Owned by members of the Grisanti family, I had a very enjoyable meal. Appetizers of roasted scampi and tomatoes were very tasty , as was the fried calamari. The seafood special pasta was very good but could have used more garlic to my taste. I'll go back to try other entrees.
(4)
Kaalow R.
The best steak I ever had anywhere!
(5)
Marita P.
The place is actually really cute and quaint. The food was great too! My issue with this place was how they handled our huge party. We were planning to have about 15 people go to dinner. They found out we with a very large employer in Memphis. We explained we wanted a limited menu so it was easy for their kitchen and we can control costs. The night of our dinner we had a predetermined menu with choices for appetizers, salad, entree, and dessert. Great choices but no price. When the bill came this restaurant charged us for every single course. This is ridiculous! Why setup a predetermined menu and make it look like it was a four course meal!? We thought there was an understanding we wanted a meal that was a determined cost per head. So heed my warning, if you are going there with a large party and you want to specify a menu like what we did make sure you tell them you want cost per head and they confirm they understand what you're asking for. Don't think because you're dealing with the owner they know what they are talking about or know what you want!
(1)
Clint P.
Went there early for dinner. Place was pretty empty but for a few bar patrons. Just the way my wife and I like it. Hostesses could use a little personality training and act like they care. Waitress was very nice and helpful. Had the calamari appetizer and it was good. Came with two tasty dipping sauces, marinara and lemon aioli. Wife ate the half Elfo's special/ half manicotti. It was very good. I had the strip steak and potatoes. Steak was cooked well and had a nice reduction with it. We thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience and will definitely go back.
(4)
Emily R.
I love the atmosphere. It is warm and cozy. It's a very nice date spot. I think the prices are a little high. I'm not a big fan of the tomato sauce. I'm found the pizza to be disappointing.
(3)
Patrick B.
Visited for our anniversary, disappointed in the seating, the service and the meal. The hostess knew we wanted an experience, she must have decided a business party of four with swearing and loud talking would provide it. Our server make comments like "if you don't come back in 10 minutes be sure to wave" and then made it true repeatedly. Apparently I was to re-use my fork from the salad and the server asked me to pick it off the plate. I had to respond that I prefer a fresh fork. I had the lasagna and was so looking forward to those layers of juicy goodness. Didn't know that al Forno should mean so dry that I had to drink water to wash each mouthful, but the server nodded his head "yes". Didn't offer to replace or express concern that I should not be pleased with my food. I left my name and number at the front in case management might want to hear from me. No one has called yet.
(2)
Mark W.
Having dined at Elfo's more than a half dozen times, I must say that I have never had a bad meal, and the service has always been outstanding, even when eating at the bar on occasion. The bartender is as good with dinner as any of the wait staff. Went with another couple last night 4-11-15 for a late dinner , 8:30, and again the staff was excellent and very attentive. My wife order lasagna, which does not have a red sauce, and although excellent, you should ask for a side of gravy. I ordered the Chicken Parm, which I have had before. It was excellent, my only issue with the night was the size of the portion. It was much smaller than the last time I was in, and if this is going to be the size, then I will have trouble paying the $20 for an entree that size without it coming with a larger portion of chicken and side pasta. Another diner with us had the always excellent homemade chicken ravioli, which again was not its usual size in portion. I'm going to give Elfo's another chance and say it was later in the evening and maybe portions were running thin, but if this continues, I will need to be visiting less one of my favorite restaurants in Memphis. I hope that ownership takes note of this review. Taste of food, service all very good, but need to make sure portion size is appropriate and consistent.
(4)
Charles C.
If I could, I'd give Elfo's 3 1/2 stars. As it is, I'll bump it up to 4 just because I think it's a very pleasant place/atmosphere to have a meal with friends or a significant other. The food can be inconsistent. Some nights we've walked out and said, "That was one of the better meals we've had in a while." Other nights, "It was just 'ok.'" I've always had success sticking to the more traditional Italian dishes, which makes obvious sense in an Italian restaurant. My wife, on the other hand, doesn't eat pasta and tends to lean towards fish dishes/specials. She's been disappointed more often than not when venturing off the straight and narrow. Overall, it's a great "go-to" place with wonderful atmosphere. The staff/ownership is friendly, and have generally been very accommodative when we've dined there. I agree with some of the prior posters that the service can be inconsistent sometimes in terms of waiters forgetting to bring silverware, losing focus, etc., but nothing to mess up an evening. Stick to the traditional favorites on the menu, though.
(4)
Sabrina T.
Literally the BEST meal of my life. Had the veal osso bucca over mushroom risotto. Definitely a must try!
(5)
Craig G.
Fantastic dinner with friends. Great atmosphere and service. Wish I could give 6 stars !!
(5)
J C.
I was responsible for arranging dinner for a work function. I chose Elfo's. Big Mistake! I called and made reservations two weeks in advance as this was an important event and I take my job seriously. I followed up the day of the event only to learn they had lost their reservation book and had no records. They were not at all apologetic and didn't seem to care. If I performed my job like they did theirs I would be fired. In this day and age who wouldn't have an electronic copy?
(1)
David H.
After such a wonderful experience the first time, we are going to try it again for our anniversary. We arrived fairly early on a weekday so there was not much of a crowd yet. We were greated rather quickly and we were asked were we would like to sit. We chose a table by the window and the waiter was at our table in no time. The staff was very friendly for our entire visit. We enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere and as the night went on you could see several business men and women gather in the bar area. It never got too loud and was very pleasant. We started with the scallop appetizer. It was undercooked and the waiter took it back immediately. When the dish was returned it was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. I am a huge scallop fan and cook them quite well myself so I can be fairly picky about them. Not long after finishing our scallops and the waiter clearing the table, our main dishes arrived. They were very flavorful and cooked to perfection. I am not usually a fan of any fish in restaurants, but my wife's halibut was one of the best fish dishes I have ever tasted. As a matter of fact, I had her leftovers the next day for lunch and it was even delicious cold. I highly recommend this restaurant and hope your experience is as pleasant as ours was.
