As a sucker for minimalist architecture and tasteful décor, it is pretty obvious that on entering Tamra, it was love at first sight! Tamra, the all-day dining restaurant at Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel, is quite possibly the most gorgeous venue for a Champagne Sunday Brunch in Delhi. The word “Tamra” is derived from the Sanskrit word for “copper”, and the interiors cleverly incorporate copper elements in every nook and corner of the restaurant. In some places, copper elements are integrated in a more subtle manner, for instance, the use of copper cauldrons at some stations, whereas in other places, such as the ‘Infinity Table’, there is a Subodh Gupta-esque arrangement of copper pans suspended above the table, all courtesy of the Dubai-based firm, Stickman Designs. If you sit here, you can be excused for constantly glancing at the mirrors on either end, as they truly give the spectacular visual of an endless table.
The restaurant can seat an astounding 186 guests but the well-thought out and spacious layout means you never feel like it is at full capacity, even when it is. Tables are segregated with elegant vertical jute-rope dividers, rolling pins, and the large windows ensure that you really get the kick of sunshine you need after a late Saturday night. The tables have a light-colored wood finish, and Nordic-inspired chairs in greys, and a dusted orange. Each table had a generous bouquet of yellow lilies, which is always a delight. The Executive Chef is Neeraj Tyagi, while the Executive Sous Chef is Gagandeep Sawhney. I experienced some of the best service in a long time under the care of a very polite team led by a gentleman, Naveen.
The cuisine is truly global since they have a Sushi-Teppanyaki station, a Seafood bar, Asian (Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Chinese), Indian (North and South Indian), European food, as well as homemade desserts. The salad bar has a large variety of cold cuts, cheeses, olives, as well as some really delicious hummus–seriously, one tablespoon wasn’t enough.
I started my Brunch with a lightly-sweetened virgin Mojito, and a trip to the Sushi bar from where I filled up my plate with salmon nigiri and vegetarian sushi rolls. I then visited the salad bar and came back with a large helping of tabbouleh, hummus, roasted peppers and tenderloin carpaccio. Everything on my plate was pleasantly seasoned, with distinct and fresh flavors. The salmon tasted very fresh and the sushi rice had a very nice consistency. I must also mention that our beverages came in adorable ceramic Hawaaiian Tiki-inspired glasses, each with a unique design.
Although I chose the Asian counter over the Indian one, I walked by the Indian counter and the smell of fresh naan wafted across the room. On a day when I am feeling particularly ravenous, I might try a few dishes from each of the cuisines. I then filled up a bowl with some Thai Green Curry, and another with Mapu Tofu. I stayed away from rice since I wanted to save room for dessert. While the Thai Green Curry was a little too sweet for my liking, it wasn’t too spicy, which means I did not feel the need for rice. The consistency of the curry was very nice and smooth, and the kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and ginger were perfectly balanced and the vegetables were al-dente, which I like. However, I found that the Mapu Tofu actually hit all the right notes for me. The silken tofu literally melted on my tongue, and the gravy contained large, unbroken pieces of tofu, which were a pleasure to eat. The chilli oil used for the dish was delicate with just the right hit of spiciness, while the ratios of pepper, garlic, and salt were just right. Having eaten two full bowls for the main, I decided to move onto the highly anticipated array of desserts.
The dessert counter at Tamra is worth looking at, even if you don’t have room for dessert. There is a stainless steel tree-like structure, towering above everyone who walks by, with little jars of jam at the ends of it, reminiscent of a tree laden with dangling fruits. Two functional and gorgeous black ovens form a beautiful backdrop for the desserts on display, as does the chocolate fountain. I wanted to go for sugarfree options only (they have a chocolate nut brownie, as well as fresh berries and cream, both sugarfree), but I couldn’t resist also trying the sugar-full lemon cheesecake and perfectly tempered and handcrafted cinnamon-chocolate truffle. The lemon cheesecake was heavenly and the truffle was gorgeous, both, to look at and to eat. I do think I would have savored it more if I were eating it after a smaller meal. Additionally, I usually find that sugarfree desserts in the city are cloyingly sweet because of the heavy-handed use of artificial sweeteners. However, at Tamra, the fresh berries and cream, as well as the chocolate nut brownie were perfectly balanced, especially in terms of sweetness while still tasting decadent and sinful.
I can’t wait to spend a Saturday night at the bar, followed by a relaxed Sunday Brunch at Tamra. Oh, and did I forget to mention? For each meal at Tamra, you are granted access to the swimming pool for a dip! I challenge you to think of a better way to spend your weekend!
Where: Sunday Brunch at Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel, 19 Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi
When: 12 Noon to 3:30 PM
How much:
Rs. 2750+TAX (Includes cocktails, beer and mocktails)
Rs. 3500+TAX (Includes Moet Chandon champagne)
Rs. 1500+TAX (Kid’s buffet)
P.S- I got the images from the PR team handling Tamra.
