Eleni Restaurant
(503) 230-2165
7712 SE 13th Ave
Portland,
OR
97202
45.4691
-122.6528
Neighborhoods: Sellwood - Moreland Improvement League, Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program
What People Are Saying About Eleni Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
Rich, earthy colors and candlelit tables warm the high-ceilinged room, while the open kitchen and bar in the middle of the restaurant makes dining here feel like a night out on the town. On weekends, young hipsters and families crowd in to experience Dolmathakia, grape leaves stuffed with rice, shallots, pine nuts, raisins and dill, and garithes saganaki, prawns sauteéd with tomatoes, feta and green peppers. But, the must-try dish seems to be the Saganaki--flambéd kasseri cheese--which blue flames are extinguished tableside with lemon.
User Reviews
wccrowley
February 18, 2009
Read the post on shameless restaurants dot com on eleni's where employees discuss some of the food recycling practices at this restaurant. Look in the portland section and read away. Lots of info to digest before you dip into that tapenade! Sorry eleni.
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melissamcclure
January 05, 2009
We were thrilled and grateful to get into Eleni's without a reservation on a recent Saturday night. The food was truly wonderful - marvelous! However, we were disappointed by the curt and bristly waiter who informed us, with no apologies, that they there were several changes on the menu to note, given that the oven was not working on that particular evening. Oh yes, and they were out of bread as well - so the appetizer would have to be served on ...? He certainly had the "like it or not" attitude about most things, but in spite of him WE DID LIKE IT - very much.
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Aleko
July 06, 2008
Being Greek and cooking Greek, my standards are high. Eleni's does the job and then some. You've got some fine traditional fare, like dolmathes and mousaka and spanakopita, but also some nifty Cretan dishes in tapas style. I loved the meatballs and the calamari (refreshingly broiled), and the tzatziki and skordalia were a delite. The Minoan salad is not to be missed, and I like it that they don't drown it in feta. The gigantes (beans) were great, and my companion was wowed by the rabbit. Service was friendly, prompt and unstuffy, and though I see some folks have said it's slow...well, good things do take time. Munch on the cabbage salad with almonds, roast paprika and a little lemon while you sip some Santorini wine and decide on what else to order. It's fine to eat slowly. Oh, and the sauce on the shrimp appetizer is scrumptuous and subtle. I think what would make Eleni's offerings even better would be some specials where you could choose 3 or 4 items from specified groups of food and get a glass of wine or two for a set price. as at TABLA. Also, since we're talking Oregon, why not feature some locally grown lamb or veggies (the spanakorizo (spinach and rice) is mahvelous)? Deserts could offer more seasonal fruit as an alternative to baklava (a little dry, needs more marinating in honey). But this is a great place to share your eats and sample in an unrushed atmosphere
read full reviewThe Details on Eleni Restaurant
Know Before You Go:
Reservations are suggested for parties larger than two people.
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American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
