Howard Hinsdale Cellars & Bistro

Frankly, after reading some of the other reviews, I had fairly high expectations for this bistro. Too bad it was mostly a disappointing experience. For a wine bar setting, their offerings of wine by the glass were pretty slim. The service was lackluster and the food nothing special — other than the meatloaf which was incredible.

Friendly service, warm atmosphere. Had the tawny port which was delicious. Only port option on the menu though. Whiskey pudding was unlike anything I’ve ever eaten. A little habanero warmth on the back of the throat. Not spicy, just warm like a good whiskey. Will return.

Highly Recommend. Came here because of the Unilocal deal but will be back again! French onion soup was unusual but good! Non beef based stock… more of a veggie stock over fresh onions, so still firm and thyme/​oregano spiced baguette floated on top with white creamy cheese. Delicate flavors rather than beefy, consume flavors. Side dish of Bean cakes with a good flavor… wish I could pinpoint the spices I tasted, but def homemade. Had a little dab of herbed cream sauce on top with little fresh chives. Burger tasted like fresh local beef… like chopped prime rib… very good delicate flavors… first time I enjoyed any burger without catsup and mustard… a kind of home made dressing of sorts on the cibatta bread… kinds buttery with an herb blend… and pastrami and creamy expensive cheese on top. Not the crappy deli pastrami I am used to but thick authentic pastrami. Pretty damn good for haute vittles that I usually shy away from. House red was a wine from Portugal calle «Lab»… balanced blend with complex cherry/​purple hue and smell with solid oak and berry flavors and even tannins. Ended up taking a bottle home with for just slightly more than store cost… good value! Spouse had salmon with basil pesto and roasted local hazelnuts that was best of show… made me jealous of her choice. Salmon was only 12 bucks… my burger only 8. Dont know what the other Unilocaler was complaining about the $ 8 burger being expensive… cant get a fast food meal deal for under 7 these days… and this tasted like the highest grade of beef… and it came with choice of side. Service was low key cool oregon dude who answered questions with straight forward plain english not weird haute language. Tipped him more because of being unpretentious in a place that could easily be horribly snooty if it were big city. This place uses ingredients that a snooty place in Chicago would use, and charge you double what we paid! We paid $ 45 total… we split a soup, had two entrees, iced tea, split a glass of red house wine, AND took a whole bottle home with us. Awesome. This place makes me want to move here.

First of all, we had the best seat in the house, creekside at sunset. Our server, Chris, was so friendly and helpful. I ordered the lasagna and was not disappointed. Even the side — salad was remarkable. The prices were very fair and the icing on the cake was the amazing dessert that we shared. One of the best desserts we’ve ever had, The Spicy Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce. Just the perfect amount of spice to sweet was absolutely delectable. My husband had one thing to say, «That was damned good!» This was one of those occasions where I couldn’t agree more.

We live in area and always feel like we’re on vacation when here. You have to sit outside with the view of the creek. Lots of great wine, and the service is ok not great but ok.

Charming little wine bistro in Silverton! We stopped here on our way back from Silver Falls and sat in the serene patio area. The Porto was fantastic, and the food was satisfying. We had the fondue and split a grilled caprese sandwich. All were delicious. Only quirk were the chairs that were blocking the patio exit. Everything else about the atmosphere was relaxing, romantic, but the stack of chairs laying by the door was kind of unsightly and didn’t fit with the feng shui.

Skip this place and go to Silver Grille instead.
Went here on a busy Friday. We were rudely told to find a table anywhere. Most of the tables are wine barrels… fine for tastings but awful for dinner. Your legs don’t fit under and you will be there for a long, long time. The place was understaffed. One waitress running around handling 80% of the tables the other handling a couple and disappearing for 30 minutes at a time.
The food ranged from fine to bad. Underseasoned salad, bone dry bean cakes, ok lasagne. We had one course and one glass of wine and it took us two hours to get in and out of there. We wanted more but no one would wait on us. The owners were there but were too busy hanging out with and entertaining their friends. We will never be back.
We finally left and wandered around to find dessert. We found ourselves at the Silver Grille where we should’ve gone to begin with. Amazing service, out of his world desserts and intimate, warm atmosphere.

It room a little long to get service. They only had one server. Wine was good and prices were fair.
Unilocal coupon for the win!

We really enjoyed this spot! Food is great… I had the salmon and my boyfriend had the lasagna and both were excellent. Ambiance is good and service is prompt and polite. Definitely will be back.

So I was in Silverton for a few nights and this is by far the best restaurant in town. Just to be clear, there’s really no reason to eat any where else.
There must have been a management change or something because Vicky’s review below is the exact opposite of what I saw there. I certainly would have not expected to see Cheetos or Doritos in what is clearly the classiest place in Silverton and most likely many surrounding miles.
I took a stroll through some of the shops and stopped in for a glass of wine and a snack. The owner suggested the McManus cab which was rather suprising to me because it was one of the cheapest listed wines, but it was fantastic. I had 2 glasses of that and the cheese/​charcuterie plate while resting on the back patio. Amazing.
It was so great, that I made a reservation for later that evening for myself and the friend I was visiting (and purchased a Unilocal deal!). It’s not a big place, so likely not for large groups and not for kids. As far as I can tell this is the only upscale dining option in the near vincinity. At dinner we ordered several items off the menu, tomato soup, lasagna, bruschetta, and some other things. Everything was very good.
Don’t bother eating anywhere else in the area.

