Written by: Mehr Jan
Posted on: February 19, 2021 | 
Beef Vietnamese Salad at District 6
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the pandemic, it is a relief to know that there are still some familiar experiences out there that keep the term ‘normalcy’ in focus. Outdoor dining is one such experience. It’s an activity which allows us to indulge in delicious flavors while fulfilling the inbuilt necessity within all of us to socialize. Although indoor dining still imposes certain limitations, outdoor dining is becoming an increasingly viable alternative.
Islamabad’s range of fancy, well-known restaurants are getting on with the new normal, and many have creatively made use of their outdoor spaces to welcome diners to familiar tastes in not-so-familiar surroundings. One of the major eateries in F-6 Markaz, ‘District 6’, has also been focusing on innovative ways to keep the business thriving, by creating a rather pleasant outdoor arrangement with fairy lights, greenery galore and even cozy wooden pits for these last few chilly nights of the season.
The Outdoor Setting at District 6
Since it established itself some time back, the restaurant offers a range of options to dine in, and its Instagram proudly showcases happy celebrities getting their appetites fulfilled by a delectable spread of choices. We were also impressed by all that was present on the menu. The menu was quite diverse, with dishes like tacos to noodles, butter chicken and Nihari. There was a lot to choose from, even in the appetizer section.
We decided on a crisp Beef Vietnamese Salad, that was all freshness and tastefulness in a big bowl of green. With an added touch of grilled beef and peanuts, tossed in a classic Vietnamese dressing, the selection was a good call. We would have gone for another round of the salad if the mains weren’t still pending.
However, we decided to get a serving of the Shrimp/Chicken Fettuccini and a District Classic Burger, both recommended by the manager himself as two of the popular favorites at the restaurant. The pasta bowl had a good amount of Fettuccini, topped with a generous heap of garlic tomato sauce. Unfortunately, that was more or less what we could taste in the bowl. It’s overpowering taste of garlic eclipsed whatever little bits of chicken and shrimp were in the mix. Even the grated parmesan and fresh basil leaves couldn’t be a saving grace, and we were hoping to get the indulgence and aroma of all the ingredients mentioned with the dish.
The Fettuccini
The District Classic Burger was served in olive oil, alongside spiced fries in a rather delicious homemade bun. It was succulent and juicy with a hint of a crisp lettuce base. The meat was cooked to perfection, and its flavors were strong and distinctive enough without the bun and the lettuce. However, we didn’t really have much to say for the so-called special spiced fries, as they were no different or better than those one can get from local vendor carts by the market place.
The District Classic Burger
Overall, given the hype with which this popular place distinguishes itself from other restaurants, we just expected a whole lot more from the main menu than what was received, considering that the prices were at the higher end. It was the dessert which we hoped would end our dinner on the sweet note we needed.
The Raffaelo Donut
Again, we let the managers make suggestions, and were recommended to go for the Raffaello donut and Lotus Cheesecake. Without a doubt, the donut turned out to be a pleasant surprise, with the right amount of soft dough, and it was sweetened with just the perfect quantity of Raffaello crumbs and white chocolate. The Lotus cheesecake was a tad overpowering in sweetness, but with a cup of black coffee, it did end the meal on a deliciously high note. While our selection of the mains was sadly a disappointment, looking into how we started off and ended our meal, made the whole experience rather pleasant. Set amidst the twinkling, cozy outdoor setting, we may return again to try more items from the menu.
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