Wife and I visited for the first time last weekend. The view is terrific. It took about 15 minutes to get menus, which was very odd. We narrowed our wine choice down to two bottles, then asked the waiter for his recommendation. He said okay, and left. We thought he was going to get the sommelier, whom we had previously witnessed addressing the table adjacent to ours. He did not return with the sommelier, nor did he describe either wine, he just left and brought back one of the bottles. Furthermore, he was clueless in wine service. First of all, when opening the bottle he placed the bottom of the bottle against his upper thigh and rotated it to cut the foil off the top. Secondly, he poured across the wife from the left, and did not have a cloth with which to wipe the mouth of the bottle after the pour. On a positive note, the wine was very reasonably priced. The red pepper bisque was a great starter. I had the salmon, which was perfectly prepared and quite excellent, and the wife had a filet, which was cooked perfectly but was unremarkable in flavor. We scoped out the bar area before leaving, and were almost disappointed we had not chosen the bar area for dinner. It was slightly darker, more inviting, and had a gentleman playing the piano, giving it the perfect ambiance that we had been expecting when we made reservations. And the view was even more spectacular. If you end up in Cincinnati, the bar at the Celestial is highly recommended.
(4)
Russell G.
My wife and I dined here on our last trip to the Newport/Cinci area. We knew nothing of this restaurant and even her brother who lives here did not know of it either. We had simply purchased a Restaurant.com gift certificate and were hoping for the best. We were very much in luck. It was a late anniversary dinner since we'd been unable to actually celebrate our anniversary on it's correct date. So going in we were hoping for something nice and willing to splurge a little bit. The decor is a bit dated, but very upscale and still has a very nice feel to it. We were seated in the bar area and received a table with a very good view. This spot, on top of Mt Adams, provides a truly wonderful view of downtown and the river. With our late evening dinner time we were able to look out as the sun set and as the city lit up for night. Superb view which just completed a great meal. And the meal... was top notch. My wife had the Oscar which was fantastic and cooked perfectly. I myself had the sea bass with gnocchi, which was also drool-worthy. Topped off with the supremely rich chocolate torte for desert, the food could not have been better. Lastly, I would like to brag a bit on our server/bartender David. David was very personable, and knowledgeable about the menu and offerings. He chatted with us quite a while and even offered suggestions of other places to go and to eat for the remainder of our trip. Pace of the meal was perfect (we like to be slow and talk leisurely through our meals and he was very accommodating). And to top it off, he even offered to take some pictures of us on the little balcony outside the bar room, a gesture that was extremely kind of him. So if you go to the Celestial, and I recommend that you do, consider skipping the dining room altogether and instead go to the back and dine in the bar room. And don't forget to ask for David, you won't regret it.
(5)
Mike G.
I had never been here before even though i had always wanted to. I have always been a little hesitant to eat here because I hear pretty mixed reviews about the place. Most people who have been going for Years say that it used to be one of the nicest places in the city but has been slipping the last few years. We went there with a group of 7 on New Year's Eve. Our reservations were at 630. Our coats were taken and we were promptly seated. The Decor was very nice , wood walls, large round bar, beautiful chandelier and gorgeous views. Every detail of the interior of the place is designed to be one of the nicest restaurants in Cincinnati. They brought us a wine list which was respectable. The beer selection was not great , in fact they didn't even have a beer list the server just told us what beer they have. At this day and age with all these craft brews growing in popularity and all these new beer drinkers a good beer list is just as important as a good wine list . For some reason nice steak houses haven't seemed to grasp this. Miller light corona bud light and Stella just aren't cutting it anymore, it's time to step it up. For my first course I had the crab cake , which I would highly recommend it is one of the better crab cakes in the city. My girlfriend had a Gorgonzola pear salad which she liked. We had a few oysters which were the larger east coast oysters . As long as u have nice oysters to start with its pretty impossible to mess them up. For my dinner I had the special which was a fillet and lobster tail serves with mashes potatoes and mixed vegetables . My girlfriend had the scallops, she was very pleased with them , the bite I had I enjoyed , they were perfectly cooked. My fillet was good , not great just good. I would be happy to get this steak somewhere like outback or longhorn steakhouse . But when your at a place the has the reputation of being one of the nicest restaurants in the city I expect a little more. It falls pretty short compared to a rubys or Morton's. as for the lobster I can honestly say it was the worst lobster I had ever eaten in any restaurant. Not even edible by Outback Steakhouse standards. It was wayyyyyyyyy over cooked , like eating shoe leather with a little of the rubber shoe sole. Completely bland , just a huge disappointment. For desert we had the cheesecake with a raspberry sauce . It was decent , just your run of the mill nice cheesecake. Altogether we got out of there for two people for 150 which is overpriced considering the quality of the food. I would happily pay that for great food though. I would give the service and atmosphere 5 stars and would give the food 2. So 3-3.5 stars for the whole experience seems fitting.
(3)
Tim G.
Took my wife for her birthday this past weekend. This place is a hidden gem. The bar is great with an incredible view, amble seating, quick service. The wine list is better than average even for an upscale steak house. The tomato tower was excellent especially for January tomatoes. I had the NY strip which was perfectly grilled and robustly seasoned but not overly so. We will be back for both the bar and dinner.
(5)
Patrick E.
Excellent food, great service and a great view! We had the Cowboy Steak and the New York Strip and they were cooked to perfection. Excellent char on the outside and cooked just right on the inside. What more could you ask for? I'd like to see a bigger beer selection, something designed to complement steaks, but that's just my preference. My table enjoyed excellent wine and the staff recommendations were spot on. Highly recommended! Not cheap, but well worth it for that special date!
Very lovely restaurant, but as others have written, you feel even younger if you are a young guest. A lot of the clientele was much older than my boyfriend and I. Still, it was such a lovely experience. The view was stunning, we had dinner at sunset. :) Our waiter was an older gentleman, and he was so much of a kind and considerate man, I almost gave the place 5 stars. The only reason I subtracted one is because, with how swanky and lovely this place is, they need to wash their windows. The sun was catching the soap spots all over the windows where we were sitting, affecting the view a little. I was bummed by that. Anyway, the meat was sooooo very fabulous. We ordered the filet mignon, caramelized green beans, and this blissful chocolate cake. The wine selection was also wonderful. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone. Fantastic view, fantastic food, fantastic service. Just hire a better window washer!
(4)
Kim W.
This place is a hidden gem. We had never heard of it before making the reservation on Open Table but it turned out to be a superb night out. We found a lovely view of the city, excellent and attentive service, large fresh oysters, and delicious steaks and cocktails. It was a splurgy night, but everything I want when I'm prepared to spend that kind of money. I used to associate Mt Adams with being a sleazy college scene but this restaurant gives fresh perspective to this part of town. Would definitely consider coming back to celebrate a special occasion or for a lovely night out.
(5)
Andrew B.
Whether you have money or not, if you look like you're in your twenties, do not come here. Came here with my girlfriend for my birthday. We are extremely generous patrons and always reward good service with a good tip at the end. However, our waiter treated us as though he expected nothing, like we were pesky college students. The food was great, as was the view, but our waiter was an ass. Screw this pretentious place. Better steaks can be found.
(1)
Vanessa D.
I love going to The Celestial after a night on the town on a Friday or Saturday night. The view is absolutely stunning! Yes, it is typically an older crowd but it is so sweet watching the older couples dance to the loving songs of their "good ol' days" (Frank Sinatra, etc). Their drink selection is extensive. The Celestial is perfect if you are hoping for a romantic evening with your sweetie... drinks, music, dancing and an amazing view.
(5)
Joe F.
Food was excellent as usual! Our server, Tim was attentive and accomodated my wife on the house when a dessert wine wasn't available. Longer wait on our reservation than i would have liked but the rest of the evening was excellent.
(3)
Marcus J.
The view was outstanding. I think the Celestial is a perfect place for a "date night" or special occasion.
(4)
Desiree B.
If you want the best filet mignon in Cincinnati, this is the place that I'd recommend over any other. My husband and I try to go on our anniversary every year. Everything from the crab cakes to the dessert is always good. One year, we ended up at the upper level with live jazz coming from downstairs and it was the most romantic dinner ever. We have the same server every time, who is great. My only complaint is he always brings dessert without asking if we want it and charges us for it, which is really awkward. Last year I even told him I had a cheesecake waiting at home that I made and he still brought out the dessert "to-go" when we also said we were too full. We were charged $14 for dessert we didn't wa t or ask for. Awkward.
(4)
Amanda H.
I've always wanted to try out The Celestial. Its a four star, four diamond award winner after all; so when livingsocial posted a half off deal I about knocked over my daughter to get to the computer and buy it. This place has the perfect location and great potential to be amazing. However my experience was downright tragic. I went by myself on a Monday night so it wasn't very busy at all. The gentleman that sat me was going to sit me in the main dinning room until I said no one would be joining me, then he send me to the room in the far back. I dont know if he was being nice or not. I think nice, so I could get a table with a view, but then he sat me at the only dirty table in the restaurant. There were about a hundred empty tables so I'm not sure why he put me at the dirty one with the check and glasses still on it. The bartender came and cleaned it, but it was just odd. And why put me away from the rest of the patrons in a back room. First impression, the view is wonderful! However the windows are so dirty it takes away from it majorly. The decor was very old. Its in need a massive remodel. Its grand, but so outdated. In the 80′s it would have been lovely, now its just too worn. Even the chairs have lost all of their cushioning and it just sinks down. And the windows are sooo dirty! Now onto the negative. I started out my meal with the crab cake. The corn salsa was atrocious. I took one bite and the acid and red onions overpowered my taste buds and I couldn't taste anything but onions for the rest of the cake. I wish I would have eaten the cake first so I could have at least been able to comment on it. Then I went on to my entree. I ordered the NY Strip, whipped sweet potato mash, and a side of caramelized broccoli. FAIL on so many levels. The mash was bland and didn't taste appetizing at all. I tried to douse it in salt, pepper, and butter left over from my bread to no avail. The caramelized broccoli wasn't caramelized. It was actually cold to the touch. Like it had been taken out of the fridge, heated mildly in a pan, and tossed in RED ONION again! There wasn't a hint of cookery on this, let alone the start of caramelization. And the piece de resistance my strip steak. I asked for so medium rare it was bloody, and I got a solid medium, almost mid well. The sear was good, but it was overcooked. I would have sent it back if I could have found the bartender. Finally he came, and asked if I was ready for my check. (I'm taking it he was cut and wanted to hightail it out of there.) I put my steak in the box, left the WHOLE meal on the table and left. I was still hungry so I went to Eden Park and finished my steak. (Then went home and at cereal- yes cereal after a fancy steak diner. That should tell you something.) The damage $62. Had I paid full price I would have raised Cain, luckily I spend $25 on the $50 gift card and only owed $12 extra. That mean still wasn't worth $37 as I've had way better steak dinners at any local chain. I recommend you skip this place. Its more for your grandparents. Head over to any Rubys restaurant, Cooperhawk, or Jimmy G's instead.
(1)
Aaron R.
The server was pretentious and a bit rude. The food was ok but definitely not worth the price and the crowd is much older than I expected. Go to raffertys and get a much better steak for half the price.
(2)
Sanjeet G.
This is a review from a younger crowds perspective. Pros: 1) The views are amazing, we went during a reds game and we could see the fireworks from a homerun which was kind of cool 2) The decor, very nice and classy 3) Very extensive wine list Cons: 1) The food is adequate but nothing spectacular 2) The service was absolutely terrible, our server didn't even know their wine list well, and then brought out the wrong bottle of wine Kind of a mixed review, its a cool place to bring a date for a late dinner, but not really the most relaxed and comfortable place. I would much rather go to Orchids, Local 127 or the Palace for my money.
(3)
LIZ L.
I really enjoyed my Saturday night dress-up date at The Celestial's wood-paneled lounge! We came later in the evening, after dinner, so we bought drinks (strong!) and listened to jazz standards by a great combo, including the swell pianist and local legend, Lee Stolar. The room was packed with a great crowd of regulars, many of whom are seniors who live in the building. This, to me, was part of the amazing ambiance because these folks both surpassed me in years and in energy. If you ever want to learn how to have a good, old fashioned "great evening out," just go to the Celestial and watch the 70- and 80-somethings out-dance, out-drink, and out-mingle you. Then, join in - they'll welcome you! Whether it's for the amazing views, the jazz, the education in having a good time, the food, or drinks...just go (and wear a sportscoat, guys.) On the other hand, don't go. I don't want too many 30-somethings spoiling the party.
(5)
Skunkie B.
We've been there for several years and had great experience. EXCEPT for couple weekend ago in May 2011. Took my wife and another couple for a nice weekend dinner. Had a reservation, but only to find out that their liquor license had a problem. Told us to go to UDF and pick up a wine. For an upscale restaurant, I was displeased for the fact that they had plenty time to call us to let us know of the situation. I would have been more than happy to take a bottle of wine from home. Would have given 4 star otherwise. Will try again in few weeks.
(3)
Russell B.
We had a hoot at this restaurant. It's at the base of an apartment building with a spectacular view overlooking Cincinnati. The building residents are old school where they dress for dinner, with a nice 3 or 4 piece band w/ singer. The menu has some nice traditional plates, but it's first and foremost a steakhouse with few, if any, lighter-fare items. We noticed Chilean Sea Bass on the menu and in true Berzerkeley-esque fashion asked the waitress if it was sustainably sourced. "Yes, it's grilled". ha ha We never figured out if it was or not, but it was quite yummy. Apparently, this is also where middle-aged divorcees meet for first dates, as there were several couples whooping it up at the bar, and more than one hand slipping up his date's skirt. The residents greet each other genteelly, they've all lived there 50+ years. And couples dance together to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman. All in all, a delightful evening.
(4)
Adam M.
The Celestial was incredible! Everything from the atmosphere to the food was tremendous. The view of the city was very nice. The menu had unique dishes and both mine and my wife's meal was fabulous. I highly recommend this place and I plan on going back more.
(5)
Isabel Y.
The first time I came here was for my 17th birthday dinner with my high school boyfriend...and I fell in love with it immediately. I have been back a few times since! Every few years I remember how awesome Celestial is as a restaurant experience. Perfect location, excellent service, a true French meal-- I think they serve 8 or 9 courses throughout the night? No comment on dishes in particular, but it's all good. Going to Celestial is a food marathon though...so consider that when making plans. It takes like over 3 hours to eat here. Not because service is slow, but because of the courses, the measured, painstaking effort on the food, and the appropriate lag time between meals. It was such a happy "oh what's coming next?!" experience. Anyway, definitely go if you haven't been. If there was a restaurant I'd want to be proposed to, it could very well be this one.
(5)
Serena S.
This place is special to me for personal reasons. The food is delicious, the view is spectacular, the setting romantic, and the service is good. The type of place that makes you fall in love, so I recommend bringing that special someone.
(5)
Chelsea C.
Hubby and I have been celebrating our anniversary here for several years, and sad to say, each year the experience is less and less memorable. It used to feel like this very special occasion- get dressed up, have impeccable white glove service by waiters who had been working there for 15 years, amazing food. But the past several years it has been lacking in all areas. 2012 we had a horrendous experience with a server who not once checked on us after we got our food (the incorrect order, to boot), a rude bartender who actually pulled out his cell phone to show me that the way he made my drink was the right way when I asked for it a different way, and mediocre food. We had such a bad time that the Maitre'd (who now works at Ruby's) actually ran after us in the parking lot to give us a gift certificate- which brings us to 2013... It was overall a pretty good experience this time around. We were seated at a great table, and had very good service. The food was also pretty good, we had the bone-in ribeye which was outstanding, but the brussel sprout casserole was nothing but gloppy cheese and a couple of wayyy overcooked brussel sprouts... not good at all. We also ordered the tomato and mozzarella "tower" which was more like a "short stack"- for $9 we certainly expected more than what we received. The Celestial seems to be resting on its laurels a bit these days. The crowd is older, the atmosphere is stuffy and they need a serious decorating overhaul. With the way the Cincinnati restaurant scene is blossoming, they are going to need to step up their game to keep themselves relevant. Unfortunately until that happens we will be celebrating elsewhere next year.
(3)
Marlana K.
I made plans far in advance to bring out of town friends to the Celestial for the WEBN fireworks special. We had a party of 8 ranging in age from mid twenties to early 60's. I confirmed our reservations for eight 3 days prior to the event and received our confirmation letter and parking passes ( a huge benefit for fireworks night ). Even so, the table was set up for 6 and we waited 1/2 hour for the staff to locate chairs. The place was full, the first time I've ever seen that, but only to be expected. We were seated by 7. Our server was charming if not available, and service was beyond slow. Our entrees arrived just as the show went on shortly after 9. The fireworks are choreographed to the music-no music. Most of the party left their untouched steaks on the table to go outside where they could hear the music. Of course, that's when our waiter decided to clear the table. Thanks to the insistence of our friend remaining at the table, our dinners were retained. I spoke with the manager about the lack of music, as did the party next to us. The manager says that the sound system wasn't working (wouldn't you check this in advance?) and did not make an attempt to even appear concerned/sorry. The special event fixed price menu was $129 each, plus drinks. Our bill was over $1,600. That's a lot to me and would seem to demand a little courtesy. In the end, the food was quite good, the view is spectacular, parking is a plus. Follow up on your part is essential to make this a great evening.
(3)
Jason B.
Jeff Ruby lite. Uninspired brussels sprouts, baked potatoes, $25 shrimp cocktails, and over-seasoned steaks. Not over-priced compared to the direct competition. A fine dinner if someone else is paying the bill. The views are beautiful. Your grandma will love it.
(2)
David H.
The service was not what one would expect at a restaurant such as the Celestial. The service was more like we were at the corner pub or a diner. Our server continued to call be "buddy". Great service is service that enhances the meal. The entrees were fantastic! Great view.
(5)
Lisa S.
Celestial always impresses me from service, food to view of course, too. Their raw bar is always tasting fresh and they cook fine cuts of meat to your perfection. Thank you to Bisert, our favorite server, always leaving us looking forward to next special dining night at The Celestial.
(5)
John W.
We must've caught a bad night. Or, I should've avoided the surf n' turf 'special'. Medium-rare steak came out well done+, They graciously cooked a new one, which was done right but chewy with sinew. The lobster was slimy and drowning in saltwater. My girlfriend's filet was very good, so I may just have been unlucky. The staff were friendly and the view spectacular. As others have noted, young folks will feel quite young here compared to most clientele. Oh, and if I wouldn't have inspected the bill, I wouldn't have caught the charge for the second bottle of Pinot we didn't have.
(2)
Tim C.
In a town with a lot of good places to eat meat the Celestial stands out. First it is on one of the mountains near downtown so the view of the river is awesome. The service is great. The food is fantastic. It isn't cheap but it is a value. This is a destination dining event for Cincinnati. One I would do again. There was even a bar with dancing but the tunes and the crowd were left over from the Lawrence Welk era.
(5)
Phoebe G.
Unbelievable view, superb service, and delicious food a drinks. It is a bit more expensive but well worth the money. Also, a great place to take a date - the bar sometimes has a band and a dance floor. Would definitely recommend!
(5)
Sherry A.
Don't waste your time or money! Asked for view when making the reservations didn't happen even when I complained! Dinner took over 2 1/2 hours! Never again,
(1)
Matthew H.
In college, my girlfriend decided to take me to the Celestial on my birthday. Unfortunately we had a terrible storm in Oxford and the drive to Cincinnati took roughly 2 hours. On the way we called to let the restaurant know we were braving the weather and would be there a.s.a.p. After we showed up extremely late for our reservation, we realized not a single other patron was in the restaurant. This was a non-issue as a great old man led us to our table. After that we watched the snow storm from an incredibly view and had a private dining experience. The food was incredible and this was one of the best birthday's I could have asked for.
(5)
Zach C.
Classic. Simply Classic. Celestial is somewhat hidden in a residency, but once you enter their bar you forget that the rest of the building exists. The view over Cincinnati is fantastic. The food is excellent. The service is headed by French expat, Christophe. If you go in before the crowd I recommend chatting with him a few minutes. Once he gets to know you, he makes sure you feel like a million. Its definitely an older crowd, so go in respectably and you will fit in nicely.
(5)
TL C.
The Celestial Steakhouse, 1071 Celestial Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, is an elegant yet comfortable restaurant with excellent views of the Cincinnati skyline. The atmosphere is relaxing and indulgent. The wait staff is extremely accommodating and helpful. They worked with me to accommodate my vegetarian requests without hesitation. I ordered the beefsteak tomato tower without the avocado. It was pretty and delicious. I requested the Jumbo Shrimp Penne without the shrimp. Again, it was beautifully prepared and delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed it and took the leftovers with me for later. My dinner companions enjoyed their filet mignon and Mediterranean Lamb dishes. Desserts included a chocolate torte, creme brulee, and cheesecake. We shared the three desserts, so I can attest that all three were delicious. My torte was my favorite though. The Celestial Steakhouse provided a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere with delicious food!
(5)
Kevin S.
Heavenly views, and pretty good food too! Celestial is perched on a cliff overlooking downtown Cincinnati in Mt. Adams, Cincinnati's trying-a-little-too-hard answer to San Francisco. The chef here used to run the dining room in the Sherman House Hotel in SF and his time in the city by the bay shows through with very creative dishes. This is one of my particularly favorite places to come just after or even during a big snow, if you can make it up the hills in the slush and ice. The city glistens below you, Mt. Adams is even more lovely with a layer of frosting, and the crackling fireplace and see through wine cellar make Celestial seem that much closer to the real thing.
(5)
Christy R.
Ruined our Christmas Eve Honestly it hurts my fingers to even give this establishment even 1 star. The Lightning was horrible and when we asked if they could dim the lights slightly the whole restaurant applauded. The food came out cold. The muscles and the stakes are almost inedible. The Brussels spouts were soggy. They completely forgot to bring out one of the martinis (it never came) When the bill came our waiter couldn't even bring out the manager to speak to us - when the manager finally came out he denied there was any problem at all with anything with our food and that he could have pushed us out of there faster but thought we would enjoy the time there with the service being so slow. So basically he denied anything was a problem at all. Our bill was close to $400 with tip. The problem is with the management . The manager should be fired immediately. I highly recommend NOT dining at the Celestial Steakhouse. I travel all over the world and have literally never had such a terrible experience.
(1)
Tracy S.
My husband and I went here a few years ago. It was great service with a beautiful view of the city. It was a great time. All seats have a great view of the city.
I went here for the first time with my family on Christmas Eve for a "nice family dinner", and the result made we question whether the manager on duty has any experience in hospitality what so ever. The food was brought out late and was also cold. Maybe they were understaffed, due to the holiday, which I understand, but when we asked for the manager to come over to discuss our concerns and give feedback, and he literally argued and discredited our complaints. Hospitality 101 teaches that the customer is always right. The manager's response was extremely condescending, and pompous, which from other review it seems we are not the only ones receiving this type of disrespectful service. The waiter wasn't bad, but the manager really should be fired for his lack of basic knowledge (I hope the owner reads this). For the price, and experience, I will not be back.
Overrated & outdated. I'll take my business to Jeff Ruby instead. The only good thing about this place was the view and I expect that is the only thing keeping them in business. Well except for the snobby, older "upper class" generation that still sees this place in it's former glory.
(2)
Mark F.
Can be awesome can be spotty. Views never disappoint. You come for the ambience and hope the meal will match. Service is mixed but I always have fun. I used to bartend here so it has a special place in my heart bottom line it's worth the risk.
(3)
B B.
We were so disappointed by our experience. Having been there before we were really excited to go back and celebrate our one-year anniversary. We ordered a bottle of wine, where the server didn't even know anything about the wine list when asked about the region in which the wine was from. We waited a half an hour before we had to ask for our menus. We then asked if they had a vegetarian option in which we saw on their website to be told that was from four menus ago-update your website! Then we had told them ahead of time it was our anniversary only to not have it recognized during the dessert while everyone else around us had received a happy anniversary. My steak was over salted, good, but I think they dipped the thing in salt. It was overall just disappointing.
(2)
Sanjay P.
