Busarin Sangsuwan (L) and Supaporn Sukul - two of the polite, charming and graceful waitstaff.
The staff in Erawan Thai restaurant are the factor that really make this place work. There are other things too, but the service levels and warmth, friendliness and hospitality of the staff is outstanding.
It’s not suprising really, as they are Thai, and literally a month or two off the plane.
They are also hotel trained in Bangkok, which is a formidable set of characteristics.
If you’ve been to Thailand and know the people a little you’ll know that they are simply the best in the world at what they do.
Service, for them, is a sense of anticipation. Knowing exactly when to interrupt at a table, to bring something, to take something away.
Erawan, only open a few weeks and already a hit.
When this is done with a warm smile and a sense of grace and elegance it really elevates the dining out experience to a new level.
Now the food is ok, it’s not authentic Thai cuisine, but it’s a pretty good South African version. All the classics are there; good dim sum, a good range of starters, soups, five curries (green, red, massaman, penang and Duck), a full selection of stir fries, and a vegetarian selection.
The duck is good, they do variations of it well; from the curry to crispy deboned, sweet and sour and a really good crispy duck with pancakes where you make up your own rolls with crispy vegetables and hoi sin sauce.
Erawan means elephant in Thai, a symbol of good luck.
The chefs specials are worth a look, and I recommend the basil crispy pork or the Par Nueng Sam Rod, which is a steamed fish on a bed of vegetables and a choice of sauces. You can have the same dish fried.
They are packed out every night, which is quite and achievement given that this location has been the death of a few restaurants previously.
Another good thing about Erawan is that the winelist is, well, short and unimaginative. This has persuaded the locals (from both sides of the M3) to bring plenty of their own wine (and they certainly do) and pay a reasonable corkage fee of 25-30 rand.
In a few short weeks Erawan has become a favourite local, tapping into the success factors that mean good stable business throughout the year; reliability, consistency, good service, value for money and a nice atmosphere.
Starters R32-R44. Mains R69-R89.
15 Wolfe Street
Little Chelsea
Wynberg
Wynberg, Cape Town
Western Cape
Little Chelsea
Wynberg
Wynberg, Cape Town
Western Cape
Posted in 
Tags: 
I’m confused, how can “a short and unimaginative” winelist be considered a good thing about a restaurant? The opportunity to BYO a selling point? Erm, not sure about that.
And a Thai restaurant serving dim sum? Or duck with hoisin sauce? Huh? That is so far from authentic they might as well throw in some hot dogs to wash them down with!
Think I’ll give this one a skip…
Ah Richard, you are missing the point there now. Firstly , part of the success if Erawan is that the word is out that the winelist is so, ahem, challenged, that “you simply must bring your own dahling….” as they say hereabouts.
And boy do they. I’ve witnessed the great and the good of the Southern Burbs carry in cooler boxes of wine for larger groups. And most of it is pretty good wine too. It’s part of the “thing” there now.
I’ve never done BYO, as it’s just not done where I’m from and it would feel like bringing my own flask of coffee to have after dessert.
As for your comment on authenticity I did write “it’s not authentic Thai cuisine”, but this is Cape Town, the only city in the world I know where you can walk into a steak house and order from an extensive sushi menu!!
But maybe you’re right, it’s probably not for you. But if you do go, I would like to hear how you get on.
Hi Clare
I agree with this being Cape Town and being able to get sushi nearly every where!!!! Steak house, Italian restaurant, the list goes on. Not always a good thing but hey, its much like the like everything here, a bit of mix marsala in the lot of us!!
I am eager to try Erawan. Maybe bring my own part pillow along!lol
We know Jonathan.
Hey Richard,
I am just back from Bangkok and I have to disagree with you on the Dim Dum, Duck/hoi sin sauce objections you have. In Bangkok one of the most popular street foods that I witnessed was Dim Sum…!!! The Thai’s have made it their own.
You shouldn’t be so rigid in your food origin views.
I mean, for example, how would you explain the number one dish in the UK – Chicken Tikka Masala???
Hamburgers are German in origin and pizza was invented in America, or was it?
Actually the earliest known mention of pizzas was floured flatbreads baked on the back of Persian soldiers shields.
So we have to thank the Iranians for the modern US/Italian inspired pizza.
Go well.
Can’t wait to add my comments as I’m booked in for tomorrow night. Good Thai/Chinese even Persian food is hard to find in Cape Town (I’m from England living in Newlands with my foodie family).
Not a food snob just know what I like! As for the limited winelist don’t really care as I can, even though I don’t usually, take my own wine, (except to Barruso’s in Kenilworth for Pizza).
Will report back On Friday with hopefully a full and happy tummy and a LITTLE worse for wear.
J