Prior to now few years, the Bandra Kurla Advanced (BKC) has grown far past its preliminary id as a company hub. A number of fine-dining eating places, specialised bars and different culinary institutions proceed to populate the locality. In latest occasions, the opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in BKC has additional solidified its standing as a cultural hub. Amadeo is the Oberoi group’s standalone restaurant housed contained in the centre and we had been just lately hosted for lunch there. Listed below are among the highlights of our memorable afternoon:
Picture Credit score: Amadeo by Oberoi
The menu at Amadeo by Oberoi rests on 4 pillars or “micro-concepts” that symbolize 4 cuisines: Indian, Italian, Chinese language and Japanese. The small plates, giant plates and cocktails are thus divided into these 4 broad classes. On the helm of the kitchen are Government Chef Kayzad Sadri and Chef Gregorio Oblen, who specialises in Japanese delicacies. They’re joined by Alisha Rampal because the meals and beverage supervisor. There are devoted counters for 3 micro-concepts (besides Indian), the place patrons can sit and oversee the making of their dishes. These counters provide diners a possibility to expertise culinary sophistication in a extra laid-back method.
Picture Credit score: Amadeo by Oberoi
We started our meal with the Yasai Kakiage Tempura Maki roll. The primary impression was an enduring one – the dish turned out to be the perfect small plate of the afternoon. On this outstanding veg sushi, layers of sentimental cream cheese had been rolled together with peanut-flavoured tempura greens. The maki was topped with potato strands (suppose salli chips which can be thinner and crisper), which playfully contrasted the feel of the sticky rice.
After rapidly sharpening off this appetiser, we moved to one of many signature Japanese delicacies on the menu: Chilean Sea Bass, cooked within the Robata fashion. Also called Robatayaki, this refers to a conventional Japanese methodology of grilling seafood or greens over charcoal in a particular method. The ocean bass was thus endowed with a singular smoky flavour we hadn’t encountered earlier than. The items had been topped with a chimichurri-like sauce, which introduced some freshness to the palette. However we should admit, we’d have favored extra of it on the facet.
Amadeo spans an expansive 14,600 sq. ft and the plush interiors have been designed by EDG Singapore. Together with the counters, there’s seating on the bar, common tables and a espresso lounge on the entrance (with a separate menu). The format boasts one other unbelievable function: a view of the Fountain of Pleasure, the place a fascinating lotus flower-inspired sound, gentle, and water present takes place within the evenings. Since we visited within the afternoon, we didn’t get to expertise the spectacle first-hand. However it’s not exhausting to think about the pleasure of such a vibrant show complementing one’s meal. Throughout our daytime go to, the restaurant was suffused with pure gentle – a rarity in metropolis eating places that we regularly take without any consideration.
The Fuji San cocktail. Picture Credit score: Amadeo by Oberoi
Subsequent on our radar had been the Chinese language and Indian menus, however the fascinating vary of cocktails beckoned us first. What would you say to Mount Fuji represented in a glass? We stated, “Sure, please”. Fuji San was a delight to behold and style; managing to do justice to the topic of its inspiration. A concoction of white rum, apple soda, umeshu and grapefruit was served in a glass that mirrored the form of the volcano. We beloved the contact of the lava-like design on the sides. The cocktail was appropriately icy, echoing Fuji’s well-known snow-capped peaks.
The Huang Zhi Xiang cocktail. Picture Credit score: Amadeo by Oberoi
The subsequent cocktail we tasted was dramatic differently. Impressed by Chinese language flavours, Huang Zhi Xiang is a citrusy gin-based drink whose identify interprets to “aromatic backyard”. It comes with a particular bubble, which bursts to go away fragrant wisps to waft over your glass for a number of moments. Whether or not you wish to take an aesthetic reel to your feed or simply deal with your self to a little bit of theatre, that is the drink to order. For those who want to pair your Asian bites with a mocktail, we extremely suggest Mild and Fruity. A mixture of ardour fruit, pineapple lime and candy basil seeds, this drink was as well-balanced as its alcoholic counterparts.
Amadeo doesn’t disappoint with regards to the classics, both. We opted for his or her tackle the Espresso Martini, the Filter Kaapi Martini. Having tried filter espresso elsewhere within the metropolis in addition to age-old institutions in South India, our expectations had been fairly excessive. Our verdict? This can be a cocktail value returning for. We had been blown away by simply how precisely the martini managed to seize the distinctive bitterness and the layer of froth the unique espresso is known for. For those who’re a wine fanatic, Amadeo’s expansive wine listing options among the finest wines from throughout the globe. It’s also possible to view among the most sought-after bottles as you cross from the lounge in the direction of the eating space.
Picture Credit score: Amadeo by Oberoi
After the scrumptious subtleties of the Japanese dishes, we had been craving extra strong and acquainted aromas. The Indian decisions at Amadeo are a great mixture of experimental and classical. The point out of the Thecha Kombdi intrigued us with its description of a “inexperienced chilli rooster tikka”. What graced our desk a couple of minutes later was a plate of the juiciest rooster tikka we have had in latest occasions. The flavours of the marinade appear to be fused into the meat itself. We anticipated a spicier dish given the “thecha” in its identify – however we couldn’t complain in regards to the general impact. The pumpkin murabba – whereas delectable in its personal proper – felt moderately pointless to us. Our suggestion is to relish it after you are finished savouring the warmth of the tikka.
Thecha Komdi. Picture Credit score: Toshita Sahni
Dependable classics may be necessary to determine. If you need a small plate with a beneficiant sharing portion or a spicy accompaniment to your cocktail, go for the Chinese language Chilli Glazed Lotus Root Chips. It was a mix of spiciness and sweetness that’s certain to be successful at any desk. What impressed us was how crispy they had been regardless of having been blended with a beneficiant quantity of sauces. Moreover, they managed to retain that crunch even after a major period of time.
Truffle Tagliatelle. Picture Credit score: Toshita Sahni
We had reserved the Italian part of the menu for the principle course. The wood-fired pizzas had been extraordinarily tempting, as was the number of Amadeo’s signature handmade pasta. We lastly settled on the Truffle Tagliatelle. I confess I’ve a delicate spot for ‘minimal ingredient’ pasta and this one solely had parmesan and black truffles. Nevertheless, in hindsight, the concept of another addition appears virtually sacrilegious. With each chew, we marvelled on the smoothness of the parmesan sauce, the earthiness of the truffles and the wholesomeness of the handmade pasta. For those who needed to dine at Amadeo and have a single savoury delicacy, make it this one.
And in case you had to decide on just one dessert, do not miss the Burnt Basque Cheesecake. An undeniably enticing dessert, it’s served with a stunning pink scoop of bitter cherry sorbet and topped with a luscious berry compote. The gorgeous presentation is just one side of its dreaminess. The wealthy moistness of the cheesecake, the interaction of the tangy sides and the bitter trace on the finish… sounds of appreciation escaped our lips with out a second thought.
The subsequent time we go to the NMACC, we will already see ourselves making a beeline to this restaurant. In case you are questioning, its identify is derived from a Latin phrase that means “Lover of God”. Like us, in case you too worship on the altar of delicious meals, make Amadeo by Oberoi the item of your subsequent connoisseur quest.
The place: NMACC, Jio World Centre, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Advanced, Bandra East, Mumbai
