First and foremost, this is mainly because people tend to have different tastes, and so usually there is a difference of opinions on what sounds good.
Also, it is generally a good idea to order something different because it gives you the opportunity to try a variety of dishes (assuming your companion is willing to share). And, if you have a friend who has a gift for choosing the best dish at the table (like I do), a better chance at tasting something yummier than what had caught your eye.
Oddly enough, during a recent visit to the Beacon Street branch of the Cambodian French restaurant The Elephant Walk, it turned out that both my friend and I had our eyes on the same dishes of the Tasting Menu ($33.95 for 4 courses; $29.95 for 3 courses).
Nataing ($6.95 on the regular menu) - Ground pork simmered in coconut milk with sliced garlic, crushed peanuts and chili pods; served with crispy jasmine rice
Leah Chah (which doesn't seem to be on the regular menu) - Prince Edward Island mussels sautéed with garlic, Asian basil, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and scallion (gluten-free)
Saumon à la Crème de Poireaux et Champignons ($18.95) - Atlantic salmon filet pan-roasted and topped with julienned leeks and Shiitake mushroom in a savory garlic and shallot cream sauce, over steamed potato
This time, we decided, so be it! We can live dangerously! ;) And since she’s no sweet tooth, while I am, but I’ve tried and don’t really care for either of the two Tasting Menu dessert options (Le Péché au Chocolat - A rich creamy chocolate truffle cake perfectly paired with raspberry coulis, and Mousse aux Fruits de Passion - Refreshingly tart & sweet passion fruit mousse served in an almond lace cup; garnished with fresh pineapple crushed in dark rum, sugar & lemon juice, $8.00 each) we decided to opt for the three course option and tossed in an order of the Rouleaux, Cambodian spring rolls filled with ground pork, crushed peanut, bean thread noodles, carrot and onion; served with fresh greens and herbs for wrapping and tuk trey on the side for dipping, $8.95 for 5 rolls (vs 2 rolls as a part of the Tasting Menu).
I’ve had the Rouleaux many a times in the past, actually, virtually on every visit to this restaurant. It is food and fun in one! You’re supposed to take a nice crispy still warm spring roll, lay it on a leaf of lettuce, add some basil and bean sprouts, roll up the lettuce and dunk it in the sauce, and take a bite. It is cool and warm, crispy and crunchy, and just plain yummy!
Nataing turned out to be another interactive and wonderful dish, reminiscent of chili or a meaty tomato sauce in consistency, served with savory marshmallow treats minus the marshmallow for dunking. I loved the flavor of the stew and the added fun crispiness of the rice cakes crumbled in.
The mussels were plentiful and had a bit of a kick! But we were getting stuffed here… not to mention they had started us off with a French baguette and some butter. We only had room for a quarter or so of our entrée. The salmon was tender with crispy edges, the sauce creamy and garlicky, mushrooms tender, and the potatoes buttery in nature.
A wonderful meal indeed!
Elephant Walk ~ 900 Beacon Street, Boston ~ (617) 247-1500 ~ www.elephantwalk.com
No comments:
Post a Comment