Chef Table at Ambrosia – Clarks Exotica

Ambrosia is one of the Casual Dining restaurant in Clarks Exotica, which is one of the best Convention Resort and Spa in Bangalore.  The interior of restaurant is quite sheik and it looks more like a fine dining restaurant.  They serve variety of cuisines – North Indian, South Indian, Continental and Chinese.  I was recently invited to be part of Chef Table with Executive Chef Suresh Babu.  It was an opportunity to interact with Chef and try out some of the Chef specialties.

About Chef

Chef Suresh Babu has nearly 20 years of culinary experience working in different roles.  Before joining, he has worked with Cruise Lines and various hotels.  He specializes in Continental cuisine and has been in Clarks since 6+ years. The food served and presentation reflected upon Chefs talent and experience.

Food

Starters

There were plenty of Vegetarian items among the starters – Baked Mushroom & leeks Phyllo, Shikampuri Sheekh, Celebrity Mushrooms and Hariyoko (Tofu).  All the items tasted quite good.  But if I were to pick my favourites, it would be Baked Mushroom & leeks Phyllo which had the wonderful taste coming from mushroom, cheese & black-olives.  The Hariyoko (Tofu) would be my second pick, which had veggies, Tofu on stick like a grill, topped with homemade sauce making it look good and also taste yummy.

Non-Vegetarian lovers can enjoy – Murgh Kalmi Kabab, Tempura Fried Prawns and Lebanese Lamb Chops.  I heard that the meat was well cooked and tasted good.

Main Course

Some of the Veg options served as part of the buffet includes – Paneer Amritsari Masala, Jeera Mira Aloo, Kaju Mattar Malchana, Cous Cous & Spinach gnocchi & cheddar seasoning and Vegetable Aglio-Olio.  Paneer and Spinach based dishes were my top picks.  Every dish on the main-course had fresh gravy and tasted very good with breads and rice.

There were plenty of options for Non-Vegetarians including – Dum ka Gosht Biryani, Chicken Kola Urundai curry and Stir fried vegetable with Basa.

The buffet spread at Ambrosia is quite large and every dish tastes quite good.  It is quite unlike the notion among people.

Apart from starters and main-course there were plenty of salad options – Greek Salad, German Potato with Walnut, Crumb Fried Fish Finger Salad (non-vegetarian).

Desserts

There was elaborate spread of desserts and every item looked tempting.  Blueberry Panna Cotta (eggless and sugar-free) was undoubtedly my top pick among the deserts.  Few others that I liked were– Spicy Tart with Apple Fillings, Dar Chocolate Flan, Orange Pastry, Ice shots & candies, Rasmalai with Saffron.

I believe Chefs always make it tough for customer to pick only one, as everything looks so good.

Drinks

Sandalwood juice was one of the house specialities.  It was a cooling drink which had the taste of Sandal and was yummy.  I also tasted another refreshing Orange based mocktail and some Chaach which were quite cooling & refreshing.

Ambiance

The interiors at this place is quite good as I described earlier.  They have a wonderful selection of glassware items in one of the shelves.  The sofas for seating are quite comfortable and the table is very well arrangement with individual napkins for every seat.  Wooden flooring below enhances the looks of the place a lot more.  Buffet spread is also arranged very well and everything seems to be kept perfectly.  Seating is spread out allowing guests to walk around easily.

About Clarks Exotica & Chef

Clarks Exotica is known to most of the corporates in Bangalore as they host multiple Corporate outings.  I have visited this place this place multiple time while working with different corporates.  It is one of the biggest resort in Bangalore which has every kind of recreational facility to recharge people from their stressful routine life.  Some of the facilities includes – Swimming pool, Indoor sports, Badminton, Cricket, Lawns, Convention centres and many more.  They also have multiple rooms for guests who like to stay back and enjoy amidst the peaceful surrounding.

Overall Experience

It was a great experience visiting Clarks Exotica which is located quite far away from the city and relishing some of the special dishes prepared by Chef Suresh Babu & his team.  I had some top picks among the starters, main course and deserts which I have mentioned.  Ambrosia restaurant can be considered as one of the best standalone restaurant where people from city can drive down, dine in and celebrate occasion.  I have bookmarked to visit this place for my family celebration.  I rate my current experience at Ambrosia at 4.0/5.

Rating in other departments.
Food – 4.0/5
Drinks – 4.0/5
Service – 4.25/5
Ambiance – 4.25/5
Food for 2 at this restaurant would come upto to INR 2200.

Pictures taken with Chef Suresh Babu.