The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital

Lebanese restaurants in Cairo are common, to say the least, but few truly elevate the cuisine. Located on El Thawra Street in Heliopolis, Tanoura struck us as being both aesthetically interesting and colourful, drawing us in with bright oranges, Mediterranean yellows and reds. The ground floor is only partially covered, creating an outside-in feel, complete with flower beds and a central palm tree. Continuing its cheerful theme indoors, the restaurant spreads over two more floors.  Named after a Lebanese dance, it seemed only appropriate that Oriental music served as the backdrop to our dining experience, whilst antique, reclaimed shisha pipes are used as light fixtures and are incorporated into the interesting screen designs. We were promptly shown to our seats before the waiter discreetly told us that the minimum charge is 75LE; a minimum easy to surpass with their wide selection of tempting Lebanese dishes. All the typical hot and cold appetisers are available, along with salads, arayes, mana'eesh, fattah and grills. If Lebanese doesn't take your fancy, there's also a selection of soups and pastas to choose from. Tanoura also offer a good variation of drinks; we ordered a lemon juice (18LE) and a watermelon smoothie (25LE), both which arrived swiftly. The lemon juice was a refreshing bitter-sweet concoction whilst the watermelon – now in season – was a deliciously fresh, icy slushy. We requested one chicken fattah (45LE), an onion soup (20LE), hommos (20LE) and cheese sambousak (24LE). We didn't have to wait long, and in true Lebanese style, everything was served together. A basket of cold, soft baladi bread was delivered as an accompaniment to the creamy, well-seasoned hommos. The cheese sambousak resembled four, generously sized spring rolls, deep fried to a golden brown. Unfortunately – due to the bed of lettuce they were presented on – the underside turned soggy fairly quickly. The onion soup was rich and flavourful, complete with a considerable amount of onion pieces swimming in it. Of all the dishes, however, our chicken fattah exceeded expectations; it was a creamy mixture of large, quality chicken chunks amongst crispy bread and soft white rice. The portion was so large that we struggled to finish it along with our starters. Rather than choosing one of their Oriental desserts, we chose to wash our meal down with an apple shisha (18LE) which was as expected; fruity, flavourful and smooth. The colourful décor, chilled-out atmosphere and contemporary setting of Tanoura modernises traditional Lebanese recipes, and is proving to be a popular place for both young and more mature clientele.

Over the last decade, cultures of shopping in Cairo have grown to consume the average fashion conscious Cairene and it seems that tis covers everything from designer labels, all the way to coffee. Renowned coffee giant, Nescafé, has combined the two at Nespresso, where coffee connoisseurs can channel their daily caffeine intake into a must-have, trendy, early morning pick-me-up. With several Nespresso boutiques opening up around the world, we hoped their Downtown Katameya branch might help revitalise our fatigue. The shop sits at the beginning of the mall, oozing maturity and sophistication with its iconic signage and immaculate displays. The shop assistant was polite and unassuming, although well versed in the technical side of things. Each of the machines work with small Nespresso capsules, containing ready mixed coffee powder, which is available in 16 different aromas and can be purchased in packs of ten (47LE-52LE). Nespresso boasts coffee beans from some of the most remote regions of the world, promising unique, rich coffees. There was a small coffee tasting station in the middle of the shop; however, on the day of our visit, they were waiting on a coffee delivery. Whether you're a coffee amateur or an aficianado, one of each flavour will be included with your first purchase in order to help you find your preferred type.   This branch was well-stocked with home coffee machines as well as ones suitable for businesses, as well as a plethora of accessories. The prices for work-top machines ranged from 1760LE, for their no-frills Essenza model and 2475LE for the cute and compact Pixie espresso maker, up to 5000LE for a fully automatic Lattissima machine, making both milk based espressos and lattes. Separate milk frothers, Aeroccinos, were priced at 1500LE. Their business options are priced from 3575LE to 21,395LE for an industrial sized coffee maker, complete with a built in mug heater. A large stand for the latter machine would cost an additional 11,000LE. Of the accessories, a range of chic, branded coffee cups were available for purchase; a set of two stainless steel espresso sized cups were priced at 330LE, whilst two glass cups and matte black saucers were 260LE. Glass capsule dispensers retail between 330LE and 880LE, depending on the capacity.  As with any 'designer label', the prices at Nespresso are fairly steep, but who can resist having a sexy coffee machine at their disposal?   

