Social Dining At Decode...

Rajouri Garden has gradually become a hub for casual dining. Most, if not all, lack substance and the perseverance to sustain amidst a competitive backdrop. Some, however, are able to tap into their clientele effectively to garner praises for the entire concept viewed all round.

I recently had a chance to visit one such fairly new casual dining space in the vicinity - Decode. Going by the concept of social dining, Decode manages to stand out amongst the crowd. Playing with the theme of aesthetics and intrigue, it was a delight to dine at Decode.

Being a sprawling four-floor property with a dedicated elevator in the premises, elegant interiors that impress, and an ambiance that puts forth a refreshing vibe, Decode amazes at all fronts.

While the design banks on modern pieces sparking intrigue, the restaurant also features a couple of private dining spaces - one on each floor - for the privy gatherings.

Most amazing of all, however, is undoubtedly the culinary expertise put on the plate by Chef Rana and Team.

A meal at Decode begins with the signature Amuse Bouche - Mango Shots beaming with fumes of liquid nitrogen.

A quick gulp imparts the refreshing summer flavor on the palate.

The Menu is expansive, being a mix of multiple cuisines, presenting each of them in a novelle way.

If you were to ask me, I'd suggest going by Chef's Recommendation. There are quite a few interesting dishes by means of novelty in preparation and all of them have an aesthetic touch to enhance the presentation.

Even though Decode focuses on Modern Indian cuisine, it has its classics intact, thus preserving the authenticity of whatever is on the plate.

Here's what would be the must-have dishes to relish when visiting Decode.

Beverages

Among the mocktails, Decode Spice Cooler is the best bet being a refreshing concoction of cucumber, mint, and ginger with a dash of citrus, while Out Of My Mind is all about the sweet and spicy combination of Khus and Chili.

The Aam Shake is one of the nice freak shakes on the Menu with the right consistency and a not-too-OTT aesthetic.

Topped with a cherry and some sprinkles, it is sweet heaven in a glass.

Gratis

Quinoa Bhel and Palak Patta Chaat are two dishes that most of the eateries attempt to craft their version of. Both are quite popular, the former being a superfood, the latter being street food.

Decode, however, manages to refresh the palate by putting together classic flavors with gastronomical craft.

Small Plates (Appetizers)

Idli My Way is Decode's rendition of the much neglected coastal fare among modern-day eateries. Hardly any attempt preparation of South Indian staples, leave alone making a good job out of it. I liked the concept of plating - soft, spongy bites layered with coconut chutney, and paired with shots of Rasam - and the preparation was spot-on too.

Rajma Chawal Croquettes are definitely a novel take on the quintessential one-pot-meal, whilst keeping the flavor profile intact. The tanginess of the pickled gel gives a burst of flavor on the palate.

Pav Bhaji Cones are simply melt-in-mouth, yet they suffice to take the taste buds on a trip to the city of Mumbai.

Matra Kulcha Pate is yet another quintessential preparation from the streets of Delhi, done in a fantastic manner at Decode, given the French detour with the characteristic flavors of Dilli-6.

Thai Style Chicken Tikka is again prepared with expertise for that characteristic tinge of lemongrass paired with lotus stem crisps.

Charcoal Fish Fry is Decode's take on the authentic Fish 'n' Chips with soft fillets being complemented by French Fries.

Meditteranean Pizza is an all-veggie pizza done on a flaky puff pastry base, with minimal cheese. This is a fresh take on the otherwise run-of-the-mill thin crust preparations and a likable one at that.

Desi Big Plates (Main Course)

Paneer Pillars is the best Indian main course dish to opt for.

Not only is the aesthetic appealing, but also the flavors are commendable. Paired with crisp Butter Naan, this is unmissable at Decode.

Sugar Cravings (Dessert)

Decode drives a home run with their sweet conclusions and it's hard to settle for a favorite.

Shahi Brownie with Chocolate Balloon is Decode's signature dessert with the classic brownie encased in a dome rendered in chocolate to be opened by free-flowing milkmaid and a generous garnish of nuts.

Mango Kulfi Snowball is a summer special as the refreshing mango flavor is paired with a nutty raspberry jam and complementary sponges.

Chocolate Pan Shots are a fitting conclusion to a spectacular meal at Decode.

