When ‘Bamiyan’ came to Lahore my fascination primarily lay in the fact that the very name evoked memories of the cultural tragedy of immense proportions -- the destruction of huge Buddha statues. Bamiyan in Afghanistan, a place I had been to in my college days, witnessed the unforgivable crime against human culture.

These statues were spared by a man as unforgiving as Genghis Khan. The Mughal Aurangzeb tried to destroy them by firing artillery rounds at them, but thankfully they just bounced off the statues. In the end Mullah Umar blew them up with dynamite. That is why visiting Bamiyan restaurant next to the Metro cash and carry store at Thokar Niaz Baig held a strange fascination. To be honest the very name in a way prevented me from going there, but when I did it took me by complete surprise. I went there two weeks ago to try out their famous ‘sajji’ and barbeque, and I must confess it was an experience worth reliving.

The two owners claim it is a fusion of Baluch-Afghan traditions of barbeque. What comes through strongly is the ‘sajji’, slow barbeque that leaves an amazing after-taste. The setting is amazing. A traditional gateway leads to an open enclosed space where traditional Baluch tents are erected. To one side, a hall has been constructed in which sections are set aside for families. On clean and tasteful hand-knotted carpets and low-level tables, with pillows that add to the luxury, we lodged ourselves. Very soon we found this to be most comfortable. I suggest if you are going to this place, wear a ‘kurta-shalwar’ instead of tight jeans.

Our order was a Baluch ‘barra’, a mutton ‘sajji’ and a plate of Bamiyan barbeque chicken wings. Now this is what I call a ‘protein charged’ order. The traditional ‘home-made’ ‘naan’ is as good as they come. The food was exquisite and the meat just melted in the mouth. This is one place where you can truly relax and enjoy classy food. The service is prompt even though the prices are a wee bit steep. But then a touch of the rustic and the wild add to the adventure.

Let me mark this ‘eating out’ experience on the Michelin Scale of one to nine. For food quality it gets seven, for taste a hefty eight, for ambience seven, for service five would be fine, for cleanliness five is just about fine, for quality of the crockery and cutlery six, for prices six (no cheap place) and for the concept it gets seven. This means this ‘eating out’ experience gets an average score of 6.3 out of nine, which is very good. Recommended.

BARFI SEARCH: My wife is soon off to meet her daughter abroad, and a request has come through for ‘barfi’. The last time I was in London my view was that the ‘desi methai’ in England was of a far higher quality than what one gets in Lahore. Good inputs make good output. Simple! But there is such a thing as nostalgia.

We have sampled six different shops so far, they being Fazal, Rafique, Gourmet, Salman of Ferozepur Road, Shezan and even good old Haji Sahib of Canal Park, Gulberg. I am not convinced about the quality, though my preference would be Salman. The search continues.

MAGNIFICENT MATHEE: Last week I visited my friend Waheed Raza Bhatti to discuss a literary venture. His wife served tea and an assortment of goodies all made by her in the house. The ‘mathee’ was just amazing. It has been ages since I had this delight. In our schooldays this was standard serving to guests. Gosh, no wonder Waheed leads such a happy life. May the good lady, a school headmistress, keep him, and all his friends, well supplied with her culinary delights? I hope there is no hint in what I write!!—AMSHE