The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital

Cairo malls, more often than not, cater for a whole day of shopping with numerous restaurants and cafés keeping our sugar levels high. Heliopolis' Citystars is, of course, one of the largest malls in Cairo, offering up a maze of restaurants and fast food joints, Olives being one of them. Situated on the fourth floor of the second phase, the restaurant is split into three different parts, with the indoor area reserved for shisha smokers. The deep crimson colour scheme, as well as a number of plants and pebbles create an earthy, comfortable atmosphere. The staff are incredibly friendly but needed prompting a couple of times throughout the meal; probably on account of the vast number of tables occupied with families with young children. The menu is a mish-mash of both Lebanese and international dishes; hot and cold mezzas, soups and salads, meats, grills, sandwiches, pizza and manakeesh. The drinks menu is also diverse, with fresh fruit juices, cocktails, tea and coffee. We'd highly recommend the deliciously sweet pineapple-orange juice (18.85LE) and the sugary fresh lemonade (14.85LE).  To begin with, we ordered one finely chopped, fresh and tasty taboula (15.85LE), a creamy hommos (15.85LE) and the most delectable makanek (34.35LE) we've ever had; it was marinated perfectly in Olives' 'special sauce', which had a sharp but sweet vinegar aftertaste. The side of baladi bread was served warm and fluffy, with some pieces crispier than others. Thankfully our food was delivered promptly, meaning we didn't lose too much shopping time.  For our mains, one meat manakeesh (25.85LE) and a beef emince (54.85LE) took our fancy. Our meat manakeesh was somewhat disappointing, resembling a thin, crispy based pizza topped with mince meat only. Although the meat was well-cooked and juicy with a twinge of spice, it turned out to be a rather bland choice overall. Our meat emince fared much better, with well-cooked strips of meat swimming in a rich, mushroom and gravy sauce, accompanied by sides of aromatic, al dente rice and soft, buttery vegetables. Again, the dessert menu is a mixed selection of Lebanese konafa (23.85LE) and katayef with nuts (22.50LE), as well as lava cake (28.85LE) and waffles (29.85LE). Because of the generosity of the dishes, we steered clear of pudding, although a few of them certainly sounded tempting. Overall, Olives provides a quick, family-friendly dining experience, whilst delivering basic but tasty meals with some exceptional surprises.    

As a new addition to the plethora of shops in Cairo, Australian brand, Pumpkin Patch, has always prided itself on fashionable, functional children's wear since 1990. Now boasting over 190 stores worldwide, Pumpkin Patch has penetrated the Egyptian market, opening its first store in Heliopolis' Sun City Mall. Split into four clear sections, this shop stocks clothes for boys and girls aged six months to 11 years, and where the racks are neat and tidy, the shop has a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. The clothes are largely bright and colourful, with gendered colours such as blue and pink appearing repeatedly. We found some pieces to be less playful and more chic than others, though, and many similar items were available in both the older and younger age ranges. Polo shirts for boys (119LE) were available in stripey blue or grey, whilst novelty t-shirts featured slogans such as 'surfer' or 'rock band' (119LE). Cool, short sleeved, blue-striped button-up shirts were priced at 249LE, while trendy denim shirts were 239LE. Combat trousers as well as denim (169LE), skinny (239LE) and regular fit (199LE) jeans were available in numerous colours and featured elasticised waists for the younger boys. A smart sleeveless jumper, meanwhile, was available at 199LE and pin-striped shorts were 169LE. For little girls, there was also plenty of choice; from day dresses and skirts to leggings and coloured skinny jeans. Soft cardigans were available in a range of colours and designs, including white and multi-coloured knit (239LE). T-shirts with frilly sleeves cost 139LE and white leggings with diamante detail at the ankle were 119LE, while similar pink ones were reduced from 119LE to 60LE as part of the Spring Sale. A pale pink skirt and pink combat trousers were also in the sale at 135LE, down from 269LE. Lemon yellow and blue floral girly day dresses were priced at 319LE, while a coral shift dress was 269LE and a bright red dress, adorned with white bird silhouettes and lace around the hem, was reduced from 369LE to 295LE. Little lace up sneakers cost 239LE, slip-on plimsolls were 199LE and soft-soled floral shoes with grip were retailing at just 69LE. We also spotted a pair of gaudy baby socks for 59LE, a bright orange sun cap (199LE), headbands (69LE) as well as cute baby grows and a pair of pink dungarees (239LE), which would fit children under six months. Pumpkin Patch succeeds in providing hard-wearing casual children's clothes, which are fun, functional and reasonably priced. We'd class some pieces as more fashionable than others, but the majority of pieces are both bright and jolly.