Yet another purveyor of frozen yoghurt and ice cream in Cairo has opened its doors! New at Nile City Towers, Scoops is actually pretty good, offering real Italian Ice-cream – or 'Gelato' to Italians - as well as tasty frozen yoghurt. We marched along the concourse to their small, bright pink corner shop to try out their chilled desserts.    The space itself is small but adequate, sporting two large glass counters; one brimming over with tempting ice creams and the other full of tens of colourful toppings. Unfortunately, there is no seating area, meaning that take-away is the only practical solution. Offering both natural and flavoured yoghurts, prices range 20LE-49LE, with the flavoured varieties - which only featured chocolate at the time of our visit – costing only slightly more. We went for a natural small frozen yoghurt with three different toppings; chocolate chip, Kit Kat and granola (29LE) which turned out to be an excellent combination, perfectly complimenting the icy, bitter-sweet, sharp taste of the natural yoghurt. Scoops of Gelato Italiano ice cream range at 13LE-34LE, whilst 400 gram tubs are 68LE and 750 gram tubs are 99LE. To help us decide which flavour to choose, we were given testers of the Ooh La La La Oreo Gelato, Vixeny Vanilla and the Playful Pistachio. All the ice creams were delicious, and almost positively authentic, with the Oreo ice cream tasting incredibly chocolaty with a rich biscuit aftertaste; meanwhile, the vanilla was creamy and fresh, whilst the pistachio boasted a good balance of sweet and nutty. Rather than purchasing a straightforward ice cream, something more unique caught our eye. Scoops sells brightly-coloured flower pots filled with chocolate, strawberry, vanilla or mango ice-cream, topped with chocolate crumbles and a fake flower for 22LE. We went for the exotic mango flavour – a choice we didn't regret. Although the chocolate topping was delicious on itself, and even chewy in parts, the chocolate-mango combination didn't quite work.      Alongside the ice cream range, fun-looking Gelato pops – essentially lolly pops of ice-cream – are priced at 14LE each, 74LE for 6 or 119LE for 12. You can also grab a caramel, vanilla or chocolate milkshake for 30LE, or an espresso for 12LE. Scoops' branding doesn't distinguish itself much from its numerous competitors, and generally doesn't do it justice, because their ice cream truly is delicious – and that's what really counts!

Bars in Cairo are a dime a dozen these days and have to stand out in order to pull in the 'right' clientele. Despite the current economic – and political – climate, Graffiti Bar and Lounge has gallantly opened its doors in the esteemed Four Seasons Nile Plaza hotel in Garden City. The hotel itself is both plush and luxurious, with marble staircases and sumptuous carpets leading the way to the bar's grand double doors. After walking down a small corridor lined with colourful aquariums – yes, aquariums – the space opens up and is split into several different sections. There are two different bar areas, one much more impressive than the other, whilst the décor is quirky throughout. From the graffitied walls and unusual chandeliers, to it's huge menus plastered with cartoon-drawn faces of pop culture icons such as John Lennon; it's quite the sensory feast. In addition to the interesting interior, full length windows show off a mesmerising Nile view. There are several seating options; high and low tables, as well as large, comfortable leather sofas await you. Our group was allocated a high table with high stools which unfortunately only lined one side, leaving half the party standing – although this did encourage dancing. The crowd seemed to be a mixture of both fashion-conscious youngsters and more mature patrons – the type who might frequent the hotel for business meetings and such. Throughout the evening, table service was swift and the nibbles – crunchy crisps and salted peanuts – were topped-up regularly. Free jelly shots were also passed around our group once we'd all arrived, before the menus were delivered quickly – though they proved a little difficult to read in the light, which was changing periodically from red to blue. The drinks menu is vast, as is their exotic-sounding bar food and sushi menu. The bar offers up all the usual and unusual cocktails, along with shots, spirits, wine and a selection of beers. Shared pitchers are also available for 250LE. There is only a small selection of non-alcoholic cocktails – or mocktails if you will – and sodas, although ordering a normal cocktail minus the alcohol isn't be a problem.   On the occasional visit to the bar, we didn't have to wait long to be served, although the bar staff seemed a little confused when giving prices off the top of their heads. We ordered a piña colada (75LE), a margherita (75LE), a glass of Omar Khayyam and Cape Bay white wine (55LE/each), several tequila shots (70LE/each) and multiple Sakara Gold beers (35LE). The white wine and beers were served cold, as they should, while the tequilas came with the mandatory salt and lime pieces. The piña colada was deliciously sweet and creamy with a subtle aftertaste of rum. The margherita was also mixed well, with the alcoholic kick blending in with the lemon flavour; however, the thick salt rim around the glass was too much and enough to make our eyes water.   Early in the evening, the music choice was far more chilled than we had anticipated, but began warming up before the main attraction during our visit, Vio Cello. The female Lebanese trio is made up of two extremely talented electric violinists and a cellist, which drew in a crowd of mature men – which made us question what crowd the bar is aiming for. In between their fast paced performances, the DJ took over with up-to-date commercial tracks which most of the younger crowd seemed to enjoy. Like the eclectic decor, however, the overall atmosphere seemed to be one of confusion.  We commend the efforts in originality of Graffiti, and this, coupled with well-mixed cocktails and fabulous service, could well land this bar in a competitive spot for cliquey Cairo crowds.

