Saahil: A Culinary Dream Fueled by Family, Food, and Heritage
The journey of Saahil's founders—three brothers and a cousin—began in Karachi, where their fondest memories were shaped by moonlit nights at the beach. Together, they would head out, guided by the sea breeze, carrying bags of snacks to enjoy by the shore. The moonlight shimmered on the water, adding a touch of magic to the scene. Often, they would wander to the beachside restaurants along Do Darya in Karachi, staying late into the night, relishing both the food and each other's company.
It wasn’t just about the food or the scenic views; these moments were more than simple family outings—they were memories in the making. Years later, despite their vastly different professional backgrounds, a shared love for food brought the Shah brothers and their cousin together to launch Saahil.
With a clear division of roles, each founder brings unique expertise to the project. Qaisar oversees operations, ensuring smooth processes and legal compliance. With his experience, Danish manages the restaurant’s technical and IT systems. Faisal’s role focuses on construction, interior design, and sourcing. Salman, their cousin, contributes his experience in the financial aspect.
Let’s zoom in on their journey and their vision behind Saahil.
Qaisar Shah: The Bionic Neurologist and Entrepreneur
If you’ve ever wondered how childhood dreams shape a person, look no further than Qaisar Shah. Inspired by the popular TV show The Six Million Dollar Man, young Qaisar would jump around imagining himself as a bionic boy, asking his doctor uncle, “Can you make me one too?”
Instead of brushing him off, his uncle would say, “Yeah, I can do it easily.” And that was Qaisar’s first glimpse into the world of medicine—sparking the dream that would eventually lead him to become a neurologist and an entrepreneur.
Qaisar Shah’s journey is marked by resilience, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From an average student in his early years, he became one of the top-ranking students in his region, eventually making headlines in the Pakistani media for his academic achievements. After medical school in Pakistan, Qaisar moved to the U.S. and found his calling in neurology, specializing in complex stroke care. His passion for the human brain and its intricacies led him to Dartmouth, where he further honed his skills, ultimately becoming a leader in his field.
Over the last 15 years, Qaisar has built a remarkable career, not only as a neurologist but also as an entrepreneur. He has a keen eye for identifying gaps and solving problems, traits that are the backbone of his entrepreneurial journey. He established a cutting-edge stroke program in Philadelphia and later launched his own company, providing specialized medical services to hospitals in underserved areas.
Now, he brings this same dedication and innovation to the world of fine dining, co-founding Saahil, where he aims to redefine the culinary experience in Sterling, Virginia. Qaisar saw an opportunity to reintroduce Pakistani flavors to a global audience in a way that maintained the highest standards of cleanliness, consistency, and customer service—elements that are often missing in Pakistani dining in the USA.
He mentions, “My colleagues often ask me to recommend a Pakistani restaurant, and I hesitate because there aren't many I can confidently suggest. The food is often good, but the service, cleanliness, and overall experience fall short.” This realization fueled Qaisar's passion for creating Saahil—a place where Halal Pakistani cuisine could shine in taste and an immersive dining experience.
For Saahil, his vision goes beyond just serving food—it’s about presenting Pakistani culture in an approachable way to everyone, regardless of their background. “We want Saahil to be a place where people come with their families, enjoy authentic Pakistani flavors, and appreciate the hospitality our culture is known for.”
Faisal Shah: The Trailblazer of the Family
Faisal Shah, one of the co-founders of "Saahil” and the older brother of Qaisar, has a diverse and impressive career journey that spans various industries and countries.
Born and raised in Karachi, Faisal attended St. Jude’s High School, where he grew up surrounded by a tight-knit family of high achievers. His passion for engineering and business shaped his path.
Faisal's time in Karachi significantly shaped his love for food. As he recalls, "In Karachi, everything is about food. From Nihari to biryani to kebab and roti, everything left a great impact on my palate." His love for food remained a constant throughout his life, even as he embarked on his professional journey.
After serving in the Pakistan Navy for years, Faisal pursued a degree in electrical engineering from NED University, specializing in weapon engineering during his military service. His career took an international turn when he moved to Oman, where he established a successful construction and steel industry business.
His achievements in Oman earned him recognition as one of the country's top 25 Pakistani business leaders, as nominated by the Times of Oman. Over the years, Faisal expanded into the power industry, providing rental power solutions to the Omani government.
Despite his success in Oman, Faisal's entrepreneurial spirit drove him to new ventures. Moving to the UK for his son's education, he continued diversifying his business interests. He consulted for King’s College Hospital in their Middle East and Northern Africa expansion efforts. Additionally, he took on a role with an international holding group, overseeing investments in shopping malls across Africa and the Middle East. His global experience in setting up and managing businesses gave him the tools to approach the restaurant industry with a unique perspective.
