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Category: American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Oakley
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Wow ... Best place I have found in Cincinnati!
Excellent food... Gourmet, yet a little rustic. Nice selection of wine (including an impressive list of half bottles).
To start we had their take on a Caesar salad ... it is actually served warm (and grilled) plus the tuna tar tare. Both had a Boca flair, but excellent.
Moved onto to a very well prepared chicken (still trying to figure out how they did it at home) over truffle potatoes and a braised pork dish that was out of this world.
While stuffed, we had to try the deserts. We ended with an excellent selection of cheeses and order of these gourmet doughnuts.
Excellent.
Highly recommend this one ...
Great atmosphere ... High end and hip, but not trying too hard. Some of the crowd may have been slightly pretentious but with these prices you would expect it, but soooo worth it.
The food at Boca is fresh, local, and very good. Table service is attentive and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant.
So with all of that, how can I rate Boca only three stars?
To start, bar service is awful -- flaky and ignorant. It's a small bar (maybe seats 10), but the bartenders have a hard time paying attention to their customers and simply don't know how to mix drinks. If you are waiting for your table, this is not the introduction you want for your evening. Go across the street and have a drink at Hugo instead.
As for the meal? Prix fixe three course meals start at $67 on the weekends. Throw in a couple of cocktails, a mid-range bottle of wine, and coffee, and you'd be hard pressed to walk out of here for less than $250. And for $250, I expect an experience.
I expect the 12-course delight at Arun's Thai in Chicago or the 9-course culinary adventure of the French Laundry. I expect to be impressed at every turn, and sadly, both of my trips to Boca have been disappointing. On my last visit, the lamb was overcooked and underwhelming.
So while Boca may very well be the "best" Cincinnati has to offer, it's not worth it. Unless, as others have noted, someone else is paying for it.
If you are looking for a comparable, prix fixe meal in Cincinnati, I'd recommend Slims in Northside. The food is equally fresh, local, *and* very good. Plus, you won't wince when you get the bill.
NOT good for vegetarians, at least the six course prix fixe menu. We went there last year, when I actually had money and for some reason I decided to treat my boyfriend and I to dinner there. i called ahead to make sure there were vegetarians options for me, and of course Iwas assured that there were. When we arrived I was told that things were going to be more difficult and all my $150 bought me was less of a meal. Additionally parts of my meal didn't taste right, I think because they were designed to go with meat. The risotto comes to mind especially. Both of our meals had courses that were too salty and we like salt so it takes a lot for something to taste too salty to us.
The good things were, wines we probably wouldn't have tried otherwise, to-die-for carmelized brussel sprouts, and a cheesecake my boyfriend(a renowned cheesecake hater) fell in love with.
My money could have been better spent on three Mesh dinners than the price of one Boca dinner.
The food and the service is the best that it comes. The caramelized brussel sprouts are divine and some of the other offerings from the kitchen are truly amazing.
The people, staff and guests, are truly what make this restaurant! Getting to know our server and the managers over our past visits to the restaurant is truly incredible and they create a lively atmosphere that we want to go back to over and over again.
The restaurant itself is rather becoming of a rustic Italian dining experience and there are also some amazing floral arrangements throughout the restaurant as well as very interesting art. One aspect of the restaurant that I question is the old and rather ugly paint on the wall of the far side of the dining room; every time I visit I question it more and more.
Boca is truly an awesome experience that is worth the venture into Oakley and the strain it may put on the wallet. Even if it would be a once-a-year splurge, the food and company is truly worth it. If you come in with a smile and a little curiosity the staff will very willingly indulge your interests to create an experience that you will never forget and that will keep you coming back.
Delicious, expensive, but delicious
I love this place and I eat here everytime I go back to Cincy.
Their butternut squash soup...is...out...of...this...world. I think I might have actually licked the bowl at the table (I know, highly inappropriate, but it was almost like a supernatural being forcing me too). When people talk about this kind of soup, I stop them and tell them they have never experienced anything like I have. (Am I out of control yet?) :)
I loved how you can see the chef's cooking and its not a nasty kitchen either, its very state of the art. The atmosphere at Boca is lovely. Serene and fine dining at its best. Our server was delightful and gave incredible recommendations.
They have a 3 course tasting menu or the "Chef's Grand" which is their 7 course tasting (all pre-selected by the chef). So if you want to go out on a limb, get the 3 course, its still plenty of food...oh and their wine list is plentiful, a definite plus!
