Owner/chef Jason Cichonski started with a bare building and made what he found into a unique, casual restaurant and bar.
His first day on the premises, he found a Cruvinet...a wine dispenser, discarded in the basement.
Realizing its value, he and several friends dismantled it, replaced ailing parts, and refinished it,. He ended up with a 16-tap machine that keeps bottles inside filled with nitrogen so wines never deteriorate.
It's stocked with a selection of products he calls "approachable". He works with the state of Pennsylvania to secure wines that generally don't show up on restaurant lists.
It's not uncommon for bars with a Cruvinet to stock rare products just because the system keeps them fresh, but nothing in Cichonski's machine costs over $12.00 a glass...most less.
The bar also offers beer and cocktail specials during Happy Hour, Tuesday through Friday and again on Sunday.
Cichonski went a step further and created a Happy Hour menu that pairs well with his drinks
.Featured is a unique burger...a beef patty seasoned with Japanese ingredients and served on a house-made black sesame roll. It packs flavor strong enough to stand up to what you're drinking.
Other selections include the kitchen's own tater tots and preserved sardines, as well as the selection of pickled vegetables so popular around town these days.
Dinner offers a broader selection of choices, from appetizers to sharable small plates to full-sized entrees.
Everything is designed to please a variety of diners.
Ela is at 627 S. 3rd Street, which is on the corner at Bainbridge. They're open every day but Monday for dinner, and Happy Hour every evening except Saturday.
For information or reservations, you may phone 267-687-8512, or visit them online at Ela.