The Elephant Walk

Restaurant closed.

We LOVED the Elephant Walk restaurant in Waltham.
Unfortunately, they are now closed: (!
I never knew that the Waltham EW «became a business entity separate from the Boston and Cambridge restaurants on January 1, 2012, under the ownership of Bob Perry».
The last 3 times we went there, the staff told us that there were plans to expand, all the way to the corner (Common Street). I thought that was a great idea, because they were always so busy. We would have dinner there at least once/​month.
My SO and I enjoyed a fantastic meal last week. In fact, as we were leaving, we both agreed that it was the best meal that we ever had there. Our waitress, Marta, was extremely pleasant. (Thank you, Marta).
This place was awesome; they served delicious foods that everyone in your party could enjoy. Being vegan, they offered a great selection of vegan entrees.
I will add that we had always ordered the Rouleaux (vegan) as an appetizer.
On our 2^nd to last visit, our waitress stated that they no longer served the «vegan» Rouleaux, as it was now deep fried in oil that pork products were fried in.
She said that they were short on space in the kitchen.
I was a bit shocked that she said, «they’re ‘only’ in the oil for about 5 — 10 seconds so it depends on how far you take it».
We’re very sorry that they’re gone: (!

The food was absolutely incredible and the service staff was very attentive. We ordered something that was more out of our comfort zone to really get a taste of what the restaurant has to offer and it completely blew our expectations out of the water. The complexity of flavors in each dish was truly what made the good spectacular. You MUST try their Nataing (sp?). We ordered the gluten free version and it was hands down something that’d send your taste buds on a food journey. We will be returning with numbers to share this experience and I highly recommend going.
Very appropriate for a casual date to a semi formal+.

A little on the pricey side, but the service and food were both great! The prix fixe menu had a great selection, but it wasn’t much of a bargain, you could construct a similar meal for around the same price ordering from the regular menu.
For the main course, the pan seared salmon on a bed of spinach was phenomenal, the fish was cooked perfectly and the belly portion was succulent and crispy. The pork with eggplant dish was good, but paled in comparison to the fish. For the second course, the muscles were really good, and the broth was a wonderful spicy sauce for the side of rice. The star of the meal was the duck crepes, just oder 5 of those and call it a meal. For the first course, both the spring rolls and potato leek soup were good, just be aware that the soup is chilled rather than hot.

Excellent food and service. We shared the duck crêpe and the Avocation Kanthor (tuna salad) and the Khar Saiko (short ribs)
Exceeded our expectations, which were already high bases on a friends recommendation

Tonight, we visited this place for dinner. We started with a Rouleaux (spring roll) and a Leah Chah (spicy mussels). My entrée was a Saumon Rôti Aux Petits Légumes and my wife’s entrée was an Amok Royal. My wife absolutely loved the Amok Royal and I liked my salmon dish too such that we used the rest of the bread from the bread basket to get to remaining bits. Finally, our dessert was a Mousse Aux Fruits De Passion.
My wife picked the dessert and I had not read the description for it so what came to our table was a pleasant surprise for me. It looked like frozen yogurt on a cookie crust with sides of pineapple, cream, mango & raspberry paste. The part that looked like frozen yogurt was actually mousse and it was both tart and sweet. There was the slight taste of caramel in it and I had wondered where the tart taste came from.
We’re planning on returning for lunch someday.

I love coming here! I was really impressed by their menu offering and the prix fix menu is always delicious. The Natang is a must have and a staple every time. There’s a good option for vegetarians and gluten-​free customers, too. The atmosphere is casual, so I love coming for gatherings. There’s always great presentation on the plates and a hearty amount of food!

Organized a group dinner with some co-​workers. I think their service is great. Water was always filled. Our server was checking on us all the time. I had the Khar Saiko Kroeung. It was flavorful. My only gripe was the portion was too small or that it was pricey. For dessert, I had the Tarte Chocolat Au Caramel. A few of us were expecting it to be warm, but it wasn’t. A few municipal parking lots nearby so parking is not an issue.

I’ve been to an elephant walk restaurant before but it was a long time ago and not to this one in Waltham. I remember it being a lot better but was very disappointed especially for the prices they charge.
I went with my friend just as a walk in and was surprised they couldn’t seat us at a table because we didn’t have a reservation, though the restaurant was less than half full. We didn’t go at a prime dinner time and could understand if they had a lot of reservations coming in but when we left an hour later there were still many tables free. I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for over 20 years and thought it was kinda ridiculous.
Ok now about the food. For an appetizer we got some spring roll item that was ok, but kinda greasy. My friend and I got the same thing, some braised beef that was just WAY too salty with rice. For the portion size and price of the dish I was expecting something that tasted much better. We also got dessert which was the chocolate something and raspberry sauce. That was good, little too sweet, little too rich but that’s just my personal opinion.
And lastly, besides being annoyed about sitting at the bar and overpriced salty food… there was a very loud waitress. We could tell that this loud waitress was training a new hire. We could hear her wherever she was in the restaurant. It wasn’t just her voice but her laugh and overly friendliness with the customers that ruined my entire dining experience. If she worked in my restaurant I would definitely say something to her.
So why 2 stars and not 1? Our server at the bar was very nice and efficient I wish her attitude and care was reflected in everything else. I won’t be going again.
As always don’t take my word and try it yourself, just don’t go tot he Waltham one.

