I went here on a Saturday night with a large group of guys out to celebrate a friend's birthday. We got the mussels and flank steak appetizers, both of which were outstanding. We also bought a couple of bottles of wine, and a number of cocktails, in addition to our entrees. All of the food was extremely good, and our server was great right up until the time that she brought the check. One of us had requested a separate check, and then we had the rest divided among a handful of credit cards, and some cash. When she brought our credit card receipts, she made a comment to the effect that we were, for some reason, not going to tip her on the full amount of the bill. We had been anything but thrifty the entire time that we were there, and for her to make this comment seemed in extremely bad taste. She was very well compensated, but the totally unwarranted, classless nature of this comment left some of us with a bad taste in our mouth. Take away the last 10 minutes and our server's tactlessness, and it's a 10/10.
(4)
Mark K.
I really can't find any reason not to give this place 5 stars. We had a party of 8 and the service was excellent! Our server was on point with everything. Every person at my table was impressed with their meal and all said they would come back. I had the seafood stew , which was perfectly cooked and just as described. The lobster bisque was the best I have ever had, including all my trips to the northeast. This is the type of dining I've been looking for. Last but not least, we had two glasses of wine, two bowls of soup, two entrees, and desert. Our bill was only $75 bucks. This is the icing on the cake. Thanks W.G. kitchen. Who cares what the W.G. Stands for. Lol, Jk
(5)
Dale H.
My hubby and I stopped here for dinner after some shopping nearby. He wanted to watch the World Series. I thought they had a TV in the bar - not. Oh well. We still had a decent meal and two nice flights of wine. Love the flights. It's a great chance to try a variety of wines. I do think their corkage fee is high if you buy a bottle there. Our meals were good. We sat at the bar, and service was great - attentive and our food came quickly. My husband had the blackened tilapia, and he loved it. I had the shrimp pasta. It was a bit spicy for me and a bit greasy - it has compound butter in the sauce. But the wine made up for it!
(3)
Jenn D.
Delightful find! Traveling to cincy for work & staying nearby. Asked the hotel for a non-chain reco & was directed here. A surprisingly delightful find in a sea of chain restaurants! A good selection of wine flights. The ricotta & honey was a great choice (reco from our server). Enjoyed the ambiance. Great way to end a day of travel. Wished this place was in my neighborhood.
(4)
Pamela F.
this was an odd visit. ordered a favorite dish, chicken marsala, which was not on the menu. graciously they made it - but wrong. instead of the savory brown marsala sauce with mushrooms we usually get here, they did a cream veloute sauce with mushrooms that was congealed. the seven falls cab and cab wine flight was amazing as usual, the mac cheese and lobster rich.
(2)
Shane K.
My review is really a matter of mathematical averaging. Katie (the manager) seemed to be a 5 star kind of professional... And I very much appreciate that. On the other hand, CARLOS (the server) was barely Applebee's caliber. We've never felt so rushed! And he was more upset with US than himself when he screwed up our order! ALTHOUGH HE DID MAKE IT A POINT TO CHARGE US FOR BOTH THE DISH THAT WE'D ORDERED AND THE ONE WE DIDN'T (and no, we didn't actually receive the dish that they'd attempted to deliver mistakenly). Luckily, considering what I do for a living, it's my job to remain unbiased... So I will at least add that the food was terrific! The servings (contrary to what some reviews stated) were plenty generous. And I've had enough pleasant experiences in the past at this place that I have every intention of returning. Just please GOD!... don't sit me in Carlos' section!
(3)
Vernon L. S.
Bistro burger is good, not as good as the Banks location, tomatoes were mushy, not fresh, and they changed their bun bakery, big mistake, the meat grind is perfect though, great beefy taste, and great texture, grilled perfectly. Happy hour has great flight prices
(3)
Meghan P.
Wonderful customer service! The general manager was so nice to me today and it really helped cheer me up. And the dry white wines on the flight choices were delicious
(5)
Sarah F.
Great food, slow service. I ate lunch here recently and really liked the overall vibe of the place--very open, large retail wine section on one side, and kind of a wine country feel in the decor. Our server was very attentive and the new lunch menu had lots of appealing options. I decided on the bistro burger with a cup of their house soup (tomato & red pepper bisque) as my side. I liked that they gave the options of soup, half salad, or kettle chips with every sandwich/entree. The restaurant was only about 20% full on a weekday around noon, yet it took over 45 minutes to be served our food. We did get a complementary plate of pita wedges and red pepper/cream cheese dip, which was delicious and helped tide our hunger, but that's just too long for a weekday lunch. When my food finally arrived, it looked great--the soup was served in a beautiful pottery bowl with drizzled lines of cream, strips of fresh basil and a few croutons resting on top. The addition of red pepper gave a depth that went beyond a typical tomato soup The burger comes on brioche bun (good bread:meat ratio) and had a great grilled flavor. It was also perfectly to temperature as ordered. One of the better burgers I've had in a while, actually. Really the only big snag in the whole meal was just how darn long it took for our food to come out, which unfortunately rules this place out for a weekday lunch in the future. I would definitely be interested to try it again for a leisurely weekend lunch or dinner.
(4)
jamey m.
Great atmosphere, love happy hour. Try the Mac n cheese and their burgers. Great appetizers to....
(4)
Sheila M.
Came here for a graduation celebratory dinner. Being the first one in my party on a Saturday night, I expected the place to be filling up around 5 pm. It turned out that I was the first one in there, period! I felt silly for having made reservations. True to its name, Wine Guy (now named "WG Kitchen and Bar" or something generic, which is unfortunate cuz I think Wine Guy sounds cuter) has an extensive wine list, and even wine flights where you get to sample a variety of wines all at once. I didn't get to try any that day, as I am a lightweight and wanted to avoid the buzz. But the option is there! I did try the grilled steak salad. It was one of the best steak salads I've ever had, because unlike many other places, they marinate the meat in something HEAVENLY. The french-fried slivers of onion and blue cheese crumbles added extra flavor to the veggies, which I was obviously less excited about. It's pretty much summer, I am female, and thus by ordering salad I was doing my best to prep for the 2 months that I will be wearing next to nothing. But I digress...again. I loved my food. Everyone else loved their food. The inside was just as lovely as the outside patio, where overhead grapevines provided shade for tables and chairs. Service was friendly and prompt. Waitress was a bit weird, but I'm not sure I could've done much better. Also, I really want to give this place 5 stars. So 5 stars it is!
(5)
Duke P.
The bar-b-que chicken pizza was the bomb. They have plenty of wine and the best price in the state of OHIO. I highly recommend the food. Great service and management practice as well. Only thing I haven't experienced was going in the kitchen.
(5)
Robin H.
The flights, and bottle selections, are great. The Scallops, and flatbreads, ( we tried three), were tasty. The service or lack of was the issue. We had to hunt or flag down our server each time he came to the table. The staff that brought our food, appeared more often. ( five courses). Too bad, for tattoo man, we are in the business.
(3)
R C.
Good servers. Good food. Very poorly managed on a busy night. We are heading to a concert and they were understaffed and not organized. Tables were open, yet the 1 hostess took her sweet time to seat people. The bar had bartender tripping over each other vs each taking a side of the bar a sticking with those customers. Nice atmosphere, good food, just need to be better run when they should know that they are going to be busy.
(1)
Teresa T.
The Good: Tasty food, chic open space with great atmosphere, and the wine. The space easily accommodates larger groups but still feels cozy enough if your dining alone at the bar. Classic menu options with some more interesting choices that you wouldn't necessarily think of but that aren't too crazy. The Bad: Horrible parking situation (there's just not enough parking for the area), smaller portions for the price, and they could work on improving service speed and attentiveness. Verdict: It's a fun place to go to socialize and enjoy a nice meal.
(4)
John B.
I am going to slightly echo Elizabeth's comments about this place, with slight variation. I have tried to visit this place a time or two before and the wait is almost always way longer than I had time for, until this past weekend. I was with a large group of about 8 people and we spent some time in the draped off rooms in the front part of the restaurant. That part of the evening was rather fun and a great way to relax with friends. I would like to say that all the hostesses and front door man were extremely nice and accommodating. I kept having to ask for more chairs and they were quick to oblige, with no sign of frustration or typical "stop bothering me attitude" that you would find in most other restaurants, so WGWS has that going for it. I shared had a bottle of Mondoro Asti Spumante ($13+$10corkage), which is actually a reasonable (restaurant) price for a bottle of this stuff. If you've never had a glass of this, you gotta try it. Sweet, light flavor, yummy. Eventually a table opened up and I was definitely ready to eat. Like Elizabeth wrote, the food was not up to my expectations and the price. The main dining area is loud, and not conducive to conversation. Major bummer. I could barely speak to those right next to me let alone the people directly across the table. Would it kill places like this (Hofbräuhaus come to mind too) to put some carpet down or use some acoustical treatments to curb the excessive noise? I ordered a Margherita Pizza ($13) and it was good but not great. yelp.com/biz_photos/0hxD… I liked the garlic and the cheeses. The leftovers also reheated well two days later. There was a rather difficult and time consuming train wreck of a situation when the bill came, but every server can have a bad night, and the service up to that point was perfectly acceptable. Either way, we all spent about 2 1/2+ hours there instead of about an hour. Oh well, I will most likely not be back. I might give the soon to be open Banks location a shot, but I don't expect it to be much different.
(2)
K. W.
Now open on Sundays! We love Sunday brunch so we thought we would check it out. So glad that we did! They have a small brunch menu in addition to their regular menu. Although the brunch menu is small, the options all sounded great. French Toast, Filet & Eggs, Chef's Omelet just to name a few. The three cocktail options were all great choices too, you can't go wrong with a Bacon Bloody Mary!!! We decided on the omelet and it was delicious. It was perfectly cooked. Service was great...we will definitely be back for another Sunday brunch soon.
(5)
Toby T.
I've eaten here several times and have been generally pleased with the experience. Unfortunately, my last visit there was not the best. I attempted to use an expired $40 Groupon for the original purchase price paid of $20. The original purchase price never expires according to state law and per Groupon's terms & conditions. Wine Guy refused to honor this and directed me to contact Groupon HQ for a refund of the amount. The manager came to our table and explained they were in the right to refuse honoring it according to their attorneys. Shady... I'll probably not return here due to their business practices. Caveat edax.
(2)
Sarah R.
My husband and I have eaten here a few times, and our general feeling is "pretty good, but a little expensive." Things we like: 1. The wine. Reasonable prices. Great descriptions on the wine list; very helpful. 2. The lack of a wait for a table (in our experience). 3. The ricotto & honey jar - YUM. Our favorite appetizer, and something we make at home sometimes. Thanks for the inspiration! 4. Most of our appetizers & meals have been really tasty. Things we don't like: 1. I had risotto once that was flat out terrible. It was in the cioppino, so I just ate around it. Our waiter never came back until everyone was almost done, so I never mentioned it. I also didn't have the right silverware and it took forever to get it, from a random passing server. 2. The tables are HUGE. Big enough that I feel really separated from my dining companions. It is a loud dining room, and when the tables are so large, it is impossible to have a conversation sometimes. I go out to eat to spend time with my family and friends - not just to eat food. Eating at tables for giants means I don't walk away feeling like my dining experience was spectacular. 3. I haven't found the people in the wine shop to be very helpful. I was looking for a specific bottle and no one offered any help, and when I asked for help, the girls just weren't very friendly or helpful. We also had a bottle reccomended to us that we didn't really enjoy for dinner, and that was a little disappointing. We felt like we gave pretty good instructions for what we were looking for, so the end result was just a little disappointing. 4. It is a little expensive for the experience. If it were a little cozier, if the food was a little more consistent, if the servers were a little friendlier - all of these things would make it a better value for the money. I think this place has a lot of potential, and I hope they succeed. We'll be back - but we'd come back more often if the overall experience were a little better.
(3)
Karen D.
Me and a few friends stopped by on early Saturday evening for dinner. The dining room was full, so we were seated in a side lounge room. We felt like VIP's because everyone walked by the room wondering who we were. Our waiter came over and provided drink menus, he gave us a few minutes to review. Our wine and friend's cocktail came right away. Dinner started out with ricotta & honey jar starter, house soup - Fire Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Bisque and I went with the WG's Chicken Mac and Cheese, another Champagne Butter Poached Lobster. All of our food arrived hot, but their Mac & Cheese was nothing to rave about, pretty bland and couldn't tell if it really had any chicken in it. My friend's Lobster tail serving was quite small, looked more like a starter than a main dish. The WG is good to enjoy a glass or wine or two with a few friends and an appetizer or two or even their risotto, which I enjoyed on a previous visit.
(3)
Donald B.
Our bartender waitress tonight was absent a personality. Attendance is down. Other staff were avoiding her. She's into herself and not the customers. No selling attempts. No bruschetta with the mussels. Took the wine menu away before we could sample our flight. She's not much and it appeared she was affecting the other staff members. I will only return hoping to not see her. The owner better get with it or you're done. Our "steak salad" had 4 little slivers of steak. Too much of a "don't care" attitude. Try restaurant stakeout. Good luck.
(2)
Alyssa F.
I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this place. I've been here three times- two times was just for wine flights/appetizers, and once for dinner (on NYE). The wine flights are by far my favorite thing, and what keep me coming back. They do change them out a bit every once in a while (each one has been slightly different, I think, each time I've been in the last year), but they have EIGHT to choose from, four white and four red flights, all with different wines. So now that you've had your wine, there's the rest of the pretty sizable menu. I've had cheese plates (just so-so), the hummus (not memorable), the bruschetta (wonderful), a pizza (good), entrees (all WONDERFUL), and dessert (also WONDERFUL). This is one of the rare times when I'll say that the price point, while kind of high, is totally worth it. Plus they sell their bottles at state minimum prices, so you can always go home with a new favorite! Word of warning: they get so so super busy on weekends that I only go there on weekdays, unless I can do a reservation. One thing I really like about them is that last time I was there was around 8pm on a weeknight, and though were were only doing wine flights and appetizers, they let us sit at a table outside that was table service. And every time I've been there, the service has been fantastic- lovely and funny, very attentive.
(5)
Linda V.
Great service. Great selection of small plates and the option of half salads. I had the red wine flight and it was wonderful. I also had the crab cakes. Very nice wasabi sauce. Flatbread pizza was another selection at our table and it was quite good. The four of us had a great esxperience. The grilled pita and cream cheese brought to the table upon being seated is so good. They also have a good beer selection for non wine loverfs. You must try it. We will go back for sure.
(4)
Ben D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Cincinnati. I have never had a bad experience or food here. The wine is very reasonable and there's a good selection. I recommend the spicy shrimp pasta or the meatballs. My wife loves the risotto. Can't compliment the service enough here...has the personal touch!
(5)
Sally Y.
The food was pretty delicious and the wine tasty. I especially like how they deliver the flights to you in a wooden holder - especially since I'm a tad clumsy and having four breakable things in front of me is a bit nerve wracking. The food options are definitely quality items and delicious enough that it makes me want to come back and eat more. However, the price is a bit more expensive than I normally would like to pay for that type of meal, so it definitely isn't a place I would visit regularly to eat for a meal. Definitely more of a happy hour spot to try the flights and get a few quick bites. Additionally, I LOVE the ambiance of the place inside. It's charming, a bit rustic, yet completely refined. Just a wonderful overall feel to the hustle and bustle right outside the doors in Rookwood.
(4)
Andi O.
My boyfriend and I went for dinner on Friday. As he is learning about wine, I thought this would be a great place for him to try a few varieties and enjoy a nice meal. We each ordered a wine flight, and our server was not helpful beyond taking the orders and bringing out the wines. I expected more discussion on the wines, rather than "here you go." Our server did not ask our thoughts on the wines during or after the meal. The food was good, but nothing spectacular. I enjoyed the scallops , which were simple and blackened. He ordered the ahi tuna dinner, which he said was good but not great. He was also disappointed in the portion size. As soon as we got home, he was looking for a something more to eat. Our bill for two flights of wine, two entrees, and one cup of soup was $88 before tip. It didn't seem worth it to me. It wasn't bad at all but I don't plan on going back, either.
(3)
Sandra F.
I found my second favorite wine bar in the area! I absolutely love this place, which is very open and cozy. When the server handed us the wine menu, he was very helpful and descriptive. I highly recommend the wine flights, which is a tasting of different (4-5 glasses) wines (you choose your wine preference). I did the cabernet sauvignon (excellent choices on the menu). Next time I come back, I want to try the pinot noir. While we were waiting for our meals, we were given a servicing of pita breads with sundried tomotoe spread. Very delicous! I got the salmon with au gratin potatoes. My friend wanted to order an extra side, so she decided to try the mushroom risotto. Also a great pick! Loved my meal, wines, excellent service and great atmosphere! They also have a store where you can purchase wine. They do not accept reservations for just couples, only large groups. Make sure to get here early.
(4)
Kevin B.
I had dinner at Wine Guy Bistro last week with a friend. I am giving 2 star rating for food, service and atmosphere. I would give a much higher rating if you skipped dinner and ordered wine flights and some appetizers. I hadn't seen my friend in a while and we were looking forward to catching up and the dining room is incredibly loud. It was hard to have a conversation with the din. When we first sat down our server seemed overly eager to get us to place our order. We asked for some time to look over the menu and when we had questions she had a difficult time explaining some of the options. We both ordered salads, I ordered the Cioppino and my friend ordered the chicken marsala tapas size. The salads had way too much dressing - there was a puddle at the bottom of my salad plate. The Cioppino for some reason has a bunch of risotto in the middle of it and was not hot - the seafood was cooked well and the broth was tasty. I had to ask 3 times for a spoon. My friend enjoyed her chicken but the server brought the full entree size - although she did "ask the manager and got approval to only charge for the tapas size". Once meals were delivered we didn't see our server again until we received our check. The one redeeming thing about Wine Guy Bistro are their wine flights. I had the Italian and for $14.95 I received 4 generous pours of Italian reds - and all were quite nice. While I wouldn't go back for a meal, I would go back here for a wine flight and maybe an appetizer.
