So almost everyone I know was going to the Karachi Eat food festival and since I am a foodie myself, I couldn’t resist a trip there either.

Mostly all  Karachites are outgoing and are always looking forward to something new and exciting.

“Even the slightest hint of an event on social media can spread like fire in the forest and people will definitely  take out time go there with friends and family.”

And so it was; there was a huge crowd going towards the Karachi Eat Food Festival.

Its always nice to see people with their families happy and excited walking with the others towards one destination.

Something that we Karachites  don’t experience much often.

The choice of venue for such a big event wasn’t fair, adjacent to the Frere Hall the space was very limited, not enough room to walk around with ease and eat with comfort was definitely not easy for people with children.

No room to walk and no place to sit.  Owing to these factors the food festival was not much of a grandeur.

And about the food there were many stalls but because it was so jam packed I could hardly get a proper look on the food and this didn’t excite my taste buds.

We did try a brownie which was ok and the macaroon wasn’t even close enough to what I had in Paris.

The wait time in fish and chips and chapli kebabs was  pretty long so we gave up the idea.

Then I tried  Fico fish and chips.

“I must say it was not worth Rs 200. The size of the fish piece was very small and fries were very average.”

Food vendors in a food festival must be very efficient, and consistent in taste.

After staying there for few more minutes we decided we must leave and go to a decent place where we can actually sit and enjoy the food.

And one thing more that did put me off was the  pile of litter dumped outside; it was very unsightly, this should have been taken care of,  I mean come on we are talking of a Food Festival and hygiene comes first.

If you are planning a trip to Karachi for few weeks or some days, then finding a comfortable, secure and close to the main city center, hotel can be quite an effort.

The highest standard star rating of hotels in Karachi is 5 stars, and there are some very reputable, luxurious and quality service hotels in Karachi.

All the 5 star hotels in Karachi are equipped with wifi, high alert security and extensive fire alarm system.

Pearl Continental (P.C)

Pearl Continental Hotel or PC Hotel is an elegant 5 Star Hotel in central Down town of Karachi. The hotel offers all facilities of a 5 star hotel, it is well suited for both business & pleasure travelers to Karachi.

Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi has 250 guest rooms including Suits e-floor (Business Floor).

P.C has one of the best Chinese, Pakistani and Continental restaurants in it.

The hotel has a Swimming pool and health club.

They have a high alert security system and fully operated 24 hour fire alarm security system.

Hats off!

What can be better than a fun filled Pakistani movie as a treat on the third day of Eid.
And that’s what I longed for so long, a good movie.

Luckily Ammi and Abu were more than happy to baby sit my kids and I went with Ali and my cousins to watch the movie at Neuplex cinema.

Before the movie the promos excited me for the following reasons:-
1.it’s a total Pakistani movie. Bilkul khaalis.
2. it had the filmy touch of south asia. Songs, dance romance and emotions.
3. there were some pretty faces and Mehwish Hayats item no. was worth waiting.
So finally when the movie started, my excitements were at its peaks; and till the end I was  hooked.

The best thing about the movie was that it was simple yet beautiful, innocent yet crafty, and even the dirt and pains of Karachi appealed the audience.

And all the actors gave their 100%, even the tiniest of roles of the actors were so natural.

Although there were some pitfalls in the story one would barely notice them because the major part was excellent and beautifully screen played.

I must say this movie has refreshed me, made me happy and gave hope. And one can easily say that Na Maloom Afraad is an instant hit, because  when the audience comes out of the cinemas smiling the director has achieved his target. 🙂

Lazy Sunday again and I just don’t feel like cooking, all the week is almost like a military regime for me. Wake up at 6:30 take Kabir to school and then come home cook, feed, bathe and play with Gibran, watch some TV and then off to pick up Kabir, then serve lunch to my family including our employees, and then just a quick nap then wake up play with my boys, make Kabir do his homework, evening means tea and then 7:30 dinner for the boys, put them to bed around 8:30, then Ali and I have dinner. By 11 I’m half dead and literally fall to sleep.
So Sunday I really want it to be funday.
This Sunday we went to try out the lunch buffet at Red Emperor, in Clifton block 4.
Loved the interior! An old mansion look, the weather was great, fresh bamboo shoots everywhere and the floor tiles were very traditional and earthy.
It was not a very on the face Chinese interior. Very subtle and spacious.
But the surprising thing was that we were the only ones there.
At 3 in the afternoon.
I don’t know what with karachitties we just can’t be early risers and usually all the restaurants are dazzling at night. We are losing the bliss of enjoying the day.
But luckily Ali and I we both find day trips much comfortable and energetic.
Being the only customers we were very well taken care of, a pink highchair for Gibran (many people think hes a girl) was brought to the table quick.
And then the waiter came. I don’t want to sound rude but one of the waiter seemed pretty lame, I just couldn’t get what he was saying at first. And required much repetition.
It was their usual set lunch buffet with almost all of the mainstream Chinese hakka dishes.
First on the table were crackers, the usual ones, my kids devoured on them then came the clear hot and sour soup. It was sumptuous, had 3 bowls of it. The prawn balls and spring rolls came along.
Prawn balls were good but I don’t know what’s with the spring roll.
Why isn’t the spring roll the way it should be. Be it Chairman Mao or other Chinese restaurants it seems they have forgotten how to make spring rolls.
The perfect crisp golden and smooth roll, without any oil bubble on the top layer.
One doesn’t expect this from a fine dine restaurant.
In the main course, Chowmein excellent, rice good, sweet and sour fish not too good tasted too sweet and I could clearly make out that they had made the gravy with a very local brand ketchup which was too sweet and overloaded with gelatin.
Good rice, dry beef chilli was good and the rest of the dishes were pretty good.
Overall everything was good enough and if you r a Chinese foodie then you can give it a shot.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Customer service: 10 out of 10, Gibran dropped his toy a couple of times and the waiter was kind enough to pick it up each time.
Value for money: Affordable, not very pricey. Lunch buffet is a good deal.

