BLAND BLAND BLAND BLAND BLAND. Season 52... I really wanted to like you. But I just can't! The concept of this place is awesome. Healthy meals with seasonal ingredients and menus. The execution of this though - wasn't good. There is such a thing as seasonal ingredient overdo. Note: There shouldn't be 6 items on a limited menu that have pumpkin seeds.... especially in the late winter/early spring. It is a cop-out. My wife and I sat at the bar waiting for our reservation time. I ordered a local bottled beer, which was overpriced at $6.50. I can get the same beer down at Senate, or anywhere in OTR, for $4. In fact, I can get a full fresh brewed pint at the Lager House for cheaper. Every cocktail on the menu looked overpriced. $12 for a martini that has middle shelf vodka, sour mix, and bottom tier flavored liquor? No thanks. The wine list was actually pretty good, and the prices were also reasonable. The bartenders also didn't seem to know much about the beers when asked by another customer sitting next to us. When asked if an IPA on the menu was a hoppy beer the bartender replied, "It is kind of like a lager". I sunk into an immediate *face-palm*. Now to the dinner. We ordered the chicken flatbread and put in our dinner order. The flatbread was the best part of the meal. It was thin and crisp like flatbread should be. The only downfall was the chicken appeared to be ground rather than strips or chunks. Not taking away any points for that though. 15 minutes after we put in our entree orders the waitress came back to tell me they were out of chicken.......WHAT? How can you be out of chicken? Regardless of if it was a busy night or not, it is unacceptable to be out of chicken. IT'S CHICKEN! For dinner my wife got the pork tenderloin and I got the trout. Both dishes looked great! The flavors however....not so much. My trout was under-seasoned. But tasted better after adding a little salt. The fish was cooked correctly and after the seasoning snafu tasted great! My wife's pork tenderloin was nothing great. She even commented we have made better pork tenderloin dishes at home. Her polenta was also full of lumps. The two mini desserts we got were passable. Nothing great. Nothing bad. Overall I would not recommend dining here. For what you are paying, you can find dishes in Cincinnati that are just as healthy and seasonal, that are far better.
(2)
Karen D.
A few friends tried Seasons 52 on a Friday night for our May birthdays. The menu looked amazing with variety of options to choose from from flatbreads to appetizers to main dishes with everything in the 400 calorie range. Our service was okay, we had a group of five and our waitress was there when we arrived and ordered drinks, but it then took a while for her to return to our table and for our group to ask questions. Once she did take our orders, the food arrived quickly, but our server was nowhere to be found to order drinks, water refills. The saving grace was the food - we shared the flatbread special of the evening eggplant and goat cheese. A few friends had the scallops. I couldn't decide so I went with two of the appetizers, which were meals of their own. Spicy Chicken Chile Relleno loved the flavor and how everything was cooked inside the chile and the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, good fresh pasta. She finally showed up at the end with free desserts for the birthday girls. The mini indulgence dessert was just the right size and me being the chocoholic went with belgian chocolate rocky road mmm good.
(3)
Shabazzy L.
First time at this new restaurant and I thought it was fantastic. The restaurant decor is clean and appealing. They did the napkin switch as has been expounded on in other reviews, but that's fine. We went for lunch and all five of us enjoyed our meals. I had a chicken sandwich (the name escapes me, but there was pesto involved) and a Quinoa salad. My wife had a delicious chicken flatbread. Another friend ordered the vegetarian sampler, another tacos and another a turkey wrap. Everyone really liked what they ordered and vowed to return again. We were impressed and will return...perhaps to try the mini indulgences the waitress paraded in front of our table in order to lure us into ordering desserts after we had already declined.
Best service I've ever received at a restaurant! The manager made sure we had a great first experience and brought out a sample of food to start us off. Our waiter didn't get our drink at first so we didn't end up ordering any and the manager came at the end of the meal to offer us some for free. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Jose S.
I've been to a few of these around the country. Food is always consistently good. Menu changes as the seasons do. Keeps it fresh and something different every time were in. But when you get down to taste.. nothing outstanding. Ambience is great piano player in the bar. The flight and flatbread happy hour is great. Definitely worth trying if you've never been there. great way to get in and out without spending a lot.
(4)
Aline S.
The food was very good but the service was slow. It wasn't very crowded but it still took a longer time than we expected. The server was nice but not around if you needed something.
(4)
Adam W.
We went for a media event before they were open and everything was absolutely fantastic. Now, I haven't been back since they opened so I can't guarantee everything from the media event correlates directly to the experience you'll have on an average night. That being said every dish they brought out for us to sample was excellent. Each one was paired with one of their wines by their head sommelier and he could not have done a better job. There's a big focus there on the wine pairings and they take the experience very seriously. Even though it was a special event so we had pretty much the whole staff waiting on 10 to 15 people, the service was excellent. All of the servers were kind and attentive and refilled drinks or cleared away dishes as soon as they needed to be but without that hovering quality you get sometimes. The desserts deserve their own mention as being particularly good - small portions but they more than made up for it in flavor. I'd go back just for those even if everything else wasn't so wonderful. They're likely to be pricey, we weren't told how much any of the dishes were, but it's a perfect choice for a special occasion. We can't wait to go back.
(5)
Catherine C.
This place doesn't use butter. At all. Believe it. I've been to Seasons 52 a few times since it opened as I work right down the street, and I've been pleasantly surprised at what they put together for under 475 calories. I really like the concept of the menu changing so often also because it forces you to venture away from a "regular" and try new things. I have to say I haven't had anything here that was bad. The flatbreads are pretty good, and I would say the salads are so-so (let's be honest, we live in a world that has made us think we need waaaaay too much dressing). The one odd thing about this place is that I've regularly seen people been told there is an incredibly long wait even though there are plenty of open tables, though those are for reservations. However, I've noticed that these tables remain unoccupied during my entire visit, which seems a bit odd. So, I'm not sure how the system works, but there's a chance you'll be turned away with half the restaurant empty. Overall, though, it's not my favorite. Again, it's not bad, but there are a plethora of other restaurants I would rather dine at within a half-mile radius.
(3)
Amy C.
While the atmosphere of this restaurant is beautiful and upscale, and the service is attentive, for the price, the food quality and taste just isn't good enough. I understand the concept of healthy cooking, i.e., not using butter or salt, but there are plenty of herbs and spices to flavor meat and vegetables while still being health conscious. I look to a professional chef to allow me to experience these new flavor experiences, not think, wow, my husband and I can season our own food much better while still not using salt or butter! My husband had shrimp with broccoli, tomatoes and rice and I had steak with mashed potatoes. Using some salt and pepper added some more flavor to my dinner and it was tasty enough, but my husband only ate his shrimp. He said the rest of the food tasted like nothing. We did sample a couple of the dessert indulgences, a seasonal chocolate/raspberry puree and another chocolate one and those were excellent. It was a fun concept to be able to share and try a small size. Overall, there are plenty of restaurants where the food is much better and you can spend a lot less and get the same or better quality.
(2)
Neil H.
it was just ok. we started with a flatbread which was delicious, and a chicken stuffed chili relleno, which was ok. My wife then had a spinach salad and i had the chili, both of which were mediocre. I had the pork tenderloin for dinner and my wife had a curried fish (i forget what kind), both meals were ok. the bright spot was the wine list. we had a couple bottles of Chappellet Signature Cab, which is a $50 retail bottle, that was only $76. I'll take that any day of the week! The restaurant is gorgeous and very comfortable, the staff was good as well. All told it was about $400 for 2 couples, so about $100 a head. not inexpensive, so i expect the food to be better.
(3)
Lauren W.
Filet and Lamb was perfectly cooked. Loved the fig and bacon flatbread and of course their signature desserts! Great meal!
(5)
Christine L.
Food was bland, atmosphere was stale. I was hoping for something better. It's a great concept with average execution.
(3)
Patrick D.
I wanted to give 3.5 stars. Excellent coctails, appitizers and deserts. Mixed on entrees. Appetizer - We got the goat cheese & artichoke flatbread and seared Ahi Tuna - both were top notch. Drinks - LOVED the superfruit martini. Very good wine selection as well. Shared two entrees - the garlic shrimp was quite good, but we also got a curry special that disappointed, but might have been appropriate for someone who liked things extremely mild/simple. Dessert Samplers - Peanut Butter Mouse (loved it) and a key lime pie (not my thing, but my wife enjoyed it.) Good location for a business dinner as well.
(4)
Suzy H.
Totally overpriced for the food you're served. Ordered beer on the menu to be told it's not available. Waited a half hour for beer to be served. Ordered flat bread only to have it come out charcoal black. Only reason we went there in the first place is because we had a group of about 25 friends meet after work. We left early and went to a festival in Deer Park. Had better beer and better food for a lot less than we did at Seasons 52. Definitely won't be going back. Ever.
(2)
B L.
First time at one of these restaurants. People said it was good. I don't believe I'll be going back. Nice atmosphere and service was good, bit that was window-dressing on VERY over-priced food and wine. Most times, you get what you pay for. I felt like I paid double for half of what I wanted. Net, poor value and not worth coming again.
(2)
Bree P.
This is a great date-night spot. That's said, with an app(hummus and flatbread),salad, 2 main courses( veg sampler and goat cheese ravioli) 2 rounds of Martinis, and 2 little desserts, we paid over $100. We are vegetarian, so its not like there was prime rib involved. We were there Valentine's weekend, unfortunately because that is where my husband's birthday falls. It was packed, but our service was exceptional and they even took our picture and and printed it out for us. It was a lovely gesture. All in all, the food and service was great, but we'll be skipping the spendy Martinis next time.
(4)
Rachael G.
I love the concept of this place, the healthy meals, seasonal rotating menus, great wine list, etc., I just didn't actually LOVE the restaurant. I came for date night last Saturday with my boyfriend; he had been to the Seasons in D.C. but it was my first time. We already were expecting the place to be packed, after all, it was the first Saturday night the place was open. We were told that the actual restaurant was totally booked through the rest of the night but we could try to find seats at the bar. Again, I was totally prepared for that, so we weren't put-off. The bar also seemed to be packed but after creepily skulking around the bar a few times, a couple took pity on us and offered us their spots. And that was the end of polite, prompt service for the evening; too bad it came from fellow patrons, not the actual staff. I used to work in the restaurant industry, and I understand how, especially with brand new restaurants, things are not always going to be perfect. However, I DO think it's completely ridiculous that there are at least 4 bartenders (only one of whom was taking care of servers' orders) plus a bar manager and a barback restocking, cleaning, helping etc., and it literally took over 15 minutes for a bartender to acknowledge our presence. I would completely understand if the bartenders all were rushed and looked stressed, but the only bartender who seemed to be struggling was the poor girl who was taking care of servers' orders; that poor girl was drowning and none of her fellow employees seemed inclined to help her. Nor did they seem inclined to take my drink order. By the time one of the waitress moseyed on over, I was extremely thirsty. My boyfriend is the most patient man in the world; even he was a bit miffed. The bartender literally came up to me and said "do you guys want some drinks?" Really? "Nope, just sitting here and taking up space, thanks." I had to ask her for a drinks menu and a food menu. I got a mojito and the bf got a margarita. They were ok, way too sweet though. Mostly, t I was horrified that they did not have Hendricks. I am not a snob about much but I am a complete snob about my Hendricks gin and this place looks like it should have Hendricks. The food was very prompt (in fact, I think our appetizer beat our drinks); we got one of the flatbreads with beef and blue cheese and it was pretty good, definitely different. For my meal I got the scallops with risotto, bf got steak. The scallops are why I am giving the place 3 stars instead of 2. The portions were generous, the food was tasty, especially for under 475 calories. The risotto was.....eh, Kind of bland, nothing too exciting. I definitely thought the food was good, just not as good as I would have hoped. I'm hoping the service improves as time goes on as I felt that was the biggest let-down. That being said, I will probably come back here for a glass of wine and a flatbread once the hype has died down.
(3)
Laura T.
I ordered dinner into our office and took a chance at trying something different than our usual heavy italian or chinese. I was not let down. Chef Angela was great at helping me make sure that I had the right quanitites. The food was excellent and everyone was raving about what a good choice to try something new. The food and the service was outstanding!
(5)
Molly L.
I love Seaons 52! Ever since Capitol Grill opened up next door, it's been super hard to find a parking spot, but I guarantee that once you find your way inside, it's worth it! The atmosphere is really nice, although the times I've been seated by the bar area, the live music has been a bit overwhelming. The drink selection is phenomenal with an extensive wine and cocktail menu. The server will automatically pour a tasting of each wine, even if you order by the glass, which is nice. Service is always strong with friendly knowledgable waitstaff. The menu is extensive, with every item being under 475 calories. As you can imagine, the portion sizes are smaller than most restaurants, but still very filling. Be warned, that the prices don't reflect the smaller portions so if your philosophy on restaurant value is correlated to how much is on your plate, you will be disappointed. My favorite menu item is the cedar plank salmon, with the key lime pie for dessert. The desserts are served in shot glasses which makes me feel (slightly) less guilty for indulging!
(4)
Lisa J.
We could not wait for this restaurant to open! This restaurant is now our "weekly" date night restaurant. Good food, good wine, and fantastic service (GINA). Our server was very informative and attentive. We sat in a booth in the bar. We ordered a bottle of Markum Chardonnay, which was delicious along with the stuffed mushrooms and ahi tuna for appetizers. They were really tasty and very good. For our entrees, we both had salads, ahi tuna and salmon, which were nicely portioned and very tasty. It was really funny to see local managers and bartenders in cognito checking out the new competition and they should be worried. We also ran into many people we've meet who are also calling this beautiful restaurant "the new go to place". This restaurant is big competition for restaurants in Rookwood. Kudos to this place for a bringing of wave fresh air and great fare.
(5)
Tim L.
Quite good, but nothing blew me away. If I'm gonna drop some cash I'd prefer to be wow'd. I'd go back and try some of their other dishes, but not before scoping some other joints first.
(3)
Ben J.
Owned by the same restaurant group as Red Lobster... And you can tell. While there are no butter soaked biscuits, there IS mediocre seafood. The flatbread appetizer tasted like it was directly from the box and previously frozen. The good news, the steak was good and the service was great. There was also a good wine list. But don't be fooled by this pig in lipstick. There are MANY other great places to eat in Cincinnati.
(2)
Bea D.
Yes, like most reviewers have mentioned, it does feel like a chain. Regardless, I like the atmosphere and ambiance. The food however is hit and miss. I have found some of the food to be quite bland. And you will find that a very diverse menu can spread the goodness a bit too thin. Speaking of thin, they have flat breads which I enjoy. I personally would want them to be spiced up. Service was very good. This concept has potential in Cincinnati, but they will need to take the food up a notch to compete.
(4)
Parker P.
Pluses: All entrees are under 500 calories (yet not at all skimpy). Excellent atmosphere and decor feels both expensive and comforting. Service, while formal, is friendly. Wine list is (almost exhaustingly) long, nicely chosen, and marked up with a sense of fairness. These people certainly know how to cook fish properly, which is more difficult than most would think. Valet parking (with self-retrieval) is "free" aside from tipping. A pianist is on duty every evening, which is a nice touch. Minuses: Some attempts at elegance come across as simply pretentious (see napkins below for an example). Far fewer fish choices than one would expect. When choosing the safe path vs the innovative path, one gets the distinct impression that they consistently value the safe (though many diners might prefer this). Want a beer? They have 2 bottles to choose from. Too few of their wine choices are available by the glass. I wouldn't normally set foot in a restaurant during its first month, but it just worked out that way. In fact, one might not even know the place was open yet amidst the Rookwood construction dust. When I was seated at my table, the Host traded my white napkin for a black one, since I was wearing dark wool pants. Nice, but since they use synthetic napkins, there wasn't really any lint risk. Cincinnatians (who are notorious for taking their children everywhere) might be shocked to not be offered a kid menu, but our server got an A+ in accommodating the picky palates of the kids, so it all worked out. The two private dining rooms are wonderfully inviting. I never would have thought that Darden (the folks responsible for Red Lobster, Longhorn, and Olive Garden) could pull this off, so I apologize to them, now. Nice work, folks. I would have awarded 5 stars if either the menu had been a little more adventurous, OR our $35/person pre-tip bill (for entrees and one beverage) had been under $30, OR the menu had offered a couple more fish choices. Worth the trip, and an especially good place to entertain clients, or other people whose tastes you don't know, as the flavors are uncontroversial and pleasant.
(4)
Lisa H.
