Admin Virgil.
A food and travel review section.
DISCLAIMER: this is only a
personal review of the place. We were not asked or paid to write a review of
the place mentioned today.
AMBROSIA
This time the SMK team decided to visit a Korean bakery
and get some unique experience. The place we chose was ‘AMBROSIA’, located in
Cenetoph road, Chennai-18.
The café/bakery opens at ten in the morning and
closes at nine. Ambrosia being a café and a bakery in one successfully delivers
both. The menu varies from drinks to bakery, pastry and even savoury dishes
both vegan and non-vegan. We ordered a Choco chip muffin and a café latte which
totally summed up to 271 rupees. The Choco chip muffin was hard on the outside
and soft and moist on the inside which added dimensions to texture and in terms
of flavour, it was exceptional. Not your average Choco chip muffin .The
downside to this muffin is its quick-to-crumb nature which makes it a bit of a
hassle to eat. Otherwise, the Choco chip muffin was worth it.
The café latte was presented in a different way. The tall glass of latte was
accompanied with a small gravy bowl filled with sugar syrup like consistency.
Since the latte did not contain sugar, one could add as much of it as one
prefers. There isn’t much to say about the latte as it delivered to the norm.
Infrastructure- 5 out of 5.
To finish it off, we ordered a double cheese sandwich. Unfortunately, this
proved to be a disappointment. The name of the dish is misleading; we did not
expect a pizza like oozing cheese but at least enough to for us to see the
difference between the two layers of cheese and the bread. There was no
lingering taste of cheese and quite frankly the dish was a let-down.
Now, I am going to break down the review and grade
them in points of 5.
The infrastructure and ambience of the place is outstanding. The lighting and the not-so-hidden ventilation system give it a raw yet classy appeal. Although the place was small, each corner echoed the café/bakery’s best works.
Food – 3 out of 5.
Perhaps it was our
early arrival at the cafe/bakery (we visited the place at eleven), because some
of the products were still in the making, and the ones that did arrive was not
warm (double cheese sandwich)
Presentation- 2 out of 5.
Continuing with the above point, we would like to add that there were also some
bakery products that were for sale but the name tag was not placed on them yet
leading to hesitation and confusion on our side. Now, we cannot put the reason
for this as us coming too early, as placing name cards on the bakery item is
not a burdening or time consuming task.
Hospitality and customer service-
0 out of 5.
Quite frankly, we feel bad for doing it, but
it is for the best. From the time we made our order till the time we left, we
felt as though something was amiss. When asked for the menu, the cashier
pointed at a wall which had nothing but drinks and yogurt items and nothing
about the actually bakery items. The cashier explained that Americano was black
coffee when I ordered for it. I do not know what it was that made her think
that I did not know what I was ordering.
Aside from that, there was miscommunication taking place. The cashier stated
that the meat filling in their bakery product is all pork. Yet, after waiting
long enough, (one hour) chicken filled products were brought to the display
table.
Also, something which a customer must never feel is invisible or even
unnecessary which is what we felt. The entry of the owner and her kin suddenly
changed the ambience of the café. Public display of affection between the
employer and the employee or in this case between the child of the employer and
the employee is not something which the customer would feel comfortable
watching. What was meant to be a public space had turned into a private circle.
The employees’ sudden jovial attitude and even willingness to walk the child
out when the customer was still present in the café/bakery was something I had
never before experienced.
On a different tone, I had wanted to interview the owner to ask her certain
things about the café, which I was unable to do for the employee insisted on
knowing what ‘company’ I was from and also stated that the owner would not
answer personal questions. I doubt asking ‘why a Korean bakery has a Greek
name?’ would be called a personal question. What was even irritating was that
when asked for the owner’s name, ‘Kim’ was the response. I believe there is
nothing more to say after this.
In short, Ambrosia is a unique place which seems to add to its reclusive
nature. The interior design adds space and depth to the place giving it clear
and multiple dimensions. If you are looking for a quiet place to study or to
just unplug yourself from the world, then this place is meant for you. If not,
I suggest you at least go there for the muffins.
Once again, this is a personal opinion/experience and if you do not agree with
it that is all good, do let us know what you feel. Our intention is not to hurt
anyone.
