Salt Cellar Restaurant — Restaurant in Scottsdale

We chose Salt Cellar for our Anniversary this year (we usually visit Capital Grille). There are good reviews and there are some bad ones for this location but we chose Salt Cellar because we wanted a seafood experience in the desert and we wanted to judge for ourselves. We wanted something to sit down to and get quality seafood in a place that isn't traditionally known for seafood (Arizona). Now, your mileage may vary - some nights may be off nights or maybe other things could go askew for you based on what other reviews there are, but for myself and my boyfriend - our experience was amazing. The atmosphere was quite lovely (though I noticed that while there is a ramp access for handicapped people, I didn't see an elevator or easy way for anyone to navigate the stairs- so please note that is worth asking ahead of time if there is an alternate route into the restaurant if you're wheelchair bound). As you descend into the downstairs, you immediately feel the cooler temperature than the entrance above. So nice.

The seating was charming and you get the sense that maybe you've stepped aboard a wooden ship - with all the nice paneling and decor and then the spacing of the tables where we sat. It feels very nautical and quite comfortable.

Our servers were our drink staff, Riley, and our food staff, Sydney who were both friendly and attentive.

We ordered Clam Chowder, Steamed Clams, a 3lb lobster that was available (sizes may vary. 1.5 is the most common size), a Beef Wellington plate, a fried shrimp addon, a Rum Punch, Disoronno & Coke, and Martini's.

The seafood is reportedly picked up from an airport (daily it sounds like) and is very fresh. You wouldn't know you're in Arizona by the taste. The clam chowder was really tasty but note that it's on the thin side, probably milk based instead of heavy cream based, and we had more potato than clam but it was super tasty and the crackers and bread served made for nice additions to dipping into the soup. I would get it again and do much the same - crackers and dipping my roll into.

The Steamed Clams came in metal buckets with fork picks. The meat of the clams was flavorful, fresh, and juicy. They provided a brine or a butter saucer which was really nice.

The 3lb lobster was juicy and oh, so delicious. Sydney put a saucer of butter over an open flame to keep it warm and melted which is fantastic and she cracked my lobster for me which was pretty great given the huge thick claws. I could have done it but I was happy to not get lobster water juice all over myself. Sydney was prepared with gloves, a towel to crack the lobster parts into, and the lobster cracker. No mallets were needed :) The meat was absolutely wonderful! My baked potato with butter had some attention but mostly it was the lobster that held my appreciation. The Beef Wellington was medium rare and lovely and pink inside with a flavorful pastry. The butterfly fried shrimp was absolutely delicious - juicy and crusted just enough not to outdo the shrimp itself and in a tasty coating.

We had a Snicker's Bar cheesecake which was a decent end dessert that we split. To my mind, the cake probably could be sweeter (you'd think it would be with how colorful it was) but it mostly tasted like peanuts and dark chocolate - I didn't notice any caramel (unless that's part of the cheesecake portion and I didn't taste it). But you don't come here for the dessert - it's just something to keep in mind if you're expecting a sweeter treat at the end of your meal and if you choose the Snickers Cheesecake.

Our experience was wonderful and we absolutely plan to be back for a next big occasion. We were very pleased and very, very full when we left. In fact I haven't needed to eat breakfast this morning lol. I hope if you choose this restaurant that you have a really lovely time....

Alaskan King Crab, the crab legs are massive, and the server breaks the shells for you!

We were celebrating an Anniversary and heard so much about this place! I highly making a reservation before coming. The parking spots are limited but there are side road parking if needed. I recommend coming a little early if you want to park in the parking lot.

Our server Claire and Jen took care of us throughout the night. Evelyn, the beverage server, constantly checked in to make sure our waters are refilled and that we are satisfied with our drinks. They answered all our questions that we had and since it was our first time, they explained how the experience would be. Claire was training Jen and we wish Jen the best in her new job!

We ordered the New England Clam Chowder and it is definitely one of the best Clam Chowders I've had! Fresh clams and creamy but not overwhelming. It goes well with the complimentary bread. I don't usually care for the bread when going to restaurants but I highly recommend trying the bread especially with the NE Clam Chowder. The bread is soft and easy to chew. Rip it apart, add butter, and the clam chowder? AMAZING!

