Hanifia, New Town, Karachi

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـانِ الرَّحِيمِ 

There are a few names that come to mind when one thinks of vintage Karachi cuisine/food. And one of those names is Hanifia.

Although it has opened up its branches in other, newer parts of the city, the original branch (pictured above) is still next to Binori Town masjid on main Bahadur Yar Jung Road in New Town.

A Google maps screenshot for you to get a better idea about its location.

So why did we find ourselves out of our comfort zone and a little farther away inside the city on one recent night, parked in front of the above shops in New Town, Karachi?

As you can see, this is dhaba style outdoor eating in its truest, most old school sense.

Truth be told, after Ramadan ended, we were reminiscing one night about an Arab dish called "Mandi" that we had eaten and enjoyed immensely in Saudi Arabia on a recent umrah trip, and ended up discussing where we can get it in Karachi.

Turns out Hanifia does a very good Mandi, in both chicken and mutton. And has been doing so for years!

As the above photo shows, they grill the meat in three kinds of spicy marinades: red, green and white masala.

They have other foods on offer as well, most of which are available in their other branches.

They have regular BBQ and fast food fare available too.

The other items that I love at Hanifia, are its burgers - filled with fried Hunter chicken and Hunter beef meat variety, - which are rather spicy and unique in flavor (and that is why my favorite).

You won't get a burger tasting like Hanifia's anywhere else, especially since it is accompanied by their signature tangy, orange-colored sauce, and comes with a soft layer of cottage cheese in its midst.

However, the Mandi that we were craving (menu above) is available only in their original New Town outlet, not in any others.



The seating arrangement is anything but classy.

Don't expect any frills here. We went upstairs to the bare-bones "family room" above the outlet. It had an AC. :)

Mutton Mandi in lal (red) masala - Rs 900.

This is a lamb portion that is similar to the one you get when you order Mutton Ribs at BBQ Tonite. But as you can see, the price is almost half.

 
Chicken Mandi in hara (green) masala - Rs 700

This is not a stainless steel plate in the above photos. It is a large thali or platter.

The saffron pulao (pilaf) rice that the meat was sitting on, was long-grained basmati, and very aromatic and delicious.

The meat marinated in the hara masala was much spicier than the one with lal masala. You can see the signature orange sauce of Hanifia in the background. 

Each portion is enough for two hungry adults. Yeah, so we had leftovers. Heartily enjoyed the next day for lunch!


 
Halfway through the mutton Mandi. You can see the ribs.

Halfway through the Chicken Mandi. You can easily spot the hara masala (green spice marinade) in the meat.

Verdict: The piping hot grilled meats were extremely tender, and the fragrant, long-grained saffron rice was oozing with the meaty drippings. Go at it with your hands (remember to use just three fingers, though).

Suffice to say, the experience was memorable and so worth the extra mile! This Mandi is to be had. You can't miss this rare delicacy, especially at this price.

So in case you are ever craving dhaba style, delicious and fresh food, then this is the place to dine. The traffic is dense and chaotic nearby, but there is an ironic sense of peace around the New Town mosque as well. 

FYI All the eateries and shops shut down for prayer breaks, as all the laborers staffing them head off to pray, so you might have to wait a bit if you arrive just before or during prayer times. Or you can just pray with them and eat afterwards. :)

There are also numerous ice cream and cake shops around this outlet of Hanifia for those who crave dessert. 

New York Coffee, Zamzama, DHA 5

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـانِ الرَّحِيمِ

Apologies to my readers and subscribers for the year-long hiatus in updating this blog. We had not stopped eating out, though, in case you were wondering. Its just that I got tired of waiting for photos to upload here on blogger. :)

In the meantime, though, I was actively uploading photos (and the occasional video) of my foodie experiences on instagram. 

New York Coffee has been around for quite some time now, located on Zamzama boulevard just opposite the prominent building of Pizza Hut. It is a stone's throw away from Bella Vita. 

The cafe is quite spacious and has an open-plan kind of design. 

The seating arrangement includes wooden chairs and soft couches, both. High chairs are available for babies.
That's not a window in the photo above; the walls are all adorned with life-size mural-like pictures of scenes in New York. 

The bar: where the beverage-concocting magic takes place at the hands of the baristas. 

Muffins, chocolate fondue, lava cakes, cheesecakes, chocolate chip cookies, and other delectable baked goodies are on display near the coffee and drinks bar.

The cafe has several savories on offer to go along with coffee and desserts. Prices on the menu are quoted exclusive of taxes.

I spotted their 9-inch, thin crust pizza ordered by diners on an adjoining table. 

Coffees and teas. I have only tried their cappuccino and it was very good! 

Sorry about the blurred shots of the menu. 

I've heard their lava cake called Molten Rock Chocolate is tops! Here is what it purportedly looks like.
I haven't tried it yet, though, much as I love lava cakes. 

