Written by: Zainab Hasan
Posted on: October 26, 2018 | 
| 中文
Desi Spicy Palak Paneer with Tandoori Paratha and Desi Naan
Located in the same building as Chaaye Khana in F-6, Desi Accent is a new restaurant for food lovers to satiate their desi cravings. The name, Desi Accent, is self-explanatory, in terms of the items being offered such as; Chicken Malai Boti, Desi Brain Masala, Desi Chicken Tawa Qeema, Karhi Pakora, Mix Barbecue Platter and so on. The combos section takes on Desi Chikar Cholay, served with Pathooras, and Desi Daal Chawal along with Aloo Tikki. The venture is the brainchild of a food enthusiast, Safdar Khan, and business entrepreneur, Usama Malik. Besides serving home-cooked style food, they also have options such as Chicken Tenders and French Fries for kids, who might not feel inclined towards desi food.
The aromas from the restaurant greet the guests, before they enter the premises. The room borrows its vivid look from backlit wooden tiles, supporting mirrors and paintings of indigenous people, opposite a feature wall with geometric patterns in dull gold. The interior strikes a balance between traditional and contemporary, with red hues scattered across the room. As a sense of relaxation sinks in, soft and mellow tunes can be heard playing. It’s the perfect place for a casual meal, allowing guests to fully focus on the food being offered.
While waiting for the main dishes to arrive, complimentary appetizers make their way to the table; vegetable poppadum’s dusted with spinach leaves, cumin seeds and crushed chili flakes. An assortment of chutneys, namely; Imli, Aloo Bukhara and Mint, are paired with this, neutralizing the heat of the chili. Out of all the chutneys, Imli was my favorite and my palette was pleasantly surprised by the touch of sweet and slightly tart it brought to the poppadum’s.
Although the chicken wings came piping hot, with an extra crispy crust encasing the tender chicken morsels, they were a bit bland for my liking. Furthermore, since I don’t prefer ketchup with my fried food, I wish I had been given another sauce to dip it in.
The Desi Angara Boti consists of boneless chicken, tossed and marinated overnight in a house blended spice rub. The flaming hot chicken bites might scare you for a second, and devouring them may seem like a daring task, but not only were they moist, they were oozing with flavor.
The fall season always puts me in the mood for savory hearty meals that not only satisfy your hunger but also soothe your soul. Thus, the Desi Spicy Palak Paneer was a good way to kick off the winter season. The earthy goodness of the greens permeated through the mild heat of the dish. It was served with a medley of house breads; Desi Patoora, a crossbreed of Naan and Poori, Tandoori Paratha, the world’s thinnest paratha, and Desi Naan speckled with black cumin and sesame seeds. The Tandoori Paratha and Desi Patoora were a total hit with me.
The Mint Chiller served as a refreshing break from all the spice infused delicacies. It had a punch from the zesty lemon, but a subtle minty taste lingered towards the end, making it all the more delicious. Other drinks on the menu include Desi Madani Lassi, served both salty and sweet, and Desi Lemon Soda also served chilled.
Dessert was the next and last thing to try from the menu. Desi Kheer was a more tempting pick for my taste buds. However, the warm, moist and melt-in-your-mouth Gulab Jaman took the prize, and was perfect for the mildly chilly weather.
Amongst many other desi restaurants, it’s good to know that there is a new place making its mark on the food map, and providing customers with fresh food, at less than 1000 PKR per person. Desi Accent recently started delivering this heartwarming food to their customer’s doorstep. Their menu might seem short and concise, but they promise that seasonal additions will be made. Parking also might not be easily available at all times, but the restaurant is definitely worth a visit.
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