(2)
Ryan Z.
This place has all the potential in the world, combining a wine shop with an elegant bistro. Unfortunately, it tends to be style over substance. The wine prices are supposedly at the state minimums, but I'm not sure I really believe that. I don't have any evidence to the contrary, it just seems like I see lower prices regularly. Their selection, however, is very nice for a strip mall shop. I've come across some hard to find bottles, including the entire Nickel & Nickel family and their Enroute Pinot Noir - which is an absolute must try if you get the opportunity. I teetered between 3-4 stars for this place but ultimately settled on 3 because of the parking situation. They share a small (30-ish space) side lot with Starbucks and another place. That's not nearly enough parking considering that Wine Guy's seating capacity is close to 200, if not more. And for anyone familiar with the parking pains at Rookwood, you know it's not easy to find a spot anywhere. I'm sure they lose out on a lot of business because people get fed up with circling the parking lot for a spot. They're supposed to be opening up a small location at the Banks in downtown. I'll be enthusiastically rooting for it to succeed as the surrounding options are severely lacking.
(3)
Adolfo N.
First of all, the support staff gets 5 stars. They accommodated a large group of us as best they could on short notice, and did a stellar job of taking care of us. The little lounge rooms are the only place to have a quiet conversation because the din of the place is loud, and we were told it wasn't a busy night. I'd hate to see it get rowdy! The wine flights were of a good variety, but you can't customize them for a decent rate, so just be warned about that. Not much of a beer selection. seriously, I know it's the wine guy, but man cannot live off grapes alone. The food was good, but not stellar. I've paid 10 dollars for a burger before, and this was no 10 dollar burger. At least include a side besides chips for 11 bucks. Their cheese grits were good, but for 3 bucks, you want something bigger than a post it note on your dish. Tasty, yes, a good value, no. lousy for groups, good for a date, but as with anyting on this side of rookwood, be ready to park and hike.
(3)
Coleen P.
Really good stuff! My boyfriend and I came here for our Valentine's Day dinner. We were told that the restaurant was booked from 6-8pm with reservations so we were forced to go in at 5:30pm. A little early, but still manageable. We got there and were promptly seated in the formal dining area. On the other side of the restaurant, I believe there was a bar for more casual seating. I loved the decorations and feel of the place. There were cabinets of different types of wines lining the perimeter of the seating area. Only one thing though, the seating seems to be a bit too close to each other. At times, I could fully hear the conversations of the people next to us. We ordered the lobster bisque for our appetizers. It was sooooo delicious! The soup was creamy and rich, with just the right amount of the seafood lobster taste. We then ordered the Linguine Meatballs and Chicken Marsala for our main entrees, which were both amazing! We were in the restaurant probably from 5:30-7pm and oddly enough, there were tons of open tables (surprising since they told us there were no reservations available from 6-8pm). Either way, we had a great time here and will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Angela C.
The best part of my experience with Wine Guy was definitely the service. I went with a group of friends and we were all very impressed by our knowledgeable and very engaging server. Everything he told us about sounded much more exciting by virtue of his enthusiasm. This probably convinced me to add a fourth star. The restaurant is a nice addition to the Rookwood Pavilion- a non-generic touch to a sea of chains. The interior decor is cozy and there is a lot of space for seating... and wine! It definitely felt a bit like a larger version of a winery lobby where you might do some wine tasting. The antique windows hanging down as sort of seating section dividers was a nice touch. I really like that you can buy a bottle from the Wine Guy store to uncork at the table for $10 (which is much more economical than the flights of wine, though some of the girls I went with have enjoyed that as well). Most of the food can be ordered tapas style or dinner style. We ordered about five dinner portions of the dishes since we had 7 people, and it seemed like everyone had enough to eat. My favorite dish was probably the lamb chop lollypops- they were small but very good; the seasoning reminded me a little bit of Korean barbecue. The dining experience was good (though my judgment may be clouded by the wine buzz I had), though it ends up being a rather pricey one. While I would go back to Wine Guy, I'm not sure I would do it for dinner very often: I am not sure the food quite measures up to its price.
(4)
Eileen K.
Awesome night on the patio! Christine did a great job taking care of us...I can't wait to come back and do it again...We had several appetizers and a great wine flight!
(5)
Deborah H.
I had an absolutely wonderful lunch today at The Wine Guy Bistro. Although I can't comment on the wine (non-drinker), I can say the food is very good and the service was exceptional.
(4)
Marc M.
Great place. I understand from my Sister that it gets very crowded on weekends, and, based on my Monday night experience, I can see why. It's a totally casual atmosphere - I mean it's located in a busy strip-mall with a Nordstrom Rack and a Home Goods. There is a large bar/wine store to the right when you walk in. One of the cool things about this place is that they are not ripping anyone off with their wine prices. You can by any bottle of wine at Ohio state minimum and drink it at your table for a $10 corkage fee. They offer 10 different flights of wines - most of them are $14.99 for 4 good-sized glasses. For $30, you can treat yourself to some really good wines (Silver Oak, for example). The food was quite decent too. Most of the entrees come as a smaller/tapas size - perfect for noshing/sharing/smaller appetities. We had a salad which was unremarkable, but the tapas-sized cajun scallops and the crab cake were excellent. We finished with a molten-chocolate cake with vanilla cream cream. This last one made is very hard for me to drive for 2 hours back to Columbus that evening! (Ok, maybe it was the wine!) There are several nooks off the left for private wining. Otherwise, lots of tables - good for groups. I will definitely go back.
(5)
Krista P.
I went for happy hour. It was a mediocre happy hour, you get a $1 off glasses or flights - not a good deal for a flight. Most apps were half-off as well. Overall, it was a nice place, great atmosphere, good selection & service. I had the international wine flight and the Bruschetta. Bruschetta was okay, nothing special.
Nestled in the corner of the Rookwood shopping plaza in Cincinnati's Oakley neighborhood, this Columbus transplant offers diners an eclectic selection of comfort food cuisine matched with a broad offering of wines available by the glass or the bottle. The twist is that the bistro also includes a full wine store. All of the wines on the menu are also available for take home. There is a very large and long bar down the right side of the restaurant with plenty of room for socializing. The menu includes some familiar starters like Caesar salad and bruschetta. You can also order a customized anti pasti or a thin crust brick oven pizza. There are 4 meat, 6 seafood and 6 pasta entrees, including a daily risotto special. All are price in th $15-$25 range. I tried the seared sesame-crusted tuna and order a side of grilled asparagus. the vegetable was served crisp with good flavor while the tuna was hardly seared at all and did not pass as sushi-grade yellowfin. It was passable but buy no means remarkable. There are 4 classic desserts including a chocolate cake and creme brulee. I'll probably go back for drinks, but I can think of several other restaurants in the area where I'll getter better food at the same cost.
(3)
Tom H.
We are from the neighborhood and eat out frequently. There are many restaurants to choose from here. This is a great spot for wine and small plates. For this, we prefer to sit at the bar. I hope the owner decides to invest in more/replace chairs so customers can actually sit at the bar, rather than stand. There are open spaces available for placing more seats. . This would encourage customers to relax and order another round.
(4)
Kelly Ann J.
I LOVE this place; the atmosphere, the selection and the food! The wine staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. (especially for someone who seriously has no knowledge about wine no matter how many glasses I've indulged in) They helped me discover some of my now favorite wines. I will continue to go back!!
(5)
Tom W.
Quick summary- Wine flights are a great way to side - by - side nice and unusual wines. Food portions are small and pricey, but nicely prepared and beautifully presented. Noise - it was like a 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. We went for our anniversary, and it was really quite nice. The service was attentive to our needs, and by that I mean he stayed away when we didn't need him and was there right when we did. The menu had a broad selection of tempting choices and the cheese served as appetizers was a great thing to enjoy with the first flight of wine. It was really noisy, though, and the two seater tables are way too close to each other, so romantic whisperings were out of the question. I tried romantic yelling, but cut it short when the guy two feet at my side acted like he thought I might be talking to him. If you love wine, nice food in smaller portions and a somewhat raucous atmosphere, I'd highly recommend it
(4)
Lesley C.
Went for lunch today. While the atmosphere is nice, the food is just ok and too pricey for what you get. I ordered a asian chicken salad. It was a HUGE pile of greens (re: lettuce) with a tiny bit of grilled chicken on top. It was $12.99. I get more chicken at Panera, and a better salad as well, for much less money. The wine was suggested by the waiter, my friend and I wanted to share a bottle. We saw that there was a corkage fee for wine you purchase from the shop, but I thought that since the waiter was encouraging a certain bottle that it wasn't coming from the shop but was from their wine list. The "corkage fee" was $10. Yes, $10 extra for a wine they had to SCREW THE TOP OFF OF. Absolutely ridiculous. Won't be going back.
(2)
Tara N.
I've been here twice, and I want to get excited about it. I really do. But it's just always... a little bit disappointing. The food is good, but it is really pricey. The wine selection is good and the atmosphere is trendy. The wine flights are pretty affordable, and it's a fun way to try new wines. Fun place to visit, just be aware that the tab adds up quickly.
I'm torn on this place, between the three and four star. (I'm trying to be tough in my reviews :) ) The Wine Guy did *not* impress me on my first trip, but it's grown on me. I've never went to truly make a dinner out of it, and so I cannot comment on any main dishes. I've ordered always from the small plates section and eaten tapas-style. The first time I went, I found the antipasti plate disappointing (in terms of the quality of the items). I've since changed my mind, somewhat. I will say that their bread plate is phenomenal, and it's all due to the quality of the balsamic vinegar. Also, their cheeses are very good and generously served. Also, wine flights are almost all $15 and really nicely set up. And, on Thursdays, they feature free tastings! That was a nice little surprise the last time I was in here. Several other reviewers have commented on the fact that it's also a store, and you can pull any bottle off the shelf and pay an additional $10 corkage fee to drink it in shop--and really, that's a pretty good deal. Corkage fees can be far more exorbitant, and it's cheaper than ordering a bottle at a regular restaurant, for sure. Generally, I've had good service here, too. The staff is knowledgable and friendly, without being pushy. Of course, as it's in Rookwood, the parking is atrocious--but that's not The Wine Guy's fault. So I'm going to give this place a solid three stars. Not my choice for intimate dining, or a crazy night out. But when I'm in the mood to try several wines and enjoy some olives and cheese, this is a solid bet.
(3)
Ryan C.
Wonderful bistro and attached wine shop, with an excellent selection of 7-8 different wine flights(consisting of 4 2-oz pours), as well as a large full glass or bottle selection. You can also buy any bottle in the wine shop's very impressive, though slightly overpriced, selection and the restaurant will open for a $10 corkage fee. The seafood stew is excellent, with a surprising, exceptional risotto base. Also, the shrimp and scallops were cooked perfectly - something only the finest restaurants seem to do well. The tri-colored tortellini with chicken is very good, even if a little uninspired. It's apparently a crown favorite, and I did clean my plate; though next time I would opt for something more creative. The tomato soup is a must. It has a strong red bell pepper flavor that just makes the dish. I'm not sure I could go here again without starting with this spectacular soup.
(4)
Steve K.
I've been to the Wine Guy 4 times. The first three were good, but my last trip was after they released their new menu. I got a pizza, which did not look like the pizza shown in the photo on yelp, it looked sort of like a frozen pizza. The crust was not great, it tasted like it was made with some sort of pre-prepared crust from the refrigerated section of Kroger. I've had pasta, chicken marsala and a steak in the past, they were all great, but this new pizza was horrible.
(3)
Joe F.
Great little spot. Very subdued, Nice selection of wine. Great lighting. Definitely a romantic "date spot". I stopped in for dinner on a Monday and sat at the bar. I ended up being waited on by two guys who were pretty cool, stopped by just enough to make sure I was doing okay. Food wise - had the bruschetta - pretty solid with the exception of the tomatoes; guys, it's August!! Tomatoes should be PERFECT at this point, as far as I'm concerned. They weren't terrible, but I was expecting more. Notwithstanding, the bruschetta was good. Definitely good for a party of two or four. I also had the Cajun scallops. Really, really tasty. They served them with a small bleu cheese and candied walnut salad - I was a little tentative with the combo, but it all worked out really well. The wine flights were perfect and very cost effective. Huge selection of bottles available for purchase as well. Also, there IS a corkage fee (which is totally normal at most places). They already scored points with me by carrying "The Prisoner". Definitely worth a return visit. Rest of the menu looks intriguing and I really wish I had the appetite for the bacon wrapped prawns b/c they sounded awesome.
(4)
Nikki F.
The food and wine were really good. Let me start with that. I was very disappointed that when you buy a bottle of wine (from their own wine shop) you have to pay ten dollars on top of that to drink it with your dinner. The wines are already overpriced as it is. As far as the food, there is a lot of variety. Things are fresh. Overall, the menu is also a bit overpriced. The atmosphere is very nice. The layout of the place is nice. I realize some places will be more expensive than others, but I did not feel that the food and the prices were right for each other.
(2)
Denver L.
Almost forgot to mention the free hummus and pita bread! After a wonderful night at the Yelp Meet the Chef party Beth and I decided to go for a nightcap before heading home. I'm not a wine guy, but Beth is so we went in both feet first. We sat at the bar area and was greeted promptly by the bartender. They have a spectacular wine selection, but Beth went with the Chard wine tasting. The Tasting was ample in size, 4 different wines adding up to about 3 total glass's. Beth fell in love with the Mercy Chard, I think she has a new go to wine, LOL. I had a vodka club soda, the bartender knows how to mix a good drinks. Not to strong, but definately a nice bite. It was a nice slow night in the bar area, but the wait staff was having dinner and drinks so we were lucky enough to strike up a conversation with them. I love asking the wait staff what the like to sneak to the kitchen to eat. We were told to get the burger of the day, Seared AHI, or Bacon wrapped Shrimp. Lucky for us its what the wait staff was eating so we go to look and smell for free :) Im definitely getting the bacon wrapped jumbo shrimp when we go back for dinner. It had a bed of asparagus, friend squash, and 3 JUMBO shrimp wrapped in bacon. Although Matt eating the burger of the day was trying to swear an almost religious experience to his burger. Parking was nice, seating was ample but im sure it was becuase we were there during off times. They even have seating in the wine shop itself which would be great for private conversations.
(5)
David K.
We recently had our son's wedding rehearsal dinner at Wine Guy's Rookwood location in Cincinnati. We could not have been more pleased. Our thirty guests were treated to food and service that was second to none. We met with the General Manager, Nick Rider, several times prior to set up a limited menu and to select a variety of wines and drinks that would be available for our party. The night before the event Nick called to go over things point by point, and to simply reassure us that everything was in place. When we arrived he met us at the door, asked if we had any last minute needs or concerns and we locked in the time that dinner would be served. The area was set up beautifully for us, including a special table set aside designated to serve as the wine station for the bottles that we had previously selected. As the guests began to arrive the staff went into action placing an assortment of small plates and starters, along with meats and cheeses on each table. Then, once individuals had migrated to the seats where they would eat dinner we distributed name plates designating who was to receive each meal. Fresh salads were placed on the tables and the staff then served dinner for thirty in a very timely manner, and each meal was prepared as though it was being served to a table for two. Our two main servers, Abby and Chelsea, were fabulous. They tended to our every need and were both shining stars. We simply want to express our Kudos and thanks for Wine Guy Bistro, of course, but specifically for Nick, Abby and Chelsea, the chef and the entire staff for a job well done. Everyone went above and beyond. We will be fans for life.
(5)
Priya S.
Awesome service. Amazing atmosphere. Great wine selection. Incredible desserts!
(5)
Amy M.
So I came here for lunch on a Saturday whilst I was out shopping with a friend, so I didn't have any wine (gulp!). I will definitely have to come back for some wine. You can apparently buy any bottle from their store side and pay a $10 corkage fee to drink it there. They claim that they have the best prices, but I checked out a few of my "standby" wines and they are definitely cheaper at Party Source or any of the other 11 liquor stores in my neighborhood. I had a chicken salad sandwich with fruit salad on the side. The chicken salad itself was just ok, but the rosemary ciabatta bread made the sandwich! I do want to come back and check out some of their appetizers and the "lollypop lamb chops"! They have flights of wine for tasting as well and that is always fun! Wine does make me happy. Okay..I will definitely be back...
(3)
Kristen K.
Good atmosphere with helpful, friendly staff. They have happy hour with 1/2 prices. Wine flights are good, and if there is a wine you like you can buy it, pay a $10 corkage fee, and if there is some left over you can take it home for later. Food is good. I wish they were opened later.
(4)
Rhonda D.
I heard about The Wine Guy opening a location here from one of the local wine bloggers, if I recall correctly. I immediately signed up for their newsletter as soon as I saw the location would be near me, at Rookwood Pavilion. They're in the the space that used to house Smith & Hawken. They are in their soft opening stage, with the grand opening being Friday, November 12, 2010. I just needed something small to eat and a glass of wine. The hostess said I could get that very thing at the bar. Great! I was immediately greeted by one of the staff and offered a menu. On one side was the food menu, the other side listed flights that were available. The bottle and glass prices for each wine in a flight were also listed. It was pointed out that many of the menu items were offered in a tapas size, which was exactly what I was looking for. A lump crab cake and glass of J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon were served quickly and I dug into the nicely sized cake. I love crab cakes and often try them whenever I see them on a menu. This one was full of generous chunks of crab meat, accompanied with a zesty plum glaze. It was delicious. As I enjoyed my dish, a couple of the staff members checked on me, and also offered a couple samples of wines I might enjoy on future visits. While I nibbled on the crab cake and freshly baked bread, I looked around at the large, open space. To the right of the entrance was the selection available for retail purchase. In the center is the large bar, to the left the regular seating. I'm looking forward to visiting this place again to try other menu items that caught my eye.
