Original Crepe Factory, Khadda Market, Phase 5, Defence

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Tucked away in one of the side lanes off Khadda Market on main Khayaban-e-Shamsheer is Original Crepe Factory.

The website of this business is surprisingly quite well-maintained and comprehensive. Browsing it made me want to try out crepes for breakfast on a Sunday.

Original Crepe Factory is located in the side lane near the clothing store Labels (which is clearly visible on main Khayaban-e-Shamsheer).

There is a parking lot right opposite, on the side of the road having the "banglows" (*chortle* :P).

We were the first and only ones there. 

I was immediately disappointed to note that, even at 9:45 a.m in the morning, the drapes were drawn and there was no natural light. This made us almost want to go elsewhere.

Almost. :)

The staff insisted that they could not lift the drapes.

Anyhow, everything else in the ambiance was alright. The couches and coffee tables were comfortable and inviting. However, space was limited.

The rest of the interior gave off a warm aura due to the mahogany hues and the ample use of wood. 

There are seating options for lone crepe aficionados as well. :)

The couches are situated just in front of the bar and coffee counter....and the wall-mounted television (yawn).

The staff cordially shut it off when we requested them to, since we were the only customers. We enjoy talking to each other over our meals, instead of staring passively at a screen.

You can see the baristas prepare your caffe's and lattes right there, on the coffee machine near the counter. A great chance for my home-schooled children to see how a latte is made. 

Even the crepe-making machine (a flat, non-stick griddle that looked like this) on which the staff prepares your crepes, is right there in front of you. My children really enjoyed the live cooking demo. :)

They have never had crepes before, so they kept asking how crepes are different from pancakes, until they finally saw them being made.

Original Crepe Factory call themselves a bistro. 

Thats the best shot I got of the menu.

Most of the crepes in the a la carte menu range between Rs 300 and Rs 480. All prices quoted are inclusive of taxes.

There are both savory and sweet varieties of crepes on offer. The portion size leaves nothing to be desired.

They have a special set of items for breakfast (brunch), called "Omelet Crepes".

Chicken Sticks - Rs 275

They were out of Mozzarella Sticks. Disappointing! :-|

These chicken sticks that we ordered instead, were served with a tasty sauce/mayo that tasted almost exactly like tartar sauce.

Hot Chocolate Crepe - Rs 430 

Drizzled with hot chocolate sauce on top, this crepe was stuffed inside with Nutella. A chocaholic's calling, truly! :)

Hands down, the Hot Chocolate crepe was a big hit with my family, especially the kids (even the baby!)

Which chocolate-lover wouldn't enjoy a breakfast like this?

I took another shot to highlight the ample, oozing Nutella filling.

You'll be licking the sticky chocolate off your fingers and plate when you have this crepe!

Mushroom and Cheese Omelet Crepe - Rs 420

The good stuff oozes out when you cut it open. 

We ate the crepes by dissecting them down their middle first.

You can see the alternating layers of omelet and cheddar inside the delicate folds of the crepe.

Behold the melted cheese!

The piping hot crepe melts the sliced cheddar when it is folded over it. Yum.

In this shot, you can see the mushrooms as well.

Cheese, mushrooms and omelet in every bite. Delicious!

Cafe Mocha - Rs 190

Their coffees are somewhat cheaper than the ones at other popular joints (such as Espresso, Roasters, Gloria Jeans, and Cinnabon), even though the quality and quantity is the same - something that I really liked.

Tea - Rs 90 (tea bag chai, not doodhpatti).

Latte Macchiato - Rs 190

I am a bit confused. I ordered a latte macchiato but got what distinctly seemed like a cafe latte.

In the description of this drink on their menu card, they stated that it would comprise of the contents of a latte in reverse: steamed milk, topped with milk foam, topped with espresso. 

Whatever the case, a macchiato is supposed to have a "mark" of espresso on top of white milk (and hence the name), no? Where is it in the picture above? :P

Whateva! :-/

***

Verdict: It was an enjoyable outing, and the crepes were great. No complains about the taste, quality, or quantity of the food. The service was prompt and cordial. The staff made us feel very much at home, despite the din created by our spirited children. 

I will be going there again if I ever feel like having crepes, in sha Allah. :) I don't think we Pakistanis get crepes so easily anywhere else in Karachi.

Papparoti, Dolmen Mall, Clifton

 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

The Malaysian food franchise Papparoti has finally opened up at Dolmen Mall, Clifton.

It is located right across from the elevator on the ground floor, right next to Summit Bank, which is right next to Debenhams. It is across from the centrally located (and clearly visible) outlet of Butlers Chocolate Cafe.

Like KFC's Colonel Sanders who cooked up (pun not intended) the original, innovative fried chicken recipe, we now have a Pappa Sahib who is bringing to us a unique kind of "roti" or bun. :)

The outlet has been done up in hues of golden-brown and beige, reminding one of the main ingredients of flour and butter that warm baked buns are made up of.

 

I like how the huge white chairs juxtaposed against the dark wood accentuate the grey brick walls.

