Amy Dunlea
So this is not a review of a normal restaurant. The Wheel does carry-out only on the weekends, and pop-up dinners on the days of their choice. If you follow them on socials, you can score a seat at the pop-ups. The place is an old house with a lot of character. The food for carryout is fantastic and their bread is fantastic. We live in West Chester and have driven down to there a few times just to pick up delicious dinners.
We just attended our first dinner there last Tuesday. Oh My Goodness! What a treat. Jordan greeted us with a glass of Prosecco and directed us where to sit a long table that seats 20. We introduced ourselves to our seatmates and then our first dish arrived. Chef does explain the food before we had each dish, however we wished there was more background and history as to how this place came into being. So expect fantastic food without a lot of details.
The first dish was a salad made with all local ingredients. It was so fresh and the dressing made with fresh dill was fantastic. The second dish was a ravioli with northern Italian cheese on a bed of butternut squash puree and brown butter. The pasta was SO delicate and the flavors complimented each other so well. The third dish was a 6 hour braised pork shoulder with ricotta gnocchi in a sauce with Calabrian chilis and I don’t know what else. We have been to Italy and all the Italian restaurants in Cincinnati and never had anything like this. It was truly phenomenal. Dessert was a apple upside down cake served warm with whipped cream…fantastic.
You bring your own wine, and Jordan is on it by never letting your glass get empty, pouring water, and clearing dishes. Service was so great and she is so friendly and accommodating.
The cost was a very reasonable $100/pp and SO worth it. There is no menu, so you go in just devouring what Chef has prepared.
… moreBruce Nicholson
We recently attended a private “pop up” dinner here. The home made pasta dishes were absolutely delicious and the best pasta that I have experienced outside of Italy. All meal courses were wonderful and unique. The chef has a true gift. The service was friendly and efficient. We will definitely return!
… moreEd Paff Jr.
The Wheel started as a pop-up restaurant hosting private dinners and they have expanded to now offer takeaway orders four days a week. All of their bread and pizza doughs are hand mixed and baked fresh daily. And the menu changes daily.
The Wheel is pretty well hidden on the eastern edge of Oakley on Brotherton Road, tucked between homes and small apartment complexes. There is a small parking lot, or street parking out front.
The brick exterior actually doesn’t look much different from the neighboring four family homes. The interior is clean, new, and modern. Menu boards are updated daily with the offerings of the day.
I couldn’t decide between the two pane offerings of the day, so I ordered a slice of each! The tomato pane is amazingly delicious! The stewed tomato sauce for this is super thick and also contains oregano, garlic, and olive oil. It is lightly topped with cheese and dried herbs.
The coppa & peppers pane had a base of the same thick crust, a little tomato sauce, and provolone. The coppa is a salami like meat and was complimented with banana peppers. This was also a good slice of pie, but I have to recommend that you try the tomato if you can only handle a single slice. Two slices was more than I could finish for my lunch.
… moreMark Sickmiller
I was here as part of a group dinner on 12/12/17. Our group organized the outing through the folks at The Wheel ahead of time. I’m not sure of the cost, but it was a totally private event. In the evening, this is not the type of restaurant where you stop by and grab dinner. It does seem they have carryout during the day. The dining area is a single room. There is a kitchen and a storage area in adjacent rooms. The food was incredible. We had a multi-course dinner and the chef came out and told us about the elements of the course before each one. The pasta and bread are made there. This is a place with heart and soul, you can feel it in the vibe and taste it in the food. Highly recommend at least stopping by and getting take out, even better would be organizing a group dinner. It’s a unique experience.
… moreAaron Wills
This was a dining experience!! Small intimate restaurant with a family table feel. A pop-up meal and the food was outstanding! Definitely a must on our next visit to Cincinnati!!
… moreanthony cat
It is a small restaurant that mainly does take out. They do offer special dinners every so often. I have not attended one yet but the menu looks amazing and looks like it would be a great time. I look forward to doing again. Last time I had the eggplant parm and got the garlic foccica bread. Both were ready good
… moreTed Tollefson
The food is simply amazing. The flavors are very interesting and well balanced. The service is very considerate and friendly. Much attention has been put into the atmosphere.
… moreCathy Holt
My partner and I absolutely love this place. The sandwiches, cookies and desserts (which they rotate based on the season) are a cut above. Don’t count out that carrot sandwich before you try it! We’ve had a few of the bake-at-home pasta dishes and they’re wonderful, too. You can’t go wrong with any selection. Additionally, the owner and the staff are delightful and clearly have a love for their craft. Very grateful to have this special place in the neighborhood.
… moreJill Franke
Had a private dinner here. By far the best meal and culinary experience we’ve had in Cincinnati (I’ve lived here 15 years). We can’t wait to experience again and I will be dreaming of the salad, pastas, dessert, bread and ambiance until I get the chance again.
… moreCourtney Stanton
This place has quickly become my favorite place to eat. I don’t know how they did it, but the carrot sandwich is heavenly. We’ve had the take home pastas, as well. They’re delicious and the perfect portions. The desserts are divine. We’ve had the lemon ricotta cookies ( I think about them daily) and the Nutella brownie and I couldn’t recommend enough.
… more