Tao – the Pan Asian experience for Food Connoisseurs

I was in Lahore when this new eatery got located on the map of eateries of Karachi. Friends had been raving about this new place opening up at Boat Basin bringing together food from different parts of Asia. WOM did the trick. I was planning a visit so I asked them to wait for me to get to Karachi. A few days after my arrival in the city, and I was already bugging my friends to go to this one. The next thing you know is we’re seated at a comfy table in the restaurant.  

I entered the premises. A bunch of my friends (all girls) had already gotten there by the time I reached (the obsessive need to be on time everywhere is not so good after all :p). The attendant who was serving on our table came with menu cards for the 4 of us. Two of my friends wesre on their way, but well we go nuts for food, so we started deciding what we’ll order [woman power! ;)]. So we had been occupying a table for like an hour and hadn’t ordered anything, but the attendant and the management were super patient and formidable. . The rest of the gang arrived minutes later. After a few minutes, the waiter came back to take our order but we hadn’t decided (as usual :p). So the man very courteously asked us if we needed help with that and the next moment we were all bugging him with what he recommends. After various arguments we decided on Dynamite Prawns and Assorted Nigiri to start with, and one item from each Poultry, Beef and Fish and Prawns sections. Our pick was Sweet and Spicy Basil Beef, Kimball chicken and Fish with Red Peppercorns. Pina Colada and Peach Iced Tea is a must (always). Didn’t need to order rice, as steamed rice were served in small bowls and we could have as much as we wanted.

Clockwise from the left: Fish with Red Peppercorns,
Dynamite Prawns and Sweet and Spicy Basil Beef

Dynamite prawns came a few minutes later and man were they hot [in all senses of hot ;)]. Beautifully served in a cocktail glass they were a major hit. Food came a few minutes later with a pair of chopsticks for everyone. The attendant demonstrated how to eat with them (yeah some of us are chopstick dummies :p). Everything looked super tempting and was met expectations taste-wise too. One word for the sweet and spicy basil beef: orgasmic [don’t okay? I can’t resist sweet corn]. The fish with red peppercorns added to the goodness. Was a little more peppery though. Kimball chicken wasn’t very laudable but was above average. Nigiri? Well not something that I wanna have, so no comments. My friends found it average though. Drinks were good, just the way they should have been at a fine dining restaurant.

Our bill totaled to approximately Rs. 5800. For six people on the table, that is a pretty decent amount. 8/10 is how I would rate my overall experience at Tao. The food, courtesy and level of service were very good. Tao is a must visit. If you’re one of those who understand and appreciate Pan Asian cuisine, then Tao is the place for you. Happy dining out! J