Thali Inn, Boat Basin, Clifton

If you would like to visit a place where you are served all kinds of food belonging to Arabian, Pakistani and South Indian cuisine in large, sometimes sizzling and smoking platters, then Thali Inn is the stop for you and your family.

It is located at the end of Boat Basin that is closer to the Karachi Grammar School campuses, next to the - ahem - open air "river". 

It is in line with the famous Qasr Al-Nakheel and Hobnob bakery. 

Most of the items on the menu are served in the form of platters or thali's. 

A few entree's are individual too, but the serving sizes of most are enough for two people or a small family.  

You can see how unique some of the entrees are. I can tell you, they really did sizzle and let off smoke! 

The decor of the family hall is rustic, colored in hues of matted beige and rust. 

The furniture is made of carved wood! That was a hit with me. :)

The walls are textured to give the impression of a village hut with mud walls. 

It sounds a bit of an anti climax, but we were not in the mood for meat. Rather, the idea of having a South Indian type of thali with different kinds of vegetarian curries, motivated us to visit Thali Inn.  

Therefore, we ordered this Vegetarian Thali for Rs 285, and one chicken tikka.

Garlic Nan and Puri Paratha's. 

The Vegetarian Thali had boiled rice, channa curry (the kind you get with halwa puri), Kadhi (gram flour and yogurt curry), achar (pickles) and moong daal.  

It also had mixed vegetable bhaji/bhujia (visible on top left corner). 

The whole offering was more than enough for two people. The dumpling (pakora) in the Kadhi was not very soft, but the rest was great! 

I especially love how our local Pakistani cuisine offers the greatest variety of naans. The garlic naan served fresh and piping hot, was just out of this world! 

Our bill came to Rs 530, including 2 drinks.

Verdict: On the adjoining tables, we saw some appetizing, smoking and sizzling platters being served to families, having meat ranging from kababs to whole fish! 

Next time, we intend to try one of their family-sized, sizzling, meaty stuff, insha'Allah. 

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! :)

Daily Dubai Restaurant, Badar Commercial Area, Phase 5 ext., Defence

Located on street 10 in Badar Commercial Area, in Defence phase 5, almost off main Saba Avenue, is the recently inaugurated Daily Dubai Restaurant. 

It is right next to the famous Meerath Kabab House that has also opened recently next to Dandee's Chaat and Fruit Juices on the same corner.

The restaurant occupies the entire 4-storey commercial building.

The owners seem to have left no stone unturned in investing in the decor and ambience of the restaurant.

We were surprised to spot these security video cameras installed on every floor. Even the elevator was top-notch, with audio announcements of the floors.

Families are usually seated on the first floor and up.

The wall-mounted plasma television sets were showing a World Cup match on the night we dined here, as the transfixed gazes of the restaurant's staff demonstrate. :)

The fare on offer is typical Pakistani cuisine, at the same rates as any other good restaurant located in Defence, Karachi.

I must say that the quality of the restaurant is laudable, from the ambience, to the decor and technology in use, to the complete lack of spelling errors in the menu! :)

Daily Dubai is famous for its paye, but on our first visit, we were in the mood for simple Beef Nihari, which didnot disappoint one bit! Priced at Rs 200 per serving, it was more than enough for two people.

The traditional accompaniments of Nihari: lemons, chopped ginger and green chillies.

Mutton trotters (Bakray ke paye) for Rs 300, photographed on a subsequent visit. 

I update this post with photographs of any new items that we order on further visits to Daily Dubai.

Priced at Rs 100, we ordered moong daal to accompany the meat dish(es) on both visits.

Green Chicken Tikka for Rs 140. This was nothing to write home about. 

The naans were hot and fluffy.

Sheer maal for the little ones.

The kheer was amazing, at just Rs 40 per two katora's.

Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Ice Cream, priced at Rs 40 per scoop.

Traditional kulfi priced at just Rs 50 was a wonderful sweet treat!

Recently, Daily Dubai started Sunday breakfast - the usual desi halwa puri fare.

Sooji Ka Halwa - for Rs 50

Channa Tarkari -  for Rs 50

Aloo Tarkari - Rs 50

Puri's - Rs 20 each

Sweet Lassi - Rs 50

Doodh Patti tea - Rs 40

I must say that the Sunday Breakfast was a huge hit! It is served till 4 p.m every Sunday. Each and every item that we ordered was delicious, especially the puri's. Also, the prices were very reasonable for the quantity and quality of the dishes.

Verdict: At Daily Dubai, we almost always like everything: the food, the ambience, the ultra-clean environment, the use of latest technology, and last but not least, the humble politeness of the staff. 

Eating here has become a regular feature for our family by now. Highly recommended!