I'm so grateful I found this place when researching great Lakeview dinner spots. Everything about it - vibe, lighting, food, service - was phenomenal. I lived in Chicago from 2000-2008 but now live in Indy. Whenever I get back to the city I like to try new neighborhood places. This little gem is tucked along the Southport corridor on Cornelia. My partner, best friend, and I ordered the following: - Focaccia with whipped honey ricotta - Beet salad - Cured meats and pickles - Grilled artichoke - Ricotta gnocchi with truffle and roasted mushrooms - Ahi tuna crudo - Bistro steak - Confit potatoes Needless to say, there was no room for dessert! Our waitress was fantastic - kind, knowledgeable, checking in on us from time to time, but not overbearing. The manager or owner brought the meat plate over and later checked in with us as well. All in all, a total delight! Strongly recommend. read more

Well color me surprise! Me and The Queen joined a couple we know for an event at Ella Elli called Bucket and Bubbles. It was a brunch event with two our friends. The event was $45, but me and The Queen upgraded our reservation to $65, which included caviar amuse bouche, premier bubbles and biscuits with jam and fois gras butter. We also had a salad and a great mac and cheese made with Gruyère cheese. First let me say this was a great recommendation by our friend Reggie. He has been to other events there and commented on how nice they were. The décor is so swanky, polished and elegant. While the space itself isn't super large, it gives the impression of being multiple seating areas with their own vibe. The bar has single seats but at the end are two love seat couches, which is a great idea if there are two of you. When you enter the restaurant, to the left are booths and to the right you see a fireplace and several cute two top tables. Left of the bar are two six seater tables enclosed in separate areas with an arc opeing. We were seated at a high top for four across from the bar. The whole vibe is simply charming. The playlist was also on point, the kind that has you dancing in your seat. All of the food was delish and there was plenty. If I had a complaint, it was that there were not more of those wonderful caviar amuse bouche. They were simply wonderful. Service was nice, with our person being on top of us, but not in a bad way. And and I am not sure if she was the owner or GM, but this woman was also very pleasant and cheerful. She already knew Reggie and Jeremy from previous events and had nice things to say about them. She greeted me and The Queen warmly as well, even thought it was her first time meeting us. They have a newsletter with the different events they host, so I have signed up. My friends and some other folks will be attending a Women in Wine wine tasting on March 8th for $20...can't beat that. And I love that they take reservation for events so you know you will get in and I am assuming it helps with crowd control. Me and The Queen are looking forward to attending additional events there and I would like to check out dinner and brunch options as well. read more

See all

Ella Elli is one of those places that immediately sets the tone when you walk in. It's perfect for date night. Quiet, soft, intimate without being overly formal. The space has a warmth to it that just makes you relax. The décor feels intentional and elevated, almost like you've been transported somewhere else for the evening. There's a subtle euphoria to it that's hard to explain but easy to feel. As a chef, it's honestly not always easy to find places that just feel right. We tend to overanalyze everything. The lighting, the flow, the seasoning, the pacing. This is one of those rare spots where you can actually exhale and enjoy the experience without picking it apart. The cocktails are excellent. Balanced, thoughtful, and well executed. And I really respect their farm to table approach. It doesn't feel like a trend here. The food is clean, seasonal, and put together with care. You can tell there's intention behind what's coming out of that kitchen. It's the kind of place you go when you want a meaningful, cozy experience without all the noise. The Chef Recommends read more

Ella Elli is such a hidden gem. The food and drinks here are delicious. We had foccacia, pizza, Brussels, potatoes, cacio de Pepe. The cacio de pepe is amazing, as is the focaccia! The service was pretty slow, but the waiter was very nice. read more

See all

Did their 20 wine tastings for $20 on a Sunday with friends, and we had a blast! All the wines were unique and I loved most of them. Beautiful space and the staff was friendly. One of the servers even brought a few complimentary pieces of bread so we had something to wash the wine down. Timing was a bit quick as some groups moved at different speeds from each of the designated tasting areas but overall a great time and deal! read more

See all

I have been coming to Ella Elli since its inception on Southport and it truly never disappoints. From brunch to dinner on a weekday or weeknight, their staff is friendly, the restaurant is cozy, and the food is consistently great. I came here on a Friday evening with a friend and got the perfect spot at the bar. They have little booths for two that are so fun to sit in and watch the activity of the staff slinging cocktails. We started with their French Onion Toast, and it was probably our favorite item we ate that evening. It was just like eating a French onion soup on toast. We split a pasta and a pizza for our main dishes, and of course polished off the evening with the Gooey Butter Cake. Between the cocktails to the dessert, we left full and content. I will definitely be back again soon. Cheers! read more

