The Cellar
156 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente
(949) 492-3663
Recent Reviews
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1/ wait time way too long between drink and appertizer and between appertizer and main course 2/ the main course is just warm, not hot as expected. The bouillabaisse is luke warm. And everything is too salty. The escargots are not as expected in a French style escargots, the short ribs taste like chewy boiled meat. Nothing compared to real french restaurants in Paris (I just came back from Paris 2 months ago, where I ate at various places from simple bistrot to high end restaurant)
Unique ambiance, outstanding service. Quiet when we dined, but was not a packed house on a Thursday.
Music was too loud. French Onion soup was bland. Chateaubriand was far from tender and lacked flavor. Green beans had raw garlic making them inedible. Carrots were undercooked. Mashed potatoes were great!
First time experience did not disappoint. The entry down the stairs to the carved door and the greeting upon entry set the tone for a great evening. Cocktails were expertly crafted in the bar and then off to our exclusive table with a famous story. The escargot and french onion were perfectly prepared. The wine list was well curated and went well with our steak that was cut table side. The soufflé ended our evening of excellent food and service.  cant wait to go back.
Parking was consistently difficult. Service fell short of what a self‑proclaimed upscale fine‑dining restaurant should deliver. Several hot dishes arrived lukewarm and had to be sent back for reheating. Overall, the food was mediocre.
Chateaubriand outstanding. Lobster bisque not warm enough but the small portion was tasty. French onion soup very good. Cabernet by the glass Not good at all. Rioja by the glass was good.
Unique experience with delicious food. Attentive service and despite the restaurant being full, we did not feel rushed through our meal. Great place for celebrations or a romantic dinner. Will definitely return!
We live coming here - I love the French music, the cocktails and the food - especially the featured dishes. and my husband loves that I love it! Do bring a serious sweater/jacket -In my experience it is always too too cold no matter where we are seated (and I typically run warm!). Favorites include octopus, blue salmon- including the lovely vegetable melange, hubby loved his fillet and bread pudding for dessert
The Cellar is an absolute gem in downtown Fullerton. From the moment you walk downstairs, the ambiance is warm, intimate, and timeless — candlelit stone walls that feel straight out of Europe. It's the perfect spot for a date night or special occasion. The food was excellent. Everything was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor, especially the steaks and classic French-inspired dishes. Portions felt right for fine dining, and presentation was beautiful. Dessert was a must — rich, indulgent, and worth saving room for. What really stood out were the cocktails and wine selection. The drinks were expertly crafted, balanced, and clearly made by bartenders who know what they're doing. If you're a cocktail lover, this place delivers. Service was attentive without being overbearing. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and made great recommendations, which really elevated the experience. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but you're paying for quality, atmosphere, and a memorable experience. If you're looking for a romantic, upscale night out in Fullerton, The Cellar is 100% worth it. I'll definitely be back.
Jordan was our wonderful server. She was so professional, yet friendly and engaging. She shared information about the property and was timely with the menus, drinks, food, etc. We had the chataubriand, which was amazing and cooked perfectly to order. We'll be back!
Restaurantji Recommends
My first time dining here was a success, the staff was very kind, patience and attentive, I do not regret coming here, it was everything I hoped for! A great place to come for any kind of occasion, the food was rich and flavorful, thank you
It was a great experience, the food was great, the service was wonderful, although the ambiance was also great for a French restaurant there were a few things that we wish the environment had such as light music, French music, Jazz or Spanish music. You could hear others conversations all too well. Another thing, it was a romantic atmosphere but it was missing candles or something to set the mood. Overall it was great!
Food, service, and ambience were top notch. Would recommend for a relaxing date night. Drinks were good as well.
My filet was cut in half lengthwise which was a surprise. My wife's dish was very salty, French onion soup lacked depth. We were served different bread then the table right next to us, and was told they no longer had the more appetizing bread options.
This was exactly what we were looking for. The ambiance fit our style. The food was expertly crafted. The group found the perfect balance between food quality and style.
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