Lahore Karahi Review
by The Underground Concierge
Lahore 
Karahi, Review by
"The Underground Concierge"
612 O'Farrell St. (at Leavenworth)
San Francisco, CA
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Offsite: (Opens in new window) Lahore Karahi Website
See Also: Review of Lahore Karahi by Thai Food and Travel dot Com
Note: This review originally appeared at San Francisco My Way, a monthly magazine published by "The Underground Concierge." All text and images are Copyright 2005 © San Francisco My Way, All Rights Reserved.
I went out to Lahore Karahi to
investigate a problem with the building. I met Zulfigar "Guddu" Haider, the owner of the restaurant.
I was able to assist Guddu with his problem and became increasingly interested in "Pakistani" foods.
I had never in my life tasted this cultural cuisine and thought to myself "what better time". So I
finally find some time in my hectic schedule and invite a friend to dinner. As we arrive at the
restaurant Guddu greets us and invites us in. The interior is pretty simply, tables and chairs, no
table cloths, no waiters and no waiting. I snap a few photographs and am pleased to see Guddu. Guddu
treats us both like honored guests and prepares his favorite dishes, we never ordered anything.
Guddu wanted us to experience the foods of his homeland and we couldn't be happier. We start the
meal with Mango Lassi's, a delicious and nutritious yogurt drink that is frothy and refreshing.
$2.50
Mango Lassi
INGREDIENTS 
- 1 1/4 cups plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh mango pulp
- 1/3 cup cold water
- 4 tablespoons honey or sugar
- 9-10 standard-size ice cubes.
Blend everything but the ice cubes in the blender until the sugar or honey is dissolved. Add the ice and blend until frothy!
We are then served an appetizer called "Vegetable Samosa" a light and flaky pastry dough deep fried until golden brown and it is filled with potatoes and peas. The Samosa's are delicious and they are served three sauces a Tamerin sauce, a mint sauce and a Raida sauce. $3.00
I 
feel like a prince
being served these magnificent dishes, savoring each bite and trying to guess what spices and meats
are contained within. We are next served Naan. Naan is a leavened bread from North India, usually
too elaborate to serve at home, yet it has it's very own section here at Lahore Karahi. Naan looks
like a pizza, yet is it filled with different stuffings. We first receive the Afghani Naan, stuffed
with raisins, nuts, cheese and cherries. Cherries? I bite into the Afghani Naan and it is sublime.
The dough is light and spongy and the cherries are very sweet, while the nuts add texture and a bit
of body. The Naan was light baked and looked beautiful. $3.00
The 
Garlic Naan is just as tasty, yet the garlic is very strong and that's just how I like
it. This Naan is filled with fresh garlic and cilantro and it is just fantastic. $2.00 Next up is
Aloo Gobhi. This dish features potatoes and cauliflower cut into medium sized squares seasoned with
ginger, coriander, garlic, turmeric and cumin. My dining companion and I dip into this dish and are
truly surprised, it is fantastic! The cauliflower is tender and not overpowering in flavor, the
spices are mild and blended well together. $6.50
The 
next dish, yes there is another dish served, is the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Tikka
Masala , mild curry dish of chicken in a tomato-based sauce, cooked tandoori style.
"Chicken Tikka Masala is now a true British national dish, not only because it is the most popular, but because it is a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences. Chicken Tikka is an Indian dish. The Masala Sauce was added to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy." – Extract from a speech by British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook.
Created with boneless chicken breast, yogurt, ginger, garlic, cumin, cardamom, tomatoes and butter. The rich, smooth texture and taste are so inviting that we absolutely savor each bite. $7.00
The last dish served is one that is not on the menu. It is something Guddu made specially for us. It is Tandoori Fish. This was served on a sizzling platter with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, fresh lemons, cucumbers, chili peppers and sea bass. The onions were blackened and unusually flavorful. Yet the most extraordinary part of the dish is the sea bass. It was just like biting into a delicately flavored sea bass cloud. I was besides myself in rapture, I kid you not. This dish was by far my favorite of the meal.
I must say that this meal by far was the best I had eaten in so very many years. I can't recommend this restaurant enough. Go there, eat there and enjoy. My friend and I were able to sit, talk about some concerns he was facing about dating again after his divorce. It was so very comfortable and filling that I almost fell asleep. The prices are incredible and I honestly give Lahore Karahi two, yes two "Framed In Silver" thumbs up!!!
– The Underground Concierge
Note: This review originally appeared at San Francisco My Way, a monthly magazine published by "The Underground Concierge." All text and images are Copyright 2005 © San Francisco My Way, All Rights Reserved.
Before you go:
- Check out the menu at the Lahore Karahi Website (opens in new window).
- Read a review of the restaurant by Thai Food and Travel dot Com.
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Page added 1 October 2005; Last updated 1 October 2005.