Sachi by the Sea in Hacienda

By: Mariam Elhamy

Sachi by the Sea, one of the renowned restaurants in sa7el, is back for the fourth year keeping it an all-round experience where food, service and ambiance are finely tuned.

Type of cuisine: International fusion

Signature dish: Whole Sea Bass in a Bag

Dishes Sampled

We know from experience that good things can often come in starter-size servings so we launched with a selection of four appetizers: Shrimp Tacos, Crispy Beef, Fish and Chips and Seared Tuna Tataki. The Shrimp Tacos consisted of 3 bite-size tacos filled with a tangy shrimp mayonnaise. The tacos were stunningly presented and went down easily in two or three bites. The crunchiness of the mini tortillas balanced the creaminess of the filling and left us craving more. The Crispy Beef also stole our hearts. What a clever combination of flavors; fried beef strips, glazed with sweet soy, sprinkled with sesame seeds, on a bed of mashed potatoes, all garnished with finely sliced leek. The portion was just right and filling.

Fish and Chips – a British staple – got revamped and came served on a wooden board with a tartar dip. Thick cuts of fish fingers contrasted with the texture of salty, thin crispy potato chips. A perfect summer bite. The Seared Tuna Tataki, a Sachi classic, was served with a potpourri of finely cut red onions, raisins, chopped hazelnuts and tiny pieces of yellow bell peppers, topped with a very thin ring of fried onion and drizzled with lemon juice, soy sauce and olive oil. Again, the playfulness of sweet and sour added loads of character to this dish.

Our main dish was a Whole Sea Bass in a Bag which was perfectly cooked, guaranteeing the softness of the flesh. The fish was wrapped in a transparent bag containing the garlicky lemony sauce and the complements of green broad beans, black olives, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and celery: a juicy combination of flavors that added even more excitement to the fish. Alongside, a simple bowl of white rice.

Straight to the point. We couldn’t have left without being treated to a salted caramel fondant served with house-made fluffy vanilla ice cream. This dessert deserves a special mention and is now part of a special category of good food memories. Chapeau!

Other menu options that appealed: Octopus Carpaccio, and more tacos, please.

Beverages: A full-fledged bar, draft beer, and an exquisite selection of creative cocktails.

Photos

Décor & Ambience

For its fourth edition, Sachi by the Sea delivers more luxury. The new interior is lavish, with a lot of dark wood, green marble high table tops, tinted leaves hanging from the ceiling, giving it an elegant, almost tropical feel. The bar is strategically centered to allow better circulation, with a stage situated right in front of it. Sachi by the Sea even offers a small corner for a pop up shop – Sooch.

Clientele mix: A vibrant crowd, mixed age groups, good food lovers and partygoers.

Price range: High-end.

Worth noting: Door policy, reservations are highly recommended.

Tel: 0103 003 0055 between 1 – 7 pm

Danos Beach Bar at Hacienda Red

By: Mariam Elhamy

Ever been to a restaurant that overlooks both a sea and a lake? With an unparalleled view of clear blue water and soft sand, Danos Beach Bar gives other beachfront bars and restaurants in sa7el a run for their money. The décor and ambiance oozes the kind of summer vibes we drive all the way to Sa7el for. We visited for lunch to sample some of its’ most popular dishes.

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled 

Sushi items reign with New Style Philadelphia, Danos Roll, and Spicy Lemon Roll. Signature mezze items include the Crunchy Shrimps and Grilled Octopus.

We started with the Quinoa Salad; quinoa on a bed of mixed green leaves with bell pepper slices, diced zucchini pieces, and crunchy caramelized walnuts with a balsamic vinegar dressing. The final ingredient really made the dish distinctive and was our favorite part of the salad.

Next came Greek Sliders; three Greek-style mini burgers made with three grilled beef patties topped with sliced cherry tomatoes, Tzatziki sauce, and lettuce. The sliders are served with homemade French fries topped with shredded cheese.

The chef recommended we try the Beef Teriyaki, and it did not disappoint! The thin slices of fried beef infused with sweet, Asian flavors were super tasty with the mix of salty sweetness from the soy sauce, brown sugar and spicy ginger.

