The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital

Esteemed hotels in Cairo are known for both their swanky restaurants and the hefty price tags that go with them. The Fairmont in Heliopolis seems to be revolutionising hotel eating; the opening of their burger joint, Marilyn, combines class with reasonably priced food. Most people love simple, quick meals but are often put off dining at fast food restaurants by shabby surroundings. Attracting diners looking for good, no frills meals and hidden towards the back of the hotel lobby, the Fairmont's newly furbished restaurant stands out with its bright red, yellow and white colour scheme. The restaurant itself is quiet and spacious, with comfortable sized tables and contemporary arm chairs. Marilyn Monroe's face does appear on the front of the menus, however, other than this and the pop art décor, little else visually reflects the supposed theme. Being a curvaceous American actress and model in the 1950's and 60's, the menu centres around diner food, boasting a small but adequate selection of burgers and sandwiches, each named after films that Marilyn starred in. All meals come with fries and a soft drink; however, it was a little difficult to decipher which were burgers and which were served as baguettes. The drinks menu is limited to sodas (12LE), fresh juice (20LE), milkshakes (25LE) and mineral water (10LE/18LE). Unusually, all the prices on the menu include service and tax. We ordered one 'Don't Bother to Knock' (60LE) – a cheese burger with beef bacon – and six pieces of deep fried chicken, 'The Prince and the Show Girl' (75LE) along with a side of onion rings (10LE) and two cokes. The food took a while longer to arrive than typical fast food, although, as expected, the quality was miles higher. Our meals arrived on brightly coloured plastic trays, in cardboard packaging featuring Marilyn's face, alongside plastic cutlery and cups for our chilled, bottled cokes. The burger was delicious, made with US Angus beef, although it was not as thick as we'd anticipated, it was filled with a perfect amount of fresh salad, melted cheese and a thin slice of quality beef bacon. The burger was nowhere near as greasy as other burger places, and didn't leave us feeling sluggish or guilty either. Our chicken pieces were similar to chicken wings and were deliciously crunchy and moist. The chips were thinly cut and were neither too crispy nor undercooked, whilst the onion rings were possibly the best we've ever had; deep fried to a perfect golden-brown with a soft, thick onion filling. Staying true to fast-food form, the sauces are served in tiny sachets, but are generously supplied without charge. Also, there are no desserts, just tubs of strawberry, chocolate or vanilla Haagan Dasz ice-cream (27LE-48LE).         Marilyn modernises and glamourises fast-food, serving up reasonably priced, quality hamburgers and sandwiches in a contemporary modern setting.

The Cairo shopping scene is one that's ever-expanding, bringing never ending fashion to the streets of Egypt. However, there's not much in the way of pet accessories – if you're going to look fabulous, why shouldn't your puppy? In the depths of Citystars, hidden next to the parking lot, Pet & Equi's glass front shows off a well-stocked range of animal supplies and strives to meet pet-lovers' needs with quality, fashionable accessories made for cats, dogs and horses.   Like a lot of up-market pet shops in Cairo, Pet & Equi doesn't sell animals, but can refer you to breeders or animal rescue shelters should you require. To the right side of the shop, food bowls are displayed on the floor and are not the easiest to access, although there is a good range of colours and sizes; from small to extra large, in either steel (55.50LE-152LE) or plastic (21LE-70LE). We went for a mini, pale pink one with a stainless steel bow on the side (55.50LE). They also stock automatic feeders (1700LE), which release a measured amount of food at set intervals, as well as portable water dispensers for travelling (35LE). There's also a collection of different animal beds including large floor pillows (300LE+), cushioned armchairs and more unusual creations; an elevated, black leather, boudoir-type sofa with a removable cushion (2466LE) and a fun, pink plastic house, shaped like a cats head (1700LE), for example. They also stock traditional wooden outdoor dog houses for(1700LE). All-important dog leads and collars are aplenty, from heavy duty leather and chains, to thin, puppy training leads and material harnesses. Retractable leads range from 170LE to 360LE depending on both the brand and the size of the animal you're buying for.  