Nectar
1000 Delta Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45208
Nectar Menu
-
Starters
-
Entrees
-
Dessert
Healthy Meal suggestions for Nectar
-
Starters
-
Entrees
-
Dessert
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
1000 Delta Ave
Cincinnati, OH, 45208 - Phone (513) 929-0525
- Website https://www.dineatnectar.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Ed P.
Yesterday was my wife's birthday. To celebrate we ventured out for a nice dinner without the kids, something that doesn't happen often enough. After discussing our options throughout the day, we settled on Nectar in Mt. Lookout. Despite the restaurants close proximity to our house, neither of us had ever been before. Nectar serves contemporary French Mediterranean seasonal cuisine using quality local and organic products when ever possible. Julie Francis, the chef and owner, changes the small menu regularly to reflect the best of the seasons. Originally we planned to walk to dinner, but the evening rain forced us into the car for the short drive. Parking can be a bit challenging in Mt. Lookout square in the evening, but we found a metered spot after a couple of laps around the central parking area. Inside, Nectar is warm and inviting. Just one other table was occupied upon our arrival. We were asked if we'd like to sit near the windows or in the rear by the kitchen. I expected a larger crowd but can't complain when we get our choice of seating. We were delighted to find out that bottles of wine are half priced on Wednesdays! The wine list is short but offers a good variety of choices. We were most intrigued by the Cabernet Franc from Kinkead Ridge, which is in Ripley, Ohio just an hour east up the Ohio River. This full-bodied wine was delicious! After placing our order, an amuse-bouche was delivered to our table compliments of the chef. I believe this was a fig chutney with duck confit and radish sprouts. Duck is not something that I eat often at all, so I just had a small bite of this. The base chutney was delicious and paired well with the saltiness of the somewhat dry duck. It gave an overall good impression of the flavor combinations that we would taste throughout our meal. We ordered the Mediterranean Meze for a starter ($11.50) after hearing suggestions from our server. The sampler plate featured baba ganoush, black bean hummus, house falafel, pickled vegetables, salad, feta, harissa, and olive oil cracker bread. I started with the salad and really enjoyed it. The baba ganoush was perfect, especially with a little of the pickled flavor sneaking in from the vegetables that were served on top. The falafel was the best I've had in a long time, but was just a touch overcooked. The hummus was interesting with the black bean combination, but when topped with the somewhat spicy harissa and feta it was great. The olive oil cracker bread may not have looked like much but it too was excellent. An outstanding start to our meal. For dinner I went with the Hill Farm roast chicken ($23) that is served over fingerling potatoes, bell pepper, garlic, red onion, and Andouille sausage. The chicken was perfectly cooked and flavored quite nicely. Potatoes dominated the mostly vegetable based bed and I wished that there was more of the sausage, which added a nice spice to the dish. With all of that said, I would definitely order this again, though next time I might try the gnocchi. My wife had the achiote rubbed fish served with black bean quinoa salad and butternut squash purée ($24). Let me start by saying that both the black bean quinoa salad and butternut squash purée were awesome. The fish definitely took a back seat and I believe my wife agreed, as the only thing left on her plate at the end was a little bit of the fish. According to the menu for the night, the fish is typically corvina, but it was a different fish for our visit. I believe it to be sea bass or something similar. We had a very pleasant first visit to Nectar and I think we will return sometime in the future. As the prices are a little higher than what we typically like to spend, we will most likely save it for special occasions.
(4)Charles S.
If we lived in Cincinnati we would be eating dinner at Nectar a couple of times a month. Tonight was our 4th meal at Nectar and I'm finally remembering to write a review. How good is the food? It's good enough for us to drive from Indianapolis specifically to dine at Nectar. Diners at Nectar can expect fresh, local ingredients that are thoughtfully prepared with imagination and nuance. Staff is genuinely friendly, relaxed yet efficient and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is simple and sophisticated without even a hint of pretense. Oh and the pricing is extremely reasonable. A meal for two in a comparable Indianapolis or Cincinnati restaurant is literally twice the price. Nectar is fine establishment that deserves community support and models what good casual modern dining is all about.
(4)Liz J.
Met a friend for Sunday brunch and pleasantly surprised. Dishes were well prepared, flavorful, slightly pricey but understandable for the area. I'd suggest trying Nectar if your in the area.
(3)Lauren B.
Discovered Nectar on a Saturday morning while out with my mom. We were both hungry and it looked very cute so we dropped in. There was one table that was occupied and that was it...so why we had to wait 5 minutes to be seated was beyond me. The only server that seemed to be working was getting the drinks for this table..it took her a while and when she finally saw us she said it would be a minute to seat us...we could have just sat ourselves, but ok. We ordered our drinks with her, my mom a sanpellegrino limonata and a vernors ginger ale for myself. After about 5 minutes some guy neither of us had seen dropped off my moms drink. He said they were out of the vernors so I said I'd have a cranberry juice and a water. I figured by this point, I should just order our food because lord knows when he'd be back. We both decided on the French toast with orange mascarpone, champagne soaked peaches, and shaved almonds. 15 mins later, I finally received my juice and water, although with only 2 tables in the whole place, not sure what took him so long. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing when the best part of your dining experience is the meal, but the French toast was definitely worth the wait. My only suggestion is maybe go a little lighter on the toppings s it made the bread very soggy, but I'm a notoriously picky eater so that may just be personal preference. All in all, the quaint atmosphere will definitely draw you in, but it's the food that will bring you back, not the stellar service.
(3)Kristan H.
Went for dinner on a Sat night and was surprised at how empty it was. Granted, we had an early reservation... guess Mt. Lookout really doesn't amp up until later at night? Anyway. Good service, pleasant atmosphere (although the benches along the wall are significantly higher than the chairs on the opposite side of the table -- why?) and intriguing menu. We were not expecting the Asian / Mediterranean influence, but it was subtle and nice. The cheese plate was really phenomenal -- I'd highly recommend. My sweet potato gnocchi, not so much. It had kind of a buckwheat taste/texture that I didn't care for. But my boyfriend's chicken dish was amazing -- really well-cooked and uniquely flavored, which is vital since there's so much potential for boring with chicken. In all we enjoyed it and would come back. Just wish the parking in Mt. Lookout were a little easier...
(3)Gareth R.
