Written by: Ushna Khan
Posted on: November 05, 2019 | 
| 中文
Patli Gali Restaurant Seating (photo credits to the writer)
Deciding on a restaurant to visit for an evening out with friends is a never ending battle, considering the number of options and the variety of cravings. For an indecisive group of friends, Patli Galli is the perfect refuge. Located in DHA phase 8, Lahore, Patli Galli is situated in a peaceful neighborhood, with ample and accessible parking space. The restaurant opens at 5pm, and one must book a reservation, as the place quickly becomes crowded.
The ambiance of this eatery is quite dreamy, and the open setup truly allows a dinner underneath the moonlit sky. The floor is carpeted with grass, and wooden tables decorated with aesthetic bulbs light up the place in warm hues. The entire space is fenced by walls ornamented by ivy and fairy lights. Adjacent to the entrance is the open kitchen, where the chefs can be seen grilling Barbecue on charcoal, while waiters carry off dishes to the tables.
Once seated, the waiter served us cups of hot peppery broth (Yakhni), an unexpected starter but a tasteful delight. The menu itself is divided into three sections: Basanti is desi food; Project TK is Fast food and WokStar is Chinese entrees. We then moved on to the menu, and decided to order from Basanti and Project TK. But since we had heard most about the Pakistani options, we decided to order Butter Chicken, Beef Seekh Kebab, Puri Parathay, Khameeri Roti, Garlic Naan, and Beef Cheese burger from the Fast food line.
Overall our taste buds were left disappointed, as the food served did not exactly hit the mark. The Butter Chicken was served in a pot, and the steaming sauce tingled our senses. But its texture was too creamy and taste itself was a sweet-and-sour flavor, which failed to appease. I have tasted better curry at corner hotels and startup stalls for much cheaper than the Rs. 800 we paid for this. But the quantity was sufficient, and enough to serve four people.
Seekh Kebab (photo credits to Patli Galli on Facebook)
The delicately grilled Seekh Kebab, costing Rs. 750, was another unfortunate choice. These kebabs were quite ordinary, neither the taste nor the aroma had much to offer. We found these quite dry, and desperately needing some spice seasoning. The garlic naan was fresh and looked wholesome, but the underlying smell of garlic was absent. However, the Parathas were crispy and golden, and the Khameeri Roti not only smelled sweet but was also deliciously warm.
Puri Parathay (photo credits to the writer)
The highlight of my order, the Beef Cheese Burger (Rs. 750), was a definite show stopper! Served on a wooden tray, the burger dodged the usual double-patty concept, and instead the beef and cheese filling was stuffed inside a portly bread patty. The unusual presentation was quite an eye catcher, and even more convenient to eat, as none of the filling dripped out. The beef was well grilled and the filling inside was cheesy and thick, leaving us overwhelmed in the best way possible. Our bill amounted to approx. Rs. 3770 for four people.
Beef Cheese Burger (photo credits to Patli Galli on Facebook)
I suppose labeling Patli Galli as unsatisfactory would be unfair, as many have loved the food served here, especially the Mutton Karhai. It is possible that our order was not amongst the most popular dishes, even though we had asked the waiters for suggestions. Also, the service of the staff was generally slow, and it seems that additional waiters maybe required, as the place is usually overcrowded.
Overall, the ambiance of this eatery is one of its kind, creating a scene from the starry night and a peaceful atmosphere. The wide variety of the menu is definitely a plus, but work needs to be done to improve the taste and the service.
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