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.

It really does feel like weekends are getting shorter. But then in a city like Cairo, keeping yourself busy or amused isn't hard. Around every corner, there's something that will amaze, shock or surprise you; it's why we love it. Go See 'Man of Steel' The likes of the X-Men and Batman may have left an impression on Hollywood in recent times, but Superman will always stand as the most iconic superhero of all time. Following unsuccessful 2006 reboot, Superman Returns, the pressure on director, Zach Snyder, has been intense. But with the help of writing team, David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan – the men responsible for taking the Batman series to new heights – said expectations have been met with aplomb, with Superman getting the dark, adult spin it's been so desperately needing. Gone are the red underpants – though the cape remains the centrepiece of the outfit – and in comes British beefcake, Henry Cavill, who becomes the ninth man to portray Clark Kent and his alter ego on film and TV – minus those awful cartoons. With him comes a heavyweight supporting cast; one that includes Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane and the ever so slightly annoying face of Amy Adams, as well as Michael Shannon – one of the best villains in Hollywood. Get Involved with ESMA Following the debacle of the NGO worker sentences in Cairo, one would be forgiven for giving up on life altogether. Don't do that, though. If this has shown us anything, apart from an obvious and outrageous defectiveness in government, it's that NGOs and charities in Egypt need you now more than ever. In the past, we've profiled charities such as FACE For Children in Need, but what the Egyptian Society for the Mercy of Animals is truly unique. Now, please don't roll your eyes and make us bust out that quote about judging a society by the way it treats its animals. Yes it's a cliché, but as with all clichés, there's a damning truth underlining it. ESMA has only been around for six or so years, but what the organisation and its dedicated band of volunteers have done in that time is remarkable – they've taken in almost 1000 mistreated, malnourished, abandoned cats and dogs. But they need to house them; click here and fall in love. Le Fete de la Musique Anyone who frequents the Cairo 360 pages might have picked up on the fact that we have a bit of a soft spot for the Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah. Moreover, anyone who frequents the hotel will know why. With some of the best restaurants in the city, a top spa and a host of other impressive in-house venues – including a casino – the Sofitel is one of the few hotels in Cairo that remains consistent. On Friday June 21st, the Sofitel plans on ringing in the summer with a full day of music across its premises; from the lobby to the restaurants. The day begins with a harpist at breakfast and ends with a live band and DJ in the evening, so there's something for everyone. We, on the other hand, are planning to spend all seventeen hours bouncing between performances. Ditch the Roads for the Nile No longer shall you spend hours on the road to Maadi or be stuck on a bridge getting to Downtown. Nile Taxi hasn't been around for long, but it has proven to be probably the most effective mode of transport in Cairo. With several pick-up spots and a nifty, London Underground-inspired zone system, there's no haggling and no stress – all you need to worry about is making sure your hair stays looking fabulous as you travel down the Nile. What's more is that prices are more than reasonable; a trip between Zamalek and Maadi, for example, will set you back a meagre 30LE. The only downside is that it gives Cairo's taxi drivers another excuse to protest and block bridges. Visit Gallery Misr's 'Down Town' Exhibition It's become rather en vogue to celebrate Downtown Cairo through art, but rarely do we see such coherency as we do in Gallery Misr's 'Down Town'. The group exhibition brings together the work of thirteen local artists, each of which have a unique, yet completely accessible and relatable, take on the aesthetics and soul of the area. The collection encompasses the nostalgia of Downtown Cairo, but each participating artist's individual touches of flair, across a range of techniques, makes this a truly eclectic exhibition. Plus, they'd look great on your wall. Have a productive week, Cairo!

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.