It has been a while since I’ve included a restaurant review and I wanted to start this year by giving some love to those places that I most enjoy. I thought I’d start with The Elephant Walk. It is easily one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants and a place I consistently recommend and bring friends who visit.
Nataing is a delicious appetizer made with ground pork simmered in coconut milk with garlic, peanuts and served with crispy rice cakes that add a lot of crunch to each bite.
The Elephant Walk is a neighborhood gem for several reasons. First, the food is consistently good and the menu is always changing. The staff know most people have no idea what Cambodian cuisine is, and they do an excellent job explaining the menu. While I have successfully convinced even the least adventurous eaters I know to try Cambodian cuisine, nearly one third of the menu is also French so you can always order the steak frites if you can’t bring yourself to try Cambodian.
Khar Saiko is boneless beef short ribs braised in herbs that are so tender you can cut them with your fork; served w/ Shanghai noodles (which taste like a garlicky linguine).
Another reason I love this place is that the staff is quirky and friendly. They take their job seriously answering endless questions about the menu, ingredients and how everything is cooked so don’t be shy – ask away. I can guarantee you won’t be the first or the last person that day to ask whatever your question is about the food, its prep or what it tastes like.
Shown above is a half portion of the Loc Lac Salad: beef tenderloin caramelized in black pepper, garlic and mushroom soy, fresh lettuce, lime garlic dipping sauce.
A third reason for the praise is the price is right. Few items on the menu are more than $25, making it one of the most affordable options in the neighborhood. Many dishes are even more affordable if you order their half portions (like the Loc Lac shown above) and their menu has more gluten free options than most restaurants in town, likely due in part to the Cambodian diet.
The Elephant Walk is a restaurant to put on your list to try or to return to if you’ve not visited them recently. The food is great but you don’t have to take my word – read the consistently excellent reviews they get on sites like Open Table and Yelp. If you’ve not ventured to The Elephant Walk in the South End recently, add them to your list and make a reservation. You’ll have a great time and you’ll thank me for the suggestion.
Elephant Walk South End
1415 Washington Street
(617) 247-1500
Note: Photos were not my own and were taken from the Elephant Walk Facebook page.
BosGuy 