It was a beautiful evening so we enjoyed our meals outside which means you're at the mercy of traffic on Wooster Pike but the decorative separation is lovely. Sebastian provided excellent service and I liked that menu options are priced for smaller portions...highly recommend the pappardelle ragu....yum-o!
Msrk
The service at the lobby bar was outstanding. The food was spectacular. The employees were very friendly. We will go soon again.
Louis
National Exemplar never disappoints! Fabulous every time. Greeted warmly at the door, service spot on welcoming. We had 2 Greg Norman Cabernets followed by Caesar Salad, my partner had his favorite Liver and Onions, just like Grandma used to make. I had the best Prime Rib with mashed potatoes, broccolliny , au jus, and horseradish, cooked medium and melt in your mouth deliousness. Noise level was moderate to quiet, service, friendly and a manager stopped by to check on us and chat. No tv in the dining room, such a pleasant experience without tv, loud music and to be able to have a conversation without screaming, no plastic but real china and cloth napkins. My partner enjoyed his Birthday so much. This is unhurried pleasant relaxed dining. So many restaurants forget what a dining room is and try to do so many things BUT its not food. Definitely coming back
Harry
We are rarely disappointed in our frequent visits here. We love their Taco Tuesday's. Friendly service, good food, moderate prices on many items, easy parking, noise level okay.
Kate
A good neighborhood spot with a nice variety on the menu. Scallops were very good and the burger was tasty. The sides offered were just so-so. We had a 7p reservation on a Saturday night and were some of the last people in the restaurant- must be an early bird spot!
Wanda Vawter
Old time charm in historic building. We dined on the outdoor patio. Perfect night. Great service and well presented, delicious entrees, prepared one at a time. Beautiful flowers on the patio that kept it enclosed from pedestrians.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julie
Nate and the entire service team were outstanding. We all had the mushroom soup, and it was excellent. We enjoyed the complimentary bread with our meals. Our friends enjoyed the salmon flatbread and mushroom pasta. My husband like the beet salad but said there was not much goat cheese on it. I ordered the oysters-the Monday special and they were very good. I added a house salad with and asked for bleu cheese crumbles-perfect side salad. We sat outside and had a lovely meal on Monday evening and will be back!
Marc
It's been a few years since we last visited National Exemplar. It will be on our regular rotation. Food quality was excellent and served timely and hot. Two of us had the seafood pasta, one had the pork shank, and another the branzino. Portions more than adequate as we all left with a "tomorrow's lunch" in hand. Cocktails were enjoyed by all with the in-house spice blend used in the Bloody Mary's quite good. This is an older establishment with old world character and charm. It continues to stand the test of time. Our next visit will test out the brunch / lunch menu. We truly enjoyed our server who is working her way through college ... she was a delight. I suggest giving this place a try!
Bonnie
Four friends came to dine at National Exempler and catch up. The atmosphere was conducive to conversation without having excess background noise. This seems to be unique currently. Our waitress was excellent. I think her name was Tessa. She was prompt, informative and thoughtful of our needs. The food was wonderful. We started with the Hungarian Mushroom soup. Two of our party ordered takeout for lunch the next day. Our entrees were lovely. I got a salmon patty sandwich. The bread was excellent, the patty moist and delicious. It was very filling, half was taken home and enjoyed for lunch. Others in my party had scallops and seafood Alfredo. They enjoyed both of them. Okay, let's talk dessert..... warm carrot cake and a chocolate cake. We all got to sample both and definitely tasty. A piece of chocolate cake came home for my husband and he better eat it soon. !!!!
Mandi
This was our first visit, and we enjoyed it from start to finish. They started with 16 Bricks rye and sourdough bread and we ordered the mushroom soup which was hot and delicious. We ordered the chopped beet salad and French dip both of which they split for us as 2 of us were sharing (we appreciated this). Another ordered the special- pot roast dinner which was very tender. We each ordered a cocktail and all were tasty- Emerald City, and 2 different old fashioneds. They treated us to a champagne toast for our special occasions many staff stopped at our table to offer their well wishes. We will definitely be back!
The National Exemplar is wonderful place for a special date with your wife. every staff member greeted us with a smile and a warm welcome. Our server Casey was excellent. She gave us the right attention just when we needed it. The food was great and the menu offered several options.
Savannah Seals
Hosted my small wedding party here and it was perfect!! They had a sign that said congratulations. They were quick with meals and everything was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cathy
Great food, great drinks, quiet atmosphere. Beautiful old hotel. Gorgeous flowers outside, walk around Mariemont.
Brett Schindler
We love this old world charm of this timeless place. We only had drinks but also had a really good time. Walk around the hotel too!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Ajla
The atmosphere sitting outside on a nice warm day was great. Food was not, and the service was slow. Bland dishes that missed the mark on seasonings. Some had none, others had too much along some weird flavors like cinnamon or too much jalapeño in the couscous. Chocolate cake was dry and old. Service was slow. Overall it was disappointing and we probably will not be back.
