Ellen's is a gem in Sanford for lovers of wine (and music and special dinners on certain nights). Intimate, beautiful interior surrounded by walls of unique wines. Seating on comfy couches, wine bar or patio. Lots of wines by the glass, and the bottle prices are so good you should just get bottles (including bottles To Go). Some nice beers for beer lovers. Frequent Events on the website, like special dinners and wine tastings. Great live music Fri and Sat nights with Chuck and his guitar. Tom, Ellen, Chuck and lots of regular customers and friends make you feel welcome. We travel a lot and Sanford is lucky to have such a unique place as Ellen's. Highly Recommend, and we will be there whenever we're in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
moni lynn
very cute spot , i loved the live music and my server suggest a nice wine we did
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
MK “Mk_Soul” Soul
Poor service, owner is a Karen.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Alex Aviles
This marked my second visit to this place, and I had plans to bring some friends next week. We had made an online reservation and arrived 15 minutes early. Upon mentioning our reservation, the host/server did not inquire about the name it was under. While still standing, he asked whether we preferred beers or wine, creating an awkward atmosphere. Afterall, is a wine room. Opting for wine, I inquired about wine tastings or flights, to which the response was reluctant and seemingly unwelcoming.Then wife recalled the wine we enjoyed during our previous visit and we asked for a bottle. When I asked for a seating arrangement, given the increasing crowd, they insisted we stand there and sample the wine. Eventually, after waiting and tasting the wine, we decided to seat ourselves. We were not provided an aerator, unlike others around us. We were not offered snacks or anything else. Throughout our stay, there was no check-in to see if we needed anything else.The overall experience left us feeling unwelcome, and I couldn't discern whether this was their typical business approach or if there was something about us that the staff did not appreciate. In any case, this will be our last visit to that establishment.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Wade VanLandingham
Great selections, fantastic atmosphere! Tom was the perfectly attentive server.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Appleton
Server was great, but who I assume was the owner was extremely rude. 100% agree with Patrick King's review. We were told by the server we could help ourselves to chips or brownies that we're set out at various tables when we asked if there were food options. We were also informed they were hosting a weekly Thursday night dinner. We grabbed a couple slices of cheese and a spoon of jam. A few minutes later we were yelled at across the room by the assumed owner who scolded us for taking cheese that was for the dinner participants only. She claimed they didn't have enough for us. We were one of 2 parties there at the time. If you love being yelled at in public, this is the place for you. Don't be open to the public if you can't handle hosting an event. She was rude to her cook while we were there too so maybe be just gets off belittling people.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 4
Victoria M.
A quaint little place for really good wine. We came over after some friends mentioned how good the selection was and they were right. Very laid back, live music that was relaxing, and a truly vast selection. The service was good and we actually bought an extra bottle to take home. We will be back:)
Nick Zdunic
Quant little watering hole unlike your typical bar.
Madelyn
Very cozy place, I love it.
Eric C.
What a hidden gem. The manager Tom may not be an official Sommelier but his knowledge of what we like is absolutely spot on. We go maybe 3-4 times a year but he remembers our names, what we've tried in the past, and what we like. Great selection of smaller and lesser known vintners from central coast, Central Valley, and some Sonoma and Napa wines. Good sample of wines from France, Italy, Argentina, and even Albania. It's an amazing experience.
Absolutely loved it here...Tom was amazing and the atmosphere was perfect. Can't wait to go again!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
sean taylorkent
Staff is so incredible make you feel at
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Val Woldman
I stopped in twice to pick up a bottle to go. Both times Tom was great assisting me to find what I like in my price range. He made some great suggestions and let me sample a few. I ended up getting a bottle of red and a bottle of white and I will be back again! The space is cozy with plenty of comfy chairs and is bigger than it looks from the outside.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Patrick King
When we entered the atmosphere was dark and “cellar like” but had an eclectic feel to the bar. As the night carried on we met the owner and some of the patrons of the bar and it became very clear that if you were not in her social circle or a loyal patron of hers, that you were viewed as “beneath them”. I would recommend some of the other local wine rooms in the area if you’re looking for a relaxing, inviting atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jarrod M.
