High-fashion burger heaven

Designed by PIA Interior, the restaurant now on the third floor of Siam Center is decorated with a “twist and turn” concept with a touch of nostalgia for the first Greyhound clothing boutique 30 years ago. Some of the old components from the branch on first floor is reused and modified in dull shades, while all the furniture gets dressed up in a retro outfit as if it were a squad of mannequins. 

With more space, the restaurant has two zones – an open-dining area with an “indoor al fresco” zone, where diners feel like they’re sitting in the garden at home, and a private dining room that can double as an art gallery and workshop. 

There’s also the Iconic Open Counter at the front, where the chef and his team show guests how to prepare a meal. You can be in charge as new executive chef Harit Vejakul creates Absolute Siam dishes ranging from appetisers and main courses to desserts and healthy beverages. 

“We target the younger generation and tourists, so we designed the restaurant to look modern,” says marketing manager Angsana Puangmalit. “At this branch only we offer an Absolute Siam menu with salad, sandwich, burger and toast, created by Harit, who has 25 years’ experience with many leading hotels.” 

There are four salads on offer. I try the Greek salad of tomato, cucumber, artichoke and fresh mozzarella balls, sprinkled with feta cheese and served with a lemon-olive oil dressing (Bt180) and the Fresh Honey Dew and Parma Ham Salad featuring rocket leaves, fresh strawberry, feta cheese and honey balsamic dressing (Bt220).

I followed that with toasted Panini, for which there’s are four choices of fillings – roast beef and grilled vegetables with spicy pesto (Bt240), grilled chicken and romaine leaves with Caesar dressing (Bt200), bacon and egg with Gruyere cheese (Bt200) and grilled ham with sliced strawberry and dressing (Bt220). 

The Buffalo Burger with home fries (Bt250) is really a mouthful, and one of the best-selling main dishes. The massive bun, rendered black with squid ink, is filled with grilled minced beef, fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato and sweet basil. And the Super Lux Burger (with fries for Bt450) has an exotic flavour in the minced beef topped with foie gras and sliced fresh mango.

My meal finishes with buttered and chunky Happy Toast (Bt90), crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, served with five choices of delectable toppings – aromatic Thai tea custard, sweetened condensed milk, sea salt caramel, coffee caramel and marmalade.

 

BURGER BLISS

<< Greyhound Cafe is on the third floor of Siam Center and open daily from 10 to 10. 

<< Call (02) 658 1129.