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Review: Paramount Fine Foods offers unforgettable Lebanese food in Karachi

Review: Paramount Fine Foods offers unforgettable Lebanese food in Karachi

All the dishes were rich in flavour, tantalising the taste buds
Updated 02 Dec, 2016

Paramount Fine Foods, a Middle Eastern food chain, has finally branched itself out from Canada to Pakistan. Not only is it a Lebanese restaurant, it also comprises a fine bakery featuring many items that one usually doesn't find in Karachi.

Situated in Khayaban-e-Shamsheer in a building that previously belonged to another restaurant, this new eatery has been completely transformed into a traditional yet modern space for fine dining; the ornamentation managing to forgo its past resonance and creating a new identity.

The food will not only be served in an indoor space; the restaurant is soon to open its patio where diners will be fully able to enjoy the authentic style of Lebanese dining. Photo by author.
The food will not only be served in an indoor space; the restaurant is soon to open its patio where diners will be fully able to enjoy the authentic style of Lebanese dining. Photo by author.

Paramount Fine Foods is embracing fresh organic food and recipes that have been passed down for generations, all ready to be enjoyed by us Karachiites. With ingredients like olive oil, za'atar, chickpeas and sesame seeds, this restaurant is a blend of healthy and flavoursome food.

The food will not only be served in an indoor space. The restaurant is soon to open its patio where diners will be fully able to enjoy the authentic style of Lebanese dining.

Upon entering, besides the staff being very welcoming, I was also pleasantly surprised by the number of female employees working at Paramount. Offering their own brand of water bottles, Paramount donates Rs5 on the purchase of each bottle to Dar ul Sukun, a home for abandoned children with disabilities.

The pita bread was big, light and airy and when paired with hummus, it was a match made in heaven. Photo: Paramount Fine Foods PK/Facebook
The pita bread was big, light and airy and when paired with hummus, it was a match made in heaven. Photo: Paramount Fine Foods PK/Facebook

Now finally coming to the food, every diner while skimming through the menu gets complimentary pita bread. Do not get fooled by the market made pita, this here is the real deal, the real Middle Eastern pita. Not only was it big, light and airy, it was as fresh as out of a wood-fired oven and when paired with hummus, it was a match made in heaven.

Hummus, a recipe that I am so fond of cooking at home, is actually not that easy to make. Comprising of only four ingredients used with precision, Paramount's hummus knocked my socks off. With the right amount of tahini, this hummus is probably the best in K-town right now!

Next in line was Manakeesh - from the root verb naqasha, 'to sculpt, carve out', meaning that after the dough has been rolled flat, it is pressed by the fingertips to create little dips for the topping to lie in. Similar to a pizza, it can be sliced or folded, and it can either be served for breakfast or lunch.

The Za'atar Manakeesh was delicious with many health benefits to order. Photo: author
The Za'atar Manakeesh was delicious with many health benefits to order. Photo: author

Za’atar manakeesh is what I ordered alongside Za’atar with cheese later. Plain ol' za'atar has the very authentic taste of dried herb(s), mixed with sesame seeds, dried sumac, and often salt, as well as other spices. This alone is quite delicious with many health benefits to offer, such as making the mind and body alert.

The Za'atar with cheese Manakeesh is a must try on Paramount's menu. Photo: author
The Za'atar with cheese Manakeesh is a must try on Paramount's menu. Photo: author

On the other hand, Manakeesh- Za’atar with cheese consists of a light golden crust. This recipe entails not your regular cheese but a Lebanese cheese called Akkawi - white brine Palestinian cheese from the city of Acre. This one, put together with Za’atar was very appetising, convincing the audience to try a healthier version of pizza. With the smooth texture and mild salty taste of the cheese alongside Za’atar, this item is a must try on Paramount's menu.

A recipe with perfect combination of just four ingredients, making it all the more flavourful. Photo by author.
A recipe with perfect combination of just four ingredients, making it all the more flavourful. Photo by author.

Shawarma chicken pizza, an executive chef signature creation, was next to tickle my taste buds. Sharing a similar dough base, this one consists of Mozzarella cheese with tahini sauce drizzled on top. The central core of the pizza is dedicated to fresh vegetables like one finds in a shawarma; a recipe with perfect combination of just four ingredients, making it all the more flavourful.