Enjoyed a leisurely date night with my wonderful wife on a recent Friday night (September 2015). Restaurant was sparsely populated with about another 5-8 people. We had attentive service but we were in no hurry. We started with cocktails, Fiona had the Nectar (Cava and Elderflower); I had the Anais Nin (White Rum and Pink Grapefruit) and then an Amelia Earhart (Bacon infused Bourbon, Chocolate, Maple Syrup, by far the best of the three)...this was before we ordered anything...We split an order of the green bean appetizer, then Fiona had the Vichy Soisse and I had the Tamales. Both were good, the tamales were terrific. For entrees Fiona had the Falafel small plate (very good) and I had the Chinese BBQ Pork with Kimchi pancakes, excellent. We also had some White Burgundy, Pinot Noir and Malbec along the way (no, we were not driving!) all of which were good. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, arriving at 7.30 and leaving at 10.15. We'll be back. although since the menu is rather short, we might wait until we spot that it has changed.
(4)Tsyria T.
This review is specific for Saturday Brunch! + Great service! They came back frequently to check on us, though it probably helped that we were the only ones there. + Lovely atmosphere. We had a window seat, there was plenty of natural light, and the decor was clean and inviting. + Food! My boyfriend and I both had the Nectar Benedict because that is what they recommended. It included a poached egg, smoked salmon, hollandaise sauce, tomato, avocado and a blue oven english muffin. They sprinkled some bacon on it, but I think it could've used a little more. The plate also had some fresh melons and raspberries on the side. + Crispy Red Chili Potatoes! I absolutely loved having these as a side. They were crispy, and nicely seasoned. I prefer more salt in my dishes and since the eggs benedict was a bit lacking, they were a perfect compliment. - It felt very expensive. Granted you pay for the atmosphere, and the fresh ingredients...I felt like I was paying dinner prices for a small (but filling) breakfast. In the end, I'd probably go back if I had a guest in town and I wanted a nice place to take them to. But for just an average week, this place is way too pricey for me.
(4)Scott S.
Breafast review: Nectar is good, but it's a bit too fancy/creative for me. I usually just want some classic breakfast dishes available, even if there are other specials on the menu - and at Nectar you can't really get that. Just be prepared to branch out and you'll do fine.
(3)Sam Z.
Went here for brunch on a Sunday after church. We ordered the French toast, the chorizo scramble and the pork carnitas. French toast was excellent and the layers of favors were really good. Very filling. Could absolutely split this one for two. The scramble was also very tasty and the potatoes that came with it crunchy and not dripping with oil. The pork carnitas was a very good dish and would be the star of the trio we had but the pork was burnt and hard. More like carnitas burnt ends but with not enough meat in the middle to make it worthwhile. I should have asked if that was normal but I didn't so that was my fault. It tasted great but again would have enjoyed it more if the meat was a little less burnt and meaty. Maybe if the menu stated how the meat was served I may have shied away from that dish. Service was a little slow but they did have a lot of tables to serve. I appreciated the attentiveness to plating detail and with good fresh food sometimes you have to wait. Just know this going in. We will go back and try dinner as well. It is a little pricey but I don't mind splurging every now and then if the food is fresh, local and good.
(4)Chris N.
I'm not sure why but we have tended to overlook Nectar as one of our go-to dining locales. This has been a costly mistake that will be corrected. My wife is Celiac-vegetarian. I lean strongly vegetarian and highly appreciate those attentive to the slow food ideals. We have never been disappointed by the chosen meal or the overall dinning experience at Nectar. Given our collective of dietary restrictions, food and drink priorities and tastes, and ambience preferences Nectar is one restaurant among a very small few in Cincinnati that has routinely fit the bill. With this review I want to thank the chef and her staff for what they are creating here and hope to encourage others to take note of what truly is a carefully planned, consistently good, and tastefully presented dinning menu.
(5)Eira T.
We stopped here for weekend brunch after walking around Mt Lookout a couple months ago and spying the menu. I actually had a hard time picking what I wanted from the menu, because so much looked great. I got the chorizo scramble, which was topped with an excellent salsa. Only complaint was that I wish there had been a little more chorizo. I liked the potatoes too -- they were dusted with some kind of mild chili-paprika rub. The fruit salad was great -- some kind of nutmeg/cinnamon sugar mixed in to it. I got a mimosa which was a little different from the regular OJ mimosa -- I think it had grapefruit juice. It was pretty good. Our server was a little slow to greet us at first, but there were two huge parties in the dining room (each had at least 10 people). There is also a back patio which I took a peek at. Except for the back patio, the entire restaurant appears to be wheelchair accessible. I liked Nectar, and would definitely go back.
(4)Kaitlin W.
The service & food was really great! I got the chorizo scramble for brunch & my boyfriend got the pork carnitas. Both were fantastic. We will be back!
(4)Dustin M.
Haven't received our food yet. I'm writing this post to occupy the down time as we go on 41 minutes waiting for our breakfast. There are plenty of open tables and we've actually witnessed people order, eat and pay since we have put in our order. I ordered the chorizo scramble, my girlfriend ordered the frittata. After 30 minutes I asked if everything were okay in the kitchen and rather than our waitress apologizing, she said "oh everything takes a long time here, our chef is meticulous about her dishes." So that's where we are currently, more to come in regards to our food.
(1)Robin S.
This place is really overhyped, would not recommend and would not go again; and I will tell you why (read below). Background - we went for brunch on Sunday, not any special occasion, just a regular Sunday, around 11am. Service - from the moment we walked in, we were shocked. The place was half empty. There was nobody at the stand up front to host us. Then someone frantically came up to us and said a table will be ready in 10 min (except half the restaurant was empty). So we waited, then we sat, then we waited more, probably another 5-10 min before being asked what to drink. Ordered coffee, which took 5+ min to bring to us, and there was no spoon given with the cream and sugar so we had to use our forks. Then the food didn't take too long to come but the waiter and the other staff were frantically working, almost fast-pacing around the restaurant, trying to seat people, cook and serve at the same time. Definitely understaffed and it was noticeable. You could hear a lot of banging and rummaging around in the back, nobody looked happy working there. When we got our food (french toast and frittata), we had to ask for ketchup and maple syrup. Also, there was no salt or pepper on the table, we didn't even bother to ask because it took so long to have someone wait on us. Oh and no ancillary utensils for all this so I was pouring maple syrup from a bowl onto my french toast. Just overall terrible service, I appreciate small family-owned businesses, but this is no way to run one. Food - mediocre. I thought they were known for their brunch but clearly their food is bland and heavy, not much taste. Even after asking for the add-ons and putting it on it I wasn't impressed. Bread was good for french toast but not much taste on the french toast, we have definitely had better elsewhere and even at home. The frittata was bland, and just all egg. We didn't bother ordering anything else. Atmosphere - not what we expected. From the outside, looks like a nice place but from the inside just very plain and not much decoration. Wouldn't consider it for any "special occasion". Even First Watch seems a better place for special occasion on every front even if it means waiting a little. Nonetheless, I hope you get my drift, and if they want to keep their doors open, they better get their act together.
(1)Manveer S.