On a whim we decided to try this place and ended up having one of the worst dining experiences of our lives...and no I am not exaggerating. I didn't expect to be blown away but I also didn't expect everything we ordered to taste like bland and overly processed versions of what was described on the menu. We started with a sushi appetizer that was barely palatable but we choked it down. The salads were not that great but passable. The entrees...dear lord the entrees...they were bizarrely awful. My husband ordered lamb chops and they tasted so strange and just...not good. Even his truffle mashed potatoes were inedible. How do you screw up mashed potatoes? I had the salmon and it was severely overcooked and very fishy. For $150 with wine and tip I was extremely disappointed...I haven't had such a bad meal in a long long time. Our server was very nice but that didn't make up for our lackluster meal. I wish we'd gone to J. Alexander's across the street instead.
(1)
Chandler M.
Good food, good service, the price feels a little steep, but I can't penalize the individual restaurant for a corporate price structure. I'll surely go back.
(5)
Marie E.
Certainly feels like a chain, but I like the concept. All the food is under 500 calories. Granted by the time you do appetizer, salad, entree, dessert you can still rack up the number well over 1500 but the food was fresh and left me satisfied. Good selection of wines. Friendly service. Would go back.
(4)
Penny G.
I met a friend at the bar for a drink. The bar was nice and very comfortable. The wine list was fine. We planned to eat at the bar until the pianist showed up. There is an electronic keyboard in the middle of the bar. The music was loud and intrusive. We moved to a table in the bar and finally had to move to the dining room. We were pleased with our food and the service. The pianist was talented, but that whole set-up needs to go.
(3)
Bob P.
My wife and I had dinner last night at Seasons52. We were very pleased with overall experience. The food was fresh, tasty and we enjoyed every bite! The Hummus Duo with Crisp Hawaiian Sea Salt Lavosh was very good.... you could really tell the ingredients were fresh and well balanced. My wife had the Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops .... They were cook perfectly and served with sweet corn risotto, and sweet peas. I had the Herb-Roasted All-Natural Chicken with panzanella salad and summer tomatoes. The chicken was cooked just right with lots of grilled flavor. The sides of panzanella and tomatoes were a very big surprise.... Lots of fresh summer flavor. All finished off with wonderful deserts. The wait staff was very courteous and knowledgeable about the food and the wine selection. The chef does a great job of creating a wonderful variety and just-right portions. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Betsy H.
Five of us dined at Seasons52 last night and agreed the food and atmosphere could be described as "Corporate". The open floor plan is attractive but noisy, especially when a singer is belting it out in the piano bar. If you like a salad for dinner this place is for you. Two of us had the Fish with "curry sauce" which was way too timid, even for Cincinnati palates. The extensive wine list was a welcome sight but the lack of any selection in the craft beer department was sad. Sorry, this town deserves better!
(2)
Joann B.
Open just 2 weeks, my wife and I tried Seasons 52. For a just opened place, little things can happen. We received our dinner before the appetizers while chatting with the manager! With that said, now for the good news. Go to this place. Great food, superlative service (ask for AL), just an enjoyable place that you will want to come back to over and over again. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients. I had the trout entree and my wife had the shrimp, both delicious. We also had the tortilla soup and the chicken skewer app. I enjoyed the chicken but could've passed on the slaw, but I don't like anything with vinegar in it. The desserts were the perfect size to sample and share. We tried the pecan pie, peanut butter chocolate, caramel macchiato and one with a cinnamon cannoli. All were very good, although my wife, whom loves peanut butter and chocolate, found that one a bit on the rich side. My wife also checked out their meeting space and talked with Kelly.. From their Chef's table that can seat twelve to their large room that can handle 80, accommodations were very nice and include in ceiling projector, drop down screen and sound system. Something to think about for the future.
(4)
Linda G.
Anxious to go. Probably wont go back. Knowing that this restaurant recently opened I was prepared to cut some slack. However, service was frenetic. Food was ok. Accuracy of our tables order was not good. Interior decor most lovely. Very frustrating dining experience. Hope they can improve b
(2)
Allison B.
I've never had a bad experience at Season's 52. I've also never eaten the same thing twice, which is refreshing given my penchant for finding a favorite dish and ordering it repeatedly with each return visit. Because the menu changes so frequently it's as though I'm going to a new restaurant every time. My husband isn't a fan of the portion sizes, so this isn't his favorite place to go, which is unfortunate for me because I always enjoy the experience. That being said, I have taken clients and girlfriends here for happy hours and lunches, and we always have a great time. It's especially nice when the pianist is at the bar! Definitely would recommend this restaurant for a nice work lunch, celebratory happy hour or, as my friends and I call it, "Wancy lunches."
(4)
Henry J.
Season 52 is one of the newer chain restaurants targeting affluent diners who want something healthy in an upscale setting. This location is divided in to three sections: Main dining, bar, and event. Main dining is like the typical restaurant floor. The bar area features a large bar surrounding drinks and bartenders, as well as live music. Along the outer rim of the bar area are booths that are able to fit 4 to 8 people. Overall, the restaurant tries to go for an intimate atmosphere. If you want to carry on a dinner conversation, then definitely go for the main dining floor. The bar area tends to be a bit loud as people try to talk over the music. While I'm not sure about the quality of music on other nights, on our particular trip the artist was giving a very good rendition of "Happy" by simultaneously singing and playing piano. Having read reviews from others that the food can be a bit bland, we deliberately targeted dishes that have big flavors. Our appetizer was stuffed mushrooms. She had their seared tuna salad while I went for a rack of lamb (see pictures). I finished off with their raspberry cannoli dessert shooter. The stuffed mushrooms were definitely very flavorful. It is served searing hot in a container that reminds me of escargot plates. Mushrooms lined the bottom, filled with spinach, crab, and topped off with shrimp. I'm not sure how common they do this, but we were brought an amuse bouche by a chef from the kitchen: Diced seared tuna dressed with sesame soy. It was a one bite burst of flavor that provided a very refreshing contrast to the stuffed mushrooms. As for our entrees, the seared tuna salad featured some of the freshest sushi-grade tuna we have seen in Cincinnati. The succulent red flesh was obviously very high quality and never frozen. The understated tuna taste went very well with the salad, which was a mix of different greens and accented with sliced almonds and small amount of crunchy noodles. The rack of lamb was definitely a significant highlight. The meat was seasoned just right with salt and pepper. I ordered it medium rare (there is no other way to enjoy it), and the kitchen cooked it to just that. Under the lamb are vegetables and mashed potatoes, topped with shallot jus. Yes, I cleaned the bones. The lamb was really that good. Finally, our dessert selection was the raspberry cannoli shooter. The filling is rich, creamy, with just the right amount of raspberry sauce and mini chocolate chips to accent the sweet cream. There's more than enough filling for the size of the cannoli and there will most definitely be leftovers for you to enjoy by the spoonful. All in all, I can't speak for the lunch menu or other items, but everything we had is highly recommended. Most of all, the amuse bouche provided a perfect inflection point to transition from our mushrooms to the entrees. We will be looking forward to going back for sure.
(5)
Matthew S.
Ordered a dish I didn't love (wasn't wrong, just wasn't to my taste) for lunch but the way it was handled was flawless. I told our waitress I did t care for my dish and asked if I could order something else. She immediately said "of course" and as she was leaving with my new order the manager came over to apologize and offered us free desert on the house. My replacement meal was amazing and the experience overall was great. This place always exceeds expectation.
(5)
Samantha F.
Love this restaurant! Seasonal and delicious. It's nice to know all the meals are under 500 calories. I ordered the sesame crusted tuna and it was perfect. We also tried the lobster flatbread that was a bit small but delicious anyway. I would definitely come here for a girls night out or happy hour.
(5)
Michele G.
Great restaurant with fresh ingrediants and everything on the menu is under 475 calories! Nice concept! Everything we ordered tasted fresh and delicious. We started with the chicken skewers and an order of their homemade pickles, both great. The pickles were a little sweet and tangy, big fan! I had the seared tuna salad, which was great . What I lalso oved about this place was the little desserts they serve. So many times I haven't wanted a big dessert but just a little something sweet and this is the answer. They offer small cups of their desserts which were awesome as well!
(4)
Peg G.
I'm with Jessi on this. The food is kind of blah and skimpy. For instance, there was no lobster flavor on the "signature" lobster flatbread and the "roasted" red peppers were clearly not roasted. Scallops were not super-fresh. The cedar planked salmon was spot on. The roasted pork tenderloin was yummy but had that nouveau rosiness to the meat that I personally do not feel at ease with. And I can't help thinking that, for these prices, you should feel full when you leave. I guess there's a reason all the entrees are under 500 calories!
(2)
C W.
Went there on my birthday it's a great restaurant if you enjoy food that's less than 500 cal. I knew I was in trouble when the server told me that. A flat flatbread later me and my wife were at Friday's sharing an order of fries. We also had stuffed mushrooms and she got some veggie dish. Wasn't memorable.
(1)
Ben S.
Given how popular this place is for its market segment, I was figuring it would be pretty darn good....problem was it was bland and had very boring flavors. The potato wedges were soggy, the burger was incredibly bland and while I enjoyed the fact the calorie count was incredibly low...the place was kinda like a re-dressed Whole Foods :/. Our waitress was very good at her job though and the location is great. If you are a bored middle-aged housewife who's 'gluten free' all the sudden, this is your place. If you are anyone else, walk 15 meters and arrive at The Capital Grille.
We went there for our anniversary. The atmosphere was great with lighting and a live singer. The portions are scanty especially for the price. Is this due to the calories on the menu or profitability? I had cedar-plank salmon which was cooked to perfection. The vegetables were two baby potatoes, one beet, two baby carrots, and 3 baby asparagus. My husband had the lobster flatbread and was very disappointed in the quality and presentation. They did not even give him a plate to eat it on. We won't be going back.
(3)
Law J.
First experience ever with the wife and we loved it! On a weekend escape vacation we decided on Seasons 52 over some other recommendations due to the fact that the menu changes with the season. We try to experience new things every now and then... what better way to do so than to go somewhere that is 'new' every season. Took that theory a step further and decided upon the Rack of Lamb. Chef suggested medium rare - uncharted territory for a guy that grew up on well-done steaks. Just recently learned that I've been missing out all my life when I ordered my first medium-well steak... but never thought I would stare down a piece of red meat. YOLO... right? It was AMAZEBALLS! Had that, a flatbread and brussel sprouts with a smooth Belgium lager. Not only was the food great, but the service and ambiance was worth the price of admission. Can't wait for our follow-up visit.
(5)
Jay B.
Always like the flat breads. If you want something lite, get a flat bread (or two for two) and a bottle of wine. The fish is always good and properly cooked.
(5)
Shamika K.
This is my husband and I favorite restaurant! It never disappoints! The service is always exceptional and the food is delicious! I always get the cedar plank salmon and it's so cooked! All their meals are under 475 calories! They're food is fresh and the menu changes over the course of the year (seasonal). They also have the BEST mini desserts! I usually pick a different one each time & am always pleased. We brought our friends there last week & they loved it as well!
(5)
Jessica T.
LOVE this place! Have been about 6 times in last year and love it just as much each time. Great service, great food and love the atmosphere. They have live music in the piano bar starting at 5pm on Friday and Saturday. I always request sitting in the bar tables so we can see and hear the pianists. For nice evenings there is patio seating as well!
(5)
Amy E.
This a great place to grab lunch or dinner. Everything on the menu is less than 475 calories, and they offer seasonal menus. They use very fresh ingredients, and have an excellent drink selection. For starters, I tried the spinach stuffed mushrooms with crab and shrink and the duck wing lollipops. Both were delicious. I got the caramelized scallops which were cooked perfectly and the lemon risotto was creamy with the right amount of acid. The fish tasted very good too. They offer a great selection of dessert shooters that are rich, and just the right amount of sweet to finish off the meal. I've also gone for happy hour, and they have $5 small plates that are delicious. I ended up getting sea scallops, kona crusted lamb chops, and shrimp scampi skillet, all which were flavorful and satisfying. The flatbreads look delicious as well. If you want a delicious, fresh, healthy meal, this is a great place to try!
(4)
Win K.
AMAZING SERVICE! They even have a separate vegan menu although the only vegan dessert is fresh fruit. I had their cedar plank tofu as the main vegan dish, and my friend had their vegan veggie pasta, and it was heavenly! Really good food (could be lower on sodium, but at less than 475 calories, it's hard to beat). Moderately priced too! Great fine dining experience!
(5)
Andi O.
We had a fantastic experience for a girls dinner at the chef's table on Saturday evening. Friendly & attentive service, excellent cocktails, delicious food. We enjoyed the salmon, scallops, pork tenderloin, brussel sprouts, a flat bread, a salad, and several small desserts. All were excellent.
(5)
Ben D.
Okay, so my wife and I ate here a second time tonight, and I'm re-writing my review because we had a much better experience. We sat in the main dining room, which has a much nicer feel than the weird half-indoor/half-outdoor space we sat in last time. We each got a glass of wine, which was neat because they give you 1/4 of a bottle as a glass pour, and our waitress (Tamiko, very good) actually brought out the bottle and poured our glass at the table. I think this is very classy, and I like it, because I'm always nervous that bars/restaurants are pouring the wrong thing when you just order a glass. Food: We got the goat cheese ravioli appetizer, which was awesome! Highly recommend. I got the trout, which was tasty and perfectly done. My wife got the mesquite grilled shrimp, which was good, but the risotto was a little over-done. The last time we ate here she got the scallops, which she said were amazing. Don't skip desert. They are mini deserts, and they are one of the best things this place has going for it. We particularly like the rocky-road, key-lime, and peanut butter and chocolate ones. Also, the flatbreads are good, but we didn't have any this time.
(4)
Peter O.
Another typical big box food extravaganza chain. I don't know, they spend a small fortune to make these restaurants but when it comes down to it, the food is really bland. I guess they try to please a large market and are trying to appeal to the new "no gluten, "seasonal fare" crowd but truly, based on the dishes served at our table, it was bland. However, the service was good, well corporately trained. And the drinks were good. Sorry, can't recommend. Too expensive for boring food. The Capital Grille, also very "corporate" just next door, but is a bit better.
Went for dinner last night. First time here. Upon arrival, the parking lot was packed, so the only option was valet parking (free) or parking in an adjacent lot. Went for the valet. Guys were fast and efficient. We had reservations and were promptly seated. Our server was Sam and she was great as well. I ordered a pinot and she offered for me to sample it first which was nice. She explained that they have the largest wine selection in Cincinnati! We ordered two apps, mussels and stuffed mushrooms. The mushrooms came piping hot stuffed with crab and shrimp. Yum! Would definitely order them again. Had a slight problem with the mussels - a bunch were under-cooked. Some were not opened. Some that were opened were still not cooked through. When we mentioned this they were amazingly accomodating!!!! The chef came out and apologized to us. They comped our drinks and dessert and of course did not charge us for the mussels. Another gentlemen, CJ (I think) the manager perhaps?, also came by to check on us. Because of how they handled the problem, we would definitely return! We all enjoyed our entrees. Two of us had the scallops. Cleaned up their plates! Hubby had the pork tenderloin. Came exactly as ordered (med. rare) and loved it. I had the yummy lamb chops. Delish! We all did comment (as other Yelpers) that the portions were not as large as other restaurants. BUT these are more the portion sizes found in Europe. These are just the right size portions! Love that the menu changes with the season. Mini-desserts we ordered were spot-on as well. Two of us had the mocha one. One had the egg nog dessert. Hubby had the peanut butter/choco one. Mocha and pb ones were our faves. Will return :o)
(4)
Becky B.
Stopped here for a late lunch. The service was good and our waitress was very friendly. I really liked that their menu items were under 475 calories! I like that they care about their diners health and not just their wallets! I got a salad and the mahi mahi fish tacos. The salad was good, but the tacos were great! Fish was very fresh. And it doesn't hurt that their wine selection is very good! Would definitely come back here!
(5)
K F.
My boyfriend and I enjoyed this place pretty well. I like the concept-seasonally themed and low in calories. It's the Olive Garden company and it feels like a nicer Olive Garden. They have 72 (I think) wines, 60 by the glass that are well described. I really liked how they listed the whites by level of oakiness because I don't like Oaked whites. The prices were as you would expect. The offered a cab franc, which is sometimes hard to find. The service was great, as you expect from a chain. The chef brought us a sample while we waited. We had the mushroom app. It was a little salty and you could tell the crab and shrimp had been frozen, but it was good. The boy had the trout, which we both liked and was a large portion. I had the Maui salad. The rare tuna was not at all fishy and I enjoyed it. 55 bucks, we were out the door in about 40 minutes. I'd go back again for quick and friendly service and consistent food.
(4)
Dee L.
From the salty, but no flavor crab and spinach stuffed mushrooms to the heavily sauced and over-seasoned salmon and the dry cold hard "bread sticks" served without butter or oil, this dining experience was a true disappointment. Great concept, but lots of issues with the kitchen's execution here.
(2)
SD L.
pricey but nice. I will come back and check it out again
(3)
M B.
