The folks behind Zafferano Ristorante in Fitchburg now have another fusion restaurant in Eloura, located downtown. This time, it’s a mix of primarily Mediterranean cuisine with some East Asian influences.
The lamb kebab bao ($16 for two) was a good example of this. All components, from the tender lamb to the crispy veggies, were excellent, and the bun was soft but sturdy. I would have liked a little more meat, but it was still a satisfying way to start the meal.
Of the main dinner entrees, I was excited to try the bahr octopus ($35). I try to be careful with extremes, but this was probably the best octopus I’ve ever had. It was tender, was subtly sweet and carried some notes from its charring. Plus, the accompanying hummus and wasabi aioli were packed with flavor.
I also enjoyed the adana kebab plate ($23). The long strip of beef had a good amount of spices, and it paired well with the house tzatziki and rice.
Other entrees include the Za’atar-crusted branzino ($63.00) and the Mediterranean miso alfredo ($21).
You’ll find a slightly different menu at lunch. The falafel and date jam burger ($15) had a lot of things going for it. I enjoyed the crispy exterior of the falafel that was surrounded by sliced tomatoes and some arugula for some bite. The aioli added a garlicky flavor, and every now and then, I encountered a sweet bite from the dates mixed in with the falafel.
The chicken katsu gyro ($16) was different from what I expected, as the photo showed a single piece of chicken pounded flat. Instead, the gyro came with big chunks of chicken that kept falling out. Still, the chicken was mostly tender and tasty with the house sauce (similar to soy sauce), and I liked the use of boy choy.
One last thing to note is that Eloura has a cafe on one side of the restaurant with a large selection of coffee drinks and a pastry case.
Eloura serves breakfast every day and lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
Tags: downtown, Mediterranean
