Cairo Reviews
-
Pepper Closet: International Brands for Less in Zamalek
-
No: Powerful Chilean Political Drama
-
Tea Lounge: Chic Breakfasting at Giza's Four Seasons First...
Latest Review
Famous for its class and glamour, London's Piccadilly Circus is central to the city's entertainment area. Cairo's Oasis mall is home to a large number of restaurants and cafés and has now introduced their very own Piccadilly Station; a concept café and restaurant. Split into two floors, two royal guard mannequins greet you at the entrance before your eyes are drawn to the big red phone box, novelty traffic lights and London-themed art on the walls. The stairs are adorned with the words 'mind the gap', resembling a platform edge, and just about everything is marked with the Piccadilly tube station logo – even the sugar packets, napkins and straw covers. Piccadilly Station claims to bring an unforgettable, upmarket, British dining experience to Cairo's hungry patrons. The menu is vast, offering everything from salads, sandwiches, pizza and pasta to omelettes, grilled chicken and steak. The drinks menu is equally as broad, sporting milkshakes, smoothies, ice-cream floats, hot drinks and sodas. Before we ordered, we were presented with a delicious shot of fresh guava, watermelon and grenadine; flavours which complimented each other thoroughly and left us anticipating good things. We went on to order fresh orange juice (22.99LE) as well as a chilled can of Pepsi (11.99LE). To start, we opted for a Piccadilly appetiser (42.99LE); a combination of fried mozzarella, chicken crispers and classic nachos – a choice we almost regretted. The small handful of nachos were crispy, but layered with barely melted, rubbery, grated cheese whilst the fried mozzarella sticks oozed grease, and the chicken was slightly underdone and not as crispy as we'd anticipated. For our mains, we went for a double cheese burger (43.99LE) and 'hopo chicken' (58.99LE), which was described as 'grilled chicken with white sauce and mixed cheese'. The burger was a huge, double-tiered creation, complete with crispy salad and well-cooked fries. Unfortunately, the charred beef patty was of decidedly low quality, with pieces of gristle in every other bite. Our grilled chicken was equally as disappointing , covered in a layer of the same, rubbery cheese as the nachos. The side of mashed potato tasted solely of pepper and the vegetables were not only rock solid, but covered in some very potent herbs. Both the mash and the chicken were drenched in sour cream; Piccadilly's own take on the white sauce perhaps? We imagine the British experience would have been added to with some English music, but the evening was dominated by a live, Arabic singer, whose incessant sound checks were left ringing in our ears. In fairness, the singer's voice was good; it was just a shame that the volume was too loud to hear one another. Our inner child compelled us to order a sickly sweet Maltesers smash (32.99LE); vanilla ice-cream with a handful of smashed maltesers and an extra sugary topping of chocolate sauce. Piccadilly Station has a lot of potential to become an established concept eatery. Our experience was indeed unforgettable, but far from exceptional. We'd maybe return for shisha and the fresh juice, though.
...
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.
...
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.
...
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.
...
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.
...
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.
...
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.
...
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.
...
As a staple of the revival of Egyptian cuisine in Cairo restaurants, Cairo Kitchen is satisfying more and more stomachs by the year. Naturally, the residents of Heliopolis were thrilled when a new branch opened in the area. Located on El Marghany Street, the two-floor restaurant is easily spotted, with its bright exterior and colourful windows near Heliopolis Club. The interior is just as colourful giving it a lively and unique atmosphere. The tables are painted in vivid colours; red, green, blue, yellow, purple – it's nothing short of a rainbow – while the walls are adorned with beautiful oriental patterns. It's not as spacious as the branch in Maadi, but is still cosy like the original Zamalek branch. On the upper floor, you'll find a terrace where you can sit and enjoy your meal, or you can just sit at standard table inside like we did. If you're in a rush and just want to grab a quick bite, there's a bar with stools placed on the lower level. The service is very prompt, though we were seated at table where the remnants of the previous diners' meal hadn't quite been dealt with; an unfortunate problem that is evident around the restaurant. However, the staff is friendly and helpful; they're happy to explain the menu to first-time comers. The menu is identical to its two counterparts, and their 'Tabkhet El Youm' – their 'Special of the Day' – was a very pleasing sharkaseya (42LE for regular size, 120LE for family size); tender chicken, delicious creamy walnut sauce and perfectly seasoned white rice make up this classic Oriental dish – yum! The koshary was pretty tempting, so we ended up ordering some of that as well. They serve home-style koshary (16LE for regular size), 'wellbeing' koshary (23LE for regular size), a healthier version with brown rice and brown pasta, and of course koshary eskandarany (16LE for regular size) with yellow lentils. We took a chance with the healthy koshary, and it was surprisingly delicious, though the rice and pasta were a bit clumpy. We also tried the low-salt cheese and tomato salad (8LE). Though the cheese had little flavour, the combination with the fresh tomatoes left us feeling satisfied and refreshed, before washing it all down with a cool glass of lemon and mint juice (10LE) – perfect in Egypt's hot summer weather. Finally, for dessert, we had rice pudding with dates (12LE), and it definitely satisfied our sweet tooth. The texture of the rice pudding was maybe a bit too mushy, but the addition of dates made up for it, giving it a chunky, homely touch. For those who have never sampled the delights of Cairo Kitchen, this is a restaurant full of character; the perfect place to enjoy home-style Egyptian dishes with family or friends.
...
