Biagio’s Bistro
308 Ludlow Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45220
Biagio’s Bistro Menu
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Address :
308 Ludlow Ave
Cincinnati, OH, 45220 - Phone (513) 861-4777
- Website https://www.biagiosbistro.net/29801.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Validated
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Brian M.
Went here last night with some friends for dinner. We tried the Bruschetta and Spinach and Artichoke Dip, both of which were good. I ordered one of my favorite pasta dishes, Fettuccine Alfredo, which was rich and creamy. This also came with a nice little side salad. Biago's really lost points in my book based on the fact that we had ordered a carafe of the house wine for the table (pretty good deal at $23), but we did not receive it until our entrees came out.
(3)Joe G.
I am anxious to try this place again, because I think they can do better. I went here with co-workers for a weekday lunch though it seems like they are better suited for dinner crowd. Frankly, I'm surprised they are open during lunch hours as everything points to only being open for dinner. For example, there was no lunch menu, just standard dinner menu (with standard dinner prices). Would much prefer an abbreviated menu. I ordered the Caesar Salad and was very underwhelmed. It was drenched in caesar dressing, making it so salty it was very unappetizing. Also, not much in the way of toppings (croutons, etc.) The price wasn't too bad for an entre dinner salad ($9), but still was disappointed in the meal. Lastly, I was pretty unimpressed with the staff. For the first half hour, we were the only table and for the second half hour there was only two other tables - and yet our waiter stopped by rarely. He would stop by and wouldn't see him again for 20 minutes. Getting the checks was a 20 minute ordeal.
(2)David B.
First of all to all the negative reviews, these people must not have ever eaten at Biaggio's at any time that I was there. The reason for stating this I've been there hundreds of times and have never been disappointed, and I don't consider myself lucky. My go to at Biaggio's is to start off with Bruschetta. Now I'll be honest if you are scared of garlic do not attempt this appetizer. If you do you should be all up in it. Secondly I personally love the Tomato-Basil soup, it is on the sweet side but I like it like that. To each his own. I usually ask what the special is or I'll go with the Bascioli (I know I spelled that wrong). If you like deserts go for it there's plenty to choose from. I enjoy the creme brûlée. Listen folks this is not American Italian ie. Olive Garden, fazolis or even Carrabos(I like actually like Carrabos)this is Biaggio's. Biaggio is from Italy and this is what they make where HE is from. Try it out, hopefully your there the same day I am so you get a great meal.
(5)Jill C.
I have walked past this place about 873 times in the past few years while living in Clifton, and didn't stop in for dinner, until a friend suggested it, and then I was there again a month later! What a great option on Ludlow! I've had sandwiches, pasta, and soup and all were good-the pastas have probably been my favorite. Portions are sizable, but not overwhelming and not paltry. All were prepared with great care. The tomato soup was good, but didn't change my life. What I think sells me on this place is the ambiance. The bistro/cafe ambiance with dim lighting keeps this place great for a quiet dinner. This can be hard to find in Clifton. There's one or two seating areas for larger parties which can be boisterous, but there's also more intimate tables on the right side. If the delicious food and ambiance were not enough, the element that set (both of my) visits over the top was the service. The servers demonstrated great consideration and intuition while I was there, having lengthy conversations with my companions, we were not interrupted, not pestered when we hadn't opened the menu for the first thirty minutes after sitting down while we caught up over drinks. And, as the conversation continued, we were not brought the check to push us out while we sat and talked after our meal. Great option for lunch or dinner, catching up with a friend, or a date!
(5)Stephanie K.