(4)
Tal C.
It's like Elfos doesn't know what it wants to be? It has some upscale assets, but then has finishing touches completely mid market. A below average wine list, one fork in a place setting and wine glasses that don't match the wine served. Average food and basically a completely average restaurant. I wish they would make the finishing touches to be fine dining, but now, just a want to be.
(3)
Joelle P.
I hardly ever go to Germantown...much less eat there. I'm not being snotty, I just don't leave the loop because I hate to drive and Germantown is pretty far from where I live. But when I do need to eat in Germantown, Elfo's it is. Well, when we need to get fancy and/or have cocktails. Because the Germantown Commissary is pretty delicious too. Anyways, back to Elfo's. Pasta heaven, my friend, past heaven. And I love the ambience (southern...cozy...yet sophisticated). And that they have valet! Valet makes everything better. Oh, and ladies, here's a hot tip: REALLY cute guys hang out here for drinks. Young professional types...single ones. Back to the food, I've never had anything bad here. All good. Especially that toasted ravioli. And the prices are great.
(4)
Don C.
Came here for a late lunch - 4:30 pm Atmosphere here is fantastic - service is good. We shared toasted ravioli up front. Ordered a bottle of Meiomi Pinot Noir and finished with two Miss Mary Salads. Salads were light and refreshing - ravioli seemed homemade and were tasty. Only pain here was the $72 check. This is a great place for special occasions and romantic encounters.
(4)
Christina N.
As many others have said, this place has an outstanding atmosphere. Very impressive - good for a date night or for a fancy business dinner. The service we had was outstanding. If at all possible, ask to be seated in Jason's section. He will surely take care of you and offer up good wine selections based on your tastes or even some fun Memphis stories if you're in the mood to be chatty. What I appreciate about the menu here is the variety in terms of price. Elfo's makes eating at an upscale place obtainable for more people. They had everything from pizza to pasta to steak...and they had sea bass (which always makes me smile). They seem pretty welcoming of splitting items and will do many of their dishes in half sizes. Portions were big for my meal and the food was well cooked. I ordered the white pizza and the sun-dried tomato salad. Both very good and flavorful. I appreciated that the garlic in the pizza was not too abundant (which often happens with these types of pizzas). The salad was AMAZING. I was sad that there aren't actually any sun dried tomatos on the salad though. Instead they are blended into the dressing. Which made the dressing the best darn dressing I've ever had! They had a pretty expansive wine list as well. I noticed some wines being offered by the glass that I typically only see offered by the bottle at other places, so that was a nice surprise. Overall, a great experience. Looking forward to visiting again!
(4)
Alison C.
My daughter and I ate at Elfo's. It was a Tuesday night and fairly busy. We were seated right away (got there by 6:00). Service was good. We each had the wedge salad. It was delicious! We split the chicken piccata. It was just the right amount and very good. We would recommend this place.
(5)
Kelly H.
Three stars are for a cozy atmosphere. Low lighting and not too noisy. The service was three stars as well. The food was maybe not three stars. I chose the margherita pizza and it was fine but could be improved with some fresh basil. It seemed to be cheese and tomatoes and not really done. I talked the spouse into the pork tenderloin special as he loves tenderloin. He was definitely underwhelmed. He described the pork as dry and chewy and the risotto as bland. We had a gift card to use, but we were still a little surprised at the charge for the special. It was not worth the cost.
(3)
Claudia B.
Please communicate to the manager. Our experience in the restaurant was negative overall. We were a party of 6. From the beginning, the greeter was unpolite. We asked for a booth, she said all were reserved. Which we soon noticed that was NOT true at all. Then the service was poor to bad. Bread was not offered, food was either too cold or too hot. At the time of getting the bills. The server was going to give the bill to me, but changed her mind and took it to one of the men of the group. Not only we felt they were racist and sexist, the service was very badly, and the food nothing extraordinary. Without hesitation, a place in where you find discrimination. We are not originally from this country, yet we're American citizens. Have an accent but are highly educated, well dressed, respectful, and white -and I hope that especially the latter does not make a difference. I wonder what kind of characteristics you have to have in order to receive a better treatment there. Expensive, bad service, food just OK. Good ambience but elitist and with a sense of discrimination.
(1)
Ashley H.
I've put off trying this place for years. After our visit Tuesday night, my husband will make sure we eat there frequently. He would give this place 6 stars, and for Memphis, I think it deserves 5. Because I frequent Italian restaurants in New Orleans and the Mobile bay communities, I'm holding off on the 5th star in comparison. Here's the scoop: The best Italian food I've had in the Memphis area, without a doubt. As I was looking at the menu trying to decide between several dishes that sounded delicious, the waitress informed us of the specials. We immediately decided to go with those because they sounded fantastic. I think we made the right decision, but I don't know that we could have made a wrong one with that menu. I had the grouper topped with crabmeat, on a bed of risotto with a basil cream sauce. Hubby had the duck ravioli in a Marsala sauce. Both dishes were excellent! We both had the Miss Mary's salad, which is really the only thing I wouldn't order again. We split a piece of key lime pie with pistachio gelato for dessert. It was phenomenal as well. The service was definitely 5 star. They were somewhat busy, but it didn't show. Our server was very sweet, attentive, and knowledgable about the menu. The price, well, I've had better food for the money. Not in Memphis though, so I can't complain.
(4)
Alan K.
Two stars, primarily for the service. The wait staff is outstanding, but I think even they realize that the food "just ain't that great". This is yet another Italian restaurant in Memphis with chefs who have apparently never been to Italy, New York, Chicago or anywhere else where Italians actually live and enjoy their particular type of food. Bland sauce, oily eggplant, fish that spent more time in transit than in the water... Just not good. Certainly not worth the price. If you go, stay in the bar and order appetizers. You'll enjoy this place a whole lot more.
