weekend brunch

Oh the sweet joy of not having to wake up to the agony of your 7am alarm clock! Yes, weekend mornings are for sleeping in and day-dreaming, and the cold winter chills are added incentives. If you are feeling lazy, then embrace it and don't feel guilty as weekends are a perfect time to revitalise yourself!

SNUGGLE closer to your pillow and warm comforter and let the wintry morning lull give you a much needed rest. However, your stomach will soon start growling if you do not get yourself a sumptuous and filling meal. A brunch, which is having a heavy breakfast at lunch time, is a great option if you wake up late and crave something energetic and comforting.
You could treat yourself out for a delicious brunch at various cafes and restaurants in Dhaka city, with brunch menus ranging from pancakes, crepes, and smoothies to 'deshi' style beef 'bhuna', 'nehari', eggs and 'paratha'. Also, what is breakfast without steaming hot coffee or 'malai cha?' So definitely finish your leisurely brunch with a cup of warm tea or coffee. Here is a review of several cafes and restaurants that offer brunch:

George's Café
Located near the Sector 1 bridge of Uttara, this New York themed café has emerged as the ultimate hang out place for people of all ages. You can come in groups or alone, enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a variety of brunch options. The omelette of the day is quite popular along with buttermilk pancakes, hash browns, steaks and freshly made yoghurt-fruit parfait. Seasonal juices and smoothies are also offered to supplement your meal. Their brunch menu is available from 9am to 4pm on weekends and price ranges from Tk.150-450 for one person. You can also get take-away or order online from Foodpanda and HungryNaki. This café is certainly a place to check out if you feel like you need a restful getaway.
 

Water Garden Brasserie Restaurant, Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel Start your weekend with a hearty brunch at the Water Garden Brasserie, Raddison Blu Water Garden Hotel. The “Friday Family Brunch” lets you relax and offers exciting games and entertainment facilities for your children. You can relish a buffet brunch of assorted croissants, Danish pastries, cheese platter, roasted beef, lamb shanks, steak and eggs, and of course chocolate, blueberry and buttermilk pancakes.
You can also opt for healthy salads, soups and gourmet breads. Your children can feast upon fish fingers, mini burgers, spaghetti, hot dogs, waffles, chocolate sauce with marshmallows and candy apples. The brunch buffet is available only on Fridays from 11.30am-3.30pm and is priced at Tk.3100 for adults and Tk.1800 for children. On Saturdays you can order breakfast a la carte or set breakfast menus that range from continental, Bengali to healthy fit.

Tastebud
Tastebud, located in the heart of Banani, is offering 'lazy weekend brunches' for those who have had a hectic weekend and would like to be pampered. You can order online through websites such as Foodpanda and Hungry Naki, and indulge in breakfast in bed. The restaurant is open for brunch until 2.30pm on weekends and there are two set menus you can choose from.
Set menu 1 is priced at Tk450 and has a platter of chicken sausages, smoked turkey with eggs on bread, baked beans and potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, toasted bread, and tea or seasonal juice. Set menu 2 is priced at Tk400 and consists of chicken sausages, cheesy Spanish omelette, baked beans, hash browns, sautéed mushrooms, toasted bread, and tea or seasonal juice. In addition, you can have buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup at Tk140. Tastebud is also known for its assortment of baked delicacies such as cheesecakes, cupcakes and apple pies, and you can treat yourself a luscious dessert.

Pitha Ghor
How can you celebrate winter in Dhaka without revelling in traditional Bengali pithas? Having pithas is a unique way to cherish winter. Pitha Ghor branches have opened up in various locations in Dhaka, namely in Uttara, Bailey Road, Bashundhara and Gulshan 1. These bustling joints are very popular and offer takeaways, although you can eat while standing on the sidewalk. Prices range from Tk15-35 for finger licking puli, patishapta, pakan and kheer puli pithas. You can also try out spicy samosas, shingaras and momos if you are craving a spicy meal. Pitha Ghor branches are open from 10am to10pm.

Crepe-au-Lait
Crepe-au-Lait is a French inspired crepe café located in Gulshan. It is cosy and playful, a place where people come to unwind and revive their creative juices. Crepes are thin pancakes served with all sorts of yummy fillings. There are sweet and creamy crepes as well savoury and mouth warming vegetarian and meat-based ones. You can choose from a multitude of crepes: Oscar Chicken, Roast Beef, Veggie Delight, Banana Nutella, Strawberry, and Jamaican to name a handful. Prices range from Tk400-1100 and the café is open 7am until midnight on weekends.

Star Kabab
Nothing beats having buttery parathas and naan with spicy dal fry, beef bhuna and nehari. You have accomplished the difficult task of leaving your warm bed, and now you must devour a guilt-free brunch. You deserve the break after a busy week, and Star Kabab, arguably the best place to offer deshi meals, will live up to your expectations. You can choose from a rich array of naan and parathas with eggs, halwa, beef nehari, beef and mutton bhuna. These are available throughout the day, along with Star's well known malai-cha. Prices range from Tk. 8-150.
Dhaka city has a lot to offer for taking some time out, relaxing, and truly pampering yourself. It is very important to not get lost in the busyness of urban life. Explore, try something new and rejuvenate for a new week!

Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed