Phat Elephant — Restaurant in Brisbane City

Excellent food, not excellent service.

I booked my birthday dinner here for a group of 14 people on a Friday night and found the service to be disappointing for the following reasons:

1. I had organised in advance for appetisers to be served at 745 so that we could order food without being hangry, but they didn't start making them until 745, which means they didn't come out until 815.

2. The staff were unaware of the birthday specials they had on offer. I had to ask the wait staff about receiving my birthday meal and drink, and about the bottle of wine my table was to receive for having a group of over 10 people. They were confused and had to verify with their manager about this promo, and then tried to tell me that the "free drink" and the "bottle of wine" were the same and that I could not have both. Then they told me that I might not be able to have a gin and tonic, even though the only things that were excluded (so said the email) was special cocktails and the beer tower. We got there in the end, so that was nice, but it was frustrating to have to argue for the promo and have the wait staff tell me 2-3x they would have to check instead of just having the manager come speak to me directly and have it sorted.

3. Over-charged by $120 (originally). They put my "free birthday wine" down on the receipt and charged us $40 for it, and they also charged for a second bottle which we had returned to them without opening because we realised they had given us 2, which we didn't order (total of $80 overcharge). They had also put in one of my friends order twice (it was for her and her daughter, and everything was multiplied by 2), which equalled $48.8 overcharge. I managed to check the bill and catch the 2 bottles of wine, but I didn't see the double of my friend's order until the next day. In the end we were overcharged the $48.80.

4. Bill confusion. They put down names for some of the orders, but not for others. This made it difficult to accurately see who had ordered what, which would've made checking the bill at the end of the night much easier. They also had several people answering our table's order for food, and I wish they would've redirected us to speak to one person only so that they could've kept track of things better.

I also noticed on their latest Instagram post that they said that if you booked a birthday party with them, they would have decorations up and everything, but this was not the case with me.

While knowing that things were disorganised from the first issue with entrees and ordering, I was not able to fully enjoy my time with my friends as I was worried about the bill and orders. I think that the food was wonderful, but I would not organise a large party to attend this restaurant until they sort out their...

Phat Elephant: A Culinary Gem for Thai Food and Cocktails Alike 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5)

My partner and I recently ventured into Phat Elephant, and let me tell you, this place is a revelation in every sense. We decided to go for a variety of dishes along with cocktails, and it turned out to be a gastronomic adventure worth sharing.

Ambiance The atmosphere is a well-crafted blend of traditional and modern, exuding a warmth that makes you feel instantly at ease. It's an ideal spot for both intimate dates and cheerful gatherings with mates. The intricate Thai decor complements the vibrant yet intimate atmosphere perfectly.

The Food Beef Rendang First off, the Beef Rendang was a spectacle for the senses. Tender beef infused with aromatic spices and coconut milk, this dish was nothing short of heavenly. It had the right balance of flavour and texture, making each bite a joyous experience.

Pad Thai The Pad Thai was another showstopper, elevating a well-loved classic to a whole new level. Each element, from the noodles to the prawns, worked in harmony, creating a symphony of taste in every mouthful.

Roti and Soft Shell Crab No Thai meal is complete without some Roti, and this one was flaky and buttery, just as you'd want it. As for the Soft Shell Crab, it was cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned flawlessly.

Cocktails To pair with our sumptuous meal, we both had cocktails that were quite nice indeed. These weren't just an afterthought; they were expertly crafted to complement the bold flavours of our dishes. It's evident that as much thought went into the cocktail menu as the food menu, making it a well-rounded dining experience.

Service The staff here are attentive and genuinely passionate about the cuisine. Their recommendations were impeccable, guiding us through the menu with ease and enhancing our experience.

Conclusion If you're in the mood for a dining experience that pays homage to traditional Thai flavours while incorporating modern flair, Phat Elephant should be at the top of your list. From the Beef Rendang and Pad Thai to the Roti and Soft Shell Crab, every dish was a hit. And let's not forget the cocktails—quite the lovely pairings, if I do say so myself.

In my opinion, Phat Elephant has got it all—delectable food, a splendid atmosphere, and top-notch service. Whether you're a Thai cuisine aficionado or simply looking to try something new, this restaurant will not disappoint. I can't wait for...

The customer service was the poorest I have ever seen in any restaurant. We ordered three food dishes, one of them was suppose to be phat Thai chicken but the waitress thought we meant chicken fried rice. When the chicken fried rice arrived, I said sorry we didn't order this one, it should be Phat Thai chicken. She walked away and came back with the order note saying "no you ordered chicken fried rice and I did confirm with you. Also if you don't have it, I'll have to pay for it" those were literally her exact words. I was furious and if she started with "sorry I think there was a bit of misunderstanding", I wouldn't make it much of a big deal. It was just a serve of $18 fried rice but her attitude was utterly bad so I asked where is the manager? The manager didn't even come out. The waitress came back again with the chicken fried rice in takeaway saying this is free and no apology. Seriously restaurant owners in Brisbane, if you see people who put work experience in this restaurant on their resume when they come to you for a job, this should be a big no for your business. You can train food presentation skill or wine knowledge shortly but you can't train the attitude of the staffs in short...