Dettera Restaurant & Wine Bar

A great evening with friends we haven't seen in over a decade. Peg, our waitress tucked us back into the corner, kept our wine, bourbon, and beer glasses full through hours of conversation and excellent food. Such a lovely evening thanks to the staff at Deterra. We'll be back

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had made a reservation for Saturday, 11/2, at 8:30 p.m. I explained that this was going to be just drinks and dessert. The person I talked to said that was fine and they would make a note of it. 2 of my party had to drop out last minute. Yesterday around 3:30. I called again and apologized, but my reservation was now going to be 7 people and if it was too last minute, we will figure something else out. I was told it is okay. I thought great, the night is planned out. We were having dinner next door at Tannery Run and were running late, so I walked next door to check the reservation policy (most places are 5-15 minute grace period) and said we will be just a few minutes late. I explained what was happening to the host and was met with very rude and borderline hostile resistance. I was told immediately that he was canceling our reservation because we weren’t eating dinner and needed to keep tables open for people who wanted to eat, but we could sit at the bar. There wasn’t room for 7 to all sit together. I can totally understand the policy of tables are for dinner, but why take the reservation in the first place when I was upfront with my plans? Why are the employees not on the same page? Plus, the restaurant tables were empty. I recommend KC’s Alley instead of this place. KC’s was amazing. Did Dettera not want money? I don’t understand why I was met with such hostility and rudeness when I tried to do the right thing through this whole process.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

I had made a reservation for Saturday, 11/2, at 8:30 p.m. I explained that this was going to be just drinks and dessert. The person I talked to said that was fine and they would make a note of it. 2 of my party had to drop out last minute. Yesterday around 3:30. I called again and apologized, but my reservation was now going to be 7 people and if it was too last minute, we will figure something else out. I was told it is okay. I thought great, the night is planned out. We were having dinner next door at Tannery Run and were running late, so I walked next door to check the reservation policy (most places are 5-15 minute grace period) and said we will be just a few minutes late. I explained what was happening to the host and was met with very rude and borderline hostile resistance. I was told immediately that he was canceling our reservation because we weren’t eating dinner and needed to keep tables open for people who wanted to eat, but we could sit at the bar. There wasn’t room for 7 to all sit together. I can totally understand the policy of tables are for dinner, but why take the reservation in the first place when I was upfront with my plans? Why are the employees not on the same page? Plus, the restaurant tables were empty. I recommend KC’s Alley instead of this place. KC’s was amazing. Did Dettera not want money? I don’t understand why I was met with such hostility and rudeness when I tried to do the right thing through this whole process.

This is a great atmosphere with good food and a wonderful waitresses, however the Maitre d is rude and lacks people skills. He will be the sole reason we don’t return.

Ordered the duck medium rare and after serving our waitress came over and suggested the meat looked well done, ( which it was). Medium Rare should have pink meat and this was fully brown inside. I was prepared to eat it anyway as I never send food back, but she insisted on getting it recooked. At that moment I thought highly of the place until the manager came over and ripped me a new one for sending it back insisting it was cooked properly. I settled on receiving the plate back, but they cooked a new portion anyway. Only two bites were close medium rare, the rest was still overcooked. The guy had the balls to argue with me at the table instead of just cooking another portion. The loss of $20 of recooked meat is far less than the $150 meal I would have purchased next visit.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 2

Bartender was great. Food...ehhh.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

If I could give 10 stars I would. Anyone who rated those than 5 stars is just wrong. The food was some of the best we’ve had. The bread and olive oil was so fresh. We loved the octopus and the wine pairings were really great! The staff was excellent too and so was the ambience. This is a place we will come got celebrations and to introduce our friends and family to the greatness of Ambler! This is a must visit if you’re around.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

