Elements Restaurant Review: A must try spot in Princeton, NJ
Elements Restaurant: A Culinary Destination in New Jersey
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Elements: Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Interpretive New American with Japanese and other Asian accents
Price: Very expensive
Food quality: Exceptional, seasonal, and ingredient-driven. The kitchen uses modern techniques to highlight clean, pure flavors.
Service: Professional, informed, and attentive without hovering
Ambiance and decor: Luxurious and calm, with exposed beams and an open kitchen visible from every table
Overall rating: 4 stars
Note: Ratings range from 0.5 star for poor to 4 stars for best in class
Noise level: Moderate
Dress: Upscale casual
Recommended for: Diners with a refined palate who enjoy a set tasting experience and rare ingredients
Not recommended for: Budget-minded guests or anyone seeking a traditional a la carte menu
Recommended dishes: The five-course small-plate tasting menu (limited choices)
Liquor: Full bar service shared with the restaurant downstairs. Deep bottle list of high-end domestic and international wines. Wines by the glass are limited.
Elements in Princeton, NJ is a premier fine dining destination celebrated for its innovative New American cuisine, organic sourcing, and the visionary leadership of Chef Scott Anderson. Known for its seasonal tasting menus and serene ambiance, it offers a refined experience ideal for special occasions.
If you're searching for one of New Jersey’s most elevated culinary destinations, Elements Restaurant in Princeton deserves top billing. Tucked into a sleek space on Witherspoon Street, this fine-dining gem blends modern American cuisine with Japanese and Asian influences, offering a seasonal tasting menu that’s as artful as it is flavorful.
🏛️ History & Vision
Elements was founded by co-owner Executive Chef Scott Anderson, whose culinary philosophy centers on purity, sustainability, and innovation. The name “Elements” reflects his commitment to showcasing the natural essence of ingredients. Anderson’s vision is rooted in farm-to-table ethics, sourcing local, organic produce and sustainably raised meats and seafood.
🍽️ Food & Cuisine
Elements specializes in interpretive New American cuisine with Japanese and Asian influences. The menu is seasonally driven and constantly evolving, offering a chef’s tasting experience that highlights clean, pure flavors through modern techniques. Signature dishes include:
- Tuna 4 Ways – a standout tasting item praised for its creativity
- Blueberry Hawaiian Vanilla with Biscuits – a dessert favorite
- Amuse Bouche – elegantly timed and crafted to awaken the palate
Ingredients are foraged daily, and preparation emphasizes minimalism and precision, allowing each component to shine. The restaurant is ideal for foodies seeking originality and depth.
👨🍳 The Chef
Chef Scott Anderson is nationally recognized for his avant-garde approach to cooking. His accolades include:
- James Beard nominations
- Industry praise for pushing culinary boundaries
- Known for blending science and artistry in his dishes
His style is experimental yet grounded, often incorporating fermentation, sous vide, and molecular gastronomy to elevate natural flavors.
🪑 Ambiance
The décor is luxurious and calm, featuring exposed beams, an open kitchen, and rustic charm. Every table has a view of the kitchen, enhancing transparency and connection. The vibe is:
- Elegant and serene
- Moderate noise level
- Upscale casual dress code
- No outdoor dining, but indoor spacing is generous and intimate
🤝 Service
Service at Elements is professional, informed, and attentive without being intrusive. Staff known for:
- Thorough explanations of each dish
- Consistent pacing
- Warm, welcoming demeanor
🧩 Other Factors
- Recommended for: Refined palates, special occasions, wine lovers
- Not ideal for: Young children or casual diners
- Alcohol/bar: Full bar with fine wine pairings
- Child-friendly: Not typically recommended
- Parking: Street and nearby garage options
- Dress code: Upscale casual
- Elements is known for treating every day like a special occasion, and reservations for Mother’s Day and other holidays are often available.
🔍 What Needs Improvement
The high price point and limited hours (Wed–Sat evenings only).
🌟 What Sets Them Apart
Elements stands out for its:
- Ever-changing tasting menus
- Chef-led foraging and ingredient sourcing
- Open kitchen and immersive ambiance
- Commitment to sustainability and artistry
This is not just a meal—it’s a culinary narrative told through flavor, texture, and presentation.
Updated October 2025
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