So I arrived at AMP150, not a minute too soon; spot on 6:30 and reported to the hostess. My first reaction I got was, the hostess....wasn't too "AMPed" to see me and my date for the night - but i dismissed it as; me being too excited to enjoy the food I was expecting. But when she started to lead me to a table RIGHT in front of the lobby; I politely informed her that we had requested a more quieter table, in fact on near the back, and if fact, we were suggested and confirmed for booth#32. To my surprise, she without even checking the computer looked at me and reported "That's not possible!". She let me know that they don't do that and that it was fully booked that night and booth 32 had been reserved. I was a little taken a back - yeah; booth 32 was reserved - for me, i had reserved it 2 weeks ago; and had confirmed it 2 days ago. I told her of this but she dismissed the notion, but after some very polite pleading ( i was still very excited for the food so I was still very excited to just get seated nicely) she sat me down next to booth 32. In reality; it was no problem, and I was still happy - i mean, I still got a decent table; inside; away from the lobby, but I was just surprised by her reaction, and way she dealt with the situation. But small bump on the road; onto the food!
Stephanie, our server; who was AWESOME btw, came by promptly, took our drink and food orders and the food adventure began! Boy was I excited!
Next, we decided to get both the calamari salad and the chopped salad and share both of them. Stephanie our servers was nice enough to split our two salads into half orders, so both me and my date could have half an order of each of the salads. These were good. Great in fact. I especially loved the Calamari salad and would definitely recommend everyone to get this. The fried calamari was done perfect; small rings of calamari fried perfectly; to keep them still tender; and crunchy batter; mixed with a frisee salad that was cut with a sour lemon vinagrette and some speck ham i believe. The flavors played together so well with the small fragrant cubes of cheese incorporated into the salad. Very nice. The chopped salad was, for a lack of better description; sooo fresh. Very good. I was scared that the salad would turn out too bland since it was just purely veggies without too much to compliment the veggies; but the white vinaigrette it was dressed with; was tremendous. It was the definition of freshness and a great way to cut the stronger taste we had from the calamari salad and the appetizers we had just tasted. Wonderful two salads.
Now, when the lamb came out; what hit me was...two things. The smell was TREMENDOUS. It smelt wonderful, and secondly - the portion was normal! It was a generous portion of braised lamb with normal sized sides. I think the flank steak order was a mistake. they may have given me an accidental, tasting size or something because it was just pitiful. Now the braised lamb...good portion; AMAZING smell. and the TASTE? wonderful. I was definitely impressed. The meat was so tender and flavorful. Not too strong of the gaminess, but enough to impart the lamb flavor to you. Enough fat to give you flavor, but not too much to overwhelm and take over the dish. What was even better was the sides. The creaminess of the couscous on the side and the fruitty salad really cut the rich taste of the lamb when taken together. I was super impressed with the lamb dish; I loved it; and would suggest ANYONE who goes to AMP150 that likes lamb; that they MUST get it. Super moist; tender and flavorful. So I was in much better spirits after had made a quick decision to order my second entree, although still a little wary; of why i had to do so, but i was here to enjoy myself and so I tried to forget it.
Now overall, how was my experience at AMP150 you ask? I would have to say, I enjoyed it. Yest, AMP150 was good. Some parts of it was GREAT even amazing for example I loved the braised lamb dish, and the panna cotta dessert? heavenly. Both were so good I know I will go back just to enjoy those two dishes along with the calamari/chopped salad. However,. because I also ordered the other choices as well i was somewhat disappointed and that was where the BUT came in. The wings were - regular; run of the mill if not, flavorless and borderline dry. The flank steak was really....pitiful small portion and just...flavorless. So sure, there were let downs in this meal, but i think the fact that the good points also shone through makes it so hard to decide. Two amazing dishes counterbalanced by two very poorly done dishes....what to say, how to decide. To make things harder; the service was also a hyde and jekyll experience. The hostess was rude and outright unacceptable, whereas our server stephanie was great!
So in the end, i would say, AMP150 was great. I enjoyed myself. The food was good. BUT there were problems, serious problems, but the good things shone through that I would have decide by going one more time. They may have had an off night; maybe there were just the once in long shot mistakes with the flank steak and wings....but the lamb and calamari and dessert really shone through. so in the end; I challenge amp150 with this. I will come again. definately come again. the lamb/salad/dessert is too good not to, and i hope the issues i had this time; were just an off night!!! Oh, and I hope the hostess doesn't lie next time either. If you're going to give me booth#32 when i reserve, and someone special comes in last might (someone that chef ellis knows) please don't tell me that I didn't reserve it. I did. Just tell me the truth; i'll understand. =)
Overall: 3.75 out of 5 stars.
AMP 150
4277 W 150th St
Cleveland, OH 44135
(216) 916-0104
www.amp150.com