I really wanted to like Nectar. They use fresh, local ingredients and it's close enough that we can walk to it if we want to. We actually had a decent experience when we went here last summer, but we've been back since and it seems to have gone downhill. We came for brunch once - thought we'd skip Annabel's for once since there's always a wait and Nectar is always empty. We realized that there's a reason they're always empty. Each time we've gone in to Nectar the past few times, it seems like they're understaffed. The host at the front is never there when you walk in and you have to wait a few minutes. It almost seems like they're about to close. For brunch, I had the carnitas and my wife had the chorizo scramble. The carnitas were way overcooked and tough, almost inedible. The chorizo scramble was OK, but nothing special. We thought we'd give it another chance for dinner one Saturday night. We started with the mediterranean meze. Everything was (again) just OK, but the falafel was overcooked and extremely oversalted...ultimately a complete failure. My wife had the lamb sausage tamale for an entree and I had the Moroccan spiced farm hill chicken. The egg in the lamb sausage tamale was good, but everything else was pretty bad and my wife ended up not even wanting to finish it. We mentioned this to the waiter and he just said that that was too bad, but didn't offer anything to make up for it. The chicken I had was OK - a bit dry. The zaatar yogurt was the best part. These major flaws in execution of the dishes on separate occasions make it unlikely we'll go back. It's not hard to see why Nectar is always empty these days, which is a shame because the restaurant is great conceptually.
(2)Sheila M.
My friends and I stumbled upon Nectar because we were looking forward to Annabel's, which is right next door. Unfortunately, Annabel's had a 1-hour wait on Sunday morning, and we were starving/hung over so we tried to come up with other options. After reading Nectar's menu posted in the window, the brunch options looked pretty good, especially the Chorizo Scramble and sesame French toast. Their 10-minute wait (which ended up being more like 20, but still better than an hour) was also a plus. There were a few things I liked - the cute, dimly lit interior; friendly waitress; and good coffee. There was only one chef working in the kitchen, so we ended up waiting almost an hour in total for our food anyway. The French toast was thick and moist, though I didn't love the sesame bread crust. Even though it was good and I was starving, I remember thinking that it wasn't the best I'd ever had. The Chorizo Scramble, though, was a major disappointment. Chorizo is supposed to be flavorful, fatty, and spicy, and the pieces of "meat" resembling pencil erasers in taste and texture just didn't do it for me. The salsa and unremarkable scrambled eggs tasted ok to gross at times. I always, ALWAYS finish my food, but I just couldn't this time. On a positive note, the breakfast potatoes were cooked to perfection, and the fresh fruit that came with it was...well, fresh. I think the food is ok here, but it may be a bit overhyped because I wouldn't choose to wait an hour for it again.
(3)Gavin D.
In terms of best brunches in Cincinnati, Nectar is definitely in the running. In keeping with our habit of getting the same thing every time we go somewhere once we know it is good, here are our thoughts from another tasty visit. The Food: Nectar's menu has several enticing options, but Sarah and I both honed in on 2 items the first time we went, and haven't strayed since. The Croque Madame and Kroeger and Son's Goetta Melt. Both plates come with a nice medley of fresh fruit as well as "crispy red chile potatoes" (which aren't too crispy and aren't too chile-y, but are still a nice addition to the plate). The Croque Madame is well balanced with fig, prosciutto, cheddar, and greens. Fig has fantastic flavor, but can often be overpowering, so this is happily well done. A nicely fried egg topped it off. The only barely-complaint: the Blue Oven bread was sliced a bit thinner last time and made it a bit easier to cut through to eat (you can't bite into a sammy with prosciutto - you take the whole thing). All this time in Cincinnati, and I'd never really gotten into goetta. Well, my first Goetta Melt at Nectar had me at Kroeger and Son's buying a slab of my own the next day. It certainly doesn't hurt that this sandwich is overflowing with wonderfully rich hollandaise that has a nice spicy warmth from the Chipotle chile. But back to the goetta - it is crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, just as it seems it should be. Sarah and I were both scraping the bottom of our plates to make sure we didn't miss any of the flavors from this dish. The Ingredients: "Nectar is proud to serve as many local and organic items on our menu as possible." Nice! They list several farmers and producers they source from at the bottom of the menu (this one doesn't name the sources, but the one at the restaurant does), as well as naming them on the specific meal choices - see "Kroeger and Son's Goetta Melt" above. This commitment makes us feel even better about our eating than we already did! Three cheers for Nectar! The Story, Setting, & Service: The service at Nectar has been consistently nice and attentive. A large, open window to the kitchen makes it hard not to stare as the chefs are at work. Nice to see that they haven't seemed too crazed (it hasn't been packed). If there is any place for improvement at Nectar, it is in the atmosphere. Sarah said "quote me on this: give me one night in here with all the things they have and I could fix this." They have kind of an odd decor, and its awful dark. The place is filled with splendid smells (note: anybody know a noteworthy thesaurus, maybe a culinary specific one? I'm running out of ways to say good!), so if they can ever please the eyes as much as the nose and mouth then their game will officially be stepped up. In somewhat unrelated news, Annabel's is next door. I've heard good things, so am hoping to make it to Mount Lookout again soon. We will definitely be going back because of Nectar's commitment to sourcing local and organic ingredients, as well as the simple fact that they make a darn good meal. They do a Dinner Club with a "specific theme/ingredient," and we're looking forward to trying that out as well. If you enjoyed this review, there's more at Amateur Foodies.
(5)Andrew N.
At face value, Nectar looks great. It occupies what is essentially a corner of the street on the south end of Mt. lookout and has a open but cozy enough space while the dinner menu is filled with not-your-typical dinner options like pork shoulder. My kind of place. Unfortunately, though, things go downhill from there. From my dinner experience, service was somewhat slow and execution on the food was off. Some dish components were too salty, others bland, and the shoulder was not braised long enough and thus, pretty tough. Add to that the small portion sizes and price, and the end result was a meal where the most memorable thing was the bill. Not bad food. Just not great, either. Perhaps brunch is a different story, but with one of the my all-time Cincinnati favorites, Annabels, right next door, I'm not sure when that might be. All in all, give it a try if you're bored of your usuals, but considering Nectar's price point and execution, you could probably find better in a number of other places around town like Local 127, Honey or LaPoste.
(3)Christine C.
My husband and I found the food to be amazingly flavorful and delicous. The staff is friendly. The decore is comfortable and inviting. Overall the experience was the best during our leisure stay in Cincinnati. If we lived in Cincinnati this restaurant would be a staple for us.
(5)Hossein A.
