How is élan - Permanently Closed restaurant rated?

Name: élan - Permanently Closed
Address: 43 East 20th St., New York, NY, United States, 10003
Telephone: (646) 682-7105
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.2

élan - Permanently Closed

4.2

320 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Top Tags:

Élan is a contemporary American restaurant located in Manhattan that serves refined yet casual international cuisine. Chef David Watluck has created an exciting, whimsical menu that draws inspiration from all corners of the globe. From the Chinese-inspired General Tso's sweetbreads to the classic French terrines, guests can find something delicious that suits their mood. To further illustrate the diversity of Élan, a typical three-course meal might look something like this: sea urchin guacamole with taro root chips to start, grilled shrimp lo mein for dinner, and a southern style maple cream pie for dessert. There is also an a lá carté menu available for both the dining room and bar area, which Élan has decorated with art installations from both established and local up-and-coming artists.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
American, French, Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Dinner: Wednesday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 11:00pm Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 11:00am - 3.00pm Credit Card information is required for parties of 5 or more
Phone number
(646) 682-7105
Website
http://www.elannyc.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate outing, élan can accommodate all your special event needs.
Private party contact
Private Dining Coordinator: (646) 682-7105

Location
43 East 20th St., New York, NY 10003
Neighborhood
Gramercy / Flatiron
Cross street
Park Avenue South
Parking details
Street parking after 7PM Daily and Weekends
Public transit
N and R trains at Broadway and 23rd Street<br />6 trains at Park Avenue South and 23rd Street<br />4 5 6 and Q trains at Union Square<br />M and F trains at 23rd and 6th Avenue
Additional
BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 320 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.2

4.2 based on all time ratings

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.1Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

