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Cafe Mercara Express reveals New Menu


When Indian brands do good, it fills our heart and soul with pride. One of our favorite brands is the ITC. Especially their hotels and restaurants, that show highest integrity and always strive to stand true to their motto of Responsible Luxury. 

The coordination between all the ITC Hotels is amazing. Recently the 24 hour dining cafes at all ITC Hotels launched their new menu, exactly same time.

It was wonderful to be part of the Pan Indian Bloggers Meet #TrendingAtPavilion, with us being invited by Cafe Mercara Express at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. Every ITC Hotel in India had the same kind of meet at the same time. 



Caringly Selected, Mindfully Prepared, the menu reflects healthy food from various cuisines, keeping in mind the No wastage, Eco system, and lifestyle priorities of the guests. 


ITC Hotels was the first company in India to adopt the Choose Wisely program. WWF-India and ITC Hotels have worked together for two years on the Choose Wisely program and recently agreed to extend it across all ITC restaurants.

WWF is a leading conservation organization with a global network active in more than 100 countries working on issues related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

The new menu with ‘Chose Wisely’, classifies fish using a traffic light rating system of red, orange and green.

We were taken on the journey of tasting the delightful new menu through the specially curated set menu for the day by Chef Nikhil Merchant. 

BEVERAGES: 
It was a good beginning with the Pavilion Pure range of healthy drinks.
For tasting purposes, these were served in shot glasses for us.


Detoxifier: Apple Carrot and Ginger

Cleanser: Watermelon Beetroot and Mint

BNatural Jamun and Mint Middle


I loved the Cleanser Pure drink out of the three. Fresh, healthy and rejuvenating!


During the course of the meal, we also ordered some of the Mojitos: One Orange and a Kiwi flavoured Mocktails. I liked the Orange based Mocktail, better.  


FOOD:

From the Morning Energizers, we were had the Tulsi seed and Indian summer fruit Muesli, served with orange cinnamon yoghurt. So yummy that I can have this daily for breakfast. The name and the ingredients definitely give an energy boost. So fresh, cool and must have morning treat.


Next came the Crusty Bread with house dip (Green Goddess) While the bread was fine, the dip was remarkable. So creamy and cool. 

SOUP


From the Tureen: Carrot and Coconut Puree. It was garnished with carrot papers and basil croutons. This was soup for the soul. So creamy and lip smacking. The toppings were super exotic and great compliments to the soup. 

SALAD: 



Burrata and Beet. It was served with sea salt, parsley drizzle, and Mesclun Greens. 
That's artwork on my plate and I so loved it. 
Regarding the Taste - One word: Brilliant!!! Such a classic dish, presented so well with every element on point. This was the best looking dish and each corner painted well in taste aspect too.

APPETISERS: 



Quinoa Shakarkandi Kebab (Kitchens of India): Soft, melt in mouth and awesome veg option.


Vazhapoo Cutlet (Local Love): Deep Fried Banana Flower Cutlets, flavored with cumin, fennel powder, served with ginger and tamarind chutney. 
My pick from the starters. That crust and the deliciousness within won me.

Asian Shrimp Fritters (World Cuisine): The way the shrimps were wrapped in Nori sheets and batter fried, was classy. Tastewise, it was okay.

MAINS: 



World Kitchen: Brie En Croute. This was by far a heavy dish being a bib of cheese. The taste didn't impress me much.


World Kitchen: Chicken Soltado. This is comfort food and was presented in a very simple manner, the way it should be. I liked it.


From the Indian section, we were served some curries from the Local Love menu with lots of love:

Vendagi Korma: Button mushrooms, green peas and fresh fenugreek cooked in coconut milk.
Uralaichery: Roasted pumpkin and potatoes cooked with fresh green chillies, turmeric and coconut cream.
Tomato Pappu: Toor Dal and Tomatoes cooked in select South Indian spices tempered with Red Chilli and Garlic.
Melagu Kozhi Chettinad: Spicy Chicken Preparation cooked with tomato, onion, and Chettinadu spices.

Each gravy has its own distinct flavor and correct spices. South Indian curries with some Indian breads and rice.

DESSERTS: 


The sweet treats were a Treat to the Eyes


Sweet Adventures: Kulfi Falooda with Tulsi seeds on Rabdi served with Pomegranate Glaze, and Pistachio soil
. Inspite of not being a Kulfi fan, I loved this one. It was a the authentic malai kulfi, so rich and yumm. The Rabdi was damn good. The pista soil alone didn't contribute much to the awesomatic dessert.



Sweet Adventures: MIlk Chocolate parfait with Darjeeling Tea Namelak. Perfect ending to a lovely meal. The chocolate sauce and the parfait were the highlight of the dish. It was served with a Raspberry Sorbet. The sorbet did help in cutting down the sweetness of chocolate, but it felt a bit bitter, like black-current.

OVERALL: 
All good things come to an end, and so did this meet up. Hospitality as usual was excellent.

No comments on prices as we were there on invitation.

I like the way the sections are segregated on the menu. The favorites have been kept intact, and newness imbibed taking care of the current trends. Health, natural resources, abundant resources, caring cooking methods and highest quality in every aspect, is reflected in the new Menu.

A blend of Local Love and World Cuisine, there is something for everyone. 

P.S We would like to thank ITC for inviting us to try the vast variety of delicacies from the new menu. We being regular guests there, now we know what to order and also plan to try the other dishes from the well curated huge menu. 

Pictures are by Dheepan Prakash

And if all the pictures and the food entire you to go now and have something yummy, their reservation number is 044 30853758. You can go anytime you want as it is a 24 hours cafe :)










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