Estela, New York City: Why Not Give It A Try? – Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Estela, New York City: Why Not Give It A Try? - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews
Joe Squatch

Joe Squatch

September 7, 2022

Foodies, listen up: 

We know how much you love scouring the web and the city streets for new places to be wined and dined.

Estela, New York City: Why Not Give It A Try? - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Whether you’re drawn to quirky cafes, intimate restaurants, or out-of-this-world establishments, everyone’s looking for something, and in New York, you’ll be hard-pressed not to find it. 

Estela is one decade-old establishment that feels just as fresh, exciting, and enticing as it did in its first week, month, and year of business. So why not give it a try? 

What Is Estela? 

In their dining room above Houston Street, Estela has established itself as one of New York’s finest restaurants. Few food establishments can stand the test of time as well as Estela has.

After a decade of operation, Estela is still regarded as one of the best restaurants in the city, bustling with thousands of hungry customers a year (Also check out the Best Restaurants In Falmouth, Ma). 

This intimate, stylish downtown restaurant serves thrilling dinners, bustling brunches, and lazy late-night drinks, set against a snug backdrop and a vibrant atmosphere.

Estela might not be your first choice if you prefer hushed, quiet dining. However, if you want a taste of New York living condensed into one modestly sized bistro, Estela needs to be on your list. 

Estela first opened in 2013 and holds one Michelin star, with several other accolades (You might also want to check out Does River Café Have A Vegetarian Menu?).

Its owner, Ignacio Mattos, was named chef of the year by Esquire in 2017, and he also owns another of New York’s most critically acclaimed restaurants, the Flora Bar. 

Estela prides itself on being a modern American restaurant, serving a range of signature dishes to suit all tastes, including some of New York’s finest dishes. 

Estela: Additional Information 

Dining Style: Casual Dining 

Cuisine Style: Wine Bar, Contemporary American 

Location: 47 E Houston St, New York, NY10012

Opening Hours:  Lunch 11:30-15:00, Brunch Saturday and Sunday 11;30-15:00 Dinner Monday to Thursday and Sunday 17:30 – 23:00, Fri and Saturday 17:30 – 23:30 

Contact Information: 

Dress Code: Casual Dress 

Payment Options: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, AMEX, Discover 

Estela Menu 

Considering Estela is one of New York’s most prestigious and celebrated restaurants, it’s no surprise that its menu was truly crafted to impress. Estela has a lunch and dinner menu, plus an extensive wine list.

Here, you can expect to find some of the finest wines from France, the U.S, Austria, Spain, Germany, Hungary, and more.

If you’re a wine lover, you’ll appreciate the time that’s gone into crafting such an exceptional wine menu. 

For a taster of what Estela has to offer, let’s take a closer look at its lunch and dinner menus. 

Estela Lunch and Dinner Menu 

Estela is all about fine dining, and its lunch menu definitely delivers. 

  • Charcuterie 
  • Oysters with finger lime and sea grapes 
  • Raw scallop with green tomatoes and basil 
  • Endive, walnuts, anchovy, and ubriaco rosso 
  • Stone fruits with pecorino and Thai basil 
  • Steelhead trout with sea urchin and seaweed
  • Fried arroz negro with squid and romesco 
  • Roast chicken with  leeks and Bearnaise 
  • Ricotta dumplings with mushrooms and pecorino Sardo
  • Bread and butter 

Other featured meals on the Estela lunch and dinner menu have included: 

  • Lamb ribs with charmoula and honey 
  • Steak with Brussels sprouts and teleggio 
  • Monkfish with Meter lemon, turnips, and avocado 
  • Mackerel with beans and mojo rojo 

Lunchtime sweet-treats include:

  • Panna cotta with vinegar and honey 
  • Chocolate cake with whipped cream 
  • Strawberry sorbet with candied cherry leaves and lovage oil 

Let’s not forget the range of drinks on offer with your lunchtime meal, either. We’ll be honest, there are too many to list, but some of the main drinks on offer include: 

  • Cocktails 
  • Sparkling drinks, including wine and champagne 
  • Fortified drinks
  • Rose 
  • Beer and cider 
  • Zero Proof 
  • Red wine 
  • White wine 

Estela Wine Menu 

Estela’s wine menu is a staggering 20 pages long. With wines from all corners of the world, both red and white, it’s difficult to find something NOT to love.

