Elenis Philoxenia Reviews

If the prospect of sharing small plates of excellent Greek food and good wine with friends in a comfortable, but lively, setting appeals, you will enjoy Eleni's Philoxenia on 9th Avenue in Portland. There is an extensive menu of appetizers or small plates that are quite shareable. This allows the opportunity to try many different things and everything we tried was quite excellently prepared. The house wine was surprisingly good. A couple of lamb dishes were exceptionally good as was the Greek salad (Horiatiki Salata) and calamari. Great place for a small group of friends to enjoy a couple hours trying new things or enjoying what they know they like.

My wife and I have eaten here a couple of times previously and really liked it. Our experience this time, however, was disappointing. After we arrived (to a nearly empty restaurant), read the terrific menu, and gave our order things went downhill quickly. The dolmas arrived before the wine, which is not customary in either the US or in Greece. The food was good, but... the restaurant got very busy, we finished the dolmas, and there was still no wine. So we waited a bit more. The entrees were literally on the table before the wine was. The Retsina was OK, although we prefer a stronger taste. My wife's vegetarian pasta was, she said, pretty good. My dinner was not. After discussion about the difference between the Crete risotto and the spaghetti I ordered the risotto with Greek meatballs. I received spaghetti with the meatballs instead. The meatballs themselves were bland-- there was no obvious influence of either capers or feta. The portions were generous, to their credit. Everyone has a bad day once in a while; I'm sorry to say that Eleni's had one on this particular evening.

In addition to a terrific Greek salad for our table, we had "Arni me filo Braised leg‏ of lamb in a roasted tomato and red pepper purée, baked inside filo dough with a blend of Greek cheeses; served with seasonal vegetables," as well as a very well made moussaka, a terrific rice pudding for dessert, and cinnamon infused espressos, accompanied with Zoe Greek wine ( Black cherries, blackberries, plums, dried herbs, medium-bodied, crisp and elegant.) It was just exceedingly tasty, with lots of attention by our host and her staff. All this, for about $30 per. It made our evening with a friend from out-of-state all the more wonderful.

I was looking for someplace different for my husbands birthday this year. We normally end up at Blue Hour and wanted a change of pace. I had read al the reviews of Eleni's and decided to give it a try. Our whole family loves Greek/Mediterranean food. When we arrived for our 6:00 pm reservation, the place was mostly empty, except for a few tables of very old people who stared at us (very obviously I might add) the whole time they were there. You had thought they had never seen a gay couple out to dinner with their kids. At first the service was very slow. We had trouble even getting our drink order taken to have a birthday toast. The waitress did not inform us of any specials, even though there were quite a few. She seemed a bit overloaded as the table began to fill up. Then magically everything changed. Staff began to appear and were very attentive. The old people began to leave and were replaced by a much younger crowd. The whole vibe was improving. We had a person who appeared at our table to help us order who was very eager to tell us about the specials and offer suggestions. It was like an entirely different restaurant was born. The food was fantastic! The prices were reasonable, and the portions were big. It even satisfied our two teenage son's, and you know how they eat. I plan on returning and would encourage you to try Elenis Philoxenia as well. However, unless you are in your 70's, I suggest you make a reservation for later in the evening when Elenis Philoxenia part 2 is born. (after 7:00 pm), otherwise you will be stuck dining with the nearly dead and boring crowd of diners that tend to eat out early. Ellen's Philoxenia is on our list of great restaurants in Portland

okay- expensive with tiny portions, and also the room is way too dark and noisy to be social.

Eleni's is a lovely restaurant. Ambiance was perfect. Somewhat dark with lots of booths. The most generous glass of white wine I've had in Portland, ever! There is nothing that gets my goat more than a chintzy glass of wine! My glass must have been at least 8 ounces! We loved the entree's. I had the lamb. It was superb. Even better left over. Interesting appetizers. Great service, except that our server was a bit abrupt. She would interrupt our conversation rather than wait just a sec for us to give her our attention. Over all, we will go back!!

As tourists in Portland recently, we visited Elenis Philoxenia and had a sampling of mezedes for dinner. Everything was delicious. We particularly recommend: the dolmathakia, the melitzanes yemistes (eggplant), and the garithes me skortho (shrimp w/ sherry). Their Greek and local wine selection is excellent, including a top notch retsina. We truly enjoyed ourselves here.

I'm not sure if our server was also the owner or the chef or what but when I asked what amazing stuff was in the special of the night - Lasagna - she said she'd have to look at her recipe again, lol. She was a hoot, although a little spacey at first. All of her recommendations were spot on from wine to appetizer to dinner. A unique Portland experience that I would gladly revisit!

The food here is fresh and carefully prepared. The flavors are bold and outstanding. A large variety of appetizers and main dishes will satisfy both carnivores and vegetarians. We had excellent service. Three different people stopped by throughout the meal to check up on the quality and our experience. I felt a bit sorry for the owner. The restaurant was dead empty due to seriously bad weather. It's too bad nobody ventured out that night because the food was outstanding.

We enjoyed our meal which was fairly authentic. We mostly shared a lot of the small plates, which is a great way of eating. They also had some decent Greek wines on their list which is rare to find. Overall it was good, but the night we were there was quite empty which made the place feel a bit deserted. Certainly worth visiting

The service is variable, but the food is very good—fresh, well prepared, and authentic, I have visited several times. Men who expect steak are disappointed, but the small plates are exquisite!

The dips appetizer is great - just enough to share; red pepper flakes add just the right amount of spice. You must get the flaming cheese appetizer, so good. And the meat moussaka entree was very good.

Longtime fan of Eleni's delicious Greek dishes. Though aware the owner was prickly, our interaction was limited on earlier visits. But last week she was both hostess and server. Had a reservation for early evening, arrived as she was opening. It was difficult to ignore her brusk manner--order taking, service. Disappointing. Not going again.

We were staying at the nearby Hampton Inn and were in the mood for Greek food. We met some friends there during the "Happy Hour" and shared the combination dips plate and Saganaki (flaming cheese). Both were delicious. I had the Arni Me Filo (lamb and cheese wrapped in filo and baked) and my wife had the Fusilli Me Garithes Chania (prawns with fusilli in a feta sauce). There are several other unique dishes and everything was cooked to perfection. Ambiance was pleasant, service was friendly and prices were reasonable.

Wonderful food and service. Shared sautéed spinach and eggplant with ground beef filling. Spaghetti with ground beef and marinara sauce. Everything was great and would definitely recommend!

We've been here quite a few times. I'm predictable with my main dish - almost always moussaka. Last weekend we started off with the kritikia salata - this was a phenomenal salad! Two times ago we finished with the Ahkladi Pose (poached pear) - this is not our normal desert but we loved it. I'm normally more of a chocolate cake kind of person. We love the atmosphere and the food is always great! Service usually decent to good. The owner now recognizes us and that always feels good.

Impeccable service and excellent food. My daughter’s salad did not look right to our server so she spoke to the chef and then brought a new one that was much improved. The four of us all had lamb dishes and were very pleased. Lovely dining experience on Mother’s Day. 💕❤️

We felt like Greek food after visiting the Greek Festivities but the lines were ridiculous This restaurant is very authentic and food was tasty and well presented Prices very reasonable and service OK House wine was fine

Very good food, service and very nice folks. Take your glasses and a flashlight, though, if you are over 50...low light makes it a challenge to read the wonderful menu!

