What a gem! We found Elea as we were walking around the uws. This is on a side street, which was quieter and less noisy than on the main Columbus or Amsterdam avenues. Elea has an outdoor shed which was covered and very nice. We got a table in this shed with our baby and dog. The service was friendly. We ordered several dishes to share, the fried calamari, grilled octopus and lavraki, all on the lunch menu. I really enjoyed every single dish! I was so craving the fried calamari and this really hit the spot, I loved the dipping sauce (which was a light tomato's based sauce but it was not exactly marinara). I loved the octopus especially with hummus! And the fish which was a lot with 2 fillets of lavraki with a large portion of spinach! So yummy, we will absolutely be back and can't wait! read more

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Four of us had dinner here tonight. Food was good and service was courteous and attentive.. My wife and I truly enjoyed our salads. All the ingredients were extremely fresh indeed. First Greek restaurant that we have visited that did not provide complimentary pita bread with our salad offerings. Must just be a NYC Thing? We would visit another time... read more

A pretty and buzzing restaurant on the UWS. We stopped by on a hot summer Friday night and got seated downstairs in the main dining room. Started with the olives, big and briny, then the spanikopita and three dips and pita. The dips, fine, nothing special, not very prettily presented, especially the fava, which was a heavy tasteless dud. The pita was cold and something you could pick up at a supermarket. But then things looked up. The grilled shrimp were plump and beautiful on a bed of salad and oranges. The mussels were delicious, with broth and tomato and feta and two big chunks of grilled bread - why couldn't they do this with the pita? Wine by the glass good and service was very nice but I think we only saw our server twice. Once was when she presented our check with the 20, 22, 25 option. But all in all it was pleasant! Lots of families if you have kids and want a nice dinner in a place that makes kids comfortable. read more

We were lucky to get a reservation last minute. The restaurant was packed, but our server was still able to check in with us many times. The feta was nice. There was a fig sauce on the bottom which was sweet, and paired with the sour feta it was balanced. The the short rib youvetsi was nice. The beef came apart easily and I mixed it in with the rice and rest of the dish. It was delicious. read more

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Able to get seated quickly without a reservation on a Sunday afternoon. The weight staff was very attentive. The food was really tasty. The sauce of the calamari was average. The whipped part of the beet salad was great. The fillet was very crispy and tender with great flavor. The calamari was soft and interesting base underneath it. The strawberry ginger lemonade was okay. Overall would revisit and a good experience. The ambience was open and welcoming. read more

Eléa - Bar - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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The Food, Service & Ambiance transforms you into a time capsule back in Greece, near the Aegean Sea bluest waters, enjoying a Sauvignon Blanc, Assyrtiko: A Greek white wine, especially from Santorini, is a top choice. In Life, you get what you pay for...every masterful dish guarantees an unconditional love of your palate. Encouraging you to crave for more, because it's the chef's hidden secret and treasure that he loves to serve you. read more

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Everything we ordered was delicious! Started with the grilled pita and spreads. They were all yummy. We liked the spicy roasted pepper spread the best. We also ordered the Elea chips. So good and light. I would order this again. We ordered entrees. The lamb was tender and delicious! A beautiful restaurant with excellent and friendly service. They made us feel so welcomed. read more

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Came here for restaurant week dinner! Interior is beautiful and very spacious. Our service was excellent. We got the dip trio which was actually the weakest part of the meal imo. Tzatziki was really good but other than that the spicy feta and the hummus were just ok. I wish the hummus was more flavorful and the spicy feta had a taste besides just being spicy. The pita was nice and warm. The Greek salad was refreshing and had good quality feta. My favorite part of the meal was the lavraki, which was perfectly cooked and very flavorful. The potatoes and greens were a nice accompaniment and i actually took about half of the dish home because i was already getting full! My friend said the short rib was good, but not the best he's had. Got the baklava rolls for dessert, and the rolls themselves were good but we weren't a fan of the ice cream flavor. read more

