Restaurant Great locations, comfortable seats, and good lighting. Absolutely great location if you're about to see a play next door. Service Our server was not so great. Maybe the waitress was new, but she took forever to come and help us, our glasses stayed empty, and it took an extra 15 minutes just to get the check. Appetizer None Main Course - Crab cake and toast was a huge hit with my wife. Though she wasn't sure how to eat it and the egg wasn't runny as she wanted, she enjoyed it. - 9/10 - Steak and fries with chimichurri was quite delicious. The bourbon bbq sauce for the fries I highly recommend. Steak was a bit over cooked but tasty. - 8/10 Dessert - Brulé cheese cake was light and fantastic. The berries consisted of 4 blueberries. Would have been nice with a few strawberries or raspberries- 8/10 read more

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My team and I had the most amazing dinner at Nicholson's after a long day of work. We sat in the back room and were the only people back there, so it was nice and quiet and just what we needed. Our server, McKenna, took great care of us the whole evening. She was friendly, engaging, accommodating, and just did an overall great job. Pro tip, go during happy hour for great prices on appetizers and drinks. The appetizer pricing was so good we were able to order more than planned. We got the duck fat fries, brussels sprouts, and buffalo chicken. The duck fat fries came with a delicious garlic aïoli. The brussels sprouts were just perfect. And the buffalo chicken with some of the best I've had in a long time. I had never had cock-a-leekie before, so I tried that too. It was a nice, warm, comfort food. For our entrées, several of us got fish and shrimp. It was delicious and the tartar sauce and cocktail sauce sauces were perfect. The highlighter of the evening for me was my mocktail. I noticed the drink menu had a cucumber elderberry drink, but I do not drink alcohol, so I ask if they would be willing to make something like it as a mocktail. It was genuinely one of the best mock tails I've ever had. It was so good. I asked if the bartender would mind sharing what she did so I could make some version of it at home. She happily obliged and wrote it down for me. Overall, a wonderful experience that will definitely have me recommending Nicholsons to friends and family! read more

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Wow. Just wow. Nicholson's has been on my radar for a while, but I'm not in Cincy all too often. It wasn't until recently that I found myself staying at the 21C Hotel right next door again and decided to give them a try for dinner. They aren't on any apps and ordering on their website is not an option, so you have to call ahead. That said, they happily took my order and said it would be ready in roughly 20 minutes. When I got there it was indeed ready for me and they truly delivered. For starters, it seems obvious to include utensils in the bag along with ketchup and vinegar for my fries, but I've lost count of how many times I've picked up food while traveling and it's not in the bag (even when I ask for it). When I got back to my room I went to town and holy moly was it good. I ordered the fish and chips (of course!) and I ate just about every bite. The fish was perfectly crispy, piping hot, and had good flavor. I would have liked for the fries to be a bit crispier, but I get that their style of fries is simply not like that. A couple days later my coworkers and I needed a place to grab lunch close by and I was so happy with what I ordered for dinner that I suggested it to them and they were quick to oblige. We got some appetizers to share and everyone at the table was pleased. I could eat an entire plate of their brussel sprouts, seriously they were so good. I pretty much ordered the same thing that I did for dinner, but it included shrimp and those were just as tasty as the fish. They clearly know what they're doing and I would order from here again in a heartbeat. I'll end by saying our waitress, Mack, was an absolute pleasure. read more

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Came here for a late lunch after trying to figure out what sounded good in the area! Walked in around 2pm to find the restaurant completely empty but was told it would be a full house within the next hour due to reservations. We were seated all the way in the back, in a separate room. At first, it felt a bit dramatic, but we were happy to see the place actually start to fill up within the hour. We also noticed that The Wiz was playing across the street, so I am assuming that's where most of the traffic was coming from. What we tried: + Brussels sprouts, 8/10 (fan favorite for our group) + fries with truffle aioli, 8/10 + buffalo chicken bites with goat cheese crumbles, 9/10 + fish and chips with fries, 8/10 Happy hour available! read more

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We had a great experience. Hannah was our server and she was super sweet. We were seated pretty quickly, we were smart enough to realize their was a show across the street, so we moved our reservation for after the show started which was perfect! We were seated in a cozy booth with a good view of the place and the decor. The previous time I visited we were in a back room with a fireplace, I just love how many options you have for seating here! The raspberry gimlet drink is dangerously delicious. I actually initially ordered the Strawberry Rose Spritz, it was good, but my husband ordered the gimlet and it was better so naturally I stole his! Highly recommend! We ordered the beer cheese, pork belly and kilted shrimp. Every single bite was delicious!! Both of bourbon caramel desserts were also phenomenal! We left there stuffed! read more

