Cerulean Restaurant
1101 E Canal St, Winona Lake, IN, 46590
Cerulean Restaurant Menu
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Cerulean Garden
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Non-Alcoholic
Healthy Meal suggestions for Cerulean Restaurant
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Cerulean Garden
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Non-Alcoholic
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Address :
1101 E Canal St
Winona Lake, IN, 46590 - Phone (574) 269-1226
- Website https://www.ceruleanrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Donna P.
We have been regulars at Cerulean for several years. Their Bento boxes are the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, they are only offered on the lunch menu. I've given only 4 stars because they recently changed their dinner menu and no longer offer sushi or edamame, to name a few wonderful favorites. The food is good and the service is excellent as well. We have talked to several friends who won't be going to Cerulean for dinner, just lunch. I hate to see this restaurant suffer because someone made poor choices.
(4)Monica G.
I live in Chicago where I have endless supply of fabulous restaurants, but I would still choose Cerulean over it all. The service is outstanding, the food is farm fresh local and unique and and the sushi is out of this world! Whenever I'm in town I have to get my sushi fix. Try it and I promise you won't be disappointed.
(5)Susie R.
Nice restaurant in an area where that is a rarity. Some of our food was very good, some left a lot to be desired. That's the skinny, here's the rest. In general: We ate inside at a booth, very comfy but next time we'll reserve on their enclosed porch with a canal view. Wait staff was well trained, attentive without being intrusive. The wine: we each had one glass, his a cab, mine a chardonnay. (We're old school. ) Both were quite good. The food: ..My fresh pea soup was wonderful, creamy and tasting of fresh peas , his arugula salad was good. ..My entrée, a boneless skinless chicken breast from a locally sourced and highly regarded farm, was seasoned too highly with cumin; it overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the meat and actually detracted from meal. They accommodated my red chile allergy by swapping the red chile fettuccine with a lemon fettuccine, a much more subtle flavor than I suspect the chile is. Regardless, the outside and tip of the chicken breast was overcooked and almost too tough to cut with a table knife. ..My husband's striped bass was nicely cooked and flavored but had an odd crust on it that he didn't like. The quinoa on the side was really good though. Overall, it seems like the chef is really trying but not always hitting the mark for us with some of these dishes. This meal was more of a 3.50 because of the entrées. We will definitely go back though, for two reasons. It was Labor Day weekend, very busy so maybe they were overwhelmed. And maybe they do much better with other dishes. We shall see.
(4)Mike R.
Great decor, setting and service. The food was presented extremely well. The salmon was good, not great. Overall good experience, I will return. I have been told their lunch menu is great
(4)david p.
We ate on the patio outside which was very nice but the chicken burger with a side of pastatas was extremely salty and very oily! We noticed the chef brushing both sides of the bun with oil then placing them on the grill with other foods. The pastatas were dripping with oil! The sand witch turned into a greasy blob trying to handle it! I guess we won't be ordering that again!!
(1)Costi W.
NOTE: I've given this restaurant a 5 for LUNCH ONLY; remarks about dinner here are at the end of the review. After a workshop in Warsaw, my shotgun rider suggested we head over to Lake Winona. Since this town is never a bad idea, I headed east. When we pulled into the parking lot, she suggested that we try Cerulean. I think that was her plan all along . . . The name out-shown the nondescript front, so I was game. It was lunchtime on a Friday, so we had maybe a 20-minute wait. We chose to dine on the veranda. With the warm breeze and the lake right outside, it felt like we were in another, more tropical place. Lunch is bento style. It was a tad pricey for a noon meal, but the quality made the extra bucks worth it. There are maybe a dozen choices of main dishes, to be accompanied by your choice of three sides. Or pick the sushi or maki. Either way, the serving size was plenty for most of the women with us. I had the Wasabi Crusted Shrimp and polished it off easily. If you are a hearty eater like I am, order an extra side or dessert--I got the Cocoa Praline Crunch, which had a crispy, wafery crust and salted caramel sauce. The savory/sweet mix, along with the "texturegasm" helped this splendid dessert make my top ten list . . . and I've had plenty of desserts! It's so good that when my son gets his permit tomorrow, I'm going to have him drive me ... I mean US over there for lunch . . . you know, as a reward, like good moms do. ;) 6/12 - My trusty, handsome young chauffeur did drive me back for lunch. This time I had the Smokey Tso's Chicken with the Asian Noodles as one of the sides; in contrast to last time, I couldn't finish it all. :) As for dessert, he says the pineapple dessert in coconut cream soda is "the bomb". 8/20 - ALERT: If you love this place for lunch OR if you l want bento, proceed with caution for dinner. The menu is entirely different. They still have rolls, but none of the sides. Don't get me wrong--dinner was okay, just not what we went for...And we wouldn't go back if it wasn't a time when they were serving lunch. We shared the gnudi, which was meh, a pretty good maki roll, potatoes and the arugula salad, which was delectable. Even the dessert menu is different. For what we got and how we felt about it, it was way overpriced for the dinner offerings. I didn't feel it was fair to alter my rating, so I'll just put it here: dinner here is a 3.2, since I can now put in a decimal. ;)
(5)Sudhanshu B.
This is best restaurant in the Warsaw. We make sure to visit on our every trip. Every dish they serve is top of the class. Highly recommended.
(5)Scott N.
Where is the last place that you would image to find a great plate of sushi and gelato? If you answered the middle of a small town in a landlocked state, you'd be right. The sushi is very well-composed and quite tasty with the fish fresh and very flavorful. None of these qualities were expected, and all of them were very enjoyable. The restaurant itself was surprisingly upscale, with very nice decor and great service. Everything was top-notch and very good. I definitely recommend it and look forward to going again to confirm my recommendation.
(4)Izza J.
I had the salmon bento box for lunch priced at $14. My sides were the udon noodle, wasabi potato, and the broccolini salad. For those new to this menu item: bento box sides are served cold, only the main dish is served warm, The place is more upscale than I expected a restaurant to be in Warsaw, Indiana. We went for lunch around 11:30 on Thursday. Everyone seemed be dressed up pretty fancy. The venue is trendy, bright, and clean. It's location is perfect for an after lunch stroll by the lake. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is a bit pricey, but it is to be expected given the great quality. I would make reservations ahead of time and dress up a tad. Be prepared to spend at least $25 on lunch and $50 on dinner, I plan on going back to try their sushi and specialty cocktails.
(4)Ryan P.
Great food and atmosphere! Prices are a bit steep for the area, but it's worth the visit every month or so.
(4)Mytoan N.
I've been wanting to try this place for years during my semi-regular visits to this part of the country. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect except really good food, given all the previous reviews. I'm pleased to report that the bento lunch boxes are very good and reasonably priced. The spare ribs seem really flavorful. the udon noodles were very delicious. don't skimp on the dessert(s).
(4)Dawn B.
Have to admit, I was skeptical at first. Amazing restaurant? Near Warsaw? Definitely. I first went for lunch yesterday. Had the bento box salmon (can't remember which one) with broccolini (amazing), pear salad & mandarin w/almonds (both okay--expected the orange segments to not have any skin attached) Went back for dinner tonight to grab a quick bite at the bar & I think that's where they really shine. Started with the pear blossom martini (ridiculous) & strawberry gazpacho (surprisingly bright, tart & refreshing--delicious). I wanted something light so went with sushi & honestly I wasn't that impressed. (Tried the islander & filbert. Both were meh. Didn't finish either) However, the special was a lamb chop--which looked absolutely amazing & I'm not a lamb eater--and the pork porterhouse is apparently to die for. Regretting I didn't head in that direction. I was still a bit hungry so I finished up with an app size bib salad & added grilled chicken. Loved the cranberry dressing & stone fruit. Chicken was cooked nicely. The atmosphere is upscale casual. Everyone is super-friendly. I'm already looking for another reason to come back.
(4)Erin L.
This place is truly the real deal and will always have a special place in my heart. I was a regular here for many years. Summers are the best to go kayak around the lake (or rent one from the lake house on the canal) or go mountain biking in the amazing trail system down the street and just pull right up and enjoy some seriously good craft beers and tapas (pork belly tacos!!!) as a prize to your outdoorsy self ;) Or enjoy one of the best meals you have ever had inside. I highly suggest the goat cheese tapa, and the bias sushi roll. I'll be back ceruleans ;)
(5)Zak H.
I went to this restaurant during lunch with a group of business colleagues. I was impressed instantly by the miraculous facilities and beautiful view of Winona lake. The menu is simple and the food was delicious. I would recommend the Panko chicken to anyone. Fantastic service and friendly staff made this a five star for me thank you!
(5)Dave S.
You might think that sushi in Warsaw, IN is a frightening prospect. If so, Google a bit about what's required of fish when served as sushi in the US and you'll see that it can be FedExed in that state anywhere and be fine whether you're on the coast or in a landlocked place like this. It's the best sushi in Warsaw! The rolls are very good, and there's a nice and imaginative selection. It has a very cozy atmosphere and a warm decor...which is great when it's cold outside. If you use Apple Maps to get here, you'll probably end up on the wrong side of the canal.
