Cellar Door - Ridgefield

The chef has changed, and the once-popular dishes are no longer the same. The meatballs were served without the small orrechiette pasta, which was quite disappointing. During my last visit, the best bartender had resigned, so unfortunately, Chris and Rosie are no longer there, and the bar atmosphere has shifted. The pasta has been re-added to the meatball dish, but it was watery, and the meatballs were tough and gray. Overall, it was a major letdown! If people vote with their feet, the empty tables tell the whole story. It's truly sad to see our favorite restaurant undergo such a transformation.

The food here is mostly quite good, with excellent steaks and pizzas. However, some other menu items can be hit or miss. They forgot the sauce for one of my entrees, and when it finally arrived, it was quite disappointing. The main issue, though, is that they are consistently under-staffed; there never seem to be more than two waiters on duty. The bartender is fantastic, but she ends up having to cover for the wait staff, which can result in longer wait times, especially if they forget something or if you're looking for another drink.

The overall dining experience at this restaurant is quite pleasant. The steaks and pizzas are particularly tasty. However, other menu items can be inconsistent. During one visit, the sauce was forgotten, and when it finally arrived, it was too strong. A significant issue is that the restaurant is often understaffed, usually having only two waiters on duty at a time. While the bartender does an excellent job, they also assist with serving, which can lead to longer wait times, especially if there are mistakes or extra drink orders.

The restaurant has experienced changes in both its chef and staff, which has unfortunately led to a decline in the quality of the food. The meatballs were missing the typically paired orecchiette pasta and were quite disappointing. Additionally, the recent departure of the talented bartender, Chris, along with Rosie, has altered the bar's atmosphere. While the orecchiette was eventually added back to the meatballs, the dish was watery, and the meatballs themselves were hard and gray. The numerous empty tables are telling, suggesting that many customers are unhappy with the changes. It’s disheartening to see our favorite restaurant undergo such a transformation.

Great steaks, terrific wine, great service. Couldn't ask for a better dining experience. Highly recommended!!!