Elephant Royale

It takes alot for me leave a bad review on this site, but i'm sad to say I feel compelled to do so on this occasion.

I recently visited the Elephant Royale ans was immediately impressed by the decor and location. We were seated promptly and had a nice chat to our waiter who went on to take our order.

We received our drinks and starters in good time but that is where the good service stopped. After this we had flag down waiters for any service and not once were we asked how our meals were. The desert menus were literally thrown at us, and trying to order coffees was damn near impossible.

Even after this, I was still fairly happy with the food and the atmosphere and had it not been for the next incident I would have left a satisfied customer.

On being presented with my bill, I could see that a service charge had been added. I asked for this to be takeen off, as I was paying by credit card and wished to pay this part in cash. The waiter rushed off and spoke with the manager. He returned and told me I had to pay the service charge. At this point I was starting to get a little annoyed, as all I wanted to do was to leave the tip in cash. But being told I had to leave a tip, naturally got my back up. I asked for him to speak with his manager again. On his return he told me the service charge had been taken off, but had a message from the manager, that if I was not prepared to pay the tip, then please do not come back again! As you can imagine I was stunned! I asked to speak to the manager themselves, but was told they were unavailable and would be over in 10 minutes. I did not wait, only to be offended again!

I was not aware that a tip was compulsory in UK restaurants, and to be treated in such a way was unbelievable.

I will never return to this restaurant and would recommend people to tread carefully when discussing tips at this restaurant!!
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Lee
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 3
Monday, July 24, 2006

I went to the restaurant with two friends on Saturday and all of us were very disappointed with the food. To start with we had the duck and vegetarian spring rolls. The duck was minced and fried in breadcrumbs, which sounds nice, but it was tasteless. I would expect some spice, but it had no flavour at all, and the plum sauce could not make up for the tasteless meat. The vegetarian spring rolls were delicious and the best part of the meal for us. For mains we had the chilli tiger prawns. They were good quality prawns, but overcooked to the stage they were soggy, and the texture ruined. The vegetarian curry, lacked vegetables. The main vegetable was potato, rather than mange tout, broccoli and the other greens you would expect in a Thai curry. All the portions were large, but the quantity could not make up for the sub standard quality. I travelled around Thailand for a month and know good Thai food. This doesn’t even come close to anything sampled in Thailand or other good Thai restaurants in London.

The service was ok and the cocktails tasty, but don’t come here expecting great food. At 40 per head, this restaurant isn’t worth a visit. We will not be returning.

I can recommend a good Thai restaurant in London Bridge called Suchard Thai. It doesn’t have lovely views, or the posh décor, but the food is superb! Also it comes at a fraction of the price compared to Elephant Royal.
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JM
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, May 30, 2006

I have been to Elephant Royale a couple of times and the food has always been very good. But last time I went there it was quite a disaster. We waited over an hour for our starter to arrive which then was brought with all the main courses. It took another 30min for the dishes to be cleared and the same to get the bill. I gave my credit card and waited another 15 min for the waiter to return it, all in all we were there for 3.5 hours. The food was good but after such appalling service I won't ever go back there.
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Vivien
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Easy to find, within good distance from the tube, and a great location - the restaurant was warm and welcoming. With a live pianist/singer merily jazzing away in the background and a tranquil environment complete with Thai decor, i felt myself immediately unwinding. The service was not only friendly but also fast, and the food and cocktails were absolutely marvelous. And to top it all off upon exit we were handed a beautiful flower to take home as a souvenir of a truly remarkable evening. A would recommend this restaurant to anyone on the look out for fantastic food, views and company!! :-))
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Tanya
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 25, 2006

The food was as good as I've tasted in Thailand and the place has a great view of the Thames. Would definitely recommend to all Thai Food lovers.
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Sherry
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

amazing place- service was fabulous-and the view was so real- like one of them old england movie things but at night. had this loud piano player this time who wasn't really good- but loud. bar staff is great and extra HOT! don't understand the no children under 2 policy- bit bleugh to me, but hey... i recommend the sunday buffet- great food with really nice price and dessert. i like the decoration- very sass and the fishies were cute. besides the windy december wind it was fantastic
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paris
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 28, 2005

I've read the comments below...all have fair points... But let's put things into perspective here ..if you're going for a surprise party of 15 ,half cut, singing ANGELS ...it isn't goijng to work...if you are a local and you visit from time to time 'they will' remember you ... if you turn up as 2 or 3 couples you will be welcomed... if ,like myself, you turn up on a monthly basis, the staff are just fine...the food is more than adequate...the cocktails are better than some west end joints.. the view especially in summer is very relaxing...they have live entertainment of a subtle nature which is pleasing to the ear.As long as you act normally and have a pleasant approach you will be well received ...this is not Le Gavroche .. but it ''does exactly what is says on the tin''... and if you play your cards right...you will enjoy
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Tony
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, December 28, 2005

What a treat! Took my colleagues for Christmas lunch and everybody enjoyed great food and wonderful river views.

Will be going back soon.
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Marcelo
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, December 13, 2005

This restaurant has great food and one of my favourite restaurant. I love it. Sunday is best to go due to the buffet and the price is much better. Would go more often, but it is expensive. They do nice cocktails. Also the river view is great. Also, on Sunday they have singer (not sure if they still do it, because last time I went there was nothing).

It does feel like you are Thailand, they made a good effort with the atmosphere.

Oh and it is a pain to find it. Look out for the Fire Station (near Island Garden station). and then go into the small residential road. They have their own parking....
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Decent place, nice decor. The style was slightly like an upmarket holiday inn but maybe that's just the Docklands all over...

The food was decent (though the fish cakes were very rubbery) and the cocktails well made. The service was a little bizarre - the waitress looked at us as if we were completely mad when we asked for prawn crackers, and she also did the same when I sent back the wine. Now I never send back wine but this red was fizzy like coke and hot so I had every reason but that made the service even more surly. The piano player was good but she was clearly fed up with the lack of appreciation she was getting as she was making snide comments by the end about how she might as well be playing to a morgue. All in all I'd probably go here again with friends but it's certainly not cheap and it's nowhere to rush back to.
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Jeremy Liebster
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Friday, December 02, 2005