When a city as vibrant as Hyderabad meets the bold, unapologetic energy of Bangkok, sparks are bound to fly. The newest culinary duo, Fireback and Barback, has arrived, offering more than just food; it’s revelry with a side of homegrown Thai authenticity.
When it comes to culinary adventures, Hyderabad has always been a city that knows how to eat, drink, repeat. So, it’s hardly a surprise that EHV International, a name synonymous with memorable dining experiences, picked Hyderabad as its stage for South India’s debut. “Hyderabad isn’t just a city; it’s an appetite,” says Founder Chairman Rohit Khattar with undeniable enthusiasm. And honestly, I couldn’t agree more. Khattar’s decision was both deeply intuitive and strategic.
Hyderabad has been steadily building its reputation as South India’s gastronomic capital, a melting pot where biryanis, global influences, and an eagerness for innovation collide in the most delectable way. Fireback, the Thai focused restaurant that seamlessly combines accessibility with authenticity, and Barback, its cocktail bar inspired by Bangkok’s enigmatic Chinatown, therefore feel like perfect additions sliding effortlessly into place.
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Recommendations include the ‘Chilli Oil Dumpling’, ‘Black Pepper Chicken’ and ‘Lamb Meatball Skewers’! Their home? ‘The Loft’, a sprawling, gorgeously designed social hub where workspace meets wow factor. As Khattar said, “It’s not just a space; it’s a vibe.’ And if early buzz is any indication, Fireback and Barback are poised to elevate Hyderabad’s already diverse culinary ethos into something genuinely world class.”
Thailand’s Essence Redefined
Fireback isn’t your run of the mill Thai restaurant. It’s backed by the culinary genius of Chef David Thompson, practically the Shakespeare of Thai cuisine. With a Michelin starred reputation and an uncanny ability to tease out flavours that tell stories, Thompson’s menu at Fireback feels like a love letter to Thailand’s flame driven traditions. Every dish has intent.
And the cocktails at Barback? Picture a spirit soaked nightlife vibe, where Bangkok’s infamous neon soaked chaos whispers into every drink. There’s cleverness here, a balance between tradition and invention, a mirrored philosophy to Fireback’s food. What truly props the experience up is Chef Kaustubh Haldipur’s local pivot. His deft touches are the quiet hero, ensuring this Thai escapade doesn’t feel lost in translation for Hyderabad’s discerning diners.
Flames, Flavours, Fireback
Navigating the menu feels like stepping into a flavoursome crossroads where the familiar and the bold collide. I began my exploration with a plate of ‘Miang Kham’, a tiny, edible parcel that carried more excitement than its humble size suggested. The betel leaf crackled under the weight of pomelo, roasted coconut, and peanuts, each bite like unwrapping a carefully crafted gift of sweet, sour, and smoky surprises.
When I reached for the ‘Pineapple Som Tam’, it was a riot of textures, where tamarind, palm jaggery and peanuts met the zing of pineapple, a truly perfect bite. Vegetarians are far from afterthoughts here, with dishes like the flame grilled pumpkin and sweet potato wrapped in gorlae sauce, a smoky hug that lingers long after the first forkful.
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For the seafood inclined? The ‘Soft Shell Crab Red Curry’ arrives unabashedly rich, its ginger and kaffir lime aroma permeating the air like delicate whispers of the Thai coastline. Even the classics, such as the Thai Green Curry, seemed as though they’d been polished at charm school, maintaining their comforting authenticity while exuding an air of elegant refinement.
And the Thai omelette? Let’s just say it’s what your childhood favourite would look like in haute couture. But before I’d even sat down, Fireback had already set the tone. You see, guests enter by walking through Barback (the two spaces seamlessly flow into each other), a cocktail cave inspired by Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown. The air here hums with the spirit of late night cooks and clinking woks. It’s a prelude that invokes a question, is a great meal really just about food?
Hyderabad, you’ve just been served. Adjust your plate, and your expectations. The city’s culinary scene has just had an upgrade. Clear your diary, sharpen your chopstick skills, and allow Bangkok’s fiery embrace to sweep you off your feet.
