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.

2004 WINNERS

Mobil's 2004 five-star winners

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.