I liked elephant walk because it is different than what you get anywhere else, and the food is well executed. They also have a gluten free menu. Good wine list too

I came here recently with a classmate and the setting was nice. The restaurant is smaller but the service was very friendly and did a great job.
They have gluten free options which is nice and the menu is extensive as well. The food was good. I had the Chicken breast with sweet potato and spinach dish.
The food is a bit expensive but worth the price. This is probably one of the better restaurants in Waltham.

I was brought to this place through a Groupon. This was my first time at this location and I was looking forward to trying it. I had visited the one in Cambridge back like 8 years ago and remember that one being a positive experience.
I tried coming here last Friday evening 01/​04/​2012. I get there around 8:45PM and there was a 45 minute wait. That was just way too long for me to wait, so I went elsewhere. I should have figured, since many other people purchased the Groupon too. So I decided to be a little smarter and make a reservation. I made it for Wednesday ¹⁄₉ at 8:30PM, and upon arrive right at 8:30PM, I was seated within 5 minutes. So far so good.
We saw the Prix Fixe, which was for $ 34 dollars. I thought that was a decent price, but after looking at the selection we decided to order our own things. We started off with the Nataing, and the Bo Bong. I thought the Nataing, which was a crêpe filled with duck, was alright. The sauce was a little too much if anything, maybe a little less sauce would have been just right. The Bo Bong was pretty good, it was pretty large in size. It is a salad with beef and sliced spring rolls. I really enjoyed it, and there was quite a bit, so much that I was wondering how much room I would have left for my entrée.
For my main course I got the Khar Saiko Kroeung, which is the braised short rib. That was definitely pretty tasty, if anything a little too much sauce and not enough rice for my taste. My girlfriend got the Amok Royal, which was good. Again probably not enough rice. Since we were pretty full from our appetzier, we didn’t really complain too much.
The service was pretty good. The lady that served us was quick, attentive, and the bill + groupon was easy to take care of. No hassles and issues there (probably cause they were doing it all week long).
In terms of cost, I think the food was overpriced for what it was. The main entrees were just a little small for what we got. It would be more reasonable if it were a few dollars less. I’d give the food a 4 overall, since it was pretty good and savory. However price-​point wise I’d give it a 2.5 for the type of food I got. Maybe it’s cause I’m used to eating Asian food at lower price points. Since the food is a 4 and the price is a 2.5, I’m giving this place a 3… it’s «A-​OK»

We had an absolutely wonderful meal here the other day, and coming from Manhattan, this was the greatest value-​per-​dish place for French food I’ve ever had!
We had the Rouleaux, Duck Crepes, a salad, and chicken. The Duck and Rouleaux were amazing. The chicken was very good, and our salad stupendous (browned onions, goat cheese, pears).
Wonderful bottle of Pinot Noir as well.
So happy to find a place so nearby. We’ll be regulars at the bar for dinner for sure.

Rating: 3 and half stars
I had a Groupon for this Elephant Walk and was craving some good Cambodian food, so last Saturday I took the husband out on a date.
I was excited about ordering a nice refreshing cocktail on a hot summer night, so I ordered a Ginger-​Lemon Martini but it was too sweet for my taste. Hubby’s Pure Margarita was delicious, perfect amount of tequila vs citrus.
We started our culinary experience with Rouleaux, which were delicious, crispy, crunchy spring rolls that you have to roll into lettuce leaves, sprouts, fresh mint and dip into a yummy peanut sauce. We also had Avocat Kanthor, but it barely had any tuna, it was mostly avocado. Too avocado-​y for our taste.
My husband had Loc Lac for an entrée and it was excellent, a very good dish. I ordered Filet De Thon and I was not happy with it. The tuna was fresh, but when you pan sear a piece of fish, the middle shouldn’t be ice cold. The crunchy pear and scallion ravioli that came with the dish were delicious.
We ordered the Cambodian Dessert Trio to get a taste of Cambodian desserts, but I was not impressed at all. The better one was the sweet corn with tapioca and coconut milk, but it was kind of like a breakfast thing. Then again, maybe Cambodians can’t make good desserts.
Our waitress was nice and attentive. The ambiance is a bit weird, we were seated next to the kitchen in a long room with tiny tables. The pictures depicting life in Cambodia make the walls pop.

The weirdest place about Elephant Walk isn’t the Cambodian menu items, but instead it’s the hip and worldly older crowd that dominates the dining room that makes you feel like you’re at a Masterpiece Theater screening or a charity benefit at a liberal arts college.
But I digress…
The food is actually quite good with the clear highlight being the spring rolls. They are delicately fried and served with these absolutely addictive bean sprout type things on the side. The lemongrass chicken (I forget the actual menu name) is pretty good, but leaves you thinking you could make something like that on your own. The Mojito was very strange and I wouldn’t order it again, but it was strong enough to make me enjoy those spring rolls that much more.
They do have a gluten free menu along with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. This place is definitely worth checking out, but I’m not dying to go back and try other things off the menu.