See all

Thank you to Leo for the excellent and attentive service on my birthday last week. My boyfriend treated me to a wonderful dinner here to celebrate my big day. Such a beautiful restaurant!!!! Very romantic. We were here on a snowy Monday evening. There was a snowstorm and I think most people stayed home so we were lucky that it wasn't crowded and we really got to soak up the ambiance. We took our time and had multiple courses and enjoyed sitting by the fire. The food was wonderful! We arrived towards the end of happy hour and took advantage of a tasty charcuterie board and fabulous red wine. They were moved on to the dinner menu. The Brussel sprouts were amazing and topped with a gooey delicious egg. The heirloom carrots were yummy too. My boyfriend's Moroccan chicken was so tender. Huge portion so I got to help him. I enjoyed my homemade Cacio e Pepe too. The profiteroles for dessert were lovely, and my Brandy Alexander dessert cocktail was fantastic. Everything was just lovely and perfect here. It was a very special evening. read more

See all

We stopped into Ella Elli for happy hour after a day downtown. The atmosphere was absolutely perfect. We easily grabbed a seat at the bar, and got to ordered off the happy hour menu. They offer $8 martinis and glasses of wine along with three snack options. This starts at 4 p.m. and their full menu becomes available at 5 p.m. To drink, we got matching French martinis. These were spirit forward, but still really balanced. I ordered a second because you cannot beat this price. We ordered one of each snack to try. The meat and cheese board had a great selection. They rotate what is on the plate, but we got a creamy cheddar and spicy salami. It was paired with pickled veggies and olives and came with a cherry mustard spread. There is absolutely enough to share or perfect for one person who really loves charcuterie. The focaccia was incredible! I could have eaten an entire pan's worth. It had a crispy, crunchy crust with a light, fully center. The butter was rich and took me to heavenly place. The califlower was pretty good, but the other two snacks are in another level comparatively. It was made by the salsa verde. Leo was a great bartender, and all other staff members were friendly and personable. Everyone else sitting at the bar was talkative and fun to connect with. This is the spot if you want a relaxed but elegant evening in my favorite neighborhood in Chicago. read more

See all

Dinner at Ella Elli (EE) was phenomenal! The food was great, the staff very attentive and helpful! Dined from the Restaurant Week menu. Of the restaurants tried during Restaurant Week, this is the tops by a clear margin. Had walked by EE multiple times when out for a walk, but had not had a chance to dine there - though from the sidewalk, the regular menu was interesting. The menu for Restaurant Week had a number of intriguing courses (see picture). There were four standout stellar courses. The food was superb. The Ahi Tuna Crudo was wonderfully plated. It is clear EE puts an emphasis on quality ingredients--you can't bad ingredients in a crudo. Presentation was excellent. Actually the experience began with a glass of bubbly - a very tasty prosecco. As very nice way to begin and set the entire meal on a great start. The Ricotta Gnocchi (come secondo, as the Italians would call the 2nd course). Was light but very flavorful! The truffle and mushroom sauce was creamy without being heavy. At this point it was tie between the first two courses for which was the favorite-both excellent. The Seabass was amazing! Cooked perfectly! The overall impression was a bright flavorful dish. Nice balance of acid and deep flavors. While the individual flavors were present but the sum of the parts was even better! Finishing off with the goat cheesecake - a suitable finish for a great meal. A few words about the other components of a great dining experience. The staff is super. They were attentive without hovering. EE definitely cares about the quality of the meal they are providing. They politely inquired as to our satisfaction and thoughts on each course. There was one issue, which they promptly addressed. They expressed a true desire to learn from their customers and understand how the dishes are received. I look forward to dining at EE again! read more

Ella Elli - restaurant week menu - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

According to my husband this is one of the BEST places he's been to, and I can tell you that the ambience is really cute and welcoming. Our server was attentive as well Portions are small ( so make sure you try different things and don't just order a few things from the menu or you'll be hungry at the end lol) Cocktails were good as well ( however my drink came with about 90% ice and 10% drink) so that was not a good thing at all. We came to celebrate our wedding anniversary and the host acknowledged it, however other places usually offer a dessert or glass of wine when you are celebrating a special occasion and that was not the case here so that was weird Overall a place we can recommend and come back to. read more