(4)
Philip T.
I'm no "Wine Guy" but in my opinion wine here is ok. I am sure they have spectacular wine. With over 4,000 bottles they are bound to! The food in my opinion is above par, and I am not talking golf lingo where above par is a negative, but I disgress back to the point at hand. Each time that I've been there to eat my dinner was worth whatever I paid for it!
I adore this place. My boyfriend and I first went two months ago because he had a gift certificate. We each had the sweet wine flight and were blown away. The sparkling red is incredible. All four were very good. The food was also quite good. A few weeks later, I snatched up a Groupon and insisted that we go the next day. We were again very pleased with everything. I can't wait to go a third time. This is definitely becoming a favorite of ours.
(5)
Mike D.
Came here on a Friday night, probably during their first couple weeks of opening, and I was pretty impressed. The wine bar area was very cool and hopping. Its big, open and surrounded by cases of wine for sale a retail price, which is an awesome feature. Unfortunately, the bar was so jam-packed we had to go sit in the regular dining area, and I felt like that scene in Wayne's World where they get into the first backstage area and they feel all cool, but then there's a second area where the passes dont work and they end up hanging out with the guy who says "My mom gave me a dollar, and dropped me off at the park and ride!" They also have sweet 4-6 person "private booths" which would be cool for a bottle and a snack with friends or colleagues. The place is decorated rustic french farmhouse style which makes sense b/c of the whole wine thing but the menu is mostly italian. minor nerd thing of mine. The food and service were fantastic, note though, a tapas size plate of the entrees is more than enough for one person as a meal. They also have lunch which I'd imagine is good as well.
(4)
Amy H.
The cheese plate is ok. The bruschetta was bad - it came soaked in balsamic vinaigrette. The wine is ok. I've been twice, and was unimpressed both times. The entire menu, including the wine is over priced. For what you pay, you could do much better.
(2)
Sarah L.
The Wine Guy still gets 5 stars for service. But it looks like they're already starting to cut corners on food, which wasn't brilliant to begin with. They had a tasty flatbread pizza that they've dumbed down by using gummy, tasteless crust that I would guess is pre-made. I'm also disappointed by some of their wine flights, particularly the Italian flight. The single biggest draw remains the opportunity to buy a bottle that you really like and enjoy it with the relatively small corking fee. I just wouldn't have a meal to accompany it.
(2)
Devin R.
My friend had a Groupon for this place & once I landed, we decided to stop here for lunch. My international flight was lackluster, but that's because it was a red wine flight & I'm not a red wine drinker. But, I figured why not? I liked 2 out of four of the wines, which were great servings of wine for the price of the flight. The food was great! My friend & I split an appetizer--bread with olives, roasted red peppers & sundried tomato cream cheese. Soooo good! I had the meatball grinder which was the best meatball sandwich I've ever had! It was sirloin, short rib & something else, I forgot! But it was so good! My friend had the sesame-crusted tuna salad. She loved it as well. Will def have my friend take me back the next time I come to visit.
(4)
Phoebe G.
The atmosphere was nice and definitely matched what I thought it would be but I've been twice and had terrible service both times. The one time, the waitress seemed angry the whole time and was very rude. The other time, we hardly saw our waitress at all. The margarita pizza was good and so was the wine. They have a wonderful wine selection and much of it is reasonably priced.
(3)
Robert M.
I really want to like this place, but several things strike me as wrong about it. The excellent side, nice wine selection, plenty of flights for people who are undecided. Plus you can pick a bottle from the store and you only pay a $10 fee to drink it which is much better then most restaurant mark ups. The bread and spread which came it awesome. Now the Good, the special I had was great. Other items however bring us the no so good. the cheese plate (which was everything but the brie) was lackluster expect the blue. The antipasti tray was OK as is. But what they need on the menu is more of a meat tray. Also the place is loud. at our table of 6 it was impossible to talk to anyone but the person next to you. Service was slow and spotty at best. this may improve as the place is somewhat new. Good luck with parking, with the rusty bucket next door it is a walk.
(3)
Sarah A.
Cool concept, need to work on the execution. I like the option of ordering a flight and we enjoyed the International Flight which for less than $20 felt like a fair deal. Food: Food was "meh". We were underwhelmed and the menu was a bit all over the place. The best thing was my friend's risotto. The lamb chops were inconsistent, some were raw, some were cooked. The margarita pizza was OK and my crab cake was fine. I ordered the lava cake which was good but by no means great. Atmosphere: Very loud and lively. I would not recommend this for a romantic date place since the large tables keep you far away from your fellow diners. I felt like I was shouting. Go for the wine, snack on a some cheese and bread but go elsewhere for dinner. Great idea especially for the neighborhood but still have some kinks to work out.
(3)
Brandy V.
I have definitely had better...not overly excited about my visit this evening. I recently purchase a $40 Groupon for $20 and thought it would be great to try this place. My husband and I ordered the bruschetta which was drowning in balsamic vinegar and smelled kinda bad, but it tasted a lot better than it smelled. I ordered the dinner portion of the lump crab cake and I was not impressed at all. Yes they were huge, but nothing spectacular, definitely would not get it again. I didn't know that my meal came with a side and would have been happy if I had been able to choose it instead of getting brussel sprouts (gross!) My husband had the sesame crusted Ahi and it was pretty good, the portion was extremely small though. I opted to not get a glass of wine because I just wasnt in the mood..my husband had a Moerlein beer and enjoyed it, of course. One great thing about our experience was the chocolate mousse. OMG. I loved it! Served in a champagne glass, it was delicious, wish the serving was a little larger, but what the hey. We would maybe come back and get some appetizers and split a bottle of wine, but cant guarantee it.
(2)
Mike C.
This was my first time here, and I am now a fan. To start off with, I really liked the ambience of the store/bistro. It's almost something that I would expect in wine country, not Cincinnati. It's a very casual and laid back atmosphere. There's a bar area next to most of the wine in the store, and then the bistro / tables next to it. There also appeared to be some smaller private areas, as well as nice little patio. I had the cabernet flight. All the flights are like $14.99, as well as a premium flight for $30. I liked all the wines in the flights, some more than others. I also thought that it was a decent pour, which the waiter said was the equivalent of 1 1/2 glass. Before our meal, they brought out what I think was red pepper humus wiht pita bread. It almost had a cream cheese taste, but I liked it. We shared a couple small plates for a tapas-style meal. We had the mussel appetizer which was in a cream sauce with spinach and tomatoes and plated with grilled bread, perfect for soping up the sauce. I read one previous review that the mussels were fishy, but to me they were great the night I went. We also had the half order of the antipasti. This plate really didn't impress me at all. Tons of olives, 2 pieces of salami and capicola, some roasted veggies, and mushrooms. It might be alright if you were only there drinking wine and wanted something to snack on. Finally, we had the tapas portion of the salmon. Slightly overcooked, but still ok. I liked the potato au gratin that was under it and the corn relish a lot though. The service was also good. Our waiter was always available when we needed something and attentive about taking plates away and there with the check quickly. Overall, I liked the place and will definitely be back.
(4)
Trisha K.
The Wine Guy Wine Shop had GREAT atmosphere. I absolutely loved it the moment I walked in. The hostess was very friendly and sent me to my table right away. The menu is not huge, but full of great items like a fresh mozzarella & tomato with drizzled balsamic vinegar, bruschetta and a combo plate with many delicious items. The wine flights were priced right and with generous portions. My favorite was, well an odd wine to be honest, but it was Rosa de Rosa. It was a sweeter red wine (not a port) and had a bit o' bubbly in it. It was very unexpected and different, but I enjoyed it. I was there with 2 of my friends and we all have different wine tastes, but we all agreed on this one. Very easy to drink, too easy! The parking sucked donkey butt. Their private lot is small and I ended up having to park near front door of TJ Maxx...on a Wednesday night! Not that I can't use the walk, but it was raining. :(~
(4)
Brian G.
So I liked the wine guy; I'll tell you right off the bat we only went there for drinks but all the food looked really good. Their wine selection was pretty great for your average wine consumer. My benchmark is usually if I can find the Rombauer vineyards (anything other than the zin); these guys had a cab and a merlot. Score! So we just got the living social deal the other day; that means we will be back soon and I will have a review of the food. Worth the trip if you're after an upscale after dinner drink.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
I really thought I had reviewed this place before, and I would have given it 3-4 stars initially. However, tonight's experience makes it a downgrade. Used to have great food, good wine, and a great atmosphere. Tonight, I felt the food was really subpar - the risotto was clearly made of frozen and canned ingredients, and the pizza was acceptable. The wine remains the main draw, but you will definitely pay for it. $15 for a flight (1.5 glasses of wine)? $10 corkage fee? I guess all of it would be worth it if I could get into the atmosphere of this former warehouse store environment. It remains a large, loud, cold environment. The tables are huge, almost demanding yelling across the table to be heard. The environment is far from the intimate environment I would like to see from a wine bar and high priced appetizers. I won't protest this place, but when the wait is over two hours I will certainly push for a different place. I will say that happy hour, with half price appetizers, is a nice place to grab a glass of wine on a weekday.
(3)
Bryan H.
This establishment is both a restaurant and a wine bar. My first experience here was for a happy hour wine tasting with my two roommates. We sat at the bar and enjoyed three of their appropriately priced flights (four glasses for 14.99) of wine. The selections were great and the wine was served at the perfect temperature indicating that the bar tenders and servers knew what they were doing. Upon entering the bistro it is impossible to ignore the vast collection of wines adorning the right hand wall. This is all available for purchase, or, for a $10 corking fee, can be enjoyed at the bar or with dinner. My first meal here was with my father several weeks ago. We both ordered their lamb chops and paired it with a 2007 Chateau Montelena off the shelf. Our salad, bread, and wine were all delightful. Our lamb came with a sweet potatoe medley and a wonderful sauce. These were excellent and cooked to perfection but the lamb itself was bland and poor quality meat. This was later discussed with the manager who was very apologetic and genuinely concerned. He saw fit to give us a $30 gift card to return and we became friends and I have gone back since for wine and food. The food has been great every time I have returned and the wine only gets better. Despite the bad lamb chops I give this place a 4 out of five and am eagerly waiting for their outdoor patio to open.
(4)
Ryan S.
Hidden GEM! Great Date spot or casual place, love the mood and vibe of this place. I first went to this place when I bought a groupon and It has turned into one of my favorite places to eat. A++
(5)
Christi P.
Great atmosphere and great food! They also have a huge selection of wine in their wine store. The cheese plate is a nice snack to enjoy with a red wine flight. I usually sit at the bar, and sometimes the service can be very slow, that's the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)
Kirstyn T.
I've been going to this Rookwood location since it opened, and have nothing but positive things to say. Wine Guy Bistro is DELISH. I am particularly obsessed with their cream cheese basil spread they bring out with pita when you sit down. (I seriously argue with myself over how much to leave for my dining partner.) I've had everything from the Margherita Pizza, to the Fire Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Bisque, to the Burger of the Week. I have never had a bad meal. My husband prefers the Italian grinder, and has sampled many of the pastas. All tapas are scrumptious. I adore the wine flight menus- though I would like them to maybe introduce a seasonal addition. The employees all seem to enjoy working here, and all are extremely helpful. (When it came time to choose a bottle of red to bring to my very Italian boss's house for Christmas, I had two employees help me to navigate and narrow down to the perfect choice.) Parking in Rookwood can be difficult (at best), but luckily, this restaurant BACKS UP to the office building's parking garage. Pretty convenient if you can't park right out front. Can't wait for the additional locations to open!
(4)
Brian Q.
Interesting menu, great concept for wine flights but execution/delivery needs work. The wine flights are a great value and have a lot of potential. However, the staff doesn't really seem to know the wines very well or talk you through them. I've been twice and the one waitress put the flight out of order and acted like it really didn't matter. Huh? The food is good but definitely not great. Highlights include the mussels in pernod cream sauce and the margharita pizza. Crab cakes just so-so; Brie wasn't warmed up to molten state it should be. I might go back because the atmosphere is enjoyable but they need to tighten up the ship.
(3)
Don G.
A great place for dinner and a great place for wine. The wine selection is amazing and I would recommend trying one of the wine flights they have. The food is good too. We have been there twice so far and I have tried several different things. The antipasti is good as is the pasta and meatballs. Parking in front of the restaurant can be painful but there is a parking garage behind the building that always has spaces.
(4)
Alexis W.
A great date place! We really enjoyed the appetizers (we had the cheddar cheese with chive, crackers and fruit compote as well as the bell pepper bruschetta). I ordered the tapa size chicken marsala and it was one of the best I've ever had (and I've looked, believe me).
(4)
Jan K.
First time experience the other night- wow! Wonderful ambiance, terrific food - had the spicy shrimp with linguine. Oh I almost forgot the real reason for going there- WINE! Had a red flight- sample #1 was my favorite! Both owners approached us at different times to check on us. They shared some history about the concept & plans for the future. Personable guys with yummy offerings - we'll be going back.
(5)
Rob M.
Love this place. Went for my wife's birthday. Great atmosphere, many great and cheap wines to choose from. Food was good. Wish it was closer to my home in Anderson.
(4)
amy h.
I was excited to try The Wine Guy for dinner... Girl's Night Out, none the less... I was visiting "home", and wanting something new to try with the girls. Several of my friends wanted to go, and the concept sounded superb!! So, we made reservations for a Wednesday evening; I called for reservations, and they accommodated us for a time that fit our needs. After reading reviews on yelp is when I learned of this whole situation of buy from the shop and pay a corkage fee... this leads to my 1st of 2 main points: the service was disappointing, to say the least. Our server was non-informational, and very blah about pretty much anything. He couldn't even remember who ordered what wine, and set everything down in front of the wrong person. Later in the meal, a glass of wine was forgotten when ordered, as well as 1 of my friend's entree's?? The comment after she told him it never came was: "You'll have to come back and order the (forgotten) lambchops!!" Uh... I don't think so. My 2nd point: over-priced food. We ordered the Brie for a starter, which was served slightly warm and with plain ol' water crackers. I ordered the Caesar salad, which was just lettuce/nothing fancy (again, for the price!), and the "tapas" portion of some pasta, which (again) for the price was just almost insulting. Everything that was at our table pretty much fit in that category. I felt defeated when paying my $67 bill for one...
(3)
Marie E.
Here is the biggest problem I have with the place... It feels like a chain. Also, the wines are overpriced and they make it sound like a $10 corking fee is such a deal. I just can't get into the whole corking fee no matter if it is a deal or not. Sorry. Why do I have to pay you $10 extra for your already overpriced wine? Food is average and I was not impressed. I think it would be a fun experience to buy a flight (which included wines from the store) and be able to buy that wine from the store to go with your dinner. Maybe that is unreasonable. I am still not going to pay you $10 to cork my wine. Nope still wouldn't go back
(2)
Molly C.
I really wanted to love this place.... we went 2 Fridays ago and loved the atmosphere and the wine list. Sadly, the service was really slow... (we sat with our finished plates in front of us for close to 20 minutes) and the food was pretty sub-par. My husband and I both ordered the mussels and they tasted incredibly fishy.... so much so that in very uncharacteristic style, I decided not to finish the last 10 or so mussels. They were also cooked in this odd sweet cream sauce - it just fell short. I'd give this place another chance b/c I really want to like it and it's one of the only decent options at Rookwood.
(2)
Mike S.
Better than I expected. I was preparing for a pretentious and wine-elitist environment, but I found it friendly, accommodating, and fun. We came in with a group on a crowded Saturday night and they genuinely appeared happy we were there. The food was good enough, but you are not coming here for the food (remember "bistro" plays third fiddle in the name). The hummus & tapanade and bruschetta starters were very good. The mussels were a day or two past their prime. The lamp chops were very tasty and well prepared. The beer selection is sparse but well selected (think vegetarian at a steak house). Everyone was pleased with the selection of wines and the prices are reasonable. I found some old favorites and opted for revisiting some familiar wines that I hadn't drank in a while. We want to go back and try some flights.
(4)
Grant H.
The place has a lot of potential. Atmosphere is great, trendy-rustic Italian, lots of wines, the wine flights are encouraged and well assembled. Will probably go back for the wine flights alone. You can also buy any bottle they have, at retail pricing, and they'll serve it to you for a $10 corkage fee, uh more reasonable than buying the bottle at restaurant prices. Here's what is disappointing: the service. Our waiter was pushy and awful at composing a joke. When asked for the daily/weekly specials he only gave us the steak option, so we had to re-ask about the risotto de jour and the hamburger of the week. In another review someone mentioned the wait staff dropping and breaking things, last night no less than 3 items were dropped and broken during our 1.5 hour visit. My final comment goes back to awkward joke and manners, when the bill was ready, our waiter handed it to one of the wives, awkwardly. Why would you ever hand the bill to a lady? She looked at him, handed the bill to her husband, and he looked at me like, "am I buying your dinner too?". It was really awkward and unnecessary, just put the bill on the table and let us know you'll take it when we're ready... One last note, the food was OK, not amazing. We all got burgers, they were ok, no flavoring on the meat, very greasy, just ok.
(3)
R S.
