Food pages on Facebook were elated; a Central Perk has opened doors in Karachi, read the caption. Caught in shock, I knew it had to be visited but less for the food and more for the compulsive sentiment out of love for the iconic 90s sitcom that is to date a comfort binge on Netflix for a night in. Located at PECHS, I make my way on a Saturday evening, a time of the week when a friendly company is needed. Out of an American show, the coffee shop blends right in the streets of Karachi with its large windows, brick walls and a logo which could be identified anywhere. From the outside, I could see the five day old eatery was hosting groups of friends which felt wonderfully characteristic. For a Central Perk to flourish, it has to cater to the nostalgia and tug at the fondness we share with the show. The interior was a tribute to the one we’ve watched on our screens, without replicating the rusty fixtures and the dimly lit coffee house. Brightly lit, the tables were arranged by the walls, music on the background (you know which song) and the pristine white walls were dedicated to timeless references. But what really got me chuckling was the menu. A simple, laminated card capturing the essence of Friends with sections titled as “The One with…” and litting dialogues placed expertly with each section. Bonus points for the curation! From the coffee section, my friend and I opt for Iced Cappuccino and Iced Mocha. From the appetisers, on recommendation we pick Crispy Chicken Tenders and from the burgers section we settled on Grandma’s Chicken Burger and Ross’s Moist Maker Panini. Settling on the iconic burnt orange couch, facing a TV playing re-runs of the show, our food makes its way to the table, albeit late. Breaded boneless chicken strips with a side of two dips were relished at our table; mildly seasoned, the chicken was crispy fried to perfection. Our burger and Panini were next to arrive; the Grandma Chicken Burger was just another chicken burger with layers of cheese, patty and veggies and topped with black sesame seeds with a side of fries. Piping hot, we bite into the burger, which was adequately saucy but the chicken patty fell bland to the taste buds. Panini was next to be trialed but just sitting on the table, I take a second to appreciate the aesthetic layers of the grub. Lettuce, grilled chicken, carmelised onion and cheese pressed to produce perfect press marks, making for an Instagrammable serving. Taste trialing it, the Panini was perfectly grilled, the chicken was well-seasoned but what really took it to the next level as the layer of carmelised onions. Lending their sweet taste to the savoury chicken, the Panini serves a powerful punch with an average level of spice. Told not to miss out on the desserts, we settle for Tiramisu Classic and pair it with our iced beverages. Cylindrical shaped with sweetened whipped cream and chocolate bark for plating aesthetics, the layers of the cake had us visually appealed first. With a conflicted liking of sugar, I fork in and the tiramisu to my liking, wins hearts at the table without being excessively sweet and consistently fluffy and moist. Paired with my chilled and no-sugar iced cappuccinos that packed a needed punch of caffeine, Central Perk served a fitting end.

TASTE

Coffee and desserts are a must-try at Central Perk!

SERVICE

Carefully guided through the menu, I was recommended what to order. However, the service was slow and my food took too long, perhaps, because its newly opened.

AMBIENCE

A nice place to chill with your friends over coffee without the pressure of dressing up – as intended. The theme, undoubtedly, has a lot to live up to and expectations can be variable.

PRESENTATION

Scattered chopped dill on a pristine white plate – an uncomplicated presentation.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Prices were set at par with the coffee shop standards around town.