The ethnic fine dining restaurant does not promise hastily served, piping-hot food and a bustling interior; it is more about a tranquil experience. Make sure you enter The East End on an empty stomach with an appetite for spicy desi food and a couple hours to spare, so to leisurely savour a lavish meal. A first-timer at the upscale eatery would be pleasantly taken aback by the menu which offers a limited selection of Bohra specialties. It presents a choice of three kinds of five-course meals – and within each group, one can choose from a selection of three to four entrées. Each meal includes drinks served in tiny glasses, two types of starters, a main course with another drink and a choice of dessert followed by tea. With a complimentary round of detox water arrived our first appetiser; mirchi and ghatia served with imli aur gur ka pani. The fresh, crisp ghatia fused well with the spicy mirchi, soothed by sips of the sweet imli concoction. Dahi wagarh, a staple Bohri starter, made with potato and eggplant dumplings in minty yoghurt and papri was next, coupled with another appetiser of aloo papri with imli sauce. As I ate dahi wagarh, I felt like tourist experimenting local food in my own city! The third starter was a selection of potato cutlets with mince filling, shami kebabs, one-bite puris which came with three different stuffing; jaggery, potato and tomato. My favourite was the potato puri; I found jaggery a bit off-putting. The peach drink was too sweet for my liking, too. Then arrived my main course; the Gujrati fusion exotic – Signature Masala Chops which were well-seasoned and scrumptious, perfectly balancing spice and tanginess. For dessert, I had Ras Malai which was a delight in itself.

Location: Behind Clifton Eidgah, Block 8 Clifton, Karachi.
Average cost for 2: PKR 5,000 approx.

TASTE

The eatery caters Bohra exotic cuisine, with rounds of food servings you may find too experimental for your taste. But the desi dishes, albeit innovative, serve a fusion of spicy flavours that are a treat for the taste buds.

AMBIENCE

The rustic décor of the restaurant elevates the dining experience. The dimly-lit restaurant instilled a romantic atmosphere with its mosaic walls, pebbled flooring, crafted lamps, indoor plants and jharoka-inspired windows.

SERVICE

The waiting staff was well-trained to tend to our numerous queries very affably. Our interaction with them was rather frequent, as they were serving us a course every fifteen minutes or so.

PRESENTATION

What little they could do with presenting puris, chutneys and other entrées, they did it with all their heart.

VALUE FOR MONEY

The high prices can be a deal breaker for some. But what you get for the price is a unique fine dining experience at an upscale eatery, something you shall not miss if you can afford it.