If the food could speak, it would say, ‘My staff may be eccentric, but it’s their creativity that makes me what I am. And I will never disappoint you.’ The wine list would add, ‘I promise you; take advantage of my offerings, let your guard down and enjoy yourself. It will be worth it.’
I go to Howard Hinsdale when I want to feel indulged. The décor and simple menu of small plates (from the SMALL kitchen) always works to relax me and really take time to enjoy my food and my company. I’ll admit to ‘New York-​ish indifference’ by the Staff at times (crazily counter-​balanced by hugs and kisses lavished on newcomers who compliment their meals).
But focus on the food. Perfect fondue, fabulous French Onion Soup, salmon when it’s fresh. Amazing steak. Have everyone get some different and share. I don’t spend a lot there because the ambiance and great flavors cause me to savor what I eat. Also props for carrying fave wines: Zerba Wild Z and nearby Pjluso’s Tempranillo.

We wandered in for a glass of wine and appetizer (and loved the sunny deck above the river)… decided to come back later for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it. Forget the groupon whines — prices are so good here anyway, and wine prices were very reasonable (nice wine list by the way). I so appreciate it when a restaurant doesn’t jack up the wine margins. A very nice steak, done exactly as I wished, plus herby roasted potatoes: $ 10 (good portions, too). We shared an excellent salad and finished with the most awesome bourbon bread pudding (with a little hit of chile). I will dream about that dessert! We’ll be back when we visit Silverton again.

Kevin’s meatloaf was excellent! The live music was just what we were looking for. All the warmth of regulars mixing with new guests! Highly recommended for those looking for good wines, small plate gourmet food, and a welcoming environment.

New Community Hub
The historic building is an absolute beauty at the corner of Main and Water in downtown Silverton, OR. Meticulously restored by Moe Salem, this early 1900’s building has been waiting for the perfect business to move in, and last night on a balmy August — First Friday, our community got the first peek at Howard Hinsdale Cellars’ new location for their wine bar and bistro.
To have an opening on one of Silverton’s busiest nights of the year was a test of endurance, I’m sure. Our town is nearly bursting at the seams with a Summer First Friday, a slew of class reunions, and the Homer Davenport Festival, but they made it happen and welcomed us in.
Walking down the sidewalk, our group is sucked in by all of the life, and light, and sound pouring out the doors of this space that has been vacant for too long. Nick is playing guitar in the corner and sings «Benny and the Jets» to greet my husband, Ben as we walk in the door. And we smile, because this is home.
I hug a friend, a cousin, a client and I feel grateful for this space. I feel even more grateful for the space when I find my way to the beautiful deck, overlooking Silver Creek, with a glass of Zerba in hand.
Much gratitude to Howard, Connie, Kevin, and their crew for all the hard work and for creating what will surely become an important community hub for our townspeople and visitors.

I only gave 1 star, if allowed I would take stars away. We walked into the door and stood there while the arrogant guy who was the waiter (if he could be considered that) clearly had irritated at least two other couples who were leaving. We soon found out why. We had a Groupon which was to expire that day, so it was the last day to use it and we decided to pay for a babysitter and drive all the way out to Silverton from South Salem. Then as the couples walked out the door warning us not to come in the arrogant waiter who was in his mind some waiter at an upscale NY restaurant told us, before even saying anything else «if you have a groupon it has expired», now what the other two couples told us as we came in made sense. They said it was the worst place to come in Silverton with rude service and they told us they were ripped off”. Well, if you have a coupon that expires on July 11, and it is July 11, that means you still get to use it. I even called Groupon the next day and they refunded me in full and could not believe this business wouldn’t take it.
The other amazing thing was literally seeing store bought Doritos on someones plate as I looked around at people’s food. So I expressed my dismay to the waiter and he completely threw the owner and manager under the bus and said it’s their problem and you can just call them, he also told his waitress to shut up when she tried to help the couple in front of us.
sorry Silverton, this place is a joke.

Nice hang out, but food is not the point here and it shows.

I was «very» disappointed in not only the food but the chef/​owner. I ordered an $ 8 burger (pastrami burger with chips). You would think for a nice wine restaurant you wouldn’t expect to get a dry burger on a .99 cent Safeway brand bun and DORITOS as the «chips» (I asked the waitress, which btw was pretty nice, and she confirmed they were Doritos). When I asked her to exchange it for a side salad she had the chef come out who was super rude and said we got what we ordered and if we wanted a side salad it would be $ 2 extra. Then stormed off and we overheard him complaining to the kitchen workers about us. See picture above so you know I’ not exaggerating. I guess we got lucky with Doritos… we saw them carry out another burger to a costumer with CHEETOS! How embarrassing! So I’m definitely getting my money back for the 2 Unilocal Deals I bought here.

Enjoyed a great lunch overlooking the Silver creek.
brings a taste of downtown Portland to downtown Silverton at a Silverton price. We loved it twice so far.