City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Sophisticated Gathering Place on Long Island

City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill in Westbury, New York, is a Modern American restaurant that manages to feel simultaneously upscale and approachable. The dining room makes an immediate impression: high ceilings, rich wood trims, and warm lighting set a sophisticated tone, while the bar keeps things relaxed enough for a casual weeknight out. What draws the eye from virtually every seat, though, is the towering glass-fronted wine cellar that stretches floor to ceiling — a showcase of fine wines from around the world that signals exactly what kind of place this is.

That commitment to wine earned City Cellar a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024, a recognition that reflects both the breadth of the list and the care behind it. More than forty wines are available by the glass, and the kitchen staff is trained to help guests pair a bottle with their meal. A daily wine flight — three different varietals in half-glass portions — gives curious drinkers a low-stakes way to explore the cellar's range.

The Kitchen: Brick Oven, Broad Menu

An authentic brick earth oven anchors City Cellar's open kitchen, turning out thin-crust pizzas that range from a classic Margherita with fior di latte and basil to the bolder "Drunken Grandma," built on house vodka sauce with pepperoni cups and hot honey. The broader Modern American menu moves confidently across influences: charred octopus with chimichurri, lobster carbonara with cavatelli and smoked bacon, sesame-crusted tuna over coconut rice, and prime steaks from Allen Brothers and Double "R" Ranch. Desserts are all house-made.

For lunch, a $30 express option offers a starter, entrée, and soft drinks — an efficient midday option for the area's corporate crowd. Weekend brunch brings its own menu and an "Endless Sips" program, while weekly events like Wine Down Monday and Friday night warmups give regulars reasons to return throughout the week.

Flexible for Any Occasion

Partner Michael Abbatiello and the team have built City Cellar to accommodate a wide range of visits — a solo seat at the bar, a family dinner in the main dining room, or a private event in a dedicated space. The restaurant handles catering and private parties, and outdoor patio seating is available for brunch. It's a genuinely versatile room, and the consistent Wine Spectator recognition suggests the wine program keeps pace with whatever the occasion demands.