To complement the refreshing mood of the sea, we sampled the Caramelized Salmon. The mildly flavored grilled salmon was so fresh, with a subtle and refreshing molasses-based sauce and a side of grilled cherry tomatoes, red onion and bell pepper slices. The colorful ingredients gave way to an appetizing presentation.

To wash it all down we ordered a Pinecoco cocktail, similar to a piña colada but sweeter; a mixture of banana, coconut milk, lime and pineapple juice.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

We would love to give the sushi a try! The menu has a variety of options that appealed.

Danos has a full bar and a few options of fresh juices and cocktails.

Photos

Décor & Ambience

Very tropical! The furniture and the bar have a mixture of different wood types, flowers hanging from the ceiling, potted cactus, and a pergola with hanging ropes to shield the tables from the sun. The place is really relaxing and overlooks both the lake and the beach. 

Clientele Mix: Couples and groups of friends

Opening hours: 11 am to 7 pm, then from 10 pm to 3 am

Tel: 0114 055 5550

Facebook: Danos Beach Bar

Instagram: @Danosbeach

Karim Abdel Aziz Takes on The Blue Elephant 2

The Blue Elephant 2

When the film version of The Blue Elephant hit screens in 2014, the film quickly became a cult classic, gaining the love of audiences and show business icons alike. Written by Ahmed Mourad in 2012, the novel is a dark and twisted cautionary tale about loss, addiction, and inviting the spiritual world into your life, without considering the potential grave costs. Marwan Hamed’s masterful take starring Karim Abdel Aziz and Nelly Karim proved to be such an enormous hit five years ago, now the whole team is back for a second run this summer. We sat down with the stars to find out what is in store when The Blue Elephant returns.

 

CWM: It’s been five years and fans have been waiting eagerly for the second installment. Can the second film surpass their expectations?

Honestly, it will because it surpassed my own ten times over! I was shocked when I read the script, completely blown away. Fans can expect more drama, more intricate cinematography, even better special effects and graphics, and as actors we bring our A-game!

When we last saw Dr. Yehia, it seemed he had a new lease on life and finally found happiness again, how has he changed since we last saw him?

In the five years that have passed, Yehia and Lobna got married and are raising Lobna’s daughter from a previous marriage as well as their son Zeyad. They have been living a happy and contented life, but Yehia starts to experience that restlessness and boredom again. The peace is shaken by a call from the psychiatric facility where he used to work, informing him that a female patient is requesting to see him. This is where our movie sets off on a new adventure, and audiences will be seeing an even deeper aspect to Yehia’s personality as we delve into his psyche.

Why do you think the style and theme of these movies are so popular with audiences?

First and foremost, I believe that we as Egyptians are really into the spiritual world. For the most part due to religious beliefs, there is a strong foundation for Egyptian audiences being the most receptive for a horror movie about the supernatural, exorcism and evil spirits.

Secondly, Marwan Hamed and Ahmed Morsy’s work is exceptional in every aspect of the film, it offers a new kind of entertainment to the viewer, something they’ve never seen in Middle Eastern cinema before.

Dr. Yehia Rashed is an incredibly intense and complex character to portray. How does it affect an actor to undertake such a role?

Playing Yehia is the hardest role I’ve ever done, and specifically this film was the hardest film I have ever worked on – it was much, much harder than the first film tenfold! It was physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing. Yehia’s character is much more complex in this film than in part one due to the situations he is placed in the plotline. I had to push myself much harder in this film to make it even more powerful than the first run.

Of course, when you work in such an intense environment, it affects every facet of your life. As a younger man, I found it hard to believe that your work as an actor would affect your personal life, but it is true. It seeps into your personal life and your family life because you embody the character and pour your whole being into that role.

Photos

  • The Blue Elephant 2
  • The Blue Elephant 2
  • The Blue Elephant 2
  • The Blue Elephant 2
  • The Blue Elephant 2

There are new faces this time around. What was it like working with Hend Sabri on this project?