So I had taken my wife (then gf) to Celestial sometime ago and we had a really good time back then. The service was great and so also the food. She was sentimental about it and wanted to go back on our first wedding anniversary. She made the reservations and informed them about our anniversary. Despite this, not only was there no comment/acknowledgment of this, the service actually stank! The guy forgot about us, despite the fact that it was Monday night and very empty. I had to go and get him - after which he apologized and it improved but the damage was done, the mood killed. He also seemed to have an attitude throughout. About the food - the soup was actually good, we enjoyed our soups. The breads were good too but very limited. My wife ordered fish and I got the steak and we both felt .."it was OK at best"... will not go back there again.
(2)
Heather Y.
I love going here when they have live jazz. The view is stunning, the atmosphere inside is refined but cozy and the steaks are great. A real Cincinnati classic gem.
(5)
Tom F.
One of the worst experiences at an upscale steakhouse that I have ever had. I ordered my steak mid rare and it came out well done. I showed it to our waiter Matt and he said all steaks are cooked that way to accommodate flavor. Flavor? This steak had NO flavor. Very tough and flavorless. Matt acted like I was crazy stating it was over cooked and like I had never been to a nice place before. Very condescending. I am a physician and have traveled around the world and eaten at the best steakhouses in the world. I was at Peter Lugers and Keens in New York last week and at the SW two weeks ago. This place is a joke and should not be considered a 4, let alone 3 Diamond restaurant. I've had better steaks slumming at Outback. Don't waste your time or money here. Poor food and worse service. Especially from Matt.
(1)
Jesse F.
As with many reviews, I agree with several points: -Tremendous steaks -Excellent if not overpriced scallops (3 for $16?!) -Unfathomably slow service -Slow service gave more time to soak in terrific view ....Added bonus! Fire Alarm wailed for 30 minutes during dinner and not a single apology let alone offer to do something extra for the annoyance. This restaurant is the single most bi-polar place I've ever been to. It is impossible to decide if it is worth it or not, as the Pros are so incredible, and the Cons equally mind-blowing. You WILL love the steak though. Good luck!
(3)
Jenny H.
Great view of Cincinnati as you can tell from the pics. Service was great. Food was very good - we got filet mignon and duck breast. The filet was very tender, quality piece of meat, I asked for medium rare and it was more on the rare side but that was fine because it was such a good piece of meat, but too seasoned for my tastes. The duck breast my husband thought was very good, and I had a taste of it, I thought it was fantastic. The prices aren't too crazy, like I had thought. For an entree about $25-40. The 8 oz filet was something like $32. No dress code either as far as I could tell, we wore jeans.
(4)
Michael P.
I have long been a fan of The Celestial. It was popular with the governing board of the association for which I was the CEO, and a personal favorite of one of my past presidents. My recent visit was no disappointment! Decor: While it is not current, the knotty paneling has been there for some time, the spectacular view of Cincinnati never disappoints. Whether there in daylight or after dark, the view is the focus for me. We enjoyed watching boat traffic as well as the city. Service: We were early for an early dinner. The hostess offered to seat us immediately. We chose to go to the bar first since this was a special dinner -- our anniversary. We received a friendly greeting from both the hostess and the bartender. We were seated promptly when we were ready for dinner. Our dinner server was prompt and attentive throughout the dinner, but not intrusive. Pleasing service on all counts. Dinner: For starters, my wife chose the asparagus soup. It was wonderful. Creamy and flavorful. I chose the Celestial's answer to a lettuce wedge. It was a head (!) of lettuce with Maytag blue cheese (a personal favorite). I wondered how large it would be? It was a small head of lettuce. Just right. For the main course we both chose a special for the evening: a small 5 oz. filet, accompanied by purple mashed potatoes. This is a pleasing serving size. Yes, I like the larger steaks, but honestly, 5 oz. is really enough for a meal. Both steaks were perfect, including mine prepared Pittsburgh style. The potatoes were colorful and tasty, though not as hot (temperature) as I expected. Dessert topped the meal: creme-brulee and the homemade ice cream. Both were excellent, and ordering just one to share would have been plenty for the evening. The evening was as special as we desired. Once again, The Celestial met high expectations.
(5)
Simon S.
My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner at The Celestial Steakhouse and offer our highest compliments to Chanaka and his staff. Our wedding was out in Blue Ash so my parents, wife, and I searched all throughout Cincinnati for a venue that could showcase the city, provide a wonderful and cozy atmosphere for our 90 guests, offer a delicious dinner, and do this all within a reasonable budget. The Celestial delivered on all counts! From the start we were wowed by Chanaka's willingness to work with us for all of our needs. He and his staff customized the perfect menu (with many hors d'oeurve, entree, and dessert options) for our guests, brought in the musical entertainment of our choice, and stayed mindful of our budget the whole way through. Chanaka never pushed anything on us or made any suggestions out of line - indeed, all of our goals were met and exceeded. He sat our large party just as we hoped (and, indeed, accommodate our sometimes changing seating chart with ease). His chefs offered a variety of options that we could pick and choose from. On the actual night of the dinner, we were treated to the beautiful main chandelier room and the city shined beautifully. As soon as our guests walked in the music provided the perfect atmosphere, the hors d'oeuvres were an immediate hit, and the stage was set for a wonderful evening. Chanaka and his team proved very flexible, accommodating, and a true treat to work with.
(5)
Kevin C.
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Celestial Steakhouse. At first, I was a little skeptical due to the small dining area and the high level of noise. I felt like I was ease dropping on the tables next to us. When a table next to the window was available, we asked to be moved. The waiter was very accommodating to this request. After the move, the experience was much better. The food was delicious and the view was impressive. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Just understand that it is not as intimate as a romantic restaurant should be in my opinion.
(4)
C M.
Went to The Celestial for our first anniversary and decided to shell out the big bucks for their Labor Day 4 course meal. The food was decent, with exception of the scallop appetizer which was very fishy and my husband's filet was medium instead of medium rare. Mine was perfect, but he was disappointed. As other Yelp reviewers have pointed out, this place is in serious need of a renovation. There was a bucket in the women's room collecting water that was dripping from the ceiling! The bar was a shambles... disorganized and messy with bottles of liquor in tubs on the floor! My husband and I were drinking wine and each time we reordered the wine was served in a different sized glass. Each glass got progressively smaller and we joked that the last one would be in a stemless juice glass. Maybe I am overly picky, but considering how expensive this place was I expected my Cabernet to be in an appropriate wine glass and not a beer or water glass. We were seated at a small table for two in the bar area did have a great view of downtown though for the first half of the meal, the setting sun was in my husband's eyes and he was very uncomfortable. The table was squeezed in to the bar area so he was unable to shift his seat over. The windows over looking downtown were very dirty, though this was on the outside so I understand daily cleaning probably isn't feasible. The aisle along the windows led to an outside door and there was constant annoying foot traffic. There was another event outside that The Celestial was serving. I was horrified to watch large banquet sized containers of food being wheeled through the restaurant and outside with No covers. I have never seen catered food not covered at least by cling wrap. The service was ok. The waiter was attentive. The bar did not have a beer menu and the waiter could not tell us what was available. Nothing was on tap. After about 30 min into out meal the waiter returned with a hand written list of a dozen or so beers that were available. I appreciated that he did this, though why aren't beverages printed on the menu? And what about cocktails? Doesn't every bar have a cocktail list? The beer list was decent, but they should have included some local craft beers. The parking situation was a disaster! They had to double park cars and block some people in. Folks were not at all happy when they returned to the lot and had to wait 30-45min to get their car. Granted it was extra crazy because of Riverfest. Overall I found the food to be just ok, the menu well overpriced, the decor in need of renovation (to fix things and not just update decor), and the ambiance just so so. This place could be so much more appealing with some small updates. Right now it caters to the wealthy older folks who live in the condos above the restaurant and not to the 20-30-40 somethings that could make this bar the hippest spot in town. I don't plan on returning.
(3)
Matt B.
Hit the Celestial last night for no particular reason. It has probably been about 10 years since I last visited. I was disappointed. This is not the place it once was and the decor needs some attention. Service was good, although I was served a warm beer. Had the New York Strip. It was purported to 14 oz but my guess is was less than 10. I would rather pay $10 more and get a Ruby's steak. It wasn't that good. Mashed sweet potato was bland. Finally, beer menu was limited. They didn't have any craft beers nor any beers brewed by local breweries. Really? With all the great local breweries we have they couldn't have a better selection of beer? Not one local beer available. Still- this has the best view in the City and if they can right the ship it should return to all its glory. Please do so before it goes out of business.
(2)
Ernie A.
I've always loved going to the Celestial, but it seems things have gone down a bit recently. The service was not up to the excellent standard I have had in the past. There was no Valet at the door, that I usually utilize (so we had to park across the street in crowded parking lot. It still is a great view and good food, but not the excellence I once raved about.
(4)
Matthew R.
Great view!! Great service!!! Average food. Got king crab corn chowder which was decent. I got a strip and my wife got a filet. Both ordered med-rare both came out upper end of med-well. So expect that at a chain Outback or Texas Roadhouse but not when you are shelling out $45 on a steak and the place has a reputation to uphold. Spare the view and go to Rubys! Never had a single problem there!!!
(2)
Leif H.
This place is great! First off, you can't beat the view. I would suggest going in the evening; you get to see the city all lit up. It is an awesome view. The service was a little slow, but we didn't mind because we were not in a hurry. We had the Celestial oscar and Kansas City strip, both with Yukon mashed potatoes and a side of their Mac and cheese. The steaks were cooked as ordered and were very tender. It is one of the better steaks I have had in Cincinnati. The thing that got both of our attention was the Mac and cheese. It was amazing. I could go as far as saying one of the best I have ever had, and I have had a lot. I think it was a mix of Gouda and cheddar. If you only get one thing off the menu, you must get this. Overall, it was a great experience.
(4)
Patrick C.
Was there for a wine tasting event. They did not have an employee working at all. I did not get there right at the start of the event but the staff did not restock the glasses or keep the samples poured. Most of the food was not there the food that was there was not even warm not even asking for hot. I expected more
(1)
Amy H.
My Husband and I went for our anniversary dinner tonight. The positives: The staff was friendly, presentation was beautiful and the view was nice. I had noted it was our anniversary in the on line reservation and the waiter acknowledged this and congratulated us when he came to the table. The cheesecake was creamy and put most Cheesecake Factory type cheesecakes restaurants serve to shame. The negatives: the raddichio and watercress salad was drowning in oily, over-spiced dressing and was otherwise boring. My steak, though tender, was overcooked and my husband's was grossly undercooked. When I asked if I could take some of my leftovers to go, the waiter brought me out a container and a plastic baggie with the words "thank you" all over it and left them there for me to deal with. That really rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sorry, if I am dressed up and paying premium prices for a meal, leftovers should be boxed in the kitchen. And what self respecting fine dining restaurant tosses a plastic bag with the words, "thank you" on the table. Do you want other people to think we ate at Long John Silvers? (talk to Carlos and Johnnys about proper to go bags please). Finally, at the end of our meal, our waiter asked if we wanted dessert, brought us a dessert menu and our dessert only to immediately turn around and congratulate the table next to us on their anniversary and bring them a complimentary dessert. The table next to them had also received a complimentary birthday dessert not long before that. We certainly did not go to the restaurant for free dessert but our waiter had let us know that he knew it was our anniversary too when we sat down. So since two other tables were given free desserts in our face, we were left wondering why we didn't make the cut. It was bizarre. I guess you have to pay compliments to the chef to get the free dessert. That is fine but playing favorites that way is unprofessional and rude.
(2)
Anna S.
I hate that I have to give this restaurant any stars. We had a group of 7 go to TCS for my birthday this month. The private room that we had had a beautiful view, and that's the only good thing about the place. 1. The server was horrible. He kept going MIA. He didn't once refill anyone's water in the 3+ hours that we were there. He poured wine for everyone except the host who ordered the bottle. And then he had the audacity to add a 20% gratuity because an 8th friend unexpectedly showed up from another dinner party and ordered a pear salad. Seriously, a salad. 2. The seat cushions--or lack thereof. The restaurant staff can get off it's indefensible snooty high horse when it can't even provide chairs that aren't unbearably threadbare to the point that one party member said that he felt like his tailbone had been broken from sitting in a chair. The restaurant manager failed to provide any additional seating that would be more adequate. 3. The so-called seafood bisque lacked any seafood. It was instead a lukewarm puddle of orangey raw flour, milk, and butter concoction. I failed to even accidentally stumble on a piece of shrimp or lobster. 4. The steaks were served so salty that one of the girls cut the top of her steak off to alleviate the issue. This is a damn steakhouse that prides itself on serving the highest-quality beef. No steak--no matter what quality--should be salted into something so indistinguishable. The steaks tasted something akin to charred beef jerky. 5. And again did I mention the server had the absolute audacity to charge a 20% gratuity?! On the upside the friend that ordered the pear salad said it was nice. So at least TCS can make fruit salad. This is a legitimate review and I'm a real flesh-and-blood Cincinnati resident.
(1)
Chris C.
The view was great, but since I was mostly looking across the table at my friends and not looking to my side, I really didn't see the view much. I was in a large group, and we had made a reservation weeks before. We had a really good young waiter who did a great job of refilling drinks, etc. The food was just OK, and very pricey for the amount of food on the plates. For a fine dining restaurant, the food was plated very basically - not very attractively. We were there on a Tuesday night for dinner - maybe the real chefs night off? My dining companions and I felt that we didn't get much for the large amount of money we spent on food - we won't be coming back.
(2)
Dan T.
I loved the Celestial. The food was great, the service was outstanding, and the view is unparalleled in the city. Do yourself a favor, and check when the sun sets, and make a reservation for 30 minutes before. My initial impression of the Celestial was the older theme of the place. It is not updated in the least bit, but then again, why should it be? Cincinnati has a growing number of hip new restaurants, so I respect the age of this one, Like a grandfather who, while aging significantly, still can keep up at the gym. The service was great, our server was friendly and knowledgeable, but stayed out of our hair for the most part. The menu is diversified and thorough, but certainly not lacking. Even better, my steak was cooked to perfection. I really cannot say anything but positives about my experience at the celestial, my only reasoning for not giving it a 5th star is simply because i dont think of it and say "WOW I am dying to go back"
(4)
William D R.
Two steaks at our table were tough and inedible. Won't be back for sure! I learned the next day that a temporary bridge came out with some of the grizzly Cowboy Steak that I couldn't even chew. I think I threw into my wife's Mussel bowl that came out cold. Not much else to say.
(1)
Joseph C.
Extremely disappointing and over rated. The shrimp cocktail appetizer was chewy and somewhat lukewarm instead of chilled and it came with a little less than a teaspoon of cocktail sauce. Some tables around us were offered bread, some were not, including us. The deserts took about twenty minutes to come to the table, but we were only offered coffee when the empty dessert plates were removed. The check took another twenty minutes to arrive and gratuity was included. What a waste of a nice view and a pretty restaurant.
Let me start by saying, if you haven't been here, didn't know it existed, or are partial to other steakhouses -- you need to come try it out at least once! The Celestial Steakhouse is located in Mt. Adams and in my opinion has the best dining view in the entire city. When you walk in you will notice the decor is stuck in the 1980's. The restaurant is in serious need of updating, but in the same sense I kind of appreciate it's charm. My first experience here was a late night one. We ventured over not knowing what to expect. My group indulged in some old school cocktails like martini's and old fashioned's while listening to some live jazz. Advice: this is a GREAT after dinner drinks spot. You will totally impress your date with the view and live music! My second experience was one in which I found myself in dire need of a good meal and some peace and quite. Living in OTR can get a little crazy from time to time, so I ventured up the hill in search of solace. I ended up here and boy am I glad I did! I brought my computer because I needed to get some work done, and they had no problem with it at all. The place was empty on Tuesday, but it was great and just what I needed. I sat at a window table and watched the sun go down over our beloved city. One of the most breathtaking sunsets I have ever seen. I ordered up the crab and shrimp appetizer. ($10) What I was originally thinking would be lumps of crab, was actually a soggy crab salad of some sort. Not of fan, but the shrimp was dressed in a lemon aioli and it was fantastic. Moving on I ordered the Ribeye $33 and it came with a side of Yukon gold mashed potatoes. There are plenty of add ons just like any other steak joint if that is your thing. The steak came out glistening and my eyes just popped! I guess from reading all of these reviews my expectations were fairly low. What a got was a fresh 16oz Ribeye that was cooked to perfection. The steak had a DELICIOUS crust on it. The seasoning was mouthwatering, and with every bite I took I sopped up the delicious juice that drained out because it was full of flavor! The potatoes were what you would expect. But overall, the steak was fantastic, worth the price, and I would have no problem ordering it again. And I have to give a shout-out to Patrick -- at one point we were all alone in the restaurant and he was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and his time there. I appreciated learning a little bit more about the place. Fantastic service, a damn good steak, and a breathtaking view = 5 stars. My only reason for leaving off the last star is the outdated atmosphere. Keep the charm, just replace some of the worn out furniture/fixtures and this place would be golden!
(4)
Tim E.
Very enjoyable experience from the view, to the waiter, to the great sea bass. Small selection of craft beer in the bottle - no draft. Others in my party ordered steaks - said the bone in ribeye was a little chewy, but flavorful. Opt for the filet. The atmosphere is a little stuffy and quiet, but if you're lucky enough to get a semi private room, it's up to you to liven it up! You just can't beat the view in Cincy.
(3)
Doug F.
The highlight of the meal is the gem of a view. With a table by window, you are rewarded with an unobstructed view of Cincinnati. I can imagine spending an evening here with a fireworks display happening over the river would be a spectacle. There is a classic charm to the place, if not tip-toeing on the edge of outdated. The layout of the restaurant, set on tiers provides privacy for the tables, though makes the space feel a little closed in. Though, I confess that once the sun, which was shining right at me, had set, I spent more time looking outside than in the restaurant. Service seems to follow the theme of privacy. Waiters checked on drinks and meal in an appropriate manner, but leaves the table alone most of the time. Though, it is very noticeable when they approach due to the aforementioned small setup of the dining area. The menu is basic, which I usually think is a good thing. Except in this case it also felt very plain, which made it tough to pick out what the restaurant is most proud of. It almost seems as though they were content being another steakhouse. My dinner included sampling the Caesar Salad, Mussels (Appetizer) and Sea Bass. The bass was cooked very well. The bass was seared with a light crust while the top flesh retained its plump flaky quality. One could tell that it was plated last from the temperature. Unfortunately, it made the rest of the dish seem very cold by comparison. While the fish was done perfectly, the bulgur wheat and asparagus felt like it had time to rest. The amount of starch also seemed poorly proportioned compared to the amount of fish on the plate. The puree at the bottom of the plate cleansed the palate, but I would have wanted something slightly more savory to eat with the wheat. Perhaps a little basil, or a little more salt and pepper would've improved the dish. The Mussels were cooked in a white wine broth. I think adding Saffron imparted good flavor into the sauce. I think the dish worked, though again, arrived colder than I would've liked. I did not try the steak, but the friend whom I was with did and said it was delicious, so I will take his word for it. I think this is a restaurant that I would return to for the view. My rating of 3 stars is because I did not think this restaurant stood out otherwise.
(3)
Magda C.
Mixed feelings. Kind of old school elegant, makes a posh impression at a first glance. At a second glance, cracks in the leather on chairs, spots on cutlery and kind of heavy stiff atmosphere made me feel uneasy. The shine of the place is long gone. The service was nice, but the food was not worth the price. We had steak with greens and salmon with mash. It was ok, but nothing extraordinary. Also, no presentation on the plate, the dishes looked so trivial. We shared creme brulee at the end and it was proper, but taken straight from the fridge. So annoying, such a custard begs for room temp. For the 100 buck bill, I was disappointed and will not be coming back. The view is nice, but there are other places with the view in the area.
(3)
Jason P.
Nice view but food has really gone downhill. Very overpriced and nothing really special or different about the plates. I really hope management fixes this place because it has such potential. Won't be returning, especially with so many new places in Cincinnati.
(1)
Keith R.
Very disappointed in my experience and I wish I had heeded the advice given on here by other reviewers. I have been to a number of steak houses in and around Cincinnati and the celestial ranks dead last. The view alone, which is very nice, is the only thing about this place that puts it ahead of your outbacks etc. The service was terrible and the food was forgettable. If you are looking for an elite dining experience this place is not it. You are much better off visiting Jeff Ruby's or the precinct.
(2)
Stephen G.
Disclaimer:- The Celestial was the venue for a recent retirement party we attended, but we only encountered the Incline bar, which is what this short review is based on... If you have a desire to surround yourself in what looks like Mid-80's decor and have a penchant for swanning theatrically up and down curved steps and/or sitting at a circular bar that makes you feel you're in a classic MTV video with Duran Duran, then The Celestial will knock your patterned cashmere socks off! If, like cheapskate l'il me, you baulk at the notion of $20 for a pair of simple drinks (akin to highway robbery without the mask), regardless of the stupendous views you have across downtown Cincinnati, then you'll stay away. It's that simple.
(3)
Michelle B.
Let me first say what was good about the celestial. The view is amazing and the warm bread they brought with the meal was delicious.Ok, that's all that was good. The host was completely condescending and rude. My brother in law made reservation here for a large group to celebrate a graduation. We were all well dressed but had two toddlers with us. After being treated like dirt by the host we were treated only midly better by the server. The food was super expensive and just okay on flavor, I could cook something better at home. I was not impressed.
(2)
Tim L.
The venue was very classy, and the view was great. First class venue and first class prices should result in first class food and service. This wasn't the case, and I was disappointed.
(3)
Will M.
The first time I came here the experience was superb. My parents were in town and they're even harder to please than I am. Fortunately they were ecstatic, and spent the next 8 months asking me if I had gone back. The steaks were great, the sides were great, the salad was great and the service was great. What wasn't entirely great was the decor. It's got class, but seems like it was class in the early 1980s and hasn't been updated much since. In fairness, part of their carpet had come up and been removed, likely earlier that day, which really made it look a bit dingy. The view was fantastic. I went back months later and discovered, to my surprise, there was an entirely separate room! I missed that the first time. With an upstairs! Both looked impressive. Less impressive that second time was my filet. It was cooked perfectly, but extremely dry. It was properly pinkish purple, but very little juice was running out of it. That cost it two stars. It was a 3 star meal as such, but the entire rating is based off of that enormous flaw. I'll be back. Two trips, two different experiences. It deserves a third shot, and I'll update this review. Dry steak, lower rating. Good steak, higher rating. Cincinnati isn't lacking in high quality steaks, though, so there's a lot of competition.
(3)
Laura R.
Overrated & outdated. I'll take my business to Jeff Ruby instead. The only good thing about this place was the view and I expect that is the only thing keeping them in business. Well except for the snobby, older "upper class" generation that still sees this place in it's former glory.
(2)
Mark F.
Can be awesome can be spotty. Views never disappoint. You come for the ambience and hope the meal will match. Service is mixed but I always have fun. I used to bartend here so it has a special place in my heart bottom line it's worth the risk.
(3)
Heather Y.
I love going here when they have live jazz. The view is stunning, the atmosphere inside is refined but cozy and the steaks are great. A real Cincinnati classic gem.
Very enjoyable experience from the view, to the waiter, to the great sea bass. Small selection of craft beer in the bottle - no draft. Others in my party ordered steaks - said the bone in ribeye was a little chewy, but flavorful. Opt for the filet. The atmosphere is a little stuffy and quiet, but if you're lucky enough to get a semi private room, it's up to you to liven it up! You just can't beat the view in Cincy.
(3)
Kevin C.
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Celestial Steakhouse. At first, I was a little skeptical due to the small dining area and the high level of noise. I felt like I was ease dropping on the tables next to us. When a table next to the window was available, we asked to be moved. The waiter was very accommodating to this request. After the move, the experience was much better. The food was delicious and the view was impressive. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Just understand that it is not as intimate as a romantic restaurant should be in my opinion.
(4)
Christy R.
Ruined our Christmas Eve Honestly it hurts my fingers to even give this establishment even 1 star. The Lightning was horrible and when we asked if they could dim the lights slightly the whole restaurant applauded. The food came out cold. The muscles and the stakes are almost inedible. The Brussels spouts were soggy. They completely forgot to bring out one of the martinis (it never came) When the bill came our waiter couldn't even bring out the manager to speak to us - when the manager finally came out he denied there was any problem at all with anything with our food and that he could have pushed us out of there faster but thought we would enjoy the time there with the service being so slow. So basically he denied anything was a problem at all. Our bill was close to $400 with tip. The problem is with the management . The manager should be fired immediately. I highly recommend NOT dining at the Celestial Steakhouse. I travel all over the world and have literally never had such a terrible experience.
