Print

    Fall in Love the Karam Lebnan Way!

    Written by: Aiza Azam
    Posted on: May 27, 2015 |

    Karam Lebnan Restaurant, Islamabad

    Karam Lebnan is one of the few restaurants in Islamabad devoted exclusively to Lebanese cuisine, and easily takes the cake for excellence. With food authentic in recipe and flavor, and of consistently high standard, it is the only place in the city that can be recommended for a quality experience in Lebanese fare.

    Situated on Parveen Shakir Road, there are no signs to advertise the venue, yet the diner who knows what he is looking for will find it without difficulty. A red brick exterior is adjacent to a huge garden laid out with seating to enjoy warm weather in winter or cool summer evenings. The interior is tastefully done and comfortable, the ambience relaxing, although traditional Lebanese folk music, instead of the pop culture variety indiscernible from music from the rest of the world, would go a long way towards enhancing the dining experience.

    The menu is very large and varied. There are the usual soups and salads, hot and cold mezze, a succulent barbeque selection, and of course the shawerma. For your first time there, it is advisable to go for a selection of starters, and a main or two, to give you something of an overview of the restaurant’s offerings and tastes. Our recommendations:

    Karam Lebnan Restaurant, Islamabad

    (l-r) Falafel, Fried Kibbi and Hommos with fried meat

    From the Cold Mezze menu, start with the Grilled Halloumi cheese (be warned, it leans towards the salty side), Hommos (so creamy and ridiculously delicious, you’re probably going to ask for another serving), Baba Ganoush (that old eggplant standby) and the Vine Leaves (grape leaves stuffed with rice and vegetables). The Hommos with Fried Meat is a good option too; this one comes topped with pine nuts and tiny bits of fried meat. Alternatively, you can ask them for a platter which contains a little bit of everything, but in all honesty, it takes away from the pleasure of picking a bit here and a bit there from beautifully decorated individual dishes. Warm pita bread, fresh from the oven, is served as you eat. For Hot Mezze, try the Fried Kibbi (stuffed meatballs) and the Spinach Fatayer (spinach pastry). The Falafel is always a good go-to as well.

    If you’re still hungry and have room for the main, the Chicken Tawook is always a safe and tasty option, with the Chilli Tawook offering a version with more kick. The chicken is very nicely done so that it’s juicy and tender. For meat lovers, have the Kabaab Khishkhash. Here again, you can try a platter instead, big enough for 2 persons or one for 4, depending on your number. You’re served a dish covered with a thin layer of bread; cut into and peeled back by your server at the table, it opens up to reveal a treasure of chicken and beef with vegetables, all baked to perfection inside the bread which has also soaked up the delicious juices of the meat as it cooks.

    You can’t leave the place without trying at least one dessert. We wholeheartedly recommend the Katayef, a cheese-filled pastry, lightly fried till it’s golden, spooned over with syrup (so lightly flavored you can’t really tell it’s even sweet!) and sprinkled with ground pistachio. A piece each should suffice (though frankly you should have at least two, they’re so good), paired with the Karam Lebnan Special Tea (spiced tea made from six different herbs).

    All in all, this satisfying experience will not be enough. You will come back to Karam Lebnan and you will want to try more.


    You may also like:

    Book Review: In Conversation with the Creators of: A Teen's Guide to Pakistan's History

    (November 04, 2024)

    Birthdays with Filmstars: Flashy, Filmy and Flimsy

    (November 01, 2024)

    Art Review: Familiar Stranger at Numaishgah

    (October 31, 2024)

    Through the Veil of Dreams by Tabinda Chinoy at Gallery 6

    (October 30, 2024)

    Book Review: The Verdict by Osman Haneef

    (October 29, 2024)

    O Donuts: A Sweet Revolution Expands to All-Day Breakfast

    (October 28, 2024)

    Art Review: Diptych at Tanzara Gallery

    (October 25, 2024)

    Art Review: Fragmented Complexities of Existence at Artcade

    (October 24, 2024)

    Art Review: Seers and the Seen by Amna Rahman at Khaas Contemporary

    (October 23, 2024)

    Zain Mustafa's Indus River Valley Institute: Tracing the Cultural DNA of Pakistan

    (October 22, 2024)

    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021