A
Annk
New York Area
32 reviews
vip
4.0
32 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2016
overall4food5service5ambience5
Food scene doesn't get any better than a Chanterelle and Elan. None else can fill these shoes. Sorely, sorely will miss!
MG
MinetteG
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 12, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved everything at Elan...sorry it has closed. Hope to be notified if the chef opens another place.
B
Bonnie
New York Area
855 reviews
vip
4.0
855 reviews
Dined on March 9, 2016
overall4food3service4ambience4
It matters not what my review is: Elan closes tonight. It would be to the benefit of all New York diners to hope that David and George find/make another opportunity to use their talents for the benefit of us all.
L
Lame
New York Area
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 5, 2016
overall4food4service4ambience4
Too bad it's closing soon. Go while you can. Excellent prix fixe menu for the price.
PG
PaulG
New York Area
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience3
The 3-course prix fix menu was perfect and it was a fabulous deal in NYC dining. The dinning room filled up nicely at 8:00ish. I've seen mixed reviews and that the restaurant is closing. That's too bad. It really should do well. I'd certainly return.
JC
JennytheCat
New York Area
10 reviews
vip
4.0
10 reviews
Dined on March 1, 2016
overall4food3service2ambience3
It's closing soon which is too bad. The food was good, maybe not good enough and the service was close to but not quite surly. But the guys about to be out of a job....
t
thaiflip92
New York Area
60 reviews
vip
5.0
60 reviews
Dined on February 29, 2016
overall5food4service3ambience4
I finally made the effort to explore this restaurant on what I thought was the last day. The restaurant was only serving a prix fixe menu - 3 course meal for $40. I had the privilege of meeting one of the owners - George. George informed me that they are extending business. Meg, my server for that evening was good, but she could be better. She neglected to inform me of the other specials that was off the menu that evening. However, her accommodation and hospitality towards was good. Meg provided a great sales pitch on the popular dishes to try and her recommendations were on point. Overall this was one of best prix fixe meals I have had in a while because every dish tasted better and better. The food experience left a lasting impression and I am sad that this place was closing. I told three of my friends and convinced them to come to this restaurant. Therefore, I will definitely be returning. Hopefully, they will extend their business until the end of the month. For pictures and dishes check out my blog: Tablespoons and Teaspoons http://tablespoonsandteaspoons.com/ Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpoonsTt Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tablespoonsandteaspoons/?ref=hl
HW
HWeil
New York Area
983 reviews
vip
4.0
983 reviews
Dined on February 28, 2016
overall4food4service4ambience3
Elan is set to close in mid-March. I'll be very sorry to see it go.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 27, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience4
this place is great go while you still have the chance chefs like this are rare.
m
mickymouse
New York Area
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on February 26, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Unfortunately it does not matter how much I can rave about the food, décor, service, etc since the restaurant is closing.....a great gastronomic loss as far as I am concerned.
MJ
MarkJ
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 26, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything that came before us--food, drink, service--was full of thought and consideration. A real pleasure to eat at such a welcoming and delicious place.
n
nobody
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
The $40 prix fixe is a steal, not to mention the wine discounts. Paired with a former NYT four star chef's food who is actually in the kitchen and you cant go wrong. Several of Chanterelle's former servers are on staff providing warm and exacting service.
B
Bonnie
New York Area
855 reviews
vip
4.0
855 reviews
Dined on February 23, 2016
overall4food5service4ambience4
Let's hope that Elan is able to continue. The room is lovely, the service impeccable and the food extraordinarily outstanding--and often different from other restaurants. It would be more than a shame for New York to lose the talents of David Waltuck.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on February 22, 2016
overall5food5service4ambience4
You have a week left to get there, and get there you must. This was an outstanding meal and an even better value. It's really a shame to see this place closing. Ask for the seafood sausage - it's not on the menu. It's a holdover from his days at Chanterelle and who knows if you will ever get to taste that again. It was sublime.
n
newyorkerdiner
New York Area
26 reviews
vip
4.0
26 reviews
Dined on February 21, 2016
overall4food5service4ambience4
Sorry to see elan close. We went there to enjoy the great food one last time. Hope they will do something else soon. The entire team is great. Definitely make a reservation before its too late.
L
Libbief
San Francisco
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on February 21, 2016
overall2food3service1ambience3
We arrived and no one approached our table for at least ten minutes. Drinks ordered - we had to interrupt a server fifteen minutes later to check on them. We had ordered coffee and iced tea. Food ordered - we had to interrupt a server ninety, yes ninety, minutes later to check on progress. We ordered fruit with granola and over easy eggs...two dishes that should not take long to create. It appeared as if there was one server and four bus staff, not the other way around. I can't remember if we ever saw our server again after we initially ordered. I gave two stars instead of one because the guy that eventually served our food made a joke they were raising the chickens that laid the eggs. He was very apologetic about the wait, but never explained what had taken so long. I would not go back and would not recommend this restaurnt.
d
dehillerin
New York Area
213 reviews
vip
4.0
213 reviews
Dined on February 21, 2016
overall4food4service4ambience3
Upon hearing that Elan was closing, I made my first visit there, for brunch. It was a bargain at $22 with unlimited refills on the drinks. The staff was affable and willing, and the service was fine. Some dishes were exquisite (appetizer of mushroom croquettes with truffle flavor), others OK (the lamb hamburger was a great platter with sticks of fried polenta and a tasty mayo, but the ground lamb had been put together under great pressure and was not toothsome; it really resisted). The room is plain and not so inviting to my eye, so I am sorry it's going, but hoping for something better in the future.
f
foodaholic
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 20, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
The quality of the food is. Supetior. The chef was at Chantelle unti, lt closed. the menu is creative and never disspoints. Unfortunately ELAN is closing end of Msrvh. What a loss!!! I will miss ig. There are so many menu items I didn't get to try.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on February 20, 2016
overall4food5service4ambience4
The dishes were delicious and perfect size.
AC
ACC1
New York Area
13 reviews
vip
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on February 19, 2016
overall4food5service4ambience5
This is their last month of operation. I'm very sad because this place has been my regular haunt. I'm glad the prix fixe includes all part favorites, plus additional plates
HW
HWeil
New York Area
983 reviews
vip
4.0
