It was long overdue. Residents of the west side of town had been impatiently waiting for the long-promised launch of Cairo Jazz Club’s sister venue at Guezira Plaza. Now, only days into the soft opening period, reservations are already a must.
Type of Cuisine & Signature Dishes
As aficionados of CJC know, the food vies for attention with the great menu of bands and DJ’s playing throughout the month. That notwithstanding, customers can enjoy a concise but excellent selection of finger food, pizza, pasta, soups, salads, dips, burgers and international dishes.
Some signature dishes include various types of pizza: Margarita, Mushroom with Arugula, Pepperoni, Romana, Seafood, Napoli and Quattro Formaggi; Jazzy Burger, Jazzy Salad, Mixed Cheese Platter, Chicken Quesadillas. Vegetarians and vegans are catered for as well.
Dishes Sampled
Nursing our pre-dinner drinks, we made ourselves comfortable while waiting for our finger food and salad to arrive. Minutes later we were digging into succulent glazed Lollipop Fried Chicken Wings with a Honey BBQ dip and triangles of French Brie, which came crumbed, deep-fried and accompanied by homemade fig jam, and a colorful Apple Chicken Salad. The salad, with sweet corn, dainty cubes of cheddar cheese, sliced apple and chunks of grilled chicken breast, was dressed with a creamy orange dressing and provided a refreshing contrast to the hot items. We also tried the Spring Rolls, a quirky take on the classic. Check the recipe below to see the secret ingredient.
A good test of any place worth its salt is how it can turn out a basic burger. Cairo Jazz Club 610 delivered a top-notch Jazzy Burger. With an expertly cooked beef patty, caramelized onions, melted cheddar cheese, lettuce and fresh tomato served in a home-baked bun, along with a generous serve of chunky fries and Shack sauce, it was just what we needed. The burger is huge, so if you have already delved into the starters you may consider sharing, it’s up to you!
Other Menu Items that Appealed & Beverage Options
The dips look intriguing, and we hear the Caprese Salad is already a hot seller. We would like to try the Stuffed Chicken Roll on our next visit as well.
There is a full bar, including local wines, with a good range of shots and cocktails; with plenty of juices, and non-alcoholic options for those who prefer.
Music Scene
Mondays and Wednesdays will feature live bands, with some of Egypt’s best being featured, along with guest bands from overseas a couple of times a month. Tuesday’s after-work mood will see a Buddha Bar atmosphere, with tracks spun by a DJ from 5 pm onwards. Thursdays offer electronic and house-music, compiled and presented by both local DJs and visiting DJs from abroad at least once a month. To see the details for each month, just check the website.
Décor & Ambience
The interior space draws strongly on the original CJC in Agouza, while the spacious, relaxing outdoor terrace is rather Zen, with plenty of greenery. The terrace offers space heaters in winter, and will be a wonderful place to hang out when summer rolls around.
The ambience is very laid back and chilled in the early part of the evening, but by the time we left the band of the evening, Egyptian Project, was setting up and vibe was certainly upbeat.
Clientele Mix
It’s more about The Riff Band than riff-raff. The couples-only, 25 upwards policy is politely enforced by the muscle-bound ‘meet-and-greet’ team on the door. We have been assured, however, that ladies wishing to have a ‘girls night out’ are more than welcome. At least 50% of the customers are now regulars.
Top Tip: Happy Hour!
Cairo Jazz Club 610 offers a Happy Hour each day from 5 pm to 9 pm. Order a main dish or Jazzy Burger and get a glass of Omar Khayam free, or order a beer and get the second one free.
Price range: Moderate
Contact Information
Opening hours: 5 pm to late, around 3 am. Open from 2 pm on the weekends.
Address: Guezira Plaza, Sheikh Zayed
Tel: 0100 811 1330
Website: www.cairojazzclub.com
Facebook & Instagram: cairojazzclub610