So many restaurant choices... glad we chose this one! Lovely intimate atmosphere without being stuffy, attentive and friendly service. Greek calamari in lemon and garlic was to die for. We had Eleni’s Spaghetti - special ground beef recipe with tomatoes. OMG. Braised lamb shank with tomatoes and herbs over orzo was also amazing. Apparently this cuisine is from Crete, which is now on my bucket list.

the best greek

Wonderfully warm setting. Excellent dolma's and pita bread with tzatiki sauce. The pasta dishes my friends had were delicious. My lamb in filo dough was Devine. Elina is from Crete, a favorite place I have visited several years ago. They had wine from both Crete and Santorini. Place fills up so make a reservation. I will return. Lamb filled filo dish does take about 30 minutes to bake so sit back and relax 👏👍

Three of us on business sampled six things and all were amazing. Highly recommend the Saganaki - flaming cheese, and the dip combination. The meatballs were moist and delicious! All of it was wonderful. Acoustics are a little loud so be aware of that if you struggle with background noise.

Had a craving for Greek on Mothers Day and found this place. So glad we went! Every dish was delish! Saganki, tzaziki, meatballs and spaghetti, and some sort of empanada- like item stuffed with feta and mint. Will definitely return.

There are few serious Greek restaurants in Portland, but I had a serious taste for lamb chops and Santorini wine. From the reviews it seemed Eleni’s was the place to go. Mistake. When I got there at prime dinner time, there were only two other visible diners. The server greeted me promptly and seated me at the front table looking out on the street. OK, I’m willing to be the decoy, but about those lamb chops... My greeter disappeared. No menu, no water, no return. I read two articles on my phone. Still nothing. Then a scruffy guy with a back pack comes out, obviously leaving for the night. He looked at me, and I gave an aggrieved shrug. He brought over a menu and disappeared back to the back. Ok, maybe the owner, chef or someone who would remind the help of why they are in business. Nope. I got up to signal. Deep conversation, no recognition. I left. Halfway down the block, I regretted my passivity, so I went back. Server hadn’t even noticed I’d walked. So I "explained" the situation. “Oh! I was just getting the water!” She offered an apology; I accepted it and left again only more annoyed. Every business can have an off day, a service glitch or a bad moment. This was Eleni’s turn. I have no idea if my experience was typical, but I’m still wanting the lamb chops. My comments are meant to get their attention. My rating is meant to give them a nudge, not wreck their average. Should they invite me to return, I’d be up for a second chance. Because…lamb chops! But I have a dollar that, as the song says, the review “will pass and be forgotten with the rest.”

My friend and I chose to try this restaurant for the first time as it was nearby to a theater we were going to attend a show at. I was impressed when I walked in. Atmosphere is quiet and would be ideal for a date. Food was overall okay. Portions were small. The lamb was very good. Meatballs were dry and flavorless. Service was slow, but as soon as we were finished with our food, they were quick to clear our plates and then ask us to move to the bar "because we just got a reservation for a booth, so we need you to move." So much for relaxing, after-dinner conversation. We felt pushed out and just left. So, overall, nice to try. Not terrible. Won't come back, though.

Having only eaten Greek food on a cruise ship that was of Greek registry, I was very suspect about how well I would like this restaurant that our son invited us to. But after one appetizer, I was sold. We haven't tried anything there that we didn't all love. We've been back a number of times and are never disappointed.

Our family sat at an outside table and enjoyed the Starlight Parade from this restaurant. We didn't try the food, but the drink service was excellent. Our host was attentive and friendly. We all enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, we will be back soon to experience the dining.

Not the traditional interior of a Greek restaurant, but elegantly modern. The food was not strictly traditional either, but interesting refinements of Greek food. It all made for a very good dinner.

Within the last week, I enjoyed Eleni's catering and then brought out-of-town guests for an in-restaurent meal. The dishes are fresh, expertly prepared, and delicious. The catering experience was outstanding. Moses at the restaurant worked with us to select a variety of dishes and the quantity of food for the expected number of guests. We thought the cost was quite reasonable. After having their catered food, I took friends from out-of-town for a meal last night. We made a dinner of dishes from the starters and appetizers, supplemented by spanakopita, which is off-menu but made at our request. My favorites were the feta-filled filo (I have a bit of a sweet tooth) and the lahano salad. All the dishes were simply delicious.

We tried Eleni's on our recent trip up to Portland. Our group was made up of three vegetarians, and we were not disappointed! We found many veggie options. All of the food was amazing, fresh hummus and tzatziki, the Saganaki is a must! (Flaming cheese doused in lemon). The atmosphere is elegant but casual enough and the service was excellent. We will be returning here on our next trip!

It started with Emerald, our server. Great personality, cute and helpful. Then a fabulous Eleni’s special salad, more than enough for two. Flavorful fusilli and prawns for my wife but for me, OMG, certainly the best restaurant meal I have had in ages, maybe ever. A small plate, supposedly, but there was nothing small in quantity, quality or flavor. Lamb kebab on a bed of vegetables and risotto. Absolutely fabulous. I would expect to pay twice what these entrées cost. Highest recommendation.

Happened in here due to the woman at the gallery next door. Very nice food and kind waitstaff. in the Pearl district so near all of the art galleries.

We went to Eleni's Philoxenia at 5PM on a Sunday evening, and were the first customers of the day. By 6PM the restaurant was 3/4 full. We were early, but it is obvious that the place is not a secret! There are good reasons for that: The food was excellent! I had a mixed seafood (clams, mussels, and scallops) dish served over rice and chickpeas that was tasty and filling, but not so much as to leaveme feeling stuffed. Portion size, in other words, was perfect. My wife had a vegetarian moussaka that she also found very much to her liking. The wine we ordered was the Kourtakis retsina, and that's exactly what we got. How nice, after so many encounters with watered down retsina at other restaurants! This was actual retsina, and it seemed almost like meeting an old friend. (Almost, but not really!) The "Greek custard" was very much like Spanish flan, which was just fine with us. And the coffee, like the wine, was actual coffee; none of the weak excuses that many places try to pawn off as coffee. Service was friendly and relaxed, as it should be. Remember, nobody rushes in a Greek restaurant-- not the chef, not the waiter, not the diners. It is an experience to savor, and Eleni's Philoxenia was indeed that!

A menu more diverse than I experienced in Greece. A variety of the common Greek recipes with several unusual dishes as well. Meat prepared in a 'not too rich' manner. Excellent quality comforting food. Reasonable wine prices and outstanding elegant atmosphere. A must try if you want Greek food in Portland.

Very, very disappointed in our Dec. 21, 2013 experience in this restaurant. The owner was unbelievably rude and unkind to us - while we were attempting to have our once per year family Christmas dinner out! We arrived promptly at 6pm for our dinner reservation. The service was so slow (and at times non-existent), that we finally received our meal at 7:10pm after pleading with the waiter. We had 7:30pm theater tickets right up the street - 90 min should have been more than enough time, especially with a half-full restaurant. The owner actually SCOLDED us as we ate over $125 worth of food in less than 8 minutes. A big part of our Christmas experience was ruined by this restaurant.

