The beat sandwich is a clear winner - and the gourmet straws are a nice touch. Very comfortable open atmosphere, and stand out service read more

Metropole - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Metropole is the bar/lounge/restaurant in the new 21C Hotel that recently opened with a lot of fan fair. The 4 star rating is based on a combination of my experiences at both the restaurant and the bar/lounge. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and offers a lot of ambiance, we went there for a friends birthday, having made reservations well in advanced we were treated to a semi-private table, which was a pleasant surprise. The food itself was good, but not spectacular, and for the price point, I was expecting spectacular. I ordered the bison burger at medium and I probably should have gone with medium-rare. Now on to the bar/loung which if I were rating this place, based solely on that, I would have given it 5 stars. For me, Metropole offers everything I want from a bar/lounge, it sets just the right mood and tone for a truly chic evening. The drinks are higher end, but still affordable, and the wait staff serves you on comfy couches (which I find much more pleasant than bar stools). My advice, go to dinner somewhere less expensive and then enjoy a night cap at the Metropole bar/loung. read more

I spent 3 months traveling to Cincinnati, trying most of the restaurants in the Fountain Square area. Metropole was by far the best, and I ate here at least once a week (often twice). Having had many things on the menu, including every side and every entree at some point, I can confidently say that everything done here is exceptional and unique. Every option has some great touch (like the smoked grapes on the charcuterie plates or the crispy kale mixed up with the cauliflower) that makes Metropole like nowhere else. Even the basics are done in a unique, delicious way; my favorite thing on the menu was the steak, which was perfectly done every time and had a great mix of vegetables, sauces, and purees. Add to that a great drinks list, an awesome vibe/decor, and you've got a winner. read more

Metropole gets a lot of positive comments about the arts vibe of the hotel and the farm-to-table aesthetic of the menu, but I don't think people appreciate how extraordinary the food is relative to its healthiness. Rather than the pasta/potato/rice starches that dominate most menus, Metropole features well prepared vegetables instead, starting with the addictive burnt carrot salad, with Jinga-like stacks of roasted carrots combined with avocado, feta, and pumpkin seeds. Absolutely fabulous, and friendly to every dietary need including paleo. The menu changes seasonally so not much point detailing what we had that night, though I hope they keep the pastrami-spiced duck breast that I enjoyed. Perfectly prepared, with a spice blend I'd never have thought to use with duck and a subtle accompaniment of beet spaetzle, pears, and chard. The service was friendly and slightly quirky throughout, matching the setting, and the wine list was intriguing. Kudos all around. read more

Metropole is an upscale lounge located in downtown Cincinnati. On my recent visit to Metropole I sat at the bar. I enjoyed everything that I had to eat and drink thoroughly. I had a cocktail (can't remember the name) which featured prosecco and raspberry chocolate liqueur. It tasted like a chocolate raspberry coffee - really good. They also have a great draft selection and I was able to sample a local pumpkin beer. We decided on a light lunch and I chose the kale salad with chicken. It was so fresh and the lemony dressing was great with the salad. Others chose sandwiches and soups and no one was disappointed. We stuck around after the meal and visited the art gallery. Definitely a must see while visiting Metropole. If you are looking for a nicer and hip dining experience in downtown Cincinnati, I highly recommend Metropole! read more

