Sometimes a tryst at a rustic eatery that brings back old memories is what gives the family a really different thrill of adventure! Come summer, my better half decided to avail some of his official, pending leave days at work.
We were thinking of doing something different, so he decided to take us for breakfast one weekday morning to a local cafe in Saddar, a stone's throw away from his Alma Mater, IBA, where he often had breakfast before classes in the 1990's, as a young MBA student.
Rest assured, the experience was a memorable one!
Cafe Mubarak is located on this main crossing in Saddar, on Garden Road.
The pedestrian bridge built especially for IBA students to enable them to enter the gates of IBA easily, is visible a short distance from the cafe's entrance.
The quaint interior of the cosy, dim-lit cafe seemed to take us back in time.
We proceeded upstairs to the "family" section.
It is housed in a verandah-like space overlooking the cafe's main eating area below. The long-stemmed fans moved lazily as the cafe floor was dusted clean for the day. We arrived at 9 a.m, so only one other customer sat sipping tea and browsing a newspaper.
Will you ever be able to eat prawn, mutton and chicken dishes in Defence or Clifton at such economical rates? I doubt it!
We were surprised that the breakfast menu had no paratha's or puri's in it. The influence of the English was apparent, as a typical, gora breakfast was on offer.
The breakfast menu was simple and economically priced.
Like Cafe Chullu Subhani that is also located in Saddar, this cafe offers Chullu items on its menu as well.
The omelette was fluffy and light; the half-fried eggs were just right (although they are not on my hot favorites' list, but hubby likes them). The toasts were buttered lightly on the inside. Classic gora breakfast!
You could just imagine while sitting there, how gentlemen probably would come for breakfast to this cafe back in the 80's, when few restaurants existed in Karachi.
You could just imagine while sitting there, how gentlemen probably would come for breakfast to this cafe back in the 80's, when few restaurants existed in Karachi.
The strong tea was brewed in this small stainless steel kettle like classic doodh patti, part of Pakistan's age-old culinary heritage.
Its perfect taste took me momentarily back to my childhood when I drank the tea my Nani similarly brewed in a stainless steel kettle in her house after dawn each morning!
As you can see, the total bill (including fresh packaged juice for the kids) was very economical.
Egg Pudding, enjoyed on a subsequent trip to Cafe Mubarak, for Rs 50
Topped with a blob of cream, this had the traditional taste and texture of egg pudding - the kind made from organic, full cream milk and free-range eggs. At such an economical price, this quaint little dessert was a pleasant surprise!
Egg Pudding, enjoyed on a subsequent trip to Cafe Mubarak, for Rs 50
Topped with a blob of cream, this had the traditional taste and texture of egg pudding - the kind made from organic, full cream milk and free-range eggs. At such an economical price, this quaint little dessert was a pleasant surprise!
Verdict: The uniformed waiter was prompt and polite in service; everything about the breakfast was just right! For anyone who enjoys a traditional English breakfast, I say that you must try out this experience. Why not go early morning one of these days, during summer holidays?