I was a little hesitant at first because we were going to be the only ones in here. I ordered the vegetarian special and bf ordered the tamale and I added the donut and a side of Goetta. After I ordered the $7 donut I regretted my decision until I tasted it and oh was it so good! Worth every penny. They brought it first with the coffee and it was amazing. The food was fantastic as well. Well balanced. The Goetta I ordered because I didn't know what it was. Glad I did because I never had anything like it. Kinda like hash but with more texture because the pinhead oats aren't cooked to death. Definitely would come back.
(5)Tori M.
Been here twice for brunch. When other brunch places have hour plus waits I've never waited more than 10 minutes to be seated. though there is only 2 vegetarian brunch meals they have modified other menu items wonderfully for me. Worth checking out!
(5)Jon D.
Great brunch! We had the Choriszo Eggs with red potatoes. Food came out fast. No complaints - give it a try. Great flavor. Coffee yum.
(5)Michelle H.
Great menu! Lots of fancy choices. Teenagers think it was too pretentious and wouldn't return but Mr and I thought it would be great for a date night. Drink menu was also good and compliments the brunch. I got the French toast. Bread was outstanding and orange flavor was mild but interesting. Too much food for me. I ordered the side of hot chili potatoes... So delicious and would love eating just those with an over medium egg. Everyone else got savory. Tamales, eggs benedict, and chorizo eggs. French toast was the overall favorite.
(4)Bill E.
This review is only for brunch. My buddy and I came to Nectar for Easter brunch and we easily had a table and it was right in front of the expo window. Our server came over and took our drink order- I had a bloody Mary for 8.50 and I didn't like the taste at all, it def tasted off and didn't have any real bloody Mary flavors like worchester sauce etc.. plus it was served in a wine glass. Onto the food, I ordered the Nectar Benedict which is house smoked salmon with blue oven muffin, guacamole, bacon and chipotle lime hollandaise. The eggs were poached perfectly and the hollandaise had the perfect consistency, everything on the plate just needed another dash of salt and pepper and then it would have elevated the flavors and made the dish better. The atmosphere was cool and I liked being able to see into the kitchen.
(3)DeWitt C.
Great fresh food, locally sourced, innovative and always changing menu, great service. Don't know why we haven't been here in awhile but this restaurant will definitely become more of a regular place for us. Went Saturday evening with wife and daughter, Amongst the three of us we shared several appetizers and various main meals. Every dish was exquisitely preparred with unbelievable fresh and innovative ingredients uniquely prepared and presented. They took reservations but also had many couples walk in and were able to find a table. The chefs really worked hard to provide something truly unique, locally sourced and just awesome taste! Way to go and look forward to returning soon!
(5)Beth T.
Originally going to a restaurant next door for Saturday Brunch/Breakfast, but decided to try Nectar instead. Be aware, Nectar does not open until 10. We were greeted warmly and seated promptly, in an expansive, but warmly decorated dining room. We started with a delicious Bloody Mary. We ordered the chorizo grill with red chile potatoes. I had the goat cheese and black bean tamales - awesome flavors!! Check out the cute patio in the back. Will be back for more creative, fresh fare. Only thing I would not recommend; the coffee was weak and flavorless, even the press pot - though that could be the Starbucks girl in me - Next time I will try tea.
(4)Mary B.
When most of our party arrived for Sunday brunch at 11:15, the restaurant was completely full, but we were seated immediately --- glad we had a reservation! We've been to Nectar's previously for Sunday brunch and that time it was just moderately busy and pleasantly quiet enough to converse at a normally audible level, but on this visit the better regarded Annabelle's next door was closed for vacation so that could explain the reason for the packed and noisy house. Perhaps an unusually busy Sunday morning is the reason for the problems we encountered this time. First, it took over five minutes for anyone to greet us and ask for drink orders. The first four of us to arrive ordered coffee which took a long wait to come. When the remaining two members arrived fifteen minutes later we finally had to flag down a server to get someone to take their drink orders. A few minutes later the waiter (who seemed inexperienced, not familiar with the menu, and generally lost) came over to say they were out of coffee and it would be a few minutes to brew more. Running out of coffee at 11:45 on a Sunday morning, really? After bringing the newer coffee order about fifteen minutes later, our waiter did not reappear for a long time, so we again had to flag down someone for coffee refills and to take our meal order. On busy mornings, Nectar might consider putting a large carafe of coffee --- since they only serve one type --- on the table or have the hostess go from table to table to refill as needed. After placing our order, there was another very long delay before two of six dishes were delivered. Several minutes later three more arrived, and finally after another five minutes the last dish came. So not wanting to be impolite and start eating before all were served, we ended up eating our food that was only mildly warm. Why not keep all meals for one table under a warming light on hot plates until all are ready to come out of the kitchen? Not knowing if I'd like the very spicy sounding sauce on my veggie frittata (one of only two vegetarian options on the menu), I ordered the sauce on the side, but it arrived slathered on top. Also an ordered extra side was missing from the plate. Fortunately, it was only a short wait for the correct versions to come. While the rest of the party found their dishes (pork carnitas, eggs benedict, and chorizo scramble) to be very good and tasty, my frittata was bland, dry and overdone. Perhaps the chef thought that diners who order the veggie frittata are all vegetarians who also don't eat food containing any butter or cream. During the meal, the waiter never returned to ask how things were going and if we needed anything --- you guessed it, like coffee refills. Given that Nectar's is on the pricey side and apparently can't well manage a full dining room, it compares poorly for breakfast with even IHOP (horrors!) which does deliver with timely service an appetizing Sunday breakfast from a more expansive menu when max busy in a quieter dining room for much less money. I'd return to Nectar's on a weekday morning when the dining room is probably half full, but that's not possible as they are only open on Sunday mornings for breakfast. That's a pity.
(2)Mark F.
I love the back porch! My daughter commented; "When I came here I instantly felt like I was in another country!" The Flavors are clean and bright. Fresh locally sourced ingredients burst with color, flavor. Staff has a great attitude. Julie Class act, great date spot.
(5)Lizbeth T.
I can only comment on the brunch experience, but boy, was it a good one! Full disclosure: we headed to Mt. Lookout Square on a sunny Sunday morning hoping to eat at Annabel's. But that spot had a 45 minute wait and we were hungry! Looked next door and noticed that Nectar had lots of tables open, and when we checked out the menu in the window, were pleasantly surprised that prices were on par with Annabel's. Plus, the entrees sounded delicious. Brunch at Nectar delivered exactly what I want from a Sunday morning meal: excellent coffee, efficient, yet relaxed, service, and filling, amazing food. I was thrilled with the goetta sandwich, and I'm not a huge fan of goetta in general. I also love it when breakfast/brunch restaurants serve sides with their entrees. Seriously, why the a la carte trend at brunch spots? Nectar's sides are fresh fruit and very, very good spicy potatoes. All that and no wait at peak brunch time? Thank you.
(4)Honest Reviews R.