While making our resv, we were asked if special occasion, we replied yes it is our anniversary. Got to rest, it was a late resv, so didn’t want to keep staff late, got seated outside by the little manager man with the Napoleon complex. Bill, is that you?
Asked about cocktails by the waitress, she said I hear it’s a special occasion, we said yes, she offered bubbly (for us to purchase, not on the house, like I thought I couldn’t do that myself if I wanted it) We ordered 2 Manhattans with a special bourbon that is hard to find, we were excited. We have always enjoyed our Manhattans here while we would eat at the bar, but it has been a while. Drinks delivered, no bourbon taste, watered down. Next round I asked for my go to bourbon thinking maybe it was the bourbon. Next drink tasted exactly the same, bad! Having just been on a bourbon crawl in Kentucky, my taste buds were fresh and this drink was not good. Commented to the waitress and the little manager came out to challenge me about the taste of bourbon and what he drinks at pm in his home. 1st, I don’t care and 2nd, I don’t know what he puts in his drink. I asked did he see the bartender make the drink, he replied yes…? So, they knew it was our anniversary, did nothing for it, then why ask? Knew we were unhappy with drinks and did nothing about it. And his attitude didn’t help, after my husband went to speak to him, he yelled at my husband that we insulted his staff! Who is paying who? How do you not comfort the customer? So sad many restaurants in area closing and this was always a solid go to…not anymore!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 1

Great food and atmosphere for a date night. Best in Ambler, if you have room, get the chocolate pate.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place has been here years, and yet it still hasn’t improved. Yet, their process year over year increase.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Our favorite restaurant, hands down.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cheese Board, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Magret Duck Breast, Grilled Baby Spanish Octopus

You know those dishes that you say, man I can make this better at home. Menu is ambitious. At least what I had. Sweet and Sour Brussels were halved and deep fried with a balsamic glaze. Deep fried! Orichette carbonara was all butter.. could barely recognize the egg that was to make this a creamy, lustrous dish. Note, carbonara should be done with a long pasta anyway. I picked out the tender rock shrimp, bacon and shaved cheese. Good thing I ordered a smaller serving. $10 savignon blanc saved to day. Great atmosphere though, but not worth it for the price.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 3

Pretty disappointed. Ordered the scallop special. Got 4 smallish scallops over some scattered edamame and corn. 42 dollars. Waitress was pretty bizarre

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

We had a fantastic experience at Deterra last night. We were a larger group, but really wanted to sit outside. The team graciously set up a beautiful table for us out front and we had a delicious meal with top-notch service. It was such a great night in all ways. We will be back for sure.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had a really lovely meal here this evening as a group of 6. The food was fantastic, Karen (our server) was so friendly and conversational, and the evening enjoyed by all. My one wish is they’d add a mezcal drink to the menu but other than that we will absolutely be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

We went to celebrate my wife's birthday. I sat at the bar waiting for my family to arrive and had a couple of drinks. I ordered a Caesar salad - never came.

My daughters have egg & dairy allergies, so I asked the server making my drinks if she knew anything about the menu., she did not. I spoke to the manager who assured me that whatever we wanted, the chef would handle it and there would be no cross contamination. He also told me that the dinner rolls contained egg & dairy.

Our server came over about 10 minutes later to speak with me at the bar about the allergies before my family arrived. She made some notes, and went to talk to the chef. She came back to tell me what to stay away from, and what to have. I had a couple of appetizer options., great! However, I was not impressed with the dinner options.

Meanwhile, I knew my family would be starving so I wanted to order a couple of appetizers and have them at the table as they came in so they could begin eating. However, the bartender insisted that I wait because they come out very fast. So I offered a compromising statement of, how about we make the order in about 10-15 minutes? Again she insisted, no, I think you should wait until they get here. Remember, I’m still waiting for my Caesar salad…,

We were seated and I mentioned to my server about ordering a Caesar salad but it never coming. I had sat at the bar for about 45 minutes. She came back to tell me that the order was never put in.

We ordered the appetizers - they did not come out fast, and actually took longer than expected. My family was starving! My Caesar salad finally arrived - dry & bland! Had to ask for salt, pepper and dressing.

My daughter with the dairy allergy ordered the one pasta dish that she could have, and when they brought it to the table, it was covered in CHEESE!! Had to send it back and wait for another dish to be prepared.

My other daughter ordered a burger medium well, and it was literally oozing red!

The trout I ordered was very boring and bland.

All in all, if you/your family have dietary restrictions, this is NOT the place to go! I should have called first.

Unfortunately, we won't be back. Highly disappointed.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2