A whole wall is dedicated to dog toys, in an unbeatable range of shapes and sizes, including Frisbees, balls, shoes, squeaky chickens and circus style, run-through tunnels (106LE). Cat scratching posts are also available (100LE+), with and without catnip, helping to save your furniture from sharp claws. Masses of dog and cat treats are available, from simple chew sticks and bones to more gourmet options, if you will. Of course, there is also a variety of premium dry food brands available in small, medium and giant sized bags. Pet & Equi also cater for your pet's pharmaceutical needs, with a number of shampoos, litter trays, cushioned, post-op collars (220LE-260LE) and even cologne, to keep your pet smelling fresh between washes. Separated to the left side of the shop, an equally in-depth and organised section has been arranged for horse accessories, boasting everything from riding clothes and tack, to grooming accessories, medicinal sprays and antibacterial creams. Evidently, horse riding uniforms don't come cheap; quality jodhpurs start at 800LE, whilst a pair of smart black riding boots will set you back 600LE and an adult-sized hard hat was priced at 800LE. Riding gear ranged from saddles, saddle pads (220LE), bridles (360LE-1000LE+), stirrups, horse shoes and hoof care kits. Pet & Equi is a well-stocked, organised pet shop, selling dog and cat accessories at an international standard. More unusually, they stock a wide range of quality, albeit expensive, horse riding accessories, giving it an edge over its competitors.

Over the past few years, the island of Zamalek has seen 26th of July Street sprout numerous restaurants and cafes. Standing strong against the plethora of new competitors is Bread Basket – a staple of bakeries and cafes in Cairo.  The completely glass front reveals a stylish layout; two rows of high tables and stools look out onto the busy street and are perfectly positioned for some serious people watching. The bare brick walls coupled with the black and white furniture, gives the small 'food emporium' a particularly urban feel. We marched up to the glass counter at the back and were greeted by rows of doughnuts (5LE-8LE), mini and large, savoury and sweet croissants (3.5LE-11LE), muffins (4LE/8LE), biscuits (6LE-9.50LE/100g), pizza pieces (11LE/13LE) and chocolate chip cake loaves (25LE). An assortment of bread loaves can be found all over the place, including rye bread (19LE), malt grain (25LE), burger buns (2.50LE), French baguettes (6.50LE) and toast (11LE/12.50LE). Catering bread or sandwich baskets – serving between four and six people – can be prepared with 24-hours notice (45LE-140LE). As well as ready-made products, Bread Basket also offers cooked breakfasts (22LE-44LE), omelettes (20.50LE-28LE), muesli with yoghurt and honey (20LE) or a French breakfast (49LE), complete with a selection of mini pastries. Their salad (23LE-40LE) and sandwich selection (17LE-45LE) are nicely varied, with the choice of the bread, the filling and several extras. To eat, we picked a chicken mayo sandwich on olive ciabatta (32.45LE), a jam doughnut (8LE) and a cinnamon croissant (8.50LE). The sandwich was prepared quickly in their back room and was fairly disappointing; despite the occasional tasty chunk of black olive, the bread was otherwise dry and certainly less than extraordinary. The chicken mayo mixture was also incredibly dry, made worse with a stingy helping of mayonnaise. Thankfully, the cinnamon croissant was an improvement, with a crispy outer shell and a generous filling of sweet cinnamon – we'd recommend the croissant was heated a little before eating though. The best of the three, however, was the soft, airy jam doughnut; covered in sugar and filled with smooth and sweet apricot jam, which made for a welcome change to the usual standard strawberry filling. Their drinks menu is also vast, with plenty of hot and cold drinks; coffees (11.50LE-17LE), teas (7LE/8LE) and espressos as well as iced coffees (9LE-18.50LE), smoothies (20LE), milkshakes (19.50LE) and fresh juices (11LE-13LE). We picked up a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice (12LE), which was neither too sweet nor too bitter, sporting just the right amount of orange pulp. Although the sandwich wasn't up to par, we're sure the friendly staff would have corrected it had we made a fuss. On the other hand, we'd highly recommend their sweet pastries and would most probably return in the morning in order to sample their fresh batches of bread, as well as their tasty sounding breakfasts, whilst watching the world go by.

