Elia opens new location in San Carlos

Elia first opened in Pleasanton in 2022, where owner Faith Ulas lives, and grew to a second location in Walnut Creek shortly after. Expanding to San Carlos brings the refined, modern Greek cuisine to the Peninsula, which Ulas has hoped to do for some time now. 

“I was getting a lot of requests from this part of the Bay,” Ulas said. “San Mateo County and its companies, I wanted to be around them because we have three private rooms and I thought it’d be great to serve corporate offices and bigger parties.” 

Transforming the dining experience into a party of sorts is the goal for Ulas, who hopes to emulate the late-night dining that’s loud with music he has often found traveling throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. 

The restaurant hosts live jazz music each evening, Sunday through Thursday, and a live DJ on Fridays and Saturdays. 

“Having live music seven days a week in San Carlos will add a lot of value,” Ulas said. “When you travel to Mykonos, Santorini, everything is so lively and we’re kind of lacking that in the Bay Area.” 

Though the food stands strong alone, the interior design is often what draws in customers, Ulas said, who designed and handpicked everything himself. 

“When people walk in, they’re shocked and think it’s like a museum in here,” he said. “You’ll ask ‘Am I even in San Carlos?’” 

Highlights from the menu include whole sea bass, lamb chops and seafood paella with lobster tail on top, Ulas said. The Galaktoboureko — phyllo dough rolled with custard, pistachio and a berry coulis — and the poached pear with vanilla ice cream are popular desserts. 

The menu was created by Mehmet Duygu, the head chef of Elia Restaurants, who has spent the past month dedicated to opening the San Carlos location smoothly. Though this is Ulas’ eighth restaurant opening and the pair’s third Elia, each feels like the first in terms of the eagerness and excitement, Ulas said. 

Ulas has been in the restaurant business for most of his life. His father opened Sultan’s Kebab in Pleasanton, which also expanded to three locations in the East Bay. When his father died, Ulas took over the business and helped it grow alongside Duygu, who was also a part of Sultan’s Kebab. 

The restaurant has a large outdoor patio area and will be open for weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas until 3 p.m. Deals on Dom Perignon along with the DJ sets hope to invoke a fun experience for patrons, Ulas said. 

“I just want people to enjoy the music and their time,” Ulas said. “When we are in Greece and we go to dinner, you don’t order one bottle you know. It’s a fun thing seeing all the bottles on your table.” 

Elia was made to be a place for patrons to enjoy lavishly, Ulas said. After the pandemic, he’s felt restaurants have cut down on the quality of service and the experience of dining. As a devoted restaurateur, he said it’s his duty to provide that to customers. 

“I wanted to break the ice from traditional restaurants and traditional table service, decor and food,” Ulas said. “I see it as a customer, and it’s worked out well.” 

The San Carlos restaurant, located at 727 Laurel St., is open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit opentable.com to make a reservation.