The Cellar Pub And Grill — Restaurant in Centre Wellington

Food: 4 Stars Service: 4 Stars Ambience: 4 Stars Sanitary: 4 Stars Overall: 4 Stars

Note: Complimentary Invite

Dinner at The Cellar in Elora the other night was such a great experience! From the moment we walked in, the cozy yet upscale atmosphere set the tone for what turned out to be a memorable evening. The staff were welcoming and attentive, which made us feel right at home. Overall, I would rate the experience a solid 4 out of 5 stars—there were so many wonderful aspects of the evening, but a couple of minor areas for improvement prevented it from being absolutely perfect.

We started with the wild mushroom crostini, which was a delightful surprise. It’s not often you see something so creative and earthy served as an appetizer, and it definitely set the bar high for the rest of the meal. The mushrooms were cooked beautifully, with a savoury depth of flavour that paired perfectly with the toasted crostini. The portion size was just right for sharing, and the presentation was simple but elegant. We also ordered the calamari, which unfortunately was not cut properly when deep fried so we had to cut it ourselves which the breading fell right off of.

For our mains, we decided to try two different options: the Pesto Chicken Alfredo pasta and the AAA Black Angus Prime Rib. The pasta was a standout—creamy, rich, and full of flavour, with just the right amount of pesto to balance the alfredo sauce. The chicken was tender and well-seasoned, and the portion size was generous without being overwhelming. It’s definitely a dish I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys comforting, hearty flavours. On the other hand, the Prime Rib was cooked to absolute perfection. It was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a beautifully seasoned crust that added just the right amount of texture. The sides, including the roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes, complemented the meat wonderfully and were seasoned with care.

One of the highlights of the evening was when Chef Kevin came out to check on us. It’s always a special touch when the chef takes the time to interact with diners, and it really added a personal touch to the experience. He was friendly and clearly passionate about the food he prepares, which made us appreciate the meal even more.

The only slight drawbacks to the evening were related to timing and ambiance. While the service was friendly and attentive, there was a bit of a wait between courses. It wasn’t a major issue, but it’s something that could be improved to enhance the overall flow of the dining experience.

In summary, The Cellar in Elora offers a dining experience that’s well worth a visit. The food is delicious, the staff are welcoming, and the small-town charm combined with fine dining touches make it a unique gem. While there are a couple of areas for improvement, the overall experience was fantastic, and I’d happily return to try more of their menu. If you’re in the area and looking for a spot to enjoy a special night out, The Cellar should definitely be on your list!

xx...

Me and my parter had our first date here in the summer, the meal and atmosphere was absolutely great. We loved it! We decided to have dinner Sunday evening with high hopes of the same experience.

Unfortunately our experience did not meet our expectations... with the exception of our wonderful waitress... who was very friendly, understanding and attentive. She was a highlight to an unfortunate night.

My partner ordered the soup of the day to start and liked it very much, good level of sweetness and balance of flavor from the apples and squash. I ordered the calamari expecting the same delicious app ordered back in the summer. Unfortunately the calamari was returned to the kitchen as it was very poorly presented and not cooked properly, very chewy, as well as way over salted. We had also talked to another patron that had a simillar experience with the calamari right after us and returned it also. The soup of the day was ordered in replacement and was very good.

The main course for my partner was stuffed chicken breast. The breast was good however the puree on top was not an appetizing texture and far too sweet. Also due to the amount used the dish was over powered with that flavor. The carrots on the side were undercooked. The green beans were good with slivered almonds.

My main course was pork schnitzel. I was not thrilled with the quality of the meat as it tasted old and reheated, and the whole dish was covered in an overly salty Dill sauce that tasted like ranch dressing, I scraped as much of the sauce as I could and only managed to eat a portion of the dish. The carrots were also undercooked. The green beans were good.

All in all, hugely disappointed with the sub par dishes. I would say that we will not be choosing this establishment in the future.

All this being said, thank you to our waitress for being understanding with the calamari and I hope our tip was recieved as generous and she alone...

Having a memorable dining experience is certainly what this restaurant provides. Post-COVID the restaurant industry has suffered and I sympathize with food service businesses. However, I realize now that everyone is struggling with inflation and lack of adequate staffing but we must all adapt to those realities and accommodate for these limitations.

When you dine out, the anticipation is for the SERVICE to be provided at the very least. Being disorganized and unable to retain what the correct order is, compounded by late preparation were adding to the utter disappointment of the food. The food here is mediocre and can be exceeded in quality readily at home. Soggy calamari with the skin peeling off on presentation, dry salmon on a bed of cheap quinoa with off the shelf "mango chutney" is all laughable. Being unable to hit on any points necessary for a restaurant business is pitiful.

I hope if you are visiting Elora, please skip this place and save yourself a negative impression of the town. There are many other options around, and you may leave with fond memories of this beautiful region. This certainly is not...