See all

Absolutely fantastic spot for a GNO. My friends and I stopped by for dinner/drinks on a Friday night (with a reservation of course) and we all really enjoyed our food. The charcuterie board was beautiful and well curated, and the cauliflower was incredibly flavorful. We opted to each get our own main dish, and I got the sea bass which was light, tasty and beautifully plated. Our waitress was super attentive & made sure to give us the best recommendations for drinks as well which was super helpful! The restaurant is gorgeous, definitely recommend putting on a cute outfit and treating it as a special night! Next time we come we will definitely try the patio as well because it looked lovely on a summer day. read more

See all

Beautiful location with plenty of comfortable seating. Highly recommend the charcuterie board! Jasmine was our waitress and very attentive and friendly. Located on the side street where it's a little bit more quiet and cozy. Outdoors seating is available. read more

See all

Finally checked this place out for a happy hour on the Tuesday before Christmas! So glad I did because I will definitely be back. The happy hour menu is pretty small, but we were able to grab some $8 French martinis and focaccia. The focaccia was genuinely so excellent and was served with this cultured butter, that was some of the best I've ever had. For dinner, we split the Brussel sprouts and the lamb. I absolutely loved the Brussel sprouts, and they were served with an egg on top, which I thought was unique. I wasn't a fan of the lamb, but my friend absolutely loved it and I just don't think I'm a lamb person. The interior this restaurant feels very romantic, but also a great place to go with friends. The service was excellent and attentive. It just feels like a very high-level restaurant for a reasonable price. I definitely want to come back and I love the location in Southport! read more

See all

Great food and great service definitely will come back. My first time here and the little booth are amazing. The bar area is gorgeous. Everything about this place rocks. read more

See all

Absolutely loved our Sunday dinner at Ella Elli. We were a group of five and chose to sit outside to take advantage of the perfect weather. The patio was beautifully decorated--charming, cozy, and just far enough from the speakers that we could carry on full conversations without shouting. We'd already scoped out the menu ahead of time, so we ordered everything right away: cauliflower, artichokes, Nichols Farm leek pizza, tomato pizza, ricotta gnocchi, lamb scottadito, and beef short rib. The cauliflower was a standout starter--crispy on the outside, fork-tender inside. It sat on a rich feta-based sauce with a vibrant green herb drizzle. Absolutely delicious. Next came the artichokes, which had the perfect crunch from a layer of breadcrumbs. A great follow-up to the cauliflower. Then the carbs arrived: two pizzas and the gnocchi. * The leek pizza didn't have a strong leek flavor, but it packed a surprising (and welcome) little kick of heat. The big chunks of cheese melted on top were indulgent and satisfying. * The tomato pizza was loaded with flavor, especially thanks to the whole roasted garlic cloves scattered across the top. * Both pizzas were more like focaccia in texture--pillowy and thick--which worked really well, especially when we used them to mop up the remaining gnocchi sauce. * And the gnocchi--wow. Possibly the best I've ever had. Soft and chewy in that perfect handmade way, tossed in a rich truffle mushroom sauce that we couldn't stop raving about. At this point we were already full, but then came the showstoppers: the lamb and beef. * The lamb scottadito was beautifully seasoned with cumin, served over a saffron farro that added a lovely earthy base. The fatty bits near the bone were especially flavorful. * The beef short rib was cooked to a perfect medium-rare, tender and juicy. It came on a colorful bed of cabbage with a cool Greek yogurt sauce--an incredible combo that made every bite sing. We scraped those plates clean. We took a glance at the dessert menu but were way too full to even consider ordering more. One thing I really appreciated was the pacing of the meal: veggies first, then carbs, then proteins. Each course had room to shine, and it gave us time to really savor everything without feeling rushed. Can't wait to come back--next time we're definitely trying the sea bass and more of the pastas. Highly recommend for a leisurely dinner with great food, good vibes, and thoughtful service. read more

See all

Service and food were definitely tasty not to mention the homemade focaccia bread was out of this world!!! I also ordered the seabass bcus it was boneless but with skin and this is one of my fav seabass by far. Super tasty and Th read more