After two great meals here, this is one of our favorite restaurants in Portland, and one of the best Greek restaurants I've tried anywhere. Authentic Greek flavors in interesting, new variations on traditional dishes. On one visit we ordered three salads, and each was a distinct combination of fresh vegetable and herb tastes (love the salad with pears.) Also extremely tasty appetizers, pasta with shrimp, and lamb. Wine list includes a variety of unusual Greek wines. Because of an unexpected big party in the restaurant that night our orders were delayed, so the owner surprised our table with a couple of complimentary extra dishes. We were too full for dessert but still shared one among the four of us, which was delicious, and which the waitress did not charge us for, to make up for our wait for dinner. Prices very reasonable, for the quality. Note that the room is on the noisy side, when full.

Five of us went to enjoy the excellent Cretan food. We wanted to have a relaxed meal and to sample a variety of dishes, so we ordered wine and an assortment of small plates,ordering from both the happy hour and the main menu. Our choices included a mixed dip platter that included an intriguing beet and potato puree, dolma, an amazing lamb cooked in an herb and tomato sauce over risotto, a pasta dish with mizithra. We ordered an item that was already gone (surprisingly early), so Eleni came to our table and offered to cook a special dish to replace it. She provided a delicious, saucy beef and eggplant dish that resembled a moussaka without the custard topping. All the food was good, service was unhurried but not unduly slow. It all made for a delightful evening with friends.

Being of Greek-American ancestry, having traveled extensively in Greece and enjoyed excellent Mediterranean cuisine in Astoria/Queens, Chicago and LA, my wife and I were anxious to give Eleni's a try. Went early on a Sunday without reservations and were seated right away. Ordered the saganaki, grilled calamari, braised lamb shank for me and branzino for my wife. The ouzo with rustic bread and garlic oil helped set the stage, but what followed was in part disappointing. The saganaki was overly cooked (very hard). The wait staff had not brought the calamari before our entrees arrived so we canceled that appetizer. My wife's branzino and kale was very good but the lamb shank had a significant amount of fat which I removed. As other reviewers have mentioned, the acoustics make for a very loud dining experience, especially with a group of sixteen next to us. With so many dining options in the greater Portland/Camas region, it will be a long time before we return if at all.

We went to Eleni's for my birthday last night. Apparently, you can park in a garage across the street (instead of driving around looking for a parking space) -- check with them before you go to make sure this is still OK. They have a huge menu -- with many many items that you don't usually see on a typical Greek restaurant menu. We (we = me, my husband and two kids/teens) decided to get a bunch of small plates and share everything. The food came out quickly, and was exquisite. We started with a salad of shredded cabbage, fennel, almonds and lemon -- very tart, light and refreshing. Next was a plate of flaming fried cheese (nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a plate of flaming cheese) -- which was creamy, melty, crispy, and lemony all at once. There was also a dish with prawns, tomatoes, basil and cheese -- cooked to perfection and the prawns were sweet and juicy. We also ordered a plate of meatballs -- they were redolent with cumin, light and fluffy, with a cumin-y tomato sauce. Getting rather full now! But... here comes a plate with baked eggplant filled with ground meat (not sure if it was lamb or beef). It was cinnamon-y and onion-y and also just wonderful -- possibly my favorite dish. My husband wanted a bit more, so he ordered a plate of mussels, cooked with tomatoes and I-don't-know-what-elusive-spice but, OMG, it was delicious. (Even though they serve many dishes with tomatoes or tomato sauce, every dish tasted completely different -- they definitely don't use the same sauce for everything.) So... we're finally done... or so I thought. One of the women who was serving us (possibly the owner?) came over and talked us into trying the spanakopita and tiropita (spinach pie and cheese pie in phyllo) The cheese one was good, but the spinach.... it had me moaning in gustatory pleasure, even as full as I was. We decided to stop there before we popped, and had the rest packed up for home. And then -- they brought out a complimentary plate of rice pudding, with whipped cream, cinnamon and what I think was a little slice of glacee peach for my birthday! And THEN... since we were that last diners in there, she brought out a big grocery bag full of all sorts of artisan breads that they would not be able to sell the next day and told us to take that too! Our freezer is now bulging as much as our bellies. The service was also wonderful -- attentive to the point that I felt like we were being treated like family. I cannot recommend this place enough. Go there -- you will not be disappointed!

We put ourselves in the hands of our very entertaining server, Leila. With six of us, we fell short of ordering "one of each" on the menu but I think we sampled all of the kitchen's highlights for the evening. Lots of great dishes with an initial wave of tasty feta salad, dolmades, baby octopus, and a fun flaming saganaki. For wine, we started with a refreshing Retsina and then moved to a tasty Greek house white wine that reminded me of a Sancerre. The next wave of dishes were equally fabulous including a nice large Bronzini, a rabbit dish, and a terrific risotto-like cheesy taste treat. Wish I had taken pictures but I was completely distracted by the sights and smells of the food, and enjoying the good company of friends. This is a great place for an evening of very good dining and surrounded by reminders of Crete.

With a Greek wife, we look for a mix of Greek food when we travel. We found Eleni's Philoxenia in Portland to be a restaurant serving Greek food, its owner having a background from the island of Crete. We had a rack of lamb that was grilled perfectly. I had the Moussaka and it too was great. The baklava for desert was tasty. The restaurant is located in the trendy Perl Street area of Portland in a converted warehouse. It has an upscale feel and appearance, though casual dress seems to be the standard. Service was excellent and helpful in the selection of both food and wine. If you are looking for an excellent meal that is not the standard French, Italian, Spanish fare, then you should try Eleni's.

Wonderful non pretentious pace Great house wine red and white, fresh ingredients and recipes from Eleni herself. Never had a bad meal or even a mediocre one here

Delicious food in this restaurant but the portions are a bit on the small side by American standards! Most of the staff were friendly and helpful but Eleni herself was a little "cool" although in fairness she was rather busy. We would have no problem in eating here again on a return trip to Portland.

We live in the Pearl so this means lots of choices of restaurants. Eleni's is one of our favorites. Everything is amazing and it is so homey and not pretentious. She picked out a wine for us which was so crisp and clean, the octopus special was so tender and flavorful..,everything delicious. My husband and I sighed and smiled the entire walk home. If you like Greek or Mediterranean you will love this place!

I went there with an associate. He had the Branzino, which was a special, and I had the lamb kabob and a salad. It was a wonderful meal. The food certainly wasn't complex, but the preparation was outstanding. It was easily one of the best meals I've had in the past several years. Highly recommended.

We were disappointed with our experience at Eleni's. The service in general felt off - most of the waitstaff and other staff whizzed by as if the place was full and they were incredibly busy - not so in either case. The final blow was that three of the four of our party were served our meals, while the fourth had to wait ... a substantial amount of time. Only after we asked where the fourth meal was did we get any attention. It eventually came, but by then it was just awkward watching one person eat while staring at three empty plates. I wish I could say that the food was spectacular and whatever inconveniences experienced were worth it -- but alas, the food was OK, but nothing spectacular. We were all hoping for more - we probably won't return.

It was Sunday evening and I was the first one in the door; I am very familiar with Greek cuisine, and I was really pleased with this place. Because of the time and the day it was very quiet, but it began to get lively by the time I finished my relaxed dining. I sat at the bar as I tend to do alone. The service was very good, and the food was good enough for me to spare no expense in trying as much as I wanted! I'm on holiday after all!

