Elf Cafe

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.

Editor's Tips

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.

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User Reviews (11)

ambiance	86.66999816894531% positive	“Delicious vegitarian cuisine, great atmosphere” “Warm and cozy, delicious, clean, vegan food, super friendly staff, locally owned.” “The atmosphere is fabulous.” “This local restaurant does have good food but the atmosphere is very pretentious and trendy, IMO.” “The atmosphere and staff are amazing.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“No sooner than you start waiting for a seat, the hostess announces great organic wines for sale at the liquor store down the street.”
food quality	91.66999816894531% positive	“The food is amazing.” “Delicious vegitarian cuisine, great atmosphere” “While the overall experience was good, the menu and the food eclectic, the price and the dishonest approach to BYOB takes away from the overall experience.” “Warm and cozy, delicious, clean, vegan food, super friendly staff, locally owned.” “If you want to eat good food, try Bulan Thai or the vegetarian options at The Kitchen.” “the eggplant puree was the best soup I had ever tasted, and the babaganoush was bursting with garlic flavor.” “This local restaurant does have good food but the atmosphere is very pretentious and trendy, IMO.” “The food was great!”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“If you want to eat good food, try Bulan Thai or the vegetarian options at The Kitchen.” “While the overall experience was good, the menu and the food eclectic, the price and the dishonest approach to BYOB takes away from the overall experience.”
overall	100.0% positive	“It reminded me of a great hidden vegetarian restaurant in Nice, France called Zucca Magica.” “No sooner than you start waiting for a seat, the hostess announces great organic wines for sale at the liquor store down the street.”
service	75.0% positive	“Nonetheless, what they don't tell you, and is in fact not-so-friendly practice, is that despite NOT having a liquor license, they charge at $5 corkage fee, which upon my polite inquisition, was immediately removed.” “The owner is also very rude.” “The staff was extremely friendly, gave good recommendations, and were available to answer any questions.” “No sooner than you start waiting for a seat, the hostess announces great organic wines for sale at the liquor store down the street.” “Warm and cozy, delicious, clean, vegan food, super friendly staff, locally owned.” “Certainly a restaurant can charge whatever it wants, but Elf's prices are well beyond neighborhood friendly and that much more undesirable when they dishonestly strike you with a corkage fee.” “The atmosphere and staff are amazing.” “Then there's the beautiful, sweet, super attentive staff.” “The staff is so warm and helpful.” “Poor customer service, bad attitude”
value	75.0% positive	“Certainly a restaurant can charge whatever it wants, but Elf's prices are well beyond neighborhood friendly and that much more undesirable when they dishonestly strike you with a corkage fee.” “While the overall experience was good, the menu and the food eclectic, the price and the dishonest approach to BYOB takes away from the overall experience.”

12/31/11

Perfect restaurant

by Atwatersinger

I loveeee Elf. Their dessert is insane.

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10/07/08

Best restaurant (veggie or otherwise) on the east side

by julesvernon

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.

Pros: food, service, atmosphere, price
Cons: none

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07/27/08

Poor customer service, bad attitude

by tonyiomi

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.

Pros: None
Cons: Terrible service, hostile environment, hippy posturing

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02/10/08

Loved it!!!

by spelt

I went to Elf on a whim, after several unsuccessful attempts. The food was great! I had some kind of feta pastry that was perfect and some limeaid, a little too sweet, but good all the same. The atmosphere was really European. It reminded me of a great hidden vegetarian restaurant in Nice, France called Zucca Magica. Really incredible. It's a little higher priced than the average Echo Park eatery, but worth it for a special occasion

The corkage fee is unfortunate. I've worked as a server in fine dinning places that had cork fees. It makes sense to charge for this when a patron wants to bring in a wine, as the server has to supply glasses and inebriated customers usually stay at the table longer, keeping the restaurant and the server from making money. Not to mention that some folks bring their own things to be cheap, not realizing they are using valuable space and time for free. But...if a place doesn't have any wines available, then it's unfair to charge for this. We wanted wine with our meal, but it just feels stupid to have to interrupt your evening, go buy some wine and then pay the restaurant 5 bucks just to drink it there!

I'll go back though! This place is one of a kind.

Pros: Food Ambience
Cons: Cork fee

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02/04/08

Amazing in every way!

by Jenipherlc

The atmosphere and staff are amazing. The chef is a culinary genius. I'm not a vegetarian and thought that this would be a bland spot for dinner upon suggestion from a friend. Wow, was I wrong! I can't wait to go back.

Elf Cafe

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What People Are Saying About Elf Cafe

Martha Burr

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Editor's Tips

12/31/11

Perfect restaurant

by Atwatersinger

10/07/08

Best restaurant (veggie or otherwise) on the east side

by julesvernon

07/27/08

Poor customer service, bad attitude

by tonyiomi

02/10/08

Loved it!!!

by spelt

02/04/08

Amazing in every way!

by Jenipherlc

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