Local Business Spotlight: Thai L' Elephant

For those of you who enjoy authentic Thai food, look no further than Thai L' Elephant. Several readers have sent me emails raving about the food and I am happy to announce that they are the feature of our most recent Local Business Spotlight. Located on Rte. 23 in the shopping center behind O'Grady's (address is 277 Schuylkill Rd), Thai L' Elephant is open 7 days a week and for both lunch and dinner (dinner only on Sunday's). Like many of our area's top restaurants, Thai L' Elephant is a BYOB.

I received the following from one of their managers, Jennie Johnson

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A Gastronomic Adventure in Phoenixville

Thai L' Elephant has been established by chef/owner Michael Raethong who has been in the restaurant business for over 15 years as a chef. Michael relentlessly creates innovative and exotic dishes. He has won several awards including 'Best of Philly' and '50 Best Meals Under $50' from Philadelphia Magazine, 'Best Presentation' by Philly Cooks, 'Best of Mainline' by Main Line Magazine, 'Best Presentation' and 'Best People’s Popular Award' by Dishes for Wishes – NJ, and 'Best of the Show' by Taste of South Jersey.

Thai L’ Elephant is located at 277 Schuylkill Rd (Rte. 23) in Phoenixville. It is in the heart of the thriving Kimberton Square (behind O'Grady's restaurant, across from Staples) and has plenty of parking. Experience the flavor and excitement of Thai-French Flair, enchanted by the Authentic Artificial Antique Wooden Thai Décor. Another goal of Thai L' Elephant is to adapt popular Thai dishes to American palates and modern lifestyle by combining influences from French and Southeast Asian cuisine. Chef Raethong has created innovative dishes based on both countries' traditions and his passion for world cuisine. You will find Thai L' Elephant enjoyable and exciting with spectacular presentation. Each dish is decorated and garnished of carved vegetable. Our diverse menu has something for everyone, from mild to hot, vegetarian or not.

Thai L' Elephant has long been considered a symbol of Thailand and revered in Thai society. At Thai L' Elephant Thai cuisine, we continue Thai tradition to treat our customers like royalty. We aim to please you by maintaining the service and quality of food you expect.

Lunch Special $7.95 – 3 courses, Mon-Fri 11:30am-3:00pm, Sat 12:00-3:00pm
Dinner: Mon-Thurs 5:00-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 5:00-9:00 pm, Sun 4:30-9:00pm

(610) 935-8613
www.thailelephant.com

Take-Out/ Catering/ BYOB/ smoke-free
All major credit cards accepted

Thai L' Elephant is proud to be part of your growing town!
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Thai L' Elephant's website has a full menu as well as a coupon for 20% off dinner if used before November 30th.

Based on the feedback I have already received, Thai L' Elephant definitely sounds like a place worth trying out. Best of luck to Jennie and Michael!

Interested in having your business profiled? Send me an email at tips@bridgeandmain.com.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...: But it's as expensive if not more expensive than the new Creperie!!; 11/26/07 3:12 PM
Anonymous said...: We enjoyed the look and taste of our meals at dinner, but the prices were somewhat steep for a restaurant located in a small strip mall next to the billiards place. The wait staff were very disorganized. Lots of walking back and forth without actually BRINGING water, drink refills, rice to the table. We had to flag down other waitresses to get service. Overall, food good, prices high, service poor.; 11/26/07 10:43 PM
Douglas said...: Phoenixville offers a varied selection of restaurants. Some good some not so good.

We have been to Thai L’elephant multiple times and plan to return often. Thai and French is a perfect pairing of culinary disciplines.

For those who complain about prices- it is all relative. There are more expensive and less expensive restaurants. But who cares about prices when the food is this exquisite. Jose Garces’ Philadelphia restaurants (Tinto and Amada) are perhaps the finest in the region and we feel that Thai L’elephant is on the same level.

The menu is vast and the food well presented and delicious. There is a huge variety and coordination of vegetables, herbs, spices and accents all present in perfect proportion and perfect counterpoint, tangy and soothing.

The balance of sweet, sour, salty and hot is the essence of Thai cooking, focusing on bold flavors in happy harmony. But at too many Thai restaurants the heat is tempered and the sweetness amplified as concessions to American palates. At Thai L’elephant there is no masking of flavors because all the ingredients compliment one another.

These people are real chefs. They are not just warming food. The preparation(s) is very precise and fresh---no shelves full of bottled dried herbs here---they are all prepared fresh daily.

The prices are on target for freshly prepared meals. For $19 you receive perhaps the best jumbo lump crab entree in the area. In parallel, the menu has delicacies for any palate or price.

It is a great dining experience.; 11/27/07 8:07 AM
matty said...: Expensive? Most of the dishes are between $12-20. I think that is rather reasonable for a good dining out experience and the prices are right in line with thai place.; 11/29/07 10:58 AM
Anonymous said...: It amazes me how cheap people are on this blog sometimes. If you don't want to spend the money stay in or move to norristown.; 11/29/07 2:06 PM
redkruzer said...: Ate there repeatedly.
The food is excellent as is the service.
Jenny is a particular delight.
The presentations, for example, the butterflied Red Snapper, is first class, and as fine as any I have seen.
I feel enriched that we have such a fine restuarant in Phoenixville.
RedKruzer; 11/30/07 12:38 AM
Red Kruzer said...: ps - the prices are quite fair for the quality bestowed...
rk; 11/30/07 12:39 AM
Nate said...: My wife and I liked Satang when it was in that spot, but we loved Thai L'Elephant. The food is a little more expensive, true, but you've got more choices and it's always a quality meal.; 11/30/07 2:27 PM
Nate said...: Also, if price is an issue, they have a coupon on their website.; 12/7/07 3:44 PM
Meridith said...: Thai L'Elephant is fantastic!

I enjoyed Asparagus Soup with Crab ($6.96) & Almond Cashew Chicken ($12.95). Both were delicious! My entree was large enough that I took half of it home! Presentation was fabulous and I loved the carved carrot garnishes!

Our server, Linda, was polite, knowledgable of the menu, and extremely attentive. She made our dining experience more pleasurable. After finishing our meal, Jenny invited us to the kitchen to meet the Chef!!!

I'll definitely be back!; 3/4/08 10:00 AM

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Monday, November 26, 2007