The Dip Shop, Schon Circle, Clifton

Located opposite Agha's Supermarket on main Schon Circle in Clifton is a small, cosy little dessert shop famous for its dip-coated, topping-covered ice cream.

Interestingly, they also have a Gola Gunda stand outside, that offers "Dip Gola"!

Their menu features diverse yet refreshingly affordably-priced items.

The shop is neat and tidy.

Understandably, families with young children are regulars at The Dip Shop.

Children love visiting this shop because the variety of dips and toppings make them excited about the prospect of 'creating' their own unique sweet treat.

The dips: ice cream scoops are dipped into these sauces.

The dip-coated ice cream scoop is then tossed in one or more of these toppings to cover it.

This is the Waffle Sundae, priced at Rs 70: a scoop of ice cream of your choice, nestled inside a crunchy biscuit waffle, coated with dip and toppings (crushed biscuits and sprinkles in this case) and crowned with a cherry.

I decided to go for Cold Coffee, my usual favorite.

Verdict: The Dip Shop has been in quiet but successful business for many years now. Its desserts are affordable but good in taste and quality. A refreshing change from the usual over-decorated cafes offering exotic-sounding, over-priced desserts that are considered the 'hot spots' in town. Pun intended! ;)

New Chullu Subhani Restaurant, Saddar

Tucked away in main Saddar, downtown Karachi, is vintage Chullu Subhani Cafe (also known as Chilo or Chelo Kababs)

The eatery is located right opposite the Caltex petrol station, next to Hotel Sarawana.

Amazing Iranian Chilo/Chelo/Chullu Kababs have been served here for years, in beef, chicken and fish.

The prices are very reasonable, with the serving size leaving nothing to be desired. We have also tried their Prawn Masala (Rs 230), which was delicious!

The Chullu Dishes are all herded under a seperate "Dishes for Foreigners" category on the menu, because of their lighter, less spicy taste.

The hygiene level of the restaurant is not exactly 5-star, so its not a 'posh' food outlet. There is a smaller, more private family room upstairs, where 5-6 familes can dine.

Moong Daal Fry - Rs 55 - the best daal I have had a in a very long time!

Fluffy naan's - hot from the oven!

Chullu Kabab Makhsoos - Rs 220: butter rice, one seekh of beef Chullu kabab, 7 pieces boneless chicken boti (hidden under the rice in the picture), two grilled tomatoes and French fries. One such dish easily suffices two adults.

Chullu Fish - Rs 200: two crumb-fried fish fillets with butter rice and grilled tomatoes

Fish and Chips (there were two crumb-fried fillets) - only Rs 100!

Further down the road from Chullu Subhani Cafe is the famous Ice Berg ice cream parlor. For Rs 30, you get a cup full of creamy ice cream in several flavors. If you want to know how good Ice Berg really is, then recall the layered, frozen hard-as-brick, chocolate/vanilla/crunch ice cream that you sometimes eat at local weddings? Well, Ice Berg produces that ice cream (they cater for functions too).

Verdict: Excellent food! If you do not mind eating great food at not-so-posh places, this is a must-visit. Excellent value for money; a refreshing change from Clifton and Defence. :)