Written by: Mehr Jan
Posted on: March 10, 2020 | 
Grilled Mushroom Chicken (photo credits to the writer)
Dining in Islamabad is one of those perplexing decisions that require precise planning in advance for the best possible culinary experience. You can’t just pick a place spur of the moment. With a range of restaurants at our disposal, indulgence must be a winning experience and nothing less. On the lookout, my ally and I hit the uptown F6 Markaz to satisfy our meaty cravings and were ready to be impressed at ‘The Butcher’s Café and Grill’.
The Cafe and Grill From the Outside (photo credits to the writer)
A two-story setting with a quaint, subtle look, we were welcomed into the rather dark interiors of brown and black and were hoping to catch one of the only two tables by the window, as we preferred to see what we were eating. The second floor consisted of a terrace seating arrangement, but advance booking was required.
The Restaurant Interior (photo credits to Butcher's Cafe)
However, hungry as we were, we paid no heed to where we sat because it was time to let the taste buds enjoy. The staff greeted us, but there wasn’t a speck of enthusiasm felt anywhere. We decided to kickstart with the starters, though it was surprising to see a very limited selection of fish and chips, flavored fries and nachos. We opted for soups, which turned out to be appetizing and flavorsome.
For the main course, the ‘Build Your Own Burger (BYOB)’ allowed us to create a burger to our liking, for a decent price of Rs.499 plus tax. It consisted of a selection of beef or chicken patty and a variety of vegetables and sauces. Aside from that, we got the Mushroom Grilled Chicken.
Of course, our server wasn’t interested in sharing details voluntarily, and his attitude was starting to kill the mood. It also didn’t help that the music blaring through the speakers suited more a nightspot café rather than a grill joint. We had to shout over the tunes in hopes of speaking to each other, which was both tiring and unnecessary.
The food had arrived quite quickly, and the grilled chicken was a pretty plate with plenty side servings, including steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. However, what should have been served on a sizzling hot plate, left us flabbergasted. Forget sizzling, the food was only mildly warm. In fact, we had to request for the manager to reheat the chicken and the mushroom sauce, and things didn’t seem to get any better.
The BYOB was equally impressive in presentation; unbeknownst to us, the serving consisted of coleslaw and delectable fries. However, the beef patty had a strong, overpowering smell which overshadowed, rather than compliment the other ingredients. Served in a soft, black sesame burger bun, we decided to let this one pass for its one winning element. A breaded mozzarella patty on top of the beef patty was divine, and a saving grace to the whole order. We washed down the main courses with tall glasses of mint margarita, which were refreshing but a little too sweet to our liking.
-The BYOB (photo credits to the writer)
We decided to end the meal with a brownie sundae; nothing could go wrong with chocolate, and a brownie is as chocolatey as they come. And yet, we realized again that it just wasn’t our day. The brownie was dry and scratchy, and the chocolate gooeyness, that is its sponginess, were painfully missing. The vanilla ice-cream on the side was bland and didn’t do much to save the platter.
The Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream (photo credits to the writer)
This an era in which home cooked steaks can compete with the best steakhouse chefs. Multiple apps compete with one another to provide a fiery yet moist steak in the comforts of one’s own home. Considering this, it’s a letdown to see fine-style restaurants not putting in the energy and effort needed to bring diners outside of their homes for a well cooked, juicy steak. It will probably be a while till we decide to visit Butcher’s Grill and Café again.
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