loafology

loafology
109 jinnah avenue (blue area), islamabad, pakistan 44000
tel: 051-2804044

what was consumed: coffee, grilled cheese, bagel with cream cheese, loafology omelet, mini lemon tart, lemon bread

looking for a nice place to grab a good cup of coffee and some delicious treats? check out loafology! a western style bakery, started by some expats, offers delicious fare in addition to quite a selection of breads and other baked goods; loafology has become one of my go-to brunch/sandwich places. 

and when they have it, be sure to try their lemon tart-lettes. a nice combination of tart and sweet in a delicious and flaky mini crust ... DELISH. but be sure to get there early, or call in your orders. once their supply is gone, their supply is gone for the day ... and you don't want to miss out!

online: http://loafology.com/ and on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loafology/

wild thyme

wild thyme
shaheen market. E7, street 14, islamabad, pakistan
tel: 051) 8441748

what was consumed: chicken vegetable tikis, chicken dumplings, apple and red cabbage salad, pumpkin soup with croutons, hunza fries, apricot chicken with handmade herb pasta, roasted wile thyme potatoes. others ordered nut battered fish with hunza fries, spinach ravioli, walnut chicken with steamed rice, chicken apricot karahi (all were said to be delish!)

specializing in ingredients from hunza (like the life giving apricot oil!), while thyme offers a great fusion of western and desi cuisine. friends mentioned wild thyme to me (it's apparently owned/run by the wife of friends' preferred salon owner. small world here in isloo, for sure). i~ heard about their delicious offerings and about their incredible beet root salad, so i was all in.

wild thyme offers a variety of delicious treats - ranging from appetizers, soups, salad, entrees, and even desserts! one could probably make a meal of just their appetizers: the chicken dumplings, the chicken vegetable tikis, the salads (beetroot and apple and red cabbage of course) ... and the hunza fries! i could eat the fries all day long.

that said, be sure to save room for the entrees! also delicious. the apricot chicken is said to be one of the favorites, and i can see why. the stuffed chicken is delish and the pasta that accompanies it is just ... perfect. if you get a combo of appetizers, the chicken entree is definitely good for sharing (or, if you're me, just enough to round out the meal - haha). i could go for some of that pasta right about now ... 

seating seemed limited, though, so either get there early or make sure you have a reservation. they're also on food panda, though, so be no excuses!

online: https://www.facebook.com/wildthyme.pk/

meraki

meraki

jinnah super, F-7, islamabad, pakistan

tel: 051) 8487576

what was consumed: appetizer platter (for sharing), greek salad, chicken tarragon, pepper steak (with a side of tarragon cream sauce), molten chocolate cake

if you're looking for a fine dining option (that is, i think they're going for fine dining, or as fine as dining in isloo can get?), definitely check out meraki. we sort of stumbled upon it and ended up enjoying their wares during their soft opening and then again after their official opening. located in the same building as meat one (the entrance(s) are "behind" meat one. once you go, you'll see what i mean), this restaurant is, imo, a nice addition to the isloo eating scene.

per facebook recommendations, i ordered the chicken tarragon. three grilled chicken breasts smothered in a creamy, and slightly spicy, tarragon and cream sauce. the dish comes with a side of your choice (french fries for me, obvi). meraki also took to hear facebook followers' recommendations and increased the portions (3 chicken breasts, especially when it comes with a side, is a pretty substantial amount of food. just the way i like it!). 

and if you're looking for a decadent dessert, be sure to order the molten chocolate cake. once you slice into it, it starts oozing delicious chocolate. different from "chocolate" desserts i've had elsewhere, this one really is chocolatey. YUM.

meraki also has a special "black" menu, for all you fancy folk. you can get some premium stuff (e.g. filet mignon flown in from the US) and those who opted for this part of the menu, at least the steak, said it was up to par and that they would order it again (the best of all food compliments!). 

online: https://www.facebook.com/meraki.islamabad/