(4)Dave M.
Fancy. Super fancy. Foodies from all over the country come to this place. They write about it in national magazines and foodie blogs. I can't afford it. I've had it once, and that was honestly the best flavors that have ever been in my mouth. If you can afford it, try it; I promise you won't regret it. Plan on at least $50 per person (not counting drinks).
(5)Abbie B.
Perfection. The flavors and combinations are amazing. The quality of the locally sourced produce and meats is stellar. The environment is calm and welcoming. Amazing staff. Can't say enough good things!
(5)Karen M.
One of the best things about Winona Lake. Seriously. I was here as often as I could during the 4 weeks I was in town for a music festival. The quality and value of this restaurant is spot-on. Service is excellent and everything I sampled was delicious and presented in an innovative manner. This restaurant was originally a place for local business people and their clients (a LOT of money is in the area, primarily in the orthopedic field). Shortly after Cerulean opened, area residents discovered the place and quickly formed a loyal following. The outdoor seating area is actually a separate restaurant (Cerulean Garden) and has its own outdoor kitchen and bar. Now, the food. Visit #1: bread with two cheeses and oil/vinegar, fresh fig/bacon/goat cheese appy, chickpea fritters (YUM), spinach and cheddar salad, pork porterhouse with cornbread and beef tenderloin with gorgonzola bread pudding. Desserts: Chocolate silk and browned butter walnut gelato. Everything was perfect and looked so pretty (see my pictures). Bonus: the Cerulean roasts their own coffee beans and the resulting beverage is wonderful. How unique to find a restaurant that does that! Visit #2: this time, I checked out the garden (outdoor restaurant). The menu is short, only a half dozen items, but the drink selection is extensive and boasts a nice variety of local microbrews. This time, I sampled the heirloom tomato and mozzarella, the patatas (fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce), and black bean burger (special of the day). Again, everything hit the right notes. All menu items are from $5-10 and can be shared....or not! Visit #3: I wanted to check out the sushi at this place, so that's what I did. Started with salted edamame and a lovely sesame seaweed salad, both of which were very fresh and savoury. Followed up with an ivory maki roll (ivory king salmon, tuna, asian slaw), a "filbert" roll (tuna, panko, broccolini, avocado, hazelnut), and a few pieces of salmon sashimi. Again, the fish was very fresh and the ratio of fish to rice satisfying. Desserts: Rocks and pebbles (basil cake, lemon custard, pavlova, and berries) and crème brûlée. Perfect way to end a lovely meal. The basil cake was especially enjoyable and the green colour of the cake contrasted nicely with the sunshiny yellow of the custard. Visit #4: Garden gastronomy! Charcuterie board (cured meats, pickled veggie, jam and toast), braised beef on a bun, more patatas. Round out those items with a light Wyder's cider and an IPA and satisfaction is guaranteed. Visit #5 (and sadly, the last): again, in the garden.....spinach and strawberry salad with pistachios, salmon, and pork tacos. This last visit was the first night of the new outdoor menu, so the timing was impeccable. We chatted with the very friendly staff and even met the general manager, all of whom proved to be extremely personable and passionate about quality food. I want to thank Nick, the GM, for delightful conversation on Friday night (only a few days ago!) and for Micah and the rest of the crew for 5+ star service and company. This place is definitely a must-do and the vibe is so comfy and casual with flair. (The interior features a number of mid-century modern furniture items that only enhances the "cool" factor of the place.) I'm already thinking of my next visit, which will probably be next summer!
(5)Kris G.
From the moment we were greeted at the door by friendly and professional staff you know it's going to be a wonderful dining experience. Our waiter, Daniel, reviewed the menus with us but also explained it is a dining experience and thete is no rush. So true. We just enjoyed the view from the enclosed sun porch of Winona Lake drinking the freshest herb infused cocktails. The cornbread fritters were adorable and yummy, followed by crispy potatoes and a some what spicy shrimp dish two of us shared then came the tasty sushi. Service continued to be very timely but never interrupting conversation like some other places do. Finish off with the homemade pineapple sorbet and a glass of 20 yr old port. We went home very happy and just pleasantly dull not stuffed.
(5)Rohit M.
A wonderful place to eat at in Warsaw. Amazing lunch menu and a little overpriced but delicious dinner menu. The deserts are spot on. One of the few places I frequent when I visit Warsaw.
(5)Tejas D.
I have been to Cerulean multiple times and I have never been disappointed. It is pricey but worth the money. I have had the peach blossom which was good.I have tried the sushi and it was good too.I would recommend the place for a pleasant evening in Warsaw.
(4)Cristina V.
By far my favorite restaurant in the area. Great beer selection, delicious food and amazing service.
(5)Dave E.
Been here twice. Neither time was disappointing. Each time was a business dinner. It was expensive, but the food and drink were of the highest quality.
(5)Joe K.
Lunch is especially good at Cerulean, especially the Bento Box choices. Today's special entree is a marinated tuna that is delicious! And the bar offers a variety of signature cocktails that are unique .
(5)Jon N.
Who knew that a hip Japanese fusion restaurant would be located in Winona Lake, Indiana? We went to see an old friend who teaches at the college there and she and her husband took us to lunch at Cerulean. I'm Japanese so I was first shocked to see a Japanese restaurant in Winona Lake, and second I was surprised to see some comfort food on the menu. I'm not a sushi roll kind of guy but I did order the bento "box" lunch with sushi roll and three sides. The sushi roll was the Gunslinger - this kind of funky tuna roll with cilantro, jalapeño, and scallion. Not bad with a little shoyu and wasabi... But it was the sides that were outstanding. I had the sunomono (pickled cucumber which for me is comfort food), udon noodles and the pear salad. All were perfectly done with this Asian flair but connecting it also with American tastes. All in all, I was very impressed. It just goes to show that the complexion of food has changed for most of America. Now even a small city in the upper midwest has access to Asian fusion food that is really good. Winona Lake is this wonderful picture of how a small Christian college adds this hipness factor to the city. Plus, the area by the canal is a really fun place to just hang out on a nice day! I hope to be back soon!
(5)Steven C.
On the final day of a business trip... Reviews for this place looked great so I stopped in for a quick lunch. Nice decor, very clean with great lighting and views. The menu had so many good things but I went with the Seared Tuna Bento, wasabi potatoes, udon and spinach greens. The food was outstanding, with small exception - I couldn't taste any wasabi in the potatoes and they reminded me more of potato salad. 13 bucks plus trip, great value!
(4)Dan K.
I have been to this restaurant five or six times. The first time we were stunned to find such a good restaurant in Warsaw. In all of our previous visits, each of us had at least one outstanding dish. We have raved about the place to others, resulting in business. We went there for an anniversary dinner last Saturday. My first dish was the asparagus soup. It was pretty bland. My second dish was a pork concoction, with a fried egg on top. There was so much salt, it was inedible. I'm not exaggerating. I figured out it was all on the egg, so I slid that off and ate the rest of the dish. I mentioned it to my wife and she said that her prawn dish was also grossly over-salted. She finished most of it anyway. We never complain at restaurants, but we mentioned it to the server. She came back and told us that when she asked in the kitchen, they figured out that two different people had salted the food. My third dish was good. My wife had salmon and it was cold in the middle. So obviously it was pre-cooked and put in the cooler, then pulled out and warmed (but not enough). We didn't complain because then we would look like "those kind of people." They took $5 off the bill because of the over-salted food. We didn't ask them to do that, but it seems like an exceedingly minor gesture on their part. We have never had any issues with the service. So my review is mixed. All of our previous visits were great. This time, three of the five dishes were defective. I wonder if opening the new location in Indianapolis has caused them to lose focus. While they used to be our go-to place for special meals, we are going to look for alternatives.
(3)Mary K.
This really should be more like a 2.5 rating, but some of my dinner companions had a much better meal than I did. We had been looking forward to eating here for a while given all the rave reviews we've heard and read. We live in South Bend, so an hour-long drive for dinner requires commitment. Courses 1 and 2 were delicious - the fritters and maple duck bacon rissotto. Although my three companions' Courses 3 were delicious, mine bombed. I paid $24 for a nice piece of warm Sitka salmon that came on an ice-cold plate, half of which was covered in decomposing greens. I would have understood if this dish had said "wilted greens," but mine were bottom-of-the-3-week-old-bag type of wilted greens. Fortunately, the waitress brought us a complimentary dessert when I pointed out the lettuce. But seriously, what chef allows a plate like this to leave her/his kitchen?!? Huge gaffe. It will take a while before we work back up our desire for the long drive to Winona Lake.
(3)Jeremy K.
What a awesome place to go for lunch! Order the bento box so that you can have the sides because they are amazing! The orange almond creation is probably the best on the sides, kinda of a dessert but without the guilt
(5)Tim D.
Fantastic cuisine, fine wine great service. Portions are small, but flavors, ingredients and presentation are fantastic.
(5)Nancy W.
