From: Arshad Ali

Super Sundays   

Posted On Friday, July 15, 2011

Brunches to end the week is getting more popular among the big bosses with restaurants introducing new dishes and entertainment...

After a hectic week, dotted with meetings, conferences and travelling, it is time for corporate bigwigs to unwind on weekends. Sunday brunches are a great way to spend some quality time with family and catch up with friends.

Hotels and clubs across the city are taking a cue from the trend and trying their best to attract more and more business. Most of these places have resorted to health food for the shape obsessed top executives.

“We have the chef’s special soup & salad, heart healthy items, and whole wheat products,” says Kaushik Sengupta, executive assistant manager- Food & Beverage of Hotel Hindusthan International and adds that the way the demand is growing, they have plans to introduce more additions and variety on fresh salads, home-made pastas, comfort food, live stations, kids corner, juice bar, refreshing cocktails with premium spirits, premium ice creams, and since most people come with their families, entertainment for the kids is an indispensable part.

Similar is the case at The Park, where chef Surajit and his team have crafted an inventive and elaborate menu that promises to stimulate your taste buds like never before. “Our goal is to offer classic Mediterranean cuisine, with some select contemporary favourites as well,” says Sharad Dewan, director, food production and adds, “It’s important that we always connect with our customers and offer unique new flavours that people will talk about and decide to come back for more.”

The menu has healthy vegetarian dishes as well as unique fish, chicken and prawn entrées to please any meat or fish lover. Some of the must try’s are grilled halloumi and avocado salad with leeks and lime, broken spaghetti and peppered crab claw and the vanilla and crushed pepper panacotta with muddled Alphonso. “We have observed that in most of the major metros the concept of Sunday brunches has picked up. We see the socially mobile, upmarket people coming in with their families. It is very popular in the western world and as we are adopting almost everything from there, this will be no exception,” says Devapriya Khanna, director (marketing), Carlsberg India, after they introduced a special brunch at Swissotel. Reputed food consultant Karen Anand, says, “Next probably there will be a swim and a brunch, a whole Sunday event at Swissotel.”

Following suit, Chrome, on AJC Bose Road has introduced Wrap and Roll for people who are in a hurry and want to have a quick meal. “The health conscious will like it because one of the rolls and most of the wraps are steamed and not fried,” says Subhasis Bandyopadhyay, executive chef, Chrome. Some like a change of taste and savour Bengali delicacies. “Various preparations of prawn and chicken are very popular here and we have several business tycoons dropping in for an adda session on Sundays, with friends,” says Sushanta Sengupta, owner of 6 Ballygunge Place.

A mix of Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes are for the taking at The Wall. “The top boss groups keep on revisiting this place to soothe their nerves after a hectic week,” says Aninda Palit, the owner, The Wall. Places like The Spring Club have added attractions. Sanjeev Ghosh, GM, Springfield Projects Pvt Ltd, says, “Many like to enjoy good food amidst the monsoon, but without getting drenched. We have a covered outdoor place for that, where you get delicacies from South Indian to continental. Our cold cut platters are also very popular. On Sundays, we have a picnic like atmosphere here with live music and
entertainment for the children as well.” He adds the number of bookings every week is around 120.