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September 28, 2006
Foodies’ paradise
Lahore’s M.M.Alam road never seems to say ‘no’ to an eating place. And nothing seems to satiate Lahoris’ appetite for new food. Just a few months into business, Memories, the new child on the eatery block has been reopened with a totally new exterior. “We were told that it looked more like a wedding hall than a restaurant and people kept away. So we decided on a totally new exterior to make our presence felt,” says the owner Rizwan Raja.
Thus thanks to the owners’ daughter, who holds a diploma in interiors, it has had a fabulous facelift. The intricate wooden exterior, showcasing jhorakas and beautifully crafted old style windows is a craftsman’s delight. A sight for those who appreciate quality art, the exterior is a must see. However, as one enters the restaurant, the mood snaps at the drop of a hat. Calpol pink, neon green, and bright purple walls welcome one into a totally jazzy ambiance. The array of brightly painted walls may be too much for the eye but is sure to grab the attention of the guests.
A rather small but tastefully done up waiting area with a couple of comfortable sofas make up the inside entrance. The main dining area, a rather big hall with a seating capacity for 150 guests, is a mix of the oriental and the modern. “We are a family restaurant,” says the proprietor and “thus the blend is essential since we want to cater to all age groups.” A modern bar area stands firm in one corner serving the usual drinks. The neatly set out tables also make a good first impression.
Separate tent shaped booths with white muslin draped over the top have been arranged in one corner of the restaurant. Lending a little privacy, they offer couples a rather secluded area. Assorted works of abstract art, adorn the multicoloured walls of the eatery.
The eatery offers a wide range of dishes for its buffet dinner priced at Rs399 per head. One can select from Indonesian, Chinese and Pakistani food. It also offers a mix of steaks, barbeque and continental dishes, catering to the taste of all age groups. Set in one corner are the different types of salads. The variety is surely there but the salads fall short of the perfect taste. However, the bucket full of goal gappas offered with tangy tamarind syrup is quite refreshing and fresh. The restaurant boasts 25 dishes for its main course and there is a round the clock rotation of the choice of dishes over the week.
Due to the buffet offer, one can indulge in a good variety of food at the restaurant; some dishes must be specially mentioned for their exquisite taste. The Java rice was simply amazing, sprinkled with a luxurious helping of spicy roasted nuts; the rice was cooked to the perfect colour and taste. The gentle mix of the sweet and sour in the apricot chicken was also superb. Tender pieces of chicken dipped in a sweet and sour sauce with chunks of sweet apricot make up a great combination.
The restaurant also offers mini pepper steaks, a rather novel way of serving steaks. Again this dish also tasted great and for meat lovers this is a must try. Tender pieces of beef in black pepper sauce are served real hot. The Pakistani section also does not fall short of any praise. The malai boti is delicious with well cooked pieces of chicken served in a very juicy spicy sauce. The Chicken Jalfrezi also had a very balanced taste with the bright red tomatoes making an attractive sight. However, the pasta was not up to the mark and simply bland and needs to be improved upon.
The buffet offers a good variety of kebabs, a spicy mutton gurda qorma and lots more. Besides this the sweet corner offers 15 sweet dishes to indulge in. The steaming gulab jamans were surely out of this world and so was the almond tart with a perfect crust and a very nutty filling. Also on the menu were apple and carrot murrabas, caramel custard, pineapple upside down cake and chocolate mousse to name a few but the kheer simply stood out amongst the rest with its delectable sweet flavour.
The service is also excellent. Inspite of the rush, the staff took special care in clearing the table as one walked to the buffet area to choose the next dish or take another helping. Plus this the dishes were steaming hot and the food never stopped coming whenever one went for the next helping. So for all those who want to take their loved ones out for a family dinner in a very family oriented ambiance the eatery is a good choice.
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