ELEMI Restaurant — Restaurant in El Paso

My recent visit to ELEMI, a gem among Mexican restaurants, was an extraordinary journey of flavors, culture, and unparalleled service, largely thanks to an exceptional individual named Kai. From the moment I walked into ELEMI, I was captivated by the vibrant atmosphere, an authentic embodiment of Mexican culture. The colorful décor and lively music set the tone for a memorable evening. Amidst this inviting ambiance, Kai, our server, greeted us with a warmth and enthusiasm that made us feel immediately at home. Kai’s knowledge of the menu and his passion for Mexican cuisine shone brightly as he guided us through ELEMI’s culinary offerings. His recommendations were spot-on, starting with a selection of appetizers that were both innovative and deeply rooted in traditional flavors. The highlight was undoubtedly the handmade tortillas, a simple yet profound testament to the care and authenticity ELEMI invests in every dish. For the main course, Kai suggested the mole poblano, a dish that was a revelation. The complexity of the sauce, with its nuanced layers of chocolate, spices, and chili, perfectly complemented the tender chicken. It was Mexican cuisine at its finest, executed with both respect for tradition and a flair for creativity. But the service provided by Kai elevated the dining experience to new heights. His attentive, yet unobtrusive care ensured our glasses were always full, our questions promptly answered, and our dining needs anticipated before we even realized them ourselves. His enthusiasm for the restaurant’s mission to deliver an authentic Mexican dining experience was infectious, making our meal not just a dinner, but a celebration of culture. Dessert was another high point, with Kai recommending the churros with chocolate sauce. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and not overly sweet, they were the perfect end to an exquisite meal. Kai's professionalism, coupled with his genuine personality, transformed our visit into an unforgettable experience. It was clear he took great pride in both his work and ELEMI’s dedication to authenticity and quality. In conclusion, ELEMI is not just a restaurant; it’s a destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the richness of Mexican cuisine and culture. Thanks to Kai, our visit was a seamless blend of delicious food, exceptional service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. ELEMI deserves nothing less than a 10/10. I eagerly anticipate my next visit, knowing that Kai and the team will once again make it a spectacular...

I ordered the Pato Al Pastor. Very generous duck portions, with what could have been a beautiful presentation of blue corn tortillas with cilantro, pinapple, and onions, if I would have dined in. I opted for take out so the tacos went into a brown box container. It smelled great! I also had what I believe was like a roasted tomatoes/chile rojo salsita but I could be mistaken since it was on the fly.

The waitress and I went to look for them on the other side of the bar. Unfortunately, the $5 a pop taco was under seasoned and ended up being pretty bland which didn't help the blue corn tortilla at all. The pineapple didn't have the sweet, smoky/grilled flavor I think they were aiming for and the duck didn't shine . I'm familiar with duck and this taco, although generous, didn't let it get past the tortilla. As they both contradict since they duck is gamey and the blue tortilla is more earthy. VERY DISSAPOINTED. The lime they provided didn't really help. The onions only left an after taste, of course.

The description of the salsa, from what I remember on the card, made it sound exciting and interesting. Salsa was boring - no pop just spice - kinda like how cumin feels on your tongue and tastes.

As for the atmosphere it's modern, and they had some good music playing. It had the lunch time energy of a young demographic and the snoots on the other side just dining in. The only friendly face was my waitress that took the order. The woman, that may have been the manager/owner and younger male, didn't greet me and only some awkward small talk after I initated with the woman. The male just walked passed me, from the bar to the back/kitchen area with no acknowledgement. Maybe it was because of how I was dressed. As everyone in there was a little preppy or business casual.

Im not sure if I will return there, but I may be tempted to try the breaded chicken torta (milanesa) I think I saw on the menu. Maybe an off day since they had only been open for a month? Although, the ingredients in the taco and portion of duck are reasonable for the price, the flavor wasn't there. I wasn't impressed. The presentation suffered with packaging. The quick experience inside the restaurant, as they were not welcoming at all (except the waitress), was lackluster.

So there's my 2 cents and 2 stars, for now. Its seems like the management, as usual, is to blame for the bad reviews. Here, the management is also blamed for bad customer service. Lose the ego. 🤣 To be...

It's a shame the customer service is so terrible here, because the food is pretty good. Upon arriving, the hostess stated they could not accommodate parties larger than 4, for two reasons: 1) COVID restrictions and 2) if they combined tables, it would take a table out of rotation in this small restaurant. Understandable- however, it was already 820pm, and it was unlikely other parties would come in (there were two empty tables for the rest of the night-they close at 9pm). Since our party was at two separate tables, I walked to the other table while waiting for our check after the meal. A bartender approached me, and asked me if I got my drink from the Berkley cocktail bar (which is connected to the restaurant). I stated no. He then followed up, and stated "I was asking because your glassware looks like its from the Berkley." I had ordered my drink from Elemi and had not left the restaurant after my arrival. This male bartender never interacted with me during my time at this restaurant until this interaction. When I asked the waitress to talk to the manager, the waitress told me the manager was not available, and the owner just left. I explained how the bartender approached me in a confrontational manner, and she responded, "Yeah, it happens a lot, that people from the Berkley come here." She also stated the manager was not available and the owner had left earlier. Shortly after, she identified the male bartender who approached me as the manager of the establishment, which seemed disingenuous given her earlier statement that the manager was not available. Additionally, another person in our group does not eat meat, and they accidently served her a rabbit taco (that she bit into) and gave someone else at the table her fish taco. Rather than initially offering to replace the dishes, the waitress suggested the two swap plates. Despite the good food, the poor customer service really ruined the experience. I don't plan on...