Billboards announcing the opening of Rangoli, the theme buffet restaurant, months before it actually did had made one curious. So, soon after they finally opened the doors, we decided to check it out.

After spending an hour or so indulging in different games in Arena, right next door, we arrived at Rangoli all tired and hungry. Quickly selecting a table from the many that were still unoccupied as the night was still young by Karachi`s standards — it was only 930 — we headed for the food court. The more traditional items, such as paya, fried prawns and barbecue, were lined up by a wall attached to the kitchen area, with large windows that made the supply of piping hot items right from the chef`s pan, quick and easy. And it was also a relief that the dinning area was thus smoke-free, as the cooking smell and smoke can really get to you when live cooking is on the cards.

Choosing what to eat when there are dozens upon dozens of choices is a tough task and few can end the evening with the satisfied feeling of having fully enjoyed a particular dish. Too many flavours getting mixed up together really overworks the taste buds.

I skipped the salad bar that looked as tempting as all large ones do. So the evening started with some fried prawns that were as large as one would wish and very light too; definitely one of the highlights of the place. Outside was a small courtyard where sajji was being made in the centre, with shawrma, pasta and a couple of other items but it was only the sajji I opted for and didn`t regret.

Back inside, it was time to hit the main food items. Singaporean rice seemed more tempting than the biryani and fried rice so I tried that one out. The next to be added to my plate was something the name of which is hard to recall now, but it had boneless chicken pieces with chunks of vegetables swimming in white sauce. Totally tantalising — but too much of it was a bad decision for it made one feel heavy and full far too quickly.

The chappali kebabs were an urban version of the original thing and nothing to rave about. But the chicken seekh kebab (I think that`s what they called it) — a buttery chicken mince with a slight gravy — was a show stealer, especially warranting a try with fried paratha. A bit too heavy when one is at the tail end of the dinner, I just took a bite of it from a companion`s plate. The rest of the fare such as palak paneer, haleem, and the usual Chinese and continental items, all carried their distinct taste and, pleasantly, the chefs had not come up with a Pakistani version of the non-desi items as one frequently finds in some restaurants.

The dessert section was overloaded with things that dreams are made up of for those with a sweet tooth. But, unless you plan your meal well, you`ll be left with little space for these sweet dreams. From the desi methai and kheer to creamy cakes and custard, to the fresh fruits, there seemed to be everything. But what I was all in the mood for was ice cream — alas, there was just vanilla flavour, no chocolate! However, I loaded it with chocolate sauce to make up for it and must say that my disappointment quickly gave way to satisfaction.

While the ambiance, variety and the taste get good marks at Rangoli, one thing still baffles me — why is it called a theme buffet restaurant? What theme? The decor did have a few traditional touches in the shape of a few handicraft-like wall decorations and an entire wall painted with a rural scene, but the rest of the ambiance was what you would expect from a high-end family dinning spot.

A note for all who plan on checking it out — you get a coupon for a free entry into Arena, that`s next door, and a free game. So if it`s a weekday, you can first have your fill and then go over to Arena for some thrills. We first stepped into Arena, spent a bundle there and by the time the coupons came into our hands on our way out, we were too full and tired to bother going back again. With the validity being for only one month, the trip has to be made soon. But with the condition that it can only be availed on weekdays, working people like yours truly can well forget about this Rangoli generosity.