We visited the Cellar on Thursday, 8/29 and they were slammed during HH. Â The food was average; nothing to really write about that blew my top. Â But if you do go there check out the self-service wine bar downstairs. Â You simply load a card with money and you can taste a variety of wines from a sip for about $2 up to a full glass for around $10. Â In the Cellar they have great music and wine service as well.
Review Source:Oddly the three star review reflects the ambiance, energy, and music at this establishment. My husband and I have been eating here off and on since it started as Jimmy's way, way back. We had not been to the new space or actually realized it changed owners several years ago but were very impressed with the feel and comfort of both the main and downstairs levels. We wanted to sit downstairs and had a small wait at the bar till a table was available. Star number one was the good looking, kind and efficient bartender who got us drinks immediately(I ALWAYS love that!) they reluctantly placed us at a table right by the band, but we considered that a plus (Seattleites?) Happily we sat down to enjoy the music and nurse our drinks....and wait and wait and wait. Our server eventually took our order, but we failed to get it for 40 minutes. Never got our salad and never were asked if we would like another drink. Normally this would be the kiss of death, but our server was so kind and so apologetic, it was really hard to be angry. We were given free desserts, Â coffee, wine and the music was lovely and a few other diners were dancing and the mood was joyful. Overall, I am not excited about trying this place again. The food was marginal, service kind, but not something you want to experience. BUT there is something...I might be back for the little bit of evening magic the space and live music inspires and hope my food, beverage and service luck changes.
Review Source:I took my boyfriend for a birthday dinner. Our server was friendly enough and everything tasted good. We ordered scallops and salmon cakes to begin, and a pork chop and seafood linguine as entrees. There were a few very small issues such as being served the wrong beer, I have worked in restraunts serving and bartending for about eight years and I completely understand little things happen sometimes. However, both of us were so sick from the food that it woke us in the middle of the night. I was throwing up sick and both of us were super naucious the whole next day. I called that morning to let them know we were sick and hopefully prevent others from having the same experience; someone took down my information and said a manager would be sure to call when they came in. No one ever called. Pretty lame. I would not reccommend Wine Cellar to anyone I like, and I will not be spending anymore of my time or money there.
Review Source:Impressive spot. As the name implies, wine oriented restaurant. Unique wine vending machines allow you to try 3 different sample sizes of premium wines all stored in an  oxygen free environment.
We dined in the lower level last Friday evening and were entertained by live music playing old standbys. Service was very good, the food however was a bit disappointing, perhaps it was just our selections. Both our short ribs and lamb shank were inferior cuts, fatty and smaller portioned. I watched in envy of a delicious generous portion of roasted chicken go by and the recipient enjoy the meal. The short ribs were comped and we'll give it another try.
I normally don't write a review unless I've been to a spot 2 or 3 times. Â This review comes after 3 meals at The Cellar, formerly the Wine Cellar.
The new space is incredible. Â Sitting in this newly refurbished interior, of Brix formerly, you could tell me I was in San Francisco, San Diego, or Seattle and I wouldn't know the difference. Â The multi-leveled dining room and bar are expertly appointed. Â Finally, someone in Coeur D' Alene pulled their head out of their butt and built a bar large enough for 20 or more people. Â The wine list is amazing. Â Downstairs is a cozy and Jazz inspired lounge with couch, table and bar seating. Â Holy Crap!..a place to go for a quiet, romantic drink and listen to some music without worry of encountering the cast of Deliverance! Â The place is awesome. Â No teenie boppers, and not a hipster in sight. Â Ahhhh refinement, and the satisfaction it brings. Â I liked the old Cellar location but we often walked away due to never enough seating. Â The new space fits the bill for spaciousness superbly.
The service we encountered on all three occasions was seamless and friendly. Â We did have one waitress that was a little rough around the edges but she more than made up for it with a big smile and willingness to discuss her favorite menu options.
The food was excellent on all three visits. I'm normally not a curry guy but the Coconut Curry Clams were very good. Â The Bruschetta was incredible with a full tomatoe slice on each piece, flavored and seasoned perfectly. Â They had a mac-n-cheese pasta appetizer that was like love in a bowl, if you're a cheese lover this is a must try.