If you are in the Cincinnati area and are looking for a nice little "diamond in the rough"...Boca is your answer!
Mad love...
I was visiting Cincy a few weeks ago and a close friend of mine got us reservations at their "Chef's table".
I am NOT a resident of Cincinati and to be perfectly honest, I was slightly skeptical as to if this restaurant would compare to some of the places I've been to in California (Napa, Yountville, and SF). I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had and how I am still, even to this day craving their brussel sprouts.
The service was EXCELLENT! The staff was energetic, fun, and gave us all of the history/knowledge behind each dish we devoured. The chefs and servers were nothing far from meticulous with each plate and customer. They made sure that every bite and experience was perfect.
I really enjoyed my time at Boca and wish I could move the restaurant closer to me!!
This was my go to place for a nice little dinner during the week when I lived in Cincinnati. Though frequented mainly for special occasions, it is a regular dinning experience for the more well to do in that town.
For me, I loved the bruschetta which is no longer on the menu but can be requested of the chef....it is to die for!!!!! The brussel sprouts were excellent too.
Wine select is very good as well. Service in the dining area is spot on, but on the times I've eaten at the bar, the bartenders have a problem balancing working with the servers and their drink orders and handling customers who are eating AND drinking at the bar. They always seem to take too long serving me which was disappointing.
Valet service is your best bet in the early and mid-evening hours as parking can be a challenge, but late evening is easy to park across the street.
Had a few mishaps with water spilling and cold service, but when the food came I was temporarily distracted by the delicious smells and tastes.
But they accidentally threw away my mass quantities of leftovers instead of remembering to box them up, and that made me sad, especially when they didn't seem the least bit apologetic about it. Boo, two stars for you.
I would definitely come here again if someone else were paying. I went with my family last month for my mother's 50th birthday dinner and we wound up spending almost $1000, no joke (I have a somewhat large fam). BUT having said that, dinner was really good, the service was formal yet warm, and I had absolutely no complaints. Sooooo good. If I still lived in Cincinnati, I would hit this place up a lot. Very cute.
Chef David has created a masterpiece, and I don't just mean his first name.
Boca is a fantastic dining experience for a special evening out, wine consumption at the bar, or grabbing something 'to-go'. Let's talk about the dining experience within the restaurant.
The server was absolutely and completely attentive without being overly so. He knew when to talk and when not to talk. Perfect. The grilled caesar salad I would have to say is an exquisite idea and is served perfectly. Yes, they grill the romaine lettuce head. It's fabulous just try it.
The entrees were all superb and are of a 5-star caliber.
Since so many others have expertly detailed their entrees in this thread, I thought I would elaborate on dessert instead. Two words: Marscapone Cheesecake. And it has maple in its name too. I loved it. I had 3... and I don't eat dessert. Seriously, THREE.
(Try the sliders, they're made with filet mignon).
They lose a star simply for being fairly pretentious. C'mon, it's Cincinnati you cannot be *that* pretentious in this city. It's the Midwest, not Middle Manhattan.
My wife and I have dined at Boca three times now and both agree it is the best restaurant in Cincinnati. A wonderful regular menu plus exciting new dishes keeps us coming back for more.
The service is attentive and knowledgeable. Our waiter overheard our table discussing a celebration and brought over glasses of Prosecco (tasty sparkling wine from New Mexico) on the house.
Recommendations:
-Must try the caramelized brussel sprouts with sea scallop. You will be amazed with what the chef can do with these two ingredients.
-At least once, try the chef's tasting menu with wine. I have eaten at celebrity chef restaurants around the world, and this menu is still my favorite. Forget trying to pick a dish and let the chef serve you amazing dishes you may never have thought to order. Plus the sommelier brings a new wine with each course and explains the pairing. This meal can get pricey (we found out on the bill that our foie gras was an extra $50) but must be tried once while living in Cincinnati.
Great dining experience! Book a reservation and enjoy!
I came here with my parents for the first time and was blown away! I decided to get only two courses and I was very impressed with everything. Where we sat I could see into the kitchen and watch the chefs, that was neat. I got the lemon stuffed pasta first and then a simple but delicious fish and fresh greens. My parents did not like theirs, but it was a new dish and the waiter and manager were very nice and brought them something new. The dessert was also phenomenal, I got a very rich and creamy creme brûleé, and my mom got a spectacular cheesecake. I would definitely recommend for a special occasion.