Located on the Blue Nile Boat in Zamalek, Otium is an open-air lounge, restaurant and club, whose website describes the venue as fresh, funky and floating. Otium is actually an old club with a new name; in a previous life this hot spot was called 'Opium', but that changed when a wealthy Saudi bought the boat and objected to the drug reference. The new name is slightly more esoteric, since 'otium' is actually a rather abstract Latin term referring to leisure time, though, ironically, it also sometimes refers to retirement. Luckily for us, none of Otium's patrons seemed anywhere close to retirement.  After paying the cover (150LE), which changes based on the  night's event, we walked into the club's main area, which is located on one of the Blue Nile's many decks. The long tables and tall bar stools in the lounge area are all sleekly modern, while the low-slung couches that line the edges of the boat near the dance floor offer comfortable resting spots. In general, Otium's décor is fairly bland and not particularly memorable, but the view from the deck more than makes up for that.  Revellers can easily see Cairo Tower on one side and the burned-out National Democratic Headquarters on the other; however, the Nile sparkling in the background is the club's best feature. The dance floor is slightly smaller than one would like and we were either pushed up against other patrons or knocking over ice buckets; it is also on a different level than the rest of the floor, causing several people to trip. However, while the dancing started off as fairly tame,  Otium proved to be a good spot to go out for just that as the night wore on. Music at Otium depends on the theme of the night, and for our R&B Night it was great, with the DJ well in tune with the crowd.  Our entrance fee afforded us one drink and we decided on a gin and tonic and a rum and Coke; the former was not the best we've ever had, but thankfully the bartender didn't skimp on the alcohol in either. Next, we got several tequila shots (80LE); however, we weren't as pleased with these since the bar was already out of limes, even though the night was fairly young. Though there are several drawbacks to Otium, not least of which are the prices and the size of the dance floor, we found that the atmosphere, which is enhanced by the fantastic view of the Nile, makes dancing here a blast and is great for anyone looking to bust a move.

For the first time in the last twenty years, Evelyn Ashamallah unveils her long awaited collection - aptly named, '20 years of Evelyn Ashmallah' - in the beautifully secluded 6 Contemporary Art Space in Zamalek. Born in Dessouk in 1948, Evelyn has dedicated her life to the arts by holding many well respected positions and has won a number of prestigious awards for her paintings. For a short while, she was also the director of the Egyptian Modern and Contemporary Art Museum and even helped set up the Artists Syndicate in Egypt. The gallery is a large, spacious, well-lit area with high ceilings and bare wooden floors, creating a formal and professional feel. Evelyn's work filled the walls and was made up of eyecatching pieces, often grouped together in series. Most of her pieces used bright, vibrant colours, depicting abstract scenes of mystical, dream-like creatures or jolly caricatures illustrating Egyptian life. In the same style, there were a number of pieces drawn using shades of black and white.  Unfortunately, there is little information regarding the pieces available at the exhibition; neither are the pieces titled, nor could the assistant help us with unravelling the meanings behind the majority  of the paintings. However, Evelyn is said to reflect the far, funloving depths of the human imagination, attempting to merge the simplicity and innocence of her own childhood with the satire experienced in adulthood. The piece we recieved most information about, characterised the ancient myths of the Egyptian worship of serpents for their strength and protective qualities. Using slightly duller colours than the other pieces, perhaps to signify a more serious message, the painting shows a serpent sitting on a stool, being crowned and worshipped by a naked charicature of a woman. The piece is less busy than the others and had we not been told, we couldn't have guessed the story behind the scene.  Other paintings were more self explanatory, for example, a portrait of a smiling couple inside a house, we can assume is taken directly from Evelyn's memory and are perhaps members of her own family. There is also a painting depicting well-dressed couples in the countryside, surrounded by water, greenery and a train passing in the background; which gave off vibes of a warm and happy memory. Another of her paintings titled 'Mouled' is a colourful, playful composition, appearing to be a traditional Egyptian family, complete with a man and two wives - and many other figures - adorned with jewellery and several evil eye symbols warning off jealousy.     Our favourite, and arguably the most eye-catching painting was comprised of ten small canvas' put together to make one giant piece,  stretched across an entire wall. Bright reds, greens, blues and yellows are used to paint a make-believe scene involving a flying seal, a bird riding a floating bike and robots-come-aliens. The pieces exhibited had a lot of depth to them, so were interesting to attempt to analyse, however, with little information about the artists motivations or inspirations, many of the pictures appeared similar to one another, and left us feeling confused rather than inspirited.

