Blue Elephant

So you’ve made it almost to the end of Lonsdale St (Braddon)—most likely on the off chance that you’ll manage to squeeze your way in to the trendy, crowded, and noisy place that sells average pizza and reputable European beers. Yes, some people really get off on that kind of thing… In search of something a little different, we (have on many an occasion) decided to give the ‘scene’ a miss and try our luck across the road—at Blue Elephant.

Up the stairs and pass the “Australian Republican Movement” office (yes, you read right) the first surprise awaits—the most lavishly decorated and comfortable take-away waiting area ever. Behind the counter is one of the friendliest elderly restaurant owners (we presume) we’ve ever come across—not friendly in a smarmy way, just a genuine “I’m happy to be here and I’m happy you’re here” vibe. Nice. We call him “The Guy”.

The Guy is the only person on the ‘floor’—he sets your table, takes the order, and brings the food, once the invisible chef downstairs has finished doing his/her magic and the bell rings. How cute and retro! The food is, like, seriously good. Oh, damn it, it’s delicious, OK? Because one of us is a vegetarian, we tend to go for the veggie options—malai kofta, devilled paneer, potato and spinach curry, and eggplant curry are favourites, with naan and saffron rice. We once had a thali (me a non-veggie version) and weren’t impressed—so, stick to the menu. Oh, and Kingfisher beer is a must—it’s perfect with the creamy, spicy and fragrant dishes they serve here.
What puzzles me most about this place is just how good a time we seem to have every time we come here. I don’t know—it’s welcoming, and calming (weird, I know), and sort of homey. A place at peace with itself, and with its guests.