'Table of Life' is Egyptian artist Tarek Montasser's first solo exhibition and is currently showing at the Art Lounge of Al Masar Gallery in Zamalek. The collection is relatively small, with still life being the general premise. The artist returned to Cairo in 2004 after years of travelling with mixed feelings towards his hometown; changes over the years left him feeling displaced and confused – emotions that are reflected in all the pieces. The first painting that meets you by the entrance, 'Chaos', is simply a canvas full of curved paint tubes. Their shape and resulting pattern look almost like dancing dervishes, though they supposedly represent fallen soldiers in what the artist describes as "a useless battle". His brush strokes are thick and full; there's a fervent hastiness to them and it gives life to the inanimate objects. Many of his images look as though he captures his view of sitting at a table to work. Tables with paintbrushes, pencils, cups of coffee and lamps are depicted, only these have juggling clowns standing in the middle, further expressing his inner madness. 'Noor Loves Apples' and 'They Passed By' are also in the same vein, only these have what look like figurines standing around, casting shadows on the surface below them, looking rather suspicious. There's also a cartoonish quality to some of his work; images of lollipops and cakes look almost edible, and while his brushstroke technique is fairly inconspicuous, the work feels accessible and there's undeniable skill involved in creating such an effect and instilling the exhibition with such a quality. Montasser doesn't use a lot of colour in his work; most of the pieces are more of a muddy shade, but there is still something very vibrant about them. Perhaps it's the combination of the lively brush strokes along with the actual subject, or maybe it's the contrast of the dusty palette against sparse blotches of colour; either way, there is something active in his still life. Although the artist employs one of the oldest forms of painting, there is definitely a quirky element that runs through the conventional approach. It's as though Montasser gives us a peek into his mind, and although the insight reveals a lot of personal frustration, it's also whimsical and entertaining.

A trip to the Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah is an experience in itself; the tube-shaped structure stands as a figurehead on the southern-most tip of Zamalek. There are plenty of reasons to attend, even if you're not staying the night; an afternoon lounging by the pool or an evening of wining and dining at Nile-side restaurants, Le Deck, El Kababgy or La Palmeraie, provide great opportunities to view Cairo at its best. Another good reason to go is the hotel's hair salon. The salon is open every day between 9AM and 9PM, even during national holidays. The coiffeur is on the hotel's second floor and has signs throughout the hotel. We rang ahead to book, but were told that an appointment would not be necessary and to come whenever we liked. When we arrived, the salon was empty, though the place was well staffed; this is not unusual for the salon, meaning that if you're in a rush – or it's a national holiday – you can rely on the Sofitel for unwavering service. The salon is clean and neat, without any ostentatious displays of girliness or posters of grimacing models – this is a place befitting of the Sofitel name. We were greeted at the till and told to immediately take a seat in the hair-washing chair. The salon has room for four-to-five clients to be seen at a time, and although it's only a small space, it's well laid-out and doesn't feel cramped. The attendant took her time with washing our hair, giving it a good amount of time to soak and even giving us a soothing head massage in the process. The products used smelt delicious and we can now confirm that our hair felt soft and clean for days after the visit. After our hair was professionally wrapped and brushed, the stylist came out to meet us and consult us on what we wanted. He nodded in assurance at our instructions and sure enough, after much snipping and measuring, came up with the desired result and was happy to make any adjustments we asked for. After the hair was cut, so began the styling process, which involved at a blow dry, followed by some a heavy-handed application with straighteners. To our dismay, the stylist curled our hair into tight ringlets so that the cut itself was completely overshadowed - although to his credit, the curls were very professional and stayed in place for the entire day. A wash and blow-dry cost 250LE, and the salon is also equipped to do dyes, extensions and offers a selection of products for customers to use at home. We were truly pleased with the results of our styling and the swift, professional service, which made a Sunday afternoon maybe-I-should-get-a-fringe whim, a reality.

