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    Cella Restaurant & Bar

    4.4 (176 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Cella Restaurant & Bar Photos

    CELLA RESTAURANT & BAR ATMOSPHERE

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    Intimate
    Romantic
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    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Cella Restaurant & Bar

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    Beef cheek
    Susan M.

    We sat outside in the back, which is a lovely dining area with plenty of room between tables. We had our infant+stroller with us and didn't feel like we were bothering other patrons. The food and wine were both delicious. My husband's beef cheek was tender, the scallop dish had a wonderful sauce, and the steak tartare was a perfect appetizer. Overall, we really enjoyed dining here.

    Olive oil cake, blueberries, whipped fresh cream
    Greg C.

    First visit since new chef started. Cal, the previous chef, did a very nice job taking Cella to a new level. Menu was lovely, service excellent, good value for $. Lilly the GM (promoted from within) is very good and is always reading the room-- Josh, best bar mixologist anywhere. So Cal left as he is known to do...the new guy ( sorry can't remember his name) was last at Noir in Carmel. So maybe I'm jaded because I never liked all the fussiness and inconsistencies at Noir...the now new Cella is just ok. I'd say prices are way up for a similar looking menu but under closer view it's really not -- most everything is $65+and you can spend more. Example, I had duck confit-$50+old menu it was $35- yes it wasn't an entre but it was the same size as what is on new menu. The hamburger is now Gone. The fist dishes are oddly presented with the "sides"-- didn't seem to fit. I could go on. This could all be growing pains. It was fairly busy the night we went so not sure what's up. I hope they get it right. Ben is a good owner and astute. If something needs fixing he will get to it. Right now I think it needs some time. I'll go back.

    Japanese crudo
    Kayla B.

    Went to Cella on a Wednesday night, made a reservation just in case, but it was decently empty. Everything about this dinner was so pleasant- from the service, the meal, to the ambience and the best dessert I've had in a very long time. We went for our anniversary and wrote that on our resy reservation but didn't bring it up once in person, literally every server and hostess immediately wished us a happy anniversary and they even gave us complementary pate de choux to start, which was super super nice! We ordered the Crudo and the octopus for appetizers, which were both super light bursting with flavour. We got the lamb chop because lamb is our favourite protein, and though it was pricey I would say for the portion , super well cooked and the potatoes were divine. finally, the absolute star was the vanilla crème brûlée. What made it so unique was that it was topped with a warm chocolate mousse which I've never seen before, and the fresh vanilla bean in there absolutely changed the game. I was literally scraping the bottom of the bowl which was mildly embarrassing hahahaha but would do it again. Wha a great gem in Monterey. I love it here and I love their bakery too- Will absolutely come back.

    Award-worthy Shirley Temple with a jumbo ice cube straight from Kristoff's ice supply in Arendelle. Kids still talking about it.
    Brooks W.

    You do, admittedly, have to get over a bit of sticker shock (yes, $46 for risotto is a thing). But once you clear that mental hurdle, you're free to fully appreciate the quiet genius that is Cella. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit -- rustic, warm, and moody in the best way. It feels like a moonlit European hideaway you somehow wandered into with kids in tow. And speaking of kids, the staff deserves serious credit for being gracious, accommodating, and impressively tolerant of our 4- and 6-year-olds, who can occasionally strike fear into the hearts of fine-dining establishments. Our waitress was an absolute sweetheart and made us feel genuinely at home. Now let's talk food -- because wow. Ridiculously good. Michelin-star-level good. The kind of good that makes you feel like you're floating on a cloud made entirely of butter, salt, and joy. We started with the bread, which arrived beautifully baked and paired with homemade butter and salt that immediately set the tone. My wife and I intended to split the burrata salad... until our little culinary thieves discovered the burrata and beets. At that point, it became every diner for themselves. The kids' pasta deserves its own paragraph. It was shockingly excellent -- better than pasta we've had at plenty of adult-focused spots. Honestly, I'd take this over anything at Felix in Venice without hesitation. My wife ordered the risotto -- yes, the $46 one -- and every single bite justified the price. Creamy, rich, and deeply satisfying. I went with the beef cheek at the suggestion of our waitress, and whoa, Nelly. Fork-tender to the point where a knife felt optional, served with horseradish, pomme purée gratin, broccolini, and perfectly roasted carrots. It transformed me from a normal diner into a near-feral, plate-lifting, considering-licking-it-clean creature. The busser laughed and said she wouldn't judge. I appreciated that. Dessert sealed the deal. We had every intention of getting ice cream later, but once the crème brûlée arrived -- fruity, rich, and glorious -- all bets were off. Gloves came off. Spoons flew. Every last morsel was claimed. And a special shoutout is required for the Shirley Temples, which deserve their own Michelin-adjacent recognition. These weren't kid drinks -- they were full productions, served with massive, crystal-clear jumbo ice cubes that instantly stopped our kids mid-sentence. The awe was real. They were convinced the ice had been harvested moments earlier by Kristoff himself and shipped directly from Arendelle. I didn't correct them. When a restaurant makes kids feel that seen and delivers this level of fine dining, that's rare air. Yes, it's expensive. And yes, it's worth every single cent. We would go back every time we're in Monterey without hesitation. Cella isn't just dinner -- it's an experience. And a damn good one.