If you plan to order this, I would suggest pairing it with a lighter main course to balance out your meal. Photo: Paramount Fine Foods PK/ Facebook
If you plan to order this, I would suggest pairing it with a lighter main course to balance out your meal. Photo: Paramount Fine Foods PK/ Facebook

Paramount special, a refreshing drink layered with fresh mango pulp and strawberry juice, crushed pistachios, ashta cream and chunks of fresh fruits was quite viscous but satisfying. If you plan to order this, I would suggest pairing it with a lighter main course to balance out your meal.

When I asked for main course recommendations, the operation director Aman Virji, steered me towards an enormous dish called Mixed Combo Platter comprising beef and chicken shawarma, two kafta skewers, two shish tawouk skewers, two BBQ beef skewers and four falafel pieces, all served with tahini sauce. Priced at Rs. 3,995/- this platter can surely be shared by a group of four, filling them aptly if they also plan to order Paramount's luxurious desserts later.

I was steered towards an enormous dish called Mixed combo platter. Photo: Paramount Fine Foods PK/Facebook
I was steered towards an enormous dish called Mixed combo platter. Photo: Paramount Fine Foods PK/Facebook

The chicken shish tawouk was juicy and moist in every bite, followed by kafta skewers. Falafel, a deep fried patty made from ground chickpeas was a true knockout on the platter. When dipped in tahini sauce, it managed to fully satisfy my palate. BBQ beef skewers were only appetising when paired with garlic sauce hence, sauces rescuing a few items.

We also had the chance to meet the Head Chef, William el Dbaissy, a unique culinary artist who belongs from a family of traditional Lebanese chefs and has been serving traditional Lebanese food since the start of his career. He works in Canada, but is briefly here to train the staff at Paramount Karachi.

With a hygienic kitchen and well-trained staff, Dbaissy has also made sure to purchase fresh meat every day to ensure healthier food. He is particular about the origin of the animal and natural feeding when buying the meat. Herbs are imported from Lebanon and Dubai to maintain quality and taste.

I quickly ordered Kinafeh - a Middle Eastern cheese pastry soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup. Photo by author.
I quickly ordered Kinafeh - a Middle Eastern cheese pastry soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup. Photo by author.

Having a fondness for desserts, I was extremely thrilled to skim through the menu. Farooq (assistant manager) at Paramount was kind enough to free me from my dilemma. I quickly ordered Kinafeh - a Middle Eastern cheese pastry soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, typical of the regions belonging to the former Ottoman Empire. Tasting fine semolina upon my first bite, dipped in the sugar syrup, it was the sweetness alongside the saltiness from the akaawi cheese and the feta-like texture that brought about the right amount of balance of the flavours altogether.

Eating at a Middle Eastern restaurant, one cannot ignore Baklava, A very old, rich and sweet pastry; presently a favourite dessert amongst the Turks. As most of us are familiar with the common square Baklava, Paramount Fine Foods' bakery has many more varieties of this delicious dessert; one of them being Finger Baklava, which was one of my favourite.

Paramount Fine Foods' bakery has many more varieties of the Baklava. Photo by author.
Paramount Fine Foods' bakery has many more varieties of the Baklava. Photo by author.

Stuffed with ground cashews, drizzled with a delicate blend of rose water and showered with crushed pistachio, it was rolled up and baked to golden perfection making it a flavoursome dessert. Followed with Birds Nest Baklava, a very fine stringy dough wrapped around pistachios and lightly fried to boldness. The stringy Knafeh dough texture is very similar to that of crispy vermicelli. With pistachios shining in this recipe, this Baklava is for people like me who prefer the right amount of meetha in their desserts.

With renowned chefs sharing their most authentic Lebanese recipes, this restaurant is surely not be missed out. Aiming to reach out to everyone, prices here are ranging from PKR300 to PKR4000. With aroma of freshly baked breads in their wood-fired ovens, charcoal BBQ meats and handmade sweets, Paramount Fine Foods provides guests a culinary experience that will not be forgotten.

