Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Beckoning brunch
|
Brunch at Cedars is a deliciously languid way to spend an afternoon
|
An exotic spread: At Cedars. — Pic. by N. Balaji
AFTER SATURDAY night's music and margaritas, you are probably tempted to use the day of rest to... well... pass out — with a damp cloth over your forehead and a `Shush, Unless You Want to Die' sign on your bedroom door directed at any nauseatingly cheery visitor you're likely to have. However, once the hammers in your head subside, Sundays in Chennai can be rather boring. So, here's an option. Grab a friend and head out for brunch.
The brunch at Cedars, which begins at noon, is a deliciously languid way to spend the afternoon. We began with coffee, ignoring the soup option, since the chicken broth — bristling with what looked suspiciously like seaweed — reminded us of a pond. (So, who's logical on Sunday morning, anyway?)
But the waffles, served with a flourish by our wisecracking waiter, were divine, golden, crusty and topped with sticky maple syrup. And, just as we finished spooning them in, a pair of wicked pancakes, smothered in just-melted dark almond chocolate, followed.
They'll quietly top up your coffee while you decide your next course and get updated on the latest gossip. (After all, coffee and conversation are the best things about a long brunch.) "So, even while he was two-timing her, his mother was busy looking for one of those elusive `fair, homely types for him (shocked gasp) Oh, and I'll have the Ejjah Bil Jebn omelette... Go easy on the cheese... "
While the omelette, flavoured with allspice and crumbled cottage cheese and feta, is nice enough, it probably makes sense to save space for the more exotic items on the menu, since... well... a cheese omelette is a cheese omelette is a cheese omelette. The shawarma pockets, filled with grilled chicken and served with creamy hummus, for one, are addictive.
Then, there's pizza. You can make your own. Ours was topped with sweet corn, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and a cheese slick. (By the way, Siddharth Deepak, owner of Cedars, says that they alternate between pizza and pasta every week.) We don't make much of an impact on the pizza however, which our waiter — evidently a fan of the `supersizing' phenomenon — made HUGE. Then, as we flopped back in our seats and sighed, making wild promises to each other about `gyming' everyday for the rest of our lives, he took a shocked leap back and gasped, "But... but, what about the main course?"
I have it on good authority that the main course, set out at the brunch buffet, was saffron rice and some kind of exotic Lebanese meat curry. We didn't get that far. And if you want to, I suggest you go easy on those luscious chocolate pancakes.
Brunch at Cedars costs Rs. 325 per head, plus taxes, and is on between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Call 55855111 or 24475073 for reservations.
SHONALI MUTHALALY
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
