Sunday Brunch | Le Meridien Gurgaon

When a Sunday Brunch offers 250 dishes it is impossible to write details about all the dishes. So I will tell you in general about what to expect at the all-day dining restaurant at the recently rebranded and renovated Le Meridien Gurgaon.

Since I didn’t visit the erstwhile Pullman Hotel I don’t know about the changes that have taken place to transform it into its current avatar as the Le Meridien Gurgaon, but what I do know is that I love the feel of the property as soon as I step off my car at the porch. After the tree-lined drive into the property a huge Paresh Maity sculpture greets us before we enter the spacious lobby that is flooded with natural light. The ‘hub’ (as the lobby is called) is done in cool pastel shades and strewn with art and sculptures by renowned artists. A piece by Satish Gujral catches my eye while I admire the lush greenery beyond the glass walls. Latest Recipe, the all-day dining, lends a similar appeal. As if the glass walls and high ceiling were not enough to give it a light and airy ambience the heart of the restaurant also allows for skylight to stream in. 

The cool and spacious ambience and attractive displays of food and drinks. 

There are five interactive show kitchens displaying a delicious spread. As always, I start with salad and cold cuts. I am happy to note that there are no run of the mill salads here. So, instead of the insalata caprese or the Caesar salad there is Tomato with Fresh Burrata, Greens with Mango and Prosciutto, Red Cabbage and Edamame in Ponzu Sauce, Orange and Fennel Salad and Galangal Poached Chicken with Avocado. Most ingredients are fresh and the salads taste great. The cold cuts seem like they've been lying out for a bit too long though. 

The lovely choice of salads. 

I then move on to sushi and dimsum. I like the choice of dimsums too. There is Truffle Mushroom, Tofu and Shiitake, Pumpkin and Bamboo Shoot, Tom Yum Chicken, Prawn Hargow and my favourite – the Duck with Sour Cherry. The sushi is well rolled but what I really like in the Japanese offerings are the Okonomayaki and the Tacoyaki. While the former is like a cheesy dumpling made with prawn, cheese and corn, the latter is a pancake made with cornmeal, prawn and bacon. I haven’t had both these dishes ever before but like them instantly.

Clockwise From Top Left: Tacoyaki; the making of Okonomayaki; teppan noodles; choice of dimsums.

Since it is impossible for me to navigate the vast choice of appetising dishes I am glad for the company of Executive Chef Tanveer Kwatra. During our very interesting conversation spanning his boarding school days in Dalhousie, chef's training in Australia, catering experience and of course future plans for the Le Meridien Gurgaon, I make him answer a tough question: the top 5 things that I must try in this buffet. Being extremely passionate about the food that he offers in this hotel I know he can't stop at 5 dishes, but he must, because I can't eat much more!

So, he recommends the Tacoyaki which I've already tried; Crab Omelette from the eggs station that is beautifully stuffed with crabsticks and tastes fantastic; Baby Lamb Ribs with Shichimi Salt that are juicy and I like the crunch from the salt; Barrah Kebab from the sigiri and Haleem, both of which are fab; and finally the Prawn Malabar Curry which I just love. Engrossed in my chat with Chef I forget to click pictures of these must-haves! There is of course so much more. Pizzas in thin crust as well as deep dish, as per your requirement, pastas, North Indian, Chinese, Thai, Lebanese and classic western fare such as lamb rack, honey glazed smoked chicken and fish en papillote. I am impressed not with the vast choice but with the quality and taste of dishes from varied cuisines that are executed so well. 

The desserts and bakery section is delicious enough for Chef Tanveer and his team to consider having a pop up counter in a popular South Delhi mall soon. There may also be a Japanese pop up sometime that I would definitely go to. 

Delectable Desserts

Finally, how can a Sunday Brunch be complete without a Kids' Corner to make it a complete family experience? That too has been taken care of at Latest Recipe. And on Father's Day there is a fantastic offer that allows dads to drink for free. In other words, dads can pay for a regular buffet and enjoy unlimited alcohol as well.

The colourful kid's corner.

Details

Latest Recipe, Le Meridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR, MG Road, Sector 26, Delhi-Gugraon Border, Gurgaon, Haryana, India. 

Brunch Timings: 12 noon - 4pm.

Tel: +91 124 499 2008

Brunch Prices: Rs 2,450 plus taxes per person without alcohol; Rs 3,250 plus taxes per person with alcohol.