A THAI restaurant thought to be biggest in Europe will open in less than a month in Buchanan Street after a £2million conversion.
The A-Listed Townhouse building is undergoing a £2million makeover to become the first Scottish branch of Chaophraya.
It is being transformed into a four-level restaurant bosses promise will be like nothing Glasgow diners have seen before.
As reported in the Evening Times, it is the first branch in Scotland for the firm, which already has premises in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield – and it will be the firm's biggest yet, with room for 300 diners.
Pronounced Chow-pry-a, it takes its name from the main river in Thailand, Chao Phrya.
Business manager Richard MacCandless, 29, said: "It will be the biggest Thai restaurant in the UK, and we haven't found one in Europe yet that's bigger.
"It's not a restaurant, it's a dining experience.
"It's the experience and service the customers are going to receive that makes us stand out."
The restaurant will have a bar, called Palm Sugar, on the ground floor.
As well as serving wines, beers, spirits and cocktails it will have a 'whisky vault' which will allow drinkers to buy their own bottle of premium tipple and keep it there.
The star attraction will be the main dining area which has 133 seats plus an original balcony which has been dubbed the 'Buddha balcony'. It can be booked for a private romantic meal overlooking the restaurant.
The top floor will be a special VIP area, and includes sunken seating where the traditional Thai removing of shoes is encouraged.
There will also be a dedicated Champagne bar.
The menu will include a 'Scottish Thai fusion' section featuring Thai Cullen Skink and Haggis golden parcels.
As reported previously, the building has been looking for a new permanent tenant for almost five years.
sarah.swain@heraldandtimes.co.uk