This restaurant is okay, but I won't be going back anytime soon. On the plus side, the food was very nice. The mozzarella salad was tasty, although a bit overdressed. My ciopinno seafood stew and my husband's veal were both well executed, but not remarkably so. The molten lava cake was generous, but overly sweet. Also on the plus side, the flights of wine are good fun. The wine store concept is original and works well. The overall decor is a pleasant balance of rustic and modern. However, the entire menu seemed overpriced considering the overall experiemce. If I am going to be charged fine dining prices ($120 for two with tax and tip), I expect fine dining service, which we did not receive. We arrived at 8:00 on a Saturday night. Not surpringly, there were no tables and no room at bar. The hostess asked us for our cell number so she could contact us when a table was ready and seemed alarmed when we told her we did not have one. She also informed us that they couldn't tell us how long we'd have to wait, only how many people were on the list. After waiting almost an hour, we were ushered to the worst table in the restaurant. Despite several other tables being open, we were seated half in the staff service area with a lovely view of the trash and the cutlery rolling station. We then watched people who had walked in 30-45 minutes after us get seated at better tables. Throughout the meal our waiter was fine, but not experienced in proper restaurant service. Also irksome was the total lack of soap in the bathroom (gross and unacceptable) and the fact that the staff started shutting down the place at 10:30 when people were still eating (sweeping, putting out candles, having staff meals and drinks in view of customers). Don't get me wrong, everyone was very polite and the food was good, but we left underwhelmed. This is probably a good place to go for some casual glasses of wine, but I wouldn't recommend it for an intimate dining experience.
(3)
Dougie Fresh M.
went to the wine guy with friends last night.we have been there twice and both times sat at the side bar .our server was very versed in all the wine choices.the seared tuna is very tasty.always meet some new friends at the side bar after a glass of wine
(4)
Michele G.
I have been there twice and loved both times. First time I went with a friend for lunch and sat at the bar. We went for a late lunch around 2. It wan't busy which was good since we ask alot of questions. We had a drink at the bar then took a look at the wine shop. We bought a bottle from the shop with a $10.00 corkage fee. That was worth it considering how much the price of this bottle would have been at another restaurant. We had the Antipasta Misti (both visits). My friend and I liked it. My wife doesn't like olives so the second time I had enjoyed them all to my self. I was fortunate on my first visit to have the lamb chops (they no longer serve them due to prices going up). Since I couldn't get the lamb I ended up getting an 8 oz. Filet which was melt in your mouth and beautifully cooked. I should know since I work at an upscale steakhouse. If you go you should finish your experience with the Feist 20 year tawny or the chocolate cake.
(4)
David H.
Great place for a casual bite to eat or a glass of wine and some people watching in the evenings. Very nice selection of wines - I always find myself buying a bottle to bring home. The menu here is a little limited, but well executed. The meatball appetizer is quite good as are the salads and anti-pasti (or are we call it charcuterie these days?). Service is generally quite good and the bartenders are friendly and efficient. The menu can get a little stale if you go to WG too often, but there is a wide variety of wine available.
(4)
Olivia M.
I feel like Wine Guy is a bit overrated. Its so expensive and the food really isn't all that great. But if you are meeting a couple folks and want a glass of wine - its a nice setting. I would try to get there for happy hour In the bar so you can have more than 2 glasses and not feel like you're paying an arm and a leg. I think on Tuesdays they have "no corking fee" so buy a bottle drink there and take the rest with you! it will save you some money. There are definitely better wine place in the Hyde park area that I would take over WG.
(2)
Tiera A.
Let me just say that I LOVE Wine Guy! It's a great place to hang out with family or friends whether they are fans of wine or not. They have a full food menu along with quite a few beers and cocktails available. And of course, they offer a huge selection of wine! Personally, I enjoy the bar area at WG during happy hour. During this time they offer quite a few specials, bar bites and $9 wine flights.I will caution you by mentioning that the bar area gets extremely packed during happy hour so be sure to arrive early, especially on Fridays after work.
(4)
Tara J.
The picture I'm posting is not the most flattering but my husband and I came to a Leonard here at WG today. wonderful bourbon drinks I had a mule he had a whiskey sour we got the muscles he got the spicy shrimp I got the steak salad all of it was fabulous our waiter chris was great. I would recommend it to anyone I need to add the wait staff in general were wonderful
(4)
Ron K.
Nice job last night with our group. Miss the downtown location, so first time here, but just as good. We had a reservation and the table was ready on time. Hostess were friendly and greeted us, and thanked us as we left. Our server was very attentive and there anytime you would have wanted him. everything arrived timely but not rushed, and food was delivered to the person who ordered without asking what they ordered. 2 of us had the Pork Tenderloin and it was tender and placed over very good garlic mashed potatoes. I ordered the bacon macaroni and cheese as my other side (yes I'm a carb junkie, and it was fantastic. Didn't notice what others ordered, but heard many comments about good meals. Our bill for 2 people was $42.00 with tip included, which was reasonable for the quality. We didn't have alcohol so that was just food bill. Very good job.
(4)
Samantha F.
When the first thing they give you is tomato basil cream cheese and warm pita, you know it'll be a good meal! The tomato and pepper bisque was warm and delicious and the shrimp pasta was a bit spicy but very good! Next time, I'll try the lobster beer cheese. The wine selection is good as expected. The service was also excellent and extremely helpful!
(4)
Jackie M.
What an adorable restaurant! Upon walking up to the restaurant, you'll notice the gorgeous terrace that transports you to a European dining experience. There is comfortable seating inside too if you prefer indoors. They have a fairly large bar and large bottled wine selection. You can purchase a bottle for dinner with an added $10 corkage fee. Note: you CAN make reservations on their website online before visiting. To start, they have several interesting drink choices, including beer, wine and liquor. There are about 32 individual wine selections per night. They offered 8 wine flights (red, white, sweets, international etc.) with 4 glasses per flight, totaling 1.6 glasses. Most were $14.99. They have a house cocktail menu with seasonal cocktails, like pumpkin spice, caramel apple, salted apple, etc. They were $10 or $11. I had the white wine flight and enjoyed 3/4 of the wines. My boyfriend had the Woodford griller cocktail (Woodford Reserve, maple syrup, smoked sugar rim). He really enjoyed it! The menu has various unique choices. We got the grilled bread with honey ricotta. Delicious!! I could've jumped in the little pot of ricotta with honey. It is quite filling as an appetizer. I got the meatball appetizer as my entree after the filling appetizer. The meatballs are fresh ground there and served with a tomato sauce they claim was brought from Italy in the 1930s. Delicious! Boyfriend tried the half spicy shrimp pasta. He liked it, but found it overpriced at $13.99 given the portion. They had several delicious sounding desserts, but we were too full after everything else. Overall, we loved the outdoor atmosphere, fresh ingredients and drink choices. The meal was a bit overpriced, but we would come back!
(4)
Alexander D.
This place is fantastic. I had the steak the other day out in the patio and it was full of flavor and very juicy. The wine is excellent and has a wide variety and delicious red wine. I recommend this place to any small group for dinner or drinks after work.
(5)
Kim W.
I came here for the first time on New Year's Eve and found them to be super friendly and accommodating despite the New Years chaos. They served up some awesome sips and bites. I thought the ricotta and honey appetizer was TO DIE FOR! The salmon on a bed of salad was a huge meal and I barely made a dent before declaring myself stuffed. Of course I always leave room for dessert and I shared both the apple crisp and lava cake with friends, both were delicious. I had such a nice time here that I decided to return only 3 days later with out-of-town guests. It's the perfect place to take guests due to the great selection, wow factor, and reliable good food and service. The wines are super affordable if you purchase by the bottle, or you can get a flight to try 4 different varieties. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can sit outside and sip the evenings away!
(5)
William K.
I've been meaning to stop in here for a long time. In my job, I've met the last couple Chefs and Sous Chefs here and they've always been real pros. I've read reviews and it always sounded so nice but it has the bad luck to be located right next to one of my favorite spots so I always just went right on by. No more. GREAT atmosphere! The place has a hand hewn, rustic, farm housey feel. Love the multiple element, dim light bulbs with depression style glass. Great touch! Feels immediately comfortable and inviting. A second story atrium with opaque skylight lets the sun in to bring out the lighter shades in the wood. On the right is a large wine selection to choose from with high tables for bar service. The bar itself is a delight. Great stools and a nice feel to it. Aesthetically one of the most inviting places I've been in quite some time. I will definitely hit this Happy Hour again. $9 wine flights and several $5 app choices! My friend and I each had a flight and split two of their signature apps and it was less than $30! The tapenade and hummus plate was fantastic! A red pepper hummus with just the right amount of garlic. A very smooth grind on the chickpeas. Well balanced and the perfect counterpoint to the sharp, salty tapenade. The pita they use is soft, chewy and doesn't get in the way of the flavors. Fresh cucumber on the side is perfect to balance it all out and refresh the palate between bites. The much lauded ricotta and honey lives up to all the hype. Creamy and sweet, served with a lovely grilled pain that really is the secret to this dish. The bread gets the perfect treatment getting enough of a crisp to add texture but not enough to take away from the smooth texture of the cheese. The bread also soaks up just a touch of smokiness to add an unexpected and perfect addition to the flavor. Whoever came up with this presentation is brilliant!
(4)
Scott M.
Here's a flight I'd like to book every month. A little decadent on the food side and sometimes portions can be a bit underwhelming, particularly when it comes to the lunch menu, but if you're looking to try out a few glasses of vino with some friends, Wine Guy has a nice atmosphere. Typical of most wine spots, the servers can get a little B.S. happy, but still an enjoyable stop.
(4)
Matt O.
I sympathize with WG. The patio is wonderful except you're basically sitting in a well-traveled parking lot. I don't get the corkage deal as others have mentioned. However, I give credit where it's due and will say that the food was very good, the service was stellar and the people watching was entertaining. I thought there was a gym next door as all I saw were yoga pants running in and out and then I saw the Starbucks sign. I'd come back over and over. It's kind of like tailgating with a much nicer menu.
(4)
Lonnetta P.
This review is way overdue. I always leave smiling! This place turned out to be a regular "catch up" spot for one of my girlfriends and I. Located in Rookwood Commons, parking can take a while. It actually gives me a headache sometimes but I love the place. We absolutely love Jason and Steve! With every visit we look forward to them serving us. Happy hour is Monday-Saturday 3:30-6:30pm. Cork free days are Monday and Thursday (no bottle cork fees). Yesterday I found out the menu changed a little bit and they no longer serve my favorite shrimp sliders. Boo! They still have really good crab cake sliders that will have to take their place. Great atmosphere, awesome service, clean with indoor/outdoor seating available. Go check them out!
(5)
Bridget S.
I know this is a chain, but for some reason I really enjoy this place. Everything I've ever had from here is delicious and I love trying the wine flight samplers. It's not necessarily the most original menu but for American staple food, I'll take it.
(4)
Jay Z.
We were there Saturday night. Service was excellent HOWEVER... Food was so so. I feel like the chef was trying to hard to be foo fooy . I feel that the price for value received was to high. My meal was a risotto et tu fe. It consisted of a large bowl of risotto, 6 grilled shrimp and one sea scallop in the center. The risotto was chewey . It stuck to the inside of your teeth. In my opinion, the dish was worth 15.00. The waiter quoted 20.00 till after I ordered, then came back 10 minute later and said the price was 25.00 for rice, 6 shrimp, and a sea scallop. It was nice, but we won't be going back.
(3)
Hector R.
My review is long overdue. I'm a frequent visitor and I'm very pleased with this spot. The food is executed very well - I have tried the salads, red meat / seafood entrees, and flatbreads and are yet to have a bad meal. I really like the wine flights - they are great value and a great way to taste new things. The service is top notch - the manager and staff will get to know your name after just a couple of visits. All in all, a great "go to" spot if you're looking for good food; great staff, and great wine!
(5)
Amanda T.
This is probably my favorite happy hour in Cincinnati! You can get an entire flight of wine for $15! They have several different options of wine for the flight. The flight comes with four types of wine and I think they equate to two full glasses of wine. The appetizers are all delicious. However, my favorite is definitely the ricotta and honey on toasted bread. The environment is a bit romantic with dimmer lighting. They have a dinner section with booths and tables. The happy hour is on the other side of the bar near the wine selection. They have a wall to wall selection of wines you can purchase. I highly recommend checking it out! I haven't had dinner there, but I am sure it is equally as good.
Continually impressed by this restaurant and their staff. I dine here on average at least once a week. They have literally only messed up my order once (in probably 30+ visits) and they bent over backwards to make it right. The food is always unreal, fresh and consistent and everyone who works there is always pleasant and friendly.
(5)
Eman S.
This place was a pleasant surprise! The wine bar area has a great selection of wines from different regions. There is a $10 corkage fee, which is pretty standard. We ordered the ricotta and honey appetizer with toasted bread which was delicious. The grilled steak bruschetta was really good too! I love the tapas style appetizers that were actually quite filling. I ordered the Napa chicken entree which I thought was pretty good, but probably wouldn't order again. I would really like to return in the spring/ summer for the outdoor seating area. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place especially for happy hour drinks/ small plates.
(4)
Erin K.
Great for happy hour, brunch, or dinner- all of their menus area great! We've never been disappointed by the service or wine recommendations from the very helpful staff. I recommend the wine flight, meatball sliders, and the chocolate lava cake.
(5)
Henry J.
This place is interesting. It is located in the Rookwood Commons. Considering that this is supposed to be a wine place, its selection of wine is actually kind of underwhelming compared to some of the places I've gone to in the past. Further, if you want to buy a whole bottle of wine to share so that you can cut down on the cost of paying by the glass, good luck. There's a $10 corkage fee. No, you can't open their wine yourself. So the question naturally becomes, why not simply make all the bottled wines $10 higher? Hmm... Anyway, parking here can be an issue because it shares its parking lot with several other cafes and restaurants. If you come here at peak dinner hours, good luck finding a parking spot in front of the restaurant. Instead, you'll probably have better luck parking closer to TJ Maxx. Once parked, you can go in and ask for either indoors or outdoors seating. Reservations are not required since this place is rarely busy enough to have wait times. Once the service starts, you are presented with a plate of pita bread with flavored cream cheese. We personally ordered off of their beer menu. The 21st Amendment Watermelon Wheat was very refreshing on a hot summer evening. Overall, the food is okay. The three of us shared a margherita flatbread. It was actually the best thing we had on the evening. I had their special of the evening, tilapia fish tacos with Mexican rice topped with avocados. I don't know what kind of avocados they used, but the slices didn't taste ripened at all. It wasn't creamy at all and was in fact kind of tasteless. My wife had their goat cheese salad with salmon. The salmon was dry. However, it didn't appeared to have been overcooked. So the only natural explanation is that the salmon filet was previously frozen and that it was suffering from freezer burn when it was cooked. The rest of the salad was good, though. A note about service... while the place didn't appear to be very busy, that didn't stop them from providing some of the slowest services we've experienced in a restaurant that aspired to be upscale. All in all, we probably won't be back.
(2)
Linda K.
I'm in town visiting and went with friends for dinner. All in all not bad EXCEPT for one thing. Our server, nice guy Nick , I think, tall with long black ponytail was so sweaty I could not look at him. It was dripping down his face...and who knows if into food and drink. Management needs to speak to him. It was very disgusting.
(2)
Samantha G.
I like to go here after I work a long shift at work. On Thursdays you can get 1/2 price bottles of wine that you're able to take home if you don't finish. The bar is awesome and the bartenders are always up to chat if you want to. They remember me when I come in which is always nice. The salmon salad is HUGE and so filling. I usually can't even finish it in one sitting. Their wine selection is obviously the best and the staff makes perfect recommendations to accommodate what kind of wine you're looking to drink. It's worth the money and great for groups or single diners.
(5)
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Address :2692 Madison Rd,Ste K1
Norwood, OH, 45208
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Sam W.
I went here on a Saturday night with a large group of guys out to celebrate a friend's birthday. We got the mussels and flank steak appetizers, both of which were outstanding. We also bought a couple of bottles of wine, and a number of cocktails, in addition to our entrees. All of the food was extremely good, and our server was great right up until the time that she brought the check. One of us had requested a separate check, and then we had the rest divided among a handful of credit cards, and some cash. When she brought our credit card receipts, she made a comment to the effect that we were, for some reason, not going to tip her on the full amount of the bill. We had been anything but thrifty the entire time that we were there, and for her to make this comment seemed in extremely bad taste. She was very well compensated, but the totally unwarranted, classless nature of this comment left some of us with a bad taste in our mouth. Take away the last 10 minutes and our server's tactlessness, and it's a 10/10.
(4)Mark K.
I really can't find any reason not to give this place 5 stars. We had a party of 8 and the service was excellent! Our server was on point with everything. Every person at my table was impressed with their meal and all said they would come back. I had the seafood stew , which was perfectly cooked and just as described. The lobster bisque was the best I have ever had, including all my trips to the northeast. This is the type of dining I've been looking for. Last but not least, we had two glasses of wine, two bowls of soup, two entrees, and desert. Our bill was only $75 bucks. This is the icing on the cake. Thanks W.G. kitchen. Who cares what the W.G. Stands for. Lol, Jk
(5)Dale H.
My hubby and I stopped here for dinner after some shopping nearby. He wanted to watch the World Series. I thought they had a TV in the bar - not. Oh well. We still had a decent meal and two nice flights of wine. Love the flights. It's a great chance to try a variety of wines. I do think their corkage fee is high if you buy a bottle there. Our meals were good. We sat at the bar, and service was great - attentive and our food came quickly. My husband had the blackened tilapia, and he loved it. I had the shrimp pasta. It was a bit spicy for me and a bit greasy - it has compound butter in the sauce. But the wine made up for it!
