PATAKA BOTI

Food Review: PATAKA BOTI

While some restaurants in Lahore wish to put out unique and unfamiliar dishes, others have chosen to reflect and experiment with food which Pakistanis have grown up eating and appreciating. One such restaurant is Pataka Boti, which celebrates the local cuisine found at barbecue pits and local eateries all over the country. The restaurant has a tough job to bring something fresh and exciting to dishes that are beloved and have been perfected in many parts of Lahore. Pataka Boti surely promises not only great local food, but also a welcoming environment, and extremely helpful staff.

The first thing that caught my eye when I visited Pataka Boti in Phase 1, DHA was its distinctly vibrant and traditional aesthetic. There is plenty of sitting space for friends and family. The chairs are traditional, with jute strings, while the walls are covered with colorful, traditional decorations. Perhaps, the most notable features were the outdoor tandoor, and the stairs with cheeky truck art taglines on them. Even the menu remained deeply committed to the overall image of the restaurant. Most of the dishes have “Pataka” attached to their names, boasting spice, color and flamboyance with each bite.

The restaurant interior (credits to Pataka Boti on Facebook)

While Pataka Boti is a little more expensive than a local barbeque place, the taste more than makes up for the pricey dishes. According to their Facebook page, the restaurants dishes rely on family recipes. Indeed, they had successfully created a homey and easy-going environment, for which Lahoris are most famous.

To start things off, I ordered their ‘Cheese Naan’, a gooey, delight, treated with a generous portion of butter to make the bread crispy. I was halfway through the appetizing delight, when the main entrée was served. Our server recommended the ‘Beef Pataka Platter’, which is also available in Chicken and Mutton. This dish was a wholesome collection of delicious barbecued meats, but the star of the dish was the kebab. As a meat enthusiast, Beef Kebabs have always been my weakness, and I wasn’t disappointed by Pataka Boti’s take on them.

Cheese Naan (credits to the writer)

The kebab was tasteful, tender and very fulfilling. Its generous portion complimented the bed of Kandhari Naan on which it was placed. The Kandhari Naan was hot, crispy, and complimented the meat well. There was also an assortment of barbecued chicken on the side, which offered the dish a little more variety and flavor. The barbecued items included a specially marinated spicy chicken, which they simply refer to as ‘Pataka Boti’, along with ‘Malai Boti’, ‘Hari Bhuri Boti’ and ‘Chicken Boti’. The dish came with crunchy and finely sliced salad and onions, in case the taste of meat became too unbearable. The platter was served with ‘Raita (yogurt dip)’ and ‘Imli Chutney (tamarind dip)’, two condiments which complimented the dish flawlessly. But if one had to pick, the Imli Chutney was so delicious that it made the conventional Raita seem underwhelming. The ‘Pataka Platter’ serves two to three people, and I was genuinely impressed by the hearty portion sizes.

Malai-Boti (credits to Pataka Boti on Facebook)

Unfortunately, the drinks department was severely lacking in terms of options and creativity. Although the Margaritas we had ordered were creatively named “Mint Di Maar”, the taste was too cliché and ordinary. Many restaurants in Pakistan misinterpret the Margarita drink, and Pataka Boti was not an exception.

There is always room for dessert, but I was still quite unsure before ordering their signature ‘Pataka Meetha’. The legendary ‘Gulaab Jamun’ were great, I chose it as a safe bet. What truly surprised me was the ‘Pataka Meetha’, an innovative take on ‘Firni’. Served in a bowl, it seemed to be infused with whipped cream and homemade ‘khoyaa’ (dried whole milk), as opposed to regular milk.

All in all, one can see that Pataka Boti celebrates Desi cuisine, and truly does justice to their dishes, even if they seem too safe at times. From the appetizer, to the main entrée, to the dessert, ‘Pataka Boti’ is a delightful place to eat out with family/friends. I look forward to visiting again, and trying more options on their menu. Overall, the restaurant gets an 8 out of 10 marks.

Gulab Jamum (credits to Pataka Boti on Facebook)