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Elf Café
Category: Restaurants Vegetarian Vegetarian [Edit]
2135 W Sunset BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90026
Neighborhood: Echo Park
(213) 484-6829
- Hours:
Wed-Sun 6:30 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
298 reviews for Elf Café
Review Highlights
"The ability to bring your own wine is also a winner."
(in 19 reviews)
"My friend had the Moroccan Vegetable Tagine."
(in 9 reviews)
"Also a plus - it's BYOB with just a $5 corkage fee."
(in 32 reviews)
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298 reviews in English
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Review from Paul M.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2012
I LOVE Elf.
One of my favorite LA restaurants. Very small and neighborhoody. Casual and intimate.
Amazing food and great staff! -
Review from Corey M.
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Elf is for foodies of the compassionate variety.
One of the greatest things about this sensitive restaurant is that its food is not trying to be anything. There's no tofu, no chiken, no soyrizo, and certainly no facon. It's all real food, with real ingredients and zero pretension.
We sat at the bar because we didn't make a reservation. There just happened to be 3 seats available. Even on a wednesday night, reservations are highly recommended. However, I think we got the best seats in the house. We were in direct view of the line. It's a tiny place, and the open kitchen takes up about 1/3 of the space. I couldn't get over how clean and precise the woman on the cold line was.
The cornmeal and herb dusted crispy oyster mushrooms made me cry. Straight up. The texture of the mushrooms were absolutely perfect. It was surrounded by a bed a greens and in the middle was a gift from the Elvish gods: blue cheese reduction. Open-palm-to-the-face good.
For my main, I got the vegetable tagine. The vegetables came in a tomato based sauce with a variety of vegetables, raisins, and what I think were hints of nutmeg. It came over a bed a quinoa. Solid dish, but massive.
The spicy kale salad was hugely popular in the restaurant, as I watched the woman make about 7 while I was sitting down. It's very good, but also massive.
Our server was vegan awesomesauce. She was exceedingly friendly and sweet.
It's cash only, and bit on the pricey side. but they have free wine corkage, so get over it.
And they serve Cafecito Organico coffee. Boom. -
Review from julie h.
Los Angeles, CA
1/28/2012
So cramped inside you'd think the restaurant's primary clientele were REAL ELVES.
The guy (possibly the owner?) in the hipster head-wrap turban thing was a total prick.
And fuck places that are cash only. Cheating on your taxes much? -
Review from Emily E.
Memphis, TN
2/8/2012
Food was delicious, hearty, rich - not what you might expect from a vegetarian spot but it's true! We had the tahini-avocado starter, risotto, and the crepe. Our server was cute as a button and offered great recommendations. Cozy atmosphere, and it was nice to be able to watch what's going on in the kitchen which is just adjacent to you no matter where you are in the restaurant. Make a reservation and BYOW for a perfect date night!
-
Review from Aaron W.
North Hollywood, CA
1/25/2012
I went with a party of 5 and everything we ordered was great. The oyster mushroom appetizer was incredible. I had the Mac
'n cheese with truffle oil. Very rich and awesome. Service was great. Definitely make a reservation. -
Review from Don C.
Los Angeles, CA
1/15/2012
I would give Elf 3.5 Stars.
TIPS: BYOB (wine), Cash Only and Make a Reservation. We used the Valet service from the restaurant next door, $5.
SERVICE: Outstanding. Very friendly, attentive and helpful waitstaff.
FOOD: We ordered the Lentil Soup for an app, the the Mushroom Risotto and Savory Crepe for dinner. The Lentil soup had a little 'kick' to it which was good but nothing over the top IMO. The Risotto came highly recommended, we felt it was very tasty and prepared well. The Crepe was really good but was cheese overload.
OVERALL: I love the service, all the food tasted fresh but just wasn't blown away considering the cost and hype. I would go back since my wife is a Vegetarian but it's all Veggies, no protein substitutes (tofu, setain, etc...) Honestly, I prefer the food at Real Food Daily more but Elf is a nice place to go once a year to change things up.
Also, if you like mushrooms, you'll LOVE this place. The majority of the dishes are mushroom based, unfortunately. I don't love the shroomers. -
Review from Kirun M.