Boca is off the chain! Now, this spot will set you back a pretty penny, but the food is the best I've had in Cincy. Stopping in on a weekend trip to Cincy, we decided to indulge at Boca for a super premium Sat night dinner. Boca delivered that and more. I cannot stop tasting the scrumptious seared scallops, lemon halibut, and truffle ravioli. Every course was simply delicious and never disappointed. We did the three course pre fixe menu plus a dessert course, which will set you back about $75 per head. But if you can get past the prices, you'll be in for a supreme treat. The service was top notch. The server actually explained practically every dish, never tried to upsell, well except for the bread, and was fantastic about refilling our wine glasses. Oh by the way, their wine list is awesome, featuring some killer stuff from Italy, France, California, Australia, practically everywhere. The wine prices are a little steep, but you can definitely find value at a reasonable markup from retail.
Bottom line this was the best meal I've ever had in Cincy and you cannot go wrong spending a couple hours enjoying a meal at Boca.
A restaurant that would do well anywhere. I had a three-course dinner, which was the price you would expect to pay for a meal and service of this caliber. I had scallops with caramelized brussel sprouts and a truffle vinaigrette. It was one of their most popular appetizers and I thought it was sublime, especially the brussel sprouts.
Then I had the loup de mer, which was delicious but nothing that made my mouth water. And my cousin ordered an extraordinary bottle of New Zeland pinot noir.
But the thing that wins the fifth star was the inventive way Boca presented its artisanal cheese plate for desert. It was served on something that was like a chalkboard and the names of the cheeses were written on it with a food pairing next to it (Granny Smith apples, apricots with sauce, etc.) I loved knowing exactly what I was eating.
And Boca fixed our intentional wrong fork choices for the first course without being pretentious or snotty. The knock on this restaurant is that it is snooty, but on the evening we dined, the waiter was attentive and explained patiently without airs. The service was excellent and unobtrusive.
A definite recommend!
Perfect for a special occasion. My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary here with a vegetarian tasting menu, including wine pairings with every course. Everything was selected and put together with such care. The food, atmosphere, and service could not be better.
The brussel sprouts were incredible, and over the top! They melt in your mouth. Our other dishes were more about the fresh and savory ingredients - mozzarella and tomato, gazpacho, zucchini with mint, couscous with corn. The wine pairings were fantastic, and included some very unique selections. My favorites were - "champagne" from New Mexico and a South African Chardonnay fermented in steel (De Wetshof Estate, Chardonnay, South Africa '06). Come here if you want to truly celebrate the experience of indulging in good food and drink!
I never write long reviews, but I am making an exception. Never in a million years would I expect Cincinnati to have a gem like this, but the chef executed the tasting flawlessly. It was hands down the best meal I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. If I can say anything negative it would be that the dessert, though extremely delicious, wasn't exotic enough. However, It is rather difficult to outdo yourself after plating out quail egg and ricotta stuffed ravioli covered in truffles.
Usually before a fine dinner I avoid snacking during the afternoon so my stomach's eagerness will amplify my enjoyment of the tastes, plus be able to enjoy several courses without stuffing myself. This is not necessary for Boca, which has gained quite a reputation for small portions. However, unlike the old joke ("This food is awful...and there's so little of it!"), everything is delicious.
I had one of the best courses of my life from the morel, fiddlehead, and escargot salad that overflowed with flavors. Yet, despite the potent tastes of those ingredients, none conflicted with the others. This sort of vibrant flavor demonstrates why Boca is such an excellent restaurant. Every plate will burst with taste and tingle your tongue.
Plus, chef David Falk innovates with intelligence. The grilled Caesar salad (a hunk of romaine slightly toasted, infused with dressing and anchovy sauce) is a perfect example of his creative twist on classic dishes. Falk's training under Jean Robert de Cavel shines through in these efforts, as his craftsmanship takes the clever ideas and fulfills their potential.
There is no need for recommendations. Pick whatever sort of meat/pasta/vegetable you usually like, and get it. It won't be what you're used to; it will be better.
Tremendous! Worked our way through a fair chunk of the inventive and well-executed menu. Some things were as exquisite as they were surprising -- others were moderate twists on high-end basics, and that's no complaint at all. A very nice room, too.
