Bypass the taxidermied foxes in the lobby of the Forth Hotel in O4W (we’re very unclear on that design inspiration) and head just a few floors up to Elektra. It's a more inviting scene, filled with Greek sea nymph themes and poolside patio vibes. This Mediterranean restaurant is a great place to sip excellent fruity cocktails, share delicious family-style plates with a group, and pretend you’re at a fancy resort somewhere with nowhere else to be. They offer an excellent breakfast that includes fluffy olive oil pancakes and stuffed croissants, though you'll probably only see hotel guests in the am hours. But Elektra really shines in the evening. Then, long dinners are par for the course. It’s where time is measured by complimentary rounds of warm pita and where next-day priorities fade in importance after a taste of your friend’s cinnamon-infused cocktail turns into three orders of your own. The best move at Elektra is to order from all five sections of the menu. If you have a table full of hungry friends, try the cold mezze platter, appetizers like the chunky harissa-spiced fries and fragrant mussels, and a few juicy kebabs before proceeding to shareable entrees. But we’d also recommend just coming in for drinks and the mezze platter if you're looking for something less weighty. Elektra offers a generous collection of really good spreads (our picks are a creamy hummus with a kick and sweet and the smooth baba ganoush), herby salads, and pickled vegetables. Along with the pita bread, it’s enough to make a light dinner for two. Come for a solo dinner at the bar, after work with colleagues, or on a double date on a Friday night—a room full of folks will be on the same wave. Since the mood is relaxed, there’s no hurry to leave—especially when they switch on the patio heat lamps to ward off any chilly breezes. And if you get a little too comfy, the place is a hotel, and there's that breakfast to be had.
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