Pink Elephant — Restaurant in Florida

We were really excited about our first visit to Boca Grande and absolutely had to try the Pink Elephant. We arrived by golf cart from Boca Grande Marina and checked in with the hostess. We were told the wait would be about 90 minute and they would text us when our table was ready. We went over to the bar at the Gasparilla Inn and had a couple of cocktails while we waited. We had great service and drinks at the bar at the Inn. When the text came we returned and the hostess seated us at a booth back in the corner. That was the last time we saw an employee of the restaurant until we got up and left 15 minutes later. I stopped at the hostess stand to tell her what happened and she became defensive and said that she had “told them” we were there. We left and went to Temptation Restaurant where we were seated immediately and waited on like royalty with no less than four different employees tending to us at the table. I can’t comment on the food or drink at Pink Elephant. Perhaps they were having an off night or somebody just dropped the ball, but I would have expected this iconic establishment to be more apologetic and accommodating when we reported the issue.

Updating this review because one of the managers of the Pink Elephant called me to apologize and offered to make it right for us if we give them another try. We were already on our way back home but that was a classy move so I am bumping the star rating from one to three stars. When we return to Boca Grande we will give it another try and update this...

My wife and I went here for dinner February 13, 2022 for our Valentines Day dinner. There was no wait and we were sat promptly. She ordered the french onion soup and oysters. I ordered the crispy Thai grouper. The dish is described as "Tempura Fried Fresh Grouper, Thai Chili Sauce, Asian Cabbage Slaw with Sesame Dressing". When I received the dish I was slightly perplexed as I did not see any Thai chili sauce. I tasted the drizzle that was on top of the grouper and it definitely was not Thai chili sauce. I had my wife taste it and we were both in agreement it was spicy mayo, similar to what you would find with some sushi. I asked the waitress if the drizzle on top was the Thai chili sauce and she said it was their Thai chili sauce. I explained to her it was not the Thai chili sauce I was accustomed to, but I would finish the dish as it was still edible. The description of the dish needs to be rewritten as nothing about the dish is Thai. Maybe calling it Asian Crispy Grouper would be more suitable. So this review is a warning to those who may consider the Crispy Thai Grouper Dish in the future, it is not the normal Thai Chili Sauce on the dish. Other than the issue with my dish, my wife enjoyed her food. I have attached photos of the Thai Crispy Grouper with the "Thai chili sauce" and a photo of what actual Thai chili sauce looks like. If you like spicy mayo then this...

lactose free review

This place was amazing. The detail with everything from decor to food as well as the politeness of the staff. We really enjoyed this. After ordering drinks I asked about dairy in my dish and the waitress was extremely polite and took my allergy seriously. She made sure the meal I was interested in was dairy free by asking the chef as well as giving me a list of others which were dairy/lactose free. The check also listed the items ordered by me which had the dairy allergy. This was the first time I've seen that taken so seriously. Much appreciated.

I ordered the "Yah Mon" Jamaican BBQ. Think of it as three pieces of lamb ribs as well as three chicken cuts that are all seasoned greatly on a bed of rice seasoned with curry. The plantain was dried and crispy with sugar, cinnamon, chili powder and salt. The flavors in every single thing were distinct and abundant.

For drinks I had a craft beer but then I had a sip of my wife's spicy elephant and had to get one myself. They're pricy but worth the try at $14. The rim is juiced with jalapeno and salt, garnished with jalapenos, a lime and this adorable plastic pink elephant. There is pureed watermelon in it too which makes this like a watermelon margarita. The drink IS spicy but just the right amount to make it drinkable. I was impressed.

I highly recommend. Will...