Like everyone else says - this is THE best brunch place to go and the price is right. I've never had to wait for at table or for food and it comes out right every time I've been (once every couple of months). I also like that you can substitute items in your omelettes or on your eggs Benedict. For example, the waitress actually suggested bacon and avocado instead of roasted turkey and I loved it. And if you're a veggie lover, their veggie omelette is packed with fresh veggies (best I've eaten). I've been there for dinner once as it was recommended by others and it was pretty good. They have a few seasonal options and I love when restaurants try to go seasonal/local - you can taste the freshness. Great portion size (not too much that I feel guilty ordering dessert and not so little that I have to eat my husband's food too). My only tiny complaint was the spring risotto with crab and snow peas was a bit bland in my opinion. And I felt bad asking for salt (not sure if that is a sin in fancy restaurants but I needed it)! Everything else was great! Go!
(4)
Laura S.
Excellent food and coffee. We shared the breakfast quesadilla and a banana pancake, so yummy. Service was pleasant but a little distracted. Nice relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Ron A.
Only five minutes away from the likes of GTA: Madisonville and the forward-thinking Clermont County is the beautiful and enchanting Mariemont, Ohio. This small town is known for its English Tudor Style architecture, gorgeous neighborhoods, and amazing square. At the heart of the town is the Mariemont Inn and its signature restaurant: The National Exemplar. Most people think of brunch when they hear National Exemplar but I go there for its unique and cozy pub. National Exemplar has earned its reputation for having the best brunch in the city. And while I will admit that I like it here, something seems a bit off about their menu. The Bacado Omelette? Skillet Hashes? The Tri-Fecta? Wait, is this First Watch or National Exemplar? Apparently they both have the same owner which means similar menus. It seems a little tawdry to host identical menus at two very different restaurants but I guess that's why I'm Yelping and not owning two successful restaurants. The food is definitely good but in the end it fails to blow my mind like other popular brunch places I've frequented. The main reason I'm giving this establishment four stars is not the actual restaurant or its food but instead the little known bar in the front of the Inn called Southerby's at National Exemplar. This is THE bar to take a girl on a date when visiting Mariemont. The beer and wine selection is diverse and priced well but it's the ambiance that makes this spot a winner. Although small, this bar poses as a veritable English pub with its classic style bar and surrounding tables. In addition, it boasts over-sized chairs and sofas centered around the Inn's original 1920s fireplace. I absolutely love it here! In all, National Exemplar is worth a visit whether you're from Cincinnati or staying at the Mariemont Inn from out of town. Just do yourself a favor and avoid Madisonville and Clermont County at all costs. In fact, if you could parachute into Mariemont from a plane, that may be your best bet! (JK Clermont, I love you! Madisonville, not so much...)
(4)
John B.
After reading many glowing reviews about this place, I really was excited about going to dinner here, but sadly, I was not really impressed. 3, maybe 4 stars for service and ambiance, but 2 for the food, at least what I had. I ordered the Pan Seared Pacific Halibut ($24) - garlic butter, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat, wilted spinach, basil hollandaise sauce. As far as the crab meat goes, the only thing "jumbo" about the dish was the price. If I pay over $20 for an entree, it should really be impressive, and this piece of fish was not really flavorful or anything better than what I could get at a regular chain restaurant. The crab meat was about the size of a pinch, which was a bummer as it was the primary reason I ordered the dish. I was able to sample the Braised Bison Short Ribs ($22) - hoison cherry barbecue sauce, crispy onions, and found that to be a fairly tasty dish. The staff I encountered were very friendly and helpful, and our food was served on time, so the gripes people had with service in the past may have been rectified. I would like to come back for brunch but for now, I'll steer clear of this place. I will give it to NE for being the first place that I've come across that has wooden automatic doors. That was cool.
(2)
Sherry T.
My husband and I happened to be near Mariemont yesterday, so we decided to have breakfast at the National Exemplar after reading other Yelp reviewers' comments. I am so glad we went! I had the French toast (sourdough version); it was the best I've ever had. I'm not sure what kind of vanilla they use it in, but it made the toast over-the-top delicious. I also had a side of goetta; it was okay. My husband had a frittata with chorizo, which was very good. Service was excellent and their outside seating is a perfect way to enjoy Mariemont's peaceful setting.
(4)
Amy E.
My husband and I went here for brunch-- he had chosen this place because of the glowing reviews, and we were pretty pleased with the place. Ambiance: Mariemont is such a cute area, and there is a nice outdoor seating area. Indoors, it is the hotel dining room, so it isn't as cute, but still a nice place to eat. Service: A bit slow, but not terrible. Wouldn't add or take away any stars for this. Food: Classic brunch food and very satisfying. I had an Eggs Benedict, which tasted good, though it wasn't the best I have ever had. I enjoyed the selection of fresh fruit that came with it. My husband enjoyed the Traditional Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed his fresh cut breakfast potatoes that came with it. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and would come back.
(4)
Amy V.
We're pretty much there every weekend for brunch. Nice staff, good food, love the atmosphere. See you next weekend!
(4)
Joseph S.
I come here for brunch about one to two times a month. The food and service are always amazing. The atmosphere is also amazing. I usually get biscuits and gravy, and I love them, however it is only a saturday special. I have also had the french toast, no matter which way you get it, it tastes amazing.
(5)
Chris C.
Simply PHECKING Phantastic! ======================== We have been to the National Exemplar a few times in the past but not for a year or two. We've always liked the breakfast fare a lot and found the evening meals to be very good but perhaps somewhat bland. Last Friday was a HUGE EXCEPTION. Did they change the chef in the last couple of years? My starter was the Smoked Salmon, which was, I hate to use the word, divine! Anyway I enjoy Liver and Onions and I sometimes order it when I'm out because it's one of those organ meats that just does not look or feel right before its cooked. I ordered the Liver and Onions and found it to be simply excellent! The presentation was perfect and the flavor and texture even better. My wife and friends ordered other stuff (I'm always the only one eating the liver) and I know they said their meals were great but I have no clue what they ordered. The waiter was better than best and it was simply a wonderful evening. We enjoyed each others quirky humor, or at least he was polite and laughed with us! I jest, he was the perfect choice of waiter for our evening out.
(5)
Linsey G.
Having worked just across the street from National Exemplar for nearly three years, I finally tried it for lunch a few months ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of healthier items on the menu and opted for the Tri-athlete omelette (egg white omelette with sliced mushrooms, onions, tomato and green chiles) served with salsa, a dry english muffin, and fresh fruit. The meal is surprisingly filling, the fruit always as fresh as advertised, and I've always been left satisfied with my choice. The aforementioned is also very reasonably priced. I typically go to this restaurant during lunch and it is necessary that I order, am served, and can eat my meal within my allotted hour-long lunch time. Fortunately, the service is usually very efficient. In short, brunch at National Exemplar is really great. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating atmosphere is even better; probably my favorite part about the restaurant.
(4)
Ryan W.
The Bacado Omelette is delicious! Perfect omelette: eggs, bacon, monterray jack cheese & avocado with a side of sour cream.
(4)
Barbara F.
Great food. Reasonable prices and the food is great. Great service. Beautiful building. We definitely will be returning.
(5)
Ann L.
This is one of our favorite places to go with friends. We go on Friday evenings to hear Drew Laplante who sings Folk Rock & Roll for the Soul. He is AMAZING. You feel so relaxed listening to him. The area is adorable. I love the look, almost feel like I'm on vacation somewhere. I prefer out side but the space by the bar is pretty cool too with big chairs and couches, even a fireplace. There is a buffalo on the wall who's eyes seem to follow you. The Happy Hour wine prices are right up my alley. I always order the Exemplar Cheeseburger and it is EXEMPLARY! Another melt in your mouth meal. And the price is right ($9) They have a dessert called Post Mortem with a big brownie, ice cream, hot fudge, and it is humongous. Oh so delicious! You might want to share it with all of your friends or...well, remember the name of it. lol
(5)
Paige M.
National Exemplar is named after the ideals of Mariemont: a city created as the national model community. The 1920's European-style village in the heart of Mariemont includes the restaurant, which opened inside the Mariemont Inn Hotel in 1983. Not your typical hotel eatery, National Exemplar attracts just as many locals as tourists with their excellent cuisine. Must haves: - Spinach artichoke dip with lump crab and pita bread - Asian salmon salad - Bison Burger with spicy slaw, pepperjack, caramelized onions and greens - Carrot cake A few things are hit-or-miss here, the bar being one of them. If it's not a wine or beer on the menu, they'll have difficulty making it. I've also been double-charged for drinks. The mac-n-cheese sounded amazing on the menu; with Gruyere cheese and crumbled crust. It arrived cold and flavorless. It also includes bacon, which was not listed on the menu. My vegetarian friend had to have her order remade. Service is particularly slow as well. We waited 20 minutes for our checks. Our plates were not bussed until the checks arrived. Fortunately, the atmosphere of National Exemplar makes up for its shortcomings. The inside of the establishment feels like a German cottage. Plush seating complete with fireplaces, grand flower bouquets, and European nostalgia. It's a very classy place. I also enjoy the live music on Saturday nights. It's a perfect ambiance for a relaxing evening on the East Side with friends. Price per person: $25.00
(4)
Monika N.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots in Cincinnati. Try the Heartland Frittata - you won't regret it! The decor is a bit... homely. But the service has always been great and the prices are extremely reasonable. One time we were there during a busy Sunday morning and somehow they skipped our name on the waiting list. The manager was extremely apologetic and offered our entire party free bloody marys or mimosas. We've only been there for a meal other than brunch once - we tried their dinner one weekday evening. The food was good, but unmemorable. But what sticks out in my memory is that the waitress brought us a free dessert sampler when she found out that that was our first time eating dinner at the Exemplar. Again - amazing service! It's one of the things that keeps us going back.
(5)
Merlin B.
This was a great place to get great food and first rate service. Unfortunately looks like the entire experienced staff has been replaced with poorly trained people who have no interest in customer service. Numerous visits continue to result in wrong orders, forgotten orders and the continual chorus of servers & runners yelling over the conversation asking who ordered what. Something they should be trained to know. Filtered "warm" water Bitter coffee Food was ok, if and when it made it to the table. Will continue to return in hopes they can get back to the quality and service they were known for..
(1)
Will H.
So this is a rating on their breakfast menu only... they seem to have many wonderful lunch and dinner options and a full bar but we seem to frequent their breakfast most often... I'm going to say it straight up, for a bunch of IU grads they do just ok. Go Boilers! Just kidding, these guys do a fabulous job. They are always busy on the weekends but we've rarely waited more than 20-30minutes and usually less if we only have 3-4 in our party. Their service has always been friendly, attentive and quick even when they were busy. I have yet to order a thing bad on the menu. The Pope John is a great breakfast if you want something a little greasy and delicious. Any of the Fritattas are out of this world in particuar the Sonoran Fritatta is awesome with spicy chorizo and onions and wow. They have these "crepegg" things that are also fabulous. I like the California or the Turkey Dill. I personally think they make the best pancakes in the city. They are huge!! But they dont stop at quantity, they are of outstanding quality, always hot and fluffly. A full order is a meal in itself... they are very willing to just bring you 1 or 2. I am one that loves to order breakfast ala'carte and they are very willing to bring out whatever you want. Excellent! There are a lot of healthy options too that are of the same delicious quality as the others. Veggie Wrap or Tri-athlete omelette which is all egg whites and veggies and salsa... Honestly, if you are on the east side one morning, go to Mariemont square, wander around and have some breakfast at one of the best places in the city. Give me a call, because I will totally be down for a pancake.
(5)
Rob R.
National Exemplar is a cool restaurant in Mariemont. The dining room isn't huge, so if you have a large party, I would recommend getting there early. They pretty much have everything you could want for breakfast, including that Cincinnati staple, Goetta. Oh...and they have a bar, so you can have a Mimosa with your meal. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their food. I certainly did. I would definitely go back!
(4)
Christiaan T.
they have great food but you gotta try the bison burger.......wow
(4)
Chris P.
We were in Cincinnati for business and were in the area so we went to National Exemplar based upon a coworkers suggestion. It is a little hidden so not the easiest place to find but in a very nice area of Marymount. Reviews said they had a superb French Dip sandwich, but it was not on the menu. Perhaps it is only there for their dinner menu and we were there on a Saturday around 11 am. Two of us decided on breakfast items and one decided to have the burger for lunch. The food was well done and tasted great. Nothing appeared to be a food service pre-made special and everyone was happy. The decor is a little dated but it is also some of the charm of the restaurant. I will say the service was great and our server was very helpful and friendly.
(3)
Adolfo N.
Top 3 Brunches I've had since moving to Cincinnati, not much on the menu that isn't delicious. They serve dinner too, but I've only had it once. Breakfast is what keeps me coming back. The hollandaise sauce is my favorite. Decent portions, don't expect to walk away stuffed, just... happy.
(5)
Chuck H.
Best for breakfast, it gets an extra star for being one of the few places you can get good bloody mary's and mimosas at breakfast. Nice atmosphere.
(4)
Sonam P.
This place has a great atmosphere and looks adorable inside and out. The staff is also friendly and service is prompt. The crepes taste amazing and their menu looks delicious. I do wish they had side dishes as well like soups or salads rather than full meal sizes only. This place is good for a date as the place is very quaint.
(4)
M. J.
At first glance your going to say "I see old people" however, do not be fooled. There is a wide mix of an age bracket and a menu that does not disappoint. Everything from the Basic club sandwich to a wonderful blackened scallop and shrimp fettucini. My suggestion: Dinner, drinks, a little walk, followed by Graeters ice-cream and a movie. Perfect date night in charming Mariemont.
(4)
Adam S.
Just had a great business lunch here as I often do. For environment it's a 5 star. Only putting 4 stars for menu which is nice and similar to a first watch. Servers are great, consistent, and attentive to the amount of "touch" your table needs based on how intense the biz lunch/breakfast may be.
(4)
Stephanie P.
This is my Sunday brunch staple. It's the delicious food, cozy atmosphere and decent prices that keep my coming back. I love everything about this place--from the dark wood and roaring fireplace to the beautiful location in picturesque Mariemont. They also have some great outdoor seating that overlooks the square. You can expect a wait if you don't get there early (before 10:30 ish), but grab some coffee or take a stroll around the square to kill the time--it's crowded for good reason. The food is great, and the prices are affordable. Some of my favorites: the Bacado (served with a side of delicious salsa), the pancakes (fluffy and delicious) and the French toast (cooked to perfection). I've never been here for dinner, and I can only speak to the breakfast menu. But I'm definately planning on trying out their dinner menu soon!
(5)
Theresa B.
I'm a regular to this place. I go for the Eggs Benedict and stay for the Bloody Mary. Fantastic place to meet the girls for brunch. The outdoor seating is nice and in Autumn, you can roast marshmallows at the fire.
(4)
Warren H.
Being a restaurant in a hotel, the food was pretty much what you would expect. Well crafted plates, just lacking a little bit of the flavor. Walking in and seeing the decor, I thought the menu was going to be a bit more pretentious and pricier, but it was fairly priced with a decent selection. I had the bacon and onion hash with eggs and my girlfriend claimed that I had "won" over her choice of the vegetable Benedict. We also split a single banana and granola pancake, just because I had to try it out. It was pretty much a dessert after brunch, and I can only imagine how sweet their chocolate chip pancakes are. Would have loved to sit outside, but there was construction and a jackhammer would have dominated any attempt at conversation. We were there before any big crowds, so I have not seen the place in full swing.
(3)
Tom B.
Great place to eat. My wife and I had supper then went to the movies at Mariemont Movie Theater. We have eaten here multiple times and have always had great service and great food.
(5)
Devon C.
I went to the National Exemplar for brunch recently. It is located in the Mariemont Square and is a really cute spot, almost like a luxurious bed and breakfast. My fiancee ordered the Vegetable Omelet, and since I was in the mood for lunch I ordered the Bison Burger. Both were phenomenal and the portions were very large. It is a little expensive then a lot of the other brunch places in Cincy (in the $$ range), but I think it is well worth it.
(4)
Shawn M.
As good of a breakfast as can be made. The Mexican wrap was delicious and the bloody marry was delicious.
(5)
Elaine W.
I've been on a brunch streak recently, trying out new places. National Exemplar was on my radar since it is THE brunch spot in Mariemont, and Mariemont is just awesome. Funny even though it's pretty well known, we didn't have to wait at all on a Saturday during peak brunch time. They were popular but had plenty of seating inside and out. I was feeling french toast and heard good things about the toast here, so I went in for it. You can choose sourdough or cinnamon raisin, since I was getting it with the fruit and coconut flakes (do it!), I wanted to balance out the sweet and went for sourdough. Yummm it was perfect. Not too sweet at all, and the bread was a bit chewy, which I liked. Could've been thicker though. My brunch mates enjoyed their dishes: the oatmeal, the eggs benedict. Everything was great and beautifully presented (as brunch should be!). But nothing mind-blowing. It was lovely sitting outside, as you can sit back and enjoy Mariemont's quaint scenery: cute old folks ambling along.
(4)
Angela C.
Dinner review: I believe that National Exemplar acquired a new chef somewhat recently. Lucky for my group, because the meal was great! The biscuit sliders are a must. Everything else was pretty solid- I had the chicken pot pie, which was good and had a lot of solid chunks of chicken. I appreciate that the salads were nicely priced, with a small and large plate option (a lot of pricier restaurants have incredibly over-priced salads!). I thought the house salad was very tasty and fresh. Love the Southeby's side, where it is more casual and you can also order food. Service was friendly and we got in and out in time to catch our movie over at the Mariemont Theater. Again, love the cozy ambiance!
(4)
Chad S.
Our annual tradition on Christmas Eve includes brunch/lunch at the National Exemplar. I know that they are busy for dinner on Christmas Eve, but there rarely is a wait here during the day that's longer than 15 minutes. TIPS: The restaurant staff will look for you in the connected hotel lobby when your table is ready. Don't sit next to the door where the cold air rushes in every time someone arrives. Instead, there are several nooks where you can carry on a quiet conversation in the lobby. There is ample parking available in the surface lot behind and to the side of the building. Check out one of the many locally owned shops around this restaurant. Very good coffee!
(5)
Chelsea C.
It's a good place to have breakfast if you are in the Mariemont area. The atmosphere is nice (they have a patio for summertime) and the service has always been great but it's basically the same food you can get at First Watch. I love First Watch, but there are more convenient locations for me to have their food so I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here for breakfast unless I was already in the area. A good place to stop if you are in Mariemont though!
(3)
Donna H.
Our experience was wonderful. Attentive , polite service. Food was delicious, and presented well. One of my husband's favorite dishes is liver and onions, which you don' find on many menus. It is on the menu at The Exemplar, and he loved it. This is one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)
Kellan C.
This place is just as awesome as mariemont sqare. I finally found a breakfast place in Cincinnati that I enjoy, has a short wait, and is good for groups. They have a full bar so you can get bloody Mary's and/or mimosas. The food was good too. I got the bravado- bacon, avocado, and Monterey jack cheese in a omelet. Not super creative but it was really good. The staff was nice as well. Service was quick and I think the owner is the receptionist. I think that's important because you can see much he cares about the restaurant ass soon as you walk in. I definitely recommend it and I will be back!
(5)
Bob C.
Just returned from a delightful brunch at National Exemplar. Six old friends with a lot to talk about. Service was absolutely great with a very personable server who didn't rush us. She had pre-set the table with water and coffee. The menu was very good and our server informed us that we could order breakfast or lunch. Our food was very good and came with unexpected garnishes. Although the restaurant was busy, we did not feel rushed to leave. The only "con" I would offer is that they should put ice in the drinking water. They serve a carafe of water but it's chill is soon lost. We'll be back.
(4)
Andrew ß.
We had a great breakfast splitting the eggs Benedict and vegetable hash Side of bacon was awesome! Great historical hotel. Great service! I Recommend sitting out side -
(4)
Andrew T.
Did they get a new chef? Over the past few years the quality has improved significantly...along with the prices! Filet was perfection and we fought over the sides of Mac n Cheese. Gotta try it! In the past, our service has been hit or miss (especially in the AM), however it was excellent. They accommodated our 25 person birthday party in the bar area, including our 2 hour cocktail. It was outstanding. Also a great place to stop for drinks and a bite on the outdoor terrace during warmer months. Ask the server to light a fire for you.
(4)
Jocalyn E.
Always good, always consistent. Love their blueberry wheat germ pancakes. Menu has changed some over the year, but still as good as always.
(4)
Sara M.
Totally mediocre and overpriced. I had the flavorless spring vegetable salad and the mussels, which were not bad but not great. The service was slow, but I think only one waitress was working the entire restaurant. I would not eat here again. Disappointing.
(1)
Ben G.
The music here is just too loud. And the music selection is terrible. I chose the National Exemplar as the restaurant for a special dinner with my parents on Thanksgiving Eve. My wife and I are both in our thirties and live in Brooklyn, and were visiting Cincinnati to see my family for Thanksgiving. At the restaurant, we were assaulted by WEBN-style hits from the 1990's, like Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." it was so loud, we could barely hear each other. I will never return until the music issue is dealt with. We asked the staff to turn down the music five times. Each time, the staff barely lowed the volume. They said they couldn't lower it much. When some horrible pop song with a thumping beat and shrieking vocals overwhelmed our conversation for the 10th time, I finally got up and asked for the manager. I was told she was on her way, but she never came. It was 9pm, and most of the people (two tables) in the restaurant were older. No one would have cared had the music been turned down to a reasonable level. It's a shame because the Prime Rib was one of the best I've had, and the rest of the food was quite good. Other issues: There's no liquor list with prices. The waiter gave me his tattered list of available spirits from his waiter book. There is no cocktail list. Overall, the service was pleasant and responsive but the waiters barely checked in on us in the last hour of our meal. Overall, it feels like the dining and bar staff need some adult supervision. It could be a really awesome restaurant, in a great location, and compete with bars and restaurants downtown. But they need to get a different consultant to advise on how to do that...preferably someone with better audio/atmospheric sensibilities and tastes.
(1)
Mark F.
Tim is one if the best restauranteurs in the region. You can study this business for how to run a successful place. The breakfast is Cincinnati's best. The lunch is solid and the rooms and tables of any size make it a top echelon spot for a meeting whether private or semi private. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Sam L.
We love the breakfast food here! The restaurant itself is so cool inside and the food is just as good. There is a wait on Sunday mornings, but it's worth it!
(4)
Paul K.
This is a perfect brunch restaurant when you don't want to go for too upscale nor greasy diner-style breakfast. I think it is one of the few place with a great food, clean restaurant, and cozy atmosphere. The ingredients were very fresh, and they cooked the vegetables inside my breakfast quesadilla - not too raw, not too cooked. My wife enjoyed her egg benedict with turkey. We also craved pancake, so we ordered double stack thinking small-sized pancakes like from IHOP. But it was huge, fluffy, and tasty. I did not have any complaint on service although we were the only one at the patio for a quite time. I got the refills at the right times and did not have problem to receive out server's attention. I cannot speak of lunch or dinner, but it's a perfect restaurant to have a slow brunch in beautiful Mariemont. I assume it will be difficult to get a table outside on sunny Saturdays, though. I will come back when Spring comes back.
(4)
Debbie M.
Searching for a brunch spot in an adorable neighborhood? Look no further than The National Exemplar in Mariemont. Offering classic brunch items it is hard to go wrong when ordering here. Tables and booths are available in their large hotel dining room. You may have to put your name in at the hostess stand but the wait usually goes quickly due to their abundant seating. Today I got a BLTE and ate the whole sandwich (which is rare for me). It was B-acon, bibb L-ettuce, T-omato, fried E-gg, on toast coated with a generous amount of mayo. I thought the mayo was going to be too much but actually it was fabulous and zippy. Delicious. Everyone in our party loved their orders & coffee coffee coffee! Keep it coming , please :) I can recommend the BLTE if you love mayo and we always enjoy their Eggs Benedict. PS. VERY reasonably priced!!!
(4)
JandJ P.
The National Exemplar is a charming restaurant in a charming hotel in a charming village. We had been away from Cincy for a few years, and needed to find out if the National Exemplar still had the best soup in town....and the answer is a big, fat Yes! We ended up getting the mushroom soup here on three separate occasions during our visit in Cincy, and it was every bit as good as remembered. The salted rye is the perfect accompaniment. We were told there is a new chef, formerly of Hugo's in Oakley, and the menu is a bit different than we remember, but in a good way. The food was good, but there is still room for improvement. The wine list is nice and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is perfect for a restaurant situated inside of an historical hotel. The bar area is beautiful, and the wingback chairs next to the fireplace are the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine, perhaps before heading upstairs to one of the surprisingly appointed guest rooms (see Mariemont Inn review).
(4)
Ellie C.
Pinkie fingers up please. At first glance the NE looks kind of stuffy- like a place your grandmother would to take you for tea, however, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was stellar. I went for breakfast on a Saturday and I got the Bacado Omelet. It was FANTASTIC! I've never thought of adding an avocado to eggs, but now I can't stop thinking about it! And the food was prepared quickly, even though we had a large party. I like that they leave water for you at the table- I drink a lot of water and I don't like waiting for someone to come top me off, so that's a little detail I enjoyed. I also like the atmosphere; it's a place that likely gets dressy in the evenings but I felt comfortable in jeans on a Saturday morning. They have outdoor seating, and although it's located on a major road, the way the restaurant is situated feels just as quaint as the rest of Mariemont.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
This is THE place in Mariemont for brunch. I've eaten here several times for brunch, but never for dinner, which I've heard is good. Tucked into the national historic landmark hotel, the decor reflects the decor of the times. It's a bit dark and heavy with lots of wood. I think it's really pretty and cozy, like an old hunting lodge. The entry way has a large chalkboard with the happenings in the village of Mariemont for the day, including the weather, newspapers, and coffee to get you started. I love that! You'll have time to read it while you wait during the busy Sunday brunch time. Ok, on to the food, this is pretty standard brunch fare for Cincinnati. You'll find very similar brunch items at a busy local chain. The food is good and filling, lots of eggs and carbs with a coffee pot that stays on your table, so your cup never runs dry or cold. What more could you want from brunch? This is a good solid choice and I never hesitate to suggest it.
(3)
Laura M.
Best place for brunch on the Eastside, and not too long of a wait. They have all of the usual options like eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. and healthy options too. I LOVE the skillets! It is hash brown potatoes loaded with cheese and two other toppings of your choice. I top mine with bacon and mushrooms. It is a very cute restaurant located inside the Mariemont Inn. It seems a little formal from the outside, but it is very laid back. No need to get dressed up to have your favorite brunch. The meals are a great value...similar prices to chains, but a lot more atmosphere. I've had lunch and dinner here too. It is nice, good value, good options, but the brunch is the best!
(5)
Maureen C.
Dudes. This is glorified Denny's. NOTHING SPECIAL. Go to Annabel's if you want an actually interesting brunch experience.
(2)
Courtney R.
Atmosphere: Mariemont is adorable, and the outdoor seating was great for Sunday brunch. A good place to people watch, watch cars go by, lots of shade with the umbrellas. Like the free coffee while you wait. Service: SNAIL slow. I had friends in town for only a couple of hours on Sunday, and our breakfast took two hours. Waitress was incredibly slow. Water glasses weren't refilled, they seemed to forget about us outside despite the fact it was relatively busy. Not sure if they were understaffed, but at least bring water pitchers around. Food: Terrible. I ordered an egg white omelette with veggies and a side of fruit. There were about two small pieces of tomato and a tiny bit of avocado in it, but the rest was plain egg whites. The "bowl of fresh fruit" was 2 pieces of watermelon and a piece of cantaloupe. I'm not on a diet, I just eat egg whites. Don't charge me $10 for no food. I had to go home and eat again - really frustrating given how cute the restuarant was. I won't be going back. My friends' breakfasts looked and apparently tasted okay, but it wasn't worth the slow service for them. Super disappointed, because I really wanted to like this place.
(2)
Chris H.
Had the bison burger, it was juicy, tender and was slightly crusted on the outside deliciously on the grill, topped with onion straws, jack cheese and trimmings, served with side of fresh friut and only $10! Great atmosphere both at the Inn and restaurant (a second bar off of the Inn lobby), cozy though spread out(so not too noisy) and lively, good drinks, too.
(5)
Sam T.
The food is always very good with a nice selection and something for everyone. I especially enjoy their breakfast which they serve all day. They have great drinks and desserts which are creative and delicious. Prices are great, free parking in the back and the service is always top notch. I would definitely recommend.
(4)
Jessica P.
Apparently this was a weekend for brunches. After church this weekend, we were looking for a place to brunch and my guy had never tried the National Exemplar. So we headed over to Mariemont. There was about a 30 minute wait for brunch around 11:45 on a Sunday morning, which is pretty standard. But they have benches, newspapers, coffee, tea and water for you while you wait. Also, if you are from the Mariemont area, you might run into someone you know! After we were seated, the waiteress was quick to come over to our table and get our drink and food orders. I decided to get the bacado (duh) and he got the eggs benedict with spinach and tomato. Both were delicious and reasonably priced. What more can you want from brunch?
(5)
Jeffrey S.
Always fun to dine here. Sean Daley has done excellent things with the menu.
(4)
Jessica S.
Had hoped to enjoy brunch at Dilly Cafe on a recent Sunday only to find that they weren't open until dinner time -Bummer!. All was not a loss though, since we "discovered" National Exemplar! Neither of us had been and I guess we always thought it was kind of an "older crowd"... this was not the case at all! It was crowded and full of folks of all ages, ha! There was a 30min wait for two of us, but self-seating in the bar area so we saddled up to a high-top table and were enjoying iced tea and gazing over the menu in no time flat! The menu has plenty of options and I settled for the Turkey Dill Crepe -hold the onions- and while I was bummed it came out with what seemed like onion overload, the problem was fixed super quick and the meal was delish! The boy had the eggs benedict, a go-to, and he thought it was good, but nothing special. Overall a good meal and worth a return trip!
(4)
Sandra F.
You must try the breakfast! Absolutely delicious!
(4)
Barbara F.
Great food. Reasonable prices and the food is great. Great service. Beautiful building. We definitely will be returning.
(5)
Ryan W.
The Bacado Omelette is delicious! Perfect omelette: eggs, bacon, monterray jack cheese & avocado with a side of sour cream.
(4)
Linsey G.
Having worked just across the street from National Exemplar for nearly three years, I finally tried it for lunch a few months ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of healthier items on the menu and opted for the Tri-athlete omelette (egg white omelette with sliced mushrooms, onions, tomato and green chiles) served with salsa, a dry english muffin, and fresh fruit. The meal is surprisingly filling, the fruit always as fresh as advertised, and I've always been left satisfied with my choice. The aforementioned is also very reasonably priced. I typically go to this restaurant during lunch and it is necessary that I order, am served, and can eat my meal within my allotted hour-long lunch time. Fortunately, the service is usually very efficient. In short, brunch at National Exemplar is really great. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating atmosphere is even better; probably my favorite part about the restaurant.
(4)
Ann L.