    The sever did not tell us the meals were going to be the size of a penny. They should have mentioned dishes were going to be extremely small but they did not. We paid 126$ for two "small plates" and for one order of measly oysters. Totally unsatisfied with the service being up front on what they are actually serving. The attached photo shows what they charged 38$ for without tac or tip. The size of that shrimp is the size of half of my pinky. A total compete joke, please go somewhere else.

    Good local sparkling Chardonnay delicious.
    Joseph E.

    So I started off with a sparkling local wine. We did not have reservations, so we sat down at the communal table near the bar. Every single person that helped us was treating us like they were the owners of the restaurant. Accommodating, helpful, and pleasant. We were not rested at all so we were having our drinks and they were kind enough to bring over a manual. We looked it over and then I pulled out my phone and I gave them a list of my particular dietary restrictions and the waitress said no problem. We'll be able to accommodate you and they did. I've got to say, though the french fries that they came out with were absolutely fantastic. There was a version here of garlic fries, thin cut, crispy, tender not overdone, absolutely delicious. They came along with the steak that they prepared just for me. It was not on the menu, but they took the steak that they were making that day grilled it up for me and put a special sauce again delicious what a wonderful treat. It reminded me of the steak and Pom Frits at the restaurant in Napa the Bouchon Bistro, but I enjoyed the food here more. I asked my wife what she thought about it. The food the drinks. The Services, she said oh great we had a wonderful time. We were treated like VIPs.

    No wonder there's a Chartreuse shortage!
    Patrick S.

    We went back the night after we ate here the first time because we were drinking at a place down the street and thought... why are we drinking sub par drinks when we can just go back to see Lyndsey at Cella and have the best drinks ever. We came here while on vacation in Monterey for my birthday. Frankly it's pricey, but we had 2 apps and one entree and still left with several leftovers so it was very much worth the price. The incredible pork chop was Flintstone sized but cooked perfectly. The asparagus had several different things going on and they all got along splendidly. Salad=complex, excellent, and the service was over the top as well. As for the aforementioned bar, if you ever want to feel like Willy Wonka and shout out "The snozzberries taste like SNOZZBERRIES!" This is the bar for you. To paraphrase WW "they are the music makers... the dreamers of dreams."

    Burrata garden salad
    Rachelle O.

    I've been wanting to try this restaurant for a while. Testing restaurants with custom menu due to medical diet restrictions: (before being seated, I asked the host if this restaurant could accommodate me. She said I'd have to ask the server. The ambiance is great and my server was nice and asked the kitchen if they could custom some menu items. They said yes. I ordered their burrata garden salad without burrata and oil and extra greens to compensate for taking away the most expensive item. 1st try, served me the dish with the burrata. 2nd try, served me about a cup of greens (without smashing it down) with vinegar. Barely a side salad size. 3rd try, they gave me the same small amount with oil. Not the size I expect from a $24 salad. However, the flavor and texture was excellent. And dish is pretty The garlic herb fries were perfectly crunchy. However, I could barely taste the garlic and herbs. Disappointed. Maybe the chef/cooks were having a bad day?

