N'ecos Natural Store and Cafe, Phase 5, Defence

N'ecos Natural Store and Cafe has recently opened its doors along one of the lanes between main Khayaban-e-Shujaat and 16th Street off Khayaban-e-Muhafiz. Its in the same lane as the men's clothing store Naushemian. 

This picture of the map was downloaded from their now defunct website.

Since this store and cafe boasts organic and high-quality ingredients, the prices are on the high side.

They serve breakfast all day, which includes traditional desi as well as foreign fare. The "doorstep-thick" French Toast (pictured below in this post), is a unique attraction offered only by Necos's that is as yet unparalleled by other eateries.

Eggs are free-range, and you can choose wholegrain or white bread, and pick cheese that is hormone-free.

Their menu is more exotic than what you find in other cafes, e.g. they have a variety of flatbreads that are wholegrain.

The dessert menu

The cafe ambience is spacious yet cozy because of the abundance of woodwork, not to mention a tree in its center! 

Assorted things were hanging from the tree branches. Kudos to whoever designed the interior of this cafe-cum-deli-cum-store.

A blackboard displays the day's special menu and new store products on offer. I absolutely loved the ample use of thick wood throughout the cafe!

The woodwork added a very "countryside" touch to the ambience.

Behind the counter, an array of N'ecos original organic products on display. 

The deli has scrumptious-looking items, such as tarts, cookies, croissants, buns and other snacks on display.

Muffins, cupcakes, and a multitude of different breads can be bought here.

The store staff was very welcoming towards children, and provided them with colors and paper, which kept them occupied constructively.

The staff also offered my children two chocolate chip cookies, priced at Rs 15 each, on the house as soon as we entered the cafe.

Unlike other cafes, you can rest assured that whatever you order is prepared in a clean kitchen under high standards of hygiene. 

Customers can watch the food they order being prepared by chefs behind an open counter, and the final dishes are assembled before their eyes. 

The salad bowls are quite unique in shape, aren't they?

Mineral water is complimentary and is served in exquisite stemmed glasses (even to children!) as soon as you sit down to dine.  

Moroccan Chicken with pasta in creamy sauce, priced at Rs 499.

Homemade pasta with prawns in pesto, also priced at Rs 499. At N'ecos, they use their own pasta in their dishes!

Since breakfast is served all day, traditional Pakistani omelette, with onions and tomatoes but sans chillies, and paratha were ordered for the children, priced at Rs 399. This came with one cup of tea as well. 

Are you wincing at the price? Well, the quantity was more than enough for even one very hungry adult, plus they use their own whole wheat aata and free-range eggs!

Notice that N'ecos has its own distinct crockery.

Khageena with wholewheat paratha and one cup of tea - Rs 399

Hummus with mini-toasts - Rs 180
The hummus was spicy, glossy and really delicious!

Doorstep-thick French Toast with topping of maple syrup and seasonal fruit - Rs 329

 
Doorstep-thick French Toast with topping of apple, raisin and cinnamon compote - Rs 329

Cottage Chicken - Rs 569
The menu describes this as: "Chicken breast stuffed with layers of basil pesto, cottage cheese and tomatoes, along with Bearnaise sauce served with sauteed vegetables".
This was delicious; the only quibble I had with it was the small portion size. At this price, why are they being so stingy with the size of the chicken breast, sauteed veggies and sauce? It would not suffice for a very hungry adult.

Wholewheat Waffles with topping of seasonal fruit and maple syrup - Rs 300

The warm, syrup-drizzled waffles made a thoroughly enjoyable treat for the children! You can't get these at home, unless you have a waffle-maker.

Wholewheat pancakes with seasonal fruit and maple syrup - Rs 250
You will feel less guilty about having these pancakes, because they are wholewheat i.e. healthier. 

Blueberry-sauce topped New York Style cheesecake, priced at Rs 260. It was crusty around the edges, which indicated that it was not fresh, but its taste was nevertheless great!

A cup of tea accompanied the anda paratha breakfast i.e. it was included in its price. You can choose between teabag tea or doodh patti, and the sugar that comes with it is brown sugar or gurr that is of course one of the store's own original products. 

The bill includes Rs 198 as "Service charges" - yes, this cafe includes service charges as part of the bill, and there is no GST. 

