Good Elephant Bistro

Restaurant L & E will be remembered as my best dining experience ever! My wife and I drove up to Chester for a weekend getaway, and were completely wowed by our dining experience here. Master Chef Everett Reid went out of his way to make our dinner special. The appetizers and entrée were incredible, and the desert was absolutely decadent. Linda Reid was absolutely wonderful and the wine selection was fantastic. The wait and service staff was perfect and provided us with all the fine touches that come with a fine dining experience. Excellent!
Our dining experience was so incredible that we went back the following day for a wonderful afternoon lunch and drinks at the bar. The bartender was friendly and efficient. Ms. Reid was there to greet us, and she remembered our names from the night before and chatted with us about Chester and the history of the restaurant. Friendly, informative and charming.
Restaurant L & E ranks up with the best dining experience outside New York City or, dare I say it… even Paris. Except with much better service and an atmosphere of friendliness and charm that is not always found in the dining capitols of the world.
It is clear that the Reid’s put a lot of love and work into creating a truly fine dining experience that will not be forgotten by their clientele. We will be back to check out the new renovations and the menu at Good Elephant Bistro and we cannot wait! Except we will try not to drink too much of their incredible selection of wines, beers and cocktails. Everything was so good that we got… um, completely smashed (apologies!). The restaurant went out of their way after a long day and made sure we got back to the local B & B we were staying at safely. Top notch! A++++

We had planned a ‘date night’ for weeks and this is where we were heading. We love Chester and all it has to offer, but hadn’t yet tried this restaurant. We did start the evening with a few drinks at the River Tavern — which was an excellent choice. Arriving at the Good Elephant, we climbed the stairs and thought the place was very cute. We were hungry and looking forward to something different. Unfortunately, even though the service was exceptional and the wine was quite good, the food was disappointing. It may have been our fault — as my wife ordered a simple chicken dish and I had chicken curry. We should have probably been more adventurous — however, my curry dish didn’t do anything for me (and I really do love curry dishes). Being that the dinner was a bit pricey, I think next time we’ll stay at the River Tavern and eat there. I can’t say enough about the service — however, it was fantastic.

The worst cocktails and Tia food on the planet… We went there once and once was enough forever… Our food was bland with no flavor mc Donald’s serves taster dishes… My chicken dish was just boiled chicken gross yuck … I give this place a negative zero!!! And over priced terrible

Go for the Tuesday night burger special! A nice burger with fries and a glass of wine or beer for $ 14.50. It’s literally the best burger I’ve ever had and the fries are amazing. Joe is awesome and always makes sure our burgers come out perfect. Love this place!

In the grueling combat arena of the modern restauranteur, L & E has won the most important battle: being consistent over time.
L & E has rightfully cemented itself as a leader among the discriminating folks who know Chester and return often to dine there, as we do. L & E tops our list for both spontaneous evenings out with their fun and informal burger nights as well as special celebrations when we’re looking to go over the top.
Linda and Everett are professional, seasoned and thoughtful hosts. Give them a chance and they will bring you great things. And don’t hesitate to try Bön Voi upstairs; its excellent.

Weird vibe, lacking good ambiance (tacky décor & Muzak) and serving mediocre French food (compared to other better French restaurants in CT). I absolutely love Bön Voi upstairs (a gem of a restaurant) owned by the same people. I don’t understand how they got that place so «right» when this place is so wrong. I was particularly put off by the family across from us who had a small child who they thought it was appropriate to entertain with a loud mobile DVD player. This is NOT a place I recommend for a nice adult, romantic, sophisticated evening out (I really miss the old restaurant du village that used to be here that was all those things). Try upstairs instead.

