We had the five-course chef tasting with wine pairing last night. Every dish was absolutely delicious, well-seasoned, and paired perfectly with the wine. Visiting from Boston, we had gone to Orchid's the night before, which had disappointed us about Cincinnati dining scene. La Poste restored our hope. Scallops were perfectly cooked, and the bread pudding was just out of this world! Highly recommend! Ask for Cody who was our waiter. He was wonderful!
(5)
juan p.
The place is noisy and usually very crowded during the weekends, that you have to go outside couple of times to catch a breath. Can't have a conversation without kind of yelling. The wine list is good to average. The food is good and basic....nothing special or spectacular, as reflected in the menu prices. Always crowded because of the price, mainly, not because of the food ( typical of Cincinnati crowds). The service is good, perhaps the best the restaurant has to offer. Parking is a hazard. Make it two and a half stars.
(2)
Brian C.
We loved it! Great food, great atmosphere, friendly and prompt service. We were treated to dinner by Paolo from the awesome jewelry boutique just down the street...Thank you Paolo and thank you team at La Poste Eatery; we can't wait until our next visit.
(5)
Troy M.
Okay, I'm not giving them 5 stars just because they're my buds, but because they rock. My wife and I just went in for a late night (for us with kids late is 9pm) drink and some dessert. Dave's bread pudding is out of this world, and my standards for bread pudding are high because I make a mean one myself. That aside it was creamy, sweet, wonderful. Love what they did with the place, lighting from Switch Lighting and Design hanging over the bar, your welcome brother in law for the plug. Love the charm of the dining room and the wine room is like dying and going to heaven. 5 stars indeed.
(5)
Angie M.
UC parents!! This is your place!! Just a couple minutes from campus but so classic! Delicious, unique menu that makes you feel like you are in a 5 star restaurant instead of a college campus!! Locals!! Perfect couple with an Esquire movie! Dinner and movie or movie and nightcap! Staff and management are soo accommodating! Beer, wine, cocktails, and food that are beyond expectations!
(5)
Mark K.
I love the ambiance, smart and bright but not pretentious at all. The food was fantastic with just a few tweaks and adjustments it would be perfect. I think they need to update their website because the menu is different. I have been there for both lunch and dinner and my wife and I feel that we would go back again with friends.
(4)
Magda C.
Just came back from a lovely lovely dinner at this charming place just off Ludlow Ave. What a treat! The service was excellent. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff, they highlighted some signature dishes and I was really happy with the recommendations. The interior is very pleasant, looks very elegant and yet it was a very relaxed dinner. All the dishes were presented beautifully. We enjoyed a leek-goat cheese flatbread with asparagus as a starter, what an opening! Very thin crunchy crust and creamy leek puree with freckles of fluffy goat cheese, plus the asparagus was not overgrilled and was still very tender! The complimentary Sixteen Bricks baguette with balsamic olive made our wait for the main courses easy and the reduced balsamic was really good, sweet dark goodness. Per recommendation, I tried the signature wild mushroom ravioli and it was fabulous. It looked and tasted amazing, I liked the shape of the ravioli (opened envelope), the thin dough and the creamy sauce made the modest-looking portion surprisingly filling. My husband's well done burger was great too, not an easy task to make a juicy well done patty, but it worked! The truffled fries accompanied the dish and the Sixteen Bricks challah bun was a very appreciated perk :) Grand finale: bread pudding with ice cream. Rich and delicious. Wonderful!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
I went here for my birthday, and it was a pretty cool place. It has a very nice ambiance, and a good amount of natural light. The food at La Poste is also quite good, I got the skin-on chicken, and I enjoyed it, especially with the corn.Overall, it's a pretty nice place, nothing too special, but still a pleasant experience.
(4)
Zack F.
I've been here a bunch and am surprised I failed to review it. It has a great atmosphere inside and a wonderful street presence. I particularly like the warm, soft light, soothing decor and huge windows. The seating is comfortable and stylish as well. You can really relax and enjoy a long meal and a good conversation over wine. They make excellent drinks for a small bar. They have a good selection of alcohol and take it seriously. Their wine menu has a good selection of quality wine for any taste. When I've come with larger groups, the service was impeccable, helpful, and cheerful. I've always loved my food and no matter who I take or how much we order, it all seems to disappear. I will say the pomme frites are a huge favorite and if you order some for the table, get more than one. It will be gone fast. I particularly like when they have live music and you can make a nice evening of it, and draw out the experience. It's expensive. There aren't a TON of vegetarian options, but the vegetarians who've dined with me have always left happy. Parking can be a bit tricky, but they do have valet available. If they had more or better vegetarian options that weren't simply pizza or mushroom ravioli, they would earn another star.
(4)
Amar K.
Nom nom nom...it was delicious!!! Like a small bistro but still very tasty. Small space and intimate, reminds me of the place I proposed to my wife in! Would definitely come here again.
(4)
Kim Y.
This was the only fancy meal i had in Cinncinati and it was the best. The escargot was served Shell's and the sauce on it was buttery delicious. I had the duck entree and it was melt in your mouth.
(5)
Holly M.
Finally. I moved to Cincinnati almost two years ago and will admit to having been largely disappointed in either the scope, types or levels of services offered in the Queen City. I've lived in, worked, and visited a lot of places both domestically and internationally, and have enjoyed growing accustomed to great services and access to quality goods. Kudos, Cincinnati, on being home to a place where those things meet: La Poste. What a gem. I'm lucky enough to live in the Gaslight District so I can walk to La Poste, but it's dangerous being in such close proximity to this level of deliciousness. Yes, I said deliciousness. The only thing that made the unhappy the last time I visited was the slightly-changed menu. (I'd grown to love your duck, La Poste, and change is difficult. It is, however, also an opportunity for growth, which is why I'm delighted to get to know your (new) mushroom ravioli better.) The food is stellar, as is the service, and after one visit you'll never be sure which one you're going back for. But you'll be back, and that much is a certainty.
(5)
Jessi G.
This place is as good as it gets. If you're looking for a nice dinner, somewhere to impress a date or your parents or to have a great birthday dinner at, then look no farther than this gem in Clifton. I made a reservation on Open Table (very convenient) and included in the comments that we were celebrating my fiance's birthday. They called me the day of to confirm and to ask if we were still celebrating a birthday. I said yes, and I knew they were going to do something extra special. When you walk into La Poste Eatery, first off, the decor is just beautiful. It's extremely classy, but still modern and fresh. I love the artwork on the wall, and that wine room....Please just lock me in the wine room forever. I could live in there, seriously. Our server was extremely nice, and offered up a few suggestions for dinner. I ordered the Malbec with the burger, and my fiance got a Dogfish head 60 minute beer (he's not a wine drinker) with the steak frites. It took us a little while to all get our food, but we had free bread and drinks so we were ok. This is not the kind of place where you rush through dinner (There were people to the left of us who took what must have been a three hour dinner...We're not that leisurely, but you get the idea). When the burger came out, I was salivating. It smelled sooo good, and it did not disappoint. It was extremely juicy and the bun was a little sweet, and honestly I have no complaints. The fries were amazing, and they make their own ketchup. Can you beat that?? I don't think so. My date loved his steak, which was served with a delicious sauce and cooked perfectly. We were so full, I don't think we would have ordered dessert, but then they brought out a complimentary bread pudding with ice cream (and a cute candle for him to blow out) for my fiance's birthday. Thank god we did not pass up on the bread pudding! It was incredible, and definitely lived up to the hype on Yelp...Plus it was served with Graeter's vanilla bean. They were so nice to give us a free dessert for his birthday...We will definitely be coming back here when we have something to celebrate! Until then, I will be dreaming of that burger...
(5)
Lia V.
I absolutely adore La Poste. Conveniently located off of Ludlow, this adorable chic restaurant provides comfort and class. The bar is quite small, which is where I always prefer to sit, but there are plenty of tables and booths. They even have a private area for a large group. The service is excellent. The staff is very knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list.The wine! Great wine list :-) The food is always delicious. The only thing I'd say is their mushroom ravioli pasta dough needs to be rolled out thinner and it wouldn't hurt to have a drizzle of truffle oil on there ;-) I've never been disappointed with a visit here. It's a perfect pick for any occasion, even just enjoying a glass of wine and an appetizer while you're in the area.
(4)
Esther K.
Hamburger was great. Duck fat fries were AWESOME. A bit pricy for a burger and fries but was delicious!
(4)
Mike H.
Angela and the rest of the crew at La Poste always blow everything out of the water, amazing food each and every time
(5)
Mike P.
The food was decent. I ordered a burger and it came out cooked as ordered but seemed to lack seasoning. Still a good burger though. The service was also decent but didn't blow me away. Overall I felt the menu was overpriced and the vibe was a little stuffy.
(3)
Joel B.
Went here about a week ago for a semi-special occasion with my family: Great ambience, though it gets loud with the tables so close together, it feels very "homey" while also upscale and welcoming. The weight staff is both professional and friendly, without being "hovery". The complimentary 16 bricks bread is great (as their bread always is), with some delicious olive oil pairing as well. The food was delicious, my little sister got a burger that was a little undercooked for her liking (she asked for medium well, got medium rare [I take this as a good thing since the meat was great]), but every aspect of it was quality. My mother and I each got the risotto, I added chicken to mine. That is honestly one of the richest dishes I've ever tasted, completely over the top decadent, and completely delicious. The serving of chicken was sizable, and worked very well with dish as a whole. The only knock on this place? The cost. It was, in my opinion, much too expensive for what we got. Even though the food was high quality, I have a hard time justifying that kind of cost, The side salads are expensive, the dishes themselves come with very little in the way of accompaniments, and the portions aren't particularly sizable - though I would say they're adequate. All in all La Poste is a great location, if you can afford it, or you have a special event. But I still don't feel comfortable at this price range.
(4)
Amanda T.
This place had been given very high reviews by my friends so we decided to check it out. I was so happy with everything about this place! The only downside was the price, but it was so worth it! Service- The service was wonderful! Our water glasses were never empty. They brought out the food at appropriate time intervals. They had great wine and food suggestions. They were all nice and presentable. Environment- We went on a Monday night with a large group. They were very accommodating. We were able to make a reservation. We did not have to wait when we got there, probably because it was a weekday. They take your coats and hang them up for you. It is a romantic setting with dim lighting. I would dress a bit nicer if you are going to come here. It's not someplace I would stop in wearing scrubs or jeans. Food- ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! You cannot go wrong with food orders here. I had the risotto and it was a pretty big serving. I cannot even describe how delicious it was; you should go to at least try the risotto. My friends who had the burger loved it. All of the food was delicious. Even their bread was yummy with an amazing olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dip it in. My mouth is watering just thinking about their food. This restaurant is a hidden gem. I am guessing it gets pretty busy on the weekends. I would definitely go back. Just thinking about their food, I am going to find some friends and go back. It was that good!
(5)
Robin L.
Such a lovely little gem tucked into a sides street off Ludlow. I've had two dinners there in different seasons. The menu changes accordingly and always offers a nice selection of seasonally appropriate seafood, vegetarian, pasta and meat dishes. A couple of items are perennials, like the TO DIE FOR mushroom ravioli and steak frites. The salads are some of the best I've ever had. Three days later I'm still dreaming of the frisse salad topped with pancetta and a poached egg. It's a cozy place but somehow keeps the noise level manageable for easily heard dinner conversation. Very worth the valet cost or parking struggles. So check it out!
(5)
Alyssa F.
We came here on a very snowy day for a double date with my parents before a film at the Esquire. There was a band playing but we were worried about it being loud and they were going to seat us right next to them so we asked if any other tables were available and the hostess was more than accommodating. We ended up sitting in the "wine room" which was very intimate with just a few tables in there. Our server was really nice, as we were sort of slow in getting settled and actually taking a look at the menu. Menu-wise, there were several things I wanted to try but I narrowed it down to the salad with prosciutto and the mushroom ravioli. I split the salad with my date and they split it in the kitchen for us and it was presented beautifully and was soooo delicious. I loved the mushroom ravioli as well, and the portions were really good- sometimes I worry that I'll leave hungry at french restaurants. I also had a creme brulee that was huge and delicious. One other note was that their wine list is really great- lots of bottle in varying price points. We had a great cabernet from Paso Robles for about $30. They also offer several half bottles if you just want a couple of glasses. Overall I was really impressed with La Poste. I was kind of expecting something a bit stuffy and I came away feeling like it's a really nice refreshing take on french cuisine.
(4)
Mike M.
Fresh, unique and wonderful service. I am so glad my wife and I tried it tonight. The mushroom ravioli was creamy, the chicken with corn salsa and grilled avocado was delicious, and the bread pudding is to die for!
(5)
Monika N.
I have dined at La Poste twice now and both times left with a very happy and full belly. My first experience at La Poste was a couple years ago when we decided to check it out after a wine tasting. Both the food and the wine selection stick out in my mind even though it was two years ago! I love the atmosphere - formal but not fancy. I would feel comfortable in a nice black dress or in jeans and a nice sweater. The thing that made me come back was our experience with the somm, who listened to what we liked in wine, suggested a few bottles, and didn't scoff when the first bottle he suggested was above our price range. Fast forward two years and the food is still excellent. The menu regularly changes and I was bummed that they were out of ravioli this time - but no one at the table was disappointed with their meal. And since it was my birthday we decided to order dessert - equally non-disappointing. So if you're looking for a great date spot or just a fun night out with friends - check out La Poste!
(5)
Tina E.
Had a great pre-race dinner on Saturday night. The lamb special was outstanding. The burger was one of the juiciest and appropriately-cooked we've ever had. The ravioli and pappardelle (sp?) were very tasty as well. The bread pudding for dessert was simply awesome. Joe and Angela stopped by, recommended some great wine, and treated us like royalty. Just a great experience.
(5)
Jordan T.
I am giving them a four because of inconsistent meals and poor cocktail choices. If you go to this place, go during the week and get wine. When to go: Being a former kitchen work horse/cook, when venturing into a new restaurant, try to go during the week if possible. The staff is more relaxed and has more time to prepare and execute each menu item to its truest potential. This is so true with my experiences at La Poste. The staff seems scattered during the weekend, but poised during the week. Last year I had the best meal I've ever had in Cincinnati. I can recall every item I happily devoured. The staff during the week was attentive and spot on. They turned an ordinary winter night into an extraordinary memorable evening that is seared into my memory like the sensual steak special that I go the pleasure to enjoy. Everything about this restaurant has the potential and can be exquisite; from the table cloth and napkins, to the wine list, to the service, to the food. This place can deliver the full package. Go on a Wednesday night when they have intimate live jazz and you can't lose.
(4)
Linda Lee P.
Very charming restaurant. Food was tasty and cooked well. Nice atmosphere. Good wine. Nothing stood out as amazing, but it was good. I would definitely go back if we were in the neighborhood.
(3)
Fabian S.
We spent the evening with three couples. After we got seated it took about 25 minutes to get something to drink. How ever they were out of the sparkling wine my wife wanted to drink (#1). Most of the food was very good except for the muscles I ate. When we tried to order a bottle of sparkling water they were out (#2). We order a nice bottle of Cabernet but when we tried to order a second bottle of the same wine they were out (#3). After dinner we went to the bar and our friend order a captain and coke but they were out of captain (#4). In general I can say the restaurant has a great atmosphere but the staff is very mediocre!
(2)
Aaron H.
I ate lunch at this restaurant today and it was a very pleasant experience. I thought that the soft music and contemporary interior design made for a very comfortable environment. I ordered the reuben which was $11. It was DELICIOUS. Best restaurant in Clifton hands down. I'll definitely be returning soon.
(5)
Becky P.
Our service was so bad. Nice people, but it took FOREVER to place orders and receive food. I got a salmon dish--the flavor combination tasted incredibly strange to me. My dining companions also all had mediocre meals. The restaurant is definitely a bit outdated--nothing trendy or intimate about it.
La Poste came well recommended so on my last night in Cincinnati I tried it out. The artwork on exhibit was very nice, the wine room was nicely put together and the menu (especially the dessert menu) held many interesting possibilities. I very much enjoyed the burger, not something I usually order, but it sounded good and it was exceptional. I could have skipped the fries, they were not worth eating - so I didn't. The seasonal salad was fabulous and a great balance for the burger. One of my friends had the salmon - it was quite tasty. All of the presentation was very lovely. I can rarely resist creme brulee, and La Poste's was among the best. The hint of orange and the apples and walnuts on top made it absolutely memorable... I saved the beignets for breakfast. As to the service, it was disappointing to say the least. Unless I really needed their creme brulee, I would not return. There are great salads and exceptional burgers at other establishments where the staff is more ready to provide a relaxed and delightful experience. (Note: The waiter argued with me about how I wanted my burger prepared, neglected to mention that the burger came with a salad when I ordered a salad, didn't offer the dessert menu and we had to wait for him for about 10 minutes when we had finished eating and then call out to him to get his attention. There were 3 other tables with a total of 7 people in addition to our table of 3, and at least 3 staff in addition to the hostess. No excuse.)
(2)
Tricia D.
Dear La Poste, You had me at hello. Such a cute restaurant that used to be a post office! Extra cute points for having the napkins folded into the shape of envelopes. The menu is not too overwhelming choice-wise, and from what I could observe, the dishes are done right and really prepared with love and care. My beef short ribs were tender, flavorful, and really hit the spot! It was accompanied by kale, veal sweetbreads, and mushrooms. All great flavors. C enjoyed her risotto too. Service was stellar, and if I ever visit Queen City again, I'm coming back! Love, T-Girl P.S. Warm and fuzzies for this meal! Not only did I enjoy the best meal of the visit to Cincinnati weekend with my bff, but Graeter's was right across the street! Convenient, right?
(5)
Melissa C.
I came to La Poste after searching for a top notch restaurant to blow my corporate card while I was here on business from NYC. I'm happy to report that La Poste surpassed my expectations and will be a staple if I ever come back to Cincy. First off, the service was amongst the best I've ever experienced. Our server was very informative, friendly, and conversational. My companion and I had a very long dinner here and we were never pressured to hurry up. She even helped us order a cab when we were trying to get home later in the night. The food.. the dishes were excellent; crab cake was meaty, mussels were succulent, duck risotto had a lovely savory flavor, and the truffle fries were great to munch on beforehand. I will say my fish was over-salted in some parts, however, it was nonetheless tasty and creative. I highly recommend La Poste if you want an elevated dining experience in Cincy. Will not disappoint those looking for good food, good conversation, and great service along the way.
(4)
Zach B.
Ate here for the first time last night (8/29/2014). Absolutely incredible food and atmosphere. It's now on my top 5 places to eat in Cincinnati. Starters: scallops, finocchiona salad Main: pork medallions with apple cabbage slaw, steak frites
(5)
Santeri P.
My wife and I came here for dinner one evening and to listen to some music played by the Faux Frenchmen, a wonderful acoustic gypsy jazz band. La Poste has a somewhat trendy upscale atmosphere with a menu and wine list to match. We were in the mood for something simple to eat and we both ordered the burger and a glass of wine. This is one of the best burgers I have ever eaten based purely on the meat. It is a mixture of grass fed lamb and beef and the flavor is incredible. You can taste the lamb but it is not overpowering (I wouldn't mind if it was because I love lamb). Other than that it is a simple burger with roasted tomato, ketchup, and Swiss cheese. Every bite I took convinced me that this combination of meat was ideal for a delicious burger. Although they have a lovely menu with lots of other delicious sounding items I would be tempted to return just for the burger. The setting was intimate as the space is not too big or so small that it feels cramped. The music volume was perfect with the acoustic band so that we could still have a conversation or listen to the music. When we finished our meal we ordered another glass of wine so that we could digest our food and continue to enjoy what ended up being a nice romantic evening. I would definitely return (especially when the Faux Frenchmen are playing) and enjoy the wonderful food and atmosphere again. The restaurant is located just off Ludlow in Clifton so either before or after one could easily walk around and do some shopping or catch a movie at the Esquire Theatre.
(4)
David W.
Great food and service. What more needs to be said.
(5)
MaryLiz S.
There was valet parking for $7. We took them up on their offer, since we were from out of town and had no idea where to park. The Yelp reviews said, "dressy," but we fit in just fine wearing business casual. Hubby was wearing clean, new black jeans. Some other patrons were wearing nice T-shirts. We had arrived a little after 6, and the place was still relatively quiet. As the other diners arrived, the place never got very noisy, even though the restaurant consists of one very large room with a high ceiling. There were oil paintings lined up along the walls, the work of a single artist. One of our group theorized that the display changes periodically. They didn't give us a basket of bread. Instead we had little crostini with some chopped cucumber to spoon over the top. Our waiter asked if we wanted sparkling water. Sure! Pellegrino. Very nice. They have a full bar and a list of interesting wines. Maybe there are longer lists, but these were well chosen. I'm no wine snob, but I'm learning by hanging out with my in-laws. We also received a nice little handbill of wine tasting events hosted by this restaurant. Other diners changed glasses with each type of wine and drink they were sampling. I guess if you know how to appreciate fine wine, this is a great place. And now for dinner... I had an awesome "Apple Salad," with crisp head lettuce wedges, tiny diced apples, creamy gorgonzola dressing and very flavorful bacon crumbles. Hubby had the salmon special -- cooked to perfection, just to the point of turning opaque and still very creamy. I had the trout, on a bed of asparagus couscous. Caramelized very nicely! For dessert, bread pudding, creme brulee, and chocolate mouse tart. Mmmm. We sampled each others' choices. We had been listening to an eclectic mix of recorded music that included reggae and jazz, but then about the time we ordered dessert, a small jazz combo began to serenade us. Enjoyable! The waiters and other staff were very friendly, and we felt very relaxed. We always had what we needed at our table, and never had to wait for someone to show up.
(5)
Elaine W.
I knew I would love this place. I knew it. My friend told me to get the scallops (appetizer), and they were the tenderest scallops I've ever had. It was like eating jello. I never craved scallops before. Now I only crave LA POSTE scallops. Dinner mate ordered the Opera Salad (sweetbreads... whew, not for me), and enjoyed it. Yeah, we didn't think to split anything. It was go all out or go home. For entrees, my friend got the Lobster Bouillabaise, and I got the Tanglewood Farm Chicken. Mistake. It was good, but I've had much better free range chicken. I've noticed that at almost every nice restaurant in Cincinnati the waitress's favorite entree is the chicken. Lesson: Don't listen to the waitress and get the chicken unless you absolutely love chicken. Apparently they are known for their white chocolate bread pudding. I swore off sweets that day (atypical), but that could not prevent me from stealing two luxurious spoonfuls of that stuff (typical). So. Good. This is one those places where the setting is so beautiful you are tempted to order wine. But unlike some of the new places downtown, it's more presentation than pretension, and the service is top-notch. Weirdly out of place in Clifton, but hey every neighborhood deserves a stellar restaurant.
(4)
Jen H.
We love eating here not just because of the amazing food and drink, but the atmosphere makes us feel like we took a mini trip to Paris. We love the windows. The dishes are fresh and the use of local ingredients makes a difference. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Logan E.
This place is so good that it inspired me to write my very first Yelp review ever. I was looking for a place to grab a quick bite after my girlfriend got off of work, and I decided to look up restaurants. I had seen La Poste before, but had never gone in. Well, we decided to check it out on a whim. We had some kind of pear wrapped in proscuitto for an appetizer. I wouldn't have expected a pear wrapped in meat to be quite so wonderful, but it seriously was first class. In my culinarily unimaginative mind, I had expected to get some kind of salad with chopped pear in it, so I was surprised when it was a whole pear. But this is why I'm not a chef and whomever was cooking that food is. Because it was great. The waitress was very friendly and on top of things. I never felt ignored, and she definitely didn't hover. She told us about the specials, and we got a lovely ribeye with bernaise on it, over some mashed potatoes with some kind of glaze on it, with that over little mushrooms, with that over asparagus. It was pretty much the best. And I had read on here to try the white chocolate bread pudding, which was exquisite. Anyways, what I thought was going to be a quick bite turned into a long, relaxing meal and an altogether wonderful time. So, anyways, I can't cook, but I can eat. And I was so glad I ate at La Poste. I'll be back with a quickness.
(5)
Jill C.
When I told a friend I was going, he advised, "I hope you have a Groupon." Even better, it was a business dinner. Myself, and three relative strangers opted for the Chef's Tasting (which, isn't listed on the menu) so we had: Heart of Palm Salad, Scallop, Mushroom Ravioli, Butcher's Cut, and choice of dessert. What a way to experience this place! The food was great-I could have licked the bowl from the ravioli. If I were to go back, I would certainly order it as my entree. The NY Strip was cooked rare, and delicious. Their bread pudding is what they're known for, but I opted for a NY style cheesecake with pistachio crust and blueberry topping. There isn't anything I wouldn't have again, but the ravioli, o my words it was great! Our service was phenomenal. At one point, after not being able to make a decision our server came back for what was probably the 8th time, and we had still not decided, and he said with a smile, "it's fine; I'm a waiter, my job is to wait." He then later suggested the tasting which was spot on. Everyone was friendly and accommodating. There isn't anything more I would have expected. On the logistics: the chef's tasting had to be done by the table, not the individual so it's pretty miraculous that three people with whom I had never dined all ate the same thing. I did not pick up the bill, but I have a feeling it was ~$50/person. If you're interested, ask. Our waiter also mentioned that you can substitute any of the courses. They do offer valet parking ($7) right out front. Your other options are the streets of Clifton, or the lot off of Howell with steps up to the plaza/Ludlow.
