[Travel] All I Want For Christmas Is.....

... TO SPEND TIME SHOPPING AT MY FAVORITE MALLS!

Yes, I confess I am a mall rat. Considering the climate we live in, a nice air-conditioned space with dining, entertainment and shopping options is the best place to even. And if you are travelling to the cooler regions, it's a good idea to get warmed up in a mall. Here's where I would rather be:

1. Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Year End Sale in Malaysia is a force of nature. The discounts are huge and the shoppers are fierce! Suria KLCC is one of my favorite destinations in KLCC and not just for the shopping. The dining options are endless (one of the best Nasi Ayam/Chicken Rice can be found at the Signatures Food Court on Level 2), a tropical park and a 12 screen cinema. Oh, and Aquaria KLCC, Petronas Art Gallery.... and so much more!

And Christmas really is the loveliest time of the year, even in the tropics. The Christmas decor is just stunning and the malls in KL really up their game every year. Check out Santa's workshop in the main Concourse at Suria KLCC this year. Also, don't forget to get your Tourist Privilege Card at the Concierge,


2. Dolmen Mall Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan

The greatest part about this one, it's home! Feels and smells like any international retail space should. The mall hosts fun activities from time to time but for a mall rat the best one is a nice, fat sale. This year's sale goes from 16th Dec to 1st Jan (I think it should be extended to include the next pay check).  For a list of the all discounts offered go here.  Besides the discounts there's Sunday brunch specials at the food court with live music, a Beauty Lounge and Kids Arena as well. And lots of activities for adults too, shop and win style. Because free stuff is always a winning feeling! They also have a bunch of online contests happening so do find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat as well!

3.  VivoCity, Singapore

Not only is VivoCity Mall the gateway to Sentosa Island, it is a destination in it's own right. And come Christmas season, the sales and freebies alone demand that you spend an entire day there. In terms of dining, your options range from Burger King to Jamie's Italian. The mall also has a 300 m water front boardwalk, a rooftop amphitheatre and a water feature the size of four Olympic sized pools! Is this a mall or WHAT? This Christmas, there's 107 ft tall tree and similar sized discounts all across the mall.

[Education] Horlicks and WWF Pakistan’s Initiative to Empower Ceative Minds!

The education system has long been criticized for rewarding conformity rather than creativity. As a teacher, I do feel that conformity is crucial in some areas. However, enabling creativity in young people propels them to achieve more than teachers and parents expect of them. Most importantly, enabling and encouraging creativity allows each child to learn in his/her own style. As educators, it is our duty to tailor our teaching styles and provide opportunities for children to arrive at their own answers to life's questions.

There is also the widely held belief that the content taught in school, or rather the way the content is taught has very little connect to the outside world. So while our students may understand theories and principles, they may not be able make the connection between theories and physical manifestations. This is connected to the idea of 'mindfulness'. Not just children, but adults as well, are not mindful or aware of their surroundings - why do things happen the way they do, how can we improve our surroundings, what is my role in the bigger scheme of things - these are kind of reflective learners we need to nurture. It is important for parents, teachers, schools and even big businesses to realize this. After all, creative thinkers are good for business!

As a 'new' teacher, I have been going through some extensive training. It is encouraging to see that the focus of new teaching methodology is creativity, individuality and reflection. As a new generation of teachers takes over, I hope to see a generation of empowered students who take responsibility of their own learning and are mindful of their surroundings. It is now also time for big businesses to also step up - invest in a more creative workforce for the future! Horlicks Pakistan has recently launched an initiative to do just that.

Horlicks Pakistan in association with WWF brings #DreamsForTomorrow, an art competition that will take place in schools across Pakistan, bringing out the creative side of students. The campaign is focused towards engaging school going kids and their parents in a creative process of talking about a child’s dreams for the future. Participating schools will be given books that contain stories designed separately for each grade, providing the necessary direction for the creation of the artwork.  All schools will be submitting their entries for the competition.  If you are a parent or a child reading this, contact your school to find out if your school is part of the program. You can also find more details on this Facebook event page.

Horlicks Pakistan was kind enough to send over a kit for me to go through and make a mess painting with my nephew. While my 3-year-old nephew has usurped the art supplies, the books are an invaluable resource for children in Grade 1 to 10. The books are concise and written in the local context (there is a severe shortage of such content).

