CITY CELLAR WINE BAR AND GRILL
Nick and I were very busy this holiday weekend. We decided not to go on a mini vacation, instead we stayed at home in Long Island and try out some new restaurants.
On Saturday night we decided to live Kings and go to City Cellar Wine Bar and Grill in Westbury. We checked out the website before we went, because we were interested in more of a food experience than just dinner. That is exactly what we got.
When we first walked in, looking at the bar area and the wall of wines, we thought we might be a little out of our league. We were dressed nice casual, I had on a long skirt and a nice sweater, Nick wore a nice button down shirt and jeans. We didn't feel out of place. I wouldn't go too casual to this place though. I think you would normally need reservations, but we got there around 4:30, right before the rush so we got a beautiful circle booth.
Our waiter was very nice. We started our meal with some Pellegrino Water. Next they bought us out a warm bread loaf (was a little over baked) and a whipped butter. When our waiter came back he told us the specials.
Nick got the Heirloom Egg Ravioli appetizer with Duck, Parmesan Brodo, Black Garlic, Leek Jam and Pickled Chili.
**Pic from City Cellars Facebook page**
Yea, it was expensive, but good. I personally didn't eat any, being a vegetarian, but Nick ate it faster than anything. He said it was wonderful.
Next we ordered our meals. They didn't have too many vegetarian options, but they were more than willing to change the dish to please me. I got the Gnocchi Al Forno. It was homemade Gnocchi with roast chicken, spinach, asiago and vodka sauce. I asked for no chicken, and instead they put some perfectly cooked broccoli in it. Seriously, it was so good. Word's can't describe. The gnocchi are out of this world, you can tell they were home made and didn't look like your typical gnocchi. They were a little larger and stuffed. The sauce was great, it wasn't overwhelming, there were great chunks of tomato. The whole dish was hearty and I could only finish a third of it. The waiter said he had only seen two women ever finish this dish. I don't know how they did it!
Gnocchi Al Forno
Nick was torn between two dishes and asked for the waiters input. He said that while everything on the menu was amazing (which at this point I don't doubt) he hands down told Nick to go with the Lamb. So Nick ordered the Moroccan Spiced Lamb Chops with Cumin Yogurt, Chili Cous Cous and Harvest Vegetables. He had a glass of Malbec wine. Have you ever seen the movie "What about Bob?" the scene where he is eating dinner and he is enjoying it so much he can't stop making noise? Well that was Nick. I have never seen him enjoy a meal so much. He actually finished his appetizer, 4 pieces of bread, and I was shocked when he finished his entire dinner. It was that good. I have never seen him finish a plate like that before. So yes, the meal was excellent.
Moroccan Spiced Lamb Chops
Now, I didn't think we would ever do this, but we decided that everything was so good that we wanted dessert as well. Not just one, but two! We went with the waiter recommended Coffee and Donuts, and I really wanted to try the Brown Butter Cake in a Jar. So we got one of each and decided to take a nibble and take the rest home. Ok, I wish we could have taken the rest home, but we ate it all. Yikes! It was that good. The home made donuts were covered in cinnamon sugar, and filled with dulce de leche. It was in a caramel-butterscotch sauce. On the side was an espresso panna cotta. It was out of this world.
Coffee and Donuts
The Brown Butter Cake was so different and unique tasting. There were chunks of a caramelized brown sugar or something and the butter cake, and peach jam and caramelized white chocolate. Oh so dreamy.
Brown Butter Cake in a Jar
Then it came time for the bill. Yes, this was the most expensive meal I have ever had, it was also one of the best. I would give this experience 5 stars. I can't wait to go back!
