Peachy Picks The Ellington Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
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Named after the fellow you see above, The Ellington is clearly a cut above the rest on the Upper West side for a variety of convincing reasons. One of them are the cocktail sausages:
Everything done at The Ellington is done well and it puts the GASTRO in gastropub. The cuisine is simply amazing. It got Peachy above 96th street on the West side twice and you'll know you are in the best place in the neighborhood the minute you walk in. The staff led by owner Glenda Sansone, a total winner in the know of how to run a place right that we met during the Takeout review, is courteous, professional and friendly. Notably, each person is interested in genuinely doing a great job which is not often found in gastropubs.
How many restaurants have we posted on three times already before the review?
The Ellington was first featured in Terrific Takeout:
(We are not a faith-based organization. We could not believe it could be this fantastic so far north.)
As they were awesome, they had the opportunity to advance to Peachy's Picks (you should wonder about restaurants that do not get this opportunity that are only featured in Takeout if they have sit-down service). The Ellington was then in Tasty Tidbits:
and finally Chandelier Peachy:
Those little cocktail franks were so spectacular we could not wait to eat them once we walked in the door again. Served with Spicy English mustard, they are a true hit and if you are going to dinner or for drinks they are a must at The Ellington. We wish we were eating them right now!!!
The fish cakes are simply superlative. There are both Traditional English/Irish options to share, which we think you should jump all over since they can't be found at most places. If you aren't into that, they also offer quesadillas, chicken fingers and regular fare. These star fish cakes are light, fluffy and most importantly FRESH. The are not some frozen nightmare that can be found in lesser establishments and we were told they boast both salmon and codfish by Corey Maloney, the manager whom we worked with all evening.
Corey is a Cape Codder who is terrific at what he does and he's been there all along since this little gem opened only weeks ago on March 15, 2013.
The Ellington is so great you can even order wine you will be happy with. Most pubs and gastropubs have great beer but not all of them have great wine. Peachy Deegan loves Cabernet and this Dreaming Tree was rich, bold and full. It was a laudable companion to everything we ate at The Ellington!
A salad is a must at dinner and all meals really if you want to get your vegetables in and have a diet of nutrition. The Asparagus and Prosciutto Salad is to-die-for. It is notable how beautiful the Prosciutto is as it is arranged in rosettes. (and it even tastes better this way!)
The atmosphere is a classy chic at The Ellington, and it is not noisy. It is happily lively! Not an empty table was to be found during prime time dinner time when we visited.
The Ellington serves entrees of quality that are rarely found at the regular pub.
As you can see they even have steak knives. The Ellington is serious about their New York Strip Steak, which hit the spot and was grilled medium as asked for. Executive Chef Jordan Brill has solid choices on his menu that will delight everyone. The asparagus was crisp and fresh, and the mash potatoes were a complete dream (Glenda is Irish).
The carrot cake was decadent and so fresh and moist. Some restaurants think they do some over the top desserts that in reality are not nearly as much of a home run, and less is more sometimes. The frosting was rich and though Peachy wanted to eat all the frosting, she also wanted her zippers to work this week. She ate every bite of the cake.
The Ellington is really the cherry on top of recent dining experiences, as it was so unexpectedly excellent!!! Now we have to see what else Glenda does...
Our esteemed panelist adds:
Just steps away from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Manhattan's Upper West Side, you will find the most heavenly place to eat. A hidden gem of New York restaurants, The Ellington is one place you should make sure not to miss. This modern gastropub invites guests into a comforting atmosphere reminiscent of an old country barn. Yet at the same time, with its iron chandelier and large mirrors and windows, the place feels cool and chic. The staff at The Ellington is even more welcoming than the atmosphere. Every member of their team was extremely warm, friendly, and helpful. All of this set the scene for a truly exquisite meal. Many times, pub food can leave a lot to be desired, but the quality of the food here rivals that of most top notch restaurants.
For the appetizer course, we tried the Cocktail Sausages and the Ellington Fish Cakes. The sausages were bursting with flavor and served with spicy English Mustard that I quickly became addicted to. The fish cakes were to die for. Filled with both cod and salmon and accompanied by a side of chipotle mayo, their fresh seafood flavor was mixed with delicious spices and herbs. You could tell that these cakes were hand made with love.
After the appetizers, I tried the Beet and Quinoa Salad. I love beets, and these red and golden beets were full of flavor. The balls of fried goat cheese were the perfect complement, I only wish there were more! The bed of quinoa was hearty and tasty, and the beet-yogurt dressing was an excellent tangy topping.
Before the main course, I decided to order a glass of red sangria. This fruity and refreshing concoction hit the spot on the hot and muggy day. Thankfully, it wasn't overly sweet, just the way I like it! Next up was the main course. I tried the Pan Roasted Salmon.
This fish was so tender, it fell apart when I touched it with my fork, and it literally melted in my mouth. I must say it was probably one of the best pieces of fish that I have ever tasted. Topped with lemon butter sauce, I really could not get enough! The dish also came with baby carrots, chives, and red potatoes. All were tasted like they were fresh from the garden, and the lemon butter sauce brought out their flavors even more. Finally, even though there was no more room, I had to try some dessert. I ordered the Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse with Praline Crunch & Vanilla Cake. What a way to end a meal! The deep chocolate flavor paired so well with the hazelnut, and the soft vanilla cake was balanced perfectly with the praline crunch.
It was so good, I devoured it entirely! I cannot praise The Ellington enough for its excellent food and its fantastic service. Dinner was a meal I won't soon forget, and I cannot wait to return on my next visit!
Peachy Picks The Ellington!
The Ellington is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
