There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights.

Nick Carraway, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

If this were the 1920’s and I were to find myself at one of Jay Gatsby’s summer parties I would drink a Cherry Blossom. “What is that?” you say, well let me tell you.

[Please listen to this song while you continue to read this post, the author of this post requests you do so.]

A Cherry Blossom is a delightfully fresh drink I discovered at The Cellar. It’s one of The Cellar’s Greatest Hits (as seen on their drink menu) and it is a little bit sweet and a tad tart and basil-y fresh all at the same time (cherry, lemon, basil, raspberry, orange blossom and bourbon).

“Ah,” she cried, “you look so cool.”

Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

It tastes like a breeze of fresh air on a hot, muggy New York summer day and it makes one want to play jazz music and pull out their favorite flapper dress. (Disclaimer: it might not make everyone want to do this, but it made me want to do this. In any case, it is delicious and you should try it).

The Cellar is a wonderful little restaurant hidden in a basement in Fullerton, California. It was built and designed by the same people who worked on Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean. This alone in my book is enough for it to merit a visit, but if you require a little more convincing, aside from the myriad of nifty drinks (ranging from classic cocktails, to modern cocktails , to whatever the bartender was inspired by that day), The Cellar also has excellent food.

Last night I had the escargot, unlike most places these did not come in shells, they came in a super cute copper pot, with mushrooms and a demi-glace and white wine sauce that was delicious. If you are not a fan of snails the french onion soup and the lobster bisque are two winning options.

As a main course I had the filet mignon with foie gras. It came with a truffle demi-glace sauce and I added truffle mac and cheese (yes, I do love truffles). I was not disappointed and if you are partial to any of the things I just listed you will leave this place a happier person if you order them.

For dessert I ordered the vanilla souffle with the strawberry anglaise sauce. It was the seasonal flavor and although I usually go for chocolate, I was very glad I went with our waiter’s recommendation. The souffle was fluffy and the sauce tasted of fresh strawberries, and when it was gone I wanted more.

If you find yourself near Fullerton definitely bring a date, bring your family, bring a friend. If you’re all alone, bring yourself, but definitely don’t miss out on this place.

And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.

Nick Carraway, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

P.S. If you haven’t read The Great Gatsby, you should.