Kelly Cambridgeport
Google
This is a small, family-run restaurant, and I was lucky to get a comfortable booth, which I appreciated. I tried the Sunday buffet ($25.99), which is the only Pakistani buffet I’ve come across in the Boston area. The food was hot and fresh, with dishes like chicken pulao (note: this is the rice included — plain basmati rice is not part of the buffet, so vegetarians or those avoiding chicken may be charged extra), chicken achar, chicken tikka, dal, chana, naan, halwa, rice pudding, and beef keema with potatoes that I especially enjoyed. There was also a goat dish, though I skipped it since I’m not a fan of goat. The chicken achar had great flavor, while the chicken tikka came in very small pieces. The naan was good, though simpler than the butter or garlic naan I’m used to at Indian restaurants.
I appreciated that they put a pitcher of water on my table so I could refill myself, but no one came by during the meal until the very end — after 3:00 p.m., when they were shutting down the buffet. That was the first time I was asked if I wanted anything more. When I asked about drinks, I was told I could choose something from the refrigerator. I was surprised there was no drink menu or options like mango lassi, chai, or sauces such as cilantro or tamarind chutney, which I normally see at Indian buffets.
At the end, I had a very small amount of leftovers and offered to pay to take them home. I was surprised at first by the $7.99 box charge, but they also gave me a $4.74 discount on the buffet without me asking, so it evened out to about $3.25. In the end, that felt fair. I also paid in cash, knowing this is a small operation, which I didn’t mind.
Because this was a $25.99 weekend buffet, I initially expected a little more variety, especially compared to Indian buffets in the $19.99 range. But at the same time, when I think about what I’ve paid for a fine dining tasting, $25.99 feels fair for what was offered. Overall, I’d call it a 3.5-star experience but I’m rounding up to 4. If you live or work nearby, it’s worth stopping by to try. Just be aware that the selection is limited for a weekend buffet, and the service is minimal, so I wouldn’t call it destination dining from downtown Boston — but I’m glad I experienced it once.