Maisonette wins five stars, extends streak to 40 years: Mobil's Other 2004 five-star winners

The Cincinnati Enquirer ^ | 23 Oct 03 | Polly Campbell

[xzins]

By Polly Campbell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Nat Comisar (left) and Executive Chef Bertrand Bouquin have reason to smile.

(Enquirer file photo)

For the 40th consecutive year, Maisonette has won bragging rights to five culinary stars. The Mobil Travel Guide announced today that it has awarded the downtown French restaurant its highest rating in its 2004 guide. No other restaurant on the continent has held that rating as long.

Nat Comisar, owner of Maisonette, calls it "marvelous news - like holding a 40-year world championship."

The five-star rating is a key component of the restaurant's marketing and reputation and will continue to be, says Comisar.

"Though I don't want to focus on it too much. We'll smile today, then rally the troops tomorrow, welcome the next guest and work even harder."

Maisonette has continued to earn five stars by maintaining a classic French fine-dining approach, but there have been changes this year.

Nat Comisar's cousin, Michael Comisar, who was a managing partner, left the restaurant this summer.

Last month, the menu was switched from a la carte to a $60 prix-fixe, three-course menu.

Customers are responding well to the prix-fixe option, Comisar says, and business is improving after a slump during the difficult economic environment of the last two years.

Still, he says, Maisonette is at a turning point and he is entertaining offers to relocate the 54-year-old restaurant to outside the city.

Winners of Mobil's coveted Five Star awards for 2004

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Restaurants:

California: The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton and Gary Danko, both San Francisco; French Laundry, Yountville.

Georgia: The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton and Seeger's, both Atlanta.

Illinois: Charlie Trotter's Chicago; Trio, Evanston.

New York: Alain Ducasse and Jean Georges, New York.
Ohio: Maisonette, Cincinnati.
Pennsylvania: Le Bec-Fin, Philadelphia.
South Carolina: Dining Room at Woodlands, Summerville.
Virginia: The Inn at Little Washington, Washington.

Lodging:

California: The Beverly Hills Hotel; the Peninsula Beverly Hills; Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills; Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles; Chateau du Sureau, Oakhurst; Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco; the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco.

Colorado: The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs; the Little Nell, Aspen.
Connecticut: The Mayflower Inn, Washington.
Florida: Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach; the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, Manalapan; the Ritz-Carlton, Naples.
Georgia: Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta; the Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simons Island.
Illinois: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago; the Peninsula Chicago; the Ritz-Carlton, a Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago.
Massachusetts: Four Seasons Hotel Boston; Blantyre, Lenox.
New York: Four Seasons Hotel New York; the Ritz Carlton New York, Central Park; the St. Regis, New York; the Point, SaranacLake.

North Carolina: The Fearrington House Country Inn, Pittsboro.
South Carolina: Woodlands Resort & Inn in Summerville.
Texas: The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas.
Vermont: Twin Farms, Barnard.
Virginia: The Jefferson in Richmond; the Inn at Little Washington, Washington.

[Coop]

the downtown French restaurant

Tells me all I need to know. Outback it is!

[xzins]

I thought the "French" would hurt them this year.

It didn't.

They renamed it "american" and called everything "hamburgers."

:>)

[You Dirty Rats]

Story on 700 WLW this morning was that the negative downtown climate (i.e. after effects of the riot and boycott) is contributing to the possible relocation of the restaurant.

Last one out of downtown, turn off the lights.

[mike_9958]

I'm surprised they haven't expanded out of the downtown area yet..... or asked for a load of cash to stay like everyone else does.

[xzins]

The city is definitely moving east. Already to Williamsburg and heading for Mt Orab. In 20 years it'll be out to Adams County.

BTW, I'm actually a "Golden Lamb" fan. I think the Comisars own both, but, silly me, I think the Lamb is better.

[Mears]

Yikes,I've stayed at two of the ones on the lodging list and I'm hardly wealthy. This makes me feel pretty good,there are bargains out there.

[xzins]

Which 2 did you stay at?

Did they seem a cut above the rest while you were there?

[Mears]

La Mansion del Rio in San Antonio and The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

In both cases I had a small single room(I was traveling with 2 other friends who shared) and in both cases it was worth it.

You get to use all of the facilities and have all the amenities even though I was probably in the cheapest room in the place(still very nice,though)

[xzins]

Worth it.

It's neat when nice things like that just sorta fall into your life.

Reminder that little positives are still positives.

[Connservative]

Last one out of downtown, turn off the lights.

I hear you. I haven't been downtown in two years. The last time some kid tried to hit me up for money and threatened me when I told him that I thought he should get a job. Fortunately, I was with some friends. How many Cincinnati Freepers sre out there? We need to get together!

[B-Chan]

My wife and I will be in Cincy on business next month and you can bet we’re planning on giving Maisonette a try!

[xzins]

If you're there for a few days, then also go to the Comisars other restaurant in Lebanon, about 15 miles north of the outer belt.....The Golden Lamb.

It's my favorite....an 1800's inn theme.

Incidentally, Maisonette provided food for both of Reagan's inaugurations. (And, also, I think for Poppa Bush.)

[Corporate Law]

Cincinnati here, unfortunately. Hoping to head up I-74 or I-71 shortly.

[Corporate Law]

It is well worth it. Incredible food.

[yankeedame]

I've been here 6 years and I've never been downtown. A few years back, we drove through the outskirts of Ciny on our way to/from Louisville, KY, and, brother, that was enough for me!

[Revolting cat!]

Hmmm, they must have dropped my favourite Motel 6 down to 4 stars this year! Bummer!

[Yeti]

South Carolina: Dining Room at Woodlands, Summerville.

Summerville, eh?

[xzins]

You can do better than Motel 6. If you get those coupon books for each state at the big truck stops (Travel America, Luv's, Flying J's, etc.) then you can beat Motel 6 by 30% or more if you just plan where you'll stop.

And, honestly, who can really do better than a box of crackers, a can of sardines, and late-night HBO in a Motel room?

It don't get better than that.


(Yeah...right.)

[xzins]

I don't know Summerville. Do you? (But I don't know a lot about S Carolina. Columbia, Greenville....that's about it.)