Boca — Restaurant in Cincinnati

Updated review. We were invited back to Boca, and loved the food the second time around. We had an amazing view above their chandelier, and ended up ordering similarly to our first time around. There was amazing gnocchi, scallop and lobster bisque. However, instead of the beef Wellington we tried the prime tenderloin which was a much better choice. Boca went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our experience and it was really appreciated!

To summarize my review, Boca is a place that was fine but we will make sure to tell others that we “will not be going back.” This is the single most important sentence people want to hear about a restaurant. Unfortunately, we just can’t say it after eating there.

We arrived a few minutes early and had to stand around for 15-20 minutes. This wasn’t a big deal to us, but a few groups waiting at the bar were unhappy about their 30+ minute wait. The host said multiple tables were still at their tables after three hours, which was Supposedly rare… but read on.

The first three quarters of the meal went fine. We had oysters rockefeller that tasted good. Then part of our main meal was the lobster bisque, which I would recommend. Followed by the gnocchi which was also flavorful.

However, this is where the night took a big turn. The restaurant GM came over, apologized for the initial wait and gave us free fluffy potato chips, er pommes soufflé, as well as more bread & butter. It was nice, but odd and a bit over the top. Then just seconds later we were informed that our $150 beef wellington would take another fifteen minutes to cook. There it is. The comp’ed food was damage control. We were quite literally being buttered up before being told we will have to continue to wait.

The beef wellington finally arrived, and after the wait, it was Burnt! $150 for this dish, a very long wait, and it is served overcooked. We ordered wine to pair and nearly finished the glass by the time it arrived. Then had to muscle our way through the charred exterior. It was not enjoyable whatsoever, and my wife barely ate half.

They tried to right the situation by giving us dessert. We didn’t want it. However, it was a nice gesture so we ordered it with another glass of wine. The $18 by the glass pour was not a full pour as the restaurant was shutting down. A complete 180 from “sorry” to “you need to leave” since we were the last couple there when we had a 7:45 reservation (see my initial note above about rare three hour dinners).

The star is for the comp’ed food. But, I’d rather have over three hours and $500 back. Boca is trying too hard with an overpriced menu that doesn’t live up to the expectation. We have lived in Chicago with some of the best high end steak restaurants, and have ate at many Michelin starred restaurants in our past. You can find much better food for half the price elsewhere.

The unfortunate part is this will make us second guess heading back to places from the Faulk group any time in the near future. So, again, it was fine, but we will tell everyone we know that we will not...

🍽️ Review of Boca Restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio 🍽️

Hey foodies! 🌟 Today, I want to share my incredible dining experience at Boca Restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prepare to have your taste buds tantalized! 😋

First of all, let's talk about the service and atmosphere. 👌 The moment I stepped inside Boca, I was greeted with warm smiles and impeccable hospitality. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that our dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. The elegant and sophisticated ambiance added a touch of class to the evening, making it the perfect setting for a memorable meal. ✨

Now, let's delve into the delectable dishes we indulged in. We started our culinary adventure with the Pomme Soufflé, which was a delightful combination of crispy and fluffy textures. It instantly set the tone for the gastronomic journey ahead. 🥔

Next up, we sampled the Beef Tartare. Now, I must admit, this dish is an acquired taste. The bold flavors and unique presentation might not be for everyone, but if you're an adventurous eater, it's definitely worth a try! 🥩

Moving on to the Lobster Brioche, and oh my goodness, this dish was a showstopper! 🦞💥 The succulent lobster combined with the buttery brioche and a generous sprinkle of caviar created a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate. It may be on the smaller side and a bit pricey, but trust me, it's an absolute must-try for seafood lovers!

The Diver Scallops were another highlight of our dining experience. Cooked to perfection, these tender and juicy scallops were a true delight. However, I must mention that the accompanying Brussels sprouts and brown butter truffle were incredibly rich, which may not be to everyone's liking. But fear not, as there are plenty of other mouthwatering options to choose from! 🍽️

Ah, the Boca Burger. Where do I even begin? 🍔 This burger is pure heaven on a plate! Juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection, it exceeded all expectations. Every bite was a burst of pure culinary bliss. Trust me when I say, you won't be able to stop raving about it!

To end our meal on a sweet note, we indulged in the Candy Bar 3.0 and the refreshing Sorbet. The Candy Bar 3.0 was a decadent treat, satisfying our chocolate cravings with its rich and velvety layers. The Sorbet provided a refreshing and light finish to the meal, cleansing our palates and leaving us feeling perfectly content. 🍫🍨

In conclusion, Boca Restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio, left us with an unforgettable dining experience. The service was top-notch, the atmosphere was charming, and the majority of the dishes exceeded our expectations. While the Beef Tartare and the rich Brussels sprouts and brown butter truffle didn't quite hit the mark for us, the Pomme Soufflé, Lobster Brioche, Diver Scallops, and the Boca Burger stole the show. 🌟

If you're looking to indulge in a culinary adventure and savor exquisite flavors, make sure to visit Boca Restaurant. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! Bon appétit! 🍴✨

#BocaRestaurant #CincinnatiEats #FoodieHeaven #CulinaryAdventure...

We made reservations for NYE, and just like this special night, this restaurant exceeded just how special the menu and service is known to be! The decor is absolutely beautiful and inviting, as we were guided to our table...perfectly on time! The wait staff/ team are very personable, extremely knowledgeable on preparations for each menu dish, and take professional serving to a level only found in restaurants like Boca! The food/table runners were like watching synchronized swimming presenting each course! Each plate was presented so beautiful and matched with well developed flavors, that as each course was completed, exciting anticipation awaited the next course. The mixologists delivered very tasty cocktails and the wine stewardess introduced impeccable pairings for our meal. Also, this is the ONLY high end restaurant in the area, thus far, that we have found serve organic(no sulfites) red wine by the glass! 1st course was presented & composed to be light and satisfying on the palette, and did not disappoint(Hamachi Crudo(him)Beet "Mezzaluna" Salad(her)). 2nd course offered an introduction of some of the most delicious pasta that was perfectly proportioned to comfortably enjoy the rest of the meal, (Tajarin Con Tartufo(him) Gnocchi Fonduta(her)). 3rd course was layered with well developed flavors, that although 3 options were on the menu, we both ordered the Beef Wellington. This dish hit so many high notes: the crust was light and flaky and hugged a wild mushroom duxelles and prosciutto...then married to the most tender, perfectly cooked beef, that it essentially melted in your mouth! And finally the dessert course cannot go unnoticed...that we had to try all 3! The Milk Chocolate Bavarois was rich and creamy, the Pain de Genes is best described as nod to a fruit inspired shortbread, and the Vanilla Bean Cremeux was a scrumptious concoction of lemon tartness with a hint of mint. If we had to choose our fav, which isn't easy to do, the Bavarois(him) and the Pain de Genes(her). And finally...the bathrooms...lol...yes, of course they were very clean, and eclectic with a tasteful decor...but appreciated the comical/snarky warning to lock the door "to avoid an awkward situation, please lock the door"(paraphrased a bit)! Overall, this restaurant/dining experience deserves its 5 star rating, from the moment you arrive and until you depart. Obviously, this dining experience is on the high end price point, but most certainly worth every bite! Compliments to the Chef, Pastry Chefs, Mixologists, Wine Stewardess, and the entire wait staff...it was a fantastic way...