For those of you out there who happen to be Facebook friends with me, you might have seen a status update or two regarding a food photography shoot I had over the weekend. Chef Ellis Cooley from the restaurant AMP 150 approached me a little over a week ago and indicated that the restaurant was in need of photographs of their new menu items for a redesign of the corporate website. He asked if I and fellow foodie Edsel would be interested in doing a photo shoot. Feeling quite proud of how far I've come in my food photography in the last seven months of study, I quickly agreed.
I decided to drop off the finished photographs last night and since the weather was crappy (really, when will this rain end?) and the traffic going south on I-71 backed up, I decided to stay and try a few of the dishes I had photographed over the weekend. You might be tempted to think that with all of the food Edsel and I photographed over the weekend that we would have also tasted it, too. One of the dirty little secrets of professional food photography is that the food doesn't have to taste good, it just has to look good. Thus, if an ingredient doesn't contribute directly to the appearance of the food (like, say, salt), it wasn't added.
So, what did I order? First up was a Shrimp and Pea Risotto with Fresh Local Ramps:
Creamy, buttery, sweet, and garlicy. If I could sum up a dish in four words, those would be it. This was an amazing small plate that did much to feed not only my stomach, but also my soul. The rice was creamy without being mushy, the peas added little pops of sweetness, the shrimp were cooked without being rubbery, and the ramps (kind of like wild garlic) added a much needed sharpness to balance the entire dish. If you are interested in trying this dish, get to AMP 150 soon as ramp season will be over in a matter of weeks, not months.
My second small plate tonight was Poached Sea Scallops over Squid Ink Farro, Fines Herbs, and Fumet:
Again, this was all about texture and flavor balance. The scallops were tender and buttery, the farro had a slightly chewy texture that felt like a cross between barley and rice, and the squid ink, although dark in appearance, had a certain brightness in flavor. I can't tell you which one I enjoyed more as they were both outstanding.
Finally, to finish up my meal tonight, I decided to go with one of AMP 150's new desserts, Lemongrass Rice Pudding, Herbed Tapioca, Coconut Foam, and Passion Fruit Caviar:
As with all of the dishes at AMP 150, this was a clever combination of tart and sweet, creamy and chewy. The rice pudding had a soft, but still chewy texture to it. The herbed tapioca (readers familiar with Bubble/Pearl Tea will understand the texture) had a vegetal quality to it that worked well with the lemongrass and coconut. The passionfruit caviar was practically unsweetened, and as such, contrasted brightly with the sweetness of the foam and rice pudding. This dish was light and airy, yet not overly sweet and ultimately satisfying.
Now that I've whetted your whistle with some of the new menu items available at AMP 150, I think it is high time to announce the gift card giveaway! As part of the compensation that AMP 150 offered me for my photography services, they graciously agreed to include a $25 gift card to give away to one lucky reader of my blog. Considering that $25 is enough for one person to eat a complete meal at AMP 150 (which was pretty much what my bill came to last night with water), it's a great way to experience one of Cleveland's premiere dining destinations.
The contest will work as follows: starting now, simply leave a comment stating that you'd like to win the gift card. You will have until 11:59:59 PM on Friday, April 29th, 2011 (that's 1 second before midnight Saturday) to leave your comment. At 12:00 AM on Saturday morning, I will use random.org to randomly select the winner from all the posted comments. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT, I will contact you to tell you that you've won. If you only leave a name in your comment (which is entirely your option), I will post the winner's name and that person will have until Monday morning, May 2nd, 9:00 AM, to contact me and claim your prize. If no contact has been made by Monday morning at 9:00 AM, I will select another winner.
Bottom line is ... if you want to be entered into the contest and don't wish to leave your email address, make sure you check back to see if you've won!
Once the winner has confirmed their interest in claiming the prize, I will get them the gift card in the manner which is easiest for them (most people prefer the US Postal Service).