As I mentioned in me previous first impressions (which were simply based upon stopping by the bar), this place is beautiful. I'm very impressed with the revamp of the property, and the kitchen is beautiful. Plus, this place is a hipster paradise. The wait staff, the customers - hipsters of all ages. Using that term loosely, but if you're the type that hates OTR you'll be the type to hate this restaurant. You know who you are. On to the experience. First off, it was 45 minutes before we got our drinks. The place is brand new, so there are plenty of kinks, and it's very busy. Frustrating to sit 45 minutes before receiving a drink (about 15 minutes before ordering, 30 before receiving), but again, opening week jitters. It took a while to see our waiter, but once we did he was knowledgeable and friendly. The bread that came was excellent, but cool to cold. Given the open kitchen, and how packed it was, I'd been hoping for bread warm from an oven. First dish was a pumpkin cooked in the fire and stuffed with arugala and goat cheese. Being a giant fan of all 3, I enjoyed this dish. It was very unique, and will be very short lived. Unlike anything I've ever had. The main dishes, however, were not as successful. I went with the burger. It was two patties with a bit of an apple bacon jam. No ketchup on the table, though the waiter asked if we needed anything. The burger had a nice flavor, and was on a delicious bun. Sadly, it was dry. I was not asked how I wanted it, and the plate had maybe a spot or two of dripping from it. Not enough apple bacon jam, either. The fries, however, were great. Not Taste of Belgium best-of, but very, very good. The other entree at the table was the steak. Ordered medium to medium well, came out definitely on the over-cooked side. It wasn't sent back, in part due to the slowness of the kitchen, in part due to it being our fault for how it was ordered (we weren't completely clear.) Its seasoning was nice and not overpowering, and the salad on top of it was strange and tasty. We finished with a dessert - the caramelized citrus. It was tasty, but at $9 it would have been a bit of a ripoff even in NYC. A few thin slices of orange, one thin slice of grapefruit, some tufts of angel food cake and a quarter scoop of vanilla ice cream. Very, very skimpy for the price. The angel food cake, with the caramel sauce, was one of the highlights of the meal. Quite honestly, this meal was very expensive for what it was. I'd normally give this 2 stars. However, the ambiance was great, and I'm adding an extra star to compensate for it being the third day it was open. It's not exactly fair to review a restaurant this soon - yes, they took my good money, but they're still working everything out. I see good potential here, and will absolutely return in a few weeks. For now, though, I consider this an expensive but interesting meal that wasn't overly tasty. I will recommend people go here to try something new, but it isn't on my list of places you need to take people to show off Cincinnati. We'll try again in a month (or, if we listen to Guy Fieri, apparently even 60 days isn't fair to review a restaurant!) Hopefully it will live up to the potential. I think it has a very strong chance of doing so. read more

Wow! We had the most amazing meal here before going to a show at the Aronoff! Awesome service, great drinks, and out-of-this world food! Can't say enough about the charcuterie board, burnt carrots, Brussels sprouts, roasted duck breast, and candy bar dessert. Wow-can't wait to come back! read more

This place absolutely rocked my socks today! I took my dad for an early birthday lunch and we enjoyed every bit of food we ordered!! We started off by sharing the Burnt Carrot Salad. I would totally recommend sharing this dish because it was huge! (In fact, everything we ordered had generous portions of food.) Although the carrots are cooked, this salad is served cold. The natural sweet flavor of the carrots paired perfectly with the sharpness of the the feta. I also enjoyed the creamy texture of the avocado and the crunch of the pumpkin seeds. For the entree, we each ordered sandwiches and shared. We got the Basted Cheeseburger and the Roast Beef. Both were great! The roast beef was tender and sweet. The swiss cheese provided a salty creaminess and the lightly pickled cabbage gave it a nice crunch and zing of flavor. Now, the burger! This was a friggin' good burger! The patty alone had great flavor and was super moist. The toppings just took it to the next level - pickled onions, sharp cheddar and thick cut bacon. Both sandwiches came with fries. What the fries lack in crunch, they more than made up for in flavor. Forget the ketchup, these spuds are addictive on their own. I can't wait to bring my husband to this place. We'll probably order the same thing all over again! read more