This is one of our favorite places to go with friends. We go on Friday evenings to hear Drew Laplante who sings Folk Rock & Roll for the Soul. He is AMAZING. You feel so relaxed listening to him. The area is adorable. I love the look, almost feel like I'm on vacation somewhere. I prefer out side but the space by the bar is pretty cool too with big chairs and couches, even a fireplace. There is a buffalo on the wall who's eyes seem to follow you. The Happy Hour wine prices are right up my alley. I always order the Exemplar Cheeseburger and it is EXEMPLARY! Another melt in your mouth meal. And the price is right ($9) They have a dessert called Post Mortem with a big brownie, ice cream, hot fudge, and it is humongous. Oh so delicious! You might want to share it with all of your friends or...well, remember the name of it. lol
(5)
Joseph S.
I come here for brunch about one to two times a month. The food and service are always amazing. The atmosphere is also amazing. I usually get biscuits and gravy, and I love them, however it is only a saturday special. I have also had the french toast, no matter which way you get it, it tastes amazing.
(5)
Courtney R.
Atmosphere: Mariemont is adorable, and the outdoor seating was great for Sunday brunch. A good place to people watch, watch cars go by, lots of shade with the umbrellas. Like the free coffee while you wait. Service: SNAIL slow. I had friends in town for only a couple of hours on Sunday, and our breakfast took two hours. Waitress was incredibly slow. Water glasses weren't refilled, they seemed to forget about us outside despite the fact it was relatively busy. Not sure if they were understaffed, but at least bring water pitchers around. Food: Terrible. I ordered an egg white omelette with veggies and a side of fruit. There were about two small pieces of tomato and a tiny bit of avocado in it, but the rest was plain egg whites. The "bowl of fresh fruit" was 2 pieces of watermelon and a piece of cantaloupe. I'm not on a diet, I just eat egg whites. Don't charge me $10 for no food. I had to go home and eat again - really frustrating given how cute the restuarant was. I won't be going back. My friends' breakfasts looked and apparently tasted okay, but it wasn't worth the slow service for them. Super disappointed, because I really wanted to like this place.
(2)
Chris H.
Had the bison burger, it was juicy, tender and was slightly crusted on the outside deliciously on the grill, topped with onion straws, jack cheese and trimmings, served with side of fresh friut and only $10! Great atmosphere both at the Inn and restaurant (a second bar off of the Inn lobby), cozy though spread out(so not too noisy) and lively, good drinks, too.
(5)
Paige M.
National Exemplar is named after the ideals of Mariemont: a city created as the national model community. The 1920's European-style village in the heart of Mariemont includes the restaurant, which opened inside the Mariemont Inn Hotel in 1983. Not your typical hotel eatery, National Exemplar attracts just as many locals as tourists with their excellent cuisine. Must haves: - Spinach artichoke dip with lump crab and pita bread - Asian salmon salad - Bison Burger with spicy slaw, pepperjack, caramelized onions and greens - Carrot cake A few things are hit-or-miss here, the bar being one of them. If it's not a wine or beer on the menu, they'll have difficulty making it. I've also been double-charged for drinks. The mac-n-cheese sounded amazing on the menu; with Gruyere cheese and crumbled crust. It arrived cold and flavorless. It also includes bacon, which was not listed on the menu. My vegetarian friend had to have her order remade. Service is particularly slow as well. We waited 20 minutes for our checks. Our plates were not bussed until the checks arrived. Fortunately, the atmosphere of National Exemplar makes up for its shortcomings. The inside of the establishment feels like a German cottage. Plush seating complete with fireplaces, grand flower bouquets, and European nostalgia. It's a very classy place. I also enjoy the live music on Saturday nights. It's a perfect ambiance for a relaxing evening on the East Side with friends. Price per person: $25.00
(4)
Monika N.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots in Cincinnati. Try the Heartland Frittata - you won't regret it! The decor is a bit... homely. But the service has always been great and the prices are extremely reasonable. One time we were there during a busy Sunday morning and somehow they skipped our name on the waiting list. The manager was extremely apologetic and offered our entire party free bloody marys or mimosas. We've only been there for a meal other than brunch once - we tried their dinner one weekday evening. The food was good, but unmemorable. But what sticks out in my memory is that the waitress brought us a free dessert sampler when she found out that that was our first time eating dinner at the Exemplar. Again - amazing service! It's one of the things that keeps us going back.
(5)
Merlin B.
This was a great place to get great food and first rate service. Unfortunately looks like the entire experienced staff has been replaced with poorly trained people who have no interest in customer service. Numerous visits continue to result in wrong orders, forgotten orders and the continual chorus of servers & runners yelling over the conversation asking who ordered what. Something they should be trained to know. Filtered "warm" water Bitter coffee Food was ok, if and when it made it to the table. Will continue to return in hopes they can get back to the quality and service they were known for..
(1)
Ellie C.
Pinkie fingers up please. At first glance the NE looks kind of stuffy- like a place your grandmother would to take you for tea, however, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was stellar. I went for breakfast on a Saturday and I got the Bacado Omelet. It was FANTASTIC! I've never thought of adding an avocado to eggs, but now I can't stop thinking about it! And the food was prepared quickly, even though we had a large party. I like that they leave water for you at the table- I drink a lot of water and I don't like waiting for someone to come top me off, so that's a little detail I enjoyed. I also like the atmosphere; it's a place that likely gets dressy in the evenings but I felt comfortable in jeans on a Saturday morning. They have outdoor seating, and although it's located on a major road, the way the restaurant is situated feels just as quaint as the rest of Mariemont.
(4)
Jessica P.
Apparently this was a weekend for brunches. After church this weekend, we were looking for a place to brunch and my guy had never tried the National Exemplar. So we headed over to Mariemont. There was about a 30 minute wait for brunch around 11:45 on a Sunday morning, which is pretty standard. But they have benches, newspapers, coffee, tea and water for you while you wait. Also, if you are from the Mariemont area, you might run into someone you know! After we were seated, the waiteress was quick to come over to our table and get our drink and food orders. I decided to get the bacado (duh) and he got the eggs benedict with spinach and tomato. Both were delicious and reasonably priced. What more can you want from brunch?
(5)
Jeffrey S.
Always fun to dine here. Sean Daley has done excellent things with the menu.
(4)
Jessica S.
Had hoped to enjoy brunch at Dilly Cafe on a recent Sunday only to find that they weren't open until dinner time -Bummer!. All was not a loss though, since we "discovered" National Exemplar! Neither of us had been and I guess we always thought it was kind of an "older crowd"... this was not the case at all! It was crowded and full of folks of all ages, ha! There was a 30min wait for two of us, but self-seating in the bar area so we saddled up to a high-top table and were enjoying iced tea and gazing over the menu in no time flat! The menu has plenty of options and I settled for the Turkey Dill Crepe -hold the onions- and while I was bummed it came out with what seemed like onion overload, the problem was fixed super quick and the meal was delish! The boy had the eggs benedict, a go-to, and he thought it was good, but nothing special. Overall a good meal and worth a return trip!
(4)
Sandra F.
You must try the breakfast! Absolutely delicious!
(4)
Sam T.
The food is always very good with a nice selection and something for everyone. I especially enjoy their breakfast which they serve all day. They have great drinks and desserts which are creative and delicious. Prices are great, free parking in the back and the service is always top notch. I would definitely recommend.
(4)
Debbie M.
Searching for a brunch spot in an adorable neighborhood? Look no further than The National Exemplar in Mariemont. Offering classic brunch items it is hard to go wrong when ordering here. Tables and booths are available in their large hotel dining room. You may have to put your name in at the hostess stand but the wait usually goes quickly due to their abundant seating. Today I got a BLTE and ate the whole sandwich (which is rare for me). It was B-acon, bibb L-ettuce, T-omato, fried E-gg, on toast coated with a generous amount of mayo. I thought the mayo was going to be too much but actually it was fabulous and zippy. Delicious. Everyone in our party loved their orders & coffee coffee coffee! Keep it coming , please :) I can recommend the BLTE if you love mayo and we always enjoy their Eggs Benedict. PS. VERY reasonably priced!!!
(4)
JandJ P.
The National Exemplar is a charming restaurant in a charming hotel in a charming village. We had been away from Cincy for a few years, and needed to find out if the National Exemplar still had the best soup in town....and the answer is a big, fat Yes! We ended up getting the mushroom soup here on three separate occasions during our visit in Cincy, and it was every bit as good as remembered. The salted rye is the perfect accompaniment. We were told there is a new chef, formerly of Hugo's in Oakley, and the menu is a bit different than we remember, but in a good way. The food was good, but there is still room for improvement. The wine list is nice and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is perfect for a restaurant situated inside of an historical hotel. The bar area is beautiful, and the wingback chairs next to the fireplace are the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine, perhaps before heading upstairs to one of the surprisingly appointed guest rooms (see Mariemont Inn review).
(4)
Jessi G.
After a less-than-stellar experience the last time I had dinner at The National Exemplar, the management contacted me and asked me to return. I LOVE it when businesses actually pay attention to their customers and receive their feedback graciously, so of course I came back again for dinner. My experience with dinner this time was much better! Justin and I came here on Saturday at 4:30pm because we had accidentally skipped lunch and were HUNGRY. We just strolled right on in, and when I walked in I immediately realized that they weren't open yet (oops!). The manager was nice enough to let us grab a table and a drink, while we waited for the kitchen to open at 5pm. I thought that was very nice hospitality to seat us rather than turning us away. So, like I said, we were super hungry, so we ordered basically one of everything that sounded good. haha We got the squid ink lobster pasta, the potato gnocchi, the filet, a side of brussel sprouts, and the caesar salad to start (YES, I KNOW we are piggies). You get a salad or soup when you order an entree, and let me just take a moment to recommend the Caesar salad. This was by far the most flavorful Caesar I have ever had. If you enjoy salty, briney, cheesy flavors, this is for you! A traditional caesar salad has anchovies, garlic, lemon, dijon mustard, egg yolks, and parmesan. This one was definitely traditional, and for added saltiness they put extra anchovies right in the salad. It was amazing! My fiance was kind of thrown off by the anchovies, but I ate his, so he was all good. haha I'm a true Caesar salad fan, and I'm glad to see this place is making them the old-fashioned way! As far as the pastas, they were good, not great considering the price..I think the squid ink pasta was VERY good, and had a lot of lobster in it. I could have just eaten that pasta for my meal with a Caesar salad. The gnocchi was kind of bland...All I tasted was tomato, and it needed basil or salt/pepper/garlic to make it more well-rounded. Overall, I think the pasta here wasn't as good as other restaurants in Cincinnati (i.e. Sotto, Boca, etc.). The steak was very good and cooked perfectly, but the sides that were served with it were boring and flavorless. The brussel sprouts weren't as crispy as I normally like them, but they were seasoned well. Overall, our service was very good, but we paid $100 for our meal (with two beers), and I felt like I could have paid the same amount at other restaurants and gotten better food. I will be coming back for brunch though, and for that Caesar salad with the squid ink pasta!
(4)
Bob C.
Just returned from a delightful brunch at National Exemplar. Six old friends with a lot to talk about. Service was absolutely great with a very personable server who didn't rush us. She had pre-set the table with water and coffee. The menu was very good and our server informed us that we could order breakfast or lunch. Our food was very good and came with unexpected garnishes. Although the restaurant was busy, we did not feel rushed to leave. The only "con" I would offer is that they should put ice in the drinking water. They serve a carafe of water but it's chill is soon lost. We'll be back.
(4)
Andrew ß.
We had a great breakfast splitting the eggs Benedict and vegetable hash Side of bacon was awesome! Great historical hotel. Great service! I Recommend sitting out side -
(4)
Jackie M.
Solid brunch location! The National Exemplar is set in Mariemont with plenty of seating inside and a small but gorgeous outside patio. We have been here twice for brunch. Both times, I've had the bacado - bacon, avocado and Monterey cheese omelette with home fries and an English muffin. The omelette is great! My only complaint is that it is served with sour cream and salsa, but the salsa is rather bland and pretty much just tastes like tomato juice. My boyfriend enjoys the bacon and onion hash served with eggs and an English muffin. They have many choices, all reasonably priced around $9 or $10. We also tried the mimosas, which are large, well-balanced and only $5.5! There has been a small wait both times we have visited, but you can walk to the Mariemont theatre nearby for tickets or relax and drink complimentary coffee they serve during the wait. I gave them four stars instead of five because the home fries were slightly undercooked last time.
(4)
Jim F.
This is one of my stand-by breakfast places and have enjoyed everything on the menu so far. I will say that my omelet has been overcooked but there are several tasty options on the menu. The dining room is relaxed and I've never felt rushed. I wish they took brunch reservations on the weekend but they do not so go prepared to wait as needed. My only complaint is the waitstaff are sometimes less than stellar. My last visit we asked for water FIVE times before it was finally brought. I checked the bar thinking I could retrieve my own but no one was there at the time. Finally, on the fifth request, we'd asked a different server and then our waiter came a few minutes later with water. Still a good experience but it got to be comical as it seemed the most basic request. Pro tip: the banana crunch pancakes are some of the best around.
(3)
Justin M.
What a bummer. What used to be my go-to restaurant for brunch has started to eek downhill. We arrived about 45 minutes until they closed breakfast, and were seated outside in what must have been Cincinnati's local breeding ground for bees. Literally. We were swarmed by no less than 30 bees at any given time. As I drank my coffee I had to be cautious of one sneaking in while I wasn't paying attention. I would only knock a star off if this was the only problem. The biggest problems came from the uninspired food and drink (whose cost has risen btw) and the lethargic service. How hard is it to cook an omelette? I've ran into so many bad omelette's recently, it pains my heart. This one in particular was dry, burnt, cold, and bland. The potatoes on the side were cold. Everything was just meh, really. The fruit was good, I guess. The Bloody Mary had to just be tomato juice and nothing else. The service was what really stood out as lacking. Considering the time we were in there and the emptiness of the restaurant, I would have expected timelier service. Our waitress was nice as could be but she just wasn't ever around. It took a good 30 minutes to receive some syrup for the pancakes, which became cold as well in this time frame. I'm willing to go back because of the great first experience we had here but I'll be cautious not to order the omelette again and make sure to ask for everything I need for the meal well ahead of time. The saving grace is the historic building it's in, and the nice staff. Oh, and the free coffee through a Yelp deal.
(2)
Debbie P.
I have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years, although I mostly would come here for breakfast, which is always a hit because it is the same as First Watch. However, the other evening we thought we'd try the National Exemplar on a whim. Service was great. We did not order cocktails, but we did have the bread, and I am happy to see that my favorite, the salted rye, was still in the bread basket! I would rather have plain butter rather than the honey-sweetened, especially with the salted rye. I know some people like a sweetened butter, but I find a salted, fresh, creamy butter to be so delicious! Our server was very friendly (although I did have to ask for bread to be brought...not sure why it isn't just standard to bring it or at least, to offer it) and did entice me with the special: a roasted corn and mushroom risotto with a lovely, buttery sauce and a nice piece of snapper. The mushrooms in the risotto had made the entire risotto a less appealing grey color, and the flavor of the mushrooms was very intense...so much that if you didn't remember that there were mushrooms in the dish you would have thought it had gone bad. However, the snapper was very good, and I enjoyed the sauce with it. My son got the grilled branzino, and it was cooked nicely. He also ordered as a side the Brussel Sprouts (a favorite) which looked delicious but were lacking that lovely crispy, browned outside with the tender middle that makes Brussel Sprouts so heavenly. The entire texture of the side dish was soft, as if they had been pre-cooked and then reheated, especially considering how quickly they came to our table. We enjoyed our visit, overall, and it was nice to come back to a favorite spot once again.
(4)
David C.
We've had mixed experiences here before at dinner, but I had breakfast at the National Exemplar again last week and I have to say it was a great meal, topped off with nice level of service. The comfortable ambiance lifts the Exemplar up to 4-star level but I want to try again with wife to see if the food remains excellent. Breakfast tip: try the banana & granola crunch pancakes. They were excellent. BTW Really, really old people love this place, so it must be the combination of price, value, and atmosphere that is the key. I think if we lived anywhere close to Mariemont, we'd be spending our money weekly at the Exemplar.
(3)
Jessi G.
After a less-than-stellar experience the last time I had dinner at The National Exemplar, the management contacted me and asked me to return. I LOVE it when businesses actually pay attention to their customers and receive their feedback graciously, so of course I came back again for dinner. My experience with dinner this time was much better! Justin and I came here on Saturday at 4:30pm because we had accidentally skipped lunch and were HUNGRY. We just strolled right on in, and when I walked in I immediately realized that they weren't open yet (oops!). The manager was nice enough to let us grab a table and a drink, while we waited for the kitchen to open at 5pm. I thought that was very nice hospitality to seat us rather than turning us away. So, like I said, we were super hungry, so we ordered basically one of everything that sounded good. haha We got the squid ink lobster pasta, the potato gnocchi, the filet, a side of brussel sprouts, and the caesar salad to start (YES, I KNOW we are piggies). You get a salad or soup when you order an entree, and let me just take a moment to recommend the Caesar salad. This was by far the most flavorful Caesar I have ever had. If you enjoy salty, briney, cheesy flavors, this is for you! A traditional caesar salad has anchovies, garlic, lemon, dijon mustard, egg yolks, and parmesan. This one was definitely traditional, and for added saltiness they put extra anchovies right in the salad. It was amazing! My fiance was kind of thrown off by the anchovies, but I ate his, so he was all good. haha I'm a true Caesar salad fan, and I'm glad to see this place is making them the old-fashioned way! As far as the pastas, they were good, not great considering the price..I think the squid ink pasta was VERY good, and had a lot of lobster in it. I could have just eaten that pasta for my meal with a Caesar salad. The gnocchi was kind of bland...All I tasted was tomato, and it needed basil or salt/pepper/garlic to make it more well-rounded. Overall, I think the pasta here wasn't as good as other restaurants in Cincinnati (i.e. Sotto, Boca, etc.). The steak was very good and cooked perfectly, but the sides that were served with it were boring and flavorless. The brussel sprouts weren't as crispy as I normally like them, but they were seasoned well. Overall, our service was very good, but we paid $100 for our meal (with two beers), and I felt like I could have paid the same amount at other restaurants and gotten better food. I will be coming back for brunch though, and for that Caesar salad with the squid ink pasta!
(4)
Peter B.
Been here a couple of times. They have an ongoing offer of a free coffee with your purchase of anything else as long as you check in on Yelp while you're there. The coffee and the brunch are good. I've tried most of the things on the brunch menu which are all good. I'll definitely be back at some point. I have friends that are nuts about National Exemplar and swear that this is the best brunch in Cincinnati. Maybe it is the best in Cincinnati, but I've definitely had better many other places around the US. Still, it has a fun, rustic atmosphere and the location on Mariemont Square is great.
(4)
Kimberly K.
The food was excellent as always. The service was very good but just a tad bit unfriendly. The rose for moms for Mothers day was a very nice touch! I had the bacado omelet which was just perfect.
(4)
Megan P.
Like everyone else says - this is THE best brunch place to go and the price is right. I've never had to wait for at table or for food and it comes out right every time I've been (once every couple of months). I also like that you can substitute items in your omelettes or on your eggs Benedict. For example, the waitress actually suggested bacon and avocado instead of roasted turkey and I loved it. And if you're a veggie lover, their veggie omelette is packed with fresh veggies (best I've eaten). I've been there for dinner once as it was recommended by others and it was pretty good. They have a few seasonal options and I love when restaurants try to go seasonal/local - you can taste the freshness. Great portion size (not too much that I feel guilty ordering dessert and not so little that I have to eat my husband's food too). My only tiny complaint was the spring risotto with crab and snow peas was a bit bland in my opinion. And I felt bad asking for salt (not sure if that is a sin in fancy restaurants but I needed it)! Everything else was great! Go!
(4)
Laura S.
Excellent food and coffee. We shared the breakfast quesadilla and a banana pancake, so yummy. Service was pleasant but a little distracted. Nice relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Ben G.
The music here is just too loud. And the music selection is terrible. I chose the National Exemplar as the restaurant for a special dinner with my parents on Thanksgiving Eve. My wife and I are both in our thirties and live in Brooklyn, and were visiting Cincinnati to see my family for Thanksgiving. At the restaurant, we were assaulted by WEBN-style hits from the 1990's, like Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." it was so loud, we could barely hear each other. I will never return until the music issue is dealt with. We asked the staff to turn down the music five times. Each time, the staff barely lowed the volume. They said they couldn't lower it much. When some horrible pop song with a thumping beat and shrieking vocals overwhelmed our conversation for the 10th time, I finally got up and asked for the manager. I was told she was on her way, but she never came. It was 9pm, and most of the people (two tables) in the restaurant were older. No one would have cared had the music been turned down to a reasonable level. It's a shame because the Prime Rib was one of the best I've had, and the rest of the food was quite good. Other issues: There's no liquor list with prices. The waiter gave me his tattered list of available spirits from his waiter book. There is no cocktail list. Overall, the service was pleasant and responsive but the waiters barely checked in on us in the last hour of our meal. Overall, it feels like the dining and bar staff need some adult supervision. It could be a really awesome restaurant, in a great location, and compete with bars and restaurants downtown. But they need to get a different consultant to advise on how to do that...preferably someone with better audio/atmospheric sensibilities and tastes.
(1)
Mark F.
Tim is one if the best restauranteurs in the region. You can study this business for how to run a successful place. The breakfast is Cincinnati's best. The lunch is solid and the rooms and tables of any size make it a top echelon spot for a meeting whether private or semi private. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Paul K.
This is a perfect brunch restaurant when you don't want to go for too upscale nor greasy diner-style breakfast. I think it is one of the few place with a great food, clean restaurant, and cozy atmosphere. The ingredients were very fresh, and they cooked the vegetables inside my breakfast quesadilla - not too raw, not too cooked. My wife enjoyed her egg benedict with turkey. We also craved pancake, so we ordered double stack thinking small-sized pancakes like from IHOP. But it was huge, fluffy, and tasty. I did not have any complaint on service although we were the only one at the patio for a quite time. I got the refills at the right times and did not have problem to receive out server's attention. I cannot speak of lunch or dinner, but it's a perfect restaurant to have a slow brunch in beautiful Mariemont. I assume it will be difficult to get a table outside on sunny Saturdays, though. I will come back when Spring comes back.
(4)
Devon C.
I went to the National Exemplar for brunch recently. It is located in the Mariemont Square and is a really cute spot, almost like a luxurious bed and breakfast. My fiancee ordered the Vegetable Omelet, and since I was in the mood for lunch I ordered the Bison Burger. Both were phenomenal and the portions were very large. It is a little expensive then a lot of the other brunch places in Cincy (in the $$ range), but I think it is well worth it.
(4)
Donna H.
Our experience was wonderful. Attentive , polite service. Food was delicious, and presented well. One of my husband's favorite dishes is liver and onions, which you don' find on many menus. It is on the menu at The Exemplar, and he loved it. This is one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)
Nicholas R.
Had the #CincinnatiBurgerWeek Blue Cheese and Horseradish burger and LOVED it! It was a little small but not unreasonable for $5. It was the smallest burger I had, having had a burger every day of the week, but still the best burger! I wish I had ordered 2!
(5)
Olivia M.
I wasn't all that impressed with this place. I came for brunch and had the French toast because I was told it was amazing...and I can say I've had better. The bacon I had was cooked really well and was way to hard. Just not exactly what I was expecting. I will say the ambiance is nice and the presentation is great! Love the look and feel of the restaurant itself. I kind of forgot I was in Cincinnati.
(3)
Cindy G.
It is with a heavy heart that I must downgrade The National Exemplar from 5 stars down to 3, and even that I feel is being extremely kind based on the service and experience we had yesterday. We decided to return for brunch yesterday afternoon around 1:00pm on one of the nicest days of the year. We sat outside on the gorgeous patio (which I still stand by as one of the nicest and most beautiful in the city). Problem #1: Bees. I know this is not really in the restaurants complete control, but it got to the point where there were at least ten bees swarming around just our table at one time. Our server opened a package of jelly and they attacked that for a while and then got bored and returned. I normally wouldn't bring this up, but like I said it was excessive and clearly a problem for us and both of the tables next to us. It made for a very unpleasant experience. I ordered the Bacado omelette which was a bacon, avocado and cheese omelette. Problem #2: Quality control. On my last visit my omelette was delicious, and fresh. This time around, I could not believe my eyes when my server sat the plate down with a moldy avocado on top of my omelette. I cut into the omelette and there was very little bacon in most parts no bacon at all. The avocado inside was brown in some parts black and mushy. The texture was completely off putting. I dug around to see if any of it was worth saving and then gave up. My boyfriend who will eat almost anything did not even eat it. Despite the lack of fresh ingredients it was severely overcooked. Looking back, I probably should have sent this back and I was really questioning whoever sent this out of the kitchen to begin with. We got the BLT which on the menu sounded incredible: brioche bun with home made basil aioli - yum! What we got was just okay. The lettuce was old, the bacon was mediocre and all together I just felt like I could have thrown this together at home. Side note: I ordered a Bloody Mary and it tasted like water and tomato juice. There was no spice or seasoning to it at all. Also they changed the prices from $4.95 to $6.95. Problem #3: Service. Just because we are at the tail end of brunch does not mean that we do not deserve the same quality service as the 10am crowd. Our server was almost non-existent. I have been a huge advocate for this place and have been telling everyone I know to come here and right now my heart aches because of how disappointing our meal was. If one of these things occurred, sure, okay. But the service, quality of food, and the crazy bee situation together made for a really awful start to our day. I don't think I will be running back here anytime soon.
(3)
Stephen V.
The service is amazing, and the staff do a phenomenal job of making you feel like you're a celeb. I love the star treatment minus the paparazzi. LoL. Amazing place!!!
(5)
Lonnetta P.
I'll give the place a solid 3 stars. Nice little breakfast/brunch place located in Mariemont. The place is easy to find with parking available behind and to the side of the building. The Thursday morning crowd was not too bad. My friend and I were immediately seated inside and offered beverages. Plenty of seating inside, but be sure to take advantage of the cute patio seating when the weather permits. The waitress was welcoming and suggested several crowd favorites. There is something on the menu for everyone to enjoy from pancakes and omelets to granola and chicken sausage. I ordered one of the skillet hashes (breakfast potatoes, onions, cheese, meat of choice with eggs on top). Delicious! It will cost you a little over $8 and comes with bread/english muffin if you like. I did notice the full bar if you want to order a mimosa with brunch. CHEERS! I would love to go back and experience the patio!
(3)
Chelsea C.
It's a good place to have breakfast if you are in the Mariemont area. The atmosphere is nice (they have a patio for summertime) and the service has always been great but it's basically the same food you can get at First Watch. I love First Watch, but there are more convenient locations for me to have their food so I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here for breakfast unless I was already in the area. A good place to stop if you are in Mariemont though!
(3)
Tom B.
Great place to eat. My wife and I had supper then went to the movies at Mariemont Movie Theater. We have eaten here multiple times and have always had great service and great food.
(5)
Sam L.
We love the breakfast food here! The restaurant itself is so cool inside and the food is just as good. There is a wait on Sunday mornings, but it's worth it!
(4)
Shawn M.
As good of a breakfast as can be made. The Mexican wrap was delicious and the bloody marry was delicious.
(5)
Kellan C.
This place is just as awesome as mariemont sqare. I finally found a breakfast place in Cincinnati that I enjoy, has a short wait, and is good for groups. They have a full bar so you can get bloody Mary's and/or mimosas. The food was good too. I got the bravado- bacon, avocado, and Monterey jack cheese in a omelet. Not super creative but it was really good. The staff was nice as well. Service was quick and I think the owner is the receptionist. I think that's important because you can see much he cares about the restaurant ass soon as you walk in. I definitely recommend it and I will be back!
(5)
Bob C.
Just returned from a delightful brunch at National Exemplar. Six old friends with a lot to talk about. Service was absolutely great with a very personable server who didn't rush us. She had pre-set the table with water and coffee. The menu was very good and our server informed us that we could order breakfast or lunch. Our food was very good and came with unexpected garnishes. Although the restaurant was busy, we did not feel rushed to leave. The only "con" I would offer is that they should put ice in the drinking water. They serve a carafe of water but it's chill is soon lost. We'll be back.
(4)
Joanne H.
Love the friendly and accommodating service here. We brought akoya to breakfast and they quickly offered to let us sit outside with her. Aside from the outdoor area being polluted with the car noise, our dining experience was EXEMPLAR!! Today is our 2nd time dining and i think we wont hesitate to dine here again. Freshly squeezed oj is quenching. And i personally love their half turkey sandwich with aioli and soup/salad.
(5)
Andrew ß.
We had a great breakfast splitting the eggs Benedict and vegetable hash Side of bacon was awesome! Great historical hotel. Great service! I Recommend sitting out side -
(4)
Andrew T.
Did they get a new chef? Over the past few years the quality has improved significantly...along with the prices! Filet was perfection and we fought over the sides of Mac n Cheese. Gotta try it! In the past, our service has been hit or miss (especially in the AM), however it was excellent. They accommodated our 25 person birthday party in the bar area, including our 2 hour cocktail. It was outstanding. Also a great place to stop for drinks and a bite on the outdoor terrace during warmer months. Ask the server to light a fire for you.
(4)
Jocalyn E.
Always good, always consistent. Love their blueberry wheat germ pancakes. Menu has changed some over the year, but still as good as always.
(4)
Sara M.
Totally mediocre and overpriced. I had the flavorless spring vegetable salad and the mussels, which were not bad but not great. The service was slow, but I think only one waitress was working the entire restaurant. I would not eat here again. Disappointing.
(1)
Elaine W.
I've been on a brunch streak recently, trying out new places. National Exemplar was on my radar since it is THE brunch spot in Mariemont, and Mariemont is just awesome. Funny even though it's pretty well known, we didn't have to wait at all on a Saturday during peak brunch time. They were popular but had plenty of seating inside and out. I was feeling french toast and heard good things about the toast here, so I went in for it. You can choose sourdough or cinnamon raisin, since I was getting it with the fruit and coconut flakes (do it!), I wanted to balance out the sweet and went for sourdough. Yummm it was perfect. Not too sweet at all, and the bread was a bit chewy, which I liked. Could've been thicker though. My brunch mates enjoyed their dishes: the oatmeal, the eggs benedict. Everything was great and beautifully presented (as brunch should be!). But nothing mind-blowing. It was lovely sitting outside, as you can sit back and enjoy Mariemont's quaint scenery: cute old folks ambling along.
(4)
Angela C.
Dinner review: I believe that National Exemplar acquired a new chef somewhat recently. Lucky for my group, because the meal was great! The biscuit sliders are a must. Everything else was pretty solid- I had the chicken pot pie, which was good and had a lot of solid chunks of chicken. I appreciate that the salads were nicely priced, with a small and large plate option (a lot of pricier restaurants have incredibly over-priced salads!). I thought the house salad was very tasty and fresh. Love the Southeby's side, where it is more casual and you can also order food. Service was friendly and we got in and out in time to catch our movie over at the Mariemont Theater. Again, love the cozy ambiance!