(3)Jenn D.
Delightful find! Traveling to cincy for work & staying nearby. Asked the hotel for a non-chain reco & was directed here. A surprisingly delightful find in a sea of chain restaurants! A good selection of wine flights. The ricotta & honey was a great choice (reco from our server). Enjoyed the ambiance. Great way to end a day of travel. Wished this place was in my neighborhood.
(4)Pamela F.
this was an odd visit. ordered a favorite dish, chicken marsala, which was not on the menu. graciously they made it - but wrong. instead of the savory brown marsala sauce with mushrooms we usually get here, they did a cream veloute sauce with mushrooms that was congealed. the seven falls cab and cab wine flight was amazing as usual, the mac cheese and lobster rich.
(2)Shane K.
My review is really a matter of mathematical averaging. Katie (the manager) seemed to be a 5 star kind of professional... And I very much appreciate that. On the other hand, CARLOS (the server) was barely Applebee's caliber. We've never felt so rushed! And he was more upset with US than himself when he screwed up our order! ALTHOUGH HE DID MAKE IT A POINT TO CHARGE US FOR BOTH THE DISH THAT WE'D ORDERED AND THE ONE WE DIDN'T (and no, we didn't actually receive the dish that they'd attempted to deliver mistakenly). Luckily, considering what I do for a living, it's my job to remain unbiased... So I will at least add that the food was terrific! The servings (contrary to what some reviews stated) were plenty generous. And I've had enough pleasant experiences in the past at this place that I have every intention of returning. Just please GOD!... don't sit me in Carlos' section!
(3)Vernon L. S.
Bistro burger is good, not as good as the Banks location, tomatoes were mushy, not fresh, and they changed their bun bakery, big mistake, the meat grind is perfect though, great beefy taste, and great texture, grilled perfectly. Happy hour has great flight prices
(3)Meghan P.
Wonderful customer service! The general manager was so nice to me today and it really helped cheer me up. And the dry white wines on the flight choices were delicious
(5)Sarah F.
Great food, slow service. I ate lunch here recently and really liked the overall vibe of the place--very open, large retail wine section on one side, and kind of a wine country feel in the decor. Our server was very attentive and the new lunch menu had lots of appealing options. I decided on the bistro burger with a cup of their house soup (tomato & red pepper bisque) as my side. I liked that they gave the options of soup, half salad, or kettle chips with every sandwich/entree. The restaurant was only about 20% full on a weekday around noon, yet it took over 45 minutes to be served our food. We did get a complementary plate of pita wedges and red pepper/cream cheese dip, which was delicious and helped tide our hunger, but that's just too long for a weekday lunch. When my food finally arrived, it looked great--the soup was served in a beautiful pottery bowl with drizzled lines of cream, strips of fresh basil and a few croutons resting on top. The addition of red pepper gave a depth that went beyond a typical tomato soup The burger comes on brioche bun (good bread:meat ratio) and had a great grilled flavor. It was also perfectly to temperature as ordered. One of the better burgers I've had in a while, actually. Really the only big snag in the whole meal was just how darn long it took for our food to come out, which unfortunately rules this place out for a weekday lunch in the future. I would definitely be interested to try it again for a leisurely weekend lunch or dinner.
(4)jamey m.
Great atmosphere, love happy hour. Try the Mac n cheese and their burgers. Great appetizers to....
(4)Sheila M.
Came here for a graduation celebratory dinner. Being the first one in my party on a Saturday night, I expected the place to be filling up around 5 pm. It turned out that I was the first one in there, period! I felt silly for having made reservations. True to its name, Wine Guy (now named "WG Kitchen and Bar" or something generic, which is unfortunate cuz I think Wine Guy sounds cuter) has an extensive wine list, and even wine flights where you get to sample a variety of wines all at once. I didn't get to try any that day, as I am a lightweight and wanted to avoid the buzz. But the option is there! I did try the grilled steak salad. It was one of the best steak salads I've ever had, because unlike many other places, they marinate the meat in something HEAVENLY. The french-fried slivers of onion and blue cheese crumbles added extra flavor to the veggies, which I was obviously less excited about. It's pretty much summer, I am female, and thus by ordering salad I was doing my best to prep for the 2 months that I will be wearing next to nothing. But I digress...again. I loved my food. Everyone else loved their food. The inside was just as lovely as the outside patio, where overhead grapevines provided shade for tables and chairs. Service was friendly and prompt. Waitress was a bit weird, but I'm not sure I could've done much better. Also, I really want to give this place 5 stars. So 5 stars it is!
(5)Duke P.
The bar-b-que chicken pizza was the bomb. They have plenty of wine and the best price in the state of OHIO. I highly recommend the food. Great service and management practice as well. Only thing I haven't experienced was going in the kitchen.
(5)Robin H.
The flights, and bottle selections, are great. The Scallops, and flatbreads, ( we tried three), were tasty. The service or lack of was the issue. We had to hunt or flag down our server each time he came to the table. The staff that brought our food, appeared more often. ( five courses). Too bad, for tattoo man, we are in the business.
(3)R C.
Good servers. Good food. Very poorly managed on a busy night. We are heading to a concert and they were understaffed and not organized. Tables were open, yet the 1 hostess took her sweet time to seat people. The bar had bartender tripping over each other vs each taking a side of the bar a sticking with those customers. Nice atmosphere, good food, just need to be better run when they should know that they are going to be busy.
(1)Teresa T.
The Good: Tasty food, chic open space with great atmosphere, and the wine. The space easily accommodates larger groups but still feels cozy enough if your dining alone at the bar. Classic menu options with some more interesting choices that you wouldn't necessarily think of but that aren't too crazy. The Bad: Horrible parking situation (there's just not enough parking for the area), smaller portions for the price, and they could work on improving service speed and attentiveness. Verdict: It's a fun place to go to socialize and enjoy a nice meal.
(4)John B.
I am going to slightly echo Elizabeth's comments about this place, with slight variation. I have tried to visit this place a time or two before and the wait is almost always way longer than I had time for, until this past weekend. I was with a large group of about 8 people and we spent some time in the draped off rooms in the front part of the restaurant. That part of the evening was rather fun and a great way to relax with friends. I would like to say that all the hostesses and front door man were extremely nice and accommodating. I kept having to ask for more chairs and they were quick to oblige, with no sign of frustration or typical "stop bothering me attitude" that you would find in most other restaurants, so WGWS has that going for it. I shared had a bottle of Mondoro Asti Spumante ($13+$10corkage), which is actually a reasonable (restaurant) price for a bottle of this stuff. If you've never had a glass of this, you gotta try it. Sweet, light flavor, yummy. Eventually a table opened up and I was definitely ready to eat. Like Elizabeth wrote, the food was not up to my expectations and the price. The main dining area is loud, and not conducive to conversation. Major bummer. I could barely speak to those right next to me let alone the people directly across the table. Would it kill places like this (Hofbräuhaus come to mind too) to put some carpet down or use some acoustical treatments to curb the excessive noise? I ordered a Margherita Pizza ($13) and it was good but not great. yelp.com/biz_photos/0hxD… I liked the garlic and the cheeses. The leftovers also reheated well two days later. There was a rather difficult and time consuming train wreck of a situation when the bill came, but every server can have a bad night, and the service up to that point was perfectly acceptable. Either way, we all spent about 2 1/2+ hours there instead of about an hour. Oh well, I will most likely not be back. I might give the soon to be open Banks location a shot, but I don't expect it to be much different.
(2)K. W.
Now open on Sundays! We love Sunday brunch so we thought we would check it out. So glad that we did! They have a small brunch menu in addition to their regular menu. Although the brunch menu is small, the options all sounded great. French Toast, Filet & Eggs, Chef's Omelet just to name a few. The three cocktail options were all great choices too, you can't go wrong with a Bacon Bloody Mary!!! We decided on the omelet and it was delicious. It was perfectly cooked. Service was great...we will definitely be back for another Sunday brunch soon.
(5)Toby T.
I've eaten here several times and have been generally pleased with the experience. Unfortunately, my last visit there was not the best. I attempted to use an expired $40 Groupon for the original purchase price paid of $20. The original purchase price never expires according to state law and per Groupon's terms & conditions. Wine Guy refused to honor this and directed me to contact Groupon HQ for a refund of the amount. The manager came to our table and explained they were in the right to refuse honoring it according to their attorneys. Shady... I'll probably not return here due to their business practices. Caveat edax.
(2)Sarah R.
My husband and I have eaten here a few times, and our general feeling is "pretty good, but a little expensive." Things we like: 1. The wine. Reasonable prices. Great descriptions on the wine list; very helpful. 2. The lack of a wait for a table (in our experience). 3. The ricotto & honey jar - YUM. Our favorite appetizer, and something we make at home sometimes. Thanks for the inspiration! 4. Most of our appetizers & meals have been really tasty. Things we don't like: 1. I had risotto once that was flat out terrible. It was in the cioppino, so I just ate around it. Our waiter never came back until everyone was almost done, so I never mentioned it. I also didn't have the right silverware and it took forever to get it, from a random passing server. 2. The tables are HUGE. Big enough that I feel really separated from my dining companions. It is a loud dining room, and when the tables are so large, it is impossible to have a conversation sometimes. I go out to eat to spend time with my family and friends - not just to eat food. Eating at tables for giants means I don't walk away feeling like my dining experience was spectacular. 3. I haven't found the people in the wine shop to be very helpful. I was looking for a specific bottle and no one offered any help, and when I asked for help, the girls just weren't very friendly or helpful. We also had a bottle reccomended to us that we didn't really enjoy for dinner, and that was a little disappointing. We felt like we gave pretty good instructions for what we were looking for, so the end result was just a little disappointing. 4. It is a little expensive for the experience. If it were a little cozier, if the food was a little more consistent, if the servers were a little friendlier - all of these things would make it a better value for the money. I think this place has a lot of potential, and I hope they succeed. We'll be back - but we'd come back more often if the overall experience were a little better.
(3)Karen D.
Me and a few friends stopped by on early Saturday evening for dinner. The dining room was full, so we were seated in a side lounge room. We felt like VIP's because everyone walked by the room wondering who we were. Our waiter came over and provided drink menus, he gave us a few minutes to review. Our wine and friend's cocktail came right away. Dinner started out with ricotta & honey jar starter, house soup - Fire Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Bisque and I went with the WG's Chicken Mac and Cheese, another Champagne Butter Poached Lobster. All of our food arrived hot, but their Mac & Cheese was nothing to rave about, pretty bland and couldn't tell if it really had any chicken in it. My friend's Lobster tail serving was quite small, looked more like a starter than a main dish. The WG is good to enjoy a glass or wine or two with a few friends and an appetizer or two or even their risotto, which I enjoyed on a previous visit.
(3)Donald B.
Our bartender waitress tonight was absent a personality. Attendance is down. Other staff were avoiding her. She's into herself and not the customers. No selling attempts. No bruschetta with the mussels. Took the wine menu away before we could sample our flight. She's not much and it appeared she was affecting the other staff members. I will only return hoping to not see her. The owner better get with it or you're done. Our "steak salad" had 4 little slivers of steak. Too much of a "don't care" attitude. Try restaurant stakeout. Good luck.
(2)Alyssa F.
I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this place. I've been here three times- two times was just for wine flights/appetizers, and once for dinner (on NYE). The wine flights are by far my favorite thing, and what keep me coming back. They do change them out a bit every once in a while (each one has been slightly different, I think, each time I've been in the last year), but they have EIGHT to choose from, four white and four red flights, all with different wines. So now that you've had your wine, there's the rest of the pretty sizable menu. I've had cheese plates (just so-so), the hummus (not memorable), the bruschetta (wonderful), a pizza (good), entrees (all WONDERFUL), and dessert (also WONDERFUL). This is one of the rare times when I'll say that the price point, while kind of high, is totally worth it. Plus they sell their bottles at state minimum prices, so you can always go home with a new favorite! Word of warning: they get so so super busy on weekends that I only go there on weekdays, unless I can do a reservation. One thing I really like about them is that last time I was there was around 8pm on a weeknight, and though were were only doing wine flights and appetizers, they let us sit at a table outside that was table service. And every time I've been there, the service has been fantastic- lovely and funny, very attentive.
(5)Linda V.
Great service. Great selection of small plates and the option of half salads. I had the red wine flight and it was wonderful. I also had the crab cakes. Very nice wasabi sauce. Flatbread pizza was another selection at our table and it was quite good. The four of us had a great esxperience. The grilled pita and cream cheese brought to the table upon being seated is so good. They also have a good beer selection for non wine loverfs. You must try it. We will go back for sure.
(4)Ben D.
One of my favorite restaurants in Cincinnati. I have never had a bad experience or food here. The wine is very reasonable and there's a good selection. I recommend the spicy shrimp pasta or the meatballs. My wife loves the risotto. Can't compliment the service enough here...has the personal touch!
(5)Sally Y.
The food was pretty delicious and the wine tasty. I especially like how they deliver the flights to you in a wooden holder - especially since I'm a tad clumsy and having four breakable things in front of me is a bit nerve wracking. The food options are definitely quality items and delicious enough that it makes me want to come back and eat more. However, the price is a bit more expensive than I normally would like to pay for that type of meal, so it definitely isn't a place I would visit regularly to eat for a meal. Definitely more of a happy hour spot to try the flights and get a few quick bites. Additionally, I LOVE the ambiance of the place inside. It's charming, a bit rustic, yet completely refined. Just a wonderful overall feel to the hustle and bustle right outside the doors in Rookwood.
(4)Andi O.
My boyfriend and I went for dinner on Friday. As he is learning about wine, I thought this would be a great place for him to try a few varieties and enjoy a nice meal. We each ordered a wine flight, and our server was not helpful beyond taking the orders and bringing out the wines. I expected more discussion on the wines, rather than "here you go." Our server did not ask our thoughts on the wines during or after the meal. The food was good, but nothing spectacular. I enjoyed the scallops , which were simple and blackened. He ordered the ahi tuna dinner, which he said was good but not great. He was also disappointed in the portion size. As soon as we got home, he was looking for a something more to eat. Our bill for two flights of wine, two entrees, and one cup of soup was $88 before tip. It didn't seem worth it to me. It wasn't bad at all but I don't plan on going back, either.
(3)Sandra F.
I found my second favorite wine bar in the area! I absolutely love this place, which is very open and cozy. When the server handed us the wine menu, he was very helpful and descriptive. I highly recommend the wine flights, which is a tasting of different (4-5 glasses) wines (you choose your wine preference). I did the cabernet sauvignon (excellent choices on the menu). Next time I come back, I want to try the pinot noir. While we were waiting for our meals, we were given a servicing of pita breads with sundried tomotoe spread. Very delicous! I got the salmon with au gratin potatoes. My friend wanted to order an extra side, so she decided to try the mushroom risotto. Also a great pick! Loved my meal, wines, excellent service and great atmosphere! They also have a store where you can purchase wine. They do not accept reservations for just couples, only large groups. Make sure to get here early.
(4)Kevin B.
I had dinner at Wine Guy Bistro last week with a friend. I am giving 2 star rating for food, service and atmosphere. I would give a much higher rating if you skipped dinner and ordered wine flights and some appetizers. I hadn't seen my friend in a while and we were looking forward to catching up and the dining room is incredibly loud. It was hard to have a conversation with the din. When we first sat down our server seemed overly eager to get us to place our order. We asked for some time to look over the menu and when we had questions she had a difficult time explaining some of the options. We both ordered salads, I ordered the Cioppino and my friend ordered the chicken marsala tapas size. The salads had way too much dressing - there was a puddle at the bottom of my salad plate. The Cioppino for some reason has a bunch of risotto in the middle of it and was not hot - the seafood was cooked well and the broth was tasty. I had to ask 3 times for a spoon. My friend enjoyed her chicken but the server brought the full entree size - although she did "ask the manager and got approval to only charge for the tapas size". Once meals were delivered we didn't see our server again until we received our check. The one redeeming thing about Wine Guy Bistro are their wine flights. I had the Italian and for $14.95 I received 4 generous pours of Italian reds - and all were quite nice. While I wouldn't go back for a meal, I would go back here for a wine flight and maybe an appetizer.
(2)Ryan Z.
This place has all the potential in the world, combining a wine shop with an elegant bistro. Unfortunately, it tends to be style over substance. The wine prices are supposedly at the state minimums, but I'm not sure I really believe that. I don't have any evidence to the contrary, it just seems like I see lower prices regularly. Their selection, however, is very nice for a strip mall shop. I've come across some hard to find bottles, including the entire Nickel & Nickel family and their Enroute Pinot Noir - which is an absolute must try if you get the opportunity. I teetered between 3-4 stars for this place but ultimately settled on 3 because of the parking situation. They share a small (30-ish space) side lot with Starbucks and another place. That's not nearly enough parking considering that Wine Guy's seating capacity is close to 200, if not more. And for anyone familiar with the parking pains at Rookwood, you know it's not easy to find a spot anywhere. I'm sure they lose out on a lot of business because people get fed up with circling the parking lot for a spot. They're supposed to be opening up a small location at the Banks in downtown. I'll be enthusiastically rooting for it to succeed as the surrounding options are severely lacking.
(3)Adolfo N.