This is genuine food from the island owner from Chania, and though sardines and their ilk are not available, the erst is well prepared, carefully mixed and not salted to ruin Wine excellent and fairly priced Gracious and quiet atmosphere Can not be beat, though without pretension and high end reputation around town

My sister and I ate here last month and were absolutely delighted! The service was friendly and fast, the recommendations for wine were fabulous, the food was very very good! And, as much as I had read about a "ranting owner" (and part of me was a little curious to maybe have a little "entertainment" with our meal), there was nothing but pleasant diners in the very cozy restaurant. STRONGLY RECOMMEND!

I recently got together with some female friends for a happy hour at Eleni's. Soon after we arrived, the owner asked if we were in a hurry. We said no, because we weren't, but regretted our answer i the end. She took us seriously! We waited for everything... for someone to take our order, for our food, for our wine, and for our checks! It took us 2.5 hours to eat a few hors d'euvres and have a couple glasses of wine! Regarding the food and wine that we ordered, the lahano salad (cabbage, almonds, lemon juice, olive oil) was pretty bland, the dips on the pita-n-dip plate were hit and miss, the greek meatballs and the "makaronia me mizithra" were both good, and the mussels and the feta filo were both delicious. The montepulciano happy hour wine was also a hit with our group... just right for a rainy February evening. All in all, the food didn't justify the wait, so we probably won't be back.

Love this place. Better food @ the Sellwod location

We had a family outing to Elenis and loved it. The owner greeted us and suggested we allow her to select some dishes for us to share family style - she did a great job. We had items like calamari, spanakopita, a really nice salad, a fantastic eggplant dish, and others. Also very reasonably priced. The house wines were very good too. We will definitely be back!

We had a reservation for 7. We showed up at 6:30- not expecting to be seated but maybe having a drink in the bar first. We were met by a server who was also engaged with a couple of people who came in same time as us. They told us the restaurant was so busy right now and the bar had also been seated so they weren’t sure about seating us but would check. We watched the other couple get seated for dinner and then we watched us be ignored. So we took the hint and left. Cancelled our rez and had a great time at a place just down the street. Flexibility is the name of the game. 😊. A sidebar note— we ate here 2 years ago and it was spectacular. The Branzino fish special was other worldly.

we wanted mousaka. we called ahead and was advised by eleni that they would save us some as they sell out of it early. wow it must be good. so off we went. got there on a rainy cold night. could not find a parking space. called eleni and she came out of the restaurant and directed us to a secure one across the street. what service!!!!!!!!!!!! well the ambiance was great, service was prompt and pleasant. and the mousaka was heavenly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eleni came by to see if we were happy. boy were we. eleni is tops and the restaurant is a jewel.

The best of the best. Like being in your favorite Greek Grand mothers or Papas kitchen. Flavorful deliciously made food. Wonderful staff, welcoming and accommodating.

The portions were small and a bit expensive. I got the rack of lamb and it was two tiny chunks which was the smallest serving of rack of lamb I can remember. The lamb was good as was the rest of the dish. Also had the dips, good dips and looked freshly made not packaged. The place was dark, an old converted warehouse and had a decent feel. They have a good happy hour menu tues-Friday 5-7 with 8 dollar lamb pita and dips. I'd go back to enjoy those next time I'm in Portland, doubtful I'd get the lamb again as much as I love lamb.

Eleni’s is a very special place and my new go to for Portland. Starting with a very open seating and kitchen area, you are immediately treated to what I’d describe as a family atmosphere. The food options were exceptional and the wine list was on the mark for any meal choice I will absolutely be back here again.

Now, I know there is a move to gentrifying "regional" or ethnic cuisine, so it was not a surprise to have a group dinner at Eleni's Philoxenia and to experience a decidedly neutral environment. If not for the menu, one wouldn't know it was Greek. The menu is varied and was really tasty and seemed "home cooked." But, can you believe a restaurant at the opening of a weekend night having no baklava? Or being out of one of the major entrees? Portion sizes were not very generous, and I was actually hungry after the dessert. Prices were high for the quantity of food, and it was very noisy despite the fact there were less than 20 people in the restaurant.

The food and service here were great! We had no reservations on a busy night but were seated within 30 minutes. Highly recommended.

Wonderful light and tasty Greek or rather Creten food Lamb and moussaka and fresh fish all done precisely even n a very busy evening and the baklava is most excellent

All three entrees were very good - Moussaka, Arni Me Filo, and Prawns with lemon and sherry. Loved the Saganaki (flaming cheese) and the greek wine. The only thing we didn’t care for was chocolate on the baclava but they were responsive to that feedback. Prices seemed reasonable and service was very good.

Nice menu, lots of fresh vegetables. I'm a vegan and the kitchen is always willing to make me a special one-off plate of whatever they think will be most pleasing. The proteins look and smell great, and the house wine is always good (it changes all the time).

Greta atmosphere, and was pretty busy. Had dinner with a couple of business associates we were all from out of town. The waitress was nice but a bit busy we heard the specials and my friends ordered a Beef meatball pasta dish that they raved about. I ordered a special that was a mix of squash, feta, and lamb that was rather bland and appeared to have been precooked and reheated. The dishes were brought to the table two different times with mine being about 3-5 minutes after the other 2. I am rating this based on my dish which was a little disappointing. I was really in the mood for some lamb and the waiters told me that this special included lamb and was her favorite dish. I was a nice meal but bland. My 2 friends raved about their meal which was $7 cheaper and on the table pretty soon after ordering.

Terrible service - seat down for 10 minutes before getting any service, and that was after asking the owner if you have a waiter assigned. After that was ok, but the excuse "I did not realize you were a new table" when you are the only waiter, and we trying to establish eye contact, while holding menus, and have nothing on the table besides water and some bread, does not fly with me. Oh, and we had to mention that we need silverware and napkins AFTER our appetizeres was served We had two appetizers, one side vegetable, and split the main course that was suppose to be that larger meal - well good thing we are not large portion eaters, because we did come out barely satisfied - as amount goes Regarding flavor, yes, I have been in Greece more than once. You will not relive your Greek experience here.... Wine list was overpriced and pitiful, and the desert menu - 3 items , uneventful and ...meh! It's Portland in the Pearl - don't expect much unless it's paying more than deserved and worthy. Not bad or awful, but not returning either.

We had an excellent meal in restaurant in heart if Pearl District. The Greek cuisine was delicious. I had the Moussaka and my wife had a prawn/mushroom special, both of which were excellent. We shared a salad which was served room temperature which really enhanced the taste, particularly the delicious tomatoes. Service was very good. Only complaint was they did not have the Crete wine I wanted which was on the menu

We had 2 1/2 hours between plays at the Armory and had made reservations for 10 here based on location and its many good reviews. It certainly lived up to them. Appetizers, salad; delicious. Prawns in olive oil were very good. I had arni (lamb) kebab over orzo and vegetables - took a long time, but worth the wait. Friendly staff, well-appointed interior, maybe a touch loud, but it was very busy for an early Sunday - I think in part, because of the two-part play at the Armory a block away. Not the speediest, but very nice meal. Greek is not a cuisine we eat often. This place was great.

