Orchids at Palm CourtPerfect anniversary celebrationMy husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary dinner with Orchids - and were so glad we chose this excellent restaurant. From the special anniversary card and desserts, to the spectacular food, everything was perfect. Our favorites: the Blue Cheese Beignets, Lobster Salad and Pacfic Halibut. Dessert was extraordinary too. Excellent!6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMMeant greatest expectationsHeard such raving reviews about Orchids, that it was hard to believe they would come true. But everything was either meant or were beyond. Had a great birthday celebration there!!!6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat as alwaysWe come to Cincinnati once or twice a year, and usually eat at Orchids (and come to the great happy hour at the adjacent bar). it has always been a wonderful experience. The food and service are superb, and the atmosphere is unsurpassed. The Art Deco splendor makes us feel like F. Scott Fitzgerald characters or perhaps movie moguls in the 20s. It's definitely a splurge, but the prices are reasonable for the quality of the food and the amazing atmosphere. We often get the prix fixe, which is a bargain, currently $60 for four courses (they throw in an amuse-bouche and a palate cleanser or two as well). They have a vegetarian prix fixe, also. Dress up a bit and treat yourselves to a memorable meal in unforgettable surroundings.6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely outstanding inAbsolutely outstanding in every way. We will definetly return sooner than later6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMRankes with the 5 StarsFood, service and room are all special. routinely ranked best in Cincinnati and rightly so. As good as the best in NYC, Chicago, etc.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMspecial placeAlways a wonderful time at the best restaurant in cincinnati.....6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMPerhaps the best meal of my lifeOn a brief business trip to Cincy. Flat out amazing. With nothing better to do with my evening, I ordered the "Grand Tasting" menu with wine pairings: ten courses and nine small glasses of wine, plus an amuse, pre-dessert, and post-dessert.
Despite the size of the meal, I ate every bite of every course: e.g. Seared scallop on a bread pudding puree with fried quail egg and Banyuls gastrique. Sun choke veloute with snail and cauliflower fritter. Fresh morels with smoked chicken hearts, crispy chicken skin, and a bone marrow bordelaise. Vanilla bean mascarpone fromage blanc on poppyseed cake with blood orange sorbet, pineapple gelee, and candied kumquat peel. Absolutely fantastic and I will be back for the same thing, new menu.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome Dining ExperienceWe were celebrating our anniversary and the experience was phenomenal. The reason that I gave The Orchids five stars is because the survey doesn't let me give six stars. Everything about the experience was completely over the top.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOrchids at Palm CourtThe sevice is impeccable and the food incredible. Best restaurant in Cincinnati and well deserving of the honor. You have to go at least once in your life time. It is well worth the money.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSuch a Cincinnati standardSuch a Cincinnati standard that has met the test of time. Great meal and ambience can't be beat ~5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellence MasteredThis restaurant is unlike any other in Cincinnati. The food is exquisite, the service harmonious and the space unparalleled. From the time we stepped into Palm Court we were treated like we were welcomed and appreciated. Once seated we could not believe how well versed everyone on the staff was. Megan and Charles took great care of us. I cannot even explain how good the food was, every course seemed to get better if that is even possible. The wine pairings were on par with the theme of excellence. It is very clear when you dine here why this is the best restaurant in Cincinnati. Thank you Megan and Charles we will return!5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat evening, memorable mealThe meal, service, and ambiance made for a nice romantic evening with my husband. The roasted monkfish was perfectly prepared as was my husband's snapper. We look forward to returning.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst visitWonderful atmosphere. Unrushed. Excellent wine selection. The food was a delight and some of the best we've ever had. The staff is courteous, funny and professional. Had a hard time hearing out primary waitress as the noise was a little high because of the adjacent bar.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMBlast From the PastOrchids is great, but has its quirks. The service is old-style formal and may seem peculiar to people used to more modern urban dining. There's a whole set of rituals that have more to do with the place being "special" than it does with foodie-friendly dining. Chateaubriand carved at the table, the rococo dessert cart, the way dinner for two is simultaneously unveiled from beneath sterling domes...it's elegant and weird at the same time. It's the kind of place where, if something went wrong, you wouldn't be surprised when the waiter committed hari-kiri with a butter knife.