Our main dishes were Flank Steak, Osso bucco Lamb Shank, Roasted Chicken, and Ling Cod. Â The flank steak was incredible and we'd both order it again. Â The lamb was good but wouldn't cause me to daydream about returning to have it, maybe and little more seasoning. Â The Roast Chicken and Ling Cod were excellent, with Ling Cod again on a later visit. Â We enjoyed the flank steak twice.
We also joined them for Happy Hour in addition to our three dinners.  The Happy Hour was very good with  1/2 off normal appetizer prices.  So I had my incredible cheesy pasta again!  So far for us, the best happy hour in town.
Overall, a very positive and enjoyable group of experiences at The Cellar. Â We will return...and bring friends.
What a surprise!  Drove into town after landing in Spokane.  Unfortunately, it was a bit after 9 when my colleague and I realized we were hungry!  Parking spot in front of the cellar - why not??  We walked in and asked if they were still serving dinner.  We were told the kitchen closed at 9 but she would check in with the chef.  Well, props to  him!  He said lets make them happy!  We were shown to a nice table given a menu and ordered.  We split a Tuscan wedge salad and the chicken flat bread pizza.  Both were amazing!  And the lemon basil martini - divine!  The piano man was such an added bonus! Â
Patty - thanks for the tip on RV camping in the area - hope to run into you sometime! Â Chef - thanks again - two travel weary but very happy women!
Beautiful restaurant.....however the front desk hostess was short, rude and set a negative tone the moment you walked in. She was also chewing out a waiter and instructing other employees as if they were 'beneath her'. Â Granted this was Valentines Day night and the restaurant was busy, but that is not a valid reason to be rude and snotty.
I don't know how to rate this since it is an employee issue only. I will stick with 3 stars for now, and then when I visit again I will revise my review/rating.
On the last  night of my visit to CDA, I met a couple of super nice local ladies at  Bardenay, who invited me and my friend to join them at their next stop, the cellar of "The Wine Cellar".  Good choice!  Nice space, live music, comfy furniture, friendly/knowledgeable/engaging bartender, in a chic, trendy environment.  And the coolest part, an automated, self-serve, wine dispenser?  I just stood and stared at it, full of wonderment and mesmerized.  It was an experience much like what Beavis and Butthead had when they discovered automatic flushing urinals for the 1st time while on a visit to Yellowstone National Park in the 1996 classic, "Beavis and Butthead do America".  To remind you and help you fully understand, see: <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFR7ljwJadm8&s=c71aa8e93e999ce737e0b1f7b1bec11958832fd68e4f95a1208cac16824e8c3e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/w…</a>
I posted a pic of this futuristic device on here, check it out!
We're in town for a week of golf. Â The courses are outstanding and the dining in this time are also outstanding. Â This place is a good example of excellent food and service in a nice environment.
The place is very contemporary in design. Â It really is a wine enthusiasts place with a tremendous selection available. Â And the downstairs is set up for tastings. Â The upstairs is a very nice, cozy space for dining and they have musical entertainment almost every night. Â The performers change every night. Â Tonight was a nice male singer with guitar and, later, two others joined him.
The menu is not huge but it has a good variety of things. Â My wife had a pizza and I had a Lamb Osso Buco and we split a roasted beet salad. Â The salad was outstanding! Â My wife liked her pizza and I enjoyed the flavor of the lamb shank but it was not very hot. Â I told our server, Krista, and she took it back to have it reheated. Â
But, this a class place! Â The kitchen put up a brand new, fresh order! Â It didn't take that long and I was surprised as I did not make any request to replace it with a fresh one!
They also 'comped' us a dessert, a Lemon Meringue Tart.
We had a really neat server, Krista. Â You would love to have her! Â She's spirited, has a great sense of humor, is nobody's dummy and she is excellent at her craft. Â She's good with people and she knows her food and wine!