This week, the 21c Hotel made its debut in Cincinnati with tremendous fanfare, riding on the impressive reputation established by the flagship location in Louisville. Brought to life through the site formerly known as the Metropole Hotel, 21C management chose to retain this name and designate it to the main floor restaurant. If you are expecting Proof on Main, the acclaimed restaurant in the Louisville location, evidence of similar culinary magic is sorely lacking in Metropole. While I usually expect a few inconsistencies of experience during week 1, I was not counting on the absence of even a singular example of remarkable food in what has been billed as a high-end establishment. We started our meal with a significant delay of service. The only item that made it to the table in the first 15 minutes of seating was some sparkling water. Our waiter Dave was friendly and seemed to be very confident in his command of the menu. He started the description by advising that 2 of the items were not even available. Given that our seating was at 8 pm, I was somewhat surprised by this announcement, but opening week doesn't provide the kitchen with sufficient benchmarks of demand. As I placed my order, the waiter strongly suggested that I change my beer choice to something that he believed would pair better with my first course. Dave assured me that everyone prior to me, to whom he had made a similar recommendation, had been pleased with his advice. I have to say that I usually avoid beer infused with fruit flavors and this time was no exception. I doubt I would ever choose to consume this brand of beer again. In general, I would argue that Metropole tries to present the diner with a menu of eclectic ingredients, sometimes to the detriment of the objective: producing a delightfully delicious meal that will make people want to return time and again. For our appetizers, we selected Seared Octopus with Fennel Two Ways & Smoked Grapefruit and Charred Foie Gras with Three Onion Types and Toast. The first course came to our table within 8 minutes of the order being placed which made me suspect that the dishes had been prepared well in advance and simply plated with much haste. The dual preparations of fennel were both flat and the tiny octopus had a rubbery texture. The strong citrus flavor of the grapefruit overwhelmed our palates to the detriment of the dish's intended flavor profile. The Foie Gras was prepared correctly but the three onion sauce was cooked to excess, the burnt flavor lingering in my mouth for at least 10 minutes. After the first course was cleared, our entrees didn't arrive for at least another 35 minutes. There are still some staging issues in terms of when courses are fired. I selected the Pan-Seared Walleye with Garbanzo Beans while my wife opted for the signature Metropole Burger on a Potato Bun with Bacon Apple Jam, cedar cheese and a pot of French Fries. This dish actually consists of two patties cooked to the desired temperature of the chef, not the diner. My wife's burgers were excessively juicy as the meat was not rested after cooking. The result was a dripping dish and a soggy bun. The fries were prepared perfectly. Immediately after the burger was served, my wife remarked that there was not ketchup. We waited for another 8 minutes before Dave returned and we could request the condiment. As for my Walleye, the fish was not overcooked, but it lacked an unctuous quality. It was good but hardly mouth-watering. We shared the Curry Tea Poached Egg side dish that included bulgar, cashew and grilled dandelion. A curious combination that missed the mark. I thought the bulgar was overcooked and excessively mealy. The room itself is quite appealing. The dining room is separated from the bar by a glass window/wall. The staff spent part of the evening moving the trademark plastic penguins around from table to table. The children seemed to enjoy it. We decided to pass on dessert but my wife appreciated the cotton candy delivered in a copper cup, accompanied by the bill. I would recommend that Metropole be given 3 or 4 months to work through its menu and service issues before I am willing to give it another try. When the best part of the meal at a fine dining restaurant is the smoky butter served with the complimentary bread, you know there's a problem, especially given the prices. I should note that the hosting staff was very engaging and playful as we entered but upon departure, my wife was made to feel uncomfortable by one of the hosts who made reference to my Facebook post expressing my lack of enthusiasm for the dining experience. Probably not a good thing to repeat even in a digital age where feedback is instantaneous. read more

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My wife and stayed at the hotel for our anniversary and got a package that included brunch, which was great. We had Hanna for our waitress whom we'd met the night before at the Cocktail Terrace. She was great, and the food and drinks were amazing. Everything was perfect, right down to our yellow penguin table guest. We will definitely return here for the great food, good drinks and excellent atmosphere. read more

Metropole - Brunch with a very adorable guest! - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Fantastic restaurant located in the 21c that offers room service as well. I absolutely loved the burnt carrot salad with avocado, pumpkin seeds, watercress, and feta, all tossed in a vinaigrette. The Metropole burger is literally one of the best burgers in town with a flavorful, thick patty (recommend medium), onion relish, bleu cheese, and creamy aioli. It is just so juicy and flavorful! The accompanying fries are also among the best and have a great crispy shell and soft interior, all sprinkled with a touch of parsley and seasoning. Prices are also very reasonable ($25 for both) and portions are VERY generous. Will update after trying the brunch options! read more