(5)
Jim K.
We have dined with LaPoste several times and always take guest. Could not think of one thing that was not tops. Love this place and the service is OUTSTANDING The Kincaid"s West Chester
(5)
Michael A.
Girlfriend and I had plans to have dinner at another restaurant. When I went to pick her up she suggested we go to La Poste based on a recommendation from a friend. I am not spontaneous and like plans, but I am trying to be more open to things. I said, "sure, let's go to La Poste." They tried to seat us at one of those tables where you and your date sit across from another, and then there are two of the same tables right next to yours. I have no idea why people enjoy this kind of setup. I demurred, there was more commotion than I would have liked, but the hostess agreed to give us a table for four. In sum, the ambience is okay, but the place gets crowded later on. The food is excellent quality, the wine list is more than satisfactory, but at the end I felt like I paid three times what I should have to enjoy a good meal. Don't get me wrong, if La Poste is your cup of tea, I would say it is a great choice. Will I go back? Not unless I have to.
(2)
Cindy G.
La Poste, La Poste, La Poste...I don't really know where to start with you. You are an overflowing bucket of awesomeness. Here we go... ATMOSPHERE: La Poste just on concept alone is successful. Some restaurants try to do themes and the execution falls short with tacky decor, or confusing ideas. La Poste is simple, and the theme of the former post office runs effortlessly throughout the space. The atmosphere is dim lit, romantic, soft and beautiful. (We sat in a princess booth, a tall wing backed booth that was just stunning) WINE: I don't normally mention wine, but we didn't select our wine here. The absolutely wonderful sommelier did. I didn't catch his name but I'm pretty sure this dude's famous, cuz he's amazing! He selected a less pricier version of our favorite red that tasted almost identical, paired better with the food, and was very light and drinkable. Delicious! FOOD: My tummy is full just thinking of this night. We had a table of four, and I thought I knew what I wanted until the server came over and described the specials for the night, then everything went out the window! There was too much deliciousness to be decided, we just choose to order basically one of everything and split. They were nice enough to break it down into courses for us. Everything that came out was almost to beautiful to eat...almost. Things that stuck out to me, the frites with black garlic truffle NOM, were the table favorite. Potato soup was well seasoned and flavorful, mussels had a nice broth and were cooked evenly. DESSERT: I do not usually order dessert. I hate chocolate (GASP!) I know, but they had carrot cake, and a girl can never turn down anything with cream cheese icing, my god, that's a sin. A delicious sin indeed! The amaretto cheesecake was also one of the most delicious desserts I have had in a long time. Not overly sweet, but perfectly balanced. I wasn't expecting this for some reason. This little unassuming restaurant tucked away in the gaslight district is a contender people. Do not miss out on the wonderful culinary artistry, and delicious wine here. Not to mention the service, between every meal we got a new set of plates, silverware, and our wine was always filled to the brim. If I could give 10 stars for service I would. An effortlessly perfect night at La Poste. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Julia N.
We love LaPoste and are glad to have a quality restaurant we can walk to in Clifton. Good is always good, craft cocktails are excellent - and we love Nikki the bartender! Wait staff is knowledgeable.
(4)
Steve D.
Terrific upscale bistro in the Gaslight District, the only real fine dining establishment near the university and particularly out of step in the Gaslight district, an area where Shiva couldn't swing an arm without hitting a curry joint. Thoughtful seasonal menu, extremely attentive service, and creative wine list with surprising, excellent choices. Only two minor flaws: Numerous reviews have complained about portion sizes. My dish (a lamb shank over creamy polenta) was more than ample, but my wife's scallop and butternut squash risotto portion was small. Odd that one of us would leave the restaurant stuffed and the other was hungry enough to make popcorn the moment we got home. My lamb was perfectly cooked but under-seasoned, to the point that I found myself looking for a salt shaker. Also odd, especially with a slow-braised dish such as this. Still, I'm looking forward to coming back often. The chef and sommelier are both worth getting to know much better!
(4)
Josh D.
We were at the Esquire Theater and decided to get a bite to eat after the movie. Saw this next to where we were parked and thought the menu looked awesome. We didn't have a reservation but they accommodated us anyway on a high top. Kind of neat sitting side by side rather than across from my wife...just a little different. My wife had fresh mushroom ravioli and I had the 8oz burger. Both meals were amazing, if we had our full appetites on some of their specials and the tasting menu looked fabulous. Definitely going to go back! Great service, perfect food!
(5)
Paige M.
A visit during lunch provided a portion smaller than desired, and while I was satiated, I left feeling hungry for more. La Poste is a classy eatery tucked away on a side street near Graeters. I ordered a gourmet grilled cheese that was packed full of vegetables. The sandwich was cooked to perfection with gooey cheddar and hearty veg, I felt like it should have came with more, especially for the price. A dainty salad had arrived as an appetizer, but still, I was hungry. La Poste is a great place to go for a business lunch where you are not looking to stuff yourself. If you are starving, note that the portions are not platter-sized and you may need to order a few things to fill up. I'd be willing to give La Poste another try, but perhaps during a lunch where I'm not desperately starving this time. Price per person: $15.00
(3)
Peg M.
I've been looking forward to dining at La Poste since ownership changed a couple years ago, and I have to say my expectations were very high. And they were well met! Food, service and wine were all incredible. Elegant without being stuffy, personal and attentive: we are vegetarians and there were several options on the menu, plus it stimulated a delightful conversation with our server. All in all, a great evening and fine value.
(5)
Michael C.
Was able to get a table after the movie around the corner....well worth trying! The small plates are terrific. Had the scallops with goetta (go figure?)! My wife had the mussels. An Argentinian Malbec was a great addition! Put La Poste on your list!
(5)
Jessica N.
I live in the area and this place is always packed in the evenings, which is really great for the Clifton Gaslight. The wait staff and sommeliers really know their stuff and won't lead you in the wrong direction when you want a good wine to pair with your food or vice versa. Don't shy away from La Poste if you don't have much wine knowledge; it's a welcoming environment for the novice as well as the experienced wine drinker and/or foodie. The staff is also really great and attentive. Definitely worth the trip for lunch or dinner. I also want to mention the interior of the place. The restaurant is based off of the french post office, and the interior plays off of this with the colors of blue and yellow, simple flower arrangements, and cloth napkins folded like envelopes. The art on display in the restaurant is always rotating as well. These things make the dining experience even more memorable!
(5)
Jessica S.
It took me far too long to give La Poste a try, but I'm so thankful I finally have! Located where Tinks once was, just around the corner from Graeters and Sitwells on Ludlow in Clifton, La Poste is a small eatery that does not disappoint. Though I saw there were no reservations after 5:30pm on opentable, I decided to call and they were able to find me a reservation at 7:30pm that night. We arrived and the place was already bustling with happy patrons. We were promptly seated in the wine room, which is usually used for parties but is intelligently utilized on Friday and Saturday nights to accommodate for more people. I enjoyed sharing the pommes frites (man, I feel French just *typing* that!) with everyone at my table, and my rabbit risotto was absolutely stellar! We shared a bottle of red, and after my mother raved about it to the waiter he gave us a card with the name of the wine written on it. I thought that was a great touch. The only reasons why La Poste doesn't get a fifth star from me is because of our waiter. He definitely won us over in the end by giving us the card with the wine information on it, but throughout the night he was extremely nervous and completely incapable of hiding whatever anxiety he had. He stuttered even though he was reading the specials directly from a piece of paper in his hands! He also took our pommes frites off of our table when there were still some left; he didn't ask if we were done... and I really wished we could have finished our appetizer because they were so yummy! Oh, well. I'll definitely, definitely be back to La Poste... I just hope I get a more confident waiter or waitress!
(4)
Mike C.
I've heard great things about this La Poste and was finally able to try it with a date. PARKING: I don't really go out in Clifton much, but it seems like parking is never easy. La Poste is off on a side street and there seemed to be a lot of cars already on the street so it might be hard to self park. I valeted, and it was nice because at the end of dinner, our waiter took our ticket and when we walked out of the restaurant my car was there waiting for me. ATMOSPHERE: Very nice ambience and decor. Feel very warm and homey. Not a very big space at all. Not loud at all and very easy to have a conversation. SERVICE: Our waiter was awesome. He had a very good knowledge of the menu and his recommendations were great. He earned the 25-30% tip that I gave him. Plates were cleared and wine and water glasses refilled in a timely fashion. There was another person at a table behind us that was sitting on a window edge talking to the diners behind us and at one point I reached back and hit her. It was almost like she was on top of us. Our waiter saw that and apologized after she left. Then when we had finished our wine, he poured each of us another glass to apologize for the intrusion. FOOD: Great food. Really not a bad dish. For appetizers, we had mussels and escargot. Muscles were good. The broth didn't seem like your typical white wine. Escargot came out of the shell in some kind of cream sauce. The sauce was ridiculously good. I guess that's why it came with a lot of pieces of bread to dip and sop up the sauce. Our waiter said his favorite thing on the menu was the duck, which we had. I agreed with him. It was very good, well balanced, good texture with some little fried parts to give it crunch and some cherry for sweetness too. The lamb shank wasn't bad, similar to what I've had at other places, and I really haven't been a huge fan of anywhere. They also have an extensive wine menu and a sommelier available. OVERALL: Definitely a new fan. I'd say one of the top 10 restaurants I've been to in town. Maybe a little pricey, so it's not somewhere that you're gonna go every week.
(5)
Denver L.
I Love Love this place! My taste buds are still dancing from the rich flavorful meal. Beth and I were celebrating our 6 monthaversary and i can't think of a better that to have gone to. I wanted to do a chef tasting so we could try a little bit of what they had to offer. I threw Eric the wine guy a curve ball when i asked for an all white wine paring. Eric meet the challenge with enthusiasm and really made the meal POP! So we started off with a seared scallop, toast, Gorgonzola mouse, and a suvi egg. The scallop was done to perfection, and this was my first time getting anything suvi. Let me just say that i am looking for how to cook most my meals this way now, LOL! Next we had mushroom ravioli which was out of this world. The ravioli was out of this world! The sauce was rich and it was topped with a grilled mushroom. Being allergic to mushrooms after a few bites i gave the rest to Beth, who was more than thankful :) Our next course was Mahi with a beet puree. The asparagus was done to perfection. The citrus topping really complimented the Mahi well. The beet puree, well im just not a fan of beets, but it was ok. The Mahi was cooked a little overdone but by combining it with the beet puree it made it moist again. This was probably the dish i liked the least. After that we had Filet with a poblano mole and an avacado crab topping and grilled onion and carrots. The filet melted in your mouth, and was near heavenly. The Crab Avacado topping was excellent, and the grilled onion and carrots were nice as well. The poblano mole was a nice add on and gave it enough spice. Our final tasting was bread pudding and orange creme brulee. The bread pudding had a small serving of vanilla bean ice cream. The orange creme brulee had a light interior and a well carmelized top. I'm still having dreams of the bread pudding at night. This was an excellent ending to a fantastic meal. All in all we really enjoyed this place. Parking was valet and the attendant was fast and friendly. Eric was very knowledgeable about the wine and made some awesome pairings.
(5)
Denny C.
Cincinnati has some great restaurants, and although the city is not on America's culinary trail as yet, it will soon be a foodie destination. The lists of Cincinnati's best will usually have Boca, Jean-Robert's Table, Orchard's, Jeff Ruby's, Metropole, Salazar, Nicola's etc., but never have I noticed La Poste. This past two weeks I have dined twice at La Poste and both times had a fantastic dining experience. The room has the charm of a Parisian boîte and the good looking young staff greets you with a warm & welcoming smile. La Poste's wine list, separated by new world and old world selections, has hidden gems at all price points. Specials are recited by the well informed staff, and if the "catch of the day" doesn't meet the chef's approval, it is sent back to the purveyor with a firm "no thank you!" That's the sign of a good kitchen! I'll say this once; the Mushroom Ravioli is to die for! Okay, I'll say it twice, the Mushroom Ravioli is to die for. My short ribs with a horseradish cream sauce was scrumptious. Dessert's bread pudding with caramel was worth the extra hour at the gym the next day. For some odd reason, marketing is frowned upon in Cincinnati and many restaurants, bars, and nightspots become unknown hidden gems. That's cool in universally recognized cities like New York, San Francisco, London, Paris, and Buenos Aires. However, a city like Cincinnati, trying to tear off its atavistic cloak of conservative stodginess, needs to shout its "cool" to the heavens with the bellow of an ox. La Poste should be added to the top list of Cincinnati's restaurants and I'm delivering this message post haste: La Poste is great and the Mushroom Ravioli is to die for!
(5)
Ryan Z.
Hadn't been here in a while mainly due to my distaste for Clifton Gas Light's parking nightmare. This time, however, I trusted La Poste's valet to ease my worries. The process went flawlessly. Dinner was, for the most part, incredible. The PEI mussels were a generous serving and a nice touch to start. The waitress surprised us with a complimentary amuse bouche of chilled and diced root veggies on crackers. It was light and refreshing and so obviously farm fresh. The Caesar salad was the only real letdown. If you're going to charge $10+ for a starter salad, I'd hope it's good enough to justify the price. This one wasn't. It was the standard Caesar with two thin slices of anchovy adorning the top of the salad. Fortunately, the main dishes were spot-on incredible. We had a bottle of their recommended Shiraz - reasonably priced at around $60. Because of this slightly heavier red wine, we went with the duck breast and the lamb entrees. Both dishes were spectacular. I had a slight preference for the duck breast and particularly enjoyed the crispy hashbrown-esque side lying underneath the duck. Finally, I have to mention the bread pudding. I'm a huge sucker for bread pudding. If you haven't tried it, please try the white chocolate bread pudding at Bouchard's in Findlay Market. It's incredible. My only qualm with theirs is the lack of a topping sauce. I mention that because La Poste makes an equally good, albeit completely different, bread pudding and serves it with a mouthwatering sauce and two small scoops of vanilla ice cream. I just had to wipe the drool from my mouth just from thinking about this spectacular dessert!
(5)
Sally Y.
La Poste is great for dinner if you intend to go there for a nice, multiple course, sit down meal. It's not going to cut it if you just want to go there for a quick filling dinner. The quality of the food is fantastic. The wines are even better! You just have to keep in mind that the portions are meant for you to have an appetizer or two on top of your meal. If you go there hungry and don't think about that ahead of time, you'll probably leave hungry as some of my friends said when we left. Lastly, it is definitely on the pricier end. The service and quality is great, but maybe not a casual spot to go eat. It's definitely more of a date night locale.
(4)
Eunsol B.
Absolutely amazing!! The day I went was a buffet night! I had a luck to pay $20 and try delicious food as much as my stomach could hold. Apple pie was totally amazing. This place is the best dining place in Cincy.
(5)
Jen L.
Great location, knowledgeable wait staff and yummy food.. so a pretty good combination. Get the mushroom ravioli...it is absolutely delicious.
(4)
G M.
My wife and I were doing overnight in Cincinnati and found La Poste online. Made a late reservation and arrived about 9:30. The restaurant was still buzzing. We decided to share the lobster bouillabaisse and the mushroom ravioli. It had been several years sine my taste buds had danced like this. Our server was great, she knew when to stay and when to go. Although, the wine list seemed limited, we had a great bottle. Great experience and worth the 10 minute taxi ride from downtown.
(5)
Christopher C.
This review is based upon the overall experience that I imagine La Poste is attempting to create. So, it's a nitpicky review. Service Details: Overall, the service was well-coordinated and impressionable. Our server was attentive and not very annoying at all. Just the right amount of attention. Her tone of speech wavered between peppy and quasi-sexual or sultry (especially when she told us to "Enjoy" our main course). This, matched with her Hello Kitty watch, made her more personable and the overall experience more dynamic. But, the first twenty introductory minutes of dining here became a bit stulted when she expounded upon that day's specials and their prices, which I found a tad tacky. It's probably a requirement of the management for the servers to do so. My dinner partner called this listing of specials and prices a "ritual" of the service here at La Poste. We agreed that, for better ease into the dining experience, La Poste should set up a board listing the specials or, better yet, make an additional (or addition to the) menu. Also, I should add that the same backwaiter clumsily knocked into my chair three times. Drink Details: The wine list was short and navigable - not overwhelming. Is there a signature cocktail menu? Food Details: We started with the banana salad (name?). Excellent. The fried crust of the banana-croutons tasted like Franks Red Hot. Next came the pommes frites with black garlic aioli. The aioli was really great. Unfortunately, the pommes frites were all short in length, like we had been given the bottommost ones before they served a new batch. All of them were so small that they became stuck in the aioli repeatedly. The pommes frites + aioli would have been more enjoyable had the fries been longer. My dining partner ordered the flounder. She said it lacked any defining taste. For some reason, I had the La Poste Burger. I tend to order burgers at these posh restaurants after I've tried something else before, but I jumped to it this first visit. The roasted tomato was a nice touch and the meat itself was fine, but overall I found the burger to be pretty unimaginative. The bread was unenjoyably dry and crusty. It didn't come across that La Poste took pride in their signature burger. La Poste Online: Can you guys update the menu, please? Overall: The service was impressive. The atmosphere was enjoyable. The food was okay if not a little disappointing.
(3)
Caroline C.
So in exactly how many reviews am I going to have to admit that I'm a total francophile? Probably a few more than those in which I will admit that I love... the mail. Yes, the mail. Correspondence. I love it. And I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned that I love wine, right? Well... Francophilia + mail + wine = La Poste. And my love for La Poste doesn't stop there. The service is perfect. Flawless. Really. The timing was great, orders were placed in a synchronized fashion. Every detail was attended to. It was great. I can't say enough about the professional service. The food is great. I was dining with a group of pescetarians, and there were more than enough options for everyone to get what they wanted. Some of the highlights were the crab cake, scallops and the salmon dish. The ravioli is quite popular, but also quite rich. If you plan on order the ravioli, then maybe you want to forgo the salutation course. I'm a little upset that I didn't visit La Poste earlier. Definitely one of Cincinnati's must-try restaurant destinations.
(5)
Peter B.
What a difference 6 months make! I dined at La Poste on opening night and noted a number of deficiencies in the quality of the food and the level of service. I understand that it usually takes a month or two to work out the kinks in a new restaurant, so I fully intended to revisit this cozy neighborhood bistro near Clifton and Ludlow. True to my word, I walked back in to La Poste 6 months after the opening, and I am extremely glad I did. The bartender Suzie (late of Nada) was both pleasant and enthusiastic. A foodie herself, she was more than happy to talk at length about the Cincinnati dining community in general and La Poste specifically. In order to give the place a fair shake, I decided to try the 5 course tasting menu, providing me with a wide exposure to the chef's cooking technique. Note: at $50, this is probably one of the best gastronomic deals in the midwest! The chef started with a complimentary amuse bouche in the form of a roasted pepper hummus with fresh pita chips. A great start to meal full of flavor and good textures. The first course involved a scallop sauteed with bacon with spinach and Gorgonzola cheese. The flavors were well-developed and scallop perfectly cooked. Next up: a mushroom ravioli in a cream sauce. Simply put, this was a warm plate of love! I could have eaten 10 plates of that and still asked for more. A plate of grilled salmon followed. This was served over braised lentils and was accompanied by a fried polenta cake. While the fish was a bit undercooked for my taste, I appreciated how well the flavor of wood-grilled salmon contrasted with the lentils and polenta. A solid dish in summary. The star of the savory offerings was certainly the slow cooked veal short ribs with sweetbreads and currants. I can still taste the smooth and developed profile of meat. What a way to finish a tremendous progression. I would be remiss if I were to omit a description of the dessert, bread pudding with cherry and white chocolate. In a word: sublime. I MUST have that recipe! If you haven't given La Poste a try, you are missing one of the best culinary experiences in the Queen City. Make the effort and you will be rewarded with an outstanding meal!!
(4)
Kristan H.
We enjoyed our first experience at La Poste last year, but there was something subtle that made it even better this time around. Everything looked the same -- comfortably upscale decor, interesting art, cute postage-themed menu -- but all night we felt an extra spirit of joy infusing our experience. Slightly better service? Slightly better food? Maybe both. Maybe magic. I'm only half-kidding, because improving upon an already-great experience isn't easy to do. So kudos to the La Poste team. You'll be seeing us again soon, and more often.
(5)
Laura H.
A friend introduced me to this place and I am glad she did. It's subtle decor and laid back atmosphere set the tone for an enjoyable dinner. The waitress was very knowledgeable and spot on with service. We shared the crab cake and smoked mackerel and were pleased by both. Next came the gourmet burger and a side of fries. Very filling and both were delicious. I had to try dessert and ordered the bread pudding. It didn't stand a chance and I am still reminiscing about it. I would highly suggest you check this place out. It's not to be missed.
(4)
Alex S.
La Poste is a new restaurant where Tinks used to be, and where a post office was some time before that (hence the name). I was kind of hoping La Poste would offer a different sort of selection than Tink's somewhat overpriced but rather good food, but it's really the same kind of restaurant - that's not a bad thing, mind you, it's just not really a grand change. As you can tell from the name, La Poste has a postal theme to it, but only in small subtle ways. Things on the menu are adorably featured this way (instead of "appetizers" they serve "introductions") and the check comes in a tiny plastic envelope. However, that's where the post office theme stops. The rest of the place looks like your classic upscale eatery - beautiful art on the wall, long wooden bar as soon as you walk in. The real beauty of this place is it's gorgeous wine room, which houses hundreds of bottles in a controlled temperature. That was amazing to see - and it goes without saying that the wine selection is second to none. They also play some really great music, stuff like My Morning Jacket. That was a bit of a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Now the food? Ah, the food, here's where I come into my confusion. When the meal was great it was GREAT. Like the Chicken Fricassee, which was moist and flavorful and everything I wanted out of it. Oh my god. However, stuff like the house salad with pomegranate seeds and candied walnuts sounded amazing, but actually turned out to be just so-so. That was a little disappointing, but really, not enough to ruin the whole experience. Plus, I asked them to pair a wine with my meal and they choose a fantastic bottle, one I never would have choose myself! If you're not in the mood for something specific, I would certainly go that route. The prices are high but not unreasonably so. Actually, for a place this classy, I'd say they are right on. You're going to spend some money, but you could easily do double what you do here at other equally classy places around town. Easily. La Poste is not an everyday restaurant (which makes me really nervous for it's survival, since Clifton is an everyday eating kind of place and restaurants like this don't seem to do well) but for your special occasions and dining out treats, La Poste is a place to check out. I did and I am quite happy indeed.
(4)
Andrew N.
I'm writing this purely based on one lunch, so this will have to taken with a grain of salt. I think their dinner menu looks a lot more promising, but their lunch is also a pretty good deal considering how refined the meal was. It's $9 for a main, $12 for a starter and main, and $14 for a 3 course lunch. Me and my friend got the salad of the day to start, which had dried strawberries. The dried part I didn't really care for but the greens were fresh, the parmesan was fragrant and nutty, and overall it was a well composed salad. For mains we had the steak and eggs and also the mac and cheese with duck confit. The mac was short on the duck and the pistachios were promising but didn't add much; I could hardly taste them. The steak and egg with hollandaise sauce, however, were spot on. All in all, a pretty good meal, minus my own mac and cheese which I thought was well executed but ultimately not a dish I would order again. There is a lot of promise though. I really wanted to try their shrimp risotto and their black cod sounds amazing. I hope to be adding a star or two soon to this review and another restaurant to my growing list of favorites.
(3)
Sarah F.
We celebrated a friend's recent birthday here with dinner and minus just a couple of fumbles, had a lovely evening. As a large group, we were sat in the 'back room', which was nice because it was more private and by the wine room, but with a smaller party, might feel a bit isolated from the main restaurant. The servers were unobtrusively friendly and competent (minus one accidentally overturned water glass when refilling into a friend's lap). The only other slight service misstep, is when our entrees arrived, lots of different servers brought all our food out (so we could all receive our meal at the same time--good), but it was a bit chaotic and they didn't seem to know whose entree was whose. That aside, the decor had a bit of French bistro feel, tending toward the spartan side. The menu is fun to read without being over-the-top cutesy. Good wine options by the glass (but, small niggle, they served my wine in a glass so enormous, it felt like I was getting just a sip of wine, even though I'm sure it was standard pour). They brought a 'gift course' to start, which was a take on a baba ganoush and accompanying thin pieces of toast for dipping. It was pretty unappetizing looking and unfortunately didn't taste much better, but I can't ding them too much since it was free. Luckily, the rest of the meal reflected much better on the chef than the start! I got the crab cake as a starter and salmon as my main. The crab cake had a thin, crispy breading on the outside, which I was originally skeptical about, but the inside was bit lumps of crab and delicious. The salmon was one of the best I've had in a long time--perfectly cooked to a medium rare with a bit of a sear on the outside for a wonderful textural contrast, well seasoned, and a perfect portion. The only thing I didn't love was the 'ratatouille' that came under the salmon--it was minced and sauced until it didn't really resemble its namesake anymore and basically just didn't add anything to the meal. Overall, a very good experience and a place I'd like to try again.
(4)
Jessica L.