(2)
Jennifer C.
Every time I eat there it's the best food. The service could be nicer & more attentive for the price you pay.
(4)
Jenna B.
I've eaten Elfo's catered and absolutely loved it, so I thought to finally go to the restaurant and give it a try! I had the lasagna and spinach, it was divine! We went during happy hour so we had wine for $5 a glass, not bad. The server wasn't that nice, but that can happen from time to time. Very romantic atmosphere, without being uptight, I would go here again!
(4)
Joan B.
I had a great dinner last night at Elfo's. I gave it 3 stars because the food and drink are overpriced. Can't afford the place on my nurse budget. I can't believe this but there are more affordable great food restaurants in Nashville.
(3)
Vim I.
There's no denying how warm and inviting this restaurant is. It would be the perfect setting for a date. But the food was sub-par. We came in for a late dinner on a Wednesday night with a group of 7 people--the service was slow (especially slow to refill drinks). But our waitress was pleasant so I'll give them a pass on that. The scallop and calamari appetizers were really good. I could have passed on the toasted ravioli--the filling just tasted like mushy hamburger meat in my opinion. I was especially disappointed with the salmon entree. The salmon was cooked well--could have had a touch more salt. However, the risotto that it came with was unforgivable for a restaurant that specializes in Italian food. I admit I'm a bit of a risotto snob--and may expect something beyond perfection. But the standard rule for risotto is it's supposed to be creamy enough that it spreads on the plate. What I got at Elfo's was more like a rice pilaf--it was completely dry. Not sure if I just got the leftovers of what had been made prior to dinner service--because it didn't seem to be fresh off the stove. The creme brulle was perfection--classically made--no unnecessary frills. I'd be willing to give Elfo's another try--maybe i just came on an off-night.
(3)
Rach L.
One of my favorite places! Great service and incredible food. I have been here twice, and I can't wait to go back! The servers we had were both very knowledgable and friendly. It's a pretty penny to eat here, but I was definitely very impressed. Five stars for the service, five for the food, and five for the atmosphere.
(5)
Jenn S.
Used to love this place, but most recent visit the food was tasteless! I was shocked and embarrassed as I took a friend, who had never been there, before she moved away from Memphis. Apparently they focus more on their "meat market" bar now than they do their food. Will not be going back again.
(1)
Seth W.
This Italian restaurant is tucked away in a residential area of Germantown and was a surprising find! They offer a wide variety of Italian foods at about $20 a plate. I had the Lasagna which came with a side of Parmesan Spinach. My wife had the Shrimp Alfredo. The Lasagna was quite good! It came in a 'boat' and was a serving and a half (I am uploading a picture of it). The reason for the three star review is because the Spinach was ice cold. My wife's Alfredo was very good as well. She did say that the 'fishy' taste was a little strong but hopefully that can be attributed to the seafood being fresh. The service was fine except for one blemish. The waitress repeatedly asked us if we wanted refills for our soft drinks and we replied yes. They never came. The atmosphere was quite nice. They keep the lights down low and use aged, dark wood for their furniture and decorations. Overall, it was a pleasant experience with the negatives perhaps being the result of several unrelated occurrences. Recommend: The Tuscan Garlic Bread.
(3)
Kimberly K.
First time for me going to Elfo's. My husband had spoken very highly of the restaurant. He dined there a couple times prior to our family moving to the area. Not sure what happened, but the night he took me was HORRIBLE. When we walked in the hostess was very nice and seated us a couple minutes after our reservation time. Once we sat down I asked her for a paper napkin. She came back a few minutes later with torn off paper towels. Ugh, ok? I thought she would bring me a cocktail napkin from the bar, apparently not. Should have been my first clue. LOL Our waiter came over a few minutes after we were seated. He took our drink orders and then told us the specials. I asked him if there were vegan options and he said he thought there were. The waiter was very flustered and kept overtalking...kind of like he thought he knew what I was going to say. He came back to check on us bc we hadn't ordered yet and we asked about bread. His reply "we have it but ya gotta pay for it." He then went and refilled our drinks and when he came back I said what about the breadstick looking things and he said "oh yea, we have um and they're free." My meal came and it wasn't very good. It was one of the specials and it was vegetarian. There was a ton of spinach on the top and I love spinach, but it was way too salty. Oh and a this is another thing that was very off-putting...as we are eating the lights get turned up...like it's closing time. Bright lights! Come to find out someone wanted their picture taken. I get that, but the lights were turned up quite a while. I guess they couldn't get the "right" shot. My husband said his meal was good. I ended up with penne pasta with red sauce which was fine but I had it boxed up. I just wanted to leave at this point. After we left I was thinking about our evening and aside from the lighting situation which was COMPLETELY not ok I think our dining experience would have been so much better had we had an experienced waiter. I was watching some of the other waiters and they seemed very fluid were explaining the menu, etc to their customers. Will was a nice kid, but I think he would be better suited for maybe a Chili's or something along that caliber. My husband said that both times he had been there the service was great so I told him I would give it one more try...so we'll see.
(2)
David H.
The food was overcooked, dry and tasteless. Since when did restaurants start charging $5.00 for bread! The service was horrible, we practically had to beg for service! All 4 diners felt the same.
(1)
Alison B.
The only thing I liked was the garlic bread. Not sure I go back, wasn't to happy about my meal. Neither was my Mom.
(1)
Dawn M.
Very nice romantic restaurant across the street from the Germantown Commissary. Filled with couples and groups of 6-8 it is a great way to spend a quiet evening with lover or friends. We celebrated our 19th here a few days ago when my husband surprised me with dinner and a Pandora. The Miss Mary's salad is just lettuce, one tomato wedge with oil and vinegar. It is the only thing that was bland and boring except for the overpriced and acidic $45 Classico. My husband had a large oval baking dish of delicious lasagna and another salad with cheese which I cannot eat. I had the house special with shrimp, mushrooms and spaghetti. It was excellent.