(1)
Cindy G.
Let me start by saying, if you haven't been here, didn't know it existed, or are partial to other steakhouses -- you need to come try it out at least once! The Celestial Steakhouse is located in Mt. Adams and in my opinion has the best dining view in the entire city. When you walk in you will notice the decor is stuck in the 1980's. The restaurant is in serious need of updating, but in the same sense I kind of appreciate it's charm. My first experience here was a late night one. We ventured over not knowing what to expect. My group indulged in some old school cocktails like martini's and old fashioned's while listening to some live jazz. Advice: this is a GREAT after dinner drinks spot. You will totally impress your date with the view and live music! My second experience was one in which I found myself in dire need of a good meal and some peace and quite. Living in OTR can get a little crazy from time to time, so I ventured up the hill in search of solace. I ended up here and boy am I glad I did! I brought my computer because I needed to get some work done, and they had no problem with it at all. The place was empty on Tuesday, but it was great and just what I needed. I sat at a window table and watched the sun go down over our beloved city. One of the most breathtaking sunsets I have ever seen. I ordered up the crab and shrimp appetizer. ($10) What I was originally thinking would be lumps of crab, was actually a soggy crab salad of some sort. Not of fan, but the shrimp was dressed in a lemon aioli and it was fantastic. Moving on I ordered the Ribeye $33 and it came with a side of Yukon gold mashed potatoes. There are plenty of add ons just like any other steak joint if that is your thing. The steak came out glistening and my eyes just popped! I guess from reading all of these reviews my expectations were fairly low. What a got was a fresh 16oz Ribeye that was cooked to perfection. The steak had a DELICIOUS crust on it. The seasoning was mouthwatering, and with every bite I took I sopped up the delicious juice that drained out because it was full of flavor! The potatoes were what you would expect. But overall, the steak was fantastic, worth the price, and I would have no problem ordering it again. And I have to give a shout-out to Patrick -- at one point we were all alone in the restaurant and he was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and his time there. I appreciated learning a little bit more about the place. Fantastic service, a damn good steak, and a breathtaking view = 5 stars. My only reason for leaving off the last star is the outdated atmosphere. Keep the charm, just replace some of the worn out furniture/fixtures and this place would be golden!
(4)
Andrew B.
Whether you have money or not, if you look like you're in your twenties, do not come here. Came here with my girlfriend for my birthday. We are extremely generous patrons and always reward good service with a good tip at the end. However, our waiter treated us as though he expected nothing, like we were pesky college students. The food was great, as was the view, but our waiter was an ass. Screw this pretentious place. Better steaks can be found.
(1)
Doug F.
The highlight of the meal is the gem of a view. With a table by window, you are rewarded with an unobstructed view of Cincinnati. I can imagine spending an evening here with a fireworks display happening over the river would be a spectacle. There is a classic charm to the place, if not tip-toeing on the edge of outdated. The layout of the restaurant, set on tiers provides privacy for the tables, though makes the space feel a little closed in. Though, I confess that once the sun, which was shining right at me, had set, I spent more time looking outside than in the restaurant. Service seems to follow the theme of privacy. Waiters checked on drinks and meal in an appropriate manner, but leaves the table alone most of the time. Though, it is very noticeable when they approach due to the aforementioned small setup of the dining area. The menu is basic, which I usually think is a good thing. Except in this case it also felt very plain, which made it tough to pick out what the restaurant is most proud of. It almost seems as though they were content being another steakhouse. My dinner included sampling the Caesar Salad, Mussels (Appetizer) and Sea Bass. The bass was cooked very well. The bass was seared with a light crust while the top flesh retained its plump flaky quality. One could tell that it was plated last from the temperature. Unfortunately, it made the rest of the dish seem very cold by comparison. While the fish was done perfectly, the bulgur wheat and asparagus felt like it had time to rest. The amount of starch also seemed poorly proportioned compared to the amount of fish on the plate. The puree at the bottom of the plate cleansed the palate, but I would have wanted something slightly more savory to eat with the wheat. Perhaps a little basil, or a little more salt and pepper would've improved the dish. The Mussels were cooked in a white wine broth. I think adding Saffron imparted good flavor into the sauce. I think the dish worked, though again, arrived colder than I would've liked. I did not try the steak, but the friend whom I was with did and said it was delicious, so I will take his word for it. I think this is a restaurant that I would return to for the view. My rating of 3 stars is because I did not think this restaurant stood out otherwise.
(3)
Magda C.
Mixed feelings. Kind of old school elegant, makes a posh impression at a first glance. At a second glance, cracks in the leather on chairs, spots on cutlery and kind of heavy stiff atmosphere made me feel uneasy. The shine of the place is long gone. The service was nice, but the food was not worth the price. We had steak with greens and salmon with mash. It was ok, but nothing extraordinary. Also, no presentation on the plate, the dishes looked so trivial. We shared creme brulee at the end and it was proper, but taken straight from the fridge. So annoying, such a custard begs for room temp. For the 100 buck bill, I was disappointed and will not be coming back. The view is nice, but there are other places with the view in the area.
(3)
Desiree B.
If you want the best filet mignon in Cincinnati, this is the place that I'd recommend over any other. My husband and I try to go on our anniversary every year. Everything from the crab cakes to the dessert is always good. One year, we ended up at the upper level with live jazz coming from downstairs and it was the most romantic dinner ever. We have the same server every time, who is great. My only complaint is he always brings dessert without asking if we want it and charges us for it, which is really awkward. Last year I even told him I had a cheesecake waiting at home that I made and he still brought out the dessert "to-go" when we also said we were too full. We were charged $14 for dessert we didn't wa t or ask for. Awkward.
(4)
Sanjay P.
So I had taken my wife (then gf) to Celestial sometime ago and we had a really good time back then. The service was great and so also the food. She was sentimental about it and wanted to go back on our first wedding anniversary. She made the reservations and informed them about our anniversary. Despite this, not only was there no comment/acknowledgment of this, the service actually stank! The guy forgot about us, despite the fact that it was Monday night and very empty. I had to go and get him - after which he apologized and it improved but the damage was done, the mood killed. He also seemed to have an attitude throughout. About the food - the soup was actually good, we enjoyed our soups. The breads were good too but very limited. My wife ordered fish and I got the steak and we both felt .."it was OK at best"... will not go back there again.
(2)
Tom F.
One of the worst experiences at an upscale steakhouse that I have ever had. I ordered my steak mid rare and it came out well done. I showed it to our waiter Matt and he said all steaks are cooked that way to accommodate flavor. Flavor? This steak had NO flavor. Very tough and flavorless. Matt acted like I was crazy stating it was over cooked and like I had never been to a nice place before. Very condescending. I am a physician and have traveled around the world and eaten at the best steakhouses in the world. I was at Peter Lugers and Keens in New York last week and at the SW two weeks ago. This place is a joke and should not be considered a 4, let alone 3 Diamond restaurant. I've had better steaks slumming at Outback. Don't waste your time or money here. Poor food and worse service. Especially from Matt.
(1)
Jesse F.
As with many reviews, I agree with several points: -Tremendous steaks -Excellent if not overpriced scallops (3 for $16?!) -Unfathomably slow service -Slow service gave more time to soak in terrific view ....Added bonus! Fire Alarm wailed for 30 minutes during dinner and not a single apology let alone offer to do something extra for the annoyance. This restaurant is the single most bi-polar place I've ever been to. It is impossible to decide if it is worth it or not, as the Pros are so incredible, and the Cons equally mind-blowing. You WILL love the steak though. Good luck!
(3)
Leif H.
This place is great! First off, you can't beat the view. I would suggest going in the evening; you get to see the city all lit up. It is an awesome view. The service was a little slow, but we didn't mind because we were not in a hurry. We had the Celestial oscar and Kansas City strip, both with Yukon mashed potatoes and a side of their Mac and cheese. The steaks were cooked as ordered and were very tender. It is one of the better steaks I have had in Cincinnati. The thing that got both of our attention was the Mac and cheese. It was amazing. I could go as far as saying one of the best I have ever had, and I have had a lot. I think it was a mix of Gouda and cheddar. If you only get one thing off the menu, you must get this. Overall, it was a great experience.
(4)
Patrick C.
Was there for a wine tasting event. They did not have an employee working at all. I did not get there right at the start of the event but the staff did not restock the glasses or keep the samples poured. Most of the food was not there the food that was there was not even warm not even asking for hot. I expected more
(1)
Tracy S.
My husband and I went here a few years ago. It was great service with a beautiful view of the city. It was a great time. All seats have a great view of the city.
I went here for the first time with my family on Christmas Eve for a "nice family dinner", and the result made we question whether the manager on duty has any experience in hospitality what so ever. The food was brought out late and was also cold. Maybe they were understaffed, due to the holiday, which I understand, but when we asked for the manager to come over to discuss our concerns and give feedback, and he literally argued and discredited our complaints. Hospitality 101 teaches that the customer is always right. The manager's response was extremely condescending, and pompous, which from other review it seems we are not the only ones receiving this type of disrespectful service. The waiter wasn't bad, but the manager really should be fired for his lack of basic knowledge (I hope the owner reads this). For the price, and experience, I will not be back.
(1)
Amanda H.
I've always wanted to try out The Celestial. Its a four star, four diamond award winner after all; so when livingsocial posted a half off deal I about knocked over my daughter to get to the computer and buy it. This place has the perfect location and great potential to be amazing. However my experience was downright tragic. I went by myself on a Monday night so it wasn't very busy at all. The gentleman that sat me was going to sit me in the main dinning room until I said no one would be joining me, then he send me to the room in the far back. I dont know if he was being nice or not. I think nice, so I could get a table with a view, but then he sat me at the only dirty table in the restaurant. There were about a hundred empty tables so I'm not sure why he put me at the dirty one with the check and glasses still on it. The bartender came and cleaned it, but it was just odd. And why put me away from the rest of the patrons in a back room. First impression, the view is wonderful! However the windows are so dirty it takes away from it majorly. The decor was very old. Its in need a massive remodel. Its grand, but so outdated. In the 80′s it would have been lovely, now its just too worn. Even the chairs have lost all of their cushioning and it just sinks down. And the windows are sooo dirty! Now onto the negative. I started out my meal with the crab cake. The corn salsa was atrocious. I took one bite and the acid and red onions overpowered my taste buds and I couldn't taste anything but onions for the rest of the cake. I wish I would have eaten the cake first so I could have at least been able to comment on it. Then I went on to my entree. I ordered the NY Strip, whipped sweet potato mash, and a side of caramelized broccoli. FAIL on so many levels. The mash was bland and didn't taste appetizing at all. I tried to douse it in salt, pepper, and butter left over from my bread to no avail. The caramelized broccoli wasn't caramelized. It was actually cold to the touch. Like it had been taken out of the fridge, heated mildly in a pan, and tossed in RED ONION again! There wasn't a hint of cookery on this, let alone the start of caramelization. And the piece de resistance my strip steak. I asked for so medium rare it was bloody, and I got a solid medium, almost mid well. The sear was good, but it was overcooked. I would have sent it back if I could have found the bartender. Finally he came, and asked if I was ready for my check. (I'm taking it he was cut and wanted to hightail it out of there.) I put my steak in the box, left the WHOLE meal on the table and left. I was still hungry so I went to Eden Park and finished my steak. (Then went home and at cereal- yes cereal after a fancy steak diner. That should tell you something.) The damage $62. Had I paid full price I would have raised Cain, luckily I spend $25 on the $50 gift card and only owed $12 extra. That mean still wasn't worth $37 as I've had way better steak dinners at any local chain. I recommend you skip this place. Its more for your grandparents. Head over to any Rubys restaurant, Cooperhawk, or Jimmy G's instead.
(1)
Aaron R.
The server was pretentious and a bit rude. The food was ok but definitely not worth the price and the crowd is much older than I expected. Go to raffertys and get a much better steak for half the price.
(2)
C M.
Went to The Celestial for our first anniversary and decided to shell out the big bucks for their Labor Day 4 course meal. The food was decent, with exception of the scallop appetizer which was very fishy and my husband's filet was medium instead of medium rare. Mine was perfect, but he was disappointed. As other Yelp reviewers have pointed out, this place is in serious need of a renovation. There was a bucket in the women's room collecting water that was dripping from the ceiling! The bar was a shambles... disorganized and messy with bottles of liquor in tubs on the floor! My husband and I were drinking wine and each time we reordered the wine was served in a different sized glass. Each glass got progressively smaller and we joked that the last one would be in a stemless juice glass. Maybe I am overly picky, but considering how expensive this place was I expected my Cabernet to be in an appropriate wine glass and not a beer or water glass. We were seated at a small table for two in the bar area did have a great view of downtown though for the first half of the meal, the setting sun was in my husband's eyes and he was very uncomfortable. The table was squeezed in to the bar area so he was unable to shift his seat over. The windows over looking downtown were very dirty, though this was on the outside so I understand daily cleaning probably isn't feasible. The aisle along the windows led to an outside door and there was constant annoying foot traffic. There was another event outside that The Celestial was serving. I was horrified to watch large banquet sized containers of food being wheeled through the restaurant and outside with No covers. I have never seen catered food not covered at least by cling wrap. The service was ok. The waiter was attentive. The bar did not have a beer menu and the waiter could not tell us what was available. Nothing was on tap. After about 30 min into out meal the waiter returned with a hand written list of a dozen or so beers that were available. I appreciated that he did this, though why aren't beverages printed on the menu? And what about cocktails? Doesn't every bar have a cocktail list? The beer list was decent, but they should have included some local craft beers. The parking situation was a disaster! They had to double park cars and block some people in. Folks were not at all happy when they returned to the lot and had to wait 30-45min to get their car. Granted it was extra crazy because of Riverfest. Overall I found the food to be just ok, the menu well overpriced, the decor in need of renovation (to fix things and not just update decor), and the ambiance just so so. This place could be so much more appealing with some small updates. Right now it caters to the wealthy older folks who live in the condos above the restaurant and not to the 20-30-40 somethings that could make this bar the hippest spot in town. I don't plan on returning.
(3)
Kim W.
This place is a hidden gem. We had never heard of it before making the reservation on Open Table but it turned out to be a superb night out. We found a lovely view of the city, excellent and attentive service, large fresh oysters, and delicious steaks and cocktails. It was a splurgy night, but everything I want when I'm prepared to spend that kind of money. I used to associate Mt Adams with being a sleazy college scene but this restaurant gives fresh perspective to this part of town. Would definitely consider coming back to celebrate a special occasion or for a lovely night out.
(5)
Chelsea C.
Hubby and I have been celebrating our anniversary here for several years, and sad to say, each year the experience is less and less memorable. It used to feel like this very special occasion- get dressed up, have impeccable white glove service by waiters who had been working there for 15 years, amazing food. But the past several years it has been lacking in all areas. 2012 we had a horrendous experience with a server who not once checked on us after we got our food (the incorrect order, to boot), a rude bartender who actually pulled out his cell phone to show me that the way he made my drink was the right way when I asked for it a different way, and mediocre food. We had such a bad time that the Maitre'd (who now works at Ruby's) actually ran after us in the parking lot to give us a gift certificate- which brings us to 2013... It was overall a pretty good experience this time around. We were seated at a great table, and had very good service. The food was also pretty good, we had the bone-in ribeye which was outstanding, but the brussel sprout casserole was nothing but gloppy cheese and a couple of wayyy overcooked brussel sprouts... not good at all. We also ordered the tomato and mozzarella "tower" which was more like a "short stack"- for $9 we certainly expected more than what we received. The Celestial seems to be resting on its laurels a bit these days. The crowd is older, the atmosphere is stuffy and they need a serious decorating overhaul. With the way the Cincinnati restaurant scene is blossoming, they are going to need to step up their game to keep themselves relevant. Unfortunately until that happens we will be celebrating elsewhere next year.
(3)
Chris C.
The view was great, but since I was mostly looking across the table at my friends and not looking to my side, I really didn't see the view much. I was in a large group, and we had made a reservation weeks before. We had a really good young waiter who did a great job of refilling drinks, etc. The food was just OK, and very pricey for the amount of food on the plates. For a fine dining restaurant, the food was plated very basically - not very attractively. We were there on a Tuesday night for dinner - maybe the real chefs night off? My dining companions and I felt that we didn't get much for the large amount of money we spent on food - we won't be coming back.
(2)
Jason B.
Jeff Ruby lite. Uninspired brussels sprouts, baked potatoes, $25 shrimp cocktails, and over-seasoned steaks. Not over-priced compared to the direct competition. A fine dinner if someone else is paying the bill. The views are beautiful. Your grandma will love it.
(2)
Marlana K.
I made plans far in advance to bring out of town friends to the Celestial for the WEBN fireworks special. We had a party of 8 ranging in age from mid twenties to early 60's. I confirmed our reservations for eight 3 days prior to the event and received our confirmation letter and parking passes ( a huge benefit for fireworks night ). Even so, the table was set up for 6 and we waited 1/2 hour for the staff to locate chairs. The place was full, the first time I've ever seen that, but only to be expected. We were seated by 7. Our server was charming if not available, and service was beyond slow. Our entrees arrived just as the show went on shortly after 9. The fireworks are choreographed to the music-no music. Most of the party left their untouched steaks on the table to go outside where they could hear the music. Of course, that's when our waiter decided to clear the table. Thanks to the insistence of our friend remaining at the table, our dinners were retained. I spoke with the manager about the lack of music, as did the party next to us. The manager says that the sound system wasn't working (wouldn't you check this in advance?) and did not make an attempt to even appear concerned/sorry. The special event fixed price menu was $129 each, plus drinks. Our bill was over $1,600. That's a lot to me and would seem to demand a little courtesy. In the end, the food was quite good, the view is spectacular, parking is a plus. Follow up on your part is essential to make this a great evening.
(3)
B B.
We were so disappointed by our experience. Having been there before we were really excited to go back and celebrate our one-year anniversary. We ordered a bottle of wine, where the server didn't even know anything about the wine list when asked about the region in which the wine was from. We waited a half an hour before we had to ask for our menus. We then asked if they had a vegetarian option in which we saw on their website to be told that was from four menus ago-update your website! Then we had told them ahead of time it was our anniversary only to not have it recognized during the dessert while everyone else around us had received a happy anniversary. My steak was over salted, good, but I think they dipped the thing in salt. It was overall just disappointing.
(2)
Simon S.
My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner at The Celestial Steakhouse and offer our highest compliments to Chanaka and his staff. Our wedding was out in Blue Ash so my parents, wife, and I searched all throughout Cincinnati for a venue that could showcase the city, provide a wonderful and cozy atmosphere for our 90 guests, offer a delicious dinner, and do this all within a reasonable budget. The Celestial delivered on all counts! From the start we were wowed by Chanaka's willingness to work with us for all of our needs. He and his staff customized the perfect menu (with many hors d'oeurve, entree, and dessert options) for our guests, brought in the musical entertainment of our choice, and stayed mindful of our budget the whole way through. Chanaka never pushed anything on us or made any suggestions out of line - indeed, all of our goals were met and exceeded. He sat our large party just as we hoped (and, indeed, accommodate our sometimes changing seating chart with ease). His chefs offered a variety of options that we could pick and choose from. On the actual night of the dinner, we were treated to the beautiful main chandelier room and the city shined beautifully. As soon as our guests walked in the music provided the perfect atmosphere, the hors d'oeuvres were an immediate hit, and the stage was set for a wonderful evening. Chanaka and his team proved very flexible, accommodating, and a true treat to work with.
I love going to The Celestial after a night on the town on a Friday or Saturday night. The view is absolutely stunning! Yes, it is typically an older crowd but it is so sweet watching the older couples dance to the loving songs of their "good ol' days" (Frank Sinatra, etc). Their drink selection is extensive. The Celestial is perfect if you are hoping for a romantic evening with your sweetie... drinks, music, dancing and an amazing view.
(5)
Jenny H.
Great view of Cincinnati as you can tell from the pics. Service was great. Food was very good - we got filet mignon and duck breast. The filet was very tender, quality piece of meat, I asked for medium rare and it was more on the rare side but that was fine because it was such a good piece of meat, but too seasoned for my tastes. The duck breast my husband thought was very good, and I had a taste of it, I thought it was fantastic. The prices aren't too crazy, like I had thought. For an entree about $25-40. The 8 oz filet was something like $32. No dress code either as far as I could tell, we wore jeans.
(4)
Amy H.
My Husband and I went for our anniversary dinner tonight. The positives: The staff was friendly, presentation was beautiful and the view was nice. I had noted it was our anniversary in the on line reservation and the waiter acknowledged this and congratulated us when he came to the table. The cheesecake was creamy and put most Cheesecake Factory type cheesecakes restaurants serve to shame. The negatives: the raddichio and watercress salad was drowning in oily, over-spiced dressing and was otherwise boring. My steak, though tender, was overcooked and my husband's was grossly undercooked. When I asked if I could take some of my leftovers to go, the waiter brought me out a container and a plastic baggie with the words "thank you" all over it and left them there for me to deal with. That really rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sorry, if I am dressed up and paying premium prices for a meal, leftovers should be boxed in the kitchen. And what self respecting fine dining restaurant tosses a plastic bag with the words, "thank you" on the table. Do you want other people to think we ate at Long John Silvers? (talk to Carlos and Johnnys about proper to go bags please). Finally, at the end of our meal, our waiter asked if we wanted dessert, brought us a dessert menu and our dessert only to immediately turn around and congratulate the table next to us on their anniversary and bring them a complimentary dessert. The table next to them had also received a complimentary birthday dessert not long before that. We certainly did not go to the restaurant for free dessert but our waiter had let us know that he knew it was our anniversary too when we sat down. So since two other tables were given free desserts in our face, we were left wondering why we didn't make the cut. It was bizarre. I guess you have to pay compliments to the chef to get the free dessert. That is fine but playing favorites that way is unprofessional and rude.
(2)
Anna S.
I hate that I have to give this restaurant any stars. We had a group of 7 go to TCS for my birthday this month. The private room that we had had a beautiful view, and that's the only good thing about the place. 1. The server was horrible. He kept going MIA. He didn't once refill anyone's water in the 3+ hours that we were there. He poured wine for everyone except the host who ordered the bottle. And then he had the audacity to add a 20% gratuity because an 8th friend unexpectedly showed up from another dinner party and ordered a pear salad. Seriously, a salad. 2. The seat cushions--or lack thereof. The restaurant staff can get off it's indefensible snooty high horse when it can't even provide chairs that aren't unbearably threadbare to the point that one party member said that he felt like his tailbone had been broken from sitting in a chair. The restaurant manager failed to provide any additional seating that would be more adequate. 3. The so-called seafood bisque lacked any seafood. It was instead a lukewarm puddle of orangey raw flour, milk, and butter concoction. I failed to even accidentally stumble on a piece of shrimp or lobster. 4. The steaks were served so salty that one of the girls cut the top of her steak off to alleviate the issue. This is a damn steakhouse that prides itself on serving the highest-quality beef. No steak--no matter what quality--should be salted into something so indistinguishable. The steaks tasted something akin to charred beef jerky. 5. And again did I mention the server had the absolute audacity to charge a 20% gratuity?! On the upside the friend that ordered the pear salad said it was nice. So at least TCS can make fruit salad. This is a legitimate review and I'm a real flesh-and-blood Cincinnati resident.
(1)
Dan T.
I loved the Celestial. The food was great, the service was outstanding, and the view is unparalleled in the city. Do yourself a favor, and check when the sun sets, and make a reservation for 30 minutes before. My initial impression of the Celestial was the older theme of the place. It is not updated in the least bit, but then again, why should it be? Cincinnati has a growing number of hip new restaurants, so I respect the age of this one, Like a grandfather who, while aging significantly, still can keep up at the gym. The service was great, our server was friendly and knowledgeable, but stayed out of our hair for the most part. The menu is diversified and thorough, but certainly not lacking. Even better, my steak was cooked to perfection. I really cannot say anything but positives about my experience at the celestial, my only reasoning for not giving it a 5th star is simply because i dont think of it and say "WOW I am dying to go back"
(4)
William D R.
