NUVO At Greenup

Fantastic! The heirloom carrot soup and pork panini were delicious! I was in town for business and stumbled in with a coworker for lunch. Her meal was just as delicious. Husband and wife run, did not disappoint! They don’t have good signage, so you have to look for the address, but worth the hunt!

The chefs tasting menu is a great choice for this place and I highly recommend the wine pairings as well. It was such an adventure for us and did not disappoint. It’s expensive but worth it because the quality is so high and each dish is like a work of art!

We went for the 8 course pairing menu, had been waiting for more than a year to go. But apparently didn’t return the phone call from the restaurant fast enough so had to sit in a freezing cold room all by ourself and order off a limited menu. Food was ok but also served a bit chilly and could only have 3 courses. Won’t return and a shame since we live in area.

I wish I could agree with the fantastic reviews that are posted for Nuvo, but I had a terrible experience here. The service was the WORST, and the food was not much better.
I’m pregnant (and therefore not eating raw fish, undercooked food, etc) and had mentioned this both when I made the reservation, and I had also called the day of to remind them. This didn’t seem to be a problem because their website says to mention all allergies with the reservation. When we sat down, I said it one final time to the waiter and asked if he could tell me what was one the chef’s menu so I could decide between that and the ala carte menu. His first response was to refuse to tell me because «it’s a secret». I pointed out that I needed to know in order to make a selection, and his second response was to tell me they do no substitutions and that’s why they have the ala carte menu. My response was, again, to point out that I wasn’t seeking a substitution, I was simply seeing if the choices were going to mainly work for me /​could I eat around the rest? His third response was to huff away and see if he would be allowed to tell me.
He took 10 minutes to get us water (and then didn’t pour it when he did — he just plunked down the pitcher); he would only give me a bread plate as a 2^nd plate when I asked for one because I was sharing my main course with someone else; he told me he couldn’t make a pink lemonade cocktail into something non-​alcoholic (he later said he was kidding); he neglected to tell someone else at the table that the appetizer and entrée they ordered were essentially the same thing (they were described very differently on the menu). The whole service experience was bizarre.
Unfortunately the food didn’t make up for it. The carrot soup tasted like, well, pureed carrots. Nothing more to it than that. Could have come from a Gerber baby food jar, except much prettier. The short ribs were tough — they didn’t fall off the bone, despite being sold as top quality meat and despite having quite a lot of fat in them.
The pros? 1) It’s not so expensive that you feel sickened for having gone there, and 2) the ambiance is lovely.
I will not be returning.

The wife and I came to Nuvo over a year ago when it first opened and we came away not being impressed although we did have high hopes for the restaurant as its the only creative dining experience in the city. We came back this past week and now we’re fans. We had the A La Carte menu as we hadn’t trained for an 8 course meal although we’ll probably want to come back for that at some point. We’re doing our belly expansion exercises now to get there. Anyway, we came on a Friday night, after making a reservation with opentable (which I’d highly recommend). The restaurant is located on Greenup St right across the street from Keystone Bar & Grill. We were promptly seated after arriving on the 2^nd floor (better view) and ordered a glass of wine for each of us. I have to say that I was quite impressed by the wine and the price. A glass of wine for $ 9 but it was a really impressive glass. For our meal, we ordered the smoked baby beets and mushroom tortellini for entrees. I’d highly recommend the tortellini. The baby beets were quite good as well although I feel that the entrée needed more beets. For our entrees, we ordered the seared diver scallops and the short rib with parsnip purée. Both dishes were really well prepared and really well blended. The short rib dish really stood out due to the crispy shallots. All in all, a really balanced dish. I would have loved to stay for dessert but unfortunately the 4 dishes really filled us up. But I’m definitely looking forward to coming again to Nuvo try any new menu items now that they’ve optimized their menu.

