Top : United_States : CT : West_Hartford : Elbow Room"Chic" dining in downtown West Hartford. Sit-down dining on two levels, or patio dining if weather permits. Reservations are strongly recommended. Meals include pastas, specialty salads, beef, lamb and seafood. 986 Farmington Ave.
West Hartford
CT
United States
06107
Telephone : 860.236.6195
Opening Times : Lunch Mon.-Sat., Dinner daily, Brunch Sun.
Type of cuisine served :Price DetailsThe typical price range for a meal at Elbow Room is $15.01 - $30 Payment MethodsAll restaurants accept cash; additional methods of payment are :- - Visa
- MasterCard/Eurocard
- American Express
Alcohol : full bar. Smoking : section. Dress : casual. Parking : pay parking.
ReviewsYou Cannot Go Wrong at Elbow Room This restaurant is like a small slice of Greenwich Village transplanted to a sedate suburb. This restaurant is like a small slice of Greenwich Village transplanted to a sedate suburb. The atmosphere is hip without being kitschy and the food is first rate. This is one of the few establishments that will actually prepare a dish to order. (My medium rare was medium rare - not rare - not well done.) The price is about what one would expect for an upscale suburban restaurant, but a good value for the quality of food served. My only wish is for an expanded wine list, other than that, I would rate Elbow room 2 1/2 out of a possible three stars. Food Rating [10/10] Service Rating [8/10] Ambiance Rating [10/10] Why So Popular? My first (and probably only) visit to The Elbow Room was a bit disappointing. My first (and probably only) visit to The Elbow Room was a bit disappointing. To start, they did not have my desired beer (Sam Smith Nut Brown Ale), although shown on the not very large menu. The beet salad with greens was fresh and pleasant, with goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. The sweetness of the beets contrasted nicely with the tangy dressing. The shrimp cocktail was also fresh, but with only four large shrimp, unimaginitively prepared. The biggest disappointment was the main course - 5 Spice Salmon, which I requested rare. As the other 4 diners with me ordered well done portions, I suppose my dinner finished cooking first and was served at room temperature (hardly appetizing). While the wait staff was pleasant, they never returned to check on the meal. Finally for dessert, two of our table planned to have the Chocolate Creme Brulee, but again the restaurant was short and only had one left. While the prices weren't excessive, the atmosphere scarcely commands a premium. Finally, the name of the resturant is fitting, as there barely is any Elbow Room. If bumping chair backs with the table behind you is what you're looking for, this is THE PLACE. Food Rating [4/10] Service Rating [8/10] Ambiance Rating [6/10] Elbow room is very over rated The service and food at the Elbow Room absolutely sucks. I'm not saying this as a joke. I eat out a lot, and I've been to the Elbow Room a few times and all the things I've had were completely terrible. The crab cakes tasted like they were sitting around for weeks (very fishy), my roomate got some pot roast special that looked and tasted like a TV dinner, and my girlfriend's tuna burger was dryer than a hockey puck! This was just one of my experiences at this over rated dive. The service people there act as if they are working in some trendy SOHO restaurant. They feel as if they are doing you a favor by getting you some water and napkins. I think the location and aesthetics keep people comming back to this restaurant. Do yourselves a favor and don't come here. Anyone who gives this place a good rating really doesn't know food to well. And I'm not a cynical or snotty person. The service and food at the Elbow Room absolutely sucks. I'm not saying this as a joke. I eat out a lot, and I've been to the Elbow Room a few times and all the things I've had were completely terrible. The crab cakes tasted like they were sitting around for weeks (very fishy), my roomate got some pot roast special that looked and tasted like a TV dinner, and my girlfriend's tuna burger was dryer than a hockey puck! This was just one of my experiences at this over rated dive. The service people there act as if they are working in some trendy SOHO restaurant. They feel as if they are doing you a favor by getting you some water and napkins. I think the location and aesthetics keep people comming back to this restaurant. Do yourselves a favor and don't come here. Anyone who gives this place a good rating really doesn't know food to well. And I'm not a cynical or snotty person. Food Rating [2/10] Service Rating [2/10] Ambiance Rating [8/10] Little concern for Customer Needs In making reservations for my Mother's 80th birthday, I requested a table in a corner to minimize the difficulty she might have in hearing. While the Elbow Room took my reservation for 8, they would not commit to a specific table or area, saying it that was their policy regardless of occasion or reason. I was amazed at such a disregard for their customers and such an apparent lack of concern for business. I cancelled the reservation and took my business down the street where they did care. In making reservations for my Mother's 80th birthday, I requested a table in a corner to minimize the difficulty she might have in hearing. While the Elbow Room took my reservation for 8, they would not commit to a specific table or area, saying it that was their policy regardless of occasion or reason. I was amazed at such a disregard for their customers and such an apparent lack of concern for business. I cancelled the reservation and took my business down the street where they did care. Service Rating [8/10] Ambiance Rating [6/10]Am I alone responsible for paying their bills? Tuesday, February 11, 2003: Tuesday, February 11, 2003: two glasses of merlot and a coke = $18.05 Does that seem reasonable to you? Food Rating [4/10] Service Rating [6/10] Ambiance Rating [6/10] Lost Reservations Twice I have been to the Elbow Room 3 times. The first 2 were nothing special, but decent enough to go back. However, on the last occasion my reservations were "lost." The response I got was a giggling hostess saying that "sometimes it happens!" I have been to the Elbow Room 3 times. The first 2 were nothing special, but decent enough to go back. However, on the last occasion my reservations were "lost." The response I got was a giggling hostess saying that "sometimes it happens!" Food Rating [4/10] Service Rating [4/10] Ambiance Rating [6/10] You all are nuts -- this place is great The Elbow Room is one of the more reliable and interesting places to eat in the metro Hartford area. The kitchen is fantastic and the menu has several specials per night, with notable fish dishes of great varieties. My wife and I have been eating there for years. I love the upstairs deck with a bar and heaters for chilly winter nights. The decoration throughout is fantastic. I'm really not sure what you all are complaining about, to be honest. The Elbow Room is one of the more reliable and interesting places to eat in the metro Hartford area. The kitchen is fantastic and the menu has several specials per night, with notable fish dishes of great varieties. My wife and I have been eating there for years. I love the upstairs deck with a bar and heaters for chilly winter nights. The decoration throughout is fantastic. I'm really not sure what you all are complaining about, to be honest. Food Rating [8/10] Service Rating [10/10] Ambiance Rating [10/10]
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