Have been here many times for great meals. But this Saturday, we experienced a change in service. Arriving inconveniently at 1:30 p.m., we were told the wait was 10 minutes. We opted to sit at the bar until we were told they would come get us for a table. This never happened - while at least 4 wait staff passed by us, without even saying hello, or can I get you some water? Treated totally rude, so we let them know what was happening as we left, and took our business elsewhere. We won't be back - why?
(1)Luigi S.
Had the pleasure of holding my team holiday dinner at this fabulous Resturant! Tonight I started with a Bibb salad with crushed walnuts and light dusting of Gorgonzola cheese and vinaigrette, next a wonderful duck pate and then local duck with pappardelle pasta with a cream sauce. Finished with French pressed coffee ( coffee beans roasted by Light Rail Coffee) and a sweet/salty combination of popcorn gelato with Carmel sauce. I have traveled all over the world and this is a real gem of a Resturant, worth the stop.
(5)Koa M.
Now I loved everything we got in our party except for my meal. The skate dish is pan fried which I was not expecting. I was incorrectly told it was one of the "lighter" dishes. Looks like "lighter" is a relative term. I had one of the best cocktails i've ever had in my life here, they do it up right. All the other dishes we got were amazing. I wasn't a fan of the sushi, seemed like the roll was pre-made, and not fresh to order. The ambience is the best you can get, I will definitely be coming back here.
(5)Rohit P.
I had been here for team dinner and it was definitely a good choice. The previous day we had been to Spikes near the hampton Inn and it was a terrible experience with all the flies and not so good food. So i wasn't expecting much from Cerulean too in terms of food. As soon as i saw the canal nearby with dark stagnant water, i was praying that there wouldn't be much flies here. Thankfully as i entered the restaurant all my worries were left at the entrance door. The restaurant was chic. We sat outdoors facing the canal but there were net windows, so nothing to worry about the flies. We ordered each of 'Two' on their menu for the 5 of us and it was awesome. My favorite was the GunSlinger sushi, delicious and spicy. The Indiana artisan breads and prawns were good too. For the desserts, we ordered the house made gelato, rock and pebbles and chocolate silk. The gelato was very good, pebbles good and chocolate silk just ok as it had a spicy taste to it. All in all it was a very good experience to end my short trip to Warsaw,IN.
(5)Michelle S.
Ok...I can't give the 5 star reviews others have although I want to becuase i like the people and the place. This is one of the more creative and nicer restaurants in the area but it is overpriced for what it is and the food is good, but by no means memorable. Staff:5 food:3 price:2 location:4. I came here the most during my stay mainly because I love sushi and it had a better atmosphere and vibe. Tried their scallop bento for lunch one day with pear salad, edamame, and cucumber salad and it was decent but not worth 14$. Had the sushi the other 2 times for dinner when I came. One night had the faux pas which was good but the carrots were a bit too hard and threw off the texture. Then had the islander and it was a nice twist on the cali. It was a bit fishy at times but the cilantro and lime gave it a nice flavor and counteracted any hints of fishy. Drinks are creative and bar area is always fun to sit in and watch as drinks are being made. Bartenders are friendly and so are the folks who frequent it so this makes me a fan.
(3)Z J.
I think this is the best business dinner I've ever had. We went last night after a long day of flight delays and driving. The server was nice and made it a less intimidating menu. I had the asparagus with the best pancetta I've ever had and the shrimp which I didn't leave behind a morsel. It was pricy but I wasn't buying so it was fine by me. An unexpected gem in the area!
(4)Warsaw E.
This is a good sushi restaurant. I wouldn't say great because I had better at other establishments, but this is certainly a winner.
(4)Alexandria G.
Ordered a bottle of cava and about 5 small plates to share with my date. Food was really fast and good, but that's it. It was good. As I think back, nothing really stands out and I'm having a hard time remembering what I ate. Most dishes were luke warm at best. Cava was delicious and their wine list is extensive and well rounded. The Decorations are outstanding and they really invested to make this restaurant beautiful and hip. Would love to go back in the summer and enjoy the patio. Didn't have a chance to try any sushi, but would like to some day.
(4)Rae Ann P.
Very delicious and filling - had the duck with asian noodles, orange and almond salad and papaya - yum! Husband had the tuna with noodles, wasabi potatoes and broccholi. Everything was flavorful and it is hard to say what we liked best because we enjoyed it. It was busy for a 1:30 PM weekday but our server Molly did a great job of keeping our glasses filled and checking on us. Definitely will go again when in the neighborhood!
(5)Craig Y.
Excellent atmosphere, food and service. Potato and goat cheese appetizer excellent. Pork w/ balsamic and strawberries was excellent. Sushi gr8.
(4)Lane J.
Good food and great atmosphere. Very interesting selection of drinks and unusual flavor combinations for desserts. Not blown-away by any of it, but I would definitely go back.
(4)Joe L.
A nice location in the little town of Winona Lake just a short distance from the lake. Plenty of parking in the lot immediately in front of the restaurant. Nice little shops to visit in the area all within short walk of the restaurant. We sat on the enclosed porch on the rear which has a view of the canal. It was a cold day and the room temperature was just a little chilly. But other than the room temperature the meal was great. We had lunch there on a weekday and they had a number of patrons. Service was quick and friendly. Lunch consists of a choice of maybe eight entrees each with 3 sides and served in a Benito box. I had the seared tuna and my wife had the Basil-Soy salmon. She said the salmon was great. I really enjoyed the tuna but the serving size is small but not unexpected in a Asian Fusion upscale restaurant. It is served on a bed of Sushi rice and had a very nice side sauce. My three sides included the broccoli salad which was great, the Asian noodles with peanuts, also great and a very nice wasabi potato salad. The different flavors and textures were a nice contrast to a typical lunch. I had iced tea which was a little weak for my taste but I like my tea strong and most people probably don't. Although all portions are small, lunch consisted of 4 items {entre and 3 sides} and altogether make for a satisfying lunch. Our dinners were $12 each and my iced tea $2. The glass was rather small {I like restaurants which have large drink glasses!} but they brought me a new glass whenever it was down to about 1/4th full. After we finished our meals they quickly cleared the table and asked if we wanted the bill which was brought immediately. We don't usually spend this much for lunch but it was worth it and we will return.
(5)Megan H.
Amazing! Everything is artfully prepared, perfectly portioned, and flavored impeccably. I've been coming here for 3 years and I've almost never had a dish I didn't like. Both the inside restaurant and bar and outside beer garden serve the highest quality food and drink. Fantastic for any occasion. I also love that the menu rotates so you never get bored. This past summer the pork belly tacos at the beer garden were one of my favorite foods I've ever gotten at a restaurant. Inside, the goat cheese is a recurrent classic and never falls short of delicious.The bento boxes at lunch are also great when you want something different. I missed this restaurant when I was back at school in Madison (even with that town's wide range of delicious restaurants.) In addition to the fantastic food, the service is always great at Cerulean. I cannot speak highly enough!
(5)sarah s.
Sooo good! The soft shell crab bento box with udon, spinach and orange almond salad (you get a choice of 3 sides) was delicious! The crab was cooked perfectly and even the sticky rice underneath it was lovely. We visited during lunch so there was no tapas menu (which is says on Yelp that they serve tapas) - only japanese choices but a lot of choices (perhaps tapas are during dinner???). My husband got sushi which was also very good (I'll let him tell you about it). Staff was very friendly. Decor was very new, minimal and clean. Check this place out- it is a gem in the land of corn fields and KFC's.
(5)Renee S.
What a great place! The view is great, situated on Winona Lake. All the food here is amazing. I love the Sushi here, too. We were so comfortable that on the 3rd bottle of wine, seeing everyone vacate, we thought .... oh boy, we better let them get home too. Hahaha. I dont think this is a place to take kids! I dont know that a party of 2 can escape under 100, but maybe without drinks. Excellent service. Warsaw has some warm places for such a dull town.
(5)Ken O.
Great spot to enjoy lunch. Outside bar is a fun environment, love the Bento Entrees for lunch.
(5)T S.
Great place for Lunch and dinner. The udon noodles make the meal for me. The only problem is that every time my corporate execs come in. I end up with the tab
(5)Tillie L.
Cerulean is one of my "go-to" lunch spots when I visit Warsaw. I am a huge fan of their bento boxes with sushi. Their sushi really is top notch and as perfect as you can ever find in Indiana. Their sides are very creative too, I always enjoy the noodles with jalapenos, and sunflower seeds. Also, there is just something about their edamame that I cannot get enough of! It is always tender and fresh. They also have an excellent selection of beers and wines. I enjoy trying something new every time. The staff has never failed to exceed my expectations. They are always friendly, attentive, and add to the experience in every way. The decor is really peaceful and welcoming. The clean lines of the tables and chairs and the creative light fixtures are very pleasing to the eye. Even as a peanut-free vegetarian, I still have several selections available to me in the bento line-up, and they just added a new pear salad side that I cannot wait to try.
(5)Anthony S.
Excellent food and strong cocktails. The service could have been a little better.
(4)Johnny W.