(5)
Jolynna M.
Looking for something different to do the other night, my friend suggested we meet at Elfo's for drinks. Well ever since they opened I've wanted to check it out, so I agreed. It was a Wednesday night, which I discovered is one of "the" places to go on Wednesdays if you're single and over-the-hill like me (ha ha). It was pretty crowded, but there was room at the bar for us, so we sat there and ordered our drinks. I was impressed right away with the place. They bar area was really swank with dark polished wood and granite. And my wine was served in a lovely stemless glass. A nice touch. We didn't have dinner, but we did order an appetizer. There was not a large selection of starters on the menu, so we went with the calamari. And quite frankly, it was some of the best I've had. It was very lightly battered and had a nice peppery taste to it that I enjoyed. And it was served with two sauces - a white and a red. Very good. Even though we didn't order dinner, I did peruse the menu, and it looked great. But this is a Grisanti owned establishment, and everyone in town pretty much knows that means excellent food. I will definitely go back for further investigation. :)
(4)
Mischief G.
How much do I love Elfo's? Enough that when I fly in to Memphis once a year to see family, I take them to dinner at Elfo's the night I arrive. Yeah, I love it that much. This is the restaurant that convinced me a bread stick could actually be delicious, especially when it's dipped in garlic butter! I can't get enough of their fried calamari appetizer; last year we ordered two of them (for three people; it was a little decadent, yeah). I always get a pasta, usually a white sauce and prawns. The pizzas look wonderful and are perfect to share. My boyfriend and I shared one of the best spinach salads I have ever had. I'd give this place 5 stars but it's a tad expensive. I wanted to order the bass last time I was there, but $33 for a piece of fish? Even I couldn't justify that price. Elfo's is a great experience and I look forward to dining there once a year. It's a real treat and those of you who are lucky enough to live in Memphis should definately try it.
(4)
Katie K.
Elfo's is a delight! Very romantic and nice atmosphere! Great for either a date or a night with the ladies! My favorites are there fish selections and there lasagna! This is my favorite place to eat in Memphis ! Elfo's has it all, atmosphere,food,service and drinks of course! If you have not eaten here then you need to see what you are missing!
(5)
Misty R.
If you love Grisant's you will also love Elfo's, it's a Ronnie Grisanti restaurant in a Germantown. I love the atmosphere here, it has a great bar area and it's upscale for the area. I meet a group of girlfriends here for dinner a few times a year. I'm a fan of Grisanti's Miss Mary's salad so I always order it here. I like their pizzas (thin crust, Tuscan style) and I've had the Margarita pizza. If you like pasta you can't go wrong here. It is always fresh and filling. They also have a delicious Gorgonzola Fillet that is stuffed with the cheese and seasoned with garlic, it melts in your mouth. They are only open for dinner Monday-Saturday. If you have a group size larger than 2 it's a good idea to make a reservation as it gets crowded sometimes.
(4)
Mike J.
PD and I ended up here for supper. It wasn't planned, but we were driving by and it was either Elfo's or the Commissary across the street. We decided to try Elfo's since we never had. The first thing that struck us was a long wait at the hostess stand. So much so that the people behind us starting looking for her. When the waiter showed up, he first asked us for drinks and what we wanted for appetizers. We sort of pointed to the table next to us and asked what they were having, it looked pretty good. Well... that was the fried calamari and our waiter, David went into an adjective laced speech about how good they were and how they were the best appetizer they had. We felt sorry to deflate his enthusiasm when we told him that neither of us liked squid. We had the toasted ravioli, which were a bit soggy and could have been a bit spicier. It was a lot smaller than the squid too. For our main course, the waiter had described a halibut dish that sounded really good. As PD and I discussed what we wanted, I mentioned the special, but I was hesitant because it was quite pricey. She was interested in the Elfo pasta special. When the waiter came, I broke down and ordered the halibut. I asked if I could have the spaghetti as a side instead of the potatoes. David said no problem, you can have any side you want. PD asked for the Elfo special. David suggested the Specialty Casa, which was a combo of the Elfo special and tortellini. PD agreed. We sat and chatted. We found the room a bit loud and spacing of tables a bit tight. Then the food came. My halibut was really good. PD said her stuff was good too, but she was put off that the two items were served in one plate and they both had different sauces that commingled. She felt there should have been a barrier between them. When I mention the spacing of the tables, it did seem to have one side effect. It seemed that the wait staff only had room to come into the table at an angle where they were always getting between me and PD, both to put plates down and to remove the very empty ones. It was like I was dating PD and her watchful father was the waiter, making sure we did not get too close. When we got the bill, that spaghetti instead of potatoes, they charged us for it. Unfortunately David paid for it as I cut the tip to cover it. Overall, the food was good, the service was adequate, but it was a bit pricey. You could go there and get away cheaper as there did seem to be a good assortment of lower priced stuff on the menu too. The dining room is dominated by the bar so it looks as if it might be a good place to come just for drinks too.
(3)
C S.
Elfos is a great place for dinner. I was part of 20 person party, and had a large time at Elfos. Everyone from the hostess, the servers, the chef and several others were very kind and accommodating. They sat us at a makeshift large rectangular table in the bar area and though it was it bit on the busy side it made for great entertainment. All of us that had the good fortune to sit facing the bar were treated to a real-life reality show. The bar was chock full of cougars hitting on the help and old guys in their best golf-wear and gold bracelets trying to get the attention of the cougars. I wish I could say it was lovely or touching or romantic, but it was really just comical. We couldn't stop laughing. They should tape a reality show there. Anyway, I'm not a big red meat eater but sometimes I crave a big juicy steak and this night was just such a night. I ordered the black peppered steak. I was a reluctant to order it but others in our party spoke very well of it. Boy were they right. It was fantastic. Cooked just right and the perfect blending of succulent beef and spice. Mouth watering delicious. I've always been a fan of Elfos and will continue to go back alone or in pairs. ;)
(5)
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Address :2285 S Germantown Rd
Germantown, TN, 38138
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Paid Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Gary P.