1/6/2012
The food at Elf Cafe is very good, but I think I'd like the place more if the restaurant had more space and it weren't so damn expensive. These are vegetables, people! Also, we had a reservation and we were seated outside. It was a chilly December evening so it was a good thing they had a heat lamp out there. I guess the upside to being outside was that it was quieter than inside, making it easier to talk about how awkward it was to be crammed into a corner on the front sidewalk.
The servers were okay, a little awkward themselves, but nice enough, I guess. We started with the lebneh. It was yummy. We didn't realize that they give out lavash bread and some sort of chutney also. Both those were great. I ordered the chanterelle mushroom risotto per recommendation of the waiter and was not disappointed. Actually, I loved it. One friend of mine got the stuffed portabello mushroom which was also really good. My other friend got the Moroccan tagine. I thought it was overly spiced and not something I'd recommend trying.
If you're looking for a trendy, crowded, hip, expensive place to get vegan/vegetarian food, I'd recommend coming here. I'm glad I tried it because the food is great, but don't think I'll be back- unless they move to a larger space. If you decide to go, make a reservation. Oh yeah, and it's cash only! -
Review from Cleopatra W.
Los Angeles, CA
1/27/2012
I wish I could give Elf Cafe more stars.
All around, superlative experience.
The entire staff could not have been more warm or friendly.
And the food! Seriously delicious, good, food.
We had the special salad, Escarole w/ roasted leeks, that had so many flavors that were so harmonious and delicious, I am still thinking about it.
Followed by the Roasted Oyster Mushroom Risotto...WOW! I don't tolerate wheat or dairy that well, but I have to say, it was worth it for this dish!
Love this place. Can't wait to go back.
p.s. it's Cash only -
Review from Brittany K.
Los Angeles, CA
11/30/2011
I have to say this is one of my favorite restauarants on the East Side. Everything we ordered here was amazing!!!!!!!
First of all, the mac and cheese special was the best mac and cheese I have ever ever ever had.
Second of all, the avocado tahini app was so garlicky and yummy.
And onto the entrees: I got the crepe and man oh man this crepe was flipping amazing. Goat cheese, crispy texture, rich complex flavors, arugula salad. I die.
The husband got the farfalle and risotto (shared with a friend) and both were amazeballs.
Why the one star dock? Because they only take cash.
Oh did I mention $5 corkage fee. Bring it.
I will be coming here again and again and again and again. -
Review from aliya y.
Los Angeles, CA
12/13/2011
So The Park had a one hour wait on a Friday night and husband and I were too hungry to sit around that long. I perused the Zagat guide on the restaurant bookshelf, we saw that Elf Cafe' was right down the street. We called and they said they could seat us right away if we didn't mind sitting outside, so we decided to give it a try.
The whole experience was great! The staff was beyond friendly, they had the table waiting for us when we arrived, with a heat lamp set up since it was chilly that night, and our server even offered to give me an extra jacket if I still felt cold! The outside table turned out to be quite comfortable and good for people watching while we ate.
Everything we ordered was DELISH. We had the spicy kale salad, savory crepe and vegan shish kabob. The kale salad was HUGE and had good kick and tang. My husband loved his crepe, he really likes his cheese. I took a few bites and enjoyed it too but wouldn't have been able to eat the whole thing as it was cheese overload for me. I loved my shish kabob, I have never had mushrooms served like that and it was so flavorful, the sides with it were also very good.
To drink we had the rose lemonade, definitely recommended, and the masala chai (you could really taste the cloves and cinnamon).
If it were just the food I would have given the restaurant 4 stars but the service really puts this place over the top. -
Review from Kitty K.
Los Angeles, CA
1/5/2012
Bummer. I had been wanting to try Elf for a long time so when my friend invited me, I jumped at the chance. Aside from the great neighborhood, cool-looking exterior, and how amazing everything on the menu sounded, it was more than a huge let down. Here's why:
-They crammed five of us at a table small for four so i was literally boxed in to a corner.
-Despite the fact that they have a notation on the menu requesting that customers notify them of serious allergies, mine was not taken seriously. In fact, it was almost treated as an annoyance.
-The food was good, but not great. I've had much better vegetarian food, many times, for much less money.
