Would have loved to have tried this place! Since its Restaurant Week, we looked at all the menus and decided to try Washington Platform since we're headed to OTR. We made a reservation for 7 pm and walked in the door a few minutes early. We were seated and given menus. After no greeting, nod or acknowledgment from any staff, we googled how long is reasonable to wait. Every article said 2-5 minutes. After 10 minutes, we left. Sorry. Won't be back. No excuse
(1)
Tanya P.
Decided to try the wild boar burger for burger week. Not a good choice. Bluck... It was charcoal black! It was thin like goetta. The owner decided to make a "stand out burger." It stood out, but not in a good way. If you are looking for the Monday 1/2 price apps, don't! Three of the apps. are half price. Anything that includes seafood is not included in the half price appetizers. Although it isn't marked anywhere. You may be paying full price. The chicken tenders are great! They are actually a chicken tender(not some frozen thing.). Blue crab and bacon Mac and cheese was wonderful but spicy, which I like. Beer special are$2&$3 domestic and craft. The dessert was good. It was from Bon Bonerie. The atmosphere is fall and quaint. They have a very large and different menu. I'd say it's a little pricey. I might try it again.
(2)
Danae B.
So if you know me, I HATE writing low star reviews. Especially on places like this. This place has been around a long time and I honestly don't know why. Everyone that worked there was great, so nice and helpful and accommodating. The food was just not worth it. I really felt like I would have rather just grabbed a sandwich at home. Side salad was ok, but nothing special. The soup was way too spicy, and also not great. We went here during oyster festival, and we had a dish that sounded very interesting: Oyster & Shrimp Curry, cooked with veg and apples and served over brown rice. It was also way too spicy and just not good. I could be MAYBE talked into going back and trying their staple dishes, but I don't know. For the price, I would honestly rather go somewhere else.
(2)
Estefania S.
Wing fling is no joke here! We drove by and saw the sign that they advertise about this and we quickly called to order pick up. It was quick and easy to order wings over the phone and we ordered a variety of different ones. They even offer cauliflower wings which of course we chose as our preference. We did get one order with bone in chicken wings and we were happy to find out that they beat all of their wings, never fried. They have options to custom order breaded wings that are deep-fried with the regular ones that are on the menu compete and this is definitely a plus for us. Our order was available within 15 to 20 minutes and the food was definitely fresh. We tried the raspberry wings, the jerk wings, Louisiana wings and the burgundy wings. We can't even pick a favorite but for now let's just say that the raspberry wings we are a perfect 10! Cannot wait to be back in this area to munch down on whatever they have to offer.
(5)
Tricia H.
Why didn't I get the fried oysters!!!! I usually do but wanted to try something different.....MISTAKE! I decided to try the Charleston Crab and Cheese Grits. This dish needs a major overhaul. It had way to many onions and the wine sauce was to over powering.
(4)
Brandon D.
Good food at a good price! This is one of the few places downtown or in the city for that matter that serves cajun food. They always have some type of event going on - Roadkill Cafe, Oyster Fest, Crab Fest, etc. We eat here every friday during lent. You really can't beat their fish sandwich special.
(4)
Diane W.
I have always loved this place. And when a group of friends made plans to come into town and join me for dinner and a show, I chose Washington Platform because A) It's so close to The Know Theatre; B) the food and service are great, and C) the noise level was perfect -- we could actually hear each other talking. Awesome dinner. My friends are still talking about what a good time they had.
(5)
Joe L.
I live down the road from Washington Platform and went a few times during their "wing fling" last year. So when the "wing fling" returned this year I thought I would order some. I called to place a take-out order and the other person I was ordering for has Celiac. She was excited because unlike most wing places they have a grilled options (vs. all deep fried) so in all likelihood her allergy wouldn't prevent her from eating those. I called to inquire if the wings were gluten-free and a man named "Joe" said "they should be but not sure" but it seemed he didn't really know. I asked if he could check on the ingredients or if I could speak to someone who might know. I was being very cordial and cooperative as we were really looking forward to wings...but he proceeded to tell me that if I was worried about it that I shouldn't order from them. I asked if I could speak to a manager and he told me there wasn't one I could speak to. I told him I was disappointed about the customer service, I asked him his name, and told him I would be leaving a negative review on Yelp. To that he simply hung up on me. Very poor customer service...On the call he raised his voice at me, yelled at me, and hung up on me. Having worked at restaurants, waited tables, and been a bartender I can't say that is ever the right way to handle a situation. I went there to eat one other time outside of wing fling because they had some seafood options and it was lent. I was pretty disappointed with the quality and preparation of the seafood. I would not recommend Washington Platform based on their food...and definitely would deter you based on how they treat customers.
(1)
Angela Dawn A.
I had the worst dinner service there in my life! The bartender never introduced himself as he ate his burger in front of us...so how are we to address him when need a drink? He never served plates with our appetizer. We had burger and fries...that were cold. Again....with NO one at the bar I couldn't get his attention. Finally, a waiter so nicely brought us a new batch of fries. The only time he made eye contact was while he stared at us while we ate. I've seen a rock have more personality then this bartender. I called the next day and talk to the owner John...said I think the old man bartender with now personality is very bad for his business and being in the serves industry myself, I'm not a usual complainer, but it was like eating in a library..yet alone the horrible serve. The owner agreed, has heard many complains, and explain how he is sort of grandfathered in...and perhaps I don't know his charming personality. When I continue to say how he 'sucks' he Screams that it his 'Friend' and hangs up on me!!! I can't believe he screamed and hung up...I was not out of line. I was telling him how bad his bartender is for business. Joe the bartender sucks!! Fuck this owner and his business
(1)
Caitlin D.
The food is good. but the staff is often frazzled and not very welcoming. There is usually an atmosphere of impending disaster. We were seated at our reserved table and the waitress commented rather nastily to the hostess "thanks for double seating me". Now I worked in a restaurant before and while I appreciate the sentiment, I also think it's a disrespectful thing to say in front of a guest. Wouldn't come here again.
(2)
Scott W.
Quite possibly the worst service and meal I have had in Cincinnati in 25 years. We found this restaurant on Open Table looking for a place to eat before heading to an event which started at 7:30 downtown. We arrived at 5:45. We ended up waiting at least 15 minutes before our waitress showed up and took our drink order. She apologized for the wait and we thought it may get better. It took another 15 minutes to get the drinks. The we had to flag her down and say "Can we please order?" We order appetizers and our meals...after a half hour a salad and appetizer arrived. Another half hour, two meals of the six showed up. Then another two and then 15 minutes after the last two arrived. The meals were absolutely junk. My wife ordered a petite steak and it came with frozen vegetables. I ordered a Po Boy with a cup of gumbo. The soup had sat in the back at least 15 minutes...cold to the touch. Getting the check was a pain as well. This was not just at our table but all tables around us. All other customers seated near our group were displeased with everything about this place. The restaurant is worn, old, cold, dirty and it smelled. Bar rescue or restaurant impossible needs to implode this place and start over. I can't honestly say anything good about this place. With the new OTR restaurants a block or two away...this restaurant is seeing its day coming to an end. The sooner the better. We arrived at our event 45 minutes late. Never again.
(1)
Paul E.
This place absolutely sucks. I made reservations specifically requesting a table in the music room, which they said was no problem. When we got there, they said that they had no tables available in the music room. Then they attempted to say that they had no record of us requesting the music room. The hostess initially said that she would see what she could do, but then completely ignored us and made no effort to accommodation us at all. She was very rude and basically implied that we were liars. We left and went somewhere else. I've also had other bad experiences, here. The manager is a jerk who I've seen coming to the hostess stand and turning away customers who want to hear the music, insisting that they have no tables open for the entire night. This place treats its customers, particularly the music fans, like crap. Lots of better options in Cincinnati!
(1)
Joe D.
Average at best... I had the oyster po boy, and my stomach still feels gross as a result. The atmosphere feels jumbled, as if the restaurant's owners couldn't agree on the type of environment they wanted to create. Given the (rapidly growing) amount of choices in the Downtown/OTR dining scene, this joint is forgettable.
(2)
Teresa T.
Gets 2 stars for the Jazz and raw oysters (although Mother Nature gets credit for the flavor), otherwise, this place is Red Squirrel at Jeff Ruby costs.
(2)
La'Keyta H.
I am so happy that I received a gift certificate to Washington Platform as it encouarged my husband and I to attend. We were going to see a play at 8pm which was in the neighborhood and decided to use our certificate and give this place a try. I am so glad that we did. I ordered the seafood bisque soup which was just delightful. In this amazing cream sauce was salmon, shrimp and blue crab. Initially I was annoyed that this soup only came as a bowl not a cup because I did not want that much and did not like the $9.95 price tag but once I took a bite, I wanted more. In fact I actually wanted to rush into the kitchen and eat it out of the pot. It was so rich and just a delicate treat. Besides my side salad it was the only thing I ate all of. Not that my Apple Nut Chicken was not delicious but I knew of the two re-heating the chicken would be a better call. I truly enjoyed everything I ate and what my husband ate aswell because of course I had to try his. We will definitely be back for seconds, thirds, and more.
(4)
Mark E.
Oysters Parmigian are outstanding. Cajun Red Snapper and Crab Cakes are awesome! The portions are generous and the service is friendly and fast. For a Saturday night at dinner time, the noise level was negligible. This is a gem in the downtown dining scene. Great experience.
Man, I hate to give a low review for a place that has Wing Fling, but the service... the service just leaves way too much to be desired, way too often. Let me start with the good- their wings are the BEST in the city. I'll never pay for the tiny, dry wings from Buffalo Wild Wings again. They have a variety of sauces, and, during their Annual Wing Fling, that variety increases, and it's just awesome. I've also had their lobster mac & cheese and their black bean burger with the bbq sweet potato fries, and they're also really good. However, their service can be slow & unfriendly. So much so, that I often just take out my food instead of sitting in to eat. In particular, a taller blonde woman has been quite rude to a couple of my friends on more than one occasion. When the owner is there, or pretty much any other waitress, the service is swift, attentive, and friendly. The taller blonde does not embody any of those qualities and unfortunately works there often. She gives curt answers, and I've balks at any requests (for instance if she brings out blue cheese instead of ranch, she will have a not-so-pleasant attitude if you ask her to go back for the ranch). I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners a few years ago, and he was wonderful. He told me more about how the place came about, and I love its rich history. The bald guy behind the bar isn't friendly but isn't mean. He didn't rub me the wrong way, personally, but I've had many people tell me they won't be back because of his lacking personality. Last time I visited was about a month ago, and I was introducing friends who had never been to Wing Fling. The waitress got nearly all of our orders wrong, but the kitchen was closed so we couldn't get the sauces corrected. Overall, I'd rate a 2.5 or 3. Great food, but service is very important to me.
(3)
Eddie W.
Fish tacos to die for. Gobs of wings to satisfy every possible preference. You can do mild, medium and stinkin' hot. And the wings have a TON of meat on them. Then, there's creole gumbo that will change your life. We finished with fried oysters that didn't disappoint. A must stop place to eat in Cincy. How often do you go somewhere and not have any disappointments? Everything was a five.
