Elena is widely praised for authentic Italian cooking with wood fired dough, standout pizzas, and salads, and pastas such as mafalda al ragù and ragu are frequently noted as well executed; the vibe is described as chic, intimate, and lively with attentive service and a strong wine list, making it a popular spot for date nights, groups, and terrace seating when available. Some visits are described as exceptional with friendly staff and reliable recommendations, while others note inconsistencies such as pizzas arriving burnt or cold, portions that feel small for the price, long waits, and billing miscommunications. Reservations can be tight and seating at the bar or in busy times may be required; the atmosphere can be loud but the overall opinion is that Elena remains one of the top pizza and pasta destinations in Montreal, offering a reliable and memorable experience for many, though not without occasional misses.
We ordered the special pasta ravioli which had sheep's ricotta & brown butter sage sauce that was cooked perfectly al dente. The kale Caesar was also delicious with a lot of Parmesan & freshly made croutons. The "FunGuy" pizza, olive oil cake, & cannolis were also good but not the best I've had. Overall, this place is good & I would return.
Our friend made reservations for us to experience pizza & wine at its finest, & Elena did not disappoint! The dimly lit ambiance set the perfect mood, & the 90s playlist added a fun, nostalgic vibe. We savored every moment, from the drinks, wine, to the risotto, olives, pizza, pasta, & flan-each dish was delightful. The star of the night? The *meatballs*-absolutely phenomenal! Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable & gave us spot-on recommendations that elevated our dining experience. Elena is a must-visit for anyone in Montreal looking for a memorable meal. We'll definitely be back!
Spent an enjoyable evening at Elena on a cold & blustery winter (not officially) evening. The ambiance was lively; a lot of happy patrons enjoying their meals & conversations, & my dining companion & I were soon to join them. All staff were convivial & friendly especially our server, Cynthia. She proved Indispensable in helping us select a wine from the unfamiliar names that appeared on the wine list. Most, if not all, were private importations from boutique wineries. Ours was really spot on with Cynthia's description. We decided to have two pizzas to share, Funguy, a play on fungi (mushroom), & the Diavalo, a spicier option. Both were delicious. The spicy oil provided made them even more so. We just ordered bread with olive oil to start as we were famished, & who doesn't need more carbs on a cheat day? It was quickly devoured. Cynthia told us everything was made in house from scratch, & it certainly was evident. For dessert we had cannolis & the olive oil cake. Again, two winners. We left at closing, but weren't the last to leave. Patrons really seemed to enjoy, not only the delicious food, but the warm & friendly ambience as well. Prices were reasonable, & service attentive. We'll certainly return, & often.
Pleasant night out in a vibrant eatery. The service was top notch - multiple staff attentive to our table & needs, prompt without feeling rushed. The food was very tasty. The kale salad & malfada pasta were the highlights. Recommend sharing a variety of dishes among your table rather than everyone on their own menu, as the menu & service is perfected for this communal experience.
Great vibe & atmosphere- service was great - recommended dishes & wine for us to enjoy - pizza was good & pasta was tasty although vongole was very light on clams - would recommend pizza over pasta
Nov 10, 2024
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Really liked this restaurant! Food was very very good the service was very very good & the place had an amazing vibe while it was jam packed!! I truly enjoyed the different plates, desserts & aperitifs especially the "peche mode" a great drink. We will definitely be back!
Restaurant gastronomique & chic. Gastronomique il l'est, c'est vraiment très bon. Par contre, je pense que dans un restaurant chic, on ne jette pas la facture sur la table ( sans qu'on l'ai demandée), & que la personne arrive immédiatement après avec l'appareil pour encaisser. Je crois que je n'y retournerai pas
My experience began with the reservation platform giving me an error message for 20 min & then we called. Called no answer but we got a call back. We didnt ask where we would be seated because we didnt know the layout of the place so we ended up being placed at the bar .... by the door ( ....so ask ). The kale ceasar salad was great with a mountain of parmesan cheese & the right amount of dressing . Now for the pizza our choices were diavolo 2.0 & the funghi ; for me the tomato sauce was too watery the meat didnt have as much flavor or kick as i wouldve expected from a diavolo so the whole thing fell through but i really enjoyed the funghi that had the flavor of the mushroom & parmesan collide in harmony, i will add that the crust was perfect in both. The pasta ( all'amatriciana) was average at best ,with so many good italian restaurants in the city unfortunately this one did not bring it home for me, the guanciale was burnt & again the sauce was watery. The dessert : Gateau au Chocolat , is a brownie texture shaped into a cake slice topped with ice cream , good but maybe heated ? The service was good & the staff was knowledgeable & at your service , simple & effective. Overall not a bad experience but will i go back ? Maybe , hopefully to have a better culinary experience that would be up to the hype. Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4