It was a beautiful evening so we enjoyed our meals outside which means you're at the mercy of traffic on Wooster Pike but the decorative separation is lovely. Sebastian provided excellent service and I liked that menu options are priced for smaller portions...highly recommend the pappardelle ragu....yum-o!
The service at the lobby bar was outstanding. The food was spectacular. The employees were very friendly. We will go soon again.
National Exemplar never disappoints! Fabulous every time. Greeted warmly at the door, service spot on welcoming. We had 2 Greg Norman Cabernets followed by Caesar Salad, my partner had his favorite Liver and Onions, just like Grandma used to make. I had the best Prime Rib with mashed potatoes, broccolliny , au jus, and horseradish, cooked medium and melt in your mouth deliousness. Noise level was moderate to quiet, service, friendly and a manager stopped by to check on us and chat. No tv in the dining room, such a pleasant experience without tv, loud music and to be able to have a conversation without screaming, no plastic but real china and cloth napkins. My partner enjoyed his Birthday so much. This is unhurried pleasant relaxed dining. So many restaurants forget what a dining room is and try to do so many things BUT its not food. Definitely coming back
We are rarely disappointed in our frequent visits here. We love their Taco Tuesday's. Friendly service, good food, moderate prices on many items, easy parking, noise level okay.
A good neighborhood spot with a nice variety on the menu. Scallops were very good and the burger was tasty. The sides offered were just so-so. We had a 7p reservation on a Saturday night and were some of the last people in the restaurant- must be an early bird spot!
Old time charm in historic building. We dined on the outdoor patio. Perfect night. Great service and well presented, delicious entrees, prepared one at a time. Beautiful flowers on the patio that kept it enclosed from pedestrians.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nate and the entire service team were outstanding. We all had the mushroom soup, and it was excellent. We enjoyed the complimentary bread with our meals. Our friends enjoyed the salmon flatbread and mushroom pasta. My husband like the beet salad but said there was not much goat cheese on it. I ordered the oysters-the Monday special and they were very good. I added a house salad with and asked for bleu cheese crumbles-perfect side salad. We sat outside and had a lovely meal on Monday evening and will be back!
It's been a few years since we last visited National Exemplar. It will be on our regular rotation. Food quality was excellent and served timely and hot. Two of us had the seafood pasta, one had the pork shank, and another the branzino. Portions more than adequate as we all left with a "tomorrow's lunch" in hand. Cocktails were enjoyed by all with the in-house spice blend used in the Bloody Mary's quite good. This is an older establishment with old world character and charm. It continues to stand the test of time. Our next visit will test out the brunch / lunch menu. We truly enjoyed our server who is working her way through college ... she was a delight. I suggest giving this place a try!
Four friends came to dine at National Exempler and catch up. The atmosphere was conducive to conversation without having excess background noise. This seems to be unique currently. Our waitress was excellent. I think her name was Tessa. She was prompt, informative and thoughtful of our needs. The food was wonderful. We started with the Hungarian Mushroom soup. Two of our party ordered takeout for lunch the next day. Our entrees were lovely. I got a salmon patty sandwich. The bread was excellent, the patty moist and delicious. It was very filling, half was taken home and enjoyed for lunch. Others in my party had scallops and seafood Alfredo. They enjoyed both of them. Okay, let's talk dessert..... warm carrot cake and a chocolate cake. We all got to sample both and definitely tasty. A piece of chocolate cake came home for my husband and he better eat it soon. !!!!
This was our first visit, and we enjoyed it from start to finish. They started with 16 Bricks rye and sourdough bread and we ordered the mushroom soup which was hot and delicious. We ordered the chopped beet salad and French dip both of which they split for us as 2 of us were sharing (we appreciated this). Another ordered the special- pot roast dinner which was very tender. We each ordered a cocktail and all were tasty- Emerald City, and 2 different old fashioneds. They treated us to a champagne toast for our special occasions many staff stopped at our table to offer their well wishes. We will definitely be back!
Restaurantji Recommends
The National Exemplar is wonderful place for a special date with your wife. every staff member greeted us with a smile and a warm welcome. Our server Casey was excellent. She gave us the right attention just when we needed it. The food was great and the menu offered several options.
Hosted my small wedding party here and it was perfect!! They had a sign that said congratulations. They were quick with meals and everything was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, great drinks, quiet atmosphere. Beautiful old hotel. Gorgeous flowers outside, walk around Mariemont.
We love this old world charm of this timeless place. We only had drinks but also had a really good time. Walk around the hotel too!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere sitting outside on a nice warm day was great. Food was not, and the service was slow. Bland dishes that missed the mark on seasonings. Some had none, others had too much along some weird flavors like cinnamon or too much jalapeño in the couscous. Chocolate cake was dry and old. Service was slow. Overall it was disappointing and we probably will not be back.
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