ELA'S On the Water

Holly Springs Neurology

Don't know how far ahead you need to make a reservation, but we booked in July for September requesting an outdoor table for dinner for 4 for a special birthday. Got seated at a corner squeezed in table by the traffic door of in and out when there was at least 4 other "nice" spots available. The waitress was unfriendly. Very upset I picked this place to celebrate a milestone birthday; don't bother. Food was ok but have had better with nicer and more welcoming atmosphere (especially for the price).

Kristina Miller

Food is fantastic! Servers are wonderful! View is beautiful!! Manager is THE RUDEST! We have a place in Shelter Cove and can say these three statements are consistent after multiple visits. I debated posting about this since last Christmas, but after an experience yesterday I decided it was time. Last Christmas Eve I made a reservation for our family of 10. When we arrived, half our group took the stairs up to the restaurant, the other half took the the elevator up with my senior disabled mother. Upon check in, the hostess was going to bring our party to the restaurant’s second level (the buildings 3rd level). I asked where the elevator was, there isn’t one. I explained a member of our party couldn’t do the long stairway and the manager had an absolute fit, humiliating my mother, making her feel terribly that her family is now in an awkward position of losing a table for Christmas Eve Dinner. He went on to huff, “This is a three story restaurant, what do you expect?” Um, no, it’s a two story restaurant that provides elevator access to the main floor, but none to the second floor. It was a terrible scene and I was furious. They ended up seating our family at two separate tables (while the table next to us remained empty for the entirety of our stay). In complete contrast, yesterday was my mother’s birthday and I made reservations at Quarterdeck in Harbor Town. The food was fantastic! The server was wonderful! The view is spectacular! The manager could not have been nicer and more accommodating, treating my 81 year old birthday girl like an absolute QUEEN! She pointed my mother to the elevator, told her to take her time and that she would meet us upstairs to seat us. She did just that while also letting the staff know it was a special occasion, even visited with us later to see how things were. My mom was so happy to be there, it made my day! Bottom line……. I live in Shelter Cove, but will drive to Sea Pines, pay $9 entry to go to Quarterdeck over Ela’s because of the poor management. (This was not an isolated incident and I am not hard to please whatsoever, typically very easy going until you humiliate my mother. It was unnecessary and unkind. As a healthcare worker, One could argue it goes against ADA compliance.)

David Fern

Excellent place for a great dinner with a view. A bit pricey but the view was worth it. Had the surf and turf and wife had the bone in ribeye. All mouthwatering and cooked perfect. Lobster bisque was also very good.

Mary Houglum

I made a reservation and requested a waterfront view. Upon arrival I was given a side window and mirror of myself view. I asked to get a better view table and was denied, even though the view tables were still vacant after my rushed speed “get them out fast “ dinner. Before salad was even done the entree was served. Ela ‘s had us out of the restaurant in under an hour. The food was lacking…and my salmon, well I hope and pray I do not get sick it was very fishy smelling. ( I am from the PNW and our fish usually does not carry an oder. I was completely sad over my last night out at Ella’s on Hilton Head Island. I promise to never return.