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    Boca

    4.5 (719 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndItalian, French, Gluten-Free
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Boca Photos

    BOCA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Upscale
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Boca

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    Martini service in addition to the martini: extra martini, garnishes, brine "caviar"
    Heithem E.

    What can I say that hasn't been said? Outstanding restaurant. Impeccably designed and executed dishes. Outstanding professional waitstaff. Our server, Charles, helped us craft a dining experience. We started with the martini service: a dirty gin or vodka martini, more martini, the vegetables used in making the brine (cocktail onions, pickles, capers, olives), and brine "caviar" (tiny briny pearls). He recommended the pomme soufflés to start. These were incredibly delicate and light potato puffs. We knew we were headed for the beef Wellington for 2. We filled in the menu with the beef tartare, then over scallop, and the romanescu. None of these went to waste ... get bread to soak up the remnants. I want to especially mention the diver scallop - the scallop itself was velvety and meaty and it came with caramelized Brussels sprouts. The way they caramelized the sprouts made them savory and almost meaty - like mushrooms somehow. We had to be reminded of what they are! The other thing was that the scallop went well with white wine and red wine due to the sprouts. Charles' recommendation and it was perfect. Then came the Wellington. Again, cooked perfectly, flaky crust, complementary mushroom layer. Sauce was a sweet savory reduction that complemented the beef dish very well. I finished with a little cheesecake that was, again, silky smooth and delicious, and hazelnut gelato. Again - dining experience with knowledgeable professional service. They know what they're doing and it's well worth the effort and cost to go.

    Joanne T.

    We had a private room for 16 people, and the service was top-notch--truly impressive. The staff were very attentive, especially with guests who had allergies. Every course was excellent, and everyone who ordered the halibut loved it. Highly recommend!

    Jeff M.

    Another incredible dining experience at Boca. First off, the service here is absolutely amazing. This is what sets the place off. Next is the great drinks and wine selections. The food is always unbelievably good and above the bar. Boca is no doubt one of the best top tier restaurants in Cincinnati.

    The Candy Bar 3.0. Not sure what 1 and 2 versions were but the nailed this one
    Dan S.

    Amazing dinner it has been way too long since we were here. Great selection of small plates to share with inventive ideas. Out preferred way to dine. The service was spot on and we enjoyed chatting with the kitchen staff about the preparation of the dishes.

    I recently had dinner at Boca, and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. We had a reservation and were seated promptly upon arrival. The front-of-house staff were welcoming, attentive, and incredibly kind. Zach was our server, and he truly went above and beyond in every aspect of our evening. As first-time diners at Boca, we were a bit overwhelmed by the menu's incredible offerings, but Zach immediately took us under his wing. He guided us through the menu, explaining ordering recommendations, ingredients, flavor profiles, and preparation methods with a level of passion and storytelling that elevated the entire experience. His knowledge and enthusiasm made every dish feel special before it even arrived at the table. We began the evening with cocktails. I ordered the Pim Royal, which was the perfect choice for a warm June evening refreshing, light, and packed with flavor. To start, we had the Pommes Soufflés, which are an absolute must-order. I have never experienced such perfectly hollow potato pillows, especially when dipped into the beautifully balanced Béarnaise sauce. They were addictive and the ideal vessel for the rich, slightly tangy sauce. For our petits plats, we enjoyed the Charred Leeks, Œufs Mayonnaise, and Diver Scallop. The leeks were wonderfully refreshing, served chilled with an unexpected but addictive pairing of anchovy and hazelnut. The crispy fried shallots added the perfect textural contrast. The Œufs Mayonnaise was essentially the most elevated deviled egg imaginable. The perfectly jammy egg sat in a sauce so delicious that I had to stop myself from eating it by the spoonful. The Diver Scallop was flawlessly seared and served atop what may be the most decadent Brussels sprouts I have ever eaten. Zach informed us that they are caramelized for hours in brown butter, and every minute of that effort was evident. They were unforgettable. We then moved on to pasta, beginning with the Elote Cappellecci, a current feature and one of the standout dishes of the evening (which is saying a lot). In fact, I believe it may be one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. The delicate pasta burst with sweet corn and creamy mascarpone, while subtle spice and a gentle kick of jalapeño created a perfect balance. It was everything a summer pasta should be. We paired it with the Lumache con Salsiccia, whose savory sauce was so addictive that we ordered bread simply to ensure not a single drop went to waste. Both pasta dishes were exceptional and showcased entirely different sides of the kitchen's talent. Somehow, we still found room for another course, sharing the Chicken Pressée. It was incredibly moist, deeply savory, and served in a decadent sauce that tied the dish together beautifully. Dessert presented perhaps the greatest challenge of the evening: deciding what to order. If I learned anything during my first visit to Boca, it's that there is no wrong order. Every dish feels worthy of being the star of the meal, so my advice is simple: order everything that sounds good. You'll spend less time debating and more time enjoying some truly incredible food. We enjoyed the Chocolate Terrine, Le Citron, and Maple Mascarpone Cheesecake. The Chocolate Terrine featured perfectly smooth dark chocolate paired with an incredible fruity olive oil that coated the palate and heightened every flavor. The pistachios provided the perfect finishing touch. Le Citron was one of the most beautiful desserts I have ever seen. I almost hesitated to crack into its perfectly crafted shell. Once inside, the layered dessert showcased every dimension of lemon,from bright citrus zest to tart fruit while the hazelnut elements provided a wonderful balance. My favorite dessert of the evening, however, was the Maple Mascarpone Cheesecake. It was quite simply the best cheesecake I have ever tasted. The mascarpone was light and silky, pairing beautifully with the cinnamon-walnut streusel. Boca was a dream from start to finish. Every dish was masterfully crafted, every detail thoughtfully executed, and every interaction reflected professionalism, hospitality, and genuine care. Special recognition goes to Zach, whose expertise, warmth, and passion transformed a great meal into an unforgettable experience. He is a tremendous asset to Boca and played a major role in making our first visit so memorable. Boca is truly one of the shining stars of Cincinnati's dining scene, and I cannot wait to return.