Boca. Oh my. Words can hardly do justice to describe the extraordinary meal set before us at Boca. I was immediately impressed by the casual, yet upscale, intimacy of the dining room. This feeling was further cultivated by our fantastic server. She had a familiar face, though none of us quite knew why. If you're ever there, look for the young woman who looks and sounds like Joey Lauren Adams of "Chasing Amy" fame, and you'll know who we're talking about. Our server made us feel at home, and, with little arm twisting, made short work of getting all 6 of us to submit to the 5 course chef's tasting menu. And taste we did! I was skeptical. I like food, but not all kinds, so I was a little skittish about caesar salad as a course. This was no ordinary caesar. In fact, nothing was ordinary about this meal.
First Course: Wood-fired Caesar Salad. Yes. That's correct. A caesar salad that's cooked in a wood oven. Oh my. A whole heart of romaine was quick-charred in the wood over and served with warm, creamy, garlicky, dressing. On top of this, large slivers of parmesan cheese. No dust from a green can here! I have never enjoyed Caesar salad before, but I will make this my first course on any return trip to Boca.
Second Course: Day boat diver scallop on a bed of caramelized Brussels sprouts. Heaven on a plate--though I'm sure I said that about each and every course. One, plump, tender, perfectly seared scallop with a generous serving of Brussels sprouts. This is considered a signature dish, and rightfully so. I would go back JUST for this dish. If you're not a fan of Brussels sprouts, still give the dish a try. The tiny bits of golden, tender goodness are void of that acrid bite that many fear, leaving behind nothing but a sweetness that perfectly compliments the creamy sweetness of the scallop.
Third Course: At this point, I'm betting Boca can't top the scallop. Alas, I was wrong. A pasta course. Homemade wide noodles with a generous dollop of a tender, braised wild boar and vegetable meat sauce. Think of the meat sauce you get at your favorite Italian joint. Now, I've never met you, and I've probably never tasted this sauce, but I'll tell you what--this wild boar meat sauce will make you want to weep, and put your old favorite sauce to shame. You may think that's saliva building in your mouth right now, but it's not. It's the bitter, salty tears of your taste buds because they're jealous they haven't had this wild boar pasta. However, the meat does not own the sauce. Clean notes of red wine, root vegetables, and nutmeg or cloves permeate the dish, providing it a balance of flavors that is sure to leave an impression.
Fourth Course: Finally, our meat course. A moderately-sized filet (maybe 6 ounces?) cooked to your liking (medium rare, please), topped with lobster meat and a tangy, smooth and creamy sauce. I'm ashamed I don't recall what kind of sauce, though it was certainly no run of the mill barnaise or hollandaise. Paired with braised greens and potatoes, this was the point at which I thought "I'm getting a little full." I ate, and thoroughly enjoyed, every bite. It's not often that you find a restaurant--even one that purports to be a "steakhouse"--that knows how to treat a good cut of meat AND keep it fitting with the casually elegant theme of the establishment.
Dessert: This was the only course I thought would have been better off as a "choose your own ending," rather than a pre-determined "course." On each plate was one morsel of flourless chocolate, and one spoonful of rich crme brulee. I, for one, could eat my body-weight in crme brulee, so one spoonful just isn't enough to satisfy my love for all things vanilla-y and custardy.
At the end of the night, we enjoyed coffee and after-dinner drinks, though there was quite some ordeal for the decaf drinkers, who were served very cold coffee, and then coffee that had obviously been brewed from spent grinds. Our serve made up for it though--each of us were sent home with a half-pound of Boca blend whole bean coffee.
Upon reflection, this meal was more than satisfactory in all areas (except the decaf--but thankfully I drink regular!), and was easily one of the top 5 meals of my life. We hope to share our experience with others--once we've got the bankroll to finance the $85pp, plus tax and gratuity. It was certainly worth every dime.
My favorite restaurant in Cincinnati and probably top 5 anywhere. The grand tasting menu can stand up to any competition on the coasts. What makes Boca a truly extraordinary dining experience, however, is the overall atmosphere created by the elegant dining room and outstanding wait staff.
I have never been disappointed here with anything. If you choose to not get the tasting menu, then it is a crime to eat here and not get the brussel sprouts and scallop. That truffle scent you smell when you first walk in? It's from this dish - get it and I dare you to not like it.
