A Sunday brunch is always exciting. Taking your time through a maze of food spread in front of you, slowly enjoying your beverage and food over a long period of time while merry making with your company, is what a brunch is all about. In a city like Kolkata, it was always the 5 star hotels which laid out Sunday brunches. However, in the recent times, standalone restaurants are also taking the leap of laying out Sunday brunches and in most cases, they are always a hit. When we talk about a Sunday brunch, we usually mean a buffet starting with cold cuts, bread and salads, leading to appetizers, main course and then desserts and the cuisine is usually Global. And then there are a few handpicked places in the city, which lay out the splendor of Pan Asian brunches. Here are the best Pan Asian Sunday brunches in Kolkata and in no particular order of preference.
Pan Asian, ITC Sonar
It is said that if you have not treated yourself at the Pan Asian Sunday brunch, then you have missed something. It is an experience par excellence. Right from the moment you step in, you are taken aback by the expanse of this very contemporary restaurant and the way the food is laid out in various places, covering the entire space. The Peking duck catches your eye and it is served in soft baos with a choice of sauces and crunchy elements. From beautifully rolled sushis in boats to delicate dimsums and an array of other appetizers, Pan Asian brunch takes you through a culinary journey of the entire region and the best part is that, it is difficult to point out, which cuisine is better here. The curries from South East Asia or the Yakitoris and the teppanyaki from Japan or the Chinese stir fries; every dish is splendid. The band of men playing saxophone and other instruments is quite captivating alongside.
Brunch Cost: INR 2600 plus tax with unlimited soft beverage. Additional INR 899 for unlimited premium spirits and additional INR 1499 per person for unlimited super premium spirits
Vintage Asia, JW Marriott
This Pan Asian restaurant is a class apart. It has set new standards to Pan Asian dining experience in the city. With the new expat chef at the helm of affairs, the brunch here presents all their signature dishes in the menu. It is not a laid out brunch but pan to plate. It is a set menu brunch but the amount of food that they give is bound to knock your socks off. Aromatic soups, spunky appetizers, which also include some masterfully executed dimsums, start the show. The soups here have a great depth of flavour and even though you do not want to fill yourself up with watery substance, you end up polishing the soup off the bowl. The food is more of Chinese and Thai delicacies. Sichuan pepper corn fried chicken, chong qin style hot pot chicken, mushrooms and other exotic vegetables in a spicy paste, burnt garlic spring onion fried rice and many more from the Main land China finds its way into the set menu brunch. By the time your reach for the desserts, where there is the classic tub tim krob of candied water chestnuts in cold coconut cream, you are more than satiated.
Brunch Cost: INR1699 AI with soft beverage. INR1999 AI with select alcohol and sparkling wine. INR2999 AI for Champagne brunch.
Vintage Asia had chef Alexsander Chang joining in recently. Read our experience here
The Fatty Bao, Kolkata
Location: Fort Knox, Camac Street
This standalone national brand has brought in contemporary Pan Asian cooking to the forefront. At a very catchy price point, they present a fabulous Sunday brunch consisting of 42 dishes in all. Other than the sushis, everything else comes on order to the table from the menu. You get to pick and choose whatever you want from the menu, with no restriction on the quantity and it is served at the table. The appetizers are so much and so good that one ends up not being able to try the main course, which is equally attractive. Sambal marinated grilled fish, prawn and garlic chive dimsum, coconut prawn in spicy curry mayo, chili crab and prawn bao are some of the top draws from the small plates. Main course sees a lining of curries from South East Asian region and a couple of Chinese sauces with a choice of proteins or vegetables. These are coupled with a variety of noodles and rice.
Brunch Cost: INR1400 plus tax for food only. INR2200 plus tax for food and alcohol. INR2600 plus tax for food with premium spirits. INR700 plus tax for kids under 10 years.
We posted about the inauguration of The Fatty Bao and its one of our favourite go to places
Pa Pa Ya, Kolkata
Location: Level 11, Magma House, Park Street
The only restaurant in the city to provide a panoramic 360 degree view of Central Kolkata, this place is swanky in every bit of it, be it the food or the ambience. The Sunday Brunch is a spectacular extravaganza with some delicious food presented in a unique modern style and with complex flavours. Before you think that it is going to be all about non vegetarian food, their vegetarian selection is extremely impressive. Asparagus and cream cheese sushi, spicy shitake sushi amongst the many are pure heaven. Interesting dim sums, Asian take on tacos and a whole lot of other appetizers, some of which use molecular gastronomy is a good beginning to a stunning meal. All kinds of proteins find their way into the main course with noodles and rice in various flavours to end with the signature chocolate ball of fire.
Brunch Cost: INR1600 plus taxes per person
This is what we felt when Pa Pa ya had opened and soon it will turn 1 year . Have you been there ?
So where are you going next Sunday