Uttara's food scene

~ Nileema Huda Khan

 In a span of a few years, Uttara has emerged from a quiet little suburb to a bustling centre of activities. It is dotted with businesses, both small and large, which have encouraged a large population to move out from the inner dwellings of Dhaka city and settle in this charming suburb. Many malls, and of course restaurants and cafes have opened up to meet the tastes of people from all walks of life. 

The Donut Shoppe
This gourmet doughnut store, which has recently opened up on Sector 3, Jashimuddin Road, is a treat for the sweet toothed. It has a doughnut kitchen with all instruments to make fresh doughnuts right in front of you with European ingredients. The doughnuts here are plump, soft and come in a variety of flavours: double chocolate, zesty lemon, strawberry, cookie crunch and much more. The Irish Cream is a unique flavour brought from Europe; its sugary and creamy taste will make your head swirl with delight.

There is also a cafe in the store, known as the Bon Cafe, where you can enjoy coffee imported from Thailand. There are food options other than coffee, such as soup, burgers, salads, nachos and hot dogs.

The Donut Shoppe is the only store to offer “doughwich” which is a sandwich made from the doughnut bun. These are savoury and have fillings such as chicken, salami and shrimp.
The prices of the doughnuts range from Tk 75-100 and other meals are priced from Tk 200-250. After 11pm the prices of the doughnuts are halved, so if you are craving something sweet late at night, then Donut Shoppe is the place to be.

Visit the Donut Shoppe at House 34, Road 1, Sector 3, Jashimuddin Road, Uttara. Business hours: 7am-midnight.

  

Coffee Glory
The cosy cafe and Korean restaurant is located in Sector 1, and it offers the best of freshly toasted coffee and authentic Korean food. There are twelve kinds of coffee that are imported from Jamaica, Colombia, Kenya, Brazil, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

The white mocha with extra whipped cream is simply comforting. The honey latte is a harmonious concoction of coffee and honey, and will definitely uplift your mood. The latte comes in a variety of flavours, such as chocolate, strawberry, Irish, hazelnut and caramel. The Americano and cappuccino are regular favourites.

The owner of the cafe, Titu Debnath, has lived in South Korea for seventeen years where he learned everything about coffee. He plans on opening a coffee school so that he can train more baristas. His Korean wife has trained chefs to cook exotic Korean dishes.

The food menu offers an assortment of Korean food, such as Bulgogi rice (marinated beef with rice and soup), Gimbab (rolled rice and vegetables), Hweh (salmon and coral sushimi) and gimbab and sushi sets.

The cafe-restaurant is open from 9am-10:30pm, everyday. The price of coffee ranges from Tk 170-340. The Korean dishes are priced from Tk 370-1200.  

Visit Coffee Glory at House 1, Road 5, Sector 1, Uttara.

Chef the City
The rooftop restaurant and banquet hall is located in Sector 4, and is a great place to have lunch and dinner with your friends and family. It offers barbeque nights where you can choose from grilled chicken and fish, tandoori beef, steaks and of course naan and paratha.

The Thai, Chinese, Indian and Continental food items are all worth a try. The Thai cashew nuts salad, fried pineapple rice, grilled ‘rupchanda’, ‘bhetki’ and snappers, and T-bone steak are regular “on-demand” items at the restaurant.

The Indian dal makhani and chicken butter fry are also very popular. Chef the City has something for everyone, and there is a children's play zone as well.

The banquet hall can accommodate up to a thousand guests, and the rooftop restaurant has space for two hundred and fifty people. You can reserve the restaurant and banquet hall for any party or wedding ceremonies.

The price of food items range from Tk.200-800 for the restaurant, and there are separate menus for parties held at the banquet hall.

Visit Chef the City at House 9, Road 13, Sector 4, Uttara, Dhaka. Business hours: 11.30am-11.30 pm.

 

Mesquite Grill
Nestled in Sector One, this restaurant specialises on popular American regional cuisine, namely, south-western and Italian. The décor with its images of stark deserts and American Indian tribes evokes the culture of American southwest: Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico.

The Buffalo Wings is a classic favourite as starters. The Chips N Salsa and Macho Nachos are great for munching before the main meal arrives. The Texas Chile and Cheese Burger are filling, juicy and comforting for a hungry soul. If you are craving for something meatier, you should definitely try out the impressive assortment of steaks and barbecued chicken and kebabs.

Mesquite Grill is also loved for its Italian cuisine. The thin crust pizzas with one-of-a kind toppings are a major attraction. The pizzas rarely fail to satisfy loyal customers who keep coming back. The Fettucine Alfredo is a must item to try out if you have a zeal for Italian culinary.

The restaurant is a definite win for those who want to come here for a date or just catch up with a group of friends. Prices of main dishes range from Tk 250-995.
Visit Mesquite Grill at: Road 5, Sector 1, Uttara.

Business hours: 12pm-10:30pm on Saturday-Wednesday, and 12pm-11pm on Thursday-Friday.

Lake Terrace
Lake Terrace is widely known for its sumptuous steaks and filling meals. The rooftop restaurant has a romantic ambiance with candlelit dinner arrangements and soulful music. You can start your meal with the Cream of Mushroom soup or the Hot and Sour Tom Yam Gai soup. Hot sizzlers such as Sizzling Beef, Lake Terrace Special Seafood Sizzler and Chicken Teriyaki are examples of exquisite cooking.

You should not leave Lake Terrace without trying its tempting steaks, which come with delicious sauce and your choice of sides. The vegetable stir fry with buttered rice, chicken chop and grilled tiger prawns are quite popular. The Asian Fusion meals, such as Chicken Green Curry, Tangi Chicken and Hot and Spicy Fish will not dishearten you either. End your heavenly meal with New York Cheesecake, Cream Caramel or Nutella Banana.

Lake Terrace is a place that will make your day special. You will feel joy as you devour its excellent meals. Prices for the food items range from Tk.200-1100 and you will not regret your time spent there.

Visit Lake Terrace at 25/e, Lake Drive Road, Sector-7, Uttara, Dhaka. Business hours: 12pm-10.30pm.

These are only a few of many restaurants, cafes, bakeries and bistros that have opened up in every sector of Uttara. The reviewed five places are the locals' all-time favourites, and it is a promise that you will not be disappointed.

Photo courtesy: Chef The City, Coffee Glory, Donut Shoppe, Lake Terrace, Mesquite Grill

Source: thedailystar.net

Wednesday, March 11, 2015