Let me tell you, I had the best time ever working with Hend – we have been friends a long time, but we never worked together before. While working together, we actually found out we have a lot of things in common both personally and professionally. I saw a whole new side to her as a person and as a professional. She truly loves acting, and brings a level of excellence to every scene – I really hope we work together again soon!

Is this the last ride on The Blue Elephant?

I think so, yes! I don’t know if I can handle another ride!

QUICKFIRE ROUND

Favorite music?

I love Arabic music! Old, new, I love it all. I also like R’n’B, Rock, Reggae, and Rai music.

Favorite food?

Molokheya, no doubt.

Favorite actors?

I love Javier Bardem, Al Pacino, Edward Norton, Christian Bale, and Leo DiCaprio after he started working with Scorsese.

Last great TV show you watched?

Money Heist on Netflix.

Best way to relax?

I love traveling to the Far East, I love wellness resorts, or just staying home with my family … when the kids are in school, it’s even more relaxing!

The Blue Elephant 2

Nelly Karim Talks The Blue Elephant 2

The Blue Elephant 2

Marwan Hamed’s masterful take starring Karim Abdel Aziz and Nelly Karim proved to be such an enormous hit five years ago, now the team is back for a second run this summer with the help with Hend Sabri and Eyad Nassar. We sat down with Nelly to find out what is in store when The Blue Elephant returns.

CWM: The Blue Elephant was a huge hit in 2014, what can fans expect from part two?

Audiences should definitely expect more than the first movie, and expect to be blown away. This is a very strong story that is deeply engaging, with strong characters that are on the brink of violence. The second installment has even more elements and moving parts than the first, so fans are in for a wild ride.

Tell us about how your character has changed since the first movie five years ago, what can the audience expect?

Lobna has certainly undergone some major changes since the first film, in terms of her emotional development. I feel like her character in part one didn’t have the sort of depth that it does in this script. This script and plot offers her the chance to branch out a lot more once gives her the opportunity for a stronger performance.

Why do you think this movie is so popular with audiences?

The plot and the production! When I watched the trailer for our film, if there hadn’t been Arabic on the titles, I would have thought it’s an international film! The quality is that good.

Some movies could be great on paper, but the production doesn’t support in the making of a great final product. For example, this movie has an element of graphics and animation and it isn’t done in a cheap way. Marwan Hamed is the sort of director that won’t allow work in his films that isn’t 100% up to standard. If you think the trailer is good, just wait until you see the film.

What were some of the hardest scenes to film in the movie?

I think it’s challenging in itself to play the same character after five years because it involves a degree of continuity in order to remain authentic and believable. Lobna’s character in itself requires a lot of ups and downs, like a rollercoaster, so nearly every scene is challenging and difficult.

Photos

  • The Blue Elephant 2
  • The Blue Elephant 2

Does working on such an intense role affect your personal life as well?

I don’t have enough of a personal life for it to be affected (laughs)! Lobna is one of the most difficult characters I’ve ever had to play, so it is completely necessary to separate my work on her role from my own life. You’ll understand more when you see the film!

Is this the last we will be seeing of Dr. Yehia and Lobna?

I don’t think so; I would love for us to do a part three!

QUICKFIRE ROUND

Favorite music at the moment?

I love a bit of variety, but Cairokee is one of my favorites. But I also like Adaweya and Mozart! It all depends on the mood.

Favorite actors?

Marion Cotillard, Meryl Strepp, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Last great TV show/movie you watched?

The Young Pope starring Jude Law.

Best way to relax?

Travel, for sure!

The Blue Elephant 2

Hend Sabri Plays the Villain in The Blue Elephant 2

Hend Sabri

By Zainab AbdulAziz

Award winning actress, lawyer, mother, WFP Goodwill Ambassador and IWC Ambassador Hend Sabri is known in the business and to her fans as one of the sweetest actors around, with a smile that can disarm even the most hardened of souls. However, the actress is no stranger to a challenge when it comes to her work. Already a fan of the first installment of The Blue Elephant, Sabri read the script for The Blue Elephant 2 and was captivated by the idea of playing a villainous character with deep femininity. We caught up with the actress for a chat about what it took to pull an acting feat like this one off.