(4)
Chad S.
Our annual tradition on Christmas Eve includes brunch/lunch at the National Exemplar. I know that they are busy for dinner on Christmas Eve, but there rarely is a wait here during the day that's longer than 15 minutes. TIPS: The restaurant staff will look for you in the connected hotel lobby when your table is ready. Don't sit next to the door where the cold air rushes in every time someone arrives. Instead, there are several nooks where you can carry on a quiet conversation in the lobby. There is ample parking available in the surface lot behind and to the side of the building. Check out one of the many locally owned shops around this restaurant. Very good coffee!
(5)
Theresa B.
I'm a regular to this place. I go for the Eggs Benedict and stay for the Bloody Mary. Fantastic place to meet the girls for brunch. The outdoor seating is nice and in Autumn, you can roast marshmallows at the fire.
(4)
Warren H.
Being a restaurant in a hotel, the food was pretty much what you would expect. Well crafted plates, just lacking a little bit of the flavor. Walking in and seeing the decor, I thought the menu was going to be a bit more pretentious and pricier, but it was fairly priced with a decent selection. I had the bacon and onion hash with eggs and my girlfriend claimed that I had "won" over her choice of the vegetable Benedict. We also split a single banana and granola pancake, just because I had to try it out. It was pretty much a dessert after brunch, and I can only imagine how sweet their chocolate chip pancakes are. Would have loved to sit outside, but there was construction and a jackhammer would have dominated any attempt at conversation. We were there before any big crowds, so I have not seen the place in full swing.
(3)
Ron A.
Only five minutes away from the likes of GTA: Madisonville and the forward-thinking Clermont County is the beautiful and enchanting Mariemont, Ohio. This small town is known for its English Tudor Style architecture, gorgeous neighborhoods, and amazing square. At the heart of the town is the Mariemont Inn and its signature restaurant: The National Exemplar. Most people think of brunch when they hear National Exemplar but I go there for its unique and cozy pub. National Exemplar has earned its reputation for having the best brunch in the city. And while I will admit that I like it here, something seems a bit off about their menu. The Bacado Omelette? Skillet Hashes? The Tri-Fecta? Wait, is this First Watch or National Exemplar? Apparently they both have the same owner which means similar menus. It seems a little tawdry to host identical menus at two very different restaurants but I guess that's why I'm Yelping and not owning two successful restaurants. The food is definitely good but in the end it fails to blow my mind like other popular brunch places I've frequented. The main reason I'm giving this establishment four stars is not the actual restaurant or its food but instead the little known bar in the front of the Inn called Southerby's at National Exemplar. This is THE bar to take a girl on a date when visiting Mariemont. The beer and wine selection is diverse and priced well but it's the ambiance that makes this spot a winner. Although small, this bar poses as a veritable English pub with its classic style bar and surrounding tables. In addition, it boasts over-sized chairs and sofas centered around the Inn's original 1920s fireplace. I absolutely love it here! In all, National Exemplar is worth a visit whether you're from Cincinnati or staying at the Mariemont Inn from out of town. Just do yourself a favor and avoid Madisonville and Clermont County at all costs. In fact, if you could parachute into Mariemont from a plane, that may be your best bet! (JK Clermont, I love you! Madisonville, not so much...)
(4)
John B.
After reading many glowing reviews about this place, I really was excited about going to dinner here, but sadly, I was not really impressed. 3, maybe 4 stars for service and ambiance, but 2 for the food, at least what I had. I ordered the Pan Seared Pacific Halibut ($24) - garlic butter, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat, wilted spinach, basil hollandaise sauce. As far as the crab meat goes, the only thing "jumbo" about the dish was the price. If I pay over $20 for an entree, it should really be impressive, and this piece of fish was not really flavorful or anything better than what I could get at a regular chain restaurant. The crab meat was about the size of a pinch, which was a bummer as it was the primary reason I ordered the dish. I was able to sample the Braised Bison Short Ribs ($22) - hoison cherry barbecue sauce, crispy onions, and found that to be a fairly tasty dish. The staff I encountered were very friendly and helpful, and our food was served on time, so the gripes people had with service in the past may have been rectified. I would like to come back for brunch but for now, I'll steer clear of this place. I will give it to NE for being the first place that I've come across that has wooden automatic doors. That was cool.
(2)
Will H.
So this is a rating on their breakfast menu only... they seem to have many wonderful lunch and dinner options and a full bar but we seem to frequent their breakfast most often... I'm going to say it straight up, for a bunch of IU grads they do just ok. Go Boilers! Just kidding, these guys do a fabulous job. They are always busy on the weekends but we've rarely waited more than 20-30minutes and usually less if we only have 3-4 in our party. Their service has always been friendly, attentive and quick even when they were busy. I have yet to order a thing bad on the menu. The Pope John is a great breakfast if you want something a little greasy and delicious. Any of the Fritattas are out of this world in particuar the Sonoran Fritatta is awesome with spicy chorizo and onions and wow. They have these "crepegg" things that are also fabulous. I like the California or the Turkey Dill. I personally think they make the best pancakes in the city. They are huge!! But they dont stop at quantity, they are of outstanding quality, always hot and fluffly. A full order is a meal in itself... they are very willing to just bring you 1 or 2. I am one that loves to order breakfast ala'carte and they are very willing to bring out whatever you want. Excellent! There are a lot of healthy options too that are of the same delicious quality as the others. Veggie Wrap or Tri-athlete omelette which is all egg whites and veggies and salsa... Honestly, if you are on the east side one morning, go to Mariemont square, wander around and have some breakfast at one of the best places in the city. Give me a call, because I will totally be down for a pancake.
(5)
Rob R.
National Exemplar is a cool restaurant in Mariemont. The dining room isn't huge, so if you have a large party, I would recommend getting there early. They pretty much have everything you could want for breakfast, including that Cincinnati staple, Goetta. Oh...and they have a bar, so you can have a Mimosa with your meal. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their food. I certainly did. I would definitely go back!
(4)
Christiaan T.
they have great food but you gotta try the bison burger.......wow
(4)
Chris P.
We were in Cincinnati for business and were in the area so we went to National Exemplar based upon a coworkers suggestion. It is a little hidden so not the easiest place to find but in a very nice area of Marymount. Reviews said they had a superb French Dip sandwich, but it was not on the menu. Perhaps it is only there for their dinner menu and we were there on a Saturday around 11 am. Two of us decided on breakfast items and one decided to have the burger for lunch. The food was well done and tasted great. Nothing appeared to be a food service pre-made special and everyone was happy. The decor is a little dated but it is also some of the charm of the restaurant. I will say the service was great and our server was very helpful and friendly.
(3)
Adolfo N.
Top 3 Brunches I've had since moving to Cincinnati, not much on the menu that isn't delicious. They serve dinner too, but I've only had it once. Breakfast is what keeps me coming back. The hollandaise sauce is my favorite. Decent portions, don't expect to walk away stuffed, just... happy.
(5)
M. J.
At first glance your going to say "I see old people" however, do not be fooled. There is a wide mix of an age bracket and a menu that does not disappoint. Everything from the Basic club sandwich to a wonderful blackened scallop and shrimp fettucini. My suggestion: Dinner, drinks, a little walk, followed by Graeters ice-cream and a movie. Perfect date night in charming Mariemont.
(4)
Adam S.
Just had a great business lunch here as I often do. For environment it's a 5 star. Only putting 4 stars for menu which is nice and similar to a first watch. Servers are great, consistent, and attentive to the amount of "touch" your table needs based on how intense the biz lunch/breakfast may be.
(4)
Chuck H.
Best for breakfast, it gets an extra star for being one of the few places you can get good bloody mary's and mimosas at breakfast. Nice atmosphere.
(4)
Sonam P.
This place has a great atmosphere and looks adorable inside and out. The staff is also friendly and service is prompt. The crepes taste amazing and their menu looks delicious. I do wish they had side dishes as well like soups or salads rather than full meal sizes only. This place is good for a date as the place is very quaint.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
This is THE place in Mariemont for brunch. I've eaten here several times for brunch, but never for dinner, which I've heard is good. Tucked into the national historic landmark hotel, the decor reflects the decor of the times. It's a bit dark and heavy with lots of wood. I think it's really pretty and cozy, like an old hunting lodge. The entry way has a large chalkboard with the happenings in the village of Mariemont for the day, including the weather, newspapers, and coffee to get you started. I love that! You'll have time to read it while you wait during the busy Sunday brunch time. Ok, on to the food, this is pretty standard brunch fare for Cincinnati. You'll find very similar brunch items at a busy local chain. The food is good and filling, lots of eggs and carbs with a coffee pot that stays on your table, so your cup never runs dry or cold. What more could you want from brunch? This is a good solid choice and I never hesitate to suggest it.
(3)
Laura M.
Best place for brunch on the Eastside, and not too long of a wait. They have all of the usual options like eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. and healthy options too. I LOVE the skillets! It is hash brown potatoes loaded with cheese and two other toppings of your choice. I top mine with bacon and mushrooms. It is a very cute restaurant located inside the Mariemont Inn. It seems a little formal from the outside, but it is very laid back. No need to get dressed up to have your favorite brunch. The meals are a great value...similar prices to chains, but a lot more atmosphere. I've had lunch and dinner here too. It is nice, good value, good options, but the brunch is the best!
(5)
Maureen C.
Dudes. This is glorified Denny's. NOTHING SPECIAL. Go to Annabel's if you want an actually interesting brunch experience.
(2)
Stephanie P.
This is my Sunday brunch staple. It's the delicious food, cozy atmosphere and decent prices that keep my coming back. I love everything about this place--from the dark wood and roaring fireplace to the beautiful location in picturesque Mariemont. They also have some great outdoor seating that overlooks the square. You can expect a wait if you don't get there early (before 10:30 ish), but grab some coffee or take a stroll around the square to kill the time--it's crowded for good reason. The food is great, and the prices are affordable. Some of my favorites: the Bacado (served with a side of delicious salsa), the pancakes (fluffy and delicious) and the French toast (cooked to perfection). I've never been here for dinner, and I can only speak to the breakfast menu. But I'm definately planning on trying out their dinner menu soon!
(5)
Sherry T.
My husband and I happened to be near Mariemont yesterday, so we decided to have breakfast at the National Exemplar after reading other Yelp reviewers' comments. I am so glad we went! I had the French toast (sourdough version); it was the best I've ever had. I'm not sure what kind of vanilla they use it in, but it made the toast over-the-top delicious. I also had a side of goetta; it was okay. My husband had a frittata with chorizo, which was very good. Service was excellent and their outside seating is a perfect way to enjoy Mariemont's peaceful setting.
(4)
Amy E.
My husband and I went here for brunch-- he had chosen this place because of the glowing reviews, and we were pretty pleased with the place. Ambiance: Mariemont is such a cute area, and there is a nice outdoor seating area. Indoors, it is the hotel dining room, so it isn't as cute, but still a nice place to eat. Service: A bit slow, but not terrible. Wouldn't add or take away any stars for this. Food: Classic brunch food and very satisfying. I had an Eggs Benedict, which tasted good, though it wasn't the best I have ever had. I enjoyed the selection of fresh fruit that came with it. My husband enjoyed the Traditional Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed his fresh cut breakfast potatoes that came with it. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and would come back.
(4)
Amy V.
We're pretty much there every weekend for brunch. Nice staff, good food, love the atmosphere. See you next weekend!
(4)
Chris C.
Simply PHECKING Phantastic! ======================== We have been to the National Exemplar a few times in the past but not for a year or two. We've always liked the breakfast fare a lot and found the evening meals to be very good but perhaps somewhat bland. Last Friday was a HUGE EXCEPTION. Did they change the chef in the last couple of years? My starter was the Smoked Salmon, which was, I hate to use the word, divine! Anyway I enjoy Liver and Onions and I sometimes order it when I'm out because it's one of those organ meats that just does not look or feel right before its cooked. I ordered the Liver and Onions and found it to be simply excellent! The presentation was perfect and the flavor and texture even better. My wife and friends ordered other stuff (I'm always the only one eating the liver) and I know they said their meals were great but I have no clue what they ordered. The waiter was better than best and it was simply a wonderful evening. We enjoyed each others quirky humor, or at least he was polite and laughed with us! I jest, he was the perfect choice of waiter for our evening out.
(5)
Debbie P.
I have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years, although I mostly would come here for breakfast, which is always a hit because it is the same as First Watch. However, the other evening we thought we'd try the National Exemplar on a whim. Service was great. We did not order cocktails, but we did have the bread, and I am happy to see that my favorite, the salted rye, was still in the bread basket! I would rather have plain butter rather than the honey-sweetened, especially with the salted rye. I know some people like a sweetened butter, but I find a salted, fresh, creamy butter to be so delicious! Our server was very friendly (although I did have to ask for bread to be brought...not sure why it isn't just standard to bring it or at least, to offer it) and did entice me with the special: a roasted corn and mushroom risotto with a lovely, buttery sauce and a nice piece of snapper. The mushrooms in the risotto had made the entire risotto a less appealing grey color, and the flavor of the mushrooms was very intense...so much that if you didn't remember that there were mushrooms in the dish you would have thought it had gone bad. However, the snapper was very good, and I enjoyed the sauce with it. My son got the grilled branzino, and it was cooked nicely. He also ordered as a side the Brussel Sprouts (a favorite) which looked delicious but were lacking that lovely crispy, browned outside with the tender middle that makes Brussel Sprouts so heavenly. The entire texture of the side dish was soft, as if they had been pre-cooked and then reheated, especially considering how quickly they came to our table. We enjoyed our visit, overall, and it was nice to come back to a favorite spot once again.
(4)
Justin M.
What a bummer. What used to be my go-to restaurant for brunch has started to eek downhill. We arrived about 45 minutes until they closed breakfast, and were seated outside in what must have been Cincinnati's local breeding ground for bees. Literally. We were swarmed by no less than 30 bees at any given time. As I drank my coffee I had to be cautious of one sneaking in while I wasn't paying attention. I would only knock a star off if this was the only problem. The biggest problems came from the uninspired food and drink (whose cost has risen btw) and the lethargic service. How hard is it to cook an omelette? I've ran into so many bad omelette's recently, it pains my heart. This one in particular was dry, burnt, cold, and bland. The potatoes on the side were cold. Everything was just meh, really. The fruit was good, I guess. The Bloody Mary had to just be tomato juice and nothing else. The service was what really stood out as lacking. Considering the time we were in there and the emptiness of the restaurant, I would have expected timelier service. Our waitress was nice as could be but she just wasn't ever around. It took a good 30 minutes to receive some syrup for the pancakes, which became cold as well in this time frame. I'm willing to go back because of the great first experience we had here but I'll be cautious not to order the omelette again and make sure to ask for everything I need for the meal well ahead of time. The saving grace is the historic building it's in, and the nice staff. Oh, and the free coffee through a Yelp deal.
(2)
Stephen V.
The service is amazing, and the staff do a phenomenal job of making you feel like you're a celeb. I love the star treatment minus the paparazzi. LoL. Amazing place!!!
(5)
Tom B.
Great place to eat. My wife and I had supper then went to the movies at Mariemont Movie Theater. We have eaten here multiple times and have always had great service and great food.
(5)
Devon C.
I went to the National Exemplar for brunch recently. It is located in the Mariemont Square and is a really cute spot, almost like a luxurious bed and breakfast. My fiancee ordered the Vegetable Omelet, and since I was in the mood for lunch I ordered the Bison Burger. Both were phenomenal and the portions were very large. It is a little expensive then a lot of the other brunch places in Cincy (in the $$ range), but I think it is well worth it.
(4)
Shawn M.
As good of a breakfast as can be made. The Mexican wrap was delicious and the bloody marry was delicious.
(5)
Kellan C.
This place is just as awesome as mariemont sqare. I finally found a breakfast place in Cincinnati that I enjoy, has a short wait, and is good for groups. They have a full bar so you can get bloody Mary's and/or mimosas. The food was good too. I got the bravado- bacon, avocado, and Monterey jack cheese in a omelet. Not super creative but it was really good. The staff was nice as well. Service was quick and I think the owner is the receptionist. I think that's important because you can see much he cares about the restaurant ass soon as you walk in. I definitely recommend it and I will be back!
(5)
Jocalyn E.
Always good, always consistent. Love their blueberry wheat germ pancakes. Menu has changed some over the year, but still as good as always.
(4)
Jackie M.
Solid brunch location! The National Exemplar is set in Mariemont with plenty of seating inside and a small but gorgeous outside patio. We have been here twice for brunch. Both times, I've had the bacado - bacon, avocado and Monterey cheese omelette with home fries and an English muffin. The omelette is great! My only complaint is that it is served with sour cream and salsa, but the salsa is rather bland and pretty much just tastes like tomato juice. My boyfriend enjoys the bacon and onion hash served with eggs and an English muffin. They have many choices, all reasonably priced around $9 or $10. We also tried the mimosas, which are large, well-balanced and only $5.5! There has been a small wait both times we have visited, but you can walk to the Mariemont theatre nearby for tickets or relax and drink complimentary coffee they serve during the wait. I gave them four stars instead of five because the home fries were slightly undercooked last time.
(4)
Peter B.
Been here a couple of times. They have an ongoing offer of a free coffee with your purchase of anything else as long as you check in on Yelp while you're there. The coffee and the brunch are good. I've tried most of the things on the brunch menu which are all good. I'll definitely be back at some point. I have friends that are nuts about National Exemplar and swear that this is the best brunch in Cincinnati. Maybe it is the best in Cincinnati, but I've definitely had better many other places around the US. Still, it has a fun, rustic atmosphere and the location on Mariemont Square is great.
(4)
Kimberly K.
The food was excellent as always. The service was very good but just a tad bit unfriendly. The rose for moms for Mothers day was a very nice touch! I had the bacado omelet which was just perfect.
(4)
Jim F.
This is one of my stand-by breakfast places and have enjoyed everything on the menu so far. I will say that my omelet has been overcooked but there are several tasty options on the menu. The dining room is relaxed and I've never felt rushed. I wish they took brunch reservations on the weekend but they do not so go prepared to wait as needed. My only complaint is the waitstaff are sometimes less than stellar. My last visit we asked for water FIVE times before it was finally brought. I checked the bar thinking I could retrieve my own but no one was there at the time. Finally, on the fifth request, we'd asked a different server and then our waiter came a few minutes later with water. Still a good experience but it got to be comical as it seemed the most basic request. Pro tip: the banana crunch pancakes are some of the best around.
(3)
Olivia M.
I wasn't all that impressed with this place. I came for brunch and had the French toast because I was told it was amazing...and I can say I've had better. The bacon I had was cooked really well and was way to hard. Just not exactly what I was expecting. I will say the ambiance is nice and the presentation is great! Love the look and feel of the restaurant itself. I kind of forgot I was in Cincinnati.
(3)
Nicholas R.
Had the #CincinnatiBurgerWeek Blue Cheese and Horseradish burger and LOVED it! It was a little small but not unreasonable for $5. It was the smallest burger I had, having had a burger every day of the week, but still the best burger! I wish I had ordered 2!
(5)
Lonnetta P.
I'll give the place a solid 3 stars. Nice little breakfast/brunch place located in Mariemont. The place is easy to find with parking available behind and to the side of the building. The Thursday morning crowd was not too bad. My friend and I were immediately seated inside and offered beverages. Plenty of seating inside, but be sure to take advantage of the cute patio seating when the weather permits. The waitress was welcoming and suggested several crowd favorites. There is something on the menu for everyone to enjoy from pancakes and omelets to granola and chicken sausage. I ordered one of the skillet hashes (breakfast potatoes, onions, cheese, meat of choice with eggs on top). Delicious! It will cost you a little over $8 and comes with bread/english muffin if you like. I did notice the full bar if you want to order a mimosa with brunch. CHEERS! I would love to go back and experience the patio!
(3)
Chelsea C.
It's a good place to have breakfast if you are in the Mariemont area. The atmosphere is nice (they have a patio for summertime) and the service has always been great but it's basically the same food you can get at First Watch. I love First Watch, but there are more convenient locations for me to have their food so I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here for breakfast unless I was already in the area. A good place to stop if you are in Mariemont though!
(3)
Donna H.
Our experience was wonderful. Attentive , polite service. Food was delicious, and presented well. One of my husband's favorite dishes is liver and onions, which you don' find on many menus. It is on the menu at The Exemplar, and he loved it. This is one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)
Cindy G.
It is with a heavy heart that I must downgrade The National Exemplar from 5 stars down to 3, and even that I feel is being extremely kind based on the service and experience we had yesterday. We decided to return for brunch yesterday afternoon around 1:00pm on one of the nicest days of the year. We sat outside on the gorgeous patio (which I still stand by as one of the nicest and most beautiful in the city). Problem #1: Bees. I know this is not really in the restaurants complete control, but it got to the point where there were at least ten bees swarming around just our table at one time. Our server opened a package of jelly and they attacked that for a while and then got bored and returned. I normally wouldn't bring this up, but like I said it was excessive and clearly a problem for us and both of the tables next to us. It made for a very unpleasant experience. I ordered the Bacado omelette which was a bacon, avocado and cheese omelette. Problem #2: Quality control. On my last visit my omelette was delicious, and fresh. This time around, I could not believe my eyes when my server sat the plate down with a moldy avocado on top of my omelette. I cut into the omelette and there was very little bacon in most parts no bacon at all. The avocado inside was brown in some parts black and mushy. The texture was completely off putting. I dug around to see if any of it was worth saving and then gave up. My boyfriend who will eat almost anything did not even eat it. Despite the lack of fresh ingredients it was severely overcooked. Looking back, I probably should have sent this back and I was really questioning whoever sent this out of the kitchen to begin with. We got the BLT which on the menu sounded incredible: brioche bun with home made basil aioli - yum! What we got was just okay. The lettuce was old, the bacon was mediocre and all together I just felt like I could have thrown this together at home. Side note: I ordered a Bloody Mary and it tasted like water and tomato juice. There was no spice or seasoning to it at all. Also they changed the prices from $4.95 to $6.95. Problem #3: Service. Just because we are at the tail end of brunch does not mean that we do not deserve the same quality service as the 10am crowd. Our server was almost non-existent. I have been a huge advocate for this place and have been telling everyone I know to come here and right now my heart aches because of how disappointing our meal was. If one of these things occurred, sure, okay. But the service, quality of food, and the crazy bee situation together made for a really awful start to our day. I don't think I will be running back here anytime soon.
(3)
Andrew T.
Did they get a new chef? Over the past few years the quality has improved significantly...along with the prices! Filet was perfection and we fought over the sides of Mac n Cheese. Gotta try it! In the past, our service has been hit or miss (especially in the AM), however it was excellent. They accommodated our 25 person birthday party in the bar area, including our 2 hour cocktail. It was outstanding. Also a great place to stop for drinks and a bite on the outdoor terrace during warmer months. Ask the server to light a fire for you.
(4)
Ben G.
The music here is just too loud. And the music selection is terrible. I chose the National Exemplar as the restaurant for a special dinner with my parents on Thanksgiving Eve. My wife and I are both in our thirties and live in Brooklyn, and were visiting Cincinnati to see my family for Thanksgiving. At the restaurant, we were assaulted by WEBN-style hits from the 1990's, like Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." it was so loud, we could barely hear each other. I will never return until the music issue is dealt with. We asked the staff to turn down the music five times. Each time, the staff barely lowed the volume. They said they couldn't lower it much. When some horrible pop song with a thumping beat and shrieking vocals overwhelmed our conversation for the 10th time, I finally got up and asked for the manager. I was told she was on her way, but she never came. It was 9pm, and most of the people (two tables) in the restaurant were older. No one would have cared had the music been turned down to a reasonable level. It's a shame because the Prime Rib was one of the best I've had, and the rest of the food was quite good. Other issues: There's no liquor list with prices. The waiter gave me his tattered list of available spirits from his waiter book. There is no cocktail list. Overall, the service was pleasant and responsive but the waiters barely checked in on us in the last hour of our meal. Overall, it feels like the dining and bar staff need some adult supervision. It could be a really awesome restaurant, in a great location, and compete with bars and restaurants downtown. But they need to get a different consultant to advise on how to do that...preferably someone with better audio/atmospheric sensibilities and tastes.
(1)
Mark F.
Tim is one if the best restauranteurs in the region. You can study this business for how to run a successful place. The breakfast is Cincinnati's best. The lunch is solid and the rooms and tables of any size make it a top echelon spot for a meeting whether private or semi private. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Sam L.
We love the breakfast food here! The restaurant itself is so cool inside and the food is just as good. There is a wait on Sunday mornings, but it's worth it!
(4)
Paul K.
This is a perfect brunch restaurant when you don't want to go for too upscale nor greasy diner-style breakfast. I think it is one of the few place with a great food, clean restaurant, and cozy atmosphere. The ingredients were very fresh, and they cooked the vegetables inside my breakfast quesadilla - not too raw, not too cooked. My wife enjoyed her egg benedict with turkey. We also craved pancake, so we ordered double stack thinking small-sized pancakes like from IHOP. But it was huge, fluffy, and tasty. I did not have any complaint on service although we were the only one at the patio for a quite time. I got the refills at the right times and did not have problem to receive out server's attention. I cannot speak of lunch or dinner, but it's a perfect restaurant to have a slow brunch in beautiful Mariemont. I assume it will be difficult to get a table outside on sunny Saturdays, though. I will come back when Spring comes back.
(4)
Joanne H.
Love the friendly and accommodating service here. We brought akoya to breakfast and they quickly offered to let us sit outside with her. Aside from the outdoor area being polluted with the car noise, our dining experience was EXEMPLAR!! Today is our 2nd time dining and i think we wont hesitate to dine here again. Freshly squeezed oj is quenching. And i personally love their half turkey sandwich with aioli and soup/salad.
(5)
David C.
We've had mixed experiences here before at dinner, but I had breakfast at the National Exemplar again last week and I have to say it was a great meal, topped off with nice level of service. The comfortable ambiance lifts the Exemplar up to 4-star level but I want to try again with wife to see if the food remains excellent. Breakfast tip: try the banana & granola crunch pancakes. They were excellent. BTW Really, really old people love this place, so it must be the combination of price, value, and atmosphere that is the key. I think if we lived anywhere close to Mariemont, we'd be spending our money weekly at the Exemplar.
(3)
Sara M.
Totally mediocre and overpriced. I had the flavorless spring vegetable salad and the mussels, which were not bad but not great. The service was slow, but I think only one waitress was working the entire restaurant. I would not eat here again. Disappointing.
(1)
Elaine W.
I've been on a brunch streak recently, trying out new places. National Exemplar was on my radar since it is THE brunch spot in Mariemont, and Mariemont is just awesome. Funny even though it's pretty well known, we didn't have to wait at all on a Saturday during peak brunch time. They were popular but had plenty of seating inside and out. I was feeling french toast and heard good things about the toast here, so I went in for it. You can choose sourdough or cinnamon raisin, since I was getting it with the fruit and coconut flakes (do it!), I wanted to balance out the sweet and went for sourdough. Yummm it was perfect. Not too sweet at all, and the bread was a bit chewy, which I liked. Could've been thicker though. My brunch mates enjoyed their dishes: the oatmeal, the eggs benedict. Everything was great and beautifully presented (as brunch should be!). But nothing mind-blowing. It was lovely sitting outside, as you can sit back and enjoy Mariemont's quaint scenery: cute old folks ambling along.
(4)
Angela C.
Dinner review: I believe that National Exemplar acquired a new chef somewhat recently. Lucky for my group, because the meal was great! The biscuit sliders are a must. Everything else was pretty solid- I had the chicken pot pie, which was good and had a lot of solid chunks of chicken. I appreciate that the salads were nicely priced, with a small and large plate option (a lot of pricier restaurants have incredibly over-priced salads!). I thought the house salad was very tasty and fresh. Love the Southeby's side, where it is more casual and you can also order food. Service was friendly and we got in and out in time to catch our movie over at the Mariemont Theater. Again, love the cozy ambiance!
(4)
Chad S.
Our annual tradition on Christmas Eve includes brunch/lunch at the National Exemplar. I know that they are busy for dinner on Christmas Eve, but there rarely is a wait here during the day that's longer than 15 minutes. TIPS: The restaurant staff will look for you in the connected hotel lobby when your table is ready. Don't sit next to the door where the cold air rushes in every time someone arrives. Instead, there are several nooks where you can carry on a quiet conversation in the lobby. There is ample parking available in the surface lot behind and to the side of the building. Check out one of the many locally owned shops around this restaurant. Very good coffee!
(5)
Theresa B.
I'm a regular to this place. I go for the Eggs Benedict and stay for the Bloody Mary. Fantastic place to meet the girls for brunch. The outdoor seating is nice and in Autumn, you can roast marshmallows at the fire.
(4)
Warren H.
Being a restaurant in a hotel, the food was pretty much what you would expect. Well crafted plates, just lacking a little bit of the flavor. Walking in and seeing the decor, I thought the menu was going to be a bit more pretentious and pricier, but it was fairly priced with a decent selection. I had the bacon and onion hash with eggs and my girlfriend claimed that I had "won" over her choice of the vegetable Benedict. We also split a single banana and granola pancake, just because I had to try it out. It was pretty much a dessert after brunch, and I can only imagine how sweet their chocolate chip pancakes are. Would have loved to sit outside, but there was construction and a jackhammer would have dominated any attempt at conversation. We were there before any big crowds, so I have not seen the place in full swing.
(3)
Megan P.
Like everyone else says - this is THE best brunch place to go and the price is right. I've never had to wait for at table or for food and it comes out right every time I've been (once every couple of months). I also like that you can substitute items in your omelettes or on your eggs Benedict. For example, the waitress actually suggested bacon and avocado instead of roasted turkey and I loved it. And if you're a veggie lover, their veggie omelette is packed with fresh veggies (best I've eaten). I've been there for dinner once as it was recommended by others and it was pretty good. They have a few seasonal options and I love when restaurants try to go seasonal/local - you can taste the freshness. Great portion size (not too much that I feel guilty ordering dessert and not so little that I have to eat my husband's food too). My only tiny complaint was the spring risotto with crab and snow peas was a bit bland in my opinion. And I felt bad asking for salt (not sure if that is a sin in fancy restaurants but I needed it)! Everything else was great! Go!
(4)
Laura S.
Excellent food and coffee. We shared the breakfast quesadilla and a banana pancake, so yummy. Service was pleasant but a little distracted. Nice relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
Sherry T.
My husband and I happened to be near Mariemont yesterday, so we decided to have breakfast at the National Exemplar after reading other Yelp reviewers' comments. I am so glad we went! I had the French toast (sourdough version); it was the best I've ever had. I'm not sure what kind of vanilla they use it in, but it made the toast over-the-top delicious. I also had a side of goetta; it was okay. My husband had a frittata with chorizo, which was very good. Service was excellent and their outside seating is a perfect way to enjoy Mariemont's peaceful setting.
(4)
Merlin B.