2014 review: One of the single most memorable meals of my life.
Chic décor, service that made me feel like a queen, and food so rich yet balanced that I still salivate a year later.
Scallops with bacon… Yes I realize this is a crowd pleaser, and arguably not creative, but this was the most perfect rendition of this dish I’ve ever had. Perfect sear, crisp thick bacon in exact proportion to balance and equal the scallop.
Sweetmeats… Hard to find in the US and the most luxurious and sensually rich I’ve ever had. (Beat out world famous Roman version)
Chocolate mousse… Again you may argue this is an uninspired crowd pleaser, but I will argue that you may think you know what chocolate mousse is, but you don’t. You don’t know just HOW good it should be, because you’ve probably had it 100 times done by copycats and fakes. Maybe you’ve even had one done with great skill, but, this one? This one was epic. This one had magic gold dust and unicorns and French concubines and royalty inside and now that all in me, because I ate it.
Not cheap, and the portions are small. This is fine art.

Cannot believe this is the same management as Good Elephant which we absolutely love. Underwhelmed by food, wine was nice. Maybe we caught it on an off night…

…we chose this restaurant after reading the reviews on Unilocal.To say that we have been to much better places is an understatement. Our meals were really ‘just OK, nothing special’, we were not at all impressed. Service was weak, atmosphere blah, drinks were good, however everything was severely over priced. No intentions of ever going back.

After living in manhattan for 50 years my husband and I moved to Hadlyme. We were worried that the only good food in the area could be in my kitchen. To our surprise we fell into L & E one night and were amazed that not only was the food very fine but it was one of the loveliest and most delicious meals we have had hands down. We have returned again and again and every single time the food has been superb and the service terrific. When friends visit from the city we always take them to L & E because they have all come to love the food as well as the environment. How lucky are all of us that live in shoreline CT to have food prepared by a cordon bleu chef who is so creative and constantly thinking of new ways to create something delicious. The resturants environment is so charming and the staff are very accommodating.

Absolutely RUDEST/​NASITEST hostess! TEXTBOOK FOR WORST RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE EVER! AND I COULDN’T MAKE THIS UP —-
Made a reservation for 7pm — 2 DAYS PRIOR! Arrived at 7:05pm — and went to ‘counter’. Waited another 2 minutes, and then I had to approach a thinner, elderly woman at the counter — and said, «Hello– We’ve a 7pm reservation for 3 «and told her my name. She said she’d be with me in a minute and, with NO smile/​greeting/​other — she grabbed the menus and said «Follow me». We did (which was only about 8 steps as the place is tiny — and she stopped at the dining room doorway, turned and said, «Your table is not ready.» I said, «But, we made a 7pm reservation.» She said the table was just finishing coffee so I could go to the bar (also tiny.) I said we’d wait there (as the 3^rd person was parking the car.)
7:10 pm — 3^rd person arrives — I explained we could go to the bar (but we had 3 people, and there were only 2 chairs available.) 3^rd person said we’d be better standing there than in the cramped doorway in front of the restrooms. SO – we moved to that area, and noticed a table for 4 — set only for 2 — was open.
I again asked her at 7:15pm ‚“Could you please tell me how many more minutes we need to keep waiting, as I’d made a reservation?» She said, «Just a few more. He (pointing to the tall male waiter, who kept walking by us and seemed to purposely avoid looking at us) is hurrying them along as they finish their coffee.»
Waited until 7:22 — and no progress. So, I approached the hostess and said, «We’d made a 7pm reservation — and there’s an available table for 4. Could you seat us there?» She said, «No – you’ve only 3 in your party so I can’t.» I said, «But I made a reservation, in advance, and the table is not marked ‘reserved’.» She cut me off and said, «You’ll need to wait — your table is nearly ready.»
My friend’s brother has worked in high end NYC restaurants as a chef, and she has managed them. She said to me, «Oh no! It looks like they are making a 2 seat table into 3 — that can’t be our table. I’ve NEVER seen anything like this.» And — she was exactly right.
NO WAY — after making a 2 days in ADVANCE reservation and STILL being made to wait over 22 minutes — I was COMPLETELY floored! SO — we all got on our phones and, finally, at 7:26pm, the hostess told us our table was ready (and the table for 4 was STILL OPEN) and she sat us SQUEEZED into a 2 person table.
We sat for 1 minute, I got another reservation confirmed and I said, «We will not be dining here». She said, «I think that’s best» — and literally grabbed the menus from us.
NEVER was there a smile, an apology or ANY sense of customer service. Obviously, she was ANGRY — even before we walked in — and we felt her WRATH. But — WHY? I’d called 2 days prior and was down for a 7pm reservation — TO AVOID WAITING!
The owners need to FIRE this woman as she should NOT be a ‘hostess’ as she lacks ALL etiquette and manners.
Irony? Walked down the street and the young, cheerful hostess asked us WHICH table we wanted? There were only 2 available — and both seated 4! Of course, we took the window/​nice view as better than staring at blank walls crunched into a table for 2.
NEVER have I been treated SO poorly!
However, to HELP this business: I recommend the elderly hostess take a trip and eat at The Little Nell Restaurant in Aspen, CO. It’d open up a whole new world to her, as it exemplifies perfect manners and perfect treatment of those who make reservations!

