We celebrated my parents' anniversary tonight. The staff was so gracious with changes we needed to make to our reservation. We had great service at the bar and at our table. They allowed us to bring our own cake. They brought it out on a cake stand for pictures and then took it in the back to cut and serve it to us. They also had a card on the table for my parents. It was a wonderful celebration. Dishes that we tried tonight that were new to us: Mushroom Bisque - 8/10 Bread and Butter - 7/10 Burger - 6/10 Scallops - 7/10 Cannelloni - 8/10 Coffee - 5/10 Our favorites remain the fries with the delicious sauce 10/10 and the vodka rigatoni 10/10. Best smelling bathrooms in the city. Love the house wine, the bar, the patio, and the service! read more

The Davidson is a elegant spot across from Fountain Square. I've been here twice with my family to celebrate Mother's Day and they have made each occasion feel special with their kindness. The first time we went they gave flowers to all the women for Mother's Day. This time though they're weren't flowers, they were very accommodating. My grandmother had an issue with her food, they remade the entire meal though it did take a while they gave her a treat for the long wait. The server and manager were very friendly and apologetic for the inconvenience. The food is 7-8/10. It always comes out fresh and plated nicely. I ordered their chicken sandwich and that was good! My family shared a lot of our entrees, I feel their poultry and seafood are their best. The pork chop though tender, wasn't incredibly tasty. I have not tried a beef dish. The dessert was delicious! The manager recommended eating the pan a cotta and pan de crème together and that was soooo good! It was a nice, light dessert but very tasty! I would definitely recommend trying it read more

Last two times came for happy hour. Bartenders and servers and excellent. Best happy hour drinks and menu. The burger and chopped chicken salad and fries are amazing. I love the eggplant too. Highly recommend this for any occasion. read more

The Davidson - Espresso Martini pretty darn good at happy hour. - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Met Chef Jose who was humble and gracious! Great service, food and wonderful libations! Ambiance is classy and inviting! Tuna tartare on the fried rice was good. read more

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A friend and I went to the Davidson on a Tuesday night and it was phenomenal. The ambiance was great, the food was even better, and the general manager Gerret was super friendly and made us feel welcomed. Totally recommend visiting the Davidson for a special night out! read more

Amazing happy hour deals. They even have a Saturday happy hour menu - this is the sole reason we went here. Food was 3.5 stars. Mushroom bisque was flavorful and the best happy hour item. We also got fries, vegetable salad, and tuna tartare cones which were good but not living up to the hype of the reviews I read. Maybe it was an off day. Service was wonderful. Sat at the bar and the waiter gave great suggestions for drinks and knew the menu well. Ambiance is good for a date or even a business dinner. read more

The Davidson - Happy hour menu - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Davidson was my bartender for the afternoon and provided an excellent happy hour experience. His knowledge on the restaurant and food selection was superb as well as his honest recommendations. I had the vodka rigatoni and a glass of red wine and it was everything I could have asked for. Even the fresh parmigiana on top was a nice personal touch. This location could be great for a quick lunch get away or a romantic evening located conveniently on the corner of 5th and Vine in downtown Cincinnati walking distance from the convention center. read more

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Food was decent... came in to get the brick pressed chicken but they no longer had it on menu . Was going to settle for the chargrilled chicken but they wouldn't let me substitute the fingerling potatoes with olives and capers for mashed potatoes so I decided to get the chicken sandwich; which had great flavor, but I feel like the arugula that was on it threw the flavor of the sandwich off. Also wasn't a fan of the Bernaise sauce with the fries would've done like a garlic aïoli instead. I tried the pork chop, which was really good and the Panna cotta was decent. Might come back if they put the brick press chicken back on the menu. In my opinion, the sides that were paired to a certain proteins didn't really mesh well and the menu is kind of limited. Food arrived fast and the service was great. read more

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Had dinner downtown before a jazz performance and I am so glad we did! The GM was right up front to greet us, and very welcoming. Our waitress was wonderful and very attentive and the meal was fantastic! One of the best pork chops I have ever tasted. Drinks, sides and everything was delicious. Thank you! read more