(5)
Beth H.
Finally had a chance to make it down to Washington Platform & enjoy a meal with friends inside the restaurant. I've always zeroed in on their booth during previous years at The Taste of Cincinnati but never made it to the actual location till tonight. Originally my group of friends was going down to partake in the Cincinnati Burger week special but they had run out of the special burger. Since we were already seated we decided to stay and explore the rest of the menu. My friends stuck with different types of burgers & I branched out with the crab cakes which were delicious. The service was good, our waiter was polite & friendly. The atmosphere is nice probably b/c it's not geared towards kids. It was a nice ambiance where you could have a large group of a table for two & still be happy with the sound. Overall, I would definitely recommend Washington Platform to others & come back myself. You can also do online reservations which was nice. Also, there is convenient parking lot across the street if you are not find of street parking.
(5)
Jim M.
Went for 'oyster fest.' Not sure that's the best term to describe it, it wasn't much of a 'fest,' rather just an extended menu with oysters. We arrived quite early so not much was going on, maybe it's better in the evening as there was no live music when we rolled in (~1pm). I definitely would not go back for food again but perhaps for drinks and music since there's not much else around that area. I'll start with the good: -raw oysters (it's hard to screw up raw oysters unless they're spoiled) -decent beer selection Next, the bad....: -very slow service, very slow -the bartender forgot our buffalo style oysters and when we finally asked him he ran back an immediately brought them out, luke warm, and mushy, implying they had been sitting there for some time -my water was served with a bug in it, which I pointed out -the oysters Rockefeller were pretty underwhelming and served luke warm -at least three oysters we got were spoiled and left a nasty, nasty taste in my mouth and our guest's mouths. (we ordered several different oyster dishes, so my guess is about 3-4 in ~36 were bad) -our wings took close to 35-40min to arrive, but when they did they were hot at least and overall tasted fine ^The bad greatly outweighed the good, unfortunately, but I'm not really sure what I should have expected from an 'oyster fest' at a bar in Cincinnati. Full disclosure, I live in New Orleans and have high expectations for seafood, however we went because our family, who lives in Cincinnati, really wanted to get oysters and thought this would be fun.
Ate for the first time at Washington Platform on Friday night at about 9 PM, after a Fringe show. Who knew they had jazz on Friday nights? Really good jazz, too. The one server seemed to be struggling to serve a lot of tables, but he was clearly hustling and got our food and drinks to us in a (mostly) timely manner. The Delaware Bay oysters were surprisingly unsalty, but tasty. Onion straws were classic and not too greasy. Fried oysters, shrimp casino, and crab cake were all well prepared. A pretty unassuming place, but the price was right and the jazz was good. What more could you ask for?
(3)
Donald B.
Homeless hanging around outside. The usual reservations? BS w/lots of tables available and they put us at most likely the worst table available. We've eaten there a few times. This time because we were stuck and in a hurry. We've been disappointed w/the quality of food everytime we've visited. Honestly we're surprised that have an on-going business. The waiter was fine. This is the place that had a death from raw oysters: sconet.state.oh.us/rod/d…
(1)
Paige M.
Washington Platform originated in 1860 as a saloon that catered to the folks working on the Erie Canal just one block away. It served Cincinnatians until Prohibition, then became a variety of other establishments such as a produce shop and a Chinese laundry. In 1986, Washington Platform returned to its roots as a restaurant and bar. My first visit was for a group luncheon in May. We loved the decor: exposed brick with old pictures of Cincinnati and the Erie Canal, hardwood, white tablecloths and bright natural lighting. Our table ordered a variety of dishes from soup to salad to sandwiches. I had the Dixie Chicken sandwich and a side of pasta salad. Everyone ate in enjoyment and I made a mental note to return here for future meals. Fast forward to August, where I can best describe my experience as hearing Gordon Ramsay shout, "What the bloody hell is this?!" My friend and I were handed menus that were in English, Japanese, and another Asian language. Washington Platform serves Americanized seafood. Not only was the menu baffling, but the multiple languages made it difficult to understand the options. Also, the menu was missing half of the options that were available in May, mainly sandwiches and salads. We ordered our entrees. My main came with a salad, so my friend asked if her side of french fries could be brought out with my appetizer. My salad appeared a while later looking rather sad. The lettuce was dark green, wilted, and getting soggy spots. You know the kind: what you see appear on bagged salads when it's time to throw them out. I took two bites and pushed it aside. No sign of the french fries; my friend was told they would just be another minute. Sure enough, the fries showed up with our mains. My friend ordered the Salmon Salad which arrived covered in random garnishings. The menu description read: "...on a bed of fresh spinach with croutons, bleu cheese, walnuts, and Raspberry Vinaigrette." What arrived was this and more: tomato, cucumber, mushrooms, sprouts, black olives, and cantaloupe. My friend just wanted a simple salad and wasn't pleased with all the uncomplimentary extras. Of course, the garnishings were likely there to disguise the miniscule piece of fish that topped of the salad: a third of a normal portion. Not good for a $10.00 price tag. My main was the Blue Crab Bleu, a pasta dish with crab in a bleu cheese and creole sauce. I could barely see or taste the crab, as this dish was smothered in cream. It came with a side of garlic bread, which was odd, seeing as it was a creole dish. At least it was better than my friend's bread, which was a warmed bun that had gone stale on the outside. Our checks arrived and I noticed an error on my bill. My entree was listed as $13.00 on the menu and I was charged $15.00. The waitress explained that the menu was printed wrong, and after some discussion, she refunded the difference. Be sure to watch your check. Other notable nuisances: - While the atmosphere appears business casual with table cloths and live cello music, I noticed signage for Wing Night and "Roadkill Cafe" which features menu items like rabbit and pigeon...and I thought this place was trying to be a classy seafood restaurant. - Random decorations that don't fit in with the exposed brick and old Cincinnati photo theme, such as displays of peacock feathers. - A note that said the restaurant reserves the right to add a 15% gratuity to any table who splits checks. What happened to Washington Platform? My first impression was wonderful, but now it seems to be struggling for an identity. It would be great as a simple seafood and sandwich pub with old, classy Cincinnati decor. Instead, it's ruining itself with subpar food, a lack of consistency, and promotions for Roadkill. Price per person: $17.00
(2)
John B.
4 stars for service, 2 stars for food. I hate to keep piling on the negative reviews on this place, but my meal was only meh, and when I am spending almost $10 for a salad, I expect something for my money. I along with a rather large group of at least 20 people had a great business lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The two servers were on top of everything and the food came out quickly and correctly. The only time things hit a snag was when we all needed our checks. It seemed the servers had to go in the front part of the restaurant instead of handling things in the back where we were. Oh well, not a big deal. I think they need a POS station in the back area. I had a Black and Bleu Salad ($8.50) which is made with Cajun grilled chicken on fresh spinach w/ Bleu Cheese Dressing and fresh garden garnish. I selected the Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing which was actually green for some reason. When I inquired, the server just said that it settles and that it is just made that way. Whatever, it tasted fine. The rest of the salad was just rather stale tasting, like it had been collecting dust in their kitchen until some guy like me that is trying to eat healthy comes along. ha ha. The chicken was the highlight, but overall the salad was just not great. The cucumbers and tomatoes were a nice touch. There were a lot of mushrooms included too. (See photo) WiFi, according to their menu is free but I never saw any SSID that my phone could connect to. I don't know if it's just in the front part, but I would have been able to see even a weak signal if that was the case. The desserts looked great, someone next to me ordered the BonBonerie Opera Cream Cake which made my salad a little jealous. The bathroom smelled like it really needed to be cleaned. Just saying.... I don't like negative reviews and apparently I am not the only one that has had a rather unsatisfying dining experience here. Time will tell if WP can survive, but at this point I would not be surprised to see this landmark building be converted to something else.
(2)
Rick H.
Wow, .50 cent oysters on Monday are the best deal in town, bar far during the summer! They are big, cold and delicious! Can't say anything better about them.
(5)
Maureen B.
Ordered a Bloody Mary clearly made with a packaged mix and zero vodka (no exaggeration), and too much ice. The food is mega-salty-to-inedible, and the hamburger is probably the only thing I would risk ordering again. The oyster po-boy had six teensy mostly-breading oysters. The rotini pasta salad was maybe the worst side dish I've ever eaten. The mayonnaise on the side had hard bits of things (old mayonnaise?) sticking out of it. Service is fast, and there was great jazz music in the next room, but no thank you, it's another Why, Cincinnati, Why disappointment.
(1)
Jim K.
The month of August is there "wing fling", over 50 variations on wings, some very good choices.
(5)
Caleb H.
Washington Platform is definitely worth a second try. Went here the other day before seeing a show at a local theater company, and thought it was pretty good. We were kind of splurging so we ordered several things from the menu. I got the Jampastalaya, which is like a Cajun pasta dish. It has shrimp, andouille sausage, and crab meat in creole sauce served of penne pasta. The pasta was a little under done for my taste but it was pretty good. A cup of gumbo came with my dinner, it wasn't the best gumbo I've ever had. it seemed a little over seasoned to me. My wife order the Apple Nut Chicken entree, which worked well. The highlight of the meal with the Seafood Bisque. It had great flavor in the broth and contained salmon, shrimp, and crap meat. I will order this the next time I am there. The two downsides of the dish are its $9.95 asking price and that it only comes in a bowl. The staff were very attentive and friendly. Our orders came out in a timely manner. Overall I found the whole experience very satisfying.
(3)
Angie M.
The WP is awesome for good seafood although they admit the servings are much smaller than last year! We like to sit at the bar and the bartender (s) have no personality! They watch you while you eat or talk, just stand in front of you when your drink is empty, etc. How about 'can I get you another drink?' Use your words WP bar staff!!
(2)
Josh R.
A disappointment because everything about the place makes you think it would be great, however, food quality is really lacking and we were grossly underwhelmed by it. As someone who loves Cajun food I was excited to see that they have some Louisiana favorites, but unfortunately they really dropped the ball on them. My wife's dish was grossly under seasoned, as was mine. I really should have sent it back but since it took forever to get our dish and we had tickets for a show we just ate it begrudgingly. Service was crappy as there only seemed to be one waitress busting her ass while everyone else kind of goofed off. I felt kind of bad for her. This place needs a management upgrade.
(2)
Monica W.
With all of the negative reviews on here I was a little hesitant about going here. Surprisingly though I had a pretty good experience here. I came here with a big group of people for a get together one evening and we all started at the bar. The drinks seemed to be fairly priced and they had a decent selection of beers. And they bar tender seemed pretty friendly as well. I walked around this cute restaurant for a bit to take it all in, and I liked most of what I saw. Lots of brick and little hallways and dark lighting. I think that this place must be pretty old/historic from some of the reviews of read but I feel like they keep the place pretty clean. When our group went to sit down for dinner our waitress told us that we couldn't stay too long because there was a party that was reserved right after us, I wasn't sure how to take this information considering the fact that the whole restaurant didn't seem that full. But anyways my parents and I ordered the fish tacos which were very good! Lots of fish and lots of flavor. Others at the table ordered small appetizers and some ordered chicken wings. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. I would come back here again for a second go around. I think that this place has a lot of potential.