Fantastic wine selection.. and a surprisingly solid beer menu. Talk to Tom.
Ellen's is a gem in Sanford for lovers of wine (and music and special dinners on certain nights). Intimate, beautiful interior surrounded by walls of unique wines. Seating on comfy couches, wine bar or patio. Lots of wines by the glass, and the bottle prices are so good you should just get bottles (including bottles To Go). Some nice beers for beer lovers. Frequent Events on the website, like special dinners and wine tastings. Great live music Fri and Sat nights with Chuck and his guitar. Tom, Ellen, Chuck and lots of regular customers and friends make you feel welcome. We travel a lot and Sanford is lucky to have such a unique place as Ellen's. Highly Recommend, and we will be there whenever we're in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
very cute spot , i loved the live music and my server suggest a nice wine we did
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Poor service, owner is a Karen.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This marked my second visit to this place, and I had plans to bring some friends next week. We had made an online reservation and arrived 15 minutes early. Upon mentioning our reservation, the host/server did not inquire about the name it was under. While still standing, he asked whether we preferred beers or wine, creating an awkward atmosphere. Afterall, is a wine room. Opting for wine, I inquired about wine tastings or flights, to which the response was reluctant and seemingly unwelcoming.Then wife recalled the wine we enjoyed during our previous visit and we asked for a bottle. When I asked for a seating arrangement, given the increasing crowd, they insisted we stand there and sample the wine. Eventually, after waiting and tasting the wine, we decided to seat ourselves. We were not provided an aerator, unlike others around us. We were not offered snacks or anything else. Throughout our stay, there was no check-in to see if we needed anything else.The overall experience left us feeling unwelcome, and I couldn't discern whether this was their typical business approach or if there was something about us that the staff did not appreciate. In any case, this will be our last visit to that establishment.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Great selections, fantastic atmosphere! Tom was the perfectly attentive server.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Server was great, but who I assume was the owner was extremely rude. 100% agree with Patrick King's review. We were told by the server we could help ourselves to chips or brownies that we're set out at various tables when we asked if there were food options. We were also informed they were hosting a weekly Thursday night dinner. We grabbed a couple slices of cheese and a spoon of jam. A few minutes later we were yelled at across the room by the assumed owner who scolded us for taking cheese that was for the dinner participants only. She claimed they didn't have enough for us. We were one of 2 parties there at the time. If you love being yelled at in public, this is the place for you. Don't be open to the public if you can't handle hosting an event. She was rude to her cook while we were there too so maybe be just gets off belittling people.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 4
A quaint little place for really good wine. We came over after some friends mentioned how good the selection was and they were right. Very laid back, live music that was relaxing, and a truly vast selection. The service was good and we actually bought an extra bottle to take home. We will be back:)
Quant little watering hole unlike your typical bar.
Very cozy place, I love it.
What a hidden gem. The manager Tom may not be an official Sommelier but his knowledge of what we like is absolutely spot on. We go maybe 3-4 times a year but he remembers our names, what we've tried in the past, and what we like. Great selection of smaller and lesser known vintners from central coast, Central Valley, and some Sonoma and Napa wines. Good sample of wines from France, Italy, Argentina, and even Albania. It's an amazing experience.
Restaurantji Recommends
Absolutely loved it here...Tom was amazing and the atmosphere was perfect. Can't wait to go again!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Staff is so incredible make you feel at
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I stopped in twice to pick up a bottle to go. Both times Tom was great assisting me to find what I like in my price range. He made some great suggestions and let me sample a few. I ended up getting a bottle of red and a bottle of white and I will be back again! The space is cozy with plenty of comfy chairs and is bigger than it looks from the outside.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
When we entered the atmosphere was dark and “cellar like” but had an eclectic feel to the bar. As the night carried on we met the owner and some of the patrons of the bar and it became very clear that if you were not in her social circle or a loyal patron of hers, that you were viewed as “beneath them”. I would recommend some of the other local wine rooms in the area if you’re looking for a relaxing, inviting atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Fantastic wine selection.. and a surprisingly solid beer menu. Talk to Tom.