Ela

4.4 (920)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

627 S 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19147

About this restaurant

Innovative
Romantic
Neighborhood gem

In November of 2011, chef Jason Cichonski opened Ela, an inventive new American bar and restaurant in Philadelphia’s Queen Village neighborhood. Ela showcases 27-year-old Cichonski, who Philadelphia Inquirer’s Craig LaBan called “one of our most exciting young chefs,” is combining an approachable menu of innovative dishes with an extensive wine and craft beer program and inspired cocktail list in a rustic-modern setting.
“Creatively, it’s wonderfully freeing to prepare food that doesn’t fit into any one genre or style; this is seasonal food, using exceptional ingredients, prepared perfectly,” says Chef Cichonski. Ela is a serious-yet-comfortable restaurant with a menu that that changes frequently throughout the year, to reflect the latest offerings.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, International, Global, International
Hours of operation
Sunday CLOSED Monday-Thursday: 5:00 pm - 10:00pm Friday - Saturday 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm LAST DINNER SERVICE 11/3/18
Website
http://www.elaphilly.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Jason Cichonski
Catering
available upon request
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate outing, Ela can accommodate all your special event needs. Prix fixe menus with 3 options per course or buffet style dining, cocktail & hors d' oeuvres parties. Customizable Food & Drink Packages for any group

Location
627 S 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Neighborhood
Center City
Cross street
Bainbridge Street
Parking details
Private lot on the lower corner of 3rd and Bainbridge; <br />Private Lot located between 4th and 5th street on Bainbridge street. Parking Garage on 3rd street just north of south street.<br /> On-street parking where available.
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Cookie Dough$9.00
vanilla-bay ice cream, malted milk meringue
Coffee Panna Cotta$9.00
chocolate cake crumble, salted caramel
3 Springs Farm Peach Blondies$9.00
crème fraîche, chardonnay syrup
Artisanal Cheese
House rye bread, crackers, nuts, seasonal accoutrements. Robiola bosina - Italy - sheep's & cow's milk; Humboldt fog - California - goat's milk; Bayley hazen blue - Vermont - raw cow's milk; Pecorino toscano - Italy - sheep's milk; Cana de oveja - Spain - sheep's milk
- each$8.00
- Tasting of 3 For$21.00
- Tasting of 5 For$28.00

Dessert Wine

Muscat$12.00
domaine de durban
Ruby Port$7.00
sandeman founders reserve
East India Sherry$9.00
lustau solera
Port$11.00
quinta do noval - 10yr

Dessert Cocktails

Night Crawler$14.00
bulleit rye, cherry heering, averna
Seelbach$12.00
sparkling rose, cointreau, bourbon
Rosita$14.00
reposado, campari, sweet & dry vermouth, angostora bitters

Coffee

coffee by OX

Espresso$3.00
Americano$3.00
Cappuccino$4.00

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Ela.

4.4

(920)

4.4Food
4.4Service
4.2Ambience
1.3Value

Noise • Moderate

920 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia2 reviews
5.0
Dined on November 3, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Will always be my favorite place even after its closing ❤. I'll be lucky if I can find another restaurant just as great this this one
Is this helpful?
L
Laney
Philadelphia13 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 27, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
I wish that Ela's could stay in business on Bainbridge. But it is not to be. Our farewell 4-course prix fixe dinner was superb (except for the lobster risotto). Pricey but okay considering this was our "last meal" at Ela's. I understand (now) that Ela's owns another restaurant in Philly. Where is it what is it's name, please?
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S
Samsmom1127 Gold
Philadelphia35 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 26, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
A wonderful final dinner at Ela. You will be missed!
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A
Andrea Gold
Philadelphia155 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 6, 2018
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
It was our first time at Ela and we were very excited as we’ve heard nothing but rave reviews.we were on time for our 6:30 reservation and were surprised to see it was practically empty. 2 or 3 people sat at the bar and there was one table of 4. The hostess tried seating us right next to the party of 4, which felt very awkward in that empty restaurant. My husband requested a table one away from them and the hostess sighed, looked back over her shoulder at us and said Fine, but you need to be out of here by 8. Talk about rude and extremely unprofessional. I was dumbfounded.....not sure if our waiter was aware of what transpired, but he offered us exceptional service. Food was great, wait service great.....hostess terrible. Unfortunate for Ela, she’s the first impression of the restaurant and how it’s run. Find someone more professional.
1 person found this helpful
L
Luvgrtfood Gold
Los Angeles106 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 4, 2018
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
My husband and I liked this restaurant; thus the 4* rating. But, we didn’t love it. Very small menu with about 4-5 starters and 4-5 mains. We had the octopus appetizer which was very well prepared and interesting, along with the pork main course (very large portion of of 2-beautifully prepared pork loins....which looked much like filet mignon). Got dessert we enjoyed the panne cotta. I would have given the restaurant 5* if they had: 1) more choices on the menu (if you are a picky eater, forget it!), 2) a better wine list (again very few choices), and if 3) the restaurant had more ambience. Very basic furnishing, wood chairs (no cushions) and tables, limited decor; the bar takes up 1/4 of the floor space.
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SC
SCse
Atlantic City1 review
5.0
Dined on October 1, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We tried a bunch of different apps, octopus, heirloom tomatoes, gnocchi, crudo and they were each fantastic - I can't pick a favorite!
Is this helpful?
EB
EricB
Philadelphia5 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 22, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Tonight they were unexpectedly understaffed but the team pulled together and owner chef Jason stepped in so they pulled it off. Always love this place for the food, atmosphere and service. Been 3 times and the food is amazing. We got the chefs 6 course offering and couldn’t have been more happy!
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RK
RyanK
Philadelphia1 review
5.0
Dined on September 22, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of my favorite all time restaurants in Philadelphia. Everything is perfect!
Is this helpful?
AF
AndreaF
Tampa3 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 16, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Ela was fantastic! Exceptional food and service.
Is this helpful?
NC
NChung
Philadelphia1 review
5.0
Dined on September 15, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was excellent! Would recommend to anyone and will definitely be back.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, International, Global, International
Hours of operation
Sunday CLOSED Monday-Thursday: 5:00 pm - 10:00pm Friday - Saturday 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm LAST DINNER SERVICE 11/3/18
Website
http://www.elaphilly.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Jason Cichonski
Catering
available upon request
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate outing, Ela can accommodate all your special event needs. Prix fixe menus with 3 options per course or buffet style dining, cocktail & hors d' oeuvres parties. Customizable Food & Drink Packages for any group

Location
627 S 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19147
Neighborhood
Center City
Cross street
Bainbridge Street
Parking details
Private lot on the lower corner of 3rd and Bainbridge; <br />Private Lot located between 4th and 5th street on Bainbridge street. Parking Garage on 3rd street just north of south street.<br /> On-street parking where available.
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Ela

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Menu

Final Bite

Cookie Dough$9.00

Coffee Panna Cotta$9.00

3 Springs Farm Peach Blondies$9.00

Artisanal Cheese

Dessert Wine

Muscat$12.00

Ruby Port$7.00

East India Sherry$9.00

Port$11.00

Dessert Cocktails

Night Crawler$14.00

Seelbach$12.00

Rosita$14.00

Coffee

Espresso$3.00

Americano$3.00

Cappuccino$4.00

Reviews

Additional information

Not available on OpenTable