Blue Elephant (Jakarta)

Blue Elephant is a Thai restaurant belonging to the eponymous Blue Elephant Group. It has locations in various cities of the world (London, Paris, Bangkok, Dubai, etc.) and it specializes in authentic, fine dining Thai cuisine.

If you are familiar with the restaurants from the Face group or from the Tugu group, you will find many similarities, particularly the ethnic design and the rather expensive prices. Together with Lan Nai Thai, Blue Elephant is often considered as one of the best Thai restaurants in Jakarta, and both are headed by a Thai chef.

I was not hungry when I visited so I only had a few bites off my friend's plates (Tom Yam Koon, 45K++ and Tamarind Duck, Rp125,000). I was surprised to see the portions were very small: One dish could hardly be enough for a meal. While the Tom Yam was average, with an unusual sour taste (maybe it's the authentic way?), the duck was excellent and it was presented nicely. From this small sample, I was not impressed, but I have to admit the restaurant deserves another visit to make a more definitive review.

Tom Yam Koon (Rp45,000++)
Tamarind Duck (Rp125,000++)

Overall: Blue Elephant is recommended to Thai food lovers, and also to expatriates who enjoy restaurants with a neat, exotic design. They also have an elegant bar, called Blue Bar, which has potential but is not crowded unfortunately.

Opening hours:
Everyday, from 11.30am to 2.30pm, and from 6.30am to 10.30pm

Blue Elephant Jakarta
Jalan Cut Meutia No. 2
Cikini/Menteng, Central Jakarta 10340

Phone number: +62-21 315 0980
Fax: +62-21 314 1903

Email: jakarta@blueelephant.com
Website: http://www.blueelephant.com/jakarta/
Facebook: Blue Elephant Menteng

Note: For an unknown reason, Blue Elephant changed its name from Blue Erawan at the beginning of 2011.