Not only is this weekend the excuse we've been waiting for to divulge in hundreds of Easter eggs, but it's Sham El Nessim and the perfect excuse for a break! Whether you're planning on travelling further afield, or staying in the city, hotels and resorts all over the country are competing for the tourism by offering special rates and packages. We've compiled a list of hotels and their rates, but with so many beautiful destinations around Egypt, the tricky part will be down to you – deciding on which one to go for.   Cairo For the majority of the time, we're usually too busy running around like headless chickens to appreciate Cairo and all it has to offer. Shut yourself off from the world with a city escape in one of the many luxurious hotels in town. Known for its wonderful Nile views, Sofitel El Gezirah are offering the third night free if you book just two, at $199 for a double room this includes breakfast and taxes. Sleep well in the knowledge that retail therapy at Citystars shopping mall is literally a corridor away from the Intercontinental Citystars Hotel, where they're offering rooms from $220 a night. The Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers is offering two nights, breakfast and a complimentary Easter brunch for two persons at 2400LE. Children between 6 and 12 years go for free when sharing their parent's room, and even get a 50% discount on their meals. They're even throwing in free parking – what a bargain! A double room at the Kempinski Nile will set you back 762LE per person, but you will be upgraded to a suite, get breakfast and Easter brunch, and be granted free use of their lavish spa facilities including a 30-minute massage. One night in a superior room at the esteemed Four Seasons First Residence, for two including brunch, is 1650LE. Ain Sokhna: Of course, only an hour's drive from the busy streets is the Red Sea and, more specifically, Ain Sokhna. Unfortunately many hotels in this area sell out well before the holidays; however, most hotels will offer day use of their beach and pool facilities although we'd always recommend calling in advance. Hurghada: Flying from Cairo to Hurghada takes just over an hour and offers both beach and city breaks, and is a popular holiday destination for tourists from all over the world. The pristine Hurggada Marriott Beach Resort sports its own private beach and has rooms available from 890LE. Around 25km from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Hurghada, the Jaz Bluemarine hotel are offering rooms from 1548LE, all inclusive. Right in the centre of Hurghada, you can bag rooms at the Pyramisa Blue Lagoon Resort from 449LE per night.  El Gouna: Just outside of Hurghada sits the beautiful, quaint town of El Gouna. Because of El Gouna's popularity, many of the hotels are either fully booked or more expensive than usual – but we know what they say – you get what you pay for. Bookings at their newest six star boutique hotel, La Maison Bleue, are only available through direct contact with the hotel and is likely to be more than fairly pricey. A twin room at Mövenpick Resort can be booked for around 2500LE, whilst rooms at the Sheraton Miramar are now priced at over 5000LE for two people. Captain's Inn offer somewhat of a relief with rooms costing between 230LE per night and 800LE during peak times. Because these are media rates, make sure you quote the words 'Facebook' or 'Twitter' when you book. Soma Bay: Just 45km south of Hurghada, dubbed as 'Egypt's best kept secret' is Soma Bay – the perfect location for total relaxation. If you're lucky enough to either be an Egyptian, or a foreign resident, the Kempinski is offering double lagoon view rooms for 700LE per person, per night, including a breakfast and dinner buffet. There'll also be Easter day entertainment in the form of face-painting, egg hunts and acrobatics – not just for the kids! The sumptuous La Residence des Cascades isoffering rooms for between $80 and $130 on a bed and breakfast basis, whilst the Sheraton are advertising rooms from 1150LE per night, including breakfast. Sharm El Sheikh: Drawing in the younger generations, Sharm El Sheikh is just an hour away from Cairo (by plane) and offers up a multitude of activities, suitable for whatever kind of holiday you're looking for. Novotel has a limited number of rooms from 1000LE per night, Hilton Sharks Bay has rooms from 685LE, whilst the Radisson Blu has a few from 500LE. Siitting in an estate of landscaped gardens, the Maritim Royal Peninsula Hotel and Resort seems cheap at a little, at just above 400LE per person. Dahab: The traveller in us often urges us towards the serene settings of Dahab. If you're looking for luxury, Le Meridien can deliver a single room for 970LE and a double for 1110LE. If you're looking for cosy, then just 200 metres from the beach, the Yasmina Hotel has rooms upwards of 120LE, whilst backpacker's paradise, Bishbishi Garden Village, can sort you out with a standard room for just €5 a night.  