Welcome to The Aperture
Nestled in the heart of Walnut Hills, The Aperture uniquely blends Lebanese and Greek cuisines, creating an inviting haven for food lovers. With a modern vibe and warm ambiance, it offers a selection of small plates meant for sharing, perfect for exploring the rich flavors of dishes like the creamy eggplant hummus and savory hamachi collar. Patrons rave about impeccable service and thoughtful details that elevate each experience. As guests delve into unique cocktails, they find a perfect match for the culinary journey. The Aperture is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavors that beckons for special occasions.
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900 E McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH 45206 Hotline: (513) 872-1970
Welcome to The Aperture, a uniquely inviting gem nestled in the heart of Walnut Hills, at 900 E McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH 45206. This Lebanese-Greek fusion restaurant has quickly garnered attention for its vibrant atmosphere and dynamic culinary offerings. With a fervent focus on small plates designed for sharing, The Aperture invites guests to embark on a flavorful journey that encourages exploration and social dining.
The restaurant boasts an ambiance that feels both chic and cozy, reminiscent of stepping into a stylish living room. Its modern decor, warm lighting, and open kitchen create a welcoming vibe that sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. The attentive staff further enhances the visit, ensuring each plate delivered is paired with the kind of service that makes guests feel valued.
As you peruse the menu, you will find dishes crafted with both innovation and tradition. Diners rave about the Eggplant Hummus, praised for its creamy texture and the accompanying fluffy pita, which many have deemed worthy of savoring to the last bite. This is just one highlight among many, with special mentions for the Hamachi Collar—a crowd favorite for its tender meat and exquisite plating. Patrons have also enjoyed the Charred Carrots and the Mafaldine pasta, which are bursting with rich flavors and creativity.
- Exceptional Small Plates: Each dish is designed for sharing, making it a perfect venue for gatherings. Highlights include:
- Eggplant Hummus: Served with warm pita, it’s a staple of the menu and a beautiful introduction to the flavors of The Aperture.
- Hamachi Collar: Cooked to perfection, served with crispy elements that elevate the dish.
- Mafaldine Pasta: A creamy delight celebrating duck and truffles—recommended for those who enjoy decadent flavors.
Those with a penchant for drinks should not miss the carefully curated cocktail menu. Unique recipes featuring liqueurs like Harlequin Orange and Amaro Nonino surprise and delight the palate, accompanying the dishes seamlessly. Diners have appreciated the refreshing options that complement their meals while adding an extra touch to their dining experience.
Error is a rare occurrence here, as the service is consistently heralded as attentive and knowledgeable. Guests frequently mention how the staff is eager to guide them through the menu, offering recommendations that enhance the overall experience. However, it's worth noting that the popularity of The Aperture can lead to longer wait times during peak hours, so making a reservation is advisable.
In conclusion, The Aperture is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary escape that promises a delightful and memorable evening with each visit. With a commitment to quality ingredients and flavor, it stands out as a must-try destination in Cincinnati for both special occasions and casual dining. If you have yet to experience this one-of-a-kind establishment, do yourself a favor—step through its doors and allow your taste buds to be kindled with the aromatic and vibrant flavors expertly crafted within. Your next culinary adventure awaits!
Restaurant was busy and the servers were really nice. Food is really unique but kind of expensive. It is worth checking out!
One of the best meals I have had in recent memory. The flavors in each dish were amazing. If you have not tried this place you should. I can't believe there are only 75 reviews posted. We started with the Eggplant Hummus. I considered licking the dish clean. The pita that came with it was fluffy and flavorful. We had the Hamachi Collar which was amazing. The Lumache pasta was good, but not in the same rarefied are as the Hummus, Hamachi Collar and the Lamb Shoulder. We were stuffed but decided to top it off with the Maritozzo which was delicious. Service was great. Sam was very helpful and the whole team flowed to the work well. We look forward to coming back. Check this place out!
We came here with friends for a birthday and had the chance to try almost half the menu. Every bite was delicious and met or exceeded or expectations(with exception to the lamb shoulder which was good, but not wowing). The server was attentive and knowledgeable and helped to steer us in the right direction both with food and drinks. The front of house closest to the door gets a little chilly on cold days and very crowded during dinner service. We felt a little bit like we were being glared at by waiting guests for not giving up our table sooner, but we were there for a special evening and not in a hurry.
The food was all very delicious, I tried one drink and it was really yummy too. The table especially loved the charred carrots but we all really liked the option to do the trio of dips - it came with plenty pita for the table. We were scared the portions were going to be too small. However, we did have to wait 40 minutes at the bar for our table reservation - for the scale of this restaurant we were not expecting it. The menu was also slightly hard to pick and decide with a group (was it all shareable/should we each get an entree). It was hard to decide without knowing the portion sizes or the type of plates. The scallops on the menu were a tiny plate but the sweet potato was a great size to share as an app - for perspective. The staff was great at recognizing the wait and added an extra plate for us to try and coveted the first round of drinks! I'd like to come back and try more plates in the future for a special occasion - as this spot is $$$$.
