We have lunched and dined at this restaurant and always enjoyed it. I particularly like their shrimp linguine, always served hot and with the right amount of shrimps..... In summer time the terrace is a must
Waiter spent a long time discussing today's specials, but did not mention that a major item from the menu was actually not available until we tried to order it. We asked for a rare steak, but it was served raw. Asked for a replacement, but the new steak was not better. There's no lock on the men's restroom, so people keep walking in on each other. The prices were really high, and in my view not justified. The only positive aspect to this restaurant was the outdoor patio, which has a good view of the river.
The food was great at The Cellar last week when we were there. We had the Classic Sirloin burger with a Cesar salad, and it was delicious! I'm familiar with Mill Street in Elora, so I don't expect beer to be made there, and bottled Cesar dressing is fine with me. I don't expect Chef Jimmy to make Cesar dressing from scratch. I had his Cesar salad and I enjoyed it. The Cellar's patio on the river is a wonderful place in the summer. Have you seen the herron yet? or the beaver?
What a shame this restaurant was sold. It was wonderful in the summer of 2010, with fresh locally sourced food and wonderful innovative specials. Not so anymore. I gave this restaurant 3 shots this season, twice with my husband and once with my daughter on the Elora culinary walking tour in the interest of fairness. I strongly suspect the new chef is using prepared frozen foods and a microwave in the kitchen. The new menu is all over the place with zero focus. The mussels we had while cooked well had the worst sauce I have ever had in my life glopped over them, plus no bowl provided for shells, and a couple of anemic slices of stale bread to dip, presumably-not that I had any desire to. The server on the walking tour visit claimed that the Mill Street beer they were sampling that day came "from right here on Mill street in Elora!" (of course it's brewed in Toronto, and no, she wasn't trying to be funny) When my husband asked if the Caesar salad dressing was made in house, he was told "um, no, there is only one person in the kitchen tonight" Well, we could clearly see three people in there, and the restaurant was half empty, and aside from that the dressing should have been made early in the day during prep. Bottled Caesar dressing? Really disappointing. We dined a second time this season to give them the benefit of the doubt as it was such a great place last year, and has such an awesome patio, but it's just not good at all anymore, sadly. The only improvement is that the new owner got rid of the fish tank, which I didn't care for. I probably wouldn't be so harsh in my review had I never visited The Cellar under previous management, I must admit. There are a bunch of really good restaurants in Elora, unless you just want a great patio and a drink eat anywhere else, is my advice.
I don't agree with the bad review The Cellar got lately. The Cellar is our favourite place to eat in Elora,and we have been there many times. The food has always been "top drawer" and the servers are pleasant and courteous. Our food has always arrived in good time. The new owner has made some great changes, and from the size of the crowds on the weekend, I think she's got a winner! The patio at the back overlooking the river is a wonderful place to sit on a mid-summer night's eve.