North Coast: If you're heading up towards the white beaches of the North Coast and want to stay close to the hustle and bustle of Marina, we'd recommend the forever popular Porto Marina, with rooms starting at the 500LE mark. Meanwhile, Golf Porto Marina apartments start at 367LE, based on four people sharing, per night. In a tranquil and picturesque setting a little further up the coast, Jaz Almaza Beach Resort can accommodate beach-goers for around 540LE a night. Luxor & Aswan: Drifting off along the Nile is a daydream at the best of times, however, if you happen to be visiting two of the most historically fascinating areas of Egypt, a nice hotel is likely to be essential.  In Aswan, Basma Hotel isoffering rates of $80 per night, whilst fail-safe rooms at the Mövenpick start at $130 per night. A single room at the Pyramisa Isis Island Resort & Spa is 475LE, whilst a double is 550LE, although these prices aren't guaranteed for foreigners. In Luxor, we'd suggest the Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor or the Maritim Jolie Ville Kings Island Hotel, starting at 500LE a night. As expected, the renowned Hilton exceeds 1000LE per night but would no doubt be worth the money. Whether you're bound to some last minute booking or already packed in preparation, we urge everyone to stay safe in their travels – and enjoy lots of fun in the sun!

Entrepreneur, socialite, TV personality, wife, mother, daughter, sister; life is tough for Amy 'Superwoman' Mowafi. Fe-Mail 2 comes as the second release of Mowafi's amalgamated collection of columns for Enigma magazine, which have acted as a cathartic public diary of sorts, as she reflects on love, marriage, motherhood and other equally scary adult subjects. Following its release, Fe-Mail 1 was heralded as the Middle East's answer to Sex and the City; a comparison that should be as worrying to Mowafi as it is inaccurate. Unlike is the case with Carrie and friends, there are no shallow dramatics in Fe-Mail 2. Mowafi hasn't deluded herself with the type of personal feelings of grandeur that drive Sex and the City. Instead, she questions some very universal subjects head-on. The degree to which her tales resonate with you is another issue all together, but even male readers will almost certainly find themselves nodding in agreeable fashion; whether it be down to a quip from beau-turned-husband, 'the Boy', or a Mowafi epiphany. Unfortunately, as can be the case with this type of publication, the chapters often feel distanced from each other and the transition from magazine to book isn't always successful. However, the advantage of pulling her articles together, each of which is contemporaneous to its context, is that everything feels so present. The chapters may be somewhat disjointed, but any and all continuity is owed to Mowafi's spirit and intangible essence – which occasionally jump off of the page to give you a swift backhand. There's an enjoyable ambiguity with Mowafi's instinctive writing; one which makes you want to read more. From a storytelling perspective, though, Mowafi is a victim of her own unpretentious outlook on life. Despite a few hairy moments, the overriding arc of Mowafi's gradual march to wifehood isn't the car-crash one would demand of a power-house businesswoman and socialite. But that's ok, because this is actually where the strengths of Fe-Mail 2 lay. This is no self-help book; Mowafi isn't trying to make the world a better place and she manages to avoid preaching, maintaining a sincere tone throughout. Any form of art and literature is often perceived to be best when its receiver can relate to it; this is a highly simplified take on cultural consumption and a book like Fe-Mail 2 proves as such. There's a pleasing balance of familiarity and phantasm in Mowafi's writing that pulls you into her view of the world without shoving it down your throat; she just writes.