Broccoli Pizza & Pasta

  • 02 Nov - 08 Nov, 2019
  • Mag The Weekly
  • High Life


When it comes to pizzas, pastas and burgers, Karachiites are spoilt for choice, offered a whole host of eateries to choose from. Options there are many, but to single the best one out is a task food connoisseurs are always out on the hunt for. Our company of three ambled by the newest on the block, nestled across the becoming food street of Badar commercial – Broccoli Pizza & Pasta. I do assert that on first impression, the eatery’s name was a little hard to chew, much like broccoli itself... but piqued by curiosity we decided to give it a shot anyway. It turned out to be an international chain based in predominately UAE, with many outlets globally, which is now testing waters in Pakistan. With ample lightening, quirky décor in lively greens, yellows and reds, Broccoli has an uplifting vibe to its place. A large space is dedicated to their counter which features a live cooking station too – testament to eatery’s promise of serving everything fresh. The menu offers a diverse selections of pizzas and pastas, but I was intrigued by the option of make your own. My server helped us make the selections, we settled for Spicy Chiken Fajita and Bianca from the pizza sections and opted for Mexican Pasta. I was lured by the immaculately put together live station to create my very own dish of pasta. My server, Nigel inquired the sort of pasta I would like to try, giving me options from choices of fresh ingredients available at the station. We decided on making it creamy and mild in spice. It was fascinating watching Nigel fire up the pan, toss in the white sauce, veggies and other condiments one by one, creating a show of the sorts with other diners onlooking with interest. I was given the liberty to choose the pasta shape from penne, farfelle, rotini, fettucine, sea shells and more – all curated in a bottled container on the counter. As we waited on our order, chewy chicken wings were first to arrive on the table, followed by steaming hot bowls of pastas – Mexican and our make-your-own rendition. Mexican fettuccine pasta was a spice-lover’s dream come true – corn, olives, jalapenos and basil all collectively added a punch of flavour to every bite. But it was our custom-made, fresh out of the live cooking station which had us at first bite. The creamy penne plus rotini combo, with well-balanced quotients of white sauce, chili oil, basil crushings and surprise addition of broccoli made for the highlight on our table. Chewable chunks of grilled chicken with capsicum and olives bite tweaked the flavour, making it easily the creamiest and yummiest pasta I had tried in a while. By this time our Beef Lasagne landed on the table – beef mince spiced and seasoned to perfection under layers of cheese and cream was another feast. Having tried the best of their pasta specialities, my expectations from the pizza flavours were soaring. Bianca arrived first – rounds of pepperoni, olives and spicy beef chunks as pretty toppings. It tasted good at the first morsel, but it carried an odd underlying flavour which I didn’t like. Broccoli’s Spicy Fajita Pizza was amazing – high on spice and cheesy goodness, I loved how they gave the conventional fajita toppings a reboot by making it spicier, hence mouth-wateringly hot and tasty. We ended our early dinner with their special desserts – Nutella Pizza with Chocolate Chips, featuring thin crust pizza slathered in generous layer of Nutella and garnished with chocolate chips.

Location: 4-C, Phase V Badar Commercial Area Phase 5 Defence Housing Authority, Karachi
Average cost for 2: Rs 1200 to 1500 approx.

TASTE

Broccoli has its pasta and lasagne recipes just right! Not to forget their various in-house sauces which allows diners to create their own dishes each time. Pizzas were worth a shot too, but if you are heading to the place, their pasta are unmissable.

SERVICE

Good staff and service is of key importance, particularly for newly sprouted ventures. Broccoli’s team was on their toes with their services, boasting both courteousness and enthusiasm to serve.

AMBIENCE

From the lanterns glowing in red to the intricately-crafted wooden seclusion – the ambience leaves blend of modern and oriental impressions.

PRESENTATION

Special mentions to the lovely slice of garlic bread presented with a bowl of pasta – worth Instagraming before you dig in!

VALUE FOR MONEY

In addition to offering good deals, I liked how generous their serving size was. Each bowl of regular pasta can feed up to three people. 

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