I remember filling in the WWF Sticker Book of Animals when I was a child. The joy it brought to me was immense – the agonizing over the Number 1 sticker ‘The Giant Panda’ led to many sleepless nights; learning about different species, the sense of responsibility and accomplishment was amazing! I hope that with #DreamsForTomorrow, this generation of Pakistani children can experience the same wonder and mindfulness that it instilled in us.

For more information on how I am using the kit, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - @sundusrasheed

[Food] Ole Express

The new kid on the delivery block, Ole is out to impress! Ole Express is an incarnate of the restaurant of the same name that was once located on Zamzama. Being mom-less this Ramzan, I have resorted to ordering in rather frequently and I have to admit, this was one of the most seamless and effortless processes ever.

The food was delivered hot and fresh.  And no leaks! Packaging is so crucial to a food delivery business but not enough businesses pay attention to it. The pasta was double wrapped in cling film to avoid any leaks. Call me weird, but that impressed me! But, taste is king of course. Here's what I tasted and loved (or not).

These Chicken Strips turned out to be my favorite thing on the order. The chicken meat was flavorsome (I am guessing it was buttermilk marinated), the coating crisp and the dipping sauce was not over powering. And real French fries. A starter with a side dish - now that's generous!

My sisters picked the Peppery Fried Shrimps as the other starter. I do not eat sea food but they reported that these were possibly the best fried shrimps they had tried. My only issue is the quantity. Priced almost the same as the Chicken Strips and enough for only one person, as opposed to the chicken that could be shared by up to three people.

Pakistan's favorite pasta - Creamy Chicken Pasta - or some such thing. This rendition of the classic dish was rich but dry. I would have preferred a lighter but saucier sauce. Once again, the quantity is good for two.

The Stuffed Chicken with Tarragon Sauce proved to be the main event. Crispy exterior, moist interior and a sensational sauce to go with it. This was a 10 dish on all counts. Priced at Rs 610, this is a steal! Served with a generous side of fries (or mashed potatoes) and vegetables, this is also good for two.

Ole is a delivery service with class. Their menu is standard restaurant fare and can be served with the same finesse on your dining table. Whether you want to treat yourself or want to host a fancy dinner at home, get in touch with Ole. It would be interesting to see Ole venture into the catering side of things as well.

Will I be ordering from Ole again? Most definitely!

[Food]: All Day Breakfast At Fika

Over the summer, I am going to live the life of a lady of leisure. I have no deadlines, no pre-set alarms, no projects to complete (well one, maybe). So clearly, I am spending a lot of time milling about the malls and supporting cafes around the city. Being a lady of leisure also means that I no longer have breakfast at 6.30 am. So when the good people at Fika invited me to try out their yet to be launched all day breakfast menu, I was happy to oblige.

Fika has THE MOST extensive breakfast menu I have seen in Karachi - from the regular eggs and sides to salmon to the most decadent breakfast desserts. Because let's face it, if you are going to have breakfast at 2pm, it better serve lunch as well.

Having been to Fika On The Roof but not to Fika, I was pleasantly surprised to see a clean, white space decorated with quirky art and the slightest hint of pale mint green tables. And of course, having Bradley Cooper on every table did good for the senses.

 

Onwards to the things that really matter - the food!

This ginormous rectangular breakfast quesadilla is my favorite! Stuffed with a fried egg, chicken sausage, chicken chunks and sauteed onions and bell peppers, it's a filling and delightful breakfast wrap that you just can't go wrong with. The winning point for me was the thinly sliced vegetables. Hate big bulky vegetables in my sammich!

Beef lover rejoice!Steak and eggs that tastes god and won't break the bank. But there's on thing that's driving me crazy about this plate of food - the eggs!!! When will restaurant chefs or staff figure out that there is a relatively simple way of making eggs without these golden, crisp edges. That looks like something I made! A perfect sunny side up egg has NO crisp edges. Of course the succulent piece of meat next to the less than perfect eggs made it okay. But come on!

Fish for breakfast! Why not, especially when it tastes this good. Just a simple piece of grilled sole on a bed of mashed potatoes with garlic & herb vegetables. Sometimes a simple recipe that is well executed is all one needs for an exceptional dish. Order this one without any doubts!

