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    Cellar Hand

    4.3 (145 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Cellar Hand Photos

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    CELLAR HAND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Cellar Hand

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    wine
    Dung N.

    My friend invited me to an event here back in June of 2024. This wine bar is such a vibe- I liked that they have some art work too! I got to try some glasses of wine and a yummy spread! There were sardines, olives, crackers, hummus, oysters, pita, etc. Everything was fresh and delicious! I would like to try their brunch menu soon!

    Pita
    Jennifer C.

    This place was great, from the food to the service. We came to try their bar dinner for $50 and chose to upgrade with the wine pairings for an additional $10. They have a good amount of both indoor and outdoor seating. The bar dinner is only done outside or inside around their bar. Throughout the whole night we were checked on multiple times, never felt rushed and overall had a wonderful time. From the bar dinner menu we were surprised that we could choose from a list of 3-4 options for each course. Our group was able to order different ones and try a bit of everything. Portions were very generous, especially for the price! I got the house labneh, charred green beans and crispy pork schnitzel. The labneh was delish! Not too tangy and the sweetness from the onions was nice. The pita they served it with was of the thinner, lighter variety but still very tasty and fresh. The green beans could have been charred a bit more for my taste but still yummy and had a savory sauce on the bottom that I liked. The pork schnitzel was a great size. Didn't come with any sides but didn't need any since I was so full at that point. Because we were celebrating a birthday they also gave us a free dessert! We tried their tiramisu (with guava instead of coffee) and their deconstructed Dubai chocolate options. Both solid. While we didn't love any of the wine options in particular, we were happy to get to try a variety of different kinds, some that we had not heard before. It was helpful that they come with little descriptions for each as well.

    Local catch
    Catherine C.

    Ambience was fun and lively, service was very attentive and kind, but the food didn't do it for me. The sangria was mostly ice and very watered down, not much flavor. The fried eggplant was delicious and I'd order that again if I were to go back. The local catch was very fishy and not cooked properly, the inside was not fully cooked. Overall the dish lacked seasoning and the greens were already yellowing and tough to chew, dry.

    Fried egg
    Michelle R.

    Came here with girlfriends for brunch. I wouldn't recommend coming during the Sunday nearby Hillcrest farmers market since the parking lot was FULL and while I got lucky with parking in the lot, my friends had to park farther away near the post office. Our server was attentive and great with suggestions. They only had 2 tea options which seemed surprising but it arrived in a French press and made 2-3 cups. Our group shares the chocolate toast and it was delicious! I got the farmers salad and added a fried egg on the side (protein gains!) and it was filling. The setting was relaxing and really pretty with decor.

    Drink menu
    Claire J.

    So happy I stumbled upon cellar hand. Went on a Sunday evening & got seats immediately. Johnny, our waiter, was so lovely & broke down the menu and how they source all of their food & produce from local farms, so their menu is seasonal. Our food came within MINUTES of ordering, fresh & beautifully prepared! 1) the bluefin tuna crudo was so delicious! You could taste the freshness of the tuna, and there were these delightful ice plants in it that were magical--have never had anything like that before! 2) the fried artichokes were good & really crispy, but probably wouldn't get again as all of their other items are so good in a more unique way. 3) the house fermented pitas were delicious-- we loved both the whipped baba ganouj & the whipped tahini. If you like a strong flavor profile, I would choose the whipped tahini--it was so creamy & unique with the black garlic and urfa. The 21 rose of Pinot noir by pali wine was also so good - highly recommend! Such a cute, relaxing spot. They have a large patio as well. Can't wait to try more items! Definitely come and support this special spot in Hillcrest!!!

    Banquettes
    Charles C.

    Cellar Hand Restaurant is located in a quiet mini-mall collection of shops and businesses, and is located near the busy intersection of University Avenue and Normal Street. There is a smallish parking lot vailble to visits. As I recall, there are two designated handicapped parking spaces available within the lot. I understand the building that houses Cellar Hand Restaurant used to be a restaurnt known as the Gossip Grill. The hostesses are the first staff members you meet when you arrive , and they are posted outside in front of the restaurant. There is large bar up front. As to dining, you have several areas from which to choose. Specifically, there is a small dining room to the left as you enter the restaurant. Thereafter, a patio extends back, where many people like to sit. There is also a rear dining room, which is comfortable. Special mention for waiter, Johnny.