(3)
Ryan P.
This place has single-handedly changed my view on raw oysters. When I tried them years ago at a different restaurant, I wasn't a fan because they were pretty tasteless and had a chewy texture. When I visited Washington Platform for their Bockfest Brunch Buffet (alliteration, yes!), I figured I would give the oysters another shot, especially since my brother and his girlfriend have both been raving about them for some time. Plus I was already paying for them on the buffet, so why not? Their oysters had a good flavor, and melted in the mouth like butter. They went really well on a saltine cracker with cocktail sauce, horseradish, and lemon. These were about a thousand times better than the last oysters I had, and I'd say these will set the bar for a long time. Now that I was digging the oysters, how about the rest of the buffet treats? What really drew me to here for the buffet was the promise of roast lamb and Avril Bleh sausages. The roast lamb was cooked well done, but was still tender, well seasoned, and overall delicious. I just wish they had some mint jelly to accompany it. I'll bring my own next year! From Avril Bleh, they had bratwursts (at least I think they were brats, they were labeled as metts, but clearly weren't), bockwursts, and spicy Italian sausage. All three were pretty good, but the spicy Italian was by far my favorite. It has some serious heat! Other buffet items were fried chicken, salmon & bow-tie pasta, roast turkey, Caesar salad, fresh fruit, mac & cheese, & rice pilaf. I didn't try all of those, but of those I did, the Caesar salad was the hit. They also had a small dessert buffet, complete with brownies, cookies, cream puffs, bread pudding, and one of the best pieces of cheesecake I've ever had. Since it was a Bockfest brunch, Bock is required, right? Wrong. I was already bocked out from Bockfest Hall the night before, so I went with a Blank Slate Fume to drink. They did have a good showing of bocks on tap though, and other beers, both macro and micro, in bottles. The service was a bit slow, but I think they seemed to be understaffed. Our waitress had only been working there three days, but she still did a decent job of taking care of us. The price was right too, only $22 for the entire buffet! You can't beat that. We even got a free tour of the old pre-prohibition cellar under the restaurant after our meal. It's only a few rooms, but it was really neat to see, and it's hard to imagine that there's many more of these places under other downtown businesses. I'll definitely be back to Washington Platform, probably for more oysters and beer, and hopefully before the next Bockfest rolls around!
(4)
Angela C.
I think I like Washington Platform? It's an awesome historic building with tons of neat wall hangings, like an old map of Cincinnati when we still had a canal. It feels very old-timey with the wooden trim and cute booths and I love that. I can't decide what I think about the food, though I've eaten there twice now. On one hand, I didn't dislike it, but nothing I've had so far has stuck out in my mind. The most recent visit, I went with my husband and in-laws. Everyone seemed pretty happy with the food. I ordered the jampastalya, which is... jambalaya pasta... and had such a weird experience- it tasted good except that there was a weird bitter aftertaste BUT no one else thought so but me. I have no idea. Besides that, there were plump tasty shrimp hidden in there, but the crawfish tails must have been very small because I couldn't really tell they were there. I might not have ordered the right dish yet. Regardless, this is a nice place if you want to try something different downtown and soak in some history while you eat. I'll be back!
(3)
Helen V.
OMG, DON'T BOTHER We went there with another couple who suggested this place since it's Oyster Fest. The fresh raw oysters have always been my favorite so we thought, hey, what the heck. We ordered the usual raw oysters (nothing out of the ordinary) We also ordered: *cornbread/oysters munchies which is like a crab cake. *oysters with cheese on top (I wasn't sure about this when I was reading the menu but our friends wanted to try it) Main Dish: *Oyster paella (the worst paella I've ever had). The dish simply has a mixture of small pieces of seafood OVER dirty rice. You can't really call it paella unless the RICE has absorbed the goodness from the meats/seafood. Very disappointing...YUCK. *Oyster curry- HUM, where is the curry? Whoever created the menu obviously do not know the taste/texture of oyster enough to come up with a better combination. The description on the menu SOUNDED so much better than the real thing. It just didn't deliver. The service was great (credit to the server), however, the value, taste, decor are more like ONE STAR that I won't even bother going back. I understand the alcohol always can bring crowds but if your food is not so great, don't call yourself a restaurant, stick with BAR and SNACKS please. The Oyster Fest was a bust....I didn't get to feast and I didn't feel festive at all.
(2)
Matt B.
Went there with some friends for restaurant week. We were greeted by a man who told us how tired they were from the earlier rush of restaurant week. Our server pretty much conveyed the same. Service was lackluster at best. One person at the table ordered the crab cake. It came out almost black in color instead of golden brown. Several others ordered the beef with mashed potatoes. Beef was good but the potatoes were ice cold. Prob will not go back.
(2)
Ben N.
Washington Platform is pretty hapless. At least it was on the recent night we were there. A group of us went the opening week of Oyster Festival, a time of year when I figured this restaurant would be on top of its game. I was wrong. The vastly expanded menu for this event apparently threw the kitchen, and, by extension, the entire restaurant, into a panic. The most preposterous thing about this experience was the glacial service. Even though the restaurant was only about one-third full, we waited roughly an hour (!) between appetizers and entrees. On the few times we actually saw our server in the room, she was madly racing around, but rarely to our table. (Maybe some staff was playing hooky?) Drink orders defiitely weren't getting refilled. She appeared at the table a total of about four times in 2 1/2 hours we were there. Food-wise, "Creole" gumbo was weird. I will say that it was a stew with relatively robust flavor and was of a nice, thick consistency. But the menu says its "chockful of seafood" and "sausage" but I didn't detect much evidence of either in my bowl. Maybe it was cooked down or pureed into mush, but this is unlikely. There was plenty of corn, though, which I've never seen in any creole gumbo. Further, the gumbo had enough hot pepper to char your tastebuds. Contrary to the apparent belief of some, though, Creole and other Louisiana food normally isn't very spicy-hot at all. (Heavily-seasoned, yes, just not spicy hot.) Especially not gumbo. WP's "Oyster Festival" brochure suggests that eight or ten different types of oysters from all over the planet are served during this promotion, although the menu doesn't indicate which types of oysters come with which dishes. And I know that oysters come in different shapes and sizes. But having had a variety of oysters over the years, I've got to say that the "oysters" in my smoked "oyster" salad sure as shit looked like mussels. (Let's put it this way: They didn't look like any oyster I've ever had, but a lot like different types of mussels I've had.) Taste-wise, it was hard to tell, because they were overcooked, and the smoke overwhelmed any natural flavor. Because I knew we wouldn't see our server again for a half-hour, I let my questions slide. I guess I'll never know..... Anyway, a subpar, thrown-together salad. And I noticed that WP's oyster "po boy" is served on sourdough. Memo to Washington Platform: If it ain't on french, it ain't a po-boy, dammit. (Crimony, I sound like these hidebound New Orleanians who used to drive me nuts with their rants about preserving the "cultcha," when I lived there, but still and all, get it right. Or just call it an oyster sandwich.) A plus: WP has a comfortable atmosphere in an old corner bar/restaruant with some character to it. Some (decent) music in the background would help, though; if you're going with this old-school Creole theme, bust out your New Orleans R & B or your traditional jazz. Overall, the general incompetence of Washington Platform on this particular evening counsels against going back for a full meal.
(2)
Nora C.
Went here with a group of six during Oyster Fest...late afternoon/early evening on a Saturday, service was quick and pleasant. The bartender took care of our food orders and offered recommendations of some top picks from Oyster Fest's special menu...we tried a couple of different cooked and raw options...the biggest hits had crab+oyster...yum! They had a good beer selection as well. Not sure if I'll make it back before the next Oyster Fest but this event is not to be missed. Did I mention that I thought I hated oysters and this place converted me into a fan? Truth!
(4)
Karla B.
I was so hyped to go to Oyster Fest & enjoyed my overall experience until I found my card was charged twice, by the server who made the error. I called the owner, John, who lacks hospitality management, and is Greedy & Selfish because he refuses to credit me the money that his server took off my card. Now, John said he will play tit for tat until someone calls to pay for the other half. In all my years in the restaurant industry I have never seen management/ ownership treat anyone like this. My first experience will the be the last experience.... It's too bad you were lacking problem solving skills with me John... I really thought this was going to be my new favorite Cincinnati restaurant, instead I am so pissed off by this, it blows my mind. Karmas a bitch John, I hope it gets 10x fold on you! Greedy man!
(1)
AJ T.
As another reviewer said, looks like it would be a great place but was subpar. steak medallions were fatty, small and not cooked as ordered. Ceaser salad was drowned in dressing that tasted like mustard. Took us more than an hour to get our food. The only good part was the opera creme.
(2)
Glenn C.
First experience with this restaurant was at the Taste of Cincinnati. The crab cakes were horrible! My son and I eat took 1 taste and threw the rest in the garbage can. We have had many crab cakes before and these were definitely in the lower tier. Can't speak about the rest of their food, but if they can't make a decent crab cake I wouldn't trust anything else.
(1)
Bea D.
I went to crabfest last year and oysterfest this year. Neither time have I found the food to be very good. The prices are high so I would expect quality, but it is just not so. I do not find the atmosphere to be enjoyable either. This place looks like it hasn't changed since 1985 (but I have no real idea of its history). There are far better places in town for oysters and seafood. Oh, and the ladies room is hardly big enough to turn around in. And I would expect better cleanliness.
(2)
Eric C.
Chicken wings were ok nothing to make me go back for! Food is kinda pricey and selection is limited! Building is great! Had live entertainment which was nice! Menu needs a total recall!!
(2)
Sarah P.
Ewww. I'd mercifully wiped my experience at Washington Platform out of my mind until I saw jennemy's recent review. This is one of those Cincinnati institutions that people continue to keep in business for some reason I can't fathom. They lost my business permanently over insisting on charging me for a side of rice which the server told me was included with the entree when I ordered it, then changed her mind. The food I did get was skimpy, of average quality, and overpriced. Washington Platform sucks.
(1)
Alexandra K.
The Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant is one of the best local seafood restaurants in the city. Located a few blocks from Central Parkway on Elm Street, the restaurant is somewhat distanced from the main areas of downtown. The food they serve is excellent. Of course their specialty are the oysters and sometimes the crab. I really enjoyed the fried oysters that I had as well as their seafood bisque. Mmmmm. You can get oysters served in just about every way you can imagine; oyster shooters, oyster po' boy, fried oysters, oyster poseidon, oysters on the half shell, and oyster stew. The possibilities are endless. Now if you aren't a fan of oysters as some are, don't worry! They serve so much food that isn't oysters and some that isn't even associated with seafood! There are salads, pastas, sandwiches, soups, and various meats to satisfy you! This restaurant is also well known for their oyster festival and crab carnival. The oyster festival is from late March to late April and the crab carnival is October through November. Now imagine if they jazzed their menu up even more with oysters and crab, you'll be up to your necks in it! The dining room is beautiful. The old building is wonderfully decorated with white linen table cloths. I really enjoy how they have a little upper level to the seating in the dining room. Service here is always excellent.
