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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Delectable Desserts |
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| 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.