Owned by members of the Grisanti family, I had a very enjoyable meal. Appetizers of roasted scampi and tomatoes were very tasty , as was the fried calamari. The seafood special pasta was very good but could have used more garlic to my taste. I'll go back to try other entrees.
(4)Kaalow R.
The best steak I ever had anywhere!
(5)Marita P.
The place is actually really cute and quaint. The food was great too! My issue with this place was how they handled our huge party. We were planning to have about 15 people go to dinner. They found out we with a very large employer in Memphis. We explained we wanted a limited menu so it was easy for their kitchen and we can control costs. The night of our dinner we had a predetermined menu with choices for appetizers, salad, entree, and dessert. Great choices but no price. When the bill came this restaurant charged us for every single course. This is ridiculous! Why setup a predetermined menu and make it look like it was a four course meal!? We thought there was an understanding we wanted a meal that was a determined cost per head. So heed my warning, if you are going there with a large party and you want to specify a menu like what we did make sure you tell them you want cost per head and they confirm they understand what you're asking for. Don't think because you're dealing with the owner they know what they are talking about or know what you want!
(1)Clint P.
Went there early for dinner. Place was pretty empty but for a few bar patrons. Just the way my wife and I like it. Hostesses could use a little personality training and act like they care. Waitress was very nice and helpful. Had the calamari appetizer and it was good. Came with two tasty dipping sauces, marinara and lemon aioli. Wife ate the half Elfo's special/ half manicotti. It was very good. I had the strip steak and potatoes. Steak was cooked well and had a nice reduction with it. We thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience and will definitely go back.
(4)Emily R.
I love the atmosphere. It is warm and cozy. It's a very nice date spot. I think the prices are a little high. I'm not a big fan of the tomato sauce. I'm found the pizza to be disappointing.
(3)Patrick B.
Visited for our anniversary, disappointed in the seating, the service and the meal. The hostess knew we wanted an experience, she must have decided a business party of four with swearing and loud talking would provide it. Our server make comments like "if you don't come back in 10 minutes be sure to wave" and then made it true repeatedly. Apparently I was to re-use my fork from the salad and the server asked me to pick it off the plate. I had to respond that I prefer a fresh fork. I had the lasagna and was so looking forward to those layers of juicy goodness. Didn't know that al Forno should mean so dry that I had to drink water to wash each mouthful, but the server nodded his head "yes". Didn't offer to replace or express concern that I should not be pleased with my food. I left my name and number at the front in case management might want to hear from me. No one has called yet.
(2)Mark W.
Having dined at Elfo's more than a half dozen times, I must say that I have never had a bad meal, and the service has always been outstanding, even when eating at the bar on occasion. The bartender is as good with dinner as any of the wait staff. Went with another couple last night 4-11-15 for a late dinner , 8:30, and again the staff was excellent and very attentive. My wife order lasagna, which does not have a red sauce, and although excellent, you should ask for a side of gravy. I ordered the Chicken Parm, which I have had before. It was excellent, my only issue with the night was the size of the portion. It was much smaller than the last time I was in, and if this is going to be the size, then I will have trouble paying the $20 for an entree that size without it coming with a larger portion of chicken and side pasta. Another diner with us had the always excellent homemade chicken ravioli, which again was not its usual size in portion. I'm going to give Elfo's another chance and say it was later in the evening and maybe portions were running thin, but if this continues, I will need to be visiting less one of my favorite restaurants in Memphis. I hope that ownership takes note of this review. Taste of food, service all very good, but need to make sure portion size is appropriate and consistent.
(4)Charles C.
If I could, I'd give Elfo's 3 1/2 stars. As it is, I'll bump it up to 4 just because I think it's a very pleasant place/atmosphere to have a meal with friends or a significant other. The food can be inconsistent. Some nights we've walked out and said, "That was one of the better meals we've had in a while." Other nights, "It was just 'ok.'" I've always had success sticking to the more traditional Italian dishes, which makes obvious sense in an Italian restaurant. My wife, on the other hand, doesn't eat pasta and tends to lean towards fish dishes/specials. She's been disappointed more often than not when venturing off the straight and narrow. Overall, it's a great "go-to" place with wonderful atmosphere. The staff/ownership is friendly, and have generally been very accommodative when we've dined there. I agree with some of the prior posters that the service can be inconsistent sometimes in terms of waiters forgetting to bring silverware, losing focus, etc., but nothing to mess up an evening. Stick to the traditional favorites on the menu, though.
(4)Sabrina T.
Literally the BEST meal of my life. Had the veal osso bucca over mushroom risotto. Definitely a must try!
(5)Craig G.
Fantastic dinner with friends. Great atmosphere and service. Wish I could give 6 stars !!
(5)J C.
I was responsible for arranging dinner for a work function. I chose Elfo's. Big Mistake! I called and made reservations two weeks in advance as this was an important event and I take my job seriously. I followed up the day of the event only to learn they had lost their reservation book and had no records. They were not at all apologetic and didn't seem to care. If I performed my job like they did theirs I would be fired. In this day and age who wouldn't have an electronic copy?
(1)David H.
After such a wonderful experience the first time, we are going to try it again for our anniversary. We arrived fairly early on a weekday so there was not much of a crowd yet. We were greated rather quickly and we were asked were we would like to sit. We chose a table by the window and the waiter was at our table in no time. The staff was very friendly for our entire visit. We enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere and as the night went on you could see several business men and women gather in the bar area. It never got too loud and was very pleasant. We started with the scallop appetizer. It was undercooked and the waiter took it back immediately. When the dish was returned it was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious. I am a huge scallop fan and cook them quite well myself so I can be fairly picky about them. Not long after finishing our scallops and the waiter clearing the table, our main dishes arrived. They were very flavorful and cooked to perfection. I am not usually a fan of any fish in restaurants, but my wife's halibut was one of the best fish dishes I have ever tasted. As a matter of fact, I had her leftovers the next day for lunch and it was even delicious cold. I highly recommend this restaurant and hope your experience is as pleasant as ours was.
