Situated conveniently at the Holiday Inn CityStars, Simply Neon is anything but simple. Driven by a nostalgic itch for all that is 80s, we set out to this hot spot for a fun night of karaoke in Cairo. It would be a night of belting out our favorite guilty pleasure songs and trying out snazzy cocktails in the hopes of forgetting the embarrassment we were determined to make of ourselves. Head to Simply Neon for a restaurant close to Heliopolis for American food in Cairo.
Dishes Sampled
To kick-start the fun and work up the courage for our moment on stage, the dexterous bartender whipped us up a Long Island Ice Tea and an Electric Smurf with excellent showmanship, one we could only hope to match later when our turn came up on the mic. The Long Island was strong and sweet while the Electric Smurf lived up to its name with Blue Curaçao for the color and a generous dash of Bacardi for that ‘electric’ factor. We paired our cocktails with Chili Poppers and Spicy Buffalo Wings with creamy ranch for starters, and shared juicy Cheese Burger Sliders with a side of fries to seal the deal.
Other Menu Items that Appealed & Beverages Available
Other items from the tantalizing bar menu included loaded Nachos, Hot Dogs, Garlic Cheese Fries and more American classics that would all have to wait for another time. We kept our game sharp while scanning the 80s karaoke playlist for some premium tunes. A wide range of cocktails and mocktails are available, and the bartender will be glad to whip you up your usual drink if not found on the menu. The options are endless.
Décor & Ambience
Upon entering the hotel, our eyes were immediately caught by the neon-lit stairway, which surely enough, led us straight to our destination for the night. The unapologetically – rather than ‘Simply’ – neon-lit bar is spacious and setup with lounges, a dance floor, disco balls and a fully stocked neon bar. An 80s playlist gets the crowd excited and an MC pumps up the crowd pumped in between songs. Simply Neon is definitely the place to be if you’re looking to kick back with a few cocktails and bites while enjoying a high octane kick of nostalgia. If you’re looking for quiet drinks and conversation, this is not for you.
Clientele mix: The crowd is mixed. Since Simply Neon is located in a hotel, groups of tourists are frequently found jamming to 80s pop and rock tracks. Groups of locals in their 30s and 40s were spotted too, out on a Wednesday for a good time. Everyone is eager to get on the microphone and there is always someone showing off singing skills.
Price Range: On the pricey side.
Contact Information Opening Hours: 6 pm to 3 am
Address: Holiday Inn CityStars, Nasr City
Tel: 02 2480 3007
Facebook: Simply Neon
This cozy restaurant in Sheikh Zayed has given its menu a major upgrade with creative new dishes. We popped in for an early dinner to scope out what’s new and deserves a try! Looking for the best breakfast in Cairo? Find out if Favilla Lounge passes the test!
Signature Dishes & Dishes Sampled
Signatures dishes include the Polpette Di Pollo, Filetto Oliva and Parmigiana De Melanzane.
We sat down and chatted with the very welcoming owner who helped us select appetizers from the new-and-improved menu to start. We began with Avocado Salad, which was delicious and delivered an explosion of flavor. Strips of grilled chicken smothered in mango chutney, lying on a bed of lettuce, sprinkled with sweet corn, crunchy apple and bell pepper, and a thick zesty green-colored dressing, which came to us on the side. We also tried Shrimps Coconut, pan-fried shrimps wrapped with crispy Japanese breading and served with Tartar dressing – a comfort bite to say the least.
For our main course, we had two new items: Crispy Tender Chicken Sandwich with chili sauce, Drawn Roll Chicken, and two wonderful steaks. We started with the chicken dishes. If you like crispy chicken, this burger is a must, the combined flavor of the classic burger toppings, cheddar cheese, and chili sauce works. Next, we dove into the Drawn Roll Chicken, a roasted chicken roll with a tasty marinade, stuffed with gouda cheese, mozzarella cheese, fresh mushroom, smoked turkey, and served on layers of tasty angel hair. We followed with Monterey Jack filet. Charcoaled to perfection, the beef filet came topped with sliced beef sausage with a homemade queso cheese sauce, served with fresh vegetables and French fries. However, the Berry Tenderloin was my absolute favorite meal at Favilla Lounge. My filet was brought to me with their renowned berry sauce alongside two other sauces: coffee bean sauce and their signature Filetto Oliva sauce. After dipping our medium rare meat into all three separate sauces, we were in love!
For dessert, we headed for Favilla’s Cookie Pan and the Lotus Cheesecake. The pan is described as a taste of heaven at Favilla Lounge, and the taste indeed lived up to the metaphor. The Lotus Cheesecake was a perfectly satisfactory last-bite before we set out for home.
Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available
The rib-eye steak, described as flame grilled, fatty beef cut, marinated carefully, perfected with Garlic Maison Butter is definitely one to try during the next visit.
Beverages options include a wide variety of (non-alcoholic) beverages, from sodas to juices, and hot drinks.
Décor & Ambience
A mixed clientele, from friends or work groups, to girls on their laptops, and families, all enjoying the semi-outdoor terrace overlooking the calm side entrances to the mall. The lounge has a casual-meets-luxury feel. It is laid back, spacious, with music and screens throughout the venue (for all you football lovers).
Price Range: Moderate
Contact Information Opening hours: 9 am to 2 am.
Address: Plaza 34, Sheikh Zayed
Instagram & Facebook: @favillalounge
April Fool’s Day is right around the corner and it’s time for you to prank your friends and spread hoaxes. How exciting is this? Even though it’s not a public holiday in every country, yet April 1st is a day where most countries enjoy since 1582. Here are fun and interesting facts about how different countries take April Fool’s Day seriously!
Brazil
April Fool’s Day in Brazil is called dia das mentiras (the day of lies) or dia dos bobos (day of fools). It started becoming popular in 1828 when A Mentira, a famous publication, wrote a false story announcing the death of the Emperor of Brazil, Don Pedro. News outlets keep publishing false headlines and news to prank Brazilians on April 1st since then.
France
French children have a popular tradition on April Fools’; they anxiously wait for this day every year to stick a paper fish on the victim’s back and shout Poisson d’Avril (April Fish!). The pranks in France started in 1564 when King Charles IX changed the New Year from April 1st to January 1st but many were not convinced and continued celebrating the New Year in April. Those who were still following the old calendar were given false presents and were called fools.
Greece
There are different interesting beliefs about April Fool’s Day in Greece.
If you are able to prank someone, your year will be filled with good luck and you will have a year full of good crops!
It is also believed that if it rains on April 1st, your wounds will heal.
Scotland
The Scottish call this day Hunt The Gowk Day because Gowk in Scottish literally means a foolish person. They actually celebrate April Fools’ like no others! They celebrate it in two days, the first day is only dedicated to pranking others and on the second day they place tails on other’s backs- the second day is called Tailie Day. Yes! the Scottish surely know how to celebrate April Fool’s Day the right way.
It’s time for you to shine and show your friends your skills with being a trickster. Also, like they say “what goes around comes back around like a hula hoop” so be aware not to fall into the trap of being the victim not the prankster and have a Happy April Fool’s Day!
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house, it can also be for your mind and your soul! Enjoy either some helpful books to organize and “elevate” your life or immerse yourself in some flights of fantasy and intrigue with a stellar selection of the hottest fiction on the market.
The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life
by Robin Sharma
The 5 AM Club is based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped Robin Sharma’s clients maximize their productivity, activate their best health and bulletproof their serenity in this age of overwhelming complexity. Discover the early-rising habit that has helped so many accomplish results, upgrading happiness, helpfulness and feelings of aliveness.
Milkman
by Anna Burns
Middle sister, our protagonist, is busy attempting to keep her mother from discovering her maybe-boyfriend, and to keep everyone in the dark about her encounter with Milkman.
Milkman is a tale of gossip and hearsay, silence and deliberate deafness. It is the story of inaction with enormous consequences.
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A new story about anxiety
by Sarah Wilson
Author Sarah Wilson has lived through high anxiety – including bipolar, OCD and several suicide attempts – her whole life. Could anxiety be re-sewn, she asked, into a thing of beauty?
So began a seven-year journey to find a more meaningful and helpful take on anxiety and emerged with the very best philosophy, science and hacks for thriving with the beast.
The Banker’s Wife
by Cristina Alger
The only thing worse than finding out that your husband is dead, is discovering the secrets he left behind. Annabel’s seemingly perfect expatriate life in Geneva is shattered when her banker husband Matthew’s plane crashes in the Alps. When Annabel finds clues that his death may not be all it seems, she puts herself in the crosshairs of powerful enemies and questions whether she really knew her husband at all.
Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the Upward Spiral That Will Change Your Life
by Barbara L. Fredrickson
World renowned researcher Dr. Barbara Fredrickson gives you the lab-tested tools necessary to create a healthier, more vibrant, and flourishing life through a process she calls, “the upward spiral.” With Positivity, you’ll learn to see new possibilities, bounce back from setbacks, connect with others, and become the best version of yourself.
Redemption Road
by John Hart
A boy with a gun waits for the man who killed his mother. A troubled detective confronts her past in the aftermath of a brutal shooting. After thirteen years in prison, a good cop walks free as deep in the forest, on the altar of an abandoned church, a body cools in pale linen … This is a town on the brink. This is Redemption Road.
