Elena

"The folks at Elena label themselves as “inside/outside/upstairs/downstairs/coffee/ pizza/wine,” and while that’s a confusing way to describe a restaurant, it’s also all true. This colorful spot has a multi-level backyard terrace, a long natural wine list, coffee, wood-fired pizzas, and happens to be one of the most fun restaurants in the entire city. Pizzas such as the Funguy, loaded with all kinds of mushrooms, are great, but their rendition of a kale caesar, piled high with parmesan, and the red wine pasta are excellent choices, too. The same owners run the new grill-focused GiaGiaGia and classic trattoria Nora Gray. " - ivy lerner frank, team infatuation

"The folks at Elena label themselves as “inside/outside/upstairs/downstairs/coffee/ pizza/wine,” and while that’s a confusing way to describe a restaurant, it’s also all true. This colorful spot has a multi-level backyard terrace, a long natural wine list, coffee, wood-fired pizzas, and happens to be one of the most fun restaurants in the entire city. Pizzas such as the Funguy, loaded with all kinds of mushrooms, are great, but their rendition of a kale caesar, piled high with parmesan, and the red wine pasta are excellent choices, too. The same owners run the new grill-focused and classic trattoria . " - Ivy Lerner-Frank

"The usual menu of antipasti, pizza, and pasta will be available on New Year’s Eve at this Saint Henri fave, as well as some yet-to-be-discovered surprises special for the evening. Reservations are strongly recommended, but they will be keeping seats available for walk-ins at the downstairs wine bar, Club Social PS." - Erinn Blicher

"Hailing from two owners of top Italian spot Nora Gray, things are a little more casual at Elena, with a menu centered around pasta, wood-fired pizza, hoagies, and natural wine. Reserve a table in the dining area or go around back to access the walk-in only space below." - Daniel Bromberg, Eater Staff

"I celebrated my birthday at this Saint-Henri hot spot because it’s great for a large party. Follow our lead: Order a large-format Tuscan maceration from the all-natural wine list. Get the mushroom (M. Funguy) and margherita pizzas since they’re always on the menu, then fill the remaining table space with seasonal pizzas chefs Emma Cardarelli and Janice Tiefenbach compose out of market finds: chicories with boquerones and purple potatoes with buttery Comtomme cheese." - ByMehdi Brunet-Benkritly, as told to Mia Leimkuhler