The only reason I did not rate this a 5-star is the lamb shank could have been braised a bit longer as it was not quite tender enough. Â But, the flavor and the sauce were superb. Â And the Lemon Meringue Tart needed a little more lemon zing to it and the Meringue was not quite 'set.' Â But, overall, it was a very good meal! Â We enjoyed the total experience, for sure!
Be sure to dine here if you are ever in the area!
Jim
Overall, I thought The Wine Cellar was fantastic. Though the upstairs dining room was a little on the loud side (a combination of the music and the conversations all bouncing off the brick walls), the atmosphere is great.
We had a truly wonderful server, and most of the food was fantastic. For appetizers, we had the baked brie, the fritto misto, and the bietola salad. In addition, they serve delicious bread and herbed butter. My mom had the charcuterie pizza, my dad had the pork chop, and I had the Tuscan crimini pasta. As everyone else has mentioned, the baked brie is pretty amazing, and I could have ordered three or four of them and eaten that alone. Nothing too spectacular about the fritto misto or bietola salads. For those dishes, the restaurant seemed more concerned with presentation than substance. Both my parents' meals were amazing, particularly the pork chop my dad had (though be forewarned: the sausage on the charcuterie pizza is pretty spicy). Though my parents' meals were large portions, the pasta I got was a smaller portion; had I not filled up on appetizers, I would have likely left a bit hungry. Nevertheless, the pasta itself was delicious. I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive they make their own pasta. It was dense, thick, and somewhat irregularly shaped (i.e. must have been rolled out and cut by hand rather than produced in some factory in the Bronx and shipped to CDA).
My two complaints. First, the drinks we ordered were pretty weak. I ordered the Huckleberry Press. Unfortunately, it was almost entirely Sprite and coloring and very little huckleberry or vodka. My dad's old-fashioned was also pretty weak. Don't know if it was just that night's bartender or if the restaurant's policy is to be pretty sparing with the booze, but I don't know if I'd order cocktails there again. Maybe the purpose is to get people to order the wine...you know, since it's a wine cellar :-D? Second, The Wine Cellar's website needs to be updated SO very badly. The menu on the website, while sharing some overlap, is not the same menu you'll see in the actual restaurant. There are items on the website not on the menu in the restaurant, and there are items on the menu in the restaurant not on the website. As I like to plan what I'm going to eat throughout the day, particularly when I'm eating out that night, I felt a little frustrated at the inability to figure out what I would order that evening.
On the whole: DEFINITELY a great place to eat.
What can I say...gotta give 'em a five! We were enjoying an overnight getaway and wanted to find somewhere we could enjoy a quiet night with good food. After looking through reviews this place sounded like a winner. Walking down the main street a few blocks we arrived. Now, passing the other restaurants on the way (sidewalk seating, kind of loud and not really "fine dining"), were pleasantly greeted and seated. There was a nice blues/jazz band playing (not too loud) and the place is very nice as far as atmosphere goes. We started with a bottle of a good Spanish Tempranillo and seared scallops, they were seared to perfection and delicious. We backed that up with salads (caesar and bietola) and Bouillabaisse for an appetizer. While we were waiting for our wine the hostess asked us to move back one table and offered desert on the house so...awesome as well. I would recommend this place to all my friends. Nice, quiet, great food, staff was awesome...we'll be back!
Review Source:Staff was great! Came here from Louisiana and wanted something local to bring home. The lady who helped me went trough their collection and recommended her favorites. Usually people try to up sell but not these people. She set me up with reasonably priced wines and offered to ship more If I liked it.
Review Source:Yelp Mathematics 101
When it comes to some places, food is but one part of a complex non-linear equation. If you add it all up, the sum is sometimes greater than its parts.
Such was the case when I dined here solo recently on a long-distance road trip from Northern CA to Western MT (the alpha and omega of my current existence, so to speak). I had crossed over the Golden Gate three days earlier, and after 1000 miles on the road, I was willing to compromise. As long as there was music. And wine. I could handle the rest.
Check. Double check. As it turned out, there was no need to compromise. The music and wine elevated this elegant underground Coeur D'Alene night spot to a level that made it worth my while.
