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. :) 

A Visit To The Luggage Room...

The Luggage Room is one of the fairly new entrants on the F&B scene in the heart of the capital city. 

An offshoot of Sandoz Group, The Luggage Room emulates a lounge perfect for that relaxed weekend meal with friends complemented by ambient music in the backdrop.

I had visited them earlier this month for lunch and the place was easy to spot given its prime location in M Block, Outer Circle right above House of Commons and adjacent to 38 Barracks and The G.T. Road.

The Luggage Room is located on the second floor and can be moderately or dimly lit depending on if your visit coincides with a party being held there. As the name suggests, The Luggage Room features a wall of backpacks and every element in the decor borrows from the concept of a suitcase. Be it the door at the entrance, the menu, the table or even the platter in which the dishes are presented, almost every facet speaks of 'luggage' at The Luggage Room.

Coming to what would be some of the well-made dishes worth a try at The Luggage Room...

Appetizers: 

Mushroom & Cheese Cigar Rolls were crisply served in shot glasses with a sweet chili sauce at the bottom.

Ajwaini Fish Tikka came with an in-house tartar sauce and the fish fillets were soft and flavorful.

Chicken Malai Tikka was creamy and had mint chutney to go along.

Tempura Vegetables were an assortment of veggies served with a somewhat tangy sauce.

Mint Lemon Fish was an Oriental preparation that had the prominent lemon flavor with bell peppers to go along the melt-in-mouth fish chunks.

Fish 'N' Chips is a classic wherein the fish was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Chips here were not the classic French Fries but some unique fried crisps.

Salad: 

Caesar Salad had the leafy counterpart complemented by numerous chicken chunks.

Soups: 

Tuscan Tomato was served with garlic bread on the side and had a cheesy crouton as garnish.

Lemon Coriander was not just a clear soup with lime and greens but also had veggies for a welcome change.

Main Course:

Special Mix Pizza was recommended by the staff and was a cheesy thin crust preparation loaded with assorted veggies.

Kadhai Paneer was a classic that went well with the bread basket and salad.

Desserts:

Chocolate Brownie with Ice-cream is a classic sweet conclusion and the brownie here was exceptionally soft and moist.

On the whole, The Luggage Room deserves a visit if you wish to relish some nice food over light banter and good company complemented by a musical ambiance. 

Unwinding At AMPM Cafe & Bar...

AMPM Cafe & Bar is the youth-centric hotspot in the sprawling B.K. Dutt Market in Rajouri Garden and is perfect for that weekend plan with friends amidst a chilled-out vibe.

As I had mentioned in elucidating my experience at The California Boulevard, AMPM Cafe is situated right above TCB, spanning the third floor in the same premises. It also comes under the aegis of Bright Hospitality. 

While TCB is more of a luxury fine-dine place for evenings made perfect with family and excellent food, AMPM comes across as a place to unwind with friends over say, a get-together, reunion or treat especially with their Lickable (Freak Shake or I would rename it Likeable) being their USP in the beverage section. 

TCB draws its theme from all things Hollywood, while AMPM is quite upbeat and has a theme centred around English music - rock, pop, jazz, blues - are all that reflect in their ambiance, decor, and even the way the menu has been designed, with every second page citing a quote from a popular youth icon of the likes of John Lennon, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Freddie Mercury to name a few.

As for the decor, you would spot electric guitars on the walls, retro mics for lamps hanging from the ceiling and vinyl records painted on the corner wall.

There is also a life-size tic-tac-toe board on each table, for patrons to pass time while delicious food arrives on the table.

AMPM has its premises designed as a part open part closed seating which also allows for Hookahs to be served in a separate section.

With both outlets being housed in the same premises, Bright Hospitality is thus tapping into two demarcated target audiences - families as well as youth.

With a variety of dishes being plated in the American, Continental, and Italian cuisines, I was yet again spoilt for choice and instead chose to go by Chef's recommendations. 

Here's what all appetizing Food was relished at AMPM Cafe & Bar, with a menu curated by Chef Vinod... 

Dilli Ki Chaat, that is essentially Palak Patta Chaat.

Chili Chicken was served alongside chili dip.

River Sole Fillet was served alongside potato wedges and grilled veggies.

Fish & Chips was the quintessential English preparation with flavorful tartar sauce on the side.

Chili Prawn was cooked in a brilliant manner.

Fish Tikka was the classic Indian dish with mint dip and onion by the side.

AMPM Veggie Pizza was a flavorful thin crust pizza, with broccoli, corn, and mushroom as its generous toppings.

Coming to Beverages wherein their Lickable was the highlight, each one being overwhelming in its presentation, yet keeping the flavor of the key elements of each beverage intact.

Belgian Affair was a chocolate haven with marshmallows, Belgian chocolate, and tidbits of biscuits blended with ice-cream.

Benaras Belle was a fantastic concoction of Gulkand, Paan Syrup and Kulfi that had a life-size Paan leaf and Gulkand bits stuck on the outside of the archaic pickle jar that it was served in. Also, it came with a Meetha Paan on the side.

Mango Alphonso came across as a delightful respite from the summer heat, with the king of fruits as the eye of the storm of a burst of flavors on the palate.

Magnum Upside Down was the most awesome of all, with its upside-down cone and delicious Magnum paired with a generous topping of finely chopped almonds.

To counter all those calories, some coffee and tea were required and the following served the purpose well.

Double Shot Cold Coffee

Both teas were presented alongside honey and lime, in a French Press kettle.

Chamomile Tea

Jasmine Tea

All in all, AMPM comes across as a lively place where the party never dies, because they have great dishes to serve, all with a smile, and patrons have great banter and some classic English melodies to tune to while they unwind on a weekend with friends. :)