Egg gone a bit astray once again, and some burnt potato bits on the hash brown. I suppose that's excusable on the first day of service. The salmon hash brown has a good combination of comforting flavors - potatoes, egg and fish. And the salmon was fresh and cooked just right. 

Right, now the final call. Will I go back to Fika for breakfast? Yes I will. I like the range of the menu. The pricing is not too exorbitant. The recipes seem to be simple and the ingredients are fresh. The only thing that needs work is the execution - which can only improve with time.  And I absolutely love, love, love the playlist! Go for the food, stay for the music.

Check them out on Facebook. 

[Event]: Mother's Day at Dolmen Mall Clifton

Everyday is Mother's Day and all that jazz.  However, if sales and celebrations are anything to go by, it is clearly not everyday! There were some pretty dazzling sales, deals and offers all across the city - making it a great time for lazy and stingy shoppers like myself. I did have to push and shove across the crowds and fighting ladies but the discounts were worth it. I opted to stick to my favorite mall in the city - Dolmen Mall Clifton for two reasons: best air-conditioning and random expats.

For the Mother's Day weekend from 8th to 10th May, the mall was a vision in pink, Pale pink and blue panels adorned the walls and pillars with a simple 'I Love Mom' message that made for a great backdrop for making your own Mom's Day card.

There was also a pretty neat activity area with a photobooth, DJ dedication booth, flower and confectionary shop and lots of giveaways. I even won a free kurta from Sheep by winning a mom-daughter challenge conducted by Radio1FM91. YEAH! All in all, the whole space was made for being Instagrammed.

Desserts by The Cakery were available for sale. If you didn't buy any, it's okay. They were below average in taste and ridiculously above average in price. I paid Rs 350 for a regular sized brownie that was dry and tasteless. Needless to say, I won't be spending any money on The Cakery again. 

See that tunnel? It's made of pretend pink roses that smell of perfume!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a die-hard Dolmen Mall loyalist and I have some strong reasoning to go with it. DMC is making real efforts toward making the space a recreation spot as opposed to just a 'bazar' where people come to shop - this is where many other malls in the city have failed. I did all my Mom's Day shopping from DMC - fuss free, discounted and I even won a prize (which never happens)!

[Home]: Interwood's Italian Kitchens

There's kitchens, and then there's Interwood kitchens. And with this new range of Italian kitchens designed by Italian architect Alfredio Zengiaro, the brand has outdone itself. But be warned, these kitchens are not for the average Pakistani - these babies cost an arm and a leg.  However, once I can afford a palatial mansion for myself, I will most definitely equip it with a Zengiaro kitchen.

There are 15 designs to choose from and each one can be customized to your tastes.You can also choose how much cabinetry and which appliances you want. The kitchens are locally  made of top of the range materials with the finest of Italian design.  What I liked most about these kitchens is the pops of color built into the design. 

The kitchens are big on storage space and offer a small dining space as well - perfect for small families. The one I really have my heart set on is the Sunset kitchen with it's bright yellow cabinetry. 

It seems like it will be some time before I can afford this kitchen. However, I did pick up some decor and organization tips for my own kitchen. There's some really need kitchen accessories, centerpieces and wall pieces that you can pick up for great value.

Until I find my prince in gold armor, I will continue to save money towards these kitchens. They are on display at the Interwood showroom at Ittehad.

[Food]: New York Coffee, Karachi

Another day, another coffee shop in Karachi. Do we need more coffee shops in the city? As a non coffee drinker, I want more tea rooms in the city! But as a foodie, what I do want is more variety in my casual dining menu and New York Coffee - Your Neighborhood Cafe, seems to offer me just that. Located on 8th Zamzama Commercial Lane, the cafe has free valet parking and can be easily seen from the main road - if you are like me and can never remember a Zamzama address, that makes life infinitely easier.

Alright, first let's talk about the food. Between the three  hungry girls at peak lunch hour, we orders three starters, three mains and three drinks. Little did we know that the servings would be THAT generous. There was plenty of leftovers to take home for all of us.