Pat Coast that night was awesome - contemporary blues guitar playing at a very high level. Not what i was expecting,
A half bottle of Long Shadows Pirouette was a revelation in a small package. Again: not what I was expecting.
This was serious music and serious wine. And the prime rib was medium rare and flavorful, and the horseradish butter was refreshing. bracing, and right.
Eating solo can be tricky regardless of the venue. You really have to be comfortable dining alone and enjoy observing the lives of others. It worked here.
Thanks to Pat. And thanks to that half bottle of Pirouette and the wine steward who recommended it.
Come for the music, the wine, and the food. In that order. If you add it all up, it makes for a memorable meal. The location is incidental to the event.
Rest for the road-weary rarely sounds or tastes this good.
And no potatoes in sight.
The mark of a great and well-managed restaurant is in how well they handle problems.  Such was our experience here during a trip to this charming city  and the Wind Cellar came through...in spades.
Yelp! reviewers gave it high marks, so off we went for a nice dinner after a day on cold, blowy, wintery lake watching eagles.
Generally we don't like basement locations, but the decor and entry to the Wine Cellar quickly made you forget that you were in a cellar. Â Nice decor, large bar, intimate lighting and soft music courtesy of a guitar-playing singer. Â Pretty nice.
Menu was interesting and had plenty of options. Â And, given the name, the wine selections were plentiful and there were by-the-glass options for each category. Â We both opted for their flank steak, which many locals and our guest house owner highly recommended.
Generous plates appeared with the steaks covered with a rich gravy accompanied by delicious garlic mashed potatoes and a fresh vegetable mix/medley of onion, green pepper and asparagus that, on its own would have made a great meal.
But the problem was the meat: Â it was so under cooked (we ordered medium) that it was cold in the center and leaked blood. Â Not only was it undercooked, but it had been sliced along the grain, so when we tried to cut it, using serrated steak knives, it tore into strips and was so tough that chewing was not possible.
We called over the waitress, Heather, who immediately, and with genuine concern, brought our plates back to the kitchen and let the manager know. Â The further-cooked steaks returned and although they were closer to medium, were still too tough to eat. Â We just had two bad pieces of meat (that happens) and the slicing should have been against the grain.
The manager was the owner and she could not have been nicer or more cooperative. Â At this point we were not hungry and did not want to try another flank steak. Â Other than the meat, the meal and salad were excellent, so we were satisfied there.
I asked the manager to cut off a piece of meat and to ask the kitchen to do the same. Â She did not at our table, but returned with Heather to further apologize and tell us that the chef realized that the meat had not been sliced properly and all of them agreed that the meat was not up to standard.
There was no complaint on our side as the situation was handled professionally and with grace, even with some laughter...after all, it was not the end of the world. Â To make amends the owner comped the wine and discounted our dinners by 50%. Â We tipped Heather the resulting amount of the bill.
We will return on another trip to Coeur d'Alene as one bad piece of meat does not a restaurant destroy. Â So a potentially bad situation ended up to be a rather pleasant experience for us. Â I would not hesitate to recommend the Wine Cellar to you.
My boyf picked this place for date night while we were in town, and I have to say it was a hit. We ate downstairs, which had a wonderful ambiance - dim lighting and live music (jazz/blues). I love love Italian food, and this really satisfied my craving. You might think Italian on a hot day is unappealing, however they keep it cool and the portions aren't overwhelming.
We split a reasonably priced bottle of wine, the bruschetta (DELICIOUS) and then I had the Osso Bucco and he had the Bistecca. I strongly recommend trying the bruschetta, they serve it with a goat cheese which paired with the tomato/garlic/etc is yummy. Our tab, after tax and tip was a little under $90...they do have a three course prix fix menu available for about $24, which we considered, but the bruschetta won out. I would suggest trying the main dishes, as there are two pages of these compared to the one page of pasta options.