My friend and I had dinner for my birthday and we were very impressed with everything. There was live music in the bar, although next time I would sit in another section just to allow for conversation. We started with the wildushroom bisque. Wonderful with an accompaniment of baby arugula and creame. Next spinach stuffed mushrooms garnished with parm Split the small crab wedge salad. Crisp flavorful and not skimpy on the crab. chip. We split the braised brussell sprouts and each had a skewer of melt in your mouth scallops. The end was a sweet choice of a dozen mini desserts. I had the pecan pie on white vanilla bean mousse. Overall, a wonderful experience and highly recommended.
(5)
Mark R.
My family and I had a great meal and great experience. The only negative is they brought out my salad when we just started to enjoy our apps.. My son had the salmon with a side of scallops. Love them both. My wife and I had the seasonal Nantucket Bay scallops with ravioli which were unbelievable. We also enjoyed the mushrooms with crab app but weren't too happy with the shrimp and bread app.. That app wasn't up to par for the money and taste. Had the Caesar with Kale which was really really good. Service over all was very good, just slow it down a bit. Eaten here many times and will be back.
(4)
Rick V.
When there on 7/15/14. Shortly after minor surgery. (No food for 20hrs) was there for lunch; everything was top notch. Ate out side and the weather was perfect. Had scallops w lobster tail both cooked perfect. I stopped ordering lobster tails on the side. ..always small and cooked to death. In fact the server was the kind I like ...gets complete order correct the first time and doesn't hover around you looking for something they forgot. Wife had copper river Samoa said the best she's had. Tray of small deserts brought by. Ordered three. ...get the one with raspberry. Fast update. ..Wife took her friend tonight. .Says something
(5)
Alyssa F.
Came here for their happy hour- $15 for: a wine flight, a flatbread, and a full glass of wine. GREAT deal. The flatbreads are perfect for sharing, the wine flights are pretty good, and we were able to get a full pour of a glass of malbec that was really tasty. Love it! I can't wait to come back and try out a full meal.
(4)
Ryan Z.
My review is for their "Flights and Flatbreads" version of happy hour. The option has been discussed extensively in other reviews so I won't detail it here. I will say that the 'acclaimed' selection of 90+ point wines was well worth the price. And the seasonal flat bread with a trio of mushrooms generously topped with goat cheese was delicious. The bar staff was friendly enough and there was even live music from a pianist positioned in the center of the bar. The open kitchen with wood-burning stove - YUM!!! - was a sight to see as you walked to the restrooms. I will say that some of the entrees we saw at other tables looked woefully inadequate to satisfy a grown man. I like the idea of 475 calorie meals, but I think they should have an "Indulge" section for patrons who want a full meal. Finally, I can't help but wonder why Fleming's and Roy's didn't come in and steal this spot from Seasons 52 and Capital Grille. I think Cincinnati is missing out big time by not having my two favorite upscale chain restaurants. What a perfect location this would have been for them and we could have finally had a good seafood spot!
(4)
Sally Y.
So I've been to Seasons 52 twice now, and I'd say that it's a pretty good place to grab a bite to eat. It definitely has an upscale feel, but also screams corporate dinner spot. Positives: great staff, love the outdoor seating, every meal is under 500 calories, and they have fun seasonal drinks that are delicious. Negatives: There's nothing phenomenal about the food. It's very clearly high quality, but in terms of flavor, it's nothing out of this world. Additionally, I've been twice in a matter of 2-3 weeks, and the "weekly" menu was the exact same thing. I was disappointed that it didn't change as much as they said it would. Overall, I love the concept of this place, and it's a great date location. The lobster and shrimp stuffed mushrooms are fantastic, the lobster rolls also delicious, and the tuna salad was amazing! (Absolutely loved the seared tuna!). Lastly, ALL the desserts are fabulous! I'd definitely recommend going to eat there since the overall quality is top notch, but I wouldn't say this is a must-go-to location in Cincinnati. I will put in a disclaimer that this is partially due to the fact that Seasons 52 is a chain and I'm definitely biased to local fare. :)
(3)
Dawn G.
From start to finish, the food, ambiance and overall lunch experience was top notch. The reservation process through Open Table was seamless, and we felt well taken care of throughout the meal without it being bothersome. We enjoyed a Rioja from the weekly suggestions, which paired well with our mushroom bisque - a brothy rather than creamy delight. We both enjoyed fresh salads, but I added grilled salmon that went well with my harvest salad. We finished the meal with small dessert shooters, key lime pie and tiramisu. The server provided a business card to ensure we dined with her the next time we came for lunch - what a nice touch!
(5)
Carolyn B.
It was a tough call in trying to decide how many stars to give Seasons 52. In actuality 3.5 would be the perfect score, but I bumped it up because our entrees were so fantastic. I loved the fact that each dish is less than 475 calories emphasizing freshness as evidenced by seasonal menus (winter menu just started). Some of the excellent factors were: 1. The caramelized grilled sea scallops that both hubby and I ordered were knock-your-socks-off good. Because they were cooked perfectly, they practically melted in our mouths. 2. The superfruit martini that I ordered was a delightful concoction of acai, promegranate blueberry and agave. It was so fruity and aromatic that my friend across the table from me could smell it right after being poured! Because of the color and bouquet, I enjoyed my cocktail even before the first sip. 3. The desserts are called mini indulgences because they come in what look to be tall shot glasses so they are the perfect size. My husband's mocha machiato was our waitress' favorite & it is easy to see why. 4. It might sound strange, but they are one of the few places that have the sweetener truvia which I like. 5. There was small rectangular, flat firepit near the exit door with pretty white fire glass which added a modern, sophisticated touch. Now for the regretful parts of the evening: 1. The valet capacity was not enough to accommodate all our cars on this particular night. Hubby and I parked across the street in the Marriott lot. 2. The women's bathroom needed some attention as the sink counters looked like baby hippos had played in the water! 3. The appetizer of mussels was such a disappointment. Not only were some of the mussels undercooked, they left in a number of mussels which hadn't opened during the cooking process which means they were DOA beforehand making them inedible. To be fair, they handled this last situation in the most professional and gracious manner. The chef himself took the time to come to our table to apologize (no excuses) and told us that they would be making complimentary our first round of drinks, our other appetizer that we ordered AND our desserts! We did not expect anything to this degree, but it let us know that we will definitely give them the second chance they deserve. Will update after we return there.
(4)
Siripug A.
Great food and atmosphere. I love low calories and portion of their meals. It was my first time at the restaurant for late Valentine's dinner. It was perfect especially their staff greeting our reservation. There is a piano bar which the musician plays a great live music.
(5)
Ang M.
I can't say how happy I am that this place exists. I had dinner at Seasons 52 for the first time last night. I was impressed! To start, I am the typical health nut--I work out and eat healthy. Having said that, it is extremely difficult to find a restaurant that serves healthy, quality cuisine. Most restaurants pile on the carbs and butter, and skimp on the meat and veggies. But not seasons 52! Last night I had the shrimp and pasta dish, which was piled high with shrimp, rather than the cheaper pasta. How refreshing it is to know that they don't skimp on the meat just because it is more expensive. That is what sets it apart from other restaurants. The portions were just right, and not gigantic. I didn't feel guilty after devouring my dish. Seasons 52 also prepares your dessert in small cups--another thing I love. Their desserts are just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, and are delicious. I had the blueberry lemon curd, while my boyfriend had the s'mores cup. The service was wonderful--no complaints there. If you enjoy greasy, salty food in enormous portions, this place isn't for you. But if you are disappointed about the lack of healthy dinner options out there like I am, you will love what seasons 52 offers. Healthy, guilt free, and delicious. It doesn't get better than this!
(5)
David L.
Had a great meal there last night. Service was very attentive. Salad and entree were just excellent. Pleasant surroundings. Just a very positive experience with reasonable prices. We will be back. Great little desserts too.
(5)
Rich G.
Seasons 52 is always a good dining experience! Our family went their with close friends to celebrate my wife's birthday. Wait staff was attentive, food was great, and they comp'ed us dessert as a bonus to help celebrate. They also have live music, but never so "live" or loud as to drown out conversation at the table.
(4)
Pamela F.
We first discovered this Darden's chain restaurant when transferred to Orlando. Warm wood, amber washed mood lighting, exhibition kitchen and competent, straightforward unpretentious service. Started with a wine flight and flatbread (before 6 p.m. deal only) which is three 2-oz. pours plus full glass of your favorite with dinner and your choice of flatbreads -- go with the fig, goat cheese, apple smoked bacon and greens drizzled in balsamic glaze (I know, I know Oxford friends, the Quarter Barrel has been doing that one for couple years, but it works). Two of the wines in the flight unremarkable, a lip puckering Sauv Blanc heavy on lime/grapefruit and not enough grass/herbal to balance and a Shiraz with an acrid/blackberry note. But, the Diablo Viognier was compelling. Apple, peach and slight melon with hint of minerality. Lovely. We also tried lobster and shrimp spring rolls, with three interesting dipping sauces, our favorite was the lemon grass remoulade, although the lime/cilantro sauce was interesting. The scallops were perfectly seared, tender in the middle, hot and carmelized edges and mouth-warm inside, although the quinoa bed it rested on was a citrus pucker. Turkey kabob in plum barbecue sauce pronounced by dining partner. Desserts haven't changed in the years hence, but that might not be a bad thing. Had dense slightly tangy and graham-cracker mellow old favorite key lime mini, and partner had chocolate peanut butter moose. The piano bar bit strident, jarring during dinner.
(4)
Mike C.
I'm gonna with the A-OK rating also. I like their concept of providing healthy (all under 475 calories) food with seasonal ingredients and menus that change. You can also find things on the menu that are low carb or paloe-friendly. The portions are somewhat smaller than many other places around., but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. The restaurant also has a really nice atmosphere. It almost has an upscale feeling, and doesn't really feel like a chain place. The night I was there, there was a guy playing a piano in the center of the bar. It will be a good place to have drinks and a small bite to eat. They do have a pretty decent wine list also. My only complaint is that the price is a little steep for what you get there.
(3)
Gregory Edmundt V.
What a great experience for my daughter and I. Whilst trapped in my hotel w/o luggage for two days....(somewhere its over the skies of the US on united airlines).. and the Marriott has ZERO in terms of a wine list here I digress..... I see from my hotel window this very nice looking restaurant and decide to talk a stroll. The lay-out..Amazing! big, spacious all high-end tasteful modern with a great menu and a very nice wine list. The waitress was very nice and they had a special flat bread and 3 glass wine flight for 15 dollars with a full pour on my favorite..IM IN!!!! It was quiet spacious great service and even the stemware and flatware was great. I'm sum a great experience a how can you beat 15 dollars for a great flat bread and 3 glass flight? This place is a must!
(4)
Paul K.
This is A-OK restaurant for me. It seems their concept is to provide healthy (all under 475 calories) food with seasonal ingredients. I have not checked their nutrition chart, but I guess they are right because their foods are somewhat small in portion and not salty. Some people would find their foods bland. That being said, I was not impressed by their food items at all. I though flat breads and salads were worth eating. But I would like to go back and try some other items, too. I loved the atmosphere, though. The interior is dark enough to create upscale feeling, and the restaurant is very clean. Maybe because it's newly built. It will be a good place to have a glass of wine or with beer with close ones. However, the hall right next to outside patio will be COLD in winter because it felt like outside air was coming into the dining area through the big windows. If I felt the cold air, I am pretty sure women will have problems about it.
(3)
Kim W.
Seasons 52 is a great new addition to the area, and perfect for a dressy night out. Even though parking is plentiful the free valet parking helps set the tone for pampering. The ambiance is stylish and welcoming. There was live music in the bar. Service is excellent: great knowledge of the menu and attention to detail. We had a minor issue with an appetizer and the cook came out to apologize and correct the issue, which was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. Our meals (fish and steak) were fresh, perfectly prepared, and delicious. The wine list is impressive and cocktails are generous. I loved the mocha dessert - heavenly! Be sure to tell them when you make your reservation if you are celebrating something special - it was our anniversary and we were treated to a wonderful experience with some unexpected surprises. Looking forward to many returns!
Although this is a beautiful restaurant, and much-needed addition to the Rookwood area, I was a little disappointed with the turkey wrap I had for lunch...it was pretty bland and run-of-the mill. The real highlight was the tiny red velvet cake I had for dessert. I am not ready to write this place off, and have another lunch scheduled there next week. I hope to add at least one more star!
(3)
Colleen W.
Loved the place - great simple food - live music, piano player at the bar and nice price point
(5)
David S.
I hosted a luncheon for 25 for a very sad occasion. Seasons 52 did an exemplary job of taking care of the event in a beautiful, personal, and tasty manner. What could have been a complicated experience was a memorably good one on a day when we could ill afford any complications. Thank you Seasons 52!
(5)
Helen A.
AWSOME .. Finding this place was the best part of my night.. The staff was so generous And the food was wholesome .. I took out and can't wait to come in to sit and experience a meal...
(5)
Ron A.
When I was growing up I used to think calories were a good thing. I would look for foods high in calories because I made a silly but accurate connection to the higher the calorie, the better the food was going to taste. Calories had no real meaning to me but to the world of food it seemed as important as metachlorians do to Jedi Knights. Now that I'm older, calories are as real to me as cholesterol and a 40 inch waist so I look for any opportunity to dine on low calorie cuisine. Fortunately the good folks at Seasons 52 make that easy for me. Every dish on their menu is under 475 calories! One would assume that means bland dishes with no real wow factor but you would be wrong. Imagine salmon and steak served on cedar planks with asparagus and roasted red potatoes. Think unique flavor infusions like minted edamame hummus or goat cheese ravioli with roasted garlic and fresh sweet basil. You really can't tell this is low calorie chow. Seasons 52 is somewhat of a concept restaurant. In addition to everything being low calorie, the menu changes four times a year to reflect the season. Which means summer squash in the summer and winter squash in the... summer too. I'm not sure what vegetables grow in the winter but I'm sure whatever they're cooking up it's going to be money. Everything I've tried here has been outstanding. Being vegan I was super impressed with their separate vegetarian menu which shows every option available and how to make it completely vegan if vegetarian isn't enough. I highly recommend the cedar plank tofu and the quinoa-citrus salad. Also for those who like to get hammered drunk on wine while they eat, Seasons 52 features 100 varieties of wine for your drinking pleasure. If you hear that this place is owned by the people who brought you Olive Garden and Red Lobster don't let that scare you away! Although this is actually true, nothing here makes me think of unlimited breadsticks (with crappy pasta) or all you can eat shrimp (with crappy shrimp).
(4)
Monica D.
I went to Seasons 52 for the first time for my college graduation celebration with my family and a few close friends. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Upon being seated our waiter came over and introduced himself and the restaurant. He knew it was a graduation celebration so he congratulated me. We ordered a bottle of wine and some flatbreads. Both were amazing! Shortly after, a manager brought over an appetizer that was on the house. It too was fantastic. We then ordered our entree's. I got a seasonal salmon dish with veggies, it was cooked to perfection and was a perfect serving size. We finished our entrees and thought about ordering desert when our waiter came out with a huge "celebration tower" of an assortment of their signature shot glass size desserts. It was on the house as well and was so over the top amazing. While we enjoyed our many little desserts, our waiter appeared with a bottle of champagne and glasses for everyone. It was FREE too! They made my celebration more than I could have imagined. He let us enjoy the post dinner drinks and then came back and took a photo of my whole group and gave it to me in an adorable Seasons 52 frame. This place treated my group like royalty. They went above and beyond the call of duty. The restaurant was packed that night but we felt like we were the only party there. The waiter was kind, funny, and thoughtful. The managers said hello and congratulated me. I will definitely be going back and it will be my "go-to" place for celebrations such as this. FANTASTIC!
(5)
Elizabeth W.
I went here soon after this Florida based chain opened in the new rookwood extension plaza. It was fresh on the scene, and packed, but we got seated quickly. The inside is spacious and outfitted with dark wood, but definitely has the feel of an assembly line. I like the concept of a 500 calorie menu, and the portions were large enough for me, but my date was still hungry after three different items, so the calorie thing was a wash at that point. We had flatbread that was charred, a salad that was overdressed, and a few other unmemorable things. I thought the food was only ok and not very inventive. Predictably, the desserts are small. Plus, it seemed a bit pricey for what you get. Overall, I wasn't a huge fan and probably won't go back. It might be a nice environment for a business meeting or your super-calorie conscious suburban guest.
(2)
Caroline M.
Great food, great company! Our server (Angelo) was wonderful and very attentive. He made sure everything came out as we expected and that we were enjoying our meals. We ordered the filet mignon and sesame crusted swordfish - both were excellent! We also ordered the lobster flatbread, which was fine but next time I would choose to order something else. The butternut squash soup and chili were great! Overall, would defunct leg recommend Seasons 52 for a cozy meal or special occasion. Complimentary valet parking, too.
