Delicious desi cuisines: Restaurant promises finest dining experience

Attractive interior design, rooftop view of Margalla Hills to complement mouth-watering food.

ISLAMABAD: Adding Pakistani cuisine to fine dining, a new restaurant, Angeethi was launched here on Friday evening, offering a luxurious menu set to take one through a culinary trek of long-established tastes of the region.

Where a number of international cuisines are stirring demand and have established their niche in the capital, Angeethi brings local recipes to the table for those scouting for the ultimate “desi” fine dining experience.

The regal ambiance compliments the rich sub continental cuisines on offer.

Attractive Sufi designs in the courtyard and a rooftop view of the Margallah hills, the feel of Angeethi reassures the majestic layout of food, complimenting richness of taste.

Spanish style arches and walls are divided with large French windows that greet sunlight into spacious rooms. The rooms can facilitate more than 250 people.

Interior designer Shahzad Zafar has played with opulent shades of blue and deep red complimenting cream walls and crystal chandeliers and mirrors. The designer, has thus, successfully merged classic with modern chic, — confidently pulling off the princely and upscale look.

“From the long dastarkhawan to the rich meals of the nawabs, Pakistani food is known for its taste,” said an event manager, Rezz Ali Shah.

Owner, a promising, young entrepreneur, Hina Nadeem, said that the food tastes best complemented by the ambience.

Nadeem brings to the menu a selection of favourites from across the country. The delight of desi cooking paired with its prolific variety of flame-grilled items, the ingredients selected for the food, are a profusion of mouthwatering eastern flavours.

Embedding the varied cultural influences of the region, the menu offers ever popular vegetarian and non-vegetarian local dishes. From Desi murgh and mutton karahi, to spicy juicy grill it is all on the menu.

Angeethi offers, Punjab’s famous “sarson ka saag” (cooked mustard greens) with “makhan da tarka” along with traditional desi seasoning.

Some other specialties include, “murgh chole” which is a variation of “chana masala” made with potatoes and chicken. This dish is part of traditional breakfast in Punjab.

“For me, there can’t be a good Pakistani meal without the ravishingly delicious kheer — the ultimate sweet indulgence.

A new twist to this traditional delight here will surely bring a smile to your lips and, while the tongue revels in its milky glory, its creamy decadence will keep you entranced and craving for more, said Shah.

Nadeem said that while her initial plan was to launch an Italian restaurant, after conducting a market survey, she realised there was no place that was serving Pakistani cuisines. “I thought it was unfortunate. We have so much to offer when it comes to fine dining. Our dishes are rich in taste, texture and presentation,” she said. “I am glad that I am one of the first to offer delicious desi food to capital city residents,” Nadeem added.

“I think a good Pakistani restaurant was needed in Islamabad,” said Saira Ahmed who had come to the launch. “We have lots of foreigners in the capital who do not get the chance to experience our culture through food. This is a great addition, and an opportunity for [foreigners] to learn about Pakistan and its vibrant culture,” Ahmed added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2015.