Outstanding. It’s as if you’re at a good friends house who happens to be an amazing chef. The small concept with just 8 tables in an intimate dining room is great. I was taken here for a surprise birthday dinner last night and had a wonderful time. The almost unassuming front entrance and understated signage makes it feel like you’re somewhere special and exclusive. The service was excellent from when we entered the door to when we left.
We of course did the 8 course chef tasting and we were not disappointed. Even the cheese puffs that began the meal were excellent and the candies that finished it were just as impressive. The 8 courses in between were each unquie and full of flavor and just as pleasing to look at. I was very impressed with the carrot soup and the duck was quite possibly the best I’ve ever had.
The meal was varied but cohesive. I left feeling just full enough. Anyone who complains the portions are too small is likely not a frequent fine-​diner and perhaps would be better served elsewhere with large American portions. The portions were perfectly sized and left me feeling satisfied without feeling stuffed.
With many great bottles of wine priced at $ 25 – 30 I was impressed with their price point. 8-​courses was $ 72 per person and given the local sourcing of ingredients, the thoughtful presentation and the intimate atmosphere it was well worth it.
Definitely one of the best dinners I’ve had in the Cincinnati area and a unique dining experience.

Great meal! Went for my bday dinner. This is a unique restaurant. We loved it. Best for foodies or people interested in learning more about food. We got the 8 course meal and wine pairing. Fantastic. If you aren’t comfortable reading the menu before you go, this place is not for you. I loved knowing what wasn’t coming next and loved that I ate new things. The chef is unbelievably creative which we loved. Go here and enjoy the experience. The 8 course meal ran about $ 140 pp with wine flight included but so worth it. They have 4 course meal choice if the 8 course is not for you.

Wow. I had high expectations for Nuvo, and it absolutely delivered!
It’s certainly the most memorable meal I have ever had. Both the food and the whole experience were fantastic.
First of all, Nuvo is definitely a special occasion type of place ($$$$). And, it’s not for everyone. The food is unique and experimental, and the prix fixe menu means you have to be adventurous and willing to try things you don’t normally pick. That makes it a PERFECT place for people who love food and trying new things. If you and your significant other are both super into good food, you’ll love this place. If one of you doesn’t quite appreciate unique, artfully crafted cuisine, you should probably skip it.
My fiancée and I did the 8 course tasting menu, with drink parings. Definitely don’t do less food, and if you like good wine then definitely do drink parings as well.
I’ll agree with other people: Don’t even bother with the smaller course meals (3 or 4). Go all out, or don’t go at all. (Side note: they’re going to be opening an a la carte menu downstairs, so then there will be a cheaper option).
I loved almost everything I had. It was all super unique. I don’t remember everything, but some highlights were:
Some sort of potato cucumber salad.
Scallop! (It was a hot/​cold dish. Hot scallop which was fantastic, and a cold scallop dish that I wasn’t crazy about).
Chicken with an eggplant purée. And a 2.5 minute egg that we got to crack on top of the dish ourselves!
«Banana split» desert. Mmmmmm. It’s made with a pork fat gelato. What?!?
Another desert that had curry gelato. Spicy gelato is super interesting. Not my favorite, but it was so unique and unexpected that I loved it.
Dessert course 3 (yes. three dessert courses.) had truffles, mini tarts, something I forget, and mushroom oreos. Again, all super unique.
The total dinner was just shy of 3 hours. They don’t flip tables, so we were told we could stay as long as we wanted after eating. Very nice atmosphere, friendly service (the Sous Chef was our server).
What could make killer food even better? Drink pairings. Banana sake with the scallop dish? Paired great. I’m not normally a Rosé fan, but we had a rosé that worked so well with the dish. A couple reds, a couple whites, a cocktail at the beginning, and a Maderia with dessert. I would have never been able to pick the drinks for this meal, so just let them do it for you!
I was very satisfied after all of that. But then before we left, they brought us two pieces of coffee cake packaged up for us to have for breakfast the next day! Of course it was delicious, and just a really nice little extra to end the meal. Oh, and with the coffee cake was a thank you note signed by all of the staff (and it said bring it back for a free bottle of wine next time!). They treat you right.
If you love to experience food, not just eat food, this is the place to go.
The menu changes frequently, so you’ll probably get something different that I did, but I’m sure it’ll be the experience of a lifetime. I know I’ll certainly be back.