This was a great place to get great food and first rate service. Unfortunately looks like the entire experienced staff has been replaced with poorly trained people who have no interest in customer service. Numerous visits continue to result in wrong orders, forgotten orders and the continual chorus of servers & runners yelling over the conversation asking who ordered what. Something they should be trained to know. Filtered "warm" water Bitter coffee Food was ok, if and when it made it to the table. Will continue to return in hopes they can get back to the quality and service they were known for..
(1)
Amy E.
My husband and I went here for brunch-- he had chosen this place because of the glowing reviews, and we were pretty pleased with the place. Ambiance: Mariemont is such a cute area, and there is a nice outdoor seating area. Indoors, it is the hotel dining room, so it isn't as cute, but still a nice place to eat. Service: A bit slow, but not terrible. Wouldn't add or take away any stars for this. Food: Classic brunch food and very satisfying. I had an Eggs Benedict, which tasted good, though it wasn't the best I have ever had. I enjoyed the selection of fresh fruit that came with it. My husband enjoyed the Traditional Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed his fresh cut breakfast potatoes that came with it. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and would come back.
(4)
Ron A.
Only five minutes away from the likes of GTA: Madisonville and the forward-thinking Clermont County is the beautiful and enchanting Mariemont, Ohio. This small town is known for its English Tudor Style architecture, gorgeous neighborhoods, and amazing square. At the heart of the town is the Mariemont Inn and its signature restaurant: The National Exemplar. Most people think of brunch when they hear National Exemplar but I go there for its unique and cozy pub. National Exemplar has earned its reputation for having the best brunch in the city. And while I will admit that I like it here, something seems a bit off about their menu. The Bacado Omelette? Skillet Hashes? The Tri-Fecta? Wait, is this First Watch or National Exemplar? Apparently they both have the same owner which means similar menus. It seems a little tawdry to host identical menus at two very different restaurants but I guess that's why I'm Yelping and not owning two successful restaurants. The food is definitely good but in the end it fails to blow my mind like other popular brunch places I've frequented. The main reason I'm giving this establishment four stars is not the actual restaurant or its food but instead the little known bar in the front of the Inn called Southerby's at National Exemplar. This is THE bar to take a girl on a date when visiting Mariemont. The beer and wine selection is diverse and priced well but it's the ambiance that makes this spot a winner. Although small, this bar poses as a veritable English pub with its classic style bar and surrounding tables. In addition, it boasts over-sized chairs and sofas centered around the Inn's original 1920s fireplace. I absolutely love it here! In all, National Exemplar is worth a visit whether you're from Cincinnati or staying at the Mariemont Inn from out of town. Just do yourself a favor and avoid Madisonville and Clermont County at all costs. In fact, if you could parachute into Mariemont from a plane, that may be your best bet! (JK Clermont, I love you! Madisonville, not so much...)
(4)
Ryan W.
The Bacado Omelette is delicious! Perfect omelette: eggs, bacon, monterray jack cheese & avocado with a side of sour cream.
(4)
Barbara F.
Great food. Reasonable prices and the food is great. Great service. Beautiful building. We definitely will be returning.
(5)
John B.
After reading many glowing reviews about this place, I really was excited about going to dinner here, but sadly, I was not really impressed. 3, maybe 4 stars for service and ambiance, but 2 for the food, at least what I had. I ordered the Pan Seared Pacific Halibut ($24) - garlic butter, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat, wilted spinach, basil hollandaise sauce. As far as the crab meat goes, the only thing "jumbo" about the dish was the price. If I pay over $20 for an entree, it should really be impressive, and this piece of fish was not really flavorful or anything better than what I could get at a regular chain restaurant. The crab meat was about the size of a pinch, which was a bummer as it was the primary reason I ordered the dish. I was able to sample the Braised Bison Short Ribs ($22) - hoison cherry barbecue sauce, crispy onions, and found that to be a fairly tasty dish. The staff I encountered were very friendly and helpful, and our food was served on time, so the gripes people had with service in the past may have been rectified. I would like to come back for brunch but for now, I'll steer clear of this place. I will give it to NE for being the first place that I've come across that has wooden automatic doors. That was cool.
(2)
Amy V.
We're pretty much there every weekend for brunch. Nice staff, good food, love the atmosphere. See you next weekend!
(4)
Chris C.
Simply PHECKING Phantastic! ======================== We have been to the National Exemplar a few times in the past but not for a year or two. We've always liked the breakfast fare a lot and found the evening meals to be very good but perhaps somewhat bland. Last Friday was a HUGE EXCEPTION. Did they change the chef in the last couple of years? My starter was the Smoked Salmon, which was, I hate to use the word, divine! Anyway I enjoy Liver and Onions and I sometimes order it when I'm out because it's one of those organ meats that just does not look or feel right before its cooked. I ordered the Liver and Onions and found it to be simply excellent! The presentation was perfect and the flavor and texture even better. My wife and friends ordered other stuff (I'm always the only one eating the liver) and I know they said their meals were great but I have no clue what they ordered. The waiter was better than best and it was simply a wonderful evening. We enjoyed each others quirky humor, or at least he was polite and laughed with us! I jest, he was the perfect choice of waiter for our evening out.
(5)
Linsey G.
Having worked just across the street from National Exemplar for nearly three years, I finally tried it for lunch a few months ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of healthier items on the menu and opted for the Tri-athlete omelette (egg white omelette with sliced mushrooms, onions, tomato and green chiles) served with salsa, a dry english muffin, and fresh fruit. The meal is surprisingly filling, the fruit always as fresh as advertised, and I've always been left satisfied with my choice. The aforementioned is also very reasonably priced. I typically go to this restaurant during lunch and it is necessary that I order, am served, and can eat my meal within my allotted hour-long lunch time. Fortunately, the service is usually very efficient. In short, brunch at National Exemplar is really great. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating atmosphere is even better; probably my favorite part about the restaurant.
(4)
Ann L.
This is one of our favorite places to go with friends. We go on Friday evenings to hear Drew Laplante who sings Folk Rock & Roll for the Soul. He is AMAZING. You feel so relaxed listening to him. The area is adorable. I love the look, almost feel like I'm on vacation somewhere. I prefer out side but the space by the bar is pretty cool too with big chairs and couches, even a fireplace. There is a buffalo on the wall who's eyes seem to follow you. The Happy Hour wine prices are right up my alley. I always order the Exemplar Cheeseburger and it is EXEMPLARY! Another melt in your mouth meal. And the price is right ($9) They have a dessert called Post Mortem with a big brownie, ice cream, hot fudge, and it is humongous. Oh so delicious! You might want to share it with all of your friends or...well, remember the name of it. lol
(5)
Joseph S.
I come here for brunch about one to two times a month. The food and service are always amazing. The atmosphere is also amazing. I usually get biscuits and gravy, and I love them, however it is only a saturday special. I have also had the french toast, no matter which way you get it, it tastes amazing.
(5)
Paige M.
National Exemplar is named after the ideals of Mariemont: a city created as the national model community. The 1920's European-style village in the heart of Mariemont includes the restaurant, which opened inside the Mariemont Inn Hotel in 1983. Not your typical hotel eatery, National Exemplar attracts just as many locals as tourists with their excellent cuisine. Must haves: - Spinach artichoke dip with lump crab and pita bread - Asian salmon salad - Bison Burger with spicy slaw, pepperjack, caramelized onions and greens - Carrot cake A few things are hit-or-miss here, the bar being one of them. If it's not a wine or beer on the menu, they'll have difficulty making it. I've also been double-charged for drinks. The mac-n-cheese sounded amazing on the menu; with Gruyere cheese and crumbled crust. It arrived cold and flavorless. It also includes bacon, which was not listed on the menu. My vegetarian friend had to have her order remade. Service is particularly slow as well. We waited 20 minutes for our checks. Our plates were not bussed until the checks arrived. Fortunately, the atmosphere of National Exemplar makes up for its shortcomings. The inside of the establishment feels like a German cottage. Plush seating complete with fireplaces, grand flower bouquets, and European nostalgia. It's a very classy place. I also enjoy the live music on Saturday nights. It's a perfect ambiance for a relaxing evening on the East Side with friends. Price per person: $25.00
(4)
Monika N.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots in Cincinnati. Try the Heartland Frittata - you won't regret it! The decor is a bit... homely. But the service has always been great and the prices are extremely reasonable. One time we were there during a busy Sunday morning and somehow they skipped our name on the waiting list. The manager was extremely apologetic and offered our entire party free bloody marys or mimosas. We've only been there for a meal other than brunch once - we tried their dinner one weekday evening. The food was good, but unmemorable. But what sticks out in my memory is that the waitress brought us a free dessert sampler when she found out that that was our first time eating dinner at the Exemplar. Again - amazing service! It's one of the things that keeps us going back.
(5)
Courtney R.
Atmosphere: Mariemont is adorable, and the outdoor seating was great for Sunday brunch. A good place to people watch, watch cars go by, lots of shade with the umbrellas. Like the free coffee while you wait. Service: SNAIL slow. I had friends in town for only a couple of hours on Sunday, and our breakfast took two hours. Waitress was incredibly slow. Water glasses weren't refilled, they seemed to forget about us outside despite the fact it was relatively busy. Not sure if they were understaffed, but at least bring water pitchers around. Food: Terrible. I ordered an egg white omelette with veggies and a side of fruit. There were about two small pieces of tomato and a tiny bit of avocado in it, but the rest was plain egg whites. The "bowl of fresh fruit" was 2 pieces of watermelon and a piece of cantaloupe. I'm not on a diet, I just eat egg whites. Don't charge me $10 for no food. I had to go home and eat again - really frustrating given how cute the restuarant was. I won't be going back. My friends' breakfasts looked and apparently tasted okay, but it wasn't worth the slow service for them. Super disappointed, because I really wanted to like this place.
(2)
Chris H.
Had the bison burger, it was juicy, tender and was slightly crusted on the outside deliciously on the grill, topped with onion straws, jack cheese and trimmings, served with side of fresh friut and only $10! Great atmosphere both at the Inn and restaurant (a second bar off of the Inn lobby), cozy though spread out(so not too noisy) and lively, good drinks, too.
(5)
Sam T.
The food is always very good with a nice selection and something for everyone. I especially enjoy their breakfast which they serve all day. They have great drinks and desserts which are creative and delicious. Prices are great, free parking in the back and the service is always top notch. I would definitely recommend.
(4)
Debbie M.
Searching for a brunch spot in an adorable neighborhood? Look no further than The National Exemplar in Mariemont. Offering classic brunch items it is hard to go wrong when ordering here. Tables and booths are available in their large hotel dining room. You may have to put your name in at the hostess stand but the wait usually goes quickly due to their abundant seating. Today I got a BLTE and ate the whole sandwich (which is rare for me). It was B-acon, bibb L-ettuce, T-omato, fried E-gg, on toast coated with a generous amount of mayo. I thought the mayo was going to be too much but actually it was fabulous and zippy. Delicious. Everyone in our party loved their orders & coffee coffee coffee! Keep it coming , please :) I can recommend the BLTE if you love mayo and we always enjoy their Eggs Benedict. PS. VERY reasonably priced!!!
(4)
JandJ P.
The National Exemplar is a charming restaurant in a charming hotel in a charming village. We had been away from Cincy for a few years, and needed to find out if the National Exemplar still had the best soup in town....and the answer is a big, fat Yes! We ended up getting the mushroom soup here on three separate occasions during our visit in Cincy, and it was every bit as good as remembered. The salted rye is the perfect accompaniment. We were told there is a new chef, formerly of Hugo's in Oakley, and the menu is a bit different than we remember, but in a good way. The food was good, but there is still room for improvement. The wine list is nice and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is perfect for a restaurant situated inside of an historical hotel. The bar area is beautiful, and the wingback chairs next to the fireplace are the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine, perhaps before heading upstairs to one of the surprisingly appointed guest rooms (see Mariemont Inn review).
(4)
Ellie C.
Pinkie fingers up please. At first glance the NE looks kind of stuffy- like a place your grandmother would to take you for tea, however, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was stellar. I went for breakfast on a Saturday and I got the Bacado Omelet. It was FANTASTIC! I've never thought of adding an avocado to eggs, but now I can't stop thinking about it! And the food was prepared quickly, even though we had a large party. I like that they leave water for you at the table- I drink a lot of water and I don't like waiting for someone to come top me off, so that's a little detail I enjoyed. I also like the atmosphere; it's a place that likely gets dressy in the evenings but I felt comfortable in jeans on a Saturday morning. They have outdoor seating, and although it's located on a major road, the way the restaurant is situated feels just as quaint as the rest of Mariemont.
(4)
Jessica P.
Apparently this was a weekend for brunches. After church this weekend, we were looking for a place to brunch and my guy had never tried the National Exemplar. So we headed over to Mariemont. There was about a 30 minute wait for brunch around 11:45 on a Sunday morning, which is pretty standard. But they have benches, newspapers, coffee, tea and water for you while you wait. Also, if you are from the Mariemont area, you might run into someone you know! After we were seated, the waiteress was quick to come over to our table and get our drink and food orders. I decided to get the bacado (duh) and he got the eggs benedict with spinach and tomato. Both were delicious and reasonably priced. What more can you want from brunch?
(5)
Jeffrey S.
Always fun to dine here. Sean Daley has done excellent things with the menu.
(4)
Jessica S.
Had hoped to enjoy brunch at Dilly Cafe on a recent Sunday only to find that they weren't open until dinner time -Bummer!. All was not a loss though, since we "discovered" National Exemplar! Neither of us had been and I guess we always thought it was kind of an "older crowd"... this was not the case at all! It was crowded and full of folks of all ages, ha! There was a 30min wait for two of us, but self-seating in the bar area so we saddled up to a high-top table and were enjoying iced tea and gazing over the menu in no time flat! The menu has plenty of options and I settled for the Turkey Dill Crepe -hold the onions- and while I was bummed it came out with what seemed like onion overload, the problem was fixed super quick and the meal was delish! The boy had the eggs benedict, a go-to, and he thought it was good, but nothing special. Overall a good meal and worth a return trip!
(4)
Sandra F.
You must try the breakfast! Absolutely delicious!
(4)
Will H.
So this is a rating on their breakfast menu only... they seem to have many wonderful lunch and dinner options and a full bar but we seem to frequent their breakfast most often... I'm going to say it straight up, for a bunch of IU grads they do just ok. Go Boilers! Just kidding, these guys do a fabulous job. They are always busy on the weekends but we've rarely waited more than 20-30minutes and usually less if we only have 3-4 in our party. Their service has always been friendly, attentive and quick even when they were busy. I have yet to order a thing bad on the menu. The Pope John is a great breakfast if you want something a little greasy and delicious. Any of the Fritattas are out of this world in particuar the Sonoran Fritatta is awesome with spicy chorizo and onions and wow. They have these "crepegg" things that are also fabulous. I like the California or the Turkey Dill. I personally think they make the best pancakes in the city. They are huge!! But they dont stop at quantity, they are of outstanding quality, always hot and fluffly. A full order is a meal in itself... they are very willing to just bring you 1 or 2. I am one that loves to order breakfast ala'carte and they are very willing to bring out whatever you want. Excellent! There are a lot of healthy options too that are of the same delicious quality as the others. Veggie Wrap or Tri-athlete omelette which is all egg whites and veggies and salsa... Honestly, if you are on the east side one morning, go to Mariemont square, wander around and have some breakfast at one of the best places in the city. Give me a call, because I will totally be down for a pancake.
(5)
Rob R.
National Exemplar is a cool restaurant in Mariemont. The dining room isn't huge, so if you have a large party, I would recommend getting there early. They pretty much have everything you could want for breakfast, including that Cincinnati staple, Goetta. Oh...and they have a bar, so you can have a Mimosa with your meal. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their food. I certainly did. I would definitely go back!
(4)
Christiaan T.
they have great food but you gotta try the bison burger.......wow
(4)
Chris P.
We were in Cincinnati for business and were in the area so we went to National Exemplar based upon a coworkers suggestion. It is a little hidden so not the easiest place to find but in a very nice area of Marymount. Reviews said they had a superb French Dip sandwich, but it was not on the menu. Perhaps it is only there for their dinner menu and we were there on a Saturday around 11 am. Two of us decided on breakfast items and one decided to have the burger for lunch. The food was well done and tasted great. Nothing appeared to be a food service pre-made special and everyone was happy. The decor is a little dated but it is also some of the charm of the restaurant. I will say the service was great and our server was very helpful and friendly.
(3)
Adolfo N.
Top 3 Brunches I've had since moving to Cincinnati, not much on the menu that isn't delicious. They serve dinner too, but I've only had it once. Breakfast is what keeps me coming back. The hollandaise sauce is my favorite. Decent portions, don't expect to walk away stuffed, just... happy.
(5)
Chuck H.
Best for breakfast, it gets an extra star for being one of the few places you can get good bloody mary's and mimosas at breakfast. Nice atmosphere.
(4)
Sonam P.
This place has a great atmosphere and looks adorable inside and out. The staff is also friendly and service is prompt. The crepes taste amazing and their menu looks delicious. I do wish they had side dishes as well like soups or salads rather than full meal sizes only. This place is good for a date as the place is very quaint.
(4)
M. J.
At first glance your going to say "I see old people" however, do not be fooled. There is a wide mix of an age bracket and a menu that does not disappoint. Everything from the Basic club sandwich to a wonderful blackened scallop and shrimp fettucini. My suggestion: Dinner, drinks, a little walk, followed by Graeters ice-cream and a movie. Perfect date night in charming Mariemont.
(4)
Adam S.
Just had a great business lunch here as I often do. For environment it's a 5 star. Only putting 4 stars for menu which is nice and similar to a first watch. Servers are great, consistent, and attentive to the amount of "touch" your table needs based on how intense the biz lunch/breakfast may be.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
This is THE place in Mariemont for brunch. I've eaten here several times for brunch, but never for dinner, which I've heard is good. Tucked into the national historic landmark hotel, the decor reflects the decor of the times. It's a bit dark and heavy with lots of wood. I think it's really pretty and cozy, like an old hunting lodge. The entry way has a large chalkboard with the happenings in the village of Mariemont for the day, including the weather, newspapers, and coffee to get you started. I love that! You'll have time to read it while you wait during the busy Sunday brunch time. Ok, on to the food, this is pretty standard brunch fare for Cincinnati. You'll find very similar brunch items at a busy local chain. The food is good and filling, lots of eggs and carbs with a coffee pot that stays on your table, so your cup never runs dry or cold. What more could you want from brunch? This is a good solid choice and I never hesitate to suggest it.
(3)
Laura M.
Best place for brunch on the Eastside, and not too long of a wait. They have all of the usual options like eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. and healthy options too. I LOVE the skillets! It is hash brown potatoes loaded with cheese and two other toppings of your choice. I top mine with bacon and mushrooms. It is a very cute restaurant located inside the Mariemont Inn. It seems a little formal from the outside, but it is very laid back. No need to get dressed up to have your favorite brunch. The meals are a great value...similar prices to chains, but a lot more atmosphere. I've had lunch and dinner here too. It is nice, good value, good options, but the brunch is the best!
(5)
Maureen C.
Dudes. This is glorified Denny's. NOTHING SPECIAL. Go to Annabel's if you want an actually interesting brunch experience.
(2)
Stephanie P.
This is my Sunday brunch staple. It's the delicious food, cozy atmosphere and decent prices that keep my coming back. I love everything about this place--from the dark wood and roaring fireplace to the beautiful location in picturesque Mariemont. They also have some great outdoor seating that overlooks the square. You can expect a wait if you don't get there early (before 10:30 ish), but grab some coffee or take a stroll around the square to kill the time--it's crowded for good reason. The food is great, and the prices are affordable. Some of my favorites: the Bacado (served with a side of delicious salsa), the pancakes (fluffy and delicious) and the French toast (cooked to perfection). I've never been here for dinner, and I can only speak to the breakfast menu. But I'm definately planning on trying out their dinner menu soon!
(5)
Jessi G.
After a less-than-stellar experience the last time I had dinner at The National Exemplar, the management contacted me and asked me to return. I LOVE it when businesses actually pay attention to their customers and receive their feedback graciously, so of course I came back again for dinner. My experience with dinner this time was much better! Justin and I came here on Saturday at 4:30pm because we had accidentally skipped lunch and were HUNGRY. We just strolled right on in, and when I walked in I immediately realized that they weren't open yet (oops!). The manager was nice enough to let us grab a table and a drink, while we waited for the kitchen to open at 5pm. I thought that was very nice hospitality to seat us rather than turning us away. So, like I said, we were super hungry, so we ordered basically one of everything that sounded good. haha We got the squid ink lobster pasta, the potato gnocchi, the filet, a side of brussel sprouts, and the caesar salad to start (YES, I KNOW we are piggies). You get a salad or soup when you order an entree, and let me just take a moment to recommend the Caesar salad. This was by far the most flavorful Caesar I have ever had. If you enjoy salty, briney, cheesy flavors, this is for you! A traditional caesar salad has anchovies, garlic, lemon, dijon mustard, egg yolks, and parmesan. This one was definitely traditional, and for added saltiness they put extra anchovies right in the salad. It was amazing! My fiance was kind of thrown off by the anchovies, but I ate his, so he was all good. haha I'm a true Caesar salad fan, and I'm glad to see this place is making them the old-fashioned way! As far as the pastas, they were good, not great considering the price..I think the squid ink pasta was VERY good, and had a lot of lobster in it. I could have just eaten that pasta for my meal with a Caesar salad. The gnocchi was kind of bland...All I tasted was tomato, and it needed basil or salt/pepper/garlic to make it more well-rounded. Overall, I think the pasta here wasn't as good as other restaurants in Cincinnati (i.e. Sotto, Boca, etc.). The steak was very good and cooked perfectly, but the sides that were served with it were boring and flavorless. The brussel sprouts weren't as crispy as I normally like them, but they were seasoned well. Overall, our service was very good, but we paid $100 for our meal (with two beers), and I felt like I could have paid the same amount at other restaurants and gotten better food. I will be coming back for brunch though, and for that Caesar salad with the squid ink pasta!
(4)
David C.
We've had mixed experiences here before at dinner, but I had breakfast at the National Exemplar again last week and I have to say it was a great meal, topped off with nice level of service. The comfortable ambiance lifts the Exemplar up to 4-star level but I want to try again with wife to see if the food remains excellent. Breakfast tip: try the banana & granola crunch pancakes. They were excellent. BTW Really, really old people love this place, so it must be the combination of price, value, and atmosphere that is the key. I think if we lived anywhere close to Mariemont, we'd be spending our money weekly at the Exemplar.
(3)
Debbie P.
I have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years, although I mostly would come here for breakfast, which is always a hit because it is the same as First Watch. However, the other evening we thought we'd try the National Exemplar on a whim. Service was great. We did not order cocktails, but we did have the bread, and I am happy to see that my favorite, the salted rye, was still in the bread basket! I would rather have plain butter rather than the honey-sweetened, especially with the salted rye. I know some people like a sweetened butter, but I find a salted, fresh, creamy butter to be so delicious! Our server was very friendly (although I did have to ask for bread to be brought...not sure why it isn't just standard to bring it or at least, to offer it) and did entice me with the special: a roasted corn and mushroom risotto with a lovely, buttery sauce and a nice piece of snapper. The mushrooms in the risotto had made the entire risotto a less appealing grey color, and the flavor of the mushrooms was very intense...so much that if you didn't remember that there were mushrooms in the dish you would have thought it had gone bad. However, the snapper was very good, and I enjoyed the sauce with it. My son got the grilled branzino, and it was cooked nicely. He also ordered as a side the Brussel Sprouts (a favorite) which looked delicious but were lacking that lovely crispy, browned outside with the tender middle that makes Brussel Sprouts so heavenly. The entire texture of the side dish was soft, as if they had been pre-cooked and then reheated, especially considering how quickly they came to our table. We enjoyed our visit, overall, and it was nice to come back to a favorite spot once again.
(4)
Justin M.
What a bummer. What used to be my go-to restaurant for brunch has started to eek downhill. We arrived about 45 minutes until they closed breakfast, and were seated outside in what must have been Cincinnati's local breeding ground for bees. Literally. We were swarmed by no less than 30 bees at any given time. As I drank my coffee I had to be cautious of one sneaking in while I wasn't paying attention. I would only knock a star off if this was the only problem. The biggest problems came from the uninspired food and drink (whose cost has risen btw) and the lethargic service. How hard is it to cook an omelette? I've ran into so many bad omelette's recently, it pains my heart. This one in particular was dry, burnt, cold, and bland. The potatoes on the side were cold. Everything was just meh, really. The fruit was good, I guess. The Bloody Mary had to just be tomato juice and nothing else. The service was what really stood out as lacking. Considering the time we were in there and the emptiness of the restaurant, I would have expected timelier service. Our waitress was nice as could be but she just wasn't ever around. It took a good 30 minutes to receive some syrup for the pancakes, which became cold as well in this time frame. I'm willing to go back because of the great first experience we had here but I'll be cautious not to order the omelette again and make sure to ask for everything I need for the meal well ahead of time. The saving grace is the historic building it's in, and the nice staff. Oh, and the free coffee through a Yelp deal.
(2)
Stephen V.
The service is amazing, and the staff do a phenomenal job of making you feel like you're a celeb. I love the star treatment minus the paparazzi. LoL. Amazing place!!!
(5)
Cindy G.
It is with a heavy heart that I must downgrade The National Exemplar from 5 stars down to 3, and even that I feel is being extremely kind based on the service and experience we had yesterday. We decided to return for brunch yesterday afternoon around 1:00pm on one of the nicest days of the year. We sat outside on the gorgeous patio (which I still stand by as one of the nicest and most beautiful in the city). Problem #1: Bees. I know this is not really in the restaurants complete control, but it got to the point where there were at least ten bees swarming around just our table at one time. Our server opened a package of jelly and they attacked that for a while and then got bored and returned. I normally wouldn't bring this up, but like I said it was excessive and clearly a problem for us and both of the tables next to us. It made for a very unpleasant experience. I ordered the Bacado omelette which was a bacon, avocado and cheese omelette. Problem #2: Quality control. On my last visit my omelette was delicious, and fresh. This time around, I could not believe my eyes when my server sat the plate down with a moldy avocado on top of my omelette. I cut into the omelette and there was very little bacon in most parts no bacon at all. The avocado inside was brown in some parts black and mushy. The texture was completely off putting. I dug around to see if any of it was worth saving and then gave up. My boyfriend who will eat almost anything did not even eat it. Despite the lack of fresh ingredients it was severely overcooked. Looking back, I probably should have sent this back and I was really questioning whoever sent this out of the kitchen to begin with. We got the BLT which on the menu sounded incredible: brioche bun with home made basil aioli - yum! What we got was just okay. The lettuce was old, the bacon was mediocre and all together I just felt like I could have thrown this together at home. Side note: I ordered a Bloody Mary and it tasted like water and tomato juice. There was no spice or seasoning to it at all. Also they changed the prices from $4.95 to $6.95. Problem #3: Service. Just because we are at the tail end of brunch does not mean that we do not deserve the same quality service as the 10am crowd. Our server was almost non-existent. I have been a huge advocate for this place and have been telling everyone I know to come here and right now my heart aches because of how disappointing our meal was. If one of these things occurred, sure, okay. But the service, quality of food, and the crazy bee situation together made for a really awful start to our day. I don't think I will be running back here anytime soon.
(3)
Joanne H.
Love the friendly and accommodating service here. We brought akoya to breakfast and they quickly offered to let us sit outside with her. Aside from the outdoor area being polluted with the car noise, our dining experience was EXEMPLAR!! Today is our 2nd time dining and i think we wont hesitate to dine here again. Freshly squeezed oj is quenching. And i personally love their half turkey sandwich with aioli and soup/salad.
(5)
Jackie M.
Solid brunch location! The National Exemplar is set in Mariemont with plenty of seating inside and a small but gorgeous outside patio. We have been here twice for brunch. Both times, I've had the bacado - bacon, avocado and Monterey cheese omelette with home fries and an English muffin. The omelette is great! My only complaint is that it is served with sour cream and salsa, but the salsa is rather bland and pretty much just tastes like tomato juice. My boyfriend enjoys the bacon and onion hash served with eggs and an English muffin. They have many choices, all reasonably priced around $9 or $10. We also tried the mimosas, which are large, well-balanced and only $5.5! There has been a small wait both times we have visited, but you can walk to the Mariemont theatre nearby for tickets or relax and drink complimentary coffee they serve during the wait. I gave them four stars instead of five because the home fries were slightly undercooked last time.
(4)
Peter B.
Been here a couple of times. They have an ongoing offer of a free coffee with your purchase of anything else as long as you check in on Yelp while you're there. The coffee and the brunch are good. I've tried most of the things on the brunch menu which are all good. I'll definitely be back at some point. I have friends that are nuts about National Exemplar and swear that this is the best brunch in Cincinnati. Maybe it is the best in Cincinnati, but I've definitely had better many other places around the US. Still, it has a fun, rustic atmosphere and the location on Mariemont Square is great.
(4)
Kimberly K.
The food was excellent as always. The service was very good but just a tad bit unfriendly. The rose for moms for Mothers day was a very nice touch! I had the bacado omelet which was just perfect.
(4)
Jim F.
This is one of my stand-by breakfast places and have enjoyed everything on the menu so far. I will say that my omelet has been overcooked but there are several tasty options on the menu. The dining room is relaxed and I've never felt rushed. I wish they took brunch reservations on the weekend but they do not so go prepared to wait as needed. My only complaint is the waitstaff are sometimes less than stellar. My last visit we asked for water FIVE times before it was finally brought. I checked the bar thinking I could retrieve my own but no one was there at the time. Finally, on the fifth request, we'd asked a different server and then our waiter came a few minutes later with water. Still a good experience but it got to be comical as it seemed the most basic request. Pro tip: the banana crunch pancakes are some of the best around.
(3)
Olivia M.
I wasn't all that impressed with this place. I came for brunch and had the French toast because I was told it was amazing...and I can say I've had better. The bacon I had was cooked really well and was way to hard. Just not exactly what I was expecting. I will say the ambiance is nice and the presentation is great! Love the look and feel of the restaurant itself. I kind of forgot I was in Cincinnati.
(3)
Nicholas R.
Had the #CincinnatiBurgerWeek Blue Cheese and Horseradish burger and LOVED it! It was a little small but not unreasonable for $5. It was the smallest burger I had, having had a burger every day of the week, but still the best burger! I wish I had ordered 2!
(5)
Lonnetta P.
I'll give the place a solid 3 stars. Nice little breakfast/brunch place located in Mariemont. The place is easy to find with parking available behind and to the side of the building. The Thursday morning crowd was not too bad. My friend and I were immediately seated inside and offered beverages. Plenty of seating inside, but be sure to take advantage of the cute patio seating when the weather permits. The waitress was welcoming and suggested several crowd favorites. There is something on the menu for everyone to enjoy from pancakes and omelets to granola and chicken sausage. I ordered one of the skillet hashes (breakfast potatoes, onions, cheese, meat of choice with eggs on top). Delicious! It will cost you a little over $8 and comes with bread/english muffin if you like. I did notice the full bar if you want to order a mimosa with brunch. CHEERS! I would love to go back and experience the patio!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Megan P.
