Ella

Sacramento, CA

On Chu-Toro's actual birthday night, we dined at Ella, somewhere that we've been meaning to dine for years. For a Tuesday night, the place was packed. They fulfilled my request to seat us in the corner of the room in a booth which gave us a great view of the interesting designed restaurant which was mostly modern and causal elegant with a twist. Midway up on the walls and atop the ceiling were small, old, colorful window shutters all aligned to form an original design.  

Estrella Damm

We started with a couple of drinks, Chu-Toro with a peach mojito and I was recommended an Estrella Damm, a smooth, crisp Belgium style food beer from Spain. It was an excellent selection that I would've never come across had they not run out off the beer on tap I originally ordered. We finished the entire bottle and both enjoyed it tremendously. 

Watermelon Salad

Chu-Toro started with a watermelon salad, a dish that sounded pretty pedestrian but actually was my favorite of the night. The salad consisted of watermelon chunks, rock shrimp, pickled bean sprouts, roasted peanuts and chili-lime vinaigrette. It was extremely fresh, light with thai inspired flavors that really tied together well. A surprising winner.

Wood fire oven Meatballs

In typical fashion, Chu-Toro starts with a light fresh first course, so of course I select the heaviest, heartiest, most filling dish possible. Wood fire meatballs with cherry tomatoes, candied garlic, basil and sheep's milk ricotta. The meatballs were extremely moist and tasty, reminding me of little meatloaf bites. A simple concept that was well executed and tasty.

Pan Roasted Scottish Salmon

Chu-Toro selected the pan roasted Scottish Salmon, with smoked corn succotash, porcini, mustard beurre blanc, piqullo peppers, and green chickpeas. The salmon was well cooked, just slightly medium, making it tender and delicate. Corn is one of Chu-Toro's top five ingredients and she loved the succotash which was flavorful with a little kick. 

Roasted Berkshire Pork T-Bone

My roasted Berkshire pork T-bone was a thick generous cut of meat that was very well seasoned, tasty with a nice crispy crust but I wished it was just bit juicier inside. Underneath was a panzanella salad, green garlic, braised peal onions, piperade, bacon lardons. Another good offering.

Honey Poached Crepes

We were very full and boxed up half of each of our entrees, so we decided to share a "light" dessert. The honey poached crepes sweet corn ice cream, summer berry compote and caramel corn hit the spot perfectly. They staff wished Chu-Toro a happy birthday at least a half dozen times throughout the night and topped it off with a candle on the dessert. Chu-Toro also ordered a coffee which came with warmed milk, bumping up her total score by a half point. It's just one of those service touches that Chu-Toro really appreciates.


Even though our favorite meal in Sacramento was at The Kitchen, another restaurant from the same owners, I think we were extremely surprised that our experience here was at the same level of success. It's a place that I would recommend in Sacramento, which is an extremely short list. It is a little pricey, but we found that the service and food were very good and we will be back.


Rating 8/10
August 23, 2011