Bad service, cold coffee, and below average food. Not sure how this place managed 4/5 stars. Do yourself a favor and go next door. Two thumbs down on the croque and please don't order the frittata.
(2)Sydney D.
The service is always spot on but not intrusive. The food is always wonderful. I highly recommend the back patio. It feels like you're at a café in the Mediterranean. I think I could eat chef Julie's red chili sauce on anything or even drink it like a soup.
(5)Tabitha W.
We made our way over to Mt. Lookout, intending to have lunch at Wurst Bar. We parked right in front of Nectar, so we couldn't help but sneak a peek at their menu posted outside...Saturday brunch ended up coaxing us to dine at Nectar instead of Wurst. The interior is clean and has a cozy feel. It was fairly empty, with no more than 4 tables occupied around 1:30 on a Saturday afternoon. I started with a Nectar cocktail that was tasty. Drink service did seem a bit slow given the absence of a crowd. I ordered the Blue Oven French Toast (without bacon), and my husband ordered the Black Bean and Goat Cheese Tamales. This dish would normally come with three tamales, but they only had 2, so they offered a serving of either Pork Carnitas or Falafel and Mediterranean Dips to supplement the two tamales. Being vegetarian, we of course chose the Dips, which was a tastefully presented plate of a variety of flavorful Mediterranean offerings. The tamales were good overall, but the avocado it comes with had much more of a guacamole flavor rather than fresh avocado, like we were expecting. The egg topping the dish was cooked well. Sadly, my French Toast came out complete with a strip of bacon. I didn't make a big deal about it, and we just picked off the bacon, but restaurants need to be careful to take note of specific customer requests. The French Toast topping was delicious, but the bread itself was a little hard to cut. Overall, I found the service a little slow. We were at the 1 hour meter outside, and we were definitely out of time by the time we wrapped up brunch. I appreciated their willingness to supplement the tamale dish with another dish (at no additional cost), but I just really wish that our request of no bacon on the french toast had been more clearly communicated by our server to the kitchen staff.
(3)Angela K.
I ate here Saturday morning for brunch with a friend. There was no wait at all. The service was great, as well as the coffee. I ordered the Nectar Benedict and it was nothing short of delicious! The flavor combo was perfect! The smoked salmon, which was house smoked and resembled more of a baked salmon with smoky flavor than traditional smoked salmon, was balanced out by the smooth avocado and the tangy roasted tomato. The poached egg was done to perfection as well. This was my first time here and I will definitely be back!!
(5)Sam T.
Listen up Foodies! This is the place to go! Don't be distracted by those new-fangled trendy restaurants in Over the Rhine. Awesome service and no wait for a table. Plus the food is a 1000 times better! These people are serious when comes to high quality and deliciousness. The menus change frequently and they truly care about your dining experience. Their effort and attitude truly shows. Try sitting on the back patio if the weather is nice. Its quaint but cute and you'll love the cocktails! Half Price bottles of wine on Wednesdays and Monthly Supper Club!
(5)Tim L.
Unique and scrumptious brunch options you can't find in most places. Definitely not your typical greasy spoon diner where you can just roll in and order 2 eggs, toast, and bacon. They attack brunch differently, with a bit more flair, and a bit more price as well. Great experience, great food, great location, and not nearly as crowded as some other options in the area.
(4)Sara E.
Wonderful brunch, looking forward to going back for lunch and dinner. We originally were planning on going to Annabel's for brunch, but after being told there was a two hour wait for a table for three we decided to try Nectar next door and we were not disappointed. I had the seasonal vegetable frittata and a cornmeal biscuit; they were delicious. Easily the best frittata I have ever had. The cornmeal biscuit has bits of jalapeño mixed in creating a slightly spicy delightful biscuit. My husband ordered the carnitas dish and a friend had the goetta, both were very pleased. We arrived around 10:45 and didn't have a wait, but when we left the restaurant was full.
(4)Will H.
I could write on and on about how exquisite the food was or about how just absolutely friendly and down to earth the wait staff was or how the entire dining experience is amazing... but it would just not do it justice... All I am going to say is.... Nectar has the snooty food without the snooty 'tude. If you want an amazing and different food experience... check these guys out in Mt. Lookout Square.
(5)Angela C.
Hurray for Nectar brunch! I've been there for two Sunday brunches and my whole group has been happy both times. The wait is longer earlier on in the morning, but by about 1 or 1:15 it's pretty open. The french toast and shrimp and kimchi scramble are both really good. The scrambles come with fresh fruit and savory potatoes. Others in my group really liked the chorizo scramble, which I plan to try next time. Service is always friendly and the food is fresh. I like the decor- brightly colored, comfortably spaced, and the cute napkin rings are a nice touch.
(4)Ben N.
My wife and I love Nectar. As others say here and as Nectar's own website says, Chef Julie Francis mainly sticks with seasonal, local, and organic ingredients, which means the small menu rotates frequently, which I like. (Right now, Kentucky bison is on the menu. It was quite good!) Style-wise, she's oriented in a French-Med direction, which I also like and which is somewhat unusual in this city. (Some Spanish/Carib angles and Asian ingredients get a little play as well.) Generally, Nectar's food is relatively simple and direct, and the restaurant succeeds with both meat and fish dishes. Nectar shoots for a pretty typical, comfortable casual-upscale atmosphere. I find it pretty refreshing that Francis hasn't really focused much on decor; the gold and deep red color scheme is actually kind of plain and seems a bit tossed-off, although it benefits from evening sunlight on Mt. Lookout Square. Despite the unassuming decor, the restaurant has a sophisticated, convivial atmosphere. In her effort to incorporate and combine local and seasonal ingredients, Francis every now and then swings and misses with her entrees; she occasionally seems to be reaching in composing them. But she often knocks it out of the park. And it's fascinating to walk in after not having been there for a few months to see what's on the latest menu. (Check out the sample menus on Nectar's website to get an idea of what the food is all about....) Reasonably priced for what you get: For two, it's easy to share an appetizer or two, have an entree each and a glass of wine or two apiece for a hundred bucks of less. Admittedly, I can't objectively defend Nectar as a five-star restaurant because I have to acknowledge that, over the course of a half-dozen or so visits, there have been too many imperfections in the food and service. (E.g., the shrimp-fritter appetizer has been light and perfect a couple of times, but grease-leaden another; there are lapses in service, although one of the regular waiters whose name I can't remember right now is virtually flawless, etc.) But subjectively, Nectar's at or near the top of the Cincinnati heap for my wife and me, because what Chef Francis is trying to do with her restaurant is right up our alley, and she succeeds far more often than not. Plus, Nectar is only four or five blocks from our house, so there's a little home-turf bias involved. Nectar's not a "great" restaurant, in the sense of a you-have-to-go-there dining destination (as far as I can tell, Cincinnati has no more than 3 or 4 of those places), but it's a fantastic neighborhood restaurant that deserves a loyal following.
