Salt Cellar Restaurant

08/24/2008 Posted by LadyHalle

I don't usually use this forum but after I dined at the Salt Cellar, I had to express my delight!! Not only is the food cooked to perfection, our server really made our night special. I have dined at every restaurant in the valley as I have lived here for 30 plus years. Never have I had such great service and food. Now I know why they have been in business for so long. I had the baked stuffed lobster and my friend had the blackened ahi- OMG, what a wonderful dish. I couldn't help but to read some of the other reviews that were written here, all I can say is that the people that wrote a poor reviews should try the Salt Cellar again. There is nothing to complain about. The comment about the odor, come on, it's FRESH seafood, what do you want, aromas from a steakhouse when you walk in?? The staff seems to work together nicely, the wine and mixed drinks were average price, the food a great deal for the money. We definately left there full and happy. YEAH Salt Cellar!!! I will be back.

Pros: Food awesome!!

Cons: Parking lot small

07/24/2008 Posted by ldma

This at one time was the best seafood around. Now Red Lobster gives it a run for the money. The tired and worn out basement smells which is hard to get past while eatting.

07/04/2008 Posted by DavidLivi

My wife and I have only visited Salt Cellar during Happy Hour. While the regular prices are a little over our budget, the happy hour prices blew our minds. The oysters are only $1.25 apiece, which we always ask for, and we are both hooked on the shrimp toast. The service is standard bar service (as that is the only place you could get happy hour).

Pros: Good Happy Hour

Cons: Fishy smell upon entering the restaurant

06/28/2008 Posted by FishLover1

We have been going to the Salt Cellar for the past 35 years and have always experienced good food. After not being there for the past 5 years, we decided to give it a try this evening, and what a disappointment!!! For starters, the bread was very average; but the New England Clam chowder was quite tasty. The salad with the house dressing was nothing to write home about...we didn't eat it. My companion had the Alaskan halibut with capers, and I had fried oysters, and both were unimpressive. The sticky bun cheesecake was very mediocre! We eat out a lot, and when the food is good, we are more than happy to pay for it and will go again, but there are too many other restaurant options in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area with much better seafood and much less pricey. This place has become way over-priced for the quality of the food. It will be another five years before we try it again.

06/23/2008 Posted by jlahorn

We (party of 2) visited on a Sunday at 6 PM, and the restaurant was busy but not packed. It is dim and perhaps a little dated, but still charming. We were originally seated under an air conditioning vent, but were promptly moved when we requested a different table. The hosts, waitress, and runners were all very friendly and attentive. Another reviewer complained that there were only three slices of bread (sourdough, sesame, and olive) in the basket, but failed to mention that the slices are HUGE. Three slices is enough for six people. We ordered oysters on the half shell (good but not the best we've ever had), charcoal-grilled scallops - peppery and well-cooked, but with forgettable sides of steamed broccoli and rice, and black grouper, which was also properly cooked and served with a side of sweet sauce that was very good in small doses. Dutch apple cheesecake was tasty, if too cold, and the coffee was passable. Wines are vastly overpriced - I understand markups, but I really don't like paying the same for a glass as I would for a bottle. With two glasses of wine and two cups of coffee, our bill was about $120. If it had been $70, I'd have thought this was a good value and returned. As it is, I don't think think that the place deserves some of the excoriating reviews I've seen on this site, but we won't return. There are much better values with better food in the Valley.

Pros: Fun/different atmosphere, attentive service

Cons: Very poor cost/value

05/19/2008 Posted by FrankMouse

My wife and I like to do dinner out at least once on the weekends, and more often than not, we find ourselves unground at the cellar. The food is always perfect, albeit somewhat pricey, I never think twice if I want to return. The waitstaff is quick and courteous, and unless you order the stuffed clams, the food arrives extremely quick. Most impressive is the reliability, it is always exactly the way we remember it. If you are lucky enough to go when the Alaskan Halibut with king crab is on the menu, get it. It is hands down the best thing they have.

Pros: The food, location and staff

Cons: Sometimes hard to get a table on short notice

04/21/2008 Posted by Valeriehopkins

Our experience at the Salt Cellar was awful. We took a business associate with us and had requested a quiet table to discuss a few things and were placed in a crowed outdated room. We were so close to the other diners that you could not carry on a conversation. The waiter was in our space when he was taking care of the other table! Our lobsters were so overcooked and just awful. We were only given one bread basket with 3 pieces of bread! The server acted as if he really did not want to be there! While waiting for our table, we were escorted to the dingy bar area where the bar stools were so old that we thought we just might fall off of them! The place is not the best in the Valley that is for sure; in fact, it really needs a MAJOR facelift...updating and a new chef who knows how to cook fish. There are far better places in the Valley to eat delicious fish and to spend your money.

Pros: Nothing! Outdated...poor parking...dingy

Cons: Food was awful...overcooked. Service was below average. Noice level was extremely high.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/03/2008 Posted by cblakejbrock

Prices were high. Food was mediocre. Service was O.K. The lobster and ahi tuna were overdone. We have dined there several times over 20 years. This time we took friends, and it did not come near our expectations. Somewhat embarrassing. Considering the prices, it was below average.

01/02/2008 Posted by fishlovers

I went to the Salt Cellar last night and had a fabulous meal. I go there at least six times a year and everytime I mention having gone, someone tells me "I love that place, I haven't been there in a long time". Well I love it too, just wish I could go more often. It is so nice to know a place you love is going to be there year after year and doesn't make drastic weird changes to the menu. Just really good fish! The lobster is to die for, the shrimp remo is out of this world and be sure to save room for dessert because it is sooooo good. Great service and a really fun bar. I think I will go back for happy hour real soon.

Pros: Truly fresh seafood in the desert

Cons: usually can't just walk right in, need reservation

11/20/2007 Posted by emandjordiesmom

I was really excited to visit this restaurant after researching the internet and reading the reviews. Guess I should have read all of them. My boyfriend and I like to dine at different romantic Valley restaurants. The waitress was very pleasant and we didn't have to wait long for our food but...my stuffed lobster was overcooked, tuff and stuffed with way too many Ritz cracker crumbs...YUCK! I will never order the stuffed lobster again. I should have gone with my original decision to order the crab cakes. Maybe next time. Oh yeah, the room we sat in was very romantic but the temperature was 20 degrees below. Take a jacket. P.S. I'm NEVER cold!

Pros: Romantic & good service

Cons: Overpriced & overcooked food