Recently stopped here before catching Hamilton at the Aronoff center! We made reservations the night before and were able to snag the perfect time to line up with our show. Nicholson's is location directed across the street from the Aronoff and within a short walking distance of Fountain Square and the Contemporary Art Center along with several other fun places making it the perfect spot to grab brunch, lunch or dinner! The atmosphere in the restaurant is incredible and the theming is on par with their menu. Very cozy vibes to go with some hearty comfort food. One thing that drew me to this spot is their themed menu's for broadway shows that are playing at Aronoff. Of course, they had a special Hamilton menu available during our visit, which made for a unique experience. To start we ordered the Belhaven beer cheese served with pretzels, celery and carrots. You can't go wrong with cheese dip and this one didn't disappoint! I went light for my meal and ordered the chicken caesar salad, it was decent. Nothing spectacular, but it did the job. My girlfriend got the traditional breakfast with the banger. She enjoyed her meal and said it hit the spot! A couple other folks at our table ordered the Bonnie Chicken sandwich, which everyone raved about for the rest of the day. Our service was excellent, but it did take a while between ordering, getting our food and the check. The crowd was light when we first arrived, but began to fill up quickly. I recommend making reservations if you're set on dining here to avoid any type of wait. Even if you don't want a full meal, this would still be a great spot to grab a beer or drink. I definitely would like to try more items on their menu and I'm sure we'll make it a tradition to come here before seeing a show at the Aronoff. Check it out if you're in the area! read more

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An authentic Scottish pub experience in Cincinnati. The place is big, rustic, and feels like you're stepping straight into Scotland. You can tell the owner put real thought into making it authentic. I ordered the bangers and mash and it was excellent. The sausage and potatoes were good, and the gravy tied it all together. Staff were friendly and the place was clean. Between the décor, the size of the space, and the quality of the food, Nicholson's is worth a visit. As they'd say in Scotland, the meal was "pure dead brilliant"...I have no idea what that is, but I looked up things they say in Scotland to add here. read more

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Wait time: 10 minutes with reservations on a Saturday before a show. Atmosphere: busy, crowded, seats close together hard to walk through Service: slow since they were busy Food: we just ordered apps Price: $$ Cleanliness: 8/10 read more

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey - Pretzel bites - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Located in Downtown Cincinnati, came here in a Saturday Night with friends and really loved the vibe here. It was packed but there was still seating available for our party of 7. They have an amazing Single Malt Scottish Whiskey Bar and the service is gritty but cool, dependable, fun and too notch. They offer a lot of interesting UK dishes and they deliver! Had: 1. Scotch Egg (4/5) perfect yokes consistency. Not a big fan of Scotch Eggs otherwise I'd give this a 5/5; 2. Goat cheese with pita (5/5) was stellar! 3. Shepherds Pie (3.5/5) while pretty good it was more like a deconstructed shepherds pie and seems of the meat, potatoes and peas had been cooked separately. 4. Some kind of soup that was like a vegetable soup that even had a sort of gumbo like flavor: was very good. Because the vibe and service were too notch and the Guiness hit the spot, going to call this a top notch experience. Be warned in advance: come here hungry. read more

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We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Nicholson's before our show at the Arinoff. Lainey, our server was amazingly attentive. She even held our left overs at the restaurant until after the show. The food was delicious. We had the pasta ala whiskey and the chicken schnitzel. The Brussels' sprouts appetizer was well seasoned but a bit tough. The only real complaint is the high table. (Only table available over a week in advance) With the demand for regular tables so high, why keep these uncomfortable bar stool chairs? They take up the same footprint as regular table. Still, we'll climb up there again if that's the only seat available. read more

Yummy French dip they affectionately call the Welsh dip. Loved the ambiance in here as well. Decor leans into the aristocratic theme I think... Enough TVs that you can see one from everywhere in the restaurant. They aren't huge but will definitely have a game on if you need! read more

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey - Dining room - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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The ambiance is a fantastic vibe, laid back with a bunch of smiles. Servers are great! Pricing is worth every penny. read more

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey - Lavender - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This restaurant wins on service and ambiance as it looks perfect in the little 'touristy' spot downtown Cincinnati. The decor is fun and the place is large with tons of room to move around, which is nice (and abnormal) for a restaurant downtown. The server team was very attentive and kept the meal moving quickly which gives them huge kudos for many people running to see a show across the street. All of that known, the food was fine - nothing spectacular, but felt fine for the space, place, and time. If I were to go back, I would skip the pot roast, it was very salty, heavy, and greasy. All things I wasn't particularly expecting when it was ordered. Although, the portion size was very large, enough for more than one, for sure. The sprouts were also quite salty, but weren't as bad as the entree. The best thing, of course, was the crumble and ice cream - but it's hardly a meal. read more

