This popular Sheikh Zayed eatery has just opened a new branch in Zamalek, and locals have wasted no time in getting acquainted. We enjoyed a leisurely mid-week dinner, and found it packed.
Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled
Sushi, sashimi, nigiri and other Japanese specialties, pizza, and a strong International selection is all available at Arigato. The signature dishes here are no doubt the excellent, reasonably-priced sushi which is a big draw, and the pizza and salads are also exceptional.
Coming in from the cool, crisp air of early winter, our thoughts immediately went to soup as a warm-up. And, heat us up it certainly did. The Pirikara Tom Yum based soup we shared delivered a fiery blast, and came redolent of ginger and lemongrass and packed with juicy shrimp and mushrooms. It made a good prelude to the Crème de Volaille and Bisque Seafood Soup which followed. The salads looked too yummy to skip so we went for the Beet Salad, the Arigatos Salad and Chicken Caesar Salad. They each had a creative mix of ingredients, from palm heart, rocca, avocado and endive to pistachio and pesto. The dressings, which are a well-kept secret, were all superb and we would order any of these salads again in a heartbeat.
We grazed our way through beautifully presented platters of sushi, nigiri and sashimi, then went on to huge konafa-wrapped fried shrimp, crunchy fried salmon and dainty spring rolls. Everything met with approval, and the sashimi was amazingly fresh, a big plus for seafood fans. By the time our main dishes arrived, we were feeling quite challenged, as the portions were really generous.
Our Pepi Ferdi Fillet came with a rich pepper sauce, the likes of which are hard to find these days. Perfect wedge potatoes and sautéed seasonal vegetables made it easy to mop up every drop. The Bemme Femme came in a huge clam shell and was a mix of shrimp, mushroom and calamari in rich, creamy, cheese-topped béchamel. There was an indulgent retro feel to these dishes, a to-hell-with-counting-calories mood soon took over.
Rounding things off with a totally authentic thin-crust Quattro Stagioni pizza that took us straight to the heart of Napoli, we were settling comfortably back to muster strength to head home when two decadent desserts landed on the table. What’s not to resist about Sweet Potato Glacé with a scoop of homemade ice-cream? Or a massive slice of chocolate cookie cake stuffed with Nutella? Washed down with a great cappuccino, they sealed the evening as one to remember.
Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available
The menu is extensive. With so many choices, where to start? Beverage options include fresh juices, soft drinks and hot beverages.
Décor & Ambience
The décor is neutral, with white brick walls, beige leather seating and dark polished wooden tables. The walls have attractive hand-painted scenes of Japan to add a splash of color. The atmosphere on our visit was cosy, and we got caught up in an early Christmas mood with the selection of classic Christmas carols and songs on the playlist.
Clientele mix: Mainly couples and groups of friends.
Price range: Affordable for great quality and generous portions. The all-you-can-eat feature on the menu is fantastic value.
Worth knowing: Delivery is available to Zamalek, Dokki, Mohandeseen and Garden City.
Contact information
Opening hours: Daily, from 12 midday to 1 am.
Address: 22 Taha Hussein St., Zamalek.
Tel: 0103 000 8377