The cafe and deli occupy the main floor but there is an entire, spacious organic products store in the basement as well, which I was unable to photograph. 

You can visit the N'ecos Facebook page for more information, product details and photos. Headed by the same entrepreneur who owns Hobnob Cafe (the past "Copper Kettle") and Hobnob Bakery chain, N'ecos with its product originality and wholesomeness of ingredients indeed seems to be here to stay!

Copper Kettle, Zamzama

UPDATE: Copper Kettle as we knew it is now no more. 

It has been revamped by its owners into Hobnob Cafe - a more casual eatery offering a menu that combines the products/edible items/dishes available at Necos, Hobnob Bakery and the old Copper Kettle. 

Please click here to visit their Facebook page.

Copper Kettle was a famous, vintage restaurant located on 3rd Commercial Lane, Zamzama, Phase 5, Defence. It needs no introduction to the socialite Karachiite.

The tree outside its entrance is permanently lit up with lights, giving the street a very festive aura.

The decor hasn't changed much over the years: quaint and rustic, with matted, tan hues.

As in all restaurants nowadays, the wall-mounted flat-screen TV is present. Makes it hard to imagine that not too long ago, people could actually eat without simultaneously watching TV. Nowadays, however, its not just little children who need the TV on whilst having a meal!

The global recession has rendered every restaurant needy of gimmicks to attract its regular customers back to its doors.

The menu shows that only the loaded ones can dine here often. Each main course entree is priced at ~ USD 6. However, the portion size is generous.

Basket of French Fries for Rs 129

Starter: Mozzarella Cheese Sticks with chilli sauce, priced between Rs 200 and Rs 300.

Thai Chicken Stir Fry

Fried rice and cole slaw accompanied the Thai Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken Burger (its name on the menu is too indecent to mention here), priced at Rs 280. I like how Copper Kettle serves chicken dishes in a rooster-shaped metal platter. Artistic and quirky!

Chicken Piccada, priced at Rs 470: sliced strips of chicken in a spicy black pepper and mushroom sauce, accompanied by fried rice and cole slaw.

Let's Salsa sandwich - Rs 349. 

This had two boneless chicken fillets smothered in red salsa sauce on wholewheat bread. Not everyone would enjoy the taste, but it was healthy eating nonetheless.

Club Sandwich - King of Clubs for Rs 299. The serving size left much to be desired, although it was tasty.

Something Fishy for Rs 469 - crispy, crunchy, and succulent fillets of fish bread-crumbed and fried; served with tartar sauce, cole slaw and French Fries. The serving size is more than ample for one person. Note the fish-shaped platter for serving the fish!

Chicken Chuck priced between Rs 500 - 600. When these crumb-fried, boneless chicken fillets are cut open, the melted cheddar cheese and mushrooms that are amply sandwiched inside between them ooze out. Basically, it is chicken stuffed with cheese and mushrooms, and is quite filling, contrary to its outer, sparse appearance.

Americano Steak, priced between Rs 600-700. This comes with steamed vegetables on the side, as well as either French Fries, mashed potatoes, or a baked potato. You can see the melted cheddar cheese and mushrooms oozing out from between the two boneless chicken fillets. It is smothered in hot, meaty gravy that makes it all the more delectable.

This steak is also accompanied by a complimentary single serving of soup. One can choose between Hot n Sour and Chicken Corn Soup.

Moroccan Chicken for Rs 529. A bed of flat noodles topped with spicy and creamy sauce with grilled chicken julienne pieces.

A scoop of Blueberry ice cream accompanied by a slice of New York style cheesecake, drizzled with blueberry sauce and cream. (For Rs 230 ~ USD 2.5)

Caked Alaska, Copper Kettle's "classic", timeless and extremely popular dessert, priced at Rs 199. It consists basically of two scoops of vanilla ice cream lodged between two generous wedges of thick, warm, and sticky/rich chocolate brownie, dripping with oodles of gooey, dark chocolate sauce.

A chocoholic's nirvana and a fitness freak's nemesis!

A smaller version of the Caked Alaska is given complimentarily after lunch on weekdays.

Verdict: The perfect place to celebrate special occasions and festive moods, even if it does dig a small hole in your wallet.