Has perennial New Jersey culinary powerhouse elements lost its luster? Helmed by renowned Chef Scott Anderson, this Princeton staple has long been regarded as one of only a handful of Michelin-caliber NJ fine dining spots. And while the elements are still there, the threads are beginning to show (literally)…but luckily, the food still slaps.
I’ll admit it. I fucked up. I should not have asked Maura to be my gal on February 12th. Now if we want to celebrate our anniversary anywhere near the actual day, we’re locked into the dreaded Valentine’s Day prix fixe. From now on we’ll be moving any dinner reservations to the week before or after. That being said, the following review will be graded on a bit of a curve. I’m aware restaurants are rarely at the top of their game during special prix fixe menus or holiday service, but the last time I was here, several years ago for a New Year’s Eve Grand Tasting, it was a phenomenal 10/10 experience, so its certainly possible.
elements is typically what I would regard as a true special occasion restaurant. A once a year treat at best. So naturally, as Maura and I made it there this past February for a combo anniversary + Valentine’s Day meal, we had high hopes. And don’t get me wrong, the food was still incredible, particularly the Beausoleil Oysters with ponzu and trout roe, Wagyu Delmonico with aligot potato, mushroom, and thyme (which continues to be one of the single greatest bites of food I’ve ever had) and Madai, served four ways with citrus, mustard, and olive oil. However, all the little aspects that make an experience like elements so memorable…just weren’t there this time. And not even because we were seated at maybe the single worst table in the entire restaurant, crammed in a dark corner next to the server stand.
Throughout the evening we met multiple members of the wait staff, which led to inconsistencies, and many dishes placed on the table without explanation. No one folded our napkins or wiped crumbs if we got up from our table. We were sometimes left with the same set of silverware between courses. The people directly behind us occasionally watched videos on their phones at full volume. The table runners were old and frayed, with visible threads. There was literal cobwebs all over lighting fixtures, including the one directly above our heads. Neither bathroom door locks worked. For a prix fixe dining experience at this price point and at a restaurant with this lofty of a reputation, these cracks are borderline inexcusable.
A big shout out to our most memorable server, David Ortiz, who didn’t hit any homers for the Sox but still knocked it out of the park with his service, which was a GRAND SLAM!
But now to the highlight of our evening: the food. And let me tell you, issues aside, when it comes to the menu Scott Anderson’s still got it.
NOT PICTURED: TAHITENSIS VANILLA w/ sour cherry, biscuit & caramel
I could never count elements out. They’re too iconic. I’ll definitely be back, but never on Valentine’s Day and certainly through a slightly more critical lens.
elements
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66 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 924-0078
Website: https://www.elementsprinceton.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elementsprinceton/
Foursquare: https://foursquare.com/v/elements/5752ea40498e95f30d76eb1c
CougEats 