The Davidson - Pork chop with kale and squash - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Stopped into The Davidson after checking out of my hotel and had some time to kill before a flight. Luckily, it was Sunday and they were running happy hour huge win. Started with the tuna tartare cones and an espresso martini. The cones were phenomenallight, flavorful, and perfect as an appetizer. Kept the espresso martinis coming since they were so good. For my main, I went with the grilled chicken sandwich (also on the happy hour menu for only $15), and it was excellent. Juicy, well-seasoned, and way better than I'd expect at that price point. The vibe is upscale but still relaxed feels like you can enjoy a nice dinner without it being too formal. I was there in a baseball jersey. Bartenders and servers were super chill and made the whole experience easygoing. I hung out for a couple hours, and even with multiple drinks and a full meal, my bill wasn't bad at all. For an upscale spot right in downtown Cincy, The Davidson's happy hour is a fantastic deal. Definitely a place I'd go back to next time I'm in town. read more

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Food was phenomenal, the steak for 2 was amazing. The chimichurri was to die for. Our server Ryan was fantastic and super attentive. Definitely recommend visiting the Davidson if you get the chance! read more

Service was really great! The vibe is nice and restaurant is clean and organized. For my birthday the server gave the four of us some champagne. It was a really nice gesture. The peach burrata was interesting. The sourdough was butter grilled. I enjoyed the addition of tomato. My bff got the pesto pasta and added grilled chicken. The chicken was served separately. She did say the pasta was really good, and her bf said it was the best pesto he's ever had. My bf got the chicken dinner. It was small and not enough food for him. It was also overwhelmingly lemon. But overall, ok. My steak frites was good but I've had better at Losanti and Collette. The sauce was very peppery which was fine but just a heads up. My filet was good - more medium well than medium but it was edible. The fries were just ok. Not fresh cut, and mostly cold. The cocktails were good, but the old fashioned and Bellini were very sweet. The cosmo was on point though. Overall it was a nice experience, but we've had much better at this price point so would probably not return. read more

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Great location, wonderful hospitality, but average food! On my business trip to Cincinnati, I dined in The Davidson one evening. Located within steps to the Fountain Square, this restaurant is in an excellent location for many hotels and businesses. When I walked in, I was greeted immediately and brought to a table. Service was prompt and friendly. For my dinner, I ordered the aracinni appetizer, the house made pesto pasta as entree, and a sude of scallop. The aracinni tasted good, but would benefit with some corns and peas added. My pesto pasta entree was highly recommended by my server, but the pasta was too hard and the sauce was too salty. The side of seared scallop was excellent and was done perfectly. My dinner came to $72 with tips included, which was a bit disappointing as my entree was too salty. read more

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It was a great experience ! Food was pretty good too . Not terribly pricey, I'd go back read more

The Davidson - Rigatoni - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

We stopped by here on a whim when we were downtown looking at Christmas lights. It was freezing outside but inside The Davidson was warm and inviting. We just wanted a cocktail and a light bite so we decided to sit at a two top in the bar. The bartender, who was also our server, was very friendly and checked back on us several times. I got the espresso martini, which was disappointing unfortunately. It was very pretty, with a fleur-de-lis sprinkled on top, but it just tasted like strong coffee, not like a typical espresso martini. However, we loved the bread service with 3 butters: shallot compound butter, cacio e pepe butter, grass-fed Irish butter! The cacio e pepe was especially good. We hope to come back to dinner sometime to try some of their other dishes as well. read more

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Really terrific happy hour -- we sampled many apps and the grilled chicken sandwich which was outstanding. The salad was exceptional! Wine and margarita a cut above. Outstanding service. The ambience of the space is a real winner : all around great read more