CWM: We’re so looking forward to seeing you go to the dark side, what was the experience like playing a wicked character?

I believe most actors love playing “the bad guy” because there are so many possibilities to explore, that’s why The Joker in Batman is always a part that is coveted by so many great actors, because they find themselves and find great pleasure in playing the villain.

CWM: What was the biggest draw for you when you read the script for the first time?

Definitely the fact that it was written for a woman, a choice made by Ahmed Mourad and Marwan Hamed. Usually you don’t see women portrayed this way, and I think audiences will be surprised by the writing of the script and how feminine the character is.

What’s special about this role is the gender specificity of it; there hasn’t been a female villain in Arab cinema in quite some time. It’s time that women get to play a variety of roles, not just the sweet angelic girl or the naïve character.

CWM: When we spoke with Karim AbdelAziz last month, he touched on how grueling the shooting process is like and the toll the intensity of the character takes on an actor, how did you find the experience?

This film required a lot of rehearsals which took weeks, we had to shoot a lot on locations and it could often be quite draining – but after a while you start to reflect on it and hope that the audience will enjoy what you’ve put forward in terms of effort.

I didn’t have many scenes; not as many as Dr. Yehia for example, but each one of them was a massive and demanding scene that required a lot out of me physically, emotionally and mentally. There was a particular scene that required every cast member to be on set and involved in one shot. It was shot on location on the Giza Plateau in front of the Sphinx and it demanded a lot of rehearsal to get it right, with the camera work and intricate technicalities. We only had a limited amount of time before sunrise as well!

CWM: What was it like joining an already established cast and crew from the first film?

I was a big fan of both the first film and the book, I was really impressed by Marwan’s interpretation of the book and I felt the film was exactly how I imagined it to be as I was reading the book. He added his own touch and his own visuals to it which was trippy, and I think that’s why the film was such a huge success.

Joining the cast and crew for the sequel ended up being easier than I anticipated, of course everyone who had been there from the beginning already had a rhythm and knew what they were doing, but they were all so welcoming. Eyad [Nassar] and I were the newcomers which was refreshing for them, and we didn’t feel like intruders. We hope the fans of the first film feel the same!

Photos

  • Hend Sabri The Blue Elephant 2
  • Hend Sabri The Blue Elephant 2
  • The Blue Elephant 2
  • Hend Sabri The Blue Elephant 2

CWM: After having worked with Marwan Hamed and Ahmed Mourad now as a creative duo, what do you think sets them apart in terms of their cinematic style?

I’ve worked with Marwan before a couple of times on Yacoubian Building and Ibrahim Al Abyad, but I feel like working with Ahmed Mourad as a scriptwriter gives Marwan a sense of creative freedom that he craves and I think that’s why it works so well. Creatively their minds are alike and they don’t need to communicate the details so much as they think alike analytically, there is a deep level of trust there. I could see the great chemistry between them on set, Mourad writes for Marwan to direct so it creates great result.

Hend Sabri The Blue Elephant 2

CWM: The book and the film have garnered a cult following, as you know, what sets The Blue Elephant apart from other films?

I think it’s the genre is very new to Arab cinema; the paranormal, even though it’s not new to literature. Ahmed Khaled Tawfik had huge literary success in this genre before, and when Marwan read Ahmed [Mourad]’s book, he saw something visual he could make with it. He saw a niche that could be filled and that could capture the audience’s attention and interest. The film is visually trippy, the characters are catchy and unique, so I think all these elements come together to make a good mix between reality and total fantasy. Young people can relate the way they do to Harry Potter, Twilight and The Lord of the Rings.

CWM: What comes next for you?

I’m waiting eagerly for the reaction to this film, because I will be seen in a completely different light and new perspective. For now, I’m just relaxing and waiting!

QUICKFIRE ROUND

Favorite designer?
On a big night, I love a Ralph & Russo gown.