Metropole is an impressive restaurant tucked in the 21c Hotel. The most impressive thing about this location is the ever changing cocktail menu. Currently the menu offers shrubs, delicious vinegar, fruit, spice, and sugar mixtures that wonderfully compliment various liquors my very favorite of which is the DL (tequila and grapefruit shrub)- although by the time you read this review the menu may have changed. The small plate offerings are also changing and quite impressive. I would also recommend trying a charcuterie board which also has changing and often in house made options. The charcuterie board usually has fantastic smoked grapes. Each time I have dined here I have been able to order warm ricotta which I would definitely recommend. The offerings here are on the expensive side but they are fantastic. Service is friendly and seamless and the lounge is a great place to enjoy drinks with friends. As a bonus, most recently a friend celebrated her birthday here with me and they brought us both delicious macaroons as a part of the celebration- yum yum! read more

Haven't been here in awhile. Had burrata with strawberries, delicious & different! I had the duck breast, awesome! My dad had the steak, truffled potato purée was decadent! Service was excellent from Nicki. Going back again before dad leaves town. read more

Oh Metropole. I really wanted you to be great, but you were just OK. Our party of four was seated at 8:30, but we didn't order food until 9:15. Our food did not come until around 10:15, and we didn't leave until 11 because it took eons to get our bill. For such a trendy restaurant, they really need to get their crap together. I do appreciate the giant yellow penguins that they move around from table to table. My friend and I were pretty tipsy from drinking wine while waiting for our food, and stole a penguin from the table next to us And entertained ourselves by taking pictures with it. Another complaint, the wine and cocktail list looked like word vomit on a page. The font was tiny and the layout sucked. To an already drunk person, it was hard to read. read more

The only thing I liked were the fries. Pork loin not cooked enough on non-seared side (not just juicy, uncooked). Ate the top, which had good flavor. The purée with it was awful. Burger totally greasy. Grease is all we tasted. Tuna tartare was an awful combo of things when eaten together. Crispy deviled eggs were blech. We eat out a lot in many cities and are adventurous. This was not good. read more

Let's start with the good. Service was exceptional. All of our interactions with staff from seating to check were great. Unfortunately the food didn't match the level of service. We had the Johnnycakes to start with. They were ok and probably the best thing we had at the table all night. For the meal price I expected better than ok. I can make ok food at home. I ordered the burger. I ate half which tells you how I felt about it. My lovely SO ordered the pork which she said left her disappointed. Now, the real kicker and reason for this review. I just went to eat other half of said burger and as I dig in I see a long black hair. I'm not a neat freak and assumed it was my SO. Go to brush it off and it's actually in the lettuce/sauce mixture. No way it's my SOs this hair came from someone preparing the meal. Now, I know things happen. But, you cannot be a premium restaurant and serve food with hair in it. That's just nasty. Again, huge disappointment for the price. Tl:dr I found a hair in my burger that was obviously from the staff. Even if it was a one-off the food was disappointing. read more

Metropole - What's holding up that lettuce? The long black hair found in my food. - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Wow.... I had the egg as an appetizer and the roast chicken with mushroom risotto as the entree. It was cooked to perfection, seasoning was just right. This chef knows what he is doing. As a pro home cook and many years of eating at restaurants all over the world..... one of the top 10 restaurants I have ever eaten at! The chicken was amazing.... perfectly moist, super crispy seasoned skin! Amazing. They local source as much as they can and the food was super fresh. I know this seems minor but the artisan bread they serve with a smoked butter is a super nice touch. My only tiny little negative, or it would have been a solid 5 stars, is I thought the server staff could have been a bit more engaging with the diners. Really amazing thoughtful food, , go there you will not be disappointed. Compliments to chef David.. read more

I really enjoyed the quality of the food and the excellent service. I visited the rooftop for drinks then dinner in the restaurant and the next week I had dessert and a night cap at the bar. The steak tartare was excellent and I also enjoyed the pasta and marscapone cheesecake. I wanted to write this review for the extremely friendly, but not overbearing, staff. All were so happy to chat and check on us, as well as answer any question we had about the city. I look forward to returning. read more

