Exploring Lahore's menu
 Lahore
is Pakistan’s true food centre. The induction of quality Thai food has made
it more cosmopolitan. Lahorites have access not only to a large number of
Pakistani dishes and Punjabi specialities, it has fast food restaurants,
Western dishes, steak houses, pizzas, Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, Afghani,
Thai cooking and even Indian ‘Thali’ and ‘Dossas.’
Food Street
The success of Food Street in Gawalmandi, established in 2000, has been
beyond its organisers’ imaginations, and has led to other Food Streets being
set up. The concentration of Western-styled restaurants on posh M.M. Alam
Road can be called Lahore’s ‘Elite Food Street.’
Now I shall try to rate Lahore’s leading restaurants to make the choice
easier for the readers, based on atmosphere, quality of food in relation to
prices and service etc.
Atmosphere
The foremost factor for assessing any restaurant is the atmosphere it
provides to its customers who leave their houses to visit it. The
restaurants classified on the basis of atmosphere are as follows:-
Category ‘AAA’
Freddie’s, Mezzo, Village, KFC, Pizza Hut (M.M. Alam Road), McDonalds (Defence,
Fortress Stadium), Dynasty, Fujiyama, Kims, Fort Grill (Avari), Dum Pukht,
Steak House, Elephant and Taipan (PC).
Category ‘AA’
McDonald’s (All), Pizza Hut (Defence), KFC (Garden Town), Chicago Grill,
Shezan
(Fortress Stadium), Golden Wok (Defence), Hsing Kuang, Taiwah, etc.
Category ‘A’
Go-Go, Shezan Oriental, Pasta (Jail Road), Paradise (Liberty), Bellpepper
(Fortress Stadium), Sichuan. (List is not exhaustive. Dozens of other
restaurants fall in ‘A’ category, but I have mentioned only those I have
visited recently.)
Pakistani food
Pakistani Food can be sub-divided in two distinct styles: Mughal-style
Pakistani curries and Punjabi Barbecue and Karahis. In the curry category,
the best choice is available at Village, Shezan Oriental, Bellpepper,
Kabana, Paradise, Ziafat etc., where you can get reasonably good quality
Curries, Biryanis, Nans etc.
Dum Pukht (PC) serves some ‘Westernised’ curries. Most dishes are very
expensive and lack the true Mughal curry taste. It seems the dishes are made
for foreign customers. For the real Delhi-style taste, turn to wayside shops
like Paradise Canteen (near GPO) which serves the tastiest curries, Payas,
Batairs and Biryani in town. I also visit Nanbai shops like Abdul Rehman’s
in Old Anarkali, Mian Restaurant (off Canal Bank, Gulberg), Baghdadi (Shadman
Market), Labha (Davis Road) and one or two outlets in Sadar, Main Market
Gulberg, Liberty etc. Khan Baba (Chauburji) is popular for its Pakistani
dishes well-cooked in ‘Desi Ghee.’
Barbecue
The Lahorites, love to eat BBQ food, available at hundreds of outlets all
over town. The real secret of BBQ food is to consume it straight from the
BBQ pit. A Seekh Kabab is tastier eaten immediately from the pit. At that
moment, its minced meat is warm and the fat is melted, and thus most tasty.
So every Seekh Kabab is good if you do not let it go cold. Chicken Tikka
needs a little care. It should be ordered as golden brown or burnt black. I
prefer golden brown, before most of its surface turns black, while it still
has juices in it. Once the Tikka is over cooked, you not only consume some
carbon, but also the meat’s juices are lost.
Chicken Karahi
Chicken Karahi is best if made fresh according to your taste. So select a
shop where you find it is made to your taste. I prefer Zakir in Cantonment
and Mian Hotel on Canal Bank, because both use lots of green masala and
tomatoes, giving a very fresh taste. I prefer a Karahi with some gravy,
though some prefer it dry. Bhatti and Butt both of Lakhshami Chowk, Grill at
Liberty, Punjab Tikka House in Main Gulberg serve delicious Chicken Karahis
at reasonable rates.
Taka Tak
I go to Nishat Taka Tak at Lakhshami Chowk for Taka Tak, a Gurda-Chop
concoction, because they make it fresh in your presence and use the right
amount of green masala and garlic-ginger paste. For an unforgettable
experience, ask the shopkeeper to warm your Nan over the dish while cooking.
 Bundoo
Khan
Bundoo Khan of Karachi fame, has opened outlets for his Paratha-Kabab dish,
which have maintained hygiene and good service, and are worth a visit.
Chinese Food
Chinese cuisine continues to be Lahorite’s “second most popular food.” There
are two types of Chinese food connoisseurs. One likes a lot of variety in
the same meal, the other orders fewer specialised dishes. Those who prefer
variety should patronise the buffet at Taiwah, Yeefah and some other Chinese
restaurants as well as at the Golden Wok (Sundays only).
For the second category, fewer in number, true lovers of Chinese food, I
recommend Steve’s Hsing Kuang which serves dishes of the highest standard.