When Faisal's brother, Qaisar, first proposed starting a restaurant, Faisal saw it as just another business challenge. Although the food industry was new to him, he understood the processes of building and scaling a company. He confidently brought his business acumen to Saahil, focusing on setting up the operational and financial structure.
“For me, it’s about making the business profitable,” Faisal says. “I can really bring value to this process, not in terms of taste or food, but in terms of setting up the business and ensuring its success.”
Faisal notes that Pakistani restaurants in the West often lack the sophistication and refinement of Michelin-starred establishments elsewhere.
For Faisal, it's not just about offering great food; it's about creating an atmosphere and service level that reflect Karachi's vibrant culture and flavors while maintaining a focus on quality and profitability.
His journey from engineering to global entrepreneurship is a testament to his adaptability, and Saahil is the latest chapter in a career defined by passion, innovation, and heritage.
Danish Shah: Combining Technical Acumen with a Culinary Dream
Danish Shah, the youngest brother and one of the co-founders of Saahil, brings a unique blend of technology, a passion for food, and a deep connection to his Karachi roots. Born and raised in Karachi, Danish, along with his brothers, he grew up immersed in the vibrant and diverse culinary culture that the city is famous for.
"Karachi is a melting pot," he says, reflecting on the city’s ability to blend flavors from various regions of Pakistan. Dishes like biryani became symbols of home, and despite moving to the U.S. when he was 18, he never lost his taste for Karachi’s signature spices and authenticity.
While Danish’s professional life has steered him into the world of technology, working as a Java Programmer for entertainment giants like Paramount and Discovery, his love for food stayed close. "Food has always been close to our hearts," Danish explains. He mentions while working at Discovery, he often visited the sets of shows like Chopped, housed in the same building, giving him an insider's look into the meticulous organization behind top-tier culinary production. He brings this same level of precision and innovation to Saahil.
Danish observed that while there are numerous Pakistani restaurants across the U.S., particularly in areas like New Jersey, New York, and Northern Virginia, few could capture the essence of Karachi’s bold flavors. The fine dining experience that the brothers envision is entirely missing from the landscape. That made him say yes to “Saahil” immediately, fine dining not only offering authentic Karachi cuisine but also creating an experience that truly celebrates the food’s cultural richness.
As the tech lead at Saahil, Danish uses his background to ensure the restaurant runs smoothly on the operational side, overseeing everything from the point-of-sale system to the security and sound systems. For Danish, Saahil is far more than a business—it’s a passion project fueled by his deep connection to his heritage and a vision to transform the way Pakistani cuisine is experienced in the U.S. Through Saahil, Danish and his brothers are pioneering a new era of fine dining, where tradition blends seamlessly with innovation and celebrates the finest of both worlds.
Salman Faridi: From Finance to Flavors
Salman Faridi, one of the co-founders of Saahil and cousin of the Shah brothers, hails from a background in finance and accounting, having pursued his education in Minnesota.
A strong entrepreneurial spirit marks his journey from Karachi to the United States. Growing up in Karachi, Salman developed a passion for sports and food, which stayed with him as he ventured into various business endeavors.
After working for a consulting firm and overcoming visa restrictions, Salman reignited his dream of becoming a business owner. This entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to invest in a laundromat.
The idea for Saahil restaurant emerged during a family trip to Turkey, where Salman and Shah's brothers shared their thoughts and passions for creating a restaurant that would reflect Karachi’s diverse culinary culture.
Drawing on their childhood experiences of enjoying the vibrant food scene at places like Burns Road, Salman was also eager to provide a unique dining experience through Saahil.
His financial expertise played a crucial role in the business, helping to set up the operational structure while staying true to the family’s shared vision of offering authentic, memorable culinary experiences.
For Salman, the restaurant is not just about food but about creating a space that adds value by delivering exceptional service and gaining positive feedback. The fulfillment of serving great food and witnessing satisfied customers fuels Salman’s passion and sense of accomplishment as an entrepreneur.
A Taste of Home: Nostalgic Culinary Delights in Sterling
The journey of the Shah brothers and their cousin, Salman Faridi, in bringing Saahil to life is a true reflection of their deep connection to food, family, and nostalgic ties to Karachi. Each founder brings their unique expertise, working together to create not just a restaurant but an experience that embodies the soul of their beloved city.
At Saahil, they serve high-quality Pakistani cuisine and share the warmth, tradition, and memories that shaped their childhoods. By blending nostalgia with innovation, they invite diners to savor Karachi's rich flavors and heartfelt spirit.
