After a decade in Pindi: Texas Steak House ventures into Islamabad

The restaurant opened with a red-carpet event on Thursday.

ISLAMABAD:

The pioneer steak-makers of Rawalpindi, Texas Steak House launched an outlet in the quaint Sector E-7 of the capital on Thursday evening. People from all walks of life including celebrities, entrepreneurs and gourmands attended the red carpet event.

The guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres such as pepper and mushroom steaks, chicken chunks with tartar sauce, one-bite beef burgers and chilled margaritas. The steakhouse boasts an elaborate menu. From hand-cut steaks and sides and freshly-baked breads topped off with a diverse list of desserts. The eatery also offers fresh seafood besides grilled chicken, burgers and a variety of salads.



Garnished in barbeque sauce, the medium-well done pepper steak is as juicy and succulent as they come. “I’ve only recently gotten back into the steak game after staying out of it for about two years but of the five places I have tried recently, the Texas [Steak House] offering beats them by a large margin,” said Bilal Khan, a guest.

Clad in checkered shirts and khakhis, some middle-aged men donning cowboy hats added to the Hollywood Western-esque movie feel of the eatery. Ropes and metallic saddles on the walls made for the thematic décor.

The steak specialists have been running their business in Rawalpindi for 11 years. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/EXPRESS

“There is lots of ambience and the mushroom steak is a must-have,” said a model, Nina Ali. Next to her, TV show host and model, Mishi Khan said she had been to the outlet in Rawalpindi and thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience.

“I found the quantity, the presentation and the quality impressive. It is definitely a place for steak lovers” she said. According to actor and model Aisha Linea Akhtar, her medium-done steak was just how she liked it.

Samina Khattak, who is part of the family-operated business, said she felt proud to introduce the steakhouse and coffee shop in Rawalpindi some 11 years ago. “I have a passion for food and always wanted to open such a place. At first, it was through the word of mouth that people came to know of the steakhouse and soon it developed a reputation and has proven to be a success,” she said.



On the other hand, Pindiites had taken longer to warm up to the idea of coffee shop as they were usually looking for dining options, she added, referring to Cafe Bonito, which forms part of the steak house in Rawalpindi.

One wonders if the eatery would live up to the growing competition of dining options in the capital. Nevertheless, to have been sailing smooth in the precarious food business for so long, they must be doing something right.

The event was organised by Oriantano Event Management.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2013.