What can I say? I hated the menu. Why did I hate it? I wanted EVERYTHING on it and had to decide on one thing. So I chose the duck. Wow, was that ever wonderful. Fortunately for me I was sitting with a table of friends and we shared a morsel or two between us. Moules & Frites… yum…I could have just kept eating that all night long… Too bad that it’s not near me (I live in Massachusetts) but when I visit friends in this area, this is where we are headed. Follow up… we’re (Finally) planning a return to Connecticut in a week or two and if not, I might just make the trip on my own. I am seriously missing this place!

I visit L&E several times a year; this since their opening. A truly grand French bistro. Barkeep Scott is one of the best in the region. He not only knows his craft to perfection in creating well-​balanced cocktails, but he also can describe each item on the menu to the tiniest ingredient. Well done Scott. I don’t eat large meals, but I find myself ‘hungry’ at L&E. From the moment the duck fat popcorn is placed on the beautiful mahogany bar, which accommodates about 9 people, you know you are a goner. On my last visit, I had the razor clams in meyer lemon with a hint of fennel. Nicely presented and different. I cook lots at home, so I like to try a variety of delectables that I’ve not previously experienced in some form. After the razor clams, I munched on a perfectly yummy figgy arugula salad with of all things, prosciutto chips! Oh those crisp chips were fun. I sometimes recommend dishes to others seated near me, and they do go with it and are pleased. Heaven! I am a single woman, who is not sharing with a dining companion [as I’ve read in some reviews]. My check usually is in the $ 50 range [well who can resist his fab special sangria, for example]. I am not liberal with five stars as truly good and consistently good cuisine must be, as one. The entire village of Chester is a charmer. Its as if one closed their eyes and is transported to a portion of the 1980’s Hampstead Heath. Kudos to LInda and Everett. Well done, but you can order it rare!

For special occasions (or for no reason at all), my daughter and I have been lunching at River Tavern since she was six years old. It remains a favorite, but it’s lovely to have another option for a sit down lunch in Chester. L&E just launched lunch, available Fridays through Sundays, so we dashed off to Chester. The dining room has a different feel in sunlight; relaxed for sure, but still elegant and the menu is downright global, with strong French accents. I couldn’t resist the Alsace Choucroute Garnie: an Alsation sausage with housemade sauerkraut and smoked bacon jam on a crusty baguette, with a heady mix of sweet, sour and salty flavors. The adventurous might go for Saigon Banh Mi: Vietnamese style pork meatballs with spicy Scotch Bonnet Aioli or perhaps a Parisian Café Croque Madame, stuffed with smoked salmon, creamed spinach and a fried duck egg. Sandwiches are $ 12 to $ 14 and come with your choice of frites, crispy fried onions, Vietnamese slaw or cous cous with dried fruit, almonds and beets. Imaginative and delish.