Other popular outlets worth a visit include Sichuan, Taipan (PC) and Dynasty
(Avari), Guang Dong and Golden Wok in Defence.
Chinese takeaway food is also becoming quite popular. Prices are less than
half those you pay at a good restaurant, service is quicker, the quality is
reasonable, and you can enjoy the food with your family at home. A growing
number of takeaway outlets in Gulberg, Iqbal Town, Garden Town etc. are
providing Chinese food.
Fast Food
McDonalds, with nine outlets, continues to attract the largest number of
Lahorites, mostly youth and children, because of its play areas. The initial
curiosity of eating at McDonalds now seems to be disappearing and except at
weekends, McDonalds outlets are looking out for customers.
Pizza Hut, particularly on M.M. Alam Road, has maintained a good standard.
The Defence Pizza Hut outlet has come up with an ‘incentive’ scheme which
had made it quite popular and you cannot get a place easily there, any day
of the week.
KFC has started a number of gimmicks through “Combination Meals” at its
various outlets. One should visit KFC, as an interesting change from Tikkas
and Curries.
Pakistani Burger (or Sheeda Burger) as it popularly called, continues to be
popular with masses due to its low price. Its quality has also improved.
Western Food
The real growth in recent years on the Lahore Food Scene, is the opening of
western food outlets of good standard. Credit for this goes to Mahmood Akbar
for his ‘Salt & Pepper’ outlets. The real reason for their success is the
maintenance of standards and reasonable prices. You do not have to pay GST,
because Mahmood Akbar pays the Excise department its entire demand,
according to the government’s rules, at the beginning of the year so that
customers do not pay the odd duties. I hope other restaurants follow.
Freddie’s
Freddie’s continues to be one of Lahore’s elite’s most popular haunts.
Despite the large area, one often has to wait to get a place. The standard
of food is maintained, servings are generous, while the service is
attentive, prompt and courteous. Freddie’s, besides Western dishes, also
serves Afghani food.
Mezzo
An import from Islamabad, Mezzo serves good quality western dishes with an
Italian influence. It has beautiful decor and excellent atmosphere and
deserves a visit. Its fish dishes are of good quality.
Chicago Grill is yet another popular western food outlet. After the death of
its founder Amir Riaz, one expected it would be unable to maintain its
standard. But to the surprise of all, its owners are doing a good job.
Shezan in Fortress has also maintained its standard over the years. It has
efficient service and serves a very satisfying meal, not only Western but
some Pakistani dishes also. Its Nans and Chicken Seekh Kabab are among the
best in Lahore.
Chatkhara
Chatkhara’s two outlets provide Indian-style ‘thali.’ Its Rolled Behari
Kabab in Paratha is popular.
Punjabi Specialities
The best place in Lahore for a variety of Punjabi Specialities, is Food
Street in Gawalmandi. Within 150 yards, you have a choice of nearly 100
items from 85 outlets. The management has now arranged that you sit anywhere
and order from any outlet. The waiters are now uniformed, courtesy a
multinational. Food Street presents a colonial look. The low prices make
your visit very satisfying.
Specialities
For Nihari, go for Haji inside Lohari and Waris in Paisa Akhbar and on
Mozang Chungi. For Haleem, shops on Lakshami Chowk, Abbot Road, near Mubarak
Cinema, and outside old Nigar Cinema and Baghdadi in Shadman Market. Go-Go
near Sherpao Bridge and Ashraf Tikka Shop in Main Market Gulberg for Mutton
Chops. For Punjabi Style Fish, Sardar of Gawalmandi continues to be ‘King.’
Other leading Lahore fish outlets, include those at Ichra and Mozang Chungi.
For Murgh Chholey, go for Sultan and Shahi of Lakhshami Chowk. I also enjoy
Anda Kofte Chholey from Nila Gumbad and Chikar Chholey outside Masjide
Shohada and near the Cantonment School.
Japanese Food
Fujiama gives you the only choice of Japanese Food in Lahore. Lahorites find
it fascinating to eat Tippanyaki style of Japanese cooking and they are
getting used to assorted Sushi and Raw fish, Tampura style of Japanese
cooking etc. and enjoy eating these Japanese specialities with freshly made
garlic rice with it.
Thai Food
You can get Thai food at two restaurants, Golden Wok and Elephant (PC).
Elephant has an elegant Thai decor. They have imported the needed condiments
and spices, which make their dishes authentic. It Tom Yam Soup, green and
coconut-based curries, sticky rice and other dishes made in tamarind sauce,
spicy herbs etc. provide a welcome change.Bakery
Besides some of the restaurants as mentioned above, Lahorites also enjoy
cooked items from dozens of bakeries of Lahore. Rahat Bakery offers the
biggest choice of ready-to-eat items, as do Shezan, Gourmet, Kitchen
Cuisine, International Bakery, etc.
Mithai
Lahorites eat a lot of Mithai. Nirala seems to be more popular than Shirin
Mahal these days. But Fazal, Rahat, Shezan and Gourmet outlets also serve
good quality Mithai. Prices have come down in the past couple of years.
(Courtesy : nation.com.pk) |
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