The Cellar - Stafford

I gave this a three for the poor wine choice, particularly with white wine. The limited wine they have was then not available. Also the time to serve drinks was particularly slow, didn’t even know the wine we wanted was not available until we had finished our starters. However, young male managers did try and sort it out for us and was polite and friendly. Took the shine off the birthday celebration a bit though. Food was excellent, hoping to come back just for that. More wine choice please and maybe make more of a fuss of celebrations!

We’ve eaten here quite a few times over the years and never been disappointed, however they excelled themselves with the quality of their food when we visited last night for our anniversary dinner. Every element of every course was just perfect. Design, cooking, presentation… The flavour combinations were just divine. Even the humble chip was raised above and beyond all previous experience! And all this in the beautiful surroundings and with the friendly, efficient service we’ve come to expect. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

We have just returned from Sunday lunch at Weston Hall. There was 6 of us for our mothers 80th birthday. Whilst we enjoyed what food we had, the experience was not the birthday celebration that we had planned. It was so very very slow. We booked our table for 2.30 and on arrival we sat in the front lounge waiting to be called to our table. Eventually we asked how long it would be until our table was ready and the waitress admitted that she had forgotten to call us through. Unfortunately we also ended up waiting for such a long time for our food. It took an unacceptable length of time for our main meals to be served. Due to time constraints we had to forego the desserts and order coffees instead. After another 30 minute wait and still no sign of our coffees, we had no choice but to cancel our coffee order. I appreciate the fact that Weston Hall was extremely busy this afternoon. Not only was every table filled with diners, there was also a wedding going on upstairs. However we had booked this Sunday lunch several weeks ago. This was not the celebration that we had planned. We arrived at 2.30 and left at 4.48 after only having a starter and a main course each. Taking over 2 hours and 15 minutes for 2 courses is unacceptable. Far too many diners and not enough staff. Is this the case of yet another restaurant being extremely greedy? Wanting our custom and yet not bothering to provide a good service? And of course Weston Hall is not cheap!

We had a fantastic afternoon tea at the cellars. Food was well presented, extra sandwiches were brought out. Friendly service and a cupcake to take away!

365 days, 525,000 minutes, 1 year, unus annus, 1 whole trip around the sun (to name a few) and the beautifully haunting memory of that duck lured me back to the Cellar Restaurant like a magpie to a shiny object or a pensioner to the Carry On Films. Thus begins our new tale: The Fellowship of the Linds I was hesitant to visit prior to my fowl anniversary as it appeared that our previous protagonist, Lindsay, was no longer at this fabled establishment and, although I imagine the food and service remained at a high standard in her stead, I regretfully did not enter. Like Gandalf the grey she had fought the Balrog and disappeared into the void. A void that, I 'm sure, could not have been filled. The doubling of my grief (one for the loss of such a great manager and one of course still being the duck) sent me into a spiral in which I was forced to do some soul searching and ask myself a serious question: What do I value in a restaurant? Atmosphere? Sure. Friendly Staff? Of course. Duck? Obviously. Drinks? Most Assuredly. Good Management? Naturally. My adventure took me to the heart of the mountains but unlike Frodo searching for his way into Mordor, I no longer had my Sméagol to show me the way. I reached the summit and mediated on that question. A year passed, my beard lengthened, I even forgot my own name yet I learned many things from my time atop the mountain. The question What do I value in a restaurant? Still had answers after subtracting Lindsay from the equation. I still loved the rest of the food, I had great conversations with the staff, the atmosphere was still the regal ascetic I had grown to love about the Cellar and the drinks were still fantastic! (Although I must note the bartender that made me that Old Fashioned last time no longer works the bar and I believe has moved into accounting, a loss itself for bars nationwide). So, I decided it was time to go back! I climbed down from my mountainous perch, tidied myself up, shaved, re learned my name from an overdue rent bill, and rushed straight out to the Cellar Restaurant. No longer would I Stand in my own way and I would taste fowl once more. I cautiously entered the restaurant. I couldn 't believe it, my eyes surely deceived me. Like a phoenix, my very own Gandalf the White! Lindsay had returned! She was stood right there at the host desk with her welcoming smile, I felt like I was home and it was then I knew I could relax. The staff, spearheaded by Lindsay (The OG) would look after me tonight. It was exactly as it had been before. Lindsay showed my to my table, she explained the menu once more although I interrupted her to explain that this was no longer necessary due to my time in meditation. I had thought about my experience every day and the menu was always fresh in my mind. They say never meet your heroes, and after last time Lindsay had become somewhat of a Heroine to me. But, she didn 't miss a beat. Drinks Starters Check back Drinks Mains Check back and so on. Lindsay made me feel like I had been invited into her house as a friend and VIP, all I need do is Speak Friend and Enter . Well, Belloch. You might at this point be wondering what I ordered. Don 't be so naïve. You KNOW what I ordered. Hoisin Sauce, Sesame seeds, Pancakes, Spring onions, Cucumber and of course The Sizzling Duck. There was something different about it, it was even better. Surely my mind was playing tricks on me. It couldn 't have been better than last time, it was the best thing I had ever eaten. I asked my friend, Lindsay, how this could possibly be! It turns out she did not return alone. A man, a tall man with tattoos, a chef of the highest quality, a versatile and talented mythical man known only as Barbs . Was this a name? A title? Well it was certainly an honour to eat the food that this man had prepared. Maybe one day I can meet this Barbs and learn of his culinary expertise myself, Senpai. I sat and watched In awe as food flew out of that kitchen at a pace seen only in my rear view mirror as the Ostrich whose egg I had once stolen gained on me during my formative years as an aspiring kleptomaniac. I didn 't escape from the beast then and I didn 't escape from the flavour of the sizzling duck platter now. I was all in. I will never go such a period of time without visiting the cellar again. I couldn 't do that to my tastebuds. I paid my bill and then some. My choice of course, it would have been an insult not to tip. I needed to show my appreciation. One day my appreciation may even take the form of a series of short stories featuring the cellar restaurant and its team. Once more we exchanged pleasantries during my departure. I was nervous to leave my new family, but I must. New adventures await! Aragorn may offer his Sword, Legolas his Bow and Gimli his Axe. But, You Lindsay and Barbs, have my word of my return after I spread the message of the experience you are offering here. I shall be the Dandelion to your Geralt, singing tales of your deeds for years to come. The mythical Masterchef Barbs (If that even IS his real name), the General Manager Lindsay, the attentive, informative and knowledgable staff, the barmen. They formed, at least in my mind, The Fellowship of the Linds. I was in safe hands and now I feel like family. This is not the last you will have heard from this Nephew of a Burglar. If you have made it to the end of this story, I commend you for your patience. But a mere 5 star Food was great, staff friendly too! review just would not have done this magnificent establishment or the amazing staff any justice. Instead, I hope you enjoyed the tail (A fowl joke, I know) of The Fellowship of the Linds. Until Next Time. Kieran.