(4)Tal C.
It's like Elfos doesn't know what it wants to be? It has some upscale assets, but then has finishing touches completely mid market. A below average wine list, one fork in a place setting and wine glasses that don't match the wine served. Average food and basically a completely average restaurant. I wish they would make the finishing touches to be fine dining, but now, just a want to be.
(3)Joelle P.
I hardly ever go to Germantown...much less eat there. I'm not being snotty, I just don't leave the loop because I hate to drive and Germantown is pretty far from where I live. But when I do need to eat in Germantown, Elfo's it is. Well, when we need to get fancy and/or have cocktails. Because the Germantown Commissary is pretty delicious too. Anyways, back to Elfo's. Pasta heaven, my friend, past heaven. And I love the ambience (southern...cozy...yet sophisticated). And that they have valet! Valet makes everything better. Oh, and ladies, here's a hot tip: REALLY cute guys hang out here for drinks. Young professional types...single ones. Back to the food, I've never had anything bad here. All good. Especially that toasted ravioli. And the prices are great.
(4)Don C.
Came here for a late lunch - 4:30 pm Atmosphere here is fantastic - service is good. We shared toasted ravioli up front. Ordered a bottle of Meiomi Pinot Noir and finished with two Miss Mary Salads. Salads were light and refreshing - ravioli seemed homemade and were tasty. Only pain here was the $72 check. This is a great place for special occasions and romantic encounters.
(4)Christina N.
As many others have said, this place has an outstanding atmosphere. Very impressive - good for a date night or for a fancy business dinner. The service we had was outstanding. If at all possible, ask to be seated in Jason's section. He will surely take care of you and offer up good wine selections based on your tastes or even some fun Memphis stories if you're in the mood to be chatty. What I appreciate about the menu here is the variety in terms of price. Elfo's makes eating at an upscale place obtainable for more people. They had everything from pizza to pasta to steak...and they had sea bass (which always makes me smile). They seem pretty welcoming of splitting items and will do many of their dishes in half sizes. Portions were big for my meal and the food was well cooked. I ordered the white pizza and the sun-dried tomato salad. Both very good and flavorful. I appreciated that the garlic in the pizza was not too abundant (which often happens with these types of pizzas). The salad was AMAZING. I was sad that there aren't actually any sun dried tomatos on the salad though. Instead they are blended into the dressing. Which made the dressing the best darn dressing I've ever had! They had a pretty expansive wine list as well. I noticed some wines being offered by the glass that I typically only see offered by the bottle at other places, so that was a nice surprise. Overall, a great experience. Looking forward to visiting again!
(4)Alison C.
My daughter and I ate at Elfo's. It was a Tuesday night and fairly busy. We were seated right away (got there by 6:00). Service was good. We each had the wedge salad. It was delicious! We split the chicken piccata. It was just the right amount and very good. We would recommend this place.
(5)Kelly H.
Three stars are for a cozy atmosphere. Low lighting and not too noisy. The service was three stars as well. The food was maybe not three stars. I chose the margherita pizza and it was fine but could be improved with some fresh basil. It seemed to be cheese and tomatoes and not really done. I talked the spouse into the pork tenderloin special as he loves tenderloin. He was definitely underwhelmed. He described the pork as dry and chewy and the risotto as bland. We had a gift card to use, but we were still a little surprised at the charge for the special. It was not worth the cost.
(3)Claudia B.
Please communicate to the manager. Our experience in the restaurant was negative overall. We were a party of 6. From the beginning, the greeter was unpolite. We asked for a booth, she said all were reserved. Which we soon noticed that was NOT true at all. Then the service was poor to bad. Bread was not offered, food was either too cold or too hot. At the time of getting the bills. The server was going to give the bill to me, but changed her mind and took it to one of the men of the group. Not only we felt they were racist and sexist, the service was very badly, and the food nothing extraordinary. Without hesitation, a place in where you find discrimination. We are not originally from this country, yet we're American citizens. Have an accent but are highly educated, well dressed, respectful, and white -and I hope that especially the latter does not make a difference. I wonder what kind of characteristics you have to have in order to receive a better treatment there. Expensive, bad service, food just OK. Good ambience but elitist and with a sense of discrimination.
(1)Ashley H.
I've put off trying this place for years. After our visit Tuesday night, my husband will make sure we eat there frequently. He would give this place 6 stars, and for Memphis, I think it deserves 5. Because I frequent Italian restaurants in New Orleans and the Mobile bay communities, I'm holding off on the 5th star in comparison. Here's the scoop: The best Italian food I've had in the Memphis area, without a doubt. As I was looking at the menu trying to decide between several dishes that sounded delicious, the waitress informed us of the specials. We immediately decided to go with those because they sounded fantastic. I think we made the right decision, but I don't know that we could have made a wrong one with that menu. I had the grouper topped with crabmeat, on a bed of risotto with a basil cream sauce. Hubby had the duck ravioli in a Marsala sauce. Both dishes were excellent! We both had the Miss Mary's salad, which is really the only thing I wouldn't order again. We split a piece of key lime pie with pistachio gelato for dessert. It was phenomenal as well. The service was definitely 5 star. They were somewhat busy, but it didn't show. Our server was very sweet, attentive, and knowledgable about the menu. The price, well, I've had better food for the money. Not in Memphis though, so I can't complain.
(4)Alan K.
Two stars, primarily for the service. The wait staff is outstanding, but I think even they realize that the food "just ain't that great". This is yet another Italian restaurant in Memphis with chefs who have apparently never been to Italy, New York, Chicago or anywhere else where Italians actually live and enjoy their particular type of food. Bland sauce, oily eggplant, fish that spent more time in transit than in the water... Just not good. Certainly not worth the price. If you go, stay in the bar and order appetizers. You'll enjoy this place a whole lot more.
