Elements

02/14/09

Not a great experience

by Eyedeal02 at Citysearch

My lovely husband took me here for a Valentine's week surprise. We were seated nearest the kitchen/bathrooom hall in the small restaurant, and guests bumped into me four times during dinner. The menu was very nice, with unique offerings. Expensive, yes. The portions were very small, which would have worked out well if we were on a diet but my husband weighs 132 pounds! He raided the fridge when we returned home. I was a little disappointed in my pork loin, which I had a difficult time cutting through. It was a touch bland. My husband enjoyed his fish. Our quail appetizer was raw inside- undercooked poultry makes me nervous.

The thing that bothered me the most about my experience was the service. The hostess was very gracious and pleasant, but our waiter was not. He placed the bill on my side of the table, which my husband reached for and paid for with a credit card in his name. When then waiter returned with the bill, he again placed it closer to me. I believe the waiter did this because I am older than my husband, and whiter. I felt really badly.

We won't be going back to Elements.

• Pros: unique menu
• Cons: everything else

12/07/08

Never Again

by 1voltron at Citysearch

Elements has been rated very high by previous reviewers and critics. However. after receiving good service in a subdued attractive environment I felt very cheated by $25 meal on a date most recently. Looking over the menu I was surprised to see that only two vegetarian options available, both salads (the mushroom soup has beef stock although it is listed as having mushroom broth, go figure). The waiter informed me that the kitchen can prepare a vegetable stir fry which I was game for. I was shocked to see my plate come to me with lettuce and cabbage that was lightly stir fried along with another spinach and three mushroom standard side for all entrees that rests on Raman noodles. They gave me a warm salad that was $9 more than the full salad as a entree!!!!! My date ordered the pork sirloin that had five slivers of pork for $30!!! She wasn't expecting Weber Grill, nor was I expecting Buca Di Beppo portions but come one!?! The pumpkin bread pudding was nice but was hardly conciliatory for such a misleading entree or tapas size portions. Pay is not comparable to what you get (taste, decent portions for restaurant of this caliber, selection). Again the service was good but so is the Red Eye Cafe that is far more vegetarian minded than this place. Never again.

• Pros: Decor, service, location
• Cons: Price, selection, taste

12/28/06

Elegant and Attentive

by skutr11 at Citysearch

Elements provides a cozy, modern, but comfortable enviroment that features a sophisticated and well-executed menu. I've visited this restaurant on four occassions with my wife and have found the servers to be consistently excellent, well-informed, and attentive. The true test of a sophisticated wait staff is their ability to predict what you'll need while not being "overly attentive." On each visit the staff has flawlessly navigated us through the meal at the exact right pace (a rare feat indeed!).

The menu, while sparse, utilizes a lot of local purveyors and regional ingredients. Execution is flawless and the presentation is high level.

This is a great restaurant for groups of four to six, but equally appropriate for romantic twosomes.

An argument could be made that Elements is now the best restaurant in town.

• Pros: High presentation, great ambiance
• Cons: None.