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Connecticut Yankee on Jaipur Highway
The belly rules the mind – so goes the proverb. Take care of your belly and it will take care of your mind, so goes my interpretation. I’m a great stickler to this mantra and pamper by belly whenever possible hoping that my mind will follow.
After the disastrous Okra restaurant episode (see post here), I could not rest in peace till my tummy had its quantum of solace. So I was only glad to grab the opportunity to visit IndiJoe, the American diner at Ambience Mall.
Like Aromas of China, IndiJoe also belong to BJN group. It serves American, Mexican and Italian among others.The restaurant is spacious, the interior is done up in cool, dark shades; sports gear and photographs occupy every inch of the wall, a pensive miniature statue of liberty in verdigris preside over the middle bay, streaks of blood red fire sprinkler plumbing stand out against the black ceiling like exposed veins. Bright, translucent, green and blue stain glass lamp shades with flower patterns hang over illuminated tables, a collage of Hollywood stars – Harrison Ford, John Travolta, Marilyn Munroe and Sylvester Stallone decorate a side wall. Induction heated hot plates line the buffet counter against a frescoed back wall, there are separate Pasta and Chaat counters also near the buffet area, the bar counter near the entrance is empty at lunch hour with a lone barman bent over polishing glasses. Enrique Iglesias and Kenny Rogers issue softly from the music player. Eight of us share the only round table in the restaurant in a kind of pre-prandial limbo waiting to begin lunch.
An aromatic cream of chicken soup accompanied by no-so-great Coastal Fried Fish in BBQ Sauce and tangy-sweet Honey Ginger Chicken tee me off. I give vegetarian stuff a pass and pile my plate with fillets of Grilled Fish in Lemon Butter Sauce and some Murg Shahi Patiala with thick spicy gravy to go with Paranthas. My dessert is a generous dollop of strawberry mousse and a heap of assorted fruits – mostly musk melon, pineapple and water melon. The lunch is infinitely satisfying and call for suppressed burps – which is the stomach’s way of announcing deep satisfaction.
For Rs.350/- + taxes (Mon – Thru), IndiJoe is a definite bargain – the staff are friendly and helpful, food bountiful and diverse, the restaurant is clean, spacious and very relaxing.
Fri – Sun the going rate is Rs.425/- + taxes which includes additional dishes such as prawns. On Fridays there is also a live band from 9.00 PM onwards.
Rating
Ambience – 9/10
Service – 8/10
Food – 8/10
Overall – 8/10
Recommended
IndiJoe
Ambience Mall, Level 3,
NH-8, Gurgaon – 122002
Contact: 0124 3058803
IndiJoe Menu from Foodiebay: Click Here
Berco’s Gurgaon – Better Than “Yet Another”
Yesterday evening my friend took us out to dinner at Berco’s, the Chinese and Thai diner at Sector-53, Gurgaon. The restaurant, located on the 2nd floor of Central Plaza has an open air terrace and an air conditioned section. Staff, clad in purple collared black suits was mostly from North East India. We originally intended to dine in the terrace, but later changed our mind and sat indoors. The brown high back chairs were comfortable. At 7.30 PM the restaurant was practically empty. But, by the time we rose to leave at 9.30 almost all tables were taken.
There was a slight nip in the air and we decided to kick start our culinary adventure with Tomato and Seafood soup. For hors d’oeuvre we ordered Lotus Stem Honey Chili, Singapore Wok Style Fish and Chicken Fried Wonton. Lotus Stem Honey Chili was outstanding and the Tomato Soup was good. However, Seafood Soup and Fish were disappointing. The soup had a disconcerting odour and Wok fish was salty. The Chicken Wonton was ordinary. To relieve the gloom, we made intermittent forays to scoop thin oval slices of lotus stem on our plates.
After that dismal start we decided to forgo our designs on fish and stick to vegetables and the eternal favourite – chicken. Our cautious choices for main course were Chicken Rice & Noodles Shanghai Style, Berco’s Special Noodles (vegetarian), Seven Treasure Vegetables in Creamy Garlic Sauce and Thai Green Curry (vegetarian). The seven treasure vegetables, stir fried broccoli, button mushroom, baby corn, yellow, red and green pepperoni and celery soaked in thick sauce and served in an oblong tray was exceptional. Thai green curry and chicken noodle were nondescript. Berco’s special noodles was anything but special!
This mixed epicurean bag eventually cost us Rs.1465.00 (inclusive of taxes) among 3 people – which is slightly on the higher side considering the quality of food even though the portions were decent. Can’t say the restaurant is a gastronomic delight, but it is worth trying. Before you go, ask around. We’re sure this place can offer excellent value for money, if you are able to make the right choices. Our rating is 6 out of 10.