Blue Elephant Trail — Restaurant in West Hartford

Came in for takeout at 8:05 tonight as I walked into the doors and I waited for someone to acknowledge me I was listening to the bartender talk to her 2 friends sitting at the bar. She talk about how she took pictures at Elizabeth park and how she takes great pictures Also how her her friend only met her boyfriend( he’s English) when she was drunk, so she only kind of remembered meeting him but oh Billy likes him and blah blah blah. Not ONCE did she even look over to see if I was being taken care of or if I needed anything. To me that was Rude. There was no hostess or manager that I saw so since the bartender was the 1st person you see and she doesn’t not even take a breath long enough to see what’s going on around her. 1st impressions were not great. Alas 2 gentlemen emerge from the kitchen and one came up to the front to see if I needed help. The other one also asked me if I am being helped when he came up front. Thank you. Yes I do I’m standing at your host stand. When I got home and we ate the food it was good. The lettuce wraps we ordered medium spicy and they are SPICY. They were also very good! The salad was good with a peanut dressing that was delicious. My husband had the garlic shrimp which he said was really good and fresh. My tofu pad Thai was good. Nothing that was a WOW but it was good. I wish it was a little more saucy. I tried to wait to write the review so my dissatisfaction with promptness of service wouldn’t taint my review of the food. When there is so much competition around your neighborhood sometime all it takes is an employee who only cares about trying to impress her friends at the bar not a customer. BTW I also heard her saying she is leaving your establishment she doesn’t want to work...

Blue Elephant Trail is a hidden gem for Thai cuisine lovers. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance strikes a beautiful balance between cozy and elegant. Soft lighting, tasteful decor, and a calm, inviting atmosphere make it a great spot for anything from a relaxed dinner to a celebratory night out.

The food is absolutely outstanding—both in presentation and flavor. Every dish we tried was crafted with care and authenticity. Their Pad Thai is an instant favorite: perfectly balanced between sweet, tangy, and savory, with a generous portion of fresh toppings. The Drunken Noodles had the perfect kick of spice, and the bold, savory sauce brought all the ingredients together beautifully. We also enjoyed the Green Curry, which was aromatic, creamy, and just the right level of heat.

One thing that truly stood out was the quality and freshness of the ingredients. You can tell the chefs take pride in what they serve. Vegetarian options are clearly marked and thoughtfully prepared, which made ordering easy and inclusive for everyone at our table.

The service was another highlight. The servers were incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive from start to finish. They were happy to explain menu items, make thoughtful recommendations, and check in just the right amount without being overbearing. Their warmth really enhanced the entire dining experience.

Prices are very fair for the quality of food, and portion sizes are generous. The Thai iced tea was smooth and refreshing, and I can't wait to try the fried banana dessert next time.

Overall, Blue Elephant Trail exceeded expectations. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again—not just for the food, but for the experience as a whole....

So I and several of my colleagues were in town for some training at our home office. We had heard West Hartford was a nice place to visit so we walked around for awhile seeing the sights before getting hungry. Unsure of where to go, we asked a nicely dressed gentleman on the corner where he recommended and he said The Blue Elephant. We got there at 9:01 PM and the sign said they close at 9PM. Nevertheless, there were a few people enjoying themselves at the bar and the staff encouraged us to come in and enjoy a meal.

For appetizers we got edamame, chicken satay skewers, and some sampler plate. All of it was delicious. They also had a decent beer selection, so I enjoyed a local craft brew (amusingly titled "Naughty Nurse"). Then our meals came, all 6 of us enjoyed our meals, which included pad thai, curry, and my mango friend rice. The mango fried rice had chunks of fresh mango in it, and the whole thing was served inside a half pineapple that had been hollowed out a bit. Oh my word it was so good. On several occasions staff came out to refill our waters and ask how we liked the food. We apologized for keeping them after closing hours but they told us no worries and to enjoy our meal. Towards the end, the owner came out and talked with us for awhile, telling us a little of his story and the story of how West Hartford developed. He said our being there late was no trouble at all and that he was glad we enjoyed the food.

I cannot say enough good things about this place. The food was AMAZING, the staff was very friendly and attentive, all of which made a lovely night into an absolutely...