On A Gastronomic Sojourn At AMPM...

The Galleria Market at Gurugram is one of the popular shop-and-dine hubs in the millennium city, and rightfully so, given the fact that patrons are spoilt for choice when it comes to an eventful outing with friends or family alike.

A recent shopping spree thus culminated in a visit to AMPM Cafe, located on the second floor, and providing a bird's eye view of the vicinity.

As the name suggests, AMPM has been modeled around the concept of all-day-dining that reflects in the variety showcased on the menu, and the vibe of the place that becomes peppier as sundown approaches.

Largely known as 'The Birthplace of Lickables', AMPM always impresses with what is presented on the plate, and this time also, my visit was no different.

Featuring a live kitchen, AMPM scores given the fact that you're able to see how your food comes to the plate the way it does.

Here's what would be my recommendation when visiting AMPM for a meal...

Appetizers: 

Chaat At AMPM was a tangy combination of chickpeas, yogurt, and tamarind with a garnish of pomegranate seeds and crispy spinach fritters on the side.

Kadhai Paneer Sliders are one of the best quick bites on offer, perfect for an Indianized palate, complete with baby garlic flatbread, chargrilled cottage cheese topped with coriander seeds, and a salad and gravy on the side.

Asparagus and Broccoli Dimsums is the best bet coming to the Oriental side of the meal. Steamed nicely, the pockets are a burst of fresh greens on the palate.

Pulled Cheese Garlic Bread is baked aesthetically, with a portion of crispy potato fries and mayonnaise on the side.

Soups: 

Minestrone Rosso is AMPM's take on Italy in a bowl. The warm broth of veggies and pasta is served alongside a breadstick and a garnish of cheese.

Spinach and Coconut is a thick soup borrowing from Thai flavors.

Japanese Ramen Bowl is Japan on a plate, a wholesome one-bowl-meal comprising of noodles and veggies.

Main Course: 

Fish 'n' Chips is the quintessential panko-crusted fish, served with a portion of French Fries and mayonnaise. At AMPM, the fish was crispy, lightly breaded and simply melt-in-mouth on the inside.

Ratatouille, native to Europe, formed for a delicious meal - classic rice and veggies - with a feel-good-factor accompanying.

Beverages: 

Fresh Watermelon Juice was the fix of the day with vitamins and that enviable baby pink hue.

Scottish Obsession is an alias for one of the prime Lickables at AMPM - a thick shake prepared using Butterscotch Ice-cream and candied fruit.

Kulf-e-Chic is the 'Kulfi Gajak' desert from the house of AMPM rendered in liquid form, with morsels of Chikki on the outside, and a Kulfi to relish alongside the Lickable.

Nutella Hot Chocolate is one of warm, sweet beverages on the menu, served with a smile, and a rather generous utilization of choco chips.

Dessert:

Rasmalai Cheesecake is one of the fusion desserts at AMPM, blending Indian and American flavors effortlessly.

All in all, a visit to AMPM ensures good times with great company, given the delicious preparation coupled with light-hearted banter. :) 

Hues Of Regional Cuisines At JAMUN...

Jamun is an ode to the culinary diversity that India boasts of. Tucked away in a quaint space at Lodhi Colony, Jamun is easily one of the best places that do Indian food with grace and panache.

Not only is the vibe of the place homely, but also the preparation of dishes stemming from the Indian mainland exude a feel-good factor.

Done up in violet hues, with vines of bougainvillea forming for pleasant floral embellishments, cane chairs, and hanging lanterns, Jamun is a slice of the old-world charm nestled in the heart of Delhi.

Attracting a mix of expats and the home crowd, Jamun has made its way into the hearts of its clientele and I am surely impressed by my overall experience. :)

Though the menu is dedicated to gastronomic trails across the length and breadth of India and one is undoubtedly spoilt for choice, here's what I relished during my time at Jamun.

Also, a point worth commendation is the thought that has gone behind the curation of the menu, with dishes being marked as 'Gluten-Free' or 'Vegan', 'Healthy' or 'Spicy' as deemed appropriate too.

