I used to like Element Fresh. But now...I don't know if it's the staff or what, but for the past year both locations have been consistently hot and stale––as if whoever controls the climate is worried about death by air-conditioning, or death by fresh air. The last couple times I've had to leave because it was so hot and stuffy. There wasn't a movement of fresh air except when the door opened, and the smoke from the smoking section was burning my eyes.

What's up with that? Really? I thought Element Fresh was trying to pass itself off as a healthy, organic food restaurant? What's the point of eating healthy organic food if you're breathing toxic second-hand smoke the whole time? And I really wonder what the purpose of having a smoking section is at all. Most of the time I'm in there the non-smoking section is packed shoulder to shoulder at way too many tables crammed way too close together. The smoking section, meanwhile, is 80% empty. Maybe I'm just going at the wrong time, but who are all these smokers that represent such a huge part of EF's customer base that they can't just put their money where their mouth is and ban the toxic stuff from their restaurant?

UPDATE: Since I wrote this about a year or so ago, I've basically avoided Element Fresh because of the temperature/staleness problem. It got a bit better in the winter when it was cooler and they actually did ban smoking inside the restaurant. But now that it's getting warm it's the same problem all over. Had to meet a friend at their Lido location. There are three outdoor areas: to the right of the door, to the left of the door and the roof. I went there on a holiday, in the evening, and the roof was closed. Both of the other outdoor areas were designated for smokers, making impossible for anyone else to enjoy a meal out there. Those two areas were hardly full all evening, while the inside non-smoking had people lined up waiting and crammed in shoulder to shoulder. It was so hot inside I had to leave for fresh air. Why can't they turn on the air inside? Is it countryside people that work for them that are superstitious about air conditioning? Or at least why can't they designate one of their THREE outdoor areas for non-smokers during this time of year, when it's pleasant outside but uncomfortably hot indoors? Still don't understand the irrational catering to what is clearly a very small base of smoking customers.

For those who dont know good food or care, head to element fresh for an overpriced,underwhelming meal.
It is so consistently disappointing, I dont really understand why people keep going back. That being said I think there are many beijing restaurants that fit into this same category.

To be fair the Shanghai restaurants are much better then their Beijing counterparts. Service is a big part of this, it seems that the staff in the south is much more "Switched On" where as the staff here just got off the special kids bus.

You might say I'm a bit harsh, but in a country where restaurant staff gets paid very little I dont know where they get off charging 40 rmb for a juice that is from non organic fruits or veggies that are more likely than not a heavy metal veggie cocktail. But go ahead and pay for it. I'm always amazed what people are willing to spend on stuff here in china. Now, I'm not a big cheapskate and have no problem going out and dropping money on a good meal, but I would never opt to go here and drop my hard earned cash when I can go elsewhere and get better quality for the same price or less.

Element Fresh get your act together in beijing, train you staff better, help your staff learn how prepare and serve a western meal.
NO, I dont want my appetizer, desert and main course at the same time thank you!
Yes I would like my main course hot, thank you! I did order something from the hot sandwiches part of the menu.
I can say that every time I have eaten there, there has been at least one problem. Maybe I'm stupid for letting friends drag me back there.

I have been to element fresh shanghai and surely the shanghai outfit is far better managed and provides
good food,though prices are higher.

My set dinner was so hopeless ,except the dessert and my drink (which was also so so).
Wont be back,anyway I am leaving Beijing as of now but will be back after a couple of months.

I like the concept, but the fact is that after a series of price hikes this year, it's just not worth it anymore. The breakfast options have always been mediocre, the only thing that's half decent are the over-priced salads. The smoothies are half-decent but not as good as i'd expect for the price tag. Very underwhelming overall. Unfortunately here in Beijing, healthy, fresh options aren't easy to come by, which is why they get away with it.

I posted this as a comment and decided I should make a whole review of it instead. Maybe it will get the owner's attention.

I refuse to go to EF unless I am with a friend who insists on it. Which means I've been a total of about 5-6 times. I almost always order the same thing on the menu since I arrived 7 months ago -- a tofu wrap. And guess what? The price of it has gone up at least twice, 10 kuai more than when I first went there in December or so. That's a huge increase for a wrap that comes with no sides... I mean for chrissakes it's a tofu wrap. They put a few veggies inside with some marinated tofu. It *was* less than 40 kuai (overpriced already) and now it's something like 45-50.

But that's not nearly as bad as when I got the "healthy" brunch a month ago. The "veggie" omelette was two egg whites with so few veggies inside they should be ashamed to call it a veggie omelette. It came with one slice of generic toast (the kind you get for <10 kuai / 20 slices anywhere in Beijing), one margarine, one strawberry jam, and a side cup of runny yogurt with about 4 chunks of cubed melon on top (all barely edible, I did not finish them). It came with a freshly squeezed OJ so I thought I was getting a good deal but the OJ seemed smaller than normal. Needless to say, I was super disappointed --- and all that for 68 kuai! Un-f**king-believable. To be honest, this particular menu item was worse than an airplane breakfast meal I had two weeks ago.

Stop raising your prices, you are not worth this much. Inflation whatever, buy different maybe um slightly less fresh ingredients? No restaurant raises their prices as often as Element Fresh in Beijing. I'm done with you guys.

I went last Saturday at 11am for brunch with my kids. The restaurant was already fully packed. The hostess announced 15mn wait, we waited for 30mn. Our table was located close to the emergency exit and the service stand. Waitresses who are normally pleasant and helpful were overstressed and rude. They forgot to bring us forks and knives, seemed annoyed when we ask for them, mixed up our orders and argued with us that they did bring the right ones. The food was below average and not warm. I guess for this price, better to check other options at Sanlitun...or choose a time when there is no rush and waiters are in the mood to serve you...

Took my three future taitais here (sans dad) tonight.
Color-in placemats were a hit and our food (granted mostly salads and sandwiches) came very fast.
The juice really was freshly squeezed and my Chilean Beef salad was great. The beef was tender and spiced just right.
Cobb and Greek salads were also full of real greens and lots of additional items.(nice change from greek salads sporting an olive and two cubes of feta cheese).
Grilled eggplant sandwich was a little bland, but I only had a bite because my youngest found it to be perfect.
Water refilled, extra napkins without asking.
Only problem was that we purposely went for an early dinner but still were there when they turn the lights down and light the candles. I know this is to create atmosphere, but it was DARK. I don't want flourescent tube lights, but I almost paid with my subway card!
I've eaten there before, but it was my first time with kids. Happy to have somewhere to add to my list of places to go when Dad is out of town.

everything with your restaurant is a misnomer (know what this word means?) ELEMENT = (you were at your worst element last night) FRESH (should be STALE).

quality (???!?!?!?) @ elementfresh....

there were six of us last night, been there waiting for 30 minutes. then this group of 5 arrived. you gave them the seats first!!!! what the hell were you thinking (were you?!?!). we were so ready to splurge our money in your so-called restaurant last night but unfortunately for you nincompoops.....

chinar has a very , very, very long way to go when it comes to service. you always want money, money, money!!! i want money!

The food here isn't bad, it's completely average. I don't feel their ingredients are any "fresher" than other restaurants. I don't understand the hype, everyone seems to rave about this restaurant but whenever I go I'm underwhelmed by food and overwhelmed by the bill! The location is good and the service is decent but quality of their food just does not justify the price. Juices are alright but you can get the same or better at nearby Eden Juice. The element fresh points card is useful, each time you eat there you can add points which are later redeemable.