Skip to main content

An Okra-ing We Will Go!

Okra has always been a beautiful experience. And when one has the company of four wonderful friends (Missed one), dinner becomes an even better treat. I got there late, as usual, (I sahwy) but was just in time for the bread basket. Saira mixed together chili oil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and the resulting concoction with the multigrain bread and baguette was beautiful! The Mezze Platter I think I’ve had for the third time, and it has been the same deliciousness every single time. I don’t think anyone can make the hummus like Okra makes hummus. There was also a roasted cheese type thing that was salty, tangy and spread on the baguette was a party-in-my-mouth.  

Amidst a thoroughly enjoyable conversation came our main courses. Now, I don’t know the exact names, but Saira ordered a gourmet burger, which I didn’t try but the fries were definitely NOT the pre-packaged frozen ones, yet were crispy and salted well, served with a side of mustard and ketchup. Sabeen and I ordered steaks, and while I don’t know the name of Sabeen’s steak, I do know that she had a circle of scallops surrounding her steak, which were, to me at least, a mix between mussels and fish, quite an interesting texture, and something I would really like to try again! My steak was done medium well, pink in the middle, just the way I like it, and was served with a blue cheese sauce that actually tasted of like Gruyere, and went very well with the steak and side of vegetables, which honestly I could have had all on their own with the blue cheese sauce. I also ordered a drink which I didn’t quite catch the name of, but it was the best shikanjabeen-tasting drink I’ve had in a while. The slightest hint of ginger was definitely refreshing and zesty. Qamarunnisa ordered a risotto, I believe, and Gulnaz ordered a shrimpy-pasta thingie, which she loved. 

For dessert, we had Sabeens absolutely-fantastically-yummy-in-my-mouth macaroons, which she wasn’t happy with, and I can’t wait to try out what her perfect ones taste like! The vanilla ice cream with sea salt and olive oil was interesting, and a must try for the adventurous ones. Flecks of vanilla in the ice cream itself, with the salt and hint of olive oil flavor was a combination I didn’t believe I would particularly enjoy, but the flavors strangely enough, went together quite well. 

Then of course, I had to try out Okra’s macaroons, and those are something I can definitely go for again, specially with a cup of coffee and a good book to keep me company.  We also got to meet Mariam Bilgrami , who was there for dinner with her family, and Ayaz Khan, who had been busy in the kitchen, but whom we had to meet and thank personally for such wonderful food. Our server Zahoor also deserves a special mention. Friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive. May everyone have as fun a dinner as I have had tonight *Happy dance*

Comments

Post a Comment

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Golden Dragonization

I’ve always loved desi Chinese food. I’ve been raised on desi Chinese food. The more sweetish side of things, with so many spices that one’s left wondering whether to eat or wipe one’s nose or eat one’s food. But oh, so good.  Thus, I convinced the family to order Golden Dragon tonight, even though they were most reluctant to order from a new place. Since my father and I are both allergic to ajino moto, we requested that no ajino moto be added in our food. Stuck to the basics, since it was my first time ordering. We ordered the hot and sour soup, hot and spicy wontons, crispy beef, hot and spicy chicken, chicken in oyster sauce, and vegetable fried rice. The first thing we got to open was the wontons. All the food was steaming, amazingly hot. Since Abu was in the kitchen with me, the first thing he did was make a face and say, ‘Aye hai! Steamed wontons hamaray matlab k thori hain.’ I took a bite, then forced him to take a bite. When I raised my eyebrows at him in quest...
Post a Comment
Read more

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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more