(5)
Bob R.
Went to Seasons 52 to meet some friends for dinner. This was my first time at this restaurant. The food was very good and moderately priced. The atmosphere was pleasant, a piano player/singer played the whole time we were there. The service was exceptional. Overall a very good experience. I definitely plan to return.
(4)
Sharri E.
I can't say enough about how much I love this. If you're looking for delicious, healthy food, a beautiful ambiance, and wonderful service, eat at Seasons 52. Back in May, was having a horrible day for my birthday, ended up at Season's 52 and had a long wait. The manager heard about this and comped drinks for my whole group. Once seated, are waiter was kind, attentive, and had great suggestions as to what to try on the menu. The lit the candles on my birthday cake for me and we shared some with the staff. On another occasion, they helped me surprise my parents for date night. I can't say enough about how great the service is here. They have a gorgeous woman who plays the piano at the bar, and it's just an overall great experience. The food was also delicious to me. Though their menu changes with the seasons, I've managed to get cedar planked salmon with roasted veggies a few times, and it was great each time. Eat here and you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Angela K.
This place is a favorite of mine and a GREAT Happy Hour spot! They have a Happy Hour deal called Flights and Flatbreads, and the price ranges from $12 - $20, depending on the wine flight you choose. You get 3 pours, plus a full glass of your favorite of the three, and good-sized flatbread for that money! What a deal! The flatbreads are plenty for one person, for some it is enough for a meal. The crust is super crispy, the ingredients are great quality and very creative. They always have a seasonal selection to add to the selection. They also do small plates for $5 at Happy Hour, which is an excellent deal! The food here is always well-prepared with plenty of great tasting, healthy options. The portions are perfect, IMO. Service is always great, especially sitting at the bar.
(5)
Chris C.
My group of 4 women ate here for lunch, all of us for the first time, and we all were so pleased with everything that we want to return! The service was professional but nice, friendly but not too friendly. The atmosphere was classy, and we liked there we were in the area close to the windows and the light. If we had been in the darker area it would probably have been hard to read our menus! All of our food was very good! We all shared the hummus duo appetizer and enjoyed it. We ordered Fish Tacos (the best!), stuffed mushrooms (very tasty & kept hot in a unique dish), spinach salad (yummy), tomato & avacado salad, shrimp & grits (to die for), and we all had the quinoa salad (super good combination) too. We tried 2 of the mini desserts & they were also very good.
(5)
Jen B.
Food is amazing and service is even better. Paul made our night! He was very attentive, genuinely friendly l and knew the menu like the back of his hand. I had a wonderful experience! Cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Todd L.
I really like their rotating seasonal menu concept. Lots of fresh veggies and healthy eating options. It's nice to be able to eat a high quality, flavorful meal AND still eat healthy/low calorie. I had the branzino with broccolini which was really great. Others at the table had the seasonal sea bass with black rice. Another had the shrimp and grits. Everything was really good. Will definitely keep on the list to mix it up once in a while.
(4)
Jessi G.
OK, I get it Season's 52...You change your menu all the time, everything is fresh, and it's all under 475 calories. Cool. I should like this...Is it bad that I don't really think their food tastes very good? I've been here a few times, and every time I'm always kind of disappointed. The food just honestly doesn't taste as good as it should for the price, and maybe that's because they're using less butter or something, but who cares! If I want to eat something that's under 475 calories, I would cook it myself so I know what's in it. When I go out to eat, I want something delicious that I can't make at home. And unfortunately, I just feel like the food here is not very good. And the portions are soooo small. I get that it's small because it's 475 calories, but if you're giving me half the food as other places, it should be half the price. The ambiance is very high end, and the service is excellent. It's nice going out to a restaurant and feeling like you're in a 5 star steakhouse when the food is healthy. I enjoy that. But overall, I'm just not that excited about this place.
(3)
Witni S.
I've been to seasons 52 twice now and I highly recommend it! With both of my experiences it has been some of the best service I've encountered in the area, or possibly anywhere. The staff is very accommodating and notices the little things you may need. And order a drink! The bartenders are very fun and always provide a healthy portion! As for the food: very good, seasonal and fresh as promised. Ask about how they source the food locally and pick the menu by season--it's interesting. You can taste the freshness. I recommend the roasted pear, walnut and spinach salad. It's so simple but delicious. My husband said it is some of the best Spinach he's ever had and I know the salad will keep us coming back! I ordered the shrimp stuffed mushrooms, yummy and cooked well. I've enjoyed the scallops and wood grilled salmon, the truffle potatoes (more please) and several other dishes. Don't skip dessert. Best dessert shooters I've had anywhere! Love the cannoli, anything with chocolate and friends who love carrot cake said that ones to die for! Both of my experiences were with events that started out with appetizers, so I've been privileged to try a wide variety of the food offered. I can't recall anything I didn't like. Here are some of the highlights: all of the flatbreads, the yummy honey goat cheese dip, the bruschetta, the shrimp app. The Hawaiian cocktail takes you straight to the beach, the prairie mule is super refreshing and the diverse wine selection is oh so fun. This place is a culinary EXPERIENCE. Take your time, enjoy and go back and see what they have each season!
(5)
Lia V.
The atmosphere is wonderful - very beautiful space. Also the staff was friendly and welcoming. However, the food itself was underwhelming and overpriced. I got the halibut over asparagus and it was relatively flavorless. Some of the asparagus wasn't trimmed properly so the color was dull and the ends were tough. On the side was a remoulade sauce with chunks of chorizo and nuts in it which was just kind of blah. The fish was cooked perfectly though and it was a decent size portion - $30. My friend got a chicken dish with the spring vegetables which were soaked in oil - unappetizing. She enjoyed the chicken though and wished she had a bigger serving of the potatoes - $17. Based on this experience alone I won't be back to try another dish.
(2)
Aly S.
After waiting way too long after the most amazing Yelp event ever back in January, I finally made it back to Seasons 52. My dining experience last Saturday was more than deserving of 5 stars!! Great Manhattan! This is not something I say lightly. I love that they use fresh and in season ingredients, so they have a new menu every season, we were lucky to experience the spring menu. For appetizers... Ahi Tuna Tartare was divine, there were perfect tiny pieces of fresh tuna on top of a bed of mango salsa and avocado. Lobster mozzarella flatbread was wonderful too, yummy lobster flavor with the lobster pieces and lobster sour cream. The ravioli appetizer was delicious too, simply made, cooked perfectly and well balanced flavors, the creamy goat cheese filling in a tomato broth. For dinner my boyfriend and I split the Filet and the Branzino. They were both AMAZING! The filet was cooked beautifully, I ordered it medium and it had the red center with lots of pink, and a great flavorful crisp sear on the outside. It also had a luscious and creamy red wine sauce. The branzino arrived at the table as a whole fish, just without the head. Then the waitress opened it up to reveal the thyme and lemon that were cooked in between the butterflied fish, removed them to the side and served it to us, it was very elegant. The skin on the fish was crispy and crunchy, perfect with the soft flaky fish. It was sooo lemony (meyer lemon-y) and buttery, mmmm. And there was plenty of it, it was the whole fish! For dessert, we had the tower of dessert shooters. This was an excessive amount of dessert for 6 people and for 50$, quite a splurge. But it sure was fun to see it come to the table and blow out the candle on top (it was my birthday dinner :-)
(5)
Alisha W.
It is honestly unusual for me to rate a chain restaurant as a five star dining experience, but I have to admit that Seasons 52 blows me away every time. The concept of the restaurant alone really sets it apart (the menu changes each season and each week they have a unique chef specials section). Every item is under 475 calories and they only use fresh ingredients that are in season at the time. Without a doubt, some seasons are tastier than others. You'll find heartier menu items in the fall and winter, whereas the summer and spring are lighter and refreshing. They have an excellent wine list to accompany all of their menu items and a knowledgeable staff to guide you on your wine selecion if needed. To start with, the cocktails are always delicious and plentiful. They bring out the adorable shaker and pour your drink for you at the table, then leave the shaker so that you can enjoy what is remaining of your drink. This usually means that you can get 1 1/2-2 cocktails out of each order. There are appetizers for every food preference, but I have to recommend the flat breads. I've had several, but my personal favorites are the Trio of Roasted Mushrooms and the Lobster and Mozzarella. As far as the classic appetizers are concerned, I'm a huge fan of the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli. I've also had several entrees, but I have to admit that my personal favorite is the Roasted Manchester Farms Quail. They are so flavorful that nothing even begins to compare! The Shrimp Cavatappi Pasta is also noteworthy and delicious. To end your evening, you absolutely must get a mini indulgence (or two or three) accompanied with a cup of coffee or espresso. I suggest the Mocha Macchiato because it is heaven in a tiny shot glass.
I brought out of town relatives here for lunch one Sunday and the food and service were great. We were surprised by how empty the restaurant was- only a few other tables were seated. For a chain restaurant, the food was fresh and dishes were unique. This place would be great for large groups.
(4)
Cara D.
I didn't know Season 52 was a chain restaurant. I was really excited about the whole working with fresher ingredients and lower calories. Eating out has such a bad rep so I wanted to see what they came up with. My bf and I didn't expect the restaurant to be that fancy so I was glad I dressed up. We called in earlier and asked if a reservation is needed and it didn't seem like they were that busy. We got to sit outside and there was a girl playing piano. Me likey. They have a pretty nice happy hour menu. We had the grilled scallops, shrimp scampi and lollipop lamb for $5 each. All of them were so flavorful and made with quality ingredients. The lamb was tender and juicy. The sea salt with the scallops was a nice touch and the plating was just beautiful. We loved it. We arent the experts on soup but we like to try. The asparagus soup came out bright green. The cream in the middle was sour and mixed well with the fresh taste. For entree we shared the wood grilled pork tenderloin. I really liked the sweet potato and he was all about the meat. And btw, the flatbread the next table ordered looked awesome! I am getting that next time I go and Season 52 even had a special box made to take it to go. Oh one more things, GET DESSERTS! They are so cute and delicious and one of them had a shot of Amaretto in a capsule. HA! The waiter was very friendly and asked us if we wanted another drink 2 mins before the happy hour ended. The bill might surprise you at the end cuz it gets pricey with appetizers, drinks and desserts. But I think we got what we paid for. And we loved every dish.
(5)
Toni G.
We just hosted a rehearsal dinner for almost 70 people and it was a huge success! The food was outstanding and plentiful and the wait-staff was exceptional! Every aspect of the dinner - from the initial planning to the final goodbye- went smoothly. I would highly recommend Seasons 52 in Cincinnati for your next dinner or your next party. Stacey Varley is to be commended for the wonderful job she did in helping us plan the event!
(5)
Chrissie V.
I love the concept of this restaurant...menu items ever-changing and inspired by seasonally relevant ingredients. So specific dish recommendations may be outdated (since our waiter specifically told us that the menu was changing the next week and I was there exactly one week ago). I would HIGHLY recommend getting a flatbread as a starter though. The menu offered quite a few unique variations. I also love the idea that each menu item is less than 475 calories. As a person who has recently begun to count calories, this made every menu item an option for me and I didn't even have to think about it. The only drawback I experienced...and it's gonna sound strange...is that every employee we encountered was over-the-top friendly, in what felt like, a very disingenuous way. Like they all had just gotten scolded for not being friendly enough so they all went in the complete opposite direction, so it felt forced and fake. It just felt weird and awkward. I will definitely go back and try a new season of food. It's kind of fun to wonder what I'll see on the menu next time!
(4)
Lee W.
My wife and I had our Anniversary dinner there tonight and we absolutely loved it. The atmosphere was perfect dimly lit but not too dark. Our server, Katelyn, also was superb. She has a great personality and was very helpful with recommendations. We started off with some spinach stuffed mushrooms with crab/shrimp. They didn't last as they were a perfect starter. Katelyn suggested a Pomegranate Cocktail for my wife and I had a Moscow Mule. The menu is perfect and very healthy. Nothing on the list is over 400 calories according to Katelyn. I had the 6 Oz Filet with asparagus/mash potatoes. The meat was juicy and melted in my mouth. My wife had the scallops which she also loved. Katelyn was nice enough to bring out a champagne toast for us which showed some real attention to detail. The desserts she recommended were out of this world served in little shot glasses. Overall it was the best restaurant experience we have had in a long time. We will definitely go back and we will make sure we ask for Katelyn ' s section.
(5)
E G.
Myself and two friends decided to try the happy hour at seasons 52. Luckily the weather was perfect we sat outside and had drinks,small plates and salads. The margarita was perfect! The small plate I had was really good however I didn't care much for the salad dressing. I would go back just for the great drinks and outdoor space. Our waiter was very knowledgable and professional.
(4)
David K.
I want to start this review with a warning to all that visit: if you are a design snob, don't come. The food, though, is worth the 90's country club decor. I have no idea why they designed the entire place the way they did, but the food makes up for the lazy design. Everything we ordered was fresh, and really delicious food. They don't have your current hipster chef trying to import random shit from around the globe. Just simple, delicious ingredients. We just moved back from living overseas ...and this place is a new favorite.
(5)
Travis L.
Although this is a chain, I had a great anniversary dinner here. Mashed sweet potatoes were amazing. Healthy options and the chefs even come out and talk to you about your food. Great surprised and nice atmosphere.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Christopher W.
BLAND BLAND BLAND BLAND BLAND. Season 52... I really wanted to like you. But I just can't! The concept of this place is awesome. Healthy meals with seasonal ingredients and menus. The execution of this though - wasn't good. There is such a thing as seasonal ingredient overdo. Note: There shouldn't be 6 items on a limited menu that have pumpkin seeds.... especially in the late winter/early spring. It is a cop-out. My wife and I sat at the bar waiting for our reservation time. I ordered a local bottled beer, which was overpriced at $6.50. I can get the same beer down at Senate, or anywhere in OTR, for $4. In fact, I can get a full fresh brewed pint at the Lager House for cheaper. Every cocktail on the menu looked overpriced. $12 for a martini that has middle shelf vodka, sour mix, and bottom tier flavored liquor? No thanks. The wine list was actually pretty good, and the prices were also reasonable. The bartenders also didn't seem to know much about the beers when asked by another customer sitting next to us. When asked if an IPA on the menu was a hoppy beer the bartender replied, "It is kind of like a lager". I sunk into an immediate *face-palm*. Now to the dinner. We ordered the chicken flatbread and put in our dinner order. The flatbread was the best part of the meal. It was thin and crisp like flatbread should be. The only downfall was the chicken appeared to be ground rather than strips or chunks. Not taking away any points for that though. 15 minutes after we put in our entree orders the waitress came back to tell me they were out of chicken.......WHAT? How can you be out of chicken? Regardless of if it was a busy night or not, it is unacceptable to be out of chicken. IT'S CHICKEN! For dinner my wife got the pork tenderloin and I got the trout. Both dishes looked great! The flavors however....not so much. My trout was under-seasoned. But tasted better after adding a little salt. The fish was cooked correctly and after the seasoning snafu tasted great! My wife's pork tenderloin was nothing great. She even commented we have made better pork tenderloin dishes at home. Her polenta was also full of lumps. The two mini desserts we got were passable. Nothing great. Nothing bad. Overall I would not recommend dining here. For what you are paying, you can find dishes in Cincinnati that are just as healthy and seasonal, that are far better.
(2)Karen D.
A few friends tried Seasons 52 on a Friday night for our May birthdays. The menu looked amazing with variety of options to choose from from flatbreads to appetizers to main dishes with everything in the 400 calorie range. Our service was okay, we had a group of five and our waitress was there when we arrived and ordered drinks, but it then took a while for her to return to our table and for our group to ask questions. Once she did take our orders, the food arrived quickly, but our server was nowhere to be found to order drinks, water refills. The saving grace was the food - we shared the flatbread special of the evening eggplant and goat cheese. A few friends had the scallops. I couldn't decide so I went with two of the appetizers, which were meals of their own. Spicy Chicken Chile Relleno loved the flavor and how everything was cooked inside the chile and the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, good fresh pasta. She finally showed up at the end with free desserts for the birthday girls. The mini indulgence dessert was just the right size and me being the chocoholic went with belgian chocolate rocky road mmm good.
(3)Shabazzy L.
First time at this new restaurant and I thought it was fantastic. The restaurant decor is clean and appealing. They did the napkin switch as has been expounded on in other reviews, but that's fine. We went for lunch and all five of us enjoyed our meals. I had a chicken sandwich (the name escapes me, but there was pesto involved) and a Quinoa salad. My wife had a delicious chicken flatbread. Another friend ordered the vegetarian sampler, another tacos and another a turkey wrap. Everyone really liked what they ordered and vowed to return again. We were impressed and will return...perhaps to try the mini indulgences the waitress paraded in front of our table in order to lure us into ordering desserts after we had already declined.