First of all, the support staff gets 5 stars. They accommodated a large group of us as best they could on short notice, and did a stellar job of taking care of us. The little lounge rooms are the only place to have a quiet conversation because the din of the place is loud, and we were told it wasn't a busy night. I'd hate to see it get rowdy! The wine flights were of a good variety, but you can't customize them for a decent rate, so just be warned about that. Not much of a beer selection. seriously, I know it's the wine guy, but man cannot live off grapes alone. The food was good, but not stellar. I've paid 10 dollars for a burger before, and this was no 10 dollar burger. At least include a side besides chips for 11 bucks. Their cheese grits were good, but for 3 bucks, you want something bigger than a post it note on your dish. Tasty, yes, a good value, no. lousy for groups, good for a date, but as with anyting on this side of rookwood, be ready to park and hike.
(3)Coleen P.
Really good stuff! My boyfriend and I came here for our Valentine's Day dinner. We were told that the restaurant was booked from 6-8pm with reservations so we were forced to go in at 5:30pm. A little early, but still manageable. We got there and were promptly seated in the formal dining area. On the other side of the restaurant, I believe there was a bar for more casual seating. I loved the decorations and feel of the place. There were cabinets of different types of wines lining the perimeter of the seating area. Only one thing though, the seating seems to be a bit too close to each other. At times, I could fully hear the conversations of the people next to us. We ordered the lobster bisque for our appetizers. It was sooooo delicious! The soup was creamy and rich, with just the right amount of the seafood lobster taste. We then ordered the Linguine Meatballs and Chicken Marsala for our main entrees, which were both amazing! We were in the restaurant probably from 5:30-7pm and oddly enough, there were tons of open tables (surprising since they told us there were no reservations available from 6-8pm). Either way, we had a great time here and will definitely be coming back!
(4)Angela C.
The best part of my experience with Wine Guy was definitely the service. I went with a group of friends and we were all very impressed by our knowledgeable and very engaging server. Everything he told us about sounded much more exciting by virtue of his enthusiasm. This probably convinced me to add a fourth star. The restaurant is a nice addition to the Rookwood Pavilion- a non-generic touch to a sea of chains. The interior decor is cozy and there is a lot of space for seating... and wine! It definitely felt a bit like a larger version of a winery lobby where you might do some wine tasting. The antique windows hanging down as sort of seating section dividers was a nice touch. I really like that you can buy a bottle from the Wine Guy store to uncork at the table for $10 (which is much more economical than the flights of wine, though some of the girls I went with have enjoyed that as well). Most of the food can be ordered tapas style or dinner style. We ordered about five dinner portions of the dishes since we had 7 people, and it seemed like everyone had enough to eat. My favorite dish was probably the lamb chop lollypops- they were small but very good; the seasoning reminded me a little bit of Korean barbecue. The dining experience was good (though my judgment may be clouded by the wine buzz I had), though it ends up being a rather pricey one. While I would go back to Wine Guy, I'm not sure I would do it for dinner very often: I am not sure the food quite measures up to its price.
(4)Eileen K.
Awesome night on the patio! Christine did a great job taking care of us...I can't wait to come back and do it again...We had several appetizers and a great wine flight!
(5)Deborah H.
I had an absolutely wonderful lunch today at The Wine Guy Bistro. Although I can't comment on the wine (non-drinker), I can say the food is very good and the service was exceptional.
(4)Marc M.
Great place. I understand from my Sister that it gets very crowded on weekends, and, based on my Monday night experience, I can see why. It's a totally casual atmosphere - I mean it's located in a busy strip-mall with a Nordstrom Rack and a Home Goods. There is a large bar/wine store to the right when you walk in. One of the cool things about this place is that they are not ripping anyone off with their wine prices. You can by any bottle of wine at Ohio state minimum and drink it at your table for a $10 corkage fee. They offer 10 different flights of wines - most of them are $14.99 for 4 good-sized glasses. For $30, you can treat yourself to some really good wines (Silver Oak, for example). The food was quite decent too. Most of the entrees come as a smaller/tapas size - perfect for noshing/sharing/smaller appetities. We had a salad which was unremarkable, but the tapas-sized cajun scallops and the crab cake were excellent. We finished with a molten-chocolate cake with vanilla cream cream. This last one made is very hard for me to drive for 2 hours back to Columbus that evening! (Ok, maybe it was the wine!) There are several nooks off the left for private wining. Otherwise, lots of tables - good for groups. I will definitely go back.
(5)Krista P.
I went for happy hour. It was a mediocre happy hour, you get a $1 off glasses or flights - not a good deal for a flight. Most apps were half-off as well. Overall, it was a nice place, great atmosphere, good selection & service. I had the international wine flight and the Bruschetta. Bruschetta was okay, nothing special.
(4)Mallory T.
Amazing food but worth the price! I had the sweet wine flight and was happy to see a sweet red wine. For an appetizer I split the bread with the honey and butter it was so good! As my entrée I had the ahi tuna which came with some Asian/Chinese noodles on the bottom which again was great! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone since the service was great along with the food.
(5)Peter B.
Nestled in the corner of the Rookwood shopping plaza in Cincinnati's Oakley neighborhood, this Columbus transplant offers diners an eclectic selection of comfort food cuisine matched with a broad offering of wines available by the glass or the bottle. The twist is that the bistro also includes a full wine store. All of the wines on the menu are also available for take home. There is a very large and long bar down the right side of the restaurant with plenty of room for socializing. The menu includes some familiar starters like Caesar salad and bruschetta. You can also order a customized anti pasti or a thin crust brick oven pizza. There are 4 meat, 6 seafood and 6 pasta entrees, including a daily risotto special. All are price in th $15-$25 range. I tried the seared sesame-crusted tuna and order a side of grilled asparagus. the vegetable was served crisp with good flavor while the tuna was hardly seared at all and did not pass as sushi-grade yellowfin. It was passable but buy no means remarkable. There are 4 classic desserts including a chocolate cake and creme brulee. I'll probably go back for drinks, but I can think of several other restaurants in the area where I'll getter better food at the same cost.
(3)Tom H.
We are from the neighborhood and eat out frequently. There are many restaurants to choose from here. This is a great spot for wine and small plates. For this, we prefer to sit at the bar. I hope the owner decides to invest in more/replace chairs so customers can actually sit at the bar, rather than stand. There are open spaces available for placing more seats. . This would encourage customers to relax and order another round.
(4)Kelly Ann J.
I LOVE this place; the atmosphere, the selection and the food! The wine staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. (especially for someone who seriously has no knowledge about wine no matter how many glasses I've indulged in) They helped me discover some of my now favorite wines. I will continue to go back!!
(5)Tom W.
Quick summary- Wine flights are a great way to side - by - side nice and unusual wines. Food portions are small and pricey, but nicely prepared and beautifully presented. Noise - it was like a 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. We went for our anniversary, and it was really quite nice. The service was attentive to our needs, and by that I mean he stayed away when we didn't need him and was there right when we did. The menu had a broad selection of tempting choices and the cheese served as appetizers was a great thing to enjoy with the first flight of wine. It was really noisy, though, and the two seater tables are way too close to each other, so romantic whisperings were out of the question. I tried romantic yelling, but cut it short when the guy two feet at my side acted like he thought I might be talking to him. If you love wine, nice food in smaller portions and a somewhat raucous atmosphere, I'd highly recommend it
(4)Lesley C.
Went for lunch today. While the atmosphere is nice, the food is just ok and too pricey for what you get. I ordered a asian chicken salad. It was a HUGE pile of greens (re: lettuce) with a tiny bit of grilled chicken on top. It was $12.99. I get more chicken at Panera, and a better salad as well, for much less money. The wine was suggested by the waiter, my friend and I wanted to share a bottle. We saw that there was a corkage fee for wine you purchase from the shop, but I thought that since the waiter was encouraging a certain bottle that it wasn't coming from the shop but was from their wine list. The "corkage fee" was $10. Yes, $10 extra for a wine they had to SCREW THE TOP OFF OF. Absolutely ridiculous. Won't be going back.
(2)Tara N.
I've been here twice, and I want to get excited about it. I really do. But it's just always... a little bit disappointing. The food is good, but it is really pricey. The wine selection is good and the atmosphere is trendy. The wine flights are pretty affordable, and it's a fun way to try new wines. Fun place to visit, just be aware that the tab adds up quickly.
(3)Debbie Z.
I met a friend here for dinner and enjoyed the evening very much. I was here one other time for a glass of wine right when they opened. The three things that stand out about this place that I like is 1) the décor; 2) the ability to order wine flights; and 3) the ability to order "tapas" size portions on most of the entrees which is great for sharing. We each ordered a wine flight which was $14.99 for a flight of four wines. The pours were a nice 2 oz each so, it was like having a couple glasses of wine, so the price was right. The nice thing about getting a flight of wine is that you get to taste several. My flight included a Pinot Noir, two red blends, and a Zinfandel. We ordered one item to share off of the Starters section of the menu and two items to share off of the Entrée Section. From the Starters section, we got the steamed mussels ($12.99) in a sweet cream broth. I was a little disappointed of the amount of broth that was in the bowl, so I would say the mussels were good, but nothing to rock your world. We got the Tapas size Sea Scallop entrée ($14.99) that included two large seared scallops on a bed of greens with candied walnuts and a sweet and spicy reduction sauce - very good. The last thing we ordered off of the Entrée Menu to share was the Wine Guy Burger of the night ($9.99). The burger was very good and a hefty size. As we were eating our items, the waitress also brought us a complimentary Humus and Flatbread plate. Not sure if that is the norm, but it was very good. Bottom Line: This is a place with good wine and good food where you can go and control how much you want to spend. You can spend a lot by getting entrees and nice wine, or you can go for a simple glass (or flight) of wine and a simple appetizer. The décor is awesome; the wait staff seems nice - but not real knowledgeable on the wine. Negative: The location and parking!! I have no interest in going there on a Fri or Sat night.
(4)Leigh H.
I'm not a wine snob; if anything, I'm the opposite. Give me a $4 cheapo wine from the bottom rack at Cork & Bottle and I'm good to go. But I had wanted to give the Wine Guy a try, and it was a pleasant, lovely experience. The food was tasty, if a little underwhelming, but I feel like that might be my fault for getting the chicken. My fiancé got the veal chop with grits cakes, and my aunt got the spicy shrimp pasta, both of which looked and smelled (and tasted, according to them) incredible. The best part of the meal was the meatball appetizer--a trio of true MEATballs, all moist and tender and juicy, in a simple but flavorful tomato sauce. I didn't get a wine flight, but I feel like next time I might. It seems like such a good deal and a great, cost-effective way to learn a little more about wine. A distribution rep stopped by our table with a generous free sample, and I enjoyed my second glass (Cannonball Cabernet) so much, I bought a bottle to take home. I feel so grown up: I've now graduated to a $16 bottle! The Wine Guy Bistro has a cozy, warm decor and a friendly, easygoing atmosphere that doesn't feel stuffy or stuck up like you would think. The wine shop has an incredible selection and good prices (or at least that how it seems to a wine neophyte like yours truly) with some more expensive selections if that's where your palate is. It was a great, relaxing dinner and a good experience for wine lovers of all kinds. I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Niamh O.
I'm torn on this place, between the three and four star. (I'm trying to be tough in my reviews :) ) The Wine Guy did *not* impress me on my first trip, but it's grown on me. I've never went to truly make a dinner out of it, and so I cannot comment on any main dishes. I've ordered always from the small plates section and eaten tapas-style. The first time I went, I found the antipasti plate disappointing (in terms of the quality of the items). I've since changed my mind, somewhat. I will say that their bread plate is phenomenal, and it's all due to the quality of the balsamic vinegar. Also, their cheeses are very good and generously served. Also, wine flights are almost all $15 and really nicely set up. And, on Thursdays, they feature free tastings! That was a nice little surprise the last time I was in here. Several other reviewers have commented on the fact that it's also a store, and you can pull any bottle off the shelf and pay an additional $10 corkage fee to drink it in shop--and really, that's a pretty good deal. Corkage fees can be far more exorbitant, and it's cheaper than ordering a bottle at a regular restaurant, for sure. Generally, I've had good service here, too. The staff is knowledgable and friendly, without being pushy. Of course, as it's in Rookwood, the parking is atrocious--but that's not The Wine Guy's fault. So I'm going to give this place a solid three stars. Not my choice for intimate dining, or a crazy night out. But when I'm in the mood to try several wines and enjoy some olives and cheese, this is a solid bet.
(3)Ryan C.
Wonderful bistro and attached wine shop, with an excellent selection of 7-8 different wine flights(consisting of 4 2-oz pours), as well as a large full glass or bottle selection. You can also buy any bottle in the wine shop's very impressive, though slightly overpriced, selection and the restaurant will open for a $10 corkage fee. The seafood stew is excellent, with a surprising, exceptional risotto base. Also, the shrimp and scallops were cooked perfectly - something only the finest restaurants seem to do well. The tri-colored tortellini with chicken is very good, even if a little uninspired. It's apparently a crown favorite, and I did clean my plate; though next time I would opt for something more creative. The tomato soup is a must. It has a strong red bell pepper flavor that just makes the dish. I'm not sure I could go here again without starting with this spectacular soup.
(4)Steve K.
I've been to the Wine Guy 4 times. The first three were good, but my last trip was after they released their new menu. I got a pizza, which did not look like the pizza shown in the photo on yelp, it looked sort of like a frozen pizza. The crust was not great, it tasted like it was made with some sort of pre-prepared crust from the refrigerated section of Kroger. I've had pasta, chicken marsala and a steak in the past, they were all great, but this new pizza was horrible.
(3)Joe F.
Great little spot. Very subdued, Nice selection of wine. Great lighting. Definitely a romantic "date spot". I stopped in for dinner on a Monday and sat at the bar. I ended up being waited on by two guys who were pretty cool, stopped by just enough to make sure I was doing okay. Food wise - had the bruschetta - pretty solid with the exception of the tomatoes; guys, it's August!! Tomatoes should be PERFECT at this point, as far as I'm concerned. They weren't terrible, but I was expecting more. Notwithstanding, the bruschetta was good. Definitely good for a party of two or four. I also had the Cajun scallops. Really, really tasty. They served them with a small bleu cheese and candied walnut salad - I was a little tentative with the combo, but it all worked out really well. The wine flights were perfect and very cost effective. Huge selection of bottles available for purchase as well. Also, there IS a corkage fee (which is totally normal at most places). They already scored points with me by carrying "The Prisoner". Definitely worth a return visit. Rest of the menu looks intriguing and I really wish I had the appetite for the bacon wrapped prawns b/c they sounded awesome.
(4)Nikki F.
The food and wine were really good. Let me start with that. I was very disappointed that when you buy a bottle of wine (from their own wine shop) you have to pay ten dollars on top of that to drink it with your dinner. The wines are already overpriced as it is. As far as the food, there is a lot of variety. Things are fresh. Overall, the menu is also a bit overpriced. The atmosphere is very nice. The layout of the place is nice. I realize some places will be more expensive than others, but I did not feel that the food and the prices were right for each other.
(2)Denver L.
Almost forgot to mention the free hummus and pita bread! After a wonderful night at the Yelp Meet the Chef party Beth and I decided to go for a nightcap before heading home. I'm not a wine guy, but Beth is so we went in both feet first. We sat at the bar area and was greeted promptly by the bartender. They have a spectacular wine selection, but Beth went with the Chard wine tasting. The Tasting was ample in size, 4 different wines adding up to about 3 total glass's. Beth fell in love with the Mercy Chard, I think she has a new go to wine, LOL. I had a vodka club soda, the bartender knows how to mix a good drinks. Not to strong, but definately a nice bite. It was a nice slow night in the bar area, but the wait staff was having dinner and drinks so we were lucky enough to strike up a conversation with them. I love asking the wait staff what the like to sneak to the kitchen to eat. We were told to get the burger of the day, Seared AHI, or Bacon wrapped Shrimp. Lucky for us its what the wait staff was eating so we go to look and smell for free :) Im definitely getting the bacon wrapped jumbo shrimp when we go back for dinner. It had a bed of asparagus, friend squash, and 3 JUMBO shrimp wrapped in bacon. Although Matt eating the burger of the day was trying to swear an almost religious experience to his burger. Parking was nice, seating was ample but im sure it was becuase we were there during off times. They even have seating in the wine shop itself which would be great for private conversations.
(5)David K.
We recently had our son's wedding rehearsal dinner at Wine Guy's Rookwood location in Cincinnati. We could not have been more pleased. Our thirty guests were treated to food and service that was second to none. We met with the General Manager, Nick Rider, several times prior to set up a limited menu and to select a variety of wines and drinks that would be available for our party. The night before the event Nick called to go over things point by point, and to simply reassure us that everything was in place. When we arrived he met us at the door, asked if we had any last minute needs or concerns and we locked in the time that dinner would be served. The area was set up beautifully for us, including a special table set aside designated to serve as the wine station for the bottles that we had previously selected. As the guests began to arrive the staff went into action placing an assortment of small plates and starters, along with meats and cheeses on each table. Then, once individuals had migrated to the seats where they would eat dinner we distributed name plates designating who was to receive each meal. Fresh salads were placed on the tables and the staff then served dinner for thirty in a very timely manner, and each meal was prepared as though it was being served to a table for two. Our two main servers, Abby and Chelsea, were fabulous. They tended to our every need and were both shining stars. We simply want to express our Kudos and thanks for Wine Guy Bistro, of course, but specifically for Nick, Abby and Chelsea, the chef and the entire staff for a job well done. Everyone went above and beyond. We will be fans for life.
(5)Priya S.
Awesome service. Amazing atmosphere. Great wine selection. Incredible desserts!
(5)Amy M.