    Alaskan Halibut
    Sue D.

    For the week of Thanksgiving, my sister and I decided to drive down to Monterey for a short getaway. Decided to try this place now after reading some reviews about the octopus appetizer that is yummy. Ordered grilled spanish octopus, japanese hamachi crudo, alaskan hailbut, and pasta tagliatelle It was a very busy night but food was still delicious. The grilled octopus was not chewy and it didn't feel like I was actually eating octopus (because normally octopus is cooked in a way that makes it chewy). The hamachi crudo was fresh and yummy (slight bitterness from the cucumber or maybe the lemon zest perhaps? But still good overall). Anyways everything ordered was good, and the portions were perfect for two people to share who don't have big appetites.

    Chris W.

    Where do I even start! First, let me just say this meal was not only the culinary highlight of my Monterey trip but also ranks up there with one of the best meals ive ever had (which includes some Michelin-rated NY restaurants). The vibe inside is very welcoming and warm and the wait staff are all fantastic and friendly. Started off with one of their signature cocktails (Break on Through) which is a gin based cocktail. I honestly didnt know what to expect when I ordered it, so it was quite amusing to see when it arrived at the table overflowing in foam. Dont be fooled by its playful blue Gatorade vibes...it packs a punch! Next up was the Grilled Spanish Octopus appetizer. Wow...just wow! I dont think ive ever had such tender octopus in my life! They apparently braise it in white wine for three hours and sous vide it. The romesco sauce which accompanies the dish is to die for and really brings the whole dish together nicely. To maximize the experience of the Wild Striped Seabass, I asked the waiter for a white wine recommendation, and he duly delivered! The wine paired perfectly and delivered a welcome crisp and perfectly acidic balance to the dish. The Seabass itself was perfectly cooked and melted in your mouth. The textural contrast of the cauliflower and turnips to the delicate nature of the fish was also well conceived and executed. Finally, the dessert...the Crème brûlée. By this point I was rather full, however, I couldn't pass up at least trying a few bites of one of their magnificent sweet treats. There was a rewarding crack as you broke through the top into the decadent mousse and vanilla cream center. Also loved the temperature contrast within the dessert as well. Thank you Cella for such an amazing culinary experience tonight! I wish you were much closer so I could be a regular, however, Im sure I will be back again.

    megan o.

    A true honor and privilege to get to eat here. This isnt just food. It's an artform. And let me say it BY FAR surpasses every single Michelin star restaurant I have dined in. This is what food is supposed to taste like. This is my second time dining at cella. Me and my partner come once a year for our anniversary. The first time I thought maybe I was blinded by my hunger. That I may have had rose tinted glasses on as first times dining places can often do that. As we return for a second time. Cella has proven itself to be some of the best food my mouth has had the pleasure of eating. What to order. Order every single cocktail they have to offer. The duck is a non negotiable for a starter and if you're a tapenade fan get the beans. For entrees. The chicken. Although it's hard to go wrong with any of the entrees. But THE CHICKEN. I don't know how they do it but it's ruined almost every other chicken dish for me. Unfortunately any duck is also ruined for me because of how good theirs is. We had the scallops too. I'm not one for fish but i devoured these. The ambience is beautiful and the service couldn't be better. Thanks cella. We truly appreciate you guys. Also I'm looking at other reviews and I'm utterly disappointed by the lack of duck dishes reviews. GUYS. Get the duck. Just do it. I beg of you.

    Lettuce salad
    Anita L.

    Several of us came here for a late dinner. While it was definitely pricey, I do take into consideration that this is a highly touristy area. The service was outstanding, from the moment we arrived to the time we left. I also loved that she suggested items without being overly pushy. We shared an excellent salad, and then proceeded to or entrees. My scallops were perfectly executed. The chestnut puree was different, but worked well with the bits of slightly bitter greens dotted on the plate. My dining companions had the sea bass and pork chop respectively. Their comments were very positive as well. If you're looking for a cute spot with great food and excellent service, Cella will not disappoint.