They also have special tables for pairs and couples. 

Mix Berries Delight Waffles- Rs 425

This is our favorite item on the menu, for which we keep going back. Few places in Karachi serve fresh, hot waffles straight off the griddle, and New York Coffee is one of them. 

They also serve waffles with plain maple syrup or Nutella. However, their "multi-berry" waffles come with tinned (and frozen) strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, dollops of whipped cream, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, in addition to maple syrup. 

Enough calories for two people! Or, as in our case, 3 children. :)

Fried Eggs With Beef Bacon - Rs 460

We had to ask for more bread, but otherwise, this dish left no room for complains. The egg portion was massive! I can't eat three eggs like this, so we shared (we do that a lot). 

Vegetarian Crepe - Rs 395

This crepe arrives hot, with a sumptuous center filled with mushrooms, melted cheese, and black olives. The crepes are large and soft.

The style of folding the crepes changed on a subsequent visit. And where were the Heinz baked beans? Forget much? :P

Nutella Pancake - Rs 375

The pancakes have Nutella in the batter too. You can see chocolate spots dotting the core of the cooked pancake when you dig in and break them apart to eat. 

Ready to dig in: drizzled with maple syrup and dotted with butter.

One of the best pancakes I have had in K-town: hot, light and fluffy. Much better than the overrated ones I have ordered at Espresso, The Pantry, or Marigold and Honey Cafe.

I don't like how they serve the butter though. Lurpak butter sachets?! Really? 

For a picture of what their "multi-berry" pancakes and a cup of cappuccino looks like, check out this instagram shot that I took: 

Four Cheese Omelet - Rs 450

The omelet was huge and stuffed and topped with melted cheeses! The hash brown was crisp and hot.

They accommodate customers' choice of either bran or white bread with the egg dishes on offer. The portion size of the eggs was once again more than enough for two adults. 

I like my omelets nicely golden browned, so I shall probably pass this in the future, and just stick to fried eggs.

Besides the food, New York Coffee cafe sure knows how to whip up a great cup of coffee! I sprinkled brown sugar on the creamy froth atop my 'small' cappuccino (yes, they serve large-sized caffeine portions too) and stirred it for your viewing pleasure. 

***

Verdict: Portion sizes of the dishes are great. You should go really hungry, if you want to finish your main entree dish and sample some of the great desserts on the menu as well. 

As for the ambiance, it's all good, except for the loud music and cigarette smoke, both of which are a real turn-off when its crowded! Since the cafe is open-plan and allows customers to smoke, you can end up inhaling some of the toxic vapors whilst dining. And who enjoys that?! 

Also, if the table next to you becomes occupied with boisterous youngsters, you probably won't enjoy your meal due to the added louse noise and lack of privacy. So go at a down time. 

The staff is courteous, welcoming, and friendly. The coffee and desserts won't disappoint!

If you like coffee, lava cakes, pancakes, and waffles, this is the place for you to visit next time.

Cold Stone Creamery, The Place, Defence Phase 8

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Summer heat in Karachi is at it's peak already, now that sweltering May is here. And perspiring people love to devour cold drinks and ice cream.

Some months ago, the American ice cream chain Cold Stone Creamery opened it's doors in the city at The Place in DHA phase 8.

This is their whole ice cream menu, at a glance. Basically, you can decide on one of their signature creations (a pre-set combination of ice cream flavors and added ingredients, such as cookies or fruit), and then pay according to the portion size of that combo that you'd like to eat. 

The smallest cup is called "Like it", the medium one is called "Love it", and the largest one is called "Gotta Have it!" .

This is the Pakistani website of Cold Stone Creamery, which is located on the rooftop of The Place, offering indoor and outdoor seating with nice views of southern Karachi through glass windows.

They also do cupcakes and ice cream cakes, and have an in-house cafe menu too, which includes the standard appetizer, sandwich, coffee and dessert fare.
Click here for more details about their cafe.

The above counter is a bit threadbare because this picture was taken too soon after the launch of Cold Stone. Currently, it showcases their ice cream cakes. 

Their ice cream is smooth and "creamy" - living up to it's name.

A close-up shot of the "Like It"-sized cup of the flavor, Chocolate Devotion.

Like I said, you can enjoy some views. 

This is a shot taken from the outdoor seating area. 

The outdoor veranda-like structure leading up to the entrance of Cold Stone Creamery.

Here is a short video of how the ice creams at Cold Stone Creamery are put together by their staff once you have placed your order. Cake, cookies, fruit or other ingredients are tossed around on a cold slab of stone with scoops of ice cream, mixing them all together to form a delectable goop that is then placed into a paper or waffle cup (which costs extra) for you to devour.

The high temperatures and humidity of Karachi can make us really savor over-priced ice creams like Cold Stone Creamery, as the occasional summer treat.