Everything about this place was a miss. I haven't had a meal in a restaurant where everything was just pretty terrible in a long time. The bread brought out to our table had been presliced awhile ago and was not warmed so it had this really blah dry stale quality about it. I also found a hair on my first slice. *Gag* The tomato basil soup was overly sweetened. I couldn't finish it, but it helped to have this around to dip the cold stale bread into. My pasta dish was an enormous portion. It, like everything else, was unfortunately not very good. The meat sauce had absolutely nothing going for it. The peas had a freezer bite texture to them. I tried a bite of my husband's Italian sub and it was just fine, but again not that great and very very forgettable. I'm not sure what the prices are about. $17 for a very blah plate of pasta? $9 for a sub you could find at a pizza shop for comperable quality? Yup. Not coming back.
(1)David R.
I love to dine at Biagio's. Biagio, the proprietor, always greets me when I come in and also personally prepares the entrees. The food is always fresh and delicious.
(5)Matt B.
I feel compelled to add a review here to offer a counterpoint to the negative reviews that have been left, because this truly is a great little gem of a restaurant. I have never had less than an excellent meal here, and every single friend I have referred has come back raving about the experience. The pasta dishes are fantastic and flavorful (the person who posted that they were "bland" must have been spending too much time at chains like Maggianos, where every dish is over salted) with generous portions and a salad or soup included in the price. I love the pesto pasta with chicken, but have also had several specials (including the Lasagna) that were extraordinary. I've never had a problem with special orders and -- in fact -- have received several dishes not on the menu just by describing what I wanted and letting Biaggio take care of the rest. Plus, the tomato soup is some of the best I've ever had. The actual place itself is functional and clean, with a cafe vibe. The wait staff is mostly college kids (shock -- you're right next to UC) so the level of help can be hit or miss depending on the night, but you expect that eating so close to campus. Having said that, I've never received "bad" service. Ignore the middling reviews, this is the best kept secret in Cincinnati.
(5)Ginny W.
A group of friends stopped after a movie. My girlfriend was raving about it, so I was psyched. The ambience was nice. The waitress was efficient but humorless. There was a small basket of thinly sliced Italian bread with a bit of butter on the table -- nothing special. The house salad was dissappointing; the vinaigrette was sharp with no trace of good olive oil flavor. It had about 1/4 cup of sliced olives on top, which I guess would make most people happy. I ordered chicken scalloppini that was generous with capers. The homemade pasta was long past aldente and there was no particular flavor other than garlic and salt. I won't be back.
(2)Raquel W.
This was our first time here! We were visiting the Children's hospital and wanted to try a local spot for lunch. I had the chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, which was delicious! The croissant was flaky on the outside and soft in the middle. The chicken salad has the perfect amount of mayo and the grapes added a sweet taste. My husband had the fettuccine alfredo, which was garlicky, but we love garlic. Nice and creamy, but short noodles. Everything is cooked right in the dining area (off to the side like a bar) which was a great feature. Friendly staff and prompt! If we didn't live so far away, we would come back often. Oh, it was very clean and well organized bi did not check out the restrooms or else I would give 5 stars.
(4)Caitlin M.
I've lived on Ludlow for over a year and always wanted to try this place. Boy have I been missing out! This is a cute little bistro right at the corner of Ludlow and Clifton. I went for lunch and decided to follow my fellow Yelp reviewers' advise and try the Tomato Basil Soup. It's as amazing as everyone says! The small bowl is $4 and perfect to pair with a 1/2 salad. I had more then enough food for a grand total of $9 and was totally satisfied. Great service, great food, great area. Try this place out!
(4)Mary N.
Pasta is always deliciously fresh and dessert never disappoints. Will continue to come here time after time.
(5)Kathy P.
My husband and I love Biagio's. The aroma, walking in, says it all. Great food, cozy neighborhood atmosphere....so Clifton! Like tomato soup? Always delicious.
(5)julesmary p.
I'm going to go with NO. Chef was yelling & swearing at the staff when we came in. Uncool and very unprofessional. I thought it was a joke and we were on that terrible show, "What would you do?" Really who behaves like that? He also berated the staff when they reported to him a customer special request (ie extra spinach) What a loser, really. If you can't take the heat... It doesn't matter if the food was good or not. The guy's behavior was too much acid, not enough balance.