(2)Jennifer C.
Every time I eat there it's the best food. The service could be nicer & more attentive for the price you pay.
(4)Jenna B.
I've eaten Elfo's catered and absolutely loved it, so I thought to finally go to the restaurant and give it a try! I had the lasagna and spinach, it was divine! We went during happy hour so we had wine for $5 a glass, not bad. The server wasn't that nice, but that can happen from time to time. Very romantic atmosphere, without being uptight, I would go here again!
(4)Joan B.
I had a great dinner last night at Elfo's. I gave it 3 stars because the food and drink are overpriced. Can't afford the place on my nurse budget. I can't believe this but there are more affordable great food restaurants in Nashville.
(3)Vim I.
There's no denying how warm and inviting this restaurant is. It would be the perfect setting for a date. But the food was sub-par. We came in for a late dinner on a Wednesday night with a group of 7 people--the service was slow (especially slow to refill drinks). But our waitress was pleasant so I'll give them a pass on that. The scallop and calamari appetizers were really good. I could have passed on the toasted ravioli--the filling just tasted like mushy hamburger meat in my opinion. I was especially disappointed with the salmon entree. The salmon was cooked well--could have had a touch more salt. However, the risotto that it came with was unforgivable for a restaurant that specializes in Italian food. I admit I'm a bit of a risotto snob--and may expect something beyond perfection. But the standard rule for risotto is it's supposed to be creamy enough that it spreads on the plate. What I got at Elfo's was more like a rice pilaf--it was completely dry. Not sure if I just got the leftovers of what had been made prior to dinner service--because it didn't seem to be fresh off the stove. The creme brulle was perfection--classically made--no unnecessary frills. I'd be willing to give Elfo's another try--maybe i just came on an off-night.
(3)Rach L.
One of my favorite places! Great service and incredible food. I have been here twice, and I can't wait to go back! The servers we had were both very knowledgable and friendly. It's a pretty penny to eat here, but I was definitely very impressed. Five stars for the service, five for the food, and five for the atmosphere.
(5)Jenn S.
Used to love this place, but most recent visit the food was tasteless! I was shocked and embarrassed as I took a friend, who had never been there, before she moved away from Memphis. Apparently they focus more on their "meat market" bar now than they do their food. Will not be going back again.
(1)Seth W.
This Italian restaurant is tucked away in a residential area of Germantown and was a surprising find! They offer a wide variety of Italian foods at about $20 a plate. I had the Lasagna which came with a side of Parmesan Spinach. My wife had the Shrimp Alfredo. The Lasagna was quite good! It came in a 'boat' and was a serving and a half (I am uploading a picture of it). The reason for the three star review is because the Spinach was ice cold. My wife's Alfredo was very good as well. She did say that the 'fishy' taste was a little strong but hopefully that can be attributed to the seafood being fresh. The service was fine except for one blemish. The waitress repeatedly asked us if we wanted refills for our soft drinks and we replied yes. They never came. The atmosphere was quite nice. They keep the lights down low and use aged, dark wood for their furniture and decorations. Overall, it was a pleasant experience with the negatives perhaps being the result of several unrelated occurrences. Recommend: The Tuscan Garlic Bread.
(3)Kimberly K.
First time for me going to Elfo's. My husband had spoken very highly of the restaurant. He dined there a couple times prior to our family moving to the area. Not sure what happened, but the night he took me was HORRIBLE. When we walked in the hostess was very nice and seated us a couple minutes after our reservation time. Once we sat down I asked her for a paper napkin. She came back a few minutes later with torn off paper towels. Ugh, ok? I thought she would bring me a cocktail napkin from the bar, apparently not. Should have been my first clue. LOL Our waiter came over a few minutes after we were seated. He took our drink orders and then told us the specials. I asked him if there were vegan options and he said he thought there were. The waiter was very flustered and kept overtalking...kind of like he thought he knew what I was going to say. He came back to check on us bc we hadn't ordered yet and we asked about bread. His reply "we have it but ya gotta pay for it." He then went and refilled our drinks and when he came back I said what about the breadstick looking things and he said "oh yea, we have um and they're free." My meal came and it wasn't very good. It was one of the specials and it was vegetarian. There was a ton of spinach on the top and I love spinach, but it was way too salty. Oh and a this is another thing that was very off-putting...as we are eating the lights get turned up...like it's closing time. Bright lights! Come to find out someone wanted their picture taken. I get that, but the lights were turned up quite a while. I guess they couldn't get the "right" shot. My husband said his meal was good. I ended up with penne pasta with red sauce which was fine but I had it boxed up. I just wanted to leave at this point. After we left I was thinking about our evening and aside from the lighting situation which was COMPLETELY not ok I think our dining experience would have been so much better had we had an experienced waiter. I was watching some of the other waiters and they seemed very fluid were explaining the menu, etc to their customers. Will was a nice kid, but I think he would be better suited for maybe a Chili's or something along that caliber. My husband said that both times he had been there the service was great so I told him I would give it one more try...so we'll see.
(2)David H.
The food was overcooked, dry and tasteless. Since when did restaurants start charging $5.00 for bread! The service was horrible, we practically had to beg for service! All 4 diners felt the same.
(1)Alison B.
The only thing I liked was the garlic bread. Not sure I go back, wasn't to happy about my meal. Neither was my Mom.
(1)Dawn M.
Very nice romantic restaurant across the street from the Germantown Commissary. Filled with couples and groups of 6-8 it is a great way to spend a quiet evening with lover or friends. We celebrated our 19th here a few days ago when my husband surprised me with dinner and a Pandora. The Miss Mary's salad is just lettuce, one tomato wedge with oil and vinegar. It is the only thing that was bland and boring except for the overpriced and acidic $45 Classico. My husband had a large oval baking dish of delicious lasagna and another salad with cheese which I cannot eat. I had the house special with shrimp, mushrooms and spaghetti. It was excellent.