Eleni's is not so much like the tourist Greek food most Americans are familiar with, but lighter and more seasonal fare like on the Greek islands (specifically, Crete) - more of an emphasis on vegetables and seafood. Also making Eleni's like a trip to Crete is the personal, hands-on approach of the proprietor, with a classic Greek personality. That means you are family as soon as you walk in the door and she will treat you with both affection and a little offhandedness. She reminded me of so many relatives I've known and loved. I sat at the bar for happy hour, and took advantage of some excellent prices and two crisp, cold glasses of house retsina. The grilled calimari in lemon-herb oil was done to perfection and simply made me angry that most everyone else fries it. The horiatiki (Greek village salad) was laden with an array of olives and peppers and a tart, delicious dressing, with traditional country-style Greek bread to soak it up. The signature gigantes (large lima beans) with vegetables was delicious and hearty. The rest of the menu looked good, the wine list far beyond retsina (though not many selections by the glass). On my way out, saw the proprietor chatting with a table and it was a genuine conversation, not just "how is everything?" What a terrific place to find on my travels to Portland.

I have been going to Eleni's in the Pearl for 3 years now. Every time I have been there, the food has been incredible, taste-bud-tantalizing! It is romantic enough that my husband asked me to marry him there. It is family friendly enough that I brought my mom and brother there for my brother's birthday. After all this time, I must finally say publicly, Eleni's is my favorite restaurant in Portland. Every once in a while, a dish may come a little late, but the servers always make up for it with graciousness. Tonight we were helped by Eleni herself and she brought three amazing desserts to our table when she heard it was my brother's birthday. We were also helped by two other servers who doted on us and were incredibly knowledgable about every culinary question we had. My mother and brother were so impressed and they could not believe how affordable the bill was after having so much amazing food and wine. Going to Eleni's is like going to a restaurant in another country, where the food is exciting and the servers treat you like family. I recommend the grilled calamari, stuffed eggplant, sautéed mushrooms, .....

This restaurant is located just a couple blocks from Portland Center Stage theater. This makes it a perfect place for us to dine before a performance. The menu is interesting with item I've not seen in other Greek restaurants. Staff is friendly and service is quick. This is great when going to the theater, but might be a little too fast if you are just going out for dinner. They have some happy hour specials as well as the regular menu. This was the third or fourth time I've eaten here and have always enjoyed it.

Very tasty food, everything is fresh and tasty. I very much enjoyed the stuffed grape leaves as appertizer and loved the meat balls as main dish. Very nice wine as well

looking for good food near The Gerding Theater and found this one. Had never been but will go again. The food is as near to authentic Greek cuisine as being in Greece. All the dishes were well prepared, tasty & well served.

I didn't have great memories of Greek food so was a bit sceptical...wow that changed my mind! We had a mix of starters from the menu and justvkept them coming....tasteful, beautiful flavour and spices...all so good, the meat balles, the calamaris, the mousaka...I warmly recommend the place

went with friends after an art opening and we had such a great time! the food was fun, the atmosphere was great, the service was fun and upbeat too. and the prices were reasonable. a bit upscale yet not outrageous. a great time had by all.

We have dined at Eleni’s several times over the past few years. In the past our meals have been good. Last night was a mixed bag. Our spanakopita was excellent. However our “Greek Style” spaghetti and meals was terrible. It consisted of three bland, tasteless meatballs lumped over a mound of dry pasta. Horrible! I would not recommend this dish

Although we enjoyed our meal we need to go back again with friends and order other dishes! We enjoyed what we ate-highlights were the Branzino, octopus, and Saganaki. This restaurant has been at this location for about 13 years and we just "discovered it". Nice atmosphere and service

Every craving we had for good Greek food was beyond satisfied at this restaurant. We went on a Wednesday evening with no reservation and were kindly greeted and seated. We eat mostly vegetarian but did order the octopus/calamari dish. We ordered about 7 dishes and all were fresh and good. They did not have spanikopita (sp?) on the menu but did have it available, delish.

Okay, I've never been to Greece, but I have had a lot of Greek food, and this tops it all. Complex yet balanced flavors of all dishes will leave you mouth happy. Standouts are the grilled calamari and the meat moussaka. Excellent service and atmosphere.

Cozy, warm atmosphere with cloth napkins and tablecloth's. Delicious food, impeccable service by the staff and owner make this dining experience one of my favorites in Portland.

We have been customers of Eleni's since her first restaurant in Sellwood. Her food has always been exceptional. However, our last visit was total disappointment. We first noticed: no Eleni which was very unusual as she was always greeting people and making sure everything is running smoothly. Not only did a table member have to wait over an hour for their main course (after the others were finished), the food (from appetizer to main courses) was not up to the standards of the past. The only exception was the calamari which was similar to the past but a little different. Additionally, a large group (over 10) came in after we had been seated and ordered. They were very loud which made it almost impossible to hear our own table members. They had finished their meals before we had gotten our main course!! In all of our years at Eleni's, we have never experienced anything like we have recently. In reading Yelp reviews (Nitza 10/17/19) it seems as though there is a new owner. If so, they should bring Eleni back to "teach" the qualities that made it sooooo good in the past.

Make it a habit of visiting a Greek restaurant in every city and glad I visited this place. In the Pearl district, not far from Powell’s book store. Went for happy hour. Appropriate sized small plates. Greek salad just as good as Santorini. Mussels were plump and calamari was tender. Two glasses of prosecco and $44 tab. Well worth it. Very friendly service and unlimited bread. Can’t go wrong. Highly recommend.

with her wonderful personality and her obvious love for her flavorful creations. We were a group of seven and did not know what to order. We asked Eleni to take care of us and she did. She brought out a 9 course tasting menu carefully portioned with every dish being enjoyed by everyone for its flavors and variety. If you like to explore new Mediterranean flavors you will not be disappointed. Eleni enjoys to share her cretian specialties and we all thoroughly enjoyed our evening.

Came here with my wife, son and daughter-in-law. This is a relatively small, cozy place. Comfortable and homey. Our servers were very attentive and the food was very good. We started with Saganaki (flaming cheese) -- oopah! Very good. (Although there wasn't a general cry of oopah when served by all around as in some Greek places. That's okay; low key is good.) The Greek salad was very fresh and big enough to share. I had the lamb shanks, which were really good and flavorfully spiced on a bed of garlic potatoes with some asparagus. The shrimp pasta and other dishes were all well-prepared and als flavorful. You can tell these folks are careful and attentive to their food. The house Greek red wine was good and reasonably priced. It was Saturday night so the kitchen was not fast, but we were fine with that as we were just enjoying ourselves. And they gave us complimentary rice pudding just to thank us for eating there. Nice! Next time I'm in Portland, I'll be back.

Excellent food! Not the usual Greek food - everything is a la carte. We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries here along with other special occasions.

Dined here last night with friends from out of town. Everything was very good: the saganaki (flaming cheese appetizer), the stuffed grape leaves,the musaka, and the rack of lamb were all wonderful. The calamari was exceptional and the seafood stew with rice was especially tasty! We were not familiar with Greek wines so we started with a lovely St, Emilion followed by a Xinomavro suggested by the server. She was spot on with her recommendation. We ere quite pleased and will dine here again!

We are fans of Greek food since our trip to Greece. This menu delivers the most authentic traditional food we have encountered this side of Greece. Not wanting to miss the best of the menu we asked the waiter, Marcus, to help us make choices. The salad with watermelon and crab was refreshing. The grilled calamari was delicious. The sauce of the mussels was so good that we scooped it up as if it were a soup and the moussaka was tasty, The fresh branzini was delectable. The wine selections were good. The menu was fairly priced. This is an excellent neighborhood restaurant.