If you like miniscule pieces of sushi for ridiculously high prices served by snobby waiters who take forever to do anything, this is the place for you. I don't care if they are using the rarest of ingredients, it's not worth it if you are basically ripping people off and then treating them like you're doing them a favor serving them. I'd avoid this place if I were anyone wanting a good sushi meal. They really need to quit trying to be so pretentious and serve decently priced sushi for a change.
(1)Mike K.
My love for sushi brought me and my girlfriend to Cerulean. I eat sushi any chance I get and in any town. Cerulean is certainly in my top 5. Price was right, nice drink selection, and our waitress was very helpful.
(5)Melissa K.
Well, a friend and I decided to give this place another chance. This time around it wasn't bad, the service was better, our waitress was very sweet and we tried a lot for a moderate amount of money. This was my friends first time having sushi, over the evening we got Spicy Tuna Roll, Philly Roll, Tempura Ebi roll and Tuna Nigiri. The biggest disappointment in their spicy Tuna is that they are adding heat using chili pepper instead of asian spicy mayo. :( But, they have sufficiently redeemed themselves so I'm sure we'll hit this place up when Noa Noa is too full.
(3)tanees m.
Loved this place! Lovely interiors as well as a great location on a canal leading to Lake Winona. Very busy restaurant with a very innovative menu. We started with a beet salad and lobster cake which the hubby and I shared and it was fabulous! I then had the sunfish with cappelini with a goat cheese sauce which was not to my liking as I'm not a fan of goat cheese but can't blame them for that. The fish however was extremely crisp and flavorful. The mister had steak which was great as well. Even though we were stuffed to the gills, we decided to share the bread pudding and pear gelato. OMG...the pudding was to die for, very light and beautiful presentation on not just the dessert but all the dishes. Plate sizes were more European, read smaller, but I still left there wishing I had worn my elasticized pants! Fabulous all around. In fact, going again tonight :)
(5)David M.
Good meal, lovely and sophisticated spot. I was in town for work and thought all they had was Applebee's when much to my surprise I find several very nice restaurants in town with Cerulean being the best. Had a fantastic piece of sea bass on top of a floppy polenta cake filled with sweet goat cheese. Had a wonderful rib eye salad 2 days ago. Good sushi as well.
(4)Catherine W.
Ate on their new outdoor patio, where they offer a different and smaller menu than the inside restaurant. Sampled a lot of their food, which is prepared outside. Slider was particularly good, but only 1 per order. The food was a bit pricy and were small portions. Definitely this is a better place for drinks and small snacks, combined with socializing. If you want dinner, I would dine inside instead.
(3)Lori T.
So glad we finally visited this restaurant. Appetizers, salad, entrees and dessert were all outstanding. The beef tenderloin was the best I've had. Innovative use of local products - cheeses, liquor, beer, poultry, lamb, etc.
(5)Bernie H.
My husband and I just filmed our latest feature comedy in North Webster, IN. We came back to the area to promote the film and found Winona Lake. ( gentlewatersmovie.com ) Loved the atmosphere. We are from Chicago, and this would hold up well there. The staff was lovely. The coffee was amazing. The sushi was tasty. The only thing that was off was the miso soup-very very too salty. We would go again to try more!
(5)Mary Lynne H.
This place is fantastic! The atmosphere is great, very bright and open, who would think that small town Winona Lake would have a place such as this. I'd expect to see this kind of place in San Diego! I went for lunch the other day and got the wasabi crusted shrimp bento box with rice and edamame. It was the perfect size for lunch, and the shrimp was perfectly done and the wasabi was understated. (I don't like really spicy, so I was a bit worried it would be like that, but it wasn't. More a flavor than spicy.) If I ever make the trek back to this small town, it will be the first place I hit up for a meal. It may be a bit overpriced for the area, but being from SD, I found it very reasonable. They also have added on an outdoor beer garden type patio, which looks like a welcome addition and perfect for summertime
(5)Paul D.
Very good sushi and tapas.
(4)Alex K.
Great spot, especially considering its in Warsaw (sorry locals). Sushi is great. The other dishes are fantastic. They have a great drink selection to boot. I make the trek from Lake Wawasee every time I'm down that way.
(5)Ben B.
Everything about this place is great, from wine list to their tapas.
(5)Matthew B.
I was curious to try this place since I have had so many people talking about it. I looked at the menu online and was eager to try the sushi. Upon our entrance we were greeted very rudely. The hostess was not friendly at all and as the person to greet you and make you feel welcome, she failed. I liked the very eclectic decor and location is great. My wife and I tried the goat cheese appetizer and it was excellent. I had the sushi tempura and California roll. They both had good flavor and good portion size. Our server was very good and friendly. I give it 3 stars based on such a bad taste in my mouth from a rude hostess and the prices. My two sushi rolls were $12 which I had no problem with. Our goat cheese app was $7. But, my wife's spicy sausage entree was $17 and for me, I think of Warsaw as a small town and I struggle with paying that price up there.
(3)JT. F.
Terrific combination of food, wine, and waitstaff. A party of seven, we put ourselves in the able hands of our waiter, who took us on a tour of the tapas menu and dessert, impeccably pairing wines along the way.
(5)c a.
If you come to Warsaw Indiana this is the place to have dinner. Great bar and excellent tapas. And we had lunch there the next day. All in our party got fish: sunfish, salmon and tuna. All excellent. We want the recipes!
(5)Richard W.
Very nice location and original, well-presented food. Really, quite affordable for what you are getting. I plan on returning soon.
(5)Noelani P.
The 2 stars is solely for their sashimi portions which are disappointingly small, I would say 1/4 of the usual slice portion (take note I am talking about each slice) that you would get compared to sashimi in Southern California. I would give 3 stars as a general review of the ambience (modern, classy, spacious) which makes the restaurant a joy to dine in, and the affordability and choices for their bento meals. I liked their maple leaf duck breast bento when I was there the first time in 2010, however recently I was not that impressed with their Miso glazed scallop bento meal which was too sweet. Asian food generally is not characterized by being "sweet" and I notice that in "modern" or "fusion" asian restaurants there is a tendency to go that route in some "asian" inspired dishes. Then again maybe it was just how the scallops were prepared that day. It would be nice to see if the owners (who according to my cousin in law, do not have children) can try to be more kid friendly with their kid menu offering (as I recall, chicken tenders with a fruit based sauce - cant remember if it was pomegranate or cranberry) as ordinary catsup may appeal more to kids (my nieces wanted some but the restaurant does not provide it). When I am back in the area I am still interested in what The Cerulean has to offer - the restaurant and the whole strip of stores and shops along the canals and borders of Winona Lake give the place much character and life that is a joy to see in this part of the country.
(2)Colin D.
I wholeheartedly agree with Jeff L.and the other reviewers. Cerulean is reliably awesome, with great miso soup and improbably fresh sushi, given the way-inland location. It's a perfect lunch spot as well as a nice, dress-up-and-go-out dinner date. My wife and I both love it.
(5)Bill B.
Went for lunch. Service, food and prices were great. I had the spider roll and wasabi roll. Both were great and portion size was more than enough for lunch. Was just passing through and found them on Yelp. Glad I stopped by. Will do so again next time I'm in the area.
(5)Bill M.
The food and service here were exceptional in all respects. The creamed soups are superb and not just a cup of thin puree. The pasta portions were on the medium to large size. I had the Sicilian Sausage cavatappi with marscapone cheese sauce. It was phenomenal. We sat out on the back screened-in patio room on an evening that was about 67 degrees. It was a great experience. The server, Toni was classically trained, and exceptional, making sure that we had proper silverware for the courses we were eating (does anyone know who Emily Poste was?). You don't often find restaurants of this caliber. We will definitely be back to sample the tapas and my friends the sashimi and sushi. The coffee was french pressed table-side and as phenomenal as the rest of the meal. If you are a stout-phile, try the "Russian Stout:" that is bottled and distributed in MI (of all places). 10.5 ALC, so it can pack a bit of a punch if you are not used to them.
(5)Jeff L.
Oh this place is wonderful and just what I have been craving; raw delicious fish and especially eel. Their Miso Soup is some of the best that I have had. I have just had their sushi rolls, but their dinner menu looks quite impressive and I am looking forward to going back and trying some of their entree's.
(5)Egg H.
Our 3rd visit to Cerulean, again struck by the incongruity of a nice sushi place in small town Winona Lake. Got in just before the lunch rush, so we were quickly seated, but the line behind us built quickly, so a lot of other people like this place too. I had the sushi bento box (tempura ebi roll, 3 sides from a pretty long list of choices, I had kimchi, asian noodles, mandarin almond salad). All parts were excellent, as with previous visits; though the sushi rice was a little different (not as flavorful) than you would find at most sushi places, it was still good. Others in our party had different sushi choices, and enjoyed their selections as well. The menu has other selections, but we come here for the sushi, so haven't tried them yet. Nice wine list, but we've only come for lunch, so haven't tried that either. Decor is very nice, somewhat minimalistic, spare, I think is the word. Unfortunately, this makes the restaurant very loud when they are busy, as they were today, hard to talk quietly across the table.