(4)Peggy B.
I really liked the layout and décor of the restaurant. My husband and I did not have reservations and were told it was 1 1/2 hour wait. We sat in the bar and were taken care of immediately. We noticed there were 2 booths open in the bar and approximately 8 tables. After 1 hour of waiting, I went up to the hostess stand to tell them we had waited an hour and that there were empty tables everywhere. She reiterated that it was policy and there were reservations so we had to wait. I think it is fine to keep a few tables open for reservations, but to leave open tables for an hour + seems strange to me. I believe our bartender, who probably should be managing the restaurant, talked to a manager and we were seated within minutes. I thought they had a good wine selection. I was disappointed with the food though. I ordered pork medallions and I thought they were very average. I did enjoy the mini desserts. If you want to try this restaurant, make sure you have reservations. Not too excited about going back.
(2)Jessica A.
Best service I've ever received at a restaurant! The manager made sure we had a great first experience and brought out a sample of food to start us off. Our waiter didn't get our drink at first so we didn't end up ordering any and the manager came at the end of the meal to offer us some for free. Definitely will be back!
(5)Jose S.
I've been to a few of these around the country. Food is always consistently good. Menu changes as the seasons do. Keeps it fresh and something different every time were in. But when you get down to taste.. nothing outstanding. Ambience is great piano player in the bar. The flight and flatbread happy hour is great. Definitely worth trying if you've never been there. great way to get in and out without spending a lot.
(4)Aline S.
The food was very good but the service was slow. It wasn't very crowded but it still took a longer time than we expected. The server was nice but not around if you needed something.
(4)Adam W.
We went for a media event before they were open and everything was absolutely fantastic. Now, I haven't been back since they opened so I can't guarantee everything from the media event correlates directly to the experience you'll have on an average night. That being said every dish they brought out for us to sample was excellent. Each one was paired with one of their wines by their head sommelier and he could not have done a better job. There's a big focus there on the wine pairings and they take the experience very seriously. Even though it was a special event so we had pretty much the whole staff waiting on 10 to 15 people, the service was excellent. All of the servers were kind and attentive and refilled drinks or cleared away dishes as soon as they needed to be but without that hovering quality you get sometimes. The desserts deserve their own mention as being particularly good - small portions but they more than made up for it in flavor. I'd go back just for those even if everything else wasn't so wonderful. They're likely to be pricey, we weren't told how much any of the dishes were, but it's a perfect choice for a special occasion. We can't wait to go back.
(5)Catherine C.
This place doesn't use butter. At all. Believe it. I've been to Seasons 52 a few times since it opened as I work right down the street, and I've been pleasantly surprised at what they put together for under 475 calories. I really like the concept of the menu changing so often also because it forces you to venture away from a "regular" and try new things. I have to say I haven't had anything here that was bad. The flatbreads are pretty good, and I would say the salads are so-so (let's be honest, we live in a world that has made us think we need waaaaay too much dressing). The one odd thing about this place is that I've regularly seen people been told there is an incredibly long wait even though there are plenty of open tables, though those are for reservations. However, I've noticed that these tables remain unoccupied during my entire visit, which seems a bit odd. So, I'm not sure how the system works, but there's a chance you'll be turned away with half the restaurant empty. Overall, though, it's not my favorite. Again, it's not bad, but there are a plethora of other restaurants I would rather dine at within a half-mile radius.
(3)Amy C.
While the atmosphere of this restaurant is beautiful and upscale, and the service is attentive, for the price, the food quality and taste just isn't good enough. I understand the concept of healthy cooking, i.e., not using butter or salt, but there are plenty of herbs and spices to flavor meat and vegetables while still being health conscious. I look to a professional chef to allow me to experience these new flavor experiences, not think, wow, my husband and I can season our own food much better while still not using salt or butter! My husband had shrimp with broccoli, tomatoes and rice and I had steak with mashed potatoes. Using some salt and pepper added some more flavor to my dinner and it was tasty enough, but my husband only ate his shrimp. He said the rest of the food tasted like nothing. We did sample a couple of the dessert indulgences, a seasonal chocolate/raspberry puree and another chocolate one and those were excellent. It was a fun concept to be able to share and try a small size. Overall, there are plenty of restaurants where the food is much better and you can spend a lot less and get the same or better quality.
(2)Neil H.
it was just ok. we started with a flatbread which was delicious, and a chicken stuffed chili relleno, which was ok. My wife then had a spinach salad and i had the chili, both of which were mediocre. I had the pork tenderloin for dinner and my wife had a curried fish (i forget what kind), both meals were ok. the bright spot was the wine list. we had a couple bottles of Chappellet Signature Cab, which is a $50 retail bottle, that was only $76. I'll take that any day of the week! The restaurant is gorgeous and very comfortable, the staff was good as well. All told it was about $400 for 2 couples, so about $100 a head. not inexpensive, so i expect the food to be better.
(3)Lauren W.
Filet and Lamb was perfectly cooked. Loved the fig and bacon flatbread and of course their signature desserts! Great meal!
(5)Christine L.
Food was bland, atmosphere was stale. I was hoping for something better. It's a great concept with average execution.
(3)Patrick D.
I wanted to give 3.5 stars. Excellent coctails, appitizers and deserts. Mixed on entrees. Appetizer - We got the goat cheese & artichoke flatbread and seared Ahi Tuna - both were top notch. Drinks - LOVED the superfruit martini. Very good wine selection as well. Shared two entrees - the garlic shrimp was quite good, but we also got a curry special that disappointed, but might have been appropriate for someone who liked things extremely mild/simple. Dessert Samplers - Peanut Butter Mouse (loved it) and a key lime pie (not my thing, but my wife enjoyed it.) Good location for a business dinner as well.
(4)Suzy H.
Totally overpriced for the food you're served. Ordered beer on the menu to be told it's not available. Waited a half hour for beer to be served. Ordered flat bread only to have it come out charcoal black. Only reason we went there in the first place is because we had a group of about 25 friends meet after work. We left early and went to a festival in Deer Park. Had better beer and better food for a lot less than we did at Seasons 52. Definitely won't be going back. Ever.
(2)B L.
First time at one of these restaurants. People said it was good. I don't believe I'll be going back. Nice atmosphere and service was good, bit that was window-dressing on VERY over-priced food and wine. Most times, you get what you pay for. I felt like I paid double for half of what I wanted. Net, poor value and not worth coming again.
(2)Bree P.
This is a great date-night spot. That's said, with an app(hummus and flatbread),salad, 2 main courses( veg sampler and goat cheese ravioli) 2 rounds of Martinis, and 2 little desserts, we paid over $100. We are vegetarian, so its not like there was prime rib involved. We were there Valentine's weekend, unfortunately because that is where my husband's birthday falls. It was packed, but our service was exceptional and they even took our picture and and printed it out for us. It was a lovely gesture. All in all, the food and service was great, but we'll be skipping the spendy Martinis next time.
(4)Rachael G.
I love the concept of this place, the healthy meals, seasonal rotating menus, great wine list, etc., I just didn't actually LOVE the restaurant. I came for date night last Saturday with my boyfriend; he had been to the Seasons in D.C. but it was my first time. We already were expecting the place to be packed, after all, it was the first Saturday night the place was open. We were told that the actual restaurant was totally booked through the rest of the night but we could try to find seats at the bar. Again, I was totally prepared for that, so we weren't put-off. The bar also seemed to be packed but after creepily skulking around the bar a few times, a couple took pity on us and offered us their spots. And that was the end of polite, prompt service for the evening; too bad it came from fellow patrons, not the actual staff. I used to work in the restaurant industry, and I understand how, especially with brand new restaurants, things are not always going to be perfect. However, I DO think it's completely ridiculous that there are at least 4 bartenders (only one of whom was taking care of servers' orders) plus a bar manager and a barback restocking, cleaning, helping etc., and it literally took over 15 minutes for a bartender to acknowledge our presence. I would completely understand if the bartenders all were rushed and looked stressed, but the only bartender who seemed to be struggling was the poor girl who was taking care of servers' orders; that poor girl was drowning and none of her fellow employees seemed inclined to help her. Nor did they seem inclined to take my drink order. By the time one of the waitress moseyed on over, I was extremely thirsty. My boyfriend is the most patient man in the world; even he was a bit miffed. The bartender literally came up to me and said "do you guys want some drinks?" Really? "Nope, just sitting here and taking up space, thanks." I had to ask her for a drinks menu and a food menu. I got a mojito and the bf got a margarita. They were ok, way too sweet though. Mostly, t I was horrified that they did not have Hendricks. I am not a snob about much but I am a complete snob about my Hendricks gin and this place looks like it should have Hendricks. The food was very prompt (in fact, I think our appetizer beat our drinks); we got one of the flatbreads with beef and blue cheese and it was pretty good, definitely different. For my meal I got the scallops with risotto, bf got steak. The scallops are why I am giving the place 3 stars instead of 2. The portions were generous, the food was tasty, especially for under 475 calories. The risotto was.....eh, Kind of bland, nothing too exciting. I definitely thought the food was good, just not as good as I would have hoped. I'm hoping the service improves as time goes on as I felt that was the biggest let-down. That being said, I will probably come back here for a glass of wine and a flatbread once the hype has died down.
(3)Laura T.
I ordered dinner into our office and took a chance at trying something different than our usual heavy italian or chinese. I was not let down. Chef Angela was great at helping me make sure that I had the right quanitites. The food was excellent and everyone was raving about what a good choice to try something new. The food and the service was outstanding!
(5)Molly L.
I love Seaons 52! Ever since Capitol Grill opened up next door, it's been super hard to find a parking spot, but I guarantee that once you find your way inside, it's worth it! The atmosphere is really nice, although the times I've been seated by the bar area, the live music has been a bit overwhelming. The drink selection is phenomenal with an extensive wine and cocktail menu. The server will automatically pour a tasting of each wine, even if you order by the glass, which is nice. Service is always strong with friendly knowledgable waitstaff. The menu is extensive, with every item being under 475 calories. As you can imagine, the portion sizes are smaller than most restaurants, but still very filling. Be warned, that the prices don't reflect the smaller portions so if your philosophy on restaurant value is correlated to how much is on your plate, you will be disappointed. My favorite menu item is the cedar plank salmon, with the key lime pie for dessert. The desserts are served in shot glasses which makes me feel (slightly) less guilty for indulging!
(4)Lisa J.
We could not wait for this restaurant to open! This restaurant is now our "weekly" date night restaurant. Good food, good wine, and fantastic service (GINA). Our server was very informative and attentive. We sat in a booth in the bar. We ordered a bottle of Markum Chardonnay, which was delicious along with the stuffed mushrooms and ahi tuna for appetizers. They were really tasty and very good. For our entrees, we both had salads, ahi tuna and salmon, which were nicely portioned and very tasty. It was really funny to see local managers and bartenders in cognito checking out the new competition and they should be worried. We also ran into many people we've meet who are also calling this beautiful restaurant "the new go to place". This restaurant is big competition for restaurants in Rookwood. Kudos to this place for a bringing of wave fresh air and great fare.
(5)Tim L.
Quite good, but nothing blew me away. If I'm gonna drop some cash I'd prefer to be wow'd. I'd go back and try some of their other dishes, but not before scoping some other joints first.
(3)Ben J.
Owned by the same restaurant group as Red Lobster... And you can tell. While there are no butter soaked biscuits, there IS mediocre seafood. The flatbread appetizer tasted like it was directly from the box and previously frozen. The good news, the steak was good and the service was great. There was also a good wine list. But don't be fooled by this pig in lipstick. There are MANY other great places to eat in Cincinnati.
(2)Bea D.
Yes, like most reviewers have mentioned, it does feel like a chain. Regardless, I like the atmosphere and ambiance. The food however is hit and miss. I have found some of the food to be quite bland. And you will find that a very diverse menu can spread the goodness a bit too thin. Speaking of thin, they have flat breads which I enjoy. I personally would want them to be spiced up. Service was very good. This concept has potential in Cincinnati, but they will need to take the food up a notch to compete.
(4)Parker P.
Pluses: All entrees are under 500 calories (yet not at all skimpy). Excellent atmosphere and decor feels both expensive and comforting. Service, while formal, is friendly. Wine list is (almost exhaustingly) long, nicely chosen, and marked up with a sense of fairness. These people certainly know how to cook fish properly, which is more difficult than most would think. Valet parking (with self-retrieval) is "free" aside from tipping. A pianist is on duty every evening, which is a nice touch. Minuses: Some attempts at elegance come across as simply pretentious (see napkins below for an example). Far fewer fish choices than one would expect. When choosing the safe path vs the innovative path, one gets the distinct impression that they consistently value the safe (though many diners might prefer this). Want a beer? They have 2 bottles to choose from. Too few of their wine choices are available by the glass. I wouldn't normally set foot in a restaurant during its first month, but it just worked out that way. In fact, one might not even know the place was open yet amidst the Rookwood construction dust. When I was seated at my table, the Host traded my white napkin for a black one, since I was wearing dark wool pants. Nice, but since they use synthetic napkins, there wasn't really any lint risk. Cincinnatians (who are notorious for taking their children everywhere) might be shocked to not be offered a kid menu, but our server got an A+ in accommodating the picky palates of the kids, so it all worked out. The two private dining rooms are wonderfully inviting. I never would have thought that Darden (the folks responsible for Red Lobster, Longhorn, and Olive Garden) could pull this off, so I apologize to them, now. Nice work, folks. I would have awarded 5 stars if either the menu had been a little more adventurous, OR our $35/person pre-tip bill (for entrees and one beverage) had been under $30, OR the menu had offered a couple more fish choices. Worth the trip, and an especially good place to entertain clients, or other people whose tastes you don't know, as the flavors are uncontroversial and pleasant.
(4)Lisa H.
On a whim we decided to try this place and ended up having one of the worst dining experiences of our lives...and no I am not exaggerating. I didn't expect to be blown away but I also didn't expect everything we ordered to taste like bland and overly processed versions of what was described on the menu. We started with a sushi appetizer that was barely palatable but we choked it down. The salads were not that great but passable. The entrees...dear lord the entrees...they were bizarrely awful. My husband ordered lamb chops and they tasted so strange and just...not good. Even his truffle mashed potatoes were inedible. How do you screw up mashed potatoes? I had the salmon and it was severely overcooked and very fishy. For $150 with wine and tip I was extremely disappointed...I haven't had such a bad meal in a long long time. Our server was very nice but that didn't make up for our lackluster meal. I wish we'd gone to J. Alexander's across the street instead.
(1)Chandler M.
Good food, good service, the price feels a little steep, but I can't penalize the individual restaurant for a corporate price structure. I'll surely go back.
(5)Marie E.
Certainly feels like a chain, but I like the concept. All the food is under 500 calories. Granted by the time you do appetizer, salad, entree, dessert you can still rack up the number well over 1500 but the food was fresh and left me satisfied. Good selection of wines. Friendly service. Would go back.
(4)Penny G.
I met a friend at the bar for a drink. The bar was nice and very comfortable. The wine list was fine. We planned to eat at the bar until the pianist showed up. There is an electronic keyboard in the middle of the bar. The music was loud and intrusive. We moved to a table in the bar and finally had to move to the dining room. We were pleased with our food and the service. The pianist was talented, but that whole set-up needs to go.
(3)Bob P.
My wife and I had dinner last night at Seasons52. We were very pleased with overall experience. The food was fresh, tasty and we enjoyed every bite! The Hummus Duo with Crisp Hawaiian Sea Salt Lavosh was very good.... you could really tell the ingredients were fresh and well balanced. My wife had the Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops .... They were cook perfectly and served with sweet corn risotto, and sweet peas. I had the Herb-Roasted All-Natural Chicken with panzanella salad and summer tomatoes. The chicken was cooked just right with lots of grilled flavor. The sides of panzanella and tomatoes were a very big surprise.... Lots of fresh summer flavor. All finished off with wonderful deserts. The wait staff was very courteous and knowledgeable about the food and the wine selection. The chef does a great job of creating a wonderful variety and just-right portions. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Betsy H.
Five of us dined at Seasons52 last night and agreed the food and atmosphere could be described as "Corporate". The open floor plan is attractive but noisy, especially when a singer is belting it out in the piano bar. If you like a salad for dinner this place is for you. Two of us had the Fish with "curry sauce" which was way too timid, even for Cincinnati palates. The extensive wine list was a welcome sight but the lack of any selection in the craft beer department was sad. Sorry, this town deserves better!
(2)Joann B.
