Written by: Sundus Sinkler
Posted on: April 19, 2018 | 
| 中文
Chicken Kiev
Located in Bukhari Commercial Area, Grotto Cafe is one of the eateries that Karachiites have been trying out recently. After hearing mixed reviews, my friends and I decided that our only option was to try it out for ourselves.
Finding Grotto Café is slightly difficult, since it’s squeezed between two other eateries and the placement of their board outside confuses one, as to which of the doors leads to it. Upon entering, much to our delight, the café turned out to be bigger than it had appeared. We were warmly welcomed by the staff, and we immediately ordered Mint Lemonades. The ambience of the café is cosy, with furniture in wooden tones, while the lighting is dim and warm. The place wasn’t overly crowded, as we chose to visit on a weekday at lunch time.
Fifteen minutes after placing our order, our drinks still had not arrived and we had to complain to the receptionist. When the Mint Lemonade came, it wasn’t extraordinary but in the summer heat of Karachi, it is always a cool treat for one’s taste buds! Another twenty minutes passed by before our food (three main courses and dessert) arrived, thus we ended up quite disappointed with the service. While our server did explain that the delay had been caused by Friday prayers, we should have been informed about this when we had entered the restaurant.
Silently praying that the food would prove to be worth the long wait, we dug in. Starting off with the seafood, we had Tamarind Fish, which turned out to be my favorite dish. This delicious, buttery, red snapper was topped with tamarind and oyster sauce, which gave a tantalizing taste to the meal, especially when coupled with au gratin potatoes. I was uncertain about the sauce when I first placed my order, but it definitely gave the fish a unique taste and the dish exceeded my expectations! With a generous serving size, this dish is packed with flavors. Priced at Rs. 895/-, it is a must try for anyone who visits Grotto Cafe!
Estragon Chicken consisted of a good serving of grilled chicken, topped with Tarragon sauce and served with au gratin potatoes, and sautéed vegetables. Although the taste was good, I did not find it any different from the Tarragon Chicken I have tried at numerous other eateries. While the name of the dish made it sound unique, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for a new kind of grilled chicken. Priced at Rs. 725/-, this can be easily skipped to try any other items on the menu.
Personally, Chicken Kiev is a must try for me at any good eatery that offers it, since I am on the hunt to find the perfect Chicken Kiev in Karachi. The description on the menu raised my expectations, and I was delighted when the dish did not disappoint! From the perfectly grilled chicken, to the creamy stuffing of herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, this flavorful treat had a good serving size as well. Priced at Rs. 745/- I would highly recommend this to any Kiev lovers visiting Grotto in the future!
At last the popular dessert, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Mousse arrived. I have to say that this dessert gave us the perfect ending to a nice lunch. The mousse was fluffy and moist on the inside, and the warm peanut butter and chocolate topping acted as the best combination for someone with a taste for balanced desserts. At Rs. 510/- I would highly recommend this to everyone with a sweet tooth!
Overall, my experience at Grotto was good if not great. I think the food quality and quantity were excellent, and the place isn’t heavy on the pocket either. The warmth of the café, as well as the fact that their food has its own distinctive taste, makes me say that I would be happy to return soon (except on a different day when service would be quicker!).
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