Estela — Restaurant in New York

Estela: A Gastronomic Delight in the Heart of New York City Introduction: Located in the bustling neighborhood of Nolita, Estela has established itself as one of New York City's most acclaimed and sought-after restaurants. With a focus on innovative flavors, impeccable presentation, and a vibrant atmosphere, Estela offers a dining experience that delights both the palate and the senses. In this review, we will explore the various aspects that make Estela a standout destination for food enthusiasts.

Culinary Excellence: Estela's menu, crafted by renowned chef Ignacio Mattos, showcases a fusion of flavors from various global cuisines. Each dish is meticulously curated, highlighting seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's commitment to using fresh, high-quality produce shines through in every bite. Whether you're a seafood lover, a vegetarian, or a meat enthusiast, Estela's menu caters to a wide range of preferences.

One standout dish is the Ricotta Dumplings with mushrooms and pecorino. The delicate dumplings are perfectly cooked and melt in your mouth, while the earthy flavors of the mushrooms and the richness of pecorino create a harmonious combination. The renowned Beef Tartare, prepared with sunchoke, horseradish, and smoked egg yolk, is another must-try. The tender beef is complemented by the tangy horseradish and the smoky depth of the egg yolk.

Estela also offers a carefully curated selection of natural and organic wines, expertly paired to enhance the dining experience. The knowledgeable staff is always on hand to guide diners through the wine list and offer recommendations tailored to individual preferences.

Ambiance and Design: The moment you step into Estela, you are greeted by an intimate and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant's minimalistic decor, characterized by warm tones and elegant lighting, creates a cozy yet sophisticated ambiance. The space is tastefully designed, with attention to detail evident in every corner. The open kitchen allows diners to catch a glimpse of the culinary magic happening behind the scenes, adding an element of excitement to the dining experience.

Service and Hospitality: The attentive and knowledgeable staff at Estela contribute significantly to the overall dining experience. From the moment you enter, you are greeted with warmth and professionalism. The servers are well-versed in the menu, taking the time to explain each dish and offering suggestions based on personal preferences. The level of attentiveness is impressive, as the staff strike the perfect balance between attentiveness and giving diners the space they need to enjoy their meals.

Dining Experience: Estela offers a range of seating options, including intimate tables for couples and larger communal tables for groups. The restaurant's popularity means that reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak hours. However, even with a full house, the noise level remains moderate, allowing for comfortable conversation.

One notable aspect of Estela is its ability to accommodate different dining preferences. Whether you're looking for a quick bite at the bar or a leisurely multi-course meal, Estela caters to both. The menu is designed to encourage sharing, allowing diners to sample a variety of flavors and textures.

Conclusion: Estela stands as a testament to the culinary excellence and vibrant dining scene in New York City. With its innovative menu, exquisite flavors, and impeccable service, the restaurant provides an unforgettable experience for both local food enthusiasts and visitors to the city. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner, a gathering with friends, or an adventurous culinary exploration, Estela is sure to exceed your expectations. Be prepared to indulge in a gastronomic journey that will leave you...

I've been in town vacationing with a friend. She mentioned this Michelin Star Rated Restaurant. I like that their website kicks off talking a out their chef.

I started off in a bad mood for no fault of the restaurant. My driver dropped me off at the wrong address! There is no reason for a Cab / Uber / Lyft to miss this spot because the restaurant name and address are on the door with nothing obstructing the view! So I had walked about 6-8 blocks trying to find it as it seems no one in the wrong direction has a numbered address until the 70s and the restaurant is at 46 E Houston.

I have noticed a few things during my vacation. NYC does not do ice or carbs. Coming from the South, I asked for a cup of ice. But unlike most restaurants I've dine at this week, I did not have to ask for ice refills.

Normally, if an establishment is not ADA Compliant, I automatically knock one star off my rating. This is an older building and there are a few stairs into the restaurant. But the floor is even, and the unisex bathrooms are large. Someone with a mobility issue should be able to dine here so long as a few steps aren't an issue.

For appetizer, I went with the MA Raw Oysters with Yuzu Kosho Mignonette. These are much smaller oysters than we get fresh where I live in Savannah, GA. The oysters served had a nice balance of brine and flavorings.

Lunch was Waygu Steak with Roasted Garlic Scapes and Yucca. The roasting made the garlic scapes very mild in flavor. But the Waygu was perfectly cooked and seasoned. There was no need to use either of the sauces on the plate for the Waygu.

Dessert, I honestly didn't know how the chef was going to pull off this dish... His offering of a light and creamy Panna Cotta was with Vinegar, Honey, and Salt. I normally don't taste a sweet and salty mix. But this was a brilliant set of ingredients!

Zero Proof was Celery Tonic with Amass "Riverine" celery, Quinine, and Lemon.

I must mention this has such a different vibe than the formal Michelin restaurants I ate at in NYC. The music was loud, fun, and boisterous. The crowd was having a great time. And even though I was dining alone in the Wine Cellar alcove, I did not feel left out. Reservations for lunch were pretty wide open, so I didn't make one as I wasn't sure what time I would arrive. I think I finally walked in the door around Noon or 12:30 PM to a mostly empty restaurant. But it was just a few tables of being at capacity by 1:00 PM.

I gave a rare 5 star review on Google. Staff. Ambiance. Food. Everything was...

Solid, well-composed meal, just missing a few sparks.

Came here for dinner on a Sunday evening. Estela has been around for over a decade, so compared to other Michelin starred restaurants, the reservation was fairly easy to get. While they keep their signature dishes like Endive salad evergreen, a little more than half of their menu gets rotated. However, since most of what we ordered were house signatures, they felt a little too safe. Still, nothing about the meal was mundane or disappointing.

We started off with the oysters and the scallops. The scallop paired pristine, minimally treated scallops with the green snap of asparagus. Instead of the usual almond crumble, almond milk brought a creamy counterpoint and a marzipan-adjacent warmth without heavy dairy.

The famous Endive salad. It was glossed with a punchy anchovy-based saline vinaigrette which somewhat masked the natural bitterness of the endives. It also softened it up a little while maintaining that crisp. Worked perfectly as a vessel to complement that nutty sweetness from Ubriaco Rosso.

The fried arroz leaned more like a paella than the crispy, scorched bits I’d expected from the name. Without overloading it with seafood, the dish had a concentrated, savory, briny depth from the squid ink. Exceptionally tender squid with a nice chew, and while the romesco’s heat was subtle, I liked the occasional nutty pop from what seemed like almonds.

The poached trout was our second favorite of the night. Flaky to the point of barely holding together, with gentle fat balanced by the mild, vegetal sweetness of artichoke. A beurre blanc–like sauce underneath added a rich, savory anchor.

Ricotta dumplings was also one of our favorites. I was almost blanking out when I first took a bite of this and thought I was eating gnocchi. Hidden under a canopy of thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms were ricotta dumplings that were incredibly light yet pleasantly chewy. The Pecorino Sardo gave a slightly salty, sheepy finish, but my favorite part was the mushroom broth. Comforting, with a faintly funky, woodsy depth that lingered.

The drinks and service were just okay, but recommend giving them a try if you’re looking for a good elevated...