Amadeus: Economic, but not exclusive

My excitement to check out the extended World Tapas Day celebration at Amadeus was as much about doing it with a friend who has returned from an 18-day trip to Spain, as it was about gorging on the 'exclusive menu' Amadeus was to have put together. Blame it on us having chosen a Monday evening or the many who may have visited four days ago on June 16, but the restaurant was empty save another table occupied by a bunch of formally-dressed men enjoying a team dinner. Yet, our spirits remained high.

Realising it's a set menu with a five-course meal, plus a glass of house wine (we opted for white), we decided it's safer to share one meal than indulge in two and waste. Our first offering, Mustard infused Piquillo Peppers stuffed with Saarl on Citrus Rocket ended up being the star of the vegetarian feast with just the right balance of cheese, tang, spice and pungency from the mustard. Regulars would know, the delicacy is often unavailable; the chef later shares it is due to the irregular supply of these imported peppers. The second dish, the pizza-like coca (its toppings and bread-making technique are slightly different than the Italian friend's)—laden with jalapeno, caramelised onion and ash chevre—was our second favourite. The Mushroom caps with Pedro Ximénez Sherry and herbed goat’s cheese, though nice, lacked the wow factor and the Beer Batter Clumped Corn with Spiced Chimichuri Sauce and Lemon Allioli reminded us of corn bhajiyas one gets at Mahabhaleshwar. My least favourite was the savoury puff pastry of Burnt Garlic Spinach Brie and Feta Brik served with Tzatziki Relish, but ranked third for my friend.

As the dishes arrived, we realised they weren't new experiments off-the-menu, but merely smaller portions of options on Amadeus' hot and cold tapas sections. Priced at Rs. 1200 for the vegetarian fare and Rs.1400 for the non-vegetarian, it's a good deal. But from a place that hasn't changed its menu since inception, we had hoped to see something new, especially since it is being marketed as an 'exclusive World Tapas Day menu'. Change is on the cards the chef says, but post an international project that's keeping them busy.