We ordered the 1&1/2 pound stuffed Main Lobster with Alaskan King Crab. The vegetable of the day were carrots and I chose the baked potato as a side. The servers would bring out these butter bowls that sits on top of candle holder so your butter is always warm when eating lobster or crab legs. Claire breaks the legs and lobster claws for you and she even gave us a little fun fact on best way to crack lobster claws and crab legs. We really loved that! One the pieces of lobster fell off the table and Claire did not hesitate to let me know that I will have that replaced so I don't miss out on any lobster.

The Alaskan King Crab was so good and sweet. Then dip it in the warm butter? Muah! Delicious. The stuffing on the lobster was really good and the lobster was huge and cannot imagine what the 3 pound lobster would've looked like.

Before dessert, Claire and Jen brought us hot towels that had a nice Lemon scent to clean off our hands and just therapeutic for the hands after having such an amazing meal.

For dessert, we chose the snicker cheesecake which was pretty good but can be on the sweeter side. However, we love sweet and it's our anniversary so we said we should treat ourselves and destroyed it lol

Claire and Jen were amazing, very thorough with our experience and menu, they answered all our questions, they were super patient with us since it was our first time, Claire made the lobster and crab eating experience stress free and just enjoy eating, and most importantly, she made our anniversary extra special. Amazing service and well done overall.

When we were leaving, we decided to check out the lobster tank and one of the staff members was so kind to let us know how big is each lobster and how they can live forever. They said one of the lobsters they had were 10 pounds! Someone ordered 2 of them! Wow!

We loved our experience so much! We loved the educational side of it! The food was amazing! The staff was super helpful, friendly, and so professional! If anybody wants to make their night special, I highly recommend coming here.

For my followers outside of Arizona, did I mention this restaurant is underground? If you are in town, come...

Have you ever been to a place so fancy, that your first thought before you did anything was "Will this make me look like an uncultured swine?"

Arriving early for happy hour, before my daughter's birthday dinner, we make our way up to the bar, as the first patrons of the day. The no-nonsense barkeep, whose entertained both debutantes and scofflaws alike since the Johnson administration, greets us and in a gravely voice, asks "Whaddaya havin"

In the lowest, manly toned timbre I can muster, I reply "An iced tea... please". Looking into his expressionless eyes, I sensed that my drink order may have just broken his spirit.

He returns with my frosty beverage, and a basket of sourdough bread.

Sourdough bread... it's the rich man's "funnel cake".

A few minutes later, as we were seated next to Arizona's retired elite, who were downing vermouth and olive juice, scoffing at Ketel One, I noticed a plate of olive oil resting on the far side of the bar (see photo), I proceed to dip my bread... and then notice the viscosity is nothing like I've ever noticed before with EVOO.

The plate of "coarse salt" to its left should have been a clue. Nothing quite says "you dont belong", like dipping your sourdough bread in the margarita lime juice.

Needing to salvage dignity, I quickly order the shrimp san remo and fish & chips appetizers... and hoped no one was the wiser. I couldn't try the shellfish dish, but it was probably my daughter's favorite dish of the evening. My F&C looked like big puffy cod beignets, and were delicious with their light batter.

Our waitress then whisked us away to our white linen-ed table, where another full basket of bread was awaiting our arrival. My daughter commented the feel of the room would go well with Disney's Pirates attraction. After taking our orders, the waiter brings a tiny chaffing glass of yellowish liquid suspended over a candle flame. I just assumed this was a heated bouquet of fragrance, being too intimidated to inquire

My daughter ordered her first lobster, and I, my first wellington. Both of our assessments were exactly the same. I'm glad I tried it, and I dont feel the need to order it again... ever

In time, my curiosity got the best of me, and I inquired as to the canary colored solvent. It was clarified butter. Hmm, what exactly can I do with this clear elixir? It wasn't simply put there for the fragrance. As the uncultured swine that I am, I proceeded to Google "clarified butter", to better understand these fancy-man ways.

Ghee, from the hills of India, which contains some unsubstantiated weight loss properties... so I immediately tossed it back... much like the two ladies with their vermouth and olive juice.

A fun time was had by both father and daughter, as we bantered back and forth about our misgivings with the dessert menu, as "funnel cake" was noticeably absent

As we ascended the staircase back up to our awaiting vehicle, we are instantly transported back from 1800's Spanish galleon to modern day, 104 degree phoenix... while that old, retired lady who was sitting next to you at the bar... you know, the one who had one too many vermouth and olive juices, looks back at you and says "hey, yous can go around me... its gonna take a while"

"Gladly,...