On the whole, I had an excellent time at Decode and would recommend a visit if you wish to decode the mantra to attain gastronomic perfection. :)

#PowerfulBacking With American Express...

A recent global study commissioned by American Express showed that more than half of people today are living Hybrid Lives, with personal and work life deeply intertwined. The study, conducted in eight markets including India, others being Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States also revealed that two in three people feel they can achieve more because of this work-life integration.

The way people work and live has transformed - there is greater interconnectedness in both personal and work life, as well as real and virtual interactions. This blended, hybrid lifestyle is the new norm across the world, and India is no exception.

'Hybrid Life' as identified in American Express’ 'Live Life' survey is characterized by increasing interconnectedness between work and personal life, as well as real and virtual interactions. It results in deeper work-life integration enabled by technology, described by AmEx as #AmExLife.

American Express, backed by the insights of the study, has thus launched its new 360° brand marketing campaign in India, aptly called “Powerful Backing of American Express: Don’t Live Life / Don’t Do Business Without It” - to reflect new-age highly-integrated lifestyles and the fact that American Express supports its customers, enabling them to thrive in life and in business.

Speaking about the launch, Manoj Adlakha, CEO – American Express Banking Corp., India, said,

“This is the first time we’re introducing a campaign that speaks to all of the customer segments we serve, with a single, overarching message: American Express has your back, in life and in work. Relationships are core to who we are. Since our inception, we’ve put our customers at the center of everything we do. The campaign reinforces the enduring relationships we have with our customers and how we support them in ways big and small.”

Elaborating on the insights that powered the global brand strategy, Manoj added, “The new brand platform is a response to the fact that our customers are living diverse and layered lives. Our new campaign focuses on the powerful backing that we provide our customers and partners, enabling them to navigate this blended lifestyle.”

I recently had a chance to attend an event where AmEx's new brand campaign was presented. showcasing the dual passion-points of Indian millennials - technology and travel - that power the prominently emerging hybrid lifestyle in the 'Live Life' study.



There was an 'AR-VR' setup (or demo zone) featuring innovative use of virtual-augmented reality to present a  real-life simulation of diverse experiences such as an adrenaline-charged roller-coaster ride, the thrill of sky-diving, watching the Northern Lights and seeing penguins in the glaciers of Antarctica to emphasize on the thrill of #VirtualMeetsReal.

Such brand activations have been set up by AmEx for an experience by the masses in DLF Mall of India, Noida and Cyber Hub, Gurgaon.

Advertising is featured on a cross-section of platforms with a focus on communications channels that are at the intersection of life and work. These include print, mobile and outdoor platforms, as well as digital and social media.

Namaste. We are celebrating our new brand launch in India. Our special guest @yamigautam is the first one to try our #VirtualMeetsReal experiences. Don’t live life without it! #AmexLife

A post shared by American Express (@americanexpress) on Jul 25, 2018 at 3:24am PDT

The advertising and marketing elements include a heavy focus on digital content, online video, high-impact out-of-home advertising and social influencer engagement. The campaign is designed to meet people in the places where life and business intersect, both online and offline. Whether traveling, going to work, heading out to have fun, engaging with digital content or connecting on social media, Indians will be continuously reminded - American Express has got their back.

With the new brand platform, American Express is drawing on its heritage of service, security and trust and modernizing many elements of its brand iconography, including a modern articulation of a famous tagline, refreshing its Blue Box logo and visual identity and introducing a hand-drawn version of its famous card design that features its customers at the center.

The work was created by mcgarrybowen, Pentagram, Ogilvy, Mindshare and Digitas. The advertising was directed by renowned director Lance Accord, and the photography was shot by award-winning photographer Matthieu Young.

Sharing details on how the global campaign was adapted for Indian audiences, Manoj added,

“Our local agency partners at Ogilvy and Mindshare have been instrumental in trans-creating the global campaign to make it relevant for the Indian market. They have successfully integrated nuances that our customers and prospects can relate to. We are confident that this approach will resonate with our audience.”

Ruchi Mathur, Sr. Vice President, North & East India at Mindshare said,

“For today’s audiences with hybrid lives and complex paths to purchase, we leveraged relevant media & data intelligence to decode the mindset, media consumption behaviors, and connected journeys to deliver the communication to each audience segment, in the right context through the right medium. Basis these findings, we developed an integrated brand and demand focused media strategy that will keep the audiences engaged throughout the brand funnel, finally leading them towards becoming American Express members.”