The food was amazing. Flavor, seasoning, texture....perfect. Every detail of each dish was so good. The service was impeccable. It's nice to have table wiped and napkins refolded through dinner. We loved this place.
Came with friends for Valentine's Day meal and it was lovely! We ordered six dishes and one dessert to share - Black Garlic/Eggplant Hummus, Gravlax, Hamachi Collar, Black Maitake, Mafaldine pasta, and Lamb Shoulder. The hummus was lovely with great flavors and the fresh pita was soft and warm. Gravlax was fine, very refreshing cold dish, not our favorite but good. Hamachi Collar was delightful - surprisingly a lot of meat on the big collar, with crunchy potato crumbles and an amazing sauce - highly recommend! Black Maitake was such an interesting unexpected dish - the charred mushroom had a very smoky flavor with delicious pickles and a creamy sour-cream like sauce to break up the slight kick. Mafaldine pasta was such a lovely creamy celebration of duck, truffles, and al dente pasta - highly recommend. Lamb Shoulder was very tender with nice flavors but feels a bit pricey given what it is - think Cava mediterranean bowl. The group also ordered some drinks. The non-alcoholic Peter Rabbit cocktail was the resounding favorite! I enjoyed a nice glass of Cab with my meal. We ended with the Maritozzo for dessert, which is a traditional Roman dessert involving a brioche bun filled with whipped cream. The cream and dressing tasted great, but the bread seemed like just an ordinary wheat dinner roll - felt a little mismatched. Overall great dinner with good service and relaxing ambience! Our total for the four of us was around $400 after tips. Pricey meal for sure, so suggest giving it a try for special occasions. There's also free parking in the back of the building!
Really well done. I was very pleased with our experience from the food to the service. What a way to celebrate Valentine's Day. A beautiful location with a very clean, modern vibe. The service was fabulous with a lot of attention to the details. The food was delicious and filing. I appreciated the work they did to provide me a wonderful vegan meal with several options. I will definitely return! I highly recommend.
The Aperture in Walnut Hills felt like a haven from the winter chill--warm lighting, an open kitchen, and a sense that you're stepping into someone's stylish living room rather than a typical restaurant. We were celebrating a friend's 50th, a milestone that deserved all the indulgence we could manage. And indulge we did, sampling just about everything the chef had in store. From the menu, the scallops special stole the show: tender, perfectly seared, and plated with a number of tasty components. While the cocktails weren't quite on the same level, a bottle of orange wine saved the evening's beverage lineup, adding a bright, unexpected twist that complemented the food beautifully. Our server struck a balance between being helpful and giving us space to enjoy the night. Aperture pulled off a dining experience that felt polished yet comfortably intimate, the kind of place where a big birthday feels both special and relaxed at the same time. If you go, keep an eye out for those rotating specials--and maybe a bottle of orange wine. It's worth the detour.
This place popped up on the NYT top 50 list in the US, so we really wanted to check it out! Went on a Wednesday night with a reservation. The service was fantastic. Our server was super nice, attentive, and helpful! Would give her 10 stars if I could! The ambiance was a little different than we expected. It's quite modern and bright on the inside. Nothing wrong with it, just not what we expected. The food started out superbly. We got the pita and trio dip as an app and it was awesome. All the dips were great, though our favorite was the eggplant and black garlic. Next we had the spaghetti as well fried mushroom dishes. The fried mushroom was by far our favorite part of the meal. You must check this dish out! Last we got the hamachi collar and lamb shoulder. I wanted to love these, but the lamb shoulder was a smidge dried out. Ultimately, if I could do 4.5 stars I would, but the dryness of the lamb is the only reason for the 4 stars over 5.
Had dinner tonight at The Aperture, Walnut Hills' newest restaurant. The vibe, service, and food was A-1! The menu is planned as small plates thus great for sharing. We opted for the hummus/pita, hamachi tartare, fried mushrooms, and cod tempura. The hummus was creamy and served with charred corn and mushrooms with the fluffiest pita. Next up was the hamachi tartare topped with coconut foam which had a slight kick. Perfection The fried mushrooms were delicious but the accompanying labne felt like it was missing something. Smoked red pepper or even za'taar would kick this up a notch. The cod tempura was another highlight of our evening as the breading for the batter was delectable. For dessert we shared the coconut/olive oil and coffee/cardamon ice creams. Both were delicious but the coffee cardamon with cacao nibs was the clear winner. Overall, this was a wonderful meal and the service was excellent. Their restrooms are spectacular as well which is always a plus in my book. I see The Aperture receiving all the awards in the future.