Wisely enough, the only "decor" is that of artificial wheat stalks. Get it? Buns made of wheat? :P

There is not much seating space inside the outlet, perhaps for about 20 people, at the most.

Which is why there are a few tables situated outside the outlet as well. The waiters serve you there. A welcome change from the self-service in the crowded Food Court on the top floor!

 There are a few combo's that will get you one chai with one signature bun. 

All of these are available at approximately Rs 320 (after adding tax).

The combo's of coffee+bun are a bit higher in price.

You can get one bun only for ~ Rs 250.

Yes. Ouch!

Other drinks..

In addition to hot chai's and coffees, there are chilled milkshakes on the menu as well. 

With permission, I took a shot of the staff preparing the buns before they were baked.

Trays of buns ready to be placed in the ovens.

The industrial-sized ovens.

 One Elaichi Chai with a signature bun.

Thumbs-up for the wooden tray! The bun reached our table straight out of the oven, hence it was too hot to be touched in the beginning.

The core of the bun is dripping wit hot, gooey melted butter. :) Lovely!

These buns really are one-of-a-kind. Especially enjoyable in the chilly weather nowadays.

Honestly, you have probably never had a bun like this elsewhere. 

Its outer dome is crisp and crunchy. Yet, the inner "flesh" is soft, stretchy (like freshly-baked mozzarella) and chewy.
The baby loved it! :)

The same buns can be ordered with a topping of whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Toppings cost an extra Rs 60-120.
High on calories, it is advisable to save these indulgent treats for your little ones.

Teas ordered on their own (without a bun) are served in mugs.

Tea that is ordered with a combo arrives in a cup and saucer.
After the froth of the chai died away because of my stirring in the brown sugar, its color came to the fore.

This elaichi chai was nothing out of the ordinary. It was thick and made with condensed milk (like a latte), and is more on the sweet side. 

Verdict: The signature Papparoti buns get a thumbs-up from me. But we all know that a full meal can be obtained in the price of just one of their buns (yeah, I did the math) :) Good for a once-in-a-while treat.

FYI: We visited this outlet at around 10 a.m on a Sunday, a down time for business in the mall, because we wanted to enjoy a winter morning breakfast outing/chai run without going through a noisy crowd.
Therefore, we had the whole outlet to ourselves. I'd highly recommend visiting it at this time (even on a weekday morning), otherwise be prepared for noise and crowds.

Gloria Jean's Coffees, Dolmen Mall, Clifton

In my last post, I talked about the most happening mall that has opened up in K-town: Dolmen Mall, Clifton. It is hands down the most sprawling and spacious mall in the city!

Well, this month, Gloria Jean's Coffees opened up yet another outlet on the upper floor of Dolmen Mall. Pictured above is its main (ground) floor.

 Situated under this picturesque canopy on the ground floor, is an aquamarine colored water body having small gurgling fountains, which adds a nice touch to the overall ambiance.

Result? People, especially children, continually throng its periphery, taking photos and just watching the water bubble.

No surprise that a security guard is always nearby, trying to stop little children from climbing up on the edge of the fountain, lest they fall into it in their excitement!

Can you notice Cinnabon in the distance in the photo above? :)

As you can see, the shops on the upper floor of the mall are yet to start doing business.
Can you guess what that centrally located kiosk visible in the photo above, sells? 

Hint: FroYo (Frozen Yogurt).

Yup, its SNOG!

En route to Gloria Jean's, you will pass the about-to-open outlet of Gun Smoke.

The entrance to Gloria Jean's Coffees is a bit obscure (it is not visible from the ground floor), but once you arrive on the first floor and spot Gun Smoke, you can find it easily.

A few small tables have been placed outside the entrance on the veranda, for those who'd like a view of the lower floor of the mall below whilst dining.

If you walk into Gloria Jean's and wonder why everyone seems to be reading a newspaper, its because their menu is in the shape of one. :)
Nice touch, me thinks! :)
Local Pakistanis are not much into reading, as it is.

The "newspaper" has different "sections". This one details the wraps, sandwiches and steaks.

All-day-available breakfast menu.
What I liked is the article next to the menu that describes the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast! An avid reader and writer like myself awards a big thumbs-up to the menu at Gloria Jean's.

Desserts, enjoyed by most with a caffeine fix.

Coffee menu.
They also have chillers, milkshakes and good ol' desi chai (tea), latte style.

The staff more than welcomed my taking a shot as they prepared an espresso shot (pun unintended).

I like earthen tones in interior decor. The couches, ottomans and sofa chairs add a very cozy, soothing touch to the ambiance.

The wooden walls and floor are reminiscent of walking into a cottage in the hills. :)

As much as possible, I try to never photograph people when I take pictures in eateries.
Nevertheless, I've now learned how to "edit" (smudge out) the faces of any people who come into the photos I take, to respect their privacy.

Overall, I like this outlet of Gloria Jean's much more than the one on Sindhi Muslim.

The best part about it were its huge glass-pane windows that provide a wide view over the Karachi shoreline, allowing diners to gaze out over an as-yet uninhabited area along the sea.
I am sorry I could not capture that view, since we visited this outlet at night.

