The Golden Elephant — Restaurant in St Albans

I live in the village, and for a year since moving here, I have been interested in eating at this place as I love Thai food, and the building looked so intriguing.

Their website didn't indicate that booking was required, so we walked in and asked if they were open for dinner. I was asked if I'd booked, and I thought we should turn away at that point, but he led us to a reserved table in the back and removed a reserved sign, which I assumed was left for people who didn't know they needed to book.

On learning that we wouldn't be ordering wine (for medical reasons), our waiter became punitive in his treatment of us as if we were suddenly naughty children.

As the restaurant began to fill with customers, we noticed that others were receiving items at the table that had never been brought for us—a basket of what I think were rice crackers, a carafe of water and glasses, etc.

We asked for water in the beginning, but it never came, and I understand this may have been because the waiters were very busy.

The menu is hard to read and seems to need a new printing, as the ink is worn off and old. There is no accommodation for anyone with allergies or dietary restrictions, and the food on the menu doesn't match the food that arrives.

When our waiter collected our plates, he remarked on the uneaten shrimp, which I'm allergic to. If I'd known it was in the dish, I wouldn't have ordered it.

Only when we were paying our bill did our waiter take an interest in us and engage us in conversation.

I will avoid this place now and hope I don't have the unfortunate experience of running into the waiters/owners in...

OPEN FOR TAKEAWAY!!!! I have been going to the Golden Elephant for years everything about it is AMAZING. Joe and the team are incredible and the food is absolutely amazing . I was so happy to find out it was still open for takeaway during lockdown. We rang and ordered a takeaway for pick up. We were able to get all our restaurant favourites. I usually find that with takeaways the quality isnt as good as the restaurant but this was NOT the case, the food was honestly amazing, just like being in the restaurant piping hot and so tasty. We tried a few different dishes the black bean squid was the best black bean sauce i have ever had we also had smoked duck which i would have again and again. The smoked chicken was so tasty and the chicken chow mein and beef massaman curry were out of this world. I could honestly go on about how good the food was but if you want authentic, amazing thai food THIS IS THE BEST place to go. Definitely go and check it out and...

If you enjoy really greasy food then this place is for you!

That might sound harsh but unfortunately we had high expectations of this place and they were far from being met.

The takeout food was, on this occasion, sub par. Because we draw comparison with The Giggling Squid, Bangkok Lounge and Oriental Aroma (all local, competing Asian food establishments), it was incorrect of the proprietor to dismiss our feedback, claiming we were 'unfamiliar with the menu'. In their defence, a full refund was offered without fuss. However, would be happier if our constructive feedback was acknowledged and they made positive changes as a result.

Without wanting to labour the point, mixed h'oeuvres was the main issue; evidently frozen, deep fried and extremely greasy. The hot and sour fish was similarly disappointing. There was seemingly very little fresh food in our order.

Two stars because we...