One of my favorites in Cinci. The food is always wonderful. From their steak to salads to pasta, everything rocks. The cost is a bit high but the quality of food and service more than make up for that. La Poste has a wonderful wine selection and their cocktails are fantastic. If you're looking for a chic place to eat with nothing but the best food and service this is the place for you.
(5)
Carley M.
we loved our experience at la poste, the food was great and unique. The server was very nice and educated about the menu. It was surprising very loud, which was the only negative point!
(5)
Sheila M.
After all the hype, I gotta say that something was lacking from my experience here. I was seated with my friend at a table for two right by a window, which was a little drafty on a winter's night. Our server was perfectly nice and conversational, checking his notes as he named the specials that evening. Being the regrettably cheap person I am, I ordered the burger and aioli fries. Now, what I REALLY wanted was the braised beef shank, but alas, that was $30 and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So I would like to advise you, fine review-reader, to order whatever the hell you want! Throw caution to the wind. Because really, who goes to a fancy place to order a burger and fries?? ? (Sigh.) The fries were good with the black garlic aioli, though saltier than they should have been. The burger, though, was a disappointment - other than the fact that it did taste like beef, it was flavorless. It supposedly had sausage and other meats mixed in, but I could barely tell. Determined to finish my food, I coated the burger with the rest of my aioli, and then it was edible. I left feeling almost full, but not very satisfied. I will give La Poste another chance someday, especially since I live about 2 feet away from it. Maybe next time I'll be wiser about what I decide to order and that will make all the difference! I can only hope so, anyway.
(3)
Kim D.
Elegant and Surprisingly Chic 5 Star Service...yet Cozy! Celebrating the Holidays with good friends requires good food. It also requires an environment where you feel comfortable enough to enjoy yourself. My group of six long-time girlfriends ate here on 12/11/2010 and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. We had the first reservation at 5:30 (more time to burn calories through the night, you see :) - We were seated at a circular table (Thank You!) We ate here last year when it was Tinks and were at a lengthy rectangular table (Hard to converse). The Hostess promptly came and hung our coats, as quickly as we entered. The server was prompt, yet considerate, as we were settling. It was as though she was exactly aware of when to be there and when not. Loved her city chic attitude (hence the title above) with her tattoos, yet again, she provided excellent service to our obtrusive group. I had the gnocchi and it was pretty fantastic - broth was flavorful and the Spinach was crunchy and delectable. A friend had the Pear Salad which melted in your mouth. I have to say that I wanted more quantity, but that's to be expected. We drank wine, which was expensive, again expected, however, due to the portions, left a bit tipsy...or, was that the quantity of wine we drank? Never-mind! I do have to mention the artwork. As I looked to my right, staring me in the face was seriously a modern painting of a penis. You may go and offer your opinion, but that is what a table of 'gals' saw. Enjoy!
(5)
Dominique B.
Let me start by saying that the food and the service here is absolutely fantastic! They have a great chef, great wait staff, and a wonderful wine list. I only wish they would take the 'post office' theme up a level...it's such a cute idea and they should incorporate it into the decor. I came here for my birthday and would definitely come again for another celebration.
(4)
Rachael G.
This place is fabulous! We had dinner here on Valentine's Day; the earliest reservation was at 9:45pm but it was sooo worth the wait. We were a little early so we sat at the bar and had some cocktails. I can't remember which one I had, but it was so good! We had the special prix fixe Valentine's Day dinner for two which consisted of four smaller courses plus a dessert. OH. MY. GOD. Everything was so amazingly good. My absolute favorite was the mushroom ravioli, which I'm glad to know is on the regular menu as well. However, every single course was awesome. In fact, my only complaint is that it was so good, we didn't want to not eat everything on our plates, so when we left, we were so full all we wanted to do was pass out in a food coma. I will definitely be coming back here as soon as possible....I'll just try to not eat so much this time.
(5)
Tim L.
Food was bomb dot com. Prices were higher than I would have liked. Recommendations from the staff were choice. Service was average. Definitely worth scoping it if you haven't been.
(4)
Nigel C.
Great service it just flowed. I experimented and went for the unusual like banana salad and loved everything I ordered. Plus the place was packed at 6.30 PM on a Monday. Will be back when my wallet recovers.
(5)
Bea D.
We made our first visit to La Poste for restaurant week. I was pleased that they had a Belgium brown ale. It was served in glasses fit for wine. And I will say now that the beer was the highlight of our meal. I was served a unremarkable salad which supposedly contained roasted pistachios and hearts of palm. The hearts of palm must have been in thin slivers as they were in distinguishable from the Parmesan. Next I was served a scallop which by itself was good, but nothing was there to complement it. Finally I was served a strip steak which was again just ok. After this preview I am not impressed by this establishment enough to make a return visit. The pricing versus quality and portion size was just not equitable. So long La Poste. Have a good journey.
(2)
Brittany K.
La Poste is a really great restaurant. Their waitstaff is attentive, helpful, and polite. The food is really good (I had rabbit, delicious). Their drinks are well made and creative (not to mention award winners, GO bartenders!). Their menu is seasonal. And the room and tables are really simple and pretty. I'd go there more if it wasn't so expensive! (I had a gift certificate)
(4)
Brent R.
Bacon scallops and mushroom ravioli stole the show tonight, and the pear salad held its own. The service crew, especially our server, Jeremy, was attentive without being overbearing or pretentious. The two entrees in the five-course chef's sampler, the pan-fried flounder and seared sirloin, were quite tasty but not at the same level as the opening salvo. Suggestion: Request a table in the small dining room (it's by the walk-in wine closet) when you make a reservation. It's quieter and cozier than the main dining room. Great for special occasions or a romantic night out!
(4)
Laura S.
A friend and I decided to catch up over dinner at La Poste, he had been before, I had not. We had to wait until 8:30 to get a table, but that is to be expected on a Friday night. When we walked in, the first thing we both noticed was that it felt nearly as hot inside the restaurant as it was outside (101 degrees that day!) and there was a very noticeable haze at the far end of the room. Initially I thought it may have been some residual smoke from the kitchen, but really it was just that hot and hazy in there. The staff never said that the AC wasn't working, but it certainly felt like it to us, and it didn't let up the entire time we were there. It didn't ruin our evening, just an observation. We started off with a complimentary jicama salad served with crackers, which was very refreshing. Next we had the scallops and the mussels. Both were very good, although the crust on the scallops was incredibly salty (not worth $15 IMO). After our appetizers, we shared a bottle of 2005 Burgundy, he had the Butchers cut, a New York Strip Steak, and I had the pork shank. His steak was cooked med rare as ordered and was excellent! My pork shank ($23) was very tender and fell right off the bone. It was served with micro-greens sprinkled with candied citrus, roasted potatoes and goat cheese. The greens were tasty and the potatoes slightly undercooked, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the dish as a whole. Both portions were large and we each took some home. Lastly we both had the panna cotta with fresh strawberries for dessert, a fresh and light end after a solid meal on a very hot night. Although it can be pricey, the food was good and the service was excellent (our glasses were consistently being topped off). We were there for 3.5 hours and didn't feel rushed or bothered at all, which was very nice. Overall my experience was positive, and I would eat there again, hopefully under cooler conditions :)
(4)
no n.
The food is good; not supurb but definitely good. They were accomodating to our gluten allergies. We had very nice wine here. The service was mediocre.
(3)
Mariana P.
I have mixed feelings about La Poste. The presentation is adorable...like the napkins are folded to look like envelopes, and our check came in a tiny little envelope like the one that comes in the old school Clue game...I digress. The food was OK....I'm pretty sure my 1 piece of fried chicken was not worth $19, but oh well. Our waiter was efficient, but had NO personality and was very aloof. We definitely were the noisy drunk people in the restaurant, but that only means the waiter should be nicer as we would have been more likely to order more stuff!
(3)
Mitch D.
I am definitely a fan of La Poste. We were big fans of the place that was in this location before, but based on my first experience with La Poste this was an upgrade. The crab cake on the appetizer menu was delectable, the caesar salad was as good as I've had anywhere and the wine list was just deep enough for us. We sat at the bar for dinner and the bartender (Susy Mulroy) was phenomenal. She flat out knows her stuff. I will definitely be back, next time with a bigger crowd in tow.
(4)
Debbie Z.
We went to La Poste last night for a casual Thursday night outing of nibbles and wine. This was my third time there, but the other two were for their opening and for a special wine dinner. So, this was my actual first normal dining experience. The place was hopping with patron conversation and hustling servers when we arrived at 7:00. Without solid reservations, we were able to nab one of the sideline seats against the wall. These seats allow for a birds-eye view of the action. We like to try several smaller plates rather than ordering two main dishes, so we decided on two appetizers to get us started. We ordered the Steamed Mussels and a special of Seared Scallop & Braised Pork Belly that rested on top of a veggie hash. The Steamed Mussels were soaking comfortably in a beautiful creamy and flavorful broth. After the mussels were gone, we soaked up the broth with the crusted bread and then once the bread was gone, we just started spooning it into our mouths. If we weren't out in the middle of everyone, I'm pretty sure I would have slurped it straight out of the bowl! The Seared Scallop & Braised Pork Belly was to die for. The Pork Belly was so tender if fell apart in your mouth and it paired perfect with the scallop and the hash. After those two dishes, I really didn't think I could be impressed any further. But, then we got the Mushroom Ravioli. I'm pretty certain I was making strange noises as I was eating it. After eating the Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli from Wildflower Bistro in Mason, I never thought I would enjoy any other as much. But, I must say this will go down in my book as my new favorite. The FINALE - We ended our evening at La Poste in a way that is really indescribable on paper. I will just say we ended with Dave's Bread Pudding and a glass of dessert wine. That should really tell it all, but just to be clear - Dave's Bread Pudding is amazing. Enough said.
(5)
Chandler M.
From the decor to the service to the drinks to the phenomenal food, La Poste is a brilliant establishment run by experts on providing a full dining experience. It is not to be missed by any foodies or fine dining lovers in the city!
(5)
Nicolas B.
It's simple: I JUST LOVE THAT PLACE! I discovered it as I was going through an interview for Grad School. I was quite doubtful about the menu, so I decided to have the mushroom ravioli. I have been to quite a few restaurants in my life, most of them being in Paris. But I have to admit it: The best dish I had in my entire life was served in Cincinnati OH at La Poste. Believe it or not but it's very true. That being said, the ambiance is really enjoyable, the service is really friendly and overall I think that's the perfect balance of cosy atmosphere and dedicated professionalism. Everything is thought through, from the music to the local artists painting on the wall. If you ever go to Cincinnati, remember to stop by La Poste. One of my best memory of my time in Cincy and definitely one of best culinary experience in the US. Only little bad thing: the place is quite pricy, but it's definitely worth the money!
(5)
Trisha K.
Hate to be a Debbie Downer on this one, but dang, what a bummer this restaurant turned out to be. Strap in because it's gonna be a bumpy ride... I started off with a glass of white wine and although it was different, it was not a good different. Then, I had the pear salad, which was very good! My entree was the burger with frites. I didn't really care for the burger unfortunately, but it was better than my hubby's entree! This is where it gets bumpy folks! He ordered the rabbit with mashed potatoes. How is it possible to make rabbit taste like salmon? Just ask the chef at La Poste! Straight up nasty, but wait, there's more! I decided to try a bite of his mashed potatoes. As we all 4 watch him slide his fork into the potatoes, we all fell over when a hair came up with it! UUUHHHHG! Now, the service? Hmm, nope, not great either. It was obvious I wasn't impressed with my wine, yet the waiter didn't care enough to attempt to fix the situation. It was also obvious something was up with my hubby's meal, yet he didn't care enough to ask if everything was ok. We left with them never knowing there was a hair in his meal. If we felt there was reason enough to let them know, we would have pushed it, but because of our overall experience, we had already determined we would never return anyway. In any fine dining restaurant, I expect a higher level of service, however, I get better service (and food) at SmashBurger. NEXT!
(2)
Andi O.
Lovely restaurant & fantastic dinner. My friend and I shared the fois gras, which was decadent. I had a seasonal salad and the ravioli, and both were exceptional. Our server Joe convinced us to try the bread pudding. Let me tell ya, this is not your grandma's bread pudding. It was amazing. My favorite part about La Poste is the wine selections. Our server was spot on with his recommended pairings.
(5)
Carly H.
The food was very delicious - but your would not get that impression based on the limited menu that they present. The waiter we had was nice but a little SLOW, he stumbled when presenting the specials and we felt that the sommelier did not have a good wine background. However annoying the start was, my husband and I did the tasting menu for my birthday dinner and it was simply AMAZING!!! : We had the Roasted Crimson Pear 11 fresh herb goat cheese, prosciutto,arugula Mussels and Clams 10 dry cider, coriander, leeks, grilled tomatoes, crostini Seared Salmon* 23 warm quinoa, caramelized, mirepoix, asparagus, piquilloclam brot Veal Short Ribs 26 rosemary mashed potatoes, red vegetable slaw, strawberry braising ju Butchers Cut I would have not have done it any other way. I really liked the restaurant fell, just not impressed with the staff.
Today I went to La Poste for lunch. They have a great lunch special where $14 gets you a main dish, side, and dessert. There were many options for the entree, which all sounded wonderful and very unique. I chose their version of eggs benedict, along with pomme frites as a side and their bread pudding for dessert. The eggs benedict was unusual in that the hollandaise was made with blueberries, giving it a slightly sweet flavor. It was served on a thicker toasted bread slice over the traditional english muffin. Although it is not stated in the menu, be aware that the benedict came with ham. I don't eat pork, so I had to ask for a new order when I realized there was ham. Luckily, the waitress was very gracious and apologized for the confusion and my replacement (in which tomatoes and spinach were subbed) came out very quickly. The pomme frites were good, but too salty for my taste. I did enjoy the garlic aioli dipping sauce they came with. The dessert was very large and very rich. It was delicious, but I definitely could not finish it. The juicy slices of bread were smothered in dried cherries and thick, warm caramel sauce. If you love caramel, this dessert is right up your alley. I would recommend sharing it with a friend. All in all, great service and very reasonable lunch prices.
(3)
Mike M.
first time was last night. second time will be very soon. and third. and fourth. etc. . . . . . . . i had the prok chop and potato/brussell sprout hash. YOWZA! super good. the corn soup (that i stole from kt m.) was super excellent and awesome. the minimalist decor left much tro be desired on my end - but i ain't into that kinda thing. that said, it did not detract at all from my experience. viva la la poste.
(5)
Hyatt G.
Well, I enjoyed the food, but this is mainly about a wine incident in September that might keep us from coming back (sorry about the review delay). Let's see if I can remember all the details. Sorry about all the numbers. Asked the sommelier for a fruity pinot noir under $45. He came back with three btls: one was $42, one around $55, and one above $60. The guy needs to open his #%&@ing ears. But with our hands kind of tied, we got the $42 btl. After the meal, we were charged $52 instead of $42. Hey miscommunications happen. We asked him to fix it. Came back a few minutes later and said they could only bump it down to $47. Well, ya know, jeez, I'm not asking for a discount. Just charge me what you said you would. Plus, is it really worth the $5 for us not to come back and spend another $120? Otherwise, I really enjoyed the pork spareribs. But my wife had a tough time avoiding all the cute little bones in the rabbit con fit. Another weird thing: they kept asking us if we wanted dessert (about 4 times)-a la drug dealer.
(3)
Jennifer R.
Amazing service, great ambiance and by far the best restaurant in Cincinnati. Have gone many times and it is fantastic again and again. They always bring out a small complimentary appetizer too.
(5)
Lara C.
Love La Poste. Had their Vegetarian Lunch. It was a win! Went with a group and everyone's food looked beautiful! Desserts were delish too! Thanks Dave for a great meal!
(5)
Jessica H.
I had a foodie friend in town for the weekend, so when we decided to try La Poste, I hoped she would be impressed. Luckily, we both loved what we ordered! The chicken fricasse was amazing, though I wish the portion of vegetables in a sauce that the chicken breast was served with had been larger. It was just that good. My friend got the braised lamp shank and she thought it was delicious, tender, moist, etc. I don't like lamb myself, but I trust her opinion on it, knowing how much she knows about food, nutrition, cooking, etc. Other thoughts: we didn't have a reservation and ended up having to watch the bar like hawks so that we could snag a couple chairs once they became available. If you want a table, reservations are a must, at least at this point, but the bartender was helpful and attentive during our meal. I was also expecting a larger wine list, especially since La Poste has "Wine Room" posted on its exterior. All in all, I would definitely suggest La Poste for a special dinner out.
(4)
Stephanie L.
This is my new favorite restaurant in Cincinnati! From the moment I walked in the front door, this is a place that made me happy just to be inside. The overall decor is elegant but with some splashes of color and funky paintings on the wall. There is a bright blue color running as a subtle theme throughout the dining room, from the napkins folded on the table to the piping on the seats and the color of the waitstaff's attire. Our waiter was amazing. It was very evident that Joe is passionate about food and his descriptions of each dish were delivered with more feeling than I've ever heard in a waiter's voice. His recommendations were spot on. We ended up ordering several different dishes, not all in the categories laid out on the menu, and Joe asked if it was OK to suggest the order they came out. We jumped on this and let him plan the delivery of our meals which was orchestrated with absolute perfection. Oh and the food! For upscale dining, I have not been to another restaurant in Cincinnati I like as much as La Poste Eatery. The salads are masterful balances of flavors beautifully presented on the plates. The second and third courses were all delicious, well portioned and attractive. Our shared bread pudding dessert was absolutely divine, but would be far too much for one person after a meal! Overall, I am *loving* this place. We noted there is a Chef's tasting menu available for $50 (a bargain!) and I plan to make that a top priority on my "to do in Cincinnati" list.
(5)
Andrea R.
I visited La Poste on its opening night, and I will visit again. Not because it was an outstanding experience, but because I believe it has the potential to be a great restaurant after it gets over its opening night jitters. I met up with a co-worker for a 7:00 reservation, and we were seated right away. Our server came to take our wine order within a few moments of being seated, but we were already prepared to order our food, so he took our entire order at once. Within about five minutes of ordering, our wine had been served and we were treated to an amuse bouche, which was an artichoke-olive tapenade type spread, served with olive bread. It tasted fine, but nothing terribly exciting. Our starters came out a short time later. My seasonal spring salad was just the right mix of sweet and savory, with bits of butternut squash and orange slices served over greens with a somewhat salty dressing. It was a great combination. My dining partner order the foie gras, which tasted good, but was a very small portion considering the price. We then waited nearly an hour for our main courses to arrive... with no apology or comment from our server. I ordered chicken fricassee, while my co-worker ordered the lamb shank, neither of which were terribly complicated in their preparation, so I will attribute the significant wait time to the kitchen not being quite up to speed on opening night. Either way, my chicken was hot and juicy, though not very flavorful, and the lamb shank was fall-off-the-bone tender. My co-worker's only complaint about the main dish was that his lamb shank was served with french fries, which became quite soggy after soaking up the juice from the lamb shank. We had three options for dessert: a chocolate and dried cherry bread pudding, butternut squash creme brulee, and a soaked pear with cream. We chose the bread pudding and the creme brulee. There must have been some confusion, as the pear dessert came to our table after just a few minutes. When we brought the mistake to the attention of our server, he took it away, but again had nothing to say. Eventually the correct desserts came out, and while the bread pudding was quite tasty, the creme brulee left a lot to be desired. It didn't taste bad, but frankly, it did not taste like much at all. Perhaps we should have kept the pear after all. In general, the food served at La Poste is pretty good, and the prices are fairly reasonable (most entrees are priced between about $15 and $25). Our server could have been a bit more personable, and the kitchen needs to work on getting food out to the tables in a more timely manner, but again, it was opening night, and I'm sure they're working out the kinks as they go.
(3)
Paul K.
Great restaurant to have around University of Cincinnati. It's upscale decor inside but not too much of pieces which I like about. And the restaurant is pretty quiet making my dining experience relaxing and enjoyable. I was also surprised about the various wines they have in their storage. The foods are great, too. The portion was nice, not too big but not small. I liked the affordable prices also. I tried their burger. It was nothing spectacular but had everything I could ask for a burger. My wife had salmon, and it was cooked perfectly and the seasons was not too strong. That way we could enjoy the actual taste of salmon. The service was perfect. I think the waiter talked little too much, but it's better than being indifferent. He was kind and explained everything very well. I will come back here when I want to enjoy a dinner with wine when I'm around at the area.
(4)
John W.
If you're looking for a creative chef, good pairings, and a classy casual and in no way too pretentious scene, this is a great spot. Comfortable ambiance: you know you're in a nice restaurant (you probably picked this place for a reason), but there's no need for a place this good to push their over-importance upon you. (They know it's that good too!) The wait staff is as comforting as the vibe -- knowledgeable but not uptight. They might not know it all, but they're not too proud to ask a resident expert. Example: They're sure to have a "beer guy" on staff who will be able to treat you with craft beer knowledge from their impressive selection. Only complaint could be that the menus -- food, wine, and beer -- are light in quantity of options. But the quality is what counts. And, they pack that in so that you don't really need much more than is there. The chef's accompaniment on every dish was expert. Scallops were done perfectly, at least as good as Boca. The pear salad is phenomenal, mixing light greens with warm, cheesy pear yumminess under toasted prosciutto. Mushroom Ravioli is creamy, light on the palate, yet somehow so rich and full of flavor. Pork Tenderloin was fantastic as well. They were out of Dolcetto, but had a decent substitue. And the terrific taste in beer treated me to two rare large format brews that I had never seen in the wild. Trust your local brew-loving chef!
(5)
Michelle B.
This little restaurant tucked away in Clifton Gaslight never dissapoints. The atmosphere is fun and romantic, down to the napkins folded like envelopes. Although the menu is pricey it is completely worth the money. I ordered the sopressata salad and scallops which were both amazing. For dessert we split a goat cheese cheese cake, Yum!!! If you are looking for a romantic but low-key place to enjoy some delicious food and exceptional service, this is the place for you.
(5)
Sarah A.
After a failed attempt to eat at A Tavola (it was Monday and they were closed) we decided to come to LaPoste. Having had a great lunch here about 6 months ago I was excited to see what dinner had to offer. It did not disappoint and was on the of the best meals I have had in a while. We started with the Hot Bacon Scallop appetizer. Wow, what an amazing starter, I highly recommend. It is small with just two scallops but very rich in flavor. For the mains I had the Fried Chicken Breast and my friend had the Veal Short Ribs. I liked my dish but I wasn't blown away. The veal short ribs were tasty. I had a side of Pommes Frittes which were crispy and delicious. On my next visit I think I'd like to try the Mushroom Ravioli. We finished the evening off with the Bread Pudding. Now I wouldn't call myself a bread pudding connoisseur by any means but this was the BEST bread pudding I have ever tasted-gooey, warm and yummy! The only wish I have for this dessert is maybe a bit more ice cream, the scoop was barely larger than a quarter. Our server was pleasant, maybe a bit too stiff but I'd give LaPoste a 4.5 rating. I'll definitely be back and I hope this restaurant makes it.
(4)
Nikki M.
My husband and I dined here to celebrate his birthday over the weekend, and we're so glad we did! I had heard excellent things about La Poste, but was well aware that we would consider this a bit more of a special occasion place for us because of the pricing. La Poste did not disappoint. We had excellent service all around. We were seated within 5 minutes of our reservation, and tended to by an amazing bartender who was sweet and engaging. I happened to mention it was my husband's birthday, and she sent two flutes of champagne to our table with our server when we sat with a "Happy 21st Birthday" message. ;) The menu and the night's specials all sounded so great we were really having a hard time deciding. We wound up sharing a ricotta salad (with amazing homemade ricotta, ground pistachios and orange dust), and the crabcake to start. The crabcake was the best I've ever had, and i'd be remiss if I didn't mention that my husband came very close to ordering a second one for dessert! My husband went with the burger and pomme frites for dinner. Not a usual choice for him, but he had been craving one all week. He said it was perfectly cooked, and for $10 it was a gigantic burger. I ordered the salmon, which was buttery and melted in my mouth. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly medium as I ordered it. Served over braised kale and lentils. For dessert, we went with the cherry bread pudding, and it did not disappoint. The caramel sauce was to die for, and we savored every last bite. All around every bite was scrumptious, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was relaxed and unpretentious. I can't wait for another excuse to go back there again soon!
(5)
Morgen S.
This place is adorable! Very chic and a very well crafted menu. The theme and atmosphere is carried well through the whole meal. From your napkin being folded to resemble an envelope, to your check arriving in a tiny envelope, there was post theme all throughout. The menu is a little expensive, but you really pay for the quality food you're getting! As a poor college student who is not yet 21 I didn't get a chance to check out the wine list, but it looked very impressive. The service was great at La Poste as well! I went there to celebrate my friend's 21st Birthday and the servers were very accommodating They even cut and served the cake we brought! I definitely see myself dining at La Poste again... maybe when I'm 21... and my parents are down for a visit... ;)
(4)
Joe J.
La Poste is the real thing. Fine dinning with out all the pretentious attitude. This is an excellent establishment that shares company with the finest restaurants in town (Boca, Cumin, etc.). The service was attentive without being overbearing and the ambiance is clean and upscale but you do not feel uncomfortable. The food was excellent from top to bottom. They split the menu into 4 courses and my wife had two from each. The spinach salad and the foie gras were perfect. Our scallops and sweat breads were also cooked to the perfect temperature. I was able to look at their lunch menu which looks delicious and is very reasonably priced. I would go back to La Poste any time. If you liked Tinks you will love La Poste (its a step or two finer dinning than Tinks).