Like everyone else says - this is THE best brunch place to go and the price is right. I've never had to wait for at table or for food and it comes out right every time I've been (once every couple of months). I also like that you can substitute items in your omelettes or on your eggs Benedict. For example, the waitress actually suggested bacon and avocado instead of roasted turkey and I loved it. And if you're a veggie lover, their veggie omelette is packed with fresh veggies (best I've eaten). I've been there for dinner once as it was recommended by others and it was pretty good. They have a few seasonal options and I love when restaurants try to go seasonal/local - you can taste the freshness. Great portion size (not too much that I feel guilty ordering dessert and not so little that I have to eat my husband's food too). My only tiny complaint was the spring risotto with crab and snow peas was a bit bland in my opinion. And I felt bad asking for salt (not sure if that is a sin in fancy restaurants but I needed it)! Everything else was great! Go!
(4)Laura S.
Excellent food and coffee. We shared the breakfast quesadilla and a banana pancake, so yummy. Service was pleasant but a little distracted. Nice relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Ron A.
Only five minutes away from the likes of GTA: Madisonville and the forward-thinking Clermont County is the beautiful and enchanting Mariemont, Ohio. This small town is known for its English Tudor Style architecture, gorgeous neighborhoods, and amazing square. At the heart of the town is the Mariemont Inn and its signature restaurant: The National Exemplar. Most people think of brunch when they hear National Exemplar but I go there for its unique and cozy pub. National Exemplar has earned its reputation for having the best brunch in the city. And while I will admit that I like it here, something seems a bit off about their menu. The Bacado Omelette? Skillet Hashes? The Tri-Fecta? Wait, is this First Watch or National Exemplar? Apparently they both have the same owner which means similar menus. It seems a little tawdry to host identical menus at two very different restaurants but I guess that's why I'm Yelping and not owning two successful restaurants. The food is definitely good but in the end it fails to blow my mind like other popular brunch places I've frequented. The main reason I'm giving this establishment four stars is not the actual restaurant or its food but instead the little known bar in the front of the Inn called Southerby's at National Exemplar. This is THE bar to take a girl on a date when visiting Mariemont. The beer and wine selection is diverse and priced well but it's the ambiance that makes this spot a winner. Although small, this bar poses as a veritable English pub with its classic style bar and surrounding tables. In addition, it boasts over-sized chairs and sofas centered around the Inn's original 1920s fireplace. I absolutely love it here! In all, National Exemplar is worth a visit whether you're from Cincinnati or staying at the Mariemont Inn from out of town. Just do yourself a favor and avoid Madisonville and Clermont County at all costs. In fact, if you could parachute into Mariemont from a plane, that may be your best bet! (JK Clermont, I love you! Madisonville, not so much...)
(4)John B.
After reading many glowing reviews about this place, I really was excited about going to dinner here, but sadly, I was not really impressed. 3, maybe 4 stars for service and ambiance, but 2 for the food, at least what I had. I ordered the Pan Seared Pacific Halibut ($24) - garlic butter, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat, wilted spinach, basil hollandaise sauce. As far as the crab meat goes, the only thing "jumbo" about the dish was the price. If I pay over $20 for an entree, it should really be impressive, and this piece of fish was not really flavorful or anything better than what I could get at a regular chain restaurant. The crab meat was about the size of a pinch, which was a bummer as it was the primary reason I ordered the dish. I was able to sample the Braised Bison Short Ribs ($22) - hoison cherry barbecue sauce, crispy onions, and found that to be a fairly tasty dish. The staff I encountered were very friendly and helpful, and our food was served on time, so the gripes people had with service in the past may have been rectified. I would like to come back for brunch but for now, I'll steer clear of this place. I will give it to NE for being the first place that I've come across that has wooden automatic doors. That was cool.
(2)Sherry T.
My husband and I happened to be near Mariemont yesterday, so we decided to have breakfast at the National Exemplar after reading other Yelp reviewers' comments. I am so glad we went! I had the French toast (sourdough version); it was the best I've ever had. I'm not sure what kind of vanilla they use it in, but it made the toast over-the-top delicious. I also had a side of goetta; it was okay. My husband had a frittata with chorizo, which was very good. Service was excellent and their outside seating is a perfect way to enjoy Mariemont's peaceful setting.
(4)Amy E.
My husband and I went here for brunch-- he had chosen this place because of the glowing reviews, and we were pretty pleased with the place. Ambiance: Mariemont is such a cute area, and there is a nice outdoor seating area. Indoors, it is the hotel dining room, so it isn't as cute, but still a nice place to eat. Service: A bit slow, but not terrible. Wouldn't add or take away any stars for this. Food: Classic brunch food and very satisfying. I had an Eggs Benedict, which tasted good, though it wasn't the best I have ever had. I enjoyed the selection of fresh fruit that came with it. My husband enjoyed the Traditional Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed his fresh cut breakfast potatoes that came with it. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and would come back.
(4)Amy V.
We're pretty much there every weekend for brunch. Nice staff, good food, love the atmosphere. See you next weekend!
(4)Joseph S.
I come here for brunch about one to two times a month. The food and service are always amazing. The atmosphere is also amazing. I usually get biscuits and gravy, and I love them, however it is only a saturday special. I have also had the french toast, no matter which way you get it, it tastes amazing.
(5)Chris C.
Simply PHECKING Phantastic! ======================== We have been to the National Exemplar a few times in the past but not for a year or two. We've always liked the breakfast fare a lot and found the evening meals to be very good but perhaps somewhat bland. Last Friday was a HUGE EXCEPTION. Did they change the chef in the last couple of years? My starter was the Smoked Salmon, which was, I hate to use the word, divine! Anyway I enjoy Liver and Onions and I sometimes order it when I'm out because it's one of those organ meats that just does not look or feel right before its cooked. I ordered the Liver and Onions and found it to be simply excellent! The presentation was perfect and the flavor and texture even better. My wife and friends ordered other stuff (I'm always the only one eating the liver) and I know they said their meals were great but I have no clue what they ordered. The waiter was better than best and it was simply a wonderful evening. We enjoyed each others quirky humor, or at least he was polite and laughed with us! I jest, he was the perfect choice of waiter for our evening out.
(5)Linsey G.
Having worked just across the street from National Exemplar for nearly three years, I finally tried it for lunch a few months ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of healthier items on the menu and opted for the Tri-athlete omelette (egg white omelette with sliced mushrooms, onions, tomato and green chiles) served with salsa, a dry english muffin, and fresh fruit. The meal is surprisingly filling, the fruit always as fresh as advertised, and I've always been left satisfied with my choice. The aforementioned is also very reasonably priced. I typically go to this restaurant during lunch and it is necessary that I order, am served, and can eat my meal within my allotted hour-long lunch time. Fortunately, the service is usually very efficient. In short, brunch at National Exemplar is really great. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating atmosphere is even better; probably my favorite part about the restaurant.
(4)Ryan W.
The Bacado Omelette is delicious! Perfect omelette: eggs, bacon, monterray jack cheese & avocado with a side of sour cream.
(4)Barbara F.
Great food. Reasonable prices and the food is great. Great service. Beautiful building. We definitely will be returning.
(5)Ann L.
This is one of our favorite places to go with friends. We go on Friday evenings to hear Drew Laplante who sings Folk Rock & Roll for the Soul. He is AMAZING. You feel so relaxed listening to him. The area is adorable. I love the look, almost feel like I'm on vacation somewhere. I prefer out side but the space by the bar is pretty cool too with big chairs and couches, even a fireplace. There is a buffalo on the wall who's eyes seem to follow you. The Happy Hour wine prices are right up my alley. I always order the Exemplar Cheeseburger and it is EXEMPLARY! Another melt in your mouth meal. And the price is right ($9) They have a dessert called Post Mortem with a big brownie, ice cream, hot fudge, and it is humongous. Oh so delicious! You might want to share it with all of your friends or...well, remember the name of it. lol
(5)Paige M.
National Exemplar is named after the ideals of Mariemont: a city created as the national model community. The 1920's European-style village in the heart of Mariemont includes the restaurant, which opened inside the Mariemont Inn Hotel in 1983. Not your typical hotel eatery, National Exemplar attracts just as many locals as tourists with their excellent cuisine. Must haves: - Spinach artichoke dip with lump crab and pita bread - Asian salmon salad - Bison Burger with spicy slaw, pepperjack, caramelized onions and greens - Carrot cake A few things are hit-or-miss here, the bar being one of them. If it's not a wine or beer on the menu, they'll have difficulty making it. I've also been double-charged for drinks. The mac-n-cheese sounded amazing on the menu; with Gruyere cheese and crumbled crust. It arrived cold and flavorless. It also includes bacon, which was not listed on the menu. My vegetarian friend had to have her order remade. Service is particularly slow as well. We waited 20 minutes for our checks. Our plates were not bussed until the checks arrived. Fortunately, the atmosphere of National Exemplar makes up for its shortcomings. The inside of the establishment feels like a German cottage. Plush seating complete with fireplaces, grand flower bouquets, and European nostalgia. It's a very classy place. I also enjoy the live music on Saturday nights. It's a perfect ambiance for a relaxing evening on the East Side with friends. Price per person: $25.00
(4)Monika N.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots in Cincinnati. Try the Heartland Frittata - you won't regret it! The decor is a bit... homely. But the service has always been great and the prices are extremely reasonable. One time we were there during a busy Sunday morning and somehow they skipped our name on the waiting list. The manager was extremely apologetic and offered our entire party free bloody marys or mimosas. We've only been there for a meal other than brunch once - we tried their dinner one weekday evening. The food was good, but unmemorable. But what sticks out in my memory is that the waitress brought us a free dessert sampler when she found out that that was our first time eating dinner at the Exemplar. Again - amazing service! It's one of the things that keeps us going back.
(5)Merlin B.
This was a great place to get great food and first rate service. Unfortunately looks like the entire experienced staff has been replaced with poorly trained people who have no interest in customer service. Numerous visits continue to result in wrong orders, forgotten orders and the continual chorus of servers & runners yelling over the conversation asking who ordered what. Something they should be trained to know. Filtered "warm" water Bitter coffee Food was ok, if and when it made it to the table. Will continue to return in hopes they can get back to the quality and service they were known for..
(1)Will H.
So this is a rating on their breakfast menu only... they seem to have many wonderful lunch and dinner options and a full bar but we seem to frequent their breakfast most often... I'm going to say it straight up, for a bunch of IU grads they do just ok. Go Boilers! Just kidding, these guys do a fabulous job. They are always busy on the weekends but we've rarely waited more than 20-30minutes and usually less if we only have 3-4 in our party. Their service has always been friendly, attentive and quick even when they were busy. I have yet to order a thing bad on the menu. The Pope John is a great breakfast if you want something a little greasy and delicious. Any of the Fritattas are out of this world in particuar the Sonoran Fritatta is awesome with spicy chorizo and onions and wow. They have these "crepegg" things that are also fabulous. I like the California or the Turkey Dill. I personally think they make the best pancakes in the city. They are huge!! But they dont stop at quantity, they are of outstanding quality, always hot and fluffly. A full order is a meal in itself... they are very willing to just bring you 1 or 2. I am one that loves to order breakfast ala'carte and they are very willing to bring out whatever you want. Excellent! There are a lot of healthy options too that are of the same delicious quality as the others. Veggie Wrap or Tri-athlete omelette which is all egg whites and veggies and salsa... Honestly, if you are on the east side one morning, go to Mariemont square, wander around and have some breakfast at one of the best places in the city. Give me a call, because I will totally be down for a pancake.
(5)Rob R.
National Exemplar is a cool restaurant in Mariemont. The dining room isn't huge, so if you have a large party, I would recommend getting there early. They pretty much have everything you could want for breakfast, including that Cincinnati staple, Goetta. Oh...and they have a bar, so you can have a Mimosa with your meal. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their food. I certainly did. I would definitely go back!
(4)Christiaan T.
they have great food but you gotta try the bison burger.......wow
(4)Chris P.
We were in Cincinnati for business and were in the area so we went to National Exemplar based upon a coworkers suggestion. It is a little hidden so not the easiest place to find but in a very nice area of Marymount. Reviews said they had a superb French Dip sandwich, but it was not on the menu. Perhaps it is only there for their dinner menu and we were there on a Saturday around 11 am. Two of us decided on breakfast items and one decided to have the burger for lunch. The food was well done and tasted great. Nothing appeared to be a food service pre-made special and everyone was happy. The decor is a little dated but it is also some of the charm of the restaurant. I will say the service was great and our server was very helpful and friendly.
(3)Adolfo N.
Top 3 Brunches I've had since moving to Cincinnati, not much on the menu that isn't delicious. They serve dinner too, but I've only had it once. Breakfast is what keeps me coming back. The hollandaise sauce is my favorite. Decent portions, don't expect to walk away stuffed, just... happy.
(5)Chuck H.
Best for breakfast, it gets an extra star for being one of the few places you can get good bloody mary's and mimosas at breakfast. Nice atmosphere.
(4)Sonam P.
This place has a great atmosphere and looks adorable inside and out. The staff is also friendly and service is prompt. The crepes taste amazing and their menu looks delicious. I do wish they had side dishes as well like soups or salads rather than full meal sizes only. This place is good for a date as the place is very quaint.
(4)M. J.
At first glance your going to say "I see old people" however, do not be fooled. There is a wide mix of an age bracket and a menu that does not disappoint. Everything from the Basic club sandwich to a wonderful blackened scallop and shrimp fettucini. My suggestion: Dinner, drinks, a little walk, followed by Graeters ice-cream and a movie. Perfect date night in charming Mariemont.
(4)Adam S.
Just had a great business lunch here as I often do. For environment it's a 5 star. Only putting 4 stars for menu which is nice and similar to a first watch. Servers are great, consistent, and attentive to the amount of "touch" your table needs based on how intense the biz lunch/breakfast may be.
(4)Stephanie P.
This is my Sunday brunch staple. It's the delicious food, cozy atmosphere and decent prices that keep my coming back. I love everything about this place--from the dark wood and roaring fireplace to the beautiful location in picturesque Mariemont. They also have some great outdoor seating that overlooks the square. You can expect a wait if you don't get there early (before 10:30 ish), but grab some coffee or take a stroll around the square to kill the time--it's crowded for good reason. The food is great, and the prices are affordable. Some of my favorites: the Bacado (served with a side of delicious salsa), the pancakes (fluffy and delicious) and the French toast (cooked to perfection). I've never been here for dinner, and I can only speak to the breakfast menu. But I'm definately planning on trying out their dinner menu soon!
(5)Theresa B.
I'm a regular to this place. I go for the Eggs Benedict and stay for the Bloody Mary. Fantastic place to meet the girls for brunch. The outdoor seating is nice and in Autumn, you can roast marshmallows at the fire.
(4)Warren H.
Being a restaurant in a hotel, the food was pretty much what you would expect. Well crafted plates, just lacking a little bit of the flavor. Walking in and seeing the decor, I thought the menu was going to be a bit more pretentious and pricier, but it was fairly priced with a decent selection. I had the bacon and onion hash with eggs and my girlfriend claimed that I had "won" over her choice of the vegetable Benedict. We also split a single banana and granola pancake, just because I had to try it out. It was pretty much a dessert after brunch, and I can only imagine how sweet their chocolate chip pancakes are. Would have loved to sit outside, but there was construction and a jackhammer would have dominated any attempt at conversation. We were there before any big crowds, so I have not seen the place in full swing.
(3)Tom B.
Great place to eat. My wife and I had supper then went to the movies at Mariemont Movie Theater. We have eaten here multiple times and have always had great service and great food.
(5)Devon C.
I went to the National Exemplar for brunch recently. It is located in the Mariemont Square and is a really cute spot, almost like a luxurious bed and breakfast. My fiancee ordered the Vegetable Omelet, and since I was in the mood for lunch I ordered the Bison Burger. Both were phenomenal and the portions were very large. It is a little expensive then a lot of the other brunch places in Cincy (in the $$ range), but I think it is well worth it.
(4)Shawn M.
As good of a breakfast as can be made. The Mexican wrap was delicious and the bloody marry was delicious.
(5)Elaine W.
I've been on a brunch streak recently, trying out new places. National Exemplar was on my radar since it is THE brunch spot in Mariemont, and Mariemont is just awesome. Funny even though it's pretty well known, we didn't have to wait at all on a Saturday during peak brunch time. They were popular but had plenty of seating inside and out. I was feeling french toast and heard good things about the toast here, so I went in for it. You can choose sourdough or cinnamon raisin, since I was getting it with the fruit and coconut flakes (do it!), I wanted to balance out the sweet and went for sourdough. Yummm it was perfect. Not too sweet at all, and the bread was a bit chewy, which I liked. Could've been thicker though. My brunch mates enjoyed their dishes: the oatmeal, the eggs benedict. Everything was great and beautifully presented (as brunch should be!). But nothing mind-blowing. It was lovely sitting outside, as you can sit back and enjoy Mariemont's quaint scenery: cute old folks ambling along.
(4)Angela C.
Dinner review: I believe that National Exemplar acquired a new chef somewhat recently. Lucky for my group, because the meal was great! The biscuit sliders are a must. Everything else was pretty solid- I had the chicken pot pie, which was good and had a lot of solid chunks of chicken. I appreciate that the salads were nicely priced, with a small and large plate option (a lot of pricier restaurants have incredibly over-priced salads!). I thought the house salad was very tasty and fresh. Love the Southeby's side, where it is more casual and you can also order food. Service was friendly and we got in and out in time to catch our movie over at the Mariemont Theater. Again, love the cozy ambiance!
(4)Chad S.
Our annual tradition on Christmas Eve includes brunch/lunch at the National Exemplar. I know that they are busy for dinner on Christmas Eve, but there rarely is a wait here during the day that's longer than 15 minutes. TIPS: The restaurant staff will look for you in the connected hotel lobby when your table is ready. Don't sit next to the door where the cold air rushes in every time someone arrives. Instead, there are several nooks where you can carry on a quiet conversation in the lobby. There is ample parking available in the surface lot behind and to the side of the building. Check out one of the many locally owned shops around this restaurant. Very good coffee!
(5)Chelsea C.
It's a good place to have breakfast if you are in the Mariemont area. The atmosphere is nice (they have a patio for summertime) and the service has always been great but it's basically the same food you can get at First Watch. I love First Watch, but there are more convenient locations for me to have their food so I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here for breakfast unless I was already in the area. A good place to stop if you are in Mariemont though!
(3)Donna H.
Our experience was wonderful. Attentive , polite service. Food was delicious, and presented well. One of my husband's favorite dishes is liver and onions, which you don' find on many menus. It is on the menu at The Exemplar, and he loved it. This is one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)Kellan C.
This place is just as awesome as mariemont sqare. I finally found a breakfast place in Cincinnati that I enjoy, has a short wait, and is good for groups. They have a full bar so you can get bloody Mary's and/or mimosas. The food was good too. I got the bravado- bacon, avocado, and Monterey jack cheese in a omelet. Not super creative but it was really good. The staff was nice as well. Service was quick and I think the owner is the receptionist. I think that's important because you can see much he cares about the restaurant ass soon as you walk in. I definitely recommend it and I will be back!
(5)Bob C.
Just returned from a delightful brunch at National Exemplar. Six old friends with a lot to talk about. Service was absolutely great with a very personable server who didn't rush us. She had pre-set the table with water and coffee. The menu was very good and our server informed us that we could order breakfast or lunch. Our food was very good and came with unexpected garnishes. Although the restaurant was busy, we did not feel rushed to leave. The only "con" I would offer is that they should put ice in the drinking water. They serve a carafe of water but it's chill is soon lost. We'll be back.
(4)Andrew ß.
We had a great breakfast splitting the eggs Benedict and vegetable hash Side of bacon was awesome! Great historical hotel. Great service! I Recommend sitting out side -
(4)Andrew T.
Did they get a new chef? Over the past few years the quality has improved significantly...along with the prices! Filet was perfection and we fought over the sides of Mac n Cheese. Gotta try it! In the past, our service has been hit or miss (especially in the AM), however it was excellent. They accommodated our 25 person birthday party in the bar area, including our 2 hour cocktail. It was outstanding. Also a great place to stop for drinks and a bite on the outdoor terrace during warmer months. Ask the server to light a fire for you.
(4)Jocalyn E.
Always good, always consistent. Love their blueberry wheat germ pancakes. Menu has changed some over the year, but still as good as always.
(4)Sara M.
Totally mediocre and overpriced. I had the flavorless spring vegetable salad and the mussels, which were not bad but not great. The service was slow, but I think only one waitress was working the entire restaurant. I would not eat here again. Disappointing.
(1)Ben G.
The music here is just too loud. And the music selection is terrible. I chose the National Exemplar as the restaurant for a special dinner with my parents on Thanksgiving Eve. My wife and I are both in our thirties and live in Brooklyn, and were visiting Cincinnati to see my family for Thanksgiving. At the restaurant, we were assaulted by WEBN-style hits from the 1990's, like Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." it was so loud, we could barely hear each other. I will never return until the music issue is dealt with. We asked the staff to turn down the music five times. Each time, the staff barely lowed the volume. They said they couldn't lower it much. When some horrible pop song with a thumping beat and shrieking vocals overwhelmed our conversation for the 10th time, I finally got up and asked for the manager. I was told she was on her way, but she never came. It was 9pm, and most of the people (two tables) in the restaurant were older. No one would have cared had the music been turned down to a reasonable level. It's a shame because the Prime Rib was one of the best I've had, and the rest of the food was quite good. Other issues: There's no liquor list with prices. The waiter gave me his tattered list of available spirits from his waiter book. There is no cocktail list. Overall, the service was pleasant and responsive but the waiters barely checked in on us in the last hour of our meal. Overall, it feels like the dining and bar staff need some adult supervision. It could be a really awesome restaurant, in a great location, and compete with bars and restaurants downtown. But they need to get a different consultant to advise on how to do that...preferably someone with better audio/atmospheric sensibilities and tastes.
(1)Mark F.
Tim is one if the best restauranteurs in the region. You can study this business for how to run a successful place. The breakfast is Cincinnati's best. The lunch is solid and the rooms and tables of any size make it a top echelon spot for a meeting whether private or semi private. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Sam L.
We love the breakfast food here! The restaurant itself is so cool inside and the food is just as good. There is a wait on Sunday mornings, but it's worth it!
(4)Paul K.
This is a perfect brunch restaurant when you don't want to go for too upscale nor greasy diner-style breakfast. I think it is one of the few place with a great food, clean restaurant, and cozy atmosphere. The ingredients were very fresh, and they cooked the vegetables inside my breakfast quesadilla - not too raw, not too cooked. My wife enjoyed her egg benedict with turkey. We also craved pancake, so we ordered double stack thinking small-sized pancakes like from IHOP. But it was huge, fluffy, and tasty. I did not have any complaint on service although we were the only one at the patio for a quite time. I got the refills at the right times and did not have problem to receive out server's attention. I cannot speak of lunch or dinner, but it's a perfect restaurant to have a slow brunch in beautiful Mariemont. I assume it will be difficult to get a table outside on sunny Saturdays, though. I will come back when Spring comes back.
(4)Debbie M.
Searching for a brunch spot in an adorable neighborhood? Look no further than The National Exemplar in Mariemont. Offering classic brunch items it is hard to go wrong when ordering here. Tables and booths are available in their large hotel dining room. You may have to put your name in at the hostess stand but the wait usually goes quickly due to their abundant seating. Today I got a BLTE and ate the whole sandwich (which is rare for me). It was B-acon, bibb L-ettuce, T-omato, fried E-gg, on toast coated with a generous amount of mayo. I thought the mayo was going to be too much but actually it was fabulous and zippy. Delicious. Everyone in our party loved their orders & coffee coffee coffee! Keep it coming , please :) I can recommend the BLTE if you love mayo and we always enjoy their Eggs Benedict. PS. VERY reasonably priced!!!
(4)JandJ P.
The National Exemplar is a charming restaurant in a charming hotel in a charming village. We had been away from Cincy for a few years, and needed to find out if the National Exemplar still had the best soup in town....and the answer is a big, fat Yes! We ended up getting the mushroom soup here on three separate occasions during our visit in Cincy, and it was every bit as good as remembered. The salted rye is the perfect accompaniment. We were told there is a new chef, formerly of Hugo's in Oakley, and the menu is a bit different than we remember, but in a good way. The food was good, but there is still room for improvement. The wine list is nice and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is perfect for a restaurant situated inside of an historical hotel. The bar area is beautiful, and the wingback chairs next to the fireplace are the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine, perhaps before heading upstairs to one of the surprisingly appointed guest rooms (see Mariemont Inn review).
(4)Ellie C.
Pinkie fingers up please. At first glance the NE looks kind of stuffy- like a place your grandmother would to take you for tea, however, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was stellar. I went for breakfast on a Saturday and I got the Bacado Omelet. It was FANTASTIC! I've never thought of adding an avocado to eggs, but now I can't stop thinking about it! And the food was prepared quickly, even though we had a large party. I like that they leave water for you at the table- I drink a lot of water and I don't like waiting for someone to come top me off, so that's a little detail I enjoyed. I also like the atmosphere; it's a place that likely gets dressy in the evenings but I felt comfortable in jeans on a Saturday morning. They have outdoor seating, and although it's located on a major road, the way the restaurant is situated feels just as quaint as the rest of Mariemont.
(4)Elizabeth W.
This is THE place in Mariemont for brunch. I've eaten here several times for brunch, but never for dinner, which I've heard is good. Tucked into the national historic landmark hotel, the decor reflects the decor of the times. It's a bit dark and heavy with lots of wood. I think it's really pretty and cozy, like an old hunting lodge. The entry way has a large chalkboard with the happenings in the village of Mariemont for the day, including the weather, newspapers, and coffee to get you started. I love that! You'll have time to read it while you wait during the busy Sunday brunch time. Ok, on to the food, this is pretty standard brunch fare for Cincinnati. You'll find very similar brunch items at a busy local chain. The food is good and filling, lots of eggs and carbs with a coffee pot that stays on your table, so your cup never runs dry or cold. What more could you want from brunch? This is a good solid choice and I never hesitate to suggest it.
(3)Laura M.
Best place for brunch on the Eastside, and not too long of a wait. They have all of the usual options like eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. and healthy options too. I LOVE the skillets! It is hash brown potatoes loaded with cheese and two other toppings of your choice. I top mine with bacon and mushrooms. It is a very cute restaurant located inside the Mariemont Inn. It seems a little formal from the outside, but it is very laid back. No need to get dressed up to have your favorite brunch. The meals are a great value...similar prices to chains, but a lot more atmosphere. I've had lunch and dinner here too. It is nice, good value, good options, but the brunch is the best!
(5)Maureen C.
Dudes. This is glorified Denny's. NOTHING SPECIAL. Go to Annabel's if you want an actually interesting brunch experience.
(2)Courtney R.
Atmosphere: Mariemont is adorable, and the outdoor seating was great for Sunday brunch. A good place to people watch, watch cars go by, lots of shade with the umbrellas. Like the free coffee while you wait. Service: SNAIL slow. I had friends in town for only a couple of hours on Sunday, and our breakfast took two hours. Waitress was incredibly slow. Water glasses weren't refilled, they seemed to forget about us outside despite the fact it was relatively busy. Not sure if they were understaffed, but at least bring water pitchers around. Food: Terrible. I ordered an egg white omelette with veggies and a side of fruit. There were about two small pieces of tomato and a tiny bit of avocado in it, but the rest was plain egg whites. The "bowl of fresh fruit" was 2 pieces of watermelon and a piece of cantaloupe. I'm not on a diet, I just eat egg whites. Don't charge me $10 for no food. I had to go home and eat again - really frustrating given how cute the restuarant was. I won't be going back. My friends' breakfasts looked and apparently tasted okay, but it wasn't worth the slow service for them. Super disappointed, because I really wanted to like this place.
(2)Chris H.
Had the bison burger, it was juicy, tender and was slightly crusted on the outside deliciously on the grill, topped with onion straws, jack cheese and trimmings, served with side of fresh friut and only $10! Great atmosphere both at the Inn and restaurant (a second bar off of the Inn lobby), cozy though spread out(so not too noisy) and lively, good drinks, too.
(5)Sam T.
The food is always very good with a nice selection and something for everyone. I especially enjoy their breakfast which they serve all day. They have great drinks and desserts which are creative and delicious. Prices are great, free parking in the back and the service is always top notch. I would definitely recommend.
(4)Jessica P.
Apparently this was a weekend for brunches. After church this weekend, we were looking for a place to brunch and my guy had never tried the National Exemplar. So we headed over to Mariemont. There was about a 30 minute wait for brunch around 11:45 on a Sunday morning, which is pretty standard. But they have benches, newspapers, coffee, tea and water for you while you wait. Also, if you are from the Mariemont area, you might run into someone you know! After we were seated, the waiteress was quick to come over to our table and get our drink and food orders. I decided to get the bacado (duh) and he got the eggs benedict with spinach and tomato. Both were delicious and reasonably priced. What more can you want from brunch?
(5)Jeffrey S.
Always fun to dine here. Sean Daley has done excellent things with the menu.
(4)Jessica S.
Had hoped to enjoy brunch at Dilly Cafe on a recent Sunday only to find that they weren't open until dinner time -Bummer!. All was not a loss though, since we "discovered" National Exemplar! Neither of us had been and I guess we always thought it was kind of an "older crowd"... this was not the case at all! It was crowded and full of folks of all ages, ha! There was a 30min wait for two of us, but self-seating in the bar area so we saddled up to a high-top table and were enjoying iced tea and gazing over the menu in no time flat! The menu has plenty of options and I settled for the Turkey Dill Crepe -hold the onions- and while I was bummed it came out with what seemed like onion overload, the problem was fixed super quick and the meal was delish! The boy had the eggs benedict, a go-to, and he thought it was good, but nothing special. Overall a good meal and worth a return trip!
(4)Sandra F.
You must try the breakfast! Absolutely delicious!
(4)Barbara F.
Great food. Reasonable prices and the food is great. Great service. Beautiful building. We definitely will be returning.
(5)Ryan W.
The Bacado Omelette is delicious! Perfect omelette: eggs, bacon, monterray jack cheese & avocado with a side of sour cream.
(4)Linsey G.
Having worked just across the street from National Exemplar for nearly three years, I finally tried it for lunch a few months ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of healthier items on the menu and opted for the Tri-athlete omelette (egg white omelette with sliced mushrooms, onions, tomato and green chiles) served with salsa, a dry english muffin, and fresh fruit. The meal is surprisingly filling, the fruit always as fresh as advertised, and I've always been left satisfied with my choice. The aforementioned is also very reasonably priced. I typically go to this restaurant during lunch and it is necessary that I order, am served, and can eat my meal within my allotted hour-long lunch time. Fortunately, the service is usually very efficient. In short, brunch at National Exemplar is really great. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating atmosphere is even better; probably my favorite part about the restaurant.