    Pork Chop
    Jane A.

    FARM-TO-TABLE CONCEPT (3.9 stars) - FOOD: good - PRICE: ok - SERVICE: attentive - AMBIANCE: small (indoor but mostly outdoor seating) Sat outside under the evening sky next to a heater lamp! For a new restaurant, the website should keep up to date with the most current menu. I've notice slight differences when comparing menu online vs menu in hand. Our order came out rolling as they became prepped and available and once the main dish came I wish it was served with some of the earlier dishes we had to treat it as a "side" instead of an appetizer. GHIA ($7) - reisling juice, yuzu, orange peel, ginger, lemon balm, fig, and elderflower. Their take on a spritz. No picture of it but it was served in a tall glass and it was reddish. Overall taste was ok, I'd probably be fine with water. SMOKED BLUEFIN TUNA DIP ($18) - served with house garleek chips. This dish was a perfect starter. The garleek chips were a bit salty but the dip balanced it out. The dip itself had more "dip" than any chucks of bluefin tuna and the fact that it's smoked, the flavor shines thru without having the volume of the bluefin tuna. You will more than likely finish the chips before the dip; extra chips was changed as extra pita for $5 - I thought it would be free. Overall bite was yum. HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHARRED CAUILINI ($17) - za'atar labneh, fennel frond pistou, oro blanco grapefruit, dukkah. Honestly, first glance the portion to price did not match. I have no idea of the ingredients except cauilini and grapefruit. The sauce had a little bit of heat and the grapefruits were a nice touch. Overall bite was tasty. RECOMMEND THOMPSON HERITAGE CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE ($16) - orange wine 'jello shots', pomelo, sesame bread. I am not a liver bot mousse nor liver mousse person - just not my flavor but it was ordered and I said I'll try it. Inquiring taste! It was beautiful to look at and the taste wasn't that bad - in moderation. The mouse was fine, the liver flavor was subtle but after taste it was present, the Jello shots have this a sweet flavor - when speeded in a slice of toasted bread it was fine to eat. Overall bite was ok. CRISPY SKIN ROCKFISH ($36) - garlic toum, fennel confit, pole beans, grapefruit. One of their popular ordered main dish. The fish was butterflied and cooked with the face starring at you. Lots of ingredients to make the fish fillet pop - the description forgot to mention citrus olive oil decorating the plate. "Crispy" is an overstatement - I got average, moisturized, bot dry but also not crispy. Overall bite was standard tasting. I felt like although the plate had a ton of things on it, I wish there was a small side or bread to go with it. RECOMMEND THOMPSON HERITAGE BERKSHIRE PORK CHOP ($48) - warren pear, cider, pomegranate, sage, smoked almond. Another popular main dish! This pork chop was tender, juicy, and fatty. I loved the additional ingredients it was cooked it for flavoring and the smoked almonds added a crunching element. I wish there was a side or a small serving of something or a piece of bread - just something! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Such a cute little restaurant in Hillcrest. When I pass it often there isn't much people coming thru as I expected. Until the next review...

    Tartare
    Jane Q.

    Such a good find! Came on a Friday night and same day reservations were easy, though we opted to sit at their indoor bar. Not crowded and it felt very chill and relaxed for a weekend night. Both food and drinks were great - many of the dishes seem very seasonal. Everything was super tasty but if I had to rank what we ate it would be: 1. Crab Chitarra - I wish this was always on the menu. Flavors and texture were perfect to me 2. Wagyu beef tartare 3. Harissa shrimp 4. Baba ganoush 5. Duck confit (not pictured) - probably the only dish i wouldn't order again. It was still tasty but did not stand out as much flavor wise

    Very rustic and simple table layout. (picture of friend's clavicle bone not included).
    Victor H.

