Weekend grub: The Patio is Karachi's best kept secret

It's been a long week and it's time to unwind with some good food.

Updated 10 Oct, 2015

Don't know what to do this weekend? Tired of eating from the same, old burger joints in the city? Here's how to shake things up in Karachi.

Where to go: The Patio

This quaint little eatery is located in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot on one of the most popular upscale dining streets in Block 4, Clifton. Tucked in behind some tree opposite the famous Cafe Flo, it's mind-boggling that not many people have tried out this contemporary restaurant.

When to go?

We're suckers for a good lunch with good lighting for some Instagram worthy pictures. However, at present, the weather is unforgiving so it's understandable why one would not want to sit out on the patio. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating so lunch and dinner both work. Our fave table is one next to the glass window separating the two areas; you get a good view of the cute patio and it's not smack in the center of the joint.

The decor at The Patio is minimalist and chic —Photo courtesy: The Patio's Facebook page

Also luckily, it's rarely packed so it's a private spot where you can go to kick back without worrying about it being too noisy or fret over the possibility of running into too many people you know; some days, you just don't want to make small talk and this place is a good escape.

What to order?

We love everything on the menu but if we're picking favourites, their seafood is pretty on point! Only two places do fried calamari well in town: one is Xander's and the other is hands down The Patio.

Recommended appetisers: Pineapple Wasabi Prawns, Fried Calamari and New Zealand Scallops with crispy noodles.

Get a variety of appetisers to split so you get to try different flavours —Photo courtesy: The Patio's Facebook page

Recommended main courses: Veal Medallion, Malaysian Butter Prawns and Chicken Tournedos.

The veal is highly recommended —Photo courtesy: The Patio's Facebook page

Their fall specials include Lobster Lasagne and Crab Ravioli so try it out while it's still on the menu.

Not many places in the city experiment with seafood like The Patio does —Photo courtesy: The Patio's Facebook page

Recommended desserts: Naughty Toffee dessert — lots of cream, caramel and just the right amount of crunch.

It's imperative to end a good meal with an even better dessert —Photo courtesy: The Patio's Facebook page

Damage on the pocket?

Expect to shell out a minimum of Rs1,500 for one dish, coupled with a lemonade and tax. If you're going to go all out and get an appetiser to split, main course and a dessert, it can go up to Rs2,500 to 3,000.

Pro-tip: HBL card owners get a 15% discount so keep that in mind if you want to save a few bucks.

Comments

sudhir Oct 09, 2015 04:17pm

That's pretty reasonable around Rs.1500 INR to 1750 INR. It could cost double that in a Bangalore restaurant.

Recommend

kallan Oct 09, 2015 05:43pm

Where was all of this in Karachi some 23 years ago? I am coming to Karachi Dawn thanks to you.

Umair Oct 09, 2015 06:09pm

Malaysian Butter Prawns ? I am Based in Singapore and i goto KL More often. I can tell Malaysian Butter Prawns doesn't look like that. These look more like Mayo Prawns chinese fusion.

Naxalite Oct 09, 2015 06:22pm

But 80% of we Karachites cant afford it.

Lala Oct 09, 2015 08:08pm

@Naxalite ; Tweenty percent is still a large enough market to address especially in Karachi.

Az Karachites Oct 09, 2015 10:16pm

Mouth watering .. :p

Patriot Oct 09, 2015 10:48pm

Yum Yum Yamaimaa..................

Parvez Oct 09, 2015 11:55pm

When Patio opened we tried it quite a few times.......they had a wonderful all veg. thali priced modestly and capable of feeding two ( small eaters )......today its upped its game and the pictures look good. I wonder if the same two graceful ladies still run the place ?

Naxalite Oct 09, 2015 11:57pm

@Lala Its may be 95%+ in reality or may be worst. The day when 20% Karachites can afford it, Pakistan ll prosper.

Lala Oct 10, 2015 02:21am

@Naxalite ; If Karachi's populations is ~10M, +/- 5% can afford it, we are talking about 500,000 people. Even if it's 100,000 customers a year, it's still a major market segment. And I really hope more Karachiites will be able to afford suchs joints in the future. Cheers!

Asad Oct 10, 2015 07:00am

@Umair Since you go to KL so often, I'm sure you would know that there are many variations of butter prawns, dry and wet (similar to the one on the pictures). Just thought i would let you know so you can try it on your next trip.

sja ja Oct 10, 2015 09:14am

@Naxalite :you say " Its may be 95%+ in reality or may be worst. The day when 20% Karachites can afford it, Pakistan ll prosper.""" Besides the weekend Patio Grub Pakistan is making good progress. Advice to all Karachites eat all you can now as the dollar is PK RS. 104.60 before the recommended by Exporters and PM of Pakistan to boost exports the dollar should be PK RS.115 -120. We have to be thankful for what we have rather then lament of what we do not have? enjoy now as we make more progress dollars will bring in more PK RS for yet more progress

Abu.Ashhad Oct 10, 2015 10:13am

@Umair - On one of my business trip to Istanbul, my colleague has asked me to order in something chinese and I would better stayed with turkish kebabs because I knew the taste budds I have developed with Pakistani chinese is quite different :)

Sohraab Oct 10, 2015 10:29am

Yummyyyyyy.....Karachi Rocks!

Mohan Oct 10, 2015 10:53am

I love beef

Sohraab Oct 10, 2015 11:41am

@sja ja Come on ....Leave Mathematics at home & eat the Juicy Burger ...its Yummy

The Patio Managment Oct 10, 2015 12:04pm

@Parvez it is still owned by one of the initial owners.

Ahmed Oct 13, 2015 04:32pm

@Lala: The population of Karachi is upwards of 18M