The people of Pakistan are without any doubt tea addicts, I have met people from different countries but I don’t know what’s with us, we can have tea anytime and many times.

But tea for us is not just boiling tea leaves; it’s a lot more than that. Our tea means tea added with milk and sugar.

It’s a complete package!

My Love for Tea

Since I am a Pakistani as well tea addiction is my weakness too. I can have more than 3 cups, if I desire.

Now for the last 8 years our tea was made with everyday milk powder. Can’t deny, tea with everyday tasted absolutely complete and satisfying.

But more than the energy kick and a digestive feeling one craves for after having a cup of tea, this tea wasn’t doing it.

I would get more of a full feeling rather than a lighter feeling and usually the flavor of tea was overpowered with the components of milk powder.

And also the price; in the beginning it was for around Rs. 300 per kilo pack and now it’s around Rs.560. And if your family is a tea lover then this milk powder will cost your pocket.
But price is not the only matter of concern, what we eat or drink must be healthy.

Any milk powder served for the purpose of tea has sugar in it.
So basically you are consuming hidden sugars plus the sugar added in your tea cup. So there’s way too much sugar in your regular cup of tea.

Then why feel guilty over your cup of tea.

Then I finally decided to break my 8 year old routine.

But then which milk to use?

Of course the other alternative is tetra pack milk.
We use Olpers milk and Olpers ghee and so far these products are pretty much up to the mark.

Kabir is fond of Olpers milk and I make most of my desserts using it.
But when it came to tea…

It was hard to accept tea with Olpers milk in the beginning, tea was much lighter and less sweeter. But after some 6 cups of tea we did get used to it.
Everything was going fine with my cup of tea when once I was invited to a friend’s place for tea.

Tea there was totally amazing!

Then just as in a glamorous T.V commercials I asked her, “Tea is so good but which milk is in it?”

She said its “khulla doodh.”

Khulla doodh did that even exist?

I just couldn’t remember when the last time I had “khulla doodh”

Khulla doodh or fresh milk has way far too many benefits

Its only pasteurized not UHT treated therefore many essential nutrients of milk are retained.

You get fresh malai or cream.

My family is very fond of cream so there is nothing more healthier than fresh cream. I give malai, honey and paratha to Kabir and he is very fond of it.

So after trying out some milk shops in the vicinity,  I pinned it on Mubrook milk shop and Ambala milk shop.

And yes now our tea is perfect just the way it should be! 🙂

Sunday mornings are lazy, quiet, and all one wants is a happy breakfast to cheer up the day.

Well that’s exactly what I was craving for this morning; I tapped here and there on my web browser for some great breakfast spots nearby. And the menu that did glue me was Bar B-Q Tonight’s Sunday breakfast buffet menu.

With less talking and more action I got ready, dressed up my kids and we drove off to Bar-B-Q Tonight at 9:30 am.

I must say early Sunday mornings in Karachi are exceptional, bright clean, just 3 or 4 cars on the road and its simply beautiful.

We reached there in 15 minutes and off to eat.

There was everything one can ask for in a breakfast, from mutton paya, to on the spot ready omelets.

I started with some really scrumptious sausages, potato croquettes, pancakes, French toast. The potato croquettes were perfect with a clean crisp coating and very soft, yummy filling inside.

The next big thing was mutton paya. Hmmm…. what can I say about it. Absolutely delicious, the mutton trotters were soft like butter and oozing with flavors and top it more with fresh naans.

Mutton keema beautifully cooked. The sausages were soft, balanced with the right flavors not too salty in short, perfect.

I’m not a big fan of sarsoon ka saag but never leave anything in a buffet so I did give it a try and it taste the way it’s supposed to with a slight strong, bittersweet aroma and makai ki roti a bit tough yet delicious.

On the spot omelet was totally sumptuous, you can tell the chef whatever ingredients you want from jalapenos, olives cheese anything.

Fresh apple and watermelon juice.

Namkeen and sweet lassi they way it is usually is  in a restaurant not with much depth yet it has the flavors.

And really soft warm brownies, cakes and the tea was excellent and kicking. You can ask the waiter to bring you elaichi chai straight from the kitchen.

Of course how can I forget the fruit bar, my kids are nuts over fruits. Pakistani fruits are the best without a question.

The only dishes that did let me down were the desserts, sweet yogurt wasn’t good at all either with mango or strawberry flavoring and the pudding wasn’t very wobbly and had more of a burnt vanilla flavor.

But with just one put off, I cant say no to this amazing breakfast buffet.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
Customer service: 10 out of 10. Bar B-Q Tonight has a very efficient, friendly and cooperative staff.
Value for money: Extremely affordable! When other restaurants are offering only scrambled eggs with beef sausages for Rs. 650, here you can enjoy an entire buffet for only Rs.850.