The Blue Elephant

By Franqui-Ann J. Raffaele, Esq.

This issue’s restaurant review is focusing on something old and something very new. The Blue Elephant is located in the 152 E. High Street historic building in Pottstown. The restaurant interior pays homage to the building’s roots. 152 High Street was originally a dwelling created by the Potts Family in 1770. Its purchase by Jonas Smith saw the building turn into a store and after its raze, the current building stands, created in 1888 as the Security Trust Building. The bank eventually closed, leading the space to be used as several restaurants over the years – ultimately finding its way into the hands of Win & Sutida Somboonsong of the Win Signature Restaurants, who currently own the space.

The designers of the Blue Elephant certainly took details and the building’s history into mind. When you walk into the lobby, you will find several photos hung on the wall. The Blue Elephant got its name from one of those photos – elephants walking on E. High Street in Pottstown. With the elephant as an emblem in many Asian countries, The Blue Elephant seemed like kismet.

The design features many of the original pieces from the bank; brass work, bank vaults and elegant light fixtures. It takes advantage of the 30-foot tall ceilings, highlighting their height with luxurious light blue curtains and a literal wall of mirrors. The Blue Elephant is a mixture of metalwork, greenery and elevated comfort. The seating is cozy, stylish and modern. A 10-foot tall fountain stands in the space’s center. It’s a stunning sight when you first enter the space, a true treasure in the heart of Pottstown.

The Blue Elephant prides itself as being the “vanguard of the Asian fusion movement showcasing Italian-Thai dishes with Japanese influences,” according to their website. They do not disappoint. The menu boasts lunch and dinner selections – and they even have brunch on Sundays. The dinner menu offers a wide variety of food – shrimp shumai, pad thai and sushi for those looking for an Asian centered meal, Chilean sea bass and continued on next page >

Restaurant Review: The Blue Elephant

Continued from page 17 cheese steak spring rolls for the more Italian, and miso udon carbonara for those interested in truly delving into the fusion experience. We ordered a wide selection from the menu – cheesesteak spring rolls, shrimp shumai and the sushi sampler as appetizers; farm raised chicken teriyaki and drunken noodles with the seafood medley as our main entrees; and finishing out the evening with crème brulee and the sweet potato parfait for dessert.

The appetizers came quickly. The sushi sampler offered sizable portions in the nigiri style. The seven pieces were delicate, fresh, and delicious. I didn’t even get to have one before my partner finished them all. The shrimp shumai were dim sum styled dumplings seated on mango chili. The mango chili was hotter than I predicted but would be enjoyed by any spice lover. Both elements of the dish worked well with each other, providing a balanced taste and texture. They are a great sharing size, four in total, and made for an excellent appetizer. The cheesesteak spring rolls were made after my own heart. The rolls were a nice balance of cheese and filet mignon steak, wrapped in an eggroll that was crispy and crunchy. They came with a delicious dipping sauce and I highly recommend giving them a try.

The drunken noodles with seafood medley featured many of your favorite seafood classics, including mussels, crab, calamari and shrimp. It was a healthy portion of food, packed with flavor while simultaneously avoiding the overly salted and fishy taste of many a seafood medley. The drunken noodles can also come with chicken – and we’re anticipating our next visit to try them out too. The Blue Elephant’s chicken teriyaki is the elevated, new and improved version compared to that of the chicken teriyaki of your local Chinese takeout. The dish features roasted chicken, sauteed bok choy, roasted carrots, white rice and a delicious teriyaki sauce. The chicken was moist, flavorful and paired well with the teriyaki. It’s a good starting entrée for those looking to expand their palate into Asian cuisine.

We ended our meal with a classic, and my personal favorite, dessert – crème brulee. The crème brulee was topped with perfectly caramelized sugar and an ample amount of fruit. The custard base was rich and delicious. The sweet potato parfait was a perfectly disguised dessert. It was a new creation from the pastry chef, which featured layers of delicious sweet potato cake, mousse, and sorbet with a perfect balance of sweet and salty. The parfait also included an a la mode scoop of salty ice cream. For salt lovers, the ice cream is a must try.

The Blue Elephant also houses a bar, with a delicately curated selection of wines, beers and exotic cocktails. The Nama Hakutsura sake came in its own personal bottle and tasted smooth with a subtle fruit taste. The cocktails were well balanced and sweet, but not too sweet – I tried a special seasonal cocktail and Pearl’s Punch. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

In terms of service, the Blue Elephant lives up to its passion of providing the perfect dining experience. We had a wonderful server, Riley C, who made sure we were provided the best service. The staff was friendly and attentive. Be sure to make a reservation though as tables fill up very quickly. For those looking for a place to spend a special evening, the restaurant also offers a chef’s special, which features a six-course meal showcasing the chef’s culinary expertise.

Overall, the Blue Elephant provided one of the most enjoyable culinary experiences for me. So, if you’re looking for an evening out with your partner, a place to meet your friends for a night out, or are grabbing takeout from a truly inspired menu, the Blue Elephant is the place to go.