(4)brad s.
They have great lunches for anywhere to 9-14 bucks. You get your main item plus 3 sides. The dinners are great too, with nice imported beers. Highly recommend.
(5)Zak H.
I went to this restaurant during lunch with a group of business colleagues. I was impressed instantly by the miraculous facilities and beautiful view of Winona lake. The menu is simple and the food was delicious. I would recommend the Panko chicken to anyone. Fantastic service and friendly staff made this a five star for me thank you!
(5)Erin L.
This place is truly the real deal and will always have a special place in my heart. I was a regular here for many years. Summers are the best to go kayak around the lake (or rent one from the lake house on the canal) or go mountain biking in the amazing trail system down the street and just pull right up and enjoy some seriously good craft beers and tapas (pork belly tacos!!!) as a prize to your outdoorsy self ;) Or enjoy one of the best meals you have ever had inside. I highly suggest the goat cheese tapa, and the bias sushi roll. I'll be back ceruleans ;)
(5)Dave S.
You might think that sushi in Warsaw, IN is a frightening prospect. If so, Google a bit about what's required of fish when served as sushi in the US and you'll see that it can be FedExed in that state anywhere and be fine whether you're on the coast or in a landlocked place like this. It's the best sushi in Warsaw! The rolls are very good, and there's a nice and imaginative selection. It has a very cozy atmosphere and a warm decor...which is great when it's cold outside. If you use Apple Maps to get here, you'll probably end up on the wrong side of the canal.
(4)Dave M.
Fancy. Super fancy. Foodies from all over the country come to this place. They write about it in national magazines and foodie blogs. I can't afford it. I've had it once, and that was honestly the best flavors that have ever been in my mouth. If you can afford it, try it; I promise you won't regret it. Plan on at least $50 per person (not counting drinks).
(5)Abbie B.
Perfection. The flavors and combinations are amazing. The quality of the locally sourced produce and meats is stellar. The environment is calm and welcoming. Amazing staff. Can't say enough good things!
(5)Karen M.
One of the best things about Winona Lake. Seriously. I was here as often as I could during the 4 weeks I was in town for a music festival. The quality and value of this restaurant is spot-on. Service is excellent and everything I sampled was delicious and presented in an innovative manner. This restaurant was originally a place for local business people and their clients (a LOT of money is in the area, primarily in the orthopedic field). Shortly after Cerulean opened, area residents discovered the place and quickly formed a loyal following. The outdoor seating area is actually a separate restaurant (Cerulean Garden) and has its own outdoor kitchen and bar. Now, the food. Visit #1: bread with two cheeses and oil/vinegar, fresh fig/bacon/goat cheese appy, chickpea fritters (YUM), spinach and cheddar salad, pork porterhouse with cornbread and beef tenderloin with gorgonzola bread pudding. Desserts: Chocolate silk and browned butter walnut gelato. Everything was perfect and looked so pretty (see my pictures). Bonus: the Cerulean roasts their own coffee beans and the resulting beverage is wonderful. How unique to find a restaurant that does that! Visit #2: this time, I checked out the garden (outdoor restaurant). The menu is short, only a half dozen items, but the drink selection is extensive and boasts a nice variety of local microbrews. This time, I sampled the heirloom tomato and mozzarella, the patatas (fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce), and black bean burger (special of the day). Again, everything hit the right notes. All menu items are from $5-10 and can be shared....or not! Visit #3: I wanted to check out the sushi at this place, so that's what I did. Started with salted edamame and a lovely sesame seaweed salad, both of which were very fresh and savoury. Followed up with an ivory maki roll (ivory king salmon, tuna, asian slaw), a "filbert" roll (tuna, panko, broccolini, avocado, hazelnut), and a few pieces of salmon sashimi. Again, the fish was very fresh and the ratio of fish to rice satisfying. Desserts: Rocks and pebbles (basil cake, lemon custard, pavlova, and berries) and crème brûlée. Perfect way to end a lovely meal. The basil cake was especially enjoyable and the green colour of the cake contrasted nicely with the sunshiny yellow of the custard. Visit #4: Garden gastronomy! Charcuterie board (cured meats, pickled veggie, jam and toast), braised beef on a bun, more patatas. Round out those items with a light Wyder's cider and an IPA and satisfaction is guaranteed. Visit #5 (and sadly, the last): again, in the garden.....spinach and strawberry salad with pistachios, salmon, and pork tacos. This last visit was the first night of the new outdoor menu, so the timing was impeccable. We chatted with the very friendly staff and even met the general manager, all of whom proved to be extremely personable and passionate about quality food. I want to thank Nick, the GM, for delightful conversation on Friday night (only a few days ago!) and for Micah and the rest of the crew for 5+ star service and company. This place is definitely a must-do and the vibe is so comfy and casual with flair. (The interior features a number of mid-century modern furniture items that only enhances the "cool" factor of the place.) I'm already thinking of my next visit, which will probably be next summer!
(5)Monica G.
I live in Chicago where I have endless supply of fabulous restaurants, but I would still choose Cerulean over it all. The service is outstanding, the food is farm fresh local and unique and and the sushi is out of this world! Whenever I'm in town I have to get my sushi fix. Try it and I promise you won't be disappointed.
(5)Kris G.
From the moment we were greeted at the door by friendly and professional staff you know it's going to be a wonderful dining experience. Our waiter, Daniel, reviewed the menus with us but also explained it is a dining experience and thete is no rush. So true. We just enjoyed the view from the enclosed sun porch of Winona Lake drinking the freshest herb infused cocktails. The cornbread fritters were adorable and yummy, followed by crispy potatoes and a some what spicy shrimp dish two of us shared then came the tasty sushi. Service continued to be very timely but never interrupting conversation like some other places do. Finish off with the homemade pineapple sorbet and a glass of 20 yr old port. We went home very happy and just pleasantly dull not stuffed.
(5)Rohit M.
A wonderful place to eat at in Warsaw. Amazing lunch menu and a little overpriced but delicious dinner menu. The deserts are spot on. One of the few places I frequent when I visit Warsaw.
(5)Tejas D.
I have been to Cerulean multiple times and I have never been disappointed. It is pricey but worth the money. I have had the peach blossom which was good.I have tried the sushi and it was good too.I would recommend the place for a pleasant evening in Warsaw.
(4)Cristina V.
By far my favorite restaurant in the area. Great beer selection, delicious food and amazing service.
(5)Dave E.
Been here twice. Neither time was disappointing. Each time was a business dinner. It was expensive, but the food and drink were of the highest quality.
(5)Joe K.
Lunch is especially good at Cerulean, especially the Bento Box choices. Today's special entree is a marinated tuna that is delicious! And the bar offers a variety of signature cocktails that are unique .
(5)Jon N.
Who knew that a hip Japanese fusion restaurant would be located in Winona Lake, Indiana? We went to see an old friend who teaches at the college there and she and her husband took us to lunch at Cerulean. I'm Japanese so I was first shocked to see a Japanese restaurant in Winona Lake, and second I was surprised to see some comfort food on the menu. I'm not a sushi roll kind of guy but I did order the bento "box" lunch with sushi roll and three sides. The sushi roll was the Gunslinger - this kind of funky tuna roll with cilantro, jalapeño, and scallion. Not bad with a little shoyu and wasabi... But it was the sides that were outstanding. I had the sunomono (pickled cucumber which for me is comfort food), udon noodles and the pear salad. All were perfectly done with this Asian flair but connecting it also with American tastes. All in all, I was very impressed. It just goes to show that the complexion of food has changed for most of America. Now even a small city in the upper midwest has access to Asian fusion food that is really good. Winona Lake is this wonderful picture of how a small Christian college adds this hipness factor to the city. Plus, the area by the canal is a really fun place to just hang out on a nice day! I hope to be back soon!
(5)Steven C.
On the final day of a business trip... Reviews for this place looked great so I stopped in for a quick lunch. Nice decor, very clean with great lighting and views. The menu had so many good things but I went with the Seared Tuna Bento, wasabi potatoes, udon and spinach greens. The food was outstanding, with small exception - I couldn't taste any wasabi in the potatoes and they reminded me more of potato salad. 13 bucks plus trip, great value!
(4)Dan K.
I have been to this restaurant five or six times. The first time we were stunned to find such a good restaurant in Warsaw. In all of our previous visits, each of us had at least one outstanding dish. We have raved about the place to others, resulting in business. We went there for an anniversary dinner last Saturday. My first dish was the asparagus soup. It was pretty bland. My second dish was a pork concoction, with a fried egg on top. There was so much salt, it was inedible. I'm not exaggerating. I figured out it was all on the egg, so I slid that off and ate the rest of the dish. I mentioned it to my wife and she said that her prawn dish was also grossly over-salted. She finished most of it anyway. We never complain at restaurants, but we mentioned it to the server. She came back and told us that when she asked in the kitchen, they figured out that two different people had salted the food. My third dish was good. My wife had salmon and it was cold in the middle. So obviously it was pre-cooked and put in the cooler, then pulled out and warmed (but not enough). We didn't complain because then we would look like "those kind of people." They took $5 off the bill because of the over-salted food. We didn't ask them to do that, but it seems like an exceedingly minor gesture on their part. We have never had any issues with the service. So my review is mixed. All of our previous visits were great. This time, three of the five dishes were defective. I wonder if opening the new location in Indianapolis has caused them to lose focus. While they used to be our go-to place for special meals, we are going to look for alternatives.
