Elf Cafe
(213) 484-6829
2135 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles,
CA
90026
34.0775
-118.2646
Neighborhoods: East LA, Silver Lake
What People Are Saying About Elf Cafe
The Editor
Martha Burr
Citysearch
In Short
Inside this intimate jewel box, sexy organic textures of wood, exposed brick, tiles and plants glow moodily under ethereal rattan lanterns and flickering candles. Hip North African jazz lends a funky edge to the low buzz of a good-looking young Eastside crowd. Owned by members of the local band Viva K, dishes feature Lebanese-Mediterranean fare with featuring seasonal, organic ingredients like citrus kale salad, mac and blue cheese, Moroccan vegetable tagine, rustic Greek white lasagna, and roasted beet and braised fennel.
User Reviews
julesvernon
October 07, 2008
I can't say enough about Elf! How is it possible that a restaurant makes me feel sensual? When you walk in you instantly feel welcome, warm and cozy. Then there's the beautiful, sweet, super attentive staff... then comes the food. There is nothing on the menu that doesn't blast your taste buds away. I must admit that I always leave feeling a little horny.
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tonyiomi
July 27, 2008
This local restaurant does have good food but the atmosphere is very pretentious and trendy, IMO. They are also very over priced for serving kale dripping in clarified butter and garlic. The owner is also very rude. They tell everyone the wait time for a table is 20 minutes then give you a spiel about how "it's not a science determining how long it takes people to eat their food," making you wait an additional 20+ minutes. If you want to look last year's cool, this is the restaurant to be seen at. If you want to eat good food, try Bulan Thai or the vegetarian options at The Kitchen.
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Anonymous
March 18, 2008
Lovah and I have been to Elf Cafe twice, which says a lot because we don't usually go to the same restaurant twice. Elf Cafe's hook is that their Lebanese-Mediterranean/Greek, etc. meals are made with organic ingredients. But their real hook should be their waitresses who are the hipster versions of the Stepford wives. Can someone please write a second review to verify this fact? Seriously, they're all tall, dark-haired beauties who have broken, I'm sure, a few generic indie rockers' hearts. But I ain't jealous. I'm totally not down with generic indie rockers. As for the organic schtuff, who can verify such things? But their food is incredibly tasty and delicious. I had the Moroccan vegetable tagine, which is a dish of pure deliciousness over a bed of couscous, and the citrus kale salad, which has an unexpected dressing the color of blood in '70s slasher movies. Lovah had an eggplant tart on our first visit and it was good, but it paled in comparison to my Moroccan vegetable tagine. For our second visit, he made up for it with the Greek lasagna, which was a towering heap of good, old comfort food -- at least, I imagine. I was too engrossed in my bright red dressing to pay attention to lovah's meal. One thing: this place is TINY. And it doesn't help that the chefs share your dining space. Those afraid of small, tight spaces should dine at Elf Cafe after seeing their therapists. If you're totally into drinking, they have a BYOB policy with corkage fee. I think it's $5. I'm not sure since we're not big drinkers, but apparently we're the minority because nearly every table is almost always drinking the night away. And how could I almost forget? Your meal starts off with a pre-appetizer (is there a term for that?) that consists of cinnamon-powdered almonds and olives, a dangerous combination in your mouth since the olives aren't pitted. But it ma
read full reviewThe Details on Elf Cafe
What to Drink:
Corkage is only $5. King's Liquor a block east on Sunset and Alvarado offers organic wine and beer. Other beverages include organic coffee and tea, organic limeade and Dr. Tima's sodas.
Parking:
Metered parking is free after 6pm, and is usually available on either side of Sunset.
Know Before You Go:
Peak weekend dinner hours may offer a wait for the 11 tables and five bar seats--reservations are not accepted.
Look Good:
The restaurant accepts cash only--there's an ATM located directly across the street.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Romantic Dining, B.Y.O.B., Outdoor Dining, Hidden Find, People Watching, Date Spot, Dine At The Bar