(5)Ron A.
Ever since I discovered the awesomeness that is Mt. Lookout Square I have wanted to eat brunch at Nectar and Annabel's. Both seemed to have amazing menus prepared by top chefs. However, I quickly discovered that Nectar is nothing more than a decent place to have brunch right away when Annabel's is on a hefty wait. I wouldn't say that Nectar was bad but it certainly wasn't great either. My chorizo sausage scramble was pretty money but the potatoes left a lot to be desired (they tasted like they were just dropped in the deep fryer, the same way Perkins does there home-style potatoes) and the fruit was served on the same (hot) plate as my eggs and potatoes which made for warm fruit slightly covered in lingering tomatillo chipotle salsa from the chorizo scramble. These things would be forgivable if I was dining at IHOP and paying $6 but I'm at a place that some people consider to be among the best in Cincinnati and I'm paying $12. It wasn't just my food that was lacking either, my friend's fried egg was way over done and almost inedible as the edges of the egg were rubbery and hard (an almost unforgivable strike against a restaurant considering I learned how to cook a sunny side egg when I was five years old). Also, the service was slow and uninspired which just made the whole experience lackluster. I've heard this is a common practice from other friends who have eaten here as well. So my suggestion to those looking for a fun quality brunch in Mt. Lookout is to hold out for a table at Annabel's or be prepared to have a subpar to okay brunch at the neighboring Nectar.
(3)Jodie K.
After lots of research for a farm to fork restaurant and a day of anticipation I was relieved to have finally made it to Nectar. When I walked up to the quaint facade I was instantly disappointed-there was no one in the place! Fortunately I didn't let that deter me, as soon as the fresh bread was served, I knew I was safe, the wine and great service helped too. Food was delicious, the love and commitment was obvious and I can't wait to go back! What's wrong with you people of Cincy! Eat at Nectar and give this place five stars! Cheers Julie!
(4)J K.
Dropped in after finding that Annabel's will be closed for a couple weeks. I was impressed with the quality of the food and wouldn't mind coming back again. Just a couple things that prevented me from giving this place 5 stars. 1) There was a price discrepancy between what was listed on the menu and what was actually on the bill. 2) There's usually a wait, and service tends to be on the slow side. It was definitely much more noticeable today as Nectar took on many of the customers who had originally planned on going to Annabel's. Even so, I appreciate how they seated us early and served us coffee as we waited. 3) The place is pretty loud. The restaurant is just an open space, and with a packed house, you'll prob have to shout a little to carry a conversation. Normally though, the place isn't this full. I'd recommend this place if you are looking for a classier feel, but otherwise, I'd rather just go to Annabel's next door. Still, Nectar is a fine establishment in their own right.
(4)no n.
I had much higher expectations, given the menu and location. Unfortunately the food was rather mediocre in quality.
(2)Adriana K.
I think I must have discovered Cincinnati's best kept secret! When searching Yelp for "organic" for the city, I am pretty sure this is the only place that popped up,...so with a two hour drive for a dinner destination, I was blown away that it wasn't more busy. Could have been a fluke. An amazing drive along the river into a homey neighborhood lead me to Nectar. The ambiance is comfortable, nothing too special - I only realized afterwards they have a patio in the back. Dining alone, I settled in with, of course, a food magazine, and was simply amazed by my self prescribed 5 course dinner. The cocktail I ordered was missing a key ingredient which I was informed of immediately and was offered a substitute. Which was pretty delicious. I ate the cheese platter on my own, yes- on my own. And of course had to try the fritters and amazingly fresh tomato salad. And only a sane person would have the peach dessert and eat every last bite. Yum
(5)Arnold W.
I was here with friends on Friday evening. I lived in cincin for more years than I care to remember but have been near San Francisco for 2 yrs. I'm baffled by another reviewer's idea this is Aioli transfer. And about the noise complaint. (For noise go to Aqua) The service was very good, attentive, not intrusive. I thought the wine list short, as someone from CA might think. But we had a fine bottle of French wine. I passed up the lamb shank because I had a huge one (too big) at Jean Rho's the night before. The 'ravioli lasagne', (What, you say?) was delightful, light and tasty. We were all pleased. Now, -- where has Aioli really gone?
(5)Molly C.
Their brunch is pretty sublime. Really inventive stuff, quality ingredients and fabulous service - aside from it being a bit on the pricey side, not sure why you'd want to go anyplace else.
(5)Brian S.
Brunch at Nectar is the meal that this author is most familiar with. After having nearly every dish on the menu I have yet to go home with a sad stomach from a Sunday morning brunch at Nectar. I would also like to provide a few tips on getting in, what are the author's personal favorites and what things make Nectar stand apart special for Sunday selection. In order to get in on a Sunday usual requires minimal effort, especially if you arrive at the opening our of 10am. If you have not immediately greeted by the wait staff it is advisable to peak around the corner to alert them to your presence as they do not have a host/hostess on Sunday mornings. Sometimes they will not hear you when you first arrive but they will always seat you with a smile. If you are planning on arriving later than 11:15 or 11:30am it is advisable to make reservations as on random Sundays they might be full. Also if you have parties larger than six, I would also advise that you make a reservation. Otherwise they wonderful indoor seating as well as outdoor seating in their outback fortress with honeysuckle and porch lights. The food is wonderful. The french toast is served Texas toast style with near 1" thick sections covered with fruit and cooked to a physics bending perfection of neither over or under done. The bread itself is from Blue Oven Bakery, which is the best bread provider to the Cincinnati area. The Chorizo scramble is another tasty dish if you are in the mood for a mildly spicy brunch. It is served with chipotle sauce, spiced hash-brown's and fruit on the side. The granola is a bit on the expensive side for granola. However, if you are hungover and cannot stomach a heavy meal this is a wonderful choice (along with some Darjeeling tea and sparkling water). The granola is not clumpy but rather on the softer side with individual oats, pistachios and pumpkin seeds served with yogurt, honey and fruit. The smoked trout benedict is okay. For my taste the chef is a bit heavy on the hollandnaise sauce. If ordered with light sauce this is another delightful selection. The carnitias? Holy cow! AMAZING! No wordy review required. Ditto for the Croque Madam which also features Blue oven bread. While the Goetta melt is a bit heavy for my taste and I've only sampled it, all of my friends that enjoy Goetta (native Cincinnatians of course) rave continuously about it. I'm unsure about the rest of the menu. Now the unique things that make Nectar. In summary, Julie Francis, a wonderfully inspired chef. She does an amazing job to serve mostly local, healthy food while also providing multiple choices and flavors for her patrons. Her talents are being recognized by the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky in June during the, "A Salute to Women, Wine and Whiskey" Dinner. The other standout feature is the wait staff who are always chatty, friendly and happy to help in any way they can without any form of snobbery. I cannot say enough about how wonderful they all are.