Updated Review: In an effort to be less vague about this restaurant…
GET THE BO BANG! So good – it has the spring rolls with noodles and this great light broth (its a cold dish) and it’s under the salad menu but is enormous. I get it every time. Also, esp in the winter, get the Cambodian tea – sweet and more subtle than thai tea.
For the vegetarian dishes (also all made with meat) – they are all good. My favorite is the giembre (sp) but the descriptions are right on. I know its overwhelming but everything I order is amazing. The quinoa is great too – on the heavy side.
Crème Brulee is weird and different but good.
Service is EXCELLENT – all the time.
Parking lot down the street (at the light) and right behind the restaurant (at the light). Come here!!!

Came here during Restaurant Week last year. The Elephant Walk has a great reputation so we were excited. A creative menu– half Cambodian, half French. I give the owners props for donating their civic awareness… they had a note on the table that a portion of their proceeds go to some inner city program (ok I don’t remember exactly what it was, it was a year ago, but I just remember it was admirable).
Oh, and food was delicious. As expected. Portions on the small side, though.

Cambodian — another new cuisine that, without the persuasion from my girlfriend, I might have never had the opportunity /​interest to try.
Well, I’m glad I did. Staying in the area for the night after avoiding most of the state of Massachusetts for a year or so, we were anxious to head down Moody street and pick one of the places we used to eat at all the time.
My first choice was Tom Can Cook, a great thai place that we used to hit up at least once or twice a week to eat great pad thai /​curry and watch baseball on one of their unusually large TVs. We were planning for thai the next night so… nah. The other choices were tapas (not on the mood) and Margaritas — though we had many good meals there, it is not the only one in the world so we could relive the Margaritas experience elsewhere.
We decided to try something new — and the Elephant Walk was always on our list, we just never got go it. We parked and walked in at 9:25, 5 minutes before the kitchen closed. Not a problem. We got seated immediately and were not rushed at all.
Presented with both French and Cambodian choices — I went straight Cambodian.
Apps: Nataing — «Ground pork simmered in coconut milk with sliced garlic, peanuts and chili pods; served with crispy rice.» Recommended by our waiter, Fabricio. If you go here and get him, consider yourself lucky. His recommendations were nothing short of spectacular. We pretty much licked the bowl of this one. Consume this without question.
Somlah Machou Soup — «A tangy soup with tiger shrimp and plum tomatoes; garnished with fried garlic and „French“ mint.» Imagine a less-​spicy version of the best thai Tom Yum Goong soup you’ve ever had. This is that. Another bowl basically licked clean.
Foods: Crevettes Amrita — «Natural shrimp sautéed in a lightly sweet and spicy Cambodian satay sauce with coriander, cumin, cardamom, galangal, cinnamon, ginger, peanuts, star anise and lemongrass; with button mushroom, onion and scallion.» So basically, one of the most delicious things ever, it was another homerun recommendation by Fabricio — so good, and another plate cleaned.
Poulet Rôti et Pâtes Fraiches aux Fines Herbes — «Roasted bone-​in chicken breast with fresh herb fettuccini and sautéed leeks and spinach.» Oh no no no, my girlfriend ordered off the French side of the menu. It’s ok. I don’t blame her, it sounded good, came recommended, and she loves French food. Win win. I’m not going to say hers was bad, because it wasn’t. It was delicious. Lets just focus on how much better mine was — there was some chicken and some noodles dipped into my sauce for an extra kick and flavor.
All in all, I like Cambodian food, and I cannot wait to try it again.
Another perk of this place: they have Maine’s Allagash White Ale on TAP. Rare and amazing.
Go eat here.

Haven’t been the Waltham location in a while, they re-​did the left side dining room. Used to be a bright yellow and now its a dark wine color with updated lighting, tables, etc. Work Husby said it seemed «date-​ey».
Love the rouleaux (pork spring rolls), I get them EVERY time. Today I had lunch there and they have a lunch box special $ 3.95 for two rouleaux and soda to add to your lunch.
I also had the tuna, which was good, but what I really enjoyed was the cream sauces. Sooooo good, I was dreaming about them for the rest of the day.
It came with pear/​scallion ravioli, but I wouldn’t really call it ravioli, it was more like a wonton. Work Husby had the lac loc (cubed beef tenerloin) which he said was really good.
Service was great as always, I’m never disappointed when I go here or there other locations. The food is tasty and fresh and always yummy.
I like that they always have a pre-​fix menu available for lunch & dinner. Don’t like the parking situation, you have to luck out for a parking spot in front of the restaurant on Main Street or there is a garage around the corner, but not sure if its free or not.
PS they have lots of vegetarian options and also gluten free

I have never had Cambodian food before and tried this place on the recommendation of a co-​worker when I was in town. The staff was super helpful when I asked them for a recommendation. I ended up getting the Rouleaux (a fried spring roll), super delish. The main that I go is
Loc Lac a super tender beef in mushroom soy sauce.
The have cooking classes, something I might attend if I lived locally. They do have cook book that is great.
I have been back and continue to offer this restaurant to other co-​workers, and now you.