Showing posts with label Islamabad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Islamabad. Show all posts
In Praise, In chase, of Ice cream
Pandora`s Box
 Woke up today and just knew it was the perfect day for ice cream. Even the clouds gave a sign
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So went on my way to my favorite haunt

I heard that The hot spot has opened up a new little branch in Saidpur village. How about we go there today and check it out?

It's not a long drive to saidpur, hardly five minutes from the main Margalla road here in Islamabad.
Beautiful day today...
Do click and zoom in to get the full effect of just how beautiful a day it really is
Saidpur is a village as old as the hills and is famed for it's beautiful old Mandir and Gurdwara that have been standing quietly for decades amdist the shade of old rubber plant trees.
Lets take a closer look


As breathtaking as these are, my nirvana lies in the quest of finding that little ice cream place. So lets go on towards the other side of the village where they have remodeled and all the eateries are located.

 Des Pardes nope...
The Polo lounge, nope...

The local earthenware. Check out the high heels on display. Top shelf near right :) Apparently the village belle prefer these instead of Cinderella's glass slippers...

Those are some beautiful old doors and windows. Wonder if they're for sale. As if I could afford 'em.



Oooh they have the famous Chatkhara of Lahore. They have some mouthwatering treats that they are famous for, but we'll save 'em for another day. We're on a serious ice cream finding mission. We must not let other temptations distract us.

Ohkaaay!! So I'm quite lost. It's not here where most of the restaurants are. A guy tells me we'll have to go back towards the hill where the two temples stand. (sounds like directions straight out of Arabian nights) Are you up for it? O come on! These people churn out the creamiest, most amazing handmade ice cream in town. You won't let a stair or two stand in the way now will you?

Emmm...did I say a stair or two?
Thankfully we don't have to take these.
Instead, we have to follow this path that leads to the maze like stairs that will lead us up the hill.

Up, Up we go...
 Finally.. A signboard telling us we're on the right path.. yes this disturbing signboard really has a skeleton on it. Don't let it bother you, The owners are in love with all things gory.
Let's take a breather shall we? And then we'll be on our way up again. I have a feeling we're quite near.
 I'm so thirsty, I could drink a barrel of water...

lets go, lets go, we're climbing up the last set of stairs I promise. I can see the signboard.

Finally! The pearly  rustic gates of heaven...

Yeah the owners have thing for Horror, cult classics and B class movies. In fact, they promote the old Lollywood style art and sell Tshirts and souvenirs.
 You must have worked up quite an appetite climbing up all those stairs. Hey! don't give me the evil eye. I didn't know okay! It's my first time here too.

Hold on a second!They just told me they only serve the sugar cones at their cafe in the city, and they're not available up here. Are you freaki'n kidding me??? Why couldn't they just put a sign down where the stairs start and write, "we don't have sugar cones here, so save your breath and turn back now". Sadists!! Well.. I know the cones aren't the only thing they're famous for, but I really wanted one. There were ice cream cone clouds up in the morning today for cryi'n out loud.
 Fine fine I'll just order a scoop of oreo mint and... salty butter pecan if it's not too much trouble plz. Mmmm.... delicious!!! So worth the climb.

Lets go find a seat outside...

How about this cozy lil nook hidden behind this bougainvillea?



 If I focus the camera,You can see a bit of Blue Area's skyline from up here...


Next time I'll take you with me to their cafe in the city. No stairs, and no nasty surprises I promise. It's inside a bus!
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Tales of a Rainy Day
Pandora`s Box
It was a near perfect afternoon. It rained the entire day. Not a depressing heavy downpour, but tiny, glistening drops, dancing in the wind. The air had that "rain" scent to it. Four of us friends got together after a long time to catch up and have lunch at a nice, cozy little restaurant called KC (short for kitchen cuisine) Grill.

I love coming here. You walk up a flight of wooden steps...

It was unusually deserted, that meant  having the entire place to ourselves.

And if you choose to sit outside, it's almost like being in a tree house....
Isn't the smell of freshly baked bread the best in the world? Call me a glutton, but the best part of dining out for me is that delicious, crusty warm bread accompanied by soft butter. 
More importantly, it seems we’re all nicer people when a bread basket is on the table. Carefully eating our share, and ALWAYS leaving the last piece for someone else.
We shared the warm breadbasket of tiny little melt in your mouth croissants and a variety of breads. Tutting at pats of butter but spreading it generously anyway amidst giggles. 



Another thing designed to be shared is of course, Fondue.
 We'd never tried it before at this place, but still, the 3 of us decided to risk it except "B" that is."B" went with an old staple that she always orders around here.
 I'm sure everyone has a "B" in their life. "B" is the kind of girl who likes things familiar. Has always been scared of  trying new things. She has the same hairstyle as long as I can remember. Always wears the same colors, and is the last one to experiment with anything new. The only time she didn't listen to her head was when she fell in love. The guy broke up with her last week. She is still not over him.
 Ok! back to the fondue.
We were expecting something like this
All hot meltey gooey cheese to dribble and share....
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But were served this instead....
 with cheese sauce on the side,
 And no fondue forks. No FORKS!!
No fondue dish, no little burning flame at the bottom.... these guys have sucked the joy right out of sharing a fondue *grumble grumble*
It still tasted good though.

"B" on the other hand, really enjoyed her sensible order of chicken with cashew nuts, which of course she haaad to share with the rest of us :)

After lunch we wandered down to the little bakery to take home some dessert.




In allegiance to "B", we decided to get this big fat Valentine's day cake, and pledged to slit the heart into tiny little pieces when we get home.
Time to grab some chick flicks and head home...

We kicked off our rain-drenched boots and entered my friend S’s home through the side entrance. No one was home and it was freezing cold. We lit up the fire toasting our hands, while"S" got us some plates and a STEAK knife.We kicked back on the floor and feasted on Rock Hudson, and of course...the sinful cake.
 A perfect end to a nearly perfect day.
I just adore Audrey Tautou...

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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