Entry № 021_NEW · Verified Apr 2026
About
Chef Ignacio Mattos's Houston Street restaurant has shaped a decade of New York dining sensibility — cured fish, aged meats, and improbably delicious plate combinations served in a sparse room where the cooking is the only decoration.
Stylish restaurant serving contemporary cuisine in an intimate, informal setting.
Editors’ notes
“We had a wonderful experience at Estela today. All the dishes we had were both outstanding and unique. The restaurant is small inside but beautiful, and the service at the bar was excellent. This establishment has definitely earned it's Michelin star, we highly recommend a meal here!”
“Sourdough - 5.5/10; it was a very okay bread with generic butter and olives. I would've at least liked the bread warmed. But the fact that I paid for it knocked it down a lot, I would expect specialty bread and butter if it comes with a price tag. Endive - 6.5/10; Crisp, crunchy, and overall complimentary flavors. How…”
“Sat at the bar booked on Open Table and Chase Sapphire Reserve for the $150 dining credit. We ordered the beef tartare, mackerel, endive salad, ricotta dumplings, and wagyu, plus 2 wines, a beer, a cocktail, and the parsnip gelato. It was as you can imagine a $$$ night out. But the bar seating was so cozy and no rush …”
“Honestly quite a disappointing experience. I heard good reviews from a friend and knowing that it has one michilen star so I had high expectations. But the flavoring of the dishes is uneven. The endive salad only has intense saltiness and sour and it's hard to taste any nuance. The duck was too chewy for my taste and b…”