Good luck! Even if you don't win the gift card, take the time to check out the fantastic menu at AMP 150. Chef Cooley and crew are really doing some marvelous new dishes on the spring menu.
I'm interested! I keep driving past AMP 150 and wondering when I'll actually stop.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win the gift certificate! AMP 150 is on my "to visit" list of restaurants for 2011. My email: makkjd@aol.com.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win! AMP150 is one of my favorite places to eat and Chef Ellis really knows his food!!
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ReplyDeleteBeen dying to try Amp150, but, since going back to school, tuition prohibits us from eating out much. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteThe pudding looks delicious! I'd love to win just for that :-)
ReplyDeleteHey random.org, pick me! addguy111@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'll take that gift card off your hands! Dining out was one of my favorite hobbies, pre-baby! kfhukill@gmail.com
ReplyDeletePick me! It's my birthday :-)
ReplyDeleteMe! ME! ME!!! ;P Yes, I would LOVE to try AMP 150!
ReplyDeleteamysgourmetcupboard@gmail.com
I've been to Amp 150 for drinks and lusted after the menu. Would love to go! Let me know stanwci@gmail.com
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ReplyDeleteYes please please I would like to win a gift card to AMP 150, Chef Ellis is fantastic!!
ReplyDeletecarrarallamas@yahoo.com
Right spot! I would like a chance to win! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteb1one_2000@yahoo.com
Would love to go to AMP 150 again.
ReplyDeleteJane in Lorain ---Sounds like it would be a great place to celebrate our 43rd anniversary! Really enjoy your reviews -even though we don't get over to sample them ourselves much.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to try AMP150!
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ReplyDeleteI always look for an excuse to go check out what Chef Cooley has created, so count me in for the contest!
ReplyDeletekatrina.r.marshall@gmail.com
I went once and would love to go again.
ReplyDeletejyllpresley@gmail.com
Would very much like to try this restaurant. My email: debora.schmitt13@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this gift card. I'm looking forward to visiting Amp150 for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win! It's on my list of places to try, but I've just not made it there quite yet. :)
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ReplyDeleteAMP 150 is at the top of my list of places to try!! I've heard so many great things about the food & the chef that I can't wait to go and a $25 gift card would just make the experience all that much better!!!
ReplyDeleteemail: cmphilli@sbcglobal.net
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ReplyDeleteChef Ellis is doing some great stuff! Somehow, it always tastes better when someone else pays ;)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win the gift card--it's on our list of places we'd like to visit one day! Thank you for offering it here. I enjoy your blog, and your photography!
ReplyDeleterubyjunes (at) yahoo (dot) com
The photos are gorgeous and the food looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm always up for some AMP 150 deliciousness, so I'd love to win!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win as well. :)
ReplyDeleteSo nice of you to offer this, Tom. AMP 150 is marvelous!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting the photo gig! Great turnout so far for the giveaway, toss my name in the hat too :)
ReplyDeleteI would definitely love to win this!
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ReplyDeleteI'd definitely be excited to win this. We haven't been to AMP 150 in quite a while, and I keep hearing great things about them.
ReplyDeleteMy e-mail address is bmorge11@gmail.com.
I'd love a gift card to AMP 150. Haven't eaten there yet. My e-mail is tannenbaumtwo@gmail.com. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePick me! Pick me!
ReplyDeleteindigorangergrrl@gmail.com
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
ReplyDeleteIt's learning how to go OUT to EAT in the N.E. Ohio rain and esp. if I am a fortunate winner of AMP 150 gift card!
I'd like to win! Amp150 is still on my list of places to try!
ReplyDeleteI wanna win! I'd love to try Amp150!
ReplyDeletesweetflutter83@gmail.com
I'd love to check out Amp. I have heard nothing but good things.
ReplyDeleteChose Fahenheit for our anniv dinner last week, but would love to try AMP150...
ReplyDeleteic72epka@hotmail.com
Thanks!
-Erik