The Food Loft in the Central Festival Shopping Center is
not, as you would expect from its title, on the highest floor. It is
actually on the third floor, on the Beach Road side of the building, but
easy to find (once you have the correct floor).
Chinese
stir fry and spring rolls.
The concept is one of clustering seven cuisine outlets, plus another couple
of outlets for sandwiches and a bar. Since the cuisines are of a regional
basis you have kitchens preparing Italian, Indian, Thai, Korean, Japanese,
Chinese and now the latest being Russian. More than enough choices! With
each outlet also preparing several dishes, you have a larger range of items
than in any standard restaurant.
We decided to go one lunchtime, and we were met by the restaurant manager
Lloyd Srisugda and the media and marketing lady, Yawadee Pueaksawan, so with
now enough people at our table we were able to sample dishes from each
outlet.
Chicken
pesto sandwiches.
The first impression we had was the cleanliness of it all, and then the
professional demeanor of the cooks (in traditional whites) and the service
staff (in smart black outfits). Restaurant manager Lloyd informed us that
since the Central group is very large, with many branches, the Pattaya cooks
were all sent to Bangkok to be trained in the preparation and cooking of
their cuisine.
The open kitchens are on full view, and each one has representative dishes
on the front counters, so you can see just what it is you are ordering -
almost like a photographic menu, but in real time and place.
The bar section has many beers, but being middle of the day we went for the
cold Thai herbal drinks, and there is a complete range of these. My pick was
the guava.
Beetroot
salad.
The Russian beetroot salad was very filling with good hefty meat dumplings
with it. Italian pizza is always a favorite, and pizza slices are B. 69, a
personal pan pizza B. 150, or a big pizza is B. 400. Lamb Osso Bucco was B.
390, also from the Italian outlet. Caesar salad was prepared properly, with
plenty of Parmesan on top.
The Korean menu is also very varied, with a selection of nine hors d’oeuvres
in rice wrappers B. 350. The Korean Tokpoki was also very tasty and slightly
spicy.
Indian items from the Indian outlet were mainly well under B. 200 and we all
enjoyed the vegetarian Biryani rice dish.
Whilst all the dishes we tried were excellent, as a lunchtime repast I was
totally captivated by the chicken pesto sandwiches. Toasted, warm, crunchy
bread with plenty of chicken filling. Being in company, I tried being polite
and using my knife and fork, but it was even better when I just picked it up
and munched my way through. I’ll be back for sandwiches on another
lunchtime.
Desserts.
We were impressed by the international aspect of the Food
Loft. It was well run, and the individual kitchens were all spotless. With
the concept really being a la carte, you receive excellent dishes, cooked to
your order, and brought to your table from the major cuisines of the world.
Around the world in a lot less than 80 minutes! Well worthwhile keeping in
mind when you are out shopping and getting hungry. And it might also be
worthwhile remembering that Food Loft does a delivery service as well 038
930 988.
However, if you are in Bangkok and get the hungries you can go to their
other branches at Central Chidlom, 7th floor; Central Chanegwattana,
Department Zone, 3 floor; or Central Lardprao, Department Zone, Basement
level.
Food Loft, 3rd floor Central Festival Shopping Center, telephone 038 930
988, email [email protected], website www.centralfoodloft.com.
Plenty of parking in the multi-level car park for the shopping center, which
has entrances and exits from both Beach Road and Second Road.
The Food Loft is in the
Central Festival Shopping Center.