(5)Sasha P.
High end food, great service, local and organic ingredients... how could that be bad? Nectar is a gem on Mt. Lookout square that just puts out good food. The chef/owner Julie Francis is almost always in the kitchen which I think is a good sign. If you want to experience what a great bistro in New York or California is like here in Cincinnati - go to Nectar and you'll love it.
(4)Fuzzysaurus L.
tasty, fresh, seasonal dishes. a limited selection on the menu which has its benefits - makes the decision process much simpler! for the appetizers, i heard that the calamari salad was delish (in other words, this was finished before i got a chance to steal a ring). shared the mediterranean meze and cheese plate myself. the mediterranean meze had a falafel that was the best i've ever tasted. while the other stuff on the plate (olives, pickeled cabbage, beets, cucumber tomato yogurt) was good, i think i would have been incredibly happy if it was just the falafel. or maybe the falafel with the yogurt. cheese plate should be taken off the menu completely. i'm usually a big fan of cheeses but this was not good =( then again, maybe there'll be a better selection the next season, but it's not worth the risk. especially since there was this weird truffled honey that i hope never to taste again. onto the entrees. pretty much a dish of every 'animal' (chicken, pork, steak), along with a vegetarian option, and a fish dish. the chicken was recommended and it was good. served ona bed of quinoa/black bean salad, with a dollop of guacamole atop, the chicken was well seasoned and well cooked. the dish worked well. desserts were decent, not extraordinary (similar to the service). i did have an organic red cabernet sauvignon that was yummy though and should have written down=) all in all, worth coming back if you want a yummy well seasoned dinner made with quality ingredients that are from the local area. PS - it's freezing in the restaurant so bring a jacket if you get cold easily!
(4)Arthur O.
Tried Nectar for brunch. Resuts were good, but it seemed pricey for the quality of the food, at brunch, at least. Its the sort of place where you are definitely paying for each new glass of orange juice individually, but it doesnt feel like it should be . The atmosphere and styling is almost Mexican or Spanish infused, but doesn't feel that cozy. I may try again for dinner, but it's not high on my list.
(3)Marie E.
Went for brunch today. We got coffee (great) and OJ (Tropicana). Our water glasses smelled a little strange but maybe it is just the water they use to clean them. We ordered the Croque Madame and Vegetable Frittata (about $10 each). The Potatoes were perfect. Crispy outside warm soft inside coated with just enough course salt. The Frittata was good not great. My husband's Croque Madame was not traditional at all but good. They forgot the egg when they brought it out but were quick to fix the mistake. Our waiter was great and very attentive to us. Overall the place was a little on the quiet side which is a pet peeve of mine since it makes it hard to have a conversation without feeling like everyone can hear you. They may benefit from having some music in the background. We did go a little late and maybe it was just slow. Not bad but probably will be looking for better brunch options elsewhere.
(3)Caroline C.
We thought Nectar was great! This was my first trip to Mt. Lookout, so we were unclear about the parking situation. First order of business was our server giving us the rundown on where to park, what's ok, what's not ok. That is really helpful considering we are still new to the area. We had reservations for 7, but arrived at 6:30. And we were actually the first ones there, so we had our choice of seating. I started off with the Asparagus Soup ($7) and my husband ordered the Caesar Salad ($7). The soup was light and nice for a rainy night, but it wasn't like overwhelmingly delicious. It was garnished with basil, chevre, pistachios and some sort of basil-oil. The caesar salad dressing was incredibly flavorful, but as a caesar salad purist, I would have preferred it with romaine rather than mixed greens. For my main I had the halibut ($24) with brown rice cake, sauteed spinach and a kumquat relish. First of all, the brown rice cake was amazingly delicious. I couldn't really tell what they did to it - but it was amazing. Definitely a great surprise considering I wasn't expecting much out of it. Halibut was excellently prepared and paired well with the acidity of the kumquat relish. My husband ordered two appetizers for his main course since they all sounded so delicious. The Meze plate ($12) had Falafel, pickled veg and a chipotle hummus. I'm not usually a fan of falafel - but Nectar's is the exception. Just the right amount of crunch on the outside and not dried out on the inside. The Salmon Tartare ($12) was also another winner. There was creme fraiche, capers, beets and baby greens accompanying the salmon. Dessert was a Lemon Curd Napoleon($6.50). I was against the idea at first, but after our server recommended it decided to give it a try. She was right! The Lemon Curd (although not a traditional lemon curd, maybe more of a lemon mousse?) was delicious and the homemade phyllo was incredibly flavorful yet delicate. The kumquat relish made another appearance on the dessert which I could have done without. It was a little overpowering. Overall I was incredibly pleased with the service and had no long wait issues. Perhaps at a busier time at night, the service would have been slower. Before leaving we checked out the patio in back - it was gorgerous! We are definitely planning to go back for their highly recommended brunch!
(4)Mike T.
Nectar is perhaps the most accomplished Cincinnati restaurant at using fresh, local ingredients in a successful manner. And with the ever-changing menu, it never gets old. I'm not even really a fan of soup (unless I'm sick or dying), but Nectar is slowly pulling me over to the soup side. IMO, it's the best I've had in anywhere in Cincy (and I've been everywhere), but the downside is that they may only have one a day. I also credit (or blame) Nectar for turning me onto cheese plates and charcuterie. Those are usually outstanding as well. As far as the appetizers and entrees, it's pretty simple--always fresh, fairly healthy, reasonably priced, almost always cooked perfectly and delicious. I can't remember many things that were ever "mind-blowing," but I think that's because, as I said, the fare is fairly healthy.
(4)Amy E.
I went here for brunch with a friend, excited to try a place that prepares the food with fresh, local ingredients. I had the french toast, which was made with Blue Oven bread, topped with figs and ricotta. It has a good texture, but wasn't the best french toast I have ever had. They were out of bacon, so mine came with goetta. It was my first time trying the unique Cincinnati goetta-- and I must say, it isn't bad. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to order it, though nectar does have an interesting looking goetta melt on the menu. Nectar also has delicious, well-seasoned spicy potatoes. The eggs benedict with salmon and chipotle-lime hollanaise is definitely something I'd like to try in the future. Service was a little slow, but acceptable. Overall, the food was good, and there are a couple things I would like to try, but in the end, I do prefer Annabel's. I'd also like to see what nectar offers for dinner as well.
(4)Amy M.
