Last I dined at Estela was when it opened in 2013; it was a wonderful laidback small bistro then with Uruguayan chef Ignacio Mattos combining boldly flavored ingredients. Since then it’s been touted worldwide, including being named one “The 40 Most Important Restaurants of the Decade” by Esquire magazine. It also now has a Michelin star.

Again as during my last visit, we didn’t take the servers’ advice on how many plates to share. He suggested sharing seven; we ordered four and were more than satiated.

The showstopper this meal was the endive salad with walnuts, anchovies and ubriaco rosso, a cheese. The leaves of that edible Mediterranean plant were placed circular on a plate hiding the delicious mixture underneath, which we spooned into each leaf ($20). Not to miss!

The grilled foie gras wrapped in grape leaves ($35) was not plentiful enough for the price. It was flavorful though and came with a chewy crusted bread to dip into the broth.  I also thought the portion duck breast ($40) with beans and miso was minuscule for the price, but cooked to perfection.

The last dish we shared was one of Estela’s iconic dishes, the ethereal ricotta dumplings ($27) served under thinly sliced gigantic mushrooms with grated Pecorino Sardo, a sheep’s milk cheese from Sardina.

 

If price isn’t an object, be sure to go. Worth the visit.

 

Estela
47 E Houston St 1st floor
Lower East Side
New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-7693
estelanyc.com