by zishan.basiq on Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:51 pm
Hello Najam,
How are you doing? My name is Zishan Syed, I'm from Toronto, Canada and for me the most important thing about any place I visit, is the food; if it isn't too much trouble, could you help me out? I am trying to do some research, like I always do before embarking on a journey. I will be going to Karachi, Pakistan in March 2010 and I would like to know where I can find information, reviews by real critics, and sample menus for the best restaurants of the city. From what I can see Zamzama is the neighbourhood, where all of the most luxurious amenities are located, so it only makes sense that upscale restaurant owners would set up shop here. However, all of the flashy and loud, moderate to high priced eateries aren't always worth all of the hype or even the time it takes to sit down and have a mediocre meal. I am accustomed to paying USD $250- $350/ person, for excellent food in restaurants that have received 3 star ratings from Michellin's Guide Rouge; in New York, Paris, London, etc... If the experience is available in Karachi, I would love to try it. I prefer Prix Fixe menus, w/ a multi course tasting experience, usually 5-7 courses and sometimes up to 10. I will only consider restaurants with a qualified executive chef that makes use of the best quality, local and imported ingredients available, unless an extremely reliable source suggests otherwise.
I was hoping that you would be able to point me in the direction of such sources or perhaps recommend a few of your favourite restaurants. I'm sure that your taste is just as refined as mine, if not more so. Plus, you have the added advantage of either living there, or having visited there recently, while I haven't been to Pakistan for 16 years! I am only staying for 2 weeks, so between all of the relatives I have to meet and trying to find a tailor to make me a sherwani before i go back, I won't have time to eat any bad food. If you are unsure of whether the restaurants you are familiar with meet the criteria I have outlined above, then I would greatly appreciate it if you could give me the name of a few prominent food critics in Karachi, or another individual whom you believe may be capable of helping me.
Food is no joke to me, it can be something that brings great joy and emotion when a keen chef is able to use his training, ingredients and facilities well. But, it can also be painful and disastrous, especially when the price is high and the food is not worth more than animal feed! I am an exceptional cook for an amateur and I cannot bare to pay for food that does not exceed the limitations of my own culinary capabilities.
Thank you very much,
Zishan Syed