-They didn't even serve our meals at once. Two of us (who don't eat that quickly) were FULL before another member of our party received her entree. That's like etiquette 101.
-The WORST part was that, after I notified them of my allergy, they still served me at least one (and I highly suspect it was two, given the timing of my reaction) dish containing exactly what I'm allergic to.
-THEN, when I emailed them the next day about what happened with my allergy, they denied it (even though an owner told us what our dishes contained the night before). After I provided them with more information to let them know that they had, in fact, served me something I was allergic to, I received NO response.
It's pretty obvious that they really don't care, given the way we were treated last night and the way that they handled the situation afterward. The fact that this place has so many good reviews shocks me. I am still dealing with the effects of being exposed to an allergen. It's affected my whole day and has cost me work. I told them of this, too, and got no response. There's nothing like a big "f you" from a restaurant where you just dropped a bunch of money that didn't even include drinks. I don't even think that they're nice. There are so many better options out there for vegetarian food. I suggest trying another one before settling for Elf.
*UPDATE* I'm not changing my star rating at this point, because it reflects my experience. However, I will say that I did end up getting an email later from the head chef. He took this very seriously and has been great in dealing with it so far. I'll keep updating as this progresses. -
Review from Mary W.
Los Angeles, CA
1/5/2012
oHHhh Elf. Had my second visit to you last night and brought 4 of my friends with me who had never been. My first impression after visit one with just one other person left me wanting more and more so I was really excited to introduce my friends to you. During my first dinner visit a friend and I had the cornmeal dusted buffalo mushrooms, the crepe and the tagine and OMG they were fabulous and the service was really great. I think we hit it on a night when it was not too crowded, which was nice b/c of such a small space. However, last night felt super uncomfortable and cramped seating wise with 5 people. Of course, we realize it's a small/quaint place but it was pretty disappointing to feel so cramped together and the seats (wooden chairs) are mind-blowingly uncomfortable.
Now, whiny complaints about being cramped and uncomfortable aside (because I'm sure I'm getting some eye rolls on those comments) on to the food problems. At the bottom of Elf's menu they have written in large letters TELL US IF YOU HAVE ANY FOOD ALLERGIES (or something to that effect). One of my friends is allergic to citrus, and it's pretty obvious that citrus is sometimes a common component in cooking in general, especially vegetarian/vegan food. When we informed the waitress and asked if the spicy kale salad had citrus she said yes the dressing is all citrus you won't want to order that. OK, great thanks for the warning a different salad was ordered. Before our food came out we were presented with an amuse bouche of some large tortilla like chips and a puree somewhere between a salsa and chutney (we were told later the main ingredient is carrots). When we asked to be sure there was no citrus involved the waitress assured us there was not, and when my friend took a bite she instantly knew there was lemon involved. Upon being asked again the waitress gave no response and brushed it over with a comment about another dish. Our desert, as well, clearly had orange zest and we were told it was citrus free and only used orange blossom syrup... but how could syrup made from an orange blossom NOT contain any citrus? Needless to say, my friend had a reaction to taking just a few bites of the food we were told had no citrus. To us It just felt as though the allergy was not being taken seriously and that the waitress had limited knowledge of what she was serving (and if I'm not mistaken she is part owner, looks lazy to me).
Third problem, I know it's small and Elf is busy but the service time was extremely slow after we got our starters. We all waited at least 20-25 mins for our dinners after the starters were finished. On top of that I ordered the chanterelle risotto, and was SUPER excited!! Once dinners finally started coming out after our long wait I had to wait an ADDITIONAL 20 mins to receive my risotto. I think one of the worst scenarios for group dining is when you don't get to eat and everyone else around you is, let alone for 20 mins when everyone is probably almost done eating and you finally get your food. So, when I finally did get the risotto it was pretty yummy but the portion was almost insultingly small, especially for it being the most expensive dish on the menu :(
In general I don't think the food was THAT amazing this time either. Maybe I was rubbed the wrong way from the beginning of this experience when we realized that the waitress wasn't really on top of her game knowing what ingredients were involved in the food and didn't seem to take the allergy at our table seriously. I've had better vegetarian food for a lot less money honey, that's for sure! And when I pay this much to dine again it definitely won't be at Elf.