Two steaks at our table were tough and inedible. Won't be back for sure! I learned the next day that a temporary bridge came out with some of the grizzly Cowboy Steak that I couldn't even chew. I think I threw into my wife's Mussel bowl that came out cold. Not much else to say.
(1)
Matt B.
Hit the Celestial last night for no particular reason. It has probably been about 10 years since I last visited. I was disappointed. This is not the place it once was and the decor needs some attention. Service was good, although I was served a warm beer. Had the New York Strip. It was purported to 14 oz but my guess is was less than 10. I would rather pay $10 more and get a Ruby's steak. It wasn't that good. Mashed sweet potato was bland. Finally, beer menu was limited. They didn't have any craft beers nor any beers brewed by local breweries. Really? With all the great local breweries we have they couldn't have a better selection of beer? Not one local beer available. Still- this has the best view in the City and if they can right the ship it should return to all its glory. Please do so before it goes out of business.
(2)
Ernie A.
I've always loved going to the Celestial, but it seems things have gone down a bit recently. The service was not up to the excellent standard I have had in the past. There was no Valet at the door, that I usually utilize (so we had to park across the street in crowded parking lot. It still is a great view and good food, but not the excellence I once raved about.
(4)
Matthew R.
Great view!! Great service!!! Average food. Got king crab corn chowder which was decent. I got a strip and my wife got a filet. Both ordered med-rare both came out upper end of med-well. So expect that at a chain Outback or Texas Roadhouse but not when you are shelling out $45 on a steak and the place has a reputation to uphold. Spare the view and go to Rubys! Never had a single problem there!!!
(2)
Michael P.
I have long been a fan of The Celestial. It was popular with the governing board of the association for which I was the CEO, and a personal favorite of one of my past presidents. My recent visit was no disappointment! Decor: While it is not current, the knotty paneling has been there for some time, the spectacular view of Cincinnati never disappoints. Whether there in daylight or after dark, the view is the focus for me. We enjoyed watching boat traffic as well as the city. Service: We were early for an early dinner. The hostess offered to seat us immediately. We chose to go to the bar first since this was a special dinner -- our anniversary. We received a friendly greeting from both the hostess and the bartender. We were seated promptly when we were ready for dinner. Our dinner server was prompt and attentive throughout the dinner, but not intrusive. Pleasing service on all counts. Dinner: For starters, my wife chose the asparagus soup. It was wonderful. Creamy and flavorful. I chose the Celestial's answer to a lettuce wedge. It was a head (!) of lettuce with Maytag blue cheese (a personal favorite). I wondered how large it would be? It was a small head of lettuce. Just right. For the main course we both chose a special for the evening: a small 5 oz. filet, accompanied by purple mashed potatoes. This is a pleasing serving size. Yes, I like the larger steaks, but honestly, 5 oz. is really enough for a meal. Both steaks were perfect, including mine prepared Pittsburgh style. The potatoes were colorful and tasty, though not as hot (temperature) as I expected. Dessert topped the meal: creme-brulee and the homemade ice cream. Both were excellent, and ordering just one to share would have been plenty for the evening. The evening was as special as we desired. Once again, The Celestial met high expectations.
Very lovely restaurant, but as others have written, you feel even younger if you are a young guest. A lot of the clientele was much older than my boyfriend and I. Still, it was such a lovely experience. The view was stunning, we had dinner at sunset. :) Our waiter was an older gentleman, and he was so much of a kind and considerate man, I almost gave the place 5 stars. The only reason I subtracted one is because, with how swanky and lovely this place is, they need to wash their windows. The sun was catching the soap spots all over the windows where we were sitting, affecting the view a little. I was bummed by that. Anyway, the meat was sooooo very fabulous. We ordered the filet mignon, caramelized green beans, and this blissful chocolate cake. The wine selection was also wonderful. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone. Fantastic view, fantastic food, fantastic service. Just hire a better window washer!
(4)
Sherry A.
Don't waste your time or money! Asked for view when making the reservations didn't happen even when I complained! Dinner took over 2 1/2 hours! Never again,
(1)
Marcus J.
The view was outstanding. I think the Celestial is a perfect place for a "date night" or special occasion.
(4)
Joe F.
Food was excellent as usual! Our server, Tim was attentive and accomodated my wife on the house when a dessert wine wasn't available. Longer wait on our reservation than i would have liked but the rest of the evening was excellent.
(3)
Jason P.
Nice view but food has really gone downhill. Very overpriced and nothing really special or different about the plates. I really hope management fixes this place because it has such potential. Won't be returning, especially with so many new places in Cincinnati.
(1)
Keith R.
Very disappointed in my experience and I wish I had heeded the advice given on here by other reviewers. I have been to a number of steak houses in and around Cincinnati and the celestial ranks dead last. The view alone, which is very nice, is the only thing about this place that puts it ahead of your outbacks etc. The service was terrible and the food was forgettable. If you are looking for an elite dining experience this place is not it. You are much better off visiting Jeff Ruby's or the precinct.
(2)
Stephen G.
Disclaimer:- The Celestial was the venue for a recent retirement party we attended, but we only encountered the Incline bar, which is what this short review is based on... If you have a desire to surround yourself in what looks like Mid-80's decor and have a penchant for swanning theatrically up and down curved steps and/or sitting at a circular bar that makes you feel you're in a classic MTV video with Duran Duran, then The Celestial will knock your patterned cashmere socks off! If, like cheapskate l'il me, you baulk at the notion of $20 for a pair of simple drinks (akin to highway robbery without the mask), regardless of the stupendous views you have across downtown Cincinnati, then you'll stay away. It's that simple.
(3)
Michelle B.
Let me first say what was good about the celestial. The view is amazing and the warm bread they brought with the meal was delicious.Ok, that's all that was good. The host was completely condescending and rude. My brother in law made reservation here for a large group to celebrate a graduation. We were all well dressed but had two toddlers with us. After being treated like dirt by the host we were treated only midly better by the server. The food was super expensive and just okay on flavor, I could cook something better at home. I was not impressed.
(2)
Tim L.
The venue was very classy, and the view was great. First class venue and first class prices should result in first class food and service. This wasn't the case, and I was disappointed.
(3)
Will M.
The first time I came here the experience was superb. My parents were in town and they're even harder to please than I am. Fortunately they were ecstatic, and spent the next 8 months asking me if I had gone back. The steaks were great, the sides were great, the salad was great and the service was great. What wasn't entirely great was the decor. It's got class, but seems like it was class in the early 1980s and hasn't been updated much since. In fairness, part of their carpet had come up and been removed, likely earlier that day, which really made it look a bit dingy. The view was fantastic. I went back months later and discovered, to my surprise, there was an entirely separate room! I missed that the first time. With an upstairs! Both looked impressive. Less impressive that second time was my filet. It was cooked perfectly, but extremely dry. It was properly pinkish purple, but very little juice was running out of it. That cost it two stars. It was a 3 star meal as such, but the entire rating is based off of that enormous flaw. I'll be back. Two trips, two different experiences. It deserves a third shot, and I'll update this review. Dry steak, lower rating. Good steak, higher rating. Cincinnati isn't lacking in high quality steaks, though, so there's a lot of competition.
(3)
Joseph C.
Extremely disappointing and over rated. The shrimp cocktail appetizer was chewy and somewhat lukewarm instead of chilled and it came with a little less than a teaspoon of cocktail sauce. Some tables around us were offered bread, some were not, including us. The deserts took about twenty minutes to come to the table, but we were only offered coffee when the empty dessert plates were removed. The check took another twenty minutes to arrive and gratuity was included. What a waste of a nice view and a pretty restaurant.
(2)
Tim G.
Took my wife for her birthday this past weekend. This place is a hidden gem. The bar is great with an incredible view, amble seating, quick service. The wine list is better than average even for an upscale steak house. The tomato tower was excellent especially for January tomatoes. I had the NY strip which was perfectly grilled and robustly seasoned but not overly so. We will be back for both the bar and dinner.
(5)
Patrick E.
Excellent food, great service and a great view! We had the Cowboy Steak and the New York Strip and they were cooked to perfection. Excellent char on the outside and cooked just right on the inside. What more could you ask for? I'd like to see a bigger beer selection, something designed to complement steaks, but that's just my preference. My table enjoyed excellent wine and the staff recommendations were spot on. Highly recommended! Not cheap, but well worth it for that special date!
(5)
Tim C.
In a town with a lot of good places to eat meat the Celestial stands out. First it is on one of the mountains near downtown so the view of the river is awesome. The service is great. The food is fantastic. It isn't cheap but it is a value. This is a destination dining event for Cincinnati. One I would do again. There was even a bar with dancing but the tunes and the crowd were left over from the Lawrence Welk era.
(5)
Mike G.
I had never been here before even though i had always wanted to. I have always been a little hesitant to eat here because I hear pretty mixed reviews about the place. Most people who have been going for Years say that it used to be one of the nicest places in the city but has been slipping the last few years. We went there with a group of 7 on New Year's Eve. Our reservations were at 630. Our coats were taken and we were promptly seated. The Decor was very nice , wood walls, large round bar, beautiful chandelier and gorgeous views. Every detail of the interior of the place is designed to be one of the nicest restaurants in Cincinnati. They brought us a wine list which was respectable. The beer selection was not great , in fact they didn't even have a beer list the server just told us what beer they have. At this day and age with all these craft brews growing in popularity and all these new beer drinkers a good beer list is just as important as a good wine list . For some reason nice steak houses haven't seemed to grasp this. Miller light corona bud light and Stella just aren't cutting it anymore, it's time to step it up. For my first course I had the crab cake , which I would highly recommend it is one of the better crab cakes in the city. My girlfriend had a Gorgonzola pear salad which she liked. We had a few oysters which were the larger east coast oysters . As long as u have nice oysters to start with its pretty impossible to mess them up. For my dinner I had the special which was a fillet and lobster tail serves with mashes potatoes and mixed vegetables . My girlfriend had the scallops, she was very pleased with them , the bite I had I enjoyed , they were perfectly cooked. My fillet was good , not great just good. I would be happy to get this steak somewhere like outback or longhorn steakhouse . But when your at a place the has the reputation of being one of the nicest restaurants in the city I expect a little more. It falls pretty short compared to a rubys or Morton's. as for the lobster I can honestly say it was the worst lobster I had ever eaten in any restaurant. Not even edible by Outback Steakhouse standards. It was wayyyyyyyyy over cooked , like eating shoe leather with a little of the rubber shoe sole. Completely bland , just a huge disappointment. For desert we had the cheesecake with a raspberry sauce . It was decent , just your run of the mill nice cheesecake. Altogether we got out of there for two people for 150 which is overpriced considering the quality of the food. I would happily pay that for great food though. I would give the service and atmosphere 5 stars and would give the food 2. So 3-3.5 stars for the whole experience seems fitting.
(3)
Sanjeet G.
This is a review from a younger crowds perspective. Pros: 1) The views are amazing, we went during a reds game and we could see the fireworks from a homerun which was kind of cool 2) The decor, very nice and classy 3) Very extensive wine list Cons: 1) The food is adequate but nothing spectacular 2) The service was absolutely terrible, our server didn't even know their wine list well, and then brought out the wrong bottle of wine Kind of a mixed review, its a cool place to bring a date for a late dinner, but not really the most relaxed and comfortable place. I would much rather go to Orchids, Local 127 or the Palace for my money.
(3)
JandJ P.
Wife and I visited for the first time last weekend. The view is terrific. It took about 15 minutes to get menus, which was very odd. We narrowed our wine choice down to two bottles, then asked the waiter for his recommendation. He said okay, and left. We thought he was going to get the sommelier, whom we had previously witnessed addressing the table adjacent to ours. He did not return with the sommelier, nor did he describe either wine, he just left and brought back one of the bottles. Furthermore, he was clueless in wine service. First of all, when opening the bottle he placed the bottom of the bottle against his upper thigh and rotated it to cut the foil off the top. Secondly, he poured across the wife from the left, and did not have a cloth with which to wipe the mouth of the bottle after the pour. On a positive note, the wine was very reasonably priced. The red pepper bisque was a great starter. I had the salmon, which was perfectly prepared and quite excellent, and the wife had a filet, which was cooked perfectly but was unremarkable in flavor. We scoped out the bar area before leaving, and were almost disappointed we had not chosen the bar area for dinner. It was slightly darker, more inviting, and had a gentleman playing the piano, giving it the perfect ambiance that we had been expecting when we made reservations. And the view was even more spectacular. If you end up in Cincinnati, the bar at the Celestial is highly recommended.
(4)
Russell G.
My wife and I dined here on our last trip to the Newport/Cinci area. We knew nothing of this restaurant and even her brother who lives here did not know of it either. We had simply purchased a Restaurant.com gift certificate and were hoping for the best. We were very much in luck. It was a late anniversary dinner since we'd been unable to actually celebrate our anniversary on it's correct date. So going in we were hoping for something nice and willing to splurge a little bit. The decor is a bit dated, but very upscale and still has a very nice feel to it. We were seated in the bar area and received a table with a very good view. This spot, on top of Mt Adams, provides a truly wonderful view of downtown and the river. With our late evening dinner time we were able to look out as the sun set and as the city lit up for night. Superb view which just completed a great meal. And the meal... was top notch. My wife had the Oscar which was fantastic and cooked perfectly. I myself had the sea bass with gnocchi, which was also drool-worthy. Topped off with the supremely rich chocolate torte for desert, the food could not have been better. Lastly, I would like to brag a bit on our server/bartender David. David was very personable, and knowledgeable about the menu and offerings. He chatted with us quite a while and even offered suggestions of other places to go and to eat for the remainder of our trip. Pace of the meal was perfect (we like to be slow and talk leisurely through our meals and he was very accommodating). And to top it off, he even offered to take some pictures of us on the little balcony outside the bar room, a gesture that was extremely kind of him. So if you go to the Celestial, and I recommend that you do, consider skipping the dining room altogether and instead go to the back and dine in the bar room. And don't forget to ask for David, you won't regret it.
(5)
David H.
The service was not what one would expect at a restaurant such as the Celestial. The service was more like we were at the corner pub or a diner. Our server continued to call be "buddy". Great service is service that enhances the meal. The entrees were fantastic! Great view.
(5)
Lisa S.
Celestial always impresses me from service, food to view of course, too. Their raw bar is always tasting fresh and they cook fine cuts of meat to your perfection. Thank you to Bisert, our favorite server, always leaving us looking forward to next special dining night at The Celestial.
(5)
John W.
We must've caught a bad night. Or, I should've avoided the surf n' turf 'special'. Medium-rare steak came out well done+, They graciously cooked a new one, which was done right but chewy with sinew. The lobster was slimy and drowning in saltwater. My girlfriend's filet was very good, so I may just have been unlucky. The staff were friendly and the view spectacular. As others have noted, young folks will feel quite young here compared to most clientele. Oh, and if I wouldn't have inspected the bill, I wouldn't have caught the charge for the second bottle of Pinot we didn't have.
(2)
Phoebe G.
Unbelievable view, superb service, and delicious food a drinks. It is a bit more expensive but well worth the money. Also, a great place to take a date - the bar sometimes has a band and a dance floor. Would definitely recommend!
(5)
LIZ L.
I really enjoyed my Saturday night dress-up date at The Celestial's wood-paneled lounge! We came later in the evening, after dinner, so we bought drinks (strong!) and listened to jazz standards by a great combo, including the swell pianist and local legend, Lee Stolar. The room was packed with a great crowd of regulars, many of whom are seniors who live in the building. This, to me, was part of the amazing ambiance because these folks both surpassed me in years and in energy. If you ever want to learn how to have a good, old fashioned "great evening out," just go to the Celestial and watch the 70- and 80-somethings out-dance, out-drink, and out-mingle you. Then, join in - they'll welcome you! Whether it's for the amazing views, the jazz, the education in having a good time, the food, or drinks...just go (and wear a sportscoat, guys.) On the other hand, don't go. I don't want too many 30-somethings spoiling the party.
(5)
Zach C.
Classic. Simply Classic. Celestial is somewhat hidden in a residency, but once you enter their bar you forget that the rest of the building exists. The view over Cincinnati is fantastic. The food is excellent. The service is headed by French expat, Christophe. If you go in before the crowd I recommend chatting with him a few minutes. Once he gets to know you, he makes sure you feel like a million. Its definitely an older crowd, so go in respectably and you will fit in nicely.
(5)
TL C.
The Celestial Steakhouse, 1071 Celestial Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, is an elegant yet comfortable restaurant with excellent views of the Cincinnati skyline. The atmosphere is relaxing and indulgent. The wait staff is extremely accommodating and helpful. They worked with me to accommodate my vegetarian requests without hesitation. I ordered the beefsteak tomato tower without the avocado. It was pretty and delicious. I requested the Jumbo Shrimp Penne without the shrimp. Again, it was beautifully prepared and delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed it and took the leftovers with me for later. My dinner companions enjoyed their filet mignon and Mediterranean Lamb dishes. Desserts included a chocolate torte, creme brulee, and cheesecake. We shared the three desserts, so I can attest that all three were delicious. My torte was my favorite though. The Celestial Steakhouse provided a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere with delicious food!
(5)
Skunkie B.
We've been there for several years and had great experience. EXCEPT for couple weekend ago in May 2011. Took my wife and another couple for a nice weekend dinner. Had a reservation, but only to find out that their liquor license had a problem. Told us to go to UDF and pick up a wine. For an upscale restaurant, I was displeased for the fact that they had plenty time to call us to let us know of the situation. I would have been more than happy to take a bottle of wine from home. Would have given 4 star otherwise. Will try again in few weeks.
(3)
Russell B.
We had a hoot at this restaurant. It's at the base of an apartment building with a spectacular view overlooking Cincinnati. The building residents are old school where they dress for dinner, with a nice 3 or 4 piece band w/ singer. The menu has some nice traditional plates, but it's first and foremost a steakhouse with few, if any, lighter-fare items. We noticed Chilean Sea Bass on the menu and in true Berzerkeley-esque fashion asked the waitress if it was sustainably sourced. "Yes, it's grilled". ha ha We never figured out if it was or not, but it was quite yummy. Apparently, this is also where middle-aged divorcees meet for first dates, as there were several couples whooping it up at the bar, and more than one hand slipping up his date's skirt. The residents greet each other genteelly, they've all lived there 50+ years. And couples dance together to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman. All in all, a delightful evening.
(4)
Adam M.
The Celestial was incredible! Everything from the atmosphere to the food was tremendous. The view of the city was very nice. The menu had unique dishes and both mine and my wife's meal was fabulous. I highly recommend this place and I plan on going back more.
(5)
Isabel Y.
The first time I came here was for my 17th birthday dinner with my high school boyfriend...and I fell in love with it immediately. I have been back a few times since! Every few years I remember how awesome Celestial is as a restaurant experience. Perfect location, excellent service, a true French meal-- I think they serve 8 or 9 courses throughout the night? No comment on dishes in particular, but it's all good. Going to Celestial is a food marathon though...so consider that when making plans. It takes like over 3 hours to eat here. Not because service is slow, but because of the courses, the measured, painstaking effort on the food, and the appropriate lag time between meals. It was such a happy "oh what's coming next?!" experience. Anyway, definitely go if you haven't been. If there was a restaurant I'd want to be proposed to, it could very well be this one.
(5)
Serena S.
This place is special to me for personal reasons. The food is delicious, the view is spectacular, the setting romantic, and the service is good. The type of place that makes you fall in love, so I recommend bringing that special someone.
(5)
Matthew H.
In college, my girlfriend decided to take me to the Celestial on my birthday. Unfortunately we had a terrible storm in Oxford and the drive to Cincinnati took roughly 2 hours. On the way we called to let the restaurant know we were braving the weather and would be there a.s.a.p. After we showed up extremely late for our reservation, we realized not a single other patron was in the restaurant. This was a non-issue as a great old man led us to our table. After that we watched the snow storm from an incredibly view and had a private dining experience. The food was incredible and this was one of the best birthday's I could have asked for.
(5)
Kevin S.
Heavenly views, and pretty good food too! Celestial is perched on a cliff overlooking downtown Cincinnati in Mt. Adams, Cincinnati's trying-a-little-too-hard answer to San Francisco. The chef here used to run the dining room in the Sherman House Hotel in SF and his time in the city by the bay shows through with very creative dishes. This is one of my particularly favorite places to come just after or even during a big snow, if you can make it up the hills in the slush and ice. The city glistens below you, Mt. Adams is even more lovely with a layer of frosting, and the crackling fireplace and see through wine cellar make Celestial seem that much closer to the real thing.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy, Upscale Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
JandJ P.
Wife and I visited for the first time last weekend. The view is terrific. It took about 15 minutes to get menus, which was very odd. We narrowed our wine choice down to two bottles, then asked the waiter for his recommendation. He said okay, and left. We thought he was going to get the sommelier, whom we had previously witnessed addressing the table adjacent to ours. He did not return with the sommelier, nor did he describe either wine, he just left and brought back one of the bottles. Furthermore, he was clueless in wine service. First of all, when opening the bottle he placed the bottom of the bottle against his upper thigh and rotated it to cut the foil off the top. Secondly, he poured across the wife from the left, and did not have a cloth with which to wipe the mouth of the bottle after the pour. On a positive note, the wine was very reasonably priced. The red pepper bisque was a great starter. I had the salmon, which was perfectly prepared and quite excellent, and the wife had a filet, which was cooked perfectly but was unremarkable in flavor. We scoped out the bar area before leaving, and were almost disappointed we had not chosen the bar area for dinner. It was slightly darker, more inviting, and had a gentleman playing the piano, giving it the perfect ambiance that we had been expecting when we made reservations. And the view was even more spectacular. If you end up in Cincinnati, the bar at the Celestial is highly recommended.
(4)Russell G.
My wife and I dined here on our last trip to the Newport/Cinci area. We knew nothing of this restaurant and even her brother who lives here did not know of it either. We had simply purchased a Restaurant.com gift certificate and were hoping for the best. We were very much in luck. It was a late anniversary dinner since we'd been unable to actually celebrate our anniversary on it's correct date. So going in we were hoping for something nice and willing to splurge a little bit. The decor is a bit dated, but very upscale and still has a very nice feel to it. We were seated in the bar area and received a table with a very good view. This spot, on top of Mt Adams, provides a truly wonderful view of downtown and the river. With our late evening dinner time we were able to look out as the sun set and as the city lit up for night. Superb view which just completed a great meal. And the meal... was top notch. My wife had the Oscar which was fantastic and cooked perfectly. I myself had the sea bass with gnocchi, which was also drool-worthy. Topped off with the supremely rich chocolate torte for desert, the food could not have been better. Lastly, I would like to brag a bit on our server/bartender David. David was very personable, and knowledgeable about the menu and offerings. He chatted with us quite a while and even offered suggestions of other places to go and to eat for the remainder of our trip. Pace of the meal was perfect (we like to be slow and talk leisurely through our meals and he was very accommodating). And to top it off, he even offered to take some pictures of us on the little balcony outside the bar room, a gesture that was extremely kind of him. So if you go to the Celestial, and I recommend that you do, consider skipping the dining room altogether and instead go to the back and dine in the bar room. And don't forget to ask for David, you won't regret it.
(5)Mike G.
