Okay, I know I already reviewed Italian food in my last column, but this place is technically a Greek restaurant. I just decided to order pasta when I probably should’ve ordered lamb or something. The worst part is, I’m 50% Greek.
Elia’s Mediterranean Grill is a Greek-owned eatery located in Warrendale, PA. Because of its heritage, many of the building’s features are of Greek architecture. For example, the stone wall on the outside, which meshes perfectly with the charred wooden sign displaying the building’s name. The inside is similar with an additional decorative tree in the center of the room. They keep the lights dim, which provides for a calming, romantic atmosphere. The seats are also incredibly soft and comfortable.
Along with the atmosphere came the employees, who were super attentive and answered all of our questions when ordering. Our waiter was on top of things and brought be a second Dr. Pepper before I even finished my first because they were eventually going to run out of it, and he didn’t want to leave me stranded. I may not have wanted a second glass, but it was the thought that counted, and it was very kind of him to think of me. The staff and appearance of the restaurant will receive a 10/10.
For an appetizer, my family and I ordered the trio spread, which consisted of three dips of our choosing and a platter full of freshly baked pita bread. We chose the Greek yogurt dip (tzatziki), Greek eggplant dip (Melitzanosalata), and hummus. I’m pretty picky, so I only ate the tzatziki dip, but out of all of the tzatziki I’ve tasted in my 15 years of life, this was by far the freshest. The sauce was creamy and cold with a bitter taste from the yogurt but a semi-sweetness from the cucumbers. There was just the right amount of salt added in to aid in meshing these two flavors. The only thing I didn’t like was how there were chunks and strings of cucumber in it. They created a slimy texture and, when bit down on, exploded your mouth with juice that was much too strong to eat raw.
The pita, however, was absolutely amazing. When the waiter brought it out, it was still steaming from just being taken out of the oven. Surprisingly, though, I didn’t burn my tastebuds off on the first bite. The pita was the perfect temperature. It was soft and fluffy on the inside with a crispier texture on the edges. The overall taste was so good that I ate the pita plain when we ran out of tzatziki sauce.
For my entree, I ordered their parmesan chicken. The dish’s appearance was classy, with a massive bed of pasta and a breaded chicken breast on each side. Garnishes adorned the dish and displayed how seriously the restaurant takes the quality of their meals and the opinions of their customers. Honestly, though, the taste wasn’t too impressive. The breading was a bit too crispy for me, and the chicken breasts were too thin. The marinara sauce was alright, but it could have been cooked longer and seasoned better. It wasn’t a bad dish by any means; it just wasn’t as good as I expected it to be.
The dessert made up for it, though, as it was one of the most creative things I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t have a name because it was a special surprise dessert from the chef, but it consisted of neapolitan gelato coated in a chocolate casing. The best part was that it was in the shape of an ornament. Their gelato tasted organic and had a smooth velvety texture. I’m not typically a fan of chocolate coating, but this was melted in your mouth the second it hit your tongue. It was rich but sugary at the same time, which kept it from tasting stale after a few bites. Not to mention the gorgeous chocolate syrup drizzle on top. This dessert was perfect from head to toe. The food will receive an 8/10.
If you’re a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, I highly recommend Elia’s Eatery. While they have their faults, all restaurants do, and there’s are minimal compared to other establishments. You can feel the sense of family and coziness upon arriving, making for a serene meal with good friends and good food. Trust me, you do not want to miss out on this place.
If You Go:
ELIA Mediterranean Grille
400 Warrendale Village Dr.
Warrendale, PA
(724) 799-8801
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Closed Sunday
IG: @elia_mediterranean_grille