(2)Aubrey J.
We loved everything about our evening here. My husband had been years ago and last night was my first time. We will most certainly be back in the near future. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was nice, and the food was amazing. I tried the fillet special with risotto and my husband had a chicken pasta. Both meals were absolutely delicious. (Including our bruschetta appetizer). We are fans and will bring others there!
(5)Casey M.
Best keep secret of Cincinnati! Iv never had good that good until his place plus it didn't break the bank. We always had bag up half the good the portions were so great!
(5)Julianna R.
Coming from an Italian background (my Mom was born and raised in Rome, Italy), I was expecting a lot more from Biagio's food-wise. That being said, it was still one of the more authentic Italian restaurants in the area. I had tomato basil soup (delicious), bruschetta (so-so) and the Greek Salad (good, but nothing special). The service was left to be desired. I didn't have a very respectful waiter and unfortunately, he overcharged me close to ten dollars! Kind of a big mistake to make. I might go back, might not.
(3)Monica W.
Such a cute restaurant. My friend and I came here for dinner one night on a whim. Biagio's is so quant and casual the restaurant is cozy and semi dim lit. The food is all prepared right in front of you which is pretty cool for a small Italian restaurant. My friend and I ordered the same thing Penne Boscaiola and I had wedding soup with my meal and she had a house salad. My wedding soup was good but I've had better, I tried some of my friends salad and it was pretty good for a semi basic salad. For our Penne Boscaiola's they were amazing! Great flavors and amount of food. My only dislike was that there was a little too much sauce for the amount of pasta that was given. The menu was very moderately priced and our service was great. I will definitely be back here again.
(4)Christi D.
Delicious! I had the special which was seared ahi tuna and risotto. The tuna was great, but the risotto was amazing. It was made with a very interesting and delightful combo of walnuts, dried cherries and cheese. I also had the house salad with my meal, it was just okay. But one of my friends got the tomato basil soup and raved about it. Great wine selection, great service and a crazy selection of desserts. A nice cozy spot that I'll definitely come back to.
(4)R. K.
We stopped in for a slice of the Banana Cream Pie that we had heard was excellent. Wow!!! Good stuff. I really wasn't expecting it to be covered in a thin layer of dark chocolate, but it was the perfect balance of sliced and perfectly ripened bananas, banana custard and topped with chocolate goodness! Can't wait to return so I can enjoy an entire meal.
(5)Alexzandra R.
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Biagio's. I lived on Ludlow for a few years in college and used to have many lunch dates and anniversary dinners here. As others have mentioned, Biagio is the atmosphere, the owner, the chef, the namesake...and the Vespa owner (if you ever see it parked out front). Biagio is jovial and is often seen talking with customers as he cooks. He even once sent over free dessert when my (now) husband took me there for an anniversary. Tucked in the eclectic gaslight district, the location is fantastic, right across from the Clifton firehouse. The interior decor isn't trying too hard at all, with the vast majority of the decoration being wine bottles and dim lamps. I have always had good luck with the food, but my favorite meal is getting the tomato basil soup with a Greek salad. The soup is out of this world, a bit sweet for some, but I think it has a wonderful depth of flavor. I have also heard that the sandwiches are a great choice, and they come with a side of soup or salad for dinner. Then dessert, this is what dreams are made of! I generally order a cannoli, my favorite dessert. The filling and shell are both always flavorful and very fresh. The tiramisu is beautiful and my husband claims that Biagio's tiramisu is one of the best he has ever had. Last time we ordered it, I couldn't even snap a picture before it was completely consumed. Even though I don't live in Clifton anymore, Biagio's is still a favorite. Try it-But don't expect your typical chain Italian flare. This feels so much more like home, just the way Italian food is meant to be!
(5)Robert W.
Unbelievable desserts, great pastas and salads, perfect ambiance. My favorite Italian in Cincinnati.
(5)Jesse F.