(5)Jolynna M.
Looking for something different to do the other night, my friend suggested we meet at Elfo's for drinks. Well ever since they opened I've wanted to check it out, so I agreed. It was a Wednesday night, which I discovered is one of "the" places to go on Wednesdays if you're single and over-the-hill like me (ha ha). It was pretty crowded, but there was room at the bar for us, so we sat there and ordered our drinks. I was impressed right away with the place. They bar area was really swank with dark polished wood and granite. And my wine was served in a lovely stemless glass. A nice touch. We didn't have dinner, but we did order an appetizer. There was not a large selection of starters on the menu, so we went with the calamari. And quite frankly, it was some of the best I've had. It was very lightly battered and had a nice peppery taste to it that I enjoyed. And it was served with two sauces - a white and a red. Very good. Even though we didn't order dinner, I did peruse the menu, and it looked great. But this is a Grisanti owned establishment, and everyone in town pretty much knows that means excellent food. I will definitely go back for further investigation. :)
(4)Mischief G.
How much do I love Elfo's? Enough that when I fly in to Memphis once a year to see family, I take them to dinner at Elfo's the night I arrive. Yeah, I love it that much. This is the restaurant that convinced me a bread stick could actually be delicious, especially when it's dipped in garlic butter! I can't get enough of their fried calamari appetizer; last year we ordered two of them (for three people; it was a little decadent, yeah). I always get a pasta, usually a white sauce and prawns. The pizzas look wonderful and are perfect to share. My boyfriend and I shared one of the best spinach salads I have ever had. I'd give this place 5 stars but it's a tad expensive. I wanted to order the bass last time I was there, but $33 for a piece of fish? Even I couldn't justify that price. Elfo's is a great experience and I look forward to dining there once a year. It's a real treat and those of you who are lucky enough to live in Memphis should definately try it.
(4)Katie K.
Elfo's is a delight! Very romantic and nice atmosphere! Great for either a date or a night with the ladies! My favorites are there fish selections and there lasagna! This is my favorite place to eat in Memphis ! Elfo's has it all, atmosphere,food,service and drinks of course! If you have not eaten here then you need to see what you are missing!
(5)Misty R.
If you love Grisant's you will also love Elfo's, it's a Ronnie Grisanti restaurant in a Germantown. I love the atmosphere here, it has a great bar area and it's upscale for the area. I meet a group of girlfriends here for dinner a few times a year. I'm a fan of Grisanti's Miss Mary's salad so I always order it here. I like their pizzas (thin crust, Tuscan style) and I've had the Margarita pizza. If you like pasta you can't go wrong here. It is always fresh and filling. They also have a delicious Gorgonzola Fillet that is stuffed with the cheese and seasoned with garlic, it melts in your mouth. They are only open for dinner Monday-Saturday. If you have a group size larger than 2 it's a good idea to make a reservation as it gets crowded sometimes.
(4)Mike J.
PD and I ended up here for supper. It wasn't planned, but we were driving by and it was either Elfo's or the Commissary across the street. We decided to try Elfo's since we never had. The first thing that struck us was a long wait at the hostess stand. So much so that the people behind us starting looking for her. When the waiter showed up, he first asked us for drinks and what we wanted for appetizers. We sort of pointed to the table next to us and asked what they were having, it looked pretty good. Well... that was the fried calamari and our waiter, David went into an adjective laced speech about how good they were and how they were the best appetizer they had. We felt sorry to deflate his enthusiasm when we told him that neither of us liked squid. We had the toasted ravioli, which were a bit soggy and could have been a bit spicier. It was a lot smaller than the squid too. For our main course, the waiter had described a halibut dish that sounded really good. As PD and I discussed what we wanted, I mentioned the special, but I was hesitant because it was quite pricey. She was interested in the Elfo pasta special. When the waiter came, I broke down and ordered the halibut. I asked if I could have the spaghetti as a side instead of the potatoes. David said no problem, you can have any side you want. PD asked for the Elfo special. David suggested the Specialty Casa, which was a combo of the Elfo special and tortellini. PD agreed. We sat and chatted. We found the room a bit loud and spacing of tables a bit tight. Then the food came. My halibut was really good. PD said her stuff was good too, but she was put off that the two items were served in one plate and they both had different sauces that commingled. She felt there should have been a barrier between them. When I mention the spacing of the tables, it did seem to have one side effect. It seemed that the wait staff only had room to come into the table at an angle where they were always getting between me and PD, both to put plates down and to remove the very empty ones. It was like I was dating PD and her watchful father was the waiter, making sure we did not get too close. When we got the bill, that spaghetti instead of potatoes, they charged us for it. Unfortunately David paid for it as I cut the tip to cover it. Overall, the food was good, the service was adequate, but it was a bit pricey. You could go there and get away cheaper as there did seem to be a good assortment of lower priced stuff on the menu too. The dining room is dominated by the bar so it looks as if it might be a good place to come just for drinks too.
(3)C S.
Elfos is a great place for dinner. I was part of 20 person party, and had a large time at Elfos. Everyone from the hostess, the servers, the chef and several others were very kind and accommodating. They sat us at a makeshift large rectangular table in the bar area and though it was it bit on the busy side it made for great entertainment. All of us that had the good fortune to sit facing the bar were treated to a real-life reality show. The bar was chock full of cougars hitting on the help and old guys in their best golf-wear and gold bracelets trying to get the attention of the cougars. I wish I could say it was lovely or touching or romantic, but it was really just comical. We couldn't stop laughing. They should tape a reality show there. Anyway, I'm not a big red meat eater but sometimes I crave a big juicy steak and this night was just such a night. I ordered the black peppered steak. I was a reluctant to order it but others in our party spoke very well of it. Boy were they right. It was fantastic. Cooked just right and the perfect blending of succulent beef and spice. Mouth watering delicious. I've always been a fan of Elfos and will continue to go back alone or in pairs. ;)
(5)