Eléa - Dips and Horiatiki Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Absolute fab experience. Reservations recommended on weekends, plenty of seating outdoors and indoors with a spacious basement perfect for family seating. Vegetarians also have plenty of options which was surprising! What to order: Tasting of 5 Spreads ($32) - Skordalia stands out, Grilled Halloumi ($18), Gigantes ($16), Asparagus ($12) - all cooked to perfection! Non Vegetarians won't go wrong with Lamb Chops ($55) or Grilled Shrimp ($25). Service was absolutely fantastic but our server Arthur was friendly and attentive. Very welcoming and friendly staff. We will be visiting again with friends and family! read more

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Came here with friends after seeing Mission Impossible-The Final Reckoning at IMAX Lincoln Square. Overall it was a great experience. They have sidewalk dining for the summer, an upstairs and a downstairs. We sat downstairs as it felt more private, although it was packed. Our waitress Marsha was very patient, although if we had not been as firm as we were, I think we would have been rushed out. For example, most restaurants want to take your entree order along with your appetizers. We waited as we ordered 5 appetizers and a bottle of wine and wanted to digest our food. After a little over 2 hours Marsha put the check down on the table although we had not finished our desert. That was the only negative part of the entire experience. The restaurant is a well decorated space, its very clean, including the bathrooms which are private. The staff was polite and accommodating. The manager came over midway through the dinner to see how everything was. Everything we ordered was great! It was fresh, served at the right temperature, was flavorful and had a different spin on it from other Mediterranean restaurants I have been to. There were four of us and for starters we shared a bottle of Sancerre, the Tuna Tartare, Horiatiki Salad, the Selection of Spreads, Elea zucchini & eggplant chips, the Grilled Shrimp and the Htapodi which was grilled Spanish octopus. For entrees we had the Lavraki which is usually served as the whole fish. We asked for it to be filleted, the Solomos-salmon, Bakaliaros-pan seared wild cod and the pasta special. For desert we had assorted teas, the Portokalopita- orange cake with yogurt ice cream and the Mini Baklava Rolls. I would highly recommend Elea and hope that I will not be rushed if I come back again. read more

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Had a first class experience here eating at Eléa for restaurant week. When I made the reservation, I requested outdoor seating and was granted the request. They have those booths where you can enjoy your dining experience. Although many restaurants are removing them now in a post-COVID world, it's sometimes fun to experience it. As for the food, plenty to choose from, especially for vegetarians. For the appetizers, we split 2 Grilled Halloumi's & a Pikilia between the 3 of us. I love myself some Halloumi and was quite impressed with the serving size. Almost filled myself up with that and the dips. As for the drinks, the Smoke & Fire was ON POINT. I'm a fan of a great spicy cocktail and this hit the spot. For the main meal, I ordered the mushroom risotto. The crazy thing is that the portions were HUGE. I ate a little bit and quickly realized I had no more room for any food, largely because of the Halloumi. Fortunately, we packed up all the leftovers. The risotto actually lasted me 2 lunches. Very hearty and tasty. As for the desserts, we ordered one of each. The sorbets were great. We packed up the baklava and ate a portion of the lemon tart. Honestly, for $60/person, this is actually a damn good value because of the amount of food you receive. read more

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We had early dinner at Elea as an EAT CLUB adventure. (EAT CLUB goes to a different restaurant every month.) Service was great and the noise level was pleasantly low. On of us had Mousaka... the most famous Greek dish in America. A couple of us had the mixed shellfish plate. No one was disappointed in the food... or the service... There was always someone coming back to check on us and refill the water glasses. Portions were large and delicious. Yeah, it's expensive, but this is New York. read more

Eléa - EAT CLUB at Elea - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Elea is a Mediterranean gem on the Upper West Side! The decor is super cute, stylish and inviting with a warm, coastal feel that makes you feel like you're on vacation. The service was attentive and friendly without being overbearing, which made the whole experience even better! We ordered a bunch of small plates to share, and honestly, everything was delicious. One of my favorites were the fried zucchini and eggplant "chips." They were perfectly crisp and flavorful, and I loved the dipping sauce. The sea bass for my main was great, but I also really liked the chicken thigh skewers, which were juicy and seasoned to perfection, also came with a different but delicious dipping sauce. There's such a great variety on the menu, it's ideal for sharing and trying a little of everything. We can't wait to come back! read more