I had an amazing experience at this restaurant - the food was excellent! I was there 5 co-workers and none of us could really decide on what to eat. Our hostess was amazing! She suggested various appetizers for us to share and then was kind enough to suggest two types of entrees that would appeal to everyone in the group. She had them prepare smaller portions of so that we could try it all. We tried the Saganaki, Hotiatiki salata, grilled octopus, grilled lamb, and so much more - all in small enough portions that we weren't wasting food or stuffed to the gills. Awesome food and experience - will definitely be going back again to try other things.

We had the good fortune to patronize Eleni’s for a surprise birthday party last night -- with 14 attendees! Tanya and Moses worked with me prior to the event to select a family-style menu and wines to serve the guests. The meal was coursed perfectly, the food was exemplary, and the service was attentive, helpful and pleasant. They provided a good sampling of Greek appetizers (including their wonderful grilled calamari), followed by a salad course with two great salads. This was followed by several main dishes for the dinner course, including braised lamb shank, moussaka (meat and vegetarian), braised rabbit, and European sea bass (Branzino), and then couple of desserts to share. The wine selection was broad and Tanya worked with us before the event to taste a few o we could make an informed selection of wines to serve our party throughout the evening. We always enjoy coming to Eleni’s, and they provided the perfect party for us. It couldn’t have been easier, nor more fun and enjoyable.

I was there with a large group. We had many different dishes and they were all outstanding! The flaming cheese was perfect for our celebration. We also had dolmas, beet salad, a bean dish, lamb shank, meatballs, moussaka, and baklava. All were tasty, beautifully prepared, and heavenly. This would be a great place for a party or intimate dinner. Elena was there to welcome us and direct the service. She kept the dishes coming at a good pace

As a Greek person living in the US, it has been hard to find really beautiful Greek cooking. From our first trip here, it was like being home. Eleni is a wonderful woman, running a welcoming and intimate spot downtown in Portland. The menu is big enough to cater for everyone's needs, but small enough that each dish really is prepared perfectly. I have no words for how good their sauces are. The shrimp pasta is to die for. The grilled calamari is insane! And the grilled shrimp with garlic are the BEST I have ever had. We come here as much as we are able to, and I always leave feeling so happy and fulfilled. We have recommended many friends to come here and all have had wonderful meals.

We’ve been here twice and both times the service was miserable. First time, apparently the “oven went boom” so they couldn’t cook our meal. The gave plenty of other food and wine to make up for it but it was all pretty odd. Went there for our anniversary this evening and they were out of whatever we forested. The owner came and asked if everything was ok. When we said we were disappointed they were out of everything on the menu she copped an attitude and started scolding us for wanting dinner. We left. If you’re looking for good food and service then this ain’t the place. Being Greek in heritage I look for a place that will give me the comfort food of my youth. This is not the place.

Cheese aflame with cognac, I miss thee... Superb meal and service. Eggplant and feta, sautéed kale, wine, pasta....all amazing. Thanks!

We don't often get the opportunity to sample Greek food so we decided to try Elenis during our recent Portland visit with friends. Our server was very attentive and the food was nicely paced - we didn't feel rushed at all. The small plates are quite large and there are multiple vegetarian selections. A very nice meal!

Enjoy Eleni's for its outstanding, genuine home-cooked Greek dishes, in the Crete style... but not necessarily for the service. Our moussaka was among the very best we've ever experienced, clearly a painstakingly-prepared recipe that rewards diners with rich, fresh flavors. Our grilled (not fried) calamari was a flavorful treat, with fresh herbs and lemon. Our appetizer (mezza) sampler included really outstanding tsatziki, excellent eggplant (baba-ghanoush in the Greek style), and "ok" hummus and a blended-feta mousse served with small pita triangles and a few carrot and celery spears. The restaurant has a reduced-price-wine "happy hour" from 5-7pm, which is nice, as well as a longer wine and beverage list. Our dessert baklava was excellent, fresh and clearly house-made. This is a small restaurant... perhaps 15 tables... with a small staff (I counted 4 in the open kitchen, plus three serving in the front-of-house; one server doubled at the bar. Service on a quiet Sunday evening, was cheerful but very slow. Clearly the limited staff (including servers and kitchen) was overwhelmed... even at the early hour of 5:45pm... handling a couple of large groups. They were visibly hustling, and our order was taken promptly. But our main plates were served an hour after we arrived. The restaurant is very convenient to the Armory theater just two blocks away, and is much smaller than the several massive brew-pubs which prevail in the Pearl District. We'd highly recommend it, and we'd try it again, but we'd be wary about whether the service challenges have been overcome.

Enjoyed a wonderful meal at this intimate neighborhood restaurant on a chilly Sunday evening. We visit the Portland area annually for business and we always like to try a different restaurant in the Peal district. The area is known for serving local fare and there are many good restaurants in the area. Upon arriving at Eleni's we were greeted warmly and seated a table near the bar. Our waitress was very friendly and provided exceptional service. The four of us ordered Martini's and each Martini was individual made and vigorously shaken, which is exactly how we like them. Two had lamb, one had eggplant and one had Paella. All the meals were delicious and the lamb was served with a mushroom risotto, which was fantastic. We enjoyed our meal so much that if they had been open on Monday I would have gone there again to try something else. When we go to Portland again, Eleni's Philoxenia will be on the agenda.

We have eaten at Eleni's many times over the last year since we moved into the Pearl and we have never had anything other than good experiences. The food is delicious Greek food and there is always a fine fresh fish offered which I love. The osso bucco is so tender the meat just falls off the bone and the whole thing is fantastic comfort food. The fresh squid is tender and served unlike others in the city that I know of. The new owner, Moses, is a very friendly man and will do anything to make your time at Eleni's enjoyable. He even sent us home with an amazing tirimizu last time we were there - on the house! Their cocktails are excellent and the house wine that we often have is very good. The warm atmosphere is created by the use of wood for the tables and booths. Also the lighting is not blaring and but is soft and warm. The service is always prompt and friendly. We certainly recommend Eleni's! In fact we are taking guests from San Francisco there tonight!

Service was excellent as was the chicken risotto. We enjoyed sharing the sampler dips especially the whipped feta. The veggie moussaka was tasty but needed more eggplant and less carrots.

Had dinner last night with a foursome; First, the dining room is relatively small with high ceilings and hard surfaces all around so the place is very loud. Intimate dinner? Not at all. The noise was enhanced by a party of more than 30 diners that filled the space, and the kitchen was overwhelmed by that group. It was never clear who our server was, since all of them shared taking care of the large group. Overall, the food was OK but certainly nothing special. I have been to Greece and am very familiar with Greek food having enjoyed many Greek restaurants throughout the west coast as well. We enjoyed some appetizers and a glass of wine and then waited at least 20 minutes for our dinners. My main course was the major failure of the evening -- rack of lamb. This is a Greek staple, one that any Greek restaurant should hit out of the park. Unfortunately, mine was served well done; no, it was overdone and dry. What did those four sad thinly sliced chops do to deserve such treatment? As our plates were being cleared, the owner came over to our table and asked how we had enjoyed everything. When I told her my opinion, her response was "would you like us to try again"? No, that ship sailed some time earlier. There were several missed opportunities to get it right. First, the server when taking the order should ask how I want my lamb prepared (it never occurred to me to just tell them; lamb should ALWAYS be cooked medium rare); second, there's no excuse for a chef to allowed a plate like that to leave the kitchen; finally, none of the many servers ever checked back at our table shortly after delivering our dinners. Yes, I was given a partial credit for my meal (half price), but that doesn't fix the bad taste of the overall experience -- a very disappointing evening out.