(3)Mary K.
This really should be more like a 2.5 rating, but some of my dinner companions had a much better meal than I did. We had been looking forward to eating here for a while given all the rave reviews we've heard and read. We live in South Bend, so an hour-long drive for dinner requires commitment. Courses 1 and 2 were delicious - the fritters and maple duck bacon rissotto. Although my three companions' Courses 3 were delicious, mine bombed. I paid $24 for a nice piece of warm Sitka salmon that came on an ice-cold plate, half of which was covered in decomposing greens. I would have understood if this dish had said "wilted greens," but mine were bottom-of-the-3-week-old-bag type of wilted greens. Fortunately, the waitress brought us a complimentary dessert when I pointed out the lettuce. But seriously, what chef allows a plate like this to leave her/his kitchen?!? Huge gaffe. It will take a while before we work back up our desire for the long drive to Winona Lake.
(3)Jeremy K.
What a awesome place to go for lunch! Order the bento box so that you can have the sides because they are amazing! The orange almond creation is probably the best on the sides, kinda of a dessert but without the guilt
(5)Tim D.
Fantastic cuisine, fine wine great service. Portions are small, but flavors, ingredients and presentation are fantastic.
(5)Sudhanshu B.
This is best restaurant in the Warsaw. We make sure to visit on our every trip. Every dish they serve is top of the class. Highly recommended.
(5)Donna P.
We have been regulars at Cerulean for several years. Their Bento boxes are the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, they are only offered on the lunch menu. I've given only 4 stars because they recently changed their dinner menu and no longer offer sushi or edamame, to name a few wonderful favorites. The food is good and the service is excellent as well. We have talked to several friends who won't be going to Cerulean for dinner, just lunch. I hate to see this restaurant suffer because someone made poor choices.
(4)Susie R.
Nice restaurant in an area where that is a rarity. Some of our food was very good, some left a lot to be desired. That's the skinny, here's the rest. In general: We ate inside at a booth, very comfy but next time we'll reserve on their enclosed porch with a canal view. Wait staff was well trained, attentive without being intrusive. The wine: we each had one glass, his a cab, mine a chardonnay. (We're old school. ) Both were quite good. The food: ..My fresh pea soup was wonderful, creamy and tasting of fresh peas , his arugula salad was good. ..My entrée, a boneless skinless chicken breast from a locally sourced and highly regarded farm, was seasoned too highly with cumin; it overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the meat and actually detracted from meal. They accommodated my red chile allergy by swapping the red chile fettuccine with a lemon fettuccine, a much more subtle flavor than I suspect the chile is. Regardless, the outside and tip of the chicken breast was overcooked and almost too tough to cut with a table knife. ..My husband's striped bass was nicely cooked and flavored but had an odd crust on it that he didn't like. The quinoa on the side was really good though. Overall, it seems like the chef is really trying but not always hitting the mark for us with some of these dishes. This meal was more of a 3.50 because of the entrées. We will definitely go back though, for two reasons. It was Labor Day weekend, very busy so maybe they were overwhelmed. And maybe they do much better with other dishes. We shall see.
(4)Scott N.
Where is the last place that you would image to find a great plate of sushi and gelato? If you answered the middle of a small town in a landlocked state, you'd be right. The sushi is very well-composed and quite tasty with the fish fresh and very flavorful. None of these qualities were expected, and all of them were very enjoyable. The restaurant itself was surprisingly upscale, with very nice decor and great service. Everything was top-notch and very good. I definitely recommend it and look forward to going again to confirm my recommendation.
(4)Izza J.
I had the salmon bento box for lunch priced at $14. My sides were the udon noodle, wasabi potato, and the broccolini salad. For those new to this menu item: bento box sides are served cold, only the main dish is served warm, The place is more upscale than I expected a restaurant to be in Warsaw, Indiana. We went for lunch around 11:30 on Thursday. Everyone seemed be dressed up pretty fancy. The venue is trendy, bright, and clean. It's location is perfect for an after lunch stroll by the lake. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is a bit pricey, but it is to be expected given the great quality. I would make reservations ahead of time and dress up a tad. Be prepared to spend at least $25 on lunch and $50 on dinner, I plan on going back to try their sushi and specialty cocktails.
(4)Mike R.
Great decor, setting and service. The food was presented extremely well. The salmon was good, not great. Overall good experience, I will return. I have been told their lunch menu is great
(4)Ryan P.
Great food and atmosphere! Prices are a bit steep for the area, but it's worth the visit every month or so.
(4)Mytoan N.
I've been wanting to try this place for years during my semi-regular visits to this part of the country. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect except really good food, given all the previous reviews. I'm pleased to report that the bento lunch boxes are very good and reasonably priced. The spare ribs seem really flavorful. the udon noodles were very delicious. don't skimp on the dessert(s).
(4)Dawn B.
Have to admit, I was skeptical at first. Amazing restaurant? Near Warsaw? Definitely. I first went for lunch yesterday. Had the bento box salmon (can't remember which one) with broccolini (amazing), pear salad & mandarin w/almonds (both okay--expected the orange segments to not have any skin attached) Went back for dinner tonight to grab a quick bite at the bar & I think that's where they really shine. Started with the pear blossom martini (ridiculous) & strawberry gazpacho (surprisingly bright, tart & refreshing--delicious). I wanted something light so went with sushi & honestly I wasn't that impressed. (Tried the islander & filbert. Both were meh. Didn't finish either) However, the special was a lamb chop--which looked absolutely amazing & I'm not a lamb eater--and the pork porterhouse is apparently to die for. Regretting I didn't head in that direction. I was still a bit hungry so I finished up with an app size bib salad & added grilled chicken. Loved the cranberry dressing & stone fruit. Chicken was cooked nicely. The atmosphere is upscale casual. Everyone is super-friendly. I'm already looking for another reason to come back.
(4)david p.
We ate on the patio outside which was very nice but the chicken burger with a side of pastatas was extremely salty and very oily! We noticed the chef brushing both sides of the bun with oil then placing them on the grill with other foods. The pastatas were dripping with oil! The sand witch turned into a greasy blob trying to handle it! I guess we won't be ordering that again!!
(1)Costi W.
NOTE: I've given this restaurant a 5 for LUNCH ONLY; remarks about dinner here are at the end of the review. After a workshop in Warsaw, my shotgun rider suggested we head over to Lake Winona. Since this town is never a bad idea, I headed east. When we pulled into the parking lot, she suggested that we try Cerulean. I think that was her plan all along . . . The name out-shown the nondescript front, so I was game. It was lunchtime on a Friday, so we had maybe a 20-minute wait. We chose to dine on the veranda. With the warm breeze and the lake right outside, it felt like we were in another, more tropical place. Lunch is bento style. It was a tad pricey for a noon meal, but the quality made the extra bucks worth it. There are maybe a dozen choices of main dishes, to be accompanied by your choice of three sides. Or pick the sushi or maki. Either way, the serving size was plenty for most of the women with us. I had the Wasabi Crusted Shrimp and polished it off easily. If you are a hearty eater like I am, order an extra side or dessert--I got the Cocoa Praline Crunch, which had a crispy, wafery crust and salted caramel sauce. The savory/sweet mix, along with the "texturegasm" helped this splendid dessert make my top ten list . . . and I've had plenty of desserts! It's so good that when my son gets his permit tomorrow, I'm going to have him drive me ... I mean US over there for lunch . . . you know, as a reward, like good moms do. ;) 6/12 - My trusty, handsome young chauffeur did drive me back for lunch. This time I had the Smokey Tso's Chicken with the Asian Noodles as one of the sides; in contrast to last time, I couldn't finish it all. :) As for dessert, he says the pineapple dessert in coconut cream soda is "the bomb". 8/20 - ALERT: If you love this place for lunch OR if you l want bento, proceed with caution for dinner. The menu is entirely different. They still have rolls, but none of the sides. Don't get me wrong--dinner was okay, just not what we went for...And we wouldn't go back if it wasn't a time when they were serving lunch. We shared the gnudi, which was meh, a pretty good maki roll, potatoes and the arugula salad, which was delectable. Even the dessert menu is different. For what we got and how we felt about it, it was way overpriced for the dinner offerings. I didn't feel it was fair to alter my rating, so I'll just put it here: dinner here is a 3.2, since I can now put in a decimal. ;)
(5)Nancy W.
Have been here many times for great meals. But this Saturday, we experienced a change in service. Arriving inconveniently at 1:30 p.m., we were told the wait was 10 minutes. We opted to sit at the bar until we were told they would come get us for a table. This never happened - while at least 4 wait staff passed by us, without even saying hello, or can I get you some water? Treated totally rude, so we let them know what was happening as we left, and took our business elsewhere. We won't be back - why?
