THE GET DOWN
Elf Café is the kind of place that takes you back to the streets of Europe. A time when you just by chance happened to randomly wander into a ‘hole in the wall’ and walked out having an experience of a lifetime. The people at Elf Café are just as charming as the atmosphere itself. They had me at hello. It’ a cozy, seductive and intimate space, so can’t help but love it.
For being such a tiny place, Elf serves up some BIG flavors. Mediterranean cuisine is what you will find here, but don’t expect to chow down on your ordinary chicken or steak. Elf is not THAT kid of place. Dare I say it’s vegetarian? I like to give you fair warning and assure you NOT to let this limit your experience. Regardless, your taste buds will be dancing all night and your belly will leave happy.
The menu is so small that if you dine with a couple friends, you can almost graze through its entirety. Whatever you do, DO NOT leave without ordering the labneh with grilled dates. IT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD! Tapas style is encouraged here at Elf, so order a few things. You will be happy if there are some nibbles left at the end to take home.
Because of the intimacy of the space, I wouldn’t recommend Elf for those with runners. And if you have a screamer, this would be the time to pull out the big guns. Make sure those set of lungs can be contained with an iPad and headphones for at least 30 minutes.
Bring some crayons and encourage your tot to write on the bottom of the table. I mean, that worked for me. If all else fails, put Elf on your list for your next double date!
DETAILS
(First timer? Scroll down to check out the rating system below.)
WHERE
Echo Park
GO FOR
The Labneh, Date night
SOCIAL SCENE
Domestic Imports, Hipster Chic
TODDLER RATING
Not promoted, but you should take the chance. Enclosed, but space is tight
NEARBY
Echo Park, Griffith Park
CONTACT INFO
Website: elfcafe.com
Phone: (213) 484-6829
The Spotted Cloth
Rating System:
It’s our goal to make exploring LA either with the kids or with grown ups as easy as possible. Click through the tabs above to check out our rating system.
For those with little
runners & screamers:
Easily forgiven:
Here, you can forget the fact that it’s your rambunctious child that’s screaming and STILL enjoy most of your meal.
Not promoted, but you should take the chance:
If your toddler is at the stage when an iPad or some other colorful distraction can be used for an un-interrupted 20 minutes, then go for it.
Uh-uh, NO WAY, don’t even think about it!:
I don’t care how cute your toddler is. Pop your head in… turn around… walk away. PERIOD.
No contained area:
A place you cannot leave your toddler alone, not even for a second.
Enclosed, but space is tight:
If YOU can’t fit between the tables then you know you couldn’t catch your toddler if they tried – this isn’t Norm’s.
WHAT’S CLOSE
Click through the map below to find delicious places to eat and fun places to play nearby. (It’s completely clickable – go nuts!)
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