Elio's Restaurant
New York, NY 10028-4459
Phone: (212) 772-2242
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Between 84th Street and 85th Street
- Directions:
- 4, 5, 6 at 86th St
- Hours:
- Daily 5:30pm-12am
Editorial Review for Elio's Restaurant – by Karen Hudes
The Scene
Dark wood, landscape paintings and Old-World sconces hint at the classic attitude of this Italian favorite, which attracts its share of families, middle-aged friends and the occasional celebrity. Warm, golden light flatters everyone, though the high noise level can distract from conversation. Service is professional and well-timed, performed by cordial, professional waiters.
The Food
The cooking offers more satisfaction than surprise. Bresaola valtellina, a thin layer of dried beef over arugula, has a delicate texture and zesty flavor, and the shrimp and white-bean salad is refreshingly seasoned and balanced. Earthy aromatics saturate the delicious porcini risotto, and the nodino alla salvia--a butterfly-cut veal roasted with rosemary and sage--packs a pleasing juiciness. Less successful are the zuppa de pesce, which contains tough selections of lobster meat, and the spicy, but undercooked, penne lucifero. For dessert, the tart, creamy Key lime pie is a delight.
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Insider Tips
Save TimeThe risotto takes 30 minutes to prepare, so be sure to order it early.
Where to SitFor a more casual bite, the restaurant also serves food at the bar.
User Reviews for Elio's Restaurant
12/18/2008 Posted by sunsun99
We used to be regulars for years since service used to be great and delighting food. This last two years we have been going there less frequently becuase the FOOD is TASTELESS compared to what it used to be. We ordered a plate of calamari as our appetizer and were disappointed by the flavor of the sauce. The calamari were like rubers with sauce with no flavor. As my main course, I ordered the Fettuccine Amatriciana. Again no FLAVOR and the pasta looked like a flour-ball. I thought the pasta was handmade but could have heard the waiter incorrectly. My friend's fish had a rooten smell and TASTELESS SAUCE. I would not go back anymore and would not recommend to anybody! What happened, the CHEF lost the TOUCH!
Pros: NONE
Cons: TASTELESS FOOD, OVERPRICED
10/22/2008 Posted by gastroreviewer
We are not the types to write reviews, but take note of this one....Decent food (which is why we gave it one star -- even if we could give it zero stars we wouldn't) but deceptively overpriced. We blew well over 100 dineros on a shared bowel of pasta and veal meatballs, a glass of mediocre house wine, a martini, an artichoke app, and a bland Caesar salad. It was more like a Cesaraen salad, for when the bill came, replete with hidden charges for sharing an entree or for a "warm appetizer" or for perhaps just not being a member of the mob, it felt like childbirth without an epidural. Bottom line = skip it. You can find better food for far less in that hood. The ambience is cozy. But
Pros: Decent fare
Cons: Extreme price, deceptive menu pricing shannanigans
