Here we are, Central Perk... I would've written this sooner but I recently had my wisdom tooth removed, along with all the Gums and Inner-Cheek meat it damaged. I have 8 stitches in my mouth...it bleeds every- aah well you get the picture ;)
So yeah, Central Perk "Where friends meet"... the first impression that I got when I heard of the place was "Cool, another place apart from Chief Burger I can brag to my Lahori and Karachi friends"
So yes, the concept behind it is pretty cool, picking a cafe out of a very popular season, BUT is the food good enough??
I went there along with a few cousins to deflate the hype once and for all, As we approached, I noticed it isn't EXACTLY like the place in the season, some things have been overlooked but judging that would be quite....retartded. The interior, is something spectacular actually, very impressive decor and aura. Although whenever I go there my eyes burn, only mine. (NO- I am in no way a mummy daddy)
The waiters are nice and courteous but I believe there is some room for improvement in the service... I can't exactly put my finger on it but I suppose the time in which the food is brought to the table should be reduced.
So, the inner aura and decor is a 9/10 for me, which includes the whole play-Xbox-on-the-cool-LCD-while-you-eat thing. Yes you can play on the Xbox sitting on the really comfy couches...
Theres sheesha available so this is a very promising hang-out zone. (Yes, I just noticed it in the picture too).
So we come to the food. The menu consists of Burgers, Sandwitches, Pizzas, Cocktails, Mocktails e.t.c. Theres a good variety and may I add the menu is not a pamphlet but a spiral booklet with a nice finish. ( I know this may be a stupid detail but small details make impressions)
I persuaded my cousins to get different food so we could get a better insight on the food, which meant one of us had to stick with the food with the weird name that really sucks, and since it was my idea, it ended up being me. So I ordered the Pat Pet Kai burger and Kisses as a drink.
I was pretty sure my meal alone worth around 400 plus would end up in the flush a few hours later, and since my drink's name was Kisses, I was christened Gay by my cousins who were laughing their heads off.
Before our grand meal we thought we should have a salad as an appetizer, We used the best way to know which would be the best salad and that was ask the waiter in a completely informal way.One of my cousins didn't know Pushto and the waiter did so it went a little like this
"Waiter?"
"Yes Sir?"
"My cousin is a sensitive (mom dad) vegetarian, which is the best salad you would recommend for him?"
"That would definietly be The Waldorf"
and all this time my cousin kept repeating what I said, Which most non-pushto speakers tend to do, bless them.
So we ended up with a Waldorf Salad on our table, It had loads of mayo, apple pieces and my best guess is potatoes, It was not exceptional but it wasn't bad either, salad department doesn't get points till later due to reasons that will make themselves clear.
The rest of the meal consisted of:
The Central Perk special Pizza, The Wallstreet burger, The Chicken Zinger burger, A Strawberry Shake, Chocolate Ice cream, Coffee and Fresh lime, (Apologies if there are any errors in the names) so lets start with what I had.
The Pat Pet Kai burger apart from the dangerous name is actually..... pretty good! The spicy taste with the chunky mass is something that would go great with a cold Coke. I wish i could say the same for the "Kisses" it looked pretty good with the bright reddish color, I actually I had escaped the ridicule of my cousins. But tasting it, it tasted like "Calpol" (Yes that cough medicine) but I couldn't let my cousins know what I thought and had to drink it all down with a forced smile.
The Wallstreet burger was consistent, my cousin didn't actually give me a taste and said it was "good" so I give you his word for it. The Strawberry shake was well quite flat, strawberries have that punch that makes you Giggly all over, and from that point of view it didn't match expectations.
The Central Perk Special Pizza was a cheesy affair, and cheese lovers can definietly dig in ;)
Although the Chicken Zinger burger is the cheapest burger available, but brace yourselves, it is GREAT. Especially the salad its served with, God I'm in love with that, I've heard you can get it separately too (10/10), and it is great.Thumbs up for economic deliciousness.
The coffee, is well... coffee... not something that would pop out to you.
They have free Wi-fi which is another cool thing :) remember to ask the manager the password as you enter, kills the time in waiting for the meal.
Over all Central Perk is something fresh and now, it is welcoming with good food and a fun place to be, with a welcoming aura and staff and a variety of food to choose from.So, give it a visit and brag about the new hip place in Peshawar... :)
Thats all for now, Ciao...
| Its Address is: Central Perk, Bhittani Plaza, Iqra Chowk, University Road, Peshawar. |
