by susan s. on Ive been to Ella twice. Once for a DJ/Club night, and once to watch my friends band play. The DJ club night was pretty boring. I think I've grown out of it. The drinks are expensive, and the type of people that come to Ella is not my type of crowd. Early twenties getting wasted is not my idea of a good time. Now for the live band, the sound system was not working correctly for the first 20 minutes,. Once they got it working, it was way too loud, I thought my eardrums would explode. I do not think I will come back to Ella.
by Lauren G. on This place, like many other venues for fine dinning in this lovely City by the Bay, houses a high-end, noted chef. That's grand and all, we love what you've accomplish as a person, but not making any exceptions for substitutions is just dumb. Got my main qualm out first thing. I really liked the atmosphere of this place, it reminded me of Tokyo but only with more room for movement and less Japanese. Didn't venture into the Jazz club or the lounge, so this review only applies to the restaurant. Let's start our meal with copious amounts of Japanese alcohol, shall we? * Dewazakura "Oka" - at $16 a pop, taking down a bottle of this aromatic chilled cherry sake is a little slice of alcoholic heaven. Our group of five took down about three and bought some for home. * We also had one warm sake, but the chilled one listed above was so spectacular I forgot to drink this one while it was still hot - thus the reason is remains nameless. * Kirin Light - Nothing better than Japanese beer. I became addicted to this stuff as vending machines in Japan sell it by the can full. Still resonates with me. * Cocktails - Two of my friends also enjoyed the Rusty Gate and the Hi-Hat, to which I can recommend the Hi-Hat, it was really very tasty. Now we eat, yes?: * Dudes - Wood Roasted Romaine and Spinach Salad - Sooo, so good. Perfect execution and a taste that left us all wanting more. We ordered two for our table of five and that was a nice size Side note - Our waiter really knew the menu well and was more than willing to share his opinions on the dishes and how much we should order to do a meal family-style. I always appreciate and honest opinion and can gladly say that he really helped make our meal most enjoyable. He was a bit arrogant, but I think that's just the way he dealt with being a waiter, not like he was being rude or anything. * Oshi Tofu Salad - If you are a lover of tofu and daikon, a must. The tofu was incredibly smooth and sweet and the daikon balanced it out perfectly. * Shiso Shrimp Tenpura - First off, isn't it tempura? W/e. The shrimp was the fucking shit. We started off with a couple orders and then ordered a couple more. Simply perfection. Moving to the Otsukuri: * Maguro Sampler - It was fine, nothing special - but it may have been the fact that we all loved the hamachi samplers so much more that it was basically killed by comparison. * Hamachi Sampler - Definitely a must, there was something about the smoked hamachi that I, an avid hamachi consumer, have never had to privilege to enjoy before. Maki Sushi: * Spicy Geisha - One member of our party didn't eat sushi because he despises the taste of seaweed, whatever, it's acquired I suppose. Anyhow, the Spicy Geisha was so good that our non-seaweed eating member, happily gobbled up over half the roll to himself. I would gladly go back to Yoshi's just for the Spicy Geisha roll and that Oka sake. * Sarusa - Another A+ in the sushi department. * Japonese - Jalapenos have got to be my favorite spicy sushi fad and this one hit the spot just right. Robata: * Japanese Miyazaki Filet Mignon - We ate the shit out of this filet, chop stick it, that's how delectable and tender it is. Never again will I eat beef that hasn't been massaged it's whole life. * Kurobuta "Berkshire" Pork Prime Rib - This was really nothing to write home about. Lots of fat and even though the flavor was good, none of us had the gusto to such the bone dry. * "Ji Kinme" Herb Roasted Half Bigeye Red Snapper - The idea and style of service on the snapper was cool, but the taste just really wasn't there, like at all. I've had way better, cheaper, snapper elsewhere and it really disappointed me as a fish-lover. Desserts: * Chokoreto Keki: "Chocolate Cake" - I'm not a fan of chocolate, but those in my party who ate this said it was good, but in the end, it was just another chocolate cake. * Warm Cinnamon Sugar Okinawan Doughnuts - I'm always game for a gourmet doughnut and these were pretty good, they were a lot heavier than I typically like, they also tasted more like a cake in doughnut form, but still good. * Housemade Sorbet - It was cucumber at the time and it was totally refreshing, I wanted to rub it all over the areas of my body that get no sun. A good time was had and I would definitely return for the sushi, saki, filet and sorbet.
by Craig Letman on I've had a lot to drink for only 4:00 in the afternoon, so I'm going to tell this story the way it really happened - not the way I tell people it happened... A year ago today I reserved a table at Ecco for my best friend's birthday. I'd been working in Atlanta that week and my friend and his new boyfriend and several other friends were coming to Atlanta to celebrate. I was so not in the mood to party and just wanted to check the box and go to bed. On top of that, one of the friends was someone I'd *met* a year prior and couldn't remember a thing about him. Can you say "awkward".... I've eaten at Ecco several times and, in the interest of this being an actual review, let me say - great food, great atmostphere, great wine - love that thing they do with the cards so you remember what you drank. Goat cheese and honey is great, stuffed peppers are great, wine list is great, valet is great. That said, dinner company was oh so very not good (I found myself sitting across from a girl who idolizes Nancy Grace - I kept waiting for the punchline - there wasn't one) and was greatful that best friend's new boyfriend was, um, not sleepy. Anyway, I'm wondering how to handle the long lost *oh yeah, I remember you* when he suddenly shows up. Only empty seat (how did that happen???) is next to me. I pour him a glass of wine, we start talking and, hmm - this is strange - I'm not trying to count my eyelashes anymore. Long story being brought to an abrupt end - 12 months and 2000 miles later, we haven't been apart since the moment he sat down a year ago today. Love this restaurant.