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The restaurant is right across from the Aronoff Center where there are Broadway shows. Nicholson's did a great job of serving all play patrons before a show. They had our waters and menus ready for us at the table. The waitress quickly took our order and kept our drinks filled until dinner came out. I had the Belhaven beer cheese and the Tavern house salad. The Bellhaven beer cheese was smooth, creamy and delicious. The Tavern house salad had a lot of blue cheese, more that enough for every bite. The Bee Pollen dressing was flavorful, but not overbearing. The restaurant had huge, awesome chairs at some tables that look like King's and Queen's chairs, so whimsical and fun. It is a true Scottish American Gastropub. I was not drinking that night, but they look like there was a variety of delicious drinks to try. Also, the bar looked like they had a wide selection of draft beers. read more

Solid gastropub with a wide-ranging whiskey selection. Stopped in for a dinner with some friends last week. Easy to get a table, and they had live music that night. Plenty of beers on draft and my burger was delicious. Jesse our server was friendly and attentive. Really cool inside too, looks like an English pub. Easily would come back. read more

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey - Signature burger - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Been here a couple of times and I'm always getting good food. Everything from their appetizers to their entrees to whatever special they have on hand is always top notch! Aiden was our server this last time and he made sure we were taking care of. There was lots of room in the restaurant on a Wednesday after work but usually when there's a show going on across the street, it can be pretty full. I highly recommend the Scotch egg appetizer. Delicious! The fish and chips is also usually pretty good as well as any of the specials that they have on file. Everything from their breadboards to their burgers just always really good. Enjoy it! read more

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Stopped in Nicholson's for a nightcap and snack. Gorgeous entrance, the interior had a beautiful bar with lots of woodwork, some old world throne looking furniture and an authentic pub look. On tap they have mostly traditional British beers with some local craft. I haven't seen Kilkenny (A red ale in the Guinness family) in forever. Nitrogenated and creamy, it was a simple and delicious ale with a soft/creamy mouthfeel. We ordered Goat Cheese Dip - topped with smokey bacon jam and naan bread $15 and the Belhaven Beer Cheese - warm soft pretzels, celery, carrots $14. Both were delicious and great for a sharable snack. The whiskey list is crazy long. Scotch (Lowland, Reserves, Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Speyside), Whiskey, Bourbon ..... We were in the twilight of our night and wanted to indulge, but it was not to be. I will say if you want to try a local Bourbon you can find New Riff, Boone County and Northside served here. Our server was great, I loved their kilts. Stop in, look around and enjoy the awesome pub views. I highly recommend a stop in Nicholson's. If I had more time in Cincy I'd have definitely returned to explore their pub menu. Thanks guys! read more

We booked in for lunch on May 2nd, to celebrate our grandson's graduation. We had been here before and had such a wonderful experience and could hardly wait to celebrate here again. We arrived early and ordered adult drinks. We waited and waited for the drinks and decided to order appetizers. We got the delicious Scotch eggs and crab cakes, but no drinks. We ordered our meal. It came, no drinks. After inquiring about the drinks, the waitress came back and said they were out of the drink my son and grandson ordered, but they could have any other whisky on the menu at no cost. The restaurant was not busy. Finally we got our drinks. I wish I knew the exact time we waited, but it was over an hour. The Ambiance is fabulous with the Scottish theme going on. The fish and chips were awesome. I had the shepherds pie. It was too salty for my taste. We shared the Sticky Toffee Pudding which my husband loved and had not had since last we were in Ireland. read more

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This place was great. The food was flavorful & delicious. Drinks came out quickly and appetizer was delivered in an ample time from our entrees. Our waitress was very sweet. Super good playlist was playing and it is a definite Irish pub feel of course. Neat decor and great vibe. Would visit again!! read more

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Nicholson tavern. across from the Aronoff. Great traditional Scottish tavern. They have a fine selection of spirits on hand . What would you expect from such a place. Service was very good. I enjoyed a Tenants Lager and lime. Think of a Corona but with this Scottish lager. Parking in nearby lots or on the street...$2.75/hr until 9. read more

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Nicholson's is such a cool place. Love the interior and the food. For an appetizer we got the Scotch Egg. So good. We decided to get the Shepherd Pie and Tavern Salad for our main and it was so so good. Service was super and the food was awesome. Sticky Toffee Pudding was I believe the best dessert I have ever eaten. I would go out of my way to get that again. Definitely 5 stars in my opinion. read more