The Davidson - Salad - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

The Davidson sits right next to Washington Square, which makes the location clutch and super convenient. Right out of the gate the hostess took my coat, which was a classy move... I enjoy pretending I'm a princess just as much as the next grown man. My buddy and I started with old fashioneds that came with a proper giant "scube," exactly the way they should be. The drink was so good I had three... and I regret nothing. They were also running a pre fixed menu at a great price, and every stop on it absolutely slapped. The bread and butter plate alone was worth it, especially with three different butters to work through. The mushroom bisque was exceptional, rich and comforting. The chicken sandwich was a true love letter to the Midwest. And the chocolate mousse situation I ended with is something I'll be thinking about for months. I'll be back to The Davidson... don't you worry your pretty self. read more

Came here with my wife for dinner on a weekday evening. We were sat quickly at our reservation time. I really, really wanted to love this place but it just did not do it for me. We got two cocktails, an app, a salad, and two entrees. We got the tuna crudo for an app, the Italian salad, the Davidson Burger for an entree and the scallops for the other entree. The food came out quickly but was just overall uninspiring. The tuna crudo was in a citrus-based sauce but was quite soggy and somewhat bland. The salad was good, but nothing special. The burger was also fine and cooked well, but nothing out of the ordinary. The scallops were quite delicious, definitely the best part of the meal. On top of the food being mediocre, our service felt rushed and our server kept trying to take plates before we were done. Overall, for a restaurant on the more expensive side of the spectrum, I was unimpressed. read more

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Great happy hour! Even on a Saturday! Cute place with a great bar. Great happy hour menu. read more

Delicious food, Al dente pasta, with lots of bite and flavor. It was hand made too! The staff were SO kind and helpful. And the inside was very clean and lovely. read more

The Davidson - Pesto pasta - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This was one of the best meals I've had anywhere. The Moroccan roasted eggplant is prepared tableside and is a unique, delicious dish that provided ample portions for our party of four. The vodka rigatoni was perfect, with the sauce, sausage, and peas all in excellent proportion to the pasta. The service was wonderful, and the drink menu offered a great variety. read more

The Davidson came as a recco from a friend turned Cincy local - and the review came through! This is the sister restaurant to Pepp and Dolores, which was an incredible meal and I had to check this one out as well. Brought a group of 10 here and everyone loved their meals and were well taken care of by our server. While their menu isn't especially extensive, their options are all quality choices. We tried a little of everything - standout apps were the Moroccan Roasted Eggplant (a different spin on eggplant!) and tuna tartare cones. Both were eaten so fast I couldn't even snap a pic! For entrees, the crowd favorite were the scallops. Wonderfully seared and served on a house crouton (a giant toast square!) that worked so well with the sauce. We sat on the patio and even on a chilly spring evening, the heaters kept the space comfortable. read more

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If you want the atmosphere of an upscale place with very good food( try the chicken sandwich and the grilled veg salad) and a great view of Fountain Square .... This is your place. Try the happy hour 11a-6 p from Friday to Sunday and 4-6p. Come in and see Calvin at the bar for a drink and some fun conversation . In fact the whole crew is fun to talk to. Park over in the Fountain Square garage read more

The Davidson - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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We returned on a Saturday night at 7pm. We chose to sit in the bar again, this time at a high top. The place was full of energy and the music was great. Our server Mikala was lovely and efficient. This time we had the Hamachi Crudo and the Brick Pressed Chicken Au Vin (plus the tuna cones and eggplant, but I already reviewed those). We order Hamachi Crudo everywhere that offers it, and this was one of our favorite preparations. The combo of the blood orange, olive oil, and basil with the luxurious Hamachi was-out-of-this-world good. And we usually don't order chicken out, but OMG this preparation was fantastic! The chicken was so tender and juicy and the gravy was rich and comforting. And the mashed potatoes had absolutely no butter...wink wink. Extra work-out needed for those! This is an energetic, fun, and solid place to dine. read more

Great location, amazing service, bar is really good, food is not good! I understand burgers and fries, but steaks, seafood, etc. with only casual options. You're upscale!!!! Chicken was terrible, bordelaise terrible, no baked, mashed, or options for potatoes or vegetables to go with any meal! We've been here before, food was good at first, but tried a couple times after that, and just no reason to go back. Too many great options out there! read more