Excellent restaurant! Hot food, well served and quickly. the taste delicious and aa a vegeterian plenty to choose from

We had a fantastic meal at this restaurant. The owner is fantastic. The food is fantastic. The ambience is fantastic. I would highly recommend this restaurant. If Eleni is there just let her do all the ordering for you. She knows what you want more than you do.

Everything is extraordinary right down to the Tzatziki! The flavors are complex and the food is cooked to fresh perfection. The sautéed spinach and baked feta in filo with honey are not to be missed, but I would say that about the entire menu! Everyone I've sent here has been blown away by how amazing the food was. They have a great Happy Hour as well. The Owner/Chef is so friendly and clearly takes pride in every dish that leaves the kitchen. The atmosphere is cozy/romantic and the service is wonderful! Love, love, love Eleni's! Opa!!!

We always have enjoyed the food at Eleni's and were a bit surprised at the changes they made to one of their signature salads, a slaw that they used to dress with a very subtlety sweet concoction. Now the vinegar overpowers it. Still good but not great. I also ordered the clams and thought I had gotten the appetizer , but no, they were the full menu item. I could cover the plate with one hand. Very tasty but very little for the price. We will go back again and try something else. They have a full bar and the service was good. I can recommend it without hesitation. Perhaps next time it will be back to great.

A pleasant culinary journey without leaving the region Tasty and well-served dish in a fairly cozy setting The team present today cheerful and dynamic. Enjoy yourself and save a place for dessert,

Fantastic value and superb quality

In town for business and this restaurant was recommended to me by my Hotel....absolutely delicious. I dont remember the food being this good in Greece. When you walk in you expect it to be a "fine dining" experience but its relaxed and cozy. Some of these restaurants in this area take themselves too seriously. I was very please. It was a quiet night there which was shocking because the food is beyond delicious. I recommend it highly.

This is not your typical Greek restaurant. It's a step above (and I love Greek restaurants). You can have a romantic dinner here or meet friends. The owner is so sweet! Get the KRITIKIA salad - it is amazing and shareable. I order a lot of different things here so it's hard to point out other favorites but the mousaka is excellent and they have the best baklava ever (in an orange syrup).

This was our first trip here. We ran into some folks we didn't while waiting for our table and decided to sit down together to continue the conversation. We went with family style shared plates. Everything was great and service was quick, attentive and informal. Pretty extensive wine list with several good Greek options. If you're a beer lover, there's a very limited number on tap - but overall highly recommended.

Tried Greek wine. Lamb was great, as were meatballs. Assorted dips were good. We sat at the bar and had good conversations with staff and guests. Just a very relaxed place, clean and shows the personal attention of the owner who was supervising the staff.

2nd time we have been to Eleni's. Both times we had the server order for us. Both times a fabulous meal. Recommend the lamb shank. Best lamb in town. ..it has great flavor and falls off the bone.

It is so hard to find a good Greek restaurant. We were thrilled to find this one in Portland. It is in a mixed business, residential district of Portland. The atmosphere is reasonably quite and refined. The service is excellent and the food is outstanding. We have gone out of our way to dine there when flying out of PDX and have never been disappointed. Greek food is so delightful and this restaurant matches any we have had in Oregon or California. I just wish they would open a branch in Bend, OR.

We had an early reservation and our choice of tables. Service was great, cocktail selection was nice, prices are very reasonable. I also had a nice glass of pinot noir. Food: The tzatziki is delicious! The meatballs were also really tasty. In general, the small plates were all a win. Desserts: The desserts (baklava) were not as special as the small plates/appetizers.

Eleni's isn't the easiest place to have dinner -- it is only open for dinner. The staff seems either grouchy or clueless, and don't seem to know their own menu. The menu is primarily many small plates to share, and ultimately we did have a good dinner. The food was good, especially the beef stuffed eggplant. We were served at least one plate that we didn't order, and one plate was not the item we ordered. The order of service was indeed interesting. This will be at the bottom of our list for our next Portland visit. With many good restaurants, who needs the grief of Eleni's.

An absolutely wonderful meal -- outstanding food, lovely wine, very attentive service and at a very reasonable price. My wife and I were in Portland for a few days for a nice little getaway. We are both seasoned world travelers and serious foodies, but prefer to dine well on a budget. On previous trips to this city, we've had rather uneven food experiences, so this time I did considerable research on where to dine. Finding this excellent Greek restaurant was certainly worth the effort. After a couple block walk from the Marriott, we arrived around 6pm to find a few diners already seated. The décor was very casual and comfortable. We began with a nice bottle of rose to accompany our combination dip platter along with a side of flaming Greek cheese (saganaki). The freshly baked bread and olive oil was remarkably good and was perfect to soak up the sauce from our clam entre. We finished by sharing a braised lamb dish on orzo pasta with sauted fresh veggies that was heavenly. For dessert, we just had to have the yummy homemade baklava. As a meal, the food was absolutely top drawer. As a dining experience, we were made to feel like honored dinner guests in a family home. Our meal with appetizers, a bottle of wine and dessert was just under $100. We will certainly return here on our next trip to Portland and can highly recommend this wonderful restaurant to others who enjoy authentic Greek food prepared with such love.

Amazing appetizer of phyllo,, feta and honey.

I am very stingy with my Excellent ratings. I have been to Greece also, so I have some familiarity with the real thing. Our experience here was amazing. Six of us walked in on a Sunday evening after a play. We discovered we were there for happy hour. The variety of items on the happy hour menu was extensive. The menu even included a half rack of lamb. Gathering at a tavern for combinations of appetizers with friends is common in Greece, so we decided to do the same. Our server helped us sort through the more than a dozen options, and helped us determine the quantity and variety that would satisfy us. The result was fabulous. Terrific dolmas, stuffed eggplant with meat, stuffed eggplant with vegetables, meat balls, salad, dips and pita, and calamari in lemon juice that was exquisite, easily the best I have had. We had the rack of lamb and a few other dishes as well. The lamb was tender and delightful. We also had flaming cheese and shared some wine. We had wonderful food and wonderful conversation.

One of my most treasured trips is Turkey. A magical place with palate pleasing food. The whole Mediterranean experience can be found at Eleni's including incredible service. We started off with KALITSOUNIA, which is similar to spanakopita and uses hand-made Cretan dough filled with a blend of cheeses—your choice of either mint drizzled with honey or spinach. We had both kinds for $10. Sharing the SAHARA—quickly grilled calamari—is a must. Finished with fresh lemon, olive oil and ground pepper, this simple preparation brings the dish to a level of perfection. EXCELLENT and only $10. KRITIKIA SALATA is a bargain at $13. This salad of green and red leaf lettuce with tomatoes, English cucumber, peppers, mushrooms, avocado, onions and currants is dressed in honey balsamic vinaigrette and is plenty for three to share. You gotta try it! For the main course, I had their MELITZANES PAPOUTZAKIA. It is this dish that takes me back to TURKEY and all of delightful flavors of the Mediterranean. Roasted baby eggplant stuffed with Cascade Natural Ground beef, and spiced with cinnamon...and other exotic spices. A lovely dish and you can certainly have two orders if you're hungry at $12. You can't go wrong with any of their dishes. And the quality is consistent, time after time and the staff is always a joy to be around! This is my GO-TO restaurant when I get to Portland! Excellent food at prices that don't break the bank!