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey - Scotch Egg - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Loved the atmosphere and live music. The decor and the bar are super cool and authentic! We only came for drinks and an appetizer, wish we had come here for dinner. We tried the roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and a dip, excellent! Reasonable prices, attentive service. read more

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First the atmosphere. This is what I would picture a Scottish pub would look like. Everyone is friendly and the staff is very attentive. Now I could see it getting noisy as the evening wears on. But for an early dinner it was quite pleasant. Now the food. Started with their take on an egg roll. But it is filled with pot roast! They were creamy, tasty and just down right delicious. Then I had the surf and turf. It was outstanding! Steak cooked perfectly, shrimp, same garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. Yum, yum and yum! Our server, Josh, was awesome and we had a great meal experience. read more

My first time dining here! The food and service were absolutely incredible. To begin, the salad was so fresh and crispy. The bread seems freshly baked and toasted. The marvelous plate included a portion of delectable salmon. The chicken breast was so tender with the most amazing sage gravy. The Brussels spouts were delectable. Service was impeccable, especially those smiling faces! read more

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Nicholson's has been a amazing experience every time I have went . I recently went with my youngest brother to show him a good time that night and first spot we went was here for dinner - he never been here so both of us were in for a treat - his reaction to a good experience and i love the food and experience so couldn't pass this place up. Fish & shrimp for the both of us , seasoned potatoes, corn bread, vegetable medley, and cole slaw came out AFTER we got the beer cheese and pretzels . They even forgot to swap out the shrimp first so we got extra fish too . In other words, we got plenty of food and took plenty home. Amazing all around . Service, this place was very attentive - i will say it wasnt crazy busy like after a aronoff show but still . My only weirded out moment was we had our waitress clock out middle of it so we had like 3 people cover our table ? Ambiance, this place is a irish gastropub and has a very welcoming and cozy feel (especially if you get a private party room in the back) and i highly recommend this place - my brother and I as well as rest of our family will be back ! read more

I had low expectations for Nicholson's but they proved me wrong in every way that mattered. The restaurant was very clean while maintaining an authentic pub vibe. The service was fast. The servers were fun and polite! The food was delicious! We asked the staff for recommendations and they did not disappoint. We had: Appetizers 1. Flash Fried Brussels 2. Pretzels and (Belhaven) Beer Cheese 3. Scotch Egg Main Dishes 1. Fish and Chips (4.5) 2. Chicken Schnitzel 3. Bangers and Mash 4. Pot Roast Dessert 1. Sticky Toffee Pudding Overall, it was a wonderful experience! I would definitely recommend eating here. read more

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey - Fish and Chips - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Wonderful vibe, possibly the best location in Cincinnati that you can get a proper pint of Guinness with great true Irish interior architecture The scotch egg was deliciously salty while also being perfectly cooked with a medium runny core The Caesar salad was acceptable and a great accompaniment after a bengals game To finish it off the brûléed cheesecake with blueberries was perfectly balanced outside of the processed caramel sauce, a great finishing course to a great Cincinnati experience! read more

Scottish pub ambiance. Nice pub food. I like their sampler plate and the margarita pizza is so good! Gets busy before &after shows. Outside dining area when decent weather. read more

Nicholson's is our go-to restaurant in downtown Cincinnati. As soon as we step inside, we feel transported to a Scottish Pub. It's warm, cozy and unique. The staff are friendly and the service is excellent. We love the fish and chips and bangers and mash. But every dish we order, is perfect. The food is made fresh, not pre-packaged like so many other places. They have an extensive bar and the only place that I know of where you can get imported Belhaven Scottish Ale on tap! I love that they take reservations, especially when we are attending a show across the street at the Aronoff Center. I know we will be in our seats before the performance begins! read more

Food was okay, service was not good. Super slow, forgot a lot of things, and brought out a dish marked as gluten free with gluten... very dangerous as one of the people in my party had a severe gluten allergy. They remade it for us. Cool place and good vibes inside, would've been a lot better if food and service were good too. read more

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey - Sliders and Mac - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Best fish and chips on the Ohio River. Fresh, crispy, and perfectly cooked. Had the accompanying salad w gorgonzola. Fresh, perfect and the dressing wasn't overdone. Seriously, this is a must visit in Cincy. read more

