Michael L.
Yelp
Beautifully decorated and charming, Cellaio offers the Las Vegas experience for the convenience of upstate New York. The menu is winnowed but appeasing to anyone who graces its presence. Our first impression began with a private seating towards the rear of the restaurant. After choosing our desired water (flat, tap or sparkling) we were immediately presented with a bottle of champagne in celebration of my wife and I's anniversary. Our waiter Tyler cheers to our occasion and then began his explanation of both the restaurant and the Chopped Chief Scott Conants inspiration behind the menu. Tyler was very open to our questions and gave us top tier suggestions that were extraordinarily on point.
Our food coma began with the standard bread display offering several dipping sauces each more lovely then the next. We followed this with the order of Polenta Boscaio which delighted our palettes but fired us up for the main course. The polenta was cooked perfectly and the flavors were unmatched.
Both of us decided with the special cut of the night a 36 day aged NY strip accompanied by a side of Sautéed cauliflower adorned in onion strings and crispy pancetta. The steak: rubbed only with a mix of truffle salt and pepper was cooked perfectly, the only way to eat a steak... medium rare. I can not express the flavor of this steak, and as a frequent dweller of steakhouses this was by far one of the best if not the best cuts I've ever had. Peter Lugers, Morton's, Ruth Chris, Rothmans...I've had them all and i don't know what they did to this steer but the meat, texture and flavor sold me on whatever they were going to charge me.
The cauliflower was also great but the polenta/bread filled us up and so I focused more on the star of the meal then the vegetables...sorry Mom. Anyway we continued to desert but treaded lightly knowing our stomachs could only hold so much.
Tyler suggested the house made sorbet which included some very eclectic flavors such as jasmine mint, elderberry lavender and others all of which Tyler gave his personal experience of each. We chose the lavender and it was truly the perfect ending to the meal. I also ordered a Tea which was also a upscale brand, loose fitting in a silk sachet. There is nothing worse then shitty tea or coffee after a meal and luckily this was not the case.
Our experience was Truly memorable, the prices fair, about 100 per person with a 3 course meal plus drinks and the knowledge of a returning customer. Tyler was a standup waiter, and due to his professionalism created the upscale Las Vegas ambiance one would expect. Lastly the dress code was not enforced but I do expect that to change soon...don't wear shorts to a steakhouse you putzt. Thanks for reading.