Pesto Chicken Bruschetta

Hands down my favorite thing to eat at New York Coffee. Bits of chicken in pesto sauce on crusty flavorsome bread, with just a few tomatoes. The sticky sweet drizzle on it gives it another layer of flavor. Big thumbs up for getting the bread texture just right! 4.5/5

Thai Beef Salad

I keep hoping against hope to find a good Asian salad...or anything vaguely, genuinely Asian in Karachi and I keep failing. The Thai  Beef Salad was way too spicy for my taste. That balance of sweet and spicy that is key to Asian cuisine was missing. Also, the vegetables were too big for a Thai salad. And alas, no peanuts or sweet Thai dressing. 3/5

Crispy Chicken Tender Salad

Thank god for restaurants who serving dressing on the side! Generous portion of chicken makes this a meal in itself.It would be nice to see a couple more kinds of greens to go with the ice berg. 4/5

Here come the mains!

Half and half Chicken Cordon Bleu & Sweet Corn and Pepper Pizza

Since we could not decide which pizza to order, the staff was kind enough to do a half and half for us. And AMAGAD! That Chicken Cordon Bleu pizza fell out of heaven! This pizza is a sinner and so am I! Perfect thin crust and a balance between the toppings and the sauce make this my favorite non-pizza place pizza to date. Restaurant pizzas often end up being too dry in a bid to be more authentic but this one is just perfect. The sweet corn and pepper pizza is good too but not when it's next to THAT. 5/5

Shrimp Risotto

Risottos are tricky business - from the type of grain used to the layering of flavors to the cooking time. This was not a good day for risotto. The plating was wrong and the rice was too dry. The shrimps were generous and the flavor was well worked into the rice. Did they use shrimp stock to flavor the rice? Certainly tasted like that.  2/5

Chicken Enchilada

Love beans, love bread, love rice! All done well in this plate of chicken enchilada (also available in shrimp). The tortilla was fresh and warm and generously stuffed. The salsa and sour cream worked well together. The beans on the side were absolutely perfect - thank god someone had better sense than to use those wretched baked beans from a can! There should be a ban placed on that rubbish!

Hence, I felt that I wanted more beans on the side. Will definitely ask for extra beans on my next trip there. 4.5/5

I am not much of a drinks person but my friends ordered a few fruit smoothies and were suitably satisfied. 

The ambiance is fairly friendly. The staff is not too over bearing in trying to be attentive (major pet peeve). But the one thing that's missing is a good soundtrack - something more  hip, something more New York, Will I be going back with family and friends? Most definitely!

[Food]: Fika On The Roof, Karachi

Karachi seems to be going through a bit of cafe frenzy in the last couple of months - with E Street and adjoining lanes hosting the majority of the new places. The fact that the lane is now crowded and whizzing with buses has not stopped the newbies and monoliths of the food business to set up shop there. The latest one there is Fika. Fika (I have been told) is a Swedish word that means just hanging out and chilling over a cup of coffee.  Fika has an extension on the roof called, Fika On The Roof. I went there on Friday to be pleasantly surprised by a very ethnic Pakistani interior and decor - nothing Swedish about this space!

But first, the food!

Mezze Platter

Moroccan Beef

Being of Middle Eastern descent myself... I am always apprehensive about trying so-called Middle Eastern cuisine anywhere in the city. My Iraqi mother has set the bar rather high at home. But I still can not say no to hummus - many times, it is my gauge of an eatery - it's my How Good Is The Hummus Test. The Mezze platter at Fika On The Roof includes hummus, baba ganoush, mutabbal, a tomato chutney, garlic sauce, olives, pickled green chillis, cucumbers, carrots and of course pita bread. The serving is good for four to share. The star of the platter is the tomato chutney. The baba ganoush is just right. The hummus is not as good as my mother's just yet.

For the main course, I had the Moroccan Beef as suggested by the owner Abid Merchant. It was a good piece of beef - well spiced and marinated. However, it should have been more tender. There was an excellent rice pilaf to go with it.

The Gulabo

This is an interesting dessert - vanilla ice-cream with gulab jamun. It is good for those who cannot decide between a desi and an angrezi dessert I suppose. However, the textures are too similar and everything is too sweet when put together. It does not have the brownie and ice cream effect.

There are also some really interesting menu items like Anda Paratha but I could not dare to order any thing else after that ginormous meal. The menu is a mix of local favorites, burgers, sandwiches and grilled meats.

