The Elephant Walk

Recommends

chrissachrissa

Joined 3 years ago

Tasty, Tasty Fusion.. The food at the Elephant Walk's Waltham location is twice the price of the one in Cambridge. Fascinating. It's definitely just as tasty, though. To pretend you have your own private bar (a good spot to woo your honey), sit downstairs. I have a favorite bartender there - he introduced us to a very nice fernet and limoncello cocktail. (The limoncello totally transforms that liquor! Amazing!)

For food, try the avocat canthor (raw tuna, avocado, lemongrass) and the nataing (pork simmered in coconut milk with jasmine rice). The food isn't great all across the board, but the standouts and their unique flavors make up for it. Definitely try it before you judge.

I have never had to wait at this location, and the service was always very good.

Doesn't Recommend

lisa813

Joined 6 years ago

Disappointed. I went to the Boston location and was let down. I had the three course prix fixe, and the fresh tomato salad first course was delicious, but then the same dish was served as a side with my lamb chops. I wish the waitress would have told me this so I could have tried a different first course. My lamb was fatty and chewy. Not a single bite was enjoyable. My boyfriend's breaded tuna steak should have been called "chicken-fried tuna." Saving grace: the wine pairing was lovely as was the chocolate cake. I had heard such good things, so I was really disappointed. I wouldn't go back.

Doesn't Recommend

indianfoodcritic

Joined 6 years ago

Poor Service, waited 45 mins.. Great food, but NOT worth the wait of 45 minutes. People around us came and got fed well before we did...I should have left after 30 mins, it was unacceptable!! This was my first place in 27 years where I waited this long for food. We didn't receive an apology or anything during our wait, maybe a drink or additional dish would have been nice. A friend of mine said he has a similar experience at this location, so beware if you are hungry!

Recommends

islandsistah

Joined 7 years ago

Great and Unique. The combination of French and Camdobian works!!! Tried a similar restuaurant in NYC, but this is much better!! It was pretty busy the night I went, but the service was quick and efficient.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A loyal following of area academics and professional couples flock to the Cambridge location of the city's lone French-Cambodian restaurant.. The Scene
A colorful crowd of food lovers make the trek to sample hard-to-find Cambodian dishes and non-fussy French fare. Attentive young servers and colorful, eclectic dishes provide the bright, upbeat dining room with plenty of atmosphere (there are also many elephant images, for good luck). Libation lovers have a menu of fruity house concoctions to select from, as well as an exciting wine list that's full of rare, international varietals.

The Food
Wise diners mix and match from the menu's endless assortment of French and Cambodian dishes. Must-try starters include devilishly fun Nataing (ground pork-coconut milk dip that's served with crunchy jasmine rice cakes) and Leah Chah (steamed mussels in a savory Asian basil broth). Among the Gallic options, a smart choice is the Porc Diplomat--grilled pork tenderloin with a creamy mushroom, garlic, and black pepper sauce. Leave room for light, pleasing desserts like white chocolate mousse with tart raspberry coulis.

Doesn't Recommend

wme79736

Joined 7 years ago

Succees breeds indifference. What used to be fine food and attentive service in a friendly and professional restaurant has turned into a production system designed to get you in and get you out as quickly as possible. The food was cold, poorly prepared, bland and uninteresting (the appetisers were tasteless). The wait staff did not ask me what I wanted to order - I actually had to remind her to do so. The dinner was over in 50 minutes and the check was promptly placed in the middle of the table. The reservation I had made was not recognised and the meal cost $85 for 2 entrees and one appetiser plus 2 glasses of wine. I noticed two other tables returning their food. Don't go there!

Recommends

tropaeolum

Joined 7 years ago

good cod, bad duck. In general, this restaurant was uneven. Our service was lackluster, but the food was interesting. The pork rolls and tuna timbale was tasty; so was the black cod. Unfortunately, the duck curry came out cold, with a few stray pieces of duck and raw, underripe cabbage, the heel part of the cabbage you normally save for soup -- hardly worth $16. The chocolate truffle cake was more sugar than chocolate, the texture fudgey.

Recommends

rnr7

Joined 7 years ago

Great food, bad wine, euro-esque service. After reading the reviews I almost changed our reservations but I am glad that I didn't! The food was great: creative, flavorful, good combinations. We recommend the duck with pears and the cambodian seafood custard dish. Also, get dessert, it was perfect! The wine was another story. The $35 bottle wasn't worth the import taxes!

As for service, it was not bad as other reviewers imply. It is simply continental. They expect you to come in before you are hungry and stay for a couple of hours going through the different courses, tasting the food. They didn't rush us or drop the bill on the table before we indicated that we were ready to go. We really appreciated our waitress who was attentive but not hovering.

We will go here again (though, being students, we may not be able to afford it for awhile).

Doesn't Recommend

nenaghgirl

Joined 11 years ago

Simply HORRENDOUS!!!. Here I expereinced the absolute WORST service of my life. It was a busy holiday so I didn't even mind waiting 30 min. after our reservations to be seated. I tried to be understanding of our server who clearly had too many tables. I wasn't even looking for exceptional service, I only wanted my food! Instead, we waited nearly 2 hours to receive any food at all. The room was almost 80 degrees (sat next to thermostat) and NO ONE served us water. It was noisy and hot, and the ambience downstairs was poor. It was absolutely terrible. The manager was "too busy" to see us! We felt completely ripped off at the end of the evening. We would have gotten better service at the Taco Bell across the street - at least we would have eaten before 10:30!

Doesn't Recommend

luntun2003

Joined 8 years ago

Worst restaurant experience in Boston!. We had reservations and still waited for over an hour to be seated. When we asked why we were not being seated before others, who clearly arrived later than we did, the hostess tritely said, "we are busy." Although the manager apparently was aware of our situation, he seemed to avoid us and never appologized for the poor service we had received. Our waitress did a fine job, but the food was just average. You can eat much better food and get much better service elsewhere in Boston. Since our visit, several friends and coworkers have described similar experiences. This is by far the most overrated restaurant on citysearch!!!!!!!!!!!