I assume room service comes from here for the hotel, if that is true then they were amazingly fast with our breakfast room service order and even though they charge $3.00 for deliver and then add in a 20% gratuity (WTH) to the bill...having breakfast delivered quickly and tastily (loved my French press coffee) was worth it. Now when we went downstairs to have a bit of a snack (we split a $15.00 burger - again WTH) with fries and two sodas ($3.00 each). The place was filled with noisy hipsters clowning around with the penguin, I don't get the big appeal of the place especially with burgers that expensive, and we had to wait and wait for our server to come and give us some ketchup for the fries. Tsk tsk tsk.... read more

One of the best dinners I've ever had. The ingredients and flavors were unbelievable and abundant! The service was great and the atmosphere is relaxing. If you like duck, you have to try their duck. Be prepared to get dessert and drinks too because you have to have the full experience! My new fave spot for special occasions. read more

Metropole - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Metropole is absolutely one of my favorite go-to restaurants for lunch! Located in the contemporary and artsy 21c Hotel, the staff has never been anything but fantastic. From the polite and charming doormen who welcome you, the hostesses who greet you with a smile, to the waitresses and waiters who give great recommendations, and even management who constantly show their presence, remember your face and ask if there is anything they can do. The atmosphere is bright, with light tile and detailed touches. I love the large windows that are reflected in giant mirrors. The museum hotel's giant plastic penguins also make an appearance. I was late meeting a friend there for lunch the other week and she mentioned the host sat her with a friend so she was fine waiting. I was confused but glad she wasn't annoyed or bored. When I arrived, a giant yellow penguin was also at our table! They keep the place fun and remind you not to be too serious in the middle of the work week. My typical menu favorites are their take on a Caesar salad with grilled chicken (hold the anchovies) and the double cheeseburger with fresh homemade fries. The burger is so big I eat it as 2 open-faced sandwiches! Friends have enjoyed all of their meals, including the carrot salad and cheese panini. Everything is so fresh and flavorful! Don't forget to save room for dessert- the chocolate mousse with homemade caramel sauce is killer- and gives you something to dream about at your desk later on. Lunch prices are very responsible and I love being able to relax and be attended to without sighing when the bill comes. Metropole has proven great service and great food make you want to return time and again. Bravo Metropole- I always look forward to my lunch dates here! read more

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Hard to beat Metropole breakfast. My wife and I have tried dozens of breakfasts across the city and keep coming back to Metropole. We realize that all the fancy egg creations and pancakes cannot trump great eggs, pastries, and breakfast meats. Keeping it simple at Metropole will not disappoint. They use high quality ingredients to deliver on breakfast staples. Also make sure you try a french press of some local coffee. Hard to go wrong with Deeper Roots or Carabello. read more

If I could give this place more stars I would. This was by far an over the top outstanding place to eat! Service was excellent and the atmosphere was very nice but yet relaxing. It doesn't feel stuffy or pretentious. We had the charcuterie, steak tartar and the duck. Just wow!!! Some outstanding food! We will definitely be back. Made reservations on open table. They also called and followed up to confirm and gave us the best table. You must defiantly try!!! read more

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Service: Terrible. Our table of 4 people was not approached for 15 minutes after seating and the manager had to take our drink order. We were seated out in the open, close to the kitchen where servers were constantly walking by, yet we were frequently neglected. Dirty plates sat on the table for a ridiculous amount of time. Even the food runner was visible peeved when she came to place dinner plates and realized the appetizer dishes were still scattered around the table and no one had picked them up. Ambiance: Pretty cool decor and buildout. The contemporary feel and art showcased is a unique experience for the area. Food: Average to Blah. Not much to say. Nothing innovative or particularly delicious about any of the numerous plates my table shared. As a matter of fact, several dishes were overall unappetizing. The menu wants to be a hip, sustainable, farm-to-table type of deal, but the actual plates fall short considerably. Value: None. Quite overpriced for the mediocre taste and portions, especially considering what you can get for similar cost at the restaurants within a block radius of Metropole. Update: I appreciate management reaching out and may give Metropole another try. It's still a cool place for drinks, as the ambiance and location are terrific. read more

