Too many fine dining restaurants lack soul. They have nice decor, good service, and maybe a star, but the flavor is missing. Blue Elephant is not one of those places. It occupies an old, grand house, serving traditional Thai cuisine with a sense of comfort and history.
Let’s get to the food.
The chicken satay arrived in a charcoal baguette. It looked like a bread roll, but was better than what most bakeries produce. A thin, crisp crust gave way to a moist, soft interior. With the peanut sauce on the side, the combination was perfect. No notes.
Miniature prawn cakes followed. They were bouncy on the inside, crisp on the outside. A pomelo salad served alongside cut through the richness, keeping your palate clean and ready for more.
The crab curry was a standout. A thick, deep sauce carried the unmistakable umami of real crab meat. It was served with bee hoon noodles that soaked up every bit of the flavor. This dish shut me up for a moment.
Not everything was perfect. The fried melinjo leaves with egg, made with abalone sauce, couldn’t compete with the wok hei version at Som Tam Nua. One restaurant can’t be the best at everything.
Still, the meal was a procession of thoughtful textures and clear flavors. I heard the founder, now in her seventies, still teaches at the cooking school here daily. That dedication shows on the plate.
This is a place where luxury meets substance. Worth a visit.
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