I had never been here before even though i had always wanted to. I have always been a little hesitant to eat here because I hear pretty mixed reviews about the place. Most people who have been going for Years say that it used to be one of the nicest places in the city but has been slipping the last few years. We went there with a group of 7 on New Year's Eve. Our reservations were at 630. Our coats were taken and we were promptly seated. The Decor was very nice , wood walls, large round bar, beautiful chandelier and gorgeous views. Every detail of the interior of the place is designed to be one of the nicest restaurants in Cincinnati. They brought us a wine list which was respectable. The beer selection was not great , in fact they didn't even have a beer list the server just told us what beer they have. At this day and age with all these craft brews growing in popularity and all these new beer drinkers a good beer list is just as important as a good wine list . For some reason nice steak houses haven't seemed to grasp this. Miller light corona bud light and Stella just aren't cutting it anymore, it's time to step it up. For my first course I had the crab cake , which I would highly recommend it is one of the better crab cakes in the city. My girlfriend had a Gorgonzola pear salad which she liked. We had a few oysters which were the larger east coast oysters . As long as u have nice oysters to start with its pretty impossible to mess them up. For my dinner I had the special which was a fillet and lobster tail serves with mashes potatoes and mixed vegetables . My girlfriend had the scallops, she was very pleased with them , the bite I had I enjoyed , they were perfectly cooked. My fillet was good , not great just good. I would be happy to get this steak somewhere like outback or longhorn steakhouse . But when your at a place the has the reputation of being one of the nicest restaurants in the city I expect a little more. It falls pretty short compared to a rubys or Morton's. as for the lobster I can honestly say it was the worst lobster I had ever eaten in any restaurant. Not even edible by Outback Steakhouse standards. It was wayyyyyyyyy over cooked , like eating shoe leather with a little of the rubber shoe sole. Completely bland , just a huge disappointment. For desert we had the cheesecake with a raspberry sauce . It was decent , just your run of the mill nice cheesecake. Altogether we got out of there for two people for 150 which is overpriced considering the quality of the food. I would happily pay that for great food though. I would give the service and atmosphere 5 stars and would give the food 2. So 3-3.5 stars for the whole experience seems fitting.
(3)Tim G.
Took my wife for her birthday this past weekend. This place is a hidden gem. The bar is great with an incredible view, amble seating, quick service. The wine list is better than average even for an upscale steak house. The tomato tower was excellent especially for January tomatoes. I had the NY strip which was perfectly grilled and robustly seasoned but not overly so. We will be back for both the bar and dinner.
(5)Patrick E.
Excellent food, great service and a great view! We had the Cowboy Steak and the New York Strip and they were cooked to perfection. Excellent char on the outside and cooked just right on the inside. What more could you ask for? I'd like to see a bigger beer selection, something designed to complement steaks, but that's just my preference. My table enjoyed excellent wine and the staff recommendations were spot on. Highly recommended! Not cheap, but well worth it for that special date!
(5)Ss S.
The Celestial steakhouse is located at the top corner of Mt. Adams. The views are very nice and not a normal view that many people get to see of the city. The restaurant décor has a country club feel. Clean but a little 80's with all the mirrors. I had high expectations for the celestial after seeing the menu online and reading through reviews that people left on opentable.com . I had the steak for 2 option with my wife. The steak was cooked to the correct temp but too me had a lot of gristle in it. Not the best cut. The sides were ok. Nothing to rave about. The meal was kind of so so. I really wished for more with those prices. Our server didn't seem to know the menu very well and was pushy trying to up sell the higher priced wines. Kind of aggravating. After our meal we went to the bar for some live music and cocktails. The bar was very lively with locals and hoity toity types. Lots of good people watching. Plenty of cougars were on the prowl and old rich guys with their arm candy. Unfortunately, we won't be back. For you money the Precinct is the place to be! They are on a whole other level compared. That goes for service, price and food.
(2)Jodi D.
Very lovely restaurant, but as others have written, you feel even younger if you are a young guest. A lot of the clientele was much older than my boyfriend and I. Still, it was such a lovely experience. The view was stunning, we had dinner at sunset. :) Our waiter was an older gentleman, and he was so much of a kind and considerate man, I almost gave the place 5 stars. The only reason I subtracted one is because, with how swanky and lovely this place is, they need to wash their windows. The sun was catching the soap spots all over the windows where we were sitting, affecting the view a little. I was bummed by that. Anyway, the meat was sooooo very fabulous. We ordered the filet mignon, caramelized green beans, and this blissful chocolate cake. The wine selection was also wonderful. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone. Fantastic view, fantastic food, fantastic service. Just hire a better window washer!
(4)Kim W.
This place is a hidden gem. We had never heard of it before making the reservation on Open Table but it turned out to be a superb night out. We found a lovely view of the city, excellent and attentive service, large fresh oysters, and delicious steaks and cocktails. It was a splurgy night, but everything I want when I'm prepared to spend that kind of money. I used to associate Mt Adams with being a sleazy college scene but this restaurant gives fresh perspective to this part of town. Would definitely consider coming back to celebrate a special occasion or for a lovely night out.
(5)Andrew B.
Whether you have money or not, if you look like you're in your twenties, do not come here. Came here with my girlfriend for my birthday. We are extremely generous patrons and always reward good service with a good tip at the end. However, our waiter treated us as though he expected nothing, like we were pesky college students. The food was great, as was the view, but our waiter was an ass. Screw this pretentious place. Better steaks can be found.
(1)Vanessa D.
I love going to The Celestial after a night on the town on a Friday or Saturday night. The view is absolutely stunning! Yes, it is typically an older crowd but it is so sweet watching the older couples dance to the loving songs of their "good ol' days" (Frank Sinatra, etc). Their drink selection is extensive. The Celestial is perfect if you are hoping for a romantic evening with your sweetie... drinks, music, dancing and an amazing view.
(5)Joe F.
Food was excellent as usual! Our server, Tim was attentive and accomodated my wife on the house when a dessert wine wasn't available. Longer wait on our reservation than i would have liked but the rest of the evening was excellent.
(3)Marcus J.
The view was outstanding. I think the Celestial is a perfect place for a "date night" or special occasion.
(4)Desiree B.
If you want the best filet mignon in Cincinnati, this is the place that I'd recommend over any other. My husband and I try to go on our anniversary every year. Everything from the crab cakes to the dessert is always good. One year, we ended up at the upper level with live jazz coming from downstairs and it was the most romantic dinner ever. We have the same server every time, who is great. My only complaint is he always brings dessert without asking if we want it and charges us for it, which is really awkward. Last year I even told him I had a cheesecake waiting at home that I made and he still brought out the dessert "to-go" when we also said we were too full. We were charged $14 for dessert we didn't wa t or ask for. Awkward.
(4)Amanda H.
I've always wanted to try out The Celestial. Its a four star, four diamond award winner after all; so when livingsocial posted a half off deal I about knocked over my daughter to get to the computer and buy it. This place has the perfect location and great potential to be amazing. However my experience was downright tragic. I went by myself on a Monday night so it wasn't very busy at all. The gentleman that sat me was going to sit me in the main dinning room until I said no one would be joining me, then he send me to the room in the far back. I dont know if he was being nice or not. I think nice, so I could get a table with a view, but then he sat me at the only dirty table in the restaurant. There were about a hundred empty tables so I'm not sure why he put me at the dirty one with the check and glasses still on it. The bartender came and cleaned it, but it was just odd. And why put me away from the rest of the patrons in a back room. First impression, the view is wonderful! However the windows are so dirty it takes away from it majorly. The decor was very old. Its in need a massive remodel. Its grand, but so outdated. In the 80′s it would have been lovely, now its just too worn. Even the chairs have lost all of their cushioning and it just sinks down. And the windows are sooo dirty! Now onto the negative. I started out my meal with the crab cake. The corn salsa was atrocious. I took one bite and the acid and red onions overpowered my taste buds and I couldn't taste anything but onions for the rest of the cake. I wish I would have eaten the cake first so I could have at least been able to comment on it. Then I went on to my entree. I ordered the NY Strip, whipped sweet potato mash, and a side of caramelized broccoli. FAIL on so many levels. The mash was bland and didn't taste appetizing at all. I tried to douse it in salt, pepper, and butter left over from my bread to no avail. The caramelized broccoli wasn't caramelized. It was actually cold to the touch. Like it had been taken out of the fridge, heated mildly in a pan, and tossed in RED ONION again! There wasn't a hint of cookery on this, let alone the start of caramelization. And the piece de resistance my strip steak. I asked for so medium rare it was bloody, and I got a solid medium, almost mid well. The sear was good, but it was overcooked. I would have sent it back if I could have found the bartender. Finally he came, and asked if I was ready for my check. (I'm taking it he was cut and wanted to hightail it out of there.) I put my steak in the box, left the WHOLE meal on the table and left. I was still hungry so I went to Eden Park and finished my steak. (Then went home and at cereal- yes cereal after a fancy steak diner. That should tell you something.) The damage $62. Had I paid full price I would have raised Cain, luckily I spend $25 on the $50 gift card and only owed $12 extra. That mean still wasn't worth $37 as I've had way better steak dinners at any local chain. I recommend you skip this place. Its more for your grandparents. Head over to any Rubys restaurant, Cooperhawk, or Jimmy G's instead.
(1)Aaron R.
The server was pretentious and a bit rude. The food was ok but definitely not worth the price and the crowd is much older than I expected. Go to raffertys and get a much better steak for half the price.
(2)Sanjeet G.
This is a review from a younger crowds perspective. Pros: 1) The views are amazing, we went during a reds game and we could see the fireworks from a homerun which was kind of cool 2) The decor, very nice and classy 3) Very extensive wine list Cons: 1) The food is adequate but nothing spectacular 2) The service was absolutely terrible, our server didn't even know their wine list well, and then brought out the wrong bottle of wine Kind of a mixed review, its a cool place to bring a date for a late dinner, but not really the most relaxed and comfortable place. I would much rather go to Orchids, Local 127 or the Palace for my money.
(3)LIZ L.
I really enjoyed my Saturday night dress-up date at The Celestial's wood-paneled lounge! We came later in the evening, after dinner, so we bought drinks (strong!) and listened to jazz standards by a great combo, including the swell pianist and local legend, Lee Stolar. The room was packed with a great crowd of regulars, many of whom are seniors who live in the building. This, to me, was part of the amazing ambiance because these folks both surpassed me in years and in energy. If you ever want to learn how to have a good, old fashioned "great evening out," just go to the Celestial and watch the 70- and 80-somethings out-dance, out-drink, and out-mingle you. Then, join in - they'll welcome you! Whether it's for the amazing views, the jazz, the education in having a good time, the food, or drinks...just go (and wear a sportscoat, guys.) On the other hand, don't go. I don't want too many 30-somethings spoiling the party.
(5)Skunkie B.
We've been there for several years and had great experience. EXCEPT for couple weekend ago in May 2011. Took my wife and another couple for a nice weekend dinner. Had a reservation, but only to find out that their liquor license had a problem. Told us to go to UDF and pick up a wine. For an upscale restaurant, I was displeased for the fact that they had plenty time to call us to let us know of the situation. I would have been more than happy to take a bottle of wine from home. Would have given 4 star otherwise. Will try again in few weeks.
(3)Russell B.
We had a hoot at this restaurant. It's at the base of an apartment building with a spectacular view overlooking Cincinnati. The building residents are old school where they dress for dinner, with a nice 3 or 4 piece band w/ singer. The menu has some nice traditional plates, but it's first and foremost a steakhouse with few, if any, lighter-fare items. We noticed Chilean Sea Bass on the menu and in true Berzerkeley-esque fashion asked the waitress if it was sustainably sourced. "Yes, it's grilled". ha ha We never figured out if it was or not, but it was quite yummy. Apparently, this is also where middle-aged divorcees meet for first dates, as there were several couples whooping it up at the bar, and more than one hand slipping up his date's skirt. The residents greet each other genteelly, they've all lived there 50+ years. And couples dance together to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman. All in all, a delightful evening.
(4)Adam M.
The Celestial was incredible! Everything from the atmosphere to the food was tremendous. The view of the city was very nice. The menu had unique dishes and both mine and my wife's meal was fabulous. I highly recommend this place and I plan on going back more.
(5)Isabel Y.
The first time I came here was for my 17th birthday dinner with my high school boyfriend...and I fell in love with it immediately. I have been back a few times since! Every few years I remember how awesome Celestial is as a restaurant experience. Perfect location, excellent service, a true French meal-- I think they serve 8 or 9 courses throughout the night? No comment on dishes in particular, but it's all good. Going to Celestial is a food marathon though...so consider that when making plans. It takes like over 3 hours to eat here. Not because service is slow, but because of the courses, the measured, painstaking effort on the food, and the appropriate lag time between meals. It was such a happy "oh what's coming next?!" experience. Anyway, definitely go if you haven't been. If there was a restaurant I'd want to be proposed to, it could very well be this one.
(5)Serena S.
This place is special to me for personal reasons. The food is delicious, the view is spectacular, the setting romantic, and the service is good. The type of place that makes you fall in love, so I recommend bringing that special someone.
(5)Chelsea C.
Hubby and I have been celebrating our anniversary here for several years, and sad to say, each year the experience is less and less memorable. It used to feel like this very special occasion- get dressed up, have impeccable white glove service by waiters who had been working there for 15 years, amazing food. But the past several years it has been lacking in all areas. 2012 we had a horrendous experience with a server who not once checked on us after we got our food (the incorrect order, to boot), a rude bartender who actually pulled out his cell phone to show me that the way he made my drink was the right way when I asked for it a different way, and mediocre food. We had such a bad time that the Maitre'd (who now works at Ruby's) actually ran after us in the parking lot to give us a gift certificate- which brings us to 2013... It was overall a pretty good experience this time around. We were seated at a great table, and had very good service. The food was also pretty good, we had the bone-in ribeye which was outstanding, but the brussel sprout casserole was nothing but gloppy cheese and a couple of wayyy overcooked brussel sprouts... not good at all. We also ordered the tomato and mozzarella "tower" which was more like a "short stack"- for $9 we certainly expected more than what we received. The Celestial seems to be resting on its laurels a bit these days. The crowd is older, the atmosphere is stuffy and they need a serious decorating overhaul. With the way the Cincinnati restaurant scene is blossoming, they are going to need to step up their game to keep themselves relevant. Unfortunately until that happens we will be celebrating elsewhere next year.
(3)Marlana K.
I made plans far in advance to bring out of town friends to the Celestial for the WEBN fireworks special. We had a party of 8 ranging in age from mid twenties to early 60's. I confirmed our reservations for eight 3 days prior to the event and received our confirmation letter and parking passes ( a huge benefit for fireworks night ). Even so, the table was set up for 6 and we waited 1/2 hour for the staff to locate chairs. The place was full, the first time I've ever seen that, but only to be expected. We were seated by 7. Our server was charming if not available, and service was beyond slow. Our entrees arrived just as the show went on shortly after 9. The fireworks are choreographed to the music-no music. Most of the party left their untouched steaks on the table to go outside where they could hear the music. Of course, that's when our waiter decided to clear the table. Thanks to the insistence of our friend remaining at the table, our dinners were retained. I spoke with the manager about the lack of music, as did the party next to us. The manager says that the sound system wasn't working (wouldn't you check this in advance?) and did not make an attempt to even appear concerned/sorry. The special event fixed price menu was $129 each, plus drinks. Our bill was over $1,600. That's a lot to me and would seem to demand a little courtesy. In the end, the food was quite good, the view is spectacular, parking is a plus. Follow up on your part is essential to make this a great evening.
(3)Jason B.
Jeff Ruby lite. Uninspired brussels sprouts, baked potatoes, $25 shrimp cocktails, and over-seasoned steaks. Not over-priced compared to the direct competition. A fine dinner if someone else is paying the bill. The views are beautiful. Your grandma will love it.
(2)David H.
The service was not what one would expect at a restaurant such as the Celestial. The service was more like we were at the corner pub or a diner. Our server continued to call be "buddy". Great service is service that enhances the meal. The entrees were fantastic! Great view.
(5)Lisa S.
Celestial always impresses me from service, food to view of course, too. Their raw bar is always tasting fresh and they cook fine cuts of meat to your perfection. Thank you to Bisert, our favorite server, always leaving us looking forward to next special dining night at The Celestial.
(5)John W.
We must've caught a bad night. Or, I should've avoided the surf n' turf 'special'. Medium-rare steak came out well done+, They graciously cooked a new one, which was done right but chewy with sinew. The lobster was slimy and drowning in saltwater. My girlfriend's filet was very good, so I may just have been unlucky. The staff were friendly and the view spectacular. As others have noted, young folks will feel quite young here compared to most clientele. Oh, and if I wouldn't have inspected the bill, I wouldn't have caught the charge for the second bottle of Pinot we didn't have.
(2)Tim C.
In a town with a lot of good places to eat meat the Celestial stands out. First it is on one of the mountains near downtown so the view of the river is awesome. The service is great. The food is fantastic. It isn't cheap but it is a value. This is a destination dining event for Cincinnati. One I would do again. There was even a bar with dancing but the tunes and the crowd were left over from the Lawrence Welk era.
(5)Phoebe G.
Unbelievable view, superb service, and delicious food a drinks. It is a bit more expensive but well worth the money. Also, a great place to take a date - the bar sometimes has a band and a dance floor. Would definitely recommend!
(5)Sherry A.
Don't waste your time or money! Asked for view when making the reservations didn't happen even when I complained! Dinner took over 2 1/2 hours! Never again,
(1)Matthew H.
In college, my girlfriend decided to take me to the Celestial on my birthday. Unfortunately we had a terrible storm in Oxford and the drive to Cincinnati took roughly 2 hours. On the way we called to let the restaurant know we were braving the weather and would be there a.s.a.p. After we showed up extremely late for our reservation, we realized not a single other patron was in the restaurant. This was a non-issue as a great old man led us to our table. After that we watched the snow storm from an incredibly view and had a private dining experience. The food was incredible and this was one of the best birthday's I could have asked for.
(5)Zach C.
Classic. Simply Classic. Celestial is somewhat hidden in a residency, but once you enter their bar you forget that the rest of the building exists. The view over Cincinnati is fantastic. The food is excellent. The service is headed by French expat, Christophe. If you go in before the crowd I recommend chatting with him a few minutes. Once he gets to know you, he makes sure you feel like a million. Its definitely an older crowd, so go in respectably and you will fit in nicely.
(5)TL C.
The Celestial Steakhouse, 1071 Celestial Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, is an elegant yet comfortable restaurant with excellent views of the Cincinnati skyline. The atmosphere is relaxing and indulgent. The wait staff is extremely accommodating and helpful. They worked with me to accommodate my vegetarian requests without hesitation. I ordered the beefsteak tomato tower without the avocado. It was pretty and delicious. I requested the Jumbo Shrimp Penne without the shrimp. Again, it was beautifully prepared and delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed it and took the leftovers with me for later. My dinner companions enjoyed their filet mignon and Mediterranean Lamb dishes. Desserts included a chocolate torte, creme brulee, and cheesecake. We shared the three desserts, so I can attest that all three were delicious. My torte was my favorite though. The Celestial Steakhouse provided a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere with delicious food!
(5)Kevin S.
Heavenly views, and pretty good food too! Celestial is perched on a cliff overlooking downtown Cincinnati in Mt. Adams, Cincinnati's trying-a-little-too-hard answer to San Francisco. The chef here used to run the dining room in the Sherman House Hotel in SF and his time in the city by the bay shows through with very creative dishes. This is one of my particularly favorite places to come just after or even during a big snow, if you can make it up the hills in the slush and ice. The city glistens below you, Mt. Adams is even more lovely with a layer of frosting, and the crackling fireplace and see through wine cellar make Celestial seem that much closer to the real thing.
(5)Christy R.
Ruined our Christmas Eve Honestly it hurts my fingers to even give this establishment even 1 star. The Lightning was horrible and when we asked if they could dim the lights slightly the whole restaurant applauded. The food came out cold. The muscles and the stakes are almost inedible. The Brussels spouts were soggy. They completely forgot to bring out one of the martinis (it never came) When the bill came our waiter couldn't even bring out the manager to speak to us - when the manager finally came out he denied there was any problem at all with anything with our food and that he could have pushed us out of there faster but thought we would enjoy the time there with the service being so slow. So basically he denied anything was a problem at all. Our bill was close to $400 with tip. The problem is with the management . The manager should be fired immediately. I highly recommend NOT dining at the Celestial Steakhouse. I travel all over the world and have literally never had such a terrible experience.
(1)Tracy S.
My husband and I went here a few years ago. It was great service with a beautiful view of the city. It was a great time. All seats have a great view of the city.
(4)Amy K.
We were here for my office Christmas party. I have been here about 3 times. It has one of the greatest views of the river. Each meal we have got here has been very good. The staff is attentive. The bar area is really pretty with floor to ceiling windows for a spectacular view. It does feel a little bit like you are on a cruise ship with all the sparkle and glamor decor. Needs some updating. It made me feel like this was a place for a older crowd of very rich people. My salad left a little to be desired that came with my meal. Nothing to write about. My filet was very good probably one of the best steaks I have had in a while. Cream brûlée for desert that was mouth watering. They also made me the best chocolate martini I think I have ever had with raspberry vodka the last time I was there. It's just very pricy. May even be a bit more than I would spend for a special night out. But of you are looking to really splurge this may be a good place for you. You will easily spend 100 dollars or more for two.
(4)Timothy R.
I went here for the first time with my family on Christmas Eve for a "nice family dinner", and the result made we question whether the manager on duty has any experience in hospitality what so ever. The food was brought out late and was also cold. Maybe they were understaffed, due to the holiday, which I understand, but when we asked for the manager to come over to discuss our concerns and give feedback, and he literally argued and discredited our complaints. Hospitality 101 teaches that the customer is always right. The manager's response was extremely condescending, and pompous, which from other review it seems we are not the only ones receiving this type of disrespectful service. The waiter wasn't bad, but the manager really should be fired for his lack of basic knowledge (I hope the owner reads this). For the price, and experience, I will not be back.
(1)Larry S.
Very again. Small dining area, unless you get the private dining with music??? Really, how about some music for the regular guest. Food portions were small, I mean small... Drinks were ok. My steak was a hockey puck, only ate about a quarter of it. My fiancé ate small amount of her already small amounts of food. Food had little taste and again, small portions. It was a nice view overlooking the city, did I mention small portions and def not worth the price. We decided we will not be back again.
(2)Laura R.
Overrated & outdated. I'll take my business to Jeff Ruby instead. The only good thing about this place was the view and I expect that is the only thing keeping them in business. Well except for the snobby, older "upper class" generation that still sees this place in it's former glory.
(2)Mark F.
Can be awesome can be spotty. Views never disappoint. You come for the ambience and hope the meal will match. Service is mixed but I always have fun. I used to bartend here so it has a special place in my heart bottom line it's worth the risk.
(3)B B.
We were so disappointed by our experience. Having been there before we were really excited to go back and celebrate our one-year anniversary. We ordered a bottle of wine, where the server didn't even know anything about the wine list when asked about the region in which the wine was from. We waited a half an hour before we had to ask for our menus. We then asked if they had a vegetarian option in which we saw on their website to be told that was from four menus ago-update your website! Then we had told them ahead of time it was our anniversary only to not have it recognized during the dessert while everyone else around us had received a happy anniversary. My steak was over salted, good, but I think they dipped the thing in salt. It was overall just disappointing.
(2)Sanjay P.
So I had taken my wife (then gf) to Celestial sometime ago and we had a really good time back then. The service was great and so also the food. She was sentimental about it and wanted to go back on our first wedding anniversary. She made the reservations and informed them about our anniversary. Despite this, not only was there no comment/acknowledgment of this, the service actually stank! The guy forgot about us, despite the fact that it was Monday night and very empty. I had to go and get him - after which he apologized and it improved but the damage was done, the mood killed. He also seemed to have an attitude throughout. About the food - the soup was actually good, we enjoyed our soups. The breads were good too but very limited. My wife ordered fish and I got the steak and we both felt .."it was OK at best"... will not go back there again.
(2)Heather Y.
I love going here when they have live jazz. The view is stunning, the atmosphere inside is refined but cozy and the steaks are great. A real Cincinnati classic gem.
(5)Tom F.
One of the worst experiences at an upscale steakhouse that I have ever had. I ordered my steak mid rare and it came out well done. I showed it to our waiter Matt and he said all steaks are cooked that way to accommodate flavor. Flavor? This steak had NO flavor. Very tough and flavorless. Matt acted like I was crazy stating it was over cooked and like I had never been to a nice place before. Very condescending. I am a physician and have traveled around the world and eaten at the best steakhouses in the world. I was at Peter Lugers and Keens in New York last week and at the SW two weeks ago. This place is a joke and should not be considered a 4, let alone 3 Diamond restaurant. I've had better steaks slumming at Outback. Don't waste your time or money here. Poor food and worse service. Especially from Matt.
(1)Jesse F.
As with many reviews, I agree with several points: -Tremendous steaks -Excellent if not overpriced scallops (3 for $16?!) -Unfathomably slow service -Slow service gave more time to soak in terrific view ....Added bonus! Fire Alarm wailed for 30 minutes during dinner and not a single apology let alone offer to do something extra for the annoyance. This restaurant is the single most bi-polar place I've ever been to. It is impossible to decide if it is worth it or not, as the Pros are so incredible, and the Cons equally mind-blowing. You WILL love the steak though. Good luck!