As an unwritten rule I usually wait to post my reviews good bad or indifferent La Poste was no exception. I only wanted to gush about it while it was still fresh in my mind because of the unbelievable time I had. Music. Im a total stickler for dining room music. Ive dined at Le Bernadin where they place deep house and ambient techno during service on Friday night. Ive dined at the Spotted Pig where youll hear anything from The Temptations to Wu-Tang Clan. Even at Momofuku where youll hear The Klaxons and dubstep remixes of La Roux.(Yes this has all happened) La Poste on a sleepy post Halloween monday night definately set the tone properly. Ranging from Wilco to Citizen Cope and some light jazz from Charlie Parker and the like. It was intimate and comforting. They dropped in some new banquettes added a few tables and put some color on the walls so you can actually see what youre eating but importantly they put up some remarkable art from Kim Krause that was actually seen. Most people view art in restaurants as an afterthought. At La Poste its paramount, where whats on the walls matters just as much as your plate.... My date and I hadnt even sat down yet. We were greeted by very smiley and chipper waitstaff as well as Kelly and Bryant Phillips who, after letting my date and I tour the newly installed wine room sat us and indulged with us menus to peruse even though we were doing a tasting menu. I felt at home... special, even. Thats what a dining experience is about. You wont find this at Local 127 or Boca. (treated) The tasting menu we received was impeccable and rivals any meal ive had while living in New York to top that its one of the best meals Ive had in Cincinnati to date. Bryant and Chef Dave worked very hard to pair our meal with phenomenal wines that complemented our entire menu FLAWLESSLY. I wont give out any inkling as to what we ate in full detail because it will just make you jealous...but I will say mushroom,proscuitto and pear, foie gras, lamb, boquerones, and all kinds of other fun things that are delicious as they are costly. The wine featured some tremendous juice ranging from Pinot D'Alsace to Barolo Sadly my friend Chef Dave was unable to be there however, Cameron the Sous Chef and his team of Matt and Mark executed Daves menu perfectly. Ive had the pleasure of working with these guys previously at other establishments and couldnt be happier or more proud with what they put out. La Poste is excellence in its purest form. Every little detail is noted and taken care of down to the strategically folded napkins to the polished stem ware. Its not to miss and worth the trip to Cliftons Gaslight neighborhood.
(5)
Chris S.
We went here with a big group for a birthday and all did the tasting menu with wine pairing. The pairings were spot on and the waiter was amazing. The food was delicious. I would have given it 5 stars but not all 6 courses were a 5/5. Started with a hearts of Palm salad which was good especially when you got all components at once(4/5). Second was a cod course which was delicious (4/5). My wife even ate her entire dish and she doesn't usually eat fish. The third course was the mushroom ravioli- a dish they are known for. It definitely lived up to its reputation and was better than all other courses(5/5). The fourth course was a delicious pork belly dish. Almost as good as the ravioli(4.5/5). The only slightly disappointing meal was beef course which was a New York strip with a crab potato over it. It was good/ don't get me wrong- just not special. (3.5/5). Last was the bread pudding which was amazing(4.5). I happen to love bread pudding. And my wife (who again doesn't care for bread pudding) at her entire dish. If be happy to return here and would recommend the tasting menu with wine pairing. It was a great night.
(4)
Melody S.
We hopped into La Poste without a reservation after catching a CCM matinee Saturday... it was about 5:45pm. Surprisingly, they didn't have any tables available, even though it was pretty early. The hostess told us we could sit at the bar, so we did. I'm actually glad we didn't get a table... we had a blast with bartenders Joe and Suzy. Joe impressed us with his signature Cranberry Manhattan cocktail. Our food was very good, and par with some of the other high end restaurants in town. I had the mushroom ravioli, and was very happy with it. As for the feel of the place, they kind of toe the line of pretentious when you walk in the door, but once you settle in you'll find they have a friendly, knowleageable wait staff, a great wine selection, and a really classy atmosphere. Most people were dressed up a bit, but we felt okay in jeans, especially sittign at the bar. Bottom line: The menu is priced sort of on the high end, but the food is excellent and the ambiance is lovely. I would reccomend it for a date night. Oh and PS the bread pudding dessert is worth it. So good. Let Suzy pair a port with it for you.
(4)
Mike S.
Good food, great service and a nice wine list. The second visit hit the mark. Our first visit a few months back was not bad, but the food lacked the expected pop. Had to search for the flavor. Maybe under seasoned. Our return was redeeming. The pork shank with white beans was excellent. The pork was savory, fork-tender and flavorful. The kale added a nice sharp balance to the richness. Wife had the burger which is better since they changed the bun. Overall, the flavors can be subtle, but very present, which suits me better than the wife since she prefers stronger seasoning and zest. We had the same wonderful server both times. A great addition to Clifton. The prices are fair, but a little high to be on our frequent flier rotation.
(4)
Eric J.
This place has been on my list of restaurants to visit for awhile. I live in the Clifton area, so naturally I walk by the place a lot and always thought it looked nice. Last week my fiance and I decided to try it on a whim. Unfortunately, we both ended up regretting it. The food was only OK. Everything looked great coming out, but with both our dishes something was off. We shared a Seasonal salad which while green and leafy had WAY too much Gorgonzola. It completely overpowered the rest of the salad, but I figured not a big deal, it's just a little too much cheese. Next we both had the Lobster Bouillabaisse. Now I love seafood, so a good bouillabaisse is right up my alley. To my disappointment, much like with the salad, everything looked great, but the taste was off. They ended up using too much salt. I'm surprised no one tasted it before it got to our table, because I thought it was pretty obvious. It's also worth noting that my fiance and I both got a touch of food poisoning later that night... The only reason I gave this place two stars is because the service was excellent, but if you want good quality Bouillabaisse, check out Abigail Street instead.
(2)
Daniela S.
Great food and service!
(5)
Theresa H.
The food was very good, beautifully presented. The chef sent out a small sample cucumber salsa & dry toast, fun. My dinner was good, I actually could have done with less Salmon, & more veggies. The service was almost too much, maybe because they weren't that busy. I would go back definitely.
(4)
cristina T.
My husband and I went to La Poste about a month after its opening. The interior of the restaurant was beautiful with nice artwork, soft lighting, and quaint napkins folded to look like envelopes. We appreciated the jazz music that suited the warm, relaxed atmosphere. We went on an early Monday evening (arrived around 6p), and there were only 2 other tables occupied, so service was not a problem. We started off our meal with pomme frittes with aioli and the bacon scallops. Our scallops were delicious, but not wrapped in bacon, instead, the scallop's bed of mixed greens had pieces of bacon. The chicken fricassee was amazing, with a crispy, flavorful skin and a mix of diced vegetables in a subtle gravy. The pork loin wrapped in bacon was also amazingly tender and tasty. We opted to share the warm bread pudding for dessert, which came with a small dollop of vanilla ice cream. It was one of the better desserts we've had in Cincinnati. Overall, the experience at La Poste was great. The food was delicious. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality of the food. We've spent much more money on food that turned out to be mediocre. At least at La Poste, you'll get your money's worth. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
I have dined here often and I have never had a bad meal. Their menu changes frequently and is always composed of fresh local ingredients in inventive dishes. They change the desserts so often, they don't even bother to print a menu. I love that about this place. The waitstaff is exceptional and the space they occupy is spacious enough that you don't feel cramped. It can get a little pricey if you go for a three course dinner meal, but I have also had two glasses of wine and a burger for less than $30. I think the space is so spacious that my only complaint is sometimes the temperature regulation could use some work. But after a great meal with excellent wine pairing gazing at cool local art on the walls, I'll put on a sweater to eat here any day.
Visited in September due to a Restaurant.com coupon. Waiter convinced us to go with a dinner "flight" so after our $50 coupon, our remaining bill was still over $100 for 2 with 2 glasses of wine. Food was excellent, service was great. The only Cincinnati meal I had that was better was at Jean Robert's at Pigalls. It is very pricey for a Clifton hideaway and I am glad I had that coupon.
(4)
Sarah L.
Returned to La Poste with high hopes. Gracious service was as good or better. But the food was a bit lacking. We only had the the smoked mushroom flatbread and the clams + mussels. Both needed a little umph. They weren't a failure, but not memorable either. I think I need to check other yelp reviews to zero in on their star dishes.
(3)
Aicha D.
I was on business trip in Cincinnati and I have to say I was quite impressed by La Poste. Their smoked mackarel rillette and mushroom ravioli were delicious. The staff was very friendly to me lonely traveller and ensured that I would be on time for my movie playing next door. As a plus, the music and decor enhanced the experience.
(4)
Janet H.
Just thinking about La Poste makes me smile - it was such a great experience! My mom and I went to celebrate her graduation and yes, reservations are a must. First impressions were great - we were greeted at the bar with an extensive wine list and offered suggestions. Finally settling on a Bordeaux, the wine was fantastic and our table was ready. The hostess took our coats and seated us. The space is clean, formal, but without being pretentious and has some fantastic artwork. The food was above my expectations - some of the most creative and expertly prepared. We started with hot bacon scallops which were a fantastic texture - its easy to spot a poorly cooked scallop. And also to start was the roasted pear with prosciutto. This was my favorite part of the whole dinner - roasted red pear filled with herb goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto, served on arugula. Such a complex and savory taste! For dinner, we had chicken fricassee and the pork tenderloin. The chicken fricassee was great - certainly no complaints, but the pork tenderloin was amazing. It was wrapped in bacon and served with fingerling potatoes and mustard greens. It was such a smokey and rich taste that went soooo good with our dry red wine. And to cap it all off - we went for grapefruit creme brulee and chocolate demi fredo - a kind of frozen mousse. Both were great, but mom and I are connoisseurs of creme brulee, so we agree that was the best. And to top the entire visit off - the service was exceptional. Everyone was friendly and attentive and knew the menu well. The attention to detail was impressive. Love love love the wine list and the roasted pear - would go back for that alone.
(5)
Bennett P.
Ate at La Poste last night on opening night and I had a great time. We asked the sommelier to pair some wines with the food we chose --marscapone-filled peach wrapped in prosciutto (YUM), mussels (very yum), and the crab cake (OMG)-- and he brought out a chardonnay that went along with all the appetizers very well. Then the entres came. The Lamb was so tender and juicy, I could eat that all day, and I thought the sauce went great for dipping the fries into... of course you have to eat the fries with a fork because they get kind of soggy, but anyone who has ever eaten at Pleasant Ridge Chili knows that's not a bad thing (mmmm gravy cheese fries). My dining partners got the chicken and the steak; simply put, the chicken reminded me of grandma's chicken on the farm in wisconsin--fresh, juicy and just all-around a feel good food. When it comes to steak, the only things I'm concerned with are temperature (this one was perfectly med-rare) and seasoning (shouldn't be much at all). La Poste's steak met both of those criteria for me and my friend who ordered it couldn't get enough. For wine with our main courses, the sommelier again hit it right on the mark. Even though two of us had red meat and one had the chicken, he managed to find one bottle that went great with all three dishes. On to dessert; we got the creme brulee and the bread pudding. The bread pudding was absolutely phenominal and the brulee was light, crispy and deliciously subtle... very obviously a house made dish, not one of those artificial-tasting out-of-the-box creme brulee's you'd get at, say, a chain restaurant. Overall, I would have given the experience a 5-star rating, except for the fact that it was opening night and there were a few kinks to be worked out here and there. I plan to eat here again soon and my expectations will be for that of a 5-star rating.
(4)
Mark O.
I took a couple folks from my sales team down to La Poste, which was waiting anxiously on my "to eat at" list for what seems like a year. We called up the restaurant and, luckily, thet had an opening at 745. We headed down to the Gaslight District in Clifton, me eager with anticipation.The two ladies, both from California, were immediately taken aback by the gorgeous architecture as we drove up Clifton Ave from I-75. After parking, we found ourselves at the bar for 30 minutes while waiting for the table. This restaurant used to be a post office, as the name suggestions, and the french influence is undeniable in the decor. We gave our name to the extremely cute hostess (yes, I'm single at the time of this review) and headed to the bar. The waitress was polite and knowledgeable on beers (served me an agave wheat) as well as vodkas (upsold my friend Ann from a Ketel One to a local Buckeye vodka after romantically describing the distilling process). I took a sip and looked around to notice all the tables full on a Wednesday night, a good sign for a restaurant. We had a couple drinks before settling in at our table by the window. For my money, that window (the entire wall was set with square panes that let in tons of natural light) gave this place a rustic french, country feel that will certainly get me back on the ambiance alone. As long as the food doesn't suck, and it didn't. We ordered some San Pellagrino (i love my snooty water) with lime and the waitress reco'd a glass of wine, which met the approval of my co-worker, a former patron of the wine industry. While waiting for our salads and entrees, we were treated with a surprise of baked pita chips and a corn-laced pico de gallo. Light and tasty. Plus, the corn added a little sweetness that begged for a second helping. Yum. Then the salads came. Let me tell you, Roasted Crimson Pear is off the charts. The fresh arugula paired nicely (ha!) with the pear which was stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. Yum. My entree was a special, a grilled sole accompanied by a sauce of crab meat, orange zest and pieces of corn and topped with a grilled romaine lettuce garnished with salt and pepper. The fish was light and perfectly cooked while the sauce had just enough orange flavor to add interest without getting too candy-like. Yummmm! The lettuce was weird and quickly orphaned to the side of my plate. The dinner ended when our check was delivered in a little envelope, one of the cute little quirks reminiscent of the restaurants post office roots. All in all, a delicious meal in a great setting on a perfect night in Clifton.
(4)
Mike T.
Probably one of the best lunches I've ever had for $12. Had the Croque Provençal sandwhich (ham, cheese, tomato, poached egg, hollandaise). That combination is always delicious, but to me the best part was that the sandwhich was grill-toasted; not like a "grilled" cheese, but like it spent a couple minutes on a Weber over hardwood charcoal. Can't wait to go back for dinner and a more complete review.
(5)
Rebecca T.
Superb service and food, and lovely surroundings. This was my first time at La Poste and will definitely return. We loved Tink and might enjoy La Poste even more. I would love to see a more diverse clientele. Go and enjoy!
(4)
Dawn R.
I ate at La Poste on opening night, and as others have said the pace of the meal was a little slow, but the server we had was very professional and given that it was opening night, I expected that there would be some timing kinks. As for the food, it was nothing short of amazing. I highly recommend the bacon wrapped scallops, and the lamb shank is melt in your mouth delicious. The wine pairings were spot on and don't even get me started on the marscapone, proscuitto wrapped peach. WOW. I'll be going back soon to try the other menu items and I can't wait. I've lived in New York, and recently moved from San Francisco and this little jem of a place has me really excited about the Cincinnati food scene
(5)
R C.
Sat at the bar tonight for dinner. The pear salad was a bit salty and the pork shank unaccompanied but, overall, a very nice meal. In addition, the wine recommended by the bar tender was top notch as was the service. I would definitely eat there again and noticed several others 'ponying up' who mentioned that they were return guests. Cool spot in a cool neighborhood.
(4)
Jan M.
Fresh tasty food. App entre and dessert were all great. Great service, find street parking don't pay $7 for valet
(4)
Michelle G.
Quaint rooms, napkins designed as envelopes, friendly atmosphere and a menu that savors each and every word with taste and sophistication. Welcome to La Poste, a place that was once the Old Tinks Cafe, is now an established restaurant that is something that you could consider a hidden jem. Being tucked away on a small side street, off the busy road of Ludlow, La Poste is the perfect successor to a once highly rated and sought out restaurant. After reading all the reviews and being granted a coupon from restaurant.com , we decided to take the plunge and give La Poste a Try. Most of review from this site were all positive, saying that this was well worth the money which is true, however if you are expecting to have a cheap date, then you have picked the wrong place, this place will give you a run for your money and your taste buds for that matter. As for the food, I wanted to do a tasting, trying different options from all over the menu. This is something I recommend when you dine at new restarants', you can both get a feel for what the place shows and you will never get bored with what you ordered. After painfully deciding what to order, my cousin was my dining partner) and I split the pear and prosciutto salad with arugula, the bacon scallops and the mushroom ravioli. My waiter approved with our three choices and even threw in that the mushroom ravioli was a staple if it was your first time dining at La Poste and now I know why. Each dish was artfully crafted and strategically thought out making your mouth water in the process. If sampling three dishes wasn't enough, we added desert to our list for the evening and were equally impressed with the amount of preparation and style that the food brought to the table. Saying this restaurant was good is an understatement. I would gladly say that is up to par with some of the restaurants I have tried in bigger progressive cities. Bon Appetit my friends
(5)
Thomas S.
My new favorite restaurant in the city for a special occassion...the Pear, cheese and prosciutto salad was incredible...
(5)
Rob F.
Most importantly, everything I tasted at La Poste was delicious. There were, however, some things that would have made my experience much better. The first thing on the menu that caught my eye was the hot bacon scallop appetizer. The dish did not disappoint. The scallop was cooked perfectly and the flavor of the bacon was just enough, but not too much. Unfortunately, the dish only included two small scallops for $15. This was barely enough to share between two people, yet cost more than the burger entree. Had the portion been more generous, this appetizer would have been a "10." My date had the salmon dish over quinoa. The salmon was perfectly cooked and delicious. I had the trout special. The portion size of this dish was great. It was two trout filets, covered in fennel and warm mission figs. The fish itself was delicious. Unfortunately the dish had no sauce of any kind, making the dish dry. A slightly spicy sauce of some kind would have made this dish a winner as well. Overall, the food was delicious, the service was OUTSTANDING, and the ambiance was vibrant. My only complaint was about the portions of the appetizer and the lack of sauce on the trout. Still, I will be returning to La Poste.
(3)
Steve N.
My first La Poste experience was rather typical of the way I make plans, last minute. I called a friend, who lives in Clifton, and asked her to have a drink with me. She suggested we go to La Poste. I arrived first and sat down at the bar where I was given a warm greeting from the bartender. She went down the list of wine with me, which is quite extensive. I loved the atmosphere and the staff so much I made a reservation for the next day. Needless to say I have been back several times and am now going to be throwing my birthday dinner there this month. The food is great, especially that crab cake. I think this is the best restaurant in town.
(5)
Adam W.
Ok, so this was my second time around with La Poste (I started hearing a bunch of good things about it from friends). I went after a local Buddhist meeting with a good friend of mine and thought I would try something else on the menu. I had the mussels for an appetizer and then the mushroom ravioli for my main course, and my friend had the seasonal salad and salmon. Before any of our food arrived we were greeted by a complementary artichoke appetizer from the chef that was delicious and by the time we finished eating it our mussels and salad arrived. The mussels were out of this freaking world because of this unbelievable sauce they were in. The waitress(who was very nice and a joy to interact with) said it was a broth with Jamaican seasonings in it (she said a bunch of other stuff about what was in it but I can't remember, I'm to full). We both shared the salad and the mussels and nothing was left. Soon after, our main dishes arrived. My hand made mushroom stuffed ravioli was so tender and scrumptious I almost licked the plate. We devoured our main dishes as well and nothing was left. We were about to call it quiets but then the waitress came back to discuss desert! At first we were going to pass and then my friend said something about how she heard how good the bread pudding was, so we got one to split. Anyway, that plate was clean too. This was a lot different from my first visit, the food was great, the waitress was fun and we waddled of to make our way home in a very tired and satisfied state!!! :-)
(4)
Marie E.
Let me start by saying that I loved Tinks. Why a place that good closes I have no idea. This was second only to Slims (RIP) on my most disappointing closures in Cincinnati list. Anyway when I saw the beginning of a new restaurant I was very curious to see what came about. My husband and I made a point of walking by to check it out every time we came down to the Esquire. Our first experience was in February prior to a movie for a friend's YOU GOT YOUR FIRST REAL JOB PARTY. We had a group of 9 and were seated off to the side in a room by the wine room. There was a bookshelf behind our table with lots of old books and some cookbooks too. It was very intimate which is hard to do with a group of 9. The prices are higher but the service and atmosphere are classy enough that you don't mind paying. I had the roasted cod which was perfect ($19). My friend who is a vegetarian ordered a flatbread that sounded meatless (she asked but not sure he heard her exactly) but came with some animal that I can't remember at this time. The server was very apologetic. He let the carnivores devour the unwanted plate and brought her out a vegetarian one despite her protests that she was fine and full from appetizers. He added a tasty little salad on the side as well. If you are looking for a nice dinner out this place certainly fits the bill.
(5)
Joanne G.
La Poste's menu is not that extensive or varied. The attitude of the staff is definitely snooty. Once we were seated, our waiter placed a little bowl of what was identified as "baba ghanooj" on the table which did not look or taste like the real thing. Mushy and bland. The rest of the food was only so-so. I liked the roasted pear first course, but my fifteen dollar burger was accompanied by somewhat soggy "frites." The goat cheese cheesecake was not as good as that served by La Poste's predecessor, Tink's Cafe.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
KR L.
We had the five-course chef tasting with wine pairing last night. Every dish was absolutely delicious, well-seasoned, and paired perfectly with the wine. Visiting from Boston, we had gone to Orchid's the night before, which had disappointed us about Cincinnati dining scene. La Poste restored our hope. Scallops were perfectly cooked, and the bread pudding was just out of this world! Highly recommend! Ask for Cody who was our waiter. He was wonderful!
(5)juan p.
The place is noisy and usually very crowded during the weekends, that you have to go outside couple of times to catch a breath. Can't have a conversation without kind of yelling. The wine list is good to average. The food is good and basic....nothing special or spectacular, as reflected in the menu prices. Always crowded because of the price, mainly, not because of the food ( typical of Cincinnati crowds). The service is good, perhaps the best the restaurant has to offer. Parking is a hazard. Make it two and a half stars.
(2)Brian C.
We loved it! Great food, great atmosphere, friendly and prompt service. We were treated to dinner by Paolo from the awesome jewelry boutique just down the street...Thank you Paolo and thank you team at La Poste Eatery; we can't wait until our next visit.
(5)Troy M.
Okay, I'm not giving them 5 stars just because they're my buds, but because they rock. My wife and I just went in for a late night (for us with kids late is 9pm) drink and some dessert. Dave's bread pudding is out of this world, and my standards for bread pudding are high because I make a mean one myself. That aside it was creamy, sweet, wonderful. Love what they did with the place, lighting from Switch Lighting and Design hanging over the bar, your welcome brother in law for the plug. Love the charm of the dining room and the wine room is like dying and going to heaven. 5 stars indeed.
(5)Angie M.
UC parents!! This is your place!! Just a couple minutes from campus but so classic! Delicious, unique menu that makes you feel like you are in a 5 star restaurant instead of a college campus!! Locals!! Perfect couple with an Esquire movie! Dinner and movie or movie and nightcap! Staff and management are soo accommodating! Beer, wine, cocktails, and food that are beyond expectations!
(5)Mark K.
I love the ambiance, smart and bright but not pretentious at all. The food was fantastic with just a few tweaks and adjustments it would be perfect. I think they need to update their website because the menu is different. I have been there for both lunch and dinner and my wife and I feel that we would go back again with friends.
(4)Magda C.
Just came back from a lovely lovely dinner at this charming place just off Ludlow Ave. What a treat! The service was excellent. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff, they highlighted some signature dishes and I was really happy with the recommendations. The interior is very pleasant, looks very elegant and yet it was a very relaxed dinner. All the dishes were presented beautifully. We enjoyed a leek-goat cheese flatbread with asparagus as a starter, what an opening! Very thin crunchy crust and creamy leek puree with freckles of fluffy goat cheese, plus the asparagus was not overgrilled and was still very tender! The complimentary Sixteen Bricks baguette with balsamic olive made our wait for the main courses easy and the reduced balsamic was really good, sweet dark goodness. Per recommendation, I tried the signature wild mushroom ravioli and it was fabulous. It looked and tasted amazing, I liked the shape of the ravioli (opened envelope), the thin dough and the creamy sauce made the modest-looking portion surprisingly filling. My husband's well done burger was great too, not an easy task to make a juicy well done patty, but it worked! The truffled fries accompanied the dish and the Sixteen Bricks challah bun was a very appreciated perk :) Grand finale: bread pudding with ice cream. Rich and delicious. Wonderful!
(5)Elizabeth B.
I went here for my birthday, and it was a pretty cool place. It has a very nice ambiance, and a good amount of natural light. The food at La Poste is also quite good, I got the skin-on chicken, and I enjoyed it, especially with the corn.Overall, it's a pretty nice place, nothing too special, but still a pleasant experience.
(4)Zack F.
I've been here a bunch and am surprised I failed to review it. It has a great atmosphere inside and a wonderful street presence. I particularly like the warm, soft light, soothing decor and huge windows. The seating is comfortable and stylish as well. You can really relax and enjoy a long meal and a good conversation over wine. They make excellent drinks for a small bar. They have a good selection of alcohol and take it seriously. Their wine menu has a good selection of quality wine for any taste. When I've come with larger groups, the service was impeccable, helpful, and cheerful. I've always loved my food and no matter who I take or how much we order, it all seems to disappear. I will say the pomme frites are a huge favorite and if you order some for the table, get more than one. It will be gone fast. I particularly like when they have live music and you can make a nice evening of it, and draw out the experience. It's expensive. There aren't a TON of vegetarian options, but the vegetarians who've dined with me have always left happy. Parking can be a bit tricky, but they do have valet available. If they had more or better vegetarian options that weren't simply pizza or mushroom ravioli, they would earn another star.
