Biagio's Bistro — Restaurant in Cincinnati

2025 update: Biagio's Bistro: A Symphony of Sauce and Service in Clifton Biagio's Bistro offers one of the most perfectly situated and worthwhile dining experiences in Clifton, especially for anyone planning an evening out. Its location, just a short walk from the Ludlow Garage, makes it the quintessential choice for a high-quality pre-show dinner. The atmosphere inside strikes a welcoming balance: it is both calm and lively, featuring intimate seating arrangements that ensure the moderate sound level never prevents you from easily hearing your dining companions.

The value proposition here is truly excellent, given the exceptional quality and truly bountiful amount of food you receive. For regulars, the homemade pastas are the undeniable draw. My personal staples are the Chicken Alfredo and the Shrimp Alfredo; both are consistently prepared to perfection and offer generously sized portions. While I lament the pre-COVID loss of the rich Seafood Alfredo, which featured fresh crab meat, the current offerings maintain the kitchen’s high standards.

My wife's unwavering favorite, the lasagna, serves as a testament to the generous portions—even with her limited appetite, the dish is so substantial that she reliably finishes it in two separate sessions, making it a leftover that never goes uneaten.

The most captivating part of the dining experience is often the open view into the kitchen. Watching the chef is mesmerizing, akin to observing a symphony conductor. He is in constant motion, skillfully manipulating multiple hot plates, with every necessary ingredient, from heavy cream and oils to seasonings and clean pans, positioned within immediate reach. His tireless, non-stop dedication to preparing consistently exquisite dishes adds a personalized touch that elevates the entire meal.

The only minor logistical hurdle is securing a parking spot, as it can sometimes be a challenge. However, a few convenient lots are available within a short stroll on the gaslit Ludlow Avenue. Overall, for outstanding food, fantastic value, and an intimate atmosphere, Biagio's Bistro remains a must-visit neighborhood treasure.

2021: Very generous helpings of great tasting food, superb service, at very...

Bagio's is a classic long time gaslight Clifton Italian restaurant located in the Ludlow business district straight across from the Clifton market. The owner/chef works there everyday. You may be able to park on the street, but it's easy to park in the merchants lot located on Howell avenue behind Clifton market and then cut up between the buildings. They are open for lunch and dinner. The chef Cooks the meals on open burners in front of the restaurant and it's fun to sit and watch him cook. He has classic pasta dishes and some really delicious tomato basil soup and wedding soup. He is very accommodating if you would like to order something special. My wife had all vegetables with no pasta and some grilled fish on the side. She loved it. Last night, I had the special which was beef tenderloin with pasta on the side. It went down great with a glass of their house red wine. The desserts are absolutely incredible. I love the chocolate eclair Puffs. Last night I had the banana cream pie which was outstanding. This is a great little romantic Italian restaurant with a European flair located in the heart of Clifton. You can go there with your honey or take the family or group of friends. It's moderately priced and a great little authentic...

Sadly, not that authentic…

This was a last minute choice to stop here with the intention to find good soup and pasta on a rainy day. I read several reviews highlighting the tomato soup and alfredo pasta, so that’s what I ordered. The service was fast and the ambiance was calm. For my personal taste, the soup was a bit sweet and arrived lukewarm. The pasta was better than the soup but still not the authentic taste of Italian food I was looking for. I guess I should have known with the bread that was first served, as it seemed like it wasn’t at all homemade. Our waiter was attentive even though he was serving several tables. This is a small space in what seemed like a small town (I am not from this area) and maybe for people who live here this is an authentic experience, but this did not meet my expectations especially coming from experiencing very diverse high quality experiences from large cities. I always want to support local family owned spaces and small business so hopefully this place puts a little more TLC (Tender Loving Care) and switches things up (such as fresh flowers in the vases) to really bring up the quality if thus restaurant. For now, based on what I experienced, sadly I won’t...