Date of Visit: June 24th, 2015
President: RJP
The Show: 11
The Score: 7.10
This meeting was the first of its kind... the very first time someone of genuine Indian descent presided over the preparation and execution of this long-awaited event. The baton having been passed on to RJ Poddar, the stage was set for a truly authentic Indian experience and did it deliver! The venue had been chosen meticulously, and the group convened at Ambar India (Ambar in Hindi means �sky�). This little dive, located in the Clifton district near the University of Cincinnati, did not disappoint in its ethnic authenticity. In true Indian style, 8 out of the 12 light fixtures were missing at least one light bulb, presumably as a means of being responsible world citizens and reducing our carbon footprint. The reservation to the restaurant was lost, but �jugaad� (improvisation) being the day's motto, they cobbled together seating well enough to get our members seated. The pappadums, which were initially promised to be complimentary, were promptly added to the check as a fait accompli. There was a sticky fly trap hung out on a rope outside the restaurant's restrooms. Even the illustrious president did his bit by being fashionably late to the party (Indian Standard Time). It was marvellous!
Once the stage was set and people settled in, the usual buccaneering revelry began. Taj Mahal, Kingfisher, Crazy Horse, and similar libations ruled the roost. Where there was space for a beer bottle, there was a beer bottle. It was suggested by one of the members in passing that human beings only appreciate something when there's a non-trivial price tag associated with it, and experience bore that out. Ambar India, as against the previous venue is not BYOB, and the premium prices for beer commanded by the restaurant seemed to have the paradoxical effect of actually increasing alcohol consumption. Alan Patten would have been proud. Glory to Him in the Highest!
The meeting started off by welcoming our newest member M*** Cable. M*** confessed that he isn't particularly long in the tooth with Indian food, but that he was willing to �try anything once�. The ambiance of the restaurant was about what one might expect. Not too industrial, not too brilliant. The wait staff didn't seem in any particular hurry to take orders for the meal, but after a little prodding (a little light hearted ribbing from Mark McAuliffe went a long way) we were on our way. Meals arrived all together, which for a group this size isn't always easy. Portion sizes were noted to be adequate. Flavor was good, but members reported significant variance in the level of spice experienced versus what they ordered. The spicing process in the kitchen could use a few more sigmas. Probably the thing that received the most praise was the naan selection. A couple of the naan selections suggested by the wait staff were not on the menu, but were delectable all the same. These easter eggs in served fare are always fun to discover!
M*** Cable was confirmed unanimously by all the members present. Matt's first experience with Indian food seemed to be one of pleasant camaraderie. He loved the food, but did the food love him? His longevity in this proposed union will tested by that one question. Members almost unanimously docked the restaurant for limited availability of parking spaces in their final ratings. The overall theme of the meal votes was that the functional characteristics of the meal far outweighed the non-functional aspects of the restaurant. The appointment of Mr. Justin Henderson as incoming president was the incumbent president's final contribution to a lovely evening.
After the meal, the group moved outside for the customary picture. The characteristically bright day was rendered even brighter by the arrival of a couple of maidens who were approached (at the bidding of ladies man Mr. JJ Wurtz) by the president. It is true, the quality of the picture is very much determined by the pulchritude of the picture taker as much as that of the objects of photography. A small portion of the group broke off at the end to the local watering hole �Arlin's Bar and Restaurant� where an unusually petulant bartender served diminutive amounts of alcohol.
Date of Visit: June 24th, 2015
President: RJP
The Show: 11
The Score: 7.10
This meeting was the first of its kind... the very first time someone of genuine Indian descent presided over the preparation and execution of this long-awaited event. The baton having been passed on to RJ Poddar, the stage was set for a truly authentic Indian experience and did it deliver! The venue had been chosen meticulously, and the group convened at Ambar India (Ambar in Hindi means �sky�). This little dive, located in the Clifton district near the University of Cincinnati, did not disappoint in its ethnic authenticity. In true Indian style, 8 out of the 12 light fixtures were missing at least one light bulb, presumably as a means of being responsible world citizens and reducing our carbon footprint. The reservation to the restaurant was lost, but �jugaad� (improvisation) being the day's motto, they cobbled together seating well enough to get our members seated. The pappadums, which were initially promised to be complimentary, were promptly added to the check as a fait accompli. There was a sticky fly trap hung out on a rope outside the restaurant's restrooms. Even the illustrious president did his bit by being fashionably late to the party (Indian Standard Time). It was marvellous!
Once the stage was set and people settled in, the usual buccaneering revelry began. Taj Mahal, Kingfisher, Crazy Horse, and similar libations ruled the roost. Where there was space for a beer bottle, there was a beer bottle. It was suggested by one of the members in passing that human beings only appreciate something when there's a non-trivial price tag associated with it, and experience bore that out. Ambar India, as against the previous venue is not BYOB, and the premium prices for beer commanded by the restaurant seemed to have the paradoxical effect of actually increasing alcohol consumption. Alan Patten would have been proud. Glory to Him in the Highest!
The meeting started off by welcoming our newest member M*** Cable. M*** confessed that he isn't particularly long in the tooth with Indian food, but that he was willing to �try anything once�. The ambiance of the restaurant was about what one might expect. Not too industrial, not too brilliant. The wait staff didn't seem in any particular hurry to take orders for the meal, but after a little prodding (a little light hearted ribbing from Mark McAuliffe went a long way) we were on our way. Meals arrived all together, which for a group this size isn't always easy. Portion sizes were noted to be adequate. Flavor was good, but members reported significant variance in the level of spice experienced versus what they ordered. The spicing process in the kitchen could use a few more sigmas. Probably the thing that received the most praise was the naan selection. A couple of the naan selections suggested by the wait staff were not on the menu, but were delectable all the same. These easter eggs in served fare are always fun to discover!
M*** Cable was confirmed unanimously by all the members present. Matt's first experience with Indian food seemed to be one of pleasant camaraderie. He loved the food, but did the food love him? His longevity in this proposed union will tested by that one question. Members almost unanimously docked the restaurant for limited availability of parking spaces in their final ratings. The overall theme of the meal votes was that the functional characteristics of the meal far outweighed the non-functional aspects of the restaurant. The appointment of Mr. Justin Henderson as incoming president was the incumbent president's final contribution to a lovely evening.
After the meal, the group moved outside for the customary picture. The characteristically bright day was rendered even brighter by the arrival of a couple of maidens who were approached (at the bidding of ladies man Mr. JJ Wurtz) by the president. It is true, the quality of the picture is very much determined by the pulchritude of the picture taker as much as that of the objects of photography. A small portion of the group broke off at the end to the local watering hole �Arlin's Bar and Restaurant� where an unusually petulant bartender served diminutive amounts of alcohol.
