The Precinct By Jeff Ruby — Restaurant in Cincinnati

These are generous 3s. Atmosphere: We were seated at a high-top. The seats were pretty....pretty uncomfortable. After a first-class greeting, we felt forgotten. Our waiter, when stopping by, fell all over himself referring to us as "we." This required some real verbal gymnastics when asking about my wine, my husband doesn't drink, but he still managed to bring me "our" wine. Please, you seem like a nice person, understand that I'm a me, not a we. It seemed like we were forgotten, too, when those nearby arriving later having ordered the same filet and lobster tail special, were almost finished with their meals before ours arrived. The temperatures of our dinners--room temperature, both, from steak to lukewarm potatoes to dry lobster--were a disappointment to we who had imagined a sizzling hot steak and lobster dinner. The manager asked if we wanted our dinners re-warmed or re-cooked. I simply recommended they serve us a Jeff Ruby level dinner. (They re-cooked.). We requested a fresh basket of warm bread and received a basket of bread, unwarmed. The Freddie salad was a super disappointment; if not for the wonderful bacon, it was a total loss, with the generous portion of dressing completely out of proportion to the salad ingredients. Had we been important people or not ordered the special, I can't help but thinking this would not have happened. The wait-person did bring out what appeared to be a 3 pound piece of cake for our anniversary after all was done, but we unfortunately aren't cake eaters. We are steak eaters. Our experience at the first Jeff Ruby's, downtown, was outstanding and worth re-visiting JRE for this reason. From the food to the fellowship and attentive atmosphere, it could NOT be beat. After that, we tried Carlo and Johnny's--once we were seated in a hallway beside a service area for our anniversary, with waiters lifting trays for our entertainment. Another C&J experience had us sitting in the lovely bar area, but we were completely forgotten after being greeted/watered/breaded. We waited more than one hour and finally had to go find someone to serve us. They apologized. Our return trip to JR's new place downtown was another attempt to put us at a table with a view of the kitchen. We felt so out of place by doing this, but stood in the dining room and asked to please have a better table. Now this. I dont mind the experience as much as I mind the food. The kitchen and/or the wait staff appear to be short-handed or, with the kitchen, untrained. The wait staff I knew at the original downtown location would not have brought us that salad, nor temperature-challenged food. I think you have to be someone important or recognized, or a regular, to receive the true Jeff Ruby Entertainment Experience. I've said something about each of our disappointments directly the JRE in the past, but I think I'll forego that this time and, for our next celebration, choose another place to enjoy...

This review is a tad late, I do apologize. But better late than never!! We dined 05/18/2024.

Matt was our server and he was beyond amazing. His craft has style, poise, professionalism and charm!! If there was a Best Server reality show, Matt would win hands down. A true showman of showman.♡♡♡

This was our first visit to The Precinct, but we are huge fans of any Jeff Ruby establishment. What a gem!! The building itself has a neat history (Thank You Matt for sharing). Also, Thank You to Jeff and all of the contributors/investors that saw it's (the building) potential of a new chapter. BEAUTIFUL and very well done!! If you enjoy history, architecture, hardscapes, landscapes, interior design or fine dining, you will enjoy The Precinct!!♡♡♡

The food...every time I leave a Jeff Ruby's establishment, I swear I say, "This was the best dinner and dining experience ever, this takes #1!!" Then we have another experience, and You all raise the bar- yet AGAIN!! WOWOWOW!!

We began with the It's Britney, Spritz and an Old Fashion. The lavender and lavender simple syrup had my curiosity with the It's Britney, Spritz. It was so wonderful, I had two- and I rarely drink. My husband throughly enjoyed his as well, he too, indulged two!! We adventured with their appetizer THE Thick Cut Bacon. I added THE because that's how all THE bacon should be made- worldwide!! Melts in your mouth and the flavors are so rich and savory. I can still taste THE BACON just writing about it!! OOOOhhhh delicious ♡♡♡

The MAIN course my husband went with the Australian Wagyu Ribeye Filet and I opted for the Barrel-Cut Filet. This time, I had steak envy. It was both of our first trying the Wagyu and it spoiled us. I don't know if either one of us will ever be able to eat non Wagyu again. That much of a difference. If you haven't tried it, do. Treat yourself and Thank me with a heart on this review ♡♡♡

Finally the Dessert...get one for there, one for later that night and one for breakfast. Then you don't have to choose one, and you will be stuck between three. So...that's how we choose. We were kindly gifted with their flour-less chocolate cake which is not on the menu. It should be, though (hint-hint). We took the Chocolate Espresso Cake for later that evening and the Butter Pie for breakfast. The cake made it for two rounds- it's HUGE!! Decadent. Moist. Chocolatey balls- what a surprise. Out of this world!! The Butter Pie, oh my!! Always a fan favorite of ours. Home-made caramel and candied walnuts accompany this pie. It's great at your table right then, later on that evening or save it for breakfast...you won't go wrong with this gem!! The only one pictured is the flour-less chocolate cake.. No take home desserts lasted long enough for a picture, I do apologize ♡♡♡

Thank You Jeff Ruby, Matt, and all of The Rubies(team members) that make our experiences the best- yet, every...

Celebrating our anniversary here at The Precinct. It was our first time here. The waiter was patient and the service was first class. The ambiance was warm and inviting…rich. Now for the meal. My wife and I both started with a cocktail. I ordered an Eye of the Tiger. A Woodford Reserve styled treat that was fun to receive from the waiter. The drink is capped with a cork covering over the cocktail glass. When the waiter arrived with our drinks he informs me that the drink I ordered has an added smoky flavor and he dramatically pulls the cork cover off the cocktail, releasing a wisp of smoke. We laughed at the dramatic actions and enjoyed the wonderful aroma of the drink. We enjoyed our cocktails as our Freddie Salad arrived. A simple bacon topped salad that was absolutely perfect. Fresh greens and a very tasty dressing. They did not “skimp” on this salad either. It was a healthy serving that I very much appreciated. Next our dinner arrived. My wife and I both ordered the Filet Mignon. My wife added the extra mushrooms on as a topper. My side was a loaded baked potato and hers was the mashed potatoes. I am a middle aged man. I have had many steaks in my life. My all time favorite for many years was actually on a Princess Cruise Lines ship during a cruise to Alaska. The steak was also a filet mignon on this cruise. This cruise steak held the title for the best steak for almost a decade now. Until this past week at Jeff Ruby’s Precinct. The title has changed. I have never in my life tasted a steak so perfect. The flavors are indescribable. The texture …perfection. I ordered a medium cooked steak. Perfectly cooked. Jeff Rubys steaks are the best. Period. To cap off the night the waiter had asked what brought us to the restaurant that night. We explain it was our anniversary. Unknowingly to us as we had finished our meal, he brings a plate with a beautiful desert on it, capped with a candle and says happy anniversary. It was a very classy gesture. The desert? Butter Pie. I had never heard of such a desert. We happily grabbed our forks and proceeded to try the treat. I was floored. It was exquisite. The caramel sauce, the pecans ! Absolutely mouth watering euphoria. Lastly, and most important of all in my opinion, never did we feel like we needed to “hurry”. I never once got the impression or feeling like they needed to “flip the table”. The waiter asked if we’d like another cocktail. He asked if we’d like an after dinner cappuccino or coffee. It was all paced perfectly. It’s called a culinary experience…it is, it was....