Six years ago Chef Ramu Butler introduced a brunch on Sundays at Ramada Resort, an outlier waterfront property in a bid to promote a new concept in a city moving towards a big lifestyle change. He could see it, he says, the opportunity in family bonding over food in a resort like ambiance on a Sunday. He conceptualised the portmanteau outing - breakfast plus lunch - as one laced with a choice of cuisines, play in the pool, slow conversations all through unhurried hours of a lazy day. He worked out a big menu- “something for everybody”; he offered a welcome drink, a day in the pool and even a magic show for kids. The first respondents were mainly businessmen and NRIs visiting the city.
Today the success of the Sunday brunch finds many city hotels offering similar and even more on their menu and a clientele that has grown from a trickle to a crowd. “I have seen an increase in the number of families that now opt for a brunch. Our Sunday covers have increased significantly; we have 80 to 100 packs now,”says Vinod Rodrigoes, Food & Beverages Manager Hotel Le Meridien that introduced the brunch two years ago. Another change that Vinod finds is in the clientele profile. Earlier it comprised business families but now office going couples are savouring a day out with kids. Preea Mathai finds it as a practical and enjoyable option for the family on days when the house help takes an off. It also means no kitchen chores and quality time to bond with family. “Besides both breakfast and lunch are taken care of,” says Preea, a mother of three.
Vivanta by Taj has enhanced its brunch by offering the works that include sparkling wine, use of pool, discounts at the spa, happy hours at the bar and a sail down the Vembanad in its natty yacht. “We have added evening tea as well,” says Aquino Lopes, the F&B Manager who says that the brunch offer is aimed at locals and not at in-house guests who enjoy the property nevertheless.
Concurs Dinuj Viswanath, Restaurant Manager, Hotel Casino, “We have the brunch on for a year now and find many families from the city come to spend a day. It is not for tourists.” The indulgences on offer here are the two piece band, live food stations, discount on ayurveda massage and the spa, use of the pool and of course a menu that caters to different palates.
Food is central to the brunch. Ramu Butler speaks of an elaborate menu, in which he includes food for the diet conscious, for the vegetarians and a popular ‘naadan’ counter for NRIs. Amie Inman, Design Director, Raxa Collective and the one to curate the brunch at Xandari Harbour, the rebranded Spice Harbour in Mattancherry, lays as much stress on food as on ambiance. The waterfront property with a spectacular view of the city beyond the lake and of the channel offers clients indulgence at its infinity pool. Amie speaks in terms of “Malabar soul food’ which is about the relationship of the lost food of the travellers who came to the shores. “We offer Egyptian, Persian and East Mediterranean cuisines…foods connected with the spice route. This is all part of the brunch.” Amie sees the brunch as an experiential outing for the family in a particular setting and at the property it is history that rises to the fore. Anjali Kurian who loves the ambiance at Xandari finds brunching a wonderful family time.
“The Saturday night hangover invariably results in most people waking up late on a Sunday morning, so I have kept the brunch from 11.30 a.m. onwards,” says Ramu. He has paid special attention to the needs of kids, as this is a family outing and children are important clients. An indoor play area for kids, the use of pool and a magic show has been included in the brunch. Govind Kuttikat, an executive in a tea firm indulges in a Sunday brunch at Hotel Casino twice a month. He finds unwinding with kids in the pool, along with a long, lazy lunch a super time for family bonding. “My sons love the pool and we as a family have a good time. Besides, the hospitality is top class,” he says. Businessman Devan Raghavan relishes his Sunday brunches not only for the spread of food but also for the unhurried pace it offers. “A Sunday is special. Your house help does not turn up, you don’t want to cook and so the best option is the brunch,” he says. Devan speaks of combining a business meeting in a brunch as there is a choice of food for people and unlimited hours to chat over. He is thrilled at the variety of food available. “It’s generally half a kilometre long buffet. If you don’t like it spicy there is a continental option, if you like naadan, or Chinese, or breads or fish specialities it is all there. Now if you are too fastidious or undecided, the chef rustles up something especially for you. There is personalised attention. The Sunday brunch is a great concept,” he says. Devan frequents Hotel Le Meridien.
Preea says that the rates that range from Rs. 750 up to Rs. 2,000 are value for money because it is such valuable time spent happily with the family.
There are many like Devan and Preea sold out on the brunch and the hotels are responding in style—offering unlimited hospitality.
(Photo courtesy: Hotel Le Meridien, Ramada Resort, Xandari Harbour and Hotel Casino )
