A Little Bit About a Lot of Things

I love this place. I think that every time we take people here they are a little hesitant. When you hear that you’re going to a French Cambodian restaurant, I don’t think you know what to expect. Located in the St. Mary’s area of Brookline/Boston, the Elephant Walk is a refreshing change of pace. They have an affordable tasting menu that has all the things I love, so I’m a happy camper. I have to admit that I get the same thing every time…I never try anything new because I love and crave my standby choices.

There are two different rooms-the front room which is like a sun parlor (see photo above). Usually these tables go first, so when you make a reservation ask to be put in the front room. It is so sunny and bright, open and airy…and you have a great view for people watching on Beacon Street. The other room is inside, a little darker, but a much bigger room.

I get the tasting menu. You can get a three course for $29.95 or a four course for $33.95. My starter is the Rouleaux (which you can get vegan). They are Cambodian spring rolls with ground pork, crushed peanut, beanthread noodles, carrots and onions served with fresh greens and herbs for wrapping and tuk trey on the side for dipping. I love the spring rolls on their own, without the greens and mint wrapping. I don’t even bother with the sauce most of the time. They are super crunchy on the outside, and full of flavor (not greasy at all). I could eat a dozen!

Sometimes I dream about the Loc Lac. Sauteed, cubed beef tenderloin, lightly caramelized in black pepper, garlic and mushroom soy, served over lettuce with lime and black pepper dipping sauce. The meat is so moist and tender you could die. The flavoring is a little sweet with a bite at the end from the black pepper. Imagine the most tender steak tips you’ve had and then imagine them even moister and even more tender-this is what you would get. It comes with a side of white rice which is good when you mix it all together-the sauce has a wonderful flavor to it.

I ordered the Mousse aux fruits de passion-a refreshingly tart and sweet passion fruit mousse served in an almond lace cup;garnished with a fresh pineapple macerated in a dark run, sugar and lemon juice. I have to say that I don’t usually get this dessert, but thought I would try something new. I didn’t care for the fresh pineapple-I just thought that the taste was a little off. I loved the mousse-so light with a wonderful sweet flavor. The lace cup had a great taste and it added just the right amount of texture to this dish. And who doesn’t love raspberry coulis?

I normally get the le peche au chocolat- a rich creamy truffle cake perfectly paired with raspberry sauce and I highly recommend it. The ‘cake’ is like a slice of fudge-it doesn’t look like a large enough portion when it arrives, but it fills you up! The chocolate and the raspberry go so well together.

The service hasn’t always been consistent here for me. Sometimes it has been great, and other times we sat waiting for a waiter for what seemed like hours. That doesn’t deter me from going back though…

The great thing about the Elephant Walk is that they offer a gluten free menu along with a vegetarian and vegan menu. And we aren’t talking two or three options-there were  10 entrees that were gluten free and 6 vegan options!

The parking is limited in the St. Mary’s area (especially on Red Sox game days), but you can valet park your car at night for $9. A lot of people think that the restaurant is in Brookline, but it is considered Boston-on the corner of Beacon Street and Park Drive.

Lunch and Brunch Sunday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm

Dinner Sunday-Thursday 5pm-10pm; Friday and Saturday 5pm-11pm

Elephant Walk (Food and pictures were from this location)

900 Beacon Street Boston MA 617.247.1500

www.elephantwalk.com

delivery available with dining in and reservations available at opentable.com

Alternate locations: 2067 Massachusetts Avenue (just outside Porter Square) Cambridge, MA 617.492.6900

663 Main Street Waltham MA 781-899-2244

Tags: brookline, fenway, fine dining, french cambodian, restaurant