Skip to main content

My Very First Okra

Finally got to visit Okra last night for dinner. Let’s just say that I was in food heaven when I finally got back home, and was thus unable to land back down to Earth long enough to compose and post a review. It was a small group, and since Okra is a small place, we were well-suited. Saira, AC, Rye’aan and I set out on an Okra binge, and man, did we binge! I had already stuffed up on the brilliant breads with the chili oil, butter and balsamic vinegar in olive oil. For appetizers, we ordered the carpaccio, which has to be the thinnest, most flavorful meat I have ever had. AC insisted we try the mussels, which was a first for me, and it won’t be the last, that’s for sure! The mezze platter, let’s just say, caught my attention. I don’t know what everything was on there, and I was too busy eating to ask. I’m pretty sure I had the stuffed grape leaves, which was different and delightful to eat. But then again, everything there was different and delightful to eat.
 For mains, everyone else ordered beef, and I asked for the lamb shank with saffron risotto. I haven’t found a risotto like that anywhere in Karachi. Soft, creamy, and actual arborio rice! The short grain, starchy stuff which actually makes a proper risotto! The gravy served with it was the way it’s supposed to be. Not too thick, a reduction of concentrated flavors which teased the taste buds rather than full on flavor of salanish, cornfloured-to-death gravy. The shank itself was soft, falling-off-the-bone buttery meat. The flavor of the meat shone through brilliantly, and the strong, meaty taste of lamb which often prevents me from even going near lamb meat was barely present! That’s one place I won’t mind ordering lamb again. Everyone else’s mains looked amazing, specially the vegetables. Blanched properly, retaining their color, vibrant, healthy looking and not soggy or dripping butter or oil. Brilliant. 
The desserts we ordered were creme brulee, chocolate tart with pink peppercorn ice cream, and crepes suzette. I didn’t try the crepes, but the creme brulee was the star of the show. The sugar was caramelized to perfection, and the velvety smooth dreaminess underneath was a beautiful contrast to the crispy burnt sugar on top. The tart was a bit of a letdown, too dense and oily, although I couldn’t find any fault with the pastry, which was crisp and yummy. The pink peppercorn ice cream was interesting, something I’d like to try again. The actual heat came through when one took a bit of the pink peppercorns sprinkled on top, otherwise there was a mild, barely discernable heat resonating through the ice cream, which lasted the first 3 bites, but lost its kick as I ate more of it. 
All in all, it was a wonderful evening, with lovely food and even lovelier people. Yes, AC included, no matter how much he acts up on the page, he is a delight to have as a meal companion. His hits don’t stop, but his facial expressions and intonations help lessening the blows :p I think I was one of the rare people who haven’t been to Okra as yet, but not anymooorreee :D

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

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

Almost a Year Later at RAK's Table

 Hello darkness, my old friend! While I know that blogposts aren't exactly the preferred social media communication method nowadays, something keeps pulling me back to this baby of mine that I can't seem to let go of, even though last I posted was September 4, 2024.  I also feel like this particular culinary experience of mind deserved a blogpost of its own, it was THAT good! It wasn't just the food, but the company with which I enjoyed each morsel, which came about thanks to my foodie friend Sadia Safdar, who kindly thought of me when Rida Alam Khan, head chef at Yazu and RAK's Table requested a taste-testing of some choice dishes from her yet-to-be-opened restaurant. The panel consisted of OG food lovers, not just bloggers, but people who genuinely have a passion for food and can taste the nuanced notes and secret ingredients in perfectly crafted recipes.  Considering I had never been to Yazu, I was quite impressed by the entrance, very tasteful, just like the food as...
Post a Comment
Read more