The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.
The Wicked King
by Holly Black
You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring. When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.
TV Addicts, rejoice! To keep you plugged into what is premiering every month, we put together a monthly list of new TV series set to air! We’ve added a description and a trailer for each show, so all you have to do is choose what sounds good and start streaming!
*Shows are listed in alphabetical order.
Bless this mess
Newlyweds Rio (Lake Bell) and Mike (Dax Shepard) decide to move from the Big Apple to Nebraska to become farmers in this comedy from Liz Meriwether and Bell.
brockmire: season 3
After a stint in rehab, Brockmire is working with a radio station to cover spring training with new co-host Gabby Taylor (Tawny Newsome) when they hear of an opportunity to become lead broadcasters in Oakland in the third season of the comedy.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Season 2
Sabrina is set to embrace her witchy side in season two, with a new platinum blonde ‘do to boot’. The new episodes will also see Sabrina caught up in an “unholy love trial” between warlock Nicholas Scratch and mortal Havey Kinkle.
Escaping Polygamy focuses on the dramatic work of three sisters who escaped from the polygamous cult known as the Kingston clan as young women and now help other young men, women and children to escape, preferring to face hell than spend another day inside.
huge in france
Gad is a hugely famous comedian … in France. Check out his latest stand-up comedy on Netflix in April.
The hourlong series centers on a hard-living but “irreverent” blind woman (Perry Mattfeld, Shameless) who thinks she stumbles across the scene of the murder of her drug-dealing friend. When the cops don’t believe her story—the body is nowhere to be found when they arrive—she sets out to track down the man’s killer herself with the help of her guide dog, Pretzel.
Into the Dark: I’m Just F*cking With You
A pair of siblings suffer through a night of frightening practical jokes during their stay at a secluded motel.
killing eve: season 2
The second season picks up seconds after the season one finale, with Eve (Sandra Oh) unsure if Villanelle (Jodie Comer) is going to be alive, but goes on to search for her.
Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger: Season 2
Tandy Bowen (Olivia Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph) continue to grow and learn more about their skills and themselves in the second season of the coming-of-age drama based on the comic book series.
Our Planet
Netflix’s Our Planet, a new eight-part documentary series from the team behind Blue Planet and Planet Earth. Like its predecessors, it is a mammoth undertaking, filmed over four years in 50 different countries. And, most importantly of all, it is set to be narrated by David Attenborough.
Ryan O’Connell adapts his own memoir (I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves) and stars in this eight-episode comedy series produced by Jim Parsons.
Change is in the air for Lucky, Pru and Abigail, as new episodes of DreamWorks’ Spirit Riding Free find the PALs faced with big changes and even bigger choices.
Jane (Katie Stevens), Kat (Aisha Dee) and Sutton (Meghann Fahy), continue to juggle love and life as Scarlet Magazine makes some changes including new staff.
the chi: season 2
Brandon juggles his food truck business and differences with his girlfriend Jerrika, while Kevin grows closer to his friends, Papa and Jake. Emmett seeks custody of his son, as his mother begins a new chapter in her life. Detective Cruz begins a new case, while Ronnie seeks to learn to live with his actions and change in the second season of the coming-of-age drama.
the code
Colonel Eisa Turnbull (Dana Delany) heads up the staff of attorneys for the Marine Corps’ Judge Advocate Division, which includes Capt. John “Abe” Abraham (Luke Mitchell), 2nd Lieutenant Harper Li (Phillipa Soo), Major Maya Dobbins (Anna Wood), Major Trey Ferry (Ato Essandoh), and Warrant Officer Carlton Prickett (Raffi Barsoumian) in this military legal drama co-created by Craig Sweeny and Craig Turk.
the last o.g.: season 2
Tray (Tracy Morgan) decides to pursue a new career as a chef after losing his job in the second season of the comedy created by Morgan, Jordan Peele and John Carcieri. The second season of the Tracy Morgan/Tiffany Haddish comedy features appearances from Method Man, Rev Run, Talib Kweli, Rakim, Jack McBrayer, and Dan Hedaya.
The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz) and Arthur Everest (Griffin Newman) face both new and old enemies.
The Twlight Zone
The Twilight Zone is a science-fiction/fantasy anthology television series created by Rod Serling. … As an anthology series, each episode presents its own separate story, often a morality play, involving people who face unusual or extraordinary circumstances, therefore entering the “Twilight Zone”.