(4)Amar K.
Nom nom nom...it was delicious!!! Like a small bistro but still very tasty. Small space and intimate, reminds me of the place I proposed to my wife in! Would definitely come here again.
(4)Kim Y.
This was the only fancy meal i had in Cinncinati and it was the best. The escargot was served Shell's and the sauce on it was buttery delicious. I had the duck entree and it was melt in your mouth.
(5)Holly M.
Finally. I moved to Cincinnati almost two years ago and will admit to having been largely disappointed in either the scope, types or levels of services offered in the Queen City. I've lived in, worked, and visited a lot of places both domestically and internationally, and have enjoyed growing accustomed to great services and access to quality goods. Kudos, Cincinnati, on being home to a place where those things meet: La Poste. What a gem. I'm lucky enough to live in the Gaslight District so I can walk to La Poste, but it's dangerous being in such close proximity to this level of deliciousness. Yes, I said deliciousness. The only thing that made the unhappy the last time I visited was the slightly-changed menu. (I'd grown to love your duck, La Poste, and change is difficult. It is, however, also an opportunity for growth, which is why I'm delighted to get to know your (new) mushroom ravioli better.) The food is stellar, as is the service, and after one visit you'll never be sure which one you're going back for. But you'll be back, and that much is a certainty.
(5)Jessi G.
This place is as good as it gets. If you're looking for a nice dinner, somewhere to impress a date or your parents or to have a great birthday dinner at, then look no farther than this gem in Clifton. I made a reservation on Open Table (very convenient) and included in the comments that we were celebrating my fiance's birthday. They called me the day of to confirm and to ask if we were still celebrating a birthday. I said yes, and I knew they were going to do something extra special. When you walk into La Poste Eatery, first off, the decor is just beautiful. It's extremely classy, but still modern and fresh. I love the artwork on the wall, and that wine room....Please just lock me in the wine room forever. I could live in there, seriously. Our server was extremely nice, and offered up a few suggestions for dinner. I ordered the Malbec with the burger, and my fiance got a Dogfish head 60 minute beer (he's not a wine drinker) with the steak frites. It took us a little while to all get our food, but we had free bread and drinks so we were ok. This is not the kind of place where you rush through dinner (There were people to the left of us who took what must have been a three hour dinner...We're not that leisurely, but you get the idea). When the burger came out, I was salivating. It smelled sooo good, and it did not disappoint. It was extremely juicy and the bun was a little sweet, and honestly I have no complaints. The fries were amazing, and they make their own ketchup. Can you beat that?? I don't think so. My date loved his steak, which was served with a delicious sauce and cooked perfectly. We were so full, I don't think we would have ordered dessert, but then they brought out a complimentary bread pudding with ice cream (and a cute candle for him to blow out) for my fiance's birthday. Thank god we did not pass up on the bread pudding! It was incredible, and definitely lived up to the hype on Yelp...Plus it was served with Graeter's vanilla bean. They were so nice to give us a free dessert for his birthday...We will definitely be coming back here when we have something to celebrate! Until then, I will be dreaming of that burger...
(5)Lia V.
I absolutely adore La Poste. Conveniently located off of Ludlow, this adorable chic restaurant provides comfort and class. The bar is quite small, which is where I always prefer to sit, but there are plenty of tables and booths. They even have a private area for a large group. The service is excellent. The staff is very knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list.The wine! Great wine list :-) The food is always delicious. The only thing I'd say is their mushroom ravioli pasta dough needs to be rolled out thinner and it wouldn't hurt to have a drizzle of truffle oil on there ;-) I've never been disappointed with a visit here. It's a perfect pick for any occasion, even just enjoying a glass of wine and an appetizer while you're in the area.
(4)Esther K.
Hamburger was great. Duck fat fries were AWESOME. A bit pricy for a burger and fries but was delicious!
(4)Mike H.
Angela and the rest of the crew at La Poste always blow everything out of the water, amazing food each and every time
(5)Mike P.
The food was decent. I ordered a burger and it came out cooked as ordered but seemed to lack seasoning. Still a good burger though. The service was also decent but didn't blow me away. Overall I felt the menu was overpriced and the vibe was a little stuffy.
(3)Joel B.
Went here about a week ago for a semi-special occasion with my family: Great ambience, though it gets loud with the tables so close together, it feels very "homey" while also upscale and welcoming. The weight staff is both professional and friendly, without being "hovery". The complimentary 16 bricks bread is great (as their bread always is), with some delicious olive oil pairing as well. The food was delicious, my little sister got a burger that was a little undercooked for her liking (she asked for medium well, got medium rare [I take this as a good thing since the meat was great]), but every aspect of it was quality. My mother and I each got the risotto, I added chicken to mine. That is honestly one of the richest dishes I've ever tasted, completely over the top decadent, and completely delicious. The serving of chicken was sizable, and worked very well with dish as a whole. The only knock on this place? The cost. It was, in my opinion, much too expensive for what we got. Even though the food was high quality, I have a hard time justifying that kind of cost, The side salads are expensive, the dishes themselves come with very little in the way of accompaniments, and the portions aren't particularly sizable - though I would say they're adequate. All in all La Poste is a great location, if you can afford it, or you have a special event. But I still don't feel comfortable at this price range.
(4)Amanda T.
This place had been given very high reviews by my friends so we decided to check it out. I was so happy with everything about this place! The only downside was the price, but it was so worth it! Service- The service was wonderful! Our water glasses were never empty. They brought out the food at appropriate time intervals. They had great wine and food suggestions. They were all nice and presentable. Environment- We went on a Monday night with a large group. They were very accommodating. We were able to make a reservation. We did not have to wait when we got there, probably because it was a weekday. They take your coats and hang them up for you. It is a romantic setting with dim lighting. I would dress a bit nicer if you are going to come here. It's not someplace I would stop in wearing scrubs or jeans. Food- ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! You cannot go wrong with food orders here. I had the risotto and it was a pretty big serving. I cannot even describe how delicious it was; you should go to at least try the risotto. My friends who had the burger loved it. All of the food was delicious. Even their bread was yummy with an amazing olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dip it in. My mouth is watering just thinking about their food. This restaurant is a hidden gem. I am guessing it gets pretty busy on the weekends. I would definitely go back. Just thinking about their food, I am going to find some friends and go back. It was that good!
(5)Robin L.
Such a lovely little gem tucked into a sides street off Ludlow. I've had two dinners there in different seasons. The menu changes accordingly and always offers a nice selection of seasonally appropriate seafood, vegetarian, pasta and meat dishes. A couple of items are perennials, like the TO DIE FOR mushroom ravioli and steak frites. The salads are some of the best I've ever had. Three days later I'm still dreaming of the frisse salad topped with pancetta and a poached egg. It's a cozy place but somehow keeps the noise level manageable for easily heard dinner conversation. Very worth the valet cost or parking struggles. So check it out!
(5)Alyssa F.
We came here on a very snowy day for a double date with my parents before a film at the Esquire. There was a band playing but we were worried about it being loud and they were going to seat us right next to them so we asked if any other tables were available and the hostess was more than accommodating. We ended up sitting in the "wine room" which was very intimate with just a few tables in there. Our server was really nice, as we were sort of slow in getting settled and actually taking a look at the menu. Menu-wise, there were several things I wanted to try but I narrowed it down to the salad with prosciutto and the mushroom ravioli. I split the salad with my date and they split it in the kitchen for us and it was presented beautifully and was soooo delicious. I loved the mushroom ravioli as well, and the portions were really good- sometimes I worry that I'll leave hungry at french restaurants. I also had a creme brulee that was huge and delicious. One other note was that their wine list is really great- lots of bottle in varying price points. We had a great cabernet from Paso Robles for about $30. They also offer several half bottles if you just want a couple of glasses. Overall I was really impressed with La Poste. I was kind of expecting something a bit stuffy and I came away feeling like it's a really nice refreshing take on french cuisine.
(4)Mike M.
Fresh, unique and wonderful service. I am so glad my wife and I tried it tonight. The mushroom ravioli was creamy, the chicken with corn salsa and grilled avocado was delicious, and the bread pudding is to die for!
(5)Monika N.
I have dined at La Poste twice now and both times left with a very happy and full belly. My first experience at La Poste was a couple years ago when we decided to check it out after a wine tasting. Both the food and the wine selection stick out in my mind even though it was two years ago! I love the atmosphere - formal but not fancy. I would feel comfortable in a nice black dress or in jeans and a nice sweater. The thing that made me come back was our experience with the somm, who listened to what we liked in wine, suggested a few bottles, and didn't scoff when the first bottle he suggested was above our price range. Fast forward two years and the food is still excellent. The menu regularly changes and I was bummed that they were out of ravioli this time - but no one at the table was disappointed with their meal. And since it was my birthday we decided to order dessert - equally non-disappointing. So if you're looking for a great date spot or just a fun night out with friends - check out La Poste!
(5)Tina E.
Had a great pre-race dinner on Saturday night. The lamb special was outstanding. The burger was one of the juiciest and appropriately-cooked we've ever had. The ravioli and pappardelle (sp?) were very tasty as well. The bread pudding for dessert was simply awesome. Joe and Angela stopped by, recommended some great wine, and treated us like royalty. Just a great experience.
(5)Jordan T.
I am giving them a four because of inconsistent meals and poor cocktail choices. If you go to this place, go during the week and get wine. When to go: Being a former kitchen work horse/cook, when venturing into a new restaurant, try to go during the week if possible. The staff is more relaxed and has more time to prepare and execute each menu item to its truest potential. This is so true with my experiences at La Poste. The staff seems scattered during the weekend, but poised during the week. Last year I had the best meal I've ever had in Cincinnati. I can recall every item I happily devoured. The staff during the week was attentive and spot on. They turned an ordinary winter night into an extraordinary memorable evening that is seared into my memory like the sensual steak special that I go the pleasure to enjoy. Everything about this restaurant has the potential and can be exquisite; from the table cloth and napkins, to the wine list, to the service, to the food. This place can deliver the full package. Go on a Wednesday night when they have intimate live jazz and you can't lose.
(4)Linda Lee P.
Very charming restaurant. Food was tasty and cooked well. Nice atmosphere. Good wine. Nothing stood out as amazing, but it was good. I would definitely go back if we were in the neighborhood.
(3)Fabian S.
We spent the evening with three couples. After we got seated it took about 25 minutes to get something to drink. How ever they were out of the sparkling wine my wife wanted to drink (#1). Most of the food was very good except for the muscles I ate. When we tried to order a bottle of sparkling water they were out (#2). We order a nice bottle of Cabernet but when we tried to order a second bottle of the same wine they were out (#3). After dinner we went to the bar and our friend order a captain and coke but they were out of captain (#4). In general I can say the restaurant has a great atmosphere but the staff is very mediocre!
(2)Aaron H.
I ate lunch at this restaurant today and it was a very pleasant experience. I thought that the soft music and contemporary interior design made for a very comfortable environment. I ordered the reuben which was $11. It was DELICIOUS. Best restaurant in Clifton hands down. I'll definitely be returning soon.
(5)Becky P.
Our service was so bad. Nice people, but it took FOREVER to place orders and receive food. I got a salmon dish--the flavor combination tasted incredibly strange to me. My dining companions also all had mediocre meals. The restaurant is definitely a bit outdated--nothing trendy or intimate about it.
(3)Mark E.
Awesome dining experience! We started with the fried green tomatoes and a half portion of mushroom ravioli. The ravioli was life-changing delicious! The FGT were also very good; but, were a bit eclipsed by the raviloi. Entrees of mussels with charred rye bread (wow!) and the steak frites. The steak tasted like it was grilled over charcoal and served with a demi glacé and perfectly crisp French fries. One of the best steaks I've ever tasted--simply incredible! We finished with a ricotta cheesecake and bread pudding. The cheesecake was perfect--light, well balanced, and not too sweet with a slight hint of citrus. The bread pudding was also great but not as good as others we've had (hello Blue Ribbon Bakery in NYC). The service was attentive and not overbearing--which translates to great! Our only criticism is the room is a little loud. But other may interpret this as "lively!" This is a truly great restaurant and we highly recommend it!!
(5)Anita R.
La Poste came well recommended so on my last night in Cincinnati I tried it out. The artwork on exhibit was very nice, the wine room was nicely put together and the menu (especially the dessert menu) held many interesting possibilities. I very much enjoyed the burger, not something I usually order, but it sounded good and it was exceptional. I could have skipped the fries, they were not worth eating - so I didn't. The seasonal salad was fabulous and a great balance for the burger. One of my friends had the salmon - it was quite tasty. All of the presentation was very lovely. I can rarely resist creme brulee, and La Poste's was among the best. The hint of orange and the apples and walnuts on top made it absolutely memorable... I saved the beignets for breakfast. As to the service, it was disappointing to say the least. Unless I really needed their creme brulee, I would not return. There are great salads and exceptional burgers at other establishments where the staff is more ready to provide a relaxed and delightful experience. (Note: The waiter argued with me about how I wanted my burger prepared, neglected to mention that the burger came with a salad when I ordered a salad, didn't offer the dessert menu and we had to wait for him for about 10 minutes when we had finished eating and then call out to him to get his attention. There were 3 other tables with a total of 7 people in addition to our table of 3, and at least 3 staff in addition to the hostess. No excuse.)
(2)Tricia D.
Dear La Poste, You had me at hello. Such a cute restaurant that used to be a post office! Extra cute points for having the napkins folded into the shape of envelopes. The menu is not too overwhelming choice-wise, and from what I could observe, the dishes are done right and really prepared with love and care. My beef short ribs were tender, flavorful, and really hit the spot! It was accompanied by kale, veal sweetbreads, and mushrooms. All great flavors. C enjoyed her risotto too. Service was stellar, and if I ever visit Queen City again, I'm coming back! Love, T-Girl P.S. Warm and fuzzies for this meal! Not only did I enjoy the best meal of the visit to Cincinnati weekend with my bff, but Graeter's was right across the street! Convenient, right?
(5)Melissa C.
I came to La Poste after searching for a top notch restaurant to blow my corporate card while I was here on business from NYC. I'm happy to report that La Poste surpassed my expectations and will be a staple if I ever come back to Cincy. First off, the service was amongst the best I've ever experienced. Our server was very informative, friendly, and conversational. My companion and I had a very long dinner here and we were never pressured to hurry up. She even helped us order a cab when we were trying to get home later in the night. The food.. the dishes were excellent; crab cake was meaty, mussels were succulent, duck risotto had a lovely savory flavor, and the truffle fries were great to munch on beforehand. I will say my fish was over-salted in some parts, however, it was nonetheless tasty and creative. I highly recommend La Poste if you want an elevated dining experience in Cincy. Will not disappoint those looking for good food, good conversation, and great service along the way.
(4)Zach B.
Ate here for the first time last night (8/29/2014). Absolutely incredible food and atmosphere. It's now on my top 5 places to eat in Cincinnati. Starters: scallops, finocchiona salad Main: pork medallions with apple cabbage slaw, steak frites
(5)Santeri P.
My wife and I came here for dinner one evening and to listen to some music played by the Faux Frenchmen, a wonderful acoustic gypsy jazz band. La Poste has a somewhat trendy upscale atmosphere with a menu and wine list to match. We were in the mood for something simple to eat and we both ordered the burger and a glass of wine. This is one of the best burgers I have ever eaten based purely on the meat. It is a mixture of grass fed lamb and beef and the flavor is incredible. You can taste the lamb but it is not overpowering (I wouldn't mind if it was because I love lamb). Other than that it is a simple burger with roasted tomato, ketchup, and Swiss cheese. Every bite I took convinced me that this combination of meat was ideal for a delicious burger. Although they have a lovely menu with lots of other delicious sounding items I would be tempted to return just for the burger. The setting was intimate as the space is not too big or so small that it feels cramped. The music volume was perfect with the acoustic band so that we could still have a conversation or listen to the music. When we finished our meal we ordered another glass of wine so that we could digest our food and continue to enjoy what ended up being a nice romantic evening. I would definitely return (especially when the Faux Frenchmen are playing) and enjoy the wonderful food and atmosphere again. The restaurant is located just off Ludlow in Clifton so either before or after one could easily walk around and do some shopping or catch a movie at the Esquire Theatre.
(4)David W.
Great food and service. What more needs to be said.
(5)MaryLiz S.
There was valet parking for $7. We took them up on their offer, since we were from out of town and had no idea where to park. The Yelp reviews said, "dressy," but we fit in just fine wearing business casual. Hubby was wearing clean, new black jeans. Some other patrons were wearing nice T-shirts. We had arrived a little after 6, and the place was still relatively quiet. As the other diners arrived, the place never got very noisy, even though the restaurant consists of one very large room with a high ceiling. There were oil paintings lined up along the walls, the work of a single artist. One of our group theorized that the display changes periodically. They didn't give us a basket of bread. Instead we had little crostini with some chopped cucumber to spoon over the top. Our waiter asked if we wanted sparkling water. Sure! Pellegrino. Very nice. They have a full bar and a list of interesting wines. Maybe there are longer lists, but these were well chosen. I'm no wine snob, but I'm learning by hanging out with my in-laws. We also received a nice little handbill of wine tasting events hosted by this restaurant. Other diners changed glasses with each type of wine and drink they were sampling. I guess if you know how to appreciate fine wine, this is a great place. And now for dinner... I had an awesome "Apple Salad," with crisp head lettuce wedges, tiny diced apples, creamy gorgonzola dressing and very flavorful bacon crumbles. Hubby had the salmon special -- cooked to perfection, just to the point of turning opaque and still very creamy. I had the trout, on a bed of asparagus couscous. Caramelized very nicely! For dessert, bread pudding, creme brulee, and chocolate mouse tart. Mmmm. We sampled each others' choices. We had been listening to an eclectic mix of recorded music that included reggae and jazz, but then about the time we ordered dessert, a small jazz combo began to serenade us. Enjoyable! The waiters and other staff were very friendly, and we felt very relaxed. We always had what we needed at our table, and never had to wait for someone to show up.
(5)Elaine W.
I knew I would love this place. I knew it. My friend told me to get the scallops (appetizer), and they were the tenderest scallops I've ever had. It was like eating jello. I never craved scallops before. Now I only crave LA POSTE scallops. Dinner mate ordered the Opera Salad (sweetbreads... whew, not for me), and enjoyed it. Yeah, we didn't think to split anything. It was go all out or go home. For entrees, my friend got the Lobster Bouillabaise, and I got the Tanglewood Farm Chicken. Mistake. It was good, but I've had much better free range chicken. I've noticed that at almost every nice restaurant in Cincinnati the waitress's favorite entree is the chicken. Lesson: Don't listen to the waitress and get the chicken unless you absolutely love chicken. Apparently they are known for their white chocolate bread pudding. I swore off sweets that day (atypical), but that could not prevent me from stealing two luxurious spoonfuls of that stuff (typical). So. Good. This is one those places where the setting is so beautiful you are tempted to order wine. But unlike some of the new places downtown, it's more presentation than pretension, and the service is top-notch. Weirdly out of place in Clifton, but hey every neighborhood deserves a stellar restaurant.
(4)Jen H.
We love eating here not just because of the amazing food and drink, but the atmosphere makes us feel like we took a mini trip to Paris. We love the windows. The dishes are fresh and the use of local ingredients makes a difference. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Logan E.
This place is so good that it inspired me to write my very first Yelp review ever. I was looking for a place to grab a quick bite after my girlfriend got off of work, and I decided to look up restaurants. I had seen La Poste before, but had never gone in. Well, we decided to check it out on a whim. We had some kind of pear wrapped in proscuitto for an appetizer. I wouldn't have expected a pear wrapped in meat to be quite so wonderful, but it seriously was first class. In my culinarily unimaginative mind, I had expected to get some kind of salad with chopped pear in it, so I was surprised when it was a whole pear. But this is why I'm not a chef and whomever was cooking that food is. Because it was great. The waitress was very friendly and on top of things. I never felt ignored, and she definitely didn't hover. She told us about the specials, and we got a lovely ribeye with bernaise on it, over some mashed potatoes with some kind of glaze on it, with that over little mushrooms, with that over asparagus. It was pretty much the best. And I had read on here to try the white chocolate bread pudding, which was exquisite. Anyways, what I thought was going to be a quick bite turned into a long, relaxing meal and an altogether wonderful time. So, anyways, I can't cook, but I can eat. And I was so glad I ate at La Poste. I'll be back with a quickness.
(5)Jill C.
When I told a friend I was going, he advised, "I hope you have a Groupon." Even better, it was a business dinner. Myself, and three relative strangers opted for the Chef's Tasting (which, isn't listed on the menu) so we had: Heart of Palm Salad, Scallop, Mushroom Ravioli, Butcher's Cut, and choice of dessert. What a way to experience this place! The food was great-I could have licked the bowl from the ravioli. If I were to go back, I would certainly order it as my entree. The NY Strip was cooked rare, and delicious. Their bread pudding is what they're known for, but I opted for a NY style cheesecake with pistachio crust and blueberry topping. There isn't anything I wouldn't have again, but the ravioli, o my words it was great! Our service was phenomenal. At one point, after not being able to make a decision our server came back for what was probably the 8th time, and we had still not decided, and he said with a smile, "it's fine; I'm a waiter, my job is to wait." He then later suggested the tasting which was spot on. Everyone was friendly and accommodating. There isn't anything more I would have expected. On the logistics: the chef's tasting had to be done by the table, not the individual so it's pretty miraculous that three people with whom I had never dined all ate the same thing. I did not pick up the bill, but I have a feeling it was ~$50/person. If you're interested, ask. Our waiter also mentioned that you can substitute any of the courses. They do offer valet parking ($7) right out front. Your other options are the streets of Clifton, or the lot off of Howell with steps up to the plaza/Ludlow.
(5)Jim K.
We have dined with LaPoste several times and always take guest. Could not think of one thing that was not tops. Love this place and the service is OUTSTANDING The Kincaid"s West Chester
(5)Michael A.
Girlfriend and I had plans to have dinner at another restaurant. When I went to pick her up she suggested we go to La Poste based on a recommendation from a friend. I am not spontaneous and like plans, but I am trying to be more open to things. I said, "sure, let's go to La Poste." They tried to seat us at one of those tables where you and your date sit across from another, and then there are two of the same tables right next to yours. I have no idea why people enjoy this kind of setup. I demurred, there was more commotion than I would have liked, but the hostess agreed to give us a table for four. In sum, the ambience is okay, but the place gets crowded later on. The food is excellent quality, the wine list is more than satisfactory, but at the end I felt like I paid three times what I should have to enjoy a good meal. Don't get me wrong, if La Poste is your cup of tea, I would say it is a great choice. Will I go back? Not unless I have to.
(2)Cindy G.
La Poste, La Poste, La Poste...I don't really know where to start with you. You are an overflowing bucket of awesomeness. Here we go... ATMOSPHERE: La Poste just on concept alone is successful. Some restaurants try to do themes and the execution falls short with tacky decor, or confusing ideas. La Poste is simple, and the theme of the former post office runs effortlessly throughout the space. The atmosphere is dim lit, romantic, soft and beautiful. (We sat in a princess booth, a tall wing backed booth that was just stunning) WINE: I don't normally mention wine, but we didn't select our wine here. The absolutely wonderful sommelier did. I didn't catch his name but I'm pretty sure this dude's famous, cuz he's amazing! He selected a less pricier version of our favorite red that tasted almost identical, paired better with the food, and was very light and drinkable. Delicious! FOOD: My tummy is full just thinking of this night. We had a table of four, and I thought I knew what I wanted until the server came over and described the specials for the night, then everything went out the window! There was too much deliciousness to be decided, we just choose to order basically one of everything and split. They were nice enough to break it down into courses for us. Everything that came out was almost to beautiful to eat...almost. Things that stuck out to me, the frites with black garlic truffle NOM, were the table favorite. Potato soup was well seasoned and flavorful, mussels had a nice broth and were cooked evenly. DESSERT: I do not usually order dessert. I hate chocolate (GASP!) I know, but they had carrot cake, and a girl can never turn down anything with cream cheese icing, my god, that's a sin. A delicious sin indeed! The amaretto cheesecake was also one of the most delicious desserts I have had in a long time. Not overly sweet, but perfectly balanced. I wasn't expecting this for some reason. This little unassuming restaurant tucked away in the gaslight district is a contender people. Do not miss out on the wonderful culinary artistry, and delicious wine here. Not to mention the service, between every meal we got a new set of plates, silverware, and our wine was always filled to the brim. If I could give 10 stars for service I would. An effortlessly perfect night at La Poste. I will definitely be back!
(5)Julia N.
We love LaPoste and are glad to have a quality restaurant we can walk to in Clifton. Good is always good, craft cocktails are excellent - and we love Nikki the bartender! Wait staff is knowledgeable.
(4)Steve D.