(1)Luigi S.
Had the pleasure of holding my team holiday dinner at this fabulous Resturant! Tonight I started with a Bibb salad with crushed walnuts and light dusting of Gorgonzola cheese and vinaigrette, next a wonderful duck pate and then local duck with pappardelle pasta with a cream sauce. Finished with French pressed coffee ( coffee beans roasted by Light Rail Coffee) and a sweet/salty combination of popcorn gelato with Carmel sauce. I have traveled all over the world and this is a real gem of a Resturant, worth the stop.
(5)Koa M.
Now I loved everything we got in our party except for my meal. The skate dish is pan fried which I was not expecting. I was incorrectly told it was one of the "lighter" dishes. Looks like "lighter" is a relative term. I had one of the best cocktails i've ever had in my life here, they do it up right. All the other dishes we got were amazing. I wasn't a fan of the sushi, seemed like the roll was pre-made, and not fresh to order. The ambience is the best you can get, I will definitely be coming back here.
(5)Rohit P.
I had been here for team dinner and it was definitely a good choice. The previous day we had been to Spikes near the hampton Inn and it was a terrible experience with all the flies and not so good food. So i wasn't expecting much from Cerulean too in terms of food. As soon as i saw the canal nearby with dark stagnant water, i was praying that there wouldn't be much flies here. Thankfully as i entered the restaurant all my worries were left at the entrance door. The restaurant was chic. We sat outdoors facing the canal but there were net windows, so nothing to worry about the flies. We ordered each of 'Two' on their menu for the 5 of us and it was awesome. My favorite was the GunSlinger sushi, delicious and spicy. The Indiana artisan breads and prawns were good too. For the desserts, we ordered the house made gelato, rock and pebbles and chocolate silk. The gelato was very good, pebbles good and chocolate silk just ok as it had a spicy taste to it. All in all it was a very good experience to end my short trip to Warsaw,IN.
(5)Michelle S.
Ok...I can't give the 5 star reviews others have although I want to becuase i like the people and the place. This is one of the more creative and nicer restaurants in the area but it is overpriced for what it is and the food is good, but by no means memorable. Staff:5 food:3 price:2 location:4. I came here the most during my stay mainly because I love sushi and it had a better atmosphere and vibe. Tried their scallop bento for lunch one day with pear salad, edamame, and cucumber salad and it was decent but not worth 14$. Had the sushi the other 2 times for dinner when I came. One night had the faux pas which was good but the carrots were a bit too hard and threw off the texture. Then had the islander and it was a nice twist on the cali. It was a bit fishy at times but the cilantro and lime gave it a nice flavor and counteracted any hints of fishy. Drinks are creative and bar area is always fun to sit in and watch as drinks are being made. Bartenders are friendly and so are the folks who frequent it so this makes me a fan.
(3)Z J.
I think this is the best business dinner I've ever had. We went last night after a long day of flight delays and driving. The server was nice and made it a less intimidating menu. I had the asparagus with the best pancetta I've ever had and the shrimp which I didn't leave behind a morsel. It was pricy but I wasn't buying so it was fine by me. An unexpected gem in the area!
(4)Warsaw E.
This is a good sushi restaurant. I wouldn't say great because I had better at other establishments, but this is certainly a winner.
(4)Alexandria G.
Ordered a bottle of cava and about 5 small plates to share with my date. Food was really fast and good, but that's it. It was good. As I think back, nothing really stands out and I'm having a hard time remembering what I ate. Most dishes were luke warm at best. Cava was delicious and their wine list is extensive and well rounded. The Decorations are outstanding and they really invested to make this restaurant beautiful and hip. Would love to go back in the summer and enjoy the patio. Didn't have a chance to try any sushi, but would like to some day.
(4)Rae Ann P.
Very delicious and filling - had the duck with asian noodles, orange and almond salad and papaya - yum! Husband had the tuna with noodles, wasabi potatoes and broccholi. Everything was flavorful and it is hard to say what we liked best because we enjoyed it. It was busy for a 1:30 PM weekday but our server Molly did a great job of keeping our glasses filled and checking on us. Definitely will go again when in the neighborhood!
(5)Craig Y.
Excellent atmosphere, food and service. Potato and goat cheese appetizer excellent. Pork w/ balsamic and strawberries was excellent. Sushi gr8.
(4)Lane J.
Good food and great atmosphere. Very interesting selection of drinks and unusual flavor combinations for desserts. Not blown-away by any of it, but I would definitely go back.
(4)Joe L.
A nice location in the little town of Winona Lake just a short distance from the lake. Plenty of parking in the lot immediately in front of the restaurant. Nice little shops to visit in the area all within short walk of the restaurant. We sat on the enclosed porch on the rear which has a view of the canal. It was a cold day and the room temperature was just a little chilly. But other than the room temperature the meal was great. We had lunch there on a weekday and they had a number of patrons. Service was quick and friendly. Lunch consists of a choice of maybe eight entrees each with 3 sides and served in a Benito box. I had the seared tuna and my wife had the Basil-Soy salmon. She said the salmon was great. I really enjoyed the tuna but the serving size is small but not unexpected in a Asian Fusion upscale restaurant. It is served on a bed of Sushi rice and had a very nice side sauce. My three sides included the broccoli salad which was great, the Asian noodles with peanuts, also great and a very nice wasabi potato salad. The different flavors and textures were a nice contrast to a typical lunch. I had iced tea which was a little weak for my taste but I like my tea strong and most people probably don't. Although all portions are small, lunch consisted of 4 items {entre and 3 sides} and altogether make for a satisfying lunch. Our dinners were $12 each and my iced tea $2. The glass was rather small {I like restaurants which have large drink glasses!} but they brought me a new glass whenever it was down to about 1/4th full. After we finished our meals they quickly cleared the table and asked if we wanted the bill which was brought immediately. We don't usually spend this much for lunch but it was worth it and we will return.
(5)Megan H.
Amazing! Everything is artfully prepared, perfectly portioned, and flavored impeccably. I've been coming here for 3 years and I've almost never had a dish I didn't like. Both the inside restaurant and bar and outside beer garden serve the highest quality food and drink. Fantastic for any occasion. I also love that the menu rotates so you never get bored. This past summer the pork belly tacos at the beer garden were one of my favorite foods I've ever gotten at a restaurant. Inside, the goat cheese is a recurrent classic and never falls short of delicious.The bento boxes at lunch are also great when you want something different. I missed this restaurant when I was back at school in Madison (even with that town's wide range of delicious restaurants.) In addition to the fantastic food, the service is always great at Cerulean. I cannot speak highly enough!
(5)sarah s.
Sooo good! The soft shell crab bento box with udon, spinach and orange almond salad (you get a choice of 3 sides) was delicious! The crab was cooked perfectly and even the sticky rice underneath it was lovely. We visited during lunch so there was no tapas menu (which is says on Yelp that they serve tapas) - only japanese choices but a lot of choices (perhaps tapas are during dinner???). My husband got sushi which was also very good (I'll let him tell you about it). Staff was very friendly. Decor was very new, minimal and clean. Check this place out- it is a gem in the land of corn fields and KFC's.
(5)Renee S.
What a great place! The view is great, situated on Winona Lake. All the food here is amazing. I love the Sushi here, too. We were so comfortable that on the 3rd bottle of wine, seeing everyone vacate, we thought .... oh boy, we better let them get home too. Hahaha. I dont think this is a place to take kids! I dont know that a party of 2 can escape under 100, but maybe without drinks. Excellent service. Warsaw has some warm places for such a dull town.
(5)Ken O.
Great spot to enjoy lunch. Outside bar is a fun environment, love the Bento Entrees for lunch.
(5)T S.
Great place for Lunch and dinner. The udon noodles make the meal for me. The only problem is that every time my corporate execs come in. I end up with the tab
(5)Tillie L.
Cerulean is one of my "go-to" lunch spots when I visit Warsaw. I am a huge fan of their bento boxes with sushi. Their sushi really is top notch and as perfect as you can ever find in Indiana. Their sides are very creative too, I always enjoy the noodles with jalapenos, and sunflower seeds. Also, there is just something about their edamame that I cannot get enough of! It is always tender and fresh. They also have an excellent selection of beers and wines. I enjoy trying something new every time. The staff has never failed to exceed my expectations. They are always friendly, attentive, and add to the experience in every way. The decor is really peaceful and welcoming. The clean lines of the tables and chairs and the creative light fixtures are very pleasing to the eye. Even as a peanut-free vegetarian, I still have several selections available to me in the bento line-up, and they just added a new pear salad side that I cannot wait to try.
(5)Anthony S.
Excellent food and strong cocktails. The service could have been a little better.
(4)Johnny W.
If you like miniscule pieces of sushi for ridiculously high prices served by snobby waiters who take forever to do anything, this is the place for you. I don't care if they are using the rarest of ingredients, it's not worth it if you are basically ripping people off and then treating them like you're doing them a favor serving them. I'd avoid this place if I were anyone wanting a good sushi meal. They really need to quit trying to be so pretentious and serve decently priced sushi for a change.
