The Palace - Cincinnatian HotelTapas Tuesday at the PalaceWe decided to 'test' the tapas menu offering that we learned about because we often visit the Cincinnatian and have drinks/meals at the bar in the Cricket Lounge.
We were not disappointed as the Palace presented very reasonable size portions, attractively presented, and extremely palate pleasing. Couple those items with impeccable and friendly service completed a very enjoyable evening for both of us.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMChef Matthew's food is delicious!Service was excellent! Started with an amuse bouche-a delicious single bite of smoked salmon over an avocado puree, with a little frizee to top it off! Yummy! I had the steak tartar topped with a lovely quail egg and toast points (I really needed one more piece of toast, though). Hubby had the chopped salad with duck confit. Both were excellent. Olive oil bread was really light and airy inside with a crunchy dense crust - good. I had the head-on shrimp with onion straws and cheese grits. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Hubby had lamb cooked to perfection. Only problem-restaurant was so cold cheese grits got cold very fast and a little hard before I was finished! Kudos Chef Matthew and company! Ladies, take a wrap!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMWent for my wife's birthdayWent for my wife's birthday dinner. Lamb rack was splendid. Service was great and it's a beautiful room.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely Formal DiningI most enjoyed the Blackened Gulf Shrimp in Cheese Grits. Very tasty! I did not like the Lamb Carpaccio, but the wheat grass sorbet on it was good. The Barrata cheese plate was very yummy. I had both the White Cake (the jalapeno sauce didn't wow me) and the Kentucky Chocolate desserts - the chocolate won. The wine list was varied and extensive. The staff were very attentive but not annoying. The ambience is calm and elegant. No music playing at all. I walked away pleased from my first visit here but at the same time judging it as slightly bland in taste overall. Nothing stood out as signature about this place. However there are not too many places left in Cincy where you can enjoy such a lovely formal dining experience.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasant eveningHad another very nice evening though had a couple mishaps. The past several times going, we have been privileged to have the same waitress each time. The food was outstanding (though the Lamb was a more fatty than usual). The Steak & Eggs and Burrata cheese starters was out of this World delicious. Tapas Tuesdays was to go to and experience more menu selections than normal. We wanted to sit by the windows and unfortunately, there were quite a few homeless individuals passing by which made us feel a little guilty to be celebrating when homelessness was passing by the restaurant windows. The food consistently is of top quality and with each bite, you can easily tell that the food was made with love, technique, passion, and creative flair.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat new chefThe palace is getting its mojo back. We dine there fairly regularly and this evening was one of the best on record - particularly the food choices. Our dining experience was flawlessly executed and staff were attentive and knowledgeable. Brenda is excellent as a server. Four of us had four different appetizers and main dishes and all were excellent. Notable were the large scallops and the lamb. As starters, the cheese plate was reminiscent of traditional basque starters and the mushrooms were very creative. Dessert was unique and pleasant. The wine list is slightly more fruit forward than in the past. The new chef Beaudin's touch is seen in the interesting vegetables and garnishes as well as locally sourced meats. Keep up the good work.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperior serviceThe food is very good (especially the Kentucky flourless chocolate cake with bourbon ice cream!), and the ambiance very pleasant. What makes the restaurant superior is the service. It is rare to find unobtrusive, perfectly timed service anymore (outside of Europe). We really enjoyed a leisurely meal. On a side note, it was sweet of the maitre d' to stop by and wish my husband happy birthday, simply due to a seating request I'd made in our Open Table reservation.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat night, everything wasGreat night, everything was outstanding. Great for special occasion.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMTapas TuesdaysMay be the best value in Cincy! Fine dining at about half price for their tasting size portions, but you won't be hungry by the end of evening. Not only tastes delicious, you'll find the presentation like a painting. You won't be disappointed5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThe best meal I have ever hadSo this place may not be as trendy and hip as people like, but there is a classic and understated ambiance to the restaurant. The food, however, will change your life. The bone marrow beef tenderloin is fantastic, really the best meal I have ever had. A very unique combination, the marrow with a bite of beef is amazing. The mushroom appetizer delicious and the overall experience is just great.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service was exceptional.The service was exceptional. They servers did all the little things correctly and the romantic atmosphere coupled with great food made for an excellent night.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMok but a little disapponitingEvrrything was well prepared and beautifully presented but we were thinking that the Palace would be extraordinary. The reputation created an expectation that the experience fell short of.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMPre show mealReservations handled beautifully. Not rushed and out in plenty of time.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversary DinnerAs usual the Palace was an experience to remember. My wife and I go every year for our anniversary and it is always an excellent experience. The wait staff was outstanding. Food was delicous and the ambiance was perfect. James our main waiter was very friendly and knowledgable and the food was outstanding. Always an evening to remember. Water glasses were always full and the presentation was spectacular. Do yourself a favor and treat yourselves to a night to remember.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMLove having live music (stringLove having live music (string trio) while dining!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth a trip from near or far!New chef has added his touch to an already stellar reputation. The new menu contains one dish better than the next. Seasoned staff knows how to be there when needed without hanging over you4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Palace is Always MemorableThe Palace has always been a great place to dine for my wife and me. Truly remarkable cuisine and it has carried over with Chef Beaudin as well. Poached Asparagus and the Pork Tenderloin were incredible. Tasting Thursday is always a wonderful experience and we look forward to returning again and again.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed a nice 3rd ThursdayWe enjoyed a nice 3rd Thursday special. Since we are both retired we reserved a table at opening time and were treated to a welcoming by most of the staff. Our waiter was attentive but not intrusive4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMI loved the romantic settingI loved the romantic setting and all of the undived attention from the staff. I have special dietary needs and the chef was very accomadating whice made me feel very relaxed and content. The food was tasty and the little touches of appetizers and desserts was very welcoming.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMAttentive wait staff, trulyAttentive wait staff, truly flavorful and fresh menu from beginning to end. Nice dining experience. This dining experience will linger as a delightful & memorable evening,4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMit was a very delightful experienceit was a very delightful experience overall however the little area that they seated us in was quite cold and there was a bad spot in the floor that I tripped on each time I went to the buffet..some of the items in the warmers were cold.Our waiter wasn't sure what the age was for the senior discount but gave us the discount anyway.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMFive Star plus....The Palace has a excellent menu , atmosphere and most of all the service. John McLean and Brenda make you feel that you are an important guest in their home. The Palace is at the top of my list for special occasions and business dinners.3/9/2013 12:00:00 AMloved the fact that the restaurantloved the fact that the restaurant noise level was very low. It is the perfect place for a meeting or just casual conversation...you can actually hear your table guests.2/27/2013 12:00:00 AM