When it comes to food, the menu begs for expansion too. It is a patisserie, which means it aims to satiate your sweet tooth but catering to a Pakistani public, it needs improvisation to accumulate a larger fan base. Patisseries may work in Paris where people walking to or from work need to take a coffee break or respite from the frequent rains. In Karachi, people walking to work aren’t the café types.
Catering to a middle or upper middle class, Laals needs to offer a breakfast menu and a wider selection of light lunch or snack alternatives like sandwiches and salads. Apparently they will be serving breakfast from January. But from the savoury choices currently on the menu: the chicken & mushroom quiche was good, the turnovers passable and the quesadilla (up for sampling the day we visited) a welcome addition though not entirely lip smacking.
At the end of the day Laals is for people with a sweet tooth. The macaroons, created by Lal Majid herself, melt in the mouth and are a sinful obsession. The pastry selection is dominated by chocolate with delicate caramel eclairs, cookies, muffins and a regular array of cakes and confectionery. The frosted brownie, though more soft than chewy, slides down the throat like a molten drizzle of heavenly chocolate. And the gelato ice cream, available in several addictive flavours, is easy to get hooked onto.
Sights and sounds: The décor is elegant and chic with an upper storey ideal for larger groups. As the front window overlooks a wall of shrubbery you could be fooled — for a moment — to think you weren’t in Karachi. Laals is a quiet place with gentle hustle bustle and none of the rambunctious noise other cafes are dominated by. But this could be a matter of time.
What’s around: Espresso is next door and there are several eateries like Subway, Thai Express, Gin Soy, etc., down the same road. Surrounded by commercial areas, the Laals Café could become a frequent destination for professionals looking for a quick sugar or caffeine fix.
What to order? Any of the fabulous coffees or ice creams. From the pastry selection I would recommend the macaroons and eclairs. From the savoury menu I would go for the quiches.
What to avoid? The lemon tarts are way too tangy and the turnovers are a little dry.