Lebanese Cuisine with a Twist
Concept: Casual Lebanese hall food
Mantra: “Bringing the soul of Lebanon to life”
Menu overview: Tamara Elna has kept some of the same dishes as its big sister Tamara, but clearly introduced a footprint of its own. The menu includes starters, appetizers, pastries, shawerma, grilled and desserts, with a special section for the breakfast menu, which is served from 9am to 12pm.
Dishes sampled: We sat back and let the maître entertain us with a selection of cold and hot starters as well a main dish. We started off with the Elna Fatoush salad with thin slices of grilled eggplant, sprinkled pomegranate seeds and walnuts in a refreshing house dressing. We sampled hummus with beef shawerma; hummus with pine seeds; and grilled Halloumi cheese, served on a bed of arugula. The hot appetizers were served warm, they included a platter of mini chicken shawermas; chili potatoes with coriander “batata hara”; soujouk (sausages) in a beautiful mild spicy pomegranate sauce; a selection of three types of mini sfiha – light pastry filled with spicy spinach, cheese, and minced meat; and warm and crunch thyme manakish. We opted for a mix grill main dish as Tamara Elna has a section displaying the nicest, mouthwatering skewers in several different marinades. The chicken kofta was a real nice surprise and a definite must-have. We couldn’t leave without trying the dessert menu, we indulged ourselves >> in two heavenly basbousa options: Mafroukeh and Maamoul Mad. Tamara Elna’s positive impression left us making plans to come around soon.
Other menu options that appealed: We are definitely curious to try their Feetera Soujouk, which seemed to be coming out of the oven very frequently while we were there. And we wouldn’t mind coming back for the Manakish Nuttella Banana – which seems perfect for the winter days to come.
Beverages: Besides the regular range of hot and cold beverages there is a nice selection of creative cocktails.
Décor: Tamara Elna’s interiors convey a Lebanese vibe with the Arabesque tiles, Arabic inscriptions in the glass windows, modern brick walls, with funky graffiti drawings. The open kitchen, and food corners with bright neon signs indicating each station, gives the restaurant a cafeteria style – vibrant, modern and hip, a perfect setting for the young crowd.
Clientele mix: Young and vibrant AUC crowd
Price range: Reasonably moderate
Opening hours: From 9am to midnight
Address: Point 90 Mall – in front of AUC Gate 5 – New Cairo
Tel: 0120 8888 496
Facebook & Instagram: @tamaraelna
Elna Fattoush Salad
Ingredients
Fresh rocca
Red radish
Cooked eggplant
Cherry tomato
Cucumber
Fresh mint
Spring onion
Pomegranate seeds
Whole nut
For the dressing
Sumak powder
Salt
Fresh lemon juice
Olive oil