Coffee or tea?
Both!

Favorite comfort food?
Pasta

Best way to relax?
In front of the sea, taking in the colors of the water.

Something you can’t live without?
Unfortunately, my phone!

Last great film you watched?
Aladdin.

The Art of Summer Living

When the owners commissioned this spacious Sa7el villa, one requirement was non-negotiable. A prodigious collection of contemporary paintings by leading Egyptian artists and an eclectic array of objets d’art would need to take pride of place.

For the Principal Architect of MAp Consultants, Medhat Abdallah, this didn’t present any challenge. With a wealth of experience in projects where art in all its forms played an integral role in conceptualization, he found this new summer residence very much within his comfort zone. MAp was proud to collaborate with several contractors, vendors and artists to complete this lovely home, together with Shewekar El Gharably with her distinctive outdoor furniture.

 

Living space, both within the walls and on the long relaxing terrace, has been styled to accommodate the needs of a large, multi-generational family, as well as providing a relaxed ambience for entertaining. A profusion of seating arrangements allows the residents to gather together or seek seclusion, according to their mood. Colors have been kept neutral, but fresh pops of vibrant pastels crop up in cushions and accessories to deliver an unmistakable summer vibe. The single-storey villa has been laid out in two separate buildings, allowing comfortable accommodation for the family members.

Extending almost the length of the delightful garden, a huge, rectangular pool shimmers with multi-toned blue tiling. A waterfall feature gives a refreshing, dynamic energy that resonates with the profusion of colorful flowers and shrubs lining the perimeter. The owners’ love of art extends throughout this space as well in the form of playful sculptures of children in unexpected nooks.

The presence of children reverberates in every corner of this thoughtfully designed residence, with an activity area in the garden, and bowls of snacks handily left around for young appetites. But somehow, it all works in seamlessly with the spectacular artwork, contemporary architecture and elegant entertaining spaces. The final product is, above all, a home.

MAp Consultants
Medhat Abdallah & Partners
45 El Batal Ahmed Abdel Aziz
St. Mohandeseen
Tel: 02 3303 0185
Tel: 0122 210 0678

Crimson Shore in Telal

On a Friday afternoon we set off to Telal, planning to catch a late lunch, a sort of pre-sunset meal with a nice sea breeze. A great idea it turned out. Crimson Shore mainly offers the same menu as its Cairo’s counterpart, with a fun summer season twist which makes us claim they’re aiming to be one of the best restaurants in Sa7el.

Type of cuisine: International chargrill

Signature dish: Veal Rack, but everything on the menu is worth a try.

Dishes Sampled

The Head Chef gave us a menu overview, and guided us into selecting some of the most popular dishes. We started with the Goat Cheese Salad; a big bowl of crunchy, chopped, mixed lettuce leaves drizzled with honey and oregano dressing, topped with baked goat cheese on round baguette mini toasts, with caramelized pine nuts and cherry tomatoes. The hot and cold appetizers then arrived simultaneously.

Our Diavlo Shrimps consisted of mildly spicy shrimp balls, with just enough punch, on a bed of fried noodles, accompanied by Thousand Island sauce. Even though the name Diavlo evokes something very hot, it was actually rather gentle by our standards. Contrary to the Fried Squid, which was quite fiery and needed dunking in the accompanying tartar sauce to soothe our palates. The squid bites were chunky, firm and chewy, a perfect textural contrast to their bed of crispy rice noodles.

The Carpaccio Sea Bass was generously cut, with the portion served on a round plate, then drizzled with a tangy  dressing and sprinkled pink peppers. The dish was garnished in the middle with a quinoa vinaigrette salad, and alfalfa sprouts to give it a final flourish.  Our last appetizer was the Grilled Stuffed Bell Peppers, a colorful, flavor-packed combination of yellow and red bell pepper rolls filled with creamy cheese, sliced eggplant, sun dried tomatoes and porcini mushrooms. Another perfect, light, summery choice for a late lunch by the sea.

