It`s what I like to think of as a fair trade Lahore sent Café Zouk over to Karachi, and Karachi has returned the favour by sending an Espresso outlet to Lahore. Bringing the people closer together with the exchange of popular eateries may be seen - and lauded — as an exercise in nation-building.

Snicker at that if you must, but just consider how the home-grown food industry, which is arguably one of the few thriving industries in the country, has given devotees of Karachi`s Zamzama Avenue and Lahore`s M.M. Alam Road something to bond over. Something which is blessedly untainted by the globalising effect of the golden arches and the colonel`s secret recipe.

Café Zouk, or just Zouk as it is most often referred to, was one of the pioneers that led the way in making M.M. Alam Road Lahore`s alternative Food Street. I remember back in the mid-1990s, heading to Zouk for a late night dessert and coffee with the wedding party after a valima. They had just closed for the evening but the sight of our formidably-sized — not to mention completely over-dressed — group led by the bride and groom themselves moved them enough to let us in.

A worthy representative of Lahore`s tradition of hospitality and all things involving food, Zouk can be relied upon for providing good food and quality service in a peaceful ambience. There are no surprises here — except perhaps their surprisingly good selection of Thai noodles and curries — but everyone is sure to go away well satisfied.

Some time later Zouk headed over to Karachi. It kept moving till it almost reached the sea front, and then set camp in a two-level building that is situated a stone`s throw away from the scenic Seaview Avenue. And if the Friday lunch pile-up is anything to go by, then here too the creamy pastas, grilled fish, not to mention chicken steaks with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies continue to draw in the crowds.

There are subtle differences as one would expect. First of all there is the portion size what passes as the main course in Karachi is merely the appetiser in Lahore. And the scrumptious Thai beef noodles, considered by some to be the crowning glory of their extensive menu, are clearly better in the historic city.

The bustling metropolis Karachi, on the other hand, does coffee just right. Proud home base of Espresso, it saw the coffee franchise open its door originally on Zamzama Avenue, and then on Khayaban-i-Shahbaz and at The Forum in quick succession. Queues of customers waiting to be seated are a common sight at all three venues; Sunday brunch being an especially trying time. But most are only too willing to wait — especially for the couch seats at Zamzama and Shahbaz — because when you`re in the mood for their cheese and mushroom omelette, club sandwich or apple crumble a la mode, absolutely nothing else will do.

When news came that the franchise had spread its wings and set up shop in Lahore, one was only too pleased to share the wealth with fellow citizens. A recent trip to Lahore revealed that the size of the shop that had been set up there would make Karachiites drool with envy. Located in the basement of a commercial building on — where else — M.M. Alam Road, its square area can easily accommodate all three Karachi outlets, and probably then some.

Everything else was a perfect replica, right down to the fruit-flavoured candies that come with the bill. The breakfast portion size is bigger I thought, but maybe it was just my imagination or a case of being constantly well-fed which is the usual state for any visitor to the hospitable city. Most important of all, the cappuccino was made just the same — extra strong (on my insistence) and without sugar.

The fair trading need not stop here. Lahore, how about shipping over a Cuckoo`s Den?
And Karachi, Pompei could make so many more people happy nationwide. Spread the love, I say, and love the spread.