ella dining room and bar

bad service. tried to get a drink in the bar and couldn't make it happen. waiter came by folks on both sides of us and didn't ask us if we wanted anything. i had finally gone to the bar to get a drink for my wife, another women was also waiting to get a drink as she couldn't get one either, finally another waiter said he could help. as i turned to return to my seat i notice our waiter at the couple next to my wife. as he leaves he looks at her and keeps moving. i pick up my pace to catch him and touch him on the shoulder to get his attention. when he turns i ask if we can get a drink and he says yes, but don't grab me. i didn't grab him and now he has attitude. that's it!! on our way out we explain what happened to the manager and he apologizes. we pick up our car from their valetserviceand go over to the grange for a great dinner!

a real treat. three months ago while dining in sacramento, the person next to me suggested i also try ella dining room and bar. i am glad i did.

i wish i could do justice to the restaurant by relaying a detailed review, but my memory has lost too many details. however, here's what i do remember.

first, the ambiance was very attractive, unique, and inviting. stepping into the dining room, you know there is something special about this place.

i sat at the bar counter versus a table since i didn't want to take up 4 seats for a waiting public. the bartender listened to my preferences and his recommendations for both entree and dessert were spot on. the food was fresh and delicious. theservicewas excellent. the place was not nearly as noisy as most restaurants and would make a great business lunch venue.

one note. before visiting, i read a review from a local that you needed to dress to impress with business attire. he must have been there during a local attorney's convention because the website indicates casual attire and that's what i experienced. you'll be as comfortable and appropriately dressed in jeans as you would in an daniel fashions suit.

do yourself a favor and visit ella dining room.

go for drinks, not the food. choosing between several restaurants i wanted to try in sac, including the grange, waterboy, mulvaneys and biba, i looked forward to fine dining at ella because of the reputation of selland.

shoulda gone with one of the others. theservicewas attentive. the food highlights were the fresh bread, cauliflower soup and the celery/date salad. our waiter was in training to be a sommelier, so i allowed him to select a wine. he just hadn't been in school long enough and after bringing a dry sauvignon blanc which clashed terribly, he quickly exchanged it for a riesling. my main course was sea bass with a lemon beurre blanc and artichoke. the sauce was great. the fish was pretty, but flavorless. i had to add salt to find any flavor beyond the sauce. the waiter brought a nice oaky chardonnay which, again, clashed with the lemon of the sauce. strike 2 on the wine. moved to the chef's suggestion of a pinot and all was fine from there.

my wife's dish, the handkerchief pasta, was again, pretty, but shy on flavor. the porcini mushrooms didn't come through and the pasta was past al dente - not mushy, just squishy.

altogether, a $150 meal that coulda, shoulda and oughta have been better.

aric gives it: ambiance ***
service***1/2
food **1/2

are you kidding me!? unbelievable food,serviceand wine. have you heard of moschofilero or negromaro? well they have, and those wines are fantastic. the food is amazing as well. great cold bar and locally grown meats too. as must see for foodies.