Biagio's is easily one of the best Italian places in Cincy. I've been eating there for years and have never had a bad experience. Their artichoke dip excellent and better than any chain will ever serve. I also like the bruschetta. Their pesto, alfredo, and lasagna are all excellent. I've also tried all of their sandwiches at lunch time and found them all to be very good - the chicken salad is probably my favorite. Their deserts make me hungry just thinking about them. Every restaurant has some chocolate thing, some apple thing and some cheesecake thing. Biagio's has excellent versions of all of that, plus a lot more. We usually will skip other restaurants' desserts and drive to Biagio's instead. Their banana cream pie is to die for. Not to mention their peanut butter cake, tiramisu and oreo pie. The wait staff is different from your standard "I've gone through training to learn service standards" crowd. If you like the cookie-cutter, mass produced service and food, maybe Biagio's isn't your thing. But if you want something unique and tasty, try it sometime. Biago (the owner) is almost always there and he obviously takes pride in his work.
(5)Michelle Y.
I have been to this restaurant twice- the first time I was on a first date (which ended up being the only date), and I remember the food being delicious, but too distracted to be able to recount the details. The second time, I went with my mom, and I remember every wonderful aspect of it. The restaurant is very quaint and nothing fancy- paper napkins, small little tables, and the chef cooks everything on some burners that are right there in the dining room. None of this stuff bothers me. In fact, I am willing to sacrifice fanfare and cloth napkins for real homemade food ANY day. The complimentary bread and butter is simple and delicious, as are the salads (I finished every last bite of mine). The second time there I ordered the special, which was a seared ahi tuna steak over a asparagus and sun-dried tomato risotto with a shitake mushroom sauce. It was simply DIVINE and the reason I have chosen to write this 5 star review. It is quite possibly the best meal I have ever eaten, and I savored every moment of it. I also got the tirimisu, which was phenomenal, and for which I will definitely go back. All that being said, I would definitely suggest this place. It saddens me that so many people have left negative reviews because, in my opinion, Biagio's just really doesn't fit that ticket. If you decide to come, make sure to leave room for dessert!!!
(5)Conor B.
I got trapped into eating here two months ago, and against my better judgement I went along. I have lived in clifton/ludlow for 5 years, and have heard nothing but bad things from locals. First major annoyance: the waitstaff. They are not rude, but seem in another place. They did not know specific information about the dishes being offered, and would show up at opportune times to change plates. They did not change our silverware after our salads, but instead placed them on our side plates. There was one fellow in particular, who swept by our table every three minutes to interrupt us and move things around. Again, they were not rude, but were all over us the entire time, distracting us from our conversation. Second annoyance: The food. I had a Caesar salad to start; it was fine, albeit bland. I had some sort of tomato-meat pasta for my main: the noodles were soggy and over cooked and the sauce was relatively flavorless. My friend ordered the Pesto Pasta which was using overcooked noodles again, and was excessively greasy. I might be willing to overlook the blandness of my main course if it hadn't cost me upwards of 17$. My suspicion is that this place takes advantage of the captive weekend ludlow "tourist" crowd (who I have no problem with) who simply want a nice dinner before their movie. My recommendation? Go around the corner to La Poste, and spend your 17$ on a truly good entree.
(1)Ann S.
I am saddened by all of the negative comments! My friend and I have been coming here for the past 6-7 years and we LOVE this quaint little restaurant! It is small, cute, and intimate. We have ALWAYS gotten very good service. The artichoke dip and pita, italian wedding soup, and banana creme pie are to die for. It is so much better than any Italian chain restaurant out there.
(4)Ginny W.
