Cincinnati Restaurants

Maisonette

EFFECTIVE JULY 25TH, 2005 THE MAISONETTE HAS CLOSED IT'S DOORS

I'm extremely saddened by this news as I considered the Maisonette to be one of the top restaurants in the world but I am happy that I was able to dine there last November. Below is my original review:

My first visit to this venerable restaurant (11/11/04). Stan was my waiter, Tom was the maître d'. This is not one of those restaurants where they say "Hi, my name is ..., and I'll be your waiter tonight". I just asked for the names. ;) The service was excellent without being obsequious. As I had arrived early, Stan took the time to show me the various paintings around the restaurant. One was a Duveneck (local artist) painting; he'd substituted a male for his model because he couldn't get his regular model (like the boy in his painting "whistling"/holding cig at the Cincinnati Art Museum) - Stan quipped it was their very own drag queen! ;)

Decor: rosewood, rose & burgundy tones warmed with cream & gold. 3 chandeliers in the main area. one little circular-style demi-room that would seat 4-8 people - dishes have a rosewood border that mimicked the rosewood - silver has the signature Maisonette M engraved on it - looked antique - one of the engraved Ms was almost gone - I love the aged nature of the silverware - wow.

They received their 41st consecutive 5-star Mobil rating 2 days ago (for 2005) - Mobil rates US restaurants, while Michelin rates Europe. The Maisonette is the only restaurant in North America that has retained its 5-star rating for so long. No other restaurant in North America matches its long-standing reputation.

Beautiful paintings throughout done by local artists with local models - one model, a redhead, is in 3 paintings. Upstairs are the bathrooms mesdames et messieurs and there are also conference rooms, one named the Versailles room but they were locked (YES, I tried!)

Great review!

It was all fantastic but my absolute fave is the Chocolate soufflé with pitcher of bittersweet sauce accompanied by raspberries. Mmmmm

Boeuf Bourguignon The beef was mostly good but 2 pieces were a little fatty & tough, however, the rest of it was perfect. It did not surpass the best boeuf bourguignon I'd ever had at Le Vieux Bistro in Paris. The bourguignon was served with whipped potatoes (perfect) and steamed veggies (subLIME! green beans-the French haricots vert, yellow wax beans, matchstick carrots & red pepper - perfectly crisp yet tender).

Chocolate soufflé This was served with a bittersweet chocolate sauce & plump little perfect raspberries that Tom brought later on - divine.

This was accompanied by a double shot of espresso - perfect just like in France. I had asked about eau de vie but they no longer carry those, too difficult to get - basically too hard to get in Ohio period. They do, however, have Armagnac, which I'd love to try my next trip, and aged Port.

Along with the check is brought a triple-tiered little silver tray of baby cookies: chocolate cookie with raspberry center, raspberry cookie with a raspberry center, one was a little meringue 1/2 of it dipped in chocolate and 3 others that I didn't try but one looked like a macaroon. Reminded me of my afternoon tea experience at the Ritz in Paris.

Photo: September 2005

Cincinnati Hotels

Cincinnati Restaurants

Visiting Cincinnati?

Visiting Cincinnati?

Cincinnati Hotels