Sorry to be a hater, but I won't be back anytime soon. Good luck y'all! -
Review from Brett P.
Pasadena, CA
11/16/2011
This is my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles, bar none.
I really want to leave it at that, but I feel it would be an injustice to the restaurant and its crew. I ate at this restaurant three times before I even realized it was a vegetarian restaurant. Part of that is because I have been vegan for 15 years so I do get in a habit of requesting special items or asking for vegan options... but the other part is simply because the food is so amazing you don't even realize that the main dishes do not contain meat.
This is true vegetarian dining as it was meant to be, intimate setting, helpful staff, dishes based on healthy food and not processed meat substitutes, lots of flavor, wonderfully vibrant combinations for your pallette. It is not every day you can find a restaurant serving a healthy meal that fills you and is completely based around vegetables and legumes, the meat eaters I have taken here have never really noticed it was a vegetarian restaurant unless I point it out.
I would describe the food as Neo-Middle Eastern Fusion, I'm not sure how accurate that is but I feel like it is the best description I can come up with. My favorite meal ever here was the Braised Beet and Fennel with Wild Rice, although everything I have had from here... everything... was tasty. The soups are delicious. My friend loves the Mac and Bleu Cheese. There is even a vegan dessert option usually. Oh and the vegetable Tagine comes with a delightfully spicy sauce. The water is infused with cucumber, refreshing! And they serve olives and cinnamon almonds to your table while you wait for your meals.
The decor is crafty in an artsy sort of way, and the seating is incredibly intimate. I usually sit outside because of my anxiety issues... but I have felt comfortable inside at times as well. Vincent Gallo has been seen here several times, but you don't have to be nearly as pretentious as him to enjoy this place. I lovingly refer to the staff that runs the place as Space Cowboys, so all you steampunk hipster burner hippie trash should feel totally comfortable here in your vintage leather pirate boots and fringe booty shorts. The staff have a band together that is pretty rocking, and these guys love to talk about mixing traditional ethnic instruments into modern rock. They are artists in and out of the kitchen. I have come to know many of them by their first names, that's how much I love this place... I seriously cannot say enough good things.
The small easy to miss signage and the phone number that goes to a recording only made me wonder at first why they always seem to have a line down the block every night... Once I ate there I knew. -
Review from virginia d.
El Monte, CA
1/23/2012
I will eat everything on this menu. Food is great, wait staff are friendly and accommadating. The spot is a bit small, but the food and service make up for it. Get reservations!
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Review from Danielle L.
Los Angeles, CA
11/17/2011
Elf might just be my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. The food is delicious and the servers are incredibly nice and helpful.
Some favorites:
- Tahini-Avocado Puree appetizer
- Spicy Kale Salad
- mushroom /mashed potato entree
- corn meal dusted oyster mushroom etc appetizer
be careful if you order the mushroom app and also the schwarma - it'll be mushroom overload.
saffron pudding is extremely rich - i've yet to try any of the other desserts.
make a reservation and bring a bottle. -
Review from Martha L.
Costa Mesa, CA
10/16/2011
Elf cafe almost turned me Vegetarian. ALMOST. I was there with a girlfriend who said "I could never be vegetarian,because there are weeks at a time where I eat a steak EVERY SINGLE DAY." lol, that's my situation as well, exept replace steak with bacon, and weeks, with everyday.
The service there was amazing, I questioned whether I was in LA because everyone seemed genuinely concerned and kind. We got this weird thing there called "service". Our waiter had the most calming gentle voice. You can bring your own wine. I havent been that relaxed since someone offered me vicoden for a headache:)
The stuffed portabello mushroom risotto is delicious. So hearty and flavorful with the prefect balance of textures. I was "uncomfortably" full afterwards because I couldn't stop eating it. and I only stopped eating it because it was all eaten, and I had no other options. -
Review from Arturo V.
Los Angeles, CA
11/9/2011
This is by any count my favorite vegetarian restaurant in LA. What I like the most of this small charming restaurant is that it's vegetarian in its pure sense. No attempt to substitute meat-based dishes with tofu or fake meats. Its masterful recipes have to be meatless otherwise they would not be as good. Its menu is very well conceived, creative, everything that I had was absolutely tasty and very well served. I highly recommend sharing one entree with two people, otherwise, it would be too much food.