Here's what celebrity ambassador Yami Gautam had to say about #PowerfulBacking...

The new brand platform aims to go from belonging i.e. 'the benefit of being part of an exclusive club' to backing i.e. 'the benefit of being part of a reciprocal relationship', with the cultural insight being the following.

I am sure that American Express' brand philosophy will surely make #PowerfulBacking popular among the masses. 

Scene Sets The Bar High...

Though Gurugram or the erstwhile Gurgaon is a hot-spot for the F&B industry in the NCR region with many brands establishing themselves, Sohna Road is still to see the light of the day as far as dining out is concerned.

In the true sense, there are quite a few hotels like Fortune Excalibur and breweries like Vapour Bar Exchange in the area and its vicinity that have managed to leave a mark so far.

However, to improve the state of affairs and up the scene, the newest kid on the F&B scene is Scene - High Bar, essentially modeled as a terrace bar occupying the rooftop at NineX City Mart.

Sprawling interiors, charming decor, well-lit premises, relaxed vibe and delicious food are all that make Scene - High Bar a likable facility.

Situated on the third floor of the mall, Scene has a waiting area at the entrance itself. To the left opens the awesome bird's eye view of the vicinity that has been interspersed with well-planned design elements. To the right is the interior of the restaurant.

Ample seating space of all kinds both indoors and outdoors is a plus point. Barely a month old, Scene managed to impress me just with the way the space had been designed. Little did I know that I was about to go on a fantastic roller-coaster ride of culinary excellence.

The property is yet to roll-out their alcoholic beverages, but there is quite a lot on offer already as patrons can choose from Indian, Oriental, Italian, and Continental preparations and pair them with the classic non-alcoholic concoctions.

Given the fact that there is barely any good casual-dine restaurant apart from Scene - High Bar in NineX at the moment, Scene has a huge potential and probable customer base to tap into.

The hospitable staff and gastronomic amusements couple with fine aesthetics are what sets Scene apart. Couple it with the fact that a meal at Scene - High Bar would be a bang for the buck and you'll be good to go! :)

Here's what would be the not-to-miss preparations at Scene - High Bar...

Appetizers:

Paneer Tikka Garlic Bread is prepared differently at Scene as cottage cheese chunks layered with melted cheese and mayonnaise are placed on a lightly toasted brown bread lending a crisp and melt-in-mouth to the palate, all at the same time.

Hare Bhare Shaami Kebab is a delight of minced veggies seasoned with a dash of salt and pepper. With the aesthetic salad on the side, it was a fantastic composition.

Mushroom Kurkure at Scene is simply the crunchiest and the softest button mushrooms that I've had, of late. Definitely one of the must-not-miss.

Hindukush Kebab is a parcel of delight at Scene. Prepared essentially as a Galouti Kebab on a Warqi Parantha, its taste was as intriguing as its nomenclature. Made of beetroot, this prep was the right of soft and the right kind of seasoned. Delicate morsels of beetroot lent the dish a nice after-taste.

Fish Kasundi was delicious enough for it to be gobbled up before I could take a snap. Speaks volumes about the preparation finished with a subtle hint of mustard.

Chicken Tikka Punjabi were the classic skewered chicken chunks done right.

A dash of lime on the side rather accentuated the flavor profile.

Drums of Heaven is a signature dish at Scene, and the chicken drumsticks were as soft as fish chunks! You can very well mistake it for fish based on how effortlessly melt-in-mouth it is. Paired with Schezwan Sauce in a glass, it made for an aesthetic platter.

Main Course: 

Kadai Paneer was the popular North Indian preparation well done with bell peppers and julienned ginger.

Goan Fish Curry was a pleasant surprise to the palate with soft fish done in coconut curry interspersed with mustard seeds and curry leaf.

We paired the gravies with Amritsari Kulcha and Kali Mirch Roti which had also been aptly prepared.

Dessert: 

To conclude the meal, we relished Fruit Cream in a martini glass topped with cherries and an olive on the side. Garnished with nuts, it was a relish.

On the whole, my meal at Scene - High Bar was a flawless experience indeed. :)