    charred romanesco
    Kim S.

    I have a spreadsheet of over 200 new local restaurants and bars we've gone to in the past five years and there were only 3 restaurants that I had given an A+. Until my visit to Boca yesterday evening! From the decor, to the staff, to most importantly, the food, it was an incredible meal! When I made the reservation, I booked the chef's counter because we love to watch the behind the scenes with the kitchen staff. It's fun to see your dishes being made. Our server started off by asking us if we had after dinner plans to make sure they timed the evening so we could get to our show on time. He also asked if we had any allergies or food restrictions, then did a great job with suggestions on cocktails and menu items. We started with a shared plate of the charred romanesco over sorghum which are two foods I had never eaten before. This was my favorite dish of the night! Absolutely delicious! For dinner, I ordered the Spring Pea Cappellacci which was light & bright and the pasta was cooked perfectly. My husband had the Mafaldine Bolognese, which he liked very much as well. After dinner we split the Candy Bar 3.0. It was good but very rich, even splitting it two ways. Thanks to Boca for an all around A+ night out!

    Turbot
    Travis S.

    Still remains the best in Cincinnati. Every time I go anywhere else I am always trying to remind myself why I didn't go to Boca.

    Diver Scallop
    Jennifer K.

    It was a great experience for an evening but not a place I would go to again. The service was the best! He was excellent explaining the food and making recommendations. The ambiance made for a perfect date night. It was elegant and contemporary. The food was good and was served small plates so we got to try many dishes. Not sure the experience was worth the price tag. The pommes soufflés were like puffed fried potatoes and when dipped in the sauce, they tasted like salt and vinegar chips. The Beet Mezzaluna was very tasty and recommend. Next as the Mafaldine con Bolognese. I was probably most disappointed with this dish, small portion, the pasta could have been cooked a little more, and was pretty average. The next plate was Diver Scallop. This was the best dish but came with one scallop. The Brussel spouts were to die for!!! For dessert we ordered the candy bar which was really good and was a nice way to end the meal. Again the service, atmosphere, and food made for a nice evening, but not really the best "bang for your buck".

    Jessica W.

    Boca is MAGICAL I can't believe we haven't been there before! R skipped the salad and decided on a bread basket instead. I had an amazing beet salad and the scallop and Brussels sprouts for my main. R had a super succulent chicken. We will definitely be back. Parking is super easy in either the garage across the street or with the valet out front. Fantastic date night!

    Romanesco
    Jess D.

    Went here for date night. The service was top notch. Multiple people came to our table to ensure we had our needs met at various times. They accidentally brought us the cheesecake intended for another table and said to go ahead and enjoy it. It was phenomenal! I don't know if I can have cheesecake anywhere else now. We had several dishes and I feel like they just got better and better. Portions were perfect to enjoy and appreciate without over indulging. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu and went into detail about each thing to assist with our decision making.

    Sara G.

    Boca, Cincy! She doesn't just dine you, she seduces you with chandeliers that practically whisper, "You could never afford me, but try." This Cincinnati queen lives in the gilded bones of the old five-star Maisonette, and boy, does she know it. You walk in and immediately feel underdressed because she is so overdressed. The walls are old exposed brick, because obviously, elegance must have a rustic trauma backstory. Start with the hamachi crudo, because raw fish dressed up in citrus and smugness is how any night should begin. It's light, refined, and just acidic enough to say I go to therapy. Then there are the potato puffs, which aren't puffs at all but these gloriously overachieving strands of potato, fried into airy golden towers like Rapunzel got dipped in oil and finally lived her best crunchy life. They're stupid good. Then, brace yourself, the lobster pasta. It's not shy. It doesn't whisper. It screams in buttered Italian with a megaphone of shellfish and a fringe of hedonism. Aggressive is the right word. She's not a restaurant. She's a diva with a tasting menu. Dress up. Bring a rich friend. Pretend you're in Paris. Don't look at your bank account. It's worth it.

