The Cellar Lounge
Casual cocktail and wine bar in the basement of the Ponte Vineyard Inn.
The Cellar Lounge Restaurant Review:
Every boutique hotel needs a trendy bar scene, and The Cellar Lounge nicely fits the bill at the Ponte Vineyard Inn. It’s a good thing, too, because it’s also the only full bar in Temecula wine country. The space pulls off the feel of a cellar, as it’s located in the basement of the hotel and there’s a mini-wall of wine bottles, along with lots of genuine brick and sexy oil paintings. As expected, you can choose from a large selection of Ponte wines and others from partner winery Doffo, but there’s also a cocktail program. The menu hits all the basics, like Kobe-style sliders and skinny potato frites for requisite pub grub and an arugula salad for healthy eaters. The pork belly makes for a fun take on a BLT. Visit during happy hour, Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., for specials on drinks and select half-priced appetizers like the fusion-y saffron rice arancini and Mediterranean nachos. Weekend entertainment keeps the vibe lively but not too chaotic, and runs the gamut from flamenco guitar to jazz sax.
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