The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Given the busyness of the city, restaurants in Cairo offering quick and convenient meals are often the popular go-to for Cairenes. Branching off of Brazil Street in Zamalek, Simply Pasta is a small venue offering pasta in all forms and variations. Much like its twin restaurant, Simply Potatoes, the venue is minimalistic yet cosy, sporting just one white counter top and several high stools as well as a signature, colourful staircase.

Sitting high-up behind the bench, we were quickly informed of the ordering system, which is laid out in the simple menu hanging behind the counter. As the mandatory base, pasta choices include penne, spaghetti, fettuccine, fusilli or bowtie – brown pasta is available for an extra 5LE. Next, there is a wide variety of sauces including garlic and olive oil ( medium 22LE, large 30LE), wild mushroom (medium 26LE, large 37LE), blue cheese and tenderloin (medium 32LE, large 45LE) and creamy barbeque chicken (medium 29LE, large 42LE). A plethora of extra toppings include shrimp (15LE), beef sausage (9LE), parmesan cheese (8LE), mozzarella cheese (6LE), broccoli (6LE) and seasonal vegetables (5LE). On the side, a serving of garlic bread costs 5LE, whilst tuna pasta or chicken pesto pasta salads are 28LE.  

We ordered one chicken pesto pasta salad, a large fettuccini pasta with parmesan cheese and tenderloin beef, and a large serving of whole wheat fusilli pasta topped with wild mushroom sauce, seasonal vegetables and extra jalapenos (3LE). We requested brown pasta for our salad but were told this was not possible since the chicken pesto pasta salad can be made solely with white bowtie pasta. Despite being advertised on the menu, we were also disappointed about the unavailability of broccoli.

Arriving quickly, both the pastas were perfectly cooked to al dente, with light creamy sauces and well-cooked, succulent tenderloin beef slices. On the other hand, the seasonal vegetables with the brown pasta were scarce and lacking in flavour. Unfortunately, our brown pasta was also missing the requested jalapenos; a mistake that was readily rectified, complete with a little more pasta. Although the spicy element complimented the mushroom sauce, the jalapenos were pickled as opposed to being fresh.

The highlight of our meal was, without a doubt, the chicken pesto salad. The generous pesto sauce drenched the bowtie pasta, giving a fantastic herby taste to the warm grilled chicken pieces, topped with an optional dash of Tabasco sauce.

Even though we were eating in, our food was served with plastic plates and cutlery. Although this may be aesthetically appealing to match the ‘simple’ theme of the chain, serving all customers with disposable tableware seems a little wasteful and not particularly environmentally friendly.

Despite the expense, the Simply Pasta experience is thoroughly enjoyable, with an entertaining ambience, excellent service and delicious pasta dishes.