"Grass Roots" Pakistani Cuisine at Zaidi's Grill

Comments (0) By Laura Hahnefeld Thursday, Aug 23 2012

Veggie dishes fall into Tabassum's territory, and you could start and stop at two of them: a creamy and ginger-heavy dish of golden paneer masala made with cubes of Indian cheese and the lentil-heavy daal. A common side dish with meals in Pakistan, this simple, protein-packed creation can be made in several varieties, two of which I tasted at Zaidi's: a lightly seasoned and decidedly un-stew-like creation Tabassum calls a "dry daal," topped with fried onions, and a spicier, soupier version equally enjoyable.

After dinner, don't miss a small bowl of kheer, a Pakistani and Indian rice pudding. Creamy, lumpy, and flavored with generous amounts of cardamom, it comes topped with ground pistachios and slivers of almonds for a seasoned, sweet, and nutty flavor. It's best paired with an order of poori parata. The light and flaky bread is perfect for scooping up bites and becomes almost pastry-like in the process.

Jackie Mercandetti

Zaidi's serves up classic Pakistani dishes made from family recipes, and hardly a detail is missed in the process.

Location Info

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Zaidi's Grill

1617 N. Granite Reef Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Category: Restaurant > Brunch

Region: South Scottsdale

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Details

Zaidi's Grill
1617 North Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale
480-947-4435
www.zaidisgrill.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Pakoras: $4.99
Afghani boti: $8.99
Beef nihari:$8.99
Chicken qorma: $8.99

More About

Like its strip-mall storefront, Zaidi's small interior is plain — a scattering of tables and chairs, a few hints of décor, and a TV that, when it's on, sometimes plays Indian music videos a bit too loud — but the hospitality of Syed and Tabassum makes the experience a pleasant one. As the only two employees of their restaurant, service can be slow if the place is busy, but one of them always has time to explain dishes, aid first-timers in selecting a new favorite, and to stop back at your table to ask how the food is tasting.

Your answer, like mine, will most likely be, "Delicious."