Fashionable fusion

Published on August 31, 2007

In addition to chic clothing and loud accessories, the Chaps fashion label caters to its patrons with contemporary Bangkok cuisine: a mix of Thai favourites and Western classics.

With its eatery in Siam Centre, Cafe CPS is a cosy place to hang out. Located next to Chaps store on the ground floor of the mall, the cafe is attired in ultra-modern decor. The clamour is totally shut out once you walk through the door. The perfectly dimmed light, soft candlelight and faint chill-out music make it a pleasant sanctuary from the shopping-crazed.

Contemporary but staying true to Thai traditional cuisine, the food at Cafe CPS caters to both Thai and foreign tastes. Inspired by Thai common dish and local ingredients, the chef craftily adds a tinge of Western cuisine to soften the spiciness and intensity of the Thai herbs. The outcome is fine fusion cuisine. 

For starters, the spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette is Bt125. Not too heavy or oily, green leaves are tossed into the white bowl with hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, onions, fried bacon and mushrooms. The strange yet pleasant condiment to the dish is two pork crisps, which add some crunch. Other choices include green salad bowl with marinated veggies (Bt90), crispy calamari on green papaya slaw (Bt125) and green mango with guava, prawns and chilli-lime vinaigrette (Bt90). For soup, try the oriental mushroom and coconut with green vegetables (Bt80), which might remind you of Chinese-style broth with herbs.

Soothe your big appetite with an array of main dishes. Don't miss the roast beef and mushroom sizzler skillet with tortillas and tomato salsa (Bt250), which can be shared between two people. The beef is grilled with lots of black pepper and mushroom to be rolled with the tortillas. Tender and intensely spicy, the meat goes well with the sour salsa and fulfilling tortillas. The dish comes with smoked chilli sauce if you're not a big fan of salsa. Another great plate is deep-fried river fish with sweet sauce and chilli dip (Bt175).  With some steamed rice and soup, this dish is a perfect way to get fed before your next fashion buying.

Pasta is another speciality of the chef. Try his fettuccini with white wine garlic sauce (Bt150), a heavenly dish for cheese and pasta lovers.

On the lighter side, there's pad Thai (Bt150), fried rice with shrimp paste and sweetened pork (Bt125), roast spring chicken (Bt250) or duck laab with herbal salad and roast peanuts (Bt250). Sandwiches, appetiser platters and fries are also served (Bt80 to Bt225).

Top it off with the selection of desserts and sweets. The Very Berry Passion (Bt125) has mixed berries with passion fruit sorbet and mascarpone crepe. For a wake-up call, try the smoothly blended Cappuccino Madness (Bt175) in a tall glass with espresso in the bottom, chocolate ice cream in the middle and cream with caramel on top. Various ice cream flavours are served in a scoop or cone for Bt45 each, including topping.

If a quick refreshment is all you need, icy fruit smoothies are served all day. The sweet and thick Jungle Sweep (Bt99) blends orange juice with ripe papaya and banana. Or, there's the brisk OJKO (Bt409) with pineapple, orange juice and ginger. The soft drink list includes the airily refreshing Cucumber Slumber (Bt95), which is simply cucumber extract, lime juice and a little soda. You'll be surprised at how powerful the cucumber's fragrance can be.

Coffee, tea and soft drinks are served from Bt40. Alcoholic drinks are limited to house wine (Bt200 by glass) and beers (Bt70).

Bed Supperclub's resident DJ Fred Jungo spins chill-house tunes from 5pm to 8pm on Friday and Saturday.

Room 22, ground floor

Siam Centre (BTS: Siam)

Daily, 10am to 9pm (kitchen closes at 8.30pm)

 (02) 658 1077

www.cafecps.com

Manta Klangboonkrong