Trolls: The Beat Goes On! season 6
The show picks up where the film Trolls left off; the series will follow Queen Poppy, Branch, the Snack Pack and the other Trolls, and their Bergen pals, as they experience everyday life in Troll Village.
London detectives investigate crimes from the past; unraveling secrets left buried for years. When the body of a young man is discovered in a derelict building, DCI Cassie Stuart is called in to investigate with her partner, DI Sunil Khan.
warrior
Each Set in the late 1800s, gifted martial artist Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji) immigrates from China to San Francisco and ends up as an enforcer for one of the Chinatown tongs in this drama created by Jonathan Tropper and inspired by Bruce Lee’s original writings.
Wife Swap
During the first week, the new wife must adhere to exactly the same rules and lifestyle of the wife she is replacing. … At the end of the two weeks, the two couples all meet together for the first time, and the wives, along with their husbands, discuss how they felt about the two weeks.
you me her: season 4
The series revolves around married, vanilla thirty-somethings Jack and Emma Trakarsky, whose desires to conceive have been hampered by their lack of sex drive. One day, Jack’s efforts to solve the problem leads both him and Emma to Izzy Silva, a 25-year-old college student and part-time escort. After initially intending to see her as clients, the two jointly start to fall in love with Izzy, who in turn starts to feel the same way. Consequently, they decide to terminate the arrangement and bring Izzy into the marriage as a lover. This opens up a world of new challenges as they find themselves having to navigate their way through a minefield of prying, nosy neighbors with very narrow social norms and prejudices, whilst at the same time struggling to confront their own feelings and insecurities and adjust to the unfamiliar dynamic of a polyamorous relationship.
Following on from Black Mirror episode Bandersnatch, Netflix continues to experiment with interactive TV with this new “interactive adventure series” with Bear Grylls.
Lebanese born Chef Walid Baz has set a challenging benchmark with the launch of his exciting new menu. Anyone who finds it hard to resist Lebanese cuisine shouldn’t waste a minute in heading along to Sabaya for an unparalleled gastronomic treat.
Signature Dishes & Dishes Sampled
Traditional dishes delivered with contemporary flair and cooked to perfection. Expect to find hot and cold mezza, salads, fattah, soups, and a mouthwatering array of seafood, poultry, meat and vegetable dishes to pamper all tastes and appetites. Signature dishes cover absolutely everything!
We firmly believe that any good meal should start with salads and mezzeh. Taking things slowly, we enjoyed a refreshing aperitif before addressing the increasing array of dishes that started to fill up our table. Not knowing where to start, we wandered from Tabbouleh to Mofasakh Eggplant, an addictive dish of sliced grilled eggplant with yogurt, garlic, sumac, pomegranate and olive oil, then from Hummus with Shrimp to Raheb, created from chopped grilled eggplant with diced tomato, sumac, pomegranate and olive oil, before dipping into an exceptional Mohamara, a blend of red pepper, onion, walnuts and tomato. The garnish of cashew nuts was new for us, but worked well.
We let Chef Walid guide us in the choice of our main course, and couldn’t fault the tender Dajaj Matmor (grilled boneless chicken) covered with onion, garlic, sumac, and served with Lebanese rice. Our sea bass fillet had been marinated in black pepper, cumin and fresh coriander, and shared a platter with some of the largest, most succulent shrimp we have ever enjoyed. Marinated in black pepper, mustard, cumin and garlic, they went down very quickly and are on our short list for our next visit. Timing is paramount when cooking fish and seafood, as it is so easy to overcook them, but both the sea bass and the shrimp were cooked to perfection.
The dessert menu offers plenty of choice, but this time we steered away from usual picks and shared Mafroukeh, pistachio-laden semolina topped with eshta and strawberries. From beginning to end, every dish had hit the spot, attesting to the skills and vast culinary experience of Chef Walid.
Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available
We would try the Fattah Bel Dajaj, Othmanlleya and definitely the Flavors of Lebanon Degustation menu.
Beverage options include a full bar, along with soft options and hot beverages.
Décor & Ambience
Intimate, contemporary and chic, the décor and ambience are soothing and relaxing and allow you to focus on the excellent food. Service from the professional team is courteous, with seamless timing and attention to detail.
Clientele mix: Couples, business colleagues, small groups of friends. We had opted for an early meal, but the Sabaya was already quite busy.
Price range: Moderate upwards, in line with the quality.
Contact information Opening hours: 1 pm to 1 am
Address: Semiramis InterContinental Hotel, Corniche El Nil, Garden City
Tel: 02 2798 8000
Casareccio brings the taste of Italy to Cairo with authentic Italian dishes curated by Carlo Giovanni. Casareccio roughly translates to “home-cooking” in Italian and the menu is filled with authentic dishes that bring the mantra to life.