(4)
Zack F.
If you love every kind of seafood fried, stop in here. They have an enormous selection. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and their alcohol selection is reasonably decent. There isn't much a vegetarian can order, but then again, that's to be expected.
(3)
Rob K.
I'm really not sure why I don't go here more often. The food is very good, the service is great, and the atmosphere is wonderful as well. However... Get bottled beers and you know what size your getting. But glasses of wine seem to come a bit shy in the size category. They seem like a few splashes in huge glasses. They could do better here. It is clear why the opinions sway wildly in other reviews - they seem to have an inventory issue. Who is there events planner? Probably don't have one. Probably don't plan ahead. They should and then they'd be raking in the stars.
(3)
Jenny P.
I recently went to Washington Platform for lunch and was not impressed. Due to the World Choir Games, the menu was modified to accommodate the participants. However, many of the items our group was excited about was not on the menu. The food we ordered was ok, nothing impressive. Service was slow. Not worth the walk from the business district.
(2)
Channon S.
Quick review is all you need to : unimpressive food and grossly overpriced. Place is small, obnoxiously loud and full of drunks. This.place us a one and done, wont go back.
(1)
Arnold W.
A great downtown spot. We love the food, the prices, the music. So convenient to downtown, easy parking, the symphony is 2 blocks away. They were hurt a lot when an errant driver crashed into their front door, shutting them for months. What's not to love. Try it, come back.
(4)
Elio C.
went there saturday for the road kill menu.hot froglegs good,croc fritters 6 small pieces 60% batter no distinguished taste maybe it was croc.wild boar barbacued ribs were horrible they were like rubber had a very hard time cutting them with a steak knife.this is the result of not doing it the right way.did,t have time to slow cook them i,m 72 years old never had ribs that were this tought in my life.elio7152@gmail.com .
(1)
Cathy R.
This is another of Cincinnati's jewels! Between it's saloon atmosphere and the Elvis memorabilia, you know it's going to be good! We were there on what our server said was one of the slowest Saturdays she's seen in a while. That worked for us, though, as we got plenty of attention. We tried several items: oysters on the half shell, a bowl of gumbo and then a sandwich and salad. The gumbo was especially good! By the time we had the apps, we were losing momentum, but my salmon salad was excellent: salmon, blue cheese, walnuts on a spinach salad. We sat next to a cheesy looking Elvis bust, but the best was in the women's restroom: a framed envelope mailed to the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis and returned to Washington Platform Saloon by the post office: address not found. As one of Cincinnati's independent restaurants, you can buy discounted certificates online. Visit gcindependents.com for more info.
(4)
Morgan W.
I travel to Cincinnati quite often, and I was introduced to this place by a local. It has now become a regular stop on my Cincinnati itinerary. I like the cozy atmosphere, and the food is quite good. Their gumbo in particular is very tasty, without slavishly copying traditional Cajun gumbo from south Louisiana.
(4)
John L.
Have enjoyed WP in the past, but pretty tired of specials and deals but not enough staff to handle it. Gumbo was cold, oysters were warm, forgot one entree. Each staff person bustling, trying, but just totally overwhelmed, and it really showed. Come on management -- either have deals (25th Anniversary specials) and be ready, or don't run the specials. Not the first time. May be the last.
(1)
Kristin S.
Overall, I was not impressed. We went for burger week and was disappointed to learn they were out. Unfortunately, no effort was made to identify a replacement or recommend another burger. That combing with a server that wasn't every attentive led to a disappointing experience. I will say their menu is varied, from the traditional salads and burgers to the more adventurous on their Road Kill Cafe menu. I believe there is even kangaroo. The inside is great, the history of the restaurant can be found on menu. It's been around since before Prohibition days. The dark colored wood, low lightening and exposed brick walls really lead to the ambiance. It seems to be geared more towards adults enjoying the evening out, perhaps before a show at Music Hall since it's just down the street. There weren't any kids, nor do I recall seeing a kids menu. Again, between not having the offering we went for and lackluster service, I didn't truly enjoy the experience. It'd still be worth checking out for oyster fest or their fall wings festival...if they don't run out!
(3)
Calvin C.
Decent, no-frills neighborhood place that serves a wide variety of food. They do have seasonal themes like oyster fest and lobster fest. I think the food is much better during those festivals. I came this week and had the blue crab pasta. It was decent although maybe too cheesy for my tastes. I knew it has blue cheese so it was a risk. The garlic toast though was goood. I ate my wife's share before she could realize that I ate it. Service is great and friendly and they usually have live music during dinner.
(3)
Joel L.
The oysters are worth trying. We had an early dinner on a wintery Thursday and it was nearly empty. Overall, this restaurant feels like it was once great but has fallen throughout the years. It could feel vintage but instead feels dilapidated. The service was fine. The menu was interesting but something about this place made me worry about the quality of the food. Maybe it's the bad lighting or general atmosphere. The raw oysters were fine. They're my first in Cincy so I can't compare. This restaurant has a lot of potential but doesn't seem to get there.
(3)
Charlie P.
You have to overlook a lot of shortcomings at this establishment in order to eat oysters for their specials on Mondays. This rating is based on the lack of staff. Only one server on duty with a full dinner crowd. Couple that with a kitchen that moved at the speed of the retreating glaciers. While the server was apologetic, she was also running the place which demonstrates a lack of management ability. In a nutshell, they really don't care about customer service
(1)
Red P.
I really want to like Washington Platform but I don't. This history is incredible and it's a local institution so I really did try. I revisited Saturday night because I knew someone playing in the band and my first impression (bad) was even worse the second time. I loved the music and that they offer a lot of entertainment and events like oyster festival and crab carnival, but you can't pull it off unless the service is there. My first visit the bartender was so bad people were walking out in droves and I was disappointed to see her behind the bar again. We opted to sit in the dining room to enjoy the music and (and avoid bad service) but the experience was no better. The one thing I kept wondering is who owns this place and who is managing it? I really can't blame it on the staff because it doesn't look like they have any support or direction. Our waiter's apron was so dirty I'm sure it influenced my taste buds because I took two bites of Fisherman's salad plate and decided I was done. I started with the gumbo which should have been worthy but it wasn't. My friend had the apple walnut chicken and it wasn't awful, but couldn't rescue the evening. My final complaint is the atmosphere. I love an old bar but I found the dining room very unappealing and once we ate I couldn't wait to get out of there. T-shirts hanging from the ceiling and dirty fake plants are not inviting and I think the place could use a good cleaning and decluttering. I hate to be so critical but I think it's a shame because the potential is there. I could even overlook everything I reviewed....except for the service. Their website states they aim to please and if you don't like something they want to know about it. Sorry Washington Platform but I won't be back.
(1)
Sandra F.
I've been here twice. For dinner and for lunch. A couple of years ago we had a coupon from the entertainment book and I got the Salmon Dinner. It was okay, no great taste that stands out. A month ago, I got the Salmon Salad. That was okay too. It lacked taste as well. The service was great and staff was extra kind and quick. Restaurant and bathrooms clean. I want to like to like this place, but I wasn't pleased with the food.
(3)
Karen D.
A few friends and I stopped by after Lumenocity Saturday night for a drink, so this review is for the bar only. We walked in, sat at the bar and were taken care of right away. Thanks for the quick service and great beer prices only $3.95 for ice cold craft beers.
(3)
Sarah F.
I like to use Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant Week to check out someplace I've never been, so this year, I picked Washington Platform. The interior feels quite dated, and aside from the cool bar up front, is in need of a major design face lift. Our server was energetic and friendly, if not terribly observant. I chose the crab cake for my first course followed by seafood bisque and then salmon as my main entree and 3rd course. The crab cake seemed to contain lots of filler and not much crab and was overall pretty heavy and greasy. The bisque was pretty good--more like a chowder, very rich and creamy, and definitely not light. The salmon was just utterly disappointing taste-wise and hands-down, one of the worst presentations of a dish I've seen. The side of 'steamed vegetables' was 98% cauliflower with one or two tiny rounds of carrot and was weirdly inconsistent in size: a few enormous florets mixed with tiny shredded flotsam bits of cauliflower. The salmon itself seemed to be cooked to an appropriate temp, but had an off-taste. There were also a couple pretty bad ick moments. My water glass had very noticeable lipstick marks on the rim so I had to request a new one. Then, the spoon that came with the soup had unidentified dried food on the underside of the handle. More annoyance than ick, but the women's bathroom was also completely out of all paper products. I love to support local businesses when I can, but I struggle to find anything redeeming about this one. Perhaps the "festival" events (oyster, wings, etc.) are more of a specialty, but I wouldn't choose this spot again otherwise.
(2)
Maggie B.
We went for the Oyster Festival and really wanted to like it but were quite disappointed. The menu was extensive and everything sounded delicious but what we ordered was sub-par. The Oyster Stingers had an odd texture and the flavor was just OK. The Oyster Sampler Plate was similarly underwhelming. Perhaps we should have ordered more traditional dishes but we wanted to try some of the more original combinations.
(2)
Natalie M.
"Saloon" is a perfect term! Relaxed bar environment - great for grabbing a drink with friends. They have interesting offerings, but just need some refinement to be truly great.
(3)
Michael G.
This place is a mess .... Walked in ...place was dead and was told that they were booked till 8 .... Got on open table and found a reservation at 6:15 (15mins from time we were there) ... Guy at door was completely frazzled by this... Food was subpar at best and way over priced!
(1)
Jay F.
The last time I was at the WP was about ten years ago. I remember liking the place but being irritated that they ran out of something I wanted and ironically, I think it was oysters during their oyster festival. We went back Friday March 5th for their Bockfest Clambake. We discovered they required reservations to get a clambake dinner since they had a limited number....strike one....then they ran out of Bock beer for a Bockfest "event"..strike two....fortunately the bartender was super nice and the other food was good......although they could stand better quality control on their oysters on the half shell, three of the ones we got were a little mangled and shriveled looking. The other patrons were friendly and we had a good time. If the management gets their act together it is four stars.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Lori K.
Would have loved to have tried this place! Since its Restaurant Week, we looked at all the menus and decided to try Washington Platform since we're headed to OTR. We made a reservation for 7 pm and walked in the door a few minutes early. We were seated and given menus. After no greeting, nod or acknowledgment from any staff, we googled how long is reasonable to wait. Every article said 2-5 minutes. After 10 minutes, we left. Sorry. Won't be back. No excuse
(1)Tanya P.
Decided to try the wild boar burger for burger week. Not a good choice. Bluck... It was charcoal black! It was thin like goetta. The owner decided to make a "stand out burger." It stood out, but not in a good way. If you are looking for the Monday 1/2 price apps, don't! Three of the apps. are half price. Anything that includes seafood is not included in the half price appetizers. Although it isn't marked anywhere. You may be paying full price. The chicken tenders are great! They are actually a chicken tender(not some frozen thing.). Blue crab and bacon Mac and cheese was wonderful but spicy, which I like. Beer special are$2&$3 domestic and craft. The dessert was good. It was from Bon Bonerie. The atmosphere is fall and quaint. They have a very large and different menu. I'd say it's a little pricey. I might try it again.
