Daily Times

LAHORE: The creative team at Gourmet chose the name right.

Bon vivant means a person who is devoted to leading a sociable and a luxurious lifestyle. And palais in turn is a public hall that is used for dancing. Put together, these French and English words depict a grand hall where socialising and merriment are at their peak. One step inside, and you would know what I am talking about. The premises do not host a hotel, but the lobby and each of the designated floors for independent cuisines are built in a way, where you can bid your ordinary life adieu.

Having said that, we like how the food is priced economically and so the combination of grandeur meets affordability is irresistible.

Where the critics have been raving about the food quality and the ambience, Gourmet decided to turn their game up slightly a notch higher by introducing an executive third floor.

STRENGTHS: Titled Aver Caro, this floor offers state of the art facilities in executive lounges and boardrooms that are aesthetically designed to be a perfect place to host lunch parties, board meetings and corporate seminars.

Aver Caro, meaning truly expensive has been designed and furnished in a way, that makes it distinct and stand out from the rest of the floors of the Bon Vivant building; not that they’re any less classy themselves, but the whole atmosphere surrounding Aver Caro is unique in its own way.

The décor and furnishing is unapologetically gaudy, fit for a royal VIP gathering. One truly has to see it to believe it.

From lengthy wooden conference tables to leather chairs and settees, Aver Caro has impressive executive lounges and humongous boardrooms. It is the only floor in the entire building that offers food to be delivered from either one of the three floors.

Sparkling chandeliers, bright blue upholstered chairs, cosy off white sofas, gold shade napkins and royal crockery are what the inside premises are laden with.

The dimly lit dining halls exude an atmosphere depicting party mode and comfort.

The conference rooms give out a no-nonsense appeal; you know what’s their use and when to use them.

WEAKNESSES: A project that is so well structured and executed to perfection, has flaws, which are scant, however I do feel the theme of the third floor is not in harmony and could’ve been adjusted to one.

We found the lobby to be a bit under furnished. Perhaps, some more adornments might add to the sophistication of it.