Open just 2 weeks, my wife and I tried Seasons 52. For a just opened place, little things can happen. We received our dinner before the appetizers while chatting with the manager! With that said, now for the good news. Go to this place. Great food, superlative service (ask for AL), just an enjoyable place that you will want to come back to over and over again. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients. I had the trout entree and my wife had the shrimp, both delicious. We also had the tortilla soup and the chicken skewer app. I enjoyed the chicken but could've passed on the slaw, but I don't like anything with vinegar in it. The desserts were the perfect size to sample and share. We tried the pecan pie, peanut butter chocolate, caramel macchiato and one with a cinnamon cannoli. All were very good, although my wife, whom loves peanut butter and chocolate, found that one a bit on the rich side. My wife also checked out their meeting space and talked with Kelly.. From their Chef's table that can seat twelve to their large room that can handle 80, accommodations were very nice and include in ceiling projector, drop down screen and sound system. Something to think about for the future.
(4)Linda G.
Anxious to go. Probably wont go back. Knowing that this restaurant recently opened I was prepared to cut some slack. However, service was frenetic. Food was ok. Accuracy of our tables order was not good. Interior decor most lovely. Very frustrating dining experience. Hope they can improve b
(2)Allison B.
I've never had a bad experience at Season's 52. I've also never eaten the same thing twice, which is refreshing given my penchant for finding a favorite dish and ordering it repeatedly with each return visit. Because the menu changes so frequently it's as though I'm going to a new restaurant every time. My husband isn't a fan of the portion sizes, so this isn't his favorite place to go, which is unfortunate for me because I always enjoy the experience. That being said, I have taken clients and girlfriends here for happy hours and lunches, and we always have a great time. It's especially nice when the pianist is at the bar! Definitely would recommend this restaurant for a nice work lunch, celebratory happy hour or, as my friends and I call it, "Wancy lunches."
(4)Henry J.
Season 52 is one of the newer chain restaurants targeting affluent diners who want something healthy in an upscale setting. This location is divided in to three sections: Main dining, bar, and event. Main dining is like the typical restaurant floor. The bar area features a large bar surrounding drinks and bartenders, as well as live music. Along the outer rim of the bar area are booths that are able to fit 4 to 8 people. Overall, the restaurant tries to go for an intimate atmosphere. If you want to carry on a dinner conversation, then definitely go for the main dining floor. The bar area tends to be a bit loud as people try to talk over the music. While I'm not sure about the quality of music on other nights, on our particular trip the artist was giving a very good rendition of "Happy" by simultaneously singing and playing piano. Having read reviews from others that the food can be a bit bland, we deliberately targeted dishes that have big flavors. Our appetizer was stuffed mushrooms. She had their seared tuna salad while I went for a rack of lamb (see pictures). I finished off with their raspberry cannoli dessert shooter. The stuffed mushrooms were definitely very flavorful. It is served searing hot in a container that reminds me of escargot plates. Mushrooms lined the bottom, filled with spinach, crab, and topped off with shrimp. I'm not sure how common they do this, but we were brought an amuse bouche by a chef from the kitchen: Diced seared tuna dressed with sesame soy. It was a one bite burst of flavor that provided a very refreshing contrast to the stuffed mushrooms. As for our entrees, the seared tuna salad featured some of the freshest sushi-grade tuna we have seen in Cincinnati. The succulent red flesh was obviously very high quality and never frozen. The understated tuna taste went very well with the salad, which was a mix of different greens and accented with sliced almonds and small amount of crunchy noodles. The rack of lamb was definitely a significant highlight. The meat was seasoned just right with salt and pepper. I ordered it medium rare (there is no other way to enjoy it), and the kitchen cooked it to just that. Under the lamb are vegetables and mashed potatoes, topped with shallot jus. Yes, I cleaned the bones. The lamb was really that good. Finally, our dessert selection was the raspberry cannoli shooter. The filling is rich, creamy, with just the right amount of raspberry sauce and mini chocolate chips to accent the sweet cream. There's more than enough filling for the size of the cannoli and there will most definitely be leftovers for you to enjoy by the spoonful. All in all, I can't speak for the lunch menu or other items, but everything we had is highly recommended. Most of all, the amuse bouche provided a perfect inflection point to transition from our mushrooms to the entrees. We will be looking forward to going back for sure.
(5)Matthew S.
Ordered a dish I didn't love (wasn't wrong, just wasn't to my taste) for lunch but the way it was handled was flawless. I told our waitress I did t care for my dish and asked if I could order something else. She immediately said "of course" and as she was leaving with my new order the manager came over to apologize and offered us free desert on the house. My replacement meal was amazing and the experience overall was great. This place always exceeds expectation.
(5)Samantha F.
Love this restaurant! Seasonal and delicious. It's nice to know all the meals are under 500 calories. I ordered the sesame crusted tuna and it was perfect. We also tried the lobster flatbread that was a bit small but delicious anyway. I would definitely come here for a girls night out or happy hour.
(5)Michele G.
Great restaurant with fresh ingrediants and everything on the menu is under 475 calories! Nice concept! Everything we ordered tasted fresh and delicious. We started with the chicken skewers and an order of their homemade pickles, both great. The pickles were a little sweet and tangy, big fan! I had the seared tuna salad, which was great . What I lalso oved about this place was the little desserts they serve. So many times I haven't wanted a big dessert but just a little something sweet and this is the answer. They offer small cups of their desserts which were awesome as well!
(4)Peg G.
I'm with Jessi on this. The food is kind of blah and skimpy. For instance, there was no lobster flavor on the "signature" lobster flatbread and the "roasted" red peppers were clearly not roasted. Scallops were not super-fresh. The cedar planked salmon was spot on. The roasted pork tenderloin was yummy but had that nouveau rosiness to the meat that I personally do not feel at ease with. And I can't help thinking that, for these prices, you should feel full when you leave. I guess there's a reason all the entrees are under 500 calories!
(2)C W.
Went there on my birthday it's a great restaurant if you enjoy food that's less than 500 cal. I knew I was in trouble when the server told me that. A flat flatbread later me and my wife were at Friday's sharing an order of fries. We also had stuffed mushrooms and she got some veggie dish. Wasn't memorable.
(1)Ben S.
Given how popular this place is for its market segment, I was figuring it would be pretty darn good....problem was it was bland and had very boring flavors. The potato wedges were soggy, the burger was incredibly bland and while I enjoyed the fact the calorie count was incredibly low...the place was kinda like a re-dressed Whole Foods :/. Our waitress was very good at her job though and the location is great. If you are a bored middle-aged housewife who's 'gluten free' all the sudden, this is your place. If you are anyone else, walk 15 meters and arrive at The Capital Grille.
(3)Tiffany D.
I really enjoy Season 52. I love the freshness of the food and I like how the menu changes each season. My fiancé and I come here often. We had our after engagement dinner here as well. They also have good drinks. A very nice date night spot and group spot. I absolutely love there dessert minis. They are just enough taste and filling. It allows you to have various desserts in one sitting. Definitely a must try.
(4)Lynnette H.
My husband and I went for our anniversary. I wasn't sure, after some of the reviews. So glad we went! Our food, drinks and dessert were amazing!! The taste, size and price were perfect. I did think that too much time passed between the waitress asking for our drink, appetizer,entrée and dessert order was too long. Other than that, no complaints!! We didn't feel rushed and enjoyed our time together.
(5)Maggie B.
The last couple times we have been here have not been as good. Their Summer Menu does not seem as delicious as the Fall and Winter. The new Lamb is just ok and the Filet was the same. The duck flat bread had an odd flavor. I can say the the Cherry Creme Brûlée was amazing! Service and wine pairings remain fantastic as well.
(3)Debra K.
We went there for our anniversary. The atmosphere was great with lighting and a live singer. The portions are scanty especially for the price. Is this due to the calories on the menu or profitability? I had cedar-plank salmon which was cooked to perfection. The vegetables were two baby potatoes, one beet, two baby carrots, and 3 baby asparagus. My husband had the lobster flatbread and was very disappointed in the quality and presentation. They did not even give him a plate to eat it on. We won't be going back.
(3)Law J.
First experience ever with the wife and we loved it! On a weekend escape vacation we decided on Seasons 52 over some other recommendations due to the fact that the menu changes with the season. We try to experience new things every now and then... what better way to do so than to go somewhere that is 'new' every season. Took that theory a step further and decided upon the Rack of Lamb. Chef suggested medium rare - uncharted territory for a guy that grew up on well-done steaks. Just recently learned that I've been missing out all my life when I ordered my first medium-well steak... but never thought I would stare down a piece of red meat. YOLO... right? It was AMAZEBALLS! Had that, a flatbread and brussel sprouts with a smooth Belgium lager. Not only was the food great, but the service and ambiance was worth the price of admission. Can't wait for our follow-up visit.
(5)Jay B.
Always like the flat breads. If you want something lite, get a flat bread (or two for two) and a bottle of wine. The fish is always good and properly cooked.
(5)Shamika K.
This is my husband and I favorite restaurant! It never disappoints! The service is always exceptional and the food is delicious! I always get the cedar plank salmon and it's so cooked! All their meals are under 475 calories! They're food is fresh and the menu changes over the course of the year (seasonal). They also have the BEST mini desserts! I usually pick a different one each time & am always pleased. We brought our friends there last week & they loved it as well!
(5)Jessica T.
LOVE this place! Have been about 6 times in last year and love it just as much each time. Great service, great food and love the atmosphere. They have live music in the piano bar starting at 5pm on Friday and Saturday. I always request sitting in the bar tables so we can see and hear the pianists. For nice evenings there is patio seating as well!
(5)Amy E.
This a great place to grab lunch or dinner. Everything on the menu is less than 475 calories, and they offer seasonal menus. They use very fresh ingredients, and have an excellent drink selection. For starters, I tried the spinach stuffed mushrooms with crab and shrink and the duck wing lollipops. Both were delicious. I got the caramelized scallops which were cooked perfectly and the lemon risotto was creamy with the right amount of acid. The fish tasted very good too. They offer a great selection of dessert shooters that are rich, and just the right amount of sweet to finish off the meal. I've also gone for happy hour, and they have $5 small plates that are delicious. I ended up getting sea scallops, kona crusted lamb chops, and shrimp scampi skillet, all which were flavorful and satisfying. The flatbreads look delicious as well. If you want a delicious, fresh, healthy meal, this is a great place to try!
(4)Win K.
AMAZING SERVICE! They even have a separate vegan menu although the only vegan dessert is fresh fruit. I had their cedar plank tofu as the main vegan dish, and my friend had their vegan veggie pasta, and it was heavenly! Really good food (could be lower on sodium, but at less than 475 calories, it's hard to beat). Moderately priced too! Great fine dining experience!
(5)Andi O.
We had a fantastic experience for a girls dinner at the chef's table on Saturday evening. Friendly & attentive service, excellent cocktails, delicious food. We enjoyed the salmon, scallops, pork tenderloin, brussel sprouts, a flat bread, a salad, and several small desserts. All were excellent.
(5)Ben D.
Okay, so my wife and I ate here a second time tonight, and I'm re-writing my review because we had a much better experience. We sat in the main dining room, which has a much nicer feel than the weird half-indoor/half-outdoor space we sat in last time. We each got a glass of wine, which was neat because they give you 1/4 of a bottle as a glass pour, and our waitress (Tamiko, very good) actually brought out the bottle and poured our glass at the table. I think this is very classy, and I like it, because I'm always nervous that bars/restaurants are pouring the wrong thing when you just order a glass. Food: We got the goat cheese ravioli appetizer, which was awesome! Highly recommend. I got the trout, which was tasty and perfectly done. My wife got the mesquite grilled shrimp, which was good, but the risotto was a little over-done. The last time we ate here she got the scallops, which she said were amazing. Don't skip desert. They are mini deserts, and they are one of the best things this place has going for it. We particularly like the rocky-road, key-lime, and peanut butter and chocolate ones. Also, the flatbreads are good, but we didn't have any this time.
(4)Peter O.
Another typical big box food extravaganza chain. I don't know, they spend a small fortune to make these restaurants but when it comes down to it, the food is really bland. I guess they try to please a large market and are trying to appeal to the new "no gluten, "seasonal fare" crowd but truly, based on the dishes served at our table, it was bland. However, the service was good, well corporately trained. And the drinks were good. Sorry, can't recommend. Too expensive for boring food. The Capital Grille, also very "corporate" just next door, but is a bit better.
(3)Amy N.
As a vegan, I'm pleased that Season's 52 has alternative menus on request (vegan, gluten free, etc.), and some options I don't find elsewhere. I do like it, I just wasn't blown away this time. The highlight for me was the appetizer, a dish of minted edamame hummus and roasted red pepper hummus served with lavosh. Both of the hummus dishes were really yummy. My husband and I both ordered the Vegetarian Tasting Entrée (made vegan by requesting no cheese on the taco), which has a couple of good features. It is described on the menu as "quinoa-citrus salad, soft taco, vegetables, cedar-roasted tofu, tropical salsa, baby carrots". Mine had no carrots, but had asparagus and long stemmed broccoli, as well as pea pods with mushrooms. That's three greens that I like, of course....but a little boring. I would say the taco was my favorite, and a second was the citrus salad. I am a little disappointed that a restaurant that serves vegetarian dishes can't offer any other dessert to vegans than fresh fruit. I would expect that in other restaurants, but if you go so far as to offer vegetarian dishes, how about some other desserts? Or, how about at least having some non-dairy milk for an after dinner cappuccino? That really doesn't seem like a stretch to me. I would have still given 4 stars for my meal, but I took one away because: ~the ladies room was out of TP. Not good. I did tell the hostess. ~there was a waiter station behind our booth that at one point had 5 (yes, 5) waiters chatting it up while we were trying to converse. ~we had to wait quite a long time to get our check, even though the restaurant had just a few tables at that point of the evening.
(3)Dale H.
Went for dinner last night. First time here. Upon arrival, the parking lot was packed, so the only option was valet parking (free) or parking in an adjacent lot. Went for the valet. Guys were fast and efficient. We had reservations and were promptly seated. Our server was Sam and she was great as well. I ordered a pinot and she offered for me to sample it first which was nice. She explained that they have the largest wine selection in Cincinnati! We ordered two apps, mussels and stuffed mushrooms. The mushrooms came piping hot stuffed with crab and shrimp. Yum! Would definitely order them again. Had a slight problem with the mussels - a bunch were under-cooked. Some were not opened. Some that were opened were still not cooked through. When we mentioned this they were amazingly accomodating!!!! The chef came out and apologized to us. They comped our drinks and dessert and of course did not charge us for the mussels. Another gentlemen, CJ (I think) the manager perhaps?, also came by to check on us. Because of how they handled the problem, we would definitely return! We all enjoyed our entrees. Two of us had the scallops. Cleaned up their plates! Hubby had the pork tenderloin. Came exactly as ordered (med. rare) and loved it. I had the yummy lamb chops. Delish! We all did comment (as other Yelpers) that the portions were not as large as other restaurants. BUT these are more the portion sizes found in Europe. These are just the right size portions! Love that the menu changes with the season. Mini-desserts we ordered were spot-on as well. Two of us had the mocha one. One had the egg nog dessert. Hubby had the peanut butter/choco one. Mocha and pb ones were our faves. Will return :o)
(4)Becky B.
Stopped here for a late lunch. The service was good and our waitress was very friendly. I really liked that their menu items were under 475 calories! I like that they care about their diners health and not just their wallets! I got a salad and the mahi mahi fish tacos. The salad was good, but the tacos were great! Fish was very fresh. And it doesn't hurt that their wine selection is very good! Would definitely come back here!
(5)K F.
My boyfriend and I enjoyed this place pretty well. I like the concept-seasonally themed and low in calories. It's the Olive Garden company and it feels like a nicer Olive Garden. They have 72 (I think) wines, 60 by the glass that are well described. I really liked how they listed the whites by level of oakiness because I don't like Oaked whites. The prices were as you would expect. The offered a cab franc, which is sometimes hard to find. The service was great, as you expect from a chain. The chef brought us a sample while we waited. We had the mushroom app. It was a little salty and you could tell the crab and shrimp had been frozen, but it was good. The boy had the trout, which we both liked and was a large portion. I had the Maui salad. The rare tuna was not at all fishy and I enjoyed it. 55 bucks, we were out the door in about 40 minutes. I'd go back again for quick and friendly service and consistent food.
(4)Dee L.
From the salty, but no flavor crab and spinach stuffed mushrooms to the heavily sauced and over-seasoned salmon and the dry cold hard "bread sticks" served without butter or oil, this dining experience was a true disappointment. Great concept, but lots of issues with the kitchen's execution here.
(2)SD L.
pricey but nice. I will come back and check it out again
(3)M B.
