Mixing business with pleasure

Brunch at Crowne Plaza Today is tempting enough to step out of home even on a Sunday

The first time I went to Crowne Plaza Today was to attend a business conference, which left me with no time, or mind space, for the food that was served.


Even though it's a business hotel, small details have been kept in mind here

So, though I had not heard about the gastronomic gusto of this hotel in the unimpressive Okhla industrial area, the short drive from home on what I was hoping to be a lazy Sunday brunch was good enough reason to visit it.

As it happens, laziness pays off once in a while (make that almost always). Edesia, the restaurant offering the brunch, left me pleasantly surprised and hugely impressed. Considering it is a business hotel, I knew the basics would be right, but the finishing touches, for the most part, were carefully polished too.

The menu is exhaustive and has enough variety, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, in popular cuisines like Mediterranean, Chinese, and of course, Delhi's favourite, Indian.

Somehow, at 1 pm, I was still not fully awake so I started slow, spending in hindsight an awful lot of time on the salads. I had a second helping of the Prawn Red Grape and Avocado Salad but even the ordinary sounding Smoked Chicken and Walnut Salad was appetising. The Mezzeh with traditional accompaniments was as good as that in speciality restaurants in the city.

Carefully thought out
I did not sample anything from the sandwich counter which apart from three fresh juices also had two large jugs of milkshake, which had the singular attention of the children (thoughtfully, there is a kids counter too).

Like every buffet, there were things that I regretfully had to let go, like the sushi bar and the long array of Indian dishes. I particularly liked the King Fish from the live grill counter and the Roasted Beef Tenderloin (up to the mark) and the Pomfret with Caper Butter from the conveniently classified 'western' counter.

Fittingly, the dessert counter was celebrating the yuletide spirit, with most of what I sampled -- Xmas pudding, chocolate and strawberry mousse and an assortment of chocolates -- providing a sweet end to a satisfying meal. Next time I want to mix business with pleasure, I am going to also try the other restaurants at the Crowne Plaza.

At edesia, crowne plaza today, plot no. 1, community centre, okhla
Timings noon to 4 pm
Ring 46462000
Price Rs 1,999 per person