This restaurant’s slogan is “Happiness is Homemade”, and if it is culinary bliss you seek, this is the place to head to. This cosy spot tucked away under Volume 1 Bookshop in Maadi is a gem for all foodies and some may even argue its one of the best restaurants in Maadi. European with a twist, almost everything is homemade and vegans will delight! Check out what we sampled below.
Type of cuisine: Experimental European with a lot of vegan options! You will find an assortment of soups, salads, starters, and a nice variety of pasta with interesting, flavor-packed sauces. Freshly made juices and yummy desserts round out the menu. Breakfast is also served daily, until noon.
Signature dishes: Crispy Beet & Apple Salad, Pink Cream & Vegetable Tagliatelle, and the Smoked Duck & Mushroom Duxelle Fettucine.
Dishes sampled: For starters, we tucked into the Hungarian Mushroom Chicken Soup, Crispy Beet & Apple Salad, and the Assorted Bruschette. The soup was rich and creamy, featuring ground chicken and mushroom with the consistency of a lentil soup – a perfect winter soup! The salad was big enough for two, and was packed with a ton of crunchy beet and green apple slices and complimented with some savory onion, citrusy orange and soft Italian cheese – we felt very healthy tucking into the massive portion, but would have been great to have some extra soft cheese to balance the crunch. A must-try and total hit at our table was the Assorted Bruschette with 3 different, intensely flavorful pairings: hummus and minced beets, spicy balsamic and herby mushrooms, and eggplant topped with chopped tomato.
For mains, we tried the Pink Cream & Vegetable Tagliatelle and the Shrimp & Mushroom Fettucine. The flavors of the sauces are nicely complimentary to the freshness of the homemade pasta, which is the real draw here. A lot of thought has been put into combining just the right ingredients as to not take away from the taste of the actual pasta itself. The portions are perfect for a satisfying meal, and don’t leave you feeling heavy and over-stuffed as pasta tends to do. Don’t miss out on the homemade Pink Lemonade with Mixed Berries, which is pureed on the premises. Served in a mason jar, drinking it makes you feel like a kid again!
To cap off the meal, we shared an extremely generous helping of the Honey Cake, which was light and fluffy and definitely big enough for two. Paired with coffee, this was the perfect ending to a delicious and filling meal. Certainly recommended!
Other menu options that appealed: We’ll be going back to try the Meatball Papardelle, Spicy Sausages & Cream Tagliatelle, and Fresh Arugula & Chicken Salad. The breakfast menu also looks delicious, featuring a variety of eggs, oats, and pastries.
Beverage options: Homemade juices, smoothies, and ice tea are their specialties.
Décor & Ambience: Modern, clean, and inviting with wood tables and comfy seating. An open kitchen invites you to see all the action behind-the-scenes, and nice soft music isn’t intrusive to your ability to converse with your table.
Clientele mix: A mix of families, couples on dates, and expats.
Price range: Considering the generous portions, homemade food, and location – this place is very moderate and won’t hurt your budget.
Opening hours: 8:30 am – 11 pm
Address: 17, Rd 216 – Degla, Maadi.
Tel: 01211691699 / 01152815101
Facebook/Instagram: TheWhiteOwl
