This meal was outstanding. I rarely leave reviews but I felt compelled to do so. The jays were winning too so that may have helped. Wild mushrooms with the filet was done to perfection. The shrimp and maple bourbon bacon Brussels sprouts made this meal...over the top. Amazing service at the bar, wait staff are fantasticMore
Few restraunteurs offer the level of guest service and food that the Castillo Family and Prime Cincinnati Team do. We celebrated the New Year with a stellar dinner, drinks, live music, and exquisite service. If you haven't had the opportunity to join them yet for...dinner don't wait -Prime Cincinnati DOES IT RIGHT from ensuring diners have the safest dining environment to serving the city's best filet to offering service that will have you going back again and again!More
I have dined here 8-10 times for both private and business dinners, but tonight was the first time since just before COVID hit. Their sides and service have been pretty consistently solid in my opinion although it's been fairly evident when a server is new...and/or not at the top of their game. Importantly, I feel that even during those times the staff has been trying hard and overall very good. We prefer real people over the plastic drones some restaurants train and the staff has been one of the main reasons we return. The steaks have turned out to be too hit or miss unfortunately. We have dined in nearly every steak house in Cincinnati and some several times and have done so in the multiple cities we've lived in and countless cities we've traveled to. Lucky us for sure and we have little to complain about in life. The point is to let you know we know steak and what constitutes a good one, excellent one, and what simply cannot pass as prime, truly dry-aged, rare plus, medium rare, or medium. Prime has been the only restaurant at this level or near it ("below" or "above") where I've sent steaks back due to being over cooked (significantly) three times now. Yes, I know I probably shouldn't have returned after the first two times but this meal wqs an invitation from someone else. The first two times, probably between 2-3 years ago both steaks were replaced and done appropriately. This time I can't help but feel I was either just in a luck of the draw situation or that perhaps someone was not too pleased with my returning my steak. Please know this is something I can recall doing approximately only six times in the last 25 years, not because I have only had six inappropriately cooked steaks in that time but because I hate sending anything back and so usually just deal with it despite the cost. The third time here will be the last. Although they fired another steak for me, it wasn't ready until everyone else at the table was done eating. Further, it was done nearly perfectly. Problem now was that it was a very substandard cut of steak full of gristle. I could eat about 20% of it, and I was working at it because I didn't want to hold up my business colleagues, show that I'm leaving nearly a whole second steak on my plate, or give them the impression I'm "that guy" who can't be pleased. This steak was supposedly a dry-aged $84 Kansas City Strip. It was unacceptable and I can't imagine the chef didn't know it. I've had far better steak at hotel banquet meals for less than half the cost and my 13-year old son would likely have known the steak wasn't a good one to grill had he seen it raw. Unfortunately we have been to Prime for the last time. Go for the drinks or go for the sides or go for the good staff but don't waste your money on the steak when there are so many better choices, including those even less expensive.More
I ordered the 6 oz filet with the crab oscar enhancement. I don't know whether it was the hollandaise or the steak but the salt was overwhelming to the point of being almost inedible (I couldn't eat the asparagus because of the salt and I...didn't eat the top of the filet for the same reason). The lobster bisque was just ok, not great. My tablemates got the goat cheese which came with an overwhelming amount of marinara. In fact, they said that it shouldn't be called a goat cheese appetizer, it should be called a marinara sauce appetizer with a little goat cheese and bread. While eating, a woman with tattered clothing and reeking of cigarettes came to our table to ask for money. This was able to occur because there was not someone monitoring the front door. The music from the bar was fun, but extremely loud which made dinner conversation difficult at best. The wine was very good. The creme brulee was the worst I've ever had. The sugar is not supposed to be burnt.More
We are very happy to pay when we receive an exceptional meal. However, the food was not exceptional, particularly when a $55 filet had to be returned to the kitchen because it was not prepared as ordered. In addition, the atmosphere was uncomfortable due to...the unnecessarily loud music in the bar area.More
Upon arriving at the time of our reservation, on the evening of the Billy Joel concert, we were greeted by Nelson Castillo. We were quickly seated and found everything about the restaurant to be perfect! Great drinks, great appetizers, great food! Great atmosphere and live...music. I apologize for not remembering the name of our server from Alabama. He was excellent! His assistant was equally as good. Look forward to returning again for a fun weekend! Thank you!More
We have been here before and enjoyed the experience. This time on August 28 at 8:45 pm, it was very different. We made a CLEARLY covid conscience reservation for a late evening outdoor seating. Evidently, the seating policy changed that afternoon. We were not notified...there would be no outdoor seating for the evening. They had our information and chose not to use it. When we arrived the host was rude, degrading, and dismissing in his explanation. Thank you Nada for taking us in for a last minute, GREAT, FUN, SAFE evening out under the stars.More
