Pink Elephant Thai Turns Four

The youngest sibling in the Thai House Group family celebrates its fourth anniversary

Among the cause for celebration at Pink Elephant Thai this year is a milestone of their own: four years in Downtown Vancouver’s competitive restaurant market. Like a parent proud of its children’s success, Thai House Ventures Director, Desmond Chen, looks back on Pink Elephant’s first four years fondly—and forward with confidence, as a second location opens later this year in the new Marine Gateway development at Cambie and SW Marine Drive.“In this tough market, branching out under a new name wasn’t easy,” explains Chen, whose entrepreneurial arsenal includes real estate, property management and a local talent agency. But having been founded on the same pillars of quality food and customer experience as his father’s original Thai House restaurant, it’s no surprise Pink Elephant has claimed an important place in the Vancouver food scene.Pink Elephant’s Downtown location—on Alberni Street between Bute and Thurlow—means that the clientele is in constant rotation. “We aim for a ‘sanook’ atmosphere; that’s Thai for fun and vibrant with lots of energy,” tells Chen, “but there’s also room to ‘sabai sabai’ or relax and chill.” Whether it’s business lunches through the week, Shangri La residents in the evenings, young families on Sundays, or large groups on Friday and Saturday nights, the authentic fare in this modern two-level design makes Pink Elephant appealing to everyone.“Our team takes an annual trip to Thailand, where we visit various regions to discover new techniques and innovative dishes,” shares Chen, referencing a commitment to excellence second to none. Of course research isn’t the only thing that sets Pink Elephant Thai apart—but to learn the rest you’ll have to check out the menu and the mood for yourself.