Very good prix fix meal. Had it with the wine pairing and really enjoyed it. Creative food the area, like a cooking show.

This is honestly the best restaurant I’ve been to in the Cincinnati area. The concept is unique. Before you arrive, you are asked to provide any food allergies or aversions. The hostess will literally call you up a few days prior to your reservation to clarify those if they’re not provided in the comment section of your reservation. When you arrive, you order either a 3 course meal or an 8 course meal. The overall amount of food is supposed to be the same between the two. However, do yourself a favor and order the 8 course meal. What happens next is pure culinary bliss. You’re brought out the mystery courses one by one, with a description of each and how it was prepared. I can honestly say that I’ve never had a bad course there. The menu changes roughly every month, so you can literally have 12 completely unique dining experiences every year.
The coffee is also amazing. It’s made at your table in front of you using siphon technology. Just like the food, your waiter/​waitress walks you through the process of what’s being done at the various steps and why it’s superior to more traditional ways to brew coffee. Just don’t ask for Sweet and Low. The one (and only) downside of Nuvo is that they don’t serve artificial sweetener. They only want to use «natural» ingredients. So, if you’re like me and consume enough Sweet and Low to artificially preserve your corpse for decades to come, bring some in from the outside like contraband. Also, don’t make the mistake of trying to touch the siphon in the middle of the brewing process. I tried that one and literally had the waitress run over to slap it down. In her defense, the siphon would have apparently exploded had I moved it an inch more…
Whether your looking to impress someone on a date or just enjoy a fantastic meal, this place cannot be beat.

I chose Nuvo after reading all of the wonderful reviews, namely on Unilocal,but sadly, I was led astray.
First, I want to give credit where credit is due. The two chefs were great! They were friendly and engaging. They were very informative and they have a great concept. The presentation was lovely as well — each dish displayed beautifully. Very innovative.
The lack of stars is due to the food. Granted, as the menu varies, it is quite possible that we just got unlucky, but in my opinion, the chefs are trying to do too much in each and every dish. Some flavors just don’t go together or even if they do, there is no need to overwhelm every dish with every flavor known to man.
I don’t recall every single dish we had, but one that stood out was the vanilla mashed potatoes topped with bone marrow. The idea of bone marrow with mashed potatoes sounds great! A touch of vanilla? Why not? This dish, however, was so heavily laden will vanilla, it tasted like eating a vanilla tootsie roll. With marrow. Also, with about 2 tablespoons of potatoes and 1 tablespoon of marrow, it was a greasy mess.
The langoustine head soup. Oh good god. Care to sprinkle some fresh lemon zest in there to combat the fishyness? Or maybe a splash of vinegar. Either way, it was like accidentally falling into a stagnant pond. It was much too strong for my taste.
Something else that bothered me was every single dish had flowers or plants on top. Not really incorporated. Just sprinkled on top. Some dishes had flowers. Some had leaves. Some had herbs, roots and all. The amount of «garnish» (and i use this loosely as i believe they are meant to be an integral part of the dish), was not proportional to the actual dish. How is it possible for me to shove 3.7 plants in my mouth per bite of food when there is only approx 1 oz of main ingredient on the plate?
Sodium. They LOVE their spices and salt is no exception. Especially when everything is cooked down to give you the «full flavor.» Expect to drink lots of water for the next 48 – 72 hours.
The concept is great. The execution can certainly be improved upon. If you live in the Tri-​State area and have never experienced a restaurant like this and you are adventurous, certainly something to try (for approx $ 170 per person). If you have a more refined palate and have tasted the best the world has to offer, not worth the time. For the price, I would have expected a more exquisite affair.

Nuvo at Greenup breaks all the traditional rules and will wow you as a fine diner! Their style is entirely their own. You will be listening to the Chef expertly describe your meal throughout all the courses. The portions are fairly big for a tasting menu and you will certainly be full after the 3 hour dining experience. The «new» style will delight your senses and force you to try food combinations that you never had before. I would certainly go back to see what the Chef will cook up next and we made another reservation for next month before even leaving!

