The Deli: Serving up fresh and healthy

Zamzama has evolved into the hub of fine dining, with The Deli becoming popular among the health conscious.

Many of us on occasion have driven around the streets of Zamzama, trying to decide on a place to dine. Even the quickest and firmest decision makers amongst us have more then once been indecisive. Zamzama has evolved into the hub of fine dining. The diverse, high quality restaurant options available within walking distance of one another make it hard to choose from.

Standing testimony of this diversity is the first street of Zamzama where “The Deli” comfortably sits next to the stark contrast of “Thyme.”

Claiming fresh and healthy food made with the best of ingredients, “The Deli” initiated into the market in 2007. However, it has grown in popularity recently and has become the prime choice of Karachi’s health conscious elite.

The restaurants willingness to tailor dishes on request, to cater to specific health requirements has improved their standing and clientele. Exotic ingredients that are not readily available in the market are imported and are used to prepare some of the dishes. The Mediterranean menu takes you from Europe to Asia and to California at one point. They have definitely ensured their place on the map.

The decor is semi formal yet, cosy. The interior goes perfectly well with the personality of the restaurant. Considering that they serve curries, pasta and other sauce based dishes, they have foregone cloth napkins.

The term Deli evokes images of cold cuts and bagels; in short a sandwich shop. However, The Deli has taken it a step further.

We did not go during the peak hours so we were attended to immediately. The waiter brought the ‘today’s specials’ board to our table, after which we asked for his recommendation. He did not look too sure about what to recommend to us; therefore we decided to follow our own instinct.

While devouring the complimentary garlic bread, we ordered the meze platter.

It was served with a basket of bite sized flat bread (which I assume is their substitute for pita bread.) The platter had 4 dips:

* Hummus (ground chickpeas, tahina, olive oil and seasoning with lemon)

* Muttabul or Baba ganoush (made of grilled aubergines)

* Labneh (seasoned thickened yogurt)

* Izmeh (an Arabic twist on salsa)

These complimented an array of twin servings of Mediterranean delicacies ranging from falafel to fattehyar (spinach stuffed pastry which has very subtle flavors) and sheesh touk to vine leaves (stuffed with a pine nut, parsley and rice filling). The starter was in the end- a treat!

For entrees we chose the Ravioli Florentine. A few drops of Tabasco sauce added to the taste. The herbs and the freshness of the pasta were coming through. Being complimented perfectly with the veggie and Ricotta filling and the Florentine sauce to complete the dish, it was rather appetising.

It being “The Deli,” I personally opted for a sandwich, namely the turkey with cranberry relish on brown bread. The sandwich, although duly homey and rustic could use some work. None of the condiments described on the menu came through in the sandwich.

I could not taste the honey mustard or even the cranberry relish for that matter. It was a good turkey sandwich by all means but not the gourmet sandwich that would be expected. The side of potato wedges that accompany all their sandwiches were well done too.

The desert, Crème Brulèe, was served at room temperature. The serving was small and tasted very mediocre.

The food is usually better than what I was served during this visit. Maybe they were just having an off day. Either way it was still not a bad meal by any standard.

Business hours:

From 12 noon-12 Midnight Daily.

Address: Shop No. 2-6,5-C,1st Commercial Lane,Zamzama. Phase 5, DHA, Karachi, Pakistan.

Phone: [phone], E-mail: [e-mail]

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2010.