(2)Danae B.
So if you know me, I HATE writing low star reviews. Especially on places like this. This place has been around a long time and I honestly don't know why. Everyone that worked there was great, so nice and helpful and accommodating. The food was just not worth it. I really felt like I would have rather just grabbed a sandwich at home. Side salad was ok, but nothing special. The soup was way too spicy, and also not great. We went here during oyster festival, and we had a dish that sounded very interesting: Oyster & Shrimp Curry, cooked with veg and apples and served over brown rice. It was also way too spicy and just not good. I could be MAYBE talked into going back and trying their staple dishes, but I don't know. For the price, I would honestly rather go somewhere else.
(2)Estefania S.
Wing fling is no joke here! We drove by and saw the sign that they advertise about this and we quickly called to order pick up. It was quick and easy to order wings over the phone and we ordered a variety of different ones. They even offer cauliflower wings which of course we chose as our preference. We did get one order with bone in chicken wings and we were happy to find out that they beat all of their wings, never fried. They have options to custom order breaded wings that are deep-fried with the regular ones that are on the menu compete and this is definitely a plus for us. Our order was available within 15 to 20 minutes and the food was definitely fresh. We tried the raspberry wings, the jerk wings, Louisiana wings and the burgundy wings. We can't even pick a favorite but for now let's just say that the raspberry wings we are a perfect 10! Cannot wait to be back in this area to munch down on whatever they have to offer.
(5)Tricia H.
Why didn't I get the fried oysters!!!! I usually do but wanted to try something different.....MISTAKE! I decided to try the Charleston Crab and Cheese Grits. This dish needs a major overhaul. It had way to many onions and the wine sauce was to over powering.
(4)Brandon D.
Good food at a good price! This is one of the few places downtown or in the city for that matter that serves cajun food. They always have some type of event going on - Roadkill Cafe, Oyster Fest, Crab Fest, etc. We eat here every friday during lent. You really can't beat their fish sandwich special.
(4)Diane W.
I have always loved this place. And when a group of friends made plans to come into town and join me for dinner and a show, I chose Washington Platform because A) It's so close to The Know Theatre; B) the food and service are great, and C) the noise level was perfect -- we could actually hear each other talking. Awesome dinner. My friends are still talking about what a good time they had.
(5)Joe L.
I live down the road from Washington Platform and went a few times during their "wing fling" last year. So when the "wing fling" returned this year I thought I would order some. I called to place a take-out order and the other person I was ordering for has Celiac. She was excited because unlike most wing places they have a grilled options (vs. all deep fried) so in all likelihood her allergy wouldn't prevent her from eating those. I called to inquire if the wings were gluten-free and a man named "Joe" said "they should be but not sure" but it seemed he didn't really know. I asked if he could check on the ingredients or if I could speak to someone who might know. I was being very cordial and cooperative as we were really looking forward to wings...but he proceeded to tell me that if I was worried about it that I shouldn't order from them. I asked if I could speak to a manager and he told me there wasn't one I could speak to. I told him I was disappointed about the customer service, I asked him his name, and told him I would be leaving a negative review on Yelp. To that he simply hung up on me. Very poor customer service...On the call he raised his voice at me, yelled at me, and hung up on me. Having worked at restaurants, waited tables, and been a bartender I can't say that is ever the right way to handle a situation. I went there to eat one other time outside of wing fling because they had some seafood options and it was lent. I was pretty disappointed with the quality and preparation of the seafood. I would not recommend Washington Platform based on their food...and definitely would deter you based on how they treat customers.
(1)Angela Dawn A.
I had the worst dinner service there in my life! The bartender never introduced himself as he ate his burger in front of us...so how are we to address him when need a drink? He never served plates with our appetizer. We had burger and fries...that were cold. Again....with NO one at the bar I couldn't get his attention. Finally, a waiter so nicely brought us a new batch of fries. The only time he made eye contact was while he stared at us while we ate. I've seen a rock have more personality then this bartender. I called the next day and talk to the owner John...said I think the old man bartender with now personality is very bad for his business and being in the serves industry myself, I'm not a usual complainer, but it was like eating in a library..yet alone the horrible serve. The owner agreed, has heard many complains, and explain how he is sort of grandfathered in...and perhaps I don't know his charming personality. When I continue to say how he 'sucks' he Screams that it his 'Friend' and hangs up on me!!! I can't believe he screamed and hung up...I was not out of line. I was telling him how bad his bartender is for business. Joe the bartender sucks!! Fuck this owner and his business
(1)Caitlin D.
The food is good. but the staff is often frazzled and not very welcoming. There is usually an atmosphere of impending disaster. We were seated at our reserved table and the waitress commented rather nastily to the hostess "thanks for double seating me". Now I worked in a restaurant before and while I appreciate the sentiment, I also think it's a disrespectful thing to say in front of a guest. Wouldn't come here again.
(2)Scott W.
Quite possibly the worst service and meal I have had in Cincinnati in 25 years. We found this restaurant on Open Table looking for a place to eat before heading to an event which started at 7:30 downtown. We arrived at 5:45. We ended up waiting at least 15 minutes before our waitress showed up and took our drink order. She apologized for the wait and we thought it may get better. It took another 15 minutes to get the drinks. The we had to flag her down and say "Can we please order?" We order appetizers and our meals...after a half hour a salad and appetizer arrived. Another half hour, two meals of the six showed up. Then another two and then 15 minutes after the last two arrived. The meals were absolutely junk. My wife ordered a petite steak and it came with frozen vegetables. I ordered a Po Boy with a cup of gumbo. The soup had sat in the back at least 15 minutes...cold to the touch. Getting the check was a pain as well. This was not just at our table but all tables around us. All other customers seated near our group were displeased with everything about this place. The restaurant is worn, old, cold, dirty and it smelled. Bar rescue or restaurant impossible needs to implode this place and start over. I can't honestly say anything good about this place. With the new OTR restaurants a block or two away...this restaurant is seeing its day coming to an end. The sooner the better. We arrived at our event 45 minutes late. Never again.
(1)Paul E.
This place absolutely sucks. I made reservations specifically requesting a table in the music room, which they said was no problem. When we got there, they said that they had no tables available in the music room. Then they attempted to say that they had no record of us requesting the music room. The hostess initially said that she would see what she could do, but then completely ignored us and made no effort to accommodation us at all. She was very rude and basically implied that we were liars. We left and went somewhere else. I've also had other bad experiences, here. The manager is a jerk who I've seen coming to the hostess stand and turning away customers who want to hear the music, insisting that they have no tables open for the entire night. This place treats its customers, particularly the music fans, like crap. Lots of better options in Cincinnati!
(1)Joe D.
Average at best... I had the oyster po boy, and my stomach still feels gross as a result. The atmosphere feels jumbled, as if the restaurant's owners couldn't agree on the type of environment they wanted to create. Given the (rapidly growing) amount of choices in the Downtown/OTR dining scene, this joint is forgettable.
(2)Teresa T.
Gets 2 stars for the Jazz and raw oysters (although Mother Nature gets credit for the flavor), otherwise, this place is Red Squirrel at Jeff Ruby costs.
(2)La'Keyta H.
I am so happy that I received a gift certificate to Washington Platform as it encouarged my husband and I to attend. We were going to see a play at 8pm which was in the neighborhood and decided to use our certificate and give this place a try. I am so glad that we did. I ordered the seafood bisque soup which was just delightful. In this amazing cream sauce was salmon, shrimp and blue crab. Initially I was annoyed that this soup only came as a bowl not a cup because I did not want that much and did not like the $9.95 price tag but once I took a bite, I wanted more. In fact I actually wanted to rush into the kitchen and eat it out of the pot. It was so rich and just a delicate treat. Besides my side salad it was the only thing I ate all of. Not that my Apple Nut Chicken was not delicious but I knew of the two re-heating the chicken would be a better call. I truly enjoyed everything I ate and what my husband ate aswell because of course I had to try his. We will definitely be back for seconds, thirds, and more.
(4)Mark E.
Oysters Parmigian are outstanding. Cajun Red Snapper and Crab Cakes are awesome! The portions are generous and the service is friendly and fast. For a Saturday night at dinner time, the noise level was negligible. This is a gem in the downtown dining scene. Great experience.
(4)Ed P.
My wife and I met for lunch on a recent Wednesday afternoon at the Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant. The original Washington Platform was established in the same location in 1875. Unfortunately prohibition forced the closure of the saloon until it was re-established in 1986. The current restaurant at the corner of 10th & Elm is now famous for their oysters and seafood. The restaurant was decently crowded on our arrival at 12:30, with most customers sitting in the back dining room. There is a more casual dining space just inside the front door and next to the bar, but that was not being used much during our visit. The back dining area is more brightly lit and offers a better experience in my opinion. My wife and I both started with a mixed greens salad, which was included with our entrées ($2.95 otherwise). They make all of their dressings in-house and they include Caesar, sweet chili vinaigrette, buttermilk garlic ranch, balsamic vinaigrette, 1000 Island, and bleu cheese. I tried the sweet chili vinaigrette and was amazed by how delicious it was. The balsamic was also tasty, but we both agreed that the sweet chili was the way to go. It was great! My wife ordered the Cajun grilled snapper served with vegetables ($18.95). She was served a large plate of food with two big pieces of fish. I'm not really a fish lover, so I just tried a small bite. The snapper was heavily seasoned with Cajun spices and was cooked well. It did not tasty overly fishy, which I appreciated. My wife really seemed to enjoy it. Even though half of the menu is dedicated to seafood, there are some other options. I went with the chicken carbonara in a Romano cream sauce with bacon, onion and sweet peas ($15.50). Again the serving size was large. I've had carbonara dishes before that I did not like, but this one was pretty good. It had a subtle cheese and cream flavor that let the bacon, onion, and pea mixture shine through. Overall we had a good dining experience from the Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant. Be sure not to skip their delicious homemade salad dressings even though the entrée plates are large and filling.
(4)Sharri E.
Man, I hate to give a low review for a place that has Wing Fling, but the service... the service just leaves way too much to be desired, way too often. Let me start with the good- their wings are the BEST in the city. I'll never pay for the tiny, dry wings from Buffalo Wild Wings again. They have a variety of sauces, and, during their Annual Wing Fling, that variety increases, and it's just awesome. I've also had their lobster mac & cheese and their black bean burger with the bbq sweet potato fries, and they're also really good. However, their service can be slow & unfriendly. So much so, that I often just take out my food instead of sitting in to eat. In particular, a taller blonde woman has been quite rude to a couple of my friends on more than one occasion. When the owner is there, or pretty much any other waitress, the service is swift, attentive, and friendly. The taller blonde does not embody any of those qualities and unfortunately works there often. She gives curt answers, and I've balks at any requests (for instance if she brings out blue cheese instead of ranch, she will have a not-so-pleasant attitude if you ask her to go back for the ranch). I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners a few years ago, and he was wonderful. He told me more about how the place came about, and I love its rich history. The bald guy behind the bar isn't friendly but isn't mean. He didn't rub me the wrong way, personally, but I've had many people tell me they won't be back because of his lacking personality. Last time I visited was about a month ago, and I was introducing friends who had never been to Wing Fling. The waitress got nearly all of our orders wrong, but the kitchen was closed so we couldn't get the sauces corrected. Overall, I'd rate a 2.5 or 3. Great food, but service is very important to me.
