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Cafe Mercara Express @ ITC Grand Chola : New menu launch

12/28/2016

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Cafe Mercara Express in the all Day diner at the ITC Grand Chola. It is the ITCGC version of the 'Pavillion' brand of the 24 Hour coffee shops at all the ITC hotels Pan India. The ITC has done a reboot of the Pavillion menu pan India and We sampled some of the new offerings in the Menu.

The underlying concept has been very obviously to provide more  'healthy options' in the menu and as pointed out by the chefs the concept they have worked on is "Carefully Selected and Mindfully prepared"

We started the afternoon with the Fresh Juices which were served in 'Short glasses' which were labelled 'Pavillion Pure'

1. Cleanser :  a mixture of Beetroot, Watermelon and Mint
2. De toxifier : A mixture of carrot, apple and ginger
3. 'From scratch Refresher': B natural Jamun and Mint muddle, which boosts immunity and bone strength.
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'Pavillion Pure' juices
Healthy Breakfast menu
​
Tulsi seed and Indian summer fruit Muesli, served with orange cinnamon yoghurt. This basically consisted of a glass jar filled with rich Orange Cinnamo yoghurt , populated with swollen tulsi seeds and topped with fresh seasonal cut fruits.
The dish was a perfect 'Indianized' Mueselli 
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Tulsi seed and Indian summer fruit Muesli,
Soup

Carrot and Coconut puree soup which was served on to a bowl of carrot paper and Basil Croutons

The Bread:

Crusty bread with a 'Green Godess' house dip: The bread was literally reeking of 'Health' being made of Multiple grains of Amaranth, Wheat and Rye.
The Green Godess dip consisted of Mint, relsih, cream cheese , chilly, ginger and bread crunbs.
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Carrot and Coconut puree soup
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Crusty bread with a 'Green Godess' house dip
Salads
Burratta and Beets :  Burratta (An italian fresh cheese which is made of an outer later of Mozarella and consisting of an inner layer of cream cheese) was served in the midst of Roasted Capsicum(s) Sauce and Garnished with Balsamic Vinegar Pearls, Pickled Beetroot, Orange slivers and pine nut were served alongsides fesh green salad.
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Burratta and Beets
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Burrata garnished with Balsalmic vinegar pearls
Appetizers

We tasted appetizers from three different sections of the menu :

Quinoa Shakarkandi kebab (Kitchens of India) : Kebabs made of Roasted sweet potato, caraway seeds and raw mango


Vazhaipoo cutlet (Local Love) : Deep Fried Banana Flower Cutlets, flavored with cumin, fennel powder, served with ginger and tamarind chutney. 

Asian shrimp fritters (World cuisine) :  Fresh Shrimp wrapped in Nori Sheets and Batter fried.

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Quinoa Shakarkandi kebab
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Vazhaipoo cutlet
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Asian shrimp fritters
Mains

Brie en Croute : Brie cheese served in a Croute of Sheeted Puff pastry Served with Asparagus spears, snow peas and wine soaked grape.
Wonderful taste though felt extremely heavy after all the starters.

Chicken Solatado : Peruvian Stir fried Chicken served with fried potatoes and grilled onions with steamed rice.

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Brie en Crout
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Brie en Croute : The soft Brie cheese oozing out of the Puff pastry Croute
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Chicken Solatado
Desserts

Kulfi Falooda:  A stick of malai Kulfi served in a Jar of Rabdi with Tulsi seeds, served with Pomegranate glaze and pistachio soil served with a syringe of strawberry syrup. The dish tasted as good as it looked.

Rasberry Sorbet along with Milk chocholate parfait with darjeeling tea namelak
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Kulfi Falooda:
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Rasberry Sorbet along with Milk chocholate parfait with darjeeling tea namelak
The Menu is extensive and has different sections for various Cruisines to cater to the diverse clientele staying at the property. There has been a very concious choice by the chefs to inculcate healthy recipes, source locally available food and follow theer guiding principle of 'Responsible Luxury' by following the princeple of 'Chose Wisely' along with WWF.


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