Daily Times

There has been an overwhelming surge in the number of Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Asian-fusion restaurants in Lahore lately. All those too jaded by fast food and wanting to break out of the monotony of homemade cuisines or international chains of renowned cafes serving a variety of deli items, are now seen heading over to Japanese and Pan-Asian restaurants, in their ambition to develop taste and flavour for sushi, Thai and fusion of other Asian delicacies.

However, the question remains, has Lahore mastered the art of Pan-Asian cuisine? Are people getting their fare deal of money they spend at these restaurants which are opening up left, right and centre? Yes, it’s good to be spoilt for choice, but it’s not good to be exploited for mediocre choices.

I headed over to a number of restaurants in my personal quest to find the best of Pan-Asian servers, and concluded my day satisfied. If there were some that offered mediocrity to the customers, there were others who fit the bill.

Yes, it’s good to be spoilt for choice, but no good to be exploited for mediocre choices

Crispy spring rolls, vegetable chowmein, dynamite prawns, the famous 19B soup, chicken manchurian, chicken chilli dry, tamarind fish and black pepper chicken are the ones always on my wish list. These are the basics and the main Pan-Asian cuisines to swear by and if the restaurant is not doing justice to these, then God help the chef and our wallets. Boxes unticked!

The likes of Luxus Grande’s restaurant, Bahria Town’s Gold Restaurant, City Café & Grill and Chilli Chutney are the ones that largely disappoint with their versions. There has not been a considerable improvement in their cuisines ever since because if we take a look at Tuscany Courtyard, their food and presentations have gone from strength to strength in the past. As I remember at the time it opened up in Lahore, it lacked flavour and taste and all the essentials a foodie looks for in what he/she has ordered. It’s worth mentioning the amount of heart and effort their creative and kitchen team has put in their venture now. Boxes ticked!

Talking about good food, joining Tuscany is X2. Serving East-Asian, Asian Pacific items, this restaurant also ticks the boxes but not all. The starters do speak of the chef’s culinary skills, where the Crispy Spring Rolls and Dyanmite Prawns priced at Rs 745 and Rs 1,485 respectively are worth their price. They are served with a chilli dip and I would definitely want to go back for more.

The same cannot be said about the 19B soup available at Rs 895. A soup which is supposed to be light and fresh comes across as thick and dark. Perhaps the chefs and the creative team need to do more research in making the soup at par with international standards.

The aforementioned basics like gravies, rice and chowmein are indeed refreshing, however the golden touch is missing. Considering the competition, there has be to be something truly magical (unique and distinct) about a place for people to keep coming back to you. Right?

There is potential and I feel like the restaurant’s Defence branch will indeed improve considering it is still new, but having said that it’s important for any restaurant serving foreign cuisines to undergo research and training to serve their customers what they promise on social media.Opening up Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese restaurants is not an easy feat. Working on interior should not be enough. Yes, it does attract but at the end of the day, it is your food and service which will mount your customers.

Published in Daily Times, May 6^th 2018.