Written by: Nayha Jehangir Khan
Posted on: April 18, 2019 | 
| 中文
Tomahawk Steak
The first row in an auditorium has twenty seats, and they are considered the best seats in the house especially when you want to hear an orchestra or watch your favorite sport. Rustic is such a restaurant of only twenty seats, and is for those that are looking for an intimate evening and relaxed atmosphere at the foot of the hills in E-7. Bilal Akmal Rana, the Chef at Rustic, has chosen only the finest prime meats for his menu, with pristine marbling and carefully selected cuts. Rustic boasts the most tender and flavorful burgers and steaks Islamabad has to offer.
Rustic is offering a luxurious experience for the meat lovers and hearty carnivores of Islamabad. The Classic Cheese Burger and The Lamb burger, both having a 250g patty placed between a black sesame bun, stand tall on a small wooden board. As soon as the Classic Cheese Burger arrives at the table, we notice a wooden box which is dedicated to the sweet potato fries, and instantly grab a fry or two to begin the meal; with the Tomato Pesto and Garlic Olio, the plate feels architectural and well crafted. To understand the flavors of the burger, let’s divide them into sections where the tender and juicy beef patty is the deliciously dominating flavour of this experience. It is followed by the taste of melted cheese and supported by the soft undertones of the cream of spinach, perfectly complimenting the beef. The crunchy jalapenos and grilled pineapple bring on another wave of flavours, elevated by the separate sauces. These hand crafted condiments can be used for the sweet potato fries or individual burger bites, enhancing the overall taste of the burger, making it swing from sweet to spicy. The ingredients are sourced locally, and the cheese is organic.
The Classic Cheese Burger is a unique burger, it is artisanal in its complex notes of light and a rich taste. Rana’s unique perspective on bringing together these various flavours is adventurous and outside the conventional fast-food burger mentality. After having successfully balanced the layers in his burgers, we were presented with the Tomahawk Steak, Filet Mignon and Chicken Roulade. Each dish is hand crafted to perfection. Filet Mignon which is prepared rare, has a melt-in-your-mouth texture and slight crunch of the rolled herbs. “Filet mignon” is French, with filet meaning "thick slice" and mignon meaning "dainty." This is prime cut beef served over pea and cauliflower puree painted across the plate. On the other side of the table is the Tomahawk Steak, an unapologetic ribeye that is highly marbled, with a visible trail of the rich succulent lining of beautifully rendered fat along the bone. A dance between the sweetness and the saltiness of the smooth-textured layers of meat, this quick cooking cut has a long lasting effect on the senses. It is called a Tomahawk as it resembles a light axe used as a tool or weapon by Native Americans, and is indicative of the times when meat was eaten right off the bone. Presented on a stone board, the Tomahawk Steak brings out the hunter in all of us. This dish is not simply a steak piece but also hosts other delicate sideliners such as a shrimp skewer, caramelized onions and steamed vegetables. On the side was served the Mint Margarita, which was refreshing and had the right amount of crushed ice.
Rustic offers a multisensory experience where you can marvel at their artistic plating and passionate delivery of food from their open kitchen. Comfortable seating, warm lighting and exposed brick create a modern country house vibe, and the décor is purposeful and enhances the ambiance of the eatery. The restaurant will be offering a Ramadan special and is looking forward to host many Iftars this year!
All pictures have been provided by the author
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