This small café is also in a cool neighborhood, easy to reach by public transportation and both the hostess and the servers are very friendly. The music is of very good taste. It would blend with a perfect evening. However, you should be careful about one aspect. Since this restaurant is small and extremely popular, it is definitely not the place for a spontaneous meal. You should reserve, otherwise, you'll face high chances of not getting seated.Listed in: Los Angeles
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Review from Katie g.
Los Angeles, CA
1/8/2012
baked feta
massaged kale salads
stuffed portobello mushroom
rosewater lemonade
byo wine
(have tried many other dishes but these are my favorite, and usually on the menu in each season)
wonderful intimate ambience,
delicious, vegetarian food, pricey, but worth the cost
(usually $$$, but $$ range if sharing dishes or only ordering entrees)
*will eat here again
*would enjoy the same dishes -
Review from Shelly S.
Stevenson Ranch, CA
1/28/2012
Yuk, worst food I've ever had, with the worst service too. The manager/owner (guy with a head wrap) is not a nice person. If you want quality food, try Sage Bistro.
-
Review from Matt P.
San Francisco, CA
10/20/2011
I really loved Elf Café and I wish there was a vegetarian place in San Francisco that was as good. The food is reasonably priced and exceptionally flavorful, the ambiance is warm and cozy... but the food, oh the food is so good! I had the (vegan) roasted beets and fennel which even my beet hating, non vegetarian friend thought was amazing, and my dinner companions had the paperdelle and the special mac and cheese. We had to order extra to take home for left overs, it was that good.
I would whole heartedly recommend Elf Café to anyone, vegetarian or not... The only caveat being that if you want wine with dinner you have to bring it yourself (there is a $5 corkage fee -and a liquor store with a good wine selection less than a block away). -
Review from Nikki C.
Los Angeles, CA
9/22/2011
Amazing food! Everything sounded delish, smelled delish, and was delish! We will absolutely go back until we've tried everything on the menu.
We got the Labneh, which was awesome, and the avocado hummus, also stellar. For main dished, we got the portabello mushroom thing and the savory crepe. It is probably one of the best meals I've had.
Plus BYOW with just a $5 corking fee. Beautiful!
Its a tiny place though, so make reservations. YUMMMMMY! -
Review from Lynn P.
Glendale, CA
12/23/2011
Excellent food; you would be happy even if you aren't a vegetarian. We went over the weekend and had the Moroccan Tangine, which was absolutely amazing; recommend that you order whatever the waitperson recommends and share everything. Service was excellent; waitperson never missed a beat and had a wonderful personality to boot. I will go back!
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Review from Antonio S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/26/2012
Visited the very busy and highly recommended ELF Cafe for the first time last evening. My friend was having a birthday dinner and invited a few peeps for the occasion. We had a 9:00p reservation for five and while we were seated a little later than that, a very kind gentleman by the name of Evan - whom I assume was a manager, kept us in the loop and on his radar. Our waitress (Lilly) was incredibly genuine and very informative about the dishes down to the ingredients.
I cannot stress how delicious all of the food is at this establishment!!! We had the Mac n' Cheese, Spicy Moroccan Kale Salad, garlic hummus, tahini avocado puree, bruschetta, and Moroccan Vegetable Tangine. The BYOB and cash only stipulations still make this place worth every delicious bite. I will gladly re-visit this cafe again and also recommend it to many. . . PS- the cafe space is fairly tight but no matter! ...Also, they were very kind to stay open much later than their closing time while we finished some cheers and toasts for the birthday girl. Much appreciated! -
Review from Jess G.
Los Angeles, CA
10/10/2011
The food was absolutely delicious here. I am in love with their Kale Salad and the Mac and Cheese was divine. Can't wait to go back.
I love the atmosphere, nice decor, quaint, and intimate. The costumer service was exceptional. Everyone that worked there was so concerned about us the whole time which was great. It's easy to find good food in LA but costumer service on the other hand, not so much.
Bring your Cash and Booze. -
Review from Santhosh N.
