Venturing out for a midday meal, we recently found ourselves at Cedar Street Grille Sturbridge, eager to experience the local dining scene. Arriving on a Friday afternoon, the lively bar area immediately signaled a popular spot, buzzing with early patrons and creating an energetic atmosphere right from the entrance. Our seating, a high-top table adorned with brown butcher paper, complemented by square side plates, mustard-colored napkins, and substantial metal silverware, struck a balance between refined and rustic aesthetics. The menu itself was visually appealing, showcasing a sophisticated signature font that immediately caught the eye.
As we settled in and began perusing the menu, a large flat-screen television near the bar inadvertently grabbed our attention. Broadcasting a medical show with a rather direct caption, “New fix for soggy jowls!”, accompanied by a close-up Botox injection scene, it was an unexpected and slightly jarring visual during lunch. While momentarily taken aback, we refocused on the restaurant’s ambiance, thankfully aided by the Lumineers playing softly in the background.
Our server’s arrival was timely, and we started with drinks. The Merci Beaucoup ($9) stood out, presented elegantly in an aperitif glass and garnished with fresh thyme. Its combination of gin, elderflower liqueur, green chartreuse, lime juice, and orange tincture was indeed refreshing and well-balanced. In contrast, the Burning Bush ($9), served in a mason jar, felt less refined. It leaned too heavily on the sweetness of deep eddy pink grapefruit and chile lime shrub, ultimately needing a splash of soda to balance the flavors.
Cedar Street Grille’s menu encourages sharing with its small plate style, so we selected three dishes to begin our culinary exploration, planning to add more as we progressed. First to arrive were the Lobster Sliders ($18). Served on soft, white buns with crisp lettuce and lemon aioli, they were accompanied by a ramekin of melted butter and a generous portion of hand-cut truffle fries. Each slider was curiously garnished with a lemon slice speared by a toothpick, requiring a slight deconstruction before enjoying. The lobster portions were substantial; however, a small piece of shell unfortunately made its way into one of the sliders.
Next, the Slow Roasted Pork Tacos ($10) arrived, featuring braised pulled pork, sweet chili slaw, and curry lime sour cream. While flour tortillas are not a personal favorite due to their texture, the primary issue was the tortilla temperature. They were not sufficiently warmed, resulting in a somewhat dry and rigid texture that detracted from the overall taco experience. Completing our initial selection was the Garlic Shrimp and Sweet Potato Frites ($11). This dish was immersed in a flavorful sauce of white wine, red chili, extra virgin olive oil, butter, and lemon, alongside halved cherry tomatoes. The sauce was truly compelling and flavorful, enhancing the shrimp and fries.
The entrees were presented on large, square porcelain plates, subtly detailed with divots resembling wood planks – a fitting touch for a restaurant named Cedar Street.
Observing the table next to us finishing their meal, we signaled our server to order an additional course. We chose the Fresh Spinach and Strawberry Salad ($10), described with fresh goat cheese crumbles, roasted walnuts, and mint balsamic dressing. It arrived on a long rectangular plate, with leaves of spinach somewhat limply hanging over the edges, impacting the initial visual appeal.
Noticing a dedicated section of the menu for Mac and Cheese, we opted for the “Cedar” version ($7). It was served in a skillet shortly after. The creamy sauce over conchiglie pasta, while rich, leaned towards an Alfredo-like flavor profile, with a noticeable presence of butter and salt.
Upon finishing our last plate, we waited for a considerable 25 minutes with empty water glasses, hoping for a dessert offer. (In our view, a leisurely two-hour lunch warrants considering dessert). The neighboring table remained uncleared, with dirty dishes conspicuously stacked, even as we prepared to leave.
When our server finally returned, we decided on the blueberry lemon tart ($8), blackberry sorbet ($6), and a round of coffees ($2 each). We learned that all desserts are made in-house by Cedar Street’s pastry chef. True to their word, the desserts arrived quickly and disappeared even faster – they were a definite highlight. The final bill totaled $108.07.
Overall, Cedar Street Grille in Sturbridge presents a mixed dining experience. The ambiance and some dishes are commendable, but inconsistencies in service and certain food preparations prevent it from being a consistently top-tier experience.
