Blue Elephant Trail

- 7 S Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107

For residents of Connecticut, and especially those in the Greater Hartford area, Blue Elephant Trail in West Hartford Center is a premier destination for experiencing authentic, high-quality Thai cuisine. Located at 7 S Main St, this stylish and inviting restaurant has successfully blended traditional Thai flavors with a modern dining atmosphere, making it a popular and trendy spot for everyone from college students to families and tourists.

The culinary philosophy at Blue Elephant Trail centers on using the finest and freshest ingredients available, with a commitment to supporting local Connecticut and New England farmers and distributors whenever possible. This dedication to local sourcing ensures superior quality and flavor in every dish. The menu is a testament to the breadth of Thai cooking, featuring an impressive array of options across appetizers, soups, salads, and main courses, all carefully prepared to balance the five essential Thai flavors: sweet, spicy, sour, salty, and savory.

Appetizers offer a fantastic starting point for any meal. Guests frequently enjoy the crispy Spring Rolls ($7.70) or the fresh Summer Rolls ($8.80), available with a choice of shrimp or tofu. For something more indulgent, the Thai Calamari (Tod Pla Muek) ($9.90), Soden's Wings ($13.20) in a garlic chili reduction, and the comprehensive Nibble Platter ($20.90) are excellent choices. Soups include the famous spicy and sour Tom Yum ($6.60) and the rich, creamy coconut-based Tom Kha ($6.60), both highly recommended.

The main courses showcase the restaurant’s versatility. The Noodles & Rice section features Connecticut favorites like Pad Thai ($16.50), the spicy Drunken Noodles ($16.50), and unique house creations such as B.E.T Fried Rice ($16.50) and the flavorful Mango Fried Rice ($17.60). The Thai Curry selection is expansive, with six distinct options—Green, Red, Massaman, Yellow, Penang, and the highly-praised Mango Curry—all priced at $19.80 and prepared with rich coconut milk.

Location and Accessibility

Blue Elephant Trail is situated in the heart of the highly desirable West Hartford Center, specifically at 7 S Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107, USA. This prime location places it in a vibrant area with "plenty of shopping and other attractions," making it an ideal choice for lunch, dinner, or a stop during an afternoon out. Its presence in West Hartford, a key part of the Greater Hartford metro area, makes it a central and accessible dining option for many in Connecticut.

The restaurant operates daily, opening at 11:30 AM. Sunday through Wednesday, it generally closes at 9:00 PM, while on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, it extends its closing time to 10:00 PM, accommodating the weekend crowd and late-night diners. The venue is equipped with exceptional accessibility features, including a Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Wheelchair accessible restroom, and Wheelchair accessible seating, ensuring comfort for all patrons.

Parking in the popular West Hartford Center is managed with Paid parking garage, Paid parking lot, and Paid street parking options available nearby. Due to its popularity, especially during peak dining times and when the "bustling lunch crowd" is present, the restaurant Accepts reservations, which is highly recommended to secure a table in the often-cozy and romantic setting.

Services Offered

• Diverse Dining Options: Offers Dine-in service with ample Seating, including a dedicated Bar onsite. There is also Outdoor seating available, providing a pleasant al fresco experience.
• Carry-Out Convenience: Provides easy options for Takeout, Delivery, and No-contact delivery to accommodate customers' preferences.
• Extensive Beverage Selection: Features a full Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Hard liquor, and Wine menu, with a noted "Great wine list" and "Great cocktails," making it a popular spot for Happy hour drinks.
• Dietary Accommodations: Dedicated to serving all guests, the menu includes widespread Vegan options, Vegetarian options, and Healthy options. Most dishes can also be made Gluten-free upon request.
• Event Services: Offers specialized Catering for off-site events and features a private dining room for up to 20 guests, ideal for corporate or family gatherings. Additionally, Cooking Classes are offered with their Executive Chef.
• Comfort and Amenities: The atmosphere is described as Casual, Cozy, Quiet, Romantic, and Trendy, with free Wi-Fi and a clean Restroom. They are highly Family-friendly, offering High chairs and being designated as Good for kids.
• Payment and Planning: Accepts all major Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Features / Highlights

• Exceptional Bar Program: Blue Elephant Trail is known for its bar, receiving praise for its "Great cocktails" and "Great wine list," making it an ideal location for Happy hour drinks and food.
• Duck Specialties and Value: The restaurant excels in its preparation of duck, offering four unique specialties, including Basil Duck, Ginger Duck, and Red Curry Duck (all $25.30). Notably, a customer mentioned receiving a half duck entrée for an exceptionally reasonable price during lunch.
• Quick and Friendly Service: A key highlight is the commitment to Fast service, ensuring a timely meal even during the "bustling lunch crowd," though service may slow slightly toward dessert during busy periods.
• Award-Winning Desserts: The restaurant has a reputation for "Great dessert," with popular choices including the classic Sweet Mango Rice ($8.80), Fried Ice Cream ($5.50), and Chocolate Lava Cake ($7.70).
• Extensive Vegan and Vegetarian Choices: Virtually all dishes can be made gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan, showcasing a commitment to accommodating diverse dietary needs beyond simple tofu options.
• Trendy and Welcoming Atmosphere: The interior is described as well decorated, well maintained, and clean, fostering a Trendy, Romantic, and LGBTQ+ friendly/Transgender safespace environment that appeals to a diverse crowd including College students and Groups.
• Signature 'Specials' Dishes: The menu features unique house specials like Loc Lac ($24.20), a cubed beef tenderloin dish, and Kaprow ($16.50), a spicy ground chicken dish, demonstrating the Chef’s versatility beyond traditional staples.

Contact Information

Address: 7 S Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107, USA

Phone: (860) 233-4405

For making a reservation, placing a takeout order, or inquiring about their catering or cooking classes, patrons can call the restaurant directly at (860) 233-4405 or the mobile number at +1 860-233-4405. Given the restaurant's prime location in West Hartford Center and its popularity, especially for dinner and happy hour, calling ahead is advised. Current hours are Monday–Wednesday 11:30 AM–9:00 PM, Thursday–Saturday 11:30 AM–10:00 PM, and Sunday 11:30 AM–9:00 PM, though hours may vary for the bar service and happy hour specials.

What is Worth Choosing

Blue Elephant Trail in West Hartford is unequivocally worth choosing for anyone in Connecticut seeking an elevated and authentic Thai dining experience. It distinguishes itself not just as a restaurant, but as a full-service culinary and social destination, evident by its inclusion of a full bar with a “Great wine list” and “Great cocktails,” a rarity in many Thai establishments. The availability of Happy hour drinks and food makes it an excellent value proposition for the after-work crowd.

The food quality is a major draw, with customer favorites like the Mango Curry, Pad Thai, Thai Calamari, and Sweet Mango Rice consistently receiving high marks. The kitchen's ability to cater to virtually all dietary needs with extensive Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free options demonstrates exceptional commitment to customer service and inclusivity. Furthermore, the specialized Duck Specialties and the Loc Lac dish provide adventurous diners with unique, high-quality choices beyond the standard menu.

Finally, the entire experience is wrapped in a Trendy, Cozy, and Romantic atmosphere, perfectly positioned within the vibrant West Hartford Center. The combination of its central location, exceptional food, impressive beverage program, and commitment to fast, pleasant service makes Blue Elephant Trail a standout choice and arguably the best Thai experience in the Hartford area.

Blue Elephant Trail

7 S Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107, USA