Dhaka's love for Indian and Pakistani cuisine is well known. Embracing this passion, Manzar brings together the best of both worlds, offering a delightful selection of popular Indo-Pakistani dishes. Located in the heart of Dhaka’s food street in Banani 11, Manzar's menu features mouth-watering options like nihari, chicken tikka masala, and rogan Josh, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
Food
Our meal began with aloo paratha and lachha paratha, accompanied by daal makhani, malai chicken, and chicken tikka masala.
The lachha paratha, though tasty with its flaky layers, lacked some authenticity. In contrast, the aloo paratha was a flavorful delight.
The daal makhani, with its smooth consistency and rich flavors, was the perfect complement to the breads.
Next, we enjoyed the malai chicken. The chicken was well-cooked and tender, bathed in a creamy sauce made with heavy cream, Greek yogurt, fenugreek leaves, and almond flour.
The sweetness of the dish was dominant, making it a treat for those who love sweet and savory combinations. A thinner consistency for the gravy would have elevated the dish further. Both the malai chicken and chicken tikka masala paired well with the parathas.
The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the lamb rogan josh. This dish was a symphony of intense spices in a creamy tomato sauce, with the meat cooked to tender perfection.
The marinade, featuring ginger, paprika, garlic, nutmeg, ghee, yogurt, onion, and cinnamon, created a spectacular flavour profile.
Following the lamb we had the beef nihari, a slow-cooked stew that beautifully rounded off our meal. The broth was rich yet light, with distinct flavours of star anise, beef, fried onions, nihari masala, and green chilies.
We concluded our meal with ghoul, a yogurt-based drink that was a delightful blend of sweet, sour, and tangy flavors. This borhani-lassi hybrid was a refreshing palate cleanser, balancing the rich and intense flavors of the meal. However, we did miss having marrow within the bone.
The price range for a meal at Manzar is Tk300 to Tk2500, with the exception of a platter that costs Tk3600.
Ambience
Located in Banani, Manzar transports you from the bustling streets of Dhaka to a serene rooftop that exudes a homely feeling. The traditional designs on the walls, the idyllic location in Banani and the natural aesthetics created by a rooftop setting with an indoor seating arrangement all harmoniously blended to create a comfortable ambiance.
Challenges
The soft launch for Mazar ended just a month ago, in April 2024. The restaurant had opted out of a major launch since the fire incident at Kacchi Bhai on Bailey Road occurred just a day before the launch, according to Somaya Rahman, a partner at Manzar.
"Since we're on a rooftop, we were very cautious, and all our staff are well-equipped and trained to deal and help with fire hazards in the restaurant," she said.
"Each staff member is trained to save seven people each in case of fire," she added.
They opted to deal with inflation and rising costs by keeping a well-trained but small staff.
“We have a well-trained staff, but there are only four staff members and they work in shifts. When it gets busy, we also help out,” she added.
According to Rahman, they’ve maintained reasonable prices with lower profit margins to entice first-time customers who can sample the dish before becoming regulars.
“We have to make the restaurant sustainable first. In order to bring in customers and gain traction, we’ve kept competitive prices for the time being,” she said.
Verdict
Our visit to Manzar was an exploration of Indo-Pakistani cuisine. While the food was the main highlight, and the nihari was delightful, the atmosphere was homely with the ability to make you feel one with nature all at once. The warm service also added to the experience.
Also, highly recommend trying the ghoul for an experimental yet refreshing beverage experience. The beverage is worth giving Manzar a shot. You can also have their food delivered through Foodpanda.
Head over to Manzar for some delectable Indo-Pakistani dishes. The price is in the mid-range, taking into account Mazar’s location.
