With a royal touch

THIS IS life! Sitting in the cool comfort of Cilantro, all day dining centre or in plain speak coffee shop of the Le Royal Meridian I couldn't help purring in utter contentment. Outside, it was water fountains and different shades of green, and inside listening to muted strains I was enjoying the near sublime union of Fish Terrine and Pesto sauce. Was it the Zen masters or Deepak Chopra who talked about living the moment?

Sunlight. Sunlight without the sweaty heat, that's the magic of Cilantro. The view adds to the ambience. Then, of course, the food. The combination is an all out winner that will not fail to charm even the most jaded visitor. The buffet counter with its salad, cold cuts and bread display is really easy on the eye. The choice is so extensive that it simply overwhelms one. And I hear that the Japanese, Teppanyaki is also on the cards.

Since I'm a bit fussy about combining different styles, it was all continental for me that afternoon. To be more specific, it was the day of cold cuts, salads and breads. The Tuna salad is a delight. Galvanised by the sour tastes of olives my taste buds needed capers to enliven the Smoked fish. The salami platter reminded one of the Japanese Sashimi presentations picture perfect. Breads are lavished with a lot of attention and care at Cilantro. They are baked fresh for each meal. The hard crust bread came highly recommended and after the first bite, I had to admit that it justified every superlative showered on it.

Among the continental main courses, the potato and red pepper, Patata Pomodoro with Cipolla and Baked vegetable with olives stood out. The butterfly pasta with peanut cream sauce too had an interesting personality. There was also an almost equal number of Oriental dishes like the Crab in chilli coriander sauce. The Indian section was more crowded than the Continental one.

Being a sugar junkie, usually the desserts is the best part of the meal for me. The 12-14 items Western desserts display (the Indian ones are separate) was the stuff that dreams are made of. Between the silken, quivery Watalappam, the Sri Lankan interpretation of the caramel custard and Almond Coffee brulei, it was difficult to choose. So I solved the problem by having them both and I'm yet to decide which was the better one. The indecision continued with the Linzer tart and Apple tart tartin too. So my advice is to have both. The nutty Baklava is a treat and the Rum and coconut mousseline, a rich temptation is lethal for one's waistline.

At Rs. 395/- plus taxes extra, the buffet offers more than food, its an experience. The landscaped gardens and the sheer size, hit you at the lobby itself. The artfully done lighting blends the artificial lighting with the natural. The Marketing and Public Relations Manager Julia Ruempol dispelled rumours that the cost of all the luxury and opulence are passed on to the customers. We are very competitive. What's the use in having so many rooms (243, actually) if they are too expensive for the customers? So there are special opening rates and then, the prices are very negotiable, she claims.

Anyway, the new bride in town is certainly a beauty, worth checking out.

MARIEN MATHEW

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