Okay, I'm not really sure what's wrong with everyone else who reviewed this restaurant (besides Lily D.), but Biagio's is by far the best Italian restaurant I've ever eaten at in this city. I'm from a long line of Italians, and their marinara sauce is absolutely divine. It's the closest thing you can get to Italy in Cincinnati. It tastes just like my grandmother's recipe straight from Sicily. I went to Biagio's for the first time last night, in celebration of my birthday. I ate lasagna, which was one of the chef's specials for the night. It was absolutely marvelous. One of the people I was with had the pesto pasta, which was equally delectable. I've heard the dessert was marvelous, but unfortunately we didn't get any. There was cake at home. I'm going to use that as my excuse to go back! I snuck a glimpse at the dessert case on the way out - the tiramisu looked to die for. It's my favorite dessert, and I definitely want to try it at Biagio's. The atmosphere at Biagio's is perfect for a small Italian restaurant. It's small, quaint and dimly lit. The only thing I would caution people about is that it may be a good idea to make a reservation if you're going on a Friday or Saturday night. We made a reservation, and I'm certainly glad we did because we chose from about four tables. Also, some of the tables are in a corner and are somewhat confined, so you may want to let them know when you make a reservation if you want a more spacious seat. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and the food was magnificent. I'm looking forward to returning soon and trying some desert!
(5)Sarah R.
A long time favorite - always an amazing meal. Dinner is always spectacular. Fresh pasta dishes cooked right in front of you (prepare to smell like garlic), and an amazing case of desserts. Finish up with a latte, and you've had a perfect meal. I love Biagio's because it is a little dark, a little cozy, and I never feel rushed. Sure, it's in an old gift shop, but that is the charm of Ludlow - really weird little buildings. Servings are large, and I find them to be priced fairly. The bread and butter is plain bread with salted butter - some people might want fancy bread and butter, but this is what you get in Italy, and I like it just fine. Some people have complained about having to go up to the dessert case to see what's there, but seriously - once you see it, how could you expect a waiter to do it justice in words? The dessert expedition is fun. I've celebrated most major events in my life at Biagio's - going to college, graduating college, countless Valentine's Days, my 30th birthday - and plan to continue! :-)
(5)Justine M.
If there's one thing I can tell you about Biagio's, it's the tomato basil soup is freaking fantastic. I could go there for the soup and be happy. Also, the cream puffs are top notch!
(3)Casey Y.
Average food, charming service (though our waiter's English wasn't too hot), and pretty high-priced. Probably won't be returning, but I recommend trying it at least once.
(3)Trisha K.
This place is wonderful! Everything I've ordered from Biagio's has been great! I love love love the tomato bisque soup and the bruschetta is amazing!! Everyone who works there is friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is small and cozy. The prices are VERY reasonable especially for the portion. My favorite thing is seeing the owner right up front cooking for all to see. SUPER PLACE!
(5)Sarah L.
I received a personal message on Facebook from Biagio's Bistro in response to my review of 08/04/10, and wanted to make sure that it got shared with the broader Yelp community, in the name of transparency. I stand by the review that I posted, which reflects an experience that I had at Biagio's in 2009. I do not know what to say to his charges that I did not order what I said I did (see below), unless I have provided incorrect names. I do not wish to get into the semantics of what a pasta with meat sauce is called, or what chicken with lemon sauce should be referred to as. One of the items was a special. And I feel that whatever Biagio has to say to me ought to be made available to all of you as well, since he seems keen to have his say in the matter, to the point of being self righteous and defensive. Has he responded to anyone else's critical remarks with a personalized (and rather accusatory) message? And just curious if this is generally a typical Yelp experience that I should be aware of, as a new user? ---- Hello Sarah.... We appreciate the amount of time and energy that you put into the review you placed on Yelp regarding Biagio's Bistro. Since we are an independently, family owned and operated business we take these types of comments very seriously.... As you might guess we were quite disturbed by your review given the fact that the food items you expressed you ordered and were served are not on our menu nor served in our bistro. "... The flavor of the chicken piccata lacked pizzaz and the chicken was overdone. The simple Itai benchmark of spaghetti with meatballs was flavorless and could have been from a can. If the pasta is fresh, they must be freezing it or something, because the texture was off. We ordered a fried appetizer that arrived soggy and cold. The tiramisu was pedestrian. None of the portions of what we ordered were generous, ....." I am not sure what you are trying to convey with the use of the letters "Itai" however, we do not serve chicken piccata, spaghettii & meatballs nor anything "fried". And, with all due respect, Our Tiramisu is anything but "pedestrian". It is made fresh with real cream, marscapone and other secret ingredients that give it the special taste, texture and flavor that people love. Additionally, your comment - "... None of the portions of what we ordered were generous..." is shocking as one of our biggest comments is that our portions are too large! Perhaps you were confused by the location of the restaurant you were dining in - as there is another restaurant on Ludlow that serves 'italian style" meals but clearly you did not eat those menu items in our restaurant. We are located at 308 Ludlow Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220. If you did in fact eat in our restaurant at some other time, and actually ate something we serve and still did not llike it, then that is your opinion and we can respect that. We simply ask that before you post a review against anyone that you have your facts straight. if you would like to discuss further, please feel free to call me. Regards, Biagio 513.861.4777
(2)Anpan W.
