Food talk Tai Zu — A taste of the Orient

New Chinese and Thai restaurant opens doors to residents of the twin cities.

ISLAMABAD:

For foodies of the country’s capital, a list of restaurants offering oriental entrees has been launched in the past. Enter Tai Zu, the new eatery on the block, all set to tantalise the taste buds of a largely Pakistani clientele with Chinese and Thai cuisine, with a decidedly desi touch, as professed by the restaurant owner Adnan Khalid.      

Located in the heart of the city, the restaurant officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday evening in style. Walking in from the entrance gate, the narrow passageway paving the eastern water feature deck opens to a jaunty, welcoming, outdoor seating area.  The restaurant’s interior and exterior have been designed by architect Ali Umer Alvi, who is known for introducing contemporary style restaurants to the capital, such as Tuscany courtyard, Street1 Café and Juicy Gossip. Owing to Alvi’s creative genius of transforming limited available space innovatively, Tai Zu has both indoor and outdoor seating arrangements, which can house a total of 150 people.

Where a wall painted with a traditional cherry blossom tree imparts an oriental ambiance, the dim lighting and lack of windows make the indoor seating space seem a bit dingy. However, for those desiring a brighter environment, the balcony has a delightful seating arrangement.



Any inadequacies in the ambiance though are compensated by the food, which is spot on. Sara Khan, a resident who had come to the launch was all praises. “Chinese food in Pakistan or the Chinese-style Pakistani food in the country is very well seasoned, which suits the taste buds of many desis wanting to enjoy a meal at a restaurant.  The fare on the menu here is no exception,” she added.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Khalid explained that a large influx of the population into the capital over recent years has been conveniently accommodated. However, with just five to six state-of-the-art fine-dining restaurants, residents of the twin cities are deprived of choices when it comes to dining out.



To ensure the authenticity of the entrees, the head chef at Tai Zu has been hired from China. Khalid explained that the chef has been trained to create delicacies altered to Pakistani preferences, as a vast majority of people eating out don’t want to experiment too much.

The menu boasts a range of food items, from a long list of appetisers to main courses and desserts. The entrees are priced at Rs500 and above. The sweet and sour crispy chicken is a must-try. Deep fried chunks of chicken nestling sweetly in a multi-layered, flavourful sauce balance a tangy kick with the right amount of crunch.

The red carpet for the event was organised by Rezz Aly Shah of Rezz PR and events. Models sporting slicked-back ponytails and black gowns welcomed the guests, who later nibbled on hors d’oeuvres and appetisers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2014.

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