You’re in the mood for some comfort continental food in a contemporary ambiance, and don’t want to be limited to just one cuisine, what do you do? Well, one of the establishments offering an ideal experience checking all the boxes above is Zaajh.
Nestled a little farther from central Lahore since last March, in the bustling DHA Raya Fairways Commercial Area amidst a host of other restaurants offering tough competition, Zaajh – named from initials of the four owner siblings -- promises a fine-dining experience through an elegant Italian-French fusion menu.
Upon opening up its large wooden doors, one is welcomed into a warm and soothing space that blends contemporary elegance with classic charm, done mostly in a chic combination of blacks, whites and golds, with stunning large paintings and modern art installations. Once seated, you realise that the overall vibe of the space is understated, relaxed where you can lounge with your friends or enjoy a comforting meal with family.
The menu has been crafted very carefully, reflecting the best of European fusion, and offering something for everybody: from classics like Chicken Parmigiano, Fettucine Alfredo, calamari, fish and chips to innovative creations like a crab dip, Chicken Thigh with Gnocchi, Stuffed Fillet Mignon and premium steaks like the Australian T-Bone and Wagyu, and wood-fired pizzas, you’re left spoilt for choice.
And that’s not all: Zaajh has decided to introduce a selection of signature dishes from a different cuisine every month, kicking off ‘The Connoisseur’s Table’ this month with South Korean delicacies.
What better way to kick start a meal in this sweltering heat than with a refreshing, juicy fruit salad. This multi-textural, vibrant bowl of Fruitas Citrus is composed of leafy greens, citrus fruit segments, nut and seed brittle, pomegranate, feta cheese and an orange vinaigrette.
Next up was the absolute revelation, Roasted Bone Marrow, which proved to be a nuclear explosion of flavour. Resting comfortably inside a bone, topped with a thin layer of roasted cheese, butter and herbs, and served with roasted garlic and bread on the side, this plate of bone marrow is mouth-watering and transports you to literally another world.
Another appetizer that sounded too appealing to be missed was the Crab Dip. Scooped inside a crab shell is this thick, creamy hot crab meat and cheese mush that you spread over some accompanying bread and end up devouring the whole thing within minutes. It’s that good!
On to the mains, the first thing that caught our eye was the Stuffed Fillet Mignon. It did sound risky to stuff a thick, gorgeous piece of meat with something so powerful and flavourful like spinach and cheese, but we wanted to see if they managed to pull it off. The steak was served with pan-seared prawns, baked potato, veggies and some mushroom sauce.
As we sliced off a bite, we could feel the beef was extremely tender and the right temperature that we desired – medium rare. Together with that creamy spinach and mushroom sauce, thankfully the meat didn’t lose its own flavour, and every bite was worth savouring. Special mention to the spicy prawns on top that were a total knockout and could well be served separately as a small plate.
The next entrée was the Red Snapper Bilbania – a pan-seared fillet of snapper resting on a thick bed of mashed potato and covered almost entirely with an aromatic tomato sauce, with baked veggies on the side. We’ve got to say that after such a remarkable start to the meal, this was a letdown. The fish itself lacked any punch, could have been softer and was really overpowered by that thick bilbania sauce.
This was followed by the Duck Breast – a seared and sliced duck breast drizzled with a tangy blackberry sauce placed on a bed of mashed potato and served on the side with some vegetables. The duck was soft and cooked to perfection, and that blackberry sauce was an innovative idea, as it gelled well with the meat. Plus, the veggies just complemented the whole dish.
We also ordered the Korean Fried Chicken with Kimchi Rice from the special Korean menu. This was another order we were really looking forward to, but was a real disappointment. The fried chicken was neither spicy nor crispy, as is the Korean-style item meant to be, and even the rice was borderline bland – lacking the signature tanginess and kick that kimchi provides.
From the Korean menu, we also ordered the very exotic looking Hawachae, which was a traditional fruit punch made with fresh seasonal offerings, such as watermelon, mango, blackberry and banana, in a sweet, chilled strawberry milk. Light, colourful and refreshing, this was a perfect treat for the summer.
To top off the meal, we just couldn’t miss the desserts. The first one was from the special Korean menu, called Bingsu. It’s a traditional dessert with a shaved milk ice base and a variety of fruity and sweet toppings. Ours had chunks of mango, condensed milk, vanilla ice cream, and a dollop of whipped cream on top. What could have been cool, refreshing and delightful, wasn’t too pleasant – probably because the shaved ice base was more watery than milky. Otherwise, this is quite a promising dessert!
At the end, we tried the Chocolate Paradiso. Needless to say, it was as divine as it was stunning! Just picture this, a soft chocolate cake base with walls of rich chocolate cremeux topped with a thin chocolate disc that melts as you pour hot chocolate ganache over it. And served on the side were gold chocolate balls and some heavy cream and chocolate shards – it looked so good that we didn’t want to touch it! But when you grab a spoonful of that multi-layer chocolate dessert, you’re sent direct to heaven where you enjoy a peaceful sleep; yeah, that’s how it felt!
Overall, Zaajh was a pleasant experience. But selling it as a fine-dining restaurant would be a bit misleading, as everything from the interior and the menu to the presentation of food, it’s more comfort than fine. But, an exciting addition to Lahore’s food universe.
