Some of you asked for my thoughts on El Celler, so here we go. This might be a slightly controversial take. I’m genuinely happy for anyone who had a better experience than we did — taste is subjective after all — but unfortunately our dinner did not live up to expectations. Personally, I struggle to understand how this is still operating at a three-star level. Hear me out.
Let’s start with the positives.
The wine pairing was excellent. They serve roughly 20 wines throughout the meal (small pours, but still very generous overall). Even if you’re usually not a fan of pairings, this one is worth considering.
Service was mostly very good. The only real issue was pacing — we had to ask four times before they slowed the service down. Aside from that, the team was professional and friendly throughout.
The ambiance was lovely and I also appreciated the number of dishes served. I personally prefer multiple smaller courses over fewer, heavier ones, and the structure of the menu suited that preference well.
Now unfortunately, the food.
It wasn’t bad — but it also wasn’t particularly good, which is arguably more disappointing at this level. With a few exceptions, many dishes lacked freshness and depth. On several courses, I couldn’t shake the impression that components had been prepared long in advance. That may not actually be the case, but the textures and flavors occasionally gave off that impression.
The highlights for us were the aubergine dish, which was genuinely excellent, the bread service, and both desserts which were well executed. The dinosaur cutlery was also a fun and memorable touch.
The opening consommé was solid, though not particularly memorable compared to similar dishes served at many other starred restaurants today. The remaining snacks ranged from average to underwhelming. Several had an unusual aftertaste that made them feel slightly tired or overworked.
Another issue was timing and presentation. While we were still eating a course, it happened repeatedly that the next two or three dishes were already placed next to us waiting to be served — including main courses. That unfortunately broke immersion and made the experience feel rushed and slightly careless.
Conceptually, many dishes had interesting stories behind them and strong creative ideas. In execution, however, the flavors often felt flat and surprisingly similar across courses, despite very different ingredient lists.
Minor Spoiler Below
The dinner concluded with a VR experience alongside the petit fours. Unfortunately, it felt poorly executed. The first headset didn’t work at all, and the replacement was lagging and glitchy. The concept itself isn’t bad, but it felt strangely disconnected from the rest of the experience and somewhat forced. In a more experimental restaurant setting it might work well, but here it felt out of place.
Overall, the dinner felt noticeably below what we expected. It almost came across as if the restaurant is relying on its reputation and demand rather than continuing to push forward. It may well have been exceptional in previous years, but based on our visit, it did not feel like a current three-star experience. Personally, I wouldn’t return.
Happy to answer any questions as always.
Also curious — which restaurants would you like to see reviewed next? Would hotel reviews be interesting as well?
by Elyor_access
10 Comments
I think if someone brought a VR headset out… I’d be out. At some point I really just want some damn good food, good wine, good atmosphere.
Not controversial. I found the food utterly terrible
I would not want to put a VR headset on my head that hundreds of people were using before me. It is unhygienic, tacky, and completely out of place for a restaurant.
Sorry to hear about your experience! We last went in 2013 for my 40th birthday and it was stunning – a truly memorable experience with tastes that I still remember today. Sad to hear if it’s no longer eliciting that sort of reaction.
I’m suspicious of a review by a “dining concierge” company. Seems like a conflict of interest.
“We had to ask four times before they slowed the service down.” I just ate at Celler a couple weeks ago. The meal took more than four hours. We arrived at 7:20PM and left at 11:40PM. I can’t imagine sitting there for longer.
The food seemed to me like it was at a two-star level. Disappointing is a big word. I waited a year for the reservation, and I still would not call it disappointing, but I am a lot less pessimistic when it comes to most restaurants than many on this sub. It was a solid meal despite not blowing me away. When you bring the menu price and wine pairing into consideration, its price competition is with many one stars here in New York.
I think these kind of restaurants are perfect when you visit them when they are on the rise to world wide fame or when they just reached that level. Years after that they tend to dissapoint. That’s my experience anyway.
not controversial. the space looked great. Impressive wine list. food was…alright? nicer to look at than to eat.
My experience is that restaurants often have a “peak” and they’re at their best when they’re striving for that peak and for a few years after they hit it. Then, after a period of time, they fall off.
The things that made them hyper-famous get imitated elsewhere and become less exciting at those places, the crew of chefs rotates and the newer ones are now trying to replicate other peoples’ signatures, or the places try to innovate all over again to varying degrees of success.
In the last 16 months, for example, I’ve seen a half-dozen places try to imitate the Jordnaer honeycomb dessert.
I haven’t yet been to El Celler, though plan to next year, but my expectations are lower on those bases.
What city is this in??? Please put location/city in title!
I will go even further. I thought it was awful. Dishes ranged from bland to genuinely inedible (sent back multiple and I NEVER do that). I thought the VR experience at the end was the best part. It didn’t add anything meaningful to the meal but it was hysterical and easily the most memorable part that we remember the most.