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Ela, Philadelphia, PA

Ela

4.4
4.4
973 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American
  • 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
  • Phone number
    (267) 687-8512
  • 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
  • Private party contact
    Stacey Lyons: (844) 296-0084
  • 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

What 973 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4
4.4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 1.3Value

NoiseModerate

973 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    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

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  2. Laney

    Philadelphia

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    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?

    Is this helpful?

  3. Samsmom1127

    Philadelphia

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    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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  4. Andrea

    VIP

    Philadelphia

    117 reviews

    4.0

    117 reviews

    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

  5. Luvgrtfood

    Los Angeles

    98 reviews

    4.0

    98 reviews

    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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  6. SCse

    Atlantic City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    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!

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  7. EricB

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    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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  8. RyanK

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    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!

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  9. AndreaF

    VIP

    Tampa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2018

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ela was fantastic! Exceptional food and service.

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  10. NChung

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    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.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Ela is rated 4.4 stars by 973 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

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
Google Map for Ela

627 S 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19147

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Bainbridge Street
  • Neighborhood
    Center City
  • 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
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, International, Global, International
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • 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.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Jason Cichonski
  • 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
  • Phone number
    (267) 687-8512
  • 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
  • Private party contact
    Stacey Lyons: (844) 296-0084
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