Bright green broccoli florets peek from a focaccia sandwich; a cheery orange passion fruit sauce and praline crumble set the stage for a rich chocolate mousse; and a sunshine yellow pineapple and tender coconut cooler beckons. All this at Jerry’s Den, an in-salon cafe, as you’re pampering your feet and hands.
Spa regulars speak of being struck by hunger pangs in between services. That’s something Jerry’s Den founders Neelima Sriram and Kala Pillai know only too well. They were always on the lookout for some such dining space, when they got a chance to set one up themselves. Neelima, who has relocated from Canada, is franchise owner, Toni & Guy on Eldams Road, a food stylist and a cooking enthusiast who was among the top 30 in MasterChef India 2015. Kala, who has lived in the U.S. and Singapore, was known for the lovely mocktails she created for house parties.
They put their heads together to come up with a snappy menu that features easy-to-eat vegetarian dishes, decadent desserts, peppy mocktails and a range of healthy green teas.
Jerry’s Den, named so because it was created from a cosy space that reminded Neelima and Kala of Tom and Jerry , doesn’t serve food during hair services, for reasons of hygiene, but you can eat pasta or a panini sandwich during a pedicure, or sip a mocktail while you get your nails done. The outlet, in addition to hair styling, beauty, spa and bridal services, also offers Nubar nail art and extensions.
The portions are generous and all the sandwiches come with a tangy salad. The food is fresh and cooked just right. The seared broccoli with a hint of citrus yields to the fork but retains its crunch, the breads are baked fresh every day at the outlet, and all vegetables and herbs are shopped for the day. Special mention must be made of the creamy turmeric-rich penne al curry, redolent of herbs and pan-roasted vegetables.
“We wanted to come up with a simple dining space where food would be the king,” says Kala, sitting in the café that opens out to a glorious summery view of a mango tree heavy with fruit. The friends decided to stick to a vegetarian menu because a spa was about detox, and they wanted to offer food that comforted and did not overwhelm. Even their yam fries are baked.
But, more importantly, the idea is to allow those hitting the spa a chance to truly de-stress, without worry about hunger. “So many people head out midway through services just to grab a bite. We’ve done that ourselves. So, this is our attempt to ensure the experience is seamless,” says Kala.
Jerry’s Den is open to outside clients too. And, rightly so, because it is so much more than a tiny eatery tucked into a bigger salon. Take, for instance, their apple pie. Finely-sliced apple is cooked with spices, while a fresh tart is baked. The cinnamon-scented slices are arranged like a rosette, baked again, dusted with castor sugar and served with a dollop of ice-cream. If this is not de-stressing, what is?
Jerry’s Den is at Toni & Guy Essensuals, Eldams Road, Teynampet. Tel: 99405 58716. Open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