My friend and I had dinner for my birthday and we were very impressed with everything. There was live music in the bar, although next time I would sit in another section just to allow for conversation. We started with the wildushroom bisque. Wonderful with an accompaniment of baby arugula and creame. Next spinach stuffed mushrooms garnished with parm Split the small crab wedge salad. Crisp flavorful and not skimpy on the crab. chip. We split the braised brussell sprouts and each had a skewer of melt in your mouth scallops. The end was a sweet choice of a dozen mini desserts. I had the pecan pie on white vanilla bean mousse. Overall, a wonderful experience and highly recommended.
(5)Mark R.
My family and I had a great meal and great experience. The only negative is they brought out my salad when we just started to enjoy our apps.. My son had the salmon with a side of scallops. Love them both. My wife and I had the seasonal Nantucket Bay scallops with ravioli which were unbelievable. We also enjoyed the mushrooms with crab app but weren't too happy with the shrimp and bread app.. That app wasn't up to par for the money and taste. Had the Caesar with Kale which was really really good. Service over all was very good, just slow it down a bit. Eaten here many times and will be back.
(4)Rick V.
When there on 7/15/14. Shortly after minor surgery. (No food for 20hrs) was there for lunch; everything was top notch. Ate out side and the weather was perfect. Had scallops w lobster tail both cooked perfect. I stopped ordering lobster tails on the side. ..always small and cooked to death. In fact the server was the kind I like ...gets complete order correct the first time and doesn't hover around you looking for something they forgot. Wife had copper river Samoa said the best she's had. Tray of small deserts brought by. Ordered three. ...get the one with raspberry. Fast update. ..Wife took her friend tonight. .Says something
(5)Alyssa F.
Came here for their happy hour- $15 for: a wine flight, a flatbread, and a full glass of wine. GREAT deal. The flatbreads are perfect for sharing, the wine flights are pretty good, and we were able to get a full pour of a glass of malbec that was really tasty. Love it! I can't wait to come back and try out a full meal.
(4)Ryan Z.
My review is for their "Flights and Flatbreads" version of happy hour. The option has been discussed extensively in other reviews so I won't detail it here. I will say that the 'acclaimed' selection of 90+ point wines was well worth the price. And the seasonal flat bread with a trio of mushrooms generously topped with goat cheese was delicious. The bar staff was friendly enough and there was even live music from a pianist positioned in the center of the bar. The open kitchen with wood-burning stove - YUM!!! - was a sight to see as you walked to the restrooms. I will say that some of the entrees we saw at other tables looked woefully inadequate to satisfy a grown man. I like the idea of 475 calorie meals, but I think they should have an "Indulge" section for patrons who want a full meal. Finally, I can't help but wonder why Fleming's and Roy's didn't come in and steal this spot from Seasons 52 and Capital Grille. I think Cincinnati is missing out big time by not having my two favorite upscale chain restaurants. What a perfect location this would have been for them and we could have finally had a good seafood spot!
(4)Sally Y.
So I've been to Seasons 52 twice now, and I'd say that it's a pretty good place to grab a bite to eat. It definitely has an upscale feel, but also screams corporate dinner spot. Positives: great staff, love the outdoor seating, every meal is under 500 calories, and they have fun seasonal drinks that are delicious. Negatives: There's nothing phenomenal about the food. It's very clearly high quality, but in terms of flavor, it's nothing out of this world. Additionally, I've been twice in a matter of 2-3 weeks, and the "weekly" menu was the exact same thing. I was disappointed that it didn't change as much as they said it would. Overall, I love the concept of this place, and it's a great date location. The lobster and shrimp stuffed mushrooms are fantastic, the lobster rolls also delicious, and the tuna salad was amazing! (Absolutely loved the seared tuna!). Lastly, ALL the desserts are fabulous! I'd definitely recommend going to eat there since the overall quality is top notch, but I wouldn't say this is a must-go-to location in Cincinnati. I will put in a disclaimer that this is partially due to the fact that Seasons 52 is a chain and I'm definitely biased to local fare. :)
(3)Dawn G.
From start to finish, the food, ambiance and overall lunch experience was top notch. The reservation process through Open Table was seamless, and we felt well taken care of throughout the meal without it being bothersome. We enjoyed a Rioja from the weekly suggestions, which paired well with our mushroom bisque - a brothy rather than creamy delight. We both enjoyed fresh salads, but I added grilled salmon that went well with my harvest salad. We finished the meal with small dessert shooters, key lime pie and tiramisu. The server provided a business card to ensure we dined with her the next time we came for lunch - what a nice touch!
(5)Carolyn B.
It was a tough call in trying to decide how many stars to give Seasons 52. In actuality 3.5 would be the perfect score, but I bumped it up because our entrees were so fantastic. I loved the fact that each dish is less than 475 calories emphasizing freshness as evidenced by seasonal menus (winter menu just started). Some of the excellent factors were: 1. The caramelized grilled sea scallops that both hubby and I ordered were knock-your-socks-off good. Because they were cooked perfectly, they practically melted in our mouths. 2. The superfruit martini that I ordered was a delightful concoction of acai, promegranate blueberry and agave. It was so fruity and aromatic that my friend across the table from me could smell it right after being poured! Because of the color and bouquet, I enjoyed my cocktail even before the first sip. 3. The desserts are called mini indulgences because they come in what look to be tall shot glasses so they are the perfect size. My husband's mocha machiato was our waitress' favorite & it is easy to see why. 4. It might sound strange, but they are one of the few places that have the sweetener truvia which I like. 5. There was small rectangular, flat firepit near the exit door with pretty white fire glass which added a modern, sophisticated touch. Now for the regretful parts of the evening: 1. The valet capacity was not enough to accommodate all our cars on this particular night. Hubby and I parked across the street in the Marriott lot. 2. The women's bathroom needed some attention as the sink counters looked like baby hippos had played in the water! 3. The appetizer of mussels was such a disappointment. Not only were some of the mussels undercooked, they left in a number of mussels which hadn't opened during the cooking process which means they were DOA beforehand making them inedible. To be fair, they handled this last situation in the most professional and gracious manner. The chef himself took the time to come to our table to apologize (no excuses) and told us that they would be making complimentary our first round of drinks, our other appetizer that we ordered AND our desserts! We did not expect anything to this degree, but it let us know that we will definitely give them the second chance they deserve. Will update after we return there.
(4)Siripug A.
Great food and atmosphere. I love low calories and portion of their meals. It was my first time at the restaurant for late Valentine's dinner. It was perfect especially their staff greeting our reservation. There is a piano bar which the musician plays a great live music.
(5)Ang M.
I can't say how happy I am that this place exists. I had dinner at Seasons 52 for the first time last night. I was impressed! To start, I am the typical health nut--I work out and eat healthy. Having said that, it is extremely difficult to find a restaurant that serves healthy, quality cuisine. Most restaurants pile on the carbs and butter, and skimp on the meat and veggies. But not seasons 52! Last night I had the shrimp and pasta dish, which was piled high with shrimp, rather than the cheaper pasta. How refreshing it is to know that they don't skimp on the meat just because it is more expensive. That is what sets it apart from other restaurants. The portions were just right, and not gigantic. I didn't feel guilty after devouring my dish. Seasons 52 also prepares your dessert in small cups--another thing I love. Their desserts are just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, and are delicious. I had the blueberry lemon curd, while my boyfriend had the s'mores cup. The service was wonderful--no complaints there. If you enjoy greasy, salty food in enormous portions, this place isn't for you. But if you are disappointed about the lack of healthy dinner options out there like I am, you will love what seasons 52 offers. Healthy, guilt free, and delicious. It doesn't get better than this!
(5)David L.
Had a great meal there last night. Service was very attentive. Salad and entree were just excellent. Pleasant surroundings. Just a very positive experience with reasonable prices. We will be back. Great little desserts too.
(5)Rich G.
Seasons 52 is always a good dining experience! Our family went their with close friends to celebrate my wife's birthday. Wait staff was attentive, food was great, and they comp'ed us dessert as a bonus to help celebrate. They also have live music, but never so "live" or loud as to drown out conversation at the table.
(4)Pamela F.
We first discovered this Darden's chain restaurant when transferred to Orlando. Warm wood, amber washed mood lighting, exhibition kitchen and competent, straightforward unpretentious service. Started with a wine flight and flatbread (before 6 p.m. deal only) which is three 2-oz. pours plus full glass of your favorite with dinner and your choice of flatbreads -- go with the fig, goat cheese, apple smoked bacon and greens drizzled in balsamic glaze (I know, I know Oxford friends, the Quarter Barrel has been doing that one for couple years, but it works). Two of the wines in the flight unremarkable, a lip puckering Sauv Blanc heavy on lime/grapefruit and not enough grass/herbal to balance and a Shiraz with an acrid/blackberry note. But, the Diablo Viognier was compelling. Apple, peach and slight melon with hint of minerality. Lovely. We also tried lobster and shrimp spring rolls, with three interesting dipping sauces, our favorite was the lemon grass remoulade, although the lime/cilantro sauce was interesting. The scallops were perfectly seared, tender in the middle, hot and carmelized edges and mouth-warm inside, although the quinoa bed it rested on was a citrus pucker. Turkey kabob in plum barbecue sauce pronounced by dining partner. Desserts haven't changed in the years hence, but that might not be a bad thing. Had dense slightly tangy and graham-cracker mellow old favorite key lime mini, and partner had chocolate peanut butter moose. The piano bar bit strident, jarring during dinner.
(4)Mike C.
I'm gonna with the A-OK rating also. I like their concept of providing healthy (all under 475 calories) food with seasonal ingredients and menus that change. You can also find things on the menu that are low carb or paloe-friendly. The portions are somewhat smaller than many other places around., but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. The restaurant also has a really nice atmosphere. It almost has an upscale feeling, and doesn't really feel like a chain place. The night I was there, there was a guy playing a piano in the center of the bar. It will be a good place to have drinks and a small bite to eat. They do have a pretty decent wine list also. My only complaint is that the price is a little steep for what you get there.
(3)Gregory Edmundt V.
What a great experience for my daughter and I. Whilst trapped in my hotel w/o luggage for two days....(somewhere its over the skies of the US on united airlines).. and the Marriott has ZERO in terms of a wine list here I digress..... I see from my hotel window this very nice looking restaurant and decide to talk a stroll. The lay-out..Amazing! big, spacious all high-end tasteful modern with a great menu and a very nice wine list. The waitress was very nice and they had a special flat bread and 3 glass wine flight for 15 dollars with a full pour on my favorite..IM IN!!!! It was quiet spacious great service and even the stemware and flatware was great. I'm sum a great experience a how can you beat 15 dollars for a great flat bread and 3 glass flight? This place is a must!
(4)Paul K.
This is A-OK restaurant for me. It seems their concept is to provide healthy (all under 475 calories) food with seasonal ingredients. I have not checked their nutrition chart, but I guess they are right because their foods are somewhat small in portion and not salty. Some people would find their foods bland. That being said, I was not impressed by their food items at all. I though flat breads and salads were worth eating. But I would like to go back and try some other items, too. I loved the atmosphere, though. The interior is dark enough to create upscale feeling, and the restaurant is very clean. Maybe because it's newly built. It will be a good place to have a glass of wine or with beer with close ones. However, the hall right next to outside patio will be COLD in winter because it felt like outside air was coming into the dining area through the big windows. If I felt the cold air, I am pretty sure women will have problems about it.
(3)Kim W.
Seasons 52 is a great new addition to the area, and perfect for a dressy night out. Even though parking is plentiful the free valet parking helps set the tone for pampering. The ambiance is stylish and welcoming. There was live music in the bar. Service is excellent: great knowledge of the menu and attention to detail. We had a minor issue with an appetizer and the cook came out to apologize and correct the issue, which was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. Our meals (fish and steak) were fresh, perfectly prepared, and delicious. The wine list is impressive and cocktails are generous. I loved the mocha dessert - heavenly! Be sure to tell them when you make your reservation if you are celebrating something special - it was our anniversary and we were treated to a wonderful experience with some unexpected surprises. Looking forward to many returns!
(5)Ed P.
Wednesday evening I was invited to a preview "media dinner" for Seasons 52, which will officially open on Monday in the Rookwood Exchange. This is their first restaurant in Ohio, with nearly 30 other locations spread across 13 states and at least 8 more in the works. Seasons 52 debuted in 2003 and specializes in a fresh dining experience with all dishes under 475 calories. Their menu changes seasonally four times a year and has weekly specials inspired by the fresh appeal of the farmers' market. This will be the first business opening it's doors in the Rookwood Exchange, so the surrounding area is very much a work in progress. However there is ample parking and the option for valet. I arrived just before the 6:30 start time and upon entering the doors was greeted by some of the staff and given a complimentary glass of champagne. From there I was lead on a tour through the restaurant, starting with a small chefs table, then through the kitchen, a few private dining rooms, and finally to the bar area. We waited in the bar area for all the guests to arrive and were treated to additional champagne and music from a live piano bar, which will continue to be featured nightly. Seasons 52's Master Sommelier George Miliotes was also available in the bar to tell us more about the restaurant's history. Once all the guests had arrived we were offered a sampling from their flatbread menu. I tried the artichoke and goat cheese with leaf spinach, balsamic onions, and roasted peppers. This was a wonderful combination of flavors which I really enjoyed. From there we moved into the main dining room to start our six course meal, each course paired with at least one wine. Each course was introduced by Executive Chef Clifford Pleau. I'm not going to cover all the courses, just my personal highlights. For the third course we were given a salad of organic field greens, grilled mushrooms, toasted pistachios, and truffle dressing. I was happy to hear that all salad greens are organic and that they try to use local ingredients when possible. This salad was simple but very fresh and smelled wonderful. The mushrooms and pistachios added a nice flavor as well as a little crunch. I did think it was a little under dressed, but perhaps that is one way to keep the calorie count low. The next course was my personal favorite of the night. It was a Sonoma goat cheese ravioli with roasted garlic, basil, and organic tomato broth. I don't think I've ever tasted goat cheese as good as what was inside these ravioli. Plus the sauce was delicious and the addition of fresh basil really brought it all together. I see that this is normally served as an appetizer, however I wish it were served as an entrée, perhaps with an added protein. For the next course I had Springer Mountain Farm all-natural grilled chicken served over a sweet potato mash with roasted Brussels sprouts. The chicken was cooked on their hickory burning grill giving it a very nice flavor. Again you could smell these dishes coming out from the kitchen. The sweet potato mash and Brussels sprouts were both nice accompaniment for the meat. Finally we were given a choice from their mini indulgences desert selections. These mini deserts are meant to be between six and eight bites each and come served in what appears to be a tall shot glass. I went with the highly recommended pecan pie with vanilla mousse. It is a little awkward getting the spoon down into the depths of the glass, but this desert really was outstanding! I was very impressed the food and service from Seasons 52. However I do realize that this dining experience wasn't a typical one. With that said all the food I tasted definitely has me convinced to return again in the near future to try even more.
(5)Deborah H.
Although this is a beautiful restaurant, and much-needed addition to the Rookwood area, I was a little disappointed with the turkey wrap I had for lunch...it was pretty bland and run-of-the mill. The real highlight was the tiny red velvet cake I had for dessert. I am not ready to write this place off, and have another lunch scheduled there next week. I hope to add at least one more star!
(3)Colleen W.
Loved the place - great simple food - live music, piano player at the bar and nice price point
(5)David S.
I hosted a luncheon for 25 for a very sad occasion. Seasons 52 did an exemplary job of taking care of the event in a beautiful, personal, and tasty manner. What could have been a complicated experience was a memorably good one on a day when we could ill afford any complications. Thank you Seasons 52!
(5)Helen A.
AWSOME .. Finding this place was the best part of my night.. The staff was so generous And the food was wholesome .. I took out and can't wait to come in to sit and experience a meal...
(5)Ron A.
When I was growing up I used to think calories were a good thing. I would look for foods high in calories because I made a silly but accurate connection to the higher the calorie, the better the food was going to taste. Calories had no real meaning to me but to the world of food it seemed as important as metachlorians do to Jedi Knights. Now that I'm older, calories are as real to me as cholesterol and a 40 inch waist so I look for any opportunity to dine on low calorie cuisine. Fortunately the good folks at Seasons 52 make that easy for me. Every dish on their menu is under 475 calories! One would assume that means bland dishes with no real wow factor but you would be wrong. Imagine salmon and steak served on cedar planks with asparagus and roasted red potatoes. Think unique flavor infusions like minted edamame hummus or goat cheese ravioli with roasted garlic and fresh sweet basil. You really can't tell this is low calorie chow. Seasons 52 is somewhat of a concept restaurant. In addition to everything being low calorie, the menu changes four times a year to reflect the season. Which means summer squash in the summer and winter squash in the... summer too. I'm not sure what vegetables grow in the winter but I'm sure whatever they're cooking up it's going to be money. Everything I've tried here has been outstanding. Being vegan I was super impressed with their separate vegetarian menu which shows every option available and how to make it completely vegan if vegetarian isn't enough. I highly recommend the cedar plank tofu and the quinoa-citrus salad. Also for those who like to get hammered drunk on wine while they eat, Seasons 52 features 100 varieties of wine for your drinking pleasure. If you hear that this place is owned by the people who brought you Olive Garden and Red Lobster don't let that scare you away! Although this is actually true, nothing here makes me think of unlimited breadsticks (with crappy pasta) or all you can eat shrimp (with crappy shrimp).
