Student Biryani, Badar Commercial Area, Phase 5, Defence

Cafe Student serving delicious Chicken Biryani started a long, long time ago, as any Karachiite knows, and eventually their biryani came to be known as Student Biryani. Today, it is a thriving business that has many outlets in the city. 

This outlet recently opened in Defence phase 5, on 13th street in Badar Commercial area, between Daily Dubai Restaurant and the KFC on main 26th street.

The outlet is double-storied and offers a play area for children. 

The style of the menus reminds one of KFC.

There are many deals on offer for different family sizes.

I must admit this new outlet is spacious and probably worth the investment in the long run.

This is the downstairs reception area.

As I said, this outlet is huge and very family-friendly. This is the spacious upper floor.

The prices are fairly economical.

Kids's meals come with the usual toys.

We ordered these two deals: Deal 1 and Deal 2.

Parents can dine in peace because of the presence of a play area on the upper floor that entertains the young ones.

Take a look at the a la carte menu to check out the variety of food on offer

Deal 1 was for Rs 180: quarter fried chicken (2 pieces), French fries, dinner roll and a Coke.

Finger Fish for Rs 110 for the children. I have tried this more than once, and I must say that for a Biryani outlet, they sure make superb finger fish!

Chicken nuggets (6 pieces) with some fries for the children - Rs 140.
As good in quality as those found at the franchise with the golden arches. ;)

Deal 2, priced at Rs 240, included one regular plate of Student Chicken Biryani, raita, and...

....One (beef) Shami Kabab, one piece of fried chicken, and a Coke.

Daal Gosht - Rs 50.
Yup, for a biryani outlet, they offer lots of other great-tasting stuff at very economical prices.

Beef Nihari - Rs 80, and a chapati/roti in the background.

Plain Zarda (sweetened rice) for Rs 40

Verdict: Do I even need to say it? The biryani is awesome! And this, coming from someone who is not a particular fan of biryani, despite it being one of the most popular items in our local cuisine (judging from how it is an imperative part of the menu at every wedding). 

Student Biryani was always here to stay, but now it is wearing its crown with a bit more dash and zing! :)

Nihari Inn, Boat Basin, Clifton

Doing good business since many years on the Boat Basin strip in Clifton is a moderately-priced restaurant called Nihari Inn.

On the night we paid it a visit, it had rained heavily, so the outer baithak's of tukhts and gao takya's that have become a landmark of this strip of eateries, had been wound up, with tents erected in their place, as is obvious from the picture above.

The restaurant has an open air terrace upstairs.

The menu is reasonably priced and offers all variety of typical, popular desi food.

As you can see, the economic rates of the restaurant food combined with sustained good quality gives Nihari Inn  an edge above its overpriced counterparts tucked away in remote corners of Defence.

This below was their single serving of sumptuous Mutton Kunna priced at Rs 170:

And this was a single serving of plain Beef Nihari, priced at Rs 160:

 More shots of the succulent Kunna and Nihari. The meat in both was extremely tender!

The serving size was huge. We had to get the leftover packed to take back home.

Fluffy, hot naans were the best accompaniment to the meat curries:

This Kulfi in a clay pot priced at Rs 30, on the other hand, was a complete disaster. Avoid it! :)

The kheer was great in taste.

All in all, dining at Nihari Inn is a pleasurable experience, because of the good quality of the food combined with economical rates.