Signature Dishes & Dishes Sampled
Just like Nonna’s kitchen there are no signature dishes because guests are expected to eat everything! It would not be a truly memorable trip to Casareccio without trying the homemade pasta made from scratch, the fresh-to-order pizza or the handmade gnocchi.
To start we chose to sit outside to watch the sunset and grabbed a fresh juice and coffee while we previewed the twenty-page menu at Casareccio. To start our meal, we had tempura battered calamari: crispy, fresh and complemented with a delicious tartar sauce, the hearty potato croquettes, and finally, the buffalo mozzarella sending us over the edge with its rich taste. Biting off far more than we could chew, we decided to try all three of the signature Italian dishes starting with the Ricotta Ravioli. Ravioli has big shoes to fill and this homemade masterpiece was rich in flavor and stood out with its attention to detail. Each piece of raviloi was fresh and stuffed perfectly with cheese contrasting the sharpness of the tomato sauce. The Pesto Gnocchi was just as memorable with just the right amount of pesto and cheese. As the Don Livio Pizza came out fresh from the oven we thought it would be hard to top the two previous main courses but were again surprised with the mouthwatering flavors of the goat cheese, arugula, cherry tomato, and mozzarella. Wishing we had infinite space to eat into the night we decided to end our meal with the classic tiramisu and chocolate cheesecake.
Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available
The menu was extensive and could have fed us for a week but we decided on our next trip that the fresh fish, veal, and cannelloni cannot be missed. Casareccio also serves breakfast and lunch items including eggs and burgers so stopping in for a daytime bite was also appealing.
Beverage options include soft drinks ranging from hot to cold.
Décor & Ambience
Rustic wood, metal accents, and deep reds make up the simple decor that is effective in creating an atmosphere that is upscale but also comfortable.
The ambience is relaxed and inviting with quaint indoor and outdoor seating areas to accommodate couples, families, or groups. The restaurant is designed to evoke the feeling of home and does just that with neutral colors, soft lighting, and pops of color.
Hot Tip: The outdoor eating area is beautiful and cozy so if you’re heading to Casareccio for a late dinner and want to sit outside, pack a sweater or light jacket.
Clientele mix: Mixed clientele.
Price range: For the portion size and quality the menu is very affordably priced.
Contact information Address: Moustafa Kamel Axis, First Settlement
Hours: 12 pm to 12 am
Phone Number: 02 2328 1606
Facebook and Instagram: casareccioeg
If you’d rather make your almond oil at home, we got you covered! Follow these easy steps and you’ll have fresh almond oil at hand and feel proud of your DIY skills.
All you need is:
2 cups of raw almonds
Blender
2-3 tbsp. of olive oil
Blend the almonds at very low speed and increase the speed gradually as the almonds crush thoroughly. Keep grinding the almonds until it looks like a creamy paste.
Add the olive oil to the mixture and continue blending. You can add more olive oil if the paste is still too thick.
Store the mixture at room temperature for 2 weeks.
Pour the mixture into a bowl to strain the oil from the almonds and finally pour the oil in a clean jar and you’re good to go.
Are you sick of looking at the mirror every single morning with those panda eyes? Well it’s time to get rid of your daily concealer and start trying these easy home remedies to have that freshy look!
1. Almond Oil
Almonds are a great source of Vitamin E that will help eliminate dark circles right away. Apply a few drops around your eyes, gently massage it for 2 minutes before going to bed and wash it off the next morning. yes, it is as simple as it sounds and is actually more effective than you might think!
This remedy is extremely efficient and all you need is fresh aloe vera and a cotton pad. Just apply the aloe vera gel under your eyes, massage for a few seconds, leave it for 10-12 minutes and simply clean it with a moist cotton pad. Do this once daily or twice for faster results. Aloe Vera is more than just a plant, it is exactly what your skin needs to reduce all the pigmentation.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains vitamins and enzymes to instantly revive cells under the eyes and help restore the skin to make it look healthier in no time. Dip a Q-tip or a cotton pad into the vinegar and apply it under your eyes and leave it until it dries naturally. Repeat this twice daily and you will feel the difference in only a few days!
Just because we are too occupied and busy with other things does not mean we should forget about our beauty! No matter how old you are you should try these simple home remedies because they are tested by many women and have worked magic with them!! For all those who spend tons of money on creams or makeup products to cover their dark circles, stick to the natural way of rejuvenating your skin and you will look as healthy as you always wanted! Do not feel disappointed if you haven’t seen results right away and just like Erno Laszlo, the magnificent dermatologist said “beautiful skin requires commitment not a miracle.”
Décor & Ambience