    I'm not going to lie. If it weren't for San Diego Magazine, I probably would have never heard of Cellar Hand. Be that as it may, I did make a reservation shortly after learning of it and took my "gay" wife and best friend, Shyla - she's not, I am - there to find out for myself. The location itself has something a history, being the original site of Gossip Grill, the home of the 'two-finger' pour, so I was anxious to see how it looked, too. The place was for some time a hard place to anchor a tenant. So that we have a San Diego Magazine-endorsed restaurant holding its own is all the more noteworthy. After we sat down, our server approached and gave us a nice, short presentation of the kitchen philosophy guiding the chefs. Locally-sourced. Organic. Vitamin B-12-adjacent. All those trendy buzzwords being batted around these days. And no matter how much she denies it, I still stay our server has shades-o-Zooey Deschanel. And she struck the right balance between friendly and professional and overstaying their welcome. She was, is, and will continue to be an outstanding addition to the place. My bestie and I shared three plates, a baba ganoush-styled appetizer, a vegetable and greens salad, and then I went on to order the Crispy Skin Rockfish with Garlic toum, Fennel confit, Pole beans, and Grapefruit. And honestly, if I were Pope, I would inspire Catholics the world over to eat this on Lent then clasps hands, get on our knees and thank little Black baby Jesus for Cellar Hands. This is to say nothing of some of the most amazing bread of I've ever been served; these beautifully-textured, wafer-like sheets of pita-ish bread, topped with seeds and herbs. Holy Fuckmonth was that was good. But, If I were to change one, itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny thing...we we're sat by the front door. And I know you need to put tables there, given the space's layout, and need to maximize revenue, but it could have used some warmth, frankly. A little more lighting. Perhaps a faux wall to give the diners a sense of privacy. No matter how good the food was or is, it can't be displaced by the comings and goings and weather of the front door. But then again, if I had to sit by a door I couldn't think of a better place to do it in. So, in conclusion, and in the words of that towering figure of American History - The Terminator - I'll be back.

    February menu
    lucy lu k.

    To start off we had the most calm welcoming server, Bianca had great suggestions and the food was delicious. Any high quality ingredients is worth a great review.

    Squid ink pasta
    Matthew C.

    Came here on a slow Tuesday night and place doesn't look like much from the outside and there is some decent parking considering the area as it's tucked away. Menu changes pretty regularly from what I've gathered. Hard to find pictures of entrees on yelp for that reason. Ordered the smoked tuna app with some house made chips. A little salty but went will with the smokiness flavor of the dip. Went with the rib eye which had a tomato butter which was great, but my steak did taste a little old and may have been sitting in the fridge too long. Squid ink pasta I would say was the best part of the meal. Portions are just the right size here. Overall I would like to try some of the other season eats like rabbit or duck, but they don't seem to update their website so it's kind of the luck of the draw on what your going to get here. Service I would say is above average, but in the 1.5 hours we were there only two other tables were sat. Overall a great spot to eat, and I would likely come back here again.

    Menu
    Keri W.

    Finally tried this restaurant. I have been wanting to come here since they opened. I love nice wine bars/restaurants. We met friend there and we sat outside and though it was cool, they have heat lamps so it was very comfortable. Our server was nice and attentive. We brought our pup and they were all very sweet to him. Our friends had ordered a few shared plates before we arrived and then we ordered some other items. I totally forgot pics except for my fish. Below is what we ordered: Olives House labneh Tartare Yellowfin Pork chop Burgers Everything was pretty good. The pork cop was a little fatty but flavorful. Everyone liked their burgers. My yellowfin was yummy and they make their own "ritz" crackers. The tartare was good and so was the labneh. Overall, everything was good. My wine was very yummy as well. We will be back!

    Wine cocktail
    Liz L.

    Went to Cellar Hand for drinks. My friend and I both got wine based cocktails. Hers was bitter just like she likes it. Mine was just ok. It was rosemary, grapefruit with sparkling rose. It tasted more like wine on ice than a cocktail. In retrospect I should have returned the drink. The place is very nice and has a lovely outdoor seating area. I wish them the best.

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    Cellar Hand Reviews in Other Languages

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    Mabel's Gone Fishing - Mussels escabeche

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    Cori Pastificio Trattoria

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