A perfect blend: For Islooites, a fusion of traditional art and tantalising tikkas

Nomad Ethnic reopens at Saidpur Village.

ISLAMABAD:

Fifty-year-old Aziz Tikka House has made its way from the heart of Rawalpindi to Nomad Ethnic in Saidpur Village, which reopened here on Thursday evening.

The re-launching ceremony was attended by a large number of diplomats, bureaucrats and socialites, who were seen enjoying delicious tikkas, mouth-watering shashlik and savoury BBQ items.

The gallery, a branch of Nomad Art Gallery, had been inactive for several years. The owner, Nageen Hayat, decided to reopen the gallery by adding a new feature to it.

“It is not just a gallery anymore. Now people can come and enjoy our local art and enjoy traditional food simultaneously,” Hayat told The Express Tribune.

“For me, it’s important to bring everything together; from the local crafts to traditional music and artisans’ works. This is a perfect blend of all of that,” she added.

A special pan stall was also set up, while those present were enthralled with a live performance by Muhammad Ajmal on tabla and Salman Adil on flute.

The restaurant, which can accommodate around 50 people, has been given a mud-house effect with colourful hand-painted panels on the ceiling with spotlights and traditional wooden-carved mirrors, which brighten up the entire place.

Moreover, a total of 35 paintings have been put on display, while one can also see the shelves featuring traditional crafts such as such as small truck art patterns, wall hangings and other items, aimed at both art enthusiasts and food lovers.

Hayat said she had been visiting Aziz Tikka House in Lal Kurti for several years, before she conceived the idea to introduce it to her gallery.

Nighat Haseebullah from the Women Action Forum said the restaurant is a unique addition to the eateries in the capital city. “The taste is similar to the food we get in Rawalpindi and the ambience is fantastic,” she said.

Hayat said the gallery will display new work every month, which will give a fresh look to the restaurant. In addition to BBQ, the restaurant also caters to veggie lovers and calorie-conscious people.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2012.