We knew this place was expensive going in, but husband wanted steak. What can I say, he’s a Texan. We were staying at a nearby hotel and this was a block away. Boy, it was even pricier than I thought it would be! It was...more expensive than some of the fine dining steak houses in Texas. Everything is also ala carte. We arrived with just a few people in the restaurant and a couple of tables seated outside. We asked to sit outside IF it was non-smoking because it was such a beautiful day. The hostess took a while to find out, but came back to seat us. As we were led outside, there was a party with a guy smoking a cigar. I asked the hostess about it, she said she would tell the manager. The manager came out to discuss with the man and the man stopped smoking. Our server team were Jerry and Summer. We started with Amaretto Sour $10 and Lemon Bullet $14 cocktail. The Amaretto sour was the best one I have ever had. Hubby got Wedge side salad $8, a 12 oz. Filet Mignon $68 and baked potato $14 . I had crab cakes $18 and parmesan risotto $16. The crab cake was moist inside with a crispy crust. Very nice. The risotto was VERY parmesan forward. It came in a huge bowl that could have fed a table of 4. I think there was WAY too much parmesan and it overtook the balance of flavor. It was just okay to me, hubby thought it was fine. I would give it a 6.5. His filet mignon was perfectly cooked and he ate everything on his plate. The lemon bullet did not skimp on alcohol and was stronger than we both like. We’re not really drinkers, so this might be perfect for others. The service was good. Summer and Jerry were solicitous and attentive without being obtrusive. They checked in with us to make sure everything was okay. Our bill was $160 before tip. Even though pricey, it was mostly delicious.More
My wife and I ate at Prime Cincinnati June 20, 2021 for our anniversary and it was amazing. The staff was fantastic and the food was to die for. I got a New York Strip and it was just wonderful. My wife and I shared...the Parmesan Risotto and I can only say “oh my God”. The staff was great and super friendly. We had a reservation for bar seating, and when we left we saw there were plenty of tables open. I only wish they would have seated us at a table when we arrived and not at the bar. With that said our reservation was for the bar and I do not hold it against the team at Prime Cincinnati. I highly highly recommend Prime Cincinnati to anyone looking for an amazing steak and great service!!!!More
Had a great ambience with great servers and hosts. We spend our Thanksgiving dinner here with family of 5 (2 adults and 3 kids). We had a great time and food tastes wonderful. It was really festive atmosphere.
I’ll start with the hostess, not to be harsh was less than welcoming. It was more of a “just sit here” attitude. But, we weren’t going to let her spoil the excitement of our 14 year old’s long wait of trying a Wagyu steak for...the first time. The hostess was soon forgotten when a ray of sunshine named Julie came to our table. Not only was she kind and welcoming, her knowledge was outstanding. Helping us navigate the menu to produce the perfect meal from start to finish! We started with the prosciutto wrapped scallops and calamari...delish. Cesar salad was perhaps the best I’ve ever had. Now for the main.. 6 oz Wagyu fillet was like butter! My self and husband had the 6oz blackened fillets which were amazing. Pan seared wild mushrooms and fries ( 14 year old remember 🙃) were delish! To end the dinner we went with the Godiva Crème Brûlée which almost topped the whole dinner it was moorish. You know, when you take a bite and look at each other like you’ve just discovered something forbidden ... THAT GOOD! Finished with an Irish coffee that warmed us for a stroll ( waddle) around fountain square. I would be amiss not to mention the decor ... it was like a winter wonderland... Thanks again to Julie and Jacob ( whom never let our glasses go empty or a empty plate sit. Ps. Thanks for not making a big deal when our son knocked a glass of water over! 🤣 Cheers to you all.More
We arrived in Cincinnati early evening Prime was one of several restaurants across from where we were staying. They allowed us to sit outside- the other restaurant that we walked to first said they wouldn’t allow us outside because they thought it would rain ,...so fortunately for us , Prime had no issues about the rain and we sat outside- It didn’t rain til 3 hours later- well after our fabulous Delmonico and Filet Minon ! The service was excellent and larger portioned!More
I selected this restaurant as they had outdoor dining; however, after discussing their dine-in policies, I decided it was safe inside. First, you sanitize your hands when you walk in. Tables are about 10 feet apart with fresh linens. Staff wear masks. One person serves...another removes. And I wanted to be inside because they have live music every Wednesday and Thursday night! Even when they took a break, the Pandora playlist was enjoyable with an 80s variety to put a smile on your face. And finally, the food was abundant and delicious. You pack up your own left-overs and it still tastes good the next day. The only item we didn't like was vanilla ice cream. They buy local from Loveland -- need to upgrade to Graeters!More
We ordered take-home today and it was great. The food was well packaged and even "presented". Ordered online for curbside pick-up and even with 25 minute drive home the food was still hot, tasty, and satisfing. Glad to enjoy this wonderful food during these unusual...times.More
Arwa and Jack took great care of us! Really a difficult choice of what to order, since the menu was interesting and unique. Great steaks, wonderful seafood. Every bite was a pleasure!
