Blue Elephant

scooter

Sunday buffet treat 27th February 2007

2 found this helpful

Blue Elephant has always been my favourite Thai restaurant in London - and Thai is my favourite food, so it's a winning combination really! Last Sunday I experienced the buffet lunch for the first time. The evening meals can be a little pricey - but 'eat as much as you can cram' QUALITY food is a bargain at £22. (Well, actually it was more like £35 by the time you include drinks and service).

Not only is the decor and presentation of the food immaculate, but the atmosphere is very laid back. And if you have kids, it is a very child friendly place on a Sunday lunchtime. Just ask Dale and Rachel ....we went with them!!

DaleAndRachael

Thai Delight 26th February 2007

3 found this helpful

Wow. We recently visited this restaurant and had a great experience!

We visited on a Sunday for their special – all you can eat – buffet priced at around £23 per person. The term “all you can eat buffet” is usually associated with greasy cheap food in eateries that have more visits from the health inspector than customers. But not this place.

We were shown to our table through a maze of boarded walkways, overhanging trees and a flowing stream with fish. The restaurant has been divided into separate areas so although it can accommodate 100+ people you never really feel part of a large restaurant. The buffet system was explained by the professional and friendly staff. The range of soups, starters, mains and deserts was varied and plentiful. One lasting memory was of the Dim Sum style starters, 8 – 9 individual dishes, that each had their own different sauce to compliment.

The meal was relaxing and the two hours passed quickly (the Sunday lunch special is from either 12:00 – 14:15 or 14:30 onwards). The bill for four people including service charge was just under £150 which may seem expensive but we felt it was worth the treat. We'll definitely be going again.

sokratis

Pink Elephant 11th January 2007

3 found this helpful

Well I've got to agree with Alevy on this one. Maybe I wouldn't be as harsh as him, but still I agree with the overall thesis (thesis? what is this a business plan?!!) of his review.
I don't know what they put in the food at the Blue Elephant (MSG, too much garlic), but I've been there a couple of times and when I left, I did feel that I've just been on a pub crawl and followed it up by an 8 course Indian.
I mean bloated is an understatement. And no, I did not eat that much.
The second star goes to the nice fish pond they've got under the footbridge.
I mean you don't get to see that every day in a restaurant.
Dunno if you need a valium before you go, but don't raise your expectations too much.

alevy

Nice Decor... Lousy Food 11th January 2007

7 found this helpful

I seriously don't know what the other reviewers are on about. I'll grant that this place looks great... but a restaurant doesn't earn stars on decor alone. It has constantly mystified me why people bother with the Blue Elephant.

I know food, I know thai food, and the food here sets a new standard for sub-mediocrity and poor value for money.

A few tips if somebody clubs you over the head and drags you here:

1. Avoid, at all costs, the temptation to order the "set menus." The food will be even worse than usual, and if my suspicion is correct will have been sitting under a heat lamp for quite some time.

2. Set aside some time. Like, a lot of time. Because the servers will forget you're there. And then they'll remember and choose to ignore you for a while. And then they'll forget again. And then they'll get your drink order wrong. And then they'll forget to bring your replacement drink.

3. Take a valium before you go. Because this place will be much more tolerable if you're half-asleep.

All joking aside, there are better places to get thai food in London. If you want the gourmet experience, try Patara. If you want cheap, try the Churchill Arms on Kensington Church St. I'd personally recommend the Market Bar Thai at the corner of Portobello Rd & Lancaster Rd.

Don't waste your time with the Blue Elephant.

walid at 11/01/07

Wow, great review! I was laughing throughout. I have been tempted to check out the Blue Elephant before but now I'm definately going to reconsider. Perhaps if I was to read a review on one of the ones you recommend I might be tempted to try them out ;-)

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Ladis19

World Appart 30th November 2006

1 found this helpful

This Restaurant is in a world of its own. You walk off the pavement in Fulham Broadway and literally walk into Thailand. The atmosphere is “buzzing”, the service is outstanding, the food is the best Thai in town., girls get a complementary Orchid upon leaving. All in all, this restaurant is very much about the “total experience” of going out for the evening. If given the choice, try to book a table in the main dining area, as opposed to the front of the restaurant. If you are taking someone for a special occasion, book the area near the pond, (very romantic)
I don't know about the Sunday “all you want buffet” but the “a la Carte” menu with reasonable drink will set you back a good £40 - £50 per head. Not cheap but well worth it

duncan

Fantastic Thai Restaurant 8th November 2006

6 found this helpful

This place is unlike any restaurant I have been to before in London. The centre of the restaurant is dominated by a large pond full of goldfish and access to the buffet is across a wooden bridge over the pond. It is very reasonably priced at £23 for an all you can eat buffet on a Sunday and the food varies from a multitude of Thai specialities (including desserts)to roast lamb for the more traditional amoung us. All in all quite an experience !

sue at 17/05/07

So you think this place lives up to the hype?

jennipenni at 12/02/08

I am keen to go... my sister has been twice and raves about it - nope, she doesn't write reviews ;) I will just have to go and see for myself!

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