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cafe review
A return to desi in hipper than thou times
Malangi Cafe has opened with a mission to preserve the desi roots of Pakistan. With great food at an affordable price, it shouldn't be difficult.
By Zareen Rahman

 
Originated by a creative, mother and daughter-in-law duo, Malangi Café is the invention of two determined experts, Zahra Hameed, a creative concept & media professional and Baela Jamil a well-known educationalist and art devotee. Combining their strong artistic style for desi craft and cuisine, Malangi Café and crafts commemorates all things local.
 
When I heard the name, I knew I had to go to check it out myself.
Located in the calm back of Gaddafi stadium, the café sits on a two storey area and is decorated well with ethnic art and pottery. As I walked towards the entrance, on both sides of me were porcelain pigeons and a tree adorned with dazzling duppattas and strings. I already felt the desi touch of the whole place.
Upon entering the somewhat long pathway of the café, I was welcomed by an extremely multihued cash counter which offered tiny crafts such as woven bracelets and handmade mats and bangles for sale. Proceeding ahead, the pantry is able to be seen with a few yummy salty snacks behind glass cabinets. The main kitchen is separated from the pantry with chikhs and a truck art crafted door. Decorated with much taste and simplicity the colors of the cafe are a tone of comforting pinks and rusts giving it a stimulating yet languid disposition. On the walls are Indian miniatures and calligraphic paintings which illustrate our very much undervalued art work.
 
"The café has not been formed to make a fashion statement, it is to remind us of our very own culture and roots, which in recent times have been forgotten," said Zahra Hameed the owner. The ambience is a blend of traditional Multani tile work, vivid patterns and hanging birds and butterflies.

The built-in shelves exhibit elegant craft collections which consist of truck art tea pots, jugs, lanterns and trays. The overall atmosphere of the cafe makes it a relaxing place for families and friends to enjoy and indulge in a scrumptious meal.

While ordering from their rich desi menu, I came across quite a few things that no other desi restaurant had to offer. Malangi Café puts forward a variety of traditional starter's labeled 'chaskay' that comprise of the delicious Kachori Malang which is a combination of spicy potatoes, lentils and tangy plum chutney. As low as 65 rupees for a plate of the mouthwatering Paapri Chaat and 85 rupees for the satisfying Aloo Tikki served with chickpea curry and plum chutney is not a bad deal at all.

Other than this the café offers an assortment of vegetable delicacies, mince samosas and a selection of plum, mint and tamarind chutneys. As I enjoyed a plate of the delicious Sunhera Samosa, I caught up with the music being played in the background; it was none other than our very own classical Abida Parveen, Pathaney Khan and many other legends.

To give that conventional look, the main courses are served thali style. Ranging from a reasonable 125 rupees for a Langur Batura Thal (spicy chickpea curry with puffy baturas) to the Bhulla Biryani Thal for the foodies of Lahore, (pastry top, chicken biryani with paneer pasanda & raita) for a practical 195 rupees. The Masala Seekh Kebab is greatly recommended for those who like it hot.

With each thing on the menu being so Malangi, how could the desserts be left out?
From the traditional Lahori kulfa to the soft gulab jamans, Malangi has all that one craves for without having to go as far as Gawalmandi.

Being a tea lover myself what drew my attention towards the menu was the many types of teas available here. Some of them were; masala chai, Kashmiri chai with khatai, doodh patee and many more. "The food offered here is influenced from the many places I visit, a lot of Indian similarities," Zahra had said.
The café seems to be an ideal place for both friends and families (and anyone else with a yen for all things Punjabi). "No matter how much we evolve, deep down we will always stay desi," remarked Zahra.
With countless restaurants specializing in continental cuisines these days, Malangi Café is a breath of fresh air - a good reminder of who we actually are.