Jul 30, 2009 01:44 PM
2718 Views
(Updated Jul 30, 2010 01:35 PM)
This is a review on the Nirulas Pot Pourri in the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon. I have requested a new mouthpad item, but understand that it takes a little longer right now. Shall request MS to shift to the right category as soon as the mouthpad is accepted.
Sometime back we were visiting some friends in Gurgaon and they happened to take us for lunch in the new plush Ambience Mall there. There are no doubt several choices for food in the mall from the Mc Donald’s to the food court, and several thali or other specialty restaurants. I, unfortunately, hardly like anything other than the home cooked food.
And asmost of my friends know I’m almost a fanatic when it comes to food. So taking me out for lunch can be quite a challenge for anyone. The primary parameters of my palate are that the food must be cooked in minimum if not no oil. There should also be no fatty or heavy seasonings, it addition to it consisting of healthy foods. Now that might seem like a small condition but if you think about it very little fast foods or dishes prepared in a restaurant would be able to fulfill that criterion.
Since all of us were a large family with a lot of children too, I did not want to impose my choice of restaurant on the party. And not to disappoint the hosts I had decided that whichever restaurant they take me to I will order some plain boiled rice along with curd, or some idli with sambhar, or something similar. I was only dreading that if they took us to Mc Donald’s it would be quite a nightmare for me.
It was somewhat heartening to me when I realized that we were entering at least a full service restaurant. However the name of Nirulas never inspired too much confidence in me. I had in my mind the recollection of the old Nirulas when they had started service as an ice cream and fast food restaurant in Delhi CP and Noida. But this Nirulas Pot Pourri truly tells a story of how far Nirulas have come in the restaurant and Hotel business. Read on.
The Nirulas Pot Pourri is located on the top floor of the posh and large Ambience Mall. They have a Bar type of counter on the left side and tables on the right and the rest of the restaurant. Bar tenders are mixing drinks behind the counter as well as chefs cooking some pasta right in front of you on order.
The range of dishes on the menu is truly amazing, from Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Continental, Indian et all. I could have selected many dishes that would have satisfied my primary condition with ease; both in Veg and Non veg. however what impressed me no end was their buffet spread. It consisted of soups, veg and non veg, numerous salads, again both veg and non veg and many of which were without any dressing of heavy sauces like mayonnaise etc. In addition they had an excellent variety of breads, both conventional and whole wheat. Not only that they had one dish of rice and you could also order pasta, which the chefs prepare just behind the counter right in front of you! The salads consisted of several veg and non veg dishes both with and without dressings. From conventional vegetables to exotic roots, sprouts, chicken mutton and even fish (found it once on a weekend at a later date) they are all there.
After you have satiated yourself with these you can further feast on the desserts. As they say, there’s always space for the sweets howmuch ever heavy a meal you may have had. And as for me there’s a delectable variety of fresh cut fruits. But as you might have guessed by now, the buffet does not have any main course dishes. It’s primarily a salad buffet.
The rates seemed extremely reasonable to me for a high end salad buffet like this one and specially the restaurant being in the Ambience mall, the latest craze in Gurgaon. It costs approximately Rs 350/- per person. If you order drinks or juices to go with the meal they shall of course be extra. The parking etc is not a problem as the mall houses 3 levels of underground parking’s. In addition there are several other entertainment facilities and games in the Mall for the kids including bowling, so going there can be a wholesome experience in addition to satisfying the palate.
We did truly enjoy our experience there, and if I’ve forgotten I must also mention that the view from the restaurant also adds to the ambience for a great meal. All in all a very value for money upper end joint.
Surely recommended for a visit with the family or as a couple.
