DETTERA restaurant and wine bar brings sophisticated dining to downtown Ambler. Merging progressive American cuisine with wine bar chic in a beautifully restored, historic building offering upscale casual dining on an outside deck with a brick fireplace, a first floor dining level open to a curving black granite bar with over-sized round banquettes. The second floor dining room offers a relaxed atmosphere with pillow filled banquettes, a romantic fireplace, and a beautiful view of the Ambler theater. Wine selection offers over 50 wines by the glass and more than 200 by the bottle. The menu puts a heavy focus on seasonality, sustainability, and the sourcing of locally farmed produce. DETTERA also maintains their own herb and spice garden daily. A great find for that special dining occasion or even light fare and a glass of wine after the theater.
"The food at Dettera is amazing! What a treat! Every course from appetizer to desert was stunningly presented and delicious. The service was great and the prices were very fair! This place is a gem for sure!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Treated my wife to a Mothers Day brunch. We sat at one of the high top tables out on the deck out front, enjoying the sun and passersby. Our server, James, was perfect in all the right ways. Absolutely loved the chilled creamy English pea soup with lump crabmeat. Wife also like her order of the gravlox appetizer."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Chef Power has taken Ambler to the next level of cuisine. What looks like a fun bistro, is exactly that and more. Great bar. Fun food. But.... not only fun.... the eclectic factor. One can enjoy an esoteric pizza, or amazing oysters/ tuna tartar in an extraordinary presentation/ fish from a fish procurer that stands out such that with Chef's talent, the ever changing menu is always fabulous. Chef has tasting menus that beg to be tasted. A taste of his best, or his best vegetarian. One can not go wrong with a visit to Ambler and a dining experience at Deterra."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"The food is really good, presented artfully. Portions are reasonable, but don't expect "copious". Very attentive wait staff and manager. Dozens of wines by the glass - 6 oz pours at $10 to $15. Total bill for two, 3 glasses wine between us, with tip $120."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, notable wine list, special occasion
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"We have eaten at Deterra before and it was good; this time however it was only fair. Ther server was good, the food was fair at best. My wife ordered a pizza that was soggy (they did bring another one though). I had there pork chop. It was fair (I would not order it again, whatever the sauce was on it, it was to sweet tasting)."
Dined on 5/03/2013
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"We always get the same thing, a salad, a cheese plate and a pizza. They don't offer the pizza menu but trust me it is worth asking for. Delicious. Oh and don't forget the Wine!! Very nice selection."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2002
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"The food and service were great! I had the Oysters for an appetizer and the Duck breast for dinner. Incredibly well cooked. The wine prices were very reasonable and varied. Parking was super easy as there are signs everywhere for parking. Next time I hope we go when it is warm out so we can sit outside!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Went here for the first time for brunch. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. The food, while slightly on the pricey side, was very good. Our waitress was very nice and provided great service. I would definitely go again for a nice brunch."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We went for the Easter Brunch and were told they were out of several items, and the new additions were not as appealing. The opening salad was nothing special - apple and lettuce and not very generous. Lastly, our waitress was too invasive, interrupting conversations frequently to ask questions. We loved our previous meals at Deterra and were disappointed."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2008
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"Quiet Sunday night. Cocktails at the bar were fantastic and the wine list for dinner was impressive. Apps were good but entrees were the star of the show. Salmon had an amazing crisp and was Perfectly cooked, I don't usually even like salmon...the duck was the most impressive ive ever had. Tasted like beef almost and was unbelievably tender. Amish chicken was worth ordering chicken out. So unique and flavorful. Short ribs were also decadent. Tuna tartare was my favorite app. I live in Philly so am spoiled with amazing food options but would make the trek to ambler again to have another meal here."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list, hot spot
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"We ate at Dettera before a movie at the Ambler Theatre. It made for a very nice evening out.....perfect date for couples. The restaurant is very attractive, rather cosmopolitan with very good food and great, attentive, but not overbearing service. We ate upstairs which was quieter than downstairs, which seemed more casual with a busy bar. We had the "tasting menu" which was a lot of fun....5 courses, all nicely spaced, not rushed. The portions were small, but we were very satisfied by the end of the meal. My husband had the "regular" tasting menu (which he loved!) and I, being a vegetarian, had the "vegetable version" of the tasting menu. This was the only negative....very dull, uncreative vegetarian food."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"This was a great place to go for a business dinner on a weeknight. It was quiet enough and spacious enough to carry on a conversation, the menu offered reasonably variety, and the prices, while not cheap, seemed fair. Everyone loved what they ordered. I would definitely go back."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"We tried the prix fixe for Valentine's Day and enjoyed the courses individually and collectively. We have now been here several times and are likely irregular regulars, since we drive some distance to dine here. Their sommelier was very knowledgeable and helpful, recommending a fine after dinner drink and providing a taste of another unusual wine. We recommend Deterra without hesitation for most occasions. Downstairs is a bit noisy, so the upstairs table locations are likely better for those preferring quiet and privacy."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Delightful menu and service. Food is delicious, We partook of the special Valentine's Day menu (with wine pairings) offered. Interior decoration is reminiscent of finest New York restaurants. The manager was clearly on top of everything - checking and rechecking all aspects. Good job."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Undeniably the resaurant was beautiful and the decore artfully selected but the menu was diappointing. Extremely expensive considering what is offered. I would advise against selected the cold oyster appetizer garnished with a dollop of sherbet. Lovely to behold but indifferent to taste."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2009
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"An unexpected switch in movie/dinner plans meant more time for an early dinner. Our waiter, Phillip, was attentive and quite accommodating, checking on us without pressure to hurry up, and allowing us to enjoy our appetizers and pizzas at a leisurely pace. We shared 3 excellent appetizers for our first round: Study of Beets, Oysters, and Diver Scallops. Then shared 3 pizzas: Braised short rib, Marguez sausage, and Kennet Square mushrooms (with a Margherita pizza bonus). ALL the food was terrific. Having an unhurried time to enjoy it made it even better. Would recommend everything we had, and look forward to going back to try more."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, scenic view
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"Went during restaurant week and had their tasting menu. The service was friendly, good and timely (offered to bring more bread, food and wine pairigs came out at the right times). Food was delicious, especially the "taste of beets" salad. While I wouldn't say the atmosphere was outstanding it was definitely pleasant - lots of wood and an interesting ceiling. I'd give service five stars but our server, while certainly on top of things, was a bit noticeably a bit inexperienced."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic
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"The food was delicious, however the wait and bus staff were very annoying. They hovered over our table, watching for us to take our first bite, and immediately asked how it was. I could hardly respond because I was still chewing the first bite.
My friend finished her entree a little before I did, and the busser was literally standing there, watching me finish. The second I took my last bite, he grabbed my plate away. I hadn't even finished chewing or put my fork down! I felt VERY rushed.
They also did now allow our water glasses to get below 3/4 full. It was hard for my friend and I to even have a conversation because they were constantly there.
We also ordered wine, and were very surprised at how small the servings were."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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"Three of us only ordered appetizers for our dinner (two plates each). They were delicious and artfully presented. The extensive wine-by-the-glass menu is well organized. Cost is commensurate with other fine dining restaurants, with most entrees below $30 and appetizers in the $8 to $12 range."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Went for Ambler Restaurant Week - would have liked to see a bit more selection on the main courses (had pork, salmon and beef), but we had the salmon with brussels sprouts which was very good. My mom had the salad for her first course, which was quite large. Desserts (creme brûlée, pot de creme and chocolate pate) - we had creme brûlée and chocolate pate - were fabulous."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2011
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