Give it a try..it's great! :)
Great ambiance in the "cellar" and the food was tasty! There was a blues band playing which made it even better. As i recall reading they have music every night they are open. The only downside was that it took several minutes to get seated, but service was prompt afterward. Don't miss it!
Review Source:The ambiance and service was really good! We came early (5 pm) with friends and our 1.5 yr old daughter. The place is not family friendly at all (no high chairs etc) due to the night club nature of it but our servers were very accommodating to us and really wanted us to stay when we showed up with the tot (the place was practically empty or else we would not have been comfortable staying). Food was good but I would not recommend the seafood (I was not feeling so hot afterward and later learned that this is a common theme from other friends who have ordered sea food here. Serves us right for ordering seafood in the inland-NW I suppose. Would love to come back sans-kid and enjoy the wine and music.
Review Source:Loved the ambiance of the place. Live music, good food and a great wine selection. The escargot in mushroom caps wasn't the best...I wouldn't order it again. I had the 3 for $18 deal which included, a small bowl of pasta, bouillabaisse, and a cheese plate for dessert. My bf had the lamb osso buco. The pasta was decent, the bouillabaisse was AWESOME, and the cheese plate was okay ( I should've listened to my sweet tooth!). The osso buco was amazing and succulent! Â Excellent service as well!
Review Source:i cannot even begin to tell you how much i loved this place! it has so much character, being in the basement of an old building. the walls are real exposed brick, the jazz musician playing in the dining room was brilliant and everything about the ambiance was awesome. there was a quite impressive wine list ... i tried the huckleberry riesling, which is local to the area, and it was quite good. so good i kept ordering more! it is strange that it looks like white zin - it must be the huckleberries that colors the wine pink. the hot, melty brie appetizer is to die for - served with fresh bread and green apple slices. my dinner, the crab manicotti, was stuffed with a ton of crab, and ricotta too. service was attentive and the dinner was timed just right. i wish this place was in my hometown ... i would definitely be a regular.
Review Source:Great food. Â We had the Scallops special and the Stuffed Dover Sole. Â Both cooked perfectly with great flavors. Â Their special bread is excellent. Â Salads are just lettuce from a bag, but they will add pine nuts and the strawberry rubarb dressing is yummy. Â Wine choices by the bottle are super, but limited by the glass, though I had a nice glass of Petite Syrah recommended by the waitress. Â Her service was very good. Â They have nightly entertainment. Â When we were there it was two old guys on guitars who were generally annoying and too loud, but occasionally the guitar only music was nice. Â As expected, it is in a cellar, which is not as nice on a warm sunny evening when you would rather be outside. Â All in all great value and a nice place to eat.
Review Source:I love, love, love the Wine Cellar!! Â It's been a favorite of mine for several years now. Â It's so cozy and you feel like you're somewhere far from North Idaho. Â Even after new ownership took over, this place still rocks! Â Literally, because they always have the best live music that goes well with the fabulous wine list..er should I say book? Â The service is always top notch. Â The food? Â Well, I've tried many dishes, but keep going back for the smoked chicken pasta that is baked with lots of melted cheese on top..it's to die for! Â All and all, this place ranks as my number one restaurant in CDA.
Review Source:I went here with my brother, sister in law, and my partner. Â We sat outdoors and watched the people go by while enjoying the evening in great company with amazing wine and fantastic food. Â What a place! Â The food, for the quality, was pretty darn affordable. Â The service was top notch. Â The wine list was impressive (we got two bottles, a bottle for each couple, dontcha know?). Â My steak was done perfectly, and the appetizers were fantastic: Â baked brie with honey (one of their signature items). Â I would strongly recommend this place to anyone who likes great food and wine on a budget.
Review Source:Take Mediterranean cuisine inspired by tours of France and Italy. Throw in a little of Portugal. Collect a variety of wines. Finally, hire a live band every night of the week (but rest on Sunday), and you've got the Wine Cellar. The blues & jazz atmosphere is relaxing and refreshing. The courses truly hit the spot for modest prices: less than $15 for an entree. Whether you're in the area for the weekend or you've lived there your whole life, be sure to check it out and feel classy.
Review Source:
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