Already on the foodie radar for its memorable pop-up events, presided over by its four founding partners; Alia, Nada, Chef Maha and Chef Yomna, Lokali offers vegan and vegetarian friendly food in Maadi. Catching it only a few days after its launch, we dropped in for a late lunch.

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled
The menu is mainly about breakfast items, salads, pizza, sandwiches and burgers, with appetizers, vegan pasta and other main dishes coming soon. The scrambled eggs and omelet dishes are already scoring good reviews, it should be noted. True to Lokali’s ethos, locally sourced, chemical-free ingredients are used in all dishes, and products, including bread, mayo and condiments are made in-house. The focus is on recapturing traditional flavors and produce, with a contemporary twist. Vegans and vegetarians are also well catered for.

Reaching Lokali an hour before closing time, we opted to share a salad to start, with a sandwich and burger to follow. We had just started sipping on our Aswan Hibiscus Iced Tea, (with bio-degradable straws, we were delighted to note) when our Mixed Greens & Strawberry Salad, complete with a selected addition of sous-vide duck breast arrived. It was easily large enough to share, and we loved the play of flavors between the sharp sweetness of the strawberry, the garlic confit and the creamy tang of goat cheese. The honey and cilantro vinaigrette was a perfect match; we would come back again for that alone.

Our Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich and Lokali’s Burger followed a few minutes later, on locally handmade plates. Both portions were substantial, even with our healthy appetites we were challenged to clear our plates. The burger comes with a variety of add-ons, we went for beetroot marmalade and melted cheese. It was a combo made in heaven. Burgers come encased in fresh, buttery, homemade brioche buns, another Lokali touch. The beef patty, also cooked sous-vide before browning, was huge, moist and succulent. Made from a mix of lean local sirloin and brisket, the flavor was exceptional.  The batter-fried chicken with cheese, tomato and gravy came served on a basil and roumi waffle, again in a generous portion. Both dishes were accompanied by crunchy potato wedges with wonderfully fluffy centers. Top marks!

There was really no room left for dessert, but we managed a dainty scoop of homemade peanut butter and eshta ice cream: a nice finishing touch.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

We would love to try out the pasta dishes as soon as they are added to the menu. A visit for breakfast is definitely a plan as well.

The beverage menu is still being prepared; expect to find traditional local drinks, along with coffee and tea.

Décor & Ambience

Lokali is refreshingly informal. It exudes boho chic, both in the compact interior and garden area, with local ethnic elements blending with edgy lighting. Seating is simple but comfortable, with wooden chairs and a rug-covered corner section, which we swiftly headed for. There is a selection of colorful striped blankets available for anyone wanting to ward off the chill of a winter evening, a thoughtful touch. Background music is relaxing and sets a chilled out mood.

Clientele mix: Everyone who enjoys good uncomplicated but imaginative food, and those who are vigilant about the sourcing of local chemical-free produce. Also, lots of young urban professionals looking for downtime relaxation.

Price range: Very reasonable.

Worth noting:
Responsible pet owners, Lokali is a pet- friendly zone!

Contact information
Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday
Address: 33B, Road 250 Digla, Maadi
Tel: 0100 046 1332
Facebook: lokalieg
Instagram: lokalieg

Baky Hospitality has added another star to its’ excellent roster of restaurants in Cairo, and we were eager to scope out their take on modern Italian food in New Cairo. This is one of the few, if any, establishments that offer a complete section of pork dishes – so those in need of a fix, you now know where to go. We visited for a leisurely dinner and left impressed. A return visit is already pencilled in for the fine-dining spot in New cairo!

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled

Signature dishes include the Fresh Burrata flown in from Italy, Fresh Homemade Pasta dishes, and the entire Specialita Di Maiale – an imported pork section from Italy comprising of both antipasti and secondi dishes like Spaghetti Carbonara, Cappeliti stuffed with Ricotta cheese and crispy prosciutto and Saltimbocca, a veal cutlet wrapped in prosciutto.

We started our meal with a selection of salads and antipasti – the Fresh Burrata, the Tartufa Bianca pizza, and the Vitello Tonnato Tartare. All of Lexie’s cheeses and many ingredients, including the artisanal Italian Burrata, are flown in weekly directly from Italy to ensure freshness and quality of taste. The Burrata was extremely creamy and delicious, adorned by micro greens and topped with wonderfully potent barrel aged Venturini Baldini Balsamic vinegar pearls. The Vitello Tonnato Tartare arrived seasoned to perfection, imported Dutch veal tartar tossed with a tuna, basil and Parmigiana dressing and freshly baked crostini for spreading. Those not keen on consuming raw meat can rest assured that this is the perfect opportunity to venture astray for a taste, it truly is spectacular. The homemade pizza is a must-try; a combination of light thin crust baked with special Italian flour, Fior Di Latte (fresh milk cream), truffle marinated mushrooms and drizzled with truffle oil. You can judge an Italian restaurant by it’s’ pizza, and Lexie’s wins with flying colors.

On to the main courses, the Scampi Risotto blew us away. A combination of shrimp, sofrito (a spice purée comprising of bell peppers, tomato, cilantro, garlic and onion), cream, basil oil, and pecorino makes this dish unbelievably flavorsome and good till the last bite. The Beef Tagliata also did not disappoint, sliced South African beef tenderloin on a bed of fresh Rocca drizzled with the same winning balsamic vinegar. Tender, juicy and aromatic.

With little room to spare, we tucked into the light and airy Ricotta Cheesecake served with polenta crumble and a scoop of gelato. Lexie’s homemade gelato is to-die-for and comes in a range of innovative flavors such as basil, brown butter, coffee, caramel, chocolate and authentic vanilla bean. A strong cup of Italian coffee was welcome and needed to accompany a rich and tremendous dessert – Viva Italia!

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

Where to begin? Lexie’s menu needs to be sampled in its’ entirety over several visits. The Osso Buco, Asparagus Risotto, and Lexie’s Black Margherita pizza definitely caught our eye.

Beverage options include a full bar along with fresh juices, soft drinks and authentic Italian coffee menu.

Décor & Ambience

The décor is modern and comfortable. Mood lighting, wood accents, bronze inlays, and marble bars and table-tops make Lexie’s interior a sight to behold. Every detail has been taken into consideration, from the crafted dinnerware to the staff uniforms and aprons. The staff is highly trained in providing diners with a truly hospitable service; a rarity in Cairo’s dining scene and much appreciated.

Worth knowing: Lexie’s offers a wide range of delicious cocktails, perfect for an after-work tipple with antipasti. We sampled the Sardinia Cooler and the Passion Fruit Sgroppino – both refreshing with fresh and citrusy notes. DJs arrive later in the evening for some ambience.

Clientele mix: Couples, 30-somethings, the business set, and small family gatherings are all present under one roof.

Price range: Splurge meal, but a treat and well worth the expense given the imported ingredients and carefully crafted menu.

Contact information
Opening hours: 2:00 pm – 2:00 am
Address: The Lake House Club, South 90^th Street next to Dusit Thani Lakeview Hotel – New Cairo
Tel: 0128 581 8590
Facebook/ Instagram: @lexiesrestaurant