"This is Brampton's secret," says Amit Talreja.  He's vice president and general manager of Chez Monet Bistro & Lounge and the Holiday Inn Select Toronto-Brampton, which has been going strong for the past 26 years.

They've done it with a cuisine reflecting Brampton's diversity of cultures.  Head chef Praveen Chilkuri's menu ranges from chicken souvlaki to Atlantic salmon, from steaks to chicken Tikka wraps, from their signature Goan Prawn Curry, to vegetarian dishes.

"We cater to all age groups,all assortments of international tastes, and all price ranges – from $5 to $30 on the various items," he says.  "The pricing, food service, and ambience is exceptional."

"Everybody can come in and partake," he adds.  "People have this misconception we cater only to the hotel patrons.  That is definitely off the mark.  We cater to all, and you get your money's worth.  Our quality is par excellence."

Chez Monet is located, "right in the centre of town," next to the newly renovated Bramalea City Centre, and the newly expanded Region of Peel building.  "In terms of heritage, culture and being a landmark, we are to Brampton what the Sheraton Centre is to downtown Toronto – right in the heart of the financial, entertainment and shopping districts," he comments.  "We're 10 times smaller – we're a 145-room hotel, with 14,000 square foot of function space – but we're more intimate."

They can seat up to 140 for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

A longstanding tradition here is the Full Hot American Breakfast Buffet served to some 100-plus patrons every morning, from 6 to 10.  For your $13.99 you get a smorgasbord of homemade waffles, pancakes, pastries, danishes, croissants, bagels, their signature cinnamon buns, cereals, fresh cut seasonal fruits, flavoured yogurts, and steaming hot sausages, before making a stop at the Live Egg Station, where, "you can design your eggs to any type you want."

"For the hearty individual, we've got egg tortillas, bacon, sausages, pastries," he continues.  "We've got it all."

"Some people don't like the buffet setup.  For them we have a special a la carte menu."

Another well-entrenched tradition is Chez Monet's annual Mother's Day brunch buffet, which returns on Sunday, May 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Caledon Ballroom.  The brunch offers a flavourful and fresh array of pastas, seafood, roast prime rib, deli meat platters, assorted fresh salads, the Life Egg Station, homemade waffles, and other breakfast favourites.

Plus, there will be live entertainment – the fine singer/guitarist Denise Fex – and the chance to win 15,000 Priority Club reward points which can be used at any of the 3,500 Holiday Inn Hotels worldwide.

"This is, every year, a huge success," Talreja says.  "We've had patrons attending this for over a decade and every year the family grows – there's a new marriage in the family, or a new child, and they bring them to the brunch."

The Mother's Day brunch buffet is $29.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids aged four to 12.  Call the reservations line at (905) 799-6313.

Chez Monet also plays host to private breakfast parties and business functions.

"Irrespective of what time you choose to eat, you can order lower-priced items, or specialty items, and room service," he adds.  "We can deliver the same product to your room."

Chez Monet Lounge opens at 5pm each evening, with assorted cocktails.

"We have one regular who recently celebrated the 25^th year of meeting his wife here," he relates.  "He met her by the fireplace in the lounge."

The open atmosphere at Chez Monet is reflected by both its location in the atrium-style lobby and the hotel's Asian/Indian décor -- you're greeted by a sandalwood sculpture of Lord Ganesh - Indian symbol of the remover of all evils and two brass ladies holding a candle, signifying a welcome to all visitors.  At the front desk, there's a single line inscription, 'Love all, serve all'.

"This is our hotel philosophy," Talreja explains.  "It's very simple – no large, elaborate mission statement."

Those good vibes have spread out into the community, as Chez Monet has developed a "very strong relationship" with the City of Brampton, the Region of Peel, and the Board of Trade.

And sitting no more than five kilometre from the happening downtown, at the corner of Queen and Dixie, they have high hopes of tapping into the buzz.  "We are excited about the revitalization plans for the downtown core – the programs developed by the Mayor's office," he says.

"Brampton remains the last remaining secret in the Toronto area.  People still don't recognize the potential of Brampton."

www.businesstimes.on.ca