Our recent visit to Nostimo, Lahore's first Greek/Mediterranean restaurant, felt like a mini-vacation to Greece without leaving Pakistan.
Located in Lahore's Pearl Continental Hotel, its cosy, minimalist ambiance with its signature blue and white colour scheme instantly transported us to the picturesque islands of Mykonos and Santorini.
Nostimo is not new to Lahore. It was relaunched earlier this year after a makeover, which has injected fresh energy into the restaurant, offering a diverse menu of Mediterranean and Greek delicacies.
Each dish was a delightful surprise, from refreshing cold appetizers to hearty main courses.
Head Chef Usman explained that, "Nostimo means delicious in Greek, and we strive to capture that essence in every dish we serve."
it meant that our date night was a delightful escape to the Mediterranean. We started with a delicious platter of Arabic Mezza, a perfect platter with a variety of dips including hummus, muhammara, tzatziki, and feta, with a welcome bread and butter basket. The Tzatziki was our favorite as it had the right amount of pickle to give it the tangy flavour which paired perfectly with the variety of bread.
Next, we indulged in the Mediterranean Greek Salad and rib croquettes. The tangy olives and tomatoes (fresh and sun-dried) in the salad were a delightful surprise. The slow-cooked ribs melted in our mouths. The accompanying tomato chutney and garlic chips, made in-house, added a delicious and flavourful touch.
Chef Usman explained that slow cooking is a popular technique used at the restaurant to achieve the right taste and texture for the dishes.
The cold appetizers proved to be the perfect prelude to our culinary adventure.
The star of the evening was undoubtedly the Moroccan-style lamb shank served with mashed potatoes. Like the rib croquettes, the shank was slow-cooked to perfection with tender meat that fell right off the bone and melted in our mouths. It was a culinary masterpiece. The Stuffed Chicken Tajine, served with Cous-Cous was also enjoyable but, the lamb shank was truly unforgettable.
Our evening concluded on a chocolate-y note with the Sokolatopita, a decadent chocolate lava cake with a Greek twist.
Nostimo's commitment to quality and innovation is evident in every dish, from the presentation to the flavour. The experiments with different fusions of food catering to the Pakistani palette - It has a little something for everyone.
As we left, we couldn't help but smash a few plates following traditional Greek custom for good luck. The revamped space and delicious cuisine will surely attract a crowd of foodies seeking a unique dining experience.
With its inviting atmosphere and delectable cuisine, Nostimo is a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of the Mediterranean and enjoys a whole lot of meat.