Classic Italian american fare. Our table enjoyed fettucini alfredo, chicken alfredo, penne boscaiola, chicken scallopini, and the steak special. The tomato basil soup was widely praised. The house salad was okay, neither good nor bad. Cocktails were great, and wine by the glass was good and a generous pour. Portions for entrees and soup were large. Bread and water service could have been a lot better.
(3)Melissa O.
I *love* this place. When I went to UC, it was always a treat to visit. The best pasta, alfredo & tiramisu I've had in the US. Great staff, great atmosphere. Whenever I'm back in Cincy, I try to stop by. Big fan.
(4)PJ L.
Went for lunch, and the place has a nice vibe. A little too much Sinatra, playing a little too loud in my opinion. Also, the ventilation could be better since the chef cooks the pasta dishes right in the front of the house. Tomato basil soup was fantastic, as was the Waldorf salad. Turkey reuben was just OK, but why barbeque sauce instead of thousand island? Will come back for dinner to try some pasta.
(3)Jessica L.
I've been here twice for lunch and am hesitant to go back. The waiter was not very friendly or welcoming. He didn't smile, didn't really look like he wanted to be there or to help us. I gave him the benefit of the doubt the first time i went, but when I went back the second time with my roommate she quickly noticed how "cold" the waiter was.. (same waiter, and i hadn't said a word about him to her prior to her comment). Food was good but not great. I love Italian food and also cook it often so I might have too high of standards.. but still, didn't think it was all that. The ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP is really good, TOMATO SOUP is good but a little too sweet for my liking (my roommate loved it though), and the chicken scallopini was good (but I liked it better when i added a sprinkle of salt, a splash of lemon, and a dash of red pepper flakes, but then again, I always add that to almost all pasta dishes i eat). The reviews seem to be really good for dinner in terms of service, so maybe I'll try it out one day. The food was good enough to go back, mostly because I haven't heard of any other Italian places that are better in Cincinnati, but if the same waiter has the same attitude the next time I go, there's no way I'll come back
(3)Lily D.
UM, HAVE YOU EVER HAD BANANA CREAM PIE BEFORE? OR APPLE PIE? ALL KINDS OF PIES? CREME BRULEE? not like this you haven't. Biagio is responsible for the best desserts I have ever eaten in my life, he is a magical man, and if his pies were available to me at all times I would weigh 600lb... I can imagine a scenario wherein I look like a beached whale.. and I am just yelling at servants to just bring me more pies. I think Biagio understands that this kind of situation could ensue if the world was granted unlimited access to his pies, that is why he ONLY sells by the slice. he knows.... Tomato soup, also amazing. Creamy and delicious- something special is going on here. The man has secrets. Had vegetable primavera which was pretty good, but really the desserts and the soup, as odd as that may sound, are the show-stoppers for me. I can not stress enough how good these desserts are. My roomate has gone in there and ordered three desserts at one time, frothed at the mouth, and devoured them all. Seriously, it happened. She is also a small girl. Thank you Biagio, I will come and get a slice of banana creme pie soon, that is my favorite. The place is small, little ambiance, but it can be cozy and I think a date here would be fine. Not so good for groups. Decent service, but honestly I just get the desserts to-go a lot. Reasonably priced, $5 for the desserts. bargain. P.S. I feel pretty certain that the lady who wrote the poor review about the tiramisu had some bad experience that made her embittered and unable to taste things. Tiramisu is totally gr8.
