The Cellar — Restaurant in Temecula

Writing this, although not the actual rating, is completely based on my taking extreme offense over the upcharge described below. However, the rating itself is based on the overall experience with the one-star based on a combination of value for the money, poor service & overall food quality/selection (more like a late-night menu at a bar after they have shut down most of the kitchen). Although my experience would be two-stars if money is no object to you as a person so value means nothing.

The overpriced and extremely thin cut steaks (with french fries no less) compared favorably to what I might get at a Waffle House for breakfast (which they looked like) but not a nice restaurant.

The meatballs were flavorful but the sauce tasted like something out of a spaghetti sauce jar & went terribly with the flavorless pita bread that tasted like it came directly from a bag you might buy at Walmart (not even warmed, let alone grilled).

But, the specific thing that drives me writing this review was the spinach dip appetizer. The dip itself is actually a massive portion, flavorful and well pared with the bruscetta. Unfortunately, this massive "dip" comes with only 5 small pieces of bruscetta that were gone before a quarter of the dip was. When we asked for more bread, the server came back and told us there would be an upcharge for 5 more pieces of bruscetta.

Seriously?!? We are dropping $200 on a meal before tip & you have the gaul to want to charge us more for 5 small pieces of toasted bread to go with large bowl of "dip" (still not even enough to eat the rest of it since we only had 1/4 of it before we asked for more bread)? I guess the design was that we were supposed to eat it with our hands once the table had five bites of it since there wasn't even a spoon or small knife with it. Upcharges make sense if the order has a reasonable amount of bread but this wasn't even close for even half the size of the dip.

Finally, there was the service. Our waitress was great... especially since they were just bad at everything else (and it's not like they were busy as it was a Monday night and there were only 5 or 6 tables being used at the time). The spinach dip and meatballs were appetizers but the steaks showed up less than 5 minutes later, meaning we didn't even get a chance to eat them before the main course. We also had to ask for silverware and plates after they brought us the appetizers and for steak knives after we got the steaks. My water glass did get refilled multiple times before it was gone but that was because the waitress herself did it rather than the serving staff.

Can't say much about the wine selection since we they had the generally available one we ordered without even looking at the selection. Overall, just a bad experience in an area that has many great wineries and...

Unveiling Hidden Basement Bars: A Review of The Cellar

Tucked away beneath the bustling streets lies The Cellar, an extraordinary hidden gem that promises an unforgettable experience. Venturing into this subterranean sanctuary on a Saturday night, we were greeted by the pulsating beats of live music, setting the stage for an evening of intrigue and indulgence.

While the music leaned towards the classics of old rock and roll, it may not have been entirely our cup of tea. Nevertheless, the vibrant energy and live performance added an undeniable charm to the atmosphere, creating an intimate setting that beckoned us to stay a while longer.

As for the libations, while the drinks may have come at a premium, they certainly didn't disappoint. Each sip was a symphony of flavors, crafted with care and precision, ensuring a truly indulgent experience. However, the true star of the show was the dessert – a delectable treat that tantalized the taste buds and left us craving for more.

In conclusion, The Cellar is a hidden gem worth uncovering for those seeking an intimate live music setting accompanied by top-notch drinks. While the prices may lean towards the higher end, the overall experience more than makes up for it, offering a memorable journey into the depths...

Would leave 0 stars if I could, and I work in the service industry so that says something. We ordered drinks and food when it wasn't crowded, but waited over 20 minutes for the wrong menu items to come out and still didn't have all of our drinks. We then waited another additional 30+ minutes and watched other people's food come out and had to ask about our orders multiple times as people in our party were ready to leave due to lack of service. We were then told it was taking so long because other larger parties started to show up. Problem is, the large parties all had their drinks and other tables around us who were here after us all got their food drinks and food no issues. When the "loaded fries" finally came to the table, we were unenthusiastic as it was the smallest portion of fries we've ever seen and was $12. After 3 people left our party due to drag and lack of service the last two of us finally got the rest of our food and drinks and the drink was completely botched. Will not be back. No one in our party will, and we will be sure to warn others in the valley when...