The quality of the ice cream is really quite good - although not as good as the awesome gelato offered at Lal's Chocolates, in my opinion (whose future review is due).

Burns Road Food Centre, Block 5, Clifton

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

With the increasing price hike, it is good to have an option for eating food that is great on the taste buds as well as kind on the wallet.
The variety of street food available on Burns Road has enjoyed decades of popularity.
However, till recently there was no option to enjoy this street food whilst seated in a clean and air-conditioned environment, on site.

Well, the good news is that it is now available at Burns Road Food Centre, which has two branches, one located in Clifton Block 5, and the other on main Burns Road.

In Clifton, Food Centre is located right opposite Arabian Nights restaurant, and behind the vintage Maxim's restaurant.

The building is multistory and has a limited outdoor seating option as well. The outlet is quite clean and cool (air-conditioned). It is good that they have invested in the interior decor, as you can see.

Food Centre at Clifton also has a back entrance, which is opposite the road (and across the wide car parking space) in front of Motta's store and Jeddah Food Centre.

There is no music on the premises, nor a distracting wall-mounted television blasting the latest 'breaking' news,-- which, in our book, are plus points.

On weeknights you'll find lower customer attendance. Not so much on weekends, when the place is literally bustling and bursting to the brim with families.
Another good thing about this outlet, is the availability of an elevator, allowing wheel-chair access to elderly customers.

The menu at both branches of Food Centre is the same.

As you can see, the prices are lower as compared to other places.
Thankfully, the quality of the food is not compromised despite the lower prices.

 

I was not expecting deals or combos, but there are some pretty good ones on offer, such as Meal 3 (above, right), which we almost always order.

Note: The prices sown on the menu are inclusive of tax.

Good ol' quintessential Chicken Biryani. Single serving: Rs 120.

Pakistanis know how to cook their Biryani, that's for sure.

Hot 'n Sour soup.

This is the typical 'Pakistani Chinese' variety, clearly infused with a hearty dose of bottled ketchup and chilli garlic sauce. Not 'Chinese'-tasting in the least, but wholesome nutrition nevertheless.

Meal 3, as I said, includes Singaporean Rice, Pasta Alfredo, and 3 Buffalo Wings with a dinner roll - Rs 330.

Our favorite! Finger Fish (with fries and tartar sauce) - Rs 250.

These are just too good! Flaky & tender on the inside, and they just melt in your mouth.

You have to have them, and why not, when they're priced at only Rs 250? 

Our kids love the finger fish at Food Centre.

Okay, vegetarians, heart/high blood pressure patients, and weight watchers, please turn away now. Heh!

This is Nalli Nihari with it's accompaniments, which though not found printed on the restaurant menu, we (rather, my husband) asked the waiter to serve to us.
You, too, can ask the waiter if nihari is available. Since they bring their food in from Burns Road, a daig might just be present on the premises.

I don't remember the price of this single plate of oil-and-cholesterol-rich, beef-and-marrow galore. Eek.
But it was probably between Rs 100 and Rs 200.

Both sheermal's and taftan's are available.

Pasta Alfredo - Rs 200

This was actually rather good, and the quantity left nothing to be desired.

I don't think the "Alfredo" sauce in it was made with cream, but with milk (that is, it was bechamel sauce).
That is actually a plus point for me, because I prefer the latter, since it is much lower in fat content.

This is the Food Centre outlet located on Burns Road.
As you can see, it has roof-top seating arrangement too.

Succulent, whole Chicken Sajji was being prepared right outside the entrance.

As were the large, paper-thin, fresh chapati's.

If you can read the fine print in this photo, you will see that the menu is exactly the same as that of the Food Centre at Clifton.

A closeup, cropped shot for you.

Meal 6: double Prawn Biryani, Chicken Qorma (boneless), 3 beef Shami Kababs, and one Naan - Rs 460
There were ample prawns in the (rather spicy) Prawn Biryani, and the Chicken Qorma was surprisingly mildly spiced and delicious. Although you'll need to leave the excess oil out while eating it. 

The Shami Kababs were too dry for our taste. So we probably wouldn't order them again.

The Chicken Qorma and Prawn Biryani in Meal 6, however, were worth ordering the deal.

Our kids wanted the 6 pieces of Finger Fish with tartar sauce again.

Verdict: It is commendable that Burns Road Food Centre has opened up these 2 multistory, comfortable and spacious outlets for those who'd like to eat the amazing street food of Burns Road whilst seated in a family-friendly environment, instead of inside their cars or on rickety plastic tables.

A great option for those who'd like to eat out with their families on a budget, but without compromising on food quality or quantity. 

Note: The Clifton outlet is quieter and smaller, and the one at Burns Road, though much more spacious, is much more noisy and crowded.