We moved on to try two pasta dishes, Penne Primavera and Salmon Romanov, and then followed up with Risotto Funghi with Crimson’s signature dish, the Veal Rack. The Penne Primavera was a safe option, a light dish for a hot day, with a selection of vegetables, black olives, with a tomato salsa base.

The Salmon Romanov was incredibly pleasant and a real winner. The pasta sauce was rich, and creamy but not heavy. The salmon was cooked to perfection: slightly crunchy skin and pink inside. Another flavor-packed dish, the Risotto Funghi had been cooked with white wine and finished with a hint of truffle oil: a rich and impeccably presented dish. Crimson rests its fame on its grilled options, and its’ Veal Rack was nothing short of succulent. The bone-in chops of the veal were tender and bursting with flavor, served with broad green beans, pan-fried spinach in a creamy sauce and accompanied by a pepper sauce. We rounded off our delicious lunch with two pieces of apple cinnamon and dark chocolate gateaux along with espresso shots.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

We would like to try the Molten Lasagna, homemade pasta stuffed with ragù, Parmesan and mozzarella.

Crimson offers a full-fledged bar with an amazing selection of innovative cocktails and local wine and beer.

Photos

Décor & Ambience

The restaurant is situated in a prime location overlooking the beach. White canopies and umbrellas give the necessary shade. A well distributed arrangement of high and low tables gives clients a clear view of the sea. In the front row, it is possible to sit on comfortable pouffe stools. The interior is a combination of wooden panels, rough stones walls, and white tree bushes. Tables are decorated with mini vases of cactus, and night candles give it a romantic and cozy atmosphere when the sun goes down. A lovely music selection gives the place an even more chilled-out vibe.

Clientele mix: A sophisticated older crowd rather than the younger Telalians.

Price range: High-end.

Worth noting: Oriental breakfast is served until 2 pm, and the soundtrack comes from the owner’s private playlist.

Contact Information

Tel: 012 069 99923

Facebook: CrimsonCairo

Instagram: crimson.shore

 

Kiki’s Beach Bar at Hacienda White

With a stunning view of the beach, Kiki’s is the ultimate definition of a beach bar. With your toes in the sand and a cocktail in your hands, its unparalleled vibrancy gives it its well-deserved fame. We were fortunate to sit down with Chef Wessam Massoud who is in charge of the menu concept for the second year running. This summer, his idea was to give Kiki’s a more Latin flavor and a sense of humor. Aiming to be one of the best restaurants in sa7el, expect to find bar snacks named Icarus Wings, Kiki Vs Buba, or a dessert named KG-1 (Lotus layer cake).

Type of cuisine: Tapas – Mediterranean

Dishes Sampled

We started off with a pleasant, refreshing Watermelon and Ricotta Salad, prepared with chunks of infused watermelon and served with fresh ricotta. The watermelon infusion process uses vacuum sealing, which guarantees an extra dimension to the dish and brings a more vibrant color to the fruit. Our salad came topped with pesto, mint leaves, black olives, tossed nigella seeds and a good drizzle of olive oil. A fresh start, before we moved on to a real treat of bar snacks.

Our picks included fried calamari, octopus, prawns, chicken wings, and a sample of one of the signature plates, Chimichurri Beef. The Calamari Fritto is a Mediterranean classic and makes an excellent and easy bite appetizer. Crispy and savory, this deep fried baby squid portion was served with tartar sauce. The Pulpo Estufado consisted of braised octopus pieces, delicate and tender, enhanced by halves of cherry tomatoes and capers. It was served with a robust hollandaise sauce. The marinated jumbo prawns in the Gambasado were served preserving the shells and seasoned with lemon and smoked paprika, which gave a succulent, firm bite, with a hint of seawater. The Icarus Wings were a re-paged edition of chicken wings; this version used deep blue ink and was served with sour cream dip. Our last dish, the Chimichurri Beef was a dish fit for a king. Perfectly cooked as requested to medium, seared from the outside and slightly pink inside, it was firm and juicy, served with mini asparagus and chimichurri sauce, which is the perfect match for barbecued meat. The vinegar, fresh parsley, olive oil and red peppers counterbalanced the smoky meat to a ‘t’.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

Next time, Tuna on a Stick paired with something from the O-be-Joyful drinks selection.

