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    Food Review: Social - Hashtag This, Foodies!

    Social Cafe Islamabad

    Written by: Aiza Azam
    Posted on: October 20, 2016 | | 中文

    #Social Cafe, Islamabad (source: 'Social' Facebook page)

    ‘#Social’ seems like an unusual name for an eatery. The first images it conjures up are of over-sized beanbags, poetry readings and impromptu jazz sessions, rather than gastric temptation. But once you go there, it doesn’t take long to appreciate the newest addition to Islamabad’s culinary canvas.

    Located in sector F-8, a few doors down from the restaurant China Town and a flight up from the clothing outlet Ensemble, this eatery is a smallish space with thoughtful décor. Think earth tones and brick, with some graffiti here and a little chalk on black there, essentially combining to give the feel that you are at your best friend’s place for lunch. Uncomplicated as its name, the ambience relaxes you straight off the bat. It seats roughly two dozen, but then they have the rooftop as well. The staff is welcoming and attentive, so you won’t have complaints with the service.

    #Social Restaurant Islamabad

    The menu

    The menu is surprisingly ample. Amidst the usual starters of Buffalo Wings and Mozzarella Sticks, the Spinach and Salmon rolls add an interesting touch. But it was the salads that drew our attention first; where else would you find fried mozzarella and quinoa next to each other on the same menu! The soups, sandwiches and pizza options are fairly basic, and the burgers include a respectable selection of staples.

    Take a few minutes to go through the offerings of beef, chicken, fish and pasta. The Pan Seared Chicken in White Wine Vinegar sauce was done to perfection; tender chicken with a slightly crispy floured exterior, it hit the spot. As did the Mushroom Chicken smothered in a delicious sauce of just the right consistency, and the #Social Chicken grilled to a T. The sauce with the Orange Chicken, though, needed to emphasize the citrus note, and it congealed a bit halfway through the meal.

    #Social Restaurant Islamabad

    Chicken Roulade

    Beef eaters should go for the Americano steak; nothing like a perfect medium rare doused generously with a creamy mushroom sauce that hits the right notes of piquant flavor. The Grilled Salmon was a standout as well; herb crusted fillets served with steamed rice and veg played well with the taste buds.

    #Social Restaurant Islamabad

    Vanilla Freak Shake

    The real delight on the menu, however, is the Fettuccine Pasta. Laced with butter sauce, layered with shitake mushrooms and crumbled feta cheese, tossed with bits of sautéed spinach and slivers of red chili, and finished off with parmesan, it is a visual and aromatic delight. And when you taste it, the adventure is complete. It is rare to find a bowl of pasta that good in the city.

    The rest of the menu offers an ample selection of drinks, and also some of those “value added” shakes that are all the rage in the capital these days. Among the desserts, the Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta seemed the most enticing. There is a separate section for the breakfast crowd, featuring a decent enough selection.

    All in all, #Social is a good way to go, whether you’re searching for a laid back meal during lunch hour or a place to unwind for dinner. It scores some serious points on taste and service, and the ambience will do your heart good.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021