See all

We came here on a whim on a Saturday early dinner and were able to be seated right away in the 2-seater lounge area near the front. The space is gorgeous and our server was friendly - even sitting in a non-dining room spot, we were checked on often. The timing of dishes was a little off, with the apps starting strong but our mains lagging a bit - took about 2 hours overall. I started with the Rosemary Gimlet - refreshing, not to strong in alcohol, and the rosemary garnish really brought out the flavor Brussels sprouts with egg - wish the brussels were diced a little more and crispier. They were dressed pretty well and the runny egg on top help make the dish more creamy but it was missing some texture like a crunch for me. Mushroom gnocchi - this has a very soft texture which I like a lot, but my partner thought they were too soft but there are crispy edges on the gnocchi pieces. The mushroom is clearly the star here and the creaminess of the sauce had the overall taste like an elevated mushroom soup. Octopus - found these to be on the chewier side. The preparation of flavors was probably not our favorite, but the Harissa Chile Crunch was delicious. Scallops - were cooked well and laid over some Carrot Puree lacked some flavor there. It was kind of like a fall-vegetable medley presentation which was OK. Profiteroles - you can order just one which is really nice because we could not eat three by then and they were pretty good! A standard chocolate, vanilla ice cream dessert but that's just it. read more

I LOVED this place! Met with a friend and we sat at the bar and shared several plates and a bottle of wine. Every dish was fantastic and we couldn't have asked for better service, Drew was fantastic. The inside of the restaurant is very fashionable and nicely decorated, the booths are gorgeous. I wish I came to the area more often, this would definitely be a go-to spot! Highly recommend it!! read more

See all

Nice atmosphere and tasty food. Sitting at the bar is just as comfy as reserving a table. And there is a casual/chic (small) waiting area for conversing and enjoying the room. read more

I didn't think I would love this meal as much as I did! Upon walking in, it's pretty dark and intimate. The vibe inside is cute and chic. I loved the decor. This place is family style which I recommend is the best route to go to really try everything. For my group of 3, our waiter suggested 5-7 plates to share. So we got 5 savory dishes and 2 desserts and that was the perfect amount of food! Every dish was unique and flavorful in its own way. My favs would have to be the delicious brussels sprouts, beef ragu (which is a special), and the profiteroles (dessert). So yummy and I would love to come back! read more

See all

We started with the mushroom toast which came out so warm and creamy. The focaccia was also solid, can't go wrong with this. They have plenty of vegetarian options and our group ate family style. The heirloom carrots are more on the raw side, but with a very fresh zingy dressing. Roasted beets taste as such, very nice sauce, great with goat cheese. Grilled artichoke is not pictured but our favorite item, such a juxtaposition of flavors with the garlic and mint and lemon! Squash blossom pizza tasted mostly like the pesto and goat cheese. Pretty basic, nothing special, solid pizza though. Tomato pizza, although very simple, definitely our favorite pizza!!! Desserts were great. Olive oil cake was not too sweet, very fluffy and moist. The fennel ice cream was sooooooooo good I wish they put more of that or sold it separately. Cheesecake was also solid and tasted great with the berries. Vibes are great. We sat in a booth which we loved!! read more

See all

We came here for a Restaurant Week. Maybe that was a mistake, but the standards should remain the same. The most positive experience was the service. The bartenders and server were fantastic. The hostess was a little cold, though. As far as food, the brussels sprouts and gnocchi were very nice. We also enjoyed the French onion starter. My friend had the steak, which was cooked perfectly. I had the duck. It was overcooked and very chewy. It's clear they microwaved it. Unfortunately, it was the worst duck I've had. The meal finished with cheesecake, which was very nice. Overall, it was an OK experience. Not sure if I'll be back. With drinks, we ended up spending almost $300. I understand it was a restaurant week, but don't serve mediocre dishes. read more

I had a great experience here with my girlfriends. We ordered a few things to share: charcuterie, grilled artichokes, cacio e pepe, short rib, and goat milk cheesecake. It was all soooo yummy! The cocktails were delicious as well, we really enjoyed the Oaxacan garden if you like smoky drinks. The atmosphere was very cozy, dimly lit, with charming decor. I really enjoyed it here, highly recommend for date night or girls night out! read more

Ella Elli - Oaxacan garden - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food and service were outstanding. Tapas style but not small portions and our server knew how to pace the meals. We arrived without a reservation and the host sat us. We will be back with a reservation. read more

From the moment you walk in Ella Elli is a warm welcoming spot. Beautifully decorated friendly staff and great wine list. This is a wonderful spot for a GNO. The food was so delicious. The waiter recommended the artichoke and gnocchi and they did not disappoint. The pizza was a hit made on warm pillowy focaccia. Definitely get the profiteroles for dessert read more