I visited Restaurant L&E last night for the first time with a friend. We were immediately greeted as if we were regulars and set at ease by both the waiter and bartender. Looking at the menus we were given, both of us wanted to order everything. We asked the bartender, Scott, for suggestions on drinks (I had the Rum Punch, which was delicious, and she had a Gin Fizz that looked like it came straight from an old-​fashioned soda fountain and she said it was beyond amazing), and asked the waiter for recommendations on dinner. We went with the specials menu ($ 14.75 each), ordering a strawberry/​goat cheese/​duck salad and the duck poutine. We were also given a bowl with bread and delicious sea salted butter. We devoured the bread (I need to find out if it’s made in-​house or if I can buy it somewhere!) and split the entrees. Our waiter had explained that the specials are bigger than an appetizer but smaller than a normal dinner, and that two of us should probably order 3 plates, but we had enough to eat. I think if we hadn’t had bread, we would have needed another plate. We reluctantly turned down dessert since we had fresh brownies back at home, but between our two drinks and two meals our entire check was only $ 50!
The normal entrees in the regular menu were definitely pricier — I think the least expensive entrée was $ 15, and went up to about $ 40, but if our meal was any indication, it would be well worth the price tag. I will definitely be back.

Intimate/​cozy atmosphere. We were walking around the little downtown area after dinner and decided to come in for dessert and coffee. The desserts were beautiful and the service was very professional. Will definitely come back for dinner.

What a wonderful little spot in the heart of Chester.
I came here as part of a small work committee dinner, and the choice couldn’t have been more appropriate. The atmosphere is intimate and quaint, quiet and friendly. As a group of five, we could chat for the whole evening, and the only interruptions were to order wine, food, more wine, dessert.
The waiting staff is truly delightful: all the waiters are not only efficient and professional, but also very funny and nice. We had a great time chatting with them.
Furthermore, the ambiance is so interesting: first of all, copper tables! Then, decorated cork walls that almost look like tapestries. This, paired with dim lights and candles on each tables, truly creates a small and intimate setting, which is very conducive to conversation and why not, romance (if you’re on a date).
The dining room is not too big, which I also liked, and it features a small bar counter that seems carved out of some European café‘. Being from Europe, this made me feel at home.
Finally, food and libations. The wine list is respectable, and we let the waiter choose for us — and that was a great idea! He picked a delicious red whose name escapes me, unfortunately. I’ll be back and ask for it again.
We ordered a few salads and soups (all very good), and then I had the Hanger Steak — which was truly delicious, and exactly medium rare as I asked. The menu also features Lamb Shank and Duck, which I will come back to try.
Oh, and if this all isn’t enough, they have a great bourbon selection.
5 stars, highly recommended, and I already made another reservation for a romantic date night.
Camilla

Go for the barrow aged bourbon Manhattan. Very smooth. Halfway through the first you will order the second. They also have a oyster bar with a limited but very good selection. The restaurant is a short walk from the Norma Terris Theatre. So you can enjoy an afternoon musical of a soon to be broadway musical then stroll to this restaurant. I myself had the duck which I enjoyed very much. The service was excellent. We had a group of ten and they easily accommodated us in a private room with a nice burning stove which the ladies enjoyed very much.

After several visits here, and phenomenal service by Peter (aka Pierre), I have to say L&E has stolen un petit coin de mon couer (a little piece of my heart).
Good, hearty food, solid wine list, prepared in a kitchen captained by a Cordon-​Bleu-​trained chef with an eye for ingredients and presentation. Always a good time here. I especially love the small, intimate dining room with the signs (Boulangerie) and the copper accents.
Intimate. Precious. Perfect setting for a first date or a 10^th anniversary dinner.
Simplement: j’adore.

Now this is dining.
It was a cold night when the two of us arrived, so there was plenty of space at the copper-​topped tables — not like other nights in Chester when this row of outstanding restaurants has standing room only.
Despite the chill, we’d been drawn to L&E, attracted by prix fixe offerings and reduced prices on «orphaned» wines. I had an amazing roasted red pepper soup, with a rich overtone of tomato, and then turned to the boeuf bourguignon main course. What a delight for a cold winter’s night: meaty and rich.
Ice cream profiteroles really rounded off the meal for me.
It’s a small space, very cozy, and the staff were friendly and attentive — granted, they didn’t have too many people to look after. As we were leaving, we found the chefs taking a breather in the bar, and they were appreciative and gracious at the end of what I’m sure was a very long day.
Tuesday night is gourmet burger night. We’ve already got plans to go back!