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SUCH AMAZING FOOD! Great place- the kalamari, and tapas plate were fantastic. Lamb was perfectly cooked! N/A Negroni was the star of the evening. Mango drink is a bit too tart. 5 on 5, highly recommend read more

Overall, this was a very enjoyable experience and it instantly reminded me of my holidays in Greece. The atmosphere, the flavors, and the way the food is meant to be shared really capture that Mediterranean spirit. The dishes arrived quickly, which is always appreciated, and everything we tried was flavorful, fresh, and well executed. The concept of sharing plates is great, but I would definitely recommend not ordering too much. Portions are generous, and it is easy to get carried away if you are not careful. It is the kind of place where a few well chosen dishes are more than enough to fully enjoy the meal. There were a couple of small mistakes during the service, but I want to highlight how well the team handled them. The staff reacted quickly, stayed professional, and resolved the issues without any hassle, which made a big difference and showed real care for the customer experience. That said, one important downside was the wait time. Even though we had a reservation, we still had to wait quite a long time to be seated. This is honestly not acceptable, especially for a restaurant at this level, and it slightly affected the overall experience. Despite that, it remains a very good restaurant with delicious food, a warm Mediterranean vibe, and a responsive team. With better reservation management, it would easily be an outstanding experience. read more

Food was overall pretty good. Definitely some hits and misses. For the dips we had the taramousalata, hummus, fava bean, tzatziki, and spicy red pepper feta dip. The hummus was Smokey and absolutely delicious. The fava bean was my least favorite. The spicy red pepper one was too runny. And the tzatziki was average. I didn't try the last one. The cauliflower fritters were good overall but the texture was a little off. The Brussel sprout salad was like coleslaw and also too acidic. The spanakopita was absolutely delicious. The short rib was not that tender. The orzo rice with it was good. And the lamb chop was one of the best lamb chops I've ever had. The baklava was also one of the best baklava I've ever had. Greek wines were delicious. Service was pretty good. The restaurant has a basement and is pretty spacious. Would definitely recommend making a reservation. read more

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{Overall: 3.5; Food: 4} Ambiance: 4; Service: 2 The food at Elea was quite good, but the service left a lot to be desired. The wait between our appetizers and mains was so long that we had to flag down our waiter, then the manager. When the long-awaited mains arrived, we weren't offered any type of compensation. The vibe was nice and cozy--great lighting and atmosphere for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Even late into the afternoon, the restaurant was still full of diners, which is a testament to the restaurant's popularity. Food (* = recommended) - Horiatiki Salad: Light and refreshing. Good feta. - Spanakopita: Delicious. Cooked well with a great balance of spinach and cheese. - Chicken Souvlaki: Was good, but a bit bland - Greek-Style Lamb Kebab: Well prepared and enjoyable I'd consider going back for the food, but the service would need to improve for it to be a regular spot. read more

Quite possibly the best restaurant on the UWS and one of my favorite Mediterranean spots in general! The Greek salad, lamb chops and any of the fishes are spectacular. Great spot for any event - date night, food with friends, etc. Must visit if uptown. read more

Dinner at Eléa and it did not disappoint. The food? Incredible. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The service? Spot-on. It's a place where you can slow down, enjoy the energy of NYC, and eat like you're somewhere along the Aegean coast. That said, I'm giving it 4 stars, not because of the food or service, but because the prices are just a bit steeper than they need to be. You're definitely paying for the ambiance and experience, which is fine, but it's something to keep in mind. read more

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Great food, great service, great atmosphere. All the dishes were good, very light flavors that complimented each other well. Service was amazing and they even comped our dessert as it was our anniversary. Would highly recommend read more

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Elea is a very beautiful restaurant on the upper west side with a lot of indoor and outdoor seating. There was no issue making a reservation for two, but we did come on the earlier side at around 5:30 pm when it was a lot emptier than when we left when the crowd quadrupled. The service was attentive. We split three dips which came with a substantial amount of warm pita. A lot of places now give you so little pita that you have to pay extra to finish the dips. Elea was the exception. The fava and tzatziki dips were standard. The taramosalata was a little warm and lacking in flavor. We shared the horiatiki salad which was fresh and large in portion size. I got the moussaka. I wasn't the biggest fan because it was just a plate of wet mushiness. I've not had many moussakas so not sure if this was the norm, but definitely won't be getting it again. My partner got the short rib youvetsi, which he enjoyed. The restaurant gifted us 2 free glasses of champagne because it was our anniversary, which I thought was very nice and special. I would definitely come back again to try something else on their extensive menu. read more

Elea consistently delivers. Great food, wonderful people and just such a great place to dine out.