See all

Everything at Ella Elli is lovely. The food, drinks, and service are among some of the best in Chicago. Probably my favorite restaurant in the city. read more

Absolutely wonderful date night spot! This was a great place to go to before catching a show at the music box theater! Theee Brussel sprouts were heavenly! The old fashion was perfection! And Page made the best recommendations! Everything we ordered (lamb, the gnocchi, and onion bread was a 10 out of 10! Recommending to all my friends! read more

The manager Kristina at Ella Elli in Chicago is AMAZING. So welcoming and accommodating - even on a Friday evening with a party of ten. And the staff is second to none. Lena was incredible - and very thorough taking everyone first timer through the menu. Huge shout out to Jasmine as well - as she was phenomenal too. And for the record, the food is incredible. Hidden gem in Chicago for sure! read more

Ella Elli continues to be one of my favorite restaurants for special occasions. Earlier this summer I brought an out of town guest who is a decidedly unadventurous eater, and she loved everything we ordered including the gnocchi, which she was expecting to dislike since she hates mushrooms. Last night I dined with a group of 6 friends for my birthday. Altogether we had at least 14 dishes - maybe more. Everything was extraordinary, as usual. I personally tried each of the following items: Mushroom Toast - one of the stars of the night French Onion Toast - loved this with the jus - it's like a deconstructed French onion soup Heirloom carrots - one of my favorite preparations of carrots ever, although I prefer them to be cooked a little longer so they are softer Roasted beets - beets are one of my favorite vegetables and their beet dish is outstanding, the goat cheese with the citrus is just the perfect balance Cauliflower - even non veggie lovers enjoyed this - huge portion and the salsa verde is delicious Confit Potato - imagine the perfect loaded potato! Ricotta Gnocchi - possibly my favorite gnocchi! Long finger sized pieces with a delicious medley of mushrooms and a buttery, velvety sauce Charred Octopus - perfection. My favorite dish of the night. Scallops - the carrot puree and fresh asparagus pieces were a perfect match with the scallops, loved this! Lamb Scottadito - I just had one bite of this but wow, - tender, juicy, with the perfect amount of char Short rib special - melted in your mouth. So rich and divine! I'm also a big fan of the rosemary gimlet - I think they used to serve this drink smoked in the past, or maybe just for New Years. But it's a light, refreshing vodka cocktail that is truly perfect year round because of the rosemary. Since it was my birthday they also brought out a large cream puff (large enough to share) with a candle. Service was spectacular as always, and this is truly such a beautiful place. I was glad we got some time to sit on the couches by the fire while we waited for our table. So much thought went into designing the space, with the various different seating options and lovely decor. It feels much more like you are dining in a stately, elegant home than a restaurant. A truly memorable birthday meal. read more

Ella Elli - Birthday profiteroles - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I tried Ella Elli for the first time with my husband and a couple of friends last night. It's owned by the 4-Star Restaurant Group. Their other popular restaurants include Crosby's Kitchen, Smoke Daddy, and Tuco & Blondie among others. Ella Elli is located due east of Crosby's Kitchen on Cornelia at Southport in Chicago. It's an absolutely beautiful space with a fireplace and lounge area, expensive looking floor to ceiling windows, a long bar, and booths that are cozy and private. It's a perfect, upscale spot for a date night, a night with friends or family (like I enjoyed), or any occasion. Service was friendly and attentive from everyone including our waitress, the manager (who stopped by several times) and the busboy. Cocktails are priced at $14 apiece, and although my husband and I did not order one, our friends seemed to enjoy the drinks that they ordered. Many wines are available by the glass and bottles of water are brought to the table and kept full. The menu is set up for sharing with groups of Charcuterie & Toasts, Vegetables, Pizza & Pasta, and Seafood & Meats, with the suggestion of ordering at least two for each person at the table. Except for the more expensive Seafood & Meats, most of the dishes run around $14 to $16. Our friends ordered the French Onion Toast, Heirloom Carrots, Cauliflower, Chicken Thighs and Seabass. My husband and I ordered the Creamy Mushroom Toast, Squash Blossom Pizza, and the Charred Octopus. So, we tried a good sampling from the menu. Our one friend described the French Onion Toast as a fancy grilled cheese. They raved about the cauliflower, but didn't say much about the carrots. The chicken dish was a large portion (they took some home). The seabass looked thin and a bit overcooked. They did not comment if they liked it or not. The creamy mushroom part of our toast was rich and delicious, but the bread was soft, not really toasted. The pizza was soft in the middle and rather bland. We saw more squash than squash blossoms (fall doesn't seem like the time of the year for blossoms), We did not like the octopus. It was a bit hot and vinegary, and the octopus tasted a bit off instead of charred. All in all, we had a nice time. The room is lovely, the service is great, it has an interesting, varied menu, but some of the food falls short of being great. I think that it ranks a 3.5, but Yelp only allows full rating numbers. read more