We stumbled upon this place while we were wondering around town. We went to the beautiful authentic Scottish bar to grab a beer, looked at the menu then decided to eat lunch. I had the fish & chips, which was hands down the best I've ever had in a restaurant. My husband said his Reuben was very good, but could've used a bit more sauce. Of course the beer was nice and cold:) The bartender told me her name, but I forgot it. She was so nice and personable, like she was happy to be working. She also knew the menu, along with the history of the restaurant, sharing that the bar actually sits on Scottish soil from Scotland! I love that! She also knew Cincinnati and directed us to some interesting sights. We will definitely come back here when we return to Cincinnati. read more

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Came back to Nicholsons and got to try the brunch menu this time- it did not disappoint! We got seated in the back room with the fireplace going and it made the experience cozy! The chicken and waffles and goetta hash were delicious! Will definitely come back for brunch again! read more

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Right next to the hotel we stayed. And the ambiance, it's like you stepped into a pub in Aberdeen. The staff were beyond fantastic, really. They were absolutely the highlight of the visit. I started with a Belhaven and my wife had a cider drink. My wife had the steak and enjoyed it. The sauce was good. I had the fish and chips, and as much as I wanted to like them, I was a bit disappointed. I'm not a fan of panko and they were just a bit over cooked. But that did not ruin our night. We then stayed at the bar and patio afterwards and had a great evening. read more

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Walked in and was seated immediately, but we were surrounded by empty tables filled with dirty dishes. Our server was super nice and attentive! The food was okay- I got a salad and added chicken. I felt the chicken was bland but it was hot when it came out. My friend got the pot roast and said it was good! The espresso martini has an interesting flavor, maybe raspberry? read more

Great Scottish-themed pub with remarkably reasonable prices for a place right downtown across from the Aronoff Center. Parking in that neighborhood is a pain, particularly when there's an event at the Aronoff and parking prices are hiked, but this place has Valet Parking. Sadly, we only found this out after paying $20 for "special event" parking around the block. I don't know what the Valet parking costs, but it's probably less than $20, even with tip. The food is pub grub, but with some Scottish-inspired items. I had Cock-a-Leeky soup, a small house salad, and flash fried Brussels sprouts side. The daughter had the Salmon, and the spouse had the Shepherd's Pie. Spouse and daughter split a large salad, and the house served them as two small salads in separate dishes, no upcharge. Everyone greatly enjoyed their food! There were a couple of mistakes in our orders: I initially got the mashed potatoes instead of the Brussels Sprouts, and the ladies' salads did not have the dressing on the side, as requested (my daughter hates salad dressing). The staff made those mistakes right immediately. We didn't order drinks, but this place has over 100 Scottish Whiskies, including some curated flights. I do enjoy a Single Malt Whisky now and again, and I can say they have a very impressive selection. read more

Nicholson's Fine Food & Whiskey - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

In town for the weekend and overwhelmed by restaurant options we decided just to walk the streets and see where we found. We walked by this place and the decor grabbed our attention and luckily they had a menu posted outside. When we walked in we were asked if we had reservations and if not we could sit at these side booths newr the bar. This worked great and since it was busy and loud, it made for better conversation. The decor is like an old pub, the staff wear kilts and filled with stories. The menu has old English favorites fish & chips, scotch eggs, bangers and mash. We ordered beer cheese with pretzels which was very good. My husband got chicken schnitzel with bourbon glazed carrots and mash and I had to try the fish & chips (they come in 2 sizes and the small was plenty) l. My husband also tried a smoked old fashioned and he is very particular about these and said Soooo Good! read more

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Full disclosure: I need to order more food here before I give this place five stars. I wasn't blown away by the fish and chips, but... The servers here are fun and attentive, and the scotch selection is unmatched. Made me miss Edinburgh. Also: don't pass up Burns Night. It is a total hoot. read more

Nothing is more satisfying than spending time in a true Irish bar. While traveling through Cincinnati on my way to other destinations, I happened to be staying at a hotel in town and my son just, by chance, was in town for a business meeting tomorrow. He had been to Nicholsons before and suggested we go. As a fan of Guinness, we definitely started out with a draft. With an appetizer of Scottish eggs and some bangers and mash, it became a memorable night. Almost felt like we were in downtown Dublin. read more

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We were in town for the football game between the Bengals & Ravens. We used the Yelp app to choose this restaurant. The menu appeared to satisfy our appetites. The hostess was not very friendly, but eventually located us a table in a restaurant that wasn't very busy. Our best experience was with the busser that greeted us very warmly and quickly provided us with drinks. She also stopped by to ask how we were doing. Our server was Josh. He on the other hand he had an attitude that was not very friendly. He did manage to take our orders without too much problem. He delivered our food routinely. The burgers were ok, and I ordered shrimp and grits. My dish was very oily looking, but the taste was ok. Overall our experience was so-so. I know that there are better choices for a meal in downtown Cincinnati. read more