Pasadena, CA
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Vegetarian heaven, plain and simple. This place is tucked away in hollywood, in a slightly shady area. Once you get inside, you have a VERY intimate atmosphere (5-6 tables total, seating maybe 30 people). there's soft music and low lighting. The owners of this place are Lebanese, so they have a standing menu which is reminiscent of this background. Everything here is vegetarian, most are vegan, and there are quite a few gluten-free items. Hippy? Oh yeah. Delicious? You bet! You gotta go for the Schwarma which is made from an oyster mushroom. Very filling and delicious.
RESERVE AHEAD OF TIME online, or you probably won't get in. -
Review from joy o.
Los Angeles, CA
8/26/2011
Yum yum yum yum!
First of all, they accepted our reservation for eight people. Hope I'm not screwing them over by saying that, as they usually only accept up to six. But hey, it's worth mentioning, since the place is tiny and they were willing to accommodate us.
And accommodate they did. The woman who seated us was really, really lovely. And I don't say that glibly, because it's rare to deal with someone who seems legitimately concerned with your experience. I felt like I was in her home. When we got there, it was packed, of course, but she made us feel like we were important. Restaurants everywhere, take note: Patrons are willing to forgive many things if they're immediately treated like valued customers.
We did end up waiting for a bit, but it was all good -- beautiful night, nice to catch up with friends, and it meant everyone was there when we sat down.
So it's veggie, which for meat fans can sometimes seem a little daunting. Like, will I be full after the meal? Here's the recipe to ensure THAT:
1. Stuff your face with the crisp flatbread and tomato concoction they set down on the table.
2. Order the Tahini Avocado Puree with garlic and warm pita and stuff your face with that.
3. Decide on the Baked Tart with Thyme and Garlic and your choice of fillings (I went with roasted tomatoes, mushrooms and smoked mozzarella) and stuff your face again.
And feel dang virtuous about the entire thing.
My man component ordered the Braised Portobello Mushroom stuffed with seasonal veggies and goat cheese risotto served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes topped with a smokey parmesan crisp and port reduction. He pronounced it "Thanksgiving."
So, a success for all. Will definitely return. -
Review from Kelli K.
Los Angeles, CA
1/21/2012
Was here for the first time last night. What a wonderful place! The food is delicious. I particularly liked the cornmeal and herb-dusted mushroom appetizer and the beet carpaccio. Most of the menu is made up of food too complex or time-consuming to make at home, which makes the modest prices and gd-sized portions an even better buy. Went with a fellow omnivore and we found plenty to eat (there's no meat ). Also lots of gluten-free and vegan options. The place is small but the vibe incredibly welcoming... Definitely worth trying. It is BYOB, so don't forget to bring the wine....
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Review from hannah r.
Chicago, IL
9/1/2011
I want to eat everything on this menu. It is absolutely delicious. I had the special mushroom risotto and had the Fattoush salad as an appetizer, both were amazing and satisfying. You can get vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, and nothing tastes 'meatless'. You leave full and satisfied.
Service is good, I'm only not giving in five stars because the night before we came in, we passed it on the way to Mohawk Bend and asked someone working inside about it. They said come tomorrow night but didn't mention we needed a reservation, so the next day we showed up without a reservation and the same guy was there telling us we should have made a reservation and we would have to wait an hour or so in case a reservation cancelled. Moral of the story really is, make a reservation. Also its cash only. And its expensive, but the food is worth it. -
Review from Fioni B.
Los Angeles, CA
8/13/2011
This is my favorite restaurant in LA. I wish I could eat here everyday, but until then it is my go-to restaurant for special occasions. There are tons of decent vegetarian and vegan eateries in town, but only Elf offers the feeling of being pampered and spoiled as if you're eating in a swanky upscale establishment. The people who run it are absolutely lovely and have put so much love into every single detail and you can definitely taste the love in the food. I have sampled nearly everything on the menu and each dish is better than the next.
I also love that you can bring your own wine to keep costs down. -
Review from vanessa w.
Los Angeles, CA
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm not vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free but everything here is so tasty and delicious! It's a tiny place with only 2 working the kitchen so the food takes awhile but it's worth it. Recommend the crepe and the tart.