(1)Mike K.
My love for sushi brought me and my girlfriend to Cerulean. I eat sushi any chance I get and in any town. Cerulean is certainly in my top 5. Price was right, nice drink selection, and our waitress was very helpful.
(5)Melissa K.
Well, a friend and I decided to give this place another chance. This time around it wasn't bad, the service was better, our waitress was very sweet and we tried a lot for a moderate amount of money. This was my friends first time having sushi, over the evening we got Spicy Tuna Roll, Philly Roll, Tempura Ebi roll and Tuna Nigiri. The biggest disappointment in their spicy Tuna is that they are adding heat using chili pepper instead of asian spicy mayo. :( But, they have sufficiently redeemed themselves so I'm sure we'll hit this place up when Noa Noa is too full.
(3)tanees m.
Loved this place! Lovely interiors as well as a great location on a canal leading to Lake Winona. Very busy restaurant with a very innovative menu. We started with a beet salad and lobster cake which the hubby and I shared and it was fabulous! I then had the sunfish with cappelini with a goat cheese sauce which was not to my liking as I'm not a fan of goat cheese but can't blame them for that. The fish however was extremely crisp and flavorful. The mister had steak which was great as well. Even though we were stuffed to the gills, we decided to share the bread pudding and pear gelato. OMG...the pudding was to die for, very light and beautiful presentation on not just the dessert but all the dishes. Plate sizes were more European, read smaller, but I still left there wishing I had worn my elasticized pants! Fabulous all around. In fact, going again tonight :)
(5)David M.
Good meal, lovely and sophisticated spot. I was in town for work and thought all they had was Applebee's when much to my surprise I find several very nice restaurants in town with Cerulean being the best. Had a fantastic piece of sea bass on top of a floppy polenta cake filled with sweet goat cheese. Had a wonderful rib eye salad 2 days ago. Good sushi as well.
(4)Catherine W.
Ate on their new outdoor patio, where they offer a different and smaller menu than the inside restaurant. Sampled a lot of their food, which is prepared outside. Slider was particularly good, but only 1 per order. The food was a bit pricy and were small portions. Definitely this is a better place for drinks and small snacks, combined with socializing. If you want dinner, I would dine inside instead.
(3)Lori T.
So glad we finally visited this restaurant. Appetizers, salad, entrees and dessert were all outstanding. The beef tenderloin was the best I've had. Innovative use of local products - cheeses, liquor, beer, poultry, lamb, etc.
(5)Bernie H.
My husband and I just filmed our latest feature comedy in North Webster, IN. We came back to the area to promote the film and found Winona Lake. ( gentlewatersmovie.com ) Loved the atmosphere. We are from Chicago, and this would hold up well there. The staff was lovely. The coffee was amazing. The sushi was tasty. The only thing that was off was the miso soup-very very too salty. We would go again to try more!
(5)Mary Lynne H.
This place is fantastic! The atmosphere is great, very bright and open, who would think that small town Winona Lake would have a place such as this. I'd expect to see this kind of place in San Diego! I went for lunch the other day and got the wasabi crusted shrimp bento box with rice and edamame. It was the perfect size for lunch, and the shrimp was perfectly done and the wasabi was understated. (I don't like really spicy, so I was a bit worried it would be like that, but it wasn't. More a flavor than spicy.) If I ever make the trek back to this small town, it will be the first place I hit up for a meal. It may be a bit overpriced for the area, but being from SD, I found it very reasonable. They also have added on an outdoor beer garden type patio, which looks like a welcome addition and perfect for summertime
(5)Paul D.
Very good sushi and tapas.
(4)Alex K.
Great spot, especially considering its in Warsaw (sorry locals). Sushi is great. The other dishes are fantastic. They have a great drink selection to boot. I make the trek from Lake Wawasee every time I'm down that way.
(5)Ben B.
Everything about this place is great, from wine list to their tapas.
(5)Matthew B.
I was curious to try this place since I have had so many people talking about it. I looked at the menu online and was eager to try the sushi. Upon our entrance we were greeted very rudely. The hostess was not friendly at all and as the person to greet you and make you feel welcome, she failed. I liked the very eclectic decor and location is great. My wife and I tried the goat cheese appetizer and it was excellent. I had the sushi tempura and California roll. They both had good flavor and good portion size. Our server was very good and friendly. I give it 3 stars based on such a bad taste in my mouth from a rude hostess and the prices. My two sushi rolls were $12 which I had no problem with. Our goat cheese app was $7. But, my wife's spicy sausage entree was $17 and for me, I think of Warsaw as a small town and I struggle with paying that price up there.
(3)JT. F.
Terrific combination of food, wine, and waitstaff. A party of seven, we put ourselves in the able hands of our waiter, who took us on a tour of the tapas menu and dessert, impeccably pairing wines along the way.
(5)c a.
If you come to Warsaw Indiana this is the place to have dinner. Great bar and excellent tapas. And we had lunch there the next day. All in our party got fish: sunfish, salmon and tuna. All excellent. We want the recipes!
(5)Richard W.
Very nice location and original, well-presented food. Really, quite affordable for what you are getting. I plan on returning soon.
(5)Noelani P.
The 2 stars is solely for their sashimi portions which are disappointingly small, I would say 1/4 of the usual slice portion (take note I am talking about each slice) that you would get compared to sashimi in Southern California. I would give 3 stars as a general review of the ambience (modern, classy, spacious) which makes the restaurant a joy to dine in, and the affordability and choices for their bento meals. I liked their maple leaf duck breast bento when I was there the first time in 2010, however recently I was not that impressed with their Miso glazed scallop bento meal which was too sweet. Asian food generally is not characterized by being "sweet" and I notice that in "modern" or "fusion" asian restaurants there is a tendency to go that route in some "asian" inspired dishes. Then again maybe it was just how the scallops were prepared that day. It would be nice to see if the owners (who according to my cousin in law, do not have children) can try to be more kid friendly with their kid menu offering (as I recall, chicken tenders with a fruit based sauce - cant remember if it was pomegranate or cranberry) as ordinary catsup may appeal more to kids (my nieces wanted some but the restaurant does not provide it). When I am back in the area I am still interested in what The Cerulean has to offer - the restaurant and the whole strip of stores and shops along the canals and borders of Winona Lake give the place much character and life that is a joy to see in this part of the country.
(2)Colin D.
I wholeheartedly agree with Jeff L.and the other reviewers. Cerulean is reliably awesome, with great miso soup and improbably fresh sushi, given the way-inland location. It's a perfect lunch spot as well as a nice, dress-up-and-go-out dinner date. My wife and I both love it.
(5)Bill B.
Went for lunch. Service, food and prices were great. I had the spider roll and wasabi roll. Both were great and portion size was more than enough for lunch. Was just passing through and found them on Yelp. Glad I stopped by. Will do so again next time I'm in the area.
(5)Bill M.
The food and service here were exceptional in all respects. The creamed soups are superb and not just a cup of thin puree. The pasta portions were on the medium to large size. I had the Sicilian Sausage cavatappi with marscapone cheese sauce. It was phenomenal. We sat out on the back screened-in patio room on an evening that was about 67 degrees. It was a great experience. The server, Toni was classically trained, and exceptional, making sure that we had proper silverware for the courses we were eating (does anyone know who Emily Poste was?). You don't often find restaurants of this caliber. We will definitely be back to sample the tapas and my friends the sashimi and sushi. The coffee was french pressed table-side and as phenomenal as the rest of the meal. If you are a stout-phile, try the "Russian Stout:" that is bottled and distributed in MI (of all places). 10.5 ALC, so it can pack a bit of a punch if you are not used to them.
(5)Jeff L.
Oh this place is wonderful and just what I have been craving; raw delicious fish and especially eel. Their Miso Soup is some of the best that I have had. I have just had their sushi rolls, but their dinner menu looks quite impressive and I am looking forward to going back and trying some of their entree's.
(5)Egg H.
Our 3rd visit to Cerulean, again struck by the incongruity of a nice sushi place in small town Winona Lake. Got in just before the lunch rush, so we were quickly seated, but the line behind us built quickly, so a lot of other people like this place too. I had the sushi bento box (tempura ebi roll, 3 sides from a pretty long list of choices, I had kimchi, asian noodles, mandarin almond salad). All parts were excellent, as with previous visits; though the sushi rice was a little different (not as flavorful) than you would find at most sushi places, it was still good. Others in our party had different sushi choices, and enjoyed their selections as well. The menu has other selections, but we come here for the sushi, so haven't tried them yet. Nice wine list, but we've only come for lunch, so haven't tried that either. Decor is very nice, somewhat minimalistic, spare, I think is the word. Unfortunately, this makes the restaurant very loud when they are busy, as they were today, hard to talk quietly across the table.
(4)brad s.
They have great lunches for anywhere to 9-14 bucks. You get your main item plus 3 sides. The dinners are great too, with nice imported beers. Highly recommend.
(5)