(4)Ann L.
This is one of our favorite places to go with friends. We go on Friday evenings to hear Drew Laplante who sings Folk Rock & Roll for the Soul. He is AMAZING. You feel so relaxed listening to him. The area is adorable. I love the look, almost feel like I'm on vacation somewhere. I prefer out side but the space by the bar is pretty cool too with big chairs and couches, even a fireplace. There is a buffalo on the wall who's eyes seem to follow you. The Happy Hour wine prices are right up my alley. I always order the Exemplar Cheeseburger and it is EXEMPLARY! Another melt in your mouth meal. And the price is right ($9) They have a dessert called Post Mortem with a big brownie, ice cream, hot fudge, and it is humongous. Oh so delicious! You might want to share it with all of your friends or...well, remember the name of it. lol
(5)Joseph S.
I come here for brunch about one to two times a month. The food and service are always amazing. The atmosphere is also amazing. I usually get biscuits and gravy, and I love them, however it is only a saturday special. I have also had the french toast, no matter which way you get it, it tastes amazing.
(5)Courtney R.
Atmosphere: Mariemont is adorable, and the outdoor seating was great for Sunday brunch. A good place to people watch, watch cars go by, lots of shade with the umbrellas. Like the free coffee while you wait. Service: SNAIL slow. I had friends in town for only a couple of hours on Sunday, and our breakfast took two hours. Waitress was incredibly slow. Water glasses weren't refilled, they seemed to forget about us outside despite the fact it was relatively busy. Not sure if they were understaffed, but at least bring water pitchers around. Food: Terrible. I ordered an egg white omelette with veggies and a side of fruit. There were about two small pieces of tomato and a tiny bit of avocado in it, but the rest was plain egg whites. The "bowl of fresh fruit" was 2 pieces of watermelon and a piece of cantaloupe. I'm not on a diet, I just eat egg whites. Don't charge me $10 for no food. I had to go home and eat again - really frustrating given how cute the restuarant was. I won't be going back. My friends' breakfasts looked and apparently tasted okay, but it wasn't worth the slow service for them. Super disappointed, because I really wanted to like this place.
(2)Chris H.
Had the bison burger, it was juicy, tender and was slightly crusted on the outside deliciously on the grill, topped with onion straws, jack cheese and trimmings, served with side of fresh friut and only $10! Great atmosphere both at the Inn and restaurant (a second bar off of the Inn lobby), cozy though spread out(so not too noisy) and lively, good drinks, too.
(5)Paige M.
National Exemplar is named after the ideals of Mariemont: a city created as the national model community. The 1920's European-style village in the heart of Mariemont includes the restaurant, which opened inside the Mariemont Inn Hotel in 1983. Not your typical hotel eatery, National Exemplar attracts just as many locals as tourists with their excellent cuisine. Must haves: - Spinach artichoke dip with lump crab and pita bread - Asian salmon salad - Bison Burger with spicy slaw, pepperjack, caramelized onions and greens - Carrot cake A few things are hit-or-miss here, the bar being one of them. If it's not a wine or beer on the menu, they'll have difficulty making it. I've also been double-charged for drinks. The mac-n-cheese sounded amazing on the menu; with Gruyere cheese and crumbled crust. It arrived cold and flavorless. It also includes bacon, which was not listed on the menu. My vegetarian friend had to have her order remade. Service is particularly slow as well. We waited 20 minutes for our checks. Our plates were not bussed until the checks arrived. Fortunately, the atmosphere of National Exemplar makes up for its shortcomings. The inside of the establishment feels like a German cottage. Plush seating complete with fireplaces, grand flower bouquets, and European nostalgia. It's a very classy place. I also enjoy the live music on Saturday nights. It's a perfect ambiance for a relaxing evening on the East Side with friends. Price per person: $25.00
(4)Monika N.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots in Cincinnati. Try the Heartland Frittata - you won't regret it! The decor is a bit... homely. But the service has always been great and the prices are extremely reasonable. One time we were there during a busy Sunday morning and somehow they skipped our name on the waiting list. The manager was extremely apologetic and offered our entire party free bloody marys or mimosas. We've only been there for a meal other than brunch once - we tried their dinner one weekday evening. The food was good, but unmemorable. But what sticks out in my memory is that the waitress brought us a free dessert sampler when she found out that that was our first time eating dinner at the Exemplar. Again - amazing service! It's one of the things that keeps us going back.
(5)Merlin B.
This was a great place to get great food and first rate service. Unfortunately looks like the entire experienced staff has been replaced with poorly trained people who have no interest in customer service. Numerous visits continue to result in wrong orders, forgotten orders and the continual chorus of servers & runners yelling over the conversation asking who ordered what. Something they should be trained to know. Filtered "warm" water Bitter coffee Food was ok, if and when it made it to the table. Will continue to return in hopes they can get back to the quality and service they were known for..
(1)Ellie C.
Pinkie fingers up please. At first glance the NE looks kind of stuffy- like a place your grandmother would to take you for tea, however, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was stellar. I went for breakfast on a Saturday and I got the Bacado Omelet. It was FANTASTIC! I've never thought of adding an avocado to eggs, but now I can't stop thinking about it! And the food was prepared quickly, even though we had a large party. I like that they leave water for you at the table- I drink a lot of water and I don't like waiting for someone to come top me off, so that's a little detail I enjoyed. I also like the atmosphere; it's a place that likely gets dressy in the evenings but I felt comfortable in jeans on a Saturday morning. They have outdoor seating, and although it's located on a major road, the way the restaurant is situated feels just as quaint as the rest of Mariemont.
(4)Jessica P.
Apparently this was a weekend for brunches. After church this weekend, we were looking for a place to brunch and my guy had never tried the National Exemplar. So we headed over to Mariemont. There was about a 30 minute wait for brunch around 11:45 on a Sunday morning, which is pretty standard. But they have benches, newspapers, coffee, tea and water for you while you wait. Also, if you are from the Mariemont area, you might run into someone you know! After we were seated, the waiteress was quick to come over to our table and get our drink and food orders. I decided to get the bacado (duh) and he got the eggs benedict with spinach and tomato. Both were delicious and reasonably priced. What more can you want from brunch?
(5)Jeffrey S.
Always fun to dine here. Sean Daley has done excellent things with the menu.
(4)Jessica S.
Had hoped to enjoy brunch at Dilly Cafe on a recent Sunday only to find that they weren't open until dinner time -Bummer!. All was not a loss though, since we "discovered" National Exemplar! Neither of us had been and I guess we always thought it was kind of an "older crowd"... this was not the case at all! It was crowded and full of folks of all ages, ha! There was a 30min wait for two of us, but self-seating in the bar area so we saddled up to a high-top table and were enjoying iced tea and gazing over the menu in no time flat! The menu has plenty of options and I settled for the Turkey Dill Crepe -hold the onions- and while I was bummed it came out with what seemed like onion overload, the problem was fixed super quick and the meal was delish! The boy had the eggs benedict, a go-to, and he thought it was good, but nothing special. Overall a good meal and worth a return trip!
(4)Sandra F.
You must try the breakfast! Absolutely delicious!
(4)Sam T.
The food is always very good with a nice selection and something for everyone. I especially enjoy their breakfast which they serve all day. They have great drinks and desserts which are creative and delicious. Prices are great, free parking in the back and the service is always top notch. I would definitely recommend.
(4)Debbie M.
Searching for a brunch spot in an adorable neighborhood? Look no further than The National Exemplar in Mariemont. Offering classic brunch items it is hard to go wrong when ordering here. Tables and booths are available in their large hotel dining room. You may have to put your name in at the hostess stand but the wait usually goes quickly due to their abundant seating. Today I got a BLTE and ate the whole sandwich (which is rare for me). It was B-acon, bibb L-ettuce, T-omato, fried E-gg, on toast coated with a generous amount of mayo. I thought the mayo was going to be too much but actually it was fabulous and zippy. Delicious. Everyone in our party loved their orders & coffee coffee coffee! Keep it coming , please :) I can recommend the BLTE if you love mayo and we always enjoy their Eggs Benedict. PS. VERY reasonably priced!!!
(4)JandJ P.
The National Exemplar is a charming restaurant in a charming hotel in a charming village. We had been away from Cincy for a few years, and needed to find out if the National Exemplar still had the best soup in town....and the answer is a big, fat Yes! We ended up getting the mushroom soup here on three separate occasions during our visit in Cincy, and it was every bit as good as remembered. The salted rye is the perfect accompaniment. We were told there is a new chef, formerly of Hugo's in Oakley, and the menu is a bit different than we remember, but in a good way. The food was good, but there is still room for improvement. The wine list is nice and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is perfect for a restaurant situated inside of an historical hotel. The bar area is beautiful, and the wingback chairs next to the fireplace are the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine, perhaps before heading upstairs to one of the surprisingly appointed guest rooms (see Mariemont Inn review).
(4)Jessi G.
After a less-than-stellar experience the last time I had dinner at The National Exemplar, the management contacted me and asked me to return. I LOVE it when businesses actually pay attention to their customers and receive their feedback graciously, so of course I came back again for dinner. My experience with dinner this time was much better! Justin and I came here on Saturday at 4:30pm because we had accidentally skipped lunch and were HUNGRY. We just strolled right on in, and when I walked in I immediately realized that they weren't open yet (oops!). The manager was nice enough to let us grab a table and a drink, while we waited for the kitchen to open at 5pm. I thought that was very nice hospitality to seat us rather than turning us away. So, like I said, we were super hungry, so we ordered basically one of everything that sounded good. haha We got the squid ink lobster pasta, the potato gnocchi, the filet, a side of brussel sprouts, and the caesar salad to start (YES, I KNOW we are piggies). You get a salad or soup when you order an entree, and let me just take a moment to recommend the Caesar salad. This was by far the most flavorful Caesar I have ever had. If you enjoy salty, briney, cheesy flavors, this is for you! A traditional caesar salad has anchovies, garlic, lemon, dijon mustard, egg yolks, and parmesan. This one was definitely traditional, and for added saltiness they put extra anchovies right in the salad. It was amazing! My fiance was kind of thrown off by the anchovies, but I ate his, so he was all good. haha I'm a true Caesar salad fan, and I'm glad to see this place is making them the old-fashioned way! As far as the pastas, they were good, not great considering the price..I think the squid ink pasta was VERY good, and had a lot of lobster in it. I could have just eaten that pasta for my meal with a Caesar salad. The gnocchi was kind of bland...All I tasted was tomato, and it needed basil or salt/pepper/garlic to make it more well-rounded. Overall, I think the pasta here wasn't as good as other restaurants in Cincinnati (i.e. Sotto, Boca, etc.). The steak was very good and cooked perfectly, but the sides that were served with it were boring and flavorless. The brussel sprouts weren't as crispy as I normally like them, but they were seasoned well. Overall, our service was very good, but we paid $100 for our meal (with two beers), and I felt like I could have paid the same amount at other restaurants and gotten better food. I will be coming back for brunch though, and for that Caesar salad with the squid ink pasta!
(4)Bob C.
Just returned from a delightful brunch at National Exemplar. Six old friends with a lot to talk about. Service was absolutely great with a very personable server who didn't rush us. She had pre-set the table with water and coffee. The menu was very good and our server informed us that we could order breakfast or lunch. Our food was very good and came with unexpected garnishes. Although the restaurant was busy, we did not feel rushed to leave. The only "con" I would offer is that they should put ice in the drinking water. They serve a carafe of water but it's chill is soon lost. We'll be back.
(4)Andrew ß.
We had a great breakfast splitting the eggs Benedict and vegetable hash Side of bacon was awesome! Great historical hotel. Great service! I Recommend sitting out side -
(4)Jackie M.
Solid brunch location! The National Exemplar is set in Mariemont with plenty of seating inside and a small but gorgeous outside patio. We have been here twice for brunch. Both times, I've had the bacado - bacon, avocado and Monterey cheese omelette with home fries and an English muffin. The omelette is great! My only complaint is that it is served with sour cream and salsa, but the salsa is rather bland and pretty much just tastes like tomato juice. My boyfriend enjoys the bacon and onion hash served with eggs and an English muffin. They have many choices, all reasonably priced around $9 or $10. We also tried the mimosas, which are large, well-balanced and only $5.5! There has been a small wait both times we have visited, but you can walk to the Mariemont theatre nearby for tickets or relax and drink complimentary coffee they serve during the wait. I gave them four stars instead of five because the home fries were slightly undercooked last time.
(4)Jim F.
This is one of my stand-by breakfast places and have enjoyed everything on the menu so far. I will say that my omelet has been overcooked but there are several tasty options on the menu. The dining room is relaxed and I've never felt rushed. I wish they took brunch reservations on the weekend but they do not so go prepared to wait as needed. My only complaint is the waitstaff are sometimes less than stellar. My last visit we asked for water FIVE times before it was finally brought. I checked the bar thinking I could retrieve my own but no one was there at the time. Finally, on the fifth request, we'd asked a different server and then our waiter came a few minutes later with water. Still a good experience but it got to be comical as it seemed the most basic request. Pro tip: the banana crunch pancakes are some of the best around.
(3)Justin M.
What a bummer. What used to be my go-to restaurant for brunch has started to eek downhill. We arrived about 45 minutes until they closed breakfast, and were seated outside in what must have been Cincinnati's local breeding ground for bees. Literally. We were swarmed by no less than 30 bees at any given time. As I drank my coffee I had to be cautious of one sneaking in while I wasn't paying attention. I would only knock a star off if this was the only problem. The biggest problems came from the uninspired food and drink (whose cost has risen btw) and the lethargic service. How hard is it to cook an omelette? I've ran into so many bad omelette's recently, it pains my heart. This one in particular was dry, burnt, cold, and bland. The potatoes on the side were cold. Everything was just meh, really. The fruit was good, I guess. The Bloody Mary had to just be tomato juice and nothing else. The service was what really stood out as lacking. Considering the time we were in there and the emptiness of the restaurant, I would have expected timelier service. Our waitress was nice as could be but she just wasn't ever around. It took a good 30 minutes to receive some syrup for the pancakes, which became cold as well in this time frame. I'm willing to go back because of the great first experience we had here but I'll be cautious not to order the omelette again and make sure to ask for everything I need for the meal well ahead of time. The saving grace is the historic building it's in, and the nice staff. Oh, and the free coffee through a Yelp deal.
(2)Debbie P.
I have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years, although I mostly would come here for breakfast, which is always a hit because it is the same as First Watch. However, the other evening we thought we'd try the National Exemplar on a whim. Service was great. We did not order cocktails, but we did have the bread, and I am happy to see that my favorite, the salted rye, was still in the bread basket! I would rather have plain butter rather than the honey-sweetened, especially with the salted rye. I know some people like a sweetened butter, but I find a salted, fresh, creamy butter to be so delicious! Our server was very friendly (although I did have to ask for bread to be brought...not sure why it isn't just standard to bring it or at least, to offer it) and did entice me with the special: a roasted corn and mushroom risotto with a lovely, buttery sauce and a nice piece of snapper. The mushrooms in the risotto had made the entire risotto a less appealing grey color, and the flavor of the mushrooms was very intense...so much that if you didn't remember that there were mushrooms in the dish you would have thought it had gone bad. However, the snapper was very good, and I enjoyed the sauce with it. My son got the grilled branzino, and it was cooked nicely. He also ordered as a side the Brussel Sprouts (a favorite) which looked delicious but were lacking that lovely crispy, browned outside with the tender middle that makes Brussel Sprouts so heavenly. The entire texture of the side dish was soft, as if they had been pre-cooked and then reheated, especially considering how quickly they came to our table. We enjoyed our visit, overall, and it was nice to come back to a favorite spot once again.
(4)David C.
We've had mixed experiences here before at dinner, but I had breakfast at the National Exemplar again last week and I have to say it was a great meal, topped off with nice level of service. The comfortable ambiance lifts the Exemplar up to 4-star level but I want to try again with wife to see if the food remains excellent. Breakfast tip: try the banana & granola crunch pancakes. They were excellent. BTW Really, really old people love this place, so it must be the combination of price, value, and atmosphere that is the key. I think if we lived anywhere close to Mariemont, we'd be spending our money weekly at the Exemplar.
(3)Jessi G.
After a less-than-stellar experience the last time I had dinner at The National Exemplar, the management contacted me and asked me to return. I LOVE it when businesses actually pay attention to their customers and receive their feedback graciously, so of course I came back again for dinner. My experience with dinner this time was much better! Justin and I came here on Saturday at 4:30pm because we had accidentally skipped lunch and were HUNGRY. We just strolled right on in, and when I walked in I immediately realized that they weren't open yet (oops!). The manager was nice enough to let us grab a table and a drink, while we waited for the kitchen to open at 5pm. I thought that was very nice hospitality to seat us rather than turning us away. So, like I said, we were super hungry, so we ordered basically one of everything that sounded good. haha We got the squid ink lobster pasta, the potato gnocchi, the filet, a side of brussel sprouts, and the caesar salad to start (YES, I KNOW we are piggies). You get a salad or soup when you order an entree, and let me just take a moment to recommend the Caesar salad. This was by far the most flavorful Caesar I have ever had. If you enjoy salty, briney, cheesy flavors, this is for you! A traditional caesar salad has anchovies, garlic, lemon, dijon mustard, egg yolks, and parmesan. This one was definitely traditional, and for added saltiness they put extra anchovies right in the salad. It was amazing! My fiance was kind of thrown off by the anchovies, but I ate his, so he was all good. haha I'm a true Caesar salad fan, and I'm glad to see this place is making them the old-fashioned way! As far as the pastas, they were good, not great considering the price..I think the squid ink pasta was VERY good, and had a lot of lobster in it. I could have just eaten that pasta for my meal with a Caesar salad. The gnocchi was kind of bland...All I tasted was tomato, and it needed basil or salt/pepper/garlic to make it more well-rounded. Overall, I think the pasta here wasn't as good as other restaurants in Cincinnati (i.e. Sotto, Boca, etc.). The steak was very good and cooked perfectly, but the sides that were served with it were boring and flavorless. The brussel sprouts weren't as crispy as I normally like them, but they were seasoned well. Overall, our service was very good, but we paid $100 for our meal (with two beers), and I felt like I could have paid the same amount at other restaurants and gotten better food. I will be coming back for brunch though, and for that Caesar salad with the squid ink pasta!
(4)Peter B.
Been here a couple of times. They have an ongoing offer of a free coffee with your purchase of anything else as long as you check in on Yelp while you're there. The coffee and the brunch are good. I've tried most of the things on the brunch menu which are all good. I'll definitely be back at some point. I have friends that are nuts about National Exemplar and swear that this is the best brunch in Cincinnati. Maybe it is the best in Cincinnati, but I've definitely had better many other places around the US. Still, it has a fun, rustic atmosphere and the location on Mariemont Square is great.
(4)Kimberly K.
The food was excellent as always. The service was very good but just a tad bit unfriendly. The rose for moms for Mothers day was a very nice touch! I had the bacado omelet which was just perfect.
(4)Megan P.
Like everyone else says - this is THE best brunch place to go and the price is right. I've never had to wait for at table or for food and it comes out right every time I've been (once every couple of months). I also like that you can substitute items in your omelettes or on your eggs Benedict. For example, the waitress actually suggested bacon and avocado instead of roasted turkey and I loved it. And if you're a veggie lover, their veggie omelette is packed with fresh veggies (best I've eaten). I've been there for dinner once as it was recommended by others and it was pretty good. They have a few seasonal options and I love when restaurants try to go seasonal/local - you can taste the freshness. Great portion size (not too much that I feel guilty ordering dessert and not so little that I have to eat my husband's food too). My only tiny complaint was the spring risotto with crab and snow peas was a bit bland in my opinion. And I felt bad asking for salt (not sure if that is a sin in fancy restaurants but I needed it)! Everything else was great! Go!
(4)Laura S.
Excellent food and coffee. We shared the breakfast quesadilla and a banana pancake, so yummy. Service was pleasant but a little distracted. Nice relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Ben G.
The music here is just too loud. And the music selection is terrible. I chose the National Exemplar as the restaurant for a special dinner with my parents on Thanksgiving Eve. My wife and I are both in our thirties and live in Brooklyn, and were visiting Cincinnati to see my family for Thanksgiving. At the restaurant, we were assaulted by WEBN-style hits from the 1990's, like Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." it was so loud, we could barely hear each other. I will never return until the music issue is dealt with. We asked the staff to turn down the music five times. Each time, the staff barely lowed the volume. They said they couldn't lower it much. When some horrible pop song with a thumping beat and shrieking vocals overwhelmed our conversation for the 10th time, I finally got up and asked for the manager. I was told she was on her way, but she never came. It was 9pm, and most of the people (two tables) in the restaurant were older. No one would have cared had the music been turned down to a reasonable level. It's a shame because the Prime Rib was one of the best I've had, and the rest of the food was quite good. Other issues: There's no liquor list with prices. The waiter gave me his tattered list of available spirits from his waiter book. There is no cocktail list. Overall, the service was pleasant and responsive but the waiters barely checked in on us in the last hour of our meal. Overall, it feels like the dining and bar staff need some adult supervision. It could be a really awesome restaurant, in a great location, and compete with bars and restaurants downtown. But they need to get a different consultant to advise on how to do that...preferably someone with better audio/atmospheric sensibilities and tastes.
(1)Mark F.
Tim is one if the best restauranteurs in the region. You can study this business for how to run a successful place. The breakfast is Cincinnati's best. The lunch is solid and the rooms and tables of any size make it a top echelon spot for a meeting whether private or semi private. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Paul K.
This is a perfect brunch restaurant when you don't want to go for too upscale nor greasy diner-style breakfast. I think it is one of the few place with a great food, clean restaurant, and cozy atmosphere. The ingredients were very fresh, and they cooked the vegetables inside my breakfast quesadilla - not too raw, not too cooked. My wife enjoyed her egg benedict with turkey. We also craved pancake, so we ordered double stack thinking small-sized pancakes like from IHOP. But it was huge, fluffy, and tasty. I did not have any complaint on service although we were the only one at the patio for a quite time. I got the refills at the right times and did not have problem to receive out server's attention. I cannot speak of lunch or dinner, but it's a perfect restaurant to have a slow brunch in beautiful Mariemont. I assume it will be difficult to get a table outside on sunny Saturdays, though. I will come back when Spring comes back.
(4)Devon C.
I went to the National Exemplar for brunch recently. It is located in the Mariemont Square and is a really cute spot, almost like a luxurious bed and breakfast. My fiancee ordered the Vegetable Omelet, and since I was in the mood for lunch I ordered the Bison Burger. Both were phenomenal and the portions were very large. It is a little expensive then a lot of the other brunch places in Cincy (in the $$ range), but I think it is well worth it.
(4)Donna H.
Our experience was wonderful. Attentive , polite service. Food was delicious, and presented well. One of my husband's favorite dishes is liver and onions, which you don' find on many menus. It is on the menu at The Exemplar, and he loved it. This is one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)Nicholas R.
Had the #CincinnatiBurgerWeek Blue Cheese and Horseradish burger and LOVED it! It was a little small but not unreasonable for $5. It was the smallest burger I had, having had a burger every day of the week, but still the best burger! I wish I had ordered 2!
(5)Olivia M.
I wasn't all that impressed with this place. I came for brunch and had the French toast because I was told it was amazing...and I can say I've had better. The bacon I had was cooked really well and was way to hard. Just not exactly what I was expecting. I will say the ambiance is nice and the presentation is great! Love the look and feel of the restaurant itself. I kind of forgot I was in Cincinnati.
(3)Cindy G.
It is with a heavy heart that I must downgrade The National Exemplar from 5 stars down to 3, and even that I feel is being extremely kind based on the service and experience we had yesterday. We decided to return for brunch yesterday afternoon around 1:00pm on one of the nicest days of the year. We sat outside on the gorgeous patio (which I still stand by as one of the nicest and most beautiful in the city). Problem #1: Bees. I know this is not really in the restaurants complete control, but it got to the point where there were at least ten bees swarming around just our table at one time. Our server opened a package of jelly and they attacked that for a while and then got bored and returned. I normally wouldn't bring this up, but like I said it was excessive and clearly a problem for us and both of the tables next to us. It made for a very unpleasant experience. I ordered the Bacado omelette which was a bacon, avocado and cheese omelette. Problem #2: Quality control. On my last visit my omelette was delicious, and fresh. This time around, I could not believe my eyes when my server sat the plate down with a moldy avocado on top of my omelette. I cut into the omelette and there was very little bacon in most parts no bacon at all. The avocado inside was brown in some parts black and mushy. The texture was completely off putting. I dug around to see if any of it was worth saving and then gave up. My boyfriend who will eat almost anything did not even eat it. Despite the lack of fresh ingredients it was severely overcooked. Looking back, I probably should have sent this back and I was really questioning whoever sent this out of the kitchen to begin with. We got the BLT which on the menu sounded incredible: brioche bun with home made basil aioli - yum! What we got was just okay. The lettuce was old, the bacon was mediocre and all together I just felt like I could have thrown this together at home. Side note: I ordered a Bloody Mary and it tasted like water and tomato juice. There was no spice or seasoning to it at all. Also they changed the prices from $4.95 to $6.95. Problem #3: Service. Just because we are at the tail end of brunch does not mean that we do not deserve the same quality service as the 10am crowd. Our server was almost non-existent. I have been a huge advocate for this place and have been telling everyone I know to come here and right now my heart aches because of how disappointing our meal was. If one of these things occurred, sure, okay. But the service, quality of food, and the crazy bee situation together made for a really awful start to our day. I don't think I will be running back here anytime soon.
(3)Stephen V.
The service is amazing, and the staff do a phenomenal job of making you feel like you're a celeb. I love the star treatment minus the paparazzi. LoL. Amazing place!!!
(5)Lonnetta P.
I'll give the place a solid 3 stars. Nice little breakfast/brunch place located in Mariemont. The place is easy to find with parking available behind and to the side of the building. The Thursday morning crowd was not too bad. My friend and I were immediately seated inside and offered beverages. Plenty of seating inside, but be sure to take advantage of the cute patio seating when the weather permits. The waitress was welcoming and suggested several crowd favorites. There is something on the menu for everyone to enjoy from pancakes and omelets to granola and chicken sausage. I ordered one of the skillet hashes (breakfast potatoes, onions, cheese, meat of choice with eggs on top). Delicious! It will cost you a little over $8 and comes with bread/english muffin if you like. I did notice the full bar if you want to order a mimosa with brunch. CHEERS! I would love to go back and experience the patio!
(3)Chelsea C.
It's a good place to have breakfast if you are in the Mariemont area. The atmosphere is nice (they have a patio for summertime) and the service has always been great but it's basically the same food you can get at First Watch. I love First Watch, but there are more convenient locations for me to have their food so I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here for breakfast unless I was already in the area. A good place to stop if you are in Mariemont though!
(3)Tom B.
Great place to eat. My wife and I had supper then went to the movies at Mariemont Movie Theater. We have eaten here multiple times and have always had great service and great food.
(5)Sam L.
We love the breakfast food here! The restaurant itself is so cool inside and the food is just as good. There is a wait on Sunday mornings, but it's worth it!
(4)Shawn M.
As good of a breakfast as can be made. The Mexican wrap was delicious and the bloody marry was delicious.
(5)Kellan C.
This place is just as awesome as mariemont sqare. I finally found a breakfast place in Cincinnati that I enjoy, has a short wait, and is good for groups. They have a full bar so you can get bloody Mary's and/or mimosas. The food was good too. I got the bravado- bacon, avocado, and Monterey jack cheese in a omelet. Not super creative but it was really good. The staff was nice as well. Service was quick and I think the owner is the receptionist. I think that's important because you can see much he cares about the restaurant ass soon as you walk in. I definitely recommend it and I will be back!
(5)Bob C.
Just returned from a delightful brunch at National Exemplar. Six old friends with a lot to talk about. Service was absolutely great with a very personable server who didn't rush us. She had pre-set the table with water and coffee. The menu was very good and our server informed us that we could order breakfast or lunch. Our food was very good and came with unexpected garnishes. Although the restaurant was busy, we did not feel rushed to leave. The only "con" I would offer is that they should put ice in the drinking water. They serve a carafe of water but it's chill is soon lost. We'll be back.
(4)Joanne H.
Love the friendly and accommodating service here. We brought akoya to breakfast and they quickly offered to let us sit outside with her. Aside from the outdoor area being polluted with the car noise, our dining experience was EXEMPLAR!! Today is our 2nd time dining and i think we wont hesitate to dine here again. Freshly squeezed oj is quenching. And i personally love their half turkey sandwich with aioli and soup/salad.
(5)Andrew ß.
We had a great breakfast splitting the eggs Benedict and vegetable hash Side of bacon was awesome! Great historical hotel. Great service! I Recommend sitting out side -
(4)Andrew T.
Did they get a new chef? Over the past few years the quality has improved significantly...along with the prices! Filet was perfection and we fought over the sides of Mac n Cheese. Gotta try it! In the past, our service has been hit or miss (especially in the AM), however it was excellent. They accommodated our 25 person birthday party in the bar area, including our 2 hour cocktail. It was outstanding. Also a great place to stop for drinks and a bite on the outdoor terrace during warmer months. Ask the server to light a fire for you.
(4)Jocalyn E.
Always good, always consistent. Love their blueberry wheat germ pancakes. Menu has changed some over the year, but still as good as always.
(4)Sara M.
Totally mediocre and overpriced. I had the flavorless spring vegetable salad and the mussels, which were not bad but not great. The service was slow, but I think only one waitress was working the entire restaurant. I would not eat here again. Disappointing.
(1)Elaine W.
I've been on a brunch streak recently, trying out new places. National Exemplar was on my radar since it is THE brunch spot in Mariemont, and Mariemont is just awesome. Funny even though it's pretty well known, we didn't have to wait at all on a Saturday during peak brunch time. They were popular but had plenty of seating inside and out. I was feeling french toast and heard good things about the toast here, so I went in for it. You can choose sourdough or cinnamon raisin, since I was getting it with the fruit and coconut flakes (do it!), I wanted to balance out the sweet and went for sourdough. Yummm it was perfect. Not too sweet at all, and the bread was a bit chewy, which I liked. Could've been thicker though. My brunch mates enjoyed their dishes: the oatmeal, the eggs benedict. Everything was great and beautifully presented (as brunch should be!). But nothing mind-blowing. It was lovely sitting outside, as you can sit back and enjoy Mariemont's quaint scenery: cute old folks ambling along.
(4)Angela C.
Dinner review: I believe that National Exemplar acquired a new chef somewhat recently. Lucky for my group, because the meal was great! The biscuit sliders are a must. Everything else was pretty solid- I had the chicken pot pie, which was good and had a lot of solid chunks of chicken. I appreciate that the salads were nicely priced, with a small and large plate option (a lot of pricier restaurants have incredibly over-priced salads!). I thought the house salad was very tasty and fresh. Love the Southeby's side, where it is more casual and you can also order food. Service was friendly and we got in and out in time to catch our movie over at the Mariemont Theater. Again, love the cozy ambiance!
