January 4, 2017

Greyhound Café @ ANSA Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang


Trendy Modern Comfort Food


It started as an afterthought to complement its fashion line but Greyhound Café took off internationally after the popular Bangkok café chain became a popular café haunt for many fashionistas as well as foodies. Asia has 17 outlets to date with 14 outlets alone in Bangkok.


Greyhound Café was the brainchild of Founder of Greyhound, Mr. Bhanu Inkawat and Corporate Executive Chef Mr. Torsit Sarisdiwongse. The fashionable casual dining café opened in Malaysia in March 2016 and has been serving trendy modern comfort food to its many diners. Located in Ansa Kuala Lumpur, it is set in between Fahrenheit 88 and Lot 10.



While it may looked dark and mundane on the outside of the café, one will be pleased at the ambiance inside. The café has such a chic and contemporary ambiance that makes it so Instagram-worthy at every corner.



Themed in muted greys, black, white and filled with some wood furniture, the ambiance has such a stylish yet warmth feel. Lots of glass walls surround the café, allowing in natural lights. The middle of the café features a big bar that has a dessert showcase as well.


There is a private room at the back of the restaurant that is designed to echo a greenhouse filled with lots of green plants and filled with natural lights. Light amusing murals on the wall added much charm and chic to the whole café.


The menu has a long list of modern Thai dishes inspired by the founders’ childhood memories and travel. There is also a long list of drinks and desserts that features classic as well as eclectic dishes for today’s modern diners.


We started off the café’s healthy mocktials of Passion Fashion (RM16), Innocent Voyage (RM16) and Green Mellow (RM16). My Passion Fashion is so refreshing and juicy. Lots of fruity passion fruit and pineapple, two of my favorite fruit with mint syrup and lime.


I also had the Thai Tea Granita (RM16) half way through because I saw someone ordered it. Gosh, this granite is so fabulously milky with a creamy tea note. Such a treat, especially after all the spicy, sweet and savory dishes. A Must-order if you love Thai Ice Tea!!


If there is one dish that one must try at Greyhound Café, they would recommend you the Complicated Noodle (RM26). A DIY dish of fresh steamed noodle sheets, crisp lettuce, minced chicken and a kickass chili sauce.


Looks relatively plain at sight but once you tasted the lettuce wrapped with minced chicken, noodle sheet and chili sauce, its literally an explosion of flavours in the mouth. That potent chili sauce is what makes the dish taste so yum. It’s also pretty addictive and the fresh noodles really gave the dish a multitude of textures.


Sublime slices of salmon fans out like a pretty flower. Topped with raw garlic slices, dill and another piquant green chili sauce, the Salmon Sashimi in Spicy Hot Sauce (RM26) shows that there are really awesome fusion dishes that was inspired from various cuisines.


We heard that the Greyhound Famous Fried Chicken Wings (RM18) is based on the recipe handed down from Greyhound Cafe's managing director Pornsiri Rojmeta’s grandmother. The wings came looking scrawny before I realized that this was purposely cut like this to give the wings maximum flavours of the marinade. Fried with pandan leaves, the wings are superb snack bites. Salty and moreish, the crispy wings makes me want to gnaw on the bones. I definitely could eat a whole bowl of this with beer!


Thai street food duck noodles are given a fine twist into Noodle with Thai Duck Stew (RM31). The aroma of the broth is gorgeous. Smoky, rich and robust of duck flavours, it comes with thin rice noodles, lots of beansprouts, a whole duck Maryland, fresh herbs, fried garlic and scrumptious golden crispy chicken skin. The duck was tender and tasty but it was the crispy chicken skin that won my vote for this dish.


Another Greyhound café signature dish recommended was the Spaghetti with Thai Anchovy (RM26). Taking some of the basic Thai ingredients and pairing it with pasta, this dish evoked simplicity at its best. The anchovy may not be visible at sight but one can definitely taste it in the pasta. Salty and spicy, the balance of flavours is enough to get one hooked on this ambiguous but tasty flavour. There is also the Thai tiny green peppercorns in the pasta where one can try if you like peppery note.


Taking on more classic flavours is the Phad Thai with Fresh Shrimp (RM26). Thin rice noodles stir fried with tamarind sauce, egg, fresh prawns, tofu, bean sprouts and chives, a little squeeze of lime works wonders on jazzing up the Thai flavours of savory, sweet, spicy and tangy in one plate. Of course one can tweak the noodles with your own additions of dried chili flakes, crushed peanuts and more fresh bean sprouts too…


With a named of Fried Tons of Crab Meat with Rice (RM55) and a hefty tag, one would expect nothing but just what the name said. Truly living up to its name, the dish was literally fried crab meat. Loads of sweet crab meat, I daresay more than rice, was indeed a lavish treat. In this case, the crab meat was studded with rice and fluffy egg with some chili padi. Squeeze on the lime juice to perk up more flavours. The rice comes with fresh cucumbers, salted vegetable soup and that kickass green chili sauce.




To be in tuned with the December festive season, Greyhound Café offers a limited festive menu available till 31 Jan, 2017. We tried the Crispy Braised Dark Meat Turkey (RM58), a festive dish of turkey prepared with a twist. The turkey leg was braised and finished with a deep fried bath for crispy pleasures. A tad dry but that is easily remedied with the superb Jaew sauce, sautéed sauerkraut with more turkey meat, French fries and mustard. That Jaew sauce rocks!


Christmas Tree Delight (RM22) is also part of the festive menu and what a pretty dessert this one is. Resembling a Christmas tree constructed by a tower of golden puff pastry layered with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, savoring them layer by layer and sharing them with others is truly what the festive season is all about.


Besides the festive menu, we couldn’t resist ordering two desserts that came highly recommended from the regular dessert menu. Fresh Coconut Crepe Cake (RM22) is indeed a delectable concoction of layers of thin coconut crepes sandwiched with fresh whipped cream and fresh coconut flesh from Thailand. Not too sweet, the dessert is very unique and a refreshing burst of coconut notes.


The Sticky Rice & Mango (RM18) takes form in a glass with layers of sticky rice infused with coconut cream, fresh cubes of ripe and sweet Thai mango and topped with a scoop of coconut sorbet. This warm and cold dessert is truly a sweet and delicious ending to our meal at Greyhound Café!


We enjoyed the food and beverage at Greyhound Café tremendously as well as the beautiful ambiance. It may be labeled as trendy food but we really enjoyed the Thai dishes with a twist. Greyhound café is also perfect for celebrations with family and friends for those who are game to try modern Thai cuisine.



GREYHOUND CAFE
Lot No. 02, Ground Floor, ANSA Kuala Lumpur,
101, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2148 1188



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