The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital

As the summer heat takes its toll on us these days, our palate yearned for cuisine that is exotic and refreshing. Thus, when hush-hush news reached us of an Indian restaurant hidden in Rehab City, the thought of tangy spices and lassi sent us quickly over to Maharaja to satisfy our yearnings. Located right next to Dominos Pizza, we admit the location wasn't the easiest to find; however, once seated and eating, we quickly discovered that the restaurant could easily hold us as happy hostages.   We started off with a refreshing mango lassi (15LE) that was an ideal combination of mango and yogurt with hints of coconut flakes as well as pistachio. As we waited for the food, we took the chance to study Maharaja's atmosphere; the restaurant itself is spacious, with mahogany tables and colourful portraits of Siva's life on the walls. Music came from a large flat-screen TV that played catchy Bollywood songs and videos – we were also rather taken with the coral clay cups and plates on which we dined. What's quite interesting is that Maharaja's meticulously attentive waiters, personnel and the restaurant owner himself, all seemed to be Syrian. We dug into our piping hot vegetable samosa, which we ate with mint sauce and a generous selection of bread: tikka naan, garlic naan and paneer naan (10LE each). The naan, particularly the garlic, was hands down some of the best we had in Cairo as it had the perfect balance of chewiness and crunchiness, and was perfect for unabashedly dipping into the sauces of our main dishes. Said main courses consisted of murgh makhani (35LE) – a truly heavenly dish consisting of chicken served in a sauce of tomato purée, buttered spices and yogurt – as well as a tasty kalimirchi tikka dish (35LE).   Feeling random, we also decided to give the dal maharaja (30LE) a go and did not regret it in the least; the yellow lentils, cooked with garlic and ginger, were warm and delectable. On the side, we ordered plain biryani rice (20LE) and kashmiri pulao (35LE), which were both fragrant and light. To end our flavoursome meal, we were offered delightful complimentary coconut ice-cream, which was presented in a miniature coconut shell with shavings of nuts on the side. Overall, our dining experience at Maharaja left us extremely satisfied with the food, the quick attentive service and the ambiance. Furthermore, we ended up paying a mere 250LE for food that could've easily fed a party of four rather than just two. Scrumptious, affordable and efficient, Maharaja's definitely not to be missed.

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.

Brazilian novelist, Paulo Coelho, has enjoyed huge recognition and praise since the release of his first best-seller, The Alchemist, in 1988; the story of a young shepherd who goes on a treasure-seeking voyage, only to find that the treasure was the journey itself. Selling 65 million copies, and being translated into over 70 languages, the book became one of best-selling books in history. With every new Coelho book, expectations are high and the same applies to his latest novel, Manuscript Found in Accra. The narrator of the preface tells us that scrolls found in Egypt back in 1307AD are now in the possession of an English archaeologist, Sir Walter Wilkins, following a family trip. The book then goes on to transcribe what is written, and it goes as follows. Set within the walls of the of Jerusalem on the 14th of July in 1099 – when the French crusaders were nigh  – people of different ages and faiths gathered to hear the wisdom of a mysterious Greek who roamed Jerusalem. Known simply as 'the Copt', people turned to him for guidance. He was a believer something called Moira, descrobed as "the unknown god, the Divine Energy, responsible for a single law, which, if ever broken, will bring about the end of the world." A priest, a rabbi and an imam ask the Copt about love, solitude, the difference between defeat and failure, loyalty and recognising one's enemies, beauty, fear and all other facets of human existence. Allocating a chapter to each question, the book reads as more of a philosophical essay than a traditional novel, and each section encourages introspection. The book concludes with the Copt urging the people who listened to his words to write them down, and pass them on to the next generations and to people from other cities so that they could be exposed to the Divine Energy. Ultimately, he is urging them to write the manuscript that will later be discovered. Manuscripts Found in Accra is different from Coelho's older books in that it doesn't concentrate on a single theme. The Devil and Miss Prym tackled the notion of temptation, Eleven Minutes addressed sexual desire, and The Alchemist discussed the concept of the spiritual and the materialistic self. However, his latest release doesn't commit itself to one path, but instead highlights a variety of themes and the ultimate goal of seeking more harmonious approaches to life. Like all Coelho's work, its concise, easy-to-read and very accessible.

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.