(3)Jenny H.
Great view of Cincinnati as you can tell from the pics. Service was great. Food was very good - we got filet mignon and duck breast. The filet was very tender, quality piece of meat, I asked for medium rare and it was more on the rare side but that was fine because it was such a good piece of meat, but too seasoned for my tastes. The duck breast my husband thought was very good, and I had a taste of it, I thought it was fantastic. The prices aren't too crazy, like I had thought. For an entree about $25-40. The 8 oz filet was something like $32. No dress code either as far as I could tell, we wore jeans.
(4)Michael P.
I have long been a fan of The Celestial. It was popular with the governing board of the association for which I was the CEO, and a personal favorite of one of my past presidents. My recent visit was no disappointment! Decor: While it is not current, the knotty paneling has been there for some time, the spectacular view of Cincinnati never disappoints. Whether there in daylight or after dark, the view is the focus for me. We enjoyed watching boat traffic as well as the city. Service: We were early for an early dinner. The hostess offered to seat us immediately. We chose to go to the bar first since this was a special dinner -- our anniversary. We received a friendly greeting from both the hostess and the bartender. We were seated promptly when we were ready for dinner. Our dinner server was prompt and attentive throughout the dinner, but not intrusive. Pleasing service on all counts. Dinner: For starters, my wife chose the asparagus soup. It was wonderful. Creamy and flavorful. I chose the Celestial's answer to a lettuce wedge. It was a head (!) of lettuce with Maytag blue cheese (a personal favorite). I wondered how large it would be? It was a small head of lettuce. Just right. For the main course we both chose a special for the evening: a small 5 oz. filet, accompanied by purple mashed potatoes. This is a pleasing serving size. Yes, I like the larger steaks, but honestly, 5 oz. is really enough for a meal. Both steaks were perfect, including mine prepared Pittsburgh style. The potatoes were colorful and tasty, though not as hot (temperature) as I expected. Dessert topped the meal: creme-brulee and the homemade ice cream. Both were excellent, and ordering just one to share would have been plenty for the evening. The evening was as special as we desired. Once again, The Celestial met high expectations.
(5)Simon S.
My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner at The Celestial Steakhouse and offer our highest compliments to Chanaka and his staff. Our wedding was out in Blue Ash so my parents, wife, and I searched all throughout Cincinnati for a venue that could showcase the city, provide a wonderful and cozy atmosphere for our 90 guests, offer a delicious dinner, and do this all within a reasonable budget. The Celestial delivered on all counts! From the start we were wowed by Chanaka's willingness to work with us for all of our needs. He and his staff customized the perfect menu (with many hors d'oeurve, entree, and dessert options) for our guests, brought in the musical entertainment of our choice, and stayed mindful of our budget the whole way through. Chanaka never pushed anything on us or made any suggestions out of line - indeed, all of our goals were met and exceeded. He sat our large party just as we hoped (and, indeed, accommodate our sometimes changing seating chart with ease). His chefs offered a variety of options that we could pick and choose from. On the actual night of the dinner, we were treated to the beautiful main chandelier room and the city shined beautifully. As soon as our guests walked in the music provided the perfect atmosphere, the hors d'oeuvres were an immediate hit, and the stage was set for a wonderful evening. Chanaka and his team proved very flexible, accommodating, and a true treat to work with.
(5)Kevin C.
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Celestial Steakhouse. At first, I was a little skeptical due to the small dining area and the high level of noise. I felt like I was ease dropping on the tables next to us. When a table next to the window was available, we asked to be moved. The waiter was very accommodating to this request. After the move, the experience was much better. The food was delicious and the view was impressive. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Just understand that it is not as intimate as a romantic restaurant should be in my opinion.
(4)C M.
Went to The Celestial for our first anniversary and decided to shell out the big bucks for their Labor Day 4 course meal. The food was decent, with exception of the scallop appetizer which was very fishy and my husband's filet was medium instead of medium rare. Mine was perfect, but he was disappointed. As other Yelp reviewers have pointed out, this place is in serious need of a renovation. There was a bucket in the women's room collecting water that was dripping from the ceiling! The bar was a shambles... disorganized and messy with bottles of liquor in tubs on the floor! My husband and I were drinking wine and each time we reordered the wine was served in a different sized glass. Each glass got progressively smaller and we joked that the last one would be in a stemless juice glass. Maybe I am overly picky, but considering how expensive this place was I expected my Cabernet to be in an appropriate wine glass and not a beer or water glass. We were seated at a small table for two in the bar area did have a great view of downtown though for the first half of the meal, the setting sun was in my husband's eyes and he was very uncomfortable. The table was squeezed in to the bar area so he was unable to shift his seat over. The windows over looking downtown were very dirty, though this was on the outside so I understand daily cleaning probably isn't feasible. The aisle along the windows led to an outside door and there was constant annoying foot traffic. There was another event outside that The Celestial was serving. I was horrified to watch large banquet sized containers of food being wheeled through the restaurant and outside with No covers. I have never seen catered food not covered at least by cling wrap. The service was ok. The waiter was attentive. The bar did not have a beer menu and the waiter could not tell us what was available. Nothing was on tap. After about 30 min into out meal the waiter returned with a hand written list of a dozen or so beers that were available. I appreciated that he did this, though why aren't beverages printed on the menu? And what about cocktails? Doesn't every bar have a cocktail list? The beer list was decent, but they should have included some local craft beers. The parking situation was a disaster! They had to double park cars and block some people in. Folks were not at all happy when they returned to the lot and had to wait 30-45min to get their car. Granted it was extra crazy because of Riverfest. Overall I found the food to be just ok, the menu well overpriced, the decor in need of renovation (to fix things and not just update decor), and the ambiance just so so. This place could be so much more appealing with some small updates. Right now it caters to the wealthy older folks who live in the condos above the restaurant and not to the 20-30-40 somethings that could make this bar the hippest spot in town. I don't plan on returning.
(3)Matt B.
Hit the Celestial last night for no particular reason. It has probably been about 10 years since I last visited. I was disappointed. This is not the place it once was and the decor needs some attention. Service was good, although I was served a warm beer. Had the New York Strip. It was purported to 14 oz but my guess is was less than 10. I would rather pay $10 more and get a Ruby's steak. It wasn't that good. Mashed sweet potato was bland. Finally, beer menu was limited. They didn't have any craft beers nor any beers brewed by local breweries. Really? With all the great local breweries we have they couldn't have a better selection of beer? Not one local beer available. Still- this has the best view in the City and if they can right the ship it should return to all its glory. Please do so before it goes out of business.
(2)Ernie A.
I've always loved going to the Celestial, but it seems things have gone down a bit recently. The service was not up to the excellent standard I have had in the past. There was no Valet at the door, that I usually utilize (so we had to park across the street in crowded parking lot. It still is a great view and good food, but not the excellence I once raved about.
(4)Matthew R.
Great view!! Great service!!! Average food. Got king crab corn chowder which was decent. I got a strip and my wife got a filet. Both ordered med-rare both came out upper end of med-well. So expect that at a chain Outback or Texas Roadhouse but not when you are shelling out $45 on a steak and the place has a reputation to uphold. Spare the view and go to Rubys! Never had a single problem there!!!
(2)Leif H.
This place is great! First off, you can't beat the view. I would suggest going in the evening; you get to see the city all lit up. It is an awesome view. The service was a little slow, but we didn't mind because we were not in a hurry. We had the Celestial oscar and Kansas City strip, both with Yukon mashed potatoes and a side of their Mac and cheese. The steaks were cooked as ordered and were very tender. It is one of the better steaks I have had in Cincinnati. The thing that got both of our attention was the Mac and cheese. It was amazing. I could go as far as saying one of the best I have ever had, and I have had a lot. I think it was a mix of Gouda and cheddar. If you only get one thing off the menu, you must get this. Overall, it was a great experience.
(4)Patrick C.
Was there for a wine tasting event. They did not have an employee working at all. I did not get there right at the start of the event but the staff did not restock the glasses or keep the samples poured. Most of the food was not there the food that was there was not even warm not even asking for hot. I expected more
(1)Amy H.
My Husband and I went for our anniversary dinner tonight. The positives: The staff was friendly, presentation was beautiful and the view was nice. I had noted it was our anniversary in the on line reservation and the waiter acknowledged this and congratulated us when he came to the table. The cheesecake was creamy and put most Cheesecake Factory type cheesecakes restaurants serve to shame. The negatives: the raddichio and watercress salad was drowning in oily, over-spiced dressing and was otherwise boring. My steak, though tender, was overcooked and my husband's was grossly undercooked. When I asked if I could take some of my leftovers to go, the waiter brought me out a container and a plastic baggie with the words "thank you" all over it and left them there for me to deal with. That really rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sorry, if I am dressed up and paying premium prices for a meal, leftovers should be boxed in the kitchen. And what self respecting fine dining restaurant tosses a plastic bag with the words, "thank you" on the table. Do you want other people to think we ate at Long John Silvers? (talk to Carlos and Johnnys about proper to go bags please). Finally, at the end of our meal, our waiter asked if we wanted dessert, brought us a dessert menu and our dessert only to immediately turn around and congratulate the table next to us on their anniversary and bring them a complimentary dessert. The table next to them had also received a complimentary birthday dessert not long before that. We certainly did not go to the restaurant for free dessert but our waiter had let us know that he knew it was our anniversary too when we sat down. So since two other tables were given free desserts in our face, we were left wondering why we didn't make the cut. It was bizarre. I guess you have to pay compliments to the chef to get the free dessert. That is fine but playing favorites that way is unprofessional and rude.
(2)Anna S.
I hate that I have to give this restaurant any stars. We had a group of 7 go to TCS for my birthday this month. The private room that we had had a beautiful view, and that's the only good thing about the place. 1. The server was horrible. He kept going MIA. He didn't once refill anyone's water in the 3+ hours that we were there. He poured wine for everyone except the host who ordered the bottle. And then he had the audacity to add a 20% gratuity because an 8th friend unexpectedly showed up from another dinner party and ordered a pear salad. Seriously, a salad. 2. The seat cushions--or lack thereof. The restaurant staff can get off it's indefensible snooty high horse when it can't even provide chairs that aren't unbearably threadbare to the point that one party member said that he felt like his tailbone had been broken from sitting in a chair. The restaurant manager failed to provide any additional seating that would be more adequate. 3. The so-called seafood bisque lacked any seafood. It was instead a lukewarm puddle of orangey raw flour, milk, and butter concoction. I failed to even accidentally stumble on a piece of shrimp or lobster. 4. The steaks were served so salty that one of the girls cut the top of her steak off to alleviate the issue. This is a damn steakhouse that prides itself on serving the highest-quality beef. No steak--no matter what quality--should be salted into something so indistinguishable. The steaks tasted something akin to charred beef jerky. 5. And again did I mention the server had the absolute audacity to charge a 20% gratuity?! On the upside the friend that ordered the pear salad said it was nice. So at least TCS can make fruit salad. This is a legitimate review and I'm a real flesh-and-blood Cincinnati resident.
(1)Chris C.
The view was great, but since I was mostly looking across the table at my friends and not looking to my side, I really didn't see the view much. I was in a large group, and we had made a reservation weeks before. We had a really good young waiter who did a great job of refilling drinks, etc. The food was just OK, and very pricey for the amount of food on the plates. For a fine dining restaurant, the food was plated very basically - not very attractively. We were there on a Tuesday night for dinner - maybe the real chefs night off? My dining companions and I felt that we didn't get much for the large amount of money we spent on food - we won't be coming back.
(2)Dan T.
I loved the Celestial. The food was great, the service was outstanding, and the view is unparalleled in the city. Do yourself a favor, and check when the sun sets, and make a reservation for 30 minutes before. My initial impression of the Celestial was the older theme of the place. It is not updated in the least bit, but then again, why should it be? Cincinnati has a growing number of hip new restaurants, so I respect the age of this one, Like a grandfather who, while aging significantly, still can keep up at the gym. The service was great, our server was friendly and knowledgeable, but stayed out of our hair for the most part. The menu is diversified and thorough, but certainly not lacking. Even better, my steak was cooked to perfection. I really cannot say anything but positives about my experience at the celestial, my only reasoning for not giving it a 5th star is simply because i dont think of it and say "WOW I am dying to go back"
(4)William D R.
Two steaks at our table were tough and inedible. Won't be back for sure! I learned the next day that a temporary bridge came out with some of the grizzly Cowboy Steak that I couldn't even chew. I think I threw into my wife's Mussel bowl that came out cold. Not much else to say.
(1)Joseph C.
Extremely disappointing and over rated. The shrimp cocktail appetizer was chewy and somewhat lukewarm instead of chilled and it came with a little less than a teaspoon of cocktail sauce. Some tables around us were offered bread, some were not, including us. The deserts took about twenty minutes to come to the table, but we were only offered coffee when the empty dessert plates were removed. The check took another twenty minutes to arrive and gratuity was included. What a waste of a nice view and a pretty restaurant.
(2)Alisha W.
Based on previous reviews I expected to walk into a very outdated restaurant. Instead what i found was a restaurant that wasn't trying too hard to be overly modern or pretentious, but rather keep the classic charm of the building and keep its focus on serving excellent quality good. I really didn't find it to be all that different from the Precinct with a few antique pieces and darker printed upholstery. More importantly, I can assure you that you will not spend your evening looking around the restaurant, but rather looking at the spectacular view of the city skyline. We started by asking for the cocktail menu, and I must say that this was my first disappointment of the evening. The cocktail menu listed around seven different drinks with nothing more unique than a Cosmopolitan or Appletini. While the cocktail I got was good, it wasn't the exceptional drink I would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. For our starter we both ordered lobster bisque. It was smooth and buttery; excellent! For my main course, I ordered the oscar filet and was pleased to find that not only was it cooked perfectly, but the béarnaise was flavorful without overpowering the excellent flavor of the steak. My husband ordered the ribeye (rare) and was thrilled that it was also cooked perfectly. The seasoning was a bit salty for him, but I found it to be delicious (he's a salt wimp). We also shared a side of mushroom risotto and agreed that it was incredible. Sadly, we found the dessert menu to be lacking. While it was good, nothing jumped out at us as amazing. The main portion of our meal was so wonderful that we felt the restaurant had more potential for some unique and inspiring dessert options. In the end, what really made me decide on four stars rather than five was the fact that we had to pack our own leftovers. I have never run into that problem with a restaurant in this price range. I was actually quite shocked when the waiter handed us our to-go boxes. It all boils down to the fact that this restaurant is worth the price just for the spectacular view, the excellent main courses are an added bonus! Visit. It's a must!
(4)Cindy G.
Let me start by saying, if you haven't been here, didn't know it existed, or are partial to other steakhouses -- you need to come try it out at least once! The Celestial Steakhouse is located in Mt. Adams and in my opinion has the best dining view in the entire city. When you walk in you will notice the decor is stuck in the 1980's. The restaurant is in serious need of updating, but in the same sense I kind of appreciate it's charm. My first experience here was a late night one. We ventured over not knowing what to expect. My group indulged in some old school cocktails like martini's and old fashioned's while listening to some live jazz. Advice: this is a GREAT after dinner drinks spot. You will totally impress your date with the view and live music! My second experience was one in which I found myself in dire need of a good meal and some peace and quite. Living in OTR can get a little crazy from time to time, so I ventured up the hill in search of solace. I ended up here and boy am I glad I did! I brought my computer because I needed to get some work done, and they had no problem with it at all. The place was empty on Tuesday, but it was great and just what I needed. I sat at a window table and watched the sun go down over our beloved city. One of the most breathtaking sunsets I have ever seen. I ordered up the crab and shrimp appetizer. ($10) What I was originally thinking would be lumps of crab, was actually a soggy crab salad of some sort. Not of fan, but the shrimp was dressed in a lemon aioli and it was fantastic. Moving on I ordered the Ribeye $33 and it came with a side of Yukon gold mashed potatoes. There are plenty of add ons just like any other steak joint if that is your thing. The steak came out glistening and my eyes just popped! I guess from reading all of these reviews my expectations were fairly low. What a got was a fresh 16oz Ribeye that was cooked to perfection. The steak had a DELICIOUS crust on it. The seasoning was mouthwatering, and with every bite I took I sopped up the delicious juice that drained out because it was full of flavor! The potatoes were what you would expect. But overall, the steak was fantastic, worth the price, and I would have no problem ordering it again. And I have to give a shout-out to Patrick -- at one point we were all alone in the restaurant and he was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and his time there. I appreciated learning a little bit more about the place. Fantastic service, a damn good steak, and a breathtaking view = 5 stars. My only reason for leaving off the last star is the outdated atmosphere. Keep the charm, just replace some of the worn out furniture/fixtures and this place would be golden!
(4)Tim E.
Very enjoyable experience from the view, to the waiter, to the great sea bass. Small selection of craft beer in the bottle - no draft. Others in my party ordered steaks - said the bone in ribeye was a little chewy, but flavorful. Opt for the filet. The atmosphere is a little stuffy and quiet, but if you're lucky enough to get a semi private room, it's up to you to liven it up! You just can't beat the view in Cincy.
(3)Doug F.
The highlight of the meal is the gem of a view. With a table by window, you are rewarded with an unobstructed view of Cincinnati. I can imagine spending an evening here with a fireworks display happening over the river would be a spectacle. There is a classic charm to the place, if not tip-toeing on the edge of outdated. The layout of the restaurant, set on tiers provides privacy for the tables, though makes the space feel a little closed in. Though, I confess that once the sun, which was shining right at me, had set, I spent more time looking outside than in the restaurant. Service seems to follow the theme of privacy. Waiters checked on drinks and meal in an appropriate manner, but leaves the table alone most of the time. Though, it is very noticeable when they approach due to the aforementioned small setup of the dining area. The menu is basic, which I usually think is a good thing. Except in this case it also felt very plain, which made it tough to pick out what the restaurant is most proud of. It almost seems as though they were content being another steakhouse. My dinner included sampling the Caesar Salad, Mussels (Appetizer) and Sea Bass. The bass was cooked very well. The bass was seared with a light crust while the top flesh retained its plump flaky quality. One could tell that it was plated last from the temperature. Unfortunately, it made the rest of the dish seem very cold by comparison. While the fish was done perfectly, the bulgur wheat and asparagus felt like it had time to rest. The amount of starch also seemed poorly proportioned compared to the amount of fish on the plate. The puree at the bottom of the plate cleansed the palate, but I would have wanted something slightly more savory to eat with the wheat. Perhaps a little basil, or a little more salt and pepper would've improved the dish. The Mussels were cooked in a white wine broth. I think adding Saffron imparted good flavor into the sauce. I think the dish worked, though again, arrived colder than I would've liked. I did not try the steak, but the friend whom I was with did and said it was delicious, so I will take his word for it. I think this is a restaurant that I would return to for the view. My rating of 3 stars is because I did not think this restaurant stood out otherwise.
(3)Magda C.
Mixed feelings. Kind of old school elegant, makes a posh impression at a first glance. At a second glance, cracks in the leather on chairs, spots on cutlery and kind of heavy stiff atmosphere made me feel uneasy. The shine of the place is long gone. The service was nice, but the food was not worth the price. We had steak with greens and salmon with mash. It was ok, but nothing extraordinary. Also, no presentation on the plate, the dishes looked so trivial. We shared creme brulee at the end and it was proper, but taken straight from the fridge. So annoying, such a custard begs for room temp. For the 100 buck bill, I was disappointed and will not be coming back. The view is nice, but there are other places with the view in the area.
(3)Jason P.
Nice view but food has really gone downhill. Very overpriced and nothing really special or different about the plates. I really hope management fixes this place because it has such potential. Won't be returning, especially with so many new places in Cincinnati.
(1)Keith R.
Very disappointed in my experience and I wish I had heeded the advice given on here by other reviewers. I have been to a number of steak houses in and around Cincinnati and the celestial ranks dead last. The view alone, which is very nice, is the only thing about this place that puts it ahead of your outbacks etc. The service was terrible and the food was forgettable. If you are looking for an elite dining experience this place is not it. You are much better off visiting Jeff Ruby's or the precinct.
(2)Stephen G.
Disclaimer:- The Celestial was the venue for a recent retirement party we attended, but we only encountered the Incline bar, which is what this short review is based on... If you have a desire to surround yourself in what looks like Mid-80's decor and have a penchant for swanning theatrically up and down curved steps and/or sitting at a circular bar that makes you feel you're in a classic MTV video with Duran Duran, then The Celestial will knock your patterned cashmere socks off! If, like cheapskate l'il me, you baulk at the notion of $20 for a pair of simple drinks (akin to highway robbery without the mask), regardless of the stupendous views you have across downtown Cincinnati, then you'll stay away. It's that simple.
(3)Michelle B.
Let me first say what was good about the celestial. The view is amazing and the warm bread they brought with the meal was delicious.Ok, that's all that was good. The host was completely condescending and rude. My brother in law made reservation here for a large group to celebrate a graduation. We were all well dressed but had two toddlers with us. After being treated like dirt by the host we were treated only midly better by the server. The food was super expensive and just okay on flavor, I could cook something better at home. I was not impressed.
(2)Tim L.
The venue was very classy, and the view was great. First class venue and first class prices should result in first class food and service. This wasn't the case, and I was disappointed.
(3)Will M.
The first time I came here the experience was superb. My parents were in town and they're even harder to please than I am. Fortunately they were ecstatic, and spent the next 8 months asking me if I had gone back. The steaks were great, the sides were great, the salad was great and the service was great. What wasn't entirely great was the decor. It's got class, but seems like it was class in the early 1980s and hasn't been updated much since. In fairness, part of their carpet had come up and been removed, likely earlier that day, which really made it look a bit dingy. The view was fantastic. I went back months later and discovered, to my surprise, there was an entirely separate room! I missed that the first time. With an upstairs! Both looked impressive. Less impressive that second time was my filet. It was cooked perfectly, but extremely dry. It was properly pinkish purple, but very little juice was running out of it. That cost it two stars. It was a 3 star meal as such, but the entire rating is based off of that enormous flaw. I'll be back. Two trips, two different experiences. It deserves a third shot, and I'll update this review. Dry steak, lower rating. Good steak, higher rating. Cincinnati isn't lacking in high quality steaks, though, so there's a lot of competition.
(3)Laura R.
Overrated & outdated. I'll take my business to Jeff Ruby instead. The only good thing about this place was the view and I expect that is the only thing keeping them in business. Well except for the snobby, older "upper class" generation that still sees this place in it's former glory.
(2)Mark F.
Can be awesome can be spotty. Views never disappoint. You come for the ambience and hope the meal will match. Service is mixed but I always have fun. I used to bartend here so it has a special place in my heart bottom line it's worth the risk.
(3)Heather Y.
I love going here when they have live jazz. The view is stunning, the atmosphere inside is refined but cozy and the steaks are great. A real Cincinnati classic gem.
(5)Alisha W.
Based on previous reviews I expected to walk into a very outdated restaurant. Instead what i found was a restaurant that wasn't trying too hard to be overly modern or pretentious, but rather keep the classic charm of the building and keep its focus on serving excellent quality good. I really didn't find it to be all that different from the Precinct with a few antique pieces and darker printed upholstery. More importantly, I can assure you that you will not spend your evening looking around the restaurant, but rather looking at the spectacular view of the city skyline. We started by asking for the cocktail menu, and I must say that this was my first disappointment of the evening. The cocktail menu listed around seven different drinks with nothing more unique than a Cosmopolitan or Appletini. While the cocktail I got was good, it wasn't the exceptional drink I would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. For our starter we both ordered lobster bisque. It was smooth and buttery; excellent! For my main course, I ordered the oscar filet and was pleased to find that not only was it cooked perfectly, but the béarnaise was flavorful without overpowering the excellent flavor of the steak. My husband ordered the ribeye (rare) and was thrilled that it was also cooked perfectly. The seasoning was a bit salty for him, but I found it to be delicious (he's a salt wimp). We also shared a side of mushroom risotto and agreed that it was incredible. Sadly, we found the dessert menu to be lacking. While it was good, nothing jumped out at us as amazing. The main portion of our meal was so wonderful that we felt the restaurant had more potential for some unique and inspiring dessert options. In the end, what really made me decide on four stars rather than five was the fact that we had to pack our own leftovers. I have never run into that problem with a restaurant in this price range. I was actually quite shocked when the waiter handed us our to-go boxes. It all boils down to the fact that this restaurant is worth the price just for the spectacular view, the excellent main courses are an added bonus! Visit. It's a must!