Had wonderful lunch today downtown Cincinnati! Very nice, elegant interior with friendly staff. Service was fast & food was delicious. We split the burger & a grilled chicken sandwich to try each others sandwiches & decided both were excellent. The aoli was fabulous!! Fries perfect. Nothing to complain about! read more

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A stellar dining experience not to be missed in the city. The ambiance is warm with cozy luxurious seating, yet bright with big windows. The servers are incredibly well-versed with the menu and happy to answer any questions or give recommendations. I was incredibly impressed at how quickly the food came out, yet seemed like it took hours of love to cook. The plating was exquisite and food even more marvelous. The French Onion Dip is a fun way to start your meal with those familiar snack flavors, but in an upscale environment. The Roasted Vegetable Salad is a great bright salad full of winter vegetables, ideal for those who want to venture beyond the standard lettuce. My favorite was the Canneloni, with a creamy tomato sauce spinach and ricotta filling, and breadcrumbs topping for texture. Worth the reservation, but bar seating is available too for a walk-in, especially for their happy hour read more

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Stayed at the Moxy nearby so decided to grab a bite and drinks here. We sat at the bar which has so many seats which is awesome! Happy hour menu had many food options and $5 wines and other drinks. Definitely would come back again. read more

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For my first night in Cincinnati, we visited The Davidson for dinner! We got to the restaurant a bit late since our flight was delayed, but the restaurant was thankfully very flexible when we gave them a call. The inside is beautifully modern and looks a bit upscale while maintaining a casual ambiance. We started off with the burrata & peaches which was delicious and we would highly recommend! I got the roasted tomato cannelloni, which was pretty good although there was too much spinach in the filling for my personal liking. My friend enjoyed her grilled chicken sandwich with squash and kale. However, my other friend wasn't the biggest fan of her vodka rigatoni as the pasta was a bit undercooked. Overall, we had a great time at The Davidson and would recommend it! read more

The Davidson - roasted tomato cannelloni, vodka rigatoni, grilled chicken sandwich, squash and kale - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Came in to celebrate my wife's promotion and couldn't have picked a better lunch spot. From start to finish the entire experience was top notch. Our server, Ricolette, was spot on with every recommendation and her excitement/enthusiasm for the team there and their food was really refreshing. We shared the eggplant dish, and I could have eaten a whole loaf of that sourdough bread. The mushroom bisque had great flavor, definitely recommend it. My wife went with the scallop dish and raved about it. The capers and lemon with the butternut squash were a great combination. I went with their grilled chicken sandwich, which isn't typically my choice, but as Ricollete told us, the crispy prosciutto gave it an almost fried chicken crunch, which was fantastic. Looking forward to trying more items on the menu, as I can see us coming back here soon. read more

The Davidson - Mushroom bisque - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

always love coming to the davidson for dinner! the ambiance, location, and service is always spectacular. the drinks here are great - they have a fun twist on the classics like a spicy marg, G&T, and dirty martini. the vodka rigatoni is a MUST as well as the mashed potatoes, arancini, and italian chopped salad. will be back for sure !! read more

The Davidson - grilled chicken burger and mashed potatoes - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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We just went for grown-up cocktails at the bar -- and loved the vibe so much we stayed for a second round. Bartenders are true pros -- and also a ton of fun! Wonderful place to round out an evening in Cincy. Highly recommend the Davidson Old-Fashioned! read more

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long story short: a cute restaurant in a great location with a good happy hour We went to the Davidson after a show & I must comment on their great location- right across the street from Fountain Square & easily accessible from much of downtown. The restaurant itself was warm & beautifully decorated. Our server was wonderful & the service was prompt. As for the food, we ordered off of their happy hour menu & were very excited by the variety & the price. We started with the mushroom bisque which was delicious as well as the arancini, which were also good. For dinner, we had the vodka pasta, burger with fries, & italian chopped salad. Of these, the standout was the salad; it was so fresh & sharp with the pickled peppers & olives! The crispy prosciutto on it was incredible too! The fries were also great. The burger was good, but not my favorite burger in the city. The pasta was also good, although I thought the flavor of the sausage overpowered the rest of the dish. Overall, we had a good experience at the Davidson & we hope to come back again to try more of their menu! read more