Smart Gym has several branches across Cairo, but the one located on El Shaheed Sayed Afify Street in Heliopolis, right off Nabil El Waqqad Street, is women only, offering ladies a comfortable and private setting to get in shape.   Commanding three floors, Smart Gym is very spacious. The top floor houses a wide lobby along with a mini cafeteria which sells fruit, fresh fruit juices and smoothies, candy bars and salads, with comfy armchairs that you can sink into to enjoy a snack before or after your workout.  Using a very cool fingerprint identification system, the gym itself is found on the middle floor. Equipment is nicely varied, including treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, steppers and then another area is devoted entirely to weight equipment, ranging from free weights to dumbbells and barbells. Daily classes are also available such as aerobics, dance, martial arts, kickboxing, yoga, and others. It is useful at first to work with a coach to achieve desired results, and the ones available were found to be friendly and capable. On our way to the spa on the lowest floor, we found lit candles decorating the stairs, already promising a relaxing lounging atmosphere. Divine Spa, which is independent of the gym, offers facials (100LE-275LE), massages (100LE-275LE) and Moroccan baths; there are also two Jacuzzis, a sauna and a steam room to pamper you. For a day use, we paid 100LE. Although it might sound like a lot of money, it does include the whole package, where you can use the gym, attend classes and even wind down in their spa – which is quite reasonable. To apply for a membership, one must go through a series of questions on what their fitness goals are; whether it's losing weight, building muscles, toning or just general fitness, and assist you accordingly. They will also take your measurements and weigh you – with your blessing, of course – so you can track your progress down the line. If you really want to delve further, they also have body fat percentage and muscle measuring tools. A one month membership will set you back 550LE, while three months goes for 1500LE. We found their opening hours to be pretty convenient for almost everyone, being open from 8AM to 11PM. We do have to warn you though, on the 1st and 15th of every month, the gym is occupied with maintenance workers, so while the place is clean to the spot, it highly reeks of detergent.

What would you do if it was your last day on Earth? Well, you certainly wouldn't want to be stuck inside a house with a group of highly dysfunctional and self-obsessed individuals, whose petty little issues keep getting in the way of living your final moments in style.  As it happens, It's a Disaster – the latest film from the up-and-coming director Todd Berger – attempts to put forth and explore the ups and downs of that exact scenario in an off-beat, apocalyptic kind of way. It's a Disaster opens up with the introduction of unlucky-in-love doctor, Tracy (Stiles), and straight-laced teacher, Glenn (Cross), who are out on their third date at a couples' Sunday brunch, hosted by married friends, Emma (Hayes) and Pete (Miller).  Amongst the other guests is terminally-engaged couple, Hedy (Ferrera) and Shane (Grace), as well as the free-spirited spouses, Lexi (Boston) and Buck (Brennan).   It doesn't take long before the regular bickering, name-calling and gossiping kicks in and Glenn – who is an outsider to the group – needs to do his best to keep his head above water. Soon though, things kick into higher gear when the group gets a visit from the hazmat-suit-wearing neighbour, Hal (Berger), who informs them that a couple of dirty bombs have been set off in downtown,  and that the chemical fallout is spreading fast. Now, with only a few hours left before the nerve-gas starts seeping through the door and windows, the group need to find a way to cope and deal with their looming fate, all the while trying to reach a common ground with their end-of-the-world cohorts.  Director and writer Todd Berger's second feature, after 2009 crime-comedy The Scenesters, presents a dark and cleverly written comedy about the end of days.  The story, which plays out entirely in the confinement of a suburban home, doesn't really bother itself with the details of the impending demise; instead, Berger focuses on the central characters, whose peculiar dynamics are the core of the film.   Their interactions move from witty to absolutely absurd; Berger's cleverly constructed script keeps things tight the entire way through and even though we never leave the house, there isn't a single dull moment. Bearing in mind that this is a character-driven story, It's a Disaster is nothing without its brilliant cast.  Stiles' cold exterior is extremely amusing, Cross – best-known for his role as Tobias in Arrested Development­ – gives his straight-edged character great depth, and as the hosting, bickering couple, both Hayes and Miller are extremely entertaining.  Meanwhile, Boston and Brennan bounced off each other with great ease, while the forever-engaged couple, Ferrera – of Ugly Betty fame – and Grace, show a great range in their respective roles.de It's a Disaster is a cleverly written, low-key comedy that blends the darkness of its situation with plenty of wit and supreme absurdity; enough to make anyone question the prospect of their own impending death.