(4)Tim E.
Very enjoyable experience from the view, to the waiter, to the great sea bass. Small selection of craft beer in the bottle - no draft. Others in my party ordered steaks - said the bone in ribeye was a little chewy, but flavorful. Opt for the filet. The atmosphere is a little stuffy and quiet, but if you're lucky enough to get a semi private room, it's up to you to liven it up! You just can't beat the view in Cincy.
(3)Kevin C.
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Celestial Steakhouse. At first, I was a little skeptical due to the small dining area and the high level of noise. I felt like I was ease dropping on the tables next to us. When a table next to the window was available, we asked to be moved. The waiter was very accommodating to this request. After the move, the experience was much better. The food was delicious and the view was impressive. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Just understand that it is not as intimate as a romantic restaurant should be in my opinion.
(4)Christy R.
Ruined our Christmas Eve Honestly it hurts my fingers to even give this establishment even 1 star. The Lightning was horrible and when we asked if they could dim the lights slightly the whole restaurant applauded. The food came out cold. The muscles and the stakes are almost inedible. The Brussels spouts were soggy. They completely forgot to bring out one of the martinis (it never came) When the bill came our waiter couldn't even bring out the manager to speak to us - when the manager finally came out he denied there was any problem at all with anything with our food and that he could have pushed us out of there faster but thought we would enjoy the time there with the service being so slow. So basically he denied anything was a problem at all. Our bill was close to $400 with tip. The problem is with the management . The manager should be fired immediately. I highly recommend NOT dining at the Celestial Steakhouse. I travel all over the world and have literally never had such a terrible experience.
(1)Cindy G.
Let me start by saying, if you haven't been here, didn't know it existed, or are partial to other steakhouses -- you need to come try it out at least once! The Celestial Steakhouse is located in Mt. Adams and in my opinion has the best dining view in the entire city. When you walk in you will notice the decor is stuck in the 1980's. The restaurant is in serious need of updating, but in the same sense I kind of appreciate it's charm. My first experience here was a late night one. We ventured over not knowing what to expect. My group indulged in some old school cocktails like martini's and old fashioned's while listening to some live jazz. Advice: this is a GREAT after dinner drinks spot. You will totally impress your date with the view and live music! My second experience was one in which I found myself in dire need of a good meal and some peace and quite. Living in OTR can get a little crazy from time to time, so I ventured up the hill in search of solace. I ended up here and boy am I glad I did! I brought my computer because I needed to get some work done, and they had no problem with it at all. The place was empty on Tuesday, but it was great and just what I needed. I sat at a window table and watched the sun go down over our beloved city. One of the most breathtaking sunsets I have ever seen. I ordered up the crab and shrimp appetizer. ($10) What I was originally thinking would be lumps of crab, was actually a soggy crab salad of some sort. Not of fan, but the shrimp was dressed in a lemon aioli and it was fantastic. Moving on I ordered the Ribeye $33 and it came with a side of Yukon gold mashed potatoes. There are plenty of add ons just like any other steak joint if that is your thing. The steak came out glistening and my eyes just popped! I guess from reading all of these reviews my expectations were fairly low. What a got was a fresh 16oz Ribeye that was cooked to perfection. The steak had a DELICIOUS crust on it. The seasoning was mouthwatering, and with every bite I took I sopped up the delicious juice that drained out because it was full of flavor! The potatoes were what you would expect. But overall, the steak was fantastic, worth the price, and I would have no problem ordering it again. And I have to give a shout-out to Patrick -- at one point we were all alone in the restaurant and he was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and his time there. I appreciated learning a little bit more about the place. Fantastic service, a damn good steak, and a breathtaking view = 5 stars. My only reason for leaving off the last star is the outdated atmosphere. Keep the charm, just replace some of the worn out furniture/fixtures and this place would be golden!
(4)Andrew B.
Whether you have money or not, if you look like you're in your twenties, do not come here. Came here with my girlfriend for my birthday. We are extremely generous patrons and always reward good service with a good tip at the end. However, our waiter treated us as though he expected nothing, like we were pesky college students. The food was great, as was the view, but our waiter was an ass. Screw this pretentious place. Better steaks can be found.
(1)Doug F.
The highlight of the meal is the gem of a view. With a table by window, you are rewarded with an unobstructed view of Cincinnati. I can imagine spending an evening here with a fireworks display happening over the river would be a spectacle. There is a classic charm to the place, if not tip-toeing on the edge of outdated. The layout of the restaurant, set on tiers provides privacy for the tables, though makes the space feel a little closed in. Though, I confess that once the sun, which was shining right at me, had set, I spent more time looking outside than in the restaurant. Service seems to follow the theme of privacy. Waiters checked on drinks and meal in an appropriate manner, but leaves the table alone most of the time. Though, it is very noticeable when they approach due to the aforementioned small setup of the dining area. The menu is basic, which I usually think is a good thing. Except in this case it also felt very plain, which made it tough to pick out what the restaurant is most proud of. It almost seems as though they were content being another steakhouse. My dinner included sampling the Caesar Salad, Mussels (Appetizer) and Sea Bass. The bass was cooked very well. The bass was seared with a light crust while the top flesh retained its plump flaky quality. One could tell that it was plated last from the temperature. Unfortunately, it made the rest of the dish seem very cold by comparison. While the fish was done perfectly, the bulgur wheat and asparagus felt like it had time to rest. The amount of starch also seemed poorly proportioned compared to the amount of fish on the plate. The puree at the bottom of the plate cleansed the palate, but I would have wanted something slightly more savory to eat with the wheat. Perhaps a little basil, or a little more salt and pepper would've improved the dish. The Mussels were cooked in a white wine broth. I think adding Saffron imparted good flavor into the sauce. I think the dish worked, though again, arrived colder than I would've liked. I did not try the steak, but the friend whom I was with did and said it was delicious, so I will take his word for it. I think this is a restaurant that I would return to for the view. My rating of 3 stars is because I did not think this restaurant stood out otherwise.
(3)Magda C.
Mixed feelings. Kind of old school elegant, makes a posh impression at a first glance. At a second glance, cracks in the leather on chairs, spots on cutlery and kind of heavy stiff atmosphere made me feel uneasy. The shine of the place is long gone. The service was nice, but the food was not worth the price. We had steak with greens and salmon with mash. It was ok, but nothing extraordinary. Also, no presentation on the plate, the dishes looked so trivial. We shared creme brulee at the end and it was proper, but taken straight from the fridge. So annoying, such a custard begs for room temp. For the 100 buck bill, I was disappointed and will not be coming back. The view is nice, but there are other places with the view in the area.
(3)Desiree B.
If you want the best filet mignon in Cincinnati, this is the place that I'd recommend over any other. My husband and I try to go on our anniversary every year. Everything from the crab cakes to the dessert is always good. One year, we ended up at the upper level with live jazz coming from downstairs and it was the most romantic dinner ever. We have the same server every time, who is great. My only complaint is he always brings dessert without asking if we want it and charges us for it, which is really awkward. Last year I even told him I had a cheesecake waiting at home that I made and he still brought out the dessert "to-go" when we also said we were too full. We were charged $14 for dessert we didn't wa t or ask for. Awkward.
(4)Sanjay P.
So I had taken my wife (then gf) to Celestial sometime ago and we had a really good time back then. The service was great and so also the food. She was sentimental about it and wanted to go back on our first wedding anniversary. She made the reservations and informed them about our anniversary. Despite this, not only was there no comment/acknowledgment of this, the service actually stank! The guy forgot about us, despite the fact that it was Monday night and very empty. I had to go and get him - after which he apologized and it improved but the damage was done, the mood killed. He also seemed to have an attitude throughout. About the food - the soup was actually good, we enjoyed our soups. The breads were good too but very limited. My wife ordered fish and I got the steak and we both felt .."it was OK at best"... will not go back there again.
(2)Tom F.
One of the worst experiences at an upscale steakhouse that I have ever had. I ordered my steak mid rare and it came out well done. I showed it to our waiter Matt and he said all steaks are cooked that way to accommodate flavor. Flavor? This steak had NO flavor. Very tough and flavorless. Matt acted like I was crazy stating it was over cooked and like I had never been to a nice place before. Very condescending. I am a physician and have traveled around the world and eaten at the best steakhouses in the world. I was at Peter Lugers and Keens in New York last week and at the SW two weeks ago. This place is a joke and should not be considered a 4, let alone 3 Diamond restaurant. I've had better steaks slumming at Outback. Don't waste your time or money here. Poor food and worse service. Especially from Matt.
(1)Jesse F.
As with many reviews, I agree with several points: -Tremendous steaks -Excellent if not overpriced scallops (3 for $16?!) -Unfathomably slow service -Slow service gave more time to soak in terrific view ....Added bonus! Fire Alarm wailed for 30 minutes during dinner and not a single apology let alone offer to do something extra for the annoyance. This restaurant is the single most bi-polar place I've ever been to. It is impossible to decide if it is worth it or not, as the Pros are so incredible, and the Cons equally mind-blowing. You WILL love the steak though. Good luck!
(3)Leif H.
This place is great! First off, you can't beat the view. I would suggest going in the evening; you get to see the city all lit up. It is an awesome view. The service was a little slow, but we didn't mind because we were not in a hurry. We had the Celestial oscar and Kansas City strip, both with Yukon mashed potatoes and a side of their Mac and cheese. The steaks were cooked as ordered and were very tender. It is one of the better steaks I have had in Cincinnati. The thing that got both of our attention was the Mac and cheese. It was amazing. I could go as far as saying one of the best I have ever had, and I have had a lot. I think it was a mix of Gouda and cheddar. If you only get one thing off the menu, you must get this. Overall, it was a great experience.
(4)Patrick C.
Was there for a wine tasting event. They did not have an employee working at all. I did not get there right at the start of the event but the staff did not restock the glasses or keep the samples poured. Most of the food was not there the food that was there was not even warm not even asking for hot. I expected more
(1)Tracy S.
My husband and I went here a few years ago. It was great service with a beautiful view of the city. It was a great time. All seats have a great view of the city.
(4)Amy K.
We were here for my office Christmas party. I have been here about 3 times. It has one of the greatest views of the river. Each meal we have got here has been very good. The staff is attentive. The bar area is really pretty with floor to ceiling windows for a spectacular view. It does feel a little bit like you are on a cruise ship with all the sparkle and glamor decor. Needs some updating. It made me feel like this was a place for a older crowd of very rich people. My salad left a little to be desired that came with my meal. Nothing to write about. My filet was very good probably one of the best steaks I have had in a while. Cream brûlée for desert that was mouth watering. They also made me the best chocolate martini I think I have ever had with raspberry vodka the last time I was there. It's just very pricy. May even be a bit more than I would spend for a special night out. But of you are looking to really splurge this may be a good place for you. You will easily spend 100 dollars or more for two.
(4)Timothy R.
I went here for the first time with my family on Christmas Eve for a "nice family dinner", and the result made we question whether the manager on duty has any experience in hospitality what so ever. The food was brought out late and was also cold. Maybe they were understaffed, due to the holiday, which I understand, but when we asked for the manager to come over to discuss our concerns and give feedback, and he literally argued and discredited our complaints. Hospitality 101 teaches that the customer is always right. The manager's response was extremely condescending, and pompous, which from other review it seems we are not the only ones receiving this type of disrespectful service. The waiter wasn't bad, but the manager really should be fired for his lack of basic knowledge (I hope the owner reads this). For the price, and experience, I will not be back.
(1)Amanda H.
I've always wanted to try out The Celestial. Its a four star, four diamond award winner after all; so when livingsocial posted a half off deal I about knocked over my daughter to get to the computer and buy it. This place has the perfect location and great potential to be amazing. However my experience was downright tragic. I went by myself on a Monday night so it wasn't very busy at all. The gentleman that sat me was going to sit me in the main dinning room until I said no one would be joining me, then he send me to the room in the far back. I dont know if he was being nice or not. I think nice, so I could get a table with a view, but then he sat me at the only dirty table in the restaurant. There were about a hundred empty tables so I'm not sure why he put me at the dirty one with the check and glasses still on it. The bartender came and cleaned it, but it was just odd. And why put me away from the rest of the patrons in a back room. First impression, the view is wonderful! However the windows are so dirty it takes away from it majorly. The decor was very old. Its in need a massive remodel. Its grand, but so outdated. In the 80′s it would have been lovely, now its just too worn. Even the chairs have lost all of their cushioning and it just sinks down. And the windows are sooo dirty! Now onto the negative. I started out my meal with the crab cake. The corn salsa was atrocious. I took one bite and the acid and red onions overpowered my taste buds and I couldn't taste anything but onions for the rest of the cake. I wish I would have eaten the cake first so I could have at least been able to comment on it. Then I went on to my entree. I ordered the NY Strip, whipped sweet potato mash, and a side of caramelized broccoli. FAIL on so many levels. The mash was bland and didn't taste appetizing at all. I tried to douse it in salt, pepper, and butter left over from my bread to no avail. The caramelized broccoli wasn't caramelized. It was actually cold to the touch. Like it had been taken out of the fridge, heated mildly in a pan, and tossed in RED ONION again! There wasn't a hint of cookery on this, let alone the start of caramelization. And the piece de resistance my strip steak. I asked for so medium rare it was bloody, and I got a solid medium, almost mid well. The sear was good, but it was overcooked. I would have sent it back if I could have found the bartender. Finally he came, and asked if I was ready for my check. (I'm taking it he was cut and wanted to hightail it out of there.) I put my steak in the box, left the WHOLE meal on the table and left. I was still hungry so I went to Eden Park and finished my steak. (Then went home and at cereal- yes cereal after a fancy steak diner. That should tell you something.) The damage $62. Had I paid full price I would have raised Cain, luckily I spend $25 on the $50 gift card and only owed $12 extra. That mean still wasn't worth $37 as I've had way better steak dinners at any local chain. I recommend you skip this place. Its more for your grandparents. Head over to any Rubys restaurant, Cooperhawk, or Jimmy G's instead.
(1)Aaron R.
The server was pretentious and a bit rude. The food was ok but definitely not worth the price and the crowd is much older than I expected. Go to raffertys and get a much better steak for half the price.
(2)C M.
Went to The Celestial for our first anniversary and decided to shell out the big bucks for their Labor Day 4 course meal. The food was decent, with exception of the scallop appetizer which was very fishy and my husband's filet was medium instead of medium rare. Mine was perfect, but he was disappointed. As other Yelp reviewers have pointed out, this place is in serious need of a renovation. There was a bucket in the women's room collecting water that was dripping from the ceiling! The bar was a shambles... disorganized and messy with bottles of liquor in tubs on the floor! My husband and I were drinking wine and each time we reordered the wine was served in a different sized glass. Each glass got progressively smaller and we joked that the last one would be in a stemless juice glass. Maybe I am overly picky, but considering how expensive this place was I expected my Cabernet to be in an appropriate wine glass and not a beer or water glass. We were seated at a small table for two in the bar area did have a great view of downtown though for the first half of the meal, the setting sun was in my husband's eyes and he was very uncomfortable. The table was squeezed in to the bar area so he was unable to shift his seat over. The windows over looking downtown were very dirty, though this was on the outside so I understand daily cleaning probably isn't feasible. The aisle along the windows led to an outside door and there was constant annoying foot traffic. There was another event outside that The Celestial was serving. I was horrified to watch large banquet sized containers of food being wheeled through the restaurant and outside with No covers. I have never seen catered food not covered at least by cling wrap. The service was ok. The waiter was attentive. The bar did not have a beer menu and the waiter could not tell us what was available. Nothing was on tap. After about 30 min into out meal the waiter returned with a hand written list of a dozen or so beers that were available. I appreciated that he did this, though why aren't beverages printed on the menu? And what about cocktails? Doesn't every bar have a cocktail list? The beer list was decent, but they should have included some local craft beers. The parking situation was a disaster! They had to double park cars and block some people in. Folks were not at all happy when they returned to the lot and had to wait 30-45min to get their car. Granted it was extra crazy because of Riverfest. Overall I found the food to be just ok, the menu well overpriced, the decor in need of renovation (to fix things and not just update decor), and the ambiance just so so. This place could be so much more appealing with some small updates. Right now it caters to the wealthy older folks who live in the condos above the restaurant and not to the 20-30-40 somethings that could make this bar the hippest spot in town. I don't plan on returning.
(3)Kim W.
This place is a hidden gem. We had never heard of it before making the reservation on Open Table but it turned out to be a superb night out. We found a lovely view of the city, excellent and attentive service, large fresh oysters, and delicious steaks and cocktails. It was a splurgy night, but everything I want when I'm prepared to spend that kind of money. I used to associate Mt Adams with being a sleazy college scene but this restaurant gives fresh perspective to this part of town. Would definitely consider coming back to celebrate a special occasion or for a lovely night out.
(5)Chelsea C.
Hubby and I have been celebrating our anniversary here for several years, and sad to say, each year the experience is less and less memorable. It used to feel like this very special occasion- get dressed up, have impeccable white glove service by waiters who had been working there for 15 years, amazing food. But the past several years it has been lacking in all areas. 2012 we had a horrendous experience with a server who not once checked on us after we got our food (the incorrect order, to boot), a rude bartender who actually pulled out his cell phone to show me that the way he made my drink was the right way when I asked for it a different way, and mediocre food. We had such a bad time that the Maitre'd (who now works at Ruby's) actually ran after us in the parking lot to give us a gift certificate- which brings us to 2013... It was overall a pretty good experience this time around. We were seated at a great table, and had very good service. The food was also pretty good, we had the bone-in ribeye which was outstanding, but the brussel sprout casserole was nothing but gloppy cheese and a couple of wayyy overcooked brussel sprouts... not good at all. We also ordered the tomato and mozzarella "tower" which was more like a "short stack"- for $9 we certainly expected more than what we received. The Celestial seems to be resting on its laurels a bit these days. The crowd is older, the atmosphere is stuffy and they need a serious decorating overhaul. With the way the Cincinnati restaurant scene is blossoming, they are going to need to step up their game to keep themselves relevant. Unfortunately until that happens we will be celebrating elsewhere next year.
(3)Chris C.
The view was great, but since I was mostly looking across the table at my friends and not looking to my side, I really didn't see the view much. I was in a large group, and we had made a reservation weeks before. We had a really good young waiter who did a great job of refilling drinks, etc. The food was just OK, and very pricey for the amount of food on the plates. For a fine dining restaurant, the food was plated very basically - not very attractively. We were there on a Tuesday night for dinner - maybe the real chefs night off? My dining companions and I felt that we didn't get much for the large amount of money we spent on food - we won't be coming back.
(2)Jason B.
Jeff Ruby lite. Uninspired brussels sprouts, baked potatoes, $25 shrimp cocktails, and over-seasoned steaks. Not over-priced compared to the direct competition. A fine dinner if someone else is paying the bill. The views are beautiful. Your grandma will love it.
(2)Marlana K.
I made plans far in advance to bring out of town friends to the Celestial for the WEBN fireworks special. We had a party of 8 ranging in age from mid twenties to early 60's. I confirmed our reservations for eight 3 days prior to the event and received our confirmation letter and parking passes ( a huge benefit for fireworks night ). Even so, the table was set up for 6 and we waited 1/2 hour for the staff to locate chairs. The place was full, the first time I've ever seen that, but only to be expected. We were seated by 7. Our server was charming if not available, and service was beyond slow. Our entrees arrived just as the show went on shortly after 9. The fireworks are choreographed to the music-no music. Most of the party left their untouched steaks on the table to go outside where they could hear the music. Of course, that's when our waiter decided to clear the table. Thanks to the insistence of our friend remaining at the table, our dinners were retained. I spoke with the manager about the lack of music, as did the party next to us. The manager says that the sound system wasn't working (wouldn't you check this in advance?) and did not make an attempt to even appear concerned/sorry. The special event fixed price menu was $129 each, plus drinks. Our bill was over $1,600. That's a lot to me and would seem to demand a little courtesy. In the end, the food was quite good, the view is spectacular, parking is a plus. Follow up on your part is essential to make this a great evening.
(3)B B.
We were so disappointed by our experience. Having been there before we were really excited to go back and celebrate our one-year anniversary. We ordered a bottle of wine, where the server didn't even know anything about the wine list when asked about the region in which the wine was from. We waited a half an hour before we had to ask for our menus. We then asked if they had a vegetarian option in which we saw on their website to be told that was from four menus ago-update your website! Then we had told them ahead of time it was our anniversary only to not have it recognized during the dessert while everyone else around us had received a happy anniversary. My steak was over salted, good, but I think they dipped the thing in salt. It was overall just disappointing.
(2)Simon S.
My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner at The Celestial Steakhouse and offer our highest compliments to Chanaka and his staff. Our wedding was out in Blue Ash so my parents, wife, and I searched all throughout Cincinnati for a venue that could showcase the city, provide a wonderful and cozy atmosphere for our 90 guests, offer a delicious dinner, and do this all within a reasonable budget. The Celestial delivered on all counts! From the start we were wowed by Chanaka's willingness to work with us for all of our needs. He and his staff customized the perfect menu (with many hors d'oeurve, entree, and dessert options) for our guests, brought in the musical entertainment of our choice, and stayed mindful of our budget the whole way through. Chanaka never pushed anything on us or made any suggestions out of line - indeed, all of our goals were met and exceeded. He sat our large party just as we hoped (and, indeed, accommodate our sometimes changing seating chart with ease). His chefs offered a variety of options that we could pick and choose from. On the actual night of the dinner, we were treated to the beautiful main chandelier room and the city shined beautifully. As soon as our guests walked in the music provided the perfect atmosphere, the hors d'oeuvres were an immediate hit, and the stage was set for a wonderful evening. Chanaka and his team proved very flexible, accommodating, and a true treat to work with.
(5)Larry S.
Very again. Small dining area, unless you get the private dining with music??? Really, how about some music for the regular guest. Food portions were small, I mean small... Drinks were ok. My steak was a hockey puck, only ate about a quarter of it. My fiancé ate small amount of her already small amounts of food. Food had little taste and again, small portions. It was a nice view overlooking the city, did I mention small portions and def not worth the price. We decided we will not be back again.
(2)Vanessa D.
I love going to The Celestial after a night on the town on a Friday or Saturday night. The view is absolutely stunning! Yes, it is typically an older crowd but it is so sweet watching the older couples dance to the loving songs of their "good ol' days" (Frank Sinatra, etc). Their drink selection is extensive. The Celestial is perfect if you are hoping for a romantic evening with your sweetie... drinks, music, dancing and an amazing view.
(5)Jenny H.
Great view of Cincinnati as you can tell from the pics. Service was great. Food was very good - we got filet mignon and duck breast. The filet was very tender, quality piece of meat, I asked for medium rare and it was more on the rare side but that was fine because it was such a good piece of meat, but too seasoned for my tastes. The duck breast my husband thought was very good, and I had a taste of it, I thought it was fantastic. The prices aren't too crazy, like I had thought. For an entree about $25-40. The 8 oz filet was something like $32. No dress code either as far as I could tell, we wore jeans.
(4)Amy H.
My Husband and I went for our anniversary dinner tonight. The positives: The staff was friendly, presentation was beautiful and the view was nice. I had noted it was our anniversary in the on line reservation and the waiter acknowledged this and congratulated us when he came to the table. The cheesecake was creamy and put most Cheesecake Factory type cheesecakes restaurants serve to shame. The negatives: the raddichio and watercress salad was drowning in oily, over-spiced dressing and was otherwise boring. My steak, though tender, was overcooked and my husband's was grossly undercooked. When I asked if I could take some of my leftovers to go, the waiter brought me out a container and a plastic baggie with the words "thank you" all over it and left them there for me to deal with. That really rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sorry, if I am dressed up and paying premium prices for a meal, leftovers should be boxed in the kitchen. And what self respecting fine dining restaurant tosses a plastic bag with the words, "thank you" on the table. Do you want other people to think we ate at Long John Silvers? (talk to Carlos and Johnnys about proper to go bags please). Finally, at the end of our meal, our waiter asked if we wanted dessert, brought us a dessert menu and our dessert only to immediately turn around and congratulate the table next to us on their anniversary and bring them a complimentary dessert. The table next to them had also received a complimentary birthday dessert not long before that. We certainly did not go to the restaurant for free dessert but our waiter had let us know that he knew it was our anniversary too when we sat down. So since two other tables were given free desserts in our face, we were left wondering why we didn't make the cut. It was bizarre. I guess you have to pay compliments to the chef to get the free dessert. That is fine but playing favorites that way is unprofessional and rude.