All of that said, the food is terrific, the list is adequate, and the ambience is spectacular -- an art deco hotel lobby beautifully restored. We'll go there again.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply the bestEverything was outstanding. The food is delectable. I had the snapper-it was divine. I've eaten 2 meals now at Orchids, and both are in the 10 meals of all-time.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMSimply the best dining experienceDine in a beautiful art deco setting. Probably the prettiest restaurant I've been to. Relaxed but professional service. Creative amd delicious food with a seasonal menu. Worth every penny.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMFAB - U - LOUS!Everything was perfect - the food was wonderful - we did the tasting menu with wine. Great atmosphere. Service was right on. This restaurant is always one of my favorites in Cincinnati.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMMemorable!!We celebrated our sons 40th birthday. Everything was so special. Our son is a chef who graduated from CIA many years ago so needless to say we are foodies. Our table of six explored many dishes offered and loved it all. We would recommend it highly.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMExceptional food and service.Ezceptional food and service. Only complaint would be noise level as there was apparently a college fraternity party going on above us as we dined.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOrchids at the Palm CourtOrchids at the Palm Court is quite simply the best meal in Cincinnati. The experience is fabulous, the service is impeccable, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and the food is the best in the city. Highly recommended!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMFour in our party of six hadFour in our party of six had the tasting menu, consisting of four savory courses and a multi-component dessert. It was superb and nicely priced at $65, without wine.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic dining experienceWe chose Orchids for our anniversary dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the great service. We ordered a la carte and chose Maine lobster salad and Blue chese beignets for our appetizer course and Red snapper and Lamb as entres. We were greeted with some great tasting amuse bouche, tasty bread and beet salad as a complimentary dish as well. Lobster salad was refreshing and had great flavor. The red snapper was just delicious. The crunch and the mild indian spice curry added such an unique take on the dish. The lamb loin had that melt in mouth consistency an. The dessert plate that had "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate was a nice touch. One of the best easting experiences we had in Cincinnati.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific, above and beyond.This was the the best dining experience I have enjoyed.
From the outstanding service to the divine food quality and presentation, I would have to rate Orchids a 10 plus.
I can not wai to go back.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Staff, Great FoodThe food was very good. There wasn't anything that was just average. The staff was very understanding of my eating needs (vegetarian), and made many good recommendations and were willing to alter the menu to create dishes just for me, which I did not ask them to do. They were very interested in service, and were appropriately available. The crowd was a little stuffy for me, but that's what you expect from this type of restaurant. If you're looking for a place that will go out of their way to ensure you have a great meal, this is probably it. A great overall dining experience.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBucket List ExperienceNothing that can compare. The welcoming we had when we arrived was personal and genuine. The entire staff welcomed us, including the chef which made it very special. It is hard to describe how good the food really was, since we had never tasted anything that compared to the food and presentation. Every course was beter than than the last. It just continued as the Chef sent out dishes with his "complements". Do not miss an opportunity to spend an evening in a truly awesome place with delicious and artfully presented food, with someone you love.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperb Dining Experience at OrchidsWe recently dined at Orchids, selecting the tasting menu paired with wine. It was phenomenal! The tasting menu encouraged us to try dishes we may not have experienced al a carte, such as the cauliflower appetizer, with 4 distinct preparations of cauliflower, separated by watermelon radish slices. In every dish, the chef blended unique ingredients that can be tasted distinctly, but uniquely complement each other, as well as the wine pairings. The presentation was almost too beautiful to eat. I also complement the knowledgeable, professional staff, and appreciated the flexibility for a menu substitution.
This is the best place in town to celebrate a romantic, special occasion!5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulousWonderful menu. Some of our guests were vegetarians and there was an excellent choice for them.
Seasonal local produce featured and our server knew where things were from.,
Food faultless.
Service discreet but attentive.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderfulWe had the most delicious meal and the wait staff was always near by. We have always been so pleased when dining at Orchids. You can't go wrong!!!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Restaurant in CincinnatiMy wife and I come to Orchids 2-4 times a year. Everything is A+, from the food, to the service, to the Art Deco dining room. We love the "tasting menu" with the wine pairing. If you come, don't hold back on ordering anything based on price. The experience is worth it! We splurged one time and had a specially prepared 10-course menu. (This was expensive, but we don't regret it.)5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMperfectWe celebrated our daughters graduation from U Cincinnati at Orchids and are really glad we did. I'm vegan and my daughter is vegetarian. We had three carnivores along for the ride. We were greeted with "congratulations" when we arrived, when seated and surprised when her dessert was served on a plate with congratulations written in chocolate. The service was superb. Our server, Paul, was the Dining Capitan and not only attended to our every need, he advised us on vegan/vegetarian options and modifications. They also double checked ingredients without being asked. Everything was delicious. The vegan "snapper" was made with portobello and a olive oil based sauce full of flavor. This was the best vegan meal I ever had.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMEvery time we eat there theEvery time we eat there the experience is amazing. Possibly the best food and service in the city. This time was no different, except my husband and I both did not like one of the dishes on the tasting menu. Immediately they took our plates and made a substitution with a different delicious dish, no questions asked. If you are looking for amazing food with great ambience and incredibly attentive service then definitely visit the Orchids!!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and exceptionalGreat food and exceptional service. A little noisy but totatlly worth it.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMMade reservations at PalmMade reservations at Palm court for a surprise Engagement dinner.It went perfect.This was our first time there and won't be our last.Very romantic and relaxing.Great food and service.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMIN addition to everythingIN addition to everything we ordered being delicious and beautifully presented, a couple extra tasting from the chef were tremendous
