Want crispier and tastier fries? Try using sweet potatoes!
Sweet potatoes; these nutrition packed starchy root vegetables are readily available in Pakistan. They are cheap, yet fairly neglected in our cuisine. The only place we see these nowadays is on the roads where the one odd cart vendor sells roasted sweet potatoes, more commonly known as shakarkandi, outside schools and shopping centres. Sweet potatoes have never really made their way to fine dining restaurant menus and are seldom even cooked at home! Owing to its tropical and mostly warm climate, Pakistan is blessed with this bounty of nature mostly from November until March. Most of us associate this vegetable with possible weight gain ...
Read Full PostFood for thought for new mothers
Motherhood is one of the most sacred blessings for women, yet it can be a challenging phase of their lives. It is not uncommon to hear new mothers say, “I am so depressed; I can’t seem to lose weight!” However, a well-planned and balanced intake of the right nutrition can provide one with stamina and can help ward off the baby blues. New mothers should focus on food and eating habits that can help them: 1. Ensure that their child is nutritiously nursed 2. Fight depression 3. Lose weight 4. Fight fatigue Energy boosters: Our mood is regulated by a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin is known to increase happiness and make one’s ...
Read Full PostGon Pacci: An exquisitely ‘Feng Shui’ experience
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese lifestyle referring to a peaceful, serene and calm environment. This is exactly what felt as I entered Gon Pacci, the new eatery at Shahbaz Commercial DHA, Karachi. Gon Pacci only just opened and the staff is already busy. With a seating capacity of around 100 people spread over two complete floors and an exciting menu, it’s no wonder that they are already booked for parties and events, not to mention the busy lunch and dinner hours. I was very intrigued by its interior and the finger food served at its launch party. I simply could not ...
Read Full PostThe perfect monsoon treat: Sculpturing competition at the beach
So, the Urdu proverb about building rait ke mehel (castles of sand) can actually be a lot of fun when done literally! At the sand castle building competition at the Sea View, I had a fantastic time doing so, and came across some spectacular pieces of sand art. On Sunday, September 9, 2012, the lively people of Karachi displayed their creativity and their love for the sun and sand at the Sea View, Clifton, Karachi, during the second sand castle building contest by Let’s Build On (LBoN) organised by a group of young, dynamic art aficionados. Building sand castles is a fun ...
Read Full PostGive your wallet a workout at Café DownTown
Glitzy, jazzy and hip. These are the words that came to me as soon as I stepped into Café DownTown, located on Khayaban-e-Sehar in the DHA area of Karachi. In a very short period of time, this expensive new eatery has become a fairly popular hangout among the young crowd of DHA and Clifton. Café DownTown is another addition to the eating-out map of Karachi. Talking to the five young entrepreneurs of this restaurant, I learnt that an ardent passion for food led them to open the place. Their goal in setting up Café DownTown was to respond to the need of many offices and businesses as ...
Read Full PostBella Vita: Satisfy that sweet tooth
Desserts do make life sweet; this is exactly what I thought as I entered Bella Vita in Karachi – the new classical and trendy Italian gelateria and dessert bar that was formally launched on May 19. Serving a variety of gelatos, shakes, sorbets, coffee and a range of unique Italian desserts, this place is strictly for those with a sweet tooth. The brains behind Bella Vita are Omer and Hassan, two young business graduates who have started this venture after the success of Del Frio. The cozy outlet offers a relaxed atmosphere; the high backed chairs are comfortably cushioned, there is wood ...
Read Full PostTreats from the street: Delicious and affordable
Traditional street snacks are a significant part of Pakistani culture. Originating from rural areas, they have also earned popularity in big cities over the years. Not only are they affordable but very delicious too, with a tinge of the typically rural taste. Despite the advent of international fast food chains, the desi roadside snack hawkers continue to run a thriving business; serving eager customers on the streets, at signal stops and outside schools. Most of these snacks are made out of locally grown fruits, vegetables and kernels; thanks to the year round crops of our country. The cooking methods employed use little or no oil ...
Read Full PostCafé Forty4: An oriental taste in every bite
Café Forty4 is not just a regular cafe; it can be used as a venue for a range of events. The restaurant, a new addition to the eateries of the Clifton Block 4 neighbourhood, opened just a few months ago and is already creating a buzz in the city. Samina Bilgrami, one of the working partners, has been in the food and bakery business for over 25 years and has given personal attention to every little detail of the operation, making Café Forty4 an experience beyond dining. The contemporary, double-storey facility encapsulates many artistically designed seating areas. The ground floor has a total ...
Read Full PostSay Gracias if you love Spanish food
Cafe Gracias, a gorgeous new restaurant serving Mexican and Spanish cuisine, is a warm and welcome addition to Karachi’s fine dining scene. The eatery is run by sisters Sidrah and Hifza, whose love for cooking and Spanish culture resulted in this restaurant. Hifza, quit her job as a software engineer in the corporate world after three years to follow her dreams of opening a restaurant and now runs the place full-time. One of the things I instantly loved about this place was the refreshing decor and ambiance; a brightly colored and decorated space with beautiful wall murals and hanging square lamps. Each lamp shade bore a screen print on each side, which ...
Read Full PostChina Kitchen: A fine dining experience
It is hard to believe that China Kitchen opened less then 10 days ago – it is already the talk of the town. Don’t dismiss it as just another Chinese restaurant in town; China Kitchen is truly for an oriental fine dining experience. The new eatery with a seating capacity of over 45 is almost full most nights of the week. Located in the elite neighbourhood of Clifton Block-4, I was thrilled to enter a typically Chinese courtyard complete with life size Chinese murals on the walls, along with statues, artifacts and lovely dark solid wood tables. The seating area is tastefully ...
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