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

Restaurants
Taboon

Taboon: Contemporary Lebanese Restaurant in Zamalek

reviewed by
Ahmed El Dahan
rate it
review it
Taboon: Contemporary Lebanese Restaurant in Zamalek

It’s no secret that Lebanese restaurants in Cairo are plentiful, and as the years progress, the cuisine remains in high demand. Taboon is a modest Lebanese eatery, off Zamalek’s Taha Hussein Street,  boasting a long glass counter displaying foods on offer, with a spiralling, industrial steel staircase leading to a seating area upstairs.

Making our way to said seating area, we were quickly stifled by the low ceiling and blisteringly cold air-conditioning. Directed to our table under the notion that it was furthest from the air-con units, we were hit by a bold stench emanating from the bathroom.

Our table was unclean and although the waiter promised to return and clean it, despite being the only customers, we were swiftly forgotten about and forced to clean it ourselves before calling downstairs for service. When the waiter finally returned, there was no comment or observation of the table’s cleanliness, nevermind an apology.

The menu at Taboon is simple and clear, serving basic Lebanese dishes and nothing more. Salads include taboula, fattoush and arugala with mushrooms and olives (16LE-28LE). A variety of mezzas and dips are also available, including tomeya (14LE), muhammara (24LE) – made of roasted red peppers and walnuts – and four hummus varieties; hummus with tahina, Beiruty hummus with parsley, and hummus wuth lemon and garlic, as well as a Turkish variety with roasted red pepper. Hot appetisers include kebbeh (25LE), sambousak (20LE) and potato cubes (16LE). The main dishes include kofta (22LE), shish tawook (22LE) and shawerma sandwiches (12LE-22LE) and meals (37LE-39LE).

Disappointingly, neither the tempting fresh fruit juices, nor the dessert of the day were available at the time of our visit.

We ordered one regular arugala with mushroom salad, along with one muhammara, Beiruty hummus and tommeya. Arriving shortly in a large glass bowl, the salad wasin  a generous portion. Similarly, the muhammara was also served in a glass bowl, whilst the hummus and tommeya were served in unattractive plastic tubs.

With bread usually being served without question, we were surprised when our waiter asked if we would like bread with our dips. For an extra 3LE, we were given a few pieces of standard bread, which weren’t even served warm.

On the other hand, our salad tasted great with its fresh ingredients, despite being over-dressed, which made for a clash of tastes with the arugala’s pungent flavour. The dips were each fantastic, smooth and flavourful; in particular, the muhammara had a strong exotic flavour, tinged with spiciness, despite being a little salty. Since it was the reason we ordered it in the first place, the lack of parsley in the otherwise splendid Beiruty  hummus was disappointing. Nothing was particularly special about the tommeya, although it was well made and served with black olives.

Our main course of mixed shawerma was served shortly after the salad. Consisting of smoky-tasting chicken and a reserved amount of flavourless and fatty beef pieces, the plate was dominated by the generous serving of rice and small sides of pickles, potato cubes, tomeya and salsa.

Although Taboon’s food was palatable, the overall experience here was mediocre at best. With an aloof staff and uncomfortable seating area, Taboon lacks the punch needed to make a mark on an already saturated market.

360 Tip

Taboon deliver; call 01012228815.

Best Bit

The muhammara dip was delicious.

Worst Bit

Poor service.

Write your review

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

recommended