This place has really good Greek food and even better that it is Cretan in emphasis. I would describe it as higher end Greek food--not typical taverna food (not that I don't love taverna food), but more "up-scale" Greek. Really fresh flavors, and the service was very attentive and helpful. This place was a short stroll from our hotel which was great. (Residence Inn Downtown/Pearl District).

This was my second visit, and I couldn't wait to get back for another one of those enormous delicious salads. That was not what I got this time. $13 for a little plate of greens! The menu promised broccolini, asparagus, avocado, but contained only one small piece of each. Why the change? Very disappointing. The hummus appetizer was also a shame, very bland and too dry. Won't go back.

So glad I had the heads up to make a reservation as this restaurant fills up fast. Open space is inviting and encompassing. Not a huge menu but certainly something for everyone. Everything I tried was delicious. Staff was very attentive without hovering. Certainly a place for well behaved children, but menu offerings may not be adequate for young patrons. Great place for kids to practice restaurant manners. From the first glass of wine to the last sip of water it was a wonderful experience and everything dining out should be. Time just flew by we were having such a good time.

Stopped for a bite prior to theatre. Just had appetizers and wine. There were only a couple of other patrons and by the time we left there were a total of 6 tables with people. Still, the service was slow and not very competent. We only had appetizers, so can't comment on the overall menu, but the appetizers were just very blah. Don't think we'll be back.

Just had a great meal here. Eleni's is the quintessential "Pearl" establishment, feels like dining in Soho. Cool, high style, loft like space. Friendly and attentive staff. The filo wrapped feta with honey was particularly noteworthy. Everything else superb. A really fabulous experience all round.

Not your usual Greek restaurant. Eleni has a blend of dishes that are both healthy and tasty. Try the cabbage salad or calamari that is grilled with a great sauce rather than being breaded and deep fried. Great ambiance too and a lot of fun tucked away in the Pearl District. Check it out.

I discovered this restaurant tonight with a group of friends... Actually about 25 of us! The food : my husband and I took the combinaison of dips, The rice wrapped up in the vine leaf and the Feta fill. It was fantastic, great and genuine taste! The atmosphere : I loved the style of the place. it's cosy and lights are indeed very low so it makes the place warm and romantic (though I was not there for a romantic diner). The noise : because I was there with a large group it was loud, but not so much because of the restaurant itself but more because it is as good as it gets when you gather 25-30 people for diner. I'm glad I was not that couple sitting just behind me having what did look like a romantic diner! Prices : as it is mention on the information part, it's a $$$ dollar budget and we were a bit surprise when the bill came in as we hadn't really pay attention nor calculated while ordering. Having said that, I absolutely have no regret as it is worth it ! It's probably not a restaurant you would go every week but once in a while I appreciate to have some GREAT food!

I hate being one of the few, that didn't like the food at this restaurant, I guess you have to be from Crete to appreciate the style and flavors. My wife had Keftedakia (Greek Meatballs) with a unappetizing sauce and I had, I can't even remember it was not noteworthy. I would also like to mention the waiter' who seemed to be quite put off when I asked him on how certain dishes were prepared.

Eleni's Philoxenia has become one of our favorite restaurants. We have been there three times, and each time has impressed us. Not just a Greek restaurant, a Crete restaurant. My favorite dish is their rack of lamb, cooked perfectly to your order.

Visited Eleni's for the first time with friends. Dispute the noise level (which was high and it was a week night), we had a delightful time and the food was unusual and quite good. Our waiter was from Crete and brought a special touch, especially with wine suggestions for the various dishes. I am not sure how different it was from Greek food but we all enjoyed our dishes. We tried the smaller plates options and they were more than generous. We will be back.

Eleni's is a gem! We've been coming here for two years now, and the food, service, and atmosphere has been consistently A+++. A small, romantic space in Portland's Pearl District, Eleni's serves Greek cuisine of the utmost quality. With a menu of smaller plates, we usually order 4-7 dishes in order to try more flavors -- try the meatballs, Dolmadakia (yum), Saganaki (Greek flaming cheese), spicy prawns...all winners. Highly recommended!

when we come to Portland we look for something we cant find at home in Eugene. Eleni's serves really tasty Greek food. I recommend the calamari appetizer...full fresh cut body with garlic and olive oil.

Our party of 7 was quickly seated and the waitress recognizing a hungry 4 year old in our party offered to bring him a pasta appetizer while the rest of the party perused the menu. There were so many interesting dishes that some of us had trouble deciding. Almost everyone took advantage of their weekday special - 3 courses and a glass of wine/beer for $25. This was great as it afforded the opportunity for us to share and sample various dishes. Very memorable were the spanikopita, grilled calimari, fennel salad and the lamb skewer. But everything was excellent and our waitress was quick with service and refills. We wanted to taste deserts but just didn't have the room. This was so good that we're thinking of changing plans so we can have another dinner there before leaving Portland.

On our first day, the four of us wanted to try a nice place with a good rating for dinner and found this one on Yelp. Needless to say, our experience was good, and we came our satisfied with the taste and the quality of food. The Menu had a variety of tempting options. We started off with Pita Bread and their Dips Combination Plate – Hummus, Tzatziki and Whipped Roasted Red Bell Peppers, and paired that with Wine, Rum Crush and Cucumber Elderflower Fizz, and Lemony Island Martini. For the Main Course, we got Mushrooms sautéed with fresh herbs on a bed of Rice, two Steamed Clams and Mussels – one on Linguini and the other on Orzo, and Wild prawns with Fusilli Pasta. We finished off Desserts – Poached Pears and Baklava. Each one of those dishes was cooked to perfection. Portions were large, and we had leftovers for another time. Service from Max and Tanya (our servers) was exemplary. They were polite and attentive without being intrusive. They also made sure that our water glasses were always full. Kudos to Chef Moses…! Given our experience, we have no hesitation in recommending this restaurant to future patrons.

I had not been to Eleni's downtown for a year or so. The food had always been good but not memorable. This visit, the menu excited me and the tastes and presentation took me on a Greek holiday. For a starter I had a fennell and cabbage salad,dressed in citrus and topped with tender calamari-really crisp and tasty. For the main I had a lamb shank that was on large beans and crested with kale. The dish was fantastic, with exotic spices and attention to tenderness and melded flavors. I had a crisp white wine with a mineral finish which worked with the seafood and lamb. The bread and olive oil was also a fine acompanyment. A great meal!

Excellent food, affordable, charming atmosphere. Eleni, the owner, has maintained the quality over the time we've been going there--ten years. She is gracious and always open to answer questions. Good service and efficient kitchen. Down the street from our favorite lunch place--Pearl Bakery.

One of our best meals ever, especially my lamb kebabs. Much bigger portion than expected and OMG, soooo good. My wife's Scampi Pasta was fabulous too. And, our server, Emerald, was great too. On top of all that, the atmosphere was nice and the prices were more than reasonable. Highest recommendation.