A Five Star Lunch

One of the experiences I enjoy when on holiday is that lunchtime is not the same as when you are at home. On our last trip to Mauritius, some family members decided to treat us to a day of luxury. We were taken to The Intercontinental Hotel for the day where we could relax on the chaises lounges, swim in the sun-warmed pools and walk on the pristine beaches. For lunch, we dined at the on-site restaurant,  Segala.

Entrance to Segala. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The entrance to the restaurant appealed to me: I loved the green décor  and the fact that we were not enclosed by walls and windows. We were still sitting outside, warmed by the sun and hearing the waves as they lapped up on the beach.

Tables waiting for diners. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

Our party was quite large and tables were pushed next to one another so that we could eat together. The table setting was simple (we were, after all, eating outside) and yet stylish.

My table setting. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The cover of the menu matched well with the décor, and added to the  light-hearted atmosphere of the day.

The menu. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

I read the inside caption and enjoyed the poetry of it:

The promise. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

As at any other restaurant  the waiters brought a little bread to the table for us to nibble on while we waited for our food.

Bread and snack while waiting for food. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The bread I could do without, but the little titbits were delicious. I admit to eating a few mouthfuls of the pickled vegetable: it reminded me a bit of my childhood and when we ate it at home (I really must try to make it myself one day!).

A snack to nibble on. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

None of us at the table are drinkers and we opted to try the non-alcoholic beverages. I found them a little too sweet – but the children gulped them down. The simple drink was beautifully presented though – I liked the touch of lemon and mint.

A range of non-alcoholic drinks. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

As can be expected, the children opted to eat pizza. Thin-based and crispy, this pizza is not at all what one would buy at “Pizza-Pizza”. The unusual toppings tasted delicious as well – very Mauritian.

A pizza. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

The adults ordered the other items on the menu. The plates, when they arrived, were beautifully decorated. This was the starter my husband and I shared. I cannot remember what it was, but it did taste heavenly.

A gourmet lunch. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

For my main meal, I ordered the catch of the day. The fish had been caught that day and was cooked to perfection. the flesh was soft and flaked off easily onto my fork.

Catch of the day. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

My husband opted for the curried prawns – delicious as well.

Curried prawns. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

Our gourmet meal was ended with simple desserts. The children opted for mango sorbet. Delicius, creamy and smooth.

Mango sorbet. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

By the time all the children had received their dish of creamy mango, the adults had to choose something else as they had run out. My husband chose the litchi ice-cream. Good, but not as yummy as the mango!

Litchi ice-cream. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

I decided on the fruit platter. I enjoyed the fruit of the season – especially the grenadilla, a fruit I do not get to eat in Canada.

The fruit platter. © Colline Kook-Chun, 2013

We all enjoyed our meal at the Segala restaurant: the food, the company, and the environment. It is not often we eat a five star lunch, which made the meal even more special. Would I eat there again? Most definitely! There are other items on the menu to try 🙂

When is the last time you ate a gourmet meal?

(This post was inspired by Michelle’s prompt, Lunchtime, at WordPress.com)

© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013