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We started off early to check out Happy Hour specials. I was excited to see a Bellini Spritz was offered. I was excited that it matched my outfit. Haha. It's the little things in life that make me happy! This restaurant was absolutely gorgeous. The outdoor patio is one of the prettiest I have seen. We didn't eat, as we had dinner plans elsewhere but we did peruse the menu and the food looked and smelled terrific. I wish we had more time! read more

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I visited the Davidson during my recent trip to Cincinnati. The first night in town, I came in for dinner. The staff was quick to seat me, and the ambiance was nice (if maybe a bit loud - and the tables are sort of crowded together). My server took her time getting around to the table, and when she did, I ordered the Vodka Rigatoni. I love a good vodka sauce, and with them touting handmade pasta to boot - I had to give it a shot. And boy, it was *tasty*! Really, just sheer perfection - the pasta was cooked perfectly and all the flavors worked together quite well. Overall, I had a pleasant experience. read more

The Davidson - Vodka Rigatoni - delicious! - French Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Spent 24hours in Cincinnati for date night and decided to try the Davidson for lunch as it was in walking distance from our hotel. We opted for bar seating as the restaurant was just opening. Ricolette was the bartender of the afternoon; extremely pleasant. Upon sitting we were informed they offer a weekend happy hour menu which we decided to order from. We had the Yellowfin crudo, green side salad, french onion dip with homemade chips and the Davidson burger. Again, the service was impeccable, the food came out quickly and was well prepared. The bar seating area had a great view of the city area and also had framed TVs playing sports; aesthetically pleasing. read more

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Food was decent... came in to get the brick pressed chicken but they no longer had it on menu . Was going to settle for the chargrilled chicken but they wouldn't let me substitute the fingerling potatoes with olives and capers for mashed potatoes so I decided to get the chicken sandwich; we tried great flavor, but I feel like the arugula that was on it through the flavor of the sandwich off. Also wasn't a fan of the Bernaise sauce with the fries would've done like a garlic aïoli instead. I tried the pork chop, which was really good and the Panna cotta was decent. Might come back if they put the brick press chicken back on the menu. In my opinion, the sides that were paired to a certain proteins didn't really much well and the menu is kind of limited. Food arrived fast and the service was great. read more

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My first experience at The Davidson was only ok. We had a party of 10 for a birthday and they sat us out on the enclosed patio. This was January in Cincinnati and the weather was not ideal for this seating arrangement. There were heaters but when they were on they were very intense and when they were off the temperature was uncomfortable. My toes were nearly numb by the time we left. The Hamachi was worth the entire trip, the balance between the citrus and the basil is a nice accompaniment to the hamachi. I ordered the scallops and was slightly disappointed in the quantity. The photos I had seen of the entree online that inspired me to order the dish had more scallops than I received, so that was a disappointment. I would give this restaurant another shot as long as I could sit inside, but I wouldn't order scallops again read more

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We decided to do an early dinner at 5pm. What a beautiful atmosphere. Maybe mid century. We sat in a 2 person booth in the bar, the seats were amazingly comfortable! Alecia was our server and she was wonderful, attentive and knowledgeable. We had the Margarita and the Distrito. The margarita was fine, but my man loved the Distrito. We had the Hamachi which was amazing, the flavors with the basil were so fresh. The killer app was the eggplant that they prepare table side. I will be trying to copy this. We shared the rigatoni and the veal Milanese. Both were sooo good and so much left overs to take home. Where they lack is no dessert menu, we did manage to have an espresso martini that did the trick for the end of meal sweetness. The place is great and we cannot wait to go back to try other menu items we missed. Specially the scallops. read more

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I loved the atmosphere inside. Our waitress went through the whole menu with us and made recommendations which was great. I thought the food was good. I liked the presentation of our appetizer (the eggplant) but I felt the bread was a little too grilled tasting. Our salad was excellent and my boyfriend's burger and fries were delicious. My pasta was a little underwhelming but it was still a good meal. read more

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