Hound in the Groove

NESTLED COMFORTABLY among the local and international eateries at Groove@Central World, Greyhound Cafe's ninth branch delights the senses with a futurist decor that plays with the idea of space.

Smartly decorated in black, metallic and white, the 140-seat boutique restaurant boasts some unique artwork and installations, many of them inspired by the cosmos and which include a stunning black-and-white photograph of the Apollo 11 spacecraft on its launchpad.

Customers can choose to linger on comfy black leather banquettes or take a seat on the cushioned chairs as they admire a balloon-glass installation in silver that dangles from the ceiling.

“We’re a boutique chain and we try to offer a different design concept in each branch. For Groove, we play with the meanings of ‘space’, blending art from the cosmos with our gallery-like space,” says marketing manager Usa Atisophon.

The food though is strictly down to earth with the menu offering 90 dishes created by corporate executive chef Torsit Saritwong and executive chef Harit Vejakul in inimitable Greyhound fusion style.

There’s also a coffee corner that caters to office workers and shoppers and a variety of snacks, pastries, coffee and juices can be ordered to eat in or take away. The daily menu includes grilled chicken and Romaine sandwich, ham and Gruyere cheese croissant as well as bacon and egg sandwiches, served hot or cold. 

Those wanting something a little more substantial can opt for the excellent spinach and eggplant lasagna, penne with ham and cheese, beef lasagna with Italian pork sausage and fresh honeydew and Parma ham or Nicoise salads. 

“The takeaway counter is available only at the Groove branch and is proving tremendously popular with workers in the area,” Usa says.

This month Greyhound is celebrating 17 years of partnership with Citibank with a Turkish Delight promotion. The special menu features 11 appetisers, salads, main dishes, desserts and drinks that take their cue from the popular tourist destination straddling East and West but incorporate local twists to satisfy the Thai palate.

“Turkish food is healthy and not at all oily. Most of the traditional dishes are made with beef, chicken, fish and lamb and blended with spices,” Usa explains.

We start by sampling the two salads on offer. The Coban Salad (Bt270) with diced tomatoes, cucumbers and olive oil is served with spicy crab cake and crispy flat bread covered in Tabasco dressing. The Grilled Cajun Chicken and Pasta Salad (Bt250) is a blend of fresh mozzarella pearls, tomatoes, Italian basil and pomegranate with a pesto cream dressing. 

Choosing the main dish is more difficult but we eventually opt for the Fish Parcel (Bt450), an interesting concoction of baked grouper, zucchini and black olives, topped with chilli tomato sauce and pesto that’s served with pilaf rice and cucumber yoghurt. Also worth tasting is the Lamb Kofta with Tabbouleh Rice (Bt35), which blends grilled minced lamb sausage with spices and comes with pilaf rice mixed with parsley salad, pomegranate and mint yoghurt. 

“We’ve adapted the traditional Turkish tomato salad by adding crab cake mixed with mayonnaise to enrich the flavour. And we blend our Tabbouleh rice with olive oil, parsley and lemon balm,” Usa says.

The meal ends with Warm Date and Pistachio Pudding (Bt150) served with butterscotch sauce and Fig and Cherry Tart (Bt190) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that’s sprinkled with crushed pistachio.

Two refreshing drinks are also included on the Turkish menu and those with a sweet tooth will love the Almond Delight smoothie, a blend of almond, orange juice, green apple and yoghurt. The Turkish Delight Mocktail is a little less sweet with pomegranate juice, syrup, lime juice and green apple topped with soda. Both are priced at Bt150.

“All this month, customers spending Bt1,000 or more have a chance to win a trip to Turkey,” Usa says.

 

READY FOR LIFT OFF

>>Greyhound Cafe is on the second floor of The Groove@Central World. It’s open daily from 11am to 10pm. Call (02) 613 1263 or visit www.GreyhoundCafe.co.th.