John L.
Yelp
If you're planning a trip to Cincinnati, please treat yourself to Jeff Ruby's! Reserve early, they were booked online a couple of months in advance. I called in a month before our trip and was able to have them squeeze us in for an early 4:30 Saturday dinner.
The inside was immaculate. We had a great time at the bar area before dinner service. Loved the library nook, the piano bar, stained glass skylights, mural, chandeliers and the view of the sushi bar. The bar servers were busy prepping, but were attentive and quick with our drinks. The whiskey list was full of good reliable selections. I enjoyed an O.K.I. Single Barrel Jeff Ruby Selection. (Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana) It was a nice start to a great evening.
We eventually got the call to be seated and met our server Syd. What a great man. Friendly, attentive, passionate about his job and great to my kid.
The menu was loaded with great choices. We ended up ordering the Beef Carpaccio - $30 Anchovy Aioli, Capers, Arugula and Shaved Parmesan for an app. It was a big portion. Melt in your mouth, thin sliced, tender beef with a great balance of flavors.
For Dinner I highly recommend the Australian Wagyu Ribeye Cap - 10oz. Margaret River Beef. I wasn't in the mood for a huge steak but wanted the flavor, didn't want a filet, but wanted the tenderness. I wanted the seasoning to stand out without crowning the meat (although the Burrow Creole Crawfish sauce sounds delicious). What a home run of a steak. Flavorful, tender, seasoned just right and the slight crispiness on the outside just completed it.
It was tough to choose a steak, but Syd was 100% on point with this recommendation. My pal had the same and was equally impressed. My son had a Petite Filet Mignon - 8oz Center-Cut and devoured it.
For sides the Spicy Vodka Gnocchi - Blue Crab, Shrimp, Fines Herbes, Shaved Parmesan was ridiculous. I was hesitant because Gnocchi's are heavy, but the mix Crab, Shrimp and Gnocchi helped make it lighter and the flavors/spicy bite were off the hook. My son wanted their Tater Tots - Tuffle Aioli, Parmesan, Chives. He was in heaven and the portion was sharable.
You couldn't fit dessert in us after that meal! Although truth be told we walked quite a bit and had Graeter's Ice Cream upon my sons request.
Food check, service check, ambiance check.
Thank you to everyone at Jeff Ruby's for a stellar experience!!