After hearing amazing things about this restaurant, my husband and I finally tried it last Saturday. Make reservations if you are planning on going during the weekend because it gets busy! We had reservations at 8 pm and didn't get seated until 8:30pm. We got the 3 hummus platter with the regular hummus, baba ganouj (eggplant), and the pepper hummus (this was the best one). Then we got the octopus, a must if you come here and Tsipoura fish. Everything was very good. Our server was attentive and gave us great recommendations. read more

Eléa - Hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Took a friend to Elèa for a dishwasher interview. He barely got through the front door before the "interview" was done--less than a minute. From what he said he experienced, it felt like the focus was less on skills or experience and more on appearances. If they're posting a job on Craigslist, maybe they could save everyone time by noting who they aren't looking for. It was quick, it was clear, and it definitely left an impression--though not the kind you hope for in an interview. It definitely felt like being black affected the experience. read more

Beautiful restaurant with exquisite food. The friend calamari started was cooked to perfection and included a large portion. The service is wonderful, kind and knowledgeable staff that have excellent suggestions. read more

Eléa - Ambience - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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We were in search of dinner after a day at the museum and we found Eléa via infatuation. Mediterranean is always a go to as it never disappoints and the reviews on Elea looked great. Well they did not disappoint, it was the perfect place to walk in with a group of 7 including children which was amazing and hard to come by. The venue is very spacious and has two floors. The space is beautiful and very inviting, as if you're being transported to Greece with the all white decor and beautiful flowers at the entrance. I was most excited to try the elea chips and the tuna tartar and they were both amazing!!! The fried zucchini and taziki had the perfect taste ask texture. The crunch that came with the tuna tartar was unlike anything I've ever had and was the perfect combination. The entree we opted for was the sea bass which was good but I will say the slight mustard flavor threw us off a bit but nonetheless still delicious. The kids got chicken Slovakia and French fries and they loved it. The only small complaint I had was that the drinks were not consistent, we ordered a few lychee martinis and each time the taste was a bit different. read more

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As always, your service at Elea is impeccable and thanks for the desert, Andreas! Plus I must say your outdoor dining is perfect. See you soon, Tar & Linda & Zeus. read more

