F:[Rating:4.5/5] | S:[Rating:2/5] |A:[Rating:3.5/5] |O:[Rating:3.3/5]
A few days back 4 food bloggers (Anoothi from India Food and Travel Guide, Deepinder from Foodiebay, Anita from Mad Tea Party, and Deeba of Passionate About Baking) in Delhi, myself included, were invited to spend an evening at Amici in Khan Market. Due to a mix up / miscommunication with the dates, I ended up reaching Amici a day prior. This review therefore ends up as a double sampling of sorts, and also highlights some key service issues. At the end of the day however, I’m happy to report the food stands tall.
To begin on a negative note, service is sorely lacking. There’s a severe shortage of smiles and staff seemed quite uncommunicative. I was unenthusiastically directed to my table of choice (outdoor) and left alone for the better part of 10 minutes, after which bestowing a menu upon me was deemed appropriate (about 40% occupancy btw). A simple question about a pizza brought about a flurry of ‘umms’, ‘aaahhs’ and ‘errrs’, which caused the question to be withdrawn. There wasn’t any query for water and after about 20 minutes I asked for some and was given a tumbler of the same. Similarly, the manager on duty when speaking to the owner introduced me as “some Sid” rather than ‘Sid’ or ‘Sid Khullar’, while not exactly rude, could have phrased better, considering he’s speaking of a customer in his restaurant. (Context: I wanted to know where was everyone else, as I thought I had come at the right date/time). When I did reach there again, on the right day this time, the Chef was as haughty and condescending as can be, on being queried about an aspect of the food.
The staff at Amici desperately need a major infusion of the right service attitude.
The seating and interiors at Amici are quite nice, though I am unable to understand the philosophy behind the pictures on the walls – then again, they don’t need to have any as the entire look and feel is quite cosy. The outdoor seating is quite nice too. I loved the benches with large metal studs and the cutlery, which was very usable and not the un-wieldable, fancy types! Oh, and perhaps the outdoor seating area isn’t the nicest place to stack crates of soft drink and bottled water in plain view.
On to the best part – the food. The food at Amici is probably some of the nicest I’ve tasted in a while… and consistently good across most dishes, which again is an accomplishment. Perhaps some of the Chef’s hauteur is justified.
We ate our way through a load of stuff – Caprese salad, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Prosciutto pizza with rocket, Tenderloin burger, BBQ Chicken Burger, Spaghetti in tomato sauce, Strawberry cheesecake, Beetroot Ravioli, Chicken stuffed with Dry Fruits, Pizza Valentino, Pizza Bianca, Lebanese Veg Pizza, Warm Gooey Mushy Chocolate, Peanut Blond with Ice cream and a Tiramisu. [two occasions].
There wasn’t a *single* dish I could find anything wrong with. I wasn’t looking initially, then incredulously began looking… and miserably failed. Only the spaghetti didn’t meet expectations as the tomato sauce seemed too reminiscent of fresh tomatoes and I personally like it when simmered for a long long time.
Do you know why you get those wilted, sad looking rocket leaves whenever you go out to buy some? I know. The chaps at Amici sneak out at some unearthly hour of the day and buy up all the freshest stuff! I have rarely seen rocket that’s this fresh, anywhere, including starred hotels. Green, stiff, crisp, crunchy and peppery the rocket at Amici is what every rocket in the land aspires to be.
Amici is also one of those places, whose food includes every ingredient claimed on the menu, unlike quite a few I can name. No rip offs here. The pizzas at Amici were fresh as fresh can be – thin crust, not too heavy on the sauce, topped with fresh vegetables and proper portions of meats then cooked in a wood fired oven. I would say, without the least doubt, the pizzas at Amici are one of the best in town, if not the very best. Just one bite will highlight the difference – fresh, uplifting, light on the tummy and a treat to look at. If you’re ever confused about what to order at Amici, Khan Market, just blindly order any pizza – you can’t go wrong there. I’m not about to go into details on every dish, as each one was a model for it’s genre and I’m quite sure I haven’t enjoyed a meal anywhere else in recent times, as I did at Amici.
Having tried out quite a bit of their menu, I can clearly state – if you’re looking for an evening out where the food is of prime importance, Amici, Khan Market is the place for you.
