In the simpler times buffet was like a marriage party. Quantity mattered. So one starved oneself and then ate as if there was no tomorrow, often piling the plate high with all foods mixed up and down the gullet. Then there was a change, heralded by the likes of The Oberoi’s 360 and Machan where food became posh. Slowly the focus shifted from maximizing the quantity of food to maximizing the fine dining experience. This was taken up a few notches up by Spectra at The Leela and K3 at JW Marriott who took inspiration from the legendary buffets in Las Vegas and spared no effort in laying out a 150-200 dish real posh buffet with many live counters and ample amount of bubbly thrown in.
I am here at the invitation of Pullman Hotel to try out their brunch. I meet Chef Ajay Anand, their humble and charming Culinary Director who takes me around the buffet.
Chef Ajay Anand
Being a late entrant, Pullman has taken a different approach keeping in mind the smaller size of their 24-hour coffee shop, Pluck. One, they have focused on the produce they get from their small in-house farm for freshest ingredients in a seasonal menu, to embrace a farm-to-table philosophy.
Interiors
And two, they have more than enough staff to reduce your frequent walks to the buffet station. In fact the Indian starters section comes to you and you can choose what you want.
Vegetables and fruits display
All this is great. But how is the taste of the food? Nothing great would be my verdict. Among the dishes I try, of course I love the lightly marinated curried scallop grilled because I am crazy about scallops. Herb marinated shrimps is also tasty. But the unfortunate choice of sole in the mini river sole fillet makes it not very likeable. I would any day prefer Indian salmon which is far tastier and not costly either.
Seafood Display Sushi
Prunes Stuffed Roasted Lamb leg has gone so dry it tastes like leather, so I give up after a couple of futile attempts to try to eat it.
Roasted Lamb leg Roast Chicken
In fact most of the dishes I try have deteriorated due to being kept out in the buffet and drying up. These include Chermoulablissed Snapper, Red wine braised lamb shanks with grilled polenta, market greens (the polenta cake is yum though), Dimsums and Sushi.
Chermoulablissed Snapper Red wine braised lamb shanks
Veg Antipasti Dimsums
From the Indian section I try the Golgappa innovation which does not really succeed. The golgappa water has been spherified and called golgappa caviar, but I really miss the experience of the water ball bursting in the mouth and the spicy water rushing down the gullet. Galouti kebab is competent.
Gol gappas Cajun Chicken
Pan seared semolina cakes Tapas Bar
The dessert section has an impressive display of fresh fruits, being sliced on demand, and a baked dessert selection that looks good but has nothing memorable.
Their buffet has just begun so I am sure it will only get more and more impressive. For the vegetarians, fit foodies and the newly emerging freshitarians, it can be a great option.
Please note: This review was done on an invitation from the restaurant to taste their food, and no bill was presented to the author. While the author assures you of objectivity, the review may be influenced by the personalized attention the author got.
Ratings (Out of 5)
Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 4.5 | Value: 3.5 | Overall: 4.0
Meal price: Champagne Brunch - Rs 3750 per person++
Sparkling Brunch - Rs 3250 per person++
Food Lover’s Brunch (non-alcoholic) – Rs 2500 per person++
Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: Yes
Address: Asset No 02 GMR Hospitality District, New Delhi, 110037. Tel: 011 4608 0808
Aalok Wadhwa | |
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Pluck | |
Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, Asset 2, Aerocity Hospitality District, IGI Airport, New Delhi
Telephone: 011 4608 0808 view on a map
Opening Hours: 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12 Noon to 3 PM, 7 PM to 11:30 PM
Cuisine:
North Indian,
European
Average Price: Rs. 3000 - 5000
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