I was at this well regarded Greek restaurant recently celebrating my upcoming (now past) birthday with two others. The space is large with a pretty decent outdoor space along with a bar upstairs as well as a spacious area downstairs which is lightly decorated with some lights and a few sculptures. The downstairs got a little bit loud eventually but overall, it was fine. The female waitress we had was friendly with good recommendations for those who asked and the manager as well as others came around and checked how things were doing. To drink, I had a glass for $18 of the Plano Assyrtiko from Drama. The wine listed as a high minerality assyrtiko was very tasty. All three of us went with the Restaurant Week (or rather month) tasting menu which consists of 3 courses for $60 which was well worth it. They gave some bread to start which was nice and warm and there was a large container of olive oil on the table. The olive oil was of good quality but I preferred dipping the warm bread in my first course. I started with the Dorado Ceviche with royal dorado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, avocado, Fresno chile, and chilled tomato soup. The dorado had a good chew to it and there was a good mix of textures. There was plenty of the tomato broth/soup which had some richness and sweetness with the bread being a good way to have more of it though they should probably serve a spoon with this dish. Another person had the Horiatiki Salad with vine ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, peppers, olives, and Arahova feta. Tasty salad with very good feta and fresh vegetables (particularly the tomatoes) and the portion was good. The last person had the meatballs/Keftedes with feta sauce. The meatball was tender and the feta added some light sourness though I have preferred some other places as I found it a bit bland. For main dishes, two of us paid an additional $15 supplement for the Lamb Chops. Listed as 3 double cut, dry aged lamb chops with Greek oregano fries, the lamb was perfectly cooked though there was a bit too much fat on mine (though expected as I ordered rare.) There were plenty of fries and they brought over some ketchup for them though I would have preferred some tzatziki or something else to dip. This was a very meaty rich dish and it was solid. The latter person had the Lavraki listed as Mediterranean seabass filet listed as a lean, mild flavor with lemon potatoes and horta. The fish was tender and perfectly cooked. The lemon potato was very solid and the horta or wild greens were excellent. There was some capers and I presume the fish was grilled with olive oil and said capers as per usual for a Greek spot. Very tasty with a big portion just like the lamb. All three of us got the same dessert; the Portokalopita with yogurt ice cream. Said dessert is a type of cake made from dried phyllo dough and orange and it has a mix of sweetness and bitterness from orange peel. I've had this cake before being one of my favorite Greek desserts and this was a particularly good one with excellent texture. The yogurt ice cream had some sourness and paired well and it was on top of a crumble of some type (crackers or something.) Overall, I liked the dessert as it wasn't super sweet. For the birthday, they brought out a sparkler which was a nice touch on the side. Food overall was very tasty. Big portions and well worth the price though I might not get the lamb next time and go with one of the fish. It's not the most nuanced Greek food such as at Nerai or others but just really good versions of standard Greek fare with some notably good dishes. Would go back. Mid 4. read more

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Food was solid. ELÉA CHIPS had great tzatziki, though the veggies were a bit soggy. The spread tasting was the standout--especially the hummus and skordalia. Taramosalata was fine, martini was flavorful. Seating was rough Tight space, tiny table for four. Classic cramped NYC setup.(guess) Felt really rushed, not really a chill, kick back vibe, guess had to do with the rush and space on table for rest of the food to be served, without a space. I'd come back for the food, not the comfort. Maybe try a different drink. read more

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Went for brunch and the service & food was impeccable. Bottomless drinks had so many options & we split all the food we ordered. Great atmosphere and every course was amazing. Highly recommend the chicken souvlaki. read more

Eléa - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

The service and ambiance were lovely. The drinks were delicious ! The food unfortunately, was a miss for me. I ordered the steak and mashed potatoes and was so excited when it got to the table- it looks delicious! However, upon cutting in the steak was not medium rare and had been over cooked to be more medium Well. That was fine as that wouldn't affect a good cut of meat. The meat was chewy and lacked flavor. The mashed potatoes were just ok and looked better than they tasted. read more

Eléa - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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We stumbled upon this gem because I was craving Mediterranean and made reservations and wow, best hidden gem of the neighborhood! First, the hostess was super kind when we checked in, even the manager greeted us. We were then walked to our table downstairs where our server introduced himself quickly and we were able to order our drinks. The drinks quickly came and for appetizers I ordered the meatballs and my bf ordered the assortment of spreads, all were absolutely delicious and super filling. I loved the tzatziki sauce and my meatballs were tender and well seasoned. For our entrees he ordered the lamb chops with French fries and I ordered the sea bass with lemon potato's and wow, the lemon potatoes were absolutely perfect, the sea bass perfectly cooked. My bf enjoyed his meal as well, so much so that we couldn't wait to book another reservation! Then for dessert I ordered the baklava and a lemon tart which was seasonal and they were both delicious. The ambiance can be romantic or casual depending on where you sit with a good mix of locals from the neighborhood and some tourists. You won't regret eating here. 10/10 recommend! read more

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A Romantic, "somewhat hip," gourmet Greek restaurant. Special Occassion, date night or just an evening with friends, Eléa will not disappoint. The bar is busy and has a great feel to it, perfect for when you need to wait for a table, or if you can't get a table. Everyone eating here just seemed happy, or relaxed (are we ever happy as New Yorkers?) It's a pretty restaurant, service is friendly and knowledgeable. Greek spirit inspired cocktails are very good, though on the lighter-pour end of the spectrum (which is very good in my view -- one are the days when the buzz was valued more than the craftsmanship). Mezze plate appetizers are great for the table. Main courses are ample (one person cannot eat the moussaka, so share). [see note below] The Lamb chops, the Greek chicken, and short ribs were reportedly excellent We eschewed dessert though our decaf cappuccinos were on target. [Note: the moussaka was great the next day, both warmed (how my lady companion ate it) and cold right out of the fridge bachelor-style.] read more

