L'éléphant

How can I have lived in Chiang Mai for seven years and never tried L’elepant? It is simply a fantastic dining experience that puts together an interesting and eclectic dining room with excellent service and food. Besides the obvious, there are some subtle things that stand out. One thing I noticed is that the tables were spread out amongst several rooms, making each party feel more private and intimate. They could have easily squeezed another table or two into each room, but have not. The food is an interesting take on French with the chef’s Asian interpretations thrown in. Our party ordered a wide selection of dishes, and each was very well presented and delicious. The French Onion Soup was the best I have ever had outside France. I usually don’t eat desert, but the Crème Brûlée was really good. The food prices were reasonable considering the quality. The wine list was extensive, but not cheap. They also serve lunch on the weekends, and we will be back for that experience as well.

Perfect date night, or special occasion venue. The food is delicious, and it arrives in a timely manner, allowing you to enjoy without feeling rushed. The staff is attentive and works hard to provide top-level service. We went a la carte, which is still presented in courses, allowing you to have a fine dining experience without the full chef menu. Absolutely will come back as the menu changes to match local produce, looking forward to it.

This was my first visit to the restaurant in many years, and I felt that many things had changed. The décor is beautiful, but a little overwhelming for me, with many exotic-style artworks throughout the space. The lack of windows also made the dining area feel somewhat enclosed. It seems the restaurant has become quite trendy, attracting guests who come mainly for the visually appealing dishes and Instagram-worthy photos. I ordered the course menu. Every dish was beautifully presented, but most of them were very salty, especially the chicken soup. The meat in the main course looked impressive but was surprisingly tough. The palate cleanser — an avocado-infused sorbet — felt like an unusual combination that did not blend well. The dessert was the best part of the course. The service staff were attentive and polite, but because the restaurant was busy that day, the dishes were served quite slowly. It seemed the restaurant might be slightly understaffed. Overall, I was not very impressed with the experience, and I may not return.