(4)Chad S.
Our annual tradition on Christmas Eve includes brunch/lunch at the National Exemplar. I know that they are busy for dinner on Christmas Eve, but there rarely is a wait here during the day that's longer than 15 minutes. TIPS: The restaurant staff will look for you in the connected hotel lobby when your table is ready. Don't sit next to the door where the cold air rushes in every time someone arrives. Instead, there are several nooks where you can carry on a quiet conversation in the lobby. There is ample parking available in the surface lot behind and to the side of the building. Check out one of the many locally owned shops around this restaurant. Very good coffee!
(5)Theresa B.
I'm a regular to this place. I go for the Eggs Benedict and stay for the Bloody Mary. Fantastic place to meet the girls for brunch. The outdoor seating is nice and in Autumn, you can roast marshmallows at the fire.
(4)Warren H.
Being a restaurant in a hotel, the food was pretty much what you would expect. Well crafted plates, just lacking a little bit of the flavor. Walking in and seeing the decor, I thought the menu was going to be a bit more pretentious and pricier, but it was fairly priced with a decent selection. I had the bacon and onion hash with eggs and my girlfriend claimed that I had "won" over her choice of the vegetable Benedict. We also split a single banana and granola pancake, just because I had to try it out. It was pretty much a dessert after brunch, and I can only imagine how sweet their chocolate chip pancakes are. Would have loved to sit outside, but there was construction and a jackhammer would have dominated any attempt at conversation. We were there before any big crowds, so I have not seen the place in full swing.
(3)Ron A.
Only five minutes away from the likes of GTA: Madisonville and the forward-thinking Clermont County is the beautiful and enchanting Mariemont, Ohio. This small town is known for its English Tudor Style architecture, gorgeous neighborhoods, and amazing square. At the heart of the town is the Mariemont Inn and its signature restaurant: The National Exemplar. Most people think of brunch when they hear National Exemplar but I go there for its unique and cozy pub. National Exemplar has earned its reputation for having the best brunch in the city. And while I will admit that I like it here, something seems a bit off about their menu. The Bacado Omelette? Skillet Hashes? The Tri-Fecta? Wait, is this First Watch or National Exemplar? Apparently they both have the same owner which means similar menus. It seems a little tawdry to host identical menus at two very different restaurants but I guess that's why I'm Yelping and not owning two successful restaurants. The food is definitely good but in the end it fails to blow my mind like other popular brunch places I've frequented. The main reason I'm giving this establishment four stars is not the actual restaurant or its food but instead the little known bar in the front of the Inn called Southerby's at National Exemplar. This is THE bar to take a girl on a date when visiting Mariemont. The beer and wine selection is diverse and priced well but it's the ambiance that makes this spot a winner. Although small, this bar poses as a veritable English pub with its classic style bar and surrounding tables. In addition, it boasts over-sized chairs and sofas centered around the Inn's original 1920s fireplace. I absolutely love it here! In all, National Exemplar is worth a visit whether you're from Cincinnati or staying at the Mariemont Inn from out of town. Just do yourself a favor and avoid Madisonville and Clermont County at all costs. In fact, if you could parachute into Mariemont from a plane, that may be your best bet! (JK Clermont, I love you! Madisonville, not so much...)
(4)John B.
After reading many glowing reviews about this place, I really was excited about going to dinner here, but sadly, I was not really impressed. 3, maybe 4 stars for service and ambiance, but 2 for the food, at least what I had. I ordered the Pan Seared Pacific Halibut ($24) - garlic butter, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat, wilted spinach, basil hollandaise sauce. As far as the crab meat goes, the only thing "jumbo" about the dish was the price. If I pay over $20 for an entree, it should really be impressive, and this piece of fish was not really flavorful or anything better than what I could get at a regular chain restaurant. The crab meat was about the size of a pinch, which was a bummer as it was the primary reason I ordered the dish. I was able to sample the Braised Bison Short Ribs ($22) - hoison cherry barbecue sauce, crispy onions, and found that to be a fairly tasty dish. The staff I encountered were very friendly and helpful, and our food was served on time, so the gripes people had with service in the past may have been rectified. I would like to come back for brunch but for now, I'll steer clear of this place. I will give it to NE for being the first place that I've come across that has wooden automatic doors. That was cool.
(2)Will H.
So this is a rating on their breakfast menu only... they seem to have many wonderful lunch and dinner options and a full bar but we seem to frequent their breakfast most often... I'm going to say it straight up, for a bunch of IU grads they do just ok. Go Boilers! Just kidding, these guys do a fabulous job. They are always busy on the weekends but we've rarely waited more than 20-30minutes and usually less if we only have 3-4 in our party. Their service has always been friendly, attentive and quick even when they were busy. I have yet to order a thing bad on the menu. The Pope John is a great breakfast if you want something a little greasy and delicious. Any of the Fritattas are out of this world in particuar the Sonoran Fritatta is awesome with spicy chorizo and onions and wow. They have these "crepegg" things that are also fabulous. I like the California or the Turkey Dill. I personally think they make the best pancakes in the city. They are huge!! But they dont stop at quantity, they are of outstanding quality, always hot and fluffly. A full order is a meal in itself... they are very willing to just bring you 1 or 2. I am one that loves to order breakfast ala'carte and they are very willing to bring out whatever you want. Excellent! There are a lot of healthy options too that are of the same delicious quality as the others. Veggie Wrap or Tri-athlete omelette which is all egg whites and veggies and salsa... Honestly, if you are on the east side one morning, go to Mariemont square, wander around and have some breakfast at one of the best places in the city. Give me a call, because I will totally be down for a pancake.
(5)Rob R.
National Exemplar is a cool restaurant in Mariemont. The dining room isn't huge, so if you have a large party, I would recommend getting there early. They pretty much have everything you could want for breakfast, including that Cincinnati staple, Goetta. Oh...and they have a bar, so you can have a Mimosa with your meal. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their food. I certainly did. I would definitely go back!
(4)Christiaan T.
they have great food but you gotta try the bison burger.......wow
(4)Chris P.
We were in Cincinnati for business and were in the area so we went to National Exemplar based upon a coworkers suggestion. It is a little hidden so not the easiest place to find but in a very nice area of Marymount. Reviews said they had a superb French Dip sandwich, but it was not on the menu. Perhaps it is only there for their dinner menu and we were there on a Saturday around 11 am. Two of us decided on breakfast items and one decided to have the burger for lunch. The food was well done and tasted great. Nothing appeared to be a food service pre-made special and everyone was happy. The decor is a little dated but it is also some of the charm of the restaurant. I will say the service was great and our server was very helpful and friendly.
(3)Adolfo N.
Top 3 Brunches I've had since moving to Cincinnati, not much on the menu that isn't delicious. They serve dinner too, but I've only had it once. Breakfast is what keeps me coming back. The hollandaise sauce is my favorite. Decent portions, don't expect to walk away stuffed, just... happy.
(5)M. J.
At first glance your going to say "I see old people" however, do not be fooled. There is a wide mix of an age bracket and a menu that does not disappoint. Everything from the Basic club sandwich to a wonderful blackened scallop and shrimp fettucini. My suggestion: Dinner, drinks, a little walk, followed by Graeters ice-cream and a movie. Perfect date night in charming Mariemont.
(4)Adam S.
Just had a great business lunch here as I often do. For environment it's a 5 star. Only putting 4 stars for menu which is nice and similar to a first watch. Servers are great, consistent, and attentive to the amount of "touch" your table needs based on how intense the biz lunch/breakfast may be.
(4)Chuck H.
Best for breakfast, it gets an extra star for being one of the few places you can get good bloody mary's and mimosas at breakfast. Nice atmosphere.
(4)Sonam P.
This place has a great atmosphere and looks adorable inside and out. The staff is also friendly and service is prompt. The crepes taste amazing and their menu looks delicious. I do wish they had side dishes as well like soups or salads rather than full meal sizes only. This place is good for a date as the place is very quaint.
(4)Elizabeth W.
This is THE place in Mariemont for brunch. I've eaten here several times for brunch, but never for dinner, which I've heard is good. Tucked into the national historic landmark hotel, the decor reflects the decor of the times. It's a bit dark and heavy with lots of wood. I think it's really pretty and cozy, like an old hunting lodge. The entry way has a large chalkboard with the happenings in the village of Mariemont for the day, including the weather, newspapers, and coffee to get you started. I love that! You'll have time to read it while you wait during the busy Sunday brunch time. Ok, on to the food, this is pretty standard brunch fare for Cincinnati. You'll find very similar brunch items at a busy local chain. The food is good and filling, lots of eggs and carbs with a coffee pot that stays on your table, so your cup never runs dry or cold. What more could you want from brunch? This is a good solid choice and I never hesitate to suggest it.
(3)Laura M.
Best place for brunch on the Eastside, and not too long of a wait. They have all of the usual options like eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. and healthy options too. I LOVE the skillets! It is hash brown potatoes loaded with cheese and two other toppings of your choice. I top mine with bacon and mushrooms. It is a very cute restaurant located inside the Mariemont Inn. It seems a little formal from the outside, but it is very laid back. No need to get dressed up to have your favorite brunch. The meals are a great value...similar prices to chains, but a lot more atmosphere. I've had lunch and dinner here too. It is nice, good value, good options, but the brunch is the best!
(5)Maureen C.
Dudes. This is glorified Denny's. NOTHING SPECIAL. Go to Annabel's if you want an actually interesting brunch experience.
(2)Stephanie P.
This is my Sunday brunch staple. It's the delicious food, cozy atmosphere and decent prices that keep my coming back. I love everything about this place--from the dark wood and roaring fireplace to the beautiful location in picturesque Mariemont. They also have some great outdoor seating that overlooks the square. You can expect a wait if you don't get there early (before 10:30 ish), but grab some coffee or take a stroll around the square to kill the time--it's crowded for good reason. The food is great, and the prices are affordable. Some of my favorites: the Bacado (served with a side of delicious salsa), the pancakes (fluffy and delicious) and the French toast (cooked to perfection). I've never been here for dinner, and I can only speak to the breakfast menu. But I'm definately planning on trying out their dinner menu soon!
(5)Sherry T.
My husband and I happened to be near Mariemont yesterday, so we decided to have breakfast at the National Exemplar after reading other Yelp reviewers' comments. I am so glad we went! I had the French toast (sourdough version); it was the best I've ever had. I'm not sure what kind of vanilla they use it in, but it made the toast over-the-top delicious. I also had a side of goetta; it was okay. My husband had a frittata with chorizo, which was very good. Service was excellent and their outside seating is a perfect way to enjoy Mariemont's peaceful setting.
(4)Amy E.
My husband and I went here for brunch-- he had chosen this place because of the glowing reviews, and we were pretty pleased with the place. Ambiance: Mariemont is such a cute area, and there is a nice outdoor seating area. Indoors, it is the hotel dining room, so it isn't as cute, but still a nice place to eat. Service: A bit slow, but not terrible. Wouldn't add or take away any stars for this. Food: Classic brunch food and very satisfying. I had an Eggs Benedict, which tasted good, though it wasn't the best I have ever had. I enjoyed the selection of fresh fruit that came with it. My husband enjoyed the Traditional Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed his fresh cut breakfast potatoes that came with it. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and would come back.
(4)Amy V.
We're pretty much there every weekend for brunch. Nice staff, good food, love the atmosphere. See you next weekend!
(4)Chris C.
Simply PHECKING Phantastic! ======================== We have been to the National Exemplar a few times in the past but not for a year or two. We've always liked the breakfast fare a lot and found the evening meals to be very good but perhaps somewhat bland. Last Friday was a HUGE EXCEPTION. Did they change the chef in the last couple of years? My starter was the Smoked Salmon, which was, I hate to use the word, divine! Anyway I enjoy Liver and Onions and I sometimes order it when I'm out because it's one of those organ meats that just does not look or feel right before its cooked. I ordered the Liver and Onions and found it to be simply excellent! The presentation was perfect and the flavor and texture even better. My wife and friends ordered other stuff (I'm always the only one eating the liver) and I know they said their meals were great but I have no clue what they ordered. The waiter was better than best and it was simply a wonderful evening. We enjoyed each others quirky humor, or at least he was polite and laughed with us! I jest, he was the perfect choice of waiter for our evening out.
(5)Debbie P.
I have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years, although I mostly would come here for breakfast, which is always a hit because it is the same as First Watch. However, the other evening we thought we'd try the National Exemplar on a whim. Service was great. We did not order cocktails, but we did have the bread, and I am happy to see that my favorite, the salted rye, was still in the bread basket! I would rather have plain butter rather than the honey-sweetened, especially with the salted rye. I know some people like a sweetened butter, but I find a salted, fresh, creamy butter to be so delicious! Our server was very friendly (although I did have to ask for bread to be brought...not sure why it isn't just standard to bring it or at least, to offer it) and did entice me with the special: a roasted corn and mushroom risotto with a lovely, buttery sauce and a nice piece of snapper. The mushrooms in the risotto had made the entire risotto a less appealing grey color, and the flavor of the mushrooms was very intense...so much that if you didn't remember that there were mushrooms in the dish you would have thought it had gone bad. However, the snapper was very good, and I enjoyed the sauce with it. My son got the grilled branzino, and it was cooked nicely. He also ordered as a side the Brussel Sprouts (a favorite) which looked delicious but were lacking that lovely crispy, browned outside with the tender middle that makes Brussel Sprouts so heavenly. The entire texture of the side dish was soft, as if they had been pre-cooked and then reheated, especially considering how quickly they came to our table. We enjoyed our visit, overall, and it was nice to come back to a favorite spot once again.
(4)Justin M.
What a bummer. What used to be my go-to restaurant for brunch has started to eek downhill. We arrived about 45 minutes until they closed breakfast, and were seated outside in what must have been Cincinnati's local breeding ground for bees. Literally. We were swarmed by no less than 30 bees at any given time. As I drank my coffee I had to be cautious of one sneaking in while I wasn't paying attention. I would only knock a star off if this was the only problem. The biggest problems came from the uninspired food and drink (whose cost has risen btw) and the lethargic service. How hard is it to cook an omelette? I've ran into so many bad omelette's recently, it pains my heart. This one in particular was dry, burnt, cold, and bland. The potatoes on the side were cold. Everything was just meh, really. The fruit was good, I guess. The Bloody Mary had to just be tomato juice and nothing else. The service was what really stood out as lacking. Considering the time we were in there and the emptiness of the restaurant, I would have expected timelier service. Our waitress was nice as could be but she just wasn't ever around. It took a good 30 minutes to receive some syrup for the pancakes, which became cold as well in this time frame. I'm willing to go back because of the great first experience we had here but I'll be cautious not to order the omelette again and make sure to ask for everything I need for the meal well ahead of time. The saving grace is the historic building it's in, and the nice staff. Oh, and the free coffee through a Yelp deal.
(2)Stephen V.
The service is amazing, and the staff do a phenomenal job of making you feel like you're a celeb. I love the star treatment minus the paparazzi. LoL. Amazing place!!!
(5)Tom B.
Great place to eat. My wife and I had supper then went to the movies at Mariemont Movie Theater. We have eaten here multiple times and have always had great service and great food.
(5)Devon C.
I went to the National Exemplar for brunch recently. It is located in the Mariemont Square and is a really cute spot, almost like a luxurious bed and breakfast. My fiancee ordered the Vegetable Omelet, and since I was in the mood for lunch I ordered the Bison Burger. Both were phenomenal and the portions were very large. It is a little expensive then a lot of the other brunch places in Cincy (in the $$ range), but I think it is well worth it.
(4)Shawn M.
As good of a breakfast as can be made. The Mexican wrap was delicious and the bloody marry was delicious.
(5)Kellan C.
This place is just as awesome as mariemont sqare. I finally found a breakfast place in Cincinnati that I enjoy, has a short wait, and is good for groups. They have a full bar so you can get bloody Mary's and/or mimosas. The food was good too. I got the bravado- bacon, avocado, and Monterey jack cheese in a omelet. Not super creative but it was really good. The staff was nice as well. Service was quick and I think the owner is the receptionist. I think that's important because you can see much he cares about the restaurant ass soon as you walk in. I definitely recommend it and I will be back!
(5)Jocalyn E.
Always good, always consistent. Love their blueberry wheat germ pancakes. Menu has changed some over the year, but still as good as always.
(4)Jackie M.
Solid brunch location! The National Exemplar is set in Mariemont with plenty of seating inside and a small but gorgeous outside patio. We have been here twice for brunch. Both times, I've had the bacado - bacon, avocado and Monterey cheese omelette with home fries and an English muffin. The omelette is great! My only complaint is that it is served with sour cream and salsa, but the salsa is rather bland and pretty much just tastes like tomato juice. My boyfriend enjoys the bacon and onion hash served with eggs and an English muffin. They have many choices, all reasonably priced around $9 or $10. We also tried the mimosas, which are large, well-balanced and only $5.5! There has been a small wait both times we have visited, but you can walk to the Mariemont theatre nearby for tickets or relax and drink complimentary coffee they serve during the wait. I gave them four stars instead of five because the home fries were slightly undercooked last time.
(4)Peter B.
Been here a couple of times. They have an ongoing offer of a free coffee with your purchase of anything else as long as you check in on Yelp while you're there. The coffee and the brunch are good. I've tried most of the things on the brunch menu which are all good. I'll definitely be back at some point. I have friends that are nuts about National Exemplar and swear that this is the best brunch in Cincinnati. Maybe it is the best in Cincinnati, but I've definitely had better many other places around the US. Still, it has a fun, rustic atmosphere and the location on Mariemont Square is great.
(4)Kimberly K.
The food was excellent as always. The service was very good but just a tad bit unfriendly. The rose for moms for Mothers day was a very nice touch! I had the bacado omelet which was just perfect.
(4)Jim F.
This is one of my stand-by breakfast places and have enjoyed everything on the menu so far. I will say that my omelet has been overcooked but there are several tasty options on the menu. The dining room is relaxed and I've never felt rushed. I wish they took brunch reservations on the weekend but they do not so go prepared to wait as needed. My only complaint is the waitstaff are sometimes less than stellar. My last visit we asked for water FIVE times before it was finally brought. I checked the bar thinking I could retrieve my own but no one was there at the time. Finally, on the fifth request, we'd asked a different server and then our waiter came a few minutes later with water. Still a good experience but it got to be comical as it seemed the most basic request. Pro tip: the banana crunch pancakes are some of the best around.
(3)Olivia M.
I wasn't all that impressed with this place. I came for brunch and had the French toast because I was told it was amazing...and I can say I've had better. The bacon I had was cooked really well and was way to hard. Just not exactly what I was expecting. I will say the ambiance is nice and the presentation is great! Love the look and feel of the restaurant itself. I kind of forgot I was in Cincinnati.
(3)Nicholas R.
Had the #CincinnatiBurgerWeek Blue Cheese and Horseradish burger and LOVED it! It was a little small but not unreasonable for $5. It was the smallest burger I had, having had a burger every day of the week, but still the best burger! I wish I had ordered 2!
(5)Lonnetta P.
I'll give the place a solid 3 stars. Nice little breakfast/brunch place located in Mariemont. The place is easy to find with parking available behind and to the side of the building. The Thursday morning crowd was not too bad. My friend and I were immediately seated inside and offered beverages. Plenty of seating inside, but be sure to take advantage of the cute patio seating when the weather permits. The waitress was welcoming and suggested several crowd favorites. There is something on the menu for everyone to enjoy from pancakes and omelets to granola and chicken sausage. I ordered one of the skillet hashes (breakfast potatoes, onions, cheese, meat of choice with eggs on top). Delicious! It will cost you a little over $8 and comes with bread/english muffin if you like. I did notice the full bar if you want to order a mimosa with brunch. CHEERS! I would love to go back and experience the patio!
(3)Chelsea C.
It's a good place to have breakfast if you are in the Mariemont area. The atmosphere is nice (they have a patio for summertime) and the service has always been great but it's basically the same food you can get at First Watch. I love First Watch, but there are more convenient locations for me to have their food so I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here for breakfast unless I was already in the area. A good place to stop if you are in Mariemont though!
(3)Donna H.
Our experience was wonderful. Attentive , polite service. Food was delicious, and presented well. One of my husband's favorite dishes is liver and onions, which you don' find on many menus. It is on the menu at The Exemplar, and he loved it. This is one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)Cindy G.
It is with a heavy heart that I must downgrade The National Exemplar from 5 stars down to 3, and even that I feel is being extremely kind based on the service and experience we had yesterday. We decided to return for brunch yesterday afternoon around 1:00pm on one of the nicest days of the year. We sat outside on the gorgeous patio (which I still stand by as one of the nicest and most beautiful in the city). Problem #1: Bees. I know this is not really in the restaurants complete control, but it got to the point where there were at least ten bees swarming around just our table at one time. Our server opened a package of jelly and they attacked that for a while and then got bored and returned. I normally wouldn't bring this up, but like I said it was excessive and clearly a problem for us and both of the tables next to us. It made for a very unpleasant experience. I ordered the Bacado omelette which was a bacon, avocado and cheese omelette. Problem #2: Quality control. On my last visit my omelette was delicious, and fresh. This time around, I could not believe my eyes when my server sat the plate down with a moldy avocado on top of my omelette. I cut into the omelette and there was very little bacon in most parts no bacon at all. The avocado inside was brown in some parts black and mushy. The texture was completely off putting. I dug around to see if any of it was worth saving and then gave up. My boyfriend who will eat almost anything did not even eat it. Despite the lack of fresh ingredients it was severely overcooked. Looking back, I probably should have sent this back and I was really questioning whoever sent this out of the kitchen to begin with. We got the BLT which on the menu sounded incredible: brioche bun with home made basil aioli - yum! What we got was just okay. The lettuce was old, the bacon was mediocre and all together I just felt like I could have thrown this together at home. Side note: I ordered a Bloody Mary and it tasted like water and tomato juice. There was no spice or seasoning to it at all. Also they changed the prices from $4.95 to $6.95. Problem #3: Service. Just because we are at the tail end of brunch does not mean that we do not deserve the same quality service as the 10am crowd. Our server was almost non-existent. I have been a huge advocate for this place and have been telling everyone I know to come here and right now my heart aches because of how disappointing our meal was. If one of these things occurred, sure, okay. But the service, quality of food, and the crazy bee situation together made for a really awful start to our day. I don't think I will be running back here anytime soon.
(3)Andrew T.
Did they get a new chef? Over the past few years the quality has improved significantly...along with the prices! Filet was perfection and we fought over the sides of Mac n Cheese. Gotta try it! In the past, our service has been hit or miss (especially in the AM), however it was excellent. They accommodated our 25 person birthday party in the bar area, including our 2 hour cocktail. It was outstanding. Also a great place to stop for drinks and a bite on the outdoor terrace during warmer months. Ask the server to light a fire for you.
(4)Ben G.
The music here is just too loud. And the music selection is terrible. I chose the National Exemplar as the restaurant for a special dinner with my parents on Thanksgiving Eve. My wife and I are both in our thirties and live in Brooklyn, and were visiting Cincinnati to see my family for Thanksgiving. At the restaurant, we were assaulted by WEBN-style hits from the 1990's, like Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." it was so loud, we could barely hear each other. I will never return until the music issue is dealt with. We asked the staff to turn down the music five times. Each time, the staff barely lowed the volume. They said they couldn't lower it much. When some horrible pop song with a thumping beat and shrieking vocals overwhelmed our conversation for the 10th time, I finally got up and asked for the manager. I was told she was on her way, but she never came. It was 9pm, and most of the people (two tables) in the restaurant were older. No one would have cared had the music been turned down to a reasonable level. It's a shame because the Prime Rib was one of the best I've had, and the rest of the food was quite good. Other issues: There's no liquor list with prices. The waiter gave me his tattered list of available spirits from his waiter book. There is no cocktail list. Overall, the service was pleasant and responsive but the waiters barely checked in on us in the last hour of our meal. Overall, it feels like the dining and bar staff need some adult supervision. It could be a really awesome restaurant, in a great location, and compete with bars and restaurants downtown. But they need to get a different consultant to advise on how to do that...preferably someone with better audio/atmospheric sensibilities and tastes.
(1)Mark F.
Tim is one if the best restauranteurs in the region. You can study this business for how to run a successful place. The breakfast is Cincinnati's best. The lunch is solid and the rooms and tables of any size make it a top echelon spot for a meeting whether private or semi private. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Sam L.
We love the breakfast food here! The restaurant itself is so cool inside and the food is just as good. There is a wait on Sunday mornings, but it's worth it!
(4)Paul K.
This is a perfect brunch restaurant when you don't want to go for too upscale nor greasy diner-style breakfast. I think it is one of the few place with a great food, clean restaurant, and cozy atmosphere. The ingredients were very fresh, and they cooked the vegetables inside my breakfast quesadilla - not too raw, not too cooked. My wife enjoyed her egg benedict with turkey. We also craved pancake, so we ordered double stack thinking small-sized pancakes like from IHOP. But it was huge, fluffy, and tasty. I did not have any complaint on service although we were the only one at the patio for a quite time. I got the refills at the right times and did not have problem to receive out server's attention. I cannot speak of lunch or dinner, but it's a perfect restaurant to have a slow brunch in beautiful Mariemont. I assume it will be difficult to get a table outside on sunny Saturdays, though. I will come back when Spring comes back.
(4)Joanne H.
Love the friendly and accommodating service here. We brought akoya to breakfast and they quickly offered to let us sit outside with her. Aside from the outdoor area being polluted with the car noise, our dining experience was EXEMPLAR!! Today is our 2nd time dining and i think we wont hesitate to dine here again. Freshly squeezed oj is quenching. And i personally love their half turkey sandwich with aioli and soup/salad.
(5)David C.
We've had mixed experiences here before at dinner, but I had breakfast at the National Exemplar again last week and I have to say it was a great meal, topped off with nice level of service. The comfortable ambiance lifts the Exemplar up to 4-star level but I want to try again with wife to see if the food remains excellent. Breakfast tip: try the banana & granola crunch pancakes. They were excellent. BTW Really, really old people love this place, so it must be the combination of price, value, and atmosphere that is the key. I think if we lived anywhere close to Mariemont, we'd be spending our money weekly at the Exemplar.
(3)Sara M.
Totally mediocre and overpriced. I had the flavorless spring vegetable salad and the mussels, which were not bad but not great. The service was slow, but I think only one waitress was working the entire restaurant. I would not eat here again. Disappointing.
(1)Elaine W.
I've been on a brunch streak recently, trying out new places. National Exemplar was on my radar since it is THE brunch spot in Mariemont, and Mariemont is just awesome. Funny even though it's pretty well known, we didn't have to wait at all on a Saturday during peak brunch time. They were popular but had plenty of seating inside and out. I was feeling french toast and heard good things about the toast here, so I went in for it. You can choose sourdough or cinnamon raisin, since I was getting it with the fruit and coconut flakes (do it!), I wanted to balance out the sweet and went for sourdough. Yummm it was perfect. Not too sweet at all, and the bread was a bit chewy, which I liked. Could've been thicker though. My brunch mates enjoyed their dishes: the oatmeal, the eggs benedict. Everything was great and beautifully presented (as brunch should be!). But nothing mind-blowing. It was lovely sitting outside, as you can sit back and enjoy Mariemont's quaint scenery: cute old folks ambling along.
(4)Angela C.
Dinner review: I believe that National Exemplar acquired a new chef somewhat recently. Lucky for my group, because the meal was great! The biscuit sliders are a must. Everything else was pretty solid- I had the chicken pot pie, which was good and had a lot of solid chunks of chicken. I appreciate that the salads were nicely priced, with a small and large plate option (a lot of pricier restaurants have incredibly over-priced salads!). I thought the house salad was very tasty and fresh. Love the Southeby's side, where it is more casual and you can also order food. Service was friendly and we got in and out in time to catch our movie over at the Mariemont Theater. Again, love the cozy ambiance!
(4)Chad S.
Our annual tradition on Christmas Eve includes brunch/lunch at the National Exemplar. I know that they are busy for dinner on Christmas Eve, but there rarely is a wait here during the day that's longer than 15 minutes. TIPS: The restaurant staff will look for you in the connected hotel lobby when your table is ready. Don't sit next to the door where the cold air rushes in every time someone arrives. Instead, there are several nooks where you can carry on a quiet conversation in the lobby. There is ample parking available in the surface lot behind and to the side of the building. Check out one of the many locally owned shops around this restaurant. Very good coffee!
(5)Theresa B.
I'm a regular to this place. I go for the Eggs Benedict and stay for the Bloody Mary. Fantastic place to meet the girls for brunch. The outdoor seating is nice and in Autumn, you can roast marshmallows at the fire.
(4)Warren H.
Being a restaurant in a hotel, the food was pretty much what you would expect. Well crafted plates, just lacking a little bit of the flavor. Walking in and seeing the decor, I thought the menu was going to be a bit more pretentious and pricier, but it was fairly priced with a decent selection. I had the bacon and onion hash with eggs and my girlfriend claimed that I had "won" over her choice of the vegetable Benedict. We also split a single banana and granola pancake, just because I had to try it out. It was pretty much a dessert after brunch, and I can only imagine how sweet their chocolate chip pancakes are. Would have loved to sit outside, but there was construction and a jackhammer would have dominated any attempt at conversation. We were there before any big crowds, so I have not seen the place in full swing.
(3)Megan P.
Like everyone else says - this is THE best brunch place to go and the price is right. I've never had to wait for at table or for food and it comes out right every time I've been (once every couple of months). I also like that you can substitute items in your omelettes or on your eggs Benedict. For example, the waitress actually suggested bacon and avocado instead of roasted turkey and I loved it. And if you're a veggie lover, their veggie omelette is packed with fresh veggies (best I've eaten). I've been there for dinner once as it was recommended by others and it was pretty good. They have a few seasonal options and I love when restaurants try to go seasonal/local - you can taste the freshness. Great portion size (not too much that I feel guilty ordering dessert and not so little that I have to eat my husband's food too). My only tiny complaint was the spring risotto with crab and snow peas was a bit bland in my opinion. And I felt bad asking for salt (not sure if that is a sin in fancy restaurants but I needed it)! Everything else was great! Go!
(4)Laura S.
Excellent food and coffee. We shared the breakfast quesadilla and a banana pancake, so yummy. Service was pleasant but a little distracted. Nice relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Sherry T.
My husband and I happened to be near Mariemont yesterday, so we decided to have breakfast at the National Exemplar after reading other Yelp reviewers' comments. I am so glad we went! I had the French toast (sourdough version); it was the best I've ever had. I'm not sure what kind of vanilla they use it in, but it made the toast over-the-top delicious. I also had a side of goetta; it was okay. My husband had a frittata with chorizo, which was very good. Service was excellent and their outside seating is a perfect way to enjoy Mariemont's peaceful setting.
(4)Merlin B.