A full bar is available, and Red Bull seems to have influenced most of the choices.

Photos

Décor & Ambience

Kiki’s is on a quiet and secluded spot along the Hacienda White stretch. The venue is mainly open air, with high tables, cushioned lounge seats, and boat shaped sofas. The duo-tones of dark and white wood are prevalent. A light grey accent gives some refinement to the overall look. Ropes, cactus, and colorful kayaks adorn the inside. Big fans guarantee enough breeze on the hotter days. The dance floor is right on the sand with a backdrop of the beautiful open sea. Yellow umbrellas offer a dash of color on the frontline along with chaise-lounges.

Clientele mix: Sun and fun seekers, a vibrant, lively crowd.

Price range: High end.

Worth noting: Booking is quite a process. Reservations are not made through social media platforms. Interested parties are redirected to the website.

Website: www.kikis.eg

Facebook / Instagram: @kikisbeach

Galambo at Hacienda White

An authentic seafood restaurant with a stunning view, right on the sand. What could possibly be considered one of the best restaurants in Sa7el, Galambo wins for its simplicity, chilled atmosphere and perfect location (between Hacienda White and the old Hacienda). The menu is concise and straight forward. Choose from the freshest local catch of the day – squid, sardine, denise, barbouni, crab, jumbo shrimp, sea bass and more; and have them baked, grilled or fried. Couldn’t get any better.

Type of cuisine: Mediterranean Sea Food

Signature dishes: Seafood in all its glory.

Dishes Sampled

Our meal started with a selection of different salads. Aubergine with garlic and vinegar, Tarama, Tehina, Mixed Balady Salad, Beetroot Salad and a double portion of Besaria. An appetizing summery snack, very popular in the North Coast, these nibble bites of deep fried fish are eaten head to tail. Crunchy, crispy and salty, it is always a favorite. The salad portions looked rather smaller than expected at first, but were just right for two people to share.

Our fish selection consisted of Fried Calamari, Barbouni and Baked Sardine, along with a grilled Sea Bass – a special mention to the Sardine, an underrated fish that is extremely nutritious and full of flavor. The Barbouni was also so fresh that you could nearly taste the sea. Sayadeih Rice was served alongside, a winning flavor combination of rice cooked on caramelized onions and fragrant spices. When it comes to fish, the simpler the better. Our Sea Bass was grilled with lemon and olive oil. Perfection on a plate!

We could not have left without trying Galambo’s pasta selection as well, which come highly recommended. Going for Pasta Clams with wine and Pasta Bottarga (commonly known as Batarekh) was a sound choice as both dishes were outstanding, bold and packed with fresh flavors. The Pasta Clams was a tad spicy with lots of garlic, onions and extra lemon but was still simply mouth-watering. Another winner, the Spaghetti Bottarga did not fall short either, all pasta dishes can be ordered spicy or regular. Galambo has what it takes to become one of the restaurants you look forward to when summer comes around.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

Would certainly try the Frutti de Mare with wine on a second visit. Beverages options include cold and hot drinks, local beer, wine, sangria and arak.

Photos

Décor & Ambience

A seafood restaurant with an elegant Mediterranean vibe, Galambo has a welcoming atmosphere. The kind of place you come to straight from the beach to indulge into a fish feast. The restaurant is divided into a dining area and a lounge – where you can sit on the lower tables and beanbags under sandy white canopies. There is an even closer to the sea seating area – under umbrellas. Wherever you are seated you can feel the pleasant breeze. Attention to detail gives the place a lot of character. Tables are covered with personalized newspaper pages, a unique retro chic touch.

Clientele mix: Lunch-goers, families, groups of friends, kid-friendly.

Price range: Moderate in view of the quality.

Worth noting: Kids’ menu.

Working hours: 1 pm – 11 pm.

Contact Information

Tel: 0100 000 4892

Instagram: galamboeg

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