Brunch is so yesterday. Say hello, to ‘drunch’. Hilton Chennai raises the spirits with an all-new concept at Vasco’s, their Global Cuisine restaurant, where as the semantics suggests, it is about drinking and lunch. It’s the brainchild of the General Manager Mr Ruban Das, who tells us, “We all know that brunch means extended breakfast with lunch options. We are bringing Drunch for the first time in the city. Imagine a Sunday where you are out for a leisurely meal — you have interactive kitchen to prepare a la minute dishes and a walk-in bar where we will assist you to make your own drink; as the afternoon progresses, our in-house duo band will make you groove to pop songs while the children can enjoy at the crafts corner.” Expect an easy picnic vibe mingled with gourmet food, tropical cocktails and languid afternoons. To emphasise the languid mood, timings have been extended, and you can now indulge here from 12.30 pm to 4 pm.
By the bar
With popular vocalist Nadisha Thomas crooning familiar covers in the background, we head to the open bar that is unlike any other — as you get to play bartender here. Buckets of pre-mixed cocktails and mocktails sit smokily (dry ice) cooling their bottoms while troughs of ice are stabbed with bottles of red, white and ample bubbly! We hear that the tropical Pina Colada is a fast mover at this walk-in bar, but we start with a satisfying, classic Mojito (we ignore the recipe on a helpful board — instead we let the bartender mix us a perfect one) and then try our hand at a lychee-based mocktail. Our enthusiasm gets us a sweet purple drink. Even as Chardonnays, Pinot Grigios and Proseccos beckon us next — we are smitten by the Fuljar Soda. A native of Kerala, this concoction has sweet soda that fizzes and pops when fresh ginger, green chillies and salt are toppled into it. A true summer refresher, we declare.
Life is a picnic
Speaking of unlike any — the vertical buffet is a fascinating addition. A tall rack is stacked with charming picnic baskets (red checkered napkin et al) stuffed with bottles of creamy mango milkshake, jars of cut fruits, moist, jammy cake slices and numerous options for sandwiches (including a variety of breads and fillings like fresh veggies and salami among others). We just grab a pre-made basket that also had an orange nestled among all the goodies. Next we try their extensive salad counter, which we nearly mistake to be the dessert section. The bite-sized offerings are plated with delicate and aesthetic attention to detail. In fact, the Polenta with Goat Cheese and Fig was just too pretty to be gobbled in one undignified mouthful! But that’s exactly what we did. The Prawn in Mango Salad is our favourite, while the classic water-melon and feta continues to reign.
Cheese factor
The generous cheese platter is piled high with fresh grapes, figs, dry fruits and crackers — from blue cheese, cheddar to Herb-infused Edam and Chavroux — and the spread complements the wine collection tastefully. Meanwhile, the salty and delicious range of cold cuts at their charcuterie station are also great options for that Chardonnay! The live grill stations and most of the popular cuisines of Bingeful Sundays have been retained. As we eye their dessert counter, we concede that the concept might have changed, with fascinating additions — however, bingeing continues to be on the cards!
Buffet meal, on Sundays only, at INR 2,000 plus taxes (non-alcoholic) and INR 2,300 plus taxes (alcoholic).