Terrific upscale bistro in the Gaslight District, the only real fine dining establishment near the university and particularly out of step in the Gaslight district, an area where Shiva couldn't swing an arm without hitting a curry joint. Thoughtful seasonal menu, extremely attentive service, and creative wine list with surprising, excellent choices. Only two minor flaws: Numerous reviews have complained about portion sizes. My dish (a lamb shank over creamy polenta) was more than ample, but my wife's scallop and butternut squash risotto portion was small. Odd that one of us would leave the restaurant stuffed and the other was hungry enough to make popcorn the moment we got home. My lamb was perfectly cooked but under-seasoned, to the point that I found myself looking for a salt shaker. Also odd, especially with a slow-braised dish such as this. Still, I'm looking forward to coming back often. The chef and sommelier are both worth getting to know much better!
(4)Josh D.
We were at the Esquire Theater and decided to get a bite to eat after the movie. Saw this next to where we were parked and thought the menu looked awesome. We didn't have a reservation but they accommodated us anyway on a high top. Kind of neat sitting side by side rather than across from my wife...just a little different. My wife had fresh mushroom ravioli and I had the 8oz burger. Both meals were amazing, if we had our full appetites on some of their specials and the tasting menu looked fabulous. Definitely going to go back! Great service, perfect food!
(5)Paige M.
A visit during lunch provided a portion smaller than desired, and while I was satiated, I left feeling hungry for more. La Poste is a classy eatery tucked away on a side street near Graeters. I ordered a gourmet grilled cheese that was packed full of vegetables. The sandwich was cooked to perfection with gooey cheddar and hearty veg, I felt like it should have came with more, especially for the price. A dainty salad had arrived as an appetizer, but still, I was hungry. La Poste is a great place to go for a business lunch where you are not looking to stuff yourself. If you are starving, note that the portions are not platter-sized and you may need to order a few things to fill up. I'd be willing to give La Poste another try, but perhaps during a lunch where I'm not desperately starving this time. Price per person: $15.00
(3)Peg M.
I've been looking forward to dining at La Poste since ownership changed a couple years ago, and I have to say my expectations were very high. And they were well met! Food, service and wine were all incredible. Elegant without being stuffy, personal and attentive: we are vegetarians and there were several options on the menu, plus it stimulated a delightful conversation with our server. All in all, a great evening and fine value.
(5)Michael C.
Was able to get a table after the movie around the corner....well worth trying! The small plates are terrific. Had the scallops with goetta (go figure?)! My wife had the mussels. An Argentinian Malbec was a great addition! Put La Poste on your list!
(5)Jessica N.
I live in the area and this place is always packed in the evenings, which is really great for the Clifton Gaslight. The wait staff and sommeliers really know their stuff and won't lead you in the wrong direction when you want a good wine to pair with your food or vice versa. Don't shy away from La Poste if you don't have much wine knowledge; it's a welcoming environment for the novice as well as the experienced wine drinker and/or foodie. The staff is also really great and attentive. Definitely worth the trip for lunch or dinner. I also want to mention the interior of the place. The restaurant is based off of the french post office, and the interior plays off of this with the colors of blue and yellow, simple flower arrangements, and cloth napkins folded like envelopes. The art on display in the restaurant is always rotating as well. These things make the dining experience even more memorable!
(5)Jessica S.
It took me far too long to give La Poste a try, but I'm so thankful I finally have! Located where Tinks once was, just around the corner from Graeters and Sitwells on Ludlow in Clifton, La Poste is a small eatery that does not disappoint. Though I saw there were no reservations after 5:30pm on opentable, I decided to call and they were able to find me a reservation at 7:30pm that night. We arrived and the place was already bustling with happy patrons. We were promptly seated in the wine room, which is usually used for parties but is intelligently utilized on Friday and Saturday nights to accommodate for more people. I enjoyed sharing the pommes frites (man, I feel French just *typing* that!) with everyone at my table, and my rabbit risotto was absolutely stellar! We shared a bottle of red, and after my mother raved about it to the waiter he gave us a card with the name of the wine written on it. I thought that was a great touch. The only reasons why La Poste doesn't get a fifth star from me is because of our waiter. He definitely won us over in the end by giving us the card with the wine information on it, but throughout the night he was extremely nervous and completely incapable of hiding whatever anxiety he had. He stuttered even though he was reading the specials directly from a piece of paper in his hands! He also took our pommes frites off of our table when there were still some left; he didn't ask if we were done... and I really wished we could have finished our appetizer because they were so yummy! Oh, well. I'll definitely, definitely be back to La Poste... I just hope I get a more confident waiter or waitress!
(4)Mike C.
I've heard great things about this La Poste and was finally able to try it with a date. PARKING: I don't really go out in Clifton much, but it seems like parking is never easy. La Poste is off on a side street and there seemed to be a lot of cars already on the street so it might be hard to self park. I valeted, and it was nice because at the end of dinner, our waiter took our ticket and when we walked out of the restaurant my car was there waiting for me. ATMOSPHERE: Very nice ambience and decor. Feel very warm and homey. Not a very big space at all. Not loud at all and very easy to have a conversation. SERVICE: Our waiter was awesome. He had a very good knowledge of the menu and his recommendations were great. He earned the 25-30% tip that I gave him. Plates were cleared and wine and water glasses refilled in a timely fashion. There was another person at a table behind us that was sitting on a window edge talking to the diners behind us and at one point I reached back and hit her. It was almost like she was on top of us. Our waiter saw that and apologized after she left. Then when we had finished our wine, he poured each of us another glass to apologize for the intrusion. FOOD: Great food. Really not a bad dish. For appetizers, we had mussels and escargot. Muscles were good. The broth didn't seem like your typical white wine. Escargot came out of the shell in some kind of cream sauce. The sauce was ridiculously good. I guess that's why it came with a lot of pieces of bread to dip and sop up the sauce. Our waiter said his favorite thing on the menu was the duck, which we had. I agreed with him. It was very good, well balanced, good texture with some little fried parts to give it crunch and some cherry for sweetness too. The lamb shank wasn't bad, similar to what I've had at other places, and I really haven't been a huge fan of anywhere. They also have an extensive wine menu and a sommelier available. OVERALL: Definitely a new fan. I'd say one of the top 10 restaurants I've been to in town. Maybe a little pricey, so it's not somewhere that you're gonna go every week.
(5)Denver L.
I Love Love this place! My taste buds are still dancing from the rich flavorful meal. Beth and I were celebrating our 6 monthaversary and i can't think of a better that to have gone to. I wanted to do a chef tasting so we could try a little bit of what they had to offer. I threw Eric the wine guy a curve ball when i asked for an all white wine paring. Eric meet the challenge with enthusiasm and really made the meal POP! So we started off with a seared scallop, toast, Gorgonzola mouse, and a suvi egg. The scallop was done to perfection, and this was my first time getting anything suvi. Let me just say that i am looking for how to cook most my meals this way now, LOL! Next we had mushroom ravioli which was out of this world. The ravioli was out of this world! The sauce was rich and it was topped with a grilled mushroom. Being allergic to mushrooms after a few bites i gave the rest to Beth, who was more than thankful :) Our next course was Mahi with a beet puree. The asparagus was done to perfection. The citrus topping really complimented the Mahi well. The beet puree, well im just not a fan of beets, but it was ok. The Mahi was cooked a little overdone but by combining it with the beet puree it made it moist again. This was probably the dish i liked the least. After that we had Filet with a poblano mole and an avacado crab topping and grilled onion and carrots. The filet melted in your mouth, and was near heavenly. The Crab Avacado topping was excellent, and the grilled onion and carrots were nice as well. The poblano mole was a nice add on and gave it enough spice. Our final tasting was bread pudding and orange creme brulee. The bread pudding had a small serving of vanilla bean ice cream. The orange creme brulee had a light interior and a well carmelized top. I'm still having dreams of the bread pudding at night. This was an excellent ending to a fantastic meal. All in all we really enjoyed this place. Parking was valet and the attendant was fast and friendly. Eric was very knowledgeable about the wine and made some awesome pairings.
(5)Denny C.
Cincinnati has some great restaurants, and although the city is not on America's culinary trail as yet, it will soon be a foodie destination. The lists of Cincinnati's best will usually have Boca, Jean-Robert's Table, Orchard's, Jeff Ruby's, Metropole, Salazar, Nicola's etc., but never have I noticed La Poste. This past two weeks I have dined twice at La Poste and both times had a fantastic dining experience. The room has the charm of a Parisian boîte and the good looking young staff greets you with a warm & welcoming smile. La Poste's wine list, separated by new world and old world selections, has hidden gems at all price points. Specials are recited by the well informed staff, and if the "catch of the day" doesn't meet the chef's approval, it is sent back to the purveyor with a firm "no thank you!" That's the sign of a good kitchen! I'll say this once; the Mushroom Ravioli is to die for! Okay, I'll say it twice, the Mushroom Ravioli is to die for. My short ribs with a horseradish cream sauce was scrumptious. Dessert's bread pudding with caramel was worth the extra hour at the gym the next day. For some odd reason, marketing is frowned upon in Cincinnati and many restaurants, bars, and nightspots become unknown hidden gems. That's cool in universally recognized cities like New York, San Francisco, London, Paris, and Buenos Aires. However, a city like Cincinnati, trying to tear off its atavistic cloak of conservative stodginess, needs to shout its "cool" to the heavens with the bellow of an ox. La Poste should be added to the top list of Cincinnati's restaurants and I'm delivering this message post haste: La Poste is great and the Mushroom Ravioli is to die for!
(5)Ryan Z.
Hadn't been here in a while mainly due to my distaste for Clifton Gas Light's parking nightmare. This time, however, I trusted La Poste's valet to ease my worries. The process went flawlessly. Dinner was, for the most part, incredible. The PEI mussels were a generous serving and a nice touch to start. The waitress surprised us with a complimentary amuse bouche of chilled and diced root veggies on crackers. It was light and refreshing and so obviously farm fresh. The Caesar salad was the only real letdown. If you're going to charge $10+ for a starter salad, I'd hope it's good enough to justify the price. This one wasn't. It was the standard Caesar with two thin slices of anchovy adorning the top of the salad. Fortunately, the main dishes were spot-on incredible. We had a bottle of their recommended Shiraz - reasonably priced at around $60. Because of this slightly heavier red wine, we went with the duck breast and the lamb entrees. Both dishes were spectacular. I had a slight preference for the duck breast and particularly enjoyed the crispy hashbrown-esque side lying underneath the duck. Finally, I have to mention the bread pudding. I'm a huge sucker for bread pudding. If you haven't tried it, please try the white chocolate bread pudding at Bouchard's in Findlay Market. It's incredible. My only qualm with theirs is the lack of a topping sauce. I mention that because La Poste makes an equally good, albeit completely different, bread pudding and serves it with a mouthwatering sauce and two small scoops of vanilla ice cream. I just had to wipe the drool from my mouth just from thinking about this spectacular dessert!
(5)Sally Y.
La Poste is great for dinner if you intend to go there for a nice, multiple course, sit down meal. It's not going to cut it if you just want to go there for a quick filling dinner. The quality of the food is fantastic. The wines are even better! You just have to keep in mind that the portions are meant for you to have an appetizer or two on top of your meal. If you go there hungry and don't think about that ahead of time, you'll probably leave hungry as some of my friends said when we left. Lastly, it is definitely on the pricier end. The service and quality is great, but maybe not a casual spot to go eat. It's definitely more of a date night locale.
(4)Eunsol B.
Absolutely amazing!! The day I went was a buffet night! I had a luck to pay $20 and try delicious food as much as my stomach could hold. Apple pie was totally amazing. This place is the best dining place in Cincy.
(5)Jen L.
Great location, knowledgeable wait staff and yummy food.. so a pretty good combination. Get the mushroom ravioli...it is absolutely delicious.
(4)G M.
My wife and I were doing overnight in Cincinnati and found La Poste online. Made a late reservation and arrived about 9:30. The restaurant was still buzzing. We decided to share the lobster bouillabaisse and the mushroom ravioli. It had been several years sine my taste buds had danced like this. Our server was great, she knew when to stay and when to go. Although, the wine list seemed limited, we had a great bottle. Great experience and worth the 10 minute taxi ride from downtown.
(5)Christopher C.
This review is based upon the overall experience that I imagine La Poste is attempting to create. So, it's a nitpicky review. Service Details: Overall, the service was well-coordinated and impressionable. Our server was attentive and not very annoying at all. Just the right amount of attention. Her tone of speech wavered between peppy and quasi-sexual or sultry (especially when she told us to "Enjoy" our main course). This, matched with her Hello Kitty watch, made her more personable and the overall experience more dynamic. But, the first twenty introductory minutes of dining here became a bit stulted when she expounded upon that day's specials and their prices, which I found a tad tacky. It's probably a requirement of the management for the servers to do so. My dinner partner called this listing of specials and prices a "ritual" of the service here at La Poste. We agreed that, for better ease into the dining experience, La Poste should set up a board listing the specials or, better yet, make an additional (or addition to the) menu. Also, I should add that the same backwaiter clumsily knocked into my chair three times. Drink Details: The wine list was short and navigable - not overwhelming. Is there a signature cocktail menu? Food Details: We started with the banana salad (name?). Excellent. The fried crust of the banana-croutons tasted like Franks Red Hot. Next came the pommes frites with black garlic aioli. The aioli was really great. Unfortunately, the pommes frites were all short in length, like we had been given the bottommost ones before they served a new batch. All of them were so small that they became stuck in the aioli repeatedly. The pommes frites + aioli would have been more enjoyable had the fries been longer. My dining partner ordered the flounder. She said it lacked any defining taste. For some reason, I had the La Poste Burger. I tend to order burgers at these posh restaurants after I've tried something else before, but I jumped to it this first visit. The roasted tomato was a nice touch and the meat itself was fine, but overall I found the burger to be pretty unimaginative. The bread was unenjoyably dry and crusty. It didn't come across that La Poste took pride in their signature burger. La Poste Online: Can you guys update the menu, please? Overall: The service was impressive. The atmosphere was enjoyable. The food was okay if not a little disappointing.
(3)Caroline C.
So in exactly how many reviews am I going to have to admit that I'm a total francophile? Probably a few more than those in which I will admit that I love... the mail. Yes, the mail. Correspondence. I love it. And I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned that I love wine, right? Well... Francophilia + mail + wine = La Poste. And my love for La Poste doesn't stop there. The service is perfect. Flawless. Really. The timing was great, orders were placed in a synchronized fashion. Every detail was attended to. It was great. I can't say enough about the professional service. The food is great. I was dining with a group of pescetarians, and there were more than enough options for everyone to get what they wanted. Some of the highlights were the crab cake, scallops and the salmon dish. The ravioli is quite popular, but also quite rich. If you plan on order the ravioli, then maybe you want to forgo the salutation course. I'm a little upset that I didn't visit La Poste earlier. Definitely one of Cincinnati's must-try restaurant destinations.
(5)Peter B.
What a difference 6 months make! I dined at La Poste on opening night and noted a number of deficiencies in the quality of the food and the level of service. I understand that it usually takes a month or two to work out the kinks in a new restaurant, so I fully intended to revisit this cozy neighborhood bistro near Clifton and Ludlow. True to my word, I walked back in to La Poste 6 months after the opening, and I am extremely glad I did. The bartender Suzie (late of Nada) was both pleasant and enthusiastic. A foodie herself, she was more than happy to talk at length about the Cincinnati dining community in general and La Poste specifically. In order to give the place a fair shake, I decided to try the 5 course tasting menu, providing me with a wide exposure to the chef's cooking technique. Note: at $50, this is probably one of the best gastronomic deals in the midwest! The chef started with a complimentary amuse bouche in the form of a roasted pepper hummus with fresh pita chips. A great start to meal full of flavor and good textures. The first course involved a scallop sauteed with bacon with spinach and Gorgonzola cheese. The flavors were well-developed and scallop perfectly cooked. Next up: a mushroom ravioli in a cream sauce. Simply put, this was a warm plate of love! I could have eaten 10 plates of that and still asked for more. A plate of grilled salmon followed. This was served over braised lentils and was accompanied by a fried polenta cake. While the fish was a bit undercooked for my taste, I appreciated how well the flavor of wood-grilled salmon contrasted with the lentils and polenta. A solid dish in summary. The star of the savory offerings was certainly the slow cooked veal short ribs with sweetbreads and currants. I can still taste the smooth and developed profile of meat. What a way to finish a tremendous progression. I would be remiss if I were to omit a description of the dessert, bread pudding with cherry and white chocolate. In a word: sublime. I MUST have that recipe! If you haven't given La Poste a try, you are missing one of the best culinary experiences in the Queen City. Make the effort and you will be rewarded with an outstanding meal!!
(4)Kristan H.
We enjoyed our first experience at La Poste last year, but there was something subtle that made it even better this time around. Everything looked the same -- comfortably upscale decor, interesting art, cute postage-themed menu -- but all night we felt an extra spirit of joy infusing our experience. Slightly better service? Slightly better food? Maybe both. Maybe magic. I'm only half-kidding, because improving upon an already-great experience isn't easy to do. So kudos to the La Poste team. You'll be seeing us again soon, and more often.
(5)Laura H.
A friend introduced me to this place and I am glad she did. It's subtle decor and laid back atmosphere set the tone for an enjoyable dinner. The waitress was very knowledgeable and spot on with service. We shared the crab cake and smoked mackerel and were pleased by both. Next came the gourmet burger and a side of fries. Very filling and both were delicious. I had to try dessert and ordered the bread pudding. It didn't stand a chance and I am still reminiscing about it. I would highly suggest you check this place out. It's not to be missed.
(4)Alex S.
La Poste is a new restaurant where Tinks used to be, and where a post office was some time before that (hence the name). I was kind of hoping La Poste would offer a different sort of selection than Tink's somewhat overpriced but rather good food, but it's really the same kind of restaurant - that's not a bad thing, mind you, it's just not really a grand change. As you can tell from the name, La Poste has a postal theme to it, but only in small subtle ways. Things on the menu are adorably featured this way (instead of "appetizers" they serve "introductions") and the check comes in a tiny plastic envelope. However, that's where the post office theme stops. The rest of the place looks like your classic upscale eatery - beautiful art on the wall, long wooden bar as soon as you walk in. The real beauty of this place is it's gorgeous wine room, which houses hundreds of bottles in a controlled temperature. That was amazing to see - and it goes without saying that the wine selection is second to none. They also play some really great music, stuff like My Morning Jacket. That was a bit of a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Now the food? Ah, the food, here's where I come into my confusion. When the meal was great it was GREAT. Like the Chicken Fricassee, which was moist and flavorful and everything I wanted out of it. Oh my god. However, stuff like the house salad with pomegranate seeds and candied walnuts sounded amazing, but actually turned out to be just so-so. That was a little disappointing, but really, not enough to ruin the whole experience. Plus, I asked them to pair a wine with my meal and they choose a fantastic bottle, one I never would have choose myself! If you're not in the mood for something specific, I would certainly go that route. The prices are high but not unreasonably so. Actually, for a place this classy, I'd say they are right on. You're going to spend some money, but you could easily do double what you do here at other equally classy places around town. Easily. La Poste is not an everyday restaurant (which makes me really nervous for it's survival, since Clifton is an everyday eating kind of place and restaurants like this don't seem to do well) but for your special occasions and dining out treats, La Poste is a place to check out. I did and I am quite happy indeed.
(4)Andrew N.
I'm writing this purely based on one lunch, so this will have to taken with a grain of salt. I think their dinner menu looks a lot more promising, but their lunch is also a pretty good deal considering how refined the meal was. It's $9 for a main, $12 for a starter and main, and $14 for a 3 course lunch. Me and my friend got the salad of the day to start, which had dried strawberries. The dried part I didn't really care for but the greens were fresh, the parmesan was fragrant and nutty, and overall it was a well composed salad. For mains we had the steak and eggs and also the mac and cheese with duck confit. The mac was short on the duck and the pistachios were promising but didn't add much; I could hardly taste them. The steak and egg with hollandaise sauce, however, were spot on. All in all, a pretty good meal, minus my own mac and cheese which I thought was well executed but ultimately not a dish I would order again. There is a lot of promise though. I really wanted to try their shrimp risotto and their black cod sounds amazing. I hope to be adding a star or two soon to this review and another restaurant to my growing list of favorites.
(3)Sarah F.
We celebrated a friend's recent birthday here with dinner and minus just a couple of fumbles, had a lovely evening. As a large group, we were sat in the 'back room', which was nice because it was more private and by the wine room, but with a smaller party, might feel a bit isolated from the main restaurant. The servers were unobtrusively friendly and competent (minus one accidentally overturned water glass when refilling into a friend's lap). The only other slight service misstep, is when our entrees arrived, lots of different servers brought all our food out (so we could all receive our meal at the same time--good), but it was a bit chaotic and they didn't seem to know whose entree was whose. That aside, the decor had a bit of French bistro feel, tending toward the spartan side. The menu is fun to read without being over-the-top cutesy. Good wine options by the glass (but, small niggle, they served my wine in a glass so enormous, it felt like I was getting just a sip of wine, even though I'm sure it was standard pour). They brought a 'gift course' to start, which was a take on a baba ganoush and accompanying thin pieces of toast for dipping. It was pretty unappetizing looking and unfortunately didn't taste much better, but I can't ding them too much since it was free. Luckily, the rest of the meal reflected much better on the chef than the start! I got the crab cake as a starter and salmon as my main. The crab cake had a thin, crispy breading on the outside, which I was originally skeptical about, but the inside was bit lumps of crab and delicious. The salmon was one of the best I've had in a long time--perfectly cooked to a medium rare with a bit of a sear on the outside for a wonderful textural contrast, well seasoned, and a perfect portion. The only thing I didn't love was the 'ratatouille' that came under the salmon--it was minced and sauced until it didn't really resemble its namesake anymore and basically just didn't add anything to the meal. Overall, a very good experience and a place I'd like to try again.
(4)Jessica L.
One of my favorites in Cinci. The food is always wonderful. From their steak to salads to pasta, everything rocks. The cost is a bit high but the quality of food and service more than make up for that. La Poste has a wonderful wine selection and their cocktails are fantastic. If you're looking for a chic place to eat with nothing but the best food and service this is the place for you.
(5)Carley M.
we loved our experience at la poste, the food was great and unique. The server was very nice and educated about the menu. It was surprising very loud, which was the only negative point!
(5)Sheila M.
After all the hype, I gotta say that something was lacking from my experience here. I was seated with my friend at a table for two right by a window, which was a little drafty on a winter's night. Our server was perfectly nice and conversational, checking his notes as he named the specials that evening. Being the regrettably cheap person I am, I ordered the burger and aioli fries. Now, what I REALLY wanted was the braised beef shank, but alas, that was $30 and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So I would like to advise you, fine review-reader, to order whatever the hell you want! Throw caution to the wind. Because really, who goes to a fancy place to order a burger and fries?? ? (Sigh.) The fries were good with the black garlic aioli, though saltier than they should have been. The burger, though, was a disappointment - other than the fact that it did taste like beef, it was flavorless. It supposedly had sausage and other meats mixed in, but I could barely tell. Determined to finish my food, I coated the burger with the rest of my aioli, and then it was edible. I left feeling almost full, but not very satisfied. I will give La Poste another chance someday, especially since I live about 2 feet away from it. Maybe next time I'll be wiser about what I decide to order and that will make all the difference! I can only hope so, anyway.
(3)Kim D.
Elegant and Surprisingly Chic 5 Star Service...yet Cozy! Celebrating the Holidays with good friends requires good food. It also requires an environment where you feel comfortable enough to enjoy yourself. My group of six long-time girlfriends ate here on 12/11/2010 and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. We had the first reservation at 5:30 (more time to burn calories through the night, you see :) - We were seated at a circular table (Thank You!) We ate here last year when it was Tinks and were at a lengthy rectangular table (Hard to converse). The Hostess promptly came and hung our coats, as quickly as we entered. The server was prompt, yet considerate, as we were settling. It was as though she was exactly aware of when to be there and when not. Loved her city chic attitude (hence the title above) with her tattoos, yet again, she provided excellent service to our obtrusive group. I had the gnocchi and it was pretty fantastic - broth was flavorful and the Spinach was crunchy and delectable. A friend had the Pear Salad which melted in your mouth. I have to say that I wanted more quantity, but that's to be expected. We drank wine, which was expensive, again expected, however, due to the portions, left a bit tipsy...or, was that the quantity of wine we drank? Never-mind! I do have to mention the artwork. As I looked to my right, staring me in the face was seriously a modern painting of a penis. You may go and offer your opinion, but that is what a table of 'gals' saw. Enjoy!
(5)Dominique B.
Let me start by saying that the food and the service here is absolutely fantastic! They have a great chef, great wait staff, and a wonderful wine list. I only wish they would take the 'post office' theme up a level...it's such a cute idea and they should incorporate it into the decor. I came here for my birthday and would definitely come again for another celebration.
(4)Rachael G.
This place is fabulous! We had dinner here on Valentine's Day; the earliest reservation was at 9:45pm but it was sooo worth the wait. We were a little early so we sat at the bar and had some cocktails. I can't remember which one I had, but it was so good! We had the special prix fixe Valentine's Day dinner for two which consisted of four smaller courses plus a dessert. OH. MY. GOD. Everything was so amazingly good. My absolute favorite was the mushroom ravioli, which I'm glad to know is on the regular menu as well. However, every single course was awesome. In fact, my only complaint is that it was so good, we didn't want to not eat everything on our plates, so when we left, we were so full all we wanted to do was pass out in a food coma. I will definitely be coming back here as soon as possible....I'll just try to not eat so much this time.
