Last night my mom friends and I had dinner at Elementi, the new restaurant on Seventh Avenue near Carroll Street. It’s the one that replaced Snooky’s.
We sat in the back room, a pretty room with attractive lighting and a floral mural in the back.
"This ain’t no Snooky’s," one of my friends said as we sat down.
The waiter, a handsome man from Egypt, was very helpful and attentive. We took forever to order and he came by at one point and said:
"I just want you to know I’m here whenever you need me."
We swooned.
My three friends each ordered Tagliata Di Manzo, grilled angus sirloin steak, sliced, balsamic-red wine reduction.
"Do you think he’ll think we’re crazy if we all order the same thing?"
When the food arrived everyone ooohed and ahhhhed.
They devoured their steaks said they were delicious.
I ordered the Coda De Pescatrice, sautéed monkfish filet, oven roasted, yellow cherry tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, green olives, garlic, virgin olive oil. It was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS, light and savory, served with mash potatoes and green beans. I will definitely order it again.
For an appetizer we had the Affettati E Formaggi Misti, imported cheeses and cured meats, which we enjoyed immensely.
We were not thrilled with the one dessert we ordered, the Crostata Di Pesche puff pastry, fresh peaches, cinnamon ice cream. That was unanimous. Didn’t like the frozen peach. The ice cream was tasty, though.
And the white wine recommended by the bartender was fantastic. It was an Italian Chardonnay.
The bill came to $54 per person (including tax and tip) and that included a very filling meal and two bottles of wine for the table.
I will definitely be back. A perfect spot for an evening with friends, Elementi’s back room is an attractive, private-feeling, spacious space with good acoustics — perfect for conversation and good eating and drinking.
Caseopele, this isn’t personal in the least. I hate for you to think that. You couldn’t be more wrong. Let’s talk. Louise
Caseopele – You really need to move on. People can have a different opinion. Personally I did not like Elementi very much, but Snook’s was no great place either. I feel bad for the old-timers who have lost a hangout, but maybe they should have been nicer when new people came in and tried to sit at the bar. No great loss in my book.
Why am I not surprised you’re singing the praises of Elementi? You were overjoyed when your buddy Gersh screwed me with that biased article of his, because you said people on Brooklynian were mean. Gersh misrepresented the article he was writing and declined to use most of the 5 long emails I wrote to him.
And what was it I did to you? Did I write anything snarky about you or trash you on Brooklynian? Was I ever nasty to you? No. I actually tried to help you find a cat for your stepmother. So thanks, Louise, for reminding me of a valuable lesson. Some people are definitely not what they appear to be.
I ordered in after reading all the hype and I was greatly disappointed. The portions were tiny and the food was so lack luster. I could do better and I haven’t cooked since 1985. I too have scratched Elementi from our list, lost the menu and forgotten all details. It looks nice from the street, though!
I did eat there once to see what all the fuss was about. After all the Snooky’s b-s and an owner allegedly threatening an employee of a neighboring business for exercising a First Amendment right.
It’s overpriced for what they’re trying to do.
But there is a market for that type of cuisine — done right, like at al di la and similar places.
Roll back the prices 10%, give up some of the attitude, be a part of the neighborhood and maybe I’ll come back with a large group that likes to eat and drink.
Hey.. glad you enjoyed the dinner. I ate there once and did not. It was a number of months ago when a friend and I tried it and I won’t be specific now as to what was mediocre about each dish served. I scratched it off my list and the details are long gone. If I read that right though you shared ONE appetizer.. not too sure what the cost was but that kept your cost down. Trust me.. split the number of people in half that you had.. make it dinner for 2 that includes an appetizer , entree and dessert and ONE bottle of wine .. and you are not getting out of there for $54 per person.