ELEPHANT BAR

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Warm and Spicy Artichoke Dip, Global Sampler, Macadamia Nut Chicken Breast with Grilled Shrimp, New York Steak and Coconut Shrimp Combo, Sweet Potato Fries, Braised Lamb Shanks.

We had never been to the Elephant Bar, but had been thinking about trying it. We got a coupon for a free entree, the ad looked good and the prices reasonable, so we decided to give it a try. We headed down to the Laguna Hills Mall location, and found it to be a casual but nice restaurant.

The ladies both ordered iced tea, but it had an off taste, so they returned it and settled for water. I played it safe and had a coke. We ordered the Global Sampler to start. It included the "Warm and Spicy Artichoke Dip" which we found to be quite bland and rather "blah". The Chicken Tenders and Coconut Shrimp were good, as were the dipping sauces. The Bruschetta, however, was less than acceptable. It didn't even taste like Bruschetta.

On to the main course. Sweetie Pie ordered the Macadamia Nut Chicken Breast with Grilled Shrimp. It actually had grilled shrimp and sweet sauteed shrimp, both of which were quite good. The chicken breast came with a macadamia nut beurre blanc sauce, which was very, very good-but they skimped on the sauce. So Sweetie asked for more on the side, and our server brought us a large bowl of it. Nice! Her mother had the New York steak and Coconut shrimp Combo. It was a nice sized steak for the price, and the Coconut Shrimp and dipping sauce were great. She also ordered a side of Sweet Potato Fries, which were "pretty good". I ordered the Double Lamb Shanks, which were large, meaty and tender (and not too fatty). They were cooked in a great tasting sauce (and lots of it) and served over mashed potatoes. Definitely worth repeating!

The menu contained a blurb about their 20% Senior Discount Plan. "Just ask your server". Our server informed us that we could pick up our discount cards at the front desk, on our way out. The hostess at the desk informed us they were out of discount cards, but we could ask again after our next visit. Well, maybe there will be a "next visit", if we have another coupon.

Today's Elephant Bar lunch gets one and a half thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!