Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Another Visit to The Cellar Restaurant

I wrote a post recently about my experience at The Cellar, a restaurant in Fullerton that I discovered only by chance with the purchase of a Groupon. I know I said that I might never go back again due to my lukewarm experience there the first time but then another trusty Groupon came along recently that was just too good to pass up. Yeah it was that good! So a few weeks ago on date night, I put on a dress...a rare occurrence mind you and headed for The Cellar. Okay I didn't see it at the time and I don't know what I was thinking when I picked out this outfit but it makes me look like a wench on a pirate ship. Luckily, The Cellar was designed by the same person who constructed the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland so somehow this was relevant...maybe.


As I mentioned before, The Cellar is located downstairs of the Villa Del Sol building.



You walk down this staircase to get to the restaurant. My date was running down those steps like there was a prize involved or maybe he just wanted to make sure that it was safe before I went down there.


We were seated close to the entrance but it was still very cozy. The last time we were there, we sat in a more private booth.


Isn't it romantic?


Enough of that, let's get on with the eating!


I started with a glass of 2007 Paul Jaboulet Aine (Parallele 45 Rose). It's sweeter and lighter than what I usual drink but I liked it.



So I have to comment that instead of just bringing out a basket of bread, the bead service here is different. They bring you this dish of butter and then another waiter comes along with a basket of bread and serves you one piece of bread at a time. So if you want another piece, you have to flag them down and ask for it. I guess this is good if you are trying to limit your carb intake. Not good if you are a hungry girl. I ate three pieces by the way throughout the course of my meal. It was hard work to get them too.



We shared the Pan Seared Sea Scallops as an appetizer.


It was not only lovely but it was tasty too!


For my entree, I ordered the Char Grilled New Zealand Lamb Rack and my date ordered the Grilled New York Steak.



This was cooked perfectly as I had ordered it, slightly pink on the inside. I think this place is known for that brown sauce that they serve on top of everything but I don't care for it.


We shared this side of Sauteed Button Mushrooms. Again, covered in that brown sauce.


I remembered that they only served one kind of dessert here and you are looking at it. Souffle...either chocolate or vanilla. The waiter brings you this beautiful souffle then proceeds to take a spoon and dig a hole in the center and dump either hot chocolate or vanilla sauce in it. And after all this, it isn't really that good. I passed on dessert this time around and I love dessert. I just don't love *this* particular dessert. Oh and by the way if you decide you want to try this dessert, order it along with the entree because it takes 30 minutes to bake.


I can safely say that as much as I like this place for the atmosphere, I just don't love the food as much and I'm pretty sure now that it will be a while before I return.

3 comments:

southOCgal said...

You know, I've never gotten a groupon for this place, I'm jealous! Although I have to say, based on your post, it looks like it's more style over substance, huh?

Madison said...

southOcgal: yes this place is definitely style over substance. At least to me. Some people like this place a lot, I'm just not one of those people. Don't worry the Groupon will likely come around again.

Glenn Jones said...

This is kind of sad. Many years ago, this place had the reputation of being one of the premiere restaurants in OC. Looks like it's fallen back on it's old reputation.