Just in case you didn’t know, the lavish new Phase 2 of Mall of Arabia is now open. We popped in to see for ourselves and tucked into some of the tastiest wok-fried Asian food we have had in a while. The Food Hall is classy, and so is the food.

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled

Dishes at Mr. Kong include Chinese, Thai and Malay favorites. Signature dishes include the Sweet and Sour Chicken, Beef Teriyaki, Bang Bang Shrimp, Caramelized Walnut Shrimp.

We loved the menu; it had a lot of our favorites and included a range of options for diverse tastes. We decided that sharing was the way to go, and kicked off with Bang Bang Shrimp and Vegetable Spring Rolls. The shrimp were large and fresh and the crumbed exterior was nicely crunchy. That freshly-fried taste and texture quickly convinced us that we had more good things in store. The addition of spicy mayo set them off nicely as well. The spring rolls were crisp and came with a sweet chili dip that had us diving back for more.

We had been torn between a choice of dishes to follow, so went overboard and ordered a selection. The ever-popular Sweet and Sour Chicken was as good as any we have tried in locations around the globe. The tender chunks of chicken breast in a light batter with chunks of pineapple and sliced peppers had just the right balance of sharpness and sweetness, and we could immediately see why it is a signature item. The Beef Teriyaki was also amazingly tender, and went down in a flash. It became obvious that nothing but the highest quality produce goes into the flaming woks at Mr. Kong.

The Thai Coconut Curry delivered on flavor, and again, the shrimp were large and perfectly cooked. Maybe it lacked a little of the punch we like in our curry, but we were assured that a spicier version can be requested. Our stir-fried vegetables also came with plenty of sauce, and in a generous portion, so luckily with Chili Egg Noodles and Fried Rice as sides we had something to mop up with.

We had eaten well, but still felt ready to wind up with some deep-fried banana. It came piping hot, in bite-sized pieces, with a decadent caramel dipping sauce, rounding off an enjoyable meal.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

Beef with Sweet Oyster Sauce and Broccoli, Chicken with Sweet Corn and Soy Sauce, Nutella Spring Rolls. Beverage options are limited to water and soft drinks.

Décor & Ambience

As Phase 2 is still in a soft opening stage we easily found a table. There is a choice between high and low seating, and we found our body-sculpted wooden seats surprisingly comfortable. The Food Hall is housed in a spacious atrium with soaring ceilings, stylish lighting and marble flooring. The feel is chic and high end, and teamed with the food quality and efficient, friendly service we experienced, it became rather a treat.

Clientele mix: All ages, families, couples and groups of friends.

Price range:  Very affordable and excellent quality.

Worth knowing: Delivery is available in Sheikh Zayed and 6^th October.

Contact information

Opening hours: 12 pm to 11:30 pm
Address:  Mall of Arabia Phase 2, Food Hall
Tel: 0100 213 4422 / 02 3826 0317
Facebook: mr.kongeg
Instagram: mr.kongeg

Hale is a new restaurant concept that combines fast food with healthy eating. The best of both worlds!

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled
Signature dishes include Tuna Salad, Shawarma Wrap, Hale Burger and a variety of pizzas, made with Hale’s signature homemade crispy dough. Fresh juices are a signature staple at Hale.

It took us no time to locate the compact, modern and cozy restaurant. The décor is bright and colorful and the lightwood and plants on the wall, definitely gave us a sense of freshness and health, in the best of ways.
Photos of signature dishes are displayed on a light board above the counter, in fast-food restaurant fashion, with the calorie count of each dish included in the dish description. We sat on one of the two tables available and were ready to eat, starting off with the Roast Beef Salad. The salad is tidily presented in a plastic plate, alongside tangy mustard vinaigrette. The fresh lettuce and greens were crispy to the bite, and there was enough roast beef to get a piece in every bite. We loved it. Next came the mains: Vegetable Pizza, Halloumi Wrap and Shawarma Wrap. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the bread and the pizza dough. The wholegrain homemade dough worked perfectly in both dishes. The flavors and spices of a shawarma are still there minus a lot of the calories, and with the addition of healthy alternatives like the, avocado paste instead of tahini sauce, still rich and quite tasty. The vegetable pizza is topped with zucchini, red and yellow capsicum, mushrooms, olives and tomatoes. The quality is top notch. The Halloumi Wrap was the winner of the night, light and filling and vegetarian. Hale can easily cater to vegans and vegetarians, which is hard to by. We can’t wait to go back!

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available
Someone ordered the Hale Burger during our visit and it looked amazing! We will definitely try it next time! The Tuna Salad and King Salad also come highly recommended.

Décor & Ambience
Hale’s interior is light, bright, casual and urban. The spot is compact, with only two tables and a bar counter that sits five, but the bright décor makes it feel more spacious and airy.

Clientele mix: Young health conscious employees of the offices near-by. Hale is perfect for a light lunch at the office, with delivery available too!

Price range: Not too cheap but definitely worth the quality of the ingredients and the service.

Worth noting: Little details like the hand sanitizer the staff offers you with your last meal give the restaurant some personality.

Contact information
Opening hours:  12 pm – 12 am
Address:  316-1 at The Courtyard, Sheikh Zayed
Tel:  16859
Instagram: @hale.eg

Viking’s new menu spoils you for choice, with so much to choose from, we had to get comfortable first. After settling into our outdoor seating area, it was time to dive in and sample the new items!

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled

Signature dishes include the Crispy Panko Prawns, Ground Sausage & Cheese Calzone, Steak & Sausage, Beef Fillet, Flat Bread, Lotus Cheese Cake and Chocolate Roche.

After hearing the waiter’s recommendation, we started with a Tomato Soup, always a good option when the weather starts getting colder. Crispy Panko Prawns and Ground Sausage Calzone were a great appetizing opener to what promised to be a good meal. The Prawns were served with an interesting spicy mayo. The Calzone – oven baked filo pastry stuffed with sausage, herbs, mix peppers and mixed cheese topped with rocca, roasted cherry tomato and pepper mayo – satisfied on so many levels.

As a main dish, we opted for the Teriyaki Chicken Halloumi Salad and the famous Steak & Sausage, which came with French fries. Once we tried it we understood why it is the most popular item on the menu. The steak was perfectly grilled and the creamy cheese sauce lathered on and added a rich flavour profile to the meat.

For dessert, we couldn’t resist trying the Lotus Cheesecake, which we highly recommend, as well as the Chocolate Roche. It is good to know that you can trust the waiter’s advice when it comes to placing an order.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

Sample the Garlic Spinach French Rolls, Warm Goat Cheese & Beetroot Salad, Chicken Sweet Chilli, Beef Pepper Mix Cheese, Mushroom Swiss Cheese Burger, Melted Banana Crepe and Pain Perdu.

Different options of milkshakes, cocktails, slushies, ciders, fresh juices, and soft drinks are available.

Décor & Ambience

Modern and casual, the indoor area is really cozy and simple. One of the walls has different types of horns on the shelf and the other one is a green wall. The outdoor area is quiet and spacious.

Clientele mix: All ages, families, couples and groups of friends.

Price range:  Affordable for great quality.

Worth knowing: Delivery is available in Heliopolis and Nasr City.

Contact information

Opening hours: Every day from 10 am to 1:30 am.

Address:  Tivoli Plaza, Heliopolis.

Tel:  010 6423 3333 / 010 1000 0224

Facebook / Instagram:  @VikingEgypt