Eldo — Restaurant in Cameron Park

Short story, the food is pretty good, service was average and the vibe was nice in parts of the restaurant. However there’s a fatal flaw if ambiance is important to you.

On first impression the restaurant is beautiful with a big, well decorated full bar with lots of seating. The decor is modern neutrals and quite pretty. We had a reservation and they took us back to our table immediately. Unfortunately, the two top table was right next to a kitchen door. The door was stainless steel with a window. Within two minutes of sitting down, staff kicked it open, didn’t push it open, but kicked it open so there was a loud obnoxious banging sound that was quite jarring when you’re trying to have a romantic dinner. The fluorescent light through the door window was bright and not keeping with the restaurant lighting. And we could hear the person that went through the door making a bunch of noise. There were several other empty tables in the vicinity that were not right next to the door, so we asked to move. They denied our request stating that the other tables were reserved. Well, this may have been true, but a couple of the tables remained empty throughout the course of our dinner. They assured us nobody else will be going through the door. Then the manager came and opened the door partway and left the doorstop so that there was not only the unsightly door and the light coming through the window, but the bright fluorescent lights shining through the open door, also leaving us a view of a bathroom inside the door, making a bad seat even worse.

Meanwhile another couple was brought to a nearby table and refused to be seated there due to the unsightly door, I started thinking that was a smart choice. There was also a 4 top seated slightly further away but will a clear view of the door and kept looking and talking about it. That area of the restaurant has a dense amount of tables, so unfortunately, there are a lot of tables with a view of that door. Given the number of tables with a clear view of that door, and the fact that the server told us it’s not a main kitchen entrance, why they wouldn’t cover it with thick curtain panels to block the light, obscure the ugly door, and dampen the noise from the other parts of the kitchen that were clearly heard through that open door. We spent a lot of money on our dinner and were very disappointed. Normally, we stay for dessert and coffee and we could not wait to get out of there. My husband had the ribeye and I had the filet. Both were prepared as we had ordered. They were tender and delicious. Mine came with asparagus and whipped potatoes. Both were good. Although the plate seemed to have been ready for a while because the food was not hot by the time we received it. I might give this restaurant one more try but if they try to sit us near that door, and don’t have that door covered, I don’t think we’ll stay. We spent a lot of money on a very disappointing experience. when you have expensive price tags you expect a beautiful experience not just good tasting food and a server that smiles at you when they talk.

They have a beautiful patio that is fully covered with ceiling fans to help keep it cool. Unfortunately, the patio bumps up against the parking lot so the view from the patio isn’t great, but the patio itself is really pretty.

Parking is...

Drinks were excellent. The Eldo Old Fashioned was well-made but a bit light on the pour. My wife loved the Taylor Made, with Kiwi Do You Love Me close behind. Both appetizers—the crispy nigiri bites and fried chicken & cornbread bites—were great.

For entrees, my wife’s cod was good, but my steak was poorly cooked. The New York cut was thick and of decent quality, but the execution was terrible: minimal sear and a thick gray band on my medium-rare order. However, the scalloped potatoes were rich and delicious. The restaurant should consider better tempering or even reverse searing for a more even cook on thick steaks.

Unfortunately, our final bill included a mysterious $26 charge that our otherwise good waiter struggled to explain. When I first received the check, the total was $200.57, but the final charge was $226.31—before adding a tip. The restaurant doesn’t impose mandatory gratuity/service charge for parties of two, so I asked about the discrepancy. The waiter claimed that “two Modelos” from another table were mistakenly added and that the charge would fall off the next day. However, this explanation didn’t add up: the beers weren’t listed on my itemized bill, and at $10 each, even with tax, they wouldn’t total nearly $26. It seemed suspicious.

So, check your bill closely. If a manager sees this, I’d be happy to discuss it further.

Overall, despite the shenanigans, we might return—but likely just for cocktails and appetizers at the bar, which is easily the most beautiful in EDH.

Update: have been back several times since and haven’t encountered this same...

Had the most delightful service from our server, Alayna. My cocktail, the “Hummingbird” was served impeccably with a single linear cube of ice & topped with a gorgeous tuft of Turkish cotton candy and a purple flower garnish. Having been a bartender for 8 years, I can tell you it was poured to perfection. The menu is most definitely not vegetarian or vegan friendly. As a “chop house” I was not expecting to be catered to, yet more restaurants have a vegan menu available upon request. (A salad option or 2, two entree options, & a dessert option & I feel VERY seen as a vegan guest at a restaurant). My husband ordered the Wagu filet & enjoyed every bite. The fries should not be under-estimated. Real potatoes. Shaved truffle. HOT & CRISP without being greasy. Well done on making a fry far from basic. The beet salad was stunning & flavorfull. (Though it definitely was more of a “salad”, but served as my entree.) The pear & apple crumble should be served very warm, (rather than just not cold) but the vanilla bean ice cream & caramel drizzle was very nice. The Italian lemon sorbet was of nice quality…creamy for a sorbet, and tart. Perfect. The service was the highlight. Bravo & thank you Alayna! Reach out if you ever consider a tiny, curated vegan menu. I would love a true meal when joining those who enjoy traditional...