So I came here for lunch on a Saturday whilst I was out shopping with a friend, so I didn't have any wine (gulp!). I will definitely have to come back for some wine. You can apparently buy any bottle from their store side and pay a $10 corkage fee to drink it there. They claim that they have the best prices, but I checked out a few of my "standby" wines and they are definitely cheaper at Party Source or any of the other 11 liquor stores in my neighborhood. I had a chicken salad sandwich with fruit salad on the side. The chicken salad itself was just ok, but the rosemary ciabatta bread made the sandwich! I do want to come back and check out some of their appetizers and the "lollypop lamb chops"! They have flights of wine for tasting as well and that is always fun! Wine does make me happy. Okay..I will definitely be back...
(3)Kristen K.
Good atmosphere with helpful, friendly staff. They have happy hour with 1/2 prices. Wine flights are good, and if there is a wine you like you can buy it, pay a $10 corkage fee, and if there is some left over you can take it home for later. Food is good. I wish they were opened later.
(4)Rhonda D.
I heard about The Wine Guy opening a location here from one of the local wine bloggers, if I recall correctly. I immediately signed up for their newsletter as soon as I saw the location would be near me, at Rookwood Pavilion. They're in the the space that used to house Smith & Hawken. They are in their soft opening stage, with the grand opening being Friday, November 12, 2010. I just needed something small to eat and a glass of wine. The hostess said I could get that very thing at the bar. Great! I was immediately greeted by one of the staff and offered a menu. On one side was the food menu, the other side listed flights that were available. The bottle and glass prices for each wine in a flight were also listed. It was pointed out that many of the menu items were offered in a tapas size, which was exactly what I was looking for. A lump crab cake and glass of J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon were served quickly and I dug into the nicely sized cake. I love crab cakes and often try them whenever I see them on a menu. This one was full of generous chunks of crab meat, accompanied with a zesty plum glaze. It was delicious. As I enjoyed my dish, a couple of the staff members checked on me, and also offered a couple samples of wines I might enjoy on future visits. While I nibbled on the crab cake and freshly baked bread, I looked around at the large, open space. To the right of the entrance was the selection available for retail purchase. In the center is the large bar, to the left the regular seating. I'm looking forward to visiting this place again to try other menu items that caught my eye.
(4)Philip T.
I'm no "Wine Guy" but in my opinion wine here is ok. I am sure they have spectacular wine. With over 4,000 bottles they are bound to! The food in my opinion is above par, and I am not talking golf lingo where above par is a negative, but I disgress back to the point at hand. Each time that I've been there to eat my dinner was worth whatever I paid for it!
(4)Célèste B.
I adore this place. My boyfriend and I first went two months ago because he had a gift certificate. We each had the sweet wine flight and were blown away. The sparkling red is incredible. All four were very good. The food was also quite good. A few weeks later, I snatched up a Groupon and insisted that we go the next day. We were again very pleased with everything. I can't wait to go a third time. This is definitely becoming a favorite of ours.
(5)Mike D.
Came here on a Friday night, probably during their first couple weeks of opening, and I was pretty impressed. The wine bar area was very cool and hopping. Its big, open and surrounded by cases of wine for sale a retail price, which is an awesome feature. Unfortunately, the bar was so jam-packed we had to go sit in the regular dining area, and I felt like that scene in Wayne's World where they get into the first backstage area and they feel all cool, but then there's a second area where the passes dont work and they end up hanging out with the guy who says "My mom gave me a dollar, and dropped me off at the park and ride!" They also have sweet 4-6 person "private booths" which would be cool for a bottle and a snack with friends or colleagues. The place is decorated rustic french farmhouse style which makes sense b/c of the whole wine thing but the menu is mostly italian. minor nerd thing of mine. The food and service were fantastic, note though, a tapas size plate of the entrees is more than enough for one person as a meal. They also have lunch which I'd imagine is good as well.
(4)Amy H.
The cheese plate is ok. The bruschetta was bad - it came soaked in balsamic vinaigrette. The wine is ok. I've been twice, and was unimpressed both times. The entire menu, including the wine is over priced. For what you pay, you could do much better.
(2)Sarah L.
The Wine Guy still gets 5 stars for service. But it looks like they're already starting to cut corners on food, which wasn't brilliant to begin with. They had a tasty flatbread pizza that they've dumbed down by using gummy, tasteless crust that I would guess is pre-made. I'm also disappointed by some of their wine flights, particularly the Italian flight. The single biggest draw remains the opportunity to buy a bottle that you really like and enjoy it with the relatively small corking fee. I just wouldn't have a meal to accompany it.
(2)Devin R.
My friend had a Groupon for this place & once I landed, we decided to stop here for lunch. My international flight was lackluster, but that's because it was a red wine flight & I'm not a red wine drinker. But, I figured why not? I liked 2 out of four of the wines, which were great servings of wine for the price of the flight. The food was great! My friend & I split an appetizer--bread with olives, roasted red peppers & sundried tomato cream cheese. Soooo good! I had the meatball grinder which was the best meatball sandwich I've ever had! It was sirloin, short rib & something else, I forgot! But it was so good! My friend had the sesame-crusted tuna salad. She loved it as well. Will def have my friend take me back the next time I come to visit.
(4)Phoebe G.
The atmosphere was nice and definitely matched what I thought it would be but I've been twice and had terrible service both times. The one time, the waitress seemed angry the whole time and was very rude. The other time, we hardly saw our waitress at all. The margarita pizza was good and so was the wine. They have a wonderful wine selection and much of it is reasonably priced.
(3)Robert M.
I really want to like this place, but several things strike me as wrong about it. The excellent side, nice wine selection, plenty of flights for people who are undecided. Plus you can pick a bottle from the store and you only pay a $10 fee to drink it which is much better then most restaurant mark ups. The bread and spread which came it awesome. Now the Good, the special I had was great. Other items however bring us the no so good. the cheese plate (which was everything but the brie) was lackluster expect the blue. The antipasti tray was OK as is. But what they need on the menu is more of a meat tray. Also the place is loud. at our table of 6 it was impossible to talk to anyone but the person next to you. Service was slow and spotty at best. this may improve as the place is somewhat new. Good luck with parking, with the rusty bucket next door it is a walk.
(3)Sarah A.
Cool concept, need to work on the execution. I like the option of ordering a flight and we enjoyed the International Flight which for less than $20 felt like a fair deal. Food: Food was "meh". We were underwhelmed and the menu was a bit all over the place. The best thing was my friend's risotto. The lamb chops were inconsistent, some were raw, some were cooked. The margarita pizza was OK and my crab cake was fine. I ordered the lava cake which was good but by no means great. Atmosphere: Very loud and lively. I would not recommend this for a romantic date place since the large tables keep you far away from your fellow diners. I felt like I was shouting. Go for the wine, snack on a some cheese and bread but go elsewhere for dinner. Great idea especially for the neighborhood but still have some kinks to work out.
(3)Brandy V.
I have definitely had better...not overly excited about my visit this evening. I recently purchase a $40 Groupon for $20 and thought it would be great to try this place. My husband and I ordered the bruschetta which was drowning in balsamic vinegar and smelled kinda bad, but it tasted a lot better than it smelled. I ordered the dinner portion of the lump crab cake and I was not impressed at all. Yes they were huge, but nothing spectacular, definitely would not get it again. I didn't know that my meal came with a side and would have been happy if I had been able to choose it instead of getting brussel sprouts (gross!) My husband had the sesame crusted Ahi and it was pretty good, the portion was extremely small though. I opted to not get a glass of wine because I just wasnt in the mood..my husband had a Moerlein beer and enjoyed it, of course. One great thing about our experience was the chocolate mousse. OMG. I loved it! Served in a champagne glass, it was delicious, wish the serving was a little larger, but what the hey. We would maybe come back and get some appetizers and split a bottle of wine, but cant guarantee it.
(2)Mike C.
This was my first time here, and I am now a fan. To start off with, I really liked the ambience of the store/bistro. It's almost something that I would expect in wine country, not Cincinnati. It's a very casual and laid back atmosphere. There's a bar area next to most of the wine in the store, and then the bistro / tables next to it. There also appeared to be some smaller private areas, as well as nice little patio. I had the cabernet flight. All the flights are like $14.99, as well as a premium flight for $30. I liked all the wines in the flights, some more than others. I also thought that it was a decent pour, which the waiter said was the equivalent of 1 1/2 glass. Before our meal, they brought out what I think was red pepper humus wiht pita bread. It almost had a cream cheese taste, but I liked it. We shared a couple small plates for a tapas-style meal. We had the mussel appetizer which was in a cream sauce with spinach and tomatoes and plated with grilled bread, perfect for soping up the sauce. I read one previous review that the mussels were fishy, but to me they were great the night I went. We also had the half order of the antipasti. This plate really didn't impress me at all. Tons of olives, 2 pieces of salami and capicola, some roasted veggies, and mushrooms. It might be alright if you were only there drinking wine and wanted something to snack on. Finally, we had the tapas portion of the salmon. Slightly overcooked, but still ok. I liked the potato au gratin that was under it and the corn relish a lot though. The service was also good. Our waiter was always available when we needed something and attentive about taking plates away and there with the check quickly. Overall, I liked the place and will definitely be back.
(4)Trisha K.
The Wine Guy Wine Shop had GREAT atmosphere. I absolutely loved it the moment I walked in. The hostess was very friendly and sent me to my table right away. The menu is not huge, but full of great items like a fresh mozzarella & tomato with drizzled balsamic vinegar, bruschetta and a combo plate with many delicious items. The wine flights were priced right and with generous portions. My favorite was, well an odd wine to be honest, but it was Rosa de Rosa. It was a sweeter red wine (not a port) and had a bit o' bubbly in it. It was very unexpected and different, but I enjoyed it. I was there with 2 of my friends and we all have different wine tastes, but we all agreed on this one. Very easy to drink, too easy! The parking sucked donkey butt. Their private lot is small and I ended up having to park near front door of TJ Maxx...on a Wednesday night! Not that I can't use the walk, but it was raining. :(~
(4)Brian G.
So I liked the wine guy; I'll tell you right off the bat we only went there for drinks but all the food looked really good. Their wine selection was pretty great for your average wine consumer. My benchmark is usually if I can find the Rombauer vineyards (anything other than the zin); these guys had a cab and a merlot. Score! So we just got the living social deal the other day; that means we will be back soon and I will have a review of the food. Worth the trip if you're after an upscale after dinner drink.
(4)Elizabeth W.
I really thought I had reviewed this place before, and I would have given it 3-4 stars initially. However, tonight's experience makes it a downgrade. Used to have great food, good wine, and a great atmosphere. Tonight, I felt the food was really subpar - the risotto was clearly made of frozen and canned ingredients, and the pizza was acceptable. The wine remains the main draw, but you will definitely pay for it. $15 for a flight (1.5 glasses of wine)? $10 corkage fee? I guess all of it would be worth it if I could get into the atmosphere of this former warehouse store environment. It remains a large, loud, cold environment. The tables are huge, almost demanding yelling across the table to be heard. The environment is far from the intimate environment I would like to see from a wine bar and high priced appetizers. I won't protest this place, but when the wait is over two hours I will certainly push for a different place. I will say that happy hour, with half price appetizers, is a nice place to grab a glass of wine on a weekday.
(3)Bryan H.
This establishment is both a restaurant and a wine bar. My first experience here was for a happy hour wine tasting with my two roommates. We sat at the bar and enjoyed three of their appropriately priced flights (four glasses for 14.99) of wine. The selections were great and the wine was served at the perfect temperature indicating that the bar tenders and servers knew what they were doing. Upon entering the bistro it is impossible to ignore the vast collection of wines adorning the right hand wall. This is all available for purchase, or, for a $10 corking fee, can be enjoyed at the bar or with dinner. My first meal here was with my father several weeks ago. We both ordered their lamb chops and paired it with a 2007 Chateau Montelena off the shelf. Our salad, bread, and wine were all delightful. Our lamb came with a sweet potatoe medley and a wonderful sauce. These were excellent and cooked to perfection but the lamb itself was bland and poor quality meat. This was later discussed with the manager who was very apologetic and genuinely concerned. He saw fit to give us a $30 gift card to return and we became friends and I have gone back since for wine and food. The food has been great every time I have returned and the wine only gets better. Despite the bad lamb chops I give this place a 4 out of five and am eagerly waiting for their outdoor patio to open.
(4)Ryan S.
Hidden GEM! Great Date spot or casual place, love the mood and vibe of this place. I first went to this place when I bought a groupon and It has turned into one of my favorite places to eat. A++
(5)Christi P.
Great atmosphere and great food! They also have a huge selection of wine in their wine store. The cheese plate is a nice snack to enjoy with a red wine flight. I usually sit at the bar, and sometimes the service can be very slow, that's the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
(4)Kirstyn T.
I've been going to this Rookwood location since it opened, and have nothing but positive things to say. Wine Guy Bistro is DELISH. I am particularly obsessed with their cream cheese basil spread they bring out with pita when you sit down. (I seriously argue with myself over how much to leave for my dining partner.) I've had everything from the Margherita Pizza, to the Fire Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Bisque, to the Burger of the Week. I have never had a bad meal. My husband prefers the Italian grinder, and has sampled many of the pastas. All tapas are scrumptious. I adore the wine flight menus- though I would like them to maybe introduce a seasonal addition. The employees all seem to enjoy working here, and all are extremely helpful. (When it came time to choose a bottle of red to bring to my very Italian boss's house for Christmas, I had two employees help me to navigate and narrow down to the perfect choice.) Parking in Rookwood can be difficult (at best), but luckily, this restaurant BACKS UP to the office building's parking garage. Pretty convenient if you can't park right out front. Can't wait for the additional locations to open!
(4)Brian Q.
Interesting menu, great concept for wine flights but execution/delivery needs work. The wine flights are a great value and have a lot of potential. However, the staff doesn't really seem to know the wines very well or talk you through them. I've been twice and the one waitress put the flight out of order and acted like it really didn't matter. Huh? The food is good but definitely not great. Highlights include the mussels in pernod cream sauce and the margharita pizza. Crab cakes just so-so; Brie wasn't warmed up to molten state it should be. I might go back because the atmosphere is enjoyable but they need to tighten up the ship.
(3)Don G.
A great place for dinner and a great place for wine. The wine selection is amazing and I would recommend trying one of the wine flights they have. The food is good too. We have been there twice so far and I have tried several different things. The antipasti is good as is the pasta and meatballs. Parking in front of the restaurant can be painful but there is a parking garage behind the building that always has spaces.
(4)Alexis W.
A great date place! We really enjoyed the appetizers (we had the cheddar cheese with chive, crackers and fruit compote as well as the bell pepper bruschetta). I ordered the tapa size chicken marsala and it was one of the best I've ever had (and I've looked, believe me).
(4)Jan K.
First time experience the other night- wow! Wonderful ambiance, terrific food - had the spicy shrimp with linguine. Oh I almost forgot the real reason for going there- WINE! Had a red flight- sample #1 was my favorite! Both owners approached us at different times to check on us. They shared some history about the concept & plans for the future. Personable guys with yummy offerings - we'll be going back.
(5)Rob M.
Love this place. Went for my wife's birthday. Great atmosphere, many great and cheap wines to choose from. Food was good. Wish it was closer to my home in Anderson.
(4)amy h.
I was excited to try The Wine Guy for dinner... Girl's Night Out, none the less... I was visiting "home", and wanting something new to try with the girls. Several of my friends wanted to go, and the concept sounded superb!! So, we made reservations for a Wednesday evening; I called for reservations, and they accommodated us for a time that fit our needs. After reading reviews on yelp is when I learned of this whole situation of buy from the shop and pay a corkage fee... this leads to my 1st of 2 main points: the service was disappointing, to say the least. Our server was non-informational, and very blah about pretty much anything. He couldn't even remember who ordered what wine, and set everything down in front of the wrong person. Later in the meal, a glass of wine was forgotten when ordered, as well as 1 of my friend's entree's?? The comment after she told him it never came was: "You'll have to come back and order the (forgotten) lambchops!!" Uh... I don't think so. My 2nd point: over-priced food. We ordered the Brie for a starter, which was served slightly warm and with plain ol' water crackers. I ordered the Caesar salad, which was just lettuce/nothing fancy (again, for the price!), and the "tapas" portion of some pasta, which (again) for the price was just almost insulting. Everything that was at our table pretty much fit in that category. I felt defeated when paying my $67 bill for one...
(3)Marie E.
Here is the biggest problem I have with the place... It feels like a chain. Also, the wines are overpriced and they make it sound like a $10 corking fee is such a deal. I just can't get into the whole corking fee no matter if it is a deal or not. Sorry. Why do I have to pay you $10 extra for your already overpriced wine? Food is average and I was not impressed. I think it would be a fun experience to buy a flight (which included wines from the store) and be able to buy that wine from the store to go with your dinner. Maybe that is unreasonable. I am still not going to pay you $10 to cork my wine. Nope still wouldn't go back
(2)Molly C.
I really wanted to love this place.... we went 2 Fridays ago and loved the atmosphere and the wine list. Sadly, the service was really slow... (we sat with our finished plates in front of us for close to 20 minutes) and the food was pretty sub-par. My husband and I both ordered the mussels and they tasted incredibly fishy.... so much so that in very uncharacteristic style, I decided not to finish the last 10 or so mussels. They were also cooked in this odd sweet cream sauce - it just fell short. I'd give this place another chance b/c I really want to like it and it's one of the only decent options at Rookwood.
(2)Mike S.
Better than I expected. I was preparing for a pretentious and wine-elitist environment, but I found it friendly, accommodating, and fun. We came in with a group on a crowded Saturday night and they genuinely appeared happy we were there. The food was good enough, but you are not coming here for the food (remember "bistro" plays third fiddle in the name). The hummus & tapanade and bruschetta starters were very good. The mussels were a day or two past their prime. The lamp chops were very tasty and well prepared. The beer selection is sparse but well selected (think vegetarian at a steak house). Everyone was pleased with the selection of wines and the prices are reasonable. I found some old favorites and opted for revisiting some familiar wines that I hadn't drank in a while. We want to go back and try some flights.