- Sid
May I suggest a better source of rocket, someone who never sells less than gorgeously dewy fresh? There’s this lady called Kanu Somany, with her own farm quite close to the city. She home-delivers, and you can also find her stuff at Modern Bazar. I’d try the latter first, to get a better idea of her range (her email ID is printed on the packets) and then switch to home delivery, for which you email her and she puts you on your list. She grows seasonal, so you get a weekly newsletter telling you what’s available for next week. Delivery is on a fixed day for each area, but you can put in a special request and she tries to accommodate if possible at all.
I moved from Delhi last year, and what I miss most of Delhi food is Kanu’s salads! Honest, truly! I keep trying to cajole people flying down to bring me some, but they just think I’m crazy…
@Manidipa: You’re a lifesaver! That’s an absolutely rock(et)ing idea. The stuff at places like INA Market looks so very sad and demoralised.
@sid I quite agree with your review…i think this whole serving water is now like a fashion trend being followed..started with big chill and pretty much a lot of new cafe style place do that!! Tho i don’t understand why???Water too expensive or staff too lazy? I love Amici myself..always go for salads and pizza.And the tofu burger not sad…what i was disappointed was the desserts! i dont know how you felt but they for sure lack the oomph factor and also the authentic taste
Lovely review tho..”i like the bit where u say trays full of cold drinks” i always found that a bit hilarious! Reminded me of CP dhabas:)
@manidipa: can you pass me Kanu’s email ..would love to order some stuff and use when i send out food
Your reviews never cease to amaze me- Another Italian eatery in New Delhi. The more that I read your reviews, more I am impressed by Indian business acumen – Indian restaurants serving foreign foods.
There must me demand for it – there is a limit to eating dhal rotti daily.
As regards service, Indian restaurants in UK tend to employ staff at low wage below the legal wage limit of £5.75 (431 rupees) an hour. Most get raided for employing illegal immigrants. These category of waiters are expressionless, unable to recommend or discuss a dish. In contrast, waiters in France, have induction period in the kitchen to learn about the dish preparation, discuss the dishes in depth with customers and finally are good at matching wine to food. I found waiters in some five star hotels in Rajasthan overpowering. Apart from customary plastic smile – they just stay near the table trying to engage the customer into conversation.
Incidentally, I grow my own Rocket salad – fast growing from sown seeds. I have a large back garden, part of it has vegetable plots and recycle bin in the corner – all green waste goes into this bin. After about six months produces sweet smelling compost to be dug in.
Back to your review – as you were invited to review – this restaurant owner will read your review and amend glaring lack of service which is an impediment to excellent food being served.
.-= Karam Bharij´s last blog ..Gay Pride festival 2008 Manchester =-.
kanu_somany@yahoo.com is the email address for the fresh farm goodies! I am big for anyone that delivers good stuff home:)
P.S. Nice review Sid, you have me craving some Italian flavours just about now…I guess I am going to have to tweek my ratatouille that was planned for dinner tonight!
@Monkess: How did your ‘Italian Ratatouille’ turn out? Any pictures?
Which mozza do they use…?
@Servane: No idea… I was too busy enjoying the very delicious food!
The pizzas were truly excellent – loved every bite of every one of them! F-r-e-s-h!
The tiramisu , not so much – soggy and lacking flavour…
That day I was the first one to turn up and I met the same blank looks. You would have thought they might have remembered from just the previous evening!
.-= Anita´s last blog ..In a pickle =-.
Honestly, I find the pizzas at Amici are quite average! But yes, the desserts are the biggest disappontment!! I guess the salads, pastas and the coffee are your safest bet! If you want really good pizzas and desserts, try the Italian Cultural Centre in Chanakya puri, You need to get a membership for the centre but its worth it! Amazing thin crust pizzas (best I’ve had), very authentic.. and excellent desserts. Its run by Ritu Dalmia (the owner of Diva) and the pricing is more reasonable than Diva, so great food at great prices
Thanks Roopa. I’ve heard about the centre, but haven’t made the effort to enroll myself. I’m surprised you didn’t like the pizzas as much as we did. Perhaps a short discussion on what comprises the perfect pizza is in order.
Should be fun! I do hope the portions at the Italian Cultural Centre aren’t as miniscule as those at Diva.