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Review from Ryder T.
Kapaau, HI
9/23/2011
Great atmosphere, service and food!!
My favorite place to have a date in L.A. -
Review from Jen T.
Glendale, CA
7/31/2011
The Mediteranean Wrap was awesome...a little salty for my tastes, but really good. I don't think I'll be back again as I prefer a more simple diet rather than such a gourmet meal.
I definitely think it's a great place though :-) -
Review from Jessica A.
Los Angeles, CA
10/19/2011
Wow. The mushroom to noodle ratio was one to one and they were so good! My carnivore boyfriend vowed to take his family here u know its good when meat eaters get moted!
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Review from ashley b.
Los Angeles, CA
8/8/2011
Meals from Elf are like Radiohead songs. Every one of them is great and you can rest assured they will never fall short or disappoint. Just some are better than others.
I've been here 4 times and I can safely say this place is one of my favorite places I've ever eaten at EVER. Worth the wait, worth the prices, and the food? SO flavorful. So delicious. I'm pretty good at eating until I've had enough, but I will guilt-free eat this food until I'm sick and need to be taken home in a wheelchair because IT IS SO GOOD. I highly recommend the Roasted Flatbread Shawarma, California Risotto, and the Savory Crepe.
Also, the staff is friendly, down-to-earth, and easy to talk to which always makes me happy to come back.
YAY ELF! -
Review from Alana K.
Los Angeles, CA
7/23/2011
This place has been talked up for about a year and a half, and I have to say that I am super pleased to announce that it totally lives up to the hype. I called the night before to make a reservation and was a little put off to find that they only take reservations by email. Fortunately, they are very prompt in responding, and there was no issue with getting a table for three for Saturday night. Having noted the typical hipster clientele Elf draws, I was anticipating our meal to be served with a healthy side of pretentious attitude. Well, all of my preconceived notions of this place went right out the window from the moment we walked in the door as we were greeted with a genuine smile and a friendly "we've been expecting you!" The warmth and intimacy of this restaurant and the staff make you feel like you're part of their tight-knit family.
As for the food, it blew our expectations out of the water. Everything we had was so flavorful, aromatic, and artful in its presentation. The Braised Portobello was to die for. I don't know what all was being put into my mouth, but it was mind blowing. The Moroccan Vegetable Tagine was intensely enormous and delicious. The Baked Tart with roasted tomatoes, carmelized onions, and feta was perfection. I'm only sorry we didn't save room for dessert.
Things to know:
-This restaurant is TINY, so get there early when things tend to be a little less busy, or make a reservation.
-They are cash only. There's an ATM directly across Sunset.
-You will be served at a leisurely pace, so come to enjoy yourself for the evening, not to eat and run.
-They don't serve alcohol, but I understand that for a $5 corking fee you can bring your own, and lucky you, there's a wine bar right across the street.
I will definitely not be waiting another year and a half to return. -
Review from Kirby M.
Portland, OR
6/4/2011
AWESOME! I experienced Elf for the first time tonight and loved it. My sister is vegan and I'm vegetarian and I really appreciated the organic vegetarian menu with plenty of vegan options to choose from. Even though it is 2011 and so many people are choosing veg lifestyles I still find myself having to HUNT for good places to eat out.
The small space is cozy and was perfect for our party of four. Our waitress was so nice, friendly, and helpful (I wish I remembered her name!) and the food was delicious. I had a salad made from kale, which you would be hard pressed to find at a lot of other restaurants. If you're in the mood to drink you can BYOB, which is a perfect no-fail option. All in all great appetizers, great portions, I can't wait to go back.Listed in: Veggie Spots
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Review from Amanda C.
Los Angeles, CA
10/15/2011
I have absolutely nothing bad to say about Elf Cafe.
I emailed them at midnight on a Thursday night to request a reservation for the following Friday, and they responded within two hours at 2am in the morning. Talk about awesome customer service even before the actual meal!
The actual restaurant is tiny, but it's not a problem if you go in with a reservation.The waiters/waitresses were very friendly. The place was dimly lit and had a nice, intimate vibe going on.