    Kitchen view
    Amy J.

    Lovely romantic ambiance. Excellent professional service. Plates are very small, except for the burger meal. Red Heritage Chicken with Mushroom Truffle Risotto, Heirloom Carrots $44 : Chicken was perfectly crispy, risotto was cooked well and the sauce was rich and delicious, the carrots were not too soft and not too crunchy. Boca Burger with Pommes Frites, Sauce Maison $39: Fries are very salty but nice and crispy so taste pretty good, the burger was a little less than medium but has good flavor. (Got the sauce on side and did not try it because it smelled like mayo) Japonisme - Malfy Limone Gin, Elderflower, Yuzu, Butterfly Pea, Chamomile, Prosecco $19: The cocktail was ok, I thought it resembled cough syrup though. Would not order again. The desserts were about 3 bites. All very rich and flavorful. Tasted good. Maple Mascarpone Cheesecake. Candy Bar, and Cherry-Yuzu sorbet. Overall we had a nice date night. The quality is good, however the portions and cost will probably drive us back to Colette and Losanti, who just can't be beat so far!

    Le Citron - Whipped Yuzu-White Chocolate, Lemon Curd, Preserved Meyer Lemon, Lemon Sablé, Italian Meringue
    Scott N.

    This was our first visit to Boca. We had dinner reservations for 5 pm on Saturday. We arrived a little early and the door was not yet open. As we waited, someone opened the door before 5 and invited us in. That was a nice touch and needless to say we were the first customers of the evening. By the time we left at 6:30, the place was full. I should mention Yelp states Boca is considered "Dressy". The confirmation we received from the 'reservation app' stated the dress code was "Smart Casual". I decided I should dress it up just a bit and wore dockers and a nice shirt. Many other customers wore jeans and I saw at least two in shorts. I was very pleased to see no one batted an eye. The restaurant is gorgeous. We sat underneath a massive chandelier. The bar is beautiful. The first floor is quite refined and the upstairs is expansive. The restrooms are individual bathrooms. I believe there are four of them and they are beautiful. The service was top notch across the board. Our server went over the menu with us in a couple 'shifts', meaning she left time for us to settle in. She also didn't want to overwhelm us. We had tickets for a show at the Taft that started at 7 pm, so we had plenty of time. We decided to start with Pommes Soufflés "1949". They were like the lightest, freshest and airiest potato chip ever imagined. And the dipping sauce provided a sort of salt and vinegar, but not vinegary if that makes any sense, flavor. Delicious! Next we had the Beef Tartare. The beef was extraordinary. It tasted like beef with the greens, quail egg and crispy onions adding a gentle kiss of flavor. The chips, which tasted wonderful with the tartare, were fragile - too fragile to use as a vehicle to transport the tartare to our mouths. Eating the dish with a fork, making sure to include some chip bits, was still perfect. I ordered the Spring Pea Cappellacci. Wow, what a light and delectable bite. The pasta was like butter and the flavor of peas was so fresh, it was if they'd just picked them. The lobster was icing on the cake. This plate was extraordinary. I was left wanting to lick the plate. Mark ordered the Red Heritage Chicken. It not only looked delicious, but it tasted incredible. The risotto was creamy and the flavors mixed perfectly with the tender chicken. The chicken's crispy skin added a delightful texture to the meal. I ordered Le Citron for dessert, which looks just like a lemon on the plate. I expected it to be light and lemony, but in fact it was quite sweet. It was delicious and quite large compared to most of the dishes served at Boca. Mark had the Chocolate Terrine. He said it was outstanding. The chocolate was rich with a perfect texture. The pistachios were lightly salted, which enhanced the chocolate. The olive oil may seem odd on a dessert, but it truly highlighted all the flavors of this fabulous dessert. We have no reservation about returning... with a reservation.

    Petite filet (prime tenderloin)

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    Service was very good, and the menu selection was quite inviting. And of course the food was delicious.

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    Boca Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Boca

    Is there any dress code?

    Smart casual per website. Suit Jacket or ties not a requirement.

    Can you order the Beef Wellington to your preferred temperature?

    With the timing required to deliver this dish to your table with perfection, we have a system in place to cook our wellington to a medium rare. Unfortunately, we cannot cook the wellington to a prefer temperature due to the way it is prepared and… 

    Are there vegan friendly options?

    There are a couple vegan options (just salads) and maybe a couple pastas that are vegan but the place is definitely meat heavy with a couple extra vegetarian options!

    Is this restaurant kid-friendly? We are planning on bringing our 20 months old son along with us for our V-dinner

    Maybe for older children, closer to their teens. It didn't strike me as a place to bring a small child but the service there is excellent and I'm sure they'll make you feel welcome.

    Is there a chef table that can be reserved?

    Hi Shannon, Yes, we do have 6 seats available at a high-top bar seating overlooking the kitchen as… 

    View All 8 Questions

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