I liked the concept of a stacked Poppadom Platter on the side, for the entire duration of the meal, comprising of a variety of crisps and complimentary relishes.

Beverages:

Kala Khatta is the childhood-reminiscent concoction of blackberry syrup and lime topped with the choicest of spices for a burst of flavors on the palate, rendered in a shade of violet.

Jaisalmer Juan has the quintessential tried-and-tested pairing of fresh orange juice and basil for that refreshing citrus taste.

Appetizers:

Shakarkand Ki Chaat, a staple during Delhi winters, and prevalent across North India at large, this sweet potato preparation was taken a step ahead by pairing it with an in-house special condiment mix and the subtle ginger flavoring.

Karuveppilai Prawns literally 'Curry Leaf Prawns' makes its way to the table at Jamun, all the way from Kovalam. The crisp curry leaf marination takes the taste buds on a trip down south.

Main Course:

Ker Sangri Kofta, as the name suggests is a melange of 'Ker' berry and 'Sangri' beans.

Rendered in cottage cheese dumplings, the gravy was best paired with Mathania Mirchi Parantha.

Desserts:

Passteis De Nata is a Portuguese custard tart straight from the sands of Panjim, Goa, paired with Cinnamon Ice Cream at Jamun for the sweet conclusion.

Gulab Jamun is an in-house specialty at Jamun, given the fact that it is a warm dumpling rendered in sugar syrup and topped with an assortment of nuts.

Additionally, meals at Jamun are also concluded with an assortment of digestive mouth fresheners.

If there's one hotspot in the city for relishing the best regional Indian cuisine, it is JAMUN. Of course, the prior reservation would be a given, since the establishment is quite popular among locals and expats alike. :) 

A Sizzling Meal At Gola Sizzlers...

Gola Sizzlers is one of the most iconic F&B chains across the capital city with one of their oldest outlets situated in the heart of the city at Connaught Place attracting considerable footfall even today.

Perhaps, it is the legacy of such legendary brands that holds a certain charm till date. Moreover, as the name suggests, their specialty is that of sizzlers, a dish that was the talk of the town, earlier this decade.

In Connaught Place, Gola Sizzlers finds a strategic location right opposite PVR Plaza in K Block and is spread across two floors. The menu features Indian, Continental, and Oriental fare and the preparation has a touch of the olden times too.

Coming to what would be best to relish when dining at Gola Sizzlers...

Beverages:

Fruit Punch is one of the classic mocktails done just right at Gola Sizzlers.

Fruit Beer is a spinoff that substitutes cola for beer and has sliced fruit chunks to impart flavor.

Appetizers:

Pudina Paneer Tikka had soft cottage cheese chunks chargrilled finely, served with bell peppers, onions, and mint dip on the side.

Tandoori Momos are these jumbo momos similar to the ones at Cafe Hawkers,  though with a flavorful filling on the inside.

Soups:

Burnt Garlic Soup is one of the in-house specialties at Gola Sizzlers wherein the subtle flavor sets the broth apart from the mainstream.

Talumein Soup is one of the classic warm broths with noodles and veggies, and it does not disappoint at Gola Sizzlers too.

Main Course:

All sizzlers are served with a portion of focaccia bread and pasta on the side at Gola Sizzlers.

Baby Corn, Broccoli, Mushroom Sizzler with Fried Rice is one of the Chinese sizzlers offered by Gola and has a tempting sizzle as well as flavors to its credit.

Seekh Kebab Sizzler comes with two skewered treats - Cheese and Cashew Seekh and Vegetable Seekh - paired with veggies - legumes, corn, broccoli, mushroom, peas etc. - and Lachcha Parantha.

Desserts:

Undoubtedly, Ice-cream Sizzler is the signature sweet conclusion at Gola Sizzlers, complete with soft brownie chunks on a bed of chocolate syrup, paired with melting vanilla scoops.

The garnishing of roasted nuts on the top is the perfect cherry on the cake to end the meal on a sweet note.

On the other hand, the Kulfi is also quite good.

All in all, I would suggest a meal at Gola Sizzlers to relish some of the best sizzlers in town, coupled with an at-ease vibe. :)