Baru

Review summary

1. J

   Joseph

   VIP

   Tampa

   4 reviews

   1.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   I took my wife here for Valentine’s Day, expecting a special evening. What we got instead was a masterclass in disappointment. Despite emailing the host a week in advance and receiving confirmation that our special request would be noted in our reservation, the waitstaff had no idea what we were talking about. To their credit, they scrambled to accommodate us, but it was clear they’d been left in the dark—an unfortunate bit of disorganization that set the tone for the night. Then came the food. We were mysteriously served two of the same appetizers (though only charged for one, which I suppose counts as a silver lining). The sushi? A revelation in how utterly uninspired raw fish can be—bland, wrapped in dry, stale rice, and shockingly tiny. We tried the most expensive roll on the menu—$38. Waste of money. And the fried rice? Less of a dish, more of a saltwater experiment, drenched in soy sauce to the point of being inedible. The waitstaff, ever-apologetic, removed it from the bill and offered a complimentary dessert, but by then, our appetite for both food and goodwill had vanished. A Valentine’s dinner should be memorable. This one certainly was—just for all the wrong reasons. Between the service mishap, the disastrous food, and the laughable prices, it’s safe to say we won’t be back.
   

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2. L

   Logan

   Cincinnati

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   Have been to Baru a few times now and have always loved it. Got the advertisement for a Valentine’s Day special menu so booked a reservation and was very excited for the amazing experience were used to. Unfortunately the Valentine’s Day experience at baru was not great. We were not sat on time for our reservation and after 15 minutes were told there wasn’t a table available but we could eat at the bar. First bartender assigned to us told us he would be “right with us” and then did not come back for more then 10 minutes. Luckily Alex another bartender noticed us not being serviced and stepped in to take our orders. We were excited about the sweet Riesling advertised for the Valentine’s Day menu but then were told they don’t have any. This was the first day of the two day valentines day menu so shocking they ran out so quickly. Alex was great and very kind and the sushi was good. We then ordered the Valentine’s Day mug cake that was advertised with an espresso mochi. The mug cake tastes mostly like burnt chocolate and there was no espresso mochi, but instead a strawberry mochi. So either they made it wrong or ran out of espresso mochi and did not ask us if strawberry is an ok alternative. As a couple with many allergies it was off putting to see the recipe being alternated without at least checking if that’s okay. So overall it did not seem like a very well run special Valentine’s Day at Baru and our experience was disappointing on many instances throughout the dinner. Overall Alex was great as a bartender/service and would recommend him to anyone.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Cincinnati

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Terrible service for mediocre food. I will not be back
   

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4. S

   Shannon

   Cincinnati

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We came here for Valentine’s Day. Perfect little date night spot!
   

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5. W

   Wesley

   Louisville

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great atmosphere with a youthful audience. The food was very good, but seemed a bit pricey. Overall, delicious and we’d be happy to return.
   

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   VIP

   New York City

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was delicious service was great, however, food was extremely slow to come out. Over an hour for 2 sushi rolls.
   

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7. L

   Lauren

   Los Angeles

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great service, unique rolls, and excellent cocktails
   

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8. M

   Michael

   Cincinnati

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Atmosphere was awesome! Food was just as great! Highly recommend
   

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9. JD

   JennD

   VIP

   Cincinnati

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   First time dining at Baru. Cool atmosphere. Excellent food!! Service was very good. Would def recommend and will dine there again.
   

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10. G

    Gary

    VIP

    Cincinnati

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Excellent food and excellent service. Very creative dishes at a reasonable price
    

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