I hate the fact that when you have a bad experience you come to Yelp. I hope the managers read this review. I'm trying to be constructive not destructive. Trying to help not hurt. When I first went to metropole it was amazing! Good food, great atmosphere, and it was a hip joint. When out of towner friends came in I always would recommend Metropole. I swear it was my "hey Cincinnati is awesome try this place out you will love it" Tonight was our second time back and it was depressing. The good, the bartender makes incredible drinks. Hostess was nice, server was too familiar but I can get past it, the service staff is outstanding. Where you lost the 4 people who ate there tonight. You have a rogue chef. Good food is simple, it's not overly complicated. It was a struggle to find one meal that sounded appetizing. I get being hip and fresh but you have a wood burning stove and nothing stands out saying you utilize it. That's fine if you don't use that stove but the dishes you serve need to be mind blowing! The octopus we had the first visit is what excited us and we couldn't wait. It came out like a shriveled piece of jerky stick.Two of four at our table couldn't stomach down the mushroom rotollo as it was like eating slimy bacon rolled in a pasta. My quail was probably the smallest bird I've ever seen and what joke and was part of the $55 fork and bottle.Overall a total 180* experience to the first time. The meal was well over $200 which is a sin for what we were given. The restaurant had 5 tables seated and empty. I wonder if it's because others are hating this new menu? I know you can do better. Keep the food simple and master the dishes. The chef needs to bring it back a bit. You can see the talent but it's running all over. The base to his ideas are great but then the 20 extra flavors on top of it ruined every dish. Every dish doesn't have to have a "unique" feature or an ingredient that nobody has ever heard of. Drinks, and desert were the high point.credit given where deserved. Quote from mother in law "I think we are going to need to give this place a break for awhile" Best of luck though and I hope this helps somewhat. Cincinnati needs great restaurants and you guys have an awesome spot. Don't ruin it. read more

Last weekend was only my second vist to the Metropole, and I wasn't disappointed. We reserved a table for an evening out with some older family members in town for the weekend. We were hoping for a quiet atmosphere conducive to talking with our hearing-impaired guests, which is not what we found at the Metropole on a Friday night. Any other crowd dining with us would not have minded, but it was hard to chat with our elderly guests over the loud chatter that surrounded us. The food more than made up for the noisy environment. During my last visit, I had ordered the oysters as an appetizer and the bison burger for my entree. I was disappointed to find that the oysters had been rotated off the menu, but the waiter suggested the burnt carrot salad instead. It was rich and savory, the carrots cooked to allow just enough crunch, and the soft, creamy avocado gave the salad a perfect texture. I didn't enjoy the bison burger the first time around, so I ordered the strip steak and it was fabulous. The chef cooked it to a beautiful medium rare, and the presentation on the plate made it almost sinful to eat. Dessert was umemorable: a brownie that I could've eaten anywhere else for half the price. Delicious food, expensive but worthwhile. The seasonal menu will bring you back over and over to see what's fresh and new. read more

No. Just no. Dirty food laden spoons for coffee. We waited 20 minutes for two breakfasts which never appeared. We were seated in a section where we wouldn't be so crowded, as per the hostess. Then why were we seated directly next to someone when 2/3 of the restaurant was open? Save your time and patience and try the Panera across the street. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. My roommate and I have been here three times now, and we've never been disappointed. The menu changes constantly with what is fresh and in season from their local producers, which is great for trying fun new dishes, but terrible for people like me because I've fallen in love with some of their dishes and I'll never see them again. They do have a few perennial selections - their pick 3 starter collection seems to be unchanging, and I heartily recommend the ricotta and the hot olives. Beyond what I ever expected for cheese and olives. They smoke eeeeeverything here. The butter is smoked (which I like, roommate does not), the meat is smoked, even the grapes they served with my cheese plate are smoked. The grapes are stunningly strange - sweet and tangy and ashy and irresistible. Their desserts are remarkable. I don't think they change as often, so if you go soon try the fall trio - the ginger espresso pot is delicious, and the caramel apple macaron is remarkably well done. The wait staff is accommodating and courteous, and, with the exception of one visit, extremely informed about the menu. The ambiance is modern and eclectic but still quite warm, and they have giant yellow penguins that they'll put next to your table if you ask. And, believe it or not, they have the nicest valets I've ever met. They actually added to the overall experience. It's pricey, but worth it for an amazing experience and delicious food. read more