But the wait staff truly sets it apart from any other fine dining in the country I think. They are educated, engaging...and just fun. I went here for a going away dinner for a co-worker of mine and ended up the night playing beer pong on the table. The waiter had overheard us talking about it and somebody ran down the street to UDF to get us bud light, keg cups and a ping pong ball. Now that is service!
I'm in love with Boca. Favorite's are Caesar, Scallop, Truffle Risotto, Steak, Cheesecake. If they have ravioli get it always amazing.
This was our special dinner spot when we lived in Cincinnati. I can still taste the caramelized brussel sprouts - they were so delicious!
My hubby and I went here twice when we lived down the street - once for a birthday and once for an anniversary. Both times we ordered the fixed menu with 6 courses. Everything was wonderful, and next time we're in town we'll probably stop by and see if we can get the sprouts to go!
Another one of my favorite Cincinnati restaurants. I ask family to go here for my birthdays because it's a little expensive but on my birthday I am worth it! I have never had a bad experience. I would recommend doing the course menu; the last time I had steak topped with lobster sauce I thought I could die! It was sooooooooo darn good!! Once I even wanted the salmon, so my mom-in-law called earlier in the day to make sure it would be on that night's menu and it wasn't BUT instead of just saying no, the girl on the phone offered to get two and put them aside for just us that evening for dinner! Very, very nice people. The service is outstanding.
Love this restaurant, nuf said =)
this was truly an unforgettable dining experience. i visited a friend in cincinnati who shares my passion for food and he could barely contain his excitement when he revealed where we were going. the host and servers were extraordinarily accommodating and knew their food inside and out. we both had the two course plus wine pairings but ended up being six courses and wine pairings!
first course:
me: day boat scallop on 3 hour brown butter caramelized brussel sprouts
him: fresh tagliatelle with wild boar bolognese
the brussel sprouts were AMAZING. almost reduced to mush but still distinct and individual, fantastic complement to the creamy scallop. there was a vinegar reduction in there somewhere too. tagliatelle was well executed and bolognese was very good as well.
second course:
white bean bruschetta and kale(?)
there was a green leafy veg in here, but i can't remember exactly what, definitely not spinach tho. deliciously crisp toast provided great texture for the semi-puree of white beans and greens.
third course:
we were crazy and ordered the white truffle course to share. very simple fresh pasta prep (tagliatelle(?), butter, and a gentle sprinkling of parmesan and parsley. the chef then finished the dish by "making it rain" white truffles table side. unbelievable perfection. olfactory orgasm.
fourth course:
caramelized endive tart with chestnut flour crust. paired with herb oil & balsamic reduction. delicious. but i was still in a state of shock after the white truffle so i was a little distracted and can't give this dish as much credit as it is due.
fifth course:
me: 18 hour sous vide elysian fields lamb with basmati rice and indian spices.
him: braised short ribs
this is where my memory gets really hazy, probably from sensory overload. sous vide lamb was delicious and so tender. since basmati is hard to do a saucy risotto type thing, i think aborio would have been an improvement in texture but retained the delicious spices of india.
dessert:
trio: dark chocolate flourless thing, marscapone maple cake thing, and vanilla creme brulee. the wine pairing for these were phenomenal. the chocolate came through pair with the sparkling rose (i think that's what it was) and the two non-chocolate bites were unbelievable paired with a moscato.
A colleague and I decided to head to Boca for dinner we were in town on business. While Cincinnati boasts some legendary restaurants, I must say that Boca outshines them all in my book. We weren't sure what to expect, but I knew we had found something good upon our arrival. We decided to eat at the bar, and I'm really glad we did. It gave us an opportunity to talk to other patrons, and the bartender was terrific and put up with my indecision after perusing the extensive wine list. While it's always tough to be a vegetarian in just about any restaurant setting, she was beyond gracious and offered to have homemade gnocchi made for me, which was memorably delicious. My colleague had an equally yummy dish, and the creme brulee for dessert was delicious too. Plus the maitre d'was super friendly and helpful as well! A tremendous experience all the way around.
Used to be my favorite place after Carol's in Cincinnati. Jennifer, Sean and I have had several memorable meals, especially brunches with those damn Boca fries, big oven roasted crispy potato wedges with the red pepper jelly and sour cream. However, I hear they have gotten so insanely snotty that one can barely stand it any more, so they lose a star.
The food at Boca is spot on - we had the grand tasting and everything was spectacular. The only negative aspect of the dinner was a very inexperienced hostess.
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