The Leela Palace is one of the most expensive hotels to stay at in Bangalore, apparently costing up to USD500 equivalent night. Internally it’s spectacularly decorated with rose coloured marbled columns holding up the high ceilings. As you walk into the complex, it’s easy to realise this is not your average hotel as you’re stunned with the smell of fresh rose petals.
The Leela Palace is known for many things including its library room (to be covered in another entry) and its famous Champagne Brunch at their restaurant, Citrus. At INR2000 (£26) per person, this meal is comparatively much more expensive as a place to eat though is well worth the money for a special occasion.
Its food range is unmatched by other restaurants in Bangalore, offering salads, soups, cold plates, Indian food, Chinese food, grilled foods, Japanese food, a number of Western dishes and an entire bar of desserts on offer. They even offer a specialised kids food section, at the perfect height for a very small child.
Better yet, you can order pretty much any sort of drink you like although Indian champagne is the standard drink offered to everyone. Although I’m not a huge fan of champagne, the drink on offer is actually very drinkable. Looking around, there’s nothing stopping you from ordering alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, different types of lassis, other soft drinks and bottled water as well.
I’m typically not impressed by service in places like this, but the waiters tended to come by enough to fill up our glasses, take away our plates and generally be around to ask for other drinks without being excessively “in your face”. We stayed for a decent three and half hours enjoying the alfresco dining and the cover band dishing out live music and managed to not stuff ourselves too much.
It’s a great experience that I think you have to do once, and although apparently the Olive Beach offers a better brunch buffet, Leela still offers an impressive experience.
Location: At the Citrus restaurant found in the Leela Palace
Details: Champagne Brunch at Citrus
Found at: >Citrus Restaurant, Leela Palace, 23 Airport Road, Bangalore, 560 008, India
Cost: INR2000 per person includes all food and drink
The Kua Rating: 8.5 out of 10