Great anniversary dinner! Our waitress was so attentive and we started out with free champagne. Decided to get a bunch of appetizers to share. I especially loved the Jerusalem artichokes. Recommend the burned carrot salad as well. read more

It was a dark and stormy night... we got stuck in traffic on the way to dinner and I called to let them know and they said it was no problem to hold our reservation. We arrived half an hour late and also were going to see the Nutcracker after dinner, so we were in a bit of a time crunch. The staff assured us that they could get us in and out. We didn't waste any time ordering. After walking in the chilly rain, a nice cup of tea was in order. I was happy to see that they had good quality loose leaf teas. I always feel like it's a downer when you go to a nice restaurant and they being out some run of the mill bag tea that you can buy at Kroger. I got the lavender earl grey and it was fabulous. We both had the kale salad to start. I asked about vegetarian entrees since I didn't see one on the menu, and it turns out they have a "secret" vegetarian entree. It was sweet potatoes with quinoa, veggies and a sauce. I also ordered a side of roasted cauliflower since I wasn't sure how big the entree would be. We were brought bread while waiting for our food, and I was not a fan. It was salty and smoky tasting. I was getting a little worried. Our salads came out and were good sized and very good. I enjoyed getting a healthy, kale salad that I didn't have to make myself. I was very pleasantly surprised by the inventiveness of my entree. It was presented well and most importantly, absolutely delicious! The sauce and vegetables worked well together and it was very filling. I didn't really need the roasted cauliflower, although I was glad I ordered it since it was fantastic. Great use of the wood stove! My husband had to help me finish it. My husband had the duck and brussels slaw, both of which he very much enjoyed. I tried the slaw and thought the dressing was a little strong, too lemony or something for my taste. He liked it though. Due to the efficiency of the staff, we even had time for dessert. We ordered the maple cake. It came out in a cute little cast iron skillet. The dessert was delicious, but tiny. I had one bite and my husband made probably four or five bites out of the rest. For the price, it should have been bigger. I would recommend to the staff to put the vegetarian entree on the menu since I nearly didn't go to dinner there because of it. I had decided to make dinner out of the salad and some sides and was glad I happened to ask about vegetarian options. I would love to see even more vegetarian and vegan options since the one I had was so excellent. The Cincinnati area seems to be so anti vegetarian for some reason. The Metropole ambience is fun and a bit loud. The yellow penguins are funny and I like the vibe of the place. I also think the history of the building is interesting (google it if you care). I'm pretty sure the tile floor is original to the building. The staff are also superb. Everyone we encountered was professional and helpful. They were very accommodating and really took good care of us. I would definitely recommend checking it out and it's a great place for dinner before a show at the Aronoff. read more

I'm always puzzled by how dead this place is at the lunch break. The food is top-notch and the space is beautiful. What keeps me from going there more is the lack of variety on the menu. It feels limited. That being said, it's always good. read more

Very high concept, which I don't mind if the food is special. I was disappointed, as everything was either bland or overpowering. I like strong flavors, but there were certain items that had so much seasoning thrown in it I could not go for the second bite without removing the outer layer. I had the salmon, which was alarmingly bland... On a bed of something that were so drenched in oil, I could not finish. Waitstaff was super friendly, but after hearing the same spiel about the penguins "possibly coming over to join"... I felt bad for them. I had high expectations, based on a professional recommendation, but my enjoyment was far below what I wanted. Still, an impressive place for a business dinner. If with customers, make sure it's the type that would enjoy the penguin angle. read more

Love the rotational menu - this is definitely on the pricier side -- but totally worth it. The burger, burnt carrot salad, and the cheese/ appetizer plate are unique to this restaurant. They have a great cocktail menu (downstairs and upstairs) so definitely perfect for a date or for a girl's night out. Nice to bring the parents to if you're going to the show right after! read more

Without a doubt, beat Cosmo I've ever had. Clinton was the bartender the night I was there. Ask for him. I'll have another, please. read more

Metropole - Hands down, beat Cosmo I've ever had. Not sure what he is doing, but ask for Clinton to make it. Wow. One more. - New American Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I've been wanting to dine at Metropole for quite some time. Restaurant week was the perfect time to make this happen. I love that the restaurant is located at 21c museum, which adds an artsy, yet homey vibe to it. They also had excellent service. One of the managers (or owners-can't recall which) was walking around checking to ensure everyone was well taken care of, which I can appreciate. To start, I ordered the potato soup with cured egg yolk, fried shallot, and chive. I was nervous about the egg yolk, but It was sooo good and added a unique flavor. Next I ordered the garlic bigoli. This was ok but needed a bit more flavor. For dessert, I ordered the lavender mousse which was amazing! Such a great combo! They even gave us a surprise lemon cotton candy at the end. I really hope most of these items are on the menu because I'd certainly go back. I've also heard great things about their brunch, which is another reason to visit. Overall I had a nice experience! read more

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Unimpressed with quality of food. It's a gorgeous restaurant, but the food isn't good. Only go here if you have to :)

We enjoyed dinner here last night. We started with some charcuterie including coppa, cabbot cheddar and the 7 hour egg. All we're very delicious. My husband got the spicy pastrami wrapped duck which was fabulous!! I tried the chicken which was a breast and a thigh that were cooked to perfection. They make their own tonic so I enjoyed a couple of gin and tonics and I have to say it was probably my favorite in the city. After dinner make sure to walk around the museum to see some fun art! read more

Went for dinner with a group of six. At the recommendation of the server, everyone ordered the burnt carrot salad as an appetizer. It was awesome. I'd go back just for that. In addition, we got the ricotta. Also delicious. For dinner, I had the chicken with lemon. It was way too salty and a little overdone. A couple people got the monk fish. It got mixed reviews. The burger got a rave review, as well as the salmon. A couple people also got the brussel sprouts and artichokes. Both sides were well liked. For dessert, we split their signature candy bar. It was sooooo good. Also had the cake donut with blueberry ice cream. The ice cream was yummy too. We'll definitely go back. read more

There is really great stuff going on here. (First, a tip: I didn't see any signage outside. Just enter the doors under the 21c awning. Metropole's entrance is immediately on your right.) What others have been saying in their reviews is true. Metropole just does food better than most places. I mean, I made a reservation to go eat salmon. 95% of the time that would be foolish. 5% of the time you end up at a place like Metropole and wonder why the rest of the world is so boring. Everything I tasted was completely lacking an ingredient that was just "thrown in". It's all there for a purpose and it all comes together nicely. This includes the drink I had, "Leather Bound Book", which is whiskey somehow transformed into something gentle. As far as the ambience goes, yes it's somewhat on the hip side, but I think you'll only be freaked out by it if you're not used to restaurants that attempt to create a complete experience. The servers chit chat with you and crack jokes, yellow penguins migrate throughout the room, and the artwork is funky. It's different, but not overbearing and never snooty. I went to a restaurant and ate ricotta and carrots and salmon. This amounted to an excellent meal. Think about how boring those ingredients can be, and then try to understand how excited I'll be when I go back. Metropole is absolutely bringing it! read more

You must try the burnt carrot salad!!! This is one of the best dishes I've ever had in Cincinnati! The carrots are the star of the dish, charred in the fireplace but do not have a burnt taste at all, they have just the right amount of charr to them caramelized just right along with avocado, pumpkin seeds, pickled onion, feta and cilantro tossed with lemon juice and olive oil. I enjoyed every single bite of this dish. Their homemade ginger beer is just the right beverage to go with the salad. The only complaint we had as I visited on a raining Saturday afternoon, where the dining room only had a few tables full is we had service right away received our drinks and salads right away, but the server disappeared for our sandwiches, I had to go to the hostess station to ask what's going on and then they appeared. Our lunch ended with a surprise treat - Best Oscar Actress Cate Blanchett walked in to have lunch with her family as we were leaving, hopefully she tried the burnt carrot salad, too. read more