Comments

Thoroughthinker Dec 02, 2016 02:45pm
I am a big fan of Lebanese food but failed to find my best choice, since long. That is Arise, which is a freshly minced meat mixed with parsley green chillies and herbs, BRQ-ed in finger shapes( like our seekh kebabs) in a wire tostapane on charcoal and served direct from fire with Arab-Breads and Garlic sauce.
Recommend
Goga Nalaik Dec 02, 2016 02:49pm
Yummy stuff indeed
Recommend
Pak Khan Dec 02, 2016 02:53pm
Yummy
Recommend
imtiaz ali khan Dec 02, 2016 04:00pm
Love naan. D with a lecious pizza :) Love Karachi, as food from all over the world is available in this big city.
Recommend
Abbastoronto Dec 02, 2016 04:12pm
Something to enjoy by the top 1%. Beyond my budget.
Recommend
ruby Dec 02, 2016 04:33pm
I am not a fan of Lebanese food but I tried this place and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! It was better than the Lebanese food I have had in London!!!!!!
Recommend
Amer Rao Dec 02, 2016 05:04pm
Wow.
Recommend
ga Dec 02, 2016 05:12pm
Canadian Paramount takes great care in hygiene. I hope Pakistani branch is not food poisoning waiting to happen.
Recommend
Vijay B. Dec 02, 2016 05:13pm
Rs 3900 for one dish even if it can be shared by 4 persons? so with dessert and drinks and tips the tab should come close to RS 2500 to Rs 3000 per person. How many native Pakistanis can afford that or have the will to spend that kind of money on a meal?
Recommend
A Sheikh Dec 02, 2016 05:15pm
I have tried them once in Toronto and never going back. This is very expensive and quality isn't as good as some small places selling middle eastern food. Unchi Dukan Phikay Pakwan - perfectly fits here.
Recommend
Muhammad Dec 02, 2016 05:36pm
I live in Miton ON Canada and I would say that paramount's food quality is good. However it is a bit on higher end when it comes to price. I dont know what the prices are in Pakistan
Recommend
Zak Dec 02, 2016 06:08pm
It's a natural progression as arab culture and blood links are historical.
Recommend
Saad dawood Dec 02, 2016 06:41pm
Here is what bothers me about this review... the author was not there as just another diner. She was not there as an anonymous food critic. I know this because I was there and I saw the attention and pampering that was going on. I don't know if the food was comped or not. Regardless, this cannot be an unbiased review and even if it is, it cannot reflect the true level of food and service quality. The restaurant staff and the magaer were aware why the author was there and so there was a lot of TLC on display. For this review to be accurate and truly reflective of the actual food quality and factual service level, the author should have been undercover. This review stands compromised.
Recommend
Jibboo Dec 02, 2016 07:28pm
The reviwer says that, "Aiming to reach out to everyone, prices here are ranging from PKR300 to PKR4000...". Common, give us a break. I would say, perhaps within the comfort zone of the top 0.5 pc.
Recommend
Mama sadiq Dec 02, 2016 08:09pm
@Abbastoronto ; sorry buddy but the food was really good
Recommend
Omar Dec 02, 2016 09:49pm
This rest. is one of the best Lebanese Rest in Canada.. and being run by an amazing Entrepreneur.. M. Fakih.. He's expanded from one location to 60 Country wide
Recommend
Ali Dec 03, 2016 09:56am
I go to Paramount very frequently in Toronto, and am delighted that they have branched out in Pakistan. Frankly, by Canadian standards, it is very reasonably priced and I'm surprised by the comments suggesting that it is only within the reach of the super rich. Some Indo-Pakistani restaurants are much pricier with lower quality of service.
Recommend
Adnan 2 Dec 03, 2016 01:20pm
I really don't like Lebanese food. People are making fool of themselves that lebanese food is good. Pakistani food is the best. That's why Christopher Columbus want to get our spicy.
Recommend
M.M.K Dec 03, 2016 08:17pm
It's probably the Mc Donald's of Middle Eastern food. Fine Foods is a misleading name. Had it a couple of times in Toronto, and it is pretty average.
Recommend
Amer Rao Dec 04, 2016 02:34am
Paramount Fine Foods, is one of the best in Canada.
Recommend