The Wine Cellar

Review
I met the owner a few times and I think he's good at his job. And that's why I wanted to send this review personally to him. But when the waitstaff (the one who is the subject of the complaint below) hang up on me and refused to pick up the phone after I asked for the owner's contact info, I had to share my review with the public at large.... Unfortunately, we had a terrible dinner experience on December 2nd at Wine Cellar. We were a party of 8 and one of us, being half Swiss, was really excited about trying a fondue restaurant on her birthday. But our night was spoiled by this guy. An Asian guy whose position at the restaurant remains questionable ruined the night for us. When we put our order in, he said ( or rather picked a fight with the waitress in front of us) that a couple in our party cannot order the indulgence menu and that the entire table has to order it. He started fighting with the waitress who was trying to help us, she was very professional from the start... Note that by that time we already opened two bottles of wine and ordered a raclette, one large fondue, one fondue for one, another fondue for two... So we already covered the main course for six.... That is, we were not trying to share a small meal 8 ways.... But he made us feel as if were trying to be cheap! I believe he went to call the owner because we were hearing the angry tone etc. Mind you, we were the only table at that point on a Friday night... So he is being rude to a large party who are the only customers , which is hard to understand. Our waitress thankfully entered the order while he was still yelling on the phone so we could have something to eat after waiting for 30min. I found out later that this guy fired the waitress who helped us. I have hard time to understand that given that she was the only one who acted professional, in a way you would expect at a high scale restaurant. We were shocked to be treated this way, also to see the guy picking a fight next to us with our waitress....
Posted by neslihan: Dec. December 14th, 2011 at 3:39 PM

Review
People say that too much of anything is not good for you baby…but I don’t know about that at the Wine Cellar. It starts off slow and smooth. Quiet décor, Carla Bruni singing soft sultry chanson. The host gently removes your coat and ushers you to your seat. It’s almost too perfect of a moment, especially knowing that it’s only just begun. Food and love share multiple qualities, foremost being the element of choice. Whether an extensive menu or a crowded nightclub, one has a cornucopia of options upon which to dine. That is why Fondue is so undeniably, unexplainably sexy. The Cheese The Classic is always a steady date. Emmentale and Gruyere in smooth brandy, add a little wine and you have a reliably good start to a meal. If you are feeling a little bit crazy, the Brittany might be your dish de nuit. However, if you are a romantic at heart, desiring passion and flare, you should taste the French Gruyere. At first, you maneuver awkwardly with the miniature fondue forks—dipping hard dry pieces of bread and potatoes tentatively into the molten pit of warm, soft fromage. But with practice makes perfect, and in no time, you gain expertise. With the last bite, you almost peak with satiation and delight, but soon regain your center as you prepare for the entrée. The Main Course You are overwhelmed with choice, and maybe that’s the point. Maybe it is healthy to cut loose and experiment a little. You are confused and excited, lost and found. But when staring at seven special sauces, scallops, shrimp, lamb, beef and boiling pot of French au vin with mushrooms, your tongue goes limp with surprise (you feel slightly embarrassed) but never fear because mother nature always knows what’s best, and you instinctively understand what to do. You eat until you feel like you can’t eat anymore, and then you eat some more. The Finale The dark chocolate is orgasmic. You quiver in delight and leave satiated and relaxed. Until the next meal. Do not enjoy in moderation. Only indulge. For other entertaining reviews and food related rants, visit palateers.com
Posted by The: Feb. February 10th, 2009 at 9:38 AM