The new lunch menu at G Bar promises a range of European staples. And we can't get enough!

When one says ‘corporate lunch’ — it seems to signify a staid and stodgy affair. Well, at the G Bar, Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road, the experience is quite the contrary. With three new gin-based cocktails to look out for, the recently launched Trattoria Lunch is a three-course offering that we find works well for a languid brunch as well.

Shweta Gupta, Director, Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road, shares with us, “The focus at the menu at G bar is to give a lot of flavour,  balanced proteins, carbs and healthy combinations. The menu focuses on French and Italian.” It makes sense that she calls it comfort food (her personal favourite being the Napoli pizza) because that’s exactly how we’re feeling as we start to dig in. A heaped plate from the antipasti counter drizzled with honey mustard dressing keeps us engaged. The crunchy rocket salad and the fresh crisp lettuce gets us all upbeat, while the roasted artichoke, mushrooms, peppers and charred aubergines ensure we are craving for seconds soon. As we nibble on some cold cuts, cheese and dry fruits, we are served with a goblet of Zinatron. Apt for a sultry afternoon, this refreshing cocktail has strips of cucumber, orange peel, tonic and a dust of cinnamon.

Sea bass & spaghetti
From the mains we sample the Herb Roasted Baby Chicken, where the well-done roast sits on a bed of fried potato wedges and corn on cob, along with hollandaise sauce. The Paprika Butter Grilled Sea Bass is flaky with a crispy skin, where the pesto sauce and roasted veggies complete the flavour range. The Low Cal Zucchini Spaghetti is a tad bland and confirms the suspicion that it is an outright healthy meal! It seemed the right time to sip on the French 75 which is a potent drink that is topped with a chardonnay and a dash of sweet and sour. It quickly obliterates all previous tastes and works well as a heady amuse-bouche.  The star of the mains is the creamy Lobster, Crab & Prawn Ravioli that is delicious with the seafood meat shining through the rich white sauce and pasta. The perfectly toasted garlic bread complements the delicate flavours.

Sweet on you
While the dessert line up has the likes of Blue Berry Baked Yogurt, Saffron Cheese Cake and Baked Oats and Honey Pastry to satisfy our sweet tooth, we suggest instead that you order the dramatic Cafe Caribbean to finish the meal. And if you are lucky they might even set it afire for some Instagram worthy posts! The cocktail is dark and decadent with a dash of nutmeg and espresso as the dominant flavour — and will ensure that you linger at the G Bar longer than planned. If you are still hankering for a sweet finish — then the baked oats and honey slice is our favourite.

 At INR 599 plus taxes, for a three-course meal. At INR 899 plus taxes (including a cocktail or a beer).