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 the traditional mandi manner along with ample table seating are available.
The manager was well informed about the menu, even though since this was an invited event we were getting a preset menu. Since I do know mandi has different regional taste profiles, I found out a Yemeni chef was preparing our food. My experience with Yemeni food is almost nil, I just know there is little to no use of chili. I may have had it once, maximum twice and I wasn't impressed enough to remember either occasions. I didn't expect much this time around, either.
The first item to come to the blogger table was Yakhni. The menu said mutton yakhni, but honestly it tasted just like a flavorful yakhni, enhanced flavor-wise. I did quite enjoy it, even though i associate yakhni with flus and medicinal purposes. On a cold winter night, this yakhni will hit the spot. I did want to try the hummus but there was already so much food coming, I didn't want to waste it. The main courses covered the entire length of the table with platters of rice and protein. Among the variety, there was Mutton Mandi, Mutoon Madfoon, Mutton Haneeth, Chicken Madbee, and Fish Madbee. There was also a green raita and tomato chutney which was absolutely stunning. I could've had just that with a spoon.
My heart sank thinking all this leftover food will be tossed, but apparently all of us were really hungry. By the time I left, people were still polishing off the food and there was perhaps 1 platter full of rice and meat leftover, which wasn't too bad considering all the food there.
I obviously couldn't try everything out, so settled for the dishes closest to me. The Fish Madbee was my absolute favorite, for which I will definitely go back. Tender juicy fillets of good quality seafood which wasn't overpowered with excessive masalas was a refreshing change from the regularly available packaged masala seafood. The bed of rice on it was an aromatic pulao, colored saffron and although one can't really identify the various spices, they all amalgamate to create a mouth-watering concoction. The rice was khara and unbroken and yummy in my tummy. The same rice was used in all of the dishes. Don't fret if you don't like mutton or fish, because the Chicken Madbee I tried was also a delight to eat. The chicken was fork-tender and eluded to the same aromas of the yakhni I had earlier. The Mutton Haneeth was spiced differently from the rest. While it wasn't spicy, I do believe it had a smokier element to it, and once more, the meat was fork-tender. I didn't have to pick up my knife even once to get into the chicken, fish or mutton.
If like me, you believe Yemeni food is too bland for the Pakistani palate, I say go give Mandi House a shot and you will definitely change your mind. I want to try the Basbousa, Kunafa, Fattoush, Hummus and the Lemon Mint Mojito my friend had looked very refreshing. If you see me there, come over, say hi and tell me your favorite Mandi House dish.
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 the traditional mandi manner along with ample table seating are available.
The manager was well informed about the menu, even though since this was an invited event we were getting a preset menu. Since I do know mandi has different regional taste profiles, I found out a Yemeni chef was preparing our food. My experience with Yemeni food is almost nil, I just know there is little to no use of chili. I may have had it once, maximum twice and I wasn't impressed enough to remember either occasions. I didn't expect much this time around, either.
The first item to come to the blogger table was Yakhni. The menu said mutton yakhni, but honestly it tasted just like a flavorful yakhni, enhanced flavor-wise. I did quite enjoy it, even though i associate yakhni with flus and medicinal purposes. On a cold winter night, this yakhni will hit the spot. I did want to try the hummus but there was already so much food coming, I didn't want to waste it. The main courses covered the entire length of the table with platters of rice and protein. Among the variety, there was Mutton Mandi, Mutoon Madfoon, Mutton Haneeth, Chicken Madbee, and Fish Madbee. There was also a green raita and tomato chutney which was absolutely stunning. I could've had just that with a spoon.
My heart sank thinking all this leftover food will be tossed, but apparently all of us were really hungry. By the time I left, people were still polishing off the food and there was perhaps 1 platter full of rice and meat leftover, which wasn't too bad considering all the food there.
I obviously couldn't try everything out, so settled for the dishes closest to me. The Fish Madbee was my absolute favorite, for which I will definitely go back. Tender juicy fillets of good quality seafood which wasn't overpowered with excessive masalas was a refreshing change from the regularly available packaged masala seafood. The bed of rice on it was an aromatic pulao, colored saffron and although one can't really identify the various spices, they all amalgamate to create a mouth-watering concoction. The rice was khara and unbroken and yummy in my tummy. The same rice was used in all of the dishes. Don't fret if you don't like mutton or fish, because the Chicken Madbee I tried was also a delight to eat. The chicken was fork-tender and eluded to the same aromas of the yakhni I had earlier. The Mutton Haneeth was spiced differently from the rest. While it wasn't spicy, I do believe it had a smokier element to it, and once more, the meat was fork-tender. I didn't have to pick up my knife even once to get into the chicken, fish or mutton.
If like me, you believe Yemeni food is too bland for the Pakistani palate, I say go give Mandi House a shot and you will definitely change your mind. I want to try the Basbousa, Kunafa, Fattoush, Hummus and the Lemon Mint Mojito my friend had looked very refreshing. If you see me there, come over, say hi and tell me your favorite Mandi House dish.
Comments
Post a Comment