Éla, Bukit Batok: “If overdosing on these dips is how I go, then take me”

My main gripe with Greek food in Singapore is that it’s nowhere as easily accessible as I wish it was, and often exceeds the budget of a twenty-year-old intern. The search for top-notch Greek fare will eventually lead me to an al fresco restaurant in Santorini with more pita and tzatziki than I can finish in three lifetimes, but until that dream comes to fruition, your little taste of Greece is located at Bukit Batok and goes by the name of Éla.

It’s another eatery under my precious Black Hole Group that promises a homely experience with affordably priced Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. I only always have good things to say about their restaurants, and today, I was going to see if Éla would keep up the good streak.

What I tried

We let the Herb Rub Beef (S$17.90) set the bar for us, though it fell short of my expectations. The cubes of chargrilled sirloin were marinated well, incredibly earthy and fragrant, served with fries, and paired exquisitely with tzatziki.

 It would’ve been a solid 10/10 in my books if not for the toughness of the beef. I found it cooked a little too well, resulting in a rubbery, chewy texture that would send steak lovers running far away. It was unfortunate that Éla landed itself in that category; it had the potential to be superb, and the next time I visit, I hope it will be.

Fortunately, everything else goes uphill from here on out. A must-try from Éla is their Seabreeze Platter (S$74.90), an all-encompassing medley of seafood including swordfish, calamari, octopus, white bait, and a whole seabass.

The Htapodi (S$26.90 a la carte) was a resounding favourite, especially with its chewy tenderness. Elevated by notes of grilled smokiness, the octopus will make the best of first impressions if this dish is new to you, and especially so if you pair it with their lemon ganda.

It’s October, but the first bite of Éla’s Swordfish (S$22.90 a la carte) made my eyes light up like the bedazzled Christmas tree in Times Square. It melts in your mouth with an undeniable smoothness, whilst maintaining a supple texture that allows you to enjoy the citrusy zing of lemon in its full, lip-smacking glory.

The Seabass (S$34.90 a la carte) deserves an honourable mention, and that’s coming from someone who’s exceptionally picky when it comes to fish. Drenched generously with lemon ganda and seasoned to fragrant perfection with olive oil, oregano, and sea salt, the Seabass had bite, and worthy of any convincing it’ll take you to visit Éla for dinner.

Dessert is hands-down my favourite meal of the day. Yes, there’s no typo—dessert is a meal in my books—and it’s with only the highest of expectations that I dug into the Baklava (S$10.90). I’ve found that baklava often fails when the filo pastry isn’t as flaky enough, but Éla hit the nail on the head with this one. The crunchy walnuts, dark chocolate ice cream, and syrup tasted like a match made in heaven. If I had to pick a song to encapsulate my experience, it would be ‘So This Is Love’ from Cinderella.

Their Dip Party Platter (S$18.90) will forever hold a special place in my heart, along with the top spot out of everything I tried at Éla. The first one is the comfort food-equivalent of Greek cuisine. The familiar Greek yoghurt dip was a creamy and rich mix, with cucumber, white grape vinegar, and olive oil.

As an ardent fan of tzatziki, I was a little surprised that this was not my absolute favourite dip. It might get a little cloying if you’re not one for dairy, and as its name suggests, this dip platter promises a party—but only if you share.  

Éla’s Tirokafteri was up for scrutiny next, and despite having a lot to live up to, this held its own pretty damn well. I was afraid that the cheese-on-cheese might be too pungent and cloying, but one bite promised me that my reservations were for nothing. The bird’s eye chilli helped to neutralise the heaviness of the Greek yoghurt, ricotta, and feta. It’s a different experience from the Melizanosalata, but one I enjoyed thoroughly anyway.

If overdosing on these dips is how I go, then take me. I’ve never once liked eggplant in my life, but the Melitzanosalata dip is truly their forte. A lightly spicy mix of charred eggplant, garlic, red bell peppers, paprika, and white grape vinegar, this was irrefutably addictive and seduced me in about three seconds flat. The chunky texture and bright flavour complemented yet contrasted the starchy thickness of the pita, and it’s this combination that truly encapsulates the notion of ‘living to eat’. 

Final thoughts

No thoughts; just praises to sing. As far as great food is concerned, this one is to be remembered with a gold star and a smile. I’m mentally planning my revisit as I type, and you’d better believe that I’ll be devouring the creamy dips, raving perfectly grilled seafood, and finishing it all off with a serving of baklava, all for myself. 

Expected damage: S$19 – S$37 per pax

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