Middle Eastern Cuisine is not a new concept in Pakistan, especially because it is very similar to the flavours and ingredients we are comfortable with. Due to this very reason, it was instantly welcomed when introduced to the Pakistani food culture. Paramount Fine Foods PK may not be the first to introduce Middle Eastern cuisine but this eatery is bringing the finest of Middle Eastern delights so I just had to taste it myself.
When we talk about Middle eastern food let's get one thing clear, we are not just talking about Dubai or the Arabs but the food of the various countries and people of the Middle East. Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Syria and even Palestine are part of it and so is the food culture. So what you experience at Paramount is not just ARAB food, got it? Good. Pakistan is part of Asia, not the Middle East.
Middle Eastern food mainly comprises of olives, sesame seed (so much of it!), mint, chickpeas and the flavours are mostly salty as well as tangy in most dishes. In general, the cuisine is rich and aromatic. They also have a fondness for kebabs and meat like us desis; bring on some meat, yeah *Chest Thumping*.
Middle Eastern food mainly comprises of olives, sesame seed (so much of it!), mint, chickpeas and the flavours are mostly salty as well as tangy in most dishes. In general, the cuisine is rich and aromatic. They also have a fondness for kebabs and meat like us desis; bring on some meat, yeah *Chest Thumping*.
Paramount Fine Foods not only boasts about the quality of their food but emphasizes making sure that the restaurant itself is welcoming in terms of interiors, staff and service. I was given a warm welcome, found the interiors a bit too dark yet organized as well as planned. Even with a full restaurant, the service was reasonably quick and impressive.
The indulgence in wholesome goodness started with, of course, Hummus along with Fattoush Salad. Fun fact: Hummus is one of the oldest dishes in the world. It's made of chickpea paste, tahini sauce and the right amount of olive oil. I can have it as a sandwich or burger spread as well, it is very basic yet flavoursome.
The Hummus at Paramount had a good consistency, it was smooth and creamy with a tangy aftertaste, probably the olives. I particularly loved the Fattoush salad because of how fresh it was and the balanced mix of vegetables. I rarely enjoy this salad and this was the first time. The items are simple, the dressing is the key and it was done well with the right amount of lemon juice, pomegranate molasses and vinegar mixed with olive oil.
Next, I sank my teeth in some good, desi -feels Manakeesh flatbreads. You show these to a westerner and they will say "where da cheese?!" Yes, Manakeesh (also Manakish) does look like a middle eastern version of a Pizza, I think Pizza rules in different ways and forms in every corner of the world.
I tried the traditional Zaatar Manakeesh which is basically thyme and the much-loved sesame seed mixed with olive oil and spread onto the Manakeesh. It tasted surprisingly good even though I was initially doubtful. The taste is very earthy and unique due to thyme, toasty sesame seed and sumac spice that brings out a bit of tartiness,. The after taste is a bit dry so a drink on the side is advised. Zaatar Manakeesh is actually served as a breakfast dish in Lebanon and other middle eastern areas, wah!
Other than aromatic Zaatar Manakeesh we ordered a chicken cheese Manakeesh as well, to be safe in case Zaatar backfired. In the end, the chicken cheese tasted fine but very ordinary so we stuck to the Zaatar Manakeesh and devoured every bit of it.
We all ordered one big Mix Combo platter as that had a bit of almost everything Paramount was offering. From chicken and beef shawarma to Kafta skewers, Beef Sheesh touk skewers, Falafel and BBQ beef skewers served with tahini sauce. Yes, I was drooling too when I was reading the menu. After trying a little of everything on that platter I loved the Falafel and BBQ beef the most. The beef and chicken shawarma were bland and dry, the Sheesh touk and Kafta skewers were cooked well but were not flavoursome enough.
The Falafel was too good to be true, the best I have tasted in Karachi so far. The two different flavours of fried chickpeas, crunchy from the outside while soft and fluffy from the inside, in one bite, was extremely pleasurable. The chickpeas are grounded and mixed with onions, herbs and light seasoning and then fried with or without eggs and bread crumbs. In Paramount's case, there was a light batter covering the falafel which complimented it nicely.
The BBQ beef skewers were juicy and peppery. I was glad they were not overcooked because that literally kills the flavour.
Desserts? Well, you will not be able to resist a bite, or two, of the variety of Baklawas, Kinafe and Sh'aibiyat Paramount has to offer, each with its own nutty, smooth or gooey sweetness.
The food and experience are worth the cost which, as per generous portion size, is quite justified.
Hummus: PKR. 345/-
Fattoush: PKR.345/-
Zaatar Mankeesh: PKR.295
Combo Platter: PKR.3,995/-
You can check out more from their FACEBOOK page. Make reservations and go!
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