(5)Sean B.
It's been 2 years since I've been to Biagio's but I figured it was time to give it another shot. I entered with an open mind but I left with bad taste in my mouth. It pains me to say this - because I loathe big corporate chain restaurants (I'm looking at you, Lobster Garden) and I know people who love Biagio's - but places like Maggiano's beat the pants off of this dump in nearly every aspect. (1) Atmosphere. There is NONE. This is a converted Hallmark store that still maintains the pegboard walls where card displays used to hang. The ceilings are covered with water stains and mold. The "kitchen" is a glorified omelette station from a hotel buffet. Plates and silver are a mish-mash of cheap dimestore stuff, a lot of it seems swiped from the dining halls at UC. Wine glasses were dusty. Biago may be the atmosphere, but not when I've been there. Despite the small crowd, he never stopped by to say hi. (2) Food. There is so little attention to detail here that it is downright laughable. The difference between the "house" salad and the "Greek" salad? Feta cheese. Both are romaine, chopped tomatoes, and canned olives. What's in the Caesar you ask? Just romaine. The special I ordered was described as a grilled mahi-mahi over a Mediterranean pasta. The mahi was cooked properly, but it was a poor cut of fish with the skin left on. The Mediterranean pasta consisted of overcooked egg noodles mixed with the previously mentioned canned olives and tomatoes. I'm still trying to figure out how canned California olives translates to the Mediterranean. I was thinking at a bare minimum I'd be getting Kalamata. The overcooked egg noodles were also used in my wife's Chicken Fettucine Alfredo (not fettucine) and another pasta dish ordered by a friend. The chicken was reheated and overdone. None of these had any flavor to speak of. (3) Service. Friendly and attentive but ignorant of the menu and really no attention to detail. Instead of clearing our appetizer/salad plates and then bringing dinner, she scooted them over and served our entrees. When we asked about dessert, she told us we should walk up to the dessert case at the front of the restaurant and see what they had. If Biago's were a cafeteria, I would probably forgive many of its failings and appreciate the "eclectic Ludlow vibe." But at a cafeteria, I would be serving myself. At a cafeteria, I would expect the food to be overcooked and sitting around waiting to be reheated. Checking out the dessert case would seem like the perfectly reasonable thing to do. And it would all be fine, because I paid less than $10. But Biagio's is NOT a cafeteria. It's a sit-down restaurant where the average price for entrees is $17+. A dinner for two, with appetizer, drinks, and dessert is going to run you $60 before tip. That's highway robbery whether you've been to Italy or not. For the record, I've been to Italy 4 times. And unlike Biagio's, I'll go back.
(1)Barbara M.
OK Cincinnati, if you are looking for a truly great bowl of creamy, hearty, slightly sweet tomato soup, this is your place. The restaurant is homey, comfortable, nothing fussy or pretentious, what I would expect to find in Italy in any small village where folks gather for a leisurely meal. The desserts are yummy too!
(4)Ed H.
I have eaten here regularly for many years before a movie at the esquire. The tomato basil soup is the best I have ever had the salads are good. I usually don't get the pasta dishes because they are so large. But every thing is great and iagio's wine selections are fine.
(4)Will S.