(3)Eddie W.
Fish tacos to die for. Gobs of wings to satisfy every possible preference. You can do mild, medium and stinkin' hot. And the wings have a TON of meat on them. Then, there's creole gumbo that will change your life. We finished with fried oysters that didn't disappoint. A must stop place to eat in Cincy. How often do you go somewhere and not have any disappointments? Everything was a five.
(5)Beth H.
Finally had a chance to make it down to Washington Platform & enjoy a meal with friends inside the restaurant. I've always zeroed in on their booth during previous years at The Taste of Cincinnati but never made it to the actual location till tonight. Originally my group of friends was going down to partake in the Cincinnati Burger week special but they had run out of the special burger. Since we were already seated we decided to stay and explore the rest of the menu. My friends stuck with different types of burgers & I branched out with the crab cakes which were delicious. The service was good, our waiter was polite & friendly. The atmosphere is nice probably b/c it's not geared towards kids. It was a nice ambiance where you could have a large group of a table for two & still be happy with the sound. Overall, I would definitely recommend Washington Platform to others & come back myself. You can also do online reservations which was nice. Also, there is convenient parking lot across the street if you are not find of street parking.
(5)Jim M.
Went for 'oyster fest.' Not sure that's the best term to describe it, it wasn't much of a 'fest,' rather just an extended menu with oysters. We arrived quite early so not much was going on, maybe it's better in the evening as there was no live music when we rolled in (~1pm). I definitely would not go back for food again but perhaps for drinks and music since there's not much else around that area. I'll start with the good: -raw oysters (it's hard to screw up raw oysters unless they're spoiled) -decent beer selection Next, the bad....: -very slow service, very slow -the bartender forgot our buffalo style oysters and when we finally asked him he ran back an immediately brought them out, luke warm, and mushy, implying they had been sitting there for some time -my water was served with a bug in it, which I pointed out -the oysters Rockefeller were pretty underwhelming and served luke warm -at least three oysters we got were spoiled and left a nasty, nasty taste in my mouth and our guest's mouths. (we ordered several different oyster dishes, so my guess is about 3-4 in ~36 were bad) -our wings took close to 35-40min to arrive, but when they did they were hot at least and overall tasted fine ^The bad greatly outweighed the good, unfortunately, but I'm not really sure what I should have expected from an 'oyster fest' at a bar in Cincinnati. Full disclosure, I live in New Orleans and have high expectations for seafood, however we went because our family, who lives in Cincinnati, really wanted to get oysters and thought this would be fun.
(2)Derek B.
I went with my girlfriend on a Thursday around 7. It was pretty dead so I can't judge service being there was no rush. The first thing that struck me was the prices. They were pretty high for a place with such lackluster options and decor. It didn't make sense why there were $30 seafood entrees but there were cliché bathroom posters that said "relax, soothe, rejuvenate". It's a public bathroom not some ones house, so decision making is questionable right there to begin with. The main concern is the food of course. My gf got crab cakes. They were deep fried and bland. I had the Charleston crab and cheese grits. They had some weird sauce on them and was overall underwhelming. Spend your money elsewhere.
(2)John B.
Ate for the first time at Washington Platform on Friday night at about 9 PM, after a Fringe show. Who knew they had jazz on Friday nights? Really good jazz, too. The one server seemed to be struggling to serve a lot of tables, but he was clearly hustling and got our food and drinks to us in a (mostly) timely manner. The Delaware Bay oysters were surprisingly unsalty, but tasty. Onion straws were classic and not too greasy. Fried oysters, shrimp casino, and crab cake were all well prepared. A pretty unassuming place, but the price was right and the jazz was good. What more could you ask for?
(3)Donald B.
Homeless hanging around outside. The usual reservations? BS w/lots of tables available and they put us at most likely the worst table available. We've eaten there a few times. This time because we were stuck and in a hurry. We've been disappointed w/the quality of food everytime we've visited. Honestly we're surprised that have an on-going business. The waiter was fine. This is the place that had a death from raw oysters: sconet.state.oh.us/rod/d…
(1)Paige M.
Washington Platform originated in 1860 as a saloon that catered to the folks working on the Erie Canal just one block away. It served Cincinnatians until Prohibition, then became a variety of other establishments such as a produce shop and a Chinese laundry. In 1986, Washington Platform returned to its roots as a restaurant and bar. My first visit was for a group luncheon in May. We loved the decor: exposed brick with old pictures of Cincinnati and the Erie Canal, hardwood, white tablecloths and bright natural lighting. Our table ordered a variety of dishes from soup to salad to sandwiches. I had the Dixie Chicken sandwich and a side of pasta salad. Everyone ate in enjoyment and I made a mental note to return here for future meals. Fast forward to August, where I can best describe my experience as hearing Gordon Ramsay shout, "What the bloody hell is this?!" My friend and I were handed menus that were in English, Japanese, and another Asian language. Washington Platform serves Americanized seafood. Not only was the menu baffling, but the multiple languages made it difficult to understand the options. Also, the menu was missing half of the options that were available in May, mainly sandwiches and salads. We ordered our entrees. My main came with a salad, so my friend asked if her side of french fries could be brought out with my appetizer. My salad appeared a while later looking rather sad. The lettuce was dark green, wilted, and getting soggy spots. You know the kind: what you see appear on bagged salads when it's time to throw them out. I took two bites and pushed it aside. No sign of the french fries; my friend was told they would just be another minute. Sure enough, the fries showed up with our mains. My friend ordered the Salmon Salad which arrived covered in random garnishings. The menu description read: "...on a bed of fresh spinach with croutons, bleu cheese, walnuts, and Raspberry Vinaigrette." What arrived was this and more: tomato, cucumber, mushrooms, sprouts, black olives, and cantaloupe. My friend just wanted a simple salad and wasn't pleased with all the uncomplimentary extras. Of course, the garnishings were likely there to disguise the miniscule piece of fish that topped of the salad: a third of a normal portion. Not good for a $10.00 price tag. My main was the Blue Crab Bleu, a pasta dish with crab in a bleu cheese and creole sauce. I could barely see or taste the crab, as this dish was smothered in cream. It came with a side of garlic bread, which was odd, seeing as it was a creole dish. At least it was better than my friend's bread, which was a warmed bun that had gone stale on the outside. Our checks arrived and I noticed an error on my bill. My entree was listed as $13.00 on the menu and I was charged $15.00. The waitress explained that the menu was printed wrong, and after some discussion, she refunded the difference. Be sure to watch your check. Other notable nuisances: - While the atmosphere appears business casual with table cloths and live cello music, I noticed signage for Wing Night and "Roadkill Cafe" which features menu items like rabbit and pigeon...and I thought this place was trying to be a classy seafood restaurant. - Random decorations that don't fit in with the exposed brick and old Cincinnati photo theme, such as displays of peacock feathers. - A note that said the restaurant reserves the right to add a 15% gratuity to any table who splits checks. What happened to Washington Platform? My first impression was wonderful, but now it seems to be struggling for an identity. It would be great as a simple seafood and sandwich pub with old, classy Cincinnati decor. Instead, it's ruining itself with subpar food, a lack of consistency, and promotions for Roadkill. Price per person: $17.00
(2)John B.
4 stars for service, 2 stars for food. I hate to keep piling on the negative reviews on this place, but my meal was only meh, and when I am spending almost $10 for a salad, I expect something for my money. I along with a rather large group of at least 20 people had a great business lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The two servers were on top of everything and the food came out quickly and correctly. The only time things hit a snag was when we all needed our checks. It seemed the servers had to go in the front part of the restaurant instead of handling things in the back where we were. Oh well, not a big deal. I think they need a POS station in the back area. I had a Black and Bleu Salad ($8.50) which is made with Cajun grilled chicken on fresh spinach w/ Bleu Cheese Dressing and fresh garden garnish. I selected the Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing which was actually green for some reason. When I inquired, the server just said that it settles and that it is just made that way. Whatever, it tasted fine. The rest of the salad was just rather stale tasting, like it had been collecting dust in their kitchen until some guy like me that is trying to eat healthy comes along. ha ha. The chicken was the highlight, but overall the salad was just not great. The cucumbers and tomatoes were a nice touch. There were a lot of mushrooms included too. (See photo) WiFi, according to their menu is free but I never saw any SSID that my phone could connect to. I don't know if it's just in the front part, but I would have been able to see even a weak signal if that was the case. The desserts looked great, someone next to me ordered the BonBonerie Opera Cream Cake which made my salad a little jealous. The bathroom smelled like it really needed to be cleaned. Just saying.... I don't like negative reviews and apparently I am not the only one that has had a rather unsatisfying dining experience here. Time will tell if WP can survive, but at this point I would not be surprised to see this landmark building be converted to something else.
(2)Rick H.
Wow, .50 cent oysters on Monday are the best deal in town, bar far during the summer! They are big, cold and delicious! Can't say anything better about them.
(5)Maureen B.
Ordered a Bloody Mary clearly made with a packaged mix and zero vodka (no exaggeration), and too much ice. The food is mega-salty-to-inedible, and the hamburger is probably the only thing I would risk ordering again. The oyster po-boy had six teensy mostly-breading oysters. The rotini pasta salad was maybe the worst side dish I've ever eaten. The mayonnaise on the side had hard bits of things (old mayonnaise?) sticking out of it. Service is fast, and there was great jazz music in the next room, but no thank you, it's another Why, Cincinnati, Why disappointment.
(1)Jim K.
The month of August is there "wing fling", over 50 variations on wings, some very good choices.
(5)Caleb H.
Washington Platform is definitely worth a second try. Went here the other day before seeing a show at a local theater company, and thought it was pretty good. We were kind of splurging so we ordered several things from the menu. I got the Jampastalaya, which is like a Cajun pasta dish. It has shrimp, andouille sausage, and crab meat in creole sauce served of penne pasta. The pasta was a little under done for my taste but it was pretty good. A cup of gumbo came with my dinner, it wasn't the best gumbo I've ever had. it seemed a little over seasoned to me. My wife order the Apple Nut Chicken entree, which worked well. The highlight of the meal with the Seafood Bisque. It had great flavor in the broth and contained salmon, shrimp, and crap meat. I will order this the next time I am there. The two downsides of the dish are its $9.95 asking price and that it only comes in a bowl. The staff were very attentive and friendly. Our orders came out in a timely manner. Overall I found the whole experience very satisfying.
(3)Angie M.
The WP is awesome for good seafood although they admit the servings are much smaller than last year! We like to sit at the bar and the bartender (s) have no personality! They watch you while you eat or talk, just stand in front of you when your drink is empty, etc. How about 'can I get you another drink?' Use your words WP bar staff!!
(2)Josh R.