(4)Grant H.
The place has a lot of potential. Atmosphere is great, trendy-rustic Italian, lots of wines, the wine flights are encouraged and well assembled. Will probably go back for the wine flights alone. You can also buy any bottle they have, at retail pricing, and they'll serve it to you for a $10 corkage fee, uh more reasonable than buying the bottle at restaurant prices. Here's what is disappointing: the service. Our waiter was pushy and awful at composing a joke. When asked for the daily/weekly specials he only gave us the steak option, so we had to re-ask about the risotto de jour and the hamburger of the week. In another review someone mentioned the wait staff dropping and breaking things, last night no less than 3 items were dropped and broken during our 1.5 hour visit. My final comment goes back to awkward joke and manners, when the bill was ready, our waiter handed it to one of the wives, awkwardly. Why would you ever hand the bill to a lady? She looked at him, handed the bill to her husband, and he looked at me like, "am I buying your dinner too?". It was really awkward and unnecessary, just put the bill on the table and let us know you'll take it when we're ready... One last note, the food was OK, not amazing. We all got burgers, they were ok, no flavoring on the meat, very greasy, just ok.
(3)R S.
This restaurant is okay, but I won't be going back anytime soon. On the plus side, the food was very nice. The mozzarella salad was tasty, although a bit overdressed. My ciopinno seafood stew and my husband's veal were both well executed, but not remarkably so. The molten lava cake was generous, but overly sweet. Also on the plus side, the flights of wine are good fun. The wine store concept is original and works well. The overall decor is a pleasant balance of rustic and modern. However, the entire menu seemed overpriced considering the overall experiemce. If I am going to be charged fine dining prices ($120 for two with tax and tip), I expect fine dining service, which we did not receive. We arrived at 8:00 on a Saturday night. Not surpringly, there were no tables and no room at bar. The hostess asked us for our cell number so she could contact us when a table was ready and seemed alarmed when we told her we did not have one. She also informed us that they couldn't tell us how long we'd have to wait, only how many people were on the list. After waiting almost an hour, we were ushered to the worst table in the restaurant. Despite several other tables being open, we were seated half in the staff service area with a lovely view of the trash and the cutlery rolling station. We then watched people who had walked in 30-45 minutes after us get seated at better tables. Throughout the meal our waiter was fine, but not experienced in proper restaurant service. Also irksome was the total lack of soap in the bathroom (gross and unacceptable) and the fact that the staff started shutting down the place at 10:30 when people were still eating (sweeping, putting out candles, having staff meals and drinks in view of customers). Don't get me wrong, everyone was very polite and the food was good, but we left underwhelmed. This is probably a good place to go for some casual glasses of wine, but I wouldn't recommend it for an intimate dining experience.
(3)Dougie Fresh M.
went to the wine guy with friends last night.we have been there twice and both times sat at the side bar .our server was very versed in all the wine choices.the seared tuna is very tasty.always meet some new friends at the side bar after a glass of wine
(4)Michele G.
I have been there twice and loved both times. First time I went with a friend for lunch and sat at the bar. We went for a late lunch around 2. It wan't busy which was good since we ask alot of questions. We had a drink at the bar then took a look at the wine shop. We bought a bottle from the shop with a $10.00 corkage fee. That was worth it considering how much the price of this bottle would have been at another restaurant. We had the Antipasta Misti (both visits). My friend and I liked it. My wife doesn't like olives so the second time I had enjoyed them all to my self. I was fortunate on my first visit to have the lamb chops (they no longer serve them due to prices going up). Since I couldn't get the lamb I ended up getting an 8 oz. Filet which was melt in your mouth and beautifully cooked. I should know since I work at an upscale steakhouse. If you go you should finish your experience with the Feist 20 year tawny or the chocolate cake.
(4)David H.
Great place for a casual bite to eat or a glass of wine and some people watching in the evenings. Very nice selection of wines - I always find myself buying a bottle to bring home. The menu here is a little limited, but well executed. The meatball appetizer is quite good as are the salads and anti-pasti (or are we call it charcuterie these days?). Service is generally quite good and the bartenders are friendly and efficient. The menu can get a little stale if you go to WG too often, but there is a wide variety of wine available.
(4)Olivia M.
I feel like Wine Guy is a bit overrated. Its so expensive and the food really isn't all that great. But if you are meeting a couple folks and want a glass of wine - its a nice setting. I would try to get there for happy hour In the bar so you can have more than 2 glasses and not feel like you're paying an arm and a leg. I think on Tuesdays they have "no corking fee" so buy a bottle drink there and take the rest with you! it will save you some money. There are definitely better wine place in the Hyde park area that I would take over WG.
(2)Tiera A.
Let me just say that I LOVE Wine Guy! It's a great place to hang out with family or friends whether they are fans of wine or not. They have a full food menu along with quite a few beers and cocktails available. And of course, they offer a huge selection of wine! Personally, I enjoy the bar area at WG during happy hour. During this time they offer quite a few specials, bar bites and $9 wine flights.I will caution you by mentioning that the bar area gets extremely packed during happy hour so be sure to arrive early, especially on Fridays after work.
(4)Tara J.
The picture I'm posting is not the most flattering but my husband and I came to a Leonard here at WG today. wonderful bourbon drinks I had a mule he had a whiskey sour we got the muscles he got the spicy shrimp I got the steak salad all of it was fabulous our waiter chris was great. I would recommend it to anyone I need to add the wait staff in general were wonderful
(4)Ron K.
Nice job last night with our group. Miss the downtown location, so first time here, but just as good. We had a reservation and the table was ready on time. Hostess were friendly and greeted us, and thanked us as we left. Our server was very attentive and there anytime you would have wanted him. everything arrived timely but not rushed, and food was delivered to the person who ordered without asking what they ordered. 2 of us had the Pork Tenderloin and it was tender and placed over very good garlic mashed potatoes. I ordered the bacon macaroni and cheese as my other side (yes I'm a carb junkie, and it was fantastic. Didn't notice what others ordered, but heard many comments about good meals. Our bill for 2 people was $42.00 with tip included, which was reasonable for the quality. We didn't have alcohol so that was just food bill. Very good job.
(4)Samantha F.
When the first thing they give you is tomato basil cream cheese and warm pita, you know it'll be a good meal! The tomato and pepper bisque was warm and delicious and the shrimp pasta was a bit spicy but very good! Next time, I'll try the lobster beer cheese. The wine selection is good as expected. The service was also excellent and extremely helpful!
(4)Jackie M.
What an adorable restaurant! Upon walking up to the restaurant, you'll notice the gorgeous terrace that transports you to a European dining experience. There is comfortable seating inside too if you prefer indoors. They have a fairly large bar and large bottled wine selection. You can purchase a bottle for dinner with an added $10 corkage fee. Note: you CAN make reservations on their website online before visiting. To start, they have several interesting drink choices, including beer, wine and liquor. There are about 32 individual wine selections per night. They offered 8 wine flights (red, white, sweets, international etc.) with 4 glasses per flight, totaling 1.6 glasses. Most were $14.99. They have a house cocktail menu with seasonal cocktails, like pumpkin spice, caramel apple, salted apple, etc. They were $10 or $11. I had the white wine flight and enjoyed 3/4 of the wines. My boyfriend had the Woodford griller cocktail (Woodford Reserve, maple syrup, smoked sugar rim). He really enjoyed it! The menu has various unique choices. We got the grilled bread with honey ricotta. Delicious!! I could've jumped in the little pot of ricotta with honey. It is quite filling as an appetizer. I got the meatball appetizer as my entree after the filling appetizer. The meatballs are fresh ground there and served with a tomato sauce they claim was brought from Italy in the 1930s. Delicious! Boyfriend tried the half spicy shrimp pasta. He liked it, but found it overpriced at $13.99 given the portion. They had several delicious sounding desserts, but we were too full after everything else. Overall, we loved the outdoor atmosphere, fresh ingredients and drink choices. The meal was a bit overpriced, but we would come back!
(4)Alexander D.
This place is fantastic. I had the steak the other day out in the patio and it was full of flavor and very juicy. The wine is excellent and has a wide variety and delicious red wine. I recommend this place to any small group for dinner or drinks after work.
(5)Kim W.
I came here for the first time on New Year's Eve and found them to be super friendly and accommodating despite the New Years chaos. They served up some awesome sips and bites. I thought the ricotta and honey appetizer was TO DIE FOR! The salmon on a bed of salad was a huge meal and I barely made a dent before declaring myself stuffed. Of course I always leave room for dessert and I shared both the apple crisp and lava cake with friends, both were delicious. I had such a nice time here that I decided to return only 3 days later with out-of-town guests. It's the perfect place to take guests due to the great selection, wow factor, and reliable good food and service. The wines are super affordable if you purchase by the bottle, or you can get a flight to try 4 different varieties. I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can sit outside and sip the evenings away!
(5)William K.
I've been meaning to stop in here for a long time. In my job, I've met the last couple Chefs and Sous Chefs here and they've always been real pros. I've read reviews and it always sounded so nice but it has the bad luck to be located right next to one of my favorite spots so I always just went right on by. No more. GREAT atmosphere! The place has a hand hewn, rustic, farm housey feel. Love the multiple element, dim light bulbs with depression style glass. Great touch! Feels immediately comfortable and inviting. A second story atrium with opaque skylight lets the sun in to bring out the lighter shades in the wood. On the right is a large wine selection to choose from with high tables for bar service. The bar itself is a delight. Great stools and a nice feel to it. Aesthetically one of the most inviting places I've been in quite some time. I will definitely hit this Happy Hour again. $9 wine flights and several $5 app choices! My friend and I each had a flight and split two of their signature apps and it was less than $30! The tapenade and hummus plate was fantastic! A red pepper hummus with just the right amount of garlic. A very smooth grind on the chickpeas. Well balanced and the perfect counterpoint to the sharp, salty tapenade. The pita they use is soft, chewy and doesn't get in the way of the flavors. Fresh cucumber on the side is perfect to balance it all out and refresh the palate between bites. The much lauded ricotta and honey lives up to all the hype. Creamy and sweet, served with a lovely grilled pain that really is the secret to this dish. The bread gets the perfect treatment getting enough of a crisp to add texture but not enough to take away from the smooth texture of the cheese. The bread also soaks up just a touch of smokiness to add an unexpected and perfect addition to the flavor. Whoever came up with this presentation is brilliant!
(4)Scott M.
Here's a flight I'd like to book every month. A little decadent on the food side and sometimes portions can be a bit underwhelming, particularly when it comes to the lunch menu, but if you're looking to try out a few glasses of vino with some friends, Wine Guy has a nice atmosphere. Typical of most wine spots, the servers can get a little B.S. happy, but still an enjoyable stop.
(4)Matt O.
I sympathize with WG. The patio is wonderful except you're basically sitting in a well-traveled parking lot. I don't get the corkage deal as others have mentioned. However, I give credit where it's due and will say that the food was very good, the service was stellar and the people watching was entertaining. I thought there was a gym next door as all I saw were yoga pants running in and out and then I saw the Starbucks sign. I'd come back over and over. It's kind of like tailgating with a much nicer menu.
(4)Lonnetta P.
This review is way overdue. I always leave smiling! This place turned out to be a regular "catch up" spot for one of my girlfriends and I. Located in Rookwood Commons, parking can take a while. It actually gives me a headache sometimes but I love the place. We absolutely love Jason and Steve! With every visit we look forward to them serving us. Happy hour is Monday-Saturday 3:30-6:30pm. Cork free days are Monday and Thursday (no bottle cork fees). Yesterday I found out the menu changed a little bit and they no longer serve my favorite shrimp sliders. Boo! They still have really good crab cake sliders that will have to take their place. Great atmosphere, awesome service, clean with indoor/outdoor seating available. Go check them out!
(5)Bridget S.
I know this is a chain, but for some reason I really enjoy this place. Everything I've ever had from here is delicious and I love trying the wine flight samplers. It's not necessarily the most original menu but for American staple food, I'll take it.
(4)Jay Z.
We were there Saturday night. Service was excellent HOWEVER... Food was so so. I feel like the chef was trying to hard to be foo fooy . I feel that the price for value received was to high. My meal was a risotto et tu fe. It consisted of a large bowl of risotto, 6 grilled shrimp and one sea scallop in the center. The risotto was chewey . It stuck to the inside of your teeth. In my opinion, the dish was worth 15.00. The waiter quoted 20.00 till after I ordered, then came back 10 minute later and said the price was 25.00 for rice, 6 shrimp, and a sea scallop. It was nice, but we won't be going back.
(3)Hector R.
My review is long overdue. I'm a frequent visitor and I'm very pleased with this spot. The food is executed very well - I have tried the salads, red meat / seafood entrees, and flatbreads and are yet to have a bad meal. I really like the wine flights - they are great value and a great way to taste new things. The service is top notch - the manager and staff will get to know your name after just a couple of visits. All in all, a great "go to" spot if you're looking for good food; great staff, and great wine!
(5)Amanda T.
This is probably my favorite happy hour in Cincinnati! You can get an entire flight of wine for $15! They have several different options of wine for the flight. The flight comes with four types of wine and I think they equate to two full glasses of wine. The appetizers are all delicious. However, my favorite is definitely the ricotta and honey on toasted bread. The environment is a bit romantic with dimmer lighting. They have a dinner section with booths and tables. The happy hour is on the other side of the bar near the wine selection. They have a wall to wall selection of wines you can purchase. I highly recommend checking it out! I haven't had dinner there, but I am sure it is equally as good.
(5)Heather W.
Surprised how much I really liked this place! Its a nice atmosphere that can double as a nice dinner spot or just a great after work drink and small plates spot. I love that they offer wine flights so you can try a few things I had the chefs special chicken risotto which had blackened chicken, Gorgonzola, and cranberries. It was a huge helping and I finished it even after I was full. I've also tried the salmon salad and it was super fresh with perfectly grilled salmon. My fiancé had a flatbread and was equally pleased. We will definitely go back and were pleasantly surprised!
(4)Angela D.
Continually impressed by this restaurant and their staff. I dine here on average at least once a week. They have literally only messed up my order once (in probably 30+ visits) and they bent over backwards to make it right. The food is always unreal, fresh and consistent and everyone who works there is always pleasant and friendly.
(5)Eman S.
This place was a pleasant surprise! The wine bar area has a great selection of wines from different regions. There is a $10 corkage fee, which is pretty standard. We ordered the ricotta and honey appetizer with toasted bread which was delicious. The grilled steak bruschetta was really good too! I love the tapas style appetizers that were actually quite filling. I ordered the Napa chicken entree which I thought was pretty good, but probably wouldn't order again. I would really like to return in the spring/ summer for the outdoor seating area. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place especially for happy hour drinks/ small plates.
(4)Erin K.
Great for happy hour, brunch, or dinner- all of their menus area great! We've never been disappointed by the service or wine recommendations from the very helpful staff. I recommend the wine flight, meatball sliders, and the chocolate lava cake.
(5)Henry J.
This place is interesting. It is located in the Rookwood Commons. Considering that this is supposed to be a wine place, its selection of wine is actually kind of underwhelming compared to some of the places I've gone to in the past. Further, if you want to buy a whole bottle of wine to share so that you can cut down on the cost of paying by the glass, good luck. There's a $10 corkage fee. No, you can't open their wine yourself. So the question naturally becomes, why not simply make all the bottled wines $10 higher? Hmm... Anyway, parking here can be an issue because it shares its parking lot with several other cafes and restaurants. If you come here at peak dinner hours, good luck finding a parking spot in front of the restaurant. Instead, you'll probably have better luck parking closer to TJ Maxx. Once parked, you can go in and ask for either indoors or outdoors seating. Reservations are not required since this place is rarely busy enough to have wait times. Once the service starts, you are presented with a plate of pita bread with flavored cream cheese. We personally ordered off of their beer menu. The 21st Amendment Watermelon Wheat was very refreshing on a hot summer evening. Overall, the food is okay. The three of us shared a margherita flatbread. It was actually the best thing we had on the evening. I had their special of the evening, tilapia fish tacos with Mexican rice topped with avocados. I don't know what kind of avocados they used, but the slices didn't taste ripened at all. It wasn't creamy at all and was in fact kind of tasteless. My wife had their goat cheese salad with salmon. The salmon was dry. However, it didn't appeared to have been overcooked. So the only natural explanation is that the salmon filet was previously frozen and that it was suffering from freezer burn when it was cooked. The rest of the salad was good, though. A note about service... while the place didn't appear to be very busy, that didn't stop them from providing some of the slowest services we've experienced in a restaurant that aspired to be upscale. All in all, we probably won't be back.
(2)Linda K.
I'm in town visiting and went with friends for dinner. All in all not bad EXCEPT for one thing. Our server, nice guy Nick , I think, tall with long black ponytail was so sweaty I could not look at him. It was dripping down his face...and who knows if into food and drink. Management needs to speak to him. It was very disgusting.
(2)Samantha G.
I like to go here after I work a long shift at work. On Thursdays you can get 1/2 price bottles of wine that you're able to take home if you don't finish. The bar is awesome and the bartenders are always up to chat if you want to. They remember me when I come in which is always nice. The salmon salad is HUGE and so filling. I usually can't even finish it in one sitting. Their wine selection is obviously the best and the staff makes perfect recommendations to accommodate what kind of wine you're looking to drink. It's worth the money and great for groups or single diners.
(5)