(2)Anna S.
I hate that I have to give this restaurant any stars. We had a group of 7 go to TCS for my birthday this month. The private room that we had had a beautiful view, and that's the only good thing about the place. 1. The server was horrible. He kept going MIA. He didn't once refill anyone's water in the 3+ hours that we were there. He poured wine for everyone except the host who ordered the bottle. And then he had the audacity to add a 20% gratuity because an 8th friend unexpectedly showed up from another dinner party and ordered a pear salad. Seriously, a salad. 2. The seat cushions--or lack thereof. The restaurant staff can get off it's indefensible snooty high horse when it can't even provide chairs that aren't unbearably threadbare to the point that one party member said that he felt like his tailbone had been broken from sitting in a chair. The restaurant manager failed to provide any additional seating that would be more adequate. 3. The so-called seafood bisque lacked any seafood. It was instead a lukewarm puddle of orangey raw flour, milk, and butter concoction. I failed to even accidentally stumble on a piece of shrimp or lobster. 4. The steaks were served so salty that one of the girls cut the top of her steak off to alleviate the issue. This is a damn steakhouse that prides itself on serving the highest-quality beef. No steak--no matter what quality--should be salted into something so indistinguishable. The steaks tasted something akin to charred beef jerky. 5. And again did I mention the server had the absolute audacity to charge a 20% gratuity?! On the upside the friend that ordered the pear salad said it was nice. So at least TCS can make fruit salad. This is a legitimate review and I'm a real flesh-and-blood Cincinnati resident.
(1)Dan T.
I loved the Celestial. The food was great, the service was outstanding, and the view is unparalleled in the city. Do yourself a favor, and check when the sun sets, and make a reservation for 30 minutes before. My initial impression of the Celestial was the older theme of the place. It is not updated in the least bit, but then again, why should it be? Cincinnati has a growing number of hip new restaurants, so I respect the age of this one, Like a grandfather who, while aging significantly, still can keep up at the gym. The service was great, our server was friendly and knowledgeable, but stayed out of our hair for the most part. The menu is diversified and thorough, but certainly not lacking. Even better, my steak was cooked to perfection. I really cannot say anything but positives about my experience at the celestial, my only reasoning for not giving it a 5th star is simply because i dont think of it and say "WOW I am dying to go back"
(4)William D R.
Two steaks at our table were tough and inedible. Won't be back for sure! I learned the next day that a temporary bridge came out with some of the grizzly Cowboy Steak that I couldn't even chew. I think I threw into my wife's Mussel bowl that came out cold. Not much else to say.
(1)Matt B.
Hit the Celestial last night for no particular reason. It has probably been about 10 years since I last visited. I was disappointed. This is not the place it once was and the decor needs some attention. Service was good, although I was served a warm beer. Had the New York Strip. It was purported to 14 oz but my guess is was less than 10. I would rather pay $10 more and get a Ruby's steak. It wasn't that good. Mashed sweet potato was bland. Finally, beer menu was limited. They didn't have any craft beers nor any beers brewed by local breweries. Really? With all the great local breweries we have they couldn't have a better selection of beer? Not one local beer available. Still- this has the best view in the City and if they can right the ship it should return to all its glory. Please do so before it goes out of business.
(2)Ernie A.
I've always loved going to the Celestial, but it seems things have gone down a bit recently. The service was not up to the excellent standard I have had in the past. There was no Valet at the door, that I usually utilize (so we had to park across the street in crowded parking lot. It still is a great view and good food, but not the excellence I once raved about.
(4)Matthew R.
Great view!! Great service!!! Average food. Got king crab corn chowder which was decent. I got a strip and my wife got a filet. Both ordered med-rare both came out upper end of med-well. So expect that at a chain Outback or Texas Roadhouse but not when you are shelling out $45 on a steak and the place has a reputation to uphold. Spare the view and go to Rubys! Never had a single problem there!!!
(2)Michael P.
I have long been a fan of The Celestial. It was popular with the governing board of the association for which I was the CEO, and a personal favorite of one of my past presidents. My recent visit was no disappointment! Decor: While it is not current, the knotty paneling has been there for some time, the spectacular view of Cincinnati never disappoints. Whether there in daylight or after dark, the view is the focus for me. We enjoyed watching boat traffic as well as the city. Service: We were early for an early dinner. The hostess offered to seat us immediately. We chose to go to the bar first since this was a special dinner -- our anniversary. We received a friendly greeting from both the hostess and the bartender. We were seated promptly when we were ready for dinner. Our dinner server was prompt and attentive throughout the dinner, but not intrusive. Pleasing service on all counts. Dinner: For starters, my wife chose the asparagus soup. It was wonderful. Creamy and flavorful. I chose the Celestial's answer to a lettuce wedge. It was a head (!) of lettuce with Maytag blue cheese (a personal favorite). I wondered how large it would be? It was a small head of lettuce. Just right. For the main course we both chose a special for the evening: a small 5 oz. filet, accompanied by purple mashed potatoes. This is a pleasing serving size. Yes, I like the larger steaks, but honestly, 5 oz. is really enough for a meal. Both steaks were perfect, including mine prepared Pittsburgh style. The potatoes were colorful and tasty, though not as hot (temperature) as I expected. Dessert topped the meal: creme-brulee and the homemade ice cream. Both were excellent, and ordering just one to share would have been plenty for the evening. The evening was as special as we desired. Once again, The Celestial met high expectations.
(5)Ss S.
The Celestial steakhouse is located at the top corner of Mt. Adams. The views are very nice and not a normal view that many people get to see of the city. The restaurant décor has a country club feel. Clean but a little 80's with all the mirrors. I had high expectations for the celestial after seeing the menu online and reading through reviews that people left on opentable.com . I had the steak for 2 option with my wife. The steak was cooked to the correct temp but too me had a lot of gristle in it. Not the best cut. The sides were ok. Nothing to rave about. The meal was kind of so so. I really wished for more with those prices. Our server didn't seem to know the menu very well and was pushy trying to up sell the higher priced wines. Kind of aggravating. After our meal we went to the bar for some live music and cocktails. The bar was very lively with locals and hoity toity types. Lots of good people watching. Plenty of cougars were on the prowl and old rich guys with their arm candy. Unfortunately, we won't be back. For you money the Precinct is the place to be! They are on a whole other level compared. That goes for service, price and food.
(2)Jodi D.
Very lovely restaurant, but as others have written, you feel even younger if you are a young guest. A lot of the clientele was much older than my boyfriend and I. Still, it was such a lovely experience. The view was stunning, we had dinner at sunset. :) Our waiter was an older gentleman, and he was so much of a kind and considerate man, I almost gave the place 5 stars. The only reason I subtracted one is because, with how swanky and lovely this place is, they need to wash their windows. The sun was catching the soap spots all over the windows where we were sitting, affecting the view a little. I was bummed by that. Anyway, the meat was sooooo very fabulous. We ordered the filet mignon, caramelized green beans, and this blissful chocolate cake. The wine selection was also wonderful. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone. Fantastic view, fantastic food, fantastic service. Just hire a better window washer!
(4)Sherry A.
Don't waste your time or money! Asked for view when making the reservations didn't happen even when I complained! Dinner took over 2 1/2 hours! Never again,
(1)Marcus J.
The view was outstanding. I think the Celestial is a perfect place for a "date night" or special occasion.
(4)Joe F.
Food was excellent as usual! Our server, Tim was attentive and accomodated my wife on the house when a dessert wine wasn't available. Longer wait on our reservation than i would have liked but the rest of the evening was excellent.
(3)Jason P.
Nice view but food has really gone downhill. Very overpriced and nothing really special or different about the plates. I really hope management fixes this place because it has such potential. Won't be returning, especially with so many new places in Cincinnati.
(1)Keith R.
Very disappointed in my experience and I wish I had heeded the advice given on here by other reviewers. I have been to a number of steak houses in and around Cincinnati and the celestial ranks dead last. The view alone, which is very nice, is the only thing about this place that puts it ahead of your outbacks etc. The service was terrible and the food was forgettable. If you are looking for an elite dining experience this place is not it. You are much better off visiting Jeff Ruby's or the precinct.
(2)Stephen G.
Disclaimer:- The Celestial was the venue for a recent retirement party we attended, but we only encountered the Incline bar, which is what this short review is based on... If you have a desire to surround yourself in what looks like Mid-80's decor and have a penchant for swanning theatrically up and down curved steps and/or sitting at a circular bar that makes you feel you're in a classic MTV video with Duran Duran, then The Celestial will knock your patterned cashmere socks off! If, like cheapskate l'il me, you baulk at the notion of $20 for a pair of simple drinks (akin to highway robbery without the mask), regardless of the stupendous views you have across downtown Cincinnati, then you'll stay away. It's that simple.
(3)Michelle B.
Let me first say what was good about the celestial. The view is amazing and the warm bread they brought with the meal was delicious.Ok, that's all that was good. The host was completely condescending and rude. My brother in law made reservation here for a large group to celebrate a graduation. We were all well dressed but had two toddlers with us. After being treated like dirt by the host we were treated only midly better by the server. The food was super expensive and just okay on flavor, I could cook something better at home. I was not impressed.
(2)Tim L.
The venue was very classy, and the view was great. First class venue and first class prices should result in first class food and service. This wasn't the case, and I was disappointed.
(3)Will M.
The first time I came here the experience was superb. My parents were in town and they're even harder to please than I am. Fortunately they were ecstatic, and spent the next 8 months asking me if I had gone back. The steaks were great, the sides were great, the salad was great and the service was great. What wasn't entirely great was the decor. It's got class, but seems like it was class in the early 1980s and hasn't been updated much since. In fairness, part of their carpet had come up and been removed, likely earlier that day, which really made it look a bit dingy. The view was fantastic. I went back months later and discovered, to my surprise, there was an entirely separate room! I missed that the first time. With an upstairs! Both looked impressive. Less impressive that second time was my filet. It was cooked perfectly, but extremely dry. It was properly pinkish purple, but very little juice was running out of it. That cost it two stars. It was a 3 star meal as such, but the entire rating is based off of that enormous flaw. I'll be back. Two trips, two different experiences. It deserves a third shot, and I'll update this review. Dry steak, lower rating. Good steak, higher rating. Cincinnati isn't lacking in high quality steaks, though, so there's a lot of competition.
(3)Joseph C.
Extremely disappointing and over rated. The shrimp cocktail appetizer was chewy and somewhat lukewarm instead of chilled and it came with a little less than a teaspoon of cocktail sauce. Some tables around us were offered bread, some were not, including us. The deserts took about twenty minutes to come to the table, but we were only offered coffee when the empty dessert plates were removed. The check took another twenty minutes to arrive and gratuity was included. What a waste of a nice view and a pretty restaurant.
(2)Tim G.
Took my wife for her birthday this past weekend. This place is a hidden gem. The bar is great with an incredible view, amble seating, quick service. The wine list is better than average even for an upscale steak house. The tomato tower was excellent especially for January tomatoes. I had the NY strip which was perfectly grilled and robustly seasoned but not overly so. We will be back for both the bar and dinner.
(5)Patrick E.
Excellent food, great service and a great view! We had the Cowboy Steak and the New York Strip and they were cooked to perfection. Excellent char on the outside and cooked just right on the inside. What more could you ask for? I'd like to see a bigger beer selection, something designed to complement steaks, but that's just my preference. My table enjoyed excellent wine and the staff recommendations were spot on. Highly recommended! Not cheap, but well worth it for that special date!
(5)Tim C.
In a town with a lot of good places to eat meat the Celestial stands out. First it is on one of the mountains near downtown so the view of the river is awesome. The service is great. The food is fantastic. It isn't cheap but it is a value. This is a destination dining event for Cincinnati. One I would do again. There was even a bar with dancing but the tunes and the crowd were left over from the Lawrence Welk era.
(5)Mike G.
I had never been here before even though i had always wanted to. I have always been a little hesitant to eat here because I hear pretty mixed reviews about the place. Most people who have been going for Years say that it used to be one of the nicest places in the city but has been slipping the last few years. We went there with a group of 7 on New Year's Eve. Our reservations were at 630. Our coats were taken and we were promptly seated. The Decor was very nice , wood walls, large round bar, beautiful chandelier and gorgeous views. Every detail of the interior of the place is designed to be one of the nicest restaurants in Cincinnati. They brought us a wine list which was respectable. The beer selection was not great , in fact they didn't even have a beer list the server just told us what beer they have. At this day and age with all these craft brews growing in popularity and all these new beer drinkers a good beer list is just as important as a good wine list . For some reason nice steak houses haven't seemed to grasp this. Miller light corona bud light and Stella just aren't cutting it anymore, it's time to step it up. For my first course I had the crab cake , which I would highly recommend it is one of the better crab cakes in the city. My girlfriend had a Gorgonzola pear salad which she liked. We had a few oysters which were the larger east coast oysters . As long as u have nice oysters to start with its pretty impossible to mess them up. For my dinner I had the special which was a fillet and lobster tail serves with mashes potatoes and mixed vegetables . My girlfriend had the scallops, she was very pleased with them , the bite I had I enjoyed , they were perfectly cooked. My fillet was good , not great just good. I would be happy to get this steak somewhere like outback or longhorn steakhouse . But when your at a place the has the reputation of being one of the nicest restaurants in the city I expect a little more. It falls pretty short compared to a rubys or Morton's. as for the lobster I can honestly say it was the worst lobster I had ever eaten in any restaurant. Not even edible by Outback Steakhouse standards. It was wayyyyyyyyy over cooked , like eating shoe leather with a little of the rubber shoe sole. Completely bland , just a huge disappointment. For desert we had the cheesecake with a raspberry sauce . It was decent , just your run of the mill nice cheesecake. Altogether we got out of there for two people for 150 which is overpriced considering the quality of the food. I would happily pay that for great food though. I would give the service and atmosphere 5 stars and would give the food 2. So 3-3.5 stars for the whole experience seems fitting.
(3)Sanjeet G.
This is a review from a younger crowds perspective. Pros: 1) The views are amazing, we went during a reds game and we could see the fireworks from a homerun which was kind of cool 2) The decor, very nice and classy 3) Very extensive wine list Cons: 1) The food is adequate but nothing spectacular 2) The service was absolutely terrible, our server didn't even know their wine list well, and then brought out the wrong bottle of wine Kind of a mixed review, its a cool place to bring a date for a late dinner, but not really the most relaxed and comfortable place. I would much rather go to Orchids, Local 127 or the Palace for my money.
(3)JandJ P.
Wife and I visited for the first time last weekend. The view is terrific. It took about 15 minutes to get menus, which was very odd. We narrowed our wine choice down to two bottles, then asked the waiter for his recommendation. He said okay, and left. We thought he was going to get the sommelier, whom we had previously witnessed addressing the table adjacent to ours. He did not return with the sommelier, nor did he describe either wine, he just left and brought back one of the bottles. Furthermore, he was clueless in wine service. First of all, when opening the bottle he placed the bottom of the bottle against his upper thigh and rotated it to cut the foil off the top. Secondly, he poured across the wife from the left, and did not have a cloth with which to wipe the mouth of the bottle after the pour. On a positive note, the wine was very reasonably priced. The red pepper bisque was a great starter. I had the salmon, which was perfectly prepared and quite excellent, and the wife had a filet, which was cooked perfectly but was unremarkable in flavor. We scoped out the bar area before leaving, and were almost disappointed we had not chosen the bar area for dinner. It was slightly darker, more inviting, and had a gentleman playing the piano, giving it the perfect ambiance that we had been expecting when we made reservations. And the view was even more spectacular. If you end up in Cincinnati, the bar at the Celestial is highly recommended.
(4)Russell G.
My wife and I dined here on our last trip to the Newport/Cinci area. We knew nothing of this restaurant and even her brother who lives here did not know of it either. We had simply purchased a Restaurant.com gift certificate and were hoping for the best. We were very much in luck. It was a late anniversary dinner since we'd been unable to actually celebrate our anniversary on it's correct date. So going in we were hoping for something nice and willing to splurge a little bit. The decor is a bit dated, but very upscale and still has a very nice feel to it. We were seated in the bar area and received a table with a very good view. This spot, on top of Mt Adams, provides a truly wonderful view of downtown and the river. With our late evening dinner time we were able to look out as the sun set and as the city lit up for night. Superb view which just completed a great meal. And the meal... was top notch. My wife had the Oscar which was fantastic and cooked perfectly. I myself had the sea bass with gnocchi, which was also drool-worthy. Topped off with the supremely rich chocolate torte for desert, the food could not have been better. Lastly, I would like to brag a bit on our server/bartender David. David was very personable, and knowledgeable about the menu and offerings. He chatted with us quite a while and even offered suggestions of other places to go and to eat for the remainder of our trip. Pace of the meal was perfect (we like to be slow and talk leisurely through our meals and he was very accommodating). And to top it off, he even offered to take some pictures of us on the little balcony outside the bar room, a gesture that was extremely kind of him. So if you go to the Celestial, and I recommend that you do, consider skipping the dining room altogether and instead go to the back and dine in the bar room. And don't forget to ask for David, you won't regret it.
(5)David H.
The service was not what one would expect at a restaurant such as the Celestial. The service was more like we were at the corner pub or a diner. Our server continued to call be "buddy". Great service is service that enhances the meal. The entrees were fantastic! Great view.
(5)Lisa S.
Celestial always impresses me from service, food to view of course, too. Their raw bar is always tasting fresh and they cook fine cuts of meat to your perfection. Thank you to Bisert, our favorite server, always leaving us looking forward to next special dining night at The Celestial.
(5)John W.
We must've caught a bad night. Or, I should've avoided the surf n' turf 'special'. Medium-rare steak came out well done+, They graciously cooked a new one, which was done right but chewy with sinew. The lobster was slimy and drowning in saltwater. My girlfriend's filet was very good, so I may just have been unlucky. The staff were friendly and the view spectacular. As others have noted, young folks will feel quite young here compared to most clientele. Oh, and if I wouldn't have inspected the bill, I wouldn't have caught the charge for the second bottle of Pinot we didn't have.
(2)Phoebe G.
Unbelievable view, superb service, and delicious food a drinks. It is a bit more expensive but well worth the money. Also, a great place to take a date - the bar sometimes has a band and a dance floor. Would definitely recommend!
(5)LIZ L.
I really enjoyed my Saturday night dress-up date at The Celestial's wood-paneled lounge! We came later in the evening, after dinner, so we bought drinks (strong!) and listened to jazz standards by a great combo, including the swell pianist and local legend, Lee Stolar. The room was packed with a great crowd of regulars, many of whom are seniors who live in the building. This, to me, was part of the amazing ambiance because these folks both surpassed me in years and in energy. If you ever want to learn how to have a good, old fashioned "great evening out," just go to the Celestial and watch the 70- and 80-somethings out-dance, out-drink, and out-mingle you. Then, join in - they'll welcome you! Whether it's for the amazing views, the jazz, the education in having a good time, the food, or drinks...just go (and wear a sportscoat, guys.) On the other hand, don't go. I don't want too many 30-somethings spoiling the party.
(5)Zach C.
Classic. Simply Classic. Celestial is somewhat hidden in a residency, but once you enter their bar you forget that the rest of the building exists. The view over Cincinnati is fantastic. The food is excellent. The service is headed by French expat, Christophe. If you go in before the crowd I recommend chatting with him a few minutes. Once he gets to know you, he makes sure you feel like a million. Its definitely an older crowd, so go in respectably and you will fit in nicely.
(5)TL C.
The Celestial Steakhouse, 1071 Celestial Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, is an elegant yet comfortable restaurant with excellent views of the Cincinnati skyline. The atmosphere is relaxing and indulgent. The wait staff is extremely accommodating and helpful. They worked with me to accommodate my vegetarian requests without hesitation. I ordered the beefsteak tomato tower without the avocado. It was pretty and delicious. I requested the Jumbo Shrimp Penne without the shrimp. Again, it was beautifully prepared and delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed it and took the leftovers with me for later. My dinner companions enjoyed their filet mignon and Mediterranean Lamb dishes. Desserts included a chocolate torte, creme brulee, and cheesecake. We shared the three desserts, so I can attest that all three were delicious. My torte was my favorite though. The Celestial Steakhouse provided a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere with delicious food!
(5)Skunkie B.
We've been there for several years and had great experience. EXCEPT for couple weekend ago in May 2011. Took my wife and another couple for a nice weekend dinner. Had a reservation, but only to find out that their liquor license had a problem. Told us to go to UDF and pick up a wine. For an upscale restaurant, I was displeased for the fact that they had plenty time to call us to let us know of the situation. I would have been more than happy to take a bottle of wine from home. Would have given 4 star otherwise. Will try again in few weeks.
(3)Russell B.
We had a hoot at this restaurant. It's at the base of an apartment building with a spectacular view overlooking Cincinnati. The building residents are old school where they dress for dinner, with a nice 3 or 4 piece band w/ singer. The menu has some nice traditional plates, but it's first and foremost a steakhouse with few, if any, lighter-fare items. We noticed Chilean Sea Bass on the menu and in true Berzerkeley-esque fashion asked the waitress if it was sustainably sourced. "Yes, it's grilled". ha ha We never figured out if it was or not, but it was quite yummy. Apparently, this is also where middle-aged divorcees meet for first dates, as there were several couples whooping it up at the bar, and more than one hand slipping up his date's skirt. The residents greet each other genteelly, they've all lived there 50+ years. And couples dance together to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman. All in all, a delightful evening.
(4)Adam M.
The Celestial was incredible! Everything from the atmosphere to the food was tremendous. The view of the city was very nice. The menu had unique dishes and both mine and my wife's meal was fabulous. I highly recommend this place and I plan on going back more.
(5)Isabel Y.
The first time I came here was for my 17th birthday dinner with my high school boyfriend...and I fell in love with it immediately. I have been back a few times since! Every few years I remember how awesome Celestial is as a restaurant experience. Perfect location, excellent service, a true French meal-- I think they serve 8 or 9 courses throughout the night? No comment on dishes in particular, but it's all good. Going to Celestial is a food marathon though...so consider that when making plans. It takes like over 3 hours to eat here. Not because service is slow, but because of the courses, the measured, painstaking effort on the food, and the appropriate lag time between meals. It was such a happy "oh what's coming next?!" experience. Anyway, definitely go if you haven't been. If there was a restaurant I'd want to be proposed to, it could very well be this one.
(5)Serena S.
This place is special to me for personal reasons. The food is delicious, the view is spectacular, the setting romantic, and the service is good. The type of place that makes you fall in love, so I recommend bringing that special someone.
(5)Matthew H.
In college, my girlfriend decided to take me to the Celestial on my birthday. Unfortunately we had a terrible storm in Oxford and the drive to Cincinnati took roughly 2 hours. On the way we called to let the restaurant know we were braving the weather and would be there a.s.a.p. After we showed up extremely late for our reservation, we realized not a single other patron was in the restaurant. This was a non-issue as a great old man led us to our table. After that we watched the snow storm from an incredibly view and had a private dining experience. The food was incredible and this was one of the best birthday's I could have asked for.
(5)Kevin S.
Heavenly views, and pretty good food too! Celestial is perched on a cliff overlooking downtown Cincinnati in Mt. Adams, Cincinnati's trying-a-little-too-hard answer to San Francisco. The chef here used to run the dining room in the Sherman House Hotel in SF and his time in the city by the bay shows through with very creative dishes. This is one of my particularly favorite places to come just after or even during a big snow, if you can make it up the hills in the slush and ice. The city glistens below you, Mt. Adams is even more lovely with a layer of frosting, and the crackling fireplace and see through wine cellar make Celestial seem that much closer to the real thing.
(5)