This was a great place to get great food and first rate service. Unfortunately looks like the entire experienced staff has been replaced with poorly trained people who have no interest in customer service. Numerous visits continue to result in wrong orders, forgotten orders and the continual chorus of servers & runners yelling over the conversation asking who ordered what. Something they should be trained to know. Filtered "warm" water Bitter coffee Food was ok, if and when it made it to the table. Will continue to return in hopes they can get back to the quality and service they were known for..
(1)Amy E.
My husband and I went here for brunch-- he had chosen this place because of the glowing reviews, and we were pretty pleased with the place. Ambiance: Mariemont is such a cute area, and there is a nice outdoor seating area. Indoors, it is the hotel dining room, so it isn't as cute, but still a nice place to eat. Service: A bit slow, but not terrible. Wouldn't add or take away any stars for this. Food: Classic brunch food and very satisfying. I had an Eggs Benedict, which tasted good, though it wasn't the best I have ever had. I enjoyed the selection of fresh fruit that came with it. My husband enjoyed the Traditional Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed his fresh cut breakfast potatoes that came with it. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and would come back.
(4)Ron A.
Only five minutes away from the likes of GTA: Madisonville and the forward-thinking Clermont County is the beautiful and enchanting Mariemont, Ohio. This small town is known for its English Tudor Style architecture, gorgeous neighborhoods, and amazing square. At the heart of the town is the Mariemont Inn and its signature restaurant: The National Exemplar. Most people think of brunch when they hear National Exemplar but I go there for its unique and cozy pub. National Exemplar has earned its reputation for having the best brunch in the city. And while I will admit that I like it here, something seems a bit off about their menu. The Bacado Omelette? Skillet Hashes? The Tri-Fecta? Wait, is this First Watch or National Exemplar? Apparently they both have the same owner which means similar menus. It seems a little tawdry to host identical menus at two very different restaurants but I guess that's why I'm Yelping and not owning two successful restaurants. The food is definitely good but in the end it fails to blow my mind like other popular brunch places I've frequented. The main reason I'm giving this establishment four stars is not the actual restaurant or its food but instead the little known bar in the front of the Inn called Southerby's at National Exemplar. This is THE bar to take a girl on a date when visiting Mariemont. The beer and wine selection is diverse and priced well but it's the ambiance that makes this spot a winner. Although small, this bar poses as a veritable English pub with its classic style bar and surrounding tables. In addition, it boasts over-sized chairs and sofas centered around the Inn's original 1920s fireplace. I absolutely love it here! In all, National Exemplar is worth a visit whether you're from Cincinnati or staying at the Mariemont Inn from out of town. Just do yourself a favor and avoid Madisonville and Clermont County at all costs. In fact, if you could parachute into Mariemont from a plane, that may be your best bet! (JK Clermont, I love you! Madisonville, not so much...)
(4)Ryan W.
The Bacado Omelette is delicious! Perfect omelette: eggs, bacon, monterray jack cheese & avocado with a side of sour cream.
(4)Barbara F.
Great food. Reasonable prices and the food is great. Great service. Beautiful building. We definitely will be returning.
(5)John B.
After reading many glowing reviews about this place, I really was excited about going to dinner here, but sadly, I was not really impressed. 3, maybe 4 stars for service and ambiance, but 2 for the food, at least what I had. I ordered the Pan Seared Pacific Halibut ($24) - garlic butter, asparagus, jumbo lump crab meat, wilted spinach, basil hollandaise sauce. As far as the crab meat goes, the only thing "jumbo" about the dish was the price. If I pay over $20 for an entree, it should really be impressive, and this piece of fish was not really flavorful or anything better than what I could get at a regular chain restaurant. The crab meat was about the size of a pinch, which was a bummer as it was the primary reason I ordered the dish. I was able to sample the Braised Bison Short Ribs ($22) - hoison cherry barbecue sauce, crispy onions, and found that to be a fairly tasty dish. The staff I encountered were very friendly and helpful, and our food was served on time, so the gripes people had with service in the past may have been rectified. I would like to come back for brunch but for now, I'll steer clear of this place. I will give it to NE for being the first place that I've come across that has wooden automatic doors. That was cool.
(2)Amy V.
We're pretty much there every weekend for brunch. Nice staff, good food, love the atmosphere. See you next weekend!
(4)Chris C.
Simply PHECKING Phantastic! ======================== We have been to the National Exemplar a few times in the past but not for a year or two. We've always liked the breakfast fare a lot and found the evening meals to be very good but perhaps somewhat bland. Last Friday was a HUGE EXCEPTION. Did they change the chef in the last couple of years? My starter was the Smoked Salmon, which was, I hate to use the word, divine! Anyway I enjoy Liver and Onions and I sometimes order it when I'm out because it's one of those organ meats that just does not look or feel right before its cooked. I ordered the Liver and Onions and found it to be simply excellent! The presentation was perfect and the flavor and texture even better. My wife and friends ordered other stuff (I'm always the only one eating the liver) and I know they said their meals were great but I have no clue what they ordered. The waiter was better than best and it was simply a wonderful evening. We enjoyed each others quirky humor, or at least he was polite and laughed with us! I jest, he was the perfect choice of waiter for our evening out.
(5)Linsey G.
Having worked just across the street from National Exemplar for nearly three years, I finally tried it for lunch a few months ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of healthier items on the menu and opted for the Tri-athlete omelette (egg white omelette with sliced mushrooms, onions, tomato and green chiles) served with salsa, a dry english muffin, and fresh fruit. The meal is surprisingly filling, the fruit always as fresh as advertised, and I've always been left satisfied with my choice. The aforementioned is also very reasonably priced. I typically go to this restaurant during lunch and it is necessary that I order, am served, and can eat my meal within my allotted hour-long lunch time. Fortunately, the service is usually very efficient. In short, brunch at National Exemplar is really great. When the weather is nice, the outdoor seating atmosphere is even better; probably my favorite part about the restaurant.
(4)Ann L.
This is one of our favorite places to go with friends. We go on Friday evenings to hear Drew Laplante who sings Folk Rock & Roll for the Soul. He is AMAZING. You feel so relaxed listening to him. The area is adorable. I love the look, almost feel like I'm on vacation somewhere. I prefer out side but the space by the bar is pretty cool too with big chairs and couches, even a fireplace. There is a buffalo on the wall who's eyes seem to follow you. The Happy Hour wine prices are right up my alley. I always order the Exemplar Cheeseburger and it is EXEMPLARY! Another melt in your mouth meal. And the price is right ($9) They have a dessert called Post Mortem with a big brownie, ice cream, hot fudge, and it is humongous. Oh so delicious! You might want to share it with all of your friends or...well, remember the name of it. lol
(5)Joseph S.
I come here for brunch about one to two times a month. The food and service are always amazing. The atmosphere is also amazing. I usually get biscuits and gravy, and I love them, however it is only a saturday special. I have also had the french toast, no matter which way you get it, it tastes amazing.
(5)Paige M.
National Exemplar is named after the ideals of Mariemont: a city created as the national model community. The 1920's European-style village in the heart of Mariemont includes the restaurant, which opened inside the Mariemont Inn Hotel in 1983. Not your typical hotel eatery, National Exemplar attracts just as many locals as tourists with their excellent cuisine. Must haves: - Spinach artichoke dip with lump crab and pita bread - Asian salmon salad - Bison Burger with spicy slaw, pepperjack, caramelized onions and greens - Carrot cake A few things are hit-or-miss here, the bar being one of them. If it's not a wine or beer on the menu, they'll have difficulty making it. I've also been double-charged for drinks. The mac-n-cheese sounded amazing on the menu; with Gruyere cheese and crumbled crust. It arrived cold and flavorless. It also includes bacon, which was not listed on the menu. My vegetarian friend had to have her order remade. Service is particularly slow as well. We waited 20 minutes for our checks. Our plates were not bussed until the checks arrived. Fortunately, the atmosphere of National Exemplar makes up for its shortcomings. The inside of the establishment feels like a German cottage. Plush seating complete with fireplaces, grand flower bouquets, and European nostalgia. It's a very classy place. I also enjoy the live music on Saturday nights. It's a perfect ambiance for a relaxing evening on the East Side with friends. Price per person: $25.00
(4)Monika N.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots in Cincinnati. Try the Heartland Frittata - you won't regret it! The decor is a bit... homely. But the service has always been great and the prices are extremely reasonable. One time we were there during a busy Sunday morning and somehow they skipped our name on the waiting list. The manager was extremely apologetic and offered our entire party free bloody marys or mimosas. We've only been there for a meal other than brunch once - we tried their dinner one weekday evening. The food was good, but unmemorable. But what sticks out in my memory is that the waitress brought us a free dessert sampler when she found out that that was our first time eating dinner at the Exemplar. Again - amazing service! It's one of the things that keeps us going back.
(5)Courtney R.
Atmosphere: Mariemont is adorable, and the outdoor seating was great for Sunday brunch. A good place to people watch, watch cars go by, lots of shade with the umbrellas. Like the free coffee while you wait. Service: SNAIL slow. I had friends in town for only a couple of hours on Sunday, and our breakfast took two hours. Waitress was incredibly slow. Water glasses weren't refilled, they seemed to forget about us outside despite the fact it was relatively busy. Not sure if they were understaffed, but at least bring water pitchers around. Food: Terrible. I ordered an egg white omelette with veggies and a side of fruit. There were about two small pieces of tomato and a tiny bit of avocado in it, but the rest was plain egg whites. The "bowl of fresh fruit" was 2 pieces of watermelon and a piece of cantaloupe. I'm not on a diet, I just eat egg whites. Don't charge me $10 for no food. I had to go home and eat again - really frustrating given how cute the restuarant was. I won't be going back. My friends' breakfasts looked and apparently tasted okay, but it wasn't worth the slow service for them. Super disappointed, because I really wanted to like this place.
(2)Chris H.
Had the bison burger, it was juicy, tender and was slightly crusted on the outside deliciously on the grill, topped with onion straws, jack cheese and trimmings, served with side of fresh friut and only $10! Great atmosphere both at the Inn and restaurant (a second bar off of the Inn lobby), cozy though spread out(so not too noisy) and lively, good drinks, too.
(5)Sam T.
The food is always very good with a nice selection and something for everyone. I especially enjoy their breakfast which they serve all day. They have great drinks and desserts which are creative and delicious. Prices are great, free parking in the back and the service is always top notch. I would definitely recommend.
(4)Debbie M.
Searching for a brunch spot in an adorable neighborhood? Look no further than The National Exemplar in Mariemont. Offering classic brunch items it is hard to go wrong when ordering here. Tables and booths are available in their large hotel dining room. You may have to put your name in at the hostess stand but the wait usually goes quickly due to their abundant seating. Today I got a BLTE and ate the whole sandwich (which is rare for me). It was B-acon, bibb L-ettuce, T-omato, fried E-gg, on toast coated with a generous amount of mayo. I thought the mayo was going to be too much but actually it was fabulous and zippy. Delicious. Everyone in our party loved their orders & coffee coffee coffee! Keep it coming , please :) I can recommend the BLTE if you love mayo and we always enjoy their Eggs Benedict. PS. VERY reasonably priced!!!
(4)JandJ P.
The National Exemplar is a charming restaurant in a charming hotel in a charming village. We had been away from Cincy for a few years, and needed to find out if the National Exemplar still had the best soup in town....and the answer is a big, fat Yes! We ended up getting the mushroom soup here on three separate occasions during our visit in Cincy, and it was every bit as good as remembered. The salted rye is the perfect accompaniment. We were told there is a new chef, formerly of Hugo's in Oakley, and the menu is a bit different than we remember, but in a good way. The food was good, but there is still room for improvement. The wine list is nice and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is perfect for a restaurant situated inside of an historical hotel. The bar area is beautiful, and the wingback chairs next to the fireplace are the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine, perhaps before heading upstairs to one of the surprisingly appointed guest rooms (see Mariemont Inn review).
(4)Ellie C.
Pinkie fingers up please. At first glance the NE looks kind of stuffy- like a place your grandmother would to take you for tea, however, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was stellar. I went for breakfast on a Saturday and I got the Bacado Omelet. It was FANTASTIC! I've never thought of adding an avocado to eggs, but now I can't stop thinking about it! And the food was prepared quickly, even though we had a large party. I like that they leave water for you at the table- I drink a lot of water and I don't like waiting for someone to come top me off, so that's a little detail I enjoyed. I also like the atmosphere; it's a place that likely gets dressy in the evenings but I felt comfortable in jeans on a Saturday morning. They have outdoor seating, and although it's located on a major road, the way the restaurant is situated feels just as quaint as the rest of Mariemont.
(4)Jessica P.
Apparently this was a weekend for brunches. After church this weekend, we were looking for a place to brunch and my guy had never tried the National Exemplar. So we headed over to Mariemont. There was about a 30 minute wait for brunch around 11:45 on a Sunday morning, which is pretty standard. But they have benches, newspapers, coffee, tea and water for you while you wait. Also, if you are from the Mariemont area, you might run into someone you know! After we were seated, the waiteress was quick to come over to our table and get our drink and food orders. I decided to get the bacado (duh) and he got the eggs benedict with spinach and tomato. Both were delicious and reasonably priced. What more can you want from brunch?
(5)Jeffrey S.
Always fun to dine here. Sean Daley has done excellent things with the menu.
(4)Jessica S.
Had hoped to enjoy brunch at Dilly Cafe on a recent Sunday only to find that they weren't open until dinner time -Bummer!. All was not a loss though, since we "discovered" National Exemplar! Neither of us had been and I guess we always thought it was kind of an "older crowd"... this was not the case at all! It was crowded and full of folks of all ages, ha! There was a 30min wait for two of us, but self-seating in the bar area so we saddled up to a high-top table and were enjoying iced tea and gazing over the menu in no time flat! The menu has plenty of options and I settled for the Turkey Dill Crepe -hold the onions- and while I was bummed it came out with what seemed like onion overload, the problem was fixed super quick and the meal was delish! The boy had the eggs benedict, a go-to, and he thought it was good, but nothing special. Overall a good meal and worth a return trip!
(4)Sandra F.
You must try the breakfast! Absolutely delicious!
(4)Will H.
So this is a rating on their breakfast menu only... they seem to have many wonderful lunch and dinner options and a full bar but we seem to frequent their breakfast most often... I'm going to say it straight up, for a bunch of IU grads they do just ok. Go Boilers! Just kidding, these guys do a fabulous job. They are always busy on the weekends but we've rarely waited more than 20-30minutes and usually less if we only have 3-4 in our party. Their service has always been friendly, attentive and quick even when they were busy. I have yet to order a thing bad on the menu. The Pope John is a great breakfast if you want something a little greasy and delicious. Any of the Fritattas are out of this world in particuar the Sonoran Fritatta is awesome with spicy chorizo and onions and wow. They have these "crepegg" things that are also fabulous. I like the California or the Turkey Dill. I personally think they make the best pancakes in the city. They are huge!! But they dont stop at quantity, they are of outstanding quality, always hot and fluffly. A full order is a meal in itself... they are very willing to just bring you 1 or 2. I am one that loves to order breakfast ala'carte and they are very willing to bring out whatever you want. Excellent! There are a lot of healthy options too that are of the same delicious quality as the others. Veggie Wrap or Tri-athlete omelette which is all egg whites and veggies and salsa... Honestly, if you are on the east side one morning, go to Mariemont square, wander around and have some breakfast at one of the best places in the city. Give me a call, because I will totally be down for a pancake.
(5)Rob R.
National Exemplar is a cool restaurant in Mariemont. The dining room isn't huge, so if you have a large party, I would recommend getting there early. They pretty much have everything you could want for breakfast, including that Cincinnati staple, Goetta. Oh...and they have a bar, so you can have a Mimosa with your meal. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their food. I certainly did. I would definitely go back!
(4)Christiaan T.
they have great food but you gotta try the bison burger.......wow
(4)Chris P.
We were in Cincinnati for business and were in the area so we went to National Exemplar based upon a coworkers suggestion. It is a little hidden so not the easiest place to find but in a very nice area of Marymount. Reviews said they had a superb French Dip sandwich, but it was not on the menu. Perhaps it is only there for their dinner menu and we were there on a Saturday around 11 am. Two of us decided on breakfast items and one decided to have the burger for lunch. The food was well done and tasted great. Nothing appeared to be a food service pre-made special and everyone was happy. The decor is a little dated but it is also some of the charm of the restaurant. I will say the service was great and our server was very helpful and friendly.
(3)Adolfo N.
Top 3 Brunches I've had since moving to Cincinnati, not much on the menu that isn't delicious. They serve dinner too, but I've only had it once. Breakfast is what keeps me coming back. The hollandaise sauce is my favorite. Decent portions, don't expect to walk away stuffed, just... happy.
(5)Chuck H.
Best for breakfast, it gets an extra star for being one of the few places you can get good bloody mary's and mimosas at breakfast. Nice atmosphere.
(4)Sonam P.
This place has a great atmosphere and looks adorable inside and out. The staff is also friendly and service is prompt. The crepes taste amazing and their menu looks delicious. I do wish they had side dishes as well like soups or salads rather than full meal sizes only. This place is good for a date as the place is very quaint.
(4)M. J.
At first glance your going to say "I see old people" however, do not be fooled. There is a wide mix of an age bracket and a menu that does not disappoint. Everything from the Basic club sandwich to a wonderful blackened scallop and shrimp fettucini. My suggestion: Dinner, drinks, a little walk, followed by Graeters ice-cream and a movie. Perfect date night in charming Mariemont.
(4)Adam S.
Just had a great business lunch here as I often do. For environment it's a 5 star. Only putting 4 stars for menu which is nice and similar to a first watch. Servers are great, consistent, and attentive to the amount of "touch" your table needs based on how intense the biz lunch/breakfast may be.
(4)Elizabeth W.
This is THE place in Mariemont for brunch. I've eaten here several times for brunch, but never for dinner, which I've heard is good. Tucked into the national historic landmark hotel, the decor reflects the decor of the times. It's a bit dark and heavy with lots of wood. I think it's really pretty and cozy, like an old hunting lodge. The entry way has a large chalkboard with the happenings in the village of Mariemont for the day, including the weather, newspapers, and coffee to get you started. I love that! You'll have time to read it while you wait during the busy Sunday brunch time. Ok, on to the food, this is pretty standard brunch fare for Cincinnati. You'll find very similar brunch items at a busy local chain. The food is good and filling, lots of eggs and carbs with a coffee pot that stays on your table, so your cup never runs dry or cold. What more could you want from brunch? This is a good solid choice and I never hesitate to suggest it.
(3)Laura M.
Best place for brunch on the Eastside, and not too long of a wait. They have all of the usual options like eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. and healthy options too. I LOVE the skillets! It is hash brown potatoes loaded with cheese and two other toppings of your choice. I top mine with bacon and mushrooms. It is a very cute restaurant located inside the Mariemont Inn. It seems a little formal from the outside, but it is very laid back. No need to get dressed up to have your favorite brunch. The meals are a great value...similar prices to chains, but a lot more atmosphere. I've had lunch and dinner here too. It is nice, good value, good options, but the brunch is the best!
(5)Maureen C.
Dudes. This is glorified Denny's. NOTHING SPECIAL. Go to Annabel's if you want an actually interesting brunch experience.
(2)Stephanie P.
This is my Sunday brunch staple. It's the delicious food, cozy atmosphere and decent prices that keep my coming back. I love everything about this place--from the dark wood and roaring fireplace to the beautiful location in picturesque Mariemont. They also have some great outdoor seating that overlooks the square. You can expect a wait if you don't get there early (before 10:30 ish), but grab some coffee or take a stroll around the square to kill the time--it's crowded for good reason. The food is great, and the prices are affordable. Some of my favorites: the Bacado (served with a side of delicious salsa), the pancakes (fluffy and delicious) and the French toast (cooked to perfection). I've never been here for dinner, and I can only speak to the breakfast menu. But I'm definately planning on trying out their dinner menu soon!
(5)Jessi G.
After a less-than-stellar experience the last time I had dinner at The National Exemplar, the management contacted me and asked me to return. I LOVE it when businesses actually pay attention to their customers and receive their feedback graciously, so of course I came back again for dinner. My experience with dinner this time was much better! Justin and I came here on Saturday at 4:30pm because we had accidentally skipped lunch and were HUNGRY. We just strolled right on in, and when I walked in I immediately realized that they weren't open yet (oops!). The manager was nice enough to let us grab a table and a drink, while we waited for the kitchen to open at 5pm. I thought that was very nice hospitality to seat us rather than turning us away. So, like I said, we were super hungry, so we ordered basically one of everything that sounded good. haha We got the squid ink lobster pasta, the potato gnocchi, the filet, a side of brussel sprouts, and the caesar salad to start (YES, I KNOW we are piggies). You get a salad or soup when you order an entree, and let me just take a moment to recommend the Caesar salad. This was by far the most flavorful Caesar I have ever had. If you enjoy salty, briney, cheesy flavors, this is for you! A traditional caesar salad has anchovies, garlic, lemon, dijon mustard, egg yolks, and parmesan. This one was definitely traditional, and for added saltiness they put extra anchovies right in the salad. It was amazing! My fiance was kind of thrown off by the anchovies, but I ate his, so he was all good. haha I'm a true Caesar salad fan, and I'm glad to see this place is making them the old-fashioned way! As far as the pastas, they were good, not great considering the price..I think the squid ink pasta was VERY good, and had a lot of lobster in it. I could have just eaten that pasta for my meal with a Caesar salad. The gnocchi was kind of bland...All I tasted was tomato, and it needed basil or salt/pepper/garlic to make it more well-rounded. Overall, I think the pasta here wasn't as good as other restaurants in Cincinnati (i.e. Sotto, Boca, etc.). The steak was very good and cooked perfectly, but the sides that were served with it were boring and flavorless. The brussel sprouts weren't as crispy as I normally like them, but they were seasoned well. Overall, our service was very good, but we paid $100 for our meal (with two beers), and I felt like I could have paid the same amount at other restaurants and gotten better food. I will be coming back for brunch though, and for that Caesar salad with the squid ink pasta!
(4)David C.
We've had mixed experiences here before at dinner, but I had breakfast at the National Exemplar again last week and I have to say it was a great meal, topped off with nice level of service. The comfortable ambiance lifts the Exemplar up to 4-star level but I want to try again with wife to see if the food remains excellent. Breakfast tip: try the banana & granola crunch pancakes. They were excellent. BTW Really, really old people love this place, so it must be the combination of price, value, and atmosphere that is the key. I think if we lived anywhere close to Mariemont, we'd be spending our money weekly at the Exemplar.
(3)Debbie P.
I have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years, although I mostly would come here for breakfast, which is always a hit because it is the same as First Watch. However, the other evening we thought we'd try the National Exemplar on a whim. Service was great. We did not order cocktails, but we did have the bread, and I am happy to see that my favorite, the salted rye, was still in the bread basket! I would rather have plain butter rather than the honey-sweetened, especially with the salted rye. I know some people like a sweetened butter, but I find a salted, fresh, creamy butter to be so delicious! Our server was very friendly (although I did have to ask for bread to be brought...not sure why it isn't just standard to bring it or at least, to offer it) and did entice me with the special: a roasted corn and mushroom risotto with a lovely, buttery sauce and a nice piece of snapper. The mushrooms in the risotto had made the entire risotto a less appealing grey color, and the flavor of the mushrooms was very intense...so much that if you didn't remember that there were mushrooms in the dish you would have thought it had gone bad. However, the snapper was very good, and I enjoyed the sauce with it. My son got the grilled branzino, and it was cooked nicely. He also ordered as a side the Brussel Sprouts (a favorite) which looked delicious but were lacking that lovely crispy, browned outside with the tender middle that makes Brussel Sprouts so heavenly. The entire texture of the side dish was soft, as if they had been pre-cooked and then reheated, especially considering how quickly they came to our table. We enjoyed our visit, overall, and it was nice to come back to a favorite spot once again.
(4)Justin M.
What a bummer. What used to be my go-to restaurant for brunch has started to eek downhill. We arrived about 45 minutes until they closed breakfast, and were seated outside in what must have been Cincinnati's local breeding ground for bees. Literally. We were swarmed by no less than 30 bees at any given time. As I drank my coffee I had to be cautious of one sneaking in while I wasn't paying attention. I would only knock a star off if this was the only problem. The biggest problems came from the uninspired food and drink (whose cost has risen btw) and the lethargic service. How hard is it to cook an omelette? I've ran into so many bad omelette's recently, it pains my heart. This one in particular was dry, burnt, cold, and bland. The potatoes on the side were cold. Everything was just meh, really. The fruit was good, I guess. The Bloody Mary had to just be tomato juice and nothing else. The service was what really stood out as lacking. Considering the time we were in there and the emptiness of the restaurant, I would have expected timelier service. Our waitress was nice as could be but she just wasn't ever around. It took a good 30 minutes to receive some syrup for the pancakes, which became cold as well in this time frame. I'm willing to go back because of the great first experience we had here but I'll be cautious not to order the omelette again and make sure to ask for everything I need for the meal well ahead of time. The saving grace is the historic building it's in, and the nice staff. Oh, and the free coffee through a Yelp deal.
(2)Stephen V.
The service is amazing, and the staff do a phenomenal job of making you feel like you're a celeb. I love the star treatment minus the paparazzi. LoL. Amazing place!!!
(5)Cindy G.
It is with a heavy heart that I must downgrade The National Exemplar from 5 stars down to 3, and even that I feel is being extremely kind based on the service and experience we had yesterday. We decided to return for brunch yesterday afternoon around 1:00pm on one of the nicest days of the year. We sat outside on the gorgeous patio (which I still stand by as one of the nicest and most beautiful in the city). Problem #1: Bees. I know this is not really in the restaurants complete control, but it got to the point where there were at least ten bees swarming around just our table at one time. Our server opened a package of jelly and they attacked that for a while and then got bored and returned. I normally wouldn't bring this up, but like I said it was excessive and clearly a problem for us and both of the tables next to us. It made for a very unpleasant experience. I ordered the Bacado omelette which was a bacon, avocado and cheese omelette. Problem #2: Quality control. On my last visit my omelette was delicious, and fresh. This time around, I could not believe my eyes when my server sat the plate down with a moldy avocado on top of my omelette. I cut into the omelette and there was very little bacon in most parts no bacon at all. The avocado inside was brown in some parts black and mushy. The texture was completely off putting. I dug around to see if any of it was worth saving and then gave up. My boyfriend who will eat almost anything did not even eat it. Despite the lack of fresh ingredients it was severely overcooked. Looking back, I probably should have sent this back and I was really questioning whoever sent this out of the kitchen to begin with. We got the BLT which on the menu sounded incredible: brioche bun with home made basil aioli - yum! What we got was just okay. The lettuce was old, the bacon was mediocre and all together I just felt like I could have thrown this together at home. Side note: I ordered a Bloody Mary and it tasted like water and tomato juice. There was no spice or seasoning to it at all. Also they changed the prices from $4.95 to $6.95. Problem #3: Service. Just because we are at the tail end of brunch does not mean that we do not deserve the same quality service as the 10am crowd. Our server was almost non-existent. I have been a huge advocate for this place and have been telling everyone I know to come here and right now my heart aches because of how disappointing our meal was. If one of these things occurred, sure, okay. But the service, quality of food, and the crazy bee situation together made for a really awful start to our day. I don't think I will be running back here anytime soon.
(3)Joanne H.
Love the friendly and accommodating service here. We brought akoya to breakfast and they quickly offered to let us sit outside with her. Aside from the outdoor area being polluted with the car noise, our dining experience was EXEMPLAR!! Today is our 2nd time dining and i think we wont hesitate to dine here again. Freshly squeezed oj is quenching. And i personally love their half turkey sandwich with aioli and soup/salad.
(5)Jackie M.
Solid brunch location! The National Exemplar is set in Mariemont with plenty of seating inside and a small but gorgeous outside patio. We have been here twice for brunch. Both times, I've had the bacado - bacon, avocado and Monterey cheese omelette with home fries and an English muffin. The omelette is great! My only complaint is that it is served with sour cream and salsa, but the salsa is rather bland and pretty much just tastes like tomato juice. My boyfriend enjoys the bacon and onion hash served with eggs and an English muffin. They have many choices, all reasonably priced around $9 or $10. We also tried the mimosas, which are large, well-balanced and only $5.5! There has been a small wait both times we have visited, but you can walk to the Mariemont theatre nearby for tickets or relax and drink complimentary coffee they serve during the wait. I gave them four stars instead of five because the home fries were slightly undercooked last time.
(4)Peter B.
Been here a couple of times. They have an ongoing offer of a free coffee with your purchase of anything else as long as you check in on Yelp while you're there. The coffee and the brunch are good. I've tried most of the things on the brunch menu which are all good. I'll definitely be back at some point. I have friends that are nuts about National Exemplar and swear that this is the best brunch in Cincinnati. Maybe it is the best in Cincinnati, but I've definitely had better many other places around the US. Still, it has a fun, rustic atmosphere and the location on Mariemont Square is great.
(4)Kimberly K.
The food was excellent as always. The service was very good but just a tad bit unfriendly. The rose for moms for Mothers day was a very nice touch! I had the bacado omelet which was just perfect.
(4)Jim F.
This is one of my stand-by breakfast places and have enjoyed everything on the menu so far. I will say that my omelet has been overcooked but there are several tasty options on the menu. The dining room is relaxed and I've never felt rushed. I wish they took brunch reservations on the weekend but they do not so go prepared to wait as needed. My only complaint is the waitstaff are sometimes less than stellar. My last visit we asked for water FIVE times before it was finally brought. I checked the bar thinking I could retrieve my own but no one was there at the time. Finally, on the fifth request, we'd asked a different server and then our waiter came a few minutes later with water. Still a good experience but it got to be comical as it seemed the most basic request. Pro tip: the banana crunch pancakes are some of the best around.
(3)Olivia M.
I wasn't all that impressed with this place. I came for brunch and had the French toast because I was told it was amazing...and I can say I've had better. The bacon I had was cooked really well and was way to hard. Just not exactly what I was expecting. I will say the ambiance is nice and the presentation is great! Love the look and feel of the restaurant itself. I kind of forgot I was in Cincinnati.
(3)Nicholas R.
Had the #CincinnatiBurgerWeek Blue Cheese and Horseradish burger and LOVED it! It was a little small but not unreasonable for $5. It was the smallest burger I had, having had a burger every day of the week, but still the best burger! I wish I had ordered 2!
(5)Lonnetta P.
I'll give the place a solid 3 stars. Nice little breakfast/brunch place located in Mariemont. The place is easy to find with parking available behind and to the side of the building. The Thursday morning crowd was not too bad. My friend and I were immediately seated inside and offered beverages. Plenty of seating inside, but be sure to take advantage of the cute patio seating when the weather permits. The waitress was welcoming and suggested several crowd favorites. There is something on the menu for everyone to enjoy from pancakes and omelets to granola and chicken sausage. I ordered one of the skillet hashes (breakfast potatoes, onions, cheese, meat of choice with eggs on top). Delicious! It will cost you a little over $8 and comes with bread/english muffin if you like. I did notice the full bar if you want to order a mimosa with brunch. CHEERS! I would love to go back and experience the patio!
(3)