The menu includes the Chunky Ostrich, which is a grilled ostrich burger, steaks and French fries. — Dawn
The menu includes the Chunky Ostrich, which is a grilled ostrich burger, steaks and French fries. — Dawn

RAWALPINDI: A new restaurant in Bahria Town is offering ostrich meat for the first time in the twin cities.

.#Tag has been set up to give a very cabin-in-the-woods feel with cosy gazebos lined with homely wood furniture. The gazebos are decorated with colourful Turkish lamps.

“I am a foodie and I love trying new dishes. I decided to start a restaurant which offers something residents of the twin cities did not have and came up with the idea of basing the menu on ostrich meat,” said Ahtesham Chaudhry, the owner of the eatery.

The restaurateur explained that ostrich meat costs about Rs1,800 per kg and that the meat is liked across the world for its taste and high nutritional value. He said ostrich meat is gaining popularity with his customers and that the menu also contains chicken, beef and mutton variants of the dishes.

The bill of fare includes the chunky ostrich, which is a grilled ostrich burger, steaks and burgers. The Chunky Ostrich patty is made with ostrich meat mixed with just olive oil, salt and black pepper. They come in double deck and single patty servings and are sandwiched between thin burger buns.

The steaks come in Gun Smoke, Wolf Gang and Wild Hunter each varying in level of spice, gun smoke being the hottest of the three. The steaks are grilled on an open spit and are juicy and flavourful.

The restaurant also offers chizza, a pizza with a chicken base instead of a dough one. The chicken meat is layered with cheese and toppings including onions, garlic and olives. The dish is slow baked and then brushed with olive oil before being served.

The French fries at the restaurant are a treat due to their large size and all dishes are accompanied by a complimentary 750ml glass of soft drink.

A resident of Chaklala Scheme-III, Zubair Ahmed said he had found ostrich meat “incredible”.

“If you want a different burger, then try the ostrich meat burger,” he said.

“Chicken had taken the market over from mutton and beef and I have a feeling ostrich meat will take over the market from chicken. It is sold in supermarkets now as well. I am a regular visitor to the restaurants across the city and I found ostrich meat quite different. It is also a healthier meat option and is very easy to digest,” said Abdullah Malik, a customer.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...