    Striped sea bass and red wine braised beef cheek
    Amanda M.

    3.5/5 This was a decent restaurant for a New American date night spot, but nothing to rave about. I really liked the restaurant itself. It's relatively small, cozy and intimate, and has a big heated patio that I would've loved to sit at in better weather. The service was standard and the food came out within good time (not too slow but not too fast), but I felt like the staff came by excessively to fill our waters even though we had a bottle on the table. I ordered the Barbados Handshake and my boyfriend ordered an Old Fashioned. My cocktail was a good option for something fruity and tart, but my boyfriend's Old Fashioned tasted really syrupy. For our meal, I ordered the striped bass, my boyfriend ordered the beef cheek and we shared the side of bread. The white sourdough bread was rustic and hearty, and we liked it a lot. However, we did not like the multigrain bread--it was a little too earthy for both of us. If we had known the plate was a combo, we would've asked for just a plate of the plain sourdough. The sea bass was cooked well and I enjoyed the crispy skin on top, but I thought the risotto and sauce was generic and not super interesting. The beef cheek was delicious! It was tender, meaty and rich, and made the dinner worthwhile. We also liked the chocolate hazelnut mousse. It was a good size to share, and the crumble / nuts added a nice texture to the mousse. I will say I was a little disappointed by the appetizer selection. I was looking forward to something like grilled octopus, quail or kale salad but none of those were on the menu recently. We love getting appetizers normally but the beet salad, asparagus soup, etc. just didn't attract us when we visited.

    Acme Sourdough bread appetizer

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Highly recommend Cella. Brunch is wonderful and dinner is amazing. Great food, impeccable service and nice atmosphere.

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    An amazing restaurant in Monterey. Great outdoor seating and great food. Really one of the hot up-and-coming places on the peninsula.

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    Well... arrived at 7 and at 7:26 we finally got Sarah to get our drink order... stay tuned

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    Page 3 of 5

    Ask the Community - Cella Restaurant & Bar

    How is this place for kids? We have a very well-behaved 7 year old and an 18 month old that eat everything

    I took my 18 month old and my sister had her 6 year, 12, year and 13 year old daughters. They were welcomed and treated very well. We sat outside and there were two other people with little babies as well it was great!

    Is the patio dog friendly?

    We welcome our furry friends on our patio, however we do not have a pet friendly menu or water bowls.

    Are there options for kids? They are older, 11 and 14.

    There is no special kids menu, just one main menu for everyone.

    Does the phone work here or is it just an answering machine?

    We do our best to answer the phone Tuesday-Saturday 2pm-9pm. Reservations can be made through Resy.com… 

    What is your corkage policy?

    $35 per 750ml (2 bottles max) 1:1 in-house bottle purchase for waived corkage fee

    Are there any vegan options available?

    Our menu features a small selection of vegan options that would create a ‘tapas’ style experience. If something more substantial is needed, our kitchen is happy to accommodate dietary preferences if possible, and comprise a beautiful dish off the… 

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    Had a very uncomfortable experience here…read more Two of my male friends had their IDs checked very quickly, primarily by verifying their dates of birth. When it was my turn, the employee subjected my ID to significantly more scrutiny. She rubbed the card, examined it closely, and even used a small table lamp to inspect it. She then asked me to state the address on my ID. I had recently moved and had just received a new ID, so I wasn't certain which address was printed on it. I explained that I had recently moved and had multiple addresses. She then told our group to leave. I understand that a bar has the right to thoroughly check IDs and refuse entry if they have concerns about an ID. My concern was the significant difference in how my ID was handled compared with my two male friends' IDs and how the situation was handled afterward. When we were leaving, the employee put her hands on my husband's shoulders and lightly pushed/shoved him toward the exit. I also felt that I was being physically moved out rather than simply being asked to leave. The entire interaction felt unnecessary and uncomfortable. I can't speak to the employee's intentions, but the difference in treatment was noticeable, and the physical contact while removing us from the establishment was particularly concerning. I hope management reviews what happened and ensures that customers are treated consistently and respectfully.

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