I honestly feel like 5 stars is not enough. We’ve been to most of the nicer restaurants in Cincinnati and I can honestly say Nuvo at Greenup absolutely blew them all away.
As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the hostess with welcome drinks — a delicious apertif that included champagne, though I don’t remember the other ingredients. My husband and I opted for the eight course menu with wine pairings. The food was amazing and the portions were just right. We left full but not stuffed. Also, the wine pourings were VERY generous — the hostess had told us that each wine would be about 2 sips — well I would say more like 2 gigantic gulps, so it was definitely worth the price.
As this is a chef’s choice menu, you do need to be somewhat adventurous when choosing this restaurants. HOWEVER, and this is a big one, they do accommodate dietary restrictions. I am a vegan, and I was afraid we wouldn’t ever be able to try Nuvo, but the chef said it was no problem as long as I called at least 24 hours prior to our reservation. I can tell this was not his first time preparing a vegan meal as everything was not only incredible, but also incredibly creative and inventive including ravioli with a vegetable ricotta, multiple courses that included edible foraged flowers and mushrooms, and several courses of dessert including a vegan panna cotto, a deconstructed s’more with a toasted vegan marshmallow, and even a nut milk ice cream.
Tips:
— Make an early reservation as you’ll get your choice of table
— Plan to be there a very long time — from walking in to paying the check, we were there just over three hours
— When I told them I was a vegan, they didn’t ask about honey — which I’m fine with, but I know many vegans are not. If you avoid honey, make sure you mention that up front, because it was in at least two of the courses.
–You MUST get the coffee!

I’ve had a lot of great dining experiences, but what I found at Nuvo this weekend wasn’t just dining out. No it was much more than that. It was as if we walked into our own private dining room to be served by chef’s that clearly love what they are doing.
I personally didn’t know what we would find at Nuvo. I knew the reviews were great and the accolades were there too. So I was expecting a great dinner. It turned out to be a 3 hour, 8 course meal perfectly paired with a selection of wines, champagne, sake, beer, and bourbon.
From the pictures I’ve posted you will see the care, thought, and skill that went into each course. All of the courses were presented by either the chef and owner Mark Bodenstein or the sous chef along with the drink pairing. The thought behind each course was explained along with why the drink choice made sense.
We couldn’t have been happier with our night at Nuvo and while it was expensive it was worth the price in every way. A foodie will fall in love with this restaurant.

Nuvo is one of the most innovative and creative dinning experiences I have ever encountered. The food was amazing and the service was top notch. If you have not been to this restaurant then you are missing out!!!

Hidden Gem!!! What a great find. We are always looking for new places to try in the Cincinnati area. This one was great. Very small with only 7 – 10 tables. It was interesting from the moment we walked in. No Maitre D. No server. Everything was done by the chefs themselves. This means you are getting the description of the food straight from the source. The overall experience was really like being at your friends house where they are cooking you a fabulous dinner.
Our primary chef, Mark, turned out to be the founder and owner. The restaurant is a chef tasting menu only. We had the 8 course menu (which, with all the snacks and free treats thrown in was really like 11).
They specialize in all wild ingredients and the presentations were simply gorgeous. I wish we had taken pictures to show them off. The taste was even better. Every course was spot on and the drink pairings matched nicely (though we are not fans of sherry and sake which were two of the pairings we could easily tell they were good matches if you like them).
The finale of the meal matched the rest with scrambled egg ice cream (yes real scrambled eggs!!!) with black truffle and chocolate toppings. The coffee is a must enjoy ending both for the fabulous taste and the VERY cool presentation (think chemistry class and bunson burner).
We will definitely be back.

