Cocktails with brunch at The Crossing
Just because it’s attached to a health club doesn’t mean a brunch restaurant is leaving off the hollandaise on its eggs bene or skimping on candied walnuts for its French toast.
The licensed brunch destination, Elements by IHF, is part of IHF Health Club, which popped up in The Crossing in central Christchurch post-Covid.
After initially offering a members-only restaurant experience, IHF owner Dan Hood decided last year it was time to open up the brunch menu to everyone.
“From the quality of the food we’re producing ... having fulltime chefs, we took the plunge to make it available to the general public. It was where the birth of Elements by IHF came from.”
The lush site tucked away upstairs in The Crossing has table service and the option for diners to enjoy cocktails, “a glass of bubbles or anything they feel like, with their meal”.
The menu offers your usual brunch suspects, along with a few newbies, including eggs benedict, French toast, Japanese pancakes and spring gnocchi.
In the cabinet, there are also more substantial meals like a mexi bowl – a seasoned chicken dish that has also been popular.
Ensuring there were healthy and sweet food offerings was key, Hood said, “otherwise it could be quite boring”.
“Nutrition and movement is just a balance between both, rather than it being too restrictive for individuals.”
The restaurant is supported by a head chef and manager who have international experience in the industry, something Hood credits for the overall success of the eatery.
Hood began his journey into the fitness industry in 13 years ago, when he realised he was an unhealthy weight of about 120kg.
“In my early 20s, I looked in the mirror and decided things have to change.”
He opened his first “little gym” in 2016 on Manchester St with a smoothie bar, before closing it down and stepping it up a notch with IHF.