Skip to main content

A Little Bit of New York in Karachi


A few weeks ago, I was a bit unsure about visiting New York Cafe for an early dinner and coffee. I'm so glad I went! Everyone has already raved about the ample space and inviting decor, but can I just mention that my friend pointed out how nice and no-fuss the cutlery is, with ample napkins at the table and the comfortable seating.
Moving on to the service, the staff was very eager to hear our feedback regarding the food, and the suggestions we offered were well received. The service was prompt, friendly and efficient. 
My friends and I also came away happy with the food. I started off with a cappuccino, which was creamy, frothy and delicious. The buffalo wings we ordered were served with a spicy sauce, which is the regular fare at most eateries, but the star was the other dressing; the blue cheese sauce, which my friend enjoyed the most, since she loves blue cheese. The buffalo wings themselves were the perfect crispy skin and tender chicken, slightly spicy and perfectly seasoned.
Everyone enjoyed their mains, which included a club sandwich, a risotto, and a panini. One friend didn't want tomatoes in her club sandwich and was very happy that her instructions were followed through, since our server Shehroz, being a properly trained fellow was noting everything down instead of saying, 'Ma'am mujhe yaad rahega' and then messing up the order. The friend who had the panini said it was the way a panini should be and reminiscent of an Italian restaurant in San Francisco which had been established for almost a century. 
Moving on to the cheesecake, can I just say it is as close as one can get to a cheesecake here in Karachi? The base can be a wee bit crispier and crunchier, but the cake itself was dense, cheesy, sweet,and definitely made with Philadelphia cream cheese, the way God meant it to be made. Although we were full after dinner and vowed we couldn't eat another bite, we polished off that cheesecake. It was gone. Finished. Not a crumb left. 
We waddled out of there full, happy and I at least, didn't need to eat anything at all the rest of the evening. I hope to visit New York Cafe again very soon!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Meet the Chaza Queen of Karachi and proud owner of Juniper Kitchens, Shama! I had the absolute pleasure of being invited to her home for a lunch that left me in awe of the versatility found in Burmese cuisine. While Shama herself isn't Burmese, her ancestors have had a long-standing history with visiting Burma and adapting their local cuisine into their home. For those of you who don't know, Shama offers catering services and has a devoted clientele for her home-based catering services named Juniper Kitchens. I visited Shama's beautiful home with my friend Lailumah Shah , where we were welcomed with a refreshing hibiscus drink and an assortment of snacks including roasted and salted nuts, dried mango, and spicy tamarind. After a while, the table was laid with an assortment of salads, appetizers and entrees that was too much food for just 2 people. We started with the green tea leaf salad, a spicy mix of crunchy, nutty notes and the subtle fragrance of top tier green tea. I...

Mandi House, Grand Launch

I'll be real with you. I have actually never really been fond of mandi. Pulao with tender meat pieces is something I was born eating. I didn't understand the fuss about it. You know how different food fads have trended wherever you live? Chinese, Pan Asian, burgers, Continental cuisines area all different from the local palate. Pulao aur boti toh mai ghar pe bhi kha sakti hun. So I never got on to the mandi house fad. And the servings at these places are huge, bordering on wasteful. I wasn't going to go there with just one or two friends to eat mandi. No Sirree Bob. Mandis are meant for at least 3-5 people to enjoy, depending on hunger levels. Recently I was invited to the grand launch of the new Mandi House on main Shaheed-e-Millat's now populated restaurant strip. The place was easy to find since it's so prominently visible from the main road. The restaurant itself is made really well, with a waiting area and seating space on both floors. Options for dining in ...

Round Two at Dragonfly Kitchen

Before I had even gotten the food delivered from Dragonfly Kitchen the first time around, Farhan (Who has been supplying the delicious goodies and staying in constant contact from prep to delivery to tasting and then feedback), had promised a dip tray and panna cotta. So while Monday had been wraps and brownies day, the next day was dip tray day. Now this dip tray was fresh, delicious and the absolute perfect midday snack. The dip itself was blue cheesy goodness. Creamy, rich, but not overpowered by just blue cheese. Perhaps it was my taste buds, but there was a sour creamy feel to it, which Farhan reassured me he hadn't added, but wow. Whoever I gave a taste to, agreed that everything was fresh and tasted amazing. There were carrots, cucumbers and those crispy yummy flat bread pieces with nigella seeds strewn over them, adding another subtle flavor dimension.  The packaging was also done very well. The napkin tied in with every item sent was also a nice touch. Now b...