(5)Tim L.
Food was bomb dot com. Prices were higher than I would have liked. Recommendations from the staff were choice. Service was average. Definitely worth scoping it if you haven't been.
(4)Nigel C.
Great service it just flowed. I experimented and went for the unusual like banana salad and loved everything I ordered. Plus the place was packed at 6.30 PM on a Monday. Will be back when my wallet recovers.
(5)Bea D.
We made our first visit to La Poste for restaurant week. I was pleased that they had a Belgium brown ale. It was served in glasses fit for wine. And I will say now that the beer was the highlight of our meal. I was served a unremarkable salad which supposedly contained roasted pistachios and hearts of palm. The hearts of palm must have been in thin slivers as they were in distinguishable from the Parmesan. Next I was served a scallop which by itself was good, but nothing was there to complement it. Finally I was served a strip steak which was again just ok. After this preview I am not impressed by this establishment enough to make a return visit. The pricing versus quality and portion size was just not equitable. So long La Poste. Have a good journey.
(2)Brittany K.
La Poste is a really great restaurant. Their waitstaff is attentive, helpful, and polite. The food is really good (I had rabbit, delicious). Their drinks are well made and creative (not to mention award winners, GO bartenders!). Their menu is seasonal. And the room and tables are really simple and pretty. I'd go there more if it wasn't so expensive! (I had a gift certificate)
(4)Brent R.
Bacon scallops and mushroom ravioli stole the show tonight, and the pear salad held its own. The service crew, especially our server, Jeremy, was attentive without being overbearing or pretentious. The two entrees in the five-course chef's sampler, the pan-fried flounder and seared sirloin, were quite tasty but not at the same level as the opening salvo. Suggestion: Request a table in the small dining room (it's by the walk-in wine closet) when you make a reservation. It's quieter and cozier than the main dining room. Great for special occasions or a romantic night out!
(4)Laura S.
A friend and I decided to catch up over dinner at La Poste, he had been before, I had not. We had to wait until 8:30 to get a table, but that is to be expected on a Friday night. When we walked in, the first thing we both noticed was that it felt nearly as hot inside the restaurant as it was outside (101 degrees that day!) and there was a very noticeable haze at the far end of the room. Initially I thought it may have been some residual smoke from the kitchen, but really it was just that hot and hazy in there. The staff never said that the AC wasn't working, but it certainly felt like it to us, and it didn't let up the entire time we were there. It didn't ruin our evening, just an observation. We started off with a complimentary jicama salad served with crackers, which was very refreshing. Next we had the scallops and the mussels. Both were very good, although the crust on the scallops was incredibly salty (not worth $15 IMO). After our appetizers, we shared a bottle of 2005 Burgundy, he had the Butchers cut, a New York Strip Steak, and I had the pork shank. His steak was cooked med rare as ordered and was excellent! My pork shank ($23) was very tender and fell right off the bone. It was served with micro-greens sprinkled with candied citrus, roasted potatoes and goat cheese. The greens were tasty and the potatoes slightly undercooked, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the dish as a whole. Both portions were large and we each took some home. Lastly we both had the panna cotta with fresh strawberries for dessert, a fresh and light end after a solid meal on a very hot night. Although it can be pricey, the food was good and the service was excellent (our glasses were consistently being topped off). We were there for 3.5 hours and didn't feel rushed or bothered at all, which was very nice. Overall my experience was positive, and I would eat there again, hopefully under cooler conditions :)
(4)no n.
The food is good; not supurb but definitely good. They were accomodating to our gluten allergies. We had very nice wine here. The service was mediocre.
(3)Mariana P.
I have mixed feelings about La Poste. The presentation is adorable...like the napkins are folded to look like envelopes, and our check came in a tiny little envelope like the one that comes in the old school Clue game...I digress. The food was OK....I'm pretty sure my 1 piece of fried chicken was not worth $19, but oh well. Our waiter was efficient, but had NO personality and was very aloof. We definitely were the noisy drunk people in the restaurant, but that only means the waiter should be nicer as we would have been more likely to order more stuff!
(3)Mitch D.
I am definitely a fan of La Poste. We were big fans of the place that was in this location before, but based on my first experience with La Poste this was an upgrade. The crab cake on the appetizer menu was delectable, the caesar salad was as good as I've had anywhere and the wine list was just deep enough for us. We sat at the bar for dinner and the bartender (Susy Mulroy) was phenomenal. She flat out knows her stuff. I will definitely be back, next time with a bigger crowd in tow.
(4)Debbie Z.
We went to La Poste last night for a casual Thursday night outing of nibbles and wine. This was my third time there, but the other two were for their opening and for a special wine dinner. So, this was my actual first normal dining experience. The place was hopping with patron conversation and hustling servers when we arrived at 7:00. Without solid reservations, we were able to nab one of the sideline seats against the wall. These seats allow for a birds-eye view of the action. We like to try several smaller plates rather than ordering two main dishes, so we decided on two appetizers to get us started. We ordered the Steamed Mussels and a special of Seared Scallop & Braised Pork Belly that rested on top of a veggie hash. The Steamed Mussels were soaking comfortably in a beautiful creamy and flavorful broth. After the mussels were gone, we soaked up the broth with the crusted bread and then once the bread was gone, we just started spooning it into our mouths. If we weren't out in the middle of everyone, I'm pretty sure I would have slurped it straight out of the bowl! The Seared Scallop & Braised Pork Belly was to die for. The Pork Belly was so tender if fell apart in your mouth and it paired perfect with the scallop and the hash. After those two dishes, I really didn't think I could be impressed any further. But, then we got the Mushroom Ravioli. I'm pretty certain I was making strange noises as I was eating it. After eating the Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli from Wildflower Bistro in Mason, I never thought I would enjoy any other as much. But, I must say this will go down in my book as my new favorite. The FINALE - We ended our evening at La Poste in a way that is really indescribable on paper. I will just say we ended with Dave's Bread Pudding and a glass of dessert wine. That should really tell it all, but just to be clear - Dave's Bread Pudding is amazing. Enough said.
(5)Chandler M.
From the decor to the service to the drinks to the phenomenal food, La Poste is a brilliant establishment run by experts on providing a full dining experience. It is not to be missed by any foodies or fine dining lovers in the city!
(5)Nicolas B.
It's simple: I JUST LOVE THAT PLACE! I discovered it as I was going through an interview for Grad School. I was quite doubtful about the menu, so I decided to have the mushroom ravioli. I have been to quite a few restaurants in my life, most of them being in Paris. But I have to admit it: The best dish I had in my entire life was served in Cincinnati OH at La Poste. Believe it or not but it's very true. That being said, the ambiance is really enjoyable, the service is really friendly and overall I think that's the perfect balance of cosy atmosphere and dedicated professionalism. Everything is thought through, from the music to the local artists painting on the wall. If you ever go to Cincinnati, remember to stop by La Poste. One of my best memory of my time in Cincy and definitely one of best culinary experience in the US. Only little bad thing: the place is quite pricy, but it's definitely worth the money!
(5)Trisha K.
Hate to be a Debbie Downer on this one, but dang, what a bummer this restaurant turned out to be. Strap in because it's gonna be a bumpy ride... I started off with a glass of white wine and although it was different, it was not a good different. Then, I had the pear salad, which was very good! My entree was the burger with frites. I didn't really care for the burger unfortunately, but it was better than my hubby's entree! This is where it gets bumpy folks! He ordered the rabbit with mashed potatoes. How is it possible to make rabbit taste like salmon? Just ask the chef at La Poste! Straight up nasty, but wait, there's more! I decided to try a bite of his mashed potatoes. As we all 4 watch him slide his fork into the potatoes, we all fell over when a hair came up with it! UUUHHHHG! Now, the service? Hmm, nope, not great either. It was obvious I wasn't impressed with my wine, yet the waiter didn't care enough to attempt to fix the situation. It was also obvious something was up with my hubby's meal, yet he didn't care enough to ask if everything was ok. We left with them never knowing there was a hair in his meal. If we felt there was reason enough to let them know, we would have pushed it, but because of our overall experience, we had already determined we would never return anyway. In any fine dining restaurant, I expect a higher level of service, however, I get better service (and food) at SmashBurger. NEXT!
(2)Andi O.
Lovely restaurant & fantastic dinner. My friend and I shared the fois gras, which was decadent. I had a seasonal salad and the ravioli, and both were exceptional. Our server Joe convinced us to try the bread pudding. Let me tell ya, this is not your grandma's bread pudding. It was amazing. My favorite part about La Poste is the wine selections. Our server was spot on with his recommended pairings.
(5)Carly H.
The food was very delicious - but your would not get that impression based on the limited menu that they present. The waiter we had was nice but a little SLOW, he stumbled when presenting the specials and we felt that the sommelier did not have a good wine background. However annoying the start was, my husband and I did the tasting menu for my birthday dinner and it was simply AMAZING!!! : We had the Roasted Crimson Pear 11 fresh herb goat cheese, prosciutto,arugula Mussels and Clams 10 dry cider, coriander, leeks, grilled tomatoes, crostini Seared Salmon* 23 warm quinoa, caramelized, mirepoix, asparagus, piquilloclam brot Veal Short Ribs 26 rosemary mashed potatoes, red vegetable slaw, strawberry braising ju Butchers Cut I would have not have done it any other way. I really liked the restaurant fell, just not impressed with the staff.
(3)Lynne H.
We enjoyed the mussels very much. The orange cardamom creme brûlée was divine. Walleye special and mushroom pasta dish were very good. All the salads were terrific, but the duck risotto was really bad. Bland, with some stringy brown stuff on the top that I guess were bits of duck confit. I should have sent it back if I was not too cowardly. Chocolate parfait was weird-- not much flavor and filled with strange crumbly stuff that tasted like stale crumbs. Bread pudding was enjoyed by three out of four of us, but it was too heavy on the caramel syrup for my taste. Service was great, atmosphere was cute, but noisy. It was a fun place for a celebration dinner, but food does not hold a candle to Nicola's where we dined the next night. One of us used valet parking, which was fine, and one easily found street parking. So that was not a problem.
(4)Samia M.
Today I went to La Poste for lunch. They have a great lunch special where $14 gets you a main dish, side, and dessert. There were many options for the entree, which all sounded wonderful and very unique. I chose their version of eggs benedict, along with pomme frites as a side and their bread pudding for dessert. The eggs benedict was unusual in that the hollandaise was made with blueberries, giving it a slightly sweet flavor. It was served on a thicker toasted bread slice over the traditional english muffin. Although it is not stated in the menu, be aware that the benedict came with ham. I don't eat pork, so I had to ask for a new order when I realized there was ham. Luckily, the waitress was very gracious and apologized for the confusion and my replacement (in which tomatoes and spinach were subbed) came out very quickly. The pomme frites were good, but too salty for my taste. I did enjoy the garlic aioli dipping sauce they came with. The dessert was very large and very rich. It was delicious, but I definitely could not finish it. The juicy slices of bread were smothered in dried cherries and thick, warm caramel sauce. If you love caramel, this dessert is right up your alley. I would recommend sharing it with a friend. All in all, great service and very reasonable lunch prices.
(3)Mike M.
first time was last night. second time will be very soon. and third. and fourth. etc. . . . . . . . i had the prok chop and potato/brussell sprout hash. YOWZA! super good. the corn soup (that i stole from kt m.) was super excellent and awesome. the minimalist decor left much tro be desired on my end - but i ain't into that kinda thing. that said, it did not detract at all from my experience. viva la la poste.
(5)Hyatt G.
Well, I enjoyed the food, but this is mainly about a wine incident in September that might keep us from coming back (sorry about the review delay). Let's see if I can remember all the details. Sorry about all the numbers. Asked the sommelier for a fruity pinot noir under $45. He came back with three btls: one was $42, one around $55, and one above $60. The guy needs to open his #%&@ing ears. But with our hands kind of tied, we got the $42 btl. After the meal, we were charged $52 instead of $42. Hey miscommunications happen. We asked him to fix it. Came back a few minutes later and said they could only bump it down to $47. Well, ya know, jeez, I'm not asking for a discount. Just charge me what you said you would. Plus, is it really worth the $5 for us not to come back and spend another $120? Otherwise, I really enjoyed the pork spareribs. But my wife had a tough time avoiding all the cute little bones in the rabbit con fit. Another weird thing: they kept asking us if we wanted dessert (about 4 times)-a la drug dealer.
(3)Jennifer R.
Amazing service, great ambiance and by far the best restaurant in Cincinnati. Have gone many times and it is fantastic again and again. They always bring out a small complimentary appetizer too.
(5)Lara C.
Love La Poste. Had their Vegetarian Lunch. It was a win! Went with a group and everyone's food looked beautiful! Desserts were delish too! Thanks Dave for a great meal!
(5)Jessica H.
I had a foodie friend in town for the weekend, so when we decided to try La Poste, I hoped she would be impressed. Luckily, we both loved what we ordered! The chicken fricasse was amazing, though I wish the portion of vegetables in a sauce that the chicken breast was served with had been larger. It was just that good. My friend got the braised lamp shank and she thought it was delicious, tender, moist, etc. I don't like lamb myself, but I trust her opinion on it, knowing how much she knows about food, nutrition, cooking, etc. Other thoughts: we didn't have a reservation and ended up having to watch the bar like hawks so that we could snag a couple chairs once they became available. If you want a table, reservations are a must, at least at this point, but the bartender was helpful and attentive during our meal. I was also expecting a larger wine list, especially since La Poste has "Wine Room" posted on its exterior. All in all, I would definitely suggest La Poste for a special dinner out.
(4)Stephanie L.
This is my new favorite restaurant in Cincinnati! From the moment I walked in the front door, this is a place that made me happy just to be inside. The overall decor is elegant but with some splashes of color and funky paintings on the wall. There is a bright blue color running as a subtle theme throughout the dining room, from the napkins folded on the table to the piping on the seats and the color of the waitstaff's attire. Our waiter was amazing. It was very evident that Joe is passionate about food and his descriptions of each dish were delivered with more feeling than I've ever heard in a waiter's voice. His recommendations were spot on. We ended up ordering several different dishes, not all in the categories laid out on the menu, and Joe asked if it was OK to suggest the order they came out. We jumped on this and let him plan the delivery of our meals which was orchestrated with absolute perfection. Oh and the food! For upscale dining, I have not been to another restaurant in Cincinnati I like as much as La Poste Eatery. The salads are masterful balances of flavors beautifully presented on the plates. The second and third courses were all delicious, well portioned and attractive. Our shared bread pudding dessert was absolutely divine, but would be far too much for one person after a meal! Overall, I am *loving* this place. We noted there is a Chef's tasting menu available for $50 (a bargain!) and I plan to make that a top priority on my "to do in Cincinnati" list.
(5)Andrea R.
I visited La Poste on its opening night, and I will visit again. Not because it was an outstanding experience, but because I believe it has the potential to be a great restaurant after it gets over its opening night jitters. I met up with a co-worker for a 7:00 reservation, and we were seated right away. Our server came to take our wine order within a few moments of being seated, but we were already prepared to order our food, so he took our entire order at once. Within about five minutes of ordering, our wine had been served and we were treated to an amuse bouche, which was an artichoke-olive tapenade type spread, served with olive bread. It tasted fine, but nothing terribly exciting. Our starters came out a short time later. My seasonal spring salad was just the right mix of sweet and savory, with bits of butternut squash and orange slices served over greens with a somewhat salty dressing. It was a great combination. My dining partner order the foie gras, which tasted good, but was a very small portion considering the price. We then waited nearly an hour for our main courses to arrive... with no apology or comment from our server. I ordered chicken fricassee, while my co-worker ordered the lamb shank, neither of which were terribly complicated in their preparation, so I will attribute the significant wait time to the kitchen not being quite up to speed on opening night. Either way, my chicken was hot and juicy, though not very flavorful, and the lamb shank was fall-off-the-bone tender. My co-worker's only complaint about the main dish was that his lamb shank was served with french fries, which became quite soggy after soaking up the juice from the lamb shank. We had three options for dessert: a chocolate and dried cherry bread pudding, butternut squash creme brulee, and a soaked pear with cream. We chose the bread pudding and the creme brulee. There must have been some confusion, as the pear dessert came to our table after just a few minutes. When we brought the mistake to the attention of our server, he took it away, but again had nothing to say. Eventually the correct desserts came out, and while the bread pudding was quite tasty, the creme brulee left a lot to be desired. It didn't taste bad, but frankly, it did not taste like much at all. Perhaps we should have kept the pear after all. In general, the food served at La Poste is pretty good, and the prices are fairly reasonable (most entrees are priced between about $15 and $25). Our server could have been a bit more personable, and the kitchen needs to work on getting food out to the tables in a more timely manner, but again, it was opening night, and I'm sure they're working out the kinks as they go.
(3)Paul K.
Great restaurant to have around University of Cincinnati. It's upscale decor inside but not too much of pieces which I like about. And the restaurant is pretty quiet making my dining experience relaxing and enjoyable. I was also surprised about the various wines they have in their storage. The foods are great, too. The portion was nice, not too big but not small. I liked the affordable prices also. I tried their burger. It was nothing spectacular but had everything I could ask for a burger. My wife had salmon, and it was cooked perfectly and the seasons was not too strong. That way we could enjoy the actual taste of salmon. The service was perfect. I think the waiter talked little too much, but it's better than being indifferent. He was kind and explained everything very well. I will come back here when I want to enjoy a dinner with wine when I'm around at the area.
(4)John W.
If you're looking for a creative chef, good pairings, and a classy casual and in no way too pretentious scene, this is a great spot. Comfortable ambiance: you know you're in a nice restaurant (you probably picked this place for a reason), but there's no need for a place this good to push their over-importance upon you. (They know it's that good too!) The wait staff is as comforting as the vibe -- knowledgeable but not uptight. They might not know it all, but they're not too proud to ask a resident expert. Example: They're sure to have a "beer guy" on staff who will be able to treat you with craft beer knowledge from their impressive selection. Only complaint could be that the menus -- food, wine, and beer -- are light in quantity of options. But the quality is what counts. And, they pack that in so that you don't really need much more than is there. The chef's accompaniment on every dish was expert. Scallops were done perfectly, at least as good as Boca. The pear salad is phenomenal, mixing light greens with warm, cheesy pear yumminess under toasted prosciutto. Mushroom Ravioli is creamy, light on the palate, yet somehow so rich and full of flavor. Pork Tenderloin was fantastic as well. They were out of Dolcetto, but had a decent substitue. And the terrific taste in beer treated me to two rare large format brews that I had never seen in the wild. Trust your local brew-loving chef!
(5)Michelle B.
This little restaurant tucked away in Clifton Gaslight never dissapoints. The atmosphere is fun and romantic, down to the napkins folded like envelopes. Although the menu is pricey it is completely worth the money. I ordered the sopressata salad and scallops which were both amazing. For dessert we split a goat cheese cheese cake, Yum!!! If you are looking for a romantic but low-key place to enjoy some delicious food and exceptional service, this is the place for you.
(5)Sarah A.
After a failed attempt to eat at A Tavola (it was Monday and they were closed) we decided to come to LaPoste. Having had a great lunch here about 6 months ago I was excited to see what dinner had to offer. It did not disappoint and was on the of the best meals I have had in a while. We started with the Hot Bacon Scallop appetizer. Wow, what an amazing starter, I highly recommend. It is small with just two scallops but very rich in flavor. For the mains I had the Fried Chicken Breast and my friend had the Veal Short Ribs. I liked my dish but I wasn't blown away. The veal short ribs were tasty. I had a side of Pommes Frittes which were crispy and delicious. On my next visit I think I'd like to try the Mushroom Ravioli. We finished the evening off with the Bread Pudding. Now I wouldn't call myself a bread pudding connoisseur by any means but this was the BEST bread pudding I have ever tasted-gooey, warm and yummy! The only wish I have for this dessert is maybe a bit more ice cream, the scoop was barely larger than a quarter. Our server was pleasant, maybe a bit too stiff but I'd give LaPoste a 4.5 rating. I'll definitely be back and I hope this restaurant makes it.
(4)Nikki M.
My husband and I dined here to celebrate his birthday over the weekend, and we're so glad we did! I had heard excellent things about La Poste, but was well aware that we would consider this a bit more of a special occasion place for us because of the pricing. La Poste did not disappoint. We had excellent service all around. We were seated within 5 minutes of our reservation, and tended to by an amazing bartender who was sweet and engaging. I happened to mention it was my husband's birthday, and she sent two flutes of champagne to our table with our server when we sat with a "Happy 21st Birthday" message. ;) The menu and the night's specials all sounded so great we were really having a hard time deciding. We wound up sharing a ricotta salad (with amazing homemade ricotta, ground pistachios and orange dust), and the crabcake to start. The crabcake was the best I've ever had, and i'd be remiss if I didn't mention that my husband came very close to ordering a second one for dessert! My husband went with the burger and pomme frites for dinner. Not a usual choice for him, but he had been craving one all week. He said it was perfectly cooked, and for $10 it was a gigantic burger. I ordered the salmon, which was buttery and melted in my mouth. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly medium as I ordered it. Served over braised kale and lentils. For dessert, we went with the cherry bread pudding, and it did not disappoint. The caramel sauce was to die for, and we savored every last bite. All around every bite was scrumptious, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere was relaxed and unpretentious. I can't wait for another excuse to go back there again soon!
(5)Morgen S.
This place is adorable! Very chic and a very well crafted menu. The theme and atmosphere is carried well through the whole meal. From your napkin being folded to resemble an envelope, to your check arriving in a tiny envelope, there was post theme all throughout. The menu is a little expensive, but you really pay for the quality food you're getting! As a poor college student who is not yet 21 I didn't get a chance to check out the wine list, but it looked very impressive. The service was great at La Poste as well! I went there to celebrate my friend's 21st Birthday and the servers were very accommodating They even cut and served the cake we brought! I definitely see myself dining at La Poste again... maybe when I'm 21... and my parents are down for a visit... ;)
(4)Joe J.
La Poste is the real thing. Fine dinning with out all the pretentious attitude. This is an excellent establishment that shares company with the finest restaurants in town (Boca, Cumin, etc.). The service was attentive without being overbearing and the ambiance is clean and upscale but you do not feel uncomfortable. The food was excellent from top to bottom. They split the menu into 4 courses and my wife had two from each. The spinach salad and the foie gras were perfect. Our scallops and sweat breads were also cooked to the perfect temperature. I was able to look at their lunch menu which looks delicious and is very reasonably priced. I would go back to La Poste any time. If you liked Tinks you will love La Poste (its a step or two finer dinning than Tinks).
(5)Paul S.
This was my first visit to La Poste. Frequently, when I have not eaten at a particular restaurant in the past, I try a couple of appetizers rather than a single entrée. This often gives me a better overall sense of the quality of the food, the preparation, and attention to detail without having my opinion unduly swayed either way by a single dish. Since I had never been to La Poste previously, this is exactly what I did. First, I ordered a locally brewed IPA on tap, which was quite good. If you are a beer lover, however, be forewarned - the beer selection at La Poste is not extensive. In fact, it is clear that their emphasis is much more strongly on wine than beer, something that is not unexpected at a French-inspired restaurant. I do not intend this as a criticism, fully realizing that no restaurant can be all things to all people. I mention it solely as an observation. Next, I tried the sweetbreads. On the menu, they are described as a salad, which is a bit misleading, since the presentation was really about the sweetbreads, and they were served with mixed bitter greens more as an accompaniment. But this is a minor caveat at best, and does not detract from the dish. They were lightly breaded and fried (as is typical), and served with an emulsion sauce, a rather undistinguished piece of bread, and thinly sliced pickled radishes. The sweetbreads themselves were delicious, cooked perfectly, and the pickled radishes added a perfectly balanced acidic bite to counter the slightly mineral character of the sweetbreads, while the greens brought some additional texture. The bread didn't really add anything to the dish, nor did it detract from it either. For my second course, I ordered the mussels. In keeping with the French theme, I also ordered the fries. In fact, I was mildly surprised to see that the mussels were not already served this way, a la the French classic dish, moules frites. In any case, the mussels were fresh and meaty, cooked in a mustard cream sauce and served with several pieces of hearty grilled rustic bread that was ideal to sop up the sauce from the plate. The sauce, unfortunately, was mildly disappointing. It was heavily flavored with mustard that overpowered the other components, including the cipollini onions. The innate genius of mussels is that when steamed, they release a fabulous briny flavor that helps make for a perfect base for a light sauce. Because of the heavy-handed use of the mustard, it was sadly impossible to appreciate this delicate flavor that is characteristic of steamed mussels. As for the fries, this was by far the most mediocre dish. Seasoned with black pepper and rosemary, they had a very nice flavor, but they were soft, even soggy, almost as if they had been reheated in a microwave. In addition, they were served in a metal cylinder, I suppose intended to add some height to the presentation and perhaps to recall the paper cone in which Belgian frites are traditionally served. Unfortunately, this had the effect of having any of the fries that were not right on top essentially steam themselves, only further exacerbating the lack of any crisp texture. Finally, for dessert I had the crème brûlée. This was quite delicate and enjoyable, although the carmelized sugar lacked a bit of crunch. Otherwise, it was exactly as such a custard should be: creamy, delicate, and sweet. I also appreciated the fact that the custard at La Poste was classic and traditional, and did not try to unnecessarily incorporate additional flavors/ingredients simply for the sake of novelty. Sometimes, as in this case, less is more. Ultimately, I enjoyed the experience at La Poste. The prices were reasonable, the service was attentive without being oppressive, the décor was pleasant, and the food was thoughtfully and carefully prepared. My criticisms here are, at least somewhat, based on the level of attainment to which the restaurant clearly aspires. For example, I might not be inclined to criticize the excessive use of mustard in the sauce that accompanied the mussels at a restaurant that has no pretensions of being a fine dining establishment. In part, some of the criticism may derive from La Poste's success with other dishes. For example, the delicate balance achieved by the sweetbread salad only heightened the contrast with the other dishes that were perhaps not as skillfully executed. It was for this that I briefly considered awarding the restaurant three stars, but quickly settled on four. Of course, being a victim of your own success and high aspirations is not entirely a bad thing, and La Poste is a welcome addition to the restaurant scene in a neighborhood that is otherwise lacking in more elevated dining options.
