Ella

Had a very nice time at Ella catching up with an old friend and her husband.

We went on a Monday night. The restaurant was about half full. We sat and enjoyed a few cocktails while we were catching up. The waitress was very attentive and our glasses were never empty.

We then ordered dinner.

Two of us both ordered a cup of the gumbo. It was very good and flavorful.

The entrees seemed to take a while after we ordered, but we didn't mind as the conversation was good. Once the food arrived we were all very pleased with the plates that arrived at the table.

I had the duck. It was cooked perfectly. When I took a bite of that had a little bit everything (the smoked duck breast, french toast, caramelized onions, arugula, apricot creamed brie and port wine syrup) at once the flavors were amazing and really well paired together.

My dining partners had the OSU pork chop (it was a huge pork chop!) and the ribeye. Both were very pleased with their selections. The portions were generous enough that they couldn't finish and and had to take some home.

The dinner prices were what I would expect for a nice dinner but the beverage prices seemed a little on the higher side.

If I'm ever be in the area again, I would definitely go back.

We were not impressed with this place at all.  

Their private parking lot is too small so parking is not guaranteed.  And speaking of small, the restaurant itself is too small for all of the tables they try to pack in there.  It's supposed to be a nice and romantic type of place to go and eat at but cramming as many tables as humanly possible really detracts from the experience.  We were sat at a table for two which was stationed along a wall along with other tables for two.  These tables are so close to each other that it's like being at one table with a number of strangers.  There may be as much as 18 inches between each table.  Our super skinny waitress had to turn sideways to fit in between the tables and then had to shimmy sideways outwards so she could turn around and face the table next to us.

It's a loud restaurant so if you're sitting at one of the sardine-packed tables for two along the wall you have to speak up so you can be heard which means you are shouting over the people to either side of you.

The best service we experienced while we were here was that from the guy who showed us to our table.  After that the service went down hill quickly.  It took 10 minutes to get water, another 5 minutes for our server to show up and take our drink orders, then 15 more minutes before she finally came to take our food order.  She also hassled my wife about her not wanting to drink any wine.  Awesome.  Rather than wait another 30 minutes for our food to show up we just asked for the check when she finally came around to take our order.  30 minutes is too long to wait for a food order.  One water refill is all we got in that 30 minutes and I was able to get one glass of wine in that time as well.  I'm not going back here.

Picture five restaurants outside of the 270 loop, with one of them being Ella.  Now picture you are playing a rousing game of "Which One of These is Not Like the Other."   Give Ella a chance (or another chance), and it's guaranteed to be a welcome addition to the growing restaurant scene.

ELLA=Eat Local, Love Art.

It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?  Ella has taken the high road when it comes to food delivery and restaurant presentation.  While it's not always the most affordable way to run a restaurant, it's the right way.   If you are someone that likes locally grown ingredients, with an excellent staff, Ella is the place for you.

I don't live near Ella, but I am able to get there on a semi-weekly basis due to evening commitments in the New Albany.  I usually sit at the bar, where Sean is keeping glasses filled with a pleasant, informative demeanor.  The wine list is decent, and getting better every month.  The happy hour specials are fantastic (try the pita pizza and the cheese plate).

The owners of Ella have though of every detail, and most importantly, have gone to great lengths to hire some extremely knowledgeable and experienced staff.   This, in addition to its local commitment, is where Ella shines the most.  Even though not every food course has been the "best" I've had, the constant desire to improve their delivery is what keeps me coming back.  If they didn't get it right the first time, as few new restaurants do, they will make up for it.  

My favorite thing to do is come in for happy hour, grab a glass of Cabernet, and saunter over to the Art Gallery.  I'm not the biggest art buff, but it's a nice chance of pace from the standard "sit in a bar and stare at the tv" kind of deal.

If you've already been to Ella, and were not impressed, give the place another chance.