Eléa - Enclosed patio - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

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Beautiful ambiance: beige has never been less boring. They put a whole bottle of olive oil on the table, which pairs perfectly with the crusty bread. I was introduced to an amazing, fruity, red Greek wine that I'm determined to find and drink more of. I tried the Tsipoura, also known as Gilthead Sea Bream. Not sure why it's called gilthead, because they gave me the whole fish and its head was the same color as the rest of it. It was in a delicious lemon sauce, which I would have loved a bit more of, and was absolutely covered in capers. Fortunately, I love capers. I also ordered the Brussels sprouts, which weren't bad. My dinner companion had the calamari with a sweet red sauce she liked but I found too spicy. Although to be honest I have the palate of a gringita and can only tolerate a little heat without my nose running. All in all, a fabulous evening and we will definitely go back. read more

The interior has great energy, nice and airy with that last Greek feel. We sat at the bar for a drink and then moved to a table for dinner. The food is very good and they serve you quickly (which is either a good or bad thing depending on your mood). I'm not giving five stars because at the current prices for dinner in NYC, I expect the food to blow me away for that 5 star rating. But we'll definitely be back here, it's romantic and delicious. read more

Went there for a private dinner Large group and fixed menu Overall excellent service attentive staff and great atmosphere Dip appetizers were great. Kafteri hot as expected but tasty. The tarama was smooth and creamy and not too salty. Spanakopita was very full had some feta and was really well cooked. The salad was excellent and a refreshing accompaniment My entree was the Branzino with potatoes and Horta. Cooked perfectly with a nice lemon sauce. Potatoes were lemonata and Horta balanced rye dish with some texture and slight bitter lemony taste. Excellent Desserts looked great. Tried rolled baklava and it was good but super sweet- I am not a dessert guy... I recommend this place! read more

Is a Michelin Guide modern Greek restaurant with great ambience. The restaurant offers a bar at the entrance with ample seating indoors and outdoor. We were here for brunch, ordered the Benedicts and Lamb. I don't eat lamb but, apparently it was great. I did enjoy my Benedicts. Service was fast and friendly. I would recommend this restaurant. If you are in the area, do give it a try. Note, they do offer drink specials for Brunch. read more

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The brunch was delicious. We had several appetizers, an entree and and dessert. Everyone enjoyed the meal. Service and ambience were perfect. read more

Everything was wonderful! The food delicious, the service excellent! Kid recommend how enough if you are on the Upper West Side. Even if not worth the trip. read more

The ambiance of Eléa is great and there is ample indoor and outdoor seating. The decor is all light-colored, mostly white with some flowers. I have gone for brunch and dinner, both with and without reservations, and never had to wait more than a few minutes (though maybe we just got lucky because I do see long lines). A few things to note about the popular dishes include: - Smoked Salmon Benedict: Pretty standard brunch fare, that comes with sides of roasted potatoes and salad. - Wild Mushroom Risotto: This can be very hit or miss. Sometimes, it's super creamy as you would expect, but other times, it seems like rice is a bit too firm. The mushroom flavor is always very pronounced, which I appreciate, but the texture just tends to be inconsistent. - Tasting of Three Greek Spreads: I have tried the hummus, tzatziki, and taramosalata. The hummus was a bit too dry and unseasoned for my preference the last time I had it. The tzatziki was definitely the highlight here, since it was super creamy, yet light. The taramosalata was solid with a mousse-like texture, but a bit on the salty side. The grilled pita was seasoned well and the staff are generous about refilling it! Seafood Orzotto: My favorite entree! They give a generous helping of shrimp, mussels, and clams, an extra bowl and mini forks for the shells. It tasted very fresh and was super filling. They also have a shrimp variant on the brunch menu. I would definitely recommend trying the spreads and seafood dishes here. Staff are always attentive and friendly. read more

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