What really held my attention through out the practice dinner was the decor, the ambience and the music. Fika On The Roof  could be a Karachi dhaba or a specialty cafe in Europe. The decor has been designed by Pakistani artist Muhammad Zeeshan who is the pioneer of rickhsaw art, as opposed to truck art. So everything is rich, neon and Pakistani. The space also has an interesting playlist - Bollywood! From Baby Doll to Bappi Lahiri! 

I am glad that eateries are finally realizing the importance of having outdoor spaces and Fika On The Roof seems to be the perfect hang out for a cup of tea and anda paratha this winter. Check them out here for complete details.

[Business]: TCS Hazir

Since I quit the 9 to 5, I am having trouble organizing myself between different commitments, meeting deadlines and well, staying sane. I am a high school teacher, a radio show host, a PR & marketing consultant and the kitchen help at my mother's catering business - YummyMummyAndMe. I find myself constantly trying to save time and do several things on one trip and at the same time. Enter .... TCS Hazir...

With an extensive outdoor and online campaign, here's what I have understood from TCS Hazir's communications:

• Instead of you going to the TCS office to send your mail, TCS will come to you, hence, Hazir
• They will pick it up from your doorstep within 60 minutes of you placing your order
• You can send documents or packages of up to 25 kg
• Charges start at Rs 100 for pick up
• The service is available in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad for now.

Is this the guy who will come to pick up the package?

Now the service sounds most excellent in principle, especially for small businesses like mine.  In the case of sending out invites, letters, menus and small packages even, I end up saving money on fuel, time and hassle. I hope they don't charge for each document separately! 

The service could work really for those who have home based businesses of non-perishable items or well just about anything that TCS agrees to deliver. However, the lack of cash-on-delivery services as a part of TCS Hazir might be a hindrance in developing that market.

Have I tried the service yet? Nope. You will have to check with TCS for further details about the exact logistics of the process. Will I use it in the future?  Sure I will.  

*waits for TCS to start a food delivery service*

[Food]: The Magnum Pleasure Store, Karachi

A pleasure store - don't you just love the sound of that? One where you can indulge in all your fantasies without fear or guilt. But hold that thought, I'm talking of halal pleasures - namely rich, decadent, make-your-own Magnum bars! Affordable, legit, delicious pleasure!

The Magnum Pleasure Store in Karachi is only the 14th such store in the world where we can make our own Magnum bars from scratch - well almost from scratch. You start with choosing your Pleasure Maker ie one of the cuties behind the Magnum Pleasure bar to craft your Magnum. I do have a clear favorite Pleasure Maker and I will returning, only to him *sigh*  - anyways, on to the halal pleasures. You get to choose three toppings from a wide variety such as chilli flakes, blue poppy seeds, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, white chocolate, hazelnuts, pop corn and many more. You can be as experimental, colorful and creative as you want. Then you get to choose your Magnum bar - vanilla or chocolate and what you would like to coat it in - namely milk or dark chocolate. My first bar was a vanilla Magnum coated in milk chocolate and covered in chilli flakes, blue poppy seeds and hazelnuts. Don't feat the chilli flakes - they actually work really well with the sweet milk chocolate and gentle vanilla. It's a grown up Magnum bar!

Each bar is priced at Rs 250. A regular Magnum bar costs Rs 80. Is it a fair deal? I think so. It is more than 'just a Magnum' - the Magnum store lets you get creative with your food or rather it lets you play with your food. Personally for me, getting creative with food is always fun. I am a huge fan of cook-your-own-food places - hot pots, grill your own meat -  and the Magnum Pleasure Store lets me make my own ice-cream.

Although the store and the brand itself seems to be aimed at a hip, yuppie crowd - I can actually see myself talking my nephews and nieces (between the ages to 2 and 10) there quite often. The colors and the creative process involved is sure to be enjoyed by the kids and the parents can chill out on the comfy sofas around the store. However, the store does need more kid friendly seating.

Should you go to the Magnum Pleasure Store? Yes. Will I be going back? Most definitely - with the kids, my sisters and girl friends. What else would I like to see there? More experimental toppings, limited edition Magnum bar flavors, chocolate drinks, more seating and perhaps even a photo booth. Team Magnum... please consider...

Oh and here's my second bar... hazelnuts, dried cranberries and white chocolate chips on a chocolate bar covered in milk chocolate.

Warning: You will have to skip a meal for this Magnum indulgence.