From Morris Plains' own Woodam, Chef Eli is BACK! Run by Eli and David (who previously ran Woodam), Eli's Eatery is much more casual than it's counterpart. That being said, the food is much more authentic, while tastefully carrying elements of fusion flavor (it's a solid entry level for newcomers to Korean cuisine, and they do it very well). Note that this eatery is located in a strip mall off RT-10 and may be hard to miss, but it's absolutely worth it.
My wife and I walked in early evening on a Tuesday and we're warmly greeted by David, who explained how they had just opened up and had a more casual menu. The restaurant also had a lot of great options for kids (12 American dishes, each under $10).
We were pretty hungry and decided on 3 items - spicy pork kimbap kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), and kalbi Jjim (short rib stew). Total pretax was $43, so ~$20pp.
Spicy Pork Kimbap - the roll was big (don't let the photo fool you). Loved how it wasn't loaded with rice, and you could tell the flavorful pork was just cooked. Wasn't super spicy, and the cross section showed that they assembled the roll very neatly - had pickled radish, carrot, and cucumber along with the pork. The other kimbaps are similarly priced ($8-$9) and they had a lot of interesting options aside from the normal ones
Kimchi Jjigae - the broth was very comforting, and also not particularly spicy. You could tell they used a less fermented kimchi for the stew. The pork belly was nicely cut (not hot pot thinness, this belly had some good chew!), and the bits of rice cake added some nice texture. Came with a choice of white or brown rice, which paired well.
Kalbi Jjim - my favorite of the night! The 4 chunks of short rib were HUGE and so tender (think 'falls apart in your mouth' level), having great beefy flavor and a light and not cloying sweetness. The bits of carrot and radish added to the fun of eating this thicker stew, and the broth doubled as a gravy for the rice.
Service - servers and David checked on us frequently and we're quick to refill water, and after the meal David chatted with us a bit. Along with our check, we got a $10 voucher for a future visit, in celebration of their Grand Opening.
Ambience - not too casual (definitely a sit down), but doesn't feel too formal.
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I know $20+ per person may not be the cheapest dinner, but if you're looking for a change of pace, this is well worth it. We were stuffed after the meal and very satisfied. The area needs more Asian food options, and this is a really nice addition to the Korean restaurants in the area. We'll be back! read more