Review: Top-notch quality, generous servings make Buzkash a must-try place for Lahoris
Located in Gadaffi Stadium, the restaurant aims to represent the cuisine and culture of Central Asia
Lamb Karhai.
LAHORE:
Something all food enthusiasts will readily agree upon is the diversity that is sweeping across the Lahori restaurant sphere these days. The latest to join the mix is Buzkash, the second Central Asian restaurant in the city. Located in Gadaffi Stadium, the restaurant aims to represent the cuisine and culture of areas that developed Buzkashi, an indigenous sportplayed on horseback. Buzkash brings the food of the great Pashtuns, Turkics, Uzbeks and Mongols to the table.
Quality: 4.5/5
Foodpanda launches "Best Of Karachi" revealing the most mouth-watering desi-cuisine in town!
The Kabuli Pulao featured a good amount of golden raisins and carrots, proving to be quite memorable. The sweetness of rice complemented the dusky, spicy Lamb Karhai well. The latter was a dish to write home about, with layers of flavours that revealed themselves in slow succession and harmony in each bite. The lengthy cooking time was apparent in the depth of the dish as the sauce was heavy with tomatoes and onions, flecked through with sprigs of garlic and a generous helping of tender lamb meat. Buzkash’s naans were both crispy and chewy, sure to satisfy all kinds of bread-lovers. Light bubbles of dough crunched through and the plain, garlic and achaari versions were all adequately warm and perfect for the gravy-heavy and dry dishes. The Chapli Kabab and Salted Grilled Chicken (white meat Sajji) were wonderfully unique — soft on the inside and hard on the out. The Sajji was addictively tasty, with a burst of flavour pushing you on to the next mouthful. Although the Lamb Dumpukht is Buzkash’s specialty, it seemed slightly bland. Perhaps, an acquired taste is a pre-requisite fo rthe delicacy.
Service: 4/5
Just as much attention is given to the starters as it is given to the main courses. The appetisers happily hold their own, even in the shadow of such good meat dishes. The Mantu, in particular, was delicious: dumpling pockets stuffed with meat and covered with a layer of two delightful sauces. The Tabbouleh — an Arabian vegetarian dish made from finely chopped parsley, mint, bulgur and onion — was fresh and top notch. The Kehva also deserves a special mention for its authenticity, aroma and the delicious gurr cubes it came with.
Catching fad: Healthy diet on the menu
Atmosphere: 4.5/5
Upstairs, a few tables (where smoking is allowed) look over the green outdoors through the windows. The décor is appropriate, with broad floor cushions, framed prints and ethnic lighting. There is floor seating upstairs and also tables, although they look a bit too small to fit the inevitable plethora of plates involved.
Presentation: 4.5/5
The food comes to about Rs 1,500 to 2,000 per person, which is an absolute steal as the food and overall experience turned out to be most memorable. The presentation is attractive enough, given the fine crockery and cutlery, coupled with good customer service, to offer you a fine dining experience!
Verdict:
Buzkash is a meat lover’s dream and a vegetarian’s nightmare. It’s the ideal place to hit during winter, where one can enjoy warm fuzzies induced by food. It also makes for a welcome break from the spicy Pakistani food our palettes are accustomed to
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2016.
Something all food enthusiasts will readily agree upon is the diversity that is sweeping across the Lahori restaurant sphere these days. The latest to join the mix is Buzkash, the second Central Asian restaurant in the city. Located in Gadaffi Stadium, the restaurant aims to represent the cuisine and culture of areas that developed Buzkashi, an indigenous sportplayed on horseback. Buzkash brings the food of the great Pashtuns, Turkics, Uzbeks and Mongols to the table.
Its top-notch quality, flavourful dishes and generous servings are something all Lahoris must check out. While it serves classics like Mantu and Karhai, Buzkash also focuses on meaty delicacies like Sajji, kebabs and Dumpukht. The only spoiler is that one should order ahead as the dishes can take close to 30 minutes to be prepared —something the menu warns us of beforehand.
Quality: 4.5/5
Lamb Dumpukht
Foodpanda launches "Best Of Karachi" revealing the most mouth-watering desi-cuisine in town!
The Kabuli Pulao featured a good amount of golden raisins and carrots, proving to be quite memorable. The sweetness of rice complemented the dusky, spicy Lamb Karhai well. The latter was a dish to write home about, with layers of flavours that revealed themselves in slow succession and harmony in each bite. The lengthy cooking time was apparent in the depth of the dish as the sauce was heavy with tomatoes and onions, flecked through with sprigs of garlic and a generous helping of tender lamb meat. Buzkash’s naans were both crispy and chewy, sure to satisfy all kinds of bread-lovers. Light bubbles of dough crunched through and the plain, garlic and achaari versions were all adequately warm and perfect for the gravy-heavy and dry dishes. The Chapli Kabab and Salted Grilled Chicken (white meat Sajji) were wonderfully unique — soft on the inside and hard on the out. The Sajji was addictively tasty, with a burst of flavour pushing you on to the next mouthful. Although the Lamb Dumpukht is Buzkash’s specialty, it seemed slightly bland. Perhaps, an acquired taste is a pre-requisite fo rthe delicacy.
Service: 4/5
Just as much attention is given to the starters as it is given to the main courses. The appetisers happily hold their own, even in the shadow of such good meat dishes. The Mantu, in particular, was delicious: dumpling pockets stuffed with meat and covered with a layer of two delightful sauces. The Tabbouleh — an Arabian vegetarian dish made from finely chopped parsley, mint, bulgur and onion — was fresh and top notch. The Kehva also deserves a special mention for its authenticity, aroma and the delicious gurr cubes it came with.
Catching fad: Healthy diet on the menu
Atmosphere: 4.5/5
Upstairs, a few tables (where smoking is allowed) look over the green outdoors through the windows. The décor is appropriate, with broad floor cushions, framed prints and ethnic lighting. There is floor seating upstairs and also tables, although they look a bit too small to fit the inevitable plethora of plates involved.
Presentation: 4.5/5
The food comes to about Rs 1,500 to 2,000 per person, which is an absolute steal as the food and overall experience turned out to be most memorable. The presentation is attractive enough, given the fine crockery and cutlery, coupled with good customer service, to offer you a fine dining experience!
Verdict:
Buzkash is a meat lover’s dream and a vegetarian’s nightmare. It’s the ideal place to hit during winter, where one can enjoy warm fuzzies induced by food. It also makes for a welcome break from the spicy Pakistani food our palettes are accustomed to
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2016.