This Mediterranean spot in Virginia-Highland is the right choice when you’re with a group who doesn’t respect plate boundaries. Their damn-near-perfect shareable small plates mean everybody wins—even if the entrees come up short. Ela’s dining room is constantly full. Couples settle into booths or patio tables while small groups pass around those excellent small plates, like crisp falafel balls with moist centers and handmade spinach and feta pastries with an impossibly flaky crust. Sauces move from mere sideshows to the main event with a flight of five delicious sauces. Including a housemade hot sauce, green chermoula, and a smoky harissa, these dips are a must-order if you opt for any of the skewered meat entrees, especially the extremely bland and too-chewy lamb and the under-seasoned chicken. There’s no shortage of restaurants in Va-Hi, but Ela stays packed (make a reservation, even if it’s a Tuesday). That’s partly because it checks the box for a moody space that feels vibey even if it’s not doing anything particularly special. And partly because the small plates are just that good. Just make sure to invite the friends who like to share—particularly the ones who won't shame you for double dipping in the chermoula.