Elena

We recently had the pleasure of discovering this little gem, and had a wonderful time there. The food was tasty, and simply yet beautifully presented.I highly recommend the hummus and the Mediterranean salad. For the main dish, we both ordered the salmon, which was quite copious and perfectly cooked.We also got to meet Nadar, the owner, who was so kind and attentive to his guests' needs. Overall, this was a delightful experience, which we look forward to repeating.

Friendly service. Pretty quick during the early dinner time. They have tasty crisp salmon and a rich Cesar salad. There isn't parking. It's a small dining room but if it isn't too busy you will get a great attention to your order and food preparation.

We decided to check out Elena, since we were in the neighborhood and it had high ratings/reviews. It's a cute and cozy restaurant, brightly lit with nice decor and green and white walls. Great for a date night! But unfortunately, the food didn't wow me. I came here for Middle Eastern food! The owner told us he changed the menu to Italian food 10 days ago. That was a disappointment because we didn't want Italian food and I didn't check the menu since I read reviews and was looking forward to kebabs! However, we stayed and thought to give them a try.After looking over the menu, I chose Chicken Marsala and my bf wanted lamb shank. CHICKEN MARSALA ~ there were 2 pieces of chicken breast on the plate. I cut a piece to try and it was DRY. There was a ton of Marsala sauce and mushrooms but it did not help the chicken breast. When it's dry, it's dry. Nothing can help make it juicy. I left the other piece of meat on my plate. The veggies were ok, but a bit overcooked and the small portion of pasta was a little spicy, but still ok. Although I did not finish my meal, the owner did not even ask if I wanted to take it home. He just took the plate away and tossed the food! 2/5LAMB SHANK ~ my bf was craving shanks and was glad to see it was on the menu. But he was not impressed by the small shank that laid before him. It was tiny and comparable to a slightly large chicken drumstick. It tasted good and seasoned well, but it was gone quickly after a few bites. He really liked the cous cous because it was cooked perfectly! Unfortunately, he left hungry. 3/5I'm not sure why they would switch the menu when it was doing well with Middle Eastern food. With all the other Italian restaurants in North Beach, they will have to compete with famous restaurants that are known for really GREAT Italian food! But it doesn't seem like they have mastered Italian cuisine to be on par with their neighbors. I rarely give bad reviews unless something just wasn't right. Their high ratings were for Middle Eastern food!! Honestly, I hope they would consider changing it back. I'd definitely come back to give them a try again.

We were visiting SF and came across this cute little place. The food was pretty good! The staff is nice and fast. I would come back probably if I lived here.

How hasn't everyone discovered Elena yet?! Truly one of North Beach's best kept secrets. Elena has an old school vibe that I so dearly miss - intimate seating with white tablecloth, jazzy music playing throughout the meal, beautiful art on the walls. impeccable food, and a friendly owner. They have a wonderful global wine list with unbeatable prices, and a few rare vintages. Here's what we ordered:- Hummus. A speciality of the house, and it was a health portion. The addition of red pepper was perfection. - Calamari. Crispy and fresh with two yummy dipping sauces.- Bucatini Pomodoro with Italian Sausage. Wow, you can tell this was homemade with love. The pasta was cooked to perfection, the sauce had some heat to it (but not super spicy) and it was topped with fresh parsley. A must order. - Tiramisu. The best way to end our meal - moist, creamy, and a nice balance of delicate and rich.The prices were so reasonable, this might become our weekly staple!

How I love this gem of a restaurant. Every time I visit my aunt, I am always hoping she wants to go to Elena. Please try this restaurant as it isn't as established as some of the older restaurants in North Beach so a lot of people may not know about it yet. But the reviews here show how lovely it really is. Everything I've tried is wonderful. My Mom ordered the rack of lamb, my Aunt and Uncle shared the rack of lamb as well. I ordered salmon just like my Grandma used to make it (slightly crispy on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside). We shared a Mediterranean salad as an appetizer and it was so refreshing. The presentation of the food is great. For San Francisco, the prices are reasonable for the quality you are getting. They also try to use organic ingredients when possible.Would love to come here every time I'm in town.

Great food, clean restaurant, friendly owner, accommodating. It's nice to have this restaurant in our neighborhood. We will go back!

We arrived tired and hungry from a long day in the City, and left revived and satiated. Lovely, welcoming restaurant amidst the hustle and bustle of North Beach. We were greeted and served by whom I believe was the owner. I shared a mixed greens salad with my mom, which had fresh and bright flavors. I loved the textural elements of the fresh vegetables contrasted with crisp roasted chickpeas and pita bread bits. I enjoyed the red snapper entree and my mom her salmon. My fish was perfectly cooked. My husband had the Mediterranean salad and added roasted chicken, which was marinated in yogurt sauce and spices. We all loved how fresh, flavorful, and healthy our meals were. Price point was reasonable, service kind, and space intimate and inviting. We look forward to returning.

We found this charming spot nearly to ourselves, which made for a cozy dining experience. Although the online menu suggested Mediterranean cuisine, we were surprised to find a delightful Italian twist with some Mediterranean favorites still available.We indulged in the hummus, a house salad, the pan-seared salmon, and chicken piccata. Each dish was generously portioned and beautifully presented. The salmon had a crispy exterior while remaining perfectly tender inside, and the chicken piccata, though a tad salty, was served in a hearty portion that left us satisfied.We met Nadar, the owner, whose warm hospitality truly elevated our experience. He was attentive and genuinely passionate about his restaurant, making us feel right at home. While the ambiance could benefit from a touch of romance--perhaps dimmer lighting and better candles--the food and service more than made up for it.And here's a picture of the delicious tiramisu that comes straight from Italy! I wish I had thought to take pictures of the rest of our meal, but trust me, the food was delightful and the prices very fair. Don't miss out on this hidden gem in North Beach! Elena!

Incredible food. Amazing depth and authentic flavor. Braised lamb shank was perfection. The mussels broth was so savory and amazing I could have sipped it by the cup until it was all gone. Tiramisu to finish. Just right. Service was attentive, friendly and informed.