Brass Elephant
(410) 547-8485
924 N Charles St
Baltimore,
MD
21201
39.3001
-76.616
Neighborhood: Mount Vernon
Reviews & Ratings for Brass Elephant
20 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 20 reviews
Fell short on wedding reception
by abubaseet
November 01, 2008
We chose a buffet style dinner for our reception. However, a couple of crucial food items we'd requested, namely bread and rice, were absent. One of the appetizers we'd requested be switched out several weeks before was ignored. We actually discovered some of these discrepencies a day or 2 before the wedding, but we were told by the assistant in charge that it was too late to do anything about it. Then when we saw the wedding cake, we were disappointed at how pathetic it looked. It tasted good, but it was nothing like the picture the catering manager showed us it would look like, neither in shape nor in color. The worst part, though, was that numerous guests complained they didn't get enough to eat. A couple of people apparently socialized a little too long and missed out on dinner completely. We heard complaints that the servers were often not at their stations and they ran out of food too quickly and had no replenishments. Many of the wedding party and family got no appetizers, and guests complained that they felt they had to hurry up to get anything to eat. Most people weren't even able to get seconds. I don't believe they had enough food to adequately feed all the guests that were invited. To top it all off, after we brought this to the catering manager's attention a couple of weeks later, he forwarded our complaint on to the owners. Nearly 2 months have passed, and despite several attempts by us to get a response, we've heard nothing from them. We realize now that we probably never will. To be fair, the food was pretty good, and the decor and bar were done very well. But after spending upwards of $10,000 on the catering, one would expect it ALL to be done very well. We expected a lot better service and professionalism. After our experience, I wouldn't recommend the Brass Elephant to anyone for their wedding. It definitely wasn't worth that kind of money to us.
- Pros: Bar, decor
- Cons: bad service, unresponsiveness of management
Brass Elephant by Carole B. at InsiderPages
Contributor
September 21, 2008
This is a nice restaurant with good food and good service. It's good for a nice night out. You'll get good service and a nice atmosphere. I don't think you can go wrong here.
Not bad, but overrated!
by BaltiMoreFun
July 31, 2008
A friend and I went here for restaurant week and although the food was pretty good, it's not worth their normal prices. On the plus side our waiter, Lance, was fantastic. Some of the other staff members came off as a little snooty. Our salads came out a bit mushy - as though they had been tossed with the dressing hours before. They were unable to serve the soup without the seafood garnish (shellfish allergy) since the bowls of soup were also made in advance. Our entrees and desserts were nice though.
**I assume the food is prepared fresh to order when there isn't a special event like restaurant week going on, so take this review with a grain of salt.**
- Pros: Ambience, valet parking
- Cons: Value
Courteous service, elegant surroundings, top notch food.
by tattooeddiner
February 11, 2008
We ate here on a Saturday night, on a weekend when Valentines day fell midweek. In town for a tattoo convention, I choose the BE based on a review listed here. We had know problem obtaining reservations, and were seated promptly apon arrival (note, no one mentioned a dress code, and it is against their policy to seat anyone in jeans. They were VERY cordial, and simply reminded us of the policy for future reference). The decor is impeccable, classic and reserved without being stuffy or pretentious. Service was top notch, and timed perfectly (our server was from Lithuania, and even brought us a book to browse on her homeland). The food was wonderful, from 1st course (salmon "dome" over potato salad for me, proscuto and figs for him) through the 2nd, which was a perfect Ceasar salad with white anchovies, and roasted butternut squash with a jicima and apple salad. Our 3rd course included roast duck over mushroom risotto and pan juice, and a duet of lamb (lamb croquet, which was the only unremarkable dish, and braised lamb chop served over white beans). Everything was beautifully presented, with portions that were neither minute or overwhelming. We finished our evening with drinks from the bar (top shelf of course) and a newly invented dessert of rissoto cooked in dark chocolate and sereved with raspberries and a chocolate "ciggarette" filled with strawberry paste.
All in all an excellent evening at a reasonable price (under $150) Would definatly visit again.
- Pros: Ambience, Service, Food
- Cons: Valet parking only, dress code is more dressy than casual
Sorry, but definitely overrated
by augustusmccrae
February 10, 2007
My brother, his wife and son, and my significant other and I ate at the BE tonight. We reserved and informed them we had to attend the symphony. We only ordered entrees (to save time), and were glad we did. The kitchen was extremely slow. Also, the table we were seated at was in a tight little corner--far from splendid surroundings, as claimed in their ad. My entree (lamb) was quite good and my SO's dinner (the lamb special) was also good. But the other meals were very ho-hum, and at $28-32 per plate that is simply not good enough. Finally, we had to dash out (given the slow service) and then had to wait in a huge line of people to get our coats. Their system for hanging coats is abysmal. All in all, not a good experience, and definitely not worth the money. We won't be coming back. This is my first review of a restaurant, but I simply had to write it. Sorry, but the BE is WAY over-rated, based on our experience.
- Pros: Decor, IF you are seated in the right spot; if not, for get it.
- Cons: kitchen wait, value for money
CHARMED DINING
by malitt
December 17, 2006
GREAT SETTING BOTH IN THE DINING ROOM AND UPSTAIRS IN THE TUSK LUONGE. INTERESTING MENU AND GREAT WINE LIST. EVERYTHING ORDERED WAS EXCELLENT INCLUDING BUFFALO AND LAMB.
- Pros: EASY VALET PARKING, GOOD FOOD
Great place for a party by phyllis n. at InsiderPages
Contributor
February 22, 2006
This is a great place for a party! The rehearsal dinner we had there was wonderful, intimate and the food was great -- I loved being in the city too! Highly recommend
romantic atmosphere by Chris P. at InsiderPages
Contributor
September 20, 2005
Very romantic atmosphere with exquisite food and excellent service. They offer a prix fix menus for theater patrons which is an awesome deal. Chose from a few appetizers, entrees and even dessert for less than $20. What a great deal. The food is fantastic, but the portions are what you would expect, not super huge.
Known as a newshounds' watering hole, this regal relic allows patrons to sample the splendor of another era.
by Contributor
November 15, 2004
The Scene
This Elephant never forgot its past. Under Tiffany skylights, 19th-century mores seep through antique fixtures like a Poe specter returned from the grave. The residential building, designed by the posthumously lauded Lockwood de Forest, found a second life when it was reincarnated as a restaurant, in which impressive drawing rooms (spanning over two floors) and a once-magnificent chandelier recall an earlier, grander time.
The Food
For appetizers, the succulent escargot sits delicately in a Galliano sauce atop equally edible pastry shells. The soups are hearty, nearly a meal unto themselves. But don't skimp: Take the cue from your decadent surroundings. Entrees like duck breast and filet of beef get a kick from sweet potato and confit ravioli, and a horseradish creme fraiche respectively. Afterwards, artistic desserts delight the eyes as well as the tongue.
a Great place
by acrolect
August 17, 2004
Brass Elephant offers a prix fixe menu ($30); Mondays are 1/2 off Wine prices ! We spent $95 for 2 including a bottle of wine and tip. Great food, atmosphere, beautiful old mansion, free valet parking, what more can you ask for ?
- Pros: food, ambience, valet parking