I also love the traditional service. Plates are served and cleared from the correct side. Entrees are presented at teh same time, etc. I ahd three guests with me, two of whom were from Paris. They could not have been more pleased4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMI am vegetarian and thereI am vegetarian and there isn't much on the menu but the waiter was able to offer two modified dishes that were quite good and vegetarian. I am not vegan though. Even the amuse bouche was great. The service was well done and quiet, but very attentive.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was delicious and beautifullyFood was delicious and beautifully presented. Service was impeccable. Felt the courses were a bit rushed. Would have liked more time in between to savor. Feel a hot beverage should be included in the $95. per tab.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom the chef's mini tasteFrom the chef's mini taste to start the meal through the entree, excellent meal. Nice touch that for the two out of the four in our group that didn't order appetizers, the chef/server brought out small bites.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat can I say? This was oneWhat can I say? This was one of the best dining experiences I have enjoyed in Cincinnati. The Snapper dish was absolutely incredible - the chef won his 2012 culinary award with this dish, and it was well deserved. The staff was attentive, and didn't bat an eye when we asked to split a dish (my wife and I are both dieting, but still enjoy a night of great food.) It's not inexpensive, but well worth it for the flavors. We both walked away satiated, but don't expect a massive pile of food on your plate - the cost goes into the quality of ingredients, not quantity.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMClassical dining experienceClassical dining experience with great service and outstanding food!3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMQuite good, but not Ohio's bestOrchids has a very classic ambiance and mode of service. I would describe its decor and very attentive staff as adhering to the tenants of 1920s urban opulence.
My overall impression was that most of the food was designed and prepared well, but there were notable disappointments.
Our gougeres (amuse bouches) were well-flavored, but no longer crispy and fresh. The small plates (1st & 2nd course menus), desserts, & mignardises were impressive: these exhibited excellent combinations of flavors and textures that demonstrated thoughtful design and skillful execution. The entrees were standard and over-priced. The espresso seemed to have come out of a Mr. Coffee machine. I recommend a dinner completely comprised of small plates.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMImpeccable and knowledgeableImpeccable and knowledgeable wait staff. The food is simply amazing. The combination of flavors and colors is as artistic as it is delicious. This goes for every course as well as desserts. The amuse bouche is always a delight.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of the people in our partyOne of the people in our party had food allergies and the staff took great lengths to accomodate her and to make sure all of the dishes were prepared accordingly.
GREAT service3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday celebration March 21Birthday celebration at Orchids was a very nice experience. The wait staff was appropriately attentive and quickly picked up on the birthday that we were celebrating. His occasional and subtle acknowledgement were nicely done. Each course was a visual feast but our favorite was the lobster salad that was finished a light cream reduction with blowfish caviar. The spanish cava pairing with that dish was also spectacular. We'll be back.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMI cannot say enough good thingsI cannot say enough good things about the experience we had at Orchids at Palm Court. From the time Peter greeted as at our table to the ice wine recommendations he made with my dessert. We have just started a dinner club with two other couples and this was our first stop of ten total restaurants. I must say the bar has been set extremely high. We will definitely be back.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMBeautiful!!! Wondersful food.Beautiful!!! Wondersful food. Service almost like going to a spa.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe only two drawbacks wereThe only two drawbacks were being out of a favorite, but not unusual, wine we ordered and sending the wrong boxed food home with us. We got the chicken leg...someone else got the tenderloin.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMFlawless service, attentionFlawless service, attention to detail beyond compare, and courses that amaze and I still can remember vividly are all hallmarks of the Orchids at Palm Court dining experience. Incredible wine pairings from sommelier and maître d'hôtel, Charles Redmond, made the evening all the more delicious!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I went thereMy husband and I went there for our first anniversary. The staff was full of congratulations and treated us very well. The food and drinks were amazing. We enjoyed the Chef's Tasting Menu and each and every bite was perfection!! Worth every penny! We have been gushing with compliments to all of our friends. My husband and I are considering this spot a yearly tradition for our anniversary.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMawsome....they are so professionalawsome....they are so professional and kind....those guys really know how to make you feel important. I had a great evening. Best restaurant yet, by miles!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThey have a great service!They have a great service! Everyone from the greeter to the waitress aim to please. The chef sent us a tasting. We felt spoiled. We had a hard time choosing from the decadent creative menu. I ordered an app and my friend didn't. The staff sent one for free so she could enjoy with me. Both cooked to perfection. The gnocchi was delish. Our entrees came soon after. They were amazing especially the Monkfish. The entire meal including the sweet treats they sent to cleanse our palettes left us wanting more2/6/2013 12:00:00 AM