Elena centers its culinary focus on expertly prepared thin crust pizzas and authentic Italian pasta dishes crafted with high quality seasonal ingredients. The kitchen utilizes traditional techniques to achieve the perfect blistered crust on every pie while maintaining a commitment to regional Italian flavors. Guests encounter a spacious environment designed for casual interaction characterized by minimalist aesthetics and industrial design elements. The menu emphasizes fresh, locally sourced produce alongside imported specialty goods to ensure consistency across every plate. Beyond the classic sourdough pies, the selection includes rotating pasta offerings that showcase seasonal vegetables and artisanal grains. This establishment prioritizes a focused culinary vision, delivering a distinct experience through its precise handling of dough and carefully curated flavor profiles that define its approach to modern Italian cuisine.
Elena is widely recognized as a top-tier destination in Montreal, frequently praised for its exceptional wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, and authentic pasta dishes. Many patrons describe the atmosphere as chic, cozy, and vibrant, making it a popular choice for both casual date nights and group celebrations. While the majority of diners highlight the attentive service and high-quality ingredients, some have noted occasional inconsistencies regarding noise levels, temperature, and specific service lapses. Despite mixed opinions on pricing and menu variety, the overall consensus points to a memorable dining experience characterized by a sophisticated, modern vibe and consistently flavorful, well-crafted Italian fare.
Our family's new favorite restaurant. The Kale Caesar salad, Fried Risotto balls, Funguy pizza, Fried Cauliflower, the Dany pizza, & the Kevin Mccallister pizza for the kids were all exceptional! The pistachio & chocolate gelatos were the tastiest we ever had. We are definitely coming back! The service was amazing especially our waiter who made our first experience there true perfection.
I really enjoyed the Kale Ceasar Salad & the margarita pizza as well as the ragu pasta. The diavolo pizza I was disappointed by. The pastas are well executed!
ORIGINAL REVIEW: Although most people seem to go for the pizza, I go for the salads. Always fresh, well composed & delicious. They may look like a medium sized salad, but trust me there's a lot in that bowl. Only attempt to eat one yourself if you're super hungry.
UPDATE: The loss of the back terrasse is sad. It was so much more pleasant than sitting in a terrasse in a reclaimed parking spot right next to Notre Dame St. Traffic.
The white shop towels are sure to cover any dark clothing with a pile of white lint balls.
What was a great kale Caesar now has an overly sharp dressing with way too much vinegar.
Waiting 45 minutes for a pizza on a Tuesday night just after 5:00 in an empty restaurant is an unacceptable attempt to run a bar bill.
10/10 atmosphere & food!
The sourdough & kale caesar are unbeatable for kicking off a meal, & we had fun discovering some new wines. The Margherita, Dany, & Passion Patate pizzas were all incredible. Perfect'pizza night' way beyond typical.
I really wanted to like Elena, especially after seeing so many great reviews, but overall it fell a bit short for me.
We started with the kale ceasar salad, which was quite salty, probably from all that Parmesan, so maybe that's just how it's meant to be. For pizzas, we tried two. The Amatriciana wasn't really my thing, I didn't like how the flavours came together, so it might have been a bad choice on my part. On the other hand, the pizza Dany was an expected delicious surprise: the spinach & hot honey were delicious; the sesame seeds a nice touch.
That said, the dough on both pizzas was very good. The spicy oil, however, wasn't spicy at all, which was a bit disappointing. Maybe they have different versions, but the one we got had no heat.
One of us wanted a tea, but they don't offer tea at all. For dessert, I got a decaf latte to have with the cake, but it arrived way later, more than halfway through it. The cake itself, though, the hazelnut with the gelato…very good.
Service was another weak point. The wait for everything was long, & at one point, the waitress came to clean the table, but just quickly wiped around without actually picking any of the pizza crumbs, which felt a bit careless.
The place itself is beautiful, nicely dimmed lights & a great atmosphere visually, but the music felt too loud for this type of restaurant.
All in all, I guess it wasn't that bad of an experience, I definitely expected better given the hype. I might give it another try, but this visit didn't quite live up to expectations.
Great pasta & starters. Good spot for a quiet date for two. Dining room is a little tight for larger groups. I've been here a few times & have loved the food every time. Kale Caesar salad is a must.