983 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2016
overall4food4service4ambience4
elan is closing. Am not happy about that. Food is excellent, price isn't out of sight, location is convenient for me. Am glad chef Waltuck opened élan so close to my home. Don't know why he's throwing in the towel (again, as he did at Chanterelle years ago), but I'll mourn the loss of this first-rate restaurant.
M
Mada
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
After all these years we say goodbye to a wonderful chef and restaurateur. David Waltuck will be missed. Thankfully I am the proud owner of a heavily dog eared copy of Staffmeals so he won't be too far away from our family table. Thankyou David for so many years of fine, easy, elegant dining. Madalasa
B
Bonnie
New York Area
855 reviews
vip
4.0
855 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2016
overall4food4service4ambience4
The news that Elan is closing is unfortunate. We have followed the chef/owner David Waltuck from Chanterelle to Elan and we hope that he stays in NYC and we can follow him yet again. Our meal, chosen from a limited pre-fixe menu, was wonderful, perhaps the best we have had at Elan. We're planning to go back again before the restaurant closes at the end of February. Everyone should do the same.
S
Samuel
New York Area
36 reviews
vip
4.0
36 reviews
Dined on February 13, 2016
overall4food5service3ambience4
Had a fantastic meal here with my wife. The food was original and innovative, but everything worked. Uni guac is superb. Tea smoked seared salmon was also fantastic. The sommelier was also great -- took great pleasure in explaining the history, geography and complex tastes of each wine we asked about, in a very friendly and non-pretentious manner. Only downside was somewhat slow service -- we sat for an inexplicably long time when we first arrived, with no menu, no water, no attention whatsoever. Similarly took too long to get a waitress's attention for the check and our coats in the end. But overall a very good place.
AT
ArnieT
London
11 reviews
vip
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 12, 2016
overall4food5service4ambience4
First time here and now it's closing. A terrible loss for such great food.
A
Anonymous
New York Area
32 reviews
vip
5.0
32 reviews
Dined on February 7, 2016
overall5food4service5ambience5
Dined early on Superbowl Sunday so needless to say the small intimate restaurant was not very busy. Received friendly, attentive but not overbearing service. The chicken curry dumplings, butternut squash ravioli and brussels sprouts were delicious!! The braised short ribs and roasted chicken were very good except the sauce on the roasted chicken was a bit overpowering. They have a nice wine list and the decor is simple but modern elegant. Would recommend.
HW
HWeil
New York Area
983 reviews
vip
4.0
983 reviews
Dined on February 6, 2016
overall4food4service4ambience3
Elan's chef, who once presided over one of NYC's premier restaurants, closed his old Tribeca joint and has downscaled in the Flatiron district to a more modest menu with less usurious prices. His dining room may no longer be one of the city's very best, deliberately, but it's excellent nonetheless. He's still a top-notch cook.
GA
GAFNYC
New York Area
113 reviews
vip
3.0
113 reviews
Dined on February 6, 2016
overall3food4service3ambience2
Confused about this restaurant. I think it positions itself as an upscale eatery but yet the experience is very different. At least for brunch. Went with a few friends who like fine dining. The service seemed initially annoyed or rushed attitude. Not sure which was true. But didn't feel welcoming. The menu I think is more geared towards a boozy brunch crowd with the $22 brunch menu and unlimited mimosas. Hence some of the patrons. The food was tasty however. The only redeeming quality, but not good enough to go back.
IT
IsabellaT
New York Area
19 reviews
vip
4.0
19 reviews
Dined on February 5, 2016
overall4food4service5ambience3
Guacamole was unbelievable and our server Nanci was fantastic!
T
Tweedle
New York Area
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on February 4, 2016
overall2food2service2ambience2
We had a reservation and weren't seated until an hour after. It seemed like we got the last of the food in the kitchen. Nothing was outstanding.
S
Steaklover
New York Area
7 reviews
2.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 4, 2016
overall2food2service3ambience3
We can here here for restaurant week - reservation at 9pm on a Thursday. We were seated 45 mins late and ordered promptly. The bread and butter were the best items we ate. The chicken dumings were served with ketchup (which the tried to call tamarind sauce). Ketchup? Come on. The skate - dry and chewy. The butternut squash ravioli - bland and on a bed of strange tomatoes and eggplant - almost gross. Dessert - not memorable. We love to go out to eat and unfortunately we will not go back to élan.
m
mickymouse
New York Area
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on February 4, 2016
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always enjoy dining at Elan. Have been there for brunch and dinner and never a bad moment. The food is spectacular, the service perfect, and the room lovely. Will be sure to come again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 3, 2016
overall4food4service3ambience3
our server nanci was very pleasant and the food was decent
JW
JWEBBE28
New York Area
12 reviews
vip
2.0
12 reviews
Dined on February 3, 2016
overall2food2service1ambience4
The location and ambience but the level of service was not all there. It appeared that they were trying to be nice once they felt my energy was off from the inital point. I ended up leaving and heading over to Spice Market which was much better.
a
aas395
New York Area
29 reviews
4.0
29 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2016
overall4food4service5ambience4
Really enjoyed our dinner here. Very interesting flavors all the way throughout the meal. Our servers were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable.
D
Deirdre
New York Area
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 31, 2016
overall4food4service5ambience5
Excellent service from the moment I walked in the door until we left. Lovely food with quite generous portions. The dining room is small and intimate but quiet. Go and enjoy!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
154 reviews
vip
4.0
154 reviews
Dined on January 30, 2016
overall4food4service3ambience4
Very accommodating to a member of our party with a broken leg
GF
GFfoodie
New York Area
37 reviews
vip
4.0
37 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2016
overall4food4service3ambience4
Had a lovely dinner with my friend here for restaurant week. The food was interesting and eclectic. The seafood sausage was fantastic! They were knowledgable about gluten free menu items and super helpful when it came to dietary restrictions. I'd definitely come back.
r
restaurantweekgoer
New York Area
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 26, 2016
overall3food3service4ambience4
food was okay... nothing special given the price. perhaps it was just the restaurant week menu or the vegetarian food that i ate
BD
BuckyD23
New York Area
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 22, 2016
overall5food4service5ambience5
Elan is a very comfortable restaurant on the smallish side, stylishly decorated with good use of all space. Food ( did NYC restaurant week) was very good to outstanding. Service was first class as both waitress and sommelier were very thorough in explaining menu or wines. Both owners are involved in both kitchen and the floor. I first had a dinner prepared by David Waltuck over 35 yrs ago. Loved it then, loved it now. Next time in NYC I will make a point to return.

FAQs

élan - Permanently Closed is rated 4.2 stars by 320 OpenTable diners.