Copper Kettle is a chain of Pakistani restaurants with branches in Barsha Heights, DSO and the one I ordered breakfast from in Dubai Sports City. If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that Friday breakfast for me is almost always South Indian. Not this Friday. With the weather cooling down I thought it was time to treat myself to some paya but, still feeling a little groggy from the previous night’s over-indulgences, I decided to order in. It’s interesting, after placing my order, I checked my review of their DSO branch (which I wrote in 2016) only to find that I had ordered exactly the same thing – Paya, Halwa Puri and Chicken Haleem. But, unlike last time, I did not think much of the food on this occasion.
This is how the food arrives 
A peep inside 
Unboxed
The single paya (sheep’s trotter) looked lost and lonely swimming in its plastic pool of rich yet oily gravy. I quickly put it out of its misery. If I wasn’t on a low carb diet, I would have broken pieces of my roti into that sauce, squeezed in a few drops of lemon, and really gone to town. As things stand though, I turned my attention to the Haleem which, full of shredded chicken as it was, did nothing to excite me. The Halwa Puri (a four part dish) was similarly underwhelming: 1) the puri was soggy (and stretchy) from oil (remember, these are deep fried); 2) the Aloo Achari could have been a soup it was so fluid but at least it tasted good; 3) I liked the Lahori Chana and wolfed down half the bowl before remembering the WMD chickpeas turn me into. Both the aloo and chana were excessively oily. 4) I didn’t touch the Halwa.
This is how the paya arrives 
…and this is what it looks like 
Chicken Haleem 
Halwa Puri
Since home deliveries have increasingly become the post-lockdown rage, I have tried to highlight the eco-friendliness of the packaging each meal is delivered in. If there was a prize for least eco-friendly packaging, Copper Kettle would definitely be in contention for top spot – the only non-plastic item in their entire packaging was the receipt; oh, and the staple holding it to the plastic bag. Okay, I’m exaggerating a little; the roti and puri were wrapped in aluminum foil. The food arrived within the time stated and was lovely and hot. I have been to all three branches of Copper Kettle but sadly enjoyed my experience at this one the least.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.