This week You! takes a look at the newly opened restaurant in Islamabad - designed on Spanish architecture...
An angeethi is a traditional brazier used for space-heating and cooking in the northern areas of south Asia, mainly in North India, Pakistan and Nepal. And as the name suggests ‘Angeethi’, a recently opened restaurant in Islamabad, offers fine desi cuisine in a classy ambiance.
Hina Nadeem, the owner of this restaurant, wanted to come up with an eatery where people could enjoy desi food in a serene environment. She hired the services of Shahzad Zafar who designed the restaurant on old Spanish architecture - depicting Sufism era. “I did not just do the interiors but created this restaurant from concept to design to building and interiors. When Hina first shared with me the idea it sounded very challenging yet exciting to open a desi fine dining restaurant,” tells Shahzad.
What makes this place different from the typical restaurants is its unique interiors and the fact that it is the only fine dining restaurant in town. The restaurant has been designed on Spanish architecture with lot of gypsum work on walls and arches inside and outside. It’s interesting to note that the Spanish style arches and walls are artistically divided with large French windows that greet sunlight into spacious rooms.
The place is mainly painted in ivory and rust colour scheme - complementing rich crystal chandeliers and mirrors. Infact every area has its own colour theme depicting rich sufi era. “This spacious restaurant has a seating capacity of over 200. Since it has a Margalla view and greenery around, hence lot of outdoor areas have been created like, rooftop, veranda, terrace, courtyards,” informs Shahzad.
Another distinguished feature of this restaurant is its sleek furniture which has been especially designed by Shahzad in collaboration with Hina. “Most of the furniture that you see here is custom-made and we got it made from various places. Also we have painstakingly chosen fancy china from high-end cutlery outlets in Dubai and Lahore,” shares Shahzad.
However, ‘Angeethi’ is not only about beautiful architecture and serene surroundings; it seeks to bring the warmth and flavours of authentic Pakistani cuisine to Islamabad discerning diners. Depicting rich Sufism culture in its courtyard, rooftop and paintings on old Spanish style arches and walls.
The menu features all the delight of desi cooking with its prolific variety of flame grilled ingredients, all cooked on view with dramatic appeal, in a profusion of awesome Eastern flavours. This has imbued the varied cultural influences of the region. You can get the taste of ever popular vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes from all corners of punjab whether be desi murgh and mutton Karahi from Lakshmi or spicy juicy grill from Mozang. Angeethi offers, Punjab’s famous ‘sarson ka saag’ (cooked mustard greens) with ‘makhan da tarka’ along with traditional desi seasoning. Some other specialties include, ‘murgh chole’ which is a variation of ‘chana masala’ made with potatoes and chicken. This dish is part of traditional breakfast in Punjab. “For me, there can’t be a good Pakistani meal without the ravishingly delicious ‘Kheer’ - the ultimate sweet indulgence. A new twist to this traditional delight will surely bring a smile to your lips and, while the tongue revels in its milky glory, its creamy decadence will keep you entranced and craving for more.” told Rezz Aly Shah, of Rezz Events, at the launching ceremony of the restaurant.
According to Shahzad one can keep a soothing atmosphere by working carefully on the lighting and colour schemes. Talking about latest trends in interior designing Shahzad says, “I think latest trends include lighter coloured walls; rich paintings; fabric on chairs and coloured flooring.”
Shahzad intends to make more places like Angeethi. “I am also working on the design of multi storey apartment complex of 350-400 apartments, which will be launched this April, and hoping to start the construction work by September this year. I am also developing an infrastructure of a housing project named Graceland housing which is our family owned venture.”
With lots of paintings of sufi era; exquisite chandeliers; rich colour schemes in fabrics, and scrumptious food ‘Angeethi’ is surely a place to check out by foodies!