Their food was very hearty and home-y. Their portions were quite generous and everything on their menu sounded fantastic. Also, their complimentary pita chips with spicy tomato salsa dip were a delicious kick-off to the meal. We tried:
- Vegan Fondue: roasted veggies with walnut romesco "fondue". The vegetables were great on their own, and the mild walnut romesco was a nice complement. It was more like a super thick dip - not so much a fondue, but I ain't complaining.
- California Risotto: This was my entree and it was DELICIOUS. It was super hearty and creamy, as good risotto should be.
- Vegan Baked Tart w/ Thyme & Garlic: You get to choose what vegetables are baked inside. My friend ordered her tart with tomatoes, mushrooms and caramelized mushrooms and it was amazing. It was a giant, crispy pastry stuffed with warm veggies and it came with a side of salad and some more vegetables.
- Vegan Banana Tart: it was one of their seasonal desserts (the other was Saffron Pudding but we opted for the vegan option). This, too, was amazing. It was a really thin layer of pastry, loaded with warm, browned pieces of banana and served with pistachios and pomegranate seeds on the side. The pistachios added a really great crunch and the tart was baked to sweet perfectionn.
See? Nothing to complain about. All I can do is rave about this place. loooove ittttt -
Review from Deirdre M.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 5/6/2011
For the first time in 6 months I had a safe (clearly marked on the menu as gf) incredibly homey deeply satisfying meal NOT made by me! So many foods have gluten snuck in, I've become deeply afraid to eat out, which is sad.. I gave 6 hours straight of massages today and didn't have a chance to eat all day--NOTHING was left on my plate, babe. NOTHING. I still love elven food, and the staff and the location.. but now that I'm (oh so sadly) unable to eat gluten, I LURVADORE them!
Tonight we shared a baked sheep cheese, tomato & black olive appetizer (big enough for a meal ordinarily) My hot mint tea came with raw honey and a fresh mint stem/leaves, and his rosewater lemonade was unexpectedly refreshing. And my meal? A giant portabello mushroom stuffed with creamy perfect risotto sitting on top of delicious mashed potatoes, next to a delicious (sweet dandelion greens?) salad, with a DEEP FRIED SMOKED MOZZERELLA slice the size of a pita triangle! Can I get a HELL YEAH?Listed in: echo park/angelino…, Westlake/Historic…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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3/4/2009
I gave 6 hours straight of massages today and didn't have a chance to eat all day--NOTHING was left… Read more »
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Review from Miki S.
Burbank, CA
5/31/2011
I stumbled into this place because I saw the sign and figured there would be elves inside, but, to my extreme dismay, there were only people. I decided to sit down anyway because I was hungry.
Being the carnivore that I am, I didn't have high expectations. To start off with, they don't serve alcohol, so if the food was bad I would have had nothing to overlook it with. Fortunately, there was a wine and convenience store within the block and they had no problem with me bringing something in. As it turned out, I didn't need the wine: The herbal infusion of the hearty vegan / gluten-free dishes were delicious. Not only that, but the staff was extremely friendly, the atmosphere was cozy and I was able to watch the chefs create their art right next to me.
I will warn you though: There are absolutely no meat dishes at this place, so don't go in thinking that they are going to accommodate your animal-slaughtering ass. Don't knock it until you try it though...if anything you will have an epic bowel movement at the end of the night and who doesn't love that?
I retracted one star because they didn't serve alcohol and only accepted cash. If I could add half of a star I would because I got hit on by some old guy in a wheelchair when I went to the ATM next door and it made my night. -
Review from Carlos d.
Los Angeles, CA
5/14/2011
Elf is one of my favorite restaurants on the East side.
This is the way all vegetarian restaurants should prepare food.
I am a meat eater and therefor I find vegetarian places mostly unsatisfying. Elf, however, makes the kind of hearty, satisfying and delicious food that everyone can enjoy.
One of my favorite things about this place is the energy and atmosphere.
The staff is young, hip, a little strange and super friendly. It feels like you've gone to dinner over at a friends house instead of a restaurant.
They do not serve alcohol, but you can bring your own (Wine for the People across the street has great wines for decent prices).
I can't recommend this place enough. Check it out, you will be glad you did.
Cash only
They take reservations
Bring Wine.