Ella Elli is a solid dinner option if you're looking for decent (not groundbreaking) food and a romantic, intimate vibe. Service is always very friendly read more

Ella Elli - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We went to Ella Elli for my boyfriend & I's anniversary. It was a great choice as the environment was intimate and romantic. We started off with some drinks, a riesling wine & a peroni. For first course food we ordered a few small plates: the marinated olives and the focaccia bread. Both great finger food. We then got the grilled artichokes- these were a favorite for sure. For more hearty dishes we got the ricotta gnocchi and the bucatini. I preferred the gnocchi, as the bucatini was a little too spicy for me, but my boyfriend loved the bucatini as there was lamb. We also got the Scallops which were excellent! They melted in your mouth- only wish there were more than 3 though for the price! The service was attentive & timely too! We were stuffed after all of that so we did not get dessert, but we will have to go back to try it! Overall this place was great for a little celebration and small plates to share. We will be back! read more

See all

Such a pretty interior. And the drinks are fabulous! We loved the French Onion Toast - highly recommend. read more

Ella Elli - Wine Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here for the 20 wines for $20 event and we LOVED it! The whole space was completely open with some tables set around. It was a very casual/chill vibe where you make your own journey through the wine tastings. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and they make sure you get your moneys worth. We started with bubbles and ended with dessert wines. At the end, we went back to grabbing one last glass of our favorite wine. During the event we were able to order food. The charcuterie board was a perfect little snack to our wine - if snacks are not your vibe, there are options for more solid food. I've been here when an event wasn't happening and I really enjoyed their burger and ricotta gnocchi. Tip: sign up for 4star rewards and the Ella Elli newsletter to get updates on their events. read more

See all

Sophisticated ambiance, beautiful lounge area & romantic couple bar benches with incredible small plates & friendly servers... how is this place not harder to get into?? We loved it so much! Only had to dock a star because it took a long time in between plates (bringing them one at a time & we ordered a lot...): Grilled artichoke - 5/5, smoky & meaty with crispy breadcrumbs Confit potato - 5/5 dazzling exterior, soft interior & popping pickled mustard seeds Gnocchi - 5/5 top three gnocchis in the city. Melt in your mouth goodness ! Rigatoni - 4/5 spicy lamb sausage was great but this dish was a little heavy Charred Octopus - 5/5 super tender sous vide octopus - SO delicious Chicken thighs - 4/5 harissa honey was too heavy on the sweet Lamb - 4/5 a little overcooked Pizza - sans tomato & basil - kids ordered 2 of these because the burrata was so tasty Profiteroles - a crowd pleaser! Definitely coming back and hoping food service will be quicker! read more

See all

Food and ambiance were great. Had two charcuterie boards - one with meat and one with cheese. Both were fantastic. The cheese and olives were very flavorful. The meat was tender and delicious. Also had the brussels sprouts and cauliflower which were fresh and earthy with herbs. Thought they could have used a bit more flavor as the brussels sprouts were slightly bitter. The gnocchi and mushroom toast were the best dishes of the night. Very flavorful and hearty. The seabass was light and well cooked. The server, Leo, was well-versed in both the wine selection and food and was very friendly. read more

See all

Intimate space with beautiful decor, great music selection too. Everything we ate was wonderful, a lot of locally sourced ingredients. Special mention to the mushroom toast and artichokes. We had amazing service, will absolutely be back read more

Great spot for a date night or celebration! I celebrated my birthday here and felt so special being greeted with a card signed by the staff. The food and service was wonderful! I highly recommend the focaccia bread and the truffle gnocchi. I'm excited to dine again for another occasion! read more

See all

I can't believe I haven't written a review yet for Ella Eli because it is by far my favorite restaurant in all of Chicago and I've been to many, many great restaurants in our city. You can't go wrong with anything that you order and the ambience is so warm and inviting and romantic and beautiful. Some of my favorite dishes are the scallops, octopus, brussels sprouts, and artichokes. read more

See all

Really attentive service and a delicious and perfectly portioned restaurant week menu! The house made flour based gnocchi was delicious!! read more

See all