A disappointment because everything about the place makes you think it would be great, however, food quality is really lacking and we were grossly underwhelmed by it. As someone who loves Cajun food I was excited to see that they have some Louisiana favorites, but unfortunately they really dropped the ball on them. My wife's dish was grossly under seasoned, as was mine. I really should have sent it back but since it took forever to get our dish and we had tickets for a show we just ate it begrudgingly. Service was crappy as there only seemed to be one waitress busting her ass while everyone else kind of goofed off. I felt kind of bad for her. This place needs a management upgrade.
(2)Monica W.
With all of the negative reviews on here I was a little hesitant about going here. Surprisingly though I had a pretty good experience here. I came here with a big group of people for a get together one evening and we all started at the bar. The drinks seemed to be fairly priced and they had a decent selection of beers. And they bar tender seemed pretty friendly as well. I walked around this cute restaurant for a bit to take it all in, and I liked most of what I saw. Lots of brick and little hallways and dark lighting. I think that this place must be pretty old/historic from some of the reviews of read but I feel like they keep the place pretty clean. When our group went to sit down for dinner our waitress told us that we couldn't stay too long because there was a party that was reserved right after us, I wasn't sure how to take this information considering the fact that the whole restaurant didn't seem that full. But anyways my parents and I ordered the fish tacos which were very good! Lots of fish and lots of flavor. Others at the table ordered small appetizers and some ordered chicken wings. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. I would come back here again for a second go around. I think that this place has a lot of potential.
(3)Ryan P.
This place has single-handedly changed my view on raw oysters. When I tried them years ago at a different restaurant, I wasn't a fan because they were pretty tasteless and had a chewy texture. When I visited Washington Platform for their Bockfest Brunch Buffet (alliteration, yes!), I figured I would give the oysters another shot, especially since my brother and his girlfriend have both been raving about them for some time. Plus I was already paying for them on the buffet, so why not? Their oysters had a good flavor, and melted in the mouth like butter. They went really well on a saltine cracker with cocktail sauce, horseradish, and lemon. These were about a thousand times better than the last oysters I had, and I'd say these will set the bar for a long time. Now that I was digging the oysters, how about the rest of the buffet treats? What really drew me to here for the buffet was the promise of roast lamb and Avril Bleh sausages. The roast lamb was cooked well done, but was still tender, well seasoned, and overall delicious. I just wish they had some mint jelly to accompany it. I'll bring my own next year! From Avril Bleh, they had bratwursts (at least I think they were brats, they were labeled as metts, but clearly weren't), bockwursts, and spicy Italian sausage. All three were pretty good, but the spicy Italian was by far my favorite. It has some serious heat! Other buffet items were fried chicken, salmon & bow-tie pasta, roast turkey, Caesar salad, fresh fruit, mac & cheese, & rice pilaf. I didn't try all of those, but of those I did, the Caesar salad was the hit. They also had a small dessert buffet, complete with brownies, cookies, cream puffs, bread pudding, and one of the best pieces of cheesecake I've ever had. Since it was a Bockfest brunch, Bock is required, right? Wrong. I was already bocked out from Bockfest Hall the night before, so I went with a Blank Slate Fume to drink. They did have a good showing of bocks on tap though, and other beers, both macro and micro, in bottles. The service was a bit slow, but I think they seemed to be understaffed. Our waitress had only been working there three days, but she still did a decent job of taking care of us. The price was right too, only $22 for the entire buffet! You can't beat that. We even got a free tour of the old pre-prohibition cellar under the restaurant after our meal. It's only a few rooms, but it was really neat to see, and it's hard to imagine that there's many more of these places under other downtown businesses. I'll definitely be back to Washington Platform, probably for more oysters and beer, and hopefully before the next Bockfest rolls around!
(4)Angela C.
I think I like Washington Platform? It's an awesome historic building with tons of neat wall hangings, like an old map of Cincinnati when we still had a canal. It feels very old-timey with the wooden trim and cute booths and I love that. I can't decide what I think about the food, though I've eaten there twice now. On one hand, I didn't dislike it, but nothing I've had so far has stuck out in my mind. The most recent visit, I went with my husband and in-laws. Everyone seemed pretty happy with the food. I ordered the jampastalya, which is... jambalaya pasta... and had such a weird experience- it tasted good except that there was a weird bitter aftertaste BUT no one else thought so but me. I have no idea. Besides that, there were plump tasty shrimp hidden in there, but the crawfish tails must have been very small because I couldn't really tell they were there. I might not have ordered the right dish yet. Regardless, this is a nice place if you want to try something different downtown and soak in some history while you eat. I'll be back!
(3)Helen V.
OMG, DON'T BOTHER We went there with another couple who suggested this place since it's Oyster Fest. The fresh raw oysters have always been my favorite so we thought, hey, what the heck. We ordered the usual raw oysters (nothing out of the ordinary) We also ordered: *cornbread/oysters munchies which is like a crab cake. *oysters with cheese on top (I wasn't sure about this when I was reading the menu but our friends wanted to try it) Main Dish: *Oyster paella (the worst paella I've ever had). The dish simply has a mixture of small pieces of seafood OVER dirty rice. You can't really call it paella unless the RICE has absorbed the goodness from the meats/seafood. Very disappointing...YUCK. *Oyster curry- HUM, where is the curry? Whoever created the menu obviously do not know the taste/texture of oyster enough to come up with a better combination. The description on the menu SOUNDED so much better than the real thing. It just didn't deliver. The service was great (credit to the server), however, the value, taste, decor are more like ONE STAR that I won't even bother going back. I understand the alcohol always can bring crowds but if your food is not so great, don't call yourself a restaurant, stick with BAR and SNACKS please. The Oyster Fest was a bust....I didn't get to feast and I didn't feel festive at all.
(2)Matt B.
Went there with some friends for restaurant week. We were greeted by a man who told us how tired they were from the earlier rush of restaurant week. Our server pretty much conveyed the same. Service was lackluster at best. One person at the table ordered the crab cake. It came out almost black in color instead of golden brown. Several others ordered the beef with mashed potatoes. Beef was good but the potatoes were ice cold. Prob will not go back.
(2)Ben N.
Washington Platform is pretty hapless. At least it was on the recent night we were there. A group of us went the opening week of Oyster Festival, a time of year when I figured this restaurant would be on top of its game. I was wrong. The vastly expanded menu for this event apparently threw the kitchen, and, by extension, the entire restaurant, into a panic. The most preposterous thing about this experience was the glacial service. Even though the restaurant was only about one-third full, we waited roughly an hour (!) between appetizers and entrees. On the few times we actually saw our server in the room, she was madly racing around, but rarely to our table. (Maybe some staff was playing hooky?) Drink orders defiitely weren't getting refilled. She appeared at the table a total of about four times in 2 1/2 hours we were there. Food-wise, "Creole" gumbo was weird. I will say that it was a stew with relatively robust flavor and was of a nice, thick consistency. But the menu says its "chockful of seafood" and "sausage" but I didn't detect much evidence of either in my bowl. Maybe it was cooked down or pureed into mush, but this is unlikely. There was plenty of corn, though, which I've never seen in any creole gumbo. Further, the gumbo had enough hot pepper to char your tastebuds. Contrary to the apparent belief of some, though, Creole and other Louisiana food normally isn't very spicy-hot at all. (Heavily-seasoned, yes, just not spicy hot.) Especially not gumbo. WP's "Oyster Festival" brochure suggests that eight or ten different types of oysters from all over the planet are served during this promotion, although the menu doesn't indicate which types of oysters come with which dishes. And I know that oysters come in different shapes and sizes. But having had a variety of oysters over the years, I've got to say that the "oysters" in my smoked "oyster" salad sure as shit looked like mussels. (Let's put it this way: They didn't look like any oyster I've ever had, but a lot like different types of mussels I've had.) Taste-wise, it was hard to tell, because they were overcooked, and the smoke overwhelmed any natural flavor. Because I knew we wouldn't see our server again for a half-hour, I let my questions slide. I guess I'll never know..... Anyway, a subpar, thrown-together salad. And I noticed that WP's oyster "po boy" is served on sourdough. Memo to Washington Platform: If it ain't on french, it ain't a po-boy, dammit. (Crimony, I sound like these hidebound New Orleanians who used to drive me nuts with their rants about preserving the "cultcha," when I lived there, but still and all, get it right. Or just call it an oyster sandwich.) A plus: WP has a comfortable atmosphere in an old corner bar/restaruant with some character to it. Some (decent) music in the background would help, though; if you're going with this old-school Creole theme, bust out your New Orleans R & B or your traditional jazz. Overall, the general incompetence of Washington Platform on this particular evening counsels against going back for a full meal.
(2)Nora C.
Went here with a group of six during Oyster Fest...late afternoon/early evening on a Saturday, service was quick and pleasant. The bartender took care of our food orders and offered recommendations of some top picks from Oyster Fest's special menu...we tried a couple of different cooked and raw options...the biggest hits had crab+oyster...yum! They had a good beer selection as well. Not sure if I'll make it back before the next Oyster Fest but this event is not to be missed. Did I mention that I thought I hated oysters and this place converted me into a fan? Truth!
(4)Karla B.
I was so hyped to go to Oyster Fest & enjoyed my overall experience until I found my card was charged twice, by the server who made the error. I called the owner, John, who lacks hospitality management, and is Greedy & Selfish because he refuses to credit me the money that his server took off my card. Now, John said he will play tit for tat until someone calls to pay for the other half. In all my years in the restaurant industry I have never seen management/ ownership treat anyone like this. My first experience will the be the last experience.... It's too bad you were lacking problem solving skills with me John... I really thought this was going to be my new favorite Cincinnati restaurant, instead I am so pissed off by this, it blows my mind. Karmas a bitch John, I hope it gets 10x fold on you! Greedy man!
(1)AJ T.
As another reviewer said, looks like it would be a great place but was subpar. steak medallions were fatty, small and not cooked as ordered. Ceaser salad was drowned in dressing that tasted like mustard. Took us more than an hour to get our food. The only good part was the opera creme.
(2)Glenn C.
First experience with this restaurant was at the Taste of Cincinnati. The crab cakes were horrible! My son and I eat took 1 taste and threw the rest in the garbage can. We have had many crab cakes before and these were definitely in the lower tier. Can't speak about the rest of their food, but if they can't make a decent crab cake I wouldn't trust anything else.
(1)Bea D.
I went to crabfest last year and oysterfest this year. Neither time have I found the food to be very good. The prices are high so I would expect quality, but it is just not so. I do not find the atmosphere to be enjoyable either. This place looks like it hasn't changed since 1985 (but I have no real idea of its history). There are far better places in town for oysters and seafood. Oh, and the ladies room is hardly big enough to turn around in. And I would expect better cleanliness.
(2)Eric C.
Chicken wings were ok nothing to make me go back for! Food is kinda pricey and selection is limited! Building is great! Had live entertainment which was nice! Menu needs a total recall!!
(2)Sarah P.
Ewww. I'd mercifully wiped my experience at Washington Platform out of my mind until I saw jennemy's recent review. This is one of those Cincinnati institutions that people continue to keep in business for some reason I can't fathom. They lost my business permanently over insisting on charging me for a side of rice which the server told me was included with the entree when I ordered it, then changed her mind. The food I did get was skimpy, of average quality, and overpriced. Washington Platform sucks.