The latest reboot and retelling of one of the most cherished and iconic comic book characters, makes one thing clear right from the very start; Superman is the original and ultimate superhero. Man of Steel opens with a lengthy – yet extremely gratifying – prologue of Superman's origins on the distant planet of Kryptonite, where noted scientist Jor-El (Crow) and his wife Lara Lor-Van (Zurer) have just welcomed a healthy baby-boy into the world, which they name Kal-El.  Their planet, as Jor-El anticipates, is dying and before an attempted military coup by General Zod (Shannon) and his gofers, the worried parents transport Kal-El to down to the safety of planet Earth in an effort to preserve their people. Jumping ahead thirty years, we find a grown-up Kal-El (Cavill) – now Clark Kent – trying to find his place in the world. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about the different stages of his upbringing in Smallville, Kansas and the issues that arise as he comes to discover his superpowers.  His adoptive parents, father Jonathan Kent (Costner) and mother Martha Kent (Lane), have always tried to impart wisdom on the boy and his dad, who has played a major role in his life, has continuously encouraged self-control and advised him never to reveal his superhuman abilities to anyone. Soon, Clark is left with no choice but to have his identity exposed when General Zod, along with his commander – the menacing Faora-Ui (Traue) – arrives on earth and threatens to invade Earth if he doesn't surrender. Along with the help of the persistent journalist, Lois Lane (Adams) – the only person who knows his true identity – Superman needs to do everything in his power to protect the innocent and serve as a beacon of hope. Helmed by 300 director, Zack Snyder, and scripted by The Dark Knight screenwriters, David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan, Man of Steel has been one of the most anticipated film of the year and delivers in no uncertain terms. Sophisticated and sleek, everything about Man of Steel feels unvaryingly tight and incredibly easy to follow, and the two-hour plus running time never poses as an obstacle to the story. Gone are the days of whimsical optimism and goofy humour; this Superman is exceptionally dark – ala The Dark Knight – and boasts a surprisingly relatable and highly-complex storyline.  Snyder, who has already showcased his incredible visual panache in 300, once again delivers some of the most thrilling and head-spinning action sequences in the busniness. But then again, it's the dream-like quality to the flashback scenes and Hans Zimmer's phenomenal and moving score that provides real richness and depth to the story throughout.  Cavill, the first British actor to take on this iconic role, is truly superb. His depiction of a troubled superhero, who strives to always do well by everyone, is wonderful and never sappy. The role of Lois Lane stays away from the usual damsel in distress dramatics and Adams takes it on with aplomb; she's charming, strong and incredibly feisty.  As the antagonist of the story, Shannon is incredibly compelling and demands attention every time he appears on screen, while Crowe, Costner and Lane contribute just as much in their briefer roles. This is it.  This is the one Superman film everyone has been waiting for and we're happy to report that Man of Steel is everything we hoped and expected it to be; it's the sophisticated, adult take that the world's most famous superhero has so desperately needed.