From east to west and plenty in between

SEEFAH, one of Bangkok’s oldest chains of restaurants and much appreciated for its classic Thai and Chinese dishes, is expanding its horizons with the launch of sister brand, Cobalt Created by Seefah. For now, Colbalt has just one branch – on the ground floor of the Ninth Tower – and it’s serving as the guinea pig, so to speak, for subsequent outlets. Designed to attract young generation diners, it offers a range of easy-to-eat western dishes along with healthy drinks, coffee and cocktails alongside many of the old favourites.

Decorated in fashionable industrial loft style complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, it comfortably seats 120 diners without feeling crowded.

“This year, Seefah turns 79, and though we’ve thought about modernising our restaurants, we’ve rejected the idea because our older customers want us to remain the same. They really enjoy the atmosphere of Seefah, which hasn’t changed for several decades,” explains marketing and communication manager Anon Nernsai.

“Two years ago, we opened Cobalt as a pilot project to offer some western dishes and encourage a younger crowd to eat here. We eventually want to build a place where fans, both new and old, can share space and enjoy their favourite meals together.”

Cobalt offers some 100 Thai, Chinese, Italian and American dishes and they are all prepared to perfection by the team of veteran chefs using only the very best of ingredients. Older fans can order such popular dishes as Asa-win Egg Noodle (Bt150) served in a clay pot and mixed with tender roasted pork, squid, shrimp and maw or Seefah’s famed Crispy Fried Wonton (Bt75) filled with pork and wrapped with dough sheet made with duck egg. For their part, younger diners can feast on Caesar Salad (Bt155) topped with onsen egg and home-made dressing or the strangely named Chocolate Burger (Bt220), either beef and chicken, that’s stuffed with Irish cheddar cheese and smoked bacon and served with French fries and kimji. 

Other favourites guaranteed to please both age groups include Steamed Dumplings (Bt95) stuffed with pork and Braised Chicken and Fried Egg on Rice (Bt95), a lunch set of Roasted Duck in Red Curry (Bt180) served with spicy fried egg yam and rice and Grilled Salmon (Bt380) with mango and tomato salad.

The smoothies are unusual too and both the Banana Peanut Butter (Bt95) and Smoothi Vegie (Bt85) made with lettuce, tomato, celery, apple, onion, honey and lemon juice are worth a try.

For dessert there’s Hot Raspberry Brownie (Bt120) served with mango yoghurt ice cream and whipped cream as well as red jelly (Bt90) served with a scoop of vanilla or durian ice cream. 

“We make the sauces and egg noodles ourselves and our ice cream is made from real fruits like durian and nam dok mai mango,” Anon says. 

Cobalt also offers a wide range of wines from Chile, France, the US and Australia, along with beers from Belgium, Mexico and Thailand and creative cocktails.

 

 

IN THE BLUE

>>Cobalt Created By Seefah is on the ground floor of the Ninth Tower (behind Central Rama 9). 

>>It’s open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm.

>>Call (02) 001 7387-8 or visit the Cobalt Created By Seefah page on Facebook.