Turning over a fresh leaf

As suggested by the name, the new and humble eatery Salad House at Bon Marche off Prachaniwet Road is a clean and green place to enjoy a healthy meal.

Owner Arunee Phoorahong brings fresh red oak, green oak, cos and iceberg lettuces from her own toxic-free hydroponics farm in Pathum Thani to the restaurant every day. After more than 30 years in the marketing business, she decided to go back to nature, started up her own two-rai vegetable farm and makes sure she consumes healthy food.

"Inner beauty is pivotal. An ever increasing number of people suffering from cancer and intestinal diseases. That's because we are what we eat. I started the farm because I wanted to do something better in life after the stress of working, Now, after years of eating plenty of vegetables, I feel healthier and much happier. Good food has lots of potential in slowing down the ageing process," says Arunee.

She also wanted to share her healthy lifestyle with other people so opened Salad House two weeks ago. The restaurant is decorated simply in  white and green and has a floor that's covered with artificial grasses.

The healthy vegetables, naturally enough, taste all the more delicious with the right dressings. Instead of looking them up in a recipe book, Arunee turned to her mother, who now lives in Melbourne, Australia. Mum consulted an Australian friend, a hotel chef and a major fan of Thai foods, who's created six salad dressings that can be adjusted to suit the Thai palate.

Customers can pick from in-house, caesar, clam, tuna, thousand island and cream. The in-house dressing combines olive oil and maple syrup and has quickly become  the eatery's best seller. The vegetables are fresh and crisp and are priced from Bt79 to Bt89 accompanied with your choice of dressing. Salmon salad can also be ordered at Bt149.

"We've made the dressings a bit of sour to attract customers. Because of that, everyone eats more vegetables," says Arunee.

Soup is priced at Bt59 a bowl and there's a choice of corn, spinach, pumpkin, carrot and mushroom. For customers who want something more substantial, there are also ham and cheese sandwiches made with whole-wheat bread.

You shouldn't leave the eatery without trying the baked olive rice, which is deliciously soft and aromatic. The selected jasmine rice is baked with olive oil and various spices like pepper, garlic, coriander roots, ginger and galangal for a day.

"After baking, we also sterilise it with the proper equipment. That means you can take it home and keep in the refrigerator for two weeks," says Arunee.

The olive rice is best eaten with roasted pork ribs, prepared to a secret recipe from her mother's chef friend. All Arunee will say is that the meat is roasted with various herbs and it's certainly very tender. There are many choices of lunch sets at prices that range from Bt129 to Bt139. A good selection is the in-house salad with roasted pork ribs and a bowl of soup.

For drinks, there are six healthy smoothies, the names of which suggest the benefits they offer. Dry skin? Then sip on a "Skin Care" which melds lychee, guava, lemon, honey, ginseng and guarana. For digestive benefits, opt for "Digest Plus" - a combination of banana, apple juice, blueberry and vanilla yoghurt digestive booster. To keep the doctor away, Aruneee suggests the "Doc Off", a combination of watermelon, orange juice and strawberry. Coconut jelly beads come in every glass and the drinks are priced at Bt59.

"The recipes for the smoothies come from my wet nurse who is now a cook in a Thai restaurant in Hong Kong. Smoothies are popular over there and she's learned to make various drinks. We've reduced the sweetness though to suit Thai tastes."

You can take some fresh vegetables home as Arunee also sells her hydroponic goodies ready to go. The 100gm vegetable packs cost Bt45 and an eight-ounce bottle of salad dressing is priced at Bt115. The restaurant also a home delivery service, vegetable gift baskets and food catering and is a great place relax after a stressful day in the office.

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Salad House at Bon Marche off Prachaniwet Road is open daily from 11am to 7.30pm. Call (02) 158 0360.