First of all, to people that knock Biagio's for not being fancy enough, or for lacking in the decor department, are sadly missing the point. If you want that vibe then go join the cliche lines at Maggiano's or Buca di Beppo. For those that can appreciate the eclectic Ludlow vibe (and have ever been to Italy) - then you're in on the secret that is Biagio's. Forget about ambience - the owner, Biagio, IS the ambience. He ribs with guests, cooks in front of everyone and makes you feel like you have a new, portly Italian uncle. You leave drenched in the smell of garlic, and for some reason, love it. For those knocking Biagio as a chef, they have yet to find the gems on the menu. While italian is the front, Biagio's real skills are in the non-traditional menu items. The chicken salad is indescribably good, especially on a croissant. His hummus and artichoke dip (no spinach here) are killer starters. If you must go with pasta, the Veggie Pasta (add chicken, I know, defeats the purpose), is great. All the pasta is homemade, by the way. Don't forget to end the meal with a plate of Biagio's Balls - homemade bavarian cream puffs. Sounds vulgar, but they're damn good!
(4)Angela B.
Biagio's Bistro is a wonderful little Italian restaurant on Ludlow. I constantly have a hankering for Biagio's homemade tomato bisque and warm bread during the chilly season. The restaurant offers lunch, dinner, and a dangerous desert menu. For the typical hungry college student, this is the perfect place to take a date for a romantic relaxed dinner while staying close to Clifton. Many of the menu items are great for sharing, such as the freshly tossed pasta dishes that are prepared for all to see. During dinner, you may choose from the usual wine list and finish off the evening with the exciting chocolate covered cream puffs, yum!
(4)Christoffer M.
I had a fantastic date here (at least until an Ingmar Bergman movie that was quite depressing (well, that's a rather redundant clause) torpedoed it), so my memory couldn't really be better. Since a fine film actually brought the romance down, I suppose you could credit Biagio for being an ideal date spot. And really, it is. Soft ambience, pleasant food (we only had dessert, which we ordered by saying "2nd from the right on the top shelf" without looking at the display counter), dim lighting, quiet noise level. It doesn't push itself into the foreground, so you can just relate. If you're looking to share an amazing experience with that special someone, you won't find it here. If you're looking for an intimate setting so you can share time with that amazing someone, this is a good place for it. And make sure to order dessert blindly, though I have to note you'd be stealing a page out of my book. A page that didn't even work.
(4)Braden P.
Great service and the food was fantastic. This is the second time that I have eaten here and it was as good as I remembered it. The staff was on top of it.
(4)Rich U.
This was our first time eating there, We believe it is the best Italian food we have had in Cincinnati. The tomato basil soup is the best I have ever had The artichoke dip was divine, and since we were not completely famished they gladly divided our one order of the special which was shrimp and salmon pasta which was delicious! A bottle of Bollini Trentino Pinot Grigio 2009 paired quite nicely with all the food. Our only sad note was that we did not have room for desert. The service was wonderfully pleasant and she had excellent suggestions. I am surprised by some of the harsh reviews of here, and like one of those reviewers I too to go back to Italy and the rest of Europe quite often, and unlike them I will be coming back to this wonderful restaurant again and again.
(4)Patrick B.
Biagio's Bistro is an average Italian restaurant located near the University of Cincinnati. The interior is nice and upscale, with soft music playing in the background. The waitress we had was very nice and helpful. The menu at lunch does not have a wide variety of selections. While you're ordering, they bring you a basket of bread and butter. The bread tastes very good. I ended up ordering a plate of chicken fettuccine alfredo. The plate was huge! It was a massive serving which wound up being a little too much for lunch. It was just okay. I found it to be a little bland and boring personally. It was very average. I ended up not finishing the plate and as a result, I was too full to have any dessert, which was too bad, as the desserts in the window looked delicious. Note: You pay for your meal at the counter on the way out, which I find strange for an upscale restaurant. Overall, if you're looking for good Italian food in Cincinnati, there are probably better places than this, although I can't recommend any because I'm from Cleveland and have only been in Cincinnati for a day.
(3)