Estela, New York City: Why Not Give It A Try? - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Here are just a few of the most popular red and white wines served at Estela for both lunch and dinner: 

  • Amaury Beaufort, ‘Le Jardinot XVIII,’ Polisy Pinot Noir/Chardonnay
  • Étienne Calsac, ‘L’Échappée Belle,’ Bisseuil 1er Cru Chardonnay DG. 01/21 
  • Hild, Sekt, Mosel, Germany Elbling
  • Scar of the Sea, ‘Topotero’ Rosé, Santa Barbara, California, USA Pinot Noir
  • Anne & J.F. Ganevat, ‘Les Arces’ Chardonnay (ouillé)
  • DaTerra, ‘Camino de la Frontera,’ Arribes del Duero Malvasia/Verdejo/etc.
  • Quinta da Palmirinha, Vinho Verde Loureiro
  • Falkenstein, ‘Krettnacher Euchariusberg’ Kabinett Alte Reben AP8 Riesling
  • Claus Preisinger, ‘Kalkundkiesel’ Grüner Veltliner/Weissburgunder 
  • Zorjan, ‘Cuvée 16,’ Stajerska Laski Rizling/Renski Rizling/Sauvignon Blanc*
  • Richard Stávek, ‘Medovy Muskátek,’ Moravia Rubinet/Sevar
  • Smockshop Band, ‘Moonhill Farm,’ Columbia Gorge Chardonnay
  • Maria & Sepp Muster, ‘Vom Opok,’ Steiermark, Austria Blaufränkisch/Zweigelt 

Estela Menu Pricing 

Please note: Menu prices are listed at the time of writing. Prices are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, contact Estela directly for more information. 

For such a renowned, celebrated restaurant, you may be surprised to know that you aren’t expected to pay any bank-breaking prices for your meals.

Here are a few examples of the pricing for some of Estela’s most popular, past and present, lunch and dinner dishes. 

  • Steak with Brussels Sprouts and Taleggio: $37.00 
  • Lamb Ribs with Charmuola and Honey: $21.00 
  • Ricotta Dumplings with Mushrooms and Pecorino Sardo: $25.00 

As expected, small starters and sides also come with smaller price tags: 

  • Salami: $9.00 
  • Pickled Carrots: $8.00 
  • Olives: $7.00 

Although Estela has an extensive wine selection, they also serve plenty of cocktails with their lunch and dinner menus. Most Estela cocktails are priced at $15, and the selection includes: 

  • Friend of the Devil: Gin, Cherry, Black Pepper, Sweet Vermouth, Lemon
  • Trinidad Buck: Aged Rum, Rye, Angostura, Ginger, Cinnamon, and Lime
  • Industry Cocktail: Rye, Dolin Rouge, Bonal, Fernet Branca 

Estela, New York: Restaurant Review 

Whether you’re living in New York or you’re just visiting, Estela is one restaurant you need to visit. Although it’s a little more expensive than other restaurants in the city, you’re guaranteed a high-end dining experience every time.

With stunning food, an eclectic menu, and a vibrant atmosphere, there’s nothing quite like the Estela dining experience. 

Although the Estela menu is correct at the time of writing, many dishes are added and omitted to reflect the season, and seafood mains and Cantonese condiments are given equal care and attention, making the Estela restaurant a versatile dining experience for all guests. 

One thing that did surprise us was how small some of our dishes looked when we ordered them. When they were delivered to the table, we’d be forgiven for thinking we were staring at a plate full of overpriced leaves.

However, Estela put much care into the presentation of their food, and each mouthful is a true sensory experience.

As soon as you start digging into your food, you find layers and layers of texture and flavor – some you didn’t even know were there in the first place! 

The Bottom Line 

It’s hard to find anything to dislike about Estela. Each dish is unique, high-quality, and delicious beyond description.

Whether you live in the city, frequent it often, or are just passing through, Estela is one to visit if you want to witness the city in motion from the comfort of a modest bistro.

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