Just had brunch at Nectar this morning with my friendly neighbor and we're both fans! We actually both got the same thing (not good planning on our part....as far as tasting different items)..but we both very much loved their version of the "Croque Madame". It came on whole wheat sourdough bread with mixed greens, dijon mustard, fig preserves, prosciutto, cheddar and of course topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg. Yum! It came with some fresh fruit and these delectable crispy potatoes! The menu (which changes frequently) had many delicious offerings. Service was good, coffee a bit weak for my Seattle-groomed taste buds, but they did keep it and the water flowing freely. I will definitely be back.
(4)Lindsay K.
Nectar was a last minute decision for us. When we walked in, the restaurant was half empty and the hostess seemed put off that we didn't have reservations. She put us at one of the (many) available tables, and we ordered our wine. I like the idea of Nectar--mostly local food, local wine and beer. The food was good, but in very small portions for what you're paying for. We may be back for brunch, since that gets such good reviews, but probably won't be back for dinner.
(3)Donald B.
I'm giving it 4 stars only because I'd like for them to stay open. We dropped in at the restaurant in O'bryonville and though there were empty tables, we were told there was a 1.5 hr wait (hilarious: buy some booze at the bar routine). Walked into Nectar and we were welcomed. The restaurant needed the temperature turned up a degree or two. My wife eventually put on her coat. Our food lost heat rapidly so the plates need to be warmed prior to serving. Service personnel were pleasant. Wait for food was a bit slow considering there were just a the few customers. The menu format appeared to have changed since our last visit though items were about the same. We preferred the previous menu. Price is fairly reasonable. Beer prices are also reasonable.
(4)Alyssa F.
I took my mom here for Mother's Day Brunch, and it was a big hit. Definitely make reservations, because when we walked in, they were turning away anyone who didn't have a reservation. My mom got the French Toast- three big pieces made with sesame bread, and it ha a kind of citrus taste to it that was SO GOOD. I had the eggs benedict which had salmon and a chipotle-lime hollandaise and was also amazing. Both of our dishes were way too much food for us and came with bacon and fruit on the side. We just had coffee to drink and it ended up being under $30 for the meal, which is basically the same price as a first-watch type place, plus you can have a cocktail if you want and the food is way better. Just a note- I had a friend who happened to go there for dinner the night before, and had a pretty different feeling about the place. She said that their portion sizes were so tiny, they had appetizers and entrees and still left hungry. I definitely encouraged her to go back for brunch!
(5)Sarah F.
Picked this place for my birthday dinner with friends this year and while we all had a fabulous time, the food was just OK. I had heard and read such wonderful things that my expectations were pretty high. The interior was simple and charming and our server was great. It was a bit strange to me though that the restaurant was almost completely empty at 7pm on a Thursday. I started with a field green salad with blueberries and goat cheese--fresh and good acid balance, but too heavily dressed such that the bottom layer of greens were totally doused in the vinaigrette. My main course was salmon, which was absolutely beautifully presented, but really lacking in flavor. The salmon was in kind of a thin strip and cooked to about medium well, so not as juicy as it might have been. The grains and veg mix underneath was utterly missable. A couple of other folks at the table also mentioned their food being "just OK", so maybe an off night for them? In any case, for the price, you can do a lot better in Cincinnati, so while I love the seasonal/local concept, Nectar just didn't deliver on execution.
(3)Pamela F.
Been twice, brunch pretty good but unremarkable. Dinner well prepared but overpriced for service and decor.
(2)Lan N.
The Blue Oven French toast was full of fall flavors! The portion would have been able to feed two people but it was that good that I cleaned my plate! We sat out in the back terrace- very European feeling! Perfect for Saturday brunch!
(5)Lauren S.
Perfect place for my family gathering! Our server was wonderful! The bloody marys were delicious and so were the pork carnitas! Each serving is perfectly sized! If you get a chance ask to sit outside! They also have a good amount of options for vegetarians as well!
(4)Sean B.
Basically Aioli picked up from downtown and moved up to Mt. Lookout. But with the move come a few twists. Nectar is in a more cozy space than Aioli, which often seemed like it was in the lobby of a Best Western. With the coziness comes noise, however. On a Saturday night, Nectar is probably one of the loudest restaurants AND bars I have ever been in. You almost have to shout across the table to be understood. On the bright side, Nectar's emphasis on seasonal, local and organic foods, means that the food is fresh, well-prepared and elegantly plated. The New York strip was excellent, as was the duck, but Nectar's strength may be its appetizers and soups. Entrees range from $17-24. Recommended for a small group (4-6) or a couple who knows each other well. Not really a place for a romantic dinner until they take care of that sound problem.
(4)Tina I.
We had dinner Sat night with my in laws and brother in law in town from Boston and we were all very disappointed with this restaurant. There were only 5 whites and 5 reds to choose from....we are NOT wine snobs but seriously, we only found 1 out of 10 that was even drinkable. We had 3 appetizers that were bland at best and my husband had the only entree that we decided was actually good. I had the special which was scallops with quinoa and it was dry and also bland. I cannot believe this restaurant is on the top 10 in Cincinnati magazine.
(2)Kevin B.
Great brunch (Croque Madame). Nice ambience. Resonably priced. I like the focus on local/organic. Can't wait to go back for dinner!
(5)Christine M.
My only experience with Nectar (so far...) has been for brunch, and I will happily be going back, both for more breakfast fare, and hopefully for dinner as well. I appreciate the chef's focus on local and seasonal fare, and the limited menu--it's much better, in my humble opinion, to have fewer choices of superb quality than more choices of mediocrity. Service was cheerful and attentive, though "distant," which I actually appreciate in a service staff. I like having my coffee refilled and my needs met, but there's a way to do that without making 95 trips to my table or hovering within my line of sight. The brunch options ranged from traditional breakfast (french toast, etc.) to more lunchy choices (I believe there is a hamburger on the menu--wise!). On my first and only trip so far, I opted for the challah french toast with nectarine and mango compote, while my companions chose the carnitas meal--a delicious-looking combination of seasoned, shredded pork, a roasty-looking tomato salsa, and tortilla, with an egg--any way you like it--on top. My one complaint is the lack of kid-friendly products available for brunch. Mt. Lookout is teeming with families. In fact, at this visit, 2/3 of all tables had a toddler at them. No chocolate milk? That seemed surprising. Our littlest companion enjoyed an egg, bacon, and some fried potatoes, but would have done well with some kind of kid-friendly beverage. Value-wise, Nectar is comparable in price to other brunchy-spots such as Greenup Cafe or BonBonerie. You may feel like you're paying more than, say, Bob Evans or IHOP, and you are, but you're paying for local products and FRESH products. Those are two qualities I would gladly pay more for! I look forward to being able to make a return trip to Nectar to try their dinner menu, and perhaps some desserts--both menus look delish, but will have to wait for another day.
(4)