The delectable desserts, including cheesecakes, Black Forest cakes, chocolate cakes, cookies and tarts. (Refer to the menu above)

Book-lined bookshelves too! I like. :)
Give me a book (or anything else to read) over a television program any day.

There is no dearth of space in this outlet. Nevertheless, expect a long queue at the cashier when you place an order.

The wood-paned walls and tall indoor plants add to the homely atmosphere.

Aussie Chicken Club Sandwich - Rs 415 plus tax

This sandwich came with Cole Slaw, chilli sauce, a generous helping of French Fries.
It was just okay; nothing to write home about. The sandwich and its contents (cold cuts of chicken) were decidedly....um, cold, whereas the fries were hot. Eh?
I would probably not order it again.

Macaroni, Chicken and Cheese - Rs 325 plus tax

Accompanied by a piece of garlic bread, the bowl in which this arrived was quite unique. Its rim was much wider than its center, which was deep.
The quantity looked little at first, but after I dipped the fork in and mixed the gooey potpourri around, it looked like this (below):

Cheesy sauce generously draped the macaroni, which was dotted with cubed chicken, green bell peppers and mushrooms. The portion size was great! I had trouble finishing it off, even though I was ravenous.

The only thing I did not like was that I could taste the rawness of the diced capsicums and onions in the macaroni.

It seemed as if the macaroni had been tossed with cold vegetables and chicken, and topped with hot cheesy sauce.

I prefer pasta that is baked through after all its ingredients are added to it, to ensure that the veggies are cooked, yet crispy.

This differentiates a hot pasta dish from a salad!

Chocolate Fudge Cake slice - Rs 210 plus tax.
Very rich and dense, this cake left the quintessentially bitter taste of pure dark chocolate in the mouth.

The good thing about all-day breakfast items that are found on the menus of cafes all over Karachi nowadays, is that there is a wide array of things that children love to eat that parents can order for them, such as omelets and French Toast.

My children wanted Waffles. However, we were told that waffles were not available. What a downer!

So instead we ordered Blueberry Pancakes.
 



 Blueberry Pancakes - Rs 295 plus tax. The cute little jug contained warm, oozy maple syrup.
 The pancakes were light, fluffy and warm. A hit!

Potato cakes - Rs 50 plus tax - accompanied the pancakes.
These were thinly sliced, square-shaped slivers of potato sandwiched and baked with what tasted like sour or clotted cream in between; I am not sure, though. Whatever the filling was, we liked these potato cakes nevertheless.

Verdict: What the savory fare lacked in taste, the location, comforting ambiance, sprawling view, rustic interior and family atmosphere (expect lots of little ones running up and down the outlet!) made up in overall dining experience.

I will probably return here some day in the future, insha'Allah, to capture the view from the windows; probably in the day time, especially if and when any of my girlfriend(s) from abroad customarily visit during the summer.

FYI: Contact number of Dolmen Mall, Clifton:  021-35294255

UPDATE

I went back soon to capture the view of the sea from the glass pane windows in Gloria Jean's Coffees, Dolmen Mall during the day:

You have to admit that that is one great view!

The management sure was using their brains when they invested in this space of the mall to open a GJC outlet.

During the day, GJC is brimming with lady shoppers and their children; not to mention, young students lounging around with their laptops. There is a constant turnover of customers of all age groups.

The bright light suffuses the entire eatery.
What I like is the family friendly atmosphere. Your kid won't be told off or glared at, by either the staff or the customers, if s/he tries a few typical naughty antics (viz. standing on the couches, pattering across the wooden-floored corridors, or staring at the delectable cake display with their nose plastered flat against the glass, demanding their choice of a cake slice at the top of their voice! *sigh*).

We had some chillers - perfect refreshments for a hot summer afternoon.
From left to right: Chocolate Cake (again!), Mint Chocolate Bomb (small: Rs 245), and Crème Brûlée Chiller (small: Rs 245). The latter both had whipped cream toppings (on request - the servers ask your preference).

The chillers were quite refreshing, with the Mint Chocolate Bomb containing a subtle but not overpowering blend of mint and chocolate (duh?), laced slightly with an undermined taste of coffee. Do pass over the heavy, sweetened whipped cream blob on top if you are counting your calories. [I am not. :)]

On a subsequent visit to Gloria Jeans with friends, more savory lunch items were ordered.
This is Spaghetti Bolognese, for Rs 446
The beefy sauce was everywhere. Extremely filling. For those who avoid red meat, this dish is not for you. :)

Grilled Chicken Sandwich - Rs 455 plus tax

Penne Al Arabiatta - Rs  446

Portion size deserves a thumbs up. The pasta was cooked through and drenched heavily in the sauces.

And now, snaps from a more recent breakfast meeting:

From the all-day breakfast menu: Aussie Omelet - Rs 365 plus tax

Low-fat Frittata - Rs 315 plus tax

Cinnamon French Toast - Rs 215

Jumbo Combo: Garlic Bread, Onion Rings, Buffalo Wings, and Potato Skins, accompanied by 3 kinds of sauces. For Rs 595 plus tax.

All in all we were a satisfied lot after having our food.