(4)Mikey M.
As an unwritten rule I usually wait to post my reviews good bad or indifferent La Poste was no exception. I only wanted to gush about it while it was still fresh in my mind because of the unbelievable time I had. Music. Im a total stickler for dining room music. Ive dined at Le Bernadin where they place deep house and ambient techno during service on Friday night. Ive dined at the Spotted Pig where youll hear anything from The Temptations to Wu-Tang Clan. Even at Momofuku where youll hear The Klaxons and dubstep remixes of La Roux.(Yes this has all happened) La Poste on a sleepy post Halloween monday night definately set the tone properly. Ranging from Wilco to Citizen Cope and some light jazz from Charlie Parker and the like. It was intimate and comforting. They dropped in some new banquettes added a few tables and put some color on the walls so you can actually see what youre eating but importantly they put up some remarkable art from Kim Krause that was actually seen. Most people view art in restaurants as an afterthought. At La Poste its paramount, where whats on the walls matters just as much as your plate.... My date and I hadnt even sat down yet. We were greeted by very smiley and chipper waitstaff as well as Kelly and Bryant Phillips who, after letting my date and I tour the newly installed wine room sat us and indulged with us menus to peruse even though we were doing a tasting menu. I felt at home... special, even. Thats what a dining experience is about. You wont find this at Local 127 or Boca. (treated) The tasting menu we received was impeccable and rivals any meal ive had while living in New York to top that its one of the best meals Ive had in Cincinnati to date. Bryant and Chef Dave worked very hard to pair our meal with phenomenal wines that complemented our entire menu FLAWLESSLY. I wont give out any inkling as to what we ate in full detail because it will just make you jealous...but I will say mushroom,proscuitto and pear, foie gras, lamb, boquerones, and all kinds of other fun things that are delicious as they are costly. The wine featured some tremendous juice ranging from Pinot D'Alsace to Barolo Sadly my friend Chef Dave was unable to be there however, Cameron the Sous Chef and his team of Matt and Mark executed Daves menu perfectly. Ive had the pleasure of working with these guys previously at other establishments and couldnt be happier or more proud with what they put out. La Poste is excellence in its purest form. Every little detail is noted and taken care of down to the strategically folded napkins to the polished stem ware. Its not to miss and worth the trip to Cliftons Gaslight neighborhood.
(5)Chris S.
We went here with a big group for a birthday and all did the tasting menu with wine pairing. The pairings were spot on and the waiter was amazing. The food was delicious. I would have given it 5 stars but not all 6 courses were a 5/5. Started with a hearts of Palm salad which was good especially when you got all components at once(4/5). Second was a cod course which was delicious (4/5). My wife even ate her entire dish and she doesn't usually eat fish. The third course was the mushroom ravioli- a dish they are known for. It definitely lived up to its reputation and was better than all other courses(5/5). The fourth course was a delicious pork belly dish. Almost as good as the ravioli(4.5/5). The only slightly disappointing meal was beef course which was a New York strip with a crab potato over it. It was good/ don't get me wrong- just not special. (3.5/5). Last was the bread pudding which was amazing(4.5). I happen to love bread pudding. And my wife (who again doesn't care for bread pudding) at her entire dish. If be happy to return here and would recommend the tasting menu with wine pairing. It was a great night.
(4)Melody S.
We hopped into La Poste without a reservation after catching a CCM matinee Saturday... it was about 5:45pm. Surprisingly, they didn't have any tables available, even though it was pretty early. The hostess told us we could sit at the bar, so we did. I'm actually glad we didn't get a table... we had a blast with bartenders Joe and Suzy. Joe impressed us with his signature Cranberry Manhattan cocktail. Our food was very good, and par with some of the other high end restaurants in town. I had the mushroom ravioli, and was very happy with it. As for the feel of the place, they kind of toe the line of pretentious when you walk in the door, but once you settle in you'll find they have a friendly, knowleageable wait staff, a great wine selection, and a really classy atmosphere. Most people were dressed up a bit, but we felt okay in jeans, especially sittign at the bar. Bottom line: The menu is priced sort of on the high end, but the food is excellent and the ambiance is lovely. I would reccomend it for a date night. Oh and PS the bread pudding dessert is worth it. So good. Let Suzy pair a port with it for you.
(4)Mike S.
Good food, great service and a nice wine list. The second visit hit the mark. Our first visit a few months back was not bad, but the food lacked the expected pop. Had to search for the flavor. Maybe under seasoned. Our return was redeeming. The pork shank with white beans was excellent. The pork was savory, fork-tender and flavorful. The kale added a nice sharp balance to the richness. Wife had the burger which is better since they changed the bun. Overall, the flavors can be subtle, but very present, which suits me better than the wife since she prefers stronger seasoning and zest. We had the same wonderful server both times. A great addition to Clifton. The prices are fair, but a little high to be on our frequent flier rotation.
(4)Eric J.
This place has been on my list of restaurants to visit for awhile. I live in the Clifton area, so naturally I walk by the place a lot and always thought it looked nice. Last week my fiance and I decided to try it on a whim. Unfortunately, we both ended up regretting it. The food was only OK. Everything looked great coming out, but with both our dishes something was off. We shared a Seasonal salad which while green and leafy had WAY too much Gorgonzola. It completely overpowered the rest of the salad, but I figured not a big deal, it's just a little too much cheese. Next we both had the Lobster Bouillabaisse. Now I love seafood, so a good bouillabaisse is right up my alley. To my disappointment, much like with the salad, everything looked great, but the taste was off. They ended up using too much salt. I'm surprised no one tasted it before it got to our table, because I thought it was pretty obvious. It's also worth noting that my fiance and I both got a touch of food poisoning later that night... The only reason I gave this place two stars is because the service was excellent, but if you want good quality Bouillabaisse, check out Abigail Street instead.
(2)Daniela S.
Great food and service!
(5)Theresa H.
The food was very good, beautifully presented. The chef sent out a small sample cucumber salsa & dry toast, fun. My dinner was good, I actually could have done with less Salmon, & more veggies. The service was almost too much, maybe because they weren't that busy. I would go back definitely.
(4)cristina T.
My husband and I went to La Poste about a month after its opening. The interior of the restaurant was beautiful with nice artwork, soft lighting, and quaint napkins folded to look like envelopes. We appreciated the jazz music that suited the warm, relaxed atmosphere. We went on an early Monday evening (arrived around 6p), and there were only 2 other tables occupied, so service was not a problem. We started off our meal with pomme frittes with aioli and the bacon scallops. Our scallops were delicious, but not wrapped in bacon, instead, the scallop's bed of mixed greens had pieces of bacon. The chicken fricassee was amazing, with a crispy, flavorful skin and a mix of diced vegetables in a subtle gravy. The pork loin wrapped in bacon was also amazingly tender and tasty. We opted to share the warm bread pudding for dessert, which came with a small dollop of vanilla ice cream. It was one of the better desserts we've had in Cincinnati. Overall, the experience at La Poste was great. The food was delicious. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality of the food. We've spent much more money on food that turned out to be mediocre. At least at La Poste, you'll get your money's worth. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(4)Elizabeth W.
I have dined here often and I have never had a bad meal. Their menu changes frequently and is always composed of fresh local ingredients in inventive dishes. They change the desserts so often, they don't even bother to print a menu. I love that about this place. The waitstaff is exceptional and the space they occupy is spacious enough that you don't feel cramped. It can get a little pricey if you go for a three course dinner meal, but I have also had two glasses of wine and a burger for less than $30. I think the space is so spacious that my only complaint is sometimes the temperature regulation could use some work. But after a great meal with excellent wine pairing gazing at cool local art on the walls, I'll put on a sweater to eat here any day.
(5)David B.
I'm not much of a gambler. Sure, I take calculated risks every day, but a handshake bet that may free my wallet of a majority of my day's pay is not how I get my fix. I get my fix by eating. I don't feel powerless to food nor do I have misplaced resentment that manifests in over-consumption of high calorie snacks. Simply put, I want the best meal I can find. Recently, though, I lost a bet that left me on the requital end of a meal at La Poste in Clifton. Luckily I had been there before and knew the meal would be excellent (calculated risk?). And I knew the Chef and a few people from the wait staff so it was like I planned a social event for this deuce of diners all on the pretense of a bet that I all but knew I would lose (calculated (risk?)). We sat down to the bar to eat, which is the only thing I sit at a bar for anymore, in an empty restaurant on a cold night. After ordering, the 60 or so seats around us filled up with a Clifton, not Corryville, crowd and the first turn was in full gear. For the first course, I decided on the Soppressata to feed my addiction to cured pork. This dish definitely kept my demons quenched. It's like a Devil's Tower of delicious on a plate. The goat cheese and truffle oil lovingly smattered around the monument to swine added just enough class to remind me to put my envelope-folded napkin on my lap. I couldn't help but think about the pantry cook who has to dress the spinach and roll it in the sliced Soppressata in just the right way so it wouldn't fall or crumble during its trip to the tables...and then about how plating four of them simultaneously while doing the cook's ballet in a hot kitchen as the ticket printer chatters insensitively and he/she is trying not to drip his/her 20 proof sweat on the plate because you just KNOW that chef will see the one time when he/she does. And then I said a prayer of gratitude for my new job that offers nights and weekends off just like normal people. The second course was the Lump Crab Cake which was definitely more crab than cake. It wasn't as crispy as I like to make mine, but the crunch was made up in the translucent grapefruit chip that lay atop. Way to kick Jeff Ruby's ass on this one! The gift course came next. Oh, what's that? You didn't get a gift course? That's because you're either not from Cincinnati or you don't know how to do the cook's ballet. And Googling it won't get you a gift course either, so shut your iPhone. Hand-rolled Wild Mushroom Ravioli in White Wine Cream Sauce. Classic? Yes. Classic for a reason? Yes. My Entrée Course was the Duck Breast. Also classic, but the preparation of meticulously small diced root vegetables with walnut caramel brought me to a, "Why didn't I think of that?" moment. Sweet and savory flavors together aren't usually my favorite to cook and admittedly so because the balance is difficult to achieve. The duck was the star of this show, though. The sweet and savory elements were embraced by the duck and elevated by this fowl medium. By this time, about 7:30, the dining room was rolling into its first and second courses and the patrons were obviously easing into a comfort zone. The wait staff was busy but not rushed. Even the kitchen, which we could see into from the bar, was relaxed but assertive with Dave at the helm. Susie, our bartender, was still a moment's notice away asking how each course was and on point for each silverware turn. La Poste has definitely performed perfunctorily in its perception as a prime purveyor of perfect plates. And perception is reality, right? The dessert course was an easy choice for me. I quickly chose the bread pudding and was not surprised it was the best bread pudding I've ever had. I think it was pan seared. I know it was served with Graeter's. And it's a fact that I still feel intoxicated from it two hours later. Holy mama. I bet I'll go back to La Poste. I bet I have another great meal there. I bet I'm going to brag about my meal at work tomorrow. I bet you still don't know how to do the cook's ballet. I bet I'm going to make another bet that gets me to a restaurant that I really want to eat. I bet you don't want to bet on any of these things. And I bet you dinner at La Poste that the Bengals will win the Super Bowl next year. Wanna Bet? (calculated)
(5)Irish F.
Visited in September due to a Restaurant.com coupon. Waiter convinced us to go with a dinner "flight" so after our $50 coupon, our remaining bill was still over $100 for 2 with 2 glasses of wine. Food was excellent, service was great. The only Cincinnati meal I had that was better was at Jean Robert's at Pigalls. It is very pricey for a Clifton hideaway and I am glad I had that coupon.
(4)Sarah L.
Returned to La Poste with high hopes. Gracious service was as good or better. But the food was a bit lacking. We only had the the smoked mushroom flatbread and the clams + mussels. Both needed a little umph. They weren't a failure, but not memorable either. I think I need to check other yelp reviews to zero in on their star dishes.
(3)Aicha D.
I was on business trip in Cincinnati and I have to say I was quite impressed by La Poste. Their smoked mackarel rillette and mushroom ravioli were delicious. The staff was very friendly to me lonely traveller and ensured that I would be on time for my movie playing next door. As a plus, the music and decor enhanced the experience.
(4)Janet H.
Just thinking about La Poste makes me smile - it was such a great experience! My mom and I went to celebrate her graduation and yes, reservations are a must. First impressions were great - we were greeted at the bar with an extensive wine list and offered suggestions. Finally settling on a Bordeaux, the wine was fantastic and our table was ready. The hostess took our coats and seated us. The space is clean, formal, but without being pretentious and has some fantastic artwork. The food was above my expectations - some of the most creative and expertly prepared. We started with hot bacon scallops which were a fantastic texture - its easy to spot a poorly cooked scallop. And also to start was the roasted pear with prosciutto. This was my favorite part of the whole dinner - roasted red pear filled with herb goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto, served on arugula. Such a complex and savory taste! For dinner, we had chicken fricassee and the pork tenderloin. The chicken fricassee was great - certainly no complaints, but the pork tenderloin was amazing. It was wrapped in bacon and served with fingerling potatoes and mustard greens. It was such a smokey and rich taste that went soooo good with our dry red wine. And to cap it all off - we went for grapefruit creme brulee and chocolate demi fredo - a kind of frozen mousse. Both were great, but mom and I are connoisseurs of creme brulee, so we agree that was the best. And to top the entire visit off - the service was exceptional. Everyone was friendly and attentive and knew the menu well. The attention to detail was impressive. Love love love the wine list and the roasted pear - would go back for that alone.
(5)Bennett P.
Ate at La Poste last night on opening night and I had a great time. We asked the sommelier to pair some wines with the food we chose --marscapone-filled peach wrapped in prosciutto (YUM), mussels (very yum), and the crab cake (OMG)-- and he brought out a chardonnay that went along with all the appetizers very well. Then the entres came. The Lamb was so tender and juicy, I could eat that all day, and I thought the sauce went great for dipping the fries into... of course you have to eat the fries with a fork because they get kind of soggy, but anyone who has ever eaten at Pleasant Ridge Chili knows that's not a bad thing (mmmm gravy cheese fries). My dining partners got the chicken and the steak; simply put, the chicken reminded me of grandma's chicken on the farm in wisconsin--fresh, juicy and just all-around a feel good food. When it comes to steak, the only things I'm concerned with are temperature (this one was perfectly med-rare) and seasoning (shouldn't be much at all). La Poste's steak met both of those criteria for me and my friend who ordered it couldn't get enough. For wine with our main courses, the sommelier again hit it right on the mark. Even though two of us had red meat and one had the chicken, he managed to find one bottle that went great with all three dishes. On to dessert; we got the creme brulee and the bread pudding. The bread pudding was absolutely phenominal and the brulee was light, crispy and deliciously subtle... very obviously a house made dish, not one of those artificial-tasting out-of-the-box creme brulee's you'd get at, say, a chain restaurant. Overall, I would have given the experience a 5-star rating, except for the fact that it was opening night and there were a few kinks to be worked out here and there. I plan to eat here again soon and my expectations will be for that of a 5-star rating.
(4)Mark O.
I took a couple folks from my sales team down to La Poste, which was waiting anxiously on my "to eat at" list for what seems like a year. We called up the restaurant and, luckily, thet had an opening at 745. We headed down to the Gaslight District in Clifton, me eager with anticipation.The two ladies, both from California, were immediately taken aback by the gorgeous architecture as we drove up Clifton Ave from I-75. After parking, we found ourselves at the bar for 30 minutes while waiting for the table. This restaurant used to be a post office, as the name suggestions, and the french influence is undeniable in the decor. We gave our name to the extremely cute hostess (yes, I'm single at the time of this review) and headed to the bar. The waitress was polite and knowledgeable on beers (served me an agave wheat) as well as vodkas (upsold my friend Ann from a Ketel One to a local Buckeye vodka after romantically describing the distilling process). I took a sip and looked around to notice all the tables full on a Wednesday night, a good sign for a restaurant. We had a couple drinks before settling in at our table by the window. For my money, that window (the entire wall was set with square panes that let in tons of natural light) gave this place a rustic french, country feel that will certainly get me back on the ambiance alone. As long as the food doesn't suck, and it didn't. We ordered some San Pellagrino (i love my snooty water) with lime and the waitress reco'd a glass of wine, which met the approval of my co-worker, a former patron of the wine industry. While waiting for our salads and entrees, we were treated with a surprise of baked pita chips and a corn-laced pico de gallo. Light and tasty. Plus, the corn added a little sweetness that begged for a second helping. Yum. Then the salads came. Let me tell you, Roasted Crimson Pear is off the charts. The fresh arugula paired nicely (ha!) with the pear which was stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. Yum. My entree was a special, a grilled sole accompanied by a sauce of crab meat, orange zest and pieces of corn and topped with a grilled romaine lettuce garnished with salt and pepper. The fish was light and perfectly cooked while the sauce had just enough orange flavor to add interest without getting too candy-like. Yummmm! The lettuce was weird and quickly orphaned to the side of my plate. The dinner ended when our check was delivered in a little envelope, one of the cute little quirks reminiscent of the restaurants post office roots. All in all, a delicious meal in a great setting on a perfect night in Clifton.
(4)Mike T.
Probably one of the best lunches I've ever had for $12. Had the Croque Provençal sandwhich (ham, cheese, tomato, poached egg, hollandaise). That combination is always delicious, but to me the best part was that the sandwhich was grill-toasted; not like a "grilled" cheese, but like it spent a couple minutes on a Weber over hardwood charcoal. Can't wait to go back for dinner and a more complete review.
(5)Rebecca T.
Superb service and food, and lovely surroundings. This was my first time at La Poste and will definitely return. We loved Tink and might enjoy La Poste even more. I would love to see a more diverse clientele. Go and enjoy!
(4)Dawn R.
I ate at La Poste on opening night, and as others have said the pace of the meal was a little slow, but the server we had was very professional and given that it was opening night, I expected that there would be some timing kinks. As for the food, it was nothing short of amazing. I highly recommend the bacon wrapped scallops, and the lamb shank is melt in your mouth delicious. The wine pairings were spot on and don't even get me started on the marscapone, proscuitto wrapped peach. WOW. I'll be going back soon to try the other menu items and I can't wait. I've lived in New York, and recently moved from San Francisco and this little jem of a place has me really excited about the Cincinnati food scene
(5)R C.
Sat at the bar tonight for dinner. The pear salad was a bit salty and the pork shank unaccompanied but, overall, a very nice meal. In addition, the wine recommended by the bar tender was top notch as was the service. I would definitely eat there again and noticed several others 'ponying up' who mentioned that they were return guests. Cool spot in a cool neighborhood.
(4)Jan M.
Fresh tasty food. App entre and dessert were all great. Great service, find street parking don't pay $7 for valet
(4)Michelle G.
Quaint rooms, napkins designed as envelopes, friendly atmosphere and a menu that savors each and every word with taste and sophistication. Welcome to La Poste, a place that was once the Old Tinks Cafe, is now an established restaurant that is something that you could consider a hidden jem. Being tucked away on a small side street, off the busy road of Ludlow, La Poste is the perfect successor to a once highly rated and sought out restaurant. After reading all the reviews and being granted a coupon from restaurant.com , we decided to take the plunge and give La Poste a Try. Most of review from this site were all positive, saying that this was well worth the money which is true, however if you are expecting to have a cheap date, then you have picked the wrong place, this place will give you a run for your money and your taste buds for that matter. As for the food, I wanted to do a tasting, trying different options from all over the menu. This is something I recommend when you dine at new restarants', you can both get a feel for what the place shows and you will never get bored with what you ordered. After painfully deciding what to order, my cousin was my dining partner) and I split the pear and prosciutto salad with arugula, the bacon scallops and the mushroom ravioli. My waiter approved with our three choices and even threw in that the mushroom ravioli was a staple if it was your first time dining at La Poste and now I know why. Each dish was artfully crafted and strategically thought out making your mouth water in the process. If sampling three dishes wasn't enough, we added desert to our list for the evening and were equally impressed with the amount of preparation and style that the food brought to the table. Saying this restaurant was good is an understatement. I would gladly say that is up to par with some of the restaurants I have tried in bigger progressive cities. Bon Appetit my friends
(5)Thomas S.
My new favorite restaurant in the city for a special occassion...the Pear, cheese and prosciutto salad was incredible...
(5)Rob F.
Most importantly, everything I tasted at La Poste was delicious. There were, however, some things that would have made my experience much better. The first thing on the menu that caught my eye was the hot bacon scallop appetizer. The dish did not disappoint. The scallop was cooked perfectly and the flavor of the bacon was just enough, but not too much. Unfortunately, the dish only included two small scallops for $15. This was barely enough to share between two people, yet cost more than the burger entree. Had the portion been more generous, this appetizer would have been a "10." My date had the salmon dish over quinoa. The salmon was perfectly cooked and delicious. I had the trout special. The portion size of this dish was great. It was two trout filets, covered in fennel and warm mission figs. The fish itself was delicious. Unfortunately the dish had no sauce of any kind, making the dish dry. A slightly spicy sauce of some kind would have made this dish a winner as well. Overall, the food was delicious, the service was OUTSTANDING, and the ambiance was vibrant. My only complaint was about the portions of the appetizer and the lack of sauce on the trout. Still, I will be returning to La Poste.
(3)Steve N.
My first La Poste experience was rather typical of the way I make plans, last minute. I called a friend, who lives in Clifton, and asked her to have a drink with me. She suggested we go to La Poste. I arrived first and sat down at the bar where I was given a warm greeting from the bartender. She went down the list of wine with me, which is quite extensive. I loved the atmosphere and the staff so much I made a reservation for the next day. Needless to say I have been back several times and am now going to be throwing my birthday dinner there this month. The food is great, especially that crab cake. I think this is the best restaurant in town.
(5)Adam W.
Ok, so this was my second time around with La Poste (I started hearing a bunch of good things about it from friends). I went after a local Buddhist meeting with a good friend of mine and thought I would try something else on the menu. I had the mussels for an appetizer and then the mushroom ravioli for my main course, and my friend had the seasonal salad and salmon. Before any of our food arrived we were greeted by a complementary artichoke appetizer from the chef that was delicious and by the time we finished eating it our mussels and salad arrived. The mussels were out of this freaking world because of this unbelievable sauce they were in. The waitress(who was very nice and a joy to interact with) said it was a broth with Jamaican seasonings in it (she said a bunch of other stuff about what was in it but I can't remember, I'm to full). We both shared the salad and the mussels and nothing was left. Soon after, our main dishes arrived. My hand made mushroom stuffed ravioli was so tender and scrumptious I almost licked the plate. We devoured our main dishes as well and nothing was left. We were about to call it quiets but then the waitress came back to discuss desert! At first we were going to pass and then my friend said something about how she heard how good the bread pudding was, so we got one to split. Anyway, that plate was clean too. This was a lot different from my first visit, the food was great, the waitress was fun and we waddled of to make our way home in a very tired and satisfied state!!! :-)
(4)Marie E.
Let me start by saying that I loved Tinks. Why a place that good closes I have no idea. This was second only to Slims (RIP) on my most disappointing closures in Cincinnati list. Anyway when I saw the beginning of a new restaurant I was very curious to see what came about. My husband and I made a point of walking by to check it out every time we came down to the Esquire. Our first experience was in February prior to a movie for a friend's YOU GOT YOUR FIRST REAL JOB PARTY. We had a group of 9 and were seated off to the side in a room by the wine room. There was a bookshelf behind our table with lots of old books and some cookbooks too. It was very intimate which is hard to do with a group of 9. The prices are higher but the service and atmosphere are classy enough that you don't mind paying. I had the roasted cod which was perfect ($19). My friend who is a vegetarian ordered a flatbread that sounded meatless (she asked but not sure he heard her exactly) but came with some animal that I can't remember at this time. The server was very apologetic. He let the carnivores devour the unwanted plate and brought her out a vegetarian one despite her protests that she was fine and full from appetizers. He added a tasty little salad on the side as well. If you are looking for a nice dinner out this place certainly fits the bill.
(5)Joanne G.
La Poste's menu is not that extensive or varied. The attitude of the staff is definitely snooty. Once we were seated, our waiter placed a little bowl of what was identified as "baba ghanooj" on the table which did not look or taste like the real thing. Mushy and bland. The rest of the food was only so-so. I liked the roasted pear first course, but my fifteen dollar burger was accompanied by somewhat soggy "frites." The goat cheese cheesecake was not as good as that served by La Poste's predecessor, Tink's Cafe.
(2)