(1)Alexandra K.
The Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant is one of the best local seafood restaurants in the city. Located a few blocks from Central Parkway on Elm Street, the restaurant is somewhat distanced from the main areas of downtown. The food they serve is excellent. Of course their specialty are the oysters and sometimes the crab. I really enjoyed the fried oysters that I had as well as their seafood bisque. Mmmmm. You can get oysters served in just about every way you can imagine; oyster shooters, oyster po' boy, fried oysters, oyster poseidon, oysters on the half shell, and oyster stew. The possibilities are endless. Now if you aren't a fan of oysters as some are, don't worry! They serve so much food that isn't oysters and some that isn't even associated with seafood! There are salads, pastas, sandwiches, soups, and various meats to satisfy you! This restaurant is also well known for their oyster festival and crab carnival. The oyster festival is from late March to late April and the crab carnival is October through November. Now imagine if they jazzed their menu up even more with oysters and crab, you'll be up to your necks in it! The dining room is beautiful. The old building is wonderfully decorated with white linen table cloths. I really enjoy how they have a little upper level to the seating in the dining room. Service here is always excellent.
(4)Zack F.
If you love every kind of seafood fried, stop in here. They have an enormous selection. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and their alcohol selection is reasonably decent. There isn't much a vegetarian can order, but then again, that's to be expected.
(3)Rob K.
I'm really not sure why I don't go here more often. The food is very good, the service is great, and the atmosphere is wonderful as well. However... Get bottled beers and you know what size your getting. But glasses of wine seem to come a bit shy in the size category. They seem like a few splashes in huge glasses. They could do better here. It is clear why the opinions sway wildly in other reviews - they seem to have an inventory issue. Who is there events planner? Probably don't have one. Probably don't plan ahead. They should and then they'd be raking in the stars.
(3)Jenny P.
I recently went to Washington Platform for lunch and was not impressed. Due to the World Choir Games, the menu was modified to accommodate the participants. However, many of the items our group was excited about was not on the menu. The food we ordered was ok, nothing impressive. Service was slow. Not worth the walk from the business district.
(2)Channon S.
Quick review is all you need to : unimpressive food and grossly overpriced. Place is small, obnoxiously loud and full of drunks. This.place us a one and done, wont go back.
(1)Arnold W.
A great downtown spot. We love the food, the prices, the music. So convenient to downtown, easy parking, the symphony is 2 blocks away. They were hurt a lot when an errant driver crashed into their front door, shutting them for months. What's not to love. Try it, come back.
(4)Elio C.
went there saturday for the road kill menu.hot froglegs good,croc fritters 6 small pieces 60% batter no distinguished taste maybe it was croc.wild boar barbacued ribs were horrible they were like rubber had a very hard time cutting them with a steak knife.this is the result of not doing it the right way.did,t have time to slow cook them i,m 72 years old never had ribs that were this tought in my life.elio7152@gmail.com .
(1)Cathy R.
This is another of Cincinnati's jewels! Between it's saloon atmosphere and the Elvis memorabilia, you know it's going to be good! We were there on what our server said was one of the slowest Saturdays she's seen in a while. That worked for us, though, as we got plenty of attention. We tried several items: oysters on the half shell, a bowl of gumbo and then a sandwich and salad. The gumbo was especially good! By the time we had the apps, we were losing momentum, but my salmon salad was excellent: salmon, blue cheese, walnuts on a spinach salad. We sat next to a cheesy looking Elvis bust, but the best was in the women's restroom: a framed envelope mailed to the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis and returned to Washington Platform Saloon by the post office: address not found. As one of Cincinnati's independent restaurants, you can buy discounted certificates online. Visit gcindependents.com for more info.
(4)Morgan W.
I travel to Cincinnati quite often, and I was introduced to this place by a local. It has now become a regular stop on my Cincinnati itinerary. I like the cozy atmosphere, and the food is quite good. Their gumbo in particular is very tasty, without slavishly copying traditional Cajun gumbo from south Louisiana.
(4)John L.
Have enjoyed WP in the past, but pretty tired of specials and deals but not enough staff to handle it. Gumbo was cold, oysters were warm, forgot one entree. Each staff person bustling, trying, but just totally overwhelmed, and it really showed. Come on management -- either have deals (25th Anniversary specials) and be ready, or don't run the specials. Not the first time. May be the last.
(1)Kristin S.
Overall, I was not impressed. We went for burger week and was disappointed to learn they were out. Unfortunately, no effort was made to identify a replacement or recommend another burger. That combing with a server that wasn't every attentive led to a disappointing experience. I will say their menu is varied, from the traditional salads and burgers to the more adventurous on their Road Kill Cafe menu. I believe there is even kangaroo. The inside is great, the history of the restaurant can be found on menu. It's been around since before Prohibition days. The dark colored wood, low lightening and exposed brick walls really lead to the ambiance. It seems to be geared more towards adults enjoying the evening out, perhaps before a show at Music Hall since it's just down the street. There weren't any kids, nor do I recall seeing a kids menu. Again, between not having the offering we went for and lackluster service, I didn't truly enjoy the experience. It'd still be worth checking out for oyster fest or their fall wings festival...if they don't run out!
(3)Calvin C.
Decent, no-frills neighborhood place that serves a wide variety of food. They do have seasonal themes like oyster fest and lobster fest. I think the food is much better during those festivals. I came this week and had the blue crab pasta. It was decent although maybe too cheesy for my tastes. I knew it has blue cheese so it was a risk. The garlic toast though was goood. I ate my wife's share before she could realize that I ate it. Service is great and friendly and they usually have live music during dinner.
(3)Joel L.
The oysters are worth trying. We had an early dinner on a wintery Thursday and it was nearly empty. Overall, this restaurant feels like it was once great but has fallen throughout the years. It could feel vintage but instead feels dilapidated. The service was fine. The menu was interesting but something about this place made me worry about the quality of the food. Maybe it's the bad lighting or general atmosphere. The raw oysters were fine. They're my first in Cincy so I can't compare. This restaurant has a lot of potential but doesn't seem to get there.
(3)Charlie P.
You have to overlook a lot of shortcomings at this establishment in order to eat oysters for their specials on Mondays. This rating is based on the lack of staff. Only one server on duty with a full dinner crowd. Couple that with a kitchen that moved at the speed of the retreating glaciers. While the server was apologetic, she was also running the place which demonstrates a lack of management ability. In a nutshell, they really don't care about customer service
(1)Red P.
I really want to like Washington Platform but I don't. This history is incredible and it's a local institution so I really did try. I revisited Saturday night because I knew someone playing in the band and my first impression (bad) was even worse the second time. I loved the music and that they offer a lot of entertainment and events like oyster festival and crab carnival, but you can't pull it off unless the service is there. My first visit the bartender was so bad people were walking out in droves and I was disappointed to see her behind the bar again. We opted to sit in the dining room to enjoy the music and (and avoid bad service) but the experience was no better. The one thing I kept wondering is who owns this place and who is managing it? I really can't blame it on the staff because it doesn't look like they have any support or direction. Our waiter's apron was so dirty I'm sure it influenced my taste buds because I took two bites of Fisherman's salad plate and decided I was done. I started with the gumbo which should have been worthy but it wasn't. My friend had the apple walnut chicken and it wasn't awful, but couldn't rescue the evening. My final complaint is the atmosphere. I love an old bar but I found the dining room very unappealing and once we ate I couldn't wait to get out of there. T-shirts hanging from the ceiling and dirty fake plants are not inviting and I think the place could use a good cleaning and decluttering. I hate to be so critical but I think it's a shame because the potential is there. I could even overlook everything I reviewed....except for the service. Their website states they aim to please and if you don't like something they want to know about it. Sorry Washington Platform but I won't be back.
(1)Sandra F.
I've been here twice. For dinner and for lunch. A couple of years ago we had a coupon from the entertainment book and I got the Salmon Dinner. It was okay, no great taste that stands out. A month ago, I got the Salmon Salad. That was okay too. It lacked taste as well. The service was great and staff was extra kind and quick. Restaurant and bathrooms clean. I want to like to like this place, but I wasn't pleased with the food.
(3)Karen D.
A few friends and I stopped by after Lumenocity Saturday night for a drink, so this review is for the bar only. We walked in, sat at the bar and were taken care of right away. Thanks for the quick service and great beer prices only $3.95 for ice cold craft beers.
(3)Sarah F.
I like to use Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant Week to check out someplace I've never been, so this year, I picked Washington Platform. The interior feels quite dated, and aside from the cool bar up front, is in need of a major design face lift. Our server was energetic and friendly, if not terribly observant. I chose the crab cake for my first course followed by seafood bisque and then salmon as my main entree and 3rd course. The crab cake seemed to contain lots of filler and not much crab and was overall pretty heavy and greasy. The bisque was pretty good--more like a chowder, very rich and creamy, and definitely not light. The salmon was just utterly disappointing taste-wise and hands-down, one of the worst presentations of a dish I've seen. The side of 'steamed vegetables' was 98% cauliflower with one or two tiny rounds of carrot and was weirdly inconsistent in size: a few enormous florets mixed with tiny shredded flotsam bits of cauliflower. The salmon itself seemed to be cooked to an appropriate temp, but had an off-taste. There were also a couple pretty bad ick moments. My water glass had very noticeable lipstick marks on the rim so I had to request a new one. Then, the spoon that came with the soup had unidentified dried food on the underside of the handle. More annoyance than ick, but the women's bathroom was also completely out of all paper products. I love to support local businesses when I can, but I struggle to find anything redeeming about this one. Perhaps the "festival" events (oyster, wings, etc.) are more of a specialty, but I wouldn't choose this spot again otherwise.
(2)Maggie B.
We went for the Oyster Festival and really wanted to like it but were quite disappointed. The menu was extensive and everything sounded delicious but what we ordered was sub-par. The Oyster Stingers had an odd texture and the flavor was just OK. The Oyster Sampler Plate was similarly underwhelming. Perhaps we should have ordered more traditional dishes but we wanted to try some of the more original combinations.
(2)Natalie M.
"Saloon" is a perfect term! Relaxed bar environment - great for grabbing a drink with friends. They have interesting offerings, but just need some refinement to be truly great.
(3)Michael G.
This place is a mess .... Walked in ...place was dead and was told that they were booked till 8 .... Got on open table and found a reservation at 6:15 (15mins from time we were there) ... Guy at door was completely frazzled by this... Food was subpar at best and way over priced!
(1)Jay F.
The last time I was at the WP was about ten years ago. I remember liking the place but being irritated that they ran out of something I wanted and ironically, I think it was oysters during their oyster festival. We went back Friday March 5th for their Bockfest Clambake. We discovered they required reservations to get a clambake dinner since they had a limited number....strike one....then they ran out of Bock beer for a Bockfest "event"..strike two....fortunately the bartender was super nice and the other food was good......although they could stand better quality control on their oysters on the half shell, three of the ones we got were a little mangled and shriveled looking. The other patrons were friendly and we had a good time. If the management gets their act together it is four stars.
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