My husband and I had our anniversary dinner at Nuvo. We had the 8 course tasting without a wine pairing. We ordered a bottle to have with the meal. The best course, in my opinion, was a potato/​leek soup with a truffle butter sphere included. The flavors were perfect and the dish was interactive (poured the hot soup over the truffle butter sphere to melt it at the table). The forest floor was also a wonderful course. The ambiance was lovely. A historic building and quite intimate. Very impressed with the décor. Being placed at a table right adjacent to the kitchen door was a tad irritating, but that is the way it goes. It is a small restaurant in an old house all space is utilized.
Sadly, I do have a criticism. My husband has a nut allergy and we made sure they knew that. He ended up having an allergic reaction to something before we got to the dessert course, and we had to leave. We could not pinpoint what caused it since we explained about the nut issue prior to dining (commented when making reservation, was addressed during reservation confirmation, and with server at the restaurant).
I cannot blame Nuvo since he might be allergic to something else other than nuts and we just did not know it. It is just kind of jarring to pay over $ 200 for a meal and have had an allergic reaction to something you were served. I suppose it is important to keep in mind that the point of Nuvo is the diverse ingredients, and being creative. Sometimes when dining with a person with known food allergies, creative food is not always the best choice.
Without the allergic reaction — would have been a pleasing and unique experience. Moral of the story — beware those with food allergies.

Nuvo is most definitely the most impressive restaurant I’ve ever been to, Cincinnati or otherwise. For any adventurous eater around — a must go.
We did the 8 course menu, with wine pairings, which actually ends up being 10+ courses with a few palate cleansers as well. I can’t do these dishes justice with my descriptions but just to give an idea:
We started with cauliflower purée & beluga caviar, some kind of cheese bread, then a shrimp cocktail served over liquid nitrogen, an interactive leek soup with truffle butter, carrot purée ravioli that burst in your mouth (amazing!), a hibiscus gel palate cleanser with what they called snow (amazing again), the forest floor– a collection of perfectly seasoned mushrooms, flowers and moss, wagu beef with golden carrots, another palate cleanser of tomatillo juice and rosehip powder, cheese gelato with honeycomb and huckleberries, liquid nitrogen ‘crackerjack’ and a play on chocolate cake (which we had to skip because dinner took much longer than expected)
Everything was beautifully presented– the best I’ve seen in Cincinnati, creatively prepared– I’ve never seen such creativity in food in Cincinnati EVER. I was impressed with everything. Service was great– very informative and helpful.
The wine pairings ranged from a rose to chardonnay, champagne, and many varietals in between I can’t remember.
I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed this experience.
The ONLY negative was when the bill came– our courses came to $ 120/​person for the food coursing plus additional for the drink pairings — so the bill was over $ 400 with tip. A bit of a shock, but for our anniversary it was totally worth it.
Innovative, creative, unique & amazing. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!
Can’t wait to go back for my birthday!

I loved every bit of my experience at Nuvo.
I was invited to do the 8 course meal by my boyfriend and his family.
Everything. EVERYTHING. Was amazing.
The staff is incredibly polite and friendly. Their descriptions for the courses are just pretty much the best things ever.
I think we spent 3 hours eating everything. Every dish was amazing – the flavors were unique, but cohesive.
The chef is really very outstanding. I took pictures of half the dishes (AND the coffee demonstration) and they are all beautiful and equally tasty.
It’s quite possibly the best meal I’ve had all year. Definitely the most memorable.

Best meal I had of 2013. I waited until the new year before I made the claim, but yup, the dinner I had here with a fellow Unilocal friend (shout out to Tim H.), took the prize. From course one the food was the kind that I actually slow down and enjoy every morsel. The presentation and flavor of each plate really made the night special and memorable. Each of us brought a bottle (I don’t know if it is still BYO) and recommend that you at least have one glass of wine that can be paired with your meal. (Ask for a recommendation from Marie).
As Beth D. aptly mentioned, dining at NuVo is an experience that I hope you get a chance to enjoy. The menu changes frequently as the master chef Mr Bodenstein flexes his culinary muscles and creates unique and sometimes off the wall dishes. I look forward to warmer weather as they might have the makings for an intimate back patio area.