(4)Monica D.
I went to Seasons 52 for the first time for my college graduation celebration with my family and a few close friends. We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Upon being seated our waiter came over and introduced himself and the restaurant. He knew it was a graduation celebration so he congratulated me. We ordered a bottle of wine and some flatbreads. Both were amazing! Shortly after, a manager brought over an appetizer that was on the house. It too was fantastic. We then ordered our entree's. I got a seasonal salmon dish with veggies, it was cooked to perfection and was a perfect serving size. We finished our entrees and thought about ordering desert when our waiter came out with a huge "celebration tower" of an assortment of their signature shot glass size desserts. It was on the house as well and was so over the top amazing. While we enjoyed our many little desserts, our waiter appeared with a bottle of champagne and glasses for everyone. It was FREE too! They made my celebration more than I could have imagined. He let us enjoy the post dinner drinks and then came back and took a photo of my whole group and gave it to me in an adorable Seasons 52 frame. This place treated my group like royalty. They went above and beyond the call of duty. The restaurant was packed that night but we felt like we were the only party there. The waiter was kind, funny, and thoughtful. The managers said hello and congratulated me. I will definitely be going back and it will be my "go-to" place for celebrations such as this. FANTASTIC!
(5)Elizabeth W.
I went here soon after this Florida based chain opened in the new rookwood extension plaza. It was fresh on the scene, and packed, but we got seated quickly. The inside is spacious and outfitted with dark wood, but definitely has the feel of an assembly line. I like the concept of a 500 calorie menu, and the portions were large enough for me, but my date was still hungry after three different items, so the calorie thing was a wash at that point. We had flatbread that was charred, a salad that was overdressed, and a few other unmemorable things. I thought the food was only ok and not very inventive. Predictably, the desserts are small. Plus, it seemed a bit pricey for what you get. Overall, I wasn't a huge fan and probably won't go back. It might be a nice environment for a business meeting or your super-calorie conscious suburban guest.
(2)Caroline M.
Great food, great company! Our server (Angelo) was wonderful and very attentive. He made sure everything came out as we expected and that we were enjoying our meals. We ordered the filet mignon and sesame crusted swordfish - both were excellent! We also ordered the lobster flatbread, which was fine but next time I would choose to order something else. The butternut squash soup and chili were great! Overall, would defunct leg recommend Seasons 52 for a cozy meal or special occasion. Complimentary valet parking, too.
(5)Bob R.
Went to Seasons 52 to meet some friends for dinner. This was my first time at this restaurant. The food was very good and moderately priced. The atmosphere was pleasant, a piano player/singer played the whole time we were there. The service was exceptional. Overall a very good experience. I definitely plan to return.
(4)Sharri E.
I can't say enough about how much I love this. If you're looking for delicious, healthy food, a beautiful ambiance, and wonderful service, eat at Seasons 52. Back in May, was having a horrible day for my birthday, ended up at Season's 52 and had a long wait. The manager heard about this and comped drinks for my whole group. Once seated, are waiter was kind, attentive, and had great suggestions as to what to try on the menu. The lit the candles on my birthday cake for me and we shared some with the staff. On another occasion, they helped me surprise my parents for date night. I can't say enough about how great the service is here. They have a gorgeous woman who plays the piano at the bar, and it's just an overall great experience. The food was also delicious to me. Though their menu changes with the seasons, I've managed to get cedar planked salmon with roasted veggies a few times, and it was great each time. Eat here and you will not be disappointed!
(5)Angela K.
This place is a favorite of mine and a GREAT Happy Hour spot! They have a Happy Hour deal called Flights and Flatbreads, and the price ranges from $12 - $20, depending on the wine flight you choose. You get 3 pours, plus a full glass of your favorite of the three, and good-sized flatbread for that money! What a deal! The flatbreads are plenty for one person, for some it is enough for a meal. The crust is super crispy, the ingredients are great quality and very creative. They always have a seasonal selection to add to the selection. They also do small plates for $5 at Happy Hour, which is an excellent deal! The food here is always well-prepared with plenty of great tasting, healthy options. The portions are perfect, IMO. Service is always great, especially sitting at the bar.
(5)Chris C.
My group of 4 women ate here for lunch, all of us for the first time, and we all were so pleased with everything that we want to return! The service was professional but nice, friendly but not too friendly. The atmosphere was classy, and we liked there we were in the area close to the windows and the light. If we had been in the darker area it would probably have been hard to read our menus! All of our food was very good! We all shared the hummus duo appetizer and enjoyed it. We ordered Fish Tacos (the best!), stuffed mushrooms (very tasty & kept hot in a unique dish), spinach salad (yummy), tomato & avacado salad, shrimp & grits (to die for), and we all had the quinoa salad (super good combination) too. We tried 2 of the mini desserts & they were also very good.
(5)Jen B.
Food is amazing and service is even better. Paul made our night! He was very attentive, genuinely friendly l and knew the menu like the back of his hand. I had a wonderful experience! Cannot wait to go back!
(5)Todd L.
I really like their rotating seasonal menu concept. Lots of fresh veggies and healthy eating options. It's nice to be able to eat a high quality, flavorful meal AND still eat healthy/low calorie. I had the branzino with broccolini which was really great. Others at the table had the seasonal sea bass with black rice. Another had the shrimp and grits. Everything was really good. Will definitely keep on the list to mix it up once in a while.
(4)Jessi G.
OK, I get it Season's 52...You change your menu all the time, everything is fresh, and it's all under 475 calories. Cool. I should like this...Is it bad that I don't really think their food tastes very good? I've been here a few times, and every time I'm always kind of disappointed. The food just honestly doesn't taste as good as it should for the price, and maybe that's because they're using less butter or something, but who cares! If I want to eat something that's under 475 calories, I would cook it myself so I know what's in it. When I go out to eat, I want something delicious that I can't make at home. And unfortunately, I just feel like the food here is not very good. And the portions are soooo small. I get that it's small because it's 475 calories, but if you're giving me half the food as other places, it should be half the price. The ambiance is very high end, and the service is excellent. It's nice going out to a restaurant and feeling like you're in a 5 star steakhouse when the food is healthy. I enjoy that. But overall, I'm just not that excited about this place.
(3)Witni S.
I've been to seasons 52 twice now and I highly recommend it! With both of my experiences it has been some of the best service I've encountered in the area, or possibly anywhere. The staff is very accommodating and notices the little things you may need. And order a drink! The bartenders are very fun and always provide a healthy portion! As for the food: very good, seasonal and fresh as promised. Ask about how they source the food locally and pick the menu by season--it's interesting. You can taste the freshness. I recommend the roasted pear, walnut and spinach salad. It's so simple but delicious. My husband said it is some of the best Spinach he's ever had and I know the salad will keep us coming back! I ordered the shrimp stuffed mushrooms, yummy and cooked well. I've enjoyed the scallops and wood grilled salmon, the truffle potatoes (more please) and several other dishes. Don't skip dessert. Best dessert shooters I've had anywhere! Love the cannoli, anything with chocolate and friends who love carrot cake said that ones to die for! Both of my experiences were with events that started out with appetizers, so I've been privileged to try a wide variety of the food offered. I can't recall anything I didn't like. Here are some of the highlights: all of the flatbreads, the yummy honey goat cheese dip, the bruschetta, the shrimp app. The Hawaiian cocktail takes you straight to the beach, the prairie mule is super refreshing and the diverse wine selection is oh so fun. This place is a culinary EXPERIENCE. Take your time, enjoy and go back and see what they have each season!
(5)Lia V.
The atmosphere is wonderful - very beautiful space. Also the staff was friendly and welcoming. However, the food itself was underwhelming and overpriced. I got the halibut over asparagus and it was relatively flavorless. Some of the asparagus wasn't trimmed properly so the color was dull and the ends were tough. On the side was a remoulade sauce with chunks of chorizo and nuts in it which was just kind of blah. The fish was cooked perfectly though and it was a decent size portion - $30. My friend got a chicken dish with the spring vegetables which were soaked in oil - unappetizing. She enjoyed the chicken though and wished she had a bigger serving of the potatoes - $17. Based on this experience alone I won't be back to try another dish.
(2)Aly S.
After waiting way too long after the most amazing Yelp event ever back in January, I finally made it back to Seasons 52. My dining experience last Saturday was more than deserving of 5 stars!! Great Manhattan! This is not something I say lightly. I love that they use fresh and in season ingredients, so they have a new menu every season, we were lucky to experience the spring menu. For appetizers... Ahi Tuna Tartare was divine, there were perfect tiny pieces of fresh tuna on top of a bed of mango salsa and avocado. Lobster mozzarella flatbread was wonderful too, yummy lobster flavor with the lobster pieces and lobster sour cream. The ravioli appetizer was delicious too, simply made, cooked perfectly and well balanced flavors, the creamy goat cheese filling in a tomato broth. For dinner my boyfriend and I split the Filet and the Branzino. They were both AMAZING! The filet was cooked beautifully, I ordered it medium and it had the red center with lots of pink, and a great flavorful crisp sear on the outside. It also had a luscious and creamy red wine sauce. The branzino arrived at the table as a whole fish, just without the head. Then the waitress opened it up to reveal the thyme and lemon that were cooked in between the butterflied fish, removed them to the side and served it to us, it was very elegant. The skin on the fish was crispy and crunchy, perfect with the soft flaky fish. It was sooo lemony (meyer lemon-y) and buttery, mmmm. And there was plenty of it, it was the whole fish! For dessert, we had the tower of dessert shooters. This was an excessive amount of dessert for 6 people and for 50$, quite a splurge. But it sure was fun to see it come to the table and blow out the candle on top (it was my birthday dinner :-)
(5)Alisha W.
It is honestly unusual for me to rate a chain restaurant as a five star dining experience, but I have to admit that Seasons 52 blows me away every time. The concept of the restaurant alone really sets it apart (the menu changes each season and each week they have a unique chef specials section). Every item is under 475 calories and they only use fresh ingredients that are in season at the time. Without a doubt, some seasons are tastier than others. You'll find heartier menu items in the fall and winter, whereas the summer and spring are lighter and refreshing. They have an excellent wine list to accompany all of their menu items and a knowledgeable staff to guide you on your wine selecion if needed. To start with, the cocktails are always delicious and plentiful. They bring out the adorable shaker and pour your drink for you at the table, then leave the shaker so that you can enjoy what is remaining of your drink. This usually means that you can get 1 1/2-2 cocktails out of each order. There are appetizers for every food preference, but I have to recommend the flat breads. I've had several, but my personal favorites are the Trio of Roasted Mushrooms and the Lobster and Mozzarella. As far as the classic appetizers are concerned, I'm a huge fan of the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli. I've also had several entrees, but I have to admit that my personal favorite is the Roasted Manchester Farms Quail. They are so flavorful that nothing even begins to compare! The Shrimp Cavatappi Pasta is also noteworthy and delicious. To end your evening, you absolutely must get a mini indulgence (or two or three) accompanied with a cup of coffee or espresso. I suggest the Mocha Macchiato because it is heaven in a tiny shot glass.
(5)Melissa B.
We had a great anniversary dinner at Seasons 52. We had been to one of these in Orlando about eight years ago so I was very excited to see one of these in Cincinnati for a quick weekend away. We made a reservation online which was extremely easy and told them it was our anniversary. They offered us a champagne toast to celebrate and the chef also brought us a tasting spoon of cucumber and tomato with balsamic to try since it was our first time! We did not order any appetizers but I do remember the flatbreads being good. For our entrees we had the New York strip steak and the shrimp and grits. Both entrees were amazing and very fresh. The dessert is the best part...they bring out all of the choices of small desserts and they give you the one you pick right then and there. I chose the creme brûlée and my husband had the peanut butter chocolate. Both were awesome and just the right amount of dessert! We win be back the next time we are in Cincinnati. Thanks for an awesome experience Seasons 52!
(5)Nada B.
I brought out of town relatives here for lunch one Sunday and the food and service were great. We were surprised by how empty the restaurant was- only a few other tables were seated. For a chain restaurant, the food was fresh and dishes were unique. This place would be great for large groups.
(4)Cara D.
I didn't know Season 52 was a chain restaurant. I was really excited about the whole working with fresher ingredients and lower calories. Eating out has such a bad rep so I wanted to see what they came up with. My bf and I didn't expect the restaurant to be that fancy so I was glad I dressed up. We called in earlier and asked if a reservation is needed and it didn't seem like they were that busy. We got to sit outside and there was a girl playing piano. Me likey. They have a pretty nice happy hour menu. We had the grilled scallops, shrimp scampi and lollipop lamb for $5 each. All of them were so flavorful and made with quality ingredients. The lamb was tender and juicy. The sea salt with the scallops was a nice touch and the plating was just beautiful. We loved it. We arent the experts on soup but we like to try. The asparagus soup came out bright green. The cream in the middle was sour and mixed well with the fresh taste. For entree we shared the wood grilled pork tenderloin. I really liked the sweet potato and he was all about the meat. And btw, the flatbread the next table ordered looked awesome! I am getting that next time I go and Season 52 even had a special box made to take it to go. Oh one more things, GET DESSERTS! They are so cute and delicious and one of them had a shot of Amaretto in a capsule. HA! The waiter was very friendly and asked us if we wanted another drink 2 mins before the happy hour ended. The bill might surprise you at the end cuz it gets pricey with appetizers, drinks and desserts. But I think we got what we paid for. And we loved every dish.
(5)Toni G.
We just hosted a rehearsal dinner for almost 70 people and it was a huge success! The food was outstanding and plentiful and the wait-staff was exceptional! Every aspect of the dinner - from the initial planning to the final goodbye- went smoothly. I would highly recommend Seasons 52 in Cincinnati for your next dinner or your next party. Stacey Varley is to be commended for the wonderful job she did in helping us plan the event!
(5)Chrissie V.
I love the concept of this restaurant...menu items ever-changing and inspired by seasonally relevant ingredients. So specific dish recommendations may be outdated (since our waiter specifically told us that the menu was changing the next week and I was there exactly one week ago). I would HIGHLY recommend getting a flatbread as a starter though. The menu offered quite a few unique variations. I also love the idea that each menu item is less than 475 calories. As a person who has recently begun to count calories, this made every menu item an option for me and I didn't even have to think about it. The only drawback I experienced...and it's gonna sound strange...is that every employee we encountered was over-the-top friendly, in what felt like, a very disingenuous way. Like they all had just gotten scolded for not being friendly enough so they all went in the complete opposite direction, so it felt forced and fake. It just felt weird and awkward. I will definitely go back and try a new season of food. It's kind of fun to wonder what I'll see on the menu next time!
(4)Lee W.
My wife and I had our Anniversary dinner there tonight and we absolutely loved it. The atmosphere was perfect dimly lit but not too dark. Our server, Katelyn, also was superb. She has a great personality and was very helpful with recommendations. We started off with some spinach stuffed mushrooms with crab/shrimp. They didn't last as they were a perfect starter. Katelyn suggested a Pomegranate Cocktail for my wife and I had a Moscow Mule. The menu is perfect and very healthy. Nothing on the list is over 400 calories according to Katelyn. I had the 6 Oz Filet with asparagus/mash potatoes. The meat was juicy and melted in my mouth. My wife had the scallops which she also loved. Katelyn was nice enough to bring out a champagne toast for us which showed some real attention to detail. The desserts she recommended were out of this world served in little shot glasses. Overall it was the best restaurant experience we have had in a long time. We will definitely go back and we will make sure we ask for Katelyn ' s section.
(5)E G.
Myself and two friends decided to try the happy hour at seasons 52. Luckily the weather was perfect we sat outside and had drinks,small plates and salads. The margarita was perfect! The small plate I had was really good however I didn't care much for the salad dressing. I would go back just for the great drinks and outdoor space. Our waiter was very knowledgable and professional.
(4)David K.
I want to start this review with a warning to all that visit: if you are a design snob, don't come. The food, though, is worth the 90's country club decor. I have no idea why they designed the entire place the way they did, but the food makes up for the lazy design. Everything we ordered was fresh, and really delicious food. They don't have your current hipster chef trying to import random shit from around the globe. Just simple, delicious ingredients. We just moved back from living overseas ...and this place is a new favorite.
(5)Travis L.
Although this is a chain, I had a great anniversary dinner here. Mashed sweet potatoes were amazing. Healthy options and the chefs even come out and talk to you about your food. Great surprised and nice atmosphere.
(4)