Funky Elephant Berkeley — Restaurant in Berkeley

TL;DR: This restaurant offers outdoor seating and a Michelin Guide Recommendation (2022), but the food is overpriced for its quality. The fried Brussels sprouts were excellent, while the Pad Thai was average and expensive. The service was attentive, likely due to being the only party there, but the overall experience doesn’t justify the cost. Unlikely to return.

Full Review:

This restaurant has limited indoor seating but compensates with an outdoor dining area that offers a comfortable alternative. While the ambiance might appeal to those who enjoy al fresco dining, the food was inconsistent and overpriced, especially given its Michelin Guide Recommendation in 2022.

Food: The fried Brussels sprouts were the highlight of the meal—crispy, flavorful, and expertly prepared, showcasing creativity and attention to detail. Unfortunately, the Pad Thai was a letdown. It was lackluster, lacking the bold flavors and complexity one expects from such a staple dish, especially at its premium price.

Service: The service was excellent, which can partly be attributed to the fact that we were the only party dining at the time. The staff was attentive, friendly, and accommodating, which added a pleasant touch to the overall experience.

Pricing: Prices are steep, even for a Michelin-recommended establishment, and the food quality doesn’t consistently match the premium cost. While the Michelin recognition might draw in curious diners, it’s hard to justify the expense when only certain dishes shine.

Ambience: The outdoor seating is a functional and pleasant option, but the limited indoor space may feel restrictive for those who prefer a more traditional dining setup. While the setting is adequate, it doesn’t quite elevate the dining experience.

Verdict: Though the service was commendable and the Brussels sprouts were excellent, the average quality of the Pad Thai and the high prices overshadow the positives. Would I return? Most likely not, as the overall experience doesn’t justify the expense, Michelin recommendation...

The food was too salty and quite average.

The service was extremely poor; I'm not sure why the server was so hostile.

Firstly, it was very sunny during lunch, so my mom found an outdoor table and moved the chairs to the shaded side. The server informed us that we couldn't do that because it blocked a safety pathway. We immediately, very politely, responded and were willing to cooperate. She still maintained a rude attitude and said that if we needed anything, we should inform her and follow her instructions. She asked what we were planning to do, as if it isn’t clear that we are here to eat. What else are we gonna do? Are we going to steal things or misbehave?

My mother brought her own juice because she has dietary restrictions and can't eat other foods. The server told us we couldn't bring outside food due to hygiene reasons, which I can understand. I wanted to explain my mother's condition, but she didn't wait for us to have a complete conversation. She said that if my mom decided to continue drinking her juice , she could refuse to serve us next time. Then, she left without giving us a chance to respond.

Last but not the least, she brought the bill to our table while we were still eating and asked if we needed takeaway boxes. We hadn't finished our meal, nor had we requested the bill, so it felt like she was rushing us out due to the previous incidents. I posted the photo below. That was how much food left while we were eating when she brought the bill.

Her reasons all made sense, but her communication was very unprofessional, and at times felt violent, leaving us with a very...

RUDE towards a family with young kids. We have been coming to this place for a year or so and enjoyed its food. But yesterday a bad incident happened which would probably turn us away forever. We were a party of two adults and two toddlers. At the beginning the service felt warm. Then one toddler threw up her chocolate milk. Despite that we completely cleaned up the mess by ourselves, we could tell that the service turned cold, even hostile. After I gathered all the wet tissues in a plastic plate that we brought, and politely asked the server if she could help us dispose them, she very emphatically said, "no, I cannot help you do that, but there is a trash can in the bathroom and you can dispose there yourself. That is the only thing I can do." I did so, accordingly, despite feeling a bit hurt. And as I was leaving the bathroom, the server rushed in with a trash bag in hand, apparently realizing that my child's wet tissues would make her bathroom smell foul. During the second half of our lunch, the sever kept casting a distrustful look on us. I understand that toddlers are messy eaters and risk-prone, which is why we took caution to keep the table and the floor clean (a lot of wiping). But I could not help but feel offended by the server's unfriendliness towards young kids, which is ironic, given how hard she repeatedly tried to sell the dessert for children. Having a kid's menu is great, but in my opinion, equally important is whether a restaurant makes families feel safe and welcomed. Unfortunately, Funky...