. ForOutstanding restaurant. For guy from the the East coast, I am very impressed with this great restaurant...excellent food; wonderful ambiance; perfect service. Can't say enough good things about this place.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat RestaurantFood was excellent - best Risotto I have had in USA. Wait staff very attentive and knowledgeable.
It was our wedding anniversary and we received free desert and desert wine- very nice3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and serviceExcellent food and service - well worth the drive from West Chester.1/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother fantastic dining experienceAnother fantastic dining experience. The food was exceptional and the service was outstanding. A very nice time had by all in our party.12/14/2012 12:00:00 AM