Ellies - (Near Long Beach, CA)

4 /5 T L: I came here for the first time a few weeks ago to catch up with a friend over brunch, and we had a great experience! The Food: Since my friend and I couldnt decide between quite a few dishes, we ended up ordering family style and sharing everything. - Melon and Shrimp Salad: YUM. Bursting with flavor, refreshing,, and perfect for summer. - Crab Toast: please see attached pic - just look at that generous serving of jumbo lump crab! I am quite the crab enthusiast, and this dish fit the bill. The meat was so succulent and fresh, and I really enjoyed the bread they used. - Bolognese Benedict: this dish caught my eye on the menu, as Ive never had this flavor combination together. My friend was a bit indifferent about this one, but I really enjoyed the contrast between the savory sauce and slightly sweet rolls. Ambiance: We opted to sit outside since the weather was so lovely. While I enjoyed the sunshine and breeze, I wish they had more shade umbrellas to fully cover the entire patio. We were also constantly swatting at flies that were trying to land on our food, which ended up being quite distracting. Id noticed that some other tables had fans to keep flies away, so we ended up asking for 2, which did help resolve the issue. Kind of odd that it wasnt automatically offered to us, though. Parking: Id read other reviews beforehand and was a bit apprehensive about the parking situation, but the parking gods were in my favor that day, and I found free street parking about a block and a half away on a weekend afternoon. Thank goodness! Overall, I had a wonderful experience and devoured all of the scrumptious food. Ill definitely be back, though I think Ill opt for an inside table next time!

5 /5 Jeff Chen: We got the shrimp salad and gnocchi to go. Both were excellent and they were able to accommodate dairy free for both dishes. Portions are a bit small for the price but the quality makes up for it.

5 /5 Tina Wang: We were delighted to sample a variety of handmade pastas, each offering its own unique flavor. Among them, the Baked Parmesan Cavatelli stood out as my personal favorite. While it was on the saltier side, the pasta was cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. On the other hand, the Angel Hair pasta noodles were a disappointment. They were overcooked and became overly soft. The Mafaldine with the spicy vodka sauce, however, hit the spot. I must admit, I wasn’t a fan of the Gnocchi. It was delicious, but something felt amiss. The crab dip, which I had been hoping for a creamy dip version, turned out to be a salsa-style dip. Overall, the pastas were great.

5 /5 Robert Bojorquez: Local eatery with an open and airy interior with shaded out door seating. Food was well executed. You can tell they put a lot of thought into the details. The gnocchi with shrimp was a standout. Friendly and informed staff made our experience truly wonderful. The salted caramel budino was super good and made by one of them! Even if youre full, order it, you wont regret it. We will be back soon. Before I forget: street parking only-get ready for a walk!